If It's Only Love

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review** I'm a fan of friends to lovers romances and I also enjoy a good childhood friends to lovers romance, so considering this one was both of those, it was right up my alley. Throw in an athlete and I'm even more in my element! Shayleigh (Shay) Jackson is the only girl of the Jackson siblings and she's extremely loyal, loves her family and is working on earning her PhD. She has always had a crush on her brother Carter's best friend, Easton, and she's never felt like she would be good enough for him due to her insecurities about her looks/weight, but she also didn't think the destined for the NFL athlete would ever see her in the same light she has always seen him. Easton Conner was the star high school football player who has now made it to the NFL. He's always been close to the Jackson's as he's Carter's best friend, however he's always had a soft spot for Shay as well. Shay has always been a calming influence on him and when he leaves Jackson Harbor for LA, he not only leaves behind his second family, he leaves behind the girl he's developed feelings for. Over the years, Easton and Shay have had a series of romantic encounters that both of them have kept secret. The timing for them has just never been right and there is a mountain of hurt feelings and circumstances have always pulled them further apart instead of closer together. When Easton moves back to Jackson Harbor, the two are now in one another's orbit more often and they have to figure out how they feel about one another and what the feelings they are feeling really mean. Easton is dead set on proving to Shay that she is what he wants. Can he truly convince her? And for Shay, can she forgive him for things that have happened in the past? I absolutely loved these two characters. They both know what they want and are driven to get it, whether it involves school, work, or personal relationships. The chemistry between them is absolutely incredible and the way they fit together as a duo and how Easton fits in with the whole Jackson family is so wonderful. I enjoyed this story so much and it demonstrates what forgiveness and finding what makes you happy is all about.

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Ryan and I am wondering what has taken me so long to do so. She writes a really good single dad/friends to lovers/best friends’ sister second chance romance. I mean you get it all with this story and I loved it. Shay and Ethan have known each other forever and she has always had a crush on him. Ethan has always had a thing for her as well but with her brothers always warning him off, it wasn’t able to happen. There was always the pesky timing problem but now since they are older, there is really nothing standing in their way – too bad that wasn’t the case. They will have to fight to get their HEA and the journey was worth every turn of the page. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This book isn’t just a second chance romance. It’s not just a sports romance. It’s a story of heartbreak, first love, loss, sacrifices, and the profound faith that family means everything. Lexi Ryan scripts an intricate web between the pages of this incredible story that captivates readers from the start. Each book in this amazing series showcases its own tale of complexity while tackling obstacles and complications that seem impossible to overcome. But Shay and Easton’s story expresses a whole new level of setbacks and heartache. Their long history together has been filled with longing, heartache, and overwhelmingly difficult decisions that leave them both broken. Their love is anything but perfect. And just when you think their timing is finally right, life steps in and threatens their already unstable reconnection. I’m a little sad that this series has come to an end. But I’m also extremely happy because this book was the perfect ending to all the Jackson sibling’s stories. If It’s Only Love overflows with love, devotion, and selflessness while also enrapturing the reader with its angst, unconditional love, and passionate romance. This book is sexy, sweet, and bleeds emotions. It can be read as a complete standalone, but I highly recommend starting from the beginning of the series and take an unforgettable journey to Jackson Harbor.