I Promise You by Ilsa Madden-Mills Blog Tour

From #1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills comes an all-new swoony romance between the football hottie and the mystery girl he kissed years before…

Dillon McQueen: Babe. I promise. You want me.
Serena Jensen: Um, who are you?

There’s a legend at Waylon University: the first girl you kiss freshman year at the bonfire party is the one you’ll never forget. She’ll crawl under your skin. She’ll spark a passion so fierce you’ll burn the world down to possess her.

You might even put a ring on it.

But... timing is everything. That kiss can go horribly wrong. She might run in the opposite direction. And boy, did Serena run.

Dillon is Waylon’s hotshot quarterback with something to prove. All he wants is to graduate and make it to the NFL. What he doesn’t need is to finally meet the mystery girl he kissed at the bonfire freshman year. Isn’t it enough that she’s haunted his dreams for more than a thousand nights?

Fate laughs in his face when he runs into the plucky girl at the Piggly Wiggly. Surrounded by his entourage, he’s got all the Oreos in his cart; she gets revenge by buying every six-pack of his favorite beer.

Obviously, that legend is a curse. She’s not his type and hates him. Worst of all, how can she not remember him when she left a Serena-shaped hole in his heart for the past three years?

So why can’t he stop trying to win her?

Will this quarterback score the girl or make the biggest fumble of his life?

Author’s Note: I Promise You is a complete stand-alone college sports romance. Expect hot football jocks, strong women with pluck, a tell-it-like-it-is Nana, deep feels, fun banter, and a sigh-worthy happy ending. No cheating or cliffhangers.

Don’t miss our reviews of other standalone books set in the Waylon University world!
For book one, I Dare You, click HERE.
For book two, I Bet You, click HERE.
For book three, I Hate You, click HERE.

 

 

Buy Links

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

 

 

The kiss burns a hole right through me and blood rushes to my groin. I’m in over my head—Who cares?—and I groan, deepening our connection. My hands slide down her cheeks, her throat, then to her arms at her sides. Our joined breaths mingling, I trace my thumbs over the rapid pulse in her wrists. My head swims with images of her body draped on top of me—

A cry comes from her as she breaks away from our kiss. “Jerk! Don’t do that. I don’t know you!”

“You liked it, babe.”

“What? No.”

“I’m Dillon.”

“Um, I don’t care. Step away.”

“What’s your name? You got a number?” Dillon McQueen does not give up easily. When he sees what he wants, he goes after it. He also sometimes talks about himself in the third person. “Are you a freshman? I play football. Quarterback.” Usually that’s enough to catch a girl’s interest.

She shakes her head, looking almost surprised as she touches her lips briefly. I think she mutters pigskin-toting Casanova. Then, she flips around.

“No, wait! Don’t go!” I say, reaching out for her, but she’s gone, daring one look over her shoulder as she disappears into the crowd of people.

I take off after her, navigating through the throng, jostling into dancers. One of them, a big barrel-chested guy, shoves at me when I bump into him. I fall on my ass. Heart pounding, I scramble back up, dirt and grass on me as I dart through the crowd and look around. My height gives me a decent vantage point, but she’s vanished.

Off in the distance, the football guys hoot my name, then chant Venus over and over.

Well, hell. The bonfire got me good. She’s gone.

Legend 1, Dillon 0.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Serena has been through enough; she just wants to graduate. She doesn't need anyone to interfere with her plans. Then when she is at the Piggly Wiggly, Dillon McQueen walks in with three girls hanging on him. Like he is some kind of rock star. Well, he is a star, football star quarterback of Waylon University. She knows who he is but pretends she doesn't and that makes him want to know her better. Because all Dillon sees is a girl that doesn't want to be close to him because of his status.

As Dillon and Serena grow closer, they share secrets of their past and the pains they are going through. But there are more things trying to keep them apart and when Serena learns of one of them, it will end things between them. But is it over for good or can Dillon make her see that she means more to him than she realizes? Will Serena give him a chance to explain what she overheard? Will her ex-boyfriend try to win her back?

This story is set in my home state of Mississippi, and I loved the first book in this series and I loved this one too. I have found that I want to read anything this author writes because everything I have read so far, I have loved each one. Even if you don't like football, I recommend reading this one. It is so much more than football, it has pain, loss, love, and future. So sit back and enjoy the ride.


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

Serena is a strong, independent woman who has family that is so close. She worries for her younger sister's social life, cares for her sometimes inappropriate Nana, and loves her brother fiercely. When she attends a Waylon bonfire, she doesn't expect to be kissed by a total stranger. With life always moving forward, Serena doesn't really think much of that kiss until years later.

Dillon is the Waylon quarterback. He knows of the legend of the bonfire, but didn't give it much credence. With his teammates warning him against kissing anyone at the bonfire, Dillon just can't help himself when he sees Serena from across the way. He kisses her and then loses her in the crowd.

When these two meet again, I absolutely LOVED their encounter. Hilarity mixed with chemistry. These two are a great couple. They balance each other and support each other. Dillon has home issues and so does Serena. With their own traumas and insecurities, they will have to navigate their relationship.

You will fall in love with these two. Their story will make you cry and laugh, feel incredibly frustrated and vindicated. You'll be cheering from the sidelines. I hope they write Serena's sister's story.

 

 

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

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

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa

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

 

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of I Promise You (Waylon University) by Ilsa Madden-Mills to read and review for this tour.

I Hate You by Ilsa Madden-Mills Release Blitz

There’s a fine line between I hate you and I want you.
Once you cross it, there’s no going back.

Blaze Townsend: I hate you.
Charisma Rossi: I hate you more.

She’s been expecting this ever since their latest showdown. She had good reason.

Hottest guy she’s ever seen.
Former fling.
Dumped her in front of all her friends.
At her own party.

So no, she’s not about to forgive and forget just because he sits next to her in class. He thinks all he has to do is turn on those baby blues, and she’ll melt right back into his arms. Please. She’d be crazy to let this cocky player affect her again. (Tell that to her body.)

Charisma Rossi.
Nerd girl with a dash of bad.
The one who got under his skin.
The one he cut loose.

Blaze knows she’s the riskiest prospect at Waylon University, but none of the interchangeable girls he hooks up with have ever made him feel the way she did. There’s absolutely no way he can have the girl and the game.

So why can’t he stop trying to win her back?

Can this wide receiver score the girl or will he make the biggest fumble of his life?

Buy Links

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

“Need some help?”

I’m on my tiptoes when the question comes, trying to reach a book on the top shelf in the bookstore at the student center.

My heart does a nosedive off a cliff as that familiar gruff voice washes over me, his accent a smooth drawl that’s reminiscent of hot summer nights and slow kisses—kisses we never had… well, except for that one time freshman year.

I ignore him and try to grab the book.

“You’re too short. Let me,” Blaze says, this time closer, his voice soft.

I ease back on my feet and whip around, internally wishing I’d worn something more I hate you and don’t you wish you still had me, but sadly, I’m not in my kickass shoes and itchy dress. Today it’s flat-soled red Converse, black joggers, and a Yankees sweatshirt. I blow at a piece of hair in my face. Shit.

Of course, he looks magnificent in a tight long-sleeved black shirt that clings to his broad chest and tapered jeans molded to those leg muscles. His face is unshaven, the darkness on his jawline adding a broody look.

Curse him and his hotness.

I stare at him a little too long, until I snap out of it.

“I don’t need help,” My voice is strangled as I move to brush past him—forget the textbooks—but he reaches out and takes my elbow.

“Charisma—”

His fingers are a hot brand on my skin—it’s the first time we’ve touched in three months—and I pull away. A tremble starts in my legs. How dare he? It was one thing to see him in a social setting and pretend I was fine, but when we’re face to face without people watching… “Don’t put your hands on me. I’m not your hookup anymore, football player.”

His face reddens, and he drops his arms. “I didn’t mean—” he stops, not finishing as he studies my face.

I wonder what he sees. You know what he sees, Charisma—someone who wasn’t up to his usual standards.

Everything I didn’t say last night rushes out. “Didn’t mean to what? Dump me in the middle of my own sorority’s party in front of all my friends and half of campus? And you know, that’s totally fine. We both knew I wasn’t enough to keep your attention.”

His jaw clenches and he frowns, his brow furrowing. “I didn’t plan for things to happen that way.”

“How did you want to break up with me? Over candlelight? A text would have worked just fine,” I bite out.

The silence builds between us, and he watches me intently, as if trying to figure me out. He starts at my hair and works his way down to my feet, then comes back to my face. Just when I think I might combust from the intensity of his eyes, he looks away.

“What?” I cock my hip. “You look like you want to say something.”

He taps his hand against his leg. Ice-blue eyes, ones I used to stare into and get butterflies from, glitter down at me. “You just can’t handle that I ended things, sweetheart.”

“Not your sweetheart.”

“Never were.”

Shit… shit… my heart feels like an anvil just landed on it, heavy and hard, and I can’t breathe for a second at his words, part of me pissed, the other part devastated. I wanted to be his sweetheart, I did, but he…

You’re not my type.

“Thanks for the reminder,” I say quietly, my anger folding away piece by piece and slipping into that horrible self-pity I despise.

He closes his eyes and scrubs his face with those talented hands, strong and big and capable, skillful with a football.

He steps in front of me, much like he did last night, and I tilt my head back to take him in. At my height of five feet, three inches, it’s hard to glare at a guy who towers over you and not look ridiculous, but I manage—until his eyes flicker with lingering emotion.

I dart my eyes around the store, searching for a way out, but I’m stuck between him and a bookshelf. “You’re blocking my path.” I focus on his legs. No sexiness there—well, except for the tight muscles under that denim.

“This is what I know,” he says in a low voice, ignoring my statement. “You told me we were just messing around. You set all the rules. Isn’t that how you operate? So why does me ending things with you even matter?”

“You never asked for more. You could have.” The revealing words fall around us, tinged with hurt, and I want to pull them back.

The silence between us crackles, yet I’m aware of other people around us. There are a few girls on another aisle, and I glance over as one of them pulls out her phone. No doubt she’s taking a picture of him. Part of me retreats, anxious she’ll get me in that photo—a girl who clearly doesn’t belong. He doesn’t notice. Everyone knows who he is, and they’re probably wondering why he’s talking to me.

“No, I didn’t,” he finally says, the words taut as if pulled from him unwillingly. He taps his leg, his tell that he’s anxious or angry. We weren’t together long, but every moment we spent together, I studied him like a wine connoisseur given a glass of rare cabernet. I know what makes him laugh, usually random things that make no sense. I know that groan he makes deep in this throat when he slides inside me, like he’s home. I know the feel of his hand when he cups my face and stares at me, a hesitant expression on his face—

“You can’t even look at me anymore. I wonder why,” he says, his voice a challenge.

Steeling myself, I face those baby blues. “You know why. I wish we’d never met up last fall. I wish you’d never flirted with me. I wish I’d never fucked you that first time in the library—”

“Same page. Same fucking page, Charisma.” And then he’s walking away, broad shoulders swaying as he stalks down the aisle…

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
I Hate You is a contemporary, new adult standalone by Ilsa Madden-Mills, featuring a love-hate vibe, second-chance romance, and slow-burn, where lust shifts to friendship, creating a lasting foundation.

Hooked from the get-go, I was in need of a novel that was fast and light and dug its talons into me, and I Hate You delivered.

Charm and Blaze are two sides to the same coin. I wouldn't call them commitment phobic, simply afraid of love and not being loved.

Charm witnessed her charming, charismatic father flash his blinding smile at women, especially her sixth-grade teacher, and her mother never stood up for herself when it came to being cheated on. This affected how Charm viewed men and love.

Blaze was abandoned, not once but twice, by his parents. First, literally abandoned and forgotten, then forever when orphaned. While his aunt and uncle took amazing care of him, he always felt as if they were just waiting for him to grow up and leave the nest, so it could be them and their children as a family. Feeling unloved, he doesn't believe himself loveable outside of adoration from the football field, because he earns that with raw talent and dedication.

Charm and Blaze have history, not once but twice. Blaze is the hottest footballer on campus, fans everywhere he treads, and it sets off those alarms in Charm's head, reminding her too much of her father, and she refuses to be her mother. Blaze hates Charm's rules when it comes to non-dating, because it leaves him feeling less than, abandoned.

The innocent, love-hate, angsty vibe is a crawl with the slow burn, as the reader watches Blaze and Charm do their thing, by getting into their own way. Their only conflict is self-sabotage, which is about as true to life as it comes. Human beings tend to create what they fear most.

Sweet, cute, albeit frustrating, I enjoyed the escapism from my real life Charm and Blaze offered, allowing me to slip into their world for a few hours. I believe this is the first novel I've read by this author, and look forward to reading more in her backlist.

Highly recommend to lovers of contemporary romance and fans of the author.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
There is a fine line between love and hate and this story is a good way to show it. Charisma and Blaze hooked up several times and then the breakup happened. No, it wasn't a quiet breakup. It happened at a party and just about everyone was there to see it. And those that weren't there heard about it. So Charisma has been avoiding Blaze at all cost and it has worked for several months. Now that the football team has won the national championship, she is at the celebration. And yep, Blaze and the rest of the players show up at the local bar. And Blaze has two perfect beauties hanging on him. While Charisma isn't the perfect model type, Blaze seems to be drawn to her but he doesn't want to be with her.

While Blaze tries to concentrate on football and getting signed to an NFL team, Charisma wants to get an internship. But neither can move on from the other.

These two have some past issues that they need to talk out and work through before either of them get into a serious relationship. The pain is what keeps them from moving on whether it is together or in separate relationships. Either way, I see something good between them if they would give each other a chance and talk things out. Can they get a happily ever after?

I liked the story and loved that it was another story in my home state of Mississippi. But there were parts of the story that seemed to drag on and other parts were so good. I hope there will be more from this group of friends. If you haven't read Ilsa Madden-Mills yet, just pick one, doesn't matter which one, you will love her writing style and her stories.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F hookup/enemies to lovers romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Blaze dumped Charisma at her own party, in front of almost the entire school. Needless to say, she really dislikes him. I think this story would have been had a stronger start for me if we had seen their relationship before. Blaze hints at Charisma's rules, but we, as the reader know nothing of them. So, when he throws them back at her, we are kind of at a loss.

This book had a very young adult feel to it at the beginning. However, as the story went on, it grew up and so did the characters. They took time to talk with each other, to try and figure out what they want out of their own lives and from a relationship.

I enjoyed reading this story and found that the organic way that Blaze and Charisma bumbled through their relationship was what saved the story for me. Otherwise, there was a lot of push and pull between the characters, which I was starting to get annoyed with.

It was funny at times and I loved that Blaze and Charisma just got each other. I'm unsure what Blaze's football rivalry really had to do with anything, and found his football enemy very unlikeable. In fact, I sometimes skipped those parts because I wasn't sure why they were in the story. Overall, this was a successful enemies-to-lovers story.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the third in a series – and although it deals with a new couple, we do spend a lot of time with the previous ones, so you might want to read them first to get the stories in order. You will quickly understand how much Blaze upset Charisma when they split... although they were not truly together – or were they?

Charisma has issues which lead her to make a rule about no relationships, and even though she wanted to break them with Blaze, she could not trust herself to do so. Now, however, he is back in pursuing mode, and we get to see just how long it will take for them to resolve the tension between them.

At times this is a pair of fairly adult people making sensitive, sensible comments and decisions – but at other times they seem very immature, and dropped into a younger state of mind. Whether intentional or not, it worked quite well at breaking the seriousness of the moment, and reminding the reader that they were at the very beginning of their lives.

An easy read with a satisfying ending.


Sarah – ☆☆☆
This new adult romance is pure adolescent angst. Jock Blaze and nerd Charisma exist at opposite ends of their college social structure but neither of them can move on from an ill-advised affair that left them both wanting more.

Even though Blaze and Charisma are about to graduate from college, this story reads younger. Conflict between groups of jocks, princesses, and nerds makes this feel like it should be set in a high school, not a university. The college experience in this book centres around the Greek societies’ social events – mostly parties, sports events, and drinking. Charisma constantly refers to herself as a nerd but she spends far too much time drinking at frat parties and describing her outfits and hairstyles for readers to really believe her. Blaze and Charisma’s world feels incredibly shallow and so do most of the characters.

I found it easier to like Charisma than Blaze, but Charisma’s self-esteem is awful and her constant self-deprecation is incredibly annoying after a while. I also struggled for most of the book to understand why Charisma and Blaze were so insanely angry with each other. As far as I could make out, they enjoyed a few hook-ups, clearly setting no-strings boundaries beforehand, and then Charisma became crazy angry when Blaze called it off.

Way too much of this story is angst and emotional drama. Both characters spend most of the book brooding, obsessing, and wallowing in misery. They don’t talk.

Honestly, this book made me feel old. But I think I was much older than these two even when I was a student. This is a book for fans of Riverdale, Billie Eilish, and Noah Centineo. As a reader in my forties, I’m sure I’m not the target audience for this book. But the best young adult and new adult writing has a universal appeal that this book lacks.

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

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

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa

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


Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of I Hate You by Ilsa Madden-Mills to read and review for this tour.

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
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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.

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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.