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East Coast Matches #2
Second Serves and First Times
Ben Harris always does the right thing. A model student, vice president of the fraternity, captain of the tennis team. His life is perfect. Right?
Except, Ben has been hiding his feelings for best friend Nate since freshman year. Now Nate is madly in love with his childhood crush and trying to set Ben up with his dream man. How do you tell your best friend that he is your dream man without ruining everything? The answer? Fake date your cocky new teammate.
Elias Liebrenz is not here to make friends, and he sure as hell doesn’t plan on sticking around. This team is an interlude to the glittering pro tennis career surely laid out before him. He didn’t plan on becoming someone’s fake boyfriend, but who knew he had a secret thing for Preppy, American frat boys with secret kinks?
Second Serves & First Times is a MM college tennis/fraternity romance featuring sweet and nerdy frat boys, a sexy German tennis player on a mission to be the best, first times and sexual exploration.
Except, Ben has been hiding his feelings for best friend Nate since freshman year. Now Nate is madly in love with his childhood crush and trying to set Ben up with his dream man. How do you tell your best friend that he is your dream man without ruining everything? The answer? Fake date your cocky new teammate.
Elias Liebrenz is not here to make friends, and he sure as hell doesn’t plan on sticking around. This team is an interlude to the glittering pro tennis career surely laid out before him. He didn’t plan on becoming someone’s fake boyfriend, but who knew he had a secret thing for Preppy, American frat boys with secret kinks?
Second Serves & First Times is a MM college tennis/fraternity romance featuring sweet and nerdy frat boys, a sexy German tennis player on a mission to be the best, first times and sexual exploration.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2026
About the author
Emmery Fox
15 books121 followersWhen I'm not trying to invent the perfect book boyfriend, I'm studying towards a graduate degree in Modern History, trying to little avail to get better at drawing and watching You've Got Mail for the millionth time!
I write spicy MM romance with special emphasis on sports, small towns and childhood sweethearts.
I love romance books with spicy scenes that don't feel detached from the couple's relationship dynamics, and when our protagonists respect and root for each other.
I write spicy MM romance with special emphasis on sports, small towns and childhood sweethearts.
I love romance books with spicy scenes that don't feel detached from the couple's relationship dynamics, and when our protagonists respect and root for each other.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 2, 2026
I enjoyed this one more than the first but also was like COME ON LETS FIGHT AND BE BITTER FOR A BIT LONGER
February 22, 2026
Cute Story
This was a really cute story. I always like a good fake relationship story. Ben and Elias were good together in this.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This was a really cute story. I always like a good fake relationship story. Ben and Elias were good together in this.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
February 21, 2026
I read this book in one evening (and by one evening, I mean I stayed up until 1:30 AM to finish). I could not put it down.
Princeton senior, Ben, has a secret crush on his best friend. Unfortunately, Nick already has a boyfriend and is actively attempting to find one for Ben. He can't bring himself to tell Nick that it makes him uncomfortable. So how is it that the new guy from Germany can see it from a mile away?
Elias isn't interested in academics or dating. What he's interested in is returning to professional tennis and Princeton's Ivy League tennis team is his ticket to being discovered by a new coach. When Ben, his teammate and doubles partner, is unwilling to stand up for himself, Elias offers to fake date. Ben gets Nick to stop setting him up, and Elias gets extra practice time in. It's a win-win situation.
I don't follow tennis at all, and I wasn't sure if I would understand any of the scenes pertaining to the sport. However, even though reading about the matches felt a little like reading a foreign language, I understood enough. I really appreciated that the author didn't "dumb down" the sport-talk, yet I never felt lost and it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the developing relationship between the characters.
Just a warning, there is a bit of a spice level if you're averse to that kind of thing (I was not), but it's all very sweet and consensual.
I'm very glad I snagged this book as an ARC reader. Now I need to go check out Book One of the series!
Princeton senior, Ben, has a secret crush on his best friend. Unfortunately, Nick already has a boyfriend and is actively attempting to find one for Ben. He can't bring himself to tell Nick that it makes him uncomfortable. So how is it that the new guy from Germany can see it from a mile away?
Elias isn't interested in academics or dating. What he's interested in is returning to professional tennis and Princeton's Ivy League tennis team is his ticket to being discovered by a new coach. When Ben, his teammate and doubles partner, is unwilling to stand up for himself, Elias offers to fake date. Ben gets Nick to stop setting him up, and Elias gets extra practice time in. It's a win-win situation.
I don't follow tennis at all, and I wasn't sure if I would understand any of the scenes pertaining to the sport. However, even though reading about the matches felt a little like reading a foreign language, I understood enough. I really appreciated that the author didn't "dumb down" the sport-talk, yet I never felt lost and it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the developing relationship between the characters.
Just a warning, there is a bit of a spice level if you're averse to that kind of thing (I was not), but it's all very sweet and consensual.
I'm very glad I snagged this book as an ARC reader. Now I need to go check out Book One of the series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Emmery Fox for providing me with an ARC!
I absolutely loved this book. I loved this couple so much, and a big part of that is because I saw a lot of myself in Ben. His quirks, his personality, his music tastes, the way he thinks and feels. It all felt very familiar in the best way. There is something really special about watching someone who has carried unrequited feelings finally find a love that fits them fully. It felt gratifying without losing that emotional depth.
One thing Emmery always does well is create characters who feel deeply human and real. Even when they come from privileged, Ivy League, old money spaces, they never feel out of touch or hollow. Their insecurities, their wants, their awkwardness, their softness. It all feels grounded and authentic, which made it so easy to connect to them.
Also a personal bonus for me. I am a sucker for brown eyes and they are so underrated and underrepresented in romance, especially for male main characters. So having handsome MMCs with brown eyes made my heart very happy.
Overall this was heartfelt, romantic, and emotionally satisfying. If you love character driven MM romance with sincerity and vulnerability, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved this couple so much, and a big part of that is because I saw a lot of myself in Ben. His quirks, his personality, his music tastes, the way he thinks and feels. It all felt very familiar in the best way. There is something really special about watching someone who has carried unrequited feelings finally find a love that fits them fully. It felt gratifying without losing that emotional depth.
One thing Emmery always does well is create characters who feel deeply human and real. Even when they come from privileged, Ivy League, old money spaces, they never feel out of touch or hollow. Their insecurities, their wants, their awkwardness, their softness. It all feels grounded and authentic, which made it so easy to connect to them.
Also a personal bonus for me. I am a sucker for brown eyes and they are so underrated and underrepresented in romance, especially for male main characters. So having handsome MMCs with brown eyes made my heart very happy.
Overall this was heartfelt, romantic, and emotionally satisfying. If you love character driven MM romance with sincerity and vulnerability, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy
This was so cute and sweet! I loved Elias and Ben from the start. Elias was very no nonsense and brutally honest and I loved that about him. Beni was so shy and such a great person, just waiting for someone to notice him. And boy, did Elias notice him! I loved that Elias just got Ben and saw him for who he was from the start. They were a great pairing and I loved how patient and understanding Elias was with Ben. I also really loved how Elias built Ben up and helped him build up his confidence. In return Ben showed Elias that love is worth changing your plans a bit and how it can be something to strengthen you instead of taking you away from other things. I also really enjoyed the tennis content in the book.
So, if you're in the mood to read about two Ivy League tennis players finding their happily ever after then this is the book for you. This is sweet and cute and it has some funny moments and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story.
So, if you're in the mood to read about two Ivy League tennis players finding their happily ever after then this is the book for you. This is sweet and cute and it has some funny moments and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emmery has delivered another win with Second serves and First times.
This is the story of Ben Harris a smart but shy man that lacks the self esteem and experience in the dating department and Elias Liebrenz a German hunk of man and amazing tennis player whose only goal is to become pro. When Ben’s best friend and secret crush wants to set him up on dates he’s too nice to say no. To help him Elias proposes a fake relationship but what happens when it becomes too real?
I loved every bit of Ben and Elias story is sweet, fun, spicy but with that depth Emmery gives to the characters that makes the story just perfect. Compared to First serves and second chances is not angsty at all, this one is more about finding yourself and that sometimes wining is not necessarily everything.
Overall SSAFT was such an enjoyable read, I couldn’t put it down, it was the perfect read. I can’t wait for what’s next in the series because I’m definitely hooked now.
***An ARC was provided for an honest review, all opinions are my own***
Emmery has delivered another win with Second serves and First times.
This is the story of Ben Harris a smart but shy man that lacks the self esteem and experience in the dating department and Elias Liebrenz a German hunk of man and amazing tennis player whose only goal is to become pro. When Ben’s best friend and secret crush wants to set him up on dates he’s too nice to say no. To help him Elias proposes a fake relationship but what happens when it becomes too real?
I loved every bit of Ben and Elias story is sweet, fun, spicy but with that depth Emmery gives to the characters that makes the story just perfect. Compared to First serves and second chances is not angsty at all, this one is more about finding yourself and that sometimes wining is not necessarily everything.
Overall SSAFT was such an enjoyable read, I couldn’t put it down, it was the perfect read. I can’t wait for what’s next in the series because I’m definitely hooked now.
***An ARC was provided for an honest review, all opinions are my own***
February 23, 2026
Rating: 3/5 stars
Really, really liked the relationship dynamic, but there were a lot of missed opportunities for character development that I didn't really understand why they were glossed over, especially since that was so great in the first book. It also meant that the plot was pretty flat and the stakes weren't as high as they could have been
Really, really liked the relationship dynamic, but there were a lot of missed opportunities for character development that I didn't really understand why they were glossed over, especially since that was so great in the first book. It also meant that the plot was pretty flat and the stakes weren't as high as they could have been
March 1, 2026
WEAK ass apology at the end there by Elias
I would’ve liked to see some more apparent character development from Ben
I liked when they were hanging out and getting to know each other, but everything outside of that wasn’t always working for me
I would’ve liked to see some more apparent character development from Ben
I liked when they were hanging out and getting to know each other, but everything outside of that wasn’t always working for me
February 23, 2026
3.5 stars
March 14, 2026
I loved everything about this book. It was so sweet and made me laugh. 🥰
April 3, 2026
3.5 stars
This was Not as good as anticipated….
This was Not as good as anticipated….
June 1, 2026
Really loved this one. Super sweet, Ben is an 11/10 to me. Read it in one day as I couldn’t put it down. I hope we’re not finished in this universe because I want more!
June 7, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.5 star it's okay
June 28, 2026
Ben and Elias. Elias is a little fuck head and I barely liked him. Ben is a sweetie and Nate is an idiot. Blah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2026
A fun tennis book, was fun with a German character. Was a good book but wanted a bit more grovelling after the third act breakup cause it was kinda anticlimactic, but oh well
Did Not Finish
October 7, 2026Im just bored? I don’t love fake dating tropes to begin with and then I’m like 50 pages in and like don’t care one bit
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is another great read by Emmery Fox. I do however think its the first book of theirs that I havent given a full 5 stars. But like 4 is still pretty damn good!
I enjoyed reading it, and fell in love with Ben & Elias. After the first book in this new series I expected a lot more angsty plot action, but wasnt necessarily disappointed that it was more chill. There were some real romantic vibes between them, even if things did start out as fake dating.
4 Stars, solid read, enjoyable MCs, and good feels. I will be back for the next in the series!! ❤️
I enjoyed reading it, and fell in love with Ben & Elias. After the first book in this new series I expected a lot more angsty plot action, but wasnt necessarily disappointed that it was more chill. There were some real romantic vibes between them, even if things did start out as fake dating.
4 Stars, solid read, enjoyable MCs, and good feels. I will be back for the next in the series!! ❤️
April 23, 2026
It was better then the first one and had some interesting details that I haven’t seen in other books. I give it 3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews