The sweetest sparks fly when childhood friends agree to a marriage of convenience for the sake of a green card in The Broposal, the charming adult debut from Sonora Reyes, author of acclaimed YA novels The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School and The Luis Ortega Survival Club.
Alejandro (Han) and Kenny met in second grade during a contentious game of dodgeball, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. No one is surprised when they announce their engagement. In fact, most of their friends and family think it’s about time they made it official. The thing is, Han and Kenny are faking the whole thing so that Han can get a green card and become a U.S. citizen. If Han is going to fake marry anyone, it might as well be his lifelong bestie, who knows him better than anyone else. Sweet, sensitive Kenny would do anything to help his friend, and if it helps Han get over his toxic ex, Jackie, then all the better. But soon their fake relationship begins to feel all too real. With all their friends and family rooting for them, can these two bros dodge threats from the vengeful Jackie and immigration officers and make it down the altar for real?
Reyes doesn’t shy away from infusing this rom-com with very real and terrifying stakes. (Sensitive readers should consider reading the list of triggers in the Author’s Note.) On one hand, it is a complete delight to watch Han and Kenny dance around each other, completely oblivious to their true feelings and fooling no one but themselves. They adopt a cactus together, co-parent an adorable dog and support each other at every turn. Despite all of this, there is an almost constant hum of unease in the background, as their happiness is on shaky ground thanks to forces outside their control. While this worked for most of the narrative, at times it overwhelmed the story, since the odds against Han and Kenny are almost insurmountable. With Jackie as an almost cartoonish villain threatening their happiness at every turn (“Jackie” may replace “Karen” as a generic placeholder for horrible white women committed to being the worst), the additional threat that ICE presents to Han every time he leaves his house and a few other obstacles I won’t spoil, Han and Kenny do not have an easy road to happiness. But Reyes understands that queer joy is important: Even if we have to wait till the very last pages, their characters are going to get that hard-won HEA. Throughout The Broposal, Reyes effectively conveys the deep love that their characters have shared since they were young. So despite moments when everything feels bleak, that love is still palpable, and it’s clear that these two sweethearts are going to make it.
Fans of Reyes’ previous work will be excited for their adult debut and the chance for more from this talented author.
