Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese -> Starting September 23rd, 2021

[Alaina]

**Revised and Expanded 2021 Edition**


Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster brimming with laughter, tears, and slow-burn sexiness in this new adult romance that tackles the vulnerability of love with humor and heart.

Ryder

Ever since she sat next to me in class and gave me death eyes, Willa Sutter’s been on my shit list. Why she hates me, I don't know. What I do know is that Willa is the kind of chaos I don’t need in my tidy life. She’s the next generation of women’s soccer. Wild hair, wilder eyes. Bee-stung lips that should be illegal. And a temper that makes the devil seem friendly.

She’s a thorn in my side, a menacing, cantankerous, pain-in-the-ass who’s turned our Business Mathematics course into a goddamn gladiator arena. I'll leave this war zone unscathed, coming out on top…And if I have my way with that crazy-haired, ball-busting hellion, that will be in more than one sense of the word.

Willa

Rather than give me the lecture notes I missed like every other instructor I’ve had, my asshole professor tells me to get them from the silent, surly flannel-wearing mountain man sitting next to me in class. Well, I tried. And what did I get from Ryder Bergman? Ignored. What a complete lumbersexual neanderthal. Mangy beard and mangier hair. Frayed ball cap that hides his eyes. And a stubborn refusal to acknowledge my existence.

I’ve battled men before, but with Ryder, it's war. I’ll get those notes and crack that Sasquatch nut if it’s the last thing I do, then I’ll have him at my mercy. Victory will have never tasted so sweet.

Only When It’s Us is a frenemies-to-lovers, college sports romance about a women’s soccer star and her surly lumberjack lookalike classmate, complete with a matchmaking professor, juvenile pranks, and a smoking slow burn. This standalone is the first in a series of new novels about a Swedish-American family of five brothers, two sisters, and their wild adventures as they each find happily ever after.

[Aly]

Ch 1-7 (view spoiler)[ First I was a bit frustrated with Willa for not speaking with her professor about being a student athlete and asking for what she needed. Then I was irritated that Ryder ignored her. Finally I put the blame on Aidan for not telling Willa about Ryder's hearing loss or Ryder about Willa needing notes, and for generally being a dick to Willa.

Lots of feelings so far lol.

Poor Ryder. Losing his hearing almost all the way and now not speaking would be incredibly difficult (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 8-15 (view spoiler)[ I feel bad that Willa is so stressed over her mom and it does seem like her mom isn't going to get better. I can't imagine going through that :(

Weird that Ryder's dad is Willa's mom's doctor. Maybe Willa visiting his parent's house will increase how much they see each other? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

...and I'm behind on BRs lol. I think I might dive into this tomorrow? Not sure. Depends on Bailey.

[Aly]

Ch 16-24 (view spoiler)[ Poor Willa! I can't imagine what it's like to lose your mom like that. I'm glad she has Rooney to push her to get help for her grief.

Also hope Ryder is still willing to be there for her. I love that he's talking more! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 25-End (view spoiler)[ I'm glad they got together and ended up moving to Washington. They're a pretty cute couple. I'm interested in seeing the other siblings get together (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

I'm going to jump into this after The Keeper of Night

[Aly]

Okay!

[Alaina]

Definitely loving the book too!

[Alaina]

25%: (view spoiler)[I'm not sure how I feel about this right now. I don't really like the main characters lol. BUT I do feel bad for Ryder. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Ch 1-7 .."

Yeah, what Ryder is going through hurt my heart.

[Alaina]

50%: (view spoiler)[Eh, I still don't like her. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Ch 8-15 ..."

I still don't like her even though I feel bad for her stressing lol

[Alaina]

75%: (view spoiler)[Okay, she's growing on me. They both definitely are. I like how she has this support group no matter what. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

100%: (view spoiler)[Okay this was pretty freaking cute. Or, well, it definitely got cuter. AT first I didn't really like them but I'm glad I stuck with it all. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Haha so funny that you didn't like Willa until the end. I get it though