There's absolutely no way that a book that mixes the fake marriage trope with the grumpy x sunshine trope can go wrong. This was amazing. I love how Axel and Rooney are real characters with struggles. They are amazing as characters as much as they are as a couple.

It's delightful to see them fall in love and figuring that out. The pets were adorable (i have a soft spot, okay?) and I loved the interactions with their friends and family and my wish was that we had more of that. Other than that, I have no complaints.

In a nutshell, this book is amazing and it's perfect if you're looking for a cute book to help you get out of a reading slump or just to entertain you. There's no way you won't fall in love with this story and wish you had someone to watch the sunset with 🖤

Chloe Liese just has a way of making you FEEL all the feelings so intensely. Even a conversation with her just evokes all the tears-- she’s just a lovely, lovely person who creates lovely, lovely characters and stories.

With You Forever is book 4 of the Bergman brothers series that I waited ENTIRELY too long to pick up. I started the series earlier this summer, and wrapped up the last three books in a readathon with my virtual book club a couple weeks ago. I read this book and The Charm Offensive back-to-back, so basically I’m spoiled for the rest of 2021. Sorry to the rest of my TBR.

Chloe promises a cozy story that will warm your heart (and I’d also say your soul.) With You Forever pairs up the eldest Bergman brother--Axel. He’s an artist on the autism spectrum who prefers a life of solitude in his rural Washington state cabin. The setting alone is so freaking cozy. Add sunshine-y Rooney into the mix and we have a recipe for some opposites-attract perfection. On the surface, Rooney is always happy. Dig a little deeper, and we find she’s been suffering from a sometimes debilitating chronic illness--ulcerative colitis. She decides to take up the Bergmans’ offer to stay at their A-frame cabin to decompress in solitude. It’s supposed to be empty--but Rooney immediately finds that’s NOT the case.

Rooney, who already feels like part of the Bergman family, agrees to fake marry Axel to help protect the property he’s desperate to help save.

This book is like a literal (LIT-eral?) hug. Layer in some lol moments--the Twilight-esque piggy back ride, the soup, the “incident” in the flower field. (When Chloe “normalized” this in a convo, I fell a little harder. Literally thought I was alone in one of those humiliating stories!) You’ll swoon over and over again with scenes like AXEL BRAIDING ROONEY’S HAIR!!! THE TWINKLY TENT. THE STUDIO SCENES. Good gravy. I’ll be gushing (loudly, apparently) about this story for months.

I also just have to mention the amazing scenes between bffs Willa and Rooney. They are so well-written. I’ll paraphrase a bit since this is an ARC, but the bits about friendship that lets “laughter and tears hold hands” and also “where grief and gratitude can be friends, not enemies.” Whew. That’s the good stuff.

I can’t recommend this book and this series enough. I’ll be WITH YOU FOREVER Chloe. Forever and ever. Take my money now.

Once again, Chloe Liese has written a book that stole my heart. She creates characters and stories that feel so incredibly real. Even in the most unbelieveable to tropetastic situations, she make a marriage of convenience seem completely reasonable. I am obsessed with the Bergmans, and cannot wait to see what comes next. A home run, hole in one, slam dunk, and whatever other sport metaphors you wish to use

A sweet slow burn romance that included great tropes like marriage of convenience, mutual pining, forced proximity, and grumpy x sunshine pairing. Rooney and Axel had a unique story that kept my interest throughout, and it didn't hurt to add adorable animals as well! While it wasn't my favorite of the series (Ryder and Freya are still my favorite Bergmons), it still had many great scenes with characters that were unique and endearing enough to fall for. Chloe Liese always does a wonderful job of making her characters feel like real people with relatable issues. Rooney and Axel's journey to love is a slow one, but the realistic, tender, and steamy moments make it well worth the read!

✨Does anyone know of a way I can materialize the Bergman Brothers into real life existence? 🙏🏼✨

This book had me feeling every emotion in the best way possible. It had my heart squeezing in teary emotion and then in pure joy and love 😍

How Chloe Liese can hit the mark so hard with every book I have read from her? I have no clue.

Tropes:
👫🏻friends to lovers
💍marriage of convenience
🥺PINING
☀️grump/sunshine
😩secret cinnamon roll hero
🛏only one bed
🔥slowww burn
🧶comfy, cozy cabin romance
🏡family series
🐈 adorable pets!

The only way I can describe how I felt during this book is this: 🥺

This book was so cozy, wholesome, and heartwarming. I had built such high expectations for Axel and Rooney’s book after the amazing tension and build up they got in the previous books. This book more than lived up to those expectations 🙌🏼

In typical Liese fashion, this book was a perfect balance between emotion, depth, plot, romance, and good fun. Reading Rooney and Axel’s individual struggles and developments was beautiful 😍 The development of the romance was so flawless, realistic, and slow burning.

If you expect me to put into words how Axel stole my heart, you are expecting too much. Oh Axel, you are amazing 😍 His grumpy, secret cinnamon roll vibe had me MELTING! Every Bergman book I read, I run to my book boyfriend list to add a new name 😆 His journey with his neurodiversity was emotional and raw. I loved it.

I cannot wait to read the next Bergman book Chloe comes out with. I don’t even need to read it to know I will love it. (I need Viggo’s book RIGHT NOW. I LOVE THAT MAN 😫)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars | 🌶🌶🌶/ 5 steam

Thank you to Chloe Liese and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion ❤️

Book 4 in Chloe Liese’s Bergman Brothers series, With You Forever is Axel Bergman and Rooney Sullivan’s story, a slow burn, marriage of convenience, grumpy vs sunshine romance that is truly delightful. It ticks so many of my favourite boxes and delivers so much more!

Chloe Liese, an Own Voices author has written two beautiful characters who have their own burdens to bear, their own struggles that just make them both that bit unsure of themselves, yet together what a magical pair they are, both exactly what the other needs to accept and love themselves for who they truly are. Chloe Liese has included autism and chronic illness - IBS - in this book, writing the characters with care and sensitivity and as always highlighting within the story, that everyone is deserving of love.

Axel is fixing up the family’s A-frame home in the mountains, Rooney needs a place to stay to get away from the stresses of her life. Those who have read the first three books in the series, know these two have some serious chemistry brewing, so it’s very exciting reading as we follow along with what comes next! And oh what a story! I especially enjoyed the discussions these two shared, their cooking together and the inclusion of a very cute kitten and dog!
Chloe Liese has done it again with this 5 star read and I can’t wait for more! 💜

Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  With You Forever by Chloe Liese

Rings on their fingers, and a promise not to fall in love is how their journey at the Bergman family cabin begins. Rooney feeling alone and needing a safe refuge from her life, and Axel trying to love his family in his own way, after months of being incapable of painting anything lucrative. It's a story about coming home, about Rooney and Axel finding home within themselves and with each other. It's about acceptance and love and irrevocable passion.

CW/TW: Chronic illness, anxiety, unhealthy family relationships, self-diagnosis of autism.
*Please note that this book is an own voice story, and that I found all these possible triggers were treated with the utmost care and respect.

This book was perfection. It cracks your heart open with tenderness, laughter and tears. Their journey to finding happiness was vulnerable and genuine. Axel and Rooney were the definition of love, and their book illustrated the many struggles of life, but in a cherishing and loving light. A light that made us fall in love with these two imperfect humans, that love each other so purely and unselfishly.

Rooney is the kind of person everyone gravitates towards, a sunny personality that shines through even on her bad days. But she's so much more than the sunshine part of his grumpy. She is so strong, finding beauty and love everywhere she goes. The Bergman cabin is a refuge for her, she's a little lost, and in lots of pain and she's going there to relax and care for herself. But even then her generosity shines through as she finds it in her heart to help Axel and everyone in her path as best she can.

Soft and grumpy Axel is an artist, he's been incapable of painting anything sellable since a certain charade kissing incident. The family A-frame is in dire need of some big renovation, but without cash flow coming in, it's a little more difficult than he thought to keep those cost to himself and not share the burden with the rest of his family. But he's determined to help his family, even if they never notice the ways in which he does. Axel's love language is definitely Acts of service, and you feel it all throughout the book.

Axel and Rooney found their home, within themselves in each other. I loves how they slowly and careful built that home without even realizing it, through little kitty rescue, to kitchen mishaps, to braiding unruly hair, through giving all of their heart in exchange for the other's. The burning passion and chemistry between them is palpable, an entity of its own that tortures us through an achingly slow burn. But no worries, it is well worth the wait, you'll see.

Chloe character's are like precious archival artefacts, you can't help but feel cherished at any little glimpse you can read of them. You put on soft white cotton gloves, admire them as close as you can, inspects their radiant surfaces, their flaws and admire how completely and perfectly they have been crafted. You can't help but want to be part of that wonderful world she has created within her books.

With each book, I fall in love with Chloe's writing and storytelling a little more. The Bergman family has a special place in my heart. Thank you Chloe for gifting me a digital advanced reader's copy of your book through @netgalley. It means the world. As always all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

With You Forever has been one of my favorite romances of the year. And with cozy cabins and woodsy hikes, it’s the PERFECT romance for fall. And who hasn’t been dying for Axel and Rooney’s story since meeting them like three books ago?? As with all of Chloe Liese’s books, this can be read as a stand-alone, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t at least go back and read the other books in the Bergman Brothers series because they bring all the joy and steam.⁣

Thank you Netgalley and Chloe for the advance copy and the opportunity to review this book!

This has been one of my most anticipated releases of not only 2021, but ever since I read Ryder and Willa’s story in Only When It’s Us and Rooney and Axel’s slow burn romance started there. With You Forever is an #OwnVoices romance featuring a grumpy artist on the autism spectrum, and our sunshine heroine who suffers from chronic IBD.
I absolutely adored this story. The build up from previous novels made all of the angst worthwhile. Chloe is a slow burn goddess and she knows how to build up the sexual tension. I adored the forced proximity and the slow peeling back of layers between Axel and Rooney. I was also completely homesick reading this story set in Washington and her descriptions of the beautiful state made me miss it so much.
There was so much build up with this story and it felt like the last 20% was a little rushed. I just didn’t want this story to end and would have loved a little more clarification around Axel and Rooney’s relationship. I think I’m a sucker for epilogue’s and even knowing Chloe hasn’t written them for the Bergman’s, I was crossing all of my fingers and toes for one. In conclusion, this story tried its damndest to take my top spot for favorite Bergman story (Ren is just so hard to beat, he reminds me too much of Mr. Rich Reads). If you haven’t yet read The Bergman Brothers series, I highly recommend you check them out! While they can all be read as standalones, I recommend reading them in order.

Every time I tell myself this series can't get any better, Chloe Liese comes out here and proves me wrong.

With You Forever serves all the things I've come to expect from a Bergman Brother (and Sister) book.
It's packed full of vulnerability, tenderness, humanity and, of course, Bergman shenanigans.

I've been long awaiting Rooney's story, and I've been craving a deeper look at the elusive Axel since I first met him - and, oh boy. I wasn't ready.

There's something so genuine about Liese's characters, there's s0 much nuance and fragility in the way that they all feel so real. It's so remarkable to me how I easily I find myself thinking of them as people who live and breathe somewhere, the way their journey is explored, their growth a tangible and realistic thing.

And I can never shut up about the reps in this series, from mental illnesses, disabilites and chronic conditions, it's so amazing to me to be able to read rich, swoony, fulfilling romance books with characters that are just like me and people I know and love.

Can't wait for the next book in this series. I kinda wish there were even more siblings for me to love.

Chloe once again proves that she knows her characters inside and out. Each member of the Bergman family and their love interests are so unique and special, and I really value how much that comes through in Chloe's writing. This book felt like snuggling up in front of a fireplace with your favorite person. Chloe is also a rockstar at giving us a little insight into the next Bergman book and UGH WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG?! I've been in a bad reading slump for a couple months, and this book was exactly what I needed to pull center me again. I absolutely adore this book and this series.

What can I say? As I expected, this book was perfection! I had been anxiously waiting for Axel and Rooney's story, and they were everything I wanted and more. This book is the reason I adore the grump and sunshine trope. Axel is the best grump, because he is closed off and shy, but he demonstrates his feelings through his actions - even if he doesn't want too, he can't help himself from being a great guy! Rooney is such a strong woman, that has her own hurdles in life, but she is always kind and loving to everyone around her. I loved that we got to see more of her friendship with Willa, because they are totally female friendship goals!

Be warned the slow burn between Rooney and Axel is pure torture. It is so beautiful to watch them getting to know each other, there's so much love and admiration between these two... and so many really really close calls when something almost happens and I was holding my breath and then... nope, not this time (again)! Just pure sweet sweet torture.

Honestly, I don't see how anyone could not love this story! There are just sooo many tender, sweet, adorable moments in this amazing book - I guarantee that Axel and Rooney will get you out of any funk and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside!

Thank you so much Chloe Liese and NetGalley for my ARC!

“With the right person, love is possible for any of us who want it.”

With You Forever was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021 and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Chloe’s work continues to be some of my favorite ever written and With You Forever is now in the running to be my favorite book of the year!

Why do I love this book so much? I could literally write my own full length book, about the countless reasons why I love it, but the short version: this book is utter perfection.

What I Loved:
✨Grump & Sunshine Trope - My absolute favorite romance trope and Axel and Rooney embody it so beautifully!

✨All the Fall Vibes - Fall is my favorite season and this book just does a fantastic job of capturing why I love it and seamlessly tying it into Axel and Rooney’s love story. Give me all the romance paired with crisp air, gorgeous leaves and cozy flannels! I can guarantee you, I’ll be rereading this book every fall moving forward!

✨An Inclusive Love Story - I love how this book emphasizes the multitude of ways people can love and be loved in return. I truly lost count of the number of times Liese brought me to tears while reading. ❤️

Those are only a few of the reasons why I love With You Forever (and there are so many more), but if you’re looking for a book that will make you believe in the power of love and will have your heart soaring as you devour its pages, this is the book for you! ❤️

If you excuse me, I will now be queuing up the With You Forever Audiobook, because I already want to do a reread (that’s just how good it is)!

Thank you to @netgalley and @chloe_liese for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It always brings me immense joy reading a Chloe Liese romance book because she writes books with a lot of heart, steam, and, cuddly goodness – the holy trinity, if you ask me. I was excited to read With You Forever because it has the marriage-of-convenience trope. It’s not a trope that we see a lot of in contemporary romance novels, but it’s one of my underrated favorites. Chloe blessed us with an adorably wholesome story here! I was in love with Axel, Rooney, and their little furbabies.

I always love reading books about characters who have some kind of history prior to the events of the book. Axel and Rooney know each other through their sister-in-law/best friend, Willa. In the last Bergman Brothers book, they also happen to share a surprisingly steamy charades-induced kiss. Now, they are both pretending like that kiss never happened until the universe decides to force them into proximity through a marriage of convenience.

GREAT CHARACTERS, LOTS OF DIVERSITY
I have a soft spot for all of the characters in the Bergman Brothers series. Chloe Liese writes them so well and she manages to make them really stand out. I’m not sure how she does it though but after every book, my favorites of the series keep changing to the latest couple. It’s definitely not a bad problem to have with a book series, though!

Axel and Rooney are both terrific characters who stole my heart from the opening scene of this book. We all know how partial I am to a grumpy hero and Axel brings all the grumpy feelings in this book. In With You Forever, he’s dealing with some personal complications in his life as well as an artistic inspiration block. Axel is a very quiet guy but he hides a lot of feelings under his gruffness. His main project in this book has to do with attempting to save his family’s cabin and he puts all of his energy into it because of all the good memories he and his family shared. I’m very family-oriented myself, so I always gravitate towards characters who have a loving bond with their family members. Even though he is a certified grump, Axel is also a pure cinnamon roll. Chloe writes diverse stories and here, I really loved the exploration of Axel’s autism. One of the things I really appreciate about this series is how the author goes to show that one shoe does not fit all when it comes to representation.

Rooney offers the perfect balance to Axel’s grumpiness with her sparkling character. She’s someone who brings light into a room whenever she’s in it. Don’t let the happy mask fool you, however. Rooney also struggles with her own issues, including her chronic illness of IBS. Once again, I really loved how Chloe Liese did not shy away from showing every raw aspect of Rooney’s illness. As we see through Rooney’s experiences, IBS is uncomfortable and can be debilitating. Like Axel, she’s got the softest heart, so these two were made for each other.

SLOW-BURN ROMANCES, FTW
The romance in With You Forever is a slow-burn one and I loved every second of it. The friendship (along with some A+ mutual pining) that develops between them is just the purest and it made my little heart so happy. Chloe Liese outdid herself here with all the compassionate and gentle romantic scenes. It was all the little details that Axel and Rooney noticed about each other that made this book such a lovely reading experience for me. They are also both so open and communicative with each other. It was really refreshing. The marriage of convenience plot also gives us some blissful domestic scenes that I was all over! Books like With You Forever remind me why time and again, I gravitate towards romance novels.

The addition of the furry friends was also a delight. I would die for Harry and that little fireball, Skugga! Plus, the Bergmans! It’s always incredible when this big brood shows up on the page and the author delivers on a ton of humorous and heartfelt moments between this family.

THE PERFECT FALL READ
With You Forever is probably the coziest addition to The Bergman Brothers series. I think this is the perfect romance novel to cozy up with on a nice cool fall day. If you’re new to the series, you can definitely read this book as a standalone, but I would highly recommend starting from the beginning because these books are all incredible.

Content notes: on-page sex, autism, anxiety, chronic illness

Relationship disclosure: Chloe Liese and I are mutuals on social media

Chloe Liese is back with another installation of her charming Bergman romance series. This time grumpy artist recluse, Axel and sunshiny human Rooney are front and center. The A-frame is in trouble and Axel needs access to an inheritance from his uncle to fix it and Rooney just happens to need a break from law school making her way there… Throw in a forced proximity situation, a only-one-bed fiasco AND a marriage of convenience and we’ve hit the romance trope trifecta.

The best thing about stand-alone romance series, is that the author can write about romance in different ways. With You Forever is a slow-burn cuddly romance and has a chiller vibe than the first three books in the series which are high stakes, high drama. Alex and Rooney are soft and mellow as they tip over into love rather than hurtle there under intense situations.

Liese as per usual writes about identities and realities not typically featured in mainstream romance such as Rooney’s IBS and Axel’s ASD diagnosis. I loved that we get to see Rooney’s very real digestive concerns. That yes poop happens and women in romance aren’t perfect angel beings who never use bathrooms. On top of that is Axel and Rooney’s conversation about sexual needs. I love seeing this normalized in fiction so that it’s normalized for readers too.

This book personifies a sweet romance (it’s still got that SPICE tho) and is the perfect read for a cozy fall day.

Today is the day we officially get another novel about the Bergman family. I will never have enough of this family! I was so so happy the fourth book, took us back to the PNW, and that cozy family A frame cabin that has almost become a character all on its own.

With You Forever, is the forth Bergman book about the oldest of the siblings Axel. To me, it felt like this novel about Rooney and Axel has been coming after several bread crumbs from the last two books ... and I was here for it. I loved getting to know these two.

Their story is a marriage of convince. Forcing these two into close proximity, slowing down their outside lives and forcing these two to confront their feelings about themselves and each other.

I also loved the addition of new characters, both in the form of Axels friends as well as Harry, the dog that has found a home on Axels front porch. Chloe’s words always bring so much emotion and her writing is always more powerful than any cute cover would convey.

So until the next Bergman makes his debut, I think I will definitely be rereading this one!

I loooooooove these Bergman brothers. I look forward to reading the sibling antics, and this one did not disappoint.

Of course the majority of the book was focused around Rooney, Willa's best friend from college and honorary Bergman, and Axel, the 2nd child and oldest Bergman son. These two have had sparks flying from the beginning, so when Willa comes up to the family A-frame to get some rest after a bad ulcerative colitis flare and runs into Axel, I was ready with my popcorn to see what would happen. Imagine my delight to discover that Axel needed lots of money quickly for extensive repairs to the A-frame (he was in the middle of a creative block with his painting and no income from that), and the only way to get his hands on enough money without involving the family was through an inheritance from his artist uncle...... that requires him to be married.

WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO.

Rooney is kind of at loose ends between her flare and having to put a pause on law school because of it. She's had the hots for Axel for ages, and doesn't mind helping him out of this tight spot at all. Of course they decide that it will be strictly a marriage of convenience with no hanky-panky. And of course their feelings for each other lead to hanky panky anyway. Although it is a delicious slow burn. There are also some appearances by a pup who "isn't Axel's pet" but has his own A-frame doghouse, and a hysterically demanding kitten who is found in one of Rooney's more unfortunate colitis moments.

I really appreciated the look into what someone who deals with such a life-impacting illness. Chloe Liese does such a good job of portraying these characters in ways that help readers understand just what they live on a day-to-day basis. I freaking love these books that portray normal people who deal with things that our romances traditionally haven't shown.

I do desperately wish I could have seen the Bergmans' reaction to finding out Axel and Rooney got married. Since I had an ARC, maybe it'll be in the final published version. If not, I will just keep my fingers crossed that maybe Viggo's book shows it. And speaking of Viggo, I have his monologues about romances bookmarked across all the books. Loved it!!!

Big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers' copy in exchange for my thoughts.

Finally! Axel and Roonie have been circling each other since book 1 in the Bergman Brothers series. Their attraction has been palpable and growing and now their love story unfolds in WITH YOU FOREVER. I spent most of this book yelling “just give in to the attraction already!” This may sound like a negative but @Chloeliese has written some of the best slow burn scenes ever in this book. The tension hung heavy between these two and the payoff was well worth the wait.

But this isn’t what made this romance so great for me. It was dear sweet Axel who loves so big in his own quiet way. Grumpy, reclusive, and autistic he quietly stole his way into my heart. It remains to be seen if he toppled Ren’s top spot though. And there is Rooney who I wanted to fist bump in solidarity over having been there done that with intestinal issues.

☀️sunshine and grump
💍 marriage of convenience
🐾 adorable dog
🏠 large Swedish family and brotherly shenanigans
🗣as always, Chloe aims for inclusive romance and this was no exception with Chronic illness rep with IBD (specifically ulcerative colitis) and own voices rep for autism

Another 5⭐️ read in this series. I’m not sure what I’ll do when she runs out of Bergman siblings to write about.

4.5 stars
Huge thanks to the author and Netgalley for my arc!!💖⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Bergman Brothers series is one of my favorite romance series EVER. I'm obsessed with these books and the Bergmans and With You Forever was my most anticipated book of the year.
And oh my god you guys🥺
It was just a warm hug in book form💖

I've been wanting Axel's book ever since we first saw him. I honestly had no clue how his story would go but I was always rooting for him and Rooney and this book brought these two together in such a perfect way for them.

And it SO delivered when it comes to tropes

We got slow burn marriage of convenience, grumpy x sunshine, absolutely smitten man who has no clue how to deal with it, and mutual pinning along with soft cuddly pets, cozy autumn vibes and a beautiful setting I adored.

Roo was tired after her IBD flared up and also felt a little lost in life and needed a safe place to recover and just be herself and think about her life. And Axel was struggling with being unable to paint his usual art and dealing with his emotions while trying to protect something his family loves, his way of expressing his love for them.

Their story was so soft and sweet and tender. I loved seeing them both heal, be truly themselves and feel seen, safe, and loved just as they are. Their friends to something more progression and vulnerable talks as they opened up to each other were heartwarming and I'm just so happy for them.I loved seeing them find a home together, belong together 💜

The book has an own voice autism spectrum rep and chronic IBD rep as well. I love how Chloe adds representation to each of her books and works to handle them with care and sensitivity. And I hope anyone who relates to the rep feels seen and heard💜💜💜

I loved this book and loved seeing glimpses of the Bergmans. And as always it was fun to see Viggo sneak his way in and steal the show for a little bit (I need his book 😭) I think I loved his scene with his brothers here a little more because it was so heartwarming and we got to see a beautiful side of our gentle grumpy Ax💜

Chloe's writing and the way she expresses emotions are wonderful as always. Her books are just so special, they just leave you feeling loved, whether you can relate to a certain character or book situation of hers or your life is completely different, they make you feel loved and always leave you with a smile on your face. They're a little bit magical and soothing, absloute comfort reads that I highly recommend, and I can't wait for more Bergman books in the future ☺️

A sweet, sexy, marriage of convenience, cozy enough for the beginning of fall! Rooney Sullivan and Axel Bergman shared an impulsive steamy kiss that they both can’t get out of their heads. Axel has found what works for him creating art and enjoying his solitude until the memory of that kiss destroys his artistic process. Rooney is facing a new relationship with her body and legal aspirations when their paths, and problems converge.

Chloe Liese was new to me in 2021 and I have absolutely fallen for her Bergman Brothers series! Axel and Rooney may be my new favorites, and that’s not just because I’m a law student with a chronic illness. To me, this novel strikes an excellent balance between “reflective and vulnerable, equal parts playful and painfully self-conscious” as Liese hopes in her author’s note. Once again, she realistically articulates the different relationships we can have with chronic illness and disability, here Rooney’s ulcerative colitis and Axel’s autism, both in ourselves and in relationships with others. Whether you can relate to that or not, Liese’s characters are so special because they truly feel real, in their flaws and romantic aspirations, and I can’t believe we have to wait until 2022 for more!

4.5 cozy, cold leftover soup stars!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*