Risky Match

Royal Spies, Book 1

De: J.D. Carothers

Narrado por: Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, James Joseph

Get ready for a high-stakes game. The players include billionaires, royals, spies, athletes, and criminals. Money, love, and life are on the line. And the winner is …

Blake
I’m laser-focused on my goal. No one will stop me this time.
At least that’s what I thought before Brianna showed up.
Her body is toned to perfection. Her beauty is effervescent. Her allure is undeniable.
I’ll never forget the glorious night we spent together two years ago. Afterward, we agreed to never cross that line again. It would make our lives too complicated.
But now that she’s here, I’m consumed with the need to pull her against me and recreate those passionate, steamy nights. She’s a distraction I don’t need, but I crave her. If I’m not careful, she’s going to ruin everything.

Briana
When I trained to spy for my country, I never dreamed my first real mission would target the hot, handsome man who cherished my body for a blissful night.
I knew we only had the one time. But even if I’d dreamed of a repeat, that’s impossible now. Blake is suspected of an international crime, so he’s completely off limits to a titled billionaire like me.
The problem?
My body didn’t get the message. When we’re near each other, a magnetic pull draws me to him, and an almost uncontrollable desire pulses through me.
I’m screwed.

Welcome to the world of Royal Spies where intrigue and unexpected turns lead to happily-ever-afters.

©2025 Dreamlific Publishing (P)2025 Dreamlific Publishing

This series is starting off HOT! 🔥

Risky Match is book #1 in the Royal Spies series. This story is like an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous! Blake Knight is the #2 tennis pro in the world, uber-wealthy, and focused on his career (and that elusive Wimbledon win). Brianna is a princess, a talented tennis player, and a covert royal operative (spy). The chemistry with these two is smoking hot from the night they meet. Brianna's latest mission throws her right in the middle of Blake's world again, but with secrets, lies, and antiquities theft. The author paints a lavish picture of the royal lifestyle, high stakes intrigue, witty banter, and steam that makes the hot tub sizzle! This is going to be a fantastic series!!

The dual narration is spectacular. James Joseph and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker were perfectly cast as Blake and Brianna, two very posh characters that exude sophistication topped with passion. Loved this duo! 5/5 stars!! 🌟

What a Match

Love it! The narrators did a wonderful job. The accents were perfection and really got me into the whole British vibe. Briana and Blake have an amazing one night stand and then reconnect after two years when she is sent to spy on him. Their story is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster with lots of spice, angst and action. I love how Briana wears many hats, I mean, she is a spy, Tennis player and Princess. Blake is a wealthy Tennis player but so much more as well. These two come from very different backgrounds but after all the drama find their way. I thoroughly enjoyed this opposites attract, Royal spy romance and can't wait for the next book in the series. Definitely a 4.5 star must read or listen.

I was sent an advanced copy audiobook from HCB and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

A Unique Royal, Spies, Tennis Romance

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️

Risky Match is the 1st book in the Royal Spies series. This was my first tennis romance, and I really enjoyed reading a different sports romance. This is a perfect mix of tennis, billionaires, royalty, and spies.

Briana is a princess, who also plays pro tennis when her royal duties don’t get in the way. She is thrilled to finally be playing at Wimbledon, but the only way she can is if she plays doubles with Blake. Blake is hoping this year he will finally bring home the win, so he is not happy about the distraction. He has a lot of pressure to win, but he can't say no to Brianna. They shared an amazing night together 2 years ago and he never forgot her.

Briana is there on a mission as a spy for her country and she has to get close to Blake because he is the main suspect. She can't believe he is responsible for the crime and feels guilty as she investigates him. The closer she gets to him the more she falls for him.

I loved how Blake and Briana really bonded over their sport and supported each other. I saw some of the twists coming, but it was still enjoyable.


AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

🎤Dual narration by James Joseph & Stephanie Nemeth-Parker

James Joseph and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker did a great job voicing all the characters. I love listening to British accents. Stephanie was amazing at speaking Italian too. I listened to this in one sitting and would definitely recommend the audio.

Great royal, sports, spy romance!

Risky Match is the 1st book in the Royal Spies series and is a mystery/spy, royal, sports romance featuring tennis. Briana is a princess who plays pro-level tennis when she can balance it with her royal duties. Blake is a tennis pro struggling with anxiety who really hopes this will be his year at Wimbledon. Their magical night together 2 years ago notwithstanding, when they are paired up as doubles they are both determined to do their best to focus on the win. While they are fighting a very strong attraction to each other, they are gaining respect and true admiration as they progress through the tournament. Blake is fighting some demons and Bri is very patient with him while remaining focused on her duty. Even with the underlying mystery and suspicion, Bri’s undercover assignment can’t overshadow their connection entirely. I enjoyed how the author balanced all of the complexities of this story with the romance, suspense, and underlying fear of failing both in the tournament and in her assignment.

Duet narration by James Joseph and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker really made this story for me, and is the reason is chose to make this my next listen. They are both fantastic performers who really fit together in duet. They both did a wonderful job of bringing all of the characters to life while differentiating who was speaking at any given time and still driving the story and the complex emotions involved. Excellent casting!

Risky Match: Royal Spies Book 1

🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧

🎙️The dual narration by 🎤James Joseph & Stephanie Nemeth-Parker🎤 was incredibly delightful! Their voices worked seamlessly together, and both have incredible range and versatility in their voices! 👏👏Excellent listening experience!👏👏 I got the chance to *read* this story just last September (2025) and I loved this story very much and listening to it made me love it even more! So much so, that I felt like this was the very first time I’d experienced the story! When narrators work as well as these two did, it’s a whole other level of experience. This audiobook is one I can say with certainty that if you get the chance to pick your format, this is the way to go! #trust

📚STORY REVIEW📚

I love reading “sports” romances that are “off the beaten path” such as this one. You don’t see a whole lot of books where the sport is tennis so that was much appreciated by me and added freshness to the story for me.

I love that the main characters had an instant connection, but their romance was not insta. It allowed the story to be captivating from the start but also keeps you invested throughout. I loved that the main characters were opposites, of sorts, but exactly what each needed. I loved their meet-cute & re meet-cute very much and set-up the story really well. It was pure kismet!

The flow and progression of the story felt very much like it would happen in real life. I mean it’s not like I’m royalty or have ever been part of a high stakes sports match, but it all read very natural and relatable. Sometimes, with stories involving royals and celebrities, it can get a bit OTT, but everything I’ve read by this author has yet to be that way and I really enjoy it.

The ”mystery” behind the story ran seamlessly along the “romance” neither really outshining the other in the end. I like a well-balanced story, and Risky Match was that and so much more. I cannot wait to find out who will be narrating this story and have it in my ears ASAP!