chronicallybookish's reviews
1477 reviews

And with this, the Bergman Brother’s series is concluded.
I’m not ready to let go.

However, this was a wonderful conclusion to one of my favorite series. I have been waiting for Viggo’s book for years, and I absolutely loved it. He’s one of my favorite characters, and the premise of him trying to open his own romance bookstore? Perfect. He and Tallulah were also adorable together. Sizzling chemistry, deep emotional connection. Tallulah wasn’t my favorite of the Bergman in-laws (or Bergman in-laws to be), but I did still love her and enjoy watching her grow. I think she and Viggo balanced each other wonderfully. And I loved the absolute myriad of animals Viggo brought home—he is me, for real.
It was not my favorite Bergam Brother’s book, and I was felt that the pacing lagged in a couple of places (though I’m hopeful that will be tightened up in the finished edition), but ending with Viggo’s story felt very full circle. It feels complete, though I am not ready to be leaving this world forever--I will definitely be rereading this book in the next year or so, and it is one of the best books I read this month. 
I also, of course, adored the disability representation. Here is where Chloe Liese shines. Viggo has ADHD and Tallulah had Type 1 Diabetes. Both are handled with care and knowledge and are represented in an earnest, raw, and real way. I learned a lot about T1D, and despite having different disabilities, connected heavily to both Viggo and Tallulah’s experiences.
I am not ready to say goodbye to this wonderful series, but I am satisfied with the ending and my heart is full. I cannot wait for all the Bergam Brothers fans to get their hand on this book.

I simply could not wait to get to this book. It’s teased throughout the first three books in the series, and you just <i>know</i> it’s going to be a good one—and it was! Axel and Rooney have chemistry off the charts, but it’s perfectly balanced with their emotional connection. Even as Axel builds his walls from the start, Rooney sneaks in through the cracks. I loved them together, and was kicking my feet pretty much every time they interacted.
I also just loved them, individually.
Axel is the grump of my heart. I’m such a sucker for the grumpy stoic man who is actually a marshmallow behind is quiet exterior. His interactions with Harry the dog had me so completely in love with him. I also loved his discussions of autism and the way that it was represented. There was a lot that I related heavily to, and it was such an honest, nuanced representation. Not that I’d expect any less from Chloe Liese.
The representation of Rooney’s ulcerative colitis was similarly wonderful. I loved the way that the representation was frank when dealing with the realities of IBD, though a lot of the specifics of Rooney’s symptoms happened off-page. Instead of explicitly showing the symptoms as they occur, the book dives into the consequences of these symptoms on Rooney’s life, body, and sense of self. 
Though this book has a smaller cast of side characters than most, those who are there are wonderful. I am so in love with Skylar, and I also really loved her dads and the interactions they had with Axel. The love between those three and Axel was blatant, and I loved how they called him out on his shit. I was also obsessed with the Viggo and Oliver cameo. Those two are the best, and seeing Axel be there for Oliver when he was struggling tugged at my heartstrings and got me excited to read his book next!
I loved the setting and getting to spend more time at the A-Frame. As a Washingtonian myself, I’m a sucker for the pacific northwest scenery. The vibes were perfect.
There is no such thing as a bad Bergman Brother’s book, in my opinion and With You Forever is proof of that.

This book is beautiful.
It’s fun, it’s spicy, it’ll make you laugh and cry.
But at it’s core it’s a testament to love in a deeper, realer way than just about any romance book I’ve ever read.
Aiden and Freya love each other, truly, deeply, but they are human and they are flawed. Watching them put in the effort to learn to love each other better, to not just return to what they used to be, but to become something <i>more</i> than that is simply beautiful, and Chloe Liese captures it so well.
I teared up reading this book so many times. Both Aiden and Freya’s emotions are raw and visceral, as if their hurt and confusion and love are bleeding off the pages. Their characters are real, three dimensional, and so easy to connect with and love. They’re also fiesty, witty, and their banter had be laughing as much as I was crying. Liese balances a lighthearted romcom with deep, emotional storylines and development masterfully. This is a book I know that I will keep coming back to, the kind of story and characters that linger in your mind and heart long after the final page. This is Chloe Liese at her best, and I cannot recommend it more.