(Merged review.)

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the eARC! I’ve been keeping up with Sonora Reyes’s books ever since their debut, and them writing a gay fake dating romance intrigued me. Don’t be fooled by the tropey premise, though— the issues front and center of Han and Kenny’s respective arcs give “The Broposal” too much gravity for it to call itself a rom-com—or, at least for me to do that, more like. (Even if it’s overall hopeful, and ends well.) Although, I feel some of the over-the-top writing present in the awkwardness of the romance (especially at the beginning) resulted in the tone wobbling on a tightrope line between lighthearted and emotional.

I was disappointed by how there was very little done with the idea of Han figuring out his “homophobia” towards Kenny was just jealousy. The crossed-out words in Han’s internal monologue made his (comedic) sexuality crisis too obvious a realization for it to be actually funny. It felt a little fanfic-reminiscent? I think in general, though, the first third or so of the book was awkward to read, the narrative was trying its damndest to ship the main characters together, and it was so obvious from some of the dialogue. 

I thought the parts of the romance that involved Han and Kenny actually realizing they had romantic feelings (but were fumbling around it) were cute, though. (I think part of that also came from Han having to drop the “bro” out of every other sentence.) I appreciated the weekend rituals and casual moments they had with each other that fitted the kind of dynamic two long-time friends would have. I also enjoyed the inclusion of drag! That resulted in a really cute bonding moment, and in addition, the drag element (subplot?) was a neat way to introduce Leti, as well as show more of Kenny’s self-expression! But I didn’t like the miscommunication that made up a bulk of the plot. It was extremely frustrating to read— especially with a moment in the book where Jackie basically assaults Kenny but it NEVER gets properly called out as such, EVEN WHEN KENNY TELLS LETI WHAT HAPPENED?!?! 

Speaking of Leti! I feel like their purpose as a character was literally just to drop in to offer advice or be like “NOW KISS”! (Not an exaggeration! In the slightest!) They barely have personality outside of that, and as much as I know they’re just one representation of a very common romance media trope, conceptually they were cool, and I was bummed as a nonbinary person who enjoys (and occasionally does) drag.

Branching out about side characters— of course I have to talk about the Caucasian elephant in the room, Jackie. I’m basically with every other reviewer on that she was cartoonishly evil. Like, her one personality trait was being manipulative. While I appreciate how Kenny was able to have these surprisingly realistic, conflicting feelings about a partner he was in denial about being abusive, and that his POV chapters can show why it’s so hard for someone to leave a toxic relationship, it was unfortunately wasted on an incredibly one-dimensional character. 

But—making for a very clunky tone and topic change, how fitting— I did really enjoy the sex scenes. The kink elements were super light (appropriate, since Han’s never done anything kinky before) but I like the way Reyes writes consent, while keeping things a little hot and having these two (Han and Kenny, of course) being very sappily, incredibly in love with each other. Again! Fanfic-reminiscent! (Different connotation, this time.) 

While my feelings are mixed, and my rating isn’t high, as always, Sonora Reyes has a compulsively readable writing style. I do hope that “The Broposal” means we can have more nuanced, mentally ill, casual queer representation in publishing, and I can see it easily finding its audience. (It already has, so.)