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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I loved this book and I have yet to read a book by Ilsa that isn’t fantastic!! Z is my new favorite book boyfriend!!
“He kisses me, and it’s as if I’ve been waiting all night for this, since the moment his eyes found mine.”
I can not stress enough how much I absolutely LOVED Boyfriend Bargain. Ilsa Madden-Mills did not disappoint with this one! Everything about this story kept my interest from start to finish! It had wonderful character’s and fantastic banter. I hope this isn’t the last we see of these characters I would love to see Eric and Reece get their own story! I’m a sucker for sports romances and this one will go down as one of my favorites. It was a perfectly spun web of sexy, humorous, and complicated with ALL the feels. This story touched on all to real subjects and I really liked the author did that. Anxiety is something so many people struggle with and I admire the author for bringing that to light in this story. The chemistry between Suga and Z is seriously off the charts. They kept the sparks flying from the very first page until the very last. Their relationship was unconventional, yet so uniquely them. Everyone knows rules are meant to be broken. And when the number one rule is don’t fall in love. Is this the one rule that Suga and Z will break?
“She ticks all my boxes. She’s introverted and awkward and funny— everything I didn’t know I liked— and her luscious lips with that indentation on the bottom are made for kissing me.”
Suga is seriously one of my favorite heroines. I could one hundred percent relate to her introverted and shy ways. Being a Southern girl myself I LOVED her southern ways and even more southern vocabulary. Her name could not have been more fitting for her. Not only because her character is sassy and sweet, but because shes got a sweet tooth a mile long. A heroine after my own heart! Suga’s character is funny, independent, and determined. She knows what she wants in life and goes for it. She may have had a hard childhood but she by no means let the define her and I cant help but admire her character for that.
“Zack Morgan is an inferno that will burn me up. There’s something about him that makes me lose my breath. And that… that must not be allowed.”
Zach is one of those haunted hero’s that is out to steal your heart. I honestly loved his character from the start. Z definitely kept your Kindle pages on fire with his dirty mouth, and even dirtier ways. I loved that Z’s character was so complex, he was so much more than a hot body. When Z cranks up his charm, he knew just how to make a girl a girl SWOON. Haunted by the demons of his past. My heart broke for Z so many times. I loved he wasn’t affraid to be vulnerable and admit he was hurting. He wore his emotions in his sleeve and had a heart of gold.
“I cup her face and kiss her like she’s really mine, like she’s coming home with me like she’s dying for me to touch her just as much as I’m dying for her…”
*5 STARS*
Well earned for Boyfriend Bargain. It was everything I wanted and so much more. I can NOT recommend reading this book enough. It checks off all your romance read boxes. It is definitely going in my best reads of 2019 folder.
I’m a sucker for sports romances and this one is fantastic.
Zack, aka Z, Morgan is a star hockey player with the NHL in his future. Sugar Ryan is a southern girl who has her sights set on her dream law school.
Both Z and Sugar have issues, they are both struggling and they’re both a little broken. Their chemistry is undeniable and their banter is on point. There is so much more to both of them that meets the eye, parts of them they both keep hidden from a majority of the world.
Not only is this a sports romance, but it is also a fake relationship. Of course, like many fake relationship stories they pretend, they set rules, but those rules go out the window quickly. Sugar is reluctant to give into their chemistry, into how she truly feels thanks to her ex. Of course, this story is full of MANY kindle melting moments.
This story was entertaining, the characters have depth and evolved so much throughout the course of the story, it was steamy and it had a few funny moments. Not only were Z and Sugar great characters, but I felt all the secondary characters had some depth and were great additions to the story.
If you love sports romances or fake relationships or both this is a MUST READ book for you.
Will this hockey star score his forever girl, or will this boyfriend bargain end in heartbreak? 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.
I thoroughly enjoyed this YA hockey romance! Sugar had the perfect southern sass and Z was the perfect troubled boy in need of the right girl. You can’t help but root for these two as they journey towards their HEA. And the chemistry was just – WOW! Another great read from this author.
Boyfriend Bargain contains a man who is vulnerable and sweet, but also alpha and sexy as sin. This dichotomy is everything – absolutely everything!
This book was a glorious sports-new adult read. Front and center is Zach “Z” Morgan and his anxiety. Anxiety comes in many forms and hits all walks of life, regardless of social station, gender, race, etc… It is also linked to depression, suicide, drug usage, and so much more. Case in point – Z Morgan, the captain of the HU hockey team, already drafted to the NHL, men want to be him, girls just want him, he shouldn’t have a care in the world…but he suffers from panic attacks and is riddled with anxiety. This vulnerability, this flaw in his god like character is so human and very relatable. Like so many people, he tries to bury his issues, his flaws, living his “best life” for everyone else to see, while hiding in plain sight.
“If people discover I have real issues with anxiety, I’m done in the NHL, all my dreams destroyed.”-Z
Z goes to parties because his teammates, well basically everyone, expect him to make an appearance. He hates going. He hates the crowds. He hates the attention. He hates being fawned over. But, he cares about his friends, his teammates, his school, so he continues to go. Can this man be any sweeter?
Sigh…
Sugar Ryan is hard-headed, driven and basically shys away from anything emotional. It’s what she grew up with – a mother who lead with her emotions – and Sugar won’t go down that path. Add in her recent ex who gave her a bitter taste for the opposite sex and Sugar really has no time for men in her life. However, when she needs an in for getting into her choice of law schools, Zack Morgan is her only chance.
“This crazy, harebrained idea will never work. Plus, I don’t have time for over-the-top, testosterone-driven superstar athletes. Until now, that is.”-Sugar
What she doesn’t want is complications or emotions tied into a boyfriend situation. So when Z agrees to a contract when he actually says yes to her fake boyfriend situation, Sugar couldn’t be happier. Law is her forte and rules make her giddy. With a contract in place there are no emotions and no one will get hurt. Easy peasy.
The more time Sugar and Z spend together, the more Z doesn’t want to let her go, but Z has a secret that could destroy the bond they’ve created. They may have begun because of a bargain, but could end with more, unless secrets and emotions destroy them both?
Oh my god! Ilsa Madden-Mills has done it once again! I have been a huge fan since her very first book and she continues to blow me away. This book is everything! It’s a rollercoaster ride. Witty banter, amazing secondary characters, heartbreak, loss and love.
I don’t want to give anything away but I promise you will love Z and Sugar! This is definitely one of my favorite books this year! I’m hoping for more books about this crew.
5 amazing stars!!
Sugar has her future all mapped out, but when the prestigious college only offers her the wait list for law school she becomes desperate. Desperate times calls for desperate measures, so she devises a plan…..date hot hockey player already signed by the NHL, Zack and he will pave the way to her getting into school. Sounds easy enough, but when fake feelings turn into so much more will both of their futures ? Once you start this book you will not be able to put it down. Between the comical interaction between Sugar and Zack to the emotional overload they both go through this was a great read.
An emotional roller coaster! I absolutely loved Sugar, the heroine in this book and her perseverance, independent nature and drive. She was a breath of fresh air for a romance novel! Her counterpart, “Z” was book boyfriend material from the get go! He was broken, grieving and hiding it all while in the spotlight. No one truly knew his pain until Sugar came along and they made a mutually beneficial arrangement.
We all know how “fake” relationships pan out in these types of books so I won’t get into how perfectly it ended but I will say that I loved the slow progression of their feelings and trust in each other. I adored how Zack treated Sugar, despite the secrets he kept.
This was absolutely one of the best sports romance reads this year! Just enough hockey to keep me interested but it was so much more than that! The topic of mental illness was written so well by the author and I thought she articulated his struggles realistically and honestly. A solid and captivating read by Ilsa Madden-Mills!
College sports romance- YES PLEASE!!! A fantastic read!
Hot. Sexy. The perfect read to get summer kicked off!
Boyfriend Bargain was definitely more than what I bargained for. It is an emotional ,angsty and heartbreaking love story. Ilsa Madden-Mills created such a beautiful tale of two broken yet perfect souls. I loved each and every moment of it!
Zack , the celebrity ice hockey player of Hawthorne University has a lot of things on his plate and he is struggling. His traumatic past is tearing him apart and his future is in line. Enter Sugar. An adorable girl as sweet and soft as her name but with a spine of steel and sassy intelligent mind. She needs Zack for entering law school and they have a deal.But soon they start needing each other for surviving life in general. And then Sugar comes to know a devastating secret that may tie her to Zack’s past. Zack goes off the rail and Sugar’s heart breaks into pieces before Zack can explain himself.
In Boyfriend Bargain, Ilsa Madden-Mills switched from witty,flirty and sexy mode to brooding, poignant and agonizing mode with incredible agility and finesse. My heart didn’t know how to keep up with the hits by the clever and engaging storyline.
Zack is the perfect combination of delicious things those make a guy irrestible. Great body, great hair, compassionate heart and the right shade of vulnerability to make him real. Sugar complemented him brilliantly. The dazzling sizzling chemistry between them was amazing. The banter, the heat, the friendship and the deep bond of caring and sharing- everything was on point. They helped each other to overcome the obstacles and fight for the demons they had inside.
Ilsa Madden-Mills will not spare your heart from hurting for Zack and Sugar. But she will also heal it with the wonderful and sensational love story.
Received ARC for Honest Review
Gah!! Ilsa Madden Mills has the magic touch! Her books are sexy, filled to the brim with banter to die for and characters you can’t get enough of. Furthermore, the swoony moments always have me smiling from ear to ear while reading. Boyfriend Bargain was no different as I could not get enough of Zach and Sugar and their combustible chemistry and strong emotional connection.
When Hawthorne University’s Hockey team Captain aka tool of the century, Zach Morgan, is propositioned by Sugar Ryan in an offer he can’t refuse, he never could have expected the sassy and sexy pre-law student to bring him to his knees. But with past emotional baggage and deep, dark secrets between them, their boyfriend bargain may bomb right before their eyes!
You guys!! This story was so delicious!! Zach was hot and delicious af. He was strong, assertive and knew what he wanted. The sexual chemistry between them sizzled off the pages. I love how Sugar knew what she wanted and went for it. She was strong and never pulled her punches with Zach. She gave as good as she got. At times, I did feel like her stubbornness was frustrating but I enjoyed her connection with Zach and comraderie with their group of friends.
While I loved Zach and his rugged alpha male personality, I loved how Mills masterfully portrayed his anxiety and mental health issues realistically. Despite not loving the “secret” he kept from Sugar (and how incredibly hurtful it was for her) I did love that he was an OTT alpha who was also deliciously human and subject to pain and deeper emotions. He faced his own demons and darkness and came out on top. Overall this was a great story with an underlying message of hope and perseverance. Bravo! 4.5 stars! ~Ratula
Boyfriend Bargain was such a great read, I loved it! Zack was sexy and swoony. Sugar was sweet and sassy. Z and Sugar had sizzling chemistry and of course scorching sexy scenes! I loved loved them together! Definitely a must read!
This is my second ARC from Ms. Ilsa Madden-Mills, and both are sports-romance. I was so stoked when I got an email notification about receiving an ARC.
Lately I’ve been veering towards new-adult/young-adult romance and this one came in just the right time… and being a hockey fan myself, I was very excited to start the book.
If you’ve read the blurb, you’ll probably already have an idea of how the story would go—you start off pretending to be together and eventually end-up falling in love for real…
I’ve read tons of books with the same storyline—it’s a romance classic! I always eat that $h¡t up because I’m a huge romantic sap… I’m a sucker for butterflies and happy-endings… it never gets old… (sigh…)
This is the story of Sugar and Zach. Both go to Hawthorne University and both met at a frat party… Zach is a college hockey superstar… Sugar is a pre-law student who was waitlisted at the law school of her dreams… and both are in deep battle with each of their personal demons… both beautifully broken in their own way.
I love the story! I enjoyed reading their journey… It’s not your typical shallow, eye-roll inducing sports romance… It has heart. It’s funny, slightly angsty, sweet and sexy… the characters were relatable— both as a couple and as individuals. The flow was great and the cover is scorching! It made me have heart-eyes, lol.
This book will teach you about resilience… about letting go, taking risks and most importantly forgiveness.
If you’re a fan of Jamie McGuire, Allie Everhart and LJ Shen— then this is the book to pick up next!
I am completely blown away by this book!! I thought I knew what to expect after reading the blurb. But I didn’t. Boyfriend Bargain is just so perfectly written. Ilsa Madden-Mills gave her characters, Z and Sugar, a story packed full with so many emotions. They are both struggling, in their own ways, to deal with things from their past. Mad props to this author and her ability to make me feel all the feels that these 2 characters went through. Along with the raw emotions that had me shed a tear or two, there were moments that had me laughing and dang there are some seriously hot AF sexy times. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!!
Exceptionally Well Written. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book and I am very lucky that I was given the chance to read it. Ilsa Madden-Mills has pulled me into another of her books. Ilsa made me fall in love with Zach a star Hockey player who has a tragic past which tears at his heart and soul. Zach meets Sugar who need him to do her a favor, the only thing is she needs to get enough courage to talk to him and to ask him to be her fake boyfriend. They find that they have a mutual attraction, but they may find more than they bargain for. I think I may have found my new book boyfriend.
I found this book; Romantic, funny, easy-to-read, entertaining, page-turner, HEA.
Ilsa Madden-Mills has a great way of making rich and enjoyable characters. I highly recommend this book.
What happens when you are forced to face your past? For two people like Sugar and Z, that challenge is a journey – one that is not easily overcome. When Sugar first thinks of approaching Z with her boyfriend bargain, all she wants is to feel good enough. When Z agrees to her proposition, he sees potential – both with her and as an option to focus solely on hockey. Neither of them expect to find love or realize that hope for their future has driven away their demons. The Boyfriend Bargain is a departure from Ilsa Madden-Mills other stories but shows again why she is so great at her craft – emotions, steam-worthy scenes, and sprinkled in comic relief make this another 5-star read!
I devoured this book in one sitting in a few hours because I just couldn’t put it down.
There are many sports romance out there but only a few that I’ve read had me on the edge with so many feelings from hot and bothered to internal screaming because I read it at work and I needed a drink or two plus a lot of tissues for either the laugh out loud moments that had my face hurting or for the angsty moments that made me cry and have my heart broken up for Z in so many ways and moments.
The past it’s not easy to forget and for some people, it’s even harder when that past can’t be changed or redeemed and for a senior student can be even harder with all the pressure of their daily lives and accomplishments required.
Zach and Sugar are such a great and perfect match in every possible way and their chemistry and banter, their feelings and anger and angst were felt in full from the story told with each page turned.
I can’t write a proper review or one that will make Justice to this book because it’s that great and everyone must read it.
I also hope to have Reece book as well as Eric’s one.
Y’all!!! I am a sucker for sports romance!!! This book here, Boyfriend Bargain, is at the top of my list. Gosh, all the feels!!!! Be sure and leave yourself plenty of time to read this. Trust me, you won’t want to put it down!!!