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yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.5
“That’s why fiction resonates with people. It speaks to universal truths.”
This series has been recommended to me multiple times since it was published four years ago, and I've been meaning to finally pick it up for ages now. I actually added it to my list of series I wanted to catch up with in 2023, and after a fantastic start with The Bromance Book Club I have no doubt that I actually will this time. Oh yes, this first book and me got along splendidly! I was warned about the female main character before I started, but thankfully I wasn't too bothered by Thea herself. I did find her sister Liv to be extremely frustrating, but that was probably the only minor blip in this story for me. It was so easy to warm up to Gavin and the rest of his friends, and I loved the twins from the start. As a result, I found myself rooting for Gavin from the very beginning... The bromance book club element was brilliant, and I liked how the Courting The Countess chapters were incorporated into the plot. Thea's behavior could get a little annoying, but then again it is understandable if you keep in mind her past... The smut was a bit too much for me, but somehow I didn't mind those scenes that much as the main focus of the story was on Gavin and Thea rebuilding their relationship. I can't wait to read the next book!
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage
drraytay's review against another edition
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
jackiie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
I don’t even know how I managed to finish this book. Almost every page I read made me so annoyed and the amount of times I rolled my eyes. It’s not often that I don’t hope for a Happy End but I was hoping that this two would just get divorced by the end of the book.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
kingrosereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
aishablue'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
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Fatphobia, Miscarriage, and Violence
belle2008's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Vomit
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
emfass's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
•A book club! For men! To read romance novels! And talk! About their feelings and vulnerabilities!! HOW DO WE MAKE THIS TAKE OVER THE WORLD.
•When Gavin and Thea were tender with each other, or had each other's backs...I really like these two and was rooting for them.
Things I didn't like: (mild spoilers)
•I cannot stand it when so many things could be solved if the characters would just talk to each other. I get that this can accurately reflect real life relationships, and also serves in creating the conflict, but it is SUCH a pet peeve and I get so frustrated. ESPECIALLY since they realize it during their breaking point. But do they actually work on getting better at communicating? No, or if they do, it's happening off screen (which I don't think it is, and also, what's the freaking point of that).
•The whole "backstory" concept as it related to her parents/childhood/baggage kinda came out of nowhere, at least as the path to a solution to their issues? As a child of divorce I felt the truth of this very deeply, but didn't actually feel like it worked its way into the consciousness of the characters in ways that they could then realistically resolve the issues in their marriage in just a few short weeks. Basically I'm saying, can we PLEASE get these people some therapy??
•Gavin turns to the Bromance Book Club and romance novels for help--which, yay--but NOT ONCE did he actually ask Thea what she needed from him in order to make things work. Or we got one small moment of him asking how he should touch her in bed. If this is the crux of the issue, then THEY SHOULD BE WORKING ON COMMUNICATING IN BED. Instead of just going at it and hoping for the best. Which, it's a romance novel, so of course it works out, but GAH. I'm glad he learned how to be vulnerable and share his feelings. I just really, really wish he--both of them, I guess--had done more reaching out to each other to figure out what the other needed in order to feel safe and rebuild trust. But nope, guess we'll just rely on this random-ass grand gesture at the end and everything will be hunky-dory.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Vomit
Minor: Sexism and Violence