Cute story without a lot of depth, or angst. There were areas where the author could've gone a little deeper, emotionally, with the loss of Logan's brother or her coming-out story. It all seemed too easy. Even issues with the ex-boyfriend were quickly resolved. But I loved the main characters and the story was well-written.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I was a fan of Dawson's Creek as a teenager and this book is quite reminiscent of those younger days. A coming of age book with a golden moral compass. One MC having suffered tragedy and learns to find herself during her senior year of high-school while the other MC has the vocabulary of a college professor and a solid grip on her sense of self that only a therapist parent could be proud of. I enjoyed getting to watch the two find one another; was a wee bit taken aback by how advanced Carter was in her psychology- that felt a little too textbook, but the overall journey of Carter and Logan was very cute and PG. Its a quick read, minor angst, and some happy fluff sewn in.

Logan Watts has the perfect high school life. She has amazing grades, amazing boyfriend, she is beautiful and has an sports scholarship for college already lined up. but under the surface lies a girl who is still hurting for her older brother and the internal struggle that she is missing something from her life. Carter Shaw is the head of the school paper, cute and the only lesbian in school. After a series of events, Logan and Carter start spending time together and realizing how much they have common. So, much that Carter might the very thing missing from Logan's life.

This is the kind of book I wished I could have read in my high school years. I am happy that this is now available. This was a sweet coming out story. It was a sweet, easy read. One I will definitely be recommending and should be put in public libraries so anyone in need of a story like this can have access to it.

I received this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Carter Shaw is a high school senior who’s just trying to figure out which university she wants to attend. She knows she’s a lesbian and so do her school mates. She admits she maybe has a tiny crush on Logan Watts, the straight girl who dates the football captain and already has an athletic scholarship in hand. Logan isn’t the first straight girl Carter has crushed on, but Carter older and wiser now and doesn’t bother to approach Logan. Then, unexpectedly, she is asked to drive Logan to a basketball game in a nearby town since she’s going anyway to report the game in the school newspaper. Turns out Logan may not be as straight as everyone, including Carter, thinks she is.

Riley Scott has written a delightful coming-of-age novel that features two young women who are smart, compassionate, and willing to take risks. The dialogue between the two main characters is funny and sad, sometimes at the same time. The writing is excellent, and readers are given enough insights into both characters to feel like they know them. Unlike other YA books, there’s little angst in this story, and what little angst there is doesn’t go on for pages and doesn’t detract from the story itself.

The only flaw in the book may be that each character’s coming out story is too perfect, i.e., everyone, except the football captain, is supportive, no one harasses them, their friends all remain friends, etc. However, since not every reader will have had a horror story to tell about their coming out process, maybe it’s time to write about the many ways people have come out.

If you only read one YA coming-out story or one coming-of-age story, make it this book. If you are looking for a positive, feel-good story with two intelligent, well-adjusted young women as main characters, put this book on the top of your to-be-read list.

My thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley for an eARC.

Carter is the only out lesbian at her high school and, as a senior, is ready to graduate so she can start the rest of her life. Logan is on the basketball team and has had a steady boyfriend for years but is starting to wonder why the editor of the school newspaper commands more of her attention than her boyfriend does.
This was a cute coming of age book filled with all those feelings from so long ago. I enjoyed reading this, it was well written and the characters were cute and engaging. It was a low angst story that was lighthearted. I’d recommend it if you’re in the mood for an easy, light read with little drama.

Logan Watts is sitting pretty on a college basketball scholarship starting next year, a boyfriend of three years, good grades and a great group of friends. What she isn’t expecting is her attraction to the openly out editor of her high school newspaper. Carter Shaw is just trying to keep her head down and avoid any high school drama. She is waiting until college to fully live her lesbian life. 
Take Your Shot is a well written and engaging YA novel which brought me back to my high school glory days. It is gratifying to read stories about resilient young women who are comfortable in their own skin. Carter is sure to become a much needed role model.
This story really worked for me. Scott creatively choosing to make the main characters be high school seniors brought a level of maturity you don’t often see in a YA novel. This difference combined with Scott’s accomplished writing style, positive pacing and stellar character development makes Take Your Shot a must read to any age group.

I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sports gays? Sign me up!

Take Your Shot started off so strong, as soon as i read the dedication i was hooked. I was loving the sports plot and the main characters were very likeable. Even the writing wasn’t as cringey as i was expecting, so i was very pleasantly surprised. However, everything took a turn and unfortunately i began to loose interest at about 50%-60% in. I was really enjoying the romance plot at first, but then it started to seem rushed and in my opinion, it would have kept me more interested if the build up had continued for the majority of the story.

From what i read, the scenes about figuring out your sexuality, coming out and being comfortable with who you are were all handled very well but lacked some depth. The romance was very cute and the characters were strong however, there wasn’t much more to it than that.

This was in no way a bad book, in fact it was quite the opposite. The author tells a very positive, sweet, queer story and I’m sure that anyone who loves a cute contemporary romance, will absolutely adore this one.

“She hadnt asked to have feelings for another girl. It had just happened, the same cosmic way the sun rose every morning and set every night.”

Thank you to Netgalley and Bella Books for providing me with an eARC.

The book reminded me of the feelings I experienced falling in love for the first time. The rush, anticipation, excitement, trepidation - basically a bursting load of emotions of a first love.

Based on some of my past YA reads where characters tend to go to extremes; teenage angst, promiscuity, denial and the likes, this book was a refreshing read. Logan and Carter were portrayed as well adjusted girls; while needing time to find themselves, they were focused and are positive representations of a healthy relationship.

I still have memories of some of the dates the pair went on cause those were really sweet ones. A recommended YA book where relationships and personal growth can be healthy yet fulfilling.

I just reviewed Take Your Shot by Riley Scott. Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC.

Riley Scott has a new fan! Scott handled the coming out story with care and tenderness. Carter was the glue she never gave up on Logan even when she had doubts, she always was very patient with her partner. Which is rare in stories that deal with coming out; I find that the partner gets impatient and pushes the other person to do thing on their time and that is just not how it works, and Scott showed that so beautifully, I teared up numerous times because of the beauty in the writing. There were subplots and sub-characters outside of Carter and Logan that helped move the story along instead of hindering the main plot which was really done well. One thing that I found amazing was how supportive the parents were throughout the book, which is also rare in the genre. Riley Scott will make you want to further explore this universe she's created for these wonder characters, is it okay to request a sequel?

This story was cute, but there wasn’t a whole lot of substance. I absolutely loved both MCs, and I loved Logan’s growth arc, but so just wish it went more into depth about it. The story seemed to kind of just skim the surface on sexuality and identity, but it told a sweet story about two awesome MCs finding each other, so I’m okay with it.

I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Bella Books. All opinions are my own.

Now is a time when school (and public) libraries are having many books challenged for for LGBTQ content and it was nice to read a YA book that can easily sit on a Middle School and up shelf. Logan and Carter are both seniors in a private high school in NM. Logan is a star basketball player and has been dating a football athlete for three years. Carter is incredibly bright and wants to be a journalist. She has been out for two years but has never really been in a relationship figuring it can wait till college. When Carter is asked to drive Logan to an away basketball game it gives the two a chance to get to know each other for the first time as they run in very different friend groups. I love the open and honest communication between the two girls. Carter’s mom is therapist and Carter uses phrases like “this is a safe space” when answering Logan’s questions about her sexuality. Almost too easily the two start dating after Logan breaks off with her boyfriend. It is a time of discovery and young love. The maturity level is lovely with them being able to talk about their feelings and possible intimacy. This book just feels safe, loving and low angst. There is some drama caused by the boyfriend but those close to them are very supportive. I’ve read a few books by the author and this is my new favorite. I've already re-read some passages which I do with books I really enjoy. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)

(Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for the chance to read)

Take Your Shot was a very enjoyable read. Sports isn’t always a place that is welcoming to queer people but I liked that this wasn’t an issue with Logan and her team. Although this book tackles the loss of an older sibling, it also wasn’t a main focal point of the story and so it was a mostly fluffy story, rather than angst and grief heavy. The book follows Logan, a basketball player, and Carter, a reporter for the school newspaper, as they bond during a shared car ride. The couple get to know each other and the way their relationship grows was really enjoyable to read about. I enjoyed the way love and intimacy was talked about and how although both of the main characters agreed they wanted to have sex, they also talked about and acknowledged asexuality, and as an asexual person, I found that very validating.
The story does contain an outing and also a vandalism of one of the characters safe places but both weren’t written in a way that I think would be too triggering for others to read about and the vandalism was immediately reported.
I look forward to reading more by this author as I really liked the writing style and found it easy to read.