[Arc Review] ONLY AND FOREVER (Bergman Brothers, #7) by Chloe Liese

Hello readers!💛
How are you?

Today we will talk about a book that we'll be released soon, closing a well-loved series. I'm sure you know the author well, since the great number of romance novels she has already published, but if not, let me present you Only and Forever by Chloe Liese - plus, as always, thanks for the free book PRH International💛

Title: Only And Forever  (Bergman Brothers, #7)
Author: Chloe Liese
Publishing Date: 2 April 2024
Publisher:  Berkley
Pages: 368 (paperback)
Price: 12,01€ (*according to Amazon.it)

Plot: Viggo Bergman, hopeless romantic, is thoroughly weary of waiting for his happily ever after. But between opening a romance bookstore, running a romance book club, coaching kids' soccer, and adopting a household of pets—just maybe, he’s overcommitted himself?—Viggo’s chaotic life has made finding his forever love seem downright improbable.

Enter Tallulah Clarke, chilly cynic with a massive case of writer’s block. Tallulah needs help with her thriller’s romantic subplot. Viggo needs another pair of hands to keep his store afloat. So they agree to swap skills and cohabitate for convenience—his romance expertise to revive her book, her organizational prowess to salvage his store. They hardly get along, and they couldn’t be more different, but who says roommate-coworkers need to be friends?

As they share a home and life, Tallulah and Viggo discover a connection that challenges everything they believe about love, and reveals the plot twist they never saw coming: happily ever after is here already, right under their roof.

Review:  

Rating: 4.5 stars  ⭐

First of all, thank you so much to Penguin Random House for the free book! It was an unexpected surprise since I’m a great fan of Chloe Liese, after reading Two Wrongs Make a Right and Better hate than never. So, I wanted to catch up with all her “The Bergman Brothers” series and I would have never expected to start with the last one, but I jumped anyway straight into it.

Only and Forever is an adorable grumpyxsushine romance, that focuses on self-acceptance, rediscovering love and stop thinking we’re always “too much” for others.

The entire novel revolves around Viggo and Tallulah in their personal journey as individual and as couple. It was so sweet, like a warm and soft blanket to cuddle into I didn’t want it to end. I appreciated the idea to make them meet years before the incipit of the novel, plus the fact that more time passes between their reencounter and the real start of the story. Nonetheless, it’s a sort of love at first sight story, yes, but due to the thick layer of insecurities from both sides, the romance is everything but fast paced. The attraction is clear, and I loved the fact Tallulah isn’t shy to talk about it, but at the same time I appreciated they decide to focus on something else so they could be able to built first a healthy relationship, where they can feel safe to show their personal vulnerabilities and support their partner. I adored how they learn to trust the other and how their closeness allows them to overcome fears and reach happiness.

Viggo is absolutely my favorite character. How could it be otherwise? He’s a warmhearted, caring man with a creativity I’m very envious of.  He likes to listen and helps his family and every person he meets; he’s sensible and, please pay attention, he reads and loves romance books. In a bookish world full of powerful, arrogant, self-confident male figures, where crying and open themselves to others is not a primary option, Chloe Liese portraited us another kind of male’s strength, where showing emotions and communicate are added values. I personally consider them one of the key elements of Only and Forever. Furthermore, this author always talks in every of her books about neurodevelopmental disorders and chronic diseases. I adore the (educational) message behind those stories, and I hope these representations will become more and more common in the near future.

Last, but not least, the presence of the other members (and partners) of the Bergman family was lovable and gave clearly a sense of acceptance and warmth. It always made me smile, even if I really struggled with all those names and relationship, since I haven’t read (yet) the previous books! I know, shame on me. 

That’s why my rating will stop at 4.5 stars, so I could add that missing 0.5 when I’ll re-read this novel after catching up with all the previous six books. I can't wait 😍.

Right now, my question is only one: what can we expect from Chloe Liese next? 

I hope you've enjoyed this little review, dear readers.
More to come in the next (and I hope less busy) weeks 💛

Chiara