Thank you so much to Hachette Audio for the ALC, all opinions are my own.

The Broposal by Sonora Reyes was a hard read, but not because it wasn't good, but because it is so topical to the current political climate.

Roommates Han and Kenny have been best friends forever, and roommates for a while. The book was marketed as Han needing to get his green card so they decide to marry, I thought it was going to be fluffy. Actually this has so many ups and downs. Kenny has his toxic, abusive girlfriend from high school, Jackie, give him an ultimatum. It is either her .... or Han, and Kenny chooses Han.

This book is full of heart wrenching moments and the truths of real life. Han and Kenny both are fighting the feelings under the surface and come to terms with their own sexuality. Drug abuse, living undocumented in America, fearing ICE raids and police, injuries, and more.

If you want to feel some feels, pick this up and be sad. 😢

Kenny and Han have been best friends since they were six. They're roommates and each other's person.

Han has never been in love. He's had several girlfriends, enjoys an occasional hookup, but he never felt "the earth move". He's been hurt. He was sent home to live with his tíos in the US and that has left him with fear of getting attached to anyone (well, except for Kenny). When you add that he's neurodivergent, you understand he has a hard time "reading the world".

Kenny is the loving, people pleaser who's in a relationship with the girlfriend from hell (she  keeps denying his bisexuality, gaslights and abuses him). She would also want nothing more than have Han disappear of their lives. 

When Han loses the job that has been sponsoring his visa, he is terrified that he's going to sent  back to a country he barely knows. That's when Kenny steps in and proposes. Everyone already thinks they have "a thing", so they can pull it off and keep the friendship. Well, life if more complicated than that...

This was lovely! A new author to me plus two amazing narrators! The audiobook is narrated dual style by André Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz and I feel in love with their voices! André gives us the perfect people pleaser, loving and caring Kenny. His soft and mellow voice conveys all the conflicted feelings Kenny is dealing with. Alejandro does a great job portraying Han with a slight accent and with the perfect inflection to show Han's autism and his occasional befuddlement with the things happening around him. Han is a pretty vulnerable character - not only terrified of an imminent deportation but also coming to terms with his own feelings and sexuality. Lovely and touching performances!

It's a sweet book (with a dash of spice) that deals with some heavy topics. I am glad I was introduced to a new author and two new amazing narrators!

Thanks, Hachette Audio for the audiobook! 

Representation: Latine MCs, queer rep, neurodivergent MC

Content notes: ICE, police racial profiling; immigration issues; physical and emotional abuse; toxic relationship with a partner; queer phobia; addiction related to death

Thank you to Forever and Hachette Audio for the ALC.

I had very high hopes for this one. Friends to lovers, gay awakening, fake dating, POC characters, LGBTQ+…what is not to like?

And it started off pretty good. Han is undocumented, so he lives his life exceptionally cautiously, trying to always stay under the radar. And his best friend (and roommate) Kenny is like this anxious chihuahua with separation anxiety, stuck onto the first girlfriend he ever had—even though she is emotionally and physically abusive. After Kenny breaks up with the horrible girlfriend, he proposes (har de har har) a marriage of convenience to get Han a green card.

But here’s the thing, the (ex-)girlfriend Jackie is what ruined so much of the story for me. I felt like all the characters just let her get away with everything. I know—I KNOW—that both recognizing and leaving an abusive relationship is hard. But does her storyline have to take up so much of the book? Isn’t this book supposed to be about Han and Kenny?

Bah, until I was writing this, I don’t think I realized how much that bothered me. On the plus side, the narrators were fantastic and they are the reason why I enjoyed listening as much as I did. The Broprosal was the first from this author, and I’d be open to giving them another try.

2.5 Stars
I think that this book is a case of taking on too many traumatic issues, by the 80% mark it was kind of a miserable listen. The topics explored in this book definitely have value but I think that this kind of romance novel wasn't a great fit for them. The concept of fake dating/marriage is very silly goofy and it feels tonally dissonant when paired with issues of domestic abuse and family members with substance abuse disorders. Obviously I knew going in this book would touch on difficult subjects, specifically ICE and immigration, but I didn't expect it to be stacked with other things.

In regards to the audiobook itself, this is my second book I've listened to read by Andre Santana and I think his style just isn't my vibe. I don't think his narration would ruin a good book, but it doesn't enhance a book that isn't working for me.

CW: death of a parent due to overdose, ICE, racism: on page racial profiling, homophobia from a parent, domestic abuse: emotional and physical on page

3.5 stars rounded up

I really wanted to enjoy this book. But I hated the antagonist Jackie. She was the worst. She made my blood boil. I really wanted to reach into the book and slap her. The writing was well done and the narration of the audiobook was great. I just couldn't get past Jackie. This book stressed me out and I like books to be an escape. This one wasn't.

This book was so good. It was a great mix of funny, sweet and heartbreaking. I adored their friendship that turned into more and just the way that they stuck up for each other. It managed to continuously give me warm and fuzzy feelings while also being emotional and tense.

CN for abusive current turned ex partner, discussions around abortion.

Thanks to Netgallery for access to this ARC.

Genre: Romance MM
Format: Audio
POV: Dual
Tropes: Marriage of convenience, fake marriage, green card/undocumented, excessive use of the word “bro”, abusive ex girlfriend, gay awakening, childhood friends, queer characters, neurodivergent MC, POC MCs
Ending: HEA
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Age suggestion: 18+

The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

Reading this book, the week of inauguration was a little rough. The story is so timely that it was gut-wrenching at times. It covers immigration and the fear of ICE, having a drug addictied parent and an abusive partner. But at it's core it's a story of found family and building a supportive queer community.

Han and Kenny have been friends since they were little, so close that they were voted most likely to get married in high school. Now, roommates they are still very close.
Kenny is bisexual but is with a girlfriend who is restrictive of his expression and abusive. Han is struggling to find work and is constantly in fear of being deported. So after Kenny and Jackie break up, he suggests that he and Han get married to help him get his citizenship. Of course, thorough this "marriage of convenience" charade, the guys discover their true feelings for each other. I love the "it's always been you" trope. And friends to lovers is always cute!
For Han, this also means discovering his sexuality and coming out to family and friends. These two have great chemistry. I love how soft they are with each other. But it was a bit of a slow burn.
Jackie, Kenny's ex, is horrible. The drama with her was almost too much. On top of everything else going on, I got so sick of her so fast. There was a little too much drama overall for me. But the story was paced well, so it kept me hooked.
I listened to the audiobook, which had two great narrators. Their emotional delivery was spot-on. It made me so much more immersed in the story.

I really loved this one, and it's really stayed with me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @hachetteaudio @readforeverpub @netgalley and the author for my audiobook ARC.

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I fell in love with Sonora Reyes as a writer after reading THE LESBIANA’S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL and THE LUIS ORTEGA SURVIVAL CLUB last year! They have such a unique voice and compelling way of storytelling that works so well in a YA, I have to be honest… I was a bit worried that their style might not work as well in an adult romance?

Happy to report, I had NOTHING to worry about - this book is totally awesome!

Han and Kenny have a special friendship that has spanned the majority of their lives, in THE BROPOSAL their friendship is put to the test when they enter into a marriage of convenience to save Han from being deported.

Han and Kenny’s story is all of the things a good romance should be, it’s fun and swoony featuring characters who are impossible not to love! But the reason I enjoyed it so much was for all of the things it celebrates; queer love, Mexican culture, neurodivergence, chosen family, drag and more!

The characters go on one heck of a journey in this book and so did I! 😭 Who doesn’t love a book that teaches you bout how to be a more understanding and kinder person?? Couldn’t we all use a bit more of that right now… ❤️

Thanks to the author, @hachetteaudio @readforeverpub and @netgalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review! THE BROPOSAL is out now! ✨

This book was a lot heavier than I was expecting which made it difficult to read in the past few weeks, while everything we've taken for granted is so heavy and in so much upheaval. I was like I'll read a queer book to help ease my heart but that... didn't work so well.

Parts of this did in fact ease my heart and make me forget about current affairs. Kenny and Han had such a great caring relationship, and the scenes between them were great.

I would get really into the story and forget the real-world happenings, and then ICE would be brought up and it would be a gut-punch reminder of oh, right, that's what our world is like now. And then I'd get sucked into the story again.

Han being undocumented and scared about ICE discovering him, enough that he couldn't go to the hospital when he broke his ankle so it never healed properly, was hard to read, especially in our current political atmosphere. And the way that was used to threaten him was horrid.

I really liked how most of the characters were Latinx. It immediately created a sense of community that added some much-needed comfort to the book.

Kenny's abusive ex Jackie really threw a wrench in things, and it was hard to watch him trying to stand up to her. She was just so over-the-top evil, though. The second half was hard to read because she just wouldn't go away.

Also, I felt like a lot of situations were glossed over so we didn't really have to delve into feelings or have heart to hearts. Kenny and Han would just suddenly fake a fight or make a joke and run away? That was a little weird. I just wanted them to open up emotionally. I mean the reasons they struggle with that are good, so I understand why they didn't, but it was frustrating.

For all of that, it had a lot of heart and touched on a lot of issues that I care about. I couldn't help but like Kenny and Han. And I really liked Letty. They should have been on page more.

I think I might have had an easier time really getting into the book and enjoying it more if we weren't living in the times we are living in.

The audiobook was really well done. The narrators did a great job bringing Kenny and Han to life. Listening helped with the immersion and with forgetting about the world.

Overall, this was a really good read. I would just recommend saving it for a time when the country isn't in such upheaval.

*Thanks to Forever and Hachette Audio for providing an early copy for review.

I had high expectations for this book, because I just read and liked The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by the same author. This one started out great, but by the end it got too messy for me. Someone who likes romance with lots of drama would probably enjoy it more than I did, so I would still recommend it. It was a well written book, just not the kind of romance I like. Also, the bad guy of the story was such a bad person, I wish she had gotten more of a comeuppance.
I got an ARC of the audiobook through Netgalley, so I listened to the book. Both of the narrators were really great.

I apologize for my late review but I would like to thank @netgalley, @hachetteaudio & @readforeverpub for an opportunity to review this audio-arc.

Congratulations to author Sonora Reyes for making me a fan of the Friends to Lovers trope—something I honestly thought was impossible.

The Broposal is a beautifully written, tender story that delves into dark and heavy themes. In times like these, it’s so important to engage with these issues—whether through fiction or nonfiction—so we can better understand the gravity of the situations affecting people’s lives. I could feel Han’s fear in my bones, and it motivated me to become more involved in my community, to better support my neighbors.

As for the romance, I can only describe it with phrases like “idiots in love,” “gay angst and domestic fluff,” and, of course, “it has always been you” (very dramatically). The chemistry between Han and Kenny is so natural, given that they’ve been best friends their entire lives. The story had me gasping out loud (both in shock and in delight)—and yes, this happened on the public bus (yay!). My face contorted in a grimace of pain at the audacity of a certain character.

Overall, the pacing of the story is spot-on, with twists and turns that keep you engaged. The drama and emotion are high, but it makes perfect sense in the context.

The narrator did a perfect job conveying the story and the emotions behind the characters.

That being said, if you’re not a fan of “other woman” drama—or just lots of drama in general (which, admittedly, I didn’t think I was)—this might not be your cup of tea. But even though that particular theme ranks high on my list of least favorites, I was so thoroughly engaged and invested that it didn’t matter. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to everyone.

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
When I read the synopsis for The Broposal I was so excited. Fake dating?? Friends to lovers?? Queer rep??? What’s not to love??? Unfortunately…a lot was not to love. The main characters never felt like they were in love. Not once. The ex girlfriend was so incredibly annoying and a very large part of the book. The dialogue was not my cup of tea. Idk it felt like too many ideas stuffed into one story and they all sort of fell flat. I just didn’t love this one.
2.5⭐️

The Broposal by Sonora Reyes is a beautifully complex, dynamic, and deeply current queer love story that captivated me from start to finish. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Reyes has a remarkable way of creating characters who feel real, with emotions and struggles that are relatable and genuine.

The story explores themes of identity, friendship, love, and navigating relationships in a way that feels fresh and authentic. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their journey is one of self-discovery, growth, and connection. I was particularly drawn to how thoughtfully and sensitively the book handles queer relationships, making it a memorable and impactful read.

The audiobook narration was exceptional, bringing the characters to life with emotion and personality. The narrators did an incredible job capturing the depth and nuance of the story, adding an extra layer of immersion to the experience.

Tropes:

- Friends to lovers
- Fake dating
- Queer romance
- Slow burn
- Coming-of-age

If you're looking for a heartfelt, engaging, and modern love story that will stick with you long after you finish, The Broposal is a must-read. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever and Hachette Audio for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

that was a cute book and very now with the fear of ICE and deportation. It was tastefully done. I will read more by Reyes. I recommend this book.

I loved this book so much! I listened to the audiobook (huge thanks to @hachetteaudio for providing me with a copy!), and it was nothing short of incredible.

Sonora Reyes wrote this book in response to 🍊’s first term, and it ended up being released on the day of his second inauguration—so it already deserves all the love.

The story follows Kenny and Han as they navigate abusive relationships, the path to citizenship, and the roadblocks of racism and ICE raids. At its core, it’s a love letter to queer communities holding space for each other in times of crisis.

After a breakup with his abusive girlfriend, Kenny suggests that he and his roommate, Han, get married so Han can become a citizen. They’ve been best friends since childhood and know each other better than they know themselves. In fact, they were even voted Most Likely to Get Married in high school. So, they figure the process should be easy. And it would have been—if not for that abusive ex.

This book is both angry and tender, joyful and terrifying, with a villain that’s easy to hate. The intimate moments between Kenny and Han are beautifully written, and the audiobook narrators bring them to life brilliantly. One particular scene was so gut-wrenchingly beautiful that it completely wrecked me.

It’s only February, but I already know this will be one of my top reads of the year.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC of this book! I loved the dual narration and both narrators did a fantastic job bringing their characters to life!

As sad as it is that this book is so timely in our current climate, I felt it was a really important and special book for this moment.

Han is undocumented and recently fired from his job and just generally down on his luck, and Kenny, his roommate and best friend for many years, is recently single after having broken up with his abusive girlfriend. (Can we all agree Jackie is the absolute worst no redeeming qualities whatsoever)

After a close call at a traffic stop Kenny proposes to Han that they get married so Han can get his green card.

Han has always thought he was straight and Kenny is out as bisexual but when KENNY AND HAN KISS, Han realizes he's never felt like this before.... and his awakening is tender and precious. Protect these guys at all costs!!

When Jackie tries to come between them their love will be tested and the turmoil felt across both families. The side characters truly shine in this book and I loved the found family and real family alike.

This book has a cute cover, and adorable, easy to love main characters, but it does include heavy topics and conversations that were treated with the most care. From an addicted parent, to an abusive girlfriend, to grief, immigration fears, and more. It is an emotional read and I was not immune to the feeling it invoked.

Absolutely loved it. Highly recommend.

This book is heartwarming, fun, and full of love and self-discovery, but it also touches on some heavier themes like trauma, immigration, and abuse—so definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in.

The narration was engaging, bringing the characters to life in a way that made the story even more immersive. Han and Kenny’s journey from best friends to something more had all the right emotions, and I loved how their dynamic evolved.

That said, the pacing felt a bit rushed, especially toward the end. It almost felt like there wasn’t enough time to properly wrap everything up, making the conclusion a little messy. But overall, it’s a sweet, heartfelt romance that balances humor with important themes.

If you love friends-to-lovers with a unique twist, this one is worth picking up!

I listened to the audiobook and I have to say the narrators were really great! However, I did have some issues with the story, especially the almost cartoonish villains of the story. Jackie was especially caricatural as the scorned ex and it really rubbed me the wrong way. Daniel was a more typical villain and behaved as expected, but Jackie really went over the board and it felt harmful to portray a woman like that. I also was not prepared for the serious themes of this book what with the funny title and cute book cover. That being said, I think they are important themes to read about, especially in the times we are currently living in. I was very moved by the way undocumented immigration was tackled as well as how substance abuse issues were described. All and all, if the character of Jackie had been more nuanced (and if her storyline hadn't dragged on for so long, especially in the second half of the book) and if there had been more content warnings for the dark themes of this book, I think I would have given it a higher rating. But making Jackie such a one-dimensional cartoon villain really put me off as a woman reader. Will I still recommend this book? Yes because again, the themes are unfortunately very timely right now and it's important to read more about the struggles of BIPOCs around us.

Thank you NetGalley for a ARC in exchange for an honest review

I got approved for the ARC the day after it got released. This instantly became one of my favorite books of the year already, if I could give more than five stars I would. This was such a beautiful story! It did go over some tough topics and there is a trigger warnings list at the beginning.
5/5⭐️

I don't know who cut onions while I listened to this book, but I balled like a baby. OMG!!!! The writing, the story, the narrations, the climax, and the drama. OMG, I did not want this book to end. This book is one of my favorites in 2025. WOW! Just WOW! With everything going on in the world and the current administration, this book is so on point. OMG!!! I AM SO SPEECHLESS. I LOVE THIS BOOK.

Thank you Forever and Hachette Audio for a copy of this book. Thank you so much!!