WSJ bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills returns with an all-new, enemies-to-lovers second chance romance between the football hottie and the feisty nerd girl he can’t forget. I want you . . . even when I hate you. 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.… 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.
Brainy 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?
*Steamy and flirty with all the emotional feels, I Hate You is a new adult standalone romance.
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A flirty and feisty second chance college sports romance with feels, a scorching hot couple that burned my Kindle screen, once they got their heads out of their prospective posteriors…For me? A pet bird stole the show and made me giggle incessantly, while Charisma and Blaze figured things out and mostly had me screaming at them through the kindle. Intermingled with blunders and misunderstandings, I was completely committed to seeing these two end up together but never having any idea if they would or not!! Fun, sinfully hot, and romance in spades, I absolutely loved it!! I thank the Author for providing a copy to review!!!
“I’m taking this chance…I also know I’m flying close to the sun, brushing at the flame he is, but is life worth living if I give up on the most precious thing I’ve ever held in my hands?
I don’t know where to start. The writing was excellent. Sure the plot has been done before but trust me when I say you won’t even notice because the characters were perfect. Even the side characters came to life.
I fell in love with Blaze almost immediately. He’s definitely swoonworthy and a candidate for my favorite book boyfriends list. Who can have just one, right? I felt his struggles in sorting out all his confusing feelings. He can’t seem to put his feelings into words.
[I have feelings for her, scary f***ing feelings that keep me awake at night. Like wanting to burn sh** down to make her happy. Like being willing to walk across scorching hot coals just to hold her in my arms.]
Charisma (didn’t care for that name much), is definitely on my list of favorite female characters. She’s also struggling but in a different way. She’s afraid to give him the last piece of her. All she’s had was her parents for relationship role models.
[He’s everything. He’s everything I never knew I wanted . He’s perfection wrapped in a dark, deep lake, and I ache to swim in those waters, to discover his secrets and let him delve into mine.]
And the two together? Perfection! I just adored these two and chemistry was smokin’.
[I wanted to be his.
“I’m not your type, remember?”
He never moves his gaze from me.
“You were fire in my hands.”]
I was completely invested in every word of every conversation, every laugh and every tear. These two characters brought me joy. That doesn’t happen with most books these days.
I know I will be re-reading this book over and over. Cell phones will be embedded in our heads and I will be re-reading this book with my brain – that’s how much I loved it. It might just be my favorite book of 2019. Anyway, I don’t give out five stars often. I’m very hard to impress but this is definitely a five star for me and I will happily recommend it to anyone who will listen. Read it!
Charm is one tough woman. She is bound and determined to get over Blaze, and seeing him again is the last hurdle.
Blaze is doing what he thinks needs to be done. His life is football, and it’s the only thing he can count on.
These two have a chemistry that you can feel through the pages. They are trying to deny the pull they feel when they are around each other, but the sparks keep flying. The only problem is that they both have their walls built so high, it’s going to take a lot of effort and a wrecking ball to bring them down.
I loved this story. It told the true realities of childhood trauma. What happens when you are younger truly affects who you are as an adult and has a way of altering you. The journey these two took to get their HEA wasn’t easy and it was emotional. Changing your mindset is something that takes time, but they both proved that it can happen.
As always, Ilsa has included some of our favorite secondary characters and on of my favorite book pets, Vampire Bill. They added the right amount of humor, shenanigans, and fun to the story. I can’t see who gets the next book!
– An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
Blaze Townsend is the football player from Waylon University that broke Charisma Rossi’s heart…in front of all her friends!!! They HATE each other…but do they really? Blaze wants his career to take off and he can’t have any distractions, that includes the one girl that was getting under his skin. I really enjoyed Blaze and Charisma’s story even though I wanted to yell at them at times lol. Blaze has been through so much as a child and just wants to make something of himself. Can these two ever get on the same page? If you like YA college romance then you will enjoy this cute, funny romance. Told in dual POV
I Hate You is my second read from this author and I’m slowly getting addicted to her brand of writing sexy, steamy, with a dash of sassy, new adult, sports romance. And this book right here ticks all those boxes in spades!
The story starts with Charisma hating Blaze for dumping her in front of her friends during her sorority party. It shouldn’t felt like she had been gutted. After all, it was only few weeks of hooking up and meaningless flirtation, but it felt more than that. Blaze felt the same. He was scared of falling too fast, too soon with football season looming in the horizon. So, he did what he had to do. And boy, did it hurt. Both tried to move on for months, but during one party they both attended, it seems fate has other plans for these two.
I love the snarky interaction, heated back and forth of these characters. Their witty comebacks are just gold! I snorted and laughed too many to count! Most especially, I love seeing a guy who acts all macho like, man whore extraordinaire but hides a troubled mind and past that he only shows to the girl he loves. I love how both of them slowly worked to take down the walls that guard their hearts and let the person in. Given their pasts and disappointments they’ve experienced, these two had a long way to travel before they learn to trust again. Their journey to love is arduous, filled with regrets, guilt, distrusts, pain and betrayal, but isn’t love worth it all?
Overall, I have enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it! To those who love enemies-to-lovers, second chance, sports romance, this book is for you!
This is my first Madden-Mills novel. Man, glad I found her. This love / hate, college romance was so well done. The author knows her subject matter well. She made me feel the insecurities of these young adults. The hurts that can stay with you for a long time from others in your young life. And the joy that caring can bring when you open up and let someone who cares deeply into your life. I’m looking forward to adding more Madden-Mills novels to my TBR list!
This story is a prime example of the fact that there is a very fine line between love and hate. When Blaze does the unthinkable, can he even stand a chance at getting Charisma to forgive him? No spoilers; this is one of those stories which needs to be read! This is a beautifully written story which has a tad drama and angst, and is and emotional and humorous read. I was totally enthralled throughout and highly recommend this gifted authors’ work for all.
There is such a thin line between love and hate. A line which can be easily crossed, especially if you convince yourself that you really hate someone you truly love. But that’s the kicker, right? Sometimes love hurts, but you hope it will be worth the risk? And what happens if you’ve never experienced love before? Is your heart breaking yet? Yeah, thanks, Ilsa Madden-Mills. You got me on all the feels.
Charm and Blaze appear to me to be diametric opposites. And yet, you put them in the same room and they’re drawn to each other like magnets. They each have their own baggage (in different forms), but the true question is if they’ll be able to put aside their self-imposed blinders and see what they had and could have is truly worth the risk.
If you’re into NA/Contemporary romance, football players, and feisty heroines, then this is a perfect book for you. I finished this book while mid-flight and actually fist pumped and let out a whoop. Totally not ashamed; it was worth it!
5 Blaze Of Glory Stars.
Ilsa Madden-Mills knows how to write fantastic sports romance stories. Each time I read one I fall in love with her characters and her writing style. Her stories are effortless and a pleasure to read. I know I’m in for a treat whenever I start one.
I Hate You is Fun, Flirty and Damn Well Dirty, it’s everything I love from this genre and I devoured it in one sitting.
I absolutely fucxing love Blaze he comes across as the big man on and off the pitch. He’s popular and cocky. At times he oozes confidence but his vulnerability cut me open. His struggles were real and difficult and I loved him even more for never giving up.
Charisma is a little badass who’s slightly broken herself but shes a tough little cookie.
Ilsa writes her females with smart sassy mouths which never fail to make me laugh my ass off. I love a quirky girl who can stand up for herself and isn’t a pushover.
Loved this story so much it had plenty angst, humour and heat to leave a lasting impression. Another touch down for sure.
I know I might be in the minority here but I don’t care. I still want Archer to get his story. Love him or hate him he’s an intriguing guy with a lot of issues. I for one want to understand him better.
“I bask in his touch like a flower who needs the rain after a long drought.”
Ilsa Madden-Mills did not disappoint with I Hate You. We are back at Waylon University and I could not be more excited. I am a sucker for a good enemies to lovers romance they are one of my favorite troupes to read. With fall and football season quickly approaching I loved this book had plenty of that sports troupe also. It was just the read I needed right now. This book was the perfect combination of hate, humor, and desire. Charisma and Blaze made for a explosive combination. They had chemistry for days, and walls that went on for miles. Their love hate relationship made for great banter and witty comebacks! While there chemistry sizzled from the pages of your kindle! In usual Ilsa fashion I found myself loving secondary characters as much as the main. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I want more of Dillion. *wink wink*. I also really enjoyed getting little glimpses of Penelope and Ryker. And we can’t forget Vampire Bill, god I love that bird. He never fails to make me smile. If I had any complaints it would be that I wanted MORE!
“I just need to… forget her. Forget those big eyes. Forget how she makes me laugh. Move on.”
Charisma was such a easy heroine to relate too! I absolutely adored her character. She was charming, witty, and smart. She was a little nerdy and I liked that. I loved her straight forward attitude, what you see is what you got with her. She knew what she wanted, and didn’t settle for less. Charisma was also insecure and vulnerable and I admired her character for it.
“Ugh. He’s a sparkly, sexy unicorn. And everyone wants to ride him.”
Blaze quickly ran a touch down on my heart. I could not get enough of his complicated character. His character was so much more than the player football star. He was charming, guarded, and determined. I loved he was far from perfect and owned his flaws. He did not let his past own him and strived to over come it. I would be lying if I said Blaze didnt melt me with his dirty mouth, and alpha ways.
“He’s everything I never knew I wanted. He’s perfection wrapped in a dark, deep lake, and I ache to swim in those waters, to discover his secrets and let him delve into mine.”
*4&1/2 STARS*
If you are looking for a read full of romance, humor, and Football. Then I can NOT recommend this book enough. It was a fast paced read that balances the line of love and hate perfectly. With a added mix of giggles that does your heart good.
5 I-see-you-always stars!! Bloody amazing read! Just so gorgeous, sexy and emotional.
“He’s everything. He’s everything I never knew I wanted.”
Charisma Rossi, short nerd girl with a mischievous streak. When it comes to guys, she has rules that keep her heart safe. Except for one guy who slipped under her guard, but then they were over before they had even really begun. Three months later, she’s girding herself to come face-to-face with him. It’s much harder than she anticipated and not least because he’s making it difficult for her to ignore him.
“You were fire in my hands.”
Blaze Townsend is a player. One of the stars of the football team with movie-star looks and charm for days. When it comes to girls, he likes to keep things simple because he lives, eats and breathes football. Charisma is not his usual type – and therein lies the problem. He’s tried to cut her loose but he can’t help gravitating towards her because she is well and truly under his skin.
“I’m flying close to the sun, brushing at the flame he is, but is life worth living if I give up on the most precious thing I’ve ever held in my hands?”
GAAAAHHH! Blaze and Charisma’s story completely captivated me! The energy between them was tangible. They had such heated and downright sinful moments between them. Both have huge walls around their hearts but neither can fight against the powerful pull between them. Blaze is a big tough athlete but there’s so much more to him than meets the eye. He’s heartrendingly vulnerable under his gorgeous, player façade. My heart ached so badly for him. Charisma is pretty badass, I must say. She’s a tough cookie but so scared of love and the soul-deep connection between her and Blaze. I was absolutely rooting for them all the way.
This book had so many feels. I was hugging my Kindle and wiping my eyes by the end. It was humorous, crazy hot, and boneachingly romantic!
I couldn’t wait to read this book from Ilsa Madden-Mills, I adore her writing skills. I think she capitivates her audience by writing great stories. I feel like you are drawn to the characters and understand their plot. I received this book for an honest review. I can’t recommend this book or any from this series high enough. Congratulations on your release and happy reading..
I’m left SPEECHLESS. How is it possible to hate a person as much as you love them. That’s my take on Blaze. He kept melting my heart only to turn around and break it. He was hot and cold with Charisma and it was driving me crazy. But with each push he came back only to make me love him more. When his head was finally set strength I had hearts in my eyes.
“My feelings for you… are beyond anything else. I’m not that man. I want a happy ending, Charm . That’s who I am. I’m the guy in Say Anything who begs the girl to take a chance. I’m here. I’m right here, and I don’t care about anything but you, even football, because if I don’t have you, I’m going to dig a hole so deep I’ll never crawl out of it.” I mean come on – swoon
As for Charisma – I loved her. She was sassy, funny and had a backbone that made her a badass. I loved how she was willing to put aside her fears to be with him even when he was still hiding a part of himself from her.
Every single book in this series was phenomenal and I’ve become an addict. I just want mooooore!!
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Y’all get ready! This book has a whole lotta heart. A whole lotta soul. And a whole lotta LOVE!! (Well…after the little bit of angst first lol!).
Blaze and Charm will steal your heart. Especially Blaze! He captured my heart from the very beginning. And the more we got of him, the more my heart wept. I love a good “broken” hero and Blaze is now among my top favorites!! I just wanna reach through my kindle and give him a big hug. And … maybe rub down that six pack too
Charisma is a head strong, and very “tell it like it is” kind of girl. She isn’t intimidated by Blaze, even though she has a few self image issues to work on, she is my kind of heroine. She’s sassy, smart and funny. And I just loved her! Especially since she was exactly what Blaze needed!