I absolutely loved this story. I have been waiting so long for Ziggy's story after being hooked on the series with Ren's book! This one had the added bonus of connecting with my personal experience of celiac's disease. Just as in the book, I truly felt a sense of loss when diagnosed. Many people tried to minimize that by pointing out that it's just a dietary change but really it carries into the social realm as well. It's always nice to be 'seen' in books you read. The romance between Ziggy and Sebastian developed beautifully throughout the book and I loved how they both gained strength from each other and found the courage to be themselves and stand up for who they are. Again, I loved this story and highly recommend it!

This book. It is just a warm hug for anyone who is struggling with being enough or maybe too much? And having the courage to work on yourself and know that there are better days ahead. Ziggy is all grown up - graduated from college and playing professional women's soccer. Her family still views her as the baby of the family continues to be extremely protective of her, even though Ziggy is ready for them to see her as something else. Enter her brother's best friend, the very bad boy Seb. Seb is pretty much the definition of a bad boy. He is tall, dark, very handsome, and a professional hockey player. He has not been nice or kind or even a good person for a long time. He's also been in chronic pain and suffered through emotional abuse for most of his life. Seb is definitely ready to make changes in his life and the more time he spends with Ziggy the more he wants to do it.

One of the best parts of this book was seeing Ziggy and Seb find the support in each other that they got from literally no other person in their lives. Everyone around them was judging them - not always unfairly - but judging them nonetheless. All of Ziggy's family (with the exception of maybe her parents) and her closest friends - questioned her friendship with Seb and wanted to protect her from him. But Ziggy continues to choose to make her own judgments where Seb is concerned. Meanwhile - Seb finds ways to support Ziggy but let her be her own person. He cheers her on - but doesn't try to take over or prevent things from happening. They were so freaking sweet together. I loved every scene where we saw them stand next to each other, supporting each other.

This book is definitely a slow burn - sort of. Ziggy and Seb definitely take their time with each other, but there is almost never any doubt that they will be together. In fact - I was almost terrified of the third act break up. I was waiting for it and waiting for it - and DAMN it never came. And that my friends, was so fantastic, I could barely stand it.

There are a lot of themes that may challenge or trigger some folks - characters with chronic illness, abusive family members, use of marijuana and self-medicating with alcohol. But honestly - the most important thing to know about this book is that it truly shows that we have the ability to change (if we want to) and that you can find someone who will love you for you.

I received this book via NetGalley as an arc, but my love for this book and its author are all my own!

Chloe Liese has become a comfort author for me. Her books are sweet, romantic, funny, and real. Her characters are lovable and genuine. I absolutely adore her writing and her books!!! They make me feel happy when I read them, and that’s all you can really ask for in a romance, right???

If only you, was definitely the sweetest of the Bergman series. Ziggy and Sebastian were going through it, but they were never mean, or disrespectful towards each other and I loved that so much. You could really see how much they cared for one another and they were both such simps it was great. I loved seeing the Bergman family together, and getting to see glimpses of the other couples again (especially Gavin and Ollie 🥹) I loved this story so much and I am so excited (but also a little sad, cause it will be the last one!!!) for Viggo’s story!!! I know that it is going to be great!!!!

Thank you Chloe Liese and NetGalley for the e-ARC!! It was literally perfect

I have often said that reading a book in the Bergman Brothers series is like a warm hug and oh man was this book the warmest of them. For Bergman obsessed readers like me, Ziggy's story has been one we have been clamoring for since she was such a large part of Ren and Frankie's book. The story was worth the wait.

Ziggy Bergman, the youngest of 7 children has always been babied by her parents and all of her siblings. Now 22 years old she is still being seated at the kid's table at family events and not included in "adult" discussions with her family. She struggled in high school with undiagnosed autism and bullies. Now an adult and playing professional soccer, Ziggy has worked hard to be seen as a strong, independent woman. In an effort to help be seen as less the squeaky clean soccer player and more of an independent woman with some edge to her, she strikes a deal with bad boy hockey player Sebastian Gauthier who also happens to be her brother Ren's teammate and best friend. Ziggy strikes a deal with Seb that they will become (fake) friends in hopes that being seen together will give her some of the edge he has and that her squeaky clean image will wear off on him. Before long though the friendship doesn't feel so fake and they find themselves more drawn to each other than they could have expected.

I LOVE books with a brother's best friend trope and this one was perfection. I loved that Ren was so different than most of the books with this plot line and wasn't a jerk to Seb and Ziggy when they started hanging out. I also loved the vulnerabilities we saw from both Ziggy and Seb. While this is a very grump/sunshine story line, we find out very quickly that Seb is a real softie deep down that has just never been given a chance.

I have loved every single book in this series and that is a rarity for me, especially in a series where this is book number 6. If Only You is no exception. This is a sweet story with amazing characters and all the fun Bergman antics and love that make these books so endearing.

If you haven't read any of this series you are missing out! I definitely recommend grabbing this series and catching up before If Only you is released.

I will not reread all of these books until we get Viggo's book. :)

HUGE thank you to the author who provided me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My heart is so full.

I knew I would love Ziggy as a heroine and I'm overjoyed to report I was not disappointed. She was perfect - not because she's actually perfect, but because she's always authentic and true to herself and loves others in such a beautiful way. I adore her. And then there's Sebastian. Her beautiful, broken, perfect match. Their chemistry was electric and I was obsessed with how their relationship developed. Watching them slowly become true friends, recognize that they wanted more, and then working on becoming the people they needed to be not only for themselves, but for each other. I love them so much. I love their tender hearts and how much joy and light they bring into each other's lives.

And as a personal highlight, because Seb is a teammate of Ren we got to see quite a bit of my favorite Bergman hero and my goodness, just, all the heart eyes for that guy.

This series is magic - I adore this family, these beautiful characters that have made my heart soar, and I am bereft at knowing we're almost done. I just don't want to say goodbye.

If Only You is a wonderful addition to the Bergman Brother's series! We've gotten to see Ziggy grow into herself in the first few books, and in this one she really cements her place as a woman and an adult member of the family. Sebastian's cocky/playboy exterior hides the broken man beneath. He also experiences a lot of growth throughout the story as he tries to be a better man so he can be good enough for Ziggy.

I loved that because Ren is both Sebastian's teammate and Ziggy's brother, we get lots of cameos from him and Frankie! They are still my favorite of the Bergman Brothers couples, so I loved how much they were included, but also enjoyed seeing the rest of the family as well.

Tropes:
Fake friendship
Brother's best friend
Broken man
SLOW burn

Representation:
Autism
Celiac

Thank you to Chloe for gifting me a copy of this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Reading one of Chloe's books is like going to therapy. You learn so much along the way and you feel loads better after you flip the last page. Per usual, there's amazing representation in this book - bisexuality, pansexuality, neurodivergence, and autoimmune disease. The Bergmans are just a great bunch. The family support and sibling shenanigans are two of my favorite aspects of this entire series. It was nice to see the progress of the previous relationships too. Zeb and Ziggy have amazing chemistry and it was cute to pretend to be friends first vs pretend dating.

This is book 6 of the series but each one can be read standalone. I strongly urge you to pick these up - you won't regret it!. I can't believe I have to wait a year for Viggo's book!

Thank you #penguinbooks and #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was the Bergman book I was most looking forward to and Chloe Liese did not disappoint. I LOVED Ziggy’s story and finished it in less than 24 hours.

“I’m too selfish to ask you to stop missing me, Ziggy,” I tell her quietly. “So…please don’t stop. Please hang tight. Just hang in there for me. I promise, I’m trying. Okay?”

I read the first 4 Bergman books in February 2022 and they have consumed my life ever since. I can never put into real words how much I adore this series and I’ve realized it’s pointless to try. This series is pure good vibes at its best, with so much heart and soul in every single sentence. Ziggy’s book was no exception. There are no idiotic miscommunications, only patience and love and honesty (and obviously the sexy times).

Sebastian is so fucking tortured and genuinely believes he’s absolute human garbage. I love me a character who thinks they’re irredeemable and it’s so fulfilling to watch them, gradually, accept not only responsibility for their actions, but also allow the possibility that they CAN do better. If they try. And boy does Sebastian try.

Ziggy my sweet fierce boss lady. This is a woman tired of being baby-ed and coddled and just wants to be treated like a fucking adult. I love her. The way she goes about it all is so funny but it also works so GOOD. FOR. HER. I love that constantly realizes that SHE was the one who was too afraid to speak up and while she wished her family would see her for the adult woman she was, she knows that it’s not entirely their fault either. And so she fucking does something about it. Of course the Bergmans are the epitome of a perfect family and graciously all accept that they fucked up and promise to do better and that is only one of the many reasons I love them.

I don’t know what the fuck I’ll do with my life when Viggo’s book finally comes out, leaving no more single Bergmans. Probably reread the entire series.

MVP: Ren Bergman 🫶🏼

(THANK YOU to NetGalley and Chloe Liese for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

Chloe Liese has done it again. Is it too early to say this is my favorite book of the year?

If Only You, the 6th book in the Bergman Brothers series, follows the youngest Bergman sibling, Ziggy, and her publicity stunt with her brother's best friend, Sebastian Gauthier, to give her reputation an edge and to fix his by becoming fake friends.

This book really put me through it (in a good way)! I screamed, I laughed, I swooned, and I even cried a little bit while reading. I found myself relating to Ziggy and Sebastian A LOT. Especially Ziggy.

Their story was so sweet and beautiful. I loved being able to see them grow as people and in their relationship. They were both there for each other through everything, and they never gave up on each other when life got messy or complicated. They saw who the other truly was and loved them for it.

There's a quote from another book that I love, Counting Down with You, that goes, "Being seen is the most tender form of love, and I see you. I do" (Tashie Bhuiyan). This quote was running through my head while reading this book because it just reminded me so much of Ziggy and Sebastian.

One thing that I love about Chloe Liese's writing is how open and genuine and real her characters are. They talk about their feelings and hard topics, and I love how they say what they feel and what they think. It's very refreshing.

On a lighter note, SEBASTIAN IS SUCH A ROMANTIC OMG. For the sake of spoilers, I won't say too much, but the A-Frame, the bookstore, and Seb's birthday party just made me MELT.

The Bergman Brothers meddling was everything! I loved the little crumbs we got of them and how they're doing. AND THAT VIGGO SCENE?! I need his book immediately.

Thank you to Chloe Liese and NetGalley for the eARC!

Chloe Liese is an automatic request for me, and I really liked this latest one. I haven't actually read all of the Bergman Brothers books, but I have read most of them and I have been waiting for Ziggy's story. I loved the premise here - Ziggy, 22 years old, an elite women's soccer player, autistic, and the baby of the Berman family - is tired of being treated like she is immature and naive. She comes up with a plan to rough up her image a little bit by hanging out with Sebastian Gauthier, her brother's teammate and friend on the LA Kings professional hockey team. He's got a reputation for reckless and thoughtless behavior, so he's looking for a little reputation rehab and agrees that they can help each other. So they become fake friends and start hanging out a lot. I liked the twist on friends to lovers - fake friends to friends to lovers, and I really liked seeing Ziggy stand up for herself and Sebastian deal with his trauma. This was very sweet and I'll be interested to see what happens in what I think must be the final installment of the series next year.

Hockey meets football (soccer) in the latest instalment of the Bergman series, and overall it's another winner. At its heart this is a story of two people trying to find their place in the world and wishing to change how other people see them - as well as learning to deal with the fact that it's not always possible to make that change in others. Ziggy and Seb are such complex characters, and I really like seeing how they deal with the development of a friendship that is anything but fake. This author does pining *so well*. The Bergman family cameos are also fab, particularly Ren and Viggo - I am looking forward to the latter's story, but a little sad to think it'll be the last in a wonderful series. Nevertheless, this one is a keeper (sport pun not intended) and definitely on my reread list.

'Ziggy stands, looking like a glorious, vengeful Valkyrie, chest heaving, her braid shredded to wild red ribbons framing her face. "What the fuck are you doing?" she yells.'

Oh, Ziggy and Sebastain are a Bergman Sister couple worth waiting on.

The youngest Bergman, Sigrid, is ready for the people in her life to stop living in her past and recognize that she's a formidable woman with her own apartment and starting positions on her professional soccer team AND on the women's national team. They all still see her as the awkward little girl needing protection from her autism and the world. Now, Ziggy is out to prove to them all that she deserves a seat at the table. In fact, she's demanding it. Though she may need a partner in crime to add a little grit to her shiny good girl persona.

Sebastian Gauthier is in hot water not only with his sponsors and his hockey team.... but with his scary as hell agent, Frankie Zeferino. He's just wrecked a his extremely expensive sports cars right before Frankie and Ren's wedding. So naturally, he's drunk when he encounters Ziggy having a sensory issue with her underwear at the reception. Seb has his avoided his best friend's sister like the plaque because he is refusing to cross that boundary but it's impossible when she's now bounded into his life with a friendship proposition. She helps him fix his reputation as long as he helps her give a little edge.

Slowly through their charade, Ziggy discovers her inner badass and the steel she needs to stand-up to her slightly overprotective family. Seb realizes his self-absorbed shield is just a way to deal with his abonnement issues and trauma. He just needs someone to come alongside him, and help put things in perspective for him, and Ziggy is his fiery savior. As his feelings for Ziggy are quickly unravelling into something magical. But can he find himself worthy of Ziggy's love and belief?

What I loved:
-All hail Chloe! This was a book that busted down my door and announced it was here for me to love and I was into it. I love being able to see amazing representations of bisexuality, pansexuality, and a chronic immune disorder (celiac disease.)

-Ziggy and Seb have a very sweet, slow burn, and healing relationship. I've re-read thier story three times already and have placed my pre-order. You should too! The Bergman Series is my comfort read and always on my recommended list.

IF ONLY YOU is out April 11, 2023. Pre-order NOW!!!

Honorary mention to "The Lords of Mischief" (as Ziggy affectionately calls them). Viggo's story is set-up nicely and I loved the little peek into his heart at the end. I'm eagerly awaiting the final installment of the Bergman Series.

My many thanks to NetGalley and Chloe Liese for this ARC in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

If Only You by Chloe Liese is the sixth book in the Bergman Brothers series. This is Ziggy's story and I am here for it! As the "baby" of the family, Ziggy wants to be seen as an independent adult, so she devises a plan to have a "fake PR friendship" with Ren's hockey teammate, Seb; she wants to look more badass and he needs to rehab his bad-boy image. Win-win, or is it?

This book is everything that you would expect from the series. Lots of steamy chemistry, meddling family members, and a great sports romance (soccer and hockey). What I enjoyed most was that the characters bond through honest and open communication. The drama occurs internally for both characters, so their time together is always pretty pleasant, emotionally supportive, and caring. There is Autism and celiac rep that is well written, too. This can work as a standalone, but there are other Bergman character spoilers throughout the book, so if you intend to read the entire series, read the books in order from the beginning.

*spoiler*
If I were to nit-pick, some of the descriptions of the characters were repetitive (how many mentions of eyes described as quicksilver or emeralds or her red hair do we need?) and the bi/pan rep didn't do anything to add to the characters, create conflict, or move the story's action forward, so why even mention it? It was like a lovely representation and fun fact, but has nothing to do with the plot. I also love the A-frame setting, but been there, done that, and really I hope those couch cushions get a good wash after all the action they've seen throughout the series because at this point it's got to be getting kinda gross. LOL!

Advanced copy gifted via NetGalley for my review.

This has EASILY been my favorite Bergman brothers book yet! I went in with high expectations and they were absolutely exceeded. Now that I’ve read it I can easily say that it’s one of the best books I’ve read in 2022/2023 so far.

There were so many cute moments that just piled on top of one another to create the best, smile at your device/book, the entire time your reading it and that left me feeling so satisfied at the end that I’m just obsessedddd.

I really love all of Chloe’s books that I’ve read, and I really appreciate the focus on representation and how natural it has always felt in their stories. I think it is something that means a lot to so many people to potentially get to see something they may relate to.

Without giving anything away there are definitely some favorite tropes and I can’t to see everyone’s thoughts ❤️

(I was lucky enough to get arc through netgalley for an honest review)

✨ REVIEW ✨

⚽️ sports romance
🏒 soccer player x hockey player
⚽️ fake friendship
🏒 friends to lovers
⚽️ mutual pining
🏒 brother’s best friend

I say this with every new release in the Bergman Brothers series, but no one can do it like Chloe Liese. Her books truly make me forget I’m reading and allow me to escape into a world I’d love to be in (that is, breathing the same air as the Bergmans). Everything about Ziggy and Sebastian’s story made my heart feel like it was going to burst—it was so full.

Ziggy Bergman is the youngest of the Bergman clan and has always been handled with kid gloves by her family. As a 22-year-old professional soccer player, she’s tired of being underestimated. So when her brother’s best friend, bad-boy hockey star Sebastian Gauthier, is in desperate need of a reputation overhaul, Ziggy thinks it’s the perfect opportunity to revamp her reputation while helping Seb with his. And what better way than a fake friendship?

Where do I even begin? If Only You was absolute perfection. Ziggy and Sebastian are opposites in almost every way possible, yet I’ve never related to two MCs so much. Ziggy’s a sensitive soul who feels deeply and struggles to speak her truth while Sebastian uses self-destructive tendencies to avoid close relationships and getting hurt. They both agree to a fake friendship to alter their reputations, but they quickly realize that they aren’t faking it anymore. I loved the way their relationship evolved from fake friends to real friends to lovers—it felt so natural and unhurried. They were each other’s safe space, where they finally felt comfortable enough to be their authentic selves.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a fake friendship book, and the uniqueness of this story is another reason I absolutely ate it up. Like every Liese book, If Only You has amazing representation (autism, mental health, celiac disease) that further brings this story and its characters to life. I’ve learned so much about neurodivergence and chronic illnesses through real-life depictions in this entire series, and I’m truly grateful. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I’ll never get tired of seeing myself in these characters I adore. It’s comforting. It’s validating. And it reminds me why I love reading romance so damn much.

The mutual pining in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet. Both Ziggy and Sebastian’s growth throughout the book was a joy to witness. This was one of those stories I never wanted to end—I loved these two so much. I laughed, I cried and I cursed the fact that this meddling family doesn’t exist in reality. The Bergmans will forever have a special place in my heart, and as much as I cannot wait to read Viggo’s story, it feels bittersweet because I don’t ever want this series to end.

Thank you NetGalley and Chloe Liese for an ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.

ALL the ⭐️'s!!

The Bergman Brother’s is by far one of my favoritest series. I have been dying for Ziggy’s love story for years and it was everything I could have hoped for and so much more. No shock whatsoever, Chloe Liese did it again. I think I just may have a new favorite Bergman Book.

“For the hard hearts that bravely learn to soften, and the brave soft hearts that love them as they do.”

From the dedication ⬆️ to the very last words, and everything in-between, I loved everything about If Only You.

Ziggy (Sigrid) is quirky, big hearted and quietly fierce. She’s autistic, the youngest player on a professional soccer team and the baby of the family at 22. She’s throughly sick of being underestimated, constantly protected, and wants to be treated like the adult that she is. Enter Project Ziggy Bergman 2.0
Seb (Sebastian) is Ren’s Best friend, and a 27 year old professional hockey player who’s hit rock bottom and is danger of losing the career he loves. He’s in need of a serious reputation rehab.

Ziggy proposes a fake friend friendship with real benefits: a public friendship in an effort to shed her good-girl image, and clean up his bad-boy past. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to stay in the friend zone.

I smiled, I swooned, and I fell so hard for Ziggy and Seb. The friendship, the chemistry, and the representation in this story was absolute perfection. Exactly what I have come to know and love from Liese.

What I loved;
🧡Bi & Pan MC’s
🧡Slow-Burn
🧡Brother’s Best Friend
🧡Sports Romance
🧡Fake Friends w/Benefits
🧡Autism/Neurodivergence/Celiac Disease Rep

The only negative is that the Bergman series is one step closer to coming to and end. I am so excited to read Viggo’s story in Only and Forever, but I am 💯 not ready to say goodbye to this series.

If Only You publishes 4/11/23 and you absolutely must read it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op, and Chloe Liese for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I whole heartedly loved being back with my favorite family and I cannot wait to add this beautiful book to my shelves.

I always struggle with writing reviews for Chloe’s books because they’re all just so amazing. Seriously 🤌🤌🤌But since I’m somewhat obligated to write a review, here we got.

Ziggy’s books is our second to last Bergman book, and that in itself is devastating. Add in the emotional growth, heartwrenching romance, and the familial dynamics, and this book will leave you happy but sad that it’s over. We were introduced to Ziggy at the beginning, but as usual, Chloe used the solo book to really draw out the character development. We learn so much about Ziggy’s struggles, both past and present, with her autism diagnosis, but also how empowered she is having that diagnosis and advocating for her needs. She never lets it stop her from doing what she wants, and that’s something we see Sebastian appreciate (cough charity event cough). Sebastian is your less-than-typical bad boy. Sure, he has the tatts and the reputation, but Ziggy saw through that at the very beginning. Through their friendship, Chloe draws out his backstory and the growth from beginning to end was stunning and touching. And in case you were wondering bc, Chloe 100% delivered on the romance. This book is a slowwww burn, but in the very best way. Seriously cannot rave about this book enough!

Oh where to start? This book just made me so happy. It was one of those heart-warming, emotional tears, all the feels romance reads that I have come to love from Chloe Liese. Her books all make me so happy, but the Bergman siblings ones all just make my heart feel full. I love each sibling and I love getting a glimpse of the other Bergmans as we see each of them grow and find love throughout the series.

I really enjoyed Ziggy and Seb’s story – they were both complex, beautiful, imperfectly perfect characters. I loved watching their friendship unfold and grow throughout the story and how each of them was working on themselves. I enjoyed the peek of Bergman’s past and the glimpses of family love and mischief. Seb was an amazing character, I liked hearing his whole story and seeing him find a happy ending. It was also nice seeing not every family is perfect, and sometimes setting boundaries, and finding a found family is the healthy way to move forward and heal.

The angry yoga was such a fun and interesting connecting activity. I adored the bookstore scene. I mean wow. I loved how they each continued to show up for each other and show one another how important they were in actions. Certainly not least – I need to say I really appreciated the lack of the third act break up. Overall, just a sweet and wonderful, heartwarming read.

Thank you SO much to Chloe Liese for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Bergman Brothers series was one of my top series I read last year and quickly skyrocketed my love for Chloe Liese and her stories. Chloe has the gift of writing books that feel so deeply intertwined with my own experiences and stories that make me feel so incredibly safe. Reading her books are like putting on your favorite, coziest sweater.

That being said, I was SO excited when it was announced that Ziggy's book would be the next in the series! Throughout the first five books, we see Ziggy as a little lost, trying to navigate her autism diagnosis, and seen as the baby of the Bergman family. Now, we have adult Ziggy and she is so radiant! She is ready to be seen as the brave, powerful adult woman that she is. She recruits tortured hockey bad boy (and her brother's best friend), Sebastian, to be her "fake" friend to clean up his image and rough hers up a bit.

Let me tell you - Sebastian and Ziggy's chemistry was electric from the start! While the premise may have been unusual, the way their friendship developed was so natural, their kinship is so pure and you can tell these two are just tethered to each other. I loved the way Ziggy was fierce and wouldn't back down when Sebastian tried to push her away due to his own emotional walls. The slow burn between these two was just so delicious! I couldn't put this book down. I adored Sebastian and Ziggy separately as they embarked on this journey of pure acceptance of themselves as well as their journey to each other. The way they supported each other is so truly unmatched and they are simply everything to me.

The casual queerness, the unbridled joy I felt from Ziggy and Sebastian falling in love with themselves & with each other, Bergman meddling, the A-frame, the immense found family vibes, everything was genuine and perfect! I cannot recommend this series enough!