Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Not My Match

Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills

5 reviews

ronnieex's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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livruther's review

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

the writing was pretty good, and i liked the characters.

but i do hate the whole “girl gives up her dreams for a guy” trope

and it was unmemorable

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bribreez's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

5⭐️/ 3🌶️

Devon was always known for being quite the playboy going from woman to woman like revolving door (Giselle’s words), and was also cocky and flirtatious. Giselle on the other hand was focused on her studies while studying for her P.H.D., and trying to overcome her single life by taking a chance to see if she could find love, especially since her ex fiancé cheated on her. Devon and Giselle were the complete opposites from each other, Devon was sensual and had a bit of darkness to him, whereas Giselle was sweet and innocent. Giselle and Devon’s story had them exploring different sides to each other, finding out more about Devon’s past, and ironically Devon finding himself helping Giselle out in the dating scene.

Not going to lie, in the previous book, “Not My Romeo”, when Giselle was introduced, I didn’t like her… at least in the very beginning. Giselle was once engaged to Preston a.k.a. Elena’s (Giselle’s sister) ex boyfriend. I think with the way that Giselle got with Preston didn’t sit well with me, and that’s what made me apprehensive to liking her. Although once the story progressed, I realized that Giselle wasn’t a bad person, she just found herself in a sticky situation. Anyways, after Giselle broke off her engagement from Preston, I was glad she threw him out of her life, and started to focus on herself instead. Now with this book, I got to see more of Giselle’s personality and I found her to be endearing, sweet, intelligent, and similar to Elena, could be quite fiery when she got fired up! Plus I loved seeing how Giselle couldn’t help but daydream about the imaginary scenarios of her being with Devon. Suffice it to say, despite Giselle being a virgin, she imagined all the fun things she wanted to do with Devon! OMG!

Devon always stuck me as fun, playful, flirty, and obviously a man on the prowl, but through this story there was more to him both with his past and true feelings. Similar to Jack (“Not My Romeo”), Devon didn’t have the best childhood. From dealing with his alcoholic father to his mom leaving with another man, Devon had to grow up faster than what was expected at a young age. Even as an adult, Devon was still picking up the pieces and messes of his dad.

Devon was absolutely crushing on Giselle and I WAS LIVING FOR IT! The way that Devon got protective over Giselle was hot yet also very heartwarming to see. Especially since in the past, most of the guys that Giselle had encountered were horrible and treated her awful. Something about the way that Devon was with Giselle was not only different, but you could tell that Devon felt a gravitational pull towards Giselle. Some might even think that when they saw Giselle and Devon side by side that they were the conventional couple to match up, but I disagree! Devon actually liked some of the things that Giselle liked such as, topics and things relating to her studies of physics and what not. I also really loved the way that Devon took care of Giselle when she had nightmares. From the beginning, even though Devon would tell others he didn’t “like” Giselle and they were just friends, to himself Devon was thinking about all the ways he wanted Giselle in intimate ways, and couldn’t stop thinking about her! Yeah I was loving every second of Devon and Giselle together! Through the first few chapters, Devon gave protective, alpha male yet also very endearing and warm when it came to Giselle (sigh) YUP I WAS SWOONING!

Devon and Giselle were so loving, sweet, playful, and passionate together, I absolutely loved them! Alongside having to work through their inner insecurities such as, Devon fearing Giselle leaving him behind or Giselle worried about not making the right choice for her life, in the end everything was worked out. I will say that towards the end, the problem got solved right away which seemed kind of rushed, but it didn’t bother me too much because, I was just happy when Devon and Giselle were back in other each arms. I absolutely loved the way that Devon lowkey became unhinged with desire over Giselle! OMG! Just like Giselle said, Devon was like a panther who stalked his prey, ahem Giselle. The romance was a good build up and i loved seeing the friends to lovers trope play out nicely. I also appreciated the way that Devon took the time to ensure that Giselle truly wanted to move their relationship towards being more intimate. I also loved the way that Devon and Giselle were when they hung out from watching “Shark Week”, to Giselle pranking/scaring Devon, to Devon serving as inspiration for Giselle’s alien Sci-Fi book. The ending highlighted exactly what Devon and Giselle wanted together and I was all for it for them. The epilogue was pretty great as well showing Giselle and Devon in wedded bliss from their amazing home, turning the barn into Giselle’s mega office, and their beautiful son. Plus Giselle and Devon were doing phenomenal in their respective careers. Overall, a romantic, passionate story of two friends, complete opposites, found themselves wanting more of one another. This story had a good amount of everything from romance, sweet gestures, protective/alpha male lead, humor, lovable characters, small town, and good storyline.

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kim03's review

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

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andkellyreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

4.75

Do what makes your heart fly. Every breath you inhale must be meaningful.

I don’t know how Ilsa does it. I really don’t. I finished this book last night and I am STILL reeling over how just, like, incredible it was. I wasn’t kidding when I said before that she gets better with each release. I thought we had a favorite hero/story combination with Not My Romeo but my GOD I, and I cannot stress this enough, loved this story. Absolutely head over heels loved.

You meet Devon and Giselle in Not My Romeo, but it’s not crucial to read that book first (although I definitely encourage it, Jack is the best.) and that’s how they, too, meet. Devon is Jack’s teammate, and Jack marries Giselle’s sister, Elena. They’re friends, but in that “we know each other through close people of ours so we’re not really friends but friendly” kind of way, and that’s apparent when the book starts (or, at least that’s what Giselle tells us.) What ensues from there is a heartwarming and hilarious story of two people being thrown together through random acts of kindness, essentially, and the relationship that builds from there. Devon, a star Wide Receiver for NFL and Giselle, a physicist working on her PhD, seemingly have nothing in common and are an unlikely pair, but as they get closer and learn more about one another, they learn that maybe that’s not required to have a solid foundation and beautiful relationship.

This book had it all; sexual tension, chemistry out the wazoo, hilarious dialogue, snappy internal monologues and thoughts we’ve all had, and just so much freaking emotion. I laughed hysterically (like side-clutching had to stop reading laughing), sobbed my eyes out (so loud I woke my boyfriend up at 1am) and just never wanted it to end. It was honestly Such. A. Good. Book. I’m sure there are some things people will find fault with, and if I tried hard enough I bet I could too, but I don’t want to. This book made me endlessly happy and I miss the characters so much already I’ve gone back and reread some of my favorite scenes about 10x. Did I mention I finished last night? I honestly can’t let this book go.

You are the best person in all my universes.

I MEAN COME ON. The feelings this book pulled out of me, I just can’t even quite put it into words. I think this might be Ilsa’s best book yet.

From our main duo, and their friends, Aiden and Jack and Elena, to Myrtle and the Daisy Lady Gang, this cast will have you weeping and laughing, sometimes both at once.

Did I already tell you I love this book? Because I love this book.

Thank you, Ilsa, for these characters. I cannot wait to see what you have in store of us next.

***Many thanks to the Netgalley and Montlake publishing for my review copy***

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