What do you think?
Rate this book
You Broke Me First
For journalist Ava Whitfield, landing an exclusive with tennis’s most infamous bad boy, Marcus Taylor, is a career boost she can’t refuse—and the perfect distraction from her recent break-up. Her assignment? Find out why the world-class star is such a world-class grouch.
But when a viral photo sparks rumours they’re dating, both stand to benefit from the lie: Marcus gets a PR glow-up, and Ava gets to make her ex feel a teeny bit jealous. Win-win…in theory.
As the line between truth and fiction blurs, Marcus lets Ava see the man behind the headlines—funny, driven, and disarmingly kind. The more she gets to know him, the harder it is to keep her professional distance.
Amid the champagne and bright lights of Wimbledon, Ava must decide: is a relationship worth the leap? Or will tennis always come first for Marcus? Can she lower her guard, or will falling for him leave her heart in pieces all over again?
But when a viral photo sparks rumours they’re dating, both stand to benefit from the lie: Marcus gets a PR glow-up, and Ava gets to make her ex feel a teeny bit jealous. Win-win…in theory.
As the line between truth and fiction blurs, Marcus lets Ava see the man behind the headlines—funny, driven, and disarmingly kind. The more she gets to know him, the harder it is to keep her professional distance.
Amid the champagne and bright lights of Wimbledon, Ava must decide: is a relationship worth the leap? Or will tennis always come first for Marcus? Can she lower her guard, or will falling for him leave her heart in pieces all over again?
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
Lorraine Brown
5 books181 followersLorraine previously trained as an actress and works as a student counsellor alongside her writing. She lives in London with her partner and their young son.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
May 11, 2026
A cute, easy-to-enjoy romance with likable characters and a nice slow burn that keeps things engaging, though the audio narration had lots of awkward pauses that made the pacing feel uneven. Still a sweet, light story overall with a satisfying ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance listening copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance listening copy.
June 13, 2026
It was refreshing to find a tennis romance to read amidst the plethora of hockey and American football romances.
Tennis is a sport I watched a lot on TV growing up so I had no issues keeping up with the rules and technical aspects of the game and it was nice re-visiting the different tournaments, albeit on audio.
I liked both the main characters and how the story progressed, although I wanted to see something more of the article Ava was writing on Marcus. Even though I am no famous sports person, Marcus's character felt relatable in terms of how he lives and comes to term with his fame, failure, doubt, bad press and hope to bounce back to the top.
All in all, I enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Brilliance Audio and the author Lorraine Brown for the ALC of the book.
Tennis is a sport I watched a lot on TV growing up so I had no issues keeping up with the rules and technical aspects of the game and it was nice re-visiting the different tournaments, albeit on audio.
I liked both the main characters and how the story progressed, although I wanted to see something more of the article Ava was writing on Marcus. Even though I am no famous sports person, Marcus's character felt relatable in terms of how he lives and comes to term with his fame, failure, doubt, bad press and hope to bounce back to the top.
All in all, I enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Brilliance Audio and the author Lorraine Brown for the ALC of the book.
June 16, 2026
You Broke Me First
Okay this novel has you hooked from the beginning. An unexpected plot twist that was totally left field.
MMC - tennis player, hot tempered & honest to a fault
MFC - heart broken, professional & totally work oriented
Minor lies lead to a slow build romance.
Author shows that sometimes you need to put yourself first - even if you've been misunderstood or heart broken!
Okay this novel has you hooked from the beginning. An unexpected plot twist that was totally left field.
MMC - tennis player, hot tempered & honest to a fault
MFC - heart broken, professional & totally work oriented
Minor lies lead to a slow build romance.
Author shows that sometimes you need to put yourself first - even if you've been misunderstood or heart broken!
February 26, 2026
You Broke Me First is a fun, emotionally charged romance built around fake dating, career ambition, and second chances. Journalist Ava Whitfield’s assignment to profile tennis bad boy Marcus Taylor turns into a mutually beneficial PR romance boosting his image while helping her spark a little jealousy in her ex.
As rumors blur into reality, Ava begins to see the man behind the headlines: funny, driven, and unexpectedly kind. With feelings deepening and boundaries fading, the story asks whether love is worth the risk when tennis may always come first.
overall i enjoyed this book and it’s great for fans of emily henry, the perfect summer read i can’t wait to see more .
ARC received via NetGalley. Opinions are my own.
As rumors blur into reality, Ava begins to see the man behind the headlines: funny, driven, and unexpectedly kind. With feelings deepening and boundaries fading, the story asks whether love is worth the risk when tennis may always come first.
overall i enjoyed this book and it’s great for fans of emily henry, the perfect summer read i can’t wait to see more .
ARC received via NetGalley. Opinions are my own.
May 26, 2026
A quick easy breezy summer read, especially if you’re into tennis. 🎾
Only let downs were-
1. The miscommunication trope- there was no need, it was daft and misplaced and really ruined their relationship. They could have talked like the 30 year olds that they are.
2. Ava pushing Marcus away because, again, she didn’t actually have a conversation with him about her feelings and just assumed he wouldn’t fancy her.
3. The romance didn’t feel genuine- the slow burn hit 🥵 but the actual execution, completely missed the mark. It was clunky and awkward
4. The ending was sooo rushed. It felt like the author was on some kind of word limit, as she could have paced it with an extra chapter or two, it just seemed to end.
5. The article is the main focus until it suddenly isn’t. Again this is because the author just wanted this to end and didn’t tie it up very neatly.
That all being said by no means was this terrible but it could have been better.
May 1, 2026
4 stars for me.
Ava Whitfield can't mope forever,dumped by her longtime boyfriend and living in her pajamas is not the answer.Her best friend found a gig that may help her out of this misery,an exclusive with tennis’s infamous bad boy,Marcus Taylor.Arrogant and really grumpy Marcus really don't make it easy for her.But the more she travels,the more she starts to understand tennis and..Marcus.A tentative friendship forms and fake dating Marcus should not be hard,but it may be turning to something unexpected and more.
Will Ava give Marcus a chance?
I really liked this story.Having absolutely no idea about tennis I found myself after a while right along Ava cheering for Marcus to win.It was one of the most long slow burn romance,but I will be honest it worked great.The way they started to open up and form a kind of friendship first was cute and emotional,I got understanding the way Marcus is the way he is,and why Ava let her family treat her like she's less.A sweet in moments,a emotional in some this sport romance was worth the read.My first book by this author and hope to read more.
Great read for sport romance fans.
Thank you netgalley and Montlake for my copy,my review is honest and my own.
Ava Whitfield can't mope forever,dumped by her longtime boyfriend and living in her pajamas is not the answer.Her best friend found a gig that may help her out of this misery,an exclusive with tennis’s infamous bad boy,Marcus Taylor.Arrogant and really grumpy Marcus really don't make it easy for her.But the more she travels,the more she starts to understand tennis and..Marcus.A tentative friendship forms and fake dating Marcus should not be hard,but it may be turning to something unexpected and more.
Will Ava give Marcus a chance?
I really liked this story.Having absolutely no idea about tennis I found myself after a while right along Ava cheering for Marcus to win.It was one of the most long slow burn romance,but I will be honest it worked great.The way they started to open up and form a kind of friendship first was cute and emotional,I got understanding the way Marcus is the way he is,and why Ava let her family treat her like she's less.A sweet in moments,a emotional in some this sport romance was worth the read.My first book by this author and hope to read more.
Great read for sport romance fans.
Thank you netgalley and Montlake for my copy,my review is honest and my own.
June 23, 2026
good plot, crazy twist
This was ok. It was a good plot but I did see the twist coming a mile away and once it happened it annoyed me so much. Her family was awful to her and don’t get me started on Charlie.
I liked Marcus, he turned out to be sweet. just wish the characters themselves were more developed. It felt a bit rushed. I was shocked when it ended. I thought there would be more.
This was ok. It was a good plot but I did see the twist coming a mile away and once it happened it annoyed me so much. Her family was awful to her and don’t get me started on Charlie.
I liked Marcus, he turned out to be sweet. just wish the characters themselves were more developed. It felt a bit rushed. I was shocked when it ended. I thought there would be more.
May 17, 2026
If you want an easy read, with cute tropes in (fake-dating, one bed?!) then this is cute.
However it hasn’t made me want to watch tennis 🤭
However it hasn’t made me want to watch tennis 🤭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2026
3.5. I really enjoyed but felt like it was missing a bit and was quite short and rushed.
Did Not Finish
June 1, 2026I gave this one multiple attempts, but had to DNF @ 15%, just barely after we met the MMC. I really wasn’t a fan of the narrators reading style nor the writers’ style. While I didn’t get very far into the book, I couldn’t find myself able to focus on the words, nor caring about what happened when I was able to focus. Because of this, I feel it’s unfair to rate the story, but I will try and read the story in the future, because I was interested in the synopsis, but maybe I just wasn’t in the right place to enjoy this story.
May 15, 2026
I wish they had more time for a resolution in the end. I felt that the ending kinda crept up on me and there wasn’t enough left after she decided what to do. The conflict just came from nowhere and felt rushed. Buttt, I liked the story and now I wanna watch tennis
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A single perspective, sports romance ideal for those interested in tennis, the appeal of travelling frequently and journalism.
When a journalist who knows nothing about tennis is asked to write an article on him, it's safe to say that racquet smashing Marcus is not the happiest he could be. In comes Ava, prepared to make the best of a less than ideal situation.
I really enjoyed reading this book and felt whisked away with all the travelling, along with the romance too. An easy read that made me want to keep reading on and didn't want to put the book down!
When a journalist who knows nothing about tennis is asked to write an article on him, it's safe to say that racquet smashing Marcus is not the happiest he could be. In comes Ava, prepared to make the best of a less than ideal situation.
I really enjoyed reading this book and felt whisked away with all the travelling, along with the romance too. An easy read that made me want to keep reading on and didn't want to put the book down!
April 20, 2026
i wanted more !!! ended too quickly
May 10, 2026
If you’d told me I’d spend a day genuinely invested in a fictional tennis season, I never would have believed you. I’m not even a sports fan, but here we are! Final Score: 4.75
What This Book Did Well
You Broke Me First is a 1st Person POV fake dating romance that earns its worth through character work rather than manufactured chaos. Ava is a well-drawn protagonist - she has real flaws and anxieties as well as real professional drive, but none of those qualities exist solely to define her - she feels like a complete person. Marcus, despite being filtered entgirely through Ava’s perspective, manages to feel nearly equally three-dimensional. The “grumpy” archetype can easily tip into caricature, but Marcus is more of a “grump with a reason” instead of being over the top. I wouldn’t call this a true grumpy sunshine romance, it’s more like these are just the natural temperaments of two mature, well-developed characters.
Another highlight for me was the transparency at the heart of their arrangement. Both characters understand exactly why they’re agreeing to the ruse, and state it plainly. That removes the layer of dramatic irony that to me can make the fake dating trope feel a bit contrived.
The writing and pacing were smooth throughout. The slow burn feels genuinely earned, the themes around difficult family dynamics and perfectionism are woven in without feeling like detours, and the emotional resolutions land without feeling rushed.
Audiobook Experience
WOW! Martine Richards may be one of my new favorite audiobook narrators after this one!! If you’re considering the audiobook format, I’d strongly encourage it!! Richards delivers an exceptional performance where it felt more like acting than just narrating. She gives each character distinct presence, handles tonal shifts between warmth and tension with ease, and brings an energy to the material that made it difficult to pause. It has been difficult for me to really put my finger down on if it was the writing in the tennis scenes that had me so invested in fictional matches or Richards performance during them! As someone with aphantasia (can’t mentally visualize) I truly felt like I was “watching” the back and forth of the match. At one point, Ava lets out a breath she had been holding during an intense rally and instead of simply narrating that, Richards actually lets out of a breath. It was small additions like this that made her audiobook performance really stand out to me. The first thing I did after finishing the audiobook was try and find her other work because I loved it so much!
Where The Book Fell Short For Me
This may be a personal gripe, but there was a small but frustrating moment during a wedding scene which was the only time that I willingly paused this audiobook because it annoyed me and pulled me out of the book. While the bride is walking down the aisle, Ava dismisses the song the bride chose to walk down the aisle to because it’s a “naff pop song” by Taylor Swift - framing the song choice as something embarrassing that the groom graciously tolerated. The aside felt very out of step with Ava’s otherwise warm, perceptive character. What made it stranger was in that same passage, Ava goes on to reflect how the song’s lyrics contributed to the ceremony’s romantic atmosphere making her feel emotional. Which is probably why the bride chose it for her own wedding day. The two observations sit in contradiction to me, and the whole beat felt like it belonged to a different, less generous version of the character and honestly, it just felt really unnecessary. It’s a small moment, but it stood out because it was so inconsistent with who Ava is everywhere else in the book and felt like an opportunity to punch down on Taylor Swift fans which just rubs me the wrong way whether or not you’re a fan of her music.
Final Thoughts, Opinions, & Recommendations
This was a refreshing fun read in huge part because it has two genuinely likeable leads, a setting that delivers on glamour without making me feel icked out by the wealth, and the emotional underpinnings felt thoughtful without being heavy. I would have happily spent more time with this couple and would have loved to see where their story took them next. This is my first Lorraine Brown book, and it has made me want to seek out more of her work!
The majority of this book sits pretty close to a 1 on the spice level and the only time it gets to a level 2 (think PG13) it fades to black. As someone who reads a wide range of romance novels, this definitely falls on the lighter end, but still very very enjoyable for me. If you’ve enjoyed Ava Rani’s Out of Her League - another romance featuring slightly older, well-developed protagonists in the world of professional sports - this has a similar warmth and would make a natural companion read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
TL;DR:
Would I recommend it: Yes!
Would I continue if it was a series: Yes!
Star Score Breakdown
Personal Enjoyment: 4.75
Overall Execution: 5
Craft & Writing Quality: 4.5
Characters: 5
Plot: 4.5
Final Score: 4.75
What This Book Did Well
You Broke Me First is a 1st Person POV fake dating romance that earns its worth through character work rather than manufactured chaos. Ava is a well-drawn protagonist - she has real flaws and anxieties as well as real professional drive, but none of those qualities exist solely to define her - she feels like a complete person. Marcus, despite being filtered entgirely through Ava’s perspective, manages to feel nearly equally three-dimensional. The “grumpy” archetype can easily tip into caricature, but Marcus is more of a “grump with a reason” instead of being over the top. I wouldn’t call this a true grumpy sunshine romance, it’s more like these are just the natural temperaments of two mature, well-developed characters.
Another highlight for me was the transparency at the heart of their arrangement. Both characters understand exactly why they’re agreeing to the ruse, and state it plainly. That removes the layer of dramatic irony that to me can make the fake dating trope feel a bit contrived.
The writing and pacing were smooth throughout. The slow burn feels genuinely earned, the themes around difficult family dynamics and perfectionism are woven in without feeling like detours, and the emotional resolutions land without feeling rushed.
Audiobook Experience
WOW! Martine Richards may be one of my new favorite audiobook narrators after this one!! If you’re considering the audiobook format, I’d strongly encourage it!! Richards delivers an exceptional performance where it felt more like acting than just narrating. She gives each character distinct presence, handles tonal shifts between warmth and tension with ease, and brings an energy to the material that made it difficult to pause. It has been difficult for me to really put my finger down on if it was the writing in the tennis scenes that had me so invested in fictional matches or Richards performance during them! As someone with aphantasia (can’t mentally visualize) I truly felt like I was “watching” the back and forth of the match. At one point, Ava lets out a breath she had been holding during an intense rally and instead of simply narrating that, Richards actually lets out of a breath. It was small additions like this that made her audiobook performance really stand out to me. The first thing I did after finishing the audiobook was try and find her other work because I loved it so much!
Where The Book Fell Short For Me
This may be a personal gripe, but there was a small but frustrating moment during a wedding scene which was the only time that I willingly paused this audiobook because it annoyed me and pulled me out of the book. While the bride is walking down the aisle, Ava dismisses the song the bride chose to walk down the aisle to because it’s a “naff pop song” by Taylor Swift - framing the song choice as something embarrassing that the groom graciously tolerated. The aside felt very out of step with Ava’s otherwise warm, perceptive character. What made it stranger was in that same passage, Ava goes on to reflect how the song’s lyrics contributed to the ceremony’s romantic atmosphere making her feel emotional. Which is probably why the bride chose it for her own wedding day. The two observations sit in contradiction to me, and the whole beat felt like it belonged to a different, less generous version of the character and honestly, it just felt really unnecessary. It’s a small moment, but it stood out because it was so inconsistent with who Ava is everywhere else in the book and felt like an opportunity to punch down on Taylor Swift fans which just rubs me the wrong way whether or not you’re a fan of her music.
Final Thoughts, Opinions, & Recommendations
This was a refreshing fun read in huge part because it has two genuinely likeable leads, a setting that delivers on glamour without making me feel icked out by the wealth, and the emotional underpinnings felt thoughtful without being heavy. I would have happily spent more time with this couple and would have loved to see where their story took them next. This is my first Lorraine Brown book, and it has made me want to seek out more of her work!
The majority of this book sits pretty close to a 1 on the spice level and the only time it gets to a level 2 (think PG13) it fades to black. As someone who reads a wide range of romance novels, this definitely falls on the lighter end, but still very very enjoyable for me. If you’ve enjoyed Ava Rani’s Out of Her League - another romance featuring slightly older, well-developed protagonists in the world of professional sports - this has a similar warmth and would make a natural companion read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
TL;DR:
Would I recommend it: Yes!
Would I continue if it was a series: Yes!
Star Score Breakdown
Personal Enjoyment: 4.75
Overall Execution: 5
Craft & Writing Quality: 4.5
Characters: 5
Plot: 4.5
Final Score: 4.75
March 25, 2026
4 ⭐️ Arc received from Netgalley!!!
I really enjoyed You Broke Me First by Lorraine Brown. It combines two of my favorite tropes, fake dating and slow burn, and does it so well.
The chemistry between Ava and Marcus was so good. Every moment they shared felt intentional, and all of their emotions the doubts, the hesitation, the vulnerability, felt completely valid. Their relationship progression was realistic and honest, which made it even more satisfying to read. I especially loved how Marcus treated Ava. Even when he was frustrated or upset, he never took it out on her, and that stood out to me.
Ava’s family definitely tested my patience at times, I hated how they treated her, but honestly, that just speaks to how strong the writing was. It made me feel something.
One thing I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did was the tennis aspect. I went into this knowing almost nothing about the sport, but I ended up really engaged in that world. It never felt info-dumpy or dragged out, it all blended naturally into the story.
This is such an easy, fun, and fast read. I genuinely found myself giggling at multiple scenes. And while the book isn’t spicy, it truly doesn’t need to be. The romance is built through chemistry, connection, and meaningful interactions rather than just physical attraction, which felt really refreshing.
My only complaint is that I wish it were a bit longer. I would’ve loved a few more chapters to better wrap up Ava’s relationship with her family and Marcus’s relationship with his mom. And I definitely wanted to see what happened after Wimbledon.
That said, this book played out like a movie in my head, and when I think about it that way, the ending works.
Overall, I’d highly recommend it, and I’m excited to read more from Lorraine Brown.
I really enjoyed You Broke Me First by Lorraine Brown. It combines two of my favorite tropes, fake dating and slow burn, and does it so well.
The chemistry between Ava and Marcus was so good. Every moment they shared felt intentional, and all of their emotions the doubts, the hesitation, the vulnerability, felt completely valid. Their relationship progression was realistic and honest, which made it even more satisfying to read. I especially loved how Marcus treated Ava. Even when he was frustrated or upset, he never took it out on her, and that stood out to me.
Ava’s family definitely tested my patience at times, I hated how they treated her, but honestly, that just speaks to how strong the writing was. It made me feel something.
One thing I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did was the tennis aspect. I went into this knowing almost nothing about the sport, but I ended up really engaged in that world. It never felt info-dumpy or dragged out, it all blended naturally into the story.
This is such an easy, fun, and fast read. I genuinely found myself giggling at multiple scenes. And while the book isn’t spicy, it truly doesn’t need to be. The romance is built through chemistry, connection, and meaningful interactions rather than just physical attraction, which felt really refreshing.
My only complaint is that I wish it were a bit longer. I would’ve loved a few more chapters to better wrap up Ava’s relationship with her family and Marcus’s relationship with his mom. And I definitely wanted to see what happened after Wimbledon.
That said, this book played out like a movie in my head, and when I think about it that way, the ending works.
Overall, I’d highly recommend it, and I’m excited to read more from Lorraine Brown.
May 14, 2026
Lorraine Brown delivers a sharp, swoony, and emotionally layered romance in You Broke Me First—a story that perfectly balances public spectacle with private vulnerability.
Ava Whitfield is the kind of heroine you root for immediately—smart, driven, and quietly nursing a broken heart she refuses to let define her. When she’s assigned to profile Marcus Taylor, tennis’s most notoriously difficult star, she expects arrogance and attitude. What she doesn’t expect? The cracks in his armor… or how quickly she’ll want to protect them.
Marcus is the ultimate slow-burn reveal. On the surface, he’s all sharp edges—moody, guarded, impossible. But as Ava peels back the layers, what emerges is a man shaped by pressure, expectation, and a deep fear of being misunderstood. Their fake relationship starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement, but the emotional intimacy that builds between them feels anything but pretend.
The chemistry here is electric—but it’s the quiet moments that truly land. The late-night conversations. The vulnerability neither of them is ready to admit. The way Marcus softens only for Ava, and the way Ava starts to question whether protecting her heart is worth losing something real.
Set against the glamorous, high-stakes backdrop of Wimbledon, the story explores the cost of ambition, the weight of public perception, and the terrifying risk of letting someone truly see you. Ava’s internal conflict—career vs. love, truth vs. narrative—adds a compelling emotional tension that keeps the pages turning.
This isn’t just a fake dating romance—it’s about healing, trust, and choosing love even when it feels like the biggest risk of all.
I read this prior to release and am voluntarily sharing my honest feedback.
Ava Whitfield is the kind of heroine you root for immediately—smart, driven, and quietly nursing a broken heart she refuses to let define her. When she’s assigned to profile Marcus Taylor, tennis’s most notoriously difficult star, she expects arrogance and attitude. What she doesn’t expect? The cracks in his armor… or how quickly she’ll want to protect them.
Marcus is the ultimate slow-burn reveal. On the surface, he’s all sharp edges—moody, guarded, impossible. But as Ava peels back the layers, what emerges is a man shaped by pressure, expectation, and a deep fear of being misunderstood. Their fake relationship starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement, but the emotional intimacy that builds between them feels anything but pretend.
The chemistry here is electric—but it’s the quiet moments that truly land. The late-night conversations. The vulnerability neither of them is ready to admit. The way Marcus softens only for Ava, and the way Ava starts to question whether protecting her heart is worth losing something real.
Set against the glamorous, high-stakes backdrop of Wimbledon, the story explores the cost of ambition, the weight of public perception, and the terrifying risk of letting someone truly see you. Ava’s internal conflict—career vs. love, truth vs. narrative—adds a compelling emotional tension that keeps the pages turning.
This isn’t just a fake dating romance—it’s about healing, trust, and choosing love even when it feels like the biggest risk of all.
I read this prior to release and am voluntarily sharing my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC review - You Broke Me First by Lorraine Brown
Star rating: 3/5 🌟
Spice rating: 0/5 🌶️ (fade to black/closed door)
Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is such a cute romcom. The author obviously researched the heck out of tennis to write this book, to which I appreciate as someone who knows absolutely nothing about the sport. It felt like I was learning alongside Ava (who was also clueless about tennis); her being a journalist makes sense with the amount of detail put into explaining what she learned.
There were pretty clear themes of going for what you want. The foundation was there, unfortunately, the writing could’ve been stronger imo. For me, there was too much telling and not enough showing. I wish the pacing were slowed down to let me feel what these characters felt in the moment instead of telling me point-blank.
This made me feel less connected to Ava’s struggles. There were moments that shone through, but I wish there were more. Also, wished this story was dual POV because it felt like Marcus did a complete switch of personality overnight, and his story deserved more attention.
There was great potential here. It just wasn’t for me, unfortunately.
Still recommend if you like a quick and fun sports romance! 💗
Star rating: 3/5 🌟
Spice rating: 0/5 🌶️ (fade to black/closed door)
Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is such a cute romcom. The author obviously researched the heck out of tennis to write this book, to which I appreciate as someone who knows absolutely nothing about the sport. It felt like I was learning alongside Ava (who was also clueless about tennis); her being a journalist makes sense with the amount of detail put into explaining what she learned.
There were pretty clear themes of going for what you want. The foundation was there, unfortunately, the writing could’ve been stronger imo. For me, there was too much telling and not enough showing. I wish the pacing were slowed down to let me feel what these characters felt in the moment instead of telling me point-blank.
This made me feel less connected to Ava’s struggles. There were moments that shone through, but I wish there were more. Also, wished this story was dual POV because it felt like Marcus did a complete switch of personality overnight, and his story deserved more attention.
There was great potential here. It just wasn’t for me, unfortunately.
Still recommend if you like a quick and fun sports romance! 💗
May 10, 2026
You Broke Me First follows journalist, Ava, as she writes a piece on professional tennis player, Marcus Taylor (who is initially the epitome of the grumpy in grumpyxsunshine, might I add). A fake dating arrangement ensues between them. While I love a good fake dating romance, I so wish this was a dual POV so we could have gotten Marcus’ side of things as well; his character development was amazing.
I enjoyed the slow burn this was and the atmosphere felt reminiscent of some of my favourite sport-focused books like Carrie Soto is Back. I loved being back in that tennis setting/world! It was quite technical too and clearly well researched.
While I did enjoy this for the most part, I struggled to connect to the characters and I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator/s for whatever reason. In some sentences they took unusually large pauses or there seemed to be oddly placed gaps between dialogue between the characters? The tension, though, was palpable given all the build up and I thought the pacing was done really well. Bit of a twist in the end there too! One thing that leaves me confused is the title… usually it is obvious upon reading why a book has been named as such, but I just couldn’t see the connection or relevance here? Could it be referencing Ava "breaking" Marcus, as in a tennis break point? Maybe I missed something.
Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for access to this audio!
I enjoyed the slow burn this was and the atmosphere felt reminiscent of some of my favourite sport-focused books like Carrie Soto is Back. I loved being back in that tennis setting/world! It was quite technical too and clearly well researched.
While I did enjoy this for the most part, I struggled to connect to the characters and I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator/s for whatever reason. In some sentences they took unusually large pauses or there seemed to be oddly placed gaps between dialogue between the characters? The tension, though, was palpable given all the build up and I thought the pacing was done really well. Bit of a twist in the end there too! One thing that leaves me confused is the title… usually it is obvious upon reading why a book has been named as such, but I just couldn’t see the connection or relevance here? Could it be referencing Ava "breaking" Marcus, as in a tennis break point? Maybe I missed something.
Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for access to this audio!
April 16, 2026
You Broke Me First by Lorraine Brown is a slow-burn, close proximity romance. The story follows Ava, a journalist writing a piece on professional tennis player Marcus Taylor, who is grumpy and struggles with anger issues.
I enjoyed the story overall, particularly the dynamic between Ava and Marcus. The slow-burn pacing worked well to build their relationship, and I enjoyed that he falls first. The twist at the end was genuinely shocking and elevated the story in an unexpected way.
However, I did find that the book leans heavily into the tennis world, so it would be best suited to readers who have an interest in the sport. At times, this focus made it harder to stay fully engaged with the romance itself.
I also struggled with the punctuation and grammar throughout the novel. There was a frequent use of brackets that felt unnecessary, as the information was either already implied or didn’t add anything meaningful. Unfortunately, this distracted from the flow and took away from the overall integrity of the writing.
Despite these issues, it’s an enjoyable read with strong character dynamics and a memorable twist, especially for readers who enjoy sports romances centred around tennis.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lorraine Brown for allowing to read this arc!
I enjoyed the story overall, particularly the dynamic between Ava and Marcus. The slow-burn pacing worked well to build their relationship, and I enjoyed that he falls first. The twist at the end was genuinely shocking and elevated the story in an unexpected way.
However, I did find that the book leans heavily into the tennis world, so it would be best suited to readers who have an interest in the sport. At times, this focus made it harder to stay fully engaged with the romance itself.
I also struggled with the punctuation and grammar throughout the novel. There was a frequent use of brackets that felt unnecessary, as the information was either already implied or didn’t add anything meaningful. Unfortunately, this distracted from the flow and took away from the overall integrity of the writing.
Despite these issues, it’s an enjoyable read with strong character dynamics and a memorable twist, especially for readers who enjoy sports romances centred around tennis.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lorraine Brown for allowing to read this arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of You Broke Me First from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and it turned out to be everything I was hoping for and more.
This was my first book by Lorraine Brown and also my first sports romance and I am happy to say it was a wonderful introduction to both. Since I love watching tennis, I really enjoyed how naturally the sport was woven into the story. The writing had an easy flow and the story progressed in a very organic way without feeling rushed or forced.The romance is a slow burn—light, gentle, and not overly fluffy—which made it such a pleasant break, especially after all the emotional heartbreak I was going through while reading Throne of Glass. This book felt like a soft, comforting pause: simple, tender, and sweet. I loved the storyline and the lead characters. There weren’t too many characters to keep track of, no unnecessary subplots, and no chaos—just a straightforward love story that focused on connection and growth. Sometimes, simplicity really is the most beautiful thing, and this book captures that perfectly. Overall, You Broke Me First was a calm, heartfelt read that left me smiling and I will definitely be picking up more from this author in the future.
This was my first book by Lorraine Brown and also my first sports romance and I am happy to say it was a wonderful introduction to both. Since I love watching tennis, I really enjoyed how naturally the sport was woven into the story. The writing had an easy flow and the story progressed in a very organic way without feeling rushed or forced.The romance is a slow burn—light, gentle, and not overly fluffy—which made it such a pleasant break, especially after all the emotional heartbreak I was going through while reading Throne of Glass. This book felt like a soft, comforting pause: simple, tender, and sweet. I loved the storyline and the lead characters. There weren’t too many characters to keep track of, no unnecessary subplots, and no chaos—just a straightforward love story that focused on connection and growth. Sometimes, simplicity really is the most beautiful thing, and this book captures that perfectly. Overall, You Broke Me First was a calm, heartfelt read that left me smiling and I will definitely be picking up more from this author in the future.
May 24, 2026
Thanks you to NetGalley for this opportunity in exchange for an honest review!
This is an emotional, slow-burn romance that beautifully combines celebrity pressure, heartbreak, and vulnerability.
Ava Whitfield is instantly likable; smart, ambitious, and trying to move past a broken heart. When she’s assigned to profile Marcus Taylor, a notoriously difficult tennis star, she expects arrogance and attitude. Instead, she slowly discovers the vulnerable, misunderstood person beneath his guarded exterior.
Marcus’s character development is one of the strongest parts of the novel. While their fake relationship begins as a practical arrangement, the emotional connection that grows between them feels genuine and deeply earned. The chemistry is strong, but it’s the quieter moments. Like the late-night conversations, growing trust, and emotional honesty that make the romance stand out.
Set against the glamorous backdrop of Wimbledon, the story also explores ambition, public image, and the fear of letting someone truly see you. More than just a fake dating romance, this is ultimately a story about healing, trust, and taking a chance on love.
This is an emotional, slow-burn romance that beautifully combines celebrity pressure, heartbreak, and vulnerability.
Ava Whitfield is instantly likable; smart, ambitious, and trying to move past a broken heart. When she’s assigned to profile Marcus Taylor, a notoriously difficult tennis star, she expects arrogance and attitude. Instead, she slowly discovers the vulnerable, misunderstood person beneath his guarded exterior.
Marcus’s character development is one of the strongest parts of the novel. While their fake relationship begins as a practical arrangement, the emotional connection that grows between them feels genuine and deeply earned. The chemistry is strong, but it’s the quieter moments. Like the late-night conversations, growing trust, and emotional honesty that make the romance stand out.
Set against the glamorous backdrop of Wimbledon, the story also explores ambition, public image, and the fear of letting someone truly see you. More than just a fake dating romance, this is ultimately a story about healing, trust, and taking a chance on love.
May 16, 2026
After a disastrous meeting Ava and Marcus are thrown together in this fake dating tennis romance. She’s heartbroken after being dumped by her boyfriend and hired to write a profile on the press adverse, angry racquet throwing tennis player. When a story appears that they are dating can they fake it for the story and to help him raise his profile.
Liked and enjoyed the overall story, and didn’t see the twist at the end but i absolutely hated the audio.
The narrator Martine Richard’s’ voice and tone were ok but a lot of the audio sounded disjointed, like it was words pasted together, with some strange pauses and I found this very distracting, which reduced my enjoyment overall. It was like most of the audio had been pasted in word by word.
I likely would have rated this higher had I read the book instead of listening. Will try another Lorraine Brown book in the future but choose a different format.
Thank you Netgallery and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.
Liked and enjoyed the overall story, and didn’t see the twist at the end but i absolutely hated the audio.
The narrator Martine Richard’s’ voice and tone were ok but a lot of the audio sounded disjointed, like it was words pasted together, with some strange pauses and I found this very distracting, which reduced my enjoyment overall. It was like most of the audio had been pasted in word by word.
I likely would have rated this higher had I read the book instead of listening. Will try another Lorraine Brown book in the future but choose a different format.
Thank you Netgallery and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.
April 6, 2026
You Broke me First - what a roller coaster ride, from Heartbroken to ...
Ava is in a slump after her 4 year relationship with Charlie suddenly ended, when he announced 'I'm not doing this anymore', and after packing his things, walked out. After days of slouching and barely doing any freelance work, her best friend Zoe told her that her editor-in-chief of Luxe magazine would like her to do a profile piece of Marcus Taylor, a professional tennis player. Marcus had a reputation as being 'difficult' and was also called Racket Man by the press. After much persuasion Ava agrees to give it a try . She's to meet him in Monte Carlo but he actually sits right beside her on the flight over, first impressions are not good.
I learnt a lot more about tennis, as did Ava, their 'fake' relationship slowly built, despite their own personal problems. Totally engrossing, wasn't ready for it to end quite so abruptly.
Ava is in a slump after her 4 year relationship with Charlie suddenly ended, when he announced 'I'm not doing this anymore', and after packing his things, walked out. After days of slouching and barely doing any freelance work, her best friend Zoe told her that her editor-in-chief of Luxe magazine would like her to do a profile piece of Marcus Taylor, a professional tennis player. Marcus had a reputation as being 'difficult' and was also called Racket Man by the press. After much persuasion Ava agrees to give it a try . She's to meet him in Monte Carlo but he actually sits right beside her on the flight over, first impressions are not good.
I learnt a lot more about tennis, as did Ava, their 'fake' relationship slowly built, despite their own personal problems. Totally engrossing, wasn't ready for it to end quite so abruptly.
Review of advance copy
This is the first book I’ve read in a really long time. I’ve had mixed feelings on Lorraine brown books over the years, the Paris connection blew me away but her other books haven’t. This one was a return to form, I absolutely devoured it. What Lorraine Brown does best is travel writing, she always makes you want to be wherever the characters are and I think that’s what ruined her last book for me because it was just so localised, it was nice to get back out into the world with her. The only reason there was a lost star is because I didn’t really feel like the toxicity of the relationship between Ava and her mum/sister was ever fully addressed, I didn’t feel like Ava came to a true realisation that she deserved better than what they gave her and when her mum admitted she was trying to dull her shine it felt like it was only there to draw a quick conclusion. I’m looking forward to more books from this author
May 1, 2026
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK | Montlake and NetGalley for this ARC. You Broke Me First is out today.
This was such a fun, addictive romcom and honestly, exactly the kind of book I needed to kick off May.
We have a grumpy, temperamental tennis player who would probably rather face a brutal five-set match than talk about his feelings, and a sweet journalist who needs to write a piece about him. Naturally, things get complicated. Because where would the fun be if everyone simply behaved like mature adults?
Add in a fake relationship, an ex-boyfriend, family drama, and plenty of tension, and you get a really entertaining romance with great chemistry and plenty of romcom sparkle.
I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, the forced closeness, and the way the story balanced humour, romance, and a little emotional messiness. It was fun, easy to fly through, and a great start to my May reads.
This was such a fun, addictive romcom and honestly, exactly the kind of book I needed to kick off May.
We have a grumpy, temperamental tennis player who would probably rather face a brutal five-set match than talk about his feelings, and a sweet journalist who needs to write a piece about him. Naturally, things get complicated. Because where would the fun be if everyone simply behaved like mature adults?
Add in a fake relationship, an ex-boyfriend, family drama, and plenty of tension, and you get a really entertaining romance with great chemistry and plenty of romcom sparkle.
I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, the forced closeness, and the way the story balanced humour, romance, and a little emotional messiness. It was fun, easy to fly through, and a great start to my May reads.
May 14, 2026
🎾 Game, Set, Match... 🎾
I just finished listening to You Broke Me First by Lorraine Brown and it was the perfect addition to my spring reading list. This was my first time reading Lorraine Brown and I was completely charmed by her take on the sports romance genre.
The story follows Ava, a journalist who lands a career-boosting exclusive with Marcus Taylor, tennis's infamous bad boy. To navigate a PR crisis and a recent breakup, they dive into a fake dating scheme that quickly evolves into a slow burn romance I couldn’t stop listening to. Watching them find healing and trust amid the bright lights of Wimbledon was heartwarming.
Why you should grab the audiobook:
Top-Tier Narration: Martine Richards did an incredible job; I particularly enjoyed the narration of all of the character voices.
The Dynamic: Marcus is so much more than a world-class grouch—he’s funny, driven, and disarmingly kind, making his connection with the determined Ava feel deeply earned.
The Vibe: It’s a romantic comedy with genuine emotional depth, perfect for anyone who loves a story about the man behind the headlines.
If you’re looking for a sweet sports read that explores what happens when the truth and fiction start to blur, add this to your TBR!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date: May 1, 2026
Format: Audiobook (Narrated by Martine Richards)
Disclaimer: Thank you Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I just finished listening to You Broke Me First by Lorraine Brown and it was the perfect addition to my spring reading list. This was my first time reading Lorraine Brown and I was completely charmed by her take on the sports romance genre.
The story follows Ava, a journalist who lands a career-boosting exclusive with Marcus Taylor, tennis's infamous bad boy. To navigate a PR crisis and a recent breakup, they dive into a fake dating scheme that quickly evolves into a slow burn romance I couldn’t stop listening to. Watching them find healing and trust amid the bright lights of Wimbledon was heartwarming.
Why you should grab the audiobook:
Top-Tier Narration: Martine Richards did an incredible job; I particularly enjoyed the narration of all of the character voices.
The Dynamic: Marcus is so much more than a world-class grouch—he’s funny, driven, and disarmingly kind, making his connection with the determined Ava feel deeply earned.
The Vibe: It’s a romantic comedy with genuine emotional depth, perfect for anyone who loves a story about the man behind the headlines.
If you’re looking for a sweet sports read that explores what happens when the truth and fiction start to blur, add this to your TBR!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date: May 1, 2026
Format: Audiobook (Narrated by Martine Richards)
Disclaimer: Thank you Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 3, 2026
Wow this book was a roller coaster of emotions. Let me just tell you that there is a twist in there that I did NOT see coming. Completely blindsided me. There were moments where I was smiling to myself getting deeply involve din the story, and other times were I was absolutely raging!
Ava gets her heart broken and then goes into a slump that she needs to be dragged out of. Enter Marcus, a moody tennis star with a temper. She lands a gig getting a coveted interview with Marcus and you can guess where this ends up going. He needs image help and she needs him to agree to the interview.
Lorraine actually got me to feel bad for Marcus! Cassie needs a punch in the face.
I do agree with some other reviewers that it ended too abruptly. But all in all I was over the moon about the ending.
If you are looking for a lovely romantic story (no open door spice) with well thought out characters snag this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audio copy of this book!
Ava gets her heart broken and then goes into a slump that she needs to be dragged out of. Enter Marcus, a moody tennis star with a temper. She lands a gig getting a coveted interview with Marcus and you can guess where this ends up going. He needs image help and she needs him to agree to the interview.
Lorraine actually got me to feel bad for Marcus! Cassie needs a punch in the face.
I do agree with some other reviewers that it ended too abruptly. But all in all I was over the moon about the ending.
If you are looking for a lovely romantic story (no open door spice) with well thought out characters snag this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audio copy of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this and I loved the relationship that grows between Marcus and Ava.
I was riveted by the different relationships in this story, between Ava and her family, Marcus and his, and how messy and real it felt, how they can cause hurt but also show tremendous love. I loved the relationship and chemistry between Ava and Marcus, the rocky start, the respect that comes from having spent time getting to know and understand each other, and how when there was an issue, they actually talked about it like adults. They seemed to bring out the best in each other and I was rooting for them.
The end came a little abruptly for me, I guess I just wanted more of the story because I was enjoying it so much! I didn't think I would care about a tennis story, but I couldn't put this book down!
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was riveted by the different relationships in this story, between Ava and her family, Marcus and his, and how messy and real it felt, how they can cause hurt but also show tremendous love. I loved the relationship and chemistry between Ava and Marcus, the rocky start, the respect that comes from having spent time getting to know and understand each other, and how when there was an issue, they actually talked about it like adults. They seemed to bring out the best in each other and I was rooting for them.
The end came a little abruptly for me, I guess I just wanted more of the story because I was enjoying it so much! I didn't think I would care about a tennis story, but I couldn't put this book down!
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, so I did really enjoy this book. The humour, tension and longing really stood out and it was written in a way that made it feel natural to read. However, something had been niggling away at me as a huge swiftie - the book mentions 'afterglow' by Taylor Swift to be 'naff'. Now, I wholeheartedly disagree with this and for me this took away something from my experience of reading this book (I know it may sound silly - but I would still recommend this book nonetheless. Now, I understand that everyone has different views and opinions but it just bothered me. Nonetheless, you should read this book if you love enemies to lovers romance with not too much spice.
Thank you to net galley, Lorraine Brown and Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to net galley, Lorraine Brown and Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 9, 2026
A solid 3.5 ⭐️’s that I’m rounding up to four. Let me first say that I am not a tennis enthusiast, so I was wondering how much I would enjoy a romance with tennis as its backdrop. Turns out I enjoyed it quite a bit. This is a fake dating trope romance between a tennis player and a journalist. Ava, newly dumped by her boyfriend of a few years, sets out to write an in-depth article about the hotheaded, tennis professional, Marcus. From their first meet up on a plane sparks fly. Forced into a fake dating scenario to encourage sponsorships for Marcus, but to begin to develop feelings. This is a clean romance that hits all the right notes. It’s sweet. You root for the main characters that only to win their tennis match but to win it love. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you, you NetGalley for the advanced copy and exchange for an honest review.
Thank you, you NetGalley for the advanced copy and exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews