Game Point is the second book in the game, set, match series. This book is somewhat of standalone book but it is a little helpfule to read clean point first. Some things that happened in clean point are mentioned in this book but the story is still easy to follow if you have not read clean point. Dylan Bailey is a professional tennis player that has been playing tennis her whole life but has never won a gran slam. Oliver Anderson is also a professional tennis player but he has won many matches and trophies. As Dylan is finally ready to give up tennis for good, oliver convinces her to continue playing with his help.

This was a game set match from Meg Jones. After Clean Point was a favorite read of 2024 I could not wait to get to know more about Dylan & Oliver. Dylan was such a good and strong FMC, who gives us angry girls some representation and then men who are they to support and soften them. Oliver was such a breath of fresh air in this book, he was so much fun and one of the best parts of this story.

Their story was so much fun, between the text banter and the long distance friendship. I love the small moments between these two and build up of their relationship. With a slice of forced proximity to really round it out. The push and pull was good but I love the foundation of their friendship being the most important part in this story.

I love the focus on mental health in this story and the importance of therapy, taking care of yourself. It’s such an important message to have in this book.

Meg Jones had the ability to create another favorite book of mine. Her way of writing captivates you from the very beginning and makes you feel very immersed in the story.

Summary:
Dylan is a talented pro tennis player who can’t seem to win a final—second place, every time. When her new friend Oliver offers to help coach her, they make a great team. But when sparks start playing, can they remain friends and keep it professional, or will their attraction ruin the close friendship they’ve built?

Title: Game Point
Author: Meg Jones
@megjoneswrites
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5


Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Coach/adult athlete

Triggers:
Extreme anxiety/panic attacks



Whitney’s Thoughts:
This is a sweet sports romance with a teddy bear MMC and a black cat FMC. The tennis jargon was over my head, but I could still figure out what was happening during on-pages matches. More sweet than spicy and a sweet read.

This was a pretty okay romance for me.

I found the start to be quite slow and that was a massive part of my problem with it. It had some weird pacing. The start is really slow and then all of a sudden they're together and obsessed with each other. And even then, they didn't really have that much chemistry to me I like a smoother transition of relationships in books.

I didn't need ALL of the tennis info-dumping that felt pretty constant and deep, but that is totally a personal preference. Some people absolutely love to learn a lot about a sport through books, I'm just not really one of those people.

Maybe if this book was a tad shorter, a lot of these problems would go away (especially when it comes to the pacing), I'm not sure.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Giving this book 4.5 stars!! if you love a good sports romance please pick this up IMMEDIATELY when it comes out. The tension and banter between the two mcs was perfection. I have always thought I wasn’t a fan of the friends to lovers trope but maybe I just haven’t read many good ones because now it’s one of my favorites. Meg Jones will be added to my must read authors. Her writing style is unmatched and she never missed a beat in this entire book. Oliver is a walking GREEN FLAG. This man was everything. It is a classic black cat/golden retriever couple (and the fmc is the black cat!) if you love sports romances like myself, friends to lovers, close proximity, dual pov, coach x player add this to your tbr. You will not be disappointed!!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyage for this arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED Clean Point and I'm SO glad Dyland and Oliver got their book. Move over Nico, Oliver is my new favorite book boyfriend...a GIANT walking and talking green flag. I always loved a black cat/golden retriever book. Dylan FMC is a pro tennis athlete who always ends up choking in the finals and finally quits, but Oliver MMC convinces her to go on. Their relationship from the start was swoon worthy and has gone through lengths for this woman. I absolutely loved both of the characters' journey. Dylan is going from being super prickly but soft for Oliver and achieving her dreams. and I loved that Oliver found a new path from playing to coaching. It felt super organic along with their chemistry. I do wish Meg touched a bit more on Oliver's past since it seemed like he kind of moved on quickly from his divorce, but that's here nor there.

P.S.- LOVED that Scottie and Nico played a role in this book. They weren't just random cameos.

Read if you like
- Sports Romance
- Dual POV
- Black Cat/Golden Retreiver
- Friends to lovers
- Coach x Player

meg really excelled with this romance. I wasnt sure about the fmc in this book but her journey is great. truly tennis excellence and best friends to lovers done right.

I do usually like a tennis romance but the characters read so juvenile. In fact I went back to check if this was supposed to be YA but it is in fact listed as an adult novel (presumably because of content). I do feel like I've been subjected to quite a lot of romances lately where everyone has the attitude and decision making skills of an 18 year old but are well older than that. Kind of annoying. Wanted to live it, unfortunately did not.

4.5 stars

This was such a fun slow(ish) burn tennis romance. Dylan and Oliver were such a fun pair and I loved their friendship. Dylan really just needed someone to believe in her and not give up on her and Oliver was the perfect person. His unwavering support and pride in her was so sweet and I loved how much he cared about Dylan.
There was so much pining and tension and forbidden romance in this book and it was so fun watching them try to keep their hands off each other. The spice was so good but honestly I liked their chemistry out of the bedroom even more. They were so in sync and I felt like they really just got each other.
The tennis aspect of this book is a very significant plot point. There’s a lot of technical aspects and play through of the matches. Not in an overwhelming or hard to understand way, just in a way where this is solidly a sports romance, not a romance where a character happens to play a sport.
I had such a great time with this book, especially getting to see Scottie and Nico again and I highly recommend it!
Read it you like:
-Black cat x golden retriever
-forced proximity (they’re roommates!)
-sports romance
-coach x player
-forbidden romance

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

4 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Avon, Harper Voyager & NetGalley for the ARC. 💌

FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS WITH TENNIS?? SIGN ME UP. 🎾🔥

This book had me HOOKED from page one. Dylan Bailey is DONE with tennis—she’s tired of losing, tired of feeling like a failure. Enter Oliver Anderson, her ridiculously charming, slightly infuriating, and insanely supportive bestie, who throws down a bet she can’t refuse. He’ll coach her, she’ll give the sport one last shot, and if she loses? She walks away with his freaking US Open trophy. If she wins? Well… let’s just say the stakes get a lot higher than just tennis. 👀

THE TENSION?? THE SLOW BURN?? THE ANGST?? Meg Jones did NOT come to play with this one. The chemistry between Dylan and Oliver is chef’s kiss—that perfect mix of bestie banter, deep emotional connection, and UNDENIABLE attraction. Oliver is such a green flag but with just enough spice to make things interesting (the “brat” nickname? I had thoughts but ultimately, I forgave him bc… well, you’ll see 😏).

Dylan’s journey?? SO satisfying. She’s prickly, stubborn, and her own worst enemy, but watching her rediscover her love for the game and fall for Oliver in the process?? PERFECTION. And let’s not forget the Australian Open setting—I FELT like I was courtside, sweating through every rally.

I will say, some of the tennis terminology was a bit off in the first half, which might bug hardcore fans. Also, compared to Clean Point, this one felt a little less intense in terms of emotional depth. But honestly?? Still SO worth the read. If you love sports romances, besties-to-lovers, and a couple that actually communicates instead of running away from feelings, Game Point is a WINNER. 🏆

Final verdict:
🔥 Tension-filled slow burn
🎾 Sports + romance balanced perfectly
💖 Bestie banter that turns into something more
🛑 No annoying miscommunication or third-act breakup

READ THIS IF YOU LOVE:
🎾 Friends-to-Lovers
🔥 Slow Burn
🎾 Sports Romance
🔥 Bet for Love
🎾 Emotional Growth
🔥 Bestie Banter

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars!)
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (a lil something-something but not too much)

I am such a sucker for sports romances where both characters are athletes, and this one was phenomenal. Game Point puts you in the mind of a top-ranked professional tennis player and the sheer physical and mental toll that it takes on your body. This book was extremely captivating and rewarding, and yes, the romance was adorable.

Oliver and Dylan are both successful pro tennis players, though Dylan has a notorious reputation for choking when it matters most (and as a bit of a diva). The book focuses mainly on Dylan's career, as Oliver decides to take a step back and coach her. After the two of them become fast friends, he even moves from Britain to Australia, Dylan's home base, to "coach" her. Though that's definitely not the only reason...

The two of them were such a good pair, and the friends-to-lovers here was so well done.
I loved that there was no dramatic third-act breakup or miscommunication trope-- instead, the end focuses on Dylan as she navigates the Australian Open. The author does an excellent job of building up tension and anticipation; the stakes were so high and I was so stressed that I felt like I was the one playing the match.

I just adored that the book focused on Oliver and Dylan's relationship, but gave equal (if not more) weight to Dylan's mental health struggles and battles as a top tennis player! I cannot recommend this book enough.

Thank you so much to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC!

This book wasn’t bad at all, but I know literally nothing about tennis and to me it just kinda wasn’t all that interesting.
So for the review, I’m going to focus on the romantic relationship instead of the plot because like I said, don’t care about tennis and this book was a lot of tennis information and references- so if you actuallyknow or love tennis dive in head first you’re gonna enjoy this book.

AnyWho, the romance -
I think I spent the first few chapters trying to figure out if this was going to end up being a why choose or a love triangle. I genuinely couldn’t figure out what was going on.
My main vibe throughout the entire book was the FMC really liked the MMC but he just wasn’t that into it.
Even by the end of the book, I still felt like the romance was flat and he just kind of settled because she was there.

So for me this book was good and had promising parts however it really didnt pick up for me until about half way through the book. Not everyone will hold on that long to get to the good part unfortunately. I did enjoy the MC and FMC and felt that they were a good match. While I dont know much about tennis I was able to enjoy it through the authors eyes without being confused which was nice!



Thank you for the ARC!

This was a fantastic friends to lovers book between a "black cat" FMC and sweet yet spicy MMC.

I read Clean Point prior to this and really loved it so I had high hopes. Dylan wasn't my favorite character in the last book, but she had such a good redemption arc. I'm a sucker for a flawed, stand-offish and prickly FMC that slowly opens up and gets vulnerable.

The tension and slowburn dynamic while they were trying to balance their coaching/friendship and obvious attraction to eachother was just right. This book has the perfect mix of chemistry, banter, and personal growth.

I think the Game Point really kicks into gear about 65% into the book and that's a very long time for readers to hang on to really feel invested in the characters in the story. It's also indicative that this story doesn't need to be this long. It felt bloated and flat with not a lot wasn't happening. But I will give credit to tennis world that Meg has created that's fun and embraces the energy in the movie Challengers.

Thank you so much Avon Books for the digital arc!

*Game Point* by Meg Jones is a fun, sports romance about Dylan, an Aussie tennis star on the brink of retirement, and Oliver, a British player who convinces her to keep going. The chemistry between them is off the charts, and the tennis world adds some serious drama and intensity to their romance.

It’s the perfect mix of competition, personal growth, and steamy moments. If you’re into sports romance with some heart and heat, you’ll definitely want to check this one out!

This was cute , simple and not that much going on, but cute. it does need some work and maybe some chapters need to be looked at. The characters do need a little more development and some work to make them a little more likable.

I was so excited for more after the Dylan redemption arc and it did NOT disappoint. She is prickly and angry and has an alarmingly short fuse and I LOVE her. And I love how Oliver accepts her for who she is instead of trying to make her into someone softer or more palatable.

Their friendship is so genuine and hilarious, and feels so natural as they navigate the new ways they’re approaching their careers. And all the Scottie and Nico appearances? Double love (that’s not an intentional tennis pun but if it works…)

Dylan needed someone she could be vulnerable with consistently, so that she can let her perpetual guard down without fear of disappointment. And Oliver needed someone who met him where he was and let him be vulnerable, too.

They just needed to be able to be soft sometimes, and they found that in each other before they even realized they felt more than friendship. But they also found someone willing to match their energy regardless - to push them, to hold them steady, to get midnight zoomies together. And to overcome the fear of failure to understand what they’re each capable of, together and individually.

Meg Jones has quickly become a favorite author of mine. I love this series focused on tennis and the amazing athletes at the top of their games. This had spice and special characters. I really liked it and look forward to more. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Meg Jones has delivered yet another standout hit with Game Point! This friends-to-lovers romance set in the high-stakes world of professional tennis had me absolutely captivated from the very first page.

Dylan Bailey’s struggles with her career and self-doubt felt so authentic and relatable, making her journey deeply engaging. And Oliver Anderson? Wow, he’s the perfect blend of sweet and spicy! The evolution of their friendship into something more was filled with so much tension, stolen moments, and just the right amount of angst. The bet they make? Brilliant. The coaching dynamic? Electric. The slow burn? Perfection at its finest.

What stood out most to me was how the book perfectly balanced the intense world of professional sports with the deeply emotional and personal aspects of their relationship. The chemistry between Dylan and Oliver was off the charts, but their friendship and mutual respect for each other added a layer of depth that made it even more satisfying. And the setting? Jones truly brought the Australian Open to life, making me feel like I was right there on the court, experiencing every serve and volley. I’ll admit, I’m not a big tennis fan, but this book has definitely piqued my interest in the sport!

If you’re a fan of sports romance with high tension, sizzling chemistry, and a couple you can’t help but root for, Game Point is an absolute must-read.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Meg Jones, and Avon for providing the eARC of this book!