Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams - Reshelved Books

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone is doing okay during this crazy crazy time. 

I am here with a new review! *the crowd cheers*

Some of you may recall how I loved the first book in this series The Bromance Book Club.

WELL. LET ME TELL YOU.  I loved this book as much as I did the first one. 

Mack was the guy I wished I would have the luck of meeting and maybe dating...? Yes, I definitely think that I could see myself dating this literary guy.

Anyway. 

Undercover Bromance introduces the reader to Braden "Mack" Mack, nightclub owner and founder of the Bromance Book Club and how he finds himself in love with a very unlikely person, Liv Papandreas.

While this book is part of a series, (it's the 2nd one) it's almost as if it could be a standalone.  The book really didn't build on top of the other one.  The characters are reoccurring and there are some new characters but for the most part everyone is the same. 

If it's possible, I loved this book more than I did the first one (sorry to Gavin).  I found Mack to be a more lovable and enduring character.  I like how he had to court Liv.  Just like the first one, I could NOT stand Liv in this one.  I would like to think that that is whole point of her character, for you to be a little put off by her but still rooting for her. 

Not only does this book discuss her building and budding relationship with Mack, but it also handles a pretty big topic of current events: workplace and sexual harassment.  I thought that Adams did a good job to addressing the topic and how one must feel when they're placed in that horrible situation.  Just like in the best book, I found myself laughing at a lot of the antics that Liv found herself involved in at the Farm.

If you're looking for a good book to read during day I can't even remember anymore of quarantine, I definitely think you should grab this one!  It is available via Amazon but check to see if there's a copy available via Libby with your local library! It's a digital resource that you may have access too. 

I wish everyone the best during this time and I want everyone to stay safe!

Happy reading, 
Jillian

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez- Reshelved Books

Maybe it's just me but I always have a hard time writing a review about a book that I didn't like.  I feel bad for putting it out there that I just didn't like a book.  I don't want to offend the author and anyone who's reading here who may have liked the book.  I can only imagine how much time it takes to write the book, to look for a publisher, etc.

I'm just going to come out and say this right now: This book was too much. 

And for that... I didn't like it. Side note: I know that I get stuck in these funks where all I read are books that I find to be less the stellar. 

In The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez focuses on two characters: Kristen and Josh.  
Kristen: 24 year old, owner of her own business, is about to have a major life changing surgery.  The outcome of this surgery is what's preventing her from getting attached to Josh.  Kristen is currently dating Tyler, who is finishing up his tour overseas. 
Josh: 29 year old, former Marine, current firefighter/paramedic.  Josh moved to California from South Dakota after a bad breakup. (Josh also believes that Kristen is his "unicorn" - he wants to be with her and he will do anything to show her that they are worth the risk.)

Book Cover Link Here

Josh and Kristen both happen to be in the same wedding: Kristen is Sloan's maid of honor and Josh is Brandon's best man.  


As any good rom-com story would go; Kristen and Josh have a chance encounter before officially meeting one another.  (Apparently, you can go X amount of time as someone's best friend and never ever meet their finance's best friend).

Kristen was driving Brandon's new truck, when she slipped her coffee and stopped short.  Josh was driving behind her and he happened to be looking at his phone and when Kristen stopped; Josh didn't react in enough time and he ended up tapping his truck against the back of the one that she was driving.

Logically (I say this lightly), this is Josh's fault and he offers to help clean up the mess and offers Kristen his shirt.  Since this is a book, Kristen uses her shirt to clean up the mess (as it was already stained) and then she goes and changes into Josh's shirt. 

It wasn't until Josh arrived at the fire station, did he realize that he hit Brandon's truck while Kristen was driving it!

For the sake of speeding things along... 

Kristen ends up hiring Josh to be her carpenter for her business.  'Cause you know, Josh conveniently had a woodworking hobby on the side.

During this time, they get closer to one another but after multiple conversations with Josh, Kristen learns that he dreams of settling down and having a big family.  Part of the reason *why* Josh broke up with his ex-girlfriend and left South Dakota was because she didn't want to have children. 

Kristen knows that she could never give Josh what she wants (or so she believes).  But sometimes, love is such a strong emotion and force, that it needs up conquering all.

Kristen's health and her surgery are big part of the book.  That was something that I didn't have a problem with.  How she felt about that and how that influenced what she did with Josh. (I actually liked that part about the book. I thought it was important that she covered topic like that and the fears that along aside it!)

My problem was all of the added stuff that didn't seem to be important!

This next part is going to contain a spoiler, so advert your eyes! If you so choose...

Brandon and Sloan are the reason why Josh and Kristen were brought together.  Okay. But what didn't need to happen was killing OFF Brandon! That came out of left field for me and I didn't really think that it was needed.

Another thing that I couldn't really stand was Kristen's attitude toward *everything*.  She wasn't a very wholesome, nice person.  I know not every character in every book is going to be sugary and sweet; that's not what I'm saying.  The issue that I had with her character was that she's a cynical, crass and nasty person. 

This book does have high ratings on Goodreads.  Sadly, it's not going to get more than 2.5 coffee beans from me. 

~ Jillian