Slow burn with the happiest ending
Only and Forever
The Bergman Brothers
Romance, Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance
Berkley
April 2, 2024
Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
368
It’s a room-mance for the books in this tender, steamy story about unexpectedly finding love and being brave enough to let it revise life’s narrative in the final book in the beloved Bergman Brothers series.
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.
My intro to the Bergman Brothers is late, but Only and Forever did not disappoint!
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese was a slow-burn, deliciously spicy, cozy romance.
Viggo loves romance books, happy endings, and building things, is easily bought with food, and dreams of owning a bookstore. Tallulah is tough, independent, cynical, and doesn’t believe in love. As different as they are, they are clear on one thing: they want each other (thanks to this, we are gifted with some very memorable spicy scenes). The problem is that while Tallulah is comfortable with a physical relationship, Viggo will only accept the type of intimacy love brings to the table.
Conveniently, he needs help setting up his new books store, and she needs help writing a love subplot that is falling flat in her next thriller novel. So they each have something else the other desperately needs, and they see an opportunity to collaborate. Tallulah moves in to help him open the store, and Viggo, an avid romance reader, provides his expertise on how to write the perfect love story. Their agreement is only for two months, but the chemistry is undeniable, and they know it. If they can only get on the same page on what type of relationship they want, they could be forever perfect.
I won’t tell him the truth, that when I was overwhelmed by all the people, my gaze kept slipping toward him, hoping he’d break in and save me with that flashy smile and some diversionary tactic. That I almost caved when the buzz kicked in, almost wandered his way and told him, Ask your damn questions. And kiss me senseless while you’re at it. But then I asked myself, what would be the point? Why put the emotionless moves on a hopeless romantic? He believes in destiny and swoons and happy endings. I believe that’s all a crock of shit.
Tallulah
Viggo & Tallulah Forever
Bee Jess described Chloe Liese’s books as stories where the characters want to be better versions of themselves because the other person is worth it. I find that beautiful, pure, and wholesome. It’s also on point with how I would describe Viggo and Tallulah’s love story. They want to be better people for each other.
I loved 90% of this book and dream of a love story exactly like this one, but my inherent incredulity sometimes pulled me out. Chloe Liese is conscious of the lack of flaws on this fairytale man she created for us and uses Tallulah’s less romantically inclined approach to ground him, but it’s still missing a touch of realness for me. (But isn’t escaping the confines of our reality the beauty of reading? SMH. This is why I read!)
“I’ve started to realize, Tallulah, that life, people, connection, most of it is unclear and undefined. I love that romance novels break it down into these linear, straightforward steps. But . . . that’s not how life works, not how people or relationships work; not how you feel about someone, how healing and growing and taking risks, works.”
Viggo
I’m now committed to this series
Only and Forever is the last in the Bergman Brothers series and my first Chloe Liese book. I wish I had read this series in order as I think I missed some necessary context in Viggo’s story. However, I’m going to rectify this by going back to the beginning of this series. I know with absolute certainty that I want to read more Chloe Liese and I have a feeling that the Bergman Brothers might be the cure to any ailment of the heart, including my sometimes extreme cynicism.
Please also check out Bee Jess reviews for Two Wrongs Make a Right and Better Hate Than Never, which are also Bergman Brothers stories!
Darienne was 15 when her aunt gave her a copy of Princess by Jean Sasson, and she has been hooked on books ever since. Originally from Puerto Rico and now living in Maryland, she’s always looking to visit new coffee shops and bookstores. Her favorite genres include YA, spicy romcoms, and women’s fiction. Thanks to the Bees, she’s also now obsessed with romantasy series. Other loves include lavender lattes, sassy coffee mugs, sunrises, sleeping in, small-town charm, and big city lights. One day, she’ll write that book that lives in her head.
