One of my favorite books that I have read! Such a lively and entertaining book about love that grows from youth even though you had different plans. Sometimes the bigger picture shines ever brighter than your imagination.

Some 15+ years after Rachel and Sebastian made a marriage pact as teenagers, they both find themselves 30 and single... and pressured by their parents to make good on their deal. They haven't seen each other in 10 years, but their parents are already making wedding plans -- kind of forcing Sebastian and Rachel into the relationship.

Unfortunately, I just didn't find there to be a lot of chemistry between them. Grown-up Rachel was nothing like the feisty teen we met in the prologue, and Sebastian just wasn't the strong silent type I though he would be. They both seemed kind of wishy-washy to me, and I kept waiting for some big moment to change it all around that never came.

I also had some issues with the writing style. The conversations felt clunky, and I swear there were characters who just appear out of nowhere with no explanation as to how they are connected to Rachel and/or Sebastian. There were points where I wasn't sure who was speaking, and that made it hard to create the image in my mind.

There have been several books by CD Reiss that I've loved, and a few, like this one, that kept me wanting more at the end. Overall, Only Ever You is a decent marriage-pact/childhood friends romance, low on the drama and an intersting twist. But it's just not a book I loved and will come back to over and over again.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

I happen to like C.D. Reiss's lighter side but make no mistake there's still some angst and drama a long side. It's not boring or anything. This had a My Best friend's Wedding feel to it and I liked it. But of course it's very different in it's own way being that Sebastian was not a cool kid and Rachel was his ultimate defender.

Rachel and Sebastian were childhood friends that came back into each other's lives recently. The whole marriage pact was true but only pushed forward cause Rachel wants her mom to be happy. There's two side to their relationship the fake marriage and the feelings for real on the other. That was a bit confusing cause I think Sebastian really liked her way back then and still now. Rachel is messed up by lack of career success and her mom. They do have sweet and cute moments together though and the chemistry can't be ignored.

It took a while for them to actually get on the same page feeling wise which for me was ok. Sebastian really did want to marry Rachel but something is stopping it from her end to show him her feelings. She maybe a romance writer for a show but she's not really good at it. The romance puns were fun and the whole romance trope stuff. I liked the huge aha moment of figuring it out and the grand gesture was swoon. This was light with some angst but still romantic and cute I enjoyed it.
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“In the end,” I’d said, “I’m marrying you. Now. Later. Whenever. The only lie is the timeline.”


Rachel and Sebastian made a deal when they were teenagers. If Rachel's meticulously designed plans for her future did not work out, they would get married when they turned thirty. But of course this would never happen. After all, Rachel was popular, intelligent, determined, strong and protected Sebastian from the bullies. A future doomed to failure was not in their plans. Truth be told, if anyone failed in this story, it would probably be Sebastian, the scrawny and somewhat awkward nerd.
Years later, about to complete the dreaded age of thirty, Rachel returns home for the holidays. And the card she receives from Sebastian, an innocent joke reminiscent of the pact of the past, will make her admit the harsh truth that her life is far from what she dreamed for herself.
Rachel is stagnant. Her relationships do not work, thanks to her bad choices when it comes to the opposite sex, her career has not taken off, her work does not arouse passion and her bank account is down. The fact that she had taken time to care for her sick mother, though necessary, undermined her professional chances. Nothing went as planned. And coming face to face with the old friend who she has not seen in a long time will certainly not help her self-esteem.
The fact is that Sebastian in no way looks like the dull boy of the past. The nerd has grown. And he became a handsome, successful, wealthy man with a promising career. And Rachel does not know how to deal with this new version of Sebastian.
And in this mood of nostalgia, where the past will be revisited, two nosy and not inconspicuous mothers will play the cupid in a somewhat exaggerated way, planning a wedding for two people who have not seen each other for more than fourteen years. But a random discovery will make Rachel to panic, and Sebastian will help her, embarking on this marriage madness, creating a false relationship to please Rachel's mother.
And with that lie in play, the two will establish a plan to deal with the situation. But if the past has taught them something, it is that plans generally never go as expected. Gathered after so many years and forced to feign a relationship, the vision of past and present will be the greatest obstacle of these two, after all, neither are the same people. And like every good romantic cliche, the repetition of a lie eventually becomes true. But what if the agreement made in adolescence, innocent and funny, hid in the bottom the secret desire of one of them? What would that imply nowadays?


“What was the point of being worthy of her love if she didn’t know how to accept mine?”


The book plays with the deconstruction of the novel itself, metalinguistics is very present in writing, a novel talking about the novel itself, and accentuating in a funny way the cliches present in this type of genre.
The characters are real, dense and make the reader able to connect with them, after all, doubts, fears, joys and frustrations are present in everyone's lives. The question of the plans and how to face when nothing happens as expected is treated in a way that awakens a self-reflection.
Once again the male character stands out. Sebastian is the voice, soul, reason and heart of the book. It is impossible not to cheer with him and for him. Despite an adult man, deep down, the nerd boy still lurks inside him and the fear of rejection is still there.

Heartfelt passionate story with a unique twist!
This boy next door second chance romance was a real feel good story of love, friendship and loyalty.
However, the author provides a unique perspective giving it some edge that for me was a real wow factor.
Their story is one of a kind as their story unfolded seamlessly. While their story had the feel good factor there was something else interconnected in the story that gave the characters more depth.
The chemistry and dialogue between Rachel and Sebastian was simply delicious.
Great read!

Only Ever You is a beautiful love story between two friends who have not seen each other in twelve years. They've gone on to have separate lives, completely different from what they'd thought they have and it just so happens they're both single when they re-connect with the marriage pact hanging in between them and it was wonderful watching everything unfold!

I absolutely loved Rachel and Sebastian. It was so much fun watching them getting to know each other again and watching them dance around their attraction to one another. Rachel and Sebastian threw off such sparks and the heat that built between them was incredible. The book was a delicious slow burn and so worth it! I will admit to having soft spots for "nerds" but Sebastian made me melt. I was rooting for him and Rachel, especially since I understand quite well her frustrations with life. I loved seeing them support and boost each other. They might have been apart for years and not know each other when they were 30, but the framework of their friendship remained strong and I loved that!

Another part of the book I loved was the family-both Rachel's and Sebastian's. Both of their mothers are a hoot, pushing and pushing them to fulfill the marriage contract they drew up as kids. I loved the relationship between Rachel's parents and how much she was willing to do for them. I loved Carole, Sebastian's mom and how she was perceived as kooky and weird, but how she stayed true to herself. And I can't forget Sebastian's younger sister. After Rachel and Sebastian, they were the best part of the book. I feel like they helped add an emotional depth to the story that just made it all that much better.

C.D. Reiss is a very talented and versatile author. She makes sure the formula for a romance novel is never rote or boring and makes her characters and readers work for their happiness. I always enjoy how mentally stimulating her books her. There's a reason why they stick with you once you're finished reading them.

This was a very sweet book. A little overboard on the love but a good read. I preferred the begining was more the end.

Only CD Reiss can pull off a story about a storyteller and make it convoluted and fantastic. There are layers upon layers on this book!

Sebastian was living a sad and lonely life when Rachel and her parents moved across the street from his house. Her acceptance, her friendship and her defense of him against his bullies made all the difference in his life. He was a wimpy kid and he was bullied every day. Rachel was like a fierce warrior, with a clear sense of what was right and wrong and had no fear of acting out. She also had clear plans and a timeline of what, where and when she wanted to be in her life. But, just in case, she and Sebastian made out a contract that when they were thirty years old, if they were still unmarried, they would marry. This contract was hilarious, detailing their dating life and sex life.

Eventually they went on to live their lives and lost contact until ten years later that they meet at the parents on Christmas. Both were now thirty years old, both out of disastrous relations, and as a joke they brought out their old marriage contract. This started a ball rolling, their parents colluding to get them married, they thought it was a joke at first and then they got stuck in the process.

Sebastian had grown up from the dweeb he used to be into a successful, tall, dark and gorgeous millionaire, owner of his own company. Rachel, who had so many ambitions, was working at a crappy job as screenwriter, nowhere near to what she wanted to be. And here is when the plot gets fantastic. We have Rachel who is debating about a writing assignment that doesn’t sit right with her morals. Sebastian loves her but doesn’t see the warrior of their childhood; he sees a scared woman, afraid of rocking the boat. They are planning a marriage that they plan to cancel later on. Rachel is worried about her mother’s health. Poor Rachel is in a maelstrom of feelings she can’t get a hang of.

I hurt for Rachel because she felt inadequate and a failure. Sebastian loves Rachel but doesn’t feel loved by her. I loved the scenes of Rachel and her co-workers discussing story tropes similar to the trope of the book. I get the feeling that Rachel is a fantastic writer but she hasn’t found her place. She doesn’t realize how good she is because life has let her down and she hasn’t found a way to step up. Reading about these characters and how they evolved was great. I also loved the warm feelings of family love and acceptance. Rachel’s and Sebastian’s family were an integral part of the plot and added a lot of good feelings, especially Seb’s mom’s tarot reading cards.

This book was pretty good. It didn't blow my mind but I really enjoyed the read and look forward to reading more of CD Reiss work in the future.

This story was absolutely enchanting. It tugged at my heartstrings and made me fall in love with these characters. I adored the storyline and I couldn't help but smile reading this book. It was full of emotion and heart and I couldn't put it down. I love every type of book written by C.D. Reiss and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

The friendships you make as a young child at school are often the ones that stay with you forever. Even if you don’t keep in touch after you leave, the memories can often last a lifetime. For some people though, school can be a tough place to be. Sebastian knows this only too well. From the moment he started at his new school he was teased and bullied by people who should have known better. Only one person stood up for him and did their best to keep him safe, his neighbour and soon to be best friend Rachel.

Rachel lived across the street from Seb and it would be fair to say that it was love at first sight for him at 11 years old. He was completely enamoured with the beautiful girl who saved him numerous times. She never looked at him in the same way though, even right through high school he was the geeky, scrawny boy he had always been. Before they both left for their separate colleges they made a pact, a written contract in fact, that if they were both still single when they turned 30 years old they would marry each other.

And now it is 11 years later… Seb has just turned 30 and Rachel is 29 years old – they are both single. They haven’t seen each other for 10 years and Christmas at Rachel’s family home is about to bring them back together. Rachel looks just the same to Seb, even more beautiful than he remembers. The same can not be said about Seb though. He looks nothing like Rachel remembers, he is tall, handsome, has muscles in all the right places, long eyelashes and is drop dead gorgeous. She is pretty much speechless, letting hormones take over her thinking. He has blossomed into a very fine looking man.

When their parents whip out the ‘contract’ from all those years ago they get bulldozed into agreeing to marry each other. There are other reasons for agreeing to this ridiculous idea but none of them have to do with being in love or a relationship. It is obvious that Seb is still hopelessly in love with Rachel. He still feels unworthy of her, even with even he has achieved in his life so far. If anything, Rachel she feels like she is not good enough for him. He has his life together while hers seems to be a daily struggle.

‘I am who I am because of you.’ ‘You were always strong, Seb. You just didn’t know it.’

As the wedding date looms, they are torn between doing what is right for them and right for the people they love. I couldn’t help being swept up in this wonderful and heartwarming love story filled with so much vulnerability and a pinch of innocence. Another fabulous read from this talented author.

After reading the book, as I am contemplating on what to write about it, I experienced a light bulb moment. If this story would be made into a short film or an indie movie (that's how I imagine the production would be made), Yes by Demi Lovato could be its main song. If you decide to read it, you'll see why this might be the song for Sebastian and Rachel.

Their story is my story. Just change the names, switch their roles, and that's me and him. Obviously, this is a YES YES YES for me! My heart feels like it was going to explode in some scenes, I even got teary-eyed too. I know I am biased since it is very relatable to me. Naturally, I re-read it many times now even before I wrote this. And, will definitely read it again.

I never connected with the characters beyond the prologue. After that I found myself wondering why I cared since almost no one in this story was capable of communicating. It grew frustrating and by the time I made it to the ending, which felt rushed, I was happy for the couple but mostly just annoyed.

Only Ever You was a fun read. It was light but dealt with heavy stuff well. I loved Sebastian and Rachel and enjoyed their friends-to-lovers romance. I recommend!

This is my first time reading CD Reiss and I’m mad at myself for not reading her sooner!

Is there a more lovable character than Sebastian?!? From the very beginning, I adored him and only fell deeper as the story went along. This man will melt your heart. He’s real and genuine, sweet and loving, funny and charming, and unbelievably sexy. He’s more than just the smart, successful, sometimes goofy guy you see. And he’s come a long way from the awkward boy he used to be.

Rachel is someone the real world needs more of. I loved her from the start. She’s fearless, never one to hold back what she thinks, and is fiercely loyal and protective to those she cares about. Her moral compass is on point. But she has her struggles too, just like everybody else, and sometimes her logic will make you want to shake her a bit.

There were so many feels packed into this story! I love Sebastian and Rachel, and couldn’t help but root for them from the very first page. This may have been my first foray into CD Reiss, but it certainly won’t be the last.

Snag your copy of this book ASAP! It’s definitely worth it!

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.