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If Only
She loved him in the past. He's falling for her in the present. But is it too late?
Then
Seth Moore knew that Nina Mendez had the biggest crush on him in high school, one that lasted 5 years. While they never quite became friends, Seth was fascinated with her in a way no one would ever understand. Yet, amidst peer pressures and qualms about love caused by his parents’ separation, Seth always maintained that he didn’t care for her. That Nina was just a girl in his class and a heart he broke.
Now
Four years after their high school graduation, Seth & Nina unexpectedly cross paths at a train station; they keep crossing paths even when they are convinced they’ll never see each other again. Soon, the past catches up and they get caught in a cycle of train rides, late-night walks, city dates and midnight phone calls. Before he knows it, the tables have turned and Seth finds himself falling for her.
Yet…
Just when he thought he’d win the easiest of happy endings, Seth is faced with unresolved emotions, learning that this is beyond old crushes and high school puppy love. Especially when the one he’s fallen for, is looking at someone else, the way she once looked at him.
In this heartfelt, dual-timeline, tale of romance, two young adults experience the complexities of falling in love, discovering that true love requires courage, even in the face of fear and heartache.
Then
Seth Moore knew that Nina Mendez had the biggest crush on him in high school, one that lasted 5 years. While they never quite became friends, Seth was fascinated with her in a way no one would ever understand. Yet, amidst peer pressures and qualms about love caused by his parents’ separation, Seth always maintained that he didn’t care for her. That Nina was just a girl in his class and a heart he broke.
Now
Four years after their high school graduation, Seth & Nina unexpectedly cross paths at a train station; they keep crossing paths even when they are convinced they’ll never see each other again. Soon, the past catches up and they get caught in a cycle of train rides, late-night walks, city dates and midnight phone calls. Before he knows it, the tables have turned and Seth finds himself falling for her.
Yet…
Just when he thought he’d win the easiest of happy endings, Seth is faced with unresolved emotions, learning that this is beyond old crushes and high school puppy love. Especially when the one he’s fallen for, is looking at someone else, the way she once looked at him.
In this heartfelt, dual-timeline, tale of romance, two young adults experience the complexities of falling in love, discovering that true love requires courage, even in the face of fear and heartache.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2025
5 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Shaina Veronica
2 books70 followersShaina Veronica is a Filipino-Australian author and certified hopeless romantic who loves to immerse herself in narratives that will make her laugh, cry. With her degree in film production, she strives to translate her knack for visuals into words.
Through her works, she aims to elevate her voice as a Filipino storyteller and bring light to her cultural experience. She hopes that you can find a new comfort character, a new comfort place, a fictional boyfriend to raise your standards or even just a new favourite you can cosy up to.
When she's not writing, you can find her watching edits of her kpop celebrity crushes, rewatching her favourite fluffy cdrama or rereading Pride and Prejudice for the 10(0)th time.
Through her works, she aims to elevate her voice as a Filipino storyteller and bring light to her cultural experience. She hopes that you can find a new comfort character, a new comfort place, a fictional boyfriend to raise your standards or even just a new favourite you can cosy up to.
When she's not writing, you can find her watching edits of her kpop celebrity crushes, rewatching her favourite fluffy cdrama or rereading Pride and Prejudice for the 10(0)th time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 30, 2025
જ⁀➴ 4 stars ⋆⭒˚.⋆
arc review 💌
release date: july 10
⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🚂 reunited at a train station
💌 right person, wrong time
🚂 second chances
💌 friends to lovers
🚂 male pov
💌 lots yearning
𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: if only - dove cameron ‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 june 27
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 june 27
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
actually ate this book up—i finished it in one sitting. i haven’t done that in so long. i’d like to thank the author for sending me a digital advanced copy. this book comes out july 10th, and you should definitely check it out once it’s released. if you're looking for a cute book full of yearning and fluffy ya-style romance, this is perfect. it's marketed as bridgerton level yearning, and i think a lot of you would really enjoy it. PLEASE give it a chance when it comes out, especially if you're not super into spice and that kind of stuff.
that line absolutely melts my heart 😭 the raw honesty in his words makes it feel like time stops for a second—like he’s seeing her, really seeing her, for the first time without any noise or pretense. it’s gentle, affirming, and full of quiet awe.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐞
i really enjoyed his perspective. it was full of angst, self-doubt, self-sabotage, and strangely enough, even yearning. he wasn't really a good person back in high school and didn't treat nina the best. nina was fully in love with him, but he wasn't interested. you know how teenage boys are—they’re often unsure of what they want and don’t always treat girls well.
there was tension between them. nina was this lover girl, and he was just trying to act cool around his friends. they had a falling out when he said some really mean things about her in the second-to-last year of high school, and that’s where things ended - like them being friendly.. but then they reunite as adults. he's changed a lot—he doesn’t have many friends anymore, and they’ve both become very different people. both of them are in college and start forming a friendship as they take the train together.
you can see the longing between them and how he tries to deny his feelings. i really liked his story and background. i think it’s the first time i’ve read a book where i enjoyed the guy’s perspective, especially in a romance. it’s only his, we only see snippets of her thoughts through diary entries. we rarely get that, so yeah—he’s definitely a good book boyfriend.
𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐳
there’s not a lot to say about her except that she wanted him—and she finally got him. like, how many girls can really say that? plotted on a high school crush and made it happen. i think the way the school system works in australia is year 7 to 12, so like… wow. imagine 12-year-old nina mendez being in love with him, and then 22-year-old her finally gets her man. that’s kind of epic. damn, girl really did that.
anyways, maybe this is kind of unnecessary, but i love how she didn’t just fall into his arms again. there was still a buildup, still the tension, the slow burn—everything. you could really see how she worked on herself through those years, became a better person for her own sake, and built strong boundaries. she’s still super sweet though. through his perspective, we see how she’s the kind of person who makes everything around her beautiful. all that kind of energy. i think she’s really likable, and honestly, i’m just really happy for them. this is super cute.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐚
i fear they’re such a cute couple, and they’re definitely perfect for each other. this is a couple that would fight for each other, especially when times get tough. i feel like they’d go through challenges side by side. considering his parents had separated back in high school and then randomly got back together, that really messed with him mentally. but i think he’s come to realize that love heals. they’d both fight for each other, no doubt.
this is the kind of relationship that could last in the long haul. i’m genuinely happy with how the book ended. when the author said she might not even give them a happy ending, i freaked out—like, what do you mean this super cute couple might not deserve one? thank goodness she reconsidered and gave them the ending they truly earned.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥
definitely recommend this book. i think everyone should go and read it—please, guys, check it out and send me all your updates when it drops. to everyone who's been complaining about all the insta-love, the instant everything, or even too much spice: please read this. it's absolutely full of yearning, full of depth, and loaded with second chances. those almost-teary moments hit hard.
this is the kind of book you’ve all been waiting for. trust me. oh my goodness, go grab it and fall in love with every page.
mwah,
joni 🤍
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
₊⊹⁀➴ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝
i came across shaina a few months ago on insta and just had to follow her!! the cover is so cutesy and i rlly wanna read her debut. im always here for a second chance book 🤭 this one is a bit different, as she had a crush on him in highschool with feelings he didn't reciprocate (they were just classmates/not friends) and now they've run into each other after highschool...
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 june 27
thank you to shaina for sending me a digital arc copy!!
arc review 💌
release date: july 10
⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🚂 reunited at a train station
💌 right person, wrong time
🚂 second chances
💌 friends to lovers
🚂 male pov
💌 lots yearning
𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: if only - dove cameron ‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 june 27
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 june 27
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
actually ate this book up—i finished it in one sitting. i haven’t done that in so long. i’d like to thank the author for sending me a digital advanced copy. this book comes out july 10th, and you should definitely check it out once it’s released. if you're looking for a cute book full of yearning and fluffy ya-style romance, this is perfect. it's marketed as bridgerton level yearning, and i think a lot of you would really enjoy it. PLEASE give it a chance when it comes out, especially if you're not super into spice and that kind of stuff.
Nina...you’re captivating. I don't think you realize that. You have this way about you that makes... everything around you seem beautiful. because you, yourself, are beautiful. And it’s infectious.
that line absolutely melts my heart 😭 the raw honesty in his words makes it feel like time stops for a second—like he’s seeing her, really seeing her, for the first time without any noise or pretense. it’s gentle, affirming, and full of quiet awe.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐞
i really enjoyed his perspective. it was full of angst, self-doubt, self-sabotage, and strangely enough, even yearning. he wasn't really a good person back in high school and didn't treat nina the best. nina was fully in love with him, but he wasn't interested. you know how teenage boys are—they’re often unsure of what they want and don’t always treat girls well.
there was tension between them. nina was this lover girl, and he was just trying to act cool around his friends. they had a falling out when he said some really mean things about her in the second-to-last year of high school, and that’s where things ended - like them being friendly.. but then they reunite as adults. he's changed a lot—he doesn’t have many friends anymore, and they’ve both become very different people. both of them are in college and start forming a friendship as they take the train together.
you can see the longing between them and how he tries to deny his feelings. i really liked his story and background. i think it’s the first time i’ve read a book where i enjoyed the guy’s perspective, especially in a romance. it’s only his, we only see snippets of her thoughts through diary entries. we rarely get that, so yeah—he’s definitely a good book boyfriend.
𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐳
there’s not a lot to say about her except that she wanted him—and she finally got him. like, how many girls can really say that? plotted on a high school crush and made it happen. i think the way the school system works in australia is year 7 to 12, so like… wow. imagine 12-year-old nina mendez being in love with him, and then 22-year-old her finally gets her man. that’s kind of epic. damn, girl really did that.
anyways, maybe this is kind of unnecessary, but i love how she didn’t just fall into his arms again. there was still a buildup, still the tension, the slow burn—everything. you could really see how she worked on herself through those years, became a better person for her own sake, and built strong boundaries. she’s still super sweet though. through his perspective, we see how she’s the kind of person who makes everything around her beautiful. all that kind of energy. i think she’s really likable, and honestly, i’m just really happy for them. this is super cute.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐚
i fear they’re such a cute couple, and they’re definitely perfect for each other. this is a couple that would fight for each other, especially when times get tough. i feel like they’d go through challenges side by side. considering his parents had separated back in high school and then randomly got back together, that really messed with him mentally. but i think he’s come to realize that love heals. they’d both fight for each other, no doubt.
this is the kind of relationship that could last in the long haul. i’m genuinely happy with how the book ended. when the author said she might not even give them a happy ending, i freaked out—like, what do you mean this super cute couple might not deserve one? thank goodness she reconsidered and gave them the ending they truly earned.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥
definitely recommend this book. i think everyone should go and read it—please, guys, check it out and send me all your updates when it drops. to everyone who's been complaining about all the insta-love, the instant everything, or even too much spice: please read this. it's absolutely full of yearning, full of depth, and loaded with second chances. those almost-teary moments hit hard.
this is the kind of book you’ve all been waiting for. trust me. oh my goodness, go grab it and fall in love with every page.
mwah,
joni 🤍
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
₊⊹⁀➴ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝
i came across shaina a few months ago on insta and just had to follow her!! the cover is so cutesy and i rlly wanna read her debut. im always here for a second chance book 🤭 this one is a bit different, as she had a crush on him in highschool with feelings he didn't reciprocate (they were just classmates/not friends) and now they've run into each other after highschool...
⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 june 27
thank you to shaina for sending me a digital arc copy!!
Want to read
July 7, 2025💌🫀🥀──pre review
💌SECOND TIME ,
❤️🩹PAST crush ,
🙏🏻male yearning,
YES,
YES,
YES,
and YES a million times.
...OK , but why is my heart aching 🫀and why is the room suddenly filled with a familiar and Such a intensely relatable scent 🙏🏻😞
💌SECOND TIME ,
❤️🩹PAST crush ,
🙏🏻male yearning,
YES,
YES,
YES,
and YES a million times.
...OK , but why is my heart aching 🫀and why is the room suddenly filled with a familiar and Such a intensely relatable scent 🙏🏻😞
May 29, 2025
🚃 Thank you Shaina Veronica for sending me the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.75 ★
“Love doesn’t promise that there’ll be no broken hearts. But it’ll promise that it can be mended with the right person.”
Not going to lie, I was somewhat disappointed by this book. I was really excited for this and liked the initial idea because the author had said that fans of the c-drama When I Fly Towards You (amongst other c-dramas) would enjoy If Only. I enjoyed WIFTY a lot, and I love Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang. I also loved All About You, so my expectations for If Only was high.
The biggest problem I have with this book was the plot. I didn’t like it, and I figured that out fairly quickly. Although I disliked the plot, I find it does make sense for Seth’s character. Seth is your stereotypical high school boy who wants to fit in with his friends. Both his parents were fighting at the time and barely paid attention to him, so he sought attention from his friends instead. You find out pretty quickly that miscommunication drives the plot. I understand that it makes sense for Seth’s character, but I really don’t like it when miscommunication is what drives the plot.
I did like that the story was in the male character’s point of view. Many romance books I’ve read has the story in the female character’s point of view, so this was really refreshing. The yearning Seth has for Nina was there, and I loved reading about it.
I think the dual timeline was done well. I didn’t feel like the flashback chapters were taking me out of the story. Instead, it provided context to what happened in the past and how that affected Seth’s decisions in the present when navigating his relationship with Nina.
Also, not really relevant to my review, but I want to talk about it. That part at the end where Seth wrote a letter to Nina, was that a reference to To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before? It had similar vibes, and I immediately thought of that scene at the end of TATBILB.
Overall, although I didn’t like the plot, I did find the story entertaining. Seth’s confrontation with his parents did almost made me tear up, so I was somewhat invested in what happens.
3.75 ★
“Love doesn’t promise that there’ll be no broken hearts. But it’ll promise that it can be mended with the right person.”
Not going to lie, I was somewhat disappointed by this book. I was really excited for this and liked the initial idea because the author had said that fans of the c-drama When I Fly Towards You (amongst other c-dramas) would enjoy If Only. I enjoyed WIFTY a lot, and I love Su Zaizai and Zhang Lurang. I also loved All About You, so my expectations for If Only was high.
The biggest problem I have with this book was the plot. I didn’t like it, and I figured that out fairly quickly. Although I disliked the plot, I find it does make sense for Seth’s character. Seth is your stereotypical high school boy who wants to fit in with his friends. Both his parents were fighting at the time and barely paid attention to him, so he sought attention from his friends instead. You find out pretty quickly that miscommunication drives the plot. I understand that it makes sense for Seth’s character, but I really don’t like it when miscommunication is what drives the plot.
I did like that the story was in the male character’s point of view. Many romance books I’ve read has the story in the female character’s point of view, so this was really refreshing. The yearning Seth has for Nina was there, and I loved reading about it.
I think the dual timeline was done well. I didn’t feel like the flashback chapters were taking me out of the story. Instead, it provided context to what happened in the past and how that affected Seth’s decisions in the present when navigating his relationship with Nina.
Also, not really relevant to my review, but I want to talk about it. That part at the end where Seth wrote a letter to Nina, was that a reference to To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before? It had similar vibes, and I immediately thought of that scene at the end of TATBILB.
Overall, although I didn’t like the plot, I did find the story entertaining. Seth’s confrontation with his parents did almost made me tear up, so I was somewhat invested in what happens.
May 14, 2025
Current rating: 3.5 stars
As someone who occasionally tends to fixate on those little 'what-ifs' and reminisces both positively + negatively on past events, I'm a sucker for stories that evoke nostalgia! So, when I saw that the author of All About You (a book on my tbr) had opened eARC sign ups for her upcoming release about just that, I rushed to apply.
I love how you could feel the passion Shaina Veronica has for romance stories in the writing. If I were more romantic, I might have loved it even more, but I found some parts to be a little cliche. I really wanted to give this a higher rating, but something felt missing to me?? While it definitely added to the hazy + romantic + nostalgic vibe, the story kind of felt like it was in its own little bubble, which made me feel quite disconnected. Thankfully, the last 30% of the book pulled me in a bit more, so I ended up settling for 3.5 stars.
Despite this, I still really liked Nina, especially with how she was described from Seth's POV. I admired her lively and kind personality, as well as how she was such a hopeless romantic. She deserved everything!
I appreciated Seth's yearning and how he fell harder for Nina, though I was side-eyeing him during the past scenes. It was unfortunate to see how his environment affected his decisions, but yeah, he was a dumb high school boy, and I'm glad that he did try to make up for it, even in the past.
Overall, this was a nice + easy read, though it wasn't exactly for me! I think I'll still check out ABY because the snippets I've seen from it do seem more up my alley 👀 Thank you so much to the author for the eARC <3
As someone who occasionally tends to fixate on those little 'what-ifs' and reminisces both positively + negatively on past events, I'm a sucker for stories that evoke nostalgia! So, when I saw that the author of All About You (a book on my tbr) had opened eARC sign ups for her upcoming release about just that, I rushed to apply.
I love how you could feel the passion Shaina Veronica has for romance stories in the writing. If I were more romantic, I might have loved it even more, but I found some parts to be a little cliche. I really wanted to give this a higher rating, but something felt missing to me?? While it definitely added to the hazy + romantic + nostalgic vibe, the story kind of felt like it was in its own little bubble, which made me feel quite disconnected. Thankfully, the last 30% of the book pulled me in a bit more, so I ended up settling for 3.5 stars.
Despite this, I still really liked Nina, especially with how she was described from Seth's POV. I admired her lively and kind personality, as well as how she was such a hopeless romantic. She deserved everything!
I appreciated Seth's yearning and how he fell harder for Nina, though I was side-eyeing him during the past scenes. It was unfortunate to see how his environment affected his decisions, but yeah, he was a dumb high school boy, and I'm glad that he did try to make up for it, even in the past.
Overall, this was a nice + easy read, though it wasn't exactly for me! I think I'll still check out ABY because the snippets I've seen from it do seem more up my alley 👀 Thank you so much to the author for the eARC <3
April 12, 2025
OH EM EFF GEE
5 STARS DUHHHH
review to come !!
hehe
5 STARS DUHHHH
review to come !!
hehe
June 12, 2025
This was such a cute read and i definitely shed some tears! I love a good second chances book and this definitely didn’t disappoint. Seth’s slow realisation that he can’t let Nina leave his life again was so comforting to watch especially as he came to terms with the impact his parents’ separation had on him. It was also so nice having the book take place in Australia and be recognisable to me even if I live on the other side of the country also Nina’s love of Criminal Minds is extremely relatable haha! Overall I loved this book and there were so many cute scenes! Thank you so much to @shainaveronica for the opportunity to read this e-arc
July 27, 2025
I enjoyed that the romance was sweet and tender, but for some reason, this never fully grabbed my attention. It took me 2 weeks to read 280 pages… 🥲 I don’t know why, but I just never fully connected to this story. But I think that’s a “me” problem, and I genuinely think other people could like this book more than I did; I’d still recommend it, for sure! 🫶🏻
I like that this book was written from the male character’s POV; so many straight romances are in the girl’s POV, and I enjoyed that this story gave me something unique.
I enjoyed both Seth and Nina, but I think I would’ve liked to see more of them, individually. Seth, in particular: at the start of the book I related a lot to him, when he was talking about drifting away from all of his high school friends and finding it difficult to make new friendships; but turns out he already has 2 best friends at uni (that we don’t see much of, particularly Anya) and that’s it. I think there was an opportunity here to make his friendships more meaningful to the story, and to really explore his loneliness.
We know less about Nina (which makes sense, since we’re not in her POV), and the main thing I wanted for her was for her to be LESS PATHETIC!!!!!!!!! Like, oh my goddddddddddd girl! For some reason, she had a crush on Seth in school (even though they never talked; she just fell for a stranger), and then she stayed in love for 5 YEARS???????????? 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨 Mind you, during this time, they were acquaintances, at best. They weren’t even *friends*, and you’re telling me she was deeply in love with this dude (who spoke to her maybe 3 times) for HALF A DECADE???? 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ Nina was PATHETIC and PITIFUL! I couldn’t get over the fact that she fell for a stranger and continued to be down-bad for him for so long, especially given the fact that he didn’t even talk to her. 😭😭😭 She does acknowledge that she has no reasons to like Seth, so at least she’s self-aware, but I would’ve preferred if Nina had *actual reasonings* for this long-ass crush, you know? Like, if Seth had done something super nice for her when they first met, if they’d had a meet-cute she could never forget, if he was really talented at something she’s really into…… ANYTHING to justify her absurd levels of pining. 🫤
And then, when they reconnect after 4 years, Seth falls for her in like, 2 weeks?? I understand that he had a repressed crush for her, back in the day, but I just couldn’t get on board with the fact that neither of these 22-year-olds ever got over some little high school crushes that never amounted to anything (given that, as I mentioned, they didn’t even really speak to each other). Seth keeps mentioning that it makes no sense for him to start liking Nina in only 2 weeks, and I was right there with him! Makes zero sense, I agree lol. 🥴
Seth gets this revelation pretty early on, so most of the book is him groveling and pining after Nina. I do enjoy when a man is very much in love with a woman, so I guess I liked that aspect of this story. With that said, their romance never made me *feel* a lot. I didn’t really get any butterflies or fuzzy feelings. They were cute, and I really enjoyed that they communicated their feelings and how much they cared for each other, but I never *fell* for their romance, you know? 🫤🫤🫤
Regarding the writing: this was quite an easy read. The way the present storyline was interwoven with the flashbacks + diary entries from Nina was both easy to understand and also made the story more interesting. There were typos, but I’ll give the book a pass, since it’s self-published (though, I’ll say, the occasional use of present tense in a book that’s supposed to be written in the past tense sometimes pulled me out of the story).
Overall: fine. I’m still looking forward to this author’s next release!
I like that this book was written from the male character’s POV; so many straight romances are in the girl’s POV, and I enjoyed that this story gave me something unique.
I enjoyed both Seth and Nina, but I think I would’ve liked to see more of them, individually. Seth, in particular: at the start of the book I related a lot to him, when he was talking about drifting away from all of his high school friends and finding it difficult to make new friendships; but turns out he already has 2 best friends at uni (that we don’t see much of, particularly Anya) and that’s it. I think there was an opportunity here to make his friendships more meaningful to the story, and to really explore his loneliness.
We know less about Nina (which makes sense, since we’re not in her POV), and the main thing I wanted for her was for her to be LESS PATHETIC!!!!!!!!! Like, oh my goddddddddddd girl! For some reason, she had a crush on Seth in school (even though they never talked; she just fell for a stranger), and then she stayed in love for 5 YEARS???????????? 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨 Mind you, during this time, they were acquaintances, at best. They weren’t even *friends*, and you’re telling me she was deeply in love with this dude (who spoke to her maybe 3 times) for HALF A DECADE???? 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ Nina was PATHETIC and PITIFUL! I couldn’t get over the fact that she fell for a stranger and continued to be down-bad for him for so long, especially given the fact that he didn’t even talk to her. 😭😭😭 She does acknowledge that she has no reasons to like Seth, so at least she’s self-aware, but I would’ve preferred if Nina had *actual reasonings* for this long-ass crush, you know? Like, if Seth had done something super nice for her when they first met, if they’d had a meet-cute she could never forget, if he was really talented at something she’s really into…… ANYTHING to justify her absurd levels of pining. 🫤
And then, when they reconnect after 4 years, Seth falls for her in like, 2 weeks?? I understand that he had a repressed crush for her, back in the day, but I just couldn’t get on board with the fact that neither of these 22-year-olds ever got over some little high school crushes that never amounted to anything (given that, as I mentioned, they didn’t even really speak to each other). Seth keeps mentioning that it makes no sense for him to start liking Nina in only 2 weeks, and I was right there with him! Makes zero sense, I agree lol. 🥴
Seth gets this revelation pretty early on, so most of the book is him groveling and pining after Nina. I do enjoy when a man is very much in love with a woman, so I guess I liked that aspect of this story. With that said, their romance never made me *feel* a lot. I didn’t really get any butterflies or fuzzy feelings. They were cute, and I really enjoyed that they communicated their feelings and how much they cared for each other, but I never *fell* for their romance, you know? 🫤🫤🫤
Regarding the writing: this was quite an easy read. The way the present storyline was interwoven with the flashbacks + diary entries from Nina was both easy to understand and also made the story more interesting. There were typos, but I’ll give the book a pass, since it’s self-published (though, I’ll say, the occasional use of present tense in a book that’s supposed to be written in the past tense sometimes pulled me out of the story).
Overall: fine. I’m still looking forward to this author’s next release!
June 9, 2025
alexa, play afterglow by taylor swift on 200% volume
i- how do i perfectly encapsulate the way this book made me feel without sounding like a pathetic, hopeless romantic
i have never read a romance story written from the male perspective - as a very character-driven reader, i was a bit worried that i wouldn't be able to relate or connect with him but BOY WAS I WRONG.
I connected with Seth and Nina on a deep, emotional, and spiritual level. Am I being overdramatic? yes, but when you read about two characters whose perspective on love is so close to your own, their deepest fears reflecting your own, and their high school experiences often paralleling your own - you start to wonder at which part of the story the writing stopped being fictional.
i loved the way the book tackled the topic of unrequited love - it's messy, heartbreaking and all-consuming, but with the right person, it can be beautiful too. Their influence on each other kind of reminded me of a Studio Ghibli movie where, at the end of the day, seth and nina are just two souls feeding off each other to grow into better people and inspired by the other to see the world in a different light.
Apart from romantic love, i love that we got to see familial love, self-love and platonic love too. I love that Shaina included these characters and let them shine in their own way, but yet still highlight how each of them impacted seth as a character. I enjoyed reading seth's inner turmoil. One of my favourite parts about a romance story is the "falling" part, and we got to see seth fall in 4k, slow mo, directors cut, in full, unfiltered glory.
nina oh nina, i see you. Maybe I'm unhealthily attached to her because i too, had a long standing unrequited crush in high school, but her diary entries? they way she carried herself (in the past and in the present)? It healed something in me. I wish 15 year old phia had access to this book on the nights where she felt like her feelings were too much. i would've loved to be best friends with nina.
There's a reference to the movie Everything, Everywhere All at Once in the plot, where a certain scene struck seth to the core and i swear - i felt it through the pages. I may or may not have also shed a tear. Pop culture references are sometimes a hit/miss for me but you can tell that Shaina carefully thought about each one. So i can gladly say that i trust her with my life.
don't get me started on the YEARNING. the mothertrucking YEARNING. Seth yearned for nina like fish need water, and i was all for it - poets are quaking and songwriters should be taking notes. These fictional men need to be controlled because my standards can't keep up istg.
the overall book itself was easy to read and quick (unless you're me, and in which case, i had to keep putting the book down because I was either fangirling or processing relatable moments). I'm also not a writer so take this with a grain of salt but i feel like Shaina has improved her writing exponentially from All About You. I have about 102 highlights to prove it.
i also love the train rides?? the banter in this book?? the "almosts" and the "what ifs"? the wrist grabs-
just ugh. this book. i can't-
anyways, as you can tell, i loved this book. tldr.
"so i will take everything I can get, with all my stolen glances and brief moments"
- nina's diary may 28 2016
p.s this is so shojou coded and kinda gave me ao haru ride vibes??
p.p.s i will be re-reading this book when i get my hands on a physical copy.
i- how do i perfectly encapsulate the way this book made me feel without sounding like a pathetic, hopeless romantic
i have never read a romance story written from the male perspective - as a very character-driven reader, i was a bit worried that i wouldn't be able to relate or connect with him but BOY WAS I WRONG.
I connected with Seth and Nina on a deep, emotional, and spiritual level. Am I being overdramatic? yes, but when you read about two characters whose perspective on love is so close to your own, their deepest fears reflecting your own, and their high school experiences often paralleling your own - you start to wonder at which part of the story the writing stopped being fictional.
i loved the way the book tackled the topic of unrequited love - it's messy, heartbreaking and all-consuming, but with the right person, it can be beautiful too. Their influence on each other kind of reminded me of a Studio Ghibli movie where, at the end of the day, seth and nina are just two souls feeding off each other to grow into better people and inspired by the other to see the world in a different light.
Apart from romantic love, i love that we got to see familial love, self-love and platonic love too. I love that Shaina included these characters and let them shine in their own way, but yet still highlight how each of them impacted seth as a character. I enjoyed reading seth's inner turmoil. One of my favourite parts about a romance story is the "falling" part, and we got to see seth fall in 4k, slow mo, directors cut, in full, unfiltered glory.
nina oh nina, i see you. Maybe I'm unhealthily attached to her because i too, had a long standing unrequited crush in high school, but her diary entries? they way she carried herself (in the past and in the present)? It healed something in me. I wish 15 year old phia had access to this book on the nights where she felt like her feelings were too much. i would've loved to be best friends with nina.
There's a reference to the movie Everything, Everywhere All at Once in the plot, where a certain scene struck seth to the core and i swear - i felt it through the pages. I may or may not have also shed a tear. Pop culture references are sometimes a hit/miss for me but you can tell that Shaina carefully thought about each one. So i can gladly say that i trust her with my life.
don't get me started on the YEARNING. the mothertrucking YEARNING. Seth yearned for nina like fish need water, and i was all for it - poets are quaking and songwriters should be taking notes. These fictional men need to be controlled because my standards can't keep up istg.
the overall book itself was easy to read and quick (unless you're me, and in which case, i had to keep putting the book down because I was either fangirling or processing relatable moments). I'm also not a writer so take this with a grain of salt but i feel like Shaina has improved her writing exponentially from All About You. I have about 102 highlights to prove it.
i also love the train rides?? the banter in this book?? the "almosts" and the "what ifs"? the wrist grabs-
just ugh. this book. i can't-
anyways, as you can tell, i loved this book. tldr.
"so i will take everything I can get, with all my stolen glances and brief moments"
- nina's diary may 28 2016
p.s this is so shojou coded and kinda gave me ao haru ride vibes??
p.p.s i will be re-reading this book when i get my hands on a physical copy.
July 10, 2025
Thank you to Shaina Veronica for the e-ARC! If Only releases on July 10th!
Continuing her theme of romance, If Only introduces readers to Seth Moore and Nina Mendez, two characters whose lives have been intertwined since high school. Seth remembers Nina as the girl who had the longest crush on him, and years have passed since then. All that Seth remembers is how he used to deal with these difficult emotions, and Nina seems to have long moved on since. As the two suddenly reconnect and spend time together, Seth finds himself falling for Nina. Between quality time and chats, Seth has to figure out his feelings before things change once again.
I found If Only to be a cute story that almost read like a fated-soulmate romance to me, and the experiences of both characters felt relatable. As the author is a lover of the romance genre and describes herself as a “hopeless romantic”, I love how she dives deeper into presenting romances that she would love to see and read about in her books. Nina’s character was adorable to me and her character felt like what a high school girl with a big crush would do as a young teenager. Seth’s character got me thinking more and I understood what he was going through, but I felt sometimes I was raising my eyebrow at his actions in the past. I enjoyed the past and present perspectives the novel was taking readers through, leading up to the hopeful ending. This book was marketed with the concept of yearning involved, and it did sure deliver.
If Only was a fun read if you’re into romance novels with a good amount of yearning. I’ll definitely have to check out All About You one of these days.
Continuing her theme of romance, If Only introduces readers to Seth Moore and Nina Mendez, two characters whose lives have been intertwined since high school. Seth remembers Nina as the girl who had the longest crush on him, and years have passed since then. All that Seth remembers is how he used to deal with these difficult emotions, and Nina seems to have long moved on since. As the two suddenly reconnect and spend time together, Seth finds himself falling for Nina. Between quality time and chats, Seth has to figure out his feelings before things change once again.
I found If Only to be a cute story that almost read like a fated-soulmate romance to me, and the experiences of both characters felt relatable. As the author is a lover of the romance genre and describes herself as a “hopeless romantic”, I love how she dives deeper into presenting romances that she would love to see and read about in her books. Nina’s character was adorable to me and her character felt like what a high school girl with a big crush would do as a young teenager. Seth’s character got me thinking more and I understood what he was going through, but I felt sometimes I was raising my eyebrow at his actions in the past. I enjoyed the past and present perspectives the novel was taking readers through, leading up to the hopeful ending. This book was marketed with the concept of yearning involved, and it did sure deliver.
If Only was a fun read if you’re into romance novels with a good amount of yearning. I’ll definitely have to check out All About You one of these days.
July 19, 2025
i could tell by the prologue that this book was going to be full of yearning but i was not prepared for the amount of longing there was going to be… #REALyearning is back!
i was very skeptical because i don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was completely male pov.. but i actually really enjoyed seeing both his dramatics + his character development. throughout all of seth’s relationships, there was one thing he craved: attention. his parents were always too busy and all of his friendships were very surface level. i am so truly thankful jae or else i don’t think there would be a story. although seth didn’t have many friends, the one he did have was a damn good one.
he feared love because he saw how it affected other people and brought out the worst in them. he had such a negative view on love that he didn’t want to fall in love with nina because he loved what they had and didn’t want to see it become something similar to what his parents had. because of this, he self-sabatoged… A LOT. both his timing and self-doubt always pulled him away from nina, he was continuously left with regret and “if only.” i was getting frustrated with him but then i’d have to remind myself that he didn’t have good examples of loving relationships and then i’d just cross my fingers and hope he got his shit together LOL also the everything everywhere all at once parallel fucking HURT, you will be hearing from my therapist!
also to my fellow love island watchers, nina reminded me a lot of ms. amaya papaya bc she loved hard and would continuously ask herself perhaps she loves too much! i felt so bad bc the whole time she was just dreaming of having someone who’d love her back UGH LUV HER!
i was very skeptical because i don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was completely male pov.. but i actually really enjoyed seeing both his dramatics + his character development. throughout all of seth’s relationships, there was one thing he craved: attention. his parents were always too busy and all of his friendships were very surface level. i am so truly thankful jae or else i don’t think there would be a story. although seth didn’t have many friends, the one he did have was a damn good one.
he feared love because he saw how it affected other people and brought out the worst in them. he had such a negative view on love that he didn’t want to fall in love with nina because he loved what they had and didn’t want to see it become something similar to what his parents had. because of this, he self-sabatoged… A LOT. both his timing and self-doubt always pulled him away from nina, he was continuously left with regret and “if only.” i was getting frustrated with him but then i’d have to remind myself that he didn’t have good examples of loving relationships and then i’d just cross my fingers and hope he got his shit together LOL also the everything everywhere all at once parallel fucking HURT, you will be hearing from my therapist!
also to my fellow love island watchers, nina reminded me a lot of ms. amaya papaya bc she loved hard and would continuously ask herself perhaps she loves too much! i felt so bad bc the whole time she was just dreaming of having someone who’d love her back UGH LUV HER!
August 6, 2025
thank you so much to the author for an earl copy! all opinions are my own!
i want a man who YEARRRRRNS :O
the only thing that i was expecting from this book was having the song If Only from the Descendants movie stuck in my head, but i wasn't expecting to read from the boy's POV, or be so nervous whenever he started to realize his feelings were deeper. it was such a fast read and super beautiful, i hadn't realized how much i missed reading about a second chance romance after all the ones i've read last year, and now i need more. Seth was such a relatable character and i loved his growth. Nina as a teenager was super cute and reminded me soooo much of myself when i was little, which made me blush a lot because yep, it was just like that :P there were some details in the writing that gave me an irk but then i was just flying through because the angst was there and it gave me chiiills. the modern references didn't bother me at all, i loved how organic the relationship grew and with such patience and care *insert many heart eyes*
overall, i just love how Shaina writes and how beautiful the romances are. can't wait to continue reading whatever she writes!
i want a man who YEARRRRRNS :O
the only thing that i was expecting from this book was having the song If Only from the Descendants movie stuck in my head, but i wasn't expecting to read from the boy's POV, or be so nervous whenever he started to realize his feelings were deeper. it was such a fast read and super beautiful, i hadn't realized how much i missed reading about a second chance romance after all the ones i've read last year, and now i need more. Seth was such a relatable character and i loved his growth. Nina as a teenager was super cute and reminded me soooo much of myself when i was little, which made me blush a lot because yep, it was just like that :P there were some details in the writing that gave me an irk but then i was just flying through because the angst was there and it gave me chiiills. the modern references didn't bother me at all, i loved how organic the relationship grew and with such patience and care *insert many heart eyes*
overall, i just love how Shaina writes and how beautiful the romances are. can't wait to continue reading whatever she writes!
September 7, 2025
thank you shaina veronica for providing me a free advanced reader copy of this book in return for a honest review!
i was so excited for this read you have noooo idea. veronica’s first book, all about you, had my ass sat. i’m so serious before her first book i used to say i didn’t like the romance genre, and her book actually changed my entire opinion on the genre.
and now with this review i have to say…. shaina im so sorry look away. LOOK AWAY
ok i actually need to preface this by saying i could read objectively The Best Book Ever, but if i didn’t have fun i’ll give it a 1-star sorry. i gave twilight 5-stars. quality does come into play in regards to if i like a book, but sometimes i can adore a bad book and dislike a great book. this is one of those former cases.
i really think the premise of this is good! second-chance romance? crushing on each other at different times? high school crush reconnecting in adulthood? australian romance setting? redemption arcs? two timelines at once? this book has them all and more! but here’s where i say…. i didn’t like any of these tropes. ok i do like australian settings in my books but that’s all i really like from the above. i have now learnt that about myself from this book. so yes, if any of that sounds up your alley, stop reading this review. STOP. go buy this book of amazon. support indie authors and don’t read my completely biased and not based in fact opinions! because i’ve had a look at other reviews and so far im literally the only person who didn’t adore this. and that’s ok, taste is subjective. but here i think my taste sucked donkey ass. so LOOK AWAY
alright. i need to talk about seth. i’m already biased against him because nine times out of ten i hate men. seth was not the exception. and i mean… if i don’t like the main character what am i doing? i found seth to be completely unlikeable. no redeeming qualities in my eyes. sorry. i understand peer pressure pushing you away from someone you like but oh my god dude….. bro was the worst and for what. and him blaming everything on his parent’s divorce…. sorry at some point buddy you can’t blame everything on that!! you just sucked all on your own!! i also found his “redemption arc”, aka seth learns to treat women as human beings only when he romantically likes them, as inauthentic. he only was nice to nina like a true friend because he wanted to get in her pants! and the minute he thought he couldn’t bro distanced himself insanely! yes yes avoidance attachment style blah blah blah. this is a book let me escape my psychology degree. just because this is realistic writing doesn’t mean i liked it!!! yes seth is a very realistic character and that’s a good thing! three dimensional characters are beautiful! but he was so realistic i couldn’t stand him LMAO. i wanted him to fall face first into a pond at every turn.
nina…. baby girl you deserved so much better. nina was written to also be realistic… but also not? like yes she did feel like someone i would know in real life… but she also had zero faults in the story. she was perfect. literally she never did a thing wrong except liking seth. i think the ending with them together did her so dirty as well!!!! she did not deserve to be stuck with a rat like mr seth. sorry it’s also not a good thing where i actively root against the relationship happening in a romance book 🫣
do i think my opinions on this are unfounded? hell yeah. i opened this and went “oh god i was a nina in hs that was traumatising”. is half this review probably projecting? yeah. am i still going to recommend this book to romance girlies? Yes. Yes I Am. it just was not for me. and like i said taste is subjective. but i also feel like the scum of the earth writing this about an indie book…. but i also would rather shoot my foot off than lie about how i truly felt in a review. and im so serious when i say those were my only “issues”. yeah the plot was a bit boring… but its a contemporary book. rn anything not stimulating me as much as cocomelon is going to bore me. bro i just read an action-thriller and a horror and they both did nothing to me. this is not this book’s fault. i am just not the target audience and also my brain is mush inside my skull.
tldr read this book if you’re a romance lover. i just didn’t enjoy this because i hate men and love and Fun (that second part is a joke).
i was so excited for this read you have noooo idea. veronica’s first book, all about you, had my ass sat. i’m so serious before her first book i used to say i didn’t like the romance genre, and her book actually changed my entire opinion on the genre.
and now with this review i have to say…. shaina im so sorry look away. LOOK AWAY
ok i actually need to preface this by saying i could read objectively The Best Book Ever, but if i didn’t have fun i’ll give it a 1-star sorry. i gave twilight 5-stars. quality does come into play in regards to if i like a book, but sometimes i can adore a bad book and dislike a great book. this is one of those former cases.
i really think the premise of this is good! second-chance romance? crushing on each other at different times? high school crush reconnecting in adulthood? australian romance setting? redemption arcs? two timelines at once? this book has them all and more! but here’s where i say…. i didn’t like any of these tropes. ok i do like australian settings in my books but that’s all i really like from the above. i have now learnt that about myself from this book. so yes, if any of that sounds up your alley, stop reading this review. STOP. go buy this book of amazon. support indie authors and don’t read my completely biased and not based in fact opinions! because i’ve had a look at other reviews and so far im literally the only person who didn’t adore this. and that’s ok, taste is subjective. but here i think my taste sucked donkey ass. so LOOK AWAY
alright. i need to talk about seth. i’m already biased against him because nine times out of ten i hate men. seth was not the exception. and i mean… if i don’t like the main character what am i doing? i found seth to be completely unlikeable. no redeeming qualities in my eyes. sorry. i understand peer pressure pushing you away from someone you like but oh my god dude….. bro was the worst and for what. and him blaming everything on his parent’s divorce…. sorry at some point buddy you can’t blame everything on that!! you just sucked all on your own!! i also found his “redemption arc”, aka seth learns to treat women as human beings only when he romantically likes them, as inauthentic. he only was nice to nina like a true friend because he wanted to get in her pants! and the minute he thought he couldn’t bro distanced himself insanely! yes yes avoidance attachment style blah blah blah. this is a book let me escape my psychology degree. just because this is realistic writing doesn’t mean i liked it!!! yes seth is a very realistic character and that’s a good thing! three dimensional characters are beautiful! but he was so realistic i couldn’t stand him LMAO. i wanted him to fall face first into a pond at every turn.
nina…. baby girl you deserved so much better. nina was written to also be realistic… but also not? like yes she did feel like someone i would know in real life… but she also had zero faults in the story. she was perfect. literally she never did a thing wrong except liking seth. i think the ending with them together did her so dirty as well!!!! she did not deserve to be stuck with a rat like mr seth. sorry it’s also not a good thing where i actively root against the relationship happening in a romance book 🫣
do i think my opinions on this are unfounded? hell yeah. i opened this and went “oh god i was a nina in hs that was traumatising”. is half this review probably projecting? yeah. am i still going to recommend this book to romance girlies? Yes. Yes I Am. it just was not for me. and like i said taste is subjective. but i also feel like the scum of the earth writing this about an indie book…. but i also would rather shoot my foot off than lie about how i truly felt in a review. and im so serious when i say those were my only “issues”. yeah the plot was a bit boring… but its a contemporary book. rn anything not stimulating me as much as cocomelon is going to bore me. bro i just read an action-thriller and a horror and they both did nothing to me. this is not this book’s fault. i am just not the target audience and also my brain is mush inside my skull.
tldr read this book if you’re a romance lover. i just didn’t enjoy this because i hate men and love and Fun (that second part is a joke).
July 14, 2025
ARC Review: This doesn't impede my review in any way.
Their love story is so cute. This book is only the MMC's Pov.
The yearning just makes everything better.
I love how this book is reminiscent of how highschoolers(the boys) always act and it was written beautifully.
If only is a cute story about second chances of a love story that never got to be.
This story is for the girls and guys who always doubt themselves, that they are undeserving of love.
Their love story is so cute. This book is only the MMC's Pov.
The yearning just makes everything better.
I love how this book is reminiscent of how highschoolers(the boys) always act and it was written beautifully.
If only is a cute story about second chances of a love story that never got to be.
This story is for the girls and guys who always doubt themselves, that they are undeserving of love.
May 3, 2025
I didn’t expect to be obsessively reading this book in 2 days, but here we are. All I can say is the YEARNING. I literally felt the emotions in my soul 😭. The male POV is amazing, as I feel like most romance novels I read are female POV, so it was nice to see a different perspective. I wish I could read this again for the first time.
June 2, 2025
Immediate 5 stars, this book was so good I finished it within a day, and I fear I may have highlighted to many quotes but Seth is literally so perfect, I love how this book was written and Nina being so relatable and I especially loved the diary entries
July 8, 2025
4.5
oh the yearners are gonna love this one
oh the yearners are gonna love this one
August 19, 2025
First off what a beautiful read by the lovely author! It was not only captivating but the author made the characters and the plot line truly unique! First off let me introduce you to our fmc Nina! Nina character literally made her dreams and wants in the pastime to future tense real! She wanted to be with the one she loved for so long & since youngin years and to her older self now was able to gain what she once wanted literally a fairytale ending! But I loved how Nina character didnt rush but took her time, eased into new experiences and with new people added into her life she took time to build not rushing everything. I loved how she stayed strong with her boundaries & her characteristics, so many acknowledge aspects of themselves and something changes to be accepted by others but Nina stayed herself and worked on herself beforehand and was honest and strong with everything/everyone and truly kind! ☺️ Now to our mmc Seth, literally such a full character moment that transformed into a better version of himself. He didnt always treat Nina nor others alway kind, and not interested. Later down the line he acknowledged and understood what aspects weren’t needed esepcially when fronting in frong of his friends & then finally seeing the good that was brought into his life , and what was almost left behind if not understanding of his previous experiences and self sabotaging. I loved the perspective and thoughts behind Seth and how the yearning/longings he wanted in life came back and after working on himself. Onto Seth and Nina reuniting as adults especially after stumbling towards another on a train ride, and then building a friendship and acknowledging their love with eachother. I loved how the storytelling of their relationship was its own highlighting a love thaf was patient and kind, highlighting the growth within eachother past/present and future which played into their relationship dynamics. I truly view their love as a romance/friendship that showed values, of not only fighting for eachother the yearning, angst but also strength. I loved this read and recommend everyone to read! Thank you ❣️
May 16, 2025
4.8/5
[ Young Adult, Contemporary Romance ]
High school romance? Check
Male Yearning? Check
Second Chance? Check
This is my first book of 'she fell first, he falls hardest' and it's that slow-burn which will make you jsiqhsjndj like ANYTHING. It shows 'dual' phases of high school years and after graduation life, and it's simply how anyone in real life may react - so it's touching and you can feel the vibe. If you had loved or crushed over someone in school years, you will exactly feel the vibes and know what is happening. Nina is like any other girl in love - beautiful, funny, loves like really hard ( as someone deserves) , writes all her thoughts in her diary ( my fav part of the whole book) and just wow. Seth is like the guy in school, like every other guy is - silly, bit dumb and not caring much ( at least pretending to) and then when realization hits him hard - he's in love, there's so much he can, he want to and he does.
There is a fair share of misunderstandings, not too long building up the plot. The doubts, insecurities, open communication, self-reliance, right friend circle, family dynamics all adds up beautifully to the book - I'm like in completely in love with Nina and Seth now.
From the little diary excerpts to the past little moments of high school, to seeing each other after four long damn years and re-connecting like soulmates - it covers everything.
ALSO, the book has been written from the perspective of Seth life I.e the main protagonist's life - which is a wow point, since we don't find such in other books, so super glad for that, it deeply shows Seth's happenings in life, how he changed and his character development along with his dysfunctional family dynamics, so yeah pretty much better better than many books I've read till now.
So for the romance girlies, here's the right book - filled with romance, high school drama, slow burn, second chance to both of them, man falling harder and makes sure his girl deserves everything. Happy reading!
[ Young Adult, Contemporary Romance ]
High school romance? Check
Male Yearning? Check
Second Chance? Check
This is my first book of 'she fell first, he falls hardest' and it's that slow-burn which will make you jsiqhsjndj like ANYTHING. It shows 'dual' phases of high school years and after graduation life, and it's simply how anyone in real life may react - so it's touching and you can feel the vibe. If you had loved or crushed over someone in school years, you will exactly feel the vibes and know what is happening. Nina is like any other girl in love - beautiful, funny, loves like really hard ( as someone deserves) , writes all her thoughts in her diary ( my fav part of the whole book) and just wow. Seth is like the guy in school, like every other guy is - silly, bit dumb and not caring much ( at least pretending to) and then when realization hits him hard - he's in love, there's so much he can, he want to and he does.
There is a fair share of misunderstandings, not too long building up the plot. The doubts, insecurities, open communication, self-reliance, right friend circle, family dynamics all adds up beautifully to the book - I'm like in completely in love with Nina and Seth now.
From the little diary excerpts to the past little moments of high school, to seeing each other after four long damn years and re-connecting like soulmates - it covers everything.
ALSO, the book has been written from the perspective of Seth life I.e the main protagonist's life - which is a wow point, since we don't find such in other books, so super glad for that, it deeply shows Seth's happenings in life, how he changed and his character development along with his dysfunctional family dynamics, so yeah pretty much better better than many books I've read till now.
So for the romance girlies, here's the right book - filled with romance, high school drama, slow burn, second chance to both of them, man falling harder and makes sure his girl deserves everything. Happy reading!
July 12, 2025
There’s something achingly beautiful about watching someone fall in love, not just once, but twice.
First, I want to thank Shaina Veronica for the ARC copy of If Only that I received for free. I’m so grateful I got to experience this story early.
One of the things I really loved about If Only is how the author weaves the past and present so seamlessly. The story is told entirely through Seth’s POV, and we experience his feelings for Nina both as they developed in high school and as they resurface years later. Shaina Veronica brings in excerpts from Nina’s old diaries alongside Seth’s own memories, creating this layered, reflective timeline that really pulls you in emotionally.
The way we get to know Nina through Seth’s eyes is just beautiful. Her bright, sunny personality shines through every scene, and honestly, it’s impossible not to fall for her a little yourself. The imagery in this book has such a gentle, cinematic quality, it almost feels like you’re watching a K-drama or an anime, and I mean that in the best way.
The slow burn, the yearning, the emotional build-up… if that’s your thing, this book delivers. Seth is such an intricate character. We watch him go from denying his feelings, to quietly coming to terms with them, to finally being brave enough to consider what a future with Nina might look like. But just as he’s ready, he finds out Nina may have feelings for someone else. That discovery shakes him, his insecurities flare up, and he starts questioning what he has to offer emotionally, and whether he’s the right person for her after all.
Still, he tries to be supportive. He tries to keep his feelings in check. But it becomes impossible the more time he spends with her—and the more he realizes how deeply he’s falling.
First, I want to thank Shaina Veronica for the ARC copy of If Only that I received for free. I’m so grateful I got to experience this story early.
One of the things I really loved about If Only is how the author weaves the past and present so seamlessly. The story is told entirely through Seth’s POV, and we experience his feelings for Nina both as they developed in high school and as they resurface years later. Shaina Veronica brings in excerpts from Nina’s old diaries alongside Seth’s own memories, creating this layered, reflective timeline that really pulls you in emotionally.
The way we get to know Nina through Seth’s eyes is just beautiful. Her bright, sunny personality shines through every scene, and honestly, it’s impossible not to fall for her a little yourself. The imagery in this book has such a gentle, cinematic quality, it almost feels like you’re watching a K-drama or an anime, and I mean that in the best way.
The slow burn, the yearning, the emotional build-up… if that’s your thing, this book delivers. Seth is such an intricate character. We watch him go from denying his feelings, to quietly coming to terms with them, to finally being brave enough to consider what a future with Nina might look like. But just as he’s ready, he finds out Nina may have feelings for someone else. That discovery shakes him, his insecurities flare up, and he starts questioning what he has to offer emotionally, and whether he’s the right person for her after all.
Still, he tries to be supportive. He tries to keep his feelings in check. But it becomes impossible the more time he spends with her—and the more he realizes how deeply he’s falling.
May 12, 2025
3.75/5 ⭐️
If Only is a nostalgic, heart tugging read about your first love and heart break coming back when you least expect it to.
As a lover girl and Filipino-Australian like Nina, I was so endeared to follow her and Seth’s journey over the years.
When the author promised Bridgerton level yearning, just know I wasn’t disappointed.
The story is easy to read and follow along and has a satisfying ending.
Although I did enjoy the book, I was also torn between rating If Only a 3.75 or 4 /5 stars. While I loved the themes and found the overall story enjoyable, I found that at times the internal dialogue and storytelling a bit cliche. I would’ve loved if Seth and Nina’s earlier relationship could’ve been explored in a bit more depth, and I thought that their meeting at older ages could have been portrayed a bit differently (I felt it was a bit rushed, considering how awkward it really would’ve/should’ve been seeing each other again after all those years and leaving on a sour note).
Sometimes I found myself thinking that these characters felt too young or too old for some of the ways that they were speaking and thinking about love - but at the same time I realise that is what the whole story is about, two people who don’t fully know how to love and are still trying to navigate this with each other. Overall, I think I found myself most hooked onto the plot when the sense of urgency kicked in and the yearning was amped up 10-fold.
Regardless, while some parts were not necessarily for me I do think If Only is a great read for young adults and great for those who are a sucker for second chance love!
If Only is a nostalgic, heart tugging read about your first love and heart break coming back when you least expect it to.
As a lover girl and Filipino-Australian like Nina, I was so endeared to follow her and Seth’s journey over the years.
When the author promised Bridgerton level yearning, just know I wasn’t disappointed.
The story is easy to read and follow along and has a satisfying ending.
Although I did enjoy the book, I was also torn between rating If Only a 3.75 or 4 /5 stars. While I loved the themes and found the overall story enjoyable, I found that at times the internal dialogue and storytelling a bit cliche. I would’ve loved if Seth and Nina’s earlier relationship could’ve been explored in a bit more depth, and I thought that their meeting at older ages could have been portrayed a bit differently (I felt it was a bit rushed, considering how awkward it really would’ve/should’ve been seeing each other again after all those years and leaving on a sour note).
Sometimes I found myself thinking that these characters felt too young or too old for some of the ways that they were speaking and thinking about love - but at the same time I realise that is what the whole story is about, two people who don’t fully know how to love and are still trying to navigate this with each other. Overall, I think I found myself most hooked onto the plot when the sense of urgency kicked in and the yearning was amped up 10-fold.
Regardless, while some parts were not necessarily for me I do think If Only is a great read for young adults and great for those who are a sucker for second chance love!
June 1, 2025
4 ⭐️
So I've never read a male-female romance book that is told entirely from the POV of the male, and honestly, i'm here for it. You sort of automatically get a man who's in touch not only with his own emotions but hers as well. Plus, I am always a sucker for the moment when he realises he's fallen.
Listen, no one does pining like Seth. Except maybe Nina. But like Seth pined quietly and Nina is out there screaming it from roof tops. I love that for them.
I liked the subplot around how his parents' separation changed his perspective on love and him working to overcome that. It is very realistic and again shows him getting in touch with his emotions. Also gave some much needed conflict. I can see why the author chose to put afterglow by taylor swift on the playlist for the book. It sums it up perfectly.
I do think i would have liked there to be a plot outside of the romance. It felt like it was in a little bubble separated from the rest of their lives. Two 20 somethings in university would typically be worrying about jobs and exams, etc, but they're just both very chill.
Overall I liked it but it doesn't top all about you for me. Big thank you to the author for having me as an ARC reader again.
So I've never read a male-female romance book that is told entirely from the POV of the male, and honestly, i'm here for it. You sort of automatically get a man who's in touch not only with his own emotions but hers as well. Plus, I am always a sucker for the moment when he realises he's fallen.
Listen, no one does pining like Seth. Except maybe Nina. But like Seth pined quietly and Nina is out there screaming it from roof tops. I love that for them.
I liked the subplot around how his parents' separation changed his perspective on love and him working to overcome that. It is very realistic and again shows him getting in touch with his emotions. Also gave some much needed conflict. I can see why the author chose to put afterglow by taylor swift on the playlist for the book. It sums it up perfectly.
I do think i would have liked there to be a plot outside of the romance. It felt like it was in a little bubble separated from the rest of their lives. Two 20 somethings in university would typically be worrying about jobs and exams, etc, but they're just both very chill.
Overall I liked it but it doesn't top all about you for me. Big thank you to the author for having me as an ARC reader again.
July 9, 2025
Thank you for the e-Arc Shaina!
I devoured this book in one day! I really liked this book. If you're looking for a good romance book full of yearning from the guys pov the entire book (not often seen in romances) then this is the book for you!
It's not often I read romances solely from the mmc so it was different for me, however I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Seth. Seeing his thoughts and feelings about how he f*cked up a past relationship that he didn't even know who could have had and then getting a second chance to actually let himself fall in love with the same girl.
Seth was a complex character that did not the best of things in high school but he also wasn't a bad person, he just did and said stupid things to fit in and couldn't process his feelings about love considering his parents situation. Boy, did he need therapy. His strained relationship with his parents was heartbreaking but loved that by the end of the book, they were on the mend.
I really liked Nina and thought her having her crush announced to the entire school was very relatable to me (my crushes wasn't announced to the whole school but my grade sure new about some of them lmao). I liked how despite her heart being shattered into pieces due the actions of Seth, she was still kind to him when she had to speak with him. I also liked that she didn't immediately fall in his arms again when Seth was finally interested in getting to know her and be in a relationship with her. I liked that she hesitated, just in case he was going to act the same way again. I also enjoyed reading about the side characters and the stories setting (I wish we had double decker trains in QLD).
Also major slay for illustrating your book covers yourself!
I devoured this book in one day! I really liked this book. If you're looking for a good romance book full of yearning from the guys pov the entire book (not often seen in romances) then this is the book for you!
It's not often I read romances solely from the mmc so it was different for me, however I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Seth. Seeing his thoughts and feelings about how he f*cked up a past relationship that he didn't even know who could have had and then getting a second chance to actually let himself fall in love with the same girl.
Seth was a complex character that did not the best of things in high school but he also wasn't a bad person, he just did and said stupid things to fit in and couldn't process his feelings about love considering his parents situation. Boy, did he need therapy. His strained relationship with his parents was heartbreaking but loved that by the end of the book, they were on the mend.
I really liked Nina and thought her having her crush announced to the entire school was very relatable to me (my crushes wasn't announced to the whole school but my grade sure new about some of them lmao). I liked how despite her heart being shattered into pieces due the actions of Seth, she was still kind to him when she had to speak with him. I also liked that she didn't immediately fall in his arms again when Seth was finally interested in getting to know her and be in a relationship with her. I liked that she hesitated, just in case he was going to act the same way again. I also enjoyed reading about the side characters and the stories setting (I wish we had double decker trains in QLD).
Also major slay for illustrating your book covers yourself!
Read
July 23, 2025Through dual timelines, we follow Seth Moore in present day as he reconnects with Nina, a former high school classmate who had a major crush on him, and reflects on their interactions from the past and his feelings towards her.
Y'all, this book is YEARNING (+ what ifs, almosts, and a lot of things unsaid)!! I haven’t really read too many romances from the guy’s perspective done fully throughout, so it was refreshing to see inside Seth’s head.
With Seth, we see his struggles with self-sabotage, peer pressure, angst, and his struggles with his parents’ rocky relationship. Through this, we also explore friendship, not feeling like enough, and other dynamics. When it comes to Seth’s feelings towards Nina, he’s down BAD!! (but is also awkward and not really good at showing this).
With Nina, we see her through Seth’s eyes, their train rides, Nina’s personal diary entries, and old high school memories. Seeing Seth capture the small moments like Nina’s laugh, her love for writing, and her kindness was so cute. I genuinely loved Nina’s bubbly personality, her hopeless romantic nature, and how authentic she was.
Overall, this was a cute read that scratched my itch for second chance romances and had ME yearning too 😭😂 (Thank you for the e-arc Shaina!)
Y'all, this book is YEARNING (+ what ifs, almosts, and a lot of things unsaid)!! I haven’t really read too many romances from the guy’s perspective done fully throughout, so it was refreshing to see inside Seth’s head.
With Seth, we see his struggles with self-sabotage, peer pressure, angst, and his struggles with his parents’ rocky relationship. Through this, we also explore friendship, not feeling like enough, and other dynamics. When it comes to Seth’s feelings towards Nina, he’s down BAD!! (but is also awkward and not really good at showing this).
With Nina, we see her through Seth’s eyes, their train rides, Nina’s personal diary entries, and old high school memories. Seeing Seth capture the small moments like Nina’s laugh, her love for writing, and her kindness was so cute. I genuinely loved Nina’s bubbly personality, her hopeless romantic nature, and how authentic she was.
Overall, this was a cute read that scratched my itch for second chance romances and had ME yearning too 😭😂 (Thank you for the e-arc Shaina!)
October 22, 2025
From the title alone, you already get a hint of what this book is all about love, reconnection, and the weight of the past. What makes it even more refreshing is how it starts with a male main character’s point of view. It's rare, but it adds a unique perspective right from the beginning.
At its heart, the story revolves around two people Seth and Nina reconnecting after time and distance. The narrative beautifully switches between past and present, allowing us to see the evolution of their bond and how it was shaped by time, memory, and emotion.
Seth, oh Seth! how many times can one man deny his feelings? Honestly, he was such an idiot for running from what was clearly real. But isn’t that how love sometimes works? Fear gets in the way.
Reading this made me incredibly nostalgic. That feeling of a high school crush? WAHHHH. It’s the kind of emotion we lose in adulthood, where a simple "happy crush" could lift us from the stress of daily life. That giddy, heart-fluttering sensation is something I truly miss.
At its heart, the story revolves around two people Seth and Nina reconnecting after time and distance. The narrative beautifully switches between past and present, allowing us to see the evolution of their bond and how it was shaped by time, memory, and emotion.
Seth, oh Seth! how many times can one man deny his feelings? Honestly, he was such an idiot for running from what was clearly real. But isn’t that how love sometimes works? Fear gets in the way.
Reading this made me incredibly nostalgic. That feeling of a high school crush? WAHHHH. It’s the kind of emotion we lose in adulthood, where a simple "happy crush" could lift us from the stress of daily life. That giddy, heart-fluttering sensation is something I truly miss.
July 28, 2025
i don’t even know where to start. first of all, ever since i saw that ‘about you’ by the 1975 was basically the inspiration for this book (i’m guessing), i’ve been listening to it nonstop and i’ve been reminiscing my own memories. this book brought me back to 2014-2015, when i was 13-14 years old and idk how to feel about that lol (i love it). i couldn’t help but be reminded of someone.
the story itself is simple and i can tell it’s based on personal memories and feelings. it was cool to see a pov from the mmc and i loved his character development. towards the end, i definitely couldn’t stop crying. shaina, you did it again!!! however, i did find the story to be a little boring in some parts but then i couldn’t help but keep reading. i also could see so many references to rom com movies and i loved it.
even though the premise was simple and typical, i still ate it up. do it again shaina!
the story itself is simple and i can tell it’s based on personal memories and feelings. it was cool to see a pov from the mmc and i loved his character development. towards the end, i definitely couldn’t stop crying. shaina, you did it again!!! however, i did find the story to be a little boring in some parts but then i couldn’t help but keep reading. i also could see so many references to rom com movies and i loved it.
even though the premise was simple and typical, i still ate it up. do it again shaina!
June 8, 2025
If Only by Shaina Veronica (E-ARC)
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
_________________________
📖 Review: Thank you for the e-advanced readers copy of this book for an honest review.
I have the best time reading this book and I devoured this within 2 days
Here is what I loved about this book
✅️ I connect with the writing style more in this book and it is 3rd person pov
✅️ Yearning is well down. Seth yearns a lot and I loved it so much
✅️ The setting of Sydney Australia
✅️ The dual timeline in this book blends with one another very well
✅️ The pop culture references (read to find out) are so meaningful to the story and me ofc
✅️ Seth's character development
💌 Overall, I love this book so much and I cannot wait for everyone else to read it on July 10. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
_________________________
📖 Review: Thank you for the e-advanced readers copy of this book for an honest review.
I have the best time reading this book and I devoured this within 2 days
Here is what I loved about this book
✅️ I connect with the writing style more in this book and it is 3rd person pov
✅️ Yearning is well down. Seth yearns a lot and I loved it so much
✅️ The setting of Sydney Australia
✅️ The dual timeline in this book blends with one another very well
✅️ The pop culture references (read to find out) are so meaningful to the story and me ofc
✅️ Seth's character development
💌 Overall, I love this book so much and I cannot wait for everyone else to read it on July 10. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
May 7, 2025
the way shaina writes loves stories is on another level.
Nina has to be one of my all time favorite female main characters, her vibrance and the way Seth describes her makes her the center of the universe and you can’t help but fall for her too.
Seth, the yearning soft lover that you are. I could not get over the little details he saw of Nina and how he described them. the way i could not stop highlighting things. The way Seth had with words had me giggling and my heart warming.
this is my fav romance of the year. everyone and i mean EVERYONE needs to read this
Nina has to be one of my all time favorite female main characters, her vibrance and the way Seth describes her makes her the center of the universe and you can’t help but fall for her too.
Seth, the yearning soft lover that you are. I could not get over the little details he saw of Nina and how he described them. the way i could not stop highlighting things. The way Seth had with words had me giggling and my heart warming.
this is my fav romance of the year. everyone and i mean EVERYONE needs to read this
July 19, 2025
Oh wow. Second time reading Shaina's book and I must say that I adore her writing. she's now my trusted fellow author, one whose book I would read every time. It is so so so hard to find clean romance novels nowadays, and Shaina's characters barely even hold hands :) The characters feel very real to me, their problems feel very real.
Though the way Seth handled his parents issue was not something I would do (hehe) but still I can understand how dangerous pent up anger can be.
THANK YOU SHAINA VERONICA for writing gorgeous gems like Seth and Nina. please, I can't wait for more! 💗
Though the way Seth handled his parents issue was not something I would do (hehe) but still I can understand how dangerous pent up anger can be.
THANK YOU SHAINA VERONICA for writing gorgeous gems like Seth and Nina. please, I can't wait for more! 💗
August 27, 2025
4.9 stars, rounded up.
it was so easy to empathize with Nina, it was also easy to catch a drift of Seth's yearning. I fell in love with this book because I, too, was in Nina's shoes.
In another life, maybe. A love that transcends universes? That's the dream.
the -0.1 came from my own bias, I guess.
it was so easy to empathize with Nina, it was also easy to catch a drift of Seth's yearning. I fell in love with this book because I, too, was in Nina's shoes.
In another life, maybe. A love that transcends universes? That's the dream.
the -0.1 came from my own bias, I guess.
May 15, 2025
Thank you for choosing me as one of the eARC readers! I haven’t read a romantsy book in ages & this was so cute. Although I did find it cringy in parts, it was an overall wholesome story and kind of reminded me of part of my partner and I’s love story. Definitely worth a read!
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