2.5 stars, I’ll round it to 3 for the spice

For context, I have not read the other books in the series from Grace Reilly. So this review pertains to this book only!

I wanted to love this book because I did hear really good things about the series.
Don’t get me wrong, the spice was spicing. I loved that & the tension. Nikolai’s hard exterior softening for Isabel, and the whole ‘touch her and die’ had me swooning. A hockey player with a dark past, a scar on his face, who slips in some russian for some extra smolder-y effect? Hot hot hot.

Unfortunately I just felt like the story line dragged on in between. For the most part, it’s a typical college-problems type book, turning some not so serious things into serious but while the actual serious issues don’t get a lot of attention or story line. I loved that we got a lot of Nikolai, I hate when we ignore the MMC because I feel like they offer good perspective. I didn’t love Isabelle’s perspective in the book. A little unnecessary dramatics, but absolutely loved the Callahan family dynamics.

With that being said - I would definitely go back and still read the other books the author wrote for this series. You get a little glimpse of these couples in the book, I assume (again, haven’t read the other books at the time of this review) and I feel like they may offer a romantic story as well.

Thank you to the author, publisher, & Valentine PR for allowing me to read this ARC! I will review on goodreads & Amazon when the book is released

ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“If she’s sunshine, I’m the guy who hopes it never starts raining. But deep down I worry that I’m the typhoon”.

Nikolai and Isabelle were the perfect ending to the beyond the play series. This book was fun, spicy and the chemistry between these two from the start made it such an easy read.

They had me feeling all the emotions throughout the book but i couldn’t have had a better ending.

Wicked Serve is out August 13th
If you like:
🏐 volleyball x hockey player
🏒 brother’s rival turned teammate
🏐 broody x bubbly
🏒 he has a nickname for her in russian
Then this book is for you ❤️‍🔥

Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly (Beyond the Play, Book 4)

"If she's Sunshine, I'm the guy who hopes it never rains." - Nikolai

Synopsis: Izzy’s secret summer fling with her brother’s biggest hockey rival gets complicated when he transfers to their school and her brother’s hockey team. What should have been a distant memory is now right in front of her face, asking if she missed him with a cocky smirk. Izzy and Nikolai simply cannot be near each other without fear of giving in to temptation. They can’t fight each other’s pull, but it could never turn into anything real… could it? Will they fight for a future together or watch it go up in flames?
Plot: 4 ⭐

Tropes: College hockey & volleyball. Forbidden romance/secret rendezvous. Brother’s rival/Turned teammate. Second chance. Found family.

Characters: 4.5⭐
Izzy Callahan: Youngest Callahan sibling and only daughter. Izzy’s sport is Volleyball, and she has a passion for event planning. We know her on a surface level from previous books in the series, but we get to know her on a deeper level in her book.
Nikolai Abney-Volkov: Captain of the rival hockey team, and Izzy’s Summer fling. He had briefly appeared in a hockey game in a previous book, but here we meet him and learn all about him and his past.
We get updates on the rest of the Callahan family as they appear throughout the book.
Nik’s mom, Grandfather, and estranged Russian father are important characters as well.

Chemistry: 5⭐
Listen. Chemistry was definitely not a problem with these two! 🔥In fact, the spice was spicing. It’s the emotional stuff they need to work on!

Readability/Vibes: 4⭐
I liked the story and enjoyed reading it. However the back half of this book seemed to drag on due to pacing, story diversions, and what seems like repeated conversations. Some of it was due to multiple spicy scenes, which were🔥, but did add to the length of the book. It just felt about 10-15% too long, unnecessarily.

Spice: 5⭐ / 3.5 🌶️

Overall Rating: 4.25⭐ rounded to 4

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. Thank you to NetGalley, Valentine PR and Grace Reilly.

#WickedServe #WickedServeBook #NetGalley #ValentinePR #AvonBooks #authorgracereilly #wickedservegracereilly #ARCReview #ARCReader #SportsRomance #AvonBooks #bookstagram #romancebookstagram #jaimison1221_reads

4.5 Stars Rounded Up

What an end to an era of reading! This series has been a freaking delight from start to finish. Adding in these two hot tamales into the mix was pure perfection and just so much fun to read.

I loved the Russian elements Reilly brought into this book. I think that was one of the things that made this one stand out among her other titles. I also really liked how into each other Nico and Izzy were. Even through the 'brother's best friend' and 'works for his mom' moments, their relationship was fueled by chemistry and lust and they didn't spend chapters whining about how wrong things were or why they shouldn't be hooking up.

This progressed from a summer fling, to secret hook ups, to full on dating. I liked the way things moved and the drama that ensued at each milestone for the couple. I thought some of the annoying decision making was age appropriate for them and also tracked with each of their trauma. I did find the book a bit long, some plot lines lingered and there were a full dull spots, but I still really, really loved this book.

This whole series captured me from the beginning! I read First Down and Breakaway a few months after they came out, and read Stealing Home on release day. I was so excited to finally get to read Izzy's happy ending as the youngest and only girl. The Callahan family brought me so much joy and I've loved reading their stories.

4.5 rounded up!!! i absolutely loved nikolai and izzy’s story. i thought it was a hell of a way to finish out this series. they were so freaking adorable. and the narrators did a beautiful job bringing these two to life 🩷

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Nikolai and Isabelle had a whirlwind summer romance, one that seemingly had to end once college started again. Izzy was all set to try to forget about Nik… until he shows up at McKee University, claiming that he transferred and will be joining the hockey team with Izzy’s brother.

After getting kicked out of his previous school for an incident for which he was not at fault, Nik transfers to McKee to join his formal rival on the hockey team. This also just so happens to bring him back together with Izzy, his sunshine girl and the one who he didn’t want to let get away.

Though they initially know they shouldn’t be seen together, Izzy and Nik’s relationship quickly fires up again, proving that they can’t stay away from each other. They need to sneak around lest Izzy’s brother and Nik’s now teammate catch wind of what they’re up to, but they both quickly learn that avoiding notice is way harder than it initially seemed. Will Nik and Izzy be able to keep it casual, or will their explosive chemistry catch someone’s notice?

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for some time now, and was absolutely honored to receive an ARC! I LOVE the rest of the Beyond the Play series from Reilly, and was super stoked that they were playing volleyball in this one, since it’s my favorite sport to play! Nik & Izzy’s relationship was super adorable… I’m OBSESSED with Nik! I love a man who wants to better himself for his friends, family and his partner. I also loved Izzy’s bubbly nature and found her struggles with finding how she fit in with her family relatable and real. She’s so incredibly sweet! This was another amazing book by Grace, and I’m so happy with how this series has wrapped. The Beyond the Play series will always have a very special place in my heart!

I recommend this book for readers who love volleyball, vulnerable MMCs and zesty spice!

Tropes in this story:
✨Summer love affair / temporary love turned friends-with-benefits
✨Sports (volleyball & hockey) romance
✨Brother’s rival turned teammate turned best friend
✨Mental health / anxiety rep
✨Broody MMC & bubbly FMC

I received an Advanced Reading Copy of this book via NetGalley, but my review is all my own.

It’s been a long wait for Nik and Izzy, but it was WORTH IT!!!

Nik and Izzy had some serious chemistry, with all their sneaking around, I’m so surprised that it took everyone so long to catch on! They were a smoking hot furnace in an uncontrollable blaze.

I didn’t expect *that* level of spice… holy HELL! It was so damn spicy! Grace really stepped it up! Honestly, how do publishers allow this level of spice to be trad pub-d! ;)

I loved the third act drama, it was sad, but it showed their inner strength and love for each other.

That epilogue, it was so lovely to see a little snippet of how the whole Callahan family is happy and in love! It made all the angst (and long waiting) worth it!

❝ If she's sunshine, i'm the guy who hopes it never rains. ❞

This book follows hockey defenseman Nikolai Abney and volleyball setter Isabelle Callahan. The way the book started isn’t ideal for romance books, but I loved it because it brought something different to the table that isn’t normally done. They had so many adorable and wholesome moments together, and I devoured each scene. Him giving Izzy the nickname ‘My Little Sunshine’ made me cry for no reason. Nikolai would flip the entire world on its axis if it meant Izzy being happy with the life she deserves.

Isabelle Callahan—oh my god, she had the biggest heart. How she wanted to prove herself to everyone around her hurt my heart. I adored her character; I related to her in so many ways, and I knew from the first time she was mentioned in the series that I would fall in love with her! She deserves the entire world, and I am so happy she got that chance with Nikolai.

Nikolai Abney deserves the entire world and more. His story broke me, and throughout the book I found myself always wanting to give him the biggest hug. He always managed to put a smile on Izzy's face. Everything he does for those he loves made me melt because he has the biggest heart. I'm so happy he got the ending he deserves and the family he dreamed of!

*Thank you to vpr, netgalley, and the author, Grace Reilly, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

3.5 ⭐️

Here we have the 4th book in the Beyond the Play series, focusing on our very athletic Callahan family. We finally got to see the full story behind Isabelle, the sole Callahan sister. While Wicked Serve is technically the last book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone with no problem (though I do recommend reading them in order for super fun and cute glimpses at some of the other siblings!).

Isabelle and Nik's relationship starts off as a summer fling, but becomes so much more. This book is filled with many spicy scenes, so don't be fooled by the cutesy cover 🤣 This book was a fun and quick read (many many short chapters), and is a bittersweet ending to this series.

The one thing I would have changed about this book is the length. Personally while I felt like there were a lot of unneeded chapters, I still wanted to learn more about some of the family dynamics.

Read this book if you enjoy:
🏐 Sport romance (hockey AND volleyball)
🏐 Brothers rival (sorta)
🏐 Forbidden romance
🏐 Summer fling
🏐 College romance
🏐 Dual POV

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me an eARC for an honest review!

I have been waiting patiently for Izzy’s story and I loved every word of it. “Wicked Serve” is a heartfelt, steamy and romantic college sports romance that was a fantastic conclusion to the “Beyond the Play” series.

Hockey has been Nikolai’s entire life and the outlet he needed when things were not going well in his life. Despite being drafted, it’s the last year he’ll play hockey because of an agreement with his grandfather. Even with that hanging over his head, he still has the sunshine he needs by the name of Izzy Callahan. Izzy and Nik met when she was interning with his mother in NYC and spent a lot of time together. Izzy is a sophomore, has been playing volleyball at McKee and failing in sports is not an option for her. And she’s shocked when she finds out that Nik is now playing at McKee on the hockey team with her brother. The connection they had that summer is still there and despite their lives going in different directions, they can’t stay away from each other.

I loved Izzy and Nik’s story so much and it is easily my favorite of the series. Izzy is smart, caring and wants to be the best she can be at whatever she sets her mind to. Izzy was relatable to me because she set the bar high for herself and never wanted to fail. She unfairly compared herself to her brothers but grew so much through this story and was a better version of herself. I loved Nik from the beginning and he just made my heart swoon so much throughout the story. His past with his father broke my heart and it definitely shaped him as the man he was in the present. He wanted to be a better man and being with Izzy was exactly what his soul needed. I loved their flirty banter between them and the steamy scenes were full of all the delicious spice. These two grew so much emotionally as individuals and as a couple. Grace Reilly wasn’t afraid to touch on some more emotional issues in this book and I loved that. The ending was perfect and the epilogue made me so happy.

Thank you Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC!

This was another fun read from Grace Reilly! It had some tropes that I love and Reilly executed them well! I loved that the MCs were both athletes, giving them a common ground and unique perspective into each others lives. I also love a MMC with a rough past, it just makes me want to love them and hug them into happiness 🥺 this book also delivered on the spice! 🔥

I read the first of this series and enjoyed it! This one was good.. but i felt like it was repetitive and dragged on a bit. I will be sure to read the other 2 books on the series!

Every new book in the Beyond the Play series I finish and swear it’s my favourite, I truly believed nobody could top Seb and Mia but… Nik and Izzy 🥹

🏐 Secret romance
🏒 Brother rival (or maybe not 😏)
🏐 College Sports
🏒 Tragic past
🏐 Found family
🏒 Dual POV

Izzy was a favourite of mine as a side character in her brothers book and she didn’t disappoint as a main character. She’s kind, funny and bubbly, but she’s also very mature and understanding.

Nik 🥹 poor boy had such a traumatic past and struggled with the ongoing panic that caused him. I enjoyed the realistic way he handled his emotions and how well his character developed.

The siblings popping up in each others books is always exciting but I really loved how important they all were to Izzy’s story… especially Seb 🥰 his big brother moments were my favourite!

Reading the epilogue in the last book of a series like this always make me so emotional 😭 sad to see them all go, but happy with how it all wrapped up for them.

Thank you to Netgallery and Valentine PR for the ARC. And big thank you to Grace for having me on your ARC team and writing such wonderful books 📚

Izzy is a volleyball player whose whole family is filled with highly skilled athletes. For her summer internship, she works for a wedding planner whose son is her brother's biggest hockey rival, which of course leads to a summer fling. Nikolai gets kicked out of his college before his senior year because he covers for a teammate who made a very stupid and illegal choice, and his grandfather pulls strings to get him into the school where Izzy and her brother go, leading Nik and the brother to be teammates. College is college. Drama and crazy amounts of sex scenes happen.

This was just as poor as Icebreaker, so I'm sure it's going to go viral on Booktok. This is smutty just for the sake of smut. Daddy issues abound, for both main characters, honestly. And it was just... kind of boring.

I'm a BIG fan of hockey romance. But I think this might have almost used the sport of hockey as a crutch to give the rest of the story a real storyline so people who read this week just grab this because the cover is pretty or something. I would have appreciated a little more talk about hockey...

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

Dual POV, Spicy, Hockey, Brother's Teammate/Rival, Secret Relationship, Summer Fling, Possessive MMC, Care Taking, Panic Attacks

Reilly delivers an angsty and emotional conclusion to the Beyond The Play series. Izzy and Nik's romance starts out as a summer fling but turns into so much more. Both of them are struggling to navigate their place in their respective families and how sports will play a role in their futures and find solace in each other. College sports drama, family dynamics, tender care taking, and spice off the charts.

I’ve been impatiently waiting on Izzy’s story! I love the Callahan Fam and I always love the sneak peek you get into the precious characters lives after their books concluded. I LOVED Izzy and Nik together! Nik might be one of my favorite MCs this year! And my first volleyball book! ❤️🏐

Thanks NetGalley/ Valentine PR for the arc!

After having a summer fling, Izzy and Nikolai never thought they would see each other again, especially after Nik left without saying goodbye. Never in a million years did they think he would find himself at the same university as her, and quite literally running into her everywhere they go.

I love how Izzy and Nikolai rekindle their friendship and start spending more time together, even it’s just for ‘stress relief’ at first. And I especially love how they both are supportive of each other and their struggles, even if they argue at times. This was so much spicier than I expected and I LOVED it! We get some hot and heavy scenes, right away and let’s just say Nik has a filthy mouth and I’m here for it! I quite literally read this all in one day because I just love a good hockey romance, especially with some spice!

🌸Hockey player x Volleyball player
🌸Brother’s rival
🌸Secret relationship
🌸Friends to lovers
🌸He falls first
🌸Mental health rep
🌸Found family

Thank you so much to Grace Reilly and Valentine PR for the ARC of this book via Netgalley. All opinions are my own and honest!

To start I enjoy that this is a sports romance where both of them play sports. We don't see a little of female athlete representation and that is appreciated. With that being said this book is very long. 74 chapters is too many for a sports romance. We also start this story with the characters already being pretty deep into their romance so as a reader we have missed a lot of their connections. Due to this it is hard to buy into there relationship. There are also a lot of difficult family dynamics that felt maybe unrealistically contrasting with each other. Overall, I liked the concept but the follow through was not there.
Thank you to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for the free ARC. All opinions expressed are my own

Ive never read a grace reilly hockey book but I enjoyed this one. I found their journey to falling in love so beautiful and I had fun with the sports aspect too.

Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly has so many of my favorite tropes/elements- sports, forbidden romance, he falls first, family relationships, etc. Such a cute, fun read!
Thank you NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyage for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.