Ilsa Madden-Mills “My Darling Bride” was cute, in an adorably predicable way. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. It’s hard to explain. You have this spunky adorable leading lady and her equally fun family and friends that you can’t help but love. Hell, she throws out random scenes from books left and right and you laugh because they are so spot on in the moment and just a delight. Throw in the bookstore of your dreams with its quirky shoppers and fun window displays and you think I would have been sold.
When it came to our hero that’s where the predictability got me. You knew what he was going to do before he even did it, because you’ve seen it before. I think his friends were more interesting than he was. He left me with this overall meh feeling in where I wanted to scream “Our leading lady deserves better! So do better!”. His bestie and her sister had more chemistry in their five minutes of bickering than the leading couple did in the whole book. That’s not to say that the leading couple didn’t have any chemistry at all. They did. It was like a subtle hint, hit you for second and gone before you even realized it.
It was there, you knew it was there, you just wonder where it went? Like, there was a hot minute in that bookstore where I was hooked, sold on this man to the point where I was gripping my kindle HARD and praying that their endgame was just as golden as that very moment, I was in. This is where I waffled on the whole loving it and hating thing because I loved a lot of this book but there were parts that I just didn’t love. This book had the possibility for greatness because we all know that Ilsa Madden-Mills can deliver greatness, or if you don’t know because you haven’t read her before, this is me saying yes, she is capable of greatness. But this one is not it.
Now, don’t go and think this is me bashing and saying oh, this book was terrible don’t go read it. I’m not saying that at all. I liked the book I just didn’t love it. I just found it lacking. So, I guess what I am trying to convey is that I while I was a little disappointed with its predictability and lackluster hero that I found it has some really good moments in it and it was an overall good read.

must read book. great read and it was all that for me. Loved it all and I can't wait for the next story in this series. they had great couple. must read.

My Darling Bride is Ilsa Madden-Mills doing what she does best!

Emmy was not expecting to meet the answer to her life’s problems in a dive motel in the middle of the desert, but that’s exactly what happens. Graham is everything she’s afraid to believe in, but that still doesn’t stop her from falling.

This is a beautiful story of two people afraid of love but are willing to take a chance so they can help the people that are important in their lives. It’s a fake marriage, but only to them, because everyone else around them can see the truth. The question is will they open their eyes and see it too?

With the perfect amount of heat and heart Ilsa has given us a great story. Definitely don’t miss out on this one!

I've read Ilsa Madden-Mills before and loved her writing so once I saw a new title by her on NetGalley I just had to request it!
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This book promised marriage of convenience featuring a football player named Graham and a bookstore employee called Emmy.
It started out great but then there were some things that just didn't make sense to me. For example, he is a football player who earns 20 million dollars yearly but he got married so he could get an inheritance and give it to his brother Brody who didn't want to get Graham's "normal" money but had no problems with Graham's inheritance money. Um, what? 🤷‍♀️
Some other issues I had:
- What's with his brother Holden and his relationship with his father? He doesn't like his father at first, and doesn't want to talk to him but once Emmy comes on the scene they start to patch things up. Holden is apparently jealous but it is unclear what kind of relationship the father has with Holden. I had a feeling that he disliked his own son at the end but tolerated her at the beginning????
- Graham lives in this apartment that apparently looks like the 70s thrown up. At least this is something I've made up after a description so it is kind of unusual to have a football player in this kind of apartment that apparently also has a giant penis in it that is screwed on the floor? It's just weird that a multimillionaire doesn't refurbish it's own apartment but I guess... he likes it quirky?
- also his father is rich and overall I got this richy rich vibe from all the characters from his family so the marriage just doesn't make sense to me
- I forgot who half of the characters were because there were so many of them and they all contribute to the story but do not actually contribute
- the whole marriage of convenience to convince his own family didn't appeal to me as his brother was the only one in the way and let's face it, Graham still got his money easily, he didn't need to convince anyone
There's just A LOT happening in this book and I felt like the book focuses on those things and not on a relationship between Graham and Emmy. Like I only remember that Graham put a litter box in his own apartment but other than that I don't remember any cute ALONE scenes between them (besides sex but even that was once interrupted by a family member).

Also, I expected a light sports romance but this book talks a lot about a serious topic - concussions that can happen due to hits Graham takes on the field. It just kind of overruled the main romance between those two.
Sadly, I'm rating it with 2 stars. Just because of a vibe I got. But many people loved it so... it's all in the eyes of the beholder, right?
⭐⭐

Book: My Darling Bride
Author: Isla Madden-Mills
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

When NFL star Graham Harlan is in a bind, wanting to help his brother open a local gym, he formulates a plan to find a temporary wife to secure his inheritance. Of all the people Graham could choose to marry, he picked the nerdy, funny girl who hijacked his Lamborghini - but her personality left a lasting impression that he can’t shake from his mind. Things move quickly, yet they find themselves caring more about the other and then ignoring it.

It wasn’t that this story wasn’t good, it had all the aspects that we look for, including lots (and lots) of drama. What it lacked was the parts where the couple learn and find connections, what brings them closer together, and helps them grow stronger. Instead they seem to be running from each other, avoiding one another left and right. I am intrigued enough to read a second book, but not on the edge of my seat in anticipation.

If you like:
Forced Proximity
Grumpy - Sunshine
Fake Dating
Found Family

TW🚫: cheating exes
Reviewed by: Karley

I have read quite a few books by Ilsa Madden-Mills and My Darling Bride is absolutely one of my favorites! Both Emmy and Graham are great lead characters and you root for the HEA through the whole book! Both have traumatic childhoods that they have to overcome and all of these situations ring true to life. This book is a very strong 5 stars for me. Thank you Ilsa Madden-Mills and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

“Some of the best people I know have broken bits, and I’m usually drawn to them in some fashion, as a friend, as a lover.”

My Darling Bride was a fun, sweet, and emotional marriage of convenience romance. The circumstances are a little over the top, but I enjoyed it. Emmy and Graham have an interesting meet cute and also some interesting fate fueled moments. They also both have backgrounds that are heavy both emotionally and medically. I think that this book was entertaining and sweet, but I do think that the romance plays background sometimes to the happenings in the main characters lives, which is fine, but did take away from the romance aspect of it all. If you’re a big fan of trope-y sports romance with a heavy dash of angst, then you will LOVE My Darling Bride.

To sum it up, My Darling Bride is a charming story about a grumpy football player and the girl who stole his car in a motel near Denver. However, not everything is as it seems. Emmaline Darling is a cat-loving bookstore manager who is running away from a dangerous ex-boyfriend and super hot football star Graham founds himself in the right place at the right time.
The chemistry between these two characters is sizzling, and the fake relationship plot was cute and well-structured. However, it is an overused trope in my opinion.. The story is light and fast paced and the side characters are enchanting.
Spice was okay.

Graham and Emmy's story was literally so perfect. I loved every interaction between them; their banter was everything. Besides, the book has all the best tropes: marriage of convenience, fake dating, sports romance, pro football star. It couldn't get any better than this

I love this book so much the romance the way it's written I could not put this book down once I started it at all

This book captured my attention from the prologue and don’t not let go. Gave me all the feels. These characters are complex and beautifully written and I totally fell in love with Emmy and Graham. Their banter, their chemistry and the angst had me frantically reading until the last few pages and it left me with warm fuzzy feelings. Loved this, one I’ll treasure and read again and again

My Darling Bride - Isla Madden-Mills

A quick read, that doesn't feel that it's missing anything out, a good story line for Emmy's reasons of being on the run, and also Grahams back story. There is quite a lot going on in the book, but once the characters have built their initial connection the story races through and keeps you interested till the end. My first time reading this author and I look forward to more in the future. Thank you very much Netgalley and Montlake for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

Another touchdown of a read by Ilsa!

When life throws Graham a couple of twists he knows that he needs to step up and make some changes. Just so happens one thing drives away with his car and makes it easier to make one of those changes happen easier. Emma is in the wrong place with the wrong person and needs to get away, her only option is to take the keys to Graham’s car to escape. When he knocks on her door he gives her two choices and she makes the easiest choice out there. What neither of them realize is that when say I do, it is the perfect storm of feelings coming rushing through. I love Graham and how he is willing to do whatever is necessary for those that he loves. And Emma just makes me smile all the time with her bookstore love and sweet cat. There are moments that you will swoon hardcore and ones where you yell for one to pull themselves together and realize what the other is hiding. My emotions took the perfect ride as they had the whole happy to sad to joyful. Oh and I really want to visit Santorini now.

Graham and Emmaline's story was so good, I barely put it down! I was looking for a book to hold me all weekend but I read this one in a day! Graham is real life boyfriend Goals. Their Meet Cute, their story, their every thing was just the perfect book I needed! And I really hope there's a Jane and Jasper book because those two were such a fun story line!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
This is my first Ilsa Madden Mills and it won’t be my last.

The story of Emmy overcoming such great hardships and Graham with his own internal demons. I could not put this book down. Although it was a stand alone, I am eager to read up on people mentioned in the book and can’t wait for the next story that the ground work was laid out for.

Sports romances have a special place in my heart. I have never actually read a football romance before and I really enjoyed this. Since I am a nursing student, it was interesting to see someone bring some of the medical world into their book as well. For the most part, it was realistic in that sense. Plus, it really added to the plot of the story.
On the spice scale, I would give this book a 1.5/5. The plot of the romance though was really good. It was cute to see how the main characters interacted. However, the star of this book had to be the sassy sister Jane. She had me giggling to myself for the way she acted

This was my first book by Isla so I had no expectations. This turned out really good. I enjoyed the storyline. I will point out that the synopsis is a little misleading. The word ultimatum was a bit of a stretch.

Both characters are likable. Emmy is funny and Graham is kind. Their meet cute was entertaining. It was hilarious, had me cracking up. Probably the best scene in the whole book. I was a bit disappointed that that funny aspect did not continue into the book.

Even the side characters were likable. I could already tell who may be getting their own book. Even though this was about Emmy and Graham, I was already cheering for the side characters to get together too.

The thing I had issues with is that their love is a little unbelievable. He is constantly leaving so they don’t spend enough time together to be in love. He is always gone, at times I felt like they just loved the idea of each other.

4.75 Stars

Emmy + Graham

Graham is afraid that his pro football career might be over. His last play won his team the Superbowl but it also messed up his head.
That's why he's in this horrible Arizona desert motel - chasing after a 'dream' he had while he was lying on the field as good as dead.
And who does he find? Emmaline Darling. Pretty much his dream girl. And their meet-cute was just like you'd want it to be as a romance book fan.
But then she goes and steals his Lambo?!
What the heck?
Good thing he needs the leverage... she either marries him, so that he can get his grandma's inheritance, for his little brother - or he'll press charges for grand theft auto!

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN ...

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ADORABLE

Such a cute romance!
We have some real problems too - some health issues on both sides and some family drama - so it's not all sunshiney and rom-commy. But it's also just so adorable and funny and sweet and you just want to shake some sense into them to hurry to that happily ever after.
I love that Emmy works at this amazing book store. I love the cat - even though I'm a dog person. I love the siblings - his and hers! The niece, the football buddies, the friends and co-workers. Amazing cast and locations!
This was just a super adorable kind of fairy tale-ish romance.
Loved it!

► MY DARLING BRIDE was such a funny + sweet + sexy + adorable love story! Just beautiful! I loved it! Run to your nearest book store for your own G - this one is MINE!

4.5 stars

“It’s been a long road to get here, to find the person I need, and once you find them, it’s not hard to figure out the rest.”

My Darling Bride marks the return of one of my favorite authors, Ilsa Madden-Mills, to the page, and this book was well worth the wait.

After a chance meeting in the desert (and a subsequently stolen Lamborghini), bookstore employee Emmy and football player Graham strike up a deal… a marriage of convenience that will ensure that Emmy stays out of jail (for temporarily stealing said Lamborghini) and Graham receives his inheritance from his deceased grandmother.

As is signature with Madden-Mills’ work, an element of fate is deftly injected into the narrative. Readers are aware from the beginning that the meeting between Emmy and Graham is more than a coincidence. And the ways in which they are connected become evident as the narrative unfolds. Both Graham and Emmy are fascinating, complex protagonists with lives that leap off the page. And the subtle (and not so subtle) ways that Graham shows Emmy his feelings (without telling her or even being aware of said feelings) is delightful to read. Fans of Madden-Mills’ other work will also notice a few familiar names from prior novels dropped into this story for good measure.

I also appreciated the ways in which Madden-Mills doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like head injuries and CTE in football players, and homophobia. This book is super aware of the realities of the world, and I thought that added even more depth to the narrative.

I really enjoyed this book, and cannot wait for more stories from this universe.

Thank you to Montlake, NetGalley, and the author for generously providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Emmaline, the fierce protector, was so fun as the heroine. She's been through it, living through domestic violence, but she escapes it and moves forward while still protecting those she loves most. She's also hilarious and bold, I found myself chuckling on more than one occasion. Graham is a big time football star who goes through a traumatic event and it leads him on an adventure out of the city where he meets Emmaline. Why she was in the same location, was no laughing matter, but how she handles the situation she found herself in was genius and highly entertaining!
It turns out, Graham needs a wife asap and Emmaline owes him for unexpected damages to his cars and this turns into an arranged marriage. But man, they were great from the start, it didn't seem arranged until Graham reminded her. I am rooting for these two!