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jaklyn_heath_reads's review
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Terminal illness, and Cancer
Minor: Ableism
whatbeccareadnext's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Ableism, Alcohol, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Abandonment
readwithria's review
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Ableism, Cancer, and Medical content
Minor: War, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
soulwinds's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment, Medical content, and Vomit
laluz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
allonsyahhlee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: War, Vomit, and Abandonment
thaliareads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
While this started a little slow for me, as the plot started to unfold I really enjoyed it. I will say that miscommunication or a lack of communication is probably one of my least favorite tropes. While the initial miscommunication is a fun misunderstanding that sets the stage well, I wish that the characters had just been more honest with eachother later in the book.
However, I love how Ryder truly stuck by Willa no matter how many times she pushed him away. I also love how Willa never made Ryder feel like less than because he chose not to speak or not to pursue hearing aids or learning sign language. She took him at face value and loved him for who he was at his core, regardless of everything else.
However, I love how Ryder truly stuck by Willa no matter how many times she pushed him away. I also love how Willa never made Ryder feel like less than because he chose not to speak or not to pursue hearing aids or learning sign language. She took him at face value and loved him for who he was at his core, regardless of everything else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Ableism, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
linnea_tornblom's review
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cancer, Death of parent, and Sexual content
kirareadssometimes's review
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
4.5
The main characters in this book have such a fun dynamic. Enemies to frenemies to friends to lovers and everything in between. As a hearing person I can’t speak to how accurate the deaf representation was but I loved that it was there, and from my perspective treated with respect. I also loved Willa going to therapy. Felt like a very realistic and healthy way to cope. Really enjoyed the moments of sexual tension that led to momentary exploration. I feel like I don’t find that very often in books or only for one scene. Made me cry but at this point what doesn’t. Great read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, and Ableism
Minor: Abandonment