Whenever I read a book by Ilsa Madden-Mills I always think I've found my new favourite book of hers and my favourite book boyfriend but then she releases a new book and I fall in love all over again.
We first met Giselle in Not My Romeo and whilst reading that book I made up my mind about Giselle, or so I thought I'd made up my mind about her anyway until I started reading Not My Match and she completely redeemed herself.
Giselle is a bit of a nerdy girl who has recently found herself single after a broken engagement so she's looking to date and more importantly lose her virginity. In walks Devon, a fellow football player/team mate and also friend of her sister's husband, who offers to help her find a decent guy for her to date.
Both characters are dealing with their own personal problems and insecurities throughout the book which make them all the more lovable to both each other but also to us as the reader. Giselle and Devon end up being the perfect match for each other and I fell in love with them as much as I'd go as far as to say that they would probably have to be my new favourite book couple!
Not My Match is a friends to lovers book which is one of my favourite tropes.
Ilsa Madden-Mills never fails to write an amazing storyline that contain characters you instantly connect with. If I could rate this book higher than 5 stars then I would as I absolutely loved it!
I would highly recommend this book, 5 stars from me.

Arc provided by Montlake via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

In Not My Match, we return to the world introduced in Not My Romeo. Ms Madden Mills brings us back to Daisy, TN and the Daisy Lady Gang with younger sister Giselle.

Giselle is at a bit of a cross roads when we meet her in this book. We see her struggle a and even deal with her birthday curse. On the sidelines for her adventures, and to come to the rescue when needed, Devon (the teammate of her new brother in law).

I liked both characters here. Giselle is a lot stronger than she thanks she is and it was truly fun to see her stretch her wings and fight for what she wants and needs. Devon is a great example of still waters running deep. He’s a good guy hiding behind a playboy persona.

This is a fun, well written slow burn/friends to lovers story that kept us guessing as to what would happen. The secondary cast here is great too. Aiden (another teammate) adds a layer of competition/humor and Giselle’s family is a hoot.

Technically, this is a stand alone, but I highly recommend reading Not My Romeo first as pieces of the background are laid/more fully explained there. Having enjoyed the first two books so much, I have to admit that I hope Aiden has a story coming soon too.

5 Stars

Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills is the second book in The Game Changers series and OMG it was fan-freakin’-tastic! Every time I pick up a Madden-Mills story, I know that I am going to fall head over heels in love. Not My Match was no different. This book stole my heart and was completely unputdownable. From the very first page to the last, I was swept away into this fictional world and never wanted to leave.

Giselle and Devon were AMAZING! They were complete opposites but Mills writes them where they not only attract, but mesh in a way that makes the story seem realistic. Devon was the perfect alpha hero and is so broken. Giselle’s life was mess after mess. But when Devon offers her a place to stay, she has no idea how much her life is about to change.

This book was incredible! Full of a delicious slow burn, friends to lovers, swoony, steamy and romantic- Not My Match is one story you do not want to miss! Highly recommend reading it!

Now I'm not going to lie, reading Not My Match was a bit of a struggle for me in the beginning to read. I still couldn't get over the betrayal of what Giselle did in Not My Romeo. That being said, I'm glad I stuck it out. Through all of Giselle's quirks and misunderstandings she grew so much as a person and deserved a second chance with a HEA. Devon is the handsome football player whos used to people not staying in his life. With these two as friends had me cracking up imagine them trying to be a couple. Through there ups and downs I couldn't get enough of them. Not My Match had me cracking up. Another great book in the Game Changers Series!

From the very beginning (when Giselle was on the worlds worst first date) I knew I was going to love this hilarious friends to lovers novel. Both Devon and Giselle had perfect banter, Devon's teammates were comic gold and Giselle's neighbor was the best. After tragic circumstances leave Giselle homeless, Devon goes against his better judgement and asks Giselle to stay with him.

As Giselle and Devon grew closer the whole relationship felt so real. They weren't cookie cutter characters and both brought baggage to the relationship. Since I did not read the first book in the series ( but will be doing ASAP) I didn't know her story going into this one but I still understood her struggles. Overall I loved this book and how well written/real the characters felt. Their struggles didn't feel forced like some books I have read and I really hope there is a third book in this series!

4.75 Stars

Giselle & Devon.
We met them both in the first book.
Giselle was the heroine's boyfriend-stealing beautiful nerd sister - the boyfriend who then cheated on her too.
And Devon is Jack's best buddy. Football bad boy.
Since Jack told all his teammates that his new sister is off limits - Devon is a bit scared everytime he's in the same room with this amazing woman. Especially because she's also still a virgin at 24.
But suddenly she's living with him!

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN ...

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ADORABLE! HILARIOUS!
I JUST LOVED IT!

This was such a sweet and funny romance!
Of course we also have a few not-so-funny things in our darlings' pasts. So we don't get an insta happy end - they have to work through some stuff. But nothing bad ... they just have to realize that they've been each other's HEA all along.
So cute and sparky and adorable and fun. I adored both Giselle and Devon! And all the others too - Aidan, Myrtle - amazing cast.
I really want to see this on Netflix one day!

NOT MY MATCH was an adorable and funny and sparky physics-nerd-football-bad-boy-love-story! I adored it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Devon - this one is MINE!

Giselle should have known that her life would have changed as she approached her 24th birthday. Something weird always happens around this time of the year. Her brother-in-law has declared her off limits to all of his teammates so her dating life is very limited. She is determined to find someone though and she has a blind date with a guy off a dating app. It is going horrible until Devon shows up and rescues her.

To make matters even worst, her apartment caught on fire and she is now homeless. Once again, Devon is there to the rescue and offers her a place to stay. Giselle shares with Devon that she is going to find her a man and he offers to help since she is clueless in that department.

This slow burn romance worked its magic on me. Giselle and Devon had enough chemistry and sexy banter to keep me entertain throughout the story. They say that opposites attract and in Giselle and Devon’s case they are correct. The straight-laced virgin and wild man whore jock find that they have a lot more in common than they would have thought.

I went into this story with some trepidation after Giselle’s stunt in book 1. I didn’t buy her innocent act but she held her own. She is quirky and weird (what can you expect from a genius). She needs help to find love and of course the man whore is the perfect guy to help her. If you know about her mom, sister and aunt, then you can warm up to her a bit.

Devon is the perfect alpha male hero. He has a lot of issues that he needs to work on. The relationship with his father played a big role in how he handled Giselle. At one point, I wanted him to just tell her how he felt but I understood how he was nervous to be abandoned again. There is a little drama and angst but the story could have used a bit more.

Overall, I’m loving this sports romance series. I look forward to the next book.

~ Samantha

Giselle and Devon are two wonderful characters in this opposite attracts novel, that will hold your attention and root for them right up to the end of the novel.

Granted, I probably should read the other books in the series, but that did not deter me from enjoying this novel and the way Ilsa penned her words to hit me right in the heart.

This is a story I would definitely read again (and again) because these two characters definitely took hold of my heart!

In the second book in the series, we get a second, deeper look at Giselle. I honestly didn't care for her much in the Not My Romeo, but Ilsa got me to like and respect her in this book.

Giselle Riley is an academic with a yearning for romance and true love. Attempting to fight off a birthday curse while pursuing her academic goals is proving to be frustrating. Added to the fact that Devon Walsh seems to always turn up just in the nick of time to rescue her is wreaking havoc with her practical ways of thinking.

"Life doesn't decide who you fall for. Love knows no rules at all..."

Devon has been hurt by love repeatedly. Afraid of what could happen if he and Giselle get together then break up, he tries setting her up with different men with the same result: wishing Giselle would forget about those men and choose him. In Giselle, he finds a friend, confidant, family and lover wrapped up into one. Is she too good to be true?

"She isn't like anyone else. She's not a girl I can let go."

Giselle & Devon's story is a must-read. While it isn't as dramatic or funny as book 1, its seriousness hit a different chord for me. Giselle isn't a naïve, bumbling virgin. She's strong and smart, just a little lost. Devon was a sweetheart that I loved from the minute I met him. The way he was so selfless and sweet - despite all he's been through - made me fall even deeper for him. I wanted happiness for them both, and I loved their journey.

I truly enjoy Ilsa's work, and I cannot wait to see what she delivers next.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.

Oh my stars!
5 stars

Ilsa Madden-Mills is one of my go-to authors when I’m looking for an involving, emotional, sexy and romantic read. However, she manages to surprise me with every new book - each one surpassing my expectations and somehow being better than the last.

This is the story of superstar (and super hot) American football player, Devon, and slightly nerdy, slightly cool scientist, Giselle. The pair are acquaintances through Devon’s best friend and Giselle’s sister getting married. Acquaintance turns to friendship then a tentative attraction and finally, full blown combustion.

After I’d read the book I noticed that it’s being billed as a slow-burn romance and yes, I suppose it is. However, there is so much sexual tension, growing feelings and a soul-deep friendship being built that it feels hot and heavy almost from the first. This pair are soulmates and boy can you feel it. It’s deliciously everything.

Giselle was something of an anomaly in a romance. She was quirky, funny, vulnerable and absolutely hilarious. The way her mind worked and how she thought things through - I’m not sure I’ve ever loved a heroine more. I identified with her so much - although I sadly don’t have my own Devon in my life. Equally, I found her so refreshing and inspiring. She was smart and driven and so loving. So wonderful.

And Devon was equally the perfect kind of hero. He was alpha, grouchy, funny, sweet and very sexy. But he was also very layered and very vulnerable. He tried to fight it but he couldn’t stop himself from wanting Giselle and loving every little thing about her. The way he found her delightful. Supported and protected her. Cheered on her dreams. The way they teased and pranked each other. It was true love and a true friendship. Each and every time he called her ‘baby’, I melted. With every emotion I fell in love as they did.

With the chemistry that Devon and Giselle had, is it any surprise that my kindle smoked during the sex scenes? But as I mentioned, it’s also the kisses, touches, laughter and looks (level 5 gaze - 10+ seconds) that make this a super sexy read. While I love that in a story, the actual romance was how this book was won. It was, simply, perfection.

This is the second book in the Game Changers series after Not My Romeo. Devon and Giselle appear briefly in that book - just as Jack and Elena appear briefly in this one. As do a whole host of the characters who appeared in the first book. Daisy Lady Gang for life.

Having said that, this book does stand alone and if you haven’t read Not My Romeo, this one will still be enjoyable make perfect sense. (But seriously, read Not My Romeo - it’s great!) There are also so many characters I want to get their own stories. And serious question - when are we getting to read Vureck and Kate’s story?

Every single time I pick up an Ilsa Madden-Mills book I’m blown away with how quickly I fall into the world she creates. How easily I care for her characters and make them part of my life. How much I adore the story she tells. I finished this book not an hour ago and I’m already in serious withdrawal. I highly recommend this book - you will not be disappointed.

Not My Match is Giselle and Devin's story and what a heart warming, feel good story it is!
Giselle is a physicist and Devin is a football player. A physicist and football player don't fit together, right?
Wrong!
Giselle and Devin are perfect together if only they could see it and be able to move past what has happened before they met.
When Giselle needs somewhere to live, Devon offers his spare room and Giselle is quick to take him up on the idea, 1. He has an amazing home 2. He is going to let her drive his very expensive car and 3. He is well Devin, hotter than sin and Giselle is wildly attracted to him.
What could go wrong?
Read Not My Match to find out what happens when feelings come out and passions are ignited.
I loved Giselle and Devin's story, so much so I've ordered the paperback! Another thing I loved about Not My Match is how its interconnected, Giselle is Elena's sister and Devin is Jack's best friend so we get to see how Elena and Jack are getting on after Not My Romeo.
This book will grab you from the beginning and you'll be dragged into their world and even when you finish you'll still be thinking about it!
I received an arc of Not My Match and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

Giselle & Devon ... two universes collide

After reading Not My Romeo, I was really looking forward to reading the second book in the Game Changer series. NOT MY MATCH. It was definitely worth the wait. This is a story of discovery, friendship, truths, and love between two opposites who have a lot more in common than they believe.

Giselle Riley is smart sexy, nerdy and a virgin. She is also trying to recover from a broken heart and fulfil her scientific aspirations. She's looking for love and finds help from the most unexpected person. Devon Walsh, professional football player for the Nashville Titans, whose playboy reputation precedes him. Giselle and Devon's relationship torments them both, he realises that he wants this quirky, smart, attractive woman all to himself and she develops feelings for him that she's not sure how to deal with. Will the decisions that they make bring happiness or broken hearts?

NOT MY MATCH was a really enjoyable story to read. I loved the sassiness and quirkiness of Giselle. Yes, she made some mistakes in her past, mistakes others have forgiven her for, yet she had to learn to forgive herself. I loved that she was writing as SciFi romance based on the science field she enjoyed so much. Devon was such a sweet man, even though he tried to hide it. His backstory was heartbreaking, but the man he became was magnificent. He cared and protected Giselle in a way that was tender and loving - yet he was able to keep his true feelings hidden.

NOT MY MATCH was a slow burn romance that tickled my funny bone and warmed my heart. The chemistry was heated, but it was believable as nothing seemed forced between Giselle and Devon. A thoroughly entertaining story from beginning to end. A recommended read.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

FIVE STARS

Book: Not My Match
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Rating: 3.5/5 🌌🏈 matching stars 🏈🌌

"I want to be in all your universes."

Not My Match is the second book in The Game Changers series by Ilsa Madden-Mills, it was a book about self-discovery, forgiveness, and true opposites falling in love against all odds.

I won't lie, this book was not my favorite by this author, I've seen what she's capable of writing, and after two amazing and beautiful books I loved by her last year, this one fell short. Don't get me wrong, the story is lovely a bit o a slow-burn, and super funny; but I struggled to connect with it. I truly began to enjoy it after the second half of it and the last 20% was heartbreakingly beautiful.

Even if this book was not my favorite, I'm gonna keep reading this author; she always put a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.

My only question is: Is Aiden aka our flirty Alabama boy getting a book of his own? I need it!

Hope you like my review, remember reading and enjoying stories it's in the eye of the beholder. Be kind.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I got all the feels when Not My Match is truly a match!! I love how Ilsa- Madden Mills tells a story and how Giselle and Devon fall for each other.
It’s slow but real. Two totally opposite people who fall for each other. I love when characters open up themselves and grow individually and then together!! That’s what happens and I loved it!

Oh my gosh... Devon and Giselle are EVERYTHING!!! This was one of the most romantic and swoon-worthy reads ever! Friends to lovers with so much heart and let’s not forget the steam factor...whoa! Slow burn and the tension was incredible. These two are beautiful souls and I just loved it so much! 10 stars!!!

Not My Match is the second book in the Game Changers series. This book could be read as a standalone, however the characters in book one do show up in this book. This book is told from Giselle and Devon. Giselle is brought up in book one as well since she is the sister of the main girl in book one, and Devon is the main guy's best friend.

This book is adorable and it had me laughing so much. I love the banter between both characters. Giselle's apartment catches fire, and she has no where to go. Devon invites her to stay with him. They start to have feelings for each other, but Jack (book one) told Devon to stay away from Giselle because she is off limits.

As the book goes on they can't stop their feelings for each other. Giselle's mom is trying to set her up, and Devon has to battle with those other guys to see if he can be everything for Giselle. When an opportunity of a lifetime comes up for Giselle, they must discover if they will end it, if they can make a long distance relationship work, or if the opportunity is really worth it.

I really enjoyed this story, and hope there will be more in the series!

I've given this author so many chances now, because most of my friends love her books, but it's never beyond "okay". Unfortunately, I can put another miss for this author.

> "There's an ancient Chinese myth that says if two people are destined to be together, then no matter how long it takes, their paths will continue to cross and intertwine. They believe there's an invisible red thread that ties destined couples. The thread may knot or tangle but will never break."

Last year, I've read Not My Romeo, the first book in the Game Changers series and I didn't like it. Jack and Elena's characters were such annoying characters. Giselle (h) is Elena's sister who 'stole' Elena's ex-boyfriend. I couldn't stand Giselle in Elena's book, because I hate sister rivalry, especially someone who's getting together with her sister ex? No go. But I had hope that I would kind of forget my dislike for Giselle and give her a chance, but upon reading the first 5 chapters, I knew I didn't like Giselle. Giselle is a teacher/scientist who writes sci-fi romance and one would think she would have an interesting personality with her weird quirks, but she was one of the most blandest heroine I've had the pleasure reading about. That's a new: weird and bland.

Giselle writing this alien romance story is suppose to make her character more interesting and it was honestly better than the romance between Giselle and Devon (H). Devon is Jack's best friend and another cocky athlete. After a fire burns down Giselle's apartment, she temporary moves into Devon's apartment and these two form a friendship. Devon is acting as Giselle's wingman, despite being attracted to her, but due to his past he's afraid to do anything. Devon is perhaps the saving grace of this book and why I didn't give it 1 star. He was acting pretty sweet, understanding and very protective towards Giselle. Points for doing the bare minimum, but I take it.

The conflict at the end is another thing that bothered me. It's one thing if a character has no spine at the beginning of the book...there is something called character development, but by 93% of the book it would be great to see SOMETHING. Giselle never had the guts to stand up to her sister, her mother, her boss or anyone else. And because she's a coward she couldn't tell Devon something important and he had to find it out by accident and it was so stupid. Girl was so afraid to hurt Devon that she did exactly that. "I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't" is not a good enough excuse. FU GISELLE!!! *takes several deep breathes * In the grand things of scheme that conflict is not that bad, but I already didn't like Giselle and the book was so boring .. so it's just another thing that was added to the things that I disliked about this book.

But kudos to Ilsa Madden Mills for giving credits to proverbs and quotes to the right owner when it's due and not trying to sell them as their own unlike some other authors *looks at LJ Shen* So IMM's books might not be for me, but I can see why people like them.

ookay, ilsa, i see you with this one.

the underdog, the sister who messed up, the heroine i wasn’t sure i would be down about && wowowowow, i was very into this one. Giselle is a women on a mission - a virginity mission & devon’s a guy who isn’t down to help, but also doesn’t want her to be so loosey goosey about everything.

there was so much i wasn’t sure what to do with, but it all fit so well. making for such a unique romance!

a fire, a unfortunate father situation, and infatuation that just won’t go away - this book tugged at my heart strings while making me swoon the entire time. i couldn’t put this one down.

thanks to ilsa & social butterfly for the arc!

Perfect Match for Me

Not My Match was a fantastic read. Ilsa Madden-Mills is a writing genius! Giselle Riley is such a quirky, lovable character. Devon Walsh is sexy and adorable. After her breakup with her fiancé, Giselle tries to date again. Only it seems like there is one fiasco after another. A small fire makes Giselle homeless and Devon offers to have her stay with him. Devon made a promise to his best friend Jack to watch out for Giselle while they are out of town. He might have a little crush on her, but he won't do anything to jeopardize his friendship with co-worker and best friend Jack. I love the characters Giselle and Devon, and I love that they weren't perfect and had flaws just like real people. It made the story feel genuine. This book was a perfect match for me, and can be one for you as well.

She did it again! Ilsa Madden-Mills really knows how to catch and hold my attention the whole book!
I'm a sucker for sports romance and she's one of my favorite on that trope.

And she freaking make me root for the virgin girl who wronged her own sister! How she could do that, is beyond me!
I loved Not My Romeo, so I'm protective of Elena and Jack. Giselle was the pivot of Elena's heartbreak at the beginning of Not My Romeo. So my expectations for her redemption, were pretty low. Even if at the end of the book, things wasn't as they looked like at the beginning, I still had my doubts with her.
BUT I looooved Devon with a hard passion since the first book. He was super funny and an amazing friend! So I needed him to be happy!

Their journey isn't an easy one, but how funny was to see them together!
Devon was insecure and keep his heart firmly locked from any kinda of love actually. He was burned before, so it wasn't easy for him to admit that what he really wanted, was Gisele.
Gisele is a hot mess almost the entire book, but she's smart, friendly, compassionate and she's really trying to be better. All the Preston drama left a mark on her, but she really knew what she wanted, and that was Devon.

Their chemistry is amazing.
Their banter and their friendship is incredible, and OMG when they finally get together, I could feel the zing from across my Kindle!
Gisele won me over with her care and her heart at the right place!
Devon is still my dear sweetheart, that I want to hug and cuddle, watching shark week on the couch!

I have to mention Mama Cynthia's passive-aggressive prayer during their Sunday lunch! Dear Lord, I was cracking up during that whole scene! I love that family!
Bless your heart!

This book was amazing and I highly recommend it!