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nicolecurlsuptoread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [5/5]
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ ½ [4.5/5]
Reread! Originally read in 2021
📌 You’ll dig this if you like
» Grumpy (her) x Sunshine (him)
» Disability & Neurodiversity rep
» Hockey era
» Virgin cinnamon roll MMC
📌 What stood out
» I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- Chloe Liese is a champion of characters with disabilities. They are always written with sensitivity and dignity. Long live the queen! 👑
» Ren’s dad is an amputee; Ren and his siblings grew up knowing no different for inter-abled coupledom. ❤️
» Frankie uses a cane and isn’t afraid to wield it like a weapon if she needs to. Some see it as a marker of her frailty, but she accepts it for its practical advantage. I totally relate to this as a person who uses a cane. Also, cannabis. Because that sh¡t works! #BabesWithMobilityAids
» This was a re-read; details I didn’t note the first time are expertly woven in to set up the next two books. I highly recommend continuing the series!
📌 Moments
» Ren buys Frankie an accessible top when Maddox ruins hers after spilling a drink! She has many of the same one because the fabric and construction work for her. He gets her from early on!
» Frankie connects with Ren’s sister Ziggy in a way no one else has been able to, and it made my heart sing.
🚫 Triggers: chronic illness/ pain rep, ASD rep, home is robbed (off page), references to a certain wizarding world. Please check warnings.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ ½ [4.5/5]
Reread! Originally read in 2021
📌 You’ll dig this if you like
» Grumpy (her) x Sunshine (him)
» Disability & Neurodiversity rep
» Hockey era
» Virgin cinnamon roll MMC
📌 What stood out
» I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- Chloe Liese is a champion of characters with disabilities. They are always written with sensitivity and dignity. Long live the queen! 👑
» Ren’s dad is an amputee; Ren and his siblings grew up knowing no different for inter-abled coupledom. ❤️
» Frankie uses a cane and isn’t afraid to wield it like a weapon if she needs to. Some see it as a marker of her frailty, but she accepts it for its practical advantage. I totally relate to this as a person who uses a cane. Also, cannabis. Because that sh¡t works! #BabesWithMobilityAids
» This was a re-read; details I didn’t note the first time are expertly woven in to set up the next two books. I highly recommend continuing the series!
📌 Moments
» Ren buys Frankie an accessible top when Maddox ruins hers after spilling a drink! She has many of the same one because the fabric and construction work for her. He gets her from early on!
» Frankie connects with Ren’s sister Ziggy in a way no one else has been able to, and it made my heart sing.
🚫 Triggers: chronic illness/ pain rep, ASD rep, home is robbed (off page), references to a certain wizarding world. Please check warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, and Drug use
ankonyx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Oh this was phenomenal and just to my tastes ! What a wonderful way to start the year :) !
I really would like to see/read more books about and by physically disabled authors, and I always look for autism rep because there’s a good chance I am and I like seeing that :)
Regardless actual book! Mwah. Love to see it! I love mutual unrequited pining and soft men :)
Characters were wonderfully realistic and their motivations and actions always made sense to me, which is always wonderful !!
All in all, solid 9.5/10 !
I really would like to see/read more books about and by physically disabled authors, and I always look for autism rep because there’s a good chance I am and I like seeing that :)
Regardless actual book! Mwah. Love to see it! I love mutual unrequited pining and soft men :)
Characters were wonderfully realistic and their motivations and actions always made sense to me, which is always wonderful !!
All in all, solid 9.5/10 !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Ableism
Moderate: Drug use
mabellene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Ableism
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
pia_h's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
A lovely romance about an interabled couple
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Ableism, Cursing, Drug use, Pregnancy, and Bullying
kirareadssometimes's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book was real cringey. And as a person who does not like theater kids, it was even worse and harder to read. And what is with the playlist thing? I don’t understand how that ties in to this or the previous book. Feels out of place.
The MC’s relationship was sweet and overall I liked Frankie. Any scenes with the Bergman family were obvious standouts, but then there were many characters that seemed like they would be important to the story but would just disappear. Felt like there were too many plot points and tropes trying to be squeezed in which resulted in plot holes and an MMC who felt flawless in an unflattering way. Being the second book in the series makes me nervous for what’s to come and if I want to continue…
1.25 🌶️ scenes
The MC’s relationship was sweet and overall I liked Frankie. Any scenes with the Bergman family were obvious standouts, but then there were many characters that seemed like they would be important to the story but would just disappear. Felt like there were too many plot points and tropes trying to be squeezed in which resulted in plot holes and an MMC who felt flawless in an unflattering way. Being the second book in the series makes me nervous for what’s to come and if I want to continue…
1.25 🌶️ scenes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Death of parent, Ableism, and Injury/Injury detail
kelly_e's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Title: Always Only You
Author: Chloe Liese
Series: Bergman Brothers #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: August 4, 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Spicy • Refreshing • Endearing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Ren
The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game - besides hockey, that is.
I'm a player on the team, she's on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue. Frankie won't be here forever - she's headed for bigger, better things. I just hope that when she leaves the team and I tell her how I feel, she won't want to leave me behind, too.
Frankie
I've had a problem at work since the day Ren Bergman joined the team: a six foot three hunk of happy with a sunshine smile. I'm a grumbly grump, and his ridiculously good nature drives me nuts, but even I can't entirely ignore that hot tamale of a ginger with icy eyes, the perfect playoff beard, and a body built for sin that he's annoyingly modest about.
Before I got wise, I would have tripped over myself to get a guy like Ren, but with my diagnosis, I've learned what I am to most people in my life - a problem, not a person. Now, opening my heart to anyone, no matter how sweet, is the last thing I'm prepared to do.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd previously enjoyed book one in Bergman series, so I knew I wanted to continue on. As an avid hockey fan, I was really looking forward to Always Only You because of that aspect. When I ended up in a bit of a reading rut earlier this month, something made me pick up this book and I am so glad I did.
I adored Frankie and Ren individually, but also together! Frankie is fierce and independent whereas Ren has a heart of gold and an old-soul. They are equally loveable and selfless characters. Their grumpy/sunshine natures came across as genuine, their banter was so well done, and their chemistry felt so real. Frankie's job as in-game social media coordinator for the LA Kings was so interesting to me, as was getting a bit of a behind-the-scenes of playing in the NHL. And of course, members of the Bergman family make special cameos throughout, which added to the appeal.
Chloe Liese's disability (autoimmune disease/arthritis) and neurodivergent (autism) rep were very well executed. As a reader, I really got the sense of Frankie's everyday challenges and adjustments in her daily life. Her struggles with socializing and people's reactions to her illness felt genuine as well. Frankie isn't letting her disability or illness hold her back, and I absolutely loved that.
I do have to say the writing wasn't quite as tight as it was in book one. But I enjoyed this story so much that it was easy to overlook. And I'm even willing to go out on a limb, and predict Always Only You will end up being my favourite in the series! This dual POV, slow burn/forbidden romance tackles some hard conversations, while remaining lighthearted. I loved the hockey, the romance, the setting, the characters, and the representation. It can easily be read as a standalone, why anyone would want to skip book one is beyond me. I'd highly recommend starting with Only When It's Us and savouring each sibling's story for the most enjoyable experience. I am eagerly anticipating jumping into book three sometime this summer and seeing where the rest of the series goes from here.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• sports romance lovers
• readers looking for disability rep
• fans of great banter
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Books help me feel a bit more connected to a world that is often hard to make sense of. Books are patient with me. They don't laugh at me instead of with me. They don't ask why I'm always frowning or why I can't sit still. Books welcome me, weirdness and all and take me exactly as I am."
"'Some days I do feel cynical. Others day I'm optimistic. I think that on hard days, when everything hurt and everything feels difficult, I don't find myself very loveable. And I know it's not true, that I'm not allowed to struggled, that I'm not loveable when I do, but it feels... real.'"
"But not everyone has to love us, just the people that matter."
Author: Chloe Liese
Series: Bergman Brothers #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: August 4, 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Spicy • Refreshing • Endearing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Ren
The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game - besides hockey, that is.
I'm a player on the team, she's on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue. Frankie won't be here forever - she's headed for bigger, better things. I just hope that when she leaves the team and I tell her how I feel, she won't want to leave me behind, too.
Frankie
I've had a problem at work since the day Ren Bergman joined the team: a six foot three hunk of happy with a sunshine smile. I'm a grumbly grump, and his ridiculously good nature drives me nuts, but even I can't entirely ignore that hot tamale of a ginger with icy eyes, the perfect playoff beard, and a body built for sin that he's annoyingly modest about.
Before I got wise, I would have tripped over myself to get a guy like Ren, but with my diagnosis, I've learned what I am to most people in my life - a problem, not a person. Now, opening my heart to anyone, no matter how sweet, is the last thing I'm prepared to do.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd previously enjoyed book one in Bergman series, so I knew I wanted to continue on. As an avid hockey fan, I was really looking forward to Always Only You because of that aspect. When I ended up in a bit of a reading rut earlier this month, something made me pick up this book and I am so glad I did.
I adored Frankie and Ren individually, but also together! Frankie is fierce and independent whereas Ren has a heart of gold and an old-soul. They are equally loveable and selfless characters. Their grumpy/sunshine natures came across as genuine, their banter was so well done, and their chemistry felt so real. Frankie's job as in-game social media coordinator for the LA Kings was so interesting to me, as was getting a bit of a behind-the-scenes of playing in the NHL. And of course, members of the Bergman family make special cameos throughout, which added to the appeal.
Chloe Liese's disability (autoimmune disease/arthritis) and neurodivergent (autism) rep were very well executed. As a reader, I really got the sense of Frankie's everyday challenges and adjustments in her daily life. Her struggles with socializing and people's reactions to her illness felt genuine as well. Frankie isn't letting her disability or illness hold her back, and I absolutely loved that.
I do have to say the writing wasn't quite as tight as it was in book one. But I enjoyed this story so much that it was easy to overlook. And I'm even willing to go out on a limb, and predict Always Only You will end up being my favourite in the series! This dual POV, slow burn/forbidden romance tackles some hard conversations, while remaining lighthearted. I loved the hockey, the romance, the setting, the characters, and the representation. It can easily be read as a standalone, why anyone would want to skip book one is beyond me. I'd highly recommend starting with Only When It's Us and savouring each sibling's story for the most enjoyable experience. I am eagerly anticipating jumping into book three sometime this summer and seeing where the rest of the series goes from here.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• sports romance lovers
• readers looking for disability rep
• fans of great banter
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Books help me feel a bit more connected to a world that is often hard to make sense of. Books are patient with me. They don't laugh at me instead of with me. They don't ask why I'm always frowning or why I can't sit still. Books welcome me, weirdness and all and take me exactly as I am."
"'Some days I do feel cynical. Others day I'm optimistic. I think that on hard days, when everything hurt and everything feels difficult, I don't find myself very loveable. And I know it's not true, that I'm not allowed to struggled, that I'm not loveable when I do, but it feels... real.'"
"But not everyone has to love us, just the people that matter."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Ableism
Moderate: Mental illness, Chronic illness, Cursing, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Alcohol, Death of parent, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, and Death
cady_sass's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Read for StoryGraph 2023 Genre Challenge, reading prompt #1: A contemporary or literary fiction novel with disability rep.
Perfectly articulated autism and chronic illness representation. I will admit that I’m biased in this category, but it’s so refreshing to read a novel that gets it *right* - there were more than a few seemingly minor scenes/occurrences that brought tears to my eyes.
I found this to be incredibly wholesome and adorable, so much so that when chapter 26 shows up i was taken by complete surprise. MY god is it hot in here?! The surprise spice! Oh boy.
While I have nothing against the spice, I will say that this part of the story is why I deducted stars from my rating - this actually might’ve been the first contemporary romance to earn a 5 star rating from me - but the spicy scenes were the ONLY part of the disability rep that didn’t ring true. For someone on the spectrum, with chronic, debilitating pain, this scene simply would not go down like this. And it’s disappointing, it’s a complete disservice to the character work that was already done.
On the flip side, the character work for the able-bodied characters and how they interact is equally important here and is done flawlessly. The simple, uncomplicated nature with which these people care for the disabled people in their life as if there’s nothing different, no imposition, while still managing to validate the experiences and difficulties they face?! Not being perfect all the time but always trying? Swoon. This 👏🏻 is 👏🏻 how 👏🏻 to 👏🏻 be 👏🏻 inclusive 👏🏻
Perfectly articulated autism and chronic illness representation. I will admit that I’m biased in this category, but it’s so refreshing to read a novel that gets it *right* - there were more than a few seemingly minor scenes/occurrences that brought tears to my eyes.
I found this to be incredibly wholesome and adorable, so much so that when chapter 26 shows up i was taken by complete surprise. MY god is it hot in here?! The surprise spice! Oh boy.
While I have nothing against the spice, I will say that this part of the story is why I deducted stars from my rating - this actually might’ve been the first contemporary romance to earn a 5 star rating from me - but the spicy scenes were the ONLY part of the disability rep that didn’t ring true. For someone on the spectrum, with chronic, debilitating pain, this scene simply would not go down like this. And it’s disappointing, it’s a complete disservice to the character work that was already done.
On the flip side, the character work for the able-bodied characters and how they interact is equally important here and is done flawlessly. The simple, uncomplicated nature with which these people care for the disabled people in their life as if there’s nothing different, no imposition, while still managing to validate the experiences and difficulties they face?! Not being perfect all the time but always trying? Swoon. This 👏🏻 is 👏🏻 how 👏🏻 to 👏🏻 be 👏🏻 inclusive 👏🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Drug use, Cursing, Medical content, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
tragicgloom's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Ableism, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Minor: Bullying, Blood, and Alcohol
eligru's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Drug use, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying and Body shaming
coacklebee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
LOVED this one! I laughed so hard so many times. I enjoyed this even more than the first Bergman brothers book. This was a hilarious and touching slow burn romance that I know I will be reading again. Ren is an adorable cinnamon roll hero, and Frankie is hilarious and so relatable. They both are! Loved all the Shakespeare (especially the team's Midsummer Night's Dream ritual), joking pet names, witty one-liners, and generally the whole experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Pregnancy, Ableism, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Blood