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Second Hope #5

Only Ever You: Special Edition

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I should have known better than to fall for Raylan Bradbury. There are too many marks against us for it to ever work. He’s older, works for my family, and is my brother’s best friend.

Unfortunately, he checks every one of my boxes. He’s gorgeous, funny, and hides a kind, sweet center beneath a surly outer shell—and I have a huge thing for surly guys.

It had been impossible not to grow feelings. When I found the courage to tell the man I’d grown up with how I felt, he shot me down, leaving me to pick up the pieces of my tattered heart and try to move on, just like he suggested.

The problem is, when I try putting myself out there, the same man who crushed my heart to smithereens finds a problem with every guy I so much as smile at and sends them running for the hills before I can even get a second date.

But when someone starts leaving threatening messages and letters, Raylan is determined to be my protector, whether I want him around or not. The feelings I’ve been trying to ignore are bubbling back to the surface, and Raylan isn’t making it any easier when he starts looking at me as more than his best friend’s loud little sister.

I’ve always known it was only ever him for me, and I think he may be starting to realize the same, but with danger lurking in the shadows, I worry it might be too late.

434 pages, Paperback

Published December 24, 2025

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About the author

Jessica Prince

87 books2,572 followers
Born and raised around Houston, Jessica is a self proclaimed caffeine addict, connoisseur of inexpensive wine, and the worst driver in the state of Texas. In addition to being all of these things, she’s first and foremost a wife and mom.
Growing up, she shared her mom and grandmother’s love of reading. But where they leaned toward murder mysteries, Jessica was obsessed with all things romance.
When she’s not nose deep in her next manuscript, you can usually find her with her kindle in hand.

To be in-the-know before anyone else, follow along on my website, or join my newsletter.

www.authorjessicaprince.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/_KJ0n

Connect with me everywhere else:

Facebook: authorjessicaprince
Instagram: @jessprince_writes
Twitter: @JessPrince2013

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5 stars
456 (47%)
4 stars
303 (31%)
3 stars
155 (16%)
2 stars
33 (3%)
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6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Megan Coggins.
774 reviews180 followers
December 29, 2025
4.25 ⭐️

Raylan & Lennix are here!

We were teased these two for far too long in the prior books 🤣 and they were 🔥

The age gap.
She’s his best friends little sister.
Very much off limits, protective older brother

He’s the outdoorsy ranch guide.
She’s the local bar owner.

Sneaking around.
Small town.
She’s got a whole hoard of rescue animals.
The man wore a baby carrier…

Thinks he’s not good enough.
There’s groveling.

A little mystery/suspense subplot action.
Profile Image for Izzie d.
4,383 reviews377 followers
Read
March 6, 2026
Okay so first of all this is absolutely not my favourite genre, best friend's sister so I admit my review may be coloured by that.

The positives.
JP writes hilarious sparky banter, she has a fab girl posse and if you are an animal lover there are lots of cute scenes with various animals as the heroine homes unwanted animals.
Big family dynamic. References and scenes with previous characters from other books.
Dual POV.

They have known each other their whole lives having grown up together.
He's older than her.
She makes a pass at him, declaring her feelings and he shuts her down, saying he doesn't see her like that.
First of all they are at a wedding and he has brought a date who he was feeling up a bit on the dance floor moments before. That said the heroine tells the reader that none of his dates last very long but still he is with someone else but the heroine still tries her luck.
A few months later he is struggling as he actually feels the same way but can't go there because of the brother.
The heroine has moved on or is trying to and has dated.
The Hero also has huge commitment hang ups due to his family background.

I felt he gives mixed signals here, he is confused himself, fighting the attraction and the heroine does lay into him expressing how hurtful his actions are.
She calls him a manwhore at one point which he seems offended about but then says something along the lines of fun until sunrise but no expectations so I was a bit confused by that as his friend's also joke he has a commitment phobia.

Tbh I found it frustrating and predictable.
There is a threat to the heroine and a 75% near break up of the relationship.
I sadly ended up skimming reading.

HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Van.
837 reviews42 followers
December 27, 2025
Best friend’s little sister in a small town is never my fav trope but I wanted to read the story

All this author’s heroes are manwh… there’s no OW drama but this is something it’s said a little too much
She had a crush on him since forever but got rejected clearly
Later he explained that he doesn’t deserve her 🙄🙄🙄
She had sex with OM trying to move on from him after got rejected. To me is not a problem, I have a big case of reverse double standards!
The book is safe
The sex scenes are sexy and emotional as always
The hero is a little too much of a jerk for me

Maybe this was more a 4 stars book but the author has been struggling and this is her only book in a year
I hope she keeps writing so 5 stars ⭐️


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Karen.
338 reviews7 followers
January 14, 2026
Dragged on too long

The back and forth between the main characters took way too long. The MMC was hot and cold toward FMC for most of the book. Says or does something hurtful, then beats himself up for doing it. Lather, rinse, repeat, repeat, repeat. Boring. Throw in that he’s her brother’s best friend and “won’t approve” just stretches it out even longer. Throw in that his dad is a worthless POS and thinks because he’s his son, that he too is a worthless POS, yep, even longer. I ended up skim reading most of the book because I started to not care anymore. Throw in a bit of drama with a secret admirer and that’s basically the whole book.
Profile Image for Jenn the Readaholic.
2,261 reviews75 followers
December 27, 2025
He knows how to apologize

This is an adventure. Lennix is basically reliving her mother’s stress, but she lives her own life in the meantime. And Raylan has a lot of groveling to do after his words. And his actions. And more words. But he does grovel and explain himself. Then they mess up by going the secret route. It all almost falls apart, but brother drama meets pregnant wife drama and all is okay again.

This isn’t my favorite of the series, but it definitely gives me more time with Gypsy, who I adore. And it also proves that men can have so many emotions and worries swirling in their brains that they need someone to help sort them out at times, too. That is actually the perfect takeaway from this one. Everyone needs to talk things out. We all need someone we can count on. And that need isn’t limited to only women and children.
Profile Image for Nikenya Rodney.
952 reviews25 followers
January 2, 2026
Age gap romance

Lennix is in love with Raylan, her brother’s older best friend. She tells him how she feels only for him to break her heart and let her know he’s not interested. She tries to move on by dating others but her attempts are futile. Raylan lashes out at her because he’s jealous that she’s dating. The tension finally explodes and they start sleeping together. Raylan feels strongly for Lennix but he thinks he’s not worthy of love. When they finally get it together, they have to deal with a stalker targeting Lennix.

I throughly enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Mick C.
1,741 reviews
January 20, 2026
A Good Story

Man does Jessica Prince know how to tell a good story. This book locks you in from the first chapter. When she has loved her older brothers best friend and gets to tell him one night at a wedding. Let's just say things do not go well.....
518 reviews52 followers
March 22, 2026
Main characters: Raylan & Lennix

Summary:

Raylan is best friends with Lennix’s older brother. She’s had a crush on him forever.

She kisses him at her brothers wedding but he tells her she’s too young, that he thinks of her like a sister. She’s embarrassed and decides to move on.

After the kiss Raylan can’t stop thinking about her. He realizes his feelings for her have turned romantic, but he’s a playboy and knows her brother wouldn’t approve. He starts snapping at her because he doesn’t know how to act now that he’s started developing feelings for her.

It becomes too much for her and she tells him he’s treating her differently and it hurts her. That she’s sorry she kissed him but she just wants her friend back. He confesses he can’t stop thinking about her.

At first she’s mad and avoids him, but he’s persistent. Eventually they start sleeping together. They know they have to keep it secret from her brother.

She starts getting notes and flowers left on her car. She thinks it’s a secret admirer. He’s not convinced. The gifts turn into vandalism and he tells her family what happened.

They both develop feelings for each other. She’s sad they’re hiding it. He’s scared he’s going to end up just like his dad (his parents abandoned him and his siblings. His oldest sister ended up raising them all but it was a struggle. A few years before this story he ran into his dad by chance. His dad told him they’re the same. That his blood is running though Raylan).

One day he finds out his dad died. He closes in on himself. She finds him and he tells her to leave him alone. She tells him she’s in love with him. He tells her it won’t work, that he’s going to hurt her. She tells him she’s strong and knows what she’s worth. That she’s choosing him, but she can’t make him choose her back.

He realizes she’s right.

Her brother catches them kissing and is furious. He tells her Raylan sleeps around and what makes her think she’s different. They tell him they love each other.

Her whole family are keeping a close eye on her because of her stalker and she decides to let them. One day she works from home and has one of her employees drop off paperwork. The guy comes and turns on her. He admits he was the stalker and attacks her. She gets away but he catches her in the woods.

Raylan and her brother find her and rescue her.

A few months later he’s moved in. There’s an orphan he’s befriended and she decides they should become his foster parents. Raylan says yes.



This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jamie Rhodes.
238 reviews10 followers
December 27, 2025
This second-generation story captures everything I loved about the original series—the unbreakable loyalty, sharp banter, and deep friendships are all here in full force.

The Romance
The story follows Lennix and Raylan in a beautifully executed "best friend’s little sister" dynamic. Raylan has always seen the lines he shouldn't cross, especially with the added layer of an age gap, but Lennix makes it impossible for him to stay away. She is bold, outspoken, and incredibly confident.

What I Loved
Character Consistency: One of my favorite parts of this book is Lennix’s self-assurance. Her "happy with herself no matter what" attitude is a recurring theme that makes her such a refreshing heroine.

The Family Connection: Because I was already familiar with the first generation, I felt like a part of the family. It was rewarding to catch the deeper meanings and "familiar moments" that the author peppered throughout for long-time fans.

The Execution: Written in dual point of view, the story balances romance with a subtle mystery that kept me engaged from start to finish.

Final Verdict
There is no cliffhanger, and while Lennix and Raylan get their resolution, the door is left open for one more story. I’m already theorizing about who will be the focus of the final book! If you love a high-stakes romance with a strong sense of history and family, this is a must-read.
Profile Image for Bookbakeneko .
268 reviews6 followers
December 26, 2025
Only Ever You by Jessica Prince – Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Raylan & Lennix will absolutely make you swoon.

This best friend’s little sister / unrequited love romance had me hooked from the start—especially with a whole menagerie of animals woven in to brighten every chapter (animal lovers, this one’s for you 🐾).

I loved the added element of danger layered alongside the emotional push-and-pull between two people who want each other desperately but are terrified to take the leap. Raylan doesn’t believe he’s good enough for Lennix, while Lennix is scared to risk her heart on the one guy she’s always loved… and potentially have it shattered.

Tender, emotional, and undeniably swoony—this story delivers heart, tension, and just the right amount of angst.

Highly recommend for lovers of slow-burn, best friend’s sister romance with all the feels.
Profile Image for Extraspicybooklover.
591 reviews7 followers
March 20, 2026
I just love the Second Hope book world and this next generation is chefs kiss 💋 along with so many other Jessica Prince fans I was cheering her on while reading this one! IYKYK 🌹
Rylan has pushed Lennix away for years it the worst possible way. Like ya wanna smash his face with a snowball 😂 he’s just such a jerk to her, but he has his reasons and it was never about her. He never felt good enough for her and wanted her to have the life she deserved.
Lennix has loved Rylan for years and has never kept it a secret, everyone knows. She has never tried to hide it. So when he constantly rejects her and is cruel while doing so she turned to hating him because it’s easier.
Rylan does grovel though and explains himself. I just adore these 2 together they fit perfectly it more ways than one 😏😉
86 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2026
The best I can say is that I've read worse. But I've read some real drivel, so...

This was a paint-by-numbers romance with nothing original or interesting in it. If you fed 100 formulaic romances into an AI engine and asked for a 'new' one, you'd get this. An FMC with a long-term crush on her brother's best friend. An MMC who's sworn off relationships because - wait for it, this will blow your mind - his parents had a crappy marriage. Some patriarchal bullshit about little sisters. YAWWWWWWN.

Fast-food romance for people who come on here and give everything they've ever picked up 5 stars.
1,094 reviews8 followers
December 29, 2025
Loved this!

I loved this story of Lennix and Raylan! He is her brothers best friend and her longtime crush. Lennix gets brave one night and kisses him, only to be rejected. Raylan pushes her away because he doesn't feel worthy. They now fight like cats and dogs. Their chemistry is fire. Raylan gives in and kisses her. But there is still a lot of battles to fight. Their road definitely isn't easy but they make it together. I love these two together. I love this book and series. I highly recommend. I can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Becca Stanfield Vernon.
1,863 reviews22 followers
January 2, 2026
Such a beautiful, entertaining story. Raylan was brass, cocky and oh so charming when he needed to be. Lennix is sassy and stubborn, but her strength is something amazing. I really love these two together and their relationship is full of so much heart. The banter and chemistry was so well written. Raylan was so protective of Lennix, it was beautiful to see. The way he wanted to protect her and make her life better was just amazing. I really loved this story and getting more snippets of their families.
I recommend this book. Told in dual POV.
621 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2026
Lennix has had a crush on Raylan for years. Everything implodes when she tries to make a move to show him how she feels. Raylan is hesitant to get in any relationship with Lennix due to his friendship with her brother, Zach, and the age difference. Fast forward, when Lennix is in trouble, Raylan becomes her protector and much more. It was enjoyable watching these two come to terms with their relationship. It was nice to see Lennix stand up to her family and for these two to get their happily ever after.

106 reviews
April 9, 2026
You know what to expect when you pick up a Jessica Prince book – yummy heroes and fabulous heroines we all want to be friends with. I can assure you, this book is that and more! If big brother’s best friend, age gap and grumpy/sunshine is your thing – what are you wasting time reading this for? Start reading!

Raylan and Lennix are a match made in Heaven, and watching them find their happily ever after is just what we needed! Jessica Prince is a one click author for me and Only Ever You is a prime example of that. You won’t regret this!
Profile Image for Thanh Vo.
77 reviews
January 14, 2026
Tropes: best friend’s brother, childhood friends to lovers

This book was a 4.5⭐️ for me. The FMC Lennix is that girl! Literally didn’t put up with the MMC Raylan’s crap. She literally stood her ground and I absolutely loved that about her. There was a bit of suspense in the storyline but I definitely feel like the author could have built more on that. It kinda went from 0 to 100 really quick towards the end. Still recommend this series though! Can’t wait until the last one comes out!

Profile Image for Emily Morris.
20 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2025
So happy that this story is here! I love the Second Hope series and seeing how all these characters are grown but there are still some references to the original series. Raylan and Lennix are definitely the typical best friends sister trope but they definitely have to work through a lot to get there HEA! So worth it though!
Profile Image for Fiona.
1,566 reviews92 followers
January 4, 2026
2.5 ⭐️

I liked the small town vibe in and the added suspense element which gave the story some tension. However, the romance didn’t fully work for me - Lennix’s long-term crush felt repetitive and Raylan’s hot-and-cold behaviour dragged on without enough payoff. Their chemistry never quite clicked and the miscommunication became more frustrating than angsty.
Profile Image for Colorado.
944 reviews20 followers
January 7, 2026
DNF. Gave up after about 150 pages. There are standard romance tropes - brother's best friend, age gap, emotionally wounded hero who doesn't think he's good enough for her - but nothing elevated the book above the cliche. I didn't find the characters engaging enough to care about their bickering or the potential threat to the heroine. It just felt kind of boring.
Profile Image for Amanda .
640 reviews12 followers
January 31, 2026
I really like this series every time the books keep getting better and better!

This was so sweet I love Lennox and I loved how she knew her worth and Raylan had a tough life and didn’t think he deserved love but Lennox never gave up on him and I can appreciate that!

I want to go back and read Gypsy and Marco story I feel like that will be an amazing one.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,086 reviews
March 10, 2026
Stubborn meets stubborn

This was a good read. Chaos was the best parts of both her parents. Zach was funny how he reacted when be walked in. Glad she was able to bring him out of his head when his POS sperm donor died. Funny how they are recreating her parents with the fostering. Onto the final book.
Profile Image for Via.
224 reviews
March 28, 2026
She 110% deserved better and was so much more mature than he ever was. I was feeling sorry for her and felt she should've given an ultimatum earlier.. Felt very insta lust, still confused on how he had this sudden urge to be so overprotective and possessive of her?? I liked it but it was so out of the blue
112 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2026
Only Ever You

I truly admire the strength, devotion, loyalty and love that is named Chaos! Between her family, friends, animals and the love of her life she had arms long enough to surround all of them. She is truly the lead in this story and teaches self love with positivity on top!
566 reviews3 followers
January 2, 2026
Beautiful!

I adore this book! This was absolutely worth the wait. I loved Lennix and Raylan. They had undeniable chemistry from the start.
Beautiful story about love and family.
I loved how they both helped each other to become the best versions of each other.
5 stars!
Profile Image for Karie Gibson.
2,187 reviews16 followers
January 7, 2026
love this family

I loved Lennix! She did what she wanted and was confident in herself. She took no crap from anyone. Raylan fought his feelings for a long time but love always prevails. This couple will crack you up with their banter.
Profile Image for Cope Durfee.
147 reviews
January 17, 2026
Loved the spice and over all feel of the story but it was highly predictable in the whole dating brothers best friend and hiding it. The stalker plot twist was a nice surprise. Over all great story and it was fun to see old characters from other books.
Profile Image for KatReadsRomance.
651 reviews21 followers
January 27, 2026
An enjoyable first for me!

I’m a Jessica Prince newbie, and I can’t believe I’ve missed out for so long! I really liked Only Ever You and now I have to read book one in her Second Hope series. Well worth the read. Raylan and Lennox are beautifully messed up together!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews