You may remember “The Russian” from the previous books in this series. He was the one who loved all things cheese, but cheese most definitely did not love him. P.U. And yet somehow all of us horny housewives still wanted to read about him getting his freak on and make the sexies with him. If you haven’t read these books you’re probably saying something like "that's just nasty." To you I say – SHUT THE F*&^ UP! Vlad may have had a butt that continuously betrayed him and farts that could peel the wallpaper, but he was also a super buff defender for a fictional hockey team with a body that just won’t stop. For the past three books I have pictured Turbo from Survivor - and that, my friends, is a sploosh just waiting to happen. (And yes I know Turbo was from Turkey and not Russia, but I am allowed creative liberties when it comes to who I cast in my fantasies.)

Okay so the story here starts at the cliffhanger of Book #3 where Turbo Vlad’s wife showed up at Noah and Alexis’ wedding – but just to drop that bomb that she was going to be divorcing him and returning to Russia. Then Vlad gets injured, Elena opts to stay in order to be his nursemaid and, you know, stuff and things happen.

I love this series unapologetically. It’s brain candy.

I have always been an ardent champion of Lyssa Kay Adams’ Bromance Book Club series. Isn’t It Bromantic? is another great entry for fans of romance with humor, heartfelt drama, and great friendships.

Isn’t It Bromantic? centers around Vlad, AKA The Russian. In previous books his presence was often for comic relief or as someone, who with a few words, could clarify the moment. Years ago he entered into a marriage of convenience with a childhood friend from Omsk, Russia. But now after seeing his book club bros finding their HEAs, Vlad wants his marriage to be real, not just on paper.

Elena is the daughter of a Russian journalist who mysteriously disappeared while investigating a story. She would like her marriage to be more, but is too wrapped up in being a burden or an obligation to Vlad to see past his stoic stubbornness to the tender man we readers have come to know.

They are both about to get “book clubbed.” The book bros along with Vlad’s meddlesome neighbors, a widows group who call themselves The Loners, set about helping Vlad and Elena move past their obstinacy and the misunderstandings that hinder the course of true love.

Adams goes back to the book within a book concept that worked well in previous books when the “fake” romance novel mirrors the trajectory of the main characters.

Isn’t It Bromantic? has the great lines and situations we’ve grown to expect from the Bromance series. An underground cheese club-a “speak cheesy”-run by an enigmatic man who fights against “Big Dairy” is a highlight.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Isn't It Bromantic? is the fourth book in the Bromance Series by Lyssa Kay Adams. This story follows Vlad, the Russian professional hockey player, and his estranged wife Elena. In the previous books, Vlad preaches about his amazing wife, but none of the men in the Bromance Club have met her. Elena and Vlad are childhood bestfriends who both believe their marriage is one of convenience. Elena is in Chicago getting a degree in Journalism to avenge her father's death. Vlad suffers a horrific injury on the ice and is out for the season. Little did the reader or the book club know, but Vlad was writing his own romance novel as a way to heal his marriage.

Throughout the book, the reader uncovers the miscommunication, hidden secrets and true feelings of the pair. Will Elena divorce Vlad and go back to Russian? Will Vlad finish writing his romance book? I hope there is a fifth book in the works because LKA keeps hitting this series out of the park!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 Stars!
Thank you to Lyssa Kay Adams for writing the book we all wanted (and bullied her into writing). I mean, who didn't want a book for THE RUSSIAN? Vlad was the sensitive one of the bunch with his tears and stomach issues. I just knew there was an amazing story there. After the end of Crazy Stupid Bromance, I was even more excited for his and Elena's story.

Vlad's story was everything I wanted it to be. I loved the way he and Elena connected, their shared history, and all the animals that showed up. Yes, animals. There was even a romantic suspense aspect that created some interesting drama. Oh! I can't forget the poetry. That was beautiful. Or the Cheese Man. He was something... I also loved how once again the Bromance Book Club took charge and helped a buddy out. It was just a really fabulous love story with so many amazing parts. 

The only thing I wasn't a big fan of was the chapters of Vlad's novel that were included. It didn't do what I know it was meant to do for me. Instead, it felt like a distraction from the story I really wanted. That being said, I loved that he was writing a romance. What better guy to do it than the emotional Russian. 

Overall, Isn't It Bromantic? was the story I hoped THE RUSSIAN would get. I'm hoping this isn't the end of the series. I need it to go on. There are so many other characters whose stories I want. Like Colton's or the Cheese Man's.

I LOVE the Bromance series. They make me laugh so hard, and they confront a lot of the toxic masculinity that still exists in American culture. This one is no exception. Vlad (the Russian) is trying to win back his wife. Sidelined by a broken leg, Vlad and his childhood best friend Elena must try to work through what has happened in their lives since coming to America. Elena wants to become a journalist like her father, and is chasing down the story that brought about his disappearance.

I was able to read an ARC through NetGalley. Thank you, NetGalley! This book made my year!

This was the fourth book in the Bromance Book Club series and featured my least favorite character in the original book.

The Russian joined the book club to learn how to connect with his estranged wife. The WHOLE BOOK was spent on missed chances for communication, which is exactly how the marriage fell apart in the first place.

The author wrote the story well, I just feel like it is currently the weakest book of the series.

I wanted to love this book. I really did. For me there was no tension between Elena's journalist career and her marriage to Vlad. We already knew what was going to happen because of the Promise Me inserts and the conversations with the Bromance Book Club. I would have loved to read more about Elena's investigation. I couldn't connect with these two and the romantic scenes lacked steam. Vlad has been reading romance novels for how long? He should be pulling out all the stops. I loved Vlad in the other novels, I really wanted to love this couple. But overall I found it to be lackluster and it felt like the author wasn't fully engaged with her characters.

Isn’t that Bromantic? (Bromance book club, #4 ) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

hello friends! I recently got a chance to read isn’t it Bromantic? The fourth installment in the bromance book club series written by Lyssa Kay Adams !! I was hyped to read this one since Vladimir, aka “The Russian” is probably one of my favorite members of the club! Ignoring his tough appearance, he’s just a big softie haha. This book follows his relationship with his wife Elena, which started due to the convenience of helping Elena move to the states. Vlad joins the bromance book club in hopes to make his own wife fall in love with him. When Vlad gets an unexpected injury out on the ice, Elena offers to move back in with him, offering to take care of him ! a perfect little mix of friends - > enemies (?) - > lovers😌🤚🏻

overall, this book may be my favorite in the series 👀 I really loved how the reader got to learn more about Elena and Vlad’s past and the ties that branched between them ever since they were young. Along with this, it was nice to see the more romantic side of Vlad! In the previous books he was always portrayed as the humorous character that he is, however in this one we get to see a deeper and loving side of our favorite giant. We also learn more about his mysterious wife and her love for cooking their childhood favorites! I must admit, the addition of all sorts of Russian recipes definitely got me hungry 😂

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing this digital arc! I thoroughly enjoyed this one and highly recommend this series to those looking for a fun read!

I was skeptical going into this book because the main character was one of my least favorite characters from the previous novels. I was pleasantly surprised by this book though!! The characters were so relatable and interesting, and I enjoyed getting to know them so much. I just enjoy the overall concept of these books immensely, and I think it makes the book seven more fun for me. I thought the character growth in this story was some of the best written growth from all the previous books, and I found the MCs in this story endearing themselves to me in a different way than the previous MCs. Overall, this is a fabulous read!

I really enjoy this Bromance Book Club series and was so glad that Vlad's story took center stage this time. His marriage of convenience to Elena has been hard on Vlad but with the help of his friends in the "Club" he ultimately triumphs. I love how these guys talk to each other in humorous and caring "bro" ways while holding each other accountable for their issues. They're well known men who check their egos and create a safe space for each other to learn how to succeed in their romantic relationships. Elena's back story adds a serious element. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series! Highly recommended!

Recap: I loved book 1, didn't like book 2, liked book 3. I criticized the Russian so much in my earlier reviews of all 3 books. He's been barely even one dimensional and annoyingly slap stick.

Enter in: Isn't It Bromantic?, book 4 of Lyssa Kay Adams series, and Vlad is now fully fleshed out! Precious! Warm and fuzzy huggable! And there's another cat in this one!

Take my review with a grain of salt because I am a #Russophile lol. I loved every mention of anything Russian and all that food talk. Book 1 and 3 I found relatable and that def led to how much I liked those books. Nothing of my personal story is reflected in book 4, yet I adored it! And again, like with all the books, you have to suspend your disbelief. It's uber cheesy and melodramatic, but againagain, the way Adams writes in a novel within a novel is so creative and wonderful to read. This one in particular is especially clever because it's a novel that Vlad himself is writing, so he has to work through his own issues through his characters.

I can't get enough of how Adams can tug my emotions, make me LOL, and write totally swoon worthy characters and scenes!

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for an e-copy in exchange for my honest review!

I have read all of the other books in this series and loved them. This installment does not disappoint. This book focuses on Vlad, a character I have deeply enjoyed in the previous books and his wife Elena. Theirs is a marriage of convenience, but Vlad wants their marriage to be real. Elena does not know what she wants and has a dark past she needs to come to terms with. And of course, there's the book club there to help them figure it out.

This book continues with the same humor and entertainment of the previous books. There's a new side character cheese monger introduced who is my new favorite and the plot around that introduction had me just howling with laughter.

I hope Adams continues this series because I absolutely love it.

I was so THRILLED to get an eARC of this from Netgalley so I picked it up almost immediately for the serotonin. And it did not disappoint!!!! What I love about this series is that it's so bingeable and fun and CUTE. Like I absolutely love the Russian and it was so great getting to explore his character after seeing him as a side character for the past few books. I think Lyssa does an excellent job mashing up real world issues with contemporary romances while also offering commentary about toxic masculinity and what it means to be in a healthy romantic/sexual relationship. Is this my favorite in the series? Probably not, but I could overlook some of the flaws (mainly I just wasn't a huge fan of the plot) because it's so goddamn FUNNY and SWEET. I will literally continue reading these for as long as Lyssa keeps writing them because they are just the LIGHT OF MY LIFE and I really hope the Netflix adaptation pans out because UGH I AM SO OBSESSED! Highly recommend this series and this installment!

Vlad was one of the men from the book club that I loved the most so I was so excited to see that he was getting his own story and romance. Unfortunately, this fell a tad flat.
There were so many great parts like the cheese man, Claud and the kidnapping scene. However, I felt like we didn't get enough showing Vlad and Elena being best friends/in love. We were just told those things instead of shown them.
Otherwise, though it was a really solid romance novel and could have potentially been a five-star if I didn't know how amazingly Lyssa Kay Adams can write.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been DYING for the Russian's book ever since he has been introduced. My high expectations were definitely met

CW: missing parent, parental neglect (past), human trafficking, attempted kidnapping

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-childhood friends to idiots to lovers
-elements of second chance
-marriage of convenience
-close proximity
-hurt/comfort
-hockey romance
-flirting through poetry
-a sloooooooow burn
-major pining

The Russian is as soft, tender, and ooey-gooey cinnamon rolly as I knew he would be and better. Such a romantic, wanting to be a better man for Elena. These two were such stubborn idiots and watching these two pine, take one step forward, and two step back was just such a heart trip. The build up of their relationship, the revealing of their backstory, I enjoyed every moment.

The bromance boys were back and in fighting shape and I enjoyed every minute of the comic relief they brought on and the sense of kicking Vlad in the butt. None of them are better than the others, they all have their problems, and they are such a cute family of brothers. I loved that Elena got a girl group in here as well.

I have to give a big shoutout to the Cheesman who stole every scene he was in. The representation of food allergies and its difficulties was so well done and nice to see. The effort Elena went to to make sure Vlad could eat and enjoy it, to take care of him, was so beautiful to see. As someone with the same food issues, I really enjoyed that aspect of the book.

Rating: 4.5
Steam: 3

IT. WAS. ABOUT. TIME! Lyssa finally caved in and gave us the book that we have all been waiting for. Vlad is finally here, my big golden retriever kind of pooch that I learned to love through the previous three books. Especially in book two! My gosh do I love this Russian. His reputation speaks for itself because of the type of hero that he truly is for the one true woman of his dreams.

While having Elena by his side, the temptation of admitting the truth is hard for him. This is a trope of the first class that people will love and adore. Elena's strong side of wanting the life of her own, and remove the reputation of her father's is one story plot that truly did take me a back. For one of a kind of a story, Lyssa did truly take my breath away.

Welcome back to the stories of the men in the bromance book club. The focus is on the Russian, hockey player Vlad and his marriage to childhood friend Elena. Their marriage is not what he wants and he thinks it is over until an injury has her returning to his home to help with his rehabilitation. Can he find a way to have the marriage he wants? The Bros are there to help him on his journey. The perfect book for vacation or any time you want to escape for a visit with friends.

So cute!! I love the Russian and I was stoked that he was getting his own book! If you’ve read any other Bromance Book Club books before this one follows the same path of hilarious banter, feminist men and a wonderful love story.

Wonderful as always and I can’t wait for the next one!

**Review will be published July 18th, 2021 on my sites**

BEST OF THE SERIES.

Yup. I said it. I stand by it. I LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH.

Sweet soul Vlad had my heart wrapped around his finger. He’s my favorite. I love him so much. Bearing his soul over and over and over again. Leaning on his friends, renewing his love, and finding his voice. IT WAS ALL AMAZING. Vlad is an unconventional hero and underneath that intimidating, hockey player, exterior is a smushy cinnamon roll.

Marriage of convenience might be one of my favorite tropes. I want all of the books with this plot line because I am enamored. This was no exception. Getting a bit of childhood friends, and a few other tropes that make me weak and I was instantly in love.

Elena hurt me sometimes. I just wanted her to see herself the way Vlad does!! But this only racketed up the pure angst between them. There was just the right amount of steam to match this story and it fit in beautifully with the rekindling of their love. Elena and Vlad has so much growth as individual characters.

The side characters y’all. Oh my gosh, couldn’t get enough. I love every moment that the entire Bromance Book Club is together. The way they have bonded and the deep friendships that have aligned make me melt. I love the communication and power of loyal friends. Vlad’s other set of friends, a group of ladies, The Loners, also had me smitten. I loved the clash and meeting of the minds whenever everyone was together. This whole cast makes this book.

I loved this. I hope to goodness there’s another book. I don’t want this series to end!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
- Language: some
- Romance: kisses to mild open door scenes
- Violence: car wreck, physical altercation
- Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, loss of a parent, severe sports injury, mentions and discussion of a sex trafficking ring

The fourth book in the series, I really liked this one. At first it was hard to connect because the Russian is played as such a joke in all the earlier books so it felt weird to see his actual self. This was a sweet friends to lovers/estranged story. Definitely one of my favorites in the series.