Three and a half stars.

It's finally the turn of Vlad, the Russian ice-hockey player with the intestinal issues. Luckily they get cleared up very quickly LOL. For six years Vlad has been married to his childhood best friend Elena, madly in love with her since they were teenagers he offered her a marriage of convenience to leave Russia after her father, an investigative journalist, went missing, never to return. Elena has now finished her studies in Chicago and Vlad has plucked up the courage to tell her he wants a real marriage between them, only for her to tell him that she wants a divorce!

Just before Elena is about to return to Russia to start her career as an investigative journalist, and track down what really happened to her father and the people-trafficking business he was investigating, Vlad gets injured in a ice-hockey game and she is called in as his closest relative to help him.

Elena has always been grateful to her best friend for everything he's done for her, including the supreme sacrifice of a marriage of convenience. The least she can do is look after him while his leg is in plaster, even though it breaks her heart to love someone who doesn't love her back.

Can these childhood sweethearts find a way to communicate before it's too late?

There is still some of the slapstick elements from the previous books (personal view the Cheese Man should have been totally cut from the plot - it was stupid) but not too irritating. However, it was replaced by a bizarre self-referencing 'thing'. So Vlad and his friends are in a romance book club, but Vlad is also writing a WW2 romance where the characters bear an uncanny resemblance to him and Elena and we get to read extracts, and the book club talks about how romance novels are constructed and the need for conflict and resolution etc. Basically, for me, it started to feel like a bizarre English Lit class where a panel discuss literary devices and then you get to see (aka read) that device in action. It really acted as a disrupter for me, pulling me out of the story itself and back into literary critical theory.

I am rereading my reviews of the previous books in this series and I would say I like it more than the third book (Crazy Stupid Bromance) but not as much as the first two The Bromance Book Club and Undercover Bromance. I think the literary theory elements are similar to what I described as the banner-waving, right-on, bludgeoning the reader with PC messaging of the second book.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Where to start with this review? All I can say is YOU ALL NEED TO READ THIS BOOK AND THIS SERIES.

OK Ok, I am going to write a proper review to get you to read this series, it is one of the best Romance series I have read. It has that little bit of spice but great characters, humorous moments and fun antics from the Bromance Bookclub.

This is the fourth book in the Bromance Bookclub series and one I have been highly anticipating since I started this series. This book focuses on Vlad aka the Russian, the kind, fun and sweet Ice Hockey player that needed his own book since he was mentioned in book one. Vlad is married but we only found out about that at the end of the third book – Crazy Stupid Bromance.

Vlad has always helped out the other members of the Bromance Bookclub but he hasn’t always taken his own advice. He is married to Elena Konnikova who he has been married to for some years – he has been in love with her longer. The currently have a marriage of convenience but Vlad wants more and is willing to go to the Bromance Club to win his woman back.

As I said earlier this is one of my favourite book series so was really excited that the fourth book was all about Vlad. We got to know him more and his relationship with Elena as well as his friendship with Colton (cannot wait for his book either). The relationships in this book were everything and I loved that the Bromance Bookclub came to Vlad’s aid at his time of need, not only in trying to get him back together with Elena but when he was injured playing Hockey too. I mean the scene where they helped him shower and talked about his bum was hilarious and made me smile.

I liked Elena as well, she was conflicted about what to do. She loves Vlad but she also had unfinished business after she fled Russia after he father had died. She wants to avenge his death by carrying on his work as a reporter but she also loves Vlad and wants to be with him. She goes through a lot and needs to put her trust in Vlad to overcome her past.

The interactions between Vlad and Elena are cute. They are like two star crossed lovers, they are meant to be together but something is always stopping them. One of the key things is that they don’t talk to each other – usually this drives me mad and I shout at the characters to just speak to one another but you know as I have repeatedly said Vlad can do no wrong!

The humour in this book is brought about by the interactions of the other Bromance members, particularly Colton and that is why I think he will be making an appearance in his own book soon. He is Vlad’s best friend and you can see the love between the two of them, especially when Colton takes Vlad to his cheese guy. The way it was written you think it was more nefarious but it wasn’t and I cracked up laughing – especially with him be gluten intolerant and gut issues.

With the trope of second chance romances and taking care of a loved one when injured it made my heart melt and fall in love again with the loveable Vlad and with the Bromance Club.

Lyssa Kay Adams with this series I feel had just upped her game with every book. Even though the main themes running through are tough but its dealt with sensitively and at times with humour that make these books something extra to me. I love the style of writing its engaging and had me literally sit down and read this book in one go.

I am hoping that there are going to be more books in this series as I am not ready to let go of them. This book is also on that to me is a reread over and over again. Its light-hearted and fun and brings a smile to my face every time I think about the book and the characters.

All of the books in this series can be read as standalones but I would recommend reading them in release order as it enhances the reading experience and the whole series really is fantastic. If you are familiar with the series, you will know it follows a group of men as they use romance novels to help them with their real life relationships and it's perfection. Isn't It Bromantic? is a little different as the Vlad is actually writing his own romance and I adored it. This book also has a little bit of suspense and I couldn't get enough, there isn't a single thing I disliked about Lyssa's latest release!

I was laughing out loud from the prologue and I laughed so many times throughout reading the book. I was also smiling like a fool a lot of the time and people around me thought I was a little nuts. I was gripped from the very beginning and was so happy to be back with the bookclub boys, I had missed them!

I wasn't sure what to expect from Vlad's book but he is such a soft boy and I love him so much! He is also really emotional and I really liked that about him because a lot of the books I read tend to have alpha types in. I just wanted to give him a huge hug. Vlad and Elena are childhood friends and Vlad married Elena to get her out of Russia so she can go to the States with him. They have a marriage of convenience, one of the best romance tropes, and the book follows them from a fallout with never having anything romantic having happened before but they definitely both have feelings for each other that they hadn't expressed.

This is quite an emotional romance but there is so many funny moments that it really lightened the story, I'm talking about you Cheese Man. I wasn't quite sure what to make of Elena in the beginning but once I understood her and her actions, I really felt for her.

⭐️ rating: 5 👏🏻
📖 genre: contemporary romance
#️⃣ pages: 352
🍾 pub date: July 20, 2021
Read this if you like: Sally Thorne, Helen Hoang, childhood friends-to-lovers, MoC, second chance

THE QUOTE:
His bottom lip wobbled again, and it was like seeing her old friend after a long absence. Her gentle giant. Her hug in human form. The man she had never deserved and never would.

THE STORY:
Vlad joined the Bromance Book Club to learn how to make his wife love him, but all he's learned is that he deserves more. But the Bros are unwilling to let Vlad forgo true love, and this time they join orces with Vlad's senior citizen neighbors. And just when things finally look promising, the danger from Elena's past life intrudes. Now the book club face their first-ever life-or-death grand gesture as they race to a HEA.

WHAT I LOVED:
Everything! I’ve been a Vlad stan since book one, and was waiting for this installment with bathed breath. This story was everything I hoped for.

Elena and Vlad as main characters are so real and complex, it’s impossible not to love them. I’ll admit I wasn’t sold on Elena at the beginning, but I quickly changed my mind when I realized that she’s a tortured soul with a lot of love to give. Elena being a journalist also added a personal touch to the story, since the author herself used to be a journalist, too.

All in all, I was completely transported by the story. Miss Adams’ books have been called “a masterclass on novel construction”, and I agree. One minute I was laughing, then biting my nails, then sobbing, then crying tears of joy. I don’t get emotional often while reading, but Lyssa Kay Adams just gets me every time.

IN A NUTSHELL:
ISN’T IT BROMANTIC? is simply unputdownable. Sweet, heartfelt, emotional, tender; like a hug. There’s also pets, a dubious, clandestine cheese market (aka SPEAK CHEESY), and a Russian main character with a magnificent arse. What more do you want?

THANK YOU @netgalley and @headlineeternal for giving me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was apprehensive going into this as I had only read the first book in this series and haven't heard great things about the second or third book. However, I can safely say that I really loved this!

I love Vlad's character and I really enjoyed their romance. I would have liked a little bit more from their relationship. I also don't feel the suspense part of the story was fleshed out very well. It was spoken about in the beginning and then never mentioned again until the end which was a bit random.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publishers and the Author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been anticipating the release of the latest book in the Bromance Book Club series for so long, after bingeing the first three books last Christmas, so was so excited to see that I could review this book! Isn't It Bromantic? follows fan-favourite, Vlad "The Russian", and his adventure to achieve a "real" marriage with his wife, Elena. You don't need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this, but if you want to avoid spoiling the earlier books I would recommend reading them first.

I went into this book with the presumption that I would love it, but with a slight apprehension. Like many, I had loved Vlad's character in the last three books, so was concerned that the book wouldn't live up to the hype. Luckily, my fears were resolved from the first page. Throughout this book, I felt all the emotions; I laughed, I cried with happiness, I gasped with shock at some of the reveals. It was incredible to find such emotional range in one book!

One thing that did frustrate me was the journalism subplot. I understand its purpose, but I think the book could also have worked without this complication. It didn't detract from the broader narrative, but if it was going to be one of the major difficulties faced by the couple I think it should've had more of a dramatic role in the novel.

This book was perfectly paced, beautifully written and followed some of my favourite characters in the series. If you love the Bromance Book Club series, or if you love a kind, sensitive, protagonist, you will not be disappointed!

This was one of those, “couldn’t put it down” books for me. This book tackles the idea of toxic masculinity with the males being part of a romance centric book club.
The story of Vlad and Elena is a flawed one, but one I was rooting for 100% with the themes of loneliness, friendship, love and gender norms.
I enjoyed the writing style of this book, particularly as a lot of it came from a male perspective which is always something that interests me as a reader.

Not me dropping everything to read and review one of my most anticipated reads of 2021?! Yeah, so on brand for me at this point.

Anyway - Isn't It Bromantic is the fourth in Lyssa Kay Adams' Bromance Bookclub series and we *finally* get The Russian's story. I have been awaiting this since I first discovered the series, and it did not disappoint. Vlad is the ultimate cinnamon roll, I just want to protect this guy.

I haven't actually read many marriage of convenience trope books, but this one has really given me the appetite to read more. As always we got both of the characters pov's and we also got to see quite a lot of the other Bro's this time too which was something I didn't feel we got last book.

I liked the storylines for both Vlad and Elena, their inner turmoil so similar but neither willing to let the other in. The foundation was there for their relationship to flourish but they were both so pig headed to take control. I marked it down a star because I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed, but aside from that, I absolutely loved the book.

I was so glad that we finally got to read the Russian's story - it was well worth the wait..and maybe Colton next please Chloe?!

Vlad aka The Russian has been living somewhat of a lie for the past six years. Having married a childhood friend in order to get her away from Russia. He had hopes that they would have a real marriage but six months into living in the US she headed off to Chicago. Wishing to become a better husband, understand women and romance he joined The Bromance Book Club.

Elena has finally finished college and hopes to follow in her father's footsteps and become a journalist. However, her marriage VISA doesn't allow her to work in the US do she plans to return home to Russia. Shutting the door on any hopes Vlad has for a real marriage between them. But when Vlad is injured and she is called to go and see him in the hospital they are at war with each other over whether she should stay and help him during recovery or leave as she had planned.

Being back in Vlad's home she meets the rest of the Bromance Book Club, the Loners Club as well as the numerous animals that seem to have adopted his house as their second home. Misunderstandings and miscommunications lead to them pushing each other back and forth, Between Vlad's romance novel and Elena's research into her father's case they need to overcome personal obstacles in order to see the love in their hearts - but is it too late?

IVE BEEN WAITING SO LONG FOR THIS BOOK. Yeah I can’t really explain how much I loved this, men being soft and showing emotions in books is something that I missed seeing. Seeing the “Russian” crying and being really close with his guy friends it made me realize how messed up is our reality and how toxic masculinity has take over. Once again the author didn’t disappoint with the romance, she gave me a childhood friends to arranged marriage to lovers basically one of my all time favorite tropes. THE FRIENDSHIP between the guys and their dynamic is one of the highlights of this book, I could just read 10 more books just for them and their lil book club!!! AND don’t think I’ve forget about the books getting adapted I CANT WAIT TO SEE THEM COME TO LIFE IM SO EXCITED

So glad that I was able to read this book - I swallowed it in two big gulps, and now I am ready for more. "Isn't it Bromantic?" brings us the long-awaited story of Vlad aka the Russian, who was one of my favourite characters in previous books. A gentle giant with some gastro-intestinal issues and a big heart finally gets his own romance when he and his estranged wife, Elena, finally get together. But things are not easy for these two doomed lovers as they navigate misunderstandings, secrets, and years of guilt. As usual, the story by Lyssa Kay Adams is full of loveable characters, feminist takes on relationships, sex, and masculinity. There is also loads of Russian food, cheese and Pushkin, as well as mentions of cute ass. There are certain not so realistic parts in the book, but the themes it deals with are certainly realistic, so I do not really mind. All together – it is a perfect romance for the summer.

I enjoyed the previous books in this series, but this one felt predictable in a way that was boring instead of comforting. Maybe because the characters felt more like caricatures, or maybe just because after a few books the repetition of themes feels a bit like being smacked over the head instead of gently nudged. If you liked the first couple of books, you'll probably still like this one - but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone as a first Lyssa Kay Adams book.

The Russian. The notorious bromance book club Russian. We’ve known him for being sweet, emotional, Russian, and for having continuous tummy troubles.

I don’t know where to begin. I feel like every new instalment of this series becomes my new favourite, and the same can be said for “Isn’t it Bromantic?”, but I’m not sure if anything can ever top this book. Ever.

Firstly, Lyssa Kay Adams is a wizard. That’s the only way to describe the fact that I cried within the first THIRTY pages?! What the heck? I didn’t even think I was that attached to Vlad but somehow a mere few chapters in and I’m sobbing???? Magic is the only explanation.

Secondly, I have never had a book make me laugh so hard whilst simultaneously ripping my heart out. It’s partly just the dynamic of the group because the book club bro’s are SO funny together but also the Loners? The Speakcheesy? The DRAMATICNESS of the Speakcheesy? Will I ever stop saying Speakcheesy? It was so funny. Laugh out loud funny. Belly rumbling funny.

As always, this book didn’t disappoint on the romance front OR the taking-down-toxic-masculinity front.

I’ll never stop loving these books.
Give me a Colton book now please. I need it. I’m an addict.

Oh wow I had a feeling I would loved it, and I was right!

This books sucks you in from the very beginning and doesn't stop until the very end.

Vlad or Russian as he is best known from the previous books in the series, has been a character that provided comic relief in a lot of scenes. Taking a closer look to his life was a eye opener.

Vlad has been married to Elena for the last six years, they don't have a traditional marriage but a marriage of convenience. Elena was his childhood friend that needed to get away from Russia and Vlad could make that happen by marrying her so that she could go with him to the States and study.

Elena is haunted by her father's disappearance years ago, she wants to find out the truth even if that means that she will put herself in danger.

Vlad is the sweetest, more sensitive hero, he puts the people he loves first even if that hurts him in the end.

It's a heartwarming story with an incredible romance and a very interesting plot. The ending is very rewarding and it made the hurt and everything they had been thought worth it.

The bromance is stronger than ever, those boys are incredible, I love how supportive they are, their friendship is a beautiful thing.

There is a lot of humor in the book and a secret cheese shop that will make you laugh out loud.


* I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

After the cliffhanger of finally seeing Vlad's wife in 'Crazy Stupid Bromance' I was so excited to read about Vlad's aka The Russian's story and it did not disappoint!

Similar to previous books, we're following both Vlad and Elena's perspectives as well as a few chapters from the book the bromance book club is reading. First of all, I must gush about how much I love the bromance book club. I love their friendship and their relationship with each other and they're so funny that you can't help but laugh! I would happily read a book about nothing but them discussing whatever they're reading. (And honestly, I lowkey want, no NEED a book or scene or novella or ANYTHING about their first meeting of the book club because....well it would be hilarious!)

Both Elena and Vlad were characters I was rooting for, and I enjoyed their interactions and relationship. I especially loved meeting the Loners and their interactions in this too. I won't say any more because...spoilers.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and I cannot wait for the next book! (Please say there's another book!)

I've been waiting to get my hands on this book for ages. Every time I logged into Netgalley, I'd check to see if it was on. If you're not familiar, The Bromance Book Club is a bunch of guys who meet to read and discuss romance novels in an attempt to become better husbands and lovers. I love these books (and I really wish I'd come up with this concept!)

Vlad is my favourite of the bros. He started off as the comic relief - 'The Russian', with his terrible gut problems, readily dished out hugs, and strong dedication to running for the grand gesture - so it's lovely to see him turn into a fully developed character with his own story.

I love a beta hero and Vlad is just adorable - okay, he's alpha on the outside (he is a pro hockey player after all!) but he's a big softie on the inside. Vlad has been married to Elena for six years, but they both think it's a sham marriage. Mostly this is because they don't seem to be able to talk to each other. They both clearly care for each other, but they're both stubborn in their own way.

I liked that Elena was prickly and defensive, but with good reason. Her responses to Claud of the 'Loners' were a delight.

This is probably my favourite of the Book club books. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you Netgalley an the publisher for the review copy.

Lyssa Kay Adams you magnificent lady, you.

What a ride. This book gives good feels, all of them.

It broke my heart, and healed it right back up.

I was chuckling out loud at midnight while reading, because some of those scenes are the funniest.

And what a wonderful cast of secondary characters. Plus the bromance is just beautiful. Everyone should have such supportive friends.

Lonely Elena and her gentle giant Vlad. My most favorite Russian couple ever 💛.

Isn't It Bromantic? is the most anticipated book in LKA's The Bromance Book Club series.

I‘ve been looking forward to reading Vlad’s - aka the russain’s - book ever since the very first book in this wonderful series. I never thought he would actually get a book so the day that Lyssa Kay Adams finally announced that he was getting his own book, I’ve been counting down the days until I finally got my hands on it! I always knew that there were deeper layers to unravel when it came to Vlad and that whilst he was initially a comic relief type character, there was just something there. Something that sparked in me and told me that there’s more to him than what meets the eyes. And God, was I right.

From the very beginning of the book, the prologue, I found myself already hooked. As soon as Netgalley approved my request for the arc, I immediately put my phone on silent and dove in because I knew I wanted nothing more than to just consume this book in one sitting. We are immediately thrown into the story and we learn so much about Vlad and his relationship with Elena (and also his digestive issues) right off the bat. This sets up the events that transpire in the rest of the book.

Vlad truly is a gentle giant who will forever hold a piece of my heart. He is hands down one of my all-time favourite fictional characters and there simply aren’t enough words to describe how much I love his soft soul. Elena is a beautifully strong-headed woman and I admired her courage and determination to chase the answers she’s been looking for her whole life. And the boys! Oh, the boys. Each one of the bromance book club members has his own personality and I cannot wait to delve into the story of whoever is next in line (fingers crossed it’s the character I think it is!). And a new addition to this book, the Loners, a group of widowed elderly women who played a huge role in helping Elena and Vlad come back together stronger than ever, just upped the level of comedy and drama. I will always look forward to whatever Lyssa releases in the future but I truly hope she is not yet finished exploring this world and it’s amazing cast of characters.

We’re back in the hot, sensitive dude capital of the world Nashville Tennessee but we’re dealing with the Russians. VLAD!! The hot, hirsute Russian with a soul as sensitive as his stomach, a bad under the counter cheese habit and friend to all animals. He married his childhood friend Elena so she could get out of Russia to study journalism (which he also paid for cause he’s making that hockey dolla yo.) so she can Make a Difference just like her dead journalist dad. He’s been in love with her since he was seventeen she’s not so sure (that idiot) she’s all mixed up with the guilt.
Oh it’s a tangled web of emotions but luckily that group of righteous bros are on hand with their romance manuals to sort it all out.
I love these books I honestly think they should hand them out in schools to teach kids how to have healthy relationships. There’s not even that much smut in this one (for reasons), I’ve defiantly read worse in some YAs. It doesn’t hurt that everyone’s hot either. Even the Cheese Man, I’m totally in love with the Cheese Man. Can the Cheese Man please get his own book. I always knew cheese was exciting and this proves it. #DOWN WITH BIG CHEESE! #UP WITH PUSHKIN!

This series is one of my favourites! I have adored the Russian from the start and was so excited to get to read his book!
To say that reading this book became addictive is a huge understatement. I would stupidly pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there well over an hour and several chapters later. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Keep them coming!