Isn't It Bromantic? (Bromance Book Club, #4) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Apr 08, 2023 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3500-2022, nc-br-digital-library, 2023-audiobook-challenge, 2023-beat-the-backlist, contemporary-romance, audiobook, 2023-library-love

the setup鈥�
Vlad Konnikova, known affectionately as The Russian to his friends, is the romantic in the Bromance Book Club, even though they鈥檝e never seen his wife. When Elena unexpectedly shows up at the wedding of one of the club members, she shocks not only his friends but Vlad, too. His heart soars as he believes s丑别鈥檚 finally returned home from Chicago where s丑别鈥檚 been in school, ready to change their marriage of convenience to one based on true love. But, Elena has other ideas and is there to the setup鈥�
Vlad Konnikova, known affectionately as The Russian to his friends, is the romantic in the Bromance Book Club, even though they鈥檝e never seen his wife. When Elena unexpectedly shows up at the wedding of one of the club members, she shocks not only his friends but Vlad, too. His heart soars as he believes s丑别鈥檚 finally returned home from Chicago where s丑别鈥檚 been in school, ready to change their marriage of convenience to one based on true love. But, Elena has other ideas and is there to tell him s丑别鈥檚 returning to Russia. His heart breaking, Vlad plays his professional hockey team鈥檚 last regular season game and gets severely injured. So, Elena decides she鈥檒l stay for awhile to help with his recuperation...body and heart?

the heart of the story鈥�
I couldn鈥檛 wait to learn more about Vlad, the emotional, big-hearted member of the Bromance Club who also had some serious gastrointestinal issues that鈥檚 brought hilarity in previous stories. I didn鈥檛 know about Elena until she was introduced at the end of the last book so I was highly intrigued. Their story was much more than I鈥檇 imagined, one with lots of layers considering that Vlad and Elena had known each other since childhood and were close friends when they鈥檇 married. And, instead of the guys giving Vlad a romance novel to help with the cause, they help him with the ending of the one 丑别鈥檚 been writing as 丑别鈥檚 stuck on the ending (but, of course!). Elena was studying to be a journalist, following in her father鈥檚 footsteps, primarily to figure out the story he was working on when he suddenly disappeared. Between Vlad鈥檚 recuperation, the dangerous story Elena was working on and the stubbornness of these two to actually share their true feelings with each other, there was so much that hooked me here. And, Vlad was also the adopted member of a group of meddling widows called The Losers who were a riot.

the narration鈥�
The narrator was challenged to manage the Russian accents beyond a few simple dialogue exchanges as in previous stories and he was wonderful! And, I loved his voice for the crankiest member of The Losers. Listening to this series is a great experience.

the bottom line鈥�
I was hoping Vlad鈥檚 story would be a good one and it surpassed my highest hopes. I was a little leery of Elena at first but came to like her and believe she was a worthy mate for one of my favorite characters. The only thing that detracted from my enjoyment was the plethora of communication issues between the two that didn鈥檛 always ring true to their natures. Still, this was a fun, interesting and often exciting story that was befitting for this beloved character. And! His gastrointestinal issues? Solved.

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Aug 16, 2021 Robin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance, 2021, library-book, 2021-utd

Elena was orphaned when her journalist father disappeared while working on a story. She lived with the Konnikov family until her best friend Vladimir Konnikov asked her to marry him and travel to the USA where he was slated to play professional hockey. For the past six years, they've had a marriage of convenience.

Now Vlad wants to have a real marriage like his friends in the Bromance Book Club. But Elena says she is planning on returning to Russia to become a journalist and learn what happened t ...more

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Dec 30, 2021 Carla rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, library, rom-com

I enjoyed the first three books in the Bromance Book Club and was happy to hear that Lyssa Kay Adams finally wrote Vlad's story. I chose to listen to this one and was not disappointed by the performance of Andrew Eiden. In this story we meet Vlad's estranged wife, Elena Konnikova. She was the daughter of a reporter in Russia and her mother died when she was young. She basically lived at Vlad's house growing up and was his best friend. When he was drafted to play in the NHL, he asked her to marry I enjoyed the first three books in the Bromance Book Club and was happy to hear that Lyssa Kay Adams finally wrote Vlad's story. I chose to listen to this one and was not disappointed by the performance of Andrew Eiden. In this story we meet Vlad's estranged wife, Elena Konnikova. She was the daughter of a reporter in Russia and her mother died when she was young. She basically lived at Vlad's house growing up and was his best friend. When he was drafted to play in the NHL, he asked her to marry him and move to America with him. She says yes, but when they arrive in Nashville, she hops on a plane to Chicago to go to school. The Marriage of Convenience doesn't sit well with Vlad, but he is willing to be patient. It has been several years and Elena is due to graduate. Vlad lets her know that he wants a real marriage once she finishes school. She decides she wants a divorce and a return to Russia. When Vlad is severely injured in a playoff game, Elena is notified to come to Nashville and be with him while he heals and rehabs. She heads to the hospital and with so much miscommunication, non-communication and interference, they have a lot to overcome if they are going to salvage their marriage.

Vlad, The Russian, is a sympathetic and charming hero. He has such tender feelings that he often breaks out into tears, he loves animals and I love how he adopts the neighborhood cat and dog, and he is dedicated to Elena even though she has not been dedicated to him. He is a perfect swoon worthy character. I love that he is writing his own romance novel and the bros use it to help him work through his own relationship. Elena is strong and smart and the perfect match for hockey-star Vlad, even in her stubborn streak. The Bros are such a fun group of supportive friends that know how to encourage each other. Some of the funniest lines in the book happen when the Bros are talking to each other and having to help Vlad with his personal care. There are a couple of conflicts in this story, one due to miscommunication and misunderstanding, but also one that has to do with Elena's investigation. Both were very realistic and the one is very relatable. There was a bit of an action packed ending to this one that made it even better. I think I enjoyed this one the best of the series, but I will admit to being impatient for Vlad's story. I definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy a good rom-com, but I also recommend the whole series.

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Aug 01, 2021 Anita rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-libby, contempoary-romance, audio

Ahhh, I just knew I was going to love The Russian's book! Vlad is sooooo sweet and his story is everything I could have hoped for in a Contemporary Romance. The audio was great and the narrator was wonderful, he got it right. I loved how Vlad, with the help of the Bromance Book Club, was able to get his HEA.

Valdimir Konnikova, aka the Russian, is a hockey superstar whose team is heading for the Stanley Cup. He married his childhood friend is order to protect her and bring her to the US. Their ma ...more

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Oct 11, 2021 Elizabeth Nolly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Another great book in the Bromance book club

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Apr 14, 2023 Susan rated it it was amazing

My most favorite character of the whole series got his very own story and I LOVED IT!! The Russian is this gentle, sensitive, loyal big Hulk of a hockey playing man is one of the funniest characters of the whole series. He's got this way that makes you laugh because you can't tell if he truly doesn't understand what's going on or he does and his wit is just that quick. He's glutton free and has some seriously bad bathroom issues which that discussion alone amongst the guys cracks me up. The Russ ...more

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May 22, 2023 Sharon Kallenberger Marzola rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-whispersync, buddy-read, review-needed, 2023-complete

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this story, but I expected this to be my favorite in the series. I love the Russian in the previous books, but he didn't live up to the hype for me.

Overall I really enjoyed the series and happy I finally read it. ...more

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