Member Reviews

This is the third book in this series and so far, I am absolutely loving them. These books just feel so honest, the characters feel so real, their struggles so valid and realistic. It truly is a pleasure to read about the Bergman family and their love stories.

This particular book follows the oldest Bergman sibling, Freya, as she and her husband Aidan try to desperately bring their marriage back from the brink of collapse. And I gotta say, I really like romance novels told from the point of view of married couples. As much I live for the angst and the drama of two people getting together and falling in love, there is something so wonderful and interesting about a love story that happens after the 'happily ever after'. 

My favorite thing in this book was the characters. All of them were so great and I love their entire family. But more than that, it was how the characters felt human to me and not just two-dimensional caricatures. We got to see more of the siblings in this one than in the previous two books and I am really glad about it. I really want to read about Viggo and Oliver when their time comes.

But enough about them, let's talk about Freya and Aiden. Their relationship wasn't perfect, of course, that's the whole point of the novel. And yet, they were so perfect for each other. The love the two held for each other was so obvious and so strong and while it did take a couple of hits, it never broke and it never left.

One of my least favorite things in romance novel is the unnecessary conflict for the sake of conflict. I am glad to say that this book did a great job of making the conflicts seem realistic and reasonable. 

Another thing I hate in romance is when all the blame for the falling out is put on one character, while the other cruises by. Thankfully, this book had none of that either. Both Freya and Aiden are flawed and both had a hand in their marriage failing. They both had to work on their relationship and both learn to depend on the other when they needed it most.

Another thing I loved about this book is how it went about certain topics such as anxiety and body image.

Aiden suffers from anxiety and it has a prominent, negative effect on his life. That said, he is not defined by it. And yet, his anxiety is such a driving force for all of his actions and it is written in such an honest way. I like that the author also went into the less talked about effects of anxiety, and how it isn't always a wave that comes and goes, but a dark cloud that constantly looms above you as you live your life, building up until it finally pours down. 

I also like the mention of Freya's concerns with body image. She wasn't defined by her body or her thoughts about it. In fact, she mentions feeling like she isn't allowed to simply be and simply have the body she does. The world expects her to aggressively love herself and show it, or else they'll think she hates her body and is trying to lose weight. 

I think the author did a great job of representing all the character's struggles in realistic and sensitive ways.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I am looking forward to reading more about the Bergman's and can't wait to see what other adventures they'll go on. Plus, I have been waiting for Axel and Rooney's story since reading Only Ever You, so I'm definitely excited about that one.

Also, let it be known that I read this in one day. I am so thankful that I work from home because I completely ignored all my responsibilities while reading this.

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Ever After Always was definitely a stay-up-way-past-my-bedtime-and-finish-it kinda book. Once again, @chloe_liese created an amazing storyline in the continuation of the Bergman Brothers series, this one about Bergman sister, Freya, and her husband & Bergman BIL, Aiden. (Swipe for brief synopsis.) The story was fun and smart, and brought all the steam you’re accustomed to with her books. As always, I love the representation Chloe brings to her readers with both mental health and neurodiversity, and I think she tackled Aiden’s anxiety with care and empathy.⁣

And the message at the end of the acknowledgements.... Could not have been more perfect, and inclusive, and wonderfully said.⁣

Thank you, Chloe, for the opportunity to review your book, scheduled for publication on January 12, and available for pre-order now. ⁣

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EARLY RECOMMENDATION: Ever After Always by Chloe Liese 🥰

SUMMARY: Freya and Aiden have been married for 10 years, but the pressure of trying for a child is making Aiden’s anxiety spiral out of control. Can their relationship survive?

This is the third book in the Bergman Brothers series and delivers a second-chance romance for the already married Bergman sister and her long-time partner. Second-chance romance is not my favorite trope, but I loved these characters and was definitely rooting for their relationship! There are typical Bergman hijinks, steamy sexy times and an all-family vacay to Hawaii!

This series is unique because each book portrays how someone with differing abilities navigates romantic relationships. Reading is supposed to make you more empathetic, and I feel much more sensitive to those struggling with anxiety since reading this book. Will reading this book and the others in this series make you a better person? Maybe not, but it certainly won’t hurt! 🤣 Perfect for fans of Talia Hibbert! 📚

Should you read the first and second books in the series first? You don’t HAVE to, but I recommend it. I am particularly excited for the next book—the slow burn romance Bergman fans have been waiting for!

Thank you to @netgalley and @chloeliese for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be available beginning Jan. 12.

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This is easily my favorite of the series, so far. I loved how well-portrayed Aiden's anxiety is, without overwhelming the romance elements of the story. And I was deeply attached to Aiden and Freya's relationship succeeding. There is a lot of miscommunication (or lack of communication all together) that is endlessly frustrating, but when they finally hash out their feeling and have have the tough conversations, it's all worth it. I continue to enjoy the Bergman family and am excited for Axel and Rooney's story!

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I LOVED this book! I'm fairly sure I have said that about each book in the series, but it bears repeating. Because Chloe Liese keeps knocking it out of the park with these stories. I adore how each book in the series builds on one another, because we still get to see how the previous couples are doing, which brings me so much joy.
While I have truly enjoyed every book I have read by Ms. Liese, this is the one that hits closest to home, for me. The fact that the MCs are slightly older (read, in their 30s), married, and one has Generalized Anxiety Disorder were all legitimately my life. And the fact that they go to marriage counseling? 1) I love that it was normalized and 2) been there, done that, and I recommend it to everyone. And once the title gets explains I am pretty sure I just melted into a complete puddle and agree with it 100%. So, stealing that for all future anniversary cards! As always, I am now eagerly awaiting the next book in the series because I reallywish I could join the Bergman family.

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Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve been following Chloe on instagram for a while now and always appreciate her insights, so I was excited to finally read one of her books. She wrote an incredible author’s note for this, so if you usually skip those—don’t.

CW: anxiety, panic attacks, body shaming, body image, alcoholism, childhood poverty, parental abandonment

First things first, we love the curvy girl representation on this cover. 🔥 AND there’s an amazing companion playlist on Spotify. 🙌🏼

Ever After Aways is a fun, steamy, surprisingly thoughtful examination of a marriage in trouble and two people desperate to find their way back to each other. I related to both Aiden and Freya. Aiden with his crippling anxiety, and Freya with her big feelings and overwhelming need to express them.

This book gets straight to the heart of what makes a marriage work: trust, communication, and the belief that your person will love & carry you through the darkness. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, we hurt the people we love. I know what it’s like to love someone so much you begin to lock away the dark and scary pieces of yourself in order to protect them. But, as Aiden and Freya learn, shutting our loved ones out often does more harm than good.

There were a lot of beautiful insights, but at times it felt more like marriage self-help than romcom. Regardless, I flew through it and appreciate the dedication to breaking through societal norms and tackling hard topics. It was a reminder to continue learning and growing with your partner, and the importance of loving them in THEIR love language.

I haven’t read the other Bergman Brothers books, but I’m looking forward to spending more time with this delightful family.

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Let me preface this by saying I don't believe I need to relate to a character to be able to enjoy a book that being said I related to a character in this book on such a deep level that I can't ignore that.

Aiden suffers from anxiety disorder I don't have an anxiety disorder but with my PTSD diagnosis, along came anxiety! So when Aiden shares how his anxiety impacts every aspect of his life, I truly got it and I was so grateful to read a character that shed light on something I know all too well, but don't always know how to talk about!

And this is something I think Chloe does such an amazing job with. She takes rarely talked about topics (in literature) and creates this world and these characters that feel so real that even if people are not able to fully grasp what the character is going through they might better understand somebody going through the same thing in their own life. She also does a great job of handling the other side because guess what I know what that character is going through too! Honestly, Aiden and Freya are one person in my head haha one is my left brain and the other is my right brain and she NAILED both halves! One half "Just TALK to me!" the other "I don't want to burden you with my shit!" it's ENDLESS!

But enough about relating! This entire series is so damn good and I was so excited to enter Freya and Aiden's marriage (that sounds weird right?!) They're struggling to communicate, the family is interfering, work, home, and family planning life are not going as, well planned! It's real, it's steamy, it's frustrating! It's an entirely new story from the previous two but stays very true to the series!

It's fun watching two people meet and fall for each other. But it's also fun to watch two people who are married rediscover what made them fall in the first place!

Thank you so much Chloe for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! I cannot wait for Axel's story!

TW - fertility issues, stress/anxiety

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Holy moly! This book spoke to my SOUL. I laughed. I cried. I rooted for Aiden & Freya, and I cursed them for being stubborn and obstinate. My love for the whole Bergman clan grows with each book in the series. It was so refreshing to read a book about an already married couple navigating through the ups and downs of wedded "bliss." Chloe's writing is so inclusive and beautiful. I truly can't wait to see where she takes us next!

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Wow. Chloe Liese, just wow. It is the first book I read by her, I have one pending to read for months in my Kindle.
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The truth is that at the beginning, the plot did not attract any attention of me, the books about couples going through difficult times are really complex to read, at least for me, and regularly in the RomCom they go through conflicts very slightly, the characters remain in white or black. But Chloe Liese left me speechless, I can't really object to anything in the plot, everything fits perfectly and the feelings of each character and in each situation written with such detail and care that is imposible not root for them.
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I really loved the book and I read it slowly with all the appreciation possible, the complexity of feelings and how nothing is embellished, named word by word with respect and contemplating the characters with their different emotional charges, their struggles for the daily things that one gives for granted and that they are so difficult to reach for people with neurodiversity and mental health care. The difficulties of a marriage that tries to stay together despite distances and silences. Sometimes it is not something very simple like the lack of love or another person, but quite the opposite, loving too much and not being able to express it in the right way, or not even being able to talk about it.
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All this complexity surrounded by the love of a large family that does not give up on supporting them and being there for them makes this book Not just any RomCom.
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I loved Freya's voice, so powerful and self-aware, I really expected more heroines like her in books, so strong to express her vulnerability, she wastes self love and esteem even emptying a bottle of wine in tears. Aiden is so determined and it is the first time I have read such a strong personality with mental health issues and so, I treasure it even more.
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The Bergman family is hilarious, I know that everyone has their one book and everyone has such different personalities that it is an inevitable temptation to go and find the complete series (that is what I would do next).
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Again, Wow to these kinds of characters that made it impossible for me to close the book. I read it in a day and a half and that's too slow for my pace at RomCom, I really loved this book and enjoyed reading it. So let me tell you that this is the third book of the serie "The Bergman Brothers" and be aware that this is the kind of book that leaves you hooked on reading the entire series and following the writer works.
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Thanks to #NetGalley and Victory Editing to let me read this arc of #EverAfterAlways by #Chloeliese that will be published 12 January 2021, I can wait to talk about this beautiful book with every one

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I've had a soft spot for Aiden since Only When It's Us. His match making antics, trying to force Willa and Ryder together, spoke of the true romantic he was so I was really looking forward to this one.
The marriage-in-crisis trope is really under-done and under-appreciated and I don’t know why because Chloe shows that when it’s done right it lends itself to an incredibly emotional read.
Aiden and Freya have been married for almost 10 years but after an incredibly stressful 6 months for both parties they come to find their marriage is not what they want it to be. Freya finds herself wanting a baby but her husband has become so closed off and unavailable both emotionally and physically to her that she can’t bare to put the effort in any longer. Aiden finds himself down such a deep dark hole with nothing but crippling anxiety and stress for company as he tries to create the life for his wife and the family he so desperately wants that he never had growing up.
Get the tissues at the ready. The first part of this book had me in tears at so many points. My heart broke for Aiden as he struggled to deal with his feelings of inadequacy and desire for a family coupled with the ever mounting stress of pursuing a new business venture. He was so totally lost and unable to see a way out of the hell he’d gotten himself into.
The tissues aren’t needed for long though as the Bergman family find themselves on vacation together and where the Bergman siblings are you can bet there’s going to be pranks, meddling and a lot of fun and games to be had as the siblings do what they can to help Aiden and Freya through their difficult time.
Chloe has a gift for writing such realistic, authentic characters. While she might weave a beautiful love story, it’s kept down to earth with realistic characters with real problems. Aiden’s anxiety isn’t dressed up to make him sexy, its real and it hurts. The way he loves his wife makes him sexy, oh and the beard, the beard makes him sexy.

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EVER AFTER ALWAYS honestly depicts the emotional work that goes into sustaining a marriage in an aching, funny, and heartwarming way. Freya and Aiden have been married for almost 10 years and the communication roadblocks and fears they have as they embark on their next career and family decisions are so realistic and understandable, even though they know each other very well and there's still a lot of love in their relationship. I also appreciate that they attend marriage counseling together and its refreshing to see a couple try to work things out together. I really enjoyed reading about their ever after always and I highly recommend it!

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Thank you Chloe for allowing me to read this early. I’m in love with the Bergman family & I was so excited to get my hands on this book, I almost screamed when it hit my kindle!

Wow. Chloe has a way with words. She writes realistic characters who face real world troubles. For someone who doesn’t suffer from anxiety, I could feel Aidens stresses & just how physically hard it was for him day to day as he struggled with his anxiety. And Freya. What a beautiful, beautiful soul.

The message behind this story was portrayed beautifully. A strong loving marriage takes work, it’s not all sunshine & daisies. You have to be willing to put in the work if you want a bright outcome, and man did Freya and Aiden put in the work!

If you haven’t met the Bergman brothers or sisters, it’s time you do so! You can pre order this now for just $2.99!

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I absolutely loved this book! I typically have a hard time with second chance type of books but this book delivered in every way imaginable. The way that this is written you can feel the internal struggle that Aiden is feeling throughout the story. Which feels so real and is incredibly realistic. I loved Freya talking about body issues and Aiden talking about his anxiety, both very relatable and pulled me in even further. I love this paring and this story....and their commitment to communicating. You feel such a real, intense and deep connection to the characters and their stories you don’t want it to end.

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I've said it once, I will say it again - Chloe Liese is amazing. This sweet story follows Freya and Aiden and focuses on their marriage. We had hints in previous Bergman Brothers books that things weren't so great in their marriage. Ever After Always is a story of hard work and dedication, two things that are necessary in any marriage. Aiden's storyline throughout this whole book was heart wrenching. I really felt for him, as I also struggle with anxiety that causes me to spiral out of control sometimes.
Although this was not as steamy as the previous two books, I did find it more relatable because I am married too! It takes a lot of work and honesty, and Chloe did an incredible job of capturing what it is like to struggles of marriage. Chloe Liese strives to have inclusive characters in all of her books and has created a family that we ALL want to be a part of! Cannot wait to read the next one!


A special thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op!

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A huge thanks to NetGalley and Chloe Liese for my advance reading copy!

Chloe Liese NEVER disappoints.

After reading both Ryder and Ren’s stories, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Freya’s story. (It was about time we got a Bergman SISTER story!) These Bergman siblings are just the best. Knowing that this was a marriage in crisis story, I came prepared with tissues because this is a tender trope for me; thankfully my partner has been willing to fight with me for our marriage, just like Aiden and Freya fight for theirs.

Somehow both hilarious and achingly poignant, Ever After Always hits every note just right. To say I saw myself in this story would be an epic understatement. In my marriage, the spouse with anxiety is flip-flopped (I’m the one who struggles), but man--this one packs an emotional punch. (Just be prepared!) I love how naturally Liese weaves in curvy rep without making it a body-positivity anthem. I love how autism, physical disabilities, and mental health aren’t major plot points, wielding agendas, but just a part of the characters’ lives--a part of them, but not the whole.

If you’ve never read a Liese romance, what are you even doing with your life? Start at the beginning or don’t, the order isn’t terribly important (since you know the HEA is guaranteed)--but be prepared to fall in love with the Bergmans.

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Another fabulous Bergman Brothers book by Chloe Liese! Ever After Always is chicken soup for the soul mixed with a bit of spice, rich advice, and a healthy dose of steam.

I have absolutely adored every Bergman Brothers book and Ever After Always is no different. I especially loved how this one follows the oldest sister, Freya, and her husband. The first half of the book sets the scene between Freya and Aiden. Their marriage is struggling and we see firsthand just how important communication is in a relationship. The second half of the book is a delicious slow burn packed with the typical Bergman family antics, and Freya and Aiden learning and speaking each other's love languages.

Besides the relatable characters, deep storylines, and steamy scenes, what I love about most about Chole's books is that she write inclusive romance stories. She tackles real-life scenarios with grace and care. Anxiety, autism, rheumatoid arthritis... it's all vital to the story and it's beautiful.

I feel like I should pay Liese for the marriage advice she dispersed throughout the book. I'm making my husband read this one.

Ever After Always is the third book in the Bergman Brother's series, and while it can be read as a standalone, you will want to read the books in order to get the full Bergman family background. Can they please adopt me?

I can't wait for the next book that follows Axel and Rooney!

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As a general rule, I don’t read marriage-in-crisis books. They rarely work for me. The exception is when it’s an author or series I really love - Sarah MacLean’s Day of the Duchess and Tessa Bailey’s Love Her or Lose Her come to mind. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of @chloe_liese’s Ever After Always - I loved the first two Bergman Brothers books so much that I knew I could trust her going into this trope, and this book DID NOT DISAPPOINT. It was so so so good! The writing was excellent and the characters were so real and dealt with each other so well. I love Liese’s neurodiverse characters so very much - in Ever After Always, she very accurately captures what it’s like to be married to a man with anxiety. I related to so much about Freya, and I can already tell this will be a book I revisit over and over, along with the rest of this series. I’m already looking forward to the next book - Rooney is a treasure. Thank you @chloe_liese and @netgalley for the ARC! Ever After Always releases January 12, 2021 and you can read the first two books in this series (Only When It’s Us and Always Only You) now on Kindle Unlimited!

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Chloe Liese is an author that should be on everyone’s auto-buy list. She writes OwnVoices stories that are witty, heartfelt, and so amazing. In this book we follow along the oldest Bergman sibling, Freya and her husband, Aiden. Freya and Aiden have been married for nearly a decade and are having major marriage problems. Throughout the story, we follow along with them learning how to fix their marriage and learn to love and trust each other again through their problems.

Freya is a plus size woman with so much fire in her and she was such a beautiful character to read about. Aiden deals with an anxiety disorder and through this story, we follow along with his struggles with his anxiety stimulating from his past about money struggles, family life, and everyday situations. Aiden was a character that I personally related to with my own struggles with anxiety disorder and it was so great to see such a relatable character in a romance book. Chloe writes strong and compelling characters that make you want to root for them from the very start. I have enjoyed every book from the Bergman Brothers series and I know without a doubt, I will continue to cherish these books that allow anyone to relate to and feel like they are apart of.

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Freya and Aiden's story was one of the hardest reads to get through for me in a long time! The raw, honest, heartbreaking reality of how hard marriage can be just smacked you in the face with the turn of every page. You could just tell that the author reached within her deepest depths to write this book with as much crippling and emotional content as she did. My heart broke over and over again, with every painful situation this couple found themselves in. With each avoided conversation. With each missed touch. With each night spent apart. It was grueling! But, as I knew she would, the author used all of that pent up emotion and used it to help steer this couple into greener pastures. Used their strife to help them realize what was at stake of being lost and help them reconnect and recommit to their love and each other.

I laughed a ton during this book, because the entire Bergman clan is a riot. But I also got weepy eyed too. Aiden's character truly splintered my heart into a million pieces. The anxiety he was suffering through alone wrecked me. And the plot twist at the end? Talk about a shot to the heart!!! Chloe Liese put my emotions in a vice grip. I couldn't breathe until I got to the Ever After Always that I was worried may never come.

It's so hard to read books where the couple is already married. You miss out on a lot of that initial spark, the getting to know one another, the fall and the ILYs. But the author did a magnificent job jumping back in their timeline to give glimpses of those experiences, while writing authentically about a couple that had been married for a decade. Aiden and Freya were far from the honeymoon stage. But that love and spark was still there, just dimmed a little. Hidden by omissions.

Mental health was a major focus in this read. There were some seriously triggering topics and subsequent fall out from experiences that the main character went through. There was the necessity of talk therapy, couples/marriage counseling and medication. I appreciated very much the author's approach to such a sensitive topic and how realistic the character was while going through their heavy emotions and treatment.

Ever After Always ended on such a high note. I just loved the way the story wrapped up and the direction and realizations that the couple came to. I was so happy for them in the end. If anyone deserved happiness, it was certainly Aiden and Freya!

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This book blew me away! I love this series in a way I cannot describe, Chloe Liese has a beautiful voice and she once again wrote a beautiful story. I love the way she handled Aiden and Freya's story and every issue she tackled in this book. I CANNOT wait for the next book to continue seeing the Bergman family and highly recommend reading the previous books in this series!

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