Football veteran Tuck Avery meets artist Francesca Lane at a masquerade ball. While masked, they are smitten after much flirting. They hit if off and enjoy a night of passion with no strings attached. But as all one night stands go in fictional romances, it’s never just one night. What follows is a string of coincidental meetings because Tuck lives in the penthouse in Francesca’s building. They also know the same apartment neighbours. In time, Tuck is under the watchful eye of said neighbours, as they are protective with Francesca. It is this element that I enjoyed because the “found family” tugs at me and I find myself intrigued by these side characters.

The road to Tuck and Francesca’s HEA is not easy. While Tuck suffers from mistrust after women using him for his football status, he also possesses a dark upbringing with an abusive father and a mother with bipolar depression. Francesca also suffers with an upbringing of abandonment plus a list of boyfriends who either cheated on her or rejected her.

Tuck and Francesca have issues - that’s for sure, but you can’t help but root for them. And though there’s that pesky pregnancy test that proves positive, (my least favourite trope), Ilsa was able to captivate my heart and made me witness the growth of Tuck and Francesca. Though I wish the truth about the pregnancy came out a bit earlier, “Beauty and the Player” is an example of Ilsa’s well-crafted steamy romances. While it’s an emotional story - cause you really feel for Tuck and Francesca - it’s got a plentiful amount of spice and laughter.

Captivating and down right addictive, Princess and the Player was exactly the book I needed to break my current book slump! I literally could not put this book down and read it in one sitting. The relationship between Tuck and Francesca was perfection and I adored every moment of it’s development. This is definitely a must read!

I liked this story. I nice balance of feels and humour. While I'm usually not a huge fan of surprise babies or conflict moved forward by a lack of communication, I thought it actually worked in this situation/story. Overall, I found this story enjoyable.

Ilsa Madden Mills does it again with another great football romance 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Here’s a quick break down:

One Night Stand
Accidental Pregnancy
Billionaire / Sports Romance
Soulmates
Dual POV
*Audio included with KU*

What I loved:

•While accidental pregnancy is a hit or miss trope with me, I am very for the one night stand that evolves into more. After the initial night, there was a slower, gradual build between Tuck & Francesca that felt 👏🏻 so 👏🏻 right! It allowed them to work through their demons while their feelings grew making the romance feel so much more relatable/ realistic.

•The found family vibes & supporting cast. Beyond all the love & support these two broken MC’s needed, they brought the funny.

•A great grand gesture & equally beautiful epilogue.

•I love Ilsa’s writing. It’s that perfect blend of character depth, swoon, spice & humor I look for in my books. Once I picked this one up, I had the hardest time putting it down, making it extra convenient to have the audio included through KU 🙌🏻

What I didn’t:

•The third act crisis stemmed from an easily avoidable, long miscommunication. Nothing seems to bugs me more than that 🤷🏻‍♀️

Gah, Ilsa Madden-Mills knows just how to tug at my heartstrings! Princess and the Player delivers all the feels and then some in this funny, sexy, emotional story that packs a real punch. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll love every second of it.

I loved Francesca! Her past shaped the woman she grew up to be and it made her strong and resilient. She was fiery with a soft side that I completely identified with. Tuck is the total package---sexy, successful, and strong with a darker side buried under the surface which formed after struggling with years of family trauma. These two immediately clicked when they met as anonymous strangers. Their chemistry was intense and they complimented one another so well. There are a lot of obstacles Francesca and Tuck need to navigate in order to find their happy ending. But they do and in the end you'll swoon for this beautiful couple.

Madden-Mills delivers a powerful story that will engross you from the first page. It's bumpy, it's raw but it's exactly what these two characters needed. I loved every second of this story! 5 stars

I adored this book!! Tuck was everything I hoped he would be, but his life was nothing I expected either! He was a total anomaly as a character for me! And Francesca, I flipping love her! She is feisty and sassy and I love that she didn’t just fall at Tuck’s feet! She made him work for it and I loved every bit of it!

These two seem to be completely different, but as we get to dig into them and their lives, they are more alike than even they realize. This book had moments that truly made me laugh out loud (I love Jasper and fingers crossed maybe he’ll get his own book), but there were also moments that were truly heartbreaking. I just wanted to wrap Tuck up and squeeze him.

This was a fantastic book full of fun banter, and hilarious secondary characters! Ilsa Madden-Mills packed emotion and humor into one epic story!

"Is it weird that I sort of wish you were stalking me? Yeah, I guess it is."

After reading Beauty and the Baller... last year? Or earlier this year, maybe? I was intrigued by Tuck and couldn't wait for his story. And this book didn't disappoint!

Tuck and Francesca both have their own demons to fight, and ngl, this did have me tearing up a little. Particularly for Francesca, because of her abandonment issues.

'Girls like me don't have time to wallow. We've been rejected before, and when it happens, we make plans. We move on. We survive.'

I'm so happy that she not only has her chosen family, but also finds some blood family too. And I thought it was super sweet that Jasper was still okay with her even when she and Tuck weren't together.

I love the way this book flows in general. It's a mix of messy emotions, humour and flirting and it definitely requires your full attention with its fast pace. All the side characters were such good additions too! I have a number of quotes highlighted from them, and would love to see more of them in the future! Especially Jasper lol

My only slight disappointment was that we didn't see anything of Ronan and Nova. I know they obviously live so far away and have their kids now in this, but given Ronan and Tuck were best friends, i think it would've been sweet to have seen him a few times.

But overall, a cute, fun read which i really enjoyed!


*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Ilsa is a sneaky author. She creates these cute, eye catching covers that lure you in, writes a great blurb to seal the deal and then BAM , your heart is 100% invested by the end of chapter 1.

Tuck already hooked me after reading book one, Beauty & The Baller, but I was not expecting all the feels!!
At one point I wanted to reach into the book and hug him, just a big ole bear hug and not let go!

Francesca had not had an easy life either but I sure did love her outlook and belief in fate.

Honestly, I just fell hard for both of these characters and their story.
Add in Tuck's new ride or die, Jasper, Francesca's besties and dear old Darden, you have the makings of a great little made family.

If you've never read a book by this author do yourself a favor and pick up this book, grab some tissues and maybe some comfort foods and prepare your heart to go through all the ups and downs before getting the sweetest HEA.

Looking forward to listening to this one as well!

This book was an interesting read I’ll tell you that. After I finished Beauty and the Baller I was so excited to see what makes Tuck tick. He comes off as a carefree, party boy in book 1. But with this book we get to see there is so much more behind his easy charming character.
When he's taken out for his birthday, he meets a cute bride in unlikely place and spends the night with her. Little does he know life will put her right on his path.

Francesca has not had an easy life. She was bounced around as an orphan, where she learned quite quickly to only rely on herself. When she finds herself in a predicament (pregnancy) she is determined to making it work. Even when she and Tuck discover who they are, she is still trying to keep it a secret until she can figure it out if he even wants kids. The bright side of this story (for me) is their walks, funny banter and the chemistry.
They are both closed off and keep things close to the heart. It almost breaks them apart. But when you find your forever person you try to make everything work even if it needs a few slaps upside the head to achieve that.

Overall, it was a good story about 2 people who had always made sure to not depend on anyone but when life brings you that special person you make sure that they never think of leaving ever again.

I never thought I would be a fan of the unplanned pregnancy trope, but it's one that I like to circle back to now and again. Both of these characters had painful backgrounds which have shaped their lives, but still yearn for a real family of their own. I enjoyed the banter between them, the build up of emotions and feelings, and I'm a sucker for a HEA after a few years in so you can see their lives.

Tuck is taken to a sex club for his birthday, but when meets the princess bride he is drawn to her, Francesca never thought she see herself at a sex club , but getting over being left at the altar and night with a stranger is what she needs and what a night they have no names, no expectations then she finds herself in a situation and runs into the one man she can't seem to forget plus there's way more on the line.

2.5 stars ☆ It took me by surprise (hehe) that this book contains surprise/accidental pregnancy. This trope is not my favourite.

And what I also didn't like from this book is our mmc Tuck cause he aggravates me and I want to be into their world and smack him in the head (that's a bit harsh..) and I felt like there's no chemistry between Tuck and Francesca. The thing that I liked from here that it's still very entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC !!

They shared a steamy night, but it appears that Tuck and Francesca formed a bond that would last a lifetime.

“One night. No names. No strings. And the masks don’t come off.” “Deal”

I had previously met Tuck in Beauty and the Baller and was excited he got his own story. I knew Tuck was going to win my heart! I wasn’t sure about the set up, meeting in a sex club and all, but I found it easy to root for this couple. Madden-Mills gave both backstories regarding their lack of family connections, but they found that comfort and safety in close friends and each other. That was where this book shined for me. The found family assembled for these two brought tears to my eyes because they were so wonderful and supportive, and I adored each and every one of them.

I will admit there were some side plots I could have done without, but the romance between Tuck and Francesca, the secret baby, and the multitude of feels warmed my heart. Throw in an adorable ending along with a sweet epilogue had me wearing a big stupid grin, and I was one very happy reader.

I enjoyed Francesca and Tuck’s angsty accidental pregnancy romance. I really loved Beauty and the Baller, so I was really excited to get back into this world. This is the second book in the Strangers in Love series, and is a complete standalone.

Francesca, broken hearted tattoo artist, and Tuck, NFL star celebrating his birthday, meet at a masquerade party at a sex club in the city. They have a fun and anonymous night together, but don’t exchange information. It turns out, they live in the same building. Tuck is pretty excited to find the girl that won’t get out of his head, but Francesca winds up pregnant which complicates everything.

Even though Tuck and Francesca come from and live in different worlds, they both have difficult and tragic backstories that affect their views on becoming a parent. This story was definitely more emotional than Beauty and the Baller. However, there were many cute and funny moments especially involving their friends and neighbors.

I definitely recommend this book if you like sports romance and the accidental pregnancy trope.

Tuck and Francesca meet in the most unexpected of places, but they share one magical night together, a night that neither of them will forget. However, they didn’t exchange names or any details. They both are in for a surprise when they cross paths again.
Both these characters have heartbreaking backgrounds and their backgrounds are something that has shaped who they are now. These two also have a lot in common, especially when it comes to their love of art. They do have chemistry, but they also have a lot of secrets between them.
I loved the secondary characters in this story, especially Francesca’s roommates and Jasper. They were entertaining and added to the overall story.
If you’re looking for a surprise pregnancy, sports romance check this one out.

This was another amazing story from this author she never lets me down ! I absolutely adored the characters the banter the steam the emotions this was just so darn good it’s sweet but sexy exciting funny and emotional it definitely pulled on my heartstrings I am obsessed with Tuck he’s so damn delicious and Francesca was such a amazing female lead she has been let down her whole life by the people who supposedly love her these two were perfect for each other in every way I loved their connection the chemistry between them was amazing and the side characters are some of my favorites this was definitely a fantastic story and one I highly recommend!

Well, Ms. Madden-Mills has done it again! 

This is the fast-paced story of Tucker and Francesca.

A night of decadence and some surprises are in store for this couple.

Both have scars from the past that have molded them into the people they are today. But their rough edges fit together perfectly.

I loved the independence and originality of Francesca. I admired the way she created her own family. 

Tucker was a charmer to the max, and I could understand his untrusting nature.

Tucker and Francesca's chemistry was hotter than the hinges on Hades' gates, and the smexy times made me both blush and melt!

I absolutely loved the secondary characters in this story; they made me laugh, and they made my heart swell. They brought levity when it was needed and the backbone when warranted. 

I never fail to fall hard for a story from the talented mind of Ilsa Madden-Mills, and this story is no exception.

Talk about a cute story! I couldn't get enough of Tuck and his princess Francesca. These two have instant chemistry and what should've been just one night of fun turned into so much more. Francesca is one tough cookie who's talent holds no bounds. Raised through foster care she didn't let that slow her down. But after catching her fiancé cheating on her she was dew a night out. Tuck holds so many secrets close to him, but when Francesca slowly starts cracking his armor he doesn't know how to handle it. These two had me laughing out loud, rooting for them and crying with them. Their story is funny, emotional and tugged at my heart. Loved every page of this book.

Princess and the Player is a bit of a departure from Ilsa books, but it was delightfully enjoyable. This book is Tuck’s whom we met in Beauty and the Baller; he and Ronan were teammates. Princess and the Player was fun to read and oft times really funny, emotional, seriously steamy and will have you swooning over Turk!

As another birthday rolls around Tuck is staring a forced retirement in the face. Will he remain on the team, or will his career be coming to an end? Being the old man on the team his teammates Jasper has decided that they need to celebrate his birthday. So, he had made arrangements for Turk and another teammate to go to an exclusive club with him. Little does Tuck realize it’s a masquerade party until they arrive.

Francesca also came to the club with a couple of her friends for the first time too. It’s here that Francesca and Turk meet. Turk is downhearted by the prospect of losing his spot on the team, while Francesca is equally heartbroken about her cheating fiancé and has ended up wearing her bridal gown to the club on what was to be her wedding day. When these two meet it’s all sparks and fire as things began to really heat up between them. Strangers to each other it was kind of cute how they nicknamed each other. Tuck calling Francesca “Princess” while she in turn called him “Player.” It would only be a matter of time before the simmering lust between Turk and Francesca would lead them to a night of titillating sexy times!

Leaving the club they thought that they would never see each other again. Only fate had something else in store for them. They would run into each other and finally realizing that they actually lived in the same building. Turk and Francesca had both had lived with heartbreak growing up, but finding each other made life more bearable. It was amazing to see them grow close to each other but at the same time you waited for the other shoe to drop. And drop it did… thanks to two little pink lines!

Would these two find their way back to each other? Or would they find a way to work it out?

This was a great story with tons of feels. Plus, I loved how in spite of everything Tuck and Francesca had gone through growing up that they had found each other… and their family!!

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Tropes: one night stand; surprise baby; neighbors to lovers; sports romance; angsty romance

“‘We all have darkness. People you see on the street, people you work with, people you love, people you hate. If there’s no darkness, then there’s no room for light. And when that darkness hits you, and it will, all that matters is that you keep going, one step at a time until you’re up and back on your journey.”

It’s been over a week, and I’m still thinking about Ilsa Madden-Mills’s Princess and the Player. I’m not certain what type of voodoo IMM conjures because every book I’ve ever read of hers has hit me in the solar plexus. She lays her stories in a bed of humor, crafting the initial chemistry of her characters that is instantaneous and combustible. It’s often littered with moments of spice and moments of chuckles. And this book has a smattering of the latter and a heap of the former. But what it really has is some soul-defining angst in it. I was thinking back over IMM’s books as a way to compare Princess…, and I think its angst level compares to her books such as Spider (my favorite), Dear Ava, etc. IMM intends to punch you in the gut, and it will do her readers well to have a box of tissues close as her hero, Tuck, and her heroine, Francesca, fall deeply in love with each other, while working through their own issues. Princess and the Player is a heart-rending composite of two people, broken down by their life choices, who find hope and light in each other, to their surprise.

Both Francesca and Tuck have been wounded by the people in their past. They are two sides of the same coin: different past circumstances, the same healed wounds. Thankfully, they have friends in the form of found families to help them through their difficulties. For Tuck, it’s Jasper; and for Francesca, it’s her roommates, Cece and Brogan. These characters, their friends, act as their guides, granting wisdom and protection as Tuck and Francesca work to become vulnerable with each other. While these two fall quickly into their physical pairing, it’s their emotional journey that acts as a slow burn. Their ability to become vulnerable with each other is the tension of this story. Both have been hurt, and they’ve built solid walls to protect their hearts. For me, their development to trust in each other is the driving force of their story. Honestly, Francesca is a hold-out, failing to reveal her biggest secret until almost the end, and it’s one of the main reasons you turn the page. IMM showcases her storytelling prowess as Tuck and Francesca unearth each other’s secrets like one would peel layers off an onion. And just like you do with an onion, each layer incites tears. The emotional gravitas of Tuck and Francesca’s story is deep and long and the best part of this book, in my opinion.

I’m not certain how Ilsa Madden-Mills weaves together her characters to make them so likable when you want to be angry at them. But she does this over and over and over again. It’s astounding how much I love her stories. She infuses life truths into her romances that resemble the experiences of her readers, so you “see” yourself represented in her characters even when they are professional football players or artists. There is something very special about Tuck and Francesca, and you will swoon while reading their epilogue because you simply can’t help it.

Princess and the Player is an absolute must read.