Princess and the Player by Ilsa Madden-Mills Series: Strangers in Love #2
Published by Montlake on November 8, 2022
Pages: 283
Format: ARC
Genres: Romance, Sports Romance
Amazon
A masquerade ball brings together an NFL player and a penniless princess in this smart and sexy romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills.
Level-headed Francesca Lane never thought she’d miss her own wedding. But when her fiancé betrays her, she puts on her wedding dress and ditches the altar for a masquerade ball—at a sex club.
There, she meets NFL star Tuck Avery, dressed as a prince and hiding behind a mask as he celebrates his birthday. For one night, Francesca and Tuck indulge in a wickedly incognito affair. No names. No strings. And the masks don’t come off.
Unfortunately, Francesca soon realizes her prince is the wealthy jock who lives in the penthouse of her apartment building. His hobbies include parties and supermodels—or so the tabloids say. Another shallow jerk is the last thing Francesca needs, so she vows to keep Tuck from recognizing her, not that she’s his type anyway.
But fate has a teeny-tiny trick up her sleeve… a plus sign on a pregnancy test. Can this tormented prince accept love, or will he push his princess away forever?
Princess and the Player is a complete stand-alone romance with nuanced characters and a swoony happily ever after.
It’s safe to say Ilsa Madden-Mills has a hit on her hands with her Strangers in Love series. Princess and the Player is every bit as enjoyable as the first book—not an easy feat.
The whole sex club one night stand scenario isn’t really my jam, so I was surprised I loved this story so much. Madden-Mills takes a potentially tawdry scenario and infuses it with lots of good humor. I do like the surprise pregnancy trope, but how Francesca manages to get pregnant given their level of protection is beyond me! While their chemistry can’t be denied, I also enjoyed the friendship Tuck and Francesca form.
Both Tuck and Francesca have experienced tragic upbringings and recent trials. It makes trusting others a challenge, and causes them to put up walls. Neither knows what it’s like to grow up in a healthy, happy family, but they prove that the family you make is often better than the one you’re given. I love the warm family they create with their best friends and neighbors. The curmudgeon next door is one of my favorite side characters.
I would have liked to experience the progression of Francesca’s pregnancy more, but it’s a sweet romance nonetheless. I hope there will be more books to come in the series.
Recommended for fans of:
Surprise pregnancies
Football players
Sports romance
Masquerade balls
*I received an early copy to read. This does not affect the content of my review.*
Grab your copy of Princess and the Player!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3KWVJJ6
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/PrincessPlayer
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3jXSR2s
About Ilsa Madden-Mills
Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.
Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.
A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.
She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.
I think I felt the same way when I read this one about wishing I could have experienced the pregnancy more with her. Great review!
Thank you!
I like a surprise pregnancy trope too!
I agree with you regarding the pregnancy. I was hoping Tuck would have gotten the chance to share in the experience.