please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 1st person
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: abandonment, allergic reaction, childhood trauma. mentions of cults, mentions of murder (recounted), parental abandonment, mentions of spousal abuse (recounted)
Kinky Content:
standalone: book 2 in The Darlings series
final thoughts: there seemed to be a lot of big triggers that I assume carried form book 1 but came out of nowhere and there was no TW page so keep the triggers in mind as they were main points of the MCs personalities.
Jasper’s nieces (the twins) saved this book for me with their antics and the side of Jasper they brough out. I liked Jasper just fine as an MMC, but I didn’t connect or believe the character of Jane at all unfortunately. I kept wanting MORE from her. And, as with ANY single parent book, I want the kids to be a big part of the story- like RIGHT THERE as main characters and I didn’t feel like Jane’s daughter was part of the story and was instead just a convenient plot point at random times throughout the story.
The ending happened so fast with lots of time jumps and no talking about how much time has passed and I was confused… but the ending/epilogues were cute.
Overall this book was good, but it was missing character development of the FMC and the interactions with the daughter

read this book if you love
🤰 accidental pregnancy
🔢 age gap (25/31)
😬 angst
😆 banter
🐈‍⬛ black cat (to him) FMC
😳 forbidden lovers
🏝️ forced proximity
🤜 frenemies -to-lovers
👦 he falls first
🩹 hurt/comfort
🥰 nicknames
🔀 opposites attract
🙏 praise
👩‍👦 single parent
🏈 sports romance (football)
💼 workplace romance

Fun
Jane has started a new matchmaking service and needs some new clients, especially high profile ones, to give her business more exposure. Enter Jasper, a football player, who saves her from an awkward experience in a bar
I liked both Jane and Jasper, they both had very human traits that helped bring them alive for me but at the same time they repeatedly did things that really annoyed me and made me struggle with this book at times. I did enjoy the writing style with chapters written from Jane and Jaspers points of view as it helped bring me closer to them and understand more about them as people, what motivated them and also what vulnerabilities they had which defiantly helped me feel closer to them
I think one of my favourite parts of this book was the supporting characters, they were fun, at times eccentric and their own people who made the story come alive. There were so many times that I laughed because of things they did and it’s through them that I was able to bond more with Jane and Jasper
I would recommend this book to those enjoy enjoy a romance with a bit of a difference and a cast of characters who you will adore

My Darling Jane by Ilsa Madden-Mills is a fun, lighthearted romance that hits all the right notes. Jane Darling, a single mom trying to launch her matchmaking business, ends up in a playful tug-of-war with Jasper Jannich, New York’s star quarterback. He’s only got one goal in mind—winning Jane’s heart.

Jasper’s determination to woo Jane is super charming, and his scenes with his nieces are hilarious. He’s definitely the star of the show. The chemistry between Jane and Jasper is strong, making their banter and connection so enjoyable to read.

If you’re in the mood for a straightforward, feel-good sports romance, My Darling Jane is a great pick!

A frothy, snarky, wildly emotional ride that features a single mom and player who really find their soulmate in the other! Madden-Mills, really balances wit with deep emotional journeys that make for a super satisfying read!

My Darling Jane is the second book in The Darlings series but can be read as a standalone. Jane is the owner of a matchmaking business and a single mom to an adorable little girl and she is fiercely independent because life has taught her she needs to be. Jasper is a pro quarterback and she has made it her mission to find him a match. Too bad Jasper wants to be her match and she is fighting it with everything she has.

Overall, while I usually love Ilsa's books, this one wasn't for me. I will definitely continue to read this author's books and look forward to the next one in the Darling siblings series.

Loved this book and enjoyed the series. I had to read the first one to really understand the second in the series. I thought the growth of both of these characters from the first book really was wonderful. I hope we get the brothers story too

My Darling Jane
By: Ilsa Madden-Mills

Working to find forever!

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

In book two in The Darling duet we meet often over achiever Jane her daughter London and a friend of many of the authors books Jasper. She’s starting a matchmaking business in hopes of providing a stable life for her daughter. Jasper offers to be one of her clients but while that’s not necessarily going to plan they do spend a lot of time together and so a romance begins. The authors writing is flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: On an ordinary day, Jane Darling wouldn’t be caught dead in a sports bar wearing a toga with angel wings. But she’s desperate to launch her matchmaking business to secure her young daughter’s future. Her mission: to attract new clients at any cost.

Her Cupid outfit catches the eye of New York’s beloved star quarterback, Jasper Jannich. She and Jasper have always clashed, but when a pushy admirer goes too far, he steps in as an unexpected knight in shining armor.

He offers a tantalizing proposal: to be Cupid’s Arrow’s premier client. Reluctantly, Jane agrees, aware of the business potential despite her reservations about Jasper and his playboy reputation. As she sets him up on date after date, it grows clear that Jane’s the only woman he wants.

She is his goal, his endgame.
She’s not not interested…but her heart has been burned before. To get anywhere, they’ll need courage and faith, not just sizzling chemistry.
He’s ready to make the pass. Is his darling ready to catch it?

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in single POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

Jane is starting out her matchmaking business. Jasper is a well known football player and has volunteered himself to be one of her clients in hopes to get to know her better. She sets him up on date after date while spending time together. She is slower than he is but they eventually realize they are a good match. This book was just okay for me.

3.5 stars rounded up

My Darling Jane is the send book in Ilsa Madden-Mills The Darlings series. The first book just didn't hook me but this one I enjoyed a lot more. Although, the stories are interconnected it could easily be read as a stand alone. Jane is a matchmaker struggling to make her dating app successful and profitable. She needs more clients. She attempts to drum up clients at the local sports bar dressed as cupid and runs into the bane of her existence, Jasper. They've always clashed but he rescues her from an uncomfortable situation and offers to be her star client (since he's a star quarterback.) Jane offers to set him up on dates but it becomes increasingly clear, Jasper is only interested in dating Jane.

I thought this book was very cute. Jasper was by far my favorite. He's was a sweetheart who fell first. I love when the hero relentlessly pursues the heroine much to her dismay. Jane was a little bit tougher to like. Sometimes, she would come off a little cold and judgmental. I think she settled into her character a bit more the second half of the book. I could have done without the bio-dad drama that popped out of nowhere. Overall, it was a cute and spicy book. I really love Ilsa's writing style. It's just so easy and readable. I usually finish her books in one sitting.

Tropes included: he falls first, reverse grumpy/sunshine, single mom, found family, frenemies, football playing hero

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Montlake, and Ilse Madden-Mills for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #ilsamaddenmills #MyDarlingJane #montlakepublishing

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Jane enjoys being her own boss. She meets an athlete who will alter her life. I enjoyed the chemistry between them.

Does Ilsa write a bad book--NOPE! She writes pure magic! I just LOVE everything she writes and fall into a state where I can not and will not pur the book down. She is an auto-buy author for me and one I will shout every release from the rooftops for.

Sweet, swoony and emotional, My Darling Jane was a joy to read! One of my favourite tropes is he-falls-first, and Jasper definitely falls into that category! His banter with Jane was absolute gold, and I really loved their chemistry. It felt effortless and genuine, as did their whole story. I highly recommend picking this one up and giving it a read, you will NOT be disappointed!

If there is one thing you should know about me, it's that I love an Ilsa Madden-Mills book/ If she writes it then you can guarantee I will be reading it. She has the perfect formula for her books that always keeps me coming back for more. She is definitely one of my Sports Romance go-to authors and MY DARLING JANE was everything I had hoped it would be and more. Book 2 in THE DARLINGS series, and it follows Jane and Jasper.
Jasper has secretly been a favourite of mine and if you've read any of IMM's books before, you know that we have met him previously. He has always intrigued me and honestly, I just fell deeper in love with him in this book.

I really enjoyed the story. The characters kept drawing me in, and I kept wanting to read more and more.
We follow Jane, a entrepeneur that now has her matchmaking business and Jasper, a NFL player that have been frennemies for some time. They like to tease each other and their banter is actually really good (she is kind of the grumpy one and he the sunshine).
When Jane has the idea of adding Jasper to her client pool she doesn't expect to really get to know him, know that he actually is not even close what she believed but kind of everything she wanted and needed ( he was so, so sweet...).
Becouse of some past traumas, both of them had some abandonement issues, and sometimes they ended up in old routines and protecting themselves, but their connection was so good, that they couldn't stay away.

Jasper deserved all the stars.

I really wanted to be in the camp with all the 5 stars. I wanted to fit in with the in crowd. I wanted to gush over what a super fun read this was. I wanted to crush super hard over this duo. However, that's not happening. The writing was so cringy, the further into the book the more cringe it got, especially the last quarter. My eye rolls were in full force.

It's been several years since I've read an Ilsa Mills book but I don't remember her writing being this half-assed. If I didn't know better, I would think this was written by someone just trying their hand at story telling. Not a NY Times and USA Best selling author. I've loved her work in the past but this... this has me not wanting to pick another up.

The issues I had were <i>My Darling Jane</i> wasn't fleshed out. There were subplots that had absolutely no point to them. Her ex and his mother didn't move the store one way or the other, felt like they were just there to fill a word count. There was no big epiphany, drama, or explosion surrounding them. Frieda and her whole mean girl act fell flatter than flat. There was no confrontation. No resolution. Again, just feels like a bitchy character was added to cross off the list of needed ingredients. None of these characters had depth or connection. Very one dimensional. Don't even get me started on the talking/conversations...toddlers have better conversational skills. I wanted them to keep their mouths closed and their inner thoughts to themselves, especially during the sex scenes.

Jasper was the only good thing about this book. While his character was all surface level, he was so fucking sweet. A fun, loving gentleman. Always going out of his way to show his interest in his girl, trying to protect her to the best of his ability. Even when his girl was a huge twat waffle. Jane made me want to kick her in the head every time she acted like a nasty wench towards him. In my opinion, Jane was a bad heroine. So childish. Not likeable in the slightest. She ruined this book.

Jasper and boredom are what kept me turning the page.

A light, fun romance featuring a single parent where he falls first. It's a lower angst read that made me smile in parts, but I really wanted some more depth from the characters especially Jasper and Londyn's relationship. I feel like a strong aspect to single parent romances is the connection between the upcoming step parent and the child in the story and I didn't get that here. It's still a fun read that will make you smile!

Thanks to Netgalley & Montlake for access to this
E-ARC! I really enjoyed this. Liked the characters & the steam. Will definitely read more from this author.

My Darling Jane is a cute read. If you love single parent and sport romance then you will love this one. Jane is a single mom juggling trying to raise her daughter, start her matchmaking business and help keep the family bookstore going. She does not do love for herself and not looking for it. Jasper is more than what he seems as a pro athlete. He sees Jane and is ready to be the one. I love how Jasper is with his nieces and Jane's daughter. I love the playful banter between Jasper and Jane. The chemistry is amazing. I could not get enough of this one. Go check it out now.

My Darling Jane is the second book in the Darling series by Ilsa Madden-Mills but can be read as a standalone even though it’s part of a series. I was looking forward to reading Jane’s story ever since I finished reading the first book and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Jane is the middle sibling in the Darling family who is dealing with being a single mother while trying to promote and further elevate her matchmaking business. Jasper, whom we also met in the first book, is the quarterback who is misunderstood in so many ways. I enjoyed reading how these two characters grew up and matured throughout their relationship. They are both dealing with some issues but I liked how they handled them together. Emmy and Graham make small appearances but you really don’t have to read the first book in order to enjoy this one, but I would suggest doing so. Another well written and fun contemporary romance from Ilsa Madden-Mills. I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

Ilsa Madden-Mills knows how to write a beautiful, sexy love story. My Darling Jane continues to prove the truth of this.

Jane Darling has been badly burned by people who were supposed to love her, so she’s erected some pretty strong walls for the fortress around her heart. She’s starting a new matchmaking business and her latest client is none other than Jasper Jannich, star quarterback for the New York Pythons.

Problem is she’s not setting him up with the right woman.

This love story is funny and heartwarming. Jasper is such a big, warm-hearted golden retriever and Jane is a bit of a black cat. Their getting to know each other scenes are fantastic and the spicy times are delicious. Both of them have top-notch families (for the most part) and I love to see the support.

I received an ARC from #netgalley. All thoughts are mine alone.

#romance #contemporaryromance #arc #mydarlingjane #ilsamaddenmills #bookstagram