This was such a great story! I really loved the characters. Both the hero and heroine had this likeability to them that just made you fall in love with them. The author was able to write a wonderful story and create great chemistry and dynamics between the characters. While I did enjoy the story I did find there to be some high points and low points. At the low points I just found myself to get bored. I was just waiting for something to happen. Overall, I did enjoy this story. The author gave us something fun and unique with the story. I am looking forward to the next book the author writes!

Not My Match is a Sports Romance and the second book in The Game Changers Series. Written in Dual POV through our two main characters Giselle Riley and Devon Walsh, this Friends to Lovers Romance had me swooning like crazy and rooting for Giselle and Devon to get there happily ever after.

If you've read Not My Romeo, then you've met Giselle, (Elena's younger sister) and Devon, (Jack's team mate) as secondary characters in Elena and Jack's Story. From the minute Devon Walsh showed up on the page in Not My Romeo I wanted his story, I wanted to know every detail about this heartthrob's life. He had me giggling with his actions in the previous book and his actions in Not My Romeo were just as good, if not even better!

Devon treats all women with the utmost respect, no woman leaves his bed angry or upset, they know exactly what they're getting with each encounter and Devon is rarely alone. It sounds like an exciting life but, for Devon it's become empty and redundant. While his heart is closed off, he still secretly craves contact and love.
His upbringing has been a difficult one but he made his way out and has become one of the most successful football players around.

I have to admit, going into Not My Match I was sure I wouldn't like Giselle. Her actions in Not My Romeo had turned me against her and I wasn’t sure her could be redeemed enough for me to like her. I TAKE BACK EVERY BAD THOUGHT I HAD ABOUT GISELLE! The character development for Giselle was absolutely perfect! Even from the first page we had a completely different Giselle who I completely fell in love with. I ended up reading Not My Match more for Giselle and her quirky personality and her character growth than anything. I didn't even care how the story ended I just wanted more Giselle!

I think its a true testament to an authors talent, when they can turn around how you feel about a character and I commend her for writing Giselle in such a perfect and honest way. She was so relatable and has become one of my favourite Ilsa Madden-Mills Female Characters.

Not my Match was super swoony, super cute and had so many laugh out moments. I absolutely ADORED this story and devoured it in a matter of hours. Not My Match was a very character driven read that worked perfectly with the Plot development. The Character Development for both characters was on point and really made this book a fantastic one for me!

Omg Devon and Giselle’s romance was just everything! Every time I read something by Ilsa Madden Mills she gets me in my feels every time! This story was sweet charming and sexy and also so emotional ugh I cried through a couple chapters because her words I could just feel the emotions these characters were feeling. I loved Devon I knew when I read Not My Romeo that he was something special and oh boy was he ever he’s portrayed as a playboy who just loves em then leaves em type but he’s so much more he’s so afraid of love his heart has been broken in the past and everyone who he lets in or loves seems to leave him so he locks his heart up tight and let’s no one in until Giselle . This girl when I first was introduced to her character in Not My Romeo I’m not gonna lie I didn’t like her because how could a sister mess around with her big sisters fiancé but there’s so much more to the story and there’s so much more to her she is by far my favorite female character I’ve read by this author to date I absolutely fell in love with her she’s quirky charming smart and beautiful and her heart is so big she always seeks out the lost less fortunate people to befriend she truly has a heart of gold and I love how protective she is of Devon . I laughed I swooned I cried this romance hit me in all my feels and the sex is super hot ! The chemistry between Devon and Giselle was intense and the angst in this book omg it’s so angsty this story is a definite must read from this author if you haven’t met the Daisy lady gang from the small town of Charming and all the crazy quirky characters from there are you even living? This author never fails to put a smile on my face and warmth in my heart from her magical words !

* I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book *

Here’s to butterflies and kicking ass! Devon and Giselle are the new it couple! Their story is a slowly torture you with white hot chemistry tale! Giselle is looking for love in all the wrong places and Devon is there to try to help her find Mr Right but is trying even harder to keep his eyes and hands to himself. Devon breaks my heart! He’s desperate to find someone to love him but is too afraid to even try because he’s afraid they’ll leave like everyone else in his life. Giselle is smart as a whip, can’t NOT answer any question that is asked of her, and wants to try to fix all the wrong decisions she’s made in her life. When these two get together...Holy hell! Their chemistry is through the roof and you find yourself rooting for these two to drop their guards and fears so that they can have their happily ever after! And, the supporting characters are HILARIOUS! Can’t wait for Aiden’s story!!

4.5 Stars
This was such a good book. I could hardly put it down and not gonna a book hangover was a result. I have no regrets and sleep is overrated. I loved Giselle. She's a little quirky, but that's what I loved about her. She such a kind heart and puts others before herself. Of everyone she so deserves some happiness and a HEA. Devon is just so yummy. He's a football player with tattoos and a heart of gold. He's definitely made of book boyfriend material. He's definitely going to make you swoon. What I loved about this book too is the secondary characters are awesome as well. They just add another layer of greatness to this book. Aiden has me very intrigued. I hope he gets a book because I think he needs his story told. I would highly recommend this book because it will pull all the emotions out of you, but also it's ultimately going to make you smile. This is a make you feel you feel good romance.

Despite the fact that Giselle Riley is incredibly intelligent, her book smarts don’t seem to help with her street smarts, at least when it comes to choosing guys to give her heart to, but in most ways, I would say it’s more about her inexperience and innocence than it is about not understanding the ways of the world and now with her current living situation with Devon and just how different their lives and personalities seem to be, she’s in for some life-changing moments, especially with this whole matchmaking business and who her matchmaker is.

Ilsa Madden-Mills creates such deliciously complicated and layered alpha males and her newest hero, Devon Walsh, fits those characteristics to a T. There is so much going on in that sexy head of his and with the new dynamics he experiences and the way he feels about his new roommate as well, the parts of Devon that he doesn’t usually show come out in full-force, even when he wished they didn’t.

Devon Walsh may think he’s only good with his hands when it comes to football and no-string fun, but there’s so much about him that makes him more than worthy of the girl who seems to own him regardless of how off-limits she may be and I loved watching how everything unfolded between them and just how perfectly imperfect they are as a couple.

Because the author reveals the main characters’ backstories with such clarity, readers are able to understand why Giselle and Devon are the way they are, offering key insight into their current situations and these ideas also play into the slow burn feel of this story. There’s a lot to lose on both sides so the fear of hurting each other, of crossing a line that they’ll never come back from makes them both cautious, which results in quite a bit of second-guessing while still moving the plot line forward in a direction that just might prove them wrong.

As much as the old adage of opposites attract rings true in a large amount of relationships, I truly thought Devon and Giselle were too different, despite their intense attraction to each other. But the way Ilsa brought these two characters together and the care she took to make sure that it was clear just how perfect Devon and Giselle were together regardless of how different they were speaks to the kind of writer Ilsa is, which is why I always hang on, waiting to pass judgment until I’ve gotten to the very end, and time and time again, her stories and her characters come together in ways that I hadn’t thought possible.

4.5 Poison Apples

🏈 𝐑 • 𝐄 • 𝐕 • 𝐈 • 𝐄 • 𝐖 🏈

I was so ready for this book after being introduced to Giselle and Devon in Not My Romeo. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed in the least. I devoured this story in one sitting.

Sweet, smart and quirky Giselle finds herself trying to not only finish her doctorate, but move on from one of her biggest mistakes: getting engaged and breaking up from her sisters ex boyfriend. After her sister fell in love with famous quarterback Jack Hawke, Giselle finds herself in the company of many famous football players, including sexy Devon Walsh. Devon Walsh doesn’t do girlfriends, let alone a live in girl, and finds himself attracted to the one girl who wouldn’t consider him ever. And when a twist of fate leaves Giselle without a place to stay after an apartment fire, Devon finds himself offering her a room in his penthouse apartment.

I loved this story so much! The banter, wit, sexual tension, and quirkiness all made the best story! Their chemistry was so perfect, Giselle’s quirkiness made her so endearing and Devon’s personal history made you want to him get a happy ending in the worst way. I seriously hope that this is not the last in The Game Changers series.

*thank you to @netgalley, @ilsamaddenmills, and @socialbutterfly_pr for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*

#notmymatch #ilsamaddenmills #gamechangersseries #kindleunlimited #footballromance #sportsromance #redsreads #romancetagram #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookaddict #bookaholic @socialbutterfly_pr @netgalley

This book is EVERYTHING! Ilsa Madden-Mills has set the 2021 bar so freaking HIGH with this one! I didn't want to put it down once I started and read it in less than 24 hours.

I wasn't sure about Giselle after reading Not My Romeo, but I absolutely adored her in this story. And Devon - I believe he will be in my 2021 list of favorite book boyfriends. He was great as a side character in NMR but as the main character, he is AMAZING!

One thing I love about this author is her ability to write the words in a way that I feel EVERYTHING. This story was angsty, it was sweet, it was endearing. And when I was introduced to Cindy, I laughed out loud.

This is without a doubt going to be one of my top favs for 2021. It it THAT good!

Now I just need to find out who's going to tame Aiden!

What a great romance! Giselle is a physics student at Vanderbilt. Giselle is smart and accomplished and a Virgin. Devon is a pro football player with a broken past and an alcoholic father to care for. Devon's teammate and friend married Giselle's sister and their paths tend to cross. This is truly opposites attract. Devon is a broken boy with a kind soul and a heart of gold. Giselle works her magic and it is so fun to watch their relationship grow. All the feels for this story! Must read!

I was so hesitant to continue the series because I really didn't connect to the first book at all but I love the author's writing so I finally tackled this story. I am so glad I did! I laughed out loud so many times. Giselle was the perfect mix of smart and independent. She was such a relatable character in her birthday situation because it was recently my birthday and I had my own share of curses to contend with. Devon was amazingly imperfect and so much fun. Together, they were perfect. Loved this story! Mama's prayer was so typical and I want more Topher! The side characters are as much fun as the main characters and Myrtle and Pookie are so unexpected.

What a great story! Nothing better than a quirky heroine and a vulnerable alpha, and that is what you will get with this one. Ilsa Madden-Mills has a talent for giving her characters depth and emotion, and making them more than simply words on a page.

I did not realize that this was the second book in a interconnected series, and I just want to read the first book now more than ever! I enjoy Ilsa’s storytelling that much.

You are going to want to be a part of Giselle and Devon’s journey. It has everything you could ever want or need. And the steam... oh the steam....

Do not miss out on this one, I’m off to read Elena and Jack’s story now !

Devon and Giselle have an undeniable attraction to each other that everyone else notices. Giselle is determined to meet someone but when Devon sets her up, none of them seems to work. Will he set her up with right person or will he realize he’s the one for her?

I had a hard time getting into this book. It's not the book, I don't think. I think it's just me. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it that I can pinpoint. It's really just that the friends to lovers trope is not as fun as some other tropes.

That being said, Giselle was OK in this book which is better than her appearance in the previous book in this series. Getting to know her in Not My Match really helped. I'm also a bit of a nerd myself so I do like that about her. Devon was yummy. I'm a big fan of tattoos, piercings, and blue hair. I love the opposites attract but I think there was some heat missing from the book. Of course, the dialog was witty, side characters were great, and the story flowed nicely. See? Nothing wrong with the book. It is a slow burn which is not always easy to do but I think the author did well.

Besides being friends to lovers there was the V-card. I'm really over the V-card. There is nothing wrong with keeping it or saving it or whatever. It's not the state of the V, it's that I thought we were past the double standards of the females being pure as driven snow and the males being man-hoes. Please, can we get past this?

Anyway, I'm only going to to give it three stars this time but don't let that stop you from reading it. I recommend this book to anyone who loves friends to lovers slow burn stories. I think you will enjoy this one a lot.

“If you want to be happy, do what makes your heart fly.”

Giselle needed to be reminded that especially at times when she’d struggle with what she really wants and what she thinks she needs to want and do.
Honestly, I was a little iffy with having Giselle as the heroine for this book. I wasn’t a fan of what happened to her and her sister Elena ( Not My Romeo, book 1 in this series, although they both can be read as a stand-alone) But like Elena, I got over it and started rooting for her. Because she’s not her past and what’s she’s done. She’s smart, funny and a little quirky but also loyal and full of love.
And Devon, you couldn’t help but like him, that guy is full of charm but he’s also so much more. He has all the swagger and also all the heart.
On paper these two seems different but when it comes to matters of the heart, they’re just perfect.
This slow burn, opposites attract romance is definitely a must read. If you’re a fan of witty banter and scorching hot scenes then this book is for you!

Not my first read by the author, I read her books before I started my bookstagram and fell in love with this Series from Book 1, am looking forward to diving into this one!

This one was going to be fun I just knew it, because the heroine is very different. Let’s recap, the heroine is the book 1 H’s sister and the hero is the beat friend of Book 1 Hero. That said going in I knew that Giselle was going to be off limits to Devon. Even though they originally met when Giselle was engaged to the ex-asshole…she actually has had a crush on Devon for a very long time. And Devon who was warned by his beat friend to stay away, she’s innocent…wasn’t sure how to keep his own feelings at bay. Both having been burned by an ex, it was fun to watch them skirt around one another. You can’t deny ZING in the words of Giselle. Their road to each other may nor be original or easy, but boy was is sweet and just swoon-y. The heroine is unique, quirky, blunt, funny, nerdy and so beautiful. The hero is also unique, best at what he does, troubled family and a murky past. Them together as friends was so much fun to watch and learn, something about them both being nerd-y in their own way, when they come together it’s just too cute. Really enjoyed the ending because the peek was more of a rush. Highly Recommend this book & series!

Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 2 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑

Ilsa went and did it again with a sexy, funny, sweet and beautiful story. In Elena & Jack's story I was like I can't believe Giselle did that to her sister. By the end I was like I can't wait to get to know her better because she has a story to tell. Then there's Devon *swoon* I loved him straight away in Elena & Jack's book he was funny but I knew he would have a story worth read about. I wasn't wrong about their stories.. Giselle was funny and quirky. I loved that she just spoke about anything and everything whether it's serious or embarrassing. I giggled alot with her cos she was hilarious.
I also now want to read an Alien and human romance story.. Thanks Ilsa for that as I never fancied reading one but with the mention of the story Giselle was writing I now want to read one haha.
Devon his story made me feel so sorry for him. He may be the one who joked around in the previous but he doesn't want people to leave because in the past people have walked away.
I thought I loved Jack & Elena but I now have a favourite because I love Devon & Giselle more.
Towards the end my heart was like OMG what is going to happen then I'm like NOOO it can't end like this and yes I had tears. Then all is good again in the world and I'm like thank god lol.
The epilogue was absolutely perfect and I smiled so much. Ilsa releases another amazing, sweet, funny, sexy and breathtaking story yet again

What can I say other than I adored this book so much! I loved the nerdy Giselle, I loved all the references made to The Big Bang Theory in this book as well. And then there was our big, strong, sexy football player Devon. Couldn’t help but adore him too! It was fun getting a glimpse back at Jack and Elena from Not My Romeo, as well as all the fun supporting characters the author gives us in her stories as well. Parents, aunts, small town characters, so funny!

It’s always so frustrating when older brothers or guys who think it is their job to protect a relative or friend from their friends kind of put a wrinkle in what could be true love matches. That’s what Jack did, making Devon reluctant to give in to the attraction he feels for Giselle. Not to mention how Jack gives away her big secret! But I guess at least it was only Devon that he told. And Devon of course had other reasons for not just jumping into a relationship with Giselle, and I like that he was honest all the way. In the end, I was glad for how they went in completely though. It made it all perfect.

I loved these two so much, there was even a part that totally took me back to my college days and my group of friends ways of talking about certain sexual acts without actually saying what they were. When Devon is spelling his name out “on” Giselle with his tongue. Oh I remember the teasing and blushing ways we talked about “ABCs” back in the day.

I love a good “Damsel in Distress” book when they are well-written...you know, the girl is believable and not super “cringy”. Let’s just say that Giselle is perfectly written!! And I just LOVE Jack...he’s the perfect partner for her even if he struggles against it for a bit.

Loved it so much!

I was really excited for Devon's book after reading Not My Romeo.......but I hate to say that I was a bit let down with his story. I didn't even care that Giselle was the heroine, as I love when an author redeems a character that may have done some not great things. I really did enjoy both characters separately, but together, I just didn't feel the connection between them. I'll admit that early on in the book, they had one smokin' hot kiss that I was hoping I would jump-start the spark for them; but it wasn't until the end that I could truly see them together. I love a slow-burn, but this was just a little too slow for my liking. And I don't know why this bothered me, but they weren't even dating and Devon was calling her baby.

Overall, this one was a miss for me. But I still enjoy the author's writing and I'm looking forward to what she comes up with next!

Another great story from this author. Giselle is a physics student and a virgin. She is determined to date and find someone. Devon is a pro football star. He has noticed Giselle but hasn’t realized his feelings for her. He decides he’ll help her date. Through the process they grow into friends fighting their attraction to each other. This is their love story.