This was a wild ride. This book had so much going on and yet I kept reading it. Not quite sure I would say this is a great book, but it did suck me in and that is something.

I adored this book. Franchesca is having a run of bad luck and life is a total mess. She decides that she needs to have a night out and meet a sexy guy and have a one night stand because she plans to never see him again or she thought, they bumped into one another at a club and sparks start to fly and it's game over for them both.

I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this story because I couldn’t put my book down. It was easy to read and the supporting characters were all fun and engaging. I loved their banter and their antics and the amazing support systems that two people without blood family could create.

While I adored Tuck and Francesca’s friends and wanted all of the as my own, I did have my issues with Tuck and Francesca themselves though. Both of them seemed so inconsistent that it was hard to get an honest feel for who they truly were. I loved the instant attraction and the backstories we learn about both of them. What I didn’t love as much was their banter and the selfishness they both displayed with regards to Francesca’s pregnancy. For two people that never had much family themselves, I found it strange that they didn’t want to give a new life as much family as they could. I found Francesca’s reluctance to tell Tuck about the baby very odd considering it wasn’t something she could conceal forever. And Tuck’s behavior when he found out was just unforgivable. He needed to do a hell of a lot more groveling than he did!

As for their verbal sparring, it was strange. I loved the back and forth of Francesca’s best friends. I want to keep Cece and Brogan for myself because they were hilarious, Darden’s dry, grumpy humor was adorable, and Jasper was so gosh darn wholesomely sweet. But the back and forth between Tuck and Francesca? It was odd. I was never sure what they were trying to say to one another and Francesca ran so hot and cold that I never knew what mood she was in. She was a strong character that took no nonsense and I loved that about her. I just wanted more consistency in her actions.

Overall, I enjoyed myself immensely reading the book. I wanted to find out what I could about both characters and the histories that brought them to where they were. I found myself so in deep with the story that I literally forgot that I wasn’t sitting in an apartment building in Manhattan. I just wanted to like the way the main characters to make better choices!! The universe was telling the they needed to be together. They just needed to listen sooner.

I loved Princess and the Player! Tuck is mister all about himself and his ways, but he will crawl inside your heart and make you swoon! Tuck runs into Francesca at a very exclusive club where no names are shared and he ends up saving the princess from the prince. Francesca is having quite the night and runs into Tuck. These two have a connection and the more time spent together, they give into one night with each other. However, fate has a way of intervening. Francesca is dealing with life changes and can’t believe the man from the club is Tuck Avery, football star and lives in her building. Tuck is drawn to her and can’t stay away. What happens when these two give in, but the lines get crossed, secrets are kept, will these two figure things out or will it just be meant to be a short lived fling? Tuck and Francesca will hit you with all the feels, banter, add in some hilarious friends and past exes that don’t know where to stay - in the past, and this book will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see if the Princess and the Player are meant to be!

Awe, I loved it. Really liked getting More Tuck, loved getting to know Francesca and her friends. Loved the turns and twists. And I really love when authors add in a grandparent type figure as well. Just makes my heart happy. 💛💛

Solid story

Princess and the Player is such a fun, satisfying read! Tuck and Francesca are so entertaining, from their meeting through all of the push and pull of their relationship. And, as always, I live for Madden-Mills side characters and how vibrant and hilarious they can be. If you can't get enough of sweet, funny contemporary romance, strong, intelligent characters, plenty of steam, and a bit of drama, grab this one and settle in! 5 Stars!

Leave it to Ilsa Madden Mills to take my least favorite trope (accidental pregnancy) and create a book I still LOVED!

I love Ilsa’s books by default and I requested this one before I even knew the tropes, but, I will say, I’d you give me an NFL player romance I’ll be happy on any day!

I loved this one with the found family, the crazy friends, the quirky neighbors. It was just a hug of a sports book and it left even my accidental pregnancy hating heart happy.

Thank you so much for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

ARC Provided by the Publisher

DNF at 22%

I didn't like either character. At all. And while arguably that makes them perfect for one another, it didn't make for a book I wanted to read.

I'm unable to recommend this title.

One of my Favorites!!!

Princess and the Player is book #2 of the Strangers in Love series by Ilsa Madden-Mills. I absolutely loved the first book and eagerly awaited this one. Francesca and Tuck meet as strangers at a masquerade party. Each are hurting and looking for escape. Fate plays a part in making what was to be a one night stand in to so much more. Both the main characters in this story are so well developed as are the side characters. The theme, for me, seemed to be found family and I adored all the people in this book! Francesca and Tuck are both going through so much. They are both driven by their pasts, but will they be brave enough to hold on to each other and dream of a beautiful future? This book had everything!
-fun meet cute
-football
-surprise pregnancy
-kick ass friends
-and, of course, a perfectly constructed HEA.
This was one of my favorite reads of the fall! And the epilogue? I smiled so much my cheeks hurt! Another great story by this author.

I typically love this author, and I loved the first book in this series, but this one just didn't grab me like the others. I think there was maybe just too much all going on at once. Aside from the note below, I didn't actively dislike the story or anything, it just won't go down as a favorite.

My biggest issue with this one is a "it's me, not the book" thing, but I absolutely hate the hidden pregnancy trope. LOATHE it. Had I realized that was a big part of this story line, I wouldn't have opted for an ARC. I tried to not let that impact my rating since that IS a personal preference though.

I really enjoyed this book. I love the way that Tuck and Francesca met. I love what happens when they meet again. And how they progressed through the story. It's definitely a story about how your past can shape your present and future. The characters are so likeable and it was just a story that flowed so well and easy to read. So many tropes going on. - Sports, Enemies to lovers, Secret baby. Tuck really pulled through for me.

4.5 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first:
Beauty and the Baller (Strangers in Love #1)

This is Francesca and Tuck’s story. Francesca was betrayed by her fiancé and runs to a masquerade ball. The ball is being held at a special club and all interactions between the two were masked and with no names. What she didn’t know is the man she was with is Tuck the man that lives in the penthouse of her apartment building. She decides that she needs to keep her distance as he has not recognized her, and she knows he is a player. But when she gets plus sign on her test all bets are off. Can she really deal with a player again after her hurt of the past? Or is he about to have her questioning everything she thought she knew? Can these two who didn’t have the best families learn to be together and build a better family?

I highly recommend this book.

I enjoyed this story about Tuck and Francesca! I loved their connection and bond!

Francesca hasn’t had an easy life, but she doesn’t let that drag her down. She’s strong, loyal, and fierce. She wants to make the best life for herself that she can.

Tuck is nearing the end of his football career. He’s not ready to let it go, but his age is telling him it’s coming whether he’s ready or not. He doesn’t do commitment and for a very good reason, but he’s drawn to Francesca. Will he change his ways and commit to Francesca?

This is another good read from Ilsa. I really hope Jasper gets a story!

I love Ilsa Madden Mills books so much. While the wasn't my favorite of hers I still devoured it. Thank you to Montlake for the advanced copy

Not my first read by the author but she is still a 50/50 to me meaning that some of her books contain my triggers and dislikes in reading so I have been reading her on and off depending on which book and I guess being a mood reader you just dive in and see how it goes. This one almost had me DNF at 17% because of a huge dislike (where the hero is either kissing, having sex or dating another female even before the H&H are an actual thing.) It’s a huge turn off for me and just gets me super angry. I luckily was at work and stopped reading then got busy forgot and remembered to skip a chapter. And this is for the ladies that have the same issue as me of this while reading. Beware. YUK to the ex!

This book so far is really pulling me in directions. On one way I get a vibe of possessive sexy hot hero then he turns into a early 20’s frat boy type then back then back again. WHIPLASH! I only say that because I really dislike the wishy-washy hero’s that act like that. We get quite a lot of ex’s in this book I didn’t realize, I’m only at 41% I wonder if we will get every single ex of the heroine by the time this is done. The heroine, I can’t point my finger on her, I want to believe she is strong and I like her but her actions and wishy-washy way words, I am not sure what to think about her. And no offense but I don’t give a damn about Courtney, she is a thorn through out the whole book. And I could not form a connection between the H&H i tried so hard but their just so who care attitude for one another and what they do, just throws me right back. I am confused as to why this book is the way it is, I love Ilsa’s books and have read a lot but this just, I don’t understand it. It’s a lot of tropes that are just mixed and added then not. WHY?! It’s also hard to write a surprise baby and the hero doesn’t get to find out until the end. Because when it comes to that point it’s always harsh and in this book and case, that was outright not the peek I was expecting but makes sense with the way I feel about this book. That was harsh and in turn made me start hating the hero from then on and loving the heroine for not taking his shit. Okay so this concludes the portion on my MOODY READER I am also a MOODY reviewer as you can see. I don’t really need to mention the ending because well it’s all sweet and beautiful but I just wish I was able to fall in love with this like I anticipated and hoped!

Love, love, love this book! Princess and the Player is book #2 in the Strangers in Love series. It can be read as a stand-alone. It will pull you in and have you laughing out loud! It is funny, romantic, and charming but has some angst as well.

Tuck and Francesca are my new favorite couple! Tuck is charming and confident on the outside but has a lot going on under his NFL persona. I love his evolution throughout the story. Francesca is awesome. So unique and talented. She is so upbeat and kind.

I need to give props to the secondary characters who made this story even better. Cece, Jasper, Brogan, and Mr. Darden! All unique and so funny!

I love reading Ilsa Madden-Mills. She writes fun and uplifting sports-romance stories. Princess and the Player is definitely my new favorite. I look forward to the next story in the Strangers in Love series.

When I read “Beauty and The Baller”, I loved Tuck and his balls to the walls personality. I really thought the books would run in the same series and it would be around the same romcom premise. It was not. Apart from how Tuck and Francesca met, in the masquerade party and all her found family/friends (which by the way, I’m really hoping they have their own books), the books was kind of dark.

Francesca had no family in her life, but she managed to find the most incredible friends and formed a real family together. When she suddenly gets pregnant after a mysterious one night stand, they rally behind her in the most sweet and funny way. But her past exes come barreling in a very creepy way and it kind of broke me all the things she went through life and even how much independent and strong she was, she felt scared and afraid to be left alone, again.

Tuck also had some past traumas, especially with the ladies. But he is very lovable and with a big heart. Which end up hurting the most when Fran finally found out that the baby she was expecting was his and never tell him over fear. I mean, I love a surprise pregnancy trope and even more when it’s a secret baby one, but the secret needs to be reasonable, which I didn’t find to be here.

Overall the books is steamy, somehow funny and with heavy matters discussed at times. I loved the friendship all the characters formed through the story, main and side ones, as I said before. But I don’t think after all that went down the couple could mend the problems, but I guess in the book world is a wonderful place to be!

Great series and I was excited to see this one pop up for review! The arc of the characters was great and honestly was the highlight of the book for me. I walked away when done feeling refreshed.

This was such a wonderful book. This surprise baby/sports romance was sweet and emotional. Tuck and Francesca were fated to be together. They both had to overcome hard times, but were strong and meant for one another. I couldn’t put it down. Five stars

Some of the first romance novels I ever read centered around football players so this book was a huge nostalgia trip for me! I really enjoyed the characters and their journey!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!