The first three books of the series really set this book up perfectly, and Grace went in with the kill with Wicked Serve. For sure my favorite of them all.

I think Grace has successfully managed to weave the competitive nature of elite college sports with a sweet (and hot!) romance, all wrapped up in realistic coming of age challenges.

WS is fun, emotional, quick-paced, and will definitely have you rooting for Izzy and Nikolai!

Read if you love:
-Dual POV
-College sports (hockey + volleyball)
-Brother’s rival turned teammate
-Secret summer fling turned romance
-Found family
-Nicknames in another language (he’s Russian)

CW: child+domestic abuse/violence, panic attacks

This was a fun hockey romance. It's the first book I've read from this author and I definitely should have read the others first but I still had a good time. I do think it might have benefited from a little less sex in the book so if you're not comfortable with that, I'd skip this book cause it was like every other chapter. Overall, I had a good time.

Review to Come

Love the cover ❤️
Description intrigued me…
Author is new to me.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

If you like brothers best friend buckle up for brothers rival/enemy turned brothers teammate/best friend…what started as a secret summer fling continues when MMC loses his spot at his school and is thrown into his old rivals team and FMC school. There chemistry rivals no other and they can’t stay away from each other as they continue their relationship behind closed doors, well most of the time. This story highlights both main characters playing a sport which I loved and haven’t read before. This book really takes you on a rollercoaster and it’s really lovely to see the growth in the characters. Loved the found family dynamics.

(This book is part of a series, which would probably be better read in order as there are some relationships and events that aren’t well explained here.. It’s not necessary, but I think it’s helpful.)

Collegiate NY volleyballer Isabelle didn’t give her coach the best impression in her sophomore year between partying and her performance, so she’s been relegated to a position she doesn’t care for. When she approaches her coach to give her a shot at playing setter, she’s warned that she must go over and above to prove coach she’s worthy of the position.

At first, Izzy decides she’s going to actively avoid Nikolai, the guy she’s spent the summer with, sneaking around and getting naked at every opportunity. Their hookup is definitely forbidden, as he’s (been) on one of her brother’s rival hockey teams, and their one upsmanship and dislike for each other is widely known. In fact, Izzy’s entire family is essentially professional and collegiate sports royalty, so there’s added pressure for her to perform at her peak at all times, and to be loyal to her family and their respective teams.

Nikolai begins the new hockey season expelled from his college in Massachusetts due mostly to the actions of others around him. When his scheming grandfather strikes a bargain with him to finish his degree in NY, he’s of course on the same team to whom Izzy’s brother is captain, and more importantly, Izzy will be in his orbit: Isabelle, the girl who he wants to have something more than a fling with even though her brothers wouldn’t stand for it, the one who’s plagued his dreams and thoughts.

How will this pair fare with all the circumstances they must confront or overcome? Can there be an HEA?

There were a lot of steamy scenes in this novel, which I appreciate. What stuck out more than anything was the writer’s choice of the FMC acting her age: she may be worldly in lots of ways due to her privileged background, but she’s still painfully impulsive, exactly what one would expect from someone who’s all of twenty. Having said that, her predilection toward the color pink became grating and overdone as it seemed it was mentioned nearly every chapter from her POV. A color preference is not a personality trait anymore than strong feelings about pineapple on pizza.

Likewise, Nikolai’s past trauma, his corrosive relationships with his grandfather and his father have contributed greatly to his shaky mental health. Isabelle is his balm, his soft place to land, and I love that as well. Hockey is my absolute favorite sport, and I live for a good hockey romance, especially when he falls first.

I received an advance reader copy from the author and NetGalley, and I’m sharing my honest opinion.

I was thrilled when I received access to the arc for this work. This story perfectly encapsulates the energy and excitement of Grace Reilly’s past books with the heart of a new relationship. Although I felt that the story focused less on the sport of volleyball than I thought it would, it was still a rather enjoyable piece. My complaints were definitely minor and have more to do with my expectations for the work.

I wish some of the tropes marketed for this story were explored a little more as “my brother’s biggest hockey rival” and “the only daughter in a family full of athletes” weren’t prevalent through the entire piece, rather just sections. It definitely includes a lot of hockey focus as well, almost more than the volleyball time, which felt like a disservice to Isabelle’s character. While Wicked Serve wasn’t my favorite in the series, it was a great ending piece and allowed the fruition of other relationships like James and Bex as well as Cooper and Penny. I felt like Nikolai’s family problems got a lot of attention in similar ways that the Callahan brother’s relationship with their father did, but I was hoping to see more of that for Izzy.

The relationship and intimacy between the two athletes was intense and started off early in the book due to their pre existing relationship, which was nice. While the story might have some violence or abuse triggers, the interactions between Isabelle and Nikolai are all healthy and appropriate. I loved that each character had their own personal growth to focus on, Izzy with her volleyball struggles and Nikolai with his future career and family dilemmas. This allowed readers to learn the characters on their own rather than as a couple.

The series as a whole felt rather wrapped up in this piece as the epilogue saw all four siblings get a final glimpse into the future at a hockey game. It felt purposeful and proper for the series.

Grace Reilly has really outdone herself with Wicked Serve, the finale to her Callaghan series. While Reilly has proven herself adept at handling difficult topics in the past, such as grief around the death of a parent, sexual assault, and more, she still handled the topic of domestic violence with just as much care. In addition to the issues more at the forefront of her characters lives, she delved into the insecurities they’ve grown into, and managed to create those struggles in such an astute way throughout the story I was often brought to tears. Nikolai and Isabelle are some of my favorite characters in a story now and I find it difficult to move on from their story. For fans of Reilly’s Callaghan series, or sports romance in general, Wicked Serve is a perfectly paced, compelling, and lovable book that will have its readers hooked from the very start.

Grace Reilly is that girl 👏🏼💃🏼
Wicked Serve was so much more than your average hockey romance. It was a perfect representation of overcoming past trauma, and destructive mind sets with healthy and loving relationships. A real testament to finding your family and surrounding yourself with people who will not only make you a better person, but stand by you when life isn’t perfect.

I loved Nik and Izzy, together they were amazing, and the spice was spicing but even without all of that they were layered, thoughtful, and purposeful in their actions. I thought that Reilly gave a great representation of facing your past trauma and coping with aftermath of escaping situations that leave scars deeper than what’s just on the surface can look like. I also appreciated that both characters had flaws and even though they had vastly different childhoods they both had their own hurdles to get over as they entered into adulthood, neither of them were perfect but they were perfect for each other. 🩷

It was only supposed to last the summer. No feelings and no expectations. Isabelle Callahan has a secret, one that nobody was supposed to find out, especially her older brother. You see Isabelle spent her summer not only interning for his mother but also having a summer fling with no other than Nikolai Adreny Volkov, her brother’s biggest hockey rival from an opposing school. When they go their separate ways at the end of the summer Izzy never expected to see Nik again, especially not on her college campus when he is supposed to be hours away at his own.

Nik has only ever wanted to play hockey, and he will agree to anything to keep that dream alive as long as possible. When circumstances lead to him having to change schools in order to continue playing he jumps on it…. Added benefit? He will be attending McKee University and while their fling was only supposed to be for the summer, he can’t quite get Isabelle Callahan out of his head.

I was gifted an advance reader copy by the author and Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.

“You walk into a room and I know it’s you, instantly, solnishko.”

Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly is absolutely adorable and emotional. It’s the perfect book for fans of sports romance, comedy, and grumpy sunshine tropes. While this book is in an interconnected series, it can be read as a standalone (the side characters are well described in this book, which makes it very easy to follow).

Isabelle is a wonderfully bubbly FMC. She is always trying to make others happy and is so gentle with her words and actions. She sometimes struggles to ask for help from others which causes her to be overwhelmed sometimes. Nic is an extremely complex and selfless character. He is always protecting others and like Isabelle wants others to be happy. I love their dynamic and how they interact with each other.

Nicolai and Isabelle’s relationship begins as a summer fling (but it was so much more than that, despite what they say). From the very start of the book, readers are able to tell just how much they care about each other. Even when their summer fling ends, they still occupy the other’s thoughts. When they finally reunite, sparks fly and they fall right back into place! I absolutely loved them together.

The first half of this book was giving very much Casual by Chappell Roan. But in all honesty, I enjoyed the story a lot more than I thought I would. Nikolai and Isabelle had a lot of depth to them and their love story. I loved seeing them stand up for each other and their dreams, even when they at times they couldn’t do that for themselves. A really cute read!

This was a satisfying and SUPER spicy conclusion to the Beyond the Play college sports romance series featuring the Callaghan siblings - each of whom specializes in a different sport. I really liked that this book focused on Isabel who plays college Volleyball and her forbidden romance with her brother's Russian hockey star rival, Nik.

Full of emotional depth, great mental health rep (Nik has a physically abusive father and suffers from panic attacks) and, again a TON of open door heat, this book was great on audio (I must applaud narrator Oscar Reyes and his excellent Russian accent!). Nik might have been the product of a troubled childhood and had a toxic relationship with his father, but he sure knew how to treat a lady right!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review. This book is PERFECT for fans of authors like Elle Kennedy and HIGHLY recommended for those who love spicy sports romance, the likes of which only Tessa Bailey can compare.

🏒 Bad Boy/Good Girl
🏐 Boy Falls First
🏒 Boy Obsessed
🏐 Close Proximity
🏒 Coming of Age
🏐 Forced Proximity
🏒 Grumpy/Sunshine
🏐 Found Family
🏒 Tragic Past
🏐 Tortured Lead
🏒 Opposites Attract
🏐 Second Chance
🏒 Soul Mate
🏐 Forbidden Love
🏒 Secret Romance
🏐 Sports Romance



Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

"Wicked Serve" by Grace Reilly is a sizzling sports romance that delves into the complicated lives of two college athletes. Nikolai and Isabelle, or Izzy, navigate their burgeoning relationship amid personal and professional challenges. The story explores themes of love, loyalty, and self-discovery, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre.

Nikolai Abney-Volkov, a talented hockey player, is thrust into a new environment at McKee University for his senior year. The transfer places him in a precarious position, particularly given his secret summer fling with Isabelle Callahan, the younger sister of his new team's captain. Nikolai's struggle to balance his passion for hockey with his unresolved feelings for Isabelle creates an intense emotional landscape. Grace Reilly does a commendable job of portraying Nikolai's internal conflict, especially his fear that his troubled past makes him unworthy of a real relationship.

Isabelle Callahan, on the other hand, is determined to reclaim her spot on the volleyball team and distance herself from Nikolai, despite their undeniable chemistry. Her resolve to protect her heart and focus on her goals is both relatable and admirable. Isabelle's character is a beacon of resilience and determination, embodying the pressures and expectations placed on her as the youngest in a family of athletes. Her interactions with Nikolai are filled with tension and passion, making their dynamic both intriguing and relatable.

The chemistry between Nikolai and Isabelle is palpable from the start. Their relationship oscillates between secret rendezvous and deep, meaningful conversations, blurring the lines between a casual fling and something more profound. Grace Reilly captures this transition beautifully. The forbidden aspect of their romance, given Isabelle's brother's potential disapproval, adds an extra layer of suspense and excitement.

The plot of "Wicked Serve" is driven by the characters' personal growth and the challenges they face both on and off the field. Nikolai's need to prove himself in a new team and Isabelle's quest to excel in volleyball are intertwined with their evolving relationship. The stakes are high, as both characters must decide whether to fight for a future together or let their fears and circumstances tear them apart.

Grace Reilly's writing shines in her depiction of the sports world and the pressures that come with it. The competitive environment of college athletics is vividly brought to life, adding authenticity to the characters' struggles and triumphs. The author also skillfully navigates the emotional complexities of young love, making the story both heartfelt and realistic.

In conclusion, "Wicked Serve" by Grace Reilly is a captivating sports romance that explores the highs and lows of love and ambition. The well-developed characters, intense plot, and exploration of themes like loyalty, self-worth, and determination make this book a standout. Grace Reilly's ability to blend sports and romance seamlessly ensures that readers will be engrossed from beginning to end, rooting for Nikolai and Isabelle as they navigate their tumultuous journey.

Absolute perfection from beginning to end!!

I have a sweet spot for the Callahan siblings and I knew going into this book would be difficult because I wasn’t really ready to say goodbye to this bunch but boy was it a sweet one.

Nikolai and Isabelle were the most beautiful couple and they were both so deserving of this big beautiful love and Grace absolutely delivered with it. Nik had a really tragic backstory and seeing him struggle so much in the beginning and even seeing those around him think he was anything less than a perfect, beautiful soul hurt my heart for him. He was the sweetest man with the biggest heart who was down so bad for Izzy from the very beginning!! And our girl Isabelle not enough words in the dictionary to talk about how incredible she is. Like Nik she had the biggest heart, but similar to her siblings sometimes struggled carrying the Callahan name, she always felt she had these big shoes to fill and worked so hard to make everyone around her proud, but she was amazing all on her own and while their validation was nice, it was absolutely not needed for her to grow into a really beautiful version of herself.

So sad this is the last of the Callahans that we’ll be seeing but what a perfect ending to a really incredible series

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! WOW!! I enjoyed this so much I couldn’t put it down! Such a good story line. Such great writing style.

I absolutely LOVED Wicked Serve!! Immediate 5 stars! I really loved the first 3 books but this one was my favorite for sure! Both Nikolai and Izzy’s personal growth/development was just as engaging as their relationship. Their dynamic was amazing and Grace just absolutely hit the mark on this one! This is, without question, a MUST READ!!

This was my first in the series - I was unaware it was a series - but that definitely did not impact the overall vibe of the book. I picked up easily and look forward to going back and reading the first three in the series.

I loved the push and pull and depth that this book offered.

Wicked Serve is book 4 in Beyond the Play by Grace Reilly, published by Avon and Harper Voyager.
A fantastic sports roamnce that gives all the feels. Once I started reading I was hooked, I couldn't put down the book anymore. I just had to know what happened to the characters and the story. I loved the push and pull, the ups and downs.
Blurb: He’s my brother’s biggest hockey rival… but he’s bringing the heat for me.
Nikolai : Hockey is my life, and I need to make this last season count. But when I’m forced to transfer to rival school McKee University for my senior year, I risk pissing off the captain, who happens to be the older brother of Isabelle Callahan: the gorgeous beam of sunshine I messed around with in secret this summer.
Rekindling our fling could risk her brother icing me off the team—not to mention the fact that my scarred past makes having a real relationship impossible—and yet the moment I see Isabelle again, all my wild, burning feelings come rushing back.
Izzy : I have two goals for sophomore year: win back my old volleyball position, and forget I ever knew devilishly handsome hockey defenseman Nikolai Abney-Volkov. As the youngest and only daughter in a family full of athletes, failure isn’t an option.
But when Nik crashes back into my life, I can’t stay away from his broody charm. I’m determined to guard my heart this time, but between the furtive hookups and the heartfelt conversations, the lines between friends-with-benefits and more begin to blur.

I absolutely adore this book. Nikolai is my favorite ever, and Isabelle is the sweetest. This book dealt with heavier topics but I think they were handled well. I appreciated seeing a man with an eating disorder and panic attacks and I felt like Nikolai's character was handled with grace and care. The amount of sex scenes were kind of redundant and some felt unnecessary at times, and the epilogue felt sort of like a rushed together "where are they now" at the end of an episode of shark tank, and that's not my favorite thing so to speak. I felt a little like I was missing something since I haven't read the other books, and I feel like if you're gonna have a standalone, you should be able to, as a reader, at the very least connect the characters together without having read the other books. Chloe Liese's Bergman brothers does this really well in that you can read #5 before #1 and still feel like you're in the know. I liked this book and I would pick it up again at a library or something similar, but I probably wouldn't buy it for myself.

Wicked Serve was a great end to the Beyond the Play series! It’s hard for Izzy growing up in the shadow of a superstar father and 3 amazingly talented brothers, and she feels a bit aimless in what she wants to do post-college. But when she takes a summer internship for wedding planning and meets Nikolai, she finds someone who is firmly in her corner and encourages her to follow whatever passion she chooses.

Niko ends up transferring to McKee and is an amazing defenseman with a future in the NHL, if Izzy can convince him to follow his own dreams. There’s some childhood trauma there, and Nik’s character growth surrounding this throughout the story is hands down my favorite part of the book.

I loved seeing my man Cooper in this one as well. I loved the friendship eventually built with Nik. And the epilogue gave us the perfect peek into the future with the entire Callahan clan!

Wicked Serve is the fourth and final book in Reilly’s Beyond the Play series of interconnected standalones about the Callahan siblings at McKee University. Wicked Serve is a sports romance featuring the forbidden/ secret romance, forced proximity, rival turned teammate’s little sister, grumpy with sunshine, and boy obsessed tropes. I would highly recommend the Beyond the Play series to fans of sports romances like The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy, The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson, Quarterback Sneak by Kandi Steiner, Catching Feelings by Maren Moore, Playing Hard to Get by Monica Murphy, or The Rule Book by Sarah Adams. Some themes and topics present in Wicked Serve include mental health and panic attacks, PTSD and trauma, abuse, marriage and divorce, love and heartbreak, self doubt and self esteem, legacy, as well as family and found family.

I have to admit, Penny and Cooper from Breakaway (book 2 in the Beyond the Play series) are still my favourite but Izzy and Nik are for sure a close second! Wicked Serve is probably the spiciest of the Beyond the Play books, with lots of sneaking around and secret hookups, but it’s also super sweet and swoon-worthy, with cute nicknames and even a romantic surprise involving adorable koalas. Izzy and Nik’s story was also surprisingly emotional towards the end, I even found myself tearing up a bit, which I was not expecting. I loved Izzy’s girly aesthetic and enjoyed reading about her preamble into wedding planning (without spoiling anything, Izzy even gets to plan a significant character’s wedding!). Having already read the first 3 books in the series, I enjoyed how all of the Callahans made appearances throughout Wicked Serve (I love catching up with my fave characters!) and I thought that the epilogue of Wicked Serve as well as the overall ending of the series was perfection.

There really wasn’t much about this book that I didn’t like but I will say that Izzy and Nik’s story had more conflict in it than I typically like (I’m a big fan of no third act break-ups).

Overall, I really enjoyed Wicked Serve and would highly recommend it to fellow sports romance readers. I’m sad that this series has ended but I’m excited to see what’s next for Grace Reilly!