Vlad Konnikov, aka the Russian, is the latest Bromance Book Club member to fall and this is his story. Vlad may be the top defenseman for the Nashville Vipers professional hockey team but he is at the bottom of his game when it comes to love....especially with his wife....Elena Konnikova! Vlad and Elena married six years ago after her father went missing so she could escape to The United States and be safe. Elena's dad was a Russian reporter and was working on a dangerous case. Shortly after their marriage, Elena moved to Chicago, IL to attend college and be a journalist herself. Now that Elena has earned her degree, Vlad wants to make a go of their marriage. Elena has other ideas. When Vlad ends up getting seriously hurt in a hockey game, Elena comes back to town to take care of him. The more time these two spend together, the more they realize that maybe a real marriage could work. The Bromance Boys come to also help out and discover that Vlad has started writing his own romance novel. The boys are determined to help Vlad win over Elena AND help him finish his book, all while trying to deal with Vlad's neighbors, The Loner's; all the wandering animals and their own lives.

I just adored this Super Sexy story by Lyssa Kay Adams. I laughed out so many times, my sides started to hurt. I just adored Vlad. He is so sweet, naive, and genuinely a good guy. You can't help buy root for him to get the girl. I liked Elena. She was trying resolve things from her past and was having a hard time trusting, but once she started to realize certain things, her life started coming together perfectly. This story was another great addition to a 5 star series!

I really liked Vlad in previous books. He really carried this book for me (despite me never really seeing him as a love interest before). Elena fell flat for me. I really had a hard time figuring out why I should care about her and root for this couple. There wasn't enough reason or background information for me; maybe some scenes of them as a teen? When did Vlad fall in love with her? This was what was missing for me to really be invested. The story itself was fine and entertained me but it didn't pull on any of my heartstrings like previous books in the series.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Conspiracy

Vlad, aka the Russian, is the enforcer on his hockey team. He's the quiet one who only talks when he truly has something to say. He's been hiding a secret from his teammates for a while now and because of that, he's started to pull away from them. When he's injured during a game, his secrets come crashing out and he has to hold on or let them pass him by forever.

Elena Konnikova is Vlad's wife. She has known him for so long that when he offered her a way out of the depression she was in due to the loss of her father, she grabbed on with both hands. She wanted their relationship to be real – in her head and heart, it was. But when she learns a hard truth, she'll have to think about what she's willing to live with and what she truly wants.

Watching these two figure out how to be strong apart, as well as together, is magical. They have such a deep connection. I really enjoyed Vlad's story. It's tender, without being mushy, but also has a bite to it. Elena isn't a shrinking violet by any means. She wants to learn the truth about her dad and she's willing to do whatever it takes to find out. Even if that means leaving her love behind.

You'll love this story. The bromantic gang is all back together and ready to romance the crap out of Elena. It's hilarious and fun, romantic and sassy.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series, and I would definitely recommend that you read them in order – but I think you would still enjoy this if you can't wait. A diverse group of male friends has been using romance novels to sort out their less than perfect track record with love. Vlad has been slightly on the edge of the group, as he already married and his wife is away studying... although it is not exactly a standard marriage, even if he doesn't admit that to the group.

Let's be clear, Vlad has been such a great guy, and he is such a big hockey playing giant of a man, that seeing him acknowledging the need to be subtle and careful as he tries to win over his childhood friend and bride. We also finally get to understand why they married, and just how much Elena needs him, but also just how much she wants him.

Another great installment in this fun series, with a very satisfying ending, and a lot of humour as well as sadness along the way.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
I’d really been looking forward to seeing the big bodied and big hearted Russian hockey player get his happily ever after. Vlad has been married to his childhood friend, Elena, for six years but his friends in the Bromance Book Club don’t know it is a marriage of convenience. Vlad and Elena have shared nothing more than a simple kiss and Elena has lived in Chicago for most of their marriage. Now, she wants a divorce and to return to Russia.

I have to say that getting the backstory from Vlad and Elena made me pretty emotional. It hurt my heart that they weren’t together and were really suffering for it. But when Vlad is injured and Elena comes back to take care of him, the sadness dissipates and the fun begins.

I love seeing the tension build between Elena and Vlad, but they are both really stubborn and it is clear they are going to need help if they are going to actually have a relationship. This is where the crazy people in Vlad’s life come in. The guys of the Bromance Book Club, the loners (a group of local single women from Vlad’s neighbourhood), and the mysterious Cheese Man all want to see Vlad happy.

This is a story where the cast of characters was fantastic and entertaining, and I loved spending time with them just as much as I loved the romance. I adored the various scenes in Vald’s kitchen with people coming and going, the cooking, and when Vlad and Elena would fall into speaking Russian with each other in front of others and not even realise they are doing it, it is so sweet.

ISN'T IT BROMANTIC? was funny, charming, romantic, and just a whole heap of fun. It can be read as a standalone, but I’d recommend reading this series right from the start. I definitely recommend ISN'T IT BROMANTIC? and the whole Bromance Book Club series.

To be honest, when I picked up the first book in this series I wouldn’t have considered Ivan (aka “The Russian”) to be a love interest as he was more the butt of bathroom jokes due to his intestinal issues. It was funny, but as Ivan said, it’s not funny when the joke is about you. Poor guy! I was happy Ivan went to the doctor, discovered he had a gluten allergy and got a diet tailored to help.

In the last book I saw a different side to Ivan, his emotional pain seeing his estranged wife and I knew Ms. Adams would have a story and I was all in!

Ivan’s been married for six years to the only woman he’s ever loved, but he assumes Elena only married him so she could escape Russia and move on from the grief of losing her father. He hopes for more, but on coming to America, Elena immediately decides to attend collage in Chicago and moves away. He’s crushed, but Ivan’s not about to force her to stay in Nashville with him. Seeing all his Bromance Book Club besties find happiness and fall in love inspires him to reach out to Elena telling her he’d like to try a real marriage now that she’s done with school. Unfortunately, Elena informs him that she’s going to move back to Russia and wants a divorce. Ouch!

My heart went out to Ivan. He was such a kind, emotional soul and being a professional hockey player hottie, he had his pick of women but he always held out hope that something would work out with Elena. When she announces she’s going back to Russia it crushes him. However, when Ivan gets injured and needs care, Elena puts her plans on hold and moves back to help him heal.

This is one of those romances where a simple conversation to clear up miscommunications, misconceptions would’ve saved both Ivan and Elena a lot of heartache. This is even joked about when the Bromance Bros, connoisseurs of the romance genre, meet up to discuss romantic strategy. It was a little frustrating to be honest, and I think Elena annoyed me more here than Ivan, but when things came out, I could see her point of view.

With that said, I still had a lot of fun with the story. The Bromance guys were hilarious, and I was charmed by “The Loners”, a group of women either widowed or on their own for other reasons that made themselves Ivan’s girl posse. I really appreciated that both the Bromance guys and The Loners decided to try and be supportive, and welcomed Elena in (all except Claude, at first) when they could’ve been mean and defensive over Ivan.

These stories wouldn’t be complete without a cute animal or two, and I was delighted to “see” Hazel, a sweet chicken who made friends with Ivan in Undercover Bromance, again! Neighbor Cat and Neighbor Dog were cute additions, too, flocking to Ivan the softie.

This was nice and i really enjoyed a lot of aspects about it!!! Vlad wasn’t a character I cared much about before because I always felt like he was only there for comedic relief, but this book gave us so much more insight into who he is and it made me really love him! Elena was also a great character that I loved getting to know!

I think my biggest problem was the romance. I thought it was pretty bland, which was so disappointing considering I love the tropes! The miscommunication trope was also too much for me on this one, and it really prevented me from really loving these two. Granted, there were some really cute moments! But I think at the end of the day the lack of chemistry and development really prevented me from loving it completely.

Overall, I think this might be my least favorite book in the series. I looooved the characters so much but the romance really fell short.

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Isn't it Bromantic by Lyssa Kay Adams
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Elena Konnikova, daughter of a mysteriously disappeared journalist has always been in the shadows, escaping the dangers of her situation by marrying her childhood friend, Vladimir and moved with him to the United States, where he's a hockey player for Nashville. Vlad thought he would be content with a marriage of convenience, but living in a one-way relationship and joining the Bromance book club to make his wife fall for him only makes him realise he deserves more, he deserves love both on and off the page. Will this couple be able to fend the dangers that hide in Elena's past and find their own happily ever after?
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This book was genius writing and wonderfully genuine and romantic. Vlad and Elena had my heart from the very first moment. I loved this contemporary marriage of convenience plot, it was both selfless and so so adorable. The mutual pinning between these two was sizzling, and the slow burn was excruciating passionate. I loved how the author intertwined the book Vlad is writing, lessons on his own relationship and how the men of the romance book club helped him see the glorious way he was hiding from his feelings. There was so many unforgettable scenes and moments that made this book even more perfect from chapter to chapter. This one is going straight to my favourites of all times list.
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Thank you so much @berkleyromance for gifting me an e-advanced reader's copy through @netgalley As always all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
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I have absolutely loved the Bromance Book Club series, featuring a group of male friends who secretly have a book club where they read romance novels and help each other with each other’s romantic relationships. Throughout the series, the Russian (Vlad) has helped his friends, and made us laugh with his love of cheese and tummy troubles. I wasn’t sure Adams could make me swoon for the big lug, but she did.….

While each book has its own romance, I do recommend reading the Bromance Book Club series in the order of their release. The end of Crazy Stupid Bromance sets us up for Isn’t It Bromantic as we learn the truth about Vlad’s marriage.

First, Adams clears up Vlad’s stomach issues and it all makes sense. The man still loves his cheese, and that thread offered some good laughs, and took us to an underground cheese club…lol

Elena Konnikova grew up with Vlad. Elena and Vlad were childhood friends. We learn about their life in Russia, how they came to be married and more. I loved the set up even if I felt sorry for Vlad. All the food talk has me wanting to try Russian dishes and cheeses.

Vlad is a sweetie who loves animals, particularly cats and one chicken (LOL). He has befriended his neighbors and belongs to another club we learn about. I do hope Adams has plans for a spin-off series for the club as I am all in. The curmudgeon Claude had me swiping tears from my eyes as I laughed at her. The humor wasn’t over the top and had me grinning as I rooted for a happily ever-after.

Elena was loveable, and her story pulled me in. The drama was kept low by some suspenseful events and the story wrapped up, leaving me smiling.

Adams created loveable, genuine characters. I loved how their friends intervened and aided in their romance. Each book is full of laughter but also touches on some serious issues.

Fans of friendships, book clubs, romantic comedies and foodie books will want to devour Isn’t It Bromantic, and the entire Bromance Book Club series.

I loved this book! The Russian always had a special place in my heart, and I was so happy to see that the author decided to give him his own book. Aside from the first book, this one was my FAVORITE! Vlad has such a sweet and caring heart so I enjoyed watching his and Elena's relationship unfold. Especially because there were some bumps along the way. I also loved the Russian bath scene #IYKYK Little Butt. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to my romcom loving friends!

The! Russian! He finally got his own story, and I am so happy for it! Adams continues her endearing series with a focus on hockey playing Vlad, giving her readers the background they have so excitedly asked for ever since he was introduced with the crew of professional athletes, real estate agents, and mover & shakers in Nashville that compromise of The Bromance Book Club.

Vlad, a.k.a. The Russian, is a hockey player for the national Nashville team, keeps busy playing for the national hockey team, secretly writing his own romance novel and hiding from his friends that he is married. Once he is spectacularly injured in a play-off game, though, the secret is out.

Not only is he married – he's married to his childhood best friend, and she’s ready to leave him.

Elena, desperately needing an exit from Russia, took Vlad up on his offer to marry him and immigrate to the United States. Once there, neither has the courage to move on any feelings they have for each other and over time, they grow more and more distant.

Vlad and Elena, forced back together under one roof must reckon whether it really was just a marriage of convenience and protection, or if they should pursue feelings that have been simmering for years now. Will Elena hop on a plane back to Russia where she can pursue journalism, or will she discover a fulfilling path in the United States? Will Vlad finally be honest with himself, and profess his love for her even if it means she rejects him and moves back to Russia?

Vlad is excellent in this, full of empathy, thoughtfulness and love for Elena who is still in grief over the loss of her father and the sudden move to the United States. Elena is fierce, determined, and comes to her own professional and personal realizations that allow the reader to wholly fall for her, as well.

I’d recommend this entire series to any reader of contemporary romance. What might initially strike as a lighthearted series is amazingly endearing and sweet, where men independently sort through their own emotional growth and encourage each other to be open and vulnerable with each other. They all encourage each other in their stories to be open and honest as they read historical romances. It is utterly delightful, just steamy enough that it deserves a slight heads up for readers who want to avoid open-door scenes, and a joy to read!

This book has to be my most anticipated release ever, to say I had high expectations would be an understatement. The Russian is my absolute favorite character, his emotions are always at the surface, his unintentional humor is endearing and he makes ever book he’s featured in even better with his love of the grand gestures.

Needless to say in his story he struggles. Struggles to keep his marriage going. His wife announces she plans to go back to Russia however when he finds himself injured she agrees to help him recover. The Russian is not used to getting help from others but he also knows this may be his only shot at saving his marriage.

We are also introduced to “The Loners” which is a group of widowers/divorcees that have somewhat adopted the Russian. They were not my favorite with Claud being brash, rude, judgmental, and territorial. While I loved that Vlad had people to look after him it was unfair to his wife, and irritated me.

You also get snippets of the cheese man which stole the show when he was on the page.

I loved that the Bromance Book Club seemed to played a bigger role in this book. I also enjoyed all the traditional Russian dishes that Elena made for him, it made me hungry while showcasing the effort she was making to care for him and make his favorite dishes.

Overall, I love him so I couldn’t help but love his book. I do deduct a star for one of my pet peeves. IYKYK.

The Russian gets to tell his story, and in such a lovely way. In the other books in this series, Vlad has been an interesting character, but he always seemed like an odd duck or comedic relief in the group, and as a reader I wasn't super curious about his life. But this book made me want to go back and reread the others for more clues into his life!

Vlad married Elena six years ago, but their marriage was anything but normal. They grew up together as neighbors and friends, and while Elena didn't have the happiest of childhoods, their connection remained and brought them together in marriage. But that's where their relationship seemed to stop: when Elena joined Vlad in the U.S. Secrets and miscommunication keep each other at arms length, but when Vlad wants to have a "real marriage" with Elena when she graduates with her Masters degree, everything completely falls apart. Can Vlad win back Elena's love and friendship before she goes back to Russia?

This was full of heart, love (both romantic and platonic), and even some comedy and intrigue. Highly recommended for fans of the series.

The Bromance is still going strong!

Isn't It Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams is the 4th installment in the Bromance Book Club series, and it is a really fun one! I just can't get enough of the strong friendships, the witty banter, and the feminist men. It's how I wish all men behaved!

Although this wasn't my favorite story of the series so far, this one still is so sweet and tender, and full of fun and laughs. The Russian - a clear fan favorite - is in a marriage of convenience and is also hoping for a second chance romance. I loved the look into both Vlad and Elena's histories, and how they were childhood friends. Vlad has a heart of gold and is taming his tummy troubles (which still feature for some good laughs).

I definitely recommend this book, and this whole series! I'll be honest and say that I'm hoping for a queer and non-white romance in the future books (pleeeeeease?!?!)

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced read in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this installment of the Bromance Book Club series. Vlad, in the previous books, has always been kind of the punchline and I was worried how his character would be handled in his book. Luckily, his tummy troubles are mostly resolved and the fart jokes are at a minimum. I liked Vlad and Elena's backstory and second chance romance. And as usual, the other bromance book club members are there to help Vlad with his happily ever after. Fun read!

Another fun addition to the Bromance Book Club series! ⁣
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Vlad, a.k.a The Russian, is such an endearing character and quite the unconventional romance hero. His sensitive, emotional nature, innocence and lack of romantic experience are in stark contrast to the persona you'd expect from a giant, star hockey player and a leading man in a romance. It's doubly refreshing because many of these characteristics are usually allotted to female characters so I love how Lyssa Kay Adams chose to explore them from the male perspective in Vlad. It totally worked for me. I was rooting for Vlad to find love and happiness all the way. ⁣
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There was a lot here that I really enjoyed: the cameos by the rest of the members of the Bromance Book Club, the Cheese Man (𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸!) and even the added mystery and intrigue of Elena's backstory. However this doesn't get 5 stars from me because I felt Elena's story wasn't fully fleshed out or concluded. Frankly, I was left worried for their safety - anyone else? That definitely impacted my HEA feeling. ⁣
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I'm a huge fan of this series, these men and their relationships. Bring on book #5! Maybe Colton will finally settle down and get his HEA?! 🤞🏼

4.25

Yay for getting to 'The Russian's' story! Vlad is by far my favorite character in this series. As the series goes on we learn more and more about this sexy hockey playing, sensitive, cheese lover of a man who's wife may or may not be real. She's definitely real, how will their story play out?

I love that book four is focused on Vlad and Elena who are immigrants. I love a good book with diversity, global awareness. Elena married Vlad to come to the states and although they were best friends growing up, they have been very distant living in separate cities; they've never been intimate beside their kiss after saying their vows but Vlad loves her so hard. An event occurs which tests their relationship. Will it bring them together or will she get the divorce she wants and start packing for Russia?

We learn even more about Vlad in this one. We already knew about his cheese problem, but now he's got it under control and the amount of prep he does to stay on top of it is amazing! We knew he was an animal lover, but animals come hang out at his house all the time. Could he be any more awesome? The answer is yes. The Book Club is back yet again pushing Vlad to win back his wife and this time they're not only reading a book, but they're helping Vlad write one. While I didn't love his book, it was still a nice touch and something different that brought the gang around and helped Vlad get where he needed to in his relationship! I won't spoil any fun moments but all the bathroom scenes where fabulous!

We also meet The Loners, a group of lady neighbors who are very protective of Vlad. At first I hated Claude (I hate when people assume immigrants or foreigners don't know anything about another culture). In the end these ladies brought a nice touch to the stories and along with the rest of the wives were sort of Elena's 'Book Club'.

I don't think I've ever had Russian food but I was craving it like crazy and am dying to try some. Elena's cooking sounded amazing! Like in the rest of the series, Elena's backstory plays a role in their relationship. Her father was a reporter who disappeared trying to uncover a major human trafficking scheme. She's kept some of the details from Vlad and has been trying to be a reporter and uncover the truth herself. This brings fun suspense and some action to the book.

While this one still has the magic of the guys, we had a lot of fresh new touches to the series in this one that made it really enjoyable!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Bromance is back, and the Russian's book is finally here! Thank you for an advance copy of Isn't It Bromantic. If you have been reading the Bromance Book Club series like me, you have been eagerly awaiting Vlad's, aka the Russian's, book. And this story did not disappoint.

I loved this marriage in trouble romance. Elena and Vlad have known each other since childhood and have a marriage of convenience. Though they have been apart living their separate lives, both of them have held onto their love for each other but yet haven't found a way to express it. Vlad is hurt playing hockey, and they are forced together as a he recovers. So many tropes I love all in one book!

Their romance was sweet and steamy and totally fun to read. And now I just need to know, will the cheese man get his own book???

I can not get enough of the Bromance Book Club men! I loved following Vlad and Elena's story and it was so easy to just fall back into the story of these men and their lives. It was interesting to hear about Vlad and Elena's journeys from Russia and their struggles with it here in the U.S. Excellent for fans of romance and overall just a great story.

I loved this book. It combined some of the best tropes in romance and the writing was very self-aware. One of my favorite things about this series is how it references different parts of the romance novel formula, while the arc of that formula is progressing with the characters themselves. Each time I read a book in this series it is better than the last. I decide one book is my favorite, and then I read the next one and it is even better. I am very glad I read this one.

Vlad's story was truly the one I was waiting for since the beginning. Add in the tropes that are provided? Lyssa Kay Adams really gave me another favorite with this one.

I have been waiting for the Russian’s story since I read the first book in this series, and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! Vlad is a teddy bear with chiseled hockey player exterior. He’s always been there for the other members of the Bromance Book Club but now it’s his turn. He has an unconventional relationship with Elena but there is a lot more than meets the eye. In addition to the always wonderful Bromance book club members, we also meet the Loners, who I hope beyond hope will get their own series.
This is by far my favorite romance series, and I would love nothing more than for Lyssa Kay Adams to write faster! Is Colton next?? I hope so!