3.5⭐️ I enjoyed this one, if not for one very unlikeable character, but the story centers around Kenny and Han, childhood best friends who were adorable together. Featuring forced proximity, a few unlikeable characters, self-discovery.

*many thanks to Hachette audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

The Broposal follows Han, a gay man who lost his work visa and is now at risk of being deported from America, along with Kenny, Han's best friend. The story appears to be a light-hearted story to start with the two pretending to be engaged so Han can get a green card and stay in America. However, the story delves into very serious topics involving immigration, relationship abuse, and LGBTQ self-discovery. I expected the story to be lighter than it was but I appreciated the topics and general message. Kenny seemed immature as lot of the time for a grown adult and the voice leaned more YA.

Roommate best friends and coworkers who have and do everything together - while one is constantly in fear of ICE, being undocumented and the other has no idea of his bestie’s deepest secret fears… the surprise (ok, the cover totally gives it away) proposal for a green card marriage to keep the bff’s together when they are secretly in love and always have been - it’s a brilliant story and told so beautifully.

Narrated by André Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz, who were both new voices to me, and both did a decent job.

Thanks to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Hachette Audio for the early read and listen copies. This is my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC.

André Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz were wonderful as Han and Ken. (HanKen)

This story hit in an unexpected way to my heart. It’s so freaking relevant to the world happenings today. I had sympathy panic attacks for Han! It didn’t help that I chose to read this as L.A. came under fire by ICE and man was I pissed. The timing was not planned!

My only dislike? Referencing some bands and songs as oldies that were hot in the late 90’s- early 2000’s. I had to laugh because it made me feel my 42 years old that I am!

I have to be honest, the five star is not based on how much i enjoyed the book, because i suffer reading it and have to pause several times, I even considered DNFing it (Will talk about the why at the end). I'm giving this book a 5 star review because Sonora Reyes managed to write a fake dating romance with so may good topics, and not in a floopy way, where its just scraping the surface of a problem and solving it in the most privilage way. NOP. They managed to fit a heavy story in a young adult romcom, in such a good way that I was filled with rage and sadness several times, I had to pause multiple times to talk on instagram about the topics they were presenting and scream about the reality of the world right now.
I seriously beg everyone to read this book. But on the other hand...I know not a lot will like to go through the rage this book gives if they want to read a romcom, so please, donˋt go reading it expecting a perfect romance. This story is so much more than just two guys kissing. Is a dual pov story of two guys who live together, with very different personalities and problems, and how they start to realize everyone was right, they are the most likely to be happly marry in the future.
I would like to mention the topics (TW) the book touches, because the author summarized them in 6 tw at the beginning of the book, and I understand why, I know about the discussion of tw being spoilers, but I felt like the book was too hard to read without knowing what i was getting into, it was a problem after another and I just wanted to drop it cause i did'nt know if it will get resolved. So, Im going to mention them right know, if you don't want to know please skip:

-ICE/Police mentions and appearance/immigration issues important for the plot.
-Panic attacks
-Injury/twisted ankle/lack of medical service
-Queerphobia, a character says very biphobic things, they have very conservative ideas in general.
-Mentions of a character with a drug addiction / Brief mention of intention to sell a child in the past.
-Death of a parent.
-Light Kinky sex on page.
-Character trying to leave a toxic relationship /manipulation/physical abuse/black mailing/cheating
-Unexpected Pregnancy /mentions of abortion off page
-Toxic job /Racism

Okey you can keep reading now,

The representation in the book: Bi, trans, gay, mexican characters (viva xalapa), autism/TDHA, trans secundary character, drag.
I loved the representation it was so good, I managed to see myself in many of the characters, everyone was amazing, aaaand there's a side couple, they donˋt shine a lot, but i still love them. The only character I hated with all my heart was freaking Jackie. GOD HOW MUCH I HATED HER. I really wish the problems with her ended sooner so I could enjoy the lovebirds more, but yerba mala nunca muere.
Everyone should know that if someone manages to write a character i wish i could punch, they deserve the 5 star, cause I'm not a violent person, but omg Sonora really knows how to write a manipulative characters, winner of the fake crocodile tears competition. I even started to feel bad because I though the plot was going to give telenovela and in the end they were gonna reveal she was a liar. Also, the idea of making her work in a place where you are suppose to help woman who live abuse? AMAZING, believe me, I worked in one and you all don't want to know the horrors I know.
But enough of her.

I think may favorite thing about the book was how the they wrote about ICE and the fear of getting deported. Gay marriage for safety? Donˋt tell me this book is not a five star.
And of course some things were not perfect, the end was kinda simple for all the problems, but in a way, it was the only possible solution, I just wanted for someone to lose her job or something. Also, i wish the family dynamic with kenny was sprained a little bit more, something felt off with his family but the interactions were always short.

Anyway, to end this long review, this is actually a ALC review, I got the audiobook from netgally longtime ago, but I said, it was really hard to read.
So, what did I think of the audiobook? Well, it was amazing, It just gives a different experience, and the narrators choosed were perfect. They showed so much emotion, I don't know if that helped with the tw but it definitely helped in making the experience more enjoyable and the shock of every scene more perfect. I suggest to give it a try, it may be one of those audiobooks I recommend to start getting into te format.

But thats it, thank you so much for the ALC, this was clearly an honest review, and I can't wait to read more from the Author.

Han and Kenny are best friends. When Han loses his job that was set to sponsor his work visa, Kenny proposes so that Han does not have to worry about deportation.

The title and cover led me a little astray here. I saw the word "BROposal" and the bright colors and thought this would be light and fluffy. I started reading without even checking the description or author's note. But this story deals with some serious topics, like immigration, fear of deportation, and domestic violence, so I just want to throw that out there. It is still a very heartwarming and enjoyable story though, even if more serious than I was initially expecting.

I really enjoyed Han and Kenny's love story. They have such a a stable friendship that they each lean on. I loved watching them navigate their shifting feelings and trying to figure that out all while protecting their friendship. And, oh gosh, the pining. I'm a sucker for pining. 💜

And man oh man, Jackie is practically a cartoon villain. She really got under my skin. I wanted to leap into the book and shake some sense into her.

The audiobook has dual narration, which I really liked. I think both narrators did a fantastic job. This was an easy listen.

I would recommend this if you like
* marriage of convenience
* friends to lovers
* pining
* self discovery

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the gifted audio copy!

I was surprised at how fast I fell for roommates, Alejandro and Kenny and their fake romance!

Alejandro was a bit of a serial dater and never puts his roots down in any relationship, except for the one with his roommate Kenny Kenny is the exact opposite and has been dating the same girl forever, even though it’s been an unhealthy relationship for him - but when given the choice between his best friend and his abusive girlfriend, can you make the right choice and embarks on a fake relationship and engagement to get Alejandro his green card.

Soon both Kenny and Alejandro find that what’s between them is more than just friendship and their relationship that starts out as a sham becomes very real!

I love both of these characters, they were both very real and their scenarios from Alejandro’s immigration concerns, and Kenny’s abusive relationship brought these characters to life and created a much more serious story than I had expected.

I listen to the audiobook narrated by André Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz, and was impressed by their voice work. Both narrators did an excellent job, invoking their characters and differentiating between the rest of the characters in their scenes. They added another layer to the storytelling through their narration that highlighted the characters emotions and feelings through their expression.

Overall, this was an excellent story and audiobook. I highly recommend.

This book made me realize I'm getting old since I spent the majority of it wondering when they were going to go tell an adult what was going on. I'd say it's a true new adult romance for an upper teen/new adult audience.

Narration: 5/5. Great casting, great narration. I will always recommend queer stories that use multiple narrators for multiple POVs.

Thanks to Hachette Audio and Netgalley for my copy to review.

4.5 Stars

BIPOC rep
Queer awakening
Fake wedding
Besties to lovers

SUPER topical book. Han is living in the US illegally (he was brought as a tiny human…it’s the only life he knows) and it literally affects his entire life. He finds himself in a position, by both circumstance and malice, where he needs to find a way to become legal.

It was such a great book I would suggest everyone read it. All of the characters felt fleshed out, the drama (as much as I wish it didn’t) felt real, I was looking for excuses to keep reading.

The narration was good.

I appreciate the focus of men being victims of abusive relationships, and how immigration status could prevent people from developing meaningful bonds for fear of losing them (again). I wish the pacing was a bit more even and the side characters were more developed

i really enjoyed sonora reyes’s debut YA novel, and i think i liked this even more. their voice translates to new adult well, and they tell a really great coming of age story. i also adore both friends to lovers AND idiots to lovers (aka characters that pine after each other not realizing the other’s doing it too) so this worked really well for me! i also loved seeing the chosen family elements here with several queer side characters too.

the audio experience was great!! both narrators were fun to listen to and engaging

This was such a sweet story—a childhood best friends-to-lovers romance with a marriage of convenience and characters you can’t help but root for!

The writing was another plus for me. The author didn’t waste time on overly detailed descriptions, which I personally find distracting, yet still painted a clear picture of the scenes.

The characters were flawed yet incredibly real. I could feel their pain and loss, and I understood their justifications—even when I could see how messed up their choices were. (It’s no easy feat to avoid at least one eye roll from yours truly, but this book did the impossible.)

I especially loved how protective Han and Kenny were of each other—Kenny more so than Han, but given everything happening in his life, I can understand that. Their romance was sweet, built on years of trust and friendship. I just wish we had more time to explore it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Sonora Reyes in the future.

P.S. The narrators did a fantastic job too! I’ll be looking out for more of their work as well.

<b> Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook! As a fan of Hallmark-esque romance novels, I couldn't wait to dive into <i> The Broposal </i> by Sonora Reyes, and it certainly didn't dissappoint. </b>
<u><b> 3 ★★★'s!! </b></u>
<i><b> The Broposal </i> follows the story of Alejandro and Kenny, two best friends and roommates who navigate their personal challenges while developing feelings for each other. The book is told from both their perspectives, but it primarily centers on Alejandro. </b> As he faces the precarious situation of obtaining his green card after losing his job due to his short temper, Alejandro's world becomes even more complicated. His best friend Kenny, fresh from a toxic relationship with a girlfriend who doesn't accept his bisexuality, is dealing with his own set of struggles.
<b> At its core, this book is a charming exploration of friendship, love, and identity, and it unfolds exactly how you might imagine-a delightful Hallmark-style romance that delivers exactly what it promises. </b>Despite its predictability, the story is heartwarming and easy to fall into, particularly if you love stories where the characters navigate their relationship alongside self-discovery.
<b> One of the standout features of the audiobook was its narration. The voice actors, Andre Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz, brought the characters to life with their engaging performances. </b> Santana's voice captured Kenny's warmth and sarcasm, while Ruiz gave Alejandro's inner turmoil and passion a compelling depth. Their voices complemented each other perfectly, reflecting the bond and contrasting personalities of the two characters. While I enjoyed the overall performance, my one critique woud be that at certain points, the emotion felt somewhat flat-especially in moments that could've benefitted from more intensity. This is a common issue with audiobooks, but it did slightly impact the emotional impact in a few keys scenes.
<b> The frequent use of the word "Bro" also provided a bit of comic relief, though it was repeated so often that it became a bit jarring, especially in more serious moments (I know, it's literally the title of the book). Overall, this audiobook was an enjoyable read that's easy to recommend to fans of sweet, predictable romances with plenty of heart. The cultural elements and the vibrant performances of the voice actors elevate the book, and I'm happy to have had the chance to listen to it. </b>

This was so cute and a breath of fresh air! I loved how it merged pressing issues with comedy and romance. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a little levity but still wanting to discuss hot button issues.

Thank you so much for letting me listen to this audiobook. This was a emotional and romantic story to listen to.

Kenny and Alejandro were the sweetest characters! Their friendship and support for each other was lovely to read throughout the pages. The depiction of Jackie and ICE were so valuable to read in the story. Each added to Han and Kenny's character growths. I enjoy stories in which there is fake dating/fake marriage so when I saw this book synopsis I knew it was a must read! I listened to this book on audio and the two narrators for the points of view brought the story to life! Thank you to Forever Pub for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

This was a fun story with some issues that were also pretty serious. I think there could have been some more thought in getting from the begining to the end but mostly it was good.

I love a marriage of convenience and faking dating story and this was very much that. It was fun but had a lot of hard situations and topics. Kenny and Alejandro were such amazing characters with so much complexity.

Jackie was the worst and was written so well that I hated her so much and it was visceral.

I loved the narrators, they truly brought Kenny and Han to life.

Unfortunately, this book is very relevant currently and shows how scary ICE is and how much the fear impacts peoples lives.

*Thank you so much netgalley, Hachette Audio, and Forever for advanced copies in exchange for an honest review.

The Broposal is one of those rare romances that manages to be sweet, sexy, funny, and deeply moving—all while tackling incredibly timely, important themes. It’s the story of two lifelong best friends who fake a green card marriage… only to realize there’s nothing fake about the love growing between them. But underneath the swoons and slow-burn chemistry, this book also explores the very real fear and hardship of being undocumented in the U.S.—making it one of the most emotionally resonant romances I’ve read in a long time.

Han is a young undocumented immigrant who’s built his entire life in the U.S. but lives every day with anxiety, limitations, and fear. The book doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional toll of this: the abuse he endures at work, the inability to seek medical care, the constant need to hide. It's powerful, it's real, and it’s a stark reminder that the right to live a life of dignity should not be in question.

Against this backdrop, we have the most wholesome, perfect romance between Han and Kenny. Best friends since second grade, their bond is so warm and full of mutual care that it’s no wonder everyone around them assumes they’re already in love. Their friendship is beautiful on its own, and while I’d love to see more representations of strong, healthy, platonic male friendships in fiction, I couldn’t help but cheer when they started to realize what everyone else already knew: they’re soulmates. The chemistry? Off the charts. The emotional depth? Devastating in the best way. It also features the most heartbreaking sex scene you will ever read in your life.

Another highlight: the book thoughtfully includes the experience of emotional abuse from a female partner—something rarely depicted in romance, especially from a male perspective. Kenny’s past relationship is handled with nuance and care, and it adds even more complexity to his emotional journey.

I listened to the audiobook and can’t recommend it enough. Having two separate voice actors for Han and Kenny was such a gift—it’s still surprisingly rare in queer romance audiobooks, and it made a huge difference. Both narrators brought such life and individuality to their characters.

In short: The Broposal is more than just a romance. It’s a story about identity, safety, love, and the messy beauty of realizing you’ve had everything you needed all along. It's timely. It's tender. It's so worth reading.

Even with the many heavy topics this one contains (Sonora includes a great list and author’s note at the beginning), watching these two dummies dance around their obvious love for each other was so dang fun. I couldn’t put this one down.