When I saw that the next book in this series was going to be about Aiden and Freya, I was a little apprehensive. Although I’ve found I appreciate stories about couples who are already committed, it feels like we know them as family from the first two books in the series and don’t want to see them struggling. But it was really beautiful, and really important, to see that relationships aren’t easy, that hurting the people we love and being hurt in return will happen, but that just makes it even more special when we fight to repair and make them stronger.

In Romancelandia, being able to see them weather this storm while knowing they would get their happier-for-now in the end was powerful too. That safety net isn’t there in real life, but seeing these two navigate life’s challenges, hurting each other unintentionally (and seeing both sides), and learning that a relationship isn’t a static ‘happily ever after’ made it feel hopeful but real.

Five stars! I loved this book! Ever After Always follows the oldest Bergman sibling Freya and her husband Aiden. Unlike the other two books, I enjoyed that this one started in the middle of a relationship. There were still flashbacks to the beginning of the relationship but I enjoyed the realness of the work it takes to keep an established couple together and flourishing. As always, I can’t wait for the next Bergman book!

“Ever After Always” was an emotional ride to say the least. I smiled, blushed, laughed, and cried. Aiden and Freya’s story crushed me and then somehow put me back together. Chloe Liese’s latest book is about a couple who, despite their love for one another, have lost their way to each other. Will the help of an eccentric therapist, a week away in paradise and the meddling of the other Bergman siblings be enough for Freya and Aiden to stay together?

Some of the things I loved in the previous books are still very much present in this third installation: Representation of mental health/disabilities, laugh out loud moments, clear-cut consent, steamy scenes and two imperfect people who are perfect for each other.

Do you ever read a book and think about how you would liked to be adopted by a family? Because that is exactly how I feel when I read the books in the Bergman brothers series. I absolutely loved Willa and Ryder's story, and Frankie and Ren's story, so I was thrilled when Freya got her own story. In Ever After Always, Aiden and Freya's twelve year marriage is on the brink of divorce. Aiden was a pretty important character in Willa and Ryder's story, as the professor of the class where the two met who was responsible for their matchmaking. One trope that I absolutely love is the fighting to make the marriage work one. I have been married for almost six years, so I related to Freya as a wife. I loved the fact that the two of them had to fight for their marriage. I think that people are too quick to divorce in today's day and age, and it seems like its getting more and more rare to meet a couple that can say that have been together for 20 or more years. Although Freya and Aiden's marriage takes center stage in this novel, the real star of this book is the way that Liese deals with Aiden's anxiety and traumatic past. One of the things that I love about Chloe Liese's writing is the way that she deals with mental health, chronic illness, physical disability, and other topics. She does it in a way that is sensitive and really humanizes them in a way that helps to educate and advocate. I also really appreciated that it was Aiden, not Freya, that suffered from anxiety. I think we definitely live in a culture that tells men they have to be emotionally strong and cannot cry or express their insecurities. This leads to a culture of toxic masculinity, and I love that she made Aiden so vulnerable in this way. I absolutely loved the first two books in this series, so of course, I was so excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint. Like I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I would love to be adopted by this family, but since that can't happen, I'll settle for reading about all of their shenanigans. I also loved that we got to catch up with Ren and Frankie and Willa and Ryder; these are characters that I am completely emotionally invested in, and will never turn down the chance to find out what they are up to. Of course, we also get to see the rest of the Bergman family, including Ziggy, and I am looking forward to Axel and Rooney's story. Ever After Always is one of those stories that will tug on your heartstrings. I also really loved Chloe's note at the end of the book. Marriage isn't always easy and it's not always a fairy tale. Even though the happily ever after is often the only thing we get to see, it is important to remember that it takes a lot to get there and it doesn't always happen. Chloe Liese is one of the many new authors I discovered this year, and I absolutely cannot wait to keep reading more of her stories. Thank you to the publisher and author for giving me the chance to read this book. I will be posting my review and feature on my IG page @readingmama_reviews a little closer to pub date!

Some things I didn’t know I needed until I read this book:
• A playlist – Chloe has curated a playlist to go with this book and it added a level of emotional engagement to a story that I’ve never experienced before. Every romance book should have one if they are going to be as thoughtful and well done as this one.
• “Fuckety shit-tits” – My new favorite swear.
• The brothers Bergman quoting Lisa Kleypas – This is just as amazing as it sounds.
• A parrot with an r-rated vocabulary – And not just that, but one that has been trained to target a specific person and otherwise says charming things like “hiya toots”.
In all seriousness, Chloe Liese has done it again. Her words are a gift and I treasure them all. I loved the first two books in the Bergman Brothers series. Only When It’s Us is my top favorite contemporary romance of all time ever. After finding out that book three would focus on Aiden and Freya’s struggling marriage, feature a curvy heroine, and a hero with anxiety disorder, I knew it would hit a bit differently than the others. Reading this book was a deeply personal experience and so this review will be uniquely personal as well.
I grew up with an emotionally abusive mother who based much of my worth on my outward appearance. It took more than a decade’s worth of years living away from her and a wife who never stops making me feel beautiful and who is a stalwart protector against anything that might, to feel good in my skin skin. To stop hating myself when I looked in the mirror, to stop missing out on activities because I agonized over how others would see me, to learn to be proud of this strong body that has done so much for me. I wasn’t sure how much of the story would focus on Freya’s relationship with her body and I was so pleasantly surprised. I talk a lot about how I love books that feature casual queerness and that’s what this one did for body positivity. It was casual, it was there without being the whole point, and it was wonderful.
For most of my life I’ve battled with anxiety that was greatly exacerbated during pregnancy and postpartum. Anxiety that has taken a toll on my marriage, my job, and created countless lost opportunities. Aiden’s anxiety disorder is portrayed with such care and highlights the personal work required to manage it. Chloe also focuses on Freya’s role as a support person, and in the collaborative effort they must make together to communicate effectively without holding back.
My wife and I have been together for seventeen years. We met technically as adults in college, but were still very much kids. We’ve been through many highs and quite a few lows. We’ve had times where we came to a crossroads where it likely would have been easier to take different paths, but we chose instead the work it would take to try to stay on the same one. So far have been fortunate enough to continue traveling side by side. Sharing a life with someone, even when that person is your best friend in the world, is not always happy. It’s not always easy and fun. It can be sad and lonely and frustrating and feel hopeless too.
In Ever After Always, Chloe gets all of this so right. The range of emotions that Freya and Aiden feel, the worries that they harbor, the thoughts that they kept hidden from each other, it all resonated so deeply with me. There is a scene near the beginning where Freya walks in on Aiden having an emotional moment in the shower that is so visceral I will never forget it. Freya’s realization that she has lost herself over the years, has let go of the things that bring her joy and make her her, hit so very close to home. It’s something I’ve since rectified and I felt it in my soul when Freya sings karaoke again for the first time in so long.
There is a lot of heavy in this book, but it’s not a heavy book. The dual perspective ensures that while they are struggling and unhappy, both characters love each other so deeply and want to work things out. I’ve highlighted some of my favorite funny moments already, but this is a Bergman brothers book, and like the others, it is full of hilarity and family hijinks. It made me smile more than it made my heart ache. It’s romantic and tender and incredibly steamy. I feel like I could go on forever about it and if you’ve made it this far, I appreciate you. Chloe made my entire year by adding me to the arc team for this, and I am forever grateful. Ever After Always comes out in a little over a month and I recommend it with all of my heart.

I have loved this precious books in the series and this was just as good. It was beautifully written and I loved the story. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

+This is an opposites attract, marriage in crisis book. When I first read The Bromance Book Club, I think most of my obsession was that it was a marriage in crisis. I can affirm you aren’t together for 13 years, without some bumps in the road. It felt so relatable and that’s absolutely how Ever After Always made me feel.
+I have never related so much to both characters in a book. Aiden’s anxiety, Freya’s constant need to please, hello it’s me 🙋🏻‍♀️
+Being back together with the Bergman brood was not disappointing and Esmeralda the parrot literally had me crying laughing!

I have loved all of the Bergman Brothers books so far. This is the first of the series that is with an established couple. Chloe handles the complexities of a long term relationship (and one where anxiety is a factor) so well. Freya and Aiden were so easy to relate to, and I was cheering them on the whole time. I love that their journey felt real for a couple experiencing a communication breakdown nearly a decade into marriage.

It's also not without humor, of course. I loved the references to Bromance Book Club in there! The Bergman family is just so fun, and I've really enjoyed seeing them through each of the books.

I'm so stoked to read the fourth book now!

I adore the Bergman brothers (and sisters!) and was so excited for Freya and Aiden's book. When we met them in the first novel, they were already a couple so it was interesting to see more of their backstory. This one definitely hits hard though, as their relationship is going through some struggles. I did think that this would be more focused on the Hawaiian vacation (but no matter). While I'm not a therapist, I felt that the writing provided a meaningful look into their backgrounds and how their struggles were tied to it, especially for Aiden. I can't wait for the next one!

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Just...WOW!

How does Chloe Liese do it? Seriously, I fell in love with Freya and Aiden and found myself crying and laughing along with them as they worked to restore their marriage. While her previous two books were full of steam and all those lovely bits that she writes so well, Frey and Aiden's story is a slow burn that doesn't pay off until the last 30 percent of the book. But, I appreciated the fact that Liese wrote the story this way, because a marriage in trouble cannot be fixed by jumping into bed.

Freya and Aiden felt so real as I read through their story. Their struggles with communication, Aiden's anxiety, their desire for each other still burning through it all. I was so invested in their story that I didn't want it to end.

Also, I have to praise Liese on her ability to write men who are in touch with their emotions. Too often we admire and applaud the stereotypical Alpha Male. But Liese shows that a man who is emotional and communicative is stronger and hotter than the stereotypes.

I simply cannot wait for the rest of this series (I'm especially looking forward to when Viggo gets his own book)!

Chloe Liese's Bergman Brothers series is my absolute favorite series of 2020! Freya and Aiden's story tugs at the heart strings. Looking forward to the next book- Ax and Rooney's story!!

Thank you to @chloe_leise and @netgalley for a copy of this book. Freya & Aidan’s story wrecked me and slowly put me back together. I love how raw and real their marriage is. This is a real life marriage that needs work. I loved their journey and how they overcame their issues.

This was my most anticipated book of the year (or next year, since that’s when it comes out) and it did not disappoint. I knew it wouldn’t. I absolutely love the Bergman family. This book definitely has my favorite Bergman family moments. I laughed so hard I was crying during one part. Second chance romance is my favorite trope and this one was done so well. A beautiful insight to the realistic highs and lows of a marriage between two imperfect people. I absolutely loved the anxiety representation. I have anxiety myself, and I feel like it was represented perfectly. I felt every bit of Aiden’s fear of failure and constant need to know everyone around him is safe. I didn’t connect with Freya like I did with Willa and Frankie, but I still loved her so much. I loved seeing her mother bear side, definitely my favorite part about her. Also, I loved the way she talked about her curves. I’m not little myself, so I love seeing this representation too. I love how she could be both confident and insecure sometimes. I could go on and on. I just love this family and will read every single book about them. Cannot wait for the next one! Everyone needs to read this.

Oh boy, I’m addicted to this series! Each book is genuine , honest, heartwarming, funny, smart, memorable!

Chloe Liese is brave and skilled author to bring life to neurodiverse, unique, quirky but connectable and adorable characters! You don’t just like them or feel sympathy for them, you feel like they’re huge part of your family or your real close friends. You just want to hug them tight, knitting colorful Christmas sweaters for them!
Ms. Liese reflects their lives, their flaws, mistakes, their antics, character defaults so genuinely! You quickly accept all of them, yearning for their happiness!

This time she wrote about long time married couple which was not an ideal topic choice for romance books because we get used to read the marriage at the end of those novels as if marrying with someone is the finish line, a satisfying epilogue, true end of fairy tale with happily ever after cliches! But as we know in true life, marriage is not the ending ! It is the just the trailers you watch before the real movie starts!

The story of Freya and Aiden is about long time married couple suffering from estrangement and communication problems! Aiden wants to give his energetic, kind hearted wife the beautiful life she deserves, he wants to give her a baby she has been yearning for! But bringing a new life to world comes with its cost! Aiden has to plan everything financially! This is a huge step for their lives! He tries to deal with his anxiety issues, throwing tantrums because he wants to provide financially fulfilled life to his family. He starts to build more walls between him and his wife! Freya finally thinks enough is enough, kicking him out!

Marriage counseling didn’t fix their problems when two of them reject to talk about real issues! Joining the celebration of Freya’s parents longtime marriage at the island is the last resort to save their marriage! Freya needs to bring out the big guns if she really wants to save her marriage: she needs her brothers’ intervention!

Yassssss! My favorite characters are back! They’re all set to save these lovely people from miscommunication and ruining their marriage!

I loved both Aiden and Freya! I truly invest in their relationship. Their undeniable, sweet chemistry was probably the best thing to give you hopes they never fall out love!

The blurb’s definition as All your perfects meets Bromance Book Club is partly true! But I have to confess, I liked Bergman brothers more than bookish boys’ series! Okay, I admit it! And even though “All your perfects” was one of my favorite Colho novels, I found Aiden and Freya’s story more realistic, hopeful, heartwarming, honest! There was no unnecessary angst or extra drama! That’s what I easily resonated both of them!

As like the other books I’m giving five blazing Swedish, great sense of humor, we don’t need HEA, we just need stability and better communication stars!

I bought these books to all my friends and kept pushing them to read for creating a huge fan circle for Bergman brothers! ( this time sister)
I cannot wait to read the next installment! I hope they never end!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for sharing this amazing arc copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

This was a moving story of a 10-year marriage hitting the rocks. Told with alternating viewpoints, we see Freya’s pain as her husband, Aiden, doesn’t seem to be communicating with her any more and has no interest in lovemaking. THen we see Aiden’s point of view. He suffers from anxiety and is having bad problems as he wants to earn extra money for security as the couple plans to have a baby. Stupidly, he is hiding his anxiety from Freya whom he loves deeply because he doesn’t want to burden her with his issues. And Freya waited a long time to tell him how hurt she has been at his seeming distance from her.

So they learn that the solution is better communication. Amazing how that helps. And add in the loving attention from Freya’s many siblings. And a free trip to Hawaii. Freya’s brothers are cute, but rather unbelievable. Are there really young men who think the solution to Aiden’s marital problems is for him to read...romance novels. I think that’s more a wishful thought from a romance author and fans of romances.

I enjoyed Freya and Aiden’s story and the depiction of how anxiety issues can take over a person’s life.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

A Chloe Liese novel is an instant click for me now, especially the Bergmans series. Never let it be doubted that her writing and her characters will make you FEEL. I promise you, you will laugh, you will cry, you will swoon and you will absolutely not stop reading once you pick up one of her books.

Ever After Always continues the story of the Bergmans siblings, this time focusing on one of the two sisters in the clan. We know from the previous book that things aren't hunky dory between Freya and Aiden, and this story gives us all the detail behind that. My heart broke for Freya and Aiden many times throughout this story, and so many times I was frustrated at how easy they could have remedied it themselves - but that is just the point. This isn't your classic miscommunication story, it is a story of anxiety, depression, childhood trauma and body confidence. It is a story most of us will understand some part of, I personally had fewer money issues than Aiden growing up but still related a lot. I understand everything else too well and as such felt my emotions sway towards him. Thar's not to say I didn't get Freya because god, what I wouldn't give for her family and her strength.

I adore the sibling interaction in these books - it really does make them for me, and I love the way the author sets up the next story throughout and has you on the hook for the next one before you've finished reading. I cannot wait to see what happens with brooding Axel and Rooney.

I'll go out on a limb and say book 2 is still my favourite for now, that one hit me for six - however, this book is no less enjoyable than its predecessors and I CANNOT WAIT for the rest.

Thank you yo NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review..

I LOVED this book. From someone who doesn't often read the marriage in crisis trope, this is a great place to start. It was beautifully written and every emotion and struggle felt so real. Liese predicates this novel on the fact that we so often see marriage as the end of a love story, the happily ever after. But marriage is just the beginning.

"'Happily ever after' doesn't exist. Not because lifelong love is impossible, but because, as we've learned, no couple can live 'happily ever after.' People whose love last, whose love grows and endures, choose each other in the unhappily ever after, the dark moments, not just the dazzling ones."

I've spoken of my love for the Bergman brothers in the first two books in the series (both 5 stars, highly recommend), but Aiden!! Whew. We witness his struggle coping with anxiety, recently triggered by the decision to start a family and his desire to provide for them financially. In his efforts, he unknowingly alienates his loving wife, Freya, who just wants to get back to the old days. I loved their relationship and reading them find their way back to one another. And the interactions between Aiden and his brothers-in-laws were hilarious and very touching.

Liese is definitely becoming an automatic read author for me. Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t read the first two books in this series, but they aren’t absolutely necessary to understand exactly what Aiden and Freya are going through. The secrets, the distance, the worry, the lack of communication...what do they add up to? Not what you’re expecting, that’s for sure! Aiden and Freya had to work to save their marriage at a time when they should’ve been building more of a life together. And the very real worries, words, and actions that are necessary are so difficult in coming for both of them.

Of course, then Freya’s brothers decide to help out because why wouldn’t they? The brothers and their antics helped to lighten this read and remind everyone that a marriage and family don’t need to exist in separate spheres. Sometimes, the two need to rely on each other to make it all right. And while the Bergman family is definitely not the norm, the obvious caring and love that they all hold for each other is a wonderful thing. And they’re exactly what both Aiden and Freya need when reality demands attention. This family made the read outrageously funny, even during some of the saddest moments in this story.

I got an arc of this book without reading any of the author's previous work, so I had no idea what to expect. I was so impressed! I love the family dynamic. It's a breath of fresh air reading about men who communicate and love so openly. I think this functioned really well as a standalone. Some romance novels sort of bombard you with a ton of backstory about couples from other books, to the point that it makes you feel like you're missing something if you haven't read them, and makes you roll your eyes if you have read them. This book didn't do that. I felt like I got a good sense of the other characters without straying from the focus of the story. Speaking of which, I think it can be difficult to write a romance about saving a marriage. I've read so few that worked well, and this one was so well done. The problems were very real and believable. It wasn't just some "alpha male need to provide, doesn't know how to talk about feelings" nonsense. Aiden's anxiety felt so real, and I could fully understand their desire to protect each other from uncomfortable truths while unintentionally hurting each other in the process. I appreciate that there was no magic fix, and that it felt like they were both really putting in the work. I'll definitely go back and read the other books in this series. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Chloe Liese for the gifted copy of EVER AFTER ALWAYS (Pub Date 1.12.21) It hit my inbox at my bedtime and I thought "Sleep can wait. This cannot." I dove in and then only came up for air when I had to. It was fabulous.

“But I love someone who’s shown me that love doesn’t give second chances because we’ve earned them. Love gives second chances because it believes the best in who we are.”

Ever After Always revolves around Aiden and Freya, a married couple who are dealing with real relationship issues both as a couple and individually. I don't see a lot of married couples who are front & center in romances. I think it's really hard to pull off. But Chloe totally nailed it because this story was authentic, genuine and so full of heart. Relationships are tough and marriage is it's own unique beast. Aiden and Freya's story is realistic and tough, but there is an underlying thread of love, humor, and hijinks that balances out the heft.

WHAT I LOVE:
* Chloe writes stories that include underrepresented, neurodiverse characters. We need more of this. Ever After Always includes anxiety, addiction and estrangement.
* Spotify Playlists: Each chapter starts with a song that is linked to the story. I've been listening to the playlists on repeat for months.
* Compulsively readable. I couldn't put it down.
* Steam- Aiden and Freya are working on their marriage, but there is still smoke and with smoke- you know. . . ⁣🍆🍆🍆🍆
* The characters that make up this series feel like people I know in my life- messy and wonderful, frustrating and fearless, ridiculous and relatable. I am rooting for them from page one.
* As soon as I turn the last page I immediately go back to my favorite passages because I'm never quite done with the Bergman's.

FWIW-
I inhaled the first two books in the Bergman Brothers series- ONLY WHEN IT'S US and ALWAYS ONLY YOU (Bergman Brothers #1 & #2) back-to-back in quick succession last summer. This latest title can be a stand-alone, but I'd encourage you to read them all. I paid cash $ for my copies (twice- Kindle and paperback. However, they are available free with Kindle Unlimited.