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hjb_128's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexism
amy_in_the_city's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
First, this was trying to be enemies to lovers, but there was no good reason to be enemies in the first place or for them to hold on to their antagonistic relationship for so long. They jumped straight to enemies just because he didn't hear her say one thing and she didn't know he was deaf. Even after she found out that he wasn't deliberately ignoring her, she still considered him a "frenemy" (this word was used way too much). The main characters frequently acted like they were 10 years old, at one point even throwing elbows and pulling ponytails in class.
I especially didn't like Willa. She completely lost me after she
I liked that there was disability rep, with a leading man who is deaf, but I kind of felt like the book treated the deafness as an obstacle to overcome before the romantic relationship really could get going. There was a lot of importance placed on him hearing her voice and on getting him to start speaking again. I do appreciate that the author took feedback from reviews after the book was originally published, made some changes, and released an edited edition to try to fix some of the representation issues, but I think some of the bones of the old issues remain. I am not part of the Deaf community, so I am not an expert on how the representation was handled, but others who are Deaf have posted their reviews, and I encourage people to read those for more insight.
This gets an extra star for Ryder. He's mostly a really great guy, and I really liked him.
I think this book also ruined the word "lumberjack" for me forever. I've reached my lifetime quota and might never want to see the word again.
Graphic: Sexual content, Ableism, Death, Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Vomit, Misogyny, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and War
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Ableism and Medical content
vj_thompson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Abandonment, Grief, Sexual content, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Cancer
Moderate: Alcohol and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
whatbeccareadnext's review against another edition
- 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
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 against another edition
- 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
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
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
- 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
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment, Medical content, and Vomit
snipinfool's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Ryder Bergman was a quiet guy who usually sat on the first row of his classes. His life changed dramatically two years previously when he got bacterial meningitis. Ryder recovered, but his life was forever changed. A major difference was that he no longer played competitive soccer. Ryder loved the game and had come to UCLA on a athletic scholarship. He planned to play as a freshman starter on the men's team. When Willa Sutter, the women's soccer star, sat next to him in Business Math, he was reminded again of his loss. Ryder was confused as to why she seemed to dislike him. He often looked up and saw her staring at him angrily. Ryder was confused by her actions, but didn't try to figure out why. It was a shame she felt the way she did because Ryder found her very attractive.
I loved their story. This was a very slow burn frenemies to lovers romance. Once they got past their communication issues, Willa and Ryder's relationship took a turn for the better. They were no longer at odds with each other and became someone the other could depend on. The secondary characters in the story were relatable and helped to carry the story forward. The loving relationship between Willa and her mother was very touching. This book is the first in the seven book Bergman Brothers series (7 siblings- 5 brothers and 2 sisters). I love a good series and I can't wait to meet Willa and Ryder again in the upcoming books. I am sure they will still be living their happily ever after.
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Chronic illness and Medical content
kirareadssometimes's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, and Ableism
Minor: Abandonment
cates_reading_nook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content