Reviews with content warning for Ableism - Only When It's Us

Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese

82 reviews

kyleethecatlady's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad 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? Yes

4.5

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beckyyreadss's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad 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

4.0

This was the book club’s pick of the month for February, I suggested this book because I loved Chloe Liese’s Wilmot Sisters’ series and was planning on carrying on with more of her work this year. I adored this book; it was so sweet.

This book has two points of view. The first is Willa Sutter. She is the feisty, tempting chaos. She is the top striker for her football team, and she is working her ass off to get signed when she leaves school. She is dealing with a professor who likes to bust her balls and not let her off just because she plays football. To make matters worse, she is sat next to a silent, surly, mountain man that ignores her when she asks for his lecture notes, and they must work together for their final project which takes up most of their grade. The second point of view is Ryder Bergman. He knows that Willa hates his guts from the moment she sat next to him. He doesn’t care that she hates him, she is too wild and bad-tempered for his quiet, tidy life. The thing is that Willa doesn’t know is that Ryder is hard of hearing. He lost his hearing a few years ago and has been struggling to get his life back. Willa is determined to understand why Ryder hates his and with them being forced to work together, they begin a game of pranks and practical jokes, each determined to come out as the champion. But once they catch unexpected feelings, victory begins to mean something else – winning each other’s hearts.

I adored this book and these characters. I related to Willa a bit too much from how strong and tempered she can get and then how she wants to keep people out even if that means she’s alone, but then at the same time she loves so deeply and stands up for her friends and family. I wanted to hug her so tight when she went through the difficult parts of this book. Ryder was hot, sexy, broken and I love him. Again, I love that he came off as like a rude boy but it’s because he is deaf. Like the deaf representation was needed and I think it was done so well. I liked how he went from being so frustrated that he couldn’t hear but didn’t want to do anything about it, to wanting to try and get help even if it was hurting him or frustrating it. I really enjoyed the introduction to the brothers and the family. I loved the parents; I love that they are used to being in a house with 7 boys that they are like right enough or I'll kick you out. I cannot wait to see more of them.

I think the thing that stopped this being five stars is Willa was a bit annoying at times especially when she was being a bit of a hypocrite, like she knew Ryder was hard of hearing, but was annoyed when she found out she could hear sometimes because of his hearing aid, but then didn’t tell Ryder her mum had cancer, but then was annoyed when she found out he knew and didn’t tell her. Like make your mind up woman. The book was a bit predictable at times – the dad being Willa’s mum doctor, the brother-in-law being the professor, it was a bit easy to guess but it didn’t make it any less enjoyable i just wasn’t gobsmacked or shocked by any of the twists in it.

Just from the little glimpses that we got of these brothers; I cannot wait to see more of them. I am so glad that this has been planned that every single brother is getting a happy ending.

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rhall19's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad 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

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jaklyn_heath_reads's review against another edition

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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? No

5.0

I did not anticipate loving this one. It took me completely by surprise!

Things I loved:
-Willa. Sunshine.
-Ryder. Lumberjack.
-Grumpy meets sunshine trope
-"Enemies" to friends to lovers
-Supportive family and friends
-Realistic
-No third act break up!
-Steamy scenes
-Pacific Northwest love
-Loss and grief handled in realistic and responsible ways
-Harry Potter references

Things I didn't love:
-I'm not a big soccer fan, so the soccer aspect of Willa's life was not as engaging for me but I appreciated that there weren't a ton of soccer scenes. Very minor complaint honestly.

Things I'm not sure how to feel about:
-The disability (deaf and hard of hearing) representation. I am not deaf or hard of hearing so I don't know how someone from that community may feel about how Ryder's disability was portrayed. I felt like it was done with intention and handled gently and respectfully (it didn't feel like it was just to check off a diversity list, in my opinion). Someone from the deaf and hard of hearing community may feel differently given their own experiences. I'm interested to see if anyone has written a review about this aspect.

This was a wonderful romance. I really loved it and can't wait to read more in this series.

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dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Closed Door Mods: Chapter 18 (some parts), Chapter 27 (some parts), Chapter 29, Chapter 30 (some parts)

Such a cute read! Loved Liese’s writing style and her inclusion of disabled leads (also, I think Ryder Bergman is my new book boyfriend). Some parts of the ending could have been condensed, but epilogue was adorable. Will definitely be reading her future works and you need to read Only When It’s Us if you’re looking for a slow-burn, frenemies-to-lovers book with a disabled main character and has great banter.

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whatbeccareadnext's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Well I sobbed my way through at least half of this book. To the point that I'm surprised I could still read the words on the page.

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readwithria's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad 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

“I just know I’d rather be afraid with you than fearless with anyone else”

Only When It’s Us was a steamy, emotional, heart pounding book. Chloe Liese created such beautiful characters, and their struggles felt so real.

Read this book if you love
🩵 grumpy characters
🩶 cute nicknames
🩵 care taking
🩶 sports romance (they’re both soccer players)
🩵 Deaf/HoH rep
🩶 forced proximity
🩵 frenemies to lovers
🩶 college romance

I will say that some of the lumberjack peen puns were a little much for me, and it definitely had some parts where it felt a little slow, but with the Berkley republications coming soon I bet this book will get even better.

I will definitely be reading more of the Bergman books. 4 stars

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