I think that this had potential but I finished wanting more. I think that the romance was few and far between while the hockey was so highlighted that I felt like I was reading an ESPN report :/

The prospect of the grumpy girl and the sunshine boy was really exciting for me but I felt like these characters could have been developed into more than a hockey player and a tattoo artist who is angsty. I wish they had more of a romantic build-up.

The mental health rep fell flat for me as well... again I wanted more depth behind it.

I didn't have a bad time while reading it but after thinking about it there was just a lot missing for me. i don't think this author will be something I reach for in the future but I was able to sort of get into the story so it was a win in that aspect of escapism.

As a hockey fan but a romance-novel skeptic, I was intrigued by the premise of this book and decided to shoot my shot (haha). Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the story and couldn’t quite make it to the final buzzer. It has intense 13-year-old author on Wattpad energy.

Things I did enjoy: the diverse characters and, of course, hockey! There were also some cute moments, and knowing that LaFleur Brown is married to an ex-NHLer gave the story an added layer of charm.

What didn’t quite work for me: the dialogue, the writing style, and—though not the author’s fault—the ebook’s bizarre formatting. The dialogue, in particular, had me cringing. It often felt like someone desperately trying to keep up with Gen Z slang, and by the 35% mark, I had to call it quits.

That said, I know there’s an audience for this book—TikTok romance fans, this one's for you! If you love your romances filled with cliches (*cough cough* black cat x golden retriever) and don’t mind a little (or a lot of) over-the-top dialogue, this one’s all yours. As for me, I guess I’ll have to find other ways to live out my WAG dreams.

"Shoot Your Shot" by Lexi LaFleur Brown is an absolute gem in contemporary fiction, deserving every bit of its 5-star rating. Brown has crafted a narrative that effortlessly combines humor, romance, and authentic human experiences. The witty dialogue is a standout feature, consistently delivering laugh-out-loud moments that make the characters leap off the page and into the reader's heart.

Each character is brilliantly developed, with personalities that feel both relatable and refreshingly unique. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric and beautifully depicted through clever banter and engaging interactions. Brown’s ability to balance humor with heartwarming moments is truly exceptional, making the story as emotionally touching as it is entertaining.

Beyond the humor, "Shoot Your Shot" explores themes of self-discovery and resilience, adding depth to an already compelling plot. This book is not just a read, but an experience—a delightful journey that leaves a lasting impression and a desire for more from this talented author. Lexi LaFleur Brown has crafted a masterpiece that is sure to resonate with anyone looking for a perfect blend of laughter, romance, and life lessons. Highly recommended!

...this was not for me. I found the FMC really annoying and honestly couldn't make it very far. The other reason I struggled is because this author spent so much time prior to writing this book bashing other hockey romances because they had "unrealistic" things in them that wouldn't happen in the NHL. Well duh, they're fiction, of course they're going to change things for flow of the story or plot points, it's not a history of the NHL or a day in the life. So with all that commentary, I expected an engaging story and didn't get that.

Mostly enjoyable read. I didn't love JJ's superstition about Lucy, so that was the part of the book that didn't really do it for me and since it was a big part of the book, it wasn't a 5 star for me. Thank you Lexi LaFleur Brown and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Shoot Your Shot is a hilarious and steamy debut from Lexi LaFleur Brown! Follow former hockey player Jaylen “JJ” Jones as he navigates an unexpected twist in his career after a wild night with tattoo artist Lucy Ross. Their arrangement for good luck texts quickly transforms into sizzling chemistry that’s hard to resist.
With a charming grumpy x sunshine dynamic and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book beautifully captures the complexities of love and luck. If you’re looking for a fun, romantic escape, this is the perfect read to dive into!

If you love the following tropes, you will love this book:
-reverse grumpy/sunshine (black cat/golden retriever)
-mental health rep
-LGTBQIA rep
-accurate hockey terms/game play.

As an actual hockey fan, this book was a breath of fresh air. I can typically pick out at least one inaccuracy in other hockey romance books I’ve read and I didn’t find any in this one. I also love that she incorporated more actual game play than other hockey romances. For a debut novel, I think this was fantastic! I hope she writes more for the other characters in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

I love a good hockey romance! I didn't realize that I knew of the author on TikTok from when she made videos about being a hockey wife so that was a fun discovery for me!! This was a fun and easy read. Once I sat down and locked in, I was able to finish it fairly fast!

This book follows Lucy, an aspiring tattoo artist and reluctant painter, and JJ, an NHL draft bust who end up needing each other more than they would suspect. I love that this book didn't shy away from queerness and LGBTQ themes with it being a "straight" romance. Lucy's identity didn't change by being with JJ which I really appreciated, Lucy could be a little insufferable at times but she was still relatable and lovable.

Overall, a solid read.

Thank you NetGalley & Lexi Lafleur Brown for my arc copy of Shoot Your Shot. I’ve read my fair share of hockey romances so was definitely curious how this fits amongst other books in the same genre. Lucy is a woman struggling to get a tattoo apprenticeship. According to her friends, she’s dated half the men and women in the city or something like that. Jaylen is on the verge of washing out from his previously promising hockey career. He carries a lot of pressure as someone who was a young athlete who couldn’t deliver after being drafted. Both of these characters are at pivotal points in their lives in their mid 20s. Two unexpected job opportunities bring them together. They build a friendship, deal with different emotional baggage/trauma, and find success individually and together. I liked the pace of the story & was mostly satisfied with the ending.

Lexi breathes a new life into hockey romance by making it more inclusive and not your typical “boy meets girl”. Obviously we know Lexi has elite hockey knowledge and being able to read a hockey romance written by someone who knows the game adds extra enjoyment. I loved the main charterers dynamic from the very start, with a queer, black-cat FMC being a needed addition to the genre and the fact she stays true to herself through the story is something I wish more romance books would do. My favorite part of this story is none of the diversity/inclusivity feels forced. Can’t wait to see what other stories Lexi has to tell!

I thought it was cute…. But hockey romance books are some of my favorites and this didn’t really have a lot that made it feel super different or better than the others. I appreciated the mental health discussions and the being able to set boundaries between children and abusive parents. Not super spicy but cute nonetheless. It was a quick fun read. 3.25 ⭐️

I was so excited about this book and it did not disappoint! These two characters are so much fun and I really loved the story between them. I want to read so much more of them! The epilogue also had me wanting to cry over sweetness!

This is a lovely hockey romance snack! I listened to the audiobook and followed along on the ebook at the same time and had so much fun. Very opposites attract - golden retriever/black cat vibes.

I was a little worried seeing another white woman writing a Black mmc after some of the poor choices and representation we have seen lately but Lexi does it so well. I looked her up and this is actually kind of inspired by her own life and relationship with her husband who played in the NHL and is now a commentator.

This is also a super queer-normative world where the FMC and her two best friends are all part of the LGBTQIA community. It also tackles depression, anxiety, tough family relationships, and grief. I was surprised at how lighthearted it was but also felt real.

My only complaints were the male audiobook narrator's girl voice and the reason for the third act breakup. I won't complain that there was one, just that I hate when characters don't communicate when it would be so easy.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Shoot Your Shot is a cute romance following Jaylen, a hockey player who couldn't secure an NHL contract at the end of training camp, and Lucy, an aspiring tattoo artist stuck working in an unfavorable apprenticeship. After their semi-anonymous one-night stand leads to Jaylen securing a contract, they enter a friends-with-benefits arrangement.

Lexi LaFleur Brown knows her hockey! The hockey world she replicated, including the small locker room moments, and interactions between players and staff shows her depth of knowledge and experience. I liked Jaylen and Lucy's banter since it made their relationship more realistic. Lexi's writing is very digestible and easy to follow, and I loved Lucy's bisexual representation and her career, which was different from most FMCs.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shoot Your Shot is a charming hockey romance. The story between Lucy and JJ is lighthearted and fun, filled with all the excitement of the sports romance world. While the book wasn't quite for me, I can appreciate the playful banter and chemistry between the main characters. I also love that the MFC is queer - something you don't often see in heteronormative romances! Lexi LaFleur Brown brings an insider’s perspective to the world of hockey, adding an authentic touch that fans of the sport will love.

A big thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 bumped up to 3 stars.

many thanks to htp books, htp hive, Lexi Lafleur Brown, and canary street press for this arc

as an avid fan of Lexi Lafleur Brown, this was one of my most anticipated debuts of the year (i nearly screamed when i found out being a hive influencer meant i'd be approved for this arc) and it did not disappoint. i loved everything about Lucy and the banter between her and her friends reminded me so much of me and mine (also Lamber and Soko felt so much like Smith and Celebrini that i loved it even more). there was banter and spice but it was also incredibly emotional. so many heavy topics were covered with such grace that made each of the characters feel like fleshed out people.

i wanted to wrap Jaylen and Lucy in the biggest hug but i loved how they were able to find themselves both together and apart. i also loved the bi rep and inclusion of a pride night game!! if you want a hockey romance that really dives into the intricacies of the sport and touches on mental health (as well as their slightly silly superstitions), i can't recommend it enough. i'd love nothing more than more books in this world but regardless of what Lafleur Brown writes next, i will be picking it up

I want to thank Lexi LaFleur Brown, NetGalley, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this novel.

Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing this story around 55%. I could not get into the characters and I found them boring and lacked substance. Their romance did not seem genuine, I didn't feel their connection after their one night stand, and I sure didn't see it when they were finally together.

I love hockey romances, ESPECIALLY the black cat FMC trope, but for some reason this book just wasn't doing it for me.

There will be others that will love this book, but fortunately I was not one of them.

So much to like in this book. Even though it was a hockey romance, it actually wasn’t. I loved Lucy’s journey to finding acceptance within herself and with JJ. And I loved JJ’s journey to overcome his trauma. Enjoyed the superstition plot and the lighthearted fun they have together while they deal with their hard things.

This was a fun, hockey romance.

Lucy is an aspiring tattoo artist/painter that meets Jaylen, a hockey player on his way out of town after not securing a position. They have an awesome one night together. Jaylen's sure that Lucy is his good luck charm and they make plans to stay together longer. It's a cute story and they're fun characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

DNF at 32%. The dialogue was way too cringey for me. I'm sure this book will find its target audience though!