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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
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
emotional
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
I’ve really enjoyed this series. It’s a cool concept and this author really knows how to bring the characters to life.
My only complaint is the lack of diversity—non-white characters are only ever briefly mentioned and/or have a couple of lines in the whole series. It gives your typical 80s/90s vibe where the world seems to revolve around white people and their problems as though the rest of us don’t exist. Even non-North American characters are written weirdly (eg the Russian) with outdated stereotypes. Because of that I couldn’t bring myself to dish out any 5 star ratings.
This book in particular was one of my favourites. It lost the 1 star (because diversity isn’t that hard to achieve if you care) and .25 of a star (because WHAT DID EVAN DO???—I hate when authors drop a nameless scandal and leave me guessing).
My only complaint is the lack of diversity—non-white characters are only ever briefly mentioned and/or have a couple of lines in the whole series. It gives your typical 80s/90s vibe where the world seems to revolve around white people and their problems as though the rest of us don’t exist. Even non-North American characters are written weirdly (eg the Russian) with outdated stereotypes. Because of that I couldn’t bring myself to dish out any 5 star ratings.
This book in particular was one of my favourites. It lost the 1 star (because diversity isn’t that hard to achieve if you care) and .25 of a star (because WHAT DID EVAN DO???—I hate when authors drop a nameless scandal and leave me guessing).
A Very Merry Bromance is Lyssa Kay Adams' take on the grumpy/sunshiney one trope and it was a fun one - although the book definitely feels like it has strayed from the Bromance Book Club's roots since Colton and his friends do not actually discuss any books in this one (though Gretchen is reading a romance novel on his recommendation).
Colton is a big-time country music star whose career has hit a standstill, as he hasn't released anything in the last two years. Beyond his carefree, cheerful veneer, Colton is secretly worried about the direction of his career:
Meanwhile, Gretchen is an immigration attorney who can't help but to feel upset at the injustice that her clients face. She doesn't particularly enjoy living in Nashville, nor how over the top the city gets at Christmastime. But there's one big reason why she's still staying her hometown despite this:
Colton is the sunshiney one whereas Gretchen is the grump in this Christmas second-chance romance, where Gretchen had pretty much ran out on Colton after they had a night together at her ex's wedding. Since then, Colton hasn't had another date and can't get her out of his mind. When Gretchen's family offers her a seat on their family board in exchange for her convincing Colton to be their brand rep, Gretchen makes the first move to reach out to Colton and he takes the chance to leverage these for dates.
Although the cover of this book feels sweet and fluffy, there's actually a pretty heavy dose of family drama in this book as Gretchen's family are incredibly dysfunctional and emotionally abusive towards her. However, Colton's family shows Gretchen that not all Christmases have to be the same as how her family has been celebrating them and Colton also shows Gretchen that she doesn't have to be afraid. This was a pretty decent Christmas romance involving the sunshiney/grumpy one trope.
Colton is a big-time country music star whose career has hit a standstill, as he hasn't released anything in the last two years. Beyond his carefree, cheerful veneer, Colton is secretly worried about the direction of his career:
"It's just a formality," he said, adopting the no big deal attitude he'd perfected at ten years old. No one wanted to see him worried. Or mad. Or anything other than the carefree, aw-shucks playboy who had sold millions of records around the world.
Because Colton Wheeler had one job, and one job only. To make other people happy.
Even if it killed him.
Meanwhile, Gretchen is an immigration attorney who can't help but to feel upset at the injustice that her clients face. She doesn't particularly enjoy living in Nashville, nor how over the top the city gets at Christmastime. But there's one big reason why she's still staying her hometown despite this:
She quickly answered some pending emails, stuffed several folders into her bag to work on later, and told Addison to call her cell if anything came up. Then she ducked out before Addison could pepper her with questions. Or, worse, offer more amateur psychoanalysis about why, even now, when her family whistled, she came running like a starving puppy in search of scraps.
Because that would be pathetic.
Colton is the sunshiney one whereas Gretchen is the grump in this Christmas second-chance romance, where Gretchen had pretty much ran out on Colton after they had a night together at her ex's wedding. Since then, Colton hasn't had another date and can't get her out of his mind. When Gretchen's family offers her a seat on their family board in exchange for her convincing Colton to be their brand rep, Gretchen makes the first move to reach out to Colton and he takes the chance to leverage these for dates.
Although the cover of this book feels sweet and fluffy, there's actually a pretty heavy dose of family drama in this book as Gretchen's family are incredibly dysfunctional and emotionally abusive towards her.
Spoiler
Later on, we find out that there's actually physical abuse too, as her older brother has basically been tormenting her since they were kids.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Five stars for the vibes!!! ✨
This was adorable. And now I'm sad because the series is over!
I really enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine trope here. I also enjoyed the drama in this one. I felt like the reason Colton and Gretchen struggled a bit in this was more relatable than previous books (not that I didn't love the others!)
The family issues really created a depth to these characters. I loved the love between these two. And I'm always happy to see the previous book club guys.
I wish Lyssa Kay Adams would write more of these books. I had so much fun with this series. If you're looking for something fun but doesn't take itself too seriously, this is definitely a series to check out (but definitely read them in order so you know the other characters!)
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It has Vlad in a Santa suit! What more do you want? I kind of love that the author is totally uninterested in the music, or maybe just doesn't think it can be described in words? Like, it has a lot to do with writing and promoting music, but how is the new stuff different? Is it more pop or more rock or folksier or twangier or...? No one knows. Gretchen's family is kind of cartoonishly neglectful but there's some comeuppance in the resolution.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes