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The Game Changers #2
Not My Match
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a smart and sexy romance about a professional football hottie and the girl he’s sworn to never touch.
Homeless and heartbreakingly innocent, Giselle Riley walks into my penthouse and chaos follows.
I shouldn’t have invited the girl genius to live with me, but it’s clear she needs my help—not only for a place to lay her pretty blonde head but in finding real love, which she’s not going to get with the crazy men she picks up online.
Too bad she’s a twenty-four-year-old virgin and I’m a bad boy wide receiver. She’s off limits for a hardcore player like me—and we’re just friends.
Instead, I’m her matchmaking service, no matter how jealous it makes me when I tag along on her dates.
I can keep my self-control. Right? No way will I give in to everything inside me that dreams of a girl like her in my world.
I may be the best wide receiver in the country, but how could I hold on to a girl like her?
Homeless and heartbreakingly innocent, Giselle Riley walks into my penthouse and chaos follows.
I shouldn’t have invited the girl genius to live with me, but it’s clear she needs my help—not only for a place to lay her pretty blonde head but in finding real love, which she’s not going to get with the crazy men she picks up online.
Too bad she’s a twenty-four-year-old virgin and I’m a bad boy wide receiver. She’s off limits for a hardcore player like me—and we’re just friends.
Instead, I’m her matchmaking service, no matter how jealous it makes me when I tag along on her dates.
I can keep my self-control. Right? No way will I give in to everything inside me that dreams of a girl like her in my world.
I may be the best wide receiver in the country, but how could I hold on to a girl like her?
303 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2021
4228 people are currently reading
16959 people want to read
About the author
Ilsa Madden-Mills
39 books16.4k followers#1 Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills pens angsty new adult and contemporary romances.
A former high school English teacher and librarian, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.
She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online. ☺
★ Sign up for her newsletter and receive insider info about new releases and exclusive giveaways
★ You can stalk her/sign up on the contact page: ilsamaddenmills.com
★ Facebook: Author Ilsa Madden-Mills
★ Join her private reader group on FB: Unicorn Girls
★ Instagram @Ilsamaddenmills
New Book News:
Dear Ava is live!
Not My Romeo is live!
I Promise You drops October 12/20
Not My Match drops January 19/21 (pre-order on Amazon)
A former high school English teacher and librarian, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.
She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online. ☺
★ Sign up for her newsletter and receive insider info about new releases and exclusive giveaways
★ You can stalk her/sign up on the contact page: ilsamaddenmills.com
★ Facebook: Author Ilsa Madden-Mills
★ Join her private reader group on FB: Unicorn Girls
★ Instagram @Ilsamaddenmills
New Book News:
Dear Ava is live!
Not My Romeo is live!
I Promise You drops October 12/20
Not My Match drops January 19/21 (pre-order on Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,926 reviews
February 1, 2021
2.75 stars ✩⋆
sooo we all know the main characters here are from the first book aka Not My Romeo and we all know the slight unfortunate drama that occurred there where Giselle (the h here) got with her sister's boyfriend and thus ruining their sibling relationship. so starting this book im kinda... meh. i ain't judging but like...
it's natural OK. when someone hurts a main character in their book, especially when it revolves around cheating, obviously imma have a little bit of dislike towards the character who hurt them. plus what Giselle and her ex did was shitty i mean seriously?? you're gonna get with your sister's mediocre sized-dick boyfriend, rub it all over her face, and choose him over your own sister?? i- ANYWAYS.
『 p l o t 』↠ 5 months after Giselle Riley (h) found out her fiance cheated on her, she's suddenly desperate to be a part of the dating game and finally wants to lose her virginity to someone. because of unfortunate circumstances which made her homeless, Devon Walsh (H), a wide receiver of an American football team and her brother-in-law's bff, decided that they should be roommates and he should help her with her dating life.
the summary drew me in because look at the tropes:
reading the summary where this apparently has the whole experienced dude teaches inexperienced girl how to date trope similar to before jamaica lane y'all know i snatched this book real quick but not gonna lie, i didn't really feel the tropes here if that makes sense. i don't know. it's weird.
･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･ c h a r a c t e r s ･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･
➷ ｡ Giselle Riley (h)
⤴ lol same. i'm on season 5 episode 21 of my enemies to lovers, ceo romance starring me and henry cavill in my head so. ok first of all "heartbreakingly innocent"? i dont think so. sure she's a virgin but she reads romance like us... are we innocent?? HELL NO. we're the least innocent people ever. i don't get why female characters who read romance are deemed "innocent" like ma'am please... everything in our head is rated r.
even though i had a slight "dislike" towards her before i started this book... eh im kinda neutral. i didn't hate her, i just felt nothing?? she made me laugh sometimes with her weird one-liners. she's chaotic because one moment she's writing an alien romance book called Sexy Alien Warrior and His Captive Earth Girl, and then the next thing you know she's smashing pots and vases at an old barn, dyeing her hair blue, or going on a date with a random guy just because he has an emu in his profile pictire. but sometimes, even though she makes me laugh, i'm just like yes girl we get it you're quirky 🤪✨🧚🏼♀️
➷ ｡ Devon Walsh (H)
this dude has mommy issues, daddy issues, commitment issues, ex issues, every other fucking issues. buuuuut this dude also has tattoos, wears glasses, and has piercings
i was kinda frustrated with Devon mainly because he kept pushing Giselle away. i mean, i understand why because of his issues but at the same time im like BRO JUST F*CK HER AND R@#L HER ALREADY jeeZUS. he rejected her too many times and made them stay in the friendzone till 70%. i love slowburn but this was just annoying.
･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･ r o m a n c e ･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･
there are some cute moments and cute banter like the scene where there was a mini bedsharing trope and they were talking about stars and universes, smashing pots together and Giselle gave him a butterfly gift, watching an erotic french film, the whole birthday party scene, etc.
but honestly tho the cute scenes felt like the same scenes with different fonts. it was cute but it was kinda repetitive and it felt like filler sometimes because i didn't really feel the romantic development and progression well. they were just going on a circle till they got together. and some scenes even took me by surprise because they do out-of-character things like that kiss Devon gave her after the fire and Giselle initiating the kiss at the barn. i mean, it was cute but i couldn't help but think whaaaaAAATT that doesn't make sense. i couldn't connect with their romance because of this.
also, i LOVE push and pull but in here? it was so annoying holy- it went on and on and fucking on till 72% i was this close to dnf'ing
･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･ d r a m a (spoilers) ･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･
if y'all wanna know, since this is 5 months after the ending of the first book, no Devon was not celibate and still hooked up with other people but this book starts days after Jack and Elena's wedding and he hasn't been with anyone by then and as for Giselle, she's heartbroken for the past few months and we start off with this book of her on a date with a random dude.
there's no OW drama, just ex issues from Devon's side because he's still hurt by the fact she left him 7 years ago that's why he pushes Giselle away because everyone he loves leaves him. there's one scene at the end where the ex, Hannah, shows up randomly but he rejects her. there's some OM drama where Giselle goes on dates with random men (emu dude, weather man, and childhood crush) and Devon gets jealous.
but honestly tho, the drama at the end was kind of all over the place because suddenly Hannah shows up out of nowhere, there's a pregnancy scare, etc. i like when Giselle had the dilemma of choosing between her dream school in Switzerland or staying with Devon tho. BUT... i just wanted Devon to fight for her more?? like, we spent so much time reading him rejecting her for 70% of the book and now that there's a possibility that she might leave you know... my hopeless romantic side wanted him to fight for her and not give her up so easily but my rational side is like yeahh okay i get why he just let her go like that.
* * *
as you all know, i'm a mood reader and i'm actually kinda sad that i couldn't get into this because it was a pretty cute and light but ugghhh i read this after i read a ✨dramione fic✨ *cough* manacled *cough* that has one of the best characterizations, and character and story depth i've read (p.s. if any of y'all know this, i love you) soo i guess that ruined my expectations, hence the rating
but ughh i just couldn't connect with the characters and the story because there is not much depth and i couldn't feel or even see the romantic progression/development. also!! i needed more Giselle and Elena content where they're actually talking about that whole Preston incident because i really can't get over what Giselle did in the first book. it was pretty shitty. i just wish i felt her guilt more when it came to this because again, it was SHITTY but we didn't really delve into this.
the one thing that i 100% loved in this book tho? A-I-D-E-N. love that dude but i can't wait for someone to take his ego down and break his heart.
but anywaysss, i feel like if you're in the mood for something easy and cute, you'd like this. and also- WHERE TF IS ROMEO THE GUINEA PIG???
The Game Changers
#1: not my romeo ↠ 3.25 stars
#2: not my match ↠ 2.75 stars
sooo we all know the main characters here are from the first book aka Not My Romeo and we all know the slight unfortunate drama that occurred there where Giselle (the h here) got with her sister's boyfriend and thus ruining their sibling relationship. so starting this book im kinda... meh. i ain't judging but like...
it's natural OK. when someone hurts a main character in their book, especially when it revolves around cheating, obviously imma have a little bit of dislike towards the character who hurt them. plus what Giselle and her ex did was shitty i mean seriously?? you're gonna get with your sister's mediocre sized-dick boyfriend, rub it all over her face, and choose him over your own sister?? i- ANYWAYS.
『 p l o t 』↠ 5 months after Giselle Riley (h) found out her fiance cheated on her, she's suddenly desperate to be a part of the dating game and finally wants to lose her virginity to someone. because of unfortunate circumstances which made her homeless, Devon Walsh (H), a wide receiver of an American football team and her brother-in-law's bff, decided that they should be roommates and he should help her with her dating life.
the summary drew me in because look at the tropes:
↬ forced proximity & friends to lovers
↬ forbidden romance // h's brother in law don't want them together
↬ push and pull // H wants her but ~ commitment issues ~
↬ H is a famous American football player, h is a physicist by day, alien romance writer by night
↬ roommates
↬ H being h's wingman when she's on dates
reading the summary where this apparently has the whole experienced dude teaches inexperienced girl how to date trope similar to before jamaica lane y'all know i snatched this book real quick but not gonna lie, i didn't really feel the tropes here if that makes sense. i don't know. it's weird.
･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･ c h a r a c t e r s ･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･
➷ ｡ Giselle Riley (h)
"No wonder I can't keep up in my classes. I live in my own head too much to focus on the facts."
⤴ lol same. i'm on season 5 episode 21 of my enemies to lovers, ceo romance starring me and henry cavill in my head so. ok first of all "heartbreakingly innocent"? i dont think so. sure she's a virgin but she reads romance like us... are we innocent?? HELL NO. we're the least innocent people ever. i don't get why female characters who read romance are deemed "innocent" like ma'am please... everything in our head is rated r.
even though i had a slight "dislike" towards her before i started this book... eh im kinda neutral. i didn't hate her, i just felt nothing?? she made me laugh sometimes with her weird one-liners. she's chaotic because one moment she's writing an alien romance book called Sexy Alien Warrior and His Captive Earth Girl, and then the next thing you know she's smashing pots and vases at an old barn, dyeing her hair blue, or going on a date with a random guy just because he has an emu in his profile pictire. but sometimes, even though she makes me laugh, i'm just like yes girl we get it you're quirky 🤪✨🧚🏼♀️
➷ ｡ Devon Walsh (H)
"I'm giving you all your favorite universes."
this dude has mommy issues, daddy issues, commitment issues, ex issues, every other fucking issues. buuuuut this dude also has tattoos, wears glasses, and has piercings
i was kinda frustrated with Devon mainly because he kept pushing Giselle away. i mean, i understand why because of his issues but at the same time im like BRO JUST F*CK HER AND R@#L HER ALREADY jeeZUS. he rejected her too many times and made them stay in the friendzone till 70%. i love slowburn but this was just annoying.
･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･ r o m a n c e ･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･
there are some cute moments and cute banter like the scene where there was a mini bedsharing trope and they were talking about stars and universes, smashing pots together and Giselle gave him a butterfly gift, watching an erotic french film, the whole birthday party scene, etc.
but honestly tho the cute scenes felt like the same scenes with different fonts. it was cute but it was kinda repetitive and it felt like filler sometimes because i didn't really feel the romantic development and progression well. they were just going on a circle till they got together. and some scenes even took me by surprise because they do out-of-character things like that kiss Devon gave her after the fire and Giselle initiating the kiss at the barn. i mean, it was cute but i couldn't help but think whaaaaAAATT that doesn't make sense. i couldn't connect with their romance because of this.
also, i LOVE push and pull but in here? it was so annoying holy- it went on and on and fucking on till 72% i was this close to dnf'ing
･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･ d r a m a (spoilers) ･ﾟﾟ･｡｡･ﾟﾟ･
if y'all wanna know, since this is 5 months after the ending of the first book, no Devon was not celibate and still hooked up with other people but this book starts days after Jack and Elena's wedding and he hasn't been with anyone by then and as for Giselle, she's heartbroken for the past few months and we start off with this book of her on a date with a random dude.
there's no OW drama, just ex issues from Devon's side because he's still hurt by the fact she left him 7 years ago that's why he pushes Giselle away because everyone he loves leaves him. there's one scene at the end where the ex, Hannah, shows up randomly but he rejects her. there's some OM drama where Giselle goes on dates with random men (emu dude, weather man, and childhood crush) and Devon gets jealous.
but honestly tho, the drama at the end was kind of all over the place because suddenly Hannah shows up out of nowhere, there's a pregnancy scare, etc. i like when Giselle had the dilemma of choosing between her dream school in Switzerland or staying with Devon tho. BUT... i just wanted Devon to fight for her more?? like, we spent so much time reading him rejecting her for 70% of the book and now that there's a possibility that she might leave you know... my hopeless romantic side wanted him to fight for her and not give her up so easily but my rational side is like yeahh okay i get why he just let her go like that.
* * *
as you all know, i'm a mood reader and i'm actually kinda sad that i couldn't get into this because it was a pretty cute and light but ugghhh i read this after i read a ✨dramione fic✨ *cough* manacled *cough* that has one of the best characterizations, and character and story depth i've read (p.s. if any of y'all know this, i love you) soo i guess that ruined my expectations, hence the rating
but ughh i just couldn't connect with the characters and the story because there is not much depth and i couldn't feel or even see the romantic progression/development. also!! i needed more Giselle and Elena content where they're actually talking about that whole Preston incident because i really can't get over what Giselle did in the first book. it was pretty shitty. i just wish i felt her guilt more when it came to this because again, it was SHITTY but we didn't really delve into this.
the one thing that i 100% loved in this book tho? A-I-D-E-N. love that dude but i can't wait for someone to take his ego down and break his heart.
but anywaysss, i feel like if you're in the mood for something easy and cute, you'd like this. and also- WHERE TF IS ROMEO THE GUINEA PIG???
The Game Changers
#1: not my romeo ↠ 3.25 stars
#2: not my match ↠ 2.75 stars
March 26, 2021
–
1.75 stars
I've given this author so many chances now, because most of my friends love her books, but it's never beyond "okay". Unfortunately, I can put another miss for this author and should call it quit. 🤷🏽♀️
Last year, I've read Not My Romeo, the first book in the Game Changers series and I didn't like it. Jack and Elena's characters were such annoying characters. Giselle is Elena's sister who 'stole' Elena's ex-boyfriend. I couldn't stand Giselle in Elena's book, because I hate sister rivalry, especially someone who's getting together with her sister ex? No go. But I had hope that I would kind of forget my dislike for Giselle and give her a chance, but upon reading the first 5 chapters, I knew I didn't like Giselle. Giselle is a teacher/scientist who writes sci-fi romance and one would think she would have an interesting personality with her weird quirks, but she was one of the most blandest heroine I've had the pleasure reading about. That's a new: weird and bland.
Giselle writing this alien romance story is suppose to make her character more interesting and it was honestly better than the romance between Giselle and Devon. Devon is Jack's best friend and another cocky athlete. After a fire burns down Giselle's apartment, she temporary moves into Devon's apartment and these two form a friendship. Devon is acting as Giselle's wingman, despite being attracted to her, but due to his past he's afraid to do anything. Devon is perhaps the saving grace of this book and why I didn't give it 1 star. He was acting pretty sweet, understanding and very protective towards Giselle. Points for doing the bare minimum, but I take it.
The conflict at the end is another thing that bothered me. It's one thing if a character has no spine at the beginning of the book...there is something called character development, but by 93% of the book it would be great to see SOMETHING. Giselle never had the guts to stand up to her sister, her mother, her boss or anyone else. And because she's a coward she couldn't tell Devon something important and he had to find it out by accident and it was so stupid. Girl was so afraid to hurt Devon that she did exactly that. "I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't" is not a good enough excuse. FU GISELLE! *takes several deep breathes *
In the grand scheme of things that conflict is not that bad, but I already didn't like Giselle and the book was so boring af.... so it's just another thing that was added to the things that I disliked about Not My Match.
But kudos to Ilsa Madden Mills for giving credits to proverbs and quotes to the right owner when it's due and not trying to sell them as their own unlike some other authors *looks at LJ Shen* So IMM's books might not be for me, but I can see why people like them.
┍━━━━━━━━━━━━━┑
THE GAME CHANGERS SERIES
#1 Not My Romeo – 2.5 stars ➻ my review
#2 Not My Match – 1.75 stars
┕━━━━━━━━━━━━━┙
I've given this author so many chances now, because most of my friends love her books, but it's never beyond "okay". Unfortunately, I can put another miss for this author and should call it quit. 🤷🏽♀️
"There's an ancient Chinese myth that says if two people are destined to be together, then no matter how long it takes, their paths will continue to cross and intertwine. They believe there's an invisible red thread that ties destined couples. The thread may knot or tangle but will never break."
Last year, I've read Not My Romeo, the first book in the Game Changers series and I didn't like it. Jack and Elena's characters were such annoying characters. Giselle is Elena's sister who 'stole' Elena's ex-boyfriend. I couldn't stand Giselle in Elena's book, because I hate sister rivalry, especially someone who's getting together with her sister ex? No go. But I had hope that I would kind of forget my dislike for Giselle and give her a chance, but upon reading the first 5 chapters, I knew I didn't like Giselle. Giselle is a teacher/scientist who writes sci-fi romance and one would think she would have an interesting personality with her weird quirks, but she was one of the most blandest heroine I've had the pleasure reading about. That's a new: weird and bland.
Giselle writing this alien romance story is suppose to make her character more interesting and it was honestly better than the romance between Giselle and Devon. Devon is Jack's best friend and another cocky athlete. After a fire burns down Giselle's apartment, she temporary moves into Devon's apartment and these two form a friendship. Devon is acting as Giselle's wingman, despite being attracted to her, but due to his past he's afraid to do anything. Devon is perhaps the saving grace of this book and why I didn't give it 1 star. He was acting pretty sweet, understanding and very protective towards Giselle. Points for doing the bare minimum, but I take it.
The conflict at the end is another thing that bothered me. It's one thing if a character has no spine at the beginning of the book...there is something called character development, but by 93% of the book it would be great to see SOMETHING. Giselle never had the guts to stand up to her sister, her mother, her boss or anyone else. And because she's a coward she couldn't tell Devon something important and he had to find it out by accident and it was so stupid. Girl was so afraid to hurt Devon that she did exactly that. "I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't" is not a good enough excuse. FU GISELLE! *takes several deep breathes *
In the grand scheme of things that conflict is not that bad, but I already didn't like Giselle and the book was so boring af.... so it's just another thing that was added to the things that I disliked about Not My Match.
But kudos to Ilsa Madden Mills for giving credits to proverbs and quotes to the right owner when it's due and not trying to sell them as their own unlike some other authors *looks at LJ Shen* So IMM's books might not be for me, but I can see why people like them.
┍━━━━━━━━━━━━━┑
THE GAME CHANGERS SERIES
#1 Not My Romeo – 2.5 stars ➻ my review
#2 Not My Match – 1.75 stars
┕━━━━━━━━━━━━━┙
January 25, 2021
4 stars
Not My Match is the second book in Ilsa Madden-Mills 'The Game Changers' series, and I enjoyed this one even more than the first. I love a good friends to lovers story, but throw in a sports romance and a forced proximity story-line and I'm a goner.
I wasn't a fan of Giselle's in the first book of this series, but I realized she wasn't a bad person. Just a bit naïve and made a bad choice. She's looking to get back in the dating scene after her engagement was ended. Devon Walsh plays professional football and is her new brother-in-laws best friend. It's been made clear to Devon that Giselle is off limits, but when she finds herself needing a place to stay Devon takes her in.
I loved the friendship between these two and the fact that you could tell they both had it so bad for each other. I was just waiting for them to realize it. I enjoyed the slow burn. When the drama and the end started to happen I was really nervous about the way the author would take it, but I was happy with the direction it went and I loved the ending.
“You are the best person in all my universes”
Not My Match is the second book in Ilsa Madden-Mills 'The Game Changers' series, and I enjoyed this one even more than the first. I love a good friends to lovers story, but throw in a sports romance and a forced proximity story-line and I'm a goner.
I wasn't a fan of Giselle's in the first book of this series, but I realized she wasn't a bad person. Just a bit naïve and made a bad choice. She's looking to get back in the dating scene after her engagement was ended. Devon Walsh plays professional football and is her new brother-in-laws best friend. It's been made clear to Devon that Giselle is off limits, but when she finds herself needing a place to stay Devon takes her in.
I loved the friendship between these two and the fact that you could tell they both had it so bad for each other. I was just waiting for them to realize it. I enjoyed the slow burn. When the drama and the end started to happen I was really nervous about the way the author would take it, but I was happy with the direction it went and I loved the ending.
Audio book source: Audible (purchased)
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Summer Morton and Alexander Cendese
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 9 hours and 21 minutes
January 24, 2021
5 Stars!
(ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR)
-Do what makes your heart fly. Every breath you inhale must be meaningful.
Giselle Riley is a newly single southern woman from a small town in Tennessee called Daisy. She's a little lost lately trying to get over a broken heart, and in need of a fresh start. She's been looking for love in all the wrong places, so when a famous friend offers her his matchmaking service, she accepts. The only problem is the man giving her dating advice is one of the sexiest men she's ever laid eyes on. Devon Walsh is a professional athlete with the face of a movie star. Tattooed and effortlessly gorgeous she has to keep reminding herself she's been friend zoned. When you add in his beautiful heart, he's downright irresistible.
Devon Walsh is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. As a well known superstar for the Nashville Tigers he's also known as a playboy. His world is turned upside down by a quirky, smart, prim and proper good girl. Giselle lives and breathes science, and is working on her PhD in physics. She's intelligent, but has had bad luck with romance. When he agrees to help her find a nice guy he soon realizes he maybe made a mistake. He's suddenly jealous, and wants her for himself, but she's the one girl who can never be his. Too innocent and fragile, he wouldn't chance ruing their friendship. He vows to stay just friends, but she continues to fascinate him. She has his full attention anytime she enters a room, and makes him feel too much. When she's in need of assistance all his protective instincts flare to the surface. Soon their sleeping under the same roof, and he's having to use all his restraint. He's a man conflicted and on the edge of losing control. As opposites attract and things shift between Devon and Giselle everything becomes even more complicated.
-"You might discover, football player, that one kiss isn't enough."
Not My Match (The Game Changers #2) by Ilsa Madden-Mills is a sexy, new adult, friends to lovers sports romance about undeniable chemistry, beautiful connections, friendship, temptation, and finding the one person that truly see's you. I LOVED this story so much!!! Devon's book has been my most anticipated read. I've been dying for more of Devon since we met him as Jack's crazy, fun, flirty friend. He was so much more than I hoped for. This man has layer after layer and the most beautiful heart! Swoon, swoon, and swoon some more! I loved everything about Devin Walsh!!!
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3sEW8ag
(ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR)
-Do what makes your heart fly. Every breath you inhale must be meaningful.
Giselle Riley is a newly single southern woman from a small town in Tennessee called Daisy. She's a little lost lately trying to get over a broken heart, and in need of a fresh start. She's been looking for love in all the wrong places, so when a famous friend offers her his matchmaking service, she accepts. The only problem is the man giving her dating advice is one of the sexiest men she's ever laid eyes on. Devon Walsh is a professional athlete with the face of a movie star. Tattooed and effortlessly gorgeous she has to keep reminding herself she's been friend zoned. When you add in his beautiful heart, he's downright irresistible.
Devon Walsh is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. As a well known superstar for the Nashville Tigers he's also known as a playboy. His world is turned upside down by a quirky, smart, prim and proper good girl. Giselle lives and breathes science, and is working on her PhD in physics. She's intelligent, but has had bad luck with romance. When he agrees to help her find a nice guy he soon realizes he maybe made a mistake. He's suddenly jealous, and wants her for himself, but she's the one girl who can never be his. Too innocent and fragile, he wouldn't chance ruing their friendship. He vows to stay just friends, but she continues to fascinate him. She has his full attention anytime she enters a room, and makes him feel too much. When she's in need of assistance all his protective instincts flare to the surface. Soon their sleeping under the same roof, and he's having to use all his restraint. He's a man conflicted and on the edge of losing control. As opposites attract and things shift between Devon and Giselle everything becomes even more complicated.
-"You might discover, football player, that one kiss isn't enough."
Not My Match (The Game Changers #2) by Ilsa Madden-Mills is a sexy, new adult, friends to lovers sports romance about undeniable chemistry, beautiful connections, friendship, temptation, and finding the one person that truly see's you. I LOVED this story so much!!! Devon's book has been my most anticipated read. I've been dying for more of Devon since we met him as Jack's crazy, fun, flirty friend. He was so much more than I hoped for. This man has layer after layer and the most beautiful heart! Swoon, swoon, and swoon some more! I loved everything about Devin Walsh!!!
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3sEW8ag
January 21, 2021
Not My Match was a fun, hot, emotional and unique romance novel. I loved everything about this book. I found it very difficult to put it down, but life is so crazy right now and reading time is sparse. This book was what I needed, because it took my mind of everything. Not My Match was an amazing book to start the year 2021 with!
Giselle and Devon completely stole my heart. Devon is rich, talented, sporty, loyal, kind and determined. Football is his life. He trains hard and plays to win. His teammates can count on him. His personal life isn’t all that pretty and that has an impact on his life, but Devon is one strong man. Devon has wanted Giselle for a while. The better he gets to know her, the more he realizes that she’s the one for him. I loved reading how he is with Giselle, because he’s different with her.
Giselle is smart, caring, determined, passionate and loving. Giselle loves science and romance novels, and she hopes to have both in her life. She would deserve it, because she works hard and she deserves some happiness. She hasn’t always made the best decisions, but she still feels guilty about them. Giselle will find herself and that was beautiful to read. She also some very beautiful things to Devon. Giselle has a crush on Devon for a long time, but she never expected that he could feel the same.
Not My Match is a slow burn romance. Devon and Giselle have their reasons for not taking the first step. The author wrote their feelings so well that I understood it. I was rooting for them as a couple from the start. Once Devin and Giselle finally give in to their feelings, sparks flew and things got very hot. They were a strong couple and wanted to fight to be together.
The secondary characters made the story complete. Giselle has a great family and Devon has great team mates. Both of them get support and love from them. Everybody is so funny and bring so much joy to the story. I definitely hope Not My Match won’t be the last book in The Game Changers series.
-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --
Giselle and Devon completely stole my heart. Devon is rich, talented, sporty, loyal, kind and determined. Football is his life. He trains hard and plays to win. His teammates can count on him. His personal life isn’t all that pretty and that has an impact on his life, but Devon is one strong man. Devon has wanted Giselle for a while. The better he gets to know her, the more he realizes that she’s the one for him. I loved reading how he is with Giselle, because he’s different with her.
Giselle is smart, caring, determined, passionate and loving. Giselle loves science and romance novels, and she hopes to have both in her life. She would deserve it, because she works hard and she deserves some happiness. She hasn’t always made the best decisions, but she still feels guilty about them. Giselle will find herself and that was beautiful to read. She also some very beautiful things to Devon. Giselle has a crush on Devon for a long time, but she never expected that he could feel the same.
Not My Match is a slow burn romance. Devon and Giselle have their reasons for not taking the first step. The author wrote their feelings so well that I understood it. I was rooting for them as a couple from the start. Once Devin and Giselle finally give in to their feelings, sparks flew and things got very hot. They were a strong couple and wanted to fight to be together.
The secondary characters made the story complete. Giselle has a great family and Devon has great team mates. Both of them get support and love from them. Everybody is so funny and bring so much joy to the story. I definitely hope Not My Match won’t be the last book in The Game Changers series.
-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --
October 2, 2021
“You’re with Me!”
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Romance: 💋💋💋💋💋
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📙📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 👨🏻👱🏻♀️🧔🏻👩🏻👩🏼🦰
The heroine: Giselle - she is going for her PhD in theoretical physics. She is a smart girl who has focused on her studies. She had one failed relationship with a guy she stole from her sister. Though she is a nice girl who thinks of others all the time.
The Hero(es): Devon - Pro football player and I do mean player. He is not interested in being in a permanent relationship. Devon is the best friend and teammate of her sister’s new husband Jack and Jack warned all his team to stay away from Giselle.
The Story: Giselle has a history of bad birthday’s and seems to have a curse on the month of her birthday every year. On the month of her birthday this year, she is woken in the night when her apartment building is on fire. Devon happens to be in the right place at the right time and offers his place to Giselle while hers is being fixed.
There are some things that really stand out as things I really liked in this book. First was the fact that though Giselle was the evil sister who stole her sister’s man in “Not my Romeo”, it is explained in a way that we see Giselle as a good girl who is riddled with guilt over what happened and how it truly wasn’t as bad as it looked.
Another thing I liked was the fact that Giselle is a very smart girl who is studying for her PhD in Physics and that is backed up by enough talk of theoretical physics that we can tell the author did her research on the subject and backed it up in the story. I sometimes hate it when books have an intelligent woman but there really isn’t any evidence of her intelligence in the story. Ilsa Madden-Mills is great at integrating background information into the storyline in a seamless way.
As for the narration, I really liked both the female and the male narrator, my only criticism is that I didn’t like when the male narrator did the female voice. I know this is the standard way audiobooks are done, especially when the different chapters are in dual POV. The chapters told in the female POV, have the female narrator doing both male and female voices and same for the chapters in the male POV. However, I still wish that they would have the female narrator do all the female parts (even when in the male POV chapter) and vice versa.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Romance: 💋💋💋💋💋
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📙📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 👨🏻👱🏻♀️🧔🏻👩🏻👩🏼🦰
The heroine: Giselle - she is going for her PhD in theoretical physics. She is a smart girl who has focused on her studies. She had one failed relationship with a guy she stole from her sister. Though she is a nice girl who thinks of others all the time.
The Hero(es): Devon - Pro football player and I do mean player. He is not interested in being in a permanent relationship. Devon is the best friend and teammate of her sister’s new husband Jack and Jack warned all his team to stay away from Giselle.
The Story: Giselle has a history of bad birthday’s and seems to have a curse on the month of her birthday every year. On the month of her birthday this year, she is woken in the night when her apartment building is on fire. Devon happens to be in the right place at the right time and offers his place to Giselle while hers is being fixed.
There are some things that really stand out as things I really liked in this book. First was the fact that though Giselle was the evil sister who stole her sister’s man in “Not my Romeo”, it is explained in a way that we see Giselle as a good girl who is riddled with guilt over what happened and how it truly wasn’t as bad as it looked.
Another thing I liked was the fact that Giselle is a very smart girl who is studying for her PhD in Physics and that is backed up by enough talk of theoretical physics that we can tell the author did her research on the subject and backed it up in the story. I sometimes hate it when books have an intelligent woman but there really isn’t any evidence of her intelligence in the story. Ilsa Madden-Mills is great at integrating background information into the storyline in a seamless way.
As for the narration, I really liked both the female and the male narrator, my only criticism is that I didn’t like when the male narrator did the female voice. I know this is the standard way audiobooks are done, especially when the different chapters are in dual POV. The chapters told in the female POV, have the female narrator doing both male and female voices and same for the chapters in the male POV. However, I still wish that they would have the female narrator do all the female parts (even when in the male POV chapter) and vice versa.
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January 19, 2021
She did it again! Ilsa Madden-Mills really knows how to catch and hold my attention the whole book!
I'm a sucker for sports romance and she's one of my favorite on that trope.
And she fucking make me root for the virgin girl who wronged her own sister! How she could do that, is beyond me!
I loved Not My Romeo, so I'm protective of Elena and Jack. Giselle was the pivot of Elena's heartbreak at the beginning of Not My Romeo. So my expectations for her redemption, were pretty low. Even if at the end of the book, things wasn't as they looked like at the beginning, I still had my doubts with her.
BUT I looooved Devon with a hard passion since the first book. He was super funny and an amazing friend! So I needed him to be happy!
Their journey isn't an easy one, but how funny was to see them together!
Devon was insecure and keep his heart firmly locked from any kinda of love actually. He was burned before, so it wasn't easy for him to admit that what he really wanted, was Gisele.
Gisele is a hot mess almost the entire book, but she's smart, friendly, compassionate and she's really trying to be better. All the Preston drama left a mark on her, but she really knew what she wanted, and that was Devon.
Their chemistry was amazing.
Their banter and their friendship was incredible, and OMG when they finally get together, I could feel the zing from across my Kindle!
So much passion and intensity!
Gisele won me over with her care and her heart at the right place!
Devon is still my dear sweetheart, that I want to hug and cuddle, watching shark week on the couch!
I have to mention Mama's passive-aggressive prayer during their Sunday lunch! Dear Lord, I was cracking up during that whole scene!
I love that family!
Bless your heart! 😂😂😂
This book was amazing and I highly recommend it!
ARC Reviewer
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January 19, 2021
Love hurts when people leave, no matter the reason why.
So, Not My Match doesn’t actually publish until January 19, 2021, but I knew I would love this pairing so much that I couldn’t RESIST picking it up as soon as the arc was available. So hello extra early review.
I just love Ilsa’s characters. She truly never fails to make me fall in love with them, and feel for the struggles they have in life or on their way to love. Giselle and Devon are just surprisingly perfect together. If you’ve read Not My Romeo you’d think they weren’t even a possibility, because the are seemingly polar opposites. Yeah, by the end of NMR I sort of saw that Giselle wasn’t just a smart buttoned up woman, but in NMM she TRULY shines. She’s fun, loving, incredibly brilliant, and has this hidden personality that’s just infectious even just reading it. Devon is like this grumbly teddy bear and I LOVED him. He has a tough back story and it just adds another layer to his character that outwardly just seems like a hot, lady killer football player. The way he cares for Giselle, but also the others around him. So perfect.
Anyway. This book is a bit slow burn. The tension is through the roof though, and I personally feel that the pacing in this book works well considering each characters personality and their history. We get glimpses of Elena and Jack. Giselle’s mom and aunt, and Topher. Devon’s cousin, Selena. More Aiden 😂 Daisy Lady Gang matchmaking antics. Ilsa ties the other characters in this series in smoothly without having Giselle and Devon losing any shine. I only hope that she ends up writing for more of the characters, because they truly are an entertaining group.
All in all this was a great read. It’s just a love story about taking chances and go for what you want and what makes you happiest. Sure there’s angst, but it’s pretty mild.
AVAILABLE NOW!!
*ARC provided by NetGalley
So, Not My Match doesn’t actually publish until January 19, 2021, but I knew I would love this pairing so much that I couldn’t RESIST picking it up as soon as the arc was available. So hello extra early review.
I just love Ilsa’s characters. She truly never fails to make me fall in love with them, and feel for the struggles they have in life or on their way to love. Giselle and Devon are just surprisingly perfect together. If you’ve read Not My Romeo you’d think they weren’t even a possibility, because the are seemingly polar opposites. Yeah, by the end of NMR I sort of saw that Giselle wasn’t just a smart buttoned up woman, but in NMM she TRULY shines. She’s fun, loving, incredibly brilliant, and has this hidden personality that’s just infectious even just reading it. Devon is like this grumbly teddy bear and I LOVED him. He has a tough back story and it just adds another layer to his character that outwardly just seems like a hot, lady killer football player. The way he cares for Giselle, but also the others around him. So perfect.
Anyway. This book is a bit slow burn. The tension is through the roof though, and I personally feel that the pacing in this book works well considering each characters personality and their history. We get glimpses of Elena and Jack. Giselle’s mom and aunt, and Topher. Devon’s cousin, Selena. More Aiden 😂 Daisy Lady Gang matchmaking antics. Ilsa ties the other characters in this series in smoothly without having Giselle and Devon losing any shine. I only hope that she ends up writing for more of the characters, because they truly are an entertaining group.
All in all this was a great read. It’s just a love story about taking chances and go for what you want and what makes you happiest. Sure there’s angst, but it’s pretty mild.
AVAILABLE NOW!!
*ARC provided by NetGalley
Read
January 19, 2021🦋 Not My Match is LIVE 🦋
What does a bad boy wide receiver and a buttoned-up virgin scientist have in common? Chemistry. A whole lot of chemistry. 😎
💜 forbidden love
💜 birthday curse
💜 football hottie
💜 girl-genius heroine
💜 roommates
💜 he vows to find her a love match—and it can’t be him
💜 small town
💜 steamy
Giselle Riley walks into my penthouse and chaos follows.
I shouldn’t have invited the girl genius to live with me, but it’s clear she needs my help—not only for a place to lay her pretty blonde head but in finding real love, which she’s not going to get with the crazy men she picks up online.
Too bad she’s a twenty-four-year-old virgin and I’m a bad boy wide receiver. She’s off limits for a hardcore player like me—and we’re just friends.
Instead, I’m her matchmaking service, no matter how jealous it makes me when I tag along on her dates.
I can keep my self-control. Right? No way will I give in to everything inside me that dreams of a girl like her in my world.
I may be the best wide receiver in the country, but how could I hold on to a girl like her?
🦋 Amazon: http://bit.ly/NotMyMatch
🦋 Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Xfyl1Y
What does a bad boy wide receiver and a buttoned-up virgin scientist have in common? Chemistry. A whole lot of chemistry. 😎
💜 forbidden love
💜 birthday curse
💜 football hottie
💜 girl-genius heroine
💜 roommates
💜 he vows to find her a love match—and it can’t be him
💜 small town
💜 steamy
Giselle Riley walks into my penthouse and chaos follows.
I shouldn’t have invited the girl genius to live with me, but it’s clear she needs my help—not only for a place to lay her pretty blonde head but in finding real love, which she’s not going to get with the crazy men she picks up online.
Too bad she’s a twenty-four-year-old virgin and I’m a bad boy wide receiver. She’s off limits for a hardcore player like me—and we’re just friends.
Instead, I’m her matchmaking service, no matter how jealous it makes me when I tag along on her dates.
I can keep my self-control. Right? No way will I give in to everything inside me that dreams of a girl like her in my world.
I may be the best wide receiver in the country, but how could I hold on to a girl like her?
🦋 Amazon: http://bit.ly/NotMyMatch
🦋 Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Xfyl1Y
never-gonna-read
September 30, 2020Nope nope nope....this heroine is the sister who got in the middle and essentially stole her sisters boyfriend form book 1. Not for one second do I believe she is innocent. She kissed her sisters boyfriend, got engaged to said man, flaunted her ring to the heroine, and then WANTED TO HAVE HER WEDDING AT THE HEROINES HOUSE!! Hell to the fucking no! Then for the cherry on top NEVER CONFESSED TO BEING CHEATING ASS SKANK! I don’t care that her and the guy broke up because he cheated on you...BITCH HE CHEATED IN YOUR SISTER TO BE WITH YOU! Your thought he would be faithful to you??!! Lol
No redemption for a character like that and I’m pissed that the Hero, someone I liked in the first book, is gonna end up with this bitch...
No redemption for a character like that and I’m pissed that the Hero, someone I liked in the first book, is gonna end up with this bitch...
April 19, 2021
4 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was unexpected! After reading the blurb I was confused as to how this could work out, because when dealing with homelessness — is losing your virginity really a priority?! I was expecting some kind of poverty stricken and damaged h here and that’s not at all what was going on! I really enjoyed both characters, their banter and the funny moments, the build up to more for them, and the crazy side characters! My only issues are that it took a little too long for the steamy scenes, the conflict was kind of meh, and the epilogue followed right after the resolution (which has turned into a big pet peeve of mine lately). Overall, I was pleasantly surprised and liked this one.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Giselle and Devon’s story. Giselle is trying to lose her virginity and things keep on happening that prove she is cursed. She doesn’t get the coveted internship she was planning on, she broke up with a cheating fiancé, and she is suddenly homeless. Devon steps in since he is watching out for her while his best friend (her brother-in-law) is off on his honeymoon and offers her a place to live. There is some sexual tension, some funny scenes, some great and kookie side characters, and some hot sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Giselle and Devon’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I would’ve liked the ending to be a little more worked out after their conflict resolution, but I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well otherwise.
Instalove: No, they’ve met before through the h’s sister that is married to the H’s best friend.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Devon. I really liked him. He was a great representation of the damaged but cocky H that is sweet on the inside.
h (heroine) rating: 4.5 stars. Giselle. I really liked her too. She cracked me up! She was smart, funny, quirky, and protective.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story. It took until ~75% in my kindle app for them to be intimate, so I’d say this is a “slow burn” romance, which isn’t my favorite tbh.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with a cute epilogue and a HEA ending
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Overall Opinion: This was unexpected! After reading the blurb I was confused as to how this could work out, because when dealing with homelessness — is losing your virginity really a priority?! I was expecting some kind of poverty stricken and damaged h here and that’s not at all what was going on! I really enjoyed both characters, their banter and the funny moments, the build up to more for them, and the crazy side characters! My only issues are that it took a little too long for the steamy scenes, the conflict was kind of meh, and the epilogue followed right after the resolution (which has turned into a big pet peeve of mine lately). Overall, I was pleasantly surprised and liked this one.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Giselle and Devon’s story. Giselle is trying to lose her virginity and things keep on happening that prove she is cursed. She doesn’t get the coveted internship she was planning on, she broke up with a cheating fiancé, and she is suddenly homeless. Devon steps in since he is watching out for her while his best friend (her brother-in-law) is off on his honeymoon and offers her a place to live. There is some sexual tension, some funny scenes, some great and kookie side characters, and some hot sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Giselle and Devon’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I would’ve liked the ending to be a little more worked out after their conflict resolution, but I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well otherwise.
Instalove: No, they’ve met before through the h’s sister that is married to the H’s best friend.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Devon. I really liked him. He was a great representation of the damaged but cocky H that is sweet on the inside.
h (heroine) rating: 4.5 stars. Giselle. I really liked her too. She cracked me up! She was smart, funny, quirky, and protective.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story. It took until ~75% in my kindle app for them to be intimate, so I’d say this is a “slow burn” romance, which isn’t my favorite tbh.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with a cute epilogue and a HEA ending
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
January 19, 2021
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK
We first met Giselle and Devon in the previous book, Not My Romeo, and they couldn't have been more different. So I was really intrigued to see how they would end up together and honestly a little scared to see if Giselle would be redeemed enough for me. She was an iffy character in the first book but I knew Ilsa Madden-Mills wouldn't disappoint so I jumped into this story without hesitation.
And I had nothing to fear because Giselle and Devon were amazing and worked together so well. I loved the banter between them and the chemistry that sizzled with every glance. The differences in their characters actually became the best thing about their relationship and gave us so much to see and love about them. Theirs was a slow burn type of romance and I shockingly loved that about it even though usually it's not my favorite. It worked for them though and there was still a huge amount of sexual tension between them that had me on the edge of my seat.
Overall, this is definitely a must read and while I do think it can be read as a standalone with little issue I think that it's best read after the first book in the series.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
We first met Giselle and Devon in the previous book, Not My Romeo, and they couldn't have been more different. So I was really intrigued to see how they would end up together and honestly a little scared to see if Giselle would be redeemed enough for me. She was an iffy character in the first book but I knew Ilsa Madden-Mills wouldn't disappoint so I jumped into this story without hesitation.
And I had nothing to fear because Giselle and Devon were amazing and worked together so well. I loved the banter between them and the chemistry that sizzled with every glance. The differences in their characters actually became the best thing about their relationship and gave us so much to see and love about them. Theirs was a slow burn type of romance and I shockingly loved that about it even though usually it's not my favorite. It worked for them though and there was still a huge amount of sexual tension between them that had me on the edge of my seat.
Overall, this is definitely a must read and while I do think it can be read as a standalone with little issue I think that it's best read after the first book in the series.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2021
“If two people are destined to be together , then no matter how long it takes, their paths will continue to cross and intertwine.They believe there’s an invisible read thread that ties destined couples. The thread may knot or tangle but will never break.”
This story really played a number on me.
I can’t get off this rollercoaster of emotions .
I don’t think there are enough words to describe how this story will tear you apart in the best possible way.
If you thought Elle was weird and unique , get ready for Giselle she’ll change the way you’ll look at life. I’ve always hated physics , but after this book i think I changed my mind.
Giselle wasn’t what I expected , it’s really true that nothing is how it looks like. She’s funny , brave and with really unique interests . The way she could make up those unique stories , bringing together her two passions was mind-blowing .
“How often does a man find a woman like that?”
And Devon , Omg… I don’t think I need to add anything else.
He is the most lovable person ever , funny, caring , always there for you.
But the only think he wouldn’t never open himself up to was love. He has been hurt from to many important people in life , so he put really high walls around his heart . But then something changed .
“She isn’t like anyone else . She’s not a girl I can let go. She’s shoved me over that cliff , and I’m lying at the bottom on the rocks, waiting for her to finish me off”
Giselle was a game changer for him. She quickly made her way up to his head , invading all his thoughts , his life and soon his heart too. It was inevitable .
“You aren’t different–not underneath , where it counts. Life doesn’t decide who you fall for. Love knows no rules at all…”
The connection they had since the first time , how they understand each other like no one else. They were polar opposite but they completed each other on every possible level .
And yes, the Daisy Lady Gang is back , and this time as a real matchmaking agency 😉
I gave it absolutely 6348356 stars
“You’re crazy”
“Nah, just in love with the smartest, most beautiful girl in the world”
I’m not gonna spoiler anything but I’ll tell you this :
Devon and Giselle are in their own completely different ‘universe’
So get ready to be dragged into this black hole !
*ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*
This story really played a number on me.
I can’t get off this rollercoaster of emotions .
I don’t think there are enough words to describe how this story will tear you apart in the best possible way.
If you thought Elle was weird and unique , get ready for Giselle she’ll change the way you’ll look at life. I’ve always hated physics , but after this book i think I changed my mind.
Giselle wasn’t what I expected , it’s really true that nothing is how it looks like. She’s funny , brave and with really unique interests . The way she could make up those unique stories , bringing together her two passions was mind-blowing .
“How often does a man find a woman like that?”
And Devon , Omg… I don’t think I need to add anything else.
He is the most lovable person ever , funny, caring , always there for you.
But the only think he wouldn’t never open himself up to was love. He has been hurt from to many important people in life , so he put really high walls around his heart . But then something changed .
“She isn’t like anyone else . She’s not a girl I can let go. She’s shoved me over that cliff , and I’m lying at the bottom on the rocks, waiting for her to finish me off”
Giselle was a game changer for him. She quickly made her way up to his head , invading all his thoughts , his life and soon his heart too. It was inevitable .
“You aren’t different–not underneath , where it counts. Life doesn’t decide who you fall for. Love knows no rules at all…”
The connection they had since the first time , how they understand each other like no one else. They were polar opposite but they completed each other on every possible level .
And yes, the Daisy Lady Gang is back , and this time as a real matchmaking agency 😉
I gave it absolutely 6348356 stars
“You’re crazy”
“Nah, just in love with the smartest, most beautiful girl in the world”
I’m not gonna spoiler anything but I’ll tell you this :
Devon and Giselle are in their own completely different ‘universe’
So get ready to be dragged into this black hole !
*ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*
January 20, 2021
Well, I'm in love.
I know, I know. When do I not say that when I read an Ilsa Madden-Mills book? Never. I always feel emotionally attached and otherwise obsessed with the worlds IMM creates, but I'm SUPER infatuated this time.
Blame it on the author. She's amazing.
Not My Match is full of sizzling steam, gut-wrenching rawness, and doses of full-belly humor. The characters are so real—painted with the carefulest of touches-that they come alive on the page. Giselle and Jack are my friends. Just try to tell me they only exist on my Kindle.
Not My Match is heart-breaking, heart-warming, and altogether romance perfection! I'm in love!
I know, I know. When do I not say that when I read an Ilsa Madden-Mills book? Never. I always feel emotionally attached and otherwise obsessed with the worlds IMM creates, but I'm SUPER infatuated this time.
Blame it on the author. She's amazing.
Not My Match is full of sizzling steam, gut-wrenching rawness, and doses of full-belly humor. The characters are so real—painted with the carefulest of touches-that they come alive on the page. Giselle and Jack are my friends. Just try to tell me they only exist on my Kindle.
Not My Match is heart-breaking, heart-warming, and altogether romance perfection! I'm in love!
February 1, 2021
Ilsa Madden-Mills pens an irresistibly sweet, fun, sexy, pull at your heartstrings romance worthy of 5++ swoony ⭐️s!
➵ Facts: Not My Match is book #2 of The Game Changers by Wall Street Journal, NY Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills. It is a standalone romance, told from both points of view with a smile inducing happily ever after ending. Genres: Contemporary Romance | Sports romance. Tropes: Alpha hero | Virgin Heroine | friends to lovers | roommates to lovers | opposites attract
➵ Plot: T When player and NHL star Devon Walsh met virginal, genius physicist Giselle Riley, the two could not seem more different. After a fire forced her to find a temporary place to stay, Devon and Giselle become friends of sorts. He’s playing matchmaker while she’s using him as inspiration for her sexy alien warrior hero in romance novel while both try to quash their mutual attraction because she dreams of finishing her PhD on the other side of the world while he dreads being left behind.
One thing is blatantly undeniable, being around each other makes them both deliriously happy. Can they overcome their opposite views on relationships?
➵ Hero: OMG I L.O.V.E.D. Devon with his sexy and gruff alpha male exterior protecting his very vulnerable and squishy heart. Coming from humble beginnings, a broken home, and a relationship that left him feeling less than, it was difficult for him to open up to the possibility of him and Giselle.
➵ Heroine: Giselle was a wonderful surprise. I loved her just as much as I did Devon. She totally appealed to my geeky side (engineer with a couple of master’s degrees here), my love for teaching science in non-traditional ways, and my love for romance (romance book lover here). She’s quirky and fun and exactly what Devon needed.
➵ Sexiness: Not My Match was a delicious slow burn that built on the banter, friendship and attraction between Devon and Giselle. Their chemistry was palpable and was deepened as they got to know each other. There were so many moments they shared that made my heart melt.
➵ Quotes: There were so many quotes I LOVED
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2M1PTwb
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Social Butterfly PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
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You are the best person in all of my universes." ~ Giselle to Devon
➵ Facts: Not My Match is book #2 of The Game Changers by Wall Street Journal, NY Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills. It is a standalone romance, told from both points of view with a smile inducing happily ever after ending. Genres: Contemporary Romance | Sports romance. Tropes: Alpha hero | Virgin Heroine | friends to lovers | roommates to lovers | opposites attract
➵ Plot: T When player and NHL star Devon Walsh met virginal, genius physicist Giselle Riley, the two could not seem more different. After a fire forced her to find a temporary place to stay, Devon and Giselle become friends of sorts. He’s playing matchmaker while she’s using him as inspiration for her sexy alien warrior hero in romance novel while both try to quash their mutual attraction because she dreams of finishing her PhD on the other side of the world while he dreads being left behind.
One thing is blatantly undeniable, being around each other makes them both deliriously happy. Can they overcome their opposite views on relationships?
➵ Hero: OMG I L.O.V.E.D. Devon with his sexy and gruff alpha male exterior protecting his very vulnerable and squishy heart. Coming from humble beginnings, a broken home, and a relationship that left him feeling less than, it was difficult for him to open up to the possibility of him and Giselle.
➵ Heroine: Giselle was a wonderful surprise. I loved her just as much as I did Devon. She totally appealed to my geeky side (engineer with a couple of master’s degrees here), my love for teaching science in non-traditional ways, and my love for romance (romance book lover here). She’s quirky and fun and exactly what Devon needed.
➵ Sexiness: Not My Match was a delicious slow burn that built on the banter, friendship and attraction between Devon and Giselle. Their chemistry was palpable and was deepened as they got to know each other. There were so many moments they shared that made my heart melt.
➵ Quotes: There were so many quotes I LOVED
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." ~ Giselle quoting A. Einstein
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2M1PTwb
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Social Butterfly PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk me on FaceBook ♕ Instagram ♕ More reviews
January 19, 2021
5 'All my universes' Stars!
ARC provided via Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.
Ilsa Madden-Mills. This woman has won me over and over since the start of last year and she continues doing it. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors and it says a lot that this is the second year in a row one of her books is the first added in my favorites’ shelf. I was highly expecting this story ever since I finished Not My Romeo and I have to say that Not My Match is even better. In a very short time, Devon and Giselle have become my favorite couple in this series (for now!) and I think their beautiful love story cannot be missed.
So, Not My Match is the second installment in Ilsa’s The Game Changers series and it follows with the story of two of the characters we met in the first book: Giselle Riley (Elena’s sister) and Devon Walsh (Jack’s best friend). Two polar opposites. Literally. Giselle is an extremely smart woman but unsure of herself and unexperienced in the sex department. Devon is an amazing wide receiver known as a hardcore player and not fan of relationships. But what happens when they become roommates and there is this strange zing between them? Well, sparks fly, of course.
She’s like a pal. One I can’t touch. There’s a clear thick line drawn between us.
I don’t even know where to start because I just loved everything about this novel. I thought I could not love Devon and Giselle more than I loved Elena and Jack but man.. was I wrong! These two opposites that just clicked from the very first meeting completely stole the show for me and their love story was one beautiful journey to read. The banter, the friendship, the slow burn, the emotions running high, the chemistry, the love. Everything about Not My Match was perfect.
Do what makes your heart fly. Every breath you inhale must be meaningful.
Reading how Devon and Giselle find that they are not as different and how that develops into an unbreakable connection, I just was a pool of melted happiness. Learning their stories, their difficulties, and their vulnerabilities. I enjoyed every second of how this love story is build. And how even though they try to put a stop to it, their chemistry and their emotions are so much stronger than that and this couple finally gets their much deserved happy ending. I was a blubbering mess towards the end but boy, it was so worth it!
“You are the best person in all my universes.”
Therefore, I am rating Not My Match with 5 STARS (my first of 2021!) because this story gripped me from start to finish and the connection and chemistry between Devon and Giselle was amazing, heartwarming and sexy AF. This one is for sure going on my yearly favorites that I can assure you (and it’s only January) because that is how good this love story is. Two polar opposites falling completely in love and written by the super talented Ilsa Madden-Mills? CHECK! CHECK! CHECK! Highly recommend reading this brilliant romance!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
ARC provided via Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.
Ilsa Madden-Mills. This woman has won me over and over since the start of last year and she continues doing it. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors and it says a lot that this is the second year in a row one of her books is the first added in my favorites’ shelf. I was highly expecting this story ever since I finished Not My Romeo and I have to say that Not My Match is even better. In a very short time, Devon and Giselle have become my favorite couple in this series (for now!) and I think their beautiful love story cannot be missed.
So, Not My Match is the second installment in Ilsa’s The Game Changers series and it follows with the story of two of the characters we met in the first book: Giselle Riley (Elena’s sister) and Devon Walsh (Jack’s best friend). Two polar opposites. Literally. Giselle is an extremely smart woman but unsure of herself and unexperienced in the sex department. Devon is an amazing wide receiver known as a hardcore player and not fan of relationships. But what happens when they become roommates and there is this strange zing between them? Well, sparks fly, of course.
She’s like a pal. One I can’t touch. There’s a clear thick line drawn between us.
I don’t even know where to start because I just loved everything about this novel. I thought I could not love Devon and Giselle more than I loved Elena and Jack but man.. was I wrong! These two opposites that just clicked from the very first meeting completely stole the show for me and their love story was one beautiful journey to read. The banter, the friendship, the slow burn, the emotions running high, the chemistry, the love. Everything about Not My Match was perfect.
Do what makes your heart fly. Every breath you inhale must be meaningful.
Reading how Devon and Giselle find that they are not as different and how that develops into an unbreakable connection, I just was a pool of melted happiness. Learning their stories, their difficulties, and their vulnerabilities. I enjoyed every second of how this love story is build. And how even though they try to put a stop to it, their chemistry and their emotions are so much stronger than that and this couple finally gets their much deserved happy ending. I was a blubbering mess towards the end but boy, it was so worth it!
“You are the best person in all my universes.”
Therefore, I am rating Not My Match with 5 STARS (my first of 2021!) because this story gripped me from start to finish and the connection and chemistry between Devon and Giselle was amazing, heartwarming and sexy AF. This one is for sure going on my yearly favorites that I can assure you (and it’s only January) because that is how good this love story is. Two polar opposites falling completely in love and written by the super talented Ilsa Madden-Mills? CHECK! CHECK! CHECK! Highly recommend reading this brilliant romance!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
November 16, 2022
Can for once the man give up his dream and not always the woman?
Why is is always the same plot line? Why is it always the man that has major trust issues and doesn't let the women fulfil her dreams because of it?
Spoiler alert:
The beginning of this book was honestly good. This happened in the last one too. Sadly it goes wrong because there is a clear favouritism towards the men with this author.
Giselle has wanted to work in Switzerland with CERN since she was a child. This is her dream. Now let'S introduce Devon, a football player that has no trust in anyone (understandable with his past) that falls in love with Giselle.
They are in a relationship and Giselle gets an offer for her dream job in Switzerland. She is now stuck in a place where she could go to switzerland for herself and be in a long distance relationship with Devon, or give up her dream and stay in the US with Devon so his trust issues do not win him over.
Well what do you think happened? she gave up on her dream... yeah I hate it.
basically she has a pregnancy scare and that gives her the revelation that she wants to stay with Devon in the US. PUHLEASE what a horrible plot line.
On top of that Devon has no character development because everything is excused because of his trust issues. Oh yeah he is mad at Giselle for wanting to follow her dream because of his trust issues. We obviously need to make everything different so he is happy. Shut up please.
There could have been a great character development scene where he starts trusting Giselle and let's her go to Switzerland and has a long distance relationship with her but instead he has no development and continues to no trust her.
Live laugh love and fuck men.
Why is is always the same plot line? Why is it always the man that has major trust issues and doesn't let the women fulfil her dreams because of it?
Spoiler alert:
The beginning of this book was honestly good. This happened in the last one too. Sadly it goes wrong because there is a clear favouritism towards the men with this author.
Giselle has wanted to work in Switzerland with CERN since she was a child. This is her dream. Now let'S introduce Devon, a football player that has no trust in anyone (understandable with his past) that falls in love with Giselle.
They are in a relationship and Giselle gets an offer for her dream job in Switzerland. She is now stuck in a place where she could go to switzerland for herself and be in a long distance relationship with Devon, or give up her dream and stay in the US with Devon so his trust issues do not win him over.
Well what do you think happened? she gave up on her dream... yeah I hate it.
basically she has a pregnancy scare and that gives her the revelation that she wants to stay with Devon in the US. PUHLEASE what a horrible plot line.
On top of that Devon has no character development because everything is excused because of his trust issues. Oh yeah he is mad at Giselle for wanting to follow her dream because of his trust issues. We obviously need to make everything different so he is happy. Shut up please.
There could have been a great character development scene where he starts trusting Giselle and let's her go to Switzerland and has a long distance relationship with her but instead he has no development and continues to no trust her.
Live laugh love and fuck men.
December 31, 2020
GAH! I am SUCH a sucker for damsel in distress stories. I remember Giselle and Devon from the first book in this series and was definitely intrigued on how Madden-Mills would pair them together as they seemed so different at first glance. But like most stories I've come to read from this author: I.Am.Obsessed! The sexy manwhore jock and the virginal braniac were addicting!!! This opposites attract/roommates to lovers story had me hooked and obsessed. This is another win from this author!!
Umm so Ilsa Madden-Mills completely pulled the wool over my eyes and then some with this book! I had no idea how amazing Giselle would be in her own book. We saw a different side to her in the first book but after reading Not My Match I loved her so much! She was an adorable nerd that needed a temporary place to live and a coach to help her cut loose and find her inner vixen. Enter the deliciously sexy player extraordinaire Devon Walsh, her brother in law's best friend, who is down to help her with all three tasks. But when close quarters lead to even closer moments between them....it is on!!!
Sigh! I loved this story. Giselle and Devon had sexy banter and a slow burn tension that kept me on the edge of my seat. She was fun and engaging. Likewise, Devon was my favorite! Moody and broody with a heart of gold. I loved seeing his burgeoning feelings for Giselle and the growing connection between them. I loved this story even more than the first in this series and can't wait for more books from Madden-Mills in the future! 5 stars! ~Ratula
***
You are the best person in all of my universes.
Oh, you guys. Just look at how lovely that line is!! My heart!
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. I know that's a weird thing to say, but Ilsa Madden-Mills has been a little hit-or-miss for me lately. I went in feeling a little apprehensive (especially since this is a book 2, and book 1 was a bit of a struggle for me). And then? Then I found myself completely smitten with Giselle and Devon. Smitten in that deliciously addictive way that includes butterflies and the ache in my chest as I fell in love with them falling in love with each other.
This is a slow burn that is sometimes a little too on the nose with its flirtation and chemistry - but it's a slow burn that worked for me nonetheless. I was charmed by the friendship that formed between Giselle and Devon, and bought into the chemistry that sparked with physical attraction and then intensified with the deeper layers that developed as they got to know each other. Their banter was on-point. Giselle was unexpectedly quirky in a way that sometimes felt maybe a smidge over-the-top, but also in a way that made me adore her fiercely. I loved her for being a little extra. And don't even get me started about Devon's whole growly alpha thing -- I can't even tell you why that works for me, but it so works for me, and I found Devon to be positively irresistible. Their opposites attracted in a way that felt so organic and I 100% bought into it.
I devoured this story. It was a quick, easy and super satisfying read. My heart flipped and fluttered and loved every moment it got to spent in this sexy, sweet love story. ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
Umm so Ilsa Madden-Mills completely pulled the wool over my eyes and then some with this book! I had no idea how amazing Giselle would be in her own book. We saw a different side to her in the first book but after reading Not My Match I loved her so much! She was an adorable nerd that needed a temporary place to live and a coach to help her cut loose and find her inner vixen. Enter the deliciously sexy player extraordinaire Devon Walsh, her brother in law's best friend, who is down to help her with all three tasks. But when close quarters lead to even closer moments between them....it is on!!!
Sigh! I loved this story. Giselle and Devon had sexy banter and a slow burn tension that kept me on the edge of my seat. She was fun and engaging. Likewise, Devon was my favorite! Moody and broody with a heart of gold. I loved seeing his burgeoning feelings for Giselle and the growing connection between them. I loved this story even more than the first in this series and can't wait for more books from Madden-Mills in the future! 5 stars! ~Ratula
***
You are the best person in all of my universes.
Oh, you guys. Just look at how lovely that line is!! My heart!
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. I know that's a weird thing to say, but Ilsa Madden-Mills has been a little hit-or-miss for me lately. I went in feeling a little apprehensive (especially since this is a book 2, and book 1 was a bit of a struggle for me). And then? Then I found myself completely smitten with Giselle and Devon. Smitten in that deliciously addictive way that includes butterflies and the ache in my chest as I fell in love with them falling in love with each other.
This is a slow burn that is sometimes a little too on the nose with its flirtation and chemistry - but it's a slow burn that worked for me nonetheless. I was charmed by the friendship that formed between Giselle and Devon, and bought into the chemistry that sparked with physical attraction and then intensified with the deeper layers that developed as they got to know each other. Their banter was on-point. Giselle was unexpectedly quirky in a way that sometimes felt maybe a smidge over-the-top, but also in a way that made me adore her fiercely. I loved her for being a little extra. And don't even get me started about Devon's whole growly alpha thing -- I can't even tell you why that works for me, but it so works for me, and I found Devon to be positively irresistible. Their opposites attracted in a way that felt so organic and I 100% bought into it.
I devoured this story. It was a quick, easy and super satisfying read. My heart flipped and fluttered and loved every moment it got to spent in this sexy, sweet love story. ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
April 16, 2021
HOW NICE!!!
Si el primer libro me había gustado, éste me gustó más.
Devon y Giselle son personajes secundarios del primer libro, él es el mejor amigo de Jack y el mejor receptor abierto del país, es un mujeriego y no tiene relaciones serias y Giselle es hermana de Elena una chica inteligente, medio freak.
Giselle tiene poco que terminó su relación con su prometido porque éste la engañó pero aparte era el novio de su hermana que por si fuera poco los cachó besándose, so sorry pero el Karma is a bitch y esas cosas no se hacen pero no quiere decir que ella me caiga mal porque el tipo se aprovechó de su inexperiencia e ingenuidad y créanme ella vive con culpa.
Anyway, el punto es que ella ya está otra vez en citas pero ella se siente atraída por Devon mejor amigo de su cuñado y ahora de ella pero él sólo la ve como su amiga y a alguien que tiene que proteger por lo que la ayuda a escoger a sus citas y darles el punto bueno lo que ella no sabe es que él también se siente atraído por ella.
Me gustaron mucho los dos, es que ella a pesar de ser esa chica nerd, tiene su lado salvaje y una gran imaginación y no se me hizo la típica nerd aburrida, ella era muy divertida y Devon era bien lindo, la relación de ellos fue lo que más me gustó porque eran amigos, se divertían tenían una gran química, obviamente había mucha tensión sexual, eran una pareja muy cute.
El final me gustó mucho y espero que la autora siga con la serie que ha sido mis libros favoritos de ella.
Si el primer libro me había gustado, éste me gustó más.
Devon y Giselle son personajes secundarios del primer libro, él es el mejor amigo de Jack y el mejor receptor abierto del país, es un mujeriego y no tiene relaciones serias y Giselle es hermana de Elena una chica inteligente, medio freak.
Giselle tiene poco que terminó su relación con su prometido porque éste la engañó pero aparte era el novio de su hermana que por si fuera poco los cachó besándose, so sorry pero el Karma is a bitch y esas cosas no se hacen pero no quiere decir que ella me caiga mal porque el tipo se aprovechó de su inexperiencia e ingenuidad y créanme ella vive con culpa.
Anyway, el punto es que ella ya está otra vez en citas pero ella se siente atraída por Devon mejor amigo de su cuñado y ahora de ella pero él sólo la ve como su amiga y a alguien que tiene que proteger por lo que la ayuda a escoger a sus citas y darles el punto bueno lo que ella no sabe es que él también se siente atraído por ella.
Me gustaron mucho los dos, es que ella a pesar de ser esa chica nerd, tiene su lado salvaje y una gran imaginación y no se me hizo la típica nerd aburrida, ella era muy divertida y Devon era bien lindo, la relación de ellos fue lo que más me gustó porque eran amigos, se divertían tenían una gran química, obviamente había mucha tensión sexual, eran una pareja muy cute.
El final me gustó mucho y espero que la autora siga con la serie que ha sido mis libros favoritos de ella.
April 25, 2021
Amazing!!
Ilsa Madden-Mills, you're a magician who does magic with her writing and storytelling ❤️
Devon, the star footballer who had it all until he met Giselle and realised what he's missing.
The journey from being a lost abandoned boy to the most loving husband was beyond words🥺
Giselle you crazy crazy girl. You are the perfect example why I love my heroines to be strong and intelligent.
Writing style : 5/5
Plot : 4.5/5
Characters : 5/5
Ilsa Madden-Mills, you're a magician who does magic with her writing and storytelling ❤️
Devon, the star footballer who had it all until he met Giselle and realised what he's missing.
The journey from being a lost abandoned boy to the most loving husband was beyond words🥺
Giselle you crazy crazy girl. You are the perfect example why I love my heroines to be strong and intelligent.
Writing style : 5/5
Plot : 4.5/5
Characters : 5/5
October 15, 2022
4.5 butterfly, forced proximity, lose-her-v stars
Another virgin heroine/manhooooar hero book… but somehow, it worked for me.
Giselle’s (23/24) a doctoral student, alien sm*t writer, and wants to get rid of her v. At this point, she feels like it’s a burden more than an accolade. So what does she do? She starts dating men to find potential partners to be intimate with. The book opens up with her on a disastrous date with an irksome man. Things aren’t going great… and then she falls, just like her bad luck would have it. But Devon helps her 👀.
Devon (28) saves the day by taking her to the VIP room of the club he owns and checking her knees 🥰. Just because he’s hot ASF and a football player doesn’t mean he can’t see when a woman like Giselle needs help, especially since she’s his best friend‘s sister-in-law. She tells him of her plans to date people and he wants to set her up with people that aren’t strangers. So she agrees. And then the fire happens 😅.
Devon, being the sweet man that he is, offers his place since she’s temporarily homeless. Let the forced proximity tension begin 😉.
I loooved the OMD😅🙃👏🏻. Not only do we see her date multiple men, but Devon gets super jealous each time she does 😂. He’s protective of her but he’s also possessive, in a subtle way. It gets to the point that she actually dances with her childhood crush on purpose in order to get a rise out of him, and it works 😈. Shoot, even his teammate wanted to try to woo her 👀😅. But Devon wasn’t going to give him the opportunity 😉. I love his JPness 💅.
Her mom, aunt and even Myrtle are HILARIOUS 🤣. I need her mom to talk to my mom about changing the way she prays, because, OMG, I was dying 🤣💀 (and it totally added points to this book lol).
Devon had a rough childhood that’s affected his adulthood 😏. His father hasn’t been a reliable or constant figure in his life and it has given him abandonment issues. He had one serious relationship seven years before that didn’t end well 😬. Because of this, he finds it hard to commit, which is why Jack (his best friend) wants him away from Giselle 😬.
I also loved how close Devon and Giselle got. Their quiet moments, their love (her love) for Shark Week and her books and the random scientific info she would say. It brought so much cuteness to their relationship.
THE SPIDER SCENE HAD ME 🤣🤣🤣💀.
And then the steam 🔥. This is slow burn (first real kiss at 43% and smex at 75%), but there’s so much TENSION🥵. Even when he sleepily touches her… ahem… private area, it was 🔥. We even get a “just the tip” scene 👀😅.
But we also get some swoony moments too 🥹❤️. I actually felt like HE fell harder than she did first 👀. He was vulnerable many times.
There were a few things that came in towards the end that had me wondering why they were even in it. One might have been for closure purposes, and I guess the other one was for clarity reasons? I was left scratching my head though.
Also, I wish we had more on her educational outcome or maybe actually saw what became of this.
The epilogue is super cute, which added points for me lol.
Overall, I really enjoyed it ❤️
⚠️ safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd
-virgin h/reformed manwhore
-h goes on different dates with different OM. One is the one the H set her up with before they even makeout. Another one her friend set her up with. When she dances with OM3 he hulks it out 😈💅
-H’s ex comes into town and she looks for him. He feels nothing for her and says no to a lunch date
-alcoholic father
-no c0nd0ms/on the pill
-HEA/epilogue years later
Another virgin heroine/manhooooar hero book… but somehow, it worked for me.
Giselle’s (23/24) a doctoral student, alien sm*t writer, and wants to get rid of her v. At this point, she feels like it’s a burden more than an accolade. So what does she do? She starts dating men to find potential partners to be intimate with. The book opens up with her on a disastrous date with an irksome man. Things aren’t going great… and then she falls, just like her bad luck would have it. But Devon helps her 👀.
Devon (28) saves the day by taking her to the VIP room of the club he owns and checking her knees 🥰. Just because he’s hot ASF and a football player doesn’t mean he can’t see when a woman like Giselle needs help, especially since she’s his best friend‘s sister-in-law. She tells him of her plans to date people and he wants to set her up with people that aren’t strangers. So she agrees. And then the fire happens 😅.
Devon, being the sweet man that he is, offers his place since she’s temporarily homeless. Let the forced proximity tension begin 😉.
I loooved the OMD😅🙃👏🏻. Not only do we see her date multiple men, but Devon gets super jealous each time she does 😂. He’s protective of her but he’s also possessive, in a subtle way. It gets to the point that she actually dances with her childhood crush on purpose in order to get a rise out of him, and it works 😈. Shoot, even his teammate wanted to try to woo her 👀😅. But Devon wasn’t going to give him the opportunity 😉. I love his JPness 💅.
Her mom, aunt and even Myrtle are HILARIOUS 🤣. I need her mom to talk to my mom about changing the way she prays, because, OMG, I was dying 🤣💀 (and it totally added points to this book lol).
Devon had a rough childhood that’s affected his adulthood 😏. His father hasn’t been a reliable or constant figure in his life and it has given him abandonment issues. He had one serious relationship seven years before that didn’t end well 😬. Because of this, he finds it hard to commit, which is why Jack (his best friend) wants him away from Giselle 😬.
I also loved how close Devon and Giselle got. Their quiet moments, their love (her love) for Shark Week and her books and the random scientific info she would say. It brought so much cuteness to their relationship.
THE SPIDER SCENE HAD ME 🤣🤣🤣💀.
And then the steam 🔥. This is slow burn (first real kiss at 43% and smex at 75%), but there’s so much TENSION🥵. Even when he sleepily touches her… ahem… private area, it was 🔥. We even get a “just the tip” scene 👀😅.
But we also get some swoony moments too 🥹❤️. I actually felt like HE fell harder than she did first 👀. He was vulnerable many times.
There were a few things that came in towards the end that had me wondering why they were even in it. One might have been for closure purposes, and I guess the other one was for clarity reasons? I was left scratching my head though.
Also, I wish we had more on her educational outcome or maybe actually saw what became of this.
The epilogue is super cute, which added points for me lol.
Overall, I really enjoyed it ❤️
⚠️ safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd
-virgin h/reformed manwhore
-h goes on different dates with different OM. One is the one the H set her up with before they even makeout. Another one her friend set her up with. When she dances with OM3 he hulks it out 😈💅
-H’s ex comes into town and she looks for him. He feels nothing for her and says no to a lunch date
-alcoholic father
-no c0nd0ms/on the pill
-HEA/epilogue years later
November 19, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Friends to lovers and roommates to lovers.
WHAT ELSE COULD YOU WANT.
After a fire breaks out at her own place Giselle finds herself staying with her brother in law’s best friend and professional football player, Devon. She is twenty-four and a virgin and Devon has been warned against her but he’s struggling to resist her, in an attempt to push away the way he is feeling he steps into the role of wingman for Giselle, tagging along to her dates to help her vet them. The more they become friends the more they see they’re both craving more, they know they can’t but each other is oh so tempting.
I have read a book or two from this author before and really struggled to get into them but honestly really enjoyed this one so it was a pleasant surprise.
Okay so this is actually the second book in this series which I was not aware of until like half-way through but that honestly might have been a good thing. From what I can gather you really wouldn’t have liked Giselle in the previous book so honestly glad I started with this one. But I am totally going to go back and read the first one now.
I was engaged the whole way through this, there were points here and there which I felt maybe moved too quickly but overall it was super entertaining and kept me wanting to read it.
I loved Giselle, she’s obviously made some mistakes in her past and you can see her trying to find a way to forgive herself for what she had done. Her character was super sweet and adorably nerdy. We love a woman in STEM who is also using that knowledge to write a space romance. Devon !!! The way he treated Giselle was so endearing he didn’t hesitate to give her a place to stay and was so protective of her but never in a way that went overly creepy.
Their romantic connection was a supreme slow burn it took them a while to get there and then when they did it felt super rushed but honestly didn’t even mind. Their romantic connection was super present and believable and I loved how soft they were with each other. Again the drama at the end of the book was pretty quick but entertaining nonetheless.
Overall I honestly really enjoyed reading this and I certainly hadn’t been expecting that but am looking forward to reading the first one in this series now and giving this author another shot.
Friends to lovers and roommates to lovers.
WHAT ELSE COULD YOU WANT.
After a fire breaks out at her own place Giselle finds herself staying with her brother in law’s best friend and professional football player, Devon. She is twenty-four and a virgin and Devon has been warned against her but he’s struggling to resist her, in an attempt to push away the way he is feeling he steps into the role of wingman for Giselle, tagging along to her dates to help her vet them. The more they become friends the more they see they’re both craving more, they know they can’t but each other is oh so tempting.
I have read a book or two from this author before and really struggled to get into them but honestly really enjoyed this one so it was a pleasant surprise.
Okay so this is actually the second book in this series which I was not aware of until like half-way through but that honestly might have been a good thing. From what I can gather you really wouldn’t have liked Giselle in the previous book so honestly glad I started with this one. But I am totally going to go back and read the first one now.
I was engaged the whole way through this, there were points here and there which I felt maybe moved too quickly but overall it was super entertaining and kept me wanting to read it.
I loved Giselle, she’s obviously made some mistakes in her past and you can see her trying to find a way to forgive herself for what she had done. Her character was super sweet and adorably nerdy. We love a woman in STEM who is also using that knowledge to write a space romance. Devon !!! The way he treated Giselle was so endearing he didn’t hesitate to give her a place to stay and was so protective of her but never in a way that went overly creepy.
Their romantic connection was a supreme slow burn it took them a while to get there and then when they did it felt super rushed but honestly didn’t even mind. Their romantic connection was super present and believable and I loved how soft they were with each other. Again the drama at the end of the book was pretty quick but entertaining nonetheless.
Overall I honestly really enjoyed reading this and I certainly hadn’t been expecting that but am looking forward to reading the first one in this series now and giving this author another shot.
February 16, 2021
4 stars
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. So glad I gave it a shot... Such a sweet and sassy friends to lovers/roommates read.
RTC
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. So glad I gave it a shot... Such a sweet and sassy friends to lovers/roommates read.
RTC
August 20, 2021
As much as I enjoyed reading this for light read, Devon been wanting to rail Giselle for the longest time(about 40 pages or so). Why was he holding back? You guessed it: his past.
Giselle has been crushing on Devon since freshman year of college and they’re both grown now. She’s in grad school and he plays professionally.
They become best friends honestly, having inside jokes of having other universe and alter egos, IT IS SO CUTE. She’s a writer so she’s a dreamer and Devon is enamored by her smartness and her jokes.
“I clear my throat and ease an inch away. “Come on. What are we doing in this universe? Don’t make me a teenage girl.”
“You might not like it . . .” Her voice trails off.
“If I’m some ugly insect or demon, yeah, I may not, but help a guy out. I need a story to put me to bed.”
She laughs under her breath. “Are you sure?” Then: “Ohhhh, a demon universe—”
“Focus, woman. Hit me with your best one.”
“Fine. You’re a seven-foot purple-colored alien from Sector 4, the Triangulum Galaxy, 2.7 million light-years from Earth—”
“Is that a real place? Why am I purple?”
“Yes, it’s real, and purple is your favorite color.”
Giselle has been crushing on Devon since freshman year of college and they’re both grown now. She’s in grad school and he plays professionally.
They become best friends honestly, having inside jokes of having other universe and alter egos, IT IS SO CUTE. She’s a writer so she’s a dreamer and Devon is enamored by her smartness and her jokes.
“I clear my throat and ease an inch away. “Come on. What are we doing in this universe? Don’t make me a teenage girl.”
“You might not like it . . .” Her voice trails off.
“If I’m some ugly insect or demon, yeah, I may not, but help a guy out. I need a story to put me to bed.”
She laughs under her breath. “Are you sure?” Then: “Ohhhh, a demon universe—”
“Focus, woman. Hit me with your best one.”
“Fine. You’re a seven-foot purple-colored alien from Sector 4, the Triangulum Galaxy, 2.7 million light-years from Earth—”
“Is that a real place? Why am I purple?”
“Yes, it’s real, and purple is your favorite color.”
January 23, 2021
Me if I saw Devon in real life:
He's exactly my type, sweet, humble, and caring.
I love Ilsa's heroes, they are perfect.
About this book:
To be honest, I was a little bit hesitant to read it, cause for me, Giselle was the villain (people who read not my Romeo would understand), however, I grow to love her, she was actually sweet and innocent, and I loved her relationship with her sister Elena, it was beautiful, but you know what, everything about this book was beautiful, there were so many funny moments, I loved them so much.
This book was a combination of everything you'd like to read in a romance novel and the connection between Devon and Giselle
ugh, they were so cute!!!
I recommend it 100%!!
He's exactly my type, sweet, humble, and caring.
I love Ilsa's heroes, they are perfect.
About this book:
To be honest, I was a little bit hesitant to read it, cause for me, Giselle was the villain (people who read not my Romeo would understand), however, I grow to love her, she was actually sweet and innocent, and I loved her relationship with her sister Elena, it was beautiful, but you know what, everything about this book was beautiful, there were so many funny moments, I loved them so much.
This book was a combination of everything you'd like to read in a romance novel and the connection between Devon and Giselle
ugh, they were so cute!!!
I recommend it 100%!!
July 28, 2021
Here is my wish for 2021, I wish Ilsa Madden Mills could write a book for me every month or so...I mean I would be my most happiest of people and everyone would win. LOL I LOVE ILSA MADDEN MILLS. This story put it's claws in my heart from the first word and kept it prisoner until the words the end. Devon was so special, he has so much love and loyalty and just doesn't know how to fully give himself because of the hurt he has endured through his life. And Giselle was so fun and quirky. The perfect ying to his yang LOL and their friendship was so contagious I found myself not being able to put this book down. Ilsa Madden Mills is an auto read author for me and this story is part of the reason for that high praise. She is so brilliant at taking opposites and creating a world for them to blossom so beautifully. I loved every word in this. Every tension filled second and I can't wait for her next story. I will just be here waiting...xo
January 23, 2021
SERIES: The Game Changer no.2 ( it can be read as standalone)
GENRE: contemporary romance
TROPES: virgin heroine, friends to lovers, roommates/opposites to lovers, slow burn
CLIFFHANGER: no
TRIGGER WARNINGS: substance abuse by a family member
HOTTIE METER: 3🌡
RATING: 4,5 ⭐
SONGS: Taylor Swift- Delicate
Grace Carter- Wicked Game
Rita Ora- Only want you
Ariana Grande- Into You
first, this cover..
Devon stole the show here. He is an amazing hero. 100% perfect book boyfriend!!
Giselle didn't have a great reputation from book one so I expected a bit of redemption for her actions I mean the reasoning behind it is lame..also I am kind of tired of "smart women" being portrayed as aloof and shy and that being excuses for their actions..
that and her being NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS is the reason this is not a perfect five star read for me...
still, I enjoyed it and dialogue, side characters, and overall this book is fun... I appreciated the way the author dealt with her career and her professional life with interference to her private life...
This series has so many great side characters I wouldn't mind reading more in this series... Selena, Lawrence, Mike, Adrian...
GENRE: contemporary romance
TROPES: virgin heroine, friends to lovers, roommates/opposites to lovers, slow burn
CLIFFHANGER: no
TRIGGER WARNINGS: substance abuse by a family member
HOTTIE METER: 3🌡
RATING: 4,5 ⭐
SONGS: Taylor Swift- Delicate
Grace Carter- Wicked Game
Rita Ora- Only want you
Ariana Grande- Into You
first, this cover..
Devon stole the show here. He is an amazing hero. 100% perfect book boyfriend!!
Giselle didn't have a great reputation from book one so I expected a bit of redemption for her actions I mean the reasoning behind it is lame..also I am kind of tired of "smart women" being portrayed as aloof and shy and that being excuses for their actions..
that and her being NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS is the reason this is not a perfect five star read for me...
still, I enjoyed it and dialogue, side characters, and overall this book is fun... I appreciated the way the author dealt with her career and her professional life with interference to her private life...
This series has so many great side characters I wouldn't mind reading more in this series... Selena, Lawrence, Mike, Adrian...
October 1, 2024
I just cannot get enough of the charming town of Daisy and all of the quirky characters that inhabit it. Not My Romeo was one of my favorite reads of 2021, and Not My Match certain matches its delightful witty charisma while painting an original story that is fresh and addictive. Eccentric characters with a connection that sizzles, sexy banter, the perfect nexus of comedy and romantic angst, and a tender love story at its heart. I laughed, I swooned, and I was enchanted yet again. Not My Match is yet another reminder why Ilsa Madden-Mills will always be one of my unicorn authors- every story captures my heart. And Devon and Giselle did just that.
After not my Romeo, I was DYING for Devon’s story. He was the comedic support that stole every scene. And I loved him even more in Not My Match- he’s more than the easy going, jovial wingman we meet before. Devon is a BEAUTIFUL soul that had me swooning and awwing left and right. He’s the perfect hero- the right balance of possessive protectiveness and charismatic swagger with a tender, caring, and deeply loving heart behind it all. He easily stole my heart- and Giselle’s- with his unending GOODNESS. His past pains just tore at my heart. This man is so complex and compelling. Truly so dreamy- I am captivated by him and completely in love.
Ilsa’s characters are always so delightfully specific and quirky- and Giselle may be her most adorably eccentric heroine yet. She surprised me in every way- and to be honest, I was worried I couldn’t get behind her after the hurt she caused her sister in book one- but I LOVED HER. Like everyone else, I had put her in a box. I had decided who and what she as without even knowing her. She is so much more than anyone can know- until Devon sees her. She’s brilliant and incredibly smart and driven, but she’s also so funny, gentle, and full of spunk and heart. And she’s so delightfully interesting and contrasting- a brilliant scientist who is writing alien erotic romance, an academic with a penchant for endless random knowledge that she adorkably spews out at any moment, a nerdy introvert who is also sexy and alluring. How could you not love her? She has such a loving soul- and she just is desperate to find herself, to be free and open with all her thoughts and love. And she has SO much love. And Ilsa so smartly gives us some closure with her sister- addressing the elephant in a room that makes us love and understand Giselle even more.
These two are so different on paper- but they both just want to be seen and valued for who they are. And their connection is SO sexy, so sweet, and so well done. This is some of the best Ilsa chemistry to date (which is saying a lot because her chemistry is always impeccable). We get to watch these two grow as friends, evolve as they love and support each other, and we see them connect as people. The result is that their relationship is grounded in care and emotion- in a tender respect and admiration for each other- that makes it just sizzle off the page. And the slow burn made me even more ravenous- Ilsa works the anticipation on this one, and it is worth the wait. SWOON! They are so adorable- explosive but sweet, raw but comforting. I could not love them more. THEY ZING!
Giselle and Devon’s story is so heartfelt and sweet- and full of the witty humor and sexiness that I love about Ilsa’s writing and this series. Daisy and these characters capture me every team- I love being swept away into the world that Ilsa has created. It feels like coming home- warm, inviting, full of love and laughter, and never fails to put a smile on my face.
After not my Romeo, I was DYING for Devon’s story. He was the comedic support that stole every scene. And I loved him even more in Not My Match- he’s more than the easy going, jovial wingman we meet before. Devon is a BEAUTIFUL soul that had me swooning and awwing left and right. He’s the perfect hero- the right balance of possessive protectiveness and charismatic swagger with a tender, caring, and deeply loving heart behind it all. He easily stole my heart- and Giselle’s- with his unending GOODNESS. His past pains just tore at my heart. This man is so complex and compelling. Truly so dreamy- I am captivated by him and completely in love.
Ilsa’s characters are always so delightfully specific and quirky- and Giselle may be her most adorably eccentric heroine yet. She surprised me in every way- and to be honest, I was worried I couldn’t get behind her after the hurt she caused her sister in book one- but I LOVED HER. Like everyone else, I had put her in a box. I had decided who and what she as without even knowing her. She is so much more than anyone can know- until Devon sees her. She’s brilliant and incredibly smart and driven, but she’s also so funny, gentle, and full of spunk and heart. And she’s so delightfully interesting and contrasting- a brilliant scientist who is writing alien erotic romance, an academic with a penchant for endless random knowledge that she adorkably spews out at any moment, a nerdy introvert who is also sexy and alluring. How could you not love her? She has such a loving soul- and she just is desperate to find herself, to be free and open with all her thoughts and love. And she has SO much love. And Ilsa so smartly gives us some closure with her sister- addressing the elephant in a room that makes us love and understand Giselle even more.
These two are so different on paper- but they both just want to be seen and valued for who they are. And their connection is SO sexy, so sweet, and so well done. This is some of the best Ilsa chemistry to date (which is saying a lot because her chemistry is always impeccable). We get to watch these two grow as friends, evolve as they love and support each other, and we see them connect as people. The result is that their relationship is grounded in care and emotion- in a tender respect and admiration for each other- that makes it just sizzle off the page. And the slow burn made me even more ravenous- Ilsa works the anticipation on this one, and it is worth the wait. SWOON! They are so adorable- explosive but sweet, raw but comforting. I could not love them more. THEY ZING!
Giselle and Devon’s story is so heartfelt and sweet- and full of the witty humor and sexiness that I love about Ilsa’s writing and this series. Daisy and these characters capture me every team- I love being swept away into the world that Ilsa has created. It feels like coming home- warm, inviting, full of love and laughter, and never fails to put a smile on my face.
January 20, 2021
FIVE MATCH STARS for Giselle and Devon 💜🖤💜🖤!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
BEAUTIFUL!!!
Ilsa wrote another beautiful sports romance that stole my heart and I've read it with pleasure.
"Not My Match" is a contemporary sports romance with friends to lovers trope which will win you over with its funny action and irresistible characters already on the first pages.
Giselle is a female character that I loved immensely because of her positivity and openness and how at times she resembles me with her behavior that I was able to completely identify with the things she is going through.
Ah, I absolutely adored Devon!
Devon is a male character who won me over with his protective attitude towards the people he loves and because he supported Giselle’s dreams.
Giselle and Devon’s relationship is a real explosion based on friendly teasing that later turns into true love.
If you're looking for a contemporary sports romance with friends to lovers trope and you also love Ilsa's writing style, then this is definitely a book for you!!!
Highly recommended!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
BEAUTIFUL!!!
Ilsa wrote another beautiful sports romance that stole my heart and I've read it with pleasure.
"Not My Match" is a contemporary sports romance with friends to lovers trope which will win you over with its funny action and irresistible characters already on the first pages.
Giselle is a female character that I loved immensely because of her positivity and openness and how at times she resembles me with her behavior that I was able to completely identify with the things she is going through.
Ah, I absolutely adored Devon!
Devon is a male character who won me over with his protective attitude towards the people he loves and because he supported Giselle’s dreams.
Giselle and Devon’s relationship is a real explosion based on friendly teasing that later turns into true love.
If you're looking for a contemporary sports romance with friends to lovers trope and you also love Ilsa's writing style, then this is definitely a book for you!!!
Highly recommended!!!
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