This is Book 2 in The Darlings Series by this author, and can be read as a standalone. It is a frenemies to lovers romance between Jane and Jasper. These two flawed but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an enjoyable read. What starts out as a business proposal turns into something more. It is a slow burn love story with drama and steam, sexual tension and chemistry, humor and charm, and twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters to keep the reader interested. Entertaining.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Grey's Promotions and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Read if you like: he-falls-first, enemies-to-lovers, single-mom romances, sports stars with hidden depths, and stories of overcoming past trauma for love.

📚 Ilsa Madden-Mills takes two scarred hearts and brings them together in a journey filled with equal doses of angst, laughter, and healing. In My Darling Jane, we watch New York’s star quarterback, Jasper Jannich, and single mom-turned-matchmaker, Jane Darling, navigate a rocky road to love that’s as satisfying as it is unpredictable.

👨‍👧 Jasper is the quintessential star athlete with charm to spare—but he’s also carrying emotional baggage from a tough past. Jane, a former model and single mom, now runs a bookstore and has started a matchmaking business to give her daughter the future she deserves. Beneath their surface differences, both are vulnerable and hesitant to open up due to their painful pasts, which only strengthens the bond that ultimately brings them together.

💞 Their chemistry is off-the-charts, leading to fiery banter and intense moments that practically leap off the page. Jasper is determined, but Jane’s reluctance makes for a slow-burn romance that’s both playful and deeply emotional. Their mutual fear of abandonment and need for real connection create a romance that’s both heart-wrenching and incredibly rewarding.

👧 The supporting cast, from Jane’s young daughter to the clients and friends they encounter, enriches the story, creating a community around Jasper and Jane that feels warm and real. These characters serve as gentle nudges towards the vulnerability both Jasper and Jane need to embrace if they’re to find happiness.

✍️ Ilsa Madden-Mills’ writing captures the highs and lows of fated love, leaving readers with fluttering hearts and plenty of laughs. Her signature style of blending angst with humor makes for a captivating experience that keeps the pages turning.

🌟 My Darling Jane is a steamy, heartfelt romance that will resonate with anyone who believes in second chances, destined love, and the courage to open up again.

My Darling Jane is a lusty, entertaining rom-com that was a lot of fun to read.

I was a bit nervous about starting this book. I wasn't overly fond of the second half of My Darling Bride, the previous book in this series. It just didn't live up to the exception I had for it. But what I did love from My Darling Bride was that frenemy energy and banter between Jane and Jasper. So, I was cautiously excited to see what the author had in store for these two characters. I'm happy to say I like this book more than the previous one. The author took a lot of great tropes and mashed them together to create a fun and bantery love story. This is an easy and quick read. It's one of those books that doesn't require you to think too much and it doesn't drain you emotionally. You can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
The chemistry between Jane and Jasper is what really stood out for me. I am a sucker for that sharp banter between two MCs. When it is done right (and it was in this case), the two MCs are constantly keeping each other on their toes. It makes for an entertaining reading experience. That frenemy energy also means that shenanigans often occur between the two characters. I loved watching Jane and Jasper dance around each other in this lusty frenemy tango.
The story itself, moves at a steady pace. The author did a great job at placing dramatic twists and turns in the story so that her readers constantly felt that need to keep on reading because they needed to know what would happen next. I liked this story. Jane and Jasper's stories have realism, making it easy for a reader to connect with them. Jane is a single mom who works at her family's bookstore and has started up her own dating website. She has a lot on her plate and believes romance isn't in her future. She also thinks Jasper's a playboy and that if she lets her guard down around him, he will break her heart. Jasper knows he has feelings for Jane, but he is thrown that she won't give him the time of day. He knows that there is something special going on between them. Jasper also has some family issues that have come up that have thrown his life into turmoil. Watching as these two characters deal with their own life drama and navigate these growing romantic feelings they have for one another was enjoyable. I love a book with lots of ridiculous drama, and this book had that in spades.
The romance was great. The author did a much better job with Jasper and Jane's romance than with the previous MC's love story. I loved the way the author incorporated Jane's start-up dating website as a tool to help bring these two characters closer together. Jasper's attempts at dating don't go smoothly, and with each date, he increasingly realizes that it's Jane he wants to be dating. It was an entertaining way to have these two characters come together. This is a much spicier book than the previous one. The lusty tension between Jasper and Jane just leaps from the pages, and it gets hot when they finally give in to those feelings. There are also a lot of sweet and tender moments between these two. But of course, some moments of miscommunication and fear cause some problems for these two. What I like about Jane and Jasper's relationship problems is that they weren't ridiculous; there was no big blow-up. They just needed time to help sort through some messy emotions.
My Darling Jane is an easy-to-love romantic comedy that is a great way to escape the world for a couple of hours.

what a sweet read. Single mom Jane wants nothing to do with pro footballer Jasper, but he just happens to be the perfect banter partner. Banter, tension two completely different people who end up being a perfect pair.

At first, Jane is very icy, but slowly, we get to see the real Jane, and despite her struggles, she's fiercely independent and strong for it. Jasper is such a sweet heart and the whole package. He has his own dealings in his life, but it was great to see them both work on them.
The chemistry between these 2 was chefs kiss and couldn't get enough.

Did I like it? Yes, the story grabbed me, it was very interesting but I had some problems with the main characters, I didn't feel much chemistry between them, the whole dating thing and Jane's job, there were so many stories happening to them at the same time that I feel some of them had their ending very abrupt and without much explanation. As individual characters Jane seemed a little haughty to me, more so in regards to how she treated Jasper and Jasper although I think he was my favorite character of the whole book, I feel he lacked a little more to be that book boyfriend. It's more than okay to pass the time, but the first book in this series (My Darling Bride) is still my favorite.

📌I received an e-arc through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

Jasper is definitely a character you either love to hate or hate to love or maybe you just love to love him the same way he loves Jane's snark, independence, stubbornness, determination and the love and loyalty she has for her family.
Jane wants everyone to have the kind of love that her sister Emmy has found and she wants to help make it happen. Nevermind that love isn't for her, she learned long ago people who say they love her or should love her always leave.
But this matchmaker is about to be tested when Jasper decides to let her words convince him to try her dating service.
Jasper is hilarious and does everything he can to get on Jane's bad side. Somehow what ends up happening is Jasper realizes maybe Jane really does have something to offer him. In turn Jane sees a whole new side of Jasper one she never expected and one she's not sure how to handle.
Londyn, Jane's adorable daughter was a great character along with Babs who I adore, both were great mood breakers when Jane starts to feel too heavy with negative emotions.
It's a really beautiful story full of wonderful surprises.
I have voluntarily left this review.

Jane is the middle of the Darling siblings, we met the family when her sister Emmy fell in love. Jasper is a professional quarterback and friends with Jane’s brother in law.

When we first meet these two, there seems to be animosity but I never really understood why. It was entertaining to see them get to know each other and gradually get to know the people behind the assumptions.

As always, My Darling Jane is well written and touches on issues other than the brewing romance. We see Jasper and Jane deal with the past trauma they bring to the table with a grace that made me root for both of them!

It took me a little while to get into My Darling Jane, not because of any issues with the book, but just because of life. I wish I had picked the book up when I could have snuggled in and just read for a couple of hours. I am curious to see what happens when the Darling brother finds love!

Jasper and Jane were perfect together. I loved the chemistry and flirty banter between them. I loved that Jasper fell first and worked so hard to show Jane how good they'd be together. If you're looking for a light contemporary romance where he falls first, definitely give this one a try!

This is the second book in the Darling series. Jane is a single mom who started a matchmaking business. Jasper is a quarterback. He’s seen his teammates falling hard and fast for the loves of their lives and wants what they’ve found. He realizes that there is something between him and Jane but she has her walls up. He uses her matchmaking business to get closer to her. It was a great addition to the series.

This book was the cutest! It's been a long time since I read a book in less than 24 hours but Jasper and Jane were so easy to read, love and root for. 🫶 Bonus points for the banter and found family vibe.

I shared my favorite quotes on Bookstagram edits. 🥰

What to expect:
- frenemies to lovers
- reverse grumpy/sunshine
- single mom and football player
- he falls first boy obsessed
- slow burn
- banter
- hilarious secondary characters
- warm and fuzzy feelings
- but also sensitive topics, like parents/abandonment issues
- realistic real life struggles
- hot tension and spice

Jane and Jasper have been in each other's life for a while, as they have friends and family in common. But they never really got along. They are opposites in every way. Or are they? 🤭 Jasper is a sunshine fun football player. Jane is a small business owner, single mom black cat. Naturally, sparks fly.

What a breath of fresh air! Between adulting, heavy reads and spooky season, I needed a book like this. Witty, fun, charming, heart-warming, sexy, relatable but on the lighter spectrum, I devoured this in a few hours and it made ke kick my feet and smile like a loon for hours.

There is something so fun and addictive about Ilsa's writing. She balances well cute moments with banter, passion, real feels, angst, family issues, insecurities, communication and a love like you wish you had in real life (and by you, I mean me, I want Jasper in my life).



I loved how Jane is a fighter, independend hard working single mom trying to juggle everything at once. But mostly I loved how Jasper kept showing up for her, once he made up his mind. Behind his witty charm and easy going vibe, he hides a heart of gold, cares deeply about family, life and his friends. Top book boyfriend material, my friends. The progress from frenemies to more was so natural and perfect in the end, they completed each other so well.

Bonus points for the found family, witty meddling side characters and grand gestures.

So if you need a quick, spicy and fun sports romance, this is for you.

my darling jane by ilsa madden-mills 💘🪽🏈

this book is so sweet. jane and jasper are absolutely adorable. jane is a single mom just starting her matchmaking business, and finding it hard to get people to sign up. jasper is a single nfl quarterback, and while they’ve never gotten along, she knows his celebrity endorsement will help her reach people. she matches him with a few women and sends him on dates, but nothing compares to the sparks between them. their banter is hilarious and the tension makes me giddy with anticipation. jane is a bit of a grump and jasper, the ever happy-go-lucky man, loves it. neither jane or jasper has had an easy life, both having serious abandonment issues, so watching them connect as frenemies to being vulnerable as lovers, and then taking a chance on each other made my angst loving heart so happy.

i love this book, the darlings, and all of the hilarious side characters so much. what a fun read, it will definitely leave you smiling!

Rating: 3 stars ⭐️

Tropes:
Reversed grumpy x sunshine ☀️
Enemies to lovers 🏈
Single mom 🧸

This book wasn’t personally for me but I advise you to form your own opinion.

Jane Darling runs a matchmaking business called Cupid’s Arrow, though it’s struggling more than she’d hoped. To boost business, she’s out promoting at a local sports bar. That’s where she crosses paths with Jasper Jannich, the star quarterback with whom she shares a complicated past. Jasper signs up as her client, but as Jane arranges dates for him, it becomes obvious that his interest is focused solely on her.

Thanks to Grey’s Promo, Ilsa Madden Mills, and the publisher for providing me with this copy. All opinions are my own.

I loved the story of Jane and Jasper.

What's starts as, an almost, enemies to lovers soon develops into a grudging respect and from there moves quite quickly to a 'no strings, just segs' arrangement.

BUT we all know better than that, especially when you throw in a sweet five year old who captures Jaspie's heart the second they meet.

However both our main characters have vulnerabilities that make them both unsure of their worth and have these issues to work througb before clearing their HEA pathway.

All in all another lovely addition to Ilsa Madden Mills' catalogue.

Buckle up for a whirlwind romance in “My Darling Jane” by Ilsa Madden-Mills! Meet Jane, a sassy single mom with matchmaking ambitions that could rival Cupid himself, as she collides with Jasper, a charming quarterback and certified heartthrob. Will sparks fly or will they just fumble the ball? Let the matchmaking games begin! Jane's dressed up in an angel/yoga costume at a bar trying to promote her business, but when a guy doesn’t take a hint, Jasper swoops in to save the day. He even signs up for her matchmaking service just to help her out! But soon enough, Jasper realizes he doesn’t want to be matched with anyone else—he wants Jane!

Both characters go on a heartfelt journey, learning to open up, trust, and truly connect. It’s sweet, funny, and packed with chemistry. Even though this is the second book in the Darling Series, you can jump right in without missing a beat. If you love feel-good, sports-themed romances with a frenemies-to-lovers vibe, “My Darling Jane” is a must-read!

Thank you Montlake Publishing, @ilsamaddenmills & @netgalley for the #gifted ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I Can’t describe how much I loved this book!
Jane is a single mom who is trying to build her matchmaking business, who doesn’t believe she needs love for herself.
Jasper is the playboy Quarterback who helps Jane by going on dates for her business, when he really wants to date her.
I love their back and forth banter, she is tough and he is witty. They both have abandonment issues and create this friendship where they can lean on each other.
I absolutely loved this book!

My Darling Jane by Ilsa Madden-Mills is one if my favorite Book of this year. I really liked Jasper a lot. He was a total sweetheart and the chemistry between Jane and Jasper is hot.

If you like to read light contemporary sports romance with very likable characters then you are going to love this one.

Highly Recommend it to all readers.

Jane Darling and Jasper Jannich have never seen eye to eye. He is a playboy, professional football player, while she is a single mother turned matchmaker. Oh, and they drive each other absolutely crazy...

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

My Darling Jane was a sweet and entertaining, opposites attract romance read! Jane and Jasper were very different on paper, but when these two frenemies spend time together, they start to realize just how much they really, actually like each other... which is too bad, since Jasper is Jane's newest (and most famous) client... 

Jane was an admirable character who had always made her own way in life for her and her daughter. She cared deeply for her family, and didn't always have it easy in her childhood, or when she became a single mother. Which is why she worked hard to protect herself and the people she loves.

Jasper may have been an infuriatingly sexy man, but it doesn't take much for the football star to worm his way into Jane's guarded heart. But when Jasper's own childhood abandonment issues come up, will it be too much for their fledgling relationship to handle? 

I enjoyed this book and the journey that Jane and Jasper took to find their feelings for each other. Jane was a dedicated mother who only wants the best for her daughter, and once she opens her eyes to Jasper actually being a *good* guy, it doesn't take her long to realize that he may be the kind of unexpected match she never saw coming...

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

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley via the author and Grey's Promotions, all opinions are my own.

This is the second book featuring one of the Darling siblings, however they read as companion novels and you can this as a standalone. This follows Jane, who we did meet in My Darling Bride, a single mom who is trying to get her matchmaking business off the ground. She has all the pieces, what she doesn't have is clients. Enter superstar quarterback Jasper, who loves to irritate Jane every chance he gets. He's friends and teammates with her brother in law, so they see each other frequently. Jane basically only knows him on a surface level and what she's heard from tabloids, and she has judged him based on that, so when he asks to be her client she shuts him down. When she realizes he is serious about settling down and that she is being unfair and that if she can get him to recommend her it may help the business, she aims to set him up with the perfect woman. As they try to find the right woman their own attraction grows and things get a little blurry between them.

I really enjoyed getting to know Jasper and Jane. They had good banter and I appreciated that they were vulnerable with each other. This does touch on feelings of abandonment by a parent as both main characters have that in common. They both had positive outcomes, but there is lasting trauma that not only shows up in the plot but helps them form a bond. They don't rush into a relationship and things don't go exactly as planned but I really enjoyed their enemies to lovers vibe.

Jane is trying to get her match making business off the ground and Jasper ends up her client. The two already know each other from a mutual friend. These two have great banter and loved watching things slowly change for them. Well written and great characters. Definitely worth a one click.