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Love Game

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Sikai Solomon is a tennis prodigy.

A mega-talent.

A legend in the making.

Kai is also the official, undisputed, bad boy of the “gentleman’s” sport with more smashed rackets than trophies; more penalty fines than prize money. The temperamental Australian sells out every match and the crowd loves his unconventional style of play, but when his fuse gets lit? Game. Over.

With the Australian Open only a few weeks away, a Grand Slam win should be a no-brainer. Instead, Kai’s self-sabotage has him on the verge of being banned from professional tennis for life. As a last-ditch effort to help save his career, his agent hires Daisy Watson to spend two weeks with the hotheaded superstar.

Daisy is a specialist in the healing arts. Or she will be, someday. Right now, she’s a broke receptionist at a Reiki Wellness Center in Maui, Hawaii, trying to make ends meet and heal her own emotional wounds from a dark episode in her past she’d rather forget.

Kai and Daisy are fire and water, but her compassion could be the perfect balm for his hot-blooded temper. His fearless, take-no-prisoners approach to life could be just what she needs to rediscover her own power…or they might end up with nothing.

Because in the sport of tennis, love means zero.

*Love Game was previously published in the Team Player 2 romance anthology

146 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2020

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About the author

Emma Scott

39 books8,810 followers
Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author and Pushcart Prize nominee, whose books have been translated into eight languages and featured in Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News, and USA Today’s Happy Ever After. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband, daughter, and her dog, who won't stop barking. If she's not at her desk writing her latest ugly cry novel, she's probably playing Baldur's Gate 3. Tell her to stop it and get back to work.

RECENT RELEASES all available now and FREE with KU

The Castle Hill series (4 books)
Little Pieces of Light (Emery and Xander)
Everthying We Couldn't Say (Harper and Orion)
Book 3 Jack and Gideon (coming soon)
Book 4 Ivy and Easton (coming soon)

The Lost Boys, a three-book series of interconnected standalones

The Girl in the Love Song
When You Come Back to Me
The Last Piece of His Heart

Someday, Someday M/M romance (Winner! LGBTQ Book of the Year, Utopia Con)

A Five-Minute Life


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5 stars
129 (21%)
4 stars
189 (32%)
3 stars
190 (32%)
2 stars
58 (9%)
1 star
21 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
Profile Image for Cara .
611 reviews1,105 followers
July 18, 2022
Okay, let's be honest, I went into this book completely blind because I thought the cover was absolutely beautiful and I didn't want to read what this book was about because I wanted to be surprised. Emma Scott, thank you for this beautiful story. I loved this novella with my whole heart. Okay, y'all might be wondering why it took me two days to read a novella, because I was distracted watching the Yankee and Boston Red Sox game (GO YANKEES)!!! Love Game by Emma Scott had me hooked from the very first page. I'm not really into tennis but boy, this book was so good. I knew I had to run to this book because it was written by Emma Scott, and she is such an amazing author, I love her stories so much. Please do yourself a favor and pick up this book/ebook because you will NOT be disappointed. Going into this story blind is the best way to do it because it will just shock you.

Sikai Solomon (Kai) is an Australian-Samoan tennis player. Kai is the official undisputed "bad boy" of tennis with more smashed rackets than trophies, more penalty fines than prize money. Kai sells out every tennis match he has, and the crowd loves his unconventional style of play, but when his fuse gets lit the game is over. Kai lost his father right in front of him. The were playing tennis together one day, when his father just fell to the ground. The passing of his father has caused anger in Kai when he's playing tennis. With the Australian Open only a few weeks away, a grand slam win should be a no-brainer. Instead, Kai's self sabotage has him on the verge of being banned from tennis for life. Kai makes un-sportsman like comments to his opponents, and curses out the umpires. As a last ditch effort to help save his career, Kai's agent hires Daisy Watson to spend two weeks with him.

Daisy is a specialist in the healing arts, but right now she's in the training of becoming one. Right now, Daisy is just a receptionist at Reiki Wellness Center in Hawaii trying to make ends meet and heal her own emotional wounds from something dark that happened in her past that she would rather forget. Daisy was house sitting for her parents when one night two-three men broke into the house and robbed her. Daisy was held with a man on top of her covered in dark clothes with a black ski mask, Daisy was also held with a knife to her cheek so she couldn't scream or make a sound. My heart absolutely broke for Daisy after this happened, this is honestly my worst nightmare. Daisy is now scared of the dark and always has to sleep with a little lamp on at night.

Daisy is hired to help Kai with his healing. Daisy tries to get Kai to talk about his past, because she believes keeping things bottled up is not good for the mind. Kai doesn't really care for this, nor does he believe it will actually help him be a better tennis player, he just wants his father to be there watching him at his matches. Kai's mother and tennis agent always tell Kai before a match that his father is looking down from heaven being so proud of him. Daisy decides to take Kai to goat yoga, this sounded so cute and honestly I want to try it now. Goat yoga is where you do yoga with goats around, goats can lay on your yoga mat, or they can climb all over you. I absolutely adored the bond Kai and Daisy formed. Daisy just wanted to help Kai, and Kai just wanted to help Daisy after learning about her story.
Profile Image for Carvanz.
2,513 reviews931 followers
March 10, 2020
Oh my gosh! Emma Scott slayed me with this story, in every possible way, some I didn’t even know existed.

”It’s a crazy life, isn’t it?” I said. “Good and bad. Ugly memories and beautiful things, all existing at the same time.”


description


Kai has the talent to be the best of the best. But after the death of his father, he’s addressed tennis as a take it or leave it type of activity. He is his own worst enemy. Now he has two weeks before the Australian Open and if something doesn’t change he’s going to drown in his own self destruction, once again. Kai couldn’t care less, but his agent and friend does.

Suffering from PTSD, Daisy is learning Reiki and is determined to find peace after her terrifying encounter in the dark of the night. When she is offered a job to help Kai, she can’t say no to the money. And although he might be the most beautiful man she’s ever seen, especially when he smiles, he’s a complete and utter jerk. But what’s a girl to do except perhaps expose him to goat yoga, share her own nightmares, and try to find the courage to face her own demons.


description


Holy heck did I love these characters! Kai was so broken. His grief kept him in bondage and his refusal to face it only added to the burden. He refused to feel anything and my heart literally hurt for him as he spiraled downwards. But when it came to Daisy, he became protective and possessive. She helped him to open his heart.


’Daisy Watson whipped up my emotions and made it impossible to let me talk myself out of feeling…things.’


Daisy was an amazing heroine! Even as she struggled with her own nightmares, her love of life radiated in pretty much everything she did. It felt as if she was a shining beacon of hope and I think Kai felt the same. Her strength was exemplary and I loved absolutely everything about her.

Daisy to Kai:

”Dealing with pain isn’t about being masculine or strong enough,” I said quietly. “It’s about being scared shitless and facing it anyway. For your own sake, not anyone else’s.”


description


Together, this couple had me smiling and then laughing. Kai had a wicked sense of humor that I loved. The chemistry between Daisy and him was felt from their very first meeting and grew to intense proportions throughout the story, finally catching fire and causing my Kindle to sizzle in my hands. They had some issues to work through and while this isn’t high angst, it isn’t entirely low angst either.


description


And then there is the tennis. I am not really a fan but oh my gawd, this author captivated me with Kai’s tournament play and I was glued to this story as one match bled into another. My heart was racing and I was on the edge of my seat. So much was happening physically as well as emotionally throughout these scenes that at times I had a lump in my throat and tears threatened to ruin me.

This is definitely one of my top favorites for the year, if not all time. And I’m kinda prejudiced against novellas because they usually just don’t do it for me. This one proved to me that a novella can have everything and more than a full length book, leaving me happy and satisfied.

Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Profile Image for Desi.
2,667 reviews85 followers
January 17, 2021
**3.75 estrellitas

Una historia muy bonita y dulce donde vemos como los protagonistas, Kai y Daisy, se ayudan a superar sus problemas, uno de perdida y otro de estres post-traumático.

Los dos protagonistas me agradaron, sus personajes estuvieron bien construidos, y los personajes secundarios también!! Aunque hubo uno por ahí que fue un imbécil todo el libro ¬¬

Aunque por lo corto del libro el amor entre los dos surge muy rápido, no fue tan molesto como en otros casos!!
Profile Image for Bibi.
1,287 reviews168 followers
March 13, 2020
Daisy, the heroine was blander than vanilla, while Kai, the H, was hair-grippingly insufferable. It got to a point that I could no longer care if or when they got the inevitable HEA.

Ultimately, and for my own well-being, I needed to exit Kai's head.

DNF @80%.
Profile Image for Michele.
1,812 reviews
March 13, 2020
As I sit here pondering how to properly sum up my thoughts on Love Game, I'm awed by the fact that no matter the length of the book, Emma Scott manages to pull me into the storyline and endear me to the characters. Let's just say that's impressive! It goes to show that page count doesn't matter but content truly does. I felt every bit as invested in Kai and Daisy as I have in some of Emma's other characters from her full length novels...and let's just say, it takes a lot for me to get "invested."

Kai is a wounded soul, plain and simple. He is carrying around a painful loss that is seeping into everything. If someone even nudges it with negativity, he responds like a wounded animal with vicious actions. In his case, he curses and acts surly on the tennis court. He may even throw his racket. He definitely doesn't act respectable or like a gentleman. For this reason, he's in big trouble with the Tennis Association and his agent knows it when he pulls Daisy in to try to work some "magic" on him (the healing touch known as Reiki). It just so happens, Daisy is dealing with her own demons. She had a traumatic experience of her own in the past and still experiences PTSD episodes as a result. Over time, she learns to trust Kai enough that he can help Daisy work through some of her own issues as well. Of course, it isn't as "easy-peasy" as I'm making it sound in my review. Kai is initially very resistant and Daisy has her own moments of doubt as well. In the end, you hope they will realize that they really are a perfect "match."

I should also mention I adored this book because I not only enjoy sport romances, I love the sport of tennis. There isn't a lot written about tennis stars, so imagine my excitement when I heard Emma Scott would be writing something along those lines. Ms. Scott did a great job weaving fictional tennis in with that of the real world. I loved having McEnroe commentating in the beginning...it took me back. I also was absolutely into the nail biting intensity of the match when Kai was competing in the Australian Open. However, my most favorite part was most definitely the epilogue though and I won't ruin that for anyone by sharing what happens...I'll just say it was wonderful in all the right ways!
Profile Image for Robin Hill.
Author 3 books304 followers
December 27, 2019
It never ceases to amaze me the level of feels Emma Scott manages to pack into a novella. The attraction between Kai and Daisy may be instant, but their chemistry is undeniable, and as they simultaneously heal from past events, they form an unbreakable bond. Despite the book’s length, the story explores tough topics like PDSD and racism, which Scott handles beautifully. I’m not a tennis fan. I’m not really a sports romance fan either, but you don’t need to be to appreciate Love Game. As with all of Scott’s books, it’s about the characters, their connection, and their commitment to each other. Fans won’t be disappointed, and newbies will discover a new favorite author in Emma Scott.
Profile Image for jodiel86.
1,275 reviews42 followers
April 23, 2020
As a general rule I really like Emma Scott - she is an auto read for me. This book seems to be a bit under the radar though... so few ratings.

I immediately couldn’t handle this book. The main character reminds me of young, asshole, Aussie tennis players like Tomic or Kyrios and there is nothing attractive about those idiots.

Skimmed.
Profile Image for Kristiej.
1,590 reviews103 followers
April 6, 2023
I think this is the lowest mark I've given an Emma Scott book. I enjoyed this book about bad boy tennis star Kai and Reiki student Daisy but its a novella and I just didn't get the same kind of impact from this much shorter story as I do from her novels. I'm glad I read it but I'm not sure it's a book I'd read again.
Profile Image for Sarah.
408 reviews25 followers
March 10, 2020
Scott covers racism, grief, and PTSD- in a sports anthology novella, of all places. Leave it to her, right? Anyway, I liked how she blended the fictional characters along with the top tennis stars of today. Though I don’t really care for tennis (aside from Serena Williams, who has my complete admiration) and am not typically a big fan of sports romances, this story was an enjoyable (albeit short- it’s a novella) read. I was even on the edge of my seat about the outcome of the final tennis match, which is really saying something (given my lukewarm feelings for the sport in general). Kai and Daisy won my heart, and they’ll win yours too.
Profile Image for Sasha Says.
848 reviews5 followers
April 1, 2020
Love Game is the story of Kai, a talented tennis star, and Daisy, who has recently moved to Hawaii to study Reiki after suffering a terrifying encounter at her parents home. I have read a lot of sports romance, but Love Game was my first ever tennis story. Both characters are dealing with intense issues and they were able to help each other so much. Their chemistry was so intense from their first meeting and I enjoyed them together. Love Game was originally included in the Team Player 2 anthology, and this release includes an added epilogue that adds so much to the story- it flashes forward a bit and what we get to see is simply fantastic.
Profile Image for Marissa.
342 reviews3 followers
January 1, 2020
Originally read as part of the Team Player 2 Anthology. I’m so excited for bonus content!

9/15/19: Five stars. This novella packs so much chemistry, banter and emotion...it’s nothing short of wonderful! I really could’ve read a full novel about Kai and Daisy; they were perfect!
Profile Image for Snow.
2,326 reviews732 followers
May 13, 2020
This was a 'just okay' read for me...
It felt like a sweet read and it past just like that sweetly and quickly...but it's nothing that will stick with me on the long run...
Profile Image for Daian  Café y Té.
67 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2025
Me adentré en este libro completamente a ciegas porque me habían hablado (muy por encima) y decidí no leer la sinopsis para sorprenderme. Emma Scott, gracias por esta increíble historia. Amé esta novela corta con todo mi corazón. Me la leí en unas pocas horas, solo me distraje para cenar, porque simplemente no podía soltarla.

Love Game me atrapó desde la primera página. Aunque el tenis no es algo que me apasione, este libro es sencillamente maravilloso. Si buscas una lectura que te sorprenda, este libro es para ti. Entrar a esta historia sin saber mucho es la mejor manera de disfrutarla porque te conmoverá completamente.

La historia nos presenta a Sikai Solomon (Kai), un tenista australiano-samoano conocido como el "chico malo" del tenis. Kai es famoso por su estilo poco convencional, aunque su temperamento y tendencia al autosabotaje lo tienen al borde de perder su carrera. Desde la muerte de su padre durante un partido de tenis juntos, Kai carga con una gran ira que afecta su desempeño en la cancha. Con el Abierto de Australia acercándose, su agente contrata a Daisy Watson para intentar ayudarlo.

Daisy, que trabaja como recepcionista en un centro de bienestar en Hawái mientras entrena en artes curativas, también arrastra su propio trauma. En su pasado, sufrió un violento robo en su casa, un evento que la marcó profundamente y le dejó miedo a la oscuridad. Mi corazón se rompió por Daisy, porque lo que vivió es una de las peores pesadillas que cualquiera podría imaginar.

A pesar de sus diferencias, Daisy y Kai desarrollan un vínculo muy especial. Daisy intenta ayudarlo a enfrentar su dolor y su rabia, mientras que Kai, al conocer el pasado de Daisy, también quiere ayudarla a sanar. Hay momentos entrañables, como cuando Daisy lleva a Kai a yoga con cabras, una actividad que nunca imaginé, pero que suena adorable.

Este libro me hizo sentir tantas emociones: alegría, tristeza, enojo, y al final, terminé llorando de emoción. La conexión entre Kai y Daisy es hermosa, y su viaje juntos es inspirador y conmovedor. Si buscas una historia que te haga reír, llorar y reflexionar, Love Game es una elección perfecta.
Profile Image for Lorna.
1,908 reviews123 followers
April 15, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up. Parts of the novella were really good and exciting. The romance was good. The hero is a mess due to losing his father when he was a child. He takes it out on everyone even to the point of possibly losing his career. That was a little tiresome. The heroine had her own problems due to an incident that has left her afraid. But when she wouldn’t go to a championship event because she couldn’t take her dog, I wasn’t happy with her. Other than those issues I did enjoy it, especially the whole last part. Very exciting read.
Profile Image for Mia.
2,965 reviews1,095 followers
May 26, 2020
2.5 stars

Sweet but short read.
Profile Image for Melissa Candelaria.
7 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2020
I know it was a novella but it just went too quickly for me.

I know it was a novella but it just went too quickly for me. I would have liked to see the plot developed a little bit more.
Profile Image for Mel.
820 reviews66 followers
March 14, 2020
5 stars!

Emma Scott has a knack for writing beautifully broken characters who are real and relatable, and the characters in Love Game are no exception. Kai and Daisy take us through a world of loss, grief, and trauma, and bring us out of the pain through healing and love. Though only a novella, this story is full of big feels, and it was easy to escape to Hawaii and fall in love with Kai and Daisy.

Daisy lives in fear after a traumatic event shook her to the core. She is afraid of the dark and her only comfort is a dog name Keanu. She moves to Hawaii to try to heal but it’s slow going. She doesn’t let it get her down though and is a breath of fresh air.

Kai is a skilled tennis player who has a shot at winning the Australian Open. That is, if he doesn’t get kicked out of the league before the tournament. Hot-tempered and with a history of acting out, his “don’t give a damn” attitude may ruin his chances for the win. When he is sent to Hawaii to wind down and get his head on straight he never imagined his time there would change his life.

Kai’s manager, Jason, cares about Kai and does not want him to throw away everything he has worked so hard for. With no other choice, Jason decides to try something new. He hires Daisy to calm Kai’s nerves and help him sort his problems using yoga, meditation, and Reiki. Needing the money, Daisy can’t turn down the job but Kai isn’t as quick to jump on board.

Daisy knows she has her work cut out for her but she is willing to give it a go. Kai is skeptical of Daisy and his anger rules his life but here is so much more to the man on the court and the actions he shows the world. He chooses anger over pain because that is easier to experience than the overwhelming grief that consumes him. He can’t get away from the heartache but as he spends time with Daisy, he realizes there is something special about her and she starts to change the way he feels.
She met my eye, and instead of complaining about my predicament, I felt a lightness in my chest, like a balloon that kept filling with warm air instead of anger and frustration.

Daisy is wonderful. She is confident, compassionate, and honest. She can hold her own and I love her witty comebacks as she and Kai banter back and forth. They have fun together and with smoking hot chemistry like theirs, there is no denying their attraction.

Daisy and Kai are just what the other never knew they needed and they push each other out of their comfort zones. The feels are real as is the pain and fear as they help each other heal. Daisy and Kai are the perfect mix of sweet, swoony, and sexy as they go from enemies to friends to lovers, and I loved the progression of their romance.

Overall, Love Game is a bite sized treat with big flavor, and I loved it! I only wish it was longer because I couldn’t get enough of Kai and Daisy!!

*ARC Review based on content in Team Player 2: A Sports Anthology provided by the author*



Profile Image for Marta.
396 reviews11 followers
May 18, 2021
3 'raised hand, palm out' Stars

Entre novellas da Emma Scott, apreciei mais esta.
Terá sido o sol australiano? O ar revoltado e rebelde de Kai? Ou terá sido a forma como Daisy lidou com tudo?
Um tenista que está quase quase a deitar tudo a perder pela forma como se comporta. Mas Daisy entra na sua vida tal como uma margarida selvagem surge em vários jardins. Entre sessões de reiki, yoga com cabritos e noites de trovoada, será que este casal vai entrar em combustão ou encontrar a paz?
Apesar de achar que o Kai precisava de séria ajuda medica, e ter dito coisas maldosas, a comunhão entre os dois foi interessante, daí ter desfrutado desta novella.

“You want to know what I think?” I said softly, moving closer to the net.
“Tell me.”
“I think you’re afraid of how good you are. I think you’re afraid of what could happen if you played to your full potential.”


“Uh huh. You want to know what I think is happening here?”
“Yes, tell me. I don’t know what the fuck is happening here, except that I’m turning into a giant pussy.”
“For the first time in your life, you’re viewing a woman as an actual human being. Congratulations. Welcome to evolution. Anything else? No? I’m going back to bed.”


“It’s a crazy life, isn’t it?” I said. “Good and bad. Ugly memories and beautiful things, all existing at the same time.”
She smiled and nodded. “I think that sums it up just about perfectly.”
Profile Image for Wendy LeGrand.
1,354 reviews56 followers
January 3, 2020
I originally read Love Game as part of the Team Player 2 anthology. Even though this is a short story, it packs the same emotional punch as a full length novel! Kai and Daisy were so good together! Both characters suffering through things from their past that continue to impact their daily lives.

Kai is a hotheaded, hot shot tennis player who can't seem to stay out of trouble on the court, until he meets Daisy and for the first time he feels a calmness he's never felt before. And Daisy feels a closeness and attraction to a man that she hasn't experienced in over a year. Can these two help to heal each other while healing themselves in the process?

This story has all the feels!! Not to mention the beauty of Hawaii as a backdrop and all the excitement of watching professional tennis. Emma has another winner on her hands!!

Emma is now releasing Love Game as a standalone story and is expanding it with additional content added.
Profile Image for cati.
79 reviews4 followers
September 14, 2024
libro muy cortito. son tiernos, hubiera necesito un poco más de profundidad, pero son muy lindos.
🌸
Profile Image for Aquamarine♡.
371 reviews16 followers
August 22, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌠
Ahh this was soo cute and such a great story🥰🥰🥰 and I love the whole reiki yoga plot (i want soo badly to do goat yoga now😂😂😂).
This reminds me why Emma Scott is one of my fave authors🥰🥰
Profile Image for X.
1,254 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2021
I haven't read in around a year.

Corona, pregnancy, homeschooling etc etc thought nothing will get me out of this endless cycle except Emma Scott.

I follow her on FB, love everything she does, and find it very hard to write something bad about her.

Unfortunately, this book really was the first to get me out of a not-reading-funk, but it was a disappointment. I had to stop more than once and check it wasn't another author whose name had an extra m or t.

I usually feel more in her books.

Also she usually has a simple flow, uncomplicated sentences but still they would be more well written. This felt like an essay, barely any nice words inserted in to make me feel wow this English word is just where it's supposed to be.

My admiration to this author is endless yet our energy didn't click in this book.

Will check out the other stuff she has out that I haven't read yet.
Profile Image for Deborah Scv.
272 reviews
February 14, 2026
This was good… but why was it over before I even had time to get emotionally destroyed?? 😭

Under 150 pages is criminal when you’re Emma Scott and fully capable of ruining my mental stability. The bones of the story were THERE, the angst was lurking, the emotional damage was loading… and then it just… ended. Ma’am, I was ready to suffer.
Profile Image for Ari.
945 reviews1,348 followers
March 23, 2020
All that self pitying got to be tiresome in no time.
Profile Image for NotTheTea.
903 reviews40 followers
April 9, 2021
Short and sweet. Don't expect anything ott and it's a good book.
Profile Image for Fatima Ali.
603 reviews14 followers
April 8, 2024
It was boring and insta lovey, didn’t expect that from Emma 😬 tbh it was not bad but just not my thing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews