"Unbearably Yours" by Elodie Colliard is a captivating blend of past and present, beautifully woven together through heartfelt letters and a present-day story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The way the letters from the past slowly reveal Charlee and Oliver's history adds so much depth to their relationship, making their journey toward a second chance even more compelling.
The setting in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest is nothing short of magical. I absolutely loved how the lush, serene nature of the rainforest was integrated into the story, creating an enchanting atmosphere that perfectly complements the emotional intensity of Charlee and Oliver's reconnection.
The unique plot, combined with the breathtaking setting and the emotional depth of the characters, makes "Unbearably Yours" easily one of my favorite reads of the year. It's more than just a romance; it's a journey through forgiveness, self-discovery, and the healing power of nature. If you're looking for a book that will touch your heart and linger in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the last page, this is the one!

Unbearably Yours is a heartwarming and poignant tale that captures the magic of connection, the pain of misunderstandings, and the beauty of second chances. In this beautifully crafted narrative, we follow Charlie and Oliver, two kindred spirits who meet as penpals in college and develop an emotionally charged relationship through letters before fate intervenes, leaving them at a crossroads when Oliver fails to show up for their long-awaited meeting.

Set against the backdrop of a docuseries project five years after their initial heartbreak, the story deftly intertwines themes of growth, missed opportunities, and the obligation of vulnerability in love. As Charlie and Oliver navigate their professional collaboration, the tension of their past lingers just beneath the surface, creating an irresistible push-and-pull that compels readers to root for their reunion.

One of the strengths of Unbearably Yours is how it portrays the complexities of hypersensitivity and emotional awareness in relationships. Both characters grapple with their own fears and insecurities, and the author does an excellent job of illustrating how these dynamics manifest within their forced proximity. The representation of hypersensitivity is authentic and relatable, making for a thoughtful exploration of how individual experiences shape our connections with others.

The theme of chosen family resonates deeply in this story, as Charlie and Oliver surround themselves with a supportive cast of characters who enrich their journey. This adds warmth to the narrative, allowing readers to see the profound impacts of friendship and love in all its forms.

In conclusion, Unbearably Yours offers a tender exploration of love, longing, and the complexities of human connection. It's a story that reminds us that sometimes, the most meaningful relationships are those that stand the test of time and circumstance. Whether you’re in the mood for a sweet romance or a deep dive into emotional growth, this novel delivers on all fronts, leaving readers with a heart full of joy and a smile that lasts long after the final page.

I have no words. I am in love with this book. This story follows Charlee and Oliver, who are so relatable and loveable. I love how the story progressed, and even though it is a slow burn, it didn't feel like it. It felt perfectly paced, as their relationship developed at a realistic pace. I love how Oliver's friends are so supportive, and I love Charlee's sister. Usually, I am not a fan of 2nd chance romance books, but this one is just incredible. It is so heartfelt and beautiful.

A big thank you to @elosreadingcorner & @netgalley for my arc, I absolutely adored it! It gave me such cute, cosy, autumn vibes 🍁 I really loved and appreciated the flashbacks along with the letters - I mean how romantic! I loved seeing how they bonded and got to know each other whilst writing 🫶🏻 they put you through all the emotions! Oliver's hypersensitivity rep was really well written and refreshing to see shared. I loved him 🥰 Both Oli & Charlee have a place in my heart 🫶🏻 their connection was undeniable and you could really feel their love! Really loved how this second chance was written I was hooked and couldn't put it down! Shout out for the settings too like I honestly felt like I was there with them whilst reading! It was beautiful 🥰 gotta love a Smalltown!!

Would defo recommend reading this beauty I'm now going to be checking out the rest of the series!💖✨

4 ⭐️

really easy read for me.
Had short chapters, which I loved and it was a really quick read

tropes :
• pen pals
• forced proximity
• secret identities
• supportive siblings
• likeable side characters
• bisexual fmc
• second chance romance

4.5🌟

so so cute, and a really easy read for me.
not only did it have short chapters, but it was fast paced, hooking me on quickly.

tropes :
ᡣ𐭩 pen pals
ᡣ𐭩 forced proximity
ᡣ𐭩 wildlife enthusiasts
ᡣ𐭩 pining for each other over the years
ᡣ𐭩 secret identities
ᡣ𐭩 supportive siblings
ᡣ𐭩 likeable side characters
ᡣ𐭩 neurodivergent mmc
ᡣ𐭩 bisexual fmc
ᡣ𐭩 second chance romance

This definitely gave me cozy fall vibes 🍁 I really love some of the tropes in this story & I really like the plot idea but I found myself a bit bored with the story 🥲 there were sweet moments between the MCs & I liked the switch from present to past from when they were pen pals but I didn’t feel like the letters were very romantic but more of a very close friendship so I was a bit confused as to what made it a second chance story. I also hadn’t realize this was book 3 in the series so I wasn’t familiar with some of the characters but I didn’t feel like that took away a lot from my reading experience, just probably would’ve read the other two books before reading this one.

I did love the authors writing style & I loved the short chapters and how fast paced the book was 🧡 thank you to the author & Netgalley for the ARC! ✨

This was the absolute perfect romance for the beginning of Autumn. The two main characters, Charlee and Oliver, find themselves going between crisp outdoor adventures, and incredibly cozy cabins. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters. While I don’t usually enjoy romance books with misunderstandings between the main characters, in this book it works and is integral for the plot.

Charlee is an international wildlife journalist, sent to British Columbia to be in a wildlife documentary. When she gets there she discovers Oliver, a man who she shared a complicated relationship with over letters five years ago, has been appointed as their guide.

I want to thank Netgalley and the publish for the opportunity to read this book before its release date. This book follows two main characters who start out as pen pals and eventually they develop feelings for each other. The FMC and MMC's chemistry made me fall in-love with them and their story. I thought this was a fast-paced romance and I cannot wait to enjoy the rest of this series.

4.5 ⭐️

“𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴.”

Y'all… I'm obsessed!🥹
I didn’t think another couple was going to touch Riley & Miles' love story (from the second book) but Charlee & Oliver's chemistry came flaming through, that I just evidently couldn’t get enough of them.

I've never read a story where letters hold so much chemistry that I wanted to start sobbing in all my "glorious singleness!"🥲 It was so honest and real and properly communicated that I couldn’t even pace myself. I think the slow burn journey played a huge success in their story because it created a build-up of raw emotions. Their reunion shows so much pain and regret, but their close proximity revisits all those loving feelings that never went way.

Charlee Fletcher is a force to be reckoned with. She's a journalist who lives for the adventure and is fearless, and now she has to work alongside the only man who has ever owned her heart but also broke it simultaneously.
Oliver Reynolds is our sweet hypersensitive cinnamon roll and neurodivergent cutie. He's aware of his past mistakes but will wait his lil heart out for Charlee to trust him again. He's vulnerable but not weak, and he's also, most definitely, added to my list of dreamy book boyfriends😍
There's no doubt about it that these two were made for each other - it's kismet✨️

what you can expect:
🐻 strangers to friends to lovers
🏕 second chance
🐻 letter exchange
🏕 forced proximity
🐻 adventures
🏕 small town romance
🐻 chosen family
🏕 only one tent…
🐻 he takes care of her

Unbearably Yours is the 3rd book in the 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶 series and can be read as a standalone but just go treat yourself with the whole series mkayy🤭 that's if you haven't already been sold by these gorgeous covers alone!!

*𝘈 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘌𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯-𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.*

I stayed up WAY too late finishing this last night! I couldn't put it down. I tore through Unbearably Yours in 3 days, and would have been less if I didn't have a 1 year old creating chaos on the background all day long. It's a perfect fall, small town romance with slowburn tension.

This is a second chance romance at its core with a lot of fun tropes along for the ride. Charlee and Oliver were both Journalist students in college that get paired up to write actual letters to each other for a program to make them better writers. They exchanged letters over a year and fell for each other and planned to meet up that summer, only that didn't happen. We get their letters sprinkled in throughout the story giving background, context, and history while also developing the relationship we're rooting for.

Fast forward to Charlee being sent out to film a docuseries that could make or break her Wild Planet office (I think basically Nat Geo) only to be paired up with Oliver as the local guide for her and the team. She balks immediately but the 2 agree to put aside their history to achieve each of their goals. They can manage for 2 weeks right? Lots of camping and hiking ensues. Through a series of forced proximity, bed sharing, and caretaking moments the 2 can't fight their attraction that never dwindled after 5 years. We get some sweet slow burn build up and tension to a steamy pay off.

I genuinely loved this, pre-ordered a paperback copy, and need to pick up Elodie's blacklist off my shelves.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: contemporary romance 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
A super quick and sweet Fall read! Such a wholesome read

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Steamy small town romances
Second chance
Forced proximity
Found family
Great character growth
Pen pals
All the cozy vibes
Wildlife and nature enthusiasts
Likable side characters

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
The letters!
Diverse representation- neurodivergent MMC and bi FMC

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
The miscommunication annoyed me

𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:
★ ”you shine, and I’m mesmerized every time.”
★ ”i gave you my trust. I gave you my heart. I gave you my soul.”
★ “It’s easy for a place to feel like home when you’re with the right people.”

Right off the bat I didn't love the FMC. The letters/flashback aspect of the book was fun and engaging and helped move the story along. I love a good dual timeline between youth and later in adulthood. The MMC was more enjoyable to read for me. It was a good fall read!

I want to begin with a thank you to Elodie Colliard and NetGalley for this heartwarming ARC!

A quote I loved: "I don't need to run anymore. I've found you. I'm exactly where I want to be."

This fast-paced, fall vibed, second chance romance was such a cozy and sweet read. This was my first Elodie Collard book but I'm so excited to read the other two in the series! Charlee and Oliver make you fall in love with them and their story without even trying too hard (and I love that). Their connection from their letters comes pouring out in person and it's undeniable. Their story is one for the books, literally. I couldn't put this book down when I picked it up, especially when I put my headphones in and pressed play on the playlist (I'm a sucker for a book with a playlist). Their love, tension, their friendship, respect, everything. You can't help but love them and their connection.

I also love when an author can handle difficult topics with so much care and respect. Especially when they are able to develop characters who can do the same. That's exactly what Colliard was able to do throughout this book and I'm so thankful to have been able to read this book early and give this review. I enjoyed every moment of this book and the playlist attached and hope everyone who reads falls in love with their story as well!

If you love:
- Strangers to friends to lovers
- Penpals/Letters through time
- Fall vibes
- Second chance
- Neurodiversity rep
you will love this book!

This is the THIRD contemporary romance book in the "it's always been you" series by this indie author and I think it's my favourite because of the epistolary aspect. I love letters that uncover sensitive pieces which open up a new layer of a character...and the ones between Charlee and Oliver are just that.
Between the British Columbia backdrop, the cameos of the old couples and the second chance romance trope which I happen to love, you'll find yourself flipping the pages to find out the why and how Charlee and Old didn't happen the first time.

Also want to note that I LOVE the covers of all 3 of Elodie's books. They're stunning, especially when put together

"Unbearably Yours" by Elodie Colliard is a heartwarming and emotional journey that will leave you smiling, crying, and rooting for Charlee and Oliver every step of the way. This steamy small-town romance set in the breathtaking Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia offers a beautiful blend of second chances, forced proximity, and the deep bonds that can be forged over a lifetime.

The story's premise, involving a year of heartfelt letters followed by a chance encounter gone awry, sets the stage for a compelling tale of love, loss, and redemption. Charlee and Oliver's connection, built through letters exchanged during a university pen pal program, adds a layer of depth to their relationship. The dual timelines, where we get glimpses of their past through these letters, keep the narrative engaging and full of anticipation as we slowly uncover the reasons behind their five-year separation.

Colliard's portrayal of the characters is both relatable and endearing. Charlee, a driven journalist with a rule of not dredging up the past, and Oliver, a nature-loving guide with a heavy heart from losing his family's restaurant, are perfect complements to each other. Their shared passions and undeniable chemistry are palpable, and the slow-burn romance between them adds just the right amount of tension and longing to the story.

What truly stands out in "Unbearably Yours" is the emotional depth. The characters' struggles, heartbreaks, and personal growth are beautifully portrayed, making you feel every bit of their journey. The forced proximity trope is executed wonderfully, creating an environment where Charlee and Oliver are forced to confront their past while working together in the wilds of British Columbia.

"Unbearably Yours" is a cozy, heartfelt read that will resonate with fans of second-chance romances and stories set in picturesque, small-town settings. Elodie Colliard has crafted a touching tale that explores the complexities of love, loss, and the courage it takes to face the past.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for granting me access to this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

“We all have our demons and reasons for not wanting to dredge up the past, but this might just be one of those times when it’s worth experiencing the pain and reliving the unhappy memories, if only for the chance to rewrite parts of them.”

🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️

Read If You Enjoy:
🐻 One Tent and One Sleeping Bag
🐻 Pen Pals to Enemies to Friends to Lovers
🐻 Oodles of Forced Proximity

🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️

Thoughts:

This book is easily my favourite romance read of 2024. This was the perfect read for the end of summer. A story set in a beautiful small town in British Columbia, Canada, filled with adventures in the wildness, a cast of heartwarming & unforgettable characters, and a love story that will give you all the warm & fuzzy feelings.

I loved the dual timelines in this story and how I got to experience the past part of Oli and Charlee's story through the letters they wrote to each other as part of a university pen pal program. I loved watching their love story unfold in the letters they wrote to each other in the past & watching them reconcile and fall in love again when fate unexpectedly pushes them to meet in the present. I enjoyed getting little bits and pieces of their past sprinkled throughout the story. It kept me so engaged and the pages turning with the need for answers about their past.

I loved how emotional I was when I was reading this book. All the sadness and heartbreak I felt for these characters. Charlee and Oli were perfect for each other. From their shared passions and outlooks on life to their completely undeniable chemistry, it was such a joy to read their story. The best part was the slow burn; the really slow burn. It added so much pining and tension to the story and I just couldn't get enough.

🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️

Thank you so much to Eloide and Netgalley for the ARC copy of Unbearably Yours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cozy and heartwarming story that had me rooting for their HEA from the very beginning.
Prior to this book I had not read the others in the series but this story stood on its own so I didn't feel like any of the past characters were needed too much as you could much through context.

Charlee and Oliver meet in college through a pen pal letter program set up by their professors and it quickly turns into something much deeper for the two as they start to share details on their personal lives. This for me was the driving part of the story as I felt it solidified their growing bond and feelings for each other. All that was left to wonder was why they stopped speaking and never got to meet in person. Though this is revealed later in the story, it was key to adding the tension throughout the book and a big reason as to my interest to keep reading on top of these characters growing on me.
Charlee is protective of her space and heart due to losing her mother at a young age and not willing to lose much else but especially not to a man after the fallout with Oliver.
Oliver having to live with the feeling that he let his grandparent's down in losing their beloved restaurant, is conflicted on what to do to get another chance at bringing the legacy left behind back to life. All while knowing how much he hurt Charlee and trying to makeup for their lost time as well. Having the author include a neurodivergent MMC who openly felt so deeply was so refreshing. I thought it gave an accurate insight on those of us who feel to deeply and overthinking any and everything around us.

The letters between them were my favorite part to read but overall I enjoyed this book so much seeing these characters go through growth, heartbreak, personal struggles and finding their way back to each other after circumstances that either of them could've seen coming when they finally got a chance to meet in person.

"I choose you every time, sweetheart. You over everything else. Forever and always."

It will definitely be in my top 10 of favorite books of the year, mainly because the characters fall in love through letters and I find it super romantic, the two main characters created a connection that goes beyond the pages, and it is very interesting how you can come to love someone without even having seen them in person.

Reading both the letters they sent each other 5 years ago, as well as Oli's and Charlee's POV, makes you connect more with the story and not stop reading it, although there comes a point where you want the book to not end because of how good it makes you feel and how much you want to know more about all the characters.

The forced proximity was perfect, it gave me all the tension I wanted and made me wait patiently for the right moment for Oli and Charlee's kiss.

I loved Oli as well as Charlee, they have different personalities but, in some way, the fit together, they make each other better. And of course, i will love to have an Oli in my life, he´s such a good man, i appreciated that he waited for Charlee to open up again to him, and how much he cared for her.

I haven´t read the other books of this series, but i will do it for sure because i really enjoyed the writing style of the author.

Unbearably Yours was a journey. I felt every emotion reading this book. There were moments where I giggled, where I wanted to hug my pillow to cry and moments where I wanted to just reach in the book to hug the characters or to shake them in frustration.

The dual POV between Charlee and Oliver was a must for this story. I loved hearing both versions of their journey & the letters!! Oh my gosh, the letters, (The last few letters, I was like damn girl, how scandalous of you 🥵)!! I could feel the energy between the two when reading them, the passion and love they had for each other even though they were complete strangers had my heart throbbing.

I’m trying really hard to not spoil this book as it was honestly just so good - I enjoyed every second of it 🤭

The nickname Oliver has for Charlee is just too darn cute. When he first called her Sweetheart, oh boy oh boy - someone please, I need CPR - 🥹🥹

The fact that the plot setting was based in mainly British Columbia, allowed me as a fellow Canadian to connect with the story so much more.

To sum this all up… Unbearably Yours, to me, is a cozy small-town romance with forced proximity that will make you want to hold the whole book close to your heart ( in this case it was my iPad 😂).

Review is posted on my Instagram, Goodreads and The StoryGraph profiles.