So, I totally had another review scheduled for this week, but lo and behold, couldn’t control myself and went and bought Undercover Bromance. And read it in a day. Again.

So here we are!

Liv is a pastry chef working for celebrity chef Royce Preston…who also happens to be a huge jerk. When nightclub owner Braden Mack gets Liv in trouble with Royce, she discovers a huge secret of Royce’s, landing her fired…and decides to take him down, with the help of Mack and the Bromance Book Club.

And as much as they hate one another, Liv and Mack make a pretty good team, if they could only get past their sarcasm and the masks they hide behind.

What I really loved about this story, and the last story (check out my review of The Bromance Book Club here) was all the FEMINISM. And dissection of feminism. Like these characters will just stop at any moment to call out sexism in either direction. So good. So pure.

I also really like the growth of the characters. Both Mack and Liv overcome some serious doubts about whether they’re worthy of love, releasing negativity from toxic relationships that have tainted their worldview. There’s something much more complex about that than your typical romance, especially when the back stories of these two are so well explored through this and the previous book. I felt like I really knew them and was rooting for their success and emotional well-being. ❤

Lyssa Kay Adams writes an awesome slow burn. Not only did I feel like Liv and Mack connected, but they were friends, too. In fact, I would even go so far as to say the story focuses less on their romance and more on the plot to take down Royce Preston, which is also AWESOME. I really liked this subplot, it’s greater meaning to the book club, and the commentary it provides. And the girl power. I just love that we’re exploring the topic of harassment in the workplace in a human way where people’s actual emotions and responses are explored. I think that’s an important dialogue, and I think a romance novel is an awesome way to start that conversation. The romance that appears to take a back seat to this actually grows bigger in the background, and I loved that, too.

I really liked this book, but I admittedly still prefer Gavin and Thea’s story. I’m seeing that a lot with other reviewers as well. And it’s not that Liv and Mack’s story is lacking, or that Adams didn’t do as good a job this time around. It’s still a fantastic book with the same humor and wit as Bromance Book Club. It just wasn’t as much for me. I connected with the characters, but less than I did with the Scotts. So it was just a preference thing! This sequel is still fantastic.

Highly, highly recommend this series for fans of the genre! It’s too cute for words, and I haven’t gotten this hooked on an author in a while. I can’t wait to read the next book! Have an awesome week everyone!