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.

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

I really enjoyed the unexpected romance between JJ, the hockey player, and Lucy, the aspiring tattoo artist. Lucy becomes JJ's lucky charm and what starts as them being friends quickly translates to more. JJ helps Lucy work through som issues with her dad who was not always there for her. Their chemistry and natural connection builds into the sweetest relationship. I thought this was sweet but there were some inconsistencies that I picked up on but still thought it was cute. I did enjoy the diversity in this one which isn't normal in hockey books for some reason.

lucy is a prickly, tattooed black cat and jaylen is a anxious, sunshiny golden retriever. after a borderline meet disaster, jaylen chases down lucy because he believes she’s his good luck charm going into his new hockey season.

this is lexi’s debut, so I’m leaving some space in my rating for that. this book has its cute moments. jaylen stole the show for me. he was kind and attentive and gave lucy the space she needed to get over her (annoying) commitment phobia. I felt like lucy was kind of insensitive at times and didn’t treat him the best and it made me low key sad for jj???

the mental health rep was really well done. I loved jaylen’s journey and the therapy and panic attacks were written with care.

🎧 thank you to harlequin audio for the audiobook! I was able to read this on one day. both voice actors brought their skills and were quite emotive and engaging.

what to expect
⟢ hockey romance
⟢ black cat x golden retriever
⟢ he falls first
⟢ bi rep