bookishlynomes's review against another edition
4.0
Not My Romeo is the first book in the new Game Changers series and is a great introduction to this new fictional world. It's a fantastic mix of sports romance and romantic comedy, and provides the reader with a fun, feel good story about sports superstar, Jack, and librarian x secret lingerie designer, Elena.
The story focuses on Elena and her blind date on Valentine's Day. Expecting Greg the weatherman, Elena discovers just how great a case of mistaken identity can be when she finally realises Greg isn't Greg at all but is actually Jack. As you can imagine, hilarity ensues!
I loved how quirky this book was. Everything from the main characters, side characters, the small town, and the various plotlines made me laugh one moment, then gave me the warm and fuzzies next. Both Jack and Elena dance around their feelings for a significant amount of this book and it was so entertaining to watch them slowly fall in love. The romance in this book was very sweet and balanced well with their own personal growth. For Elena it was about learning to be comfortable and confident in her life choices and owning her uniqueness. For Jack it was about learning to love and trust another person. Both of these personal issues were made easier to overcome with the support of each other in this book.
Outside of the romance, I loved so many of the other characters. Jack's teammates are hilarious and I hope they get their own books in this series! I also loved Romeo (Elena's pet pig), Clara (her aunt) and Topher (her friend/roommate). While the concept of these two opposite characters doing the community theatre production of Romeo and Juliet (and scoring the leading roles) may have seemed a little farfetched. Madden-Mills makes it work and she does it so well!
Overall, I think this was a really entertaining read and would be perfect for someone looking for something light and fluffy.
Disclaimer: Thank you to the author and Social Butterfly PR for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
The story focuses on Elena and her blind date on Valentine's Day. Expecting Greg the weatherman, Elena discovers just how great a case of mistaken identity can be when she finally realises Greg isn't Greg at all but is actually Jack. As you can imagine, hilarity ensues!
I loved how quirky this book was. Everything from the main characters, side characters, the small town, and the various plotlines made me laugh one moment, then gave me the warm and fuzzies next. Both Jack and Elena dance around their feelings for a significant amount of this book and it was so entertaining to watch them slowly fall in love. The romance in this book was very sweet and balanced well with their own personal growth. For Elena it was about learning to be comfortable and confident in her life choices and owning her uniqueness. For Jack it was about learning to love and trust another person. Both of these personal issues were made easier to overcome with the support of each other in this book.
Outside of the romance, I loved so many of the other characters. Jack's teammates are hilarious and I hope they get their own books in this series! I also loved Romeo (Elena's pet pig), Clara (her aunt) and Topher (her friend/roommate). While the concept of these two opposite characters doing the community theatre production of Romeo and Juliet (and scoring the leading roles) may have seemed a little farfetched. Madden-Mills makes it work and she does it so well!
Overall, I think this was a really entertaining read and would be perfect for someone looking for something light and fluffy.
Disclaimer: Thank you to the author and Social Butterfly PR for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
carleta15's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
stucknbooks14's review against another edition
4.0
We’re greeted by the only miscommunication I enjoy: not communicating who you are and why you’re there. So naturally, assumptions are made and things go in a different direction that we were planning. (I like this direction though.) As soon as Jack realizes the mistake Elena has made, I had a lovely laugh and then tucked in to see how he’s going to screw this up. However, what I wasn’t prepared for was what actually followed. He didn’t screw up. In fact, Jack tried over and over again to prove that he was all in. The saying “small world” played a very lovely part in this. Small town romances have that wonderful ability. I love everything about Jack and Elena. Dirty secrets, pasts, pains, insecurities, and all. Our sweet small town librarian was a sex kitten, and I was here for it. I wasn’t prepared for the size of Jack’s heart either. Boy did that man make me swoooooon. There were a few moments I really could have cried, but I did melt into a puddle of goo on more than one occasion. I had every urge to protect him at whatever cost necessary. I felt that third act heartbreak build…but I still wasn’t ready for it. They both walked into this with their own issues and baggage. And while he readily accepted hers, she seemed to turn a blind eye to his. As if ignoring them was her way of supporting him. It took one simple conversation, but she didn’t respect his struggles enough, being lost in her own head. While I enjoyed the miscommunication that brought them together, I did NOT enjoy the miscommunication that nearly ripped them apart.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “What if I told you that c-l-i-t-s are my specialty?”
• “Are you going to make me beg for it?”
• “The truth is I may have to jack off in the bathroom before I fuck you.”
• “Weatherman, where are my panties?”
• “I like you all buttoned up.”
• “I’ve seen you naked. It very much did happen. And quite spectacularly.”
• “No one’s ever said my name like you do.”
• “Do I make your heart beat?”
6/10 Dirty Birdy
8/10 Sports Romance
My Favorite Quotes:
• “What if I told you that c-l-i-t-s are my specialty?”
• “Are you going to make me beg for it?”
• “The truth is I may have to jack off in the bathroom before I fuck you.”
• “Weatherman, where are my panties?”
• “I like you all buttoned up.”
• “I’ve seen you naked. It very much did happen. And quite spectacularly.”
• “No one’s ever said my name like you do.”
• “Do I make your heart beat?”
6/10 Dirty Birdy
8/10 Sports Romance
faintinggoat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
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 against another edition
So fun! Quirky but not over the top, this romance was the perfect read after a slew of angsty dramas.
lugysuperfly's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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.