Top notch hockey romance with solid plot and strong cast of characters. The rollercoaster you expect, with some interesting twists and turns keep the story moving at a good pace. You won't regret reading this one!

I had not read the first books in the series, but I was able to enjoy WIcked Serve just the same. Grace Reilly does a wonderful job of combining sports and romance with fun characters and humor.  The relationship of a volleyball player Izzy and hockey player Nick, who had amazing chemistry made for a quick, fun read. I will be looking for more books by Grace Reilly!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this suburb read!

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Grace Reilly for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

The fourth and final installment in the Beyond the Play/Callahan family series and I LOVED it!

I believe it's best read as a series- to understand the full dynamic of the family. Especially to see Richard's guidance change through the books. I love that we've gotten to know Izzy throughout the series and adore that we had sassy glimpses of Nik too!

This story held a lot of heavy topics (just as the previous books did) such as: childhood trauma, domestic abuse, alcoholism, disordered eating and ptsd/panic disorder. There is NOT A THIRD ACT BREAK UP- but there is conflict that is not resolved by a snap of a finger. It's resolved through real work. I LOVE that. Amongst the heavier piecers- there is banter, forbidden love, sportsball/puck excitement and, as per usual for our Grace Reilly, SPICE.

This was a wonderful book to end the series. I give this book and the series 5 stars for anyone that loves sports romance for their mental escape!

Isabelle and Nik meet over the summer while she interns for his mom. The two quickly hit it off but agree to keep their fling to just the summer due to Nik and her brother being hockey rivals who already have a history of fighting on the ice. However, when Nik begins attending Isabelle's school, their secret fling becomes a lot more complicated.

I did not read the first books in this series and while it definitely isn't necessary, the background of the side characters I think would have aided in my enjoyment of this book. For this reason I would definitely recommend reading the others before picking up this one.

I loved the relationship that Nik and Isabelle developed. It was nice to watch a relationship (especially one set in college) that wasn't toxic. Them both taking the time to work on themselves was refreshing and I loved how Isabelle's family took in Nik and made him feel a part of the family. These two were very sweet and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow.

My biggest complaint about this book is that it dragged on and was entirely too long. The chapters were short but there could have easily been 100 pages cut with the story not being affected. I found myself losing interest around the 50% mark and wasn't invested in the ending because it took so long to get there.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Looking for your next hockey boyfriend? Wicked Serve has you covered! I loved the dynamic of the LI and the MC and thought, while the background was heavy, the author did a good job of not making it weigh down the romance. I was so excited to read this book since hockey books are currently an obsession of mine and Reilly did not disappoint. The characters were believable and the events that happened to them were easy to follow but not so basic as to be annoyingly predictable.

I really loved this book so much. I enjoy a hockey romance and this one delivered everything that I enjoy in a book. The couple was intriguing and you could see how they were meant for each other from the beginning. I love how they both were dealing with mistakes from their past, and relied upon one another to ensure that they had a good future. The family interactions were fun and really help you see more into the characters motivations. He loved her and knew her and how he showed her his love was delightful. Also, there is a love for koalas in this book so how can you resist it.

Hands down, my favorite of the series. I was so excited to read this after the first three and it didn’t disappoint. I loved Izzy in the other books and am so happy she got her own book. Loved Cooper and Nik’s relationship. Don’t have to read the others to enjoy this book.

This was a very enjoyable hockey romance. Two flawed people, working to better themselves, that fall in love along the way- what more could you ask for?

This series has been so much fun. For some random reason, I get worried these book are going to be too bleh or wattpad. And they are but in a good way. They are predictable and funny and so charming and Wicked Serve still delivers what the others brought. I'm definitely getting a physical copy to join its brothers and I can't wait.

I really enjoyed the read. It had everything you'd want in a college hockey story, and it avoids a dramatic third act breakup. I appreciated the way it showcased a male main character with anxiety and the impacts of trauma without getting too heavy. It has quite a bit of spice, so keep that in mind if you're selective about spice levels. Would read again!

I really, really liked the way this book touched on panic disorder and the ways that abuse in childhood stays with us and shapes our adult experiences. An adorable love story with plenty of spice!

The Beyond the Play series wraps up with Izzy's story, and it might be the best of the series. Reilly ends on a high note and I'm excited to see where her writing takes us next.

We've met Izzy before, the youngest of the supremely gifted Callahan family, and an athlete in her own right (she's a setter in volleyball). We've also met Nikolai in passing, he's the captain of McKee rival, U-Mass Amherst's hockey team.

After a summer of casual fun in NYC, Nikolai and Izzy part ways, expecting to never cross paths again. But that plan implodes when Nikolai is expelled from Amherst and his wealthy grandfather pulls strings to get him a spot at McKee. Nikolai is ecstatic that he can be back in Izzy's orbit, but neither are ready to let her older brother know they are dating.

This is an interesting book from a pacing perspective. A bit of a spoiler, but the hidden relationship aspect of the book doesn't last past the mid-point, and the Callahan's welcome Nikolai into the fold easily. Because of that decision, the book drags a bit in the second half. I'm all for healthy relationships, but there's probably room to cull some of the extraneous pieces of the story.

Because of the (spoilerly) decision discussed above, the tension in the story really isn't from within the couple, but rather external to the relationship. Both have to deal with family issues, Nikolai's more traumatic than Izzy's, but both of which affect the way the two interact with each other and craft their futures. I appreciate that approach to a third act, it feels more natural than a contrived break-up.

* Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Not normally a hockey romance or any sports romance gal but took a chance on this and it mostly paid off. Enjoyed the spice and the secret relationship aspect . Thank you for not including a third act break up! We love to see it

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.


I am loving hockey romances and this one did not disappoint! I loved the dual POVs l, the right level or spice and thought it was overall cute.

3.5 stars

After a summer fling, Nik and Izzy return to their respective colleges. After covering for one of his teammates, Nik gets expelled and ends up at Izzy’s school. The problem? His longtime rival and new hockey captain is her brother.

It’s a cheesy, dual pov, spicy, hockey romance. Probably will resonate most with those in their early twenties.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

Oh my gosh, this book was so good. I freaking love forbidden romances where you have the brothers best friend you’ve got the teammate rolled in and of course you have hockey romance involved which is chef’s kiss., I loved Isabel. I loved her character and her and Nikolai Together was so cute it was kind of like a second chance romance roll together with the forbidden romance. This book was so good.

I’ve loved every Grace Reilly book I’ve ever read and this was no different. Izzy and Nikolai’s relationship felt real and sweet and sizzling hot every time I turned the page. Watching them go from hookup to friends to committed lovers was the best part about this book, especially because I actually liked Nikolai. I like all Grace Reilly men, but he was really great to read. Izzy was also super likeable. The smut was :0 really good…. left me wanting more!

I liked the cover and description but the story itself did not land for me. Found the writing to be …not good.

This is the 4th book of the Beyond the Play series. I loved hearing Isabelle’s story after getting pieces of her in the other books. The romance between Nik and Isabelle is sweet and heavy all at the same time. Grace Reilly does not skimp on the 🌶️. Loved getting updates on all the Callahan siblings, It was a great ending to an entertaining sports romance series.

Thanks to Grace Reilly and @netgalley for this ARC.

✨4.5 stars rounded up✨

i love love love grace reilly & the callahan family, and while i’m sad to see this series come to an end this was a perfect way to see it through! this had allllll the tropes i love

-sports romance
-secret relationship
-brother’s rival turned teammate
-found family
-HEA
-no third act breakup

the banter was fun and cutesy and my gawd the spice. and even though it was a bit over the top at times i loved the course nik and izzy’s relationship followed. there was great representation of anxiety/ptsd, women’s sports, and a more diverse cast than in past books in the series.

thanks to netgalley, harper collins and avon books, and the author for the advance copy!