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.

What's not to love about Rachel and Sebastian's story. It's a romance that will make your heart sing and your toes tap. After all, if life isn't going exactly as you planned it you always have that marriage pact you made with your best friend and nerd when you were in high school to fall back on. What's starts off as a joke suddenly takes on a life of its own when Rachel and Sebastian's families become involved. It’s funny when it needs to be and as always beautifully written. The side characters were more than entertaining. Sebs mum will make you laugh and Rachels mum will pull at your heartstrings. You can't help but love them all. It's light and fluffy and so romantic. It's guaranteed to leave you smiling as only a proper romance can. Will love win the day? Of course it will.....big big sigh

3.5 stars

Only Ever You by C.D. Reiss was a lighter read from this author that was a mix of friends-to-lovers, a marriage pact and second chances. Rachel and Sebastian were friends when they were younger and made a pact to marry each other if they were not married by the age of 30. Rachel had plans, but life sometimes gets in the way and right now, life has not been too good for her. For Sebastian, life had definitely been good. The once nerd is now a very handsome and successful man. When they meet again, suddenly the marriage pact cannot be ignored, but no one would truly go through with it, correct?

There was a lot of push and pull between Rachel and Sebastian. I did not always feel the chemistry between them and some of the reasoning for what they do had me shaking my head. Even so, Only Ever You by C.D. Reiss was a quick, light read with little angst.

I love authors who showcase their writing prowess by shifting gears and stepping outside of the kind of romances they’re known for into something completely different. CD Reiss is known for her dark romances, and in her latest release, Only Ever You, readers get a lighter side of Reiss’ storytelling, and as she tells Rachel Rendell and Sebastian Barton’s story, she meshes several romance tropes together to illustrate how a childhood pact made between friends becomes something tangible as adults and maybe even essential if meddling family members, a fake marriage, and rediscovered feelings with a little bit of faith have anything to say about it.

What I find most intriguing about Rachel and Sebastian’s story is the way that Reiss crafts her characters - both when they knew each other in high school and then when they reconnect 10 years later. The characters’ defining characteristics seem to shift drastically when they cross paths after a decade - the once independent and strong-willed Rachel is no longer due to a series of heartbreaks and her inability to achieve her self-made goals, and the new Sebastian is someone who doesn’t need another person to stand up for him because he’s become a successful, sexy, alpha male all on his own.

The path to a happily ever after for these two characters was a bit nerve wracking, if I’m being honest, because it felt like, at times, Rachel was too narrow-minded when it came to their ‘fake’ relationship, and I’m sure a huge part of that was because of her fear and her cynicism, but Sebastian seriously wore his heart on his sleeve, and I wanted Rachel to see him…see all of him because he was all in back when they were just friends and now even more since they reconnected, and I needed to feel like Rachel understood everything she could and would have with Sebastian.

I enjoyed Only Ever You, and while I had some concerns with Rachel and her hesitancies toward going all in with Sebastian, I adored Sebastian’s transformation to hot nerd and how he helped Rachel to remember the girl she used to be so that she could get past all her heartache and reclaim her independence and feel love from a man who has only ever seen her.

4 Poison Apples

4 Stars

Only Ever You is the all new contemporary romance novel by CD Reiss. It is a stand-alone book and it is completely different than all of the other authors previous work. Only Ever you was soooo good! I have been a Reiss fan for quite awhile and man, this story was so unexpected. It was charming, sweet, but also dealt with some serious topics.

When you’re sixteen and make a promise to marry pact with your best friend, you really don’t expect it to happen. Now, fourteen years later, Sebastian and Rachel are facing the very real possibility that it might.

Rachel is a writer who thought her life would be so much different at thirty. She thought her career would be booming and would’ve been married. But as we all know, sometimes life doesn’t always turn out the way we thought it would. When she comes face to face with her childhood friend Sebastian, sparks fly. But Rachel has been burned one too many times…

Sebastian has been in love with Rachel for years. Never having the confidence to act on it, he finally may have his chance…

I enjoyed reading this book so much! Seb and Rachel stole my heart! Reiss has undeniable talent and it was evident in Only Ever You. Everything flowed well and the plot had a few surprises thrown in. I highly recommend reading this book!

ONLY EVER YOU by C.D. Reiss is a new contemporary romance not like any previous books I have read from this author. I think dark, erotic and intense usually when I see this author’s name, but this romance is different. Sebastian and Rachel’s story is lighter, full of family, hope and love. The angst and steamy is still there, but not as often and with a twist.

When Sebastian was in school, he was a stick thin, nerd who was bullied.

Then a beautiful girl named Rachel moved in across the lane. She became his best friend. She defended him and included him.

As they plan their futures, they decide on a back-up plan and write a marriage contract stating if both are single when they turn thirty years old, they will marry each other.

The future happens and it does not always go as planned. Rachel and Sebastian are both home for Christmas. Sebastian has become an extremely successful and gorgeous man. Rachel is still struggling in her career and has dated a string of losers. Nothing has gone as she planned, but she also would not have changed the time she put her career on hold to help her mother through her cancer.

Are they really going to go through with their marriage contract?

This is a very entertaining friends to lovers contemporary romance. Sebastian is a hero we all love to cheer for. The dweeb to heart-throb, smart to successful, but no matter the success, he is still very vulnerable. Rachel was strong as a young girl, but she let fear and the wrong men make her doubt herself to the point of losing her confidence in herself. As the two reunite, they learn how they are still alike, but also different. This is a cute couple with crazy family members and friends that love them and only want them to be happy. The sex scenes occur towards the end of the book and there is a very interesting twist involved, especially from this author.

This is one of those feel good, fun romances to enjoy curled up on your favorite chair.

While the synopsis really pulled me towards this book, I didn’t really like it. We are thrown into the story with grown-up Rachel and Sebastian and expected to feel that they were supposed to be together. There wasn’t enough time spent in the past for us to see them actually being friends and caring for each other.

While Sebastian was okay, Rachel came off harsh and a bit selfish throughout the book. Her “woe is me” attitude was very draining to read about. Basically, this one just wasn’t it for me.