| Title | : | I Dare You (Waylon University, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 254 |
| Publication | : | First published April 29, 2018 |
Badass Athlete: I dare you to…
Delaney Shaw: Who is this?
The late night text is random, but "Badass Athlete" sure seems to know who she is…
Delaney Shaw.
Good girl.
Lover of fluffy kitties and Star Wars.
Curious.
His dare? Spend one night in his bed—a night he promises will be unforgettable—and she can solve the mystery of who he is.
She knows she shouldn't, but what else is she going to do with her boring Valentine's Day?
One sexy hook-up later, her mind is blown and the secret's out.
Maverick Monroe.
Bad boy.
The most talented football player in the country.
Just ask him.
Too bad for him Delaney's sworn off dating athletes forever after her last heartbreak.
But Maverick wants more than one night and refuses to give up on winning Delaney’s heart. She isn’t one to be fazed by a set of broad shoulders.
Will the bad boy land the nerd girl or will the secrets they keep from each other separate them forever?
I Dare You (Waylon University, #1) Reviews
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🏈 RELEASE: NOW LIVE! 🏈
NOW a Top #2 Amazon Bestseller! #1 Contemporary Romance, #1 Sports Romance, #1 New Adult and College Age
✔ Text ROMANCE to 21000 to receive a text alert on your phone when I release. Max of 4 texts a year.
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Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills kicks off a brand-new, sexy, heartfelt contemporary romance series with I DARE YOU!
Badass Athlete: I dare you to…
Delaney Shaw: Who is this?
The late night text is random, but "Badass Athlete" sure seems to know who she is…
Delaney Shaw.
Good girl.
Lover of fluffy kitties and Star Wars.
Curious.
His dare? Spend one night in his bed—a night he promises will be unforgettable—and she can solve the mystery of who he is.
She knows she shouldn't, but what else is she going to do with her boring Valentine's Day?
One sexy hook-up later, her mind is blown and the secret's out.
Maverick Monroe.
Bad boy.
The most talented football player in the country.
Just ask him.
Too bad for him Delaney's sworn off dating athletes forever after her last heartbreak.
But Maverick wants more than one night and refuses to give up on winning Delaney’s heart. She isn’t one to be fazed by a set of broad shoulders.
Will the bad boy land the nerd girl or will the secrets they keep from each other separate them forever?
*A complete standalone with a happily ever after.
______________________________
This is what you need to know about I DARE YOU:
➔ 🏈 It's an ALL NEW full-length stand-alone from yours truly.
➔ ♥️ It's romantic...so much true love and fate and swoony feelings that it will make your heart melt!
➔ ♥️ It's emotional...you're going to cry just a tiny bit. I cry every time I re-read it even though I know exactly what's going to happen. There is an HEA (Happily Ever After)!
➔ 😂 It's funny! Yes! You know I have to give you the snappy dialogue between snarky characters you'll fall in love with!
➔ 🔥 It's smoking hot sexy. YES. I mean, look at the cover; how can it not be?
✔️ I DARE YOU releases April 29
✔️ Goodreads:
http://bit.ly/IDareYouHookUp
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➳A college romance filled with broken down emotions that will drag you with want, and need for Maverick and Delaney in this highly anticipated release that did not disappoint...
➳When it comes down to college romances,
Ilsa Madden-Mills has out-done herself in this highly anticipated novel, in which I have devoured instantly and I do not feel any shame about it. Maverick, a man who keeps his word, has waited so long to finally be with Delaney. While Delaney is in the process of mending her heart from her previous heart-break with her cheating ex-boyfriend, Mav is there to comfort her in an unexpected way that I find rather endearing. Being the captain of the football team, and having the sights of all NFL scouts on him, he needs to do everything he can to make it into the big leagues for the sake of his sister, and soon to find out, for the sake of having a future with Delaney.
➳Delaney, junior college student trying to live her life and focus on her future without any distractions, she ends up encountering upon Maverick in a very strong way that has never let her forget their first time together at a freshmen party. To her, after being in a cheating relationship with a football player, she decides to not be with another one ever again. Maverick has of course consider this as a challenge, one that he will not back down from making him determined to show Delaney that he is not some "spoiled, bratty, jock" that everyone stereotypes him as. He has gone through the worst that life has given him, and is trying to move on from the past and start a better future for himself and his family. When sparks fly, Mav and Del become a couple that is truly worth reading.
➳Tables are turned when an unexpected surprise is revealed in which features Maverick. His whole idea of creating a better future for his sister and Delaney brings him to a situation where HIS football career would be in danger. As time passes, Maverick soon realizes that Raven, his sister, and Delaney are far more important than any of the actions he is causing towards himself. I found this rather romantic in a sense that Delaney is a strong individual who fights for him and Raven. Ilsa wrote this romance novel, one that I am HONESTLY surprised to love as her previous novels have not been my favorites. But this one for sure has surpass that opinion.
➳ARC kindly provided by the publicist in exchange for an honest review...
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2.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: I'm really bummed with the last quarter of this. I felt like we barely tapped into these characters and they (especially the H) had so much going on that we only briefly addressed (if that) by the end. The book seemed to hit the fast-forward button and then just stop. I don't get why we couldn't experience those things that got skipped over -- especially their last year of college! I think it would've benefited the story SO much. It ended at 56% on my kindle app, and those of you that follow my reviews know that I HATE THAT!! When I was looking into this book I couldn't find a page count, so it's my bad for still giving it a shot. I know my preferences, and I know that I don't personally enjoy short books. I also know that lots of my fellow readers don't mind and actually enjoy the shorter books -- so, hey! This one might work well for you 😘
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Delaney and Maverick's story. They meet and kiss at a bonfire freshman year, but reunite junior year when Delaney has broken up with her boyfriend. Delaney is receiving random texts by some guy and has dubbed as "He-man" and she is having some fun encounters with Maverick in her class. She secretly hopes that they are one in the same but isn't sure. Maverick has some family drama going on and is stretched too thin, but he had been waiting for years for Delaney to be single and isn't going to let the opportunity to pursue her slip away. There are some big secrets, some sexy times, some funny and cute moments...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between Delaney and Maverick's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good until the last quarter ish where it felt really rushed. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well otherwise.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 3.5 stars. Maverick. I liked him, but I did want him to communicate better with the h.
h rating: 4 stars. Delaney. I liked her. She was a lovable nerd.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes, but not in the usual way
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had not nearly enough closure for me and what felt like an abrupt ending. I would call this a HFN ending .
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers -
*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
I DARE YOU had the key elements that I love about sports romances-- a sexy and cocky Hero with brains and wit, and a sweet & silly Heroine. I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to what’s to come in this new series.
Delaney Shaw may be considered a nerd with her passion for the movies “Star Wars” and “The Princess Bride” and her eclectic wardrobe, but early in her freshman year at Waylon University, she catches the eye of the most popular football player, Maverick Monroe. Their paths cross briefly at a frat party which ended with a brief but toe-curling kiss. Unfortunately, two years will go by before they get their chance to be together.
Delaney has broken up with her cheating boyfriend and vows to swear off all football players until Maverick starts to show up almost everywhere she goes. He’s had a huge crush on her for quite a while and now that she’s no longer dating one of his teammates, he is not wasting this long-awaited opportunity.
Things heat up between the two pretty quick and it scares Delaney because she knows that her heart has gotten completely wrapped up in Maverick and that he very well could break it far worse than any previous boyfriend has in the past. Maverick isn’t the carefree jock that everyone has him pegged for. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders when it comes to his family and he’s forced to put his college and football career on the line to care for his disabled sister. Will the secret that he’s keeping from Delaney cause him to lose it all?
Here are my overall ratings
Hero: 5
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 4
Angst:4
Steam: 4.5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5
I DARE YOU is currently available.
Amazon US:
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Amazon Universal:
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Ilsa Madden-Mills, New Adult, Sports Romance – Need I say more?
The following ratings are out of 5:
Audio/Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Romance: 💚💙💜🖤❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📘📗📕📙📘
World building: 🌏🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😉😖🤨😤🥰
“This is my fantasy, Princess Leia. Just listen.”
The Hero: Maverick - big man on Campus and football hero. Maverick was in a car accident a few years back and lost his mother and his sister got a traumatic brain injury and needs full time care.
The heroine: Delaney - lost both parents in an accident when she was young, she was raised by her grandmother. She is a studious girl who focuses on her grades and rarely parties. She recently broke up with her football player boyfriend when he cheated.
The Love Story: Maverick and Delaney meet at the University bonfire at the beginning of their freshman year. Though he came (and left) with a pair of twins, he noticed Delaney and kissed her after telling her the story about how it is said that the first person you kiss at your Freshman bonfire is the one who you will never forget.
Two years after the pair first meets and after Delaney breaks up with her boyfriend Alex who cheats on her, they start hanging out together. Delaney has also been texting some unknown guy that she has put in her phone as He-man after their first conversation. She doesn’t know which one she likes better.
The audio on this book is great. The male voice is deep which I like and I have heard this woman before. I like her, she doesn’t have one of those angsty girly voices or one of those socialite uppity type voices either. I liked both the story and the narration.
The side story about Maverick’s troubles at home with an alcoholic father who is supposed to take care of his handicapped sister makes you really like Maverick. I love sports romance and this one the Hero was so likable, other than the twins thing at the beginning, he was a really good guy!
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KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
I DARE YOU: This is the first instalment in Ilsa Madden-Mills ‘The Hook Up’ Series. It’s spoken in ‘Dual Perspectives.’ In this we meet nerdy girl Delaney Shaw and football star Maverick Monroe.
“Legend says the first person you kiss at the party is the one you’ll never forget. It might be years later, and still their face is the one you dream about.”
Straight away I’m pulled into the story of the first time these two met and I was hooked..
On Delaney's freshman year at Waylon University, out of her element at a bonfire party where all the greek gods and jocks seemed to be, she's completely out of her element but she's trying to push herself to enjoy new things.
At this very party she meets a guy, she doesn't know his name, or anything about him really, but she leaves with her first kiss and knowing exactly who he is.
“He kisses me, an almost imperceptible touch as he brushes his full lips against mine. The contact of our mouths is electric, sparks of fire skating along my skin.”... It would be exactly two years before she ever got to kiss him again.
She started dating a football player named Alex, Maverick never forgot her, since the bonfire night he'd always had a wee bit of a crush on her, but she was with his team mate now and he'd missed his chance.
Now we see Delaney recovering from a shattered heart after she walked in on her boyfriend cheating on her, and from this point onwards she's sworn off jocks indefinitely. She's placed them all in the cheaters basket.
Sitting at home on valentines day her only company her cat Han Solo, a bottle of vodka, popcorn and a horror movie she gets a text from an unknown number.
Hey, sexy. I'm glad I have a library card because I was checking you out today. Do you have a Band-Aid? Because I scraped my knee falling for you.
A few more pick up lines, a few more text messages back wards and forwards.
Hey, look, I'm sorry. This isn't the person with the horrible pick up lines and offer of sex who first texted you. Those messages were from my asshole friend who took my phone and texted you without my knowledge. I have it back now so we're cool right?
So who are you?
I'm a badass athlete
So you play a sport here at Waylon?
Yes
Which sport? I've sworn off football for the moment.
Lets keep that a secret, but if you need a name, you can call me He-Man.
She has no idea who the guy is that she's texting, but at the same time when this is occurring Maverick seems to show up at the same time. Put two and two together and now that Delaney is single Maverick is going to finally make her his.
“You're the one that got away, Delaney, the opportunity I missed.”
Mavericks not your normal jock, he's got real life problems on his shoulders which he has to break a few rules to sort out. The only person who knew what he was up to was his room mate, a secret neither could afford to let out.
He is a rollercoaster, dangerous and exhilarating; my brain is telling me to jump off and save myself, but my heart yearns to ride it to the end to see if I live or die.
I am so glad I one clicked this back on release day, gladder still that I found time to read it,I devoured this, a slow burn that had me in it's hooks. It did take me a while to get into, the title is a wee bit misleading (I thought we'd see more dares) but other than those minor details I ended up really enjoying this and can not wait to read the next book.
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On vacation so keeping reviews, a bit short(er).....
I dare you to read this one.
Overall I enjoyed this one. I liked watching Maverick and Delaney build their relationship. It starts as an attraction at a college freshman bonfire, Mav giving Delaney her first bonfire kiss, meaning, by ritual at this school, this is the guy you’ll always remember. After the kiss the book fast forward a couple years from that kiss, and the attraction is still there. After the kiss, they both go their separate ways with no contact, except glances here and there. So can a DARE bring these two together for maybe good?
This is a sweet read, a little angst, lots of fun banter, with alot of sexy football players and throw in some baseball players too, makes this an enjoyable read that I recommend to all you sports lovers.
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So let me get this straight
Maverick meets Delaney for the first time during a bonfire party
Feeds her this crap about “the first person you kiss during the bonfire party you will never forget them.”
So he kisses her and then WALKS AWAY TO BE WITH TWINS. Now I don’t need to explain to you what he did with those said twins.
Apparently Delaney left an impression on him somehow, even though he ended up leaving her dry and hanging for a set of two pairs. But still he apparently felt something, but again couldn’t do anything about it because the next time he saw her she was dating Alex, one of his teammates.
I mean if you hadn’t left her for the twins maybe she would have been in your arms instead of his?
So fast forward two years, Delaney is hard broken because she caught Alex cheating on her and she is eating out her feelings when she gets a text from an anonymous person.
Not even two minutes into the conversation and they are kind of already sexting each other.
Anyway she continues texting this stranger on the phone because she felt some “sort off connection with him” just from a 2 minute conversation. (The stranger is Maverick if you couldn’t tell)
At the same time Maverick is magically appearing in front of her at college and tries to coax her into going on a date with him.
Delaney is all like “No I will never date footballers again” but proceed to stare at him as if she has never seen a man her entire life.
Then let’s him kiss her. And then idk what happened because I skipped like 15 chapters.
In between I got to know that Maverick had been taking part in illegal fights to earn money for his sister who is disabled. And kept it a secret from Delaney.
Then she gets to know and asks him to stop but he brushes her off.
Then she proceeds to tell him that she loves him and he just stares at her without saying it back. So she breaks things off.
And then he comes running back to her but see’s her ex and is like
“You tell me you love me one minute and the next you’re at the beach with your ex—what am I supposed to think?”
Like Maverick stfu. You didn’t even tell her you loved her back. Or tried to stop her from leaving. So like i don’t understand what your problem is dude?
PS: Nothing happened between Delaney and her ex because apparently the ex is into Delaney’s best friend now and vice versa.
Anyway then I just skipped to the epilogue and everyone is happy. So I was like okay peace out. Bye.
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★ 3 stars!! ★
Achei que a história se desenrola em um ritmo muito rápido e sem muita elaboração.
Terminei a leitura com a impressão de que não conheci devidamente os personagens. O que me deixou bem frustrada, pois havia um potencial, principalmente em torno do mocinho, no entanto, não foi devidamente explorado e sim abordado de maneira breve e superficial. -
🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈
OK, first of all - the blurb is weird. That is not really what happens. They met two years ago at a bonfire. Kissed for a second and then he disappeared back into the crowd. And Delaney got together with her now cheating ex. Maverick never forgot her, but she was with his teammate Alex. But now all bets are off. He wants her! And he starts by sending texts. She doesn't know who is behind those texts for half the book. But Maverick shows up in her life all the time too!
It's adorable!
They would be perfect together - both have had hard moments in their lives. Maverick still has to fight hard for things to be ok in his personal and professional life.
And of course poor Delaney swore off football players!
But she can't resist Mav's charm forever!
Such an adorable & funny story.
It wasn't anything new or mega exciting. I've read a million sexy and funny sports romances. And even lots of those had a cute nerdy girl. BUT - I love those books!!!! I love football romances. And this one was so sweet and funny and sexy and moving ... I loved Maverick and Delaney!
Even though I have NOTHING in common with Delaney - I hate cats & Star Wars and I've never seen The Princess Bride!!! ☺ But we both love sexy football players! ☺
And we can all agree that we hate Muffin!! Why is there always one of those mega b*tches in every college romance!?
I really enjoyed reading this book - I finished it in one day!
I would've loved a bit more epilogue or just a bit more of them after the happy end. It felt a tiny bit rushed at the end. But it was totally ok the way it ended!
Also, the cover - while mega sexy, it's not really Maverick. We don't have any football for most of the book, so he never runs around like that and... it's just not Mav.
Can't wait to get Ryker's story next!!!
I DARE YOU was such an adorable & funny & moving college football romance!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own MAVERICK - this one is MINE!
♡
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Amazon UK
3.5 Stars
I Dare You was a sweet college romance novel that will have you happy-sighing as you cuddle you Kindle. Delaney gave up dating football players after being cheated on by her ex, who plays for the college team. But then Maverick is there to show her that not all football players are are jerks that can't keep it in their pants. Add in the mystery texts daring her to push herself out of her comfort zone and she might just give dating a sports star another try.
I thought this was a cute story of a nerdy college girl and the football star of the school. I liked both Delaney and Maverick and thought their personalities were the perfect blend. It intrigued me that it was so easy to assume they would have nothing in common but as they got to know each other you saw that wasn't really the case at all.
The 3.5 rating comes from the fact that there were these lulls in the story where it didn't seem like too much was happening. And also the fact that I weirdly felt a little cheated out of the whole mystery texts dare thing. When I read the blurb I assumed those dares were a big part of the story but in all reality they weren't. And there were really only like two or three dares. It's weird complaint but still something that I thought was odd.
Overall, I thought this book was a great light NA romance. I would definitely recommend it to anyone that wanted a fun college romance to read about. I'm not too sure what's going to come next for this series but I can't wait to find out.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. -
I was late for all the discussion about this book, since I did not read it back in 2018 when released, but as I've buddy read it with Lorraine, it was really fun.
Maverick and Delaney met at a bonfire party in their freshmen year and after a quick peak, he disappears from her sign with twins. Yeah... Not the best start.
Two years and a cheater ex boyfriend later, Delaney starts a weird and funny text friendship with He-Man.
I have to say that I loved all the cartoon and movie references in this book. He-Man, princess Leia, Han Solo and princess Bride really did well for the love of my 80's ❤️.
Delaney is a really lonely person, and after she got cheated by her almost 2 years boyfriend (with her nemesis), she thinks that she's over any football player. Too bad for her sake that she's on Mavericks radar since freshmen year.
Maverick is cock, handsome, centered, hard worker and really want to get back, the chance that he lost with her.
Their exchanges and banter are really good and I loved the growth of their relationship.
But obviously nothing can be that good.
Maverick is trying to be the best he can be for his sister, since he can't trust her safety with their alcoholic father.
But he's doing all wrong, even if it's for the right reasons, and shit hit the fan.
I didn't liked that he start to lie and to be MIA from Delaney, even if he thought that he didn't have a choice. There's always a choice. She's full of trust issues, what he expected her to do?
I was happy that she stands for herself, because that moment was really a wake up call for him.
I didn't liked that she forgave her cheater ex boyfriend.
Cheaters are weak and they can eat shit!
So of course I cringe a little with all the Alex and Skye innuendos.
But I enjoyed the reading...
Obviously the buddy reading was the highlight.
So thanks for the company and the laughs Lorraine! ❤️❤️❤️
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I loved I Dare You very much! I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it and I found it impossible to put it down. There were so many elements I loved in I Dare You, like their messages, the movie references, the emotions, the hot moments and the humor. The last few chapters were maybe a little too rushed, because it was about something that could affect their future. But I did adore that beautiful epilogue.
Maverick is a star at college. He plays football and he should help the team win everything. His goal is to go pro after college and he works hard for it. I fell in love with Maverick harder and harder the more the book progressed. Maverick is sporty, caring, strong, smart and protective. He is so much more than a football player and I loved getting to know everything about him. I also loved how he changed for Delaney. She’s the one he wants to be with forever. Maverick liked Delaney from the moment he met her. He has never forgotten her all those years and he wants a chance with her now.
Delaney is a wonderful woman. She is kindhearted, smart, feisty, independent, passionate and loving. Delaney discovered that her (ex-)boyfriend cheated on her and that really hurt her. She’s done with men for now. Delaney is a not-popular geek, so she never expected Maverick to be interested in her. She still remembers that kiss they shared once clear as day, but she’s not sure what to think about Maverick. Delaney eventually gives him a chance and she likes being with him. He’s different than she expected.
It took some time before Delaney and Maverick became a couple, but that was understandable. They had their reasons. When they were together, they had to fight for their relationship but it only made them stronger. There was jealousy, bad choices and people who didn’t want them together. I loved Delaney and Maverick together, as kind-of-friends and as a couple. I was rooting for them from the start. Delaney and Maverick always belonged together.
-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. -- -
4 stars
Who doesn’t love a good sports romance? I Dare You is the first book in Ilsa Madden-Mills ‘Waylon University’ series and I enjoyed it a lot. Maverick is a football player and Delaney is a bit of a nerdy girl Maverick has it bad for. Their romance was sweet, but this story dealt with some heavier stuff in Maverick’s family/home life. Overall I enjoyed it a lot, even though it was a bit on the short side.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Brooke Bloomingdale & Lee Samuels
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: New Adult Romance (Sports)
Length: 5h 22m -
4 As True As Princess Bride Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
When I see Ilsa Madden-Mills has a new release, I know it will be a solid read for me. This was no exception. I Dare You had every element, touched all the bases, and plus added just the right touch of sincerity for my romance-loving heart.
Since this review is happening well after its release, there are many more descriptive reviews to see. What I will add is the enjoyment of the banter, texting, and sweetness this had.
Maverick was not the player everyone thought he was...and he had the added responsibilities most adults would have difficulty juggling let alone a college athlete.
Delaney was the perfect balance to Maverick and their story just worked for me.
I get to keep my Ilsa Madden-Mills streak going!
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Take a Nerdy, Adorable, Freshman having a Moment...
With the Most Popular Football Player...
When their lips meet, the experience...
Is one which will not be forgotten...
Some time passes and both have thought about lips that have met...
He sees her free and clear...
She has made a vow No More "Players"...
He throws down with a Text...
She looks and thinks...
Because he is so tempting as he says...
I Dare You
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
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Enjoyable college sports romance read
Enjoyable college sports romance read. Popular jock, Maverick, and a sort of nerdy girl, Delaney, who have a sweet encounter during their freshman year, then end up reconnecting again in their junior year. There’s a bit of a secret text romance in this one. One of them has some home life issues and makes some poor choices. A teensy bit of angst thrown in to keep it interesting. It’s a quick and enjoyable read.
It kind of feels like the author could write more about other students from the college, but I’m not sure if that’s her plan. I’d read about Ryker. Not sure about Alex or Skye yet... they need to grow on me a bit.
Fair warning the actual story ends at 56%. I know some people lose their minds about that, but regardless it felt like a complete story with all the fixings. Plus there are cute recipes from the story listed at the end. -
DNF at 9%. I cannot get into this book and quite frankly I am tired of looking at it on my currently reading list.
I haven't been able to muster enough enthusiasm to stick with it.
Sayonara and goodbye. 👎 -
DNF @26%. That airhead h did my head in and I couldn’t go on. Airheadedness I can handle, but the level of air in her head, coupled with her unculpable game playing ways, really killed my romance vibe
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Title: I Dare You (The Hook Up #1)
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports
Publication Date: April 28, 2018
I Dare You is for us. This book for the nerdy girls, the girls who obsess over books and fandoms... Just from reading Ilsa Madden-Mill's dedication page, I knew I was going to love this book!
This book makes my spirit sing! This book makes it ok for me to geek out regarding Star Wars, baked goods but most of all, this book, make me feel like i'm not alone.
Delaney is our soul sister! she is the sister/best friend we always wanted. She is so quirky, fun and weird yet SO Freaking lovable! Delaney is fierce, witty and loyal. I can't express how much I loved Delaney's character!
Maverick is true to his name: he is independent, unorthodox, direct and so hard working! He is hot, cocky and a true example of a badass athlete but beneath all that facade, he is caring and endearingly sweet.
Ilsa Madden-Mills has now become one of my one-click authors. I Dare You is definitely going to be a book that I know I will read time and again.
Delaney and Maverick are characters that resonates fun yet inspirational qualities. Delaney has left a lasting impression on me with her love for all thing Geek Galore, her daring ability and her panache for giving fun weird names to animals (I am with her on that. I don't know if some would take offense with this but I did this with the greatest intention at heart: I named my three puppies (all brothers, mind you), Osama, Obama and Hitler. I thought they could get along and be the complete opposites of their namesake and gel together. NOPE. They hated each other! lol! And I don't know why I didn't think things through with their names because I couldn't find them one evening... So,there I was screaming "Osama! Obama! Hitler! Where are you?! Come Home!" hahahaha. yea... Thank you neighbours for laughing at me and not helping me search for them lol)
I admit that the star of the book for me is Delaney... She is my soul sister!
I Dare You is such a fun book! It's filled with humour, wit, a whole lot of hotness and all around charm!
I highly recommend this book!
For more ...
www.jemimajamir.com
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2,5 Stars
I'm a little bit torn when it comes to this book.
First of all, the blurb's misleading. You don't get the story that's described.
The blurb says:
His dare? Spend one night in his bed—a night he promises will be unforgettable—and she can solve the mystery of who he is.
There's no such dare in this story. That's okay for me but why does an author use a blurb that's so different from the book?
She knows she shouldn't, but what else is she going to do with her boring Valentine's Day?
Same with this one. She spends Valentine's Day alone with her cat and she's texting him. That's all.
One sexy hook-up later, her mind is blown and the secret's out.
Hook-Up? Nope. They are in a relationship at that time. Maverick, the H, says right from the start that he likes her and wants more than one night (That was very refreshing, by the way. No stupid games).
I liked Maverick. He was incredibly arrogant and self-confident, but he had his heart in the right place. He never hid the fact that he liked Delaney. She was in a relationship with another guy and he waited two years for his chance. When she broke up with her boyfriend, he tried to get to know her. It was sweet how his best friend made fun of him because of his crush.
There're a lot of things Maverick has to deal with. I don't want to spoil his story so let me just say that it was heartbreaking what he had to do to care for the people he loved.
Delaney was okay. More or less. I wanted to slap her at the end of the book. She knew what Maverick was going through and still acted like a defiant little child because she didn't have all of his attention.
Delaney is described as a nerd. I'm waiting for the day when an author describes nerds like they really are. A Star Wars shirt and a lot of love for 'The Princess Bride' doesn't make you a nerd. Pop culture is more than that and girls like a lot of other stuff. What about Star Trek? Video games? Comics? Cartoons? There's so much more to nerdism than just Star Wars and The Princess Bride. Don't get me wrong, I love Star Wars ( Han Solo forever ♥) and I looooove Buttercup and Wesley but I'm in love with so much more. Was that my nerd outing? Then so be it :)
The book ends at 57%. And to be perfectly honest, I was not happy with that. There are 300 pages and only 170 of them are the actual book. Everything else is a sample of some other story by the author.
I might not have been angry if the story of Maverick and Delaney had really been finished at that point. But the end came out of nowhere and all problems simply vanished into thin air on a few pages. A hundred pages more would have been really good for the story.
After all this, the book was unfortunately only very average. The cover gets an extra star. It fits the story and it is, you can't say otherwise, gorgeous. -
In this NA romance tale, Madden creates a fun, sweet, witty and addictive story with witty banter and text paired with a hero’s heartwarming backstory.
Delaney Shaw is a shy college student who loves cats and Star Wars. She would have loved to have a nice Valentine’s Day date, but after dumping her cheating boyfriend she’s stuck watching a horror movie. Alone. Until she’s dared via text by a stranger. The more she interacts with the clever stranger the more she wants to know who he is, even though she strongly suspects it’s a cocky football player and one of her ex-boyfriend’s teammates.
Maverick Monroe’s resolve and talent has helped him become one of the best college football players in the U.S. He’d been too foolish when he first met and kissed Delaney though, and now he’s determined to get the girl who had gotten away. Can Delaney get over her football player dread? Will Maverick’s secret not only destroy his chance at the pro’s but also irreparably damage his budding relationship with Delaney?
I Dare you is a wonderful read. It’s charming, funny, nerdy, and sexy with a bit of heartfelt drama and angst. Perfect! Even though the college football player with the nerd is a tried and true trope, Ilsa Madden Mills makes it feel fresh with the blush of young and true love conquering all.
Even after having to deal with a tragic accident that changed his family dynamic forever, Mav continues to be a charming and adorable hero who meets with the “cocky alpha taking care of his loved ones” role providing irresistibly swoony catnip for Delaney and readers alike. Delaney is a delightfully sweet and sassy heroine whose moxie and self-possession make you want to be her friend. They’re so endearing and perfect together that you can’t help but cheer for them from start to finish.
I Dare You is book #1 of The Hook Up series by Ilsa Madden Mills. It is a hopeful story of what it means to learn about honesty and integrity, and about putting family and loved ones above all else. It is a standalone sports contemporary romance told from both points of view with a happy ending.
Amazon ->
https://amzn.to/2rfxOxq
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Social Butterfly. The excerpts taken are from that copy. *
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Nerd girls unite!! This one is for us!! 🦄
The Queen of New Adult romance strikes again! I Dare You is everything I’d hoped it would be! It’s funny, sexy, and has just the right amount of angst. The conflict kept me on edge. I was biting my nails and trying to alleviate the churn in my belly while simultaneously trying to figure out what would happen next. All good things!
Both main characters, He-Man and Buttercup, are fantastic characters. No those aren’t their real names, READ THE BOOK to find out! They’re both well adjusted, caring, and considerate. They have their shit together and are doing their best to be the very best they can. So much more put together than I was at that age!! 😂😂
He’s seriously the cat’s meow. The bees’s knees! I particularly enjoyed how much he cared for his sister! The fact that he was willing to do whatever it takes for his family! Not to mention, how much he cares for Buttercup. Add to that the fact that he’s handsome, cocky, and a great guy! I never stood a chance!
New Adult romance lovers are sure to love this one! Recommended!
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4 Stars
Coming off the high of reading my first Madden-Mills story last week (
Dear Ava), I was compelled to throw myself into reverse and travel back to read some of her earlier releases.
I started with
I Dare You simply because I was in the mood for a college-set new adult romance, and honestly, I can rarely go past the allure of a tropey nerd/jock pairing, which this story had in spades.
There wasn’t anything particularly groundbreaking about this story or these characters, with everything playing out in a fairly predictable manner, but strong writing, good pacing and likeable MCs made this an all-too-easy romance to sink my teeth into.
I have a feeling 2020 might just be the year Ilsa Madden-Mills dominates many of my reading choices. As it turns out, I’m totally okay with that. -
It was a good read. I skipped over a bunch of stuff, but that's more personal taste. It was kind of middle of the road for me, not wow and not bad. I give it 4 stars because I don't regret spending the money or the time. I liked both characters quite well. I think my expectations were different from what I actually got.
The cover attracted me (bad Starr! bad! never fall for covers!!). I'm not usually into jock books, tho I did enjoy a bunch of
Susan Elizabeth Phillips hokey books once upon a time. But then I got disappointed, bc the cover in no way looks like a 20 year old. It definitely looks like a MAN in his prime, a professional athlete. But the book is about college kids!
I also got this because of the premise "I dare you." I thought it was going to be a lot more steamy, sexy, naughty.
It really wasn't. And hence the disappointment. It was quite mild actually. The sex scenes were by no means scorching compared to some other stuff (not erotic books, but other romance I read) that I like.
On the other hand, it had more depth than I expected it to. The portrayals of the characters and their emotional journey seem real enough. I was unhappily surprised at first that the couple are in college and the whole book is actually set during college years. Oh no! I thought. Not another teenage angsty book. But it was actually pretty mature. (A little unbelievably so. I mean, I am pretty darn sure I was never that emotionally mature in my college years. Maybe I'm weird). Mature but also with the "young people" traits that college-aged kids have. So that was kind of a nice surprise.
The Hero is compelling. A really stand-up guy trying to do the right thing, trying to juggle a lot, trying to leave some goodness for himself too. He's really the reason I kept reading the book, despite the fact that most of the time he's prob 20 or 21 years old in the book. He reads like a much more mature man. Quite fictional in that sense, hehe. -
It has been a while since I read a romance set in college and one featuring a football player made it even better.
Delaney first meets Maverick Monroe when she starts at college. She is out at a bonfire night with friends and it’s like one of those corny stories about eyes meeting across a crowded room, yadda yadda, yadda. When you can feel someone’s eyes on you and a connection you haven’t felt before? Okay, it doesn’t happen for everyone but it does happen.
‘You know that moment when everything stops and the next breath you take is the first one of the rest of your life? That’s what it feels like as Maverick Monroe stares at me with his piercing blue eyes.’
The interaction that night between them is fleeting but it does leave a lasting impression on both of them. Sure he is good looking, a bit cocky, slightly arrogant but he is exactly the kind of guy who would most likely break your heart. She plans to steer clear of guys like that.
Maverick has always had a bit of a crush on Delaney, ever since that night two years ago at the bonfire. He has had no shortage of company in that time but Delaney is not like the football groupies, she is naturally beautiful and a really sweet girl. He knows there is a connection there and he needs to know if she feels it to.
Initially Delaney is very skeptical of Maverick’s interest in her but over time she discovers that there is so much more to him, she completely misjudged his character. He isn’t just his looks, he is a talented player, intelligent and attentive to those people important to him.
Every decision Maverick makes is with his family in mind, even if it means putting his own chance of being drafted into the NFL at risk. For so long he has been carrying his burdens alone but Delaney seems to be burrowing under his skin and keeping secrets from her could ruin everything they have.
I really enjoyed this, not too much angst, and very easy to read in one sitting. -
4.5 stars- what happens when an athlete pursues a girl that’s tired of jocks?
Well, he dares her to change her mind. The title is a little deceiving. There were some dares, but not the kind I was expecting (man, my mind can go to the gutter sometimes 😂😅)
2 years before, Maverick meets Delaney at a bonfire. He tells her of this legend that claims that whoever you kiss at the party will become someone memorable/important. They kiss and then he’s whisked away before he can do anything else. This is also when she meets her cheating boyfriend Alex, and two years pass before Maverick can go after the girl he’s been wanting.
Delaney discovered her bf cheating on her with a floozy. She does the smart thing and breaks things off with him, basically swearing off athletes since temptation’s everywhere, until Maverick makes it his mission to change her mind. At the same time that Maverick’s is trying to woo her, she starts getting text messages from a random number- so she’s getting wooed through Maverick in person and her anonymous He-Man guy through texts.
What I liked- SPOILERS
-both Maverick and Delaney had tough things happen to them. Maverick lost his mom in a car accident, the same one his sister suffered a traumatic brain injury from that’s affecting her still. Delaney lost her parents years before and her gramma passed away when she graduated high school after taking her in. They’ve both experienced grief and losses.
-Maverick’s GRIT! Gah- he’ll do anything to protect his sister and care for her 🥺❤️. Even though they have their father, he’s not a good role model, so Maverick steps up.
-Maverick’s determination. That man wants Delaney and he’s gonna show up whenever he can, wherever he can, to prove her wrong about athletes. Not all athletes cheat and he’s not a cheater 🥰🥰🥰. Swoooooon!
-the Star Wars references. My daughter’s middle name is Leia. Enough said 😂😂😂
-the cute things throughout the book- like the salsa lessons, the movie poster, the text messages, the random ways Maverick was there for Delaney
-that we don’t wait forever for their first smexxxy time 😅. What else did you expect to happen when she watches him after he gets out of her shower 🔥🥵. I REALLY appreciated what followed after 😉.
-revealing their truths. Sigh- becoming vulnerable is tough, and I loved that both MCs were transparent and forthcoming with their pasts and goals. It showed their connection
-how dedicated Maverick was to Delaney. When other girls flirted, he just ignored them (and gave them 😒 looks). He’s ALL about Delaney 🥰❤️
-the chemistry. Yeah, Maverick’s cocky, but he’s like that because he knows she wants him too (he obviously wants her more since he’s been wanting her for years). Their stolen glances and stares were 🔥. Gawd. I love a confident man
-Delaney wasn’t pining away for Maverick. I’ve read way too many books where the h is a v and pines away for the H. Not in this one 👏🏻
-the HEA epilogue years later 🥰🥰🥰
What I didn’t like/wanted more of:
-this could’ve been more angsty lol. The potential was there.
-Longer smexxxy times lol and more of them. Luckily, they’re not FTB (thank God) but I wanted them more detailed 😂
-Maverick waiting two years to step up. Fine. You shouldn’t date your teammates ex, but so what? Step up and claim your woman lol.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing
-OMD-h’s ex keeps trying to get back with her. The H takes care of putting him in his place 💅
-mild one-sided OWD- the hoar h’s ex cheated on her with tries to entice the H. He doesn’t care for her or anyone else 💁🏻♀️
-car accident scene is remembered -
3.5 Stars
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Enjoyable
Review pending -
This book was fantastic. I read it one Sunday afternoon. It was very emotional and very sad at times. The characters connect with each other and the romance is steamy. He hot men,football players a nerdy adorable girl and star wars what more do you want
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2.5 stars
Let me just state that THIS BOOK FINISHES AT 57% AND THE REST IS AN EXCERPT OF DIRTY ENGLISH WHICH IS 20 CHAPTERS...HEAVY EYE ROLL
The story started out good but it was so rushed. It was half-assed. I said it.
