4.5 stars

Ronan a famous NFL Quarterback has his world ripped apart when he loses his Fiancée in a car accident along with his career. Not handling it too well he spirals and makes some dubious decisions.

Nova has to move back home to help look after her younger sister and is surprised to find Ronan living across the road from her and is hurt to realise he doesn't remember her or their first encounter. Even though Nova is heartbroken that he doesn't remember her they end up fake dating after working together and trying to escape the towns matchmaking schemes.

Ilsa has given us an entertaining read that is filled with undeniable chemistry, witt, family, healing, friendship and love. Its a seriously enjoyable page-turner

Sweet and spicy.
It's a sweet and spicy romance. It's also a mix of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast.

I absolutely devoured this book, from the very start you get sucked in and turn page by page until you get to the end and want even more. Once you in the town of blue bell you’ll also want to stay. Can’t wait for more from IMM. 💕

This book was so cute! I loved the main characters and I really enjoyed the author included a character with autism. You don’t see that a lot in romance so it was nice to see one so well written. I also loved the names she picked for her characters. Very unique which always makes it more fun to read.

Beauty And The Baller is a sweet second chance romance, with a touch of enemies to lovers and fake relationship romance with all the feels and is Nova and Ronan's heart warming story.
Ronan and Nova met at a Python's end of season party in New York and it was lust at first sight, which then leads to them spending a steamy filled night together but it ends in disaster. Hurt, Nova leaves and doesn't look back, determined to put that night and Ronan behind her.
Two years later...
After Nova's Mom dies, she has to move back home to Blue Belle to be her sister's guardian. Imagine her surprise when she finds out her new neighbour is Ronan! But he doesn't recognise her.
Ronan is now the high school football coach in Blue Belle. After being in a dark place a couple of years ago in New York, coming to Blue Belle is his chance to start over and to try to put his painful past behind him. What he didn't expect was the residents of Blue Belle trying to set him up with a nice local girl so he'll stay.
After meeting his feisty neighbour, Ronan can't help but be enamoured with her but he isn't interested in a relationship. But he knows the only way he'll stop people trying to set him up is have a fake relationship...with Nova!
Even though it's been over two years since they were together, chemistry like theirs doesn't just disappear and soon lines are beginning to blur and it's hard to determine what's fake and what's real.
But Ronan has just been offered his dream job of coaching in the NFL but the problem is it means he'll have to leave Blue Belle and Nova behind.
"being with Ronan comes with risks. He's afraid to accept love, to reach out and grasp it...
And he's leaving.
But...
I want to touch the stars, even if I get burned."
What will this mean for the relationship they're building? And even if Ronan does stay, will he be able to move past his fears of love and loss?
Read Beauty and the Baller now to find out!
I LOVED Beauty and the Baller, it was so good I read it in one sitting! I'm hoping that some of the characters from BATB get their own books.
Beauty and the Baller is a feel good romance and it was the pick me up I really needed!
I received an arc of Beauty and The Baller and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

Ilsa Madden-Mills meets small-town, sports romance...yes please! Not going to lie, I was hooked from the steamy yet slightly ridiculous opening and I couldn't wait to see what the future held for Ronan and Nova.

There was something so endearing about Nova that I couldn't help but like her. She was gracious and kind. Finding her footing back in her hometown since her world changed. What she didn't plan on finding was Ronan next door. Broody. A bit standoffish and too good looking for words.

I loved the honest look at an athlete struggling to find what's next when the game is over for them. It only added to the complexity that is Ronan and made me want him to find his something all the more. Especially with all the single women of Blue Belle and the boosters around every corner. It didn't take long for these two semi enemies to hatch a plan to save themselves from the scrutiny of the town that didn't know how to stay out of anyone's business.

The witty banter, the tension, the football games, the chemistry, the ram, the way they connected with the students, the dang pool table...all of it made Beauty and the Baller unputdownable. When I say I devoured this book I mean up until 3 am with the lights on to get to the end. Nova and Ronan's fake-dating romance was equal parts smart,sexy and sweet. And that ending...touchdown!

Awww the feels that a football romance give me! Nova is a southern belle and after reading this book, dang if I don’t want to be one too! I loved Nova and Ronan so much! There was steam and sweetness and romance all rolled up into one book! This started as a little bit of enemies to lovers and I have to say, I’m a big fan of those. I really enjoy the banter!

Loved this small town/fake dating/sports romance! Both Ronan and Nova have reason to guard their hearts but the well intentioned neighbor knows how to get them to see one another. Fun and so hot!

Read and reviewed a different link for this book! It’s so good! Loved it!

Reposting my review.

💐Fake dating
💐Small Town
💐Sports Romance
💐Meant to Be

Oh my gosh this book! I’ve fallen in love with Ilsa Madden-Mills writing, yet again. All it took was the first chapter and I was hooked. This is the type of story I needed. It’s the kind that gives you the feels, it’s swoony, fun and the banter is amazing. It’s the type of characters I only get from this author.

This is the story of Nova and Ronan, there’s a push and pull that they have the minute they meet each other, it’s undeniable even when they try to. These characters are so unique and realistic. They are relatable and I fell in love with them right away. Ilsa madden mills takes the typical sports trope and spins it. Ronan is the football coach at nova’s old highschool, after a series of events is now forced to return to the town she never thought she would.

This is a fake dating trope but it was honestly so much more. As I said the way the characters were written was so realistic, they were funny, caring and people who make mistakes but own up to them, work through them. I just loved every character, even the side characters kept me Intrigued. Hoping that some of them get stories.

Once I started reading I couldn’t put the story down. It is now one of my top favorite books by this author. I completely recommend this story

I read this book, then I read it again. I loved the chemistry between Ronan and Nova from the first moment. I can't wait to read it again.

loved this book IMMENSELY 💛💙💛💙

Ilsa is an automatic one click for me. She knows how to work her story telling magic. Never did I think I’d fall in love with a romance novel that mentions lice! 🤣🤣🤣 but the characters from had me in stitches especially Skeeter!

Nova is super sassy, formidable and former beauty queen with allllll the southern charm.

Ronan is a scarred NFL player that’s had a tragic love and it still affects him.

But they are both so quirky you can’t help but love them especially their chemistry together.

That epilogue was beautiful and had me a tad emotional 😭

More Like 3 and ½ Stars

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my advanced copy of Beauty and the Baller.

I liked this one.
The storyline was enjoyable.
The Characters were fun to read.
The book was very easy to follow on audio while multitasking.

Why This Book Wasn't a 5 Star-

The Romance. I did not feel the chemistry between the MC's and I wasn't invested in the love story.

Overall- I'd still recommend. I have more books by this author on my shelf and I will read them.

Former Beauty queen Nova Morgan and the former NFL star.

This book was high on the amusing side. I absolutely loved Nova. Her character, her good heart. I truly laughed along with some of the things she said and had done.

Ronan...OHHHH Ronan!
He had every woman out for his heart. Or other parts of him. *cough*cough*

Ronan and Nova first meet each other and the connection is instant they spend a night together.

Two years later Nova is home to take care of her sister. They meet again.

Ronan is a sweet growly possessive yummy beast.😉
Nova is a singing and dancing, who cares what anyone thinks all-round awesome chick.

This story is...simply put. Heart-warming, funny and a good ole lesson in moving on with life. Life is short and Grabbing onto the good.

I loved it.

Ronan and Nova are probably one of my favorite couples. IMM writes such amazing stories and this one is no different! These stories make me laugh so much and no one writes a fake dating trope story better! I can't wait for the next book (as usual).

I went into this story completely blind and I’m so glad I did! I honestly expected just a fun, witty sports romance. It was that, but Ronan and Nova’s story is so much more. I found myself glued to my e-reader pulled into their journey and loving every minute of this second chance romance.

Beauty and The Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills is a sweet, funny second chance, sports romance about Ronan Smith and Nova Morgan. It is the story of how a fake relationship turns from pretend to so much more. It all starts at a party when a nerdy Star Wars fan helps out a Princess Leia.
Ronan lived for playing football and was a very successful QB until tragedy struck. He lost everything, has a constant reminder of what happened so fell into a dark place of grief and alcohol. One fateful night this couple first meet and sparks ignite but he finds out her name. Nova felt the connection between them and thought it meant something to him, however, it became the worse one night stand of her life and she left. Ronan felt guilty but also disappointed she’d gone because she was the best thing to happen to him in a year. The good thing from the disaster was it gave him the kick start he needed to change his life around.
Fast forward two years and due to a tragedy of her own, Nova has her life turned upside down. She finds herself back home and looking after her sister Sabine. The house next door has a new neighbour and she is furious when a party gets out of hand. When she goes to give the owner a piece of her mind, it turns out to be the High School football coach living there. They are celebrating his birthday but what she doesn’t expect is Ronan Smith to be that coach!!
There follows lots of hilarious banter and interactions between the couple who are positive they don’t like each other. Ronan has had enough of the town trying to matchmake and get him a girlfriend so he’ll stay. Nova is struggling with the painful memories of the past. Neither want a relationship because he is see dealing with his grief and she is sworn off men, especially athletes.
Ronan comes up with the great idea to pretend they are dating and make like easier for both of them. It helps she is a big football fan so can play along.
The couple are supported by an array of secondary characters. Sabine is a delight along with their weird cat Sparky. There is a nosy neighbour, women galore all after the coach and an ex boyfriend to deal with. It is a bumpy journey full of laughs. Ronan had never forgotten about their night together but he still has a lot of baggage to deal with. Nova is starting over again but won’t deny she is attracted to him. I liked her attitude to life and her Mama’s sayings. She certainly makes Ronan work hard and some of her antics and teasing are fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it for an amusing easy read.

This book was everything! Il the characters are amazing and the bond is something you want to have. Ilsa captures you and drags you in with their story. It is a must read!

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Ilsa Madden-Mills.

I have been waiting for Nova and Ronan's story and it was great. It is a sports romance mixed with a second chance and small town romance. Ronan was un a severe car accident that left with an injury that ended his NFL career. The accident also killed his fiancée, Whitney. He was on a downward spiral until he Mery Nova one night. They have a one night stand and left Ronan full of regret and guilt. He vowed to change his life. It has now been 2 years and he is in a small town in Texas as the football coach and World History teacher when he runs into Nova again. Nova is his next door neighbor. Nova was raised in Blue Belle and is back in town to take care of her sister after their mother dies unexpectedly. Fate has thrown them back together.

I liked Ronan and Nova. Ronan is geeky jock that loves Star Wars. Nova is the beauty queen cheerleader that is quirky. It is a fun read that left a smile on my face.

Review on Goodreads March 29th 2022

I LOVED this book! In true Ilsa Madden Mills fashion I was hooked to this book from the very start. I loved these characters and the way the story played out. I'm not usually one for the fake dating trope but this author definitely has me rethinking that! I laughed out loud so many times. I loved all the characters in the book, though I would have loved to see a confrontation between Nova and her ex best friend.

This book is a heartwarming, witty, funny, emotional read, and not to mention the heat between Ronan and Nova, and I adored every single second of it.

I am a long, long time fan of Ilsa Madden Mills books and I was super excited to get the chance to read this one. The outcome? *chef’s kiss* Perfection!

I absolutely loved Nova & Ronan! Their fake dating relationship was absolutely captivating! I loved all the sparks that flew between them and I loved following them on their journey!

If you want a masterfully written romance novel, filled with sports and passion, grab this one up! It’s 4.5 stars worthy and I can’t wait to read the next one!