The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
The Bromance Book Club #1
Contemporary Romance
November 5, 2019 by Berkley
ARC

This was a super cute, very original read. The premise of a group of men getting together to form a book club in order to understand the women in their lives better was compelling. This is also a second chance romance, which is my catnip.

This couple is married, with twin girls, and are also dealing with frequent separations due to Gavin’s job as a MLB player. There is some bedroom issues, which leads to a big confrontation between them, which happens before the book begins.

There is palpable chemistry between this couple from the moment they step on page and I truly enjoyed watching them navigate their feelings and expectations, while trying to figure out their authentic selves. It worked for me. The anger, the exasperation, the attraction and connection, all of it felt real and authentic. This couple worked hard on their marriage and it I really enjoyed it.

I liked the added comedy that the secondary male characters brought to the story. Especially at the very end. I’m very much looking forward to reading their stories.

Final grade- B

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On the Corner of Love and Hate by Nina Bocci
Hopeless Romantics #1
Contemporary Romance
August 20, 2019 by Gallery Books
ARC

I enjoyed this author’s first book, Roman Crazy, written with Alice Clayton. When I saw this book pop up on Goodreads I was immediately intrigued and excited for a chance to see if I enjoyed her voice just as much without a co-author.

On the Corner of Love and Hate is a small town, frenemies to lovers romance featuring two main characters who grew up together, currently work together and whose lives seem intertwined in almost every way. Cooper is portrayed as a player who can’t stop himself from playing around with what ever woman is available, even though he is running for mayor in the small town he and Emma grew up in. He is immature and keeps making these stupid choices that frankly, baffled me.

Emma loves him, and hates him, can’t stand him, yet wants him to succeed her father as Mayor. It’s all very confusing. Emma is also a workaholic who doesn’t really have a life other than work, work, dealing with Cooper, more work, and more dealing with Cooper. I can’t decide if I even liked her or not.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance. I mean I guess you can make the case that there was a slow burn romance, I guess. But this couple doesn’t really connect till around the 75-80% mark and even then I wasn’t aren’t sure if they are even compatible. They do so much avoiding and upsetting each other that I was almost surprised by them finally getting together. All their problems were wrapped up quickly in the last 10% and it felt rushed.

I did enjoy this author’s voice and do plan on continuing with the series, but this romance fell short for me.

Final grade- C-

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