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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Avon Books for the Arc 💕
If I had a nickel for everytime I received an arc of a sequel to a sports romance series this year that ended up becoming a new favorite series I'd have two nickels.
But seriously almost everything about this book was perfect to me.
After the five star that was Clean Point my expectations for this sequel skyrocketed.
and romantically this book hit those expectations out of the park. I am obsessed with Oliver and Dylan's relationship it felt raw, real, and comfortable. In an age where enemies to lovers reign supreme and people act as though the only way to have banter and good chemistry is through misdirected hatred, Oliver and Dylan showed EXACTLY why friends to lovers is still in the competition.
Usually when I follow a MMC who is a recent divorcee we witness a lot of anger, hatred and hurt, but following one just filled with regret and genuine raw pain I found myself not just sympathetic to Oliver has an individual but I wasn't even slightly annoyed by his refusal to confess to Dylan even before the coaching aspect became relevant.
When he mentioned how terrifying it was to open his barely healed heart to another prospect of love it made me understand EXACTLY why he wasn't going to dive right in.
Same with Dylan, Meg Jones does such a good job highlighting the double standards of women's sports but she is equally as phenomenal as highlighting the beauty of being in love with someone whose first love is a career and not a person. Dylan not wanting to have a relationship when her career was at such a crossroads and having her not just perfectly communicate why but also having Oliver relay the same thoughts just as perfectly was beautiful to read.
Love isn't everything and being able to see through these two characters exactly how beautiful love can blossom in an environment where it ISN'T everything was so refreshing.
These characters felt like seasoned adults who have experienced multiple forms of heartbreak and are more equipped to handle the inclusion of romance in their life which is so rare to read of these days.
my issues, and the reason this isn't a five star is the pacing. For a story that does make it such a point that Dylan's career was such a priority to BOTH leads and with a specific dedication to experiencing Dylan's burnout in the beginning it felt as though we didn't get to experience her growth with that same amount of focus.
Dylan as we were introduced to her was already growing emotionally and evolving just purely on the events of the first book, we took so much time reflecting and experiencing her pain along with her. I wish we could have seen more of the process of getting her from a place where the court was nothing but a massive panic trigger to a place where she can accept defeat as just defeat felt like a massive jump when compared to the rest of the journey.
If I had a nickel for everytime I received an arc of a sequel to a sports romance series this year that ended up becoming a new favorite series I'd have two nickels.
But seriously almost everything about this book was perfect to me.
After the five star that was Clean Point my expectations for this sequel skyrocketed.
and romantically this book hit those expectations out of the park. I am obsessed with Oliver and Dylan's relationship it felt raw, real, and comfortable. In an age where enemies to lovers reign supreme and people act as though the only way to have banter and good chemistry is through misdirected hatred, Oliver and Dylan showed EXACTLY why friends to lovers is still in the competition.
Usually when I follow a MMC who is a recent divorcee we witness a lot of anger, hatred and hurt, but following one just filled with regret and genuine raw pain I found myself not just sympathetic to Oliver has an individual but I wasn't even slightly annoyed by his refusal to confess to Dylan even before the coaching aspect became relevant.
When he mentioned how terrifying it was to open his barely healed heart to another prospect of love it made me understand EXACTLY why he wasn't going to dive right in.
Same with Dylan, Meg Jones does such a good job highlighting the double standards of women's sports but she is equally as phenomenal as highlighting the beauty of being in love with someone whose first love is a career and not a person. Dylan not wanting to have a relationship when her career was at such a crossroads and having her not just perfectly communicate why but also having Oliver relay the same thoughts just as perfectly was beautiful to read.
Love isn't everything and being able to see through these two characters exactly how beautiful love can blossom in an environment where it ISN'T everything was so refreshing.
These characters felt like seasoned adults who have experienced multiple forms of heartbreak and are more equipped to handle the inclusion of romance in their life which is so rare to read of these days.
my issues, and the reason this isn't a five star is the pacing. For a story that does make it such a point that Dylan's career was such a priority to BOTH leads and with a specific dedication to experiencing Dylan's burnout in the beginning it felt as though we didn't get to experience her growth with that same amount of focus.
Dylan as we were introduced to her was already growing emotionally and evolving just purely on the events of the first book, we took so much time reflecting and experiencing her pain along with her. I wish we could have seen more of the process of getting her from a place where the court was nothing but a massive panic trigger to a place where she can accept defeat as just defeat felt like a massive jump when compared to the rest of the journey.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the second book in Meg Jones’s Game, Set, Match series, and after reading the first book, Clean Point, I couldn’t wait to read this one. And oh, did it deliver!
I do love a well-written, friends-to-lovers slow burn. This one is a sweet take on the trope—heavy on pining but light on angst, focusing instead on the tentative, blossoming connection between the main characters, Dylan and Oliver.
I knew coming into this book that I would fall in love with Dylan. What can I say—I’m a sucker for a good redemption arc. All the more if that arc involves a prickly, misunderstood woman hiding big feelings behind a hard exterior. In some ways, Dylan remains every bit as stubborn as she starts out, but with guidance, that energy turns into a good thing.
And Oliver! This man is a green-flag personified—neither affected by toxic masculinity nor holding himself to unrealistic standards, despite being an athlete at the top of his field. He knows and accepts his limitations and has learned to prioritize his personal well-being. In this way, he’s so good for Dylan—not just as a romantic partner, but as a friend and coach.
While Clean Point had higher stakes and more on-page drama, I really enjoyed this more subtle take on the mental strain of competing as an elite athlete. Seeing the contrast between how Dylan and Oliver handled that stress, and watching Dylan learn a healthier approach, was rewarding as a reader.
Again, this is the second book in the series. While it isn’t strictly necessary to read the first book, many of the characters—including Dylan and Oliver—are introduced there. To truly appreciate Dylan’s journey, it’s best to read Clean Point first.
I really hope that Meg Jones continues this series. I may not care much about tennis in real life, but I care deeply about these characters and the world she has built.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for providing this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
lighthearted
reflective
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
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is not your usual boy-meets-girl love story. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this was more a story of self-love than anything else. None of the overdone break-up type tropes are present in the story, and the MMC is a Twilight fan. Soooo this was a winning book.
I loved how the character development was subtle. You wouldn't really notice it until the end when everything comes full circle; this is such a realistic thing to happen. We consciously change ourselves, our relationships change us, and our experiences change us. It doesn't happen overnight.
It helps to have a general understanding of how the scoring of tennis works, but it is not necessary to follow the story.
I found this read to be fast-paced and fun. There's not much downtime in the story, and we also get a glimpse of how the characters from the first book are doing.
I did read these books out of order, but I can't wait to go back and read Scottie and Nico's story!
Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley, for the ARC opportunity. This honest review has been left voluntarily.
I loved how the character development was subtle. You wouldn't really notice it until the end when everything comes full circle; this is such a realistic thing to happen. We consciously change ourselves, our relationships change us, and our experiences change us. It doesn't happen overnight.
It helps to have a general understanding of how the scoring of tennis works, but it is not necessary to follow the story.
I found this read to be fast-paced and fun. There's not much downtime in the story, and we also get a glimpse of how the characters from the first book are doing.
I did read these books out of order, but I can't wait to go back and read Scottie and Nico's story!
Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley, for the ARC opportunity. This honest review has been left voluntarily.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
── 2 stars ོ ꒰ mini review ⊹₊ ⋆
To be honest I just didn’t really care for this book all that much. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters; and I also couldn’t quite place what exactly it was but to me it just felt like something was missing from this story. It just felt flat. Throughout reading this book I felt like the writing just made this book drag. I also had a very hard time believing the chemistry that these characters had. I don’t know, this just felt kinda boring to me sadly. I don’t hate it but I didn’t really enjoy it either. However, I did like how at the beginning of each chapter there was a song to go along with it. But unfortunately not much really kept me captivated while reading this book.
~
ahh i got the arc for this one !! if i end up liking it i’ll probably go back and read the first one in this series 🎀
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
‘Game Point’ by Meg Jones is the second book in the author’s series of interconnected spicy romance stories that prove love doesn’t actually mean nothing in tennis! This novel focuses on Aussie WTA pro Dylan Bailey, a serial slam finalist who is set to retire without a grand slam victory after a sequence of unfortunate losses and a dramatic on-court collapse, until British player Oliver Anderson persuades her to return to competition - with him as her coach. As sexual tension grows between them off-court, can she focus on achieving her goals, or will media attention and deep feelings prove to be too much of a distraction?
As a huge tennis fan, I’m always a bit wary to see what writers will do with my favourite sport, but I must say that I really love this series! It captures so well the pressures of life on tour, the blurred lines between friends, colleagues and competitors, and the scrutiny that comes with being a female athlete. The descriptions of matches are done well and the key events of the tennis calendar shape the tale.
I adored Dylan and Oliver as a couple and really appreciated how the novel built up their friendship and Dylan’s independent character before ratcheting up the chemistry. The moving boxes scene was hilarious, and the dual POV style meant that the steamy scenes were varied and fun to read. I was cheering for their partnership to achieve professional AND personal success.
Overall, this gets 4.5 stars from me, and joins Lauren Weisberger’s ‘The Singles Game’ and TJR’s ‘Carrie Soto Is Back’ on my list of ACE tennis fiction faves!
I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
As a huge tennis fan, I’m always a bit wary to see what writers will do with my favourite sport, but I must say that I really love this series! It captures so well the pressures of life on tour, the blurred lines between friends, colleagues and competitors, and the scrutiny that comes with being a female athlete. The descriptions of matches are done well and the key events of the tennis calendar shape the tale.
I adored Dylan and Oliver as a couple and really appreciated how the novel built up their friendship and Dylan’s independent character before ratcheting up the chemistry. The moving boxes scene was hilarious, and the dual POV style meant that the steamy scenes were varied and fun to read. I was cheering for their partnership to achieve professional AND personal success.
Overall, this gets 4.5 stars from me, and joins Lauren Weisberger’s ‘The Singles Game’ and TJR’s ‘Carrie Soto Is Back’ on my list of ACE tennis fiction faves!
I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I sooooo wanted to love this novel, the first 40-50% of this book is a delicious, slow burn friends-to-lovers romance with a perfect balance of tennis and romance/relationship content... unfortunately, it took a sharp turn for me personally :(((( I am a HATER of the trope where two people who obviously have feelings for each other decide to have sex "just once" and "get it out of their systems" . In my opinion, it really shattered the beautiful relationship Jones had been building between Oliver and Dylan, specifically since both of them IMMEDIATELY backpedal and realize how strong their feelings are for each other, only to then refuse to really bring it up or do much about it for another 50 or so pages . I feel like we could have skipped the dumb "let's get it out of our systems" plot point and instead have their chemistry build until they shared a bed, and by then they've both grown enough that having their attraction overcome them is a bit steamier and (at least, to me) more romantic as well . Unfortunately, this affected my whole experience with this novel, and brought it down from an easy 4 star to a 2-3 star.
There are a couple of other points that led to my final rating of 2.5: firstly, I think this novel suffers a bit from having too many side characters. I understand that this is the second in a series of standalone/same-universe books about different pairings, but to me there's a bit of catch-up to play if you (like me) haven't read the first book. Secondly, I feel that we didn't need the subplot of Dylan's "friend" Avery, since Dylan already has other antagonists in her life. It was a distraction, and Avery wasn't really involved in Dylan's life outside of being this minor plot device.
Ultimately, this book has a stunning beginning and a cute ending, but the middle content just wasn't for me. I appreciate getting to read this as an ARC, but I'm not sure if I'll be reading any of the other books in this series.
Major thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of Game Point>!
There are a couple of other points that led to my final rating of 2.5: firstly, I think this novel suffers a bit from having too many side characters. I understand that this is the second in a series of standalone/same-universe books about different pairings, but to me there's a bit of catch-up to play if you (like me) haven't read the first book. Secondly, I feel that we didn't need the subplot of Dylan's "friend" Avery, since Dylan already has other antagonists in her life. It was a distraction, and Avery wasn't really involved in Dylan's life outside of being this minor plot device.
Ultimately, this book has a stunning beginning and a cute ending, but the middle content just wasn't for me. I appreciate getting to read this as an ARC, but I'm not sure if I'll be reading any of the other books in this series.
Major thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of Game Point>!