It isn’t news that I’m a diehard fan of Reiss. Goddess of romantic suspense and my go-to author, never in my dreams could I have imagined her writing a friends-to-lovers romance quite like this one! In fact, I’d as go as far as saying that it could be easily be classified under the rom-com genre as the classic one-liners had me laughing till my belly hurt. And don't get me wrong, but highlighting all the quotes I liked became a tad tiresome! Whichever trope it may be, Reiss turned it inside out and back to front, making it work to a tee.

‘It was all a joke. A big, funny fantasy for our families’ benefit.’ 

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting two such delightfully weird and wonderful families in a long while. And oh, my word...the banter is something else! Everyone’s trying to get a word in edgeways, giving crazy advice and them interrupting each other felt so natural and was so well-written that it was like being in the middle of their conversations. The part they play is an important one in the respect that both want two of their respective grown-up children to hmm... tie the knot! All said and done, Sebastian Barton and Rachel Rendell have reached their thirties and wedding bells are in the back of their parents’ minds. However, what one wants and what one gets is an entirely different thing.

“You like him.”
“I like him too much to marry him, if you want to know the truth.” 

Young Sebastian who just happened to be Rachel’s new neighbour was on the receiving end from his school peers. Not only did she stand up for him, but she also became his best friend. And of course, the title gives away how one of them felt for the other. As future plans would have it, some things don’t quite work out how we want them to. Rachel went her way and he went his. A childhood pact was forgotten, or was it? It seemed that they needed a reminder and once found and much to Rachel’s dismay, the contract bought back her unaccomplished dreams.

“Anyway, we didn’t sign in blood.·
“We spit in our hands and shook on it.”
“I don’t know how I forgot that.”
“An exchange of DNA makes it official.” 

If Sebastian were a scrawny but talented lad, now he’s a strappingly handsome guy and successful to boot. Rachel’s flowered in an unassuming beauty too and trying to keep their eyes off each other while carrying out their charade made me rub my hands with glee. What occurs before the supposedly big day gave me all the feels. This read has a little bit of everything and the unexpected certainly propelled the story towards some rather lusty scenes. However, emotions run high and not just because they’d got themselves into a pickle.

“Sebastian was the biggest nerd in school.”
“You know what happens to nerds. They get gorgeous and rich.” 

Tiffany. I fell hard for Sebastian’s younger sister. Listening to brilliant sarcasm wasn’t lost on me, and ribbing her brother mercilessly along with her mobile phone shenanigans had me in fits. Can’t say I was taken with her taste in music but that’s another story.

“They were following that Instagram post of you and Sebastian. Do you know Tiffany has half a million people following her? All strangers.”
“She’s very active online,” 

Have to say that although I liked Rachel hell of a lot, Sebastian won me over with his oh-so gentlemanly ways and the cardigan...bloody hilarious! Not your typical hero either, his actions spoke louder than words. Loved Roy, his quirky mum’s Guy-with-a-Pickup-Truck, and Joy and Rob Rendall are fabulous characters. It’s a book to get lost in this summer and I can’t recommend this beautiful couple’s love story enough. Bravo, Reiss!

“Yeah, I mean it. You find a guy who looks that hot in a grandpa sweater, you found a guy for life.”

Another hit from CD Reiss, although it's not the normal story for her.

When I think CD Reiss, I think dark, dirty, twisted, and dark. This story was not that, but it was just as good.

A great story of friends who drifted apart, as friends often do, but then reconnect as adults. Sebastian and Rachel are the couple you root for. You want this just as much as they do.

And you get it in a way that only CD Reiss can deliver.

4.5 Stars!!

Only Ever You by CD Reiss, is a heartfelt, heartwarming friends to lovers romance that had me hooked right from the very first page with an interesting, and captivating storyline.

Sebastian and Rachel had such amazing chemistry and apparently everyone thinks that they're destined for each other, let alone they're existant "marriage contract from childhood". Really? That's absolutely freaking adorable.

In all truth, since I read the blurb, I was SOLD. Yup, definitely.

Author CD Reiss creates such realistc storylines that you can feel what her characters are going through, and this beautiful story is not the exception. Her phenomenal storytelling makes me fell immersed, and transported to that wonderful world she had created.

All in all, a delighful and enjoyable read that I highly recommend!!

If you don't fall head over heels over this story by the time you hit Chapter 3 then not to be judgy, but you might need help ;) lol

There is so much goodness in this story! Okay so first I should tell you I read this twice. The story is filled with so many little pockets of heart, you just cannot get them all in one pass LOL Plus, I read it first a gazillion years ago and I just wanted to read a happy story again LOL I swear, my heart sang even more the second time around. I want to say that this is a second chance romance or friends to lovers story but that isn't quite right in my head because these two were already in love before they even knew what love was and THAT is the best part of this book. Watching/reading Rachel metamorphosize (is that even a word? lol) her feelings about Sebastian was a thing of beauty. It's like that feeling when you're thinking about a word and it's right there on the tip of your tongue but you just can't quite get it. That's what it felt like reading Rachel transform, because that's exactly what was happening! It was glorious.

The trope of this story is not anything most of us have not read before but the unfolding of the story was extraordinary for me. I was so damn happy for these two it was ridiculous. And that feeling was brought out of me because this author has a unique way of doing that. It doesn't matter what she writes, I am pulled into the story and I do not just merely read it, I experience it. It's powerful and unique. And she can do it across the board with any trope/genre she writes.

This story should not have been what I call edgy, but it was! Not in the dark way we tend to think of the word, but more in the anticipation of the story line. I was caught up in everything that was happening. It's like I became Rachel and I couldn't wait for the next ah ha moment or shoe to drop moment in the delightful transformation that was Rachel's feeling.

I cannot say this enough times. This author can bring it no matter what she writes. With this story, your heart will soar! I promise you that!

Well, this story took me by surprise. Friends to lovers … well, almost. Nerd to hunk … definitely. Confident, smart and sassy to unsure, smart and sassy … yea, that usually doesn't happen. But, C.D Reiss made it happen and it was wonderful watching the transformation back Superwoman.
Seb and Rachel were wonderful! Full of life … most of the time. Busy … all of the time. In love … well, not so much. Determined to make things happen so make her mother happy, yes, Rachel was definitely that. Of course, she would need the help of Sebastian to make that happen and he was all to willing to go along with her plan. That is, until he figured out that he never fell out of love with the one woman who stood by his side, defended him and was his personal hero. Then, the second thoughts came in and he had to figure out just how to open the second door. When it was opened, exactly what he thought would happen, happened.
I loved this story from beginning to end. From the marriage pact to the tarot card reading mother to the first door and definitely to the second door. Yes, you have to read this fabulous story to see what's exactly behind the doors and what they mean to the story, Sebastian and Rachel. The doors may hold surprises but they are a great ones that will have you smiling and a little shocked.

I've not read a book by this author in a very long time and I quickly remembered why I haven't; her writing style. Many scenes felt rushed or erratic which held me at arms length from the characters. Speaking of characters, I thought their backstories were pretty loose or convenient, conflicts were contrived and the final esolution? Too fast.

Teen best friends, the class nerd and his fierce protector, make a pact to marry at 30 if they're both still single. The nerd grows up to be rich and handsome, and his protector feels a little raw and unsuccessful. Their positions have flipped, but they still care for each other, and navigating that along with their changed circumstances is the heart of the story. If you hate the miscommunication or lack of communication that can be the source of all conflict in some romances, then this is not the book for you. The characters managed to be interesting enough to help me get over that particular hurdle.

With Only Ever You C.D. Reiss proves she's not only great writing dark and twisted tales, no she mande me fall in love with a rom/com too.
Rachel is a 30 year old who's live is planned to the t, only like always with planms, mice and men nothing happens like planned out. She hasn't her picked fence life, husband and 2,4 kids. Instead she has made a pact with a nerdy boy many years ago.
Only Ever You is a beautiful scond chances story with typical Riss twists and turns. I greatly enjoyed reading the story and give 4,5 stars.

was an awesome book !! Loved the twists and turns kept me guessing. as always with CD reins it was a well written and touching story

A sweet summer getaway!

When they were in high school, Rachel and Sebastian made a pact ... if they weren't married and in a relationship when they turned 30, they would marry each other. They haven't seen each other since, so when Rachel sees Sebastian he is certainly not the skinny nerd she protected in school. Sebastian has become a rich hunk with muscles and it makes Rachel feel like a failure. Sebastian is still in love with Rachel all these years later and she is just as beautiful as ever. But can he convince her that they should go through with the pact.

Who wouldn't fall in love with Sebastian ... a hunk without an ego! Even though Rachel was fighting it ... I could feel the electricity between these two. This was a cute romance with a little bit of steam.

I received an early copy courtesy of Montlake Romance through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I am such a sucker for nerdy heroes, so immediately knew I had to read this book.
I will say that this story was somewhat different from what I expected. It's a very smart, subtle, cleverly written book full of angst and slow burn. I loved Sebastian and all the crazy family members in this story. You get a lot of POV involving their inner thoughts, but I feel like I didn't get as good of an idea of who Rachel was that I would have liked. Despite that, I really felt for her and all of her struggles.

4 Stars!

Only Ever You is sweet and light-hearted friends to lovers romance.

Sebastian was the thin nerdy kid who often got bullied, and Rachel was the beautiful girl who always came to his defense.
When Rachel and Sebastian were teenagers, they made a marriage pact. If they were both single by age thirty, they’d get married.

The two finally cross paths after years of separation. They’re not exactly where they thought they’d be at thirty.
Sebastian is a handsome, successful businessman, but hasn’t yet had a full-filling relationship.
Rachel is a struggling screenwriter who has had to pause her career to care for her mother few years back.
With a string of unsuccessful relationships, she’s had her heart and confidence broken so much it’s kind of dimmed her light.

While revisiting their old friendship, a new stronger connection is formed between them.
I enjoyed the character development in this story. It felt real and authentic. Sebastian and Rachel had this wonderful banter and understanding. They were cute and funny together, hot and steamy as well. Sebastian helps her see the strong woman she still is. Rachel shows him he’s perfect and doesn’t need to change to be loved.

This story was a lovely surprise. I’ve never read from this author before. I knew her work is loved; she leans toward the darker more grittier romances. I’m not really a fan of those, so I’m glad I started this more softer, sweet and light-hearted read.
If you’re like me and prefer this type of romance, you should definitely check it out. I really enjoyed it!

When it comes to books they seem to fall into three categories...Amazing and unforgettable reads, pleasant reads that I quickly move on from, and those that had flaws and just didn’t work. Luckily this book falls under the second category courtesy of its charming and drool-worthy hero, Sebastian. A former teen nerd who’s grown up to be a wealthy and handsome man, Sebastian won me over from the very beginning as his attraction to the brash and protective girl next door showed a slow burning connection that ultimately caught fire. With each turn of the page I was won over by the sweet and sensual connection between Sebastian and Rachel and was rooting for them every step of the way to finally claim their HEA.

Sebastian Barton was a skinny and dorky teen who was bullied and treated like crap by schoolmates with only his neighbor Rachel his unwavering support and protector. In matters regarding him she was vocal and strong-willed in her defense and it warmed my heart that she was always in his corner. Those years had him looking up to her though and led him to finally fighting back. It also had him to seeing her in a romantic light, but with his insecurities he never brought his feelings to light. He did however agree to a marriage pact that would have the two of them marrying if they were still single by the time they both turned thirty. Years have passed, painful relationships with others have ended, and they’ve finally come into contact with each other again. They’ve changed though, both emotionally and physically, and for Sebastian he’s definitely changed for the good. He’s grown into his looks, become very tempting, with an air of confidence surrounding him. He’s still a bit cautious when it comes to handling Rachel’s heart, but he’s done with waiting for her any longer and has no shame in using their pact to win her over in a story that made me smile. Sebastian’s a delightful hero, a loving son and caring friend. He’s become successful over the years and has every right to be proud of his accomplishments, but he’s never arrogant about any of it. When it comes to women he’s been less successful as every woman has been compared to Rachel and been found lacking. His most recent relationship tried to take away his growing self-esteem and it’s clear he’s been left bruised by his ex which made ache for him. It’s usually the heroine who’s inexperienced, but in a wonderful twist it’s Sebastian who’s full of uncertainties and insecurities with his admission of that fact endearing him to me all the more. Throughout this story, through each word and deed, Sebastian pulled at my heartstrings and I fell for him completely in this romance full of heartfelt moments.

Rachel Rendell became Seb’s friend and protector the day they met and she defended him at every turn, even when it put her future in jeopardy. She and Seb were the best of friends growing up with a bond they thought would never end and which had them making a marriage pact for when they turned thirty. The ensuing years saw them drifting apart though, their lives going in very different directions. By now she expected to be a rich and award-winning writer, married, with children but fate hasn’t been kind and she’s now feeling like a failure. The years apart from Sebastian have tamed her fire, made her full of doubts and leery of being outspoken. With Sebastian missing that side of her it’s their being together again that inspires her as the two of them slowly turn a teenage marriage pact into an adult HEA. I ADORED the teenage Rachel, loved her strength and loyalty, and like Sebastian I too missed that side of her as an adult. She’s been beaten down by life, beaten down by her mom’s fight with cancer, and I could relate to those feelings of expecting more from yourself and not getting it. While I could empathize with her, I was also left frustrated at times and I wish she wouldn’t have wasted so much time with Sebastian within reach. He made his intentions obvious from the moment they reunited and she made a joke of it. He often reached out in subtle and overt ways only to have her bring up her feelings of inferiority, almost as a way to push him away. Her hesitations and negativity though added unnecessary roadblocks to a story that started with a delightful premise.

While on a whole I enjoyed this tale there were parts of the story that dragged a bit too, parts that slowed this story’s pleasant flow a time or two. Along the way fun and flirty banter was balanced with sexual tension that kept me turning the pages in a connection that I truly believed in despite Sebastian and Rachel’s years apart. The foundation laid as teens captivated me completely and put me fully on board for their journey to HEA. Along with the appealing main couple I was also charmed by both sets of parents and their comically manipulative ways. By the turn of the final page I found this a charming tale full of heart and soul that will warm reader’s hearts.

What a sweet, fun, full of romantic tropes read!
Teen best friends, a feisty girl and a nerdy boy, make a marriage pact. If they are still single when they reach age 30, they will marry.
Sebastian is so sweet and charming. I immediately fell in love with this character. Tall, handsome, grandpa cardigan wearing Sebastian. *sigh*
Rachel is a strong woman who has made some bad romantic choices in her life. She isn't where she wants to be in her career and tries to hold on to her integrity.
When Sebastian and Rachel come back together when they are 30 they enact their marriage pact to go along with their family, only their families do not know that it's all fake. Will they admit their feelings for each other before it's too late?
If you want a fun romance to read this summer, go with this one.

I received an advance readers copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

“I love you. You make me feel safe. There were years, I know . . . when we were apart. I didn’t feel right and didn’t know why. I know now.”

A great second-chance romance that takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions. Filled with wonderful characters, wit, humor, heart, and amazing anticipatory chemistry as a Rachel and Sebastian’s friendship blossoms into romance. Only Ever You is a charming, feel-good, fun, and emotional romance that you won’t want to put down; and one that’s sure to end up on your favorites list to re-read.

This book is everything. CD Reiss did such a beautiful job creating Only Ever You. This is the first title I've read by her and it won't be the last. Perfectly written.

I enjoyed this story. The characters made it easy to want to keep reading.

I am definitely going to have to start reading more books from CD Reiss! She writes dialogue and chemistry in a way that has me wanting more.

Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for it, but I found the lack of communication between pretty much everyone in the book frustrating, annoying, and downright deranged.

I liked the characters in the book, I just wanted to slap them until they could give a straight answer. The whole book is like being trapped in one long awkward conversation where no one is being honest.
By the end of the book I was sorry that I do not consume inebriates.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read a copy of Only Ever You.

This was a nice easy read. I really didn't connect with the characters as much as I would've like to. I didn't love this but didn't hate it.

I enjoyed this book so much.

One big thing I liked was the fact that Rachel is a writer’s assistant on a romance show – sounds like each episode is a different story – but she doesn’t buy the whole instalove romance cliches. All her arguments with her job are ones I have with the genre too. Sebastian was amazing. And their families! There was just so much going on in this book but in a good way that I can’t even pick my favorite part.

Seriously, read this book. There isn’t anything I didn’t like about it.