“Romance novels are primarily written by women for women, and they’re entirely about how they want to be treated and what they want out of life and in a relationship. We read them to be more comfortable expressing ourselves and to look at things from their perspective.”
Gavin is a Major League Baseball player whose marriage is on the brink of ending for good. He doesn't want his marriage to end but he isn't sure if he'll be able to restore the damage he has done. Luckily for Gavin, his teammates let him in on a little secret. They have been secretly reading and discussing romance novels as a way to learn how to love their partners better. They think they might be able to help Gavin mend his broken relationship with his wife but only if he agrees to do the reading.
you all, there is not another word I could think of to describe this book besides cute. The Bromance Book Club is adorable. The scenes where a bunch of masculine pro-athletes discuss their "manuals" (the name they give to their Regency Romance reads), is nothing if not endearing. I think I would have enjoyed this book if it only explored that aspect of the plot but it didn't stop there. I really appreciated the authors careful handiwork. She added some depth to a story that could have easily entered the overly-cloying-hallmark-movie-level of cute.
Halfway through The Bromance Bookclub I realized that I have read very few fictional takes on a couple actually trying to work through their "marriage problems". I think authors tend towards premises that involve cheating and irreparable damage to relationships because it creates a more volatile and provocative reading experience. I don't necessarily have an issue with that but I also don't relate to a storyline dedicated the the ruin of relationship. The Bromance Bookclub brought a really refreshing take on marriage that I have almost never experienced in my reading life. The problems that Thea and Gavin encounter in their marriage are repairable even though at first they seem insurmountable. Isn't that how all of our relationship problems seem when we find ourselves unable to zoom out and view the problem with the distance it usually needs to be resolved? That is more relatable to me and I really hope to find more books that highlight marital reconciliation.
Bromance Book Club did occasionally step into the cheesy lane but honestly, with subject matter like this, I can't fault the author for going there. This was a fun, easy-breezy, 3 star read. I have been leaning more heavily on lighthearted reads with happy endings due to the state of my own sanity during this quarantine period. If you find yourself leaning similarly, The Bromance Book Club might be a fun break from heavier reads!
⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
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