Monday, February 10, 2020

Isn't It Romantic?

Undercover Bromance
Lyssa Kay Adams
Series: Bromance Book Club, #2
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
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.
She survived a year of his tyranny, but after catching her boss sexually harassing one of her co-workers, Liv spoke up, and found herself out of a job. She was down, but she wasn't out. Determined to expose him and his despicable workplace antics, Liv came up with a plan, and found an unlikely partner in Braden Mack.

I have to admit, I had a few reservations about this book.

First, I was worried it would be too heavy, but Adams did a great job balancing the weight of the  storylines with the humor and charm, that won my heart when I read The Bromance Book Club. I appreciate, that Adams was compelled to take on such a relevant topic, but I am even more appreciative, that she was able to do so while still keeping this in the realm of being a rom-com.

My other reservation had to do with Liv. She was very prickly in the last book, and maybe wasn't one of my favorite characters. However, here, as the star of the story, I got a deeper look into her life, past and present. I got to see her at her fiercest and her most vulnerable, and I liked what I saw. Not only did I like Liv, I liked who she was with Braden, and who he was with her. Watching them warm up to each other and form a genuine connection was a thing of beauty, and to my delight, I found myself 100% behind this pairing.

The title of this book eludes to the undercover nature of their quest to reveal Liv's evil boss to the world, but it also hints at how both Liv and Braden were undercover in their own lives, hiding their real selves from the rest of the world.

Braden was the affable night club owner, who everybody liked, yet he was playing a part. Underneath the shiny and smooth Braden Mack exterior was a man struggling with the guilt and pain of his past. His backstory broke my heart, but I loved that he was finally able to come to terms with it as he connected with Liv. She also harbored some pain from her past, and was dealing with feelings of inadequacy, of being a burden, and of being a disappointment to her loved ones. It was a pleasure seeing her work through these issues and see herself the way others saw her.

So much to love, but it was the Bromance boys who stole the show every time they were on page. I thought I got to know each member a bit better this time around, and I reveled in the increased number of bromantic encounters. There was feeling sharing, bouts of hugging it out, and I even learned The Russian's name! I thought putting these men, who were in touch with their emotions, side by side with a toxic male was a great choice for this story. I also enjoyed the introduction of Hop and Rosie to the mix. They added even more fun to this world, and some really heartfelt emotion as well.

Once again, the men of the Bromance Book Club made me laugh, smile, and swoon, and I cannot wait to have another bromantic adventure with them.

Yours in Scandal
Lauren Layne
Series: Man of the Year, #1
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
A political golden boy and the woman of his dreams take the risk of their lives in a sexy romantic comedy of strange bedfellows and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.

Fresh off being named Citizen magazine’s Man of the Year, New York City’s youngest mayor, Robert Davenport, decides it’s time to strategize. Next move: a bid for the governor’s seat. In his way: an incumbent with a flawless reputation. He also has an Achilles’ heel: an estranged wild-child daughter with a past so scandalous it could be Robert’s ticket to victory. And a charm so irresistible it could be Robert’s downfall.

Rebellion is a thing of the past for Adeline Blake. As New York’s premier event planner, she’s all about reform and respectability. Then she’s approached by Robert to organize the party of the season. Curious, considering he’s her father’s most formidable opponent. And alarming, too. Because Addie can’t help but fall for the righteously popular candidate with the movie-star smile.

Now it’s Robert’s choice. Does he pursue a future that holds his legacy? Or the woman who holds his heart?
I want to start by telling any of you, who are tired of politics, that this book is indeed set in a political world, but it does not take on any political topics.


Rather, this was another great addition to Lauren Layne's catalog, which featured a fantastic hero, a great heroine, some steadfast friends, and a chemistry fueled romance.

Who?
  • Robert - The youngest mayor of New York City, who had always walked the straight and narrow, when it came to his political life, but was beginning to want more than just a career.
  • Addie - The former wild-child daughter of Robert's biggest political opponent, who had been living a quiet life, out of the spotlight, under a new identity, but was missing parts of her former life.  
What?

When Robert's campaign manger recognized Addie as Adeline, an up and coming party planner, he pressured Robert into hiring her for an event in order to eventually gain intel regarding her father. Though Robert refused, time and time again, he found himself drawn to Addie, and she found herself drawn to him. 

Why?

I have read 25 Lauren Layne books to date, and the reasons I keep coming back for more were well represented in Yours in Scandal

Robert was a fantastic hero. One would expect him to be charming as a career politician, but you could tell he was 100% authentic and not just playing a part. I thought it was rather lovely, how he wanted to uphold certain ideals and take on the things his father never had the opportunity to tackle, but I also wanted to see him putting himself first sometimes. 

I found myself empathizing with Addie's situation and understanding her choices. Although her childhood was tainted by the lies and misdeeds perpetuated by her father, she was able to find a bit of stability, and that motivated her to take on this new persona and establish a successful business. 

I think one reason Robert and Addie were able to connect the way they did was because both were forced to sacrifice parts of their lives, of themselves. It was beautiful seeing them recover those bits and pieces and reclaim their lives while falling in love. 

As always, Layne balanced out the heavy with the light, and injected plenty of fun and humor into the story. Interactions with friends were quite amusing, and I even enjoyed some nights out on the town. I also found this coupling quite wonderful, and appreciated that the story was rather low drama. Also, once the romance started, it moved along quite quickly. I have to admit, I loved seeing this relationship move ahead, and it culminated in something that put a huge smile on my face. 

As always, Layne has delivered a delightful romance, and I am excited to meet the next Man of the Year.  

**ARCs received in exchange for honest reviews.

Do you enjoy romantic suspense novels?
Let us know in the comments!

32 comments:

  1. lol I just wrote my Undercover Bromance review and agree completely. The guys stole the show!! I was also a bit worried about Liv and though she will never be my favorite, I got to know and appreciate her a lot better in this book. To me this wasn't really romantic suspense as promised but I did think the issues were really well-incorporated!

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    1. Not romantic suspense at all. It was still rom-com and that's what I wanted, so I was glad

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  2. I'm excited to read both of these, but especially Undercover Bromance! I had heard it was heavier than the first book but really well written. I can't wait!

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    1. Heavier topics, but never too heavy. Adam's put forth a lot of important and relevant ideas, lots to think about. but it never overwhelmed the romance

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  3. Glad you really liked Undercover Bromance! I just picked up The Bromance Book Club to start the series!

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    1. I am really happy with this series. Great concept, which was well executed, and I adore the characters

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  4. i don't mind the real world entering my fiction, in fact most of the time i think it adds that extra element i am looking for. once in a while it can be stuff thrown in just to have...something...
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. I guess it depends on the real world element and how it's done for me

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  5. I saw a few people worried about Bromance being either romantic suspense or serious and it never occurred to me lol I just assumed they would all be rom-coms.

    I do have reservations about Liv but I thought those two should be fun being taken down a peg or two and fun to watch them fall.

    I should be reading it this week as long as I finish the book I'm reading now. Fonzi keeps interfering with my reading schedule. Ha!

    Karen @ For What It's worth

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    1. It was neither romantic suspense or too serious, and that's what I came for, so I was happy. Hope you enjoy it, when you get to it

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  6. I really enjoyed The Bromance Book Club, even if it was not perfect, but I had no idea Undercover Bromance is coming so soon. That was fast! Glad to have read your review, because you've just convinced me to give this a chance.

    As for Yours in Scandal - I've wanted to read something by Lauren Layne for the longest time. Do you have any recommendations regarding where I should start? Or is it fine wherever I do?

    Great reviews!

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    1. Hmmm. One of my favorite LL books was a holiday story, An Ex for Christmas, and Blurred Lines, but all the books were great

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  7. Looking forward to both of these, glad you enjoyed them!

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  8. Mack was by far the funniest character in The Bromance Book Club - I'm so looking forward to getting his story! And I'm glad that we get to see a different side to Liv in this one - I definitely agree that she was very prickly!

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    1. I love Mack even more after this book. Knowing his past and who he became made him shine even more

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  9. I'm glad to hear that you liked Liv in this one. I had wondered how she would be here. I'm also glad to hear that the author found a good balance between the serious topics and the pure fun of the Bromance boys.

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    1. There's a lot to say for understanding why someone is the way they are. I see her differently now

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  10. I can't wait to read Undercover Bromance! I'll be reading it soon! I'm glad that you enjoyed this one, because I've had the same worry about Liv, since she wasn't the most likeable character in the first book, but I sure did love Braden! I'm definitely looking forward to more bromance, and am so glad you enjoyed this story so much! I'm glad you enjoyed Yours in Scandal as well. I've enjoyed Lauren Layne's books, and it's always such a great talent when an author can balance the heavy with light. Wonderful Reviews :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. Layne is an auto-read for me, never disappoints. I fell even more in love with Mack during this book. Hope you enjoy it!

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  11. I'm sooo excited for Undercover Bromance! Glad to hear you ended up liking Liz, because I thought she was pretty prickly too! :)

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    1. She sort of annoyed me in the last book, but I understand her more and saw beneath the hard veneer

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  12. I really was busting to see Liv and Braden together in the first Bromance book, and having to wait for a whole book about them made the dissapointment of just hints worthwhile. I thought the first book hinted at such great cehmistry!

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    1. Wow! I want to be in your head to understand what made you love Mack and Liv in the last book. I struggled with Liv so much, but was glad it worked out so well

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  13. I'm so glad you enjoyed Yours in Scandal Sam, it sounds like a great read but super excited for Undercover Bromance. Will the series be featuring each member of the group? Like your lovely self, I know everyone loved book one and bought it not too long ago myself. I'll have to grab a copy of this one and read both on the next rainy weekend. Wonderful reviews Sam, so glad you enjoyed these!

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    1. Some members of the group are happily married, but I think the Russian is unattached, and they could always bring in new members, like they did with Gavin

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  14. I had mixed feelings about The Bromance Book Club and it was totally due to Thea and Liv. I swear, the two of them (mostly Liv) almost ruined that one for. And when I found out that the second book would be about Liv... *sigh* I decided to skip it. Even though I loved Braden. He was so funny. I’m intrigued about Braden’s back story but probably not enough to read it. Maybe I’ll get you to spoil it for me. :)

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    1. I ended up liking Liv after I read this book, because I understood her better. I saw softer sides of her too

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  15. I've been on the shelf as to whether to read these books, as I heard some pretty mixed reviews about the first one, but I do like the sound of the bromance... I may give them a try. They're pretty inexpensive on kindle. :)

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    1. Lauren Layne is an auto-read for me. I will read any and all of her books. They might not all blow me away, but I know I will be really happy at the end of any of her books. I am loving the Bromance series. Adams surprised me by making me sort of like Liv after how much she annoyed me in the previous book, and Mack, I was already in love with him.

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  16. I still need to read the first one but I am glad Undercover Bromance was still such a good book! It sounds like this author knows how to tackle important and heavy topics while still keeping everything funny and light hearted. That takes a lot of work! Similarly for Yours in Scandal, it is tricky to set a book in the political world and keep it light on the politics. Very impressive for both authors :D

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    1. I know some readers were annoyed that the book took on such a heavy topic, but I think it shows a lot of skill to be able to mix the heavy and the light without weighing the book down. Yours in Scandal was political without being specific. There was the idea of what is expected of a politician, but no real world issues were introduced.

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