Ever After Always (Bergman Brothers, #3)

4.5 stars

Such a lovely and heartwarming marriage in trouble story. Since this is the third book in this series and this couple has played a significant part through the series so far, it was more poignant for me when their marriage started to crumble. I already had a strong connection to Freyda and Aiden and wanted them to fight for their marriage as well as fight for their individual happiness.

There’s no denying that Freya and Aiden love each other. As is the case with all humans, their past molded who they are today. That’s wonderful in some ways. They are both caring, sturdy, and passionate people. But where Freya is also very confident and outspoken, Aiden is not. He grew up poor and feeling left behind. Something that, no matter how much she sympathizes with, Freya cannot fully understand. Which means she doesn’t know what to do to help her husband get out of his head.

This story deals with anxiety and other mental health issues, as well as some pros and cons of the medications used to help with these issues. It is so real and raw. These are not easy things to talk about, even with your best friend you’ve been married to for years. I applaud the author for including the good the bad and the ugly to show us the beauty at the end.

One of the beautiful things about this story is the way the Bergman family reminds Aiden, over and over, that he does have a large family…them. He may have grown up with just him and his mom against the world, but he’s been in their orbit for over 15 years and is their true brother and son no matter what. A couple of the brothers do some really unforgivable things to force this couple back together, but they also use romance books in a wonderful way. As an avid romance reader, I loved the romance book discussions.

Through Aiden and Freya working on their marriage, there are some parts that are two steps forward and one step back for them. That was another thing I appreciated about this story. There was not one magic scenario that made all of the angst and hurt feelings disappear. They had to do the work. Both of them. As we see when Freya admits she’s not as confident as she lets on, even with her husband.

Even with the missteps of the brothers, I loved this book. It is emotional and engaging.

You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.

Freya and Aiden.

This was beautiful! Marriage in trouble, anxiety and mental health, bad dad, faking it for vacation, a dirty talking parrot, meddling family.

Each chapter includes a song title, cool idea.

It opens with Aiden meeting Freya for the first time and it’s practically love at first sight. The next chapter is nearly 10 years later and Freya has kicked Aiden out for a week because she needs space, she’s lonely, miserable, and doesn’t understand what happened to their marriage the last 6 months.

Just when they decide to try for a baby, Aiden has a mental health lapse. He had a rough childhood so he fixated on financial stability, working his ass off to ensure he has money to support his family. He secretly starts a side business. Aiden also has anxiety, and it spiked with the extra worry, added work, no time to exercise, not wanting to worry Freya, and that all reeks havoc on his libido, also making him hesitate to be intimate with Freya. Meanwhile he’s not eating well, so he loses weight, and Freya sees all these subtle changes and is unhappy, maybe even worried he’s not attracted to her anymore or worse, cheating. It’s a hurricane of emotion.

They go to therapy (yeah!). And then have to go on a big family vacation for Freya parents anniversary. They agree to sort of fake it for her parents, but Freyas meddling brothers stir things up to help too, or make things worse. I could not keep all the siblings (7) straight but it didn’t matter.

I cried and laughed reading this, it was so good. I love a marriage in trouble trope. The stakes are so high. Done right, both partners have changes to work through.

Note: there was some Twitter upheaval recently about this book. A tweeter posted without naming the book something about the hero shitting his pants being a major plot point and what a turn off and that it was terrible. That is

Sometimes these books drive me crazy, because the characters are so stubborn and uncommunicative. And I get that THAT'S THE POINT, and that they have to work through those things together, to heal, but it just makes me tired to read through. But I'm not here for any great ground-breaking read, so it's fine. I did appreciate the different perspective of a married couple as opposed to most other in the genre. Overall, a good addition to the series.

моя послідовність читання книг серії вражає)

1 я відкладаю через тригер, але обов'язково прочитаю) Ідея читати в черзі як зацікавили герої була не поганою, і в цьому випадку не критичною.

Я думала, що ця історія буде найменш цікава мені, але вона вкрала моє ❤️ не гірше за інші частини)

“We can’t possibly hope to always live ‘happily.’ But ‘ever after’? That we can hope for and choose. Because ‘ever after’ isn’t an idea. It’s a person—an imperfect person who’s perfect for you.” Her eyes search mine as she gives me one soft, tender kiss. “You’re that person, for me. You’re my ever after.”

Again, Chloe Liese did such an amazing job with this book! This was my first marriage in crisis book and god I couldn't put it down, I want what Aiden and Freya have, even though they had to fight to get there, it was such an excellent journey and I just love them so so much!! And the family moments we get to see?? AA I NEED TO BE A BERGMAN TOO PLEASE IT'S A NEED NOT A WANT AT THIS POINT!
This series has truly become one of my comfort series ever and thank you so much Chloe for writing such beautiful stories and Aiden and Freya didn't disappoint!
Now with that last scene of Rooney and Axel IM TRULY EXCITED FOR THEIR BOOK!! Bring them on!
Oh and the willaryder and renfrankie crumbs we got to see? Just priceless, too perfect!! Also I can't wait for Oliver, Viggo and Ziggy's books, I bet it will be as good as these too and they are such interesting characters, I can't wait for them journey and for them to fall in love!!
Everyone go read this series ASAP!!

“You’re my ever after, too, Freya. Always.”

“It’s a choice, a belief. I choose you, my ever after, believing our love will sustain us, always. Ever after always. So, there. Take that logic, Mr. MacCormack.”