adub345's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the tension in this book. The mmc's sense of honor and loyalty makes this a slower burn for sure.
The supporting characters are kooky and fun, and they add a lightness to the book.
The supporting characters are kooky and fun, and they add a lightness to the book.
kfriend's review against another edition
5.0
No one does new adult sports-themed romance like Ilsa Madden-Mills, and the Revenge Pact is swoony, dreamy magic! The angst, the slow-burn chemistry, the sweet emotional connection, the quirky and endearing characters, and the witty banter- Ilsa never fails to charm me. But the Revenge Pact is extra special - there is a tenderness, a gentle quality that melted my heart and filled my soul. I am so in love with this sweet love story and the beautiful characters that lived it.
The Revenge Pact is the first of a series of three best friends/college football players with each book being written by a different best selling author. This is River’s story- the story of a guy who seemingly has the world at his fingertips- he’s popular, a likely NFL draft, president of his frat, and has the physique of a greek god, but alas, things just aren’t going River’s way. Not only has football not gone as planned and left his future plans up in the air, but he’s also been secretly pining for his frat brother’s girlfriend, Ana, the sultry angel with the lavender hair. His only defense has been a good offense, so Ana thinks River hates her, until she finds her own plans crumbling and the man who somehow is the one holding her together is none other than River Tate. But being suddenly drawn together doesn’t make her any less off limits- or help Ana understand how the guy she thought hates her keeps coming to her rescue.
As I started reading their story, I just kept being struck by how different this felt than other Ilsa books I’ve read thus far. And I kept coming back to this- RIVER. River is what made this story different. He is a hero like Ilsa has never written. He is a hero through and through- the purest, most beautiful, most captivating hero I’ve read in an Ilsa story. He’s just GOOD. SO GOOD. Of course, that doesn’t mean he has an edge- he’s got some swagger, and he’s hidden his feelings and loneliness behind jerkish behavior. But his heart is the biggest and sweetest, his soul so tender and open. He’s a man of integrity- he’s loyal, protective, diligent- his work ethic is only rivaled by his stoic leadership. He gives to everyone- supports everyone, but beneath it he is vulnerable, not only crippled by his guilt over his longing but also by his own lostness and loneliness. He is Ilsa’s most complex, most gentle, and most vulnerable hero, because of his sensitivity and his awareness- and as such, he crawled into my heart straight away- I picked up his cause, felt attached to him before our heroine, which is not usual for me.
That’s not to say that our heroine Anastasia isn’t amazing- she is. She has that usual Ilsa Madden-Mills quirky flair- but she’s bit more grounded. She’s a calming and steady presence. While many love her, she too seems lonely- and she rivals River’s compassion. She cares so deeply, feels so deeply-and she just craves real and reliable connection, something she’s not experienced much of. Her background definitely surprised me, and her reaction to it surprised me even more- but that is what makes Ana who she is. She cares for people, and she just wants to be understood- to be seen. Because when she’s seen, she feels connected, and secure.
Their story is a slower burn- and that’s not usually my thing, but this felt so perfect for these two characters. Characters who are so committed to knowing and caring for others, characters who are thoughtful and gentle, characters who are in a messy situation- so, of course, they take their time. Because they are worth it- and it is who they are. And, it ends up being all the more gratifying and explosive when they do finally go there. But the wait is so splendid- the sexual tension, the angst, the emotional intensity- it is breathtaking, brilliantly built and totally captivating. The more I think about it, the more I appreciated Ilsa’s slow and steady hand- because part of what makes them so beautiful is the emotional intimacy they build. She gives SO much focus to their budding connection, the sweet chemistry between them- it give sit such life, such depth. Like two pieces of a puzzle that you'd never think would fit together but are perfectly matched. Ilsa also sprinkles in heaps of her characteristic witty humor- including the flirty banter that no one does like her. The pace contributes to the surprising conclusion- two characters who took so long finding their way to each other have to figure out what to do once they do.
Ah, I just love this story, I love it so much. And like River, Ilsa left me with three beautiful things: our differences don’t define us (even if what is different is not only us but our path to each other), sometimes it only takes on sunrise to truly connect with someone, and love? Well, love is first- and when you find it, you pour and pour and pour until it blossoms, no matter what it takes. It is worth the wait. Oh sweet, tender goodness- my heart was happy and hopefully and delighted by every charming word.
The Revenge Pact is the first of a series of three best friends/college football players with each book being written by a different best selling author. This is River’s story- the story of a guy who seemingly has the world at his fingertips- he’s popular, a likely NFL draft, president of his frat, and has the physique of a greek god, but alas, things just aren’t going River’s way. Not only has football not gone as planned and left his future plans up in the air, but he’s also been secretly pining for his frat brother’s girlfriend, Ana, the sultry angel with the lavender hair. His only defense has been a good offense, so Ana thinks River hates her, until she finds her own plans crumbling and the man who somehow is the one holding her together is none other than River Tate. But being suddenly drawn together doesn’t make her any less off limits- or help Ana understand how the guy she thought hates her keeps coming to her rescue.
As I started reading their story, I just kept being struck by how different this felt than other Ilsa books I’ve read thus far. And I kept coming back to this- RIVER. River is what made this story different. He is a hero like Ilsa has never written. He is a hero through and through- the purest, most beautiful, most captivating hero I’ve read in an Ilsa story. He’s just GOOD. SO GOOD. Of course, that doesn’t mean he has an edge- he’s got some swagger, and he’s hidden his feelings and loneliness behind jerkish behavior. But his heart is the biggest and sweetest, his soul so tender and open. He’s a man of integrity- he’s loyal, protective, diligent- his work ethic is only rivaled by his stoic leadership. He gives to everyone- supports everyone, but beneath it he is vulnerable, not only crippled by his guilt over his longing but also by his own lostness and loneliness. He is Ilsa’s most complex, most gentle, and most vulnerable hero, because of his sensitivity and his awareness- and as such, he crawled into my heart straight away- I picked up his cause, felt attached to him before our heroine, which is not usual for me.
That’s not to say that our heroine Anastasia isn’t amazing- she is. She has that usual Ilsa Madden-Mills quirky flair- but she’s bit more grounded. She’s a calming and steady presence. While many love her, she too seems lonely- and she rivals River’s compassion. She cares so deeply, feels so deeply-and she just craves real and reliable connection, something she’s not experienced much of. Her background definitely surprised me, and her reaction to it surprised me even more- but that is what makes Ana who she is. She cares for people, and she just wants to be understood- to be seen. Because when she’s seen, she feels connected, and secure.
Their story is a slower burn- and that’s not usually my thing, but this felt so perfect for these two characters. Characters who are so committed to knowing and caring for others, characters who are thoughtful and gentle, characters who are in a messy situation- so, of course, they take their time. Because they are worth it- and it is who they are. And, it ends up being all the more gratifying and explosive when they do finally go there. But the wait is so splendid- the sexual tension, the angst, the emotional intensity- it is breathtaking, brilliantly built and totally captivating. The more I think about it, the more I appreciated Ilsa’s slow and steady hand- because part of what makes them so beautiful is the emotional intimacy they build. She gives SO much focus to their budding connection, the sweet chemistry between them- it give sit such life, such depth. Like two pieces of a puzzle that you'd never think would fit together but are perfectly matched. Ilsa also sprinkles in heaps of her characteristic witty humor- including the flirty banter that no one does like her. The pace contributes to the surprising conclusion- two characters who took so long finding their way to each other have to figure out what to do once they do.
Ah, I just love this story, I love it so much. And like River, Ilsa left me with three beautiful things: our differences don’t define us (even if what is different is not only us but our path to each other), sometimes it only takes on sunrise to truly connect with someone, and love? Well, love is first- and when you find it, you pour and pour and pour until it blossoms, no matter what it takes. It is worth the wait. Oh sweet, tender goodness- my heart was happy and hopefully and delighted by every charming word.
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
OK I wasn't expecting this. Infact I wasn't sure I wanted to read this. I thought it was going to be something they did to her but it wasn't.
Anastasia is not the heroine I imagined. Shes probably better. I wish I could have lavender hair. I wish I was more free thinking, positive and just a better person. She is a bit of a 'hippee' but I love that.
River, unusual name at least in the UK, although I know someone whose name was that but they've changed it. I thought he was a very strong hero. He was vulnerable, he was smart and he was also pretty kind.
The whole mess with Donovan I was less keen on. He was there for the drama but really he wasn't necessary.
I also didn't see this as an enemies to lovers, although they weren't BFFs, I can't see their relationship as enemies. Still loved their romance.
Anastasia is not the heroine I imagined. Shes probably better. I wish I could have lavender hair. I wish I was more free thinking, positive and just a better person. She is a bit of a 'hippee' but I love that.
River, unusual name at least in the UK, although I know someone whose name was that but they've changed it. I thought he was a very strong hero. He was vulnerable, he was smart and he was also pretty kind.
The whole mess with Donovan I was less keen on. He was there for the drama but really he wasn't necessary.
I also didn't see this as an enemies to lovers, although they weren't BFFs, I can't see their relationship as enemies. Still loved their romance.
kidisitor's review against another edition
5.0
A boy with some emotional and mental issues. A girl who doesn't really have a home. She may not have much, but she is everything to him, even if she doesn't know it. Both characters are smart, but he has some learning disabilities which causes him to lack some confidence, though he is a popular guy at school and has many people who turn to him for advice. She's a bit of a free spirit, and doesn't really follow the norms in some things. She's not really quirky or anything, but she is unique. Both are good, kind people who like to help others whenever they can. It was kind of love at first site for the two, unfortunately there was just one obstacle in their way, her boyfriend, his fellow Frat brother. The characters are well developed and very likeable. (Who doesn't love those broken souls?) The side characters are fun, and bring a lot of the humor to the book. There are some laughs along the way as the two figure things out. There are a couple more emotional scenes. There are just a couple of scenes with sexual content. The story isn't really a dark read, nor is it all light-hearted, it's got a little of both. There is some emotional heaviness. It alternates between POVs. This is book one of the Kings of Football series (each book written by a different author, and features a different player.)
judeduartesgf's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 stars. This book was written so badly i cringed all the way through. There wasn’t any redeeming qualities other than the friendship between the 4 boys was very supporting and comforting. Even the romance cringed me out. The tropes were good but were executed so poorly. Honestly disappointed me :/
ellaneedsleep's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
demigoddess's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
bookishclara's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5