Member Reviews
Marriage of convenience is my weakness and I was so excited when Chloe Liese wrote a Bergman book with that trope! I really enjoyed her take on marriage of convenience and how the story evolved. That being said it felt a lot different from previous Bergman books because the rest of the family isn’t as present. And I missed the family interactions! But the chronic illness and autism representation are top notch. Highly recommend! 4.25 stars
I’m so glad I found chloe Liese and this series. It is so beautifully written. I love every single book in this series. Each book keeps getting better.
This was cute, marriage of convenience in a modern love story isn’t always successfully done, but this was cute. Axel was a lot of fun and this had been teased out for several books so the pay off was worth it,
Read some of the others first! But this one is equally gorgeous as the rest, it's just more fulfilling imho to read it when you've seen the two leads' dynamic slowly and subtly build before this particular entry properly begins.
Chloe, what are you doing to me? You have thrusted upon me a surly, guarded Axel mixed with the vibrant, humor filled Rooney. My heart didn’t stand a chance. This author has a magnificent way of marrying emotion that is filled both with substantial depth and humor. Her characters are unlike anyone I have ever seen in a contemporary romance. She carefully crafts unique people that leave a lasting impression and provides representation and topics that are typically not covered. Her words pull you into the story and completely take over all your senses and fully immerse you into the story.
This is a book that takes an honest look at the intricacies of human emotions, when it’s hard to express them, and how to grow from them. I think what I enjoyed the most was that the author had two polar opposite characters, each struggling with their own internal conflicts, grow in a way that she only could write.
The emotional tolls of how a disease that most people fully don’t understand was depicted in a way that makes the reader feel connected to the characters and fully understand what it’s truly like to be in their shoes. There’s care and consideration that is evident with their thoughts and dialogue that the author took her time to ensure the representation was authentic.
For as much as I enjoyed Axel and Rooney, there was a huge part of the book I missed. What little presence there was of the Bergman clan left a void in the story and left me craving more than what was given. I wanted more of the hijinx, meddling, and sibling annoyance that the other books had. Also, I felt this book was unfinished. I was left with many questions that I felt didn’t get addressed.
Overall I think this was a solid addition to the series that brought its own unique flare. The multidimensional characters and exceptional writing style only get better with each book. The author reinvented a classic trope by giving it a deeper meaning and once again showing there’s so much more to romance books then people realize. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC.
"With You Forever" weaves an enchanting tale of love and acceptance between two people grappling with their unique challenges. Rooney faces the daily struggles of living with Ulcerative Colitis, a chronic illness that tests her resilience. Meanwhile, Axel confronts an Autism diagnosis as he tries to fit into a world that often feels alien. Both believe they're too broken to be loved, but trust me, they are so wrong! 🥺❤️
Chloe Liese masterfully crafts a story that's refreshingly different from your run-of-the-mill romance novels. As Rooney and Axel find solace in each other's arms, they do something truly groundbreaking in the world of romance – they communicate! They express their needs and fears and, lo and behold, are embraced by one another. It's a tender, heartwarming journey that'll make you fall head over heels for these characters. 😍💬
Liese's writing style is nothing short of spectacular. She paints emotionally complex characters, drops them into realistic situations, and adds a dash of spice for good measure. "With You Forever" is yet another feather in her cap, a testament to her storytelling prowess. 👏📖
This book is like a warm, cozy blanket on a chilly winter day, a delightful rollercoaster of emotions that had me laughing, crying, and cheering for Rooney and Axel. Their relationship is sweet, their banter is endearing, and their chemistry is off the charts. You can bet I'll be recommending Chloe Liese's books to every romance reader out there because she has something special for everyone! 🌟❤️
With You Forever by Chloe Liese
Bergman Brothers series, book 4 - Axel’s story
I have loved this series and the Bergman family. This author has such a unique way of writing that I have really enjoyed! Each story features a couple who have their own quirks - neurodiversity, chronic illness, major life changes - and each one makes me so interested in what will happen!
I loved Rooney and Axel’s relationship arc. Axel is a rough around the edges, distant and introverted guy, who isn’t sure romance is for him - until he meets Rooney. There are so many fun tropes: forced proximity, marriage of convenience, secret crush, and grumpy/sunshine. Axel gave me some serious Beckett vibes from B.K. Borison’s Lovelight Farms series.
Perfect for you if you like:
Dual POV
Slow burn
Chronic illness + neurodiversity rep
4.75⭐️ Axel & Rooney, there’s just something about them!! I love all the Bergman books, but With You Forever is my favorite and has my heart🥰 I loved the bonus epilogue and their happy ending!
With You Forever is the fourth book in the Bergman Brothers (siblings) standalone series. We finally get Axel and Rooney's story. I am a huge Chloe Liese fan in terms of her writing and her as a human. I love that she is writing romance books with underrepresented experiences and addressing ableism.
Rooney takes a break from law school to focus on her health and she heads to the Bergman A-frame for some rest and relaxation. Only to run into Axel who is trying to fix the A-frame without letting his family know how serious some of the structural issues are. Axel has to come up with a plan to get the money he needs to fix the A-frame since he hasn't been able to create any art in a while.
Axel has been a silent grumpy mystery until this book and I love that Chloe put us inside of Axel's head. He loves differently than the rest of his family and sometimes feels like he doesn't belong in the loud boisterous Bergman clan. Axel doesn't know how to handle the way just simply being around Rooney makes him feel, so he avoids her at all cost. He just struggles with understanding his emotions are times. I loved how he denied that Harry was his dog and that he made sure to get gluten-free sweets for Rooney.
Rooney, my sweet sweet Rooney, she just wants to be loved. She is coming to terms with what her life truly looks like with her ulcerative colitis diagnosis and flare-ups. Life with a chronic illness isn't easy, add in the stress of law school and it's no wonder she wasn't doing well. I love that Axel loved Rooney and affirms her in her moments of doubt and insecurity. Rooney understands that Axel needs time to process and that sometimes he just doesn't want to be touched. Together they help each other understand that you can't control the way people love you or their feelings. But you can open up your heart to love even if it might mean you get hurt.
I loved the glimpses of the rest of the Bergman siblings and that we got to meet more of the world around the A-frame, which has been featured in the three previous books. The interactions with Ollie and Viggo made me laugh and have me excited for their stories.
Chloe writes realistic relationships that don't have unnecessary drama. From the one small step forward to two giant leaps backward, I was right there with Rooney and Axel in their struggles to open up and trust. Everyone deserves to be loved and a love story. I cannot begin to thank Chloe enough for this book and this series. The neurodivergent representation, specifically the spectrum that is autism, as well and the chronic illness and mental health rep just makes this book (and series) a real love story.
I seriously cannot recommend this book and this series enough. The slow burn is *chefs kiss* and just the reality of what it's like to have autism or chronic illness makes the vulnerability displayed in this relationship that much more meaningful to me.
Chloe liese’s books are always great and I especially liked this one. Sometimes the forced marriage troupe can be annoying but I really liked this one. I also liked the representation of invisible disabilities with both characters.
Infinite Stars!
There are so many things I would like to say about this book, but I fear that I must keep it brief. This book truly felt as though i was reading a book handcrafted from the depths of my soul. I am so utterly in love with every single detail of it. This is the fourth in the bergman brothers series and my personal favorite, but I will truly recommend this whole series to everyone!
Axel and Rooney are the definition of grumpy x sunshine, but in the most organic and realistic way. These characters hold themselves so well, even with their flaws. with the marriage of convince, opposites attract, friends to lovers, and forced proximity— the connection these two formed was absolutely phenomenal and extremely intimate. The relationship and love between these two was heartfelt, admirable, and raw. I love how this all takes place in a small cabin, it plays such a fundamental role while also adding even more coziness and warmth to the story.
Axel is such a wonderful character, individually and paired with rooney. He is complex, intelligent, and has fantastic character development within this book. As the eldest sibling with neurodivergence, he has consistently been shy and reserved in comparison to his family members. However, I believe that him paired with Rooney truly elevates his character and allows for him to find peace & comfort. chloe did a great job at showcasing his gentleless, loyalty, and unique approach to affection. It was breathtaking to be able to see how he was able to recognize that even though he felt incapable of loving and understanding others— he truly can!🥹
Rooney, she is an ultimate soul character for me now. Immediately, I knew that she had similar health conditions as I do. However, the way that chloe crafted such a profoundly realistic and relatable representation of her chronic condition— was heartwarming. Rooney hiding behind a facade for others just so she doesn’t burden them, was hard hitting for me. Her inner thoughts and journey was remarkable and truly powerful for someone who relates very heavily. Her constant need to be perfect and hide her pain!!
I absolutely loved how much this story focuses on being able to be honest with yourself and others, breaking out of a mold that you have made for yourself and becoming comfortable being who you are. Rooney is a great representation of a strong heroine that learned to fight her battles alongside others, rather than internally.
I could go on forever about how much I love and appreciate this book, but I would love to highlight that these two characters have the most intense chemistry and tension. The acts of love towards each other— even when they do not believe it to be love— were so beautiful. He braids her hair, he cooks her meals fit for her diet, he reads to her, she sits with him while he paints, etc. It was everything I could have wanted out of a romance book & more. I am so happy I found yet another soul book 🩷
P.S. they also have two animals together in this little cabin. (have i convinced you yet?)
"…that every one of us is worthy of loving and being loved in whatever way is true to us."
There was just SO much to love about this book. It was an unexpected emotional journey for me that made me feel emotions I missed, needed, and really related to. I loved the dialogue, the laugh out loud moments, the tears, THE WORDS. I’m truly a sucker for motivations moved by backstories and in awe of Chloe Liese sharing this vulnerable one. I can’t recommend this cozy, autumn read any more than I could. Highly suggest listening to the playlist she recommends at the beginning of the book (to match the chapter), it is splendid.
It was basically perfection and if I don’t have a man that loves me like Axel, I DON’T WANT IT.
5⭐️ 1🌶️
“Damn it! I think I caught feelings for my husband”
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… MEN BY CHLOE LIESE ARE SUPERIORRRRR!!!
This entire series is pure magic but there’s something in this one that just took the book to a whole new level for me. I had to reread it to gather my thoughts properly and I still feel like I can’t quite put them into words.
There’s so many good tropes on this one and I was already in my knees for Axel but the minute the man said “come sit on my face” I WAS A GONNER. There’s marriage of convenience with forced proximity, a side of grumpy sunshine and a good portion of friends to lovers. I MEAN WHE WROTE IT ALL!!!
Ronnie and Axel had been basically falling for each other for a while now so it never felt like insta love. The tension there since previous books was so freaking felt, I was very excited to see them end up together. There was a third act break up but it was pretty minimal honestly and I’m so happy Chloe Liese doesn’t write those into her books anymore. I love seeing the representation for autism and chronic illnesses in her books, it’s just incredibly well done and it makes everyone feel seen and represented.
So freaking in love with her books!!
Oh Chloe, what are you doing to me? I am such a sucker for the Bergmans at this point, but Rooney & Axel’s story is definitely my favorite so far!
I felt so seen by Rooney’s character and can’t believe we got a book with chronic stomach disease representation that was equal parts real and sexy. I LOVE that. This series has been so phenomenal for representation and With You Forever was no exception.
The chemistry between Axel and Rooney was so beautiful and vulnerable. Their journey felt so believable and I really loved getting to know more about Axel since he’d been pretty close lipped in previous books.
Plus did I mention…Harry and Skugga?! 🐶🐱
Cannot wait to read Oliver’s story next!
Loved this forced proximity opposites attract grumpy-sunshine romance! The marriage of convenience was also fun if not a little unbelievable and as always the Bergman family was perfect. Loved the chronic illness and neurodivergent representation.
I looooved Rooney and Axel! These two characters are life. They're so sweet and I absolutely adored this book :') this series just keeps getting better and better
I do not have words to describe my love for the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese. These books represent the very best the romance genre has to offer.
With You Forever is book 4! Axel and Rooney's love story has been one of my favorites since the first time I read it two years ago. When Berkley approved my request for the new version with the bonus epilogue, I jumped up and down. Literally. I squealed.
While rereading, like the other multiple times I've read it, I laughed. I cried. I highlighted whole sections. I immediately wanted to start it again as soon as I finished. And the bonus epilogue!! OMG. After two years of Axel and Roo, to get new content, another glimpse into their life? It was *chefs kiss* perfection.
Chloe does such a good job making her characters real. She handles tender subjects with incredible care. Whether it’s mental health or a physical illness or disability, she connects with sensitivity readers to help her capture the nuances of the reality of her characters’ experiences. Axel is on the autism spectrum, and Rooney has ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It was the first time I'd seen a character with IBS in a romance novel, and Chloe did a great job communicating the reality of living with that kind of chronic pain--the heating pads, the miserable bathroom trips, and feeling like a burden to the people taking care of you.
If you’ve been sleeping on this series, now would be a great time to pick them up--Berkley's rereleases have beautiful new covers designed by Sam (aka Ink&Laurel).
Axel and Rooney are one of my favorite couples in the Bergman family series. They are both excellent characters, I love the setting, I love the tropes. Great book!
While I don't have TikTok, I've heard this Author is popular on there. I can see why this book is popular on social media for sure. I really did enjoy it and I definitely think this will be a popular choice at my library.
With You Forever by Chloe Liese is an enchanting and passionate tale of a slow-burning marriage of convenience. This heartwarming story follows the journey of two captivating characters as they not only discover the true meaning of self-love but also learn to embrace the love they share with one another. Prepare to be captivated by this delightful and compelling narrative that explores the depths of human emotions and the power of genuine connection.