Score: 4.5/5 Bookmarks

Thank you to Berkley for gifting me a review copy of Isn’t It Bromantic by Lyssa Kay Adams.

This is number four in the Bromance series and honestly they just keep getting better and better. I won’t lie, I was skeptical at first—how could Vlad the flatulent Russian who always provided comedic relief in the other books become a leading man? Don’t worry though, Lyssa Kay Adams has worked her magic and Vlad is the giant, tender-hearted, hockey-playing man (with an ass that won’t quit) that you didn’t know you needed in your life.

Oh, and did you know this was a book within a book? Well, it sort of is. After years of reading romance novels, Vlad decides to write one of his own. Of course, the rest of the Bromance Book Club want in on the action (and to help writing those sexy-time scenes) whether Vlad wants their help or not. Listening to them deconstruct romance books, within a romance book was absolutely hilarious.

I will say, that while I love the actual romantic journey in each of these books, I’m really here for the banter between the guys. It’s hands-down my favorite part. They support each other, keep each other real, and give each other such a hard time—it’s pure gold.

There’s a lot in this book, with the relationship between Vlad and Elena, the secrets that Elena is keeping, the relationships with Vlad and the Book Club, the Loners (a group of single women that have sort of adopted Vlad), the book Vlad is writing, the cheese…oh I’ve said too much already. While I think we could have pared back some of the things going on to focus on the main storylines, I still 100% enjoyed this book.

We re-read the whole series with the LoveARCtually book club before reading this one, and then got to chat with Lyssa last night. She is such a lovely, and hilarious human. During our chat she told us that she’s currently working on book five of the series, and it sounds like there may even be a sixth book! I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear that! Combine that with the news that the first book has been optioned for a movie, and my excitement is about to explode…..much like Vlad after eating gluten. No, too much? Sorry about that.

Synopsis:

With his passion for romance novels, it was only a matter of time before Vlad wrote one.

Elena Konnikova has lived her entire adult life in the shadows. As the daughter of a Russian journalist who mysteriously disappeared, she escaped danger the only way she knew how: She married her childhood friend, Vladimir, and moved to the United States, where he is a professional hockey player in Nashville.

Vlad, aka the Russian, thought he could be content with his marriage of convenience. But it’s become too difficult to continue in a one-sided relationship. He joined the Bromance Book Club to learn how to make his wife love him, but all he’s learned is that he deserves more. He’s ready to create his own sweeping romance—both on and off the page.

The bros are unwilling to let Vlad forgo true love—and this time they’re not operating solo. They join forces with Vlad’s neighbors, a group of meddling widows who call themselves the Loners. But just when things finally look promising, Elena’s past life intrudes and their happily ever after is cast into doubt.