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

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!

Blake & Bri

This was a very cute second chance and grumpy/sunshine romance. The tennis and the touch of mystery were perfect. Blake and Bri were so good together.

James Joseph and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker were absolutely perfect for Blake and Bri. They both did an amazing job.

Thank you Home Cooked Books for the ALC!

Secrets, Royalty & Romance! MUST LISTEN!

I listened to the audiobook for this book after I read it and OMG it really made me connect with these characters even more! I LOVED this book before but I'm OBSESSED now that I listened to it. Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and James Joseph did a PHENOMENAL job telling Blake and Brianna's story. I listened to this in a few day and I really wish I could have listened to it in one setting because it was so hard to stop listening to it. J.D. Carother's writing is amazing and she will make sure you have a blast through out this book. There's nothing better then an amazing writer and then paired with phenomenal narrators. It makes the story so enjoyable and unforgettable.

Oh my goodness was this book entertaining!! I loved Blake and Briana's story! I think these two were the perfect start to this new series. I was hooked right away with this book because of the connection these two had and then you were drawn into the is he or isn't he innocent of this crime.

Blake and Princess Brianna met one night at the after party for the winners of the Wimpleton Tournament and end of having perfect chemistry. They have a that one night together and go their separate ways. Now 2 years later Blake is back to compete at Wimpleton in the Single's Tournament but is also informed he will be playing a Double's Tournament as well. He's to mad at having to play the double that he doesn't care who it is so when he finds out it's Brianna he changes his tune a little.

Brianna is a Princess but also part of her duties she wanted to be part of the Royal Spies. Her assignment is Blake. They have reason to believe he is behind an international crime. She believes he's innocent and wants to do everything she can to help prove that. But she's also a tennis player and because she's a princess she never plays enough to be abel to make it to Wimbleton so she wants to win these tournament’s.

This was such a fun book to read and I didn't want to put it down. I loved Blake and Brianna's chemistry. Most of the side characters were really good. I loved her parents and how supportive they were of her. I knew some of the twists but not all and one I didn't see coming. This book had me wanting more and I can't wait for the next book! This book will be having you fall in love, smiling and leave you with a beautiful happily ever after!

Love means nothing 🎾

High-stakes tennis, sizzling chemistry, and a Royals twist—Blake and Briana are an unstoppable match. With spies, passion, and intrigue on and off the court, this 007-style sports romance keeps you hooked. Stephanie and James bring every steamy, tense, and playful moment to life—Risky Match is a grand slam listen.

“If I’m not careful, I could fall for the beautiful princess.”

This was such a fun listen. JD Carothers has definitely turned into a go-to author when I'm in the mood for romantic suspense. I love trying to put all the pieces together, and I gotta say this time I missed some of the clues until nearing the end.

Not only did I enjoy the mystery side of the story, but I also loved the connection between Brianna and Blake, and it was so painful to see when the whole truth came out. But, I loved how everyone worked together to help Blake win her back.

I really liked the whole Royal Spies concept and the fact that Brianna is much more than a mere princess.

The narrators did a really great job with this narration. I loved all the accents and how easy it was to keep track of everyone involved.

Quote: “You’ve invited me to the hot tub to protect you, Princess. But who’s going to protect me from you? I’ll be defenseless again just like the last time you invited me over.”

Loved the suspense mixed with romance!

As much as I enjoyed reading the book, the audiobook was even more enjoyable. James Joseph and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker really brought Blake and Brianna's story to life. I love when the narrators tell the story in such a way that makes me picture it as if I'm part of the story and these two really did that with Risky Match. They did a fantastic job telling the story in such an engaging way.

Risky Match was my first tennis sports romance and I really enjoyed how different it was than what I typically read. J.D. Carothers is a new to me author and after a great start to this series I'm looking forward to what's to come.

Blake is a tennis star fighting his way to a Wimbledon win when he meets Brianna, a royal princess and part time tennis player. They share a passion filled night together thinking they'll never cross paths again. Only, 2 years later, she ends up being his mixed doubles partner at Wimbledon, but this wasn't just happenstance. There's so much more going on behind the scenes, and Brianna may be in way over her head.

A forbidden relationship complicates a covert operation and more than love is on the line. Who will win the game?

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!

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.

Romantic Suspense

James Joseph and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker did a great job ramping up the mystery and intrigue. I love a good romantic suspense and I enjoyed the second chance/ forbidden vibes. Blake and Briana’s chemistry was electric and it was fun to watch then fight their feelings and their undeniable connection.