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hammock_and_read's review against another edition
5.0
This was a full impulse buy for me. I was seeing it all over the gram and Target had a sale. I mean it had me at baseball and romance novels, and then I opened this beauty and couldn’t stop laughing. I mean the guys in the book are laugh out loud funny with many quotes you will love. I just love the idea of professional athletes and big wigs having a romance novel book club to help their relationships.
Thea’s character is a strong woman who lets her “backstory” impact her life too much. But I just love that she is a painter and doesn't want to do the other WAG things and tells Rachel off multiple times. Gavin is a professional baseball player and tries to “win” back his wife, I love seeing how much work he will put into it. I really like that Adam’s gets into the hard issues of marriage, trust, and childhood trauma and the impact of them.
Not to tell too much, just go read it! This is a one sit down book maybe two, I couldn’t put it down its so good.
This is my first book by Lyssa Kay Adams and loved her writing, witty remarks, this super creative take on romance novels, and strong females. I can’t not wait for the next book to come out!
“Don’t be ashamed for liking them. The backlash against the PSL [Pumpkin Spice Latte] is a perfect example of how toxic masculinity permeates even the most mundane things in life. If masses of women like something, our society automatically begins to mock them. Just like romance novels. If women like them, they must be a joke, right?”
― Lyssa Kay Adams, The Bromance Book Club
Thea’s character is a strong woman who lets her “backstory” impact her life too much. But I just love that she is a painter and doesn't want to do the other WAG things and tells Rachel off multiple times. Gavin is a professional baseball player and tries to “win” back his wife, I love seeing how much work he will put into it. I really like that Adam’s gets into the hard issues of marriage, trust, and childhood trauma and the impact of them.
Not to tell too much, just go read it! This is a one sit down book maybe two, I couldn’t put it down its so good.
This is my first book by Lyssa Kay Adams and loved her writing, witty remarks, this super creative take on romance novels, and strong females. I can’t not wait for the next book to come out!
“Don’t be ashamed for liking them. The backlash against the PSL [Pumpkin Spice Latte] is a perfect example of how toxic masculinity permeates even the most mundane things in life. If masses of women like something, our society automatically begins to mock them. Just like romance novels. If women like them, they must be a joke, right?”
― Lyssa Kay Adams, The Bromance Book Club
a_kira's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
keppers_jax's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This one may not be for everyone, but the concept is pretty funny and inspiring all at once. I love the fighting for our marriage story, I think it was done well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
bwake's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
4.0
fralenuvole's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
abbier_14's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Urgh it pains me to rate it 2 stars I really thought I was gonna like this one I had heard great things.
First of all there was no character development or likeable characters:
- Gavin was just meh. I felt for what he was going through but I could not empathise with him. I also wanted more baseball focus but whatever.
- Thea was absolutely atrocious. She just wallowed in her own sadness the entire time and didn't even try to save her marriage even though it would be literally good for everyone in the situation and she could see her husband was trying. (Although I am conflicted with this because I do agree that she shouldn't just randomly forgive her husband once he starts putting in effort for once)
- Liv (Thea's sister) was what I hate most in a character personified. I hateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee when side characters do the whole "if you hurt her Ill kill you" schtick it just annoys the hell out of me for some reason. And Thea has the audacity to tell Liv she isnt responsible for the breakdown of her marriage but in my eyes she is, or at least she isnt helping it improve. She lives in their house for somereason and all she does it talk badly about Gavin infront of the children and his face. This just creates a negative vibe and discourages Thea from actually healthily engaging with Gavin as her sister wants to 'protect her'. Im sorry but Thea is a grown woman and there is more at stake then her heart I mean think of the children.
- The bookclub. Honestly whats the point of even including them if youre not gonna bother to flesh out any of the characters further than stereotypes? (to set up for later books but thats beside the point) The guys were just names I couldnt distinguish between them at all. They added nothing apart from I guess very poor 'banter', it would have been more organic for Gavin to just come up with the idea of reading romance books on his own because to me the bookclub was completely irrelevant despite being the literal title.
- Like other reviews have pointed out the children did not act their age at all. Honestly I pictured them in my head at 6 year olds and didnt even realise they were meant to be younger. I dont know why the author wanted the children to be that young when I dont think it would have enhanced the story in any way? Also it was so sad to read when each twin favoured another parent like I cant imagine how heartbraking that would feel to be rejected by your own (2 year old) child.
The attempt at conflict/plot:
- WHY WHY WHY. The conflict between Thea and the other WAGs (specifically Rachel) was giving me mile high flashbacks. I never see why this is needed, especially when the book was trying to be feminist and break 'heteronormative stereotypes' why on earth would you pit women against each other when you control the narrative of your own story. Thea was giving Not like Other Girls energy with her whole 'I married Gavin for my babies not for baseball waaa waa I want to paint and have to work a job unlike you'. It just pains be because Rachel was obviously a caricature and written to be the worst woman alive so you dont feel sorry for her, when in reality the more feminist thing to do would be to accept diversity of the WAGs by also accepting Rachel. Not trying to make the WAGS less stereotypical by only making your lifestyle the only acceptable one. Like huh?
- I dont understand the need for Gavin to have a stutter? Is this to add to Thea's NLOG thing where she is the only person in the entire universe to not care about the stutter? It was constantly brought up like it had any relevance or was adding anything to the story. It was sooooo funny when Gavin was on the call to his dad and he was like 'Son we knew she was the one when she didnt make fun of your stutter'. I was like ok....love the shoehorned in underdeveloped struggles.
- So Gavin has this whole plan to 'woo' Thea by taking her on loads of dates and stuff, but we only see one date? The pacing and plot of this book was just so off because Thea and Gavin were fighting for the longest time but then they also just suddenly made up? URGH! And then we have the like third act breakup but actually no it happens at 90%? Then we suddenly make up by crashing Thea's dad's wedding and saying I love you? and Gavin is somehow able to give Thea an orgasm for the second time in 3 years? (What a stupid reason to divorce im sorry i dont even want to acknowledge this part of the book because it is so ridiculous) This book was both drawn out and frustrating but then rushed and additionally frustrating at the same time. They have so many ups and downs in their relationship which is meant to be there for tension but it just doesnt. Like Gavin had to walk on eggshells around Thea because every little thing she would blow up at him about. Like that whole scene where she found the romance books i was just baffled the whole time how she could find a problem with it and why it must call for the end of their relationship.
- Then the author tried to tackle daddy issues and stuff? Like that 3 minute conversation with her Dad in the car somehow cured all her trauma and made her trust Gavin enough to fall in love with him? idek anymore. And then this is meant to also explain the sisters behaviour as she doesnt want to lose Thea to marriage or something? wow way to encourage me and my life decisions and not make me feel like crap. But then it also makes the whole divorce thing not make sense because Thea is terrified of divorce as she doesnt want her daughters to experience her childhood, yet she is happy to flippantly ask Gavin for a divorce over missed orgasms? Yeah it was just weird this whole trapping thing like it was so poorly handled and not something Gavin had even thought of himself so it was all in the delusional head of Thea which makes me think why was this ever mentioned in the first place.
- One minor thing but at first I was really struggling with the third person perspective. This is the first book I have read in a long time that has been third person (from what i have noticed/remembered anyway) and it threw me off for a bit. I was like who is the person narrating and how do they know all this stuff about the characters? Is this like their grandchild doing a retelling in the future lol? I think I prefer first person as it enables two different perspectives with completely different vibes which adds to the suspense as you could have one person that is in love but doesnt realise the others feelings, and then you go to the other perspective they are secretly gushing inside. However with third person it doesnt really work as you know everyones feelings and thoughts at all times which makes me feel more distant to the characters and doesnt reflect the different moods.
Anyway I am still interested in the second book because Mack seemed like the most attractive member of book club despite his immature and arrogant comments. But it does mean I will have to mentally prepare myself to deal with Liz even more lol.
First of all there was no character development or likeable characters:
- Gavin was just meh. I felt for what he was going through but I could not empathise with him. I also wanted more baseball focus but whatever.
- Thea was absolutely atrocious. She just wallowed in her own sadness the entire time and didn't even try to save her marriage even though it would be literally good for everyone in the situation and she could see her husband was trying. (Although I am conflicted with this because I do agree that she shouldn't just randomly forgive her husband once he starts putting in effort for once)
- Liv (Thea's sister) was what I hate most in a character personified. I hateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee when side characters do the whole "if you hurt her Ill kill you" schtick it just annoys the hell out of me for some reason. And Thea has the audacity to tell Liv she isnt responsible for the breakdown of her marriage but in my eyes she is, or at least she isnt helping it improve. She lives in their house for somereason and all she does it talk badly about Gavin infront of the children and his face. This just creates a negative vibe and discourages Thea from actually healthily engaging with Gavin as her sister wants to 'protect her'. Im sorry but Thea is a grown woman and there is more at stake then her heart I mean think of the children.
- The bookclub. Honestly whats the point of even including them if youre not gonna bother to flesh out any of the characters further than stereotypes? (to set up for later books but thats beside the point) The guys were just names I couldnt distinguish between them at all. They added nothing apart from I guess very poor 'banter', it would have been more organic for Gavin to just come up with the idea of reading romance books on his own because to me the bookclub was completely irrelevant despite being the literal title.
- Like other reviews have pointed out the children did not act their age at all. Honestly I pictured them in my head at 6 year olds and didnt even realise they were meant to be younger. I dont know why the author wanted the children to be that young when I dont think it would have enhanced the story in any way? Also it was so sad to read when each twin favoured another parent like I cant imagine how heartbraking that would feel to be rejected by your own (2 year old) child.
The attempt at conflict/plot:
- WHY WHY WHY. The conflict between Thea and the other WAGs (specifically Rachel) was giving me mile high flashbacks. I never see why this is needed, especially when the book was trying to be feminist and break 'heteronormative stereotypes' why on earth would you pit women against each other when you control the narrative of your own story. Thea was giving Not like Other Girls energy with her whole 'I married Gavin for my babies not for baseball waaa waa I want to paint and have to work a job unlike you'. It just pains be because Rachel was obviously a caricature and written to be the worst woman alive so you dont feel sorry for her, when in reality the more feminist thing to do would be to accept diversity of the WAGs by also accepting Rachel. Not trying to make the WAGS less stereotypical by only making your lifestyle the only acceptable one. Like huh?
- I dont understand the need for Gavin to have a stutter? Is this to add to Thea's NLOG thing where she is the only person in the entire universe to not care about the stutter? It was constantly brought up like it had any relevance or was adding anything to the story. It was sooooo funny when Gavin was on the call to his dad and he was like 'Son we knew she was the one when she didnt make fun of your stutter'. I was like ok....love the shoehorned in underdeveloped struggles.
- So Gavin has this whole plan to 'woo' Thea by taking her on loads of dates and stuff, but we only see one date? The pacing and plot of this book was just so off because Thea and Gavin were fighting for the longest time but then they also just suddenly made up? URGH! And then we have the like third act breakup but actually no it happens at 90%? Then we suddenly make up by crashing Thea's dad's wedding and saying I love you? and Gavin is somehow able to give Thea an orgasm for the second time in 3 years? (What a stupid reason to divorce im sorry i dont even want to acknowledge this part of the book because it is so ridiculous) This book was both drawn out and frustrating but then rushed and additionally frustrating at the same time. They have so many ups and downs in their relationship which is meant to be there for tension but it just doesnt. Like Gavin had to walk on eggshells around Thea because every little thing she would blow up at him about. Like that whole scene where she found the romance books i was just baffled the whole time how she could find a problem with it and why it must call for the end of their relationship.
- Then the author tried to tackle daddy issues and stuff? Like that 3 minute conversation with her Dad in the car somehow cured all her trauma and made her trust Gavin enough to fall in love with him? idek anymore. And then this is meant to also explain the sisters behaviour as she doesnt want to lose Thea to marriage or something? wow way to encourage me and my life decisions and not make me feel like crap. But then it also makes the whole divorce thing not make sense because Thea is terrified of divorce as she doesnt want her daughters to experience her childhood, yet she is happy to flippantly ask Gavin for a divorce over missed orgasms? Yeah it was just weird this whole trapping thing like it was so poorly handled and not something Gavin had even thought of himself so it was all in the delusional head of Thea which makes me think why was this ever mentioned in the first place.
- One minor thing but at first I was really struggling with the third person perspective. This is the first book I have read in a long time that has been third person (from what i have noticed/remembered anyway) and it threw me off for a bit. I was like who is the person narrating and how do they know all this stuff about the characters? Is this like their grandchild doing a retelling in the future lol? I think I prefer first person as it enables two different perspectives with completely different vibes which adds to the suspense as you could have one person that is in love but doesnt realise the others feelings, and then you go to the other perspective they are secretly gushing inside. However with third person it doesnt really work as you know everyones feelings and thoughts at all times which makes me feel more distant to the characters and doesnt reflect the different moods.
Anyway I am still interested in the second book because Mack seemed like the most attractive member of book club despite his immature and arrogant comments. But it does mean I will have to mentally prepare myself to deal with Liz even more lol.
bookstagramjo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75