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Undercover Bromance

(Bromance Book Club #2)

Lyssa Kay Adams (Goodreads Author)

3.88 · Rating details · 22,314 ratings · 3,925 reviews

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 pastry 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 ...more

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Kindle Edition, 348 pages

Published March 10th 2020 by Jove/Berkley/Penguin Random House LLC (New York)

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Lists with This Book

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The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

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231 books — 636 voters

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189 books — 1,896 voters

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Average rating 3.88 ·

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· 22,314 ratings · 3,925 reviews

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May 12, 2020 Hailey (Hailey in Bookland) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-releases, 2020-reads, adult

3.75* or maybe 3.5 not sure yet!

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Dec 16, 2019 Nilufer Ozmekik rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Let me hear you sing with me: ‘BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN! BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN!”

My favorite book club members are finally back. Good to see Gavin and Thea, having a stronger marriage but now, you gotta get ready to read Mack and Thea’s sister Liv’ story.

I loved those boys carry their big, golden hearts behind those muscularity and muscles. When they focus on something and team up to achieve an important mission, they turned into amateurish, humorous, clumsy agents. And this time they were determine ...more

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Dec 19, 2019 Miranda Reads rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: published2020, received-to-review

So excited about this Booktube video - all about the Top 10 Books of 2020 (so far).

"You've read too many romance novels."
"And you haven't read enough."

Liv Papandreas worked (past tense) at one of Nashville's hottest restaurants.

She witnessed her boss taking advantage of a fellow worker, and Liv immediately confronted him. And is promptly kicked to the curb.

"I always win, Olivia. Always."

Blacklisted and jobless - Liv has only one thought in her head...revenge.

"I should've

...more

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Apr 02, 2020 jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

in comparison, i didnt enjoy this as much as the first book, but its still a really cute story. i actually think i would prefer it more if this had been written as a standalone and not as part of a series.

the bromance bookclub, what i found to be super endearing (albeit cheesey) in the previous book, seems to have lost a little bit of its charm. it doesnt really play any part in this story and, when it does appear, the scenes are not as impactful as i would have liked.

but i think the story bet ...more

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Nov 18, 2019 ✨ A ✨ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: faves-adult-romance, four-stars, adult, 2020-release, contemporary, rom-com, buddy-read, new-adult, read-in-2020, romance

Lyssa Kay Adams could write another 10 books featuring a different bro and I'd be totally okay with that.

“What are we doing?” he repeated, looking at the guys. “We’re going to buy some goddamned romance novels in public.”

Liv works as sous chef for one of the best chefs in the country. It's the job of her dreams. But after catching her celebrity chef boss harassing a coworker, Liv confronts him and loses her job. She wants revenge, but she needs help and so she turns to Braden Mack, the infuriat ...more

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Mar 11, 2020 Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book wasn't perfect, but it was a still a fun read and I definitely think that if you enjoyed the first book in the series, you'll most likely enjoy this one as well! However, I do feel like this one was missing some of the ~magic~ that The Bromance Book Club had. In that first book, I was completely invested in Gavin and Thea because they were already in a pre-established relationship and I was eager to see them work through their marital struggles. In this book, however, we don't really f ...more

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Dec 10, 2019 Warda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I’m gonna need Lyssa Kay Adams to keep on writing about The Bromance Book Club members. I cannot and will not ever get enough of them.

————————

Retuuurn of the Mack!

Buddy-reading with some pretty amazing people! Azrah, Ameerah aaaand May

————————————

Mack was the best side character in the first book. I’m so glad his dramatic ass is getting his own story now. ...more

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May 18, 2020 Arini ~ Miss Casually Reading rated it liked it

Standalone Series

#1 The Bromance Book Club — 4.5 Stars
#2 Undercover Bromance — 3 Stars
#3 Crazy Stupid Bromance — 3.5 Stars

Undercover Bromance follows “the manuals” that all romance books live by too . . . rigorously? It’s lost its appeal. How ironic it is that the book is titled “Undercover Bromance” but there’s nothing (sans the book club) subtle or ingenious about every single aspect of the story. What’s worked in the first book simply stops working. Ultimately, this is just a romance Standalone Series

#1 The Bromance Book Club — 4.5 Stars
#2 Undercover Bromance — 3 Stars
#3 Crazy Stupid Bromance — 3.5 Stars

“There was just something satisfying about two people discovering that what makes them fight is also the thing that makes them perfect for each other.”

Mack is delightful, but Liv is hard to like—which has always been the case since book 1. I wasn’t as opposed to Liv’s hostile personality as I was to their banal love story. I enjoyed their banter, but their romantic development holds no momentum. From them having similar daddy issues, them withholding secrets about their own past, their “sexist vs. feminist” arguments, to their HEA. It’s all so . . . premeditated.

“I hate that motherfucker, and that was before I knew I actually had a reason to. So I want in on whatever you plan to do.”

I didn’t read the blurb, so I didn’t know this book was going to tackle such delicate issue. The fact that it’s handled under this bubble of lighthearted romcom seems a little insensitive. I didn’t mean to underappreciate what the book is trying to accomplish, but it bothered me quite a bit. Not to mention, the characters use the oldest tricks in the book to carry out their mission. This book barely has any plot twist.

Overall:

Undercover Bromance is cute, entertaining, and fun to read—as it should. The romance is formulaic, and the plot is generic despite the seriousness of the topic it deals with. These are made even more glaring by the clichéd writing. It’s true that the humor saves the book from being too bland. The book club and its members is the most unique thing about this series, but it shouldn’t have to shoulder everything on its own.

(Read as an Audiobook) ...more

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Jun 12, 2020 peachygirl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2020

This is the second book in the Bromance Book Club series, following the love story of Braden Mack, the founder of BBC and Liv Papandreas, Thea's loyal and interfering sister from the first book.

True to her nature, she lands in a soup trying to confront her boss for harassing her co-worker, who repeatedly asks her not to butt in! Good intentions aside, she had no job pushing her bestfriend and other victims to report the issue. And when they don't comply, she turns condescending and judgemental. This is the second book in the Bromance Book Club series, following the love story of Braden Mack, the founder of BBC and Liv Papandreas, Thea's loyal and interfering sister from the first book.

True to her nature, she lands in a soup trying to confront her boss for harassing her co-worker, who repeatedly asks her not to butt in! Good intentions aside, she had no job pushing her bestfriend and other victims to report the issue. And when they don't comply, she turns condescending and judgemental. No matter what she had to prove, this should have been on their terms, not hers. I kept muttering "Girllll come on, they've been through so much, give them a freaking break." But yeah, she does manage to bring the perp down but I couldn't stand her victim-blaming attitude. And her commitment phobia became tiring after a while. As much as I loved her interactions with Braden, she was super snarky for atleast 60% of the book. Normally I do stan a sarcastic, outspoken heroine, but Liv seemed dangerously close to crossing the line of bitchy at times. That too to my baby boy!!!!
Now where do I start with him? Very rarely do we come across characters who grab on to our hearts and never let go, making us wish they were real. To me, Mack was it. He was a proud reader of romance, confident in his masculinity, extremely charming, quite vocal in his advocacy of gender equality and a momma's pet! Doesn't he just sound like the perfect specimen??! He offers to help Liv in her quest not because he likes her or wants to prove something, *like someone we know* but to bring a sexual predator to justice. He's ready to hire the harassed for a non existent job without even taking a minute to mull it over, just to get her away from her asshole boss. King shit, seriously!
The way he keeps showing Liv how she can lean on him and trust him to love her was just so pure. Eventually she does come around, but not before getting on the nerves of everyone around her. (and mine!!)

This book confirms my theory that you can't go wrong with enemies to lovers trope. The BBC's intervention and Mack's grand gesture turned my heart to mush. And the ending was super sweet.

Not just the leads but the writer gives adequate background and development for secondary characters as well. Hop and Rosie's story was so adorable. And fiery! (I'm pretty sure I've never used that word in reference to "old people")

And the Russian. Damn, he was hilarious. I sincerely hope there's a whole ass book dedicated for that guy and his love for cheese.

This was such an entertaining read and I was so sorry to see it end. To think the next book is not even published yet.. ughh, waiting is so not my thing! ...more

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Feb 18, 2020 Christy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-four-stars

4 stars

photo 874222E7-813C-4882-A78B-B885FF01D874_zps19p7xyhm.png

Last year when I read The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams, I knew I had to know more about Braden Mack. I was so happy to hear that his book would be next in this series. I'm happy to say, Undercover Bromance was just as great as the first book for me.

Not for the first time, he felt on the outs. The odd man in the group. The man who could save a hundred marriages but was doomed to never find his own happy ending.

Braden Mack is the leader of the Bromance Book Club. ...more

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Feb 09, 2020 Gabby rated it really liked it

Shelves: new-adult, cover-lust, own, contemporary, romance, 4-star-books, read-in-2020, reviewed, liked-it

This book was cute. It didn’t have the same magic that Bromance Book Club had, but I still think it’s a really cute romance novel that I would still recommend. This story follows Liv and Mack, Liv is Thea’s sister (from the first book) and Mack is one of the guys in the book club.

This story is a lot more serious than the first book because Liv works in the restaurant industry as a pastry chef, and she witnessed this guy who is the owner of the place sexually harassing this girl, and she decides ...more

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Nov 01, 2019 mina reads™️ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I think the most important take away here is that The Russian got a name reveal. 2.5 stars

I have some complex feelings about this one, I feel like the complete love and adoration I felt for the first book made my expectations for this one super high. I personally had issues with Liv and I understand that some of her characterization is completely intentional so that the author can give her some character delevopment a I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I think the most important take away here is that The Russian got a name reveal. 2.5 stars

I have some complex feelings about this one, I feel like the complete love and adoration I felt for the first book made my expectations for this one super high. I personally had issues with Liv and I understand that some of her characterization is completely intentional so that the author can give her some character delevopment as the story goes on and she becomes a more empathetic person with the ability to appreciate the nuanced complicated reactions some women have to assault. However, I found her off-putting, she was so judgemental and I think it made this intense assault plotline harder to swallow because initially Liv is incredibly judgemental towards survivors. Beyond that, which she does grow out of over the course of the novel, largely I just didn't connect to her overall and as a result I couldn't see what Mack was talking about when he mentioned how much he loved her or found her personality inticing. Mack was cool though and I liked him well enough. I always appreciate a male romantic and it was cool to see how him being "in love with love" kind of hindered him from creating deep genuine connections.

Another critique I had was the fact that the "manual" the book club was reading didn't play a large role in this installment in the series. I liked how the excerpts from the "manual" in the first book directly paralleled certain scenes and for me that aspect was sorely missed. I wished the book club got more page time and the members a bit more depth because they all blend together.

As far as the plot goes I think the book was tonally strange as well because we're dealing with this really intense subject matter but then it's also a romantic comedy and it's full of cheesiness and hilarious absurdities, so I think the dichotomy between the the light hearted nature of the writing and the sexual predator plotline made it hard to fully invest in the story for me. I wasn't engaged until about 60% in. Despite this as weird as it may sound this book was enjoyable and funny in some ways so I didn't hate it but the concept is highly questionable. This is a strange review because I kind of thought it was a cool read but I had a lot of compliants and concerns. Some things shouldn't be a romcom.

Cw: workplace sexual harassment, assault ...more

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Apr 25, 2020 EmBibliophile rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars

3 stars

He loved a little danger with his romance, and he especially loved an enemies-to-lovers story. There was just something satisfying about two people discovering that what makes them fight is also the thing that makes them perfect for each other.

Why enemies to lovers romance are so enjoyable to read? Well, Mack couldn’t have said it better!!

I was so nervous about reading this book, because I wasn’t such a huge fan of Liv in the previous book. But I loved the bookclub so much and I was so in ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 JenReadsRomance rated it did not like it

ouch. I enjoyed the first one, but this was a miss in basically every single way.

Most damning: these fools use sexual assault victims as an excuse to have like...an adventure? I just read Catch and Kill, so I know how tremendously difficult it is to get sexual assault victims to come forward, and the way this book ends just elides right over that. Suddenly a handful of women magically come forward just when the main characters need them to---HOW?

I think a book can have the best intentions of t ...more

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Nov 19, 2019 TheBibliotheque ♡ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-arc, faves-romance, 2020-faves, read-trope-enemiestolovers

Just like I anticipated, MACK's story was even better.

description

Don’t you wish toxic masculinity could just disappear? Well, The Bromance Book Club and Lyssa Kay Adams get us one step closer.

And this time Mack is here to make us swoon. Like, swoon real hard. Because if Mack could crack open the tough cookie that was Liv, trust me, he can do anything. Even convert the male population to avid romance readers (if one is allowed to dream).

This instalment of the BBC follows Mack and Liv while they join forces ...more

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May 10, 2020 Susanne Strong rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4 Stars

Bring it On! Sassy, Sweet and Oh So Sexy!

Braden Mack is a bachelor. He is also a member of the Bromance Book Club. He has been reading romance novels since he was a child and is an expert at wining and dining a woman. The only thing he isn’t an expert at is relationships.

Liv Papandreas is a sous chef at a very popular restaurant in downtown Nashville. After witnessing her boss, the hottest celebrity chef in town, sexually harassing an employee, and trying to put an end to it, Liv is term ...more

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Dec 19, 2019 Tucker (TuckerTheReader) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Tucker by: Miranda Reads

Shelves: arc-physical, adult, romance, 4-stars, contemporary

"Fear was a powerful motivator. But so was love."

Before I start my review, I just want to thank my friend, Miranda for sending me her ARC of this book!!! I seriously can't express how grateful I am! <3

So, what's this book about?
Undercover Bromance follows Mack and Liv.

Mack, the founder of the Bromance Book Club, has never met a woman he couldn't woo... except for Liv. She is seemingly immune to his charm. In fact, she almost seems to—*gasp*—dislike him. 😱

Liv generally avoids Mac ...more

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May 10, 2020 Kaceey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-from-publisher, buddy-read

It’s the return of the bromance book club! Time to rescue another failing relationship through the magical power of the romance novel!

I just love the concept of this series! It’s positively hilarious watching these men, many professional athletes, discreetly slipping into a bookstore and leaving with the latest romance novel in tow.

Braden Mack just can’t seem to find love! Even as a charter member of the bromance club, love has eluded him. Maybe he’s just been pursuing the wrong kind of woman? ...more

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Mar 08, 2020 Norma rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourite-reads-2020, review-requests

Amusing, heartwarming, and dreamy!

I absolutely fell in love with The Bromance Book Club and could not wait to read this book. I thought this was just as amazing as the first book and thoroughly enjoyed Mack & Liv’s love story just as much as I did Gavin & Thea’s.

UNDERCOVER BROMANCE (Bromance Book Club #2) by LYSSA KAY ADAMS is a charming, delightful, fun, sweet, witty, adorable, romantic, and brisk read that was absolutely unputdownable. Even though it was mostly a lighthearted read with plenty Amusing, heartwarming, and dreamy!

I absolutely fell in love with The Bromance Book Club and could not wait to read this book. I thought this was just as amazing as the first book and thoroughly enjoyed Mack & Liv’s love story just as much as I did Gavin & Thea’s.

UNDERCOVER BROMANCE (Bromance Book Club #2) by LYSSA KAY ADAMS is a charming, delightful, fun, sweet, witty, adorable, romantic, and brisk read that was absolutely unputdownable. Even though it was mostly a lighthearted read with plenty of laugh out loud moments it also tackles an important topic of sexual harassment in the workplace which was a little maddening and tough to read at times. Royce’s character really irked the heck out of me.

LYSSA KAY ADAMS delivers quite the exciting, entertaining, and sexy story here that has so much heart and is packed full of swoon-worthy awesomeness. I loved the book club aspect and the addition of the farm where Liv lived was such a delight to read. The secondary characters were just as important to the storyline as the main players were.

I absolutely loved the enemies to lovers trope here with Liv and Mack. Both of their characters were so entertaining and I loved the dynamics between the two of them that had me rooting for them all the way to their happy ending.

Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Fun, eye-catching, relevant, appealing, bright, intriguing and an effective representation to storyline.
Title: Intriguing, clever and I loved how meaningful it was in relation to the storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, fresh, clever, engaging, captivating, humorous, fluid and charming.
Plot: Steamy, fun, delightful, adorable, lighthearted, fast-paced, absorbing, enjoyable and highly entertaining.
Ending: A swoon-worthy, happy and satisfying ending.
Overall: 4.5 Stars! A romantic comedy that is packed full of heart and absolutely unputdownable. I had so much fun reading this extremely engrossing, enjoyable & entertaining book. I also really appreciated the message here about us women standing up for ourselves and fighting against sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace! Let me tell you it isn't all that easy to do and this definitely struck a chord with me because I have personal experience with sexual harassment in the workplace. Would highly recommend!

Thanks so much to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy of this fabulous book to read! It was an absolute pleasure spending time with this one!!

Review can also be seen on Traveling Sisters Book Reviews blog:
https://travelingsistersbookreviews.com/ ...more

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Jan 03, 2020 Corina rated it really liked it

Shelves: banter

This was a lot of fun, adorable, a bit cheesy and predictable, but overall a LOT of fun!! I actually enjoyed it even more than Bromance Book Club. And that’s thanks to the main couple, Liv and Mack, and an entertaining story with some amazing LOL moments.

Undercover Bromance just showed how much I love an entertaining story, fantastic characters, and a well written book. After reading The Bromance Book Club last year, I already knew that I enjoyed the author’s writing.

I especially like the idea o This was a lot of fun, adorable, a bit cheesy and predictable, but overall a LOT of fun!! I actually enjoyed it even more than Bromance Book Club. And that’s thanks to the main couple, Liv and Mack, and an entertaining story with some amazing LOL moments.

Undercover Bromance just showed how much I love an entertaining story, fantastic characters, and a well written book. After reading The Bromance Book Club last year, I already knew that I enjoyed the author’s writing.

I especially like the idea of a male romance book club. It allows for some interesting sub plots, for example the way the group rallies around each other, with advice that’s clearly taken from romance novels. Not in a step by step kind of way, more like the members of the Book Club were drawing from the knowledge that comes with reading tons of romance novels. At this point the group got it down to a science, especially Mack. Of course that also makes the entire book a bit unbelievable and cheesy.

Either way, this book made me laugh out loud so many times, I actually teared up while laughing. Not every author can write dialogues as witty and funny as Liv and Mack had going between them. Their one liners were GOLD!!! The back and forth between the couple was fantastic, with Liv’s snarky demeanor and Mack’s charming personality, it all worked perfectly together. Actually the entire cast was immensely entertaining when in action. They guys were hilarious together, and putty in the hands of their women.

Moreover, the book wasn’t just about the banter between Liv and Mack or their romance.

Instead the author tackled some more serious subplots as well, like sexual harassment in the workplace. Also Liv and Mack had some baggage that they had to figure out. Some judgmental tendencies from Liv, which had their origin in her past, were to overcome. And Mack’s secret, which he carried for so long, was source for some more tension between the couple. But throughout it all, the group was there for each other.

All in all, I had a wonderful time reading this book. It made me laugh, it was entertaining, and an easy read. All major plus points in my book.

ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.

...more

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Dec 31, 2019 Shelby *trains flying monkeys* rated it liked it

Shelves: is-this-a-kissing-book, netgalley, read-2019

After reading the first book in this series I needed instant gratification with a book 2. I LOVE these Romance reading book club boys. Braden Mack is the founder of this little club that of men that get in touch with their and their women's feelings by reading the romance. The porny parts are just icing on the cake.

Braden is the typical he-man pretty boy of the group. He owns several nightclubs in Nashville and seems to be able to have all the ladies. They just don't stay with him. He is win ...more

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Mar 09, 2020 Brenda ~Traveling Sisters Book Reviews rated it really liked it

Shelves: print-from-publisher

Trickle me red!! Is it hot in here or is it just me after reading Undercover Bromance. Lyssa Kay Adams turns up the heat here in this story in more ways than one.

Things get heated here between Liv and her formal celebrity chef boss after she witnesses him harnessing an employee. When Mack and members of the Bromance Book Club find out they assist her in bringing down the chef for his actions.

Things also get heated in a different way between our enemies to lovers Mack and Liv. The banner between ...more

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Mar 12, 2020 Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader rated it it was amazing

These clever rom coms are such a pick-me-up! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Liv worked at a hot restaurant in Nashville. The reason she no longer works there is because she saw her boss, the chef, taking advantage of another employee, and when she spoke up, she was fired. Liv doesn’t walk away easily though. She wants revenge.

Braden is a founder of the Bromance Book Club. Liv asks for help, and he obliges and calls upon his other book club friends. They intend to get revenge on the chef. And along the way, ther ...more

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Mar 11, 2020 ♛ may rated it really liked it

Shelves: hilarious, marshmallow-fluff, my-heart, aaaaaaaaaa, super-cute, buddy-read, i-will-go-down-with-this-ship, real-problems, 300-pgs, binged

Braden Mack really came out here and said, "call me old fashioned but i was raised to SERVE my wife. cook for her every night & clean up the messes she makes. if she leaves me, then it’s on ME, she caught ME slipping and i should have done better"

my goodness, can this series last forever????

rtc maybe??

4.5 stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

buddy read with these absolute lovelies ameerah, azrah, & warda 🥰 ...more

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Feb 22, 2020 Sara rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, romance, arc, adult, contemporary

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

Mack is the founder of the Bromance Book Club, the saviour of marriages, and the man who has memorised every line from every romance novel going. He knows how to woo a woman, be the hero of every romance, and knows everything about love. Except he can’t seem to keep a woman. He’s not genuine. An undercover agent in his own life. So when he encounters Liv, the antithesis to his romantic ways, immune to his charm and blister, he feels he’s ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

Mack is the founder of the Bromance Book Club, the saviour of marriages, and the man who has memorised every line from every romance novel going. He knows how to woo a woman, be the hero of every romance, and knows everything about love. Except he can’t seem to keep a woman. He’s not genuine. An undercover agent in his own life. So when he encounters Liv, the antithesis to his romantic ways, immune to his charm and blister, he feels he’s finally met his match. And when Liv sets out to expose her ex boss for the sexual predator he is, Mack steps up to be her partner in crime.

I really enjoyed this sequel to The Bromance Book Club, even more than the original. Whereas the previous instalment entered on a second chance romance, this plays on the enemies to lovers trope that I love so much. Mack and Liv have great chemistry. The banter is funny and the tension and sexual chemistry are on an all time high. It feels realistic and there’s just the right balance of character development to plot to make me care. Liv has a tough exterior, putting up walls because she believes she doesn’t deserve to love. Mack feels similar. On the outside he’s all bravado, but inside he hides a dark past that’s shaped the man he’s become. The two compliment each other well.

As always, the secondary characters provide much of the light relief - especially ‘The Russian’, with his dairy intolerance and love of chickens. This time we’re also introduced to Rosie and Hop, who also become quickly enveloped in Liv’s escapades. They all feel like a large extended found family, with a lot of love and mutual respect that feels wholesome and lovely.

The plot is a lot darker than than The Bromance Book Club, and tackles some hard hitting and important topics such as sexual assault and the after effects for survivors. I thought the topic was handled well, and never feels gratuitous. In fact, quite the opposite, with some powerful conversations being made throughout the book - especially between Liv and her friends. It tackled concepts I wouldn’t normally expect from what I would consider as a ‘light’ read, but I greatly appreciated it, and found the story really benefitted from the discussions raised.

The writing, as before, is easy to read although I wouldn’t consider it amazing. The overall story arc is, as you would expect with a romance, very predictable and convenient at times, with information and help arriving for our characters when they need it. There’s also the predictable ‘I’m hiding a secret from you that will be exposed and force us to express our feelings’ issue that I read about in every romance novel at the moment. Sometimes I felt a little exasperated bu the lack of originality.

However, I enjoyed being swept up into the story and I’m utterly charmed by the book club itself. These guys have stolen a little piece of my heart, and I can’t wait for the next instalment with my romance loving romantic heroes. ...more

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Feb 13, 2020 Jessica rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: hate-to-love, 2020-releases

After reading and LOVING The Bromance Book Club last year, I was so excited for Liv and Mack's story. Mack was so endearing in book one and I was so ready for this hate to love romance.

When this book started, I knew we would have a more serious storyline with Liv trying to take down a boss who sexually harasses his employees. Unfortunately, though, I feel like that storyline really took over the plot and we didn't get as much connection to the romance as I wanted. Liv and Mack fight so much and ...more

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Apr 04, 2020 Berit☀️✨ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: advanced-reader-copy, arc-physical, romcom, 2020, berkley

Fun! Fun! Fun! Lissa Kay Adams once again charmed me with her witty and whimsical writing. This was such an uplifting story filled with wonderful characters and a ton of humor. The book does also address some serious subject matter, but I thought it was done well and with a gentle hand. Live is furious when she is fired from her coveted pastry job after confronting her boss about his inappropriate behavior. She definitely never thought that Braden Mac would be the one to help her out of this jam ...more

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Jan 15, 2020 Chelsea rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Was I worried about second book syndrome? Yes. Was this just as good if not better than the first? Yes! I just adore this entire concept. The Bromance Book Club won me over with its humor and take on toxic masculinity and the romance genre as a whole. Undercover Bromance tackled even more in such a tasteful way. While this still touches on the same type of story (ie dudes learning how to romance from romance books), it also addresses things like workplace harassment and sexual harassment. I love ...more

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Jan 02, 2020 Mara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook-owned, arc

Toxic masculinity? Who? What? We don't know her... 4.5 stars! (Maybe 5? IDK, we'll see how it sits with me)

If you have read CATCH AND KILL or SHE SAID in the last few months, or if you are just exhausted by the never ending cavalcade of bullshit unearthed by Me Too, this is the romance for you. I just loved how meta this book is, both with our current social moment and with the romantic suspense genre itself. This kind of meta quality won't work for everyone, but I am 100% in the tank for it. & Toxic masculinity? Who? What? We don't know her... 4.5 stars! (Maybe 5? IDK, we'll see how it sits with me)

If you have read CATCH AND KILL or SHE SAID in the last few months, or if you are just exhausted by the never ending cavalcade of bullshit unearthed by Me Too, this is the romance for you. I just loved how meta this book is, both with our current social moment and with the romantic suspense genre itself. This kind of meta quality won't work for everyone, but I am 100% in the tank for it. & thought it was really well executed I loved all the explicit discussion of what worn tropes in the genre are saying about men and women, relationships, gender dynamics, power, etc., and I thought these moments were handled well- either with comedic effect or just stated eloquently. After reading the first book in the series, I was really hoping that a book with a trope mixture that better aligned to my preferences would hit it out of the park for me, and... yep. This did.

Can we also just appreciate that this book manages to be so serious and so funny at the same time? I laughed out loud multiple times, especially with the book club scenes. The Russian and his cheese, man. It doesn't take much to make me laugh, what I can say. But yes, I love the comedic tones of this and the character work is really great. The whole cast makes me smile, and I'm excited to see more with this group of characters. I especially loved Mack in this book, and loved seeing him grow from being lovable but inauthentic to being vulnerable & ready to have a real relationship. I'm hoping Gretchen, Alexis, & Sonia will come back as heroines of their own books at some point... maybe with the Russian?

I already know that some people are going to struggle with this heroine (in a way that they likely wouldn't if she was the dude... le sigh)-- she is stubborn & judgmental, no getting around it. But I loved the journey that Adams takes her on, which mirrors the hero's: how to be a strong ally to other women. She has the fire & determination to do the right thing (I LOVED her in the opening scenes), but she doesn't always know how to direct that energy in a way that's supportive to the women she's trying to help. I was very moved by her growth as a character-- she learns not only to trust herself and to trust the hero in her relationship, but also to trust other women & listen to what they need.

Only demerits here: a) I wish we'd gotten more of the book they were reading like in the first one; b) I do think pacing is a little off in this -- too much build up and not long enough in the "execution" of their plans; c) I wasn't 100% sold on the transition from hate to love... again, less time in the build up would have helped this; and d) the final reveal about the hero's past was.... a lot.

CW: Described sexual assault ...more

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Apr 10, 2020 Jayme rated it liked it

Shelves: women-s-fiction, rom_com

I thought the concept of The Bromance Book Club (#1) was so unique!

A group of men secretly reading romance novels, for tips on how to understand the women they love! 💘 It contained excerpts from a Harlequin Romance style book, complete with a FABIO cover...a book within a book.

But book two, veered away from that format, and didn’t quite work for me.

Sure, the same characters were back..

This time, the starring role goes to Thea’s sister, Liv, a character I didn’t care for in book 1, and
Braden M ...more

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Buchreihen Challe...: August - Reihe fortsetzen: The Secret Book Club 2	33	15	Aug 30, 2020 10:59PM
Blondies & Books ♡: Thoughts on Undercover Bromance	12	6	Jul 10, 2020 07:52AM
YA Buddy Readers'...: Undercover Bromance (Bromance Book Club #2) by Lyssa Kay Adams - Starting June 14th 2020	15	16	Jun 20, 2020 12:18PM
The Procrastinato...: Undercover Bromance (June 2020) Buddy Read Discussion - HeatherH & Selina & Mina & Katie	23	21	Jun 15, 2020 05:03PM
Turning Pages At ...: Undercover Bromance (Bromance Book Club #2) by Lyssa Kay Adams	13	24	Mar 12, 2020 08:13AM

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About Lyssa Kay Adams

Lyssa Kay Adams

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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 ...more