Phenomenal piece of literature. all the stars always cried the whole way through
Somehow I am totally represented through Seb and Ziggy separately. Sebs' difficulty in his past was shockingly identical to my own, and was a terrifying reminder that I need to do my own healing, which I have put off for a long time.
And ziggys journey of reinvention after a harrowing teenage experience that led to meltdown and shut downs and her diagnosis was hard. So much of her story is my own, and having it written on paper so eloquently was both euphoric and devastating, to see that someone understands and has felt how I felt.
And of course how illnesses and physical disabilities are welcomed and enveloped into the bergman family like its nothing, and not a burden at all felt so overwhelmingly hopeful, that its possible for people to love you, with everything that comes along with you, not in spite, but without a second thought, as if it is nothing and no trouble. Zsomehow every book in this series has ripped me apart and put me back together, and im already in mourning for the day Viggos story exists, and the bergman family is complete, because i know i will never ever feel like this about a series again.
im so grateful for this series, words can never express it.

In the 6th book in The Bergman Brothers series, we are introduced to the baby of the family, sister Ziggy. She is late-diagnosed autistic and has been coddled and babied by her over-protective but well-meaning family her entire life. Now, at 22 and a star on her women’s soccer team, she’s looking for a way for her strong voice to be heard and to show her family and potential sponsors that she is a competent adult who can hold her own and be the badass female she know herself to be. What better way to do it than befriend her brother’s best friend and NHL hockey teammate, bad boy Sebastian Gaulthier?

Seb’s reputation needs an overhaul after his latest disaster, crashing his car into a teen after-school center and re-injuring his foot. A friendship with Ziggy will generate positive publicity and rehabilitate his reputation at the same time as his foot. This is his last chance at redemption or he can say goodbye to his hockey career, the only thing in his life he loves.

As their unlikely friendship grows into more, their trust and belief in each other inspires them to be the best versions of themselves. With Ziggy’s support, Seb realizes that his way of dealing with the trauma inflicted by his neglectful and abusive parents is to be as big a disappointment as possible, fulfilling the prophecy but only hurting himself. It’s so heartwarming to witness how having someone who accepts you (warts and all) and defends you to those who focus on your perceived weaknesses and disappointments, can grow into love. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I was incredibly excited for Ziggy’s book, but I didn’t really grasp what I was going to feel like while reading it and after I finished it.

It was an amazing read. It’s funny, so emotional, cute, sexy and empowering. Not just from Ziggy’s perspective but also from Sebastian.

I loved every second of both of their character arcs. I was laughing when they were laughing, crying when they did, and believing in themselves and each other.

Ziggy just wants to be seen and taken seriously while Sebastian wants to feel something. They both get what they wanted and more.

I always fall hard for the characters in this series, but I felt way more invested in Ziggy’s and Sebastian’s stories. This series has always been a hit for me, and I’ve enjoyed the time I had while reading them. I can’t wait for the last book!

I received an ARC for free but all opinions are my own.

Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If Only You by Chloe Liese

Baby of the family Ziggy Bergman is tired of being underestimated. So she strikes a deal with a modern-life reprobate and her brother's best friend Sebastian, to give her good girl image a wild side, and his bad-boy notoriety a pretend reform so he can keep playing hockey, the only thing that truly matters to him. What happens if a transactional arrangement becomes the most loving relationship Sebastian has ever know? Will he let her go once the deal is off?

I knew Ziggy's book was going to be incomparable, but Sebastian truly held my heart throughout this book. I loved seeing this broken man truly love and be loved for the first time. I love how Chloe truly holds space for her characters to grow, learn and truly become themselves. I loved how Ziggy struggled with her identity and the way people perceived her. It's a true form of bravery to shatter the status quo in a family, to say no, no more, here is who I am. Even in a family as loving and healthy as the Bergmans. This beautiful family has been such a huge part of my reading journey that I'm feeling a bit sad that it's coming to an end soon, but also so immensely proud of each and every character of this series, how they learned to let love into their lives, how much work we know is in their relationship, but also how they wake every morning choosing each other and working for each other and for building a peaceful and safe space for their relationship to flourish. Chloe thank you for bringing these stories into our lives, into mine, showing us that everyone deserves love and romance. That an epic love story doesn't need to be loud and obnoxious, that it can be quiet but as powerful and marvelous. Cheers to all the stories that are yet to be written and to the endless amount of time I'll spend reading them, cherishing them, and loving them. Happy Release day.

This book was everything the back of the book promised.

Slow burn? Check.
Brother's best friend? Check.
Sport's romance? Check.
(Fake) Friends to lovers? Check!
Bi rep? Check.

I'm so far into the Bergman Brothers family I don't think I can truly say if it stands alone on its own or not. This is the first of Liese's novels where I felt like it was okay that I truly didn't understand the sports that the characters play, and I appreciated that. I wasn't completely taken with the time-skip at the very end, but I understand why it was there, and it didn't diminish what was an overall enjoyable read!

THIS BOOK!!! Chloe Liese just gets better and better with every single book she writes. I adored Seb and Ziggy and the growth between them. I laughed and might have cried a bit but overall this book is everything i couldve dreamed of. There is not a bad Bergman book and i will be so sad when the last one is released!!!

Chloe never misses! I always feel right at home in the pages of a Chloe Liese book. My neurodivergent brain feel so safe!

I was looking forward to Ziggy’s book since book one of this series and while I still loved it DEEPLY, I felt like it was not the same caliber as the earlier books in the Bergmans series. But Ziggy and Sebastian were so so wonderful. I know I will be re-reading this for years to come.

I am a huge fan of Chloe but this book did not speak to me. I will not be finishing it and that makes me so so sad. I have loved every other book in this series but for some reason I did not connect with the characters of this book at all.

I do love this series but I just couldn't get into this one quite as much. Maybe it was the tropes or maybe I'm just ready for a new family to read about. It was still well written and Chloe's characters always have depth and many different layers to them. I really liked how the main fc was trying to find her voice and boldness to stand out.

A few years ago I was introduced to the Bergam Brothers series and immediately fell in love. This series of standalone novels follows the sweetest group of siblings as they all find love. If Only You is book 6 in the series, where Ziggy, a soccer star on the autism spectrum forms a friendship that turns into something more with her brother’s best friend and hockey teammate, Sebastian. As in all of the Bergman Brothers books, If Only You is filled with beautiful writing, incredible characters with so many layers to them, and amazing chemistry. I particularly loved Ziggy and Sebastian as they each learned to love and accept themselves and ultimately each other. This was a slow burn that was even sweeter in the end because of the work they each did as individuals, and how they supported each other through their individual self-love journeys.

While this book is a standalone, I highly recommend diving into the entire series! Not only was it so fun to see how Ziggy progressed and grew since book 1 (making her love story even sweeter to finally witness) but I love the glimpses the family scenes show of the couples from the previous book. I am so emotionally attached to this fictional family.

Thank you to Chloe Liese and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I am struggling with supremely feminist books this year. I love strong female leads and the men who support them, but sometimes it’s just a lot. Thanks so much for letting me try this one.

If Only You by Chloe Liese left me enamored like every other book in the Bergman Brothers series. I truly can not tell you how much these books leave me with nothing but good vibes and cozy feelings.

What I love about Chloe’s writing is her ability to create these sweet romances and yet give us the right amount of steam. Plus she works hard to give readers diversity and authentic representation by reaching out to people with live experiences.

I always knew Ziggy’s book was going to be my favorite and I was not disappointed. First off I love that we got bisexual and pansexual representation with these characters. Pair that with a bad boy hockey player who is her brothers best friend and a young woman who is trying to make her own way in the world and your truly couldn’t go wrong.

When I found out that Ziggy’s love interest was a hockey player I knew I was doomed but I didn’t realize how much I would fall for the pair. Sebastian was diving deep into self destructive habits and it wasn’t until a certain redhead came into his life with full force that he was forced to realize he was better than that. Ziggy through their ‘fake friendship’ helped him begin to see he deserved happiness and to be his true self instead of what he was doing in an act or rebellion to his parents.

Ziggy on the other hand came out of her shell and started to stand up for herself and gain respect for herself as an adult. And ugh I absolutely loved that they thought out the best in each other, because that is always my favorite part of good romance couples. It’s a reminder that we aren’t perfect, and the relationships take work but it also leads to us becoming our best selves.

I will say the banter between these two and the slow burn was both agonizing and delicious. While I’m not always a fan of slow burn, when it is done right it causes the right amount of tensions and excitement for when they finally come together. And let me just say I think Chloe nailed that balance with this book.

I would also like to say that Ziggy discovering herself in this book, especially how to have her family finally treat her as an adult woman was so impactful to me I feel like I was discovering myself with her. It’s always so hard to feel like you’re an adult when the people in your life still treat you as the baby of the family and I connected to that on a very intimate and vulnerable level.

I obviously adored this book and gave it five stars. I think I was hooked from the first chapter when Sebastian had a pair of underwear twirling around his fingers and that sensual grin.

Overall I think this book was an amazing addition to the series. We also got genuine autism representation and also representation for Celiac disease. It why I love Chloe’s books because she allows everyone to be seen and reminds us all we deserve love.

Ahhh. New favorite by Chloe Liese. This was SO SWEET. The slow burn delicious, the way they were such good, close friends, Slowly getting to know each other, their pasts, their insecurities, their bruised hearts. I loved Seb's character development, it was amazing to see, as was Ziggy's journey to finally be seen for who she really was. I was so happy for them and rooted for them like crazy to finally have their happy ending, and when they did, I was squealing from joy. Can't wait to read more by the author!

Dare I say it? "IF ONLY YOU" is my favorite Bergman family story! If you are looking for a slow, slow, slow, slow burn love story, this is for you. And don't worry about the slowness of it, Liese makes it work, pinky promise. The build-up and the friendship create this perfect story, built on a truly strong foundation.

Ziggy and Sebastian couldn't be more different and it's their differences that allows their friendship to be what it is. Ziggy needs others to take her more seriously, to see her as an adult. The love of the Bergman family is feeling more suffocating than supportive. Sebastian has a bad boy reputation that is slowly diminishing his rising star status. What starts as a friendship of convivence blossoms into this beautiful story of a duo who brings the very best of each other out for the whole world to see.

I think what I love the most about this book is the intimacy between Ziggy and Seb. It has absolutely nothing to do with sexual intimacy. No, Chloe creates this world where mental health and wellness, confidence, and personal growth is the focus on a relationship. I want more books like this. More books that focus on couples who grow as individuals in hopes of creating a stronger romantic relationship.

As the youngest of seven children, Ziggy’s family still seat her at the kid’s table. To shake up her image, Ziggy begins an unlikely friendship with the hockey bad boy who’s also her brother’s best friend. The two form a true friendship while hiding their longing for more. You’ll find representation of neurodiversity and celiac disease in this slow burn romance. Both characters grow in believable ways that have you rooting for them. This is the sixth in a series of novels about a Swedish-American family of seven siblings.

Y’all know I always shout about Chloe Liese and all her books. I’ve been waiting for Ziggy’s book since Always Only You - immediately she jumped into my heart because we saw her figuring herself out, as a person and as someone who is autistic. And that character grow to continues in If Only You, but it’s not only Ziggy coming into her own, it’s Ziggy trusting herself and getting her family to see her as a strong, confident, human.

I love Ziggy. And I loved the sensitive vulnerable bad boy that wins her heart in Sebastian. My favorite parts were when they could just be themselves and be honest with each other. Be the friend and support system that they both needed. There is a sweetness to this story - a sticky tension combined with purity of friendship and love that I found super refreshing.

Now this isn’t the book to start with if you’re diving into Chloe for the first time. So go back to book 1, enjoy the bearded wilderness man and his hard outer layer soccer superstar. And then message me because you’ll get sucked into this beautiful family.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

I’ve found one of my new fave ways for the brother’s best friend trope to develop: basically the siblings just wait & watch the slow burn happening before their faces & by the end THEY are the ones trying to move things forward.

Spoiler alert: that’s what happens in Chloe Liese’s If Only You.

This contemporary sports romance featuring two pro athletes, both of whom want &/or need an image overhaul, is a lovely slow burn with a round of secondary characters who also had me feeling the love.

If Only You is about people deciding to be something else & the decisions they choose to make to do it. It’s also a story about true friendship, great hugs, patience, & unconditional love (of the friend & partner variety).

There’s a lot of pining, the hero Sebastian gives off lots of “I don’t deserve her” energy, & a heroine, Ziggy Bergman, who’s tired of sitting at the kiddie end of the table, literally, & wants to be acknowledged for the person she currently is.

I love that message & that idea.

If you’re looking for a book where the feelings are on the table (even if the pining itself is hidden from the other lead), where the characters make space for others’ authenticity, check this one out. I will admit, that same earnestness doesn’t always come across as natural to me in the dialogue, but for the most part, I love how openly this book shares its feelings.

This is a really sweet, lovely book with a reforming bad boy & a reforming ultra good girl, & just lots of love all around.

4.5⭐️. Out now!

CWs: Sebastian’s dad left him & he has trauma surrounding his ultra-critical stepfather & emotionally negligent mom. Ziggy is autistic & describes how she experiences social interactions. Sebastian experiences pain & is diagnosed as having Celiac’s Disease in the book.

[ID: Jess, a white woman, wears a yellow floral dress & stands in front of a slate blue building with a monarch butterfly painted on it holding the ebook.]

A Bergman Sister adult romance book!
⚽️
Ziggy, at twenty-two, is the baby of the family. She’s a professional soccer player, but is still treated like a kid and she’s had enough. When her brother’s best friend, hockey player Sebastian Marchand, is in need of rehabbing his bad boy image, Ziggy comes up with the idea to befriend him in the hopes that his debauchery will rub off on her and her good girl image will rub off on him. However, the more time they spend as friends, getting to know one another, the more each is wishing for more.
🥅
This was quintessential @chloe_liese meaning she wrote a romance novel for this modern age with so much representation: bisexual and pansexual MC + neurodivergent MC, non-binary characters and strong, yet vulnerable and relatable couples, plus some spicy moments! If you haven’t read the Bergman brothers get on it now!

CW: celiac disease, anxiety attacks brought on by overstimulation, alcohol abuse, car accident, injured foot, chronic pain, emotional abusive parents, vomit

I was just not in the right headspace for this book so it probably would be a higher rating than the 3 I want to give it so I split the difference and bumped it to 4. Many will love Ziggy’s story.

Every time I read a new Chloe Liese book I think this has to be my favorite book by the author and »If Only You« wasn’t an exception - I loved Ziggy and Sebastian so much. All of the Bergman Brother books are amazing but friends to lovers is just one of my favorite tropes so I know beforehand that this would be great and it was, I had such a good time reading this.
The book is dual POV which worked well for the story and me because to be honest I’m not the biggest fan of reading about “bad boys” and being in Sebastian's head made me like him a lot earlier than I would have when this would have been only Ziggys POV. So, if you’re like me and don’t necessarily love reading about bad boys, don’t worry, Sebastian isn’t that bad actually and you will fall in love with his character quickly because he can be such a softie where Ziggy is concerned which I - of course - loved to read.
What I probably enjoyed most about the book was the pacing and how the relationship between Ziggy and Sebastian developed. They were fake friends at first, attracted to each other but decided to be friends and I just loved that we saw them growing closer and beginning to care for each other before the romance and attraction took place.
So, in conclusion - you may have already guessed - I would recommend Chloe Liese’s entire Bergman Brother series, all of the books are such good romances but (and maybe that’s because it’s the one I’ve read most recently) I think Ziggy’s story really may be my favorite right now.

Patience, endurance, and tiny, incremental steps

If Only You is a slow burn, friends to lovers romance that definitely hits the mark. The friendship and sexual tension build at a beautifully delicious pace. And that pace feels perfect for Ziggy and Sebastian. They are both embarking on a season of change in their lives. They lean on one another, expose vulnerabilities, and share strength. To be seen and loved for all that we are is magnificent.
The character arcs are essential to the story and romance. This book is emotional and hopeful. It was more than worthy of my reading time.

Other things I loved about this story were the Bergman family interactions, chronic illness and autism representation, and a book store date. *swoon* Authentic, empathetic representation was deftly showcased and appreciated. The Bergman Family is one of my favorite fictional families, and I can't wait to be with them again. I need to know what Viggo is up to in Escondido!