Review: The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

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Synopsis from Goodreads

Women have been known to lament, "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." For Johnny Smith, the problem is, "Always a Best Man, never a groom." At age 33, housepainter Johnny has been Best Man eight times. The ultimate man's man, Johnny loves the Mets, the Jets, his weekly poker game, and the hula girl lamp that hangs over his basement pool table. Johnny has the instant affection of nearly every man he meets, but one thing he doesn't have is a woman to share his life with, and he wants that desperately. When Johnny meets District Attorney Helen Troy, he decides to renounce his bro-magnet ways in order to impress her. With the aid and advice of his friends and family, soon he's transforming his wardrobe, buying throw pillows, ditching the hula girl lamp, getting a cat and even changing his name to the more mature-sounding John. And through it all, he's pretending to have no interest in sports, which Helen claims to abhor. As things heat up with Helen, the questions arise: Will Johnny finally get the girl? And, if he's successful in that pursuit, who will he be now that he's no longer really himself? THE BRO-MAGNET is a rollicking comedic novel about what one man is willing to give up for the sake of love.

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9/10

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 If I could describe this book in one word, I would have said "adorable". Perfect summer chick-lit, full of good humor and charm.


Yet again, this book caught my attention long time ago because of an excellent review from Dear Author and yet again I wasn't disappointed when I followed their recommendation.



Johnny Smith is an attractive, healthy guy  in his mid-thirties with a steady income, but he's got a huge problem. All his life he's been a man's man: guys love him and want to be his best friends, women think he is an asshole, because he does and says awkward things around them all with good intentions, but they get completely misinterpreted by fair sex.

He is funny, clever, has a really quirky sense of humor and he is very good-natured, so when he meets District Attorney Helen Troy he is determined to turn the tide over, even if he needs to pretend to be a totally different person.

Johnny changes his name to John, buys a new wardrobe, Dating for Dummies manual, redecorates his house, gets a cat and ditches his sport magazines pretending to like opera instead.

...and it helps. Helen goes out with him and they hit it off marvelously. Only how far would you go with all the lies without letting a woman you love to get to know real you?

The book has plenty of hilarious situations, advice on dating, a charming ragtag supporting crew of secondary characters and beautiful happy ending. I recommend it wholeheartedly, especially to those of you who like romantic comedy.

Quotes (too many good ones, but this one is my favorite!):

The guy brings down the item and places it on the counter next to the rest of my stuff. “So you’re getting a cat and a dog?” he says.

“No, just the cat.”

“Then what do you want a leash for?”

“The cat. So I can take it for walks.”

“People don’t usually – ”

“Don’t even bother,” Sam cuts him off. “He’s probably got this whole thing pictured in his head: him walking down the street, his cool new sleek black cat on the leash strutting by his side, maybe the two of them popping into the neighborhood bar for an ice cold beer for him and a saucer of milk for his furry little friend.”

Really? Am I that transparent?

The guy breaks out in a wide smile. “Man, that’s the coolest thing I’ve ever heard. I never thought to do that with a cat before. Maybe I should get one.”

“The Home Goods guy’s going to get throw pillows because of you,” Sam says, “now this guy’s going to get a cat so he can take it to the bar because of you. You’re like the Pied Piper of weirdness. Just what is it with you and guys?”

“I don’t know. Are you ready to go back and see the Cat Cop?”

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На самом деле эта книга - просто прекрасна для летнего чтения. Лёгкая романтическая комедия, полная юмора и нелепых ситуций, над которыми я постоянно хихикала. Свежо то, что главный герой - мужик, ужасно неудачливый в отношениях с женщинами, который пытается найти любовь и остепениться в свои 33 года.

Он встречает адвоката Хелен Трой (я знаю, одно имя чего стоит!) меняет своё имя с Джонни на Джона Смита, прячет свои спортивные журналы и заявляет, что любит оперу, покупает новый гардероб и книгу "Свидания для дураков", редекорирует дом и даже заводит кота.... и всё, для того, чтобы завоевать сердце Хелен.

Его стратегия срабатывает, только вот что делать, когда Хелен наконец-то узнает кто такой на самом деле Джон Смит? Продолжит ли она его любить?

Книга - обхохочешься. Вся ложь и полуправды Джонни постоянно приводят к комическим ситуациям, а его растрёпанная команда друзей мила и совершенно очаровательна. В общем-то, получился душевный чик-лит, который я настоятельно рекомендую!