A Very Merry Bromance (Bromance Book Club, #5) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Jul 07, 2023 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, contemporary-romance, nc-br-digital-library, 3500-2022, 150-comp, 2023-audiobook-challenge, 2023-library-love, 2023-beat-the-backlist

the setup…
Country music star Colton Wheeler experienced a life changing moment with immigration attorney Gretchen Wheeler after the wedding reception of Liv and Braden Mack. What was for him the start of something wonderful turned out to be something completely different for her as she woke and bolted. A year later, after endless attempts to reach out to her, Colton suddenly gets a visit and a business proposition from her. What he didn’t know was she is one of those Winthrops, that wealthy fami the setup…
Country music star Colton Wheeler experienced a life changing moment with immigration attorney Gretchen Wheeler after the wedding reception of Liv and Braden Mack. What was for him the start of something wonderful turned out to be something completely different for her as she woke and bolted. A year later, after endless attempts to reach out to her, Colton suddenly gets a visit and a business proposition from her. What he didn’t know was she is one of those Winthrops, that wealthy family who owns the ultimate whiskey brand. If ever Colton needed help from the Bromance Book Club, now was the time.

the heart of the story…
I immediately liked Colton from earlier stories and highly anticipated this one. Gretchen was the woman who dumped Braden so I always wanted to know more about her. Her abandoning Colton after their one night of passion was inexplicable but after getting to know her family, clarity prevailed. They were over the top awful, their treatment of her even more inexcusable. I enjoyed the romance journey between Gretchen and Colton, how he came to appreciate her qualities despite her history and prickly nature and she slowly removed a lot of walls. She brought out the best in him and he gave her much needed courage and confidence. But, I was disappointed about her predictable behavior near the end and it didn’t ring authentic, putting a stain on an otherwise lovely romance.

the narration…
I enjoy Eiden’s storytelling, especially those moments when the Bromance Romance Club is in full throttle. He not only does a great job with the male voices but handles the female characters nicely, not falling into that falsetto trap.

the bottom line…
Colton and Gretchen’s romance was one of my favorites until that unfortunate moment near the end, leaving it on sort of a sour note despite them working through it. But there was so much to love about this story that it didn’t negatively change my overall opinion. Her family dynamics, his career issues and the Bromance Book Club shenanigans added many layers to this engaging story, having me experience a full range of emotions. If this is the last in the series (I hope not!), it’s been a great reading experience, especially on audio, and I got exactly what I hoped for in seeing men not only reading but embracing and promoting the romance genre.

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Dec 18, 2022 Robin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance, 2022, library-book, 2022-utd

A meeting at a friend's wedding leads to a night of passion for Country Star Colton Wheeler and Immigration Attorney Gretchen Winthrop. The next morning Gretchen leaves and won't return his phone calls. Now it's been a year and Colton still can't get her off of his mind. He hasn't put out a new album in a long time and his label is not happy with the songs he has submitted.

Meanwhile, Gretchen is up to her neck in legal work and trying to keep her non-profit afloat. Even though her family is ric ...more

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Jan 29, 2022 Anita rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, christmas, audio, kindle-libby

A new Bromance Book Club book for Christmas? Thank you, Santa! I started my Christmas reading with this wondaful edition to the Bromance Book Club Series. To say I loved this book is a gross understatement, I LOVED IT!! Colton and Gretchen were a complicated couple and I loved how they worked through their stuff to get to their HEA. The only thing I would have liked is more of the "Romance Book". That element didn't get much play in this book.

Colton Wheeler is a glass half-full kind of guy and a ...more

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Dec 05, 2022 Carla rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars rounded up: A Very Merry Bromance is the 5th book in the Bromance Book Club series and it is country music star, Colton Wheeler's romance. In the previous book, Gretchen Winthrop and Colton Wheeler are attending the same wedding and end up going back to Colton's room. This book opens with them waking the next morning, and Gretchen running away like she is being chased. Colton has no idea what happened, but he wanted to get to know Gretchen more. Fast forward a year, and Gretchen's fami 4.5 stars rounded up: A Very Merry Bromance is the 5th book in the Bromance Book Club series and it is country music star, Colton Wheeler's romance. In the previous book, Gretchen Winthrop and Colton Wheeler are attending the same wedding and end up going back to Colton's room. This book opens with them waking the next morning, and Gretchen running away like she is being chased. Colton has no idea what happened, but he wanted to get to know Gretchen more. Fast forward a year, and Gretchen's family finds out that she knows Colton and wants her to approach him to be a spokesperson for their high end whiskey. Colton is in a bit of a slump. He hasn't put out any music in a couple of years, and his label does not like the stuff he has sent them. He is in a funk and has been told he needs to work with a songwriter. Gretchen is not a fan of her family. She doesn't work in the family business, but is an immigration attorney, who depends on donations to keep her clinic open. When her brother offers her a spot on the board of the charitable foundation if she gets Colton to agree to the deal, so she swallows her pride and makes an overture. Colton says he will consider it, if she agrees to go on a date. She agrees, but she won't like it. This is your grumpy/sunshiny trope, with Gretchen being the grump. As they spend more time together, we learn about Gretchen's past which was horrible and how her brother terrorized her growing up. Colton also has some issues about self-confidence and that he is a fraud, but when he and Gretchen get to know each other, she unknowingly becomes his muse.

This is a series that does have open door bedroom scenes, but I enjoy the stories so much, I skim those scenes and continue to enjoy this series. The idea of this group of guys being in a romance book club and using what they learn to help each other with their relationships is such a hoot. They are all back in this book, adding that familiarity as well as some humor. Colton is all sunshine and wants Gretchen to enjoy the happiness that Christmas brings, but Gretchen is a Scrooge as she has no happy memories from Christmases in her youth. I loved the festivities that he planned for her, like it or not, and she ended up having a good time. There is always a serious issue in every book in this series and this time it is bullying, parents not supporting their children, greed and power. As well there is a nod to issues within the immigration system. Once again there is a story within the story as Colton gives Gretchen a romance book to read. We could all use a Colton, someone that supports Gretchen unconditionally, sticks up for her to her family and loves her enough to put his career on the line. This is another great addition to the series and I definitely recommend you read this one, or better yet, the whole series. ...more

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Jan 06, 2023 Sandra Hoover rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, romance

The Bromance Book Club series is one of the most adorable series I've read in some time. I've loved each book and what a way to end the series with Colton and Gretchen's story. A Very Merry Bromance takes place around the holiday, of course, and our two main characters are on very opposite sides of the fence when it comes to celebrating the season. Colton is a holiday nut - tree, cookies, the whole nine yards and Gretchen is bah humbug! These two have a history and insane attraction. Colton know ...more

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