Second Serve

by Micalea Smeltzer

Ebba

My life imploded after a biking accident left me with a broken leg and ended my dance career. The only bright spot in my life was Fisher, but our relationship had to be a secret since coached my brother’s biggest rival. But like most things in my life good things never last and our relationship fell apart. It doesn’t stop him from watching me with lost puppy dog eyes, though.

My best friend’s combined bachelorette and bachelor party in Vegas should be a rare occasion to let loose, but with Fisher tagging along with the groom everywhere, it’s impossible to hide from him, and maybe it’s time I stopped running.

Fisher

I have no one to blame but myself for my lonely, miserable existence. Nothing in my life has felt right since things ended with Ebba. It doesn’t help that there’s no escaping her since she travels with her brother on the ATP Tour. I know I messed things up. I wasn’t there when she needed me most and I’ll never forgive myself for that. It doesn’t stop me from wanting a second chance with her.

Waking up married to Ebba after a drunken night in Vegas wasn’t on my bingo card, but I’m prepared to use it to my full advantage. Instead of getting the marriage annulled right away, I convince her to give me six months to prove myself to her. If after that, she still truly can’t love me again, we’ll quietly divorce.

It’ll crush me, but her happiness means everything to me.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance, Sports Romance, Contemporary, Forced Proximity

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2026

About the author

Micalea Smeltzer is an author from Northern Virginia. Her two dogs, Ollie and Remy, are her constant companions. As a kidney transplant recipient she's dedicated to raising awareness around the effects of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant as well as educating people on living donation. When she's not writing you can catch her with her nose buried in a book.

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ (ia)]

sosososoos good

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
i fell in love with micalea's writing under her pseudonym last year, as ella wren who no longer exists when she first released the on the court series. i think it was my first tennis romance ever! (double fault!! - single dad, nanny, forced proximity!) so fun and bingeable! ive literally been waiting for this almost a whole year and i am so excited!! ebba and fisher have been a couple i have been rooting for this entire time & to find out they're freaking EXES. like second chance?!! 🙂‍↕️😩


out now!!


thank you micalea for the arc!

[lacie.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Ebba and Fisher in Double Fault and couldn’t be wait to dig deeper into their second chance at love. However that excitement quickly waned. The book was alright overall but I think it just became monotonous over time. By the middle-end the entire angst of the book is Ebba going back and forth between her anger and the deeper feelings she refuses to acknowledge. Everyone in her life, and I do mean EVERYONE, tries to help her see that she’s getting in her own way. And this continues for the entirety of the book! I just wanted off the ride by the end. Tennis was just an after thought in this book rather than a major component.

What I liked:
Fisher 🥰 with his golden retriever energy
No third act break up
Dual POV

True rating 2.75

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ | 2🌶
Oh my heart! This one is hands down my favourite of the trilogy. I LOVED EBBA & FISHER! THE YEARNING good lord. Ahhh that ending was perfect for them.

[Briana smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
Arc review

If I eat anything up its a Accidental Vegas Wedding. Add in a DOWN BAD MANNNN and a second chance? Im already on my knees🙂🧎🏼‍♀️

Wow. This book was scrumptious. The way I devoured this so fast was kind of scary. It had so many of my favorite tropes i just knew I was going to be a sucker😛

Ebba and Fisher were that couple. When I mean that couple I mean a power duo. She was that bitch and she walked that man on a leash. You was a down bad man? Thats Fisher x10. Man would drop so fast he would shatter his knees and bark for Ebba and honey I was GROWLING. ADD IN THE SLUTTY LIL GLASSES?😩🤌

The second chance we needed honestly. The way they seperated in the first place was so heartbreaking( please check the trigger warnings ), but the way they reconnected was just so beautiful. I wanted to yell at them JUST MAKE UPPPPP. But she made that man yearn and work for it. A trip to Vegas to celebrate their friends getting married ended up celebrating themselves 😏
She was scared and wanted that annulment but he said "no honey.... you gotta let me redeem myself"😛 AND BOY HE DID. Their love was so pure and sweet my heart just ached.

The ending? Yeah gutted me in the best way:) they deserve all the love in the entire world🫂

“No one’s good enough for you. Not even me. But what I will say is, if you ever give me a second chance I’ll spend every single day of my life trying to prove myself worthy of you.”

“I’d sleep on the fucking floor if that’s what it took to be close to you.”

Thank you Micalea for the earc🥹💖
Booksta- romance.with.bri

[Erica Fullerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW.

Ebba and Fisher were everything. I really loved them and their story. This entire series has been great and I’ve loved all of the characters, but I loved the storyline for these two and the past trauma they endured and overcame. The ending of this book was perfection and made me so happy. Five easy stars - a must read conclusion to the series!

[Sammy Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

book review | 4⭐️ 2🌶️

🎾💄💍
such a great end to an amazing series!!!

fisher and ebba finally got there much deserved hea 😍 finding out what happened that led to their breakup was heartbreakingly devastating. their journey fully back to each other was a little bit of a slow burn and i absolutely loved that they had an accidental vegas wedding that kicked off them getting their second chance…genius!!! they do get hot and heavy and let me tell you, wooo was it good 🥵

fisher was all in and very much wanting and willing to show ebba how much he means to her. also the fact that he went at her pace and the reassurance he gave her throughout this book was SWOON!!! ebba had every right to feel what she was feeling and even though it took some time for her to let herself be happy my heart soard for her cause she absolutely deserved it 🥹

٠࣪⭑ what to expect ٠࣪⭑
🎾 sports romance (tennis)
💔 exes to lovers
❤️‍🩹 second chance
💍 accidental vegas wedding
🦵🏾 mobility aid rep

[ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ✨

Oh my goshhhh I teared up like 100 times while reading this book. I was not expecting to be as emotional it was and I loved it!!! Ebba and Fisher are a duo I have been waiting so patiently for since I read Double Fault in December. I just knew they had some dramatic history that would alter my brain chemistry and they sure did!!!

Their story was not only beautiful but it was also honest in a way that felt so real. They are like two peas in a pod destined to be together, even though life pulled them apart for a short period of time. The second chance in this romance is much more than your typical one, it’s so true to its core and really really well executed. Also the slow burn had me absolutely dying and the man obsessed in Fisher was SOOOOOO good. He was so down bad for Ebba and it was so endearing to read about. They were really an example of when it’s right, it will happen. And right person, wrong time.

Ebba is the sister of Elias and Fisher is the coach of Noah and therefore they had to keep their relationship a secret in the past because of the way the guys felt about each other but now in the present, all of them are found family and therefore it was easier to reconnect. They both definitely have regrets about the past but try to not let it affect their future together. There’s especially some hesitation from both of their sides, because of the fear of getting hurt again. But the thing I loved most about this book was definitely the accidental marriage and how it happened. And how once they were married Fisher fought for her and them to stay together and he brought color back into her life (both in a literal and figurative sense, iykyk)

I just adore these two so much and I adore the woman who wrote them so effortlessly and beautifully too, Micalea is the very best!

Thank you for my ARC Micalea and my girl Jessi!!!

🍾 What to expect:
— second chance
— accidental vegas wedding
— sports romance (tennis)
— exes to lovers
— she’s a fashion influencer
— he’s a tennis coach
— it’s always been you
— hero in glasses
— mobility aid representation
— long term injury pain
— found family
— golden retriever mmc
— black cat fmc

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received an ARC for this book)

trigger warnings will be at the bottom of this review, to avoid spoilers
There is a focus on miscarriage in this book. I will leave more details at the bottom pertaining to this. discussion of past assault, an accident that resulted in life long pain, discussion of therapy

This is the first book I’ve read from this series, so I thought “oh, another Micalea Smeltzer sports romance, this will be wonderful”. So, I was absolutely correct because it IS wonderful. BUT I was NOT anticipating the EMOTIONS that are packed in here, EXPLODING out of it! It’s a roller coaster that I did not mind being on. (But, I never mind riding emotional roller coasters written by Micalea!) We were sucker punched in the prologue. And the pain just built from there. This is one of her most emotionally driven books, especially if you’ve got a connection to it (which I do, so OUCH!) But, it’s truly beautifully done. It healed a piece of me, and for that I’m grateful. Healing is done between Fisher and Ebba. With each other, for each other, but most importantly: for themselves. That was the most beautiful part of this. Nothing was rushed or faked. It was a slow healing process, handled right. When you accidentally marry your ex in Vegas, it probably is best to take things slow. Especially when he used to be part of a rivalry with your brother. But their friends always knew: they just made sense. I loved that this was how I was introduced to his series. Everyone in love and happy (grossly happy and in love).

My Favorite Quotes:
• “For the record, I never stopped loving you.”
• “No one’s good enough for you. Not even me. But what I will say is, if you ever give me a second chance I’ll spend every single day of my life trying to prove myself worthy of you.”
• “No one else can f!ck you as good as I can. Should I make you beg for it?”
• “My name isn’t God. When I make you come, I want all the credit. You better scream my name next time.”
• “Please, tell me I can kiss you?”
• “My heart has only ever been yours.”
• “I always want your company.”

7/10 Dirty Birdy
3/10 Forced Proximity
4/10 Marriage of Convenience
7/10 Second Chance
4/10 Sports Romance
6/10 Tearjerker

Trigger Warnings include:
The FMC has a miscarriage on page. It has a strong focus throughout the book, including grief and what ifs. A pregnancy occurs after this miscarriage. The FMC was attacked by a boyfriend in a previous book, detailed/discussed in this book. The FMC suffers life long pain and this causes her trouble on a daily basis.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Micalea Smeltzer delivers an absolutely phenomenal, high-stakes romance with Second Serve, a deeply emotional story that will give you all the feels, navigating the highest ups, the lowest downs, and everything in between. To get the absolute most out of this book, it is highly recommended to read the first two installments of the series beforehand. Immersing yourself in the established friendships among the core couples and experiencing the agonizing anticipation of what went wrong between Ebba and Fisher makes this second-chance journey infinitely more rewarding.

The story centers on Ebba, whose life completely imploded after a devastating biking accident broke her leg and abruptly ended her promising dance career. The only bright spot during that dark time was Fisher, but because he coached her brother’s fiercest rival on the ATP Tour, their relationship had to be kept a strict secret. Like most good things in Ebba's life, the relationship ultimately fell apart when she needed him most, leaving her to carry immense pain and running from the past. Since she travels with her brother on tour, escaping Fisher is impossible, forcing him to spend his days watching her with miserable, lost puppy-dog eyes.

Fisher has no one to blame but himself for his lonely existence, and he has never forgiven himself for letting her down. Waking up legally married to Ebba after a wild, drunken night in Las Vegas during a combined bachelor and bachelorette party certainly wasn't on his bingo card, but he is a man who yearns deeply and refuses to let this accidental second chance go to waste. Instead of agreeing to an immediate annulment, Fisher uses the situation to his full advantage, convincing a reluctant Ebba to give him just six months to prove himself. If she still can’t find it in her heart to love him after that, he promises to grant a quiet divorce—even if it utterly crushes him, because her happiness means everything to him.

Faced with a forced proximity situation like no other, Ebba finally decides it is time to stop running. Watching her work through her deep-seated pain to build a new life with Fisher is incredibly moving. Fisher proves himself to be the ultimate devoted hero, determined to cherish his wife and make amends for past mistakes at every turn. Second Serve perfectly balances the high-energy drama of the professional tennis world with a tender, slow-burn accidental marriage that will make you fall in love with these characters all over again.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kendall {Book Crazy} · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first books in this series and I was really excited to read this book! I received an ARC of this book and I started reading it straightaway! After reading, I can say that I absolutely loved this book! The plot was developed at the perfect pace and it only home a few sittings to read because I didn’t want to put it down! There was a lot of romance in the plot and it was a second chance romance! I loved the way it progressed and that the characters spoke to each other and were able to work through what they had been through! The romance allowed for some very steamy scenes between the main characters as well! There wasn’t really any action or suspense in the plot, I felt like there didn’t need to be because the romance was the main aspect! The characters were amazing and made this book even better! Ebba was the main female character, and in this book she was amazing! She always tried her best and she didn't want to miss out on events, even though she was in pain with her leg a lot after an accident! She also had a supportive group of friends surrounding her and they were always there for each other! Fisher was the main male character and love interest of Ebba! I absolutely loved Fisher! He had always loved Ebba, but after what happened, he let their relationship go at her pace and didn’t push her! I loved this about him! Fisher also worked hard and he had a successful career and had made a name for himself! This book was written from both Ebba and Fisher’s point of views! I was kind of expecting it to be because the synopsis gives the impression that it’s going to be and the other books were written from dual point of view! I loved that it was written this way because it helped me connect more with both characters and see how much they meant to each other! It allowed for more things to happen in the plot as well, which helped as Ebba and Fisher didn’t spend every second of the plot together and they were both dealing with their own situations! I’m really sad that this book is the final book in this series! I’ve absolutely loved it and the characters, so I’m sad to say goodbye to them! I can’t wait to see what this author is going to release next though! I know I’ll be reading it regardless of who it’s about and what happens in it! I also love the cover for this book! It’s stunning and suits the book perfectly! I love how well it matches the covers for the other books and the cover image suits the characters of Ebba and Fisher perfectly! Big thank you to Micalea for an ARC of Second Serve!

[Books, Booze & Bon Voyage (Krista Webster) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Serve by Micalea Smeltzer is the final book in her On The Court series. These books are all set in the tennis world and the three couples are linked together. We are back on the ATP circuit with the tennis players Noah and Elias and their partners Sabrina and Whimsy, Elias’s twin sister Ebba and Noah’s coach Fisher. The group have put past rivalry aside and become good friends. This time we have an enemies to lovers, second chance, accidental marriage story. We finally find out what really happened between Ebba Johnson and Fisher Grant. Can she put the past behind her, overcome the trauma and forgive him. Will he get the HEA with her that he has been dreaming about for years.

In the previous books we knew there was a history between Ebba and Fisher. They were young and in love but on opposites sides as Fisher coached her brother’s rival Noah ad they were rivals and enemies on and off the court. Now the prologue tells us about their secret relationship and the heartbreaking event that led to their breakup.

“No one’s good enough for you. Not even me. But what I will say is, if you ever give me a second chance I’ll spend every single day of my life trying to prove myself worthy of you.”

She’s managed to move on with her life in many aspects but thinking about what could have been with Fisher still haunts her. She has buried her feelings for him deep inside and found blaming him was an easier way of coping with her anger and the bad memories. Life has been hard as she lost her dream career of dancing due to bicycle accident and the pain has recently increased. Plus her love life since him has been awful especially since her ex assaulted her and Whimsy, which has made her feel vulnerable.

Their relationship hadn’t been as secret as they thought and Elias had guessed but I loved how Noah was totally oblivious. Sabrina and Whimsy can feel the chemistry between the couple and want her to give him a second chance. Whimsy can’t understand why she can’t forgive him because he looks at her as if she’s something special. She refuses to tell them the real reason behind the break up and is adamant nothing is ever going to happen between them again.

Fisher feels guilty over what happened and has never forgiven himself for not bring there when she needed him. He constantly thinks of the what ifs and there has been no-one since for him. He has struggled since they broke up and with the other guys falling in love, he feels very lonely. It doesn’t help that she is at all the tournaments with Elias. Will she ever give him a second chance?

Sabrina and Noah are getting married soon so the six of them go to party in Vegas. They are all drunk when Sabrina sees a chapel but without Maddie she is persuaded to wait but picks on the other couples. Without a second thought Fisher agrees to be Ebba’s groom because he has never stopped loving her. Waking up to her being his wife is what dreams are made of so he’s going to make the most of the opportunity to win her over. Can he persuade her to allow him six months to show how much he still loves her before she divorces him. To Ebba staying married doesn't make sense but maybe fate is telling them to get over the past and enjoy what they should have had.

There is a little drama with the press, her family and Ebba questioning everything but Fisher is determined to fight for her. The epilogue one year later and we have two lovely additions to the group of friends - will they have a mixed doubles pairing in the future? Overall a good finish to the series and I was so happy for Fisher.

[Leahspinkpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book truly made you feel everything that you needed to feel. I do say check your trigger warnings especially with miscarriage part of that trigger.

Thank you so much to Micaela and the team for allowing me to read this early 🩷



How would you feel reuniting with your ex at your friends wedding ?

This book was amazing this was a true second chance romance and I was here for it the whole way. To see Ebba and Fisher be so emotional and show there’s emotions on there sleeve truly pulled me in as a reader on a personal level I felt that I was in there shoes. Ebba showed me strength and vulnerability in a way that I was not expecting but also had me feeling her hurt , her anger , the doubt but also being fierce after going through a horrible moment. Fisher was simply the man who wanted to make sure he got her back the way he wouldn’t and couldn’t stop at nothing to get the opportunity to win her back was everything he became one of my book boyfriends truly! Fisher fought for her and I was yelling at the top of my lungs for her to let him in but it also showed that he wouldn’t stop fighting for her .

This book was everything and it showed me that through hurt and loss you can find love and happiness again if you are willing to give it a second chance 🩷🩷 this book was a 4.6 star read for me and I was so honored to be picked to read this early 🩷

Tropes

Second Chance 🩵
Accidental Vegas Wedding🩷
Found Family 🩵

[Amanda - leftamongthepages · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
⭐️ 5/5
📅 June 17, 2026

❤️ Second Chance Romance
❤️ Accidental Vegas Marriage
❤️ Secret Relationship
❤️ He Falls First
❤️ Marriage of Convenience
❤️ Groveling Hero

Fisher Grant… you might’ve just worked your way into my top five book boyfriends 😩

That prologue absolutely wrecked me 😭

My heart hurt so much for both Ebba and Fisher. They’d already been through so much before the story even really started, and all I wanted was for these two to find their way back to each other.

And Fisher? Yeah… this man never stopped loving Ebba.

He spent YEARS loving her, made her lattes, stayed up until 4 a.m. painting her apartment because he knew it didn’t feel like home, and was willing to do whatever it took to get a second chance with her.

What. A. Man.

I also really appreciated how this book handled grief and pregnancy loss. It didn’t shy away from how messy it can be, and I appreciated that there wasn’t this expectation that everyone had to heal the same way. Having experienced pregnancy loss myself, those parts hit especially close to home.

The Vegas marriage was so much fun, but honestly my favorite part was watching Fisher use every single day of those six months to prove to Ebba that she’d always been the one.

I will admit… there were definitely a few moments where I wanted to lovingly shake Ebba and tell her to stop being so stubborn 😂 But after everything she’d been through, I also understood why she was so scared to let herself be happy again.

And Fisher’s parents? I adored them. Seeing how much they loved Ebba completely melted my heart.

Overall, this one was emotional, sweet, and exactly the kind of second chance romance I love. Fisher completely stole the show for me, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to live rent free in my head for a while. 🥹

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun , Steamy , Humorous, Angsty , Emotionally Charged and just Uttely Addictive!!! Oh My Gosh !!! This Series Truly is perfection, just absolute perfection!! Words cannot even start to describe how much I loved Ebba and Fisher . What I strong connection I felt to them , how likable and relatable they were , how the emotional struggles and challenges they went through just touched my heart and resonated with me deeper than I saw coming. My heart truly broke for Ebba - I cannot imagine going through what she did and watching your dream and everything you’ve ever wanted just fall apart because of an unexpected injury. Then losing the one bright light / person in your life during that time because of unforeseen circumstances whom just so happen to be Fisher . Oh my gosh this girl has been through the wringer. No worries though because Fisher and Ebba do get a second chance at love . The only question is can they get over the past mistakes and hurt to open their hearts , forgive, heal and learn to love one another again. Add into that all the angst and the humor and the witty banter , the drama , the insane chemistry, the secrets, the passion, the family and friendships. I could not devour their story fast enough. Smiling, laughing, crying, yelling and cheering the whole way through.

[Books_and_coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎾 Second Serve 🎾

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You know those couples that make you want to grab them by the shoulders and lock them in a room until they finally talk to each other? Yeah... that was Ebba and Fisher 🤣

This book put me through the emotional wringer. These two have so much history, so much pain, and so many unresolved feelings that every scene between them had me hoping they'd finally find their way back to each other.
And Fisher? This man was DOWN BAD. The way he looked at Ebba, the way he cared for her, the way he never seemed to completely let her go... I was rooting for him the entire time!

I also really appreciated that their relationship wasn't magically fixed overnight. There was a lot they needed to work through, and seeing them slowly confront the past and figure out what a future together could look like made their story feel emotional and believable. They truly earned that HEA !

Also, can we talk about how I haven't even read the first books in this series and still had absolutely no problem following along? Now, if anything, this book just convinced me that I need to go back and read the others because I clearly missed out on some amazing characters !

Thank so much to @micaleasmeltzer for having me on her team !

[Stefanie Kral · Rating 5 out of 5]

✯✯5 Ebba & Fisher Filled Stars!!!!✯✯

Micalea has done it to me again!!! Just when you think she’s outdone herself she goes and releases a new book that proves why she’s on your must-read list and why you’ll one-click without reading the blurb.

Ebba’s life took a turn when she a horrible biking accident and she couldn’t dance anymore. The only good thing in her life was Fisher but she had to keep him and their relationship quiet Bc Fisher coached her brother’s rival. When Ebba needed Fisher the most he wasn’t there for her.

Being that Ebba traveled with her brother Fisher always saw her and he’s never forgiven himself for not being there for her when she needed it and seeing her miserable truly hurts him and he’d do anything to change that.

After a bachelorette/bachelor party in Las Vegas, they wake up to find themselves married and Fisher convinces Ebba to give him six months to change her mind or else he will give her the divorce that she wants, and we’ll walk away, knowing that he tried everything.

These two really did deserve a HEA in my mind. Watching them go through everything and seeing them get to the point where they were at at the end it was really nice to see. This was my favorite book in the series.

[Yenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d been waiting with bated breath for Ebba and Fisher’s book and Micalea delivered! If you’re looking for an emotional, second chance romance, then this book is for you!

Fisher and Ebba’s paths have always crossed as they run in the same circles. You’d never know by their civility towards each other that they used to be in love but a terrible tragedy tore them apart years ago.

After a drunken night in Vegas at their best friends’ joint bachelor / bachelorette party, imagine their surprise when they end up married! Fisher has never stopped loving Ebba and asks her for a second chance — to give him six months to prove himself to her. Will Ebba forgive him for the past? Or will the marriage end up in divorce and another heartbreak?

SECOND SERVE was definitely more emotional than the first two books in the series. They both went through it and their HEA was very hard-fought. I could not help but root for Ebba and Fisher the entire time. I love how much Fisher loved Ebba — it was evident that he only had eyes for her.

The book does deal with some heavy themes so definitely check out the TWs before reading! Loved Ebba and Fisher’s story and SECOND SERVE was a great end to the series!

Thank you so much, Micalea, for the eARC. All opinions are my own! 💕

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to the author for the free copy for review*

Review: Smeltzer serves up a delightful second chance sports romance!

“Second Serve follows estranged exes Ebba Johnson and Fisher Grant after a drunken night in Vegas leads to an accidental marriage. Instead of getting the marriage annulled right away, the two agree to see if they can make things work for the first six months. But to move forward they must confront everything that went wrong between them.

Ebba and Fisher’s love story is the perfect combination of heart and heat! Both characters are layered with many complex emotions stemming from a traumatic event that created a rift in their relationship. Alternating between Ebba and Fisher’s perspectives paint a picture of what they once had and the love that still lingers. Their marriage, unplanned as it is, not only forces them to work through their feelings, but also helps them realize how much they have grown as individuals in their time spent apart. The wistful glances, stolen touches, and sizzling “will they or won’t they” dynamic made my heart flutter! Admittedly, the pacing felt a bit fast and the back and forth between the two was repetitive at times. Still, I loved watching Ebba and Fisher find their way back to each other. Their healing journey resonates and in laying themselves bare, they are able to build something that lasts. The happiness they find in the end is nothing short of satisfying!

➤ 4 stars

Review cross-posted to: Book Blog | Bookstagram | Amazon

[Aislinn Strohecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars Second chance romance is hands down my favorite romance trope of all time and Second Serve is the perfect example of second chance done right! This third and final book in the On the Course series is one of my fave reads of the year 💕

Second Serve manages to be both deeply emotional and extremely hopeful. It perfectly balances the angst of returning to a former love and the feelings of excitement at the start of something new, even if it is for the second time. Despite touching on some difficult topics, like miscarriage and a chronic injury, Second Serve is surprisingly light, which I think is a continued reflection on that hopefulness. Ebba was both so strong after all she'd been through, while still deeply affected by it and working through the pain of the past. I admired her and how she got through experiences no one should have to face. Fisher was the perfect MMC! He was so down bad for her and I loved every time he called her "my wife." Plus the slutty little glasses? Perfection.

Thank you Micalea for the ARC! Second Serve is out June 17th.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot get enough of this series! Each book has been so good that I am obsessed. While each could likely be read as a standalone, I’m not sure why you would want to because each story has been perfect.

Ebba’s story was an emotional one, dealing with loss of an unborn child and the grief that follows. I was drawn so deeply into the emotions present throughout the book, and how both characters struggled with their internalized feelings over the past and the future.

I also really love how Smeltzer draws from personal experience to give each character more depth. Her ability to write Ebba’s chronic pain, not as a main point to the story, but as a common, everyday thing that so many people just have to deal with.

Ebba and Fisher’s story is so sweet, emotional and aching in what they go through. I can’t wait to reread this and experience every emotion again.

Thank you to Micalea Smeltzer for this ARC copy, I voluntarily leave an honest review.

[Vera Blaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good second chance romance. It's been fun getting to know Ebba and Fisher throughout this series and have this book dedicated to their story. The tension between them in the first two books was palpable that I knew there was more than a bad break up between them. The sneaking around, the history they shared, the loss that broke them apart. They orbited around each other thinking they were more covert than they were. Anyone with eyes could see how much they cared for each other, but the past was an albatross around their necks. The accidental Vegas wedding was the push they needed to confront that past and put it away for good. Navigating life together afterwards brought the healing and forgiveness they both needed. This book was emotional but had equal parts romcom. If you like second chance, exes to lovers, accidental marriage romance, this book is for you!

I received an advanced copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

[Closet Romance Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah!! I have been waiting for these two!! It was hands down my favorite of the series!! Second Serve was the third book in Micalea’s On The Court Series. It can be read as a stand-alone but to get the full effect I suggest reading them in order. It was steamy, emotional, and had all the feels!

Ebba’s life changed after an accident ended her dancing career. Luckily, she had Fisher to help her get through until that ended too.

Years later, Fisher still wasn’t over their breakup. When he saw a chance for redemption her jumped on it. But, would he be able to change her mind or would the fallout be even worse the second time around?

Seriously, this book was amazing. It was an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. They were so sweet together and their chemistry was on fire!! And I loved how everyone reacted!! What a way to end the series! I definitely wasn't ready to say goodbye and hope we get to see them again some day!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎾 ARC Review – Second Serve

💍 Accidental Vegas Wedding
Exes to Lovers
Long-Term Injury Pain
Mobility Aid Rep
Second Chance Romance

Micaela’s books always slap, and this one is definitely no exception. Every time I pick up one of her books, I get completely immersed in the story, and I read this one in a single sitting because I simply could not put it down.

This story follows Ebba and Fisher, who were together years ago before life pulled them apart. Now, they’re reconnected through mutual friends, and after a wild trip to Vegas, they end up married. From there, you get to watch Fisher do everything he can to win Ebba back, and it was impossible not to fall in love with him. Seeing Ebba slowly let her walls down as she realizes her feelings for him never truly disappeared made this story so emotional and engaging.

This was such a great second-chance romance. The connection between these characters was incredibly strong, and I was completely invested in their journey. I’m honestly obsessed with Fisher.

Thank you to micaleasmeltzer for an ARC copy of this book. I greatly appreciate being part of your team.

⭐️ 4.5
🌶️ 2

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars!

I've been so excited for more from this world! This third installment immediately became an an anticipated read of mine. I picked up this third installment and got right back into the On the Court world. I really enjoyed this story so very much!

Ebba and Fisher's journey pulled me and my heart right in! These two first collided as Fisher was the tennis coach of Ebba's brother's rival. They had a secret relationship until it heartbreakingly ended. With their mutual friends wedding coming up they are brought together again in Vegas. Little did Fisher and Ebba know they'd end up getting married. Can these two find their way back to each other and make it work?

There was a lot of history between Fisher and Ebba. I was into their story right from the start. The exes to lovers aspect of Ebba and Fisher's story had me all in my feels throughout. It wasn't easy for these two. From their past and heartbreak, their marriage, and everything in their hearts for each other, I wanted to see how it'd all play out for Fisher and Ebba!

Fisher and Ebba had me feeling all kinds of emotions with them! They'd been through so much together and apart. Ebba and Fisher had to tackle things and they as well as their journey got me right in the chest. Their chemistry was undeniable. Fisher and Ebba's feelings were raw and real.

My heart broke for Ebba and everything she'd been through. She was such a strong soul. Everything Ebba felt for Fisher shined. I adored how determined Fisher was when it came to Ebba. His heart was absolutely hers. I wanted Ebba and Fisher back together so badly. I adored them!

It made me so happy to be back in the On the Court world and be reunited with it's characters! They stick with your heart!

With Second Serve, Micalea Smeltzer has created such a wonderful second chance romance that brought such realness that had me feeling a lot! I so appreciated the chronic pain and mobility aid rep of this story as well. 🎾

Definitely pick up the On the Court Series today! 💖


*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from the author*

[Sheila Schoenauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm happy we finally got Fisher and Ebba's story. I was curious about all the hints we'd gotten in the past 2 books and what happened to cause their separation. I can definitely feel for Ebba. I love that they willingly got married, even if they had been drinking at the time and that she was willing to give Fisher the time. But it annoyed me how she went from hating him and not wanting to be around him to basically letting him take controll. Yeah he knew her and wanted to get the real Ebba back. But he just went and did everything and she let him. She didn't fight anything he did. She just acted like a doormat. That annoyed me.

In all this was a decent book. It didn't quite keep me csptivated like the first two but it was a decent read.

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and her street team for the eARC!!

𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑰𝑭 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬:
♡ tennis romance
♡ Vegas weddings
♡ second chances
♡ healing together
♡ HEAs

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺:
I’m so sad to see this series come to an end but what a book to end on!!!

I’ve been dying for Ebba & Fisher’s story from book one but I was not prepared for the heaviness between them. Please read the trigger warnings! My heart absolutely broke for them and I wanted to give them a giant hug 🤍

Fisher was down BAD for Ebba and the yearning that glasses-wearing man did was 🥵🥵🥵 Ebba was honestly just as down bad for Fisher but her stubbornness kept her from letting him in. I’m so glad she had Whimsy and Sabrina to help her realize that you don’t have to hold onto a grudge just to regret wasting time.

I will absolutely be rereading this series because this group felt like a family I’d love to be apart of 🥹

[Shannan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Serve by Micalea Smeltzer completely stole my heart. Ebba and Fisher had me invested from the very beginning, and their chemistry was impossible to ignore. Their relationship felt authentic, emotional, and full of the kind of moments that make you fall in love right alongside the characters.

And Fisher… ❤️ What a book boyfriend. He was caring, supportive, swoon worthy, and everything I wanted him to be. I loved watching both him and Ebba grow throughout the story while navigating their challenges together.

This book delivered all the feels, plenty of heart, and a romance I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. If you love emotional romances with unforgettable characters and a hero you’ll be thinking about long after the last page, Second Serve is definitely worth picking up! 📚🎾💕

[Sandie Chraponski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great way to finish out a series! 🥰

Micalea just writes stories I love to read, they are always filled with heart and are such an escape. I have been not so patiently waiting for Ebba & Fisher’s story, and it was definitely worth the wait.

These two have a story that only Micalea could tell, when their first chance together ended in a truly heartbreaking way, it makes their second chance even more unlikely. But Fisher has never given up hope, and his genuine love is going to make you root for these two.

With visits from our friends from the earlier books, this book brings everything full circle, wrapping everything up with a big red bow. I love this series so much, I’m sad to see them go. Do not miss out on this series.

[Marylou Menjivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fisher and Ebba had their highs and lows throughout the book. It's emotional!

This second chance is everything and more. You get Fisher, the tennis coach who is DOWN BAD for Ebba. This man literally said
“How does she not know by now that I would let her walk me like a dog?” ← see BADDDD!

Then you get Ebba, who has dealt with something personal, all alone. She has her walls BUILT all the way up!

I’m glad these two got their HEA! It was well deserved!

If you’re looking for a second chance romance, exs to lovers, with an accidental Vegas wedding, It’s always been you vibes, then you’ll enjoy this one!

Thank you Micalea for giving me the opportunity to read Second Serve in advance.

4.5 book rating

[Rachel (probablyreading2) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fisher “King of Yearning” Grant😮‍💨

You GUYS! Fisher literally was so down bad for Ebba this entire book! He just wanted to exist in the same world as her, breath her air, watch her live a happy life. And I loved him so much for that.

Ebba gave me so many mixed emotion. She had a lot to work through and while it was all understandable I still wanted to shake her around and just yell at her to LET HIM LOVE HER. But as someone who ALSO struggles with stubbornness, I can’t really fault her train of thought and hesitation to except her HEA.

I did not expect the whole friend group to be conspiring to help them fall back together and it was one of my favorite elements in the book 😂

I’m sad this series is over, but I really feel like it ended on a high note.