Love Match

by Ali Vali

Parker “Kong” King is the number one tennis player in the world with a real talent for getting women in her bed. To prepare herself for the one title she’s never won—and avoid the press and her ex—she retreats to a secluded home in Press Cove, Alabama. There she’ll also be safe from the Soldiers of God who’ve threatened to kill her for what they see as her depraved lifestyle.

Commercial pilot Caption Sydney Parish loves the order that comes from a well-constructed plan for everything, her only failure being her personal life. She hopes a vacation will help heal her bruised heart, but soon finds that might not be possible when she discovers she’s one house over from Parker King.

When Parker and Sydney meet, sparks fly, but not from attraction. They have the summer to see if they have a love match, or will the Soldiers of God kill their chance for a relationship?

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, Sports, Lesbian Romance, LGBT, Lesbian Fiction, Fiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Ali Vali is the author of the long-running Cain Casey "Devil" series and the Genesis Clan "Forces" series, as well as numerous standalone romances including two Lambda Literary Award finalists, Calling the Dead and Love Match, and her 2017 release, Beauty and the Boss. Ali also has a novella in the collection Girls with Guns.
Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing was super confusing. What a jumbled mess.

[Corporate Slave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I loved this one :) such a happy and entertaining book that will put you in a good mood :)

Couldn’t get myself to give it a 5 just because of editing reasons and got confused a bit on who was saying what in the dialogue between the MCs.

[Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for a re-read this time an Audiobook

Yeah, it probably doesn't deserve 5 stars. But it is one of those books that I love in spite it's problems. I first read it a number of times when it was online, then the published version and now the audiobook. It is narrated by AJ Ferraro who does a good job. She gives tennis pro Parker King a very distinctive voice. It can be grating, but I got used to it. I appreciated that it was easy to tell Parker and Airline Captain Sydney Parish apart.

So what do I like - I like the MCs. Parker "Kong" King is young (early 20s?), a playgirl, athlete, who loves collecting and reading old, antique books. Syd is also top of her game so to speak, as an airline Captain with a major airlines. She recently broke up with her longtime girlfriend who turned out to be a serial cheater. So they meet not in the best of circumstances when Parker mistakes the Captain as a airline attendant. They eventually become friends then lovers as Parker attempts to win the Grand Slam by winning the US Open, the only major she hasn't won. However, someone has been sending Parker threatening letters that become more than threats.

Another reason I love this book, is that I love tennis. I always wished I could play better, but there is a small problem is that I am slooow footed. So I watch women's tennis.

Yes, there are problems in this book. You have to go with the flow that Parker has amazing healing skills and the stalker plot line is uncomfortable (best way I can describe it). But I like the MCs and tennis that it trumps the problems. I guess this is my guilty pleasure.

[Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously, I couldn’t put this down! I have to disclose I play tennis and follow the pro circuit, so this story targets to my less-than-objective sweet spot. This one is a bit of departure from Ms. Vali’s usual storyline. The novel is about a pro tennis player, Parker "Kong" King, who defined 'charismatic', [as does the lead protagonist in all of Ali Vali’s novels, e.g.The Devil series (all), Carly's Sound] who crossed paths with Sydney, a commercial airline pilot, who had just disposed of her philandering loser girlfriend of two years. Circumstances conspire to place them together on the same Alabama island, and sparks eventually fly.

A couple of teeny tiny things did strike me as odd. Parker was described as a true romantic-- painfully courteous, chivalrous and thoughtful. She was a natural at courtship and longing for commitment. Yet she was also described as a womanizer. Well, she really can't be both things and would not have been satisfied (as described) with a string of casual relationships prior to Sydney. Here’s the rub, Ms. Vali is so strong in describing compelling lead characters and a bit lacking when it comes to their love interests. There was a real opportunity here with Sydney who was bound to have a great back story. For instance, Sydney was a commercial pilot ("Captain") at a major airline at a young age without military training -how did that happen? Also her family was well described, but Sydney was not.

Nonetheless, I liked this book. Might have to suspend disbelief a bit (the sicko religious family angle), but I was willing to do so! The buildup between the characters drove me crazy...in a good way. Loved the tennis and Alabama coast setting. I was sorry to finish this one and wish I could read again for the first time.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age-gap romance. Pro-tennis star Parker King, popular off court for her penchant for women, who also loved to read and collect antique books (which not many knew this side of her), met Sydney Parish, a pilot whom she mistook as a flight attendant in one of her travels, who just ended a long-term relationship with a philandering girlfriend (2 years is not long if you ask me though). A little bit of angst and a stalker or two who just want Parker dead or hurt. Some aspects of the book seems a little far-fetched… like really? Can you heal that fast? Not once but twice?

Overall, it’s a pleasant read…. 3.5 ⭐️

[Lex Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2 Stars. First I want to say I love Ali Vali. I love the way she writes, her stories and her characters. But for whatever reason this book just did not resonate for me. I found it hard to follow almost like the story was jumbled a bit. I had trouble at times telling which of the main characters were speaking, plus there seemed to be little jumps in the story. I also had trouble with "the bad guys". When you are in their POV it was so hard to tell who was who and heck I had trouble realizing how many there even was. Love Match just does not feel like a Vali book, it does not have her fantastic flavor and flow.
While I'm not a big fan of tennis I seem to really enjoy f/f tennis romances, I've read quite a few. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough tennis to save the rest of this book for me.
If this is the first Ali Vali book you have read, don't give up, check out her Devil series or Calling the Dead or the Romance Vote or Blue Skies... They are all really enjoyable and you won't be disappointed!

Edit- I just realized Ali wrote this book back in 2002 and called it Game, Set and Match. I guess she re-released it with BSB in 2012. It makes much more sense that this is one of her earliest works before she really honed her craft and found her amazing unique voice. When I read it I kept thinking this sounds like a new novelist not the seasoned Vali. I don't mean to take a dig as I truly love her works, I just get now why I didn't enjoy this as much.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm actually giving this a 4.5 star rating. I love the story, but it needed a bit more editing to get to 5 stars.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, larger part love story, part thriller - with a good selection of back characters. Best not look too hard back on the story - a little WTF - just live the moment.... recommended.

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

Strong MCs that are healing. They have brilliant chemistry. Had a good twist. I really enjoy the books by Ali Vali and can't wait for more.

[Bib · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love Ali Vali's works. This is fun and satisfying read.

[Mekeia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this at all. The writing was... confused... and... I don't know, it was... I wasn't able to get to even the halfway mark. And that's considering I love sports romances.

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy any part of the book, which is sad because I thought I'd like it. I figured out who the bad guy was pretty quickly although not all of the nuances of the situation - most but not all. I felt that the romance wasn't strong enough to overcome my frustration with the way the stalker/religious fanatic story arc was handled. Just not a good experience for me.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Ali Vali story. I love the connection she builds between the two MCs. The love between Parker and Sydney is palpable. I also love the relationships Ali builds with the families and loved ones of the MCs. Ali also knows how to write one hell of a crazy stalker/murderer. I wasn’t expecting the twist of who Abel was at the end.

[Female Person · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok but I preferred the fanfiction.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting main characters from totally different worlds but wildly successful in their chosen professions. Parker, the phenomenon tennis player and Sydney, the older, but still young in her job as airline Captain meet in inauspicious ways that sets off a summer time romance. Play girl meets wounded woman and attraction follows. I liked this book for its content but the editing leaves much to be desired. I was never sure who was talking as the dialogue was jumbled, repeatedly. It was often jarring. Liked the tennis segments, did not love the Child of God sub plot. Enjoy the author and will certainly read more.

[Odd Bin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the characters well enough but the writing and the story pissed me off. Things like "judge" instead of "umpire" and referring to the third set as the third match irritated the hell out of me. And how the hell am I supposed to believe that the world number 1 seed would not have body guards after she was actually stabbed??? If not for herself then at least for the person she ostensibly loves more than life itself! As for the final match, I can't even because just no.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just love this author. Every story grabs a hold of you and keeps your interest to the last word. H

[Starsandsun18 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Carrie Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Ali Vali doesn't disappoint. Another great read from a brilliant writer.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a super fun distraction. The ending was waaaaaaaaaaay too sappy. At some point the author just decided "welp better just bring on the romance since that is what this is" but I pretty much liked EVERYTHING except the sappified ending. The best parts of the book are with Sid is giving Parker shit and being a super b, in my opinion. And there's a lot of that so don't let that sappy ending dissuade you from reading. The book starts rough. You instantly DO NOT like Parker and that was the intention by the author but it doesn't mesh well with the later Parker you come to know and love so just read a few pages more than you think you would like. Everything to do with the miss-communications was great. I loved the near misses of them and the coincidences. Not a huge fan of the horribly cliche religious wackos side-plot. Yes, there are religious wackos, but that whole side plot took away from what was great about the story, it wasn't something in there that kept me interested in reading (the notes were mysterious and ominous and those i did like but the actual POV's of those wackos was not something I needed/wanted at all and i do think the book would've been better without the wackos povs). The family mess could've easily been a more established sideplot without it going to the intense extreme. And if she wanted more drama the author could've easily just invented some more exes for Parker since Sid was prone to jealousy and self doubt anyway. All that being said, I definitely had fun listening to this book! The characters were cute when they had banter and Parker became this sort of ideal in Sid's jaded and cynical eye. I really did enjoy the huge bulk of this book that was just about these two building a rapport and trying to open up with each other. I also really liked how long it took them to have sex. I don't think I was actually aware of how long it was taking until I realized, Oh yeah, they haven't really gone there yet, and that was super refreshing for this drama. It wasn't about her being virginal or anything like that so that was really really nice. VERY MUCH ENJOYED! I will definitely read something else by this author for sure. When details were involved they were really effective in building a scene. As far as the lesbian romance genre goes this author writers a lot better than some and I'll be into reading more.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok. It's one of Vali's really early attempts and the first incarnation was available online as an original/uber fiction on a variety of sites like the Athenaeum and xenafiction (my old stomping ground!). You can certainly tell the difference between this and her later works where she's grown as a writer and honed her wordsmithing skills. Love match is a little disjointed and I got tangled a few times with dialogue and POV changes. It also seems to just move between events rather than delve into the atmosphere/setting and character development Vali's later works do so well. Some things seem to be skimmed over rather than using them to their full potential to make us either feel for the characters or feel what the characters are feeling. All up, it was an all right read, but it would be interesting if Vali took the characters and the story line and rewrote it. Although having said that, every writer has to start somewhere and this is a bit of history, allowing us to see how far Vali has come as a writer.

[Diana Nolen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one from Ali Vali! I’m always up for a book with a good female sports story and this one didn’t disappoint. If you like ladies tennis, two strong female leads (one is a top tennis pro, the other a highly respected pilot), intrigue with more than a few twists throughout with a nicely done love story then this will be a good story for you. I really enjoyed it, although the “Kong” main character didn’t seem very like able in the beginning she grew on me and I think that was the way it was intended. The blurb above gives you the basics. It’s a really good story that didn’t feel rushed at all, right up to the end. 5/5 for me.

[Kaz Bland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a love story. I like Ali Vali’s writing and this was no exception. Storyline was good and the twist was good too. I enjoyed it.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story.

[Mary Lee Seibert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, but dragged on a bit in some sections. Could be a bit more story line and a bit less emoting.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanta la historia, la pareja que forman ambas me encanta soy muy fan.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kong???? Corny, but okay!

[SUTTON (Kade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook. I liked the story. I didn’t like the narrator’s voice of Parker. Oh well. Sucker for pets and sports.

[Miriam Cortez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by Ali Vali.!! She become one of my most favorite author. I always love how her books end but also the story they tell. Like this one, it was amazingly written and so well told that it was hard not imagine the whole plot. Also its crazy what Sydney and Parker have to go throw to be together in the end. There love overcame the toughest of problems and they survived even death to finally be happy together. But still i cant believe that Parker's father would ever do anything like that just for being who she is, but i guess it happens all the time but still it horrible not to b accepted for who you are. In all the book was amazing made me feel the love that each women had for one another and how after everything they'll spend the rest of their life together. Amazing book!!

[Willow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings with this book. I liked it in the begining. The banter between the 2 characters was nice but since they got together (to soon in my opnion) the book lost its something. It was suddenly all love an flufly stuff. Not credible at all. And then the switch of the focus between the romance and the attempt of murder. I really disliked it. This book is not what a expected. The reviews out there had put expectatives in my head that this book couldn't met.
My exact rating is 2.5 stars.