Blog Tour + Review + Excerpt | Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills --> 5 Stars
"Dear Ava is heartwarming and angsty and don't get me started on Knox. Read this book!
You will love Ava's fight and Knox's alpha." --Tijan, New York Times bestselling author
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a gripping enemies-to-lovers, secret admirer, high school romance with Dear Ava, available now!
TITLE: Dear Ava
AUTHOR: Ilsa Madden-Mills
GENRE: High School Romance
RELEASE DATE: February 2nd, 2020
The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world—until one of them destroyed me.
The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them.
Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer: Knox, the scarred quarterback and their leader, Dane, his twin brother, or Chance, the ex who dumped me...
Dear Ava,
Your eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea.</del>
That’s stupid.
What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL.
It’s been ten months since you were here, but I can’t forget you.
I’ve missed seeing you walk down the hall.
I’ve missed you cheering at my football games.
I’ve missed the smell of your hair.
The truth is, I wanted you back then—but you had him.
And then everything fell apart that night.
Don’t hate me because I’m a Shark.
I just want to make you mine.
Still.
**An excerpt of Dear Ava appeared in the anthology Team Player 2 in 2019. (No longer available.) This full-length version is 100,000 words.**
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
⭐️ 5 "Tulip" Stars ⭐️
I first read the excerpt of Dear Ava featured in the Team Player 2 Anthology last fall and fell in love with this marvelous, emotional story! Right from the prologue, I was utterly captivated! I can declare without a once of a doubt that this novel is my new favorite from Ilsa Madden-Mills! She truly delivered a flawlessly executed touching story! Ava is a courageous, inspiring heroine wise beyond her age. Despite the traumatizing night she suffered at the hands of a “Shark”, she’s unyielding in her quest for answers and keep her head up at Camden Prep. The way she’s so strong had me pleasantly amazed. Yes, there’s heartbreaking moments where she’s plagued by that fateful night, but she doesn’t let it dictate her life and still has great aspirations. She certainly has some sass and boldness in her that mostly comes to show in the presence of Knox. That boy, knows how to push her buttons! Knox is the star quarterback of Camden Prep, but at the same time so much more than meets the eyes. He plays the cliché jock, but he’s also tormented by his past. I loved the chapters in his point of view, where it’s so easy to see that he has an undeniable affinity to the girl. She’s always been fascinating to him and now that she’s back, he wants her so see the real him. He’s cocky at times or also cold and aloof, but he never misses a chance to help Ava. He’s really dreamy and I loved him. What I cherished most about this story is their relationship. The banter and the magnetism they share is just so powerful. My stomach was full of butterflies from their interactions. The sexy moments when the air is charged with a potent energy was fabulous! I was so invested in the outcome of Ava’s search for answers. The intrigue was titillating and the little hints here and there about the identity of her aggressor had me gripped. Ilsa Madden-Mills created a heartfelt story that I couldn’t put down! The main characters, but also the supporting ones were so interesting and gave me all the feels! Dear Ava is a must read sports, enemies to lovers romance!
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
“What do you want?” Knox says with as sneer as I ease in the football locker room. Cold eyes flick over my cheer skirt then move up and land on the hollow of my throat. It’s not cool enough at night for our sweater uniform so tonight my top is the red and white V-cut vest with CP embroidered on my chest. “Where’s Chance?” He whips off his sweat-covered jersey along with the pads underneath. “I don’t keep tabs on my best friend for you. Get out—before I scare you.” He’s scaring me already. But I can’t stop looking at him. His shoulders are broad and wide, his chest lightly dusted with sparse golden hair, tan from the sun, rippling with powerful muscles, leading down to a tapered and trim waist. He has a visible six-pack, and my gaze lingers briefly on a small tattoo on his hip, but I can’t tell what it is. He isn’t brawny or beefy-looking like one might expect from a guy blessed with his athletic prowess, but sculpted and molded and— Dropping my gaze, I stare at the floor. I shouldn’t be ogling him. Chance is my maybe-boyfriend. I hear male laughter from one of the rooms that branch off from the locker room, maybe the showers, and I deflate, guessing that’s where Chance is. Glancing up, I intend to ask him to tell Chance I came by to congratulate him on his two touchdowns, but my voice is frozen. Knox has unlaced his grass-stained pants and is shucking them off. His legs are heavily muscled and taut, unlike the leaner build of Chance. His underwear are white and tight, cupping his hard ass, the outline of his crotch— “Like what you see, charity case? You can look, but you can’t touch.” Anger soars, replacing my embarrassment. I know I'm just the scholarship girl at Camden, but why does he have to constantly remind me? “Don't worry about me touching anything. I don’t like ugly.” The words tumble out before I can stop them. I meant his superior attitude, not his face, but I see the moment when he freezes and takes it the wrong way. He touches his face, tracing his scar while his jaw pops. “Get the hell out. Only players allowed in here.” I pivot and go for the door, forcing myself not to run. “Asshole,” I mutter. His laughter follows me.
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.
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