4.5 stars

I have to say, this book left me with a great feeling when I was done. The last couple of paragraphs made me fall in love with Jack, who for a good portion of the book made me want to throttle him. However, Elena, this girl cracked me up. There were a few moments with her too but, for the most part, I laughed because of her inner monologue and the crazy women that were in her life. I wanted to be part of the Daisy Lady Gang too.

I wished that the ending wasn't so rushed and this book would have ranked higher, but that epilogue made up for everything. I wasn't ready for the story to be over which speaks volumes about how amazing this author is. This is one of my favorites from this author. I hope that more of the characters get stories too. Off-topic, can we talk about this cover model? Sweet holy titfire, I think he could cut glass with that gorgeous jaw. One of my favorite covers from 2020.

This book is just sheer rom com fun no angst no drama just a fun read perfect for these troubled times we live in.

Elena is set up on a blind date by her friend all she knows is that her date will be wearing a blue shirt she is rather miffed when she arrives to find said date already eating without her. Jack Hawke the quarterback who has had his image tarnished by his ex is quilt eating in the restaurant he owns when a woman plonks herself at his table He assumes she is a journalist but as the conversation ensues he realises that she thinks that he is her blind date he doesn't correct her because he is actually enjoying her company. Elena realises something isn't right when her "date" gets her to sign a non disclosure something she signs as Juliet Capulet because why would a weatherman have a non disclosure, Soon these two seem to be running into one another everywhere they go and he even wins the role of Romeo against her Juliet in the local play. Can a quite Librarian and a alpha sportsman actually have a future together You will have to read to see

Ilsa Madden-Mills gifts readers a delightful and entertaining romance with deep feels and sexiness with Not My Romeo

♕ Plot: When librarian Elena Riley agrees to go on a blind date, she didn’t anticipate going home with a smoking-hot weather man. The next day she finds out that the gorgeous man who asked her to sign an NDA is an infamous NFL player who she’ll probably never see again.

However, fate has other plans for Jack and Elena as their paths continue to cross when they’re cast as Romeo and Juliet in Elena’s small-town community theater. Can these star-crossed lovers find a way to overcome the difficulties that are working against them or are they doomed to break each other’s hearts?

♕ Heroine: I LOVED Elena and would like to be her friend. She’s smart, quirky and says she’s timid but she’s really not. She speaks her mind and knows what she wants. She’s kind yet strong, understanding and fun. She spells words out when she’s nervous and has a pet pig. She’s perfect for Jack.

♕ Hero: Oh Jack, I love you! I absolutely felt for him and his difficult past. His commitment and trust issues were perfectly reasonable. Even though he had trouble admitting he loved her, the romance that blossomed from his and Elena’s relationship was undeniably sweet and swoony. I loved every second. Plus, he’s a closet romantic who loves to watch K-drama and sing pop songs.

♕ Sexiness & Feels: Not My Romeo explodes with the heat of Jack and Elena’s attraction while providing marvelous fun and heartfelt moments. Some were just between the two of them and others were provided by fabulous secondary characters I can’t wait to read more of.

♕ Facts: Not My Romeo is book #1 of The Game Changers by Ilsa Madden-Mills. It is a standalone contemporary romance, told from both points of view with a deliciously swoony happy ending.

♕ Overall rating: 5

Not My Romeo was a really fun and sexy romance. It starts off with a memorable meet cute and a case of mistaken identity and hooks readers right from the start. I loved the opposites attract chemistry between Jack and Elena. They pushed each other and helped the other bring out parts of themselves that were hidden away. I'm not generally a fan of instalove, but it worked for me in this book and I was rooting for these two to overcome and find their happily ever after. The secondary characters were a lot of fun (Daisy Lady Gang!) and I'm really hoping that Devon and Topher each get books.

The pacing of the story was good, but I did find that it started to stall a bit halfway/towards the end. The misunderstandings and lack of communication became repetitive and I started to grow tired of all the back and forth. I also don't agree with all the decisions our characters made, but I understand the insecurities and fears that were driving them. The ending and epilogue were sweet and such a great way for the story to come full circle, but I wouldn't have minded a bit more groveling ;)

CW: death of a parent, gun violence, and domestic abuse

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

What better way to start off Valentine's Day than to have a blind date. It only gets better when Elena sits down at the wrong table and completely blindsides Jack who just wants to be alone. But over food and drink they feel a connection - but will this connection be a flash in the pan just for the romantic holiday or will it be something so much more? Once again Ilsa madden Mills creates characters the reader cannot help but fall for and she does it with humor, grace and a whole lot of sexy times. The perfect way to start off a new series.

Reading an IMM book is always like coming home. Not My Romeo is the first book in her The Game Changer Series and tells Elena and Jack's story.
Elena is a curvy librarian and is just out a bad relationship and bad break up. She gets set up on a blind date and meets her weatherman.
Jack is everything but a weatherman, but when E shows up on his table, his life is bout to change.
The bad boy of football is blown away by the short woman who chattes with him without knowing who he really is. The super star on top of his world, he knows it can change in the blink of an eye. And then comes something similar to the showdown at O.K. Corral. Yes, some men should be frightened by a Southern Belle.
Not My Romeo is a beautiful read. I fell in love with the characters. The best books are the kind you don't want the story to end and MNR is one of these few books.

Two opposites mending one puzzle, and one attraction that never seems to sizzle no matter how far away they run from each other...

Jack and Elena, a couple filled with lots of chemistry and lust that truly breaks the pages. At first sight, it's kind of complicated to feel their attraction, but after a while it's a no brainer that they are meant to be. Elena is such a unique character that's for sure. She is quirky, introverted, smart, and sexy. Qualities in which to Jack's eyes make her worth his time. Though his real identify is not revealed at first, he knows that he is one of a kind to not judge him due to his reputation;
"Goddess. She's the sexiest woman I've ever met, and she doesn't even know it..."

With time, and both getting to know each other more and more. It is revealed how Elena's true side comes out. It's a beautiful thing to read to be honest, like seeing a flower blossom. And with Jack being by her side, she keeps blossoming more and more. Though the struggle of him admitting how much he truly loves her, but he doesn't know it at first, is real; throughout time you slowly learn to love Jack and his commitment issues. I wouldn't say I fell in love with the lack of committing, but his excuses where real and considerate. And with football still in his life, he needs to learn how to balance a d relationship as well as his career, or have to make the decision of knowing when to stop one thing and take care of himself first, and the ones he loves.

New characters in which I already have a feeling will be the next books in this hopeful series emerge, in which I am beyond excited about. Especially if Ilsa decides to write a book for Devon, a true swoon worthy character that had me laughing every time he appeared. In general, Jack and Elena's book was truly worth the reading. Plus, I will never NOT read any of her books that's for sure.

I'm in love with Not My Romeo. Such a fantastic read that I could not put down. You will just love Elena and Jack. Elena's awkwardness will have you cracking up. Jack will make you swoon. I love the Jock and the Librarian aspect. As you get to know Jack he is more then just a football player. There is such a pull between Elena and Jack that will just make you hot and bothered and laughing out loud too. A cute fun read with loads of loveable characters that I for one can't wait for more from The Game Changers series. Not My Romeo is a fantastic start to this new series.

Elena and Jack meet because of a mistaken blind date identity on Valentine’s Day. One thing leads to another and they end up spending the night together in his penthouse. 
Come morning she comes to know that he is not the weatherman she was supposed to meet but superstar bad boy of football, and he stole her panties. They were not expecting to see each other again, but fate had a different plan and they keep running into each other at most unexpected places, and now they are in a play together as Romeo and Juliet and their connection keeps getting stronger. 
This is my first book by the author and I absolutely loved it. The hot, shy, alpha totally stole my heart and the no nonsense librarian with a wild side was perfect for him. A funny, hot, sweet story that I just couldn’t put down. Would love to read more in the series.

I was hooked in to this book from the start, as I find with most Ilsa Madden-Mills books if I am being honest. Elena agrees to a blind date on Valentine's Day no less, and winds up sitting down at Jack Hawke's table, based on the color of his shirt alone. Jack is a very high profile (probably for not the right reasons) professional quarterback. When Elena sits down at his table unexpectedly, something about her captivates him and instead of telling her she is at the wrong table and has the wrong guy, he goes along with it. Their relationship, while steamy, gets off on the wrong foot though when it is plagued by lies, misunderstandings, NDA's and emotional walls.

I absolutely loved both Elena and Jack. Elena was an independent woman who was both strong and soft. She was the complete package. She was tough with Jack when needed, but also nurturing and loving and compassionate. She allowed him to open up and trust again. I loved that Jack was a tough professional football player but also really just wanted to be loved. I loved that his softer side came through here and there with Elena and with Timmy.

I enjoyed the story line and read the book in one sitting. Jack and Elena had tremendous chemistry but I loved that they also had so much of a deeper connection. I would highly recommend this story!

IMM has delivered a small town Rom-Com that can compete with the best of them!!

I smiled and chuckled so much reading this in between bouts of swooning. Be still my beating heart but Jack Hawke is the ultimate book boyfriend. Yeah so he kept his identity a secret but hey Elena signed a fake name to the NDA. Little does she know this Romeo is going to keep popping up in her life in the most unexpected places.

This one will keep your eyes glued to the pages like it did to me. Oh yeah I wasn't stopping until I reached The End.

Another fantastic read and I can't wait until the next one releases. I will be not so patiently waiting!!

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed. Opinions are my own**

Not My Romeo was an enjoyable rom-com that left me smiling.

Sports star, mistaken identity, porky pig - yeah, I had a great time reading this one.

I adore Jack and Elena. She is a bit of a hot mess, but she's putting herself out there.

Jack ... he is great for the most part, but there are things that irritated me, made me want to throw my reader across the room. Dude, we all have baggage, but the way you acted made me want to give you a clip around the ears. Gah!!

When the do have their sh!t together, our lovelies are just, well, lovely. They made me laugh and smile and feel all the feels.

There is a bit of angst and upheaval in their lives. I love how their family and friends kept them grounded, called them out on their BS. Well, I liked most of the family most of the time - you'll know why.

However the thing I loved the most is the real Romeo. You'll love him, I bet me last dollar on it.

I want, no I need more of Jack's team mates. Please give us more!

Not My Romeo was an enjoyable rom-com that left me smiling.

Sports star, mistaken identity, porky pig - yeah, I had a great time reading this one.

I adore Jack and Elena. She is a bit of a hot mess, but she's putting herself out there.

Jack ... he is great for the most part, but there are things that irritated me, made me want to throw my reader across the room. Dude, we all have baggage, but the way you acted made me want to give you a clip around the ears. Gah!!

When the do have their sh!t together, our lovelies are just, well, lovely. They made me laugh and smile and feel all the feels.

There is a bit of angst and upheaval in their lives. I love how their family and friends kept them grounded, called them out on their BS. Well, I liked most of the family most of the time - you'll know why.

However the thing I loved the most is the real Romeo. You'll love him, I bet me last dollar on it.

I want, no I need more of Jack's team mates. Please give us more!

When I thought I had read the best of the best from this author, she manages to surpass my already high expectations.  I read this 6 star page turner in one sitting.  I couldn’t seem to able to put down.

  Elena thinks she’s on a blind date with a meteorologist but little did she know she’s ends up at the table of a football player.  Jack finds her refreshing and she doesn’t know who he is, so he goes along with the charade.  He can’t seem to be able to stay away.  She tries to resist him.  

This is one of my all time favourites.  It has it all.  Romance, humour, heartbreak and heartwarming moments.  I laughed out loud a time or two.  I fell for these amazingly created characters that latched on to my heart, mind, body and soul.  

  It’s an highly addicting and entertaining read that is captivating that I couldn’t put it down for very long.  I was sucked in the storyline that kept me enthralled.  Bottomline this is a must read.

 Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA.  I strongly recommend this story.

An amazing rom-com. I absolutely LOVE this book. I feel like this was the book I needed to mostly get me out of my reading slump. I adore the main characters, especially the quirkiness of the heroine. Elena is a librarian who loves reading "trashy" romance novels and loves designing lingerie. Like girl, can I be your friend?? I want to hang out with you and Topher!! Then there's sweet Jack who keeps people at a distance. Ugh, I just want to give you a big warm hug. He's a jock BUT he's not one of those annoying ones who are so cocky. (Aiden takes the cake for cockiness) I love the secondary characters as well, especially Devon, Quinn, and Aiden but Aiden had to grow on me a bit.

Anyway, if you want amazing characters, story, and humor, go read this book. x)

Not My Romeo is another fabulous book written by Ilsa Madden-Mills. The book is about Elena, a librarian during the day and a secret lingerie designer at night, and Jack, an infamous quarterback who is in the middle of fixing his reputation on and off the field. Heartbroken and betrayed, Elena meets Jack on Valentine's Day in what ends up as a case of mistake identity. The sparks between the two fly and panties are dropped. Elena and Jack have an abundance of chemistry. What starts as a funny meet cute ends up being a game changer for the two.

Elena and Jack were both great but also frustrating at times! She had her share of insecurities (don't we all?) but she was funny, quirky, and she almost always stood her ground with Jack. While he was a jock, he was also a very lovable character despite wanting to choke him sometimes. He's been burned very recently by an ex girlfriend which led to a lot of issues in the development of his relationship with Elena. Despite how badly he wanted her, he never could fully open up to her because of past experiences. Much of the book is a slow burn in a sense. The tug of war between the two combined with playing Romeo and Juliet in a play had me aching for these two to just get it together.

Ilsa Madden-Mills wrote a really fantastic book in Dear Ava early this year and managed to follow it up with another endearing book in Not My Romeo. Elena, Jack, and the supporting characters were a delight. I loved the small town setting of this book. The writing was equally great. The characters were all quirky, sweet, and troubled. Not My Romeo is a great start to The Game Changers series!

I absolutely loved this book so much,

Elena is a hot librarian, who is also a closet lingerie designer. I just loved how until 71% of the book, she was thinking from her head and not her vagina. Yes, I’m precise with my percentage as after that she was like fuck it, “I’m going to give this man my heart and access to my vagina even though I know I’m going to be left heart broken towards the end.” But I was completely cool with it because the sex was hot. And she did stand her ground most of the book and pull away from Jack when he hesitated with her.

So I honestly have no issues with her, she was smart, sexy and sweet. Total package.

Jack, do I love that man. I want a Jack. Someone please guide me to the nearest Jack. I mean COME ON! He watches K-DRAMA. I REPEAT JACK WATCHES K-DRAMA! A man after my heart. And let’s not forget he is a closet Justin Bieber fan and also listens to Megan Trainer and Taylor Swift........ and was not ashamed to sing and dance in front of Elena. Just for her.

Throughout the book I either wanted to protect Jack from all the Vile woman of the world and keep him for myself 

And then just a few times wanted to stab him repeatedly with a knife (very rarely though.

But yeah you could tell from the start that this big bad quarterback is a goner for the sexy Librarian but he was just not willing to admit it. And when he finally did... Oh god! the Romeo and Juliet play will forever be iconic.

“Will my love forgive me for leaving when he first heard of it? It was only fear and insecurities that drove him thus.”

I forgive you Romeo and I shall push thy Juliet towards you. 

I mean the ending was a little rushed for me since she forgave him too quick for my taste. And then the book got over 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

But I can’t wait for the upcoming books from the series! And also Giselle you got what you deserved. 😉

I so loved this book. Elena was just amazing and loved how she did not settle for less and knew her self worth. Jack was so frustrating at times, but I loved him anyways. I loved seeing him so vulnerable at times and so stoic at other times. I just loved this book and can't tell you how much I truly loved watching these two come together.

This book was such a fun and sexy surprise! Jack & Elena's relationship had me laughing from the start and I felt every emotion as their story unfolded.

Jack is not your typical "jock" hero - he has so many layers to him and I loved that Elena was able to pull them all back and get to the deepest parts of him. My heart broke for him. I swooned over him. I laughed at his quirks and witty lines, but mostly I just LOVED him. His desire for Elena, and his inner turmoil to trust her were such a huge part of this story; and it made his character that much more human. As strong as he appeared on the outside, he was really breaking on the inside, and I was SO happy that he found Elena to be the light in his life!

Oh Elena...I loved his girl!!! She was such a breath of fresh air in that she is quirky, intelligent, beautiful and her secret passion is oh so fun and surprising!!! I cheered for her, I applauded her, and I admired her strength and determination that she carried all throughout this story. Her persona will surprise you with her wild side tucked inside a neat buttoned up package, and I loved every steamy second of her & Jack together.

Although fate truly did plant these two together, their ease with one another was apparent and relatable. The chemistry between Jack & Elena is scorching hot; yet their relationship developed so easily and naturally. I loved every second of their banter, wit, and steamy scenes. They are the epitome of opposites attract and so unique at the same time. You will feel ALL the feels with this book and not regret a second of it! Well done once again I Madden-Mills!!

2.5 Stars

This book started out so promising. A case of mistaken identity, a distrustful hero who finds himself reluctantly intrigued by the heroine and a dash of chemistry and I thought "yeah, I can see myself liking this couple". And for a while I did. I looked forward to their interactions and it seemed like Jack was the type of guy who knew exactly what he wanted and was willing to work for it, but that was before I knew that he had commitment issues.

While I loved Jack and Elena as individuals, I didn’t like how they were when it came to each other. Jack was leading her on, plain and simple. Honestly, he deserved a few hard whacks on the head. Who knew he’d be wishy-washy like that? He let her walk away 2 times and did nada to stop her, but then it takes two to play, right? There was a point where I just wanted Elena to walk away from this for good just to show him what he’s missing but it never came true. His sexual prowess was just too good, I guess, also, circumstances always made them meet again. This basically resulted in a lot of repetitive/similar situations where they made out but couldn’t go all the way for whatever reason, and then the heroine would come out of this sex-haze and realize that she didn’t want this type of relationship.

Jack had a lot to make up, I thought, especially because besides stringing her along the whole time, it was also him who blew the conflict at the end out of proportions. Instead of being charmed by his act (pun not intended lol) I found myself quite annoyed (view spoiler) and didn’t think it was very romantic 🤷‍♀️.

If I had read this book years ago, I would have been head over heels for this but unfortunately this back and forth doesn’t really work for me anymore.


**ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!