I didn’t expect to love this book so much!

I dived into this book knowing absolutely nothing about Polo and now I’m obsessively looking for the summer schedule! What a fun and sweet way to learn about a new sport. As a fan of sports romance I jumped at the chance to read what I could already tell from the blurb was going to be a sweet and easy read.

I absolutely ADORED the setting and the plot. As a romance reader I often struggle to find stories that stick to a plot and feel more than just a long conversation between the main characters but this one had a great and consistent story.

I loved how realistic the main characters were, you can see yourself in both Ash and Mateo at times, showing the deep, raw feelings humans experience both in their professional and personal lives.

Mateo was a complicated person, lots of baggage but good at heart. I enjoyed getting to see the layers of his character. He stayed true to himself and did what a lot of people tend to do: sacrifice his happiness for his career. It was inspiring to see him come to terms with his past issues and becoming a better version of himself on and off the field.

Ash was a phenomenal representation of a young adult trying to find her way in the world. It takes time and effort to find what your passion is and it’s so easy to get stuck in a job you don’t necessarily love but don’t hate enough to take the leap of finding a new one. She was strong, bold, stubborn and thankfully a smart woman who went through hell and learned from it. She put herself first and never looked back, a true queen.

They had good chemistry but I wished we got to see the early stages of their relationship. The side characters were also fun and a great addition to the story.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you’re a fan of sports romance, I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR!

After majorly enjoying Ride The Wave, I was very curious to read more from Katherine Reilly. And if it's once again a sports romance, I"m SO down. As expected Polo Fever was a fun and easy read that totally distracted me from the real world. I didn't know the first thing about polo, but it turned out to be a fun world to discover. The writing was very fluent, which made the time go by insanely quickly and the romance was definitely believable, if not a little 'too good to be true' at some points. In terms of spice, I'd say it wasn't too much and pretty well written, but the only thing that bothered me was the third act breakup. I'm never a big fan of those, as it often results in a rushed ending. Nonetheless, Polo Fever was an amazing read and I'd definitely recommend!

After having loved both of Katherine Reilly’s previous books, I had high hopes for Polo Fever, and it did not disappoint!!

After running away to the countryside and finding solace in a gorgeous chestnut mare during a walk, Ash discovered that trespassing isn’t always bad (in the fictional world); it can lead to your dream job and a new chance at love.

Tropes:
🏇🏽 Sports Romance
🐎 Witty Banter
🏇🏽 Polo Romance
🐎 Spicy 🌶️


Thank you Aria & Aries & NETGalley for the E-ARC!

I really enjoyed Polo Fever. The chemistry is strong, the tension is addictive, and the setting adds an extra edge to the romance. It kept me hooked from start to finish — a fun, spicy read that I flew through.

I did thoroughly enjoy this one however felt that my lack or knowledge around Polo and lack of interest in the fashion industry meant I didn't connect to the story and the characters as much as other books.
I enjoyed the relationship build up between Ashley and Mateo and felt it was a happy mix of slow burn without dragging on. By the end I was loving their chemistry and dynamic!
I also enjoyed how it felt kind of small town-y however there were perhaps a few too many characters bought in which at times felt confusing for m personally.
I would recommend this one and look forward to other books by Katherine in the future
A massive thank you to Katherine Reilly and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this.

A beautifully crafted tale of love and serendipity.

I loved the equestrian theme and found the storyline hit the spot again and again in so many different ways.

I didn’t want to put it down, and wouldn’t have if I didn’t need to sleep and work. Be great for a holiday read where you can get stuck in and not have life interrupt your reading.

I was totally invested in the two main characters. It was a slow burn which came to the boil and stayed there until a brief lull, building up to a satisfying ending.

I have enjoyed other books by the author and Polo Fever certainly didn't disappoint. From the very first page I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. The story was cute, fluffy and easy to follow with a great cast of characters and good pacing. I loved Ashley's character and I wanted her to have the happy ending that she deserved. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, the author Katherine Reilly and the publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Ashley & Mateo
Sports Romance
Polo Player
Small town-ish

Ashley has a bad experience, finding herself thrust into the spotlight for something that wasn't her fault, so she runs off to the country... only to find herself involved in the world of polo, and Mateo!

This one is quite fast paced and does introduce a lot of other characters, which I found a bit confusing.

Overall I enjoyed this one and I'm looking forward to exploring more books from this author ❤️

Polo Fever is a stylish, indulgent read with plenty of drama, chemistry, and high-society tension. If you enjoy contemporary romances set in glamorous worlds with strong doses of scandal and swoon-worthy sports stars, this one will likely deliver. I enjoyed this book, but I did prefer Katherine Reilly’s other books Ride The Wave & Match Point

A really enjoyable sports romance!

Was great to read something polo related as isn’t a sports them I’d come across before! Pacing of the book was great and I enjoyed all the characters, will deffo keep an eye out for more books by this author

I want to thank the author and netgalley for this arc!

Mysterious and broody Mateo has his sights set on polo and nothing else. Or so he thinks.

Ash is thrust into the spotlight after a scandal forces her out to the country and into his stable.

Their dynamic is electric, lovable side characters as well as lovable horse side characters.

definitely worth the read if your looking for a quick read on a easy afternoon.

4.5 Stars / 2 Spice

How is it that Katherine Reilly is fast becoming one of my auto-buy, drop-everything-and-read authors?

I did not believe I would feel addicted to a sport I have never even watched — and yet Polo Fever had me completely invested. Fast-paced, tension-filled, charming, and ridiculously easy to devour, this book proves you don’t need to know the sport to fall in love with the game.

Ashley finds herself at the centre of a scandal that sends her retreating to the countryside, confidence shaken and reputation bruised. Seeking refuge with her brother, she takes on a temporary role as a groom for a polo team. Like Ashley, I had zero prior knowledge of polo — but a deep appreciation for horses — and learning the sport alongside her made the journey feel immersive and authentic. What begins as an escape slowly turns into something more as she finds purpose, independence, and unexpected feelings for one of the team’s star players, Mateo.

The tension between Ashley and Mateo was beautifully done. It simmered rather than exploded, and the chemistry felt natural and earned. Mateo was communicative, thoughtful, and genuinely kind — refreshing for a sports romance — while still being flawed and human. Watching both characters grow individually and together made their relationship feel grounded and believable.

The countryside setting added warmth and charm, and the emotional beats landed without unnecessary drama. Everything felt realistic enough that I could easily place myself there with them.

My only critique is that I would have loved to see more tension surrounding Ashley and Mateo within the polo community — perhaps a little more scandal or rivalry from those orbiting the team. I also found myself wishing for a stronger sense of closure with Chris Courtney. I wanted Ashley to have her full-circle, mic-drop moment. Maybe I’m just petty — but I stand by it.

Overall, I immensely enjoyed this novel and will absolutely continue reading Katherine Reilly. I’m already planning on buying the paperback as a trophy for my shelves.

Tropes:
Sports Romance (Polo)
Small Town
Workplace Romance
Fresh Start
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Scandal / Reputation Fallout
Healing & Self-Discovery