Member Reviews
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced reader's copy of this book.
Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams is a perfect addition to The Bromance Bookclub series. For those not familiar with the series it is about a group of men, made up of a strange combination of professional athletes, bar owner, country singer, and computer security millionaire. They come together to read romance books in order to gain insights into their own relationships with the women in their lives. The books hit the perfect mix of humor and serious topics. I also feel that the relationships in these books feel real to me with common problems people face with regards to lack of communication in their relationships.
But back to this particular book. Crazy Stupid Bromance is a friends to lovers romance. Alexis is a chef turned cafe owner and Noah is a former hacktivist turned computer security specialist. Let me confess that I'm a sucker for the nerd romance and Noah fits the bill in his own special hipster way. I loved the friendship these two had and how Noah was always there to support Alexis.
If you were a fan of the two previous Bromance books this one will not disappoint. If you are new to the series, I think this could stand alone but you'll probably find yourself wanting to read the previous books just to fill in the history behind certain things. The book also has a fair amount of steam so if you like your books to fade to black, this probably wouldn't be a good choice.
Before I start my “review”, I just need to state that the Bromance Book Club series is like a work of art to me and is probably one of my all-time favorite romance series. Every book is just better than the last!
Crazy Stupid Bromance follows Noah and Alexis who are best friends but very apparently feel more for each other than they want to admit. This book had it all for me. It had genuine friendships, love, drama, forgiveness - I shed many tears but also laughed so much! This was just the perfect friends to lovers, it was excellent.
Alexis and Noah were wonderful characters. I am absolutely in love with their character growth. Like seriously. They were both so passionate and trying to make the best of some shitty situations. I just really loved how human they were.
I loved being able to catch glimpses of our other couples and honestly, I loved how much we got to see of The Russian - he’s a fave! Can’t wait for his book next!!!
To me, this deserves all the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars! Seriously, do yourself a favor and pick it up!
This has become one of my favorite series! Noah and Alexis' chemistry was off the charts but their friendship was even better! I really loved this story.
Happy Pub Day to the latest 5 star book in Lyssa Kay Adams’ Bromance Book Club Series - Crazy Stupid Bromance !! I have loved all of these books, but dare I say that this might be my favorite yet? Noah and Alexis are a couple you don’t want to miss ... friends to lovers trope with so much heart, humor and love - I couldn’t get through this 5 star book fast enough!! And now, I must wait til June for book 4, The Russian’s story!!
Thank you to Berkley Romance for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the early digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is just so stinking cute. I love this series so much! I'm excited for the fourth book to come out already. I think this one is definitely better than the second book in the series. The friendship / romance between Alexis and Noah is unmatched. They've been friends for a while, and I think the author did a great job at showing it. It's one of my favorite parts of this book.
The story that runs alongside the romance is interesting, to say the least. I don't think it seems too out of the ordinary, but there are some pieces of information that just don't really fit in. It isn't really a big deal to me. I just don't think that the reader gets enough Noah and Alexis time. That's what I craved the most because I just love them both so much.
I think my main critique has to do with the book club pick that they're supposed to be reading. There's not enough of it for this series to revolve around a bromance book club. The first book was pretty much alternating chapters, and now it's a paragraph here and there. I'm not saying that I love excerpts from the book, but I think it gives the series another component to play around with. I just think it should either be included or not in there at all.
This book is a very quick, fun read. There's not a lot of steam and there's so much love and awareness. Alexis deals with a Karen in the book, and drags her DOWN. There's a cat named Beefcake. It's just so much fun to read. I think you should pick this up when it comes out!
my track record with these books has been a little up and down. i really enjoyed the first one, was not into the second, and so i didn't know what to expect with this one. but i'm glad to say that i did enjoy this! i really loved the relationship between noah and alexis. it's been a while since i've read a friends-to-lovers romance, and i thought this was done really well. as always with this series, this was fun, a little silly/vastly unrealistic at times, very fast paced, and poked well at the aspects of romance books we all love. even after finishing this, i wasn't sure if i would continue with this series as i'm not entirely *in love* with it, but then i saw it was about the consistent MVP character, the russian, so it looks like i'll be back for a fourth round next year. honorable mention to beefcake though, a true icon.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for sending me an advance copy of Crazy Stupid Bromance.
What's better than book #2 in the series? Yes, book #3! 'Crazy Stupid Bromance' is the third book in the Bromance Book Club instalment, and it is threefolds in charm and love.
Need I say that I love men forming a book club and discussing the book. Being a programmer myself, I am so attached to Noah's character. I have always believed that the foundation of a love life is a great friendship. Lyssa Kay Adams proves me right with her latest book. It is such an engaging and charming story of Noah and Alexis who have been friends for over a year. They both have feelings for each other but also don't want to affect their friendship by expressing it.
I love how the author touched the subjects of organ donation and family conflicts with so much tenderness keeping the actual plot intact. This book has everything a rom-com should have. The writing has been superb and engaging.
A must-read book for romance lovers and Lyssa Kay Adams fan of Bromance series!
Though this third installment in the Bromance Book Club series has a more serious and somber tone to it, it was still a story I had a great time with. Lyssa Kay Adams has easily become one of my favorite romance writers with her humorous voice and swoon-worthy romances. Crazy Stupid Bromance featured a lovely friends-to-lovers romance that I recommend to fans of the series and lovers of the trope.
If you've read Undercover Bromance, then you've already met Alexis, the quiet but intuitive young woman who runs a wonderful cafe. Alexis is a survivor of sexual assault and has dedicated her energy to making her coffee shop a safe and open space for other sexual assault survivors. She has gone through more than a woman should ever have to go through but remained steadfast and strong for others in the same boat as her. In Crazy Stupid Bromance, her life changes further when the half-sister she didn't know she had shows up at her doorstep asking for her help to save their father. I found this particular storyline to be draining as there were times when I felt like her new-found family was emotionally manipulating her and taking advantage of her gentle soul. It put Alexis on an emotional rollercoaster, one that wasn't fun, but it served to highlight what a kindhearted and charitable woman she was.
Throughout her ordeal, her good friend, Noah, is the only source of comfort and happiness. I was happy to hear that Noah and Alexis would be paired together and he proved why he was the right partner for her in this book. He is the sweet, supportive, and attentive man Alexis wholeheartedly deserves. He provides her with a shoulder to cry on when she needs it and is just willing to listen to her. Their relationship is adorable and so heartfelt. They both care deeply about each other and understand each other really well, but they are also worried about losing their friendship if any romantic relationship didn't work. I think the progress of their relationship is done beautifully given their individual circumstances. It's slow but satisfying.
The bromance in this series, which comes in the form of the Bromance Book Club, a romance book club for a group of men, remains one of the most joyous parts of these books. These fellows have grown strong ties and the encouragement and loyalty they show each other is super adorable. Of course, they can also be absolutely ridiculous and hilarious. There's banter, lots of leg-pulling, but most of all, a deep sense of friendship. I love these guys and their love for romance novels.
Crazy Stupid Bromance was a worthwhile addition to the Bromance Book Club series. If you're new to the series and are in the mood for swoony contemporary romances, look no further.
I absolutely loved this book. Lyssa has this ability to make me laugh out loud in public and even make me snort. She is just such a talent.
This series is one of my favorite in the genre and I can't wait for the Russian!
Such a fun installment to the Bromance book club series. This story was smart, sexy, and engaging. I binge read over the weekend and definitely recommend for fans of the series.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Books for the egalley of this book.
Crazy Stupid Bromance is the third book in the Lyssa Kay Adams Bromance Book Club series. This book is a perfect addition to the series due to the sweet, funny, and steamy moments. It’s a Friends to Lovers Romance. Warning: Be prepare yourself ahead of time before you dive into this book. You will be laughing and crying at certain scenes. I laughed quite a bit with the Bromance Book Club members. I couldn’t help it, though, because these guys can’t stop with their craziness together.
Female Protagonist: Alexis Carlisle owns a cat cafe, which also hosts yoga for survivors of sexual harassment/assault. If you read the second book in the series, you would’ve been introduced to Alexis already. No worries, though, Lyssa Kay Adams reiterates what happened in the second book to this book. Alexis was one character I loved one minute and couldn’t stand the next. I think it’s due to how she handled certain situations in this book. She’s one character that has been through a lot and is trying to live her life. She needs and deserves a happily ever after, though.
Male Protagonist: Noah Logan is a former hacker/hacktivist who nows uses his old skills for the right cause in his business. He’s the guy you go to whenever you end up doing something you’re not supposed to on your computer/website, etc. (For instance, opening a phishing email, which downloads malware to your computer. That’s a big No-No!) He’s a sweet, lovable guy who I couldn’t get enough of in this book. He was my favorite character in this book. I loved getting to know him (past and present).
Storyline: Alexis Carlisle and Noah Logan are best friends. They became friends after Alexis came forward about her sexual assault/harassment against her former boss, and Noah and she hit it off. They enjoyed the same things together. What happens most of the time (not all the time) when a girl and guy become best friends? One of them or both of them fall in love with each other. Noah, in this case, is secretly in love with Alexis but is scared to tell her. I love these types of books, which is the trope friends to lovers. Alexis has to deal with something in her life that she never expected to happen. She has a young woman come forward, stating that she is her sister. Should she believe her? She goes to Noah for help. Alexis’s world is about to turn upside down when her sister tells her why she’s there to see her. Noah will be there for her along the way. This book touches on family drama issues on both character sides. It’s going to be a whirlwind of drama, crying, and craziness.
Standalone or Part of Series: Part of series, but each follows new characters.
Steaminess: Some steam.
HEA: Yes.
Trope: Friends to Lovers
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I would recommend this book and series to readers of Contemporary Romance. I started reading this series because of the idea of men forming a Romance Book Club and talking together about the books they read. These guys are down to earth and love romance books. They always have me laughing too. This book, in particular, has me falling head over heels for the male protagonist. I loved Noah Logan.
I don’t want to give away any details about this book. If you have this book on your TBR, then I recommend you read this book. Make sure to read the previous books because you’ll miss out on the other characters who have gotten their HEA.
Favorite scene(s)/moment(s):
1. The guys were getting to spend the day at a Spa for Mack’s Bachelor Party. They were clueless about what to do.
2. There were also the scenes with Noah and Alexis’s cat Beefcake. (Too funny)
3. Oh, Colton and the Russian meeting Beefcake for the first time. (This particular scene had me laughing like crazy.)
The third book in the Bromance Bookclub series and this one is my favorite. Alexis and Noah's relationship is absolutely adorable. Because it's friends to lovers there is already so much comfort between the characters and I felt that when I was reading. They are both so genuinely there for each other. Beefcake the cat is a wonderful supporting cast member. On a more serious note I love the exploration of found family. Families are very complicated and seeing Alexis' ups and downs as she discovers this new family is nice. I also love the topic of organ donation. It needs to brought up in books more. Agreeing to be an organ donor can save so many lives and doing it for a family member is an even more complicated topic so I love to see that exploration. I do wish we had a chance to discuss more in depth hactivity and hactivists and why they believe hacking is the way to get justice for the issues they believe in. I'd love to know more about Noah's past with the FBI. I loved book three and I can’t wait to read the fourth.
I love love love this series so much and I think each time the new book has become my new favorite. I loved Noah and Alexis's story. These two bighearted friends were a joy, and of course it was great to catch up with the other book club members. I felt like the romance novel education took a smaller role in this one, which is probably fine for readers who have been following the series since we kind of know the drill already. While it can be read as a standalone, this references a lot of events that happened in previous books (particularly the events of Undercover Bromance), so I'd recommend reading those first in this case.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
Well this story had my emotions all over the place. Firstly, I loved that while Noah is a rich, super smart, good looking guy, he really is pretty clueless when it comes to his relationship with his best friend Alexia. Of course, the guys from the Bromance Book Club drag him into their club to help him.
The scenes with the men were the highlight of the book for me. I love the way they all interact; they are so funny, but they clearly care about each other. And the scene where they are getting massages is hilarious and is one of several that had me laughing out loud.
Now to Alexia. I was ambivalent when it came to her. She is a good woman and a good match for Noah. The two of them together were hot and fun, which made me happy. But everyone around her says how strong Alexia is, but when new people enter her life making an extraordinary request, she just goes along with it, almost like she is too scared to rock the boat and that really made me mad at her. So much so that about halfway through the book I had to put it down and walk away from it for a few hours.
But I came back to the story and pushed on because I was enjoying the romance between Alexia and Noah. But the story isn’t just romance and laughs, there are some serious issues, including both Noah and Alexia dealing with the grief of having lost a parent at a young age. This led to some really emotional scenes where I cried my eyes out.
By the end of the story I had sore eyes from crying, but I was smiling too because you know, all's well that ends well. And I loved the hint in the epilogue about what is going on in the Russian’s love life and I now can’t wait to read the next book in this series to find out what that is all about.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the Bromance Book Club series, and I would highly recommend that you read them in order, to just get the whole fun vibe that these guys have going, thanks to their decision to use romance novels to guide them in the ways of love. It is a fun concept and works really well – after all, not all the friends are as keen as the others, but they do support each other and give some very honest feedback when things aren’t going so well!
We start with the guys planning Mack’s wedding, as that seemed like a good idea at the time, and it is certainly fun for us along for the adventure. Their friend Noah has managed to stay on the sidelines as much as possible, but he feels himself being sucked in – and his ‘only’ friends with Alexis is fuel for their humour too.
Alexis spoke out about her boss sexually harassing her, and now runs her own café and supports other women who are in the same situation – she also lets the cat rehoming centre have cats there to entice new owners – a clever and effective concept! She is becoming a magnet for the downtrodden, and recently one woman in particular keeps coming in but clearly not taking the risk of speaking. When she finally does, the issue is somewhat shocking to Alexis and threatens her equilibrium.
It is a clever plot twist, which sets up the rest of the book on a family issues front and gives Noah a chance to step up and move his friendship with Alexis into more of a relationship status. But of course, he keeps making mistakes, which the guys then tie into the current Bromance book choice. I really do enjoy how they expect absolute honesty and then are so direct (shall we be kind) in their reactions to the outcome of Noah’s actions.
I am not going to spoil anything by saying more, but it is a very satisfying read, and is another success for the club. The hint that we get at the end of the Russian getting his story has me wanting the next book already!
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Friends-to-Lovers Romance
Triggers: Long lost family
Alexis and Noah have been friends for a while now. Noah knows that he is falling in love with Alexis, Alexis knows that she is falling for Noah, but neither is willing to risk their friendship to see if their relationship could be more.
When Alexis is found by her half-sister, her world is upended. She turns to Noah for comfort. Noah isn’t sure about Alexis’ newfound family and when he checks in to them, his past rears its ugly head too.
With feelings swirling around them, Noah finally caves to his friends and joins their bromance book club. But even after joining, Noah’s love life isn’t going as planned. With his friends not giving up on him, Alexis not sure with to do with her new life, and their romance fizzling before even getting started, maybe they were right to not risk their friendship.
These two have some real life issues to deal with. It made their story so much more realistic. I wanted to swat at those around Alexis – it felt so unfair to her. This book made me cry and laugh, all within the same chapter. I enjoyed watching them figure out their story and their realization that nobody was going to write their story for them.
I always like reading about the book club boys. I know any book in this series is going to turn tropes upside down, have men who support feminism, and there will always be some humor thrown in. Crazy Stupid Bromance is no exception.
I do think this is my least favorite book of the series, due to the focus being on Alexis's family dynamic for a large portion of the book. It just felt like drama on top of drama at times. Noah and Alexis are decent main characters, but their romance didn't make me swoon - I'm not sure why, but I just didn't connect with them as much as I have for past pairings in this series.
All in all, this is a solid romance book within a solid series. I'm very much looking forward to the Russian's book in hopes that he will seem like less of a caricature. I know there are many hidden depths to that man!
Crazy Stupid Bromance is the third installment in Lyssa Kay Adams’ Bromance Book Club series and what a delightful installment it is! This time we follow Alexis and Noah, who are both friends with the members of the book club.
We met Alexis Carlisle in an earlier book when she came forward as a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of a famous celebrity chef. Since she came forward, Alexis and her cat café “Toe Beans” have become a magnet for other victims who want to share their stories in a safe place. Crazy Stupid Bromance opens with Alexis being approached by a young woman. Alexis assumes she is another victim wanting to share her story and is thus shocked when the woman tells her that they are actually sisters and that their father is dying and needs a kidney. Stunned and uncertain about how to proceed, Alexis turns to her friend and confidante Noah for guidance.
Noah Logan has a checkered past as a hacker. He’s now on the up-and-up and works in cybersecurity. He does still have one big secret though – he’s completely head over heels for Alexis. There’s just one problem…Alexis is also the best friend he has ever had. If he tries to take the next step and it backfires, he loses both his best friend and the love of his life. Cue Mack and the rest of the guys from The Bromance Book Club. Can they help Noah figure out how to move his relationship with Alexis from friends to lovers?
You guys! I am loving this series so much. Crazy Stupid Bromance is every bit as entertaining as the first two books in the series are. I breezed through it in a day and was just so drawn in by both the dramatic story of Alexis and her newfound family as I was by the heartfelt and sometimes comical journey to coupledom of Noah and Alexis. They have so much chemistry and I just loved their shared nerdiness as they worked Doctor Who Lego sets together, etc. And of course, I can’t leave out Mack and Company either. They are hilarious as always, especially the Russian, who is always such a scene stealer. (The fourth book is going to be about the Russian and I seriously cannot wait!). The Russian had a little competition this time though when it came to stealing scenes as Alexis’ cat, Beefcake, gave him a run for his money in that department.
If quirky and hilarious with a side of family drama sounds like your thing, you really need to check this series out! 4.5 STARS
Alexis' conflict with Royce wasn't developed enough in book two so when she grows in the end in book three, it's a bit anti-climactic.
The Noah character was uneven. He's supposed to be a nerd but it was told and not shown. He was an asshole to his friends all the time but a sweetheart to Alexis? Didn't like his character.
Not enough book club in this one.
Noah Logan has a secret....he has been in love with Alexis Carlisle, his best friend, since the day he met her 18 months ago. Since Alexis is trying to deal with the workplace sexual harassment she had encountered from her old boss, Noah never felt the time was right to tell her how he really felt. Plus there is always the chance that he could ruin their friendship. Enter the Bromance Book Club guys to the rescue! This group of guys who read romance books to help them navigate through life with women know just how to help.
When Alexis is approached by a young woman who informs her that she is her half sister, it throws Alexis into a tailspin. Alexis then does what she usually does, turns to Noah for help. As Alexis and Noah spend even more time together, feelings start to get stronger. Turns out Alexis has also been pining for Noah. Noah and Alexis finally come together in such a great and fun way. When it looks like they are headed for their happy ending, Alexis' new family comes crashing in, along with Noah's past and it makes a mess out of everything. Good thing the Bromance guys are there to help so Alexis and Noah do finally get their perfect happy ending.
I just adored both Alexis and Noah. They both were damaged by things from their past but together found a way past it. I really loved the journey these two had to go through. I also just adored the Bromance guys. I found myself laughing a lot while reading this story. I really can't wait for The Russian's story!
Crazy Stupid Bromance
Bromance Book Club Series - Book 3
By Lyssa Kay Adams
Berkley - November 2020
Contemporary Romance
Noah Logan didn't buy in to his friends' belief that the answers to relationships lie in romance novels. The other guys might read those books, but he didn't. Even though his best friend, Alexis Carlisle, was a woman. A woman who he might try to lie to the others about, but he couldn't lie to himself that he wished was so much more than just a friend.
Alexis was trying to get her life back in order after she had unwillingly been in the national spotlight after accusing a celebrity of harassment. She was running her café, and finding that others who are in the same position she had once found herself in, are coming in for more than a drink. She is a known safe place for them.
And Alexis knows that a safe place for her is with Noah. After she receives a shocking revelation, it is Noah she turns to. Noah that she trusts. Noah that she is slowly discovering she wants so much more than to be just friends with.
Crazy Stupid Bromance has everything. It is fun, at times light, then intense, reunion, best friends romance, emotion and overall love. The entire cast of characters were engaging and watching them interact was very entertaining. Noah and Alexis were perfect for one another, and it was enjoyable to see them find their happiness together. Although I hadn't read the previous two stories, it was easy to follow the various characters and now I plan to go back and read them. I also am very much looking forward to the next story in the Bromance Book Club series.
Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com
Crazy Stupid Bromance is the third book in the Bromance Book Club series and features Alexa and Noah. Although this can be read as a stand alone, I'd recommend reading the previous books as you wouldn't catch some of the references to the other books' characters. This wasn't my favorite of the three, but it wasn't my least favorite either. I like that we get to see the characters in previous books progress in their lives in this book. My favorite aspect of this series is that we get to see the bromance book club come together and support each other. Though there are parts in this book that are highly unrealistic, it was still a fun and light read even though there were undertones of serious subjects. If you loved the previous books or like friends turned lovers trope, then this book is definitely for you. I'm excited to hear that there will be a fourth book coming out soon featuring the Russian and his wife!