Isn't It Bromantic?

Nice Guy #2

by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

An RT BOOK REVIEWS Top Pick: "[S]urprisingly refreshing, and will have readers experiencing many belly laughs."

What happens after Happily Ever After? That's what Johnny Smith is about to find out. Having wooed—and won!—the girl of his dreams in The Bro-Magnet, he is ready to take on married life. Finally, Johnny will be the groom. But right off the bat, during the honeymoon, things start to go wrong. And it only gets worse when the newlyweds return home to their new house in Connecticut. Different taste in pets, interior design, friends. Too much togetherness. Jealousy. Nothing is easy, given that neither Johnny nor his wife has ever even had a roommate since college. Can this couple, still so in love, share a home without driving each other crazy?

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Humor, Adult, Chick Lit

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2012

About the author

Lauren grew up in Monroe, CT, where her father owned a drugstore at which her mother was the pharmacist. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, where she majored in psychology. She also has what she calls her “half-Masters” in English from Western Connecticut State University (five courses down, another five to go…someday!).

Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.

Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.

In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.

Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.

In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.

Lauren’s favorite color is green.

Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.

Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isn't It Bromantic? picks up shortly after the first book in the series, The Bro-Magnet, left off. It's Johnny and Helen's wedding day, they have finally made it to the alter. But of course, you know things aren't going to just go smoothly from here on out. Even with all the shenanigans that took place while they were dating, there are plenty more in store for the couple.

Things are already off to a rocky start when Johnny is insulted by one of Helen's guests at the wedding. Daniel Rathbone, Helen's coworker, seems to think Johnny's job as a house painted is pathetic and he has no shame in making it known. But whatever, it's his wedding day right? Johnny blows it off like he does most things because that's just Johnny, nice guy to a fault.

But things get progressively worse while on their honeymoon cruise. They both end up catching a bad virus, and then Helen starts spending a lot of time with a very attractive, all male, German volleyball team. Things don't seem to change when they get home. They have different tastes and Helen seems intent on giving Johnny a hard time. Will they make it through even the first few months of marriage without giving up and calling it quits?


As much as I wished that things would be great for Johnny and Helen now that they were finally getting married, I'm kind of glad things didn't go that way. I mean, if things were all good then we wouldn't have need for a sequel, right? And I just had to have more of them, especially Johnny. He is the kind of person who tries so hard to do and say everything right that things just always seem to come out wrong. As much as I feel sorry for the poor guy, I can't help but laugh at the ridiculous situations he gets himself into. Too nice for his own good, he doesn't say a word to Helen as she paints their house horrid colors and decorates as she sees fit. Actually, he just lets her do whatever she wants and even though it's driving him crazy, he doesn't say a word to her. You know this is going to blow up in his face and you can't help but sit in anticipation.

Aside from Helen and Johnny, the other lovable characters are back in action. Johnny's Aunt Alfresca (now his stepmother) is stirring up trouble with her Twitter addiction (come on, you know we all have one). His friends all seem to be having relationship trouble as well, except for Sam who finally seems to have found the right girl. We also meet Stavros, Johnny's lovable barber who is in the early stages of what seems like dementia. Johnny takes it upon himself to care for Stavros and this just melted my heart. I swear, if Johnny were a real person, I'd be all over him.

Another important aspect of this story is the feud between Johnny and Daniel Rathbone. I'm not exactly sure feud is the right word, but that's what it seems like. Rathbone is one of those people who thinks that what you do for a living defines you. In this case, he thinks because Johnny paints houses for a living that he must not be all that bright. He doesn't realize that Johnny graduated from a top school with honors. But does Johnny throw that in his face? Of course not. He just lets Rathbone assume whatever he wants. This is another reason why I love Johnny. He knows that just because someone chooses to do one thing with their life, it doesn't mean they aren't capable of doing something else. This is something I think more people need to realize.

So yes, I am going to go ahead and recommend that not only do you go get yourself a copy of Isn't It Bromantic?, but that you also get your hands on The Bro-Magnet to get yourself started off right. In fact, while you're at it, why don't you just go ahead and pick up a few more of Lauren Baratz-Logsted's books? She is a genius storyteller with a knack for creating the most endearing characters. I'm looking forward to reading many more of her books myself!

[(✿◠‿◠)]

DNF

After months, I'm tapping out on this one. After having full belly laughs in the first book, I was really looking forward to something that made me laugh out loud. Didn't happen. It seemed to me this one was just trying too hard.

[Angela]

2 March 2020: $1.99 on Kindle

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember when or why I put this on my Kindle, or why I thought it was a good idea to get book two of a series I haven't read book one of, but here we are. Maybe if I had read the first book, I'd have a better understanding of why the hero has married someone he seems to not know very well, which I found annoying as a plot device. If you don't know what music someone likes, you haven't dated them long enough to get married is my position. Both hero and heroine do unlikable things. It's told first person from the hero's perspective in an easy, breezy, jokey style which is not for me. On the plus side, the copy editing was pretty darn good.

[Romance Reader]

DNF

After months, I'm tapping out on this one. After having full belly laughs in the first book, I was really looking forward to something that made me laugh out loud. Didn't happen. It seemed to me this one was just trying too hard.

[Vicky Coughlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book continues smoothly after book 1. They marry, go on honeymoon then lots of things happen. All in all a good fun read. Even if the husband was a lot henpecked…

[Sarika Patkotwar · Rating 4 out of 5]

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of Isn't It Bromantic? from author Lauren Baratz-Logsted in exchange for an honest review. We thank Lauren for the book!


I absolutely like and thoroughly enjoyed reading Lauren Baratz-Logsted's The Bro-Magnet (my review of which can be read here ) and I was delighted when the author contacted us to review her book, Isn't It Bromantic?
Without even looking much into the book, I said yes because I know for a fact that Lauren's books come with the guarantee of the reader having a good laugh and a good time while reading.
I thought Isn't It Bromantic? would be the story of one of the ifriends of Johnny, the protagonist in The Bro-Magnet although most of them were already married. I don't read summaries (yes, that's how it works for me) so I was in for a surprise with this one.
I must admit that on the one hand, I was fairly surprised that Isn't It Bromantic? is the continued story of Johnny and Helen since they already got a happy ending in the first book. On the other hand, once I began reading, I realised how much I'd missed this cute couple. I even missed the whole of Johnny's gang and was happy to meet them again. Hell, I even missed his cat (although I'm not a cat person)!
Isn't It Bromantic? starts off with Johnny and Helen's wonderful marriage ceremony followed by their cruise honeymoon and the two of them trying to fall into the marriage routine. They still find it amusing and hard to believe that they're married.
Johnny is such a hilarious man, I love his sense of humour. Like I already said, you're bound to have a rocking time listening to the voice in his head. Sometimes, he does seem way too nice and way too concerned for a guy, but all his friends love that about him. He is cluelessly super sweet. He really is a caring, genuine and sweet guy. All that matters to him is his wife's happiness and he makes sure she gets it.
Helen seemed a little off to me in this one but we get to know all about her reasons later on in the book. She is a very nice and smart girl with her own insecurities and problems and she's perfect for Johnny. They're both perfect for each other.
It was such a pleasure to again encounter the hilarious bunch of people from The Bro-Magnet.
Johnny's dad Big John and his Aunt Alfresca get married and are trying to work on that. They were both their usual jovial , wonderful and weird self respectively. Johnny's gang of friends Billy and his wife Alice and Drew were super interesting as usual and in their own ways, they all help Johnny with adjusting to the married life.
Sam, Johnny's best friend, ex neighbour and business partner was her usual feisty self. I love her as a character. She keeps Johnny in line and I sincerely hope she gets a happily ever after for herself.
An addition of characters brought more enthusiasm in Isn't It Bromantic?
Johnny meets a little girl Willow on the cruise and the two remain friends. Willow was a complete darling and rather highly intellectually developed for her age, but lots of fun nonetheless. Johnny's barber Stavros, who takes shelter in the newly wed couple's home was entertaining and I admired him as a character. He had a great personality. Although I must admit that I missed meeting Helen's large, boisterous and cuddly family.
Author Lauren Baratz-Logsted's writing keeps the reader awake, entertained and wanting more. Isn't It Bromantic? was an hilarious riot of the ups and downs of marriage. I adored how Johnny rounds up his married life with Helen.

We are flawed human beings, and we will spend the rest of our lives being flawed together."

It had me go all 'aw, Johnny!'. Just like the first book, I absolutely liked and thoroughly enjoyed reading Isn't It Bromantic? as well. It was an adorable read. The Nice Guy series is truly a nice series of a really nice guy.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Review at All About Romance

Last year I read and reviewed The Bro-Magnet and liked it. It is only by accident that I came across Isn’t It Bromantic?, which proves to me that I need a better system of tracking authors with impressive first books. I would have been upset if I had unknowingly let this book slip by me.


This is the second book in the series and while you can read it as a stand-alone book, I think you will get more enjoyment out of it if you know the background of the characters and the relationships.

Johnny Smith ("Always a best man, never a groom") is at the altar again, but this time he is finally a groom. He can’t believe that he is actually getting married to District Attorney Helen Troy, the most wonderful woman in the world.

Because they know that this is going to be their only wedding, they go all out. Big wedding and “cliché and kitschy” cruise. The first day Johnny is so impressed with his intelligent, knowledgeable wife. She did research and knew to pack their swim suits in a carry-on because it can take forever to get your luggage on a ship. But later that night after Helen drags him to karaoke, and then proceeds to sing “ABBA” in a not so great voice he wonders what other surprises are in store from the woman he thought he knew. But hey, better or worse, right - sickness and health too, although he didn’t expect that to be put to the test so soon.

They both end up sick with the norovirus. Johnny, telling Helen to stay in the room and rest, heroically stands in line with all the other infected people to get relief. But the doctor will only give him medication enough for one person. Unselfishly he gives that one chance of relief to Helen. The next day she feels great, and he is still not up to par. The disappointment on Helen’s face when he says he going to stay on the ship rather than go off shore compels him to suggest that she goes off by herself, and she actually does it, leaving him sick and alone. Same thing happens again the next day. Helen comes back with tales of meeting some great friends but she didn’t mention that she was partying with eight men in speedos. Don’t these know guys know they're not supposed to show their junk in swimming suits anymore?

He knows that once they get home, everything going to be great, but Helen has some more surprises. Her furniture needs to stay, and his go. Which, hey, is not ideal, but compromise right? But as they are unpacking he discovers that she is a song garbler.

Read the rest of the review at All About Romance or www.likesbooks.com

[Mike Nemeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second outing for Johnny Smith, the nice guy who makes all the girls sick. He's a guy's guy who in the previous novel by Lauren Baratz-Logsted was introduced as having killed his mother during birth and irritating all the women he'd ever been attracted to. The only one who'd put up with his by-this-time-engrained bachelor behavior was his lesbian neighbor and sole employee, Sam. He's a smart guy but went into painting because that's what his dad Big John, now wheelchair bound, wanted and because "paint never lets you down." The reader is introduced in the first book to a slew of characters who are eclectic as hell. But none resonates as well as Stavros the Greek, the dementia-ridden old shop owner he takes into his home. This book starts with Johnny's storybook honeymoon cruise with Helen, the assistant district attorney who saw enough to marry him. Nothing goes as planned. But Johnny's a nice guy. He does the right thing even if it appears he's shooting himself in the foot. Helen is a royal ass pain. Pretty but seriously self-centered. Enter Willow, a little girl on the cruise ship who reappears sporadically to provide sage-like advice almost like a guardian angel. Loved that touch. Suffice to say that Johnny soldiers on. The dialogue is great as are the interpersonal interactions between well-developed characters.

[Tzippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chick-lit told from the guy's perspective!

That's the hook.

This is the sequel to The Bro-Magnet, which I haven't read. Apparently, in book 1, Johnny and Helen met and fell in love and got engaged. This book starts out with their wedding, moves on to their honeymoon, and then the first few weeks of their marriage. Apparently, marriage takes work, guys.

There's also this whole name motif going on that's kind of cute. Johnny's full name is John Smith, his wife is Helen née Troy, and two couples they meet on their honeymoon are Boris and Natasha and Daisy and Tom (who hate each other--this is all post-Gatsby, one presumes).

Anyway the book is cute and fluffy and not objectionable. And it has a hook. Helen's actions may put some people off her--they frustrated me--I can understand how she felt, but come on, couldn't you have perhaps tried to work on your issues before the wedding?--but overall, I liked her.

Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan Scribner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bro-Magnet was a pleasant surprise - a funny, sweet Lad Lit novel written by a woman. Hero Johnny Smith was a great guy but clueless when it came to women, so it was easy to root for him to woo and win the fair Helen Troy. Now Lauren Baratz-Logsted has written a sequel that relies heavily on Johnny's charm and humor to disguise the fact that there really isn't much of a story left to tell. Johnny and Helen get married, have a semi-disastrous honeymoon on a cruise ship, and settle into married life together. There are several funny episodes and the welcome return of secondary characters from The Bro-Magnet, but the stakes don't seem very high and there's not much of a dramatic arc. You have to admire a novel that admits that it's the little things that define a marriage - like not telling your wife that her habit of mangling song lyrics drives you nuts - but it doesn't make for terribly compelling reading. Lauren Baratz-Logsted should have enough confidence in her writing skills to move beyond this series and create a different cast of characters.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't work for me as well as the first one did. But the scenes were Johnny was having conversations with Fluffy were hilarious. I loved Johnny and thought he was still as sweet has pie. Helen on the other hand didn't work for me as well. I thought that she was a jerk toward him.

[Selena Robins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the sequel to the Bro-Magnetic. The book is told in the hero (Johnny's) point of view, and he has maintained his sense of humor and his adorableness in this book as well.