I really wished I could have gotten into this book but I did not like Jane. She came across as a flake to me. Her instant dislike of Jason was unfounded. And despite Jasper going on three unsuccessful dates, she did not refund his money which was her company policy. Even if she had attempted to return the money and Jasper refused would have redeemed her in my eyes.

Then, after a contraceptive mishap and her freakout, they get the morning after pill which she does not take! What??!! That is unforgiveable in my eyes. Jasper "saved the day by" suggesting the morning after pill which they went out and bought together. If I were Jasper, I would assume Jane would take the pill especially after her panic attack. But then she announces she is pregnant. Thankfully, Jasper is ok with the pregnancy but if he was not, like her ex-husband, then that was on her. Afterall, they were both present when buying the pill with the assumption that she was going to follow through.

What was with picking the bathroom door lock when someone/Jasper was in there? Even though Jane knew there were other bathrooms available?

Also, how old were Jasper’s nieces? On one hand, they are almost eighteen. But then they have bedtime. Not a curfew.

This book didn’t work for me.

My Dear Jane by Ilsa Madden Mills was a sweet Enemies to lovers romance that has moments of heartache to make you fall in love. Jasper is top tier book boyfriend material. He might be three times superbowl winning QB but he has a tough past and he often feels a deep sense of abandonment and loneliness. Jane has been hurt and she doesn't want to suffer from heartbreak again. And falling for the charismatic and c0cky football player isn't exactly a safe bet for a single mom.

I had a bit difficulty connecting with this story. Jane and Jasper's apparent animosity started in the previous Darling book featuring Jane's sister and Jasper's book so it somehow begins from the middle. Jane has a lot on her plate. Running book store, trying to get her matchmaking business successful , taking care of her baby girl..She is stubborn and independent and doesn't want to rely on anyone. That made her push Jasper away so many times. She was giving a lot of mixed signals. Making him a client, then feeling jealous, then giving in to the attraction, then feeling guilty, then giving in again and freaking out..it was a bit messy. Jasper had a solid understanding of his feels but this push and pull triggered his own insecurities.

I feel I didn't see how they actually fell in love. Words were said but the process could be more heartfelt. A lot of secondary characters are here and instead of making the story interesting, their presence often slowed the story and distracted me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for my review copy

Took me a while to get into My Darling Jane. The themes felt too heavy for this lighthearted romance imo, but Ilsa’s writing as always is 10/10 and I loved our main couple.

Jane is a single mum, with not time for romance, unless it’s for someone else. She had just started her own dating service and Jasper, a family friend offers to be one of her clients.

He thinks she doesn’t like him, but she is actually attracted to him and doesn’t know what to do with the attraction.

They both have had issues in the past that still affect them and make them both reluctant to let anyone in.

I liked Jane’s relationship with her daughter and her family and thought Jasper’s relationship with his adoptive family was heartwarming.

They can’t fight the attraction for long, but do fight the connection they have and get in their own way for a while.

This was a sweet read with a nice little bit of heat and heartwarming characters.

4🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tropes:
💙single mom
🩶football player hero
💙reverse grumpy x sunshine
🩶found family
💙he falls first
🩶dual pov

My Darling Jane by Ilsa Madden-Mills is the second book in the Darlings series. It can be read as a standalone and tells the story of Jasper and Jane .
Jane is an ex-model and single mom trying to start her online match making business. Jane is a strong, independent woman who will no longer rely on anyone else but family.

Jasper is a football player and a player in every sense of the word. He sees Jane trying to get some business and is dressed in a cupid outfit and he fills out an application for her business but it starts to backfire on him as he is set up on dates by Jane and all he wants is to date HER.

Things between these two start gradually but soon things begin shifting into more between these two.
I struggled to really connect to Jane but absolutely adored Jasper. He was funny, sweet, kind and caring, but he also had this soft side that not everyone got to see. He held a special place in his heart for the women in his life, like Jane and his two teenage nieces.

I thought this book was a great fun book to read.
Jasper and Jane had great banter and with some hilarious moments to make this just a cute fun book to read.

Jasper and Jane consumed me the whole time I read this book. It was a pretty straightforward romance between a matchmaker and a pro athlete. But the way this author their connection and chemistry was done so well.

Jane is written as a strong willed businesswoman, but she's also a single mother and has some tenderness to her that she doesn't let many people see. Somehow, Jasper's always seen that in her. While she considers him a play out jock, he's far from it. His own tender heart has been set on Jane for a while, she just had the biggest walls set up around herself. Jasper is the perfect man, Jane just hasn't let herself see it.

So begins their little game of cat and mouse. He chases, she dodges. I loved their playful banter and sometimes crude antics. And I really love when those walls start being taken down. This book was fun, yes, but it was also heavy and honestly hurt my heart a little to read the things that they both went through. These two both needed love to heal their hearts and I was thrilled when they found it in one another.

Former model Jane Darling is trying to get her matchmaking business off the ground. She works at the family's bookstore in NYC,  but she wants something of her own. She's the proud mom of Londyn, and adorable four-year-old and though she's in the business of finding love, she's not looking for it herself. 

She finds herself wearing a cupid costume in a bar, trying to promote her business and when a potential customer becomes a little handsy, Jasper Jannich, her "frenemy" comes to the rescue. He also tries to convince her to go on a date, but ends up becoming her client. Having a professional football player as a client could really launch her business... But Jasper realizes that Jane is the one he really wants. No one she matches him with will be good enough for him. 

Second book in The Darlings series, this can definitely be read as a standalone.

Jane is a feisty, dedicated, single mom and you root for her from the beginning. Pretty soon were figure out that their banter and all the bickering is hiding an intense attraction that is pretty much present on both sides. Jasper is top tier book boyfriend material and he will make you swoon! Gotta love a boy obsessed!

There are two subplots (Londyn's dad's and Jasper's biological mom's reappearances) that I wish were a little more developed. but their romance is adorable. 

A sweet and spicy "he falls first" romance for people who love determined single moms, cocky and charming football players, beautiful bookstores, a NYC backdrop, true found family, twin niece shenanigans and sweet surprises at the end.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Content notes: child abandonment, trauma related to child abandonment, mentions of living in foster care, mentions of living in a cult

This is book two in The Darlings series. This book can definitely be read as a standalone.
It follows Jane Darling as she tries to start her matchmaking business and be a single mom to her young daughter, Londyn.

Jasper Jannich, New York's star quarterback, knows Jane because her sister is married to Graham, also on the team. They are not exactly friends, more like frenemies. When they run into each other while she is out advertising her business, she reluctantly agrees to take him on as a client in the hopes that his name will bring more her more clients. With each date she sets up, it is more and more apparent that Jasper and Jane are meant to be.

Both Jasper and Jane have issues of abandonment in their past. The author deals with these issues nicely--Jasper with his birth mom and Jane with her ex. I like that there was more than a romance story in this.

We get both Jasper and Jane's POV in this story, which I am always a fan of. I love knowing what is going on in the male main character's head.

I listened to this and read along. The narrators are Stella Hunter and Sebastian York. Both wonderful! Thank you to Montlake Romance for the advance readers copy and to Brilliance Publishing for an advanced listeners copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Darling Jane is book #2 in The Darlings duet. It can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read book #1`My Darling Bride and had no problem following the story. It is funny, romantic and charming but has some angst as well.

New York’s beloved star quarterback, Jasper Jannich is no match for Jane Darling. They start out as frenemies - of sort, even though the chemistry and the push-and-pull is there between them. They both have trust issues and heart break in their past. This leaves them both hesitating with any kind of relationship. That doesn't stop their chemistry and the spicey times are HOT!

My Darling Jane was such a fun read. There are laugh out loud moments and some serious times as well. I enjoyed Jasper and Jane's story. Jasper was also featured in The Princess and the Player which I loved! It was nice to see him get his happy ending.

I love reading Ilsa Madden-Mills. She writes fun and uplifting sports-romance stories. I am looking forward the next story!

#AuthorIlsaMadden-Mills #MyDarlingJane #TheDarlings #JasperandJane #SportsRomance #Humor #LaughOutLoud #ContemporaryRomance #SportsRomance #Love

DNF at 45%

Books that I DNF, I do not leave reviews for and normally I do not leave star-ratings for them either, but in order to submit this I had to add this additional text and also a star rating. Hence the 1 star rating. But if you look at my Goodreads for this, there is no star rating and only the comment with the DNF and percentage.

Jane has spent so long simply existing, being a single parent and a business owner takes all of her time, and frankly she has no interest in trying to find the one. Sometimes life has other opinions and throws a wrench in you plans, which is most certainly what Jasper is, a pain in her behind. He exasperates and confounds her, and pushes every one of her buttons. But he also makes her feel things she thought she would never feel again. Her life takes another turn when her daughters father turns up out of the blue and asks for something she might not want to give. Jasper wants Jane, and he has done everything he can think of to make her see him, even pretend to want to use her match making services. Every date is just wrong, no one is Jane. She makes him want more. A life beyond the sport that has been his entire life. He is getting older and football will not always be an option. He loves her daughter and enjoys her family, frankly, they are soooo good together, if only she would let him in! Its funny and sweet and just an all around great way to spend an evening. Its almost as good as the first in the series and I really enjoyed it! I am hoping we get to maybe read about a certain brother too!

"I'll protect you if you'll let me."

This was fun and adorable! Jane Darling, a single mom, is trying to launch her matchmaking business. And somehow that leads her to a frisky releationship with Jasper Jannich, New York's star quarterback.

His goal is winning Jane's heart.

I loved the push and pull these two had, their banter was so entertaining! I liked them both, but somehow Jasper won my heart! It's just the way he held himself, the toughts he had and the actions he took. Plus, him and his twin nieces... that was cuteness overload!

Overall, this was a good read.

jane’s matchmaking business is doing a bit meh..enter her brother-in-laws bestie, jasper. while jasper would rather go out with jane, her assumptions about his character (and her stubbornness) prevent that from happening. so maybe if she keeps setting him up on dates, their chemistry will fade..

jasper and jane are an unlikely match - but it works! he’s a misunderstood, charming sweetheart, and she’s a bit rough (I definitely internally yelled at her a few times.). overall, I enjoyed their story. I liked that it was keep on the lighthearted side considering some of the topics it delved into.

my darling jane, along with a few of ilsa’s other works (beauty and the baller, princess and the player, & my darling bride) are all set in the same world of new york nfl players. so you’ve likely met these characters before :) while this is a standalone, it definitely helps to have read the others to better understand their backstory.

for fans of:
sports romance
enemies to lovers
he falls first
single mom
grumpy sunshine

I am happy to come back to Darling Bookstore.
The story of Jane and Jasper is funny (their banter...🔝!) and emotional. Each scene between Jane and the little Londyn is so lovely. She's cute. And seeing Jasper with her, even more.
Jane and Jasper are ment to be together. She's the grumpy for his sunshine.
This story tells us that no matter what challenge or surprise lie ahead, a family face them together.

This is a fun, entertaining read. Jasper and Jane are interesting, wounded, complex, complicated, intriguing, relatable, caring, strong, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. Their exchanges are entertaining and left me anticipating their next one. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed Jane and Jasper. They have a nice push and pull with one another. They both have reservations about relationships but they are perfect for each other. I liked the plot. There's some steam but plenty of emotion. Overall a good read.

This was a fun, easy read. I enjoyed the characters, the storyline and the drama. I would consider this a beach read because it's an easy story that lends itself to turning the pages quickly, and it isn't hard to get back into the story even with a few breaks. I was sent a complimentary copy and I am choosing to leave my honest review.

2.75/3⭐️
3/3🌶️
1/3🦋

•My Thoughts•
I wanted so much to like this one. The tropes are great and some of my favorites but I didn’t love how they were executed here. Jane’s prickliness and denial of her feelings made me want to bang my head against the wall (miscommunication trope but with just herself?). I really struggled to like her and had trouble understanding what the MMC saw in her. Jasper is lovable and charming. He’s a reformed playboy quarterback who doesn’t quite know what to do with deeper feelings. I did like his character and enjoyed his growth. Both of our MCs had trauma and abandonment issues so a lot of their relational problems made a lot of sense even if frustrating. There were a few side plots that felt underdevelopment and unresolved or unnecessary. Ilsa continues to write good banter and side characters. Shout out to Babs, who remains one of my favorites of all time (we first meet her in My Darling Bride). While this one wasn’t for me, I LOVED the first book in this interconnected series and am still excited for the next Darling sibling.

Side note (a bit spoilery): There was a scene with some very irresponsible contraception usage on the part of the MMC and I felt like it was just glossed over. It really bothered me, especially knowing Jane’s history.

Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed Jane and Jasper's story. Now, I did get really frustrated with Jane. She was so hardened and did not want to open her heart up to Jasper. She kept pushing him away when she clearly didn't want to be doing that. Jasper was a great guy given his childhood circumstances. They both had been left before by someone and it both broke them and strengthened them. Jasper was all in once he figured it out but it took Jane a little bit longer to figure it out! There was a cute epilogue and it was nice to see their little family in the future. I'm really loving the Darlings!

Arc provided by ValentinePR via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jane and Jasper - so much fun!

Jasper is a quarterback so short of neither confidence nor a buck. He's a bit jaded though and realising that the playboy lifestyle does get old. Jane is a bit more complicated, an ex-model with a 5 year old daughter, she’s got abandonment issues and all the worry that comes with a new business that isn't yet profitable. She’s a matchmaker and ropes Jasper in as a client. Of course he wants to help, but even as she sets him up, she’s jealous of his dates and it’s confusing all around. There’s plenty of banter, Jane leans in to being prickly, Jasper in to the playboy - can they see through the facades and find each other? What about Jane's daughter Londyn? Their push and pull is so good with plenty of the New York pace and momentum to keep it fresh.

Quibbles are about Jane's daughter Londyn who is mostly off the page - it would have been lovely to see more of her interacting with Jasper and Jane actively parenting. We see more of Jasper's nieces than Londyn. Apart from that, this works so well. It’s funny and joyful, low angst and skips along. Recommended.

Thanks Ilsa Madden-Mills and NetGalley for the ARC - opinions are my own.