Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills returns with an all-new swoon-fest of a novel about what happens when you take a chance on love.Amazon Top 11 Bestseller; #1 SportsWanted: one hot guy with rock-hard abs and a big stick.Broke and desperate, Sugar Ryan has no use for arrogant, bad-boy athletes…until she’s forced to bargain with the cockiest of them all.If only he knew she … with the cockiest of them all.
If only he knew she was alive.
Her mission? Get on this hockey player’s radar any way possible.
Zack Morgan is the king of the ice and the bedroom, but nothing prepares him for the mystery girl who shows up everywhere he does–frat parties, his favorite bar, and finally his front door with an offer he can’t refuse. The only rule in her boyfriend bargain: no falling in love.
But after one (um, two) smoking-hot hookups, he’s done with pretending and vows to make their fake relationship real. Too bad she can’t trust a player with a reputation for breaking hearts.
Will this hockey star score his forever girl, or will this boyfriend bargain end in heartbreak?
“Who can turn down a bad boy hockey star with a big . . . stick? Zack is hot hot hot, and Sugar is the perfect blend of sweet and sassy! Their chemistry sizzles in Boyfriend Bargain!” ~Melanie Harlow, USA Today bestselling author
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Ilsa Madden-Mills’s latest novel, Boyfriend Bargain is pure perfection! I absolutely adored Sugar and Z’s story which took me on a whirlwind of emotions throughout. I laughed, I cried and my heart certainly broke but in the end, Madden-Mills soothed my soul with a beautiful HEA befitting these amazing characters who you will fall head over heels in love with.
The main characters are full of depth and layers. Z’s experiences were heartbreakingly real and as he dealt with his demons, I felt myself aching along with him. He’s powerful and strong but despite his college sports notoriety, he’s lonely and tired. He struggles with darkness that often overwhelms him and threatens his future as a hockey star. When he meets Sugar, the intense chemistry between them completely blindsides him. Sugar is unique and such a strong character. She has a singular focus and strives to succeed despite her difficult upbringing. I loved watching her come alive as she and Z spent more and more time together. In Sugar, Z found a grounding force he truly needed. She calmed and centered him. These two characters were meant to be together and Madden-Mills had no trouble convincing me of that from their first meeting. They are nuclear and their sex scenes are explosive. Z and Sugar will most certainly rock your world! But beyond the bedroom (and the closet, and the garage, etc, etc, etc), there is a tender, romantic side to Z that was unexpected. Trust me, you’ll swoon something fierce! And the banter…..oh the banter! I loved their dialogue—it was just so entertaining! Seriously, I loved these so hard!
Aside from the main characters, there were so many fun secondary characters that I hope we get more from in future books. Madden-Mills built a world that I’d love to see more of because it was so enjoyable. I really did love everything about this book. Madden-Mills hit this one out of the park! 5 stars
Could not have loved this story more…Z and Sugar are my new fave romance couple!
College hockey star, Zack “Z”, is NHL’s number one draft pick, a hearthrob and has the reputation of being a womanizer. Under the outward appearance and attitude is a down to earth guy who has his own struggles and a depth to him that he doesn’t let anyone see.
Sugar wants to get into the law school of her dreams and requires help from Z. Seeking him out leads to a very hot and steamy first meeting, but instead of enlisting his help, she ends up running in the opposite direction. A returned jacket, a knock on a door and a cherry pie later, the “boyfriend bargain” is struck…a deal with rules to keep things uncomplicated, but when things go from fake to real, things get as far from uncomplicated as you can get!
Things I know: Z will definitely be your next book boyfriend, the hot as hell sex scenes may melt your kindle, your heart is going to be broken, you may want to cry, you will swoon, and the epilogue will leave you smiling as everything gets tied it up in a beautiful, heartfelt, sigh-worthy bow!
This book was a perfect happy ever after. It was so cute and I loved it. The characters were great I loved how all of them not just the main ones were real and not just 2D so to speak. I also love the anxiety issue in the book wasn’t just brushed over and we saw not only Zack dealing with it, but Sugar too. I loved the plot, the story and the characters
If you want to read more from my review: https://abookhavenx.wordpress.com/2019/05/05/boyfriend-bargain-ilsa-madden-mills/
KU*
3.75 stars
I enjoyed story, it had very interesting story and I loved the characters. Sugar and Zack are completely different people with different goals, but find a common ground.
I really wanted to love this book, but everything started off a little odd for me; basically Sugar stalked Zack, a guy she never met and had plans for him to help her. I wanted to love Sugar but I couldn’t connect with her; it felt like we were supposed to sympathize with Sugar’s “sad” upbringing but in reality she was just a daughter to a single mother and she was poor. Her life didn’t seem terrible, it wasn’t easy or simple but it wasn’t horrible and she had someone who loved her to raise her. Zack on the other had some serious guilt about his old girlfriend and you could understand why once you read it, but his younger brother, Reece, was turd burger who didn’t really help him.
Again in this book it felt like Z was all in with Sugar, but Sugar was more into using him for her own needs then seemed to really dislike Z for making her like him. The book does improve but Sugar does act mostly like the victim in the story and Z was going through so much with his anxiety and the pressure to succeed. I loved Sugar and Z’s friends and how they tried to help their relationship.
I would love to know more about Julia, Sugar’s stripper roommate, and Eric, Z’s teammate.
This was a really lovely light relief read.
I was expecting it to be all about the steamy scenes, but it is so much more than that. There is a gripping story about two people who have a heartbreaking past. One is finding it hard to trust men after being let down by her ex-boyfriend and having watched her mum crave the attention of her absent father. The other has a dark secret that threatens to tear the new couple apart if they aren’t strong enough to deal with it and help each other through their sad and tragic pasts.
The story is really well-developed. The two protagonists have future individual goals, and nothing will get in the way of them achieving them. It has lots of ups and downs that keep the reader interested, and the sex scenes aren’t over the top or too in your face. They fit in nicely and serve the purpose at that juncture of the story.
The characters are really likeable; I really liked Sugar; she was so sassy and not as passive as I was expecting. When she is hiding behind the column at the very beginning, I got the impression that she was meek and shy. She is neither of these things. I loved the banter between her and Zack. As the story developed, you could really feel the passion between them.
This is the first book by Ilsa Madden-Mills that I have read and I think I am going to have to hunt down her back catalogue now!
Y’all this book is so freaking good. Two beautifully damaged souls coming together and make a wonderful story.
Z (Zack) and Sugar are wonderful characters who I have fallen so in love with. What started out as a “bargain” ended up with two people who deeply love each other. Of course we have ups and downs, mean girls and misunderstandings, hey it is college after all. And that gives us a great story that I absolutely loved. The authors writing is flawless and she told it perfectly. I highly recommend it!
Y’all this book is so freaking good. Two beautifully damaged souls coming together and make a wonderful story.
Z (Zack) and Sugar are wonderful characters who I have fallen so in love with. What started out as a “bargain” ended up with two people who deeply love each other. Of course we have ups and downs, mean girls and misunderstandings, hey it is college after all. And that gives us a great story that I absolutely loved. The authors writing is flawless and she told it perfectly. I highly recommend it!
*Review by Michelle
Sport Romances are my weakness and guilty pleasure. I am addicted to them in every sense of the word, and one can literally never go wrong in the sports romance department by reading an Ilsa Madden-Mills novel. Couple that with the fake relationship trope? My FAVORITE next to enemies to lovers?
Ya girl is a goner.
The Boyfriend Bargain, tells the story of Sugar and Z, two people from different sides of the collegiate tracks, who need each other–In an attempt to get into her dream Law School, Sugar concocts a plan to have Z as her pretend boyfriend in order to get in. Z isn’t the same guy as before and is tired of the parties and the random hook-ups, so when Sugar offers him to be her fake boyfriend–well it’s an offer he can’t refuse.
I loved this novel. I don’t really know what other words to say that will explain how much I smiled and swooned while reading this bad boy. Sugar and Z’s chemistry was literally off the charts. I could not for the life hold my heart captive after the first chapter because I was invested. I absolutely enjoyed and connected to Sugar, as she is determined heroine that goes after the things that she wants, however, she is written in such a way that you see both aspects of her determined-ness and the journey is took her personally to get to making decisions.
Z is THE dude on campus and honestly he doesn’t really care about his popularity status. To the outside world, Z is one of the best hockey players and a jackpot of good looks for the ladies…and that’s it. However, there is more to Z that a lot of people don’t know, and I felt like the character development and the depth that Ilsa brought to Z was nothing short of greatness.
This novel almost reads as a slow burn in the fact that you get to see their relationship evolve from being pretend to being a real tangible thing that shocks our main characters when the realize what has happened.
The Boyfriend Bargain is a contemporary sports romance that is steamy as it is deep. I highly enjoyed my time reading this and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a binge-worthy romance that will make you swoon and leave you wanting more!
This is one of the best novels which I have had the pleasure of reading this year! Sugar and Zack have undeniable chemistry between them, and their story is an emotional roller coaster ride throughout. This is a beautifully written flawless story which is filled with witty banter, drama, secrets, suspense, twists, and is a heart-warming and steamy read. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I cannot wait to read more from this talented author, whose work I highly recommend for all lovers of sport romances.
3.5 stars
“Zack Morgan is an inferno that will burn me up.”
Believe it or not, but Boyfriend Bargain was my first book by this author and I can’t believe I haven’t read any of her books before. Even though I had some minor issues with it, it was her writing style that pulled me in. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting.
This story is entertaining and although it has some great depth in there, it sometimes – if you really think about it – just scratched the surface. There are different things I wish the author would have dug deeper into. There are things that got lost along the way, that make me sad because I thought of them as essential part of the story.
The characters work perfectly together and I really do love the sidekicks. Hopefully we are seeing more of them!
“”I’m going to make you see stars.””
Boyfriend Bargain is an amusing and thoughtful story about young love, with endearing characters that easily could be turned into a successful chick-flick.
“I told her not to be afraid to fall … because I’m falling for her… so hard.”
These are the books I just absolutely love, college the such different characters and just that something that brings them together and just has you hooked from the first page.
I loved this story and loved the way it started with that prologue you just needed to know how this story was going to unfold.
I really liked Zack we always get these perfect broody sportsman but Zack was so different and reading his struggles of being the best and being a leader and that he just wanted to be the best but he also had his pressure and the past to deal with.
Sugar with a name like this I thought she was going to be an airhead or a little tart, but she was such a loving character and she just wanted to be loved and to be treated like she mattered.
I loved how this story started as a bargain and moved into so much more so quickly but not is at all as it seems and I just couldn’t put this book down. I loved the chemistry and the banter between Zack and Sugar.
I don’t want to give anything away but I really liked all the other characters in this book like Mara, Julia, Eric and even Reese.
If your looking for a college romance that’s steamy, great storyline and you can’t put it down then this is the book for you. Another amazing book from Isla Madden-Mills
5 Stars for this book and I wish I could give it more
I’ve been excited to read this one from Ilsa as I’m a big fan of Sports romances.
I’ve read my fair share but they’ve been mostly football players so a Hockey Player grabbed my attention, not to mention that cover is HOT!
For Zack Morgan Hockey is life it’s all he has dreamt about since he was young, making it Pro.
He’s a real Beauty on and off the Ice, loved by his Teammates, worshiped by the fans and desired by the female population.
I loved Zack his confidence was just so alluring. He knows exactly what he wants.
The vulnerable side of him is what drew me in the most though the real Zack under all the bravado.
Sugar Ryan has her dreams too, but to achieve hers she needs the help of the Star Hockey Player, She needs to make him an offer he can’t refuse if she can just capture his attention.
I just adored Sugar she’s sassy, smart, witty and a little geeky.
Her life hasn’t been easy but she’s determined to prove she can make it.
This book was a pleasure to read, it flowed perfectly and had some fantastic characters. From the hilarious banter to the smoking hot nooky, I loved it.
Zack and Sugar will take you on an intense emotional journey that will lure you in from the first chapter.
If a sexy ass Hockey player who knows exactly how to handle his stick intrigues you, then this is a book you need and I’m sure you’ll love just as much as me.
Fingers crossed Eric gets his book, that guy seriously cracked me up.
College Romance? Heck yes! Love love love this trope! Awesome book and story!
I loved this book. I could not put it down. Sugar and Zack are an excellent couple.
This story was everything that’s good about romance. I laughed. I cried. I swooned and I squirmed. Perfection
Ilsa is a one click author for me and stories like this one are why. She always gives me more in a story than I am expecting. This was no different.
Yes it’s a college sports romance but it’s about way more than that. I love how she handled real life subjects in a respectful and honest way.
Sugar and Zack were such a believable couple. Their banter. Their chemistry. Their moments of vulnerability. Gah! I am such a happy reader right now.
I am a giant hockey romance fan. There is just something about the players that intrigue me so much more than any other sport. Combine that with Ilsa Madden-Mills way to craft characters with so much spirit and chemistry and you have something truly special. I want to be friends with Sugar in the worst way! She is just so real and honest. Zack is everything I love in my hockey players – witty and cocky but soft and squishy deep down. Their story is a bit of a ride, but so so SO worth it. The story line had the chance to be cliché, but I can always count on this author to make it unique and fun.
Loved this book! Zack is the hot, hockey player with the reputation. Sugar, is beautiful, smart, and determined to get what she wants. When Zack and Sugar finally come face to face, there’s a pull between these two. These two agree to help each other out and while they enjoy some benefits. However, Zack decides he wants it to be real and is determined to make Sugar his. Zack and Sugar take you on wild, pulls at the heart-strings, adventurous journey. You won’t be able to not fall in love with Zack. Definitely worth the read, this is a fantastic story!!
I loved this boyfriend bargain! 5 stars
I loved this book! It captured me right from the beginning until the end. I enjoyed both lead characters – the quirky heroine Sugar who was afraid to love and had self doubt, and the alpha hockey player Zack who also had self doubt and anxiety but knew what he wanted. Their chemistry was instant, and I was rooting for them the whole time especially when things got angsty towards the end of the book. I have read several Ilsa Madden-Mills books, and this one is my favorite so far! I loved this fun, sexy, romantic new adult book with a little bit of hockey and I highly recommend it!
I absolutely loved Boyfriend Bargain!!! Such a wonderful college sports romance that packed one heck of an emotional punch! Z & Sugar will completely capture your heart – their fake relationship never stood a chance of staying fake, as the chemistry and connection between them was too hard for them to ignore (hello, the closet!). Everything about this book was amazing – definitely add it to your TBR!
This enthralling sports romance has it all!
Characters that will touch your heart, great banter and friendships and a whole lot of steamy moments!
I really got hooked on Zack and Sugar’s story! It touched on things we don’t usually talk alot about but When you find something you least expect to give you comfort, do you stay or run to avoid feelings?!
I really don’t know what more to say other than the author has written something truly beautiful with heart and I especially loved how it ended!
Boyfriend Bargain starts as just that but will a true friendship develop? Will the hidden moments of the past shed light on why both Zack and Sugar are the way they are and will the truth hurt or set them free??
Definitely a must read story that you wont want to put down!