Scan barcode
A review by cady_sass
Always Only You by Chloe Liese
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