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javalenciaph's review against another edition
5.0
Note: An ARC was provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR. The full review can be read on Dog-Eared Daydreams.
I absolutely adored every single thing about this book. From Zack and Sugar and those closest to them to the story that they had to tell. The direction that their tale took had its share of surprises, and while there were moments throughout that brought a smile to my face and even had me laughing a number of times, there were also times where I could feel my heart beating faster when things got intense. These two clearly had their respective sets of emotional baggage to contend with and while it would be easy to compare and say one had heavier stuff to deal with than the other, it was as if being in each other's lives became the turning point that provided them with a clearer perspective in order to truly move forward. Inasmuch as I loved Zack and Sugar's story, I've got each of my fingers and toes crossed that we haven't seen the last of Zack's brother and all of their noteworthy friends. My curiosity's been piqued and now I'm itching to not only get to know them better but for every single one of them to get their own happy endings. I'm demanding and desperate! Boyfriend Bargain is a five-plus-starred must-read. ♥
I absolutely adored every single thing about this book. From Zack and Sugar and those closest to them to the story that they had to tell. The direction that their tale took had its share of surprises, and while there were moments throughout that brought a smile to my face and even had me laughing a number of times, there were also times where I could feel my heart beating faster when things got intense. These two clearly had their respective sets of emotional baggage to contend with and while it would be easy to compare and say one had heavier stuff to deal with than the other, it was as if being in each other's lives became the turning point that provided them with a clearer perspective in order to truly move forward. Inasmuch as I loved Zack and Sugar's story, I've got each of my fingers and toes crossed that we haven't seen the last of Zack's brother and all of their noteworthy friends. My curiosity's been piqued and now I'm itching to not only get to know them better but for every single one of them to get their own happy endings. I'm demanding and desperate! Boyfriend Bargain is a five-plus-starred must-read. ♥
messing_with_book's review against another edition
3.0
I love the way [a:Ilsa Madden-Mills|7059622|Ilsa Madden-Mills|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1484531571p2/7059622.jpg] manages to balance tragic/complicated stories with tender, funny and sensual love stories, and I really enjoy reading Sugar & Zack but some aspects towards the end of the book left me with mixed feelings about Zack's attitude, and even with that I'm dying to read more of this series, especially from Eric because his character stole my heart immediately.
Sugar was a character that I liked a lot, without a doubt she is a girl who has had a VERY complicated life due to her parents' relationship, something that together with the betrayal of her ex-boyfriend Bennet has generated some insecurities in her, plus, Sugar lives in a place that doesn't feel like home and the icing on the cake is the possibility of losing her dream of studying law at a specific school. This girl broke my heart a lot: from the situations she lives, her past, a little of her relationship with Zack and mainly because of her desire to prove her worth, but I think she had incredible growth throughout of the book, thanks in part to her strength, courage and desire to excel, but also to the constant support of Mara, Poppie, Taylor and even Julia.
Zack was also a very interesting character, I think in part he is a bit more complicated than Sugar: he is the golden boy of Hawthorne University, the captain and star of the hockey team, he has the reputation of a womanizer and there are a lot of rumors about his conquests and sex life, but what people don't know is the demons from his past, and personal life, that Zack has to face, that make him feel unworthy of the good that happens to him and that they're jeopardizing his career in the sport he loves. And I have to say that I liked Zack a lot, I loved reading him falling in love with Sugar, I think I could say that he was the first to fall but I'm not so sure, it was very nice to read him to discover more about her, wanting to protect her and support her in the complicated moments and I LOVED his fun and sensual side, what I definitely didn't like at all was the way his character dealt with the situation when Sugar found out the truth about their relationship, I think he never accept his share of responsibility for their problems and that he even tried to deflect what happened between the two by saying that "Sugar was not ready to acknowledge her feelings", I sincerely believe that this should have been handled in a better way and it is my biggest -but- with the character, what I really liked was the way in which Ilsa handled all his problem with anxiety from the beginning of the book and until the end.
One of the things that I liked the most about the love story of Sugar & Zack was that their relationship did NOT start with the fake relationship but much earlier, in a way not so spontaneous, but very cute & sensual, as I already said I LOVED that Zack is immediately attracted to Sugar, and I think that as a reader I could tell that he really feels attracted to his personality, the details that she has with him and how much fun he has when he is with her, and not because of what Sugar believes towards the end of the book, although it seems that the relationship and attraction between these two is only defined by its sexual component, the truth is that it was very easy for me to realize that they share a real connection, in which Zack confides in Sugar the darkest parts of his personality, his insecurities and things that nobody knows about him, in the same way Sugar lets her vulnerability show with him, and they both give each other a chance to really get to know each other. As I said, there were certain things that I didn't like very much, but I think that the end of this story was very nice for the characters.
Sugar was a character that I liked a lot, without a doubt she is a girl who has had a VERY complicated life due to her parents' relationship, something that together with the betrayal of her ex-boyfriend Bennet has generated some insecurities in her, plus, Sugar lives in a place that doesn't feel like home and the icing on the cake is the possibility of losing her dream of studying law at a specific school. This girl broke my heart a lot: from the situations she lives, her past, a little of her relationship with Zack and mainly because of her desire to prove her worth, but I think she had incredible growth throughout of the book, thanks in part to her strength, courage and desire to excel, but also to the constant support of Mara, Poppie, Taylor and even Julia.
Zack was also a very interesting character, I think in part he is a bit more complicated than Sugar: he is the golden boy of Hawthorne University, the captain and star of the hockey team, he has the reputation of a womanizer and there are a lot of rumors about his conquests and sex life, but what people don't know is the demons from his past, and personal life, that Zack has to face, that make him feel unworthy of the good that happens to him and that they're jeopardizing his career in the sport he loves. And I have to say that I liked Zack a lot, I loved reading him falling in love with Sugar, I think I could say that he was the first to fall but I'm not so sure, it was very nice to read him to discover more about her, wanting to protect her and support her in the complicated moments and I LOVED his fun and sensual side, what I definitely didn't like at all was the way his character dealt with the situation when Sugar found out the truth about their relationship, I think he never accept his share of responsibility for their problems and that he even tried to deflect what happened between the two by saying that "Sugar was not ready to acknowledge her feelings", I sincerely believe that this should have been handled in a better way and it is my biggest -but- with the character, what I really liked was the way in which Ilsa handled all his problem with anxiety from the beginning of the book and until the end.
One of the things that I liked the most about the love story of Sugar & Zack was that their relationship did NOT start with the fake relationship but much earlier, in a way not so spontaneous, but very cute & sensual, as I already said I LOVED that Zack is immediately attracted to Sugar, and I think that as a reader I could tell that he really feels attracted to his personality, the details that she has with him and how much fun he has when he is with her, and not because of what Sugar believes towards the end of the book, although it seems that the relationship and attraction between these two is only defined by its sexual component, the truth is that it was very easy for me to realize that they share a real connection, in which Zack confides in Sugar the darkest parts of his personality, his insecurities and things that nobody knows about him, in the same way Sugar lets her vulnerability show with him, and they both give each other a chance to really get to know each other. As I said, there were certain things that I didn't like very much, but I think that the end of this story was very nice for the characters.
booklovershangout's review against another edition
4.0
I adore Zack and Sugar and this whole story. It is sweet and sexy and so much fun. I could not put it down. I found myself rooting for the characters and dying to know what would happen next. I love Ilsa's writing and I can't wait for more from her.
rihoward's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
I had been waiting for this book for awhile. Sadly, this book didn't live up to my expectations. I love this author, but for some reason these characters didn't resonate with me. However, even if I didn't connect it doesn't mean that someone else won't connect. THAT is the beauty of books.
I look forward to the next book this author writes.
I had been waiting for this book for awhile. Sadly, this book didn't live up to my expectations. I love this author, but for some reason these characters didn't resonate with me. However, even if I didn't connect it doesn't mean that someone else won't connect. THAT is the beauty of books.
I look forward to the next book this author writes.
bookmaniacforever's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️4.5 "Dear Future Boyfriend" Stars ⭐️
I love a good college romance with all the swoon factor and heart-warming feelings. Boyfriend Bargain is exactly that kind of story! Ilsa Madden-Mills penned a charming and funny romance with two engaging protagonists that can turn on the heat with their powerful connection.
"She's consuming me, the way her lips pucker when she's thinking, her lashes fluttering against he cheeks after I kiss her. This crazy thing we have is mutual, which scares me and exhilarates me at the same time."
Sugar is the cute, dorky heroine that has a dream of being a lawyer. Zack Morgan, the hockey star player is the perfect candidate to play her new fake boyfriend to help her get admitted at the prestigious lax school of her choice. When they first meet it’s so intense between them. They truly share something special. Every single interaction is so delightful and diverting! The banter had me grinning so big and laughing a lot.
Z is really not the stereotype jock. I absolutely adored him and his fragile side. He hides dark secrets that could hinder his future in the NHL. With Sugar though, it seems like he’s slowly healing from a tragic event of the past. Everything he does to get the girl is adorable. When he accepts her offer to play her boyfriend, he already knows that he’s playing for keeps because she’s that special to him! Talk about a swoon-worthy, cocky hero!!!
As I mentioned earlier, their chemistry is undeniably intense! The little stolen moments where they get intimate are so juicy! They certainly had me losing my breath! Not only this couple is amazing, but the supporting characters bring a depth to this story. I enjoyed Eric's personality, always joking and flirting with Sugar to provoke Z. Reece, Zack's brother, is also very mysterious and the animosity with his brother had me intrigued. Sugar's group of friend are so supportive and fun to watch. Seriously, all the cast made this novel even more engaging!
"Fire and need all mixed together consume my body and I kiss him back, our mouths clinging. Each time we kiss, it's as if it's the first time, and I'm baffled by the intense desire that rises up inside me."
Globally, Boyfriend Bargain is an alluring story bursting with feels. It’s the textbook college sports romance that will give you a great enjoyment.
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
naheezy's review against another edition
2.0
I’m sorry but i am really not a fan of the “i was interested in you because you look like my dead ex-girlfriend” trope. Felt like it just ruined the whole thing 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
patticorrea_ecbc's review against another edition
5.0
OH MY!!! AMAZING! That about sums up this book. Hot hockey guy, shy smart girl, she needs him to help her, he just needs HER. This story touches on some points about mental illness, anxiety to be exact. It is about overcoming your 'faults' to move on and be the best you can be. I can relate to Zack, it is hard as hell to overcome a panic attack, they are scary, mean and suck the life out of you. To end up on the other side is a wonderful feeling.
This story is of moving past the guilt from the past and moving toward the bright future!
This story is of moving past the guilt from the past and moving toward the bright future!
olovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Never Disappoints
Zack & Sugar didn’t have to come for us like that
Zack & Sugar didn’t have to come for us like that