Lyssa Kay Adams

'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.

A Very Merry Bromance

Kendall Deranek

That maybe she doesn't want to run away. Maybe she just wishes someone would ask her to stay.

As a self proclaimed fashion girl, I want a man to say this to me.

If you dressed up for me, it worked. I'm yours.

There's something about it that it's not hooking me. I don't care about the story nor the characters.

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

celene

pls the friend groups so cute,,, and the romance too,,, just smiling and giggling

Shareca

This was cuuuute; I love grump + sunshine so much and I did love Colton and Gretchen's relationship. The beginning 50% is a struggle, however, to get through; I loved Colton, felt bogged down by Gretchen, and then when the 50% mark hits and they begin "dating," it gets better. Much better in so many ways. We also get more about Gretchen and her family dynamic which I wish was in the first half of this novel. 

I loved the banter, the cuteness, and the Colton!!! The fucking COLTON!!! I loved everything about his swag, his love, and the way his heart was described. Gretchen was very much me about 5-7 years ago, so I also did enjoy her elevation to get to where she was at the end. She learned, sacrificed, and understood what it meant to have to choose your family and those that surround you. It is about who you associate with that can change your mood entirely. 

I love a good HEA, of course, and this was perfect for my pick-me-up from the smutty-eroticism I read. There is not a ton of spicy sex in it, but enough to wet my palette. They had some really sensual and nice lovemaking between the two and that part I enjoyed. Even when it was forceful, it was hot and sensual. Loved that it felt so caring and sweet. 🥰

There was a lack of music, I felt, in a country music novel. It felt lost. There was also a lack of the damn book club!! I loved the rest because of the book club and we didn't have many of them in this one, which was fine. Such a nice Christmas comfy read, though, a great cute HEA with the best trope: grump 'n sunshine! 😉

Rachel Kanyid

I am finding these less enjoyable as time goes on. This might end up being my last with this series if it continues.

I absolutely love everything about this book! The witty banter, the grumpy sunshine trope, the character growth and the plot line. Complete perfection!

Lost in Tome 

Overall, I enjoyed this one. It’s definitely a fluffier read but that’s fine and to be expected. The characters do deal with things that are tough, but some of the writing surrounding those things feels a bit surface level. I loved the dynamic between Colton and Gretchen, I thought their personalities meshed well even thought they’re opposites. I also loved that this takes place in Nashville. I was hesitant with some of the music industry writing because a lot of people don’t know how the business works, but what this book discussed wasn’t offensive or totally inaccurate - I know the author did some research. 

I think what I loved most about this was Gretchen’s development and seeing the way Colton treated her. Gretchen is a runner and will sacrifice herself for people. She’s been deeply wounded by her horrible family because they never listened to her, never went after her when she ran away, and never gave her a reason to stay. I love that Colton showed her the complete opposite of that. Not just with him, but with his friends and family. I also loved that at the end, when Colton found Gretchen at the hotel bar in D.C., he knew his grand, romantic gesture had to be more private and low key because Gretchen wouldn’t like something grand and attention grabbing. So he put his hat and glasses on and had the bartender give her a drink and say very specific things so she’d know it was him. I love that Colton really sees Gretchen and knows exactly what she needs and wants.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. It’s definitely a fluffier read but that’s fine and to be expected. The characters do deal with things that are tough, but some of the writing surrounding those things feels a bit surface level. I loved the dynamic between Colton and Gretchen, I thought their personalities meshed well even thought they’re opposites. I also loved that this takes place in Nashville. I was hesitant with some of the music industry writing because a lot of people don’t know how the business works, but what this book discussed wasn’t offensive or totally inaccurate - I know the author did some research. 

I think what I loved most about this was Gretchen’s development and seeing the way Colton treated her. Gretchen is a runner and will sacrifice herself for people. She’s been deeply wounded by her horrible family because they never listened to her, never went after her when she ran away, and never gave her a reason to stay. I love that Colton showed her the complete opposite of that. Not just with him, but with his friends and family. I also loved that at the end, when Colton found Gretchen at the hotel bar in D.C., he knew his grand, romantic gesture had to be more private and low key because Gretchen wouldn’t like something grand and attention grabbing. So he put his hat and glasses on and had the bartender give her a drink and say very specific things so she’d know it was him. I love that Colton really sees Gretchen and knows exactly what she needs and wants.

This series lost a little bit of magic for me in the last one but brought it right back with this addition. I love the gender bended grumpy/sunshine especially when they are so meta about it. Perfect holiday romance in that you wouldn’t even need to be in the holiday season to enjoy it, it stands on its own. 

Abigail

obsessed might be an understatement here - the perfect grumpy/sunshine Christmas book ❤️ so excited to read the rest of her series 

Kennedy Eitmann

Colton winked. “With your cheerful disposition? I find that hard to believe.”

It pains me to say but this was an unfortunate miss for me. I have such a soft spot for this series but I think the direction this series has taken is a bit wild for my brain to wrap around anymore. But I appreciated the fact that I got to read about my bromance book club members this holiday season. 

Kathryn

“I want to go out with you.”

“Why?”

“Because I like you.”

“No one likes me.”

Colton winked. “With your cheerful disposition? I find that hard to believe.”

It pains me to say but this was an unfortunate miss for me. I have such a soft spot for this series but I think the direction this series has taken is a bit wild for my brain to wrap around anymore. But I appreciated the fact that I got to read about my bromance book club members this holiday season. 

2.5/5 ⭐️

Carlee Edwards 

I have this habit of finding Christmas, or holiday books in general, a bit cheesy, but Adams had me eating my words. I thought this was so adorable. I loved Colton and Gretchen right from the start. You could tell they had such great chemistry, and I loved how Colton would tease Gretchen to get a rise out of her. He was playful but protective of her, and it was sweet watching how much he cared about her, especially when it came to standing up to her family (who were terrible.) Gretchen was a bit Scrooge-like at the start, but I admired how she let herself be vulnerable and open up. One of the highlights of this series for me is the friendship between all the boys, so I loved all the interactions between them here as well. If you're looking for a steamy read this holiday season, I highly recommend checking this one out.

A Very Merry Bromance

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