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297 reviews for:

I Bet You

Ilsa Madden-Mills

3.78 AVERAGE


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4.5 Lollipop CROWNS

I Bet You by Ilsa Madden-Mills is NA romance perfection. Cocky, jock hero. A bit nerdy, confident heroine. A bet that is bound to go wrong. What could be better?

While Ryker was pretty much your standard jock QB, I did feel that he was lovable. There is enough back history to give us a bit of sympathy for his character, and the chapters written in his point-of-view reveal that hear of gold. Who really stole the show for me was Penelope. I just adored her whole character. She is quirky, authentically so, and she has real grit. Even when she wanted to fall apart she held herself together until she was alone.

The chemistry between them is great. I enjoyed the small does of antagonism and the quick friendship that formed between the two of them. It is light and fun, everything a college romance should be.  The steam is a bit delayed, but when it happens and the way it happens was just perfect for their relationship and who they are. There are moments when their relationship and the story has a bit more of a serious tone to it, but it was interesting and engaging. These two are definitely the reason I enjoyed the story so much.

The plot, while paced well, is pretty clear from the get go, and there is little to no deviation from the expected story line. The conflict was expected, as well as the resolution. Does that mean I didn't enjoy it? Heck, no. I love a sports romance, NA romance, and this was just the ticket.

I really enjoyed this world and the cast of characters. I love the sentiment of family and the friendship to lovers storyline. I Bet You is fun and sexy, just pure romance entertainment.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Ok. I absolutely loved this book. From page 1, I wasn't able to put it down. I was only forced to put it down at 95% because I had to go to work. I was seriously tempted to push it to the last minute but I couldn't.

I loved everything about this book. I loved how Ryker and Penelope really didn't get along but he couldn't leave her alone and he couldn't keep his eyes off of her. And that she was drawn to him, even when she didn't want to be. How every time she was writing and working on her book, it was Ryker that popped into her head as the hero and not the guy she was crushing on.

I loved every moment between Ryker and Penelope. I loved how he was willing to help her get her crush even though he wanted her for himself. And I loved that he was willing to be a friend to her. He was just an awesome guy. And definitely alpha and awesome. And once they got together...PRICELESS.

Of course things blew up with Archer (the jerk) and the bet. But I loved that Ryker kept saying no to the bet. That he wasn't into it. Yes, he totally screwed up and said something he shouldn't have but...mistakes happen. I was glad that things were repaired between him and Penelope rather quickly.

Overall, this is another home run for Ilsa Madden Mills (sorry, I'm not an actual football fan so baseball phrases will have to do)!

#208 - 2022
Genre: Romance

A girl who wants to be a romance writer and getting the hot QB! Yes

I Bet You is the second installment in Ilsa Madden-Mill's latest series: The Hook-Up; and what an installment it was! The Novel tells the story of Penelope Graham a college student who has sworn off dating football players and Ryker Voss a quarter back whose sole focus is the game. After a bet goes awry, Ryker decides to help Penelope land a date with her crush, as a way to say sorry. However, as the two spend more time together, a connection is drawn and both begin to learn what it means to trust. As the two draw closer tension rises as a game neither of them knew they were playing comes to light.

IBY Ryker Voss.QuarterbackGod_s gift to women.Just ask him..jpg
This book had me swooning from the moment I started the book. I honestly could NOT put this book down, and when I did I found myself day dreaming about the characters and what will happen next. Mills has a way of writing that instantly sucks you in and keeps you there for the entirety of the book. As a fan of the first installment (I Dare You), I got all kind of excited and happy when I heard that Maverick's best friend was getting his own story told. I grew a connection to Ryker in the first book as he helped and covered for Maverick and I think it is safe to say that my connection with him has grown more so since reading I Bet You. Ryker is different from the other sport romance heroes I have read previously as he has this awkward side to him though a bit of a Alpha male tendency slips out of him every now and then when it comes to Penelope.

Penelope on the other hand, was a gem to read. I loved every moment of her point of view, and delving into her back story. She has this really quirky and nerd personality that I found immensely endearing and amusing to read but I also loved how self-aware she was and she refused to conform to any of the others around her. She stands up for those she loves and refuses to back down when one of them needs help.

I do have to point out that this book is super trope-y and because of this it was very predictable, but I think Mills does a good job masking the predictability with grade A chemistry and banter that would make a nun swoon. I honestly was totally captivated into this story that I didn't mind knowing what was going to happen.

Overall, Ilsa Madden-Mills seriously knows how to make a girl swoon and knows her way around the NA romance genre. If you love sport romances, I highly recommend this as a quick and fun romantic read!

ARC provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions in exchange for my honest review. Quotations taken from an uncorrected proof and may change upon final publication. Promotional graphics and teasers provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions.

QB1

I loved this book so much. Ryker is the perfect hero and while he does come off as a jerk at first he really is the ultimate nice and protective jock. Penelope was witty, cute, and perfect for Ryker. Their banter and chemistry was so easy going that you just knew they belonged together. Definitely recommend.

Felt like I was reading a 2013 fan fiction. The style felt outdated, the plot was ridiculously cheesy, and there were points where things wouldn’t add up. Like at one point she’s rubbing drool off her face from falling asleep but it was mentioned that only 10 minutes had passed. She fell asleep and drooled in 10 minutes? I don’t know. Not my favorite by a long shot, felt like a waste of time.

All Bets Are Off

I bet you'll read this book and fall in love with Ryker and Penelope... It's pretty hard not to, they are adorable.

It's really nice to see the sweet side of a jock, especially one who tries to be the tough guy, but really he's a gentle soul at heart. I love when a Hero has a heart of gold and makes me swoon with his romantic self.

This author is a new one to me and I have been pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy her writing style. Her words flow effortlessly and she's got a way with her characters that you cannot help but fall in love with them. I cannot wait to devour the rest of her work.

2.75 ⭐️
Better than the first one, for sure

Sweet and sexy college football romances like I Bet You is why I love New Adult Books. The nerdy romance book loving heroine and the hot jock should not work together but they DO! The perfect blend of humor and swoon made this one enjoyable read.

The dynamics of Penelope's and Ryker's relationship were quite interesting. They start off as sort of enemies but then Ryker, as a peace offering, tries to help Penelope get a date with another guy she has had a crush on. I was slightly annoyed with Ryker for helping her get another guy when he was obviously into her but I got over that pretty quickly. So then they actually become friends but the chemistry between them cannot be denied and Penelope learns very quickly where her feelings lie. No worries, this is not a love triangle in any way.

The sexual tension between these two was off the charts! Ryker also turns out to have a swoon worthy romantic side. I will say I found the "You complete me" line a tad cheesy because only Jerry McGuire can pull that off. However, I really did love what a sweet boyfriend he was. If watching twilight doesn't show you care then I don't know what will.

Dumb male adolescent behaviour is thrown into the mix when Ryker is offered a bet by his fellow teammates that will undoubtledly hurt Penelope if she finds out. This added some mild angst to the story and I enjoyed watching this play out. I loved the traces of humor in this book! A parrot who likes to curse, unicorn glitter lotion, a fascination with chest hair and terms like titlets really pull this book all together.

If you're looking for a fun, light college romance with humor and swoon, go check this one out!

4 Stars
College Sports Romance
Series: Hook Up#2 (Interconnected Standalone)
POV: Dual
HEA


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