To say I love this book and series would be an understatement! I have been waiting for months foe this book and it did not disappoint! I absolutely love Devon and Giselle! Oh and Giselles family and Devons teammates are just the icing on the cake that makes this boom and series complete!

Devon and Giselle are complete opposites physically but mentally they are so alike! In my opinion they are soulmates. Mrs. Mills captures their chemistry perfectly! This book has it all... romance, laugh out loud moments and sexay times! Fair warning once you start this book you will not be able to put it down!

I received an advanced copy for an honest review.

“Just… Please. Stay.”

‘Not My Match’ is a delicious opposites-attract story about an aspiring scientist and a professional football player with equal parts humor and depth.

Wide receiver Devon Walsh can’t explain why, but he’s fascinated by buttoned up grad student Giselle Riley. It’s too bad she’s off limits. However, when Giselle finds herself in need of temporary housing, he can’t help but offer her one of his extra rooms. And when sparks inevitably start to fly? Devon discovers that sometimes you can’t fight fate.

The second interconnected standalone in Ilsa Madden-Mills’s Game Changers series, ‘Not My Match’ delivers a healthy amount of chemistry and humor. At first glance, it appears that Devon and Giselle have nothing in common, but as their true selves are revealed, you see how perfect they are for each other.

Devon is surprisingly sensitive and kind. I wouldn’t go so far to say that he is a cinnamon roll hero, but he definitely skates the line between CR and alpha in the most delightful way. And seeing Giselle come into her own power and to use her agency to pursue her dreams is inspiring to read.

“You are the best person in all my universes.”

One theme that is consistent throughout Madden-Mills’s work is the idea of fate. She cleverly weaves a feeling of connection between her protagonists, leaving the reader enraptured and wholly invested in the outcome of their story. The fact that there are some beautifully crafted love scenes? An added bonus to an already rich narrative. Though fate is definitely a factor, it is the characters’ works that make the novel complete. This novel cleverly explores the idea of what it means to love someone, and whether or not that love is enough.

This is an excellent novel to start the new year off on a high note. I already anticipate it making my top reads list of 2021.

A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Montlake, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for

-m/f friends to lovers
-close proximity, roommates
-sports romance
-opposites attract
-funny and well-rounded secondary characters
-slow burn
-amazing sexual tension
-a nerdy heroine who enjoys talking about the multiverse
-hot, hot, hot car sex

I am really conflicted about this one. I enjoyed it so much. Giselle was a wonderful heroine, strong, independent, so intelligent and quirky. Devon is a great mix between an alpha and a secret cinnamon roll. Their sexual tension and banter was wonderful and steamy. This book was wonderfully written and was a great mix of laugh out loud moments and tension that had me practically screaming KISS HER. I didn't realize until I started reading that this is the second book. I have not read it and was still able to follow along, though I am now intrigued to go back and read the first book.

But I'll be frank, I am very much over the virgin heroine trope and treating her as if she is diseased for being a virgin. The pregnancy scare aspect was also frustrating, she is a smart girl, just because she's never had sex before shouldn't mean she doesn't know how to use birth control. The ending just frustrated me, there was no discussion about Giselle's academic dreams, all of a sudden her motivations seemed to change and she dropped everything for a guy who has to extensively travel for his own career. I Just wish those issues were delved into more rather than her being sad for a couple days and giving it all up for him. I think I am so frustrated because this is such a great book.

Rating: 4
Steam: 3.5

I don’t think I smiled so much reading a book!! Giselle Riley needs a break and a place to stay. She’s having a little string of bad luck but when she literally bumps into football star, Devon Walsh, her luck just might turn around. She is his best friend’s sister in law and off limits but they can still be friends...right? When an unfortunate accident happens, they may end up spending more time together then planned. Can this jock and brain find a common ground? I could not put this down. Giselle is a bright light and her “stories” are epic! Devon might have to practice his control around this one! A great, feel good romance but it also has some serious moments and laugh out loud ones too. She is a sweet girl with a wild side waiting to come out and he is the sexy athlete just wanting to be the one to wake her up. “You should stay away from men like me, pretty girl.” Oh Yeah!! What a great romantic comedy/sports romance. Oh and Aiden is a hoot!!! A definite must read and very well written. Told in Dual POV.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent, unimpressive, contemporary romance between a star athlete and a homeless, nerdy girl who find that they can't be without the other. There are plenty of cliched scenes and lines that make it difficult to see this as a more than just a flimsy romance. If you want a casual, quick love story this is for you.