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beccaand's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment and Body shaming
Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Another great addition to the Bergman Brothers series! Freya and Aiden’s story was very compelling and emotional. Marriage in crisis isn’t one of my preferred romance tropes but this book was so well done. You could feel the tension between Freya and Aiden. More importantly their insecurities/fears and love for each other was what balanced. Definitely would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming and Alcoholism
sarahmcg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another day, another Bergman Family book read 🤓 this time, it was Aiden and Freya’s story being told! This book was different bc they’re already an established (married!) couple going through a rough patch.
I love that Chloe Liese takes such care to include characters with anxiety, chronic illness, and diverse body sizes. She also uses beta readers to ensure that her portrayal of mental illness, neurodivergence, and disability are as close to a realistic experience for people in those populations, while noting that not everyone’s experience is the same.
I’m not going to lie - a lot of this book was sad and heavy to me, in contrast to a more typical lighthearted romance. It brought a uniquely human element. The dual POV was essential to see what both Freya and Aiden were going through, what they were keeping from each other, and their journey back toward themselves as individuals and as a couple. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake them, like “Just talk to each other!!!” But I knew it wasn’t that simple and these things take time.
The family meddling was hilarious as always, and I’m very entertained by Viggo and his romance novels! I appreciate that Freya is a PT (my career as well ⚕️), and the slow burn was worth it, imo! Could I have done without the 3rd act tragedy when I thought everything was settled and we were all gonna be okay? Yes bc it set my heart racing and my hands sweating, but I get it!
I love that Chloe Liese takes such care to include characters with anxiety, chronic illness, and diverse body sizes. She also uses beta readers to ensure that her portrayal of mental illness, neurodivergence, and disability are as close to a realistic experience for people in those populations, while noting that not everyone’s experience is the same.
I’m not going to lie - a lot of this book was sad and heavy to me, in contrast to a more typical lighthearted romance. It brought a uniquely human element. The dual POV was essential to see what both Freya and Aiden were going through, what they were keeping from each other, and their journey back toward themselves as individuals and as a couple. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake them, like “Just talk to each other!!!” But I knew it wasn’t that simple and these things take time.
The family meddling was hilarious as always, and I’m very entertained by Viggo and his romance novels! I appreciate that Freya is a PT (my career as well ⚕️), and the slow burn was worth it, imo! Could I have done without the 3rd act tragedy when I thought everything was settled and we were all gonna be okay? Yes bc it set my heart racing and my hands sweating, but I get it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Addiction
valeria_gzz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think I want to give this 5 stars because of the way anxiety was a huge subject (even though it just made mine a tiny bit worse) and because even though it was sad a LOT it was SOOO SO funny and lovely and 🔥🔥hehe. This made me giggle so much because it was funny AND because of Aiden and Freya.
Also what a cool name “Freya” maybe it’s because I’m reading the Magnus chase books right now but I dig it.
Just the way Aiden talked and thought about Freya is the way people deserve to be thought and talked about!!! Even tiny seemingly insignificant things made me either aawww or go wide eyed because of how powerful they were. Their love for each other was just Ahsjdkskdhsjs so freaking adorable.Also…HE READ A MASS MARKET PAPERBACK HISTORICAL ROMANCE!!! AND ON TOP OF THAT HE READ PERSUASION TO HER!!! I WISH someone would read me my favorite Jane Austen novel *cough* specifically Captain Wentworth’s proposal and Mr Knightley’s too if they have time *cough*
I did not take sides in the problem because I saw both sides and understood both which is honestly a little new to me because a lot of the times I am very clearly misogynistic in blaming the heroine and not the hero for the problems in a book (I also blame certain authors for writing the story that way though it’s not all me). Anyway that just means I love Freya and want to be her when I grow up.
I didn’t love thedad storyline but also didn’t hate it I thought it was okay but liked Aiden’s reaction to it.
Not like I didn’t say it a million times while reading this but holy crap I CANNOT wait for Viggo’s book, it will be the death of me I just know it.
One last thing: I am LOVING the last chapters of these books because they are so much better than regular epilogues. AND OH MY GOSH HOW COULD I FORGET TO SAY THIS: THIS SERIES ACTUALLY SHOWS YOU HOW PREVIOUS CHARACTERS ARE DOING AND NOT JUST ONCE IN THE WHOLE BOOK BUT SPRINKLED THROUGHOUT!!! Okay im done
Also what a cool name “Freya” maybe it’s because I’m reading the Magnus chase books right now but I dig it.
Just the way Aiden talked and thought about Freya is the way people deserve to be thought and talked about!!! Even tiny seemingly insignificant things made me either aawww or go wide eyed because of how powerful they were. Their love for each other was just Ahsjdkskdhsjs so freaking adorable.
I did not take sides in the problem because I saw both sides and understood both which is honestly a little new to me because a lot of the times I am very clearly misogynistic in blaming the heroine and not the hero for the problems in a book (I also blame certain authors for writing the story that way though it’s not all me). Anyway that just means I love Freya and want to be her when I grow up.
I didn’t love the
Not like I didn’t say it a million times while reading this but holy crap I CANNOT wait for Viggo’s book, it will be the death of me I just know it.
One last thing: I am LOVING the last chapters of these books because they are so much better than regular epilogues. AND OH MY GOSH HOW COULD I FORGET TO SAY THIS: THIS SERIES ACTUALLY SHOWS YOU HOW PREVIOUS CHARACTERS ARE DOING AND NOT JUST ONCE IN THE WHOLE BOOK BUT SPRINKLED THROUGHOUT!!! Okay im done
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
Minor: Addiction
sringdahl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcoholism
ribbitingreads's review against another edition
4.0
My heart is already stolen by the Bergman family and Aiden and Freya are no exception. I was really excited for Freya's story and it did not disappoint. I loved finding books that have to do with a couple after their HEA (marriage or long-term it does not matter). We watch Freya and Aiden realize that they things they thought they wanted might not be the things that they need (at least at the moment). I don't have much to say, but I am a little biased because I love the Bergman family dynamic so much.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Abandonment
parent alcoholismkalin_grace's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Vomit
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
Minor: Pregnancy and Vomit
memorable's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really like the fact that this book is about long term relationships; romance books with those are rare.
I also liked getting to know Aiden’s and Freya’s story a bit more. I gotta admit that I found Freya a bit frustrating sometimes.
I also liked getting to know Aiden’s and Freya’s story a bit more. I gotta admit that I found Freya a bit frustrating sometimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Addiction
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
Anxiety disorder/attacks Couples counselingecobookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcoholism and Fatphobia