Boyfriend Bargain

I really enjoyed this one. This was another great book from Ilsa! I’m giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars. This review is for an ARC, and reflects my honest opinion.

I loved Sugar; I felt like her, and I would get along spectacularly in real life. And Zack, he was pretty amazing too. I love hockey players in books, and while he was different from most I’ve read about, he was just as good. I’m not usually into guys with long hair, but I’d make an exception for him!

I also liked Eric, Taylor, Poppy, Mara, etc. Pretty much the entire cast of characters was fantastic with a few rare exceptions. I’d love to see this turn into a series, especially after some things were left kind of open-ended in regards to their groups of friends.

This book was a lot deeper, and more emotional than I was expecting based on the summary. Early on I had a guess about what was going to unfold, and I was wrong. The epilogue was amazing, and I loved how Z was the one pursuing her throughout the book. It doesn’t happen that way as often, so it always makes me swoon. I enjoyed every page, and can’t wait to read everything else from this author.

So, I’m not going to lie… This cover is what drew me in. It’s gorgeousness is a cut above most, at least for me. But then, I fell in love with this story, and these characters. 4.5 Stars.

Sugar Ryan needs help. And it’s not the kind of help that just anyone can give her. She needs the very specific help of the biggest hockey star on her college’s team, Z. She’s never met him, and he has a reputation with the ladies that she’s not too keen on, but he’s the only one who can help her pull this idea off. She needs him to be her fake boyfriend to impress the dean of the law school at Vanderbilt, where she’s been waitlisted. She’s hoping it will work since the dean is a big fan of the Nashville Predators, and Z has already been drafted to their team once he finishes college. But Sugar has no idea what she’s doing, and has to work up the courage to even speak to him, much less ask him for help with such a crazy plan.

Zack Morgan is the king of campus, as the captain of the college hockey team in their small town in Minnesota. He grew up knowing this is what he’d do with his life, but lately, it’s causing him no small amount of stress and anxiety. He fights to keep his anxiety from spiraling, but sometimes he can’t stop it. And when it happens on the ice, he’s not sure how to fix it. He’s carrying a lot of baggage from his prep school years, and most of it he doesn’t, can’t, talk about with anyone but his brother Reese, who was there too, and his best friend and their 3rd roommate and teammate, Eric. When he’s drawn to Sugar at a party, and they have a mind blowing hookup, he’s not sure what to think. Why does he feel so connected to her, and why is she running away? No one has ever said no to him before.

Zack and Sugar had undeniable chemistry and I loved their hot, and unexpected connection. But, they were both fighting their own demons, and didn’t seem to be able to let the other one inside to help. Dead ex’s are definitely NOT my favorite trope, but it was a bit of a twist on the typical setup, especially since the characters are so young, and still in college. I was intrigued with how everything would play out, and it kept me in the story, even when I started off wary. I’m so glad I continued on, as I would’ve missed so much greatness.

Zack had so much turmoil inside him and didn’t know how to deal with it. Sugar wanted to help him so much, but she wasn’t always sure how to reach him, and then she had her own drama to deal with as well. These two lonely hearts really found a true partner in each other, and I loved their connection. Their sexy times were smoking hot, and they weren’t afraid to be themselves around each other, and I always enjoy that. I really felt these two characters were special.

Z’s teammates, especially Eric, and Sugar’s best friends, her roommate, and her surrogate mom, were all hilarious characters, and I hope some of them will get their own stories in future books. There was definitely setup for them here, and I am here for it! Z’s brother Reese was an interesting character too. He also holds a lot of guilt for what happened in their shared past. I definitely want to see things from his POV at some point in the future. I really loved this story, and I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially if NA Sports Romance is your catnip.

This is a sports/college romance. He is the star captain of the school’s hockey team and she is a virtual nobody. Introverted though not really shy, she needs to persuade him to be her pretend boyfriend. Of course you know how all those fake relationships end. 😉 He has his own demons he’s fighting and is keeping secrets from her, too afraid of losing her if she learns the truth. She may be a nobody, but she is smart and strong, yet is weak around him. There are lots of laughs, one or two heart breaking moments as well. Some evil villains trying to ruin things. One or two side characters who try to steal the show. 😀 All round it’s a fun story and moves along quickly and smoothly and was hard to put down. There is some sexual content. It alternates between POVs.

A sport romance, with characters that have charm, steam, and chemistry
… also making your heart swell with emotions, that touches your heart.

A page turner plot, glueing to the pages, I couldn’t put it down.~wtmo

Lighthearted easy college hockey romance read.
Zach and Sugar provide with a twisted and drama driven story as they plan their life after college including “relationships.”
Overall it was an ok story albeit the plot was pretty predictable.
The redeeming quality of this book was Zach and the unique twist affecting him that was thoughtfully portrayed.
3.5 stars!

Boyfriend Bargain is Ilsa Madden-Mills’ newest college, sports romance. I’m a huge fan if Ilsa’s and she always entertains me with her fantastic writing and smart, funny and interesting characters. Zack is a top hockey player. Destined to be one of the greats. He’s also rumored to be a giant player who goes through women as fast as he changes the tape on his hockey stick. Sugar isn’t quite stalking him, but she needs something from him. She doesn’t expect the electricity between them. Yes, he’s gorgeous and talented and it turns out quite smart, well read. He quotes poetry for the love of God! Z can’t help but agree to help her but he wants something in return. Yes, it’s pretend but after a getting to know her he wants more. He’s never wanted anyone this way. He’s not who everyone thinks he is. He loves his family and hockey and he needs Sugar in his life. It’s a lot of pressure to be the best and he’s trying to figure it all out. Sugar isn’t going to fall for this sexy man with the hair and the body. Right? Well, life has a way of giving us what we need when we least expect it. Will Z show Sugar he’s more than she thinks? Can Sugar trust Z? There is so much more than just a college, sports romance going on here. Z and Sugar have so much going on in their lives. They have pasts that seem to keep coming back to get them and insecurities that haunt them. I loved watching them fall for each other and learn how to let the other in. There were obstacles, but they are smart and never lost sight of who they were and what they wanted. Overall, I laughed, cried, got hot and bothered and fell in love with Z and Sugar.

I can only imagine what’s perfect in the Hockey Player Hookup Handbook. Three orgasms, like a hat trick?

He talks about Poe like he’s his bestie. A man that knows his literature and looks like a Greek god. Well, I clear my throat. That’s a turn-on.

“May I kiss you? Please?”
“Okay, but none of that fancy tongue work.”
“Afraid of falling in love with me?”
“No.”
“Liar. Why else say it.”

“You like my stick?”
“I can’t believe you just said that.”
“You were thinking it.”
“Oh, you’re not only a sex machine but a mind reader too?”
“Sex machine? I like that. Go on, please. Tell me more – and use that deep Southern accent when you say it.”

Oh my God, this book was PHENOMENAL!! This is why I love Ilsa’s books so much! Suspense, drama, angst, electrifying chemistry between main characters and so many emotions that during reading you forget how to adult. Boyfriend Bargain sucked me in from the first page and I couldn’t put it down! I’m such a sucker for college romances and it’s like Ilsa Madden-Mills knows exactly what I need to get lost in a book. And she did it again in Boyfriend Bargain. She made me completely hooked!

Blurb shows nicely what can we expect in this story. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. This story has so many layers, such depth that it can’t be described in a few sentences.
Sugar is a student who wants to get into her chosen university and become a lawyer.
Zack is a hockey star who’s expected to be drafted to NHL after the final year of college.

The relationship between Zack and Sugar didn’t start in a conventional way. The girl needs him to achieve her goal, which she chosen based on her family’s situation. Although physical attraction and amazing chemistry couldn’t stop their hands from wandering. But after the disappointment of her last relationship, Sugar wants to protect her heart- especially from sexy Z, who has a ‘heartbreak’ written on his forehead. Will she manage to keep her heart in check, when Z is determined to get Sugar in every possible way? And how will Z deal with his demons? As it turns out, not only Sugar carries the burden of the past. But Zack’s secret can quickly destroy what already blossomed between them.

My heart is so full of Z! He’s such a complicated man. On the one hand he oozes confidence and he’s cocky, but on the inside he’s really sweet. I couldn’t stand his internal fight with a guilt that kept him in its grip all the time. His mental struggle made him real. Despite his great plans and status, Zack simply wants to live his own life. Although there were moments of interaction with Sugar that irritated me and I would be happy to smack him in the head to make him wake up, I must admit that the moments of strange behavior had their ground. And Sugar is a real BFF material! She’s smart, stubborn and so adorably introverted! I admire her for her strength and drive, and for not taking the easy way when the opportunity appeared. She’s faithful to her beliefs and determined to achieve her goals on her own. Together, these two were a real perfection. Their relationship, though turbulent and intense, was also swoony and so delicious! The intimacy between them was incredibly hot! I couldn’t get enough of their sexy times! *fanning myself*

Ilsa Madden-Mills wrote college-sports PERFECTION. Boyfriend Bargain is emotional, steamy and captivating. The plot is addictive, characters are wonderful and there wasn’t a moment when I got bored. To recommend this book is not enough. I’m marking this story as a MUST READ!

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Boyfriend Bargain by Isla Madden-Mills is the story of college hockey player Zack Morgan and southern quirky girl Sugar Ryan. The two could not be more opposite, but after one hook up and a bargain offered from Sugar the relationship takes a turn neither saw coming.

I enjoyed reading the how the story between these two opposites played out. Both Zack and Sugar were very likable characters along with the secondary characters. At times the story felt a little drawn out, where I thought it could have been condensed but over all it was funny and heartwarming. If you like sports romance with a bit of humor and a lot of sexual tension then this is the book for you!

***5 ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’ Stars***

Even before reading the description, I was all in for this one because I’ve become a #fangirl of the authors, and despite the fun and flirty tone of the description I was prepared for some heaviness, some drama and definitely some angst to come into play but even I wasn’t totally prepared for all that was going on with both Sugar and Zack. I mean, the story is all kinds of sweet and smexy and the funny times are awesome (Totally #TeamEric) but man, those gut punches came hard and quick and the need to see how everything would play out was strong and kept me turning those pages until the very end.

I loved and adored Zack and Sugar, but man did these two have some demons to work through. Sugar is fiesty, sassy and yet still a total introvert, but when she decides on something she does follow through, even when it makes her highly uncomfortable. Zack has an air about him that screams confidence and though he is cocky, he backs it up with hard facts that you can’t deny. But beneath the confidence is a sweet and soulful man who just wants to live the life he wants. As for their demons, I’m not going to get into them ~ you just have to experience them for yourself ~ but they are pretty heavy and watching as they worked through their own issues, sometimes willingly, other times not so much, was rough but I loved where they were at with dealing with them in the end.

As for their ‘relationship’. They were never going to be ‘fake’ anything. Just gotta come out and say it. There was too much chemistry between Zack and Sugar for them to stick to any of the rules, especially the one about L-O-V-E., but did they both have a rough road to travel. There was so much going on with them and around them thanks to people who decided that they needed to put their 2 cents into the mix..the angst was high, but in the end I loved how they finally worked things out and got the HEA they deserved.

This one was definitely an emotional rollercoaster of a ride, but so worth it in the end as both Zack and Sugar come out strong for it, as well a few others that are apart of their lives. As for the supporting cast of characters Eric and Long John Silver were my favs, but Taylor, Poppy, Julia and Mara were not far behind and I wouldn’t mind if any, or all, of them got their own HEA’s down the road.

~ Copy provided by Social Butterfly PR & voluntarily reviewed ~

Mills brought the heat with her new sport romance high angst driven college romance Boyfriend Bargain.

In Boyfriend Bargain, Mills feature college hockey star, Zack. From afar Zack seems like your typical jock- a player, a golden boy who has it all. However, with just one glance, Sugar Ryan (loved, loved, loved the name) sees right through the jock act down to the root of this lost man struggling with grief and anxiety. Naturally, these two just mesh perfectly together even it’s only a bargain. Even though this is only supposed to be a surface level commitment between these two, Mills has other plans when she drives their chemistry through the roof creating some irresistible love scenes and makeout moments. Sugar and Zack’s chemistry is totally off the charts H-O-T!

While much of this book could be weighted down by the heaviness in the depth of characters, Mills also brings in a much lighter note with some extremely funny, witty and interesting side characters. Can I puh-lease get more Eric????

In the end, Mills manages to create yet another 5 star read that’s perfect for any college loving romance readers like myself. Between awesome characters and chemistry alone, this one deserves a shot a being on your kindle!