I started following the author on TikTok after she shared her commentary when BookTok fans were sexually harassing professional hockey players and their families. I loved her smart thoughts on the intersections of fiction, reality, and culture and appreciated how she shared the humorous inside scoop on what it’s really like to be a hockey WAG. So I was really excited to learn she was writing her own hockey romance, and it was a pleasure to read.

I loved the messy yet deeply self-reflective main characters, Lucy and Jaylen. They were both hilarious and insightful, and it made for a truly enjoyable read! The audiobook was great - both narrators were fun to listen to, they fit the characters well, and I liked their pacing.

Thank you Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the audio-ARC this book.

Shoot Your Shot by Lexi LaFleur Brown is a hockey romance. The story follows Jaylen, a hockey star trying to get a second chance in his career, and Lucy, an aspiring tattoo artist who abandoned her love of painting years ago. After a drunken hook up and a few chance encounters, Jaylen decides that Lucy is his good luck charm. His cinnamon roll personality combined with her prickly exterior creates some fun banter, friendship and eventual romance.

Overall, the book was just okay. There were definitely high points to the book, however overall it fell short for me. It seemed like the author was trying to hit on too many big topics such as mental health, racism, family trauma, alcohol abuse, adult bullying, negative self-thought, etc, that it did not feel like any topics were able to be meaningfully discussed. I pushed through because I really wanted to like the book (hockey romances are my absolute favorite!), but this one was just a miss for me.

The author seems to know a lot about hockey, which should be a given since it's a hockey romance book, but sadly it's not the case in a lot of other author's hockey books. so I loooove that being a hockey fan myself. I wasn't a huge fan of the FMC. I love grumpy / sunshine and reverse grumpy / sunshine but idk she was a bit too prickly and indecisive (?) for me. I also enjoyed all the representation and diversity that this book had. The couple had some really cute moments but I did spend a good amount of time annoyed at the characters... overall still an entertaining read and a good debut book!

I was really excited to get my hands on this book but it unfortunately fell pretty flat. I found Lexi through all her WAG and hockey content and I wanted to love this book but it’s just not for me.

I felt like Lucy was almost like a caricature of a manic pixie dream girl. Lucy came across as kinda mean at times and I found myself often getting annoyed with her and the choices she makes. Jaylen, while sweet, was just kinda boring. He was almost too good/perfect as an MC? As someone else who reviewed mentioned he felt almost flawless which made Lucy’s flaws feel more apparent. The dynamic between the two was fine, but I didn’t really connect with Lucy and that made me question the connection between them.

I also wasn’t super fond of the writing style. It felt a bit clunky and, while I did have a chuckle here and there by a well timed zinger, it was mostly unremarkable and just felt like it needed another round of editing to tweak and perfect.

That said, the actual hockey content was excellent! Lexi obviously knows her stuff and that really shined in this book! It definitely saved the day at times when I wanted to close the book.

I swapped between reading an eARC and listening to the audiobook for this novel. The audiobook was definitely more enjoyable and the narrators did an excellent job.

If you like extremely accurate hockey romances then I’d say give this a try!

Thanks very much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC. I was honored to be approved for it.

Briefly: This story wasn’t for me. It wasn’t all bad, and I could see some readers liking it. With better character development execution, it could have been quite good.

More details:
This story is about 2 twenty-five year olds who are total opposites. A one-night-stand turns to friends turned lovers. JJ, the MMC, is a hot, nice, lovable, rich, professional hockey player who, for some unknown reason, falls for an artsy but annoying, immature, insecure, insufferable, b1tchy, obnoxious girl.
Sorry, I just could not stand the FMC, Lacy. If this wasn’t an ACL, I would have stopped listening after the first 2-3 chapters. Her only redeeming quality was her painting a farewell gift to her boss before she leaves (but we never heard anything else about it so that went nowhere). Lacy may have been quite amusing if she was a side character, but she wasn’t. Another one of her qualities was that she was late to everything, yet apparently she’s a hypocrite too as she got annoyed when her dad was late. Her “come to Jesus moment” was unimpressive and anticlimactic.
Having said all that, I did see her more favorably when I was listening from JJ’s POV; if that was intentional from the author—making her seem better from his view and her seeming terrible from her POV because of her insecurities, it was genius, but I doubt that was intentional.
JJ was too good for her. Although he may be a little bit dim as he believes Lacy is self-confident…uh, where did he get that impression? She is the most insecure person in the book (I think. Hard to say since we didn’t really get to know anyone else in the book, which is fine by me b/c I like when the focus is on the MCs).
I didn’t feel any real attraction or chemistry between them.
Other than JJ, the only other 1.5 things I liked about the story was the hockey knowledge/sport aspect, and the inclusion. However, the inclusion only gets half credit because it also felt very “check off the boxes” (clinical), forced, overdone, stereotypical, and therefore, not genuine. (Actually, the whole story kind of felt clinical, like checking off boxes.)
I believe the book is supposed to be a rom-com, but it wasn’t funny. I didn’t laugh at all, which is disappointing because I love laughing. I really, really hated the cat self-cleaning scene.
As far as spice, there wasn’t much of it and the few scenes there were, were short. I’d give the amount of spice a 🌶️ 🌶️
Regarding character development, there was very little and the little bit there was unrealistic. His mental health issues were late in the book and felt like “go to doc, now everything ok” (that’s not how it works). The mental health rep felt very laissez-faire and unauthentic (another box to check off). And for Lacy’s development, her art self-doubt went from severe to non-existent in a couple of paragraphs.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin audio for the free alc. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I was entertained by this debut book. I wish we got to see a bit more of their relationship development. I look forward to reading what the author does next.

4.5/5☆

Thank you Netgalley and Lexi LaFleur Brown for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. I quite enjoyed this break from reality. It was a nice easy audiobook with good narration and an entertaining plot. I liked that this wasn't your typical college hockey romance, but instead was a pro athlete and an adult FMC. I liked the complexity of the FMC's family trauma and appreciated the secret cinnamon roll of a MMC. Overall a fun read.

I loved this story. It was lighthearted and sweet. There was a silliness to the relationship that I loved and connected to. I lvoed watching both the FMC and MMC grow and embrace their flaws and become better people. They support each other and help the other to face demons they have each been trying to avoid for years. The audiobook was done in dual narratation and both are great.

Shoot Your Shot Honest ARC book review

Imagine having a one night stand, figuring you will never see that person again… and seeing them daily afterward.

He couldn’t figure out how to get her out of his head and then he wondered if she could be his good luck charm.

She is an artist. He is a professional hockey player.
They are complete opposites and yet they find they have some commonalities.

Both the FMC and MMC work to overcome obstacles from their past.

I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this novel, breaking stereotypes and seeing their journey. This is definitely one to add to your TBR list!

⭐️sports romance
⭐️contemporary romance
⭐️one night stand turned romance
⭐️inclusive vibes
⭐️heartfelt



Thank you for sharing this ARC with me. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Shoot Your Shot is a cute love story about Lucy, an aspiring tattoo artist who has decided to stop dating everyone to focus on her apprenticeship.
Then she meets Jaylen, "JJ" who was a once first round draft pick for the NHL and has just lost his job.
The two decide to have one amazing night together before JJ leaves to move across the country. But then everything changes. What ensues is a wonderful story of healing from trauma, dealing with your mental health, and allowing yourself to find love. The narrators did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. I recommend it!

3.5 rounded up!

I've followed Lexi on TikTok and Instagram for a while, and I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as I had the chance solely based on her perspective being so immersed in the NHL culture and her insider tea on all things NHL wags. I also love how outspoken she is on topics that matter, like supporting the LGBTQ+ community and sharing black history in general and as it relates to the NHL.

This book was also the perfect length with clear development, conflict resolution and relatable main characters. I loved Lucy's sass and black cat vibes, and Jaylen's golden retriever energy. This felt a little atypical from standard romance set ups in that they didn't necessarily try to fight their attraction to one another after their one night stand turned into them working in the same space. I appreciated how their relationship unfolded over the next few months and Lucy and Jaylen grew together, dealing with past traumas and mental health issues in a way that wasn't forced.

Every development felt really natural and intentional and not just included for the sake of inclusion to check a box.

Kristen DiMercurio and Jamal Roque brought Lucy and Jaylen to life. I loved listening to their narration and was finding ways I could keep listening throughout my day.

I am huge sucker for Hockey Romances. And this did not disappoint! I felt such a huge connection with the FMC. Especially when she over thinks and dealing with past trauma. Definitely giving this 5 stars.

4 ⭐ 3 🌶️ 4 🎧

This was so sweet and so much fun. I had such a hard time putting it down and stayed up way too late a few nights while reading this one. I loved the representation, the banter and the tropes so so much. While it felt a little too hockey smart sometimes as an occasional real life hockey fan, I think the true hockey fans will really love it.

I thought the brokenness of Lucy and Jaylen was really well done. Lucy had an absent and abusive father and Jaylen had a ton of anxiety and depression surrounding his tragic and guilt ridden past. I really enjoyed the journey with each of them leaning in each other and overcoming their hurdles.

The audio was great. I really loved Jamal Roque and Kristen DiMercurio, they did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life.

I thought this was a fantastic debut and I'm so excited to read more from Lexi.

I enjoyed this romcom! I laughed and got emotional while listening I felt engaged in the book.

This story follows Lucy who is a queer artist/tattoo artist. She is trying to focus on getting a tattoo apprenticeship and swears of dating.
Jaylen is a NHL player who is trying to land a contract with a team.

Both MCs are dealing with issues from the past. Trying to move on and find their HEA.

This starts off with one night, then kind of turns to enemies but quickly turns to friends. It was a fun listen.

Dual narration.
⭐️=4.5
🌶️= 1.5

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
Shoot Your Shot was a rom-com about Lucy, a queer, alt girl with a chip on her shoulder who’s seeking a tattoo apprenticeship and Jaylen, a professional hockey player trying to get signed to a multi year contract in a new city.

For the most part I enjoyed this. I did find Lucy to be a bit tiresome, though. Like we get it girl!! You’re so different and cool!!! Now you can relax!! Also- murals take way longer than was depicted in this book. Only a few hours to paint whole mural??? Girl what??? I found myself rolling my eyes several times, but I did overall like the story and the two characters and their relationship. I wish there were more scenes with the secondary characters because they were really fun. The narration was well done, too!

3⭐️

Lucy was the best black cat I have ever read with JJ following behind as a golden retriever made for the funniest meet cute. Enjoyed from beginning to end, had a tiny bit of mental health rep, and it got a little emotionally deep with Lucy.

This is a very modern take on a sports romance with references to bi-sexual characters and non-binary characters and it’s not what I was looking for in a romantic novel. DNF.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. ❤️

If I am one thing, it’s a hockey romance girl. Add in my love for tattoos and daddy issues… this book hit a lot of personal points for me! 😂
Jalen and Lucy are two very flawed and traumatized people who through therapy and actual communication find love and growth together. And we LOVE that for them.

This book was a lot of fun, and I can definitely recommend any hockey romance lover to pick this book up once it releases!

Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

I picked up this book to read because hockey romance is so popular right now. The story seemed like it would be like one I would love, but after finishing it I realized that it just wasn't for me. I enjoyed the characters and the character development, and I have several people I would recommend the book to, it just didn't click with me. I am giving 4 stars to this author because for a debut novel it was really good, I just wish I would have been able to connect the the characters a little bit better.

If you like a spicy read with a golden retriever man who falls for a "harsh on the edges" woman, this book is for you!

3.5-4/5
I can’t really decide on the star rating, but I had a fun time with this! It caught my attention early on, and I finished the audiobook in one day. I quickly became invested in Lucy and Jaylen as characters. I didn’t feel like the book was rushed at any point. Both characters had their own traumas to deal with and I felt the mental health rep was done well.

~hockey romance
~mental health rep
~character growth
~he falls first