Cover Image: Match Point

Match Point

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‘Match Point’ by Katherine Reilly is a fun, summery tennis romance that captures the magic of Wimbledon, the butterflies of love at first sight and the importance of self-belief. Telling the story of aspiring artist Flora, who ends up co-habiting with fading tennis star Kieran as he takes his last shot at the Championships.

Flora was a relatable and loveable character - her lack of confidence following a troubled childhood, an absent father and a cheating boyfriend was understandable, but I loved how even when she was at her lowest there was a spark of fire inside her. Kieran was an ‘ace’ leading man, with layers of complexity and an endearing earnestness despite his bad boy reputation. I also adored Flora’s best friend Iris who was hilarious and pivotal to the story.

The novel employs an entertaining strangers to enemies to lovers trope. While the premise takes some suspension of disbelief (I think if you’d rented your flat to a pro tennis player and your plans fell through, you’d just have to make yourself scarce, right?) it provides a convenient backdrop for a lot of forced proximity. The insta-love aspect of this book, with Flora supposedly becoming the most important person in Kieran’s life in a matter of weeks, was a little bit unbelievable, and is not usually my favourite feature. However, just like Flora I got caught up in the chemistry and the jubilance of early summer, Pimms, grass courts and strawberries and cream!

As a huge tennis fan and a resident of South West London, I really loved the way the author described the excitable atmosphere in Wimbledon Village across the fabulous fortnight (green and purple everywhere, tennis window displays, the hope that you might spot a sporting star in the Dog and Fox!) I’m a pretty picky reader and so the fact I wasn’t sighing at the tennis references is a good sign, with the tour events mentioned and scores listed broadly accurate.

All in all, this was a 4.5 star read for me and will surely get a re-read when tennis fever hits London in a few short weeks! If you want something light and wonderful to read on a beach, a plane, or on the grass of Wimbledon Park next to your tent as you join the oh-so-British tradition of queueing, I’d really recommend this one.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Aria & Aries via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Fun, flirty sports romance with a big heaping of spice, this is an ideal beach read. Not my favourite, but an excellent way to pass a few relaxing hours.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

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I love sports romances, but, I mean who doesn’t? Plus, I wanted something that gives real summer vibes. So, when I saw a sports romance about tennis, set during summer and covers the Wimbledon Championships…I knew I had to read it!

The book follows Flora, who decides to rent her apartment during the Wimbledon. However, what she didn’t realise is that the person who rented her apartment is none other than the world-famous tennis player Kieran O’Sullivan. Kieran is also known as a bad boy in tennis and doesn’t follow the rules at all. Flora’s summer plans fall through, and she is now forced to share her apartment with Kieran all the way through Wimbledon. Emotions and personalities clash, but who will take the match point?

I am glad I did read Match Point, as it was fun, easy, cute and fluffy, yet covered some more heavy topics too. I loved how tennis and Wimbledon weren’t the main focus yet are featured just enough to give this book a great balance between romance and tennis. At times this book reminded me of Carrie Soto is Back by TJR, which I adore. Writing was addictive too, I got so immersed in reading that I finished the book in a few hours.

I adored the main heroine, Flora. She grew as a character throughout this book and from a quite shy character became fierce and brave. I also enjoyed the growth of Kieran, but I felt I wasn’t as connected to him, since there weren’t any of his POVs in this book. I also loved the setting of this book, since I am a huge fan of tennis.

The only negative thing about this book, at least in my opinion, was that it wasn’t enemies to lovers. It didn’t feel that the two main characters ever hated each other. Yes, their first impressions of each other might not have been the best, yet I couldn’t see the hate. Additionally, I wished there this book had Kieran’s POV. I think their friendship and romance would’ve been much more believable if it was also seen from MMC POV.

Overall: A perfect summer read, best consumed with strawberries and cream and in the sun. Honestly, now I want more romances like this in my life.

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I enjoyed the novel 'Match Point' by Katherine Reilly. Having lived in Wimbledon Village myself years ago, the atmosphere she describes in the way the city buzzes during tennis season is totally accurate and makes it come alive!
It follows the story of Flora Hendrix, down on romance after a real 'Sliding doors' moment of being sacked from her job and finding her long term boyfriend in bed with the neighbour. 6 months down the line, she's ready to rent out her Wimbledon flat for the tennis tournament and head to the Lake District to pursue her dreams of becoming an artist, something her boyfriend always discouraged. When the roof caves in on the holiday cottage she rented, she's forced into proximity with the moody but super hot tennis star Kieran who unceremoniously arrives in her flat before she can make alternative plans.

This is a fun and slightly steamy romance, exploiting all the heightened emotions of a celebrity crush paired with the high stakes of a Grand Slam tournament. Reading with a glass of fizz and some strawberries and cream would make it pretty great too!
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

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Match Point is a book set in Wimbledon during the annual tennis tournament. Pro tennis player Kieran O'Sullivan rents out a private flat for the upcoming completion as he wants privacy from the press. Flora, the owner of the flat is due to go to the Lake District for a few weeks to concentrate on crating her graphic novel. Sadly the flat falls through and these two end up flat sharing when Kieran refuses to leave.

In the synopsis the book is described as enemies to lovers romance. But they are not exactly enemies as they have only just met and get off on the wrong foot. The pair are friends within 72 hours so I think this might be a little misleading. As it is just a romance.

Being from the UK, and living very close to the Lake District I liked the locations of this book. and can confirm that Rydal Water is indeed the perfect place for a picnic. Wimbledon is a massive thing every year here in the UK and most of the country become engrossed in not just the players but who is attending and what they are wearing. It is one of the social events of the year. So, I really enjoyed the setting. The author didn't delve too much into the sport or specifics of the game, but I enjoyed the tennis angle of the book.

The book was every easy to read and the characters very easy to like. I actually read the book in one sitting and would definitely read other works by the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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A fun concept, and great idea, that unfortunately did not become a great book for me. While the setting and premise held great promise, as did the love story itself, I fear the characters fell slightly flat. Their choices bordered on irrational sometimes, and I felt as if the story did not go as deep as it could have.

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⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Tropes-
- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- One Bed
- Sports Romance
- He Falls First



I absolutely loved this book. It was sweet, it was fun and the chemistry between the main characters was perfect. I love a good sports romance but I have never read one about tennis and let me tell you,tennis romance is going to be my new favourite thing to read. When you pick this book up you will not want to put it down. This is a great read for people who want a feel good summer romance.


Thank you NetGalley and Aria & Aries for providing me this Arc in return for an honest review

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I haven't read a Tennis sports romance before and Match Point was my first and I am so glad that it was.
I really enjoyed this book, the slow burn and flirty banter was great and even had me giggling at some points.
Keiron is the perfect grumpy, protective love interest and Flora's humour had me hooked.

I will definitely be reading more from this author

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🌟🌟🌟🌟 - 4 stars.
Having recently watched Challengers I was excited to read a tennis rom-com, and this certainly delivered! This cheesy, cute and fast paced rom-com had me hooked from the beginning and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Both Flora and Kieran were excellently written characters and their development throughout the book was very cute. It didn’t take me long to read due to the short chapters and fast plot. The tennis scenes were very well-written and I adored the sunshine x grumpy and one-bed trope (although I wouldn’t say they were enemies to begin with per se…). It’s not quite 5 stars for me (but not far off), although Flora was a great character she did annoy me slightly and to make things even better a duel POV would’ve been great as I would have loved to read Kieran’s story too!
Overall, loved it - very on theme as summer is finally on the way!The perfect holiday read! Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Adored this. SO MUCH.
It's very refreshing to finally read a sports romance that isn't corny or typically all cutesy.
I felt like this book was relatable in the way it was written, the dialog was great and how the fmc spoke is how i imagine the voice in my head would be written.

Huge thumbs up to Katherine Reilly! Also it's so great to read a sports romance that isn't hockey (lol) Tennis was super fun to learn about and a great sport in general.
Am very excited to get this on the shelves in the shop when released.
4.75 stars from me!

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Overall thoughts:
4.5⭐️
2.5 🌶️
386 (kindle edition) 📖
Release Date - 5th July 2024

‘He called me Flossie. I liked it.’
‘He’s going to kiss me. I want him to kiss me. Please kiss me.’

Tropes: Grief, Sports Romance, He Falls First, Nickname, Grumpy/ Sunshine, Forced Proximity, One Bed, Protective MMC.

It’s all going wrong for aspiring artist Flora Hendrix, that is until the quick tempered pro tennis player Kieran O’Sullivan takes up residence in her little one bed flat. With meddling ex’s & the relentless paparazzi can they make it to the final?..

I had sooo much fun reading this book! I love a good sports romance, especially tennis! 🎾
This book was well written with great characters & amazing banter. It had me laughing throughout! It’s a classic style feel good romance & it’s very cute.

I also loved that the tennis was heavily focused on & integral to the plot, it really got me hyped & invested. The author really captured the atmosphere of Wimbledon, it was great.

Really the only thing I’d wish there was more of is spice! This book is an open door romance but really doesn’t get into it too much.

Thank you to Katherine Reilly & NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I wanted to get more into sport romances and it didn’t disappoint. However, I wouldn’t call it enemies to lovers but more dislike to lovers. We have force proximity and spice! I

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Recommended for people who enjoyed Icebreaker, (me!) I couldn’t wait to read this. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite in the same league, but I still really enjoyed it, I loved the way the forced proximity trope was used here. Sometimes it’s unrealistic but in this case it worked. Great banter and spice. A quick, enjoyable read that has me craving strawberries and cream! Thanks Netgalley and the publisher.

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I think a lot of people will like this better than me. I love tennis but I don't like the way the sport was captured.

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The story follows Flora Hendrix and Kieran O'Sullivan. Flora rents out her flat in Wimbledon as she is wanting a fresh start after losing her job and going through a breakup with her ex. She plans to go away but this falls through so has to stay in her flat with her tenant.....Kieran O'Sullivan. Kieran is the bad boy of tennis. He is wanting to win the grand slam at Wimbledon.
If you love a sports romance and forced proximity, this is for you!
The story itself was a light read of a summer romance and really easy to follow even if you aren't a tennis fan! Flora is a little annoying at first but it does get better as the relationship develops between her and Kieran.
I liked that it covers Kierans own personal battles which I can imagine most athletes go through.
It also covers a few topics such as death of a family member, alcohol abuse etc so please be aware of this!
At some points, I couldn't put the book down! This is a great summer read!


Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. Views are my own.

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Match Point is a very light-hearted romance for fans of contemporary sports rom coms. It is exactly what you expect from this sort of book. Grumpy boy meets recently dumped down on her luck quirky girl, immediately annoy each other (the lightest of 'enemies' to lovers, a slight dislike), but then forced proximity leads to sparks. Sprinkle in a few smutty scenes and there you have it.

I am a huge tennis fan so I think the setting helped me enjoy it more than I usually would. Whilst this sort of book is not necessarily for me, and my love of tennis didn't manage to override that, I know it has its audience. If you enjoy an adult sports romance, if quirky girl meets misunderstood boy is your thing, this ticks all the boxes. It is cute, funny and satisfying, an easy read.

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Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Match Point' by Katherine Reilly.

This is SO SLUSHY and I'm here for it. It is being dubbed as an enemies to lovers but honestly, it is more of a mild dislike to lovers. Following tennis, family, friendship and love, this book basically reads like a slushy tennis themed Hallmark movie and sometimes that's exactly what you need on a warm sunny day.
I loved the writing style so much, it was bubbly and fun and made me get immersed to the extreme. Fabulous.

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Tropes:
Sports romance
GrumpyXSunshine
Forced proximity
One bed

I adored this book. I’ve never really been in to tennis or Wimbledon as a whole but I may have to watch it now.
The characters were so relatable with their struggles through life and love.
Good amount of spice in this story and the banter between the MMC and FMC had me laughing hard at times. Other times got me feeling sad and I could feel the heartache the characters were feeling.
Great book overall and can’t wait to have a physical copy

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I LOVED THIS BOOK
FROM THE FIRST PAGS TO THE LAST, I DEVOUR AND ENJOY IT WAYYYYYYY TOO MUCH
A ND THE GOOD THING ABOUT IT?
ZENDAYA’S CHALLENGERS IS COMING OUT AND THIS CUTE TENNIS ROMANCE IS ALL I NEED RIGHT NOW
I FEEL THE BOOK TOTTALY FEEL IT WITH MY WHILE HEART
ITS SO PERFECT

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ARC REVIEW ✨

Match Point - Katherine Reilly
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎾Wimbledon 🎾Pro tennis X Artist
🎾Forced proximity 🎾One bed 🎾Enemies to lovers

Firstly a big thank you to @netgalley & @itskatherinereilly for the ARC 🫶🏻 I absolutely loved this! I'm a London girl myself so really appreciated the setting & British slang 🤭 I absolutely loved Flora as our FMC, after all the heartbreak & trauma she's endured she's so strong & determined. She's got such a cutesy personality I can really relate to her! Also love her relationship with her bestie Iris - what a babe!! Kieran - oh my! Looks like a CK model & he's an Irish pro tennis player 🥵I loved the forced proximity aspect and their banter! Kieran has his fair share of trauma baggage but I loved how they both came to lean on each other, overcoming their own hurdles - bringing out the best of each other. Their chemistry & the spice 🥵🔥EVERYTHING!! Loved the tennis player trope & Wimbledon setting, really enjoyed the tennis side of things & the strawbs and cream 🤌🏻loved it! I want to go! The ending was straight outta a romcom! I was OBSESSED!! The bubbles 🥹 utter perfection & that epilogue everything! Would love to read Iris' story next 👀🤞🏻 would highly recommend this beaut story, I couldn't put it down! Currently in my tennis era!!😍🎾

Releases - June 20th 🫶🏻🎾

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