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.
Release Date: Jul 20, 2021
Series: Bromance Book Club
Book: 4
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $9.99
The Russian’s story is finally here!
I’m so happy Vlad got his own book. For all his problems with cheese and bathroom encounters, the Russian deserved his own happy ending, and it comes as a surprise.
This story has a ton of heartstring yanking moments. With Vlad attempting to move on and do what’s best for the woman he’s always loved his wife, Elena. The woman who wants to leave him, and end their marriage, believe Vlad doesn’t really want her. Sounds like the perfect job for the Bros. How do we get these two together? Destiny always finds a way.
When Vlad suffers an injury on the ice, Elena rushes to his side as his primary emergency contact. Feeling the need to pay back Vlad for all that he’s done for her, she decides to stay on and help him. Now the Bros have a chance to get Vlad his happily ever after.
The journey is a fun ride, include a mysterious black-market dealer known as the Cheeseman. I did enjoy this story. Vlad’s tale of love for Elena is filled with sweet moments and plenty of angst. Of course, there are romance novel discussions, the bros attempting to play matchmaker, which doesn’t always go as planned.
What kept me from a higher rating?
Elena as a character is a little frustrating from time to time, but her motivations make sense as the story goes on. She comes from a rough background and Vlad is definitely knight in shining armor material. I found her lack of forthcoming with Vlad frustrating, as she tries to do her own thing instead of counting on Vlad to back her up.
Additionally, there’s a side plot that slows the story down and takes away from the whole Vlad and Elena element. With the side plot and a bit of a thriller type crescendo to the end of the story the tale became disjointed.
Overal, Adams still has the great banter, fabulous character work, and heroes to swoon for but it falls a little flat from the previous stories. For hardcore fans some of these elements may be easy to overlook. I still hope for one or two more books, especially one featuring a hot, swoon-worthy country singer.
~ Landra
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