This book had so much potential! The premise of an all-male athlete secret book club reading romance novels and helping each other with their relationships is so fun but the execution was blah.

None of the characters, not even our leads, ever felt like more than a caricature and I found the dialogue super unrealistic to the point of taking me out of the story. Especially the one baseball player who spoke random Spanish for simple phrases like “what’s up” and “me too” but used English for everything else. That took me out of the moment so hard, it was like reading bad fan fiction about a bilingual character by someone who is not bilingual. He’s a super minor character but this detail really bugged me!

Thea and Gavin definitely have chemistry together, and I like the message of needing to communicate better and understand each other’s “backstories” to really get your partner’s needs but those are the only positives for me in this one, unfortunately. I wanted to like it more than I did.

So this wasn't my favorite romance read. It had a lot of foul language and it felt like it took the characters a while to really get to where is was going. I liked Gavin and that he was willing to go all out to get his wife back and to get another chance. Thea was stubborn and it was hard to like her. She knew she had messed up in ways too and she was using her past with her father as a comparison to her husband (which I know can be hard not to do). I just felt it took her awhile to show that her past was what was holding her back and being reluctant to own up to that and give Gavin the chances he deserved sooner.
I did find the men funny and I loved that they were in a romance book club and tried to take things from books to help their marriages.
Cute book, but not for everyone.

This book was such a blast to read. I could tell by the blurb it was going to be good, and it didn't disappoint. Reading this book was such a fun time.

The premise of this story is fantastic and unique. Gavin Scott who plays pro baseball for the Nashville Legends is separated from his wife. Things are not good and all he wants is to be back with is wife and daughters. There were a lot of reasons these two separated, but Gavin finding out that Thea had been lying about having the big O when they were intimate was the straw that broke it. He's not sure what he can do, but a few of his teammates come to him with a solution.

His best friend talks him into joining this group of guys for a book club. Yes, a book club. Gavin doesn't know what do think of this... can it really work? Can he did this? He's so bewildered by it at first, but like he said, he's willing to try anything so he gives it a go.

Gavin has trouble taking direction at first, but as he starts seeing little improvements, he works harder. He talks Thea into temporarily letting him move back and hopefully giving it another go. Thea is pretty darn stubborn. She isn't going to be easily swayed. But once she sees that Gavin is really trying and making an effort, not just by his words, but by his actions, she starts to come around little by little.

Gavin was by far my favorite character of the book. He's a bit oblivious, but sweet, charming, and determined. I adored him. Thea won me over by the end, but her stubbornness got to me at times. Once I learned more of her backstory, I could appreciate why she was the way she was. And when she stuck up for Gavin at one of the baseball events I legit cheered outloud.

This is one of those books that had some serious subject matter, but for some reason, I couldn't keep the smile off my face while reading. This was a refreshing and original story that made me smile, laugh out loud, and swoon. I can't recommend this book enough! I'm so excited there is going to be more from this series, I can't wait!

I loved reading The Bromance Book Club! Gavin and Thea's story was so fun to read. I found myself laughing out loud at several points. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

I thought I would love this book because of its unique premise. And I do really think this will appeal to many readers, particularly historical and contemporary romance fans. Personally, I didn't enjoy it for several reasons. First, there was so much usage of the F word. I can't stand the word except when extreme circumstances call for it, so when it is used in casual conversation and with such regularity it really bothers me. I understand the author was probably trying to make her male characters sound authentic, but I think there are other ways to do that than having them throw around the F word every few sentences. Second, I couldn't warm up to Thea or her sister. I'm all for strong female protagonists, but she and her sister were so extreme and unlikable I never connected with either of them. I hate when books are preachy, and whenever they were in a scene I felt the author was using those two characters to preach a political message at me. That's not what I'm looking for when I pick up a romance book. Also, Gavin himself was just an OK hero. The best word I can describe him is bland. Overall, I felt no emotional connection to Gavin and Thea's relationship. That, ultimately, is why I'm giving the book 2 stars. As a side note, the historical love story that the book club reads was a huge missed opportunity. It came across as needlessly cheesy when it could have enhanced the main story itself. In short, whenever I put this book down I never felt the need to pick it back up.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I loved this book! Romance with a twist! I loved the mix of romance with feminism & modern thinking men...a quick, romantic read!

MY RATING: 3.5/5 STARS 

I received an ARC from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for a honest review. 

This book was a very highly anticipated read for simply because of the title and the cover. It's gorgeous like any other Berkley Romance being published since last year so really? What could have gone wrong? For people who are not familiar with the story, it's existentially boils down to a wife of a major baseball player who decides that one day, her life has changed too much and not for the better. She lost her sense of self and believes her husband doesn't even love her so she decides to break it off. Well, also the fact that she kind of told him that she's been faking her orgasm the entire time they were together. Talk about buried down emotions and secrets.

This book's plot is very similar to another novel I read which is Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey. Now, Tessa's book comes out in January 2020 so really, it's Tessa's book is similar to this one? Both follow the trope of marriage breakdown and their complications and the difficulties of piecing things back together. I preferred how Tessa solved her couple's issues better. Why?

Because our main heroine, Thea, is forever right in this novel. It's definitely not her fault that she doesn't open up to her husband so they can create a deeper bond or a connection. And it's definitely not her fault if her husband decides to pack up and leave when every single sign she's been given to him since him trying is that he needs to leave her alone because she won't change her mind about the divorce. It was so frustrating for me to read because Gavin really loved Thea. He would have done everything to break down her walls so he could love her more but Thea, damaged by her relationship with her playboy father and cynical mother, won't ever do it. 

Until the last 20% of this book, Thea finally realizes she's not always right and Gavin was doing his best. But too little too late and I couldn't see Thea being painted as the victim any longer so I had to give this 3.5/5 stars.

MY RECOMMENDATION

It was a fun and light read. Hilarious in a lot of parts when Gavin's buddies all got around and I'm excited to see what Lyssa has in store for the next novel.

I can't decide whether I liked this book because it was quick and charming and sweet, or whether I hated it because it's the worst kind of pandering to women. (Y'all, he takes her to buy washi tape.)

Gavin Scott and his wife Thea have hit a rough patch in their marriage. He’s a professional baseball player who travels a lot…it comes with the job. And when he’s home, it’s difficult for them to go anywhere without avid fans fussing over him and asking for autographs. Thea sacrificed a lot for Gavin to pursue his major league dream, putting her own college aspirations on hold to become the dutiful baseball wife and raising their two daughters. But a recent revelation in the bedroom proves to be the last straw that drives a wedge between them. Gavin moves into the guest room and Thea is talking divorce.
Gavin is miserable and will do anything to save his marriage. His teammates come to his rescue with a most unexpected remedy, their tried and true solution, historical romance novels. They invite Gavin into their book club, supply him with novels and swear him to secrecy. Gavin has his doubts but he’s desperate enough to give it a try, and he sets his sights on winning Thea back one chapter at a time.
Readers will find this first book in Adams’ Bromance Book Club series to be an over-the-top fun read, a total home run. The clever story premise comes with great characters and dialog, loads of humor, drama, conflict, and some more humor. Absolutely loved it!

A quick, fun little romance. It was enjoyable to see the characters evolve into how you felt they should be..

When their marriage hits the rocks, baseball star Gavin Scott reluctantly turns to his teammates, who share their secret to a happy marriage: a top-secret romance book club just for men. This was an over-the-top read, but I love the idea that men would go to such lengths to identify with and understand the women in their lives. A fun read that's ripe for a sequel!

Wow, I enjoyed the heck out of this breezy romantic comedy that actually has some interesting things to say about relationships and literature. I'm a latecomer to the romance genre myself, in spite of the fact that my very intelligent grandma read them by the pallet. So I sympathize with the clueless Gavin Scott, professional sports guy (note to self: why have I read so many contemporary romances featuring sports guys lately?) and mediocre husband. Gavin's facing divorce, and the only thing that can save him is book club.

<i>Romance</i> book club.

Whose other members are a bunch of tough, manly, often flatulent, sports dudes who seem to have unlocked the secret to saving his marriage. At least, that's what they claim.

Quote: "Men are idiots. We complain that omen are so mysterious and shit, and we never know what they want. We fuck up our relationships because we convince ourselves that it's too hard to figure them out. But the real problem is with us. We think we're not supposed to feel things and cry and express ourselves. We expect women to do all the emotional labor in a relationship and then act confused when they give up on us."

I mean, this book is all feminist fanservice. I'm here for that. Men supporting men and helping each other become better people. That's hot. As Mack, my new book soulmate, says, "That shit is feminist as fuck."

My favorite exchange, between Mack and Gavin, which sums up why you'll probably enjoy this book too:

"What is this?"
"I don't know."
"Can I eat it?"

I can't wait for the sequel! (And then someday the movie, starring Chris Hemsworth.)

The Bromance Book Cub is delightfully meta and made for a really fun read. I appreciated that the central couple was already married and the overt respect with which the romance genre was treated. My only regret is that I read it so far in advance of the pub date that I know I'll be waiting forever for the next book to come out.

I wish there were another category under recommended yes/no. I would recommend this with reservation/caution. There are still a number of people who might enjoy this story if the language was toned down. I realize that many phrases are used very commonly today, but that doesn't mean everyone wants to hear or read a steady diet of it. Does it indicate a form of stereotyping to think any time a group of males get together that they have to use coarse language and curse? A few phrases sprinkled lightly would have been ok, but a liberal use detracts from my enjoyment.

This is my first read of this author, so I don't know if this is her norm. That being said, the story is lol funny at points and does present a different perspective from many romances. I can picture this as a movie better than a read because that medium might express some of the ideas with a few more subtleties.

This was just plain fun, although, actually, some of the issues addressed about open communication and sexual needs being met were handled fairly well. not perfectly, and of course, there's an HEA. But I loved the men gathering around to tell Gavin what he had done wrong and help him fix it. That was a beautiful way to flip a lot of the usual romance tropes around in a super fun way. I read this in a day.

5 amazing star!
What a unique and amazing book ! This was beyond 5 stars for me! I haven't loved a book this much in a very long time. It had a cute and different plot line. The writing was amazing and the book was hilarious!

Gavin and Thea' were a average couple who was going through some stuff. Gavin won my heart. OMG widths man make me believe in love again.


I laughed, I cried, and then I was completely won over by this book!

Thank you Berkley for the chance to read and review and early copy of The Bromance Book Club! This book was surprising, refreshing, endearing, and funny! I really cannot wait to read more from this series.

When Gavin and Thea's storybook wedding falls apart he finds help in an unlikely source, a romance book club whose participants are professional athletes. A story of unlikely friendships and inspiration that has you rooting for the characters.

This was a feel-good romance with some meat on its bones. A book club made up of major league baseball players who read regency romance novels to learn how women think and how to improve their relationships with their wives & girlfriends (WAGs).

Overall I liked the characters and felt like they were fairly well developed. Gavin was fairly clueless to begin with, but grows throughout the book (as any good male protagonist will do in a romance novel). And Thea is definitely a woman who is Done. With. This. Sh*t. But who also comes to realize that she has played a role in allowing their relationship to get where it is. I really appreciated that personal growth and responsibility were explicit parts of the plot line.

Several of the other characters were great, but were definitely secondary in their level of development. Liv was an awesomely protective and supportive little sis. Her loyalty seemed a bit too blind at times, but given the sisters’ past, it makes sense. Del was a good best friend (also loved his wife Nessa and would like to know more of their Backstory), and Mack was an interesting antagonist who it would appear the author has plans for in a future novel. Though, considering antagonists in need of a novel of their own, Rachel and her husband Jake would be an excellent follow up to this one. She was such a bitch, she could really benefit from a chance at redemption.

Malcolm was the one that always pulled me out of the story and made me realize I was reading a book. You know that feeling, when you’re so engrossed in what’s going on, you feel like you’re a fly on the wall watching people you know and care about. And then this guy comes in with very insightful commentary on romance novels and feminism and makes you go, WTF?! He sounds like a Women’s Studies professor teaching a class on “Underlying Feminist Themes in Modern Romantic Literature”, except he’s supposed to be one of Gavin’s teammates. I’m glad he’s so enlightened, but there was no explanation as to why he was, which made it weird enough that it detracted from the storytelling.

I would definitely read more from this author. Looks like it is the first in a series, so hopefully we’ll get to revisit some of these characters (& meet some new folks) in upcoming installments.

Professional athletes reading romance novels to save their relationships? Seriously, color me intrigued.

Gavin and Thea's marriage is down to it's last thread and just when it seems that there may be no saving it, enter the Bromance Book Club - fellow professional athletes (just like MLB player Gavin) who use romance novels to better understand women - not just in the bedroom but overall.

Lyssa Kay Adams writes a novel that hooked me from page one and kept me turning the pages faster and faster until the very last one. Her writing is fresh and her characters are endearing, plus let's face it, the woman can surely write some steaaaaam. Adams is a new voice to me and I was happy to learn the Bromance Book Club will continue as a series, because I know I will be preordering ALL of them in the future.