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yvo_about_books's review
2.5
Finished reading: June 25th 2023
"People screw up. A lot. The key to a lasting relationship is the ability to forgive over and over again."
Right... I wasn't expecting this to be honest. I really enjoyed the first two Bromance Book Club books, and I fully expected Crazy Stupid Bromance to be a new favorite of the series. I liked Noah and Alexis in the previous book, and I've been looking forward to get to know them better. Add the fact that it's a friends-to-lovers romance and that it has a cat cafe angle, and it sounded like a perfect match. Sadly, the real focus seem to be elsewhere in this sequel, and this family drama and live-donor/long-lost-family angle truly put a damper on things for me. I'm never a fan of family drama in stories in the first place, and the whole long lost family showing up suddenly because they need a kidney donor made me SO angry. Especially with the horrible way the whole family (yes, including Candi) treats Alexis, how they basically see her as a walking organ bank and then the story STILL taking the direction it took. I was left wanting to throw my kindle against the wall, and it sure didn't make me think better of Alexis as a character (doormat syndrome, anyone?). It's such a shame, because I was hoping for lots of cat cafe scenes with adorable cats and all. Sure, we get Beefcake, who is hilarious, but still... The friends-to-lovers romance I had mixed thoughts about as well, because the transition was a bit too abrupt (and the consequent sexy time WAY too long and steamy). Sure, I did like the chemistry between Alexis and Noah, but I wish we could have had more focus on the friendship part of their relationship and a slower build up to the transition. The bromance book club members were hilarious as always, but they weren't exactly as present in Crazy Stupid Bromance either. And what is with all the unnecessary side stories to create extra drama (Karen, Mack)?! You would think the whole long-lost-family-wants-a-kidney plot would be enough drama for one story... I was expecting a fun contemporary romance read, but this sequel was mainly just sad and extremely frustrating instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Terminal illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent
sapphicreaderlucy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This book is my favorite in the series so far. I absolutely love the writing, Adams always makes me laugh out loud. This book stood out though because of the depth I feel all the characters got, and the family drama that kept me on the absolute edge of my seat. Because this book also had me CRYING. I loved the reality showed here of complex family dynamics and mistakes and grief and feeling lost. Alexis and Noah were SUCH lovable characters and I was rooting for them the entire time. I loved the parts in her cafe, it was such a beautiful place to imagine. I also loved Noah’s arc as a person and his career journey. I thought his story was creative and not something I had seen before. THE ENDING WAS PERFECT. I was absolutely gushing over the family heirloom and the fact they both were able to get to the root of their grief, anger at their parents that passed. I absolutely loved how this book wrapped up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying
kirareadssometimes's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Very cute and touching friends to lovers story. Noah’s issues wrap up a little too quickly but this is my (very close) 2nd favorite book in the series. Good mid level spice
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent