Dillon McQueen: Babe. I promise. You want me.
Serena Jensen: Um, who are you?

There’s a legend at Waylon University: the first girl you kiss freshman year at the bonfire party is the one you’ll never forget. She’ll crawl under your skin and never leave. She’ll spark a passion so fierce you’ll burn the world down to possess her.

You might even put a ring on it.

As in all things with fate, timing is everything. That kiss can go horribly wrong. She might run in the opposite direction. And boy, did Serena run.

Dillon is Waylon’s hotshot quarterback with something to prove. All he wants is to graduate and make it to the NFL. What he doesn’t need is to finally meet the mystery girl he kissed at the bonfire freshman year. Isn’t it enough that she’s haunted his dreams for more than a thousand nights?

Fate laughs in his face when he runs into the quirky girl at the Piggly Wiggly. Surrounded by his entourage, he’s got all the Oreos in his cart; she gets revenge by buying every six-pack of his favorite beer.

Obviously, that legend is a curse. She’s not his type. She hates him. Worst of all, how can she not remember him when she left a Serena-shaped hole in his heart for the past three years?

So why can’t he stop trying to win her?

Will this quarterback score the girl or make the biggest fumble of his life?

Title: I Promise You
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Series: Standalone
Pages: 330
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, New Adult, Sports Romance
Hot Buttons: difficult childhood / death / miscarriage <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)


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Spectacular as always

5 stars

With this book Isla Madden-Mills takes us back to Waylon University (which is in Mississippi if I remember correctly), their football team and the women who bring the players to their knees. Some characters from her previous books do pop up, or are talked about as former team mates now graduated, but this book is a complete stand-alone.

But believe me, after reading this, you’re going to want to read absolutely EVERYTHING Ms Madden-Mills has ever written.

She’s got a way of writing a story that sucks you in from the very first. You’re there. You know these people and you can see what’s happening almost as if it’s happening right in front of you. But it’s her characters that are the stand out. We get so much richness and detail about them - but done in such a subtle way that you’re never overwhelmed with detail. Alongside that, their smart and realistic thoughts, inner monologues and banter, and you’ve got major feels for these characters in the blink of an eye.

Dillon is an absolute delight. Is he cocky? Sure. Is he drop-dead gorgeous? Absolutely. Is he a bit taken aback when Serena doesn’t immediately fall under his spell? Oh yes. But he’s got a vulnerability and enough emotional baggage to make him interesting and empathetic. Oh, and they way he gets nervous around Serena and starts getting really goofy and loses all his smoothness and charm was everything! You know a man feels something when he gets nervous around the girl he likes. Oh and the gift he gave Serena? *swoon*

Serena herself is the ultimate cool chick. She’s independent, spunky and likes Dillon for himself rather than his status. Well, after she stops thinking he’s an absolute douche, that is. A smokin’ hot douche - but a douche nonetheless. She also has baggage, and an understandable hesitation to put her trust in Dillon. But she’s smart with it, and I liked the way that she was sensible enough to listen and forgive people yet still stay true to her principles. And buying all the beer to stop Dillon getting any was the kind of passive aggressive shit that I can 100% get behind. I love it!

There’s a nice amount of sizzle in this book and I loved the sex scenes - especially as they mirrored the growing emotional intimacy between our couple. But it’s the moments when the pair are just having fun together - like paint ball or the safari trip - that made my heart sing. I even noticed myself randomly smiling at the book in the sweeter moments.

Ilsa Madden-Mills, for me, is the ultimate queen of the college new-adult romance and she’s definitely onto another winner with this book. She takes a couple who feel slightly damaged, and laden with emotional baggage, and gives them the ultimate happily ever after. True love is possible and it’s found between the pages of an Ilsa Madden-Mills book. I loved every second. A very enthusiastic 5 stars.

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AUTHOR BIO!

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.

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AUTHOR LINKS!

                

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Click to see other books by Ilsa Madden-Mills

We start off with a lie on Valentine’s Day.

My blind date isn’t the studious guy I expected: he’s a drop-dead gorgeous player with sinful amber eyes. Somehow we end up at his penthouse. I blame the gin and tonic.

The next day I learn he’s Jack Hawke—bad-boy professional quarterback with a murky past. The NDA he has me sign should be a warning that he isn’t a regular person. Please. I sign it Juliet Capulet, so goodbye, famous football player with abs of steel, and good luck tracking down this small-town librarian.

But Jack keeps showing up in places I least expect him. Just when I’m sure he’s gone, he waltzes into my community theater and wins the part of Romeo to my Juliet. How’s a plain, mostly innocent girl like me supposed to resist a man like him?

Is Jack my real Romeo…or will this gorgeous football player only break my heart?

Title: Not My Romeo
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Series: Standalone
Pages: 348
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, Sports Romance, Opposites Attract
Hot Buttons: Trauma due to childhood domestic abuse, childhood trauma (mother murdered and stepfather killed) <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

Release Date: 18th August, 2020

The perfect romance

5 stars

I love Ilsa Madden-Mills - her writing, her storytelling and the characters I am guaranteed to fall in love with. I’ve mostly read her new adult romances but this story is adult contemporary with 20-something hero and heroine. But fear not, it’s every bit as good as - if not better than - her NA books.

We start off with a hilariously adorable meet cute - and it’s clear from that first chapter that both our hero and heroine have, inadvertently changed each other’s lives in their short meeting. Oh, and things get heated very, very fast! It’s hilarious, hot and I was almost giddy with excitement with what was to come.

Elena was truly my kind of heroine. She was sassy, spunky and while she might see herself as slightly average, she has a wild streak that makes her a character I could both see myself in, but also really aspire to be more like. She was unapologetically quirky and in just being herself she managed to capture the interest of Jack.

Now let’s take a moment of silence to adore and worship the character that is Jack. He is my catnip. The absolutely best kind of hero ever to live. Normally I want a character for my very own…but Jack is made for Elena (and vice versa, obviously) so I wouldn’t even dream of desiring him. What I want is my own Jack. He’s hot, alpha, grumpy and has a cold, closed off demeanour. But that’s simply a smoke screen to hide a man who still has scars from a traumatic childhood, as well as someone who suffers from severe social anxiety. Oh, and of course his trust issues. I just wanted to hug the poor (gorgeous) man. I also feel there should be some kudos to Ms Madden-Mills for making Jack just as smart as Elena. No dumb jock here, thank goodness.

Whenever I read an Ilsa Madden Mills book, and I see how she writes the relationship between the hero and heroine, all I can think is “I want that”. Oh, I don’t mean the sex (although, uh - yes, please!) but the connection of the pairing. How perfect they are for each other. How much they want each other. How they see the other - all their quirks and imperfections - and just *get* them. I read a lot of romance, but it’s very rarely I love a couple while also thinking “this author really knows what true love is and how it feels”. It really gives you a wistful, yearning feeling while reading. And it’s everything.

Okay, I admit it - sometimes I flick through sex scenes in books. I love them, but at times I just want to read the story and skip the sexy shenanigans. Not so with this book. I read Every. Single. Word. Twice. And damn was it good. For them, for me, for everyone. So, so hot. Even as time - and their relationship - progressed, we never lose the heat but with each encounter comes more emotional connection and holy shit was I there for that.

The book is written from the perspective of both Jack and Elena, so we see both of their points-of-view, how they’re feeling and what they’re thinking. You can really see the emotions between our couple and although at times I wanted to hit Jack upside the head, I still totally understood his motivations for acting the way he did.

As I moved to the end of the book, I was surprised to realise I had tears rolling down my cheeks. It wasn’t just the resolution of Jack and Elena’s story, but the resolution of different aspects of our story. It made me happy, it made me sad (but not in a bad way) and it inspired me to be a bit more like Elena. And when Jack says Elena’s name during the play - I still go over that scene in my head and get butterflies. Perfection.

While the book focuses on our couple and their journey, the rest of the town of Daisy also stole my heart. I really hope we hear more about the Daisy Lady Gang and I am almost salivating at the thought of Devon getting his own story. He was just as swoon worthy as Jack and he definitely deserves to be given a run for his money by the woman of his dreams.

As always, Ilsa Madden-Mills pens a romance that is everything you could ever want. It’s got engaging characters, hot sex, laughs, crazy situations, deep emotions and - of course - true love. Ms Madden Mills is an absolute genius story-teller and I love the worlds and characters that she builds. This book is absolutely perfection and I love, love, loved every second of it. 5 stars.

 

 

 

BUY NOW!

 

 

AUTHOR BIO!

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.

 

AUTHOR LINKS!

                

Click to see other books by Ilsa Madden-Mills

We start off with a lie on Valentine’s Day.

My blind date isn’t the studious guy I expected: he’s a drop-dead gorgeous player with sinful amber eyes. Somehow we end up at his penthouse. I blame the gin and tonic.

The next day I learn he’s Jack Hawke—bad-boy professional quarterback with a murky past. The NDA he has me sign should be a warning that he isn’t a regular person. Please. I sign it Juliet Capulet, so goodbye, famous football player with abs of steel, and good luck tracking down this small-town librarian.

But Jack keeps showing up in places I least expect him. Just when I’m sure he’s gone, he waltzes into my community theater and wins the part of Romeo to my Juliet. How’s a plain, mostly innocent girl like me supposed to resist a man like him?

Is Jack my real Romeo…or will this gorgeous football player only break my heart?

Title: Not My Romeo
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Series: Standalone
Pages: 348
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, Sports Romance, Opposites Attract
Hot Buttons: tbc

Release Date: 18th August, 2020


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PRE-ORDER NOW!

 

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AUTHOR BIO!

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.

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AUTHOR LINKS!

                

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Click to see other books by Ilsa Madden-Mills

The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world—until one of them destroyed me.

The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them.

Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer: Knox, the scarred quarterback and their leader, Dane, his twin brother, or Chance, the ex who dumped me...


Dear Ava,

Your eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea.

That’s stupid.

What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL.

It’s been ten months since you were here, but I can’t forget you.

I’ve missed seeing you walk down the hall.

I’ve missed you cheering at my football games.

I’ve missed the smell of your hair.

The truth is, I wanted you back then—but you had him.

And then everything fell apart that night.

Don’t hate me because I’m a Shark.

I just want to make you mine.

Still.

Title: Dear Ava
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Series: Standalone
Pages: 374
Genre(s): Contemporary, US, New Adult, Enemies-to-lovers, High School romance
Hot Buttons: sexual assault / rape (not shown on page) but aftermath definitely is / mental health issues / bullying / child abuse (including sexual abuse) / drug abuse / child abandonment  <---- Please highlight to reveal
Release Date: 3rd February, 2020


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I am a huge fan of Ilsa Madden-Mills and her writing. She writes with a seemingly effortless style that is unbelievably absorbing. Before you know it, you’re in the story and with her characters and unlikely to come up for air until the bitter end.

Having said that, I would say that this book isn’t for everyone. It’s the most angsty book of Ms Madden-Mills and touches heavily on the subject of sexual assault/rape and somewhat less so on the subjects of mental health problems, bullying, suicide, drug-abuse and child abuse. But unless those are your particular triggers, please don’t let that put you off this book.

Ava is our main character - the charity-case, scholarship girl at the rich school. And she’s just returned to her school after a break of almost a year. Now a pariah due to a devastating incident the previous year, the story follows Ava as she struggles with her past life, her new life and all while uncovering her feelings for the head of the Sharks, Knox.

Knox has problems of his own what with his brother, his best-friend, his parents…and that’s on top of his determination to find out what really happened to Ava last year. Ava - the girl that he shouldn’t want but can’t seem to stop himself.

Both Ava and Knox are really likeable characters - both very interesting and complex, and hugely relatable. They both have vulnerabilities that are, at times, heart wrenching, but neither ever come across as self-pitying or ‘woe is me’. Of course I’m going to side with Ava and think that Knox acted like an ass at times - okay, a lot of the time - but as we get to know him as Ava does, you understand him a little more with each page.

There’s a nice amount of heat with our couple - who definitely have an amazing chemistry and tension. Ilsa Madden-Mills definitely has that knack of giving you butterflies in your stomach and they are all but fluttering whenever Ava and Knox get into their angry flirting. And when they have sex. And when they’re texting. All the time, really!

As I mentioned, the book does deal with, and touch on, some heavy subject matter. However, there is no huge detail or gratuitousness associated with any of it. The fact that it still manages to give you such an emotional punch is really quite amazing, if slightly uncomfortable in places. But such subjects probably always should be.

I love Ilsa Madden-Mills and her writing - she’s one of the reasons why I got into young adult / new adult romances and why I’ve grown to love them so much. I really enjoyed this story, too, although it was maybe a little bit too angsty to become a firm favourite of mine. If you enjoy Ms Madden-Mills’ work, are a fan of angsty romance or young adult romance then I would recommend this story to you. You will likely get as lost in it as I did. 4 stars from me.

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EXCERPT!

“What do you want?” Knox says with as sneer as I ease in the football locker room. Cold eyes flick over my cheer skirt then move up and land on the hollow of my throat. It’s not cool enough at night for our sweater uniform so tonight my top is the red and white V-cut vest with CP embroidered on my chest.

“Where’s Chance?”

He whips off his sweat-covered jersey along with the pads underneath. “I don’t keep tabs on my best friend for you. Get out—before I scare you.”

He’s scaring me already.

But I can’t stop looking at him.

His shoulders are broad and wide, his chest lightly dusted with sparse golden hair, tan from the sun, rippling with powerful muscles, leading down to a tapered and trim waist. He has a visible six-pack, and my gaze lingers briefly on a small tattoo on his hip, but I can’t tell what it is. He isn’t brawny or beefy-looking like one might expect from a guy blessed with his athletic prowess, but sculpted and molded and—

Dropping my gaze, I stare at the floor. I shouldn’t be ogling him. Chance is my maybe-boyfriend.
I hear male laughter from one of the rooms that branch off from the locker room, maybe the showers, and I deflate, guessing that’s where Chance is. 

Glancing up, I intend to ask him to tell Chance I came by to congratulate him on his two touchdowns, but my voice is frozen. Knox has unlaced his grass-stained pants and is shucking them off. His legs are heavily muscled and taut, unlike the leaner build of Chance. His underwear are white and tight, cupping his hard ass, the outline of his crotch—

“Like what you see, charity case? You can look, but you can’t touch.”

Anger soars, replacing my embarrassment. I know I'm just the scholarship girl at Camden, but why does he have to constantly remind me? 

“Don't worry about me touching anything. I don’t like ugly.” The words tumble out before I can stop them. I meant his superior attitude, not his face, but I see the moment when he freezes and takes it the wrong way. 

He touches his face, tracing his scar while his jaw pops. “Get the hell out. Only players allowed in here.” 

I pivot and go for the door, forcing myself not to run. “Asshole,” I mutter.

His laughter follows me.


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AUTHOR BIO!

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.

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AUTHOR LINKS!

                

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click to see other books by Ilsa Madden-Mills