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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!
rellimreads's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. Borrowed via KU.
This started off kind of slow. It was 25% before we even knew why Sugar was looking for Zack to be her fake boyfriend. Instead of feeling suspenseful, it felt frustrating.
After that, things really got rolling and I truly enjoyed the story. This reminded me of Sarina Bowen’s N/A novels. The angst isn’t petty incessant internal whining ~ it’s real gritty topics and you can’t help but fall in love with and root for Zack & Sugar. As individuals and as a couple.
I’m kinda hoping this becomes a series A semi-concurrent story with Reece’s POV and then his own HEA would be pretty awesome. Eric was amazing and also needs his own HEA.
This was my first Ilsa Madden-Mills read. It won’t be my last.
This started off kind of slow. It was 25% before we even knew why Sugar was looking for Zack to be her fake boyfriend. Instead of feeling suspenseful, it felt frustrating.
After that, things really got rolling and I truly enjoyed the story. This reminded me of Sarina Bowen’s N/A novels. The angst isn’t petty incessant internal whining ~ it’s real gritty topics and you can’t help but fall in love with and root for Zack & Sugar. As individuals and as a couple.
I’m kinda hoping this becomes a series A semi-concurrent story with Reece’s POV and then his own HEA would be pretty awesome. Eric was amazing and also needs his own HEA.
This was my first Ilsa Madden-Mills read. It won’t be my last.
martha05's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
1bookobsessionconfessions's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Sugar and Z are very interesting and hot!
I love the banter! It’s so fun and steamy! I love the originality of the story that is a familiar trope.
I love sports romance and fake relationships.
The chemistry is great! Never a dull moment.
Incredible story filled with just enough angst. The swoony moments are magic!
Both characters are so lovable! Both are flawed in ways that made me absolutely adore them. I was rooting for them!
As the story moves along we discover much more about Z that really made the book a standout for me.
Highly enjoyable!
“Nothing gold can stay,” he whispers as he hugs me, and for some reason, the depth of emotion in his gaze before we embrace…it scares me even more than the sex we just had.”
*swoon and teary eyed*
Sugar and Z are very interesting and hot!
I love the banter! It’s so fun and steamy! I love the originality of the story that is a familiar trope.
I love sports romance and fake relationships.
The chemistry is great! Never a dull moment.
Incredible story filled with just enough angst. The swoony moments are magic!
Both characters are so lovable! Both are flawed in ways that made me absolutely adore them. I was rooting for them!
As the story moves along we discover much more about Z that really made the book a standout for me.
Highly enjoyable!
“Nothing gold can stay,” he whispers as he hugs me, and for some reason, the depth of emotion in his gaze before we embrace…it scares me even more than the sex we just had.”
*swoon and teary eyed*
babs_reviews's review against another edition
3.0
You already know what pulled me for this one - fake dating. It's my type!
This was a quick and easy read that came off pretty lighthearted even with the issues and conflict that they needed to hurdle. While there were topics that are typically heavy to deal with I feel like it didn't dive deep into them.
There were a few points that irked me and they are spoilers so I can't include them here (DM if you wanna know and don't care to be spoiled) and that's the reason for my rating.
Overall I would say I enjoyed Zack and Sugar dancing around each other.
I'm currently reading the second one in this series and enjoying it!
This was a quick and easy read that came off pretty lighthearted even with the issues and conflict that they needed to hurdle. While there were topics that are typically heavy to deal with I feel like it didn't dive deep into them.
There were a few points that irked me and they are spoilers so I can't include them here (DM if you wanna know and don't care to be spoiled) and that's the reason for my rating.
Overall I would say I enjoyed Zack and Sugar dancing around each other.
I'm currently reading the second one in this series and enjoying it!
nixbix_reads's review against another edition
This was a waste of time for me. I found the setup weird, like Sugar was angry at Zach for the whole situation that had nothing to do with him, and I thought the two of them were irritating.
nadine_booklover's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
"Zack Morgan is an inferno that will burn me up."
Believe it or not, but Boyfriend Bargain was my first book by this author and I can't believe I haven't read any of her books before. Even though I had some minor issues with it, it was her writing style that pulled me in. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.
This story is entertaining and although it has some great depth in there, it sometimes - if you really think about it - just scratched the surface. There are different things I wish the author would have dug deeper into. There are things that got lost along the way, that make me sad because I thought of them as essential part of the story.
The characters work perfectly together and I really do love the sidekicks. Hopefully we are seeing more of them!
""I'm going to make you see stars.""
Boyfriend Bargain is an amusing and thoughtful story about young love, with endearing characters that easily could be turned into a successful chick-flick.
"I told her not to be afraid to fall ... because I'm falling for her... so hard."
"Zack Morgan is an inferno that will burn me up."
Believe it or not, but Boyfriend Bargain was my first book by this author and I can't believe I haven't read any of her books before. Even though I had some minor issues with it, it was her writing style that pulled me in. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.
This story is entertaining and although it has some great depth in there, it sometimes - if you really think about it - just scratched the surface. There are different things I wish the author would have dug deeper into. There are things that got lost along the way, that make me sad because I thought of them as essential part of the story.
The characters work perfectly together and I really do love the sidekicks. Hopefully we are seeing more of them!
""I'm going to make you see stars.""
Boyfriend Bargain is an amusing and thoughtful story about young love, with endearing characters that easily could be turned into a successful chick-flick.
"I told her not to be afraid to fall ... because I'm falling for her... so hard."
kendallkels14's review against another edition
5.0
Nothing Gold Can Stay
I absolutely loved this book! Fake boyfriend/fiancé books are always predictable and there was a little bit of that here but it was so much more. I love Z and Sugar. They are such good characters! I’m really really really hoping there’s more books to come!
I absolutely loved this book! Fake boyfriend/fiancé books are always predictable and there was a little bit of that here but it was so much more. I love Z and Sugar. They are such good characters! I’m really really really hoping there’s more books to come!
kaydanielsromance's review against another edition
5.0
Boyfriend Bargain contains a man who is vulnerable and sweet, but also alpha and sexy as sin. This dichotomy is everything - absolutely everything!
This book was a glorious sports-new adult read. Front and center is Zach "Z" Morgan and his anxiety. Anxiety comes in many forms and hits all walks of life, regardless of social station, gender, race, etc... It is also linked to depression, suicide, drug usage, and so much more. Case in point - Z Morgan, the captain of the HU hockey team, already drafted to the NHL, men want to be him, girls just want him, he shouldn't have a care in the world...but he suffers from panic attacks and is riddled with anxiety. This vulnerability, this flaw in his god like character is so human and very relatable. Like so many people, he tries to bury his issues, his flaws, living his "best life" for everyone else to see, while hiding in plain sight.
"If people discover I have real issues with anxiety, I'm done in the NHL, all my dreams destroyed."-Z
Z goes to parties because his teammates, well basically everyone, expect him to make an appearance. He hates going. He hates the crowds. He hates the attention. He hates being fawned over. But, he cares about his friends, his teammates, his school, so he continues to go. Can this man be any sweeter?
Sigh...
Sugar Ryan is hard-headed, driven and basically shys away from anything emotional. It's what she grew up with - a mother who lead with her emotions - and Sugar won't go down that path. Add in her recent ex who gave her a bitter taste for the opposite sex and Sugar really has no time for men in her life. However, when she needs an in for getting into her choice of law schools, Zack Morgan is her only chance.
"This crazy, harebrained idea will never work. Plus, I don't have time for over-the-top, testosterone-driven superstar athletes. Until now, that is."-Sugar
What she doesn't want is complications or emotions tied into a boyfriend situation. So when Z agrees to a contract when he actually says yes to her fake boyfriend situation, Sugar couldn't be happier. Law is her forte and rules make her giddy. With a contract in place there are no emotions and no one will get hurt. Easy peasy.
The more time Sugar and Z spend together, the more Z doesn't want to let her go, but Z has a secret that could destroy the bond they've created. They may have begun because of a bargain, but could end with more, unless secrets and emotions destroy them both?
This book was a glorious sports-new adult read. Front and center is Zach "Z" Morgan and his anxiety. Anxiety comes in many forms and hits all walks of life, regardless of social station, gender, race, etc... It is also linked to depression, suicide, drug usage, and so much more. Case in point - Z Morgan, the captain of the HU hockey team, already drafted to the NHL, men want to be him, girls just want him, he shouldn't have a care in the world...but he suffers from panic attacks and is riddled with anxiety. This vulnerability, this flaw in his god like character is so human and very relatable. Like so many people, he tries to bury his issues, his flaws, living his "best life" for everyone else to see, while hiding in plain sight.
"If people discover I have real issues with anxiety, I'm done in the NHL, all my dreams destroyed."-Z
Z goes to parties because his teammates, well basically everyone, expect him to make an appearance. He hates going. He hates the crowds. He hates the attention. He hates being fawned over. But, he cares about his friends, his teammates, his school, so he continues to go. Can this man be any sweeter?
Sigh...
Sugar Ryan is hard-headed, driven and basically shys away from anything emotional. It's what she grew up with - a mother who lead with her emotions - and Sugar won't go down that path. Add in her recent ex who gave her a bitter taste for the opposite sex and Sugar really has no time for men in her life. However, when she needs an in for getting into her choice of law schools, Zack Morgan is her only chance.
"This crazy, harebrained idea will never work. Plus, I don't have time for over-the-top, testosterone-driven superstar athletes. Until now, that is."-Sugar
What she doesn't want is complications or emotions tied into a boyfriend situation. So when Z agrees to a contract when he actually says yes to her fake boyfriend situation, Sugar couldn't be happier. Law is her forte and rules make her giddy. With a contract in place there are no emotions and no one will get hurt. Easy peasy.
The more time Sugar and Z spend together, the more Z doesn't want to let her go, but Z has a secret that could destroy the bond they've created. They may have begun because of a bargain, but could end with more, unless secrets and emotions destroy them both?