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kntaylor1216's review against another edition
1.0
I DNF-ed at 63%.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read this as an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
I didn’t finish this book because it is one of the most immature books I’ve ever read. It was far too long for a sports romance, and the characters are supposed to be college age but act like they’re in their 20s/30’s. It’s insane.
Show me a 19 year old who calls their boyfriend honey. Be so for real.
The author referred to “old fashioned DVD’s”. Girly pop, DVD’s are not old fashioned I want to just jump off the roof reading that.
The author writes a scene where the FMC comes from crawling to the MMC. First of all, again, these are 19 and 20 year old kids. I don’t think either of them are well versed enough to know themselves well enough to know what does or doesn’t work for them in a D/s relationship, even if it’s only sexual in nature. And no one orgasms from just crawling.
I had to stop reading to just be able to stop rolling my eyes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read this as an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
I didn’t finish this book because it is one of the most immature books I’ve ever read. It was far too long for a sports romance, and the characters are supposed to be college age but act like they’re in their 20s/30’s. It’s insane.
Show me a 19 year old who calls their boyfriend honey. Be so for real.
The author referred to “old fashioned DVD’s”. Girly pop, DVD’s are not old fashioned I want to just jump off the roof reading that.
The author writes a scene where the FMC comes from crawling to the MMC. First of all, again, these are 19 and 20 year old kids. I don’t think either of them are well versed enough to know themselves well enough to know what does or doesn’t work for them in a D/s relationship, even if it’s only sexual in nature. And no one orgasms from just crawling.
I had to stop reading to just be able to stop rolling my eyes.
rhack05's review
3.0
This book was a fun read and definitely spicy. I enjoyed the romance between the two MC's and their support for one another. I did like that both MC's were into different sports as I think this made them care for another all the more because they could relate to one another on that level. Nik's dad is a POS and he deserved so much better from him. This book did seem to drag a bit for me which is the reason for 3 stars instead of 4 but overall I enjoyed the read.
itslikeareward218's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
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 exictement 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!
kaceydaniels's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Review to come but this was definitely the best in the series by far!
Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher, and Grace Reilly for the ARC copy!
Review to come but this was definitely the best in the series by far!
Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher, and Grace Reilly for the ARC copy!
fayettejill's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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!
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!
profpetitfours's review against another edition
4.0
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,
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! *
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,
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! *
karaannerod's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley & Avon publishing for the ARC!
Grace has such an interesting way of pacing a romance story compared to other authors. Iv noticed it with a few of her books. This couple has a pre-page fling, so the trope aside from brothers enemy is hard to nail down. It’s almost as if instead of the typical pace of chase/banter, getting together, 3rd act break up then HEA, she does the getting together very early and then the couples go through some sort of issue or tragedy together to test their relationship. It’s interesting and I really enjoy it. You get to see the couple handle life together for a large part of the book instead of the book just being about them getting together. It’s almost like an extended prologue the second half of the book.
Really no negatives here!! I loved Izzy & her being the youngest child of successful brothers was written extremely well.
Nik was amazing. I wish he could have been a bit more selfish in taking what he needed from the relationship, but he just cared too much to do that. I’m glad he got around to it somewhat.
The relationship with his father could have been touched on more, outside of what was in the past. I loved the ending with his mom.
All in all a great way to wrap up (I’m assuming) the series!
Grace has such an interesting way of pacing a romance story compared to other authors. Iv noticed it with a few of her books. This couple has a pre-page fling, so the trope aside from brothers enemy is hard to nail down. It’s almost as if instead of the typical pace of chase/banter, getting together, 3rd act break up then HEA, she does the getting together very early and then the couples go through some sort of issue or tragedy together to test their relationship. It’s interesting and I really enjoy it. You get to see the couple handle life together for a large part of the book instead of the book just being about them getting together. It’s almost like an extended prologue the second half of the book.
Really no negatives here!! I loved Izzy & her being the youngest child of successful brothers was written extremely well.
Nik was amazing. I wish he could have been a bit more selfish in taking what he needed from the relationship, but he just cared too much to do that. I’m glad he got around to it somewhat.
The relationship with his father could have been touched on more, outside of what was in the past. I loved the ending with his mom.
All in all a great way to wrap up (I’m assuming) the series!
steen19's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
anovelglimpse's review
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
It's finally the sister's time to shine! I loved Izzy and Nik. Their romance was adorable, and I loved how they worked through their own issues together. There were a lot of emotions throughout this book. I only have one complaint. I enjoy Grace Reilly's writing, but I do wish that she would edit down her books by 50-100 pages. When I got to around 50% in this book, there was a conflict that felt like it could have ended after the resolution, but the book went on again building to another conflict before resolving and ending. Both situations were good and made the book great, but maybe something in between could have been cut a bit. That's my only criticism. Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the series and a great way to end it.
It's finally the sister's time to shine! I loved Izzy and Nik. Their romance was adorable, and I loved how they worked through their own issues together. There were a lot of emotions throughout this book. I only have one complaint. I enjoy Grace Reilly's writing, but I do wish that she would edit down her books by 50-100 pages. When I got to around 50% in this book, there was a conflict that felt like it could have ended after the resolution, but the book went on again building to another conflict before resolving and ending. Both situations were good and made the book great, but maybe something in between could have been cut a bit. That's my only criticism. Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the series and a great way to end it.
beththrolson's review against another edition
5.0
This book served! I adore Izzy and Nik! The plot was great and the spice was steamy! This is a great sports romance. I laughed, giggled and kicked my feet, and might have shed a tear or two. Beyond the play is a great series, but Wicked Serve may be my favorite.
Thank you to Netgally for providing this ARC.
Thank you to Netgally for providing this ARC.