Only Ever You by C. D. Reiss

This is a sugary sweet lovestory that will be available July 9.

It’s about two childhood friends, Rachel and Sebastian, and their unconventional way to a happily ever after. As teenagers, they signed a contract promising to marry each other if they both were still single at 30. Then life happened, they were separated in college, lived in different cities and had relationships. More or less forgetting each other. Then one christmas, when they’re 30, they meet again. And they decide to honor the contract.

I’m very conflicted about this read. It’s just so … sweet. Too sweet for me I realize. I love romance, but I very much prefer a grittier kind. More real and less, shall we say… starry-eyed? So I obviously can’t appreciate the story as much as someone with a more genuine sweet-tooth.

The idea of falling for a childhood friend/sweetheart is totally fine by me. Even a fake marriage can make a delightful read. But in Only Ever You the reasoning behind Rachel’s and Sebastian’s choices are questionable if you ask me. Deciding to fake marry an old friend to make your mother happy? Cancer or no cancer, I’m not buying it.

Also, Sebastian’s too fast declaration of love doesn’t sit well with me either. I have a hard time accepting love stories where the main characters fall for each other too fast. And in this case, Sebastian’s feelings were more or less only based on the person Rachel was as a teen.

Then there’s the whole waiting until marriage. That’s a big no-no to me. Two consenting adults, living in a liberal, western society. To marry without testing the goods first is extremely irresponsible. Should they marry first, and discover they’re not compatible later? So, as you can tell, I’m clearly not the intended reader of this book.

But. It’s an easy, romantic read. It’s well written and has more going on than just the romantic development between Rachel and Sebastian. I’m sure many will love this book. But if you’re looking for authenticity and less purity – like me – this isn’t the best choice.