I’ve got a lot of (mostly positive) thoughts about this one, so many thoughts that it detracted from my reading experience. However, this is still head and shoulders above most of the books I’ve read this year. Liese has such a distinctive voice, creating these authentic characters who have real struggles and conflicts. That’s what makes this such a unique series, and I’m always excited to read the newest installment. I loved both of these characters, and the grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract dynamic was a major win. I also loved how well these characters understood each other, and that made it a fulfilling read. There’s so much to love about this one-of-a-kind romance that I hate that I can’t give it a full 5-star rating, but there were definitely things that pulled me out of the story (more on that in a minute).
The story follows Oliver and Gavin, pro soccer players who have been teammates for the last two years. They’ve never gotten along, but the attraction that sparks between them is undeniable – even if they believe it’s one-sided. Oliver (24) has looked up to former superstar Gavin (34) since he was young. Now a rising soccer star himself, Oliver’s career is just hitting its peak while Gavin’s is rapidly coming to a close. Gavin’s body is giving out on him, but he continues to push it to its limits because he’s not ready to end his career. When Oliver is promoted to Gavin’s co-captain, it puts additional strain on their already-contentious relationship. But teaming up and finally acknowledging the things they’ve been keeping inside changes the whole dynamic between them.
As someone who doesn’t typically read MM romances, I was both looking forward to this and also a bit wary. It was very easy to relate to both Gavin and Oliver – they’re complex characters with such lovable personalities (even the grumpy Gavin). Their chemistry was also EXCELLENT, and there’s some serious steam in this one. The MM aspect distracted me though, because Liese is known for her OwnVoices romances, and… that’s clearly not something she’s familiar with firsthand. I was curious to see how she would tackle it. This is also her love letter to Ted Lasso, and IT SHOWS. The parallels between the beloved TV show and this book just kept appearing; it was as if a younger Ted Lasso fell for Roy Kent. Gavin IS Roy Kent in so many ways (a grumpy, aging superstar with a dark beard, a marshmallow center, a career that he doesn’t want to accept is coming to a close, and a need for someone sweet and loving in his life), while Oliver is very much Ted Lasso (a puppy dog who hides his pain behind a smile – he’s even reeling from a breakup, tries to hide his panic attacks, loves his family, and has a tougher side that he doesn’t show often). Add in a girl boss who appreciates receiving sweets, a soccer team, etc, and this FELT like Ted Lasso. Which, obviously, is an awesome thing in many ways, but it also served as a distraction from THIS love story. I could never just sit down and enjoy the book without my mind jumping to other things, and that’s what dragged this down for me. There’s a lot to love about the story, and I have to imagine that Bergman Brothers fans who haven’t watched Ted Lasso are likely to enjoy it the most.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Mm1YX2
Blurb:
Gear up for an all-the-feels, steamy slow-burn in this enemies-to-lovers sports romance about fighting for love when life’s taught you it’s a losing game.
Gavin
We’ve been teammates for two years, but it feels like a lifetime that Oliver Bergman’s been on my last nerve. A demanding captain and veteran player, I’m feared and friendless, while he’s the beloved rising star, all sunshine smiles and upbeat team spirit. To make matters worse, he’s obscenely attractive. In short: he’s genetically designed to get under my skin.
Avoiding Oliver has been my survival tactic on and off the field. But when Coach drops the bomb that we’re now co-captains, avoiding him becomes impossible, and keeping the truth from him–let alone my distance–is harder than ever.
Oliver
Life was great until soccer legend Gavin Hayes joined the team and proved he’s nothing like the guy I grew up idolizing. Instead, he’s a giant–albeit gorgeous–grump who lives to rain on my parade. I’ve sworn off pranks since entering the public eye, so rather than settle our differences the Bergman way, I’ve had to settle for killing Gavin with kindness. There’s just one problem: killing him with kindness is killing me.
To make matters worse, Coach gives us an ultimatum: put an end to our enmity or say goodbye to being captains. I’m prepared to be miserable while we meet her demands and make nice, but the last thing I expect is to discover an explosive attraction we can’t help but act on, and worse yet, to realize the man hiding beneath Gavin’s gruff exterior is all I’ve ever wanted.
Everything for You is a grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, age gap sports romance about an upbeat rising soccer star with anxiety and his curmudgeonly veteran teammate who lives with chronic pain. Complete with nosy senior citizens, nosier siblings, and a meddling coach, this standalone slow burn is the fifth in a series of novels about a Swedish-American family of five brothers, two sisters, and their wild adventures as they each find happily ever after.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Mm1YX2
Start the series today!
Liese is best known for her Bergman Brothers series, and two of the books have made it on my Best of the Year lists (so far). Now is the perfect time to check out the series if you haven’t yet! Each book follows a different member of the Bergman family, so you might enjoy reading them in order. I’ve been doing things backwards, and that hasn’t been a problem either! My personal favorites are Always Only You (reverse grumpy/sunshine) and Ever After Always (marriage in trouble).
Only When It’s Us
https://amzn.to/3nEmdmg
Always Only You
Read the review here
https://amzn.to/3owDoXW
Ever After Always
Read the review here
https://amzn.to/32whACo
With You Forever
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hqE3Zu
Everything for You
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JX2vxc
About the Author:
Chloe writes romances reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. Her stories pack a punch of heat, heart, and humor, and often feature characters who are neurodivergent like herself. When not dreaming up her next book, Chloe spends her time wandering in nature, playing soccer, and most happily at home with her family and mischievous cats.
Connect with Chloe:
Website: https://chloeliese.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18859163.Chloe_Liese
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chloe-Liese/e/B07PH1Y8TR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chloeliese/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloe_liese/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chloe_liese
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chloe_liese
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chloe-liese
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