Book Review: A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Title: A Very Merry Bromance

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams

Series/Standalone: Bromance Book Club (Book #5)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 359

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback (Own It)

"Country music's golden boy Colton Wheeler felt the most perfect harmony when he was with Gretchen Winthrop. But for her, it was a love him and leave him situation. A year later, Colton is struggling to push his music forward in a new direction. If it weren't about to be the most magical time of year and the support of the Bromance Book Club, he'd be wallowing in self-pity.

It's hard for immigration attorney Gretchen not to feel a little Scrooge-ish about the excess of Christmas when her clientsare scrambling to afford their rent. So when her estranged, wealthy family reaches out with an offer that will allow her to better serve the community, she's unable to say no. She just needs to convince Colton to be the new face of her family's whiskey brand. No big deal...

Colton agrees to consider Gretchen's offer in exchange for three dates before Christmas. With the help of the Bromance Book Club, Colton throws himself into the task of proving to her there's a spark between them. But Gretchen and Colton will both need to overcome the ghosts of Christmas past to build a future together."

My Rating: 5/5

I really enjoyed this Bromance Christmas special. It was exactly what I needed this season and included one of my favourite tropes, grumpy fmc and sunshine mmc. I find that as a fellow grumpy women it's annoying that often the woman is always the one cast as sunshine in these tropes, so when we have one that better emulates my husband and I (he is a ball of sunshine and all things good, btw), it's hard to resist.  This was a favourite series for me, and if Lyssa Kay Adams ever decided to put out more, they'd be on the top of my TBR pile.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Isn't It Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

 Title: Isn't It Bromantic?    

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams

Series/Standalone: Bromance Book Club Series (Book #4)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary

Pages: 350

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"With his passion for romance novels, it was only a matter of time before Vlad wrote one.

Elena Konnikova has lived her entire adult life in the shadows. As the daughter of a Russian journalist who mysteriously disappeared, she escaped danger the only way she knew how: She married her childhood friend, Vladimir, and moved to the United States, where he is a professional hockey player in Nashville.

Vlad, aka the Russian, thought he could be content with his marriage of convenience. But it's become too difficult to continue in a one-sided relationship. He joined the Bromance Book Club to learn how to make his wife love him, but all he's learned is that he deserves more. He's ready to create his own sweeping romance- both on and off the page. 

The bros are unwilling to let Vlad forgo true love- and this time they're not operating solo. They join forces with Vlad's neighbors, a group of meddling widows who call themselves the Loners. But just when things finally look promising, Elena's past life intrudes and their happily ever after is cast into doubt."

My Rating: 5/5

This series has it all. Just when I think that the tropes aren't going to be it for me Lyssa Kay Adams pulls it off seemingly effortlessly. The characters in every story are just incredible and the concept of the series is something I am so in love with. Lyssa Kay Adams invites us all to look at toxic masculinity and try something "out of the box" to better love our spouses! The idea of a group of men educating themselves about what women want and need through romance novels are just so beautiful to read about. The spicy scenes don't hurt either. I can't wait to read the next one in the series, my only complaint is that it might be the last one and I don't know if I'm ready for that.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Title: Crazy Stupid Bromance

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams

Series/Standalone: Bromance Book Club (Book #3)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult

Pages: 345

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Alexis Carlisle and cat cafe, ToeBeans, have shot to fame after she came forward as a victim of a celebrity chef's sexual harassment. When a new customer approaches to confide in her, the last thing Alexis expects is for the woman to claim they're sisters. Unsure what to do, Alexis turns to the only man she trusts- her best friend, Noah Logan.

Computer genius Noah left his rebellious teenage hacker past behind to become a computer security expert. Now he only uses his old skills for the right cause. But Noah's got a secret: He's madly in love with Alexis. When she asks for his help, he wonders if the timing will ever be right to confess his crush.

Noah's pals in The Bromance Book Club are more than willing to share their beloved "manuals" to help him go from bud to boyfriend. But he must decide if telling the truth is worth risking the best friendship he's ever had.

A hacktivist and a cat cafe owner decode the friend zone in this romantic comedy from the author of Undercover Bromance."

My Rating: 4/5

This is one of my favourite tropes. I love friends to lovers, I love best friend crush vibes where you know both of them are into each other before they make the first moves towards being together. I think that this was an exciting pairing between a cafe owner and an ex-hactivist is so fun to me. Also watching friends pine for each other reminds me of my husband and me. So it's a fun throwback. I recommend this series to anyone wanting favourite tropes with great characters and fantastic tie-ins.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Title: Undercover Bromance

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams

Series/Standalone: Bromance Book Club (Book #2)

Genre: Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 348

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"Braden Mack thinks reading romance novels makes him an expert in love, but he'll soon discover that real life is better than fiction.

Liv Papandreas has a dream job as a pastry chef at Nashville's hottest restaurant. Too bad the celebrity chef owner is less than charming behind kitchen doors. After she catches him harassing a young hostess, she confronts him and gets fired. Liv vows revenge, but she'll need assistance to take on the powerful chef.

Unfortunately, that means turning to Braden Mack. When Liv's blackballed from the restaurant scene, the charismatic nightclub entrepreneur offers to help expose her ex-boss, but she is suspicious of his motives. He'll need to call in reinforcements: the Bromance Book Club.

Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they're reading, the book club assists Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they're just as eager to help mack figure out the way to Liv's heart... even though she's determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned."

My Rating: 5/5

Somehow this is even better than the first book, and I thought that the first book was incredible.  I do love an enemy to lovers, and I believe that the tropes were put into great use in this second book. I also was glad that they didn't have excerpts from the romance novel involved, because sometimes it was a little much in the first one. I did love the characters and the way they got together. I also thought that the backstory for each of them was excellent. If you want a love letter to romance I would highly recommend. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Bromace Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

Title: The Bromance Book Club

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams

Series/Standalone: Bromance Book Club Series (Book #1)

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Pages: 339

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"The first rule of the book club: You don't talk about book club.

Nashville Legends' second baseman Gavin Scott's marriage is in major-league trouble. He's recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it's the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gabin realizes he's let his pride and fear get the better of him.

Welcome to the Bromance Book Club

Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville's top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it takes a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for the hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife."

My Rating: 5/5

This was exactly what I want from a contemporary romance. It was fun, it was spicy and it was swoon-worthy. This had a couple who had already been together for some time but were working through a difficult portion of their relationship. I enjoyed reading from an already pre-established relationship. The smut in this was perfect for me and I think it was done well.  I also loved the way the men in this group were portrayed and the fact that they had this book club so under wraps made my day. I would strongly recommend it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny