Cover Image: If It's Only Love

If It's Only Love

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

If it’s only Love
By: Lexi Ryan

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Can these two love without hurt?

This book is another high punch drawma, Lexi Ryan waists no time sucking you in and reminding us the reader she is one imaginative writer. She will remind you page after page of all the Men and the women they love.

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic second chance must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

Authors Blurb: Not my decision to enter the NFL draft before finishing college. Not fighting for custody of my daughter—even if, biologically speaking, it turns out she’s not mine. And certainly not seducing my buddy’s little sister ten years ago.

But when it comes to Shayleigh Jackson, my no-regrets attitude stops there. I screwed up royally where she’s concerned. Then I made another mistake when I let her shut me out of her life.

Now after more than a decade living in different time zones, I’m coming home to Jackson Harbor. My first priority is keeping my daughter away from the media circus in Los Angeles, but the moment I see Shay, I know something else brought me back here. Now I’ll stop at nothing to win her back.

So what if she won’t speak to me? So what if she’s changed? So what if she’s fallen for some douchebag professor? I’ve never gotten over her, and I know she feels the same about me.

I’ve let her go twice. I won’t make that mistake again.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in multiple POV one of my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

Was this review helpful?

Shayleigh has always been the tag along To her five brothers. While they are protective of her, they don’t look back. Easton does. He is her brother’s best friend who has become another boy in the Jackson family because he doesn’t have a father. They welcome him with open arms. Easton and Shay have had a special connection since she was 7. The small town they grow up in is about love, family, responsibility, and bad timing. Shay is 30 years old now, Easton is a retired MVP quarterback. Can they get past all the things keeping the a part and make a real go to discover what is between them the past 20 years, or will things continue to get between them. Apparently this is the 6th book in the series. So, I will start reading the stories of the brothers. This was a romantic read just in time for football season.

Was this review helpful?

It was a sweet story about your first love and finding your way back to each other. I’ve never read Lexi Ryan before but I would read another one of her books.

Was this review helpful?

4 solid stars! Beautifully written story of two people who just could not make life work to be together.
Shay and Easton have known each other for what seemed like a lifetime. Life keeps getting in the way throughout their young adult life and Shay finally had enough. When Easton comes back in to town with daughter, he decides the time is finally right.
The story takes place over more than a decade. Has quite a few unexpected life events thrown in the way. This story has just the right amount of sweet and spice.

“Will you . . . just hold me for a while?”
“Of course. You’re talking to the guy who wants to hold you forever, remember?”

Was this review helpful?

Wow how many times can a couple nearly get together and circumstances keep them apart? This couple really went through the mill and whilst ayou can understand all the choices they made they could have made different ones but then it would have been a really short story! I loved Shay and Easton together and seeing glimpses of the past. As a reader we do get a HEA but I must admit I wanted an epilogue a bit further in future. Easton was so giving, it would be nice to see them with a bunch of kids in the future. I have read books 1 & 2 in this series but this reads as a stand-alone so you do need to read any of the previous books,

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.

Was this review helpful?

For the love of drama. Because you have to LOVE drama to enjoy reading, If It's Only Love. The best part of this book was Easton showing us how a dad should act. Even that was drama filled though. A lot of roll backs to 12 years, 10 years ago so on. I've read all the other books in this series and have truly enjoyed them. So I am surprised by this one.

Was this review helpful?

4 1/2 "tagalong" stars

I seriously thought Ms. Ryan was going to crack my poor little heart wide open with this book. I had no idea that Shayleigh had been through so much. Talk about a girl earning her Happily Ever After. She earned it and then some...

If It's Only Love is told between present day and flashbacks. Shay crushed on Easton Connor when she was growing up. He was her older brother's best friend but she couldn't help her attraction to him. What she didn't realize is that he was just as attracted to her but knew she was too young at the time. Then he is leaves to play professional football and becomes fairly famous. His love life with other women is plastered in the tabloids. Obviously not everything is true, but how is Shay to distinguish fact from fiction. Shay moved forward with her own life, or tried to. Of course at different points, Easton always seemed to float back in when she needed him. Even if it was only for a night. Let's just say that Easton was not your typical NFL player. He was trying to be the best man that he could be. He didn't always succeed but he was always trying even to the point of sometimes sacrificing his own happiness.

Shay and Easton's love story seems to be a series of unfortunate events, misunderstandings and a lot of bad timing. Through it all, her brothers never had a clue there had been anything between them. Talk about being able to keep secrets like Fort Knox.

Even though at times, this story was high on the angst and drama meter, I loved every single second. It kept me reading until the very last page. I simply had to know if Shay and Easton could ever work things out. Would fate ever work in their favor?

If you're a fan of best friend's little sister, second chance, sports romance or friends to lovers, this book truly has a little bit of it all plus even more. It was truly such a good read. Lexi Ryan knocked this one out of the park!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

***I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review***

LOVE CONQUERS ALL!!!

Easton and Shayleigh have known each other for a long time. They both had feelings for each other but their timing was always off. Hands down this was the best book! It took you on all the rollercoaster emotions...happy, sad, angry and joyous.

Was this review helpful?

5 Stars

Five crazy emotional stars. This book is a cross between a second chance and brothers best friend book. You won’t be able to put it down because you’ll need to know what happens. We go through the present, back to the past and back to the present all the throughout this book. Getting a look at Easton and Shayleighs relationship.

These two can never, and I mean never get the timing right for their relationship. These two go through so much together and then there are years they are apart. When they are together you can feel their love, their emotions and their disappointments.

When Easton comes back home to Jackson Harbor, Shay’s whole world changes yet again. We follow as these two finally get past the hurdles and get their happily ever after.


Highly recommended.

*I was given a free advanced copy of this book by Net Galley in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are those of my own.*

Was this review helpful?

I voluntarily received a copy of this books for an honest review!

I have to say Lexi Ryan is a favorite but I had not read any of this series. So when I was approved I binge read the whole thing.

Shay has to be my favorite character out of the whole thing. Such a strong character to deal with everything and still be the best sister, daughter, aunt and friend that anyone could ask for.
Easton the stud, lol. He has had a hard life and with fame from the game it’s became harder. Lights, camera, and family drama...but the one thing he always really wanted and needed was Shay.
Life had a way of throwing them curve balls but in the end people tend to find their way...it might not always be the right way or the easy way...but they make it.

Emotional reading but surprises along the way make this an amazing read for anyone to enjoy.

Was this review helpful?

4-Stars

"I wish I could just show her the inside of my heart - touch her hand and telegraph what it is she makes me feel."- Easton

If It's Only Love, book 6 of The Boys of Jackson Harbor series was phenomenal! I really enjoyed this last installment of the series, and am sad that it's over. I've been following this series since the very first book release.

Easton and Shayleigh's story was beautiful and I couldn't put it down - which was crazy since I've been known to throw my nose up at Second Chance Romances. I loved Easton's character and my heart broke for him and the choices he was faced with. I have zero complaints about the characters in this book, each one of them was written perfectly. My only problem with this book was the epilogue, for being the last book in the series I felt that it was too short and wasn't a great wrap up to the series.

Shay is the only female sibling of the Jackson crew, surrounded around by five overbearing brothers. Easton is best friend's with her older brother Carter and really close with the rest of her family. This book was so much more than a typical Brother's Bestfriend Trope and I highly recommend it.


For any readers who enjoy standalone series of big families - this series is for you. Enjoy.

The Boys of Jackson Harbor Series
The Wrong Kind of Love - Ethan's Story
Straight Up Love - Jake's Story
Dirty, Reckless Love - Levi's Story
Wrapped in Love - Brayden's Story
Crazy for Your Love - Carter's Story
If It's Only Love - Shay's Story

Was this review helpful?

Love this series! The story line kept this book in my hand until the very end. I think the plot and surprises along the way made it all feel real and so easy to relate to on some level some where. I wish we had a further out view of the epilogue Does he get any of his own one day? I must know! But it kept my attention from start to end and i love the family dynamic. Great read! and i highly recommend for a fun weekend read.

Was this review helpful?

Shay and Easton have known each other since they were children. Easton has always been friends with her brothers but Shay hopes he doesn't see her as a little sister. She has had a crush on him since she was 7 and it only gets stronger over time. He feels the same way so when she becomes an adult, they take their relationship to the next level. Unfortunately, with Easton leaving town to be on a pro football team they end up seeing each other sporadically over a period of years.

I'm not a big fan of their back and forth relationship - hurting each other time and time again. I enjoyed the story but not the "will they won't they" over an extended period of time.

Was this review helpful?

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.

A very enjoyable read with lots of romance and passion. Quick and easy.

I love reading another book in a series known to me,as many of the characters feel like old friends. But this book can certainly be read as a stand-alone.
4 stars

Was this review helpful?

This books gave me all the feels. I was so excited for Shay’s story and it couldn’t have been any better. There is so much more I want to say but I don’t want to give anything away. I will say that last 20% about did me in emotionally and I was definitely crying by the end. I’m so glad Shay and Easton got their happily ever after. He is perfect for her and exactly what she needed. They went through so much and fought hard for their HEA. It was the perfect way to end the series.

Was this review helpful?

It's cute that the man gets all self-conscious, "his smile falls away. “Is that bad? Shit, I was trying to do a good thing, and—” Easton is just so sweet with his words, “I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he murmurs as he kisses his way down my stomach. “I don’t know if I actually slept last night. I wanted you in my bed.” I liked this book, I liked Easton

Was this review helpful?

If It’s Only Love is part of the Jackson Harbor series and it is a great addition. I have read several of the other books from this series and absolutely adore the family it portrays. This novel is sweet, sexy, fun, and a little bit angsty (in a good way). In this novel, Shayleigh and Easton’s story begins with a bit of a cliché (the sister and the brother’s best friend), but I didn’t care. It was written well, and the depth of the characters more than made up for any cliché moments. I loved the flashbacks to relate bits and pieces of the story and to give more substance to the characters as well. I thought it was a nice way to break up the action without losing momentum. It also made me want to read more to get to the next tidbit. I devoured this book - I couldn’t put it down and finished this in about two days. And it only took me that long because I had other commitments that I had to keep. This series is a great mix of real life moments with romance. It doesn’t feel outlandish or ridiculous as some romance novels can. This is a complete story with much more to it, and I love it. I can’t wait for more!

Was this review helpful?

This is Easton and Shayleigh book, it’s the 6th book in the boys of Jackson harbor series! You definitely don’t have to read the series to enjoy this book! Easton is a single dad to a daughter that isn’t even his but loves as his own! He’s a big NFL star but is deciding to retire and move back home to hope for another chance with the love of his life! Shay has been in love with Easton her entire life almost! He’s her big brother best friend! But that doesn’t stop her feelings! These two went through a lot together!! I felt really bad for Easton!! Geez lol definitely don’t miss out on this book and the whole series!! It’s well worth the read! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

Was this review helpful?

Friends to lovers? Best friend’s little sister? Second chance romance? A case of bad timing?
All of the above, and I loved every minute of it. This is the sixth book in The Boys of Jackson Harbor series, and it’s only the second one I’ve read, which I really need to rectify, because I just love the Jackson family. I had so many emotions with this story, my heart went out to both Easton and Shayleigh so many times. I wanted desperately for them to acknowledge their feelings for each other, I wanted so much for their happy ever after. The story spanned over 13 years, going backwards and forwards in time. Written in dual POV (my favourite). Wonderful writing, great story, and adorable characters throughout. I can’t get enough of this family. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I'm a fan of friends to lovers romances and I also enjoy a good childhood friends to lovers romance, so considering this one was both of those, it was right up my alley. Throw in an athlete and I'm even more in my element!

Shayleigh (Shay) Jackson is the only girl of the Jackson siblings and she's extremely loyal, loves her family and is working on earning her PhD. She has always had a crush on her brother Carter's best friend, Easton, and she's never felt like she would be good enough for him due to her insecurities about her looks/weight, but she also didn't think the destined for the NFL athlete would ever see her in the same light she has always seen him.

Easton Conner was the star high school football player who has now made it to the NFL. He's always been close to the Jackson's as he's Carter's best friend, however he's always had a soft spot for Shay as well. Shay has always been a calming influence on him and when he leaves Jackson Harbor for LA, he not only leaves behind his second family, he leaves behind the girl he's developed feelings for.

Over the years, Easton and Shay have had a series of romantic encounters that both of them have kept secret. The timing for them has just never been right and there is a mountain of hurt feelings and circumstances have always pulled them further apart instead of closer together. When Easton moves back to Jackson Harbor, the two are now in one another's orbit more often and they have to figure out how they feel about one another and what the feelings they are feeling really mean. Easton is dead set on proving to Shay that she is what he wants. Can he truly convince her? And for Shay, can she forgive him for things that have happened in the past?

I absolutely loved these two characters. They both know what they want and are driven to get it, whether it involves school, work, or personal relationships. The chemistry between them is absolutely incredible and the way they fit together as a duo and how Easton fits in with the whole Jackson family is so wonderful. I enjoyed this story so much and it demonstrates what forgiveness and finding what makes you happy is all about.

Was this review helpful?