cassire's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t why I struggled with this one. I had moments of being super into it and moments that I just wasn’t that into it. Not good or bad just meh. Maybe I just read it when I was in the wrong mood.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
allingoodtime's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Giselle is not what I expected after reading the first book in this series, Not My Romeo. That’s a good thing. I just couldn’t imagine what transpired for her to do what she did to her sister. Getting that look inside Giselle’s head had her quickly become a character I loved. It just goes to show we can’t know someone unless we ask some pointed questions. The way Giselle and her sister view each other, even though they love each other deeply, is proof that making assumptions isn’t doing you any favors. A little of that was shown by the end of the last book when Giselle opened up to her sister a little bit. Here, we see how deep her wounds are and how they came about.
This story is a lot of fun even though Giselle is dealing with a lot. Devan is the friend who is the player with a heart of gold from the first story. He was also a bit of comic relief. His big heart is even more on display here and he kept me smiling. He’s so wonderful with the way he goes about helping Giselle. At times pushy but not overbearing, and always sensitive to her needs. Because of their age difference and some kind of bro code where he feels guilty for crushing on his best friend’s fiancee’s sister, this is a slow-burn romance. But I didn’t even really notice the time it took for Devan and Giselle to get together because they were together as friends and roommates with their chemistry pinging around the room for most of the story.
As much as I loved the banter and the connection Giselle and Devan have, I was annoyed by the things that broke them up and how it ended up being resolved. I’m glad they found their way back together and had their HEA, but how some of it went down bothered me. It’s still a great book and I will still highly recommend it along with the first book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Fire/Fire injury
jessicalouise25's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @76%
I didn't hate this book but I couldn't bring myself to finish it because I just didn't care about the characters or like them all that much. It just missed the mark for me.
I didn't hate this book but I couldn't bring myself to finish it because I just didn't care about the characters or like them all that much. It just missed the mark for me.
ace_mishbookish's review against another edition
5.0
There is something about the MMC who is a sportsman but is also a friend of FMC and falls deeper and harder with each passing day ❤️
kfriend's review against another edition
5.0
I just cannot get enough of the charming town of Daisy and all of the quirky characters that inhabit it. Not My Romeo was one of my favorite reads of 2021, and Not My Match certain matches its delightful witty charisma while painting an original story that is fresh and addictive. Eccentric characters with a connection that sizzles, sexy banter, the perfect nexus of comedy and romantic angst, and a tender love story at its heart. I laughed, I swooned, and I was enchanted yet again. Not My Match is yet another reminder why Ilsa Madden-Mills will always be one of my unicorn authors- every story captures my heart. And Devon and Giselle did just that.
After not my Romeo, I was DYING for Devon’s story. He was the comedic support that stole every scene. And I loved him even more in Not My Match- he’s more than the easy going, jovial wingman we meet before. Devon is a BEAUTIFUL soul that had me swooning and awwing left and right. He’s the perfect hero- the right balance of possessive protectiveness and charismatic swagger with a tender, caring, and deeply loving heart behind it all. He easily stole my heart- and Giselle’s- with his unending GOODNESS. His past pains just tore at my heart. This man is so complex and compelling. Truly so dreamy- I am captivated by him and completely in love.
Ilsa’s characters are always so delightfully specific and quirky- and Giselle may be her most adorably eccentric heroine yet. She surprised me in every way- and to be honest, I was worried I couldn’t get behind her after the hurt she caused her sister in book one- but I LOVED HER. Like everyone else, I had put her in a box. I had decided who and what she as without even knowing her. She is so much more than anyone can know- until Devon sees her. She’s brilliant and incredibly smart and driven, but she’s also so funny, gentle, and full of spunk and heart. And she’s so delightfully interesting and contrasting- a brilliant scientist who is writing alien erotic romance, an academic with a penchant for endless random knowledge that she adorkably spews out at any moment, a nerdy introvert who is also sexy and alluring. How could you not love her? She has such a loving soul- and she just is desperate to find herself, to be free and open with all her thoughts and love. And she has SO much love. And Ilsa so smartly gives us some closure with her sister- addressing the elephant in a room that makes us love and understand Giselle even more.
These two are so different on paper- but they both just want to be seen and valued for who they are. And their connection is SO sexy, so sweet, and so well done. This is some of the best Ilsa chemistry to date (which is saying a lot because her chemistry is always impeccable). We get to watch these two grow as friends, evolve as they love and support each other, and we see them connect as people. The result is that their relationship is grounded in care and emotion- in a tender respect and admiration for each other- that makes it just sizzle off the page. And the slow burn made me even more ravenous- Ilsa works the anticipation on this one, and it is worth the wait. SWOON! They are so adorable- explosive but sweet, raw but comforting. I could not love them more. THEY ZING!
Giselle and Devon’s story is so heartfelt and sweet- and full of the witty humor and sexiness that I love about Ilsa’s writing and this series. Daisy and these characters capture me every team- I love being swept away into the world that Ilsa has created. It feels like coming home- warm, inviting, full of love and laughter, and never fails to put a smile on my face.
After not my Romeo, I was DYING for Devon’s story. He was the comedic support that stole every scene. And I loved him even more in Not My Match- he’s more than the easy going, jovial wingman we meet before. Devon is a BEAUTIFUL soul that had me swooning and awwing left and right. He’s the perfect hero- the right balance of possessive protectiveness and charismatic swagger with a tender, caring, and deeply loving heart behind it all. He easily stole my heart- and Giselle’s- with his unending GOODNESS. His past pains just tore at my heart. This man is so complex and compelling. Truly so dreamy- I am captivated by him and completely in love.
Ilsa’s characters are always so delightfully specific and quirky- and Giselle may be her most adorably eccentric heroine yet. She surprised me in every way- and to be honest, I was worried I couldn’t get behind her after the hurt she caused her sister in book one- but I LOVED HER. Like everyone else, I had put her in a box. I had decided who and what she as without even knowing her. She is so much more than anyone can know- until Devon sees her. She’s brilliant and incredibly smart and driven, but she’s also so funny, gentle, and full of spunk and heart. And she’s so delightfully interesting and contrasting- a brilliant scientist who is writing alien erotic romance, an academic with a penchant for endless random knowledge that she adorkably spews out at any moment, a nerdy introvert who is also sexy and alluring. How could you not love her? She has such a loving soul- and she just is desperate to find herself, to be free and open with all her thoughts and love. And she has SO much love. And Ilsa so smartly gives us some closure with her sister- addressing the elephant in a room that makes us love and understand Giselle even more.
These two are so different on paper- but they both just want to be seen and valued for who they are. And their connection is SO sexy, so sweet, and so well done. This is some of the best Ilsa chemistry to date (which is saying a lot because her chemistry is always impeccable). We get to watch these two grow as friends, evolve as they love and support each other, and we see them connect as people. The result is that their relationship is grounded in care and emotion- in a tender respect and admiration for each other- that makes it just sizzle off the page. And the slow burn made me even more ravenous- Ilsa works the anticipation on this one, and it is worth the wait. SWOON! They are so adorable- explosive but sweet, raw but comforting. I could not love them more. THEY ZING!
Giselle and Devon’s story is so heartfelt and sweet- and full of the witty humor and sexiness that I love about Ilsa’s writing and this series. Daisy and these characters capture me every team- I love being swept away into the world that Ilsa has created. It feels like coming home- warm, inviting, full of love and laughter, and never fails to put a smile on my face.
bookjunkie15's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
This is slow burn but I can't say I loved it.
It just felt very slow and not like oo shes building up to a big boom. It just felt almost boring.
Still pretty good book
It just felt very slow and not like oo shes building up to a big boom. It just felt almost boring.
Still pretty good book
kidisitor's review against another edition
5.0
This is a cute (don't let that fool you) story with plenty of sexual tension. It does feature that broken boy who is afraid to let himself fall in love. You may have met the characters in Not My Romeo, but have no fear, you don't need to read that book to follow this. though most of the characters are in both books, so if you do/have read them, it's a little bonus. He is a NFL star about to head into Pre-Season training. She is in school for her doctorate. She's a little nerdy when it comes to all things science and physics. She's also a bit quirky. Her sister is in a relationship with his best friend and teammate, so the two aren't really strangers, though they aren't necessarily friends. He is set with the task of watching over her while her sister and his buddy are out of state. Little does he know, he has his work cut out for him when he learns her secret. There are a lot of fun moments, some angst, some more emotional ones as well. This isn't really a friends to lovers romance, since they are barely friends, but she has had a crush on him ever since she saw one of his games years ago, long before she even knew his name. Most of the book is him pushing her away whenever he feels they are getting too close and her trying to come to terms that they will never be more than friends. There is some sexual content that may be deemed suitable for mature readers. It alternates POVs. It's easy to read and the story flows smoothly.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
gracelyn's review against another edition
3.0
⋆ ⁎ ★° ⁀ ➷ 3 steamy
”I, Devon Walsh, swear to never hurt Giselle Riley.”
Giselle is more understanding of Devon and his feelings and upbringing than Elena was of Jack’s. Personal opinion.
Tropes:
* Sports romance
* Slow burn
* Friends to Lovers
* Virgin heroine
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content