ARC Review: I Bet You by Ilsa Madden-Mills

I Bet You is the second book in the Hook Up series by Ilsa Madden-Mills, but each book is easily read as a standalone story. I really enjoyed this book and honestly it was just one of those refreshingly fun reads that I liked from start to finish. It was exactly the right book to break up the more serious books I’ve read recently and had so much fun reading it! 

Penelope has been crushing on the perfect guy for her, and football star Ryker knows just how to help her get him. All he needs is a little help from her to win him a bet. Of course he doesn’t tell her his true intentions for helping her, but as they start to spend more time together things begin to change between them. Penelope doesn’t date football players, but Ryker is determined to get her to see that while he might not look like the perfect guy for her, they belong together. 

I loved Ryker and Penelope. They were so much fun to read about and I really enjoyed seeing the cat and mouse play between them. Ryker was sexy and sweet, and I loved that he didn’t let Penelope to get away with anything. He kept her on her toes and forced her to face things she tried to avoid. Penelope was great. She was easy to like and relate to, and I felt for her. These two were perfect for one another and their banter was something I couldn’t get enough of. 

Overall, this was a great story. I loved the characters and their friends. There was just so much to love here, and I felt like it was genuine and original. It didn’t fall into the typical traps that NA books do, with the characters being mature and relatable. I think readers will love Ryker and Penelope and I honestly can’t wait for more from Ilsa Madden-Mills. I’m really hoping for a Blaze and Charisma book next!

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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ARC Review: I Dare You by Ilsa Madden-Mills

I Dare You is the first book in the Hook Up Series by Ilsa Madden-Mills, and I loved it! This was a great start to the series and honestly just might be my favorite book from Ilsa yet. I read it in one sitting and really enjoyed it from start to finish. This book was sweet and sexy and I couldn’t get enough of how funny and cute it was. 

At first glance Delaney and Maverick have nothing in common. She is a nerdy good girl and he is a popular football player that all the girls want. But the two share a kiss their freshman year before going their separate ways. Now a few years later, Delaney has sworn off athletes after her boyfriend cheated on her, but when a late night text on a lonely Valentine’s Day comes in, she finds herself drawn in. Though she doesn’t know who “badass athlete” is, he knows her, and he is determined to do whatever it takes to win her over. When the truth comes out and secrets are revealed, will it destroy any chance they have of something together? 

I loved both Delaney and Maverick. I loved that they were unique and weren’t your cookie cutter NA characters. They were likable and fun and easy to relate to and root for. You couldn’t help be drawn in by them, and I was hooked from the very first page. Delaney was nerdy and fun, sweet and perfect for Mav. He was sexy and sweet, and I loved his determination and loyalty. He was so caring and would do anything for those he loved, there was so much to him and I was glad that we got to see his different layers. I really thought that these two were perfect for one another and they just worked, even if you wouldn’t imagine it at first glance. 

This book was a lot of fun to read and I found myself not wanting to put it down. I loved the secondary characters as much as Delaney and Mav, and I am really looking forward to reading more in this series. It has been a long time since I have read and loved a New Adult story as much as this one, but it was such a great story and I think it will be one many readers love like I did. Sweet, Sexy, funny and heartfelt, this book had it all! A must read for fans of Ilsa Madden-Mills and fans of sports romance/NA stories.

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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ARC Review: The Last Guy by Ilsa Madden-Mills and Tia Louise

I couldn't wait to read The Last Guy by Ilsa Madden-Mills and Tia Louise. I have really enjoyed books from each of these authors writing solo, so I figured they would make a great writing team as well and I was not wrong. I enjoyed this book from start to finish, reading it in only one sitting. It was a solid story that was well written, and Ilsa and Tia's writing styles meshed seamlessly.

Rebecca Fieldstone has been working for years to take her reporting career to the next level by getting the weekend anchor position. The last thing she has time for is the former NFL star Cade Hill recently turned sports director and his arrogant attitude. But she also can't stop thinking about him and how sexy he is. Cade isn't interested in an office romance, but when a steamy night between them turns out to be the hottest sex of their lives, both Cade and Rebecca find it impossible to ignore what is happening between them. Though Rebecca is determined to remain just friends, Cade will stop at nothing to show her that he is the guy for her. 

I really liked both Cade and Rebecca. I felt the chemistry between them right away, and I couldn't get enough of their banter. I loved seeing them circle around one another and come to terms with the attraction between them and their growing feelings. These two had a great connection that surprised both of them, and I really enjoyed seeing them get to know one another and not just make assumptions about who the other was. Cade and Rebecca were hot together and I also loved the dirty talk. These two just clicked on every level, and they were so great for one another. 

Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot. My only complaint here is that things were pretty predictable and at times it felt like there wasn't really anything new being offered here. I still really enjoyed the story though and had a great time reading it. Ilsa Madden-Mills and Tia Louise are talented writers on their own, and together they made a great team. I would definitely read more from them in the future. If you are looking for a fun and sexy office romance, this story is definitely worth checking out!

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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ARC Review: Fake Fiancee by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Seeing as how I love the NA genre, I am a fan of Ilsa Madden-Mills. The books I have read by her are always entertaining and I couldn't wait to dive into this one. That being said, this was not my favorite books of hers and sadly I have to say that this might actually be my least favorite of hers to date. I had quite a few issues here and that kept me from being able to fully enjoy Fake Fiancee. 

Max is a star quarterback and Sunny is his neighbor. When he discovers they have a class together, he offers her a ride. But when they walk in together, everyone starts to question who she is and why they are together. Max views it as the perfect opportunity to keep the football groupies and his ex at bay, but both Sunny and Max quickly realize that what started as fake has now become real. 

I have to admit that I had a hard time relating to these characters. I didn't click with Max at first because it seemed like he really didn't care about anything but football, but he never seemed to really get beyond that for me. Sunny was likable, yet unremarkable. There wasn't anything to really stand out about her, and I found myself just not invested in either of these characters or their relationship. There was no big revelation about them meeting back up after three years after they first met, and I just kept waiting for it only to be disappointed. Their relationship and this book felt like so many other NA stories that I have read before, with nothing special to set it apart.

I also felt like there was so much telling here rather than showing, and it never felt like we saw much happen. I wanted to feel their connection and the emotions as well as chemistry between them, and I don't think that ever really happened. Overall, this just wasn't what I had been hoping for or expecting. I kept reading because I have loved books by Ilsa before. But this one just fell flat for me and didn't seem to have been executed the way I know Ilsa Madden-Mills normally does. I wanted to love it, but sadly this one was just okay and easily forgotten once finished.

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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ARC Review: Filthy English by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Filthy English is the second book in the English series by Ilsa Madden-Mills. Each book is a standalone story, though they are interconnected. After reading Dirty English, I couldn't wait for more of this world. I was so excited when I found out that we were getting Dax's story, and I really enjoyed it. 

Dax and Remi had once found out that a relationship between them would never work, despite their feelings for one another. Years passed and they moved on though they both thought of each other often. But when Remi is left at the altar by her fiance, she goes on her honeymoon to London alone with plans to get drunk and forget about her fiance. But Remi is shocked to run into Dax, and once she does her plans change. Remi intends to move on and she knows Dax is exactly the man to help her do it. 

I liked Dax a lot, and I was so hoping we would get his story. He is sexy and charming, and impossible to resist. He is a tattooed bad boy that you can't get enough of, yet he also had an unexpected soft side that we got to see occasionally. I loved how intense he could be at times, but what really got to me was seeing his vulnerability because it wasn't something that showed often. I did have some issues with Remi. While I liked her at times, I did get frustrated with her because of her wishy washy feelings about her ex. Her inability to make up her mind got on my nerves and sort of soured me on her character.

I thought that Dax and Remi had a ton of chemistry and were perfect for one another, but I could have done without her ex being in the story as much as he was. It felt a bit forced at times and as though it was done at times just for the drama. I still liked this story, and it is definitely worth the read for Dax alone. I just wish that Remi had been a bit stronger of a character and hadn't come across as weak as she did at times. I do love how this is a modern take on Romeo and Juliet and that it was new and different while still delivering everything that readers know and love of the classic story. I love a good forbidden story and thought that this was a unique take on that. I know I will read more from Ilsa Madden-Mills in the future, and I would recommend this series to readers who enjoy contemporary romance, especially those that love the NA genre.

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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Feature and Giveaway: Filthy English by Ilsa Madden-Mills

A smokin’ hot British player…

A jilted girl…

One night of mistaken identity…

Two weeks before her wedding, Remi Montague’s fiancé drops her faster than a drunken sorority girl in stilettos. Armed with her best friend and a bottle of tequila, she hops a plane to London to drown her sorrows before fall semester begins at Whitman University.

She didn't plan on attending a masquerade party.

She sure didn’t plan on waking up next to the British bad boy who broke her heart three years ago—the devastatingly handsome and naked Dax Blay. Furthermore, she has no clue how they acquired matching tattoos.

Once back at Whitman together, they endeavor to pretend they never had their night of unbridled passion in London.

But that’s damn hard to do when you live in the same house…

One night. Two damaged hearts. The passion of a lifetime.

Purchase: | Amazon |

RFTC I've Got a Secret Event with Author Ilsa Madden-Mills

New York Times and USA Today best selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap.

She's addicted to dystopian books and all things fantasy, including unicorns and sword-wielding females. Other fascinations include frothy coffee beverages, dark chocolate, Instagram, Ian Somerhalder (seriously hot), astronomy (she's a Gemini), Sephora make-up, homemade soups, and tattoos.

She has a degree in English and a Master's in Education.

When she's not pecking away on her computer, she shops for cool magnets, paints old furniture, and eats her weight in sushi.

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Dirty English by Ilsa Madden-Mills

I have been super excited to read Dirty English by Ilsa Madden-Mills since the moment I first heard about it. I absolutely love the cover, and the blurb made this a must read for me. The story itself was really good as well, and I couldn't put it down. I loved Declan and Elizabeth, even if there were a few things here that I had some issues with. I did really like the story though, and I found myself overlooking some of the things that drove me nuts because I just couldn't get enough of these characters together. 

Elizabeth Bennett lives with a set of rules that she never breaks due to her painful past. She doesn't date and she has no interest in love. She has no problem with one night stands though, assuming that the guy isn't drinking and isn't super good looking or popular. But then she meets the sexy Brit fighter Declan Blay, also known as the best looking guy on campus and exactly what she should stay away from. With Declan being her new neighbor and them having class together, they find themselves getting to know one another and despite everything Elizabeth wants Declan. So when they end up spending one steamy night together, she is ready to end things even though she actually wants more. But Declan knows that the connection between them is so much more, and he is determined to show her that they belong together.

I really loved Declan here, even though I did have some problems with him. He was sexy and protective, and I loved how he was always looking out for Elizabeth. He was a great guy with her and was supportive, caring and sweet. There were some times though that he came off as a bit weak though, and for all his support he would also have moments that he seemed to not be understanding at all. It was hard to look past those wishy washy moments, but I did really like him. Elizabeth was smart and sassy and I loved how she was able to be so upfront and open about what she wanted. She was pretty funny, and I loved her rambling whenever Declan was around. But she also had her moments where she was pretty bitchy as well, and I really didn't enjoy that. She had been through a lot and I understood her reluctance to trust because of that. However I didn't feel like that was an excuse for some of her actions here, and Declan wasn't giving her any reason to doubt him. The chemistry between these two was great and you could see just how much these two felt for one another. It was good to see that they were getting to know one another as well though, and I really felt like the connection they were building was very real and believable.

I will say that besides the few issues I had with the characters, the other thing that really bothered me was the fact that there were so many outside influences that affected their relationship. There were so many other people that were constantly interfering and that got pretty old here. I thought it was a bit much how many people were in the middle of everything, and I didn't like that they were such a huge part of the story. Declan's crazy ex and the constant parade of women wanting him, plus Elizabeth's friends and ex were just a bit too much when you added that with her family and all her issues. There were a few times in this book that I also felt like things happened or were brought up and then just dropped that I wish had been delved into further. I wanted a bit more and I would have liked to have seen more of the focus here on Declan and Elizabeth rather than what was going on around them. This story to me was somewhere between 3.5 to 4 stars, but I really think that without some of the extra drama going on it would have easily been a 5 star for me. One of the highlights here for me was Declan's twin brother Dax. I absolutely loved Dax, and he had such a great personality that I could not get enough of. He brought so much life to this story and he had me laughing throughout the entire book. I would love to get his story as I was able to see so much potential for more beneath the facade he put up. He was super funny and flirty, but you could tell that he was also a really great guy that could be super sweet and caring as well. Overall, I think that this was a good story and it is definitely worth the read. Declan is super sexy and impossible not to fall for, and I think that a lot of readers will love him just as much as I did.

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

Purchase: | Amazon | 

RFTC Hall Pass Event with Ilsa Madden-Mills

New York Times and USA Today best selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap.

She's addicted to dystopian books and all things fantasy, including unicorns and sword-wielding females. Other fascinations include frothy coffee beverages, dark chocolate, Instagram, Ian Somerhalder (seriously hot), astronomy (she's a Gemini), Sephora make-up, homemade soups, and tattoos.

She has a degree in English and a Master's in Education.

When she's not pecking away on her computer, she shops for cool magnets, paints old furniture, and eats her weight in sushi.

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Very Twisted Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Very Twisted Things is the third book in the Briarcrest Academy Series by Ilsa Madden-Mills, but this book is a standalone novel. You do not have to have read the previous books in this series, though the characters are interconnected. I really enjoyed this book and I liked the characters, there were just a few things that kept this one from being a homerun for me. I would still recommend it to fans of the series though, or anyone who enjoys the New Adult genre.

Sebastian Tate is the lead singer of the Vital Rejects, and while they are taking a break he has been trying to land a huge role in a movie that would make his acting career take off. He is fake dating America's sweetheart in a relationship that benefits both of them, though he isn't really interested in her. When he moves next door to a sexy violinist, he can't help but feel drawn to her. Not only is he attracted to her, but her music draws him in and makes him want to know her better. When they finally come face to face, sparks fly and they both begin to feel something between them. But he knows that he can't have anything with her while he is supposed to be working on his movie career. Violet lost everything when a tragic accident drastically changed her life, now she spends her time hiding in her Hollywood mansion. But something in Sebastian makes her want to live again, and she finds herself finally moving on with her life. But she refuses to be Sebastian's secret, and wants him to be all in with her as she is with him. 

I liked Violet, and I thought that she was really strong even though she did have some issues. She might have been hiding out in her home and afraid to really live life, but she never gave up her music fully and it was clear she was waiting for something to help jump start her life again. She was funny and smart, and I loved that she didn't let others push her around. She wouldn't settle for being at Sebastian's beck and call even though she did love him. I also really liked Sebastian, but I did have a few issues with him. I didn't like the fact that he knew he had feelings for Violet and yet he continued the farce with the bitchy actress. I wanted him to ditch her and really acknowledge his feelings for Violet. His excuses for pushing Violet away also didn't really hold up to me. I understand that he had been hurt before, but it just seemed like he was using it as a crutch rather than because he was genuinely hurt. I didn't understand why he kept waiting so long when he knew things with Violet were different. I did think that these two were great together though, and I loved that they had chemistry and a connection. Their relationship seemed to be so strong because they clicked on so many levels, and I think part of that was that they shared a passion for music. 

Overall, this was a really good story. I loved the characters, and I loved that Violet was a survivor. She could have given up and yet she found a way to battle back and move forward with her life. Violet and Sebastian were great together and I liked seeing them get to know one another. I also really liked Spider and Mila, and I would love to get to know them better. I will say that I wasn't really a fan of the epilogue. While I liked knowing what happened, I thought that it was a bit cheesy the way it was done. But I would still recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more from Ilsa Madden-Mills in the future.

**ARC Provided by Stephanie's Book Reports**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle |

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