I’m the darling of Australian TV. A good-girl actress with a spotless record. Or at least, that’s what I let the public believe. But what I do behind closed doors would shock them all. I’m a far cry from the girl next door I play on their tv screens each night.Riley Clarke knows that better than anyone.I loved him once, but for the past ten years, all we’ve done is f**k and fight. Some might say … fight. Some might say we’re friends with benefits, but the truth is, we aren’t even friends. All we are is explosive chemistry and screw-you-senseless sex.
He makes me hot. He makes me feel. He makes me reckless. When scandal rocks my carefully constructed world and my secrets are exposed, it’s Riley’s arms that close around me, protecting me from the storm.
But storms create floods, and a flood can drown you. You and the people you love.
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This book was everything!
I didn’t know that Elle could make me love more but here we are and I’m in love. The OTP to top all OTPs!
Only the Beginning is Riley and Bianca’s love story – well, it’s kind of their on again/off again story for awhile. They have this whole love/hate thing going, and the more they pretend they hate each other, the more their real feelings seem to come through. Of course, anger plays a big part in their story, which means the occasional round of angry sex. As things progress, they kind of have this whole Notting Hill type thing going on, and I have to say that this is the first couple in this series that I’ve seriously wanted to shake both of them until their teeth rattled. I loved both characters, but they drove me a bit crazy. The feels are all there, but this pair has plenty to weed through to find their happy ever after, and it feels kind of like they took the scenic route to get there.
Anything by Elle is a page turner!
WOW!! What an amazing story! The storyline was perfect and flowed really well.
I have loved every book in this series but Riley and Bianca’s story really stole my heart! I found myself entranced in the story from page one and the feels, oh so many feels…*sigh*, I found myself wanting to throw my kindle a few times too.
I loved the constant back and forth relationship between Riley and Bianca. It makes it spicier and the chemistry between the two of them was undeniable. I loved Riley’s personality; that badass that knows what he wanted for ten years. As for Bianca’s stubbornness, she is more worried about the media and what everyone else thinks until…
Only The Beginning is the fourth book in the Only You Series. It can be read as a standalone but every book has made this a fantastic series.
WOW!! What an amazing story! The storyline was perfect and flowed really well.
I have loved every book in this series but Riley and Bianca’s story really stole my heart! I found myself entranced in the story from page one and the feels, oh so many feels…*sigh*, I found myself wanting to throw my kindle a few times too.
I loved the constant back and forth relationship between Riley and Bianca. It makes it spicier and the chemistry between the two of them was undeniable. I loved Riley’s personality; that badass that knows what he wanted for ten years. As for Bianca’s stubbornness, she is more worried about the media and what everyone else thinks until…
Only The Beginning is the fourth book in the Only You Series. It can be read as a standalone but every book has made this a fantastic series.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters and the storyline so much. Once I started reading I found myself not stopping until I got to the end. It kept my interest throughout. A excellent and enjoyable read.
**ARC REVIEW**
A friendship full of turmoil and intense sexual chemistry!
You discover Riley & Bianca in the previous books, not realizing what exactly is going on. Why is it, that they just can’t get it together! Why are they so hostile towards each other but at the same time have the best sex ever! Each and every time!
Well now your questions will be answered!
Riley has been living the past 10 yrs just in the past. Still in love with the women who broke his heart all those years ago. For some reason he just can’t let go. Even after trying to date others. He has just decided to devote his time raising his teenage daughter .
Bianca is living her dream as a hot actress in Australia, she’s on top of her career but something is just missing. Deep inside, she still longs for Riley even after letting him go all those years ago. She had her reasons and he will one day understand.
Riley & Bianca find themselves with a second chance at trying at a real relationship. Until things just turn to the worst.
Will Bianca run again and break Riley’s heart once and for all? OR will she finally give into her love for him and embrace their relationship with all their obstacles….
Damn it, Bianca and Ryder. I waited for their story since I started this series. It seems like forever ago. Now I can rest my pretty little heart, because it’s finally content.
So,this is book 4 of the Only You series. Trust me, if you haven’t read the first three then you must do so. Ryder and Bianca have a history and by history I mean 10 years of loving and fighting. Okay, here’s the break down. About 10 years ago, Ryder and Bianca was in a committed relationship. They were good together and loved each other deeply. When Ryder was surprised with a 4 yeah old daughter, Bianca cut ties so he could be with his daughter. Talking about self sacrifice.
After many years of hiding their risky behavior. I mean banging and then fighting or arguing then banging, which ever they say fit. They loathed each other on the outside, but secretly they still loved each other. After a long thought out plan, Ryder plans to woe Bianca. So yeah, like actual dating and starting a real relationship, again. Bianca is introduced to Ryder’s now 14 year old daughter. Well, she didn’t take well to Her father’s and Bianca’s relationship.
Damn it, this book was pretty freaking amazing. Agnsty, enmities to lovers, second chance romance. This book hold all of these qualities. . Elle, honey, you are an amazing and talented author. Please keep doing what you do!
Only the Beginning is the 4th book in the Only Series by Elle Thorpe.
This is an enemy to lovers (2nd chance) romance, and it definitely has all the feels in this. I shed a few tears a few times while reading, and there are some hot scenes in it as well.
Loved the book, loved the interaction with the other couples. I can totally recommend this series to you!!!
I kindly received an arc for an honest review
I FLOVED this read! What a marvelous ending to a spectacular series!
I couldn’t wait to read about Bianca & Riley! They’ve known each other for a long time & dated until Bianca broke his heart. Years later Riley is now a single father & Bianca is a popular actress. They still get on each other’s nerves but always fall back into bed together. Jealousy & longing finally convince the two to give their relationship another go. But after a scandal nearly breaks down Bianca & causes problems with Riley & his daughter, will they decide their relationship is worth saving?
This was another amazing read which included their friends from the previous books. Bianca & Riley’s love/hate relationship was fantastic. Looking forward to the next book!
Plagued by EMOTIONS!
Tears, angst and gripping drama spins a beautifully written story that I could not put down. I cried, I was ticked the heck off and I was enraptured throughout the engrossing twists and heart pounding drama that gave me all the feels and more you can always expect in any of Elle’s amazing reads and this one is no exception taking pieces of your heart getting into your mind and leaving your breathless with a fulfilling smile that makes it worth every impacting inescapable emotion this perfect read insists upon putting you through. Engrossing twists and yummy hot chemistry. A definite must read.
ONLY THE BEGINNING is a continuation of Elle Thorpe’s ONLY YOU Series. They all can be read as standalone books, but the characters are wonderful. So start with ONLY THE POSITIVE if you want to enjoy the entire series. Each of the books have a uniquely different romance story.
ONLY THE BEGINNING is a very complicated love/hate romance. Riley Clarke & Bianca James relationship has been in limbo for the past ten years. They have a chemistry that is off the charts. They had a magnetic pull toward each other, whenever they are in the same room. It was almost painful if they couldn’t touch. It was a physical ache that hadn’t let up for even a minute since they had broken each others hearts ten years ago. There had always been something between them. Something so strong it had a force of its own. Something strong enough that it had withstood ten years.
Every time they saw each other they ended up in an argument, that led to them ripping each others clothes off. They couldn’t seem to find any middle ground. They had nothing solid to build on. Just the glimmering memory of something magical they once had that now had turned sour. In frustration because they couldn’t seem to stay away from each other, they made a decision to try again. To start out with a fresh new relationship, and leave all the baggage from the past behind. If it could only be that easy.
Things never are simple and this story has lots of twist and turns on the way to having a Happy Ever After. But if they have everything they always wanted in each other, then this was ONLY THE BEGINNING!
Only the beginning is Bianca and Riley’s story, I have been waiting to read their tale since the series began with Only the Positive. These two were all over each other back in book one and as we move forward through the series we know that things are not all rainbows and sparkles. There is tension and Bianca and Riley can’t seem to do anything but fight and f**k; but their chemistry has always leaped off the page.
Firstly this novel starts with an opening line that made me chuckle and think Yes Girl!! Things start of with building the tension between Bianca and Riley as they attempt to date other people. All this does is prove how right they are for each other, they are electric together and Elle writes this couple in such a way that there is just no other option but for them to figure it out.
We get to see the history of their relationship from both POV’s and learn why things fell apart 10 years ago when Riley’s daughter became a part of his world. I adore single dad stories, they are like catnip to me. Riley is such a doting father and I loved the elements this added into Bianca and Riley’s story it brought another level to their romance.
Bianca as a much loved Australian Actress is used to putting on a front for people but Riley struggles to play the fame game. We get to see him act all protective and possessive of Bianca and them both pushed out of their comfort zone as they agree to try and figure their feeling towards one another out. The story is jam packed with angst and emotion, chemistry sizzles between our Hero and heroine. Yet with Riley’s daughter and Bianca’s stardom there is so much more to consider than just the two of them now. I don’t want to go into plot points, so I can keep my review spoiler free but rest assured Elle wraps the Only You series up with a bang, taking you on an emotional second chance romance ride. As ever her pacing and writing is on point, her characters are strong, yet vulnerable. I love how Elle always empowers her characters to be their own person, male or female, she always highlights them in their own light; but shows that finding their person makes them a better version of themselves, makes them whole.
I love where the Only You series is ending, I have no questions left unanswered, I am a huge fan of Elle’s writing and I am excited to see what she has coming up in the future!
I knew from the moment we meet Bianca and Riley in Only the Positive that their story would be epic and it did not disappoint! It was everything I could have asked for and wanted and a whole lot more. This story was beautifully written and full of heart, passion, drama, angst and pure unadulterated love.
I loved Bianca and Riley’s story. There were some surprising twists and turns amping up the dramatic tension. Full of witty dialogue, sizzling and undeniable chemistry, and full of emotion – this book definitely had all the feels. The book is the perfect ending and wonderful addition to a brilliant series. Only the Beginning can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the entire series – they are all phenomenal reads and I’m looking forward to reading whatever comes next from Elle Thorpe.
This is my fourth book by Elle Thorpe set in the ‘Only You’ series. It’s like a single dad and enemies to lovers crossover. Riley and Bianca have known each other for a long time. They were a couple once, but now they just fight or have sex on the few occasions they find themselves in the same room.
They have a burning chemistry but their past history fights against them. Once they get over that burden then it should be plain sailing, right?
Well…. that would be giving away the whole story. You need to read this for yourself and find out if this was a sure fire disaster or a sweet surrender. I know what my money was on.
*** 4.5 Stars ***
Only the Beginning (Only You #4) by Elle Thorpe is a contemporary, enemies to lovers, second chance romance told in first person, dual POV. As the fourth book in a series of interconnected standalones, it’s not necessary to read the others first but I would definitely recommend doing so. Having knowledge about previous characters makes for a richer experience when they reappear in later books.
Australian soap star, Bianca, and single dad, Riley, have a complicated past. Formerly in a relationship, they broke up when life got messy due to unforeseen circumstances. Over the past ten years, they have avoided each other when possible, but due to a mutual circle of friends, they see each other every few months or so. And every single time, their pattern repeats. Tempers flaring, setting each other off, heat igniting, and getting each other off. Then back to avoiding each other until the next time – fight, hate sex, avoid, repeat – an unhealthy cycle they’ve been living in for ten years and both are tired of it, but neither can let go.
After an unexpected encounter in a restaurant, Riley and Bianca decide to end the cycle. They’re going to work out their issues in order to have a real relationship. But can they fix their problems while dealing with the lack of privacy that comes with Bianca’s fame? Will the intrusive media ruin what they’ve started? Will Riley’s angry teenage daughter get in the way? And what will they do when life gets messy again? Read the book and find out.
I loved Bianca and Riley’s story! There were surprising twists and turns that definitely amped up the dramatic tension. Full of witty dialogue, smoldering chemistry, and a tsunami of emotion – this book had all the feels. I’m looking forward to reading whatever comes next.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
Gotta love a book with a strong sassy woman in the lead and a macho male that has a soft side. Well at least I do. I have been waiting on Bianca and Riley’s story. These two have chemistry out the wazoo but fight like cats and dogs. The book is very well written and the author has done an outstanding job of giving us characters that we get to know to the point they feel like family. We can feel and sympathise with everything they go through: the good, the bad, the sweet and of course the romantic times.
Bianca is a well known TV star and Riley is a construction worker. Bianca and Riley have known each other around 10 years. They belong to a great circle of friends that met back when most of them worked at the bar at the race track. Bianca and Riley were friends/lover when they first met but life happens and things get in the way (sorry I don’t do spoilers). Now they just fight the chemistry, and their love for one another, and do what they can to simply remain friends and move on (with the occasional slip up/booty call).
But what happens when one of those accidental slip ups causes a huge scandal. Will Bianca’s career be down the drain? What about Riley’s personal/family life that has final got back on track? Will the scandal bring Bianca and Riley closer or tear them apart once and for all.
The book is an amazing addition to the series. Only the Beginning can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the series – they are all phenomenal reads. 2 Thumbs Up and 5 stars for a must read, in my humble opinion. Looking forward to what comes next.
Ten years of passion between them. Of fighting, arguing and acting like horny teenagers.
Now she wants more. She wants the hearts and flowers not just bedroom gymnastics.
Their past can never be forgotten but for two completely different reasons.
They are different people now than when they originally met. Does that matter? can they start a fresh?
I’ve loved each of the books in this interconnecting series and this book continues that theme.
I secretly prayed and hoped they could get their act together through all the turbulence.
Riley is completely and utterly swoontastic! a fantastic father, and a one in a million kind of guy you couldnt ever forget.
Bianca is fiery and feisty but her heart holds good intentions, shes quite the character!
Elle always manages to write heart warming, gooey, smiley books and this certainly had me with a cheesy grin on my face.
Shes definitely worth a try if you havent read her, and if you have then I’m sure you will agree this is definitely a must read.
By Elle Thorpe
4.5
Release date April 25
Elle Thorpe brings us Riley and Bianca’s story. I love how characters are mentioned in previous books but this book can be read as a standalone
Riley and Bianca have a love/hate relationship. Their chemistry is apparent to anyone that reads the book. There is a fine line between love and hate and these two are prime examples of that.
Elle Thorpe writes a sweet book of two people who are meant to be together despite all the arguing and differences in their life. After 10 years of the same routine of hate and sex Riley and Bianca finally make a go at a relationship without fear or hate clouding their judgment. Their sexual chemistry was off the charts and was enjoyable to read.
The fight to get their hea was one I enjoyed. It’s not always easy to get what you want but if you really want it you make it happen and that’s what It came down to. This is Book 4 in Elle’s Only You series and she has only been writing for a little while but you would never know with her books. I look forward to what she has in store for us next.