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Love Game #1
In Your Court
Not yet published
Expected 21 May 26A sweet, steamy AF contemporary MM romance! Find truckloads of hot, witty banter, exploration of queer solidarity, lots of tennis details but very little actual tennis, and amusing Australian/American cultural confusion.
Australian Matteo Russo is the first and only openly gay tennis pro. Once a brilliant junior, he was slated for a bright future – until a freak accident derailed his career. Now, he’s fed up, he’s struggling to qualify for tournaments, and he’s not sure he can afford dinner tonight.
After losing to his old rival—the rich, arrogant, American superstar Miles Callahan—Mat throws the man’s privilege in his face and sets him a challenge – one he’s sure Miles would never accept. But he does. Determined to prove he’s earned his success, Miles travels to Wimbledon on a tight budget – no support team, no coach, no fancy hotel. And now the American needs a hitting partner, and someone to explain laundromats, and what started as a dare soon becomes a searing off-court fling.
Mat should be focussing on his career, not falling for a glamorous star, but Miles believes in his game in a way Mat hasn’t for a long time, and is fast becoming everything he’s ever wanted. Only... love and tennis just don’t mix, because one day soon they’ll have to face each other on the court.
And in tennis, someone always has to lose.
Australian Matteo Russo is the first and only openly gay tennis pro. Once a brilliant junior, he was slated for a bright future – until a freak accident derailed his career. Now, he’s fed up, he’s struggling to qualify for tournaments, and he’s not sure he can afford dinner tonight.
After losing to his old rival—the rich, arrogant, American superstar Miles Callahan—Mat throws the man’s privilege in his face and sets him a challenge – one he’s sure Miles would never accept. But he does. Determined to prove he’s earned his success, Miles travels to Wimbledon on a tight budget – no support team, no coach, no fancy hotel. And now the American needs a hitting partner, and someone to explain laundromats, and what started as a dare soon becomes a searing off-court fling.
Mat should be focussing on his career, not falling for a glamorous star, but Miles believes in his game in a way Mat hasn’t for a long time, and is fast becoming everything he’s ever wanted. Only... love and tennis just don’t mix, because one day soon they’ll have to face each other on the court.
And in tennis, someone always has to lose.
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 21, 2026
1693 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
E-ARC obtained through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
4.5 stars. Packed with enough steam to make you blush and enough heart to make you give it a rousing standing ovation, In Your Court is a serve of a queer tennis romance that I'm so glad i got the chance to read early.
4.5 stars. Packed with enough steam to make you blush and enough heart to make you give it a rousing standing ovation, In Your Court is a serve of a queer tennis romance that I'm so glad i got the chance to read early.
Did Not Finish
April 24, 2026dnf @ page ~300
Unfortunately, this wasn't for me. If you're into no plot and sex every other chapter, this one's perfect for you. For me, it wasn't. This was 70% spice and 30% random talks. And I don't have anything against spicy romances, but I wasn't in the mood for repetitive sex scenes and no romantic development. I was really really missing some interesting plot.
Unfortunately, this wasn't for me. If you're into no plot and sex every other chapter, this one's perfect for you. For me, it wasn't. This was 70% spice and 30% random talks. And I don't have anything against spicy romances, but I wasn't in the mood for repetitive sex scenes and no romantic development. I was really really missing some interesting plot.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Your Court really surprised me. At first, I was worried it wasn't going to be a win for me (the pacing was a tad slow and the characters weren't doing it for me), but it turned around about 35% in. I couldn't put this one down and these boys have been living rent free in my head ever since finishing their story. Their relationship was rocky, racked with misunderstandings and miscommunications as they learned how to communicate in a healthy manner as well as what each other needed. While I usually despise a miscommunication trope, it really worked here because of their circumstances. Also, Katie? A stellar side character, haha. This cover? Scrumptious! (It’s also been living rent free in my brain, haha.)
Was there far more tennis than I was anticipating? Yes. Do I really understand tennis all that well? No, absolutely not. Did this detract from my enjoyment? Also no. I think Matteo and Miles character progressions really kept the story going for me. Also, Miles’ team sucks (iykyk), his parents suck, and I’m so glad that he found a better support system.
This is a fast/high heat story, so keep that in mind if that’s not your thing. The lust comes before the feelings, but I couldn’t get enough of the budding relationship.
My only critique is that I wish there was *more*. (I say this about all my favorites, though, lol.) These two are so dang sweet and I love them and I was not ready to say goodbye. Don’t mind me running to find more MM Tennis books while I wait for Love Game 2 to release at some point in the future.
If you’re looking for a MM sports romance that isn’t hockey (don’t get me wrong, I love a good hockey romance, but they seem to be the most popular to publish lately), definitely give this debut a chance! I have pre-ordered a paperback edition and I cannot wait to revisit Matteo and Miles’ story again soon!
Was there far more tennis than I was anticipating? Yes. Do I really understand tennis all that well? No, absolutely not. Did this detract from my enjoyment? Also no. I think Matteo and Miles character progressions really kept the story going for me. Also, Miles’ team sucks (iykyk), his parents suck, and I’m so glad that he found a better support system.
This is a fast/high heat story, so keep that in mind if that’s not your thing. The lust comes before the feelings, but I couldn’t get enough of the budding relationship.
My only critique is that I wish there was *more*. (I say this about all my favorites, though, lol.) These two are so dang sweet and I love them and I was not ready to say goodbye. Don’t mind me running to find more MM Tennis books while I wait for Love Game 2 to release at some point in the future.
If you’re looking for a MM sports romance that isn’t hockey (don’t get me wrong, I love a good hockey romance, but they seem to be the most popular to publish lately), definitely give this debut a chance! I have pre-ordered a paperback edition and I cannot wait to revisit Matteo and Miles’ story again soon!
Read
April 6, 2026Now, the fool is ME because the author in their marketing trope graphic literally said "very little actual tennis" but there is a lacuna here of Actual Tennis in the POVs that boggles the mind. If your LI is briefly n.3 in the world why don't I know who n.1-2 are?? Instead of MC/LI calling each other "aw you're such an [adjective] gay" they'd be talking about tennis. Instead of swapping romance novel recs (yes, really) they'd be talking about tennis. Instead of talking like the exact elder millennial romance reader that the author presumably is, they'd be talking about... ? Say it with me. Have we totally lost the joy of rendering a character unlike us, to an audience unlike them, and asking an audience to find pleasure in the unlikeness? (Yes, unbearably, yes.)
Blah blah yes yes if you're reading for m/m sex you'll be overjoyed.
Blah blah yes yes if you're reading for m/m sex you'll be overjoyed.
April 4, 2026
ALL THE STARS!!!♾️⭐️
This book is outstanding!! I was sucked in from the start and stayed sucked in throughout the book. I truly had not felt this exhilarated reading a book in a minute!! Mat & Miles 🥹 GOD I LOVE THEM!! those 2 lovely idiots (iykyk)🤣 This is a tennis romance, and Tennis does not necessarily take a backseat (which was fine for me!) But, I think if you don’t know tennis/don’t care about tennis you will still be able to enjoy the story because the author does not go into too much detail!
I loved all of the layers to this story. It’s spicy (so wonderfully spicy!) but also sweet and tender and emotional. Both characters are navigating completely different challenges in their own worlds, yet somehow find common ground and learn how to be exactly what the other needs. Watching them show up for each other, put one another first, and ultimately build a life together was so beautiful.
Matteo, my fellow overthinker! So many times i wanted to wrap him in a hug 🥹 It was so hard to be irritated with him because i truly saw so much of myself 😭 the way he held so many thoughts and emotions in for fear of ruining what he had with Miles, and i was yelling at him like no!! we must be better!! USE YOUR WORDS💀 Im really glad Matteo and Miles finally figured out how to communicate and give each other why they need. Miles always knowing when Matteo was overthinking himself nuts! It was the sweetest of stories 🥹
Personally, I think Mat&Miles need a second book and so i’m gonna start that campaign… right now 🙂↕️🤪
This book is outstanding!! I was sucked in from the start and stayed sucked in throughout the book. I truly had not felt this exhilarated reading a book in a minute!! Mat & Miles 🥹 GOD I LOVE THEM!! those 2 lovely idiots (iykyk)🤣 This is a tennis romance, and Tennis does not necessarily take a backseat (which was fine for me!) But, I think if you don’t know tennis/don’t care about tennis you will still be able to enjoy the story because the author does not go into too much detail!
I loved all of the layers to this story. It’s spicy (so wonderfully spicy!) but also sweet and tender and emotional. Both characters are navigating completely different challenges in their own worlds, yet somehow find common ground and learn how to be exactly what the other needs. Watching them show up for each other, put one another first, and ultimately build a life together was so beautiful.
Matteo, my fellow overthinker! So many times i wanted to wrap him in a hug 🥹 It was so hard to be irritated with him because i truly saw so much of myself 😭 the way he held so many thoughts and emotions in for fear of ruining what he had with Miles, and i was yelling at him like no!! we must be better!! USE YOUR WORDS💀 Im really glad Matteo and Miles finally figured out how to communicate and give each other why they need. Miles always knowing when Matteo was overthinking himself nuts! It was the sweetest of stories 🥹
Personally, I think Mat&Miles need a second book and so i’m gonna start that campaign… right now 🙂↕️🤪
April 28, 2026
WTF DID YOU PUT IN THIS BOOK @kithaley.romance?! In Your Court was INCREDIBLE 😱😱 sweet and a little angsty (first book to make me cry in a WHILE) and intense and VERY horny 🥵, I could NOT put it down, especially at the end. It also had exactly the right amount of tennis for someone who knows almost nothing about it and I really appreciated that 😂.
In Your Court is single POV and follows struggling Australian player Matteo, who is trying to prove that he’s not a has-been after recovering from an accident. He’s also the only out gay player and he’s both prone to overthinking and has quite the chip on his shoulder. So when top ranked player Miles Callahan, his rival for years, starts reaching out, he has no idea what to think.
I LOVED Miles. Though he can be hard to read and uses sex like a shield, he’s so thoughtful most of the time and he’s SO GOOD for AND to Mat. The way he helps Mat find his game again, supporting him despite being his rival warmed my heart. I loved their text convos, their banter, and their heart to hearts when they finally realize that they need to communicate. The end made me both sad and happy cry, SUCH a perfect conclusion!
This is the third book I’ve read and been OBSESSED with this year by an Aussie author with Aussie characters, OMG WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN UNDER? I dunno but I’m here for it, I cannot wait for yall to read this book (out May 21!) and I’m ready for anything else Kit writes.
In Your Court is single POV and follows struggling Australian player Matteo, who is trying to prove that he’s not a has-been after recovering from an accident. He’s also the only out gay player and he’s both prone to overthinking and has quite the chip on his shoulder. So when top ranked player Miles Callahan, his rival for years, starts reaching out, he has no idea what to think.
I LOVED Miles. Though he can be hard to read and uses sex like a shield, he’s so thoughtful most of the time and he’s SO GOOD for AND to Mat. The way he helps Mat find his game again, supporting him despite being his rival warmed my heart. I loved their text convos, their banter, and their heart to hearts when they finally realize that they need to communicate. The end made me both sad and happy cry, SUCH a perfect conclusion!
This is the third book I’ve read and been OBSESSED with this year by an Aussie author with Aussie characters, OMG WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN UNDER? I dunno but I’m here for it, I cannot wait for yall to read this book (out May 21!) and I’m ready for anything else Kit writes.
May 3, 2026
I love me a queer sports romance so when I saw the cover for this one, I needed to get my hands on it!! Luckily it definitely lived up to my expectations.
The tennis setting is just such a fun one, It allows for some very tense moments but also some hotel room fun. I loved how Matteo and Miles' dynamic was explored through their first few matches, already promising us some great banter and tension for the rest of the book.
The exploration of Matteo's mental health after his accident was also done so well. I loved how Miles just really wanted to help him get back to his best self and also called out his bad habits. I do wish there was also more of a focus on Miles and his own bad habits. The lack of communication there was slightly infuriating, even though it did make sense for their characters.
Just don't go into this expecting something like Heated Rivalry. Yes it's a gay sports romance between rivals but that's also where the comparison ends. It's a great book and stands perfectly on itself.
Had a really good time with this book and can't wait to read more from Kit Haley!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review!
The tennis setting is just such a fun one, It allows for some very tense moments but also some hotel room fun. I loved how Matteo and Miles' dynamic was explored through their first few matches, already promising us some great banter and tension for the rest of the book.
The exploration of Matteo's mental health after his accident was also done so well. I loved how Miles just really wanted to help him get back to his best self and also called out his bad habits. I do wish there was also more of a focus on Miles and his own bad habits. The lack of communication there was slightly infuriating, even though it did make sense for their characters.
Just don't go into this expecting something like Heated Rivalry. Yes it's a gay sports romance between rivals but that's also where the comparison ends. It's a great book and stands perfectly on itself.
Had a really good time with this book and can't wait to read more from Kit Haley!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review!
April 20, 2026
I love tennis. I love romance. I loved this book. Why is there so little romance set in the tennis world? There's no shortage of hockey and baseball! I feel like Tennis has been an underrated sports romance subgenre, yet I know of 3 M|M tennis romances releasing this year alone and I could not be happier.
There's not a lot of details from the actual matches in the book, it's more about what happens before, after and in between on the ATP tour, and covers a full season with all 4 grand slams. I always visualize the MCs while reading and I couldn’t help but picture IRL tennis stars Lorenzo Musetti as Matteo Russo and Jack Draper as Miles Callahan (google them if you don't know who they are!) Of course in this story they are gay and fall in love. It's rivals-to-lovers, forced proximity-ish, plus a comeback and coming out story.
Mat & Miles are so cute and really can’t keep their hands off each other. I loved how Miles helps Mat overcome his past trauma and find his game again, and how Mat helps Miles free himself from his homophobic team & super controlling parents. These two compliment each other so well! They are also very horny and use sex as a way to avoid talking about serious things and/or to avoid emotions. I loved their banter and adorable text flirting. What's refreshing is they are together for most of the book and spice happens within the first 15%. The conflicts begin to surface before 50%, yet ultimately it’s not what you expect. There are some cute moments involving laundry, plants, flowers, chocolate mousse cake, a pool, wet shirts and an e-reader filled with gay Romance books!
Not only is this a great debut novel, but it's the first in the "Love Game" tennis romance series by Kit Haley. Sign me up for all of them. I cannot WAIT to read more! If you like gay sports romance, you will love this one.
Also, how gorgeous is this cover art? Really captures the vibes IMO. #MatAndMiles
STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE 🔥🔥🔥
**Thank you to NetGalley & Readamance Books for the ARC
There's not a lot of details from the actual matches in the book, it's more about what happens before, after and in between on the ATP tour, and covers a full season with all 4 grand slams. I always visualize the MCs while reading and I couldn’t help but picture IRL tennis stars Lorenzo Musetti as Matteo Russo and Jack Draper as Miles Callahan (google them if you don't know who they are!) Of course in this story they are gay and fall in love. It's rivals-to-lovers, forced proximity-ish, plus a comeback and coming out story.
Mat & Miles are so cute and really can’t keep their hands off each other. I loved how Miles helps Mat overcome his past trauma and find his game again, and how Mat helps Miles free himself from his homophobic team & super controlling parents. These two compliment each other so well! They are also very horny and use sex as a way to avoid talking about serious things and/or to avoid emotions. I loved their banter and adorable text flirting. What's refreshing is they are together for most of the book and spice happens within the first 15%. The conflicts begin to surface before 50%, yet ultimately it’s not what you expect. There are some cute moments involving laundry, plants, flowers, chocolate mousse cake, a pool, wet shirts and an e-reader filled with gay Romance books!
Not only is this a great debut novel, but it's the first in the "Love Game" tennis romance series by Kit Haley. Sign me up for all of them. I cannot WAIT to read more! If you like gay sports romance, you will love this one.
Also, how gorgeous is this cover art? Really captures the vibes IMO. #MatAndMiles
STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE 🔥🔥🔥
**Thank you to NetGalley & Readamance Books for the ARC
April 12, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this! This was such a fun read! It’s sort of like heated rivalry and challengers had a child and I love it. I appreciated that it touched on the classism/wealth gap in tennis while still keeping it from being aggressively money-focused. The characters themselves are well rounded and interesting people that you truly want to root for the whole book. The pacing is pretty good, sometimes the time skips felt slightly rushed but I understand their purpose so I’m not too mad about it. Overall, this is an interesting story and a great romance. There’s a lot of heart, a lot of growth, and a lot of heat (all important in any good sports romance).
April 4, 2026
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the arc!
Rtc
Rtc
May 3, 2026
My 2026 reading list hadn’t given me any unexpected favorites outside the books I already knew would be 5 stars… until now. Because
In Your Court
is an absolute sports romance masterpiece.
I knew this was going to be a 5-star read by the time I hit 25%, and somehow it only got better from there.
What makes this book shine is that it delivers both an incredible romance and a compelling look into the realities of professional tennis.
🌼Miles is the world number 3: polished, talented, gorgeous, and America’s golden boy.
📖Matteo is the underdog—the former junior prodigy whose career was derailed by a devastating accident.
🎾Their dynamic is electric from the start, especially when Matt forces Miles to confront the privilege that comes with being a top-ranked player and how brutal life on tour can be for those lower down the rankings.
I loved both main characters for completely different reasons. Matt is open, vulnerable, and deeply shaped by self-doubt, while Miles carries himself with confidence but hides so much behind that perfect exterior. Their personalities complement each other beautifully, and their chemistry is obvious from their very first interactions.
The pacing was excellent, and I never lost interest for a second. Following them through the ATP tour—from French Open to Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open—kept the story fresh and exciting. The changing settings and evolving dynamics made it impossible to put down.
I also really appreciated how the author peeled back the layers of each character gradually—first Matt, then Miles—giving readers time to fall in love with them in the same way they fall for each other.
And the themes? So well done. From the financial strain lower-ranked players face just to stay on tour, to recovering from injuries, fear of failure, and complicated family dynamics—everything was handled with depth and care.
I loved the writing. I loved the plot. I loved the character arcs. I loved everything.
Honestly, if I could erase my memory just to experience this book again for the first time, I would.
Thank you to NetGalley and Redamance Books for the ARC!
For more bookish content follow me on instagram at@onetoomanybooks.ac 💫📚
I knew this was going to be a 5-star read by the time I hit 25%, and somehow it only got better from there.
What makes this book shine is that it delivers both an incredible romance and a compelling look into the realities of professional tennis.
🌼Miles is the world number 3: polished, talented, gorgeous, and America’s golden boy.
📖Matteo is the underdog—the former junior prodigy whose career was derailed by a devastating accident.
🎾Their dynamic is electric from the start, especially when Matt forces Miles to confront the privilege that comes with being a top-ranked player and how brutal life on tour can be for those lower down the rankings.
I loved both main characters for completely different reasons. Matt is open, vulnerable, and deeply shaped by self-doubt, while Miles carries himself with confidence but hides so much behind that perfect exterior. Their personalities complement each other beautifully, and their chemistry is obvious from their very first interactions.
The pacing was excellent, and I never lost interest for a second. Following them through the ATP tour—from French Open to Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open—kept the story fresh and exciting. The changing settings and evolving dynamics made it impossible to put down.
I also really appreciated how the author peeled back the layers of each character gradually—first Matt, then Miles—giving readers time to fall in love with them in the same way they fall for each other.
And the themes? So well done. From the financial strain lower-ranked players face just to stay on tour, to recovering from injuries, fear of failure, and complicated family dynamics—everything was handled with depth and care.
I loved the writing. I loved the plot. I loved the character arcs. I loved everything.
Honestly, if I could erase my memory just to experience this book again for the first time, I would.
Thank you to NetGalley and Redamance Books for the ARC!
For more bookish content follow me on instagram at@onetoomanybooks.ac 💫📚
Review of advance copy received from Author
In Your Court: ★ ★ ★ . 5
Kit Haley
“There’s no fair in tennis, there’s just winning. And sometimes the way to win is to push your opponent into a corner.”
Matteo is the first and only openly gay tennis player who is struggling to make a comeback after his accident. But his secret relationship with Miles keeps on challenging him to get better, even if they are rivals outside the bedroom.
Tropes:
– Sports romance
– Fast burn
– Rivals to lovers
Ever since I saw this cover, I fell in love with it, and I knew that I needed to read it immediately. There was so much fun banter, spicy tension, and so much more in the story. I loved reading about how they fell in love and kept challenging one another not only to become better but also feel comfortable in their own skin.
My only minor comment would be that because the characters got together so early in the book. Some parts felt like they were just a touch longer than they needed to be, but it’s honestly refreshing to see a different kind of romance novel where I get to see the characters working through our relationship rather than the entire book being spent on them getting together.
Matteo and Miles are such unique characters who totally belong to one another. Every single soft moment between them made my heart melt because they’re just sooo cute!!
Thank you to Kit Haley for the ARC!
Kit Haley
“There’s no fair in tennis, there’s just winning. And sometimes the way to win is to push your opponent into a corner.”
Matteo is the first and only openly gay tennis player who is struggling to make a comeback after his accident. But his secret relationship with Miles keeps on challenging him to get better, even if they are rivals outside the bedroom.
Tropes:
– Sports romance
– Fast burn
– Rivals to lovers
Ever since I saw this cover, I fell in love with it, and I knew that I needed to read it immediately. There was so much fun banter, spicy tension, and so much more in the story. I loved reading about how they fell in love and kept challenging one another not only to become better but also feel comfortable in their own skin.
My only minor comment would be that because the characters got together so early in the book. Some parts felt like they were just a touch longer than they needed to be, but it’s honestly refreshing to see a different kind of romance novel where I get to see the characters working through our relationship rather than the entire book being spent on them getting together.
Matteo and Miles are such unique characters who totally belong to one another. Every single soft moment between them made my heart melt because they’re just sooo cute!!
Thank you to Kit Haley for the ARC!
Did Not Finish
April 22, 2026𓏲࣪◜ dnf @60% ♡ᵎ
Although it sounded like THE perfect book for me, I have to admit i dnf’d this one.
When i received the confirmation email, i was incredibly excited and started reading immediately. But to my surprise i quickly realized that the writing style wasn't really for me, but i decided to keep reading anyway. The more i read, the more i realized it just wasn't working for me. I’m not a big fan of the writing, i can’t really connect with the characters and the story didn’t catch me the way i hoped it would. It’s sad because i actually don’t like them both together i thought they have a really weird relationship. At some point i skimmed through the book to see if i would change my mind and if it would catch me again, but unfortunately nothing changed, so i stuck to my decision.
- still a huge thank you to Redamance Books for sending me the e arc in exchange for an honest review. -
- started: 05.04.26
- stopped: 22.04.26
May 5, 2026
This was a case of I LOVE THE COVER, I must read!
Do I always judge a book by it's cover? I try not to, but the "face card" on this debut book from Kit Haley is hot. It drew me in and I'm not even a tennis fan.
In Your Court is a single POV, rivals to lovers, MM sports romance story between an Australian and American tennis player that basically grew up together within their sport. But after an accident, one of the players (Matteo) has had a difficult time returning to the level he once was. Not only that, but he is also the only out gay professional tennis player in the circuit, which has unintentionally put unneeded attention on his shoulders. When Matteo loses a match against Miles, he challenges him to a bit of a dare, not thinking that Miles would actually take him up on it. But Miles takes the challenge on for more than one reason, surprising Matteo in ways he never saw coming.
Look, I'm a huge sports romance reader, especially when it's between two players. The rivalry. The tension. The build up to something explosive. It just gets your heart pounding. Even if it's about a sport that I'm not too familiar with, like tennis. It was all about the setting, giving us moments that allowed us to explore our MCs, Miles and Matteo in their worlds, together, off and on the court.
Since this story was told in Matteo's POV, I felt like I was able to connect to him quickly and easier. From his friendship with fellow tennis player and roommate Katie, to his family back home in Australia, to how open he was about sharing aspects of his life, I just adored Mat. But he definitely was holding back when it came to his on court presence. Then there's Miles. While he did not give up pieces of himself easily and hides who he is, he is the perfect fit for Mat. He recognizes parts of Mat that no one else has been able to see and ends up helping Mat find his way to being the tennis player he once was.
'Sometimes, you have to take risks. Say f*ck you to the fear and choose to believe in yourself. I wasn't sure I could after years of failure, but for some reason he seemed to believed in me. Perhaps, for now, that would be enough.'
Despite their long time rivalry, they end up connecting off the court and I loved seeing them explore their obvious chemistry. Their physical connection as well as their horny banter in person and through texts allows us to see them build something more than just physical. It wasn't perfect, but that was half the beauty of their journey.
And finally, I have to mention the tennis. Because while there is a lot of talk of tennis and the different tours, it didn't have a lot of actual tennis matches, if that makes sense. It's just the world this romance is set in. And it's such a good one!
Overall, I enjoyed this romance and felt the characters were well fleshed out and I truly enjoyed their story. I was totally invested in their journeys outside of their romance as much as their actual relationship...BUT, I did feel the book was excessively long.
If you are a fan of:
Spicy MM Sport Romance (tennis)
Rivals to lovers
Close Proximity
Horny behavior
Out/Not Out Athletes
Traumatic Past
...Then don't miss out on Kit Haley's debut book. I'll definitely be back for more since this apparently is the first book in the Love Game series!!
Do I always judge a book by it's cover? I try not to, but the "face card" on this debut book from Kit Haley is hot. It drew me in and I'm not even a tennis fan.
In Your Court is a single POV, rivals to lovers, MM sports romance story between an Australian and American tennis player that basically grew up together within their sport. But after an accident, one of the players (Matteo) has had a difficult time returning to the level he once was. Not only that, but he is also the only out gay professional tennis player in the circuit, which has unintentionally put unneeded attention on his shoulders. When Matteo loses a match against Miles, he challenges him to a bit of a dare, not thinking that Miles would actually take him up on it. But Miles takes the challenge on for more than one reason, surprising Matteo in ways he never saw coming.
Look, I'm a huge sports romance reader, especially when it's between two players. The rivalry. The tension. The build up to something explosive. It just gets your heart pounding. Even if it's about a sport that I'm not too familiar with, like tennis. It was all about the setting, giving us moments that allowed us to explore our MCs, Miles and Matteo in their worlds, together, off and on the court.
Since this story was told in Matteo's POV, I felt like I was able to connect to him quickly and easier. From his friendship with fellow tennis player and roommate Katie, to his family back home in Australia, to how open he was about sharing aspects of his life, I just adored Mat. But he definitely was holding back when it came to his on court presence. Then there's Miles. While he did not give up pieces of himself easily and hides who he is, he is the perfect fit for Mat. He recognizes parts of Mat that no one else has been able to see and ends up helping Mat find his way to being the tennis player he once was.
'Sometimes, you have to take risks. Say f*ck you to the fear and choose to believe in yourself. I wasn't sure I could after years of failure, but for some reason he seemed to believed in me. Perhaps, for now, that would be enough.'
Despite their long time rivalry, they end up connecting off the court and I loved seeing them explore their obvious chemistry. Their physical connection as well as their horny banter in person and through texts allows us to see them build something more than just physical. It wasn't perfect, but that was half the beauty of their journey.
And finally, I have to mention the tennis. Because while there is a lot of talk of tennis and the different tours, it didn't have a lot of actual tennis matches, if that makes sense. It's just the world this romance is set in. And it's such a good one!
Overall, I enjoyed this romance and felt the characters were well fleshed out and I truly enjoyed their story. I was totally invested in their journeys outside of their romance as much as their actual relationship...BUT, I did feel the book was excessively long.
If you are a fan of:
Spicy MM Sport Romance (tennis)
Rivals to lovers
Close Proximity
Horny behavior
Out/Not Out Athletes
Traumatic Past
...Then don't miss out on Kit Haley's debut book. I'll definitely be back for more since this apparently is the first book in the Love Game series!!
April 18, 2026
Ohhhhhh this was such a good one! I will preface this by saying I know nothing about tennis, but that’s didn’t put me off at all - in fact I feel like I have learned a lot!! The book follows out-and-proud Australian pro tennis player Matteo Russo who, after almost having to retire for good after a car accident, is making his slow way back up the rankings. Perpetually standing in his way is American tennis superstar Miles Callahan, Mat’s rival and all-round, all-American jerk.
Or is he? When they end up neighbours whilst playing a competition in London, Mat starts to realise that Miles isn’t as huge a jerk as he thought. And also that Miles, surprisingly, isn’t straight. But he is closeted. Despite the growing attraction between the pair, Mat just can’t see this having a happy ending…
Ohhhh gosh it was so good. So much soul-searching, growing as people, deep emotional connection… ugh, perfection. This is the book that Heated Rivalry fans need to cure their hangover; there’s the same emotional depth, the sneaking around in hotel rooms, the adorable banter… plus we have this lovely black cat x golden retriever pairing, with Mat being an anxious, nervy wreck most of the time and Miles being a textbook sweetheart people pleaser.
Whilst this book is told from Mat’s POV, and therefore we get to share all of his ups and downs as he experiences them, we also get so much insight into Miles’ life and the struggles that he is facing as Mat manages to see under the perpetually sunshiny exterior to the damage beneath.
Plus, y’know we got a wholeeeee lotta spice 🙂↕️ Plus the frankly hilarious Aussie/American cultural misunderstandings; who knew thongs were such a controversial subject 😹
Read In Your Court for:
✨ MM Tennis Romance
✨ Rivals to lovers (but still rivals 🎾)
✨ Australian VS American
✨ For Heated Rivalry fans
✨ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
✨ Anxiety rep, recovery from injury
✨ Sneaking in hotel rooms
✨ Kindles full of gay smut
✨ Wimbledon far sexier than I thought
✨ Found family of tennis folks
✨ Incredible character growth
✨ I love them both your honour 🫡
Thank you to the author for an early copy of this book via NetGalley; it’s out 21st May!
Or is he? When they end up neighbours whilst playing a competition in London, Mat starts to realise that Miles isn’t as huge a jerk as he thought. And also that Miles, surprisingly, isn’t straight. But he is closeted. Despite the growing attraction between the pair, Mat just can’t see this having a happy ending…
Ohhhh gosh it was so good. So much soul-searching, growing as people, deep emotional connection… ugh, perfection. This is the book that Heated Rivalry fans need to cure their hangover; there’s the same emotional depth, the sneaking around in hotel rooms, the adorable banter… plus we have this lovely black cat x golden retriever pairing, with Mat being an anxious, nervy wreck most of the time and Miles being a textbook sweetheart people pleaser.
Whilst this book is told from Mat’s POV, and therefore we get to share all of his ups and downs as he experiences them, we also get so much insight into Miles’ life and the struggles that he is facing as Mat manages to see under the perpetually sunshiny exterior to the damage beneath.
Plus, y’know we got a wholeeeee lotta spice 🙂↕️ Plus the frankly hilarious Aussie/American cultural misunderstandings; who knew thongs were such a controversial subject 😹
Read In Your Court for:
✨ MM Tennis Romance
✨ Rivals to lovers (but still rivals 🎾)
✨ Australian VS American
✨ For Heated Rivalry fans
✨ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
✨ Anxiety rep, recovery from injury
✨ Sneaking in hotel rooms
✨ Kindles full of gay smut
✨ Wimbledon far sexier than I thought
✨ Found family of tennis folks
✨ Incredible character growth
✨ I love them both your honour 🫡
Thank you to the author for an early copy of this book via NetGalley; it’s out 21st May!
April 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eArc of this book, in exchange for an honest review!
In Your Court by Kit Haley was a solid four stars for me, fun, engaging, and easy to get swept up in. I do wish the romance had taken a bit longer to build; for supposed long-time rivals, it all felt a little too easy and forgiving.
That said, the pacing worked well overall (even if it did feel a touch long at times; my 'romances over 400 pages should not exist' agenda remains strong).
What really made this stand out, though, was the choice to keep it to a single POV. Getting to know Miles alongside Mat instead of watching dual-POV misunderstandings unfold made everything feel more intimate and immersive. Such a great narrative choice, and it genuinely elevated the whole story.
In Your Court by Kit Haley was a solid four stars for me, fun, engaging, and easy to get swept up in. I do wish the romance had taken a bit longer to build; for supposed long-time rivals, it all felt a little too easy and forgiving.
That said, the pacing worked well overall (even if it did feel a touch long at times; my 'romances over 400 pages should not exist' agenda remains strong).
What really made this stand out, though, was the choice to keep it to a single POV. Getting to know Miles alongside Mat instead of watching dual-POV misunderstandings unfold made everything feel more intimate and immersive. Such a great narrative choice, and it genuinely elevated the whole story.
Did Not Finish
April 25, 2026I was enjoying this at first but it’s just soooo long with all smut and no plot. I’m over it and don’t really care what happens anymore.
April 26, 2026
Mat + Miles
-mm romance
-tennis romance
-rivals to lovers
-freak4freak
-austrailian/american cultural confusion
this was cute & the love story thru navigating each others careers was precious also.
-mm romance
-tennis romance
-rivals to lovers
-freak4freak
-austrailian/american cultural confusion
this was cute & the love story thru navigating each others careers was precious also.
Read
April 19, 2026Thanks Netgalley for the review copy.
What a delightful debut. Mat and Miles are tennis rivals who come together after Mat dares Miles (a far more successful player) to survive without his support team in the way that Mat (a lower level player without financial resources) is forced to.
I know nothing about tennis, and found the material about survival as a more minor ‘jobbing’ player fascinating. The romance was great—I loved the sizzling hot attraction between Miles and Matt, the yearning, the love, the care, the communication, the way they built each other up. I also loved that Mat’s Australian, and adored the jokes about Australian English v American English. (Honestly, I’m so happy every time I see the word ‘arse’ in a book.) Miles wears a ‘singlet’. Mat is reading an ‘ice hockey’ romance. And how many syllables *does* the word squirrel have?
Lovers of Heated Rivalry will recognise a few beats, I’m not sure if that’s homage or coincidence, doesn’t really detract either way. It’s a marvellous, big (500p), gorgeously romantic read. If you’re yearning for something along the lines of Heated Rivalry or Darcy Green’s After The Siren, you’ll probably love this.
Also: what a lovely cover. Not too cartoon-y and very romantic.
SPOILER
(My only very slight quibble is that we never do find out about Scrunchie.)
What a delightful debut. Mat and Miles are tennis rivals who come together after Mat dares Miles (a far more successful player) to survive without his support team in the way that Mat (a lower level player without financial resources) is forced to.
I know nothing about tennis, and found the material about survival as a more minor ‘jobbing’ player fascinating. The romance was great—I loved the sizzling hot attraction between Miles and Matt, the yearning, the love, the care, the communication, the way they built each other up. I also loved that Mat’s Australian, and adored the jokes about Australian English v American English. (Honestly, I’m so happy every time I see the word ‘arse’ in a book.) Miles wears a ‘singlet’. Mat is reading an ‘ice hockey’ romance. And how many syllables *does* the word squirrel have?
Lovers of Heated Rivalry will recognise a few beats, I’m not sure if that’s homage or coincidence, doesn’t really detract either way. It’s a marvellous, big (500p), gorgeously romantic read. If you’re yearning for something along the lines of Heated Rivalry or Darcy Green’s After The Siren, you’ll probably love this.
Also: what a lovely cover. Not too cartoon-y and very romantic.
SPOILER
(My only very slight quibble is that we never do find out about Scrunchie.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
Oh. My. God! I literally could not put this book down from the time I picked it up! I LOVED it!
First, if Kit Haley doesn't continue writing, we're gonna have beef in the streets.
Second, I love the queer representation. I think that's what makes the story so profound. Having a queer author write a queer love story added an authenticity that is impossible to duplicate. The love and the challenged for Matteo and Miles is a story most of us are familiar with. It is a challenging time in the world, and I loved being able to have an escape from it into a world of hope and wonder.
This really took me back to the days of being in my twenties and finding myself and finding love. The challenges, both socially and professionally, of coming out and being out are something that is all too familiar for a lot of us in the queer community.
The wanton touches, the lingering looks, the sexual tension. I cannot say enough good things about this book and I have been recommending to anyone with ears! So so good!
Did I mention that I loved the book?
First, if Kit Haley doesn't continue writing, we're gonna have beef in the streets.
Second, I love the queer representation. I think that's what makes the story so profound. Having a queer author write a queer love story added an authenticity that is impossible to duplicate. The love and the challenged for Matteo and Miles is a story most of us are familiar with. It is a challenging time in the world, and I loved being able to have an escape from it into a world of hope and wonder.
This really took me back to the days of being in my twenties and finding myself and finding love. The challenges, both socially and professionally, of coming out and being out are something that is all too familiar for a lot of us in the queer community.
The wanton touches, the lingering looks, the sexual tension. I cannot say enough good things about this book and I have been recommending to anyone with ears! So so good!
Did I mention that I loved the book?
May 3, 2026
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Redamance Publishing for the ARC of In Your Court! I was super excited for this one, and it definitely delivered what I was expecting. I had such a fun time with Mat and Miles, their chemistry was a standout, and they brought plenty of heat to the story.
That said, there were a few things that didn’t fully work for me. At times, it felt like I was being told how the characters were feeling instead of actually seeing those emotions develop on the page. Because of that, some of the emotional moments like Mat realizing he was in love with Miles, and especially Miles coming to terms with his feelings felt a bit sudden and caught me off guard. I also wasn’t a fan of how Miles reacted after losing to Mat; it came across as pretty petty.
Additionally, the book felt a bit longer than it needed to be for the story it was telling.
Overall, I’d recommend this if you’re looking for something with high spice and a lighter plot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Redamance Publishing for the ARC of In Your Court! I was super excited for this one, and it definitely delivered what I was expecting. I had such a fun time with Mat and Miles, their chemistry was a standout, and they brought plenty of heat to the story.
That said, there were a few things that didn’t fully work for me. At times, it felt like I was being told how the characters were feeling instead of actually seeing those emotions develop on the page. Because of that, some of the emotional moments like Mat realizing he was in love with Miles, and especially Miles coming to terms with his feelings felt a bit sudden and caught me off guard. I also wasn’t a fan of how Miles reacted after losing to Mat; it came across as pretty petty.
Additionally, the book felt a bit longer than it needed to be for the story it was telling.
Overall, I’d recommend this if you’re looking for something with high spice and a lighter plot.
May 1, 2026
Thank you Redamance Books for the advanced copy to review!
I am so so so obsessed with this story y’all. It’s hot and sexy and tender and fun and sweet and sad and beautiful and did I mention sad all at once. I laughed out loud and cried while reading. I have hundreds of highlights. Matteo and Miles stole my heart somewhere in between the tennis court and their emotional moments.
This book does not shy away from difficult topics, like growing up among homophobia, trauma responses, money troubles, feeling alone, using sex as a shield and to get what you want, and more. I particularly loved the trauma discussions as I think both types of trauma discussed were valid and important.
I loved the found family. I loved Matteo’s actual family and the “language” had me cracking up late at night. I loved the protective nature of Matteo and how Miles learned to accept the love he deserved. I loved their laundry mat dates and spicy times and intense heart to hearts. Their story is gorgeous.
Anyway - don’t miss this one. Hot and heavy and fun and sexy.
I am so so so obsessed with this story y’all. It’s hot and sexy and tender and fun and sweet and sad and beautiful and did I mention sad all at once. I laughed out loud and cried while reading. I have hundreds of highlights. Matteo and Miles stole my heart somewhere in between the tennis court and their emotional moments.
This book does not shy away from difficult topics, like growing up among homophobia, trauma responses, money troubles, feeling alone, using sex as a shield and to get what you want, and more. I particularly loved the trauma discussions as I think both types of trauma discussed were valid and important.
I loved the found family. I loved Matteo’s actual family and the “language” had me cracking up late at night. I loved the protective nature of Matteo and how Miles learned to accept the love he deserved. I loved their laundry mat dates and spicy times and intense heart to hearts. Their story is gorgeous.
Anyway - don’t miss this one. Hot and heavy and fun and sexy.
April 25, 2026
I would like to start by thanking Netgalley & Kit Haley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book before its release 🥹🫶
Relationships, especially queer ones, are messy. This book did such a good job showcasing that. Money trouble, coming out of the closet, throw in being famous athletes; no wonder these idiots were struggling.
These characters are world famous athletes and I should be finding them anything but relatable, but I know what they are feeling. That’s universal. Love is not always kind to us and the bumps in the road help form who we will become. I love these idiots more than life itself.
Relationships, especially queer ones, are messy. This book did such a good job showcasing that. Money trouble, coming out of the closet, throw in being famous athletes; no wonder these idiots were struggling.
These characters are world famous athletes and I should be finding them anything but relatable, but I know what they are feeling. That’s universal. Love is not always kind to us and the bumps in the road help form who we will become. I love these idiots more than life itself.
April 30, 2026
This book 😭 oh my god, ughhh I just love love 😭
If you read Heated Rivalry and loved it - and you’re looking for your next fix of steamy M/M sports romance then look absolutely no further than this book.
It was stunning. The characters were so well developed, their relationship was beautiful, the way they just kept showing up for each other.
I thought I’d struggle with the tennis elements as I’m not a fan at all, but I honestly loved it. It kept the whole story moving and gave us the chance to meet some great side characters.
I’ll absolutely read the second one in this series when it comes. This book was a 10/10 for me, left me with all the warm and fuzzies, HEA guaranteed!
If you read Heated Rivalry and loved it - and you’re looking for your next fix of steamy M/M sports romance then look absolutely no further than this book.
It was stunning. The characters were so well developed, their relationship was beautiful, the way they just kept showing up for each other.
I thought I’d struggle with the tennis elements as I’m not a fan at all, but I honestly loved it. It kept the whole story moving and gave us the chance to meet some great side characters.
I’ll absolutely read the second one in this series when it comes. This book was a 10/10 for me, left me with all the warm and fuzzies, HEA guaranteed!
April 26, 2026
Ok this has been one of my fave M/M romances so far. Im pretty new to the genre, but loved both Mat and Miles for their chemistry, their angst and their rivalry.
There was one part of the book near the end that bothered me. Made me re-think whether this was a good relationship for Mat. But there was a sort of redemption and I felt better at the end of the book.
I loved the tennis pro circuit setting. I know a bit about tennis as a game, nothing about the pro circuit. I liked the dichotomy of the haves and the have nots and how tennis is perceived as a rich persons sport.
There was one part of the book near the end that bothered me. Made me re-think whether this was a good relationship for Mat. But there was a sort of redemption and I felt better at the end of the book.
I loved the tennis pro circuit setting. I know a bit about tennis as a game, nothing about the pro circuit. I liked the dichotomy of the haves and the have nots and how tennis is perceived as a rich persons sport.
April 14, 2026
3 reasons i requested this arc-
•that cover 🤩
•the orange gave me foxhole court vibes
•i just finally recently watched challengers and absolutely loved it
and then it ended up being more comparable to heated rivalry for me. in your court is a rivals to lovers romance that was just fun to read the entire way through. the steam starts fast and hot, keeping that energy throughout. the characters, charming and lovable and relatable. not too much and not too little tennis (i need my sports romances to have the actual sport being played in them).
but in your court also delves into deeper issues like being and not being an out professional athlete and navigating both those things in a relationship. it didn't shy away from messy emotions like anger and resentment and that made it all the more real for me. i think most of us can relate to messy characters with good intentions that are sometimes assholes.
and trying not to be too spoilery-so skip this if you want- i read the book in 3 parts. 1-supportive sunshine 2-sunshine in trouble 3-stories don't end after declarations of love. and i always really love seeing what happens after the happily ever after. i already know I'm gonna read this again-hopefully on audio.
comes out may 21. thanks @netgalley for the arc
•that cover 🤩
•the orange gave me foxhole court vibes
•i just finally recently watched challengers and absolutely loved it
and then it ended up being more comparable to heated rivalry for me. in your court is a rivals to lovers romance that was just fun to read the entire way through. the steam starts fast and hot, keeping that energy throughout. the characters, charming and lovable and relatable. not too much and not too little tennis (i need my sports romances to have the actual sport being played in them).
but in your court also delves into deeper issues like being and not being an out professional athlete and navigating both those things in a relationship. it didn't shy away from messy emotions like anger and resentment and that made it all the more real for me. i think most of us can relate to messy characters with good intentions that are sometimes assholes.
and trying not to be too spoilery-so skip this if you want- i read the book in 3 parts. 1-supportive sunshine 2-sunshine in trouble 3-stories don't end after declarations of love. and i always really love seeing what happens after the happily ever after. i already know I'm gonna read this again-hopefully on audio.
comes out may 21. thanks @netgalley for the arc
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Your Court by Kit Haley ARC Review🖤🎾
•firstly I want to preface by saying this was my first official arc read and I am very grateful that I got to read this book! I hope my review does it justice and encourages people to read it!
Now for the review:
This book was in fact a 6⭐️ read for me. From the beginning to the end I found myself enraptured and connected to the story. Mat & Miles were a joy to meet and I think the author did a wonderful job of making very lovable characters.
Love singular pov. It’s not done enough lately. It takes me back to reading when I was younger and finding everything out along with the mc. I love feeling all the emotions with them and feeling their anxiety and their relief. Not knowing what the other person is going to do or is thinking. Realizing when one’s feelings may not be so unrequited. Hating someone along with the mc, loving someone along with the mc. Rooting for the mc. Singular pov brings an entirely different experience to reading and I especially loved it in this book.
Random but I also loved how full the pages felt. I didn’t feel like I was ever being given unnecessary details or backstory I rather skips over. I was enraptured by every word on every page, which is rare for me. Recently I’ve read many books that take too long to get to the point in one way or another. This author made you care about every word, thought, and detail and I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated that.
Also I really related to Matteo. His endless stream of anxious thoughts is something I’m all too familiar with and I appreciate the very accurate representation of how living like that can be. His mind constantly works overtime and I just get that. Even with constant reassurance it can be so hard to not immediately think the other person is somehow deceiving you or that that happiness is temporary or conditional. And the author did an excellent job representing that.
As someone who reads a lot of sports romance and also loovesss tennis, I really appreciated how well the author did bringing in the nuances and details of the sport while also incorporating the romance into it. It didn’t feel like too much of one or the other. There was balance, which a lot of “sport romance” authors miss the mark on. I was actually geeking from the beginning because I’m a huge tennis nerd (not that I know too too much about every single detail and player, but I get excited to talk about it or watch it iykyk).
I won’t be going into too many details about Miles & Mat’s relationship. One, I don’t want to spoil anything, but two, I also just think you need to experience their relationship for yourself. Finding things out along with them and seeing their reactions to one another and feeling their connection is truly just an experience one needs to have for themselves. But just a hint, you will be obsessed with them! They are one of the least annoying couples I’ve ever read about. Sure there were a few minor miscommunication moments throughout the book, but overall their supportiveness & fondness for one another way endearing.
As for the characters as individuals: Mat is so adorable and insecure and sensitive, yet funny and confident when he gets out of his own head. You’re truly rooting for him the entire book in one way or another. Meanwhile Miles is everything. Handsome, funny, playful, confident, but he’s so endearing and earnest in ways you don’t expect. I fell in love with him instantly. I suspect everyone who reads this book will too.
There’s so much to say about an author who can completely capture your heart and make you laugh and cry along with the characters. Amazing writing, amazing characters, amazing storyline, and overall an amazing book. Highly recommend picking this up on May 21st. You won’t regret it!🖤🎾
•firstly I want to preface by saying this was my first official arc read and I am very grateful that I got to read this book! I hope my review does it justice and encourages people to read it!
Now for the review:
This book was in fact a 6⭐️ read for me. From the beginning to the end I found myself enraptured and connected to the story. Mat & Miles were a joy to meet and I think the author did a wonderful job of making very lovable characters.
Love singular pov. It’s not done enough lately. It takes me back to reading when I was younger and finding everything out along with the mc. I love feeling all the emotions with them and feeling their anxiety and their relief. Not knowing what the other person is going to do or is thinking. Realizing when one’s feelings may not be so unrequited. Hating someone along with the mc, loving someone along with the mc. Rooting for the mc. Singular pov brings an entirely different experience to reading and I especially loved it in this book.
Random but I also loved how full the pages felt. I didn’t feel like I was ever being given unnecessary details or backstory I rather skips over. I was enraptured by every word on every page, which is rare for me. Recently I’ve read many books that take too long to get to the point in one way or another. This author made you care about every word, thought, and detail and I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated that.
Also I really related to Matteo. His endless stream of anxious thoughts is something I’m all too familiar with and I appreciate the very accurate representation of how living like that can be. His mind constantly works overtime and I just get that. Even with constant reassurance it can be so hard to not immediately think the other person is somehow deceiving you or that that happiness is temporary or conditional. And the author did an excellent job representing that.
As someone who reads a lot of sports romance and also loovesss tennis, I really appreciated how well the author did bringing in the nuances and details of the sport while also incorporating the romance into it. It didn’t feel like too much of one or the other. There was balance, which a lot of “sport romance” authors miss the mark on. I was actually geeking from the beginning because I’m a huge tennis nerd (not that I know too too much about every single detail and player, but I get excited to talk about it or watch it iykyk).
I won’t be going into too many details about Miles & Mat’s relationship. One, I don’t want to spoil anything, but two, I also just think you need to experience their relationship for yourself. Finding things out along with them and seeing their reactions to one another and feeling their connection is truly just an experience one needs to have for themselves. But just a hint, you will be obsessed with them! They are one of the least annoying couples I’ve ever read about. Sure there were a few minor miscommunication moments throughout the book, but overall their supportiveness & fondness for one another way endearing.
As for the characters as individuals: Mat is so adorable and insecure and sensitive, yet funny and confident when he gets out of his own head. You’re truly rooting for him the entire book in one way or another. Meanwhile Miles is everything. Handsome, funny, playful, confident, but he’s so endearing and earnest in ways you don’t expect. I fell in love with him instantly. I suspect everyone who reads this book will too.
There’s so much to say about an author who can completely capture your heart and make you laugh and cry along with the characters. Amazing writing, amazing characters, amazing storyline, and overall an amazing book. Highly recommend picking this up on May 21st. You won’t regret it!🖤🎾
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Right off the bat, I have to say that I am completely obsessed with “In Your Court” by Kit Haley. In this new era of authors trying to capitalize on the success of other sports-related MM romance novels, “In Your Court” manages to set itself apart from many other books I’ve read in this genre while still having that special something that makes for a fantastic addition to it.
I’ve seen others critique romance novels for introducing spice early on in the story, but I felt it was the perfect introduction to the relationship we see develop between Miles and Matteo, and it says a lot about their dynamic. Some books take far too long to establish a connection between the two main characters, leaving the reader yearning for some kind of spark, but “In Your Court” does the complete opposite. There was enough background from Matt’s perspective about why he initially disliked Miles before the two became intimate for it to still feel surprising without coming across as forced simply for the sake of adding spice.
As an avid reader of the MM romance genre, I’ve come across my fair share of books that attempt to be funny but end up feeling more cringe-worthy than humorous. Haley, however, perfectly captures the witty, playful banter between two people navigating a new relationship while being intensely attracted to each other. There were several moments while reading where I found myself grinning or genuinely laughing out loud especially during their constant name calling and teasing. This was particularly evident in the scenes involving Matteo’s family members, especially his twin brothers and Nonna. I found myself looking forward to these scenes because every time Nonna would scold one of the boys for their language, they’d somehow manage to rephrase what they said in an even more vulgar way.
As much as I couldn’t get enough of Miles and Matteo, I also found myself becoming deeply invested in the side characters. I’ve always appreciated when smaller characters feel fully developed, and Haley absolutely delivers here. Katie, Matteo’s best friend, plays a fun role in the story (not entirely by choice), and I found her to be complex, interesting, and so well written that I genuinely wished I had a friend like her in real life. The same goes for smaller characters like Miles’ sister Tina, who felt like such a breath of fresh air when Miles’ family treated him so terribly throughout the story. I became attached to these characters so quickly that I found myself imagining how their own stories could unfold if Haley ever decided to explore them further, especially the young gay tennis player Matteo meets during the charity event.
My one critique of this book and it’s a very small one is that I actually wish there had been a bit more tennis. As a former tennis player myself, it would have been nice to get more details about what happened during the matches and to build some extra suspense and drama into that side of the story. At the same time, I was perfectly happy with the stronger focus on Miles and Matteo’s relationship because their chemistry was absolutely top notch, and I’m sure most readers would rather read about their intimate moments than a tennis match.
Since finishing “In Your Court” yesterday, I’ve already recommended it to at least a dozen friends and followers, and I fully plan on recommending it to many more once it’s released. I truly think this book is going to be an incredible addition to the MM romance genre, and it has quickly become one of my favourite reads of the year so far. I sincerely hope we get to see more of Miles and Matteo’s story in the future, and I’m already looking forward to whatever Haley writes next because, in my opinion, this is a phenomenal debut novel.
I’ve seen others critique romance novels for introducing spice early on in the story, but I felt it was the perfect introduction to the relationship we see develop between Miles and Matteo, and it says a lot about their dynamic. Some books take far too long to establish a connection between the two main characters, leaving the reader yearning for some kind of spark, but “In Your Court” does the complete opposite. There was enough background from Matt’s perspective about why he initially disliked Miles before the two became intimate for it to still feel surprising without coming across as forced simply for the sake of adding spice.
As an avid reader of the MM romance genre, I’ve come across my fair share of books that attempt to be funny but end up feeling more cringe-worthy than humorous. Haley, however, perfectly captures the witty, playful banter between two people navigating a new relationship while being intensely attracted to each other. There were several moments while reading where I found myself grinning or genuinely laughing out loud especially during their constant name calling and teasing. This was particularly evident in the scenes involving Matteo’s family members, especially his twin brothers and Nonna. I found myself looking forward to these scenes because every time Nonna would scold one of the boys for their language, they’d somehow manage to rephrase what they said in an even more vulgar way.
As much as I couldn’t get enough of Miles and Matteo, I also found myself becoming deeply invested in the side characters. I’ve always appreciated when smaller characters feel fully developed, and Haley absolutely delivers here. Katie, Matteo’s best friend, plays a fun role in the story (not entirely by choice), and I found her to be complex, interesting, and so well written that I genuinely wished I had a friend like her in real life. The same goes for smaller characters like Miles’ sister Tina, who felt like such a breath of fresh air when Miles’ family treated him so terribly throughout the story. I became attached to these characters so quickly that I found myself imagining how their own stories could unfold if Haley ever decided to explore them further, especially the young gay tennis player Matteo meets during the charity event.
My one critique of this book and it’s a very small one is that I actually wish there had been a bit more tennis. As a former tennis player myself, it would have been nice to get more details about what happened during the matches and to build some extra suspense and drama into that side of the story. At the same time, I was perfectly happy with the stronger focus on Miles and Matteo’s relationship because their chemistry was absolutely top notch, and I’m sure most readers would rather read about their intimate moments than a tennis match.
Since finishing “In Your Court” yesterday, I’ve already recommended it to at least a dozen friends and followers, and I fully plan on recommending it to many more once it’s released. I truly think this book is going to be an incredible addition to the MM romance genre, and it has quickly become one of my favourite reads of the year so far. I sincerely hope we get to see more of Miles and Matteo’s story in the future, and I’m already looking forward to whatever Haley writes next because, in my opinion, this is a phenomenal debut novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“In Your Court” by Kit Haley
5⭐/5⭐
5🌶/5🌶
“My name on his lips sent me close to the edge all too fast. God only knew how long I had really wanted this. Wanted him.”
Oh, how I loved this book. Reading Mat and Miles’ romance was so much fun; I was in tears when it was over, because I didn’t want it to end!
This is a single POV contemporary sports romance centering around Matteo Russo, a young Australian tennis pro who is on a comeback tour after a devastating injury. While he’s figuring out how to play post-injury, he’s also juggling the responsibility of being the only openly gay tennis pro, and travelling the world for tournaments while simultaneously being strapped for cash. His long-time rival, the American pro Miles Callahan, grates his nerves like no other. After a verbal sparring match, Matteo challenges Miles to try playing the next tournament using the same budget as him. Meaning, no team on the sidelines, no fancy hotels, no elaborate meals, and certainly washing his own laundry. To Matteo’s surprise, Miles accepts, but this ‘challenge’ quickly evolves into something else entirely, and the two are forced to re-examine their respective careers.
I absolutely loved how flawed and messy these two characters are. Their actions and words came across so genuine and realistic. Is Miles a terrible communicator who uses sex to avoid conflict? Yes. Is Mat similar in that he’s willing to bottle up his emotions to placate the people he loves? Also yes. But I couldn’t be frustrated with either of them, because those are both highly realistic ways people go about miscommunicating.
While the romance is certainly the main focus of the story, I really appreciated Mat’s personal development as he grapples with trauma from his injury. He’s terrified he’ll never amount to what he was before getting hurt, but he’s also a defeatist who harbors an almost superstitious set of beliefs. He’s confident enough in his abilities before getting injured, that he holds little hope of ever returning to that level ever again.
However, Miles is now in his corner, and he’s an incredible source of support for Mat. I just loved how Miles boosted Mat’s self confidence, and vice versa; this is a couple that really compliments each other.
I also really appreciated the author not shying away from some pretty intense conflict. While I wouldn’t say this is a super angst-y story, there are some moments that made me really question how these two were going to survive as a couple. There are some scenes that had me cringing. Not from the writing, but by the actions of the characters, who needed to make those painful mistakes in order to come out on the other side stronger than ever.
I need to take a moment and briefly scream about the smut, because my goodness, this is one of the hottest books I’ve read in quite some time. The chemistry from Mat and Miles jumps off the page, putting the reader in a chokehold. I was kicking my feet, blushing, gasping, and whispering “omg”, too many times to count. And that phone sex scene? That will live rent-free in my mind forever.
Consider this my declaration: I am a Kit Haley fan for life. I will read anything they write from here on out, because they truly have such a talent for writing compelling characters in a romance. I could easily read a dozen more stories just about Mat and Miles doing the most mundane tasks, and still be endlessly entertained.
I read the synopsis for the second book and I cannot wait to read it! For now, everyone, please preorder this book. This is genuinely one of my favorite reads of the year, and one I know with certainty I will reread again and again.
5⭐/5⭐
5🌶/5🌶
“My name on his lips sent me close to the edge all too fast. God only knew how long I had really wanted this. Wanted him.”
Oh, how I loved this book. Reading Mat and Miles’ romance was so much fun; I was in tears when it was over, because I didn’t want it to end!
This is a single POV contemporary sports romance centering around Matteo Russo, a young Australian tennis pro who is on a comeback tour after a devastating injury. While he’s figuring out how to play post-injury, he’s also juggling the responsibility of being the only openly gay tennis pro, and travelling the world for tournaments while simultaneously being strapped for cash. His long-time rival, the American pro Miles Callahan, grates his nerves like no other. After a verbal sparring match, Matteo challenges Miles to try playing the next tournament using the same budget as him. Meaning, no team on the sidelines, no fancy hotels, no elaborate meals, and certainly washing his own laundry. To Matteo’s surprise, Miles accepts, but this ‘challenge’ quickly evolves into something else entirely, and the two are forced to re-examine their respective careers.
I absolutely loved how flawed and messy these two characters are. Their actions and words came across so genuine and realistic. Is Miles a terrible communicator who uses sex to avoid conflict? Yes. Is Mat similar in that he’s willing to bottle up his emotions to placate the people he loves? Also yes. But I couldn’t be frustrated with either of them, because those are both highly realistic ways people go about miscommunicating.
While the romance is certainly the main focus of the story, I really appreciated Mat’s personal development as he grapples with trauma from his injury. He’s terrified he’ll never amount to what he was before getting hurt, but he’s also a defeatist who harbors an almost superstitious set of beliefs. He’s confident enough in his abilities before getting injured, that he holds little hope of ever returning to that level ever again.
However, Miles is now in his corner, and he’s an incredible source of support for Mat. I just loved how Miles boosted Mat’s self confidence, and vice versa; this is a couple that really compliments each other.
I also really appreciated the author not shying away from some pretty intense conflict. While I wouldn’t say this is a super angst-y story, there are some moments that made me really question how these two were going to survive as a couple. There are some scenes that had me cringing. Not from the writing, but by the actions of the characters, who needed to make those painful mistakes in order to come out on the other side stronger than ever.
I need to take a moment and briefly scream about the smut, because my goodness, this is one of the hottest books I’ve read in quite some time. The chemistry from Mat and Miles jumps off the page, putting the reader in a chokehold. I was kicking my feet, blushing, gasping, and whispering “omg”, too many times to count. And that phone sex scene? That will live rent-free in my mind forever.
Consider this my declaration: I am a Kit Haley fan for life. I will read anything they write from here on out, because they truly have such a talent for writing compelling characters in a romance. I could easily read a dozen more stories just about Mat and Miles doing the most mundane tasks, and still be endlessly entertained.
I read the synopsis for the second book and I cannot wait to read it! For now, everyone, please preorder this book. This is genuinely one of my favorite reads of the year, and one I know with certainty I will reread again and again.
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