At Match Point, Hearts Collide

Set Point by Meg Jones is a rivals-to-lovers sports romance that asks a deceptively simple question: Can two tennis competitors become lovers—and stay that way—after one defeats the other in a career-defining match? For Chloe Murphy and Inés Costa, the emotional stakes may be even higher than a US Open title.

Inés Costa, the Spanish phenom fans love to watch dominate the court, is sidelined by a season-ending wrist injury that costs her more than just match play. Endorsements vanish. Sponsorship money dries up. What remains is a grueling decision: surgery, followed by months of recovery and physical therapy—time spent off-court, aching for the next break at the net. Inés knows the truth she barely dares to say out loud: if she can’t reclaim her game, that elusive Grand Slam will remain just out of reach.

Chloe Murphy, meanwhile, is riding the high of her Wimbledon victory over Inés. She’s the new contender, a formidable force with momentum on her side. But Chloe’s biggest opponent isn’t across the net—it’s her temper. On-court tantrums begin to chip away at her winning streak, turning victory into an anxiety-laced tightrope walk. To stay competitive, Chloe must rein in her anger, rediscover her sportsmanship, and get her head back in the game before her promise collapses under pressure.

Jones’s writing shines brightest at the opening of each chapter, where her prose turns poetic and emotionally resonant. Elsewhere, the writing occasionally stumbles into long-winded or awkward sentence constructions, with some overused phrases dulling the impact. While Jones excels at overall story development, the novel suffers from too many unnecessary scenes that slow the pace—particularly in the second act. Still, one inspired creative choice stands out: each chapter opens with a song, creating a curated playlist of love songs that beautifully complements the romance. It’s a charming, unexpected touch I’ve never seen done quite this way before.

Jones also has a sure hand for atmosphere and authenticity. She immerses the reader in the relentless rhythm of professional tennis—training sessions, travel days, tournament after tournament. By the end of the match scenes, I felt as exhausted as the players themselves, which speaks to the strength of her descriptive detail. That said, knowing which matches to cut—or burn—is where the novel falters. The story could easily have been a fifth shorter without losing its emotional core, as several chapters feel more like filler than fuel for the plot.

Culturally, the novel makes some effort to step outside the all-American mold. My personal affinity for anything Spanish made Inés’s Iberian background especially enchanting. However, the book ultimately lacks meaningful diversity. In a global sport like tennis, the absence of players of color is noticeable. Jones misses a real opportunity here—particularly with the weekend-in-the-Hamptons ensemble—to enrich the story by broadening her characters’ universe.

Despite minor flaws, Set Point is a delightful and engaging read. Queer sports romance enthusiasts—especially those who love a good rivalry—will find plenty to enjoy. And for readers who like a bit of spice served alongside their romance? There’s absolutely a seat at the table.

Thanks go to HarperCollins Publishers and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.