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ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition
3.0
The full review can be found at The Book Bratz!
Even though I enjoyed Her Best Shot it was disappointing in many aspects. For one, it was a novella. It was around 130 pages. Yeah, it was a quick and easy read it didn't go into a enough detail for me to really make a connection with Phin or Layla.
Layla just landed a job at the NSA and is ready for a week of partying with her best friends. With this being their last spring break before they graduate they are convinced to make it thier greatest. But, when Layla's car breaks down and she runs low on money those plans are put on hold. Spring break is turning into a disaster until she meets Phin. A pool hustler.
Phin was an interesting character. He is a former Gypsy. Having left that life style years before the story takes place. I just didn't know enough about him to really fall in love with him like I wanted to. Layla was hard to relate to as well. I only related to her because she has panic attacks, which is horrible to say but I know how they feel. There just wasn't enough information there. If the novella was a novel and another hundred or two hundred pages then I probably could have related to the characters.
The story its self is what kept me reading. Near the end I was unable to put it down because I needed to know how it would end. I wasn't disappointed in the ending. Her Best Shot was lacking things that a good story needed. I do recommend to anyone looking for a quick weekend read, or a new adult romance.
RATING: 2.5★
Even though I enjoyed Her Best Shot it was disappointing in many aspects. For one, it was a novella. It was around 130 pages. Yeah, it was a quick and easy read it didn't go into a enough detail for me to really make a connection with Phin or Layla.
Layla just landed a job at the NSA and is ready for a week of partying with her best friends. With this being their last spring break before they graduate they are convinced to make it thier greatest. But, when Layla's car breaks down and she runs low on money those plans are put on hold. Spring break is turning into a disaster until she meets Phin. A pool hustler.
Phin was an interesting character. He is a former Gypsy. Having left that life style years before the story takes place. I just didn't know enough about him to really fall in love with him like I wanted to. Layla was hard to relate to as well. I only related to her because she has panic attacks, which is horrible to say but I know how they feel. There just wasn't enough information there. If the novella was a novel and another hundred or two hundred pages then I probably could have related to the characters.
The story its self is what kept me reading. Near the end I was unable to put it down because I needed to know how it would end. I wasn't disappointed in the ending. Her Best Shot was lacking things that a good story needed. I do recommend to anyone looking for a quick weekend read, or a new adult romance.
RATING: 2.5★
erinnejc's review against another edition
3.0
First in a series, enjoyable and entertaining characters and great writing. What more could you want. Will recommend to others looking for a quick, enjoyable read.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Her Best Shot by Shannyn Schroeder is a scorching hot new adult romance that is fun, flirty and drama free. This first installment in the Hot & Nerdy Trilogy takes place over a few days and focuses mainly on the lead characters' exploration of their sexual attraction but it is still a quick, enjoyable read.
Layla Sharpe is on her way to join her friends for spring break when car trouble leaves her stranded for a few days while she waits on repairs. She is drowning her sorrows in a dive bar when sexy pool player Phin Marks catches her eye. Layla impulsively accepts Phin's offer to crash with him and their smoldering attraction quickly burns out of control.
The characters in Her Best Shot are fairly well developed for a novella. Layla is a smart, sassy and independent heroine but she is wound just a little tight. Phin is charming and easygoing, but he is not very forthcoming about his past. They come from completely different backgrounds but this diversity adds dimension to the characters and the overall plot.
Her Best Shot is a story that requires a suspension of disbelief to fully enjoy. Due to its short length, everything progresses between Layla and Phin at an accelerated rate. They are quick to jump into bed and their lust quickly gives way to love. The only conflict in the story results from Phin's extreme reaction to Layla's unexpected decision about her future. They resolve their problems fairly quickly with little angst but the book's ending feels a bit abrupt.
All in all, Her Best Shot is an entertaining romance with likeable characters. It is a great beginning to Shannyn Schroeder's Hot & Nerdy Trilogy that will leave readers eager for the next installment.
Layla Sharpe is on her way to join her friends for spring break when car trouble leaves her stranded for a few days while she waits on repairs. She is drowning her sorrows in a dive bar when sexy pool player Phin Marks catches her eye. Layla impulsively accepts Phin's offer to crash with him and their smoldering attraction quickly burns out of control.
The characters in Her Best Shot are fairly well developed for a novella. Layla is a smart, sassy and independent heroine but she is wound just a little tight. Phin is charming and easygoing, but he is not very forthcoming about his past. They come from completely different backgrounds but this diversity adds dimension to the characters and the overall plot.
Her Best Shot is a story that requires a suspension of disbelief to fully enjoy. Due to its short length, everything progresses between Layla and Phin at an accelerated rate. They are quick to jump into bed and their lust quickly gives way to love. The only conflict in the story results from Phin's extreme reaction to Layla's unexpected decision about her future. They resolve their problems fairly quickly with little angst but the book's ending feels a bit abrupt.
All in all, Her Best Shot is an entertaining romance with likeable characters. It is a great beginning to Shannyn Schroeder's Hot & Nerdy Trilogy that will leave readers eager for the next installment.
tributevictor's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
raciethereader's review against another edition
3.0
I was surprised by how hot this book was. It was a quick, enjoyable read. Layla is meeting friends for spring break when her car breaks down. She meets Phin in a bar and ends up spending the week with him. Layla's character is described as nerdy. I did find some of her decisions to be at odds with her supposed intelligence. Phin was a good balance for a male lead.
zareena's review against another edition
1.0
Review originally posted on The Slanted Bookshelf.
My Rating: 1 star
This book was most definitely a disappointment. Right from the start Her Best Shot didn’t quite click for me. I felt like I’d been thrown straight into Layla’s life but instead of the author working to make me feel connected I was expected to catch up and know Layla. Yeah, that didn’t quite work for me.
Layla is a math and computer major who’s just been offered a job with the NSA so she and her friend decide to celebrate with a spring break trip. When I initially heard about the Hot & Nerdy series a couple of months ago, with each book focusing on a different girl in one friendship group, I thought friendship would play a large role in the characters’ lives. I wanted to see the relationships within the friendship group, meet the other girls and really fall in love with them but that didn’t happen. I think Her Best Shot would have been much better if I’d been able to see Layla interact with her friends more because the way the book was written she felt pretty flat.
So Layla’s car breaks down, she meets a hot guy named Phin, and she ends up staying with him while he fixes her car. This might have been me stereotyping (in which case shame on me) or just the way the summary or the book portrayed Layla, but I had expected her to be less comfortable around guys. Instead she was confident in herself and her sexuality as well as around Phin so go her :) Phin and Layla started off with amazing chemistry, which I was all for, but unfortunately the book went even more downhill from here.
Layla wasn’t the only character who felt two-dimensional and I really didn’t connect with Phin either. It was more like these characters were play a role – a lot of it either wasn’t that genuine or it just failed to capture me. Unfortunately I thought the book took a turn down the insta-love route. It’s weird because it wasn’t really insta-love at all – they’re just attracted to each other, which doesn’t bother me, but suddenly they realise it’s more than sex and then Layla is thinking of just staying with Phin indefinitely. Again, this could have worked but then she doesn’t talk to Phin about it at all (hello, communication!!!) and just expects him to be on the same page. Uh no. This led to both Layla and Phin doing stupid stuff. Kind of annoying if you ask me.
My other big problem with Her Best Shot was that the author didn’t show me stuff I wanted to see. That sounds kind of vague but, for example, let’s say something big happens, there are supposedly a truck load of feels, and the characters are left trying to sort through those emotions. Usually this is where I connect most with the characters but the author skipped it! It was like, here’s a twist, oops they’re both suffering, but let me just fast-forward a couple of months and just show you the toned down aftermath. Hello, that doesn’t do anything for me!
But despite all my complaining I didn’t hate the book. I just definitely wouldn’t recommend it or reread it. Her Best Shot started off okay and if it had continued that way it might have been a 3 star read. Instead it’s a 1 star read.
New Adult
1 star
My Rating: 1 star
This book was most definitely a disappointment. Right from the start Her Best Shot didn’t quite click for me. I felt like I’d been thrown straight into Layla’s life but instead of the author working to make me feel connected I was expected to catch up and know Layla. Yeah, that didn’t quite work for me.
Layla is a math and computer major who’s just been offered a job with the NSA so she and her friend decide to celebrate with a spring break trip. When I initially heard about the Hot & Nerdy series a couple of months ago, with each book focusing on a different girl in one friendship group, I thought friendship would play a large role in the characters’ lives. I wanted to see the relationships within the friendship group, meet the other girls and really fall in love with them but that didn’t happen. I think Her Best Shot would have been much better if I’d been able to see Layla interact with her friends more because the way the book was written she felt pretty flat.
So Layla’s car breaks down, she meets a hot guy named Phin, and she ends up staying with him while he fixes her car. This might have been me stereotyping (in which case shame on me) or just the way the summary or the book portrayed Layla, but I had expected her to be less comfortable around guys. Instead she was confident in herself and her sexuality as well as around Phin so go her :) Phin and Layla started off with amazing chemistry, which I was all for, but unfortunately the book went even more downhill from here.
Layla wasn’t the only character who felt two-dimensional and I really didn’t connect with Phin either. It was more like these characters were play a role – a lot of it either wasn’t that genuine or it just failed to capture me. Unfortunately I thought the book took a turn down the insta-love route. It’s weird because it wasn’t really insta-love at all – they’re just attracted to each other, which doesn’t bother me, but suddenly they realise it’s more than sex and then Layla is thinking of just staying with Phin indefinitely. Again, this could have worked but then she doesn’t talk to Phin about it at all (hello, communication!!!) and just expects him to be on the same page. Uh no. This led to both Layla and Phin doing stupid stuff. Kind of annoying if you ask me.
My other big problem with Her Best Shot was that the author didn’t show me stuff I wanted to see. That sounds kind of vague but, for example, let’s say something big happens, there are supposedly a truck load of feels, and the characters are left trying to sort through those emotions. Usually this is where I connect most with the characters but the author skipped it! It was like, here’s a twist, oops they’re both suffering, but let me just fast-forward a couple of months and just show you the toned down aftermath. Hello, that doesn’t do anything for me!
But despite all my complaining I didn’t hate the book. I just definitely wouldn’t recommend it or reread it. Her Best Shot started off okay and if it had continued that way it might have been a 3 star read. Instead it’s a 1 star read.
New Adult
1 star
lanadelrita's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange of an honest review.
Actual rating: 3,5 stars
I really liked this short-story!
It was cute and sexy at the same time, I couldn't stop reading until I had my happy ending!
I liked Layla and Phin, they weren't that much relatable but they were nice and you just keep rooting for them to be together.
I was short but it was nice, a fast read and very enjoyable.
Actual rating: 3,5 stars
I really liked this short-story!
It was cute and sexy at the same time, I couldn't stop reading until I had my happy ending!
I liked Layla and Phin, they weren't that much relatable but they were nice and you just keep rooting for them to be together.
I was short but it was nice, a fast read and very enjoyable.
dusang's review against another edition
3.0
This was a reasonably satisfying, quick read but it probably wouldn't stand up to stronger scrutiny or a second reading.
kate2440's review against another edition
4.0
Found this little gem on netgalley which sounded like the kind of book that I have been loving a lot recently and I wasn't wrong this was a really good short book...
I'm not a huge fan but the main reason way would be the male model as I just don't see him as Phin as for most of the book he had long hair. I do like the colour as I think it makes this particular cover stand out over the usual new adult covers.
This book had me from the very first moment as Schroeder was able to paint a vivid picture for me to feel like I was watching a film. With it being a short book I thought it was going to leave vital information out but for the most part I was wrong but there was a couple of occasions that I felt where missing. The chemistry between the two main characters was hot it just seemed to sizzle of the pages which I always love in my new adult, contemporary romance books. There was quite a few moments that had me laughing out loud which I wasn't expecting but there was also some touching moments as well. The ending I liked but I just wanted more and I'm not sure I will get this in the next couple of books but I'll keep my fingers crossed.
I loved both of the two main characters and I think that was because it was mainly them with hardly any other focus a=on any other characters apart from glimpses of what's to come with the next two female characters Charlie and Felicity. Layla came across as this fiery woman with bundles of confidence but the more we found out about her the more we found that wasn't the case as she had a vulnerable side that didn't always get shown but when it did it made me feel for her. I loved Phin he was a great male character as he had the bad boy attitude but again the more we found out about him the more we see that it's just a front who has a more sweeter side than he lets on.
Overall this is a short but sweet book and I for one can't wait to continue on with this series and any other books that Shannyn may have out.
I'm not a huge fan but the main reason way would be the male model as I just don't see him as Phin as for most of the book he had long hair. I do like the colour as I think it makes this particular cover stand out over the usual new adult covers.
This book had me from the very first moment as Schroeder was able to paint a vivid picture for me to feel like I was watching a film. With it being a short book I thought it was going to leave vital information out but for the most part I was wrong but there was a couple of occasions that I felt where missing. The chemistry between the two main characters was hot it just seemed to sizzle of the pages which I always love in my new adult, contemporary romance books. There was quite a few moments that had me laughing out loud which I wasn't expecting but there was also some touching moments as well. The ending I liked but I just wanted more and I'm not sure I will get this in the next couple of books but I'll keep my fingers crossed.
I loved both of the two main characters and I think that was because it was mainly them with hardly any other focus a=on any other characters apart from glimpses of what's to come with the next two female characters Charlie and Felicity. Layla came across as this fiery woman with bundles of confidence but the more we found out about her the more we found that wasn't the case as she had a vulnerable side that didn't always get shown but when it did it made me feel for her. I loved Phin he was a great male character as he had the bad boy attitude but again the more we found out about him the more we see that it's just a front who has a more sweeter side than he lets on.
Overall this is a short but sweet book and I for one can't wait to continue on with this series and any other books that Shannyn may have out.
thebookdisciple's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Cute, short novella about a brainy girl and a gypsy guy. Because the story is so short you don't really feel like you get to know the characters super well; however, you do find out enough about them to make the story work. Overall, they are likable and relatable characters. I thought the gypsy aspect to Phin's character was really interesting and not something I have read about in a male character before. I also love books where the girls are super brainy (she's a math and computer sci major who wears math t shirts! Thats just cool!). If you are looking for a short, steamy read this is a great book to add to your TBR
Heat: 4
POV: 3rd
Cute, short novella about a brainy girl and a gypsy guy. Because the story is so short you don't really feel like you get to know the characters super well; however, you do find out enough about them to make the story work. Overall, they are likable and relatable characters. I thought the gypsy aspect to Phin's character was really interesting and not something I have read about in a male character before. I also love books where the girls are super brainy (she's a math and computer sci major who wears math t shirts! Thats just cool!). If you are looking for a short, steamy read this is a great book to add to your TBR
Heat: 4
POV: 3rd