Only Ever You was so damned sweet I couldn’t put it down. It had everything I could have asked for in a love story.

Best friends ✔️
Fake fiancé ✔️
Self-discovery ✔️
Adorable and supportive families ✔️

Sebastian was swoon-worthy in so many ways. The “dweeb” from across the street who was bullied all through out school turned rich, successful and sexy.

Rachel was the girl that could have been the most popular girl in school. But she wasn’t about that life. She was kind and driven and stood up for those that couldn’t stand up for themselves. She became Sebastian’s superhero and best friend.

This book is one you want to plan ahead for. Don’t be like me at start late in the evening then have to force yourself to bed. Had I known how badly I didn’t want to put it down, I would have started sooner so I could read it in one sitting. I was addicted to and moved by the characters and their story. It was beautiful and funny and sweet and just...everything.

CD Reiss has always been a go to author for me. She can write the sexiest, hottest romances out there and what Only Ever You showed me is that she can deliver the same in a sweetly disguised package. This was sexy and hot on a different level - an innocent way but no less effective. I am absolutely in love with everything about this story.

The things you do for your parents!

Rachel and Sebastian were close buddies as children. Helping and defending each other, they dreamt of what their lives would be like when they grew up. They were inseparable! As a final decree of their friendship, they both signed a "marriage pact" that if they were still single when they both reached the age of 30, they would then marry.

Life often does not adhere to our wishes. For Rachel, her dreams were far from being fulfilled. She was still stuck and struggling to become a famous writer. For Sebastian things had turned out quite differently. He had evolved into a handsome, muscular and successful man, still as sweet as ever. Now that they were both turning 30, would they honor their "marriage pact"? No one was more excited than their parents! It was their long standing belief the two of them were perfect for each other. So nothing was more normal than their parents begin planning their wedding!

How far would you go to please your parents if you thought one of them was dying of Cancer? Would you marry your best friend to fulfill their dearest wish to see you settled and happy?

This is a book about love. Love of your parents, friends, your dreams, and finding the love of your life. Discovering your feelings and honoring them can be a powerful thing!

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.

Rachel and Sebastian were neighbors and best of friends when they were younger. Rachel was the girl who could be popular and have it all, but she preferred to be friends and be loyal to the geek who she would fight the bullies for and who could barely carry his own books from school. They both have big dreams and make a pact that if life does not go in the direction they want and if they aren’t married by the age of thirty, they will marry each other.

After high school graduation they part ways and more than ten years later, their families still live across the street from each other, but they haven’t crossed paths, until now. It’s the year they both turn thirty and Rachel’s life is nothing like she’d planned. Feeling like a failure she returns home where she runs into Sebastian, but this is not the Sebastian she once knew. This guy is hot. Not barely ninety-pounds soaking wet Sebastian, but a built with a body made for sin Sebastian and a multi-millionaire to boot. And he still has the “marriage contract” they created. Rachel is also convinced that her mom’s Cancer has returned, and she doesn’t have much time. The one thing her mom wants more than anything else is to see Rachel happy and settled so Rachel decides she and Sebastian should be the contract to work. They’ll have a fake engagement and go through all the motions so that her mom can be happy. Along the way Rachel realizes her attraction to Sebastian is more than just his hot body. Sebastian has been in love with Rachel from day one and he’s taking this opportunity to hope that she will see him as more than just the kid she defended and more like the man he’s become who loves her unconditionally.

So, this was a really cute storyline but for some reason it just didn’t do it for me. The chemistry between the characters was amazing the dialogue/banter was good but there was just something about the flow. There were times when I couldn’t tell who was speaking and it was a little confusing. Since this is a new author for me it might be because I’m not used to or familiar with her writing style, so I may try another of her books and then try this one again.
This would be a good beach day read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this author's previous work but unfortunately the storyline in Only Ever You just didn't hold my interest. I was bored and couldn't connect with the characters and eventually decided to shelve in.

This is the first book I’ve read by C.D. Reiss, and it will not be the last! I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, and I’m so glad I accepted. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Only Ever You pulled into the story right away. The characters are real and engaging, and the plot is unique. I found the pacing excellent and read this book quickly, flipped the pages on my Kindle, wanting to find out what would happen next. Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, and this one is awesome.

Rachel’s character has plenty of flaws which makes her very real, and at times, irritating, while at other times, endearing. She has lots of goals professionally and personally, which she hasn’t achieved, and she’s turning thirty. She recalls a pact she made with her bestie in high school and goes home, hoping to see him. I could feel her desperation over not reaching any of her goals. I liked her insecurities because, again, it’s realistic.

Sebastian is a hero to love. He’s a beta, definitely not an alpha male. This makes him so adorable. I just wanted to hug him close and cheer him along. He so deserves to win the hot girl from his teenage dreams. He’s so willing to help Rachel, even though it does put him in a delicate situation with his family.

The romance between Rachel and Sebastian is sizzling hot, yet sweet at the same time. I loved how they pick up where they left off as if the years had never been. I really rooted for them to make it.

If you enjoy a romantic comedy with great characters and an engaging plot, you’ll love Only Ever You as much as I did. I will be looking for more books by this talented author. Happy reading!

Sweet and sexy

Only Ever You is a departure from CD Reiss’ more intense books.
However I enjoyed the slow burn 2nd chance friends to lovers romance. In their youth Sebastian and Rachel had a unique friendship. Through many twist and turns that friendship grows into a real HEA. I thought the back stories about their work, friends and family rounded out the book.
I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley.

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.

Only Ever you is a friends to lovers romance about two best friends from high school who lost touch but found each other years later. Sebastian is no longer the disproportionate nerd from school. He’s filled out and has made his life successful. Well except for the romance department. Rachel is no longer fearless and doing what’s right. She’s trying to be a writer in Hollywood and it’s not where she thought she would be by now.

Christmas time and these two are back at home for the holiday where they meet again. Now their moms bring up a silly marriage contract that they did when they were younger. I mean who at thirty does that? Due to other issues these two pretend to be on track for marriage but well things don’t go always as planned.

It was okay but I felt like it could have had more chemistry between them. I really didn’t feel the love connection or anything between them.