Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
Berkley / March 10, 2020
Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Series: Bromance Book Club #2
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Synopsis:
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 assist 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 while she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned.
MY REVIEW
I loved this one even more than the first in the series and I didn’t think that would be possible. I absolutely loved Mack and Liv’s story. It was surprising, funny, emotional, and an all-around joy to read. I know this technically isn’t Adams’ second book, but as it’s the second book in this series and (I think) her second full-length novel, I’ll happily say: No sophomore slump here. Adams really knocked it out of the park with this one.
In UNDERCOVER BROMANCE, the book club guys are reading a romantic suspense novel. Unlike the first book in the series, their pick doesn’t play as big a role in this one. Instead, the story itself mirrors the romantic suspense genre.
Mack is the founder of the book club and I loved learning how he came to read romance books. Even though his backstory is pretty heartbreaking, it made it easier to understand why he is the way he is. His character’s journey from start to finish was compelling and kept me reading. I loved how the guys supported him and his emotional growth. In 2020, there is still a lot of stigma around men being emotional and in touch with their feelings. Mack’s story is an important one and I think a lot of guys could learn and benefit from reading this story.
We know a little about Liv’s past due to the first book, but there were still new layers to discover and learn about her. Her strength is one thing that stood out in particular to me. The Royce storyline is extra infuriating because I know it happens in real life. But I liked how it made Liz learn more about herself, even if those things weren’t always flattering.
I loved Mack and Liv’s journey together, particularly how Mack learned to listen and trust Liv, and how he doesn’t try to overrule and take the lead from her. Not everything went according to plan in the book. There were mishaps and mistakes and it made it feel a bit more realistic.
Another easy 5 stars from me for Adams. I loved this one and cannot wait to read more from her!
[Read my review of book 1, The Bromance Book Club, here.]
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR: LYSSA KAY ADAMS
Lyssa Kay Adams is the pen name of an award-winning journalist who gave up the world of telling true stories to pen emotional romances. She’s also a diehard Detroit Tigers fan who will occasionally cheer for the Red Sox because her husband is from Boston.
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.
Things Lyssa loves: Baseball pants, mashed potatoes, and that little clicking sound that scissors make on the cutting table at fabric stores.
Things she doesn’t love: Mean people, melting ice cream cones, and finding food in her underwear drawer.
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