An original spin on mistaken identity. Liked that author didn’t drag out the mistaken identity but it factored in into the storyline weaved throughout. Characters were like-able and the side characters were a great addition to the book. First I’ve read by this author and enjoyed it! Will recommend to customers

4.5 stars

‘Not My Romeo’ is yet another success from the inimitable Ilsa Madden-Mills. It’s endearing, it’s funny, and it’s powerful. A Madden-Mills novel is always an insta-buy for me, and this new book did not disappoint.

When Elena Riley sits down at NFL superstar Jack Hawke’s table at dinner, he’s more than a little bit confused. She mistakenly thinks he’s her blind date (a weatherman named Greg), and he can’t help but be intrigued by the small town librarian who has no idea who he really is. After their unexpected hookup, Jack comes clean, but Elena wants no part of getting involved with him. But, events keep conspiring to put Elena and Jack in each others’ path. Is it coincidence? Fate? Sheer chemistry? And can they both get over the hurts in their pasts to give a real relationship a try?

One of the things that Madden-Mills is great at is writing complicated, layered characters who deal with real-life traumas and situations. There are plenty of lighthearted moments throughout the novel, and lots of witty dialogue and humor, but there’s also the juxtaposition of circumstances that are not idealized and are serious and traumatic. Elena and Jack both have to process their pasts, and do so in a way that feels genuine and not overwrought. Plus, their chemistry is INSANE. Madden-Mills is quite adept at skirting the line between the idea of fate and coincidence in her pairings. Her couples always seem meant for each other, but in a more realistic way than others who rely on more simplistic iterations of the “insta-love” trope. The supporting characters in this story are also delightful, and left me wanting to know more about their stories.

Fans of Madden-Mills and new readers alike will thoroughly enjoy this novel, and I am excited to see the direction this series goes!


Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake Romance, for providing me with an ARC of ‘Not My Romeo’ in exchange for my honest review.

Oh, wow!!! I could not put this one down! I adored Elena! Oh my God, when she just sat herself down at Jack's table, I just about died laughing. Her sass and fire just made me laugh throughout the entire book! Poor Jack had no idea what he was in for...

Jack was such a strong character, from the very beginning. After everything life threw at him, he was still able to go on living. That, to me, was an awesome trait.

I sure hope we get a book about Devon, next.

This was an awesome story about a down on his luck quarterback and the librarian he meets when she has a blind date. Its a little bit mistaken identity, small town romance. Jack Hawke is a quarterback but his ex wrote a tell all book that featured a bunch of lies. He also just got into a car accident and the press are saying awful things. He is enjoying dinner alone in his restaurant when he meets Elena who thinks he is her blind date.

They have a one night where the next day she finds out who he is. He likes her a lot and she likes him but he has a lot of walls and doesn't trust anyone after what his ex did. But he ends up running into Elena in her small town and they really get each other like no one else.

I loved this story so much. Jack sees something really special in Elena and he truly cannot resist her and I could not resist her either. If you want a light reading story with humor and quirky characters then you will adore this story.

An accidental blind date switcheroo on Valentine’s Day leads to an absolutely wonderful love story

Publish date: August 18, 2020

In Ilsa Madden-Mills’ romantic comedy, “Not My Romeo” (The Game Changers #1), the sassy, kind heroine, Elena, is a lingerie designer in secret. Jack Hawke, the football quarterback she mistakes for her weatherman blind date has a lot of secrets including the fact that he is actually painfully shy. They’ve both suffered recent downturns in their lives but destiny seems to keep throwing them together.

In this funny, charming, small-town romance sparks fly, walls come down and Shakespeare gets involved in an incredibly epic romantic ending. This novel has so much heart and sexy sizzle, warmth and depth that it will stay with you long after you finish. I absolutely loved this book and I thoroughly recommend this to fans of Tessa Bailey’s “Fix Her Up” and Helena Hunting’s “Pucked” series. I’m highly anticipating The Game Changers series.

WRITING STYLE: 5/5
PLOT: 5/5
WORLD-BUILDING: 5/5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 5/5
ROMANCE: 5/5
HEAT: 5/5

Description:
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a smart and sexy contemporary romance about a smoking-hot professional football player and the small-town girl he can’t resist.
We start off with a lie on Valentine’s Day.

My blind date isn’t the studious guy I expected: he’s a drop-dead gorgeous player with sinful amber eyes. Somehow we end up at his penthouse. I blame the gin and tonic.

The next day I learn he’s Jack Hawke—bad-boy professional quarterback with a murky past. The NDA he has me sign should be a warning that he isn’t a regular person. Please. I sign it Juliet Capulet, so goodbye, famous football player with abs of steel, and good luck tracking down this small-town librarian.

But Jack keeps showing up in places I least expect him. Just when I’m sure he’s gone, he waltzes into my community theater and wins the part of Romeo to my Juliet. How’s a plain, mostly innocent girl like me supposed to resist a man like him?

Is Jack my real Romeo…or will this gorgeous football player only break my heart?

Many thanks to Netgalley, Montlake and Ilsa Madden-Mills for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review of “Not My Romeo”. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy.

#NetGalley #NotMyRomeo

"Not My Romeo" was a fun book to read, if a bit formulaic. There's Elena, the unwittingly sexy librarian, and Jack, the misunderstood famous football player who needs to fix his reputation. She has an unusual pet (a teacup pig) and a gay best-friend/roommate who makes her push her boundaries. Said friend sets Elena up on a blind-date, she mistakes Jack for the blind date who never showed, he doesn't correct her and they end up having a one-night stand (which she would usually never do, of course). So, this book will feel familiar, but if you go in knowing this and are not searching for the next original romance story line, it is a fun book to read. Like your favorite shoes that you keep buying in all different colors because they are just right for you.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not My Romeo is a perfect romantic comedy pitting a small town librarian against a cynical major league quarterback. The meet cute (a blind date mistake) will catch readers’ interest and the ensuing story will keep it there. Readers should be aware that this book has a lot of heat and sexy scenes guaranteed to have readers clamping...well at least fanning their faces! Quirky characters, hot football players and a well written story add up to time well spent. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

Good book! I definitely enjoyed reading this book! It wasn't my all time favorite but still definitely worth reading! The characters were good, the book flowed smoothly, there was some heartbreak and heartache! It was an all around decent read! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

Going on a blind date and finding a man in a blue shirt should be easy on Valentines Day. Elena knew when needed to put he past behind her and going on this date is definitely a step in the right direction. Her “weatherman” was someone she could easily talk to and she found herself opening up in a way she never had before. Finding out who her date truly is was something she was never prepared for. She gave him a chance and saw who he truly was and not who the media portrayed him. He may not have been her Romeo in the beginning but he definitely finds what he was missing from his life all along. This book was simply amazing and a definite must read!

Oh my....
I was invited to review “Not My Romeo” by Ms. Madden-Mills. At first I hesitated and almost passed and I am so glad I didn’t. This was certainly delicious!

I love books that make me grin like an idiot and curl my toes and Jack and Elena’s story was one of those!

Their story takes off pretty quick, with our heroine at a restaurant- on Valentine’s Day- looking for her bling date. She mistakenly thinks Jack is her blind date and proceeds to sit down and talk his ear off. He was pretty stunned at first, confused that she does not recognize him as the star quarterback. The more she talks and does not recognize him the more he is intrigued. After a one night stand Elena finds out who he is and while they both think they have seen the last of each other life certainly has different plans

I liked Elena. She was spunky and so on point. She had me laughing out loud. Her relationship with her family was also pretty entertaining. I really liked the small town home. I can picture her historical house and charming little town and just want to escape there.

Jack was our quiet lead. Trust issues were pretty dominant for their story. Having been burned by his ex, it made it hard for him to trust Elena. He was also pretty socially awkward and Elenas outgoing personality is a good match for Jack. Their chemistry was pretty hot!

This is the first book of Ms Madden-Mills and I can tell you that it won’t be my last!

Thank you for the opportunity to provide an honest review