a hilarious, heartwarming and entertaining read featuring a handsome professional football player and a small-town librarian.

the beginning had me straight away interested when the heroine walks up to a stranger who she thinks is her blind date, but said stranger is actually a famous athlete and then they have a one night stand and THEN they meet again in the fmc's small town. but then it slowly started to become... okay. mainly because of the slightly repetitive romance in the beginning. there's a little conflict here because of sophia (jack's ex) who, despite what she did to him, he trusts when she says "don't trust elena". AND THEN there's a little misunderstanding that happens when jack refused to listen to elena and they're separated for like two days. also the sibling rivalry between elena and giselle over a man? no thanks.

Ilsa Madden Mills writes broken, damaged and flawed man to perfection. They are always so easy to connect with and fell head over heels in love with. And Jake was swoon worthy that's for sure . I could feel his struggles and wanted to hug him and never let go. Elena is my spirit animal. She was a for force and I want to be her when I'm older!

I never thought I'd love someone more than Blaze but here comes Jake and takes no. 1 (sorry Blaze I still love you). Of it's not obvious I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK and I'm giving it all the frickin stars!!

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

Not My Romeo by Ilsa Madden-Mills is Book One in The Game Changers and it was just perfect. It was real page turner. Ilsa Madden-Mills writing is perfect and smooth .

I Cannot Recommend this Book Enough to all Readers. A Must Read for all Readers.

𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙫𝙪𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚; 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪.

What a throughly enjoyable read!

Ilsa Madden-Mills writes a steamy, heartfelt unforgettable romantic comedy intermingled with drama that is sure to be a TOP 2020 RomCom read.

I giggled, laughed out loud, swooned and fell irrevocably in love with Jack and Elena’s story- and that gut punch! Oh my freaking heart.

Elena is the kind of heroine you instantly connect with. And Jack, he is such an enigma- as his layers got peeled back- I wanted to piece him back together.

The ending felt too much too fast. Like a huge climax with a fast let down but I enjoyed the build up and all the laughs of the secondary characters.

4.5 BE MY ROMEO STARS

This author is becoming more and more of a favorite of mine. Small town meets the big league, seems kind of cliche' but the more pages we turn, the more Jack and Elena remind me of every day people, friends we have, people we know and mix with on the daily. They are relatable, they have the same fears, anxieties and emotions that we all have and because of that, I was totally invested in their story. The supporting characters rounded out the story nicely and set up future books. This is a series I'll be waiting to read more of for sure!

Not My Romeo is book one in a new series from one of my favorite authors, Ilsa Madden-Mills. When I found out she was writing a new series, I jumped all over it.

Not My Romeo has her classic tale of love and finding it in the oddest places but sweet wit, banter and humor all tied it.

Our Romeo, Jack is everything I was hoping for and more. He was sexy, swoony and had a little edge to him as well.

Elena was our heroine and I love me a good southern girl love story! The energy and chemistry between our two leaders was fun and sassy.

Their first meeting was one for the books with humor to have you laughing hard.

Ilsa Madden-Mills never ceases to provide a book captivating and charming, yet with enough angst to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I truly enjoyed how this whole mistaken identity meet cute turned lovers to so much more played out. I especially appreciate the juxtaposition of Elena’s ability to trust and risk her heart despite the things she endured to Jake’s hesitation to do the same because of the things he suffered. Not My Romeo really makes me want to read more from the author - I have yet to read a disappointing book from her!

What a fantastic book! I absolutely devoured this from start to finish, pretty much all in one go, which is unheard of for me! Not My Romeo is the first in Ilsa Madden-Mills new “The Game Changers” series and it certainly started with a bang. A sports themed rom-com with characters that felt relatable and that were extremely likable, this was definitely a winner.

Jack is the hot footballer with trust issues. His life has been made up of an ex-girlfriend who burned him and a troubled childhood leading to being placed into foster care. Despite the outward appearance of confidence that comes with being a star quarterback, he is shy and hates giving interviews or sitting through press conferences where he is peppered with questions from the reporters. When Elena waltzes into his life, he is immediately on edge and worries that she must be a reporter or blogger who is stalking him for a story.

Elena appears to be the quiet, studious looking small-town librarian, but underneath she’s got a wild streak and a dream of creating fun and sexy lingerie. In an attempt to get back out there after catching her ex-boyfriend cheating, she agrees to being set up on a blind date by her best friend on Valentine’s Day. The kicker – her date comes down with the flu but forgets to tell her, instead she winds up at Jack’s table completed oblivious to the celebrity she has picked up.

This had the right amount of conflict to keep the reader drawn in and interested in the story. I really felt for Jack with his anxiety and trust issues and I thought he pushed Elena just far enough, without it being frustrating for the reader. We were treated to plenty of steamy fun, but also some true comedic moments and plenty of sweet swoony worthy scenes. A must read!

Ilsa madden mills is great at writing angsty sports romances. She knows how to stir the pot just enough where you love and hate the hero in the story! I loved this book, I loved Romeo and how he was a pro football player!

I hear things can be a bit uneventful in small towns like, Daisy. But this sassy story is full of excitement!
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What do you get when you mix a mistaken identity of a weatherman, a tiny pig that wears sweaters, lingerie galore, a professional football player and the town’s play? You may think this is a set up for a bad joke; instead it was the perfect storm for a story full of sass, charm, and a bunch of shenanigans!

Full of strong female characters, with fierce spirits, which make up the “Daisy Lady Gang,” a bestie to beat all besties, and other charming characters; it’s no wonder I have started my search for my own fictional town like Daisy.

As sweet as pie, the Romeo and Juliet in this story kept me grinning from ear to ear.

As Always, Happy Reading!

Rom-com at its best!

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely Loved this book! This was an amazing funny, sexy read that I could not put down. Jack and Elena are relationship goals!

IIsa Madden-Mills did a great job with this story and she never disappoints!

No spoilers with my review! This is a must read for 2020!

Overall I give this book 5 golden stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was SO addicting!! It was also my first llsa Maden-Mills book but now I see why a few of my friends always recommend her! She has a very easy way of telling the story and I was totally addicted from the first chapter. I’m a sucker for a bad boy romance, especially when it’s SPORTSSS! Then the initial blind date had me dying with laughter. Jack has officially become a new book boyfriend and I’m obsessed with him. His development was great to watch and I loved all his interactions with Elena. I really loved Elena and her family was so cute! Even though it was fun and humorous, I liked how it was balanced out with some emotional moments and I fell head over heels for this one! I can’t wait to read more from this series and tell my cousins to pick it up!! Really fun read!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.

I adored this book so much! Ilsa Madden-Mills always leaves me with a smile on my face and this book was no exception. I quickly fell into the story and couldn't get enough.

I was so invested in the characters and their lives. I wanted to know more about them like an itch you can't scratch. Elena was just a delight. I loved everything about her quirky character. And her family and friends were the icing on the cake. I loved them all so much and I loved the depth that they brought to the story. There were so many personalities playing off each other. It was damn good reading. I hope that the other characters get their own stories on down the line. I loved Jack's character as well. He is one of those closed-off types and it was so gratifying getting to know him and figure out why he puts up so many walls. The personal struggles of Elena and Jack were so genuine. Their character development was spot on.

Elena and Jack had such a magnetic and intense chemistry right from the start. They had the type of meet-cute that just gets my blood pumping - a case of mistaken identity. That kind of premise is like crack to me and I ate it up in this story. I just loved the awkwardness and the possibility of it. It truly made me giggle. I loved the way that Jack and Elena could truly be themselves when they were with one another. Each of them hid so many facets of themselves around other people but didn't have to do that with each other. And it was so natural for them. The progression of their relationship was so genuine and unforced. Bless their hearts, I just love their love story.

The world-building was excellent. I really enjoyed the small town right outside the big city vibe. I could picture it so easily and it was so easy to slip into their world. The story flowed effortlessly. I love the way that Ilsa tells a story. I am always sucked into the story with reckless abandon. I just eat her stories up.

Overall, this is a top-notch romcom that will give you all the feels. There are characters with tantalizing chemistry, side characters that give the story life, wonderful world-building, and such a satisfying plot. This is just an adorable story and I can't recommend it enough.

I'm going through my shelves and realized I never published my review for this one!


My Review (ARC Provided)
Four stars!
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@tlbcgirls.read

Not My Romeo was such a cute, fun story from H’s (Jack) and h’s (Elena) initial meet to the very end. Jack is a very HOT, very famous football player, Elena is the sassy, adorable town librarian. The two happen to be dining the same night and what is mistaken in identity turns into a one-night stand.

Jack and Elena can’t stop thinking about each other or running into each other, the more one pushes the other one pulls. They both have histories to not want to be relationship-bound, but they can’t stay away either, they both have trust issues, and they both are scared. This gives us that perfect amount of angst and drama.

This is set in a small town and I loved while reading this that I really got that small-town feel. Throw in a town play and other hot football players and you have romance gold. This book makes you feel good, it makes you laugh, may make you a little sad, but ultimately it will leave you a very satisfied sports romance/RomCom reader. Ilsa has written another recommendable read. I can’t wait to get more of these football players in the next books!!

Well HOT DANG! What an awesome book. Not that I would expect anything less from Ilsa Madden-Mills, she just has a perfect way of suckIng you in and keeping you there until The End. Going through a ton of emotions while reading this book will keep your interest. Just read it, you will thank me later!

Le Sigh! The perfect Meet Cute
This book was full of laugh out loud moments, steamy and oh so sexy scenes.
From the start of this book I new I was gonna love Elena our leading lady! She was a spitfire with a huge heart. I think what I loved about her the most was she was who she was, unapologetic with a quirky sense of style and personality to match!
Jack, wasn’t the typical athlete alpha, his broken background, and serious warranted trust issues made him a character you wanted to dig deeper into. His constant self doubt and his internal battle he fought within himself, made you feel for his issues.

The circumstances of Elena and Jack meeting was probably my favorite part of the story. The way they would each open up to each other about their life but not how they each felt about the other was infuriating lol.

Not Me Romeo by Ilsa Madden-Mills is a very cute and amazing story. Fast-paced and charming. I read it with a big smile on my face because I love it when authors surprise me with a plot and heroes, giving them very unique personalities. Jack and Elena stole my attention from the very first page and I couldn’t put their story down. The author balanced light and heavy moments making Not My Romeo an enjoyable and sweet journey.

„…broken people love the hardest because they appreciate the things that make their heart beat.”

Elena is my girl. I love smart, funny, and honest heroines. Her personality and lack of knowledge about sport made Jack very interested in her. Being a professional athlete comes with a heavy package, unwanted attention, fake people, and gossips. Elena was like a whiff of fresh air for Jack. He wanted to spend his time with her but at the same time struggled with past issues. I loved how he slowly opened in front of Elena. Every encounter between them was amazing to read, from sweet to steamy and even emotional.

I really recommend Not My Romeo. You will read it at one go and completely fall in love with Elena and Jack’s story. I am silently hoping for more of this world because Jack’s friends are something else!

This book is so cute! It starts with a case of mistaken identity during a blind date on Valentine’s Day. Elena thinks she’s meeting a local weatherman, something nerdy to go with her own nerdy librarian. She finds verifiable hotness on a stick, only to find out the next morning that he’s not who she thought he was. Thinking that’s that, she goes home with her salacious memories of their night together.



But then she runs in to him again, famous quarterback Jack Hawke. He’s drawn to her, despite being adamant at not wanting a relationship. His last relationship turned out to be a gold-digger looking for an easy paycheck, and he’s been cautious ever since.



Jack has had some trouble lately, tarnishing his image. In an effort to make amends and improve his image, he gets roped into joining the local production of Romeo and Juliet. He’s cast as Romeo, while Elena will be playing Juliet. Playing on-stage lovers allows them to explore their own connection. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Elena is understandably apprehensive to give into it. Jack is given very mixed signals, and she’s still dealing with the hurt from the betrayal of her sister and ex-boyfriend. Jack’s lack of explanation and jumping to conclusions doesn’t help.



I like how Elena holds on to her own dreams and doesn’t let the presence or absence of a man deter her. She’s a bit quirky but owns it – aside from hiding certain things from her more conservative mother – and tries to find a way to make her dreams come true. Meeting Jack and falling for him doesn’t really affect that, and I like that independence.



The supporting cast is well-rounded and adds to the story. There’s Topher, Elena’s gay BFF and roommate. Her pet pig Romeo is just precious, but I wouldn’t have minded some scenes further showing his antics and adorableness. Her mother is a typical southern mom, eager to see her daughters get married, but a bit of a stickler for propriety and societal impressions. I liked seeing the development in their relationship. Her aunt is a hoot and a half, and a definite supporter of Elena doing what’s best for her. Elena’s relationship with her sister is strained, but I liked seeing them work through their differences. Jack also has some loyal friends, and even a surprising one, in his corner.



This story has a lot of fun things happening. There are small-town shenanigans and gossip, drama of various kinds, trust issues, and above all, sizzling heat coming off our main couple. Not to mention the play, one of my all-time favorites.

Have you ever read a book and then looked at the cover and said yes that is exactly right? Jack is suave and stoic on the outside but has turmoil on the inside and unless you learn the making of him you may think he is cold and rude. That cover is Jack to a T.

This story was nothing what I had expected and everything I needed in my life. I devoured this book and was entranced by the words on the pages from beginning to end. I loved the way Jack and Elena meet and the instant zap of chemistry. Elena was a spitfire and even if she didn’t want to admit a little wild and I loved her spirit. Jack was shy and a little closed off but for good reason. He just needed the right woman to open his heart.

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like. The side characters were great, the story was captivating and the love was just what I needed. I may have even shed some tears but that’s what a good romance does to you. Jack was definitely my Romeo.

An interesting story with fun characters, lots of humorous situations, and good chemistry. While they could have been sliiiiightly more mature, I still liked this one.