Pages: 223
Series: Game On #4
Genres: Sports Romance
Source: ARC
Also in this series: The Hook Up, Line of Scrimmage
Also by this author: The Hook Up, The Friend Zone, Idol, Managed, Dear Enemy, Make It Sweet
Goodreads
First we were friends. Then we were roommates. Now I want more…What can I say about Chess Copper? The woman is capable of bringing me to my knees. I know this about five minutes after getting naked for her.No one is more surprised than me. The prickly photographer my team hired to shoot our annual charity calendar isn’t my usual type. She’s defense to my offense, a challenge at every turn. But when I’m with her, all the regrets and darkness goes away. She makes life fun.
I want to know Chess, be close to her. Which is a bad idea.
Chess is looking for a relationship. I’ve never given a woman more than one night. But when fate leaves Chess without a home, I step up and offer her mine. We’re roommates now. Friends without benefits. But it’s getting harder to keep our hands off each other. And the longer we live together the more I realize she’s becoming my everything.
Trick is… Now that I’ve made her believe I’m a bad bet, how do I convince her to give this player a true shot at forever?
The Hot Shot is one of the books that has been on my ‘Waiting Impatiently’ for list! Kristen Callihan is one of my favorite authors! Her stories always hit all my favorite buttons. Her characters are awesome, the romance is swoony, and the plot line is seamless and so well written! Gray Grayson from The Friend Zone is my all time book boyfriend and I love all the Game on men. I was sure Finn would be no different.
Finn is a famous football player. But not just any FB player…he is the QB. He has been dominating fields since he was a freshman in high school and enjoying the ‘perks’ of being a well known athlete. Now he is in the NFL and is becoming a bit jaded. Women who throw themselves at him make it easy for him to have lots of sex, but he starting to feel used and lonely. Chess is a photographer who is disillusioned with love. She isn’t looking for hook ups or one night stands, but she can’t seem to find a guy worth her time. She isn’t enamored with Finn, his fame, or his charm that she is sure works on women all over the Quarter! So, after an initially antagonistic meeting, they decide to be friends. Finn is interested in actually getting to know someone and be around someone who isn’t interested in his fame and fortune.
What I have always enjoyed about Callihan’s writing is banter. The dialogue between the characters comes across as believable. Sometimes, banter is written at a level that is just unattainable. No one talks like that! But, Callihan doesn’t go there. I love her word choices as well. Any author who adds ‘resplendent’ and ‘besotted’ into a characters vocabulary is awesome! Finn and Chess are relatable even though I have no idea what its like to be a photographer or an NFL player! Finn, after his initial determination to NOT have a relationship, ends up throwing down some seriously swoon worthy lines. Oh my does this man have a few panty melting, heart stealing lines!
My only real struggle was the back and forth will-they-won’t-they of the relationship. It was a bit too angsty for me at some points because I just wanted to punch them both for being idiots.
The Hot Shot is a delightful mix of friends who become more, NFL players who need people to SEE them, and a woman who just wants to find a relationship for the long haul. With levity brought in by the hilarious teammates (Jake) and funny, slightly self deprecating stories of Finn and Chess, the book is the right balance of deep and light! There are also some weighty issues tackled. Sexuality, relationships, and loss are are themes these characters discuss and debate and the way Callihan approaches these topics is enlightening!
“I grow on people”
“Like fungus.”
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: famous; friends to lovers
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen, Downed by Jen Frederick, Roman by Sawyer Bennett …then you will probably like The Hot Shot!
I enjoyed this one, too. It was fun and Finn was just as awesome as I hoped he would be. Do you know who is getting their book next?
I don’t know but I hope its Jake!!!
I don’t read a lot of sports romances. Don’t know why as I sure enjoy the movies. Need to add some to my reading list.
Oh read The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan. its my FAVORITE!
I’ve listed this book on my to be purchased list. Sounds great. You make me want to read it NOW. Anyway, awesome review, as always, Sam. ???
I just finished reading this one on Friday and I loved it. I think it’s my favorite in the series so far. I loved the banter, and the romance, and omg Finn! Funny how you thought this was too angsty for you at times, because I thought it was her least dramatic book that I’ve read from her. 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sam! 🙂
See, angst doesn’t worry me usually, so I think I’d like this … and being a sport romance, I know it’s something I may need!!