I absolutely loved this book! It follows two best friends who make a pact to fake date to avoid pressure from family and friends about their love lives. Of course, things get messy (in the best way) as they start to develop real feelings for each other. The book does a great job of exploring friendship, identity, and what it means to be true to yourself.

This book was so ADORABLE!! Seriously, I couldn't wait to continue the audiobook every time I had to stop because I was at my job or had something to do. And the narrarators did a superb job and had me looking forward to more and more. I'm not sure I've ever felt so strongly while listening to an audiobook but I was definitely angry with Jackie and annoyed with Kenny and felt pity for Han. I shed some tears and had some laughs and I really couldn't get enough. Again, this is such a cute story that me in all the feels.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for this audioARC.

This book was not what I expected and it was even better than I thought it would be. I was expecting a lighthearted romcom but it had a lot of depth and emotion when talking about being undocumented and how it affects every part of your life. I loved Han and Kenny together and their families and friends. The story pulled you in and just made you have all the feels, I laughed, cried, awed, and even wanted to yell at a character that made me angry. The slow burn was perfect and I did love Kenny but I loved Han even more and just kept rooting for him. If you want a hit of all the feelings but then get your HEA that leaves you with butterflies then this is the perfect book.

This was my first book from Sonora Reyes and I did find several things about it I enjoyed. There was great representation for diversity around race, neurodivergence and the queer community. I felt like the story being told was very visceral and real as far as the things that the characters went through and were experiencing. I would say be prepared for this book to be very emotional. There are trigger warnings at the beginning which I appreciated, but there are a lot of struggles and challenges both characters go through that are really intense. I would not call this a romcom. I think I would have liked this more had the romance between the characters been developed more. I think because there was so much going on for 1 shorter book, it seemed like that was not as prominent with all the life things they were dealing with throughout the story.
I think the narrators did a great job. Thank you to Hachette audio for this ALC.

The Broposal dealt with a lot of topics that need more light shined on them. What it means to live undocumented in the United States, and the terror something as simple as traffic stop can warrant. Dealing with familial addiction. Abuse that is often overlooked or discounted, such as abuse perpetrated by a woman on a male. Living with neurodivergence. Because of the topics it touched on, I will say that the tone of the book didn't match the tone set with the cover. It was incredibly well written, but I spent the majority of the time waiting for another shoe to drop. Rinse and repeat.

The use of two narrators for this story was spot on! Distinct voices that really brought the story to life.

4.25 stars

**Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

<b>NOTE</b>

In late January 2025, the US president "ordered new powers to...allow ICE officers to raid churches, schools and hospitals" as well as "directed federal law enforcement officials to investigate and potentially prosecute local officials who interfere with deportation efforts" (The New York Times). This book is a celebration of friendship, family, and love which stands in stark contrast to the ICE/deportation dystopian h*llscape that the US has descended into. May this book bring readers some hope in these dark times.

<b>Basics</b>

Author: they/them (USA)
Genre: contemporary romance, LGBTQIA+
Setting: New Mexico, USA
Themes: belonging, family, love, feeling
Vibes: gooey cute, funny, heart-warming, tender

<b>Quotes</b>

"Jellyfish didn't even age, bro. Those Benjamin Button motherf*ckers can just de-age themselves back to childhood, to their polyp stage, whenever they're in severe stress."

"If fighting was proof of love, then she loved me more than anyone. But what proof was there for Han? Luna curled up around my feet. Han left her with me whenever I was anxious, which I almost always was. I looked around and noticed he'd already done my dirty dishes. He never guilted or judged me when my executive dysfunction caused him more work. He just did it to make things easier on me. Everywhere I looked, the evidence was there."

"I choose Han" 💞💗💞💝💘💕💓💖 (Also, get absolutely wrecked, Jackie 🖕)

"Use <i>me</i>. Marry me." 🥵❤️‍🔥🔥💍

"To this day, Kenny never let me walk on the side closest to traffic. I didn't understand then, but now it made sense. He was <i>still</i> protecting me."

"I always let Han go up the stairs first, since I was afraid it'd be too much on his ankle, and I wanted to be able to catch him if he fell."

<b>Characters </b>

+ "Kenny"/Kendrick Bautista: newly single (thank f*ck) guy who needs to relearn what he's like as a person, also has baby fever and a love for Drag (23yo, bisexual, Mexican-American)

+ "Han"/Alejandro Torres: Kenny's bestfriend/roomie who is undocumented and needs a way to stay in the US (23yo, autistic, gay, Mexican)

+ Jackie: Kenny's POS gf who doesn't let him wear makeup, be soft, express emotions, and says he is straight because he's currently with her (a woman) even when he says he's not straight 🤬 I hate her and it's on sight 😤

<b> Pros </b>

+ jellyfish in the dedication AND as metaphor throughout 🪼
+ neurospicy rep: autism
+ LGBTQIA+ rep: bisexual, gay, nonbinary (they/them)
+ romance tropes: friends to lovers, fake engagement/marriage, outgoing/reserved, gay awakening, slow-burn, he falls first & he falls harder, bdsm
+ Halloween/spooky drag ball
+ Thornelius, their adopted emotional support succulent son 🪴💚
+ proposing over and over just hits you right in the gooey feels 🌹🥞
+ kissing practice 💋
+ they are so considerate and gentle towards one another; it makes me want to cry ❤️‍🩹
+ Jackie, the nuclear waste POS ex-gf, is written so well that I loathe her with my entire being. She's in my top villain tier. Not the sexy villain tier. The "I hope they burn in hell" tier 🔥 Update: I need a place worse than hell to send her. 😡🤬
+ surprising spice (BDSM switch & sub with 🚦safe words)
+ begging (bedroom dialogue is 👌)

<b> Neutral </b>

/ This has some really sad parts 💔😭😭😭

<b> Cons </b>

- bro
- the ending felt a little rushed and would've benefited from a few more chapters since we waited so long for them to finally be together

<b> Comp Recs </b>

+ (for younger/high-school audience) Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

<b> TW </b>

toxic/controlling relationship, bi erasure, threat of ICE/deportation, drug addiction & overdose death (mentioned), broken ankle, physical partner violence (slapping & hitting), panic attacks, estranged-parent death, blackmail

Absolutely the best marriage of convenience I've ever read.

I love Han and Kenny so much. I thought their friendship was so heartwarming and that their love was inevitable. Their story felt so raw and so real.

I really admire the way Sonora Reyes writes these beautiful characters!!!

Thank you, NetGalley, Hachette Audio and Sonora Reyes for access to the ARC of this audiobook. The audiobook was a gem, the narrators brought Kenny and Han to life. This romance had so many great features; come and meet this diverse and uniquely representative cast of characters dealing with a variety of struggles and lived experiences (a number of queer lifestyles are represented and celebrated, some real and heavy struggles like the plight of the illegal immigrant, racial profiling and discrimination, abusive relationships, struggles with mental health and living with neurodiversity). These are topics that should not be taken lightly and need to be written about more, thank you Sonora Reyes, for bringing these realities to light and letting so many see themselves in your story or learn to empathize with those not like themselves. The romance was delightful, the friends to lovers trope in this story was very well done. I love to see 2 people love each other well and with all their hearts. It was fun to watch these loving, supportive friends as their friendship deepened into a romance to rival the best love stories of all time.

Surrounding the book I found it to be wildly engaging, and equally heartbreaking, but in a good way. I think that the author nailed the relationship between the main characters, I loved how real they felt, even within the often bleak looking future for both of them. I think that another thing they did incredibly well was the depiction of abuse in a relationship, and what that can look like. Overall I thought the book was a stunning piece of fiction.

The two readers for the audiobook I also loved. I have found that often when there are two male narrators it can get confusing, but the balance that both of these readers brought was great, both had a distinctive voice and it made the story come alive. The audiobook in general I think was a great way to experience this story for the first time

this felt like a YA novel??? even tho there was a medium amount of spice. everything just felt very melodramatic, and the cause of the third act breakup was so infuriating and we saw it coming from the beginning. i really wanted more from this.

Sonora Reyes has been known for their YA novels, but The Broposal marks their first adult novel. Alejandro and Kenny have been best friends since they were in elementary school and roommates for several years. But Alejandro (Han) is undocumented and limited in what he can do in the United States. Kenny decides to marry him so he can get his US citizenship. Never mind that Han is (probably) straight or that Kenny just got out of a bad relationship. Their fake marriage is all too believable to their family and friends… but is it real to Han and Kenny?

Why I Chose This Book:
I was immediately interested in The Broposal for many reasons. First, this is the most realistic reason for a modern fake relationship I’ve seen in contemporary romances. I also loved that this highlights immigrants in a way that is sincere and nuanced. It had all the right ingredients for a beautiful love story.

What I Liked:
- Latine and immigrant representation
- Kenny is bisexual; Han is straight.. maybe? Homophobic? Actually gay? He’ll find out!
- Getting out of an abusive relationship
- Navigating the addiction of a family member
- Loving family members and friends
- The fake relationship was actually way too real!
- Friends to lovers

Audiobook
André Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz narrate Kenny and Han in The Broposal. They both do a phenomenal job, each bringing their respective character to life. I could picture them each so well, in large part thanks to the tone each narrator gives the characters. This was such an excellent listen, and I’m glad I read the book this way.

Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved The Broposal. It has so much heart and emotion, weaving in numerous different themes without ever feeling overcrowded. It touches on so many important topics—from immigration status to sexuality to the meaning of your relationships—and does all so well and with such nuance. This is a book I’d urge everyone to read. I can’t wait to read more from Sonora Reyes.

Rating: 2.5/5 stars rounded up to 3.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for allowing me a copy of this audio book in return for an honest review.

Han and Kenny are best friends and roommates. When Han loses his job which had been willing to sponsor his work visa Kenny, fresh from a toxic relationship, suggests they get married to allow Han to get his Green Card and stay legally in the country. Now they just have to convince immigration, keep their restaurant jobs and avoid Kenny’s ex all while realising their feelings for each other may be changing.

Both André Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz gave wonderful performances as Han and Kenny, the humour, hurt and hope was achingly nuanced in their characters.

What I liked: I really enjoyed the first half, and the ending. I liked the friendship between the two MC’s and the relationships with their friends and families. I was happily listening to what I thought was going to be a new take on an old favourite trope, which for large parts was the case. I loved the neurodivergence of the MC’s and found the use of fear of living illegally in a country was well examined.

What didn't work for me: It became one of those stories where too much bad stuff happened to the main characters, this is why I gave up watching ‘Home and Away’ and ‘Eastenders’. The cover art and description led me to believe this was going to be a romantic comedy, hint to publishers, don’t put cartoon covers on books that aren’t comedies! Stuff got dark and sad! I was so angry with one character (which I know we’re supposed to hate) that I actually shouted in frustration that the book was continuing to throw up obstacles and had to stop listening for a few hours. And if the external issues weren’t enough the whole “truth pact” that Han and Kenny’s friendship is based on was blown out of the water on numerous occasions, a pet peeve of mine is when characters think they're doing what is best for the other by not speaking up or making assumptions, this happened too often for me in this book.

Final thoughts: A well written, if overly dramatic, romance that drags its heroes and readers through an emotional wringer.

Who would like this: Fans of contemporary romance and soap operas.

I *adored* Sonora Reyes' YA book "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School" so I jumped at the chance to listen to the ARC of her latest novel (just published last week!) "The Broposal." This is a new-adult book (the characters are 23) and given the fairly graphic sexual content, probably not school-appropriate. However, if you serve a public library with books for all ages, you may want to consider this gem. While not everything worked for me (some plot bits didn't feel realistic, I wanted the ring to be mentioned again after the proposal, and there were times I wanted to shake the MCs and tell them to TALK), this is still a sweet story with real heart, featuring two guys who would do *anything* for each other. Alejandro ("Han") has been in America since he was a young child, but is undocumented, and constantly worries about getting found out and deported. After his bff Kenny finally breaks up with his toxic gf, Kenny suggests marrying Han as a way of ensuring Han can stay in the country. They've been close friends for more than 15 years, and have shared an apartment for 5 years, so fooling ICE should be easy, right? But what about fooling themselves? Han always thought he was straight, and it's a shock to slowly realize that fake-kissing Kenny feels more right than kissing any girl ever had. And while Kenny already knew he was bi, he hadn't ever realized how he truly felt about Han. But they both have longtime emotional injuries to heal - Han's mother's drug addiction, and Kenny's abusive ex. Can they be vulnerable enough to admit they want their fake marriage to be real? DO heed the content warnings, but they're important factors in the story for those who can safely handle them. @andreonthemic and @alejandroruizvo did an outstanding job on the audio book. Thank you @netgalley and @hachetteaudio for the audio ARC.

ALC Review: The Broposal by Sonora Reyes
Pub Date: January 21, 2025
Narrators: André Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz

When Kenny's abusive girlfriend makes him choose between her and his best friend Han (Alejandro), there's no question for Kenny. It's Han. It's always been Han. Han has recently lost his job and as an undocumented immigrant, is worried about what he's going to do next. Kenny realizes now that he's no longer tied to Jackie, he can offer Han something that will keep him in America (and Kenny's life) forever - marriage. Though it initially starts out as a marriage of convenience, Han starts to realize that his hesitancy to commit with the women he's dated isn't because he's afraid of commitment, it's because he's gay. And he's definitely harboring a years long crush on Kenny.

This book is so complex, layered, and emotional. It did have me lowkey stressing for a large part of it wondering how these characters would actually get their HEA but of course they did! The pining is delicious and this is definitely a case of "idiots in love". The stakes here are really high, particularly for a contemporary romance. I was immediately invested. The characters are messy but that makes them feel all that more realistic. I loved both of their families and friends and hated Jackie with the most passion! Given the nature of our current political climate, books like this are more important than ever. Everyone deserves a happily ever after and to be able to see themselves represented.

I do wish a little more of the book focused on their relationship as opposed to the external forces keeping them apart. The only other little thing that bothered me is that it felt like the sex scenes were inserted at odd points. Very unlike me, but I think this book would have worked just as well for me without those scenes.

And I absolutely loved the dual narration! Particularly the narration for Han really brought this book to life for me. Both narrators were able to include so much emotion in their performances that really got me invested in the story and the characters. I'm really glad I listened to this via audio in order to get that addition of the narration.

Read this for:
- bisexual/gay representation
- Latinx
- Queer side characters
- Neurodivergent rep

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really liked this one overall. The main characters were really layered and I really enjoyed their friendships and how they were so different from each other but still worked so well together. I really liked the parallel storylines, the friendships and family relationships. The villain was a pretty realistic villain and I absolutely hated her. Leti was my absolute favorite. I wish we'd seen even more of them. Some of the romance felt a little fast though and I guess it didn't always feel 100% realistic. But that was a very minor setback.
I also really enjoyed the audiobook. The narrators were great and had really distinct voices. It really added an extra layer to this book!
Overall, this was such a good, layered romance that I fully recommend. I can't wait to read more books by Sonora Reyes!

Kenny and Han have been friends since the first grade. When Kenny breaks up with his long term girlfriend, it's a no brainer to offer to marry Han to get him citizenship. This marriage of convenience becomes anything but as long term friends turn into something more.

When I picked up this book, I was expecting a light romantic comedy. What I got was a fun but poignant story for the times. What I thought would be a fun story of two “bros” falling in love while fake dating turned into a book I cannot stop thinking about. This book deals with themes of coming out, spousal abuse, emotional abuse, and immigration.

I love to listen to any rom-coms I read on audiobook. I typically think that the writing styles and content work really well on audio. The Broposal worked SO well on audio mainly because of the two fabulous narrators, Andre Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz. Both of the narrators had great comedic timing and did the voices of the other very well. I also loved the voice for Jackie (--every time she started talking, I had a visceral reaction). This book being dual narrated was also a perk as it was nice to have both Han and Kenny have their own voices.

This is a book that I will not stop recommending and I will definitely recommend the audio version!

Listening to this felt so timely with the new administration's take on undocumented immigrants. Marriage of convenience is always a favorite trope for me so I was intrigued by this story. Han and Kenny have been life long friends and are roommates too.

I thought their friendship and family ties were great but the antagonist felt so over the top. Their budding romance was great with the tension but the 3rd act breakup could've been prevented with more communication.

The Narration by André Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz was great. I appreciate that they told us whose POV it was each chapter.

Thank you @readforeverpub @hachetteaudio for a copy of the audiobook.

It's the representation for me! Kenny and Han's friends to lovers story was an emotional roller-coaster! This book made me laugh, made me smile, made me mad, made me sad, but it also left me feeling hopeful! I loved this book so much! Definitely ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️!!!!!

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an alc!

the broprosal was simultaneously wholesome/smutty, and focuses on healing and entering a healthy relationship, but also very heavy. sensitive topics include: abusive relationships with manipulative partners, concerns of deportation, drugs and overdosing, and racism.

as for the audio, i enjoyed both the narrators!

Kudos to the narrators (André Santana and Alejandro Antonio Ruiz) for the superb narration. I think this is the first audiobook I've listened to that had explicit sex scenes. Careful who's around when you have it on! We get explicit description but not much in the way of vocalizations.

On the story and the romance at the heart of it ... well done and credible, despite the unbelievable I really enjoyed learning about the characters as the story went along. "Han" learning things about himself and is constantly, believably on edge, being undocumented, and the daily plots points deeply illustrate the hypervigilance and undercurrent of fear that peppers everyday life. Kenny is involved with a woman who is an abuser, and we've all known someone like her ... of course, she works at a women's shelter, plain as day. There's cute pets and a cuter sidekick character in a nonbinary cousin. The only part that annoyed me was a common trope in the romance genre: the characters get stuck in their heads instead of talking out the obvious. Sigh. I guess we can't have it all!