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shannahtan's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So far, I think this book is the most unique of the series. I like that it’s about finding your way back in a marriage after the honeymoon phase ends. Choosing to work at staying in love. Plus, I appreciated that they were in their mid-thirties. The one thing I didn’t like was how the janitor was the dad because it happened so late in the storyline that there wasn’t really time to develop. Also, it just felt thrown in, overly dramatic, and unrealistic. I get that it was put in there as a shock factor and to show Freya and Aiden are still a work in progress
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Stalking, and Abandonment
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: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Abandonment
kaseybereading's review against another edition
challenging
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit
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: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction
nina_readsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction
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 alcoholismaudreyloopy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Addiction and Infertility
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Fabulous second chance romance. After meeting the couple in the first two books I was pretty disappointed thinking I wouldn't get to see Aiden and Freya's love story. Despite this being a story of a couple fumbling through marriage and constantly messing up nothing in the story made me love them any less. They both felt so beautifully real, and despite me being at a very different place in life I absolutely adored this story.
The only thing I didn't like was how Aiden's anxiety was sometimes presented, most of the time it seemed super factual and not emotional. It probably only bothered me because that isn't how my own anxiety problems present themselves though.
The only thing I didn't like was how Aiden's anxiety was sometimes presented, most of the time it seemed super factual and not emotional. It probably only bothered me because that isn't how my own anxiety problems present themselves though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming
decklededgess's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
trigger warning: marriage problems, pregnancy and issues with conceiving, sexual content, alcohol, depression, anxiety and panic disorder, estranged parent, near death experience, physical injury
Dude I always hate marriage issues related books but I put my preconceived notions aside and decided to trust Chloe because homegirl has done me a fkn solid the last two books and BOI she came through. Won't say it's a new favourite niche but if this is the quality of book coming from a marriage in crisis novel then bitch sign me up.
The PINING. The SMUT. The FEELS. The casual intimacy and deep rooted concern and love. THE FAMILY DYNAMICS!!!!
I was so ready to hate Aiden from the idiot shit he pulled in the first book but he really grew on me. Freya was already baby but now she is Babie. Both of them are in fact. Again, the big family dynamics were really wonderful to read. This book had a LOT of it because everyone was so nosy about Aiden and Freya. The sibling concern and group effort to help heal their issues was so soft and sweet and also aggressive in the way only rowdy siblings can be.
Might be my favourite of the entire series but there are three more to go after Axel so we shall see!!
Dude I always hate marriage issues related books but I put my preconceived notions aside and decided to trust Chloe because homegirl has done me a fkn solid the last two books and BOI she came through. Won't say it's a new favourite niche but if this is the quality of book coming from a marriage in crisis novel then bitch sign me up.
The PINING. The SMUT. The FEELS. The casual intimacy and deep rooted concern and love. THE FAMILY DYNAMICS!!!!
I was so ready to hate Aiden from the idiot shit he pulled in the first book but he really grew on me. Freya was already baby but now she is Babie. Both of them are in fact. Again, the big family dynamics were really wonderful to read. This book had a LOT of it because everyone was so nosy about Aiden and Freya. The sibling concern and group effort to help heal their issues was so soft and sweet and also aggressive in the way only rowdy siblings can be.
Might be my favourite of the entire series but there are three more to go after Axel so we shall see!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
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: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy