After Hannah discovers her husband Graham has got his assistant pregnant she calls a halt to their fourteen-year marriage, has a make-over and flies to Spain with some new friends for a week of tennis school, after which she intends to drive around Spain, perhaps visiting her father. Having been raised in a repressive religious group Hannah is more restrained and less worldly than her thirty-two years would suggest.

Rob has always been the black sheep of the family, a dyslexic he struggles to match up to his parents and siblings who are all wealthy professionals. He has given up his job to spend the summer as a tennis professional in a smart club in Spain before taking up a tennis coaching job in Bristol. Despite his parents' blissfully happy marriage, Rob has never really felt the urge to settle down, in fact he's quite the player although he would say he never leads women on. But all that must take a backseat while he's in Spain, fraternising with the guests is a sackable offence and he isn't interested in taking part in the sexual bingo game the other professionals have got going.

Hannah and Rob are drawn to each other despite themselves, but the timing is wrong. Also Hannah is nothing but commitment and Rob is anything but. When a spiteful colleague gets Rob fired, Hannah spontaneously invites him to join her Spanish road trip which involves a stray dog, a tennis competition, a family reunion, and a few surprises along the way.

This was pleasant enough (indeed 100% PG) but it didn't really feel like the plot had been properly mapped out in advance. The book felt like a series of scenes strung together, as if the author had said well I need X to happen so I'll make my characters do Y. Characters pop in and out randomly and a lot happens in what feels like ten days. Also, Hannah had broken away from the church and been married for fourteen years (albeit to another former member of the same church) but remained very timid, rarely drinking, never swearing, wearing loose drab clothing etc. Then as soon as she kicks her husband out she's suddenly completely different (other than the swearing), it feels like too much of a change in such a short period of time.

Overall, it dragged a bit for me and smacked a bit of the 'Miss Jones you look so beautiful without your glasses' cliché.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

What a cute and heart warming romcom!

Hannah decides to put herself first after she finds herself in a loveless marriage. She decides to take a risk on a trip to Spain with 3 strangers all while endulging in her love for tennis! On her trip Hannah meets Rob who is the total opposite of what she’s looking for but it’s usually opposites who attract!

Okay so usually I’m not a fan of tennis and books that have tennis in I usually avoid but after reading the description of this book I just had to read it and I am so glad I did!

This was my first book by Heidi Stephens and oh my gosh did I enjoy it! I will need to pick up her other books now.

This book was jam packed with romance and self-discovery, humorous and lovable characters that were extremely well developed!

This is a perfect summer read to take with you on vacation!

*Thank you so much to NetGalley, Heidi Stephens and Headline for this arc in exchange for an honest review! It is much appreciated!

This was a cute romcom with great main characters and side characters with a lot of personality. I enjoyed getting to watch Hannah grow to be the person she was meant to be. I appreciated that the focus of this book was not solely on what she had lost but on all of the things she was now able to gain by being her true self. I smiled and laughed quite a few times. Overall an enjoyable summer read.

Game, Set, Match by Heidi Stephens is a delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy that explores the complexities of love, relationships, and taking risks. Hannah, trapped in a loveless marriage, finally decides to put herself first and embarks on a trip to Spain with three near strangers. As she indulges in her love for tennis under the Spanish sun, she meets Rob, who seems to be the opposite of what she's looking for. But as they spend time together, Hannah realizes that sometimes love doesn't play by the rules.

Stephens skillfully weaves together humor, romance, and self-discovery in this engaging story. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and the chemistry between Hannah and Rob is palpable. The picturesque setting of Spain adds to the charm of the story, and the theme of taking risks and seizing second chances is beautifully portrayed.

Game, Set, Match is a refreshing and uplifting read that will make readers laugh, swoon, and root for Hannah as she navigates the complexities of love and discovers what truly makes her happy. Stephens' writing is witty, engaging, and filled with heart, making this book a perfect choice for fans of romantic comedies.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading a Heidi Stephen’s novel, and I’m sure it won’t be my last. Game, Set, Match is a perfect sizzling summer romance guaranteed to make you laugh.

I'm not a big romance fan generally, but sometimes one's just in the mood for a quality romcom. I know Heidi Stephens from the Guardian, and I liked the tennis element, so this looked worth a try.

Hannah has split up with her husband of fourteen years, feeling mainly relief, and takes time out to head off to Spain on a tennis holiday with a new group of friends. (Hannah, unlike me, is a pretty red-hot tennis player.) Rob, one of the summer coaches with a history as a bit of a player, and not just of tennis, has sworn off relationships for the time being, but there's a definite spark between them...

So far so not that original, but this was a really fun read, and thankfully light on those plot-device-misunderstandings which could so easily be cleared up if people would only communicate with each other. Hannah and Rob manage to communicate like adults, for the most part, which is refreshing, and every time I saw a plot-device-misunderstanding looming, it was averted.

There's a road trip through Spain, a homeless dog, some family drama and lots of tennis. Oh, and a reverse airport dash. I liked the main characters, and the others were fun too, especially the group of women friends - Jess, Trish and Gaynor.

Light, refreshing and very enjoyable. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy!

This looks like such a cute read! I was instantly drawn in by the cover. I can’t wait to read about Hannah. I love the fact she’s about to find love with whom she least
expects especially after funding out her husband is cheating on her, I will definitely be sharing a full review and thoughts soon, but this seems like a great read to get lost in especially with the beautiful sunny weather upon us.