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Only You, Only Us
Love is messy. Love is hard, and it can make us do crazy things, including walking away from the love of your life.
It took everything I had to build my life again, even if there was always a shadow of Jeremy Archer in my mind.
We had the time of our lives, wrapped up in the perfect summer before we finished school. All my hopes and dreams were laid before me, I simply needed to trust my heart and let myself fall. And I did.
But our love was young, and without realising, we fell into something obsessive and toxic, and it crushed what we had, and took a part of me with it.
The years slipped by without him, and I thought I’d put my memories and fears surrounding him to rest. But seeing him again proved me wrong. I should have known better, but he was my biggest weakness.
I couldn’t walk away from my second chance.
Even after all this time. Even after everything.
Only You, Only Us, is a story of love and the all-consuming power it can hold over us. For good and for bad.
It took everything I had to build my life again, even if there was always a shadow of Jeremy Archer in my mind.
We had the time of our lives, wrapped up in the perfect summer before we finished school. All my hopes and dreams were laid before me, I simply needed to trust my heart and let myself fall. And I did.
But our love was young, and without realising, we fell into something obsessive and toxic, and it crushed what we had, and took a part of me with it.
The years slipped by without him, and I thought I’d put my memories and fears surrounding him to rest. But seeing him again proved me wrong. I should have known better, but he was my biggest weakness.
I couldn’t walk away from my second chance.
Even after all this time. Even after everything.
Only You, Only Us, is a story of love and the all-consuming power it can hold over us. For good and for bad.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2024
131 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Rachel De Lune
37 books312 followersRachel De Lune writes emotionally driven contemporary romance.
She began scribbling her stories in the pages of a notebook several years ago, and still can’t resist putting pen to real paper. What ifs are turned into heartfelt stories of love where there will always be a HEA.
Rachel lives in the South West of England and if she’s not writing HEAs, she’s probably reading them. She is a wife and has a beautiful daughter.
Rachel also writes darker romance with her co-author and book-bestie under Hart De Lune.
For every woman who's ever desired more.
She began scribbling her stories in the pages of a notebook several years ago, and still can’t resist putting pen to real paper. What ifs are turned into heartfelt stories of love where there will always be a HEA.
Rachel lives in the South West of England and if she’s not writing HEAs, she’s probably reading them. She is a wife and has a beautiful daughter.
Rachel also writes darker romance with her co-author and book-bestie under Hart De Lune.
For every woman who's ever desired more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 27, 2024
MAJOR SPOILERS!!! Stop now if you don't want to read further!
I don’t know how to feel about this one to be honest because even though I wasn’t invested in the romance between the MCs, it did keep me interested enough to finish to see how it ends. To be honest, I thought this would be one of those reads where the heroine ends up with someone else.
But before I start, for my safety friends, it contains cheating. However, the way it was presented, some folks may not have a problem with it. I’m not one of them BTW.
So we start by meeting the MCs when they are in HS and they fall deeply in love but Hero has demons in him (aka a messed up family life) that leads him hooked on drugs & alcohol which he eventually hooks heroine into as well until it eventually destroys them.
The thing that broke them was an act of betrayal by Hero. He had taken heroine to a party where she inhaled some drug that left her paralyzed & out of it. She ended up in a room where she watched Hero having sex with a random OW and couldn't do anything about it.
The scene then cuts to next day or hours later with heroine waking up and confronting Hero but he doesn’t remember the act and is in denial.
What annoyed me was that after that brief question, it was never brought up again. He never apologized for the fact that he betrayed her or that he put her in danger where she could have died or been raped. Yes, he was on drugs and high as a kite and didn’t remember it but when he sobered up, shouldn't there have been some scene where he took responsibility and had regret or something? Ugh!
Then after they break up because heroine sees how toxic they've become and she can't go through it anymore, they break up and don't see each other until 4 years later. Heroine now has a BF of six months that she doesn’t love or care much for. We know that she has not been celibate but we never learn anything about him and if he f***d around with anyone else. We can only assume he has because even 4 years later, he is still an addict. And because of this, heroine is not willing to reunite with him and Hero is unwilling to stop for her.
So then we go to another 4 years and then 3 years and finally 6 weeks later. He comes back each time into the picture but he is still an addict and walks away from her each time. It's not until the final 6 weeks later that he finally gets clean and that is because he is now a "Daddy" to a little girl who turns out to be his half-sister. Heroine, seeing him with the little girl thinks he fathered her with someone else and is devastated but quickly learns it's his sister.
What bugged me most is that he got clean for the little girl – not for heroine. Not when they were in a relationship and deep in love, not anytime during the 11 year separation where he kept telling her how she was the love of his life, etc. My favorite line was what heroine said:
“You’re right. Perhaps, but she won’t see you as her brother. She’s too young. And what about drugs? Tell me you’re clean.”
“Since the day I met her.”
“So, a few weeks.”
“I have to start somewhere,” he bites back. “You know this. But she’s changed my life.”
I wish I could grow armour around my heart to protect me from Jeremy. I wish I were immune from his pain. “You could do it for her? A child you’d never met, but you couldn’t for me? The person you said you loved more than anything in the world.”
But yet again, author left it open ended and we never get an answer from him to this question that I very much wanted him to answer! And we never get an apology from him either for hooking heroine on drugs. I don’t know much about addiction but I hear that recovering addicts first step is to make restitution to those they hurt. Not so here. In fact, he states it's both their faults. Not so! Definitely not so!
Lastly, I should mention that the POV is mostly from heroine and that was a big mistake by author because we don’t learn much about Hero as a character. Actions speak louder then words and his actions – and his words – did not convince me that heroine was his “soulmate”. Even the ending was a let down because heroine is the one who finally goes to him.
Safety:
Cheating: Yes – see above
Separation - 11 years (4, then another 4, then 3, then final 6 weeks)
OPD – Not really. Besides the OW who had sex with him while he was stoned, there is also another
OW who lays her arm around him but heroine shuts it down quick. He is drunk or stoned then too.
OM in the form of heroine’s BFF who wanted more but she did not and tells Hero off.
Rape: Hero’s father tries to rape heroine but Hero stops it.
HEA: More of a HFN of 2 yrs later engaged and living together.
I don’t know how to feel about this one to be honest because even though I wasn’t invested in the romance between the MCs, it did keep me interested enough to finish to see how it ends. To be honest, I thought this would be one of those reads where the heroine ends up with someone else.
But before I start, for my safety friends, it contains cheating. However, the way it was presented, some folks may not have a problem with it. I’m not one of them BTW.
So we start by meeting the MCs when they are in HS and they fall deeply in love but Hero has demons in him (aka a messed up family life) that leads him hooked on drugs & alcohol which he eventually hooks heroine into as well until it eventually destroys them.
The thing that broke them was an act of betrayal by Hero. He had taken heroine to a party where she inhaled some drug that left her paralyzed & out of it. She ended up in a room where she watched Hero having sex with a random OW and couldn't do anything about it.
The scene then cuts to next day or hours later with heroine waking up and confronting Hero but he doesn’t remember the act and is in denial.
What annoyed me was that after that brief question, it was never brought up again. He never apologized for the fact that he betrayed her or that he put her in danger where she could have died or been raped. Yes, he was on drugs and high as a kite and didn’t remember it but when he sobered up, shouldn't there have been some scene where he took responsibility and had regret or something? Ugh!
Then after they break up because heroine sees how toxic they've become and she can't go through it anymore, they break up and don't see each other until 4 years later. Heroine now has a BF of six months that she doesn’t love or care much for. We know that she has not been celibate but we never learn anything about him and if he f***d around with anyone else. We can only assume he has because even 4 years later, he is still an addict. And because of this, heroine is not willing to reunite with him and Hero is unwilling to stop for her.
So then we go to another 4 years and then 3 years and finally 6 weeks later. He comes back each time into the picture but he is still an addict and walks away from her each time. It's not until the final 6 weeks later that he finally gets clean and that is because he is now a "Daddy" to a little girl who turns out to be his half-sister. Heroine, seeing him with the little girl thinks he fathered her with someone else and is devastated but quickly learns it's his sister.
What bugged me most is that he got clean for the little girl – not for heroine. Not when they were in a relationship and deep in love, not anytime during the 11 year separation where he kept telling her how she was the love of his life, etc. My favorite line was what heroine said:
“You’re right. Perhaps, but she won’t see you as her brother. She’s too young. And what about drugs? Tell me you’re clean.”
“Since the day I met her.”
“So, a few weeks.”
“I have to start somewhere,” he bites back. “You know this. But she’s changed my life.”
I wish I could grow armour around my heart to protect me from Jeremy. I wish I were immune from his pain. “You could do it for her? A child you’d never met, but you couldn’t for me? The person you said you loved more than anything in the world.”
But yet again, author left it open ended and we never get an answer from him to this question that I very much wanted him to answer! And we never get an apology from him either for hooking heroine on drugs. I don’t know much about addiction but I hear that recovering addicts first step is to make restitution to those they hurt. Not so here. In fact, he states it's both their faults. Not so! Definitely not so!
Lastly, I should mention that the POV is mostly from heroine and that was a big mistake by author because we don’t learn much about Hero as a character. Actions speak louder then words and his actions – and his words – did not convince me that heroine was his “soulmate”. Even the ending was a let down because heroine is the one who finally goes to him.
Safety:
Cheating: Yes – see above
Separation - 11 years (4, then another 4, then 3, then final 6 weeks)
OPD – Not really. Besides the OW who had sex with him while he was stoned, there is also another
OW who lays her arm around him but heroine shuts it down quick. He is drunk or stoned then too.
OM in the form of heroine’s BFF who wanted more but she did not and tells Hero off.
Rape: Hero’s father tries to rape heroine but Hero stops it.
HEA: More of a HFN of 2 yrs later engaged and living together.
June 23, 2024
This was a true coming-of-age odyssey and what a ride this was. It was messy, completely toxic and made me so glad and incredibly grateful for the easy teenage years my five kids have graced me with, I obviously lucked out in that department, thankfully.
This is the story of Anna and Jeremy, how they initially connected and then became lost in the intoxication of first love and all those new fragile feelings. With things then spiralling out of their control, going down a dark road of addiction and angst before then managing to crawl out the other side to achieve their eventual happiness.
This gave you all of the highs and lows. The emotional upheaval was severe and this hit rock bottom from which then the only way was up. It was well written and extremely emotive and managed to convey the struggle faced with addiction realistically. I have some experience with this and all that it entails, not myself, but a close family member and this story tackled this subject with authenticity.
Dark and gritty but then also uplifting and poignant, this ran a gauntlet of polar opposite sentiments as these two young people traversed their way across the minefield of first love and all that it entails before then veering off down a darker path. We do have a HEA, I don't think my heart could have handled it otherwise after all of that angst and I was happy with the end resolution we arrived at. This one was an intense read that put me through an emotional wringer, I'm also incredibly happy that Anna and Jeremy got there in the end.
A beautifully written coming-of-age story encompassing all of the struggles and trials surrounding addiction, first love and is a journey of personal growth. Do check your triggers though as this does deal with dark themes of addiction but I totally recommend this one. It was out of my comfort zone for sure, but I do like to step out of that box occasionally and this time it definitely paid off. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Only You, Only Us.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
June 23, 2024
4.5 Stars
Only You, Only Us by Rachel De Lune is one of the most beautifully written angsty books we’ve read in a while. It kept us on tenterhooks, and we had absolutely no idea where the characters were going to take us, and we couldn’t look away from their heartbreaking and messy love story. Remember those stories that make you want to throw your kindle at the wall in frustration? Yeah, this is it! The feels and powerful emotions evoked by this Author’s fabulous story telling was both intense and haunting. We felt everything!
‘I could live off that kiss for days. Weeks. It gave me life – like it kickstarted my heart, which until now, had only been dormant. Waiting.’
Jeremy and Anna meet at school and become lab partners which is where their relationship starts to take shape. They come from completely different socio-economic as well as friendship groups. Two ‘worlds’ clashing. We felt the immense connection between them, which was honest and real, you could say it was a soul mate love affair that affected not only themselves but everyone around them.
‘I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to open my heart up to anyone else. In my darker moments, that terrifies me. People talk about soul mates, fated love, and never getting over your first love. I used to think that might be true.’
Their relationship is incredibly toxic with an obsessive dependency and whilst we rooted for their love, we were convinced they would destroy each other resulting in traumatic consequences. We went through a bit of a love/hate relationship with them. However, this Author managed to pull us away from the edge of no return, repeatedly. Our hearts thought they’d never survive each other, and we want you to pick this book up and find out for yourselves! Only You, Only Us is story about love, obsession, addiction and the darkness that follows. This story is not easy to read, however, Rachel De Lune handled the topics with care, attention, love, and above all, it felt real. We spent hours on the phone to each other today discussing Jeremy and Anna and how much we loved their love story. If you enjoy a lot of angst in your romance as well as enemies to lovers and second chance romance, then this is the one to pick up!
‘I can’t do it. I thought getting her back was what I needed to mend whatever f**king part of me was broken. But it was too f**king painful. Staying away was easier. Out of sight, out of mind. Except she was never out of my heart. All the drugs in the world couldn’t stop me from loving Anna Rose.’
June 27, 2024
seriously? a cheating warning would have been nice...
…so I could have not started this to begin with. The following review will be a disparaging one. You have been warned.
‘Kay so a toxic couple get their toxicity ever after? Cool. The time skip didn’t help with anything at all. Until the very end Jeremy still blamed Anna for leaving as if she was the cause of his continued downward spiral. God, not mention spineless little Anna and her lack of conviction towards Jeremy all in the name of “love.” Personally this was such a terrible misuse of the concept of “love conquers all.” Excuse after godforsaken excuse was made by these two “upstanding” characters for their terrible decisions and behaviors. Nobody’s perfect, yes but at the very least there should be effort put towards achieving at least being good enough. And yet, there was no work done, only several time skips, a little playing hard to get and magically everything is miraculously resolved. These two main characters were brats from beginning to end and honestly deserve each other. Absolutely no earned character development. It’s funny cuz both have severe daddy issues that were never truly addressed, just glossed over with a time skip et voila! No more daddy issues. Just like magic.
The ONLY ONE who didn’t remotely suck was the mom. Honestly she’s the only reason why this was a given a single star at all because she stuck to her gut in not fully accepting Jeremy’s pathetic arse. And truly it sucks that she got saddled with such a weak-willed daughter with terrible sense of judgement and an abhorrent future son-in-law. Becca deserved a daughter like Sammy after being dealt with a scum of a husband.
Interesting premise, terrible execution. This is just one of those stories where it’s okay if the initial couple wasnt endgame. In fact it would have infinitely improved my opinion of both characters had they chosen to let each other go. But alas, another case of sunk cost fallacy. A lost cause.
…so I could have not started this to begin with. The following review will be a disparaging one. You have been warned.
‘Kay so a toxic couple get their toxicity ever after? Cool. The time skip didn’t help with anything at all. Until the very end Jeremy still blamed Anna for leaving as if she was the cause of his continued downward spiral. God, not mention spineless little Anna and her lack of conviction towards Jeremy all in the name of “love.” Personally this was such a terrible misuse of the concept of “love conquers all.” Excuse after godforsaken excuse was made by these two “upstanding” characters for their terrible decisions and behaviors. Nobody’s perfect, yes but at the very least there should be effort put towards achieving at least being good enough. And yet, there was no work done, only several time skips, a little playing hard to get and magically everything is miraculously resolved. These two main characters were brats from beginning to end and honestly deserve each other. Absolutely no earned character development. It’s funny cuz both have severe daddy issues that were never truly addressed, just glossed over with a time skip et voila! No more daddy issues. Just like magic.
The ONLY ONE who didn’t remotely suck was the mom. Honestly she’s the only reason why this was a given a single star at all because she stuck to her gut in not fully accepting Jeremy’s pathetic arse. And truly it sucks that she got saddled with such a weak-willed daughter with terrible sense of judgement and an abhorrent future son-in-law. Becca deserved a daughter like Sammy after being dealt with a scum of a husband.
Interesting premise, terrible execution. This is just one of those stories where it’s okay if the initial couple wasnt endgame. In fact it would have infinitely improved my opinion of both characters had they chosen to let each other go. But alas, another case of sunk cost fallacy. A lost cause.
August 16, 2024
Well no. Never. Nope.
Books like this make me wish I was illiterate.
Books like this make me wish I was illiterate.
September 25, 2024
Time of Death - 24%
Felt like I was reading a young YA book and I wasn't enjoying that unfortunately.
Felt like I was reading a young YA book and I wasn't enjoying that unfortunately.
January 11, 2025
Rating: 2/5 stars
Primary Tropes/Features: Class divide, Good girl/Bad boy, Toxic relationship, Addiction journey, High school into adulthood,
Secondary Tropes/Features: Virgin heroine, Time jumps, Second chance
Content warning: A content warning is included at the start of the book but it does not include all potential triggers. This book includes:
This is a book which I have mixed opinions on and whilst it did not end up being a book for me I can see what the author was trying to achieve and I can appreciate the no holds barred approach taken to the book’s sensitive and difficult topics.
Anna was the academically minded and focused wallflower who was a dreamer. Her initial optimistic and over interpretative approach to Jeremy presented her as every bit of the stereotypical teenage girl with a crush that she was - a glance meant everything, a hang out was an automatic date - and everything was bigger and more important than it actually was. Jeremy was the broody and popular bad boy. He was above everyone else at school and so woefully misunderstood by so called friends who used him for his family’s money and fundamentally broken due to his home situation. Unfortunately, I feel that we learnt very little about the main characters beyond their initial characterisation and how toxic they were for one another. In the latter half of the book we saw some sides to them beyond this but it wasn’t presented with the same intensity and felt undermined by the book’s quick resolution soon after.
This isn’t what I would call your typical romance book despite its initial presentation of an intense ‘first love’ story. Anna and Jeremy didn’t get off to the best start but their mutual besottedness led to a deep and obsessive love much bigger than you might expect from characters as young as they were. They had the makings of a forever intense love but the book’s events, and the way in which the characters began to cope with that turned this into a story of a toxic relationship, addiction and eventually overcoming that. To say it is an enjoyable book to read doesn’t feel right with the emotionally charged and diffcut themes (see my content warning) but it is one that is emotive, thought provoking, and heartbreaking which I think was treated with respect and nothing particularly felt like it was thrown in for the sake of a shock factor.
That does not mean, however, that I could connect to this story. I found the overall pacing of the book to be suitable and in line with plot but did struggle with the writing style and balance of perspectives. I initially thought the narrative was disjointed with a little bit of an information overload and it felt like I was reading a lot of short broken thoughts. It was hard to read but at the same time, whether intentionally or not, I found the author’s writing to be reflective of the characters and their ages and therefore it kind of worked. It felt like I was reading the rambling diary of the high school students that Anna and Jeremy were with a few scenes of maturity that reflected the introduction and presence of some of the books' more serious themes. I think the narrative’s level of maturity continued to develop with the plot and the character’s ages but in the adult stage of the characters' journeys the writing recapped more than it showed which left me disconnected from who they were at that point, especially with Jeremy whose perspective seemed to vanish from the book.
It was a book in which I was rooting for the main characters and I’ll admit it didn’t end how I was expecting it to when I initially started. But for me the difficulty of reading it was not from the themes but the writing style and my inability to connect to the emotions I think we were supposed to feel. Anna and Jeremy’s individual stories and story as a couple are messy and difficult ones but it makes for an interesting read, it just wasn’t one for me.
Primary Tropes/Features: Class divide, Good girl/Bad boy, Toxic relationship, Addiction journey, High school into adulthood,
Secondary Tropes/Features: Virgin heroine, Time jumps, Second chance
Content warning: A content warning is included at the start of the book but it does not include all potential triggers. This book includes:
This is a book which I have mixed opinions on and whilst it did not end up being a book for me I can see what the author was trying to achieve and I can appreciate the no holds barred approach taken to the book’s sensitive and difficult topics.
Anna was the academically minded and focused wallflower who was a dreamer. Her initial optimistic and over interpretative approach to Jeremy presented her as every bit of the stereotypical teenage girl with a crush that she was - a glance meant everything, a hang out was an automatic date - and everything was bigger and more important than it actually was. Jeremy was the broody and popular bad boy. He was above everyone else at school and so woefully misunderstood by so called friends who used him for his family’s money and fundamentally broken due to his home situation. Unfortunately, I feel that we learnt very little about the main characters beyond their initial characterisation and how toxic they were for one another. In the latter half of the book we saw some sides to them beyond this but it wasn’t presented with the same intensity and felt undermined by the book’s quick resolution soon after.
This isn’t what I would call your typical romance book despite its initial presentation of an intense ‘first love’ story. Anna and Jeremy didn’t get off to the best start but their mutual besottedness led to a deep and obsessive love much bigger than you might expect from characters as young as they were. They had the makings of a forever intense love but the book’s events, and the way in which the characters began to cope with that turned this into a story of a toxic relationship, addiction and eventually overcoming that. To say it is an enjoyable book to read doesn’t feel right with the emotionally charged and diffcut themes (see my content warning) but it is one that is emotive, thought provoking, and heartbreaking which I think was treated with respect and nothing particularly felt like it was thrown in for the sake of a shock factor.
That does not mean, however, that I could connect to this story. I found the overall pacing of the book to be suitable and in line with plot but did struggle with the writing style and balance of perspectives. I initially thought the narrative was disjointed with a little bit of an information overload and it felt like I was reading a lot of short broken thoughts. It was hard to read but at the same time, whether intentionally or not, I found the author’s writing to be reflective of the characters and their ages and therefore it kind of worked. It felt like I was reading the rambling diary of the high school students that Anna and Jeremy were with a few scenes of maturity that reflected the introduction and presence of some of the books' more serious themes. I think the narrative’s level of maturity continued to develop with the plot and the character’s ages but in the adult stage of the characters' journeys the writing recapped more than it showed which left me disconnected from who they were at that point, especially with Jeremy whose perspective seemed to vanish from the book.
It was a book in which I was rooting for the main characters and I’ll admit it didn’t end how I was expecting it to when I initially started. But for me the difficulty of reading it was not from the themes but the writing style and my inability to connect to the emotions I think we were supposed to feel. Anna and Jeremy’s individual stories and story as a couple are messy and difficult ones but it makes for an interesting read, it just wasn’t one for me.
June 16, 2024
I went into this book with no expectations other than expecting a good read. What I didn’t expect was to fall into the story, into this beautifully written tale of first love, passion, heartache, heartbreak and taking the hard steps to find yourself even if it feels like in doing so will rip you apart.
Jeremy and Anna’s story was epic. That’s the best way to describe it. I began reading thinking I will just start and see where it went and be able to stop when I needed to. What I wasn’t counting on was getting so swept up in it, that one more chapter became another and another, till I was half way through and completely lost on the emotional roller coaster which was Anna and Jeremy’s journey. I only put it down to sleep and picked it up again at the first chance I could just so I could play the one more chapter ride again and it was so worth it. Even if it resulted in tears and lots of Why? What? OMG!! moments. You know it’s a good emotional book if you cry over it and you finish it and just take a moment to stop and absorb what you just read. Well done Rachel De Lune!
Be prepared to feel all the feels while reading. It will bring back memories of first love, the rush of that first love, adventure and possibly the pain that no doubt went along with it. But as I said, it’s well worth it. I didn’t think I would end up so invested in this couple but I did and I’m not sorry.
Only You, Only Us is an amazing ride that will leave you an emotional wreck (in the best way possible). This is not a story you will want to start before bed. Let me say that without a doubt, if you do, say goodbye to sleep.
Jeremy and Anna’s story was epic. That’s the best way to describe it. I began reading thinking I will just start and see where it went and be able to stop when I needed to. What I wasn’t counting on was getting so swept up in it, that one more chapter became another and another, till I was half way through and completely lost on the emotional roller coaster which was Anna and Jeremy’s journey. I only put it down to sleep and picked it up again at the first chance I could just so I could play the one more chapter ride again and it was so worth it. Even if it resulted in tears and lots of Why? What? OMG!! moments. You know it’s a good emotional book if you cry over it and you finish it and just take a moment to stop and absorb what you just read. Well done Rachel De Lune!
Be prepared to feel all the feels while reading. It will bring back memories of first love, the rush of that first love, adventure and possibly the pain that no doubt went along with it. But as I said, it’s well worth it. I didn’t think I would end up so invested in this couple but I did and I’m not sorry.
Only You, Only Us is an amazing ride that will leave you an emotional wreck (in the best way possible). This is not a story you will want to start before bed. Let me say that without a doubt, if you do, say goodbye to sleep.
June 29, 2024
Wow.
F***ing loved this!!
Honestly, I started reading and was thinking " ugh I know where this is gonna go" but boy was I wrong!
It isn't nerdy girl, popular boy...expect regular high school cheating or a spiteful beautiful ex girlfriend/ wannabe girlfriend, but drugs (I'm definitely going to pop a big fat warning on this by the way, it's VERY triggery).
Then the drug den...I was half expecting a sit by the hospital bedside, self blame/sad times moment, or maybe pregnant druggie girl.
Basically, I love that the author has turned expectations on their head, so many books in this genre just follow the norm and get all fluffy! This is real life, selfish, messed up, inconsiderate, heart breaking love. It hurts.
If you're a fan of Rachel's other solo work, this is not like that. If you are a fan of her Hart De Lune joint books, it's not really like that either. This is new for her, a mix of both worlds, and I personally think she rocked it.
F***ing loved this!!
Honestly, I started reading and was thinking " ugh I know where this is gonna go" but boy was I wrong!
It isn't nerdy girl, popular boy...expect regular high school cheating or a spiteful beautiful ex girlfriend/ wannabe girlfriend, but drugs (I'm definitely going to pop a big fat warning on this by the way, it's VERY triggery).
Then the drug den...I was half expecting a sit by the hospital bedside, self blame/sad times moment, or maybe pregnant druggie girl.
Basically, I love that the author has turned expectations on their head, so many books in this genre just follow the norm and get all fluffy! This is real life, selfish, messed up, inconsiderate, heart breaking love. It hurts.
If you're a fan of Rachel's other solo work, this is not like that. If you are a fan of her Hart De Lune joint books, it's not really like that either. This is new for her, a mix of both worlds, and I personally think she rocked it.
June 30, 2024
If you want to cry, scream, and experience every other emotion then read this story!
Jeremy and Anna meet in high school when Jeremy is the “bad boy who doesn’t associate with anyone”. Throughout the story, life starts to take a toll on Jeremy and everything beings to spiral for both him and Anna.
There was no doubt in my mind that Jeremy didn’t fall love in with Anna because he fall hard and deeply. Love prevails over everything in this story; the drama, the heartache, the toxicity, etc.
Jeremy fights hard for Anna at the end and it is so emotional to see all the struggles that both him and Anna have overcome. A true definition of right person, wrong time!
Jeremy and Anna meet in high school when Jeremy is the “bad boy who doesn’t associate with anyone”. Throughout the story, life starts to take a toll on Jeremy and everything beings to spiral for both him and Anna.
There was no doubt in my mind that Jeremy didn’t fall love in with Anna because he fall hard and deeply. Love prevails over everything in this story; the drama, the heartache, the toxicity, etc.
Jeremy fights hard for Anna at the end and it is so emotional to see all the struggles that both him and Anna have overcome. A true definition of right person, wrong time!
June 22, 2024
Only You, Only Us is a raw and gritty tale of first love between Anna and Jeremy Archer.
Although mainly from Anna’s POV, there are a couple of very eye opening chapters from Jeremy. What starts out as innocent and beautiful becomes toxic and destructive.The author doesn’t hold back and gives us a real life story full of emotion and heartbreak while the couple battle alcohol and drug addiction.
Jeremy is the good looking popular guy at school and she’s the nerd with a crush on him. He is unobtainable and never acknowledges her at school until one summer everything changes.
While celebrating her birthday on holiday with her mum in Cornwall, she sees Jeremy and their romance starts. He is fed up of people only wanting to be his friend for what he can give them. He’s amazed she just likes him for himself, however, he wants to keep her all to himself.
His love for her becomes so deep and obsessive that he can’t see what is actually happening. She is besotted and let’s him take her down a road she hasn’t got the strength to stop him. Again and again they come together only to ruin what they have.
On his birthday everything takes a turn for the worse when an incident affects them both far more than either will admit. It is the catalyst to their downfall as they choose the wrong ways to deal with the aftermath.The love and pull she feels towards him causes her to make life changing decisions and she nearly ends up losing everything.
He refuses to give her up as he is convinced she is the love of his life even when they hit rock bottom, he can’t see how dangerous that love has become. They say love is blind and these two were definitely blindly in love. It was sad as neither would face up to the consequences of their relationship.
I really felt for her mother who showed such strength through it all and stood by her as even when Anna pushed away. Her best friend also tried unsuccessfully to warn Anna but it fell on deaf ears.
The account of their struggles was realistic and you will feel every heartbreak along the way. At times you will be so cross with them and others cheering them on as they battle their addictions. To me their love was as addictive as the alcohol and drugs they took. Were they too young to be able to cope with such a deep and all in compassing love?
Can they hold onto their love and recover from the darkness that has surrounded them? Will one of them find the strength to survive the other?
Although at times it is a difficult read and your feelings for the couple will be as up and down as their relationship. It is a fascinating story about two soulmates who thankfully find their HEA after a long and bumpy road back to happiness.
Although mainly from Anna’s POV, there are a couple of very eye opening chapters from Jeremy. What starts out as innocent and beautiful becomes toxic and destructive.The author doesn’t hold back and gives us a real life story full of emotion and heartbreak while the couple battle alcohol and drug addiction.
Jeremy is the good looking popular guy at school and she’s the nerd with a crush on him. He is unobtainable and never acknowledges her at school until one summer everything changes.
While celebrating her birthday on holiday with her mum in Cornwall, she sees Jeremy and their romance starts. He is fed up of people only wanting to be his friend for what he can give them. He’s amazed she just likes him for himself, however, he wants to keep her all to himself.
His love for her becomes so deep and obsessive that he can’t see what is actually happening. She is besotted and let’s him take her down a road she hasn’t got the strength to stop him. Again and again they come together only to ruin what they have.
On his birthday everything takes a turn for the worse when an incident affects them both far more than either will admit. It is the catalyst to their downfall as they choose the wrong ways to deal with the aftermath.The love and pull she feels towards him causes her to make life changing decisions and she nearly ends up losing everything.
He refuses to give her up as he is convinced she is the love of his life even when they hit rock bottom, he can’t see how dangerous that love has become. They say love is blind and these two were definitely blindly in love. It was sad as neither would face up to the consequences of their relationship.
I really felt for her mother who showed such strength through it all and stood by her as even when Anna pushed away. Her best friend also tried unsuccessfully to warn Anna but it fell on deaf ears.
The account of their struggles was realistic and you will feel every heartbreak along the way. At times you will be so cross with them and others cheering them on as they battle their addictions. To me their love was as addictive as the alcohol and drugs they took. Were they too young to be able to cope with such a deep and all in compassing love?
Can they hold onto their love and recover from the darkness that has surrounded them? Will one of them find the strength to survive the other?
Although at times it is a difficult read and your feelings for the couple will be as up and down as their relationship. It is a fascinating story about two soulmates who thankfully find their HEA after a long and bumpy road back to happiness.
July 2, 2024
Wow such an empowering book full of emotional turmoil. This is the first book I have read by Rachel and I am not disappointed. The story follows Anna and Jeremy and the love they share for one another through heartbreak and traumatic events. The high and lows and everything in between. Such an inspiring book to read. It had me gripped, I was invested as I needed to know how it ended. I will definitely be reading more 🥰
March 9, 2025
I'm glad I went in blind with this one.
Jeremy broke Anna - in several ways but he was also far too broken himself. Their relationship was toxic, dark, twisted, young and stupid. But the heart wants what it wants. What a ride these two went on! But the part that fixed them came from the man who started his issues on the most unexpected way.
Looking forward to reading more by Rachel.
Jeremy broke Anna - in several ways but he was also far too broken himself. Their relationship was toxic, dark, twisted, young and stupid. But the heart wants what it wants. What a ride these two went on! But the part that fixed them came from the man who started his issues on the most unexpected way.
Looking forward to reading more by Rachel.
June 23, 2024
Rachel de Lune always takes her readers on an incredible journey to love and this was no different.
However, what seemingly started as a fun, teenage summer romance between two people on different sides of the social scale (popular rich boy and shy, sweet, non trendy girl) took an unexpected dark, very toxic turn.
Anna's and Jeremy's was an all encompassing first love, that following an unforgivable incident, caused their love to spiral into obsession, passion, pain and addiction with a bond that was breaking them both.
Rachel you put my heart through a wringer!! There was beautifully written angst and heartbreak that came across as so real and authentic. The decisions both Anna and Jeremy made were sometimes very questionable and their road to healing and health was hard fought to the end. Anna's mum was an absolute gem and her rock all the way through.
There were times I just couldn't see how they could heal, they could neither live with nor live without each other. I won't say any more other than to say please read this enthralling coming of age love, the emotions came off the pages in waves......
4.25 stars
However, what seemingly started as a fun, teenage summer romance between two people on different sides of the social scale (popular rich boy and shy, sweet, non trendy girl) took an unexpected dark, very toxic turn.
Anna's and Jeremy's was an all encompassing first love, that following an unforgivable incident, caused their love to spiral into obsession, passion, pain and addiction with a bond that was breaking them both.
Rachel you put my heart through a wringer!! There was beautifully written angst and heartbreak that came across as so real and authentic. The decisions both Anna and Jeremy made were sometimes very questionable and their road to healing and health was hard fought to the end. Anna's mum was an absolute gem and her rock all the way through.
There were times I just couldn't see how they could heal, they could neither live with nor live without each other. I won't say any more other than to say please read this enthralling coming of age love, the emotions came off the pages in waves......
4.25 stars
June 30, 2024
4.5 stars
I went into this book blind, not knowing what to expect but having loved the other books in this series.
This was so well written and was totally gritty. Rachel did an amazing job writing this as the story itself was not pretty and some may find it hard to read. It covers a tough topic of addiction but does it in a brilliant way.
Anna and Jeremy's journey was a turbulent one and not for the faint hearted. Whilst I wanted to give this 5 stars i couldn't as honestly as I wanted more redemption from Jeremey. That said I was gripped throughout the story.
I was given a copy of this book by the Author and this is my honest opinion
https://ilovebookreviewscom.wordpress...
I went into this book blind, not knowing what to expect but having loved the other books in this series.
This was so well written and was totally gritty. Rachel did an amazing job writing this as the story itself was not pretty and some may find it hard to read. It covers a tough topic of addiction but does it in a brilliant way.
Anna and Jeremy's journey was a turbulent one and not for the faint hearted. Whilst I wanted to give this 5 stars i couldn't as honestly as I wanted more redemption from Jeremey. That said I was gripped throughout the story.
I was given a copy of this book by the Author and this is my honest opinion
https://ilovebookreviewscom.wordpress...
February 9, 2025
I adore Rachel and her writing, and I've been meaning to start this one for a while.. and after reading it, I'm gutted I've left it so long!
If you are looking for an angsty, emotion filled story then this is definitely one for you!
Anna and Jeremy meet at school and despite being from different worlds they manage to make it work... until they don't.
My heart actually ached at parts of this story, I really wanted to hate the characters at some places but I also wanted to hold them tight and not let go at other bits.
It was gritty, it was emotional, and above all else, it's unfortunately easy enough to be real life.
Well done, Rachel, on giving us another fantastic story.
If you are looking for an angsty, emotion filled story then this is definitely one for you!
Anna and Jeremy meet at school and despite being from different worlds they manage to make it work... until they don't.
My heart actually ached at parts of this story, I really wanted to hate the characters at some places but I also wanted to hold them tight and not let go at other bits.
It was gritty, it was emotional, and above all else, it's unfortunately easy enough to be real life.
Well done, Rachel, on giving us another fantastic story.
June 24, 2024
Only You Only Us is a standalone Contemporary romance. This is Jeremy and Anna’s story. Their story is pretty dark and yes messy toxic. They never lost their love for each other.
This book is not a lighthearted romance. It is conflicted, messy and toxic. It took a bit for me to get into reading it. I kept wanting to put this book down and yet I couldn’t. Due to the type of story, not the writing.
I want to credit a mother’s love here because that is what Anna’s mother was strong, physically as well as mentally. She had to be for her daughter.
There is a HEA. This was a good angsty read.
This book is not a lighthearted romance. It is conflicted, messy and toxic. It took a bit for me to get into reading it. I kept wanting to put this book down and yet I couldn’t. Due to the type of story, not the writing.
I want to credit a mother’s love here because that is what Anna’s mother was strong, physically as well as mentally. She had to be for her daughter.
There is a HEA. This was a good angsty read.
August 7, 2024
If you want a toxic AF relationship, and a whole ton of angst - this books for you.
I'm normally down for the toxicity & angst, but this one didn't hit the mark for me. There wasn't enough apologizing/grovelling.
It was definitely real. Like it felt like real life. But almost too real? I read to escape and want to be swept away by romance; and this was very little romance, and a whole ton of angst/pain/toxicity.
I'm normally down for the toxicity & angst, but this one didn't hit the mark for me. There wasn't enough apologizing/grovelling.
It was definitely real. Like it felt like real life. But almost too real? I read to escape and want to be swept away by romance; and this was very little romance, and a whole ton of angst/pain/toxicity.
June 22, 2024
Author Rachel De Lune
takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster in Only You Only Us. She explores the tragedy that exists in a world of substance abuse. The pain it can cause to the users and their families. She explores the tragic effects of dysfunctional families and the many ways love can materialize. She exposes the reader to experience the strength and sacrifices it takes on the long road to sobriety. This is not a sweet contemporary romance. It is a realistic look at life, love, and heartbreak that is all too present when addiction is front and centre in that world.
Romance comes in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes, the road is narrow and straight, but more often, it comes with hills, bends, mountains, or spirals. Only You Only Us is one such romance story. The path is rocky and tragically toxic. Love for Jeremy and Anna is consuming, obsessive, and veiled in the foggy haze of addiction.
No one is immune from the gripping claws of drugs or alcohol. Not the straight-A student. Not the privileged rich boy who leads his envious pack of wannabes. One taste can turn into two. Two can turn into a lifetime of struggle, battling the demons within. Some will overcome the haunting pull, the desire to feel the momentary ecstasy while denying there is always a downhill plunge into darkness. For some, their outcome will not hold such a happy ending.
Anna was one of those good girls who had the world as her oyster. Her future was set, planned to a T. She had her mother’s unconditional love and support. She had a best friend in her corner, experiencing all that life had to offer right alongside her. All she had to do was keep her eye on the prize and not veer off that straight and narrow path. When Anna’s eyes landed on Jeremy, her passion took over, her heart overruled while her head tried to remain in control. But their love was powerful, and Jeremy held a pull far too great for Anna to resist. Together, they were soon swirling down into the dark depths of substance abuse; their lives forever changed.
The author tells this story mainly from Anna’s POV. This is her retelling their story as she saw it and experienced it. There were times when I questioned Jeremy’s choices, but it is not until the book is coming to a close that the author provides us with some chapters from his POV. I found them to be so enlightening and perfectly placed. They really helped to bring the story full circle and provided me with the insight I needed to understand what each of them were silently enduring.
Only You Only Us is a powerful story with an amazing message all wrapped up in a tragic yet beautiful love story set in the gorgeous countryside of Cornwall in the UK. She brought me to tears. No, she had me sobbing and in gut-wrenching pain at some points. She kept me constantly guessing which road Anna and Jeremy would travel and whether those two roads would ever meet in the final outcome. If you are up for an angst-filled story of the undying love two people share and the pain they survive to finally get there, then Only You Only Us is for you. Enjoy!
Romance comes in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes, the road is narrow and straight, but more often, it comes with hills, bends, mountains, or spirals. Only You Only Us is one such romance story. The path is rocky and tragically toxic. Love for Jeremy and Anna is consuming, obsessive, and veiled in the foggy haze of addiction.
No one is immune from the gripping claws of drugs or alcohol. Not the straight-A student. Not the privileged rich boy who leads his envious pack of wannabes. One taste can turn into two. Two can turn into a lifetime of struggle, battling the demons within. Some will overcome the haunting pull, the desire to feel the momentary ecstasy while denying there is always a downhill plunge into darkness. For some, their outcome will not hold such a happy ending.
Anna was one of those good girls who had the world as her oyster. Her future was set, planned to a T. She had her mother’s unconditional love and support. She had a best friend in her corner, experiencing all that life had to offer right alongside her. All she had to do was keep her eye on the prize and not veer off that straight and narrow path. When Anna’s eyes landed on Jeremy, her passion took over, her heart overruled while her head tried to remain in control. But their love was powerful, and Jeremy held a pull far too great for Anna to resist. Together, they were soon swirling down into the dark depths of substance abuse; their lives forever changed.
The author tells this story mainly from Anna’s POV. This is her retelling their story as she saw it and experienced it. There were times when I questioned Jeremy’s choices, but it is not until the book is coming to a close that the author provides us with some chapters from his POV. I found them to be so enlightening and perfectly placed. They really helped to bring the story full circle and provided me with the insight I needed to understand what each of them were silently enduring.
Only You Only Us is a powerful story with an amazing message all wrapped up in a tragic yet beautiful love story set in the gorgeous countryside of Cornwall in the UK. She brought me to tears. No, she had me sobbing and in gut-wrenching pain at some points. She kept me constantly guessing which road Anna and Jeremy would travel and whether those two roads would ever meet in the final outcome. If you are up for an angst-filled story of the undying love two people share and the pain they survive to finally get there, then Only You Only Us is for you. Enjoy!
June 26, 2024
4.5 Stars
Only You, Only Us by Rachel De Lune is one of the most beautifully written angsty books we’ve read in a while. It kept us on tenterhooks, and we had absolutely no idea where the characters were going to take us, and we couldn’t look away from their heartbreaking and messy love story. Remember those stories that make you want to throw your kindle at the wall in frustration? Yeah, this is it! The feels and powerful emotions evoked by this Author’s fabulous story telling was both intense and haunting. We felt everything!
‘I could live off that kiss for days. Weeks. It gave me life – like it kickstarted my heart, which until now, had only been dormant. Waiting.’
Jeremy and Anna meet at school and become lab partners which is where their relationship starts to take shape. They come from completely different socio-economic as well as friendship groups. Two ‘worlds’ clashing. We felt the immense connection between them, which was honest and real, you could say it was a soul mate love affair that affected not only themselves but everyone around them.
‘I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to open my heart up to anyone else. In my darker moments, that terrifies me. People talk about soul mates, fated love, and never getting over your first love. I used to think that might be true.’
Their relationship is incredibly toxic with an obsessive dependency and whilst we rooted for their love, we were convinced they would destroy each other resulting in traumatic consequences. We went through a bit of a love/hate relationship with them. However, this Author managed to pull us away from the edge of no return, repeatedly. Our hearts thought they’d never survive each other, and we want you to pick this book up and find out for yourselves! Only You, Only Us is story about love, obsession, addiction and the darkness that follows. This story is not easy to read, however, Rachel De Lune handled the topics with care, attention, love, and above all, it felt real. We spent hours on the phone to each other today discussing Jeremy and Anna and how much we loved their love story. If you enjoy a lot of angst in your romance as well as enemies to lovers and second chance romance, then this is the one to pick up!
‘I can’t do it. I thought getting her back was what I needed to mend whatever f**king part of me was broken. But it was too f**king painful. Staying away was easier. Out of sight, out of mind. Except she was never out of my heart. All the drugs in the world couldn’t stop me from loving Anna Rose.’
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July 7, 2024
So many thoughts on this.
The writing is addicting. I had to read to the end to see what happened, but it wasn't a happy read.
Jeremy took zero responsibility for his actions. None. He gaslit Anna, blamed Anna, and used Anna.
From the beginning of their relationship, it was clear it wasn't healthy. First, he ignored her in front of his friends and then, once he acknowledged her, he wouldn't let her out of sight. Their relationship was codependent from Jeremy's side for the most part and Anna, who probably hadn't dealt with her father leaving her, couldn't bear to see Jeremy in pain so she let her best friend, Sammy, fall to the side and prioritised Jeremy over everyone, including her mother, and everything including school.
Jeremy was a casual drug user and then got Anna hooked. His father tried to r*pe her and that set them off in a downward spiral. Jeremy's reaction and almost self-flagellating blame for his father's actions seemed to land on Anna's shoulders. The victim bore the brunt of Jeremy's guilt or anger or whatever he was feeling.
For all their 'we're so in love', they didn't talk much, not about anything of substance.
Then there's a party thrown by someone Anna doesn't know. Whatever she ingests leaves her basically paralysed and all she can do is watch another girl essentially r*pe Jeremy right in front of her. And that's what it was. He was too drugged to properly consent or not consent.
This is a turning point for Anna who decides she needs to get clean, and she can't do that with Jeremy unless he gets clean too and she begs him to get clean with her.
He denies anything happened, gets angry at her for wanting to get clean, and cuts off all contact with her to punish her.
Gradually she realises Jeremy is as big an addiction as the alcohol and drugs are, and after an encounter when she's been sober for a few years, Jeremy finally does something right and leaves her until he can sort his shit out.
Cut to a few more years later and Anna nearly has a panic attack when she sees Jeremy at the park with a little girl who looks just like him.
It takes a bit of convincing, but he tells her it's his sister. After his parents divorced, his father remarried and they had a baby, then they died in a car crash.
Jeremy professes his love for Anna again, references the Dear Jane letter he left her, and says he's better now. That he got better for his sister.
Anna responds with...“You could do it for her? A child you’d never met, but you couldn’t for me? The person you said you loved more than anything in the world.”
Jeremy pulls out all the stops and goes and sees Anna's mum Becca to plead his case.
Again, Anna leaves everything for Jeremy.
Her mum tolerates him, but dotes on his little sister. And as the book ends, we see Jeremy again rushing Anna into making a decision about marriage without giving her time to think it through.
Even sober, their relationship isn't altogether healthy.
The writing was great. The plot was messy. But I didn't hate this.
The writing is addicting. I had to read to the end to see what happened, but it wasn't a happy read.
Jeremy took zero responsibility for his actions. None. He gaslit Anna, blamed Anna, and used Anna.
From the beginning of their relationship, it was clear it wasn't healthy. First, he ignored her in front of his friends and then, once he acknowledged her, he wouldn't let her out of sight. Their relationship was codependent from Jeremy's side for the most part and Anna, who probably hadn't dealt with her father leaving her, couldn't bear to see Jeremy in pain so she let her best friend, Sammy, fall to the side and prioritised Jeremy over everyone, including her mother, and everything including school.
Jeremy was a casual drug user and then got Anna hooked. His father tried to r*pe her and that set them off in a downward spiral. Jeremy's reaction and almost self-flagellating blame for his father's actions seemed to land on Anna's shoulders. The victim bore the brunt of Jeremy's guilt or anger or whatever he was feeling.
For all their 'we're so in love', they didn't talk much, not about anything of substance.
Then there's a party thrown by someone Anna doesn't know. Whatever she ingests leaves her basically paralysed and all she can do is watch another girl essentially r*pe Jeremy right in front of her. And that's what it was. He was too drugged to properly consent or not consent.
This is a turning point for Anna who decides she needs to get clean, and she can't do that with Jeremy unless he gets clean too and she begs him to get clean with her.
He denies anything happened, gets angry at her for wanting to get clean, and cuts off all contact with her to punish her.
Gradually she realises Jeremy is as big an addiction as the alcohol and drugs are, and after an encounter when she's been sober for a few years, Jeremy finally does something right and leaves her until he can sort his shit out.
Cut to a few more years later and Anna nearly has a panic attack when she sees Jeremy at the park with a little girl who looks just like him.
It takes a bit of convincing, but he tells her it's his sister. After his parents divorced, his father remarried and they had a baby, then they died in a car crash.
Jeremy professes his love for Anna again, references the Dear Jane letter he left her, and says he's better now. That he got better for his sister.
Anna responds with...“You could do it for her? A child you’d never met, but you couldn’t for me? The person you said you loved more than anything in the world.”
Jeremy pulls out all the stops and goes and sees Anna's mum Becca to plead his case.
Again, Anna leaves everything for Jeremy.
Her mum tolerates him, but dotes on his little sister. And as the book ends, we see Jeremy again rushing Anna into making a decision about marriage without giving her time to think it through.
Even sober, their relationship isn't altogether healthy.
The writing was great. The plot was messy. But I didn't hate this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2024
I don't think I'm going to recover from this story anytime soon. The emotions I have experienced have touched every part of the spectrum. I don’t have the words to adequately describe the journey Jeremy and Anna take throughout this narrative. Amongst the moments of love, joy and expectations that they share, their obsession with each other brings despair, heartache and heartbreak. I already know my heart will never be the same again.
I was wholly invested in Anna and Jeremy's story from the very first chapter. Their journey consumed me - just like their love for each other. The anticipation throughout is incredible. I encountered feelings of hope, dread and so many more, and as much as I am desperate to explain my feelings with you, I won't because I need you to go into this story and experience it as I have - without any prior knowledge.
Only You, Only Us has Anna telling us this story through her POV, however, some very well inserted chapters having Jere share his thoughts and emotions complete this perfectly written narrative. My feelings towards Jeremy kept changing. I have strong sentiments regarding the relationships that were affected by Jere and Anna’s love for each other. My goodness, first love - the beauty and pain that often comes with it brought back memories of my very own. This story has touched me in so many different ways.
If real life hadn't needed me, I would have read this story in one sitting. It's that good - exceptional even. The struggle to put my family above reading this novel was real! There are scenes within this narrative that I found difficult to read because of what was unfolding and my devotion to Anna and Jeremy. However hard it may have been at the time; I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
I award Only You, Only Us 5 epic stars. Thank you, Rachel De Lune, for sharing this story with us.
I was wholly invested in Anna and Jeremy's story from the very first chapter. Their journey consumed me - just like their love for each other. The anticipation throughout is incredible. I encountered feelings of hope, dread and so many more, and as much as I am desperate to explain my feelings with you, I won't because I need you to go into this story and experience it as I have - without any prior knowledge.
Only You, Only Us has Anna telling us this story through her POV, however, some very well inserted chapters having Jere share his thoughts and emotions complete this perfectly written narrative. My feelings towards Jeremy kept changing. I have strong sentiments regarding the relationships that were affected by Jere and Anna’s love for each other. My goodness, first love - the beauty and pain that often comes with it brought back memories of my very own. This story has touched me in so many different ways.
If real life hadn't needed me, I would have read this story in one sitting. It's that good - exceptional even. The struggle to put my family above reading this novel was real! There are scenes within this narrative that I found difficult to read because of what was unfolding and my devotion to Anna and Jeremy. However hard it may have been at the time; I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
I award Only You, Only Us 5 epic stars. Thank you, Rachel De Lune, for sharing this story with us.
June 25, 2024
Rachel has been has always wrote fantastic books with this one being no exception. They combine the charm of the coastline with the romance of summertime partnerships. This book has all the flavors—sweet, salty, sour, and thankfully ending on sweet. Sometimes we really can not choose the ones we love.
In high school, Anna meets Jeremy. However, Anna has always been smitten with him due to his air of mystery. She is fortunate enough to be paired with him as a lab partner for the upcoming year.
Every year, Anna spends two weeks vacationing in Cornwall with her mother. She always has a fantastic time, but this year was made much better when, on her birthday, she run into Jeremy at a restaurant.
This summer is the beginning of the end for them though.
An innocent love affair descends into darkness when the obsession of two teenagers with one another becomes an obsession with finding their next source of euphoria. Whether that be each other or drugs, for a while it did not mattter.
Anna needs to learn to be herself even if she knows Jeremy wasn't the right man for her. She still longs for Jeremy's presence.
This story was incredible! We have trauma, love, heartache, and healing.
In high school, Anna meets Jeremy. However, Anna has always been smitten with him due to his air of mystery. She is fortunate enough to be paired with him as a lab partner for the upcoming year.
Every year, Anna spends two weeks vacationing in Cornwall with her mother. She always has a fantastic time, but this year was made much better when, on her birthday, she run into Jeremy at a restaurant.
This summer is the beginning of the end for them though.
An innocent love affair descends into darkness when the obsession of two teenagers with one another becomes an obsession with finding their next source of euphoria. Whether that be each other or drugs, for a while it did not mattter.
Anna needs to learn to be herself even if she knows Jeremy wasn't the right man for her. She still longs for Jeremy's presence.
This story was incredible! We have trauma, love, heartache, and healing.
June 28, 2024
Just finished and I gotta say, it was really good! I'm giving it 4 stars because it was almost perfect, but a couple things held it back. Anna and Jeremy’s story is super intense. Their chemistry is amazing, and their relationship feels so real. Anna is strong and independent, which I loved, and Jeremy is charming but also vulnerable. They make such a great couple, and I was rooting for them the whole time. The writing is really engaging. I felt all the feels—laughing, crying, and even getting mad at times. The descriptions are so vivid, I felt like I was right there with them. What I really liked is how the book deals with real issues, not just the romance. It's about dealing with past trauma, finding yourself, and the ups and downs of life. It made the story feel so real and relatable. The reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is that some parts were a bit predictable. There were a few plot twists I saw coming, and the pacing felt slow in some spots. Overall, it was a beautiful, emotional read that I think a lot of people my age would love. It's raw, real, and definitely worth the read!
June 30, 2024
Hmmm, this book was an emotional mess and not in the heartstring bring out the Kleenex kind of way.
You have 2 young adults falling deeply in love. Heroine, Anna, is shy and has her mom and her friend Sammy for support. Dad ran out on the family when she was six. Hero, Jeremy, is a hot mess from a rich family, no affection or love in his life, and generally takes out his discontent by being all moody and broody.
Jeremy hooks Anna into his web, and the downward spiral begins. They are not able to cope with their feelings for each other. Trauma and cheating happen, and instead of reaching out for support, they reach out to drugs and alcohol. Anna breaks it off and gets her life back on track. We have a few time skips when Jeremy is still obsessed with Anna trying to get back with her, but she backs off. He is still a druggie and blames his addiction on how deeply she affects him. Oh yes, she affects him so much, but not enough for him to get clean???? Seemed like 11 years of excuses.
Eventually, he does try and succeed because of a child, not Anna is his soul, his heart. Drama much???? Yet after all this, Anna goes back to him. Yikes!!
It's not worth my time for sure.
You have 2 young adults falling deeply in love. Heroine, Anna, is shy and has her mom and her friend Sammy for support. Dad ran out on the family when she was six. Hero, Jeremy, is a hot mess from a rich family, no affection or love in his life, and generally takes out his discontent by being all moody and broody.
Jeremy hooks Anna into his web, and the downward spiral begins. They are not able to cope with their feelings for each other. Trauma and cheating happen, and instead of reaching out for support, they reach out to drugs and alcohol. Anna breaks it off and gets her life back on track. We have a few time skips when Jeremy is still obsessed with Anna trying to get back with her, but she backs off. He is still a druggie and blames his addiction on how deeply she affects him. Oh yes, she affects him so much, but not enough for him to get clean???? Seemed like 11 years of excuses.
Eventually, he does try and succeed because of a child, not Anna is his soul, his heart. Drama much???? Yet after all this, Anna goes back to him. Yikes!!
It's not worth my time for sure.
August 11, 2024
4.25 stars, and the cover is beautiful so I’d like to have the paperback lol
Honestly, this book was the definition of when ure driving down a highway and see an accident and can’t look away. Their love was a toxic train wreck. The codependency, the drugs, the toxicity. It was all really entertaining and I forgot where I was while reading this, which hasnt happened in a while. I was enthralled. The writing was pretty good too. It had angst!
However, jeremy was a piece of shit. No way around it. He gaslighted her so much. He never fully apologized for how he acted. He dangled drugs in front of her when she was trying to stay sober. That was so shitty. I think in this case here I’d have loved to have a hero who pushes the h away to protect her. Who self-destructs on his own. But he said he loved her so much and yet was fine dragging her down with him time and time again. Nope. And he had no good reason for it either. Its not like he was packing crazy trauma.
So even though i believed they were meant to be and there wasnt anyone else for them, loved the toxic yelling scenes and it was really entertaining and a quick read, jeremy is the reason this cant get a full 5 stars. He was all talk and no show. Always saying he loved her so much but never showed it right. Plus id have loved to find if he was celibate during their separation. Oh well. Almost a 5 star.
Honestly, this book was the definition of when ure driving down a highway and see an accident and can’t look away. Their love was a toxic train wreck. The codependency, the drugs, the toxicity. It was all really entertaining and I forgot where I was while reading this, which hasnt happened in a while. I was enthralled. The writing was pretty good too. It had angst!
However, jeremy was a piece of shit. No way around it. He gaslighted her so much. He never fully apologized for how he acted. He dangled drugs in front of her when she was trying to stay sober. That was so shitty. I think in this case here I’d have loved to have a hero who pushes the h away to protect her. Who self-destructs on his own. But he said he loved her so much and yet was fine dragging her down with him time and time again. Nope. And he had no good reason for it either. Its not like he was packing crazy trauma.
So even though i believed they were meant to be and there wasnt anyone else for them, loved the toxic yelling scenes and it was really entertaining and a quick read, jeremy is the reason this cant get a full 5 stars. He was all talk and no show. Always saying he loved her so much but never showed it right. Plus id have loved to find if he was celibate during their separation. Oh well. Almost a 5 star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2024
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy. Anna meets Jeremy in high school and they end up spending time together and fall in love. Jeremy's family is wealthy but toxic. His dad is the worst and his mother copes and Jeremy ends up taking care of her.
Jeremy and Anna's love story starts out sweet but as time passes and Jeremy's home life worsens Jeremy turns to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain and ends up pulling Anna with him. Things come to a head at a party when Jeremy chooses drugs over Anna and they end up parting ways by Anna leaving. They periodically drift into each other lives but Jeremy's choices keep Anna away.
Years pass and they meet again but life has changed for Jeremy and he wants Anna back. Here is where I wished we had more story for this time period, it felt so fast and I wanted them both to fight more for what they could have. Don't get me wrong I liked the journey to who they were but I need the journey to how their future looked.
Jeremy and Anna's love story starts out sweet but as time passes and Jeremy's home life worsens Jeremy turns to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain and ends up pulling Anna with him. Things come to a head at a party when Jeremy chooses drugs over Anna and they end up parting ways by Anna leaving. They periodically drift into each other lives but Jeremy's choices keep Anna away.
Years pass and they meet again but life has changed for Jeremy and he wants Anna back. Here is where I wished we had more story for this time period, it felt so fast and I wanted them both to fight more for what they could have. Don't get me wrong I liked the journey to who they were but I need the journey to how their future looked.
June 13, 2024
Love is messy. Love is hard.
There are some sensitive issues that some readers may struggle with whilst reading this book so be aware before diving in.
We meet Anna & Jeremy. Jeremy is rich and everybody at school loves him and wants to be his friend/be in a relationship. Anna is sweet & loving.
They meet up in Cornwall whilst Anna is on holiday with her mum. They have a summer relationship which becomes toxic and obsessive. They grow apart and Anna’s heart breaks.
For all the good and the bad they went through together can they rekindle their love and be together forever?
Second chance romance. Tissues at the ready.
There are some sensitive issues that some readers may struggle with whilst reading this book so be aware before diving in.
We meet Anna & Jeremy. Jeremy is rich and everybody at school loves him and wants to be his friend/be in a relationship. Anna is sweet & loving.
They meet up in Cornwall whilst Anna is on holiday with her mum. They have a summer relationship which becomes toxic and obsessive. They grow apart and Anna’s heart breaks.
For all the good and the bad they went through together can they rekindle their love and be together forever?
Second chance romance. Tissues at the ready.
June 26, 2024
Wow! What an incredible story. I didn’t want to stop reading. Jeremy was the popular guy in school. And Anna was the quiet one. Like every other girl she had a crush on Jeremy. And she was sure that he didn’t even know she existed. Then they got partnered up in class. So when they are on vacation and Jeremy see’s Anna he invites her to hang out. Their feelings for each other continue to grow stronger. Both are happy. Until something happens. And the love that they have for each other becomes all consuming and turns toxic. Their story is an angsty emotional roller coaster. I definitely recommend. But do check out the triggers if that is something that bothers you.
June 29, 2024
This book tells a compelling coming-of-age romance, exploring the good, the bad, and the future repercussions of the characters' choices. I loved seeing all sides of the characters, their families, and their struggles. The delicate subject of addiction is touched upon; while I enjoyed this aspect, I wish it had been handled a bit differently. However, it does show that everyone has their battles. The love they share is not an easy one, reflecting the experiences of many people dealing with addiction. Despite the challenges, I appreciated how they found ways to better themselves and work on their relationship. Overall, I give this book 3.5 stars, meaning it’s good and worth reading.
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