5/5 ⭐
3/5 🌶️

I absolutely loved Francesca and Tuck's story. Both main characters were beautifully written. Both had these tragic pasts that held them back from love, but fate was determined and kept pushing them together. Tuck's story was especially heartbreaking, I think it hit me harder because he was the more broken adult... He had such a hard time letting his walls down and just when you thought he'd be okay, he threw them back up tenfold.

I really loved the smaller storylines, especially Francesca's past. I loved how her story ended there. Both of these characters had their own found families and they were such an incredible support system. Darden was hilarious and amazing, I'm so happy he was such a big part of their story. I adored all of the side characters and hope we get more stories from them, especially Brogan and Jasper.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book (given by the author through Netgalley)...

This Tuck and Francesca's book.

I have been waiting to read Tuck's book since we met him in Beauty and the Baller, I mean his antics are the reason Ronan and Nova had the one special night. Now Tuck seems to be on his own crazy journey that he wasn't expecting when he met Francesca. I truly enjoyed Ronan and Nova's story, but Tuck and Francesca's journey was just as special and endearing. We have two broken people who have been hurt and are afraid being left behind again.

More review to come.

Princess and the Player is the second book in the Strangers in Love series, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book yet, and I didn’t feel like I had missed any piece of the story.

Francesca and Tuck meet in a unique, fun way. Francesca ended her engagement after catching her fiancée in a compromising situation, and Tuck isn’t interested in a serious relationship. Their attraction is instant, hence the decision to share a one-night stand. Their chemistry is off the charts, so that night is much more than either of them hoped. However, they walk away from each other that same night just like they agreed. Fortunately, a few weeks later they bump into each other and realize they live in the same building, and their chemistry is even hotter after one night…

I enjoyed the first half of Tuck and Fran’s story a lot. Tuck’s emotional struggle with his past, his parents, and even his genes was so well written. I loved how flawed and real that side of him was. Fran also had a complex past and it influenced how she handled what was happening in her life and her relationship with Tuck. Trust didn’t come easy for these two. It made perfect sense considering what both of them went through. Regardless, that lack of trust went on for too long. Francesca keeping the pregnancy from Tuck for that long exasperated me. The story also had a lot going on at the same time. Fran had to deal with the surprise pregnancy, a new job, a friend’s decision that had an emotional impact on her, and a huge discovery she ended up making about her family, Tuck was struggling with his career, his feelings for Fran, talking about creating a nonprofit, dealing with stuff about his mom… It was just too much going on. It came to a point when it was mostly “tell” than show, and things felt rushed in the end. Fortunately, I still liked how things wrapped up.

I wanted to love this book, but sadly that didn’t happen. However, there were several things about this book I liked:

Found family;
Strong backstories and flawed characters;
Tuck and Fran’s walks in the park;
The chemistry between them;
Tuck’s sports career;
The first fast-paced half of the story;
Jasper (Tuck’s teammate and friend).

I still want to read the first book in this series and I’ll surely read Jasper’s story if he gets one.

3.5/5
I did enjoy this book.
Tuck was such a fun character and I enjoyed watching him work through his life transition. Not only that, but working past some of his troubles to really open up to Francesca.
I like Francesca, she was a strong character. I liked watching her transition and working through that.
The secondary characters were all great and really kept me into the story! Maybe we will see more of them in the future!

Tuck and Francesca are fated when these two have an unexpected night of pleasure at Decadence. Of course, they never thought they would see each other again but boy do they get it wrong. As fate would have it, they start to see each other everywhere and realize there is something there. As they start to see where it will go, Francesca is keeping a huge secret from Tuck and once he finds out., it will change everything. I really enjoyed reading them.

So very good! I could not put this novel down. From the very first chapter, this novel reached out and grabbed me and would not let go until the final page. Even then, I did not want this novel to end. I loved Francesca and Tuck. I loved their explosive chemistry. I loved the humor in this novel. It was a beautiful story about two people who have been previously hurt in life and the journey they are on to find happiness with each other. I loved the banter and the dialogue. So good! I love when a novel can make you laugh out loud, bring you almost to tears and finally leave you with a happy heart. This novel checked all of my boxes. I loved it, can't wait to see what is coming next.

It’s safe to say Ilsa Madden-Mills has a hit on her hands with her Strangers in Love series. Princess and the Player is every bit as enjoyable as the first book—not an easy feat.

The whole sex club one night stand scenario isn’t really my jam, so I was surprised I loved this story so much. Madden-Mills takes a potentially tawdry scenario and infuses it with lots of good humor. I do like the surprise pregnancy trope, but how Francesca manages to get pregnant given their level of protection is beyond me! While their chemistry can’t be denied, I also enjoyed the friendship Tuck and Francesca form.

Both Tuck and Francesca have experienced tragic upbringings and recent trials. It makes trusting others a challenge, and causes them to put up walls. Neither knows what it’s like to grow up in a healthy, happy family, but they prove that the family you make is often better than the one you’re given. I love the warm family they create with their best friends and neighbors. The curmudgeon next door is one of my favorite side characters.

I would have liked to experience the progression of Francesca’s pregnancy more, but it’s a sweet romance nonetheless. I hope there will be more books to come in the series.

Recommended for fans of:
Surprise pregnancies
Football players
Sports romance
Masquerade balls

Tuck and Francesca meet in a masquerade, Tuck on his Birthday party and Francesca on the day where she should be getting married. It should only be an unforgettable one night stand with a stranger, but now... She's pregnant.

This book, as the previous one in the series, starts with a first, super hot encounter and a pause after it. With masks in their first encounter it takes them a while recognizing each other when they finally meet.

I love an unplanned pregnancy, but in this case I didn't enjoy the way the characters dealt with it, and it tarnished other parts of the story.

Francesca's story is a fairy tale, with the difficult past, the fairy godfather in this case, and the grand end of her story. I felt there were too many things happening in her life at once, and none of them being the growth of her relationship with Tuck.

I had a different idea of Tuck from the first book, and I was surprised of his past. He's a good guy, but I'm not his biggest fan. He could have done better in some parts of the story.

Thank you Social Butterfly PR for the early review copy through NetGalley.

Another perfect example of why you should not judge a book by its cover! Another sweet book cover with some dynamite spiciness on the inside. *Insert explosion emoji here* On top of that, Ms. Mills has this way of writing that the characters and their supporting characters that have a way to consume you completely. Francesca and Tuck has some fire and spice. Their chemistry is absolute reactive and they know how to push each other's buttons. The ending was also absolute perfection as well!

The Princess Bride meets the Prince Player at a masquerade ball. Artist Francesca and NFL star Tuck wanted one fun night together, no strings, and completely anonymous. Fate has another idea for these two who live in the same New York high rise.

“It’s like she’s been coming and going in my life for years, and I didn’t even know.”

Francesca and Tuck are bent but not broken due to their painful pasts. Each possesses a fighter spirit, inner strength, and resilience. Their battle against the darkness of their pasts to let down their guards and be open to love is heartbreakingly beautiful. While I did have an issue or two around the secret baby aspect of the story (it’s my least favorite trope), overall, I was totally invest in Francesca and Tuck.

The grumpy older neighbor, Francesca’s best friends/roommates, and Tuck’s teammates form an incredible group of side characters who add so much to this story. I want to know more about all of them! Hopefully, Jasper (Tuck’s quarterback teammate) is next in this series.

Princess and the Player is an emotional story of fate/coincidence, letting go of the past, chosen family, and finding unconditional love when you least expect it. This story has so much heart coupled with steam and swoon, and I loved it!


I received an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Romance with emotion and just enough angst
5 stars

Ilsa-Madden Mills can do no wrong in my eyes. And even with that lofty heigh to reach with each book, she once again manages to smash it with this opposites attract, secret-baby romance. For other fans, this is the second book in the Strangers in Love series, the first being Beauty and the Baller. Each stands completely alone (although Ronan from the first book is mentioned in this one as he and Tuck are best friends) but they are markedly different; Beauty being a small-town romance while this one takes place in NYC.

I can’t say I’ve ever read a meet cute in a sex club before but I have to say that I liked it. It was just the right amount of sassy, funny and sexy - and really gave us a crash course in the personalities of Tuck and Francesca. Tuck more so, probably.

We continue to learn more about him as the book continued and I loved him. He’s my catnip hero of a big, strong guy who is a little broken inside, in Tuck’s case due to a traumatic childhood and parental relationships. He always kept a smile on his face, masking his true feelings and yet he still could be that funny, silly guy - especially with Francesca. He was complicated and just the kind of man you so want to get his deserved happily ever after.

When authors’ write heroines like Francesca, I admit that I can find it hard to like them. I mean the tattoo artist heroine who’s tough, fierce and scrappy. Someone wholly unlike me, I mean. But like Tuck, Francesca was so much more than she first appeared. Her tough shell hid a tender, needy inside and a woman who was unfailingly kind and loyal. She was a delight and I was thrilled to find that I loved her as much as I did Tuck - and with her own previous traumas, she deserved her happily ever after just as much.

With all their similarities, Tuck and Francesca are very much opposites - but they fit together like puzzle pieces that are made for each other. It’s like Francesca says, it has to be fate that they kept coming together. The banter between the pair was top notch - I love a couple that laugh and have little inside jokes to go along with all the love, sex and seriousness.

And the sex was goooood. While the sex club isn’t over detailed (it wouldn’t have felt right to have overly descriptive sex in the first chapter, I don’t think) they make up for it later on. Sex in a book store? If that’s not a fantasy every bookworm didn’t know they had - you’ll know it after reading this book. Their sexual compatibility only solidified their connection and made them even more perfect for each other.

When faced with a secret baby romance, I’m always ready to feel a bit of superiority as I wait the heroine to tell the hero already, goddammit. Fair play to the author for making me 100% in tune with the heroine. Every time she went to tell him, I would agree with her that perhaps this isn’t the right time. Or that something thwarted her plans. So for those with those same concerns - fear not - Francesca’s dilemma is clear and surprisingly relatable.

The story was absorbing and so engrossing. I lost myself in this world and even felt deeply for the side characters, who shone nearly as brightly as our couple. As always with Ms Madden-Mills’ writing, it’s smooth, clever and oh-so-delicious. It’s just the perfect book for those who like a contemporary romance with just the right tough of emotion and angst. This is the kind of book that you find yourself thinking about - and reliving - long after you’ve read ‘the end’. I don’t hesitate to give it the full 5 stars.

Once again I was drawn in from page 1 and addicted until the very last page. The "meet cute" between Tuck and Francesca is original, sexy, and their chemistry flies off the pages. I fell for Tuck immediately... he's charming, confident, and oh so swoony. Francesca was everything he needed but nothing he expected. Her sass, determination and feisty spirit made me love her SO much!!! She was so real and easy to love and admire. And that is what I love about this author's stories and characters... they are relatable and authentic.

If you love surprise pregnancy and opposites-attract, then you NEED this book!!! Well done once again IMM!!

This is a tale that begins with one night stand at a sex club that leads to an accidental pregnancy. Despite living in a city of millions Francesca and Tuck keep running into one another and even live in the same apartment building despite being at opposite ends of the financial ladder and, after their initial encounter, it’s a bit of a slow burner between them. They both have trust issues, Francesca was abandoned as a baby and spent her life being shuttled from foster home to foster home and Tuck grew up in a dysfunctional family albeit a very wealthy one. He has past history with a stalker and is reluctant to take Francesca at face value so I loved how this author allowed their relationship to develop slowly throughout the book although I did feel the end was a bit rushed . The highlight of Princess and the Player for me though was Francesca’s relationships with her best friends and room-mates, CeCe and Brogan and also that with her neighbour, the curmudgeonly Mr Dardin.

Thank-you NetGalley and publisher for the chance to review this ARC.

Princess and the Player
by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Was much like it's the book one in Strangers in Love was a total joy to read!

The writing style just draws you in and the story keeps you turning the pages!

I had so much fun getting to know Tuck!

Francesca was lovely!

Total winner!

This book was so fun and cute ilsa has yet again got me addicted to her words I really enjoyed it and the story flowed at a good pace it left me wanting more I can’t wait to see what’s next.

“4 fun stars!”

5 'You're my zero hour' Stars!
ARC provided via Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.

I am so happy to confirm I just finished another masterpiece from Ilsa Madden-Mills. We fell in love with a new crew of characters in this series and it’s safe to say this new installment it’s one of my favorites from this author. While I thoroughly enjoyed Beauty and the Baller, this one just took it to the next level. Tuck and Francesca are just delightful together and you better be ready to get into the magic of their love story.

So, Princess and the Player is the second installment in Ilsa’s Strangers in Love series, and it follows the story of Tuck Avery (Ronan’s best friend from the first book) and the mysterious sassy princess that he meets at a sex club on his birthday (a day that has plenty of bad memories for him). These two agree to have just one night, no names, masks in place. Things don’t go as planned when they discover they live in the same building, their chemistry is still burning hot and things are about to get even more complicated when Francesca realizes she is pregnant.

Oh yes, you fascinating creature.
I’m intrigued by you, but I need to know why there are so many coincidences between us.

Oh my goodness! I devoured this book in a single sitting. This couple just sucked me right in with their unexpected and instant connection. Tuck and Francesca just click in so many ways and they share a delightful night that is about to change their lives forever. I loved Tuck and Fran’s personalities, their depth, the emotions that their pasts bring back and how they fight to win against the vulnerability their memories provoke. Also, their chemistry is out of this world and they just happen to be so incredibly cute together. I fell in love so hard for these two and the love story that grows when neither expected it.

He is something I never imagined I needed.
And I don’t want to lose him.
He is air. Life. And his flawed edges? His chaos? I love them the most.

Therefore, I am rating Princess and the Player with 5 STARS because I loved every single word in this novel, its outstanding characters, their undeniable connection and the emotional journey Tuck and Francesca share together. Their chemistry was mind-blowing, I just had a big smile on my face when they finally got together and accepted their feelings for one another. This is definitely one of my top favorite reads this year and one of my favorites from Ilsa Madden-Mills. Guys, make sure to not miss this book and this beautiful series!

Princess and the Player is Tuck’s story of love and breaking through the mold of his past. Francesca is equally as mysterious and has lead quite a life herself. Throw in a night of passion and a fate written in the stars, and Ilsa has another winner on her hands! I loved the angst and love between these two as well as the awesome side characters! I’m hoping we get a Jasper book soon! Simply amazing!

What an amazing book!! First let me thank Isla Madden-Mills for the opportunity to read this book early!! I absolutely adored every character in this book, from getting to see a glimpse at couples from the past to falling in love with a new couple all over again!! If you’re looking for a sports romance than this is absolutely the book for you!!

A great addition to the series. This book was alot deeper and more emotional than I expected. Both main characters really tugged on my heart strings with their back stories. I really felt for Fran she's been through so much and I love her new found family. We meet some great new characters in this story. I loved Jasper and Cece they really made me laugh which helped break up some of the darker storyline. I liked how the story went along. The pair sharing more than they realise and have been unknowingly crossing paths. Fate or coincidence? Depends what you believe. Great story and I'm excited for more

Princess and the Player (ARC review)

Thank you to @socialbutterfly_pr for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I always love a raw romance book, I like reading about complex characters and their hard past and reality. This book was all about it and I appreciate seeing the development in the characters from the start till the end. Tuck and Francesca met in a unique way you could say and Francesca was left with her little miracle from that night. No names no numbers just the memories from a night they couldn't forget. Tuck is wonderful man, respectful and caring but he also knows what he knows for his future. His past scarred him and made him see himself as a future "monster" so the idea of family was never in his plans. Francesca didn't have it easy, an independent and strong woman that wouldn't let her past define her and her future. After finding out she's pregnant, she felt unsure but eventually she realised that this is a chance she's been wanting all her life, a person to love and get love from unconditional. Tuck and Francesca have a complicated relationship, strictly sexual but she needs to tell him the truth about their baby but never finds the right time. These two have to escape from their demons and move forward if they wanna have their future together. Tuck after everything he went through he sees that him having a family might be what he wanted after all. Trying to show Francesca that he's all in was something beautiful. They are so beautiful together and their little family at the end is what they both needed. Tuck as a father was so sweet and Francesca is the perfect mother. A wonderful read with incredible characters

Book by: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Tropes:
• Surprise pregnancy
• Sports romance
• One night stand
• "Forced" proximity

My rating: 4,5/5⭐
Spice level: 3,5/5🔥