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Only Ever You
He still loves her.
She’d do anything to forget him.
Once upon a time, Bohdan Novotnak had it all—the kind of friends you’d only find in a movie, legs that made him one of the fastest skaters on the planet, and a record-breaking collegiate hockey career that paved the way for what should have been an outstanding professional one. But most importantly, he had her.
Sloan Joseph has more than enough worries to write a thesis on, and even though she’s spent her whole life studying other people, her brain’s still a puzzle she’s not really sure how to solve. But the one thing she’d always been sure of was him.
Until a split second changed everything, and now, Bohdan does his best to avoid his old dreams and the picture of Sloan still burning a hole in his pocket, while she tries to convince herself the solution to missing Bohdan is moving to a new country. The only real ties left between them are fading tattoos and the best friends they still share.
When those same friends invite them on a week-long Mediterranean cruise, the last thing they’re expecting is each other. To survive the week, they strike a deal and try to pretend to be nothing more than strangers.
But for two people who were once everything to each other, pretending to be nothing isn’t as easy as it seems.
She’d do anything to forget him.
Once upon a time, Bohdan Novotnak had it all—the kind of friends you’d only find in a movie, legs that made him one of the fastest skaters on the planet, and a record-breaking collegiate hockey career that paved the way for what should have been an outstanding professional one. But most importantly, he had her.
Sloan Joseph has more than enough worries to write a thesis on, and even though she’s spent her whole life studying other people, her brain’s still a puzzle she’s not really sure how to solve. But the one thing she’d always been sure of was him.
Until a split second changed everything, and now, Bohdan does his best to avoid his old dreams and the picture of Sloan still burning a hole in his pocket, while she tries to convince herself the solution to missing Bohdan is moving to a new country. The only real ties left between them are fading tattoos and the best friends they still share.
When those same friends invite them on a week-long Mediterranean cruise, the last thing they’re expecting is each other. To survive the week, they strike a deal and try to pretend to be nothing more than strangers.
But for two people who were once everything to each other, pretending to be nothing isn’t as easy as it seems.
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Published November 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
November 18, 2025
4☆
i am so beyond grateful to have received this as an arc. this was my first experience with something haley has written and i was pleasantly surprised.
haley’s writing style is so refreshing. the descriptors of legit everything makes you feel like you’re living the pages that you’re reading. you can see the time and effort that’s been put into the story, the characters, the setting, everything, and it’s been done with such care and such elegance, i can’t wait to read even more of her work.
small side note: i would have finished this one far sooner, but there’s been a lot going on in my personal life and the times i had a chance to read, i have been far too tired.
𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅
⤷ bohdan and sloan are extremely complex characters with so many layers to them, that you don’t know what you’ll get next, but in the same breath, you do. each of them struggle with their own varying degrees of mental health and have polar opposite coping mechanisms. in the end, they have found their place and they’ve found what works for them. they both put in the work to get better for one another, but more importantly, for themselves.
these are two characters that you spend the entirety of the book rooting for. to be together but to also be okay alone and to find what they’re missing.
my heart broke for each of them at one point or another and i wanted to so badly jump into my kindle and shove them into the others arms. i relate to both so much - bohdan in the sense that he sometimes he shuts down and that we both suffer from horrendous migraines, sloan in the way that i find myself often just not feeling like enough and questioning everything. but when you find that person who just gets it and who loves you the way you deserve, you hold onto them.
not only was this a story about second chance, but it was a story with a beautiful found family. friends that would drop everything to come to your side in your time of need. friends who fight for you and stand up for you when you’re not here. the kind of friends that understand you, never passing any judgement and drive you to your therapy appointments. the sort of friends we all deserve.
my only frustration for the book was that it felt like we were going in circles a bit with the elephant in the room between sloan and bohdan. it felt like their issues could’ve been resolved long before they were, but in the end, it worked and it was so precious.
i am so beyond grateful to have received this as an arc. this was my first experience with something haley has written and i was pleasantly surprised.
haley’s writing style is so refreshing. the descriptors of legit everything makes you feel like you’re living the pages that you’re reading. you can see the time and effort that’s been put into the story, the characters, the setting, everything, and it’s been done with such care and such elegance, i can’t wait to read even more of her work.
small side note: i would have finished this one far sooner, but there’s been a lot going on in my personal life and the times i had a chance to read, i have been far too tired.
𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅
⤷ bohdan and sloan are extremely complex characters with so many layers to them, that you don’t know what you’ll get next, but in the same breath, you do. each of them struggle with their own varying degrees of mental health and have polar opposite coping mechanisms. in the end, they have found their place and they’ve found what works for them. they both put in the work to get better for one another, but more importantly, for themselves.
these are two characters that you spend the entirety of the book rooting for. to be together but to also be okay alone and to find what they’re missing.
my heart broke for each of them at one point or another and i wanted to so badly jump into my kindle and shove them into the others arms. i relate to both so much - bohdan in the sense that he sometimes he shuts down and that we both suffer from horrendous migraines, sloan in the way that i find myself often just not feeling like enough and questioning everything. but when you find that person who just gets it and who loves you the way you deserve, you hold onto them.
not only was this a story about second chance, but it was a story with a beautiful found family. friends that would drop everything to come to your side in your time of need. friends who fight for you and stand up for you when you’re not here. the kind of friends that understand you, never passing any judgement and drive you to your therapy appointments. the sort of friends we all deserve.
my only frustration for the book was that it felt like we were going in circles a bit with the elephant in the room between sloan and bohdan. it felt like their issues could’ve been resolved long before they were, but in the end, it worked and it was so precious.
January 6, 2026
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 6 stars
i have never so deeply related to a mc before.
sloan is me, i am her.
like genuinely this wrecked me in the best way, the ending? guys they BOTH went to therapy before they got back together for sure 😭
the only second chance romance to exist
full rtc when im not moping over finishing this !!!
pls read this rn <3
___
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
this second chance romance is calling my name!!! thank u so much to haley for sending me an arc <3 cannot wait to sob over these two ❤️🩹
↪ started nov 27
↪ finished nov 29
i have never so deeply related to a mc before.
sloan is me, i am her.
like genuinely this wrecked me in the best way, the ending? guys they BOTH went to therapy before they got back together for sure 😭
the only second chance romance to exist
full rtc when im not moping over finishing this !!!
pls read this rn <3
___
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
this second chance romance is calling my name!!! thank u so much to haley for sending me an arc <3 cannot wait to sob over these two ❤️🩹
↪ started nov 27
↪ finished nov 29
January 11, 2026
4.5 stars
A heavy but beautiful read. I love Haley Warren’s writing and pacing.
A heavy but beautiful read. I love Haley Warren’s writing and pacing.
November 24, 2025
Everyone that knows me knows I like sad emo books that will have me sobbing like when Elphie screams FIYERO in no good deed, and this was no different.
Only Ever You by Haley Warren is a masterpiece, so much that just after one book from her, she's become an auto-buy author for me. The way I was suffering since page 2? Criminal.
Sloan and Bohdan meet in college in such a heartwarming and meet-cute way, and they become each other's world. Bohdan has a way of understanding Sloan's cues and triggers, and he has no problem "adapting" his life to make sure she feels seen, reassured, and secure, until one nasty accident kills his dreams. He navigates through the loss of what could've been and has his own mental and physical struggles. This book is a perfect depiction of how mental illnesses and disabilities impact an individual's life, not just in relationships with others, but in the way they see and carry themselves. After parting ways, they are forced to be on a week-long cruise to celebrate their friend's retirement, where they must face their fears and everything they never got over.
What to expect:
✨ second chance
✨ found family
✨ forced proximity
✨ mental health rep
✨ disability rep
✨ it’s always been you
✨ UGLY tears!!!!!!!
Only ever you comes out tomorrow, November 25!
Thank you so much to Haley for the eARC! I ordered her backlist because I'm SOLD!
_____________________
rtc soon — autobuy author for me ✨
Only Ever You by Haley Warren is a masterpiece, so much that just after one book from her, she's become an auto-buy author for me. The way I was suffering since page 2? Criminal.
Sloan and Bohdan meet in college in such a heartwarming and meet-cute way, and they become each other's world. Bohdan has a way of understanding Sloan's cues and triggers, and he has no problem "adapting" his life to make sure she feels seen, reassured, and secure, until one nasty accident kills his dreams. He navigates through the loss of what could've been and has his own mental and physical struggles. This book is a perfect depiction of how mental illnesses and disabilities impact an individual's life, not just in relationships with others, but in the way they see and carry themselves. After parting ways, they are forced to be on a week-long cruise to celebrate their friend's retirement, where they must face their fears and everything they never got over.
What to expect:
✨ second chance
✨ found family
✨ forced proximity
✨ mental health rep
✨ disability rep
✨ it’s always been you
✨ UGLY tears!!!!!!!
Only ever you comes out tomorrow, November 25!
Thank you so much to Haley for the eARC! I ordered her backlist because I'm SOLD!
_____________________
rtc soon — autobuy author for me ✨
October 31, 2025
I’m a fully cooked emotional casserole after this one. 😭
I know I say this everytime Haley Warren releases a book, but this one might really be my actual favorite. 🖤
I know I say this everytime Haley Warren releases a book, but this one might really be my actual favorite. 🖤
January 9, 2026
4.5 🌟
menudo viaje, tremenda llorera, amigas
-----------
This book is an emotional rollercoaster, there isn't a better way to describe it.
First of all, how Haley addresses mental health in her books has me in awe every time, even though I have just read "Only ever you" and "Near miss". I absolutely adored how she addresses it through both the main characters, how brains can be so cruel they change your life and how important is to look after yourself first before you want to look after anyone. Please, check the TW and read the author's note at the beginning, as the topics in this book are really sensitive.
The characters are beautifully built. They evolve, they look forward to changing their paths and finding happiness, and they go to therapy to do it. I loved how Sloan and Bodhan both put themselves first at the end before trying again and how real it felt they do that. I also loved the friendship of the whole group; it is one of the best found family group I have ever read and it has reminded me why I love this trope so much. How fiercely Jay, Tia and Talon love and protect both Bodhan and Sloan is heartwarming and breathtaking at the same time. Focusing on Bodhan and Sloan, she is so special and precious I just want to hug her and never let go; and how Bodhan loves her, thinks about her and knows exactly what she needs before even she does leaves me speechless.
The combination of both timelines made me connect with the story even more, as you get to see the worsening of their mental health and how it reflects on their relationship but NEVER on their love. Their love changes, yes, but it stays the same at the same time, and they still love each other so fiercely it is impossible that you don't want them together, period. The tears definitely made an appearance specially at the end, when you get to see what happened, you have a look at their brains and realize the lack of communication their own brains have forced them to have and nothing has ever felt so relatable.
I am looking forward to reading everything Haley has written and writes, as her way of addressing mental health through her stories and characters has quickly become one my favourites in romance books.
Thank you so much for the ARC, Haley. 🩵
menudo viaje, tremenda llorera, amigas
-----------
This book is an emotional rollercoaster, there isn't a better way to describe it.
First of all, how Haley addresses mental health in her books has me in awe every time, even though I have just read "Only ever you" and "Near miss". I absolutely adored how she addresses it through both the main characters, how brains can be so cruel they change your life and how important is to look after yourself first before you want to look after anyone. Please, check the TW and read the author's note at the beginning, as the topics in this book are really sensitive.
The characters are beautifully built. They evolve, they look forward to changing their paths and finding happiness, and they go to therapy to do it. I loved how Sloan and Bodhan both put themselves first at the end before trying again and how real it felt they do that. I also loved the friendship of the whole group; it is one of the best found family group I have ever read and it has reminded me why I love this trope so much. How fiercely Jay, Tia and Talon love and protect both Bodhan and Sloan is heartwarming and breathtaking at the same time. Focusing on Bodhan and Sloan, she is so special and precious I just want to hug her and never let go; and how Bodhan loves her, thinks about her and knows exactly what she needs before even she does leaves me speechless.
The combination of both timelines made me connect with the story even more, as you get to see the worsening of their mental health and how it reflects on their relationship but NEVER on their love. Their love changes, yes, but it stays the same at the same time, and they still love each other so fiercely it is impossible that you don't want them together, period. The tears definitely made an appearance specially at the end, when you get to see what happened, you have a look at their brains and realize the lack of communication their own brains have forced them to have and nothing has ever felt so relatable.
I am looking forward to reading everything Haley has written and writes, as her way of addressing mental health through her stories and characters has quickly become one my favourites in romance books.
Thank you so much for the ARC, Haley. 🩵
January 13, 2026
3.5
reading the author’s note made me know this book was going to hit me HARD and it did. i barely made it out alive. this book is so angsty, tension filled, and quite honestly depressing. sloan is such a relatable fmc she feels like she’s not good enough, she thinks that everyone hates her, and she deals with compulsions that are hard to explain. there’s a scene that had me sobbing bc it is so honestly and vulnerable about how embarrassing it feels to have your brain tell you you have to do these things and have other people witness them. sloan is so sensitive and cries often which is something i can omelet relate to. she was raw and unable to be anything other than herself and i love her so much. bohdan is one of the most thoughtful mmcs i have ever read. he loves sloan more than anything and is such a dependable person that she can rely on when things get rough. his acts of service for her had me in tears bc you can tell he is willing to do anything to make her feel safe and comfortable. he loves her as she is and doesn’t want her to change even though she wishes she was different. i instantly felt their connection in the past chapters.
their breakup and the scenes leading up to it (which isn’t a spoiler bc we know they are broken up) was so painful especially knowing how decided they are to each other. sloan and bohdan both want to support the other person but their mental health makes it difficult to do so.
i think this book has excellent mental health rep bc it’s not scared to shy away from the ugly parts. the friend group is so beautiful bc they really deeply love each other and try their best to support them.
overall i really connected to this book. i think my main issues were there were continuous odd word choices that had me rereading paragraphs, sometimes the descriptions were overly dramatic and if i had to read they met when they were 20 and 18 one more time i felt like i was going to scream bc it is brought up SO OFTEN! at some points the fmc felt co dependent and i so wish we saw more of their healing journey apart but i love that they took the steps to heal themselves before coming together.
reading the author’s note made me know this book was going to hit me HARD and it did. i barely made it out alive. this book is so angsty, tension filled, and quite honestly depressing. sloan is such a relatable fmc she feels like she’s not good enough, she thinks that everyone hates her, and she deals with compulsions that are hard to explain. there’s a scene that had me sobbing bc it is so honestly and vulnerable about how embarrassing it feels to have your brain tell you you have to do these things and have other people witness them. sloan is so sensitive and cries often which is something i can omelet relate to. she was raw and unable to be anything other than herself and i love her so much. bohdan is one of the most thoughtful mmcs i have ever read. he loves sloan more than anything and is such a dependable person that she can rely on when things get rough. his acts of service for her had me in tears bc you can tell he is willing to do anything to make her feel safe and comfortable. he loves her as she is and doesn’t want her to change even though she wishes she was different. i instantly felt their connection in the past chapters.
their breakup and the scenes leading up to it (which isn’t a spoiler bc we know they are broken up) was so painful especially knowing how decided they are to each other. sloan and bohdan both want to support the other person but their mental health makes it difficult to do so.
i think this book has excellent mental health rep bc it’s not scared to shy away from the ugly parts. the friend group is so beautiful bc they really deeply love each other and try their best to support them.
overall i really connected to this book. i think my main issues were there were continuous odd word choices that had me rereading paragraphs, sometimes the descriptions were overly dramatic and if i had to read they met when they were 20 and 18 one more time i felt like i was going to scream bc it is brought up SO OFTEN! at some points the fmc felt co dependent and i so wish we saw more of their healing journey apart but i love that they took the steps to heal themselves before coming together.
November 4, 2025
Thank you to Haley Warren for the eARC of this book. I will read anything that Haley writes at this point. I love her writing so much, and true to form, I highlighted quite a bit from Only Ever You as quotes that really spoke to my soul.
Where do I even start with this book. I jokingly told Haley that I need to rate it as 5 tear drops instead of 5 stars. This book flayed me open and stitched me back up again.
Haley always puts vulnerability and emotion to page. I always feel so seen by her characters and her pretrials of their struggles and Only Ever You was no exception.
Haley’s writing cuts to the very heart of me. Seeing so much of my internal dialog on page was almost painful to read at times, but how beautiful it was to see that someone who thought like I once thought about myself was worthy o not only romantic love, but self-love. I loved that the main characters had to work on themselves first, and that the author made therapy a normal part of the story.
If emotional, vulnerable, messy love stories are your jam, then this is a must read for you!
Where do I even start with this book. I jokingly told Haley that I need to rate it as 5 tear drops instead of 5 stars. This book flayed me open and stitched me back up again.
Haley always puts vulnerability and emotion to page. I always feel so seen by her characters and her pretrials of their struggles and Only Ever You was no exception.
Haley’s writing cuts to the very heart of me. Seeing so much of my internal dialog on page was almost painful to read at times, but how beautiful it was to see that someone who thought like I once thought about myself was worthy o not only romantic love, but self-love. I loved that the main characters had to work on themselves first, and that the author made therapy a normal part of the story.
If emotional, vulnerable, messy love stories are your jam, then this is a must read for you!
January 15, 2026
I had predicted a 5 stars with this one and sadly it’s not a 5, but it’s still such a good read! And Hayley is Canadian so i love supporting my Canadian authors 🩷
Second chance, set on a cruise, with great mental health rep and brain injury rep/ex-hockey player. I felt so seen in Sloan, our FMC, in so many ways! I feel like maybe she shouldve had more mental growth by the end, but also, it is pretty realistic i guess.
I loved the writing in this book, it was so lyrical and beautiful. I was just kinda over it by the end and I was ready to be done. Idk if that’s a prouduct of me reading this between reading “Alchemised” but that’s okay! Still a great second chance read
Second chance, set on a cruise, with great mental health rep and brain injury rep/ex-hockey player. I felt so seen in Sloan, our FMC, in so many ways! I feel like maybe she shouldve had more mental growth by the end, but also, it is pretty realistic i guess.
I loved the writing in this book, it was so lyrical and beautiful. I was just kinda over it by the end and I was ready to be done. Idk if that’s a prouduct of me reading this between reading “Alchemised” but that’s okay! Still a great second chance read
November 25, 2025
i'd like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to be an e-arc reader for this beautiful, gut-wrenching second chance romance that i'm not gonna forget about anytime soon🥺 this was my first book by @haleylwrites , i was intrigued ever since i came across the blurb, and i absolutely fell in love with her writing in chapter 1 itself !
sloan & bohdan are characters who both deserve the whole world and the way they see + love each other down to their very core?? definition of soulmates😩 i loved seeing them reconnect years after their fallout, the miscommunication part behind their initial split frustrated me to the core yet broke my heart at the same time because i felt for them. i hurt along with them. and damn if sloan isn't one of my most relatable characters ever😭 her insecurities, feelings of unworthiness, and that beautifully chaotic brain all hit way too hard and just made me grow to love her development as a character even more. bohdan, i have no words for this guy- he's a complete green forest and one of the most empathetic mmc's i have ever read about🌲 i loved the found family vibes, this book was truly a reminder of why the trope will always be my favourite and i can't wait to see what comes next🤍
i definitely recommend only ever you, if you're a fan of second chance romances that'll pull at your heart strings, if you like reading about complex but lovable characters and if you're a fan of the found family trope with friends of the main characters standing by & cheering them on no matter what! but please please please check the trigger warnings for this one, and the author's note in the beginning as the book deals with heavy topics for sure❤️🩹
sloan & bohdan are characters who both deserve the whole world and the way they see + love each other down to their very core?? definition of soulmates😩 i loved seeing them reconnect years after their fallout, the miscommunication part behind their initial split frustrated me to the core yet broke my heart at the same time because i felt for them. i hurt along with them. and damn if sloan isn't one of my most relatable characters ever😭 her insecurities, feelings of unworthiness, and that beautifully chaotic brain all hit way too hard and just made me grow to love her development as a character even more. bohdan, i have no words for this guy- he's a complete green forest and one of the most empathetic mmc's i have ever read about🌲 i loved the found family vibes, this book was truly a reminder of why the trope will always be my favourite and i can't wait to see what comes next🤍
i definitely recommend only ever you, if you're a fan of second chance romances that'll pull at your heart strings, if you like reading about complex but lovable characters and if you're a fan of the found family trope with friends of the main characters standing by & cheering them on no matter what! but please please please check the trigger warnings for this one, and the author's note in the beginning as the book deals with heavy topics for sure❤️🩹
November 30, 2025
4.5⭐️
Sloan and Bodhan once had it all. They met in college and became inevitable, inseparable and completely devoted. But when a hockey injury abruptly ends Bodhan’s professional career and shatters the future he’d envisioned, he struggles to adapt, and everything between them begins to fracture. Years later, after going their separate ways, their friends unknowingly trap them together on a week-long retirement cruise, forcing them to face the heartbreak they’ve both been running from.
This is an achingly beautiful, angsty, and emotionally rich love story featuring two deeply complex characters with real struggles and layers. The mental-health representation is stunning—raw, honest, and compassionate. It captures how mental illness and disability shape not only relationships, but also the way someone views themselves and moves through the world.
Sloan is a beautifully complicated heroine I found deeply relatable. Bodhan is the very definition of yearning, and has such a way of understanding Sloan’s cues and triggers, quietly offering reassurance and making sure she feels seen and safe. Their growth, both individually and together, is written with such tenderness and emotional maturity.
The second-chance romance is exceptional because it allows for real healing, accountability, and growth for both characters. You can’t help but root for them separately, and desperately, together. The found-family element is also wonderful: friends who will defend you, lift you up, and bring humor and heart to this story. The cruise ship setting adds delicious forced proximity and is used so well. The writing is gorgeous: visceral and immersive. This book broke my heart and put it back together again, and had me sobbing throughout.
Read this if you want a beautiful, haunting, exquisitely written second-chance romance filled with yearning, angst, and a truly deserved and satisfying resolution!
This was my first book by Haley Warren, and it absolutely won’t be my last!
Thank you to Haley Warren for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Sloan and Bodhan once had it all. They met in college and became inevitable, inseparable and completely devoted. But when a hockey injury abruptly ends Bodhan’s professional career and shatters the future he’d envisioned, he struggles to adapt, and everything between them begins to fracture. Years later, after going their separate ways, their friends unknowingly trap them together on a week-long retirement cruise, forcing them to face the heartbreak they’ve both been running from.
This is an achingly beautiful, angsty, and emotionally rich love story featuring two deeply complex characters with real struggles and layers. The mental-health representation is stunning—raw, honest, and compassionate. It captures how mental illness and disability shape not only relationships, but also the way someone views themselves and moves through the world.
Sloan is a beautifully complicated heroine I found deeply relatable. Bodhan is the very definition of yearning, and has such a way of understanding Sloan’s cues and triggers, quietly offering reassurance and making sure she feels seen and safe. Their growth, both individually and together, is written with such tenderness and emotional maturity.
The second-chance romance is exceptional because it allows for real healing, accountability, and growth for both characters. You can’t help but root for them separately, and desperately, together. The found-family element is also wonderful: friends who will defend you, lift you up, and bring humor and heart to this story. The cruise ship setting adds delicious forced proximity and is used so well. The writing is gorgeous: visceral and immersive. This book broke my heart and put it back together again, and had me sobbing throughout.
Read this if you want a beautiful, haunting, exquisitely written second-chance romance filled with yearning, angst, and a truly deserved and satisfying resolution!
This was my first book by Haley Warren, and it absolutely won’t be my last!
Thank you to Haley Warren for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 25, 2025
This book deserves more than 5 stars
“Pretty sure you’re what I’m made of.”
This has fast become one of my favourite books and I am so fortunate to have read it and even more fortunate to have been selected to receive an ARC of it.
Sloan and Bohdan are so beautifully intricate yet flawed and devastatingly human, I felt actual heartache along with them.
The representation of the inner workings of Sloan’s brain was raw and beautiful. Haley has done a remarkable job constructing these characters.
I have not read a book like this in a long while, my brain chemistry will be forever altered in the best way possible.
“Pretty sure you’re what I’m made of.”
This has fast become one of my favourite books and I am so fortunate to have read it and even more fortunate to have been selected to receive an ARC of it.
Sloan and Bohdan are so beautifully intricate yet flawed and devastatingly human, I felt actual heartache along with them.
The representation of the inner workings of Sloan’s brain was raw and beautiful. Haley has done a remarkable job constructing these characters.
I have not read a book like this in a long while, my brain chemistry will be forever altered in the best way possible.
December 1, 2025
Only Ever You by Haley Warren; 4 Stars
“Who knew your martyrdom could end up serving a purpose greater than your self-sacrifice?”
Thank you to Haley Warren for the ARC of Only Ever You!
This book was an absolute gut punch in almost every chapter. At first, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. The kind of never-ending emotion they both experience is such a wonder to experience, but it was also difficult to swallow. A the halfway mark, I could not put it down. I needed to know what would happen because though these kinds of books always have a happy ever after, it was leading me on to believe that ending wasn’t set in stone. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to really be invested in a contemporary romance, but Only Ever You made me care.
“Who knew your martyrdom could end up serving a purpose greater than your self-sacrifice?”
Thank you to Haley Warren for the ARC of Only Ever You!
This book was an absolute gut punch in almost every chapter. At first, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. The kind of never-ending emotion they both experience is such a wonder to experience, but it was also difficult to swallow. A the halfway mark, I could not put it down. I needed to know what would happen because though these kinds of books always have a happy ever after, it was leading me on to believe that ending wasn’t set in stone. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to really be invested in a contemporary romance, but Only Ever You made me care.
November 24, 2025
This is an emotional and deep second chance romance. Sloane struggles with dark internal thoughts and unique self soothing tactics. When she meets Bohdan a hockey lover in school and they go on some dates things start to change. Bohdan helps her with controlling her internal thoughts and supporting her any way he can. When Bohdan gets injured in a NHL game and losses his dream, he also looses himself and their romance balance topples. This story hurt my heart and the emotions and connections they have were palpable by the narration by Chelsea Kwoka, Alex Knox. They both did such an amazing job drawing you in to the story and the anguish that was occurring. I loved this story. There are lots of mental health reps and using the system to ensure a healthy relationship that can thrive. So good.
December 9, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This story was SO beautiful and emotional and I loved the journey it took me on !!
Haley’s writing is so detailed and character focused and I loved that about it. She makes you feel for these characters, understand their emotions and thinking.
The whole book I was just rooting for these two together and loving the connection they formed and still had even after the breakup - you could feel the true love and deep care for one another.
A special shout out to the side characters too because their comedic relief was top notch in this one !!
Another amazing story from Haley I am so grateful for the e-arc 🩷
This story was SO beautiful and emotional and I loved the journey it took me on !!
Haley’s writing is so detailed and character focused and I loved that about it. She makes you feel for these characters, understand their emotions and thinking.
The whole book I was just rooting for these two together and loving the connection they formed and still had even after the breakup - you could feel the true love and deep care for one another.
A special shout out to the side characters too because their comedic relief was top notch in this one !!
Another amazing story from Haley I am so grateful for the e-arc 🩷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2025
This book was everything to me. I cannot explain how many times my heart literally HURT while I was reading it. It was beyond devastating, and I loved every single word written. THE YEARNING AND MUTUAL PINING WAS SOME OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER READ. There was so much character development and change in this book that it was wonderfully written. I especially LOVED the way the dual timeline was written because it complemented the story so well. This might just be one of my favorite books of the year!
November 28, 2025
Thank you to the author for the digital eARC! Read with a combo of digital and audiobook from Libro.fm.
My heck. I fear I may never recover from this book! What a beautiful story of lost love finding its way back to each other while also acknowledging the absolute dumpster fire mental health can be sometimes. Bohdan and Sloan have worked their way into my favorite couple category forever!
I will absolutely be purchasing a shelf trophy and telling everyone I know to read it!
My heck. I fear I may never recover from this book! What a beautiful story of lost love finding its way back to each other while also acknowledging the absolute dumpster fire mental health can be sometimes. Bohdan and Sloan have worked their way into my favorite couple category forever!
I will absolutely be purchasing a shelf trophy and telling everyone I know to read it!
November 15, 2025
I say it every time I read one of Haley Warrens books, and I’m here to say it again: this book destroyed me, and healed me at the same time.
Haley has a way of bringing characters to life so much that their pain hurts you, but their joy fills you too. “Only ever you” is another beautiful display of humanity, healing from trauma, and struggling to love those around you in the right ways on the days that it’s hard to love yourself.
A thoughtful and utterly raw example of how disabilities can change your life. Whether it’s your mental health that convinces you to count in sets of three until it feels right; or an injury that rips your dreams away from you; they make it harder to see ourselves clearly. But if you’re lucky like Bohdan and Sloan you end up with friends and partners that are there to remind you of how beautiful you still are.
Haley’s writing style is visceral, and holds my attention so well that I’ve finished all of her books in one day. That being said, I think this is the slowest of her works. I guess because there is only so much characters can really do on a boat. And the time jumps between what pulled the characters apart in the past, and what’s pulling them back together in the present, feels like watching a crash in slow motion, but knowing the passengers are going to be okay…. It’s still going to hurt though.
10/5 stars from me, per usual.
Haley has a way of bringing characters to life so much that their pain hurts you, but their joy fills you too. “Only ever you” is another beautiful display of humanity, healing from trauma, and struggling to love those around you in the right ways on the days that it’s hard to love yourself.
A thoughtful and utterly raw example of how disabilities can change your life. Whether it’s your mental health that convinces you to count in sets of three until it feels right; or an injury that rips your dreams away from you; they make it harder to see ourselves clearly. But if you’re lucky like Bohdan and Sloan you end up with friends and partners that are there to remind you of how beautiful you still are.
Haley’s writing style is visceral, and holds my attention so well that I’ve finished all of her books in one day. That being said, I think this is the slowest of her works. I guess because there is only so much characters can really do on a boat. And the time jumps between what pulled the characters apart in the past, and what’s pulling them back together in the present, feels like watching a crash in slow motion, but knowing the passengers are going to be okay…. It’s still going to hurt though.
10/5 stars from me, per usual.
December 2, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ This book is full of so much heart and thoughtfulness. I loved seeing Bohdan and Sloan’s relationship - through their ups and downs and ultimately back to each other. Something about a second chance romance pulls at my heartstrings and their romance did that without a doubt.
November 29, 2025
ARC review
I'm really sad that I couldn't get into the story because it was a book I was really looking forward to. There are positive and negative points in my opinion. I also want to clarify that my rating doesn't represent the quality of the book or the author’s writing, which will resonate with many people but it's simply a reflection of my own feelings and emotions.
I really enjoyed the writing: the author addressed the topic of mental health with sensitivity. But perhaps that's precisely why it wasn't for me. It's still very beautiful but I think I'm not the right audience and it wasn't what I expected when I started this book.
I loved the characters separately but I couldn't connect with their relationship. I don't usually like flashbacks but they initially brought a touch of sweetness to this difficult story. Little by little, we see Sloan and Bohdan's relationship deteriorate. I could see myself in Sloan when she said that rumination is one of the things she hates most about her brain. Bohdan also has his own demons, all as dark as Sloan's but he remains a truly good man who tries to make the right decisions for the woman he loves.
The main problem for me is the ENORMOUS lack of communication. Important discussions were always postponed and they no longer spoke to each other. That's why I wasn't able to enjoy their love story.
I'm really sad that I couldn't get into the story because it was a book I was really looking forward to. There are positive and negative points in my opinion. I also want to clarify that my rating doesn't represent the quality of the book or the author’s writing, which will resonate with many people but it's simply a reflection of my own feelings and emotions.
I really enjoyed the writing: the author addressed the topic of mental health with sensitivity. But perhaps that's precisely why it wasn't for me. It's still very beautiful but I think I'm not the right audience and it wasn't what I expected when I started this book.
I loved the characters separately but I couldn't connect with their relationship. I don't usually like flashbacks but they initially brought a touch of sweetness to this difficult story. Little by little, we see Sloan and Bohdan's relationship deteriorate. I could see myself in Sloan when she said that rumination is one of the things she hates most about her brain. Bohdan also has his own demons, all as dark as Sloan's but he remains a truly good man who tries to make the right decisions for the woman he loves.
The main problem for me is the ENORMOUS lack of communication. Important discussions were always postponed and they no longer spoke to each other. That's why I wasn't able to enjoy their love story.
November 25, 2025
i am so so sorry but this was not executed well… dnf @ page 82
January 4, 2026
4.5
somehow deeply upsetting and also so deeply life-affirming and also will make you believe in true love all at the same time
somehow deeply upsetting and also so deeply life-affirming and also will make you believe in true love all at the same time
January 10, 2026
Lily and Lo reincarnated. 3.5⭐️
November 9, 2025
Thank you Haley firstly for the arc, and secondly for writing an FMC who I saw so much of myself in and giving her an obsessed patient husband material man like Bodhan to love her. Reading this healed something in me ❤️ This is my favourite Haley Warren book yet - not just because the FMC was a pure O OCDiva like me (!!!) or because of the dreamboat MMC - but because sometimes the WRITING was so beautiful and poetic that there are quotes I’ll keep going back to for the foreseeable. AND the banter between this friend group was so natural and endearing I felt like we were all just hanging out lol. I really can’t wait to see what she writes next, I’m already sat. ADD TO YOUR TBR NOW!
December 12, 2025
It had so much potential but I despised the mcs
November 8, 2025
ARC Review
This book was thoughtful and careful about the focus on mental health. I love that Haley Warren spent so much time focusing on the actual beliefs of someone with a cruel brain.
I had a hard time hating Bodhan after he left Sloan. It seemed like through the book his friends never stopped loving him, but sided with Sloan more. I felt bad for him and I felt like he was trying to protect her, he just needs to communicate better.
I loved the progress that they made at the end of the book by seeking help and working on themselves.
This book was thoughtful and careful about the focus on mental health. I love that Haley Warren spent so much time focusing on the actual beliefs of someone with a cruel brain.
I had a hard time hating Bodhan after he left Sloan. It seemed like through the book his friends never stopped loving him, but sided with Sloan more. I felt bad for him and I felt like he was trying to protect her, he just needs to communicate better.
I loved the progress that they made at the end of the book by seeking help and working on themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2025
“I loved a boy once. With my whole heart. For a very long time, actually. So much that I would have died for him. Even though that’s not what he wanted. He wanted me to live and breathe and feel. And once upon a time, he wanted to do all those things with me.”
Haley you QUEEN👑 First, I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Only Ever You. This book will stick with me for a very long time🥹
Let me start by saying Bohdan is literally the perfect man. He is exactly who Sloan needs and together they are the perfect match. I literally wanted to THROW UP he was so cute and sweet and kind and thoughtful and sexy and strong🥹🙌😍
And I could relate so much to Sloan. I swear, it’s like Haley was in my brain when she wrote this book😭 Many of Sloan’s thoughts are thoughts I have had myself. Thoughts that make you think you are not worthy of anything good. You’re not good enough. You’re not pretty enough. You can do all the research to help your boyfriend, but in the end it’s not enough because you’re not enough….
Because this isn’t just a romance novel…it’s a book about trauma and healing. It’s about love and second chances. It’s a story about mental health and how mean our brains can be. It’s about loving yourself and letting others love you back🫶
I loved this book so much and it’s such a great reminder that our thoughts are validating🫶
Haley you QUEEN👑 First, I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Only Ever You. This book will stick with me for a very long time🥹
Let me start by saying Bohdan is literally the perfect man. He is exactly who Sloan needs and together they are the perfect match. I literally wanted to THROW UP he was so cute and sweet and kind and thoughtful and sexy and strong🥹🙌😍
And I could relate so much to Sloan. I swear, it’s like Haley was in my brain when she wrote this book😭 Many of Sloan’s thoughts are thoughts I have had myself. Thoughts that make you think you are not worthy of anything good. You’re not good enough. You’re not pretty enough. You can do all the research to help your boyfriend, but in the end it’s not enough because you’re not enough….
Because this isn’t just a romance novel…it’s a book about trauma and healing. It’s about love and second chances. It’s a story about mental health and how mean our brains can be. It’s about loving yourself and letting others love you back🫶
I loved this book so much and it’s such a great reminder that our thoughts are validating🫶
Read
December 21, 2025This book is so unbelievably beautiful and heart breaking and I will always always ALWAYS buy whatever book Haley puts out. She has a knack for writing FMC that always hit to close to home in the best (and also worse because I will not stop crying over them) ways!
December 22, 2025
DNF 58%
Maybe I read a completely different book..?
This was a miserable time. An endless loop of misery and self hatred. It’s exhausting. Everything orbits around her poor mental health and his codependency in it. It’s just so…depressing.
I appreciate the mental health rep, but I don’t want to spend more time inside her brain. We seriously can’t get ONE inner monologue that doesn’t circle black to her brain hating her or some other reference to her mental health struggles. Her self hatred is too much. It’s constant, super depressing and with no reprieve.
She cries all. The. Time.
I get that she’s supposed to be emotional but does she have to cry in almost every scene? Often multiple times. It doesn’t have the effect I think the author intended - I get annoyed and it makes my eyes roll.
I love an emotional romance with lots of angst and suffering. However. I don’t want to spend 10,5h inside the mind of a person who absolutely HATES themselves and are convinced that everyone else does so. Which we’re told incessively, both by her inner monologue, by Bohdan and not to forget the actual voices in her head talking to her. I usually love mental health rep, angst and a romance that’s packing emotional punches - this? This made me hate Sloane, Bohdan, this book AND myself. I also hate the fact that I wasted all this time on this book.
Nothing happens.
There’s no chemistry, only grief.
The “angst” feels forced and comes of as the author trying to hard, it doesn’t feel genuine. It tries to be angsty but for me it misses the mark and ends up in depressville.
We also seem to have a classic case of “if they had ONE conversation, there would be no book”, but instead they’re simply not talking. And I hate that too.
Life’s too short, I just can’t.
💭 Random thoughts:
- Time and time again the author chose to give us backstory through conversation in an “oh you mean that time we *proceeds to add a lot of detail*” way, and that doesn’t work for me. Maybe once or twice and small things, but otherwise I think that should be part of the inner monologue. It feels so unnatural and forced otherwise - how often do you tell someone who was there with you/knows exactly what happened the exact detailed events of a situation?
- Twice, his imaginary blood has spurted over white fabric in his inner monologue.
- Very poetically written, almost florally. A bit in your face.
- Not once in over 600 books have I ever heard the word “brain” this many times in one book.
- When said brain kept talking to her, I wanted to throw my phone against the wall.
- The cruise plot/backdrop added absolutely nothing. They went on all these excursions and did a bunch of stuff - that we didn’t even get a glimpse of? Barely even a short summary? They’re even laughing at inside jokes we’re not privy to.
- It felt like most of the flashbacks did little other than reinforce that Sloane is struggling with her mental health and insecurities and that the rest of them are coddling her. We didn’t need flashbacks to get that memo.
- Her need to have the Polaroid back is both pointless, selfish and kinda cruel.
🎧 Audiobook narration was good.
Maybe I read a completely different book..?
This was a miserable time. An endless loop of misery and self hatred. It’s exhausting. Everything orbits around her poor mental health and his codependency in it. It’s just so…depressing.
I appreciate the mental health rep, but I don’t want to spend more time inside her brain. We seriously can’t get ONE inner monologue that doesn’t circle black to her brain hating her or some other reference to her mental health struggles. Her self hatred is too much. It’s constant, super depressing and with no reprieve.
She cries all. The. Time.
I get that she’s supposed to be emotional but does she have to cry in almost every scene? Often multiple times. It doesn’t have the effect I think the author intended - I get annoyed and it makes my eyes roll.
I love an emotional romance with lots of angst and suffering. However. I don’t want to spend 10,5h inside the mind of a person who absolutely HATES themselves and are convinced that everyone else does so. Which we’re told incessively, both by her inner monologue, by Bohdan and not to forget the actual voices in her head talking to her. I usually love mental health rep, angst and a romance that’s packing emotional punches - this? This made me hate Sloane, Bohdan, this book AND myself. I also hate the fact that I wasted all this time on this book.
Nothing happens.
There’s no chemistry, only grief.
The “angst” feels forced and comes of as the author trying to hard, it doesn’t feel genuine. It tries to be angsty but for me it misses the mark and ends up in depressville.
We also seem to have a classic case of “if they had ONE conversation, there would be no book”, but instead they’re simply not talking. And I hate that too.
Life’s too short, I just can’t.
💭 Random thoughts:
- Time and time again the author chose to give us backstory through conversation in an “oh you mean that time we *proceeds to add a lot of detail*” way, and that doesn’t work for me. Maybe once or twice and small things, but otherwise I think that should be part of the inner monologue. It feels so unnatural and forced otherwise - how often do you tell someone who was there with you/knows exactly what happened the exact detailed events of a situation?
- Twice, his imaginary blood has spurted over white fabric in his inner monologue.
- Very poetically written, almost florally. A bit in your face.
- Not once in over 600 books have I ever heard the word “brain” this many times in one book.
- When said brain kept talking to her, I wanted to throw my phone against the wall.
- The cruise plot/backdrop added absolutely nothing. They went on all these excursions and did a bunch of stuff - that we didn’t even get a glimpse of? Barely even a short summary? They’re even laughing at inside jokes we’re not privy to.
- It felt like most of the flashbacks did little other than reinforce that Sloane is struggling with her mental health and insecurities and that the rest of them are coddling her. We didn’t need flashbacks to get that memo.
- Her need to have the Polaroid back is both pointless, selfish and kinda cruel.
🎧 Audiobook narration was good.
November 24, 2025
I was so glad to recieve this ARC! Even though it took me so many days to read it but I also was in a weird vibe first, between slumps. But I managed to enjoy this book enough even though it was difficult to go through (just because of myself and not the writing or the book itself which were actually both amazing).
This is another book that proved me that I actually love the second chance trope a lot especially when it's well written (like here) and the reasons for a possible second chance are actually good (because cheating is a no). And the going back from present to past AND it’s two different past, I loved that. It's definitely a need for the second chance trope and it was well done in Only Ever You.
Both main characters had so much depth with mental health but I'm going to talk about Sloan first. I think many people could recognise themselves with some part of her. She was so interesting and well written. Haley Warren made me want to hug Sloan so many times because that girl just needs and wants so much love in her life.
Bohdan was such a green flag, and there's a thing about men written by women (you know). Even if the reason why he broke up with Sloan pissed me off, it made sense and I understood it. Both characters reactions to it was so human and normal. And the way he loves her was so wholesome. There are so many scenes I could talk about to expose how good of a person Bohdan is. He’s definitely one of the best book boyfriends ever.
I loved how Haley Warren made it ok to not be ok. She also showed that mental health is important and we need to take care of it. I also loved the friendships in this. Jay, Talon and Tia were the best friends for the couple (especially Tia to Sloan). They made the perfect little group.
I think, the reason why it was only 4.5 and not a 5 stars was because I spent too much time on this book and I felt like it was constantly gowing around the bush. But again, probably because of my state at the moment.
I still recommend this book to everyone who loves a good romance.
This is another book that proved me that I actually love the second chance trope a lot especially when it's well written (like here) and the reasons for a possible second chance are actually good (because cheating is a no). And the going back from present to past AND it’s two different past, I loved that. It's definitely a need for the second chance trope and it was well done in Only Ever You.
Both main characters had so much depth with mental health but I'm going to talk about Sloan first. I think many people could recognise themselves with some part of her. She was so interesting and well written. Haley Warren made me want to hug Sloan so many times because that girl just needs and wants so much love in her life.
Bohdan was such a green flag, and there's a thing about men written by women (you know). Even if the reason why he broke up with Sloan pissed me off, it made sense and I understood it. Both characters reactions to it was so human and normal. And the way he loves her was so wholesome. There are so many scenes I could talk about to expose how good of a person Bohdan is. He’s definitely one of the best book boyfriends ever.
I loved how Haley Warren made it ok to not be ok. She also showed that mental health is important and we need to take care of it. I also loved the friendships in this. Jay, Talon and Tia were the best friends for the couple (especially Tia to Sloan). They made the perfect little group.
I think, the reason why it was only 4.5 and not a 5 stars was because I spent too much time on this book and I felt like it was constantly gowing around the bush. But again, probably because of my state at the moment.
I still recommend this book to everyone who loves a good romance.
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