Cover Image: Princess and the Player

Princess and the Player

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Member Reviews

●A captivating romance that intertwines the lives of a penniless princess and an NFL player in an unexpected way. The novel starts with a masquerade ball where Francesca Lane, fleeing from her own wedding, meets Tuck Avery, an NFL star celebrating his birthday. Their encounter leads to a passionate, anonymous affair, with no names and no strings attached.

●In a twist of destiny, Francesca learns that the man behind the mask is actually the playboy living next door, notorious for his lavish parties and glamorous girlfriends. Intent on protecting her heart, she decides to steer clear, yet an unexpected revelation—a pregnancy—alters the course of their story.

●The story is a rollercoaster of emotions, blending humor, heartache, and hope. Madden-Mills crafts characters with depth and relatability, always rooting for their happy ending.

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YESSSS!! All the stars!!!

Princess and the Player is the second standalone in Ilsa's Strangers in Love series and it's just as phenomenal as the first book!!

The blurb is all you need to know going into this one. It's written in dual POV's so you get to see things from both perspectives, which has become something I love.

Ilsa moves this story along at the perfect pace – fast and addicting!! The banter and their chemistry kept me turning the pages and excited to see what would happen next. It was a joy watching (yes watching because this book so alive) these two overcome things and just grow together.

AHHHH- I want to say so much but don't want to give anything away. This book is hands-down, a five star read that you will consume in hours.

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Who doesn't love a good sports romance? I am an avid fan of football and Isla Madden Mills, so I knew I just had to grab this one. Isla does such a good job with world building and continuing to create captivating characters throughout her stories. I actually did not read the first book of this series, but I certainly did not feel like I missed anything.

The readers are introduced to Francesca and Tuck. They meet one night after a crazy night at a fairytale masquerade ball. Francesca is reeling from her broken heart after she catches her cheating fiance, while Tuck is out celebrating his birthday. Once the two lock eyes, it's pretty much a done deal, as they cannot resist the fueling fire burning between them.

"Be wicked with me tonight. I’ll make you forget the guy who hurt you.”....ummm yes please!!!!

They have a passionate one night stand and go there separate ways, little do they know, they end up being neighbors! This was a cute and fun read and highly recommend!

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Apesar de ter gostado muito do primeiro livro dessa duologia, eu não me vi gostando tanto do que encontrei nesse livro. Os personagens não me cativaram tanto e pequenas coisas que me incomodavam acabaram se tornando enormes no fim

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When it doesn’t matter where you come from, it just matters who you are. Francesca’s life has been complicated from the day she was born. Tuck’s life could be great but he is hung up on the past. So when these two meet at their worst’s days in an exclusive club and thanks for masks they don't know who the other is, they get in a one night only kind of thing. But when both slowly discover who the princess and the player were, there are some surprises. The biggest comes to Francesca in a test result that turns her world around its axis. Can Tuck, the tormented playboy with no interest to settle down, and Francesca, the woman, who was treated poorly by so many people, be ready for this big challenge?

Tuck is known for not settling down, having a lot of women on speed dial and only dating supermodels, actresses and singers. But with his career coming to an end and a difficult past, he searches his new way through life.

Francesca is through many sad and depressing stages in her life so far. But despite it all, is a caring friend, truthful soul and helping woman with a big heart, that she is determined to protect from breaking whole.

But as they know who they really are and how near they have been, they get to know each other better. And catch feelings, even if they don’t want to. And when the massive secret can no longer be hidden, things get messy.

Tuck thinks bad of her first and Francesca's fears seem confirmed.

But soon they see that there is more to the other one than they thought.

We get really good and deep insights into the lives and thoughts of the two main characters. It makes you understand them and their choices. But being the people they are, it was just a question of time that they figure all the problems out and find solutions.

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Loved this hilarious and spicy read!! Had all the heart with an engaging love story. Laughed and cried and couldn’t get enough.

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I absolutely adored the first book in this series so was really excited to get stuck into this one, however this one unfortunately fell flat for me as there is a trope within that I'm not a big fan of, but otherwise this is another enjoyable read.

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Princess and The Player is the second book in the Strangers in Love series by Ilsa Madden-Mills. I loved Tuck in Beauty and The Baller so I was so excited when Ilsa announced that he was getting his own book! It is a total standalone by the way, but I recommend reading Ronan’s story since it’s awesome too!

It’s Tuck’s birthday. It was supposed to be Francesca’s wedding day. Fate brought them to a…sex club that night. She calls him a perv and that was it, their start. Their night ended with a bang. A few of them. A one-night no-strings attached night. No names. Makes stayed on. No kissing. It was a night neither of them forgot but it was always supposed to be that one night. And when she realizes who he really is…she doesn’t want more. He is an arrogant playboy who dates model after model and plays football for a living and happens to live in her building. She doesn’t want him to recognize her especially after she finds out her illness is not a bug trying to kill her from the inside but a baby. She doesn’t know what to do, should he feel like she trapped him? Would he be angry? Would he abandon her and their baby? She is confused and more so when she actually starts to get to know him. Maybe the prince could love the princess and live happily ever after… but wait will happen when he finds out about the heir?

I loved this couple! They are a hot mess and that makes them even more real. From start to finish I was addicted to them. I also loved her little family of misfits and their billionaire. And of course Jasper. That man also has my heart. ♥️

“So do you ever think about that night?” I don’t have to ask which night.
“No, never.” Big. Fat. Lie.
“Yeah, me neither. It really sucked. Worst ever.”
“Totally, right?”
“Totally.” He smirks.

“Life sure does want you to see him,” he murmurs.
I grimace. Fate is a tenacious bitch.
And sometimes when she doesn’t get what she wants, she tries again and again.

“You undo me, Princess . . .”

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My first book by Ilsa, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of my favorite tropes is the secret pregnancy, and Ilsa did a fantastic job in this one. The characters have such wonderful humor and chemistry together, and I love it.
An enjoyable quick read with plenty of steam.

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Madden-Mils has delivered another fantastic, emotional read with The Princess and the Player. This series is just sizzling hot and her best work to date. This book is my favorite work by this author. This story is beautifully written, filled with flawed but thriving characters, sizzling hot and dripping with emotion. I loved Tuck and Francesca so much. They were perfect for each other and had such a wonderful connection. You need to read this book. I laughed, I cried and I loved every word.

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Princess and the Player is a fun, sexy and emotional romance. I enjoyed the banter and the connection between Francesca and Tuck and really got behind their story. This can be read as a standalone, as I have not read book one in the series, but I'll definitely be going back to read it now! Overall, and very enjoyable romance with great characters.

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exclusive club with Jasper and Deacon. He’s still taking everything in when he’s bumped into by Francesca. No names are exchanged, but a wild night ensues. Thinking they’d never see each other again, things get challenging when Francesca finds out she’s pregnant. She keeps running into Tuck, and has figured out that he is the guy from the club. It takes Tuck a little longer to realize she’s the one he’s been seeking. Of course life turns everything upside down for both of them. These two go on quite the journey throughout this novel. I truly look forward to more of Jasper!!

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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick. I just reviewed Princess and the Player by Ilsa Madden-Mills. Our library purchased and our patrons have been checking out and and enjoying the book. I see it is a popular book club choice as well we hope to have more oppurtinies to support authors like Ilsa Madden-Mills

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This was a very cute book, I usually don't love the pregnancy trope, but the writing made up for it. I only wish the two main characters had more communication with each other.

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I love me some Ilsa Madden-Mills. Her sports romances are top tier and always have me salivating for me. Not to mention her spice! Love the spice! The banter had me rolling on multiple occasions, the emotions were running THICCCK as well. They jumped right off the pages.

It’s not every day I read a book where the main characters go to a mascaraed ball.

This one is an easy read if you’re looking for something that’ll be quick! Not because you want it to end but because you can’t wait to get to the next pages to see what happens!

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Princess and the Player is a contemporary, sports romance, suprise pregnancy trope in a standalone series. Tuck's career may at be at its end and with his birthday around the corner to remind him of another incident his life, his friends treated him to a masked sex club to pick up his mood. Francesca got cheated by her fiancee and to forget her woes, she decided to go to a masked sex club with her bestfriend. Needless to say, sparks fly as these two forget who they are and their worries and indulged in a steamy night to remember. And what a night to remember it was, in a form of two positive sign! Tuck is wary of love since the guy is a famous pro football player with a string of women who wants him for the dollar sign that he represents. While Francesca is jaded after her fiancee cheated her with their store manager. Now with a baby on its way, will they aside their baggage's to give their love a chance? Another great, feel-good romance read from this author to add in your TBR list.

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Princess and the Player is the second book in the Strangers in Love series by author Ilsa Madden-Mills. This is a contemporary sports romance that can be read as a standalone.
In this story we get Tuck Avery and Francesca Lane. Tuck is a hotshot NFL wide receiver and the night of his birthday also happens to be the anniversary of the day his father died 10 years prior. To appease his friends, Tuck agrees to a night out in masquerade. What he doesn't expect is to be taken to a high class BDSM club. Furthermore, he gets it on with a woman he has dubbed Princess Bride due to her outfit. One hot night of No names, no strings and masks don't come off.
Francesca caught her fiancee in a compromising position with someone who wasn't her before her wedding. So on what would have been her wedding night, she hits up club decadence for their masquerade party. Her costume of choice? Her wedding dress. This is the night where she lets go of all her inhibitions for a hot night with a nameless and faceless stranger.
What happens when these two learn that not only do they know of pne another, but they also live in the same building?
This was another great addition to the series. I love reading anything Ilsa writes. This book had a good storyline, banter, chemistry and steam. Can't wait for more of this series.

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Princess and the Player is the second book in the series called Strangers in Love, however, each book stands on it's own with one main couple. I have read the first book and, not that this story is terrible, but I liked Beauty and the Baller more. I'm not a huge fan of babies/children in my romance. I usually avoid the trope but I am a fan of Ilsa Madden-Mills and she can usually make it work when I wouldn't otherwise accept it. For the most part I was ok with the pregnancy in this one because it wasn't the sole focus of every scene.

Francesca and Tuck meet in a unique way on Tuck's (not a fan of this name) birthday celebration with Tuck's two buddies. Francesca (not a fan of this name either) ended her engagement when her fiancée cheats, but she puts on her dress and goes out with her friend. and Tuck isn't interested in a serious relationship. She meets Tuck, their chemistry is great, they agree to a one and done hook-up, and just like they agreed, they somewhat reluctantly go their separate ways.

There were many side characters to be found in this story. Jasper (another name I'm not fond of unless it's a butler or chauffeur) was pretty close to Tuck ("T" from now on). Francesca (I'm calling her "F" from now on) has her besty, Cece, who has fallen in love and making huge changes in her life and her other besty, Brogan (🙄) who is our token LGBTQ character and is my favorite side character. There are other friends, neighbors, and associates with some more names I'm not fond of but each play and important part of the story while also providing comic relief.

F and T both have some baggage and major trust issues that unfold over the course of their relationship. It takes a lot of time and patience but they do grow closer. Then she drops the baby bømb and T doesn't take it well, naturally. I'll let you read about it yourself. F finds out some life changing information about herself which is both interesting and mysterious at the same time. T makes some life altering decisions that affect both their present and the future. There's a lot going on for F and T that you are going to want to read.

I was pretty immersed in the first half of the book but it did drag a bit here and there and I think I know where I lost interest. There was a lot going on in this one and each plot line deserved time. It did get bogged down a couple of times but it works out satisfactorily in the end. I enjoyed the book

For the most part this was a well written story and had good plot lines and back stories for the characters. There weren't any major errors although I have noticed that the author likes to use the word grouse a lot. I've been counting the occurrences for fun. 😂 Also, she started using the word carding/card in place of just "running fingers through hair". I had to look it up because I have never seen the word used that way. And I am not sure her usage is the way the word is intended to be used but what do I know; I've never written a book. I can barely write a review. 😂

Overall, I did enjoy the story and I would definitely recommend it. There is no cheating, no overly obnoxious OW/OM drama, and F, T, and the baby get a beautiful HEA. I look forward to the next installment which I am guessing is Jasper and possibly Courtney though I will be reading no matter who it's about. I'm giving this a four shiny star rating.

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This book hurts in all the right ways. I may have screamed out loud at the MMC because he was so in denial about someone being able to love him. These two deserved happy, and the journey to get there was epic.

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Princess and the Player by Ilsa Madden-Mills has been on my gotta read list since I read Beauty and the Baller. I have read just about every book Ilsa has written after discovering Dear Ava a few years ago. I've been anticipating Tuck's story since his appearance in Beauty and the Baller.

It's a sports romance with a chance meeting resulting in a passionate night where their identities are masked and their story unfolds.

It's filled with mystery, family issues of abandonment and fears. It's got a band of friends that stick together and have each other's backs no matter what comes at them.

Tuck's vulnerability and fears make him human and real. He has a tough guy persona as a famous football player but is also riddled with self doubt, self loathing, insecurity, anger and fear. I understood the struggles he faced with his past history and the fight within himself to believe that he is his own person and is not defined by his parents or his tragic past. His journey to acceptance, to opening himself up, to making his own destiny and fighting for the life he wants. It was emotional, inspirational, heartbreaking and liberating.

Francesca struggles with her own past and abandonment issues from being left at the police station as a baby. Her unknown history plagued her growing up. By luck, she is able to build a life with friends and a benefactor that became her family and a solid support through her times of need. A chance meeting with a masked stranger sets her life off the tracks with unexpected twists along the way.

I enjoyed reading Princess and the Player by Ilsa Madden-Mills and recommend this book..

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