Double Fault

On the Court #1

by Ella Wren

Sabrina

I’m twenty-two, buried in student loans, and soon to be homeless.

I need a job that pays decently—stat.

When my best friend suggests interviewing for a traveling nanny position with some tennis star I think she’s joking. It’s too good to be true. The pay is more than I could dream of. I’d get to travel the world. There don’t seem to be any cons.

Not until I meet my potential boss.

Noah Baker.

Hot as hell, but with a massive chip on his shoulder.

He seems to hate me from the start, but lucky for me—or maybe unluckily depending on how you think about it—his daughter loves me. Since I’m the only person she’s connected with he reluctantly offers me the position.

Noah

I was at the top of my game until my wife died.

I didn’t anticipate how much grief would affect my ability to play the sport I love, let alone parent my daughter.

With the tour starting up in January I have no choice but to take her with me, which means I need a nanny to keep an eye on her.

When Sabrina Howard walks through my door to interview; I instantly hate her.

She’s the first woman who’s made my heart race since my wife passed away.

Unfortunately for me, my daughter likes Sabrina, making it a no brainer to hire her.

Eleven months. Seventy-one tournaments. Five continents.

And one nanny who’s entirely too tempting.

Genres: Sports Romance, Romance, Sports, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Workplace Romance

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2025

Reviews

[veerali · Rating 3 out of 5]

⁀ ⊹ ₊ “I love you. This is better than any fucking medal I could’ve won.”

double fault serves up a cute, if kinda predictable, love story that mixes the stress of college debt with the struggles of being a single parent and the intense world of pro tennis. we follow sabrina, a totally relatable college student drowning in student loans. in a desperate search for a way out, she finds a gig as a nanny for noah's daughter.

noah is a well-known tennis star still dealing with the loss of his ex-wife. his grief has hit his game hard, leading to a bunch of losses and a ton of pressure, plus he’s emotionally checked out when it comes to his kid. he really needs someone to help him through this tough time, and sabrina steps in just when he needs it most.

honestly, i get that this is a debut novel and i wanted to be super nice while reviewing it, but i just can’t? the concept is cool, but the plot felt kinda empty. like, nothing felt fresh? just the same old tropes recycled. plus, the steamy scenes were kinda cringe. i was lowkey bored. for a debut, it’s not terrible, but i guess this book just wasn’t for me.

“Noah,” I gasp. “Oh my God.” My words dissolve into a garbled chant. “Right-fucking-yes-there-holy-shit. Oh-my-fucking-God-I-love-your-dick.”
His laugh is dark and dangerous.
“You’resofuckingdeep.” The words come out slurred together. “I can feel you in my throat.”

okay that's it, thank yeww.

⤿ single dad
⤿ sports romance
⤿ grumpy x sunshine
⤿ forced proximity

thank you to valentine pr & literary management for e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

[evazalevska]

DNF at 44%

I really tried to finish this book, but unfortunately…
The plot reminded me a lot of another book, but I still decided to give it a chance—until I realized that I had no idea how the characters even came to the conclusion that they had feelings for each other. I didn’t felt no chemistry, or passion between them at all. That was the main reason I decided to stop reading.

Thank you, Valentine PR and Ella Wren, for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Chiara^•^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Double Fault by Ella Wren
4/5⭐
3/5🌶️

"Sabrina is an all-consuming fire that I can't help but be drawn to. Rather than burn me, she keeps me warm and awakens emotions that once were frozen."

Sabrina is facing some challenges in her job search when a friend offers her an opportunity to be a nanny and homeschool teacher for the daughter of a pro tennis player, Noah. Noah has been through a tough year after losing his wife to cancer and has taken a break from the tennis circuit to focus on his family. After two years of hiatus, he is ready to make a comeback. With his tournaments coming up, he needs help with his eight-year-old daughter, Maddie. The moment he meets Sabrina, he feels an unexpected attraction, which leaves him a bit annoyed. Still, with no other suitable candidates and seeing how well Maddie connects with Sabrina, he decides to hire her.

I adored the bond that formed between Maddie and Sabrina. Maddie is such a smart and sweet little girl that it’s hard not to fall in love with her. My heart ached for her every time she missed her mom; I just wanted to give her a big hug whenever she was feeling down. The chemistry between Noah and Sabrina is undeniable from the start. I found it so endearing how Noah tried to brush off his feelings for her but couldn't stop thinking about her. They both have their walls up, but their love story feels inevitable. Their playful banter is delightful, and I loved the sweet gestures Noah did for Sabrina. Watching them naturally become a family while traveling the world is so dreamy!

The side characters added to the story, too! I enjoyed the friendly rivalry between Noah and Elias, and the budding friendship between Sabrina and Ebba. It excites me to learn more about them and I hope they find their happy endings as well!

"I know that no matter where I am in this world, I'll always be drawn to him. Noah Baker, grumpy ashole extraordinaire, is my own personal sunshine."

[joni ౨ৎ - [semi hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 february 22
⤿ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 february 23

this arc was kinda overdue but im so glad i picked it up!! sabrina and noah healed parts of each other they didn't realize needed healing. the bond she and maddie grew was so wholesome, she didn't replace her mother but became a maternal figure for her and it just made me feel so much. noah cared so much for maddie, putting her before everything and prioritizing her. 80% mark made me tear up, i knew it was a hea but the scenes were SO emotional esp with maddie 😭 i love ella's writing and am looking forward to the rest of the "on the court" series!!

i really want ebba x fisher to have a second chance + fisher deserves the world ☹️ and ebba seems to miss him a lot, they've both done so much for noah & sabrina they deserve happiness
as for elias he might become my fav after we get his book, he seems HOT and like reformed playboy, he falls first, maybe forbidden romance or smth i feel like would work for him 🤭

full complete rtc

⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🎀 single dad x nanny
🎾 sports romance
🎀 forced proximity
🎾 age gap (5 years)
🎀 witty banter
🎾 grumpy x sunshine


𝙦𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨 💞

» it's hard letting people in, especially when i feel entirely unworthy of their attention

» flavoured water is such fancy people sh*t

» the woman in front of me is maybe the most stunning creature on the planet

» it's nice having another girl around

» he's here, but he's not.

» my daddy lets me do his nails for practice.

» it's full of pent-up passion i truly couldn't have imagined noah feeling for me.

» a little bit of happy doesn't make up for a whole lot of sad.

» can we be sad together?
yeah, we can be sad together.
(maddie & noah)

» you smell warm, like vanilla and something floral.

» a kernel of doubt remains in the pit of my stomach. the one that reminds me that maybe i really am unloveable.

» noah might be a grumpy d*ck at times, but then sometimes he's like my own personal sunshine.

» i don't want to be that kind of girl. the one who desperately needs the guy she likes to like her back or she falls apart.

» it... you look fucking hot in the backward cap, okay?

» it's true that many who suffer the worst hide behind smiles

» i've never been important to the people who should have cared most about me

» that's all i want- to be treated like i matter.

» you've brought me back to life, whether you realize it or not.

» i love you too much to force you to follow me while i live out my dreams.

» are you telling me you bought a second ticket just so you could go through security with me until i have to board?

» loving someone means being willing to do just about anything for them, even if it makes you miserable.

[Sienasummerrreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows Sabrina, who has recently completed her teaching degree but is being evicted from her small apartment. Moving back in with her best friend, she needs to find a job. She comes across an opportunity to become a traveling nanny for an athlete and a teacher to his eight-year-old daughter. Little does she know that she will get under the grumpy athlete’s skin and leave a lasting impression.

I really enjoyed this debut novel. Having had a tennis background my whole life, I appreciated the traveling aspect and tournament gameplay featured in the story. I loved Sabrina—she’s dealing with family drama, trying to transition into her dream career and find her place in the world. The tension between the two main characters was fantastic. Sabrina kept Noah on his toes, always pushing back and putting him in his place, which was brilliant. I also adored little Maddie and her personality.

The spice was illegal—and more than I expected—but absolutely delicious.

There are just a couple of things I wanted to mention. I would have liked more depth and discussion around Sabrina’s family to better understand the situation in why they are like that. I also felt that Noah giving in to lust happened a bit too quickly, considering he had lost his wife a year ago. I would have liked to see more internal conflict, guilt, and maybe even an earlier introduction of therapy.

Lastly, a minor tennis-related note: In one scene, a player was injured during a match, and the umpire “blew a whistle” to call for a medic. I had to laugh at that—umpires actually use a phone, iPad, or walkie-talkie and will step down to assess the situation before getting the appropriate care if unable to make it back to their seat on court.

Overall, I thought this was a very enjoyable book. Looking forward to reading future Ella Wren work!

Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 414
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Series or Standalone: Debut Novel - Book One In The On The Court Series
Tropes or Themes: Sports (Tennis), Single Dad, Grumpy Sunshine, Love After Loss, Billionaire, Nanny, Workplace, He Falls First, Interracial Romance, Tension, Protective MMC, Mine, My Girl, Grand Gesture, Therapy, Grief, Panty Thief, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk, Praise, Dry Humping Scene, Pool Scene and Car Scene
Mentions: Death and Cancer
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
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[daisy · Rating 1 out of 5]

all lust no love

[Amity Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first tennis book & my first by Ella Wren! Loved the banter & the spice was great!! Single dad/nanny is a favorite of mine & I love a sassy FMC! Definitely a cute & fun read!! I would have enjoyed a little more tension in this one, because I absolutely love that, however…definitely recommend!!

[María · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.75 ⭐️) El desarrollo del romance está BIEN LOGRADO, lo cual me sorprendió porque al principio no daba esas vibes. La protagonista es fuerte, pone límites y no se calla las cosas. PODRÍA SER MÁS CORTO pero no es aburrido, así que se le perdona. Lo único que me hizo bajarle puntos es que tiene DEMASIADO SPICE. Cada dos/tres capítulos había escenas de relleno de ellos haciéndolo, y fue un poco incómodo. Pero en general, me gustó, es MUY DISFRUTABLE.

[Shannai · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

I’m new to Ella’s work, and I believe this is her debut novel, so first, I’d like to thank Valentine PR and Ella for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I found the story between Sabrina and Noah to be really well written, with the author creating a warm and engaging atmosphere. I’m always a fan of a single dad x nanny romance, especially when there’s an adorable child involved, and the dynamic between Noah and Sabrina certainly had its sweet moments, and it was surprisingly spicy, which was great! That said, I do think the relationship between the two of them could have benefited from a little more depth. The tension and emotional yearning that I expected from this type of romance felt a bit underdeveloped, and at times, the pacing seemed too fast. I would have loved to see more time spent on building their connection, making the eventual romantic payoff feel more satisfying.

While I enjoyed the read overall, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the story stayed a little too surface level. There were a few plot threads that had a lot of potential but weren’t fully explored. Sabrina’s strained relationship with her parents, for example, felt like it could have added an extra layer of emotional depth to her character and her connection with Noah. It felt a bit glossed over, and I think if it had been given more attention, it would’ve helped elevate the overall narrative.

On a positive note, the secondary characters were a lot of fun and added some much-needed flavour to the story. Elias, Noah’s opponent, especially piqued my interest, and I’m curious to see what direction his character might go in future books. There’s also some unresolved tension between Fisher and Ebba that left me intrigued and hoping for a follow-up.
All in all, while I had a great time reading, I think there’s room for further depth, particularly in exploring the emotional and relational aspects of the main characters.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ | 2🌶
firstly, congratulations to Ella on her debut. Normally I'm not a sports romance girlie but I was so intrigued by the thought of a tennis romance that I gave it a go and I'm glad I did. It was a great a read. This story does deal with absentee parents and grief so please check TW. I loved that Sabrina had a stable support structure in her time of need and that she could br that for Maddie as needed. Maddie was so cute. She'd been through so much but she turned so sweet. Noah and Sabrina were great together and I loved they both formed friendships with Ebba and Ellias (who both need their own stories btw iykyk). Overall, i would recommend this book. Thank you to valentine pr for this arc.

[elyssa ꫂ ၴႅၴ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this story. I requested it because it has the nanny/single dad trope which intrigued me. I liked Noah and Sabrina's bickering at first, but the middle through the end of the book is just piled with smut scenes while their relationship really stays surface level. I wish there were more scenes between them involving communication and quality time. Also, because of the fact that Noah is a widow, it felt like he had an easy time moving on with Sabrina.

Thank you Valentine PR for the arc!

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this so much!!! I’m such a sucker for a single dad x nanny trope and this did not disappoint. I loved Sabrina, the way she was so sassy to Noah (he deserved it) but then so sweet and caring with Maddie, I just LOVED IT!!! Loved seeing all their travels, loved seeing Noah spoil Sabrina and Maddie, loved the side characters (I would love a book about Fisher and Ebba please). Could’ve probably been 50-80 pages shorter but that’s my only complaint really 😅

Thank you to Valentine PR for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Cydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell slightly behind with my ARCs this month, but I'm so glad I picked this one up when I did.

I really enjoyed the writing overall in Double Fault—it was easy to follow, succinct, and fresh, and for someone who isn't at all athletic—nor do I understand any particular sport well—I found the tennis scenes to be the perfect balance of tense and interesting!

Noah and Sabrina are 27 and 22 respectively, but, in my opinion, are coded much, much older. Same for Maddie, who is 8, but comes across as very sage with a 12 year old's knowledge. Now, this could be directly linked to all three of them having immense trauma and being forced to grow up sooner than most, but it ultimately made the story feel a bit off for most of the novel for me.

Sabrina is also Black, but unfortunately comes across what I like to refer to in media as "dark white" where her physical descriptors (while few) are Black but she largely does not hang around other Black people, the tensions and pressures that come with being Black rarely find her, and she seems to both feel out of place with the whiter, richer people she's surrounded by and not at all concerned with finding others who look like her to bring her comfort and stability. Now, I'm not saying that Sabrina needed to experience some kind of traumatic experience or walk around with bamboo hoops and box braids, but as a Black woman I felt disconnected from her at points and felt like she was someone I probably wouldn't befriend in real life. Not because she's not ~Black enough~ but because she seems to be okay with being the only one of us around. Even her relationship with Ebba is one of proximity where she is basically a babysitter for Maddie when Noah and Sabrina are bumpin', and a stylist when Noah needs Sabrina to look nice but Sabrina wants to be all "lol I wear combat boots."

With all that said! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The spice was passionate and sensual, Noah was a munch who fell first and fell hard, and I loved that he had a therapist. The way Annie was written was very thoughtful and respectful, and I liked that there wasn't contrived drama about Sabrina trying to replace her. While I didn't find the scenes with Sabrina's mother necessary, I think they will likely connect with someone with a similar story to tell. I'm curious who the next book in this series will be about because there are multiple options!

Thank you so much to Valentine PR and Ella Wren for providing an ARC!

4.5 ⭐️s
3.5 🌶️

[Luna ꪆৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐

One day, I tell myself. I'll have a love like that. I'll find a person I don't want to take my eyes off.

Before I begin I want to thank the author, Ella Wren, for giving me this ARC.

This book had me giggling and blushing I was immediately hooked. I really enjoyed the story line and the way this was written.

I adored all the characters and the way they were incorporated into the story. I really liked the fact that they weren't discarded when they had fulfilled their role in the story. For example, Lucy and Alyssa, usually when authors write the best friends of the mc, they forget about them at the end of the story. But here, they still had a part in Sabrina's life.

I liked the wording of everything. I know that sounds weird, but I like the words that were used. I also liked how accessible it was for non-tennis players/watchers. I watched challengers, but I truly did not care about the tennis part of it. I liked how it was woven in here; yes, it was part of the story, but it was not shoved down your throat, if you know what I mean.

Overall I really liked this and I would recommend it if you like a single dad x nanny, forced proximity, and grumpy x sunshine.

[Jess (GetbookedwithJessica) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read by Ella Wren and I really Enjoyed this one. It’s hard to find some good tennis sport romances but this one made me want to find more hidden gems focused around tennis! I’m a sucker for a good Single Dad plot and this one delivered. Maddie was hard to not fall n love with as Noah's eight year old daughter who leads life with an open heart. She had the sassy personality to give you all those direct hits that only kids do best.

The balance between those heartwarming and laugh out loud moments were matched perfectly. Sabrina and Noah couldn’t be more perfect for each other and the way he put her first in the end was the cherry on top of a perfect sundae.

The friend group and all the side characters were so well done and thought out it makes me so curious about Ebba and Fisher's history. I'm hoping we get to learn more about them in time! If you are looking for a fun sports romance, than I highly recommend this one!

[Emma]

thank you valentine pr and ella wren for a copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review

dnf at 4% i could not stand the main character she bugged me and the writing felt really choppy and very much just tell us what the main character was doing as a bullet point list, it didn't really flow and i just couldn't handle it. it's definitely a me problem and I'm sad because i was really excited for this arc!

[Kiera simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super fast-paced and fun! I read it in 24 hours. I had never read a tennis romance before and was pleasantly surprised by how much tennis was actually in the book. The found family aspect was extremely sweet and extra points for no third act breakup!

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Windy city but tennis. Just very corny but had its good moments. The beginning was little awkwardly written but this is the author’s first book so I tried not to judge too harshly…

noahbrina cute. Maddie cute. Elias funny as hell even though his dialogue is so unserious like what guy talks like this? And that goes for Noah and Fisher too 😭


Honestly I think you contemporary romance lovers will likely enjoy it sorta.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I gently pinch her chin between my fingers and hold her gaze, doing my damndest to be sure she truly understands what I’m about to say. “You’re my everything.”

♾️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Omg I don’t even know where to begin, this debut novel by Ella Wren was EVERYTHING! I knew I was going to enjoy this story because it has some of my favorite tropes, but I wasn’t prepared to fall head over heels in love with this book like I did!

Noah and Sabrina were so perfectly suited for each other, and the chemistry between them was UNREAL 🔥 And the spice in this book, had me straight up blushing! And although it is spicy, the love between Noah and Sabrina was also so sweet and wholesome. I think it’s even more special that they fell in love with each other, while they both had so many guards up. It was truly the last thing they were expecting, but at the same time their love was inevitable. The backdrop to their love story being written as they travel the world, was also so dreamy! You’re telling me that Sabrina gets Noah and a planned date in a castle in London? I was SWOONING!

And not only was their love story so special, it was amazing watching Sabrina fall in love with Noah’s daughter, Maddie. The way she just naturally fit into the role of her caregiver, and loved Maddie so fiercely was so heart warming. Together the three of them made the perfect family.

I also am obsessed with the friend group we got to meet, and I feel like Ella set the stage perfectly for future books in this universe, which I’m going to need ASAP!!! (Yes I’m looking at you Elias & Whimsy, and Ebba & Fisher).

If you’re looking for a new Sports Romance to read and get lost in, this is the one!!!!

Tropes:
🎾 Single Dad x Nanny
🤍 Sports Romance
🎾 He’s a professional tennis player
🤍 Grumpy Sunshine
🎾 So spicy
🤍 Forced proximity

Some of my favorite quotes:
“She has no idea how special she is. In a matter of months and without trying, she’s thawed my grumpy bastard heart and helped my grieving daughter find happiness again.”

“You look pretty with my hand around your throat.” He kisses along my jaw. “And you sound incredible when you’re gasping my name.”

“Kissing Noah is unlike kissing anyone else. He’s careful and calculated but so damn passionate. I get lost in the connection, forgetting that I’m the one who’s supposed to be in control.”

“She’s so sassy.” I can’t help but laugh. “She gives me hell and holds me accountable. She’s beautiful. Inside and out. And my daughter loves her too.”

“I want to thank my … Sabrina. I’m not easy to deal with, but you barged your way into my life and you haven’t taken no for an answer. You…” He rubs at his mouth. “You’ve brought me back to life, whether you realize it or not.”

“I, on the other hand, know that no matter where I am in this world, I’ll always be drawn to him. Noah Baker, grumpy asshole extraordinaire, is my own personal sunshine.”

“Look at you,” I croon, gathering her hair in my fist. “My pretty little mess. You look so fucking hot sucking my cock. Where’s your phone?”

[skyeslibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You’ve brought me back to life, whether you realize it or not.”

Double Fault was cute! the pining was a treat, but I would have liked a bit more angst. things moved quickly, and I didn’t feel as much tension during the falling for each other phase as I typically enjoy. Noah and Sabrina were adorably inevitable, but I would have liked a bit more of a “chase.”
—
this and that:
♡ dual pov
♡ forced proximity
♡ found family
♡ grumpy x sunshine
♡ hockey
♡ love after loss
♡ open door spice
♡ opposites attract
♡ single dad x nanny
♡ sports romance
♡ therapy x mental health rep
♡ traveling around the world

triggers:
☞ cancer (terminal)
☞ death of a loved one
☞ racism (implied)
☞ sports injury
☞ widower raising a little girl

notable quotes:

“A little bit of happy doesn’t make up for a whole lot of sad.”
_
“I can’t promise not to break your heart, Sabrina. I don’t know where this thing is going and I don’t want to make promises I might not be able to keep, but I’m right here with you. Terrified out of my mind of the way I feel.”
_
“I can’t quit you and it’s driving me crazy.”
_
“You’ve brought me back to life, whether you realize it or not.”
_
“You’re my everything.”

—

thank you to Valentine PR and the author for the gifted early copy!
—

♡ find me on Instagram!

[Bella and the Bookstack · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

EDIT: after sitting on this book for a while, I changed my initial rating of a 3.5 to a 2.5. The more I think about this book, the more toxic I feel like their relationship is. And it also makes me question Noah more and more as a character because some of the things he says to Sabrina really don’t sit right with me…

~~

Okay, I want to preface my 3.5 stars by saying that I DID love parts of this book A LOT. Like 5 stars in certain sections. Other parts, not quite as much.

Overall though, I really enjoyed this and would still read it again!

I adored Sabrina. She was my favorite character, and I was cheering her on for the entirety of the book. I also really loved Maddie. That little girl was the cutest! Her and Sabrina’s relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book. They made such a great duo, and I could read 100 more pages of them being a family.

One aspect I didn’t really care for, though, was Noah and Sabrina’s relationship. I loved them as a family unit, but there were certain aspects of their relationship that did not really work for me. On several occasions. Noah did things that I felt needed to be discussed with Sabrina prior to doing it. I feel like a lot of moments could have been infinitely better with a simple “is this okay?”

I liked Noah, but I just felt like his communication was lacking at times in their relationship. He was always doing things for her, but I never felt like he consulted her about things? She’s upset at him? Let’s kiss it away. Her car is old? Tow it and give her a new one without asking. There were just a lot of moments like that that made me wish he communicated with her more and asked what she wanted instead of just doing things for her. I still liked them together, but I wish I could have have loved them more.

Overall I really enjoyed this book! I read it really fast because it was a really fun and enjoyable read. The side characters were all great and really added to the book. Ebba and Fisher? I love!!! And despite some issues I had with Noah, I still loved the main characters too. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute tennis romance!

While frustrating at times, I ultimately ended the book with a smile on my face.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first tennis romance and such a great one to start with! Noah is a grumpy single dad in search of a nanny for his 8 year old daughter, Maddie. He’s in luck because Sabrina desperately needs a job. Pieces of Noah’s facade start to break and we get to see the real him underneath all the hurt & pain he’s endured.

Sabrina is a sassy queen who knows her worth and isn’t afraid to put Noah in his place. I love her curls and her nickname. Her character is such a great example of motherly love. She treats Maddie so great and their bond is amazing. Mads is a super cute, sweet, and funny little girl. I absolutely loved her and all her stuffed animals!

Fisher, Elias, and Ebba were really great additions to the book and I really hope to read more about them in the future. I would love a Fisher & Ebba book because I want to dig deeper into their past to see what the future holds for them. Elias is super cocky but I know deep down there’s a good man in there and did I catch some possible vibes with Whimsy?

Thank you to Ella Wren & Valentine PR for an ARC of Double Fault!

🧡 forced proximity
🎾 sports romance
🩷 grumpy x sunshine
🎾 nanny x single dad

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories with age-gap romances, and I was really excited to read the debut novel by Ella Wren.

Sabrina is broke and on the verge of getting evicted. She is also looking for a new job. With a little help from one of her friends, she manages to secure a job as a nanny for the famous tennis player Noah Baker. These two didn't like each other from the first moment they met. But it was so, so good watching the banter and the angst between them at every step. The sparks that flew between them... Oh, they were wild 😈.

I have to admit, both of them tried really hard to resist their attraction. They were doing everything else but not thinking about it. But we are, after all, reading a romance novel, so at one point, they both surrendered to the passion. What a passion it was... Every scene between them was hot, spicy and full of smut. I loved it all.

Overall, I loved reading Sabrina and Noah's love story and I will definitely read more books by this author in the future ♥️.

***I received an ARC from Grey's Promotions and my review is given voluntarily.***

[Kelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for sports romance and this book was no exception. Thank you Ella Wren and Valentine PR for an advanced copy of this book!

Sabrina is desperate for a teaching job, but has been striking out during her search. When a position as a nanny for a famous tennis pro falls into her lap, she’s a little hesitant. Her first encounter with Noah is tense to say the least, but she has an instant connection with his 8 year old daughter. While it’s not a teaching job, she would be helping homeschool Maddie which would look great on her resume. Sabrina takes the opportunity knowing Noah doesn’t like her. But as Noah and Sabrina spend time together, the tension turns into something more.

Read if you like:
- sports romance
- single dad x nanny
- forced proximity
- grumpy x sunshine
- SPICE 🌶️

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I’d like to thank Ella and Valentine PR for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team for this release. I really enjoyed this book! The subject matter covered was heavy at times and I think Ella did an excellent job at explaining grief/loss and all of the emotions that come with that, from both a child and adult’s prospective. Ella’s writing style is really good, while the book takes place over an extended period of time, it was a quick read and the timeline seemed fairly fast pace - which I like. Noah is quite the grumpy guy, rightfully so; but an amazing father and his relationship with Maddie is so sweet. Sabrina is a sassy, sunshine-y, spitfire of a woman and their personalities really balance each other well. The spice was very well done… who would have thought Noah had a mouth like that? I really enjoyed this read and I highly recommend picking it up when it releases, February 20th!

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah is navigating the loss of his wife while also maintaining a career as a pro tennis player and raising a sassy 8 year old daughter. Sabrina is a recent college grad struggling to secure a job in her field. A nanny job for a widowed pro athlete is mentioned to her by a friend and she sets up an interview and lands the job and gets to travel the world with Noah and his daughter, Maddie. We get to see their building connection throughout the book and meet some awesome side characters along the way.

I am on a sports romance kick, and this one was darling. I am always a sucker for single dad x nanny so I would have read it just based on that. The tension between Noah and Sabrina is super steamy 😮‍💨 I also loved the main and side characters and hope to see more of Ebba, Fisher, and Elias in future books. I can’t wait to read more from Ella Wren!

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Single dad/Nanny! So you know I ate this up!!

Sabrina’s life feels like it’s just crumbling! She is looking for a new job and she was evicted from her apartment. Her offers her an opportunity for a job to be a nanny and homeschool teacher for a pro tennis players daughter. Noah, the tennis player, has recently lost his wife to cancer. He decided to take a break from tennis and focus on his family.

After 2 years he is ready to jump back into his tennis career, but he needs someone to help look after his daughter. With no other suitable candidate, he hires Sabrina. He feels this unexpected attraction to her.

The banter in this book had me giggling! I always say this, but Noah is one of my favorite book boyfriends!!! Sabrina is definitely one of my favorite FMC’s no matter how much life threw her way she never just gave up! She kept pushing!

[Rimii Ghosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes -
. Sports Romance ( Tennis )
. Billionaire romance
. Boss / Employee
. Single Parent
. Single dad x Nanny
. Grumpy x Sunshine
. Slight Found family
. No third act breakup


Should I say this is the sweetest Single Dad x Nanny story I have read this year so far and also with the presence of the baby most. Not to forget the mention of the sports as well as the tension of it also done perfectly.

I love the plot, I love the characters, I mean each character. Noah surprises me the most, he's a golden retriever with some shocking kink in bedroom. I enjoyed the spice so much. As for Sabrina, she's a sunshine and you will love her immediately.

I'm not going to say it's a life changing read but it is definitely going to make you smile, laugh, fan yourself in emotions as well as hotness. So I would definitely recommend it.

[Chelsea (2_girls_bookin_it) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Ella Wren & Valentine PR for the arc in exchange for an honest review! 🎾

Whew. What a debut. We get emotion. We get pining. We get adult decisions. And we get spice. *fans self* Noah was trying to hold back his attraction to Sabrina, which just made him finally letting go even hotter. 🥵🥵

Honestly there were just so many good relationships in this book. The friendships were so heartwarming, from the ones that have stood the test of time to the ones that are newly formed, they all just tugged at the heartstrings...though I will say. That one suggestion Elias had... I thought we would see that in the epilogue, and I was a little disappointed it didn't happen. Perhaps we'll see it when Elias gets his own book?? Plus the relationships that both Noah and Sabrina have with Maddie are just so freaking sweet. Apparently I'm stull solidly in my single dad romance era.