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A review by literaryintersections
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
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
How am I supposed to review Only and Forever and a series that is ending, that means so much to me? I found the Bergman brothers randomly in 2020 - deep in the pandemic when I was desperate for human connection. And Willa and Ryder and this wild, fun, Bergman family who has no boundaries but absurd amounts of love just burrowed into my soul and wouldn’t let go.
I remember messaging Chloe like - hey, I’m quite frankly obsessed with these books (😂) - and next thing you know I’m getting early copies, sensitivity reading for Oliver and Gavin’s book, multiple hours on IG lived with Chloe, and tears when I finally met her in person at Steamy Lit Con.
I was nervous to start Only and Forever because it’s the end of the series and Viggo has been this overarching thread throughout all of the prior books: a meddlesome, romance-loving, brother who can’t stop trying to help other people fall in love. How do you create a love story for a person who loves love? Who has set standards for his future relationships by the historical romance he reads, wants the swooning, the chest tightening, the butterflies. He wants it all. Viggo on page in his own book is perfect: his internal vulnerability, his fears of failure, all the messy internal stress hidden behind a facade of smiles and meddling in the earlier books. You want him to find his HEA, find his match, someone who will never let him dim his light, who is so fiercely protective of his body and his heart. Tallulah had a lot to live up to for the Bergman lovers who’ve been waiting for Viggo and her prickly exterior hiding sadness and fear is the perfect shell for Viggo to slowly crack with his sweetness, his joy, and his humanity.
I can’t even handle how much I love this series and this book. Chloe gave us everything: a series of books with real people, with disabilities and messy lives, with fat bodies and queer love, and through it all this immense, loving, beautiful family. The hugs, the small moments, the tickle fights, the sibling spats. We know the Bergman’s. We love the Bergman’s. And we will sorely miss them.
I remember messaging Chloe like - hey, I’m quite frankly obsessed with these books (😂) - and next thing you know I’m getting early copies, sensitivity reading for Oliver and Gavin’s book, multiple hours on IG lived with Chloe, and tears when I finally met her in person at Steamy Lit Con.
I was nervous to start Only and Forever because it’s the end of the series and Viggo has been this overarching thread throughout all of the prior books: a meddlesome, romance-loving, brother who can’t stop trying to help other people fall in love. How do you create a love story for a person who loves love? Who has set standards for his future relationships by the historical romance he reads, wants the swooning, the chest tightening, the butterflies. He wants it all. Viggo on page in his own book is perfect: his internal vulnerability, his fears of failure, all the messy internal stress hidden behind a facade of smiles and meddling in the earlier books. You want him to find his HEA, find his match, someone who will never let him dim his light, who is so fiercely protective of his body and his heart. Tallulah had a lot to live up to for the Bergman lovers who’ve been waiting for Viggo and her prickly exterior hiding sadness and fear is the perfect shell for Viggo to slowly crack with his sweetness, his joy, and his humanity.
I can’t even handle how much I love this series and this book. Chloe gave us everything: a series of books with real people, with disabilities and messy lives, with fat bodies and queer love, and through it all this immense, loving, beautiful family. The hugs, the small moments, the tickle fights, the sibling spats. We know the Bergman’s. We love the Bergman’s. And we will sorely miss them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Grief