| Title | : | I Hate You (Waylon University, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 302 |
| Publication | : | First published August 17, 2019 |
I want you . . . even when I hate you.
Blaze Townsend: I hate you.
Charisma Rossi: I hate you more.
She’s been expecting this ever since their latest showdown. She had good reason.
Hottest guy she’s ever seen.
Former fling.
Dumped her in front of all her friends.
At her own party.
So no, she’s not about to forgive and forget just because he sits next to her in class. He thinks all he has to do is turn on those baby blues, and she’ll melt right back into his arms. Please. She’d be crazy to let this cocky player affect her again. (Tell that to her body.)
Charisma Rossi.
Brainy girl with a dash of bad.
The one who got under his skin.
The one he cut loose.
Blaze knows she’s the riskiest prospect at Waylon University, but none of the interchangeable girls he hooks up with have ever made him feel the way she did. There’s absolutely no way he can have the girl and the game.
So why can’t he stop trying to win her back?
Can this wide receiver score the girl or will he make the biggest fumble of his life?
*Steamy and flirty with all the emotional feels, I Hate You is a new adult standalone romance.
I Hate You (Waylon University, #3) Reviews
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4.25 Stars
Overall Opinion: Wow! I went in thinking this was going to be another case of my expectations getting me because of my weakness for college athlete stories, but no! My low expectations were in my favor this time! Definitely the best of the 3 in this series so far (not listed as series but same characters and setting)! It tapped into my feels, it had complex characters, great chemistry in and out of bed between the characters, and some alright closure! I liked it! It could've had more closure and could've done without the OW drama (but I understood why it happened) -- but it was good! Awesome surprise 🤗
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Charisma and Blaze's story. They had a 3 week fling that ended horribly when Blaze broke up with Charisma very publicly at a party. The story begins after winter break when they see each other for the first time since that happened. They both have a lot of baggage that contributed to their downfall, but they both are drawn to one another and can't move on. They end up in a class together and try at becoming friends before things heat up again. There are some sad moments, some big life changes, some hot sexy times, and some drama....and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Charisma and Blaze's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, but they both have residual feelings when the story begins from when they hooked up before.
H (Hero) rating: 4.5 stars. Blaze. Blaze broke my heart! Poor guy and his abandonment issues and loneliness! I just wanted to give him a hug!!
h (heroine) rating: 4.5 stars. Charisma. I really liked her. She had her insecurities, but she was also strong. I felt like she was very relatable.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I teared up a few times, but I never needed any tissues. I'm a sucker for unrequited type feelings.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No, but see cheating spoiler tag
Cheating: Not IMO
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had pretty good closure for a NA book. I would call this a HEA, but I still wanted a farther glimpse into their future
Safety: This one is probably either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences. -
*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
He’s everything. He’s everything I never knew I wanted. He’s perfection wrapped in a dark, deep lake, and I ache to swim in those waters, to discover his secrets and let him delve into mine.
”I HATE YOU”, the latest by Ilsa Madden-Mills, has a couple of my favorite tropes—enemies-to-lovers, and second chance romance. Blaze Townsend is the hotshot wide receiver of Waylon University’s football team. He’s got endless amounts of jersey chasers trying to win his heart over. Charisma Rossi is the feisty nerdy girl from the Bronx who he can’t seem to get off his mind. The two had a hot & heavy three weeks together but then Blaze humiliated Charm when he publicly broke up with her at a sorority party. It’s been several months and neither Charm nor Blaze has been able to move on. When the new semester starts and they end up sitting next to each other in the same psych class, Blaze tries to make amends but Charisma is not willing to help ease his guilty conscience. Eventually, it becomes difficult for Charm to ignore her true feelings for Blaze, but their shared insecurities threaten to wreck their relationship once again.
Blaze and Charisma have intense sexual chemistry and when they give in to it, I couldn’t help but stop to fan myself a time or two! Their biggest problem is that neither of them is any good at reading the situation. They each took turns jumping to the wrong conclusion due to deep-rooted insecurities and it made for some frustrating angst. While I found that I was equally annoyed with both characters, I can’t deny that I was pretty much consumed by this book and finished it in a day.
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 4
Heroine: 3.5
Plot: 4
Angst: 4
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5
”I HATE YOU” is currently available!
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🖤 I Hate You is LIVE! WSJ bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills returns with an all-new, enemies-to-lovers second chance romance between the football hottie and the feisty nerd girl he can’t forget.
I want you . . . even when I hate you.
Read for Free in KU or grab it at the special release week price! 🖤
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5 Stars!
(ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR)
Charisma Rossi is a graphic design major who attends Waylon University in Magnolia, Mississippi. She’s a feisty, outspoken girl from the Bronx who is part nerd/part bad girl. Almost three months ago she had a delicious fling with the hottest guy she’s ever seen, and then he dumped her at a party in front of her friends. She’s embarrassed, angry, and holding a major grudge, so when he shows up in her class she’s not thrilled. She has to prove to herself she’s over him, but she can’t help the way her body still reacts when he’s near. She hates him, but she still wants him.
Blaze Townsend is the star wide receiver for the Waylon Wildcats. He’s known as a smooth talking, cocky player who can have any girl he wants. He’s become a wildcat legend on the field, and is focused on making all his NFL dreams come true. He has to concentrate on football and the upcoming draft, but he can’t quit thinking about a hot girl that’s full of spirit and fire. Charisma got under his skin so bad, he had to cut her loose. No other girl has made him feel the way she does, and with his future on the line, all his attention has to be on the game. He’s always been devoted to football, but for the first time in his life could he want something more, something worth fighting for?
-Charisma says whatever the hell she wants, which is part of what attracted me to her- her spirit and fire.
-She has this are-you-brave-enough-to-handle-me attitude that makes you want to tame her.
I loved I Hate You by Ilsa Madden-Mills. This whole series is fantastic! I’ve been looking forward to Blaze’s book, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s an enemy to lovers standalone sports romance with so much more emotion than I was expecting. It’s packed with inescapable desire, explosive chemistry, and hilarious banter. I couldn’t get enough of this sexy, alpha athlete with a heart of gold. There were so many layers to this beautiful man I was swooning hard! 💗 me some Blaze Townsend!!!
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I loved I Hate You very much! It was everything I expect and want from an Ilsa Madden-Mills novel. It was emotional, hot, funny, addictive and raw. All the characters (and animal) are superb and loveable. I felt for Charisma and Blaze sometimes. I was rooting for them to get an happily ever after together and the ending was so beautiful and perfect.
Blaze is sporty, determined, driven, popular and a little distant. He’s a football player. Football is everything to him. He wants to go pro and prove that he can be someone. Blaze doesn’t have the best family, but he has some amazing friends and teammates. Blaze doesn’t know real love or the feeling of being wanted, but Charisma will change that and make him want something more than friendship.
Charisma is a smart, sweet, feisty and caring woman. She studies hard and she’s a great college student. Charisma doesn’t have the best relation with her family, but she knows that she can count on them. She also has some amazing friends that she loves to hang out with and can count on. Charisma doesn’t want to get hurt again by Blaze, but being in the same class as him will bring them close again.
Blaze and Charisma both have a past and insecurities. That doesn’t make them falling in love with each other easy. Even less easy when they don’t really like each other. But it will be all worth it in the end. Their love will be worth it in the end. They take their time, spending time together and really getting to know each other. The chemistry was always there.
-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. -- -
Ugh. He’s a sparkly, sexy unicorn. And everyone wants to ride him.
I Hate You, by Ilsa Madden-Mills, is a college sports romance with an emotional pull that will make even the blackest of hearts clench. Yes it’s a love/hate relationship at its base, but it feels like much more than that because of the back stories and you can really feel that these two characters do want each other.
Charisma is the smart and sassy girl who just doesn’t think love is for her. She knows love can break you, and she doesn’t want to be broken. Blaze had a bit of a tough upbringing. All he’s ever truly focused on was football. He’s never felt the way he does when he’s with Charm, like there’s something more important than football, and that makes him worried.
Charisma and Blaze had a short fling that meant more to each of them than they want to admit. They both have all these feelings toward each other which leads to some run ins where their banter is flirty and fun, while still holding that “I can’t stand you, but actually I just want you” type of heat.
If you enjoy love/hate relationships, sports romance, or even just college romance, then you NEED to check out I Hate You when it’s available!
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^fan edit on IG!
AVAILABLE NOW!
*ARC -
For some reason, I could just not connect with the heroine. I understood how her parents' relationship had a certain effect on her, but the "no kissing" rule reminded me way too much about the whole "Pretty Woman" deal. Not my jam and a bit ridiculous if you ask me.
She also kept whining about all the "jersey chasers" that were surrounding him, but then went on a date behind his back with some other guy, knowing he wanted to spend time with her. I don't like it when a man plays with a woman's feelings, but I hate it vice versa as well!!
You refuse to kiss a guy and spend the night with him, but still, he is the bad guy for not asking you for more ??!! I can't get with that... no can do.
I just didn't really like Charisma... sorry, it happens. I am known to be a bit harsh when it comes to the heroines in my books. Not giving up on the author though, because I did enjoy the writing style. so I figure I should try another book and see if there is a better click. -
5 STARS
I’m gonna make you forget you ever had a name,” he says, staring down at me.
“Try.”
I'm too lazy to write a review here but I loved this to pieces! A sizzling, emotional, and swoony second chance romance with just the right touch of angst. So good!
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Binged this in one session. Absolutely loved it! The kind of story that meant my family got toasted cheese sandwiches for dinner & I have no remorse.
Blaze is so beautifully broken by his past and Charisma drops into his life with her list of rules and her own baggage - what could go wrong? Together they’re a hot mess of emotions and I fell for them hard. I flip flopped between wanting to hug them & throttle them!
This one had me smiling, sniffling & ranting at different points. These characters are genuine and their love story isn’t an easy one. It’s honest and raw and seriously hot.
I love how this author writes smart sports romance with a twist.
I received an arc of this book -
Ladies (and gents)... Ilsa has been teasing us about these two characters... MY HANDS AND EYES... and body... WAS BORN READY FOR THESE TWO!
ARC kindly provided by the publicist in exchange for an honest review coming closer to release date...
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This was EVERYTHING I love about romance. So dreamy, so sweet, so sexy, so full of heart and feels. A MUST READ!!! I'm obsessed.
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Great characters!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 🙂😀🤩😍🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Charisma - she is a student of Waylon University in Magnolia, Mississippi. Three months ago, she had an 80’s themed sorority party when her boyfriend broke up with her in front of everyone there. She hasn’t seen him since, but she has six months to go at Waylon and is determined to see him again and prove to herself that she is over him.
The Hero: Blaze - he is the star wide receiver at Waylon University. He has loved football since he started playing the game and is very good at it. He sees Charisma at a bar after a big win and it was like a bucket of cold water is dumped on him. He can’t even talk about her with his friends. He was raised by his aunt and uncle from the age of 10 and they haven’t shown up to any of his games. Before that he lived with his drug addicted parents.
The Story: Blaze is disappointed that he is not high in the stats to be drafted to the NFL, even though he did very well at the end of the season. His coach tells him the importance of his degree. Blaze is majoring in history and wants to be a teacher and a coach if he doesn’t make it to the NFL. He sees himself as not good enough. Though he plans to push himself till he makes it to the NFL.
I have loved every book in this series. Ilsa Madden-Mills does great new adult sports romance. She has a great sense of humor and I love that the stories show realistic relationships and characters with real life problems, especially the men, even though they are sports heroes for the College, they still have their own issues and problems.
There was a ton of chemistry between Blaze and Charisma, and I thought it was funny how Blaze would check himself out a bit before seeing her to make sure he looked his best. He even stretched out to make sure his shirt lifts enough to see his abs and makes sure she gets a good look. It was cute how Blaze has self-esteem issues, especially when it comes to being good enough to make it to the pros.
Told in dual points of view via dual narration and narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Teddy hamilton. Savannah is one of my favorite female narrator. She has a terrific voice which sounds age appropriate for new adult and she is so emotive. Teddy Hamilton is also great and is one of my favorite male narrators. He does a great job in everything he does.
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Blaze and football. Oh then there's Charm
She says she hates him. But does she really. They went out a few time slept together. But she has rules. He didn't like them. So they broke up. Only thing is he says they weren't dating. 3 months have come and gone. She gets to hide... Charm is not hiding anymore. I loved this book. Third one in this series and simply amazing. Hot Alfa men football players and an amazing author. -
4.5 Stars
I absolutely loved this book!! I just loved Blaze and Charm, their chemistry, their self struggles, everything was just perfect for me!
Charm - First of all let’s thank the lord that she wasn’t a virgin heroin!
Then let’s thank the lord that she wasn’t pinning after the hot footballer!!! She resisted him and made him do most of the work!
Then let’s thank the lord for the final time because charm wasn’t into relationships, she only did hooks ups and has two rules she follows!
1) No kissing on the lips
2) No staying over
She has her reasons for keeping her guard up and strictly following these rules! (it made me cry towards the end when she was having a conversation about it with her mama 😭😭)
She followed these rules even with Blaze even though she had hoped that maybe someone like Blaze might actually want to keep her. But he dumped her.......
Blaze - I wanted to bubble wrap him and protect him from the world. God this man, this amazing man thought no one would want to stay in his life for good thanks to his fucked up parents! Blaze had serious abandonment issues which is why he dumped Charm because she was beginning to become a distraction and the only thing he wanted to focus on was football and didn’t want to entertain someone who he thought would eventually leave him too.
Also after he dumped Charm, she had left him a note written on a chewing gum wrapper and he carried it with him everywhere and when it was revealed what was written on it I wanted to cry! at the same time punch Blaze for pushing her away the first time even after reading the damn thing!
There was a lot of push and pull between them! Like a lot!
They both had their own issues so when one of them was ready to try out the relationship the other one would back off/close down.
I loved how Blaze taunted Charm about the kissing issue, because it was so refreshing for me! That it’s the girl who has some boundaries for once you know?
”I’ll go first. Mine is lying side by side, looking in her eyes while I fuck her real slow. Her leg is hitched around my hip and my hands are on her ass, doing all the work. She’s saying my name. And when I kiss her ON HER MOUTH, she comes, her pussy squeezing my dick until I can’t resist and come with her.”
And when she finally kissed him..........
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NOW LIVE!
Ilsa Madden-Mills continues to add wonderfully sweet, angsty, and sexy romances that you can devour to her NA book list.
Charisma Rossi has one semester left to finish college. Just a few short months to ignore the gorgeous football player that sits next to her in class. But every time he looks her way, her body reacts. When she reads his notes her mind wanders. But can she find a way to forgive him after he publically dumped her?
From a young age Blaze Townsend knew he could only count on himself. Everyone left him behind including the people that should have loved him the most. So he built walls and made sure he would never get attached to anyone, he would make sure he was the one leaving. Until the smart and sexy nerd girl penetrated his defenses and refused to leave his heart. But can he make amends after the mess he made?
I was hooked to Blaze and Charisma’s story from the very start. It was funny, endearing and sexy with a dash a drama and a splash of angst, and absolutely heartfelt. I just love reading about first true love and it conquers all in the best of ways.
I felt so much for Blaze when I learned about his wretched past and further when his present wasn’t going his way either. He tried to hide his pain, I wanted him to triumph and find love because he had never experienced it in any form. Even though he had behaved poorly towards Charisma, they had AH-MAZING chemistry and were perfect for each other. I cheered them on from start to unputdownable finish.
A happy ending is the goal in romance novels, but the journey is the key and I loved this one. I basked in afterglow of this fun, sexy and utterly sweet story.
I Hate You is a full length standalone YA romance by author Ilsa Madden-Mills. It’s written from both points of view with a lovely happy ending and no cliffhanger.
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* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
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More reviews -
Charisma and Blaze were 'seeing' each other for three weeks last year.
Then he broke up with her in front of everybody. No one knows why. And Charisma is so mad at him.
But he felt he had no other choice. She became too important too quickly for him, and he has to give 100% to football. He needs the NFL to come calling. He can't afford a relationship now. Maybe he should've told her that - she wouldn't be so mad at him now.
BUT things are looking up - they're talking again. Having the same class, being friends with the same people. And they're still mega attracted to each other. But the NFL is farther out of reach than ever, and Blaze has to work even harder to get noticed. And Charisma's professional future is also not looking all to bright at the moment. So it should not be the right time to rekindle their thing... but love has other ideas!
I LOVED IT!
Such a fun and adorable and so very heartbreaking story!
Like with most books these days I have to say that it wasn't anything new or über original. I've read a million sexy and funny & heartbreaking sports romances. BUT - I love those books!!!! I love football and college romances. And this one was so sweet and funny and sexy and moving ... I loved Charisma & Blaze! And I still hated Archer. What's his problem?? Jeez!
I had to cry for poor little Blaze a few times. Ugh - his story is so heartbreaking. He just wants to make it big to show everyone back home that he's worth it to be loved, to be seen. So sad.
I really enjoyed reading this book!
Also - the adorable Vampire Bill is back - I want one too ... PLEASE!!!!!
I HATE YOU was such a funny & adorable & heartbreaking college football romance! I loved it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own BLAZE - this one is MINE!
♡
♡
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I just loved this one!
I know that I've been in a Ilsa Madden-Mills roll, trying to catch up in this series before I Promise You, and I even thought that I would get bored at some point, but it seems like I have an issue and can't let them go!
Please send help!
So far this one is my favorite in the series, and I just wanted to hug Blaze with all my might, and then shake some sense in his lonely and overactive mind.
Like all the previous books in this series of Standalones, Blaze had a lot of family issues, but with a happy mask and a stunning smiling always on point, no ones seems to notice how broken and insecure the handsome athlete really is... Until Charisma.
Charisma is everything that he wants but can't put in words, and with her own commitment and trust issues, their relationship took forever do really decollate.
It's another slow burn, with a lot of angst, teasing, laughter, steamy, and really emotional moments, that keep me in the middle of the path, without any idea to who side I wanted to pick, since both of them were right in their fears and insecurities... Each one waiting for the other to run aways first.
It was beautiful to read them conquer their fears and to read Blaze get his chosen family.
I wish that Archer had suffered more!
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3.5 Stars
With its spunky characters and sizzling hot couple chemistry, this third book in Ilsa Madden-Mills new-adult series—that’s unfathomably not marked as an actual series—should have been a sure-fire hit for me. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite turn out to be the fun college-set romance romp I’d hoped it would be, if truth be told.
I liked it well enough and found myself engaged in the characters' lives and in their hot-cold relationship to such a degree that I zoomed through the pages at a fast clip to see what would happen next, but I was still left with some very mixed feelings when all was said and done.
MCs Charisma and Blaze shared some undeniably palpable chemistry, even as far back as the events of book two (
I Bet You). Here, I enjoyed seeing them through their final year of college, watching them continue to circle each other as they tried (with all their insecure might) to deny their mounting feelings for one another, until it was absolutely futile.
Horrible names aside, I went into their story liking what I already knew of these smart and determined characters, and I was eager to see how their brief fling from the last book would build into something worthwhile this time around. Their relationship certainly had a lot of push and pull to it, with only themselves truly standing in the way of their own happiness.
We’re all human and we all have our personal quirks and emotional hang-ups that may impact our relationships throughout life, but in this instance, the insecurities of these two characters seemed a little forced, IMO, to the point that I felt their feelings and behaviours often came across as inconsistent from one scene to the next. They were hot together, sure, and they certainly experienced a lot of growth as characters and as a couple, but I’m not even certain I felt like they were even right for one another at the end there—which is an odd and disconcerting way to feel at the close of a romance book, however happy a HEA they received.
I think a lot of my uncertainty is due to the fact I didn’t like a lot of Charisma’s behaviour in this story. She’s meant to be this smart, confident, and sassy young woman, but her insecurities—namely her irrational fear that ALL men are/will be cheaters, like her father—made her come across as slightly bipolar towards Blaze throughout the story. Anyone who screams at someone to get out and then cracks the shits because that person follows orders and leaves, makes my blood pressure rise. This was Charisma to a T. She would set these rules, claiming she never wanted to be kissed and didn’t do sleep overs after sex, but then she’d be moody and hurt when Blaze didn’t ask her to stay or beg her for more. It was like everything was a test—one she’d rigged so that Blaze couldn’t win no matter what he said or did. It was quite exhausting and not reflective of the type of behaviour I respect in my fellow womenfolk.
Irregardless of my frustrations with Charisma, I still really appreciated Madden-Mills’ effortless storytelling. I consistently enjoy the way she blends humour, heart and sex in her stories, and although this wasn’t my favourite among her books I’ve read, I still look forward to reading more of her work in the future. -
**** 4.5 stars ****
I am so happy for Blaze!! The epilogue made me extremely satisfied.
From the beginning of the story I felt the relationship of Charisma and Blaze a fling but as the story proceeded I felt the pain Blaze went through in his childhood. It was so painful to read how he's managed on his own till his early twenties which made him alot guarded.
When they both had a fling thing in the beginning Blaze was shocked with the passion they both had but thankfully he got used to the constant support of Charm!!
Charm's family is annoying yet perfect for both of them. Her mother made me feel irritated yet when she open heartedly accepted Blaze it made me feel so emotional.
I loved the character of Charisma. She's fierce, loyal, intelligent and so so so witty.
I loved her constant positive support to Blaze.
Ilsa Madden-Mills never fails in the story, content and emotional department. -
Title: I Hate You
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Pfft... Like Ilsa Madden-Mills could write a bad book.
When it comes to sports romance, she has definitely become one of the go-to authors for lovers of this genre.
Like always, Ilsa Madden-Mills has given us yet another awesome read. I Hate You is fun, sexy and such an entertaining read.
The characters is this book were written so well.. They are both strong independent characters but their vulnerability makes you root for them with all your romantic heart.
Blaze and Charisma have one of the best chemistry ever! Their story makes for pages and pages of humour, heartfelt moments, fun witty banters and scorching hot scenes. With a sassy heroine and an athlete, who is so much more than just his good looks, as her hero, I Hate You By Ilsa Madden Mills is a must read.
Though this book can be read as a standalone, I love the fact that there are cameos from characters we are utterly in love with from her previous books. Plus Vampire Bills steals the scene with his EPIC personality!
For an Excerpt, Click link below:
https://sentrancedjem.wordpress.com/2... -
First of all, thank you for recommending me this book Jade! It was a delight reading it.
I loved the Hero and Heroine in this novel!
Blaze had a rough life growing up. He’s all he has so when he meets Charisma and he feels himself getting deeper. He freaked out and told her in front of everyone at the party she isn’t his type.
Yikes.
Charisma is soooooo funny. I loved her. She’s so badass. She also has these rules. No kissing and no sleeping over. After seeing her father sucking faces with her sixth grade teacher, it’s safe to say the girl got issues after that.
We’re then taken on a journey with two people who are very different but yet the same. They have walls of steel surrounding them. They’ve learned that sometimes you only have yourself.
I loved this novel. Charisma didn’t let Blaze waltz back into her life. She gave him a piece of her mind too. He worked for it. Blaze also wasn’t an asshole at all. He was a really nice guy. I swooned. -
I have enjoyed Ilsa Madden-Mills' sassy and compelling stories since she began writing and I Hate You was no different. It was an amazing sports romance filled with spitfire banter and hot and steamy sexy times that she is known for. Blaze and Charisma were just delicious and their draw and connection to one another was palpable and felt right off their pages. But while I enjoyed their spirited back and forth exchanges, I couldn't help but notice that their emotional and painful baggage from their respective pasts were an ongoing obstacle in their tumultuous relationship.
Don't get me wrong, I swooned and smirked during this story and also loved the emotional depth, intensity and vulnerability that Blaze showed while combatting his insecurities. It was a refreshing role reversal of sorts as we usually don't see the hero experiencing feelings of abandonment and inadequacy. But I also would be remiss if I didn't add that the constant back and forth and ping ponging of feelings was somewhat exhausting and very "one step forward, two steps back." But overall, it was rewarding to see Charisma and Blaze outrun their pasts, finally be seen and find a place in each other's respective hearts. 4 stars! ~Ratula -
3.5 🌟 Stars
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I have no hate for this book because I freaking loved it!
There is a fine line between love and hate. Blaze is everything that follows that path. He’s everything Charisma isn’t. They were a thing, so why did the break up hurt?
Blaze publicly dumped Charisma. Now she doesn’t want to face him. He’s perfect and that’s part of the problem. He’s a football star and more. She’s a sassy chick with a hell of a fire.
Both are scared to love. Neither want to put trust in another person.
This is my first read by this author. I loved the witty writing style and both characters were very likeable. It’s a 5 out of 5 from me.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. -
I’ve read three books written by this author now - can firmly say she’s not for me. DNF.
I read the author’s note at the end of Dear Ava (which I also DNF’d). It recommended this one as a light romcom. I love my romcoms.
This is not a romcom. On what planet? I don’t get the marketing. It’s dry. The author just doesn’t really have that dialogue in her.
This is NA - angst, insecurity, contrived high school/college OW-OM drama.
If someone publicly dumped me, calling me a bunch of names in the process, then they better publicly apologise. Make the apology as big as the disrespect. Even then. I wouldn’t look back.
Her hero’s aren’t alpha for me. Alpha‘s pursue the girl, they don’t allow the h to be disrespected, they think about them all the time, they hate when the heroine is hurt, they’re possessive - even obsessive, they have a lot of conviction in their actions. Her hero’s are the antithesis of that. Flighty: in, out, in, out. Thrive off cheap drama and other girls, push the h away, complete betas, consistently the cause of the heroines bitterness and hurt throughout the whole book. Exhausting.
Not my speed; I blew through that phase in 2014-16 and haven’t looked back. Maybe if it was that time this might’ve gotten a different rating. -
This author is usually a miss for me but color me surprised that I absolutely loved this story. Like really loved it. The h and H were characters that I connected with and their chemistry is the best.
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4 That Thin Line Between Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
Ilsa Madden-Mills has explored and put under a magnifying glass the World of College, Sport and New Age Angst with her interconnected books. She has brought us truly interesting, multi-layered characters whose flaws endear us and make us want to root for them. In I Hate You, she has taken two people who have no trust in others due to their childhood observations in their families.
Blaze Townsend carries a heavy load no one is aware of. He is the Big Man on Campus, one of the football team who brought home the win of the National Championships for Waylon College. He is personable, charming and the type of guy who every woman wants to do him and every guy wants to be him. What all of these fans and want a be's have no clue of is the pain and insecurity Blaze hides.
You see he comes from disaster parents. Drug addicts and neglectful. From the beginning of his life, Blaze has been the outsider, never feeling as if he was wanted and when his parents die in a crash, he is taken in by his aunt and uncle. These people already have their family and though they are not cruel or purposely hurtful, they never seem to be interested or encouraging when Blaze really needed it. This life history cause Blaze to focus solely on what made him feel as if he "had something", football.
When Blaze discovered football, he knew he was home. He works harder than any on the field and his performance at the Nationals should have put him front and center for the NFL Draft. But for some reason, he has not received the notice and deep down he thinks it is him being a product of his parents and how they told him he would never amount to anything. Blaze fights these internal voices and vows to himself to prove all of them wrong...
Charisma Rossi had a pretty solid childhood. She had two older brothers who doted on her. Her parents presented an average loving relationship but at one point in Charisma's teens, she became aware her father was cheating on her mother. She couldn't understand it and when she realized her mother knew and accepted her husband, it blew everything out of the park for Charisma. Loved sucked, it made you weak and she decided not to fall into the same trap her mother did. She was going to be in control, not let men be in charge of her heart.
These two connect in college and Charisma decides to play with Blaze as long as he agrees to her rules...They hook up, it is more than any of them ever expected and when Blaze starts to realize Charisma is nothing like anyone he has ever met, it scares the sh!t out of him.
Blaze was not alone in feeling the power. Charisma felt it too...and maybe she might risk thinking of more with this guy.
Instead, as college-age people do, Blaze takes Charisma to her sorority's big party and utter words implying "She was not his type" in front of everyone, dumping her publically.
The pain is intense.
For three months, Charisma hides and tries to deal with it all. The new semester is starting and Charisma knows she will be seeing Blaze. Her friends have been protective and supportive. She has steeled herself to the time it will happen...but the only thing that keeps running through her mind is why Blaze dumped her the way he did...It causes all her fury...making her
Hate Him.
Naturally, these two cross paths with Blaze wanting to clear the air of what took place and when he sees her, his internal feelings also skyrocket, frustrating him as he needs to only focus on what matters, football, not Charisma...
He Hates Her...
Or does he really...
This was the college feel of how everything can be questioned and how you never reveal how you actually feel...Charisma and Blaze were a very intense hot couple and I happened to care about both but also alternated my desire to bang their heads. All of it worked pretty much because as the story develops, you really root for them to figure it all out and be there for each other.
Ilsa Madden-Mills shines with these stories, making her characters human and flawed. We all have our own issues and as we develop and finally get to "Adulting", hopefully, we have figured out how to communicate, care for others and be our real selves.
Oh, and in case you wanted to know, it was friggin' hot, too.
~~~~~ Before reading ~~~~~
Ilsa Madden-Mills has a very Vivid Imagination...
I mean, come on...
It is not enough she creates Hot, Sexy Football Players...
Now she has christened one with the name BLAZE...
Oh, and she has taken that challenge of this Blaze to meet his match...
And has given her something Very Special...
Wait for it, Wait for it...
CHARISMA!!!
Now this woman has to be able to live up to that name...
And by being the smart sassy gal she does...
But what would top it off for the win...
Why a Brash, Profanity Dropping Parrot named...
VAMPIRE BILL...
So with this tease of information...
If I Didn't Love You, Ilsa Madden-Mills...
you would hear me tell you...
I HATE YOU- August 2019
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Well, I'm doing this completely ass backwards. I started with the first in the series, I Dare You but then the author had the first chapter of the 2nd book at the back and of course I read it which led to my instant gratification kicking in and I jumped to #2 without reviewing #1. Then of course, I get to the end of the 2nd book and there's the first chapter of the 3rd and, once again - no self control, so I'm off to the races reading that one.
Thus why I'm reviewing the third in the series first. Let me just say, while this isn't my usual go to, I really enjoyed these books. I loved the fact that even though they still follow somewhat the formula of the hot star football players and the college students that worship them, they were each very different characters and they had back stories to contend with outside their relationships with the heroines they fall for.
Blaze is the hot footballer in this story and a character I fell in love with. I desperately wanted to tell him he was worthy. And Charisma is pretty kick ass too though so the book was a win for me.
These characters were already featured heavily in the previous book where they were involved with each other but this one kicks off with Blaze having dumped Charisma in front of practically everyone at the biggest party on campus after the big Homecoming game. She hates him for the public humiliation and the Jekyll and Hyde whiplash but secretly she's hurting like nobody's business. She's also confused as hell with no idea why it went from Go to Stop in 60 seconds flat.
Blaze meanwhile, appears at the beginning, to have completely moved on without a look back and partially that's because he's so damn good at putting on his public face. But one never gets the chance to hate him because his reasons for the huge mistakes he make come from such a heartbreaking background, such low self-esteem and such a desperate need at his one and only shot to prove to himself that he counts somewhere in life and that somewhere - the only place he's ever been able to rely on is football and a shot at the NFL.
These two were perfection for each other. They both have deep seated issues from growing up in putting themselves out there or believing that love is something that actually exists. That someone will stick around for you, that someone will mean what they say and follow through with action. I swear the walls these two both have constructed are equal to the Great Wall of China. But no matter their scars and no matter how bad the break up, the fact is that these two can try and shake it off all they want but their feelings for each other run deep.
Charisma was a tough cookie with a helluva of personality. And Blaze was her ideal match. Watching the push and pull of these two and reading from their POV's had me wanting to shake both of them hard and tell them to try putting themselves out there. The love is there but the road to the two of them finding it was fraught with misunderstanding, lost moments and fear of rejection. But when they finally put it together, it is so worthwhile! This wasn't your average football player looking to gain the world, this was a gem of a man looking for the one thing he never had.
"I'm never going to betray you. My feelings for you…are beyond anything else. I’m not that man. I want a happy ending, Charm. That’s who I am. I’m the guy in Say Anything who begs the girl to take a chance. I’m here."
I totally enjoyed this journey, adored the references to Say Anything and on an added note, I got to spend more time with Vampire Bill - damn, I love that foul talking bird!
****4 stars for taking chances, finding your own family in this world and being brave enough to love! -
I am starting to shy away a little from college aged romances - nothing against the books, it is just that I am an old fart and it is a bit pervy lusting after 21 year old boys lol
Also, I know nothing about American football - other than it takes about 42 hours to play a game!
However, there are some authors that I will pick up no matter the age of the characters, and Ilsa Madden-Mills is one of them.
I Hate You has been my favourite of the HookUp series so far. I felt it was more relatable, more emotional than the previous books. I may have shed a tear or two especially over Blaze's story.
I hated how my Charisma was down on herself. I got frustrated with both Blaze and Charisma, however I couldn't help but want to see them together, to succeed, to fall in love.
I loved seeing more of the guys and gals from the previous books, but OMG why did we need to see more of Archer - that guy is 1000% douchenozzle!
My favourite, favourite character was back with a vengeance too - Vampire Bill, can I adopt you?
I laughed, I screamed, I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room. Most of all I adored this book.
Can't wait to see what Ms Mills brings us next.
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I Hate You is a cute and funny enemies to lovers romance. Charisma and Blaze are two terrific characters that I enjoyed being in the company of. The beginning of the story, where the enemy vibes was at its highest, worked the best for me. The dialogue between them spot on along with the sexual tension. They’re both insecure, because of their parents actions when they’re young, and doesn’t give their hearts away easily to anyone. That’s ultimately why Blaze ended their relationship the first time around. Now they’ve both committed to not getting involved and yet they get involved again. That back and forth didn’t work for me. It negated everything they said to begin with and kept doing it for the remaining of the story. Also the drama towards the ending was unnecessary.
That being said I did enjoy I Hate You all because of the characters and their personalities. Vampire Bill the parrot was a hoot. A quick and great read.
