Funny, bursting with voice and unexpected hijinks, The Bromance Book Club is a surprisingly fresh and heartfelt romance novel that I’m already casting the movie adaptation for in my head. I see you Zac Efron, Glen Powell, and Channing Tatem.
This romance novel is full of bizarrely funny antics like “The first rule of book club is you don’t talk about book club” and pro athletes teaching their fellow bros how to flirt that tip stereotypical male behaviors on their heads. The novel is full of unexpected and delightful characters that subvert gender stereotypes, which I’m sure is the reason it gained such success. The author played off reader expectations and surprised us with the reversals.
There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in this book, but the amusing novelties stand like sprinkles on top of some truly wonderful (and sexy) writing. The story gets unexpectedly realistic as the couple works through issues of how married couples “fake it” not only in the bedroom. Both of the leads have to face past troubles in order to grow into the partner each of them needs.
The author also imbues the “manly” male characters with a collective appreciation for their partners. It’s written as if being a thoughtful partner is actually what makes them manly. This feels like a reason for the book’s success, as well.
These men are mindfully aware of their responsibility to help each other be better husbands. This does not happen in real life. This is a serious romantic fantasy that isn’t necessarily mainstream but definitely relatable. It’s like a new take on the “it takes a village” adage only with lots more winking and fart jokes.
As is the fantasy of a man prioritizing fighting to save his marriage. The divorce rate in America is over 50%. At least half of us are not willing to fight for marriage/love, and that sucks, but the men in this book are fighters. In fact, the will to fight for love seems to be innately ingrained in their DNA. That’s, again, what makes them “real” men. There are some more sprinkles on the fantasy for ya.
This novel also felt like it was a low key PSA, letting us know that the world would be a better place if only we yielded to the lessons we find in romance novels. As a genre, romance is frequently looked down upon. Like most forms of media primarily created and consumed by women. The author of this novel was clearly, and smartly, nodding at that reductionist view of the genre and having fun with the mallet that she swings at that corner of the patriarchy. The Bromance Book Club was unexpected and hilarious and I can’t wait for the movie.
XO
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Oh, I can see that cast already, great picks! We'd need someone with some comedic acting chops for Braden Mack, though. Someone who can deliver a humorous line with utter conviction and doesn't have to be a ripped 30-something baseball player type. And he'd have to be able to be the lead in the sequel (where Mack tries to hook up with Liv). Hmm, what about Nate Bargatze. Great deadpan delivery. He's actually from Nashville too, so no big stretch as far as accent. Better call up Netflix (who owns the option rights) and tell them what we think, lol!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen Glen Powell act? He's hilarious in everything!
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