5 wonderful second chance stars.

I had 14 highlights in this book. Y'all. This book wrecked me! Wrecked me! I love Chloe Liese's Bergman brothers so much. And Freya and Aiden just ruined me.

There is nothing I love more than marriage on the rocks romance because it is so real. Marriage is hard - like Freya says <i>"Why doesn't anyone tell you how hard marriage is going to be?"</i> - and so often we read romance up until the HEA but really most are Happily For Now. It's nice to see couples work through their growth: in marriage, as they grow together, and as they grow apart. Freya and Aiden's story is about how you make the conscious choice to grow together - to understand how you've changed as people and actively work to understand what this new person you are with needs. Gosh. It's so deep. And so real.

I also loved how Liese showed Aiden's anxiety and the ways that it impacts their relationship. Anxiety is something that is quite common and peaks and flows are guaranteed. Never cured, only something that is managed and supported. As the book progresses, we realize that yes, Aiden has failed Freya, but Freya has failed him as well. And their realization of their failings, as well as their desire to do better, is truly beautiful.

I highly recommend this book, this entire series. Liese has something great going with the Bergman family and I can't see where else she takes us.

<i>"People who love each other hurt each other, too. What matters is that they learn and they try their best not to hurt each other that way again."</i>

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy to review!

3.5 stars!

My tl;dr of my review here is I think a lot of the conflict could've been solved with easy communication between the couple before we meet them on page, and then when we do meet them on page they go to a therapist one time and all of a sudden ~are cured~ of their marital woes.

There is a lot I did love about this book though. I'm noticing that Chloe Liese can write a stellar conflict. Books 2 and 3 have conflicts that are so angsty and really drive at each individual's internal conflicts. I love how this conflict was a mini-test of sorts of what they've been learning and I love how quick Chloe has her conflict resolutions be.

Also, out of all the marriage-in-crisis books I've read, I think this one truly does the best job in showing the romance of knowing someone for years. Knowing their small habits, knowing their bodies, knowing what they'll do before they even do it. Seeing Aiden and Freya anticipate each other like that made me giddy.

Spice was spicin', but Chloe always throws in one spicy scene that makes me uncomfy and she found a way to do that again here hahaha.

I definitely wanted more here and felt like this book could've been a knockout read to me if Chloe just approached it from a different angle. But once again this is just me being selfish in what I'd like in a romance!!

I also did love the maturity that came with this romance since they both where in their mid-to-late thirties.

Aiden and Freya are not in a good place at the start of "Ever After Always." After deciding to try for a baby, things have fallen apart and they struggle to communicate with one another. Aiden who struggles with his own anxiety issues and the trauma of being abandoned at an early age by his father, cannot seem to explain to his wife that his anxiety is tearing him apart. Freya, who comes from a large and boisterous family, sees every one of Aiden's actions as rejection and proof that he no longer loves her. This is killing Aiden because there is no one he loves more than Freya.

Freya’s brothers try to butt in - albeit with the best of intentions - and help Aiden win back Freya but Aiden knows that only he and Freya can fix their problems. He hopes that marriage counseling will help them learn how to once again communicate effectively.

We get to see Aiden and Freya rebuild their trust in each other and their marriage through a family trip to Hawaii, where Aiden learns about groveling and grand gestures - with a little help from the queen of romance herself, Lisa Kleypas. It's not an easy road and it takes time and a few more mistakes, but eventually Aiden and Freya figure out that what they have is worth fighting for and their love is everlasting.

I loved every aspect of this story, especially Aiden's willingness to be so open and vulnerable and his absolute commitment to Freya. I also adored the family dynamics within this series. It's always nice to see past favorites: Willa, Ryder, Frankie and Ren.

Chloe Liese did it again! This one was definitely not my favorite in the series, but it was still really good! Freya and Aiden are having marital problems and it literally takes the whole family to test the waters and see if they can make it back to each other in one piece. Aiden has high anxiety, which really came out of the pages well, and really made me think about my own anxiety and how to work through it.

Words can't describe how much I love this series. 100% perfect. Freya and Aiden will be in my heart forever

A marriage-in-crisis and a second chance at romance all while being stuck together on a family vacation. From the moment Aiden met Freya Bergman he knew he was in love, now years later into their marriage....things are not going so great. Freya has spent years in a loving marriage with Aiden but its begun to atrophy, his distancing, putting his work before their marriage, to the point where she feels so alone and empty, and that's the last straw, she's kicked him out. Aiden has a secret, his anxiety, something that he's been trying to keep to himself and his anxiety over money because he grew up poor. He loves Freya but he's been distancing himself and thinking that if he tries to solve the problem himself he won't burden her, but it's had the complete opposite effect and now he's found himself being kicked out by his wife and he'll do anything to fix their marriage. Freya and Aiden are going to have to go to marriage therapy and also go on a family vacation with the Bergman family while trying to keep up the act that they are happy and definitely not having marriage problems. Can they fix their marriage or is it too late? This was a really sweet read about two people who both have their own worries and in an attempt to protect their partner, actually end up making the situation worse. The marriage-in-crisis was definitely a unique story trope to read about and I did appreciate how much both Aiden and Freya tried to work through their issues and you can just tell how in love with each other they are. Overall, it's a great read in the Bergman series and I can't wait to read the next ones!

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Every Bergman Brothers book makes me love this family that much more. This is one of the best second-chance romances I've read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Chloe Liese is always a good idea. Her books are thoughtful and full of heart and this especially apparent in "Ever After Always." Liese accurately captures the nuances of a couple who are still in love, but find their paths have become parallel. It's almost painfully real. Of the Bergman series "Ever After Always" strikes me as the heaviest but the wit, humor, and spice we've come to expect from Liese.

The bonus epilogue is good and solidly enjoyable. It's not as good as those in "Only When It's Us" or "Always Only You" BUT...Freya and Aidan's story continues in the background of the series.

Ever After Always is the third book in the Bergman Brothers standalone series. Rather, it's the story of the Bergman sister Freya and her marriage to Aiden, which is falling apart.

Freya always felt that her and Aiden were the couple that would always have a spark and always be happy in their marriage. But these past six months have been rocky and their marriage is in crisis. Freya and Aiden need to find their way back to each other and choose each other before it's too late.

I am a huge Chloe Liese fan. I love that she is writing romance books with underrepresented experiences and addressing ableism. Aiden struggles with debilitating anxiety and grew up in poverty, wondering where his next meal will come from. Freya struggles to do her best to support Aiden but worries that it isn't always enough. I love that Liese's stories are real, honest, and raw. I cried while Aiden struggled with his anxiety, it made me feel like I wasn't alone in my struggles with anxiety and depression. It also reminded me that family can be people that come into your life, ones that make you feel loved. I love that Liese shows the not always pretty side of these experiences but shows us the hope in these moments.

Freya and Aiden's story is intense. The book starts after Freya kicked Aiden out and I devoured this book hoping that they would get back together and resolve their problems. I loved the lessons, insights, and inspiration in this relationship.

I definitely recommend this steamy, heart wrenching, love story.

Such a great marriage in crisis story. It was raw, emotional and included real life problems. I love how in this book, it was the male protagonist, Aiden, who needed the extra support, love and encouragement to cope with his debilitating anxiety. In return, it was great to see how much support and acceptance was given by his wife, Feya. I was truly invested in their relationship and loved seeing the rest of the Bergman family back together.

Thank you Berkley for the ARC! This is being repub by Berkley on Jan 2nd 2024!

Ever After Always is quite possibly my favorite book in the Bergman series! Freya and Aiden are a wonderful couple and their story is so good. The portrayal of Aidens anxiety in this is book of my favorite mental health rep characters ever.

One storyline I crave more of is realistic relationships stories that take place after the happily ever after. No marriage is perfect. There is a lot to making a relationship thrive. The longevity is determined by how much you put into the relationship.

I’m not gonna lie, the first half of the book was really hard to read. It was emotionally draining because of the realistic tones and situations. It’s extremely emotional and raw. The author wrote these characters perfectly where they were not cavalier in their words or actions laced with malice. This book speaks many truths when it comes to a marriage that has lasted as long as Freya and Aidens. How little things over time can turn into huge problems without either people realizing the path they are going, how communication is key no matter how tiny the conversation, and how a relationship isn’t magically perfect. It’s something that has to be actively worked on every day. The author captured perfectly what it’s like to rediscover yourself, your partner, and your relationship. After being together for so long, we tend to get comfortable in the knowledge that we sometimes forget to really take a look at the small changes or appreciate things that have always been there but sometimes we forget.

The author's writing is fantastic. The amount of care and emotions she put into this story is evident. She didn’t try to take the easy way out by putting these characters in an over the top dramatic scene, she instead took a topic and brought it to light in a realistic way. She didn’t overthink or exaggerate Freya and Aidens troubled marriage. She instead gave an open insight to core problems a lot of marriages face through real unadulterated emotions and open conversations that married couples tend to shy away from.

This book is an open and honest conversation about the complexities surrounding a marriage. It addresses the mentality and devotion it takes to tend to every aspect to keep it alive and also how your mental health can affect your partner, unbeknownst to you, by the way you interact with your partner. There isn’t some magical cure or a simple grand gesture to fix a fractured marriage. It’s simply showing up each day and showing your partner that you are here for them and want to work through the hard stuff.

There is not a romance book out there like this. The author has an eloquent way of bringing a story to life that has intensity and intricacy to human emotions that I have never seen with a romance book before. Her ability to explore tough subjects in a realistic and relatable way is what makes her one of the best authors out there.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC

I love this new cover! It is an amazing read as well! I loved the inclusivity and the overall storyline. I loved seeing the characters grow as the story progressed.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Audio

4.25🌟 - I enjoyed it!

This marriage-in-crisis novel had a lot of heart! I really enjoyed Freya and Aiden, and getting to see more of the Bergman family.

Marriage in trouble romances are my go to right now so I was expecting to love this - I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but it didn’t give me the feels I was looking for. The hype for this series probably got to me; I just wanted more of an emotional connection to these characters.

One of my absolute favorites of Chloe’s. I wish there were more stories like this. Not necessarily marriage on the rocks but really just two people who chose each other and life in all it’s messy glory drives them apart but brings them back together. This is such a great summer read and Aiden makes a phenomenal book boyfriend.

Chloe Liese is not only the sweetest human on the planet, but she also writes the very best love stories. You'll never convince me otherwise. I've been a Bergman Brothers fan since the very first ARC of the very first book hit my kindle back in early 2020.

Aiden and Freya's story is really special to me. Their marriage in crisis romance felt visceral and real. tender and gut-wrenching. Chloe writes about difficult topics with such compassion and tenderness, balancing the sad notes with humor and worldclass banter.

They story begins with Freya kicking Aiden out of their home--their marriage has been troubled for a while, but she's finally at the breaking point. Unfortunately, her entire extended family (she's the eldest of seven kids) is planning a trip to Hawaii to celebrate their parents' anniversary. Aiden and Freya are determined to fake their way through the trip, but they're not fooling anyone. So the Bergmans do what they do best--they meddle and poke and suggest romance novels to help fix things between the couple.

I read an advance copy of this book the first time around during a really rough period of my marriage. It was dark and hard and we were fighting a lot. It was during the covid lockdown, we were both in therapy, new, difficult health issues had come up, and the world was a dumpster fire. It was…really awful. But we both held on. We put in the work. We didn’t give up. While I was rooting for Aiden and Freya, I was really rooting for myself.

The anxiety rep in this book is perfect. The panic Aiden experiences is palpable, and as someone who lives with an anxiety disorder, it was so encouraging to watch a character work through those feelings on the page. Chloe sends her characters to marriage counseling, and I loved seeing therapy being championed and presented well. Reading this book is almost like going to therapy yourself--the advice is thoughtful and completely accurate. This book also deals with infertility/difficulty conceiving and the emotions and struggles that surround that as well.

I'm so excited for all of the Berkley re-releases. I've already pre-ordered the beautiful new covers with the bonus epilogues! I can't wait for even more readers to discover my favorite fictional family!

An ENORMOUS thank you to Berkley Romance for my advance review copy.

"People whose love lasts, whose love grows and endures, choose each other in the unhappily ever after, the dark moments, not just the dazzling ones."

I love marriage. I love it. My own marriage is my greatest source of joy, strength, grace, and love in my life. I also love romance novels and so you know I love that HEA. But the romance novels I love the most are those where people are fighting for each other, choosing each other, and working through what happens after most authors would wrap their story up in an epilogue. Marriage is hard - it's work every single day in the best of times, and it can seem impossible in the worst of times. If you've been there, you'll recognize those dynamics play out so beautifully in Ever After Always. And if you haven't, you'll have a greater appreciation for what comes after the ever after.

The Bergman Brothers books are my very favorite contemporary romance series and the third installment is the best so far (and I've rated the first two five stars as well - so seriously go read them!) Chloe Liese tackles the stuff of life - marriage, extended family, childhood baggage, work/life balance, sexual intimacy, deciding if/when to have a baby - and she does it with such care, such tenderness. Every word of this book, every character, is so dear and I can't wait to recommend this book to everyone I know.

If you're a Bergman fan, there's so much to love here as we get to tag along on a big family vacation. Ryder on a hike! Frankie and Ziggy and Willa and Freya on a girl's night out! The man cubs pulling pranks! Elin and Alex being parenting goals! It's the best. And OMG the easter eggs for book #4 - bless. You're going to want to preorder this right away. Ever After Always stands completely on its own, but the experience will be so much richer if you've read the first two in the series, so go pick those up now/

I voluntarily reviewed an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Marriage in crisis is not always my jam. But I did enjoy how Chloe did this. I love this series SO much!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I instantly fell in love with the Bergman family. While I loved the first two books in the series, Ever After Always was my favorite of the three. This one felt the most *real* to me. Ever After Always really resonated with me as it was like taking a glimpse into my own life - the societal pressures of succeeding, the worries of being financially independent / stable, the sometimes crippling anxiety disorder, and the challenges of keeping the romance alive in a long-term marriage. Freya and her husband, Aiden, are close to me and my husband's age (late 30s), and my husband (like Aiden) is also one of five boys in his family.

I loved reading about the Bergmans' family dynamics, the hijinks they get into, and their unconditional love and unwavering support of one another. It's truly admirable and remarkable how close knit they are given that they are such a big family. The book is a bit of a slow burn, and while I don't usually prefer that, I actually enjoyed that aspect in this novel. Ever After Always primarily focuses on the intricacies of Freya and Aiden's marriage and was like taking a look at their marriage under a microscope. I loved seeing their marriage through their lens and seeing how much hard work they put into making the marriage work. You can actually feel all the emotions that they go through. The book is a marriage lesson on acceptance, patience, finding ways to support each other the best way possible (and not letting ego get in the way), and how communication is the key to a successful marriage. This is truly the second-chance marriage story that every married couple needs to read!

There is a bit of a Bromance Book Club vibe to this book, but it's not so much to the point where it's cringeworthy or that it seems like the author was trying to copy that series. I actually prefer the Bergman Brothers series over the Bromance series! The Bergman Brothers series is more realistic to me and I like the family dynamics aspect of it.

I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series!

4.5 stars out of 5 (rounded up to 5).

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Pub and Berkley Romance, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.