ARC Review: Low Blow by Kristen Hope Mazzola

Low Blow is the fourth installment in Kristen Hope Mazzola's Shots on Goal series. Each book is a standalone story, so don't worry about jumping in here if you haven't read any or all of the previous books in this series. While I have liked things about each of these books, I have also had some mixed feelings on them as well. Low Blow was no different, and while I wanted to love this one there were some things that just didn't work for me.

Griff got a heart transplant when he was 16 that saved his life. Years later he knows that something is missing from his life and he knows that he needs to meet the daughter of the man that saved him with his heart. Olive is a mechanic and as soon as they meet, it is clear that they have a connection. 

This were pretty instant between these two, but I did really like them together. I felt like they fit well with one another, and the chemistry between Griff and Olive was really strong. I loved the secondary characters and how they were accepting and welcoming, it really just felt right between these two. But I will say that things happened really quickly and at times things did feel rushed. I would have liked to have seen a bit more depth at times. 

There were some thoughts and conversations here that were a bit odd for me, and if I am honest took me out of the story a bit. They just kind of had that ick factor that made me stop and ended up distracting me from the story and the connection that these two had. Again I did like the story and the characters, I just wish that a few things had been different because I really think that had it not been for those and the rushed pace at times that I would have loved this one. I think that this is worth reading, and if you are looking for a quick sports romance this is one that you might want to check out.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: Cross Checked by Kristen Hope Mazzola

Cross Checked is the second book in the Shots on Goal series and is the second book I have read from Kristen Hope Mazzola. I enjoyed the first in the series and I was really looking forward to Cross Checked. This is a standalone story, though I will admit that I had some troubles with it and I did read the first book. While I think that there are some readers that will enjoy this one and be fine reading it as a standalone, I would recommend reading it in order if possible. 

After a car accident changed the life of Brayden's family, Karla helped take care of his sister. Years later, they meet back up and the chemistry between them is one that they can't deny. They start dating and things are going well, but Brayden is always waiting for something to wreck his life and finds it hard to live his life without worrying. Can he let go and see where things with Karla take him or will he continue to live his life waiting for the other shoe to drop?

I have to admit that I had a tough time relating to these characters. I didn't feel connected to them, and I wasn't invested in their story. As much as I wanted to love them, I just was never able to. It always felt like things were missing from the story and things felt rushed. There was a lot that seemed to happen off page and between the scenes, and even though I had read the first book and somewhat knew things it really felt confusing at times. I did think that Karla and Brayden had chemistry, I just wasn't able to really get behind their story. 

I also found a lot of things to be unbelievable, and that added together just kept me from really into Cross Checked like I was able to with Hat Trick. I think that there are readers that will enjoy this story, but for me it was just okay and I was left wanting more. This wasn't what I was expecting and after really enjoying the first book I was a bit disappointed here. I would read more from Kristen Hope Mazzola in the future, but this one wasn't as good as the first I read from her.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: Hat Trick by Kristen Hope Mazzola

Hat Trick is my first book by Kristen Hope Mazzola, but it definitely won't be my last. This book checked pretty much all the boxes when it came to my favorites in romance stories, so I knew I had to read it. I am happy to say that it was sexy and sweet, and I enjoyed reading it a lot. 

After a life altering accident, Myla had to adjust her life to her new circumstances. Though he wasn't prepared for her, Myla's brother still ended up playing for his dream hockey team, the team that their dad played for when they were kids. Myla finally started to open up and date again, but when she meets her brother's team captain, everything changes for her yet again. What started out as friends quickly grew to be more, but could Myla's relationship with Gavin change her relationship with her brother forever?

I really liked these two together. Gavin had been a manwhore looking for a different girl every night, but I loved that it all changed for him after meeting Myla. You could feel the chemistry between these two and the connection between them was so strong. I thought that Myla and Gavin were great for one another, and worked on every level. I was so glad that we got both Myla and Gavin's POVs, and that we also got some of her brother Brayden's. I do wish that we had been given more of him though as his character seemed to weaken as the book continued and then his POV just stopped. I am hoping that we will get a story for him and that was why the author chose to do what she did there. 

My other issue was that I felt like there was more emphasis on Brayden and Gavin's random hookups than I would have liked. While I understood that they were guys and knew that they liked it casual, I felt like we didn't need to see as much of that as we did to still get that same effect. This book was a quick and easy read though, and I loved that it had steam as well as sweetness and plenty of emotion to keep the reader invested. I enjoyed the story quite a bit, and I look forward to reading more from Kristen Hope Mazzola in the future.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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