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pagesinkedinshadows's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was an amazing and emotional story. I adored the chemistry between Giselle & Derek, I really enjoyed how their friendship grew and their chemistry exploded. They both had past experiences that held them back, but they were able to work through them together. This was a fun slow burn filled with passion and love.
javalenciaph's review against another edition
5.0
Note: An ARC was provided by the publisher.
After reading Not My Romeo last year, Not My Match quickly became one of my most anticipated reads for 2020, and boy, oh boy, Ilsa Madden-Mills did NOT disappoint! This second novel in the Game Changers series is the story of Devon Walsh, twenty-eight-year-old wide receiver for the Nashville Tigers and best friend to Jack Hawke, and Giselle Riley, graduate student, secret sci-fi romance author, and twenty-four-year-old sister of Elena Hawke née Riley, aka Jack's wife. (FYI, Jack and Elena's story plays out in the series starter, Not My Romeo.) You don't necessarily need to read one book before the other because they do work rather well as standalones; however, I highly recommend you read both books because they truly are quite lovely reads with a wonderful cast of characters.
Giselle and Devon... Gah! How I adored these two! They most certainly belonged together, but they had their respective shares of insecurities and issues that served as hurdles to them getting to that point. I loved how they brought out the best in each other, offering not just love but support and understanding as well, with one accepting the other wholeheartedly, without strings or caveats. There's wit and humor, but there's also some angst, touching upon heavier issues like alcoholism and abandonment. The author did a splendid job balancing all the aspects of her story and main characters, but then this is Ilsa Madden-Mills we're talking about, and I wouldn't have expected anything less. That's two books in a row that have proven to be absolute gems in this series. Dare I hope for more? There are AT LEAST three more supporting characters whose stories MUST be told. Fingers crossed! For now, I shall bask in my Not My Match book hangover. Five-plus stars.
After reading Not My Romeo last year, Not My Match quickly became one of my most anticipated reads for 2020, and boy, oh boy, Ilsa Madden-Mills did NOT disappoint! This second novel in the Game Changers series is the story of Devon Walsh, twenty-eight-year-old wide receiver for the Nashville Tigers and best friend to Jack Hawke, and Giselle Riley, graduate student, secret sci-fi romance author, and twenty-four-year-old sister of Elena Hawke née Riley, aka Jack's wife. (FYI, Jack and Elena's story plays out in the series starter, Not My Romeo.) You don't necessarily need to read one book before the other because they do work rather well as standalones; however, I highly recommend you read both books because they truly are quite lovely reads with a wonderful cast of characters.
Giselle and Devon... Gah! How I adored these two! They most certainly belonged together, but they had their respective shares of insecurities and issues that served as hurdles to them getting to that point. I loved how they brought out the best in each other, offering not just love but support and understanding as well, with one accepting the other wholeheartedly, without strings or caveats. There's wit and humor, but there's also some angst, touching upon heavier issues like alcoholism and abandonment. The author did a splendid job balancing all the aspects of her story and main characters, but then this is Ilsa Madden-Mills we're talking about, and I wouldn't have expected anything less. That's two books in a row that have proven to be absolute gems in this series. Dare I hope for more? There are AT LEAST three more supporting characters whose stories MUST be told. Fingers crossed! For now, I shall bask in my Not My Match book hangover. Five-plus stars.
booklovershangout's review against another edition
4.0
Swooon! I am so in love with these characters and this story. The chemistry is off the charts steamy. The banter is smart and made me smile. The storyline held me captive and I enjoyed every minute of being on this journey. I absolutely love Ilsa Madden-Mills' writing and I can't wait for more from her and to see what she has in store for us next.
destinyfayebookvibes's review against another edition
4.0
I like this one way more than the first. I love that we get to know Giselle more and it helped me understand her and her mistakes from the first one. Devon was a vibe in the first book and even better in this one. I enjoyed the development between them and how they figure each other and there own issues out in the end. I also appreciate that his dad gets closure in the story as well with his addiction, I hate a surprise pregnancy trope so almost lost me at the end but it was saved.
rihoward's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I am a huge fan of this author and so any book that she writes is sure to hit my good book meter, hence the huge fan. However, this book exceeded even those expectations.
I wasn't prepared to like Giselle as much as I did. There was just something about watching her inner mind work that had me cracking up. She was awkward and knew random facts. Social settings and friends were not her thing and I loved that about her. The connection that she had with Devon made me laugh. He was this jock who was far from naive and yet Giselle turned his world upside down and made him awkward in his own way.
Great storyline that had a fresh spin to it, loveable characters, and just the right amount of steam. The epilogue was also pretty dang perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I am a huge fan of this author and so any book that she writes is sure to hit my good book meter, hence the huge fan. However, this book exceeded even those expectations.
I wasn't prepared to like Giselle as much as I did. There was just something about watching her inner mind work that had me cracking up. She was awkward and knew random facts. Social settings and friends were not her thing and I loved that about her. The connection that she had with Devon made me laugh. He was this jock who was far from naive and yet Giselle turned his world upside down and made him awkward in his own way.
Great storyline that had a fresh spin to it, loveable characters, and just the right amount of steam. The epilogue was also pretty dang perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
beautifullybookish25'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.
azelmed's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
bookbeccie'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? Yes
3.5
maliha's review against another edition
4.0
dedicated to make the characters actually real, and not spewing some random nonsense. actually read up on physics books to make the fmc say the right things.