nabecker13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
“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.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Bullying, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Stalking, Cursing, and Sexism
Minor: War, Death, Infidelity, and Murder
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Rape, Physical abuse, and Stalking
courtnoodles's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Stalking, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment
kirareadssometimes's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Murder
cwalker23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
linesiunderline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
You’ll get some of that here, but something was off in the balance and development of the plot threads I think. I know this is a Rom Com, but I did not feel that the #MeToo element was treated seriously enough. Something jarred about the ending, with Liv and the book club swooping in to save the day and expose Royce in a kind of a goofy, half bungled climax. I’m not sure how you could write a #MeToo narrative with comedic elements successfully. It’s conceivable but it didn’t happen here.
Liv and Mack needed more airtime. Their connection was not as convincing as those of the central couples in the other books.
Still, there were some laughs and some fiery moments and I sure love the fellas in the Bookclub. It’s a great series and I will happily recommend it.
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Braden Mack is the founder of the Bromance Book Club, an undercover group of prominent athletes and businessmen in Nashville who read and discuss romance novels to help them navigate their love lives. Liv Papandreas is a fierce feminist, working as a pastry chef at one of the city's most exclusive and expensive restaurants and living with a sweet grandmotherly woman on a tiny farm.
First connected through Mack's interference in Liv's sister Thea's marriage to baseball player Gavin (the subjects of the first book), Liv and Mack have a playful rivalry that turns into much more when Liv gets fired from her job after dropping a $1000 dessert on Mack's date--and walking in on her boss sexually harassing another employee. Furious with the world, Liv has no interest in Mack's guilt over her unemployment or his efforts to help her bring down her boss, but he just keeps showing up until she has no choice but to let him help, and they embark on a mission that, of course, fuels a love story.
While The Bromance Book Club made me laugh out loud while addressing serious issues--childhood trauma, insecurity and bullying, communication in relationships and marriage--Undercover Bromance was a bit too heavy-handed for me. Sexual harassment in the workplace is horrible and far too common, and while I loved both Mack and Liv's commitment to seeking justice, their schemes just felt farcical. I didn't believe their chemistry, whether it took the form of hatred or love. Furthermore, this entire book just felt angry. It seemed like every third sentence was yelled or shouted, or that someone was banging their fist on the table or against the wall. Again, I understand that the subject matter is infuriating, but I prefer my romance with more snark than actual anger and certainly more light-hearted humor.
I will probably read the next in the series at some point (also, Andrew Eiden's narration is really perfect for these books), but I haven't yet requested it at the library, and I'm not in any rush.
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
josephinereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
hansbookshelf's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual assault and Emotional abuse