Beauty and the Baller is a funny, romantic, and heart-warming sports romance!

I loved Ronan and felt bad about his football career ending so soon. I enjoyed Nova’s character as well. They were just perfect together.

Ilsa never disappoints us with her love for writing great sports romance but she writes about amazing characters with real-life issues that you can relate to.

Beauty and the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills is a second chance romantic comedy. It was filled with great characters, a fun story and a great meet cute.
Ronan is trying to get over a tragedy and his self destruction. Nova is everything he didn’t know he needed. After a drunken night, he decides to get his life back on track.
Two years after their first encounter and a one night stand, they end up as neighbors and co-workers.
This is a small town Southern story that will have you smiling and enjoying the chemistry, banter amongst the characters. It is full of heartwarming moments and characters that are perfection.
Another hit from Ilsa Madden-Mills not to be missed!

Ronan and Nova are funny and entertaining in this football romance. Lana~ White Hot Reads

Well, all I have to say is Texas football. It's a sport of its own. When fate steps in and brings Nova and Ronan back together, its shear enjoyment. These two have awesome chemistry and work well with each other. I loved how Nova truly put her sister first and Ronan finally healed.

“We’re different flowers from the same garden, but we’re perfect together.”

I think I love everything that Ilsa Madden-Mills writes and Beauty and the Baller is no exception. This story is an emotional and funny romance that has an unexpected depth. The character development for Ronan and Nova was breathtaking. I loved watching their relationship progress and grow and change.

I loved Nova. She was so feisty and unapologetically herself. She was fierce in her love for her sister and she was determined to create a new life for herself upon her return to her hometown. She didn’t expect to find her one night stand from a few years ago living next door to her and the scenes that ensued after her discovery brought such a huge smile to my face.

Ronan had a painful past that had caused him to guard his heart. I loved how real his emotions were and his fear was perfectly justified. Nova was just the ray of light that he needed to open his heart again and make him feel again.

“Because you’re a burst of light. Because you believe in people. Because I can’t look up at the night sky without thinking about you. You’re a star.”

The chemistry between these two was sizzling and I loved watching their relationship develop. They truly brought out the best in each other and encouraged each other to reach for the stars.

“Find your glow. Discover all the possibilities. Reach for the stars.”

I absolutely loved this delightful and charming fake relationship, sports romance. Full of humor, heat and so much heart and emotion, the town of Blue Belle and Nova and Ronan will capture your heart.

I absolutely loved Beauty and the Baller. This book will give you all the feels. Ronan has been through a lot and never really got over it, which makes him who is when he runs into Nova after two years. Nova snuck into a party to meet him and these two have a night together that she will never forget. When these two see each other again when Nova returns to her hometown, it’s hard since he seems to not remember her. From that moment on bring the banter between these two is hilarious, then add in the undeniable chemistry. This book has a bit of everything, the athlete, beauty queen, second chance, fake relationship. This all leads to Nova and Ronan giving you an adventure that will pull you in and fully entranced with their story. Beauty and the Baller will leave you wanting more of these two.

Beauty and The Baller was bewitching! 4 stars

I was intrigued with Ronan, his backstory and his current situation right away. I absolutely loved how Nova was introduced! Her sunshine personality was a joy to read. Ronan was scarred, and his journey to love moved me. I was rooting for them the whole time. This book pulled at my heartstrings and made sad and happy tears fall. Beauty and The Baller was just an all-around bewitching book!

This was a sweet, endearing book from cover to cover. Ronan is a troubled quarterback that has his professional career on hold after an accident that took his happiness with it. Nova is a carefree spirited woman that is just a ray of sunshine. She glows wherever she goes. I loved the sexual tension that sparked between them. The little games they played and the teasing was entertaining and adorable. They meshed well from the beginning and they felt real. This book was a great, light-hearted read that made me smile all the way up to the end and well after.

"My beauty. We’re gonna have the world.”

As soon as I saw that Ilsa Madden Mills is bringing a new story out, I was excited to get my hands on it because she's one of my go to go authors when it comes to the sports romance genre and this one was another delightful read! I always love how she develops the side characters along with the main characters and that itself just makes the story come alive! The whole vibe of the book was really lighthearted, somewhat emotional and engaging. Nova stole the show in this one. She was my favourite! Her entire personality was so funny, sassy and refreshing. She was unapologetic and so very transparent. I loved her relationship with her little sister so much. Ronan though faced a lot of pain in his past but since Nova came into his life, it's like he woke up from a nightmare. She was his second chance at life. I really loved to see their relationship being developed. Though I really didn't like it when Nova got her feelings hurt because she was just so bubbly and a ray of postive sunshine that whenever anyone made her feel bad, I just wanted to go hug her. The epilogue was so freaking cute, I can't express how much I loved it! If you love a good sports romance with a grumpy football coach hero who has a damaged past and a sunshine heroine who would make you laugh out loud with a bold personality and with a dash of the fake dating trope added, then pick this little gem now!

Thank you Netgalley & Social butterfly PR for this ARC

A second chance, fake dating romance with all the drama of Texas high school football.

A few years ago, Nova showed up at a New York Pythons football team party dressed as Princess Leia (slave edition) and ended up sleeping with a very drunk Ronan after his career was over. Now she's moved to Blue Belle, Texas to take care of her teenage sister after their mom passed away. She never expected that her new neighbor would be Ronan. The football boosters won't stop trying to set him up with every woman in town, so he strikes a deal with Nova to pretend to date. But things don't feel as pretend as they planned.

Overall, I think Ilsa Madden-Mills books are just not for me, even though I keep hoping they are. I've read a few of them and usually end up frustrated. Nova and Ronan were both really annoying and feel like caricatures of "southern beauty queen" and "alpha male athlete". The casual sexism of Texas football culture also wasn't really my thing. I did really like the premise of the book and I liked Sabine (Nova's younger sister). Plus Dog and Sparky were cute.

This wasn't a bad book and if you like other Ilsa Madden-Mills books, you'll probably like this one too. I just think this wasn't the book for me.

Trigger warnings: death of a loved one, fatal car accident, cheating (not by the main characters), grief, alcoholism

- An entertaining meet cute
- Hot, steamy moments
- Beauty and the Beast Vibes
- Former NFL star turned small town high school coach
- Fake Dating

Could anything but perfection come from this combination?! I think not. Beauty and the Baller was sexy and funny, while also incredibly emotional. Ronan and Nova were easy to love - playful personalities and off the chart chemistry made for so many laugh out loud moments between these two. The secondary characters were just as entertaining, especially Sabine and Skeeter. Absolute gems.

This won my heart and it won everything. I had the biggest smile on my face because it's honestly felt like forever since I read a new work by this author. She's a comfort read for me because her words envelop me and don't let me go until I've finished and felt what the words demanded me to feel. And this small town, sports romance with two main characters with baggage and history demanded I give it all my attention and all my emotions. I loved every minute I spent with Ilsa Madden-Mills' new words and I cannot wait to see what comes next. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this. All opinions are my own.

With the BEAUTY AND THE BALLER, Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a fun, sexy and emotional read that made my heart full.

I think I’m going to wax poetic so I’m going to skip the recap and go straight to the waxing. I was anxiously awaiting this story and Ilsa definitely delivered. There’s no doubt this book is going to my favorites shelf. BEAUTY AND THE BALLER is simply amazing!

Here are 10 reasons why I loved this book:
- it's touching
- it's fun
- it's sexy. Nova in a Princess Leia slave suit and Ronan in a tux. ‘nuff said
- Nova is a kick@ss heroine
- Ronan is a beautifully broken and swoony hero
- together Nova and Ronan are spectacular. I loved the banter and tension and the deliciously swoony epilogue.
- it has Star Wars references ALL.OVER!
- it has great supporting characters, the students and friends added a great layer to the story
- there was a cute dog named Dog and an adorable furless cat
- it has angst, it has a small town shenanigan's, it has all feels!
OMG I truly LOVE this book!

BEAUTY AND THE BALLER is a standalone contemporary romance by Ilsa Madden-Mills. Told from both points of view, with a happy ending. Tropes: fake relationship | tortured hero | small town | sports romance

Ronan a former professional football and Nova a Artist at heart and Jack of all trades in everything else, had a less then amazing night 2 years ago. Ronan was morning the loss of his career and girlfriend so he wasn’t in the right head space. Fast forward 2 years and Ronan and Nova are now neighbors in her small hometown. When her ex-boyfriend keeps giving her unwanted attention and he keeps getting set up with every single lady in town they decide to pretend to be a couple. Well we all know how that’s going to turn out! Can these unpack their past emotional baggage to get each other what they really need and deserve? Between her adorable sister, their students and all the nosy towns people this is a very entertaining read. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Thank you to the publisher @netgalley for a copy of this book. I have enjoyed all of the books I’ve read from Madden-Mills and this one did not disappoint.

If you love high school football (Friday night lights vibes) this is the perfect story. I love the nod to Beauty and the beast from the name of the high school to Nova’s favorite colors being yellow.

The chemistry between Nova & Ronan was amazing and I loved their interactions.

I’m used to falling in love with characters, but never before have I fallen in love with a book. From the cover to the story, to the characters of course–main and side–to some of the topics discussed, I loved everything. Even when, objectively, some things were better than others.

Nova is an ex-prom queen who’s a lot deeper than that. She’s responsible, dedicated and loyal; she wants to have a meaningful life; she loves with her full heart hence it can be broken easily, but she forgives. She’s also a bit weird, in the best way.

Ronan is scarred, both inside and outside, since the car accident that took his fiancee, his face and his career. Well, that’s who he is at the very beginning, but his first encounter with Nova changes all that. He’s still scarred, but he’s taken charge of his life, and now only protects his heart.

From one night stand, to neighbors, to friends, to fake couple, to a real one… together they were a fun couple to follow.

Other characters around them were quite compelling too. Nova’s autistic sister, her meddling neighbor, Ronan’s ‘very best friend in the world’, assistant coach Skeeter and science teacher Sonia, beauty queen Melinda and her posse, all the high school kids… They were quirky allies or hateful enemies, and brought the humor and the drama in the story. They were all memorable.

I like it when there’s some real sports in my sports romance, and I got served. It was only high school football, but there were good bits of sports, and some behind the scene too, with Coach Ronan looking for a new job.

Also nits–you’ll see.

A lot of funny moments, some very sexy scenes, emotional bits that’ll touch your heart… I can’t recommend this book enough.

Quickie

- Series: standalone
- Hashtags: #football romance #small town romance #one night stand #second chance #fake relationship #neighbors #neurodivergent character
- Triggers: car accident and death, grief
- Main couple: Nova Morgan & Ronan Smith
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 5/5
- + Ronan’s nerdiness
- – I’m not from the USA so I wonder, are teachers really that bad?

After the death of her mother, Nova moves back to her childhood home in Blue Bell, Texas to care for her fifteen-year-old sister Sabine. A lot has changed she’s been back home, but what surprises Nova the most is that the new high-school football coach, that every woman in the town has been drooling over, happens to be the former NFL quarterback she had a one-night-stand with two years prior. Unlike Nova, Ronan does not remember her right away, but the connection and attraction is there from the very start. As Nova slyly reveals details from that night, and Ronan puts the pieces together, the two have an opportunity to create a new path for themselves.

This book had a lot of my favorites: sports romance, fake dating, second-chance romance, forced proximity, instant attraction and small town vibes. I kept imaging the Friday Night Lights setting as I read and the supportive, tight-knit community. I loved the undeniable chemistry between Nova and Ronan and the games they played that allowed them to open up to one another. The supporting characters were unique and brought a lot of depth to the story.

I do have to say there were some parts I didn’t care for. I found that the student/ teacher dynamics didn’t fully resemble what a HS atmosphere is like. I can’t imagine my teachers venting about relationships to their students, inviting families over for dinner, and being okay with first name references. There was also a lice outbreak in the school that I found was explained and handled oddly. Also, some of the flirtation when Nova and Ronan were fake dating seemed too forced that it shocked me that others didn’t catch on.

Read if you like:
🏉Second chance romance
🏉Steamy scenes
🏉Fake dating and forced proximity
🏉Small-town Texas setting
🏉NHL player turned HS football coach
🏉Teachers who truly care for their students
🏉Lovable side characters

Thanks Montlake for this ARC!

what a great story! I started this yesterday evening getting half way through before falling asleep. This morning I could not wait to get to work so I could finish reading this LOL (I love my job :) )

Nova and Ronan were fantastic together! Both guarded and a little broken, but absolutely perfect for one another. There were several laugh out loud moments in here, but there was a depth to this story because of their previous heartbreaks. I think Ilsa Madden-Mills writes the best heroes - they are closed and guarded but want to be open and vulnerable. They just need the right heroines to make it worth giving it a shot.

I'll just say that I loved the side characters in here - Skeeter and Sonia were awesome! I'd love a novella with them. Hint, hint :) I also loved Sabine. And honestly, Melinda and Andrew weren't that bad either LOL

Go Bobcats!!!

Ronan is a NFL Super Bowl champion QB. He was living his best life, money, fame and planning a wedding. Then tragedy struck and he lost it all. Now he is a broken man. By chance he meets Nova. She’s dressed as a character from one of his favorite movies. He’s drawn to her, fascinated.
In the morning her face is all a blur, his memory is spotty.

Nova is a southern firecracker, bless her heart. She is a force to be reckoned with, living again in her childhood home. Her life has been turned upside down and all that matters now is finding a job so she can save her family home and providing for her sister.

One loud party with scantily clad females brings Ronan & Nova together again. This time he is sober, eyes wide open and no clue who she is. Oh boy!

Small town romances and second chance love are two of my favorite tropes. This story offers both, plus several quirky side characters that round out the drama and fun.

I enjoyed Beauty and the Baller. I wonder if we will see a story down the road for Tuck? I hope so.

Beauty and the Baller is an ultimate example of Madden-Mills' talent, a sports romance with clever banter, heartbreak, healing, and, most importantly, heart. These characters and this story will steal a piece of your heart, and as Ronan says, "Win the heart." Win everything. "

Nova's mother passed away, and she returned to her hometown as her sister's guardian. I immediately felt a connection with Nova, as I, too, lost both parents decades before their time, and my sister is the only family I have. The bond between Nova and Sabine resonated with me.

Nova was the ideal combination of sassy and sweet. She had a weakness for athletes, and she was tired of them and the heartbreak they would inevitably cause her. That is, until she comes face to-face with one of the athletes who caused her heart to crack. Nova and Ronan didn't have much of a choice; their future was in the hands of fate.

Ronan was on top of the world until tragedy struck one night and knocked him off.A moment in time that shattered the man he was. He was on the path of self destruction until another night, a very modern twist, a princess appeared, and Beauty saved the Baller.

Ronan and Nova went from a quick burn to a simmering, tension-filled slow burn. The build up was DELICIOUS. The intensity between them makes every interaction feel like foreplay. Every single emotion Ronan and Nova felt flowed from the pages into my heart. Although for different reasons, they had both been through a heartbreaking loss. The bond between them evolved, growing stronger, all the while each was healing in their own ways.

Beauty and the Baller is my new favorite Madden-Mills novel. The connection between Ronan and Nova was innately special, but truly, it wasn’t only them that made this stand out amongst others, it was this whole fictional world. The secondary characters were as intriguing as they were entertaining. I hope this isn’t the last we see of these characters. I NEED more Tuck in my life.

Beauty and the Baller is an exhilarating blend of a soul-searing connection, a sweet, sassy heroine, a broken hero, witty banter, heartbreak, healing, and a whole lot of heart are woven through every page. Madden-Mills has a knack for delivering sports romances that are so much more than romance.

🏈 ARC REVIEW 🏈
Review: 4/5 ⭐️
Steam: 2.5/5 🔥

#beautyandtheballer is an all new book coming out soon by @ilsamaddenmills

Ronan was at the top of his game in the NFL. Until an accident that ended his career. After being in a year long funk, he’s out with his best friend at a team event. His friend wants him to get back out there and talk to a girl. One who’s soon to change his life. A couple years later he’s in a small town coaching football. He’s at an impasse in his life waiting for the next big thing. But that big thing might not be who he expects, but exactly what he needs.

Nova is outgoing and does her own thing. After a horrible one night stand, she gets back to the working grind. Until her mother passes and she needs to go to her hometown for her younger sister. Everything is just how she left it, well, mostly everything. The new football coach is a blast from the past. Can they work as a team at school and in a fake relationship? Or will the past catch up with them and shine on what they’ve been missing?

This book isn’t entirely what I expected. After the first chapter, it took me a little to get into. But once I did I really enjoyed it. Nova is funny, caring and determined. She wears her heart on her sleeve and is trying to make the best of a crappy situation. Ronan can’t let go of the past and his hot and cold was a little annoying where I wanted to slap him and say “smarten up you dope!” I liked the ending but wish we got a little more. I can’t wait to see if some of the other characters get their own story too! But overall it’s enjoyable.