A Very Merry Bromance (Bromance Book Club #5)

By: Lyssa Kay Adams
Published Year: 2022
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 359

Summary (Provided by Goodreads): 'Tis the season for a Bromance Book Club matchmaking mission! This time, they're pulling out the mistletoe for everyone's favorite country music star, Colton, and his second chance at love.

Country music’s golden boy Colton Wheeler felt the most perfect harmony when he was with Gretchen Winthrop. But for her, it was a love him and leave him situation. A year later, Colton is struggling to push his music forward in a new direction. If it weren’t about to be the most magical time of year and the support of the Bromance Book Club, he’d be wallowing in self-pity.

It’s hard for immigration attorney Gretchen not to feel a little Scrooge-ish about the excess of Christmas when her clients are scrambling to afford their rent. So when her estranged, wealthy family reaches out with an offer that will allow her to better serve the community, she’s unable to say no. She just needs to convince Colton to be the new face of her family’s whiskey brand. No big deal…

Colton agrees to consider Gretchen’s offer in exchange for three dates before Christmas. With the help of the Bromance Book Club, Colton throws himself into the task of proving to her there’s a spark between them. But Gretchen and Colton will both need to overcome the ghosts of Christmas past to build a future together.

First Impressions

I have read the previous 4 Bromance Book Club books and I adore them. I love getting to know all of the guys (and some of the girls) in the previous books because it makes me cheer for them even more. I was excited when I saw the next one was a holiday romance.

What I thought

Colton wasn’t one of my favorite men in previous books. He’s a country star and came off a bit cocky and annoying in the previous books, but I liked him much more in his own story.

Colton just got news that his label doesn’t like his newest songs. Gretchen just got strong armed by her brother to try to get Clayton to be their family company’s next spokesperson. However, a year ago, Gretchen walked out on Clayton after a one night stand. Now they have to navigate their feelings with the rest of their lives.

This book is the grumpy/sunshine trope and it acknowledges it which I liked. Colton is all happiness until Gretchen rejects him. He then kind of spirals a little bit and struggles with his career. Gretchen on the other had is a very successful lawyer, but is grumpy and hates Christmas. Her family comes from a very prestigious whiskey company, but due to some neglect and other issues, Gretchen has pulled away from them until her brother calls her.

I liked Gretchen a lot. Even though she had her typical romance book issues that probably could’ve been handled a little differently, I felt like all of her actions were well explained. A lot of her past directly impacted her present actions and didn’t feel like she was overreacting. The romance between Colton and Gretchen had good chemistry but felt a little bit rushed. Colton fell head first after their one night stand, and I always struggle a little bit with love at first sight.