Adams, Lyssa Kay. Isn’t It Bromantic? (Bromance Book Club #4). Berkley, 2021. 336 pp. ISBN 9780593332771 $16

****1/2

In the windy city of Chicago, a group of wealthy influential athletes and businessmen solve each other’s girl troubles by turning to romance novels for guidance, advice, best practices, and grand gestures. In this fourth book in the series, hockey player Vlad, known for his moves on the ice, his stinkyness, and wise insights sets out to move the barometer of his marriage of with the childhood friend he’s in love with from “brink of divorce” to “the real deal” in this sweet and suspenseful second chance romance. When he gets injured, his wife steps in to assist him and it’s the opportunity they needed to reconnect and (finally!) consummate their marriage of convenience.

Vlad has been treated as comic relief in previous books, and it’s nice to see his character fleshed out with emotion and backstory, and for him to be more than the one with the flatulence of the one who misunderstands. Unfortunately, the plot revolves mostly around miscommunication and assumptions. The subplot of Vlad writing his own romance novel is very meta. Oh, and there’s Elena’s backstory, and the Russian mob, which adds another layer to the plot. But it’s the underground cheese ring is what made this book for me. Hilarious, sexy, and intriguing, the cheese man’s access to banned (illegal to import into the US) cheeses is what brings all the girls to the yard.

This series doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is best enjoyed in that vein. I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #IsntItBromantic from #NetGalley.