Only Ever You is a different story written by CD Reiss. If I didn't realize how CD Reiss can have a different writing style. With that being said, it took me awhile to get into the story. I kept telling myself that the slow burn will die down. Well it didn't, but that was my only complaint because at the end we had everything!

So lets talk about the main characters, Rachel and Sebastian. Rachel got lost in a world where life is made up my words. She is in Hollywood, and you can be she is talented, but also struggling to find herself. Sebastian is the white knight of the story. He is a hero through and through.

By the middle of the story, things started to come together for me. I got sucked into Rachel and Seb that I would not put my Kindle down. There is no dark drama. There is a lot of growing with these characters that you will fall in love with!

This is just plain delightful! Let me count the ways:

1. Friends to lovers, my absolute favorite trope
2. Nerd turned hunk (another yummy trope)
3. He’s the virgin, love that twist
4. He can dirty talk and do ‘everything but’ with the best of them, yes please!
5. There’s so much heart, and heat and cliché that isn’t.

It’s a real winner and while this is my first read by CD Reiss, it definitely won’t be my last.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Little Bit of Everything...

As a fan of C.D. Reiss, it's nice to see her go out of her "norm" with a book like Only Ever You. It shows me, the girl can write just about anything. Plus, I always end up learning a few new words from her. ;)

"He wasn't new to me. He was the best part of my past."

I was loving this long lost romance, although there was no romance all those years ago. There was true friendship, standing up for the little guy, something he never forgot. Sebastian was picked on in school and Rachel protected him. She had what it took to be the popular girl, looks, style, money, but never went that route. She stayed the regular girl that got along with everybody. Except those that picked on her neighbor.

Like people tend to do, they drifted apart, Sebastian and Rachel. Their families are still neighbors, but it took ten years for them to finally have the right place, right time moment happen and Sebastian drops a bombshell when it does.

I liked these characters from the get go, him more than her. It was as if the roles were reversed and our strong girl turned into quite the sad sack. She wasn't realizing quick enough for me, that he was the guy for her. Granted, the chase made the book more interesting, however I am fond of a stronger leading lady. Sebastian was written perfectly with the best kept secret I have read in a long time. An excellent twist from C.D. Reiss.

The book is well written and while not on the sexual level as some of her other books, C.D. Reiss got very creative with this one. The book reads as a stand alone with a nice epilogue to wrap things up.

Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.

If you want a second chance and friends-to-lovers romance which is same yet completely different in an exciting and excruciatingly heart rending way, Only Ever You by CD Reiss is for you. It has the same heartbreaking, poignant and swoonworthy emotions but special CD Reiss touch has converted it into something totally unexpected and sensational.

I went in the story having an idea that it will be a commercial sweet love story. Bad idea. Because I should never go in a CD Reiss book with preformed idea. Yes it is a sweet love story for sure. But it is ripping-my-heart-out-with-the-swoony-moments kinda love story. It's a CD Reiss love story. The sharp, piercing and smart writing is everything that I could expect from a CD Reiss story.

Sebastian is a nerd and an alpha. Don't ask me how she did it but she made the man crazy smart,sexy,a bit bossy and a whole lot of swoony .(Gahh my head is still dizzy over the way he talks).And of course Rachel is a mess. A mess of strength, awkwardness, love, determination and beauty. God I love this woman. The chemistry, the connection, the progress- everything was absolutely stunning! My heart is impossibly full and happy and aching!They have been separated for years and now years later they are facing a childhood contract of marriage made on impulse. Everything has changed as their lives did not go as planned at all. But Rachel is the one Sebastian loved and Rachel didn't know Seb is the person who can fill up the gaping hole of incompleteness in her life. Rachel is struggling with her disappointment and fears while Seb is struggling to make her see the real him.


Second chance, childhood "sweetheart", fake fiance...it is everything combined. And dear god the storytelling is brilliant (as usual). This is more effective than having a code or a finger print scanner or retina scanner as safety procedure. Because no one can replicate or duplicate this writing. There will be only ever you, CD Reiss.

Received ARC for Honest Review through Netgalley and Social Butterfly PR

I love CD’s writing style. No matter what she writes, I’m always hooked from beginning to end. Wonderful characters and an interesting storyline. I didn’t want to put it down. Would definitely recommend.

Maybe all the stars were aligned just right or it was my time to fall for the writings of C.D. Reiss, or perhaps it was just pure luck. No matter how it happened, doesn’t matter because Only Ever You was a joy to read. Only Ever You is the first book by this author that I have read, and I have many of her books on my TBR shelf… why have I waited so long???

Only Ever You is a friends to lovers book, that is well written with engaging characters. What made this book a bit different from other books in similar tropes is the role reversal of the two main characters. Their dialogue is crisp, and sometimes sweet but also mature with a side is of cheekiness. Rachel is the protector of Sebbie, who was a total geek and was bullied all through high school. They were best friends who made a pact. They would get married at age thirty if they were both single. Well, it's Christmas time, and they are both home, thirty years old and single. That's when the story takes off.

Rachel and Sebastian expect each other to be the same as they were in high school, but of course, that is not the case. It's fun to watch the two of them navigate the feelings they once had for each other versus the feelings they now have for each other. I loved the chemistry the two had together; they took their time and worked through some challenging issues together. Throughout the book, there were a few tricky situations, some romantic times, and a few laugh out loud moments and some oh no that did not just happen moments, all of which keep me turning the pages. However, most importantly, these two always came back to each other in one way or another. I felt that Ms. Reiss captured a real sense of belonging with the addition of Rachel and Sebastian's family members. These characters were authentic, relatable, entertaining, and most importantly, they were always supportive of Rachel and Sebastian.

I liked that the author gave us a fantastic epilogue that took us about six years into the future. Only Ever You is a feel good, fun summer read, and I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to reading more books by C.D. Reiss.

***I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion .***

This is the first book I have read by CD Reiss and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed this one! Only Ever You is about childhood friends Rachel and Sebastian and the contract they signed as teenagers. This contract stated that they would marry each other if they were both still single at 30. I really enjoyed this story line even when the characters were getting on my nerves.

I thought this book was well written. The "marriage contract" trope is not something I have read before and I enjoyed that it was unique! If you are looking for a sweet romance this summer then I definitely recommend this one!

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

I swooned, I fell, I shed a tear reading Only Ever You. CD Reiss is my forever one click chick, whether it be a hot, dirty, twisted tale, or something a little softer. This is her softer side. Sebastian and Rachel, childhood bffs with a marriage pact. Awww! But Rachel is not at all the same person as she thought she'd be, and Sebbie sure has grown up nicely. Add in some unexpected and emotional family dynamics and this story pulls you in. I love how as a romance writer there are conversations about how tropey her real life is, that was funny. And the END? Classic romance go big or go home. The kind of ending that reminds you why you fell in love with reading romance in the first place. Over the top in all the perfect ways. I'm so happy with this whole story, loved every page.

Only Ever You
By: CD Reiss

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Can childhood friends become forever?

In this sweet romantic story we get to watch Rachel and Sebastian fall in love. Does that mean that there are misunderstandings and feelings of inadequacy to overcome? Of course but the journey to happily ever after can be so sweet getting there.

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 must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

Authors Blurb: Rachel knew exactly what turning thirty would be like. She had a plan, after all. First college, then a climb up the professional ladder. Love, marriage, children. All of it was on the schedule.

The cheap Hollywood apartment wasn’t on the list. Neither was the string of heartbreaks. Or the effect her mother’s cancer had on her career.

It’s hard to stay practical and on point when everything takes a left turn.

Enter Sebastian, the nerd across the street. The boy she defended when he couldn’t defend himself. The best friend she promised she’d marry if life didn’t go according to plan.
Not only is he successful, confident, and gorgeous, but he also still has their handwritten marriage contract.

No one goes through with childhood wedding pacts.
That’s crazy.

But their families might just be crazy enough to rent a hall and set a date. All Rachel and Sebastian have to do is fall in love.

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 dual POV 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.📚💕

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Only Ever You is an adorably sweet book about childhood reads who make a marriage pact. If they weren't married to someone by the age of 30, they'd marry each other. Life happens, and years later, they're both still not married. so they decide to honor their childhood pact.

This is definitely a softer romance than most of CD Reiss' books, but it's defintely still a great read.

Loved the characters , especially Sebastian dweeb turned hottie and Rachel the friend across the street.......Was this the best book of CD Reiss ? No but it was still a great read that’s why it got 4 stars instead of 5, would I recommend this? Hell yeah.....

I really this enjoyed this light romance from C.D. Reiss for whom I know typically does darker stories of love. This one was fun. It encompasses several tropes of the genre and does so in a uniquely engaging way through the toggling back and forth between the cynicism of the heroine and the effervescence of the hero. Only Ever You is part friends-to-lovers, part time hop, part fake marriage, part teenage marriage pact, part meddling families. There are several themes throughout the book that touch on the heavy making it more real and poignant but the lightness of this story makes it enjoyable, fast paced, and charming.

Sebastian Barton and Rachel Rendell were quick friends when the Rendells moved in across the street as teenagers. Rachel protected the sensitive, unassuming Sebastian and was his only friend. He held a torch for her throughout their friendship unbeknownst to Rachel. The two lost touch after college and plans that were made, as they often do, went awry and their lives were completely different then how they envisioned them going. Fast forward to years later and their thrust back into each others path remembering the aforementioned marriage pact and how it could benefit their lives now.

C.D. Reiss utilizes her signature style of writing in Only Ever You. Her flow of story telling grabs your attention from the onset and keeps you in tune to her characters throughout. She encompasses feeling vulnerable, emotional, light-hearted, cynical, and overwhelmed so well with her writing. This is a great, easy, romantic read with a great story of friendship and growth with a killer epilogue too.

3.75⭐
C.D Reiss isn't an author I've read an awful lot of. So I was keen to check out Only Ever You for this reason, but also because I really liked the idea of it and I have to say I did find it engaging to read; and I thought the characters were likable if a little cliché. And it was nicely paced, extremely light and romantic. Yet, I felt the characters lacked chemistry and if I'm honest, I wasn't expecting it to be quite so fluffy, romantic and easy as it was. But nevertheless it was a nice read and I did enjoy it and I would certainly check out other books by this author in the future.

Real and messy, the romance in Only Ever You doesn’t follow the typical path you read about in novels. Our couple’s journey is long and winding, which makes for an authentic read but not great escapism. The story follows Rachel and Sebastian, two people who were very close in high school. Sebastian was a skinny nerd, and Rachel was his defender. He loved her then but knew that she didn’t see him that way. As they’re talking about the future one day, they end up making a pact to marry each other if they’re both still single when they’re 30. Fourteen years later, they meet up again after 10 years apart. Sebastian jokingly brings up the marriage pact, which sends their families into excitement as they start trying to make plans for the former friends. Sebastian still idolizes Rachel, so he’s all for it, but Rachel sees the contract as a sign of her failure to achieve the life she always wanted - needing to rely on her fallback plan. As the two navigate their families’ enthusiastic response, they spend time together and begin to see each other as the adults they now are.

I really enjoyed the first half of the book - these two needed to take time to get to know each other again. Sebastian has had Rachel on a pedestal for years, so when she’s no longer the sassy, confident girl he knew, he feels let down. On the other hand, Sebastian has turned into a successful, handsome business owner, so Rachel finds herself attracted to him in a way she never was before. It’s well written and authentic, and their shared history gives the story plenty of depth. The second half of the book is what stumbles for me - it’s probably too long, and the path to happiness too rocky. Sebastian is a great character, but Rachel was a little tougher to love. Her insecurities took a lot longer to work through. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m glad I was introduced to this author - the writing style is great and I will definitely try more of her books in the future.

I read this book until the 23% mark. Then I started skipping around... this book just moved too slow for me. And because of this, I could not get into it.
I gave up!
The ending didn’t even do anything for me. Just not the book for me.

I've read and loved several books by C.D. Reiss in the past so, I couldn't wait to read this one. Rachel and Sebastian were childhood friends with a pact to get married if single at thirty. Sebastian had Rachel upon a pedestal from their childhood. She was fierce and stood up for him when he couldn't do it for himself. When they meet up later, it's like their roles reversed. Sebastian is successful and extremely hot even with grandpa sweaters. Rachel is working long hours and hasn't managed to catch her big break yet. She's laking a little self-esteem. I couldn't wait for Seb to help her build herself back up. It's a fairly light read. Not too much drama besides a couple of exes. There is one particular thing that had me rolling my eyes that I couldn't get over. It's probably not a big deal to most but, I didn't find it very realistic. I'm not sure how to rate this one. It's not my favorite C.D. Reiss read but, that doesn't make it bad by any means. I'm still a huge fan.

3.5 STARS

This is not the “normal” book I am used to reading from CD Reiss, but I enjoyed it all the same! This is a slow burn, friends to lovers romance between Rachel and Sebastian who I cared about very much. I was frustrated with both of them at times, but I was rooting for them from the beginning. It was a quick, fun, sweet, low-on-angst read. I am giving it 3 stars, because to me 3 is average and that is how I feel about the book. I am not sure I would recommend it (I have so many CD Reiss books that I would recommend), and I am not sure I am going to remember anything about it tomorrow.

With Only Ever You, CD Reiss created a gem of a story about friendship, strength, inspiration, hope, family and love. It was filled with so much warmth and feel-good moments that I couldn't help but fall in love with it. Sebastian was such an amazing hero that for him alone, I would be happy to re-read this story time and time again!

What did I love about this book?
💫 Sebastian. Obviously.
💫 I'm a huge fan of relationships built on years of friendship and kinship and loyalty and history. The ties that bind and all that. And this story was definitely chockfull of these things.
💫 How beautiful and vulnerable Sebastian was. How can one resist a man who allows his heart to show in everything he does?
💫 The many ways Sebastian loved Rachel. I wanted her to do more for him, but it was sweet nonetheless.
💫 The author gave an interesting twist to this story. The hero was put in a position not many writers would put him in and I loved how it was done. Someone so sexy and aware and yet... Read the book to find out all the wonderful ways Sebastian doesn't fit the norm.
💫 It was low on angst, there wasn't any unnecessary drama, and despite the heroine's tendency to be oblivious, I loved the sweetness of these characters. They were light and easy without giving me a chance to be bored with how easy everything was.

Sebastian will give you a romance to sink your teeth into. He was a 'dweeb' who blossomed into a glorious swan and will easily have you rooting for him as hard as I did. I recommend this read to anyone who loves the idea of love, the idea of fate, and who wants to be swept away by the exciting feeling of falling.

I got my first C.D. Reiss ARC from NetGalley though this wasn't the first book I've read from her.

The blurb got me excited... Secretly being in love with your childhood best-friend is one of my fave trope.

I don't know if it was just me but sadly book didn't live up to my excitement. I was disappointed. The premise of the story is great but the progress or how the whole story unfolded fell flat. Many times I've though about not finishing it because I felt like the characters lack chemistry or oomph and there were parts that were ridiculous that very often I was rolling my eyes and raising my eyebrows in disbelief... plus both protagonist were exasperatingly indecisive and a tad bit whiny through out the story. The good parts came a little too late because the story was almost ending... and I was like, what did just happened?

The story had a lot of promise but it just didn't take off so to speak—well at least for me. So far it's been miss with the couple of C.D. Reiss books I've read. But I can't wait to another one from her. Who knows, maybe the next one will knock me off my feet.

This one was hard for me to finish. I just couldn't connect with the characters, especially Rachel. Sebastian was almost like a doormat. Their relationship just wasn't there for me. I'll try again with CD Reiss, but this was a pass.