cassire's review
3.0
College, sports romances are usually like catnip to me. I think I just haven’t been in the mood for it. I struggled with this book.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
kfriend's review
5.0
Books like I Promise You are why Ilsa Madden Mills will always be at the top of my one click list. Charming. Swoon worthy, Quirky. The perfect balance or heart and heat, emotion and fun. This series has just been such a delight and has really set a new bar for me when it comes to new adult/college sports romance. Like always, Ilsa delivers a clever, sweet and sexy tale that is equal parts funny and insightful.
In our latest outing at Waylon University, our meet-cute is magically epic. At the beginning of year bonfire, Dillon, a hopeful young quarterback is hypnotized by a beautiful and free-spirited girl with a dandelion tattoo, dancing alone in the moonlight. So much so that he forgets all about all the scary warnings he’s had about the bonfire - that kissing anyone will result in a total obsession. Year later, their paths cross again. And, Thetas, Fat Tire, and Oreos- OH MY- turns out there might be some truth to the legend. But Dillon has his work cut out for him- his bonfire kissee is feisty, eccentric, and radically uninterested. Fortunately, fate has plans to ensure the bonfire is not the only time their paths will cross- giving us all the banter, all the sexual tension, and all the amazing chemistry.
Ilsa is such a compelling character writer- she never fails to create a fully array of interesting, unique, complex, and captivating characters that grab my heart straight away. Characters who are somehow dynamically specific but relatable. Dillon and Serena are no exception- like all Ilsa characters they are living, breathing, fully dimensional leads who just grabbed me straight away. And both learn and grow as the result of their budding relationship- a subtle and steady character development that feels authentic but vital.
No one writes quirky and endearing heroines like Ilsa, and Serena may have just become my new favorite. She has all the eccentricities that make her “adorkable”- her penchant for spouting off random facts when she’s nervous, her competitive streak, While this story feels mostly like a rom-com, Ilsa gives Serena a lot of past pain and baggage. This gives her SUCH depth- so much range as a character. You love her even more- for her resilience, her sense of humor, her spark. And Ilsa tells her story with such respect for who she is a character- she’s talented, strong, clever, but also vulnerable and hurt. And, like Dillon, she makes mistakes - she has lows that color her highs.
And Dillon is deceptively nuanced- at first he seems like the classic jock who is gonna realize his own shortcomings, but he has deep layers under his laid back, playboy quarterback facade. From the moment we meet him we see glimmers of a closer romantic, a tentative optimist who has been hurt by life and internalizes all his,and others’ feelings, so deeply. He FEELS, but past pain makes that scary. We start to see and feel an emotional loneliness in him. One that makes hiim more sweet and charming- more vulnerable and open. And, I love how unnerved he is by Serena- how she reduces the self-assured charmer into an awkward and endearing pursuer. And he, too, has flaws- makes mistakes. But he learns from them, so powerfully.
The chemistry here is MAGIC- fun, sexy, mesmerizing. These two just seem so opposite, but their draw to each other is undeniable. The fun and sassy banter and the comedic push-pull add just the right amount of angst, but as these two come together and break down each other’s perceptions, they fall into a natural and authentic connection that had me so charmed. They find a deeper connection in their own past hurts, a serendipitous sharing of grief that helps them understand each other. Helps them realize how they’ve been hiding to cope- behind sports, or hook-ups, or focusing on others. Serena’s vulnerability and Dillon’s boldness in opening his heart and pursuing her had me smiling, giddy with happiness. Their relationship started out so fiery, but evolved into something so sweat and healing. I could not be more obsessed.
LIke all Ilsa stories, not only do we get humor and charm, but we also find ourselves lovingly embraced by the story’s insights on loving. And this story leaves me full of optimism and joy. Here, Ilsa inspires us to lean into a promise. And no, not just the promise of fate, or the promise of a hopeful lover, even though Dillon so sweetly makes those. Ilsa is urging us to make a promise not just to a lover, but to ourselves- to promise our vulnerability and bravery, to promise an open mind. Putting yourself out there, opening your heart is indeed scary- but eventually it is worth the risk. Love deserves the chance. Because who knows? Perhaps the man stealing a kiss- or your oreos- is the half to your whole, is your something wonderful. But you’ll never know if you don’t roll the dice….or at least steal all his beer. :)
In our latest outing at Waylon University, our meet-cute is magically epic. At the beginning of year bonfire, Dillon, a hopeful young quarterback is hypnotized by a beautiful and free-spirited girl with a dandelion tattoo, dancing alone in the moonlight. So much so that he forgets all about all the scary warnings he’s had about the bonfire - that kissing anyone will result in a total obsession. Year later, their paths cross again. And, Thetas, Fat Tire, and Oreos- OH MY- turns out there might be some truth to the legend. But Dillon has his work cut out for him- his bonfire kissee is feisty, eccentric, and radically uninterested. Fortunately, fate has plans to ensure the bonfire is not the only time their paths will cross- giving us all the banter, all the sexual tension, and all the amazing chemistry.
Ilsa is such a compelling character writer- she never fails to create a fully array of interesting, unique, complex, and captivating characters that grab my heart straight away. Characters who are somehow dynamically specific but relatable. Dillon and Serena are no exception- like all Ilsa characters they are living, breathing, fully dimensional leads who just grabbed me straight away. And both learn and grow as the result of their budding relationship- a subtle and steady character development that feels authentic but vital.
No one writes quirky and endearing heroines like Ilsa, and Serena may have just become my new favorite. She has all the eccentricities that make her “adorkable”- her penchant for spouting off random facts when she’s nervous, her competitive streak, While this story feels mostly like a rom-com, Ilsa gives Serena a lot of past pain and baggage. This gives her SUCH depth- so much range as a character. You love her even more- for her resilience, her sense of humor, her spark. And Ilsa tells her story with such respect for who she is a character- she’s talented, strong, clever, but also vulnerable and hurt. And, like Dillon, she makes mistakes - she has lows that color her highs.
And Dillon is deceptively nuanced- at first he seems like the classic jock who is gonna realize his own shortcomings, but he has deep layers under his laid back, playboy quarterback facade. From the moment we meet him we see glimmers of a closer romantic, a tentative optimist who has been hurt by life and internalizes all his,and others’ feelings, so deeply. He FEELS, but past pain makes that scary. We start to see and feel an emotional loneliness in him. One that makes hiim more sweet and charming- more vulnerable and open. And, I love how unnerved he is by Serena- how she reduces the self-assured charmer into an awkward and endearing pursuer. And he, too, has flaws- makes mistakes. But he learns from them, so powerfully.
The chemistry here is MAGIC- fun, sexy, mesmerizing. These two just seem so opposite, but their draw to each other is undeniable. The fun and sassy banter and the comedic push-pull add just the right amount of angst, but as these two come together and break down each other’s perceptions, they fall into a natural and authentic connection that had me so charmed. They find a deeper connection in their own past hurts, a serendipitous sharing of grief that helps them understand each other. Helps them realize how they’ve been hiding to cope- behind sports, or hook-ups, or focusing on others. Serena’s vulnerability and Dillon’s boldness in opening his heart and pursuing her had me smiling, giddy with happiness. Their relationship started out so fiery, but evolved into something so sweat and healing. I could not be more obsessed.
LIke all Ilsa stories, not only do we get humor and charm, but we also find ourselves lovingly embraced by the story’s insights on loving. And this story leaves me full of optimism and joy. Here, Ilsa inspires us to lean into a promise. And no, not just the promise of fate, or the promise of a hopeful lover, even though Dillon so sweetly makes those. Ilsa is urging us to make a promise not just to a lover, but to ourselves- to promise our vulnerability and bravery, to promise an open mind. Putting yourself out there, opening your heart is indeed scary- but eventually it is worth the risk. Love deserves the chance. Because who knows? Perhaps the man stealing a kiss- or your oreos- is the half to your whole, is your something wonderful. But you’ll never know if you don’t roll the dice….or at least steal all his beer. :)
kidisitor's review
5.0
He's not your typical jock. Dillon has money, but he doesn't flaunt it. He's a little bit cocky, but not arrogant. He knows he's good, but not the best and has some insecurities about it. He may have slept with plenty of women, but he isn't a playboy. He also is not afraid of love or commitment, in fact he's looking for it, but with only one person. One problem, she isn't looking for love or commitment. Been there, done that and has the scars to prove it. He's got his work cut out for him if he has any hope of wooing her. Both these characters are great. Serena is a bit feisty. She's working hard to support and raise her younger sister, while going to school. He may be the hot jock on campus, but that doesn't impress her. He has a vulnerability about him that gives him an innocence of sorts. He's really quite sweet. There's lots of humorous moments. Some sad/emotional moments. Some steamy scenes as well. It's also got a spunky granny who brings lots of additional laughs. It's a good, sweet, sometimes angsty story. It takes place in the Waylon University world, so there is mention of some of the characters in the other books (I Dare You, I Hate You, I Bet You,) but each is a stand alone. It reads easily, moves smoothly and was hard to put down.
*I received an ARC of this book.
*I received an ARC of this book.
tiffanyjoy's review
emotional
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? No
3.75
booknerd624's review
5.0
We get to go back to Waylon... I freakin LOVE this world Ilsa has created. Dillon and Serena didn't disappoint at all. Thank you again Ilsa for bringing us back to Waylon!!!
cheekybookshenanigans's review
2.0
There’s something about the dialogue in this book that I don’t particularly like.
natneedsbooks's review
3.0
3.5 Dillon was probably my least favorite of this series. He seemed to be the biggest player of the series and the most arrogant. But he grew on me and had some sweet parts as well. I was annoyed with the sorority competition. He should have ditched that right away. I could appreciate how Serena held her ground in the breakup, but his final gesture was too sweet and I was happy with the ending!