mooncricketjp's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it.
So I really wish we had gotten a little more of the librarian but I absolutely still loved this book.
So I really wish we had gotten a little more of the librarian but I absolutely still loved this book.
cassire's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been a fan of Ilsa’s college sports romances for a while now. I was so excited to read a professional sports romance from her. I so enjoyed Not My Romeo. I started it when nothing else would hold my interest. It was fun, flirty, and steamy. Just what I expected from an Ilsa Madden Mills romance. I look forward to more from this world.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
_all_by_my_shelf_'s review against another edition
4.0
Last month me and my bookclub #bookclubforbeautifulbitches read Not My Romeo!
The synopsis:
We start off with a lie on Valentine’s Day.
My blind date isn’t the studious guy I expected: he’s a drop-dead gorgeous player with sinful amber eyes. Somehow we end up at his penthouse. I blame the gin and tonic.
The next day I learn he’s Jack Hawke—bad-boy professional quarterback with a murky past. The NDA he has me sign should be a warning that he isn’t a regular person. Please. I sign it Juliet Capulet, so goodbye, famous football player with abs of steel, and good luck tracking down this small-town librarian.
But Jack keeps showing up in places I least expect him. Just when I’m sure he’s gone, he waltzes into my community theater and wins the part of Romeo to my Juliet. How’s a plain, mostly innocent girl like me supposed to resist a man like him?
Is Jack my real Romeo…or will this gorgeous football player only break my heart?
MY REVIEW, NO SPOILERS:
The plot:
Not My Romeo was a fun and quick read, but I do have some issues with it. Although it was really well written, the plot seemed a bit unplanned and irregular at times. There were a lot of events thrown in at the same time, and I feel like the focus of the book lay on the wrong events.
The couple:
This couple was honestly really well written, they complimented each other very well. I think it was a good idea to have double POV, so we could understand what was happening in both characters’ heads. There were some communication issues, but there always are in these types of books, I guess. And that’s just a pet peeve of mine, maybe you’d enjoy the frustration lol.
It is very clear that Jack and Elena cared for each other a lot, and that made me really happy. We love to see a healthy relationship once in a while
The synopsis:
We start off with a lie on Valentine’s Day.
My blind date isn’t the studious guy I expected: he’s a drop-dead gorgeous player with sinful amber eyes. Somehow we end up at his penthouse. I blame the gin and tonic.
The next day I learn he’s Jack Hawke—bad-boy professional quarterback with a murky past. The NDA he has me sign should be a warning that he isn’t a regular person. Please. I sign it Juliet Capulet, so goodbye, famous football player with abs of steel, and good luck tracking down this small-town librarian.
But Jack keeps showing up in places I least expect him. Just when I’m sure he’s gone, he waltzes into my community theater and wins the part of Romeo to my Juliet. How’s a plain, mostly innocent girl like me supposed to resist a man like him?
Is Jack my real Romeo…or will this gorgeous football player only break my heart?
MY REVIEW, NO SPOILERS:
The plot:
Not My Romeo was a fun and quick read, but I do have some issues with it. Although it was really well written, the plot seemed a bit unplanned and irregular at times. There were a lot of events thrown in at the same time, and I feel like the focus of the book lay on the wrong events.
The couple:
This couple was honestly really well written, they complimented each other very well. I think it was a good idea to have double POV, so we could understand what was happening in both characters’ heads. There were some communication issues, but there always are in these types of books, I guess. And that’s just a pet peeve of mine, maybe you’d enjoy the frustration lol.
It is very clear that Jack and Elena cared for each other a lot, and that made me really happy. We love to see a healthy relationship once in a while
readingbelle's review
So fun! Quirky but not over the top, this romance was the perfect read after a slew of angsty dramas.
lugysuperfly's review
4.0
Super cute story and a really unique first meet-cute! Lots of stuff going on but I truly enjoyed the small town setting while still not being entirely annoying. The other characters were fun and lots of silly moments. I loved how these MCs would try their best to not be together and couldn't keep their hands off each other and it still made sense because they had *chef's kiss* chemistry. Anyway, give it a go. Happy reading!
adeebasworldd's review
3.0
3.5
Their was a whole of – not even miscommunication but – no communication and that’s not something I enjoy reading. It was annoying. I did like the side characters so that’s why this didn’t get a lower rating.
Their was a whole of – not even miscommunication but – no communication and that’s not something I enjoy reading. It was annoying. I did like the side characters so that’s why this didn’t get a lower rating.
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book gave me all of the warm fuzzies I am looking for when reading a romance. The way Elena and Jack meet had me slightly nervous and on edge, but I enjoyed every minute of their mistaken identity banter and internal dialogue. It hooked me in from the beginning and I loved the whole ride.
Jack is so very broken. He had a traumatic childhood and doesn’t trust easily, if at all. The one long-term girlfriend he had recently turned their relationship into a series of lies and fodder for the gossip pages. He’s not comfortable with attention or speaking to crowds so his silence only makes him look worse in the eyes of the public. It’s refreshing for him when Elena, who doesn’t watch television or keep up with sports, has no idea who he is and speaks to him with honesty. She was sassy and blunt and didn’t fall at his feet like other people tended to do. He was intrigued.
From the beginning, it’s obvious how Jack is going to screw things up. While I was waiting for that to happen, the author wove a touching and beautiful love story. Not only were Jack’s insecurities addressed, but so were Elena’s. She hasn’t had an easy time of it lately either yet feels she always has to put on a brave and happy face in her small town. Jack is keyed into her true emotions from the first time they meet and doesn’t let her get away with saying she’s fine when she’s not.
Once Jack makes that mistake you know is coming, I was gutted. But I knew he’d figure it out with time and distance. And once he did, his method of apologizing was swoon-worthy. I loved it all.
The only issue I had with this book was the male narrator for the audiobook. I’m not going to hold that against the book itself, but fair warning to those of you who are going to use that format. He just didn’t fit for this type of character for me and I found myself wishing the female narrator was narrating the whole book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Murder and Grief
veneta_2805's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
slow-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
3.75
katekate_reads_'s review
4.0
Do you have any friends with similar reading tastes who get you so excited to read a book? Not My Romeo was on my radar but not at the top of the list until two trusted friends shared how much they enjoyed it. And when one texted about the heroine saying: “librarian, used to edit romance novels, makes her own quirky clothing and lingerie” quickly followed by “there’s a teacup potbellied pig in a sweater” I was SOLD! I was starting this book immediately!!
It kicks off with Elena going on a blind date - and assuming the man alone in a blue shirt must be her date. He was not. I am a sucker for a solid mistaken identity start! Turns out the man she sat with just happens to be Jack - the quarterback for the local football team who never gets to just be himself because people always think they already know him. Except the beautiful woman who just sat at his table and thinks he’s a local weatherman.
I loved most of this book. There were some parts toward the end that weren’t my favorite - poor communication and a romance trope that doesn’t work for me - but I would still really recommend this. It was a great break from the real world and had me grinning at many points.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
CW: hero remembering abuse by stepfather and witnessing murder of his mother
It kicks off with Elena going on a blind date - and assuming the man alone in a blue shirt must be her date. He was not. I am a sucker for a solid mistaken identity start! Turns out the man she sat with just happens to be Jack - the quarterback for the local football team who never gets to just be himself because people always think they already know him. Except the beautiful woman who just sat at his table and thinks he’s a local weatherman.
I loved most of this book. There were some parts toward the end that weren’t my favorite - poor communication and a romance trope that doesn’t work for me - but I would still really recommend this. It was a great break from the real world and had me grinning at many points.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
CW: hero remembering abuse by stepfather and witnessing murder of his mother