aftereliza's Reviews (946)

More Than a Best Friend

Emma R. Alban

4.25

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982

Cho Nam-joo

4.0

emotional informative tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The Testaments

Margaret Atwood

4.0

challenging emotional tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

Love Game

Emma Rae

4.5

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

When tennis superstar needs a new chef, Elle puts her name forward for the role. She has to adapt to his tight training schedule for Wimbledon and flighty behaviour, while also fighting her crush on him, as he is taken. Nicky Salco is a typical grumpy superstar, trying to make a comeback so he needs to be on top of his training regime and diet plan. Everything changes when Elle gets invited on tour with him as a live-in chef. They get closer, both fighting their feelings while also trying to keep their partners in mind.

I thought this was a really fun and topical story, as the tennis season is really starting now, with Roland Garros now and Wimbledon coming up soon. I have been loving the tennis romances, with Carrie Soto a couple years ago and more romances coming out this year. Elle and Nicky had really fun banter, some very 🌶️ scenes, and I thought it was really well written, with plenty of twists and turns that I didn't see coming!

Tropes:
🎾 Forced Proximity
🎾 Sports Romance
🎾 Workplace Romance
🎾 Secret Pining
🎾 Cheating