Ever After Always

The author continues to give is unique and rivetting romances in the Bergman Brothers Series, with each book better than the previous. The book is truly a maelstrom of emotions, it's the unvarnished truth of how even the best suited relationships implode from within.But it also shows how sensitivity and communication can help bridge those distances that inveribly develop between people.Many of us have not had the chance to see conflict resolution in healthy relationships, the author managed to do that for me.There is so much wisdom in this book, without taking away from the essentially romcom tone.You find yourself rooting for the characters as a couple, but also as individuals, who deserve to have their needs voiced and met clearly. They are both so well written with their passion for their respective careers, their relationships with their families and friends, romantic love is a part of their lives but not the only important thing.It took me 2 days to pen this down because I was ruminating over the events of this book, and I finally felt at peace with my thoughts to write them down.

I finished this book quite early on and then spent a good long while trying to put my thoughts into words. Ever After Always is such a powerful book and Chloe Liese completely knocked it out of the park. It’s a book that requires you to really just sit down and think about everything, because it’s so damn beautiful.We’ve already seen the wonderful characters that Chloe has created in the Bergman family thanks to Ren and Ryder, but you are in for a treat with Freya. Through the first two books, we see just how loving and protective Freya is, her family always comes first and she looks out for her brothers no matter what. We all met Aiden in Only When It’s Us, with his meddling and his desire to set Ryder and Willa up, but we also got glimpses of him and Freya through the books because the Bergman family is so tight knight. And in Always Only You, we get a hint of the trouble that Aiden and Freya are dealing with. But nothing could prepare you for this magic.Ever After Always is a marriage-in-crisis romance with these two headstrong characters trying to make their relationship of 12 years work again. I haven’t read a lot of romances in this trope, but as always Chloe did such a wonderful job making us feel all the things for Aiden and Freya. The reasons for why their marriage is slowly crumbling is a whole heap of things from work distractions, to Aiden’s anxiety and Freya’s lack of communication. Obviously I can’t give everything away, otherwise what’s the point in you reading the book, right?The book tackles a lot of important and heavy topics and it makes you very aware of all the things in your own life and how other people have probably responded to you in the past. Aiden’s anxiety is very similar to my own, so while it did unnerve me a little to read about my own experiences, it also comforted me to know that this is not all that unusual and that anybody can be dealing with the same things that I do. Chloe does a beautiful job of representing characters of different kinds, putting focus on their mental health struggles, their physical struggles and emotional conflicts.Lots of people have talked about not liking Freya because she’s prickly and rough around the edges, but that is exactly what I love about her. Freya is honest, she’s not always going to say what you want to hear, she’s stubborn and she’s harsh, but it all comes from a place where she believes she is saying and doing the right thing. Freya’s love for her family is truly so special. The Bergmans are an incredible group and there is not a single person in that family that you can’t not love. She’s protective of her brothers, of her little sister, but most of all, she’s protective of Aiden. And even with their marriage in trouble, she’s constantly looking out for him. That’s what makes an amazing character, how can someone not love Freya Bergman for all that she is?And then there’s Aiden. Good god, this man. He’s smart, driven, ambitious, sexy as all get out and he loves fiercely. But that fierceness is what stumps him, because he wants to be the best and give Freya the best and it keeps holding him back. Aiden’s growth through this book was extraordinary. There’s a lot that happens to him, a lot that I didn't see coming, but he pushes through and perseveres because he truly believes that he is deserving of so much more. And the Bergman brothers feel the same way. They love Aiden like he’s their own and oh my god, the interactions, the pranks, the romance book club - it’s all so spectacular.While it’s a marriage-in-crisis romance, it’s also a second chance romance. Because Freya and Aiden are giving each other a second chance. Just without all the distance and years apart from each other. Ever After Always is about love and about finding your soulmate, but it’s also about finding yourself. More Aiden than Freya, goes through such an incredible journey of learning about himself and understanding himself. I don’t think I’ve ever related to a male character more than I have with Aiden.Do yourself a favour, pick up the first two Bergman Brothers books and get familiar with this incredible family. Then take a weekend and soak in Ever After Always, because this book requires your complete attention. The first two books talk about various disabilities and health issues, but this one is an emotional rollercoaster and you’re going to need time to process your thoughts and feelings when you’re done.Thanks to Chloe Liese for generously providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

(Voluntarily reviewed an eARC of the book on For The Love of Fictional Worlds)Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Generalised Anxiety DisorderWith every book I read from Chloe Liese; I find myself falling a little more in love with her, not just her talent and her writing but her as a human being.Why you ask? Her first Bergman Novel, that I found accidentally on Netgalley opened my eyes to reading romances that are diverse, could be considered non - conventional but are yet the most realistic representations of love I have had the fortune of reading.In Ever After Always, Chloe Liese picks up where most romances drop off - the happily ever after - and while most of us would want to believe that everything will always be hunky dory after driving off in the sunset, that is not how real life works.Weddings are oh so fun and adventurous; but marriage? Marriage is hard work - with a lot of compromises, frustrations and growing up together that somehow is always; and I do mean, always overshadowed by the fun and galore of weddings.Marriage and weddings are two entirely two different aspects and I truly wish that more people talked about it, especially in romances.With Ever After Always; Chloe Liese delves into the happily ever after of Freya, the eldest Bergman and her husband of ten years, Aiden. With time, and a decision to move forward in their relationship, thinking about a baby; a gift takes place and somehow over the course of just six months, we see a complete breakdown of communications in their relationship.With the pressure of outward appearances; and an ever loving, bonkers interfering family, Freya and Aiden try and find their way back to each other; because that’s what they want. Their love hasn’t disappeared; the passion for each other still simmers underneath yet somehow they both let the important aspect of just communicating with each other slide by them.As a married woman myself, the issues discussed in this book feel as if that the author took a look into my heart, mind and soul - and it is bonkers that these issues aren’t talked about more, especially when they must be all too common.I have always said, Chloe Liese writes realistic and relatable romances and Ever After Always is another way she just proves me right. Again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫📚Bergman brothers euh ... sisters book 3✍🏼Chloe Liese📕new edition with dual POV epilogues👩🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼marriage in crisis🎧playlist for each chapter🧡❤️heartwarming🧡❤️the dedication + the acknowledgmentsAiden and Freya are married but their marriage isn't what it once was. They're both trying to shield the other one. Aiden has anxiety ... He has a lot on his mind and feels a lot of pressure: Freya really wants kids, but Aiden wants financial stability first (He grew up with his single mom, who had to work a lot to keep them afloat and still it was difficult.) He looses himself in his work ... Freya is a sensitive person, with strong emotions but she doesn't talk about her feelings anymore. She sees that Aiden is struggling, she doesn't want to add an extra load, but the no talking gets them in a crisis. When you read book 2, you know that Aiden arrived at the A-frame when Ren was also there. Freya asked him to leave the house ....But ... they both decided to do something about it! They seek professional help! (And there'll also be a Bergman brothers summit) :) And ... a family trip to HawaïNot an easy read, but heartbreakingly beautiful! Two people who really love each other but lost their way and in the end, found each other again. Great anxiety rep, very well written.Extra epilogue in this edition! <3And ... when you read book 5 "Everything for you", you'll get more "news" about how Aiden & Freya are doing! So fun! :)Two of my favorite quotes:* She (the therapist) grins. "Good thing you're playing together. You two against the world. How's that sound?"Aiden's thigh nudges mine as he holds my eyes. His smile is dazzling. "I like the sound of that a lot." <3* "For loving me." I press my lips to hers again and breathe her in, my wife and love, friend and partner. The woman who loves all of me, who I love beyond words and understanding.... I love you ... "My Aiden." ... "I love you too." <3

This is the third book in a set of companion novels. I haven't read the other two books prior to this, but I found it fine to read. I do feel like there were some personal relationships amongst family members that I was missing out on, but not too much, I will catch up with these later though as I enjoyed Chloe Liese's writing and character development!Freya and Aiden's story is not a typical one you see in romance novels. They are a marriage in trouble and there is a lot of struggle and miscommunication. Add to that some meddling siblings, Freya's parents perfect marriage and Aiden's anxiety a lot is going on. Chloe Liese did a great job exploring anxiety and did it carefully and compassionately. I also like that Aiden seemed very aware of his anxiety and was able to talk about it, and even more Freya was supportive of Aiden in his anxiety. I really also liked how Liese normalized for individual counselling for Aiden's anxiety as well as marriage counselling for the couple.I like how the author took time to write about people that are not typical in the romance genre, Aiden with anxiety and Freya being plus sized. Oftentimes I find that romances fit a typical niche and this one stepped a little out of the box and I found it enjoyable. The romance in the book was pretty steamy too, but not cover to cover steam, just the right amount for me.I loved the inclusion of a playlist to listen to while reading the book and would find myself singing the songs when I was starting out a chapter as well. It really helped set the tone too! writesI received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.

⚠️cw: Anxiety, depression, poverty, bullying, ED, addiction, body-shaming⚠️Freya and Aiden are soulmates. Married for a decade, they've always been solid. So, when Freya kicks him out, everyone is shocked. Most of all, Aiden. The question is, faced with a family holiday in Hawaii to celebrate Freya's parent's anniversary, can they find their way back to each other.This was a marriage-in-crisis, second chance romance, which I always find interesting because so often we never see past the HEA. It made me cry. A LOT.Aiden's background broke my heart. It made sense that he would find himself anxious over the possibility of becoming a father, and I really loved his journey throughout the story. Chloe Liese writes exceptional, well-rounded, yet emotionally vulnerable characters, and Aiden was no exception.While I empathised with most of Freya's concerns and understood her perspective during her POV, I occasionally found her reactions at best unhelpful and at worst painful, knowing just how much Aiden was struggling, but still trying to repair things. That said, I LIKED that these were flawed, fallible humans, who both needed to communicate better and made mistakes. I also appreciated the focus on anxiety and how it can affect ALL areas of your life.I don't think we needed the 'surprise' towards the end (I guessed early on), but there were also plenty of lighter moments. The parrot was hilarious. I adored Aiden reading Austen to Freya, as well as his revelation about romance books, and I was simultaneously laughing, cringing and sobbing at the Bergman Brother's interventions, and those scenes left me desperate for more of Viggo. I also loved the tease of Rooney and Axel, as well as more adorable moments between the other established couples, not least Elin and Alex.A beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking second chance romance.Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5Heat Rating: 🔥🔥Emotional Rating: 💔😢💓😬🙈😂😢💔😢🥰🤔💔😢🙈😍🔥😱🤡💓👏🏻😉💔😍🥰

Ever After Always it the third installment of Chloe Liese's Bergmen Brothers series and, to say this one has been highly anticipated for me is a gross understatement. I admit to not usually jumping up and down for joy when I see a "marriage in crisis" trope, but I know what kind of author Chloe is, and that not only would she do this story justice, she'd make me feel things I didn't know I could. Beyond that, this was an #OwnVoices read for me, as the hero, Aiden, has generalized anxiety disorder, something I was diagnosed with earlier this year. And our heroine, Freya, is a curvy girl. Also me.We are well into the throes of a marriage in trouble before this book even begins - Freya and Aiden were having issues during the previous book, and this book picks up right where Always Only You leaves off. Aiden is navigating life a bit haphazardly, and Freya, an emotional, very vocal, feeling woman, is feeling unloved, neglected, and unappreciated. Aiden's childhood & life growing up was not easy so he's doing his absolute best to make sure that Freya, and any future children they may have, don't have that same fate. He's successful, striving for more. Freya is also successful in her own right as a physical therapist. As they are working to try and figure out how to actually communicate, Freya's parents are celebrating a milestone anniversary, and all the other siblings have decided to take them to Hawaii to celebrate. Right in the middle of their crisis. To try and cast off any suspicion that they aren't absolutely blissfully happy & in love, they go along, telling themselves to put their best fake happiness forward. Of course... her big brood of brothers have other plans for Aiden, since they are all aware that something is wrong. There are so many lovely moments, heartbreaking moments, and REAL moments in this book that even days later, I'm still thinking about it and processing.There's also an incredible therapist session included before they go on this trip - I absolutely love that they are challenged by her before they leave.Chloe has done something incredible here and, what I am left loving, probably the most, is that she doesn't wrap it up and put a pretty bow on their story. Yes - there is an HEA, this *IS* a romance, after all... but she doesn't let them, or us, as readers have it too fast. And not without some conditions. Because when you come across a marriage in crisis, we're not dealing with two people who are getting to know one another at the beginning of a relationship, we're dealing with two people who have so much love in their hearts for their partners, and are left wondering if they are in love with the same person they married. Additionally, I find it hard to articulate a lot of my struggles with my anxiety disorder and to see it explained on the page made me feel so incredibly seen. I highlighted so many portions of this book to share with my husband - I identified a LOT with Aiden, but also with Freya... I am a feeling person and love to articulate those feelings and let people know and I expect it back, but sometimes I can't find those words and being forced to discuss just skyrockets my anxiety.I wholeheartedly LOVED this book and I can't wait for the world to read it. Pure brilliance and love.

This book shows you that marriage isn’t the end but the beginning.* this is the 3 book in the series, you don’t really need to haver read the previous, but is good.