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dowryofbooks's review against another edition
1.0
Rating: 1 Star
(Fair warning this is gonna be a rant review. My thoughts and feelings aren’t meant to negate anyone's love for this book or upset anyone who loved it. If it worked for you I'm happy you enjoyed it more than I did, but it just definitely did not work for me and that's fine)
I made myself push through to 50% before officially DNFing this book. I figured after trying to read this for a second time it’s time to give up and not torture myself any longer.
I don’t even know where to start. I feel like starting this off with no backstory on how Thea and Gavin fell in love and then how their relationship subsequently went downhill was a huge factor for my not liking this book. Reading the first half has had me sitting here wondering how these two obviously incompatible people got married in the first place.
Gavin is made out to be the bad guy and we’re told that it’s his place to win Thea back because it’s his fault they had a fallout when that is not the case at all. There was a lack of effort and communication on both sides of the relationship. Gavin lacked being more present in his wife’s life and noticing she was becoming more and more unhappy. Thea lacked communicating that she was emotionally unhappy and sexually unsatisfied. I mean seriously, she’s mad Gavin doesn’t just automatically know whats wrong, she expects him to just know. Speaking from the POV of being in a serious long term relationship, THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS. It’s ridiculous and childish that Thea expected Gavin to know the things she was either omitting from him or straight up lying to him about for YEARS of their marriage.
The whole “why didn’t you tell me this thing was bothering you?” and Thea replying “why didn’t you know?” sums up their conflict and it was beyond frustrating to read.
Also I feel like their relationship issues were completely minor, in the way that it’s things that can be easily talked about and worked through. Not something worth ending a marriage and breaking up your family over.
I’m sure this book ends with Thea and Gavin saving their marriage and having a happily ever after, but you cannot convince me that Thea is in love with Gavin the same way he loves her. Sure, she has lusty thoughts about him, but there’s no genuine love or desire to be with him. She’s the one pushing him away when he tries to talk things out, she’s the one pushing for divorce when he’s trying to fix things. When the deal is made that she’ll let Gavin move back into the house and give him one month to win her back it’s made very clear from her own words and internal dialogue that she has no intention of giving him a chance to save their marriage and she’s even looking forward to divorce.
”If he can’t win me back by Christmas, he won’t contest any aspect of the divorce. He’ll give me whatever amount I want in child support, and he’ll pay off the house for us.”
It’s just so one sided. Thea has one foot out the door while Gavin is doing everything he can to save them. Relationships should NOT be that way. Each side should be giving their 100% all. I genuinely can’t understand why I would root for these two characters to be together when they could each find someone better for them.
And Liv, I loathed her. I understand being protective of your sister but she took it to another level. She treated Gavin like trash under his own roof and constantly called him an asshole. She was honestly acting like Gavin did something as horrible as cheat on Thea.
A couple positives- Gavin’s stutter was really cute and I like that scene when Thea took his hand so protectively when Gavin started stuttering in front of a fan. I also respect that Thea had ambitions and wanted to go back to college, that was probably the only thing I liked about her.
Last thoughts- the writing isn’t anything that stands out to me and the banter isn’t particularly creative or hilarious or anything that I can’t go find in another romcom. I looked at the synopsis for the next book and saw it’s about Liv and Mack. While I found Mack to be funny, I’m not gonna put myself through reading anything featuring Liv again so this is where I’m gonna stop with this series.
read for mammamiathon: a book with a famous character
(Fair warning this is gonna be a rant review. My thoughts and feelings aren’t meant to negate anyone's love for this book or upset anyone who loved it. If it worked for you I'm happy you enjoyed it more than I did, but it just definitely did not work for me and that's fine)
I made myself push through to 50% before officially DNFing this book. I figured after trying to read this for a second time it’s time to give up and not torture myself any longer.
I don’t even know where to start. I feel like starting this off with no backstory on how Thea and Gavin fell in love and then how their relationship subsequently went downhill was a huge factor for my not liking this book. Reading the first half has had me sitting here wondering how these two obviously incompatible people got married in the first place.
Gavin is made out to be the bad guy and we’re told that it’s his place to win Thea back because it’s his fault they had a fallout when that is not the case at all. There was a lack of effort and communication on both sides of the relationship. Gavin lacked being more present in his wife’s life and noticing she was becoming more and more unhappy. Thea lacked communicating that she was emotionally unhappy and sexually unsatisfied. I mean seriously, she’s mad Gavin doesn’t just automatically know whats wrong, she expects him to just know. Speaking from the POV of being in a serious long term relationship, THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS. It’s ridiculous and childish that Thea expected Gavin to know the things she was either omitting from him or straight up lying to him about for YEARS of their marriage.
The whole “why didn’t you tell me this thing was bothering you?” and Thea replying “why didn’t you know?” sums up their conflict and it was beyond frustrating to read.
Also I feel like their relationship issues were completely minor, in the way that it’s things that can be easily talked about and worked through. Not something worth ending a marriage and breaking up your family over.
I’m sure this book ends with Thea and Gavin saving their marriage and having a happily ever after, but you cannot convince me that Thea is in love with Gavin the same way he loves her. Sure, she has lusty thoughts about him, but there’s no genuine love or desire to be with him. She’s the one pushing him away when he tries to talk things out, she’s the one pushing for divorce when he’s trying to fix things. When the deal is made that she’ll let Gavin move back into the house and give him one month to win her back it’s made very clear from her own words and internal dialogue that she has no intention of giving him a chance to save their marriage and she’s even looking forward to divorce.
”If he can’t win me back by Christmas, he won’t contest any aspect of the divorce. He’ll give me whatever amount I want in child support, and he’ll pay off the house for us.”
It’s just so one sided. Thea has one foot out the door while Gavin is doing everything he can to save them. Relationships should NOT be that way. Each side should be giving their 100% all. I genuinely can’t understand why I would root for these two characters to be together when they could each find someone better for them.
And Liv, I loathed her. I understand being protective of your sister but she took it to another level. She treated Gavin like trash under his own roof and constantly called him an asshole. She was honestly acting like Gavin did something as horrible as cheat on Thea.
A couple positives- Gavin’s stutter was really cute and I like that scene when Thea took his hand so protectively when Gavin started stuttering in front of a fan. I also respect that Thea had ambitions and wanted to go back to college, that was probably the only thing I liked about her.
Last thoughts- the writing isn’t anything that stands out to me and the banter isn’t particularly creative or hilarious or anything that I can’t go find in another romcom. I looked at the synopsis for the next book and saw it’s about Liv and Mack. While I found Mack to be funny, I’m not gonna put myself through reading anything featuring Liv again so this is where I’m gonna stop with this series.
read for mammamiathon: a book with a famous character
sallyreeve's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
louisasbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kzhawol's review against another edition
4.0
Funny sensual and emotional everything you want in a romance book. Fighting toxic masculinity and promoting a feminist ideal from a male perspective the main character learns how to challenge his own emotions and learn how to love his wife save his family through cheesy romance novels. Idk how to write reviews Twas funny would read again
kayles4's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
spatterson12's review against another edition
5.0
So fun and delightful that I immediately purchased the next three books in the series.
Gavin is a Nashville baseball player at the top of his career who is experiencing trouble in his marriage, with his wife requesting a divorce. His teammate pulls him aside and introduces him to a secret book club for men that specializes in reading romance novels. These men treat the novels as manuals, learning how to improve their relationships and better support their partners.
Gavin’s wife, Thea, is having a hard time understanding who she is apart from the glamorous baseball players’ wives and how to prevent her parents’ failed marriage from being her own life manual. She relies heavily on her sister’s support while learning the importance of communication.
Gavin is a Nashville baseball player at the top of his career who is experiencing trouble in his marriage, with his wife requesting a divorce. His teammate pulls him aside and introduces him to a secret book club for men that specializes in reading romance novels. These men treat the novels as manuals, learning how to improve their relationships and better support their partners.
Gavin’s wife, Thea, is having a hard time understanding who she is apart from the glamorous baseball players’ wives and how to prevent her parents’ failed marriage from being her own life manual. She relies heavily on her sister’s support while learning the importance of communication.
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
"First rule of book club?”
"They finished in unison". “You don’t talk about book club.”
Bromance Book Club is delight.I was so charmed by the entire thing and as someone that loves a second chance romance this book has married couple working to get back together *chief kiss*
I loved Thea & Gavin’s story neither of then are perfect, and I think that’s what makes them feel so real and that why I liked them.
All guys are amazing especially Mack and I loved that romance novels played an integral role in this book especially with guys.
I laughed it was at time heartwrenching but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I can't wait for, Undercover Bromance, which is going to be about Mack and Liv!!!!!!!!
"First rule of book club?”
"They finished in unison". “You don’t talk about book club.”
Bromance Book Club is delight.I was so charmed by the entire thing and as someone that loves a second chance romance this book has married couple working to get back together *chief kiss*
I loved Thea & Gavin’s story neither of then are perfect, and I think that’s what makes them feel so real and that why I liked them.
All guys are amazing especially Mack and I loved that romance novels played an integral role in this book especially with guys.
I laughed it was at time heartwrenching but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I can't wait for, Undercover Bromance, which is going to be about Mack and Liv!!!!!!!!
michelle904's review against another edition
4.0
This was the Spring book for Romanceopoly 2020.
Pack: Moon
Square: Spring
Challenge: Read a book where it: Has a green or yellow cover; Has flowers on the cover; Has the word 'Spring' in the title; Where the hero heroine is a gardener or farmer; Or all of/any combination/any one of the above.
There's so much about this book that I love. Gavin is adorably clueless but lovable; Thea is strong and frustrated. This is the first book that I have read with a married couple who are apart. It's also the first book that I have read by Lyssa Kay Adams, and she has definitely been added to my list of favorite authors. She writes compelling, witty and lovable characters. Highly recommend this book.
Pack: Moon
Square: Spring
Challenge: Read a book where it: Has a green or yellow cover; Has flowers on the cover; Has the word 'Spring' in the title; Where the hero heroine is a gardener or farmer; Or all of/any combination/any one of the above.
There's so much about this book that I love. Gavin is adorably clueless but lovable; Thea is strong and frustrated. This is the first book that I have read with a married couple who are apart. It's also the first book that I have read by Lyssa Kay Adams, and she has definitely been added to my list of favorite authors. She writes compelling, witty and lovable characters. Highly recommend this book.
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
4.0
Dire que je voulais lire depuis sa sortie en VO et que je n'avais jamais pris le temps de le faire ... Hé bien laissez-moi vous dire que je l'ai dévoré en moins de deux, et que j'ai vraiment passé un super moment avec ce bouquin !
L'idée de départ est franchement savoureuse, à savoir ces mecs testostéronés à bloc (oui, ok, bonjour le cliché, mais c'est tellement drôle) qui puisent dans les romances les clés dont ils ont besoin pour mieux comprendre leur femme, qui voient dans ces livres une sorte de mode d'emploi pour ne pas foirer les choses avec leur nana.
"Reading romance make me know how much my wife and I see the world differently, and how I need to be better job of speaking her language."
Gavin est donc pris en main par ses collègues et amis, car le mariage de ce dernier bat sérieusement de l'aile. Il va tomber des nues en découvrant le petit secret de ses potes, et c'est vraiment très drôle de voir ces mecs se réunir, disséquer les moindres faits et gestes de leur ami, de tout mettre en œuvre pour l'aider à reconquérir sa femme, grâce à l'aide d'Irena et du comte de Latford (qui sont immortalisés dans une couv kitchissime à souhait, façon heures de gloire du légendaire Fabio ^^).
"We complain that women are so mysterious and shit, and we never know what they want."
Ces mecs m'ont bien fait rire, on a l'impression qu'ils sont à chaque fois en mission commando, ça donne quelque chose de très frais et de décalé, qui offre un sacré contraste avec ce que Thea et Gavin traversent. Car oui, on a bien là une histoire de couple qui galère, et c'est un aspect de la relation amoureuse qui n'est quasiment jamais traité en romance (et pour cause !). L'autrice traite très bien ce sujet, en montrant bien les craintes de chacun, en n'édulcorant pas les choses, et ne résolvant pas non plus les problèmes en deux coups de cuillères à pot (désolée Gavin, mais Lord bidule ne t'aidera pas à tout réparer ... ^^ ).
Gavin et Thea sont des personnages bien développés par l'autrice, aucun des deux n'est le "méchant" de l'histoire, chacun a sa part de responsabilité dans cette affaire, et chacun va devoir se remettre en question et donner un peu du sien pour arranger les choses.
Les personnages secondaires sont extras, notamment Mack, qui est agaçant ET hilarant à souhait ; Del, toujours sympa et toujours là pour son ami, mais je mets un bémol à Malcolm et ses phrases toutes faites qui sonnent faux, on dirait qu'il récite un truc appris par coeur ... Liv, la sœur de Thea, n'est pas si sympathique que ça, mais elle a de sacrées œillères, et je me régale d'avance en imaginant ses joutes verbales avec son promis, dans le tome suivant.
Il va sans dire que je lirai la suite (pour le moment, cette série compte 4 tomes, espérons qu'ils seront tous traduits !) car j'ai vraiment passé un super moment, et j'ai déjà hâte de retrouver cette bande de crétins qui se la jouent Ocean's 11 alors qu'ils ne font "que" lire des romances et jouer les conseillers conjugaux !
"First rule of book club ? (...) You don't talk about book club."
L'idée de départ est franchement savoureuse, à savoir ces mecs testostéronés à bloc (oui, ok, bonjour le cliché, mais c'est tellement drôle) qui puisent dans les romances les clés dont ils ont besoin pour mieux comprendre leur femme, qui voient dans ces livres une sorte de mode d'emploi pour ne pas foirer les choses avec leur nana.
"Reading romance make me know how much my wife and I see the world differently, and how I need to be better job of speaking her language."
Gavin est donc pris en main par ses collègues et amis, car le mariage de ce dernier bat sérieusement de l'aile. Il va tomber des nues en découvrant le petit secret de ses potes, et c'est vraiment très drôle de voir ces mecs se réunir, disséquer les moindres faits et gestes de leur ami, de tout mettre en œuvre pour l'aider à reconquérir sa femme, grâce à l'aide d'Irena et du comte de Latford (qui sont immortalisés dans une couv kitchissime à souhait, façon heures de gloire du légendaire Fabio ^^).
"We complain that women are so mysterious and shit, and we never know what they want."
Ces mecs m'ont bien fait rire, on a l'impression qu'ils sont à chaque fois en mission commando, ça donne quelque chose de très frais et de décalé, qui offre un sacré contraste avec ce que Thea et Gavin traversent. Car oui, on a bien là une histoire de couple qui galère, et c'est un aspect de la relation amoureuse qui n'est quasiment jamais traité en romance (et pour cause !). L'autrice traite très bien ce sujet, en montrant bien les craintes de chacun, en n'édulcorant pas les choses, et ne résolvant pas non plus les problèmes en deux coups de cuillères à pot (désolée Gavin, mais Lord bidule ne t'aidera pas à tout réparer ... ^^ ).
Gavin et Thea sont des personnages bien développés par l'autrice, aucun des deux n'est le "méchant" de l'histoire, chacun a sa part de responsabilité dans cette affaire, et chacun va devoir se remettre en question et donner un peu du sien pour arranger les choses.
Les personnages secondaires sont extras, notamment Mack, qui est agaçant ET hilarant à souhait ; Del, toujours sympa et toujours là pour son ami, mais je mets un bémol à Malcolm et ses phrases toutes faites qui sonnent faux, on dirait qu'il récite un truc appris par coeur ... Liv, la sœur de Thea, n'est pas si sympathique que ça, mais elle a de sacrées œillères, et je me régale d'avance en imaginant ses joutes verbales avec son promis, dans le tome suivant.
Il va sans dire que je lirai la suite (pour le moment, cette série compte 4 tomes, espérons qu'ils seront tous traduits !) car j'ai vraiment passé un super moment, et j'ai déjà hâte de retrouver cette bande de crétins qui se la jouent Ocean's 11 alors qu'ils ne font "que" lire des romances et jouer les conseillers conjugaux !
"First rule of book club ? (...) You don't talk about book club."