Ilsa just has me coming back for more and more with every book that she writes. This book was incredible and the tension was amazing. I am so excited for her getting a more wide reach with her words, because she greatly deserves it. This is one of my tops of hers for sure.

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.

The Darling family has a special place in my heart. Jane is a single mom, working on the family bill store with a matchmaking side hustle. Jasper is a untamed football player trying to find his place. Their love affair was a bit unexpected but an actual delight to listen to. Sebastian York and Stella Hunter being this story to life and it's an absolute treat for the ears.

Jane Darling is a young single mother who works at her sister’s bookstore and also runs a matchmaking company. As Jane is dressed up as Cupid to drum up more clients she runs into Jasper the local football team’s quarterback. Jane and Jasper have know each other since Jane’s sister is married to one of Jasper’s friends. Now Jasper wants to join Jane’s elite matchmaking business as a customer. Will Jasper finally ind someone he can settle down with for the rest of his life? Will Jane put her feelings aside and give love another chance. This was a cute auto book that was full of banter between Jane and Jasper. It also didn’t disappoint with the sexual tension between the characters. While this is book 2 in the Darling series you can read/listen to these books as stand alone. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for letting me listen to this audiobook.

This was such a quick and fun read! It deals with some pretty serious topics, specifically abandonment by the people who should love us most, which allowed me to connect to the book on a deeper level. A matchmaker playing cupid, and a football player friend of the family - what could go wrong? The banter was witty and giving, and I loved the romance and spice. Exactly what I needed!

The audiobook, specifically, was perfection. The narrators added so much to the story!

This is a charming sports romance with engaging narration by Stella Hunter and Sebastian York. Jane Darling, a single mom, tries to build her matchmaking business and reluctantly agrees to help star quarterback Jasper Jannich find love. As Jane arranges his dates, Jasper only has eyes for her. Hunter’s portrayal of Jane’s vulnerability and determination complements York’s smooth, charismatic voice for Jasper, making their chemistry palpable. The narrators shine in bringing the characters to life, making this an enjoyable listen for fans of sweet sports romances with witty banter.

I've read a few Ilsa Madden Mills books now and enjoyed them all. But this one wasn't for me. I did enjoy parts of this book, but there was more than I didn't enjoy.
Jane was my main issue, I feel like she had so much judgment towards Jasper for no real reason. I found her annoying most of the time. Jasper and London are the ones holding this story together.
The drama with Jane's ex and Jasper's real mom was underdeveloped and it felt forced and put into the book to add a bit of drama.
I wish Jane and Jasper's relationship was developed on a deeper level rather than being mostly physical.
I really did enjoy parts of this book, so it's a shame that I didn't connect with the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC!