⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ REVIEW: Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills

This took a little while to grow on me, but once it did, I was LOVING it. I love an adorably unsure alpha who is in over his head, and that’s exactly what happens with Devon. It’s sweet and swoony with a slow burn that turns scorching later on, making this a read that will put you through a range of emotions. Personally, I think this reads better if you pretend the first book in the series never happened, because the author wrote herself into a bit of a corner with that one. This only stumbles when it’s referencing things that happened prior to the start of this book, and they’re largely irrelevant to this love story. Devon stole my heart from the beginning, and Giselle won me over by the end.

The story follows Devon, a pro football player who is used to people leaving him. He avoids emotional entanglements and prefers to keep things casual, but there’s one (very off-limits) woman who has intrigued him recently. Giselle is one of a kind – she’s a science nerd, a highly intelligent yet slightly naive woman, and… is a little desperate to turn in her v-card. Giselle is convinced that the sexy athlete has placed her in the friend zone (or at least the off-limits zone), so she’s looking elsewhere. But when they become unexpected roommates, everything changes.

I love this author’s work, but the first book in this series was not really a winner for me – and it also doesn’t paint the best picture of Giselle. So I know that a lot of fans are hesitant going into this love story, but (thankfully) it’s easy to ignore the events of the first book once the setup is out of the way. That’s probably why this took a little longer to hook me in, but once I got into it, there was no turning back. I loved the vulnerable moments between these two and the slow, delicious burn. The emotional connection is the centerpiece here, and it really shines towards the end. There’s fantastic chemistry and banter throughout, but the back half is what earns this 5 stars. The characters are complex, with real, relatable issues, and anyone who loves a marshmallow-hearted alpha will fall for Devon. I received an early copy via NetGalley (then purchased it for my collection), and am voluntarily leaving a review of this sexy, slow burn romance.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3irEhPf

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Blurb:

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?

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3irEhPf

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Start the series today!

If you’re interested in reading the series in order, you can start with Not My Romeo. While it wasn’t my favorite from the author (it’s actually a DNF that I’ll get back to at some point), it still provides some insight into both Devon and Giselle.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/38YD1QF

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About the Author:

Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #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.

Connect with Ilsa

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Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com

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