Always Only You (Bergman Brothers #2) by Chloe Liese

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Always Only You (Bergman Brothers #2) by Chloe Liese

Ren

The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game—besides, hockey, that is.

I’m a player on the team, she’s on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue. Frankie won’t be here forever—she’s headed for bigger, better things. I just hope that when she leaves the team and I tell her how I feel, she won’t want to leave me behind, too.

Frankie

I’ve had a problem at work since the day Ren Bergman joined the team: a six foot three hunk of happy with a sunshine smile. I’m a grumbly grump and his ridiculously good nature drives me nuts, but even I can’t entirely ignore that hot tamale of a ginger with icy eyes, the perfect playoff beard, and a body built for sin that he’s annoyingly modest about.

Before I got wise, I would have tripped over myself to get a guy like Ren, but with my diagnosis, I’ve learned what I am to most people in my life—a problem, not a person. Now, opening my heart to anyone, no matter how sweet, is the last thing I’m prepared to do.

*This is an #OwnVoices story for its portrayal of autism by an autistic author.

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This book was so endearing and cute! Frankie is on the autism spectrum and has arthritis, which forces her to use a cane. She doesn’t understand nonverbal cues and has trouble reading between the lines. Ren is a giant ginger Teddy Bear who loves Shakespeare and is the ultimate gentleman and family man.

I loved reading through Frankie’s thought process and I can’t thank the author, Liese enough for sharing more about how autism impacts everyone a little bit differently. I loved how successful Frankie was, both professionally, and personally by finding friends who love her as she is. Beyond bringing a voice to different development disorders, Liese had diverse characters, LGBTQ+, and feminism.

I loved reading a contemporary story where the characters weren’t mean or rude to each other initially. I am really over the enemies to lovers trope, because who really falls for someone who treats you like shit? I digress. Frankie and Ren’s story was beautiful and authentic and corky and easy to read about.

My only issue with this story, and I use issue lightly because it is really minor, is that the final conflict before the big finale seemed a bit forced and was over stupid stuff. Yes, I could see how the whole book was leading up to that being a fight, however, it felt more like it was a bigger fight when it could have easily been a discussion.

Overall, 10/10 recommend this book. I can’t wait for Liese to continue with the series. The book is available on Kindle Unlimited.