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amberreadsromance28's review
4.0
This is a great debut novel by Marissa James. It is a quick, hockey romance between a rookie NHL player and a baker. This book was a low angst, sweet, and a great introduction to the Orlando Storm hockey team.
Madison has moved to Orlando, Florida to start fresh and be closer to her aunt after she had some issues with her career and love life. This had such a funny meet cute when Madison accidentally flashed Hunter while he offered to help her jump start the battery for her car. Hunter was immediately interested in her but did not ask for her number. Luckily, they see each other again when he comes into the bakery she works at. He did not let this opportunity pass him by, and he got her number. They start texting and eventually go on a coffee date. However, Madison friend zoned him when she found out he is a pro NHL hockey player. She does not want to date a hockey player...for reasons, and they decide to just be friends.
This was a slower burn since Madison was trying so hard to keep him in the friend zone. Their attraction and amazing friendship led to deeper feelings, and they could not deny their chemistry. Hunter was such an amazing cinnamon roll hero, and he definitely fell first. He was really mature and thoughtful even though he was 6 years younger than the heroine. I did have issues with Madison's lack of honesty and communication, especially when she is older and she had many opportunities to open up. I also thought the end felt a little rushed, but I liked where the epilogue left us.
I enjoyed this debut book, and I think she did a great job setting up the series and introducing the characters. I am very interested in reading Brody's romance. Hopefully, it's next.
Side Note: I thought I already guessed the twist early on in the book, but I was completely wrong. It was nice to be surprised.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Madison has moved to Orlando, Florida to start fresh and be closer to her aunt after she had some issues with her career and love life. This had such a funny meet cute when Madison accidentally flashed Hunter while he offered to help her jump start the battery for her car. Hunter was immediately interested in her but did not ask for her number. Luckily, they see each other again when he comes into the bakery she works at. He did not let this opportunity pass him by, and he got her number. They start texting and eventually go on a coffee date. However, Madison friend zoned him when she found out he is a pro NHL hockey player. She does not want to date a hockey player...for reasons, and they decide to just be friends.
This was a slower burn since Madison was trying so hard to keep him in the friend zone. Their attraction and amazing friendship led to deeper feelings, and they could not deny their chemistry. Hunter was such an amazing cinnamon roll hero, and he definitely fell first. He was really mature and thoughtful even though he was 6 years younger than the heroine. I did have issues with Madison's lack of honesty and communication, especially when she is older and she had many opportunities to open up. I also thought the end felt a little rushed, but I liked where the epilogue left us.
I enjoyed this debut book, and I think she did a great job setting up the series and introducing the characters. I am very interested in reading Brody's romance. Hopefully, it's next.
Side Note: I thought I already guessed the twist early on in the book, but I was completely wrong. It was nice to be surprised.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
angieisbooked's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was ok. A nice debut. The writing was a little choppy and it wasn't the easiest to read? I did really like Hunter (MMC). Madison (FMC) was not easy to connect to, for a 30y/o she was a bit much.
onehandedreads's review
4.0
This book had so much going on and it was so fun to read!
There were so many times that I thought I knew what was going to happen only to be wrong. Which was so much fun. I feel like that doesn’t happen to me as often as I would like.
I really loved Hunter and Madison’s story. I think Hunter is such a great book boyfriend. He does all of the little things you want your guy to do, like buying flowers and remembering her favorite things, without doing it in a way that seems forced or fake. Madison didn’t actually seem her age. It almost felt like Hunter was the older of the two based on how they handled situations. While that did give Madison room to grow throughout the book, I was a little confused on their ages.
This book had so many twists. Some of them lead me to the wrong conclusion, which was great, but a lot of the foreshadowing ended up being hammered into you. I wish some of it was just a little more subtle. There were few times that the writing could’ve been smoother and the dialogue got a little awkward. I don’t think those things pulled away from the plot or characters too much, but I could definitely feel myself stumble a bit.
Overall, this is a great debut hockey romance! The characters are lovable, the plot keeps you interested and there is some spice to enjoy!
There were so many times that I thought I knew what was going to happen only to be wrong. Which was so much fun. I feel like that doesn’t happen to me as often as I would like.
I really loved Hunter and Madison’s story. I think Hunter is such a great book boyfriend. He does all of the little things you want your guy to do, like buying flowers and remembering her favorite things, without doing it in a way that seems forced or fake. Madison didn’t actually seem her age. It almost felt like Hunter was the older of the two based on how they handled situations. While that did give Madison room to grow throughout the book, I was a little confused on their ages.
This book had so many twists. Some of them lead me to the wrong conclusion, which was great, but a lot of the foreshadowing ended up being hammered into you. I wish some of it was just a little more subtle. There were few times that the writing could’ve been smoother and the dialogue got a little awkward. I don’t think those things pulled away from the plot or characters too much, but I could definitely feel myself stumble a bit.
Overall, this is a great debut hockey romance! The characters are lovable, the plot keeps you interested and there is some spice to enjoy!
gingerspice's review
5.0
4.5 ⭐️
-Strangers to friends to lovers
-Hockey MMC
-Baker FMC
-Steamy
-Twists and turns
-Cinnamon Roll Hero
-He falls first
I had the pleasure of beta reading this debut novel and I’m so happy to be apart of this journey! This book was such a fun and sweet read! Hunter and Madison have an amazing meet cute that had me laughing! And I loved the way they were brought together! I’m usually not a friends to lovers fan but them being NEW friends made this work perfectly for me! I love seeing getting to know eachother and trying to resist eachother!
This book has a great set of side characters that I can’t for future books for! The pacing was perfect and their natural progression from friends to more felt natural for me!
The twists and turns in this book were also such a fun addition that I don’t see often in contemporary romance books! Overall I had so much fun reading this one and I can’t wait for more!
-Strangers to friends to lovers
-Hockey MMC
-Baker FMC
-Steamy
-Twists and turns
-Cinnamon Roll Hero
-He falls first
I had the pleasure of beta reading this debut novel and I’m so happy to be apart of this journey! This book was such a fun and sweet read! Hunter and Madison have an amazing meet cute that had me laughing! And I loved the way they were brought together! I’m usually not a friends to lovers fan but them being NEW friends made this work perfectly for me! I love seeing getting to know eachother and trying to resist eachother!
This book has a great set of side characters that I can’t for future books for! The pacing was perfect and their natural progression from friends to more felt natural for me!
The twists and turns in this book were also such a fun addition that I don’t see often in contemporary romance books! Overall I had so much fun reading this one and I can’t wait for more!
eemillers15's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A debut novel that's certain to be a hit for sports romance lovers!!!
This was such a fun read!
Madison and Hunter have an instant connection when they meet, once when her car breaks down and then when he inadvertently visits the bakery she works at. Madison is desperate to keep Hunter in the friend zone after being burned previously by hockey players, but Hunter is desperate to make a relationship between them work. With her past full of secrets, can Madison and Hunter overcome them all?
I enjoyed the relationship between Madison and Hunter. This probably would have been a 5 star read for me had Madison gotten her head out of her butt and been a grown up sooner. I also found myself getting confused over the characters names since 2 of them are so similar (which may have been on purpose to make readers think they know what's going on).
However I still loved the spice and I loved the sports romance aspect. I loved seeing the growth of both Hunter and Madison with their respective relationships separate from each other. I do think it wrapped up quickly, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!
The biggest thank you to Marissa James for an eARC of this book! All opinions are my own!
This was such a fun read!
Madison and Hunter have an instant connection when they meet, once when her car breaks down and then when he inadvertently visits the bakery she works at. Madison is desperate to keep Hunter in the friend zone after being burned previously by hockey players, but Hunter is desperate to make a relationship between them work. With her past full of secrets, can Madison and Hunter overcome them all?
I enjoyed the relationship between Madison and Hunter. This probably would have been a 5 star read for me had Madison gotten her head out of her butt and been a grown up sooner. I also found myself getting confused over the characters names since 2 of them are so similar (which may have been on purpose to make readers think they know what's going on).
However I still loved the spice and I loved the sports romance aspect. I loved seeing the growth of both Hunter and Madison with their respective relationships separate from each other. I do think it wrapped up quickly, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!
The biggest thank you to Marissa James for an eARC of this book! All opinions are my own!
pucking_reading's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
🌟- 5 / 🌶- 3
Dual POV & HEA
🇷🇪🇻🇮🇪🇼
Hot Shot is the first book in the Orlando Storm series.
Hunter is the rookie player on the Orlando Storm hockey team. Unsure of his worth to his team and an overall humble attitude, his world is turned upside down when he happens upon Madison while she’s having car troubles. He has been one of my favorite MCs for a long time. He came off as a realistic character and was instantly loveable.
Madison, having recently moved to Orlando to live with her aunt after a string of bad luck with love and her career as a baker. Juggling her job, getting to know father, who happens to be the Storm’s head coach – for the first time in her life. After car troubles have her flashing a very cute good samaritan, she never expects that her life will change so much.
I loved how Hunter and Madison both can’t keep eachother off their minds after meeting. This really is an amazing slow burn friends to lovers story. The way they take the time to really get to know each other (or so you think…) before finally giving into their desires to be a couple was refreshing. It wasn't a will they won't they situation and I appreciated that for a change. Once they are together, of course the drama sets in, but it is so well done that you are always going “WHAT?!” Madison did a great job leading her audience on, so kudos to her!
The book isn't overly spicy but has great chemistry between the sheets for the MMCs.
Hot Shot was such an easy low angst read, and I loved it! It was such a great debut novel by Madison. I cannot wait to follow along with the next books in the series to see where Hunter and Madison end up.
-----
🇹🇷🇴🇵🇪🇸
✸ friends to lovers
✸ hockey player x baker
✸ reverse age gap
✸ coaches daughter
joburnsreads's review
4.5
⭐️ 4.5
🌶️ Open Door, Mild
🏒 Sports Romance
🍰 Strangers to Friends to Lovers
🏒 Age Gap (30F/24M)
🍰 Cinnamon Roll Hero
🏒 Celebrity Romance (NHL Player)
🍰 He Falls First
🏒 Slow Burn
🍰 Dual POV (1st person)
If you’re looking for a feel-good hockey romance - with just the right amount of spice - I highly recommend you check out Marissa's debut novel, Hot Shot!
The MMC, Hunter, is an NHL rookie for the Orlando Storm and the FMC, Madison, is a baker in Orlando, Florida. These two were super relatable and had great chemistry. I also loved the side characters and I am excited to see more from them. Marissa did an awesome job setting the scene for future books within the Orlando Storm universe.
Hot Shot is a true sports romance. Marissa is passionate about hockey and it shows! She pays attention to detail when writing any hockey-related chapters. I also loved seeing a heroine who actually knows about hockey - this made a huge difference to me.
There were a few moments that felt a little rushed to me, but overall, I thought Marissa did a wonderful job with the story and kept me on my toes with some of the reveals in this book. I had the pleasure of designing her discreet cover, and I can't wait to work with her again in the future 🫶
Thank you to Marissa for providing an eARC of Hot Shot!
🌶️ Open Door, Mild
🏒 Sports Romance
🍰 Strangers to Friends to Lovers
🏒 Age Gap (30F/24M)
🍰 Cinnamon Roll Hero
🏒 Celebrity Romance (NHL Player)
🍰 He Falls First
🏒 Slow Burn
🍰 Dual POV (1st person)
If you’re looking for a feel-good hockey romance - with just the right amount of spice - I highly recommend you check out Marissa's debut novel, Hot Shot!
The MMC, Hunter, is an NHL rookie for the Orlando Storm and the FMC, Madison, is a baker in Orlando, Florida. These two were super relatable and had great chemistry. I also loved the side characters and I am excited to see more from them. Marissa did an awesome job setting the scene for future books within the Orlando Storm universe.
Hot Shot is a true sports romance. Marissa is passionate about hockey and it shows! She pays attention to detail when writing any hockey-related chapters. I also loved seeing a heroine who actually knows about hockey - this made a huge difference to me.
There were a few moments that felt a little rushed to me, but overall, I thought Marissa did a wonderful job with the story and kept me on my toes with some of the reveals in this book. I had the pleasure of designing her discreet cover, and I can't wait to work with her again in the future 🫶
Thank you to Marissa for providing an eARC of Hot Shot!
briandherbookss's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This really was such a cute hockey romance story. The romance felt like the focus and I loved that the attraction was instant but the build up to a relationship was slower. There was some family drama and a little bit of a third act break up but nothing heart breaking. Make sure you read the bonus epilogue!
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
jennyreads_2022's review
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was great for a debut novel. There was a lot of world building, but it wasn’t obvious, it was written into the story well. It was so much more than a hockey romance, both Madison and Hunter came with baggage and some mystery. There were some emotional themes addressed and I liked the way those played out.
Hunter fell hard and fast for Madison. He was all in from the moment he met her, but it took Madison some time to catch up to Hunter’s feelings. I loved that Hunter, an NHL player, felt so insecure in his job. It showed a side of playing professional sports that’s not addressed very often. Hunter’s insecurities ran deep and definitely played a role in his relationship with Madison.
There was a surprising amount of tension surrounding Madison and Hunter. There were secrets she was keeping, but also relationships forming that would affect those secrets. I loved that Madison and Hunter were both in the middle of building relationships with people they thought abandoned them, it gave them a common bond.
This was a great strangers to friends to lovers. I liked that Madison and Hunter started out as friends and developed such a strong relationship. There was a good cast of secondary characters and I can’t wait to see what happens next with the Orlando Storm.
mackenzierm's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Madison is a baker who is moving to Orlando, hoping for a fresh start when her car breaks down and Hunter shows up to help. Madison made a promise to herself that she'd never fall for a professional athlete, particularly a hockey player, again. But Hunter is hard to resist with his sweet and caring nature, leaving Madison considering taking a chance.
I love a sports romance novel, particularly hockey romance, so HOT SHOT was right up my alley! Hunter and Madison's story is told in alternating dual POV which I really enjoyed as it gives a more complete view of the budding relationship. Both of the main characters are flawed and come into the story with their own baggage, but I loved how they share and grow together over the course of the story.
I thought the initial meeting between Madison and Hunter was cute and flirty with a great foundation to the chemistry between the two. I liked that the communication between the couple was relatively open and honest which was refreshing. The romance is a bit of a slow burn as the chemistry and tension builds between the two. The chemistry was palpable and well written with a couple well placed spicy scenes in the mid to back half of the book.
I loved the side characters we meet over the course of the novel and am hopeful to see some of them again in the next book!
The epilogue was well done and I loved the bonus epilogue that was shared as a separate file making for a beautiful conclusion to this love story! I can't wait to see what Marissa will write next!
I would like to thank the author, Marissa James, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.
I love a sports romance novel, particularly hockey romance, so HOT SHOT was right up my alley! Hunter and Madison's story is told in alternating dual POV which I really enjoyed as it gives a more complete view of the budding relationship. Both of the main characters are flawed and come into the story with their own baggage, but I loved how they share and grow together over the course of the story.
I thought the initial meeting between Madison and Hunter was cute and flirty with a great foundation to the chemistry between the two. I liked that the communication between the couple was relatively open and honest which was refreshing. The romance is a bit of a slow burn as the chemistry and tension builds between the two. The chemistry was palpable and well written with a couple well placed spicy scenes in the mid to back half of the book.
I loved the side characters we meet over the course of the novel and am hopeful to see some of them again in the next book!
The epilogue was well done and I loved the bonus epilogue that was shared as a separate file making for a beautiful conclusion to this love story! I can't wait to see what Marissa will write next!
I would like to thank the author, Marissa James, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.
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