Only For You by Genna Rulon

For You #1

Summary:

“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."

This was an interesting book, but not in the way that one would expect.

I loved the characters, I loved their verbal sparring. It was entertaining. Ev is hilarious, as is her best friend Sam (Samantha Whitney). They have the kind of friendship everybody wants.

With the university Everleigh Carsen attends having multiple sexual assaults the university has called in professionals to teach anyone self-defense to protect themselves. Enter Hunter Charles. He starts off as Ev's verbal sparring partner, but they quickly becomes friends after Ev comes to the conclusion that he is gay.

As the attacks become more frequent Hunter becomes a bigger fixture in both Sam and Ev's lives. And even more so after Sam starts dating Robbie (a guy in a Fraternity). Over the months Ev starts to fall for Hunter even though at this point she still believes him to be gay, accepting his hugs as nothing more than something one friend gives to another.

Despite all the humor and sexual tension between Hunter and Ev, it doesn't take away from the danger and suspense of who is involved in the attacks. More than one male character in this book have you wondering if they are the one responsible.

While this book is labeled at New Adult, there aren't any overtly sexual scenes in this book. There are some things that people who may be sensitive to, and young teens probably shouldn't be reading since this book does cover the topic of sexual abuse and attacks. There is still enough humor in the background of the story that it's not dark, but still gives the topic covered the respect it deserves.