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Only You #1
Only Rivals
The first boy I ever hated was Jax Bridges.
The first man I loved was his best friend.
My plan was to meet a boy, fall in love, and live happily ever after.
That ended when my boyfriend died and left me half of his business.
Now, his best friend and I are business partners.
There’s just one problem: We hate each other.
Jax and I have been rivals since childhood.
He wants me out of the business, but it’s all I have left.
The more time we spend together, the more we question if we were ever rivals at all.
Will my last love be his best friend?
Or will we destroy each other?
The first man I loved was his best friend.
My plan was to meet a boy, fall in love, and live happily ever after.
That ended when my boyfriend died and left me half of his business.
Now, his best friend and I are business partners.
There’s just one problem: We hate each other.
Jax and I have been rivals since childhood.
He wants me out of the business, but it’s all I have left.
The more time we spend together, the more we question if we were ever rivals at all.
Will my last love be his best friend?
Or will we destroy each other?
Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2022
242 people are currently reading
1445 people want to read
About the author
Charity Ferrell
43 books3,160 followersCharity Ferrell is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, #1 Amazon, and #1 Apple bestselling author.
She resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. When she’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her dog, on a Starbucks run, shopping online, or spending time with her family.
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She resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. When she’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her dog, on a Starbucks run, shopping online, or spending time with her family.
JOIN MY NL: https://bit.ly/2YHF7im
JOIN MY READER GROUP: https://bit.ly/31ugXIY
WEBSITE: http://charityferrell.com
FOLLOW ME ON:
TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@charityferrell
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/authorcharityferrell
INSTAGRAM: @charityferrell
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
May 19, 2022
“You weren’t supposed to fall in love with him because I wanted you to fall in love with me.”
What's up with me and dead exes lately?🥲
But unlike the previous book with this trope which i loved, this was a complete mess.
Note: this whole review is full with spoilers.
Amelia and Jax are childhood enemies who have a lot of history together since they were little. They were never officially together but had sex in the past. Then came Jax's best friend Chris who became Amelia's fiance. Ex fiance since she postponed the wedding before he died.
TW: suicide (he killed himself.)
Then we have present time or 6 months later(note the timing, it's important) Jax and Amelia still hate each other when Chris's will is read and Amelia is obligated to run the brewery with Jax.
So about Jax and Amelia.
Jax acted worse than a toddler. You know when you take away his toys and the baby starts crying, well that was Jax here.
Dude if you had feelings for the girl your whole life WHY NOT SAYING ANYTHING? why playing martyr but still hurting her?
He said so many cruel things to Amelia, blaming her for Chris's death like she told him to go and kill himself.
I stared getting annoyed bc he acted like the biggest asshole without any reason and she didn't deserve that.
Then when they started fucking around the constant push and pull made me pull out my hair. 😤
Also everyone around them knew that all that animosity is actually a cover for their feelings except the dead ex, how their best friend was so blind? 🙄 they lied when he asked them and i got this feeling they treated him like a child instead of an adult. it was weird. fine it happened, they were still kids, why make it a big deal.
Chris obv suffered from a mental illness and how Amelia was so long with him but didn't suspect a thing was a little unbelievable to me.
About the timing.
Tbh i expected more of a slowburn since they had such a complicated history and also 6 months passed since the ex died. Everything happened so soon especially when you're led to believe how Chris was Amelia's soulmate.
Then 6 months later Amelia and Jax love each other like the dead ex never existed.
Like the whole grieving part was written so weirdly. When i think about it there wasn't even any grieving. I never got the feeling Amelia loved Chris that much which was weird since they were together 7+ years about to get married.
and jeez those letters Chris left them before he died were brutal. even when he redeemed himself with the second letter but still. He practically toyed with their emotions for such a stupid reason.
I mean they never fooled around behind his back, they had sex when they were still teenagers and haven't met him yet.
"I’m not one to speak ill of the dead, but right now, I’m angry with Christopher."
I'm also not one to speak ill of the dead but for a dead guy Chris was freaking mean. killing himself so Amelia would find his body and guilt tripping them even from the grave. Not cool.
I wish this whole storyline was written differently maybe with the ex not dead and Jax pining after Amelia but it is what it is.🤷♀️
Dead ex trope fail.
Will this end my obsession now?
dnf
July 31, 2025DNF
Sadly nothing about this story worked for me. The direction of the story and the characters were a huge miss for me.
Sadly nothing about this story worked for me. The direction of the story and the characters were a huge miss for me.
Read
May 18, 2022Jax, Dude you need to step back and maybe act your age
It is okay to be angry at the world
It is okay to be confused, to feel guilty
It is okay to vent those feelings
It is not okay to vent them verbally or physically onto another person - especially the woman you supposedly love/hate
Amelia, you need to seek support
You are never responsible for the choices and acts of another
You are not at fault for what happened
However - you are not using healthy coping mechanisms
This was a heavy angst, enemies to lovers romance with some pretty intense emotional growth moments for both of our main characters' romance
Their relationship took off pretty quick - I think it was a blend of previous feelings for each other and the added stress of their shared loss that triggered the relationship
A lot of back and forth - not my fave in a romance but here I felt it was necessary
Two very lost souls that needed that sounding board
I have been here and I understood some of their reactions/actions, the guilt, the need to bend reality just a bit to make it through another day
I may not like some of their responses but grief blended with guilt is a heavy load
I do know this will not be for everyone it was an emotional rollercoaster for me
It is okay to be angry at the world
It is okay to be confused, to feel guilty
It is okay to vent those feelings
It is not okay to vent them verbally or physically onto another person - especially the woman you supposedly love/hate
Amelia, you need to seek support
You are never responsible for the choices and acts of another
You are not at fault for what happened
However - you are not using healthy coping mechanisms
This was a heavy angst, enemies to lovers romance with some pretty intense emotional growth moments for both of our main characters' romance
Their relationship took off pretty quick - I think it was a blend of previous feelings for each other and the added stress of their shared loss that triggered the relationship
A lot of back and forth - not my fave in a romance but here I felt it was necessary
Two very lost souls that needed that sounding board
I have been here and I understood some of their reactions/actions, the guilt, the need to bend reality just a bit to make it through another day
I may not like some of their responses but grief blended with guilt is a heavy load
I do know this will not be for everyone it was an emotional rollercoaster for me
July 4, 2022
What in the name of all that is holy did I just listen to?? #sendhelp (seriously, send it now)
May 19, 2022
I like this author a lot and since I saw that she had released this book, I didn't hesitate to read it, the premise is great! Falling in love with your dead husband's best friend, great! MCs have a lot of chemistry and without a doubt I will read the following books in this series.
October 23, 2022
The best Charity Ferrell book I’ve read yet!
This definitely is Charity Ferrell at her best! This book was honestly just soo good! First before I get ahead of myself, ‘Only Rivals’ is the first book of the 2nd generation series from her Twisted Fox & Blue Beech series’ and it stars Jax & Amelia, the kids of Sierra & Maliki, and Lola & Silas respectively. And after finishing the Twisted Fox series just last month, I was soo excited to jump back into the world. This book certainly did not disappoint!
Jax & Amelia have always been rivals whom annoyed each other as kids, but this rivalry developed into romantic feelings. But after some unfortunate circumstances, Jax’s best friend, Chris, ends up with Amelia. After Chris’ death, Jax and Amelia struggle with their feelings towards each other, and feelings of betraying Chris (who was engaged to Amelia at the time of his death).
This book was def a roller coaster. There was so much angst. I loved how the writing was used to show us all the heartbreaking moments that occurred in their lives, and the difficulty that they were going through because of their circumstances. It was soo emotional at times, but the pay-off was worth it! I enjoyed every moment!
I listened to the audio version which was narrated by Samantha Cook and Connor Crais. They both did an amazing job at bringing Jax and Amelia to life. Both their voices and the tone in which they spoke felt like what I imagine the characters to sound like. Great work!
I highly recommend this book if you want an angsty enemies-to-lovers / childhood romance rekindled as adults, read.
Trigger Warning: this book deals with heavy subjects including mental health issues (depression and Suic**e).
This definitely is Charity Ferrell at her best! This book was honestly just soo good! First before I get ahead of myself, ‘Only Rivals’ is the first book of the 2nd generation series from her Twisted Fox & Blue Beech series’ and it stars Jax & Amelia, the kids of Sierra & Maliki, and Lola & Silas respectively. And after finishing the Twisted Fox series just last month, I was soo excited to jump back into the world. This book certainly did not disappoint!
Jax & Amelia have always been rivals whom annoyed each other as kids, but this rivalry developed into romantic feelings. But after some unfortunate circumstances, Jax’s best friend, Chris, ends up with Amelia. After Chris’ death, Jax and Amelia struggle with their feelings towards each other, and feelings of betraying Chris (who was engaged to Amelia at the time of his death).
This book was def a roller coaster. There was so much angst. I loved how the writing was used to show us all the heartbreaking moments that occurred in their lives, and the difficulty that they were going through because of their circumstances. It was soo emotional at times, but the pay-off was worth it! I enjoyed every moment!
I listened to the audio version which was narrated by Samantha Cook and Connor Crais. They both did an amazing job at bringing Jax and Amelia to life. Both their voices and the tone in which they spoke felt like what I imagine the characters to sound like. Great work!
I highly recommend this book if you want an angsty enemies-to-lovers / childhood romance rekindled as adults, read.
Trigger Warning: this book deals with heavy subjects including mental health issues (depression and Suic**e).
May 18, 2022
⚫️My review for-ONLY RIVALS by CHARITY FERRELL⚫️
3- 3.25 STARS (*see note at the end of my review)
This is a highly heart-rending story that really took me for an emotional roller coaster ride with the characters.
Amelia and Jaxson are both grieving a deep loss, they also are still “hating” each other as they’ve done since childhood. Acting as rivals.
At times I felt they were being immature with the constant taunts and insults.
HOWEVER, past this issue I did get swept up in the characters feelings, I felt their angst.
I liked that part’s of the story are revealed slowly through chapter flashbacks. I liked the anticipation and surprise of slowly understanding the deeper issues and past.
It took a few chapters for me to get past my issues with their immature behavior, the other part of the story got going and moved forward it got much better and I enjoyed the rest of the story quite a bit.
They are two people bonded by history, by guilt and mutual grief so it’s quite an emotional journey.
It’s got the forbidden factor which I love, the chemistry was really good and it was very hot and still emotional.
The ending was a bit quick and neat, overall an enjoyable read that gave me real feelings for the weight of the heavy subject matter.
*One issue worth mentioning for me-I personally disliked with the way a character repeatedly slapped and kicked another character in anger as if that’s acceptable behavior, so that was a problem for me. It is fiction, however it was abusive & immature and I’m sure if the character getting hit was a female it wouldn’t have been in the story, or not accepted by readers. It definitely took some love and sympathy away from that character for me. I would have rated the book higher without this behavior.
A bit of a mixed bag for me, more positive than negative though.
3- 3.25 STARS (*see note at the end of my review)
This is a highly heart-rending story that really took me for an emotional roller coaster ride with the characters.
Amelia and Jaxson are both grieving a deep loss, they also are still “hating” each other as they’ve done since childhood. Acting as rivals.
At times I felt they were being immature with the constant taunts and insults.
HOWEVER, past this issue I did get swept up in the characters feelings, I felt their angst.
I liked that part’s of the story are revealed slowly through chapter flashbacks. I liked the anticipation and surprise of slowly understanding the deeper issues and past.
It took a few chapters for me to get past my issues with their immature behavior, the other part of the story got going and moved forward it got much better and I enjoyed the rest of the story quite a bit.
They are two people bonded by history, by guilt and mutual grief so it’s quite an emotional journey.
It’s got the forbidden factor which I love, the chemistry was really good and it was very hot and still emotional.
The ending was a bit quick and neat, overall an enjoyable read that gave me real feelings for the weight of the heavy subject matter.
*One issue worth mentioning for me-I personally disliked with the way a character repeatedly slapped and kicked another character in anger as if that’s acceptable behavior, so that was a problem for me. It is fiction, however it was abusive & immature and I’m sure if the character getting hit was a female it wouldn’t have been in the story, or not accepted by readers. It definitely took some love and sympathy away from that character for me. I would have rated the book higher without this behavior.
A bit of a mixed bag for me, more positive than negative though.
November 17, 2025
"No creo en las segundas oportunidades, pero esta vez, y solo esta vez, te ruego que me des esa oportunidad"
La dosis de simpatía que tuve para leer este libro y tratar de entender a todos los personajes sin jugarlos y empatizar fue grande.
Amelia y Jax se ODIAN, ellos no pueden estar cerca y desde que ella perdió a su prometido quién era mejor amigo de el las cosas empeoraron ya que Chris le dejo a ella como dueña de la cervecería que tenían en común y aunque no lo quieran tienen que convivir juntos.
Agradezco que la autora haya hecho capítulos mezclados con el pasado/presente porque aunque había indicios de una historia pasada entre ellos eso ayudo a entender el porque de su enemistad y porque llegaron al punto de odiarse tanto. Sinceramente me dió pena que Jax dejara a la mujer que amaba para que su amigo sea feliz porque el ya estaba enamorado de ella y si bien eran jóvenes su amor era genuino y compartían muchísimas cosas, fue un acto egoísta el que hizo y se entiende también porque Christian tenía una vida difícil y el solo quería que lo siga siendo sin importar que sea a costa suya.
Amelia fue la mas afectada en todo esto porque ella fue quien encontró a Christian en esa situación horrible y la culpa que sentía era enorme y si a eso le sumamos que Jax este constantemente diciéndole que era todo su culpa no sumaba para nada. Gracias a los santos Jax abrió los ojos y cuando vio el estado en el que estaba cambio sus actitudes y pudo ser alguien mas simpático y amable.
• Algo que no me agrado es que siempre terminan todo con el sexo porque eso hacía que no hubiera comunicación entre ellos y los temas importantes no tenían la importancia adecuada razón por la que al final exploto de una manera tan fea 🥺.
En fin linda lectura ♥️
La dosis de simpatía que tuve para leer este libro y tratar de entender a todos los personajes sin jugarlos y empatizar fue grande.
Amelia y Jax se ODIAN, ellos no pueden estar cerca y desde que ella perdió a su prometido quién era mejor amigo de el las cosas empeoraron ya que Chris le dejo a ella como dueña de la cervecería que tenían en común y aunque no lo quieran tienen que convivir juntos.
Agradezco que la autora haya hecho capítulos mezclados con el pasado/presente porque aunque había indicios de una historia pasada entre ellos eso ayudo a entender el porque de su enemistad y porque llegaron al punto de odiarse tanto. Sinceramente me dió pena que Jax dejara a la mujer que amaba para que su amigo sea feliz porque el ya estaba enamorado de ella y si bien eran jóvenes su amor era genuino y compartían muchísimas cosas, fue un acto egoísta el que hizo y se entiende también porque Christian tenía una vida difícil y el solo quería que lo siga siendo sin importar que sea a costa suya.
Amelia fue la mas afectada en todo esto porque ella fue quien encontró a Christian en esa situación horrible y la culpa que sentía era enorme y si a eso le sumamos que Jax este constantemente diciéndole que era todo su culpa no sumaba para nada. Gracias a los santos Jax abrió los ojos y cuando vio el estado en el que estaba cambio sus actitudes y pudo ser alguien mas simpático y amable.
• Algo que no me agrado es que siempre terminan todo con el sexo porque eso hacía que no hubiera comunicación entre ellos y los temas importantes no tenían la importancia adecuada razón por la que al final exploto de una manera tan fea 🥺.
En fin linda lectura ♥️
March 19, 2025
✨Book Review✨
Only Rivals
Book 1 of 2 in The Only You Series
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
TW: suicide, child abuse
One Rivals took me on an emotional rollercoaster from the beginning to end. I’d like to start with that there is no right way to grieve. There is no timeline for when it’s the right time to move on. It’s a personal journey and Charity was able to bring light in a time of darkness. 🛑Please read the TW before diving in.🛑
I completely devoured this book and if I didn’t have responsibilities to tend to, it would’ve been a one sit down read! Jax and Amelia are left heartbroken with the unexpected passing of his best friend and her fiance. They’ve been frenemies since they were children and that has since escalated to downright distaste for one another. But in navigating through their grief, they’ve found their way exploring what could have been all those years ago.
Jax is the definition of “don’t judge a book by the cover��� MMC. A complete asshole in the beginning but we learn just how selfless of a man he is. Amelia is left broken and I just wanted to hug her for the strength she has shown. I ached for both of them and the guilt that weighed heavily on their shoulders yet I was rooting for them to finally have their second chance. The letters. Those letters had me bawling.
I laughed. I cried. I blushed. I found myself asking one too many times, “wtf are you doing Jax?!”. But man, I’d do it again!
This is my first book from Charity and will be diving into book 2 next!
Recommend if you like:
•enemies to lovers
•second chance
•one bed
•forced proximity
•loss/healing
Only Rivals
Book 1 of 2 in The Only You Series
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
TW: suicide, child abuse
One Rivals took me on an emotional rollercoaster from the beginning to end. I’d like to start with that there is no right way to grieve. There is no timeline for when it’s the right time to move on. It’s a personal journey and Charity was able to bring light in a time of darkness. 🛑Please read the TW before diving in.🛑
I completely devoured this book and if I didn’t have responsibilities to tend to, it would’ve been a one sit down read! Jax and Amelia are left heartbroken with the unexpected passing of his best friend and her fiance. They’ve been frenemies since they were children and that has since escalated to downright distaste for one another. But in navigating through their grief, they’ve found their way exploring what could have been all those years ago.
Jax is the definition of “don’t judge a book by the cover��� MMC. A complete asshole in the beginning but we learn just how selfless of a man he is. Amelia is left broken and I just wanted to hug her for the strength she has shown. I ached for both of them and the guilt that weighed heavily on their shoulders yet I was rooting for them to finally have their second chance. The letters. Those letters had me bawling.
I laughed. I cried. I blushed. I found myself asking one too many times, “wtf are you doing Jax?!”. But man, I’d do it again!
This is my first book from Charity and will be diving into book 2 next!
Recommend if you like:
•enemies to lovers
•second chance
•one bed
•forced proximity
•loss/healing
May 18, 2022
This was a good start to this new spinoff series, especially with it being a touch of forbidden -- dead fiancées best friend who loved her first -- plus with all the angst and longing, plus the grovel at the end, made me really excited for what's to come!!
Amelia (daughter of Silas and Lola!!) And Jax (son of Malikia and Sienna) ((side note: I'm gonna need to create a family map for everyone, lol)) have been the best and worst frienemies all their lives, but there's still so much love between them. When Jax's best friend falls for Amelia too, he steps aside so he can be happy, but it was killing him to do so. And when he dies, Jax and Amelia are once again at odds, but this time so much more than just their hearts are at stake. Can they overcome all the wreckage around them and finally have this second chance? Or will they always be almost meant to be?
I'll be honest-- i kinda hated Jax for a while there. I get he was grieving too, but there's just some things you don't say. And I was waiting for Silas to punch him in the face for all the crap he gave Amelia, but sadly that didn't happen. Lol. I began to start liking him more towards the middle and I'm glad he got his head out of his ass, but daaaammmn he made things so much more difficult than they had to be.
I felt so bad for Amelia. Not only did she lose one man she loved in a horrible way, she also had to find him like that too. Plus constantly being blamed for what happened-- even though it definitely wasn't her fault -- my heart just broke for her. I hated how Jax kept jerking her around so much, but I am glad she really made him work for it in the end. You can totally feel the chemistry between these two, and after they resolved all their issues, I'm so glad they got their hea! I can't wait for the next book in the series!!
Tw: suicide, bipolar disorder/mental health.
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
Amelia (daughter of Silas and Lola!!) And Jax (son of Malikia and Sienna) ((side note: I'm gonna need to create a family map for everyone, lol)) have been the best and worst frienemies all their lives, but there's still so much love between them. When Jax's best friend falls for Amelia too, he steps aside so he can be happy, but it was killing him to do so. And when he dies, Jax and Amelia are once again at odds, but this time so much more than just their hearts are at stake. Can they overcome all the wreckage around them and finally have this second chance? Or will they always be almost meant to be?
I'll be honest-- i kinda hated Jax for a while there. I get he was grieving too, but there's just some things you don't say. And I was waiting for Silas to punch him in the face for all the crap he gave Amelia, but sadly that didn't happen. Lol. I began to start liking him more towards the middle and I'm glad he got his head out of his ass, but daaaammmn he made things so much more difficult than they had to be.
I felt so bad for Amelia. Not only did she lose one man she loved in a horrible way, she also had to find him like that too. Plus constantly being blamed for what happened-- even though it definitely wasn't her fault -- my heart just broke for her. I hated how Jax kept jerking her around so much, but I am glad she really made him work for it in the end. You can totally feel the chemistry between these two, and after they resolved all their issues, I'm so glad they got their hea! I can't wait for the next book in the series!!
Tw: suicide, bipolar disorder/mental health.
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
March 5, 2025
The way I was addicted to the writing of this book. This is my second book by Charity Farrell, and her writing and the way she develops her characters, have me in a chokehold. I loved this book.
She really said it best when she said that this book will break you down to put you back together, to breaking you down a second time only to put you back together. I loved these characters and hate that their story is over.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My best friend’s girl
Enemies to lovers
Second Chance
Small town
Business partners
Emotional rollercoaster
He talks her through it 😮💨😮💨
She really said it best when she said that this book will break you down to put you back together, to breaking you down a second time only to put you back together. I loved these characters and hate that their story is over.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My best friend’s girl
Enemies to lovers
Second Chance
Small town
Business partners
Emotional rollercoaster
He talks her through it 😮💨😮💨
June 1, 2022
Book 1 in the new Blue Beech spin off, Only You series and it was a heartbreaking and breathtaking read. Amelia and Jax have been enemies for a long time and they only thing that they had in common was Chris, her fiancé and his best friends. When they lose him, their hatred and attraction towards each other battle every day. They are the only ones who can hurt the other deeply and at the same time, heal each other just as deeply. This enemies to lovers romance will take you on such an emotional roller coaster ride that once you get off, you will gladly get right back on again. So ready for book 2.
May 17, 2022
(4.5 ⭐️)
I really enjoyed this childhood rivals/enemies to lovers romance! There was plenty of angst and I absolutely loved the bantering scenes between childhood rivals Amelia and Jax. This book is the first book in a spin-off series from the Blue Beech series and the Twisted Fox series. (Amelia is the Daughter of Silas and Lola from Last Round (Twisted Fox) and Jax is the son of Sierra and Maliki from Just Roommates (Blue Beech.)) I enjoyed seeing cameos in Only Rivals from both of the series :) Their families have always been really close so Amelia and Jax spent a lot of time together growing up.
Charity Ferrell did a beautiful job showing the sadness/grief that Amelia and Jax each had over the devastating loss of their boyfriend/fiancée (Amelia) and best friend/business partner (Jax) as well as the healing and peace that Amelia and Jax we able to find independently and with each other after such a traumatic loss. I loved how Amelia and Jax were able to get their second chance with each other and that their past interactions were woven into the story. (In my opinion, I really feel like the chapters set in the past really added to the story and helped the reader understand Jax and Amelia’s relationship better!)
This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions with the characters from grief and sadness to healing, guilt, and happiness with many more emotions in between while the characters Amelia and Jax realize their returning feelings for each other and fight together for their second chance.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series and hope to see more of Amelia and Jax in future books!
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review!
I really enjoyed this childhood rivals/enemies to lovers romance! There was plenty of angst and I absolutely loved the bantering scenes between childhood rivals Amelia and Jax. This book is the first book in a spin-off series from the Blue Beech series and the Twisted Fox series. (Amelia is the Daughter of Silas and Lola from Last Round (Twisted Fox) and Jax is the son of Sierra and Maliki from Just Roommates (Blue Beech.)) I enjoyed seeing cameos in Only Rivals from both of the series :) Their families have always been really close so Amelia and Jax spent a lot of time together growing up.
Charity Ferrell did a beautiful job showing the sadness/grief that Amelia and Jax each had over the devastating loss of their boyfriend/fiancée (Amelia) and best friend/business partner (Jax) as well as the healing and peace that Amelia and Jax we able to find independently and with each other after such a traumatic loss. I loved how Amelia and Jax were able to get their second chance with each other and that their past interactions were woven into the story. (In my opinion, I really feel like the chapters set in the past really added to the story and helped the reader understand Jax and Amelia’s relationship better!)
This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions with the characters from grief and sadness to healing, guilt, and happiness with many more emotions in between while the characters Amelia and Jax realize their returning feelings for each other and fight together for their second chance.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series and hope to see more of Amelia and Jax in future books!
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review!
May 12, 2022
Only Rivals had just become my favorite book by Charity Ferrell - even if she did have a hold of my heart through a majority of the story!
This book is the first book in her 2nd generation series from both her Blue Beech and Twisted Fox series and she came out swinging!
Amelia and Jax have been enemies for forever. But they both have lost one of the most important people in their lives, Chris - Amelia's fiancé and Jax's best friend and business partner.
I love how Charity Ferrell started after Chris's death and wove the past here and there with the present. She shows us the good, the bad, and the heartbreaking parts of both of their lives and what drove them to hate each other.
These two have the ability to hurt each other as well as heal each other. The best part is when they are fighting their attraction to each other. (Well, besides when they actually quit fighting it of course!)
I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of enemies-to-lovers, all the angst, and emotional rollercoasters.
WARNING: This story deals with sensitive issues and mental illness and may not be suitable for everyone.
This book is the first book in her 2nd generation series from both her Blue Beech and Twisted Fox series and she came out swinging!
Amelia and Jax have been enemies for forever. But they both have lost one of the most important people in their lives, Chris - Amelia's fiancé and Jax's best friend and business partner.
I love how Charity Ferrell started after Chris's death and wove the past here and there with the present. She shows us the good, the bad, and the heartbreaking parts of both of their lives and what drove them to hate each other.
These two have the ability to hurt each other as well as heal each other. The best part is when they are fighting their attraction to each other. (Well, besides when they actually quit fighting it of course!)
I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of enemies-to-lovers, all the angst, and emotional rollercoasters.
WARNING: This story deals with sensitive issues and mental illness and may not be suitable for everyone.
June 30, 2022
Super angsty!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Trope: enemies to lovers, second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
This is my first book by Charity Ferrell and I really enjoyed it. Its the first book of a next gen series, but can be read as a standalone. Jax and Amelia's story was both wonderful and heartbreaking. Childhood enemies, turned lovers, turned enemies, turned lovers once again. Amelia and Jax lost a fiance/ best friend to suicide and its easier for Jax to blame Amelia rather than deal with what he thinks is his own culpability in his friends death. Meanwhile, the will forces the two of them to work together, reigniting past feelings.
Great read with an emotionally charged storyline. The hate chemistry is real in this one, lol and totally scorching at times. The character development was phenomenal and these are characters you're rooting for even as you shake your head at their inability not to hurt the other. Highly recommend if you're looking for an angsty read!
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes contain spoilers
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
Trope: enemies to lovers, second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
This is my first book by Charity Ferrell and I really enjoyed it. Its the first book of a next gen series, but can be read as a standalone. Jax and Amelia's story was both wonderful and heartbreaking. Childhood enemies, turned lovers, turned enemies, turned lovers once again. Amelia and Jax lost a fiance/ best friend to suicide and its easier for Jax to blame Amelia rather than deal with what he thinks is his own culpability in his friends death. Meanwhile, the will forces the two of them to work together, reigniting past feelings.
Great read with an emotionally charged storyline. The hate chemistry is real in this one, lol and totally scorching at times. The character development was phenomenal and these are characters you're rooting for even as you shake your head at their inability not to hurt the other. Highly recommend if you're looking for an angsty read!
⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes contain spoilers
May 15, 2022
⭐️
4.5 STARS
⭐️
I was so glad to get my hands on Only Rivals. I'm always in for a good enemies to lovers romance full of angst, but add the deep emotional moments too and I was in heaven during my read!
I was really intrigued about the brand new Only You Series which is a spinoff/crossover of the Blue Beech Series and Twisted Fox Series. I loved both worlds and to see them merge with a second generation was fantastic.
Amelia and Jax's relationship was addictive. Between all the push and pull, this couple was magnetic and kept hurting each others, but their unique and profound bond was undeniable. Jax was so grumpy and hurtful at times with Amelia, but when it truly mattered, his real feelings for the girl showed and he was caring and protective. I enjoyed seeing him bring some light back into Amelia's life. She was so down after the lost of her fiancé, but her constant bickering with Jax helped her feel again. This pair was fire together, but also shared some really poignant instants.
I enjoyed the little moments was got to see Silas and Maliki as dads. They weren't that much present in the book, but their scenes were lovely and impactful. The group of friends was interesting and a good introduction for the upcoming books in the series. I need more of these characters that's for sure!
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
I was so glad to get my hands on Only Rivals. I'm always in for a good enemies to lovers romance full of angst, but add the deep emotional moments too and I was in heaven during my read!
I was really intrigued about the brand new Only You Series which is a spinoff/crossover of the Blue Beech Series and Twisted Fox Series. I loved both worlds and to see them merge with a second generation was fantastic.
Amelia and Jax's relationship was addictive. Between all the push and pull, this couple was magnetic and kept hurting each others, but their unique and profound bond was undeniable. Jax was so grumpy and hurtful at times with Amelia, but when it truly mattered, his real feelings for the girl showed and he was caring and protective. I enjoyed seeing him bring some light back into Amelia's life. She was so down after the lost of her fiancé, but her constant bickering with Jax helped her feel again. This pair was fire together, but also shared some really poignant instants.
I enjoyed the little moments was got to see Silas and Maliki as dads. They weren't that much present in the book, but their scenes were lovely and impactful. The group of friends was interesting and a good introduction for the upcoming books in the series. I need more of these characters that's for sure!
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
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May 12, 2022
Welcome back to Blue Beech and be ready to have your heart shattered, but also pieced back together with this story. It is an emotional rollercoaster taking you through loss, healing, and learning how to love again.
Amelia, who is the daughter of Silas and Lola from Last Round, and Jax, who is the son of Maliki and Sierra from Just Roommates, grew up around each other. They were frenemies until they become enemies and now they are business partners since Amelia inherited half of the brewery from her fiancé that passed away.
I loved the back and forth between Amelia and Jax from the start. They knew how to push each others buttons, but at times one of them would take things too far. Both of them were struggling with a loss of someone that they loved and both of them were broken over that. However, even when spewing horrible things towards each other you could still feel the connection and the chemistry between the two of them. You could feel them fighting each other and their feelings from the start.
This story does deal with sensitive topics so be sure to check out any warnings before beginning the story.
If you’re looking for a small town, enemies to lovers, angsty, emotional story this is one to read.
Amelia, who is the daughter of Silas and Lola from Last Round, and Jax, who is the son of Maliki and Sierra from Just Roommates, grew up around each other. They were frenemies until they become enemies and now they are business partners since Amelia inherited half of the brewery from her fiancé that passed away.
I loved the back and forth between Amelia and Jax from the start. They knew how to push each others buttons, but at times one of them would take things too far. Both of them were struggling with a loss of someone that they loved and both of them were broken over that. However, even when spewing horrible things towards each other you could still feel the connection and the chemistry between the two of them. You could feel them fighting each other and their feelings from the start.
This story does deal with sensitive topics so be sure to check out any warnings before beginning the story.
If you’re looking for a small town, enemies to lovers, angsty, emotional story this is one to read.
May 17, 2022
Happy release day to Only Rivals by Charity Ferrell!
When I heard this was a spin-off of the Blue Beech series, I requested an ARC so fast I got whiplash.
This is second generational, but it is truly a new story with a little of the original cast and nostalgia peppered in. This book was pieced together so perfectly, and I felt every emotion that I possibly could. Ferrell’s books are always a rollercoaster from start to finish and I never know how (or where) we’ll end up.
What I also love about Ferrell’s books is how she mixes the fun, witty banter with a deeply emotional story and a little spice. THE ANGST IN THIS BOOK IS WILD! There is so much pent up anger and resentment and love between Jax and Amelia, I could almost feel it through the pages.
This story features Amelia and Jax - rivals since they were kids but destined to fall in love. The problem is that Jax was never good at emotions and he let Amelia fall in love with his best friend instead. Jax and Amelia’s path back to one another isn’t an easy one - it’s full of grief, turmoil, and absolute devastation. This book also flashes back and shows us glimpses into their past, which is so sweet and so beautiful.
Warning: this book deals with sensitive subjects and mental illness.
When I heard this was a spin-off of the Blue Beech series, I requested an ARC so fast I got whiplash.
This is second generational, but it is truly a new story with a little of the original cast and nostalgia peppered in. This book was pieced together so perfectly, and I felt every emotion that I possibly could. Ferrell’s books are always a rollercoaster from start to finish and I never know how (or where) we’ll end up.
What I also love about Ferrell’s books is how she mixes the fun, witty banter with a deeply emotional story and a little spice. THE ANGST IN THIS BOOK IS WILD! There is so much pent up anger and resentment and love between Jax and Amelia, I could almost feel it through the pages.
This story features Amelia and Jax - rivals since they were kids but destined to fall in love. The problem is that Jax was never good at emotions and he let Amelia fall in love with his best friend instead. Jax and Amelia’s path back to one another isn’t an easy one - it’s full of grief, turmoil, and absolute devastation. This book also flashes back and shows us glimpses into their past, which is so sweet and so beautiful.
Warning: this book deals with sensitive subjects and mental illness.
June 20, 2022
Only Rivals by Charity Ferrell was an angsty emotional steamy ride that did crazy wild things to my heart, yet left me with a most satisfying happy sigh at the end. I am fairly new to Charity's books, so I was not completely prepared for the heartache, but in the end, it was worth it! Jax and Amelia have an intense earth-shattering journey to HEA, and I enjoyed being along for the ride.
This audiobook is narrated Connor Crais and Samantha Cook. This is the first time I've heard these two paired together. I loved the deep emotional connections they made while performing these hauntingly beautiful characters. Connor brought out all of Jax's conflicted and passionate emotions in his performance. Plus, Samantha embodied all things Amelia showcasing her painful past and her hopeful future. Since these two characters had a history, their chemistry was even hotter the second time around.
Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook! If you are a fan of an angsty emotional heartfelt romance that will give you chills and eventually leave you with happy feels, then you will love Jax and Amelia's story. I am looking forward to more from Charity Ferrell!
This audiobook is narrated Connor Crais and Samantha Cook. This is the first time I've heard these two paired together. I loved the deep emotional connections they made while performing these hauntingly beautiful characters. Connor brought out all of Jax's conflicted and passionate emotions in his performance. Plus, Samantha embodied all things Amelia showcasing her painful past and her hopeful future. Since these two characters had a history, their chemistry was even hotter the second time around.
Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook! If you are a fan of an angsty emotional heartfelt romance that will give you chills and eventually leave you with happy feels, then you will love Jax and Amelia's story. I am looking forward to more from Charity Ferrell!
May 12, 2022
So one day when searching for a new story I came across the Twisted Fox series and then after reading those I backtracked to the Bleu Beech series. I devoured them!
Guess what?
This is the second generation! Whoo hoo!!!
Jax and Amelia have know each other their entire lives - parents are best friends and their fathers own a bar together. Too bad these two are rivals!
Jax’s best friend who was like a brother to him was engaged to Amelia. He couldn’t take being around the happy couple. Poor Jax does everything he can to avoid being around them together.
But then he dies. What happened? How did it happen?
Can these two work out their differences?
I loved these characters. I could feel the sadness of the words in regards to their emotions. They both loved Chris very much. But will he always be between them?
Guess what?
This is the second generation! Whoo hoo!!!
Jax and Amelia have know each other their entire lives - parents are best friends and their fathers own a bar together. Too bad these two are rivals!
Jax’s best friend who was like a brother to him was engaged to Amelia. He couldn’t take being around the happy couple. Poor Jax does everything he can to avoid being around them together.
But then he dies. What happened? How did it happen?
Can these two work out their differences?
I loved these characters. I could feel the sadness of the words in regards to their emotions. They both loved Chris very much. But will he always be between them?
March 27, 2025
4.5 💫
This story had me hooked from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down. Jax & Amelia are soulmates. They’ve been through so much and although they had their rocky moments seeing them overcome it together was beautiful. I loved seeing their moments from when the first met and how things were going throughout their childhood.
Finding out everything Chris was dealing with broke my heart and getting to that one scene … I literally had to put the book down.
This does have some heavy topics so please be sure to check the trigger warnings.
This is my first book reading from this author and it won’t be my last.
Thank you Valentine PR for sending me a physical copy.
This story had me hooked from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down. Jax & Amelia are soulmates. They’ve been through so much and although they had their rocky moments seeing them overcome it together was beautiful. I loved seeing their moments from when the first met and how things were going throughout their childhood.
Finding out everything Chris was dealing with broke my heart and getting to that one scene … I literally had to put the book down.
This does have some heavy topics so please be sure to check the trigger warnings.
This is my first book reading from this author and it won’t be my last.
Thank you Valentine PR for sending me a physical copy.
May 21, 2022
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster of a second chance, enemies to lovers, love story! My heart went out to both Jax and Amelia who face a traumatic death of the one person they have in common. They are childhood friends/rivals which slowly turned into hate between them over the years. It is so heartbreaking to watch them lashing out at each other because they don’t know how to handle their grief and guilt.
This author has such a way of telling a story that brings the emotions to the front and makes you feel as if you’re there. It tied me to the characters and I felt invested in their happiness.
This was an amazing book and I definitely recommend it to those that can handle grief and love a second chance romance. It does have a trigger warning, so heed the warning if some situations are too much.
This author has such a way of telling a story that brings the emotions to the front and makes you feel as if you’re there. It tied me to the characters and I felt invested in their happiness.
This was an amazing book and I definitely recommend it to those that can handle grief and love a second chance romance. It does have a trigger warning, so heed the warning if some situations are too much.
August 20, 2024
I loved this book SO much. The angst and emotion in this one is top tier. I felt so hard for both of these characters throughout.
At first, I hated Jax, but by the end, I totally understood everything that Amelia felt for him. These two are definitely soulmates.
“You weren’t supposed to fall in love with him because I wanted you to fall in love with me.”
Chris - ugh. I don’t want to say too much, but man, there is one part of this book that just made me so mad at him.
At first, I hated Jax, but by the end, I totally understood everything that Amelia felt for him. These two are definitely soulmates.
“You weren’t supposed to fall in love with him because I wanted you to fall in love with me.”
Chris - ugh. I don’t want to say too much, but man, there is one part of this book that just made me so mad at him.
May 20, 2022
This was a little hard to read at times and at others it was great. Amelia and Jax were hot and cold and I had a hard time liking Jax many many times. It was frustrating. The author really does pull your emotions with this one because I had a plethora of them. In the end it works out but boy did I need a break lol.
July 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I’m currently struggling to find books that hold my interest and this book actually had me wanting to finish the book. This is enemies to lovers with the mmc being protective of the fmc. Make sure you check trigger warnings because this book does deal with the a heavy topic.
May 23, 2022
Only Rivals is the next generation spin-off from the Blue Beach & Twisted Fox series. What a start to a new series! Amelia, AKA Silas and Lola's daughter from Last Round and Jax son of Maliki and Sierra from Just Roommates, have always had a tense relationship. Things go from bad to worse following the death of Amelia's fiancé. Leaving half his business to Amelia and his best friend Jax is the catalyst for disaster.
Only Rivals is a heart shattering Enemies-to-lovers that had me gripped from beginning to end. This was one of the most emotionally charged enemies-to-lovers I have ever read such an emotional rollercoaster.
Only Rivals is a heart shattering Enemies-to-lovers that had me gripped from beginning to end. This was one of the most emotionally charged enemies-to-lovers I have ever read such an emotional rollercoaster.
July 1, 2022
3.5 stars — full review to come!
January 23, 2025
Re-read. Just as good as the first time I read it!
January 5, 2023
Eek I loved this book. This was the story of Amelia and Jax. Amelia is Silas and Lola’s daughter and Jax is sierra and Malikis. I haven’t read the Blue Beech series yet which is their story. We have gotten glimpses of some of them through this book and the Twisted Fox but I haven’t read their love stories yet which I am excited for. I am always excited for this series to keep going. The next book is Essie and Adrian’s, it’s going to be a work love story eek!!! I love the way these books intertwine where they could be stand alone or if you read them all together they make so much sense. This book starts off with Amelia grieving, we find out her fiancé Chris has killed himself. She’s sleeping in the laundry room because she can’t stand to sleep anywhere they’ve had sex. Her rival from kids Jax was Christopher’s best friend and he blames Amelia. He takes it out on her harshly with words. Ever since Chris died Amelia has shut down and never wants to go out and the one time she does she runs into Jax. Amelia and Jax both get calls from an attorney who asks them to come in and when they do they find out that Chris have his half of the brewery to Amelia. Chris and Jax had started a business together. Jax is pissed that Chris have his half to Amelia the one person that he can’t stand. Chris wrote that Amelia wasn’t allowed to sell to Jax for 90 days and also wrote that if she decided to sell to anyone besides Jax they both had to approve of the buyer. This story weaves between the past and the present to give us a little better understanding of some things. We get to see Jax and Amelia as kids and teenagers when they fell in love with each other. Jax and Amelia took each other’s virginity’s and when jax was going to ask Amelia to be his girl he had just recently brought Chris into his life and when Chris laid eyes on Amelia he told Jax he’d be the happiest man in the world if he had her number. Jax just wanted Chris to be happy. So he lost the girl. Chris had a really bad home life as a kid and when Jax and his family discovered that, Maliki (Jax father) beat up Mick (Chris stepdad) and called children services and said Chris would be living with them. Chris got to live in Jax home and feel loved and when he started dating Amelia, her family loved him as well. Chris had a younger brother Corey and he got stuck in the system. Corey killed himself. He committed suicide. Chris took it badly. Amelia tried to be there for him but he just pushed her away. They had been engaged and she told him she wanted to stay together but postpone the wedding she didn’t feel as if they were ready to get married. Jax blamed Amelia that the reason Chris killed himself was because Amelia called off the wedding. The attorney had given Jax and Amelia both letters to open from Chris but they both struggled to find the strength to read them. Jax and Amelia struggled to run the brewery together at first. Amelia was making great sales and Jax couldn’t ignore that. One day while they were fighting Amelia kissed Jax and all the fire was there but they shut each other down. Jax took Amelia home from the bar one day and found out she was sleeping in her laundry room so he demanded she stayed at his place. Then Jax got drunk one night and asked to be taken to Amelia’s. He told her that he wanted her to fall in love with him, not Chris. That he’s always loved her and they fell asleep on the laundry room floor. They needed a new piece of equipment that was a 10 hour drive away for the brewery. Jax demanded to go with Amelia. On their way home it started pouring so they had to stop. The nearest hotel was the pink elephant that was quite gross. That night Amelia and Jax rekindled and had sex together. For the next few weeks they spent every night together and continued to have sex. They both felt a little guilty about the fact Jax was chris best friend and now he’s fucking his ex fiancé. Now the kicker of all this and the reason they “hated” each other. Was because they felt like if they pretended to hate each other no one would ever suspect they had slept together. Chris had asked Amelia and Jax both if they had history and they both lied to him and told him no. Amelia is completely in love with Jax and Jax is in love with her. Mick and Sandra (Chris parents) showed up at the brewery trying to act as if they owned the place since chris wasn’t married. They called the cops who escorted them out. It was at this moment Jax decided he was ready to read his letter. He took Amelia home and told her he’d be back. In Chris letter to Jax he started by thanking him for everything he’d done as a friend. Chris says the worst day of his life was the day his brother died and the second worst day of his life was the day of his funeral. Not only did I have to bury my brother but I also found out my best friend was a liar. That the woman I planned to marry was also a liar. It was the day of the funeral when I asked to borrow a dress shirt since mine no longer fit and you told me to stop at the apartment and grab one from your closet. I did but while doing that something caught my eye. It was a box and I’m sure when you’re finished with this letter you’ll know what box I’m talking about. You were supposed to hate mt girl, not fuck her. I found the notes. The picture, all of it. Gotta say it broke my heart man. You sat there at the funeral with me, all the while knowing you were keeping that secret. Later when Amelia wasn’t home I snooped through her stuff. She also had a box of momentous, some with you and some with me, and then I found her high school dairy. I sat on the floor weeping while reading how my best friend and girl had touched each other, kissed each other, fucked each other. And not one of you bothered to ever tell me. Then my mind started racin. Did you never tell me because you were fucking my girl behind my back. It hurts for a girl to betray you man. It hurts real bad. But your best friend? That’s a knife to the fucking heart. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be alive, but before I go, I want you to know that I know you betrayed me. I want you to know that’s one of the reasons I’m dead too. I don’t know if you’ll care because then you might get my girl. I trust you to take good care of the brewery. Just like I trust Amelia will too and this time let me trust you not to touch my girl Godspeed Chris. Jax made Amelia read the letter and told her they’re done. When Jax got back to his house he saw Chris had destroyed the entire box of anything to do with Amelia. Jax went back to Amelia while she was at her parents and tried to explain to her why they can’t see each other anymore. Ther had just had the conversation of what are we and now Jax is throwing it all away. Amelia is angry, Jax shoved his way into her life and made her find happiness and now he’s going to break her heart. Jax told Amelia he loved her and will always love her but he can’t keep doing this to chris. Amelia reads her letter from Chris that night. His letter to her is a lot nicer than his letter to Jax. He apologizes for the pain he’s caused. He tells her he quit taking his medication after Corey died. And that he knew Amelia saw the change but he couldn’t fix it. The day before he wrote Amelia’s letter he went and saw his mother and she told him Amelia would never love him for him. The trash that he was. And that day when he came home is the day Amelia called off the wedding. It was as if his mother had spoken the truth. He said he’s thought about dying since he was 6 years old. I could tell you. I should tell you. You’d do everything that you could to help me, but no one can help me. Not even the prettiest girl I’ve ever set eyes on, the one who has given me years of happiness I never thought I’d her and the one who isn’t ready to marry me. I don’t blame you either. A man who wants to kill himself isn’t a man anyone should marry. And I am a man who wants to kill himself and I don’t know how much longer I can keep that monster in the shadows. I love you. Christopher. Amelia is confused why Jax got such an angry letter and not her. The next day Amelia walks into her bedroom and sleeps on the floor . Jax ends up bartending at the downhome bar which Maliki and Silas now own together! But anyways he’s bartending on the night of Essie and Rivers birthday party. Amelia steals glances at him all night. She follows him outside and calls him a coward. They end up having sex on the stairs and as soon as they’re done Jax says “you need to leave”. Amelia smacks him a calls him a fucking coward and says as soon as our time is up the brewery is all yours. And he says thank fuck and she asks if this was his plan all along and he says maybe it was. We know this is a lie. Jax just slipped up with Amelia and is trying to push her away again. Oh I forgot to say the night Amelia went to her parents she confided in Silas about her pain and Silas told her about what he went through losing his best friend and girlfriend at the same time. Silas had never spoken to his daughter about it before. Amelia gets the ball rolling on selling the brewery to Jax and the attorney has another letter from Chris for Jax. I want to start this letter with an appology sorry for the first one man I wrote it months ago and told Marshall that even if I begged for it back not to give it to me. I didn’t want to throw it away to take back what I’d written because at the time it was how I felt. I won’t lie bro and say those thoughts still don’t creep up on me sometimes but I’m sure you feel betrayed by me as well. You’re probably wondering why I didn’t confront you. I wanted to. Hell did I want to. I wrote that letter the day after Corey’s death and took it to Marshall. He was my fathers attorney the one who’d broken the news to my mother that my father had left me everything. The first time I planned to confront you was when I returned to the brewery following Corey’s death, fresh after finding out about you and Amelia. I walked in and you hugged me and then handed me a business plan for a new ale, one named Corey in memory of him, with all contributions going into a college fund for his one year old son. The second time was my birthday: Amelia and your family threw me a surprise party. I didn’t want to do it in front of your parents so I sat back on the couch and watched you: I watched you watch her and realized I’d been blind as fuck to not see it earlier. You were in love with my girl. It was clear as day. You didn’t stay away from her because of some childhood rivalry that didn’t make any sense. You stayed away because you wanted to be with her and from reading Amelia’s diary she had feelings for you then too. I was already deep in my suicidal thoughts but instead of wishing you the worst upon my death I want to do the opposite: but I don’t want it to be easy like I’m allowing Amelia just to fall into your lap: as bad as it sounds I want you to suffer from your secret, not for loving my girl. So you see I’d want to die before I found out about you and Amelia, so don’t put all the blame on yourself. But if you are stupid and lose her I want you to have this. If she came to Marshall to sell her share, change her mind, you need to stop her. Because Jax no matter how many plans I had to confront you there was never a good time because you’re a great dude. You’ve been nothing but a good friend to me even in times when I couldn’t reciprocate. I left Amelia the brewery for a reason. Even though I was furious with you for what you’d done, after I sat and thought about it, I knew you were the only one who I would trust with her heart again. I don’t want to live anymore but I want Amelia to. Take care of her for me you’re the only man I know who will may we meet again soon chris. Jax tries to appologize to Amelia but she won’t budge. Her tires get slashed and the brewery gets vandalized. They believe it’s prolly Mick and Sandra. Jax demands to stay with Amelia for protection. Jax finds out Amelia can sleep in her own bed now. Amelia has a panic attack in her sleep and Jax comforts her. And just like in the motel room when it wasn’t supposed to happen, we kiss. They almost have sex and Amelia shuts him down and says I’m not letting you screw me and then say good bye or try to kick me out of my own house. Jax asks to call her his again and she’s not ready to give him that yet. Next morning Jax tells Amelia that Toby shot Mick. Just one of his kneecaps but Mick went there thinking it would be Jax. Mick and Sandra end up in jail. Jax realizes that Amelia went through Chris things and has been cleaning. Jax confessed his whole heart to Amelia and they confess their love for each other. Essie starts mentioning Adrian towards the end of the book. Wink wink. Jax and Amelia moved in to Jax apartment, she sold the townhome and they went house shopping together. Jax tells Amelia he loves whatever home she chooses that she is his home. Amelia quotes “we were never rivals. We were just two kids fighting the spell of falling in love, who then grew up and couldn’t fight it anymore. Jax writes a letter to Chris and puts it in the drawer. And then slips the engagement ring into his pocket. Next time I return to this desk I hope to be engaged. Eek! This one was so good. From the trauma that Jax and Amelia went through. Reading Chris letters. The pain we had to feel. The way they helped heal each other. And then the anger is Chris letter to Jax and how Jax let that letter change everything. I’m so glad Chris wished them well in the end or Jax may have let his whole world fall apart. We always knew Jax and Amelia were meant to be. I can’t wait for the rest of the series’s to be released to get to hear more snippets about them. And hopefully babies!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2022
I’m obsessed already with this series!! As someone who loved both the Blue Beech series & the Twisted Fox series, I was super excited to read this story!
This story is part of a stand alone series based off the children of the main characters of those two series. This book also brings up a heavy topic such as suicide and how it affects the ones around that person.
Amelia Malone never thought at 26 she would have to deal with the pain of losing the man she loved. Just like how Jaxson Bridges never thought he would lose his best friend and business partner. But sometimes the mind is stronger than the individual, that’s the case with Chris.
Now with both dealing with the lose of someone they thought they still had a life time with both are grieving in their own ways. After pushing each other to their limits their whole life’s, being what their parents called rivals. It’s time to them to come together after they find out Chris left his part of the company to Amelia. Leaving Jax and her the owners and now business partners.
But what will happen when these rivals are forced to work together? Forced to face the guilt they hold over the death of their loved one? Forced to face what they have been running from all their lives?
This story was truly beautiful and I can’t wait to reread it when it comes out!! And I can’t wait for the rest of this series to take my heart away!
Thank you so much to Charity and her team for an ARC of this story!!
This story is part of a stand alone series based off the children of the main characters of those two series. This book also brings up a heavy topic such as suicide and how it affects the ones around that person.
Amelia Malone never thought at 26 she would have to deal with the pain of losing the man she loved. Just like how Jaxson Bridges never thought he would lose his best friend and business partner. But sometimes the mind is stronger than the individual, that’s the case with Chris.
Now with both dealing with the lose of someone they thought they still had a life time with both are grieving in their own ways. After pushing each other to their limits their whole life’s, being what their parents called rivals. It’s time to them to come together after they find out Chris left his part of the company to Amelia. Leaving Jax and her the owners and now business partners.
But what will happen when these rivals are forced to work together? Forced to face the guilt they hold over the death of their loved one? Forced to face what they have been running from all their lives?
This story was truly beautiful and I can’t wait to reread it when it comes out!! And I can’t wait for the rest of this series to take my heart away!
Thank you so much to Charity and her team for an ARC of this story!!
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