Review: Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

This is the second book in the Game Changer's series, but it can be read as a standalone.  There are some mentions of events that take place in Not My Romeo, which will make more sense if you read that first, however the author gives you enough background for it all to make sense.  I loved Not My Romeo and highly recommend you read as well, and it is on sale for 99 cents for a limited time.  Not My Match comes out on Tuesday January 19, 2021.  Go grab book 1 while it is on sale and get caught up on Jack and Elena's story before Devon and Giselle's story releases.  You can thank me later.

 

This follows brainy and inexperienced Giselle on her quest to finish her masters degree and PHD in Physics as well as find a suitable partner in life.  So far she has be unlucky in love and as her next birthday approaches, she is sure that the "birthday curse" is going to strike yet again.  Every year around her birthday something terrible happens and this year is no different, the only exception is that extremely hot football player Devon is there to rescue her and help her put the pieces of her life back together as it is falling apart.  Devon is Jack's best friend.  If you have read Not My Romeo, you will remember Jack as the leading man from that book, and you will know that Jack is married to Giselle's sister Elena.  This takes place directly after Jack and Elena's wedding, while they are on their honeymoon.  Jack, as the quarterback of the local football team, looks at Giselle as his own sister and has told the team to stay away from her, so when Devon finds himself undeniably attracted to her he tries to push her away.   Unfortunately, Giselle is having a crappy week and Devon offers to help her out with a place to stay after her house burns down. 

 

This is a fairly slow burn as Devon tries to stay away from Giselle, but after listening to her sci-fi romance that she's writing and getting to know her, eventually they can't deny what is between them.  I actually appreciated the slower burn between them as it forced them to get to know each other.  Both of the characters have some baggage to deal with, and they both had to lay their feelings on the table for this to work in the end.  I also really loved that the author addressed the  male chauvinism in STEM, there aren't enough brilliant women in STEM and the old fashioned "boys club" mentality has to go. 

 

I also love the Daisy Lady Gang.  This book has wonderful side characters and I hope to see more of them in the next book.  I expect Aiden, the up and coming quarterback and Jack's frenemy to get a book in the near future.  If you like a good slow, burn romance, with great characters, a little bit of humor, and some mild angst make sure to pick this up when it comes out.

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