The Wilde Card

rating- 3/5

{thank you to Netgalley, City Owl Press and [a:Ashley R. King|19795783|Ashley R. King|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1575655900p2/19795783.jpg] for providing me an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review}

publishing date- 15th Feb, 2022
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"I can't help your game if i can't get into your head""Oh you're in my head, ma chérie. Believe me."

The book started off incredibly well, with the chemistry between Alex and Simone being off the charts. The first chapter immediately draws you in and you just HAVE to know more, you know? I absolutely love sports romances and tennis being a sport that's not usually written about, definitely made [b:The Wilde Card|57337994|The Wilde Card (Ace of Hearts, #2)|Ashley R. King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1641255830l/57337994.SY75.jpg|89734682] stand out.
The one night stand? the dual pov? the chemistry? a single parent with an adorable 8 year old? a coach-player romance?
I was definitely sold and was pretty sure it was going to make my favourites shelf. Unfortunately, it fell a little short for me due to some parts in the middle.
Here's a few thoughts:

Setbacks-
✶ Simone being Alex's coach and Alex's current game was more than enough reason for them to not act on their feelings and add to built-up tension from the night of the ball. The tension would've been a fun addition to the plot and entertaining to read. I feel like most readers like the build-up to when the characters actually get together, which in this case was non-existent. The protagonists are only confused about being together in a relationship but sleep together whenever they want to anyway.

✶ sleep together, question feelings, do we date? repeat. x 3
yep. that's the plot summed up for you in terms of relationship dynamic. it was a little repetitive and I was expecting it by the third time anyway.

✶ A few dialogues and interactions seemed forced and unnatural.

✶ While this is a slowburn because they don't get together relationship-wise until the very end, all their confessions and sleeping together don't make it feel like one.

Things i really liked-
✶ I LOVED the tennis aspect of it. I knew nothing about the sport and haven't watched any tennis matches as such but the book had me looking up stuff anyway.

✶ I think the author did a great job at the side characters because I really wanted to read the first book, [b:Painting the Lines|49114881|Painting the Lines (Ace of Hearts, #1)|Ashley R. King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1595331144l/49114881.SY75.jpg|74559662] about Amalie and Julian as soon as she mentioned them. I decided not to read it because I was short on time and regretted it the whole time because they're such interesting characters.

✶ The found family dynamic with everybody at the end, was also a great addition and nicely done.

✶ I loved Lula! kids in books make me happy and she was such a sweetheart:)


Overall, while the start had me hooked, the book went significantly downhill for me after that. However, I did like how easy to read and fast paced it was. just because i didn't love it, doesn't mean you won't. you should definitely give [b:The Wilde Card|57337994|The Wilde Card (Ace of Hearts, #2)|Ashley R. King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1641255830l/57337994.SY75.jpg|89734682] a chance:) and add it to your tbrs.