I have been eagerly awaiting Not My Match from the moment I finished Not My Romeo. I simply adored that romantic comedy and couldn't wait for more. If you've read the first book in this series, you know Giselle is Elena's younger sister. With how everything went down between the sisters in Not My Romeo, I was very curious to get to know Giselle better. Devon, too. 

Giselle was a great surprise. I imagined her being super put together from hearing about her from Elena's perspective, but she wasn't. Honestly, Giselle was kind of a hot mess and I loved that. I loved her. 

Devon was a character I enjoyed in the first book, but I ended up loving him even more in this one. He was very different from Giselle, but they fit perfectly. He had an interesting back story of his own that fit well into everything that was going on. 

The chemistry between Devon and Giselle was off the charts. It somehow managed to be a slow burn romance while giving off heat the whole time. They had this sweet friendship that turned into a scorching connection. I loved the way their romance progressed.  Plus, there was just the right amount of humor involved in their romance.  I got to laugh multiple times. Devon and Giselle falling for each other was a lot of fun to read.

Another fun thing about this one was the side characters. Giselle's neighbor Myrtle cracked me up. I loved her and her dog. I also loved getting more of Mrs. Riley's antics and some from the other characters I had met before. There were a few other new ones that brought some special stuff to this romance. 

There was one thing I wasn't a huge fan of. Sadly to say, it was the big problem toward the end of the story. I was just disappointed in the decision Giselle had to make and how that all resolved. I mean, I got it. Decisions have to be made and it's important to make the right decision for oneself. I just didn't like what her choices were in this day and age. It frustrated me as a woman. 

That being said, I did love it Devon and Giselle. I loved that together and the fun they had. I had a great time reading this book and would recommend it. I'm hoping there is more to come in this series. I would love to get to read a book about Aiden.

Giselle isn’t who I thought she was!

After reading Not My Romeo I wasn’t so sure how the author could redeem Giselle Riley after she stole her sister Elena’s boyfriend, but expect the unexpected with Ilsa Madden-Mills because Giselle is not who or what I thought she was.

Physicist Giselle Riley is a virgin and Devon Walsh knew it so when she asked him to help her find a one-night-stand after then end of her engagement, he knew that it was going to lead to trouble for both of them when everyone found out.

Not My Match has a nerdy virgin physicist, best wide receiver in the country and I want a Daisy Lady Gang in my hometown.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I liked this book a lot although it contains one of my least favourite tropes, the nosey male relative who forbids his friends to touch the heroine, or else. Usually it's a jealous brother but in this case it's a protective brother-in-law. The saving grace is that the hero doesn't take him too seriously. The romance develops in a slow burn but it's mostly for other reasons. Both Devon and Giselle are gunshy after previous relationships gone awry. He is worried about his addicted father, and she has problems with her thesis supervisor. There is a fire in her apartment building and she moves in with Devon. The physical attraction is undeniable but they take their sweet time doing anything about it.

I liked the writing style, the editing was flawless, and there are some sweet scenes and feelings that felt real.. I liked Devon but I had some issues with Giselle's character. Her previous boyfriend cheated her sister with her, and this was a problem for me, although it is no longer a problem for her sister Elena (who I think met the protective BIL in a previous book in this series). Giselle is supposed to be a huge science nerd in the middle of a thesis project but apart from talking about CERN and a couple of encounters with her students and supervisors you hardly see her thinking about science. A supervisor said she didn't appear to be focused on the science and this supposedly made him a sexist idiot but honestly, I agreed with him. She is writing an alien romance but doesn't seem to be doing anything to further her research. I'm not even sure if we were told what her thesis project was. It just didn't seem to be a priority to her. I would have liked to see her doing something related to her research just so it became a more real part of her character. Now the reader is told that she is smart and really into science, but it doesn't show.

“Love hurts when people leave, no matter the reason why.”

So, Not My Match doesn’t actually publish until January 19, 2021, but I knew I would love this pairing so much that I couldn’t RESIST picking it up as soon as the arc was available. So hello extra early review.

I just love Ilsa’s characters. She truly never fails to make me fall in love with them, and feel for the struggles they have in life or on their way to love. Giselle and Devon are just surprisingly perfect together. If you’ve read Not My Romeo you’d think they weren’t even a possibility, because the are seemingly polar opposites. Yeah, by the end of NMR I sort of saw that Giselle wasn’t just a smart buttoned up woman, but in NMM she TRULY shines. She’s fun, loving, incredibly brilliant, and has this hidden personality that’s just infectious even just reading it. Devon is like this grumbly teddy bear and I LOVED him. He has a tough back story and it just adds another layer to his character that outwardly just seems like a hot, lady killer football player. The way he cares for Giselle, but also the others around him. So perfect.

Anyway. This book is a bit slow burn. The tension is through the roof though, and I personally feel that the pacing in this book works well considering each characters personality and their history. We get glimpses of Elena and Jack. Giselle’s mom and aunt, and Topher. Devon’s cousin, Selena. More Aiden 😂 Daisy Lady Gang matchmaking antics. Ilsa ties the other characters in this series in smoothly without having Giselle and Devon losing any shine. I only hope that she ends up writing for more of the characters, because they truly are an entertaining group.

All in all this was a great read. It’s just a love story about taking chances and go for what you want and what makes you happiest. Sure there’s angst, but it’s pretty mild.

This was a cute book. I would rate it a 3.5. I was provided a copy of this book on NetGalley.

I have read Ilsa Madden-Mills before and I enjoy her books. Not my Match is the second book in her Game Changers series. It is not necessary to have read the first one- although a few things are referenced from the first. For those who have, this book centers around Giselle (Elena's sister).

The story was cute and the slow burn was both believable and enjoyable. I think there were quite a few story lines thrown in there that didn't really go anywhere. Especially with Devon (the hero). And some of it was pretty cliche (especially with her)... but overall the characters were cute. I do wish we had gotten more of the side characters- especially her neighbor.

The book was cute. I think my major issue was actually between Giselle from the last book and the Giselle from this book- not only was her personality in this book markedly different (which in part is because we actually get to know here in this book- but also her role in the last book) but I felt like her actions from the last book were mostly glossed over in this one in a way that made me wish the weren't.

If you had told me that I would read a book about the horrible sister in the first book of this series and end up preferring her story, I would have thought you were crazy. But as long as I did not focus on how horrible she was (and no I did not find the justifications given for her behavior enough. You don’t treat your sister that way. You don’t treat anyone that way.) I did like this angsty tale of longing more. A quirky (almost too quirky at times. All of that cursed birthday stuff got old fast for me) and smart heroine and the hot footballer who should not be attracted to each other and certainly should not act on that attraction end up cohabiting after a fire in her apartment building. Lots of mixed signals, staring at each other’s mouths and hormones flaring all over the pages. Did the heroine need to be a virgin to add anything but rolled eyeballs over an overdone and outdated trope? Not in my mind. It added nothing to her character or the sexual tension. Luckily the hero was able to more than hold his own. Not a perfect book but one that I had a good time reading. There is a reason I always want to pick up this author’s new releases.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Giselle is a seriously smart Southern lady who is in a bind. While always trying to help others she seems to forget about herself but she’s determined to find herself a man by her next birthday (which is just around the corner). After a disastrous situation leaves her homeless her brother-in-laws best friend, the hot , football playing Devon decides to step in, giving her a place to stay and becoming her wingman. The first few chapters are a little tough as they are introducing the two leads but soon you become ensnared by the heat between these two as they go from one hilarious situation to another as they each try to deny their feelings for each other ( omg the spider scene left me laughing and crying at the same time). Both characters have past history that have left some scars but they soon learn that there is more than just friendship holding them together. This story is very, very, very funny, with lots of heat, a dash of sweetness, a bit of scientific knowledge and a wonderful blend of supporting characters. This is part of a series but as someone who did not read the previous one yet (although I may have to now) it is still very enjoyable. I hope Aiden gets a book soon. 4.5 stars. I received an arc copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review

*𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸

Not My Match is the second book of The Game Changers series and I liked even better than first book.
Giselle and Devon, watching these two from the beginning has been a real pleasure, watching them interact and be together is fun a and I enjoyed this book.
Also, I would absolutely love a book from Aiden, that guy is so much fun.

Overall very entertaining read, the pacing was all kinds of good and I enjoyed the fact nothing moved too fast but still progressed in a sweet and believable way.

To say I love this book and series would be an understatement! I have been waiting for months foe this book and it did not disappoint! I absolutely love Devon and Giselle! Oh and Giselles family and Devons teammates are just the icing on the cake that makes this boom and series complete!

Devon and Giselle are complete opposites physically but mentally they are so alike! In my opinion they are soulmates. Mrs. Mills captures their chemistry perfectly! This book has it all... romance, laugh out loud moments and sexay times! Fair warning once you start this book you will not be able to put it down!

I received an advanced copy for an honest review.

“Just… Please. Stay.”

‘Not My Match’ is a delicious opposites-attract story about an aspiring scientist and a professional football player with equal parts humor and depth.

Wide receiver Devon Walsh can’t explain why, but he’s fascinated by buttoned up grad student Giselle Riley. It’s too bad she’s off limits. However, when Giselle finds herself in need of temporary housing, he can’t help but offer her one of his extra rooms. And when sparks inevitably start to fly? Devon discovers that sometimes you can’t fight fate.

The second interconnected standalone in Ilsa Madden-Mills’s Game Changers series, ‘Not My Match’ delivers a healthy amount of chemistry and humor. At first glance, it appears that Devon and Giselle have nothing in common, but as their true selves are revealed, you see how perfect they are for each other.

Devon is surprisingly sensitive and kind. I wouldn’t go so far to say that he is a cinnamon roll hero, but he definitely skates the line between CR and alpha in the most delightful way. And seeing Giselle come into her own power and to use her agency to pursue her dreams is inspiring to read.

“You are the best person in all my universes.”

One theme that is consistent throughout Madden-Mills’s work is the idea of fate. She cleverly weaves a feeling of connection between her protagonists, leaving the reader enraptured and wholly invested in the outcome of their story. The fact that there are some beautifully crafted love scenes? An added bonus to an already rich narrative. Though fate is definitely a factor, it is the characters’ works that make the novel complete. This novel cleverly explores the idea of what it means to love someone, and whether or not that love is enough.

This is an excellent novel to start the new year off on a high note. I already anticipate it making my top reads list of 2021.

A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Montlake, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for

-m/f friends to lovers
-close proximity, roommates
-sports romance
-opposites attract
-funny and well-rounded secondary characters
-slow burn
-amazing sexual tension
-a nerdy heroine who enjoys talking about the multiverse
-hot, hot, hot car sex

I am really conflicted about this one. I enjoyed it so much. Giselle was a wonderful heroine, strong, independent, so intelligent and quirky. Devon is a great mix between an alpha and a secret cinnamon roll. Their sexual tension and banter was wonderful and steamy. This book was wonderfully written and was a great mix of laugh out loud moments and tension that had me practically screaming KISS HER. I didn't realize until I started reading that this is the second book. I have not read it and was still able to follow along, though I am now intrigued to go back and read the first book.

But I'll be frank, I am very much over the virgin heroine trope and treating her as if she is diseased for being a virgin. The pregnancy scare aspect was also frustrating, she is a smart girl, just because she's never had sex before shouldn't mean she doesn't know how to use birth control. The ending just frustrated me, there was no discussion about Giselle's academic dreams, all of a sudden her motivations seemed to change and she dropped everything for a guy who has to extensively travel for his own career. I Just wish those issues were delved into more rather than her being sad for a couple days and giving it all up for him. I think I am so frustrated because this is such a great book.

Rating: 4
Steam: 3.5

I don’t think I smiled so much reading a book!! Giselle Riley needs a break and a place to stay. She’s having a little string of bad luck but when she literally bumps into football star, Devon Walsh, her luck just might turn around. She is his best friend’s sister in law and off limits but they can still be friends...right? When an unfortunate accident happens, they may end up spending more time together then planned. Can this jock and brain find a common ground? I could not put this down. Giselle is a bright light and her “stories” are epic! Devon might have to practice his control around this one! A great, feel good romance but it also has some serious moments and laugh out loud ones too. She is a sweet girl with a wild side waiting to come out and he is the sexy athlete just wanting to be the one to wake her up. “You should stay away from men like me, pretty girl.” Oh Yeah!! What a great romantic comedy/sports romance. Oh and Aiden is a hoot!!! A definite must read and very well written. Told in Dual POV.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent, unimpressive, contemporary romance between a star athlete and a homeless, nerdy girl who find that they can't be without the other. There are plenty of cliched scenes and lines that make it difficult to see this as a more than just a flimsy romance. If you want a casual, quick love story this is for you.