Only Because It's You: A Novel

by Rebecca Fisseha

"Full of humour and heartwarming moments—Rebecca delivers pure joy!" —Chantel Guertin, bestselling author of It Happened One Christmas

A charming and touching romantic comedy about two best friends, a marriage-of-convenience, and taking a leap of faith to land exactly where you’re meant to be.

Miz is not the marrying kind. She's more of the no-strings-attached kind. No labels, only fun. So, when she finds a diamond ring in her casual-but-very-hot hook-up’s gym bag, she immediately ends things and runs.

Kal is one of Miz's best friends, an aspiring actor who moved to Toronto from Ethiopia and is on the brink of his big break. But when he's suddenly at risk of losing his work visa—which would mean leaving Toronto forever—Miz panics. What will she do without him? What if she never sees him again?

There's only one Miz will marry Kal to become his spousal sponsor. He'll get to keep pursuing his acting career, and she'll get to keep her best friend in the city. It'll be a quick, short only-on-paper marriage between friends, followed by a quick, easy divorce. What could possibly go wrong?

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Canada, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Fiction, African American Romance

336 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

Rebecca Fisseha is the author of Daughters of Silence (Goose Lane Editions, 2019), listed among the most anticipated fiction titles of Fall 2019 by CBC Books and 49th Shelf, and one of Quill & Quire’s breakout debuts of 2019. She was among CBC Books’ Six Black writers to watch in 2020. Her short stories, personal essays, and articles have appeared in various literary journals, including Room Magazine, Joyland, Lithub, and Zora by Medium. Forthcoming is a short story in the collection Addis Ababa Noir, edited by Maaza Mengiste (Akashic Books, 2020). Born in Ethiopia, Rebecca currently lives in Toronto.

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, so boring

This book made me realize that I really don’t like friends to lovers, especially when there’s no history of attraction, no mutual pining and no chemistry as friends or as lovers. This was bland but I liked the references to Toronto and the Ethiopian cultural aspects. Unfortunately the plot was barely there, the conflict zilch and I didn’t care about either character. Not that I didn’t like them, I just honestly, could not have cared less if they got together.

And the pacing of this book is atrocious. They have no attraction whatsoever until suddenly they jump into bed. Where’s the build up? And what was even the point of the engagement ring subplot? None that I could see. And of course, because it’s a romcom, they have to put up stupid artificial barriers to why they can’t be together that disappear just because they decide to ignore them. I would have been frustrated if I cared at all for them getting together.

This book was a boring offering of the same recycled and banal friends to lovers tropes that already exist in millions of other books and couldn’t interest me even with the Canadian/Ethiopian elements.

Thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary copy. This is book seven in my reading Canadian challenge.

[sashenka 🖤 · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐

I always thought that friends-to-lovers was the perfect trope but in this book, it failed me, once again. What I usually like about it is that since they've known each other for years, there's already some kind of chemistry. But here, I couldn't see it, I just saw a sister/brother kind of friendship with the FMC being the annoying little sister while the MMC just want to be left alone to do adult stuff (like, I don't know, focus on his job).

I don't really like how they went from friends with no romantic thoughts of each other to fake married with sudden want of each other. It wasn't smooth at all.

I didn't like both MCs, I couldn't believe they were both in their 30s or something. It felt very immature.

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House and Rebecca Fisseha for the ARC.

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 2 out of 5]

With such a cute cover and promising premise, I’m sad this one didn’t work for me. But on a positive note, I really enjoyed the setting. I always love finding romances set in Canada, and this one was extra special with the traveling aspect to Ethiopia!

It follows a typical marriage-of-convenience scenario in which actor Kal is at risk of losing his work visa, with Miz stepping in to save the day as a spousal sponsor. But the transition from getting married to developing genuine romantic feelings was really lacking. They came out of nowhere.

I think that’s partly because Kal and Miz are supposed to be best friends, yet their friendship never fully came across on page. It often felt one-sided, with Miz caring more about Kal than he seemed to care about her. I don’t necessarily think that was the intention, but that’s how it read at times. Especially in the beginning, when Kal even briefly regrets their reconnection.

There’s also a stolen engagement ring subplot involving Miz’s "ex" that felt completely unnecessary to drag through the entire story. The resolution felt purposeless and mostly made Miz come across as immature. I just don’t understand why she didn’t explain the mixup and give the ring back in the first place.

(heat level: 1 open-door scene, mild details)

[Neek Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for the ARC.

In "Only Because It’s You" by Rebecca Fisseha, the beloved marriage of convenience trope takes center stage, expertly woven into a heartfelt, emotionally engaging narrative that captivates readers from the very first page. This favorite trope transforms Miz and Kal’s relationship from cherished childhood friends into partners in a "fake" marriage that quickly deepens into something genuine, filled with emotional tension and heartfelt moments that resonate deeply with the audience.

Miz and Kal’s lifelong friendship adds rich layers of depth and authenticity to their bond, making their transition into marriage feel both natural and profoundly resonant. Their shared history—marked by years of laughter, shared secrets, and unwavering support—enhances every vulnerable moment and romantic spark, creating a tapestry of emotion that is both tender and compelling. Readers are drawn into their world, experiencing the evolution of their relationship with every heartfelt exchange and stolen glance.

What truly sets this story apart is Kal’s emotional openness, which stands out as a beacon of sincerity and warmth. He falls first, and he falls hard, his genuine affection and unwavering support making him deeply endearing to both Miz and the reader. Kal’s vulnerability and heartfelt gestures add a refreshing depth to his character, highlighting his dedication and the strength of his love. His journey is one of patience and quiet resilience, as he navigates the complexities of his feelings and the challenges of a relationship that begins under pretenses but grows into something undeniably real.

On the other hand, Miz’s fear of commitment introduces relatable tension and emotional complexity. Her internal struggle with vulnerability and her gradual journey toward embracing love are both moving and satisfying. As she confronts her fears and opens her heart, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster, witnessing her growth and the transformative power of genuine connection. Miz’s character arc is a testament to the courage it takes to let go of past insecurities and embrace the possibility of true happiness.

"Only Because It’s You" is more than just a romance; it is a heartfelt exploration of friendship, love, and the courage to open one’s heart. Set against the irresistible backdrop of a marriage of convenience, Fisseha crafts a story that’s emotionally resonant and charming, leaving a lasting impact long after the final page is turned. The novel beautifully captures the essence of what it means to grow with someone, to face life’s challenges together, and to find solace and strength in the most unexpected places. Fisseha’s masterful storytelling, rich character development, and emotionally charged narrative make "Only Because It’s You" a compelling and unforgettable read.

[That Girl Amnesia (Tahlia) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC! There was so much love and the foundation for a great friends to lovers arc, but I just didn’t believe any of it. For me it fell flat and it didn’t sit right for me. I’m an absolutely sucker for friends to lovers, but unfortunately this was not the case with this one.

This is not a new story. It’s been done a million times before where one of the character’s visa expires and they need to marry a friend in orders to stay at their job or stay with their family or whatever the reasoning is. The Friends to Lovers was not believable at all for me. For it to go from neither of them having romantic feelings to Kal being smitten straight away, was rather dramatic and didn’t make sense to me. I understand some people don’t see something until it’s right in front of them, but this was way past that.

What could be a good book with some extra work on the story and the tropes themselves would make this an amazing book. Unfortunately for me, it blends into the background. I so wanted to like this one.

[Sydney · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book has a decent premise but this reads like a first draft. There are so many time jumps after significant events and started to piss me off. Why is there a time jump after the first time they have sex and after they get back together right after a massive argument. Also they really didn't have chemistry but that's besides the point. At the end of the book everything that went wrong was her fault and yet somehow she was mad at him? There is also a whole side plot about a ring that I guess only exists to cause more problems in their relationship when were having them already so it was unnecessary.

I received an arc through netgalley.

[Tamia M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. If you are into friends to lovers or marriage of convience, I'd give it a try. But it isn't a favorite for me.

Miz & Kal have been childhood friends ever since her very first trip to Ethiopia to visit her dad. Kal eventually moves to Canada and rekindles the friendship he has with Miz. They are all but attached at the hip until Kal's work visa is set to expire. Miz steps up to marry Kal for her own "selfish" reasons in wanting to keep her friend there. We follow the developments in their relationship.

This book got a really low rating from me for a few reasons. Miz, our female main character, is bratty and unlikeable. There is a side plot involving a ring (which I found super irritating and unnecessary) that drug on the entire story.... for little to no reason. I typically am all for a marriage of connivence, but this just felt forced. For almost 50% of the book, it is building the world in the story but not really the relationship between the two. Kal is still sulking over a relationship from years ago and Miz likes to play the field. They never saw each other romantically prior to and it was just very hard to believe all these feelings bloomed out of thin air. I also hated how often both characters seemed to lie. It just felt unbalanced.

Thank you Net Galley & Rebecca Fisseha for the advanced copy!


2.5 ⭐️

[J. Z. Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot to love here, but unfortunately, it didn’t end up coming together for me.

The backstory here is that Miz met Kal when they were teenagers and Miz’s mother sent her back to Ethiopia to visit her father for the first time since they moved to Canada when Miz was two. They remained long-distance friends for a few years before falling out of touch. When Kal moved to Canada for college, he called Miz, and the two picked up where they left off, becoming “best friends.”

Unfortunately, their friendship just did not work for me. Miz is messy in a way that is no fun at all to watch, while Kal is sensitive and responsible. They could be a great balance for each other, on paper, but Miz just ends up kind of using Kal as a pincushion, while Kal seems frustrated by Miz’s immaturity.

I’ve read somewhere else that friends-to-lovers is a hard trope to write because you have to make readers believe:

1. These two are good friends who are perfect for each other, but
2. there’s a good reason they haven’t gotten together before, and
3. now’s the perfect time.

With the friendship falling flat, Only Because It’s You has no foundation to build on.

Worse, the romantic and sexual aspects of this relationship develop with bizarre pacing. Their emotions jump forward for no reason, and then they spend chapters and chapters second guessing themselves in their internal monologues, all the while saying very little out loud to each other. It ends up feeling frustrating and repetitive.

Fortunately, this is a quick little book, and there are some genuinely lovely moments. You can tell how much Rebecca Fisseha loves Ethiopia and the Ethiopian diaspora community in Toronto. Kal and his family are great. I just wish there had been more for him to love about Miz besides the fact that they grew up together and she’s hot.

I received an ARC free from NetGalley and freely chose to write this review.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only Because It’s You by Rebecca Fisseha is a cute romance! I listened to the audiobook and I really enjoyed the two narrators Araya Mengesha and Mekdes Teshome for the dual POV. The opening is very funny as the FMM Miz finds an engagement ring belonging to the man she’s seeing and freaks out. I really liked the Toronto setting with the mentions of street cars, University and Queen Street and the Scotiabank Arena screen. I also enjoyed the Ethiopia setting and the fake marriage. It seemed like the chemistry between Miz and Kal wasn’t really there.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy!

[Lochi's Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a digital arc of an upcoming Canadian book? Finally! Thank you DoubleDay Canada and Penguin Random House Canada for the digital arc.

Immigration policies have recently become a hot topic, especially in Canada. For many diaspora communities it’s part of our cultural lexicon. Every immigrant has a story of how they came to Canada. So the inclusion of it in the romance genre as part of the marriage-of-convenience trope was unexpected and what drew me to Rebecca’s novel ‘Only Because It’s You’.

Set in Toronto and Addis Ababa Miz agrees to ‘marry’ her friend Kal to help him get his Canadian status. But the lines slowly blur and they truly become a partnership that experience some bumps in the road while they also navigate the immigration system. I’ve been leaning into Canadian voices this year and to have a story set in Toronto was such a pleasure.

Yes, this book references the IRCC (Canada’s immigration department) and the painstaking journey couples endure to prove to the authorities the validity of their relationship. It’s submitting evidence, and trusting that everything you’re trying to convey is understood by officers and officials that determine your future. It’s high stakes, serious, and emotionally stressful. Something not to be taken lightly. There are several instances throughout the book that were cringy because of Miz’s reckless actions (especially in front of immigration officers). I wish Rebecca went in another direction with certain story aspects but the choices made helped facilitate the story.

Generational trauma is also unexpectedly threaded into the novel. Miz has a skewed perception of love and marriage that comes from her parent’s disjointed relationship. As a result it manifests really badly while Kal and Miz are in Ethiopia. It’s a silent part of the diaspora experience that so many women deal with and take years to recognize. I'm glad it made an appearance here.

Overall, such a lovely read and giving this 4.5 stars! Canadian readers you don’t want to miss this. This was my first Canadian ARC of the year, so thank you DoubleDay and Penguin Random House Canada! Truly, I can't wait for this book to launch this May 2025.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. It's got a cute cover, there's marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, Ethiopian immigrants (to Canada)! Unfortunately, I really disliked this book.

Miz and Kal are longtime friends, both originally from Ethiopia, though Miz grew up in Canada and is a citizen. Kal moved to Toronto for school and to become an actor, and that's where he is reunited with Miz. Unfortunately, Kal's work visa is almost up, and his job isn't willing to renew. Miz and Kal have been friends for over twenty years, but have never thought about each other like that, but Miz desperately wants Kal to stay, so they agree to get married.

Despite never having romantic/sexual feelings for each other before, as soon as they agree to get married, Kal is down bad. It's like a light switch flipped and he is in love. In his mind, this is a real marriage. Miz is not all in on real marriage, but she is ready to very abruptly hop into bed with Kal (seriously, there's almost zero build-up). These characters both feel very immature, despite being in their mid 30s. Kal goes from being a moony teenage boy to a sulky teenage boy. Miz has a lot of wacky antics throughout, theoretically to prevent her from various embarrassments, but which end up being way more embarrassing every time than if she'd been straightforward. There is a whole subplot about a ring that Miz took and needs to give back, and it is SO annoying.

Altogether, I did not vibe with the writing style. Everything felt very scattered, abrupt, and not fully formed. I didn't really like or connect with any of the characters.

(I received a free advanced review copy from Penguin Random House Canada/Netgalley)

[Krissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review

Miz and Kal have been friends since they met as teens in Ethiopia. Now they both live in Toronto. Miz is a physiotherapist, she doesn't believe in marriage and ended things with her latest hook up after finding a ring and freaking out. Kal is a stage actor who is at the end of his work visa, and with no prospect of finding a way to stay has accepted his dream is coming to an end.

Miz can't picture her life without Kal and tries to find a way for him to stay and eventually just offers to marry him for papers. They both soon realize there is something between them neither of them expected.

I am notoriously a lover of a fake dating and marriage of convenience stories, but this one did not work for me. I did not root for the couple or feel the chemistry. The writing from page one just did not gel with me. The exploration of Ethiopian culture was the highlight for me. There is a lot of potential for this author to write something I could love in the future but this release just didn't do it for me.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A genuinely funny and high-stakes romance. Mizan and Kal have been friends forever and, in a cocktail of immigration issues, comedy and yearning, the two decide to get married in order for Kal to stay in Canada. This book has the loveliest friends-to-lovers dynamic, and I loved flipping between their lives and families in Canada and Ethiopia. The chemistry, text banter, and family traditions and celebrations were so much fun to read.
Conflicts and tension build throughout this story, and I appreciate the genuine introspections of Miz and how patiently and kindly their expectations were resolved by the end. This book was a good mix of upbeat fun with somber reflections; some of the pacing and lead-up to events could have been given more details (and the side plot with Daniel didn’t contribute much to the story for me) but overall was a very very sweet rom-com.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC

[Tanesha Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance reader copy !! I mean, it was okay - but I felt like it could’ve gone deeper. It’s a quick read, and there are some enjoyable parts!

Definitely not my favorite read of the year. Apparently both of the main characters are in their thirties, but only the male character acted like it. I feel like the female main character could use some better friends. Like I understand having a trauma history with relationships due to one’s parents but like there’s so much more to life! It wasn’t the most realistic read, but I did thoroughly enjoy Mizu’s and Kal’s banter and chemistry! They did really mesh well together when Mizu wasn’t being difficult.

One sentence summary - Mizu has sworn off relationships and marriage, but when her dear friend Kal’s visa to Canada is set to expire, she will do anything to help, even marrying him!

I would recommend this book to folks who like exploring different cultures, who love a “he falls first” romance, with difficult female main character, fake marriages but real chemistry books and rocky starts to the relationships.

[Lalaa #ThisBlackGirlReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew, where do I begin with this one? Only Because It’s You gave me one of my favourite tropes — friends to lovers — and wrapped it in a culturally rich, cross-border love story that starts in Toronto and travels all the way to Ethiopia. Y’all already know I’m a sucker for stories that center love, especially when it comes out of nowhere and flips a life upside down. Because what’s cuter than realizing the love of your life has been standing beside you since childhood?

The connection between Kal and Mitz had that nostalgic softness — you know the kind that makes your heart ache a little? Kal, in particular, stole my heart. He was grounded, tender, and patient in all the ways you’d want a bestie-turned-bae to be. And yes, I loved that their relationship blossomed because of an impending deportation (because of course love don’t show up until chaos starts knocking). It gave the story urgency and tension without feeling forced.

Now let’s talk about Mitz… listen, I’m all for a messy main character, but whew chile, some of her decisions had me squinting at the page. I wanted to shake her a few times! But even when I didn’t vibe with her choices, I could still appreciate her complexity and the way her journey unfolded.

Rebecca Fisseha’s writing brought Ethiopia to life — from the vibrant streets to the familial dynamics, the cultural texture was vivid and grounding. As someone who lives in the GTA, I also loved the Toronto setting. There’s just something special about reading a book and recognizing street names, neighbourhoods, and vibes you know by heart.

Overall, Only Because It’s You was a decent, heartfelt read. It gave me a cute romance, a sense of place, and a cross-cultural lens that felt refreshing. It’s not perfect, but it’s got soul — and sometimes, that’s more than enough.

Thanks to LibroFM for providing me with the Audio Arc of this book. The audio added such depth to the characters.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and cute friends-to-lovers read. The story was sweet, and the settings in Canada & Ethiopia made it more interesting. With immigration being such a hot and present issue, the main plot felt very real for current times. I liked most of the characters, but didn't really enjoy the engagement ring sub-plot - it felt too detailed and a bit drawn out, with the finale of that landing a bit flat. Aside from that, I enjoyed the character development of Miz and Kal, and the entrance & stories of both of their families. Overall, a cute and easy read, and quite enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could barely make it through this one even though I really loved the synopsis and wanted to like it.

The characters had zero romantic spark and while I liked Miz’s character a lot, Kal was boring. Miz was fun and flirty and had me giggling at times. She was successful and confident in her sexuality and I loved her friendships. I actually loved her friendship with Kal so much at first that I thought it was going to be great when they finally realized their feelings for each other but…it was like BAM - oh we like each other all of a sudden. No real inkling or build up. The return of the ring to the ex confused me too. Just explain and give it back. There was just a lot of unnecessary stuff in here while the basics of romance lacked.

[Morgan Gayles · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

It’s crazy how your upbringing and past experiences with love can really shape how you see relationships. Miz, the main girl, is not here for marriage after watching her parents fall apart. Then there’s Kal, Mr. Hopeless Romantic, who fully believes his love life should feel like his parents’ still-sweet marriage. So when their friendship starts tiptoeing into something more? Whew… lines get blurry real quick.

This was a light-hearted read with the kind of funny moments that sneak up on you. I really appreciated seeing how love plays out in different cultural settings, tradition, expectations, and all. It made the story feel even more real and layered.

[Leese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I couldn’t bring myself to be interested in these characters and their story. I usually love friends to lovers and marriage of convenience but I wasn’t a big fan of both the FMC and MMC. I wish they listened to each other more and honored each other’s desires better.
I’d be open to reading more from this author as I didn’t have anything against the writing, just the plot in this case.

[Sharde' · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read an ARC copy of this book curtesy of NetGalley. Was a cute friends to lovers story but was drawn out at times. The plot line of the hidden engagement ring dragged out unnecessarily long. Overall a cute, quick read. 3.5 stars

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC review

2,5⭐️

I think this book had potential but the exécution laisse à désirer. The FMC was too immature à mon goût. I also think that the timeline was very weird( Idk if it’s because j’ai commencé un peu à lire en diagonale 🤷🏾‍♀️)

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the biggest fan of either pov, both felt over dramatic and Miz was very quirky for quirky sake. That being said I am a sucker for a Toronto based book

[Sindi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️ - Unfortunately, I’m not a friends-to-lovers trope fan and this was no exception to that. I didn’t feel much chemistry between the main characters beyond a childhood friends perspective. What I did love though was the Toronto references, the presence of Ethiopian culture (especially from the perspective of a third culture kid), and relationship dynamics with the main character and her parents.

[Chantyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4.5. Such a cute book, with a beautiful culture integrated

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is a cute, quick friends to lovers romance based in Toronto steeped with Ethiopian culture and traditions.

Miz and Kal met as teens in Ethiopia, years later, Miz sponsors Kal for a visa after they both land in Toronto and pursue their different careers. Miz, who is self-proclaimed "not the marrying type" has to deal with her past family trauma, internal beliefs and her feelings about Kal before she risks loosing her best friend and "husband".

Pros:
- Loved the cultural aspects of this book and the minority representation
- I enjoyed the MMC and his character progression

Cons:
- at times the FMC felt very immature to be 36. The intimate scenes were fade to black, which was fine- but i wanted some of those moments to make the fmc feel like she was acyually mid 30s instead of written as rarly 20s but youre telling me shes mid 30s. I personally didn't feel that her reasoning to be "not the marrying type" made much sense
- the engagement ring side plot was very drawn out and resolution felt out of place
- at times the pacing was a little off, the characters had a huge jump in feelings that didn't necessarily stem from something specific. They just.... happened lol

Overall a very cute book and a fairly cute read.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My image of Mizu completely changed after seeing the context of her parents’ relationship. One thing Mizu is right about is that marriage looks different for men and women, especially when you understand family dynamics in African and Caribbean-descended households. Look at her mother. I mean, even look at Kal’s ex-girlfriend/fiancée. It often feels like women are placed in a golden cage, while men treated this women as the prized gift their families choose.

That being said, I’d give this book a 4 out of 5—very close to a 5. I want to say this clearly: Mizu is not the villain. She is a victim. Yes, she says some very hurtful things in this book. Yes, she disregards other people’s feelings at times as a form of self-defense. But I can see how this comes directly from how she was raised and the influence of her parents’ relationship.As someone who has grown up seeing marriages of convenience especially marriages that lack love—I believe her parents are the real villains of this story. Parents often forget that beyond raising their children, they are also modeling what relationships look like. The first relationship a child ever knows is the one between their mother and father. Yes, some relationships don’t work out. Yes, you can grow up with a single parent or parental figures and figure things out. But when Mizu’s parents got back together, it completely redefined her understanding of love—and they brushed it off as if it was none of her business.

She grew up tiptoeing around conversations about her parents’ relationship, or lack thereof. Seeing her father again for the first official time at fourteen—because of a boy—was deeply impactful and damaged her idea of love early on. Her parents resumed their relationship without explaining why they had separated, leaving her to grow up thinking maybe she just wasn’t a marriage person. Then, after being caught in that hotel room, they brushed her off with, “Go enjoy the party.” That alone explains why so many kids grow up emotionally confused and closed off.
Unpopular opinion: Mizu could have been much worse, but friends like her best friend and Kal are the healthy relationships that keep her grounded.

Kal, while not a complete villain, didn’t fully understand how deep Mizu’s trauma ran when it came to her parents’ marriage. He couldn’t see why she couldn’t just “go with the flow” the way he could. One thing I love about Kal is his growth—every realization he has about love and marriage feels like a warm cup of tea. When he realized that their relationship will not be exactly like his parents.Especially ’m glad he eventually understands that he placed Mizu into a role she never asked for, expecting her to model his idea of what being married should look like. Then realize that his relationship will not be like his parents. And he understands that they're not gonna have the exact way like that kind of understanding like he's getting there. Yes, Mizu was wrong for how she handled not attending the party. But after her parents’ fiasco, she was overwhelmed and acting purely on emotion—it just didn’t work out in that moment. I completely understand why she couldn’t be there. However, when she brought Daniel into the house without explaining anything, I genuinely thought she had lost it. There was already too much misunderstanding for Kal to simply be understanding at that point.
Then bringing up his mother—his dead mother—the same woman who taught him that his relationships wouldn’t mirror his parents’? That was the breaking point for me This whole part with ring could have been skipped. Kal has taken so many steps forward while Mizu keeps stepping back. It’s frustrating, but it’s real. That’s life, some people are willing to keep trying.

Big Highlight: Kal’s family was incredibly understanding and open, showing that marriage doesn’t have to follow rigid traditions and that something new can be created. That’s the kind of in-law energy anyone would want.

I’ve read the comments on this book, and it feels like the idea that there was no mutual pining, which I completely disagree with. Mizu’s feelings for Kal didn’t come out of nowhere—she supported him early, helped with opportunities, and stood by him long before the marriage, showing how friendships can naturally evolve into love. The marriage of convenience didn’t create her feelings; it intensified them, even as she hesitated often because she didn’t want to repeat the unstable marriage patterns she saw in her own family. She wanted a relationship with in the marriage she felt they were on the course of being boyfriend and girlfriend without marriage label. She tried to married be with him in Ethiopia and got along with his family.Kal understands love through his parents’ example and expresses his feelings openly. Yes, he was stuck on his ex-fiancée for a while because they were essentially engaged for a more than half of their lives. But he was always open—both physically and emotionally—with Mizu. Then, after his conversation with his dad about the marriage of convenience, he realized that the lingering feeling he had when she proposed marriage was more than just friendship. He was willing to dive headfirst into the relationship because, like the title says, it was only because it was her. Mizu’s actions carry more meaning than her words, and Kal was very open with her from the start of the book.

And lastly—“Be More” by Stephen Sanchez reminds me of Kal so much. This song is for you boo !

P.S. #Daniel was a mess, and I would have given that ring up immediately—sent it back through the post office with no hesitation.

[Sea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Adult) | Doubleday Canada for the eARC, I always appreciate the opportunity to read and write an honest review before publication day! I've put my review under spoiler tags, as I am posting this before publication day.



Only Because It's You grabbed my attention because I am a Friends-to-Lovers fan, and this book did not disappoint in that arena! In this story, we have these two childhood friends- Kal and Miz -who are suddenly forced to face down a future where Kal, our MMC, may have to leave Canada and return home to Ethiopia when his theatre company decides not to sponsor his permanent residency. This is the catalyst for a journey that neither character is fully prepared for, as commitment-phobic Miz fails to find Kal a wife and eventually decides she'd rather marry him than have him leave Toronto. Meanwhile, even though he agrees to this plan, Kal is still getting over the end of a decade-long relationship and had promised himself he'd focus solely on his stage acting career when he landed in Toronto.

I loved the structure of this story, where 25% in, these two were still solely friends and the lines were only just starting to blur. It's been a while since I read a true friends-to-lovers tale where one of the pair, if not both, were not secretly in love with the other for years. In this story, Kal and Miz are truly just friends with independent lives, dreams, and separate friend groups, and you can feel the years of history between them that keeps them important and central in each others' lives. This helped the marriage of convenience angle so much, because Miz is so afraid of marriage and commitment, but the fear of her friend leaving and giving up on his dreams outweighed that lifelong fear.

This story was banter-filled, with both Kal and Miz having such strong personalities that their alternating POVs were a joy to read. I loved the Ethiopian cultural references and the colorful picture Rebecca Fisseha painted of this immigrant community in Toronto, from the descriptions of local food spots to the older women gossiping in Miz's mother's kitchen. The way these cultural aspects wove into the expectations that both Miz and Kal have for marriage and love was something that also kept me dying to see how things would play out. Kal's father still hosting the anniversary party after his wife's passing, because to him she's still there, was so bittersweet, but it painted such a detailed picture of why Kal thinks of love and marriage in the way that he does and why he was so hung up on Muna. That contrast to Miz's parents, still married but separated for decades, helped contextualize Miz's fear of marriage in a way that felt less dramatic/overblown than many commitmentphobe characters in this genre, and I really appreciated that.

The main issue I had with the story was the engagement ring subplot, I feel like it was drawn out too long considering she realized pretty quickly that it wasn't for her. She could have just given it back and claimed she had found it lying around. Additionally, there were moments where the writing was hard to follow, but I'm actually going to chalk that up to the formatting of my eARC.



I gave this story a 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for Netgalley and Goodreads. This was a "liked but didn't love" read, but it was enjoyable and I do recommend it if the blurb sounds up your alley.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Miz, a physical therapist, who is not the marrying kind. As she is getting ready to go on a run and is looking for her AirPods, she discovers in her situationship's bag a wedding ring. being the non-marrying type, she freaks out and runs off with the ring while ending things with this guy as well. Meanwhile, Kal, who is one of Miz's oldest friends, an actor living in Toronto, originally from Ethiopia, is in trouble when his theater company tells him that they can no longer sponsor him and his visa is going to expire. Miz starts to freak out and comes up with wild ideas - focusing on trying to find a woman who will marry Kal to help him get his papers then divorce him when it is over. After a series of disasters, Miz realizes that she is the one who should marry Kal since she isn't into marriage, this will be a fake marriage, and she gets to keep her best friend with her in Toronto. Nothing could go wrong, right?

This is a classic friends-to-lovers story, although just as the visa officer is questioning them, I am as well. Ya'll have been friends forever and are just now realizing that you actually like each other, despite everyone always saying ya'll are a beautiful couple even when they were just friends. The emotions between the two pop up out of nowhere especially in Ethiopia at the party when she is acting like she is all ready for this to be serious and then runs away at the next second. I get generational trauma, which I thought was the strong part of this novel showing how it can impact you for life and your decisions, but the flip floppy-ness drove me insane. The plot with the wedding ring was honestly stupid and could have just been left at she discovered the ring, freaked out, and broke up with Daniel - that added nothing to the story whatsoever except making me uncomfortable that a grown-ass woman stole someone's ring that she knew was meant for someone else and was weird about giving it back. this book definitely has potential to be amazing if more was sussed out and some edits were made.

Thanks Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Why did I read? It sounded cute, I love reading about different countries and cultures. Would I read again? Maybe-prob because it was quick plus I loved the scenes/setting when they were in Ethiopia.

[NeiNey.ThaReadinDoula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley…I LOVED this!! A fresh, fun take on friends-to-lovers with all the drama I crave!

This book was an absolute blast from start to finish! It follows Miz and Kal, childhood besties from Ethiopia now living in Canada. Miz is firmly anti-marriage… until Kal’s visa is in jeopardy and he’s about to be sent back home. So what does she do? Marries him, of course! Just a casual best-friend-wedding-to-save-your-immigration-status situation—what could possibly go wrong?

Spoiler: so much. And I loved every minute of it.

This story gave me everything I want in a romcom: a playful twist on the friends-to-lovers trope, a fake marriage full of real feelings, and just the right dose of messy, glorious drama. The plot was fun, fast-paced, and kept me totally hooked. I lived for the scene where Miz tries to set Kal up with multiple Ethiopian women in Toronto… only for all of them to show up at the same time. Pure chaos. I was cackling.

Miz and Kal are the kind of characters that make your heart ache in the best way. Reading from both of their perspectives? SO satisfying. Watching them tiptoe around their feelings, each thinking the other doesn’t feel the same? Ugh, my heart. Also, Kal is such a soft, sweet cinnamon roll—I adored him. Miz really scored with that one.

Now, the only thing that didn’t fully hit for me was the Daniel drama. It dragged on a bit, and I kept waiting for some kind of satisfying takedown that never quite came. Miz being hesitant to tell Naomi the truth about Daniel? Girl… no. If I found out I was the side chick and the guy was about to propose? Oh, I’d be yelling it from the rooftops. And when Daniel slithered back at the end like, “we can still hook up tho”? Absolutely not. I needed more justice there!

But overall—what a fun, swoony, messy-in-the-best-way romcom. I tore through this in three days and had such a great time with it. Highly recommend if you love heartfelt tropes, lovable characters, and a little chaos sprinkled on top.

[Erika West · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for Only Because It's You by Rebecca Fisseha, but unfortunately, the slow start made it difficult for me to connect with the characters. The opening scene, in particular, left me frustrated. The FMC's attachment to an engagement ring that wasn’t hers felt confusing and unnecessary. I kept wondering why this plot point was even needed in the story at all, as it didn’t seem to add value to the narrative or character development.

In the early chapters, I struggled to connect with the characters, especially Kal. His negativity, particularly toward Miz, felt off. Given that they've been friends for 22 years, there should have been a deeper understanding between them. Kal’s behavior made me question whether their friendship was genuine, especially with his harsh treatment of her. While I understand he’s going through his own crisis, it seemed misplaced and threw off the dynamic between them.

I usually enjoy "friends to lovers" tropes or "marriage of convenience" plots, but this one missed the mark for me. The tension didn’t build as I had hoped, and I struggled to stay invested. The closing night scene of Kal’s play showed promise, with potential for playful, flirty banter to allow some chemistry to develop. However, it felt like a bucket of ice was splashed on that moment when Kal received bad news, interrupting any chance of meaningful connection between them.

The writing felt a bit disjointed at times, which made it harder for me to fully immerse myself in the story. However, there were moments where I could see the potential for a more cohesive and engaging narrative.

Overall, while there were some moments of promise, the slow pacing and confusing plot elements left me wishing for a stronger start.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.