The way that I dropped everything as soon as I saw that I got approved for this ARC was crazy. But I have no regrets.

This book follows Isabelle (Izzy) Callahan, who is the younger sister of a family full of athletes. She has big shoes to fill and feels a lot of pressure to do her best due to her family. Nikolai is a hockey star, and is the rival of Izzy's older brother, Cooper. During the summer, Izzy and Nikolai had a secret fling, which ended when the summer was over, due to the two going to different colleges and the ongoing rivalry between Nikolai and Cooper.

However, things change when Nikolai has to transfer to McKee, the college where Izzy and her brothers go to school. From here, Nikolai and Izzy reconnect and attempt to navigate a possible rekindling of their relationship, while also dealing with their families, their pasts, and their futures.

What I liked:
- This was a book that was very easy to follow along with. It is the fourth book in a series of four, but all of the books can be read as standalones, including this one. Like other books in similar series where they are interconnected standalones, they take place in the same world, overlapping characters/storylines, and you may be missing some of the stories of the non-main characters if you have not read the rest of the books in the series. Due to this, and also because I have so much love for this series, I would recommend that you read the rest of the books in the series if you are interested in reading the series, but it is not 100% necessary, so don't let it discourage you from reading this book.
- There was so much fluffiness in this book. Izzy and Nikolai were such a lovely couple. It was nice to read about a couple who knew how to be mature and communicate and know what they needed to do to be in the best relationship that they could be in. Considering both of the main characters were college students, they were way more mature than so many books with main characters that are in their late 20s or 30s. It was very refreshing.
- The 3rd act "breakup". Now don't get me wrong. Some 3rd act breakups are completely stupid and could be avoided with a bit of maturity and communication and have me thinking "Are we not adults? Why are we acting like children". HOWEVER, I appreciated this one so much because it was done so maturely and so well. I had so much respect for Nikolai for what he realized he needed to do to work on himself to be the best that he can me.
- The other couples from the previous books made quite a few cameos and I am here for it. I like the fact that even though the other books are over, and their couples are no longer the main couples for the next books, the reader can still see how the relationships are doing and how they have progressed. Such as being engaged and expecting children.


What I did not like:
- I did feel like the story got dragged out for quire a bit. At a couple of points I found myself thinking that the story was getting repetative and some scenes were not necessary and did not need to be added. It did not take away from the story or add to the story in any way, so I did not particularly find myself drawn to or remembering these types of scenes. I.e. the ratio of spice to plot was a bit off.
- While I think that some scenes were unnecessary for the story, I do wish there was more details written about other things. For example, I loved the story line with Izzy and her wedding planning and I wish we had gotten more of that so we could better understand how she could differentiate herself from her athletic family by doing something that she loves and makes her happy, that is not sports related.
- I wish Nikolai was able to tell his family what he felt and what he wanted instead of just brushing it off and dealing with what they did to him and forced him to do. That was so frustrating because you could see him being mature with Izzy, but not with his family. The entire book was spent with Nikolai's dad being portrayed as this big, bad, mean man who beat and almost killed his mom. And this affects Nikolai's mental health significantly. However, I feel like this was let go and essentially forgiven pretty quickly after a conversation.

I have yet to read anything by Grace Reilly, but I love volleyball and have yet to read a book with that involved. Until Wicked Serve, Isabelle and Nickolai were absolutely adorable. Isabelle falls for her brother’s hockey rival when she works for Nik’s mom for a summer internship. Nik ends up transferring to the same college Isabelle and her brother attend and they try to hide their attraction for eachother. No matter what happened they were always there for each other. A one time summer fling turned into more and I fell head over heels for it. I don’t think there was anything that I didn’t like, I genuinely really enjoyed this book! I loved how fierce Isabelle is and especially as the FMC she was amazing. Nick for the MMC was also great cause of the mental health rep. Men struggle too. I cannot say enough great things about this book 10/10 recommend!

Let’s start with talking about Nikolai’s 🥵 Before this one Cooper was my guy but Nikolai brought it on.
His quiet confidence, the praises, the scar & and broken boy vibe. I ate it all up. 🫠

“Good girl, Isabelle. So perfect for me, like sunshine after a storm.”

I love the Callahan siblings, this series has my heart, Isabelle’s book was the perfect send off. These two are so good to each other despite starting out wanting to keep things casual. I love how they communicate and how deeply they care about one another.

I was given an ARC of this book and my opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved this book. So sad that it's going to be the last in the series. Nikolai and Isabelle had me hooked from the beginning. Their love had me giddy, kicking my feet and the spice was spicy 🌶️👌🏻. I also loved the mental health perspective in this book and how Nikolai's childhood trauma was handled. I just wanted that epilogue to continue! Can't wait to read more from Grace Reilly!

I really enjoyed reading this. I thought it was well written and fun to read! I had a great time and experience reading this story

Izzy + Nikolai

-sports romance
-brothers teammate
-hidden relationship
-hockey player x volleyball player

there was a lot to unpack between these two & i felt they were done actually fairly maturely. but it has got to be a callahan trait to think their family isn't ever proud of them isn't it. 😂😂

Es mi primer libro de Grace.

Estuvo entretenido, pero el exceso de escenas sexuales me aburrió. No puede llegar a conectar al 100% con la historia porque pasaba de tener una escena seria entre Izzy y Nik a una escena de sexo la cual era más larga y descriptiva. Prefiero mío veces leer como intercambian miradas, se toman de las manos, platican, van a citas, etc., a saber que posiciones les gusta en la cama.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was honored to be selected as an e-ARC reader for Wicked Serve. On the surface, this is a hockey college romance. In the pages, it is a book about a MMC overcoming childhood trauma, a strong FMC figuring out her place in the world with famous siblings, and a story of love and heart. Nik is the star of his college hockey team who has a summer fling with his rival’s little sister Isabelle in New York City. A turn of events has Nik transferring to his rival’s college for senior year, where Isabelle also attends and plays volleyball. If you like adorable nicknames, men speaking a foreign language, hockey players, and sweet FMC, then this is a book you will enjoy. I read this in one sitting, as I just had to see how Nic and Isabelle’s story played out. I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but I loved how Nic fell first and even with his trauma, he loved Isabelle with his whole heart. I also loved how Isabelle was there for Nic and really was the sunshine to his tempest.

I loved this book. It was long but I loved it. I especially loved Nikolai and his povs. Don’t get me wrong, Isabelle and Nikolai were both obsessed with each other but reading it from his pov was just chefs kiss. I felt his every emotion from being head over heels for Isabelle to… well his other emotions lol I don’t want to give any spoilers.

I felt like they had a healthy relationship. I liked that they were able to work out their issues and talk about it. They were so supportive of each other. I loved that Isabelle respected Nikolai’s space especially when he wasn’t ready to talk about it and even when he was ready for it she gave him an out if he needed it.

Being a Sharks fan I was surprised and happy it was mentioned in the book!

Thank you Valentine PR & Netgalley for providing me with this ARC for my honest review.

A pretty good story! I really like Nikolai’s character. He had a good depth to him which made his stay interesting. Izzy was fine. I didn’t believe that she’d be able to handle school volleyball, wedding planning and a relationship so that took a bit of her relatability away. The family aspect was a sweet touch and really showed the different family dynamics of both Izzy and Nik. The story started to get dry in the middle and felt too long. Overall, this was enjoyable and if you read her other books in this series I bet you’d be pleased!

✨ARC Review✨
I cannot believe the story of the Callahan siblings is over! I truly have enjoyed reading each sibling’s story, and finishing off with Izzy and Nik was the icing on the cake! I loved the found family aspect of this book, and loved the way the characters were able to communicate well with each other. Thanks so much to Grace and Valentine PR for the ARC!
3.5⭐️

I enjoyed this book but it was just a bit slow in the middle. It was probably 50 pages or so too long for what the story actually required. It's low on angst but the spice was a nice contribution to the story. I do enjoy a sports romance, especially when both MCs are athletes. Izzy was a very mature college student and seemed to juggle too much to be relatable/believable (volleyball, wedding planning, and a new relationship). The depth of Nikolai's character made him the highlight of this book. I appreciated the mental health representation and his whole story/background was impressive. He made this story worthwhile.

First, I want to say thank you so much to Valentine PR and Grace for an ARC copy of this book! I absolutely ADORED this!!!

Read if you love:

- Found family
- Secret romance
- Sports romance
- Lots of spice (well written!!!)
- Rivalry turned friends
- Mental health rep
- College romance

This is easily has become one of my favorite sports romance books and I cannot wait to read the previous siblings stories in this series. The romance between Nikolai and Isabelle was so beautiful and well written. I truly loved them together so much. I loved all of the main characters in this book, as well as the side characters. It was so well written and the plot lines were really great. I thought it was a little longer than most books that I have read in this genre, but I didn't even mind it because I just loved reading their story! The romance between Isabelle and Nikolai starts as just a summer fling, then goes into a secret romance behind her brothers back, and then blooms into so much more.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good sports romance book, and heavy on the romance because there are definitely some spicy scenes in this one. But they're SO good. Again, I really loved the story line of this and the character growth from everyone along the way - from the main characters and the side characters too. I loved that both main characters were athletes and were able to thrive in the respective sports and work hard at what they wanted together and on their own.

Definitely add this one to your TBR!

What a great end to such a fun series! I remember starting these books when First Down first came out as indie. I immediately fell in love with the Callahan family. It is bitter sweet to know that the family’s story has wrapped up, but I couldn’t be happier with the conclusion.

This book may have been my favorite in the series. It was sweet and oh so spicy. Isabelle and Nik complimented each other so well. She was the sunshine to his cloudy days. I loved their relationship and how they truly were a support system for one another.

Both characters had such a journey and development. Isabelle had to overcome her insecurities when it sane to her family, and Nik had to work through his traumatic childhood. In the end though they both worked to be better versions of themselves for each other.

The spicy was so fantastic. There was the perfect amount of smut to plot ratio, and the smut we did get had me sweating and slightly regretting reading this book in public.

It was so fun to get interactions with the past siblings throughout. I love seeing James and Bex, Cooper and Penny, Sebastian and Mia, and of course all the parents. It felt like a perfect send off, especially the epilogue.

Thank you so much to Avon through Valentine PR and Grace Reilly for an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly
Rating: 3.5 stars
Pub date: 8/13

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon for my advanced copy.

Nikolai, a hockey player dedicated to making his senior year count, transfers to rival McKee University, stirring up all sorts of drama. His transfer threatens not only his spot on the team but also rekindles a secret summer fling with Isabelle, the sister of his new team's captain. As Nikolai faces his troubled past and team issues, Isabelle tries to balance getting her volleyball position back and forgetting about Nikolai.

This story is full of swoony and spicy moments, sports, and even koalas. While the setup promises a fun mix of romance and rivalry, it doesn’t always hit the mark. The relationship, starting as friends-with-benefits, is heavy on physical attraction but light on emotional depth.

Despite its flaws, Wicked Serve has its sweet moments. Nikolai and Isabelle’s relationship is refreshingly free of toxicity, showing real support and encouragement. Their bond is heartwarming, even if the story could’ve been shorter and more focused. The brother rivalry adds some tension but wraps up pretty quickly.

This is the fourth book in the Beyond the Play series, and even though I haven’t read the first three books, I was still able to keep up with the side characters and enjoy the story.

Overall, Wicked Serve is a cute and spicy read. Fans of new adult college sports romance will love it, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted read.

Some of the dialogue in this book was so spicy, it definitely made me stick around.
Nikolai is an ex hockey captain that transferred to Mckee University for his senior year where he runs into his summer fling, Isabelle. Izzy is a volleyball player who isn't initially excited about seeing Nikolai, especially. Especially since Nikolai's new captain is Cooper, Izzy's older brother.
As much as Izzy tries to avoid Nikolai (which honestly works for a whole five minutes), their fiery chemistry overtakes them.
There were a lot of spice which was a nice surprise because I thought it was going to be more tame, which I'm definitely not complaining about. I love a good hockey romance!

I didn't do my research beforehand and didn't realize this was number 4 in the series, but it was still easy to follow. I did enjoy Nikolai and the fact that he was Russian! Very realistic for hockey players to be foreign. Overall, an enjoyable read which at times, did feel like it was dragging on towards the end. I like book series that connect and let you in how previous character's relationships are doing, so that was a nice touch.
2.5-3 stars for this one!

4.5 🌟 Thank you to Grace Reilly and Valentine PR for this ARC!

I have loved being able to read through each Callahan siblings love story and was so excited to finally get to Izzy’s! There is something so good about a little sister and brother’s nemesis story and I was so ready to read a drama filled story but what I got was, in my opinion, so much better! Izzy and Nik had such a strong connection from the start, and once they really gave in to it their connection and got together I found the way the supported and pushed each other to follow their dreams to be really beautiful. I also thought this book did an excellent job of highlighting mental health struggles, especially the lingering effects of childhood trauma. Although I loved this story so much, I did feel at times that it was being drawn out, but in the end I thought it was wrapped up well. I will miss this group!!

Grace Reilly is back again with the fourth and final installment in the Callahan siblings series! And let me tell you this is the one I was most excited for, because y’all it’s finally Izzy’s turn. And let me tell you this book did not disappoint and was 100% my favorite in the series!

Our fourth installment follows bad boy Nikolai and the Callahan baby sister Izzy. Our two leads had a summer fling after Izzy interned for Nikolai’s mother. They thought once the summer ended they would go back to their respective corners and be done with each other. But after an incident forces Nikolai to transfer to Izzy’s school all bets are off.

I think my favorite aspect of this entire book has to be Nikolai and his mental health representation. It was done extremely well, and it’s good to see a character especially a male character taking a healthy relatable approach to treating mental health concerns. Another part I really enjoyed was all the relationships in this book. Izzy & Nikolai were of course top tier. But I also really loved the relationship Nikolai formed with the Callahan brothers.

I cannot stress this enough how much I recommend not just this book but also this series. Also side note I can’t wait to meet Grace this Saturday at my local Barnes and Noble for the release event for this book!

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette for the advanced copy.

If you're looking for a steamy and high-stakes romance with a side of sports drama, *Wicked Serve* by Grace Reilly is your next must-read! This novel delivers a spicy brother’s rival hockey romance that's perfect for fans of Hannah Grace, Liz Tomforde, and Elsie Silver.

The plot kicks off with Nikolai Abney-Volkov, a hockey player with a fiery past, who transfers to a rival school for his senior year. Things get complicated when he rekindles a secret summer fling with Isabelle Callahan, the sister of his new team’s captain. The stakes are high both on and off the ice, as Nikolai struggles with his past while navigating the complex dynamics with Isabelle and her brother.

Isabelle Callahan, determined to reclaim her place on the volleyball team and move on from her past with Nikolai, finds her resolve tested when he reappears in her life. Their fiery chemistry and a series of heated encounters blur the lines between casual and committed, creating an emotionally charged narrative.

Grace Reilly's writing shines with engaging dialogue and sizzling chemistry. The sports elements add an exciting backdrop to the romance, and the characters' growth is both compelling and relatable. With its mix of swoon-worthy moments, spicy scenes, and sports rivalry, *Wicked Serve* is a fun and captivating read that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️

Read As An Arc

🏒 College Sports
🏐 Secret Relationship
🏒 Brother’s Rival
🏐 He Fall First & Hard
🏒 Healthy Relationship
🏐 Family Bonds
🏒 Spicy
🏐 Hockey MMC x Volleyball FMC
🏒 Dual POV
🏐 Mental Health Rep


Okay, let me start off by saying that Nikolai and Isabelle have little to no misunderstanding between each other which is great because having too much of it like in other books can feel like “okay, get on with it already!”

This relationship is toxic free with no negativity for once!! I am here for this!!! All the positivity, support and encouragement you could ask for. Like who wouldn’t want that in a relationship? Who wouldn’t want to read that and feel so happy for them?! IT IS SUCH A REFRESHER!!

Isabelle is an amazing character! She is sweet and caring, I adored her truly! The one flaw that I really don’t like abut Isabelle and honestly bothers me a lot, this is why it lost the 1 ⭐️, otherwise this was a 4.75 read — she wanted to know Nikolai’s past… like forcing and pushing him to tell her. I feel like no one, even in the real world likes this, so why are we bringing this here? This would’ve been better for him to tell her on his own terms and when he is comfortable. That’s what should’ve happened, especially in a relationship that doesn’t have toxicity.

Nikolai is also a relatable character as he reps mental health! He is honestly so great, and very protective! What is a bit of flaw for him and odd, but also fits his character well, he doesn’t really speak up for himself but will do so for others. Isabelle on the other hand, has a voice, and she isn’t afraid to speak-up when needed. I mean, for me, like I said, it is a bit odd, but Nikolai is still so cute!

The spice is similar to her other books I think, at least for me, that’s why I gave it 3 🌶️, but this is subjective to each reader and could vary.

A couple things I didn’t like was the unnecessary parts at certain points in the book, they feel like a filler for the book, like trying to meet a quota for words or something. Like how about we add a scene of Nikolai coming to his own terms and telling Isabelle his history? Just a thought! I really can’t get over it, sorry! Also this Russian… was WEIRD for me. Truly, I don’t know why, I just couldn’t. Awkward and weird lol.

Overall, this is a great read, and so cute!!! Not to mention the spice, omg! You are going to love this book, so make sure to get yourself a copy of it!!! I loved it! You are going to eat up Nikolai and Isabelle too! So freakin’ cute!


* Thank you to Valentine PR and NetGalley for the arc!