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Only Ever You
No one expects to be widowed at thirty-eight. But that’s exactly what happens to Jessie Downes after her wife dies in a tragic accident. Jessie is left devastated and angry and after she lashes out in grief, she finds herself in court-ordered group therapy. For self-contained Jessie, it’s a fresh nightmare. She’d rather be picking litter on the side of a highway than forced to attend a group where people talk about their problems.
But little by little she finds herself drawn into the workings of the group and its assortment of eccentric members. Specifically, Annie Perkins, a sweet yet closeted woman who is trying to work through her pathological fear of making decisions.
Jessie and Annie are surprised to find a connection. But is it more than friendship? And if it is, does Jessie have the strength to allow someone in after losing the only woman she ever expected to love? Or should she just commit to being alone?
Only Ever You is a romantic comedy heaped with dark humour, from the author of The Plus One and By Any Other Name.
But little by little she finds herself drawn into the workings of the group and its assortment of eccentric members. Specifically, Annie Perkins, a sweet yet closeted woman who is trying to work through her pathological fear of making decisions.
Jessie and Annie are surprised to find a connection. But is it more than friendship? And if it is, does Jessie have the strength to allow someone in after losing the only woman she ever expected to love? Or should she just commit to being alone?
Only Ever You is a romantic comedy heaped with dark humour, from the author of The Plus One and By Any Other Name.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2018
77 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 29, 2018
I have to give kudos to Natasha West on this book. She realistically tackles a sensitive storyline about grief. The first page begins at the funeral for Jessie's deceased wife. We get a very grounded representation of how death impacts her yet the book also delivers a believable romance and some comedy at the same time.
I wouldn't say the book is perfect but I found it to be enjoyable and appreciated that West never swept things under the rug. The realism, characters, and friendships are what made this one stand out.
The book is from the perspective of two leads, Jessie and Annie. Jessie is the widower in mourning that is pissed off at the world. Annie's dealing with the grief of losing her parents in a short time and suffers from debilitating inability to make decisions. The comedy mainly comes through Annie and the hodgepodge of people that make up the grief therapy group. I really liked both leads and found they had a good dynamic together.
Overall, this is a bittersweet romance that had me laughing at times. Nicely done.
Just a note: Jessie's wife dies from a tumble down the stairs. My family and I briefly lived in a semi-detached home in England and upon opening the front door and seeing the staircase for the first time my partner and I both exclaimed "Jesus Christ!" and quickly dubbed the stairs, and all English staircases, "The stairs of death." Why they make them so steep I have no idea. It's easy to see how someone can break their neck on them.
I wouldn't say the book is perfect but I found it to be enjoyable and appreciated that West never swept things under the rug. The realism, characters, and friendships are what made this one stand out.
The book is from the perspective of two leads, Jessie and Annie. Jessie is the widower in mourning that is pissed off at the world. Annie's dealing with the grief of losing her parents in a short time and suffers from debilitating inability to make decisions. The comedy mainly comes through Annie and the hodgepodge of people that make up the grief therapy group. I really liked both leads and found they had a good dynamic together.
Overall, this is a bittersweet romance that had me laughing at times. Nicely done.
Just a note: Jessie's wife dies from a tumble down the stairs. My family and I briefly lived in a semi-detached home in England and upon opening the front door and seeing the staircase for the first time my partner and I both exclaimed "Jesus Christ!" and quickly dubbed the stairs, and all English staircases, "The stairs of death." Why they make them so steep I have no idea. It's easy to see how someone can break their neck on them.
December 10, 2018
Ouch this was wasn’t for me at all! The only reason I gave it a 2 is because it was kinda funny. Other than that, i didn’t like either characters, didn’t feel the connection and most importantly couldn’t wait to finish the book ..
October 30, 2018
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend a this broken woman?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again
-Michael Buble-
Till death do us part - what a bitter pill to swallow especially when it comes to unexpected death. Imagine your morning routines sometimes good and sometimes chaotic then coming home hours later only to find your soulmate lifeless and no matter how hard you cry, call out her name, she's gone. The numbness will start almost immediately as you ask yourself, how is this happening and how will you ever survive.
So this is Jessie's and Annie's tale to tell and they tell it splendidly. The other members of the Grief Group and secondary characters make some contribution too. They are just like a bag of mixed nuts/chocolates/biscuits. Some are your most favorite, some are edible especially when you're hungry+can't afford to be picky and the rest will be stored in the fridge until trash day.
Are they all healed in the end? Well, they're not killing each other so that's a good progress ..
I wouldn't say the same regarding our hs though because Jessie was definitely doing something to Annie at the end of the story so I'm looking forward to your thoughts on that.
Highly recommended read, available on KU/
Unavailable on Scribd. Kindle price is USD2.99
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend a this broken woman?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again
-Michael Buble-
Till death do us part - what a bitter pill to swallow especially when it comes to unexpected death. Imagine your morning routines sometimes good and sometimes chaotic then coming home hours later only to find your soulmate lifeless and no matter how hard you cry, call out her name, she's gone. The numbness will start almost immediately as you ask yourself, how is this happening and how will you ever survive.
So this is Jessie's and Annie's tale to tell and they tell it splendidly. The other members of the Grief Group and secondary characters make some contribution too. They are just like a bag of mixed nuts/chocolates/biscuits. Some are your most favorite, some are edible especially when you're hungry+can't afford to be picky and the rest will be stored in the fridge until trash day.
Are they all healed in the end? Well, they're not killing each other so that's a good progress ..
I wouldn't say the same regarding our hs though because Jessie was definitely doing something to Annie at the end of the story so I'm looking forward to your thoughts on that.
Highly recommended read, available on KU/
Unavailable on Scribd. Kindle price is USD2.99
March 31, 2022
A good Kindle Unlimited read. Natasha West's stuff is usually always solid and satisfying, with the right amount of British humour coupled with all the feels.
I wasn't sure how she would pull off a grieving widow read, but she handled it spot on with the anger our MC Jessie was displaying, and seeing love interest Annie and her indecisive issues really hit a nerve with me, too.
The therapy group was amusing and heartfelt, as was seeing both parties coming into their own, dealing with their grief and other issues, and looking toward the future.
I wasn't sure how she would pull off a grieving widow read, but she handled it spot on with the anger our MC Jessie was displaying, and seeing love interest Annie and her indecisive issues really hit a nerve with me, too.
The therapy group was amusing and heartfelt, as was seeing both parties coming into their own, dealing with their grief and other issues, and looking toward the future.
October 31, 2018
Enjoyed this book very much. The character build up was great, the grieving was handled in a sensitive but realistic way. This book touched something in me. It was well written, with nice main and secondary characters and a believable romance.
4.4 stars. Certainly recommend it.
4.4 stars. Certainly recommend it.
November 7, 2018
This book was a little morose. Given the subject matter, that isn't really a surprise. I enjoyed the main character's self deprecating humor,though. It gave the book bit of balance.
I enjoyed the story. I just wish it would have been longer?
I will have to say that I really appreciated that there was tasteful mention of sleeping together but no smut. That is VERY rare to find in this genre. Call me a prude, if you will, but it was refreshing.
I enjoyed the story. I just wish it would have been longer?
I will have to say that I really appreciated that there was tasteful mention of sleeping together but no smut. That is VERY rare to find in this genre. Call me a prude, if you will, but it was refreshing.
October 30, 2018
Man, I love sappy romance books and this one really hit the spot.
It talks about grief, life, decisions and making the most of what you have. I’ve never suffered a loss as significant as that suffered by the characters, and maybe it's my age, but I think it has important messages: you have to rely on other people and going to therapy is a good thing.
It talks about grief, life, decisions and making the most of what you have. I’ve never suffered a loss as significant as that suffered by the characters, and maybe it's my age, but I think it has important messages: you have to rely on other people and going to therapy is a good thing.
January 12, 2019
The story is good - the characters felt real and the back-ground players did what they ought to do, but, and it's hard to say why, it just didn't quite hit the mark. It didn't have that "je n'ai ce pas!"
February 27, 2019
Natasha West's "Only Ever You" was something I'd never come across before. At least not like this. I was enthralled by the story and how West approached it. Grief and romance with a bereavement support group as the backdrop of the entire story. Structured and weaved in so many different angles, reading the book was like watching it on-screen. Reckon this could have easily been a movie, imo! If you've read West's books, you'll know her writing style - witty, hilarious, albeit with a little more dramatic in certain quarters, conversational dialogue that flows so naturally you think you're eavesdropping on the characters' conversation, succinct with no unnecessary fillers that'd otherwise drag the story or overstretch the plot. And this book was no different in her deftly constructed approach. A truly captivating romantic black comedy, imo.
I absolutely loved the opening. The fact that it opened with a funeral scene was original enough for me to put it as one of my favourite opening scenes in fiction. The entire scene followed by the wake in Jessie's house were written so vividly that I could visualise every angle of the scenes (funeral, burial and wake) playing out like a movie scene. For some reason, scenes from "Four Weddings And A Funeral" kept creeping into my mind the whole time I was reading it!
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
I absolutely loved the opening. The fact that it opened with a funeral scene was original enough for me to put it as one of my favourite opening scenes in fiction. The entire scene followed by the wake in Jessie's house were written so vividly that I could visualise every angle of the scenes (funeral, burial and wake) playing out like a movie scene. For some reason, scenes from "Four Weddings And A Funeral" kept creeping into my mind the whole time I was reading it!
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
July 27, 2019
me whenever annie took forever to decide between two things and spiraled into a cycle of anxiety over the most basic of decisions:
rep: lesbian mc's, f/f romance
October 31, 2018
I enjoyed this read immensely. Even though I had a few moments where the dust from the pages got into my eyes and made them water. Ok, so I read on a kindle, and it's probably not dust...
The story is told from the point of view of our main characters Jessie, who has lost her wife of many years in a tragic accident, and is now a young widow with anger issues. And Annie, who has lost both her parents in a short space of time, and is beset with an inability to make any decisions, essentially stopping her from functioning. Jessie's grief-caused anger issues see her end up in group therapy where she meets Annie. All the people in the therapy group are grieving. And so we are dealing with all their grief.
Now, of course, as human beings we all know that we are going to die. Thoughts of death cause terror and we manage this terror in different ways, but we all deal with it one way or another. Strange things happen to us when we think about death. I know a bit about this, because I study these things as a psychologist. But that did not prepare me for the onslaught of reading someone else's grief as their partner is ripped out of their life. The sheer awfulness of not being able to stop thinking about how this would be in your own life. The first chapters just had my heart in an icy grip. But as the story unfolds, and through attending the group therapy with a motley crew of bereaved people, it ultimately becomes a story of hope and resilience.
I was looking for a little light entertainment in a romance. And there are many fun and entertaining moments in there (although it is quite light on romance somehow). But I did not expect that it would play like this with my emotions, or that I would gladly let it.
The story is told from the point of view of our main characters Jessie, who has lost her wife of many years in a tragic accident, and is now a young widow with anger issues. And Annie, who has lost both her parents in a short space of time, and is beset with an inability to make any decisions, essentially stopping her from functioning. Jessie's grief-caused anger issues see her end up in group therapy where she meets Annie. All the people in the therapy group are grieving. And so we are dealing with all their grief.
Now, of course, as human beings we all know that we are going to die. Thoughts of death cause terror and we manage this terror in different ways, but we all deal with it one way or another. Strange things happen to us when we think about death. I know a bit about this, because I study these things as a psychologist. But that did not prepare me for the onslaught of reading someone else's grief as their partner is ripped out of their life. The sheer awfulness of not being able to stop thinking about how this would be in your own life. The first chapters just had my heart in an icy grip. But as the story unfolds, and through attending the group therapy with a motley crew of bereaved people, it ultimately becomes a story of hope and resilience.
I was looking for a little light entertainment in a romance. And there are many fun and entertaining moments in there (although it is quite light on romance somehow). But I did not expect that it would play like this with my emotions, or that I would gladly let it.
November 8, 2018
Detailed score: 3.5 rounded down
I really found it hard to score this book...because what was actually on the page was really good. Realistic expression of different people’s experiences of grief. Nice second chance at love premise...buuut
...it ended at least 5 chapters too early and without the slow build emotional resonance that had made the rest of the book so good.
Overall: If you’ve liked other books by the author, this one is still worth a read but I wouldn’t seek it out as a first timer
I really found it hard to score this book...because what was actually on the page was really good. Realistic expression of different people’s experiences of grief. Nice second chance at love premise...buuut
...it ended at least 5 chapters too early and without the slow build emotional resonance that had made the rest of the book so good.
Overall: If you’ve liked other books by the author, this one is still worth a read but I wouldn’t seek it out as a first timer
October 27, 2018
Wonderful yet sad
Must say this was a roller coaster ride of feelings. How the anger issues were addressed was heart warming. A lot of people don’t understand the pain experienced by losing a loved one. Jessie was the epitome of facing her loss with anger. While Annie had deeper problems to address with her losses. Working this into a cohesive romance was accomplished with finesse. Adding in the other characters was important in dealing with a grief group. Wonderful story and I loved it.
Must say this was a roller coaster ride of feelings. How the anger issues were addressed was heart warming. A lot of people don’t understand the pain experienced by losing a loved one. Jessie was the epitome of facing her loss with anger. While Annie had deeper problems to address with her losses. Working this into a cohesive romance was accomplished with finesse. Adding in the other characters was important in dealing with a grief group. Wonderful story and I loved it.
June 14, 2019
We don't usually find romances set in anger management / grief support groups, but this one worked.
January 26, 2025
I cried
Annie and Jessie are very, very broken people, and seeing them heal and become people who can be together is really moving.
Annie and Jessie are very, very broken people, and seeing them heal and become people who can be together is really moving.
October 26, 2018
Great.
No spoilers. This might sound funny but this was one of the most honest books about the feelings around death that those who are left behind have to deal with. It made me laugh a lot made me sad and had a wee cry. At the end I was happy for all the characters. What a great author and a great book would highly recommend.
No spoilers. This might sound funny but this was one of the most honest books about the feelings around death that those who are left behind have to deal with. It made me laugh a lot made me sad and had a wee cry. At the end I was happy for all the characters. What a great author and a great book would highly recommend.
December 16, 2018
Sweet and easy to read, it’s a quick novel with no sex scenes
October 23, 2018
Stunning
Wonderful character development and chemistry are the highlights of this story, but the deft handling of different aspects of the grieving process is also an important aspect of the narrative.
Wonderful character development and chemistry are the highlights of this story, but the deft handling of different aspects of the grieving process is also an important aspect of the narrative.
October 30, 2018
I've decided that Natasha West must not write anything explicit in the least. Her books fade to black very quickly. And that's fine, but sometimes I forget and then you feel like a critical/emotional piece of a book is missing. This felt that way a time or two. It was cute though. Enjoyed it well enough.
January 2, 2019
You'll Laugh & Cry (at the same time)
“You can’t get back the love of your life, can you? Because when you come home and find your wife at the foot of the stairs, cold…”
“… To find that the person you love does not exist anymore, well, that’s beyond a loss, isn’t it?”
“I’m angry that the woman I loved is gone. I’m angry that I’m just supposed to carry on with my life now, as if she never was.”
“But mostly, I’m angry at Lily. Because, I’ve loved her since I was eighteen and we were supposed to have the rest of our lives together and then she had to go and fall down those fucking stairs and leave me…”
This story was absolute perfection!!! With every page I read, the more I identified with & felt connected to these characters then the more I became invested in their journey as they tried to figure out how to pick up the shattered pieces of themselves & finding a way to exist & tolerate the rest of their lives— hostages to the pleasure & pain, intoxication & desperation of any lost love.
It was just so genuine & human. So much respect for the rawness, devastation & vulnerability in the portrayal of such a catastrophically intense, sensitive & personal experience as the grief, anguish & chaos after a loved one's death. Awesome & Amazing!!
“You can’t get back the love of your life, can you? Because when you come home and find your wife at the foot of the stairs, cold…”
“… To find that the person you love does not exist anymore, well, that’s beyond a loss, isn’t it?”
“I’m angry that the woman I loved is gone. I’m angry that I’m just supposed to carry on with my life now, as if she never was.”
“But mostly, I’m angry at Lily. Because, I’ve loved her since I was eighteen and we were supposed to have the rest of our lives together and then she had to go and fall down those fucking stairs and leave me…”
This story was absolute perfection!!! With every page I read, the more I identified with & felt connected to these characters then the more I became invested in their journey as they tried to figure out how to pick up the shattered pieces of themselves & finding a way to exist & tolerate the rest of their lives— hostages to the pleasure & pain, intoxication & desperation of any lost love.
It was just so genuine & human. So much respect for the rawness, devastation & vulnerability in the portrayal of such a catastrophically intense, sensitive & personal experience as the grief, anguish & chaos after a loved one's death. Awesome & Amazing!!
November 11, 2018
Only Ever You
This was a story about woman who lost her soulmate in an accident at home.. She goes out one night with her colleagues for a drink and goes to a colleagues who she thinks need help... And lashes out to hit the guy who seems t be argueing wiith her best friend but hits one off the barstaff who has tray full of glasses. He gets injured. She has to go to 30b grief therapy .it's a sad but also funny story. And the group are an extraordinary odd set to say the least
Natasnha West the author did a brilliant job writing this book would definitely recommend this to read it.
This was a story about woman who lost her soulmate in an accident at home.. She goes out one night with her colleagues for a drink and goes to a colleagues who she thinks need help... And lashes out to hit the guy who seems t be argueing wiith her best friend but hits one off the barstaff who has tray full of glasses. He gets injured. She has to go to 30b grief therapy .it's a sad but also funny story. And the group are an extraordinary odd set to say the least
Natasnha West the author did a brilliant job writing this book would definitely recommend this to read it.
October 25, 2019
A lovely cute romantic story about two women meeting in grief counselling. The story opens with Jessie losing her temper and hitting a member of bar staff, to get herself off a stint in prison, she agrees to attend 30 hours of therapy where she meets Annie.
The characters are well written. The theme of grief is dealt with sensitivity and not cheapened in any way. The story is predictable and a little formulated but that’s why I enjoy reading books from the romance genre.
Definitely a strong 3.5* read.
The characters are well written. The theme of grief is dealt with sensitivity and not cheapened in any way. The story is predictable and a little formulated but that’s why I enjoy reading books from the romance genre.
Definitely a strong 3.5* read.
November 16, 2018
Nice Kindle Unlimited read
This story was a decent, quick read I found on Kindle Unlimited. I cant put my finger on it, but the writing just doesn't have the depth that some of my favorite authors have. It was touching in places and funny in others. I guess I respect it as a story being told to me, but I wasnt drawn into it and left longing for more once it ended. I didn't want to be or be with any of the characters. Overall though, it's worth the read.
This story was a decent, quick read I found on Kindle Unlimited. I cant put my finger on it, but the writing just doesn't have the depth that some of my favorite authors have. It was touching in places and funny in others. I guess I respect it as a story being told to me, but I wasnt drawn into it and left longing for more once it ended. I didn't want to be or be with any of the characters. Overall though, it's worth the read.
June 17, 2020
brought a tear
I struggled with the first few chapters, i don't know why but then i got into the story more and flew thro the book. While the build up to Jessie and Annie's relationship was written well, I don't agree with totally skipping over Annie's first time. It didn't have to be grafic but just a little detail would have been nice. Im not a fan of skipping to the morning after... All in all good read and worth 4 stars
I struggled with the first few chapters, i don't know why but then i got into the story more and flew thro the book. While the build up to Jessie and Annie's relationship was written well, I don't agree with totally skipping over Annie's first time. It didn't have to be grafic but just a little detail would have been nice. Im not a fan of skipping to the morning after... All in all good read and worth 4 stars
dnf
March 24, 2024How has no review mentioned that Annie is engaged to a man at the beginning of this book? It does not even work out with that guy and Annie is caught kissing another guy in front of Jessie too (like on page 125 of 200). This started out so funny and I just wanted a nice sapphic romance out of it. I'm sure that happens too eventually but there are too many other books out there that don't take these detours that make me feel bad about myself.
February 17, 2019
Excellent read!
No doubt Natasha is an amazing author! Page turner! I laughed and cried though out the book. Using real life situations and turning them into wonderful outcomes. If you’ve had a loved one taken from you, you will see yourself in this book as you read it. A must read
No doubt Natasha is an amazing author! Page turner! I laughed and cried though out the book. Using real life situations and turning them into wonderful outcomes. If you’ve had a loved one taken from you, you will see yourself in this book as you read it. A must read
January 4, 2019
How can life come out of death?
You never imagine losing the one you love, and when it happens, it knocks the wind out of you. When you stop to pick up the he pieces, you find that there may he room in your heart for someone else. This was a great story of how that comes about.
You never imagine losing the one you love, and when it happens, it knocks the wind out of you. When you stop to pick up the he pieces, you find that there may he room in your heart for someone else. This was a great story of how that comes about.
March 13, 2019
Feelings
Death and loss provide the emotions that bring a group of really different people together for group therapy. This book does a nice job of portraying the different ways they're dealing.
Death and loss provide the emotions that bring a group of really different people together for group therapy. This book does a nice job of portraying the different ways they're dealing.
April 21, 2019
Another great read. This is different from the other Natasha West’s books I’ve read in that there is not as much humour, but the humourous moments in the book are brilliantly funny. You are always guaranteed a good read when you pick up a Natasha West book and this book does not disappoint.
July 8, 2021
Brilliant
I was a bit unsure at first, but as I got into it, I just loved this book. Great characters, including the group members, and the process of grief was written really well.
I was a bit unsure at first, but as I got into it, I just loved this book. Great characters, including the group members, and the process of grief was written really well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews