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Polo Fever
She ran from the spotlight . . . straight into his stable.
As the assistant to one of fashion's most powerful designers, Ashley has always stayed out of frame - until her secret romance with the face of his latest menswear line, tennis star Chris Courtney, is exposed in a single, perfectly-timed paparazzi shot. In the space of a day, Ashley's career, reputation, and privacy are torn apart by the press.
With nowhere to turn, she escapes to the countryside to stay with family, hoping to disappear. But solace comes in an unexpected a quiet stable and a beautiful horse. That is, until she's caught trespassing by none other than international polo icon, tabloid regular, and infuriatingly charming Mateo.
Horses? Zero experience. Polo players? Definitely off-limits.
As Ashley's thrust into a world of high-stakes games and elite scandal, she finds herself at the centre of a yet another storm, one where passion and power collide, and her heart might just be the biggest risk of all.
As the assistant to one of fashion's most powerful designers, Ashley has always stayed out of frame - until her secret romance with the face of his latest menswear line, tennis star Chris Courtney, is exposed in a single, perfectly-timed paparazzi shot. In the space of a day, Ashley's career, reputation, and privacy are torn apart by the press.
With nowhere to turn, she escapes to the countryside to stay with family, hoping to disappear. But solace comes in an unexpected a quiet stable and a beautiful horse. That is, until she's caught trespassing by none other than international polo icon, tabloid regular, and infuriatingly charming Mateo.
Horses? Zero experience. Polo players? Definitely off-limits.
As Ashley's thrust into a world of high-stakes games and elite scandal, she finds herself at the centre of a yet another storm, one where passion and power collide, and her heart might just be the biggest risk of all.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
July 1, 2026
‘One day, you’re shovelling horse shit; the next, you’re flying private jet to Paris. Fucking hell. The polo world is straight up bonkers.’
rating: 4.25★
i saw polo and as a horse girl i had to request this arc, and i'm so glad i did.
after a tabloid controversy and heartbreak has ashley running to the country for escape, she picks up a gig as a groom at the local prestigious polo team. she falls in love with the sport, as well as one of the stoic but dreamy polo players, mateo.
first off, reilly made understanding polo so easy, which can be a pain point in some of the sports romance books i read. maybe i have a leg up as a former horse girl, but polo was never something i did or looked into, so it was still very fresh for me. another thing i love in sports romance is when the fmc is actually an active participant in it, which ashley very much is in here. even moreso, her as a groom is even more respectable for me bc of the care and bonding they have w the horses even more than the players have.
the romance was givinggggggg. the yearning from mateo omg this man was desperate for her i loved it. it's a bit of a slower build, which i appreciated bc it gave it time for the chemistry to organically grow, and it made sense with ashley coming off being badly burned in a previous romance at the very start of the story. mateo understands this too and knows he has to be patient and steady for her. when they finally get together it's like fireworks ❤️🔥
overall i had such a good time w this one. horse girls, get on it!
‘When you’re charging full pelt down the field and you can feel the power of your horse and your heart jumps into your throat as you begin your swing, not knowing how it’s going to go. That’s the moment I’m addicted to.’
an honest arc review ✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) ༉‧ ♡*.✧
rating: 4.25★
i saw polo and as a horse girl i had to request this arc, and i'm so glad i did.
after a tabloid controversy and heartbreak has ashley running to the country for escape, she picks up a gig as a groom at the local prestigious polo team. she falls in love with the sport, as well as one of the stoic but dreamy polo players, mateo.
first off, reilly made understanding polo so easy, which can be a pain point in some of the sports romance books i read. maybe i have a leg up as a former horse girl, but polo was never something i did or looked into, so it was still very fresh for me. another thing i love in sports romance is when the fmc is actually an active participant in it, which ashley very much is in here. even moreso, her as a groom is even more respectable for me bc of the care and bonding they have w the horses even more than the players have.
the romance was givinggggggg. the yearning from mateo omg this man was desperate for her i loved it. it's a bit of a slower build, which i appreciated bc it gave it time for the chemistry to organically grow, and it made sense with ashley coming off being badly burned in a previous romance at the very start of the story. mateo understands this too and knows he has to be patient and steady for her. when they finally get together it's like fireworks ❤️🔥
overall i had such a good time w this one. horse girls, get on it!
‘When you’re charging full pelt down the field and you can feel the power of your horse and your heart jumps into your throat as you begin your swing, not knowing how it’s going to go. That’s the moment I’m addicted to.’
an honest arc review ✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) ༉‧ ♡*.✧
Did Not Finish
July 26, 2026DNF @ 45% — Held out hope for as long as I could, but you know it's bad when you skim right over the first kiss.
👬 The characters were flat as a pancake.
📓 The plot was straight outta wattpad (one-dimensional mean girls, men fighting over her for literally no reason, a famous man falling for her in three seconds flat, etc)
👩❤️💋👨 The romance put me to sleep.
Real life polo has got to be more interesting than this.
👬 The characters were flat as a pancake.
📓 The plot was straight outta wattpad (one-dimensional mean girls, men fighting over her for literally no reason, a famous man falling for her in three seconds flat, etc)
👩❤️💋👨 The romance put me to sleep.
Real life polo has got to be more interesting than this.
May 28, 2026
Fun, fluffy read full of ponies, romance and great characters. Perfect summer read!
July 24, 2026
4.5⭐️ - This was the first time I read about polo and I feel like a pro now haha. Very cute story with great main characters like in her other books, and really good side characters too. The initial problem which prompts the story (Chris…) was well crafted and made me SO upset when talked about which is a good sign. I honestly don’t even have anything negative to say about the conflict at the end, because although it was frustrating, Ash had very reasonable reactions given what happened and Mateo eventually got better.
I also love animals a lot so the whole book being about horses was awesome! And again, Katherine Reilly is great at explaining the sport in a way that is both understandable and keeping you hooked!
I also love animals a lot so the whole book being about horses was awesome! And again, Katherine Reilly is great at explaining the sport in a way that is both understandable and keeping you hooked!
June 20, 2026
DNF - loved match point, not a fan of this book. Will give ride the waves a try to determine if I continue reading this author’s books
Edit: It might have been the audiobook as the problem, it was an English Narrator and as a fellow English person, I just don’t vibe with English Narrators😭
Edit: It might have been the audiobook as the problem, it was an English Narrator and as a fellow English person, I just don’t vibe with English Narrators😭
July 11, 2026
5 Stars!! I adored this book!! Truly was such a fun read!
I loved this fun take on sports romance especially for an American who finds Polo fascinating but has never been able to see it live! 🫶🏽🙌🏽
Read this book the story! The love! How Ashley & Mateo came together and how he cared for her was just so sweet!
I also adored the side characters! Definitely need to read more books by Katherine Reilly!!
I loved this fun take on sports romance especially for an American who finds Polo fascinating but has never been able to see it live! 🫶🏽🙌🏽
Read this book the story! The love! How Ashley & Mateo came together and how he cared for her was just so sweet!
I also adored the side characters! Definitely need to read more books by Katherine Reilly!!
August 6, 2026
I just read this in one sitting. 🤭 it was such a cutesy amazing book and I loved the plot and storyline. It was such a fast paced easy to read book. when they were in Paris 😛😛. The Eiffel Tower(Lol. Xx)🤣. I fricking hate Chris Courtney (horrible name too) but at least he made Ashley end up in Maycourt with Mateo🔥😊
May 25, 2026
(3.5 stars)
This is a fresh, fast paced romance perfect for spring/summer. It's a new twist on a sports romance, I don't think I've ever read about Polo before so I can't say how accurate this was but as a begininner it definitely introduced me to the sport really well!
The romance was sweet and well balanced with the plot, the side characters were well written and overall, it was enjoyable.
The romance aspect of this did move a little too fast for me although, I'm a *sloooow* burn girlie but if you're not, you'd likely be a big fan of this!!
I adored the first 100 pages, but after this the story ebbs and there's not too much progression for the characters, which left me feeling a little deflated. Polo Fever would be perfect if you're looking for a quick, refreshing spring/summer romance with no strings attached- you could easily fly through this in an afternoon.
This is a fresh, fast paced romance perfect for spring/summer. It's a new twist on a sports romance, I don't think I've ever read about Polo before so I can't say how accurate this was but as a begininner it definitely introduced me to the sport really well!
The romance was sweet and well balanced with the plot, the side characters were well written and overall, it was enjoyable.
The romance aspect of this did move a little too fast for me although, I'm a *sloooow* burn girlie but if you're not, you'd likely be a big fan of this!!
I adored the first 100 pages, but after this the story ebbs and there's not too much progression for the characters, which left me feeling a little deflated. Polo Fever would be perfect if you're looking for a quick, refreshing spring/summer romance with no strings attached- you could easily fly through this in an afternoon.
March 3, 2026
4⭐️
If you’re looking for a different kind of sports romance then I recommend you give this book a try. It’s well written, the plot hits all the marks you expect it to and it’s a fun ride (pun only partially intended). I enjoyed learning a little more about polo, I used to ride so it was nice to read something set in that world, it made a nice change from the usual baseball/football/hockey teams. The romance is well paced and the chemistry and tension between Ash and Mateo was well developed.
Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you’re looking for a different kind of sports romance then I recommend you give this book a try. It’s well written, the plot hits all the marks you expect it to and it’s a fun ride (pun only partially intended). I enjoyed learning a little more about polo, I used to ride so it was nice to read something set in that world, it made a nice change from the usual baseball/football/hockey teams. The romance is well paced and the chemistry and tension between Ash and Mateo was well developed.
Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for this advanced reader’s copy in exchange of my honest review.
I didn’t expect to love this book so much!
I dived into this book knowing absolutely nothing about Polo and now I’m obsessively looking for the summer schedule! What a fun and sweet way to learn about a new sport. As a fan of sports romance I jumped at the chance to read what I could already tell from the blurb was going to be a sweet and easy read.
I absolutely ADORED the setting and the plot. As a romance reader I often struggle to find stories that stick to a plot and feel more than just a long conversation between the main characters but this one had a great and consistent story.
I loved how realistic the main characters were, you can see yourself in both Ash and Mateo at times, showing the deep, raw feelings humans experience both in their professional and personal lives.
Mateo was a complicated person, lots of baggage but good at heart. I enjoyed getting to see the layers of his character. He stayed true to himself and did what a lot of people tend to do: sacrifice his happiness for his career. It was inspiring to see him come to terms with his past issues and becoming a better version of himself on and off the field.
Ash was a phenomenal representation of a young adult trying to find her way in the world. It takes time and effort to find what your passion is and it’s so easy to get stuck in a job you don’t necessarily love but don’t hate enough to take the leap of finding a new one. She was strong, bold, stubborn and thankfully a smart woman who went through hell and learned from it. She put herself first and never looked back, a true queen.
They had good chemistry but I wished we got to see the early stages of their relationship. The side characters were also fun and a great addition to the story.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you’re a fan of sports romance, I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR!
I didn’t expect to love this book so much!
I dived into this book knowing absolutely nothing about Polo and now I’m obsessively looking for the summer schedule! What a fun and sweet way to learn about a new sport. As a fan of sports romance I jumped at the chance to read what I could already tell from the blurb was going to be a sweet and easy read.
I absolutely ADORED the setting and the plot. As a romance reader I often struggle to find stories that stick to a plot and feel more than just a long conversation between the main characters but this one had a great and consistent story.
I loved how realistic the main characters were, you can see yourself in both Ash and Mateo at times, showing the deep, raw feelings humans experience both in their professional and personal lives.
Mateo was a complicated person, lots of baggage but good at heart. I enjoyed getting to see the layers of his character. He stayed true to himself and did what a lot of people tend to do: sacrifice his happiness for his career. It was inspiring to see him come to terms with his past issues and becoming a better version of himself on and off the field.
Ash was a phenomenal representation of a young adult trying to find her way in the world. It takes time and effort to find what your passion is and it’s so easy to get stuck in a job you don’t necessarily love but don’t hate enough to take the leap of finding a new one. She was strong, bold, stubborn and thankfully a smart woman who went through hell and learned from it. She put herself first and never looked back, a true queen.
They had good chemistry but I wished we got to see the early stages of their relationship. The side characters were also fun and a great addition to the story.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you’re a fan of sports romance, I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR!
July 27, 2026
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Polo Fever for review.
🐎🤍 This was my first time reading Katherine Reilly's work, and also my first polo sports romance! Safe to say... now I need more classy sports romances with horses, country estates, and all the elegant vibes. 😮💨✨I really adored this read. It had a straightforward plot, lovable main characters, great side characters, and of course... horses. 🐴❤️ What more could I ask for?
If I had one little nitpick, it would definitely be that I wanted more drama. 👀🔥 The book starts with Ashley getting caught up in a huge scandal, and I honestly thought we were about to get all the messy chaos. Especially with the High Fives involved, I was expecting the scandal to be explored a little more and create even more tension. Don't get me wrong, I love my wholesome romances, but sometimes a little extra drama makes everything even better. 😂🍿
Overall, I really enjoyed the pacing of the book. ❤️ Ashley's growth throughout the story was one of my favourite parts. Watching her slowly rebuild herself and form relationships—not just with Mateo, but with all the wonderful side characters—was so satisfying to read. And Ashley and Mateo? 🥹 Their romance was just so cute. The little moments, the banter, and the way they got to know each other made me smile the whole way through. They're honestly two sexy cinnamon rolls who deserved their happily ever after. 🤍🐎✨
If you're looking for a wholesome sports romance with a unique setting, lovable characters, horses, and plenty of heart, I'd definitely recommend picking up Polo Fever. 🐴💚Thank you deifnitelybooks for this copy of Polo Fever - Katherine Reilly. I can't wait to devour her other reads
🐎🤍 This was my first time reading Katherine Reilly's work, and also my first polo sports romance! Safe to say... now I need more classy sports romances with horses, country estates, and all the elegant vibes. 😮💨✨I really adored this read. It had a straightforward plot, lovable main characters, great side characters, and of course... horses. 🐴❤️ What more could I ask for?
If I had one little nitpick, it would definitely be that I wanted more drama. 👀🔥 The book starts with Ashley getting caught up in a huge scandal, and I honestly thought we were about to get all the messy chaos. Especially with the High Fives involved, I was expecting the scandal to be explored a little more and create even more tension. Don't get me wrong, I love my wholesome romances, but sometimes a little extra drama makes everything even better. 😂🍿
Overall, I really enjoyed the pacing of the book. ❤️ Ashley's growth throughout the story was one of my favourite parts. Watching her slowly rebuild herself and form relationships—not just with Mateo, but with all the wonderful side characters—was so satisfying to read. And Ashley and Mateo? 🥹 Their romance was just so cute. The little moments, the banter, and the way they got to know each other made me smile the whole way through. They're honestly two sexy cinnamon rolls who deserved their happily ever after. 🤍🐎✨
If you're looking for a wholesome sports romance with a unique setting, lovable characters, horses, and plenty of heart, I'd definitely recommend picking up Polo Fever. 🐴💚Thank you deifnitelybooks for this copy of Polo Fever - Katherine Reilly. I can't wait to devour her other reads
August 18, 2026
I enjoyed this book! I love all of Katherine’s books and I was so excited to read this one
I’m now a fan of polo🤣
This one is probably my least favourite of hers and I wasn’t sure if I was gonna rate this 3 or 4 stars but it got better at the end
There’s a lot of change and grow in this book and it’s all about facing fears and learning to grow but also following your heart🤍
Ashley had gone through so much so fled where she found her true loves and her passion in life so it was the best decision🤍
She also helped Matteo realise that there’s more to life than just following your career and that things can enter your life and surprise you but you have to truly know what you want and realise things can change
He hid all his fears just to make her happy - like the eiffel tower🥺
“I want him to need me the way I think I might need him.” - “The way I know I need him.”
“I can’t bear it when you’re not with me. And when you are with me, I feel like I can breathe again.”
“If you never take any risks, then you never win.”
“Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. It’s better to try.”
“Make that decision based on what you want from life. Don’t let the actions of anyone else have sway over it.”
“Some people don’t know the best thing to
happen to them until they let it slip away.”
“When he plays with his heart, he is unstoppable.”
I’m now a fan of polo🤣
This one is probably my least favourite of hers and I wasn’t sure if I was gonna rate this 3 or 4 stars but it got better at the end
There’s a lot of change and grow in this book and it’s all about facing fears and learning to grow but also following your heart🤍
Ashley had gone through so much so fled where she found her true loves and her passion in life so it was the best decision🤍
She also helped Matteo realise that there’s more to life than just following your career and that things can enter your life and surprise you but you have to truly know what you want and realise things can change
He hid all his fears just to make her happy - like the eiffel tower🥺
“I want him to need me the way I think I might need him.” - “The way I know I need him.”
“I can’t bear it when you’re not with me. And when you are with me, I feel like I can breathe again.”
“If you never take any risks, then you never win.”
“Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. It’s better to try.”
“Make that decision based on what you want from life. Don’t let the actions of anyone else have sway over it.”
“Some people don’t know the best thing to
happen to them until they let it slip away.”
“When he plays with his heart, he is unstoppable.”
August 19, 2026
If I had read this back when I was a 15 year old novice English female groom, learning to play from Argentinian men and crushing on the rich polo boys, I would have lost my mind. *is this play about me* vibes.
Reading it now, I wish it was all about the yard work, the horses, and the matches and less about the romance.
Honestly the romance in this was by far my least favourite part. Mateo sucked and this is the first romance I’ve read where I truly hoped they wouldn’t have a HEA. Ash deserved a lot better than him. He treated her like trash and in my mind she realises she was too good for him and left him.
Reading it now, I wish it was all about the yard work, the horses, and the matches and less about the romance.
Honestly the romance in this was by far my least favourite part. Mateo sucked and this is the first romance I’ve read where I truly hoped they wouldn’t have a HEA. Ash deserved a lot better than him. He treated her like trash and in my mind she realises she was too good for him and left him.
June 24, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the E-ARC!
This absolutely helped with my Rivals hangover. It was such a cute, fun summer read. I may need to look up some polo matches near me 👀 Ash and Mateo were so good together, I loved how they progressed and grew together. Mateo, I too would be weak in the knees going up the Eiffel Tower its way too high. We did see a little of one of my least desirable tropes, the third act break up, but I endured it. It actually wasn’t too bad. Also a big fan of Basilio getting punched in the face for pushing too hard.
This absolutely helped with my Rivals hangover. It was such a cute, fun summer read. I may need to look up some polo matches near me 👀 Ash and Mateo were so good together, I loved how they progressed and grew together. Mateo, I too would be weak in the knees going up the Eiffel Tower its way too high. We did see a little of one of my least desirable tropes, the third act break up, but I endured it. It actually wasn’t too bad. Also a big fan of Basilio getting punched in the face for pushing too hard.
June 26, 2026
A Spicy Sports Romance perfect for Summer!
I feel I got the best of both worlds with a sports romance where the sports involves horses!
I have to say even though she wasn't really a main character, Sam was my absolute favourite and I would gladly read something with her centre stage!
Mateo was our silent brooding polo player who always thought Polo was everything to him until Firecracker Ashley rolled into his life after escaping a very public scandal.
I really loved the whole team, they way they all played with each other and backed each other up.
A perfect read in the sun!
I feel I got the best of both worlds with a sports romance where the sports involves horses!
I have to say even though she wasn't really a main character, Sam was my absolute favourite and I would gladly read something with her centre stage!
Mateo was our silent brooding polo player who always thought Polo was everything to him until Firecracker Ashley rolled into his life after escaping a very public scandal.
I really loved the whole team, they way they all played with each other and backed each other up.
A perfect read in the sun!
August 16, 2026
Really enjoy reading the last three books from Katherine Reilly- Sports Romance!
What I like about her books characters interlink too!
Start with Match Point, then Ride the wave and enjoy Polo Fever.
Ash starts off with a whirlwind and manages to make her life go into a direction of nostalgia with her love for horses and begins work at a Polo yard whilst some things happen along the way- it’s easy to read and you can feel the atmosphere of the polo by reading this book.
What I like about her books characters interlink too!
Start with Match Point, then Ride the wave and enjoy Polo Fever.
Ash starts off with a whirlwind and manages to make her life go into a direction of nostalgia with her love for horses and begins work at a Polo yard whilst some things happen along the way- it’s easy to read and you can feel the atmosphere of the polo by reading this book.
July 2, 2026
After loving match point and ride the wave I was looking forward to this.
It’s not a bad book but I was so bored, it felt so slow but also rushed at the same time. A few things were forgotten about.
I’m not sure Polo is for me or it’s not for me in book format at least
It’s not a bad book but I was so bored, it felt so slow but also rushed at the same time. A few things were forgotten about.
I’m not sure Polo is for me or it’s not for me in book format at least
August 3, 2026
Only took a long time to read because of my exams otherwise I would have read it in two days! Nice and easy read with a well rounded fmc and a likeable mmc. I bought it because of the polo theme and was not disappointed!
More like 3,5 stars
More like 3,5 stars
August 17, 2026
Such a cute romance. I knew nothing about Polo so it was really interesting to learn more about that sport and I really enjoyed the characters. I will definitely be checking out more of this authors books.
Currently Reading
January 8, 2026She’s got a new one! Let’s go
August 6, 2026
4,5
J'ai beaucoup aimé ce livre, j'ai trouvé le sujet de la romance original et j'ai beaucoup aimé suivre les personnages.
J'ai beaucoup aimé ce livre, j'ai trouvé le sujet de la romance original et j'ai beaucoup aimé suivre les personnages.
June 11, 2026
Un caballito se llama Gimli 💛
June 26, 2026
This is my first book by Katherine Reilly, and it was a cute afternoon read!
I have never read a book about polo before, usually sticking to hockey or football for my sports romances, with very few exceptions with baseball. It was fun to learn about the sport through the book, and it helped that the main character was learning right alongside us. It was, however, very easy to get lost in the weeds there, with all the technicalities and new terms, but that’s more on me for picking up a book about a sport I know nothing about.
The book opens with Ashley, who’s worked in the fashion industry for a long time, getting caught in a scandal that virtually decimates her career and her reputation. Unknowingly, she’d ended up being “the other woman,” falling for the man’s lies only for him to yank her job, stability and everything out from under her. To escape the tithers and whispers of what seems like everyone in London, she escapes to her brother’s home in the countryside, where he owns a pub.
She’s working at the pub and resetting her life taking walks when a horse grazing near a fence catches her eye. In a short course of time, she manages to get the horse to trust her, which catches the eye of the dashing polo player that has set up shop there — where his patron lives. And I don’t mean that in a “he falls in love with her at first sight” way.
The premise of this book was so promising, and on many fronts, it did deliver. It was funny watching Ashley meld from fashionista to something more rugged and hands-on with the mud, horses, and stable cleaning. The romance was also sweet as well. I always appreciate romance more when the characters don’t really seem to like each other initially, but then later grow to see each other in a new light — it makes everything feel a lot more earned.
That being said — the book did seem to stall for a good portion of it, not going up or down in terms of conflict, character progression and story. The third act breakup also had me side-eyeing a little bit, and I felt that it got resolved really fast. The miscommunications between them didn’t match up with the ages they were supposed to be, and you could’ve told me that they’re young adults, and I would’ve believed that.
All in all, it was a cute romance that stands on its own, and is a good laid-back read without too many strings.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review
I have never read a book about polo before, usually sticking to hockey or football for my sports romances, with very few exceptions with baseball. It was fun to learn about the sport through the book, and it helped that the main character was learning right alongside us. It was, however, very easy to get lost in the weeds there, with all the technicalities and new terms, but that’s more on me for picking up a book about a sport I know nothing about.
The book opens with Ashley, who’s worked in the fashion industry for a long time, getting caught in a scandal that virtually decimates her career and her reputation. Unknowingly, she’d ended up being “the other woman,” falling for the man’s lies only for him to yank her job, stability and everything out from under her. To escape the tithers and whispers of what seems like everyone in London, she escapes to her brother’s home in the countryside, where he owns a pub.
She’s working at the pub and resetting her life taking walks when a horse grazing near a fence catches her eye. In a short course of time, she manages to get the horse to trust her, which catches the eye of the dashing polo player that has set up shop there — where his patron lives. And I don’t mean that in a “he falls in love with her at first sight” way.
The premise of this book was so promising, and on many fronts, it did deliver. It was funny watching Ashley meld from fashionista to something more rugged and hands-on with the mud, horses, and stable cleaning. The romance was also sweet as well. I always appreciate romance more when the characters don’t really seem to like each other initially, but then later grow to see each other in a new light — it makes everything feel a lot more earned.
That being said — the book did seem to stall for a good portion of it, not going up or down in terms of conflict, character progression and story. The third act breakup also had me side-eyeing a little bit, and I felt that it got resolved really fast. The miscommunications between them didn’t match up with the ages they were supposed to be, and you could’ve told me that they’re young adults, and I would’ve believed that.
All in all, it was a cute romance that stands on its own, and is a good laid-back read without too many strings.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review
July 7, 2026
A slow-burn sports romance set in the high-low world of horses. A relaxing Summer read to see you through to the next season of Rivals!
Heartbroken and fired, Ashley is hiding out in the Sussex countryside when she finds herself unexpectedly swept up in the world of Polo. Over the season, she discovers a love for more than just the sport.
🥐Pairs well with coffee and croissants.
The first third of the novel felt a little slow going -the prologue an unnecessary addition- but I felt fully invested and absorbed for the rest of the novel so I’m glad I stuck with it. It’s a fun read that goes down easy -just what I want in the summer. What really stood out to me was the polo matches, the action of the games was so vividly described, I felt like I was right there. It was more sportsy than I thought I’d like, but I ended up loving those scenes, but do note it is very explanatory about polo and grooming.
With thanks to Bloomsbury USA for the gifted E-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for providing an honest review.
Heartbroken and fired, Ashley is hiding out in the Sussex countryside when she finds herself unexpectedly swept up in the world of Polo. Over the season, she discovers a love for more than just the sport.
🥐Pairs well with coffee and croissants.
The first third of the novel felt a little slow going -the prologue an unnecessary addition- but I felt fully invested and absorbed for the rest of the novel so I’m glad I stuck with it. It’s a fun read that goes down easy -just what I want in the summer. What really stood out to me was the polo matches, the action of the games was so vividly described, I felt like I was right there. It was more sportsy than I thought I’d like, but I ended up loving those scenes, but do note it is very explanatory about polo and grooming.
With thanks to Bloomsbury USA for the gifted E-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for providing an honest review.
April 29, 2026
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
A sweet, easy-to-read sports romance perfect for readers looking for a horse-filled escape, great spice that doesn't take away from the story, and an FMC who fights for what she deserves.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3.25 ⭐
3 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"Yes, but there's no harm in leaning on people," says Mum, who has never leant on anyone her whole life.
"I can't... I can't do this anymore," he says in a strained, hoarse voice.
"Do what?"
"Be around you all the time and pretend like I don't want to kiss you."
"You give me spirit, Ash. You are my heart."
"I wanted you to have your moment."
"I want you to be a part of every moment."
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
Ashley’s secret romance destroys her career, sending her to the country, where a quiet stable - and a magnetic polo star - pull her into a world of elite drama, unexpected passion, and risks that could break her heart.
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
🏇 Sports Romance
🏢 Workplace Romance
💞 Mutual Pining
🌱 Fresh Start
🏘️ Small Town
🫶 Found Family
🎯 Training Arc
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🙅♀️ She's the "Other Woman" for her Ex
‼️ Jealousy
💔 3rd Act Breakup
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Lots of Horses and Polo Matches
+ Bond between Ash and a Wary Pony
+ Ash and Mateo's meet-cute
+ Balance of Sweet vs Spicy
+ Easy Read
+ Owner's Daughter Jules!
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Got lost with technicalities of polo
- Characters often feel immature (reads as YA with spice)
- Ash is a bit too perfect
- Miscommunication
- Rushed Resolution
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I was so excited to jump into a sweet romance set around horses, and it doesn't disappoint! Horses were mentioned regularly from the off, as well as a heavy polo influence matching the sports romance subgenre. I'll be honest, I knew nothing about polo going into this, and at the other side I definitely got lost in some parts of the matches described, however it was enjoyable to read about the games regardless.
Ash's struggle as she finds out she's actively been in an affair with a tennis player who's not leaving his wife is awful to read. You truly feel for her as the reader. She loses her job the next day and isolates herself at home until her mum comes to get her. The suggestion from her mum to go spend time with her brother felt a little heavy-handed but not the end of the world.
I loved reading about Ash's instant connection to Serafina, the wary chestnut horse belonging to the local polo team. It's such an innocent relationship where both could find solace in each other while escaping their realities. This is also where Ash first properly meets Mateo. Their interactions feel genuine and I could really sense their curiosity about one another.
I appreciated that the pair weren't exactly friends right off the bat, Mateo doesn't trust anyone without experience around the horses, and Ash thinks Mateo's just another rich, entitled prat. I enjoyed seeing those layers slowly peel away as the relationship developed. Though I do think Mateo's prologue at the beginning was unnecessary.
I also wasn't a big fan of the "mean girls" vibe of some of the ladies that followed the polo club. It felt immature and bratty, almost like a YA novel. I was also disappointed that Ash was a bit too perfect. Her most obvious "flaw" is that she's quite outspoken, however this doesn't ever really work against her. Mateo finds it attractive, the polo owners think it's entertaining. Even when it locks her into a fundraiser that would expose her weaknesses, it still works for her love of riding and horses.
There's also a lot of will they/won't they. Ash has clearly got trust issues after her last breakup, and Mateo has no idea what he wants. They both feel a bit immature here again, and there are several moments of miscommunication that delay their relationship. This is only encouraged by Mateo's rival Basilio - and it often feels like the characters are a bit flat as a result. When everything's finally resolved at the end, it's all quite rushed and inauthentic.
However, this read was an easy one to digest despite getting lost in the polo technicalities on occasion, and there were some really sweet (and spicy!) moments that stuck with me after finishing the book! Jules, the polo team owner's daughter was great to read about and I wish she'd had more of a presence in the book!
Thank you to Katherine Reilly and Aria & Aries for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A sweet, easy-to-read sports romance perfect for readers looking for a horse-filled escape, great spice that doesn't take away from the story, and an FMC who fights for what she deserves.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3.25 ⭐
3 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"Yes, but there's no harm in leaning on people," says Mum, who has never leant on anyone her whole life.
"I can't... I can't do this anymore," he says in a strained, hoarse voice.
"Do what?"
"Be around you all the time and pretend like I don't want to kiss you."
"You give me spirit, Ash. You are my heart."
"I wanted you to have your moment."
"I want you to be a part of every moment."
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
Ashley’s secret romance destroys her career, sending her to the country, where a quiet stable - and a magnetic polo star - pull her into a world of elite drama, unexpected passion, and risks that could break her heart.
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
🏇 Sports Romance
🏢 Workplace Romance
💞 Mutual Pining
🌱 Fresh Start
🏘️ Small Town
🫶 Found Family
🎯 Training Arc
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🙅♀️ She's the "Other Woman" for her Ex
‼️ Jealousy
💔 3rd Act Breakup
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Lots of Horses and Polo Matches
+ Bond between Ash and a Wary Pony
+ Ash and Mateo's meet-cute
+ Balance of Sweet vs Spicy
+ Easy Read
+ Owner's Daughter Jules!
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Got lost with technicalities of polo
- Characters often feel immature (reads as YA with spice)
- Ash is a bit too perfect
- Miscommunication
- Rushed Resolution
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I was so excited to jump into a sweet romance set around horses, and it doesn't disappoint! Horses were mentioned regularly from the off, as well as a heavy polo influence matching the sports romance subgenre. I'll be honest, I knew nothing about polo going into this, and at the other side I definitely got lost in some parts of the matches described, however it was enjoyable to read about the games regardless.
Ash's struggle as she finds out she's actively been in an affair with a tennis player who's not leaving his wife is awful to read. You truly feel for her as the reader. She loses her job the next day and isolates herself at home until her mum comes to get her. The suggestion from her mum to go spend time with her brother felt a little heavy-handed but not the end of the world.
I loved reading about Ash's instant connection to Serafina, the wary chestnut horse belonging to the local polo team. It's such an innocent relationship where both could find solace in each other while escaping their realities. This is also where Ash first properly meets Mateo. Their interactions feel genuine and I could really sense their curiosity about one another.
I appreciated that the pair weren't exactly friends right off the bat, Mateo doesn't trust anyone without experience around the horses, and Ash thinks Mateo's just another rich, entitled prat. I enjoyed seeing those layers slowly peel away as the relationship developed. Though I do think Mateo's prologue at the beginning was unnecessary.
I also wasn't a big fan of the "mean girls" vibe of some of the ladies that followed the polo club. It felt immature and bratty, almost like a YA novel. I was also disappointed that Ash was a bit too perfect. Her most obvious "flaw" is that she's quite outspoken, however this doesn't ever really work against her. Mateo finds it attractive, the polo owners think it's entertaining. Even when it locks her into a fundraiser that would expose her weaknesses, it still works for her love of riding and horses.
There's also a lot of will they/won't they. Ash has clearly got trust issues after her last breakup, and Mateo has no idea what he wants. They both feel a bit immature here again, and there are several moments of miscommunication that delay their relationship. This is only encouraged by Mateo's rival Basilio - and it often feels like the characters are a bit flat as a result. When everything's finally resolved at the end, it's all quite rushed and inauthentic.
However, this read was an easy one to digest despite getting lost in the polo technicalities on occasion, and there were some really sweet (and spicy!) moments that stuck with me after finishing the book! Jules, the polo team owner's daughter was great to read about and I wish she'd had more of a presence in the book!
Thank you to Katherine Reilly and Aria & Aries for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 2, 2026
4.25 ★
Katherine Reilly has done it again! I loved Match Point when i read it earlier this year so was so excited and intrigued to see a polo romance from her. It did not disappoint and is definitely now on my list of fave sports romance books!
I was a teensybit nervous to read this one since I hated Chris Courtney so much and didn’t want to see him do my girl Ash dirty but I was so hooked on this from page one! I read this in just a few sittings in one day. Just like Katherine Reilly’s other books, this is the perfect poolside read!
I loved both Ash and Mateo so much. Ash was a very relatable character, both in her emotional depth and her journey to discovering her passion. Mateo was so very adorable in his yearning. He was so sweet and caring with Ash as she worked through her complicated emotions surrounding dating a public figure in sports. Is there anything hotter than a man who asks for clear consent and very clearly articulates his feelings? I think not! The pacing of the romance felt pretty perfect to me, although I do wish we could have seen a little more of Ash and Mateo dating. The tension and drama had me feeling so emotional. Given how much Match Point moved me, I should not have been surprised by how much I was tearing up towards the end. My Kindle almost died at a critical point so I was quite literally hunched over on the floor in tears. Suffice to say, the characters really clicked for me!
As a big hockey romance girl, I’ve been really loving reading sports romance about more niche sports (loved Ride the Wave for this reason!). I knew absolutely nothing about polo going into this (and still don’t know much) but everything was explained so clearly that I had no issues following! I actually didn’t even know what polo looked like until around 77% in when I realized I should have watched a video of it (LOL) but turns out what I imagined based on the book was exactly what was happening so clearly the descriptions were very effective! While I can’t confirm the accuracy, it was really interesting learning some of the behind the scenes stuff alongside Ash.
I can’t wait to see where we go next with this universe! I am assuming Sam will be the FMC of Off Piste (as someone who raced up until uni, I am sooo excited for a skiing romance) and just know that will be another hit for me. She was such a fun side character and it will be nice to potentially get more Iris content!
Katherine Reilly has done it again! I loved Match Point when i read it earlier this year so was so excited and intrigued to see a polo romance from her. It did not disappoint and is definitely now on my list of fave sports romance books!
I was a teensybit nervous to read this one since I hated Chris Courtney so much and didn’t want to see him do my girl Ash dirty but I was so hooked on this from page one! I read this in just a few sittings in one day. Just like Katherine Reilly’s other books, this is the perfect poolside read!
I loved both Ash and Mateo so much. Ash was a very relatable character, both in her emotional depth and her journey to discovering her passion. Mateo was so very adorable in his yearning. He was so sweet and caring with Ash as she worked through her complicated emotions surrounding dating a public figure in sports. Is there anything hotter than a man who asks for clear consent and very clearly articulates his feelings? I think not! The pacing of the romance felt pretty perfect to me, although I do wish we could have seen a little more of Ash and Mateo dating. The tension and drama had me feeling so emotional. Given how much Match Point moved me, I should not have been surprised by how much I was tearing up towards the end. My Kindle almost died at a critical point so I was quite literally hunched over on the floor in tears. Suffice to say, the characters really clicked for me!
As a big hockey romance girl, I’ve been really loving reading sports romance about more niche sports (loved Ride the Wave for this reason!). I knew absolutely nothing about polo going into this (and still don’t know much) but everything was explained so clearly that I had no issues following! I actually didn’t even know what polo looked like until around 77% in when I realized I should have watched a video of it (LOL) but turns out what I imagined based on the book was exactly what was happening so clearly the descriptions were very effective! While I can’t confirm the accuracy, it was really interesting learning some of the behind the scenes stuff alongside Ash.
I can’t wait to see where we go next with this universe! I am assuming Sam will be the FMC of Off Piste (as someone who raced up until uni, I am sooo excited for a skiing romance) and just know that will be another hit for me. She was such a fun side character and it will be nice to potentially get more Iris content!
Did Not Finish
July 26, 2026I have made good use of the new DNF shelf so far! This started out well, something light and fluffy to get me out of a reading slump. But it increasingly frustrated me as the book went on, meaning that by 45% I just didn’t care and pushed on because I wanted to use up my Spotify hours. But the audiobook narrator grated on me with her so my song voice that meant some words were tripped over, making them inaudible, which made it hard to follow. I had to get the kindle edition just to keep up, which was £3.99 not well spent imo. So sad as I loved her other book Ride the Wave, but this one felt so shallow as to be almost childish. The romance started well but was very heavy handed, telling us how she felt rather than showing it organically. I didn’t think there was enough chemistry to back it up. And I really started to dislike Ash when she essentially laughed at Mateo when he was clearly terrified of heights on the Eiffel Tower; she “joked” about dangling herself over the edge and it made him even more tense and nervous and she just said “I was only joking”. I didn’t feel like that was a very nice thing to do. When she was later nervous about a polo match, she told him off for being sarcastic about her getting fired if he lost - which she wouldn’t - and suddenly it’s “not the time.” So you can dish it out but can’t take it, I see. And he would have saved both of them a lot of angst if he’d just said “I want more than a fling” when he asked her how she felt about him on the boat. She said “I don’t trust people after getting hurt recently” and all he had to say was “I wouldn’t do that” but he literally didn’t say anything. I really felt it was his turn to reply after she bared her heart to him telling her story of her past experience but he literally just said “if that’s how you feel” and made no effort to reassure her that he wouldn’t hurt her. And then he got so angry about it he lost the match, and said to her that what she said had angered him. Why? He only has to say “I want more than the fling people have led you to believe I want.” That’s it. But their communication skills are appalling. Not something I want to read. Sorry! I wish I could have liked this because the sprayed edges are gorgeous and I already own the book. But oh well!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pole Fever was my second book by Katherine Reilly, Ride The Wave being the first, and I was really excited to read this new book, but perhaps I had too high expectations.
I didn't know much about pole, I had a visual image, but I didn't know the rules or anything like that. The book takes the reader through all the stages and we get to understand what happens behind the scenes to make sure the games run smoothly for the team.
The MMC, Mateo, plays on a polo team and his love for the sport is enormous, he has been playing since he was young and is now trying to win the championship. On the other hand, we have the FMC, Ashley, who is spending some time with her brother after a scandal. The chemistry between Mateo and Ashley was built up gradually, which I liked, because it didn't seem like a meaningless relationship, where they are together just for the sake of it, but I think something was missing and I can't put my finger on it.
Even though Ashley feels insecure about trying to get into another relationship after what happened with her last one, I can't understand what the real problem is here. She worked in fashion, where everything comes down to appearance, and there's a conversation where she explains that even she wore a “mask” because that was the only way to survive in that professional environment. She falls in love with someone, fine. She gets her heart broken, alright. So why is she so afraid when someone is honest with her? When Mateo says that his work and his passion are important? Of course, it would take good organisation for the relationship to continue, but I think she gave too much importance to this unnecessarily.
I also felt that too many characters were introduced at once or too close to each other, so at a certain point I confused them all, even though I figured out who was who by the end of the book. The pace and writing were good. Perhaps I had too high expectations and that was a shame, as I feel it influenced my reading experience.
Pole Fever was my second book by Katherine Reilly, Ride The Wave being the first, and I was really excited to read this new book, but perhaps I had too high expectations.
I didn't know much about pole, I had a visual image, but I didn't know the rules or anything like that. The book takes the reader through all the stages and we get to understand what happens behind the scenes to make sure the games run smoothly for the team.
The MMC, Mateo, plays on a polo team and his love for the sport is enormous, he has been playing since he was young and is now trying to win the championship. On the other hand, we have the FMC, Ashley, who is spending some time with her brother after a scandal. The chemistry between Mateo and Ashley was built up gradually, which I liked, because it didn't seem like a meaningless relationship, where they are together just for the sake of it, but I think something was missing and I can't put my finger on it.
Even though Ashley feels insecure about trying to get into another relationship after what happened with her last one, I can't understand what the real problem is here. She worked in fashion, where everything comes down to appearance, and there's a conversation where she explains that even she wore a “mask” because that was the only way to survive in that professional environment. She falls in love with someone, fine. She gets her heart broken, alright. So why is she so afraid when someone is honest with her? When Mateo says that his work and his passion are important? Of course, it would take good organisation for the relationship to continue, but I think she gave too much importance to this unnecessarily.
I also felt that too many characters were introduced at once or too close to each other, so at a certain point I confused them all, even though I figured out who was who by the end of the book. The pace and writing were good. Perhaps I had too high expectations and that was a shame, as I feel it influenced my reading experience.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was my first Katherine Reilly book, and thank you to NetGalley and Aria for the ARC. I really enjoyed this novel; I read it across two days in two sittings.
It is quite fast-paced, easy to read, and a fun romance. It follows Ashley, a fashion assistant, as she’s involved in a paparazzi scandal with a famous tennis player. Looking to escape reality for a bit, she heads to Sussex to stay with her brother and help run his pub. Only whilst there, Ashley’s captivated by the local horses and, after being spotted by Mateo, she fast becomes involved in the world of polo and friends with the wealthy.
I love a sports romance, but I’ve never read one about polo before, so this was actually quite an interesting read, getting to learn more about polo and horses throughout the book. The sport does feature heavily in this book, which I liked because it directly relates to the characters and the plot; it isn’t just a subplot mentioned once or twice.
Ashley was a great FMC. The prologue is in Mateo’s POV, but the rest of the novel is from Ashley’s and I found that she was relatable, funny, and a good narrator. She’s kind, hard-working, and scared to let herself open up only to be hurt again.
But Mateo manages to change her mind.
I liked the progression of their relationship; it wasn’t too fast, but it wasn’t a slow-burn either. It built up chapter by chapter and we could see the push and the pull between the two characters.
I also enjoyed the side characters, such as Sam and Eric, all of whom had a good dynamic with the protagonists and impacted the plot, too.
The only thing I would say that I would’ve liked to have seen more of is the scandal surrounding Ashley and Mateo's relationship in the polo world. Other than Basilio and Mateo’s dislike, there wasn’t much that threatened Ashley and Mateo’s relationship. I would have liked to have seen a bit more danger surrounding it, like will they get caught by the paparazzi, and not just Ashley’s hesitance from her previous experience.
That being said, I did enjoy Polo Fever by Katherine Reilly.
It is quite fast-paced, easy to read, and a fun romance. It follows Ashley, a fashion assistant, as she’s involved in a paparazzi scandal with a famous tennis player. Looking to escape reality for a bit, she heads to Sussex to stay with her brother and help run his pub. Only whilst there, Ashley’s captivated by the local horses and, after being spotted by Mateo, she fast becomes involved in the world of polo and friends with the wealthy.
I love a sports romance, but I’ve never read one about polo before, so this was actually quite an interesting read, getting to learn more about polo and horses throughout the book. The sport does feature heavily in this book, which I liked because it directly relates to the characters and the plot; it isn’t just a subplot mentioned once or twice.
Ashley was a great FMC. The prologue is in Mateo’s POV, but the rest of the novel is from Ashley’s and I found that she was relatable, funny, and a good narrator. She’s kind, hard-working, and scared to let herself open up only to be hurt again.
But Mateo manages to change her mind.
I liked the progression of their relationship; it wasn’t too fast, but it wasn’t a slow-burn either. It built up chapter by chapter and we could see the push and the pull between the two characters.
I also enjoyed the side characters, such as Sam and Eric, all of whom had a good dynamic with the protagonists and impacted the plot, too.
The only thing I would say that I would’ve liked to have seen more of is the scandal surrounding Ashley and Mateo's relationship in the polo world. Other than Basilio and Mateo’s dislike, there wasn’t much that threatened Ashley and Mateo’s relationship. I would have liked to have seen a bit more danger surrounding it, like will they get caught by the paparazzi, and not just Ashley’s hesitance from her previous experience.
That being said, I did enjoy Polo Fever by Katherine Reilly.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Mateo grew up thinking that winning was everything and Ashley really rocks his reality and puts a lot of things in perspective. Is winning everything if you have no one to share it with? really summed up Mateo and Ashley’s relationship for me and l loved the contrast of Ashley enjoying a slower life and a new career vs Mateo not knowing to do with himself when he slowed down and the way this propelled both of them to some well needed self discovery.
As per usual I really loved the way Katherine Reilly wrote her fmc and mmc, Mateo and Ashley are flawed but written so genuinely that their character development is paced ✨perfectly✨. Another fun aspect was an uncommon sport; I LOVED that Ashley was a groom and Mateo was a polo player. I grew up with horses, so it was such a nostalgic time for me anytime there was a horse scene, and I just generally enjoyed that the sport was thoroughly explained well (I felt like I experienced a polo match and it didn’t feel like information overload).
There was a third act breakup ( I am a third act breakup hater) and although it’s usually something that would give me the ick, it really did not feel like it was unnecessary and did enhance Mateo and Ashley’s character development in a genuine way that didn’t put me off.
Katherine Reilly is an auto buy author for me, I read her book ‘ride the wave’ and LOVED it and this book is a testament to her writing because I always thought polo was boring but now, I might be a fan? Do I need to watch a match? Maybe.
If you enjoy sports romance but want to step away from some of the more oversaturated sports, I think you should give ‘polo fever’ (and ‘ride the wave’ because it’s also so good) a chance.
A massive thank you to Aria, NetGalley and Katherine Reilly for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
As per usual I really loved the way Katherine Reilly wrote her fmc and mmc, Mateo and Ashley are flawed but written so genuinely that their character development is paced ✨perfectly✨. Another fun aspect was an uncommon sport; I LOVED that Ashley was a groom and Mateo was a polo player. I grew up with horses, so it was such a nostalgic time for me anytime there was a horse scene, and I just generally enjoyed that the sport was thoroughly explained well (I felt like I experienced a polo match and it didn’t feel like information overload).
There was a third act breakup ( I am a third act breakup hater) and although it’s usually something that would give me the ick, it really did not feel like it was unnecessary and did enhance Mateo and Ashley’s character development in a genuine way that didn’t put me off.
Katherine Reilly is an auto buy author for me, I read her book ‘ride the wave’ and LOVED it and this book is a testament to her writing because I always thought polo was boring but now, I might be a fan? Do I need to watch a match? Maybe.
If you enjoy sports romance but want to step away from some of the more oversaturated sports, I think you should give ‘polo fever’ (and ‘ride the wave’ because it’s also so good) a chance.
A massive thank you to Aria, NetGalley and Katherine Reilly for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
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