ARC Review | Wicked Serve | 4.5 ⭐️

I have been foaming at the mouth in anticipation of this ARC. Grace Reilly’s Beyond the Play series is the first sports romance series that made me want to drop everything and read it all in one go. Every release has been much anticipated and it is a dream come true to have the privilege of being an ARC reader for Izzy’s story! 😍 Now... for what you actually came here for... THE REVIEW!!

My favorite romances are those that have the perfect mix of plot, banter, and ofc the most iconic romance tropes (can’t forget the 🌶️🌶️ for the smutty lovers 🤭). Izzy and Nik’s story is pure GOLD. Brother’s teammate, forbidden romance, billionaire romance, and secret romance!! Both Nik and Izzy know their relationship is a terrible idea. What starts as an innocent hookup and “friendship” quickly turns into a whirlwind. Both of them have an undeniable pull to the other. They have a sense of peace and unexplainable joy when they are with one another. Nik makes Izzy forget about her insecurities regarding being a student athlete AND a Callahan. Izzy makes Nik reflect on his past and what kind of man he really wants to be. With healing on all sides of this relationship, this book is full of the most adorable highs, and triggering lows. Y’all... Imagine casually saying, “koalas are so cute”, and then being flown by private jet to a koala sanctuary. Can it get any better than that?! Spoiler, IT CAN. I can’t wait for you to experience these two and their perfect connection. But please read with caution. There are talks of parental abuse, domestic abuse, and alcohol abuse. If these are triggering for you please proceed with caution.

Thank you so much to Grace Reilly and Valentine for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!!

This book was great! I love romance books, and this one was no exception! The characters were wonderful and realistic, the plot was well written, and the setting was gorgeous. I cannot wait until this is published so everyone can read it!

Thank you so much for sending me this book. I have read all of the books in the series. This book didn’t disappoint. I truly loved the characters in this story. There was great romance but also talked about anxiety. I love how the characters supported each other.

4.5/5 - i absolutely loved this book and izzy and nik’s story. i don’t think anything will top james and bex’s book for me but this one got pretty close. this series was one of the first to help me rediscover my l or for reading again and i am forever thankful for that. i love all the characters with all my heart and i am so sad to let them go. i am SO grateful to have received an ARC of this book before it comes out on 8.13. i can’t wait to see what else is in store for grace reilly’s next book! thank you so much to grace reilly, net galley, and VPR for this incredible opportunity

This is a book in a stand-alone series that follows Nic and Izzy. It's written in dual POV and follows their romance. I have not read the other books in this series and that may have something to do with this low rating. I did not care about the romance and felt their "conflict" throughout most of the book was pretty dumb. This book was about 85% steamy time (which wasn't even good steam IMO) and 15% plot and I just didn't care about the plot. This book was also way too long for a contemporary romance. It is 448 pages and should have been at least 100 pages shorter. My two star rating is generous.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Wicked Serve in exchange for an honest review.

Nikolai and Isabelle meet in the summer when Izzy is interning at Nik’s mom’s business. Sparks instantly fly and they have the cutest summer fling. Despite Nik being her brother’s biggest rival on the ice. Things happen and Nik ends up having to transfer colleges and ends up at the same one as Izzy and her brother. They try to stay away from each other but just can’t fight their chemistry together. Now comes the sneaking around! This may be a second chance romance but these two were gone for each other from the start. Nik has some demons from his past and his journey is gut wrenching. I had literal tears for him a few times. But the way Izzy is there for him is so amazing. But they also switch rolls and Nik helps Izzy through all of her insecurities with volleyball and her family. They are so sweet together. I absolutely loved them. Loved watching them grow and Nik finding family with his teammates and her family.

Izzy and Nik are perfection. This is such a good twist on the teammates sister trope. Izzy dealing with her complicated relationship with volleyball and feeling inferior to her bothers, and Nik’s incredibly heartbreaking past gave this book the depth that I didn’t know I needed! It’s amazing how a story can truly unfold and how a cover makes you feel like it will be such a sweet sports romance, when the themes are so deep! Of the 4 books in the series I think it’s the second in terms of spice! I loved the ups and downs, the gut punch to each revelation and how Nik and Izzy complement each other so well!

I’m so sad that the Beyond the Play series has concluded. That being said, Wicked Serve was a perfect story to wrap it up. A story of love and understanding and healing and support.

Very cute and spicy sports romance. Izzy (Isabelle) Callhan is starting her second year playing college volleyball. She comes from a sports family with her father, a former pro football player and her brother a current star. Izzy spent her summer in NYC interning for a wedding planner and she also had a summer fling with Nikolai. He is a scouted hockey player and ready to start his senior year. Circumstances cause him to switch to her college and the pair find themselves running into each other on campus.

This is the fourth and last of the Beyond the Play series which focuses on Izzy’s and her siblings. I read this easily as a stand alone but her family and their partners all make appearances. If I’d read the other books in the series I would appreciate catching up with the previous relationship and getting good closure. One thing that is unusual is that this couple falls back easily into being together. Yes, there is some sneaking around but they are very much together. So the angst of their story isn’t on the romance but instead dealing with personal issues in their lives. Nikolai’s father wants him to come to Russia to play professionally and his grandfather wants him out of hockey entirely. Izzy struggles with how she fits in her family and in not knowing what she wants to do with life as volleyball won’t be a career.

I didn’t love the wealth that Nikolai comes from. The fancy hotel night or let’s weekend in Australia felt like fantasy. It also took away the pressure over his decision on whether to play professionally. And it impacted her college sports negatively. But I don’t want to nitpick an enjoyable story. I was surprised that it needed over 400 pages to tell. I am new to the author and series but I did enjoy it enough to look and find my library has the rest of the series.

First I’d like to thank NetGalley and Grace Reilly for the opportunity to read an Arc of her upcoming book . In exchange for my honest review.

Isabella and Nik are just 😍. From the beginning you just fall in love with them. I do wish you got more of their relationship starting. The book starts out after they have a summer relationship, only to have Isabella wake up alone and not hear from Nik. That is ..until he takes the fall for his teammates and finds himself expelled. Forced by his grandfather to give up on hockey and go into the family business. In exchange he will get him into another school just as good. The school of course just so happens to be Isabella’s ..oh and her brother’s…..who just so happens to be nik’s biggest rival . You watch as the couple struggle to focus on school, keep them a secret as well as falling deeper in love .Overall loved it ! Would read the series. Recommend to anyone looking for a cute college sports romance 🥰

Wicked Serve is the fourth in the Beyond the Play series by Grace Reilly and follows college hockey player Nikolai "Nik" Abney and volleyball player Isabelle "Izzy" Callahan.

With summer's end, Nik and Izzy thought their fling was over. Izzy would return to McKee, forget all about the boy, buckle down, and earn back her place on the volleyball team. Nik would simply go back to his own college. Problem solved. But when Nik is forced to leave his university, he ends up right in Izzy's backyard, making it impossible to forget their time together; both how it started and ended. But their attraction is undeniable and unavoidable on their small campus.

Nik and Izzy are outstanding characters and I enjoyed both of them. Izzy was positive, driven, and outspoken but also suffered from self-doubt, never thinking she was good enough, and frustration. Through her and Nik’s struggles, we also see the importance of a solid support system.

It was Nik though who stole my heart. His backstory was tragic and gave me anxiety with every phone call he received. The author did a great job of making the reader feel that tension and showing how abuse/abusers can warp one's mind. The mental health rep in this book was great. I loved that it took priority.👏 He's also big on grand gestures and you gotta love that.

The main couple’s relationship was pleasantly non-toxic. They were both endlessly supportive of one another and talked openly, which I appreciate. Although I felt like one character pushed more about the other’s past and I'm not how I feel about that. The book also felt slightly too long for a sports romance.

Overall, I enjoyed the focus on mental wellness, self-awareness and found family in this one. The theme of pursuing your dreams and discovering your joy was also especially noteworthy. Plenty of swoon-worthy and steamy moments round out this heartfelt hockey romance. If you're a fan of the sports romance genre, check out Wicked Serve.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Tropes:
🏐 Forbidden Romance
🏒 Scarred hockey player hero
🏐 Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒 He Falls first
🏐 Brother's rival and teammate
🏒 Found family
🏐 Mental Health Rep

Wicked Serve
By Grace Reilly

older brother’s rival
sports romance
dual POV
secret summer fling
hockey x volleyball

This was such a fun a low stakes, light and fluffy romance! I really enjoyed reading about Nikolai and Isabelle, they were so sweet and had such a cute and healthy relationship. I absolutely loved Nikolai’s relationship with Connor! and basically all the Callahan family interactions.

I hate third act breakups and I want to say that there isn’t one here, just a bit of an odd moment. I did expect a bit more plot out of the book but I appreciate there wasn’t any unnecessary misunderstanding or stubbornness that usually comes with secret relationships. I originally planned to give this a 3.5⭐️ because of the issues I mentioned but I’m rounding up to a 4⭐️ because it was a little addictive and I love it when I can’t out a book down.

I am a huge fan of how Nikolai decides to take charge of his life to better his future! I appreciate all the cute glimpses into the other Callahan couples 🫶🏼 I’m super intrigued by Bex and James so I’ll be turning back to read their story!

Thank you to Valentine PR, NetGalley and Grace Reilly for this gifted arc!

Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly is book 4 of the Beyond the Play series. This book is focused on the youngest Callahan sibling Isabelle. She's a great volleyball player and taken on an interest in event planning. Nikolai is hockey player who was captain on the rival colleges team but now finds himself at McKee which is the same college as Isabelle. These two had a summer fling and it seems to pick up at school. Seeing as Isabelle's older brother is the captain of the hockey team, they sneak around so he doesn't find out. I love the family dynamic with Isabelle and her siblings. Even her parents! Nikolai and Isabelle are perfect for eachother and exactly what eachother needs. I love their chemistry and how much they care about eachother. I love this series and author!

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wicked Serve
Author: Grace Reilly
Beyond the Play #4
Sports romance

Ahhhh! Thank you so much Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC! As soon as I saw this I had to request it immediately. This was my first in the series I have read by her and it was everything. Nikolai and Isabelle had a secret fling over the summer and they thought it was going to end there. However, Nikolai gets transferred to her school, and to her brother (his rivals) hockey team. Izzy is trying to win back her position on her volleyball team, and the coach is pretty much out to get her. She has to try her best to stay focused and not on Nikolai. I’m sure you can guess how that turns out. This book was surprisingly full of spice.. 🔥. I really enjoyed all the characters in the book and the storyline. I also really enjoyed both Nikolai and Izzy’s side stories. Him with his drama with the relationship with his father, and her struggles with her family life too. I haven’t read the other books in the series but I’m definitely going to try tackle them all this month now. I really loved this and thought it was the perfect sports romance read. 🏐🏒

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love this book!!! Grace Reilly is extremely talented and such a queen of sports romances.
I’ve had the absolute pleasure of being a beta reader for this book last summer and I love so much how it turned out in the end!!!
This book is cute, fun, romantic and spicy all at the same time. And even though the book is long, you get SO addicted to the story and the characters that the pages seem to fly by.
Izzy and Nik are so absolutely perfect together!! And I love how their relationship focus on dealing with their insecurities and their trauma before they can be happy and together.
And, like in all Grace Reilly’s books, we have the most amazing found family trope ever. I’m so sad to say goodbye to this series. But so happy with their stories!!

read this one if you love:
sports romance
hockey mmc x volleyball fmc
brother’s rival turned teammate
college romance
found family

I love the Callahan family and I was looking forward to Izzy's story. I've been waiting for 9 months for this story and I loved the ARC copy. There are a few changes that I am hoping for in the final version, and I will definitely be rereading this book, but I have to say it did not disappoint. It's been a bittersweet moment reading this as I can tell it was coming to an end despite there being so much future for Izzy and Nik, Seb and Mia, Cooper and Penny and James, Bex and Charlotte. I hope we get a spin-off series in the future for the next generation of Callahans because I cannot get enough of this family.

But for now, let's continue with the story of Izzy and Nik. I had seen so many teasers of Nik's past that I was curious to hear his backstory. I was convinced that it was going to be a bad boy turned good who found love but I was completely mistaken. Nik is a solid guy, someone who takes his responsibility as team captain seriously and looks out for his team, no matter what the consequences are for him. That is exactly what happened and because of that, he found himself at McKee, with the girl that he spent his summer hooking up with. Nik needs to start now with a new hockey team and hopefully make it to the Final Four, make new friends, and finish his degree, all before giving up his passion and submitting his life to his grandfather's business. While he loves hockey, he can't go down that path; it's too close of a reminder to his father. The bright spot of his year is Isabelle. He only wants to help build her up, be there for her and bathe in her sunshine, and pamper her like a princess.

Isabelle is a spunky social butterfly. We have seen her in each of the previous books with her brothers, so we know that she is the only girl in the family and the youngest, so obviously, she is spoiled by her brothers, who are very protective over her. But don't let that fool you, she is independent and resilient on her own. As a Callahan, she is competitive and athletic and strives to be top of her game in her sport. However, coming from an athletic and over-achieving family, she also sometimes feels inferior to her brothers and thinks that she has to earn her spot in the family. This causes her to have an inferiority complex. However, Nik is her cheerleader, always boosting her up and treating her right. Izzy took a few years to find her passion, trying out different activities in her youth, until she discovered and fell in love with volleyball. Once she started, she strived to be top of her game, but college has been tougher than expected and her coach didn't see her the way she thought she was playing. That didn't discourage Izzy, as she is determined to prove her coach wrong this year and earn the position that she wants on the team.

It's a year of big changes for Izzy, too. She finally becomes an aunt, plans her brother, James's wedding to Bex, learns to step away from one of her passions, and learns to trust herself and guys in relationships. Nik is it, and he is perfect for Isabelle, and she is perfect for him. There are traumas that Nik has to learn to overcome and decide on what future he wants before he deserves to be with Isabelle.

I love the dynamic of the Callahans and how they love and support each other. While Stealing Home wasn't my favorite of the series, and I absolutely love James and Cooper, I think the winner for the best brother goes to Sebastian. He is the calm, intelligent voice of reason for all of his siblings, and he demonstrated that again with Izzy, supporting her relationship and secrets but also making her realize her worth. The partners that the Callahan boys have found are not only perfect for them individually, but they are wonderful sisters-in-law for each other and mix perfectly with Izzy. Nik also finds his footing with the guys, especially Cooper, despite the animosity we saw between them in Breakaway (which, btw, I was expecting them to butt heads a lot more in this book but they seemed to just accept each other and let everything from their past be water under the bridge from the moment that Nik started going to McKee).

Do I recommend this book? Absolutely! Is it my favorite within the series? No. I was expecting it to be for some reason but it doesn't top some of the other relationships within the Callahan family. However, the family dynamic in this book is my favorite.

Thank you, Valentine PR, Netgalley, and Grace, for giving me the opportunity to read Wicked Serve as an ARC copy before its publication. I've been so excited to get to read an ARC book before.

I loved this book so damn much. Idk even where to start. The beautiful relationship between Isabelle and Nikolai, the mental health aspect of living up to familial expectations, the positive promotion of therapy and how it's ok to not be ok. I am in love with this book and I'm terribly upset I can't reread this again for the first time. There's so much more I want to get into, but I can't without spoiling things. Just read the book! It's beautiful.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

I was so thankful to get an ARC for this book! I remember when I started reading this series and not many people knew about it but I was in love with it. The way the Grace Reilly writes her characters and stories feels so real. This book might just have been my favorite of the whole series. I could tell I was going to have a soft spot for Isabelle the moment we first saw her and I just loved her and Nik's story. As somebody who played volleyball forever I loved seeing that represented here. And who doesn't love a good hockey romance? It was just everything and I'm so sad to see these characters go but you can count on me rereading these over and over agin.

Thank you so much Grace Reilly and her team for the ARC!!

Wicked Serve comes out August 13th!! Go pre-preorder so you can fall in love with these characters ASAP!!

We love a good hockey romance around here!!!!

I loved this series and was so happy that Izzy was getting time to shine among the Callahan brothers

Nikolai and Izzy were EVERYTHING!! The spice was insane

Hockey x volleyball
Sneaking around
Brother rival turned teammate


Overall rating: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A hot summer romance between a volleyball player ho is working for the mother of a popular hockey player. Sounds hot, yes? Except, she is the sister of a famous athletic family and the sister of the captain of a top college hokey team. The glitch? the hockey player she is involved with is the captain of the rival college hockey team. Steamy reuniting when he is now on the same team as her brother. Can they keep it a secret? How can they reveal the truth with out killing the hockey team unity? Nikolai is the son of a famous hockey player who has left the USA for Russian hockey team. The background history is as complicated as his relationship and love for Izzy, the daughter and sister to a famous athletic family. What will happen and how many glitches will Izzy and Nikolai face? Will they find their forever love? A sizzling hot romance tale. Thank you Ms. Reilly.