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profromance's review against another edition
5.0
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You know that line from Field of Dreams: “If you build it, he will come”? For some reason, when I think of Ilsa Madden-Mills, I think “if she writes it, I will buy.” It is second nature for me to get excited for her books and covet them. She has this way of infusing humor and angst and characters with complicated pasts into her stories that you simply cannot stop reading. It’s like driving past an accident, you know you have to look. When Ilsa Madden-Mills writes a book, it has to go instantly into your Kindle library to read immediately. At least that’s the case with me.
Boyfriend Bargain is no different. I’m actually excited for the possibilities for any future books, as she has written a story rife with character stories that need to find purchase in other books. I’m talking specifically of the ancillary characters to Sugar and Zack (or Z), the stars of this book.
Like the ancillary characters, Sugar and Z are complicated and multi-dimensional. They bring such depth to this story of opposites attracting. Both are college students in their senior year. Sugar’s life is difficult. Her mother died when she was younger; she has a guardian, but she has had to work very hard for every penny to attend college. She carries with her “daddy issues” because he abandoned her, leaving a wake of hurt. Her sole purpose is proving that she is “good enough,” when she grew up feeling like an afterthought.
I felt myself in her story. Like Sugar, I too have “daddy issues” growing up feeling abandoned. In reading her pain on the page and understanding her initial reticence towards Z, I understood. I felt her feelings and knew her thoughts because I have felt and thought as she did. Madden-Mills captures her angst and fear beautifully on the page.
Z comes from a wealthy family, and it has been seemingly easy. He is the star hockey player at the university, a top draft pick destined for the NHL. However, he carries anxiety over high expectations for himself and guilt from a trauma in his teens. His story is a story for today, a time when mental health issues are receiving focus in the media for important reasons. With his story, Madden-Mills connects us to this timely topic, and his story reminds us of the importance of dealing with our feelings in meaningful and clinical ways.
Together, Z and Sugar fight against each other. I’ll be honest. There was a moment in their relationship when I didn’t know if I’d survive them. My heart hurt for their struggles, but I realized that this is life. Madden-Mills shows us, through their story, that we have to accept ourselves, make peace with our pasts, and live for today because this is all that we have.
Boyfriend Bargain is a poignant story of letting go to find love. Z and Sugar’s story is engaging and fiery and heartfelt. Ilsa Madden-Mills “built” a beautiful love story with her book, and this reader “came” to read and connect with the genius of a complicated, but satisfying story of opposites finding love and each other.
You know that line from Field of Dreams: “If you build it, he will come”? For some reason, when I think of Ilsa Madden-Mills, I think “if she writes it, I will buy.” It is second nature for me to get excited for her books and covet them. She has this way of infusing humor and angst and characters with complicated pasts into her stories that you simply cannot stop reading. It’s like driving past an accident, you know you have to look. When Ilsa Madden-Mills writes a book, it has to go instantly into your Kindle library to read immediately. At least that’s the case with me.
Boyfriend Bargain is no different. I’m actually excited for the possibilities for any future books, as she has written a story rife with character stories that need to find purchase in other books. I’m talking specifically of the ancillary characters to Sugar and Zack (or Z), the stars of this book.
Like the ancillary characters, Sugar and Z are complicated and multi-dimensional. They bring such depth to this story of opposites attracting. Both are college students in their senior year. Sugar’s life is difficult. Her mother died when she was younger; she has a guardian, but she has had to work very hard for every penny to attend college. She carries with her “daddy issues” because he abandoned her, leaving a wake of hurt. Her sole purpose is proving that she is “good enough,” when she grew up feeling like an afterthought.
I felt myself in her story. Like Sugar, I too have “daddy issues” growing up feeling abandoned. In reading her pain on the page and understanding her initial reticence towards Z, I understood. I felt her feelings and knew her thoughts because I have felt and thought as she did. Madden-Mills captures her angst and fear beautifully on the page.
Z comes from a wealthy family, and it has been seemingly easy. He is the star hockey player at the university, a top draft pick destined for the NHL. However, he carries anxiety over high expectations for himself and guilt from a trauma in his teens. His story is a story for today, a time when mental health issues are receiving focus in the media for important reasons. With his story, Madden-Mills connects us to this timely topic, and his story reminds us of the importance of dealing with our feelings in meaningful and clinical ways.
Together, Z and Sugar fight against each other. I’ll be honest. There was a moment in their relationship when I didn’t know if I’d survive them. My heart hurt for their struggles, but I realized that this is life. Madden-Mills shows us, through their story, that we have to accept ourselves, make peace with our pasts, and live for today because this is all that we have.
Boyfriend Bargain is a poignant story of letting go to find love. Z and Sugar’s story is engaging and fiery and heartfelt. Ilsa Madden-Mills “built” a beautiful love story with her book, and this reader “came” to read and connect with the genius of a complicated, but satisfying story of opposites finding love and each other.
nicandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
"Nothing gold can stay"
Ilsa Madden-Mills is the one author I can rely on to write really great college romance that doesn't make me feel like I'm too old to be reading it (since it's been about 20 years since I was the age of the characters). I loved this romance between Sugar and Zack - what starts as a "fake romance" ends up turning real super fast. But more than that, there is a fantastic backstory that each character brings and it impacts their lives in very different ways. Loved loved loved this!
Ilsa Madden-Mills is the one author I can rely on to write really great college romance that doesn't make me feel like I'm too old to be reading it (since it's been about 20 years since I was the age of the characters). I loved this romance between Sugar and Zack - what starts as a "fake romance" ends up turning real super fast. But more than that, there is a fantastic backstory that each character brings and it impacts their lives in very different ways. Loved loved loved this!
romancingthereader's review against another edition
5.0
Ilsa Madden-Mills is always a solid read, but I have to give her a round for applause for
kaycheer2899's review against another edition
5.0
Omg I devoured this book! Beautifully articulate and incredible that it delves into mental health and the stigma against it...highly recommend! It’s not just emotional and intricate, but funny as hell:)
cassire's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a little conflicted on my feelings of Boyfriend Bargain. There is the typical quirky heroine, hunky hero, and very hot sexy times that we expect from Ilsa. Her books usually have some depth to them. This book is a little deeper than usually.
I don’t like the names. Sugar should have been the cat’s name or a nickname. Zack is fine, but only the bros should call me Z. I never knew I could be so distracted by names.
Overall, I enjoyed Boyfriend Bargain, but it’s not my favorite Ilsa college sports romance. She has created an awesome world and I do need more books in this series.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I don’t like the names. Sugar should have been the cat’s name or a nickname. Zack is fine, but only the bros should call me Z. I never knew I could be so distracted by names.
Overall, I enjoyed Boyfriend Bargain, but it’s not my favorite Ilsa college sports romance. She has created an awesome world and I do need more books in this series.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
booklybrittany's review against another edition
3.0
not the best, but certainly not the worst college romance I’ve ever read. too much insta-love for my liking but overall an enjoyable story.
misthaven's review against another edition
3.0
communication issues & instalove pissed me off but was kinda cute i guess????
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
By now you probably all know how much I love hockey romance.
Did I love this book? Oh hell yes I did.
I love the story and I love Sugar and Zach. This story is HOT and I loved every part of it.
This is one I will be purchasing in paperback and I will be reading again in the future.
I give this 4 out of 5.
Did I love this book? Oh hell yes I did.
I love the story and I love Sugar and Zach. This story is HOT and I loved every part of it.
This is one I will be purchasing in paperback and I will be reading again in the future.
I give this 4 out of 5.