This was I first book that I had a pleasure reading from this author. Yes, it is a little bit enemies to lovers, sports romance. And I loves it all. This was just a really refreshing read. I trully enjoyed it w

Ride the Wave was an easy-to-read, lighthearted romance with a beachy vibe that was perfect to read when it was cold and miserable outside! I liked the fact that there wasn’t too much preamble and the plot of the story started straight away so the story felt appropriately paced. I enjoyed the sports reporter and surfer trope - especially when there was a little bit of an ‘enemies to lovers’ feel to it as Leo refused to cooperate.
I really enjoyed getting to know Iris and liked her character development from a highly-strung city girl to a more relaxed and content character. The side characters were also a great addition, particularly Leo’s dad.
The chemistry between Iris and Leo was so good, and the only thing that would have made this better would have been if it was just a tiny bit of a slower burn. I’d have also liked an epilogue.
I thoroughly enjoyed it though and definitely recommend! It was the second book in a series but I didn’t feel out of the loop because I hadn’t read the first one - it is great as a stand alone. I’ll be going back to read the first one!

I think this is my first surfing romance and it was definitely a good first one! I loved the characters and the development they both had! Leo’s nickname of London was cute and didn’t make me cringe like some nicknames do. I thought the pacing was a bit off at the end as would’ve liked more detail such as Iris’ finished article, what happened with Michelle etc. Very cute, and I think I enjoyed it even more than Match Point. Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.

After reading Match Point (which I gave 3⭐️) last year, I decided to give Katherine Reilly another chance with Ride The Wave and I’m glad I did. While it was slow at points, I still really enjoyed it and actually wanted to keep turning the page. I really like a sports romance i’m not used to reading so it was good to read about surfing and loved the connection between Leo and Iris. The romance was *chefs kiss*.
This book is the perfect summer romance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars

"If you focus too much on what might happen in the future, you miss what the water is telling you at the time and, whatever you do, it will never be as good. You should live in the moment."

Ride The Wave is a sports novel in which we follow Leo Silva, a former world surfing champion whose career was known for reckless parties and tabloid scandals. Leo decides to retire early and return to Portugal, where his father is from, but after a few years, Leo Silva decides to return to competition and join the prestigious Australian Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

Iris Gray is known for her inspiring interviews with athletes, as she is a sports journalist from London, and is now responsible for interviewing Leo and showing a new side of him to the world.

Sports novels are one of my favourite type of books, especially when I'm feeling a bit down. After two dnfs in a row, I decided that Ride The Wave would be my next read, as sports novels are usually quicker and more fun to read, and it didn't disappoint.

As soon as you start reading Katherine Reilly's book, you immerse yourself in this world and these characters, from Iris and Leo to Marina, Anna, Toni, Flora and Adriano. Their personalities are distinct and you fall in love with all of them because they're fun, friendly and welcoming. Following Iris as she met Burgau in Portugal was such a cool and immersive experience because, as a Portuguese, I could see exactly what the author was describing and what Iris was feeling was accurate, just as what Leo was experiencing was real.

The writing was perfect, I found myself thinking about picking up another book by this author as soon as I finished Ride The Wave, because it's easy to understand what's happening and not get lost between scenes.

It was going to be a 5 star for the most part, but when I started to reflect on my reading, I realised that I missed one thing and felt that two others didn't add much to the story. For a start, the fact that Iris was afraid of the ocean was a quick event and as soon as she was afraid, she stopped being afraid - I wish we could have seen a bit more of that, to feel more realistic, as she got over it too quickly. As for the other two things, I don't think José added anything to the story, at the point where it almost felt like a love triangle and then he stopped appearing, but I understand what he does for a living and how it affected the characters; and the amount of spicy scenes - I was expecting to read about them, but at one point I thought they could be replaced with other scenes, like Iris overcoming her fear.

"Change is never easy, even if it's for the better."

I was swept away by the prologue and didn't look back.

Leo retired from surfing after a fall from grace. Sports journalist, Iris is tasked with writing an article about his attempt at a comeback, whilst she fights her own instincts to stay well away from the water and man whose life is the ocean.

What I loved most about the dynamic between Leo and Iris was that they were both people running away from their fears, forced to find understanding in each other. The chemistry between them was excellent and had great pay off as well.

This story is part of an interconnected series, so readers might want to meet Flora and Kieran from "Match Point" first. However, this can certainly be read as a stand alone.

Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the opportunity to read an eARC of "Ride the Wave"

Oh this was a GOOD one! This book absolutely blew me away. I didn't expect such an emotional journey, for the characters and myself! I cried multiple times, a lot of the times just out of happiness. I don't usually come out of a romance novel feeling like this. Usually they're fun to read, and the sparks between the characters are so exciting, but this was just phenomenal. What a heartwarming novel. It played so vividly in my head. The scenes were just perfect, and the plot was fantastic. I can't help but think this book would make a great movie! Especially how tense the competition at the end was. I was so hyped.

Every moment between Iris and Leo was brilliant. They had amazing chemistry, and such a strong emotional connection; it was such a beautiful progression of a relationship.

They were such passionate individuals. Iris was such a strong, awesome character. She was so clever, and I loved experiencing her process behind her job as a journalist. And Leo was just amazing. I was rooting for him so hard. They both had great backstories behind them that added more depth to their characters. They felt so real and natural.

I loved Iris' journey to writing her article, and her and Leo in the process both learning how healing it can be to open up. They both helped each other out of their shells, and were so great for each other. Leo's reassurance towards her was amazing. He was such a kind and genuine person. He was so gentle at breaking down her confident exterior, and encouraging her to be herself. And Iris facing her fears to help Leo feel comfortable opening up was so courageous and emotional to read. They both really cared for each other, and it became so much more than writing an article. They both found themselves trying to help the other.

The spice was also top tier - that elevator scene! - but I didn't expect anything less. The writing was just so good!

And don't get me started on Leo calling Iris 'London'. It gave me butterflies everytime.

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this!

*I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for an honest review*

As soon as I read the description for this book I knew it would be something I would like and I was definitely right about that!!

From the get go, the story drew me in and I fell in love with both Iris & Leo. The chemistry between these 2 was amazing and done in a really authentic way. The steamy scenes had just the right amount of spice which added to the story without feeling overpowering.

It was so refreshing to read a sports romance about surfing which isn’t very common and I feel like I learnt so much about the sport too!

The only thing that stopped this from being a complete 5 stars was that the ending felt a little bit drawn out but other than that…LOVED IT!! Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Aria & Aries and Katherine Reilly for this ARC copy

I LOVED Match Point last year, so I was delighted to see Katherine Reilly had a new book coming! I devoured this one in basically one sitting. From the setting, it certainly gives small town beach vibes, to Iris and her fierce fashion and witty banter, to Leo and his brooding, I was hooked by their slow-burn romance and the high stakes of the surfing competition. I thought Leo and his father were such lovely characters, and he had a real depth to him (actually they both did). The spicy scenes are very steamy indeed!

The perfect summery read (or winter, in my case!). Delivers that perfect blend of sexy and fun.

I’m such a sucker for a sports romance - I think this might be my first surfer romance though? I loved the two main characters, their chemistry was so good!

I liked the premise but I thought some of the pacing felt a bit off (mainly towards the end, there were too many smaller conflicts and they were spaced out a bit weirdly) but overall I really enjoyed this. I’m usually not one for nicknames in books but I was so obsessed with him calling her London 🥹 also - the small town vibes were immaculate and I now desperately want to go to Portugal.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the gifted advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.