Only Ever You: A cozy and heartfelt best friends Christmas romance

by Emma Sewell

'Two best friends. Three life-changing secrets. One family Christmas. What could go wrong?'

When bakery owner Faye finds herself without heating in her flat or anywhere else to go, her best friend of ten years steals her away from London to his family’s countryside home for the Christmas holiday.

Sébastien, ‘Bash’, has been hopelessly in love with his best friend for ten years, only, she has no idea. When his disruptive uncle arrives unannounced and uninvited to the family Christmas, Bash impulsively offers up his bedroom in place for staying with Faye, after all, they’ve slept in the same bed before. What was a few more nights?

What he didn’t count on was accidentally seeing her naked, a near death experience, and finding out that she is moving hours away all in one day.

Will her news finally make him tell her how he feels? Or will his own secret threaten to tear them apart?

***

'Only Ever You' is the debut adult romance novel by Emma Sewell. Book One of the Changing Seasons Series set in the United Kingdom - a series of interconnected standalone novels following five friends in their stories of finding love.

Author's Contains adult content not suitable for under 18's.

Genres: Christmas, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Slow Burn, Holiday Romance

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Pamela Hancharyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️1/2
This book is the definition of a slow burn hallmark Christmas movie. I love it! This book is totally an opportunity to live out your European boyfriend fantasy! The first few chapters I was a little hesitant I wasn’t sure what I would think but it progressively got better and it’s probably one of the best books I have read in the last three months. It’s super cute. The characters are relatable. I love Faye and Bash’s relationship and development of their relationship. This book made me laugh and cry and experience all the emotions at once. I could honestly not get enough of the slow burn and all the little sweet moments through out the story. It wasn’t overly cutesy and mushy like I find a lot of friends to lovers romance novels are this book was actually something that I could see potentially playing out in real life. The spicy scenes were well written and not over exaggerated.

It took me a little bit to get the third person perspective, but that’s only because I’ve been reading a lot of first person/ dual point of view novels lately so that’s not a negative against this book at all. I know the author has mentioned (in previous post on her IG) that eating disorder recovery is part of the book they were handled in a very respectful manner and I fully enjoyed her twist on it for this book. It’s not a side that you would normally see and it wasn’t the main focus.

Since I am a member of the ARC team, I can’t give too many spoilers away, and I am doing my very best trying not to. Once the book is released on October 15, I will do an updated review. Super thankful to be chosen as an ARC team member!

[Lii Haskins LilCosyCorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have Bash, a luxury interior designer, who has been in love with his best friend (Faye) for 10 years, she has no idea.
Then we have Faye, A doughnut bakery owner, who has also been in love with her best friend (Bash) forever and funnily enough, he doesn’t know either.
When Faye is left without heating in her apartment for Christmas, Bash invited her to stay with his family for Christmas. It’s only when his disruptive uncle arrives unannounced, Bash offers to share a room with Faye, so his uncle can have his room, far away from the house. Emotions run high, secrets get unveiled and it’s just drama, drama, drama!

Christmas, Romance and Baking? Yes please!! This is the sweetest friends to lovers, holiday love story I think I’ve read so far this year. This book is a little longer than your standard novel, being over 400 pages long and it’s got the most frustrating slow burn possible (in a good way) but all in all, it’s a very good book! You’re definitely going to want to sink your teeth into this one! (Excuse the pun)

PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNING BEFORE PROCEEDING.
Although it was very well written, with the upmost care and sensitivity, it may still be very triggering for you. Triggering topics include:
Sexually explicit and adult content, reference to eating disorder recovery, toxic relationships with a family member, reference to racism experienced by a minor character (not done by either main characters) and discussion of parental divorce.

Thank you Emma for the opportunity to read and review this ARC ahead of release day 🩷

[Zuzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am starting to feel that Best Friends to lovers is one of my favourite book tropes. Well, that, or the fact that Emma Sewell wrote an amazing book and it is hard to believe that it is her first one.

I will be honest, I wasn't sure I would like this book from the first page, but eventually, as the moments between Faye and Bash started to show up more and more I started to fall in love with them, with their friendship and their story. I was biting my nails, waiting for them to finally get together, only to find out that it would not be that easy with these two. They were both constantly fighting not each other, but their feelings towards the other one. Sometimes I was like – oh yes, finally, it’s happening and then, oh well, it is not yet. I know some people might not like these slow-burn things, but gosh this torture was awesome.

I immediately fell in love with Bash’s family and their traditions and all the chapters that are happening there in or around their house are my favourite ones, even though there will be more important moments after, that Christmasy part was the cutest and I am sure that I am not the only one, who loved it. Also, the Christmas atmosphere was captured nicely and I think I might give this book another go during our own Christmas this year just to enjoy it all over again (because let's be honest, there is no best friend other than a good book, waiting for me).

This romance is definitely worth reading if you love romance with some spice and Christmas. I loved it and I am very grateful to Emma for giving me an opportunity to read this as ARC. Wrote the first book as good as this one is a huge success and something to be proud of.

[Paloma Rodello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Emma Sewell for sending me a copy of Only Ever You to read and review before its release on October 15th! This was such a sweet and fun read, and I am so grateful for the opportunity!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4.5 stars! This book was sweet, funny, endearing, and festive. This is the perfect read for Christmas time. It’s a fun, holiday-focused, best friends-to-lovers romance and will definitely get you in the holiday spirit whether you read it before December or during the most wonderful time of the year.

I loved both of the MCs equally! I admired both of their work ethics and commitments to their work and their friendship. Bash was hilarious and witty, and Faye was adorably shy and sweet, but unwavering in her loyalty. I also loved seeing a ~different~ side to Bash 😏 Of course, with a book like this, you want them to just spit out how they feel. But the anticipation and pining was exciting, and the slow-burn was satisfying.

I also loved most of the side characters, especially Bash’s family and Faye’s friends and sister. Their relationships with each of their groups of friends and family was sweet. I also felt the length was perfect.

If you are looking for a festive holiday read for the snowy winter months, complete with one bed, mutual pining, and best friends-to-lovers tropes, then Only Ever You is the PERFECT read for you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks again to the author for this ARC copy, this was such a blast to read! 🤍

[Jess Millar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟
Thankyou Emma for the ARC!
I'm not normally one for the best friends to lovers trope, but I was so here for this one. Bash is a walking green flag, the nickname Peanut is adorable, and Christmas at his families home sounded like absolute perfection. The Darcy hand flex! Also loved that he knows about "spoons", that made my chronically ill self happy.
However, the last 25% or so I struggled with. I'm not going to give spoilers, but I got frustrated with the storyline and characters reactions. I felt like the book should have ended sooner than it did, and it dragged a bit at the end.
A really cosy, festive read though.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*
I loved this!! It's such a cosy, festive romance that I devoured very quickly. I loved seeing Bash and Faye's relationship develop throughout this book, I also loved all the other characters as they all brought something to the story- Bash's mother is ADORABLE! Even though this is a festive read, it's not cheesy at all. I can't wait to see what else Emma does next 🩷

[Kelsey Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve ever read a more perfect romance book.
This story follows Faye and Sebastien (Bash for short) they have been best friends for 10 years since college. But they both have been secretly in love with each other for all that time.
But everything gets kicked up a notch when Bash starts thinking about how he’s 30 and wanting to settle down and Faye makes a joke about them getting married “platonically” if he doesn’t find a girl.
He tells his brother this (the only person he’s told he’s in love with her) and his brother convinces him to invite her to family Christmas. He initially says no but gets an opening when the boiler in her apartment breaks and it’s too cold for her to stay there alone over the holidays.
They then go and have this adorable little weekend with his family. Where the “only one bed trope” is alive and well!

There are so many cute moments between the two of them and his family. But like not in a cringy way families can get way too involved. Also he has two nieces and the two of them hangout with them a lot and it’s just the sweetest shit.

This book works so well because there’s so much history between the two of them and their friendship is so evident in every interaction they have. He is just so gone for her. The way he talks to her ugh god I was highlighting every other sentence this man says. He also calls her peanut and I’m a sucker for a good nickname.
She is just so considerate of him and his insecurities and knows him so well.

Once they finally get together it’s just chefs kiss.
The smut was both dirty and sweet and had me kicking my feet incessantly.
The ending had me on my toes but like in such a good and realistic way. You learn so much about the both of them and their own insecurities and those insecurities are worked into the story in a way that just flows.

This was the most perfect slow-burn, best friends to lovers with just a dash of miscommunication. To think I only picked it up so I was in the know for the next book. I’m gonna go find a physical copy of this RIGHT NOW cus I need it on my bookshelf yesterday.

[mcdbookz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh,cry and wish I had a bash in my life!
This book was great I loved the characters,setting and the Christmas element. Faye was an adorable character and you couldn’t help but love her! Bash was the perfect MMC I loved that he was always willing to help and look after Faye☺️
I will absolutely be reading more of this author’s work and I am incredibly grateful that I received this as an ARC

[Amy aka Books, Bakes and Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I LOVED this book!

This is a Christmas romance, featuring two friends, Bash and Faye, who have been secretly in love with each other for a decade, each not realising how the other feels, until eventually one of them cracks.

The story was so sweet, I loved the characters - especially Bash’s family - and the Christmas setting was so cosy and festive!

The slow burn in this story was next level with the will they won’t they, so it was incredibly satisfying when they eventually did! The author did a fantastic job of building up the tension with stolen glances, characters overthinking and questioning themselves, little touches between them, whispers between others that almost could be overheard which would reveal their true feelings.

I also liked how mental health and how childhood experiences can shape a person were explored. It was good to see this discussed by the characters and I thought the author handled these topics very well.

The spice in the story was about right - there were open door scenes but not so many that it became gratuitous.

There was also a lot of humour in this story, from jokes, innuendos and genuinely just laughing at the characters’ inner monologues. They were fun and relatable and the story had a lot of me kicking my legs with glee moments at their escapades.

The only reason I didn’t mark this as a five star (which was my gut feel through the majority of the book) was that I wasn’t a huge fan of the final hurdle they had to cross. I understood why it was there for character development, but I was so happy for the characters up to then that it felt a little unnecessary for me. However, I’m not an author, editor or publisher who knows what’s needed to make a book sell and others may enjoy the seeing the characters handle another challenge.

Overall, a fabulous book, one I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys romance, festive reads, romcoms or who fancies a cosy read in the run up to Christmas. I will definitely look out for other books by this author as I really enjoyed the story and writing style.

P.s. I also liked the author included translations for the French dialogue when used. I’ve not seen this done in a book before, which usually leads to a Google search unless obvious. Luckily for me my Duolingo use paid off and I managed to understand each one without the translation, but it was nice to double check I’d interpreted it correctly. Really nice touch.

Thank you to Emma Sewell for the opportunity to read this ARC of her debut novel, I really appreciated it and enjoyed the story 🩷

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

When bakery owner Faye finds herself without heating, her best friend Bash whisks her away to his family’s countryside home for Christmas. Bash has been hopelessly in love with her for ten years, and an uninvited guest forces them to share a bed once again. But with accidental nudity and a shock move on the horizon, Bash must decide if he will finally confess his feelings.
• Friends to lovers
• Only one bed
• Holiday romance
• Secret pining
***
This book was part of my first Indecent Book Club Subscription and I am so glad it was as I think it would otherwise be a book I thought looked good, but never picked up. Its such a sweet, slow burn with some feet kicking with happiness AND some “oh my he said what?” moments.

Faye is a little bit of all of us, I think. Or maybe I just identify too much with her, coming from a family with a broken past, she falls hard and fast, but her fears hold her back. Bash is delicious in his gorgeous spirit, his vulnerability and determination to always be there for his girl, even before he finally admits he wants her to be his girl. The author deals with some complex emotions, historical emotional and health trauma and family dynamics so well, it feels true and emotional but not raw and difficult.

The story is a gorgeous slow burn, so much so that I am gobsmacked by their friends patience. I think I’d have locked them in a room and banged their heads together years before. Because, obviously everyone but them can see how hopelessly, irritatingly, head over heels they are for one and other. And oh it is sweet deliciousness when Bash’s mum sets off those little embarrassing moments. Chef’s kiss pure and simple.

But, obviously, because this is a romance, we do get our “Thank god” moment and they finally make their move and oh my Bash, I did not know you had it in you. Bravo man, bravo indeed. Their relationship is fast, heavy and hot, with a bump in the road that really had me worried I was facing a miscommunication or third act break up, but thankfully not the case.

This was a totally sweet, will they wont they, loved each other for years best friend romance and it hit all the marks beautifully. I fully enjoyed kicking my feet up and having this as my boxing day read!


⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Sweet and endearing, but thank goodness for mistletoe.

[Smutfully Yours · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎄ARC Review🧁

🌟Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
💧Drip-o-Meter: 💦💦💧
💗Something I Loved: How sensitive the MMC, Bash, is, especially when it comes to how much he loves Faye. He has characteristics that are normally part of the FMCs personality, “more feminine” attributes like insecurity about his body, being openly emotional, or feeling self conscious, and I loved seeing them from the MMCs perspective for once. Boys cry too! Also because of this, Bash gives great grovel (despite the fact that I don’t think he did anything to justify the level of grovel he provided). 🙏🏽
🫤Something I Would Have Changed: How slow the slow burn actually was. I typically love a slow burn but there has to be enough tension to carry the story until we get there and sadly this one drug for me a little. It was so obvious to everyone they were in love with each other that waiting until 66% for them to kiss, and then another 20-some pages for them to admit there were feelings there, almost made me DNF before I reached that point (which actually would have sucked because the book picked up for me after that).
🥰Favorite Moment: When Faye finds out Bash has a secret tattoo for her and why he has always called her “peanut”. 🥜
🌶️Spiciest Scene: Chapter 39. “The windows are coated… now be a good girl and füçk yourself on my face.” 😏
📚Standalone vs. Series: Book 1 (of 4) in Emma Sewell’s Changing Seasons series.
📖Would I Recommend: Maybe but with caveats because to be honest, I did struggle to finish this book. It was extremely long for a Christmas romance IMO and not enough happened to justify that length. Also the three secrets they mention in the tagline weren’t all that “life changing” and again, the slow burn… 😬. It definitely wasn’t bad, and certainly got better in the last fourth, but I was a little bored. I don’t think it helped that I read it during spooky season and not Christmastime (which granted was my own fault) but even had it been December I might have found this book to be a little too slow moving for me to get fully invested in.
💬Tropes: Best Friends to Lovers, She Falls First, He Falls Harder, Slow Burn, Only One Bed, Secret Tattoos

[graces cozy corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m SO excited to share my ARC review for Emma Sewell’s debut novel, Only Ever You!

⭐️ 4.5 Stars ⭐️

Alright, Only Ever You hit me straight in the FEELS. I cried, clutched my chest, and yes, kicked my feet like a giddy kid. The stocking? TEARS. The handcrafted miniature? Even MORE tears. The TATTOO?! I legit had to get a glass of water, I was so dehydrated. And don’t even get me started on the donuts! 😭 The slow burn was so real, but when those spicy scenes finally kicked in around 70%, I was ALL IN (Sweet Baby Bash can get it 🔥🔥).


Emma Sewell tackles some heavy topics—divorce, bullying, eating disorders—with so much care and nuance, making this book way more than just a sweet romance. Plus, the epilogue had all these little hints and clues that left me UNHINGED with excitement for the rest of the Changing Seasons series. Maisie & Iain, I’m READY for you!

Now, let’s talk about that missing 0.5 star—it took me a hot minute to get into the groove of Emma Sewell’s writing. Some British authors just love those long, detailed sentences that can feel a little… well, long winded. But hey, once you adjust, you realize it’s part of the charm! It sets the mood, adds depth, and gives the whole thing a classic British lit vibe. #BritishAuthorsAmIRight (no, seriously, Emma I love you, I’ll read your grocery list 📝)

If I had to wish for more? Maybe his family’s reaction in the epilogue and just one more spicy scene (because why not?!). But honestly, this book is perfect to read year-round—don’t wait until Christmas to grab it!

Favorite quotes (spoilers ahead) 🚨
“This was home. This was his future. And it only hit him then how momentous it was. They’d fallen in love with each other over a decade. No fuss. No drama. Just them. Just them. That’s all he needed.”
“Life isn’t always about moving on up. Sometimes it’s about sitting and being happy where you are for a while.”

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️TW - as per book: This story is an open door romance intended for mature readers, containing sexually explicit and adult content, reference to eating disorder recovery, toxic relationships with a family member, reference to racism experienced by a minor character (not done by either main character), and discussion of parental divorce. These themes, in my best effort, have been handled with care. ⚠️



🔥Spice Ahead (varying degrees)🔥
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 39


Let it be known, I knew the peanut butter toast was important from the drop.

Only Ever You was a fun cozy Holiday read. Reminded me of a good holiday movie, the right amount of drama mixed with the love surrounding the holidays. The history and friendship between Bash, swoon, and Faye was so sweet. Bash is such a lovable MMC and it was sad, but refreshing to see how a man handled what is typically portrayed as a female disorder. Faye was such a badass boss babe with her own business and making strides at growing said business, and the way she was always there for Bash was the best.

The miscommunication between Bash and Faye made me so angry, they could have been happy and together so long ago! But I loved how they finally got to share how they felt and they got their HEA. 4/5⭐

Also, it took me a ridiculously long time to understand why he gave her the nickname he did.. but, I got to it before it was revealed, so yay me!


Quotes:
Pastry is for the soul. 🥐

...sometimes removing someone negative from your life is more necessary than giving them a second chance.

...to be loved by the person who you were in love with, what was more peaceful than that?

Life isn't always about moving on up. Sometimes it's about sitting and being happy where you are for a while.

[Brooke.reads_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love cozy holiday best friends to lovers romances, this book is for you!

This story follows the two main characters Bash and Faye. He’s a luxury interior designer and she is a doughnut bakery owner.
They have been best friends for over 10 years and have been in love with each other since they first met in school and had a mishap with peanut butter (hence the adorable nickname he has for her). One day Faye’s heater stops working during the holidays so Bash invites her to come to his families house to spend the holidays with them. Neither of them know they’re in love with one another until an unexpected guest comes to town. Bash’s parents house is now crowded so Bash and Faye are forced to share a bed together. With the forced proximity and a little help from the mistletoe they finally give into their desires for each other. The slow burn was so good but also painful because I constantly felt like I wanted to scream at the characters for being so clueless.

This is the first book in the Changing Seasons Series! I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds. Even though I did love this book, I felt like it could’ve been a little bit shorter at times.

Tropes:
Best friends to lovers
Mutual Pining
“It’s always been you”
One Bed
Golden Retriever MMC
Slow Burn
Forced Proximity

“Kissing you is hardly a sacrifice, Peanut”

"We're never going to be perfect, but I can promise that I will try. I'll show up for everything you do like I've always done. If you're not in my arms then know that you're safe in my heart, always.”

“I’ll have you as you are, every time, Faye. However you come to me.”

Thank you to Emma for the opportunity to review this ARC💗

[MiniReadsTooMuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I recieved this book for an ARC review in exchange for an honest review* Many thanks to Emma for sharing her book with me!

This was such an adorable read with all the perfect Hallmark Christmas feels, and a touch of spice too.

Luxury interior designer Bash and Bakery owner Faye have known each other for 11 years, since a funny encounter involving peanut butter at University. Bash is handsome, a little shy, and just the most swoon worthy MMC. Faye is adorable, caring and makes for a wonderfully relatable FMC. They both harbour deep feelings for each other, unbeknownst to them but evident to everyone else around them. When Faye joins Bash and his family for Christmas, some forced proximity and the help of mistletoe finally help them open up to each other. But with a move to Manchester on the cards for Faye and an offer to move to the United States for Bash, do these feelings threaten to break up their friendship?

I absolutely loved the characters in this story. Bash and Faye were not only so relatable but truly so normal (which I absolutely adored!). I will admit that what starts out as a wonderfully cute love story, quickly turns a little spicy (but it's done in the most tasteful way). Whilst we have the classic romance tropes including friends-to-lovers, forced promixity, one bed, and mistletoe, Emma Sewell has saved us from the pain of a second of third act breakup. I loved the way the ending unfolded, and really appreciated the handling of the situation.

I cannot wait to read more in the Changing Seasons series!

[Tea Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ughhh I love this book. It got me all in the feels! This is perfect Christmas romance book. Everything was cute and cozy and got me all excited for this upcoming Christmas season. It felt like I was watching a romantic Hallmark movie as I read.

The bakery ,and all the christmasy events throughout the book gave me all the christmasy vibes. Their Christmas Day and family time spent together reminded of my childhood and the holiday time I had growing up. The anticipation and romance and spicy scenes were so good too!

This book gave me all the emotions it needed. I was awing and melting at all the cute romantic moments. There were events that made me laugh and events that made me want to cry. As well as times where I just wanted to yell “COME ONNNNN !! “ because I was just so impatient haha. As well, The characters in this book have both gone through some traumatic pasts and issues which made me connect and sympathize with them.

I love the friendship between Bash and Faye. Their relationship and care for each other was top tier. My favourite character was of course Bash, he is a golden retriever and green flag. I loved him! Everyone needs a Bash in their life! He was sweet and caring and has a bit of a sexy dominant side to him as well. Faye, their friends and bash’s family were great characters as well.

Overall. I really enjoyed and would 100% recommend this book. The writing and style of the book reminded me of Abby Jimenez! Super cute romance read. I can’t wait for more to come!

Favourite quote: “Life isn’t always about moving on up. Sometimes it’s about sitting and being happy where you are for a while”

Topics and tropes:
- best friend love
- Golden retriever
- Billionaire
- One bed
- Spicy
- Christmas
- Family and friends
- Divorce
- Eating disorder
- Dual POV

[Ana Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only Ever You is the quintessential cozy, holiday romance. It was quick. It was fluffy. It was wholesome. And I was surely kicking, screaming, crying while reading my first Christmas book of the year!

I will typically die on the hill that romance books are best written when they are in 1st POV. However, Emma Sewell’s unique stylistic choice of dual 3rd POV actually worked just as well. Each chapter focused on Faye or Bash, which made it easy to become invested into their relationship… and Bash (who is now added to my favorite book boyfriend list.)

This is an incredibly slow burn, best friends-to-lovers story— so readers be prepared to yell at these two for pretending they both haven’t been in love with each other since they met in Uni years ago. There was so much flirty banter, tension, intimacy, forced-proximity, and a couple of one-bed scenarios that it was so satisfying when Faye and Bash finally gave into their feelings for one another. And once they gave in, the kisses, the gestures, the spice — it was all chef’s kiss.

For her debut novel, Emma Sewell truly has captured my attention. Beyond the sweet, holiday romance, the mental health representation was handled with great care and added depth to the story. All the characters, in fact, perfectly fit and added a great layer to the plot. Only Ever You felt very real and very relatable.

Thank you Emma Sewell for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I cannot wait to read more!

[Caitlin Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The festive Christmas vibes of this book were immaculate. I could really picture London and the English countryside at Christmas and envision all the cute Christmas markets. If this gets turned into a movie I’d 100% watch.
In book form, the pacing was a bit slow for me. Even as a slow-burn, it felt a teensy bit too slow, but my goodness when they finally got together sparks flew.
I enjoyed having both Bash and Faye’s POVs, and reading all their internal dialogues and frustrations. The spicy scenes were 🔥, and the story never lost sight of the fact that these are two people who are very much in love with each other and have a solid foundation of friendship.
While I loved Bash, Faye frustrated me at times. In particular, her reservations about marriage and relationships were related to her parents’ divorce,and it just felt like not a motivating enough reason for her to be as relationship-shy as she was. For one, both her parents went on to have really great marriages to other people, relationships that she admired. Her step-sister was also in a great marriage. Then there were also Bash’s parents and brother. She was surrounded by really happy marriages but kept focusing on the one that didn’t work out, and she projected that insecurity onto Bash, who had been nothing but a steadfast pillar of support for a decade. That was my only real hang up in an otherwise lovely book 🤗 would still recommend as a cozy Christmas romance 🎄 to be read while eating all the donuts 🍩

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Emma Sewell

This book … This DEBUT book is so so beautiful. I will happily read this book over and over again, no matter what the season. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ All the way 👏👏

I’m always a bit weary when it comes to best friends who are secretly in love with one another, because it can be so cringe and unrealistic. However, that is not the case at all here. The relationships that the characters have and the plot line are so perfectly written, it all fits together to give this warm, cosy and heartfelt story. ☕🥐🎄❤️ There were so many relatable aspects that drew me in, making reading this novel all the more enjoyable.

Plus there were many parts that had me kicking my feet and giggling like a little girl 🥰

Bash is a true gentleman (a sexy French gentleman 😏😜) that all us women are looking for. It just really sucks that he only has eyes for Faye (and that he is fictional of course 😞 Faye is just so sweet and her character reminds me of freshly made pastries 🥐which is perfect seeing as she is a baker! I could feel the way that Faye and Bash were looking at each other and their unspoken chemistry through the pages. I felt like I was witnessing the whole thing in real life. The emotions and stories engulfed me and I loved it ❤️❤️❤️ Also Bash’s nickname for Faye! 🥜 One of my favourite nicknames for a character ever!

This book 100% needs to be made into a movie! I NEED this to happen.

[Andréa Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only Ever You by Emma Sewell
4 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️

“You said I was the moon, but you, Sébastien, are the world. My safe place. My home.”

I was so excited when I got the ARC for this book. In the beginning I struggled a lot with the third person. So it took me a while to get into this story. But OMG once I got into it I couldn’t put it down (Staying up until 7am to read it). I absolutely loved Bash & Faye their chemistry from day one it was (Chef’s Kiss) 👨🏻‍🍳 💋. But talk about a SLOWWWW BURN 🔥. OMG I was so impatient for them to finally confess their feeling for one another and once they did I was not disappointed. Bash the MMC was absolutely amazing. I loved how he was always there for Faye no matter what,when, where. I loved how encouraging and supportive he was to his best friend. I need me a him please. I loved all the little moments they shared together but always pushed past it (“because my best friend could never think of me that way. “😉) The tattoo!! Omg! How freaking cute. The setting was so cute and cozy. This was definitely a cute Christmas read. Definitely worth putting on your holiday TBR!

Tropes:
🎅🏼Best Friends to Lovers
☃️Slow Burn
♥️She Falls First
🎄He Falls Harder
🚒One Bed
🍩It’s Always Been You
⭐️Secret Tattoo
🎁Mutual Pinning
🧣Open Door Spice

Thank you so much to Emma Sewell for allowing me to be apart of her ARC team.

[Arielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! (still waiting for Goodreads to get their shit together and get a half star rating system)

This book was cute! An easy holiday read with the slowest of slow burns!

I think the MMC was the biggest, adorable green flag. I like that the author wrote him to have a history with a sort of eating disorder/being unconformable with his body. It's usually women written that way, so it was a nice change, and I think it was written well. The FMC was really nice and not an annoying "pick me" type. I thought his nickname for her was cute!

There are a couple of good spicy scenes in the second half of the book!

I loved the scenes at the MMC's family's house. Some tension and some sweet moments! His family was cute!
I really liked that the author had so much inclusion with different races and handicaps.

I do think the book could have ended sooner! The back and forth in the last 10-15% of the book kind of stressed me out, although I get where the author was coming from with character growth and all that. I could have done without it, skipped to the epilogue, and been fine!

Overall, a nice read! If you like friends to lovers, baking, Christmas, and a lot of mutual pining, you should definitely check it out!

Thanks to Emma for the ARC!

[Haleigh Ralls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC, Emma!!

title: Only Ever You
author: Emma Sewell
genre: romance (of the holiday variety)
form: kindle
trigger warnings? ED recovery
tropes? friends to lovers, she falls first, one bed (a lot)

fave quote from the book
“I always have my spoons when I’m with you, Peanut.”


Faye and Bash have been best friends for a decade, but have been keeping a few important secrets from each other. These secrets come out while spending Christmas together with Bash’s family. Sprinkle in some winter shenanigans, lots of family time and even more bed sharing and you’ve got the cutest holiday romance.

I love how supportive Bash and Faye are of each other. Written as a dual POV, it was fun to see both of them perceiving situations differently. Please be aware that this is a SLOW BURN but totally worth the read. There’s some introductions of other characters that will be the main characters of future books, so I’m excited to see where this series goes!

would you gift this to a friend? yes
song or movie that reminds you of the book
The Christmas Song by Ella Fitzgerald
⭐️overall rating: 4 out of 5
🌶️spice rating: 3 out of 5


*SPOILER* do not ask someone to marry you after being together for like two days GEEZ

[Sarah-Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Sewell’s Only Ever You is a charming and refreshingly real Christmas romance that avoids the usual cheesy clichés while still delivering all the beloved romance tropes we adore.

Faye and Bash’s slow-burn journey from best friends to lovers feels genuine, with their flaws and heartfelt interactions creating a story grounded in authenticity. I loved the addition of a language barrier, with Faye unable to understand French, leading to sweet, secretive conversations between Bash and his family. When he called her “stunning” in French, my heart melted!

The one-bed trope, forced proximity, and a holiday spent with her best friend’s family all added layers of tension and warmth, while Bash’s nieces, Imara and Maya, brought the cutest moments to the story. Faye’s relationships with her friends and stepsister Ellie were also beautifully portrayed, adding depth to her character and her world.

✨ Tropes & Vibes ✨
🛏️ One bed
🏡 Forced proximity
🌟 Best friends-to-lovers
🎄 Family Christmas
🇫🇷 Language barrier & secret declarations
🔥 Slow-burn romance

This book was such a tantalisingly sweet read, with moments of humour, tension, and swoon-worthy romance. Only Ever You is a fantastic debut that left me excited for the rest of the Changing Seasons series!

[hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10

Only Ever You is a perfect reading start to the holiday season (yes I know it’s October, sue me). Set in the UK, it follows two friends that have known each other for eleven years yet neither have ever asked the other out even though they are both deeply in love. It takes a Christmas season and family trip for something to sprout and when it does, it does.

I first just want to say, Bash is the ultimate book boyfriend. He’s rich, kind, an attentive lover, has flaws, and more. I loved his POV the best which I don’t often say in Dual POV books but he is just extremely superior in every way shape and form.

It’s honestly funny how I felt the kiss scene was more romantic than the sex scenes, but the sex scenes also display a level of consent and knowledge of comfortability that other books often leave out.

The one and only gripe I have with this book is the length. It seems to drag on at times and it could have probably been a tad bit shorter. Other than that, this is an incredibly solid read to start off my holiday reading binge and I know Bash and Faye’s happily ever after (whatever it looks like for them) is one well deserved and well understood by each other.

[Carmen Dillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️’s

This is technically my first holiday read this year and it did not disappoint! Talk about mutual pining where you’re literally screaming for them to just say something.😆

I love how we got to find out how Bash and Faye first met back then to how their friendship grew to now, and how she got the nickname Peanut.🥜 However I really really liked how we got to learn about his family and experience how they celebrate the holidays as well as a little bit of Bash’s upbringing. I feel like it’s typically the other way around from my experience but also his family is adorable, so warm and loving.

Faye is definitely a fierce woman who’s worked hard for what she has and I love that about her. Their chemistry is undeniable and everyone has seen it for years EXCEPT themselves. It also perfectly depicts how growing up with a broken family at a young age can trickle into one’s own adulthood causing fear of certain commitments because they saw it happen to their parents and think it will happen to as well.

If you need a heartwarming adorable holiday romance definitely give this one a try!😍

[Raven R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming from someone that doesn't read a ton of contemporary romance, the vibes of this one had me so excited. It sounded like the perfect sweet and cozy holiday read and that is definitely what you get! It's all the adorableness you could want with some spice mixed in there too 😉. It's perfect to give you all the warm and fuzzies around Christmas time and feels like a Hallmark movie. I especially loved the last lines and it's also got me wishing doughnut ball bouquets were more of a thing!

Faye and Sébastien are the absolute sweetest and even though the way they dance around each other can be frustrating at times, you still can't help but love them. The characters were very well-developed and though it's a tad on the longer side, I found it to have a good pace.

There is a lot of push-and-pull that drives insecurities between Faye and Sébastien and there are a lot of extra hurdles towards the end that I would have been okay without, but I still found the story to be enjoyable.

Thank you too the author for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book with my entire heart and soul. Emma is a fantastic author, and she is one of the nicest & sweetest woman I've ever met and I truly love that I've gotten to know her and was trusted to read this book!

Faye and Sebastien are such amazing characters. I LOVE their history, I love the years of secret pining, the slowwwwwww burnnnnn is just delicious. I found myself yelling at my kindle a few times - just wanting them to kiss or something! The scream I let out when they finally did (and oh - that was a hot one) but then the frustration hit because I just wanted them to move forward and express the real feelings. It happened at the right time however, and it was just done so very well.

I loved the amazing way that Bash treated Faye; I loved the support, I loved the generosity of him... it was just perfect. I hated the secrecy between the two, but it all worked out well and was really sweet. The friends group in this book was also incredible.

Thank you so much to Emma for everything and for this arc!

[thecontinuitybibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dual POV, Spicy, Friends to Lovers, He Falls Harder, It Was Always You, One Bed, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Mental Health Rep

Only Ever You is a cozy slow burn, friends to lovers romance full of pinning and all the Christmas vibes. Bash and Faye met in college and have been secretly pining after the other for the past ten years never wanting to confess their feelings thinking it may ruin their friendship. After Faye's boiler stops working, Bash invites Faye to his family's Christmas not wanting her to be alone for the holiday. Forced to share a bed and spend nearly every moment together tension between Bash and Faye build and secrets get revealed which challenge them to deal with the feelings that's been brewing between them for years. The way both Bash and Faye are sensitive to the other's childhood trauma and the way they support one and other make this a heart melting read. The way Bash and his brother pick on each other and their banter was top notch and relatable.

[Kaitlyn Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 Read -
Only Ever You by Emma Sewell
Holiday romance

This was such a cute story! Honestly it have me all the feels and really put me in the mood for the Christmas season (which unfortunate because it's not even Halloween yet😢). This is probably the best contemporary romance I've read so far this year. I didn't want to put it down. There is enough spice but not so much that it over takes the plot. It was definitely giving Hallmark holiday and I'm not bad about it (because honestly what's better than a Hallmark film?) And to think that this is the author DEBUT novel? Hoping this author has more up her sleeve.

If you like:
❄️ Christmas romance
❄️ One bed
❄️ Friends to lovers
❄️ Slow burn
❄️ Golden retriever MMC
❄️Dual POV

Releasing October 15 2024
Will be available on KindleUnlimited!!!
Paperback and e-book available at Amazon.

🌶️There is **Spice** in this book so please be mindful of this when you pick it up🌶️

Closed door modifications:
Ch 34
Ch 35
Ch 39

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just cuteness overload from start to finish. I absolutely adore Bash and Faye’s relationship together and honestly they are just meant to be, if it just hadn’t taken them so long just to realise their feelings for each other. I really liked how loving and supportive Bash’s family was and Faye’s friends and sister too! Some of them tried to play match maker and that made me giggle because it was just adorable. Bash was absolutely all in for Faye and it’s so cute because he’s always there for her no matter what and it’s the cutest thing a guy can do, he’s such an angel. I think my heart melted after knowing why he always calls her Peanut 😭 With the upbringing of Faye’s background, she definitely deserves to have Bash’s love.

I would recommend reading this if you like friends to lovers and Christmas as well!

Thank you Emma for giving me to the opportunity to read your advanced copy of the book.