Another emotional, angsty, friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance from the USA Today bestselling author of When Forever Changes and Inseparable. He’s the hot-as-sin rocker hiding a secret that would devastate his fans. She’s the only girl he’s ever loved, but keeping her safe means he had to walk away… RYDERMy entire life is a lie, propelled by one wrong decision that altered my fate.If … entire life is a lie, propelled by one wrong decision that altered my fate.
If fans knew the truth, they’d run away screaming. But all they see is Ryder Stone, moody guitarist and lead singer of Torment, and a potential notch on their bedpost.
Only two people know who I really am. My manager has a vested interest in keeping my secret, and the girl I was forced to leave behind doesn’t even know the true extent of my shame.
Losing Zeta is both my biggest regret and my proudest moment. But she was the glue keeping me together, and I’m struggling to survive without her. Especially when demons from my past continue to haunt me and the threat of disclosure is ever present.
When she reappears in my life, this time, I’m too weak to push her away.
Her love has the power to save me.
Mine has the power to destroy her.
ZETA
I’ve worked hard to forget my past. To rise above my messed-up childhood and make something of myself; however, there’s no forgetting him.
Ryder’s gorgeous face and drool-worthy body are plastered over tabloids and TV screens, reminding me I’m still in love with the boy who captured my heart in juvie.
When he failed me, I thought I’d never again experience such heart-crushing pain. But watching him fall out of clubs with a succession of different girls renews the agony, resurrecting countless unanswered questions.
Now my boss has sent me to interview him. It’s a massive scoop for the magazine, and turning it down would kill my career. So, I delude myself into thinking I can handle this.
Perhaps this is the closure I need to finally move on.
Except I’m terrified nothing has changed and one look into those soulful eyes will suck me in again.
Ryder almost destroyed me last time. This time, he could ruin me forever.
Full-length standalone title. Due to sensitive content and possible triggers, this book is recommended to readers aged eighteen and older. Please refer to the note at the start of the book (Click Look Inside).
more
The opening of Siobhan Davis’ Only Ever You is harrowing and disturbing – and no surprise that the events in it are damaging to the souls of the lead characters. That Zeta did Ryder get through it and move on to what becomes a powerful second chance romance complete with HEA is profoundly enjoyable. This is, quite frankly, one heck of a great book. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
Wow this book was amazing. This is not your typical rock star romance. Lots of things going. I love Ryder and Zena. There were a few times where I got teary, I laughed, I was mad.
Its alot of emotions before you get to that ending!
Siobhan Davis’ Only Ever You is one of the most gripping stories I have read and couldn’t put down. I am not usually a fan of rock star romances but this story exceeded expectations and then some. Both Ryder and Zeta have childhood trauma histories beyond what most could imagine but sadly too real for some that leave them scarred and suffering from the consequences. Then in meeting one another, in spite of their guarded natures, Ryder & Zeta start to find hope and a sense of purpose. But the baggage they carry and the skeltons in their closets continue to haunt them and lead their lives in different directions as they work through the pain they both self-impose and cause each other. This story is poignantly told with reverence, creating characters with such depth that you both hate and love while capturing the potential ugliness of mental health issues from depression, addiction, and suicide while also championing the beauty of recovery, therapy, friendship, love, and family. The HEA is one you won’t see coming but will cherish that much more!
— I received an advance complimentary copy of this book and am delighted to voluntarily offer this review.
I havent been able to give any stories a 5 star lately and wow this one deserves it or more if I could.
I felt the characters pain so deep i was in tears for most of it, they both overcame so much to be able to finally get their happy ending. Bravo this book was brilliant
This romance is full of angst, emotion, mystery, and misery. It’s also full of redemption, forgiveness, and plenty of steamy scenes.
I love stories that involve a second chance. There are second chances all over this story. There is the obvious second chance romance, there are kids with bad upbringings getting second chances, there are even parents who missed their kid’s childhood getting another chance to be a part of their lives.
There is so much pain and sadness throughout, this story will surely pull at your heartstrings. Along with the sad, however, there is plenty of happy redeeming moments. You will want to cheer for Ryder and Zeta as they find their way through a life that didn’t always give them the chances to be happy.
I love how this book sheds light on some things that people still seem to stick a stigma to (the author very intelligently addresses this in her afterward,) such as mental illness and dealing with the aftermath of traumatic experiences. There is such a great support system in place for the affected, it shows us how a truly supportive circle should be in these circumstances.
One of my favorite things about Davis’s stand alone works, is how she wraps them up with such closure that we get to see with our own eyes that the characters are happy and well-adjusted. I’m always left with such a feeling of contentment after finishing one of her books. I need that closure, because her characters work their way deep into my heart and I just need to know that they are ok.
If you love angsty romance, rock star romance, contemporary/thriller type romance, or just Siobhan Davis work in general, you’re going to love this book!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Quote:
Ryder is gone, and he’s taken part of me with him. The part that believed in the dream. In the healing power of love. His love may have been fleeting, and he may have gotten over me and moved on, but I know, without a shadow of doubt, that he is my one true love, and I will never, ever get over him. And, for as long as I live, I will never forgive him for destroying me like this.
You know when you pick up some author’s books that you are going to love the story and even then, they still manage to blow you away? That’s how I felt when I read Only Ever You by Siobhan Davis. I have read every release from Siobhan for about a year now, and I loved each one. She’s an extremely talented author and writes beautiful romances, there is simply no doubt. And from the moment I started reading Only Ever You, I was utterly spellbound! This book was an emotional rollercoaster of epic levels. I absolutely, positively loved every. single. moment. of Only Ever You!!!! I don’t have enough words to express this, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book.
Only Ever You covers a lot of tropes, so I think it’s going to appeal to a number of readers. The story is a YA, rockstar, and second-chance romance. There is a lot of angst—I mean, I expected that since most second chance romances tend to lean this way with the additional baggage of a past to contend with. But there is also the characters individual heartbreakingly tragedies that add to it. The book is a very slow burn, but jeez, when it gets hawt?! WOW, fire alarm fires have nothing on Only Ever You. Fair warning, have your spouses on standby or your batteries charged, cause this book ignited my kindle… But it’s still a romance, so just as I depend on a certain level of drama and angst to keep the story interesting, I also want to experience the sweet and easy side of the protagonists relationship. Only Ever You offered sweet moments that really tugged on my heartstrings and a couple of scenes when I couldn’t help but smile and chuckle. So really, if you’re afraid of angst, that’s not a reason to push aside Only Ever You. It’s going to test all of your emotions in the best ways. The book is well written with a consistent pace and flow. And although there is a large time jump—as the story starts in the past and later jumps to the present—it was not hard to follow. For someone such as myself who doesn’t like time jumps in her books, I think this one was not only necessary but well done as it advanced the plot and characters beautifully.
Siobhan wrote Only Ever You in dual POV—which happens to be my favorite perspective in Romances as it lets you get into your protagonist’s heads and experiences all their emotions. And these characters? WOW, they had a lot of ups and downs. Their romance was never easy—they faced heartache the likes of which many of us never experience and their HEA was hard won. While my life has been nowhere near as horrific as the protagonists of this story, I could not help but identify with them. Their characters were well thought out, the plot further cemented their strengths and weaknesses and while not all authors take into account that the storyline can be affected by little characteristics of a protagonist, that is something I felt Siobhan Davis excelled at with these characters. Only Ever You was very much a character driven romance. I think of the books I have had the pleasure of reading by Siobhan Davis, Ryder is by far my favorite hero. He’s conflicted and tortured by his past and as a result, self-destructive. He was delicious in that bad boy way and wholly in-love with the one woman he’s ever truly shared himself with, Zeta. And as far as heroines go? Zeta was AMAZING! She also might just be as conflicted and tortured by her past as Ryder. Yet she’s strong, a survivor and I loved that she was passionate, sassy and ballsy—in no way a wallflower like I would have expected based on her early life. Also, totally random injection here but I loved the Easter egg Siobhan included of my favorite Just An Illusion Weston Brother !!!
As I stated above, I highly recommend Only Ever You. I wish there was more than five-stars available for some books and this is definitely one of them! If you’ve never read Siobhan Davis before, this is a fantastic example of her storytelling abilities and I truly can’t wait to reread this one…
Quotes:
“I’m broken, babe, and a part of me always will be.”
He’s not the same boy I remember because that boy would never have taken a machete to my heart the way that man just did.
There’s nothing more sobering than finding the girl you love bleeding and broken. Especially knowing it’s all your fault.
My records are officially sealed for a reason. To protect me from retaliation. And to close a door on one of the most shocking crimes the world has ever known.
I swear, the instant our eyes met, I felt something spark to life inside me. A connection? A bond? A shared understanding? A mutual dark side? I don’t know how to explain it or describe it, other than it confuses, scares, and excites me, all at the same time.
…”because a friendship built on lies is not worth having.”
Is it possible to love someone so much it feels like I’m dying every day I spend on this planet without her in my arms?
Oh my God. What else can I say about this book. Unbelievable writing by this fantastic author. I love her work at the best of times, but this book hits it out of the ballpark with one smash hit. There are certainly a lot of triggers in this book but there are warnings by the author. Very confronting. Zeta and Ryder met in juvie and so begins the love of a lifetime. There are so many trials and tribulations ahead for this couple. But does their love survive it all? A most definite ten-star read for me if only I could give it so many. But five stars it definitely is. Outstanding story and many kudos to the author.
Gah, Siobhan Davis you are a GENIUS! Only Ever You is an absolutely outstanding read. This particular story moved me! Like touched my soul and I will never be the same. Dramatic much? Why yes, yes I am especially when it comes to beautifully complicated intense love – sign me up – I want it ALL! Truly a gloriously, gut wrenching, aw inspiring love story that consumed me from cover to cover. I can’t recommend this book enough!
This storyline, the fascinating characters and the positively delicious angst are woven into this perfectly complex second chance romance that endures so many years and all of the most debilitating challenges. All expertly written to provide such vivid visuals the entire way through. I cannot gush enough about how much I adore this authors work. I just can’t get enough.
Ryder & Zeta’s journey is like a rollercoaster. One that Ryder built and Zeta is riding for the first time and doesn’t know what turns and drops to expect. Their bond was strong from the start. Their feelings so potent. So many obstacles and tribulations creating so much push and pull, so much uncertainty. Deceit. Secrets. Lies. A few doozies were kept from Ryder. Most with the best of intentions orchestrated to protect Zeta and give her chance at a long, safe, happy life even if it meant without Ryder. Swoon! I am a puddle of goo. Like seriously this guy couldn’t have surprised me more if he tried.
So despite all the hurt and pain, I rooted for these two to find their way back to each other even after years of heart ache and closing themselves off to the thought of intimacy or relationships. Both have been hardened to love. Only Ever You was such an appropriate title and so incredibly clever.
This book is not for the faint hearted and if you have issues with a little bit of dark then turn around. Only Ever You will pull you into a world of gangs, murder, juvie, child abuse and tender moments of love. There is a prologue and two parts. The two parts are 8 years apart. Ryder and Zeta meet in juvie where they are both serving time. Zeta is 16 and Ryder is turning 18. Ryder has been in there for some time and when he sees Zeta for the first time there is a chemistry like no other that young love experiences. They start a tentative friendship because there is a hierarchy in juvie where they are just trying to survive. Their friendship starts to turn into more when they start writing music together and spending so much time with one another. Until and incident causes Ryder to hurt Zeta and then she in turn hurts him back. When they find out that they did something to protect and help each other they start their relationship again. Life starts to get better for both while in juvie but then Ryder is released. He comes and visits all the time even going beyond to help Zeta find her aunt. When he does her aunt comes to the rescue and Zeta gets released. Ryder is supposed to be waiting for her but he leaves because his past has caught up with him. Ryder runs and leaves Zeta hanging and hurting.
8 years later and Ryder is a big time Rockstar and Zeta is a music journalist. They have both moved and living life using sex as an escape. Ryder has been living his life fighting his demons with drugs and sex. When they are face to face again after 8 years it’s like their chemistry is even more intense. Even though Zeta tries to keep Ryder at arm’s length he will do his best to get her back. Even with all the guilt Ryder is feeling and his past still lingering out there trying to destroy him, Zeta wants to finally find a way to fight beside him. They will have so many moments where you think it might just be the breaking for them both. They will need the help of those who love them to get through the darkness. I love the fact that so many issues are touched upon in this book. If you’re not a reader of the dark subjects then this book is not for you. I highly recommend this though because right from the first page this book will pull you in.
Siobhan Davis just knows how to write a book that shatters you, but in the best possible way. The anguish was real in this one. I stayed up until 3am finishing this because I had to know if Ryder and Zeta made it. I’ll admit, there were times I thought Zeta should just walk away. That Ryder had done too much to be given another chance. I felt for the guy and understood the demons he was fighting led to poor choices with good intentions. But Zeta had also been through hell and didn’t deserve more pain. I really loved how mental health issues were treated in this book. Seeing the characters seek therapy and treatment for trauma was a breath of fresh air. Especially when it came to the male characters. I really loved how this ended and where everyone was at in the epilogue.
***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this book.***
She’s done it again folks. Siobhan always delivers. I’ve loved all of her books, but there’s something about her standalone books that is just, the complete package. Honestly, what it probably is, is that I don’t have to wait to finish the story! Her writing is so amazing, that when I read her series, even though she is a scary fast writer, I always have to wait to continue the story and it’s agonizing. Combine that with the fact that she has earned her title of The Cliffhanger Queen, and reading her series is a kind of delicious torment. The standalone are nice because you do get the whole story in one book. It never feels rushed, and you feel like the story is complete and whole.
I really loved this book. I didn’t expect our two main characters to meet in juvie. She did the two parts of the book (in juvie, and life later) very well. Everything flowed well.
My heart broke several time for both of these characters. It is astounding the depth of the trauma that they both experienced in their childhoods. I like that their loved help them heal each other, and that what they went through made them uniquely suited to help each other through the trials that came their way.
Just like Siobhan’s other books, the sex is steamy, the romance is great, as is the world building, and of course there are some great twists in their as well!
I would highly recommend this to fans of Siobhan’s books, as well as fans of the rockstar romance genre.
I was lucky enough to read a beta copy of this book.
Only Ever You is Siobhan Davis’ newest emotionally charged second chance rock star love story. I have been following Siobhan’s writing for the last few years and each book touches my heart in some way or another. This one is no different. It’s about second chances and not just in the love department.
Ryder and Zeta met under difficult circumstances but their love was real. Until he had to leave her behind, confused and broken hearted. Ryder was just as devastated but thought it was the only way to keep her safe. They have never forgotten their connection. It’s embedding in them. She should hate him. He should walk away again. But he can’t. Now, that she is standing in front of him again, eight years later, he doesn’t want to let her go.
Life is full of choices. She could have said no but deep down she knew she wouldn’t. This is an opportunity to find out the truth about why he left. Why he has been acting like the biggest manwhore on the planet. Why she can’t forget about him. It’s also about her career. To live with his band while they record their newest album. To write a documentary. Will it all be worth it when she gets her answers?
I don’t want to spoil anything but I will say…what a fucking ride it was! There are two parts to the story and I loved that. It was like two books in one. It’s not an easy book but it was so worth it. The characters’ childhoods were hard ones. Their adult ones are still suffering for it. I thought the writing was spectacular. The characters real and raw. The side characters were sometimes sweet. Sometimes assholes. I do hope to see them again.
Overall…it was fantastic read full of twists, love, loss, second chances, and rock stars.
Quotes:
“Zeta,” he whispers, never taking his eyes off my face.
I love the way he rasps my name, and a throbbing ache starts building between my thighs. “What?” I whisper back.
“I think I need you in my life.” His eyes burrow deep into mine as he lifts his hand, extending it toward me. “Friends?”
“I never imagined you could have it all yet have nothing at the same time,” I muse, resting my head back.
“You knew the girl I was, but you don’t know the woman I’ve become.”
“That may be true, but I’d like to get a chance to know her.”
**I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
There may be some spoilers…
I would like to start with the heavy stuff and then move to the best parts of the book (heavy – like the things what made me to give only 4 stars, not 5 as the book might deserve due to the triggers and story behind).
First of all, being granted an opportunity to read book before its release (and written by one of my favourite romance/YA/NA/Contemporary authors), is such a great honour that every time I receive an advanced reader copy I almost jump with joy and rush to the book as soon as possible. I am very grateful to have such an opportunity. Anyway, let’s move to the book itself..
First, it starts with a really heavy scene and, despite the warning from the author at the beginning of the book and that it actually wasn’t too graphic, I still felt a little bit sick. It was so painful to read.. I would like to explain more, but it would spoil the readers to fully feel the pain, so be just warned that it is hard to read.
The book has historical throwback in order to understand where Zeta and Ryder’s story starts. The beginning sucks you in and you just follow the story’s lead. They are each others first love, so sweet and pretty innocent (with some sexual innuendos, but nothing too graphic or unpleasant). … and then there is “NOW” (written from both main heroes’ point of view). And the “NOW” is pretty harsh… Ryder is losing it, although, he is a rock star and has everything, Zeta just keeps going, keeps hurting.
You know what I did not like the most? Ryder… I could not connect with him. I could not understand how he could hurt a person he claimed to love from all his heart so badly. I could forgive mistakes done when he was 18, but could not 8 years later. He was a loose cannon and that wasn’t even funny or understandable. I could not manage to understand their “connection” and “love” they claimed to have for each other. I could grasp only hints of it and basically only that they craved each other sexually.
I have experienced love, even pretty passionate, but cannot understand how you claim one person as your soulmate and almost at the same time have your intimate parts of your body in absolute stranger’s mouth. I cannot…
Anyway, the book is still good and enjoyable, maybe Siobhan Davis has ruined me with her best of the best Inseparable, I am not sure, but I really had hard time to connect with Ryder… I could manage Zeta and I do believe that it is hard to say no to a person you love even when he hurts you constantly, but not Ryder… Sorry, Ryder, you did too much wrongs to be in love with you as book-boyfriend!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
Ryder and Zeta met when they were young and incarcerated in the same juvenile facility. They fell in love and made plans for their future, but in an effort to protect Zeta from his past, Ryder will end their relationship. Years pass, Ryder’s band is a chart topper, and Zeta works for a music industry magazine. They will get back together, but Ryder’s past, and addictions will threaten to tear them apart again.
I think these are absolutely fantastic, sexy, and complex characters. Heartbreak and suspense make this a must read romance. I loved this book!
I am voluntarily leaving an honest and nonincentivized review of this ARC.
OMG sometimes you just can’t believe that an author can surpass her previous books, but Siobhan is one of a kind author every book she churns out never fails to get my emotions all over the place.
Quite an emotional read that will have you glued to the edge of your seat eagerly devour a captivating story.
Its is so raw and fresh and so utterly enthralling you will just want to stay in the world as those emotions fly of the pages at you non-stop in the best possible way.
If there was more than 5 stars available I would give it to this book, you know like the exclusive 7-star hotels, this book would so deserve that accolade.
https://www.behindcloseddoorsbookreview.com/only-ever-you-review/
Amount of sex 2.5 / 5
How explicit is the sex scenes 3 / 5
Story 4.5 / 5
Overall: 4.5 / 5
Another fabulous book from author Siobhan Davis!
Only Ever You is an amazing emotional story filled with lots of drama and angst. It begins with a prologue which was particularly tough to read. It is pertinent to the story, but we don’t fully understand how it relates until the end. The story is then written in two parts, and my emotions were all over the place! The first part of the book is told when Ryder and Zeta are roughly 17/18 years old and in juvenile detention.
The second part occurs about 8 years after juvie ends, and my feelings for Ryder change quite a bit. There are so many factors that are involved in Ryder and Zeta’s relationship. It’s often like a roller coaster, and I was hanging on mesmerized by it all.
Only Ever You is an unforgettable story, and it’s written so very well. It was hard to read at times, and I often got frustrated with Ryder! Zeta is such a strong character, and I just love her!
A definite add to your TBR list!!
Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Copy
Great read – had some twists that I wasn’t expecting and had my jaw dropping in a few parts! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
As a huge Siobhan Davis fan and a huge fan of rock star romances, I was eager to dive into Only Ever You. Siobhan Davis has already wowed me with one rock star romance, Incognito, and I was ready to be wowed for a second time.
As with all Siobhan Davis contemporary romances, Only Ever You deals with a lot of heavy topics. It will not be a book for everyone, with there being a rather extensive list of triggers at the start of the story, but those who are able to deal with such things are in for an addictive read. Siobhan Davis hooks you with this one, and you’re unable to put the book down.
It is a story with numerous layers, one that has you turning the pages to see how everything comes together. Even when you know what is to come, even when you’ve worked things out, you’re desperate to see the specifics. It does not matter that you know things, you need to watch them play out. You’re sucked in deep, and it ensures you’ll devour the book in no time at all.
I will be honest and say the events entertained me more than the romance between the characters did. If I’m completely truthful, I never felt the intense connection between them that they seemed to. I think, however, what comes into play here is that I was born in the wrong generation. There’s a running joke with my friends that the only ‘D’ I’m going to get is my PhD, and I feel as though the relationship between these two focused a bit too heavily on the physical connection (or, at least, their desire for one) than on the feelings between them. As I said, though, I’m old fashioned and completely out of touch with people my age. As much as I love a good erotic scene (you just need to look at the amount of erotica I read to understand), I feel as though things came back to sex too often between these two for me to care about what they were really feeling for each other.
Outside of that, however, there was plenty of entertaining things to enjoy. When we were focused on these things, I really enjoyed the story. As I’ve already mentioned, there is a lot going on in this one, with so many layers to unravel. Even though the ending felt a bit too easy, things came together so well, with all the different strands playing out in wonderful ways. In fact, this one reminded me of one of my favourite rock star romances – Rock King by Tara Leigh – and had the same kind of drama I adored in that one. It’s no surprise I was hooked.
Although I will not be labelling Only Ever You my favourite Siobhan Davis read, it was an enjoyable read.
5 EMOTIONAL STARS!! Wow….My emotions were all over the place with this phenomenal addicting book. I could not put this book down, until I had to sleep. I loved Ryder and Zeta…these two beautiful characters were perfectly written and you feel all their emotions. Their story will touch your heart in the best way. I am loving this authors words they suck you into the story. Looking for a intoxicating story, here you go.
All Ryder had was his music until he met Zeta while they teenagers in juvie. They come from similar backgrounds and support each other through one of the most difficult times of their lives. They fall in love and make plans to be together after they leave but life had other ideas.
Eight years later they are reunited when Zeta is tasked with writing a rockumentary on Ryder and his band. The last things she wants is to be up close and personal with the boy who broke her heart, but she soon realizes that the chemistry and connection between them is stronger than ever. They both have their own demons to overcome but will this be their second chance at love where they can help each other heal or will they end up heartbroken once again?
I really enjoyed these characters as Ryder is so damaged by what life has dealt him but Zeta’s strength and resilience shines through. This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that is filled with angst and drama that at times will break your heart, but the end result is definitely worth the journey.