Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

King Series #1

King of Hearts

Rate this book
When a fortuitous encounter reveals that sometimes the most unexpected circumstances can lead to the greatest victories.

Arnabelle Frost lives her life lost in the words of others – editing and perfecting – ready for the next publication deadline. However, her entire world shifts when she is tasked with interviewing the smouldering hot captain of the Hearts football team. Arna must become a super fan – and fast, or risk missing the promotion she has worked so hard to achieve.

While navigating the delicious predicament, Arna discovers this assignment is so much more than she ever could have anticipated, forcing her to question what she truly finds important.



Andrew Gloss is the captain, the leader, the benchmark and with the weight of the team resting solely on his shoulders there is no room for distractions.

But the media – they’re the real opposition. Always lurking, invading his privacy and reminding him exactly why he loathes them. That is, until he meets the formidable journalist assigned to conduct his major interview for the year. On paper, Arna is everything he despises, however, with her refreshing wit and tempting curves, she challenges his defences, forcing him to reconsider his preconceived notions.

But how do you convince the King of Hearts that the chaos and scrutiny are worth it in the game of love?

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2024

51 people are currently reading
336 people want to read

About the author

Vyk Peters

5 books77 followers
Vyk is a lover of cheese, sparkling water and reading - not necessarily in that order.
She loves to laugh, surrounded by good food and great company.
Mostly, she can be found in the thick of the chaos which comes with raising two children, working and trying to survive the wild ride of life. All of which wouldn't be possible without the coffee and cooking of her amazing husband.

The rest of the time she can be found reading, writing or adding to her never-ending 'to be read' list.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
128 (46%)
4 stars
93 (33%)
3 stars
42 (15%)
2 stars
9 (3%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
Profile Image for Dora Koutsoukou .
2,275 reviews724 followers
September 28, 2024
3 🏈📝💘⭐️s

A nice sports romance debut, slightly slow burn, with likeable characters, sharing a wonderful connection.
However, naming your female genitalia is not something that thrills me… 🤷🏻‍♀️
Profile Image for joni ౨ৎ .
450 reviews399 followers
January 12, 2025
3.5 stars // adult, romance, contemporary, sports romance // 🏈

❝𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪’𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪’𝘮 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘪 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 ❞


ᡣ𐭩 •。ꪆৎ ˚⋅

୨⎯ plot ⎯୧

arnabelle frost is a editor at urban pulse, she perfects stories. however, her world is turned upside down when she's assigned to interview the irresistible captain of the hearts football team. andy gloss is captain of the hearts, with the weight of the team on his shoulders. he despises the media due to an incident early in his career that left him unable to trust anyone. he can’t resist her and finds himself wanting to be near her, which causes him to feel wary, sine she works in the media.


ᡣ𐭩 •。ꪆৎ ˚⋅

୨⎯ my review ⎯୧

this book was enjoyable, loved some parts and others were humorous. this was a slow burn, the characters were pretty likeable, and the plot was interesting. the main character’s were attracted to each other right away, but it took some time to actually turn into something. character development was rlly good. this takes place in sydney, australia. loved the taylor refs. airport confession scene!!


ᡣ𐭩 •。ꪆৎ ˚⋅

୨⎯ characters ⎯୧

arna - she was pleasantt and likeable. rlly liked her outgoing personality. she was rlly sweet towards andy and i liked reading about her feelings. the ali hazelwood + ana huang mentions >>

andy - he came off as grumpy and cold at the start, which was fair since he had problems with the press. it was nice reading about an athlete with a supportive family, a contrast to most sports romances. he was obsessed with her and he was sweet towards her.

marlee - her and arna’s friendship was so real and refreshing. they were honest and up front with one another and wanted the best for each other. lucas is weird, and i hope she and arna fix their friendship in the next book

queeny - iconic and rlly funny


ᡣ𐭩 •。ꪆৎ ˚⋅

୨⎯ tropes⎯୧

🏈 sports romance
🩶 boy obsessed
🏈 editor fmc
🩶 dual pov
🏈 opposites attract
🩶 slow burn


Thank you to Vyk Peters and NetGalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.


pre read:
got an ARC, so I need to read thiss
Profile Image for Vyk Peters.
Author 5 books77 followers
September 2, 2024
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my debut novel.

I appreciate every single one of you for your participation in this journey and I hope you love Andy and Arna as much as I do.

xx Vyk
Profile Image for Síle.
664 reviews4 followers
October 31, 2024
Thank you to Vyk Peters and NetGalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book hooked me right from the start with its fun, slow-burn tension. Arna and Andy’s mutual attraction was clear, even if it took a while to fully unfold, which made the build-up that much more satisfying. At first, Andy rubbed me the wrong way (he had his moments!), but it wasn’t long before he grew on me.

Arna’s social awkwardness is relatable and endearing, especially as she navigates her feelings around someone as charming as Andy, who’s clearly smitten by her. Fame, as portrayed in the book, brings its own set of challenges, and I love how Peters doesn't shy away from showing the darker sides of it—adding a layer of depth to Andy’s character.

And let’s just say, Arna calling her lady parts “Barbara”? Iconic. And to be honest with you, I envy her. She had a great time.

The book went from 0 to 100 like REALLY fast (in terms of spice), catching me off guard in the best way possible. It’s honestly kind of hot.

Of course, it all wraps up in a happily-ever-after, but I couldn’t help worrying about Marlee, hoping she’ll be okay after everything.

Now for the side characters:
The friendship between Arna and Marlee was a breath of fresh air; they call each other out constantly, which made them feel so genuine. And Arna’s grandma? Such a queen (I loved her humor too). Arna’s dad, though, has a one-size-fits-all solution for everything: beer.

Now… the BIG elephant in the room: Arna’s roommate. He gave me the creeps every time he appeared.

Now for Andy’s friends; they were mostly arseholes (in my opinion), except for Pup, who quickly became a favorite. His younger brother started off likable but pulled a mad 360, leaving me feeling so mixed.

To the author
Thank you, for creating such an enjoyable and captivating story! I had such a great time getting lost in all of it. The characters felt so real, and the story had just the right balance of humor, tension, and heart. I truly appreciate the thought you put into the relationships and the quirks that made everyone feel so unique.
Profile Image for Annabelle Donnelly.
250 reviews14 followers
October 30, 2024
It is 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and I'm still wearing my PJ. I should have taken a shower by then, but every time I was about to go, I told myself just one more chapter, and then I ended up finishing the book way faster than I initially thought I would. The reason is, I just couldn't wait for the two characters to finally make out. I stopped counting the amount of time I screamed JUST DO IT in my living room, hoping my husband would not think I'm this crazy nut. I also screamed a couple of times it's ASShole not ARSEhole, but it must be an Australian thing. This book was everything. Slow burner, a little bit too slow for my taste because I'm a very impatient and i like my smut. Just the amount of humor that got me giggled like a little girl in high school. I really fell invested in the story. Great description, great character development, it was perfect. A little bit mouthy at times, but quickky forgiven. Even though I knew nothing about Australian football, whatever that is, something that looks like maybe rugby or football or soccer, anyhow, didn't matter. I fell in the story. I love every single moment of it. Highly recommend if you like sports romance. Or slow burner. Or plainly just romance.
Profile Image for Witchetty Sophie.
274 reviews7 followers
October 7, 2024
AFL! Romance! Take my money!

Vyk Peters comes to us with a fun, addictive and page turning debut novel. It certainly is a goal! No score review it was a straight kick through the posts. I adore the way Vyl peters writes and super loved this book!

An accidental interview, a chance meeting. A struggling editor who just wants her chance. A 6 foot something tall AFL player! Like yes yes please. The captain and the known to dislike journalists and their ways. Sign.me.up

Who doesn’t want a hunk of a AFL captain! Like oh my we love AFL men!

I as a hugeeeee AFL fan(go Giants), so I was so excited to have a AFL romance and gosh Vyk Peters debut novel didn’t let me down!

I am so freaking excited for the next book in the series!

I need the next book! Like asap!

Since a goal in AFL is 6 points can I give it 6 starts 🤣🧡

“You’re an enigma to me”

-AFL Romance
-Sports Romance
-Multi POV
Profile Image for Naomi (aplace_inthesun).
1,180 reviews35 followers
February 24, 2025
When aspiring senior editor Arna has to fill in for a colleague at the last minute interviewing Australian Football star (AFL) Andy she doesn’t fit his preconceived notion of a journo. I think at one point she referred to it as ‘a bit of a shit show’. Despite the initial meeting not going well, there is an opportunity for a Re-do 3 months later, and whilst it’s all professional initially the pair find they’re drawn to one another.

This book has some real strengths in terms of Arna and Andy’s connections to their family and friends, an occasional AFL game (not too detailed so for people who like less sport in their sports romance, this should fit), and some off-field drama. It has on-page steamy scenes … including outside (loved it).

Because it’s the first in a series, there’s expected foundation laying for future books. The relationship builds cautiously which the reader learns is consistent with Andy’s distrust due to his previous experience. Andy has the absolute weight of the world on his shoulders and the lightness Arna brings is well depicted. Arna is a fun character (though sometimes a tad juvenile) with zero interest in dating a sport star and her thirsty friend is a real hoot. There’s a storyline involving her that seemed a little underdone but maybe that’s a future book ….[edited to add - it’s Book 2!]

Thanks to Vyk Peters for sending me a copy of the book after we connected via Threads. And I love reading authors notes where they have been encouraged to write due to their love of reading which happened here. Yay for Aussie authors!

Recommended reading x
Profile Image for Kelly.
159 reviews7 followers
November 24, 2025
Vyk Peters' King series focuses around AFL players and their friends. The first book was a great glimpse into not only the aussie sports world, but the journalism world too. Andrew comes across as a bit of a dick at the beginning, so it was nice to see him open up and grow and for Arna to also grow as the book went along. We also get to meet the other characters that will become leads in the other books in the series. I also love an Australian set romance, so to get a whole series is great!
22 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2024
This book is amazing . The main character I found extremely relatable in most of her actions. Due to this I felt like I was reading the story of a good friend. The main male character while infuriating at times is also amazing. I found myself doing a half grimace half smirk a lot almost like in a sitcom like “ well what can you do that’s just him , we love him though” lol . The romance and plot was amazing and the timeline was believable which is a huge plus. On top of everything the author is an amazing person and I can tell she loves what she does . If you are still reading this then stop and download or buy this book like yesterday cause you won’t regret it. You will think about this book for weeks
Profile Image for Gemma.
160 reviews8 followers
September 2, 2024
AFL Romance !!

Wow where do I start!
Can you believe we finally have a AFL sports romance!! I love a great sports romance but have always been disappointed that it’s American “football”.

This book was a slow start for me but it picked up halfway through. I absolutely loved the middle but I felt the end was rushed and Andy needed to beg for forgiveness way more than the rushed ending we were given!

Arna’s boss is a douche canoe from the get go!! I never liked him from the start. But I have to say I nearly peed my pants laughing when Barbra was mentioned, oh boy did I laugh. And I’m want a Nan like Queeny, she is the bees knees.
Profile Image for Ryn Meagher.
472 reviews22 followers
March 20, 2025
Book Review 🤴🏻King of Hearts by Vyk Peters

This book tackled my heart, did a celebratory victory dance, and left me gasping for air. SEND HELP (or don’t, I’m fine drowning in these pages).

First off—ARNABELLE FREAKING FROST. Queen. Icon. Sharp as a tack, thrown into the sweaty, testosterone-filled world of Aussie Rules football, where she’s supposed to interview Mr. Grumpy Captain Extraordinaire, Andy Gloss. And what does this man do? HE LOATHES HER ON SIGHT. I LIVED FOR THE TENSION. The slow burn? Absolutely torturous. The chemistry? SCORCHING. The banter? SHARP ENOUGH TO SLICE MY TBR IN HALF (which, let’s be honest, I need).

Andy? Oh, this broody, broody man. He’s all “I hate the media” but also lowkey obsessed with Arna and has no clue what to do about it. Tragic. Hilarious. Sexy as hell. One minute he’s fuming, the next he’s sneaking glances, and THEN he’s giving us that kind of scene (you know the one—wink wink). And let me tell you, the spice level?? Unexpectedly DELICIOUS. Like a habanero in your hot chocolate. Spicy. Sweet. LETHAL.

Peters’ writing? CHEF’S KISS. The Aussie setting? VIBRANT. The side characters? ICONIC. The romance? A+ SLOW BURN TORTURE.

I laughed. I gasped. I SCREAMED at my booklight at 2AM. If you love broody athletes, sharp heroines, tension so thick you could cut it with a butter knife, and a sports romance that actually feels like watching a high-stakes game while chugging an energy drink, then this book is FOR YOU. Man if I could re read this for the first time again I would!
Profile Image for Zoe.
68 reviews29 followers
April 5, 2025
Oh my freaking god! For a debut novel, I wasn’t expecting the roller coaster of emotions that came with it. This will easily go down as one I wish I could read again for the first time!

Arna and Andy, what a team, well if they can get there that is. This is angsty, little spicy, full of laughs and side characters that make it all the more special. I was laughing one minutes and near bawling the next. I also need to find myself a Queenie! Vyk, you’ve created something special here and I can’t wait to devour the rest of the series!

Andy is the captain of the Sydney Hearts AFL Team and Arnabelle is an Editor for a major publication. Andy hates the media, but can he see past his hate and disgust, to see something beautiful standing in front of him?
Profile Image for Aussie.
1,429 reviews37 followers
December 4, 2024
"To the queens who reign with grace and the kings who stand beside them with strength."

I was hooked from the start as it was very addictive and the slow burn tension ...

Arna and Andy, they have a mutal attraction it was clear and it took some time for things to eventually unfold which made the story so good and addictive!

Arna is social awkward but she navigates her fe3lings around someone just as charming as Andy is.... Andy is fully smitten by her .... I adore how Vyk adds the little darker side which just adds layer to Andy's character

I cracked up laughing at the part where Arna is calling her lady parts " Barbara " .....

I can't wait for book 2 to come out as I love this series .
Profile Image for Roe's Reads & Reviews.
147 reviews41 followers
April 16, 2025
Straight Through the Middle! Goal!!

I truly loved reading a sports romance that was centred around AFL. Understanding the game and concepts of the sport made this book so much more enjoyable!
The witty quips and banter were done so well that I was instantly invested in all the characters! Can't wait to read the next one!
Profile Image for Jessica Fuller.
415 reviews79 followers
March 14, 2025
Vyk is an INCREDIBLE author!!!
Contemporary romance usually isn’t a genre I pick up, but this one was amazing.
The characters are super relatable and funny, the storyline was beautiful and exciting and the writing style is sensational.
I highly recommend checking this one out!!!
Profile Image for Melanie.
193 reviews16 followers
September 6, 2024
A refreshing and fun little romp! The characters were charming, the emotions were high, Barbara was in her element!

Excited to see where this author takes us in her next adventure.
Profile Image for Endjoying .
106 reviews2 followers
November 1, 2024
Thank you to Vyk Peters, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me access to this book.

This book was absolutely amazing. It was a deep slow burns sport book. I relished every moment of it. This book is charming and when you pick it up you do not want to put it down. Also the little touches in the book such as a playlist make it feel well rounded.
The book is about Anrabelle a fiery editor who knows nothing about the AFL.
Forced to interview the hot shot and stone-cold captain of the Hearts. Passion immediately flares between them. Both unknowingly falling deeper and deeper in love.
The absolute love between Arna, Marlee, Queeny and her dad is so beautiful. The friendship with Marlee is so realistic and indicative of a close bond. Also, Queeny is my absolute hero! What a woman. All the side characters in general had a lot of depth and personality.
What I did not quite enjoy was Andy his friendships as much. They were there for him but tended to kick him when he was already down.
I love Andy and Arna their love. It is so sweet and passionate it warms my heart.
Also, the spice between them was incredibly hot and beautifully written.

This book solidifies my believe in true love. 5 stars.

(also just had to buy a signed physical copy cause its just that amazing)
Profile Image for Tristen Willis.
Author 9 books81 followers
January 9, 2025
Man, this was so good. The banter, the Aussie humour, the spice. This was all so, so good.
I did become way too emotionally invested in this story however and I’m still not over it 😂
Profile Image for Book Compulsion.
142 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2025
This was the book that introduced me to Vyk Peters—and what a debut it was! As her first novel, King of Hearts packs a punch and sets the tone for the kind of writer she is: smart, sexy, and emotionally spot-on. It’s also the first AFL romance I’ve ever read, and as a former Melbourne local (go the Blues!), I went in with some assumptions about footy players… but Vyk absolutely shattered them. Her characters are intelligent, loyal, and hot as hell.

Arna and Andy light up the page with their instant chemistry. Andy’s been burned before, and those walls of his are solid, but Arna? She’s sharp, articulate, and not afraid to challenge him—especially with her gloriously extended vocabulary. (Seriously, I was highlighting words like I was back in school, and I loved every second.) The power dynamic is handled with care too—Andy holds Arna’s potential job future in his hands, but he never misuses that. And when they finally do come together? Steamy doesn’t even cover it. Let’s just say I’ll never look at a hot spa the same way again.

Highlights? So many:
• Queenie: the sassy, no-nonsense grandma I wish I had growing up.
• Dickhead Darren: perfectly written villain energy—you’ll love to hate him.
• The weird roommate: he needs therapy, a hug, and maybe a romance of his own.
• Marlee: her pain haunted me, and I had to know more (which made me devour King of Clubs).
• Arna’s vocabulary: This isn’t your average romance. It’s got brains and heat, and I am here for it.

King of Hearts is a fresh, smart take on sports romance, and it’s the kind of story that lingers—equal parts sass, steam, and substance. Vyk Peters had me hooked from page one, and if you haven’t met Arna and Andy yet, you’re seriously missing out.
Profile Image for Sara Ann.
691 reviews
October 23, 2024
While I did not particularly like this book, I do see the potential in it and many aspects other readers may like, which led to my 3 star rating.

In this novel we follow Arna and Andy. Andy is an Australian Football player and Arna is a member of the press. Andy hates the press but has to deal with them from time to time. From the moment he sees Arna, he is intrigued…but is still able to be a jerk to her. This begins their slow burn journey to love.

The reason I didn’t like this book was the following:
1. The slow burn was just a bit too slow to me.
2. It took forever for the characters to have a personality I liked. For the first half of the book Andy came across as interesting as a brick wall.
3. Arna mentioned her lady bits too often to be normal and it just kind of grossed me out.
4. Andy just wasn’t attractive to me. He was a bit too grumpy at the start.

Now, here are some of the reasons readers may like this book (but I wasn’t too much a fan of):
1. The FMC is full of energy and has a spunky attitude that readers find fun
2. The typical football romance trope is always a great go-to; especially when the MMC has some great football player friends
3. Some readers love a slow burn where you really have to work for it to see the characters fall in love.

I loved the author’s bio in here. I absolutely adore that her husband encouraged her to finally write her own book after years of being an avid reader. I really want to support this author and hope she finds the fan-base she deserves.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Pheobe Harper.
93 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2024
Sports Romance (AFL)

Dual POV

Sweet & Spicy

Relatable FMC & Fun Female Friendships

Sports Star x Journalist

He falls first



Andy Gloss is the captain of the Hearts Australian football team and has been burnt by the media before. Following this, he doesn't trust them and wants nothing to do with them. 


Arnabelle lives her life in the words of others, editing and perfecting ready for the next publication deadline. She has no clue who the Hearts are apart from the fact her best friend is a superfan. When she has to step up one day and interview Andy, one flirtatious interaction changes it all…



This is the first I've read from this author and the first time I've read about Australian football. It's not often you find books based in Australia. It's nice and refreshing. 

I loved the way the two of them met, with it actually being believable. The story worked perfectly for the two of them, and it came across realistic for two people working through their careers, love, and publicity. I was so glad that there was no miscommunication within this story, I feel this would've destroyed the plot of the book. 

Arna was so understanding of his relationship with the media, and it was nice to see an FMC not to jump to any conclusions (I mean, I'm sure we all would do in real life, though). 


There was plot building for the next included, and now that we know who the maim characters are, I'm so excited to read it.

I was kindly gifted this as an EARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Shelby Willeford.
55 reviews43 followers
December 8, 2024
NetGalley read :) Sports romance Y’all! Book 1 of a Series that started off with a bang.

Australian Pro footballer Andy has never been keen on the media or journalists. He has it out for them and never trusts anything they say or write for that matter. He would rather not say much and stick to his grumpy hard ass perception with the world.

Arna is an editor with hopes of receiving that promotion of Editor in Chief soon. She works for a literal drag of a boss that uses her dreams to his advantage. Give me a break! Arna, however, is a smart girl, intuitive, and a hard worker. She wants more for herself and doing all she can to get there in life.

A chance encounter between Arna and Andy occurs after a game as she is sent on assignment to interview him when a coworker is out sick. Andy hats the press as mentioned but I will go out on a limb and tell you he does not hate the fact Arna is a fill in for the day.

This book was cute with witty side characters (Queeny is a dream!) and vocabulary of new words you will come away with. That is what happens when Andy’s wordsmith is hanging around.

The book is presented with dual POV giving the reader a true depiction of what each character is feeling and how they navigate the troubles each face throughout the storyline. There are some spicy parts to get your blood pumping, but I did not feel it was over the top or not enough. The spice was definitely just right as I don’t like when it overshadows the plot of the book.

I felt the book was well written with bringing the reader into Australia with their lingo and sports world. If you like any of the following, I totally recommend:

-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Protective MMC
-Strong FMC
-Miscommunication
-3rd act split
-HEA
-Pro Footballer X Journalism Editor
Profile Image for Awesome_Ames.
143 reviews
April 25, 2025
The way I devoured this book and have not stopped thinking about it since I finished it. Vyk Peters found the gap in the sports romance market with her debut novel about an AFL player finding love with the enemy ~ a journalist.

The insight into football and the media, the fight some women endure to advance their careers, the slow burn between Andy and Arna, the banter, eloquent language (I love learning new words!!) and the spice *chefs kiss*

Our FMC is a strong, but gentle character. Arna is representative of many women in the professional space trying to work their way up in their job but held back by others. She cares deeply for others, her best friend and her family. She is gentle, kind, and understanding but not backward in sticking up for herself in the end. The MMC Andy is also strong, but vulnerable to the influence of others and protective of his family. As an avid AFL fan I can attest to the verbal abuse these players endure weekly when they don’t win, despite putting their heart and soul into it. Particularly for a captain carrying the weight of his team.

The love story had me crushing HARD on Andy and Arna and rooting for them from their not-meet-cute. The scene when Andy protects Arna and folds her into him to get her out of the restaurant *swoons*. The spa scene and truth or dare *slowly melts*.

Dad and Queeny provide warmth and comedic relief - oh to have had a grandmother like Queeny!

I cannot wait for the next instalment with Marlee and Sebastian, with Marlee’s story cleverly foreshadowed throughout.
Profile Image for One More Chapter.
30 reviews3 followers
August 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
This book had me hooked from the very first page! Vyk Peters delivers a romance that's equal parts emotional, witty, and deliciously addictive. With complex characters, sizzling chemistry, and a plot packed with heart and heat, this debut is a total standout.
Arnabelle Frost is the kind of FMC we need more of—funny, grounded, and genuinely kind. Watching her navigate the chaos of journalism and unexpected attraction while trying to chase a hard-earned promotion was just as relatable as it was entertaining. Andrew Gloss, on the other hand, is the ultimate “grumpy athlete” with layers. His distrust of the media, paired with the pressure of leading a high-profile football team, sets the stage for some fantastic tension—and Arna is the perfect match to challenge him.
The banter between Arna and Andy is on point, but what really made the story sing for me was the family dynamics. Arna’s family is messy, hilarious, and deeply Australian in the most heartfelt way. Her nan deserves her own novella, honestly.
And while the romance is front and center, the story weaves in deeper emotional threads and subtle clues that hint at more going on beneath the surface. Without giving too much away, I couldn’t stop thinking about Marlee—and I’m still low-key hoping my suspicions are right. 👀
Vyk Peters writes with charm and confidence, blending steamy moments with strong emotional beats and sharp dialogue. It’s clear she poured her heart into this story, and it pays off. If you’re into sports romance with heart, humor, and heat, this one’s a must-read.
Big thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m already counting down to book 2!
Profile Image for Tyla Stretton.
28 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2025
✨️ sports romance
✨️ AFL player x journalist
✨️ Australian setting
✨️ spicy x plot
✨️ dual POV

REVIEW 📢
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Oh my goodness! I enjoyed this story so much, especially the character development, connections, banter, and authentic Australian elements!

Arnabelle is the badass FMC in this story. She is true to herself, knows what she wants, and doesn't pretend to be anyone she isn't! I loved her throughout this story and how she was so unapologetically herself! I love her character development, her family, her best friend, and the connections she has and creates throughout this story!

Andrew is the captain and AFL star she gets strapped with for her first interview. Andrew is the MMC, and the story includes his POV throughout, which I love during a romance to see what each character is thinking during their connection. Andrew is portrayed as a bit of a jackass; you get to know him through Arnabelle POV alongside his, and you grow to love his character. He holds a vital role in his world and holds the weight on his shoulders; he cares deeply about those around him and is an extremely likable character overall!

This story was the perfect palette cleanser; I enjoyed it thoroughly. There is a perfect balance of spice and plot, a sweet and humbling romance! I would highly recommend this as an easy, lovable romance ❤️
Profile Image for Janine.
129 reviews29 followers
October 20, 2024
5 ⭐️ 3 🌶

* Sports romance
* Dual POV

Do yourself a favour and read this page turner!!! ❤️❤️
This is Vyk's debut novel, and it is perfect.
It's a beautiful sports romance, with such a good story line.

Andy (MMC) is the captain of an Aussie Rules football team, and does not like the media whatsoever.
Arna (FMC) is the senior editor of a local Sydney news centre, and knows nothing about the sport.

Arna is asked to interview Andy at short notice, but doesn't know anything about Andy or the sport, and the interview is well, a little different 😄.

The chance meeting is the start of budding relationship between Andy and Arna, filled with so much angst....the tension build is excellent!!

Andy is a 6 foot something swoony worthy captain, and Arna is a sassy and strong FMC who loves language and words...epic!

The story is gripping, the banter is so well done, and I could not put this book down. It went through all the emotions. Brilliantly done! ❤️❤️

My favourite line by Andy: "You're an enigma to me"
My favourite side character has to be Arna's nan (Queeny)!! Omg...she is hilarious!! 😄😄

Definitely add this one to your list!!!
Profile Image for Casey Smailles.
192 reviews13 followers
December 31, 2024
King Of Hearts by vyk peters

Tropes:
AFL romance
Sweet n spicy
Relatable fmc
Fun female friendships
Dual pov
HEA
Boy obsessed
Slow burn
Sports Star X Journalist
Grumpy X Sunshine

Australian author Vyk Peters debuts with her novel King Of Hearts which is book one in the King Series. You know when you start a book and you completely loose yourself, all sense of time then you look at the dock and its 2am and you have finished the whole book in a day. Yes, a day I was shocked to.

King Of Hearts follows Andy and Arna. From the moment these two meet the universe is at work. They are drawn together. This boy doesn't do relationships but he finds himself wanting her in his apartment, wanting to spend time with her and trying to protect her at all costs. But it’s not all smooth sailing there is a catch he hates journalists and she is one. Can he see past his hate so they can both have there happy ever after.

Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions, great banter, amazing friendships, Grumpy mmc, sunshine fmc, swoon worthy moments 🫠and a slowburn that will have you 🥵🥵🥵.

Vyk, I loved every minute and can not wait for book two king of clubs in march. Guys make sure you add king of hearts to your TBR or grab your copy and start today.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
Profile Image for Emma Clouten.
253 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
* Australian Setting
* AFL sports romance
* Dual POV
* Slow burn
* Angst

This book was a page turner from start to finish. I normally don’t like a slow burn but I loved it in this book. The writing style was so easy to follow along to and I loved the plot throughout. The FMC Arnabelle is a journalist I really enjoyed how relatable Arnabelle was and how down to earth she was as well. The MMC Andrew (Andy) is the captain of the Sydney hearts who absolutely hates doing interviews with journalist that’s until Arnabelle. Andy has this fierce protective side when it comes to his family and the people he loves I absolutely adored that. These two together are an absolute power house couple. I loved the banter between these two as well as their friend and family group. OMG I can not not mention Quenny Anrna’s Nan she was a fire cracker with the things she would say and she had no shame I loved that I feel like we all having an older family member like Queeny
This book is definitely worth the read I can’t wait to read the next book in the series
Profile Image for Emma Minazza.
849 reviews29 followers
May 9, 2025
If you are after a spicy football romance, this is it! Meet Arna, a journalist who gets sent to interview a well known football captain. What Andrew Gloss, the captain doesn't realise at the time is that Arna has no idea who he is! He's used to being recognised but hates being interviewed at the best of times but this is what makes Arna's interview different, she can get to know him as a person, not the football star.

The pacing of this book works well, I liked Arna's straight talking attitude and her involvement with Andy as the story progresses. I would hate to be a celebrity! It puts it into perspective about the paparazzi and how they will do anything and everything to get a story, even if it isn't true!

I also love Marlee, Arna's long standing friend. Looking forward to book two!
Profile Image for Bound by Stories.
20 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2025
I loved this book. King of Hearts follows superstar AFL Sydney Hearts player Andy and aspiring senior editor Arna through their unlikely, forced-interaction romance.
It is always so refreshing to read books by Australian authors, with the familiarity of homegrown sport and little nuances like devouring a kebab on a night out. So many laughs along the way!

This was such an enjoyable read. I also saw reviews praising how well-edited this book is, and I couldn't agree more. No grammatical errors, no repetitive descriptions, and smart humour throughout. I highly recommend King of Hearts! ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.