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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
k8readstoday's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
el__s's review against another edition
classic she's not like other girls, she doesn't know she's beautiful and the bad boy who treats girls like accessories suddenly changes for her
bribreez's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5⭐️/ 4🌶️
Ilsa Madden-Mills always writes such amazing, unique, enjoyable stories, and with, “Boyfriend Bargain”, it was the kind of story that switched things up. This story followed, Sugar and Zack. Not going to lie, the fact that her name was, “Sugar” caught me off guard, but oh well it was fine. Anyways, Sugar was a hardworking college student with aspirations of getting into law school. Whereas, Zack was the popular man on campus, captain of the hockey team at Hawthorne University, and number one prospect for the NHL draft. Sugar and Zack were from different worlds, but one encounter at a frat party changed everything. Sugar had hoped to ask Zack to pretend to be her fake boyfriend, but instead they shared a steamy night that left them either lingering memories of their instant chemistry. This story had fake dating, little bit of angst, heartfelt moments, romance, and an all together amazing story written by Ilsa Madden-Mills.
Ilsa Madden-Mills always writes such amazing, unique, enjoyable stories, and with, “Boyfriend Bargain”, it was the kind of story that switched things up. This story followed, Sugar and Zack. Not going to lie, the fact that her name was, “Sugar” caught me off guard, but oh well it was fine. Anyways, Sugar was a hardworking college student with aspirations of getting into law school. Whereas, Zack was the popular man on campus, captain of the hockey team at Hawthorne University, and number one prospect for the NHL draft. Sugar and Zack were from different worlds, but one encounter at a frat party changed everything. Sugar had hoped to ask Zack to pretend to be her fake boyfriend, but instead they shared a steamy night that left them either lingering memories of their instant chemistry. This story had fake dating, little bit of angst, heartfelt moments, romance, and an all together amazing story written by Ilsa Madden-Mills.
All Sugar wanted was to accomplish her goal of getting into law school, getting her dream job, and prove to those that she was worthy of greatness. Aside from wanting to get into law school, Sugar was an introverted, sweet, kind, and at times sassy woman. I liked Sugar right away with the way she overcame her nerves, and took chances like, asking Zack to be her fake boyfriend to help get into her law school. Sugar wasn’t like the rest of the students that attended Hawthorne University who grew up wealthy. Instead, Sugar had always worked from a young age to support herself, and focused on her studies since she was not only driven, but also very intelligent. Sugar was in for quite a ride once she got Zack to be her fake boyfriend, and OOOO IT WAS GREAT!
You can never go wrong with a hockey romance, but you also can’t go wrong with falling for the captain of said hockey team like, Zack. On the outside, Zack was the kind of man who seemed to have everything he could want from popularity, friends, adoring fans, and a future cemented in the NHL. Deep down though, Zack dealt with some inner demons, a tragedy that affected his life, and an unsettling feeling of anxiety always in the background. I will say that I did like how the story highlighted Zack’s anxiety and his effort to work through it such as, going to therapy. As a student athlete, Zack had a lot of pressure resting on his shoulders, and with the loss of someone from his past still appearing at the forefront of his mind, he had a lot to deal with. Although, that fraternity party ended up being the best thing to happen to Zack since that was the night he shared an incredible, steamy night with Sugar. Zack was more than agreeable to help Sugar out, between the required outings, kisses, and flirting, it was all in the name of making Zack and Sugar’s relationship believable.
The fake dating was a means to help Sugar out, but it was clear from the beginning that Zack wanted more with her. I’m a big fan of the fake dating trope, among others, but the way Zack and Sugar fake dated each other was sexy, passionate, and gradually became serious. There was the obvious chemistry between Zack and Sugar that I absolutely adored seeing throughout the story, and more so getting to see how much Zack fell for Sugar. Zack was use to just focusing on hockey and his future, but through fake dating Sugar, he felt a sense of happiness and utter joy being around her. Plus, there was the undeniable passion and desire that grew exponentially hotter between Zack and Sugar that had me blushing a couple of times! Zack was very much determined to make Sugar his girlfriend from the beginning! I loved how Zack didn’t pretend, and again despite it being fake dating, he didn’t hold back in letting Sugar know just how much he wanted her, and I WAS LOVING IT!!!!
The road to a happily ever after wasn’t easy for Zack and Sugar, but they eventually got there. Between Zack’s past and his mounting anxiety and Sugar coming to terms with her past as well, the two had some obstacles to overcome. Zack’s storyline was a mix of angst, emotional, and illustrated his struggles with his anxiety. I appreciated seeing the ways Zack took the initiative to seek therapy to help better manage his anxiety and mental health. As an anxious individual that’s something I always appreciate seeing highlighted in stories espoused in this case. Sugar was a lovely young woman and I really loved her! What started out as a means to help her get into the law school of her choice ultimately lead to her finding love! Sugar dealt with doubts and fears of being left behind, lied to, and lack of trust due to her past, but Zack worked hard to show her how much he cared for her. In the midst of some of the more emotional parts, there was the romance that had me swooning! The little things that Zack did for Sugar made me love him more. Not to mention, the spice was hot and had me flustered through out the book! OOOOO! HOT! There were so many wonderful aspects to this story, and I couldn’t put the book down! Sugar and Zack managed to find their way together and it ended on a very great note for them, especially the epilogue showing such a wonderful and beautiful scene between Zack and Sugar (sniff) I adored it! Ilsa Madden-Mills is just one of those authors I wholeheartedly adore and I absolutely loved this book! Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
bee_reading_books's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!
I FLOVED Sugar and Z.
I always love IMM's books and am dying for more by the time I reach the end and this was no different.
Their chemistry was on fire and Z was seriously so sweet.
Sugar was relatable and their relationship was super hot.
That closet scene.... *fans self*
Love, love, loved Boyfriend Bargain!
I FLOVED Sugar and Z.
I always love IMM's books and am dying for more by the time I reach the end and this was no different.
Their chemistry was on fire and Z was seriously so sweet.
Sugar was relatable and their relationship was super hot.
That closet scene.... *fans self*
Love, love, loved Boyfriend Bargain!
fethiye's review against another edition
2.0
Rating 1.5
The amount of red flaggs and signs of problematic relationship is astounding.
The amount of red flaggs and signs of problematic relationship is astounding.
gracereadsforlove's review against another edition
2.0
What the heck, Ilsa?
The storytelling is good as always but the story...
Hated the dead ex angle.
Hated the resemblance.
Hated that there was no groveling.
Hated that H's feelings for his dead ex was made to be a big deal at the start and then downplayed at the end like "oh no I didn't really love her all that much it was just blah blah blah".
And worst of all, I hated that in the end they made it seem like the h was to blame that they had to break up and go through that heartache. WTF?
Zack was promising in the beginning but he turned into the kind of H that I hate. He just let Sugar go when she found out about the resemblance. He put hockey first instead of apologizing and trying to win her back. He even ignored her the first few times they saw each other after the breakup. He waited until after the National Championship to actually apologize, beg another chance, and promise to do better. He said he lied on the letters he wrote to his dead ex where he kept saying "I love you forever". He's full of excuses!!! And while apologizing he was like "I needed you but you left me" like it was not a big deal that Sugar's heart got broken first because he lied (by omission, but it was still a lie). And Sugar, the supposedly-brainy-beacuse-she's-pre-law idiot, was like "I should have given him a chance to explain". Wow. Just wow. I'm so mad because I had a similar experience, the only difference is in my situation the ex is still alive.
Story sucked. Don't recommend.
The storytelling is good as always but the story...
Hated the dead ex angle.
Hated the resemblance.
Hated that there was no groveling.
Hated that H's feelings for his dead ex was made to be a big deal at the start and then downplayed at the end like "oh no I didn't really love her all that much it was just blah blah blah".
And worst of all, I hated that in the end they made it seem like the h was to blame that they had to break up and go through that heartache. WTF?
Zack was promising in the beginning but he turned into the kind of H that I hate. He just let Sugar go when she found out about the resemblance. He put hockey first instead of apologizing and trying to win her back. He even ignored her the first few times they saw each other after the breakup. He waited until after the National Championship to actually apologize, beg another chance, and promise to do better. He said he lied on the letters he wrote to his dead ex where he kept saying "I love you forever". He's full of excuses!!! And while apologizing he was like "I needed you but you left me" like it was not a big deal that Sugar's heart got broken first because he lied (by omission, but it was still a lie). And Sugar, the supposedly-brainy-beacuse-she's-pre-law idiot, was like "I should have given him a chance to explain". Wow. Just wow. I'm so mad because I had a similar experience, the only difference is in my situation the ex is still alive.
Story sucked. Don't recommend.
titchlikestoread's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I'm always up for sports romance and really liked this book. Both of our leads have their own struggles and I enjoyed watching them deal with them.
Not a fan of insta-love wish they had more build up. Z's mental health and anxiety was done in very real and respectful way, and he learn to let go and forgive himself important message.
My favorites are Eric & Julia I need more them together chemistry jump out with them.
Quick, easy and enjoyable read.
Not a fan of insta-love wish they had more build up. Z's mental health and anxiety was done in very real and respectful way, and he learn to let go and forgive himself important message.
My favorites are Eric & Julia I need more them together chemistry jump out with them.
Quick, easy and enjoyable read.
allyreadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
Once again I find myself in love with a new-to-me author. The promos promised a hot college hockey player, a fake relationship, and lots of steam. Did it deliver? Yes! Was it so much more? YES!
Boyfriend Bargain sounded like a quick angsty read about a girl in need of a fake boyfriend to get what she wants. At first, it didn't make sense why Sugarn needed to date this specific hockey player to get into Law School at Vandy, and then it does.
I loved Sugar's sass and southern charm. I am also a girl from the South. Yes, we talk like that. I don't know if Ilsa, is from our part of the country but she did an excellent job capturing the strength and determination of many southern women especially when they are trying to make a point and prove their worth. As the story goes on after Sugar did a little recon work, I won't call it stalking because law-abiding ladies do not stalk. lol
Then there is Z. Oh, Zak, you are the best player on the ice and have a reputation for being a bigger player off.
There is so much more to Z than the reputation. He is smart, sensitive, and deeply affected by guilt and the past. Z feel the pull to Sugar, and it is the sweetest things to watch.
The #1 Rule to their bargain is No Falling in Love.
Sugar is determined to make her hard work and dreams come true without being held back by any man. She is driven further by her lack of a father. There are a whole lot of relatable family issues that these characters deal with on their own.
I cannot recommend this New Adult book enough. It has just the right amount of humor, sweetness, frustration, and STEAM! Ooooolalalal, the fiery relationship between these two, is off the charts!! Despite Sugar trying to deny it they end up coming back to each other over and over again. That's not a spoiler its in the book blurb;)
To summarize I love this book. It is not just fluff, but full of substance, and ice-hockey. I kind of want to watch some! lol I plan on reading more by Isla! I enjoyed her writing style, characters, and plot! Get ready for a fun-filled, emotional adventure, with heartbreak, love, good friends, and lots of comedy!
Boyfriend Bargain sounded like a quick angsty read about a girl in need of a fake boyfriend to get what she wants. At first, it didn't make sense why Sugarn needed to date this specific hockey player to get into Law School at Vandy, and then it does.
I loved Sugar's sass and southern charm. I am also a girl from the South. Yes, we talk like that. I don't know if Ilsa, is from our part of the country but she did an excellent job capturing the strength and determination of many southern women especially when they are trying to make a point and prove their worth. As the story goes on after Sugar did a little recon work, I won't call it stalking because law-abiding ladies do not stalk. lol
Then there is Z. Oh, Zak, you are the best player on the ice and have a reputation for being a bigger player off.
There is so much more to Z than the reputation. He is smart, sensitive, and deeply affected by guilt and the past. Z feel the pull to Sugar, and it is the sweetest things to watch.
The #1 Rule to their bargain is No Falling in Love.
Sugar is determined to make her hard work and dreams come true without being held back by any man. She is driven further by her lack of a father. There are a whole lot of relatable family issues that these characters deal with on their own.
I cannot recommend this New Adult book enough. It has just the right amount of humor, sweetness, frustration, and STEAM! Ooooolalalal, the fiery relationship between these two, is off the charts!! Despite Sugar trying to deny it they end up coming back to each other over and over again. That's not a spoiler its in the book blurb;)
To summarize I love this book. It is not just fluff, but full of substance, and ice-hockey. I kind of want to watch some! lol I plan on reading more by Isla! I enjoyed her writing style, characters, and plot! Get ready for a fun-filled, emotional adventure, with heartbreak, love, good friends, and lots of comedy!