This month, I decided to branch out and read my first sports romance. I chose Colombian author Johana Gavez’s debut novel, A Match to Love. Gavez is a self-proclaimed fluff lover, so I knew I was in good hands.
When an anonymous online friendship turns into something romantic, Ari Nuñez finds herself out of her depth. She’s courted (pun intended) by a rich and famous woman who happens to be an international tennis star. As the relationship progresses, Dani Martínez’s game suffers. She must decide what’s a priority to her: tennis or love. For Dani’s career thus far it’s been an easy choice: tennis. A fledgling relationship with Ari is the first time Dani considers otherwise and it’s clear she can’t have both. Dani has to decide once and for all. What’s more important, tennis or Ari?
The majority of the story is sweet and focuses on the budding relationship, but because of this the plot falls short. There isn’t much plot at all outside of the romance, but if you’re looking for a fluffy read, a rich plot isn’t necessary. Although a deep knowledge of tennis isn’t essential for enjoying A Match to Love, if you’re a novice I would recommend looking into the way scoring works so that you can better understand the stakes at hand.
I loved that Gavez incorporated demisexual representation. Although it isn’t explicitly labeled this way, Ari expresses she feels desire only once she has formed a rapport with someone. There are a few spicy scenes, including a FaceTime call. Dani comes off as dominant and prefers to be in control, so if that isn’t your thing, beware. Other than that, any spicy scenes are pretty tame.
A Match to Love would be a fantastic beach read. It’s lighthearted, a quick read, and the various vacation-worthy settings are perfect for relaxation.
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