Top Pick - 4.5 Stars ⭐️

Ronan is grieving and mourning the life he used to know when he meets Nova. Their one-night stand is hot and fun. He just doesn’t remember it. Not until Nova storms into the town he is coaching at and takes a position at the school. The more time he spends around her, the more he realizes that this was the woman he had been looking for.

Nova is back in town after her mother passes. She has to take care of her sister and basically get a job. She accepts a part time position at the school and offer to be an assistant to the Coach. The problem is that she fully remembers every inch of the coach and their one night stand two year prior. He is grumpy, pig headed and makes her furious at time but she still can’t shake the all the other things she feel around him as well.

It has been a long time where I sat down and read a book in one sitting. This year I haven’t really hit my stride with reading but I have to say that Beauty and the Baller had me from page one. It is so nice to get all your feels in. I have always enjoyed the author’s works but this story is up at the top. She is going on the go to author list for me.

Don’t you just love when you adore both the characters. You see the potential and growth with them immediately and the author just molds them into perfect little characters. Ronan is really what makes a good hero. He is very swoon worthy. He is quick and sharp which makes for great banter. He is caring. He has a very painful past but he doesn’t hold onto that for that long. He learns to move on and open his heart up to Nova.

Nova is a girl after my own heart. She cares so much about her family. Her life may not have turned out how she had originally hoped but she adjusts rather nicely. It doesn’t help that she is falling for Ronan. The quick barbs at one another just leads to more pent-up passion.

When it comes to passion…let’s just say the tension swells in this story. I felt hot every time Nova and Ronan came together. Let’s just say when they finally stop fighting the loving was very sexy!

What holds me back from the full five stars is that there is too much run-on conversations for me. Sometimes I wanted more from them than that. I needed action. There is slight angst but not enough if that makes sense.

Overall, if you enjoy small town romance, second chance romances with an amazing set of characters, Beauty and the Baller is the perfect read.

~ Samantha

This was a really fun, easy read. Ronan is an ex-NFL superstar whose life is turned upside after a car accident which kills his fiancé and ends his career. When he meets Nova, he’s in a really dark place, and although the attraction and chemistry was there, he wasn’t in the right head space and my heart broke for him.
Years later, Nova ends up back in her home town, the town where she swore she would never return after having her heart broken by her childhood love, but when her mum unexpectedly passes, she returns to take care of her teenage sister. Nova was really sassy, I liked her from the get go and she didn’t bat down to the expectations of society and what her town was deeming the norm.
It is like a second chance romance, given their one night stand years ago, and Nova really makes Ronan work for it, but does it in such a fun way (especially the games)

The chemistry was great, banter amongst both MC’s and secondary characters was really fun, and it was an overall great read.

Also major kudos for Ronan being a huge Star Wars nut because he’s just like me.

4 Stars

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*

IMM writes another unputdownable showstopper. Nova and Ronan light up the pages and the dialogue exudes southern charm and hospitality. I loved the second chance aspects and IMM is an expert is colorful fascinating characters, especially Nova’s sister and pets. A perfect amount of angst and a beautiful conclusion. I didn’t want it to end.

This was not quite what I expected, in the best ways.

The first meeting of Nova and Ronan was interesting, then a little awkward, and I didn't get a good sense of Nova, her personality or her purpose there, and I wasn't quite sure where things were going.

From their second meeting onwards? The banter and chemistry just pours off the pages and keeps you rivetted right til the end!
That's not to say that there aren't some bumps along the way, as neither of these characters are perfect; but they're so relatable and just work so well together.
I loved Nova and Ronan together and really enjoyed reading the journey of them getting to know each other and see the moments where they cross over from friends to more.
Also loved Nova's relationship with Sabine - it was just beautiful.
All in all, so many hilarious moments, sweet and sexy moments, and just a wonderful story.

Ronan is an NFL quarterback who is consumed by grief after losing his soulmate, and Nova is a former beauty queen, and when she sneaks into a party at Ronan’s house, they have one night together. Now two years later Nova is broke and returns to her hometown only to find out that Ronan is the new football coach and her new neighbor. As the town are desperate to convince Ronan to stay in town, they keep throwing women at him, and he proposes that he and Nova fake date to keep the matchmakers off his back. This is a beautifully written emotional roller coaster, with loss, grief, healing, undeniable chemistry, family, friendships, humor, and is a sweet, swoony, and steamy addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

This is a fab read this author never fails to dissapoint. Well written characters.
I just want some more of this story

Chef’s kiss to Ms. Madden-Mills! With humor that flows off the pages, depth of a scorching-sweet story, and all the sultry sizzle of a southern belle romance, Beauty and the Baller delivers an emotional story.

“You deserve all the wonderful things in the world, Nova. I’m not it.”

Despite a past connection, the fake relationship pact that Nova and Ronan commit to, while living in Blue Belle starts out temporary with the temptation of something lasting. And when the two realize their relationship of convenience is more, you’re in for one steamy ride.

“I want to touch the stars, even if I get burned.”

If you enjoy small town, sports romances, then this book is for you! Overall, this rating is for the romantic comedy, as well as wonderful characters, plot development and unique storyline. I reviewed an early copy, and look forward to additional novels by the author.

Ilsa Madden-Mills is a new-to-me author and I slap my forehead asking myself why. Her “Beauty and the Baller” is a heartfelt steamy romance that has my favourite tropes:

*small town
*workplace (teachers)
*fake relationship
*sports (football)

This is a story that I went into blind; I love being surprised and not expecting anything. With that said, Ronan Smith, former NFL quarterback, coaches the HS football team in Blue Bell, Texas but what makes the story interesting is that after his one-year contract is up, he will pursue higher level football elsewhere. Enter his next door neighbour, Nova Morgan, who has moved back to her small town to take care of her teen autistic sister. Their meet-cute at Ronan’s birthday party is funny and fiery, but soon after, Nova and Ronan figure out that they met before; it was a mysterious one night stand two years ago that they could not forget.

Not only does Nova land a teaching position in her old HS where Ronan coaches, but she also ends up being his team assistant. And what adds to the pressure cooker of this great romance is that they agree to a fake relationship so that Nova can appear happy in front of her ex-boyfriend and Ronan can appear attached so that the town will seize setting him up with women in hopes he’ll settle down.

OK that’s more than I wanted to say in my summary! Ha! Y’all (I adored the southern charm here) this is a gem of a story where I fell hard for Nova and Ronan who has both experienced tragic loss. I connected with their feelings of grief, regret, and nostalgia. Sports romance + Teacher romance is a great combo for me. Ronan and Nova’s sexual tension and chemistry is “chef’s kiss” beautiful. I was super entertained with their bantering, flirting, and closet hiding and their personal “games” were…oh my…let's just say their steam certainly builds and I just couldn’t get enough of them.

This story was everything I hoped and wanted it to be. I sat and binged this on a Sunday and it was the perfect Sunday reading binge.

There was humor and romance. Bless your hearts and football forever. The relationships, the banter, just everything about this town, this couple, and the whole cast of character seriously made my heart so happy.

This is now my fav Ilsa madden-mills book hands down!!!

4.5 Stars

I love fake dating trope and this one here was sooo good to read.

Nova and Ronan are perfect for each other, both have love one’s they’ve lost and the journey to find their happiness is well written by Mrs Madden-Mills.

Nova was betrayed by her boyfriend from school and after that she doesn’t have high expectations on the dates or relationships that she gets involved, she prepared herself for the worts so that way nothing that came from them would take her by surprise. But even with all that in mind she was willing to met Ronan and what supposed to be just an encounter of one night, the universe, the stars or who knows after two years from that day they seeing each other again back on her hometown where Ronan is now the coach of the town football team.

This two can’t be more sweet and adorable together, I laugh when they got caught in very compromise situations for the people that try to get Ronan to stay in this Texas town, and man if they are persistent. Specially Lois, I love this lady with all my heart.

My love extended to Sabine, Nova’s sister, she’s such a brilliant girl, Toby is a gold and so caring and loving young man. Caleb, Skeeter, Sonia and the rest of this amazing characters were just a whole tribe that was so incredible supporting each other, that’s why the last chapter together with the epilogue was one of my favorite parts of this story.

I wish and hoping for a book of Sabine, I’m pretty sure that would be another beautiful story to read.

I can’t recommend enough this book, if you are looking for a fun read, fake turned romcom football, this book is the perfect option.

I’m so happy I was selected to read an ARC of this book.
Thank you so much to Ilsa Madden-Mills and Social Butterfly PR for providing the E-Copy via Netgalley.

This was romantic comedy Gold and has honestly been the Best, Funniest, and Sexiest book from Ilsa Madden-Mills to date! I absolutely loved Ronan and Nova’s funny, emotional, sexy, and swoon-worthy, second chance, fake-dating, romance. I was completely addicted and entertained from start to finish.

Oh these two… I knew before I opened this book I’d love it. There’s a beauty and magical quality to the words she strings together and the stories she creates. I get excited each time she releases a new book because I know whatever story is coming my way is going to move me and “Beauty And The Baller” did just that.

Ronan and Nova come alive page after page. These two are perfect together and I loved every minute of their journey to forever. This book was everything that I wanted it to be and so much more than I could have ever envisioned. This is one you won’t want to miss. Absolutely magical.

Oh man do I love books by Ilsa Madden-Mills and Beauty and The Baller is just another great read that I could not put down. Her books always deliver on some of my favorite things: steam, character depth, and a compelling story I cannot put down.

Beauty and the Baller features Ronan who is an ex-NFL quarterback who is now, thanks to some unexpected life events, coaching HS football in the small town of Blue Belle, Texas. His new next door neighbor, Nova, just moved back to town after her mom's death to care for her teenage sister. Nova and Ronan have met before (and had quite an encounter) but, much to Nova's chagrin, Ronan doesn't remember her. Nova eventually gets a job at the school where Ronan is coaching and gets tangled up in a scheme with Ronan for them to fake date to help her show her ex she has moved on while allowing him to avoid all the women the booster club is throwing his way. Can they sort through old feelings enough to turn their "fake" dating into the real thing?

This book was such a great second-chance romance / fake dating story. There was so much pain and trauma to both Ronan and Nova that it just added so many layers to each of them. I read this one on a plane and had one of those embarrassing moments where I am trying not to sob at one point while on a plane full of people. The emotions and trauma in this one is real and raw and had me wanting to reach through and hug all of them.

The only thing I didn't care for that kept me from giving this one 5 stars was some of the scenes at the HS where the teachers didn't seem like teachers but more like teens at times, sneaking off to vape in the closet, etc. I felt that those parts detracted a little from the overall beauty of this story and these amazing characters.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves sports romances or just a good read that will tug at your heart strings. The Texas girl in me who grew up under the Friday Night Lights just loved so much about this small town, Texas romance.

Huge thank you to Valentine PR and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

The cover of Beauty and the Baller caught my eye, the synopsis made me instantly want to read the book, and the story kept my romantic heart entertained throughout.

When former beauty queen Nova meets star quarterback Ronan at a party, he is at the lowest point in his life. Struggling to recover from the sudden death of his fiancé and facing the end of his illustrious NFL career, the two share a one-night stand that does not end well. Fast forward two and a half years, and Nova returns to her small hometown in Texas only to find that Ronan is the high school football coach who now lives next door—and he doesn’t even remember her. Ouch.

Nova isn’t just a pretty face. This southern belle has a healthy dose of sass, and she’s whip-smart. Time and again she proves her selflessness, especially when it comes to putting her younger sister’s well-being before her own happiness. I loved her to pieces.

I fell for Ronan’s vulnerability and decency. He is a strong man who isn’t ashamed to admit his fears, and that’s sexier than a defined six pack. I respected his devotion to his team and the town.

Nova and Ronan have both been burned by love in different ways and have carefully guarded their hearts. I enjoyed seeing Nova inch towards laying her heart on the line and watching her tear down Ronan’s walls piece by piece. There was never a chance that their fake dating plan would be anything but 100% real. These two are such fun together. I loved their competitive games with zany rewards.

The small Texas town with its rabid high school football fans and eccentric citizens provides a humorous setting for this heartwarming romantic comedy. It’s quite an enjoyable read.

Ronan and Nova had a one night stand that didn't end well. So suffice it to say, when she discovers Ronan lives next door to her in Blue Bell, Texas she doesn't know what she feels. Familial obligations have Nova moving from NY to TX to care for her sister after their mother passed. Nova is recalibrating her life; she doesn't have the bandwidth for Ronan Smith. Friendship overtakes animosity as they get to know one another. She has a type--athletes--which she has sworn off. Too much heartbreak follows a relationship with an athlete. But Ronan is more than just a baller, he's caring and compassionate, goes the extra mile for his team, and the two develop feelings that don't seem to want to go away. So when Nova agrees to be Ronan's fake girlfriend even though he still hadn't remembered her from that one night in NY, I was ready for the sparks to fly!

"Beauty is how we go on, the life we create around us. Living a life that's meaningful."

The two discover love and life in small town Blue Bell is really where they're meant to be. They make peace with their pasts, both what they experienced individually and the night they spent together, and find that life isn't anything unless they're together. Add in the meddling neighbors in this small town and I'm hooked!

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Beauty and the Baller is pure rom-com perfection. It’s absolutely magical.
It’s a little bit enemies-to-lovers, a lot of small-town, a touch fake relationship- and 100% a favorite for me this year.
If it were a movie, it’d be a perfect rom-com from the late 90’s era- a box office winner with beautiful people that you longed to be. It’s so darn charming and sweet.
It’s everything I want in small-town romance: the heart, the humor, the endearing antics of the locals. I love the town of Blue Bell and all its inhabitants.
Of course, the real stars are Nova and Ronan. Ronan is a future book boyfriend hall-of-famer. He’s thoughtful and genuine and funny, and totally obsessed with Star Wars. He has some personal tragedies he’s having to work through that are holding him back. Nova also has some history she’s letting keep her held down. These two have the best banter, and they really set off the fireworks together. No doubt, this one is wonderfully steamy. I could not get enough, and I absolutely adored every second of this book!

This is a tough review to write because I’m not sure why the story isn’t working for me. I love a good fake dating plot! However I’ve been reading for weeks and am not far into it and keep choosing to do other things rather than pick it up again which is a sign it just isn’t the right read for me right now. I’m going to DNF but may try it again someday. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.

I have been impatiently waiting for a new book by Ilsa Madden-Mills and Beauty and the Baller did not disappoint. I truly enjoyed Ronan and Nova’s story. I loved the witty banter, lol moments and a great story. Loved all of the secondary characters too and hope to see more of them!

4.5 Stars!

This was honestly a really good book. Easy to read, doesn't beat around the bush, isn't full of side stories that make no sense. It flows smoothly and is the first book I've managed to finish in over two months. It's a perfect romcom with its quirks. Meddling neighbours, pets that perfectly fit their owners, and the cutest side romance story between the MFCs little sister and MMCs teams Captain. All in all, read this book. End of story. I adored it.

He is a former NFLer who is struggling to get over/move on from the loss of his woman, a career ending injury and a new life and job in a small town. She is dealing with a loss of her own, becoming a parent to a 15 year old, and moving back to her small hometown after vowing never to again. I really enjoyed his character. He was a professional athlete, but was never the 'player' that many are portrayed as. He has a good heart and was respectable in all aspects of his life. She is a feisty little spark who isn't afraid to go after what she wants. She handles the problems that are thrown her way without too much fuss. Despite the personal things she is working through, she manages to keep her spirits up. The supporting cast of characters are just as good and enjoyable. There isn't really a big break up, but they do have a challenge that threatens their relationship... whatever it is. This story is a lot of fun, and laughs are to be had. It does some some sexual content which may be geared to a more mature audience, but it's not overly graphic. It alternates between POV.

* I recieved an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

This was so good! It’s been a while since I’ve read a sports romance and this made me remember why I like them so much. Throw in a fake dating trope and I was sold! I’ve never read anything by this author before but I’m so glad I picked this one up! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ilsa Madden Mills for the advanced copy to read and review.

Ronan is an NFL quarterback who has his life turned upside down by a tragic accident that causes him to lose his girlfriend and his career. He makes a string of bad choices following the accident, including a one stand with a beautiful stranger that doesn’t end well. He uses that night as his wake up call to make a change, and decides to move to Texas to coach high school football.

After Nova’s mother dies unexpectedly, she’s forced to return to her hometown in Texas to take care of her teenage sister. What she doesn’t know is that her super hot, ex-football player one night stand has moved in next door. When Ronan approaches Nova with a fake dating scheme to keep the local women from pursuing him, she readily agrees so she can prove to her high school boyfriend that she has moved on.

I loved these two together! Ronan is grumpy and keeps to himself and Nova is fun, spunky and knows what she wants. Her decision to move home and take care of her sister, Sabine, is so sweet and I love the autism representation in this book. There is a lot of emphasis on the importance of family, the pressures of living in a small, Southern, football obsessed community and how we each deal with grief differently. I loved all the side characters and that epilogue was magical.

The banter is hilarious, the sexual chemistry is off the charts and the fake dating is so adorable. The spice in this book is *chef’s kiss* and that pool table scene was so hot I had to put my kindle down for a minute to collect myself.

If you love a super steamy, fake dating story with a hot professional athlete in a small town setting, then you should definitely grab this one when it’s released on March 29th!