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Sports #1
Always More
Everly Holman is between an internship and, hopefully, finding her dream job when she finds an online listing she thinks will be perfect for her. As a relatively new sports psychologist, she’s worried she won’t find the right place for herself. When she applies for a job with the Los Angeles Legends, the professional women’s volleyball team, she finally feels at home.
Wyatt Wicked is the number one volleyball player in the world. She could play in any professional league and had played in many during her career. When the US starts the first professional women’s league, she’s eager to play on her home soil and finally do the thing she loves most in her home country.
Wyatt’s not one to trust psychology in sports. But when she meets Everly Holman, Wyatt not only starts trusting the woman to help improve her game, she also sees Everly as much more than the team doctor. Unfortunately for her, Everly might not be willing to risk her career over their growing feelings. As they both work to establish the fledgling league, they discover that, sometimes, falling in love is worth the possibility of losing everything.
Wyatt Wicked is the number one volleyball player in the world. She could play in any professional league and had played in many during her career. When the US starts the first professional women’s league, she’s eager to play on her home soil and finally do the thing she loves most in her home country.
Wyatt’s not one to trust psychology in sports. But when she meets Everly Holman, Wyatt not only starts trusting the woman to help improve her game, she also sees Everly as much more than the team doctor. Unfortunately for her, Everly might not be willing to risk her career over their growing feelings. As they both work to establish the fledgling league, they discover that, sometimes, falling in love is worth the possibility of losing everything.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2020
224 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Pyland
80 books821 followersNicole Pyland is a bestselling author of lesbian romance novels, including No After You, All the Love Songs, and the series like Chicago, San Francisco, Tahoe, Sports, Boston, and more. Since 2017, she’s published over 30 novels (not including her What Happened After shorts), and more books are on their way!
Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a start-up. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.
Website: nicolepyland.com
Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter
Twitter: @nicole_pyland
Facebook: @nicolepylandauthor
Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a start-up. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.
Website: nicolepyland.com
Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter
Twitter: @nicole_pyland
Facebook: @nicolepylandauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 2, 2021
3.5 stars. A lovely mix of romance and sports with interesting characters.
Wyatt Wicked is a pro volleyball player who starts playing for the LA Legends, a women’s volleyball team in a new US pro league. Everly Holman is the team’s new sports psychologist and while it is totally a conflict of interest they fall for each other and start dating. This was the second book in a row that I read about an inappropriate work romance and apparently I like this type of forbidden romance.
The romance is pretty fast, but it doesn’t feel insta, there is plenty going on besides the romance, like the opinions of their colleagues, the start of a new league and all its challenges, and some family drama. I enjoyed the chemistry and there were plenty of sex scenes in this book. I did get the feeling that I got to know Wyatt better than Everly. Wyatt is really sweet behind her confident cocky mask and she is also very private. In fact, at some moments I was surprised at how closed off she was, even with Everly. Everly is smart and knows what she wants and she has an interesting backstory of which I would have liked to hear a bit more about.
I keep saying I’m not a sports fan and I think I have to revise that statement as I seem to continuously like sports books. I guess I just don’t like watching sports on TV, but I do love to read about the ambition that drives athletes, and for some reason reading about a game and experiencing it from an athlete’s POV makes it far more exciting.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Amanda Dolan and to be honest, I wasn’t the biggest fan. The reading was quite staccato and I often thought my connection was broken and just as I was thinking about checking my connection the reading continued, this dragged me a bit out of the story.
Recommended for sports fans and as a feel-good low-angst romance.
Wyatt Wicked is a pro volleyball player who starts playing for the LA Legends, a women’s volleyball team in a new US pro league. Everly Holman is the team’s new sports psychologist and while it is totally a conflict of interest they fall for each other and start dating. This was the second book in a row that I read about an inappropriate work romance and apparently I like this type of forbidden romance.
The romance is pretty fast, but it doesn’t feel insta, there is plenty going on besides the romance, like the opinions of their colleagues, the start of a new league and all its challenges, and some family drama. I enjoyed the chemistry and there were plenty of sex scenes in this book. I did get the feeling that I got to know Wyatt better than Everly. Wyatt is really sweet behind her confident cocky mask and she is also very private. In fact, at some moments I was surprised at how closed off she was, even with Everly. Everly is smart and knows what she wants and she has an interesting backstory of which I would have liked to hear a bit more about.
I keep saying I’m not a sports fan and I think I have to revise that statement as I seem to continuously like sports books. I guess I just don’t like watching sports on TV, but I do love to read about the ambition that drives athletes, and for some reason reading about a game and experiencing it from an athlete’s POV makes it far more exciting.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Amanda Dolan and to be honest, I wasn’t the biggest fan. The reading was quite staccato and I often thought my connection was broken and just as I was thinking about checking my connection the reading continued, this dragged me a bit out of the story.
Recommended for sports fans and as a feel-good low-angst romance.
June 11, 2020
I think its really weird that they get turned on by arguing with each other, but well...
I love them, they're so cute together, no angst needed to have a great love story
I'm glad that it didn't took so long to get to the hot scenes, which as usual, are reaaally sexy (not a big fan of slow burn)
Wyatt's dad is an asshole, terrible dad, who the hell does that? I want to punch him in the face.
I'm Brazilian and I'm not a big fan of sports, but our volleyball players are the best.
Can't wait for the next book
F/f explicit
I love them, they're so cute together, no angst needed to have a great love story
I'm glad that it didn't took so long to get to the hot scenes, which as usual, are reaaally sexy (not a big fan of slow burn)
Wyatt's dad is an asshole, terrible dad, who the hell does that? I want to punch him in the face.
I'm Brazilian and I'm not a big fan of sports, but our volleyball players are the best.
Can't wait for the next book
F/f explicit
July 29, 2020
Pyland did it again! I was kind of in a reading rut a few days ago, so I started this one to cheer myself up. And it totally worked!
Wyatt Wicked is the most sought-after volleyball player in the world. When the US is starting a professional women's league, she joins the Los Angeles Legends. Dr. Everly Holman is a former pro player and sports psychologist for Wyatt's team. The two women shouldn't be together due to conflict of interest. But when their friendship turns into something more physical, neither wants to stop.
I love this idea of a women's professional volleyball league. Wikipedia told me that there were past leagues but were all discontinued. I spent a lot of time playing volleyball in undergrad despite being 5'1" and used to watch international games sometimes. Revisiting the sport in Always More is wonderful, and I can feel both Wyatt's and Everly's love for volleyball.
Both mains are not only likeable but extremely lovable. I love how their relationship started with a lot of teasing and that they continue to be playful with each other when things turn serious. The excitement in Wyatt and tenderness of Everly are a joy to read. Given my avoidance of anything too angsty, I love that there is virtually no angst regarding their relationship but only some from Wyatt's absent father, who is horrible.
The relationship development is smooth and goes pretty fast but very believable and sweet. I usually avoid instalove stories because they don't translate well on page, and while Wyatt and Everly got intimate fairly soon (in the first half of the book), it was not instalove and never felt rushed or confusing for me. Wyatt and Everly support each other so well I root for them all the way.
I wish we had gotten more of Everly's personal stories as we did with Wyatt's though. I also wish we could see Wyatt kiss all of Everly's because we only hear Everly's own recount and never get to see them through Wyatt's eyes.
There are minor mentions of Peyton and Kenzie from the Celebrity series. I have not yet read it but I can guarantee there are no spoilers of neither Peyton's nor Kenzie's story in this book.
This is the shortest novel I have read by Pyland. While I love her longer books because the length provides space for more character developments, Always More is perfect for a quick read that will put a smile on your face. And maybe prompt you to watch some women's professional sports.
Wyatt Wicked is the most sought-after volleyball player in the world. When the US is starting a professional women's league, she joins the Los Angeles Legends. Dr. Everly Holman is a former pro player and sports psychologist for Wyatt's team. The two women shouldn't be together due to conflict of interest. But when their friendship turns into something more physical, neither wants to stop.
I love this idea of a women's professional volleyball league. Wikipedia told me that there were past leagues but were all discontinued. I spent a lot of time playing volleyball in undergrad despite being 5'1" and used to watch international games sometimes. Revisiting the sport in Always More is wonderful, and I can feel both Wyatt's and Everly's love for volleyball.
Both mains are not only likeable but extremely lovable. I love how their relationship started with a lot of teasing and that they continue to be playful with each other when things turn serious. The excitement in Wyatt and tenderness of Everly are a joy to read. Given my avoidance of anything too angsty, I love that there is virtually no angst regarding their relationship but only some from Wyatt's absent father, who is horrible.
“I make you feel alive?” Wyatt asked.
“Yes, you do. How do I make you feel?”
“Like I have no idea what I’m doing,” Wyatt answered honestly.
The relationship development is smooth and goes pretty fast but very believable and sweet. I usually avoid instalove stories because they don't translate well on page, and while Wyatt and Everly got intimate fairly soon (in the first half of the book), it was not instalove and never felt rushed or confusing for me. Wyatt and Everly support each other so well I root for them all the way.
I wish we had gotten more of Everly's personal stories as we did with Wyatt's though. I also wish we could see Wyatt kiss all of Everly's because we only hear Everly's own recount and never get to see them through Wyatt's eyes.
There are minor mentions of Peyton and Kenzie from the Celebrity series. I have not yet read it but I can guarantee there are no spoilers of neither Peyton's nor Kenzie's story in this book.
This is the shortest novel I have read by Pyland. While I love her longer books because the length provides space for more character developments, Always More is perfect for a quick read that will put a smile on your face. And maybe prompt you to watch some women's professional sports.
December 11, 2024
This was my second Nicole Pyland book, and while it wasn’t quite what I was hoping for, it was still an interesting read! The story had potential, but this has solidified that Nicole’s writing style isn’t for me—it leans heavily on telling rather than showing. I also found the constant repetition of “said” after almost every sentence a character spoke bit distracting and jarring. It often went back and forth like, "... Everly said." "... Wicked said," which disrupted the flow for me.
As for the main characters, Everly and Wicked were okay, but I struggled to connect with them. Wicked came across as too immature at times, and I felt Everly deserved someone more understanding of her profession and boundaries. By chapter 18, the story started to drag, and I found myself skimming through parts to get to the end. Ultimately, this one just wasn’t for me, but I’m still glad I gave it a shot—it’s always nice to try new authors!
As for the main characters, Everly and Wicked were okay, but I struggled to connect with them. Wicked came across as too immature at times, and I felt Everly deserved someone more understanding of her profession and boundaries. By chapter 18, the story started to drag, and I found myself skimming through parts to get to the end. Ultimately, this one just wasn’t for me, but I’m still glad I gave it a shot—it’s always nice to try new authors!
May 31, 2020
When I heard that Pyland was putting out a series on sports, I was so very excited and could not wait to get my hands on this one. I am for sure a Pyland fan. Her books are very well put together and enjoyable. I found Always More to be enjoyable, but not as enjoyable of many of her other romances. Let me explain why. Always More is just too short. I read this in a 1/2 day and that is totally not like me. The two mains here have great chemistry. The story line is great (who doesn't like volleyball). The angst is not all the terrible (my favorite). The sex is good. It just didn't have enough length in the book. I needed a bit more in the story. Again, still enjoyable. 3.75 stars.
March 5, 2021
What a great sport to focus on. I loved that this was a romance without a lot of angst. Wyatt had her personal issues and having Everly help her through them was very tender. The matches had me really invested in the team. I liked getting a behind the scenes look at volleyball. Overall I highly recommend this book. I look forward to the next in the series.
July 17, 2020
Super sweet romance! If you're in the mood of romance, I think this is the right book. They argued a lot but I can't keep the smile away when reading their playful dialogue. Wyatt with a high and mighty attitude and of course because she is a superstar player! and Everly plays her role with a humble and nice person. Both of them really make the story turn on. :)
December 26, 2022
Wyatt Wicked, such a cool name!
It was confusing when in the beginning Wyatt was the outgoing fun character and Everly was the mature quiet one. Then once they hooked up their roles switched.
Fun sports romance story.
It was confusing when in the beginning Wyatt was the outgoing fun character and Everly was the mature quiet one. Then once they hooked up their roles switched.
Fun sports romance story.
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November 15, 2020This is the audiobook review. For my review of the ebook version (aka the story in general), see here.
I was lucky enough to receive a copy from the author because she was doing a giveaway upon initial release. This is also my first ever lesfic/wlw romance on audio, so it will forever hold a special place in my heart (thank you, Nicole).
Reading it for the second time helped me connect the dots better and appreciate the story more, but there were a couple times where the narrator’s voice slipped, either a character’s voice bled into the narrative or mixed with another. Since I read the ebook not too long ago, I remembered which line was whose, but I have to admit the voice slip threw me off at times. And for some longer descriptions, the narration falls into monotone. But I do love the emotions and little gasps Dolan incorporated into her performance.
I am not planning on officially rating the audiobook since I already rated the ebook, but if I had to, it would be around 3 stars.
I was lucky enough to receive a copy from the author because she was doing a giveaway upon initial release. This is also my first ever lesfic/wlw romance on audio, so it will forever hold a special place in my heart (thank you, Nicole).
Reading it for the second time helped me connect the dots better and appreciate the story more, but there were a couple times where the narrator’s voice slipped, either a character’s voice bled into the narrative or mixed with another. Since I read the ebook not too long ago, I remembered which line was whose, but I have to admit the voice slip threw me off at times. And for some longer descriptions, the narration falls into monotone. But I do love the emotions and little gasps Dolan incorporated into her performance.
I am not planning on officially rating the audiobook since I already rated the ebook, but if I had to, it would be around 3 stars.
January 2, 2024
I've been wanting to read more Nicole Pyland for years! I've only read the Celebrities series and haven't ventured into any of the other series because it's all a little daunting and because I'm not a KU subscriber. So when this dropped into my library's digital collection, I borrowed it as quickly as I could. And, well, I was disappointed.
The novel starts out strong with a pretty great meet-cute in which Wyatt Wicked (really?), the world's best women's volleyball player, bumps into a woman, Everly Holman, who's running late for a job interview. There's some lovely wordplay and tension and I ate it up, to be honest. But things soon fall off the rails for me when Everly is offered the job as the Los Angeles Legends' team psychologist--the team whose star player is Wyatt Wicked.
First, romance happens way too quickly. Pyland tries to get around some of that by making it so that Wyatt and Everly's paths previous crossed when both played collegiate volleyball in the same athletic conference. There are even hints that Everly always had a crush on Wyatt. But it doesn't work. It's still way too fast.
Second, there's a major conflict of interest/ethical ick about a psychologist dating a player on a team for which she's providing psychological services. Pyland again explains this away by being very clear that there aren't any rules against fraternization between the coaching staff (the psychologist is considered part of the coaching staff) and players, but even if it's not against the rules, there are multiple ethical red flags, and I couldn't get past them. If I can ignore the fact the psychologist/player dynamic (and I can't, really), can we stop normalizing romances between coaches/staff and athletes?
And, see, the problem with both of those strikes is it means I can't suspend my disbelief and just get lost in the story. And I wanted to. Because setting aside all of that, a sapphic romance about women's volleyball sounds exactly like my kind of book.
The novel starts out strong with a pretty great meet-cute in which Wyatt Wicked (really?), the world's best women's volleyball player, bumps into a woman, Everly Holman, who's running late for a job interview. There's some lovely wordplay and tension and I ate it up, to be honest. But things soon fall off the rails for me when Everly is offered the job as the Los Angeles Legends' team psychologist--the team whose star player is Wyatt Wicked.
First, romance happens way too quickly. Pyland tries to get around some of that by making it so that Wyatt and Everly's paths previous crossed when both played collegiate volleyball in the same athletic conference. There are even hints that Everly always had a crush on Wyatt. But it doesn't work. It's still way too fast.
Second, there's a major conflict of interest/ethical ick about a psychologist dating a player on a team for which she's providing psychological services. Pyland again explains this away by being very clear that there aren't any rules against fraternization between the coaching staff (the psychologist is considered part of the coaching staff) and players, but even if it's not against the rules, there are multiple ethical red flags, and I couldn't get past them. If I can ignore the fact the psychologist/player dynamic (and I can't, really), can we stop normalizing romances between coaches/staff and athletes?
And, see, the problem with both of those strikes is it means I can't suspend my disbelief and just get lost in the story. And I wanted to. Because setting aside all of that, a sapphic romance about women's volleyball sounds exactly like my kind of book.
April 23, 2022
2.5-3
May 19, 2023
Always More by Nicole Pyland a sports romance novel between a pro volleyball athlete and a sports psychologist.
The sports in focus is volleyball and I haven’t read any volleyball romance book yet so it makes it different from the rest. Although the sports jargon went over my head while reading the book, it was nice to encounter something different (not soccer or basketball) for a change.
Everly and Wyatt’s relationship was nice and easy. They had enough differences to even each other out and keep things interesting but not too different to be enemies to lovers.
This is one of those books that you crack open if you don’t want much drama and just need a pick-me-up.
The sports in focus is volleyball and I haven’t read any volleyball romance book yet so it makes it different from the rest. Although the sports jargon went over my head while reading the book, it was nice to encounter something different (not soccer or basketball) for a change.
Everly and Wyatt’s relationship was nice and easy. They had enough differences to even each other out and keep things interesting but not too different to be enemies to lovers.
This is one of those books that you crack open if you don’t want much drama and just need a pick-me-up.
June 29, 2021
Volleyball Legend and Team Psychiatrist
Nicole Pyland creates amazing couples where the chemistry is off the pages scorching hot. The banter between the couples was fun from their first meeting. She did the naivete well for the MC and any angst was remedied quickly and effectively. I look forward to more by Nicole Pyland in the future.
Nicole Pyland creates amazing couples where the chemistry is off the pages scorching hot. The banter between the couples was fun from their first meeting. She did the naivete well for the MC and any angst was remedied quickly and effectively. I look forward to more by Nicole Pyland in the future.
June 1, 2020
Are you a volleyball fan and looking for a sweet romance? This might just fit the bill for you. Here you can cheer for the idea of a new sports league and a workplace kind of romance.
It’s obvious that Pyland knows her sport. She gets fairly detailed in describing matches, court strategies and plays, which is a complicated task to say the least. Pyland allows you to see the game from the view of a player and a sports psychologist. I’m not going to say I could visualize all the different scenarios on the court, but it was good to read a story involving sports. I liked it, give it almost a 4. Just sayin’.
It’s obvious that Pyland knows her sport. She gets fairly detailed in describing matches, court strategies and plays, which is a complicated task to say the least. Pyland allows you to see the game from the view of a player and a sports psychologist. I’m not going to say I could visualize all the different scenarios on the court, but it was good to read a story involving sports. I liked it, give it almost a 4. Just sayin’.
June 6, 2020
I love sports. I love the feeling of being part of a team. I moved a lot growing up coming from a military family, but I always felt at home walking onto a soccer pitch no matter what new place I had moved to. This story involves a sport that I know, but I’m not super familiar with but evokes the same type of emotions. I was at the Women’s World Cup final, at the Rose Bowl in 1999. I was so excited when the nation was caught up in all the emotion and excitement and a new league formed. Then it folded. Then years and years followed of trying to make it work. Our best players going over seas where they made more money. I understood the feelings and fears going on in this story of trying to make this league successful. It sucks trying to find your team play on some far out ESPN channel, when they’ll show bowling or drone racing on regular ESPN. (I’d like to meet the people that actually watch that stuff.) Anyway, I’m going the long way to say I understood the uncertainty everyone was going through in this story. The instant love was as usual, quick, but I didn’t mind so much. I think it helped that while the MCs hadn’t known each other specifically, they shared a bond of the love of the game. I think they had great sexual chemistry, I just oddly wish they did more outside of that to build the relationship. I liked the way they called each other out on their BS from the start. There was lack of communication but they grew and got better at it. They are human and not perfect, but it was nice to see them start to learn and grow together. Even snuck in some names from other books.(Nice touch!} All in all, an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to this sports themed series.
June 30, 2020
Is it just me or does Ms. Pyland's writing keep getting better and better?
This was a great read, and I absolutely loved Wyatt and Everly. They're such great characters, both fun, funny, smart and compassionate women. The talker in Everly and the quietness of Wyatt just worked well together no matter how different they were. I was so happy to see Everly stepping up and speaking up for Wyatt, and Wyatt realising she found her home. So good!
This was a great read, and I absolutely loved Wyatt and Everly. They're such great characters, both fun, funny, smart and compassionate women. The talker in Everly and the quietness of Wyatt just worked well together no matter how different they were. I was so happy to see Everly stepping up and speaking up for Wyatt, and Wyatt realising she found her home. So good!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2025
3.5⭐
Not my favorite but definitely enjoyable enough!
The romance moved too quickly for my liking.
I felt like I was listening to this for 10 minutes and they were talking about how so many weeks had passed.
I'm a slow burn girlie and this could have been so great if it had been at least a little slower.
I liked that they actually spend time together, went on dates and got to know each other, like normal people would but surprisingly that isn't the case in a lot of romance books.
I do enjoy the spice Nicole Pyland writes but it was a little annoying in this.
They were constantly horny and especially Wyatt wanted to have sex in every chapter.
It was frustrating, especially when Everly wanted to talk to her and Wyatt just distracted her with sex.
I'm not a sports romance fan and I don't know anything about volleyball.
I didn't understand most things they talked about related to volleyball and since I don't like sports I didn't really care for that part of the story.
I was annoyed by the voice the narrator used for Wyatt, she sounded like a 12 year old boy.
That made it hard for me to like her.
Everly was fine, not my favorite either but I preferred her.
Not my favorite but definitely enjoyable enough!
The romance moved too quickly for my liking.
I felt like I was listening to this for 10 minutes and they were talking about how so many weeks had passed.
I'm a slow burn girlie and this could have been so great if it had been at least a little slower.
I liked that they actually spend time together, went on dates and got to know each other, like normal people would but surprisingly that isn't the case in a lot of romance books.
I do enjoy the spice Nicole Pyland writes but it was a little annoying in this.
They were constantly horny and especially Wyatt wanted to have sex in every chapter.
It was frustrating, especially when Everly wanted to talk to her and Wyatt just distracted her with sex.
I'm not a sports romance fan and I don't know anything about volleyball.
I didn't understand most things they talked about related to volleyball and since I don't like sports I didn't really care for that part of the story.
I was annoyed by the voice the narrator used for Wyatt, she sounded like a 12 year old boy.
That made it hard for me to like her.
Everly was fine, not my favorite either but I preferred her.
September 21, 2024
This was more of a love letter to sportsball, rather than a romance. Yes, there was some decent spice, which I’m all about, but the way the dialogue was written took away from the intimacy that I want in a romance book. The super short sentences of dialogue were distracting and at times, I couldn’t tell who was speaking and who was listening. The only time I feel like the writing was passionate was when the author was talking about the sportsball.
This also felt like these two MC were college freshmen rather than a professional athlete and someone who has an advanced degree. Supervillains with advanced degrees take their professions more seriously. They were pretty reckless and immature, more like teenagers as opposed to grown ass women. Does this professional league not have an HR department? HR should always be the bad guy in books, as in real life. They should at least be annoying, not nonexistent.
The last thing that made me take stars away was the obsession with the abs. No description of curves, roundness, or softness. If I wanted abs to be the most dominant physical feature, I would have read a book about dudes finding dudes. Overall, if you want to read a book about volleyball, then you will love this. But if you want a romance that can transcend sports talk, this may not be the one. It wasn’t for me.
This also felt like these two MC were college freshmen rather than a professional athlete and someone who has an advanced degree. Supervillains with advanced degrees take their professions more seriously. They were pretty reckless and immature, more like teenagers as opposed to grown ass women. Does this professional league not have an HR department? HR should always be the bad guy in books, as in real life. They should at least be annoying, not nonexistent.
The last thing that made me take stars away was the obsession with the abs. No description of curves, roundness, or softness. If I wanted abs to be the most dominant physical feature, I would have read a book about dudes finding dudes. Overall, if you want to read a book about volleyball, then you will love this. But if you want a romance that can transcend sports talk, this may not be the one. It wasn’t for me.
September 21, 2020
I do enjoy NP but sometimes it feels like a bike ride: start in the foothills, love the scenery, then the hard yards, up that hill, is it worth it? Do I really need this, then hit the top, feel the breeze, and freewheel excitedly down to the end, finishing knowing you loved it!
June 2, 2020
I wish I understood the broad strokes of volleyball as a sport. I didn't get the references to player positions. I still enjoyed the story. Pyland is a consistent author.
September 2, 2021
4.3 stars
First let me tell you I love watching volleyball (okay it's the third spot in my heart after swimming and women basketball) but still when I read the summary I can't wait to read it.
The premise is interesting a new league that still struggling, where the pay is a lot worse than playing overseas (actually this is the same with wnba, that's why a lot of wnba player playing overseas during the off season)
Their first interaction is amazing, I love all the teasing and banter between the 2 MC. But I just think their relationship development is a bit weird, a little too fast or I don't know I just don't think it flow nicely.
But still overall this is an enjoyable read, and to read about Tokyo Olympic in this book is a plus point for me. And the final is Brazil vs USA!!! Just like in the real olympic. Make me want to rewatch that match
First let me tell you I love watching volleyball (okay it's the third spot in my heart after swimming and women basketball) but still when I read the summary I can't wait to read it.
The premise is interesting a new league that still struggling, where the pay is a lot worse than playing overseas (actually this is the same with wnba, that's why a lot of wnba player playing overseas during the off season)
Their first interaction is amazing, I love all the teasing and banter between the 2 MC. But I just think their relationship development is a bit weird, a little too fast or I don't know I just don't think it flow nicely.
But still overall this is an enjoyable read, and to read about Tokyo Olympic in this book is a plus point for me. And the final is Brazil vs USA!!! Just like in the real olympic. Make me want to rewatch that match
July 17, 2024
Sweet sapphic romance between a professional volleyball player and a sports psychologist. Wyatt is at the top of professional women’s volleyball and excited to finally play on her home turf since the US is starting their own league. Everly is overjoyed to get offered the job of her dreams as a sports psychologist and for women’s volleyball.
They meet and the sparks fly. It’s easy to quickly become friends. It’s easy to communicate and explore an intense attraction. Can they navigate what it will mean as they are now colleagues and fraternization is frowned upon?
Well written and engaging. Kept my interest and the volleyball and environments were easy to picture. The connection between the MCs was palpable and sexy. Highly recommend if you are into sports romance!
They meet and the sparks fly. It’s easy to quickly become friends. It’s easy to communicate and explore an intense attraction. Can they navigate what it will mean as they are now colleagues and fraternization is frowned upon?
Well written and engaging. Kept my interest and the volleyball and environments were easy to picture. The connection between the MCs was palpable and sexy. Highly recommend if you are into sports romance!
July 14, 2020
Sweet
Great love story. Nicole Poland always writes great stories. I have read all of the stories so far. I love the main characters in this story.They are great together with nice love scenes. Great ending.
Great love story. Nicole Poland always writes great stories. I have read all of the stories so far. I love the main characters in this story.They are great together with nice love scenes. Great ending.
February 24, 2022
Plot: The book starts with Wyatt and Everly joining the same team of a new American volleyball league. Wyatt is the best volleyball player in the world and Everly is a sport psychologist. They bicker. They spend a bit of time together. Wyatt wants to date. Everly says no for a brief moment and then gives in.
They date and deal with trying to maintain professionalism. Wyatt’s deadbeat dad tries to trick her out of money. Everything works out in the end and they live HEA.
Characterization: Wyatt can tell when people lie but her personality changes depending on what is convenient for the author. Sometimes she is overly gallant and sometimes she is an emotional baby.
Everly is under developed as a character. She wants to date Wyatt and likes volleyball.
Writing: This was written in third person perspective. The writing in this was choppy and there was no chemistry between the main characters. None of the emotions felt genuine so the book was a slog to get through.
They date and deal with trying to maintain professionalism. Wyatt’s deadbeat dad tries to trick her out of money. Everything works out in the end and they live HEA.
Characterization: Wyatt can tell when people lie but her personality changes depending on what is convenient for the author. Sometimes she is overly gallant and sometimes she is an emotional baby.
Everly is under developed as a character. She wants to date Wyatt and likes volleyball.
Writing: This was written in third person perspective. The writing in this was choppy and there was no chemistry between the main characters. None of the emotions felt genuine so the book was a slog to get through.
July 15, 2020
Loved this. Loved the teasing back and forth between Wyatt and Everly. I liked the supporting characters. I liked the little subplot with Wyatt having that hot/cold relationship with her, as she states, "deadbeat dad" and how she manages to maneuver through that. I like the volleyball action parts as they aren't too detailed for the casual viewer to not get, but it's also detailed enough to get one into those scenes. 5 stars.
February 1, 2021
Low on angst, pure romance with two utterly pleasant leading ladies makes this a great little read.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
May 29, 2024
This was short and sweet. I due wish we were able to explore more into Everly and Wyatt tho, but overall well done. I loved the banter from the beginning between Wyatt and Everly. It was great to see their chemistry and etc. Great job as usual from this author.
March 5, 2025
Melissa T. Pyland has a knack for writing swoon-worthy sapphic romances with engaging characters and unique setups, and Always More is no exception. Set against the backdrop of the newly formed U.S. professional women’s volleyball league, this book blends forbidden romance, sports ambition, and personal growth into a fast-paced and charming read.
A Love That Shouldn’t Happen… But Does Anyway
Wyatt Wicked is the volleyball superstar. She’s confident, cocky, and one of the most sought-after players in the world. When the U.S. launches its first professional women’s league, she eagerly joins the LA Legends, finally getting the chance to play at home.
Enter Dr. Everly Holman, the team’s new sports psychologist. A former player herself, Everly is determined to help athletes navigate the mental side of their game. The only problem? Falling for a player is a major conflict of interest.
But of course, rules are made to be broken.
What starts as playful banter quickly deepens into something more. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the attraction is sizzling. But as Everly fights to maintain her professional ethics and Wyatt struggles with trust and vulnerability, they’re forced to ask themselves: Is love worth risking everything for?
A Romance That’s Fast But Not Rushed
Wyatt and Everly’s relationship develops quickly, but it doesn’t feel like instalove. There’s enough tension, teasing, and personal conflict to make their connection believable. Wyatt, with her larger-than-life personality, is balanced out by Everly’s grounded, thoughtful presence. The way they support and challenge each other makes their romance not just exciting but genuinely heartwarming.
That being said, I did feel like I got to know Wyatt a little better than Everly. While Wyatt’s struggles with her absent father add depth to her character, Everly’s personal backstory feels a bit underdeveloped. We hear about her scars and past hardships, but we don’t see enough of them impacting her in the present. I wanted more insight into her inner world, especially since she plays such a key role in helping others with their emotions.
Sports, Sex, and Some Family Drama
If you love sports romances, you’ll appreciate the way volleyball is woven into this story. The book doesn’t just mention the game—it lives in it. The passion for the sport, the challenges of launching a new league, and the camaraderie between teammates all feel authentic.
And yes, there are plenty of steamy scenes. The physical attraction between Wyatt and Everly is off the charts, and Pyland doesn’t hold back. If you’re looking for a romance with some heat, you won’t be disappointed.
On the emotional side, Wyatt’s complicated relationship with her father adds an extra layer to the story. While the romance itself isn’t particularly angsty, this subplot brings in just enough tension to keep things interesting.
A Quick, Feel-Good Read
At just over 250 pages, Always More is one of Pyland’s shorter books, but it still delivers on charm, romance, and heart. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile and reminds you why you love love stories. While I wish we had more of Everly’s backstory and a little more depth in certain areas, it’s hard to be mad at a book that leaves you feeling this warm and happy.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy forbidden romance, sports romance, and playful yet heartfelt love stories, Always More is a great pick. It’s sexy, sweet, and effortlessly fun. Wyatt and Everly’s relationship is easy to root for, and their journey is one of passion, personal growth, and finding love in unexpected places.
A Love That Shouldn’t Happen… But Does Anyway
Wyatt Wicked is the volleyball superstar. She’s confident, cocky, and one of the most sought-after players in the world. When the U.S. launches its first professional women’s league, she eagerly joins the LA Legends, finally getting the chance to play at home.
Enter Dr. Everly Holman, the team’s new sports psychologist. A former player herself, Everly is determined to help athletes navigate the mental side of their game. The only problem? Falling for a player is a major conflict of interest.
But of course, rules are made to be broken.
What starts as playful banter quickly deepens into something more. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the attraction is sizzling. But as Everly fights to maintain her professional ethics and Wyatt struggles with trust and vulnerability, they’re forced to ask themselves: Is love worth risking everything for?
A Romance That’s Fast But Not Rushed
Wyatt and Everly’s relationship develops quickly, but it doesn’t feel like instalove. There’s enough tension, teasing, and personal conflict to make their connection believable. Wyatt, with her larger-than-life personality, is balanced out by Everly’s grounded, thoughtful presence. The way they support and challenge each other makes their romance not just exciting but genuinely heartwarming.
That being said, I did feel like I got to know Wyatt a little better than Everly. While Wyatt’s struggles with her absent father add depth to her character, Everly’s personal backstory feels a bit underdeveloped. We hear about her scars and past hardships, but we don’t see enough of them impacting her in the present. I wanted more insight into her inner world, especially since she plays such a key role in helping others with their emotions.
Sports, Sex, and Some Family Drama
If you love sports romances, you’ll appreciate the way volleyball is woven into this story. The book doesn’t just mention the game—it lives in it. The passion for the sport, the challenges of launching a new league, and the camaraderie between teammates all feel authentic.
And yes, there are plenty of steamy scenes. The physical attraction between Wyatt and Everly is off the charts, and Pyland doesn’t hold back. If you’re looking for a romance with some heat, you won’t be disappointed.
On the emotional side, Wyatt’s complicated relationship with her father adds an extra layer to the story. While the romance itself isn’t particularly angsty, this subplot brings in just enough tension to keep things interesting.
A Quick, Feel-Good Read
At just over 250 pages, Always More is one of Pyland’s shorter books, but it still delivers on charm, romance, and heart. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile and reminds you why you love love stories. While I wish we had more of Everly’s backstory and a little more depth in certain areas, it’s hard to be mad at a book that leaves you feeling this warm and happy.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy forbidden romance, sports romance, and playful yet heartfelt love stories, Always More is a great pick. It’s sexy, sweet, and effortlessly fun. Wyatt and Everly’s relationship is easy to root for, and their journey is one of passion, personal growth, and finding love in unexpected places.
July 15, 2025
This was my first Nicole Pyland book and I enjoyed it, especially given the absence of a contrived 4th quarter misunderstanding that breaks the couple up or pushes them apart.
Wyatt Wicket is the best pro volleyball player in the world and, at the age of 28, is tired of playing abroad (where, unlike the U.S., volleyball players can actually make a living playing indoor volleyball). She’s been recruited to join the new All-American Women’s Volleyball League and, apparently, was able to pick the team she wanted to join (the Los Angeles Legends). Usually, there’s a draft for teams to pick players based on a lottery but I suppose she was so crucial to the new League’s success that they let her pick her team. I don’t think that’s ever happened in the real world.
Dr Everly Holman is a 29 year-old former collegiate volleyball player whose pro career never got started following a serious accident. After recovering from her injuries, she went back to school, earned her doctorate, became a sports psychologist and interviewed for that position with the Los Angeles Legends. Though inexperienced (she had just 6 months with a minor league baseball team) she was hired based primarily on her past experience as an elite volleyball player.
She meets Wyatt (known to everyone as “Wicked”) by literally running into her outside the L.A. Legends gym. We’re meant to think that they annoyed each other (a common trope) but the part that struck me as unrealistic was the fact that Dr. Holman, who supposedly loved volleyball, didn’t recognize the best and most famous pro volleyball player in the world, despite the fact that Wyatt was on the very team she was applying to join.
Aside from that early stumble, I became invested in the growing attraction between Wyatt and “Ev” and was impressed with how detail oriented the writing was regarding the strategy of the game. Either the author is a huge volleyball fan or she certainly did her homework.
I saw that one reviewer only gave the spice level a 2 rating. I’m very open minded and enjoy a good spicy romance, but this seemed like more of a 3 or 4. That said, it was very well done and not gratuitous. It helped build the rather quick but believable connection between the two main characters, one of whom, rather unrealistically, was still a virgin (as to both genders).
There really wasn’t any exploration of any side characters other than a bad father who abandoned his family and just wanted money. But he was just a caricature and his daughter initially showed rather poor judgment with respect to claim verification and the handling of the asset in question.
This time she was able to cover topics like playing sports as a women, women’s sports leagues (and their popularity abroad versus at home), first time relationships, first times, falling for someone you didn’t expect, and so much more.
There wasn’t much in the way of any past romantic entanglements to deal with and the only realistic drama other than the deadbeat dad was the conflict of interest and that wept under the rug in light of Wyatt’s star power (can’t piss off the main attraction). In fact, had Everly been involved with any other player, she likely would have lost her job.
But I liked the characters, liked the story, and liked their journey.
“You will hurt the one you love, sometimes. You won’t do it intentionally. You’ll feel like shit when you do. It’s unavoidable, but you start with an apology, and you end by telling them you love them. You work through it because they’re the person you want to work through everything with.”
Wyatt Wicket is the best pro volleyball player in the world and, at the age of 28, is tired of playing abroad (where, unlike the U.S., volleyball players can actually make a living playing indoor volleyball). She’s been recruited to join the new All-American Women’s Volleyball League and, apparently, was able to pick the team she wanted to join (the Los Angeles Legends). Usually, there’s a draft for teams to pick players based on a lottery but I suppose she was so crucial to the new League’s success that they let her pick her team. I don’t think that’s ever happened in the real world.
Dr Everly Holman is a 29 year-old former collegiate volleyball player whose pro career never got started following a serious accident. After recovering from her injuries, she went back to school, earned her doctorate, became a sports psychologist and interviewed for that position with the Los Angeles Legends. Though inexperienced (she had just 6 months with a minor league baseball team) she was hired based primarily on her past experience as an elite volleyball player.
She meets Wyatt (known to everyone as “Wicked”) by literally running into her outside the L.A. Legends gym. We’re meant to think that they annoyed each other (a common trope) but the part that struck me as unrealistic was the fact that Dr. Holman, who supposedly loved volleyball, didn’t recognize the best and most famous pro volleyball player in the world, despite the fact that Wyatt was on the very team she was applying to join.
Aside from that early stumble, I became invested in the growing attraction between Wyatt and “Ev” and was impressed with how detail oriented the writing was regarding the strategy of the game. Either the author is a huge volleyball fan or she certainly did her homework.
I saw that one reviewer only gave the spice level a 2 rating. I’m very open minded and enjoy a good spicy romance, but this seemed like more of a 3 or 4. That said, it was very well done and not gratuitous. It helped build the rather quick but believable connection between the two main characters, one of whom, rather unrealistically, was still a virgin (as to both genders).
There really wasn’t any exploration of any side characters other than a bad father who abandoned his family and just wanted money. But he was just a caricature and his daughter initially showed rather poor judgment with respect to claim verification and the handling of the asset in question.
This time she was able to cover topics like playing sports as a women, women’s sports leagues (and their popularity abroad versus at home), first time relationships, first times, falling for someone you didn’t expect, and so much more.
There wasn’t much in the way of any past romantic entanglements to deal with and the only realistic drama other than the deadbeat dad was the conflict of interest and that wept under the rug in light of Wyatt’s star power (can’t piss off the main attraction). In fact, had Everly been involved with any other player, she likely would have lost her job.
But I liked the characters, liked the story, and liked their journey.
“You will hurt the one you love, sometimes. You won’t do it intentionally. You’ll feel like shit when you do. It’s unavoidable, but you start with an apology, and you end by telling them you love them. You work through it because they’re the person you want to work through everything with.”
September 5, 2020
A Great Romance Story
Always More isn’t the first book from Nicole Pyland that I’ve read, and there’s a reason for that. I previously read All The Love Songs and wrote one of my longest reviews about that book. Pyland is able to cover so many different topics in one single story that I’m shocked every time.
This time she was able to cover topics like playing sports as a women, women’s sports leagues (and their popularity abroad versus at home), first time relationships, first times, falling for someone you didn’t expect, and so much more.
Always More was insanely cute. I kept waiting for the bomb to drop and turn it into a book that had everything but also had the “we have to be apart to show how much we really love each other”. But this time, the story revolved around family (or “family” would be better suited). Along with dealing with past traumas and moving on. The drama was within the stories that Wyatt had instead of between Wyatt and Everly (though there were still some fights).
I don’t know what more to say about this. I had a smile on my face almost the entire time. Pyland kept me interested and I wanted to know what was going to happen to Wyatt and Everly. I genuinely cared for them and wanted good things.
It also seemed to be posted as the first book in a sports series – and I can’t wait to see what other stories there are. Pyland put so much thought and research into the volleyball aspect of this, I’m sure she’ll be able to write any sport and make it enjoyable.
Always More isn’t the first book from Nicole Pyland that I’ve read, and there’s a reason for that. I previously read All The Love Songs and wrote one of my longest reviews about that book. Pyland is able to cover so many different topics in one single story that I’m shocked every time.
This time she was able to cover topics like playing sports as a women, women’s sports leagues (and their popularity abroad versus at home), first time relationships, first times, falling for someone you didn’t expect, and so much more.
Always More was insanely cute. I kept waiting for the bomb to drop and turn it into a book that had everything but also had the “we have to be apart to show how much we really love each other”. But this time, the story revolved around family (or “family” would be better suited). Along with dealing with past traumas and moving on. The drama was within the stories that Wyatt had instead of between Wyatt and Everly (though there were still some fights).
I don’t know what more to say about this. I had a smile on my face almost the entire time. Pyland kept me interested and I wanted to know what was going to happen to Wyatt and Everly. I genuinely cared for them and wanted good things.
It also seemed to be posted as the first book in a sports series – and I can’t wait to see what other stories there are. Pyland put so much thought and research into the volleyball aspect of this, I’m sure she’ll be able to write any sport and make it enjoyable.
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