Ilsa Madden-Mills Boyfriend Material Review!
Boyfriend Material
By: Ilsa Madden Mills
Release Date: July 25, 2022
Publisher: Ilsa Madden Mills
Author Website: https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com/
5 Stars
Boyfriend Material, the second book in Ilsa Madden-Mills Hawthorne University series, is a romance that lets readers see that sometimes when bad things happen to good people they can rise to the top and get the happiness they deserve!
Eric Hansen, college hockey star and popular, on the surface it would seem that the world was at his feet and he had it all together, yet upon looking closer his standing was on fragile ground. This character vacillated as both the savior and the one needing saving as he walked that narrow margin teetering precariously from one side to the other. At first glance Eric's actions could often be construed as selfish and entitled but as readers were given a closer look at him there was so much more to Eric and his hero status solidified. Julia Lauren was an incredibly brave character. Her capacity to survive and see beyond her own problems was commendable, but it was her maturity in taking charge and understanding and not judging others struggles to the best of her ability that made her stand out.
Eric and Julia had a past that evolved into one of avoidance and secrets. While neither knew the personal burdens of the other or what made them make the decisions that put them where they were in the here and now their reconnection gave them a second chance at a missed opportunity with each other. Grappling with a tainted friendship and fighting their physical attraction this couple had a lot to overcome. Between Julia dealing with being a social pariah and crushing responsibilities and Eric giving up his dreams in a misconceived sense of duty to his family there was a lot to overcome both individually and as a couple for this pair. With a significant amount of self-sabotaging and an uphill battle with defeatism Eric and Julia's relationship was tested often for some heart wrenching moments. A great secondary cast rounded out this work.
Everyone has a story to tell and when characters are fortunate enough to have Ilsa Madden-Mills tell theirs readers can be assured of a work worthy of every hurdle her portrayals face and every laugh and tear that accompanies their journey. This author has the uncanny ability to tackle tough subjects even while allowing her audience to walk away feeling that they just experienced something special where good ultimately does overcome all in the end. Kindness and insight always manage to rise to the occasion in this writer's books making her stories that much better for it. Boyfriend Material shows that if any author could make you fall in love with a book it is Ilsa Madden-Mills!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*