ARC Review: Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
Pub Date: April 2, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is perfect, but this review will not be because I'm not sure I can eloquently talk about this book in a way that is coherent.

But basically this is the perfect ending to this series and the perfect story for my sweet sweet Viggo. I absolutely loved the relationship between Viggo and Tallulah - watching them navigate their relationship and learning how to trust each other was so lovely. It felt like a really mature and adult relationship. The level of spice perfectly matched their relationship and that bookstore scene will live in my head for the rest of the eternity.

As an added bonus, this story is not super trope-y. Don't get me wrong, I love me a trope (or 6), but I also really love when we get a love story that doesn't rely on tropes and instead is a wonderfully realistic love story with two imperfect people trying. I think what this book shows so incredibly is how love really is the small moments - showing up for each other in small but significant ways. The caretaking scene and how Viggo cares for Tallulah while also allowing her to tell him what she needs just got me. It was perfect.

As always with Chloe's books, the representation is wonderful - between Viggo's ADHD and Tallulah's Type One Diabetes.

I could not recommend this series enough, I highly recommend reading in order for the best payoff.

Viggo is the sweetest hero I have read in a long time and he has it bad for Tallulah. Unfortunately for him, Tallulah’s dysfunctional family dynamics have made her cynical about romance and she has spent her entire life avoiding pesky feelings.

There is a very obvious mutual attraction but there is also reluctance and uncertainty on both ends. Watching Viggo and Talullah navigate the complexities of falling in love and learning to trust one another was lovely. I also loved the slow burn, the communication, the romance.

Only and Forever was the perfect ending to the wonderful Bergman Brothers series and I already miss it.

5⭐️ 2.5🌶️

“Home is not a place. Home is . . . this. Our hearts, our love, knitting us together, wherever we are. Wherever life takes you, may you know you have a home in our hearts, and may your hearts always be each other’s home.”

What a conclusion to this amazing series 😭 I cannot believe it’s over. At least I have the bonus stories in the new editions but it’s not going to be anywhere near enough Bergman craziness for my taste 😩

Viggo is truly so special. I 100% agree he made his brothers into what they are and he is the foundation for the romance in this series. It felt so right that he’d be the last one to find his happy ending. The story was amazing, his character development fantastic and Lu’s even more!!! I most of all loved that their relationship was far from insta lovey. There were years and then some in between them meeting and them reconnecting and I appreciated that a lot because things moved pretty fast after that.

The pacing was amazing. There were so many emotions. I was kicking my feet and giggling. AND THEN I STARTED BLUSHING… I mean I knew he was going to be good, the man is a walking historical romance encyclopedia 😏 but I was pleasantly surprised to find out he had never been with anyone. It felt so much more special that Lu would be his first 🥹

I knew the book was going to hurt from the dedication alone and hurt it did babe. HURT IT DID. Chloe came knocking a little too close to home with several things in this book. Always the best tears.

I’m particularly sad the bookstore isn’t real because it sounded so freaking good!! I’m extremely sad the series is over but equally excited to see what Chloe will do given her second series is ending soon too.

4.5⭐️

I cannot imagine a more beautiful end to this remarkable series! Chloe cracks your heart WIDE OPEN with Viggo and Tallulah’s messy, vulnerable, and quiet love story. The burn is slow and sweet and the emotional journey these two go on will leave your heart feeling tender, hopeful, and full. My heart was fragile going into this book not only because we’re saying goodbye to the Bergmans, but because we’ve witnessed Viggo grow, fight for, and rally around his siblings for six books, and I was so very excited to see his story unfold and how the siblings showed up for him.

The slow burn was fitting for Viggo and Tallulah, who were on journeys of healing and discovery, and I appreciated how they pumped the breaks on physical intimacy to prioritize emotional intimacy and personal learning and healing before exploring their physical connection. Their decision to be brave, little by little, and slowly break down walls in order to build their own perfectly imperfect love story had my heart overflowing.

Love isn’t always loud nor does it require a grand gestures - don’t get me wrong, I still love a grand gesture - BUT it’s the quiet moments of showing up for and supporting each other every day that builds a lasting foundation and deepens intimacy. And it’s those moments of being present, listening, offering a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, or the chance to cuddle that may appear small, but is actually quite grand.

Lastly, I am grateful for the immense care Chloe takes to ensure that her characters authentically mirror the experiences of readers living with chronic conditions, anxiety, and ADHD. I can’t tell you how many times I felt seen not just in this book through Viggo’s character, but as someone also living with chronic pain and illness, I felt validated throughout the entire series. I have never felt so seen and I cannot thank Chloe enough for this gift of representation.

What a treasure this series has been and I am so grateful to Chloe for giving us all a home and community full of love, acceptance, pranks, joy, laughter, and hope with the Bergman family!

Thank you to Berkely and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

The seventh book in the series, while it can be enjoyed as a standalone i think the best experience is reading the series prior (which is incredible)

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary romance
-mutual pining
-hard and soft one
-Diabetes and ADHD rep
-plus size
-roommance

Sometimes some books come into your life at the right time. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and Viggo's experience throughout the book, throughout the series, feeling like too much, being seen as chaotic when really it's just how his neurospicy brain works hit even harder finally getting his POV. I've been so excited for the buildup to see what he's been up to, as his time finally came. I loved all of the glimpses of the other Bergman HEAs, the A-frame.

Viggo and Tallulah's love story was soft yet angry. Both had their beliefs going in about what love should look like, their walls up in their own ways. Slowly bringing them down to be there for each other and ust help with their dreams. To be there at the low points, when you thought you'd only have yourself to rely on, and finally let yourself open up to another person and take that risk. This story was bittersweet and lovely, a perfect look at all of my sad feelings that this series is ending and a beautiful story all on its own.

Incredibly grateful for all of the Bergmans and this series.

Viggo is a Bergman story worth waiting for and may become my most read Bergman to date (sorry Ren and Frankie).

Viggo has been waiting for his family to realize he's gone from man cub to fully functioning adult. An adult who is terrified to take his next step in life: opening Bergman Books, a bookshop focused primarily on romance novels. Viggo loves and loves hard. He wants to share the love with all those around him and those he will come in contact with--especially Tallulah Clark.

Tallulah is backed into a writing corner. Her debut thriller novel was an instant best seller but the draft of her second book is falling flat. According to her editor, her characters marriage lacks all sense of sexual tension and emotions. What isn't lacking tension is Viggo Bergman coming back into her life and offering her a place to stay (she's been staying with her sister and future SIL). Tallulah hasn't seen Viggo since his only semester at college, but when he offers an exchange of services, help with the bookstore/help with her book's subplot, she can't say no.

Can a romance enthusiast, a thriller author, foster kittens, and two dogs survive and flourish in the back of Bergman Books? Will Tallulah and Viggo's slow burn fizzle or flourish? More importantly.... will the Bergman Brother's Summitt bat signal fly?

What I loved:
-Viggo
-Tallulah
-T1D representation
-ADHD representation
-All of Viggo's shirts
-All the Bergman antics
-Ashbury

What I didn't Love:
-Psh, like I could unlove a Bergman novel.

I will say, I identified so much with Viggo through the series and cried while reading his journey. All the emotions and feelings boiling over and left me a wreck but in the best possible way.

5 stars hands down. A beautiful end to this phenomenal series.

My thanks to Chloe Liese and Berkley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A bittersweet ending! For me anyway, because I’m sad this series is over. It has been a delight to watch the close-knit Bergman family fall in love, one by one.

This time it was sweet Viggo’s turn, our ultimate cinnamon roll romance lover. We’ve seen him interfere in his sibling’s lives throughout the series, always pushing romance novels and rooting for their HEAs. He’s been waiting for a real life romance like he reads in his romances, but that doesn’t seem to be working for him. It’s okay because he’s busy opening a bookstore, being the best uncle ever, and adopting a whole lot of animals.

His life is shaken up when Talullah Clarke, the girl he once had a big crush on, re enters his life and the two make an agreement. Talullah needs help with her latest thriller from a romantic perspective, and Viggo needs help with his new bookstore. They agree to live together and exchange their skill sets, just as platonic friends, of course.

The forced proximity does as it always does and the roomies start to feel more, but both have a lot of baggage to work through. It was a slow burn, and the tension built most excellently.

I loved Viggo, he’s always been one of my favorite Bergmans and I loved getting to know him better. Talullah was a little harder for me, not necessarily because she’s a ‘chilly cynic’ but because she was kind of mean to Viggo and since I already loved him, it felt kind of like she was being mean to my friend.

She comes from a toxic family with a lot of drama, but I felt like we never really got to understand what that drama was. We’re told her parents were bad, but I didn’t understand why. Her brother is a handful and enters rehab, but that happens in the background. I guess I just felt like her family stuff could have been expanded on so we could see it instead of just telling us they were toxic.

Another thing I felt like could have been explored more was Viggo’s ADHD. We know he has it but it doesn’t really seem to affect his life all that much, at least not that we see on page.

Overall it was a good read and ending to the series, just one I felt needed to be fleshed out a little more in some parts so we are shown more than told.

This cannot be the end ☹️ whyyyy must it end??? (Tears) incoming long review for the last Bergman book.

My most anticipated Viggio 🩷

Hopeless Romantic meets girl who doesn’t believe in love 🩷

Viggo is the historical romance king
Although he was the last of the Bergmans to find his own happily ever his story was So worth the wait and lived up to all my expectations!
I think that fellow romance readers will really love Viggo's bookish energy and adored his romance bookstore. (I myself own a bookstore so he was a man after my own heart). He is full of love, passion, patience, and loyalty, and is overall a phenomenal character. Lastly myself having ADHD felt such a connection to his character for also having ADHD i seriously love how inclusive Chloe Liese is with her characters.

I think that Tallulah was also intriguing as she is a writer struggling with the concept for her next book and he’s a historical romance nut so (obviously meant to be right??)
I really felt that she was such a realistic representation of someone struggling to love due to her past. She grew up in an environment that showed her a jaded view of romance, it explains everything so clearly. The growth within her character in this book was beautiful to witness and extremely well done. I also love how Chloe included Tallulah going to therapy and working on her struggles. Lastly Tallulah has a chronic illness (Diabetes) which adds a ton to her character. And can be relatable to so many people reading this books.
As someone who is a people pleaser i resonated also with Tallulahs people pleasing ways, it’s seriously so exhausting sometimes and it was nice to see in her character . It was wonderful to see her open up to Viggo about her health issues.

I also loved that there was no third act breakup in this book (my least favorite trope) Idk if that’s a spoiler but i feel like lots of people hate this trope as well 😂
Lastly it was so nice to see all of the other Bergman relationships and siblings mentioned in this book (like a trip down memory lane )
And although this is the ending for the Bergman’s it was a crazy journey and i loved every bit of this book.

read if you love :

Read if you love/things to expect:
- second chance romance
- mutual pining
- boy falls first
- chronic illness representation (diabetes)
- ADHD representation
- love proclamations

I have been waiting for the Viggo story forever. He has always butted in his sibling relationship every bit of the way. And it’s finally time that he gets his love story.
Viggo is romantic at heart. Everything he does is 100% and more. And it doesn’t surprise me that his love story is going to knock him out of his seat without him knowing. Even though he reads romance books any time of the day, he isn’t going to know when he is falling in love with them. It’s unexpected yet beautiful. 
Viggo always knew that he was waiting for one. He didn’t know that it was going to take awhile. He has seen all of his siblings fall in love, so he questions why his love story isn’t happening. He won’t say anything to his fellow siblings because he wants to handle his feelings himself. And it doesn’t help when he sees his former crush, Tallulah, again after so many years.
Tallulah never expected to see the romantic, happy, chatty Viggo again. The last time they saw each other was during their university days, and that was years ago. It definitely doesn’t surprise Tallulah that she is still attracted to him, even though they are definitely different from each other. She is a more cynical and non-feeling kind of girl. 
You know what they say when it’s two characters totally opposite each other? They are bound to fall in love with each other. It’s going to happen to Viggo and Tallulah, but slowly. They are going to form something much stronger as they spend more time together. And it doesn’t help that they are going to live with each other for a while. 
Their love for each other was gradual yet undeniable. They truly get each other, and they were bound to fall in love. They slowly get to know each other without any judgment from either side. It’s such a beautiful love story for them, especially for Viggo.

I have no words. I am destroyed--in the best way possible. Chloe Liese has done the impossible--she has written the perfect book. 10./10, no notes. It's a swoony, steamy, romantic masterpiece--a tribute to everyone who has ever longed for that happy ending.

Viggo is the last Bergman standing. He's watched as sibling after sibling found their person. He's even meddled (from a place of love), to make sure they got their happy endings. But now this hopeless romantic is ready for his turn. Tallulah doesn't believe in love--and she definitely doesn't believe in happy endings. The two first met in college, but they haven't spoken in years, not that they spoke much in the one class they shared, to be honest. But now, she needs a place to stay while she hammers out her second book, and he needs help with the bookstore he's trying to get off the ground. They decide to be roomies and help each other out, but like in all good roommate romances, their feelings don't stay platonic.

Every single Bergman Brothers book is incredibly special to me, but there's something about Only and Forever that hits different. As someone who is both demi-sexual and diagnosed with ADHD, to say I relate to Viggo would be a humongous understatement. We are basically the gender-bent versions of each other. From the plants on every surface to the million and one hobbies to our hopeless romantic personalities, I have never seen myself MORE in a fictional character.

Thank you Berkley Romance for my advance review copy. From the bottom of my ADHD soul.

I wasn't sure how I would feel, reading the final Bergman book. In a sense, I never wanted the series to end, but I also couldn't wait to read Viggo's story. It's like Chloe really did save the very, very best for last. I cannot put into words how impactful this series has been in my life.

I still remember reading the very first ARC of the original indie version of the very first book, and I just knew, intuitively, that these books were going to be something special, and I'm happy to say my intuition was spot-on. I have laughed out loud while reading and rereading these books, and I've sobbed my eyes out. These characters are more than fictional people to me. These beautiful, messy, imperfect characters have quite literally changed my life. They have made me feel seen, helped heal old wounds, pushed back the darkness of depression, and given me hope.

A perfect conclusion to this series!!

You can expect reverse grumpy sunshine, second chance, pining, ADHD representation.

loved that Viggio was the hopeless romantic! So sad to see this world end!

This book was amazing! the perfect end to this wonderful series. I really loved the ADHD representation, as I don't see that often in books. especially how Viggo's medication makes his appetite disappear, as i experience that as well. Viggo and Tallulah are so sweet and perfect together and their chemistry was awesome. I did shed some tears at the end. Good job, Chloe Liese!!

Thank you to Chloe Liese, Berkley Romance and NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I can't even begin to describe how excited I was for this book from the moment that I first met Viggo in Willa and Ryder's book. Since then he truly has been the heart and soul of this series so to have his book conclude this series that has come to be so near and dear to my heart was truly the most perfect ending I could have ever imagined. I've said this before but Chloe has an extraordinary talent for writing relationships where two characters become a safe space and a home for one another. Maybe this is a common thread in most romance books but no one does it with quite as much depth and care as Chloe does. It's one of my favourite things about each and every one of her books.

Finally getting to perceive Viggo through his own eyes was such a surreal reading experience because he ended up being such a well-rounded and beautiful character. He was ever the sunshine golden retriever lover boy we all expected but getting a closer look into his struggle with ADHD and his worry that he was "too much" for people and his fear of failure were what made him so much more loveable and relatable. Watching him grow through and alongside his relationship with Tallulah was such a thrilling and satisfying experience. I also always like to commend Chloe on the way she writes intimacy in her books. Not just the spicier scenes but even more simple intimacy like hugs and cuddles and simple touches. She has this way of lacing these intimate moments with so much depth and significance that they never feel excessive or uncalled for, which is so refreshing.

Tallulahloo, my blue haired black cat princess!! She was everything! Just the most perfect love interest for Viggo. Her character portrayed so many complex feelings in such a raw and relatable way. Whether that be through her struggle with Type 1 Diabetes or the dysfunctional relationship with her family and the pressure of being the eldest sister in said dysfunctional family. Her development made me shed many tears throughout this book. Her discovery and experience opening herself up to love, not just romantic but all forms of love, was so moving to witness and Chloe did such an amazing job of portraying that on paper. Viggo and Tallulah truly feel like soulmates, just like every other Chloe Liese ship!

I can't believe I have to say goodbye to my family. They truly mean so much to me. The way the Bergmans embraced every sibling's significant other with such unconditional love was such a pure and heartwarming portrayal of family and FOUND family in particular (shoutout to the Honorary Bergmans, they deserve the world). Reading the final Bergman Brothers Summit was so bittersweet, excuse my dramatics, but it truly felt like the end of an era. I really will miss my family and their shenanigans in their little A-Frame in the woods.

I'm still holding out hope for the Elin and Alex novella. I think we would all love to know the origin story of our big, happy, chaotic, weird, silly, half-Swedish family.

Viggo and Tallula’s story it’s a beautiful ending to The Bergman Brothers Series.
Viggo is the last of his siblings to find love, which is a little unsettling since he’s the romance reader, the one that has helped over the years with swoony quotes and puns his siblings to navigate their love journeys.
Viggo met Tallula back in college but they didn’t click then. It wasn’t until years later that they reconnected and decided to help each other with their talents that their love story blossomed.
They have a forced proximity, roommates type of situation going on that although is mutually beneficial, is also leading them to thoughts no friendly roommates should have.

Chloe did a beautiful job using the thesaurus in this book, the way she describes the feelings, the places, their sensations, its next level and not something you come across often in contemporary romance.

This book is an ode to love. Not only the romantic type of love but also self-love, fraternal love and the love you can feel for objects and other organisms (hello Ashbury, cats, dogs and plants).

My heart. Viggo's book was bound to be my favorite, but it delivered leaps and bounds more than I expected. Getting to see all of the other couples felt so cathartic, especially with their little babiesssss.

But back to Viggo - my sweet lil romance reader. We finally find out what the sitch is with Escondido (and yes, I definitely had theorized that he was dating a zookeeper because it's straight up the only thing there) and meet the glorious Tallulah. She's an absolute badass writer with the softest heart ever, perfect for our Bigfoot-bearded Viggo. This book felt especially bookish with Bergman's Books and critiquing Tallulah's thrillers. And oh goodness, all of the little animals and baking. This book is packed with cute content and just a teensy bit of steam. (You'll understand why later)

I really enjoyed the discussion of mental health and diabetes, especially with how Tallulah manages her insulin. She doesn't let it hold her back, but we do get to see her at vulnerable moments. But these cuties still get their happy ending (with no third act break-up, thankfully!) and I'm overjoyed.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Sobbing. What a perfect ending to a perfect series. The Bergman Brothers series has been one of those series that I think about at least once a week and tell everyone I come into contact with about. The inclusion, the understanding, and the love (romantic, friend, familial, etc.) just makes these books one of kind. Finally getting that last book, that last sibling...broke me. This was the perfect love story for our romance loving boy and the perfect partner to meet him where he stood. These books are ones that I will read over and over again to remember that none of us are alone in what we're dealing with and we can all meet those we love where they are and be that support.

Thank you Chloe Liese for amazing characters and beautiful stories.

Huge Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing this copy.

While I was SO excited to finally read Viggo's book, this felt like such a bittersweet ending to a phenomenal series. Chloe Liese has created a family that really makes you feel like you're a part of it. The relatability and representation in the Bergman Brothers series is unmatched to any other romance series I've read. This book was the perfect closure to their stories.

Viggo captured my heart early on in the series, so I was especially excited for his book. He has always been portrayed as the hopeless romantic of the family (thanks to his love of historical romance novels), eager to meddle in his siblings love lives. It was high time that Viggo got his happily-ever-after, especially considering how lonely he felt as saw each of his siblings find their people. It was great to see the ADHD representation with Viggo; I related to so much of this, from the started-and-abandoned hobbies to forgetting to eat until the moment you start to feel unwell. I love that Viggo <spoiler> not only opened his own bookstore, but got to highlight his passion for romance books and create a space that seemed so welcoming for everyone. </spoiler>

Tallulah was such a great person for Viggo! Big black cat GF/golden retriever BF energy between the two of them. The insight into her past and why she was so averse to love made their eventual connection feel even sweeter. I loved the growth that Tallulah had throughout the book and that she was willing to start therapy; it made this story seem much more realistic instead of the instant-connection-meet-cutes that sometimes happen in romance books. The scene where <spoiler> Viggo went to check on Tallulah during the night when her blood sugar had dropped was so sweet and definitely made me cry a bit. </spoiler>

"I'm no love expert, but I think I just might be an expert on loving you." STOP, my heart can't take anymore. 😭

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have always been amazed with Chloe liese's writing and yet again she steals my heart with Viggo and Tallulah’s story. Throughout this series, I was desperate to finally read Viggo’s story and see how his own romance would come about and it did not disappoint. Viggo and Tallulah are two characters that shine on their own, but are electric together and their acts of showing love are some of my favorite of the entire series. My favorite part of this book was the constant reassurance they gave one another that they were enough and they were not only worth loving, but deserved it. I loved, I laughed, I screamed, I cried, this was a perfect conclusion to this heartwarming series that has become a comfort family to me.

What a beautiful ending to the Bergman Brother series. It’s very bittersweet, because we of course have been waiting to read our romance lover Bergman, Viggo’s story, but it’s sad to know this sibling series has come to an end. The representation in this book hit really close to home, Viggo’s ADHD rep most specifically. I wish we got just a teeny bit more of the siblings in this book, but I still really loved their story.

I can't believe my favorite series is over. This book was amazing and the perfect end to a perfect series. I have been anxiously awaiting Viggo's story, and Chloe Liese did not disappoint! Viggo is just so PERFECT and his relationship with Tallulah is so beautiful and heartwarming. They were really made for each other. I love the reverse grumpy x sunshine trope and I think it's done perfectly well here. I loved seeing all of the Bergman family again. It truly felt like coming home and a piece of me is finally complete. Chloe Liese is the greatest when it comes to representation in her books, and I thought she wrote Tallulah (Type 1 diabetes) and Viggo (ADHD) in such a respectful, kind, honoring and realistic way. The mystery is finally revealed as to why Viggo is constantly in Escondido and I would have NEVER guessed! This was the perfect plot and every single character was my favorite; I will miss this family so dearly. I cannot say enough about this series was life changing for me, and how much I have enjoyed this journey, from book one to book seven, Only and Forever.

Thank you to NetGalley, Chloe Liese and Berkley for the eARC of this book.