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ky_adams2016'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved the characters and the respect that they build together. I would, however, like to know what those in the deaf community, especially those that maybe became deaf or hard-of-hearing later in life, what they thought. At first, I definitely felt like it was well done and the author did her research of deaf culture, however I felt like the moment he got his hearing aids to a level that worked and passed that hill of talking the first time, there was rarely hesitation in many convos. Occasionally they’d bring back some of the texting or some of his insecurity about vocalizing, but I feel like there was a tease on him starting to use ASL more and then it gets dropped. Might just be my love of ASL as a language.
P
P
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Cancer
katedahl's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
jaklyn_heath_reads'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? 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
dogoodwithbooks'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? 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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Vomit and Abandonment
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
herbookarchives's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
guardianofthebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
Ryder and Willa were really sweet, and I surprised myself by crying. I loved the college setting and both protagonists being strong and athletic. (Ryder is still super tall but I never felt like the author over-emphasized Willa’s shorter stature.)
My library still had the 2021 version, so I’m interested to see if there were any more changes from that to the Berkeley version that pubbed last month.
Smut level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
My library still had the 2021 version, so I’m interested to see if there were any more changes from that to the Berkeley version that pubbed last month.
Smut level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
verisarg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
readwithria's review against another edition
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
petit_biblio's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent