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 was completely addicted to this book and could not put it down. I was so in love with Zack and Sugar. My heart broke for both of them for different reason. I love their connection. If you love college romance, a book about healing and honesty and love then this book is for you.
It has great chemistry with Zach and Sugar, real friends, a few twists and gives all the feels of characters you can fall in love with!
A great book to me makes me want to love those around me and make an effort so they know they are special. This book is SPECIAL and does that for me. Thank you to Ilsa Madden- Mills for this amazing book!
All the Stars for Boyfriend Bargain! Ilsa killed it again. Add this to your must read list because Z is pure hotness.
Wow. I’m seriously in love with Z & Sugar! I love that they’re both drawn to each other, but to fully be happy they both have to work through their pasts. I relate to Z so much! I love that Ilsa made her Hero the one with the tough emotional battle.
I didn’t want to stop reading!
What can you say about an author that ALWAYS brings her “A-game”, giving you characters that you can easily identify with, empathize with, and fall completely in love with? About the only thing that comes to my mind is one word > PERFECTION! Ilsa Madden-Mills slays it with this offering of a troubled star ice hockey player and a smart, sassy, sensitive young woman trying hard to create a better life for herself than the one she grew up in. Their chemistry is instant and explosive. The fireworks fly, but the baggage these two bring with them is heavy and hard to handle. Can they overcome their demons? This book grabbed me and didn’t let go until the end. Once again, about all that came to mind was one word > PERFECTION! Yet another fabulous read from this incredibly talented author. I hope you love it as much as I do!
5 Stars!
Sugar Ryan is a 21 yr. old southern girl from Alabama who is attending collage at one of the most prestigious, expensive schools in the midwest. Hawthorne University is located in the small town of Sparrow Lake, in Minnesota. Sugar has worked hard for everything she has, and is in her senior year of pre-law when she realizes she needs some help to make her dreams come true. She doesn’t date bad boy athletes, but she’s desperate, and feels her school’s hockey star is the key to getting everything she wants. The only problem is he doesn’t know she exists, so her mission is to get herself on his radar and make a bargain with him. She’s an introvert, so she just has to work up the nerve to introduce herself to him, and make her move.
Zack Morgan is known as the king of the ice as the number one pick in the NHL. He’s captain of the Hawthorne University hockey team, and has a reputation for being a player and a heartbreaker. Lately he’s been too in his head, and in a dark place where he’s caught up in the past. Everyone depended on him to be the best, and he was tired of all the pressure and attention. He just wanted to be left alone. Then he meets a beautiful mystery woman that he finds intriguing and irresistible. She’s everywhere he turns lately, and she seems to be watching him. When they finally meet she has a unique proposition for him. One that will allow him to focus on school and winning the National Championship.
Zack agrees to an arrangement with Sugar with set rules. The main rule in the boyfriend bargain is no falling in love. They will keep things simple, and keep emotions out of it. That’s easier said than done when a connection forms between them. They are drawn to one another, and their chemistry is explosive. One touch and Z can’t resist her. Soon she’s consuming him completely. There’s just something about her, and he’s never felt this way before. A couple steamy encounters, and all their plans of pretending are shot. Their fake relationship starts to feel real, and everything quickly gets complicated. Will they stick to the deal, or decide to take a chance on love?
Boyfriend Bargain by Ilsa Madden-Mills is a sexy standalone hockey romance full of delicious banter and intense heat. It is an emotional, fabulous story I couldn’t put down. Ilsa has become one of my go to authors and one of my favorites I love to read! This story was no different. It completely captivated me and was an easy 5 stars for me. These characters were beautiful and this story was addictive! I adored Z, and would also love a book for Eric! <333
There’s nothing better than losing yourself between the pages of a good romantic book. Ilsa is an author who never disappoints me and is an automatic one click for me.
Zach is the star hockey player on campus he’s one step away from the big time. Sugar is an aspiring law student who needs his hell to get into the college of her dreams.
This story is about so much more than sports. It touches on some very real life issues. Zach may come across as the typical cocky sports star however as the story develops we learn who he really is. Sugar was a fun character to read she’s a delightful mix of fun vulnerable and determined.
I adored Sugar and Zach as a couple. They have insane chemistry and witty banter. What I liked the most was the very real believable friendship they built.
Another well written book with characters I believed in and a storyline I loved.
reviewed by Sweet Spot Sisterhood
I cannot say how much I loved this book. Z and Sugar, oh man there are no words. The banter back and forth between the two was so strong and I was literally laughing out loud at so many parts.
Z is not your typical hotshot jock. He has a depth to him that makes you want to reach into your Kindle and hug him all while rooting for him.
Sugar makes you want to be her best friend. She owns her issues and isn’t a damsel. *grabs my top self tequila to join her for a drink*
And holy cr*p, can we talk about how steamy this book is??? Like oh man, melt my Kindle.
There’s a sprinkling of insta-love tossed in but not in the way you would think and it done so beautifully. Seriously standing up to slow clap for Ilsa right now. Love, love, loved it.
This wasn’t what I expected and I loved every minute of it!! Zack “Z” Morgan aka heartbreaker, is one of the college hockey player’s biggest assets. He is headed to the NHL hopefully, if they don’t find out about his anxiety attacks! After a game win he goes to a fraternity party where he sees a mysterious and gorgeous girl named, Sugar Ryan, that reminds him so much of someone he lost. There is just something about her that has him wanting to know more.
Sugar need help and thinks Zack is just the hockey star to help her. She has a plan. If she is his fake girlfriend maybe it will help her get into Vanderbilt Law school. Can this really work? They both need a favor from each other but sometimes plans don’t always go as we expect them to go. This is a great romantic comedy and I loved the connection these characters have. I loved all the banter back and forth plus the side characters are hilarious! Told in dual POV
I loved this book not just because it’s well written with fantastic characters but it dives deeper into real world issues and shows the power we hold over ourselves.
Let me back up, the main characters, Zack and Sugar are both lovable and sexy. They are nothing alike yet in classics opposites attract they are perfect together. She’s a geek southern girl from the wrong side of the track but I never felt she was weird or as awkward as she thought. And neither did Zack, swoon. Zack is a ice hockey star who’s cocky, popular and well off, but again he was not a typical hot shot everyone assumed he was. Their eyes might have been the spark that drew them together but it’s who they are that ignited them, every time. And it’s blazes HOT!
The secondary characters were great, I especially loved Z’s friend Eric. A fun, but down to earth, fantastic best friend, I hope he gets a book!
Insert the drama, the past that follows them. Without spoilers all I’ll say is they have things that were heart breaking, especially to each other. And how they dealt with them was not easy. This is a HEA so no worries, romance for the win!
I was so excited for this one because the blurb sounded so amazing and it was!! way beyond my expectations even! I loved this book. Ilsa writes some of my favorite college romances and her banter is just everything, some of the best out there and this book was even better then her previous ones.
I loved both main characters so much and basically all side characters too, everyone had a pretty important role in the story and I really enjoyed it. The whole group was amazing and when they were all together it was just so damn fun!
What I loved even more? The angst! Oh damn, was Zack angsty and I loved that. He had demons and he had to work through them in order to get his life straight. He had a few bumps along the day but he was so strong and brave to put it all out there. I really loved him. Sugar also had her own issues with her ex-boyfriend, having no ‘family’ and a couple other things that popped up. And this girl was just fierce, I loved her quirkyness and how she did not care what others thought of her. Give me some of that girl!
Zack and Sugar were absolute fire from the very first second they talk and gah, I just combusted along with them. Their banter, their sexy times, dayum… you guys need to meet them! I loved that the story wasn’t just that though, it had depth on all sides, there were past relationships and things that happened in the past that needed to be worked out with side characters, there were problems that arose…there was so much in this book and I think it all contributed to how amazing this book truly was. I cannot recommend it enough. If you love sports, college, fake relationship romances and an awesome group of friends, this is a book you cannot pass up! Honestly, I would recommend it just for Zack and Sugar but there is so much more that makes this book a solid five stars read…You need this book in your life, you just do!
“I’m going to make her mine. She just doesn’t know it yet.” – Z
When Sugar Ryan is set on finding another way into the grad school of her dreams, the idea of getting into a fake relationship with the popular hockey team captain and sex-throb Z Morgan, quickly turns into a complicated situation. Sugar’s attraction and ease of being with Z, soon gives way to insecurities but not without hesitation stemmed from her past. But, when Z wants something, he will do whatever it takes to keep the “fake” girlfriend, including confronting his inner-demons and fighting for ‘them.’ But Will it be enough?
“There’s something going on between us that’s…I don’t know…interesting. I knew it the moment I saw you…I want you.” – Z
Z and Sugar’s story gave so much feels, that I have a need to see more of the two in subsequent books of the series (hopefully)! Overall, I found Ilsa Madden-Mills fake relationship, sports romance to be steamy, angsty, and great world building of Hawthorne University. I look forward to reading additional novels by the author.
Ilsa Madden-Mills
It was everything I needed in a book at the moment. I was in a book rut and this really helped. I loved Sugar and her obsession with donuts and really anything sugar. It wasn’t even an event if she didn’t bring a donut. Zack thought he made me feel all the feels. He pissed me off so much but at the same time making me feel so sad for him. I could also really relate to him with his anxiety. I loved the book and these characters. It was also extremely spicy so…….
Loved it.
I found this book emotional and compelling between Zack and Sugar.
After agreeing to a fake relationship for one month,the connection between them becomes stronger and they unepectedly fall for one another even when they agreed they wouldn’t.
I really appreciated Ilsa Madden Mills addressing mental health issues within this story,I could absolutely relate with Zack and the troubles he had as I experience what he did in this book.
Of course nothing goes to plan with the bargain they made with one another,as they both have issues they need to deal with and a ghost from Zacks past threatens to ruin the new relationship they are begining to develop.
This is a fantastically detailed story, and yes I did cry it was romantic and poignant and supper sexy,I adored reading it.
I highly recommend it.
5 Stars
My new favorite author! I cannot stop reading! It’s easy to binge read when you are so attached to the story. This one really sucked me in!
I read this book in one sitting, then read it again. It really stuck with me. I loved Zack and Sugar’s story so much.
Zack is a little bit broken and the anxiety he suffers from is dealt with in a really organic and realistic way. It also serves to highlight how badly young men and sport stars can struggle and the pressures they’re under.
Sugar is a sweet and strong heroine who has her own reasons for needing Zack’s help and together they make the perfect match, challenging each other along the way.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but the HEA is perfect.
Ilsa Madden-Mills
Hockey
Wounded Hero
She does it again! How does Ilsa Madden-Mills produce all these winners? Does she sacrifice virgins to writing gods?
Sugar Ryan needs Zack Morgan, but not for the same reason everyone else on campus wants him. She’s trying to get into Law School at Vanderbilt, for some reason, despite her exemplary school record, she’s been turned down again and again. However, the Dean loves hockey, and Zack is the latest draft pick for the hometown team. Their plan is foolproof as long as no one falls in love.
Boyfriend Bargain is steamy. Z is naughty, and Sugar is hotness guaranteed, and together they set your book on fire.
This book was clearly meant to kick off a stalled series in the water, but this book is still worth reading, although book two is still coming.
This book is for fans of Ilsa Madden-Mills and Sara Ney.
Ilsa Madden-Mills
Sara Ney
All the feels
If there was a way to wrap Z up and keep him in my pocket, man, I would in a heartbeat. He gave me all the swoon. And him and Sugar together… sigh.
Such beautiful themes in this book, far beyond any so called fake boyfriend books that I’ve read. Because there’s nothing better than Hope.
I seriously wanted to punch Veronica though, I won’t even lie.
Either way, this was amazing, well worth the wait!
Boyfriend Bargain was a great fake relationship, hockey romance. Sugar and Z both had complex pasts, and I loved their chemistry.
I love the cover. It’s absolutely gorgeous and I love NA sports books. I love the angst, chemistry, sexy scenes and the connection between the characters. There’s a pull between Zach and Sugar from the beginning.
I highly recommend this book.
Sugar needs a favor so she formulated a plan to meet Zack, the star hockey player. He notices her following him a nd calls her out at a party. They end up having an incredible, unexpected hook up. Sugar is coming off a breakup and Zack is dealing with personal issues. Eventually, she shares with him her boyfriend bargain. Pretend to be her fake boyfriend in hopes of snagging a spot at Vanderbulit. They come to an agreement, but lines become blurred as they spend more time together. But, Zack is keeping a secret from his past that threatens their future. Overcoming past hurts of infidelity, insecurities, and moving on from “her plan”, Sugar has to come to grips with the fact that she has been holding back. You can literally feel their connection and love coming off the pages of this book. Isla writes hot AF sports romances with alpha males and the women with incredible grit they fall in love with. There is always the angst that unfolds and has your heart tripping.
Zack:
“Sugar, I’m sorry, so damn sorry I couldn’t come to you sooner and didn’t tell you the moment I knew I should have. I was just so scared. I tremble at the idea of you rejecting me because I’ve never felt this way about anyone in my whole f*cking life, and I know I’m f*cked up and I need help and I know you get me. You get me, and I can’t live without you. I can’t.” My words are running together and my face is wet and hers is too and…and I can’t wait. I tilt her face up and kiss her.