Received this as an ARC from Grace and Valentine PR

Let me tell you…. THIS IS GRACE’S BEST BOOK TO DATE!! I devoured this book in one sitting taking only 3 hours it was that good!
If you love:
Hockey romance
BOY OBSESSED
Panic disorder rep
Brothers rival turned teammate

Beautiful ending to this series and you should check this book and the rest of the series out!!

LOVE. I’m a huge fan of hockey romances and Grace hit it out of the park. My favorite part is that the FMC was also an athlete, but not “dainty” in it. The title is also chef’s kiss given the dynamic.

Isabelle Callahan has always been overshadowed by her three older brothers. As part of a notoriously athletic family, she feels the pressure to excel on her college volleyball team, especially since she knows she won’t be good enough at her sport to go pro like the rest of her family. What she doesn’t need is the distraction of her brother’s hockey rival, Nikolai, arriving on campus and reminding her how good their summer fling was.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Absurdly enough, I didn’t care for Isabelle’s character as much as I thought I would. She has great qualities—she’s bubbly, fun, and a very supportive family member and girlfriend. But even in her darker moments, she was still a ray of sunshine. This is fitting, since that’s Nik’s nickname for her, but no one is sunshine, rainbows, and pink 24/7. She just didn’t feel like a real person to me.

Nikolai was the saving grace for me in this novel. His character had a lot to overcome throughout the book, and I was very happy with his development and the steps he took to heal himself in the end. My only complaint is that he had me wishing I’d married a trust fund baby so I could be whisked away to Australia to play with koalas. How dare he be so perfect.

Overall, this was probably my second favorite book in the series, with Breakaway being my favorite. There’s just something about those hockey boys.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, thank you Grace Reilly and Netgalley for the e-arc. All opinions are my own, and are being left voluntarily.

I tried so so hard to like this book. I made it about 25% of the way in before deciding to DNF it. I just felt like there was too much spice, and not enough plot. I love spice as much as the next person does, but not if it overshadows the plot 🙃

This romance novel enchants with its compelling love story and deeply relatable characters. The author beautifully captures the intensity of emotions, making every interaction between the protagonists feel authentic and heartfelt. With its blend of passion, tension, and tender moments, this book is a delightful escape into the world of love and connection.

I have absolutely loved this series! I love when series go through a family of siblings and I have been waiting for Izzy's story. I can easily say that it did not disappoint! This book was the perfect way to end the series and I couldn't put this one down once I started it! the secret relationship with a brother's rival will always be my favorite and Grace did it so well! I highly recommend this whole series, the Callahan family is one of my favorites!

All summer Izzy has been secretly hooking up with Nikolai, her brother’s hockey rival, but knows it is just for the summer. In a surprise turn of events he is forced by his grandfather to transfer to her university where she is on the volleyball team and her brother is captain of the hockey team. Nikolai joins the team and the pair keep their relationship secret until Izzy is injured and they have to tell her family the truth. Nikolai is dealing with his own complicated family dynamics and navigating what he wants and what others expect from him.

This is apparently the fourth book in the series, but I read it as a standalone. I don’t feel like I missed anything by not reading the other books, but the other couples do appear in this book. This book was steamy. We’re talking multiple prolonged scenes, anal, public scenes etc. which is not what you would expect from the cover. This is exactly why I hate cartoon covers. Also, let’s be real here, these characters are 19 and 20, they are not having the type of sex described in the book (New Adult books are notorious for this). I liked both Izzy and Nikolai and appreciated that they really were a couple for the entire book. The only downside to the pair being together the entire time is that there wasn’t really anywhere for the relationship to go. I was expecting the secrecy to be the main source of conflict but that was resolved by the half-way point, so it really was the pair navigating their respective families and interests. While the book was paced well and I read it quickly, it was about 75-100 pages too long. I was honestly surprised to find this wasn’t a KU book that had been acquired given the length, but I guess this is just the length of books now. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I had a good time.

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

A charming sports romance full of heart. I loved the connection between our two leads and though I'm not an avid sports fan, I still found this series so addicting!

What a cute fluffy little read! I always loved volleyball growing up, I played for years so i was instantly drawn to this book not even realizing this was a 'forbidden romance' and that just made it all the more enjoyable for me. I loved that this was just such a fun, quick and easy read. You had a good time, there was tension and angst... the spice was spicing! Overall, I just had the best time with Nikolai and Isabelle.

This was by far my favorite from the series! The one thing I really loved about this book is that our two main characters knew each other before the book started. No, it's not a second chance romance and I am 100% here for it. Not all relationships start quickly when meeting one another, and this book very much felt more real, and what i mean by this is that the events in this book would happen in real life. I am a sucker for a good found family book. I am so sad this is over.

🌶️🌶️

Is the plot good? Yes
Did I enjoy the story? Yes
Do I think it should be 400 pages long? No


I feel like there are things that could’ve been removed and it won’t change how good the book is. This book has a lot of the ups and downs. Just when you thought conflict was resolved another one rises. However, I would say that this book is written a lot better than First Down. I loved that there’s an HEA Epilogue that wrapped everything in a bow.


Thank you for this ARC Opportunity!

after what felt like a lifetime of waiting to get Izzy and Nikola’s book, it’s finally here and was everythingggg. 🥹😩 what a way to end a phenomenal series! Nikola gives the best broken boy vibes while Izzy brings the sunshine to his life! I love loved their opposites attract dynamic and the forbidden feels of Nik being her brother’s rival. it’s truly so bitter sweet to wrap up this series but their couldn’t have been a better couple to be the icing on the cake! 🫶🏻

4.5 stars

In Wicked Serve, Grace delivers a captivating blend of sports drama, romance, and personal growth, making this new adult college romance a compelling read. The novel centers around Nikolai Abney-Volkov, a passionate hockey player forced to transfer to McKee University, where he faces the dual challenge of his rival's disapproval and rekindling a secret summer fling with Isabelle Callahan.

Nikolai's internal conflict between his athletic aspirations and his burgeoning feelings for Izzy adds depth to his character. His past traumas and the tension of being the new guy in a rival school create a rich backdrop for the story. Isabelle Callahan, on the other hand, is portrayed as a strong and driven character, grappling with her own goals and the complications of reuniting with Nikolai. Her struggle to balance her ambitions with her feelings for Nikolai is both relatable and endearing.

The chemistry between Nikolai and Isabelle is electric, and their dynamic is expertly explored through heartfelt dialogues and intense, emotional moments. The author skillfully weaves in the elements of sports and romance, with the added charm of koalas bringing a unique touch to the narrative.

The story has characters with genuine emotions, are well-developed, and keep the reader thoroughly engaged. Wicked Serve stands out as a must-read for fans of college sports romances, offering a satisfying mix of swoons, spice, and heartfelt moments that leave a lasting impression.

Honestly, I almost DNF'd this book. I am glad I finished it, and I could recommend it to those who like steamy sports books. The writing is not the best, and the male love interest made me roll my eyes many times. When describing Izzy, Nikolai says, "I knew the moment I first saw her, that she was special, and special doesn't come around every day." See what I'm talking about? And it's hard to actually see what Nik finds "special" about Izzy. She plays hockey, and maybe even is a very good player, but she keeps not showing up for her team. She convinces her coach to give her a second chance after she already showed up to an important tryout hungover, but then she oversleeps and misses the bus to be with her team because she was up late with Nik. Girl doesn't know what her priorities are.

There's also a plot with Nikolai and his very Russian mob family, who are basically Succession about their business. All Nik wants to do is play hockey and sleep with Izzy, Their sex is fine. This book is described as "steamy" but I think I have to believe in the couple more to really buy it. Izzy is your stereotypical "sunshine" (she is described this way SO many times) who secretly likes rougher sex.

Overall, nothing in this book is mind-blowing. It's a quick read, and if you want to read about sports lovers, this might scratch your itch.

I'm sorry to say this book is entirely forgettable. I never really connected with either character...perhaps because this was the first book of the series I've read, but perhaps not. I thought the book had a lot of potential, but overall it was too long and drawn out. Maybe some fluff could've been removed to shorten it about 100 pages and then it would've had some meat?

**Thanks NetGalley via Avon/Harper Voyager for access to the ebook prior to publishing in exchange of my honest opinion.

I'm going to be honest, I got to about 40% of this book and decided to DNF.

I loved the first two books in this series (admittedly, I skipped the third) but I just could not get into this one, which is such a bummer because I was really looking forward to it. It just kept feeling like there wasn't much happening??

I waited for a while before officially deciding to DNF because I kept going back to it after a few days, but it felt like a chore to read and so I eventually just had to give up. Maybe it was the wrong time for me and I think others could definitely enjoy it. I would be willing to try out the audiobook.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

🏐 🏒 College Sports Romance
🤫 Secret Summer Fling
💕 Brothers Rival Turned Teammate
🔗 Book 4 in an Interconnected Series

📚 Description:
Nikolai and Isabelle have a scorching hot Summer fling. What they thought was "just for the summer" turns into more when Nikolai transfers to McKee University, where Isabelle is a Sophomore. While Isabelle tries really hard to resist Nik, it is futile because he is a boy obsessed. He wants here and makes it very well known.

✨ Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book. It was spicier than I originally thought it would be, which was a welcome surprise to me. I think it was a strong finish to the Callahan sibling's series.

I had such high hopes for this book. I loved the first 3 in the series, and the glimpses of Izzy in those books were so promising. Honestly this book fell kind of flat to me. The characters seemed very one dimensional and wishy washy. For the first half of the book there was this hatred that was obviously a farce, and the two of them would be openly mean to each other but in the next paragraph Izzy would be loving and smitten with him. It was so unrealistic. The transitions between chapters or even just between paragraphs were rushed and rough. I think Nik's deal with his grandfather didn't really stand up to water. It being struck over him helping the two of them get out of Russia seemed thin and weak. He could have made the deal over Nik's inheritance or anything else and it would have seemed like more of a moral quandary. The way it was written made it too easy to break out of. The second chunk of the book was better, and the story was cute, but overall I had hoped for more.

DNF @ 20%. I really tried with this book, but I just can’t keep pushing through. Isabelle annoys me. And Nik needs to go to therapy and figure out his issues. Though the best parts of the story was Nik struggling with his relationship with his dad. I also wish that instead of constantly referring back to the summer that they slept together, we were shown it instead. With the premise that it has, I expected more of a will they don’t they. Instead, Nik, after feeling frustrated from his conversation with his dad takes Isabelle into a closet and finger bangs her. And she’s just lets him because she doesn’t like when he looks sad. Even though she’s pissed at him for leaving without a trace.

As a former volleyball girlie I immediately knew I wanted to read this book.

Izzy comes from a family of athletes and is currently playing volleyball in college. But over the summer she works as a party planner in NYC and meets a college hockey player.

A hockey player who just so happens to be her older brother’s nemesis on the ice. Nik. They can’t fight their attraction and have a whirlwind secret romance in the city and promise to let it go when they go back to school in the fall. Unfortunately Nik ends up getting transferred to Izzy’s school. Which is great for them, with the exception that now Nik is on the same team as her brother.

I loved their dynamics and the way Izzy tried to help Nik with childhood trauma and panic attacks.

Thank you NetGalley and VPR for this advanced readers copy of this book.