This book was so cute (do mind the TW THOUGH!!!) and it was perfectly fluffy book for the summer (not a summer romance tho).

Nikolai and Isabelle were such easy characters to connect to. Their love was not without its flaws, which tbh makes sense after starting as a summer fling. The flaws barely registered because their relationship was so healthy, cute and respectful. Those two are the prefect couple!
This book has some of my favorite tropes - brother's rival, f-buddies to lovers, both FMC and MMC are athletes which I always love (and he's a hockey player, which if u know me, is one of my favorite profession for a MLI).
Although the trope starts off as brother's rival, it soon turns into brother's teammate, which makes it no less forbidden. But as far as forbidden romances go, this one was thankfully not heavy on the angst. Personally I prefer it when they enjoy the sweetness of the forbidden fruit and actually care about each other, as it is done in this book, compared to all the one step ahead, then three back, all the annoying back and forth.

There were some darker topics covered regarding Nikolai's family situation in the past and mental health.

I would def recommend this book!

Thanks to Valentine PR and the author for providing me with an ARC!

This was such a fun read and I loved all the tropes! I definitely will look forward to reading more books by this author.

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I literally got hooked right from the start!Nikolai and Isabelle’s chemistry and the tension between them was felt through the pages. Their relationship was healthy and toxic free. I loved that both Nikolai and Isabelle were honest and open with each other. They talked about their thoughts and feelings right away. It also touched my heart on how they were there for each other no matter what. The book tackled some serious topics, such as mental health, panic attacks, trauma, and so on. It brought tears to my eyes on reading the struggles Nikolai and Isabelle faced and on how they overcame it. Lastly, we got a lot of heartwarming and sweet moments, both from Nikolai and Isabella, and also their friends and family. It was fun reading their bonding moments and also got me wishing that I was part of their family too.
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When looking back at the notes I made while reading this book, the one thing that stood out to me was “CHEESE alert”. This book was horribly cheesy and the writing fully supported that. This reminded me of books that I read in the quiet corner of my room on Wattpad without my parents knowing. Grace Reilly, I am so sorry.

If you even just read the synopsis, it screams high-school cheesiness, even though they aren’t in high school. Something about this book just really disinterested me. I didn’t like the way it was written and it really just had, “but daaaaaad” vibes.

I don’t have much more to say about it than that. I didn’t get far because I didn’t like the writing so I can’t really say if it gets better or not, but I didn’t feel like continuing something that wasn’t interesting to me.

This one just wasn’t for me. I had a hard time connecting with the FMC. She seemed really immature to me and I could not get on board. The spice and MMC were great though!

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“If she’s sunshine, I’m the guy who hopes it never starts raining”.

Grace Reilly's Wicked Serve is the concluding book in her Beyond the Play series. This is the author's first novel that I've read, and it can be read as a standalone.

The story follows Isabelle "Izzy" and Nikolai "Nik". Izzy is from a family of professional athletes. She is trying to find her footing and decide what she wants to accomplish. Nikolai is his team's broody hockey standout and a rival to her brother Cooper. What was supposed to be a summer fling turns into something more when, due to an incident at school, Nik must transfer to Izzy's school and becomes teammates with Izzy's brother. They realize they can't stay away from one other and try to keep their relationship hidden.

I loved the blossoming relationship between Izzy and Nik. Their chemistry and angst were undeniable. Grace did an excellent job of setting the tempo and engaging the reader's emotions. I thought the characters were well-developed.

Overall, I enjoyed this read. I will definitely return to read all the other books in this series.

What to Expect:
🏐 Sports Romance
🫂 Close Proximity
💞 Grumpy/Sunshine
❤️‍🔥 He Falls First
🤫 Secret Romance
🏒 Teammate’s Sister
🏠 Found Family
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Dual POV

Wicked Serve was a perfect ending to the Beyond the Play series. I really enjoyed Isabelle and Nik’s story. As a reader I loved seeing the growth in the Callahan family our the course of the series. I will be recommending this series to fans of Elle Kennedy and sports romance readers. Can’t wait to see what Grace Reilly writes next.

This is my favorite grace reilly book to date. If you’re looking for a fun sports romance this is definitely it!

I love me a sports romance. Instead of just the MMC as the hockey player athlete, this book focuses on two athletes, as the FMC is also a volleyball player.

If you’re looking for a solid spicy sports romance, this could be your pick! What started as a summer fling, turns into a second chance love story with a brother’s arch nemesis and a little sister.

For some reason, however, this one is just missing that *wow* spark to it. I’m not sure why. It has everything a sports romance usually has, it was just missing a little something to keep me captivated and awe-inspired to want to keep reading.

You really can’t go wrong with this book, but if you want something with a little bit more depth and life-changing quotes, I think maybe look elsewhere.

This book had a lot of potential, but ultimately, it didn’t fully deliver. While the plot had the makings of a compelling romance, the length felt excessive. Trimming at least 100 pages would have likely made it a more engaging read, as much of the narrative dragged after the 40% mark. It often felt like the author was padding the story with unnecessary scenes, which left me skimming through portions that didn’t add much to the overall plot.

That said, there were several enjoyable aspects. The relationship between Nikolai and Isabelle stood out as refreshingly healthy, with little miscommunication or toxic behavior. I loved the mutual support they offered each other, which is rare in romance novels where misunderstandings tend to drive the conflict. Their sweet, domestic moments were heartwarming, and the family and friendship dynamics added depth to the story. I especially enjoyed the cameo from Bex and James, who were delightful to see again.

However, Isabelle's immaturity and her insistence on pushing Nikolai to open up before he was ready detracted from the story. Her constant need to intervene felt overbearing at times, and her character wasn't particularly likable. On top of that, Nikolai’s inability to stand up for himself, especially when it came to his family, was frustrating. Isa often had to step in, which weakened his character arc.

There were also some cringy moments, particularly with the repetitive mention of Isabelle's love for the color pink, which became tiresome. Additionally, the balance of the book leaned heavily toward smut, which sometimes overshadowed the emotional depth and plot development.

Overall, the book was entertaining in parts, especially with its positive portrayal of a healthy relationship, but the pacing, excessive length, and lack of meaningful conflict left me feeling underwhelmed. A solid 3.5-star read for those who enjoy a light, steamy romance without too much angst.

This is my first Grace Reilly book and it won’t be my last!
This is a cute easy read. Nic and Isabelle are both star athletes at their schools. Isabella plays volleyball and Nic is her brother's rival in hockey. Then Nic transfers to Isabelle’s school. They have a secret relationship. You get all of the drama and feels in this one.
Thank you to the author and publisher for my advanced copy for my honest review.

Grace Reilly's Wicked Serve is a thrilling blend of sports rivalry, sizzling chemistry, and emotional depth. The story centers around Isabelle, a determined volleyball player, and Nikolai, a brooding hockey star. Their paths collide in a fiery clash of personalities that gradually evolves into a passionate romance. The smut is SMUTTING in this book.

Reilly masterfully captures the intensity of both sports, offering readers a front-row seat to the adrenaline-pumping action. The characters are well-developed, with Isabelle's fierce drive and Nikolai's complex emotional journey making them both relatable and captivating. As someone who played volleyball growing up, I felt seen finally reading a book with a volleyball player!

Beyond the athleticism, the novel delves into deeper themes of trauma, mental health, and the power of human connection. The author handles these sensitive topics with care and authenticity, adding layers of complexity to the story. I appreciate seeing the perspective of trauma on a MMC instead of a female, I feel in books its usually the female.

While the romance is undeniably hot (seriously, was not expecting this level of smut, but I loved it!), it's the characters' growth and their supportive relationship that truly shines. Wicked Serve is more than just a sports romance; it's a story about overcoming challenges, finding love, and building a strong foundation for the future.

Fans of sports romance will undoubtedly be captivated by this story, but even those who aren't typically drawn to the genre will find themselves cheering for Isabelle and Nikolai.

Trigger warning: The book contains themes of trauma and mental health.

Nik and Isabelle’s story was a cute romance that puts the reader through a rollercoaster of emotions from their relationship to Nik’s family relationships and more. Nikki loves hockey and it’s his dream to go pro, but when it came to him transferring and his relationship with Isabelle things get a little rocky especially where his grandfather is concerned. The sparks between Nik and Isabelle are always there and they form such a bond that you know they are meant for each other they just have obstacles that they need to jump in order to get there, but Nik gets too far in his head at times and is willing to risk his happiness for the sake of others at times. I loved how Nik handled his own anxieties and traumas knowing that it was things he needed to work on so he could be his best self for Isabelle and to me that was truly beautiful. I also love how Isabelle knew exactly what Nik needed when it came to his life and family and wasn’t afraid to push things to get him where he needed to be. Overall, this was a cute and emotional story that I throughly enjoyed.

I really enjoyed the Beyond the Play series and was so excited to read "Wicked Serve" . It was a fun read full of romance, humor and did not disappoint. You won't be disappointed with this read!

I really enjoyed Isabelle and Nik's story. I loved how Isabelle's family accepted Nik so easily, even her brother Cooper that told him to stay away from his sister. Great story!

Every single one of Grace’s books have had me swooning! Such great chemistry and banter. I had been looking forward to Izzy’s book since reading First Down and this did not disappoint!!!

** spoiler alert ** Would definitely recommend. 4 stars. I didn't read the three before it yet but I did go and buy them and plan to now. I believe they can be read as standalones but they are definitely interconnected. I really enjoyed Nik and Isabelle's story. He overcame alot and so did his mother. They are strong characters. Isabelle has to deal with her own issues as well and figure out what she wants to do. I love the tattoo part and the family bond. In my head i kept saying "blocking his number" and "change your number"

Summary
Izzy is just coming off an amazing event-planning internship in NYC this summer, and a secret fling with Nik, who happens to be her brother's biggest hockey rival. She expects to never see him again since they are headed back to their respective colleges. Just as the school year is set to begin, he transfers to McKee, where she and her brother attend, and she does not expect it to be so hard to stay away from him. The two decide to continue their fling behind closed doors, but things will get complicated when the feelings turn from friends-with-benefits to seeing a future together.

Why did I pick up this book?
I read the other 3 books in the series earlier this year and was excited for Izzy's story. Once I read the third book, I saw the fourth was coming out and requested an Advanced Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

What did I enjoy about it?
Both characters were on a journey of self-prioritization, and I identify with that on a personal level. Many times in my life, I have followed through with something due to external pressures, or have put others before myself, so I was glad to see they both were able to set that aside and take care of themselves. My positive comments do not extend much beyond this one.

What did I not enjoy about it?
Unfortunately, I felt like Reilly ran out of ideas but had already committed to this fourth book, so she had to put something together. It's marketed as a secret relationship because Nik is worried her brother will ice him out on the team, and because they are alleged rivals. However, they had a lot of very public moments together and the secretiveness ended fairly early in the book. I also felt the "rivals" was a really weak plot point – the two guys had one heated exchange, during a game, once. The tropes were just flimsy and I was bored for most of the book. If I didn't owe the review, I likely would have abandoned the book.

Absolutely loved this book. Favourite of the series for me.

The growth of Nikolai was beautiful to read, and for once made the 3rd act break/pause natural so that I really didn't mind it. He is definitely a new addition to my book boyfriend list.
Izzy is a great FMC, she is fierce yet sensitive. Was great to get to know her more. I love the relationship she has with her brothers and their partners.

I'm really sad that the Callahan family is finished and we are moving away from them.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fun, cute sports romance. Just the right amount of drama and angst and lots of spice.