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5 Stars / Contemporary / New Adult / Review

Review: Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills

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?

Title:Not My Match
Author:Ilsa Madden-Mills
Series:The Game Changers (Book 2)
Pages:304
Genre(s):Contemporary, New Adult
Trope(s):Friends to Lovers
Opposites Attract
Sports Romance (American Football)
Point of View:First Person, Present Tense, Dual Viewpoint (H & h)
Location:USA
HEA:✔
Release Date:19th January, 2021
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Oh my stars!

Ilsa Madden-Mills is one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for an involving, emotional, sexy and romantic read. However, she manages to surprise me with every new book – each one surpassing my expectations and somehow being better than the last.

This is the story of superstar (and super hot) American football player, Devon, and slightly nerdy, slightly cool scientist, Giselle. The pair are acquaintances through Devon’s best friend and Giselle’s sister getting married. Acquaintance turns to friendship then a tentative attraction and finally, full blown combustion.

After I’d read the book I noticed that it’s being billed as a slow-burn romance and yes, I suppose it is. However, there is so much sexual tension, growing feelings and a soul-deep friendship being built that it feels hot and heavy almost from the first. This pair are soulmates and boy can you feel it. It’s deliciously everything.

Giselle was something of an anomaly in a romance. She was quirky, funny, vulnerable and absolutely hilarious. The way her mind worked and how she thought things through – I’m not sure I’ve ever loved a heroine more. I identified with her so much – although I sadly don’t have my own Devon in my life. Equally, I found her so refreshing and inspiring. She was smart and driven and so loving. So wonderful.

“This pair are soulmates and boy can you feel it. It’s deliciously everything.”

And Devon was equally the perfect kind of hero. He was alpha, grouchy, funny, sweet and very sexy. But he was also very layered and very vulnerable. He tried to fight it but he couldn’t stop himself from wanting Giselle and loving every little thing about her. The way he found her delightful. Supported and protected her. Cheered on her dreams. The way they teased and pranked each other. It was true love and a true friendship. Each and every time he called her ‘baby’, I melted. With every emotion I fell in love as they did.

With the chemistry that Devon and Giselle had, is it any surprise that my kindle smoked during the sex scenes? But as I mentioned, it’s also the kisses, touches, laughter and looks (level 5 gaze – 10+ seconds) that make this a super sexy read. While I love that in a story, the actual romance was how this book was won. It was, simply, perfection.

This is the second book in the Game Changers series after Not My Romeo. Devon and Giselle appear briefly in that book – just as Jack and Elena appear briefly in this one. As do a whole host of the characters who appeared in the first book. Daisy Lady Gang for life.

Having said that, this book does stand alone and if you haven’t read Not My Romeo, this one will still be enjoyable make perfect sense. (But seriously, read Not My Romeo – it’s great!) There are also so many characters I want to get their own stories. And serious question – when are we getting to read Vureck and Kate’s story?

Every single time I pick up an Ilsa Madden-Mills book I’m blown away with how quickly I fall into the world she creates. How easily I care for her characters and make them part of my life. How much I adore the story she tells. I finished this book not an hour ago and I’m already in serious withdrawal. I highly recommend this book – you will not be disappointed.

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her contemporary romances ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Seven of her ten novels have placed in the Amazon US Store Top Six Best-seller List: Dirty English hit #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You hit #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things all placed #6 in the Amazon US Store. The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, hit #4.

A former high school English teacher, 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.

https://www.mayahughes.comhttps://www.instagram.com/mayahugheswrites/ https://www.goodreads.com/mayahughes https://twitter.com/mhugheswriteshttps://www.facebook.com/mayahughesauthorThis image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Bookbub-Small.png

Game Changers Series:

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