While this was fun, it wasn’t a super believable romance. I struggle when a couple is kinda together from the beginning cause it destroys the possibility for any angst.

Also a standalone contemporary romance should never be this long it’s obscene.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Grace’s writing has always been excellent, but she has continued to blow me away with this series and I swear she has sprinkled something extra special in this one! I truly didn’t think I could love another of her books as much as I loved Stealing Home — and Mia + Seb will always hold a special place in my heart — but HOT DAMN Izzy + Nik are addictive! I mean, I think we’ve all fallen in love with sassy and bubbly Izzy throughout the series, but in Wicked Serve Grace really peels back the layers and shows us who Izzy really is. How would you show you’re enough in a family of competitive athletes when you feel like you’re the only one not performing? One of my favorite things that Grace highlighted in Izzy’s storyline was her relationship with Richard. Boy oh boy have we had some ups and downs with dear old Papa Callahan. But his relationship with his daughter, and the baby of the family, is a lot different than his relationship with the boys. While Richard did the work to repair things with the boys when he screwed up, seeing him interact with Izzy the way he did really made me all mushy and sealed any remaining cracks I still had about the family foundation. And obviously I loved every single moment we had with the Callahan brothers and their ladies (and pets!) — Grace really had the perfect balance of focus on Izzy + Nik and Callahan family dynamic.
And that brings me to Nikolai… WOW. Just wow. I mean, it should be enough to say that as soon as me and my two besties starting reading Wicked Serve, we immediately started arguing over who had book boyfriend claiming rights to Nikolai. He is GOOD, no scratch that, he is AMAZING, no scratch that, he is PERFECT in the most deliciously broken way. And I do love me a broken boy. Their relationship was so special. I absolutely loved their love 💕

This was cute, but kinda dragged on.
It's the kinda book you pick up after a hangover: fluffy, romantic, and doesn't require much brainpower.

Omgggggg
Omgggggg
Omgggggg
OMGGGGGG

THIS WAS SO FUCKING CUTE
THE PLOT
THE SPICE
THE FUCKING RELATIONSHIPS
THE GROWTH

NIKS GROWTH WAS TOP FUCKING NOTCH

I MEAN SERIOUSLY.

HE KNEW IZZY DESERVED BETTER SO HE BECAME BETTER. IGH MY STUPID HEART.

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0

i loved this book so much it's easily my favorite of the whole series. I loved seeing Izzy & Nik's relationship develop past just casual. I honestly thought the book was gonna end around 200 pages because they'd solved most of their issues and then the second plot started becoming more important.

I am a big fan of this series. I was not disappointed with this book!
I loved Izzy and Nik. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow throughout the book. They had such an amazing, electric connection.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series too! They are some of the best sports romance books!

Thank you, NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for a copy of the book!

The fourth in a series but I think it can be read as a standalone. This was heartfelt and emotional but warming and handled with care.

Wicked Serve is the conclusion to the Beyond the Play series by Grace Reilly, and just like all the other books in this series I absolutely adored it. Izzy and Nik's love story is absolutely adorable, spicy, touching and full of angst that made their story stand out from the group. I absolutely could not stop reading their story and when I had to do other things, because having to be a productive human, I was just thinking about this book.

Nik is our resident grumpy, angst filled love interest, he is her brother's hockey rival and they happen to meet while Isabelle is working for his mother's wedding planning business. After the end of a summer fling, and an incident at his college, Nikolai ends up transferring to Izzy's college, finally being reunited with his Solnishko. Then there is Isabelle, the sunshine to his grumpy. Who is much more than her bright and positive happiness. All she wants to do is prove to her Dad that she can be just as good as her brother's and is determined to make setter on her volleyball team. That meant no distractions and all focus on school and volleyball. But then Nik runs into her at the first party of the year and all bets are off.

Nik and Izzy are absolutely adorable, these complex characters are so much more than the label of grumpy/sunshine and I am both happy with and surprised by the darkness that Grace dove into in this book. Both characters have trauma to recover from, we dive into their pasts, insecurities, serious childhood trauma that has not ever been dealt with and a deep need to belong to someone while not feeling good enough. I honestly just wanted to bundle them both in blankets, give them hugs and a cup of tea for a ~*Safe Space*~ to discuss their feelings and cry.

Grace has created more than just a sports romance, she really dove into dealing with trauma, and mental health awareness. All while balancing it out with adorable couple moments and of course, spice.

While I'm sad to see the end to the Callahan crew, I am hoping (and begging a little) That Grace will one day return and maybe do the next generation, I'm just not ready to let go of this group yet!

Thank you Avon, Grace Reilly and Valentine PR for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review

The relationship between Isabelle and Nik was entertaining, it went from summer fling to secret friends with benefits to out in the open. Nik’s anxiety arc could have been resolved earlier, I think it went on for too long with his triggers being repetitive and was resolved at the end too quickly for him to recover.

This was a great story! The main characters had some real growth and maturing during this book as well as the FMC's father, it was really good to see him less intense with his kids finally.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for the opportunity to read this eARC.

I read the first in this series and while the only thing I remember about it is that it was unremarkable, I do love sports romance enough to keep requesting more of them. When I was approved for Wicked Serve, I renewed my KU subscription so I could read books two and three before reading this installment. *Note: This feedback is on Book 2, Breakaway. The first couple chapters are the MMC's point of view and I was unimpressed that it seemed like the whole plot will revolve around his poor performance on the ice because he hasn't had sex. Come on now. Then I got to the FMC's point of view and while she's using a vibrator her roommate opens her door and surprises her, causing her to throw the vibrator and hit the roommate in the face. That's it, I'm out. All done. How did this even get past the first editor, let alone get published? I will not be reading Wicked Serve, or probably anything else by this author. It's unfortunate because from what I could tell, the FMC had experienced trauma and the book ARC would revolve around her healing but I cannot get past the distasteful first chapters.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for this advanced copy.

I’ve absolutely loved the Beyond the Play series from Grace Reilly. I started with Breakaway, a hockey romance, and loved it (it’s the second in the series), the moved on to First Down, a football romance and first of the series before reading Stealing Home. When I heard the little sister of the group was getting her own book, Wicked Serve, I begged for an ARC.

Izzy Callahan is a college volleyball player and baby of the Callahan family. Her brother, Cooper from Breakaway, is the team captain of the college hockey team. When his rival, Nik, from another college transfers to his team, they have to come to terms to make the team successful.

Without knowing they’d have more than a summer romance (giving me Grease feels) Izzy and Nik had hit it off while she interned for his mom in NYC. When he shows up at her college sparks fly again.

These two have to find their way among people who have influence over them. There is a lot of character growth, family drama, and in true Grace Reilly fashion, spice.

A super bonus is the epilogue with all the characters from the series. It gave me all the feels.

"Wicked Serve" by Grace Reilly serves up a scorching romance on the ice and the volleyball court. Nikolai Abney-Volkov, a dedicated hockey player facing a pivotal season, finds himself at rival McKee University, where he encounters Isabelle Callahan, the sister of his hockey nemesis. Despite the risks, their undeniable chemistry reignites, complicating both their personal and athletic ambitions. Isabelle, determined to focus on her volleyball goals, struggles to resist Nikolai's brooding allure. As their relationship intensifies, they must navigate the blurred lines between friendship and something more. With its blend of passion, sportsmanship, and heartfelt moments, "Wicked Serve" is a captivating new adult romance that will leave readers rooting for love amidst the competitive world of collegiate athletics.

This was a DNF for me (22%). I just couldn’t get into it. I didn’t care enough about any of the characters to want to know what happened.

Thank you NetGalley and Grace Reilly for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feeling on this. I felt the story was really cute. It was easy to get immersed into right away. Towards the middle I felt the story dragged on and it could have benefited from being shorter. I did enjoy the premise of the two haven't met over the summer and turning the fling into something hidden then more. I do wish that there had been a prologue to show more of how they originally connected. I did feel like them getting back together initially was very abrupt. It went from her angry at him for ghosting her to kissing him out of the blue.

I did like how they portrayed his hardships and difficult backstory. I just wish she hadn't been so forceful on him to express his past.

Overall a cute sports romance.

Side note that this book is about 70% smut/lust

"Wicked Serve" by Grace Reilly serves up a delectable blend of sports, romance, and emotional depth in this captivating new adult college sports romance. The novel follows the intertwined lives of Nikolai and Isabelle, two athletes with a complicated history who find themselves drawn back into each other's orbit despite the obstacles in their way.

Reilly expertly navigates the dynamics of collegiate sports and the pressures of academic and athletic success, weaving a compelling narrative filled with passion, tension, and heartfelt moments. Nikolai's struggle to make his final hockey season count and Isabelle's determination to reclaim her volleyball position set the stage for a rollercoaster of emotions as they navigate the complexities of their relationship.

The chemistry between Nikolai and Isabelle is palpable, as they grapple with their pasts and their feelings for each other. Reilly delves into their individual struggles and vulnerabilities with sensitivity and depth, allowing readers to empathize with their journey towards self-discovery and love.


At its heart, "Wicked Serve" is a story about love, forgiveness, and second chances. As Nikolai and Isabelle navigate the ups and downs of their relationship, they must confront their fears and insecurities in order to find happiness and fulfillment.

Overall, "Wicked Serve" is a compelling and emotionally resonant romance that will leave readers swooning and rooting for Nikolai and Isabelle's happily ever after. With its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and steamy romance, it's a must-read for fans of college sports romances and new adult fiction. Grace Reilly delivers a winning combination of heart, heat, and sportsmanship in this unforgettable novel.

I want to start off by thanking NetGalley and Grace Reilly for my advance readers copy, and for requesting my honest opinion.

Let’s start off with a premise of the story. We have our main hero and heroine who have a summer fling not expecting to see each other again. Till circumstances, put them in the same college where our hero is trying to build a relationships with his new teammates but unfortunately for him, the team captain is the brother of the girl he hooked up with over the summer. To say this is an interesting premise is an understatement.

But unfortunately, for me, this one will get a three stars. Where this book started and where it ended feels like two completely different books. I just feel like this was a bit long and drawn out. I did appreciate the therapy that was depicted in the book but unfortunately I feel like a lot of these books apply therapy with medication, as a psychology major I just don’t agree with this. I feel that people can get therapy without needing medication. There’s nothing wrong with just having someone to talk to and discuss feelings with. Also, I was thrown off by the hero with some of his personality traits. With his childhood abuse didn’t really correlate with his relationship with the heroine (AKA spicy times). Please let me know if you need further explanation. So this was just an OK read, but I will be reading this author again because I did appreciate her storytelling ability.

The book "Wicked Serve" by Grace Reilly takes readers on a thrilling ride through the world of hockey and volleyball. The story follows Nikolai Abney-Volkov, a talented hockey player who transfers to rival school McKee University for his senior year. There, he risks angering the team captain who happens to be the older brother of Isabelle Callahan, the girl he had a secret fling with over the summer.

Despite the risks, Nikolai can't deny he still has feelings for Isabelle, and the two begin to rekindle their relationship. However, Isabelle is determined to focus on her volleyball career and forget about Nikolai. As they navigate their complicated feelings for each other, they must decide whether to fight for a future together or let their relationship go up in flames.

Overall, "Wicked Serve" is a captivating read that combines romance and sports in a thrilling way. The characters are well-developed, and readers will find themselves rooting for Nikolai and Isabelle as they navigate the challenges of their relationship. Grace Reilly has crafted a compelling story that will appeal to fans of both romance and sports novels.

4.25⭐️

I loved this book! This series is absolutely amazing and just like the other books, I absolutely ate it up. Nikolai and Izzy are literally both so adorable. The book follows two characters as they navigate their mental health challenges and find solace in each other's arms. Nikolai, a Russian hockey player, is a charming and supportive love interest who steals the show. Izzy is a volleyball player who wants to show her potential regardless of her last name. The relationship between the characters is heartwarming as they find strength in their shared passion for sports. I also love the nickname sunshine it was adorable. The book is a journey of love and self-discovery that will stay with readers long after they finish it. I loved it!

Favorite Quote:
"If she's sunshine, I'm the guy who hopes it never starts raining."

Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I was pretty positive going into this book that I was going to love Izzy. I knew her free-spirited ways would make smile, but what really surprised me was how much I adored Nikolai. I really didn't expect it based on our previous interactions with him; however, he is the absolutely best.

One thing I really loved about this was the second chance aspect. Izzy and Niko had clearly fallen for each other over the summer, but knew they couldn't admit it to one another. It made their story so much more believable and romantic.

Niko's character growth and his ability to stand up for himself was actually my favorite part of this book. Grace did such a great job developing his character and having Izzy by his side every step of the way. I also loved watching Niko and Cooper's relationship develop as well. I felt like his Mama encouraging him to find friends (go, Niko, go!).

If you've loved any of Grace's books in this series, then you'll adore this one. I think it may be my favorite yet.