Fun, steamy, and drama filled, Beauty and the Baller is a total page turner. This is a witty and emotional romance that’s not to be missed.

We first meet Ronan at a fancy dinner where he’s drinking too much yet again to try to forget how, because of a car accident, his life has ended as he knew it just the previous year. That accident cost him both his career and his fiancée, and we first meet him when he’s in a very bad place. The party is where Ronan first meets Nova dressed as Princess Leia, and their chemistry is instant, but she quickly disappears. Fast forward two and a half years, and Ronan is coaching high school football in a small town, and it happens to be where Nova is from. She returns to her hometown to care for her sister after their mother’s unexpected death, and that’s where she runs into Ronan again. Their reconnection starts off rocky to say the least, and Ronan doesn’t recall Nova from that night years before. However, over time, they go from next-door neighbors that don’t exactly get along well to fake dating to blurred lines and something more.

Ronan and Nova are flawlessly written. They’re both broken in their own ways and have experienced life-altering traumas, but somehow they both persevere. I love how these characters are so multilayered, and it lends a realness to them that’s interesting and endearing. Seeing how Ronan and Nova evolve as individual characters and together simply makes this book one that’s hard to put down.

Something else I enjoy about this book is how well it’s done. Whether it’s the character development or pacing or whatever, this book is flawless in so many ways. I think my favorite aspect of this book is that the banter between the characters is clever and engaging. It’s the sort of writing that has made Madden-Mills such a phenomenal romance author, and she doesn’t disappoint with Beauty and the Baller.

This book has everything you could want a contemporary sports romance to be. It’s emotionally charged but somehow fun, too, and this is without a doubt a must read.

4.5*

I pretty much have a major crush on Nova, she's such a cool chick! I wouldn't mind packing up my bags and moving in next to her so we could be besties!

"We're different flowers from the same garden, but we're perfect together, Mama always said so." I adored Nova and Sabine's relationship, that's how sisters are supposed to be.

Beauty and the Baller was such an entertaining read! I enjoyed this fake relationship/second chance romance. Nova and Ronan were so perfect together and their chemistry was off the charts.
Things weren't all sunshine and roses, though, because Ronan was still working through the grief of losing his fiance, and his career. Sometimes a story like this can get weighed down when the hero suffers in silence, not feeling like he deserves to love again, or should love again, but I liked the way IMM handled the situation with Ronan. There was a little bit of angst, and of course some tears, but Ronan (or should I say Ilsa Madden-Mills) didn't keep Nova, or us, suffering for long.

Beauty and the Baller was such a fun read! A one-night stand that does not end well, plus an unfortunate re-meet, creates playful tension for our couple. And in a medalling booster club and quirky but lovable side characters, you have a well-rounded cast.

Nova and Ronan are such a great match. They know how to push each other's buttons, challenge each other, and show ways to protect each other in small but meaningful ways. When things would heat up, these two could not keep their hands off each other.

I adored all the people in this small southern town. There were so many times that I was laughing at the crazy conversations and playful banter.

My Star Wars loving heart was thoroughly tickled with the fun references to the movie series. But don't worry, if you have not watched the movies you will not be lost.

Pick up this book if you are in the mood for a low/no angst, playful second chance romance set in football-loving small-town Texas!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥
POV: first person, dual
TROPES: one-night stand, football, fake relationship, southern small town
TW/CW: n/a

*An advanced copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun story! Combining a second chance romance with fake dating - and football - was the perfect combination for this story! I haven't read many sports romances but this one definitely makes me want to go find them all! I loved the banter between Ronan and Nova. I really liked them as a couple! There were a few moments that made me cringe, but the small town, and the love story, truly made up for those moments. Also, this cover?? The best! This was my first read by Ilsa Madden-Mills, and I'm sure it won't be my last!

Oh my, my my…how I love a sports romance *sighs*

I just need to start by saying Ilsa really knows how to pull out a wicked sports romance, I absolutely adore them especially this one, Damn!

Nova is an incredible character. She’s a take no nonsense, kickass kind of girl. Even after the loss of her mom she steps up and becomes an incredible sister. She’s kind, she’s caring she’s absolutely wonderful even when things she dislikes are thrown at her and tough situations are thrust upon her she does her best to get through them and still shine brightly.

Ronan, oh man this guy. The loss of someone you love is hard but the loss of your soulmate, that cuts deep. The grief consumes him and makes him question everything. He’s incredibly strong and although makes some stupid decisions at times it’s hard not to love him. The amount of hurt this man goes through just hurts your heart…I just wanted to give him the biggest hug.

There comes a certain point in this book where it felt like someone had reached into my chest and squeezed my heart tight…and I love that. I love when a book has me so connected to the characters that I feel what they’re feeling even if it hurts.

I not only adored Ronan and Nova but the secondary characters too, they’re all interesting and would love to see what their stories are like.

This author knows exactly how to get her readers fully captivated in her books and keep them there. Beauty and the Baller was no exception, it was sad and adorable all rolled up into the perfect sports romance. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Well, I’m beyond ecstatic I got a chance to read this. I love Ilsa Madden-Mills’ books, so I was ecstatic she had a new one coming out. And I definitely was not disappointed! This was chock full of all the feels, everything you could possibly want in this small town with these characters. It’s un-put-downable and it does your heart a lot of good! It’s a must read!

It feels like forever since I last read a new Ilsa Madden-Mills book and I was so ready for this one! I’m a big fan of Ilsa’s writing so when I heard she was releasing this book I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

Beauty and the Baller is a standalone story about Ronan, a former NFL player, and Nova, a former beauty queen, who meet at a party where Ronan is struggling to cope with the grief of losing both his career and his fiancée after a car accident. Ronan and Nova end up having a one night stand as Ronan tries to drown out his grief but things don’t go quite as planned. Fast forward to two years later and they unexpectedly end up as neighbours in Nova’s hometown Blue Belle where tensions run high between them.

I instantly connected with Ronan & Nova and their story along with all of the other characters within the story that I really hope that there’s another story that comes from some of the other characters in the book.

Another amazing book from Ilsa that I would highly recommend to anyone and everyone! 5 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Arc kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

Beauty and the Baller is a standalone romance between an ex Athlete turned high school football coach & woman returning to her hometown. This has a slight second chance / reunited past one night stand turned fake dating aspect to it.

Ronan & Nova had a one night stand that ended awkwardly & have now found themselves thrown back together years later. This had a lot of sweet & heartfelt moments aswell as some angsty and heartbreaking ones. Even though the story deals with grief it stilk had a light and airy feel about it.

I loved the small town southern charm atmosphere this book had with the many different side charcters that tend to go along with these kinds of settings. The writing was smooth and easy to read and I ended up really enjoying the book.

❤~🌟~❤ 4.5 WINSOME STARS! ❤~🌟~❤

“I never planned on you...”

Ilsa Madden-Mills always sprinkles stardust with her swoony sports romances, so when I saw the GORGEOUS cover and blurb for BEAUTY AND THE BALLER I knew this story revolving around a grief-stricken ex-NFL player and a feisty former beauty queen whose one-night drunken hookup ends in disaster was gonna be a winner. And as predicted, this story stole my heart big time!

PREMISE:
Once upon a time NFL superstar Ronan Smith was living the golden life. He had a beloved fiancée, a dream career and his future was brimming with endless possibilities. But after suffering a career ending injury in a devastating car accident that killed the love of his life, he found himself drowning in grief, guilt and despair that was threatening to suck him under. But then one night bewitching beauty, Nova Morgan, dressed in a sultry Princess Leia getup, makes a huge splash when she sneaks into a glitzy Pythons soiree he’s attending with his former teammates, hoping to capture the eye of her favorite NFL quarterback. And she does that and so much more! Heat flares between them but when their night of drunken passion culminates in catastrophe, she can’t make her escape from him fast enough. However, the memory of their cringe-worthy encounter lingers on.

Two and a half years later, their fates collide yet again when Nova moves back in Blue Belle, Texas to care for her teenage sister after their mother unexpectedly passes away. For when the financially strapped 29-year-old storms over to her new neighbor’s abode to complain about a raucous party he‘s throwing she’s in for the surprise of her life when she discovers the culprit is none other than Ronan! But to make matters worse, the ex-NFL legend turned lauded high school coach does not remember her! Which makes her doubly glad she’s sworn off athletes forever. However, even though they get off on the wrong foot—again—sparks fly aplenty between them. And when she hears his tale of woe about how he is constantly being set up on disastrous dates from the booster club to ensure he stays in town, she and Ronan conspire to enter into a fake relationship to ward off the vultures. And she gets to stick it to her cheating former flame in the process! But when their pseudo love affair stirs up some very real feelings that cannot be denied, that’s when the REAL fun begins! Will this ex-beauty queen at long last be able to win the baller of her dreams or will past history repeat itself once again?

MY MUSINGS:
Holy wowzer! Ilsa Madden-Mills enchanted me once again with this charming second chance, grumpy/sunshine romance that’s chock full of, small-town Texas charm, sexy, tenderhearted romance, a sparkling cast of characters and love and laughter galore!

This is a story that’s brimming with so much HEART and I absolutely cherished Ronan and Nova as a couple. These two firecrackers had combustible chemistry and sparkling banter that gave me giggles and heart palpitations up the wazoo but also I loved the emotional connection between them as well!

And that’s due in large part to the stellar character development.

For starters, Ronan, in all his deliciously broody, big brawny glory was pure panty-melting perfection! Gah I can’t resist a broken, tortured hero who bears deeply embedded emotional and physical scars and carries the weight of the world on his impossibly wide shoulders. All seems lost…until this “adorable beast” meets his match in a feisty beauty who turns his world asunder. And that’s this hero to a T. Gah he has so much emotional baggage from his past heartaches and while he enjoys coaching high school football and is considered a miracle worker for potentially leading his players to the state championship, in his mind his time in Blue Belle, TX is just a pitstop to grander things. So, the LAST thing he wants is to settle down or to constantly be set up with eligible Texas belles.

And that’s where our fetching heroine comes in. I found Nova utterly irresistible! I couldn’t get enough of this sweet and sassy, quirky, utterly endearing spitfire! I loved her southern charm, her grace and wit, her big, Texas sized heart, and sigh…the way she secretly carries a torch for her gruffly gorgeous neighbor was unrequited love at its finest! Unlike others who come face to face with him, she doesn’t flinch at his disfiguring scars and instead embraces all of him—even the perfectly imperfect broken parts. But like Ronan she’s a bit damaged too and trying to cope with unfathomable loss and pain , and as such, tries to guard her heart to avoid having it shattered again. But fate keeps bringing this twosome together time and again so of course we all know it’s just a matter of time before she works her way into this ex-baller’s jaded heart and he heals her own in the process! And let me just say that while their journey to HEA was far from easy, embarking on it along with this darling duo was all kinds of divine!

Because who can resist a story about fate and destiny, hope and healing, and overcome you worst fears to seize a second chance at happiness? And, it goes without saying that since the book is set in small town, Texas, football plays a pivotal role as well.

I will say there’s a reason why Ms. Madden-Mills is a fan favorite among her readers. She has an uncanny ability to not only enchant and entertain with a fun, sexy, witty story that makes your pulse race but she pens a gorgeously nuanced, multi- faceted story that turns your heart to mush and makes you feel a whole gamut of complex emotions. And sure, sometimes those feelings are messy and heartbreaking, but we know deep down that the upheaval will be so worth it in the end!

In addition to penning a captivating, smoldering hot romance that b>RESONATES, the author also scored a touchdown with this secondary cast of characters that infused this book with oodles of delightful small town Texas charm, hijinks and humor, not to mention a dash of juicy scandal as well! I especially loved the high school backdrop where the MCs both work and their interaction with the other faculty members and the students was not only a hoot but the author has beautifully set the stage for future spinoff stories!

Bottom line? I was truly a captive audience from start to finish, and yes, blinked back tears of joy at the end. Which in my book is the hallmark of an EPIC romance!

Highly recommend!

This is one of my favorite books from Ilsa, from the very first page I was hooked.
Starts with a one night stand, a princess Leah, then a don’t know who you are moment, throw in the booster club and a fake relationship, you will definitely be entertained.
Ronan and Nova have amazing chemistry, great banter and some pretty hot and steamy moments. A bit of a Beauty and the Beast feels with so much heart.
Love all the side characters too, they bring so much to the table. Definitely a must read.

4.5 read

Beauty and the Baller is a small town, fake relationship romantic comedy told in dual, alternating first-person POV. It is a true standalone that follows the story of an ex-NFL player turned high school football coach finding love after loss.

I was blown away by another Ilsa Madden-Mills masterpiece! This book told an equally beautiful and hilarious story with strong themes of living with grief and the value of a loving family . Nova was my favorite kind of heroine - tenacious, loyal, and compassionate. I especially enjoyed the subplot of Nova’s autistic sister’s budding relationship with one of Ronan’s football players. Nova and Ronan were bursting with chemistry from the very first page, and they had me flip-flopping between panting and swooning through to the very end.

I am so glad I read this amazing love story, and I am already looking forward to a re-read!

Beauty and the Baller is funny and romantic. It will pull you in and have you laughing out loud! I really loved everything about it.

Ronan Smith is a former NFL quarterback who is now a high school football coach in Blue Belle, Texas. He is smart and generous, but his past has left him heart broken and full of self-doubt, especially when it comes to relationships. But being the hot, single coach in a small town has all of the ladies vying for his attention. Every "single" woman within the town limits had their eyes set on him. The competition is fierce!

Nova Morgan also grew up in Blue Belle, Texas – a true southern belle. She followed her dreams to New York but has returned home. She is straight forward, direct, funny and just infectious to be around. I loved her outlook and wit!

Ronan and Nova have amazing chemistry. Together they are HOT! Woven into Beauty and the Baller are Southern traditions and amazing secondary characters including the “Booster Club” ladies and old rivalries. I loved that the secondary characters were complex and unique. I also want to give a special shout out to “Dog” and “Sparky.” I hope there will be more stories to tell.

5 delightfully amazing Stars!!

“Find your glow …”

I DID! It’s in these pages. It’s in this world. READ.THIS.STORY.

Beauty and the Baller is an absolute delight. It has all the things I adore, second chance, enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and a cheating ex who grovels but is ultimately too late. The roller coaster that Nova and Ronan are on is simply the best, with dreamy highs, heartbreaking lows, and all the emotions in between. I love Nova's relationship with Sabine and her dedication to keeping Sabine's life as she knows it. BatB is also so funny and witty, with great banter. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see what's next in this series.

Ronan has had a lot of hits and none of them have been easy to deal with. Knowing he took a career ending injury he decided to get away from his past. He ended up in Blue Bell, Texas as the high school football coach. It was just a steppingstone to his future dreams to coach in the NFL one day.

Nova got out of her small town as fast as she could, until she needed to be there for her sister when they lost the most important person to them. Nothing prepared her to meet the one man that truly was never hers. Two years ago, she put herself out there and got burned. Now her sister needed her, and she was home and trying to figure out what their next steps would be. As Nova and Ronan end up working at the high school together a friendship is formed. Ronan told Nova nothing could ever come of them. His past is too painful, and he knows no one can fix it. Yet that doesn’t stop Nova from opening herself to Ronan, as well as the town that she left behind. Nothing in life can be easy and these two are no exception, but when the chance of a lifetime comes knocking, can they fight for the one thing that seems to be perfect?

Wow, I held every single emotion in this book. There were a lot of tears, both of joy and sadness. You could feel the heartbreak as both Ronan and Nova are given grief to work through. Neither comes out the same afterwards. Their love though, it something so special. We are given the privilege to not just watch Nova and Ronan, but also the football team that Ronan coaches and that life is never as easy as it looks. Everyone is dealing with something, and we need to keep that in mind. There is always something special when you have a female that has so much love to give but no one to truly understand and accept it. It takes someone amazing to see it and open themselves as well. This was another phenomenal book by Ms. Madden-Mills.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

If you have read this author before, you know that it is going to be a great story. Nova and Ronan met a few years back at one of his parties; she really wanted to meet him, but he was grieving the death of his girlfriend. Drinking at the time and he wasn't sure the night happened at times, and he doesn't remember her.

Now she is back home in Blue Belle, Texas and her neighbor is the last person she wants to see, Ronan Smith. When he sees her, he is drawn to her and doesn't know why, and she doesn't want anything to do with him.

As these two grow close, due to a fake dating scheme to keep the town from pairing him off on one of the women in town to keep him around, Nova is falling for him; but Ronan can't get past the pain and guilt from his past to move forward and he is leaving town after this school year.

This story is great, the fun and banter between Nova and Ronan will have you laughing until you cry. Then there is her cat, and you can't forget their friend. This group of friends and family is so fun, you will love this story. I can't wait for the next book from this author.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Nova is living a whole new life. She is now responsible for her sister, after her mom dies much too young. She also lost her father at a very young age. When she finds herself back home, she can’t help but be sucked into the high school community again. Nova thought that she had outgrown these people, but being back home, she realizes that while she has, these people still might hold some power over her.

Ronan is trying his best to love his best life after football. Since his accident, he hasn’t been able to let anyone else in his heart. He misses her. There just isn’t another way to put it. His heart broke when she was lost, and he’s never truly gotten over it.

Living in a small community where high school football is life. He didn’t expect to have to beat the women off with a stick. He just wants to concentrate on the game.

When his new neighbor stomps over and gives him what for, Ronan is intrigued. Nobody has really ever talked to him like that. She isn’t scared of him, and she cares a lot about her sister. When he realizes that she is the one woman from his past who might have gotten through a crack after his accident, he comes up with a plan to help both of them.

Nova thinks Roman’s plan is slightly crazy, but she also knows it will work. Nova and Ronan lay out ground rules to help guard their hearts. He will help her with her old high school folks, and she will help him avoid the grabby hands of the local women. Ronan knows he doesn’t want to stay in this town forever. His ultimate goal is back in the NFL. Nova knows she has to stay for her sister’s sake. Can these two figure out whether or not their chemistry can be more?

This is a sweet story with fun young adult aspects to it. It’s sweet and lighthearted.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is such a lovely read, fun, romantic and full of goodness, with a dash of crazy.

We first get a view of Ronan soon after the accident which ended his career and killed his beloved fiancée, drunk and seeking escape with a woman dressed as Leia – as a Star Wars geek, and unexpectedly attracted to her, even in his sadness he could not resist. But a terrible misspeaking means she leaves, and he realises that he has to turn himself around.

Inevitably, a couple of years later they meet again – he is convinced that he has met her before but cannot remember exactly when or how – and are now neighbours.

Nova has given up her New York life to come home and care for her also newly orphaned, teenaged sister. Whilst she is not really disappointed to leave New York behind, she is worried about getting a suitable job to be able to support them both. When she discovers that her neighbour is the man who she spent one sadly memorable night with, she really doesn't know how to react. Her regular walks with her hairless cat, Sparky, on a lead seem to be her chance to think on how to proceed.

As the two of them navigate around the life that they are living, and try to make the best of every opportunity, we get to see what good people they are. Ronan is in need of a buffer from the constant suggestions of a suitable girlfriend and persuades her to help him out – which they both know is a recipe for a closeness they will be hard pressed to escape. And they do do very close rather well!

I loved the school time – both the interactions with students, and the hiding in supply closets by teachers to have a chat, a smooch, or an e-cigarette fix. Lots of fun, as well as reminders of the more difficult parts of being that age.

A very engaging and happy read.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I do love me a good football story, and this one doesn't disappoint.

When the reader first meets Ronan, he's depressed and blaming himself for an accident that killed his fiancée and ruined his NFL career. When Princess Leia walks into a party for the New York Titans he believes it's a figment of his imagination, but his best friend tells him to save the pretty lady who is probably lost. Little does he know that Nova is there for him.

Fast forward two years and Nova has returned to her hometown with her tail tucked firmly between her legs. Life in the big city wasn't as easy or glamorous as she hoped it would be. Now, she's back home and living next door to her one-night stand with a man who doesn't remember her – just the outfit she was wearing that night.

I enjoyed this book immensely and it will definitely pull at your heart strings.

Let me start by saying as a Star Wars loving super nerd, I absolutely loved this book!
Okay that's a bonus because not everyone loves Star Wars. But I would recommend this book either way. The main characters Ronan and Nova are smart, funny and their banter is fantastic! The high school kids add a great dynamic and Nova's sister I absolutely loved her. Nova's sister Sabine is a high functioning autistic teen and I absolutely love her. If you know anyone like this you know how incredible and special these individuals can be. There were serious moments as well, that really brought the story full circle.

I enjoyed this book but it did just lack a bit of spark for me. The characters and relationship and plot were engaging but I just felt like it was missing something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

I love this book! Nova is super sassy and the banter between her and Ronan is epic! The secondary cast is just as entertaining as the main.

If you are looking for a rom-com, then look no further, this is it! Highly addictive and a quick read!

Beauty and the Baller is a poignant and funny, small town romance filled with layered characters and sparkling dialogue. It answers the question of whether it is possible to have more than one soulmate in your life.

Ronan is a retired quarterback whose career was cut short when he was injured. He now works as a highschool head coach in the small town of Blue Belle, Texas. All his life, Ronan has been the golden boy with a perfect life and when tragedy strikes, he doesn’t know how to handle it. He becomes closed off and fearful of relationships, until he meets Nova. He doesn’t want to get involved with Nova but somehow, he just can’t seem to help himself.

Nova is the perfect heroine. She is brave, optimistic, enthusiastic and fun loving. Life has knocked her down a few times, but she always gets back up and doesn’t let anything or anyone get her down. Nova is loyal and protective to those she cares about. She is willing to give her heart to Ronan, even though there is a huge chance he will break it. I loved how sarcastic and funny Nova is and how she isn’t afraid to give Ronan her opinion when everyone else in town holds him on a pedestal.

I loved Ronan and Nova together and I love the way they play off of each other. Their encounters are filled with a lot of entertaining banter. The dialogue is what made this story. Their verbal sparring kept me laughing and kept them both on their toes. Whenever they are together, their chemistry jumps off the page. They try to fight their feelings for each other and that is what makes this story so delightful. Nova enters Ronan's life just when he needs her. Although it takes him a while to figure out what is important in life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this spicey, emotional and optimistic story. It is beautifully written with characters that are flawed and vulnerable. As the story unfolds, Nova teaches Ronan how to live and love again. Nova never gives up on Ronan and that is exactly what he needs.

The townspeople of Blue Belle are an odd mix of colorful characters which add more laugh out loud moments to this intoxicating story. In Blue Bell people take football very seriously and will do just about anything to have a winning team.

Isla Madden-Mills knows how to paint a picture and she does a wonderful job in this witty, smartly written story. I never wanted to leave Blue Belle and Ronan and Nova’s world.