Chloe Liese

Ryder: Ever since she sat next to me in class and gave me death eyes, Willa Sutter's been on my shit list. Why she hates me, I don't know. What I do know is that Willa is the kind of chaos I don't need in my tidy life. She's the next generation of women's soccer. Wild hair, wilder eyes. Bee-stung lips that should be illegal. And a temper that makes the devil seem friendly. She's a thorn in my side, a menacing, cantankerous, pain-in-the-ass who's turned our Business Mathematics course into a goddamn gladiator arena. I'll leave this war zone unscathed, coming out on top...And if I have my way with that crazy-haired, ball-busting hellion, that will be in more than one sense of the word. Willa: Rather than give me the lecture notes I missed like every other instructor I've had, my asshole professor tells me to get them from the silent, surly flannel-wearing mountain man sitting next to me in class. Well, I tried. And what did I get from Ryder Bergman? Ignored. What a complete lumbersexual neanderthal. Mangy beard and mangier hair. Frayed ball cap that hides his eyes. And a stubborn refusal to acknowledge my existence.I've battled men before, but with Ryder, it's war. I'll get those notes and crack that Sasquatch nut if it's the last thing I do, then I'll have him at my mercy. Victory will have never tasted so sweet.

Only When It's Us

**Revised and Expanded 2021 Edition** Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster brimming with laughter, tears, and slow-burn sexiness in this new adult romance that tackles the vulnerability of love with humor and heart. Ryder Ever since she sat next to me in class and gave me death eyes, Willa Sutter's been on my shit list. Why she hates me, I don't know. What I do know is that Willa is the kind of chaos I don't need in my tidy life. She's the next generation of women's soccer. Wild hair, wilder eyes. Bee-stung lips that should be illegal. And a temper that makes the devil seem friendly. She's a thorn in my side, a menacing, cantankerous, pain-in-the-ass who's turned our Business Mathematics course into a goddamn gladiator arena. I'll leave this war zone unscathed, coming out on top...And if I have my way with that crazy-haired, ball-busting hellion, that will be in more than one sense of the word. Willa Rather than give me the lecture notes I missed like every other instructor I've had, my asshole professor tells me to get them from the silent, surly flannel-wearing mountain man sitting next to me in class. Well, I tried. And what did I get from Ryder Bergman? Ignored. What a complete lumbersexual neanderthal. Mangy beard and mangier hair. Frayed ball cap that hides his eyes. And a stubborn refusal to acknowledge my existence. I've battled men before, but with Ryder, it's war. I'll get those notes and crack that Sasquatch nut if it's the last thing I do, then I'll have him at my mercy. Victory will have never tasted so sweet. Only When It's Us is a frenemies-to-lovers, college sports romance about a women's soccer star and her surly lumberjack lookalike classmate, complete with a matchmaking professor, juvenile pranks, and a smoking slow burn. This standalone is the first in a series of novels about a Swedish-American family of five brothers, two sisters, and their wild adventures as they each find happily ever after.

Sophia

“No, you’re not. I mean, sometimes you are but, generally, you talk to me plenty.”

Ryder stops on the trail, making me bump into him. Slowly, he turns and peers down at me. “I guess I do. But that’s different. That’s only when it’s us.”

There’s my grinch heart again, growing another size larger.

I think that's my favorite interaction between the two haha

“The hell, it is.” She turns and climbs me like I’m a tree until she’s wrapped around my waist. “Kill it.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not killing it. Spiders play an important role in the ecosystem—”

“Ryder. Stellan. Bergman.” Willa grabs my jaw and looks me dead in the eye. “If you want to get laid tonight, you will kill that fucking spider.”

“That’s not fair. We agreed sexual threats weren’t fair play.”

She sighs and drops her forehead to the crook of my neck. “Fine. Please, just pretty please, kill it. If it’s alive, I won’t be able to sleep. Or eat. Or think about anything else.”

“Willa.” I press a kiss to her temple as I walk toward the spider and feel her cling tighter to me. “I’m not killing a harmless—” I stop, staring closely at it.

Willa lifts her head enough to glance at the floor, too, and shudders.

“Okay, never mind.” I hike her higher up. “That’s a black widow.”

Willa shrieks right as my boot lands on it.

I hate (grand)parents dying in books it always turns me immediately into a crying mess

He swallows and blinks, snapping himself out of it. “Sorry. Caveman moment.”

A smile tugs at my mouth. “Caveman moment?”

“You’re beautiful. I have four brothers about to see you. I’m feeling a little possessive.”

Then I remember I don’t have good and bad ears anymore. I have new ears. Both of them hear her equally well.

Spending my thoughts on Willa, our interactions and verbal sparring, paying her attention and backhanded compliments, is playing with fire. But maybe just this once it would be worth it to get burned.

Why? Why did Willa have to sit on my good side, why did she have to have a voice that falls in that tiny window of wavelengths that I can still pick up?

Is my fuse a little short? Sure. Are my responses occasionally disproportional? Sometimes. I could learn to simmer down here and there, but I refuse to subdue the storm inside myself.

Megan BV

“Lumberjack, if I gave it to anyone, it would be you. But I can’t.” His face tightens. One large hand wraps around my waist. “Give me what?” I press on tiptoe and kiss just above his beard, as I tell him, “Everything.”

The irony is not lost on me, that he’s the first man who’s ever truly made me feel heard in my life and he can’t hear a word I’m saying.

Silence is a relief, a break from the constant torture of straining and trying to catch any scrap of discernible noise that I can.

It’s interesting to me that the author wouldn’t have consulted someone in the first publishing? Writing about someone else’s experience must be hard but I appreciate authors who want to respect and portray experiences authentically. I also think it’s slightly confusing to have a song accompany each chapter in a book with a deaf mc. 

This story also includes a main character who is late-deafened. As of this book’s revision, expansion, and republication on August 21, 2021, its portrayal has been informed by the consulted experience and critique of a late-deafened authenticity reader.

I really enjoyed this book I especially loved Ryder and csn we juatbsay great repsentation in this book.

We need more authors doing this showing disability normalising it. It was done really well.

I loved the story and the romance beyween Willa and Ruder both fighting their own personal battles. Cant wait to read the next book in the series 

Samantha King

I really enjoyed this book I especially loved Ryder and csn we juatbsay great repsentation in this book.

We need more authors doing this showing disability normalising it. It was done really well.

I loved the story and the romance beyween Willa and Ruder both fighting their own personal battles. Cant wait to read the next book in the series 

“I just know I’d rather be afraid with you than fearless with anyone else.”

Well, that was... frustrating. I really wanted to like this book - it had all the ingredients for a nice romcom recipe but in the end it just fell completely short. I have been searching a long time for a new romance author to fall in love with, unfortunately I don't know if Liese will be it. There were moments in this book that gave me hope, an inkling of character growth, healthy communication, a strong building of friendship before a relationship developed, funny banter and some very adorable professions of tenderness and love but in the end this book just felt drawn out, immature, repetitive and overdramatic, and that saddens me.

Ryder is a sulky, quiet, walking oversized flannel shirt and Willa is a tightly wound bundle of nervous energy, seconds from blowing a fuse. Right from the beginning I found both MCs unnecessarily antagonistic - there's a miscommunication that sets them both off on the wrong foot, which is understandable and honestly I thought pretty unique and fun, but then neither character does anything to resolve the unwarranted animosity between them. Both of them get it into their heads that they don't like each other, even going so far as to say they hate each other, and that they need to tease each other endlessly despite finding out that their professor is the cause of their misunderstanding. And this goes on and on and on for hundreds of pages, both of them realise very quickly that they are attracted to each other but they're both so heavily in denial and wrapped up in their own issues that they don't see the bigger picture. They're both also incredibly hypocritical and even when their inner thoughts admit to recognising this about themselves they just keep up this silly game they've been playing. Ryder is the first to break and start pushing Willa to see the truth, but still it just feels so childish. It also felt like the tension between them was overly forced for the sake of a slow burn.

There we some nice messages peppered throughout the story, it handled some tough subjects like grief, cancer, non-traditional childhoods with single parents and military relocation, disability, losing out on your dreams and having to accept disappointment, as well as the theme of making things work between two people who have very different plans for their future. Unfortunately, I felt like this strong base for a storyline was overshadowed by everything else. Both characters withhold information about their personal lives from each other for the most insipid reasons, there was absolutely no point in them doing this except for as a plot device to keep "tension" going. Their character dynamics could've been really interesting, a fiery, hot tempered woman who struggles to speak her thoughts and feelings, and a quiet, hard of hearing man who requires clear communication - it sounds super interesting on paper but the execution just didn't pay off. Ryder was struggling to come to terms with his hearing issues and Willa was struggling with her grades and losing her mother, and they could've come together and built each other up and it would've been absolutely beautiful.

The spice was interesting too. They were both so incredibly horny for each other throughout the majority of the book that it felt like we were reading the muddled thoughts of two teenagers dealing with their sexuality, not two relatively experienced college students. It got exhausting reading how many times they both diverted their thoughts towards how hot they were for each other, and in the end I felt like this derailed the overall plot. About 60% through the story it felt like it had no idea where it was heading anymore, except for an inevitable HEA which could've come 100 pages, even 200 pages, earlier. Don't even get my started on all the tree analogies as well. Yes, we get it, he looks like lumberjack with his beard, man bun and flannel - but was it necessary to mention that so often? In fact I counted, the word "lumberjack" is mentioned 77 times, and that's without counting words like "lumbersexual". Words like "log jamming", "wood", "climb him like a tree" and the less woodsy "tailpipe" to describe Ryder's package and sex got so tedious by the end that I got a headache from rolling my eyes.

I feel like maybe this review is a little bit harsh, there are 

 redeeming qualities, it is very fluffy and entertaining for the most part, if you're looking for some mindless fun or a palette cleanser then this is okay for that - but even then it wouldn't be my first pick. This is a clear example of a good idea but poor execution. It has the bones of a really funny, even insightful, romance novel but it focused on the wrong aspects of those qualities and didn't achieve what I think the author intended for it to achieve.

Genevieve 

“I just know I’d rather be afraid with you than fearless with anyone else.”

3.5 ⭐'s

Well, that was... frustrating. I really wanted to like this book - it had all the ingredients for a nice romcom recipe but in the end it just fell completely short. I have been searching a long time for a new romance author to fall in love with, unfortunately I don't know if Liese will be it. There were moments in this book that gave me hope, an inkling of character growth, healthy communication, a strong building of friendship before a relationship developed, funny banter and some very adorable professions of tenderness and love but in the end this book just felt drawn out, immature, repetitive and overdramatic, and that saddens me.

Ryder is a sulky, quiet, walking oversized flannel shirt and Willa is a tightly wound bundle of nervous energy, seconds from blowing a fuse. Right from the beginning I found both MCs unnecessarily antagonistic - there's a miscommunication that sets them both off on the wrong foot, which is understandable and honestly I thought pretty unique and fun, but then neither character does anything to resolve the unwarranted animosity between them. Both of them get it into their heads that they don't like each other, even going so far as to say they hate each other, and that they need to tease each other endlessly despite finding out that their professor is the cause of their misunderstanding. And this goes on and on and on for hundreds of pages, both of them realise very quickly that they are attracted to each other but they're both so heavily in denial and wrapped up in their own issues that they don't see the bigger picture. They're both also incredibly hypocritical and even when their inner thoughts admit to recognising this about themselves they just keep up this silly game they've been playing. Ryder is the first to break and start pushing Willa to see the truth, but still it just feels so childish. It also felt like the tension between them was overly forced for the sake of a slow burn.

There we some nice messages peppered throughout the story, it handled some tough subjects like grief, cancer, non-traditional childhoods with single parents and military relocation, disability, losing out on your dreams and having to accept disappointment, as well as the theme of making things work between two people who have very different plans for their future. Unfortunately, I felt like this strong base for a storyline was overshadowed by everything else. Both characters withhold information about their personal lives from each other for the most insipid reasons, there was absolutely no point in them doing this except for as a plot device to keep "tension" going. Their character dynamics could've been really interesting, a fiery, hot tempered woman who struggles to speak her thoughts and feelings, and a quiet, hard of hearing man who requires clear communication - it sounds super interesting on paper but the execution just didn't pay off. Ryder was struggling to come to terms with his hearing issues and Willa was struggling with her grades and losing her mother, and they could've come together and built each other up and it would've been absolutely beautiful.

The spice was interesting too. They were both so incredibly horny for each other throughout the majority of the book that it felt like we were reading the muddled thoughts of two teenagers dealing with their sexuality, not two relatively experienced college students. It got exhausting reading how many times they both diverted their thoughts towards how hot they were for each other, and in the end I felt like this derailed the overall plot. About 60% through the story it felt like it had no idea where it was heading anymore, except for an inevitable HEA which could've come 100 pages, even 200 pages, earlier. Don't even get my started on all the tree analogies as well. Yes, we get it, he looks like lumberjack with his beard, man bun and flannel - but was it necessary to mention that so often? In fact I counted, the word "lumberjack" is mentioned 77 times, and that's without counting words like "lumbersexual". Words like "log jamming", "wood", "climb him like a tree" and the less woodsy "tailpipe" to describe Ryder's package and sex got so tedious by the end that I got a headache from rolling my eyes.

I feel like maybe this review is a little bit harsh, there are some redeeming qualities, it is very fluffy and entertaining for the most part, if you're looking for some mindless fun or a palette cleanser then this is okay for that - but even then it wouldn't be my first pick. This is a clear example of a good idea but poor execution. It has the bones of a really funny, even insightful, romance novel but it focused on the wrong aspects of those qualities and didn't achieve what I think the author intended for it to achieve.

Nialani Thompson

This was a good book. I really loved this book best of the series. I love Willa and I love Ryder. I’m so sad for Willa’s mom but I love the way the story wrapped around her and Willa’s relationship. I listened to this as an audiobook and it was super enjoyable.

Well this was just perfect. Idk how I’ll ever recover.

Abigail

Brittany Peterson

So after hearing rave reviews about this series, I decided that it was time to check it out for myself and whilst I was not Disappointed it did leave me with mixed feelings which made it extremely difficult to give a Star rating too.

This is a Slow burn enemy to lovers romance book and I think for me that this was just a little too slow and repetitive in some aspects and at times cringy which made it at times hard to read and to continue reading.

Willa, is a professional soccer player, who has a chip on her shoulder and an inability to open up to people. She has steeled her heart from everyone but her dying mother and uses comedy to deflect from her vulnerabilities and softer side.

The hero, Ryder, is a gentle but blunt giant of a man, who has suffered a major setback in life when he lost his up-and-coming soccer career to an illness that took away his hearing. He goes through life near deaf and completely mute, which has made him crawl into his shell, not really interacting with people anymore.

I thought these two were likable characters and I thought they had great chemistry together. They were exactly what the other needed and it was clear they both accepted the other exactly as they were. Willa never even blinked twice at Ryder’s disability, and she took him exactly as he was. Opposingly, Ryder was also incredibly patient and understanding when it came to all of Willa’s emotional walls. He never let Willa scare him away.

Nonetheless, despite their understanding and acceptance of each other, they had a tough time communicating together.

I thought this was a fun read and I enjoyed it, but I unfortunately can’t say I loved it.

Ian Brakspear

So after hearing rave reviews about this series, I decided that it was time to check it out for myself and whilst I was not Disappointed it did leave me with mixed feelings which made it extremely difficult to give a Star rating too.

 

This is a Slow burn enemy to lovers romance book and I think for me that this was just a little too slow and repetitive in some aspects and at times cringy which made it at times hard to read and to continue reading.

 

Willa, is a professional soccer player, who has a chip on her shoulder and an inability to open up to people. She has steeled her heart from everyone but her dying mother and uses comedy to deflect from her vulnerabilities and softer side.

The hero, Ryder, is a gentle but blunt giant of a man, who has suffered a major setback in life when he lost his up-and-coming soccer career to an illness that took away his hearing. He goes through life near deaf and completely mute, which has made him crawl into his shell, not really interacting with people anymore.

 

I thought these two were likable characters and I thought they had great chemistry together. They were exactly what the other needed and it was clear they both accepted the other exactly as they were. Willa never even blinked twice at Ryder’s disability, and she took him exactly as he was. Opposingly, Ryder was also incredibly patient and understanding when it came to all of Willa’s emotional walls. He never let Willa scare him away.

Nonetheless, despite their understanding and acceptance of each other, they had a tough time communicating together.

 

I thought this was a fun read and I enjoyed it, but I unfortunately can’t say I loved it.

Petaco

Not a fan, not for me. Drama was too childish for me.

Ana Clara Moreno

"I want what you want. All-in, fair and square. I want to be afraid with you rather than fearless and alone. Only when it's us."

Francesca G

julie reads

Nash

This is what I call a “comfort romance read”, with spice! 
I absolutely delight myself with these types of stories. As I found the main female lead to be a little exasperating, I also admired her perseverance and deep love for her mother. To her, that’s all she needed in the world. We all have seen it, one way or another, how hard it is when something/someone that it’s precious to us, gets taken away all of a sudden and we don’t have a say in it. It’s hard to cope. 

Her emotions run deep. Her trauma does too. We can see how the abandonment of a father figure can deeply affect someone. How the actions and feeling of a mother that’s also going through a type of grieving process, shaped her into a conflicted and distrusting person. Anything and everything looks too good to be true. Isn’t that just the saddest thing in the world?

Now, I have to talk about the incorporation of a diverse population in romance reads. When I tell you that I adore these types of stories, I am not even joking. We are all human beings, feeling the same feeling, in a variety of levels. We all deserve a love story that shakes with joy the heart of The Grinch. Many of the stories that we read have, to put it simply, perfect characters. Their hardships, most of the time, are almost fantastical. They are nothing but a fast and entertaining read. But isn’t it so much better when we see REAL characteristics in the cast? When we can identify with them, or even when they sound or look like someone we know? Those are my favorite. Without a shadow of a doubt. 

I am on the second book and I am enjoying it just as much. 
The love stories are so delightful and amusing and just plain cute! 
Get your hands on them if you haven’t yet.

"Ryder: Ever since she sat next to me in class and gave me death eyes, Willa Sutter's been on my shit list. Why she hates me, I don't know. What I do know is that Willa is the kind of chaos I don't need in my tidy life. She's the next generation of women's soccer. Wild hair, wilder eyes. Bee-stung lips that should be illegal. And a temper that makes the devil seem friendly. She's a thorn in my side, a menacing, cantankerous, pain-in-the-ass who's turned our Business Mathematics course into a goddamn gladiator arena. I'll leave this war zone unscathed, coming out on top... And if I have my way with that crazy-haired, ball-busting hellion, that will be in more than one sense of the word. Willa: Rather than give me the lecture notes I missed like every other instructor I've had, my asshole professor tells me to get them from the silent, surly flannel-wearing mountain man sitting next to me in class. Well, I tried. And what did I get from Ryder Bergman? Ignored. What a complete lumbersexual neanderthal. Mangy beard and mangier hair. Frayed ball cap that hides his eyes. And a stubborn refusal to acknowledge my existence. I've battled men before, but with Ryder, it's war. I'll get those notes and crack that Sasquatch nut if it's the last thing I do, then I'll have him at my mercy. Victory will have never tasted so sweet."--Provided by publisher.

Only when It's Us

let me start by saying that lumberjack is 1000% my type, gimme a man in a flannel, boots and beanie any day 😏 (see also: Brendan from It Happened One Summer)

I loved the tension between Willa and Ryder in this one, especially Willa’s temper at the start towards Ryder. it was so cute the way she slowly softened towards him and started to trust him, as they learnt more about each other. both characters have deep back stories that develop throughout the book, that make you love them even more

this book is like an undiscovered gem, it exceeded my expectations! it was steamy, funny, had me swooning over ryder, it was literal perfection for me 🫶🏼

below are some of my fave quotes that I must share because I’m obsessed!

‘Simmer your sweatpants. I was teasing.’

‘He dismisses himself so readily. It’s like he expects to be discarded because someone might find him inconvenient.’ 🥺🥺🥺

‘Lay a hand to my facial hair, woman, and I swear you won’t be able to sit for days.’

‘Wearing a flannel shirt is like wearing a socially acceptable security blanket. Sue me, I like to be comfortable and comforted.’

‘But that’s different. That’s only when it’s us.’

Larissa Kirchberger

BOOK REVIEW

Only When It’s Us / Chloe Liese

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I LOVE THIS BOOK 5EVA 💞

🌶️ enemies to lovers

🌶️ slow burn romance

🌶️ curated playlist

let me start by saying that lumberjack is 1000% my type, gimme a man in a flannel, boots and beanie any day 😏 (see also: Brendan from It Happened One Summer)

I loved the tension between Willa and Ryder in this one, especially Willa’s temper at the start towards Ryder. it was so cute the way she slowly softened towards him and started to trust him, as they learnt more about each other. both characters have deep back stories that develop throughout the book, that make you love them even more

this book is like an undiscovered gem, it exceeded my expectations! it was steamy, funny, had me swooning over ryder, it was literal perfection for me 🫶🏼

below are some of my fave quotes that I must share because I’m obsessed!

‘Simmer your sweatpants. I was teasing.’

‘He dismisses himself so readily. It’s like he expects to be discarded because someone might find him inconvenient.’ 🥺🥺🥺

‘Lay a hand to my facial hair, woman, and I swear you won’t be able to sit for days.’

‘Wearing a flannel shirt is like wearing a socially acceptable security blanket. Sue me, I like to be comfortable and comforted.’

‘But that’s different. That’s only when it’s us.’

Kiley H

I really enjoyed this book. It made me cry and I really liked the characters and how relatable they are!

This was such a great read and I honestly couldn’t put it down. I now understand the hype for Chloe Liese books they are just that good. 

It was nice to see Ryder be this strong sexy guy but who also had pulled himself back from the world when substantially losing his hearing. When I saw in the acknowledgments this book was expanded to provide better deaf representation I was really impressed as it had seemed quite real to me and believable the obstacles and struggles Ryder faced. Willa really was the perfect woman for him to challenge him and make him want to try and out himself out there after cutting himself off. 

This book also tackled grief. Willa’s mom had cancer and it was heartbreaking seeing everything she went through 

There were only 2 gripes for me from reading this. One is it felt a little long but so much story was packed in and I honestly couldn’t tell you anything which needed to be cut so it wasn’t unnecessarily long just felt longer than other romance novels. My other was some of the phrases Willa used like log etc when referring to Ryder’s penis and lots of unsexy things like that. It was just a bit cringe occasionally and took me out of the book. But if those are my only complaints that’s not so bad. 

Becky

This was such a great read and I honestly couldn’t put it down. I now understand the hype for Chloe Liese books they are just that good. 

It was nice to see Ryder be this strong sexy guy but who also had pulled himself back from the world when substantially losing his hearing. When I saw in the acknowledgments this book was expanded to provide better deaf representation I was really impressed as it had seemed quite real to me and believable the obstacles and struggles Ryder faced. Willa really was the perfect woman for him to challenge him and make him want to try and out himself out there after cutting himself off. 

This book also tackled grief. Willa’s mom had cancer and it was heartbreaking seeing everything she went through 

There were only 2 gripes for me from reading this. One is it felt a little long but so much story was packed in and I honestly couldn’t tell you anything which needed to be cut so it wasn’t unnecessarily long just felt longer than other romance novels. My other was some of the phrases Willa used like log etc when referring to Ryder’s penis and lots of unsexy things like that. It was just a bit cringe occasionally and took me out of the book. But if those are my only complaints that’s not so bad. 

menna

i stan one (1) football player and her lumberjack boyfriend

i mean i loved everything about them!! their dynamic, their banter and their relationship with their families!!! the slow burn of this is so good!! it starts off by forced proximity to work on a project together but they soon get closer and have sort of frenemy relationship where they prank each other and it was SO FUN!! i loved them so much!!

This is not going to be a lengthy review, let me say this already. I was in a massive book ditch because of several books in a row being a disappointment so I searched for a bigger project to get me out of it and for a light entertainment read for my nightstand, this is what only when it’s us was intended for and it’s pretty much what it did: entertain me for a while, it didn’t make me angry or annoyed me so I’d say this was a success.

I love how Chloe Liese includes disabilities in her books and offers representation, here done with a hearing impairment, which I hadn’t yet come across in a main character of a book. I would have wished for the happenings in the later stages of the story to have unfolded in a different way or be more of a bigger topic than it was, I still like the representation though.

The unfortunate thing for me is stumbling in books with cancer as a main part of the plot but that is no fault of any author so even if it’s not my favourite thing to read, it doesn’t impact my rating of this.

What does, however, is having to read soccer at least a hundred times (56 is almost 100) when referring to what everyone knows is football, but that may be the European speaking. Unacceptable.

The football part is surprisingly absent during the plot line, I do understand if some readers might be bored because there is not too much happening at all times, that’s true. If you’re looking for a more plotty book this might not be the choice for you.

Ryder as a character was enjoyable, Willa a bit less so, but the sidekicks make me want to pick up the next book, too.

Will I remember any of this in a year? Highly unlikely.

Leonie

This is not going to be a lengthy review, let me say this already. I was in a massive book ditch because of several books in a row being a disappointment so I searched for a bigger project to get me out of it and for a light entertainment read for my nightstand, this is what only when it’s us was intended for and it’s pretty much what it did: entertain me for a while, it didn’t make me angry or annoyed me so I’d say this was a success.

I love how Chloe Liese includes disabilities in her books and offers representation, here done with a hearing impairment, which I hadn’t yet come across in a main character of a book. I would have wished for the happenings in the later stages of the story to have unfolded in a different way or be more of a bigger topic than it was, I still like the representation though.

The unfortunate thing for me is stumbling in books with cancer as a main part of the plot but that is no fault of any author so even if it’s not my favourite thing to read, it doesn’t impact my rating of this.

What does, however, is having to read soccer at least a hundred times (56 is almost 100) when referring to what everyone knows is football, but that may be the European speaking. Unacceptable.

The football part is surprisingly absent during the plot line, I do understand if some readers might be bored because there is not too much happening at all times, that’s true. If you’re looking for a more plotty book this might not be the choice for you.

Ryder as a character was enjoyable, Willa a bit less so, but the sidekicks make me want to pick up the next book, too.

Entertained? Check.

Will I remember any of this in a year? Highly unlikely.

3.75 Stars

laura

Ryder: Ever since she sat next to me in class and gave me death eyes, Willa Sutter's been on my shit list. Why she hates me, I don't know. What I do know is that Willa is the kind of chaos I don't need in my tidy life. She's the next generation of women's soccer. Wild hair, wilder eyes. Bee-stung lips that should be illegal. And a temper that makes the devil seem friendly.She's a thorn in my side, a menacing, cantankerous, pain-in-the-ass who's turned our Business Mathematics course into a goddamn gladiator arena. I'll leave this war zone unscathed, coming out on top...And if I have my way with that crazy-haired, ball-busting hellion, that will be in more than one sense of the word. Willa: Rather than give me the lecture notes I missed like every other instructor I've had, my asshole professor tells me to get them from the silent, surly flannel-wearing mountain man sitting next to me in class. Well, I tried. And what did I get from Ryder Bergman? Ignored. What a complete lumbersexual neanderthal. Mangy beard and mangier hair. Frayed ball cap that hides his eyes. And a stubborn refusal to acknowledge my existence.I've battled men before, but with Ryder, it's war. I'll get those notes and crack that Sasquatch nut if it's the last thing I do, then I'll have him at my mercy. Victory will have never tasted so sweet.

ash (smokedshelves)

It would've been five stars if I wouldn't have been constantly reminded of that beard😖 I prayed it was going to come off at some point because even she didn't like it that much and I'm so glad it finally did although it was a bit late for my liking.. I tried to forget it but they mentioned it too often for me to succeed🙃

I read books with a death and/or mute mc but I never read one where he could still hear a few things so that's a first. I really liked how it was integrated into the story because it subtly explained things for people who haven't dealt with it yet without sounding like something straight from a medical info sheet :)

However it did bug me that he got hearing aids and didn't even bother with sign language or try to live with this instead of denying it until he finally could pretend like it wasn't his new reality.... he so desperately wanted to not talk about it that I thought he would have some character growth but instead he just went back to his normal life with hearing aids.

I'm so dumb🤦🏼‍♀️ I just figured out why it's called 

 because I'm embarrassing slow it seems - I love it when the title is included in the book (and I didn't even noticed it😭😂)

It would've been five stars if I wouldn't have been constantly reminded of that beard😖 I prayed it was going to come off at some point because even she didn't like it that much and I'm so glad it finally did although it was a bit late for my liking.. I tried to forget it but they mentioned it too often for me to succeed🙃

I read books with a death and/or mute mc but I never read one where he could still hear a few things so that's a first. I really liked how it was integrated into the story because it subtly explained things for people who haven't dealt with it yet without sounding like something straight from a medical info sheet :)

However it did bug me that he got hearing aids and didn't even bother with sign language or try to live with this instead of denying it until he finally could pretend like it wasn't his new reality.... he so desperately wanted to not talk about it that I thought he would have some character growth but instead he just went back to his normal life with hearing aids.

I'm so dumb🤦🏼‍♀️ I just figured out why it's called Only when it's us because I'm embarrassing slow it seems - I love it when the title is included in the book (and I didn't even noticed it😭😂)

Molly Morgan

This book was so good! I listened to it and it was a great performance! It was paced so well and the relationship built the tension beautifully. There were some hard moments, that made me tear up. (trigger warning for death of a loved one should be included)

The spice didn't come into play until almost 90% in on the audiobook, but it was worth the wait FOR SURE.

Kasey Montagnat

I loved this book with my entire being. I love seeing certain disabilities being shown in books especially ones I have lol! This book left me hanging in a good way I’m so excited to read the next book

Recently I’ve been a little over college romances and the last few I started just made me feel old and bitter. 😂 Willa and Ryder are both college juniors but also have dealt with so much in their lives that their characters read more mature…. I guess except for the fact that their friendship begins as basically pranking/ one upping each other. 

There are some silly parts but there are also beautiful moments full of sadness and heart and growth. 

The representation in this book is great and I appreciate that the author identified and corrected what was wrong/ missing in the first edition. 

Overall, I was rooting for those crazy kids to get together. 

This is a very sweet book. 

Recently I’ve been a little over college romances and the last few I started just made me feel old and bitter. 😂 Willa and Ryder are both college juniors but also have dealt with so much in their lives that their characters read more mature…. I guess except for the fact that their friendship begins as basically pranking/ one upping each other. 

There are some silly parts but there are also beautiful moments full of sadness and heart and growth. 

The representation in this book is great and I appreciate that the author identified and corrected what was wrong/ missing in the first edition. 

Overall, I was rooting for those crazy kids to get together. 



Only When It's Us

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