It Could Only Be You is the final installment in USA Today Bestselling Author, Lisa Shelby's Only in Goose Hollow Series. I’ve been Daisy McKinnon’s dirty little secret for over a decade.
To everyone else, our constant bickering is harmless—like siblings who can’t stop needling each other. But what they don’t know is that behind every jab is a truth. A truth she’s too afraid to admit to herself, let alone anyone else.
She’s the woman I can’t stay away from. My best friend’s little sister and my constant challenge. I’ve laid my heart bare, told her what I want and made it clear she’s the only future I see. But she keeps running—hiding behind excuses, pretending the fire between us doesn’t burn for her too.
The problem is… I’m stuck. There is nobody else for me but her. So, all I can do is wait for her to meet me where I’m at.
But when her safety is threatened, I can wait no longer. She’s coming home with me… where she belongs… where I can keep her safe. Whether her brother likes it or not.
Lisa Shelby is a USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author, a self-proclaimed love geek, and cake-pop addict. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, this is still where Lisa calls home with her husband and their dogs. When she isn’t writing her next happily ever after, you can find Lisa with her husband traveling, listening to live music, and living their new empty nest lifestyle while pretending they aren't wishing their son would call or drop by every day.
Thank you for the e-arc of It Could Only Be You. Lisa Shelby out did herself this time. Ok I love Owen so much it hurts 🫠 head over heels. It gives Yellowstone vibes with modern western with family estate under siege. You have a man in uniform pining. You have secret relationship and guarded hearts. The book starts right off in “action” 👀 instead of waiting for hands to brush you are waiting for that emotional wall to come down. I fear I want a full series of Owen and Daisy. I can’t get enough of them.
🍀brothers best friend 🍀 found family 🍀 small town romance 🍀 sunset horseback rides 🍀 strong FMC 🍀 guarded heart/push pull 🍀 Family empire under siege 🍀 overprotective MMC 🍀spice is spicing 🌶️🤌🏻 🍀puppies! 🍀 Man in uniform 🫠
🔥 Best Friend’s Little Sister 💬 Bickering to Lovers ⏳ Long Term Pining ❤️🔥 Unresolved Tension 🏡 Small Town Romance 🛡️ Protective Hero 💞 Only One Bed ✨ Found Family 🏠 Coming Home Romance
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
It Could Only Be You delivers a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion to Lisa Shelby’s Only in Goose Hollow series, leaning fully into the history, longing, and inevitability that have been simmering beneath the surface for years. As the final book, it carries the weight of everything that has come before, and it uses that foundation to create a romance that feels earned, intense, and deeply personal.
The relationship at the heart of this story thrives on tension built over more than a decade. The constant bickering between Daisy McKinnon and the man who has loved her in silence is sharp, familiar, and layered with meaning. Every argument is loaded with what they refuse to say, and every interaction crackles with unresolved emotion. Their dynamic is one of the strongest elements of the book, blending frustration and desire in a way that feels natural rather than manufactured. This is not a romance that appears out of nowhere. It is one that has been waiting patiently for its moment.
Owen’s point of view adds a raw vulnerability to the story. His devotion to Daisy is unwavering, even when it hurts, and his willingness to wait for her to face her own truth speaks volumes about his character. There is an aching quality to his love, rooted in loyalty and quiet endurance, that makes his resolve impossible not to admire. His certainty contrasts beautifully with Daisy’s fear-driven hesitation, creating an emotional push and pull that keeps the story grounded and relatable.
Daisy’s journey is just as compelling. Her reluctance to confront her feelings is not framed as immaturity but as self-protection shaped by past experiences and deeply ingrained fears. Watching her wrestle with what she wants versus what she believes she deserves adds depth to her character and makes her eventual choices feel meaningful. Her growth is gradual and realistic, allowing readers to truly understand what is at stake for her emotionally.
When the plot introduces an external threat to Daisy’s safety, the story takes on a sharper urgency. The protective instincts that emerge feel instinctive and sincere, raising both the emotional and narrative stakes without overshadowing the romance. This shift reinforces the idea that love is not just about longing but about action, commitment, and choosing to stand together when it matters most.
The small-town setting of Goose Hollow continues to shine, offering a sense of warmth, familiarity, and belonging that enhances the story’s emotional impact. The themes of home, family, and finding where you truly belong are woven seamlessly into romance, reinforcing the idea that love is as much about place and community as it is about passion.
As a series finale, It Could Only Be You succeeds in delivering closure while honoring the emotional journey that led here. It is tender, intense, and deeply satisfying, making it a fitting goodbye to characters readers have grown attached to. Lisa Shelby closes the door on Goose Hollow with heart, leaving readers with a lasting sense of completion and a romance that feels exactly as it should.
Tropes: * Friends to FWB to more * On the hook * Brother’s best friend * Forced proximity * Protector MMC * Player FMC * Emotional healing * Suspense
Safety: No cheating, but mentions of serial dating while in a situationship, actions to cause jealousy, attempted unalivings, violence.
Now, I’ve never quite understood the whole ‘I want you, I love you, but I’m going to sleep with or date everyone else’ trope… I just didn’t have a good feel at the start because Owen wanted Daisy, but she had reservations, so for 10 years, they’ve been occasional FWB’s. I can’t say be completely celibate, but wouldn’t you put the work into ‘healing’ or aven attempting to win over your potential partner??
There were allusions to something in her past, but the reveal for this dragged on for too long. And while everyone has different triggers, her excuse was seriously weak. The games she was playing started to annoy me - I was actively hoping that he would find someone else who would actually commit. But…. Then, there went my sympathy…
“We hooked up at my grad party, and you and Janelle started dating a week later. You were with her for years.”
I suppose, when in context with her ‘issues’, I can see her holding back…
It does start to move at 40%, due to forced proximity after someone attempts to unalive her. They co-parent a puppy (which is kind of cute), but the suspense gets a little OTT...
Ranch sabotage, mafia ties, geological surveys, attempted unalivings and a developers land grab attempt.
Overall, it was an enjoyable story. It’s definitely a page-turner, but I just had an issue with why they were in a quasi-situationship for over 10 years…
Well, this book just healed something it didn’t break!
Look, I’ve been a fan of the Goose Hollow series from the beginning, but Lisa really knocked it out of the park with this one.
Owen and Daisy’s story was everything I never knew I needed. It’s filled with banter, love, quick wit, pining, and a bit of suspense on the side.
Daisy and Owen have been occasionally hooking up for YEARS, and somewhere along the way, he fell for her. Not only that, but he also told her how he was feeling. Daisy might have feelings for him, too, but let’s be honest, this man is sitting at the table every Sunday evening for dinner. She can’t mess that up, not for her or her family. Owen might also have a bit of a reputation…
Daisy’s a strong character who has chosen her own path in life. This girl makes her own decisions, and others just have to deal with it. She’s my kind of girl.
Owen is too cute for his own good, and I get weak in the knees for a man who falls first and hard. He is so considerate of her and the way he gets a puppy so they can co-parent together, just to have her in his life… Yes sir!
It Could Only Be You is a perfect read when you’re in the mood for a protective man who will melt your heart in no time!
It gets the full 5⭐️ from me and 3🌶️!
✨ Small Town Romance ✨ Brother’s Best Friend ✨ Strong FMC ✨ Protective MMC ✨ Suspense ✨ Secret Relationship
It Could Only Be You ended up being a really solid read for me, even though it took a bit to fully pull me in. The writing is pretty descriptive, which helped me picture the characters clearly, but it wasn’t until about halfway through that I found myself truly invested. What I loved most was the foundation of friendship first. The trust between the MMC and MFC felt deep and true, not rushed or forced. Their bond felt safe, genuine, and grounded, which made the romance hit harder once things shifted. I also really enjoyed how different their personalities were — they balanced each other well, and the playful banter between them kept things light and fun when it needed to be and also added some comedy during tough parts. The MFC was a standout for me. She’s strong and knows her worth. The nickname the MMC has for her was adorable and added sweetness to their connection. Then comes the major shocking event that completely changes the tone of the story — it was definitely a turning point and added so much emotional weight. The second half of the book is where everything really shines. The emotions run deeper and the relationship development becomes much more impactful. The ending wrapped things up nicely and left me feeling a little emotional in the best way. Overall, this was a 4.5-star read for me. The slower start is what kept it from being a full five read.
After the last book I read I really felt I was going to have a hard time getting into another book but that was not the case. It Could Only Be You captured my attention and held me hostage.
This book is filled with banter, love, pining, quick wit, and a whole lot of suspense. Daisy and Owen have been casually hooking up for over a decade. Owen is ready for more and has been for a while. He keeps his feelings for Daisy a secret from everyone but Daisy. Daisy knows exactly how he feels, but is hiding her feelings from everyone, including herself. Her biggest excuse to Owen is that her brother is his best friend, and he is like part of her family. Daisy gets hurt, and now there is a threat, and Owen insists she stay with him. Will this make her face her feelings? Will everyone else find out about them?
This book was so good! I instantly fell in love with Owen. He is a perfect book boyfriend! Daisy needs to get out of her own way and see what has been there for over a Decade. These characters will make you fall in love. The suspense of the threat only adds to this story!
This is a perfect read if you love a protective MMC. If you love a man who will melt your heart in no time at all and if you love some suspense with your romance. If you love these things, then pick up this book!
*4 stars* Sometimes I do get it backwards and this was my first read by the author and even though it's the fourth installment in this series, you can read it as a standelone. While others probably better enjoy it when reading a series from the beginning; I didn't think I missed things. It was great small town romance read about two people finding the way to one another but there were also suspenseful moments which had me trying to figure out what was happening and hoping for that happy ending. I loved the relationship and chemistry between Daisy & Owen throughout the book as both were very lovable and likable characters. It definitely won't be my last read by the author.
Daisy & Owen have known each other for years and have somewhat of a friends with benefits relationship, even though no one around them knows about it as they are keeping it a secret. Daisy has been trying to keep her distance but the attraction is just stronger. But Owen has made his feelings for her very known and wants to have more than just what they have now. When there's an incident, Daisy is trying to wrap her head around the things that's been happening and things seem to get worse around her and their families. Danger lurks close but Owen will do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe from harm. Will everything be okay in the end? And will Daisy give Owen a real chance?...
Thank you to Lisa Shelby and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review this book!
This book is the last book in the Only in Goose Hollow series, which is a series of interconnected standalones. I should preface this with the fact that I DID NOT read the rest of the series, and while that likely would have given me a little more insight into some things, I don’t feel like it detracted from my experience with this book at all. If you enjoy tropes like best friend’s little sister, unresolved tension, small town romance, and found family, then you will likely enjoy this book. The tension between our two MC’s, Daisy and Owen, is insane. There is a history between the two of them, but the overarching theme of this story is overcoming the fear of commitment. A lot of things happen in this book that eventually kind of “force” them to confront what they truly want, in a way that is intense and emotional. I enjoyed Lisa’s writing style, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back and read the other books in this series.
⭐️I received this as an early review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is my own!⭐️
*I have not read the other books in this series, so I can't attest to the flow from one book to the next. I do know this is the conclusion to this specific series.
I enjoyed this book for the biggest part. The back and forth situationship between the mc's was a little frustrating in the beginning. At least until you find out why Daisy (fmc) feels the way she does. I do like the progression after someone attempts to unalive her. They are forced to face and deal with the feelings between them. The spice was there, but walls had to be torn down for the emotions to free flow. And this was all done wonderfully.
Writing- I loved the writing in this. It flowed nicely, the character development and relationships flowed in a forced organic way (you know, forced proximity and all). All in all it was a really good story and I think I'll be picking up the others so I can start from the beginning and read them all again!
This was my first time reading anything by this author, and overall it was… okay. I actually liked the writing style and the storyline itself was decent and easy enough to follow. Nothing too wild, just a pretty normal small-town romance vibe.
But honestly, Daisy as an FMC annoyed the shit out of me. I could not stand her. Her decisions made zero sense to me and half the time I was just sitting there like why would you even do that?? She felt frustrating, immature, and just really dumb in the way she handled things. I genuinely did not like her at all.
On the other hand, Owen??? I liked him a lot. He was patient, steady, and honestly deserved way better. I kept thinking Daisy did not deserve him one bit, because he was clearly all in while she kept making questionable choices.
Overall, the book was okay. Writing was good, plot was fine, nothing terrible, nothing amazing. If it wasn’t for how much I disliked the FMC, I probably would’ve enjoyed this a lot more.
Thank you to The Author Agency & Lisa Shelby for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Owen and Daisy might just be my new favorite couple of the series. They have been friends with secret benefits for around 12years. They’ve both totally been in love with each other the whole time. Owen owns up to first and basically tells Daisy he’s done with being a dirty secret.
Daisy in a way has a traumatic dating history which makes her hesistant. Then you have a whole another suspense type issue going on that leads to a forced proximity trope when Owen is like your staying with no ifs ands or buts about it. lol
I fully believe it is during that time that Daisys eyes open as Owen shares with her how his mind is been when it comes to her during the years they had their relationship going.
This book had it all. Suspense, spice (and it be spicing Daisy likes herself a boss Owen in the bedroom), secret relationship, an MMC who basically thinks about being Morally Grey for her.
I was given this book as an ARC from The Author Agency and I am leaving an honest review.
This was Book 4 in the Only in Goose Hollow series and while it mostly worked as a standalone, I have a feeling some of the side characters’ back stories would have made more sense had I read the first three books in the series.
This was a uniquely written romance as Daisy and Owen had already been hooking up for years, so there was no will they or won’t they moments. The issue was about whether or not they were willing to commit to having deeper feelings for each other. A series of traumatic events, which due to spoilers, will not go into detail, brings them together in a forced proximity situation. All in all, this was an easy read and will go back to catch up on the first three books in Only in Goose Hollow.
Even with an explosive and intense start, this book is overall really sweet. Owen is totally a cinnamon roll—confident in his feelings and clear about what he wants. I absolutely fell in love with his character! A truly perfect man. Daisy, on the other hand, was the problem. What an infuriating character! I was frustrated with her for almost half of the book. It was really difficult for me to understand her. But by the second half, things start to get much more interesting—a mystery and a sense of danger appear. If you’re looking for a story with plenty of spice, a very sweet MMC, and a touch of mystery in the background, this book is for you. I really enjoyed the dynamic of the family and the town, so I’m definitely adding the other books in the series to my TBR. I received a copy of this book from the author, but all opinions are my own.
Owen has had feelings for Daisy, his best friend’s sister, for years however he was willing to take whatever she would give him which was a secret, casual physical relationship. Although he has made it clear that he wants more he is willing to be patient until that she is in danger changes everything.
Daisy has feelings for Owen as well, but she is nervous about taking the next step as if it didn’t work out it would fracture the close relationship he shares with her family. She is determined to keep her distance or at least she was until Owen become a man on a mission determined to show her that they belong together.
Owen is the perfect mix of sweet and swoony while Daisy is feisty and fun. I enjoyed seeing them finally give in to the love between them and open their hearts to each other.
It Could Only Be You contains a delightful blend of humor and heartfelt emotion. The chemistry between Daisy and Owen is palpable, as their playful bickering reveals deeper feelings they both struggle to acknowledge. Lisa expertly balances romance and suspense, especially as Daisy's safety becomes a pressing concern and drives the story forward.
The writing is engaging, with witty dialogue and relatable characters that keeps you invested in their journey. The emotional depth and tension make this a compelling read and it’s a sweet escape that emphasizes the courage it takes to confront love. Highly recommended!
Thank you to The Author Agency and Lisa for providing me with a copy of It Could Only Be You! As always, my opinions are my own.
It’s a story ruled by feelings and fears, where love is messy, heartfelt, and frustratingly close yet always just out of reach. Laughter, banter, shenanigans, family, and friends create a lively backdrop to a romance that keeps slipping through the fingers. Owen is an absolute delight—he makes you laugh and swoon, then quietly breaks your heart when his own is on the line. Daisy, while relatable, is frustrating at times as her fear feels self-made, yet its impact is heavy and far-reaching.
Danger plays a supporting role rather than stealing the spotlight, perfectly complementing the emotional journey as love fights hard to win the girl and save the day. A heartfelt, emotionally driven romance that balances humor, frustration, and hope beautifully.
It Could Only Be You by Lisa Shelby was so good. Small-town charm with horses, a decades-long secret relationship, best friend’s sibling, a badge, lots of spice and suspense and a puppy? Yes, please! This book had it all and hooked me from the beginning.
If we could all have an Owen…
Getting to know Daisy and Owen—their history, their hookups, and Owen’s feeling of being stuck in place while loving Daisy, waiting until she was ready, it hit on all the feels. Their relationship was sweet, sassy, and swoony, and their love story, although quite the long road, was completely worth the wait.
The other books in the Only in Goose Hollow series are must-reads, and I and highly recommend It Could Only Be You.
This is the fourth book in this amazing series, and this is Daisy and Owen’s story. Daisy is Owen’s best friends, off limits little sister, and he has been her dirty little secret for over a decade. Owen knows what he wants and he is determined to convince Daisy to give them a chance, but she keeps running, and he will protect her no matter what he has to do. This is a well written, easy to read story, with found family, friendships, emotions, bickering, secrets, suspense, trust, friends-with-benefits, challenges, determination, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable, small-town romance. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Wow! I was NOT ready for all that suspense! But I am here for it! This is a brother's--best-friend (my FAVORITE), small town, kind of forced proximity.... and it was GREAT! Having read this has made me want to go back and read the whole series now! This book is spicy AND swoony! Owen is the ULTIMATE book boyfriend! I couldn't get enough of him. And let's be so for real..... Daisy was a total bad ass! And at the same time you just want to smack some sense into her..... I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone.... especially if they love brother's best friend like I do :)
Owen and Daisy were a long time coming and well worth the wait!
Right away, I loved Owen and how much he loved Daisy. They have a long history that nobody knew about, including her brother who just so happened to be his best friend. I loved all of the little things he would do for her. He was a walking a green flag all the way through.
Daisy was a little less expressive with her feelings. Sometimes she would get in her own way. I loved how hard she fell for Owen. She was fierce when it came to her family and would do anything to protect them. The suspense in this story kept me hooked. I loved everything about their book. This was a perfect way to wrap up things in Goose Hollow!
This book is about a best friend’s little sister. Owen and Daisy has been sneaking behind their families back for awhile now. Owen is ready for the next steps and to make it known that Daisy is his. Daisy is not ready for that next step. Daisy gets hurt and Owen is there to figure out why it happened and waits for Daisy to love all of him.
It’s a romantic suspense and about loving in the open. Small town romance with deep back stories. I like the writing and a lot of details about the other characters in the book makes me curious or read more about them in the earlier books in the series.
💜 Best Friend’s Little Sister 🖤 Small Town 💜Found Family
Owen and Daisy are amazing together, and I love it when he falls first. They have been friends with secret benefits for a long time, and no one knows the truth. He is best friend with her brother and their families are close with their moms, being best friends. Daisy is basically the one that fights her true feelings for Owen. This book has suspense with some spice and a whole lot of love and supporting family. Amazing book, very well written.
I received this as an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.
FMC Daisy is the last of the McKinnon children to get a book, she is whitty and fantasic MMC Owen is Daisy's brothers bestfriend, he is like a protective golden retriever
Daisy and Owens dynamic was fantastic, i loved the banter they had, the spice was spicy, and the suspense throughout the book was chefs kiss
i loved how they were friends first it set up a really deep and meaningful book, this book sucks you in and keeps you, if you want to read this book i suggest reading the other books in the series first where you get to meet daisy and owen throughout the series
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️🌶️ This story is full of great banter, quick wit, pining and even a plot twist with some suspense. The tension between Owen and Daisy has been building for years with their constant bickering. The occasional friends with benefits situation was good until Owen caught feelings. Daisy is a strong independent FMC who makes her own choices. She has feelings for Owen but the idea of things imploding if a relationship between them were to go wrong is holding her back. There is some good spice in this one. Owen is a great MMC. A sweet and spicy brother's Best Friend trope with suspense. A good read.
When I started this story I was very confused and not sure if I would be able to finish. I haven't read any of the other books in this series so I was going in completely blind. However Owen changed that for me. He was stuck on Daisy and I became stuck on this story. There's high action drama and tons of swoon. Once I got into it I couldn't put it down. I love that they both finally got the HEA they deserved. Even if it took a few years to get there.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*
Over all this was a really great read. It did take a bit to pull me into the story thou. Owen and Daisy have been friends for years. Daisy is a strong women, Owen is a sweet protective caring man. Their with and banter is entertaining and just so perfect. The shocking event that seems to change everything does caring some strong emotions with it. It does help to get both of them to really see each in a new light and start a relationship that feels true and lasting. While this was a bit slow, it is a story I enjoyed and would recommend.
A solid page turner that I couldn't put down. From the first chapter the story takes off running. The words flowed effortlessly from one page to the next with a flawless narrative. The main characters were perfection. Loved their push and pull. This book is an emotionally charged read that reels you in. There’s so much tension between the characters too. And the suspense kept me turning those pages till the very end. An absolute must read.
Meet Owen and Daisy. He is her brothers’ best friend. She is the girl who stole his heart. The batter and sass is top-notch. The best part- there are puppies! And he reads - aloud (to her) one of her spicy stories! What a guy! The spice is great and the story is amazing. What an emotional roller coaster. I was hooked from the first line. Don’t wait- such a great read. Spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and stars are 🌟🌟🌟🌟!
Thank you so much for a chance to read this ARC! This is the first book I've read by Lisa Shelby and it definitely won't be my last. I was head over heels in love with Owen and his cinnamon roll self from the very beginning. The way he cared for Daisy made me melt. what I wasn't prepared for was all that suspense. It gave the book so much diversity. Now I have to go read the other books in the series!
5 Star Review It Could Only Be You (Only In Goose Hollow #4) by Lisa Shelby
The fourth book and final book in the latest series by Lisa Shelby and is Daisy and Owen’s story.
This was an entertaining romantic suspense story that ticked all the boxes for me.
There were equal amounts of romance and suspense which was entertaining.The characters were easy to relate to and I really liked them. The chemistry between them was intense.