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thepassivebookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
kingrosereads's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
I only have myself to blame for going through this torture. I didn't like the first book, but with the way people talked about this series I wanted to give it one more chance. What an absolute waste of time. The only thing that kept me reading was that I was listening to it as an audiobook while I worked and with a boss constantly breathing down my back I couldn't take the time to stop it and find another book to listen to and I cannot deal with the constant noise of my office. So I was stuck with this choice for the day and I have this thing about not reading a book all the way through.
For one, the supposed bromance *gag* bookclub wasn't even in this book other than a few scenes and like two pages talking about their current "manual".
Moving on from that, these books are just so disgustingly heteronormative and toxic I don't know how they can be marketed as romance novels for feminists. Liv is incredibly unlikable and just drowning in internalized misogyny, which would be fine because a lot of women struggle with this, but she doesn't get any better or seem to learn anything. She gaslights and victim blames SA victims which is not okay. She's constantly telling Mack to "man up" and it's disgusting.
I liked Mack, but that died shortly after the first chapter. Liv doesn't consent to have sex with Mack again and he says "this isn't sex" referring to oral sex and then continues without a word from Liv. That's incredibly problematic especially against the backdrop of the SA storyline.
Circling back to the gross heteronormativity, it's also aggressively white. There's no LGBTQIA+ representation (please tell me again how the only sex that's sex can only be a penis entering a vagina) and I doubt it even passes the Bechdel test which is the absolute bare minimum to even attempt to call something feminist. Which is a valid argument for a book that claims to be progressive and feminist.
There's also a side couple storyline of an old progressive feminist that protested the war and fought for the passing of the ERA and a very conservative ex-cop and Vietnam veteran that basically belittled the plight of women most of the book and the only thing he "changed" was he actually started listening to women and their opinions *wow* and the old feminist just fawns all over him.
The base of their "enemies" to lovers is so unbelievably ridiculous. He ate her Chinese leftovers after getting permission from Gavin and with no knowledge they were someone else's? So childish. Plus, the whole "I hate all men" trope is so old and played out not to mention problematic and very anti-feminist.
Where was the chemistry?! Because I can't even see how these two would even find each other sexually attractive let alone fall in love with each other. None of these people should be starting a relationship. They need to go to therapy and work on themselves before starting a relationship like this.
And look, I get that Liv has an issue being lied to and it's a trigger for her, I am the same way. But they BARELY know each other and Mack has gone through some trauma and didn't lie to anyone really. He legally changed his name and his father is dead...to him. This would be background stuff you would reveal to someone when it was getting serious and they never talked about anything of importance and only just started sleeping together.
And the BIG one, the use of sexual harassment as an excuse to have the couple have an adventure that brings them together and advances their relationship is so cringe. And over the course of 2-3 weeks, they very easily bring down a millionaire rapist on a whim and it's all very tidy and clean. So ridiculous and not at all how any of this works in reality. It's a problematic portrayal.
Needless to say, I will not be reading any more of this series and will actively steer anyone away from it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
nina_christine's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I loved this book! My only critique is that the characters seemed really similar to those in the first book, The Bromance Book Club. I feel as though Mack had a very similar personality to Gavin, and Liv to Thea.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
whatkateeread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse and Murder
ambgs's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I liked the book however I find Liv’s character to be annoying at times. I also have it a lower score because there were A LOT of grammatical errors that should have been caught in editing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
pplover's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: June 21st 2023
“Fear is a powerful motivator, but so is love.”
I loved the first Bromance Book Club book, and I decided to read the rest of the series while memories of the characters are still fresh. Add the fact that I really liked Braden Mack's character in the first book, and I've been looking forward to read Undercover Bromance. It's true that Liv wasn't my favorite character in the first book, and I'm still not that big of a fan of her in this sequel, but thanks to Mack and the rest of the characters I still had a brilliant time reading it. I didn't expect this story to be quite so serious, as it has a heavy focus on sexual assault and power imbalance at the workplace. I liked how the topic was incorporated into the plot though, and I was rooting for them as they try to bring the bastard down. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is probably because of Liv; her stubbornness and attitude made it very hard to like her character, and it took way too long for her character to fully redeem herself. I absolutely loved Mack's character though, as well as the rest of the book club members and the new characters incorporated. I literally flew through this story, and I already can't wait to read the next book and learn more about Alexis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Murder, and War
ali_henkle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
emilycmorris0923's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
agiecummings's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
On a re-read, this is a 4.5⭐️ read, rather than a 4⭐️ read, but I think that’s because I came around on the enemies-to-lovers over time and also I appreciate Braden Mack more on a second read.
I will say that I think the plot of taking down Royce made us lose a little bit of the main character love arc sometimes and that was a bit frustrating as someone who is, first and foremost, here for the romance aspect of this. I also wish that the author had kept up with the premise of inserting the text from the book they were reading in book club as you read the main story as well. I think with the Royce story line, that was more difficult for this book. But I really loved that in the first book and definitely missed it in book two.
But I just love vulnerable men, and I love that Liv brought that out in Braden. And that they both forced each other to expose and attempt to help each other heal. That was the best part of this for sure.
I really love this series. It’s so silly, but I do enjoy it.
I will say that I think the plot of taking down Royce made us lose a little bit of the main character love arc sometimes and that was a bit frustrating as someone who is, first and foremost, here for the romance aspect of this. I also wish that the author had kept up with the premise of inserting the text from the book they were reading in book club as you read the main story as well. I think with the Royce story line, that was more difficult for this book. But I really loved that in the first book and definitely missed it in book two.
But I just love vulnerable men, and I love that Liv brought that out in Braden. And that they both forced each other to expose and attempt to help each other heal. That was the best part of this for sure.
I really love this series. It’s so silly, but I do enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse