Alright, I had some reservations when I found out The Russian was getting his own story. In the first book he seemed like nothing more like comic relief, and I was concerned with how Adams would spin his story. Did he have enough of a back story to stand on his own?

The answer is YES. Yes he did. Vlad was absolutely wonderful. And Elena, poor Elena, this book was tugging on all my heartstrings. The classic combo of childhood best friends and a marriage of convenience was just *chef's kiss* and I loved that Vlad is a blossoming romance author on top of everything else. Normally miscommunication as the primary form of conflict isn't my cup of tea, but something about their situation was so earnest... it definitely got me.

If you are annoyed by books that are clearly men written by women, then this might not be the best romance for you. It's very apparent. For most of us romance readers, this is rarely an issue, but it did stick out a little bit more to me specifically with this book.

Overall, if you enjoyed the other Bromance Book Club titles, this next book definitely won't disappoint! Vlad won my heart, and the rest of the boys made me cackle. Would recommend.

Funny and sweet with a quirky cast of characters, this was an entertaining read. Even though the romance between Vlad and Elena felt secondary to the bromance, I enjoyed this story immensely.

Thank you so much Berkley for sending me this earc!

OMG. This book you guys.
So The Russian was definitely one of favorite characters in previous books and this book was just EVERYTHING.
It was just so absolutely sweet and warm. It was like a 6 feel tall hug.
I really love that we got to see Vlad and Elena’s story. I loved how much part of their culture stayed with them all through the book (and as a Belarusian who lived in the US for 10 years, let me tell you. It’s not easy)
I loved that it was a slow burn and both of them had to be ready to be with each other. This was second chance and kind of friends to lovers and childhoods friends and everything I love in the story.
I LOVED that instead of reading a book, Vlad was writing one. Big, hot hockey player who reads poetry and write romance books? I’ll take one.
Also, in anyone EVER mentions “little butt” In actually conversation, I’ll lose it! You’ve been warned 🤣
Overall, this book was absolutely the CUTEST.

If you’ve ever read the first books in The Bromance Bookclub series, then you definitely know about Vlad Konnikov- or as his friends fondly refer to as “The Russian”. (If you haven’t read this series and enjoy rom coms, what are you waiting for?!)

In the book, Isn’t it Bromantic?, we are reunited with our favorite sweet hearted, cheese loving, hockey playing, spontaneously emotional, pet snuggling, bathroom exploding Bro. I love him so much. 🥺 seriously, he’s my favorite of the entire group.

I never considered The Russian to be so sexy, but this book had me like 🥵 okayyyy! When him and his wife, Elena, find themselves in a unexpected situation that could possibly mend their ending “relationship,” he has to figure out a way to express his true feelings of love for her if he wants his happily ever after.

The friendship between these men has got to be one of the BEST things ever written. It is beyond cute. I mean, guys who read romance novels to better please their women is absolutely amazing.

Also, guys who are so comfortable in their masculinity that they can openly show affection to one another through their deep friendships the way these men do, is next level adorable. At points, I actually felt kinda emotional reading the bro’s love for one another.

This is one of my all time favorite romance series and I hope these books never end and Lyssa Kay Adams just keeps them coming forever. It made me giggle a ton and I now need to find my own “speak cheesy” as soon as humanly possible. I need the Cheese Man hookup. 🧀

I also need to find a restaurant with Russian cuisine. I was constantly looking up various recipes that Elena was cooking, and I need to eat them all now. 😋

Basically, reading this book brought happiness to my week and I am so glad The Russian was given his own love story.

Hockey player and member of the Bromance Book Club, Vlad Konnikov, has been in a marriage of convenience with his childhood best friend, Elena, for the past six years. Just when he wants to make things real between them, Elena tells him that she wants to return to Russia to follow in her father's footsteps, become a journalist and, secretly, take over the case that cost him his life. But the Bromance Book Club won't let Vlad let Elena go without fighting for her first.

I really enjoyed this book. It hit a lot of my favourite tropes: childhood best friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, and injured love interest. I loved Vlad and how sensitive and emotional he is. I also enjoyed that there was a romantic suspense aspect to this book with Elena's journalist investigation. Personally, I felt that the suspense plotline wrapped up a bit too easily and quickly, but it wasn't a main plot so I think this can be easily looked past.

The Bromance boys were back at it again with their feminist wisdom and tackling gender norms. I love reading about their book club "meetings" that are always essentially an intervention for the main character to get emotional. I hope there's a fifth book on the horizon!

I'm really torn on how to rate this book, because the parts that were great were really well done, but the parts that fell flat were tough. Vlad and Elena really worked as a couple and had fabulous chemistry. However, what really didn't work was finding out Vlad has a gluten allergy. Then he reflects on how not funny his friends making fun of his bathroom issues has been for him, which was a crux of a lot of the first 3 books humor. Then, you realize the jokes are about a chronic illness, which makes them feel worse.

But then there are still jokes about it??

I'd say I waver between 3.5 and 4 stars.

Easily my favorite book of the series so far!

Vlad and Elena are both lovable and easy to root for, and I love Lyssa Kay Adams's twist on my favorite trope - a marriage of convenience! Also I love how much the bros were featured, especially Colton. I have a feeling he will be getting his own book soon!

As with the others in the series, the bros and the book club scenes had me laughing out loud. And Adams continues to weave an empowering message of equality with her romance, and I am here for it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

A huge thank you to PRH International, Berkley Publication and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve been waiting forever and it’s finally here: Vlad’s book!!! If you’ve been obsessively following the Bromance Book Club series (just like I did), you’d know Vlad or more commonly known as “The Russian”. He has always been my fave character ever since the first book mostly because of his gentle giant presence, funny commentary and just overall good guy vibe. He was always that character that helped pushed our previous main characters towards their happily ever afters so it’s so so exciting to finally read about his!

But what we all didn’t expect was how opposite his real life love story is from the love story his heart yearns for. After realizing that what he truly wants was a happy marriage and a family, he decides to finally turn his marriage of convenience with his childhood friend, Elena, to a more real union. She responds to this by wanting to file a divorce so she can go back to Russia. Heartbroken and bitter, Vlad decides to let her go and give up on happy endings. When he gets into a freak accident with only Elena to help him get back to his feet, they’re given a second chance to bond and maybe save their marriage.

Getting into this, I already knew the angst was gonna be so immense and trusting my instinct, I already cried in the first chapter 😭 Vlad has always been a romantic at heart and seeing him struggle with his love story just made me wanna hug him! I was frustrated by the miscommunication he and Elena had throughout their six (yes, 6!!!) years of marriage but seeing as they’re blessed with this second chance despite the circumstances, I believed that things happen for a reason. Seeing them remember the love they had in the first place made the “childhood friends to lovers” trope in this so satisfying!

It was so nice seeing Vlad’s characterization outside of being the comic relief in this! He’s never afraid to show is vulnerability and emotions which just makes me love him more! As for Elena, I loved how I eventually see more of her strength, resilience and intelligence as I read through and all her qualities that made Vlad fall in love with her. All the cultural references and childhood memories they shared added a heartfelt, nostalgic feel to their relationship.

Another thing I loved in this book was all the friendship and support both of them got! First with the Book Club guys who never fails to make me laugh and swoon! I always love seeing them together especially now when they were helping Vlad with his injury, his relationship and *drumroll* his book! This part surprised me but it also didn’t? The main point of the club was to use romance novels to help them with their relationships but in this, it was Vlad who was writing his own book to help him. Knowing Vlad as the ultimate romantic, I almost expected him to have some kind of outlet and this was probably the best path he’s taken!

A new group of ladies I got to meet was “The Loners” who are composed of either divorcees or women with husbands who are dead in the literal or figurative sense. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship with Vlad and eventually, Elena! They were funny and witty in the best way!

Lastly, Elena’s subplot involving her being a journalist and her trying to solve father’s death with mentions of the Russian mafia and sex trafficking added a high stakes, heavier feel to the whole plot which I enjoyed!

Overall, another amazingly done book in one of my absolute fave series of all time! I’m so thankful Adams took into consideration the amount of love and support Vlad got from the previous books and gave him his own. Given he’s my fave character in the series, I was so happy with how this book turned out! Vlad and Elena’s love story filled with ups and downs captured my heart from the get go! I had the best time getting to know them and going through this journey towards love!

If you love this series or you just love the Russian as much as I do and you enjoy the marriage of convenience and childhood friends to lovers trope then I highly recommend checking this out and giving it all the love it deserves!!

Although it's a very close call since they were all amazing, I think this might be my favorite book in the BROMANCE BOOK CLUB series. The Russian is just...SO SOFT. I would classify this book as a romcom because the premise itself is hilarious and there were seriously laugh-out-loud moments mostly related to the men's banter with each other. SO FUNNY. But it also tackled serious issues and there was some suspense as well. For those who need to know, the sexy-times were steamy but there weren't many sex scenes. Basically, I couldn't put this book down. If I wasn't snort-laughing, I was choking up. I have no idea if there will be another book in the series but if so, Colton???

In this house we LOVE THE RUSSIAN!

My god I loved this book. I love the book club boys so much and it was SO GREAT to see Vlad get even more fleshed out and even more wonderful.

I remember when I read the little bit of Elena in the previous installment of the series I did not like her because she was basically breaking Vlad's heart, so it was nice to see her perspective and to get to know her and her story in this book because I grew to really love her.

The evolution of Vlad and Elena's relationship was great. I loved seeing Elena with Vlad's friends, both the bros and the Loners.

Lyssa Kay Adams has such wonderful and unique characters. I'm completely obsessed with the Bromance Book Club and love seeing how these men evolve and learn about the importance of emotional connections with their spouse. Can't wait to read more from Lyssa!

Such a good addition to the series. And this one has some even bigger twists! Vlad and Elena make a wonderful couple, who doesn’t love the friends to lovers trope? Vlad is the Russian softie we all knew would make an epic protagonist. And of course the men of the Bromance Book Club return to offer sage advice and tough love when necessary. I love this series so much and as far as I’m concerned Lyssa can write as many books as she wants in this series and I’ll read them.

I just loved this latest installment of the Bromance Book Club series. Vlad and Elena are such a good take on the marriage of convenience trope. It made me want to start reading Russian poetry. I can't for the next Lyssa Kay Adams.

For the first like 15% of this book, I was giddy with how much I was enjoying it. I was like YES THIS BOOK and highlighting stuff and writing notes. Then the shine wore off a little. And then there were some bits at the end that made me roll my eyes. So overall, this was an average reading experience, with some very high highs and a couple lows. Mostly, the book does very well by our favorite Russian Bromance Book Club member.

Vlad absolutely deserved his own book after the author didn't even give him a name for most of two books. And forced him to be the butt of many a scatological joke. (Her author's note say she only did it because readers wanted her to.) Turns out he's not even lactose intolerant! He's gluten intolerant, and now he can eat his beloved cheese again. (There's a delightful subplot in here about an underground cheese market that sells illegal cheeses, and I have to tell you, I want that to be real. Somebody hook me up.)

Long the most sensitive and empathetic of the book club, it turns out Vlad's living out several of the many tropes in his beloved books, including: the marriage of convenience and friends to lovers. His wife Elena, whom no one has ever met, married him seven years before so she could leave Russia. They've been friends since childhood, but Vlad is secretly in love with her. He has been pining for years, and he initially joined the Bromance Book Club to try and win her over. But after an incident at Mack's wedding where Vlad finally got up the courage to ask her for a real marriage, it turns out she's going back to Russia to be a journalist, and Vlad in turn descends into a depression (this involves the illegal cheeses). ALSO he's writing a romance novel!

Vlad himself is an utter delight. I was less enamored with Elena. I think the author could have done more character work on her beyond "obsessed with what happened to her father who was probably murdered". I did like how much she cared for Vlad, and the little glimpses of her desire to have friends and a family. I wish that had been played up more, and there was less of the dire journalism plot involving her investigation into her father's disappearance.

One thing that just really did not work for me was Vlad's romance novel. There are really only two excerpts from it, but I thought they were pretty boring. Also, I didn't like that the book club decided to help him with it. It would have been much more satisfying if he had done it all on his own. That was more than made up with all the lovely stuff in here with the book club (Colton and Vlad's friendship is lovely in this book). And I loved Vlad's neighbors, and how Vlad just attracts random neighborhood animals with his presence. There's a weird tone in these books that I've never exactly been able to put my finger on where they seem to deliberately not take place in the real world, and slightly unreal things happen all the time (like Bromance Book Clubs, and men that attract animals with their presence) but then the author also decides to put weirdly harsh things in there like sexual harassment and sexual assault storylines, and Russian crime gangs kidnapping and disappearing people. It never clicks all the way for me.

Anyway, despite its flaws, I will continue to read this series because the moments it delights me make up for the occasional weirdness in the tone and eyeroll worthy climactic moments (Elena seemed ridiculously obtuse to me at a key emotional turning point).

[3.5 stars, rounded up]

This year has been the year of the Bromance Book Club Series! I read the first 3 books in January, and have been waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book. And not only is it book 4 in a great series, it’s a book about the RUSSIAN!

I’ve been super into romance and rom com lately, and this one was done so well. I loved seeing everything from Vlad’s point of view, because I so enjoyed the little snippets of him that we got to see from the first 3 books. As an avid hockey fan, I also loved having that element added into this story.

Elena is also an awesome character. I love the intricate back stories given to every character. Everything that they do is truly for a reason, and I could really see that with Elena. I was rooting for her and Vlad the whole time, and I love them as a couple. And the STEAM omg.

If you have not read this series yet, get to it ASAP! This series has brought me so much joy this year, and I’m already hoping that there will be a book 5 in the future!

A Russian journalist, a marriage of convenience, and a hopelessly in love Hockey Player; all factors that The Bromance Book Club is ready to turn into a happily ever after. Lyssa Kay Adams brings together her talent for quirky and endearing characters and breaking down gender stereotypes to round out this delightful 4th book in the Bromance Book Club series.

I LOVE THIS SERIES!! Vlad is my favorite and I’m so excited he has his story!

Vlad is a Russian hockey player who marries his best friend to help her escape Russia and give her a new life. He is one of the most supportive members of the Bromance Book Club, but has a secret. His marriage is one of convenience and in name only. He wants more with Elena and tells her right before she says she wants to move back to Russia after she graduates with her Masters degree.

When Vlad gets hurt during a game, Elena stays and they try to work things out. With the help of Book Club and Vlad’s neighbors, The Loners, Vlad and Elena receive a lot of advice!

This book is the funniest of the series with the introduction of new characters, and so sweet to see Vlad and Elena navigate their relationship.

I can’t get enough of this series and hope there’s another book coming soon!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC! The thoughts and opinions of this review are my own.

I can't get enough of this series - not just for the romances (though those are pretty great), but for the dynamic of the Bromance Book Club themselves. The way they are working on themselves and their relationships to undo a lot of the toxic lessons imbued by masculine stereotypes, the support they offer one another, and the rewards that work reaps - for each of them individually and for everyone else in their lives! - that may be more fantasy than any HEA I've ever encountered. Is the way they talk sometimes too on the nose or uniform among the group? Sure! But it doesn't tarnish the effect or the catharsis of seeing this really healthy, and sadly rare, emotional labor on the page. And there's plenty of humor, heart, and steam to balance it all out.
In this installment the Russian reignites his broken marriage. I was surprised and delighted by how deftly Adams takes this character, who is mostly the butt (sorry) of the joke in previous books, from comic relief to leading man. He has a worthy match in Elena, though a couple attempts to swerve into suspense with her journalist plot feel a bit vague and out of place. The romance between the two, and the believable misunderstandings and miscommunications that have kept them apart, plus the winks at romance tropes and timelines within the book club's discussions, make this a very winning read.

Well, this was everything I could have wanted for the Russian and definitely my favorite of the series.

I’ve loved Vlad from the first time he stepped onto the page. He’s sweet and wears his heart on his sleeve. Elena is smart and determined. Together they have a shared history and so much love for the other, it’s ridiculous. Oh and shout out to the Loners, especially Claud. I’m a sucker for a nosy grandma type and while she doesn’t really fit that type, she’s even better.

Plot wise, it’s so good and so maddening at the same time. I wanted to simultaneously smash their faces together and force them to actually talk to each other. I loved all of the time with the bros and how they helped Vlad. The conflict is a slow build up that was easy to forget about until the very end. And the resolution was swift and satisfying.

Overall, this series has been nothing short of amazing for me. I’ve enjoyed the characters, the commentary, the truth of what’s been said here. I can’t wait to see what Lyssa comes up with next.

FYI: off the page sex trafficking

**Huge thanks to Berkley for providing the arc free of charge**

This took much longer to read than normal because I kept stopping and looking up all the Russian food Elena was making!!
This felt much more like bromance book club than the others and had a bigger focus on the book club and romance books. This is easily my favorite from the series, but I still found it cute and sweet and also a bit boring and repetitive. I am so happy Vlad got his own story and showed much more depth than his comedic relief character has shown previously. I really enjoyed Vlad and Elena's story but similar to the other books in the series, I find the sub plots to be at times over the top and thrown in there.