The Wilde Card by Ashley R King: When Simone hears the husky voice behind her of the new tennis player 
she’s coaching, the last person she expects to see if Alex Wilde. She was expecting a child, not the one-night stand that she can’t stop thinking about. Alex Wilde hasn’t been able to stop thinking of her either even though they both agreed to the one night and that’s all.
Alex needs Simone though, because he wants to beat his stepbrother in tennis and is in his head. He’s relying on the tennis club to help him understand where he is going wrong in the sport that has been his whole life. Between Simone and another coach, they have to try to help Alex with his journey to redemption, not only in the sport but also in the PR world as well since he is seen as a playboy.
Simone and Alex have a continuous simmer between them, which they both try to ignore until neither of them can stand it anymore. A wrench is thrown in their plans when they find out that they are not allowed to date per club rules. All they have to do is get through the competitions and then he will no longer be her student. Should be easy if it wasn’t for meddling stepbrothers and ex-husbands.
Simone starts the story working for her father, but she is on the cusp of quitting as she realizes it doesn’t make her happy anymore. She wants so badly to focus on something she loves, which is great when the coaching job falls into her lap. Between dealing with her father, ex-husband, new job, raising her daughter, Simone is overwhelmed, but thankfully Alex is the counterpart that she has needed the entire time.
Alex starts the story as a playboy who wants to change the way he is perceived. The narrative of his life has been controlled by others for too long. His one nigh with Simone makes him realize that he doesn’t want to be that way anymore. He wants something more. He also builds a bond with Simone’s daughter being there for her when her father often flakes. He learns a lot about what he wants and what he is willing to do for it, and whether he wants to be in the spotlight anymore.
Overall, the book was such a cute romance. It was definitely steamy at times, but also kept the themes in the forefront. I loved the way that Simone and Alex interacted and how they also interacted with the other characters. You can definitely tell what other books could do and I can’t wait to read more.
Book Info:
Publication: February 15, 2022 | City Owl Press | Ace of Hearts #2
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.
