All Everleigh Carsen wanted to do was complete her final semester at Hensley University and begin the life she carefully planned.
When a wave of violent crime seizes campus, Everleigh is persuaded to attend a school sponsored self-defense seminar by her best friend, where she meets volunteer instructor, Hunter Charles. After Everleigh’s biting sarcasm induces Hunter to eject her from class, a tempestuous relationship is born.
Everleigh is determined to forget the striking man, but fate—that fickle shrew—continuously intervenes. Unable to escape him, she declares Hunter an enemy combatant. The only complication…Hunter is resolutely pursuing vindication…by any means necessary. Verbal warfare ensues, and despite Everleigh’s ingenious efforts, in Hunter, she has finally found her equal.
Only For You is a compelling tale of friendship, desire, and redemption—brimming with intelligent characters, witty dialogue, unexpected twists, profound sorrow, unfettered hope, and love’s unassailable perseverance.
• This story is appropriate for readers 18+• Only For You is the first book in the For You series by Genna Rulon. Each book in the series can be read as a stand alone novel.
Kindle Edition, 390 pages
Published September 24th 2013 by Genna Rulon
Our Review--
Courtney, we've had a great weekend of reading and Only For You was a great way to spend my Sunday! The story was engaging and funny and not too terribly angsty. Indeed! It has been a good day in our reading world!
Hunter and Everleigh are our main duo. Everleigh is a senior, living with her best friend, with a bright future ahead of her. She's got a fantastic job opportunity lined up after college and has settled in to a great life with her Sam (her BFF). The only dim spot is the rash of attacks on the women on her campus. These attacks seem to be increasing, with increasing violence. In order to aid in their protection Sam signs them up for a self-defense class--which is where they meet Hunter. Hunter is an older student (new to their campus), an expert in martial arts, and their self defense teacher. After a particularly snappy exchange between Hunter and Everleigh, Everleigh puts him on her shit list and out of her mind...until hours later when he shows up in her business class. It's this second run in that begins a unconventional friendship that spans the course of the novel.
The un-conventional un-boyfriend best-friendship that they share? Yep..very unconventional! But it made for a good time! They can go toe to toe about almost anything, and Ev's most sought after goal is to finally one up him and get the last word. The slow burn...and do I mean slow was pure torture. Assumptions on Everleigh's part keeps their friendship platonic for the first half of the story, but she soon wants more when those assumptions are blown wide open! Isn't it funny how you don't want something until you know you can't have it for reasons unknown? Yes, this story is like that. There are things going on that make Hunter emotionally unavailable to intimacy while still being an ah-freaking-mazing best friend!
The un-conventional un-boyfriend best-friendship that they share? Yep..very unconventional! But it made for a good time! They can go toe to toe about almost anything, and Ev's most sought after goal is to finally one up him and get the last word. The slow burn...and do I mean slow was pure torture. Assumptions on Everleigh's part keeps their friendship platonic for the first half of the story, but she soon wants more when those assumptions are blown wide open! Isn't it funny how you don't want something until you know you can't have it for reasons unknown? Yes, this story is like that. There are things going on that make Hunter emotionally unavailable to intimacy while still being an ah-freaking-mazing best friend!
This story is different than your typical New Adult romance. While there is 100% a story about two people who seem destined to be together or mess it up, royally, it is also a story of friendship. Sam and Ev, Sam/Ev/Robbie/Hunter, Griff, Linc...lots of friends--most of which are true friends. It's also a story of what being a friend and a loved one is--what we expect, what we want, and what should be. Finally, it's a story of love--the love of friends and what we do for them, unrequited love, and the complications of timing with love.
It is definitely a story of finding yourself, finding your path, and finding the people that you're hoping to share the rest of your life with. And I loved that this idea doesn't always necessarily mean a significant other. Like Shelley said the friends and friendships were way more important. Neither of these girls gave up each other and their relationship to solely focus on their dating pursuits. There was plenty of girl time, and I am at a point in my life where I'm like "Heck yeah! Girls, DO NOT lose your friends when you gain a guy!" Though I really enjoyed the story, the people, and the pace there were a lot of times that the dialogue is very, very formal. Very formal. Not so much that I didn't enjoy the story, because obviously I did because I'm telling you...but sometimes it didn't seem like someone my age would talk...and for the record I am 24.
It is definitely a story of finding yourself, finding your path, and finding the people that you're hoping to share the rest of your life with. And I loved that this idea doesn't always necessarily mean a significant other. Like Shelley said the friends and friendships were way more important. Neither of these girls gave up each other and their relationship to solely focus on their dating pursuits. There was plenty of girl time, and I am at a point in my life where I'm like "Heck yeah! Girls, DO NOT lose your friends when you gain a guy!" Though I really enjoyed the story, the people, and the pace there were a lot of times that the dialogue is very, very formal. Very formal. Not so much that I didn't enjoy the story, because obviously I did because I'm telling you...but sometimes it didn't seem like someone my age would talk...and for the record I am 24.
Genna Rulon wrote interesting characters. Yes she did. She gave them integrity and strength and I appreciated that she gave them the backbone to face tough situations with honesty and grit. ME TOO! Sam...tears* They were fun and funny and sweet. While there were times when the banter seemed a little stilted at the beginning, I really warmed up to the characters and enjoyed them so much that I jumped on her website to read the FREE short she wrote from Hunter's POV. I am so looking forward to book 2! Thank You chica, for that reminder. Everyone--there is a free alternate POV from Hunter on Genna's website! lol. Go look for it, if you're looking for more! I'm going there now...tootles!
Shelley: 4 1/2 Stars
Courtney: 3 1/2 Stars
About the Author:
Genna Rulon is an up and coming contemporary romance author.
During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, inspired by her love of reading, fantasized about penning her own stories. Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursuing her aspirations of writing her own novels.
Genna was raised in Long Island, New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends. Married to a wonderful man, who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on, even feigning interest relatively convincingly! Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy's writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.
You can find Genna online at: www.gennarulon.com
Be sure to join the mailing list for updates about future books, as well as giveaways, and other fun facts.
Genna would love to hear from you, and will personally respond to all messages!
You can contact her as follows:
Email: genna@gennarulon.com
You can also follow Genna online at:
Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest
Courtney: 3 1/2 Stars
About the Author:
During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, inspired by her love of reading, fantasized about penning her own stories. Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursuing her aspirations of writing her own novels.
Genna was raised in Long Island, New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends. Married to a wonderful man, who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on, even feigning interest relatively convincingly! Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy's writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.
You can find Genna online at: www.gennarulon.com
Be sure to join the mailing list for updates about future books, as well as giveaways, and other fun facts.
Genna would love to hear from you, and will personally respond to all messages!
You can contact her as follows:
Email: genna@gennarulon.com
You can also follow Genna online at:
Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest
Purchase Only For You:
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