I absolutely loved everything about this story. From the cover, to the synopsis and every chapter. “Beauty and the Baller” is fun, heartfelt and a beautiful story. There are so many beautiful lines in this story and Ilsa Madden-Mills crafted a wonderful story.

When Ronan and Nova meet 3 years prior at a party in NYC. The two have an instant connection and spend the night together. Fast forward three years later, Nova is back home in Texas to care for her younger sisters. And Ronan is in the same town as the new football coach for their high school. The attraction is still there but having feelings for someone scares Ronan after losing his fiance in a car crash.

I loved how vulnerable Ronan was. He wore his heart and feelings on his sleeve and wasn’t afraid to feel. Nova was a breath of fresh air and I loved her spunk. A classic Southern girl with charm, love and don’t mess with me attitude. I hope we get stories from the secondary characters that we met. They were a great part of the story. The epilogue was the perfect ending and left a big smile on my face. I can’t wait to relive this story when the audiobook is out. Savannah Peachwood and Sebastian York were the perfect choices for Nova and Ronan.

Full of serendipitous mishaps and wonderful exchanges Ilsa Madden Mills’ Beauty and the Baller brings joy and love in another one of her fated love stories!

There is nothing better than when an author plays matchmaker with two people that seem to have forsaken love and is successful. NFL star quarterback Ronan Smith could have been tragic after the curveballs that life threw his way but instead he faced his pain, fighting his fears and ultimately allowing himself to be vulnerable. For a guy with a broken heart he certainly had a lot of it to give whether it was his passion for football, the people he cared about or the woman who captured his interest, his beauty defied his scars both inside and out. This was one swoony hero, no wonder he had a whole town vying for his affections!

Lively and fun Nova Morgan marched to her own drum keeping her heart and mind open even after having been dealt more than her fair share of hard luck. This character with her unfiltered honesty and fabulous antics made every interaction she had in this work special. It was clear from the start how Ronan could fall under Nova's irresistible charm.

Ronan and Nova's attraction ran hot and heavy with just the right amount of salty to make the chase very amusing to watch play out. Who cannot get behind two fighters who use their broken hearts as their most fierce weapons in finding their happiness. Ms. Madden Mills did a great job of making this pair work for the inevitable and there was no shortage of perfectly timed absurdity to keep this story entertaining.

Hard choices and even harder decisions gave this story a solid foundation and made it more than a superficial romance. Each of the secondary cast in this work added so much to this story building on the depth of not only Nova and Ronan's pain but their happiness and everything in between. This author's small town feel translated perfectly adding unique little touches to show the community that made Ronan and Nova stronger both individually and as a couple. The saying that it takes a village could easily be applied to this book and Ronan and Nova finding their footing in their love story.

Ilsa Madden Mills knows her audience but more importantly she knows her characters and this comes through in her work every time. This was a standout work showing this author's love of her story with each word she wrote. Giving attention to small details that others might overlook, this writer shares traits that are core to her portrayals making this her writing superpower and elevating her stories to ones to cherish. Ilsa Madden Mills' sensitivity paired with her quirky humor is always notable but really shined in Beauty and the Baller giving readers a story that might just be almost as good as actually falling in love.

I absolutely loved this book. Nova has moved back home to the small town Blue Belle to take care of her sister after their mom died. Nova’s neighbor the high school football coach is having a party that’s disrupting Nova, especially after his girlfriend left mad and ran over her special rose bushes. Nova decides to march over and meet this neighbor to give him a piece of her mind. But once she she’s him she knows who he is, and remembers the night they spent together. But Ronan doesn’t recognize or remember her. I loved everything about this book! I laughed so much throughout the book. I loved Ronan and Nova. Ilsa has a way with words that draws you in and captivate you. This is a must read that will leave you with a smile!

4.5 stars!

Ronan and Nova’s story had a little of everything and I adored every moment of it! Not your typical “sports romance”, which I loved! Ronan was a pro QB turned small town high school football coach and Nova was a small town girl thriving in the big city until tragedy strikes and she’s forced to return to tiny town TX.

This second chance romance was so bittersweet. I enjoyed both main characters so much! The side characters added so much to this read as well. There were moments of burst out loud laughter, sadness, heartbreak, goofiness and so much steam!!!!

Beauty and the Baller really showcases Madden-Mills’ talented writing style and her love of contemporary romance!

After his world crashes all around him Ronan tries to reset his life as a football coach in Blue Belle, Texas but he is just going through the motions. He has zero plans of putting roots in nowhere Texas.

Nova finds herself back in Blue Belle to raise her sister. After thriving in NYC she’s a bit lost back in her hometown. It doesn’t take long for her to find her spark especially when her neighbor is a blast from her past.

Beauty & the Baller has everything!
Sassy heroine✅
Sexy AF, former pro athlete, closet nerd, Star Wars loving hero✅
Sweet as pie sister✅
Meddling next door neighbor ✅
Pull at your heartstrings moments ✅
Super spicy soulmate chemistry✅
Some “bless your heart” moments 😉
🙌🏻Dairy Queen🙌🏻
Super cute HEA❤️

Fave quotes:
We’re different flowers from the same garden, but we’re perfect together.—-their momma sure had some good ol’ fashioned sayings & I love them all🥲

Mama raised me to believe there’s a tiny light inside everyone, a wonderful place of possibilities for your life. It’s up to you to find your “glow” and turn those possibilities into certainties. Make the impossible real. Reach for the stars, even if they burn, Nova.—-I love the reverence Nova & Sabine have for their mom. It’s sweet & pure💓

I lost my heart in New York, but I found it in Texas.—-Ronan has had quite the journey finding himself & his HEA.

I don't want to give too much away because this book really is such a treat !!!!! So much to take in emotionally, right along with the humour and characters you can't help but to fall in love with. The busy body neighbour(we all know one of those right?) The towns matchmakers!!! The drooling women!! Twists and turns that will have you laughing or crying !!! It is definitely and Must Read Book !!!

When your on top of the world and all your dreams are now your reality, life can change in a minute and leave you lost, alone, and struggling to go on day by day.
A tragedy has left Ronan broken and shattered to pieces.

A one night stand he can't forget..

Nova has returned home to look care for her sister after losing their mother. Now she has to plan a new life, leaving behind the dreams of the life she wanted.

A one night stand she can't forget....

They met a couple of years ago and after the amazing one night stand find themselves being neighbours and Nova being his PA
The chemistry with Ronan and Nova had me definitely hot under the collar, their humour and wit had in in fits of laughter... think BRAS!! LOL Their feelings for each other just filled my heart with hope.
I loved how this book was written, nothing felt rushed, yet i flew through the pages wanting more and more !!! I was hooked !!! You are pulled right into their story right along with the town. The friends, the families, they all play a part!
Ronan really is the man of every girls dream!! Strong, protective, fun, lively and dedicated!! I wanted to be Nova!!
I have to admit, this has definitely become one of my top favs from this author !!!

Ronan is an ex-NFL quarterback for the Pythons and dealing with his own trauma that led him down a drinking path. Not able to deal with this loss he is having a hard time dealing with his new feelings for his neighbor and co-worker Nova. Nova herself just move back to her childhood town to take care of her sister Sabine. I loved reading Nova's sassiness and head strong feelings. I cracked up with the antics of Ronan and Nova. To mea, I love reading anything from this author. this sort of reminded me of the characters from I Dare You. This story and theirs's both reference Star Wars. May the geek be all within us. But, truly i adored reading this and wished Sabine was wrote about more. I wished I had them as in my high school. They would have had made it worth it to go to school and be proud to have them as my teachers. Crazy as Nova is.. lol but, dear fellow I laughed so much well reading this, adore the quick and sassy banter between Ronan and Nova and the swoon feast between them. I can't wait to read this again.

The Beauty and the Baller has a case of the blurb not doing to book justice. I went into this one expecting a light, funny read with a side of heart. I knew it would be well written cause it’s an Ilsa Madden-Mills book, but I wasn’t expecting the depth of emotion that poured off the page.

When we first truly meet Nova and Ronan, they are both carrying baggage. Issues that could make them hard to relate too instead make them likeable because we see them work every day to not let the past weigh them down.

It was fun watching these two transition from semi-animosity, to partners in crime, to almost friends, and maybe more. There were plenty of funny moments, things that endeared Nova and Ronan to us as readers, but there was also a level of sweetness that spoke to their evolution- even if they didn’t realize it was happening.

Add in a great secondary cast plus the over-the-top town of Blue Belle and this was a book that I had a hard time putting it down.

Beauty and the Baller was pure reading decadence and a bubbling bottle of happiness that overflowed with joy! 

Every part of this story was magic. From the opening meet-cute to the happily ever after. Ronan and Nova lit up the pages with their steamy chemistry along the abundance of Texas Blue Belle charm.

Nova was the perfect sassy beauty to play opposite Ronan's broken baller. Every aspect of their lives meshed up perfectly when it came to outside appearances, Ronan wa treated as football royalty in Texas, where as Nova was returning home to take care of her younger sister which is nobel, but Nova is unmarried and has no job, truly scandalous for a southern woman in Texas. However, it does put Nova on the list of dating prospects for Ronan...oh wait, Ronan isn't looking to date, anyone, ever. Also, scandalous...a single man in Texas-round up all the single ladies, stat.

The hijinks in this book are hilarious and the busy bodies in Blue Belle, Texas are super funny, especially for anyone who's lived in a small town, it really hits home. To even out the colorful characters, the students that Ronan coaches are really great and add that special touch that gives his beastly character real depth.

For Nova she's spunky and sassy and truly shines with an inner beauty that matches her outer one. She polishes up everyone around her and brings out their inner glow. Nova is like the sun that pulls all the planets around them so people just gravitate towards her. She's got that inner spunk that just shines. As much as Ronan tries to deny wanting a relationship with her it's so hard when the pull towards her is so strong.

Their games with each other, where they bet and compete are hilarious and with both of them being super competitive, they do it over everything. It's adorable and I loved every moment of it. I could have stayed in this town with the two of them forever, so I really hope I get to return with some future characters.  

Beauty and the Baller is about love, friendship, integrity, finding your path when you've been lost, it's also about finding your joy when you haven't had it in a really long time. Hands down it is just a darn good book, with laughs and steamy times to be had. A  2022 must read.

After the sudden and unexpected death of her mother, Nova Morgan has returned to her hometown of Blue Belle, Texas to take over being the guardian to her high school aged, little sister. Dealing with her loss and re-acclimating to life in small town Texas is no easy feat... but when she meets her new neighbor, Nova comes face-to-face with one of the most epic humiliations of her life...

Ronan Smith is Blue Belle's highly celebrated, star football coach, and they will do almost anything to get him to stay... much to Ronan's chagrin. But when Ronan meets his new neighbor, she seems oddly familiar... and interestingly enough, she seems to want nothing to do with him... 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beauty and the Baller was a sexy, adorable, and hilarious, breath of READING fresh air! Nova and Ronan's antagonistic relationship was packed full of chemistry and enthusiasm, but it was the very real feelings that they developed for each other that would ultimately change the meaning behind the not-so-innocent games that they loved to play with each other...

I absolutely loved Nova's character. Not only did she have a delightful personality, but I adored her dedication to her sister and the journey that she embraces in her change of life. She was also the perfect person to help Ronan to see beyond his past heartache, each and every time he met her...

Ronan was a fantastically talented and generally great guy, but he still carries around quite a bit of emotional damage from the accident that took his both fiancée and his professional football career, in one fell swoop. With zero plans to ever date again, Ronan attempts to avoid every eligible woman in Blue Belle who seems to be vying for his attention... except for the one that refuses to fawn all over him...

I absolutely loved everything about this book! From the hilarious small town shenanigans to Ronan's Star Wars obsession, this story was cute and funny, and of course, super sexy as well! Not only was this book thoroughly entertaining, but it contained an entire novel full of healing, and full on heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

A wonderful story about how love can help you overcome betrayal and tragedy. This book is full of hope and understanding. Two souls who meet one night and have such a strong connection, only to let circumstances prevent them from building a relationship.

Two years later fate brings them back together when they least expect it. They continue to be put into one another’s paths. They begin to develop a friendship that turns into longing and want. The chemistry between them is electric, burning hot from the second they lay eyes on one another. They both have past experiences that affect them daily.

Nova allows her heart to open up and fully accept the love she feels on a true and honest level. Ronan, on the other hand lives each day with one foot out the door, ready to make a quick escape when anything gets too real. When push comes to shove they both have to make a choice about what they really want and how it will affect their futures!

I loved this book! So powerful and raw! Full of open and honest emotion! These two characters are so different but their pasts hold similar trauma when it comes to love. I really felt their fears and hopes while reading!

Beauty and the Baller was a fun, quick and easy read that made me laugh, smile and wish I could stop by Blue Belle, TX to say hello to all of the characters we meet! Ronan and Nova were always destined to be together, even though their first meeting was less than ideal.

Ronan Smith is a former NFL quarterback whose career was cut short due to a car accident, which left him injured and killed his fiancee. To stay close to the game he loves so much, he accepts a job as a Texas high school football coach. Ronan is incredibly focused, caring and generous but I definitely thought the most endearing thing about him was his nerdiness and obsession with Star Wars - I love a jock with an unexpected nerdy side! He thought he was using Blue Belle as a stepping stone to something better, but he finds himself drawn to the players, the game and his new next-door neighbor.

Nova Morgan is back in Blue Belle to be the guardian for her younger sister Sabine after their mother unexpectedly passes away. Her homecoming is bittersweet in a lot of ways and she finds herself struggling to face some of the people from her past after being hurt. Add in that she has a complicated romantic history with her next-door neighbor (Ronan) and she starts a job doing something she’s never done before and things are a lot harder than she expected. Nova has a great sense of humor, seems to always know the right thing to say and brightens up every room she walks into with her wit and positivity. I really enjoyed her relationship with Sabine and how they navigated such a difficult time together as sisters.

Their initial meeting in New York ended in disaster and fate brought them back together years later in Blue Belle. They go from enemies to fake dating to no-so-fake dating over the course of a few months and discover they really were meant to be all along, just met at the wrong time. I really liked their banter and chemistry and would have loved to see more of that - there was a lot happening in this story and I feel like these two didn’t get as much time together on the page as they should have.

Blue Belle, TX is such a fun story setting - small town vibes galore and all the Friday Night Lights feels! Sure, it’s full of overbearing, kind of invasive football boosters and townspeople, but Ronan and Nova needed the push together.

I really enjoyed this one - pick it up if you’re in the mood for a cute, steamy and easy to read football romance to tide you over until football season starts in the fall!

After a disastrous one-night stand years ago, Nova and Ronan meet again in her hometown of Blue Bell, Texas. She's in town to take care of her younger sister after their mother's death. Former NFL player Ronan is the high school football coach who has the team likely headed to a state championship. Has fate given them a second chance, or will their pasts keep them apart?

Beauty and the Baller is everything you expect from an Ilsa Madden-Mills book -- flawed but loveable main characters, witty banter, memorable secondary characters, and humorous situations. I really enjoyed everything about this slow-burn sports romance!

I hope our time in Blue Bell will not end with Beauty and the Baller. Some of the secondary characters deserve their own books!

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the digital review copy. This voluntary review reflects my honest, unbiased opinion.

I liked this second chance sports romance. Fate brings Nova and Ronan back together after a one night stand a few years later. There are some emotional issues but I loved the chemistry between the two. Lots of steamy scenes to keep me addicted to the pages. I definitely found it entertaining. The secondary characters were great and hope we get more books in the future. The story was a bit predictable and insta love but sometimes I'm in the mood for just that. A nice, easy summer beach read with enough angst to keep you glued to the story.

Football romances are my jam. And Madden-Mills knows how to write them.

You just fall in love with Ronan's cantankerous outlook. He's a bit of a beast, but he has a theoretical thorn in his paw...a broken heart). But his hard exterior is no match for Nova. She shines brighter than any star or yellow rose.

They have parallel tragedies of the fractured heart variety. But you know what they say, proximity breeds familiarity. And boy do they get familiar!

I often find I have a favorite character in a book, one who carries the storyline for me. But I didn't have a clear winner in this one. I loved Ronan's grumpy, coarse exterior because it made his tender heart even more precious. Nova was incredible. Her relationship and loyalty to her sister, her crass wit, and her unwillingness to give up made me have a girl crush on her. Then add in the secondary characters - Sabine, Toby, Sparky, Lois, and Caleb - and you want to move to this little town in Texas.

The plot was smooth and kept me glued to the pages. Added bonus that Madden-Mills wraps up the story so you feel complete, and you've got your next one-click!

After a one night stand gone wrong Nova doesn’t think she’ll ever see Ronan again, that is until she goes to confront her annoying neighbour over destroyed flowers and comes face to face with the man himself. Both faced with situations they’d rather not be in they decide to fake date until Ronan has to choose whether to follow his heart or his dreams.

I really enjoyed this small town romance. It was very cute with no real drama but I felt it was a little too long. The writing style was easy to read and I was routing for the main characters from the start. The book has some humorous moments but the whole fake dating trope wasn’t really seen and could’ve been left out if I’m being honest.

I loved the side characters as much as the main and I really hope we get to read Nova’s sister’s story. My one issue was Sonia, now I don’t know what she was doing when she studied in the UK but with how much she uses the word ‘bollocks’ I’m assuming she was chilling in a retirement/care home in her spare time since older generations tend to be the only people who use the word anymore. It was just a little stereotypical and took me out of the story. But I did love the awkwardness with her own romance.

Overall, I loved how the whole book sort of focused on the crossroads in life and how fate always finds a way. I actually really hope there’s a spin off to this book in the same town because I loved the vibes from it.

I really enjoyed this romcom/fake relationship. Ronan and Nova have amazing chemistry that is scorching hot. Their banter made me swoon and laugh out loud. Another great read by this author. A definite must read.

I’ve been a fan of Ilsa Madden Mills’s books for a few years now. I was SO excited and surprised when I opened an email to find this galley! This book did not disappoint.

Fake dating? My jam. Hot athlete main character? Yes, please. Real human connection and different ways of navigating grief? Always strikes a chord with me. The 🔥🔥🔥 scenes? Here. For. It.

“I’m going to be brave and go with us as we are and savor each moment we share. If it flays me alive and cuts me open in the end, then fine, I took a chance, and in the end that’s all a person can do to find happiness.”

I felt that Nova really was brave. The things she’d gone through - from humiliating to painful - could have made her shy away from new experiences. Instead she went for it time and time again. I found this admirable because it’s

As a bonus, I liked seeing River Tate’s name in this book and knowing that this was the same universe as previous novels I’ve read by the same author.

Now I’m just wondering whether @ilsamaddenmills might have be planning more books for these characters… 👀


Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This book has so much story in it, it's hard to put down. One sided forgotten couple history, family, friendship, scorn exes, small-town nosy-ness and love. Ilsa really gives it to us in this story and we've missed her for it.

This is an honest review for an arc received.

Nova Morgan has returned to Blue Belle, Texas in order to care for her sister after her mother’s passing. She is navigating her way through life after up ending her in New York. When she’s offered a job at the local high school as a part time teacher and the new football coach’s PA she accepts.

Ronan Smith has lived through tragedy. After retiring from professional football, he takes a coaching job in small town Texas. While some of the boosters are doing everything in the power to make sure he never leaves, he’s biding his time. When he comes face to face with Nova all bets are off. How will he ever resist the feisty yet beautiful Nova Morgan?

5 absolutely adorable stars! This book has everything from witty banter to off the charts chemistry, hilarious supporting characters and of course an HEA!!!! I laughed through the majority of this book. Nova is a spit fire and I’m totally here for it! Ronan is broody but is a total softy! I loved these characters and this book!