The is was one of my most anticipated reads of the year so I couldn’t believe it when I got it on audio early!!

I’ve adored this series so far and Izzy was no exception! I love the cameos from her brothers and how their family is so loving towards one another! This pesky over protective big brothers!

Nikolai was so much more than I was expecting, as coopers nemesis at the start I thought he’d be more stand offish be he was so complex and the way he adored Izzy was so swooony! I struggled a bit with the accent to start because I probably wouldn’t have heard it if I’d read he physical book but I really enjoyed it as it made for a more authentic feel!

Overall the narrators were superb and really brought Grace’s story to life! I’m sad this series is over but what a way for it to go out!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Faith Clark & Oscar Reyes

✧Spotify Audiobooks

🏒𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
🏐𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫
🏒𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
🏐𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

♡︎ Nikolai and Isabelle shared an unforgettable summer romance. Little did Isabelle know, she would encounter Nikolai again, but in a completely unexpected setting: her college, just as he was about to join her brother's hockey team.

✨Thoughts✨
This book is quite spicy, but it also delves deep into heavy themes, shedding light on the main characters' backgrounds. Burdened by the scars of an abusive upbringing, Nikolai was haunted by the fear of becoming just like his father. It was heartbreaking to witness his attempts to distance himself from his feelings, despite wanting to express his true self with Isabelle. Meanwhile, Isabelle struggled with finding her own sense of belonging within her family. As their connection evolved from casual encounters to genuine affection, they became each other's biggest supporters. Their bond was very sweet!

♡︎ This audiobook features dual narration by Faith Clark and Oscar Reyes. Although I like these voice actors, their portrayal of Russian characters left much to be desired. Their accents felt very off. It was a minor setback that took time to adjust to, yet it did not dampen my interest in the storyline itself. Aside from that, I did enjoy the audiobook and would listen to more of their work.

♡︎ To sum it up, this audiobook was a great surprise and introduction to this author's work. For those looking for a good college romance, this book is an absolute must-read or listen.

︎Thank you to the author and Spotify Audiobooks for this ALC. All opinions expressed here reflect my genuine experience listening to this story.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝟑/𝟓🌶️

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.

Can go wrong with hockey romances! This book opens with the FMC and MMC coming to the end of their mid summer fling. They already had feelings and that kind of impacted my enjoyment. Narrated by Faith Clark and Oscar Reyes who both did a great job. I just found it difficult to understand the Russian accent but it adds authenticity I suppose.

I love how effortlessly the relationship between Izzy and Nik came to be. Their growing trust and care made their growing relationship so good to see. I felt sad for everything they went through, especially Nikolai. Such great character development and story line.

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the advanced (listening) copy of Wicked Serve.

I have mixed feelings about this novel. I love Grace Reilly’s style of writing - she does a nice job of mixing in the sports side of a sports romance with the romance. However, I feel like this story dragged on in the middle and for that, it is one of my lesser favourites in the series.

Don’t get me wrong - I appreciate that Nik and Izzy had a fairly consistent and solid relationship throughout the story, but I feel like the middle 3rd of the novel could have been removed or sped up - the fact that it wasn’t until the last 15% of the novel when things spiralled and came to a head <spoiler> read: when Nick’s father finally arrived, Nik spiralled and was finally forced to deal with his panic attacks and go to therapy, he distanced himself from Izzy to heal and joined the NHL and then he returns and “proposes” for his happily ever after </spoiler> to finish the story made the real meat of the story seem rushed.

I appreciate the epilogue at the end - it was nice to see how things are going 5 years in the future for all of the Callaghan siblings. However, I don’t think we needed 3 hours worth of story to establish that <spoiler> Nik and Izzy were in love - that was pretty clear when they reunited at McKee early on in the story. </spoiler>

Things I enjoyed about this story:
🏒 No third act “breakup”
🏒 MMC wasn’t toxic
🏒FMC was encouraged to follow her passions and supported by family

Things I could have done without:
🏐 Long-winded mid-section
🏐 Short conflict at the end of the story and a massive “jump” in timelines because of this

In terms of the audio, I enjoyed Izzy’s narrator but I wasn’t totally in love with Nik’s. The accent threw me off and I really cringed when he put on his “girly” voice. Don’t get me started on his Australian accent, either.

All in all, it’s worth reading this story if you like a good college romance and especially if you’re into the rest of the series.

Nikolai is in his last season of college hockey which is his whole life we he has to transfer to McKee University where his biggest hockey rival plays. Not to mention, his sister, Isabelle, is the girl that he has been hooking up with all summer who interned for his mom. Nikolai will have to decide between fitting in with the guys on the hockey team or getting back with Isabelle. Izzy is trying to win back her setter position on the McKee volleyball team and forget about Nikolai after he left her with no words their last morning…and she was not expecting him to end up attending McKee. Izzy already feels like the failure in her family behind her athletic star brothers and dad and she just wants to make them proud. Will Nikolai being at McKee become a distraction or will he be the one to help support her.

This book surprised me more than I thought it was going to. I figured it was going to be the typical hockey romance book that focuses on way too much hockey and not the main characters. Isabelle and Nikolai were adorable together and I loved how there was not a huge miscommunication troupe and they supported each other through their struggles. I did like the side story of Isabelle working for Nikolai’s mom and her journey wedding planning. There was plenty of spice in this story and I really enjoyed the way that Isabelle’s brother was willing to take in Nikolai and help him become part of the team at McKee.

Wicked Serve is the first book I have read by Grace Reilly. I'm a sucker for sports romances, and my friends have been recommending this author to me for a while. The premise of this book intrigued me, so I wanted to read it. I enjoyed the audiobook narration, especially with the male character having a Russian accent. It gave Nik a better voice than my brain did reading the book. Nik and Izzy have some serious chemistry in this book. There are a lot of steamy scenes in this book. I know this is a standalone book, but I would have loved all these characters more if I had read the other books in this series leading up to Wicked Serve.

It's probably a great narration but damn that guy's voice was awful and I couldn't focus on anything but that. It was way too long and not a good book or plot

It was such a cute and charming story! I loved Izzy and Nik's relationship, it had its angst moments, which I'm still a fan of, but it's generally free of toxicity and full of open communication.

I really appreciated that both main characters are athletes. It definitely brings a greater level of understanding of what the other is going through and what they have to deal with in a demanding sports industry. Earlier this year I noticed how little volleyball romances are out there, considering it's a discipline I played the most in my school days, so seeing more representation has been really nice.

This book also touches on a lot of heavy subjects which in my opinion were handled pretty well.

On the downside, I believe this book could be much shorter. There's really no need for a book with like 70% smut to be 400 pages long. If you loved "Icebreaker", I think you'll enjoy this one also, but personally I prefer to have more plot with a side of spice.

"Wicked Serve" is out today, with an audiobook available on Spotify Premium. I was very impressed with Oscar Reyes' switching between Russian and American accents.

While I enjoyed Nikolai and Izzy's love story, I also felt the story fell a little flat. Perhaps it was the fact that it was too long. Or that the characters were getting it on for the majority of the book, contributing less to the actual storyline. Or maybe a combination of both. I loved the first two books of the series though and am yet to read book three. This one is my least favourite so far. I listened to the audiobook and Nikolai had a lovely Russian accent, however I had to slow the audio down in order to understand him clearly.

This book was my first from Grace. I enjoyed it but I felt like I wanted more. I expected more of a blow out from Nikolai and his father and then also felt like it ended so quickly between he & Izzy so quickly.

I do wish it was duet since the female narrator did not satisfy the Russian accent need.

Wicked Serve is more than a hockey romance, it is another insight into the Callahan clan’s family story, which has proven to be a tight and caring family.

Izzy and Nik start as a FWB summer arrangement, and after Nik departs to his senior year they both thought they would turn the page, until Nik has to transfer to Izzy’s university to continue playing hockey. 🥅

Izzy and Nikolai’s story grabs the reader from the very first chapter! I appreciated Nik unapologetically giving Izzy his love and affection throughout the book💜.

I love how Grace Reilly made the Callahan family such a beautiful and welcoming clan! I especially loved the bond Cooper formed with Nikolai realizing he needed that family love🫶🏼

I am a fan of how both Izzy and Nik stood up for each other throughout the book and how they pushed the other to follow their goals and dreams☺️

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to listening to the ALC🫶🏼 I enjoyed the narration, and Nik’s narrator sounds just like I envisioned he sounded. The narrator having a Russian accent made the audiobook extra realistic and easier to throw myself into the story.

Izzy has a problem. The guy she hooked up with all summer long that is now transferring to her college for his senior year is her brother's hockey rival. Sparks fly the second they come back together.

This was a cute and spicy romance! Here's what I liked.

Nikolai was amazing. I loved so many of his scenes. While Izzy was great, I really loved how Nik dealt with things in his life and turned his attention on Izzy,

The spice. This one was hot and heavy. All of those scenes were well put together and super hot. Loved it.

The narration was really good, Both narrators nailed their characters (loved the accents).

All in all this was a good NA spicy hockey romance,

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy.

4.5⭐️
Wicked Serve is the fourth book of the Beyond the Play series of interconnected standalones. This was my first book by this author and I will for sure be going back and reading the other books in this series! Both Nikolai and Izzy are such lovable characters. Nikolai is going to live rent free in my head for a long time! The way he whispered sweet and sometimes not so sweet things to Izzy…whew! He is definitely swoon worthy! The only complaint I have was I felt the book was too long. I found that it dragged a little towards the end. It is still a great story that I would definitely recommend.

If you can I would recommend the audiobook! Faith Clark and Oscar Reyes both did an amazing job of bringing these characters to life. And to hear the Russian accent of Nikolai was fire!

3.75 stars

So I really enjoyed a lot about this book even though the final rating may not reflect that. First the good. Nik and Izzy's relationship, I loved it. Nik's mental health rep was so good. The way they were able to navigate their relationship and remain open and somewhat honest with each other was refreshing. The Callahan family dynamic was also so good to see. How they welcomed Nik into the fold seamlessly and helped Izzy feel like she doesn't need to be the best to be loved by them and part of the family. The way they both navigate their past traumas and insecurities both together and apart was a nice change of pace. What I wasn't a fan of was really just one thing...it was too long. There were so many spots that just drug on where nothing new was presented to the story. Nothing was revealed. Nothing happened and therefore, it wasn't needed.

I did add 1/4 star for the sole fact that Nik is drafted to the SJ Sharks and until the epilogue plays for them. The Sharks are my heart and favorite team. Normally they're made fun of and written as a joke, but the fact that Reilly chose real teams in the book and didn't write them as having the not so good years we've been having the last like 5 ish years made me happy. Very happy. So yay for extra stars for that!

Faith Clark and Oscar Reyes did a wonderful job narrating this book, but the mixing of the audio seemed to be wonky at times. Like maybe pickups needed to be recorded and the narrators weren't available (sounded like different voices sometimes) or they were recorded in a different place so the levels/volume were different. I don't know, but it happened about 6 times that I can remember and it kind of took me out of the story since I thought for a second there was a new character or something. It was jarring, but it only happened for a sentence or two (if that) before it went back to "normal."

Thank you, Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ALC.

The Queen of the Callahan’s is the focus in this book. I would suggest reading all of the others to pick up on the background characters and development. I was waiting on Izzy’s story as I loved her sassy independent attitude in the other books.

Izzy is on the volleyball team and trying to prove she deserves a spot because of talent, not just her name. Nikolai is a hockey player on Izzy’s brother (Cooper’s) rival team. He is going through a suspension from college his senior year after a drug incident hits his team and he takes the fall for them. Guess where he ends up? Yep- McKee University, the rival school and where Izzy plays. There’s a huge family drama going on with Nikolai and his father back in Russia, which makes it difficult for him to accept the deal that he will return home to work for his grandfather if he helps get him in college with hockey for his senior year.

These two had a hook up previously but drifted apart, even though Izzy reads his loving texts every time she opens her phone. Nikolai fell for her immediately but didn’t think he would see her again, so when he finds out he’s going to her college- he commits to staying away and messing up his chance on this new team.

I had to slow down from my normal speed because of the accent of Nikolai, but they did a great job transitioning and showing off their different voices. I love when the narrators show emotion and not just read. I also like how when reading texts, it’s dual narration.

He loves her sound and she loves how he calls her Isabel. Their attempt at staying separate is more challenging than expected. What happens when Cooper finds out who Izzy is involved with? What will Nikolai do when his year is up and he’s supposed to return to Russia? Will they be able to hold off their feelings for a future destined to work against them?

Thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Out 8/13/24!

Nikolai and Izzy’s relationship started as a summer fling but the connection they shared was potent and deep. He is now been transferred to her college to play in her big brother’s hockey team. They try to stay away from each other but they can’t help been together even if they need to keep in hidden but her family’s sake. The deeper their relationship is the better they know each other and care more deeply. Have they a future together with everything in their past, present and future against them? The audiobook with Faith Clark and Oscar Reyes is a good one. Both of them do an ama job with the Russian accent.

E-arc provided by Netgally

This was a really great conclusion, I loved all of the couples in this series and these 2 might just be my favorite. It was sweet and I'm glad that they had them work on their own issues individually. Overall very sweet romance and right on the cusp of being too long

Many thanks to Spotify Audiobooks, @netgalley and the author for an advanced listening copy of the final book of the Beyond the Play series! Below is my honest review.

Back at McKee University for her sophomore year, Izzy is focused on her volleyball team and putting her summer fling with Nikolai behind her. It could never be more because Nikolai happens to be her brother’s hockey rival. But things change, and Nikolai joins Cooper & Izzy at McKee University. Their connection is undeniable, and Izzy & Nikolai continue their no-strings-attached fling but keep it a secret from her brothers and his teammates. As their relationship grows more serious, Izzy shares her insecurities, and Nik reveals past traumas that still haunt him. But can they grow enough to be together for real?

The Callahan family has been such a fun series with relationships that have evolved over the course of the books. Both throughout the story and in the epilogue, we get to check in on everyone from the previous books. This book is long, with Izzy and Nik having much to unpack. I loved how Nik found his family in the Callahans, how Izzy found her voice, and how Reilly highlighted the importance of therapy and honesty. As I’ve thought throughout the series, these are the most sophisticated college students ever. They read more like late 20s-early 30s, but I’m going to chalk it up to the lifestyle they’ve lived. If my dad were a famous NFL player and I grew up with all the privileges that holds, maybe I’d also have craved a crisp white wine after a long day when I was nineteen. Who cares - the series is fun. Two important notes - (1) I don’t think this is a stand-alone; you need to read the other books first, and (2) If you enjoy books on the lower side of the spice spectrum, this is not the book or series for you. The previous books were VERY spicy, and this one is EVEN more so.

Faith Clark (Breakaway) and Oscar Reyes (Change of Hart) narrate the audiobook duet. Reyes deserves extra accolades for his outstanding Russian accent throughout the book.