Review: Isn't It Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

Author:  Lyssa Kay Adams
Publisher: Berkeley
Publication Date: July 2021

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.

Isn't it Bromantic?  is the fourth book in the Bromance Book Club. This one is Vlad's (aka The Russian) story.  Vlad is married to Elena, but it's a marriage of convenince.  Vlad wants it to be more, but Elena is determined to return to Russia to continue her father's work as a journalist.  OF course, the members of his book club are all in when it comes to helping Vlad.

This is definitely my favorite of the four books in the series.  I have always loved Vlad and was happy he got his own book.  He was big and tough on the ice, but he was a  a marshmallow inside.  I will admit that Elena did have to grow on me a bit.   I could understand her drive to figure out what happened to her father. However, I thought she was a bit too obsessed and should have been more upfront with Vlad. The biggest problem these two had was a clear lack of communication. They had been friends since childhood, so the connection and affection was clearly there.  I was definitely rooting for them. Vlad's revelation about a secret he had been keeping was very sweet.    

The best part of this series is the relationship between the men in the book club.  Their interactions are both funny and really touching.  I thought the Loners were a fun addition to the book.  I would love to have some of them be explored in future books.  I highly recommend this one.  I can't wait to see what is next.

Review: Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Publisher: Berkeley
Publication Date: October 2020

Alexis Carlisle and her cat café, ToeBeans, have shot to fame after she came forward as a victim of a celebrity chef’s sexual harassment. When a new customer approaches to confide in her, the last thing Alexis expects is for the woman to claim they’re sisters. Unsure what to do, Alexis turns to the only man she trusts—her best friend, Noah Logan.

Computer genius Noah left his rebellious teenage hacker past behind to become a computer security expert. Now he only uses his old skills for the right cause. But Noah’s got a secret: He’s madly in love with Alexis. When she asks for his help, he wonders if the timing will ever be right to confess his crush.

Noah’s pals in The Bromance Book Club are more than willing to share their beloved “manuals” to help him go from bud to boyfriend. But he must decide if telling the truth is worth risking the best friendship he’s ever had.

I have to say that this is by far my favorite book of the series so far.  This one is Alexis and Noah's story.  I loved this couple.  Their deep friendship just made their romance that much more amazing.  They had great communication and there wasn't too much angst. Only what I would call a few "butthead" moments.  Both of them really struggled with feeling like they were enough and that they could trust.  It was a pleasure going on their friends to lovers journey with them.

The book had the same  great humor and hilarious laugh out loud scenes as in the first two books.  That scene at the spa was hilarious.  I did have to disagree with the Bromance Book Club about the secret baby trope.  I am not a fan and never feel like any HEA that might come justifies keeping a child from their parent.  Unless there is potential abuse.  Putting that aside, this one is still my favorite.  I can't wait to read Vlad's book next June!

Review: Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Publisher:Berkeley
Publication Date: March 2020

Liv Papandreas has a dream job as a sous chef at Nashville’s hottest restaurant. Too bad the celebrity chef owner is less than charming behind kitchen doors. After she catches him harassing a young hostess, she confronts him and gets fired. Liv vows revenge, but she’ll need assistance to take on the powerful chef.

Unfortunately, that means turning to Braden Mack. When Liv’s blackballed from the restaurant scene, the charismatic nightclub entrepreneur offers to help expose her ex-boss, but she is suspicious of his motives. He’ll need to call in reinforcements: the Bromance Book Club.

Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they’re reading, the book club assist Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they’re just as eager to help Mack figure out the way to Liv’s heart… even while she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned.

Undercover Bromance is the sequel to The Bromance Book Club.  I can say that I liked this one a LOT more than the first book.   You can read this one as a stand alone.  However, the first book does explain the book club a bit more.  I was really glad that there were many "excerpts" from the book that the club was reading.  I felt like there were too many of those in the first book.  This one is Liv and Braden Mack's story. 

I was glad that Liv got a story, because I couldn't stand her in the first book.  We get to know her a lot better in this book and more about what her childhood was like.  It went a long way to explain her actions and behavior.  I loved how Mack and Liv played off of each other.  Their banter was fun and it was a cute "hate to love" romance.  They were really good for each other.  Mack's back story was just as heartbreaking.  I loved his conversations with the guys in the book club.    I felt like there was a lot more humor in this book.  I laughed out loud multiple times.  Oh, and we finally get to find out the Russian's name.  I do recommend this one.  I look forward to reading the next one.

Review: The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date:November 2019

The first rule of book club: You don't talk about book club.

Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott's marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him.

Welcome to the Bromance Book Club.

Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville's top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it'll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

The Bromance Book Club had a really cute premise.  A group of successful men meet and read romances in order to help their relationships.  Gavin's marriage is on the rocks and the guys are going to help him fix it.  

I wish I could say I loved this book.  I'll admit to not being in love with this story for the first half of the book.  I felt like Gavin kind of got a raw deal.  Thea was so unfair to him.  I wish they would have communicated with each other.  Instead Thea blamed all of her issues on Gavin.  If you don't speak up, then he can't fix it.  Her sister was also the worst.  The second half of the book was much better.  I did enjoy watching Gavin woo Thea back.  I was also happy when they finally started talking.

What kept me going was the other characters.  The guys in the book club were hilarious.  I loved how they used the romance novels like relationship guides.  It was really cute.  Along with the main romance, we get excerpts from the historical romance that the guys are reading.  I did like how the author blended what was happening in the book club book with Gavin's situation.  If you can stick with it, the ending makes the book worth finishing.  I will be reviewing the next book, Undercover Bromance, very soon.