I adore The Bromance Book Club series from Lyssa Kay Adams! I was so excited when my hold for the fourth book came through. It was just published in July 2021!
Isn’t It Bromantic? tells Vlad the Russian hockey player’s story. To be honest, I was a little nervous about viewing him as a sexy hero. His digestive sensitivities and body hair were used a comedic relief in the first two books. But the previous book, Crazy Stupid Bromance, set him up to be a big softie with a bruised heart.
We finally get to know the story between Vlad and his elusive wife! Adams delivered a lovable couple with the sensitive Vlad and determined Elena. She even managed to make their struggles and miscommunications work for a modern marriage of convenience trope.
Apparently Adams committed to a 6 book series too so I’m relieved there will be more to come. It was not super obvious in this one who the next couple will be.
The Rundown
Years ago after Elena’s journalist father disappeared under suspicions of foul play, she needed to escape Russia for her own safety. Her best friend from childhood offered the perfect solution. Marry him and move to the United States where he played professional hockey.
Vlad joined the Bromance Book Club hoping to learn how to make his wife fall in love with him. He’s even started writing his own romance novel in an attempt to better understand their relationship. But now he realizes he deserves more than a marriage of convenience and unrequited love.
When an injury brings Vlad and Elena under one roof again, the rest of the Bromance Book Club members aren’t convinced that Vlad’s feelings are one sided after all. They’re determined to coach Vlad not to give up on his own love story.
Rating and Review
Rating: 4.5 stars
Steam Level: 2
This was my first time listening to a book from this series on audio. The narrator, Andrew Eiden, was fantastic. He narrates the previous books in the series too.
Marriage of convenience and friends to lovers!
I was pleasantly surprised that Isn’t It Bromantic? was such a hit for me. Partly because of Vlad’s role in previous books but also because of the trope. Marriage of convenience isn’t my favorite romantic plot but I thought this modern take worked.
The miscommunications between Vlad and Elena seemed believable and weren’t too frustrating. Plus I enjoyed the friends to lovers aspect of the story as well.
The story overall was very sweet with a touch of sexy. This one also had a bit of intrigue with Elena’s backstory. It contained the same humor, support, and wisdom between the book club members that I’ve come to love!
The scenes full of banter at their local restaurant hangout were spot on. I also enjoyed the truth bombs that Malcolm and Mac in particular are so good at dropping.
A new cast of characters
Isn’t It Bromantic? introduced several new characters. I didn’t recall The Cheese Man being part of the previous books and that was an entertaining adventure. I’m wondering if he may get his own story at some point.
I also enjoyed the addition of Vlad’s meddling neighbors. The group of widows and divorcees who call themselves “The Loners”. The interactions between those ladies and the rest of the Bromance Book Club members were pretty funny.
The romance within a romance element is back
Another element I really loved seeing again was all the chapters we got to read from Vlad’s historic war time romance, Promise Me. I’ve been missing those since the first book. The middle two didn’t include very many scenes from the book club picks.
I suspect the male character whose story is coming next, but after this one I’m not certain who the heroine will be. I’ll be there for the fifth book no matter what!
Have you checked out this series yet? What are your favorite recent romantic comedies?
