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Love Match #1
Love Match
The real action is off the court…
The only thing on Luke Rossovich's mind is winning pro tennis tournaments. That is, until the day Jesse McAllister shows up in the locker room. Luke can't get the young blond out of his head, and soon they team up on the doubles court. Before Luke knows it, he's letting Jesse into his bed — and his heart.
Jesse doesn't see why they have to hide who they are from the world, but Luke has been in the closet for years. He's a household name with millions in endorsements to think about -- no way is he going to admit to being gay. But as his secret relationship with Jesse deepens, the rules of the game Luke's played so well suddenly seem to be changing...
Publisher's Note: This story contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.
The only thing on Luke Rossovich's mind is winning pro tennis tournaments. That is, until the day Jesse McAllister shows up in the locker room. Luke can't get the young blond out of his head, and soon they team up on the doubles court. Before Luke knows it, he's letting Jesse into his bed — and his heart.
Jesse doesn't see why they have to hide who they are from the world, but Luke has been in the closet for years. He's a household name with millions in endorsements to think about -- no way is he going to admit to being gay. But as his secret relationship with Jesse deepens, the rules of the game Luke's played so well suddenly seem to be changing...
Publisher's Note: This story contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.
Audible Audio
First published August 15, 2006
71 people are currently reading
693 people want to read
About the author
Keira Andrews
65 books3,050 followersKeira aims for the perfect mix of character, plot, and heat in her M/M romances. She writes everything from swashbuckling pirates to heartwarming holiday escapism. Her fave tropes are enemies to lovers, age gaps, forced proximity, and passionate virgins. Although she loves delicious angst along the way, Keira guarantees happy endings!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
August 3, 2022
Reread - August 2022
Welp, 3 stars for the reread.
Audiobook - 5 stars
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4.5
Wow this was a fast read for me , i could not stop this was one hot romance love fest featuring rainbows and unicorns.. loved it
Welp, 3 stars for the reread.
Audiobook - 5 stars
***********************************************
4.5
Wow this was a fast read for me , i could not stop this was one hot romance love fest featuring rainbows and unicorns.. loved it
February 23, 2016
*** 4.75 Stars ***
Just finished Love Match and - aptly - LOVED it! I loved the characters, the realistic build of the relationship, and that actions - and inaction - had consequences. ...and of course I also loved the big, sappy, hearts and flowers Hollywood ending. I loved it all!
Just finished Love Match and - aptly - LOVED it! I loved the characters, the realistic build of the relationship, and that actions - and inaction - had consequences. ...and of course I also loved the big, sappy, hearts and flowers Hollywood ending. I loved it all!
October 1, 2025
One day I'm going to learn not to go back and read older MM books, but apparently that day hasn't arrived yet, and once again, I've suffered because of it 🤣
Modern Keira Andrews books are normally fine for me, but this one definitely showed its age. You can tell her writing wasn't there yet, but the good news is she's certainly improved since this was released, so bravo for growth! 👏🏻
The premise for this was excellent, so it's extra sad it didn't work well for me, especially since I was trying to go out on a higher note than a DNF for Sports Romance September. In the end, I guess a 2* read is better than a DNF 🥴
I don't want to spend a lot of time of time on this, so I'm just going to say at a high level the big things that didn't work for me were the writing, Luke (the 34 year old MC that acted younger than the actually young MC, Jesse), and the insane amount of homophobia 😅
I will leave you with a quote from one of Luke's tantrums about coming out and worrying about his endorsements:
Maybe I'm dumb, but can someone tell me what "gay products" are? 😂 I tried to think what specifically would be a "gay product," but my brain wasn't braining. Does this mean gay owned brands? I guess it doesn't really matter, but the way it was worded made me laugh 😆
Modern Keira Andrews books are normally fine for me, but this one definitely showed its age. You can tell her writing wasn't there yet, but the good news is she's certainly improved since this was released, so bravo for growth! 👏🏻
The premise for this was excellent, so it's extra sad it didn't work well for me, especially since I was trying to go out on a higher note than a DNF for Sports Romance September. In the end, I guess a 2* read is better than a DNF 🥴
I don't want to spend a lot of time of time on this, so I'm just going to say at a high level the big things that didn't work for me were the writing, Luke (the 34 year old MC that acted younger than the actually young MC, Jesse), and the insane amount of homophobia 😅
I will leave you with a quote from one of Luke's tantrums about coming out and worrying about his endorsements:
"Mom, it's more than just that." Luke ran his hand through his hair. Why couldn't she understand? "It's about my livelihood. The only endorsements I'd have if I came out would be for gay products. I'd be that gay tennis player. I'd lose a hell of a lot of money."
Maybe I'm dumb, but can someone tell me what "gay products" are? 😂 I tried to think what specifically would be a "gay product," but my brain wasn't braining. Does this mean gay owned brands? I guess it doesn't really matter, but the way it was worded made me laugh 😆
June 13, 2015
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It had everything I was in the mood for.
*Steamy sex ✔ ✔
*Great characters ✔
*Very easy story flow ✔
*Heartbreak ✔
*Heartwarming Hollywood ending ✔ ✔
I ended up reading it in one sitting.
Keira Andrews, this woman can write anything. No book is ever the same and I freaking love that! 4.5 Stars! ♥
October 5, 2025
Keira’s debut, first published in 2006. And it shows.
Tbh, I’m not sure if I’d have picked it up, had I known it’s an “old” mm romance. These books tend to be… idk. Depressing. I don’t want to sound like a hypocrite. I know that the gay community suffered (and still does), struggling with acceptance and homophobia, especially in pro sports.
But I just can’t take it in right now. When I read a book, my heart and my mind usually get involved, and each and every book leaves a little bit of itself behind. And right now, I just can’t take what this book brings into my life. So I dnf-ed at around 61%.
Let me explain.
I haven’t read a book centred around tennis yet, and as I’m mildly interested in that sport, I was pretty excited to find this one, especially as the audio is (still) included in Audible and I’m always happy to save a credit 😅 so yeah. I’ve been looking forward to this one.
The premise is interesting: we have Luke, a tennis pro, former Wimbledon winner, but who’s left his winning years behind after a tragic incident. And Jesse, a young, aspiring player who’s got a crush on Luke since he’s been a teen.
They’re both in the closet, Luke having a lot more to loose than Jesse, because in that time (and probably today, too), companies don’t endorse gay athletes.
So yeah. You kind of get where it’s going. At some point, things are bound to blow up, and they did around 60%.
And I just couldn’t take it. The whispers, the reporters, the slurs, even from people who should be on their side.
I just… couldn’t.
I know they’ll have their HEA eventually, and Keira’s writing, while not as good as nowadays, would have still be compelling enough to make me want to finish it. But from an emotional standpoint, I just couldn’t make it.
It’s depressing. Probably realistic, no argument there. But bleak. Luke deserves better. And Jesse deserves the world, and a better partner than Luke.
Seeing as I’m rating books “emotionally”, and I made it beyond the magic 50% mark, I’ll give it 2 stars.
I’m sorry, Keira.
Tbh, I’m not sure if I’d have picked it up, had I known it’s an “old” mm romance. These books tend to be… idk. Depressing. I don’t want to sound like a hypocrite. I know that the gay community suffered (and still does), struggling with acceptance and homophobia, especially in pro sports.
But I just can’t take it in right now. When I read a book, my heart and my mind usually get involved, and each and every book leaves a little bit of itself behind. And right now, I just can’t take what this book brings into my life. So I dnf-ed at around 61%.
Let me explain.
I haven’t read a book centred around tennis yet, and as I’m mildly interested in that sport, I was pretty excited to find this one, especially as the audio is (still) included in Audible and I’m always happy to save a credit 😅 so yeah. I’ve been looking forward to this one.
The premise is interesting: we have Luke, a tennis pro, former Wimbledon winner, but who’s left his winning years behind after a tragic incident. And Jesse, a young, aspiring player who’s got a crush on Luke since he’s been a teen.
They’re both in the closet, Luke having a lot more to loose than Jesse, because in that time (and probably today, too), companies don’t endorse gay athletes.
So yeah. You kind of get where it’s going. At some point, things are bound to blow up, and they did around 60%.
And I just couldn’t take it. The whispers, the reporters, the slurs, even from people who should be on their side.
I just… couldn’t.
I know they’ll have their HEA eventually, and Keira’s writing, while not as good as nowadays, would have still be compelling enough to make me want to finish it. But from an emotional standpoint, I just couldn’t make it.
It’s depressing. Probably realistic, no argument there. But bleak. Luke deserves better. And Jesse deserves the world, and a better partner than Luke.
Seeing as I’m rating books “emotionally”, and I made it beyond the magic 50% mark, I’ll give it 2 stars.
I’m sorry, Keira.
May 11, 2021
Keira Andrews is one of my favourite authors in this genre and she triumphs once again with this one.
I love any M/M romance set in the sporting world because I live in hope that one day being a gay professional sportsman won't be such a big deal.
Luke and Jesse are awesomely cute and you can understand why Luke is so scared to come out.
I loved how Keira had it happen though, and then was a delight.
I love any M/M romance set in the sporting world because I live in hope that one day being a gay professional sportsman won't be such a big deal.
Luke and Jesse are awesomely cute and you can understand why Luke is so scared to come out.
I loved how Keira had it happen though, and then was a delight.
July 18, 2025
I got this book without really knowing what it was about, I just knew it was something related to Tennis 🎾, I knew it was Keria Andrews' debut, and I gotta say, it was better than I expected.
Luke is a Tennis player who's won a couple of championships in the past, but ever since his coach and secret lover died, he has not had the mental fortitude to win again. Not until he meets Jesse, a young player who’s just entered the Tour.
They end up training and playing doubles together, and a relationship develops, in secret, of course, because homophobia in sports is real. There are some mildly angsty moments regarding staying in the closet or not and their relationship suffers because of it.
The book ends on a high note and a grand gesture. I just wished something like that happened in real life, maybe that is what the sport world needs to be truly inclusive.
Luke is a Tennis player who's won a couple of championships in the past, but ever since his coach and secret lover died, he has not had the mental fortitude to win again. Not until he meets Jesse, a young player who’s just entered the Tour.
They end up training and playing doubles together, and a relationship develops, in secret, of course, because homophobia in sports is real. There are some mildly angsty moments regarding staying in the closet or not and their relationship suffers because of it.
The book ends on a high note and a grand gesture. I just wished something like that happened in real life, maybe that is what the sport world needs to be truly inclusive.
May 23, 2021
3.5 stars.
This is Keira's debut book, which was recently republished. No revisions were done to the book.
I loved:
- Both characters.
Luke was hot and possessive and enamored with Jesse
Jesse was sweet and a bit damaged an a bit naïve.
- The tennis backdrop and how it brought them together.
- The tiny bit of breakup angst and how they couldn't stay away from each other.
- The supportive parents.
- The Steam: Keira can write some hot sex scenes lemme tell you.
- The epilogue: short and too the point, with a glimpse to the future.
- The Bonus epilogue which was swoony and sexy.
Niggles:
I really do think the book needed a bit if revision and tightening up. It would have made it a much more entertaining read. especially with Jesse's teenage year-trauma.
There were some things that were too abrupt for my liking and needed a bit more focus.
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review.
This is Keira's debut book, which was recently republished. No revisions were done to the book.
I loved:
- Both characters.
Luke was hot and possessive and enamored with Jesse
Jesse was sweet and a bit damaged an a bit naïve.
- The tennis backdrop and how it brought them together.
- The tiny bit of breakup angst and how they couldn't stay away from each other.
- The supportive parents.
- The Steam: Keira can write some hot sex scenes lemme tell you.
- The epilogue: short and too the point, with a glimpse to the future.
- The Bonus epilogue which was swoony and sexy.
Niggles:
I really do think the book needed a bit if revision and tightening up. It would have made it a much more entertaining read. especially with Jesse's teenage year-trauma.
There were some things that were too abrupt for my liking and needed a bit more focus.
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review.
Read
May 20, 2021It's hard to believe my first book was published 15 years ago! (Shoutout to Loose Id!) So glad to get Luke and Jesse back out into the world.
Buy or borrow in KU:
Amz US: https://amzn.to/3wku9O7
Amz Universal: https://readerlinks.com/l/1830874
Buy or borrow in KU:
Amz US: https://amzn.to/3wku9O7
Amz Universal: https://readerlinks.com/l/1830874
June 10, 2015
So very, very good. Just how a romance book should be. That end! Tears of joy!! So over the top romantic and I loved it!
Read
May 30, 2021* No rating * because I barely made it through the end of the story...
I wish I could say that I liked this book, but the truth is that I couldn't find many things to keep me interested.
Jesse and Luke are tennis players, one is just starting out and the other is a veteran of the sport and one of the best.
At first, I was reading eagerly because I wanted to know Luke's backstory and because I wanted to know who of the two would make the first move. After those two things were addressed though, I lost interest and there wasn't anything else I was looking forward to.
Almost everything that happened was predictable and a cliche for books with this trope (I guess that that wasn't the case when it was first released, but that was fifteen years ago and a lot has changed both in the real world and in books). Also, the constant back and forth of the characters regarding their relationship was very tiring.
I usually like sports romance, and that was the main reason I wanted to read this story, but it didn't work this time.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
I wish I could say that I liked this book, but the truth is that I couldn't find many things to keep me interested.
Jesse and Luke are tennis players, one is just starting out and the other is a veteran of the sport and one of the best.
At first, I was reading eagerly because I wanted to know Luke's backstory and because I wanted to know who of the two would make the first move. After those two things were addressed though, I lost interest and there wasn't anything else I was looking forward to.
Almost everything that happened was predictable and a cliche for books with this trope (I guess that that wasn't the case when it was first released, but that was fifteen years ago and a lot has changed both in the real world and in books). Also, the constant back and forth of the characters regarding their relationship was very tiring.
I usually like sports romance, and that was the main reason I wanted to read this story, but it didn't work this time.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
August 10, 2015
Sweet, fluffy and very sexy story about two hot tennisplayers. There is some drama about having to hide their relationship, because being gay and being a famous athlete is not as easy as it should be.
I really liked this one....it was also very hot :)
I really liked this one....it was also very hot :)
January 30, 2023
2.5-3 stars
There were parts I like and some I didn’t. I think the way this was written you can see how much Kiera Andrews has improved. The way this was written was very stilted so I couldn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. I think if I didn’t have the audio it would have been a DNF back at chapter 5…
But I am glad I stuck it out..kinda. Jesse deserved better and Luke needed to get his head out of his ass… but overall a good tennis read.. haven’t read many of those!
There were parts I like and some I didn’t. I think the way this was written you can see how much Kiera Andrews has improved. The way this was written was very stilted so I couldn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. I think if I didn’t have the audio it would have been a DNF back at chapter 5…
But I am glad I stuck it out..kinda. Jesse deserved better and Luke needed to get his head out of his ass… but overall a good tennis read.. haven’t read many of those!
August 14, 2012
This older story (written in 2006) surely makes me all warm and fuzzy, which is a feeling I'm looking forward in romance (either m/f or m/m). The story reminds me a lot of the movie Wimbledon (2004) -- starring Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst. Few scenes feels similar, including that romantic ending. But I don't mind. That movie is one --one of my favorite sport-related romantic comedy movies, and probably the only one highlighting tennis.
I love the sport/athlete atmostphere in this, that the tennis matches are written as well, instead of passing information. I think the relationship is approached in right pace. I like how Luke is also written as someone with a "past" -- as he was involved in a secret relationship with his coach, who died in an accident -- before he starts this new one with Jesse. I like how Luke and Jesse have that age gap, so the reason why Luke is worried about coming out (that it will also affect Jesse's future career) is justified. I think the story is sweet and romantic, without being too over-the-top.
And of course, that ending *sigh*. If you have watched Wimbledon, well, it has the same exact effect on me. Cue: grinning widely and muttered ... awwwwww. Yep, romantic grand gesture, it makes me all mushy. Just the kind of thing I'm looking for in romance.
I love the sport/athlete atmostphere in this, that the tennis matches are written as well, instead of passing information. I think the relationship is approached in right pace. I like how Luke is also written as someone with a "past" -- as he was involved in a secret relationship with his coach, who died in an accident -- before he starts this new one with Jesse. I like how Luke and Jesse have that age gap, so the reason why Luke is worried about coming out (that it will also affect Jesse's future career) is justified. I think the story is sweet and romantic, without being too over-the-top.
And of course, that ending *sigh*. If you have watched Wimbledon, well, it has the same exact effect on me. Cue: grinning widely and muttered ... awwwwww. Yep, romantic grand gesture, it makes me all mushy. Just the kind of thing I'm looking for in romance.
February 3, 2020
4.35 Stars
The first 20% or so was hard for me to get into and I don't know if it's because I am NOT a tennis fan or what. Considering how much I really liked the rest of the book, I'm still not even sure. But, I ended up loving this and was so close to giving it 4.5 stars. Definitely gonna get to the next one once this Bachelor challenge category (which, after owning this book for something like 10 years, was only what prompted me to finally read it) ends on Friday night...so, putting it on the currently reading shelf (even though I haven't started it yet!) so that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle of that enormous TBR shelf!
The first 20% or so was hard for me to get into and I don't know if it's because I am NOT a tennis fan or what. Considering how much I really liked the rest of the book, I'm still not even sure. But, I ended up loving this and was so close to giving it 4.5 stars. Definitely gonna get to the next one once this Bachelor challenge category (which, after owning this book for something like 10 years, was only what prompted me to finally read it) ends on Friday night...so, putting it on the currently reading shelf (even though I haven't started it yet!) so that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle of that enormous TBR shelf!
June 11, 2023
It was interesting to read this book which was very early on in Keira’s writing career (2006 initially published) and compare to later works. Missing some of the polish from later books but still really enjoyable.
I also enjoyed a book with sports that wasn’t hockey. Tennis was a fun one to read about.
The sports star issue of forced outing by the media was hard to read about (but expected) but I really liked the way it was resolved in the end.
Tags: Tennis players, seasoned champion and up and coming player, closeted MC’s, virgin MC
I also enjoyed a book with sports that wasn’t hockey. Tennis was a fun one to read about.
The sports star issue of forced outing by the media was hard to read about (but expected) but I really liked the way it was resolved in the end.
Tags: Tennis players, seasoned champion and up and coming player, closeted MC’s, virgin MC
September 21, 2025
Why didn’t I read this before?
Sweet, adorable, emotional and so so sexy!
A reminder to never skip a Keira Andrews book again!
Sweet, adorable, emotional and so so sexy!
A reminder to never skip a Keira Andrews book again!
October 1, 2024
ALL I DO IS CRY😩😭
May 23, 2021
Una historia sin nada del otro mundo, sin sorpresas, pero a mí me ha parecido igualmente entretenida
July 20, 2022
⭐︎
3.5 stars rounded up!
⭐︎
This author, who I absolutely adore, shows a good, solid first (or one of the first) book written and released.
Released in 2006, it shows just how different things were even in 2006. I don't fault the book at all for how closeted Luke is for the majority of this, because yeah, there really isn't one out male professional tennis player as of today. At least their are other out players in some other major league sports. It's still slow going, though.
Luke's extreme caution and fear of being outed felt very realistic. So did Jesse being the younger one, a little less closeted and afraid to come out. 11 years Luke's junior, even with what he's been through, he doesn't want to stay closeted for long.
I think my problems with this book how long Luke maintained his "stay very closeted" stance, and caring what everyone thought of him, and then just at the very end getting over all that baggage and being ready to be out to the world, and in such a public way. It was great and very Hollywood movie-esque, but I wish the change from his extreme closeted-ness had been handled a little more smoothly and gradually.
I do also think the chemistry between these two was just okay. We got scenes with them aplenty, but I still didn't feel like we were getting enough, which to me means I wasn't getting enough in their scenes together, chemistry wise. This book would have greatly benefited from Jesse's POV. I really like the trend that most romance books do now of doing both POV's. One POV just takes a lot to make work in a romance.
While I liked these two, especially near the end, it was slow going for me on feeling much between these two, and by the end they were just likable. I didn't love them.
This slightly less than 200 page book took me a bit to finish, which says something. It didn't have enough really interesting scene until near the end, which made me round up instead of down on this, because I did gain back some interest near the end with the coming out drama.
So overall, this gets a solid 3.5 stars, it showed the potential of this author really well, there were just obvious kinks to work out that, having read this author's later works, she did work out later on.
She said in the AN at the beginning that she revisited this last year and she felt she didn't have to make extensive edits and for the time, it can stand as is, and for the most part I agree - it felt very realistic, how horribly some people reacted when things started to come out - but I do think some things, like the transition from looking going extremely closeted to out could have been included, and maybe including at least a few Jesse POV scenes. I think that would have greatly improved this.
So as is, it was entertaining for the most part overall, it just needed more to really bring this home as a great one. Glad I read this oldie - it served to remind me how different things were just 16 years ago. Oh how time flies. I was just starting my freshman year in high school when this came out haha. Wild.
Onto the next!
This author, who I absolutely adore, shows a good, solid first (or one of the first) book written and released.
Released in 2006, it shows just how different things were even in 2006. I don't fault the book at all for how closeted Luke is for the majority of this, because yeah, there really isn't one out male professional tennis player as of today. At least their are other out players in some other major league sports. It's still slow going, though.
Luke's extreme caution and fear of being outed felt very realistic. So did Jesse being the younger one, a little less closeted and afraid to come out. 11 years Luke's junior, even with what he's been through, he doesn't want to stay closeted for long.
I think my problems with this book how long Luke maintained his "stay very closeted" stance, and caring what everyone thought of him, and then just at the very end getting over all that baggage and being ready to be out to the world, and in such a public way. It was great and very Hollywood movie-esque, but I wish the change from his extreme closeted-ness had been handled a little more smoothly and gradually.
I do also think the chemistry between these two was just okay. We got scenes with them aplenty, but I still didn't feel like we were getting enough, which to me means I wasn't getting enough in their scenes together, chemistry wise. This book would have greatly benefited from Jesse's POV. I really like the trend that most romance books do now of doing both POV's. One POV just takes a lot to make work in a romance.
While I liked these two, especially near the end, it was slow going for me on feeling much between these two, and by the end they were just likable. I didn't love them.
This slightly less than 200 page book took me a bit to finish, which says something. It didn't have enough really interesting scene until near the end, which made me round up instead of down on this, because I did gain back some interest near the end with the coming out drama.
So overall, this gets a solid 3.5 stars, it showed the potential of this author really well, there were just obvious kinks to work out that, having read this author's later works, she did work out later on.
She said in the AN at the beginning that she revisited this last year and she felt she didn't have to make extensive edits and for the time, it can stand as is, and for the most part I agree - it felt very realistic, how horribly some people reacted when things started to come out - but I do think some things, like the transition from looking going extremely closeted to out could have been included, and maybe including at least a few Jesse POV scenes. I think that would have greatly improved this.
So as is, it was entertaining for the most part overall, it just needed more to really bring this home as a great one. Glad I read this oldie - it served to remind me how different things were just 16 years ago. Oh how time flies. I was just starting my freshman year in high school when this came out haha. Wild.
Onto the next!
December 21, 2014
I had only read compilations of erotica before I read my first romance novel. Before “Love Match”, I didn’t know that romance could be so…touching, beautiful, and sexy. The quality of the writing blew me away as well. The characters came alive on the page.
Luke Rossovich was captivating from the beginning. Andrews’ strong verbs showed me who Luke really was and what he was going through. He was believable. The first page opened the scene with Luke throwing his racket on the court and yelling at a judge for calling a shot incorrectly. He’s a bad boy; arrogant, a brat, but he knows what he’s doing. He’s a pro.
Until Jesse comes along and throws him off his game.
Jesse’s sweet and innocent goodness broke this bad boy down, and I loved watching Luke fall apart, only to be rebuilt into something stronger. When he finally succumbed to Jesse’s charm…hoo boy.
It is amazing how much better a well-written romance is than erotica. Changed my life. Not only is the story better; the plot and the characters, but the sex was way hotter. You know why? Because I was invested in the characters. I was feeling what they felt on another level, and that brought me closer to them. It also helped that the scenes in this book are crazy hot and all yummy man.
Maybe the ending was too happy, but I loved it. I discovered that I'm a sap like that. I return to this book over and over again. I’d own a paperback if Loose Id had one.
Maybe “Love Match” isn’t for you, I dunno. I played tennis in high school, and I know guys like Luke. I already felt grounded in the world. But if you like sports and hot man on man action, then I think you should give this book a shot. It may not change your game for good, like it did with me, but maybe you can learn a new trick or two.
If you liked this review, check out Beth's blog:
http://www.bethbrockbooks.com
Luke Rossovich was captivating from the beginning. Andrews’ strong verbs showed me who Luke really was and what he was going through. He was believable. The first page opened the scene with Luke throwing his racket on the court and yelling at a judge for calling a shot incorrectly. He’s a bad boy; arrogant, a brat, but he knows what he’s doing. He’s a pro.
Until Jesse comes along and throws him off his game.
Jesse’s sweet and innocent goodness broke this bad boy down, and I loved watching Luke fall apart, only to be rebuilt into something stronger. When he finally succumbed to Jesse’s charm…hoo boy.
It is amazing how much better a well-written romance is than erotica. Changed my life. Not only is the story better; the plot and the characters, but the sex was way hotter. You know why? Because I was invested in the characters. I was feeling what they felt on another level, and that brought me closer to them. It also helped that the scenes in this book are crazy hot and all yummy man.
Maybe the ending was too happy, but I loved it. I discovered that I'm a sap like that. I return to this book over and over again. I’d own a paperback if Loose Id had one.
Maybe “Love Match” isn’t for you, I dunno. I played tennis in high school, and I know guys like Luke. I already felt grounded in the world. But if you like sports and hot man on man action, then I think you should give this book a shot. It may not change your game for good, like it did with me, but maybe you can learn a new trick or two.
If you liked this review, check out Beth's blog:
http://www.bethbrockbooks.com
April 6, 2025
4.5 stars. I've spent approximately 45 seconds of my life thinking about tennis. I don't have a competitive bone in my body, and thus, have never liked sports. Who cares if 'we' win? Certainly not me. I've been spotted cheering for the opponent on multiple occasions, just happy to be spectating any sport where someone is performing well.
So, why the tf do I care about who won in this book is beyond me. It's Keira Andrews.. no matter what she writes, I'll read it.
Kiera doesn't produce ground breaking books that tear your soul apart, but she's so incredibly competent at producing something great that hooks you from the start. There's no rocket science involved and that's what I love about her books. She shows you who the MC is right away, lays out the situation and the stakes; she gives you just enough information to build suspense and keep you wanting more.
I've been feeling a bit slumpy and I knew I needed something solid, something emotional but without the kind of angst that has you throwing your phone (or preferred reading device) at a wall. Keira delivered just like she always does! I've never given any of her books less than 4/5 stars.
Keira is the most reliable author I've ever stumbled across. She's always perfect, no matter what mood you're in. It doesn't matter what the subject, sport or trope is, it could be the most boring past time in the world and I'd eat that shit up.
So, why the tf do I care about who won in this book is beyond me. It's Keira Andrews.. no matter what she writes, I'll read it.
Kiera doesn't produce ground breaking books that tear your soul apart, but she's so incredibly competent at producing something great that hooks you from the start. There's no rocket science involved and that's what I love about her books. She shows you who the MC is right away, lays out the situation and the stakes; she gives you just enough information to build suspense and keep you wanting more.
I've been feeling a bit slumpy and I knew I needed something solid, something emotional but without the kind of angst that has you throwing your phone (or preferred reading device) at a wall. Keira delivered just like she always does! I've never given any of her books less than 4/5 stars.
Keira is the most reliable author I've ever stumbled across. She's always perfect, no matter what mood you're in. It doesn't matter what the subject, sport or trope is, it could be the most boring past time in the world and I'd eat that shit up.
January 30, 2023
I was given a copy of this book for an ARC of its updated re-release.
While I read and couldn’t put this down today, I had to keep reminding myself that this was Keira’s first book, 15 years ago no less. It is engaging from the beginning, and I appreciated when the MC’s connection was established because it made the conflict later in the book all the more painful but expected (not in a bad way, it’s foreshadowed). I won’t lie, if you don’t know and enjoy tennis, you might not follow a lot of this book, but I happen to LOVE tennis and the scenes where there are games aren’t too long but create its own kind of suspense which just adds another layer to this book. I also really appreciated the interludes from the commentators perspective. So unexpected but cool.
This read a lot like a 90’s romance movie and I am so here for it. Congrats to Keira on this re-release. It truly is an amazing debut novel.
While I read and couldn’t put this down today, I had to keep reminding myself that this was Keira’s first book, 15 years ago no less. It is engaging from the beginning, and I appreciated when the MC’s connection was established because it made the conflict later in the book all the more painful but expected (not in a bad way, it’s foreshadowed). I won’t lie, if you don’t know and enjoy tennis, you might not follow a lot of this book, but I happen to LOVE tennis and the scenes where there are games aren’t too long but create its own kind of suspense which just adds another layer to this book. I also really appreciated the interludes from the commentators perspective. So unexpected but cool.
This read a lot like a 90’s romance movie and I am so here for it. Congrats to Keira on this re-release. It truly is an amazing debut novel.
October 28, 2017
I love tennis, it's one of my favorite sports to watch. So when I get to read a really good book about top male tennis stars, I'm there baby. And this one was definitely worth it. I loved it.
May 24, 2021
3 *** cause this is Keira Andrews debut novel.
I will say that her writing has certainly changed in times. Also I hope to think that the time has become a bit easier now in coming out in sports. Cause Luke... ugggh
October 8, 2024
LOVE MATCH was another great romance by Keira Andrews. Although I have to say I know nothing about tennis so I had no idea what was going on during most of the actual game play scenes, lol, but that's ok. I liked both Luke and Jesse and I was happy to see them finally work things out after some very angsty ups and downs. This is told completely from Luke's POV so we get a front row seat to his struggle over staying in the closet as well as his desire to win another Grand Slam before he gets too old to be competitive. I especially liked Jesse and I wish we had his POV too; he was so sweet, earnest, and just ready to embrace the world and whatever came his way. Together these two were on fire and their chemistry sizzled off the page.
Content Warning: on page homophobia; past death of a partner, grief; past attack due to homophobia
Content Warning: on page homophobia; past death of a partner, grief; past attack due to homophobia
May 22, 2021
DNF ~25%
Normally I don't give my DNFs higher than 1 star, but I do think that's a little unfair. If I'd been in a different mood I'd have probably finished it and I think 2 stars would have been about right. The feelings moved far too quickly for me, and I'm just not a fan of the "dead past lover" trope. Not terrible, but Andrews has definitely improved a lot over the past 15 years.
Normally I don't give my DNFs higher than 1 star, but I do think that's a little unfair. If I'd been in a different mood I'd have probably finished it and I think 2 stars would have been about right. The feelings moved far too quickly for me, and I'm just not a fan of the "dead past lover" trope. Not terrible, but Andrews has definitely improved a lot over the past 15 years.
August 15, 2022
Very enjoyable even after noting the improvements in Keira's writing since this early one. Loved sweet Jesse and Luke was stubborn but adored Jesse from the start. The tennis was good as well from my casual fan perspective. Very sweet ending <3
March 29, 2016
This was so good but I'm not surprised, because I love Keira Andrews writing. Luke and Jesse were so sweet and so hot together. I also loved all the tennis talk, I find I like reading about it.
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