Such an original storyline! I loved the concept of a guy so desperate to win his wife back that he’s willing to read romance novels to figure out all the ways he went wrong. I can honestly say I’ve never read a romance quite like this one before, and the journey was both hysterical and heartwarming. The overall tone is heavier than I expected it to be, though I guess that goes along with the concept – rebuilding a marriage from the ground up is not a light and easy task. It’s well written, interesting, and unpredictable with characters who are sometimes frustrating (neither one is without fault in the demise of their marriage). I was rooting for these two from the start, and I loved how committed Gavin was to making things right.
The story follows Gavin, a pro baseball player who fell for his wife, Thea, fast and hard. Thea got pregnant within a few months of them getting together, so they rushed into marriage without developing a solid foundation first. Three years later, and Thea has asked for a divorce… after blindsiding Gavin with the revelation that she’s been faking her O’s in bed since they got married. Reeling and unwilling to give up on his marriage, Gavin seeks the help of a group of guys who read romance novels in order to gain insight into the minds of the women in their lives. Without a better option in sight, Gavin begins reading and soon discovers all the reasons his marriage was doomed from the start.
Gavin is really what makes this book – he is such a great guy, unwavering in his love for Thea but without the confidence to gain her trust back. It’s a slow burn of sorts, with these two building up true intimacy before things turn physical again. There are some excerpts from the book Gavin was reading that parallel their relationship well and also add an element of humor, which was a welcome relief from the sometimes overwhelmingly heavy storyline. If there’s one thing that I didn’t like about the book, it would be the toxicity of Thea’s sister. I really didn’t like who Thea became when she was around her sister, but it just shows that Gavin wasn’t completely at fault in the demise of their marriage. If you’re looking for a solid, emotional read with shots of humor, this is definitely worth your time.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qjNnlA
Audio Note:
I listened to the audio version of this while wrapping Christmas presents, and it really hit the spot. Technically there are two narrators, but one is for the main story and the second is for the book within the book. Normally I prefer to have both a male and a female narrator, but the primary narrator’s voice was strong enough to carry the whole thing, and I’ve gotta admit that the Regency-style narrator added a ton of humor to those sections. While this is a slow burn, it gets pretty darn steamy towards the end so keep that in mind if you’re listening at work!
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3qo0ZfM
Blurb:
The first rule of book club:
You don’t talk about book club.
Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott’s marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him.
Welcome to the Bromance Book Club.
Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it’ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qjNnlA
The series continues with Undercover Bromance!
Blurb:
Braden Mack thinks reading romance novels makes him an expert in love, but he’ll soon discover that real life is better than fiction.
Liv Papandreas has a dream job as a sous chef at Nashville’s hottest restaurant. Too bad the celebrity chef owner is less than charming behind kitchen doors. After she catches him harassing a young hostess, she confronts him and gets fired. Liv vows revenge, but she’ll need assistance to take on the powerful chef.
Unfortunately, that means turning to Braden Mack. When Liv’s blackballed from the restaurant scene, the charismatic nightclub entrepreneur offers to help expose her ex-boss, but she is suspicious of his motives. He’ll need to call in reinforcements: the Bromance Book Club.
Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they’re reading, the book club assists Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they’re just as eager to help Mack figure out the way to Liv’s heart… even though she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3st8dlg
About the Author:
Lyssa Kay Adams is an award-winning journalist who gave up the world of true stories to pen all-the-feels romances featuring sexy heroes and women who always get the last word. Lyssa lives in Michigan with her family and an anxiety-ridden Maltese who steals food and buries it around the house and who will undoubtedly be a character in a future book. Keep up with Lyssa on Twitter at @LyssaKayAdams.
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