Book Review: The Wilde Card (arc)

The Wilde Card (arc) (2022) by Ashley R. King

Fiction | Romance | Comedy | Rom-Com

Disclaimer: In every review that I complete, I try my best to avoid spoilers of any kind and include spoiler warnings when necessary.

About the book (from Goodreads)

Simone Warner is a mom, a perfectionist, and former CEO. She’s spent her life living up to the expectations of others—which is why she decides to have a one-night stand with a gorgeous tennis player eight years her junior. One wild night of reckless abandon, right?

Not exactly.

After she quits her job as CEO of Warner Hotels, Simone agrees to help notorious tennis player Julian Smoke coach a new top-secret player. Tennis has always been her passion, and Simone eagerly takes the plunge. What she doesn’t expect is for her steamy one-night stand to waltz through the doors with a smirk on his face and a racket in hand.

Alex Wilde can’t seem to get a handle on his game. Obsessed with besting his vile tennis star step-brother, he turns to Julian Smoke and his training center for help. That’s when he sees her—the only woman who has ever left his bed without a goodbye. Simone Warner is his new assistant coach…and his only hope at getting back into the game.

The problem? Alex can’t stop thinking about the woman who holds his future in her hands. And now, he has to play a very different kind of game, one where he has to win the girl.

Everyone knows to never underestimate a wild card—on or off the court.

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Note: Thank you to Netgalley & the publishers for allowing me access to this arc! Please note that all opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

My Review

I'm trying to read as many romance novels as possible in February, so I was happy to see that I was given access to this cute romance! I was first drawn to The Wilde Card because of the cover and the name. I mean, look at it; it's adorable! The book started off with an intriguing scene and just kept going from there. I read it in two sessions but had to force myself through a portion past the middle (hence, the three stars).

The Good Things

1. The first chapter hooks you right in and makes you want to read the rest of the story. All good books should have that, so bravo to King on that one.

2. The first half is chalked full of funny moments. I laughed several times, especially at Paul's character, who is your classic old man who knows little of technology and its terms. My favorite scene with Paul is in the cab with Alex and Simone. I won't say more than that to avoid spoilers, but once you read it, you'll understand why.

3. It's a slow burn in a romantic sense, but not in a spicey sense. That was certainly different for me, especially since I don't always LOVE spicey scenes (they need to be done right and can't just be out of nowhere).

4. I feel the need to point out that cab drivers in this book have fun jobs, as they overhead (and see) a lot of exciting things.

The Bad Things

1. Nothing irritates me more than dialogue that seems forced and doesn't fit into a story. There were times when I felt like the conversations between Alex and Simone were unrealistic and forced.

2. At times I wanted to smack Simone over the head for her choices, especially regarding her ex-husband.

3. Between 52% and 90% of the story, I lost interest and had to push through it, which honestly is why I gave it three stars. Thankfully, the ending picked up, and I finished it rather quickly after that point.

My Final Rating: ☆☆☆/5

Release Date: February 15, 2022. Pre-order this from Amazon by clicking here!

If you have access to this ARC, please feel free to leave comments concerning how you liked -or didn't like, no judgment here- it! If you don't have access, let me know if this is on your tbr! I would love to hear your thoughts!