Review: Only For You by Genna Rulon

“In its purest form love is self-sacrificing, eternal, selfless, enduring, truthful, forgiving and indulgent. It also feels an awful lot like a kick to the stomach when you try to fight it!” 

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.

Ramblings . . .

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

          This is Genna Rulon’s debut novel and what a way to start! Genna writes as if she has written all her life. Perfect literacy, for me, makes an great story that much more enjoyable.

          This story follows Everleigh and Hunter on a long road to romance. Bumps and drama ensue along the way and raw sexual tension comes in bucket loads.

          Everleigh is an A grade character. Feisty, strong-willed, witty and a perfect friend to her best pal, Sam.

“The world is not full of assholes. But, they are strategically placed so that you'll come across one every day.”

“I was a fool, alone, preparing to do what every fool did at such times—I was going to a bar to drink myself smart.” 

It’s fair to say I loved this chick.

Enter Hunter, the dangerously handsome but deadly mysterious, brooding  hunk. He entered Everleigh’s life like a gust of wind. They fight hard to keep their friendship platonic. This proves a task. Imagine a drunk trying to walk a balance beam. The book drips with sexual tension. Genna Rulon truly is evil. Every time I thought they would finally give in to their desires and admit their feelings, BAM, it was ripped from our grasp. The build up is insufferable BUT very enjoyable. Every chapter is a brick on the path to an explosion of their emotions, you just have to hang in there. It is soooo worth it.

          I love a bit of banter. I expect it in every book I read (High maintenance I know but hey, you can’t blame me). I was not disappointed. The way they tried to out-do each other and have the last say was comical. His protectiveness of her and Sam is beautiful to read. He never once smothers Everleigh but he is there at the drop of a hat if she needs him. With all the commotion of a rapist/murderer on the loose around Campus attacking innocent girls, this book is also jam packed with drama.

As I said before there is an air of mystery surrounding our tasty Hunter and whilst you are screaming at the pair to just get it on already! His hesitancy is slightly off-putting (what is the deal with this guy?) you begin to question, is he married? Is he indeed gay? But all is revealed and what a great turn of events. Everything falls in to place and the story ends perfectly. I am not a smoker but I imagine it’s a little like having a smoke after great sex, with a sigh of satisfaction, we wipe our mouths dry and smile.

                    A tale of desire, strength, hope, sorrow and love. But by no means a sappy love story. With twists that jump out on you and compel you to read on.