A review by a_reader_obsessed
Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese

3.0

3.5 Stars

So, there’s a lot I liked about this and a lot I didn't.

It’s no secret I have a contentious relationship with MF. Oft time, I fall hard for the male MC, and Ryder Bergman is no exception. He’s a surly sexy gentle giant who’s been dealt a difficult hand, losing most of his hearing through a bout of meningitis and subsequently, his dreams of playing collegiate soccer and maybe more. He’s isolated himself somewhat and has been mute for the last two years for reasons until a fiery classmate upends his self imposed peaceful and quiet existence.

Enter Willa Sutter. She’s a Division I athlete and the epitome of the stereotypical female MC who’s fiercely independent, stubborn, with a pretty big chip on her shoulder, trust issues, and plenty of life’s tough problems thrown at her. So of course, she refuses to communicate, deflects like nobody’s business, and honestly, it was exhausting being in her head while she fights her growing feelings, fights opening up and letting Ryder in, and fights her own wants and needs.

This is my second foray into Liese, and no doubt the woman can write. I will say her characters are layered and complicated with plenty of angsty interesting turmoil, exuding a subtle sophisticated-ness that definitely reads more mature than your typical NA novel. There’s also good frenemy banter and fun family/friend dynamics that keeps everyone honest. For those who need/want to know, the majority of this novel is basically unresolved sexual tension, and Ryder is pretty much pure yummy fiction.

Overall, Willa drove me quite bonkers, but that’s unsurprisingly par for the course. Ryder however, is now a book boyfriend.


Bergman Brothers Series
1. Only When It’s Us - 3.5 Stars
2. Always Only You - 3.5 Stars
3. Ever After Always - 3.5 Stars
5. Everything for You - 5 Stars!