Review: The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

 

The Bro-Magnet

by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

I will be honest. I overlooked this book countless times because I have no idea that this was a romance novel. The cover confuses you, but once you read the blurb you kind of know what to expect. Even then, I was still caught by surprise over this book. This is definitely not your typical contemporary romance.

THE BRO-MAGNET is written from a male’s perspective. I don’t know about you, but this is a first for me in romance. Wildly refreshing and outrageously funny, Lauren Baratz-Logsted completely took me by surprise. Not only was Johnny’s perspective engaging and unlike anything I’ve ever read before, but I died laughing at some of the lines in this book. In fact, if I could, I would quote this entire book and leave it at that for a review.

As I said earlier, this book follows Johnny, a 33 year-old guy who makes a living out of painting houses. He’s been Best Man eight times, even graduated with honors BUT he has the tendency to fall over himself when talking to a woman.

Here’s what you need to know to set up this scene:

Johnny has a thing for Helen Troy, a lawyer and at this point, he’s trying to play it cool denying the fact that he has this slight obsession about figuring out loopholes in court cases. In the end, he just ends up looking silly....

"So let me get this straight," she says. "It's not loopholes you have a thing for, it's ice holes?"
"Oh yes," I say, "from when I was little and my dad used to take me ice fishing. Ever since he got MS and can't get around as well anymore, I like to remember the times when we used to be together on the ice, sitting around the ice holes."
Well at least the part about him having MS is true.
"That's sweet," she says.
Hey, I'm on a roll here.
"Not only do I like ice holes," I say, "but I like sinkholes."
"Sinkholes?"
"I mean, I'd hate to get my truck stuck in one, but they're so interesting, the way they just appear all of a sudden. And peepholes, I like those too."
"Peepholes?"
"It is always good to see who's on the other side of the door so you know whether you want to let them in or not. Oh, and blowholes — you know, whales. They should be saved."
"So," she says slowly, reviewing my case item by item, "you like ice holes, sinkholes, peepholes and blowholes?"

Nice save, Johnny.

There are also some great moments with Johnny’s wingwoman and lesbian BFF, Sam whom I loved as well. Sam tries to help the less-than-smooth Jonny set a date with Helen. Most often than not, it ends up like this:

I pick up the phone, start to punch in the number from the slip of paper, stop.
“Are you just going to stand there?” I say.
“What’s the big deal?”
“I just feel funny talking on the phone with you standing there like that. It’s like when a guy’s trying to take a pee and some guy comes in and starts using the urinal right next to him. It feels awkward.”
“You’re being ridiculous about this.”
I just keep staring at her, waiting.
“Fine,” Sam huffs, heading for the door.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. This saying has never held so much truth than in this case. If you’re looking for something unique and fun, then Johnny is your man.

 

 

 Purchase Links: Amazon