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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
4/5 "She's just like other girls and I am here for it" stars
I read this book, thought it was pretty good, and gave it a light 4/5 stars. Since finishing it, however, it has really stuck in my mind. The Brood is a "brothers best friend, forced-proximity, small town" romance. The hero is a brooding, grumpy, self-isolated man whose wife died. He's very archetypal romance. The heroine, however, is what really shines in this book. She is a beautiful, tattooed travel-content influencer. She spends her time picking cute outfits for content creation, taking photos and videos, and travelling the world based on her own desires and interests. She is unapologetically fem. In a world of "not like other girls," "manic pixy girls," and "pick me" girls, this heroine is really hitting on something that I think is really important both in the romance genre and beyond. I feel like we're in a cultural moment in which women (younger women especially) are rejecting ideas that "silliness" "frivolity" and "femininity" are not "morally worthy," and that women who like "girly" things are not interesting or heroine material.
This book really takes a lot from Tessa Bailey's "It Happened One Summer" - a broody, widowed hero who, once he gets to know the heroine, does not want to change her, make her more serious, settle her down, and a heroine who is unabashedly herself, and herself is feminine and girly and silly and delightful. I freaking love this direction in books.
Do I think this book is perfect? No. Do I think people might be critical of a certain plot point related to the deceased wife? Perhaps. But, despite this, I think this book is really doing something relevant and important. I have had such a hard time with Devney Perry recently - and this book really separated itself from the rest.
Romance satisfaction —❤️❤️❤️❤️
Spice Level —
I read this book, thought it was pretty good, and gave it a light 4/5 stars. Since finishing it, however, it has really stuck in my mind. The Brood is a "brothers best friend, forced-proximity, small town" romance. The hero is a brooding, grumpy, self-isolated man whose wife died. He's very archetypal romance. The heroine, however, is what really shines in this book. She is a beautiful, tattooed travel-content influencer. She spends her time picking cute outfits for content creation, taking photos and videos, and travelling the world based on her own desires and interests. She is unapologetically fem. In a world of "not like other girls," "manic pixy girls," and "pick me" girls, this heroine is really hitting on something that I think is really important both in the romance genre and beyond. I feel like we're in a cultural moment in which women (younger women especially) are rejecting ideas that "silliness" "frivolity" and "femininity" are not "morally worthy," and that women who like "girly" things are not interesting or heroine material.
This book really takes a lot from Tessa Bailey's "It Happened One Summer" - a broody, widowed hero who, once he gets to know the heroine, does not want to change her, make her more serious, settle her down, and a heroine who is unabashedly herself, and herself is feminine and girly and silly and delightful. I freaking love this direction in books.
Do I think this book is perfect? No. Do I think people might be critical of a certain plot point related to the deceased wife? Perhaps. But, despite this, I think this book is really doing something relevant and important. I have had such a hard time with Devney Perry recently - and this book really separated itself from the rest.
Romance satisfaction —❤️❤️❤️❤️
Spice Level —
Devney does age gap!!
Welcome back to calamity!! Feels so good!
Forced proximity
Brothers best friend
Forced proximity
Age gap
Grumpiest and bright sunshine!
I have been anticipating Wilders story and this did not disappoint. He and Iris are opposites. Even though her brother and Wilder are best friends, iris and wilder really never crossed paths. But when a situation brings Iris to Calamity - it all changes.
Iris was one of the most relatable female characters I’ve read in a while. Her being an influencer, having her own style and being her own person. I fell so hard for how Wilder felt about Iris. They are explosive together and I can’t get enough.
I appreciated that this story was not high on the drama. It was a story I thoroughly enjoyed and will definitely read again.
Have you started the Calamity series yet? If not…here’s your sign.
Welcome back to calamity!! Feels so good!
Forced proximity
Brothers best friend
Forced proximity
Age gap
Grumpiest and bright sunshine!
I have been anticipating Wilders story and this did not disappoint. He and Iris are opposites. Even though her brother and Wilder are best friends, iris and wilder really never crossed paths. But when a situation brings Iris to Calamity - it all changes.
Iris was one of the most relatable female characters I’ve read in a while. Her being an influencer, having her own style and being her own person. I fell so hard for how Wilder felt about Iris. They are explosive together and I can’t get enough.
I appreciated that this story was not high on the drama. It was a story I thoroughly enjoyed and will definitely read again.
Have you started the Calamity series yet? If not…here’s your sign.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Quickie review: 3.5-3.75 stars. This was a pretty good read. It took until about halfway through for it to really keep my interest or to feel any chemistry. I almost DNFed, but I stuck with it and it got better. Still, not my favorite of the series, but enjoyable.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Brood by Devney Perry is an engaging forced proximity and brother’s best friend romance that had me hooked from the very first page. The chemistry between Wilder and Iris is undeniable, sparking a dynamic that’s both intense and tender. I loved how their relationship unfolded, peeling back the layers of their characters to reveal what lies beneath their tough exteriors. Wilder’s protective side and Iris’s vulnerability create a powerful, emotional connection that made their journey so compelling to read. Perry masterfully builds the tension and the chemistry, making it impossible to put down. If you enjoy stories with sizzling attraction, emotional depth, and slow-burn romance, The Brood is definitely a must-read!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
This wasn’t my favourite of the series but it was fine