Book Review: Only Ever You by C.D. Reiss

Rachel knew exactly what turning thirty would be like. She had a plan, after all. First college, then a climb up the professional ladder. Love, marriage, children. All of it was on the schedule.

The cheap Hollywood apartment wasn’t on the list. Neither was the string of heartbreaks. Or the effect her mother’s cancer had on her career.

It’s hard to stay practical and on point when everything takes a left turn.

Enter Sebastian, the nerd across the street. The boy she defended when he couldn’t defend himself. The best friend she promised she’d marry if life didn’t go according to plan.

Not only is he successful, confident, and gorgeous, but he also still has their handwritten marriage contract.

No one goes through with childhood wedding pacts.

That’s crazy.

But their families might just be crazy enough to rent a hall and set a date. All Rachel and Sebastian have to do is fall in love.

Only Ever You is a friends to lovers romance with a marriage pact twist. This story had all the raw, disjointed, and chaotic feels. Life is not always as planned. 

Rachel Rendell’s life is nothing like she planned. She’s behind on her career goals, after caring for mother as she battled cancer and her love life has only caused her heartache. Rachel is stuck in a rut and can't find her way out. 

“Merry Christmas, Rachel! We’re thirty this year. Big 3-0! Remember we had a deal. I moved back from Silicon Valley. I’ll be on Mandarin Lane for Christmas. Hope to see you then - Sebastian.”

Sebastian Barton is returning home to get the girl. They made a pact, both are single and he’s been in love with her since they were children. He's all grown up and no longer a dweeb, other than his grandfather sweaters. 

Rachel’s life is off track. She’s deemed herself a failure and has lost her mojo. Rachel is conflicted with her current work assignment, which goes against ethics. She’s also conflicted about confronting her mother regarding her health. Rachel will do anything to keep her mother happy with the looming possibility of her cancer returning, evening agreeing to the marriage pact she and Sebastian planned when they were young.

Rachel and Sebastian enter the marriage pact with all the wrong intentions. The story is of self-discovery and motivation. You can let life lead you or you can take the bull by the horns. The story has all the right feels. 5 Stars