Only and Forever

February 12, 2024
In Liese’s adorable conclusion to her Bergman Brothers series (after If Only You), lovable Viggo Bergman finally finds his soulmate. It’s surprising that Viggo has time for love between opening a romance-themed bookstore, designing its branded ceramic mugs, crocheting the matching coasters, running a book club, coaching youth soccer, and being dad to two elderly dogs and five kittens. Understanding that his “ADHD brain” thrives on being busy, he still yearns for romance and is hung up on blue-haired Tallulah Clarke, a family friend whom he first met and crushed on in college. Tallulah is the author of a bestselling thriller but is suffering from sophomore writer’s block. Dismissive of love after watching her parents make a mess of their own relationship, she agrees to help Viggo launch his store in exchange for his honest assessment of her attempt at a romantic subplot—only to find herself in a romance of her own as the pair grow closer. Viggo will be catnip for readers who like their romance heroes on the sensitive side, and he and Tallulah make a great match. Series fans will especially love visiting with the extended Bergman clan one last time as they help Viggo and Tallulah navigate their blossoming relationship. This sends the series out on a high note. Agent: Samantha Fabien, Root Literary.

December 1, 2024

Viggo Bergman is a romantic, and watching his six siblings find love while he stays single has been hard. Focusing on his dream of opening a bookstore, Viggo is eventually spread so thin that he doesn't have time for anything else. Enter Tallulah Clarke, a family friend who, somehow, appears immune to Viggo's charms. Tallulah agrees to help at his bookstore if he uses his romance-novel expertise to craft a realistic relationship for her second book, which she's struggling with. Their forced proximity could increase Tallulah's animosity or possibly lead to their own happily-ever-after. Liese presents the seventh and final installment (after If Only You) of her "Bergman Brothers" series of contemporary romances inspired by Jane Austen. Narrators Nelson Hobbs and CJ Bloom return, having voiced every installment save for one. They give an engaging performance of this feel-good story with a wide-ranging cast of characters, in a novel that realistically depicts neurodivergence and autoimmune disorders in its romantic leads. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a steamy opposites-attract rom-com about big family dynamics, books, and being true to one's self. Recommended for fans of Elena Armas and Amy Lea.--Lauren Hackert

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