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shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Classism, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Dementia, Addiction, Body shaming, Alcoholism, and Injury/Injury detail
kelly_e's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Title: Ever After Always
Author: Chloe Liese
Series: Bergman Brothers #3
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 12, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Refreshing • Inspired • Believable
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Freya Bergman has spent a dozen years loving Aiden and never thought they’d find their marriage on the rocks. He’s her partner and best friend, the person she knows she can count on most. Until one day Freya realizes the man she married is nowhere to be found. Now Aiden is quiet and withdrawn, and as the months wear on, the growing distance between them becomes too much to bear.
Aiden would spend a dozen lifetimes making his wife happy. But the one thing that will make her happiest is the one thing he’s not sure he can give her: a baby. With the pressure of providing and planning for a family, his anxiety is at an all-time high. They’re drifting apart and he doesn’t know how to change the tide.
As if weathering marriage counseling wasn’t enough, Freya and Aiden are thrown together for a Bergman family island getaway. Will this trip help them finally work through their trouble in paradise, or be the final wave that tows them under?
💭 T H O U G H T S
One of my reading intentions for 2024 is to make progress in some of the series I've already started, and the Bergman Brothers series is my priority. I really enjoyed books 1 and 2, and was looking forward to getting Feyra's story. Ever After Always was a delightful addition to this romance series.
This romance joins Feyra and Aidan 10 years into their relationship and now facing a marriage-in-crisis. It is messy. It is refreshing. And it is entirely believable. The pacing is on the slower side, yet it is what works for everything to get unpacked. We get to witness both MCs as they work through their issues alone and together.
The anxiety representation is incredibly well done. As someone with anxiety, I related to Aidan in a lot of ways. I appreciated how the author showcases the role of mental health in a partnership and it was inspiring to see Aidan work through stuff on the page. It's quite possible many people may not be aware of the impact mental health can have, not only on an individual but on their romantic relationships.
While the story focuses on Freya and Aidan, the rest of the Bergman family is along for the ride and it was great to be back with their family. I am here for all of their meddling and antics. The vacation portion was fun and entertaining, adding a little bit more to the story than just focusing on the relationship.
While I wasn't as invested in Ever After Always as I was in the first two books, it does show the work and communication needed to maintain a healthy relationship. Chloe Liese is an author I will continually recommend to anyone looking for diverse romance. Each of the books can be read as a standalone, however, for optimal enjoyment I would suggest starting at the beginning. I look forward to continuing the Bergman sibling series this year.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• marriage in crisis
• anxiety representation
• romance series
⚠️ CW: mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, anxiety, addiction, alcoholism, alcohol, grief, sexual content, abandonment, infertility, pregnancy, body shaming, injury/injury detail, cursing, vomit
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I'm saying happily ever after doesn't exist. Not because life long love is impossible, but because, as we've learned, no couple can live happily, ever after. People whose love lasts, whose love grows and endures choose each other in the unhappily ever after, the dark moments, not just the dazzling ones."
Author: Chloe Liese
Series: Bergman Brothers #3
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 12, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Refreshing • Inspired • Believable
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Freya Bergman has spent a dozen years loving Aiden and never thought they’d find their marriage on the rocks. He’s her partner and best friend, the person she knows she can count on most. Until one day Freya realizes the man she married is nowhere to be found. Now Aiden is quiet and withdrawn, and as the months wear on, the growing distance between them becomes too much to bear.
Aiden would spend a dozen lifetimes making his wife happy. But the one thing that will make her happiest is the one thing he’s not sure he can give her: a baby. With the pressure of providing and planning for a family, his anxiety is at an all-time high. They’re drifting apart and he doesn’t know how to change the tide.
As if weathering marriage counseling wasn’t enough, Freya and Aiden are thrown together for a Bergman family island getaway. Will this trip help them finally work through their trouble in paradise, or be the final wave that tows them under?
💭 T H O U G H T S
One of my reading intentions for 2024 is to make progress in some of the series I've already started, and the Bergman Brothers series is my priority. I really enjoyed books 1 and 2, and was looking forward to getting Feyra's story. Ever After Always was a delightful addition to this romance series.
This romance joins Feyra and Aidan 10 years into their relationship and now facing a marriage-in-crisis. It is messy. It is refreshing. And it is entirely believable. The pacing is on the slower side, yet it is what works for everything to get unpacked. We get to witness both MCs as they work through their issues alone and together.
The anxiety representation is incredibly well done. As someone with anxiety, I related to Aidan in a lot of ways. I appreciated how the author showcases the role of mental health in a partnership and it was inspiring to see Aidan work through stuff on the page. It's quite possible many people may not be aware of the impact mental health can have, not only on an individual but on their romantic relationships.
While the story focuses on Freya and Aidan, the rest of the Bergman family is along for the ride and it was great to be back with their family. I am here for all of their meddling and antics. The vacation portion was fun and entertaining, adding a little bit more to the story than just focusing on the relationship.
While I wasn't as invested in Ever After Always as I was in the first two books, it does show the work and communication needed to maintain a healthy relationship. Chloe Liese is an author I will continually recommend to anyone looking for diverse romance. Each of the books can be read as a standalone, however, for optimal enjoyment I would suggest starting at the beginning. I look forward to continuing the Bergman sibling series this year.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• marriage in crisis
• anxiety representation
• romance series
⚠️ CW: mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, anxiety, addiction, alcoholism, alcohol, grief, sexual content, abandonment, infertility, pregnancy, body shaming, injury/injury detail, cursing, vomit
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I'm saying happily ever after doesn't exist. Not because life long love is impossible, but because, as we've learned, no couple can live happily, ever after. People whose love lasts, whose love grows and endures choose each other in the unhappily ever after, the dark moments, not just the dazzling ones."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Cursing, Abandonment, and Infertility
annahamburger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, Grief, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, and Medical content
Minor: Body shaming, Alcoholism, and Addiction
teacupsandfirereads's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Chloe Liese has delivered yet another master piece. These books are truly something I never knew I needed in my life. But know I cannot imagine not having read them.
Freya, Aiden and the cast of characters that support them are truly something. They are rea and raw. They are messy and beautiful. And show off the real human condition. Liese does not hold back anything from these characters. This book I specifically loved because I saw myself in Aiden's anxiety. I love how this story focused on how mental health affects a relationship. I love how Liese weaves in so many wise words. I love how this story showcases how relationships require work to be truly meaningful and meant to last. How communication and growth are essential.
Al around this book was just lovely. It was a romance with an extra touch that I truly enjoyed. It is one I will not soon forget, just like the other two. Though it can be a stand alone, I don't know why you wouldn't pick up the others while you are at it.
I cannot wait for the next one. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Freya, Aiden and the cast of characters that support them are truly something. They are rea and raw. They are messy and beautiful. And show off the real human condition. Liese does not hold back anything from these characters. This book I specifically loved because I saw myself in Aiden's anxiety. I love how this story focused on how mental health affects a relationship. I love how Liese weaves in so many wise words. I love how this story showcases how relationships require work to be truly meaningful and meant to last. How communication and growth are essential.
Al around this book was just lovely. It was a romance with an extra touch that I truly enjoyed. It is one I will not soon forget, just like the other two. Though it can be a stand alone, I don't know why you wouldn't pick up the others while you are at it.
I cannot wait for the next one. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Grief
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