I Bet You by Ilsa Madden-Mills Blog Tour

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills returns with an all-new swoon-fest of a novel about what happens when you look beyond labels and take a chance on love.

Sexy Athlete: I bet you won’t…
Penelope Graham: Burn in hell, quarterback.

The text is random but Penelope figures out exactly who “Sexy Athlete” is. And why she shouldn't take his wager.

Ryker Voss.
Football star.
Walks on water and God's gift to women.
Just ask him.

His bet? He promises Penelope he’ll win her the heart of the guy she’s been crushing on. His plan—good old-fashioned jealousy. Once her crush sees her kissing Ryker, he'll realize what he's missing. Sounds legit, right? The only question is… why is Ryker being so nice to her?

Penelope Graham.
Virgin.
Lover of sparkly vampires and calculus.
His mortal enemy.

Penelope knows she shouldn’t trust a jock, but what’s a girl to do when she needs a date to Homecoming? And Ryker’s keeping a secret, another bet, one that could destroy Penelope’s heart forever.

Will the quarterback score the good girl or will his secrets mean everyone loses this game of love?

*Author's Note: This is a standalone sports romance with an HEA.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Sports Romance

This is a story about finding and being comfortable with yourself.

Ryker is quarterback and captain of his college team. He knows that he wants to enter the NFL draft, but he also knows that he has to survive the scandal from last season, as well as a fellow teammate, Archer.

The team has juvenile bets that they like to pit against each other. While they seem harmless, Penelope knows not to get in the middle of them. While working, she knows that Ryker and his teammates are betting, but she cannot help but be part of one. She swears never to be part of one again and also swears never to date a quarterback. Her father has put a bad taste in her mouth when it comes to athletes and commitment.

Despite knowing that Ryker is bad for her, Penelope can't help but be intrigued. Ryker, too, can't help but be intrigued by Penelope. She is smart, feisty, and beautiful.

They dance around each other and learn truths about themselves and each other. I liked how they developed their relationship instead of just jumping into a relationship. The only thing is that this felt very much like a young adult romance instead of an adult one. But overall, this was a quick read that was sweet and funny.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
I loved I Dare You and knew I wanted to read this one, and I can tell you I was not disappointed.

What happens when a bet goes wrong?

Penelope Graham is the nerdy girl who wants to be a romance writer and she fantasies about "Lord Waylon" who happens to be Ryker, star quarterback. But she also hates football players because football is what took her father away from her and her mom when she was born. When several football players show up at her place of work and a bet with her goes wrong, she holds things together until she can get away from them.

Ryker Voss has always wanted to play football and it will take him far in life. And gets him many one-night stands. But he has never fallen in love. He has noticed Penelope and who wouldn't. She is a classic beauty. When a bet at the restaurant she works at goes wrong, he feels bad and wants to apologize. But he can tell she hates him, or is it the thought of him? When he finds out she likes someone else, he wants to help her get the guy she likes.

Can Ryker help Penelope get the guy she thinks is for her without him falling in love with her? Will Penelope give Ryker a chance after she learns of the bet going around with the football team? Can she forgive Ryker when she learns the truth?

I loved I Dare You and I think I loved this one more. And I cannot refuse a story by Ilsa Madden-Mills, she has a way of telling a story that will have you glued to every page wanting more. So sit back and enjoy, I know you will love Ryker and Penelope too.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and carries on from where book one left off. I think you could enjoy it as a standalone, but it would make more sense of Ryker's headspace in particular if you did read I Dare You first.

There is so much to enjoy in this college sports romance – and really, top of the pile may have to be Penelope's bird... just such perfect timing!

One element which I thought was done particularly well was the references back to Penelope's parents and the decisions they took. She had always blamed her father and his NFL ambitions for ruining things for their family, but actually there are hints that maybe she only saw one side of that story. As she learns more, it is clear that she does a lot of growing up and accepting that maybe her views were not based entirely on fact. It helps her to see her current relationship in a very different light.

Ryker has to concentrate on his quarterback career, but Penelope is stretching his limits of calm and patience. He also knows that the team bets are going to affect her if she finds out about them... so he is in a difficult place, pursuing her for real, but also succeeding in winning a bet. She is, really all he ever desired, and making her his is what he has to do!

I did at times question the age of the characters in this book, but overall it was a sweet and entertaining read.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
This book is incredible, I couldn’t put it down even for a minute! I’m obsessed with this series and already need more! Penelope Graham is a nerdy virgin but definitely not the typical sort. Penelope is in a sorority, happy to dress up cute and head to parties, and has a superstar football father that she holds a major grudge against. Enter Ryker Voss, star football player for his and Penelope’s college and someone who got swept up in an article that Penelope wrote regarding a fighting ring from months previous. Ryker’s not holding a grudge, far from it actually, he wants Penelope – bad – but Penelope wants nothing to do with him. Then one of the a-hole team members makes a bet with Ryker – bag Penelope. Ryker wants nothing to do with the bet and to prove it he sets out to help Penelope win over a guy she’s been very obviously crushing on. Only, once he begins spending time with Penelope, he realizes seeing her with another guy isn’t going to be an option.

The banter between Penelope and Ryker absolutely makes this book – I couldn’t get enough of those two. I loved both of their characters from the start, actually, I loved most of the characters from the very start of this book. It’s very well written, intriguing, fast-paced, and best of all, hilarious. I can’t wait for more from this author.

Also Available in The Hook Up Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the I Dare You Blog Tour.

Wall Street Journal best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap. She's best known for her angsty and funny New Adult college romances.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice; Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's also addicted to frothy coffee beverages, Vampire Dairies, and any kind of book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females.

Connect with Ilsa

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram
Unicorn Girls Facebook Fan Group

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of I Bet You (The Hook Up #2) by Ilsa Madden-Mills to read and review for this tour.

I Dare You by Ilsa Madden-Mills Blog Tour

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills kicks off a brand-new, sexy, heartfelt contemporary romance series with I Dare You!

Bad Ass Athlete: I dare you to…
Delaney Shaw: Who is this?

The late night text is random, but "Bad Ass Athlete" sure seems to know who she is…

Delaney Shaw.
Good girl.
Lover of fluffy kitties and Star Wars.
Curious.

His dare? Spend one night in his bed—a night he promises will be unforgettable—and she can solve the mystery of who he is.

She knows she shouldn't, but what else is she going to do with her boring Valentine's Day?

One sexy hook-up later, her mind is blown and the secret's out.

Maverick Monroe.
Bad boy.
The most talented football player in the country.
Just ask him.

Too bad for him Delaney's sworn off dating athletes forever after her last heartbreak.

But Maverick wants more than one night and refuses to give up on winning Delaney’s heart. She isn’t one to be fazed by a set of broad shoulders.

Will the bad boy land the nerd girl or will the secrets they keep from each other separate them forever?

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Delaney Shaw is a nerdy girl, loves Star Wars and kitties. But don't dare her to do something because she will do it just to prove she can. At a freshman bonfire, she meets Maverick Monroe, the it man on the football field. They seem to be drawn to each other. When he approaches her and lightly kisses her, he tells her that she will always remember her first kiss at the freshman bonfire.

Maverick Monroe knows one thing, football. And he knows that it is the only thing to get him and his sister to a better future. After he hears that Delaney has broken up with her boyfriend, he wants to ask her out but doesn't want to seem to push too fast. After all, Delaney has sworn off athletes because the last one broke her heart.

When Delaney gets a text from someone she doesn't know, there is a dare she can't refuse. And the text becomes something she looks forward too. She wants the texter to be Maverick, but can she handle another athlete? Can Maverick hold on to Delaney or will he lose her because of the secrets he is holding?

I have come to love everything I read from this author although I would have liked more in the end, it seemed a little rushed. But I did love the storyline and hope there will be more, maybe from Ryker's story. If you haven't read anything from Ilsa Madden-Mills yet, pick any of her stories and you will not be disappointed, just sit back and enjoy!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
A chance encounter brings Delaney and Maverick back into each other's lives after meeting two years ago during their freshman year. Maverick has fulfilled the expectations everyone had for him to be a phenom on the football field and Delaney has just ended a two-year relationship with Alex, the kicker on the football team.

Mav knows that you don't date a teammate's ex, but he's wanted to pursue Delaney since they first met at the bonfire freshman year. Delaney has sworn off football players but there is something about Mav that calls to her.

As she gets to know the real Maverick and the reasons why he takes chances he shouldn't, she vows to stand by him no matter what. Maverick decides that coming clean with the powers that be is the only way to keep the girl of his dreams and will let the chips fall where they may.

Overall a good story, but there were a few transitional issues that confused me and the ending seemed a bit rushed.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
I absolutely loved this incredible book! Nerdy girl plus super-hot football star = happy reader!

Maverick was in a car accident that killed his mother and left his sister with a disability that requires she have extra care. He’s also in his junior year at college and being on the football team prevents him from getting a job to be able to help out with his sister’s care. Right after the accident happened, Maverick met Delaney but before he could act on the attraction he felt for her she was snatched up by a teammate. Now, two years later, Delaney’s single and Maverick isn’t letting her get away this time… only life throws him multiple curve balls at once and things spiral out pretty quickly.

Delaney is nerdy but so very awesome, she’s one of my all-time favorite characters. I love that she’s so relatable and though she’s hot for Maverick and doesn’t think he’s interested, she also never has insecure thoughts about not being good enough. Maverick’s character is also seriously awesome – he’s a player in the prologue but it’s explained and he’s not making a sudden change for Delaney, he’s already a great guy when their relationship starts. I just found this entire story refreshing and I’m already highly anticipating the next book in this series!


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Sports Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

First off, I think that the blurb for this book is misleading...

Maverick seems to have it all. He is successful in school, a football star, and has a lot of friends. But behind that confident exterior, he also is hiding a part of his life that he would rather not have in the limelight. His family life is less than ideal and it's wearing on him to be both jock star and helping brother/concerned son. When he needs to let loose a little, he attends a party with his friends and sees Delaney. There is nothing he can really do about it, but he gets a kiss from her and then disappears into the crowd.

Delaney is a quirky woman who wants nothing to do with football players after she finds her boyfriend of a while cheating on her. Not only is she done with dating football stars, but her best friend is dating a baseball player who definitely leaves something to be desired. Delaney is never one to back down from a dare and when she starts to receive anonymous messages from someone who knows this about her, a romance is born... but with whom?

This was a sweet read with a young adult feel to it. The innocence between Delaney and Maverick is sweet, but with the underlying issues in Maverick's life and Delaney wanting to help, it can't help but turn in to a great story.

I can't wait to see the next one.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the start of a new series, and I think it is going to be a hit!

Whilst a story as old as time – the gorgeous jock with a slightly tortured past and the nerdy librarian girl fall for each other – there are some excellent elements here which rise it well above the average. I think I would have liked some of the issues at the end to be clearer – but maybe that comes in book two.

The links between the first time they met, and today, are used well, even Muffin adds to the layers. The texting is also fun, and of course, the dares. Interestingly, in spite of those elements which are pure college, the characters are pretty mature (most of the time) and life's cruel twists helped that be the case. There are some really fun moments, as well as some sexy ones in the least expected scenes – donut sparkles?!

Good read, and more to come from the series no doubt.

Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap. She's best known for her angsty, heartfelt new adult college romances.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice; Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's also addicted to frothy coffee beverages, Vampire Dairies, and any kind of book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females.

Connect with Ilsa

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram
Unicorn Girls Facebook Fan Group

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of I Dare You (The Hook Up #1) by Ilsa Madden-Mills to read and review for this tour.