Worth the Shot

by Clara Mott

Ryan Saban doesn’t think his life can get much better. He’s been playing professional hockey for two years and just got picked up by the Boston Gladiators, the team he’s been dreaming of playing for since he was a little kid. He gets to move back to Massachusetts, be near his family and live his dream. How does it get any better than that? He doesn’t think it can. That is until he spots familiar brown waves and warm eyes that he’d recognize anywhere - his college crush, which seems to come back instantly at the sight of her.

Rosie Rivera is a photographer for the Boston Gladiators. A job she’s been thankful to have the past few years but one she also feels is pulling her further away from her dreams. She’s determined to make this year her last with the team before taking a chance on herself and diving into her wedding photography business full time. That means this next year will be all work and no distractions as she’s determined to make her dreams a reality.

As the two spend more time together will Ryan be able to win over Rosie’s heart or will she classify him as a distraction?

Genres: Hockey

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2025

About the author

Clara Mott is a romance author who creates relatable stories and characters. Writing has always been apart of Clara's life and she enjoys creating love stories for the hopeless romantics of the world.
Clara was born and raised in central Massachusetts but currently resides in central Florida, with her fiancé and two cats. She loves visiting the beach, or really any body of water, with a good book and her Spotify playlist downloaded.

Reviews

[Lauren McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dual POV 📚
Interconnect standalone series 🖇️
He's a cat dad (a tuxedo cat named Charlie)🐈‍⬛
Hockey player 🏒and photographer 📸
Second chance 💕
Found family ❤️
Nicknames (Hotshot x Sunshine)🩷
Tension ❤️‍🔥
Slow burn 🔥
Emotional growth 🥹
He get her coffee everyday ☕️
Years of pining after her 🩷
He is protective 💀

Thank you so much Clara Mott for letting me ARC this amazing book! I love this book a lot! I did really wish I read the other two books first but I definitely still could follow along. (If any one has the copies and willing to share, I will love you forever 😊🎀). I LOVED how the characters both had such amazing emotional growth. They changed for each other and themselves. I loved how the MMC is a cat dad. In romance books, most authors try to make the MMC very manly. Yet when Clara Mott wrote Ryan, making him a soft hearted cat dad, made him feel more manly than others. The FMC had so much growth. She wanted to make a foundation for herself where she didn't need anyone else. The MMC supported that and let her be independent while also having his shoulder to cry on.
I also love how the characters didn't need spice/smut to show their love for each other. Don't get me wrong I love a good smut book, but it was refreshing to see a romance that didn't need any.

The only thing I would change about this book is that I wished it was longer 😭🎀. If Clara Mott sees this, I love your book so much and if you ever wanted to do any PR (media or book boxes) with your past or present Watertown University books, I WOULD DIE TO DO IT 😭!!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beyond thankful that I got the opportunity an arc of this amazing book! This story was amazing! The romance ugh so good!!! Clara you did an amazing job!!

[Sarah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

happy and bittersweet tears for the end of a perfect 5 star series 🥹💗💚💓 truly cannot recommend Clara’s books enough especially coming from someone who loves sweet, yearning, and slow burn romances!!!

As soon as I read the dedication, I knew this one would be so special to me (even though all of them are!) and I was proven right again and again🥹 the message of pursuing your dreams one step at a time at your own pace was something that I needed a reminder of! Rosie was truly a character I related to not only because of that, but also her need to have an iced coffee in her hand always 😂 also, those moments just brought this book to another level for me!!!

As for Ryan, he is the SWEETEST MMC around!!!! The way he drops everything for the people he loves and cares about just made me so happy! And the fact that he is a cat dad?!!! Say less!!! He is absolutely perfect!!!!

The family bonds throughout just made so happy as well even in the fact that throughout I was ready to call my parents as well!

I truly just can go on and on about this series and this book, but truly cannot recommend it enough!! If you are looking for ~
💚 the sweetest books ever!!!!! Not even exaggerating these books are my top recommendations for sweet books!!!
💗 sports romances- this one is hockey!!!! And it was truly the BEST TIME!!!
💚 she is a photographer chasing her dreams! Every single girl in these books are strong MFC and following their dreams and passions!
💗 closed door romances with tons of YEARNING AND SLOW BURN!!!
💚 emotional moments with characters but not too much that it takes away from the rom com of the book! (If you know what I mean😉) it’s the perfect amount of everything!!!)
💗 tons of rom com, music, and New Girl references!!! Just another way to add to the perfection of her books!!!!

Thank you Clara Mott for this ARC and for the opportunity to share my favorite sweet books with everyone I know!!! Cannot wait to see all that’s ahead for you and the next series to come! 🥰💗

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/4 ⭐️

I REALLY love Clara's writing. She is one of my favorite authors when it comes to style. I love the way you meet the entire series cast in the beginning of book one, but then see them reappear in all the remaining books without taking the shine off of the main characters in the book. I adored Worth the Chance, so it would so fun to see these characters return in Worth the Shot. Clara's writing is also extremely bingable and easy to read! It makes her books engross you from start to finish.

Worth the Shot is the best of both worlds when it comes to hockey and romance. I loved the aspects of the story that focused on Ryan's hockey journey, but also loved the aspects that just focused on Rosie and Ryan and their love story. You truly feel like you're part of the little family that are on the pages of these books when you're reading.

I loved seeing the back side of the life of a photographer in Rosie. I was so annoyed with Rosie when Ryan expressed his feelings for her and she just let him sweat for MULTIPLE DAYS before telling him she felt the same way! I was screaaamminnngggg at my girl!

While overall I really enjoyed this book, and would absolutely recommend it. There was definitely times in this book that dragged from me. I felt like I was kind of waiting for something to happy or waiting for the next larger interaction. That's just my personal opinion though! I still really enjoyed the story as a whole.

The Vibes:
-CAT DAD
-Hockey Romance
-Player x Photographer
-Second Chance Romance
-Found Family
-He Falls First
-Slow Burn
-Dual POV

[Kirsten Reedel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:

🐈‍⬛ cat dad
💐 second chance
🏒 hockey romance
💝 don’t touch her
✨ he falls first
🔥 slow burn
🌞 dual pov

🌹 Received as an eArc in exchange for an honest review 🌹

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!

Ryan Saban is a hotshot hockey player, ready to make his move on a new team and a new city. Rosie Rivera just happens to be a photographer for Ryan’s new team, but is trying to grow her career in a different direction. When the two meet after years of seeing each other will it be love at first sight or just another professional friendship?

I really enjoyed this whole series, and especially this book! Clara has an amazing ability to link all her characters together throughout their own stories while weaving details in. What I love about the Watertown University books is that each work as a standalone, but really shine when read together.

Ryan and Rosie’s relationship is adorable 🩷 he is very much a “I want to take care of you” mixed with golden retriever and cat dad vibes, while she’s quite independent and career driven (but still as sweet as him!). I really enjoyed having the other main characters from the 2 past books come into this story and give us updates on their lives and help move Ryan and Rosie forward in their journey.

I really recommend this book (and the rest of the series!) to anyone looking for a cute romance with playful banter, a bit of tension, and a happily ever after. 💕

[Laura D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan Saban was picked up by the Boston Gladiators after playing professional hockey in Florida for the past two years. He is so excited to be closer to home and his family being in Boston, so he, along with his cat Charlie make the trek home. His first day comes and he goes to the arena to finish paperwork as well as get some pictures taken. He walks into the photoshoot and sees that Rosie Rivera, who he has known since college, is one of the team’s photographers. She is also the only girl he’s been interested in for years.

Rosie is not excited to see Ryan. They had one night in college and she believed they both moved on. She hasn’t, and neither has Ryan. But she is not ready for a relationship, she is too focused on her wedding photography business, and is using the Gladiator’s job to supplement her until she can go pro on her own.

These two are so sweet! Ryan was the most supportive of any of Rosie’s dreams, and never wanted to hold her back. Rosie is so headstrong and independent, she just wants to make her mark on the world. I read this book so quickly, it was the perfect palette cleanser between books, and this book fits in perfectly with the other two books in this series.

Thank you so much Clara Mott for the ARC opportunity. I cannot wait to see what is next from you!

[Ysabeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honored to be able to ARC read Clara Mott's third book in her Interconnected standalone series! Each book follows a couple in a friend group, and this last one is just the cherry on the cake beause it also ties up the other two in such a cute way 🥰 thank you for trusting me with your book!

Rosie and Ryan have had a crush on each other since college, hooked up one time to get it out of their systems and then went on with life. At least that's what both of them believe... But when Ryan finds himself in his dream hockey team where Rosie is one of the team's photographers, can they stay "just friends"? Or will sometime more come of their almost daily meetings at the rink? It also doesn't help that Rosie's best friends are Ryan's sister and his brother's girlfriend 🤭✨

Favorite quote out of context:
"You're so screwed."
"What? I'm not screwed."
"You still have a crush on her?"
"Well, have you *seen* her?"

Tropes include:
🏒 Sports Romance
📸 Third interconnected standalone
🏒 He calls her "Sunshine"
📸 Coffee dates
🏒 Long-time crush
📸 Hockey player x Team photographer
🏒 Circle of friends/found family
📸 Hockey games
🏒 Closed Door

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 0,5 🌶️ (kisses, touches, closed door)

[Greer Feck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the shot

I am so in love with this series 😍 I can’t believe it’s over and I feel so honoured to have been a part of the ARC team for both Worth the Chance and Worth the Shot’s release. Clara’s writing really just tickles a part of my brain and I don’t even realise I’m reading.
Me and Rosie are like this 🤞 Noah Kahan, 2000’s rom coms (specifically how to lose a guy in ten days), and sweet iced coffee?!?! Literally spot the difference, level hard lol
Rosie’s iced coffee addiction is so real and so so relatable!! Ryan steals my heart every time he buys her a surprise coffee to make her day 🥰 he is such a sweet, kind man willing to give the people he loves, the absolute world. Did I mention he’s a cat dad?! This cat is his literal child, I’m convinced this man birthed him himself hahahaha.
Both Rosie and Ryan felt like such REAL characters and I’m so glad they both got to live out their happily ever afters.

Thank you so so much again Clara for allowing me to be a part of this release 🩷 I cannot wait to see what comes next x

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

❣ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4.4✨

❣ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - 23 May 2025

❣ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- second chance romance
- forced proximity
- athlete x photographer
- workplace romance
- small town
- slow burn
- he falls first

❣ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Thank you so much @authorclaramott for this lovely ARC. This was the kind of romance that made me grin like an idiot and scream into my pillow every few chapters. Ryan is the literal definition of a golden retriever with a hockey stick loyal, driven, and head-over-skates for Rosie. Their chemistry was chef’s kiss. The way he kept showing up for her even when she had her walls sky-high, I was gone. Rosie’s hustle and passion for her photography dreams added such a real and relatable layer, and I loved how she wasn’t just a side character in his story she was the story. The tension, the flirty banter, the subtle moments that made my heart squeeze… everything was done just right.
It’s not all fluff though there’s a little angst, some beautifully written emotional scenes, and a couple of moments that had me rereading lines just to feel it again.

[EllasEnchantedReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the Shot is a heartfelt closed-door second chance (ish) hockey romance between a photographer and an NHL player. It is the third book in an interconnected standalone series, the Watertown University series. I loved the first two books in this series and was so excited to ARC read book 3! Clara Mott is an auto-read author for me—her books are so well written and hard to put down!

I devoured Rosie and Ryan’s story. Between all of the pining, tension and banter, it is everything you could ever want in a swoon-worthy slow burn romance with two MCs who support and understand each other. Ryan is such a romantic guy and total book boyfriend goals. He is also an amazing cat dad to his sweet tuxedo cat Charlie. So many lines in this book had me swooning, and one particular sweet scene had me tearing up. It was really fun to see characters from the previous books in this series making an appearance, too!

I absolutely loved Worth the Shot and definitely recommend adding this one (& the other books in this series!) to your TBR! Thank you so much Clara for a copy of this eARC!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely lovely book is the third one in the Watertown University series. The last one was a a great book so I was eager to go back to their universe.
This book is about Ryan, an authentic golden retriever hockey player and Rosie, the team photographer, his co-worker and a complete oblivious girl of his infatuation with her.
This book has a side character that every time he appears, I have a smile on my face: Charlie the cat.

Tropes you can find in this book:
- Second Chance romance
- found family
- hockey romance
- he falls first
- workplace romance
- slow burn
- dual 1st person POV.

This book has mild to none spicy scenes with close door/ fade to black.

My ratings:
3,5/5⭐️ 0,5/5🌶️

I’d like to thanks Clara Mott for this ARC. Thank you for the chance to give my humble and honest opinion.

[Emily Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to clara mott for an arc copy of worth the shot!

worth the shot is a dual pov standalone (within an interconnected series) that follows ryan (a professional hockey player) and rosie (a photographer for the same hockey team). from the start, ryan and rosie are charming and their chemistry is present and ready. with fade-to-black scenes, a strong ensemble of side characters, and a sweet cat, worth a shot is cozy and a quick romance read.

my only critique is that the pacing felt a bit off. everything wrapped up every quick in the last 15% of the novel, and i wished the middle of the book helped develop the characters and plot just a bit more.

overall, i enjoyed this and would recommend for the sports romance lover!

worth the shot releases on May 23rd!

[Mary Yeung · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 wonderful stars!
This was such a sweet and wholesome read!
I remember already loving Ryan and Rosie from Worth the risk and so I was so excited for them to finally get their story!

Ryan is a walking green forest and a golden retriever of a man! He cares for Rosie and it’s so cute seeing him pine after her. He’s such a good man who is not only good to Rosie but also to his friends and family. I just love him so much.

It was also nice to see Rosie pursue her dreams.
I think she fits right in with Ryan and his family 🥰


Overall, I loved this one and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Ryan and Rosie!


Thank you, Clara, for the gifted e-arc!
I had fun getting to know R&R and their friends 💗💗

[Renata Rachieru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Clara for the opportunity to read early 💓
🌸Slow burn
🌸He falls first
🌸Second chance
🌸Workplace romance
🌸Hockey player MMC
🌸Cat dad
🌸He calls her ‘Sunshine’

If you’re in the mood for a slow-burn romance with heart, and personal growth, Worth the Shot is just right for you.
This is a swoony, emotional journey between two characters who are easy to root for and hard to forget- I mean Ryan is the literal definition of a golden retriever.

Their chemistry was Off the charts and The emotional depth was So real, it lingers. I absolutely loved this book and I finished reading it in one sitting!!

So go grab a blanket, a coffee, and get ready to fall in love.💓

PS Can someone love me like Ryan loves his cat🥹🫠🤣

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first fell in love the Watertown University series when I first read the 2nd book but let me tell you the 3rd was even better and I fell in love all over again.
Ryan and Rosie’s story was magical in all aspects the way they cared for each other when trying not show their true feelings. We also need to give a special mention to Ryan’s tuxedo cat Charlie, he was my fav🤣

Ryan is total book boyfriend goals, he defiantly thinks of everything that’s to do with Rosie, protects her when she needs but also gives her space when she needs🥹


🏒Slow burn romance
📸Second chance
🏒Hockey player x photographer
📸He falls first
🏒Cat Dad


Worth The Short is out today, along with the rest of the series🏒📸🩷

[hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️/5 ✨

I absolutely adored this book! it had me giggling at the banter and crying at some moments. I literally can't stop thinking about this book and wanna reread it asap! top tier and best book of the series. don't get me started on found family because I love that trope so much. If you love rom coms & Noah Kahan you're going to adore this book! go read this & the rest of the series!

- hockey player x team photographer
- slow burn
- he falls first
- second chance (ish)
- tension & banter
- nicknames
- found family
- cat dad
- fade to black

[Michele Inoue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the Shot is the third book in the Watertown University Series by Clara Mott.

Since the first book, Worth the Risk, Ryan and Rosie caught my attention as they sparkled in the background. This is their time in the spotlight and it does not disappoint! I loved how their story has a unique flavor because of things that happened behind the scenes during the last couple books.

If it was not solidified that Clara is an auto read author for me before, it is now. I loved the world and characters she created in the Watertown University universe.

[Tara Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Watertown University series but can be read as a standalone. I just loved Ryan and Rosie. They both knew each other in college but flash forward a few years and Ryan is now playing hockey for Boston and Rosie happens to be the photographer. Ryan is adorable and such a golden retriever type of guy. Rosie is fighting her feelings because she wants to become more than a hockey team photographer. This back and forth was great and there is a HEA.

[ronja · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

i've been waiting for rosie & ryan since the first book and finally it's their time!!

ryan is such a sweetheart and so down bad for rosie (as he should be). and rosie, our independent queen! she has been focusing on her career, swearing off men completely until ryan breaks down her walls. and the little crumbs of characters from earlier books, ahh 🥹

it's a cute slow burn hockey romance, no spice. if that sounds like your thing, definitely would recommend!!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite book of the series!

If you have read the series, Ryan and Rosie are mentioned many times in the first two books. I loved getting to know them more and watch their love grow towards one another.

But I think what made this book so great is all of the characters we have fallen in love with, are all throughout this book! We got to continue to watch them grow and could continue to cheer them on through Ryan’s and Rosie!

This was such a sweet book and a perfect book to get lost in!

[Jessica McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW-

This is the first book I’ve read in this series and it absolutely makes me want to go back and read the rest! I very much enjoyed this book. I will always fall for a hockey romance. I love that Ryan was a soft cat dad. I also really loved Rosie’s growth throughout the book! I loved their connection. It was felt through every page!

[Tegan Houze · Rating 4 out of 5]

* I received this arc from the author! I’m super grateful to have been able to read it! Thank you Clara Mott! All my opinions are my own*

“You’re enough, Ryan. I need you to know that. I don’t know why you think you’re not but you are. You’re more than enough.”

Such a sweet, feel-good read! I loved the chemistry between Ryan and Rosie — the banter, the slow burn, and all the adorable moments had me hooked. Ryan is the ultimate golden retriever boyfriend, and I was obsessed! 🐶💛

[Brooke.reads_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan was so in love with Rosie before they even started dating. Everyday he would go to a coffee shop and grab her a coffee just so he could give it to her at his practices! He’s a hockey player, cat daddy and a total golden retriever for her. It was the cutest freaking thing. Rosie being so clueless that Ryan was all in on her was adorable. They were just little cuties together🥰

Now for, dare I say, my FAVORITE part of the whole book. The adorable little munchkin tuxedo cat, Charlie! My love for him holds no bounds. The way he acts like a person and pulls his toys out right after Ryan cleans them up is hilarious.🫶🏻

Overall though, I do have to say this book fell a little flat for me. They were super cute together but I just felt like they weren’t ready to be in a relationship yet and pushed it a little hard. This book was an extreme slow burn and fade to black so keep that in mind while reading. Just because this book wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a shot!

3.5⭐️

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
Previous One Night Stand
Forced Proximity
Hockey Player x Team Photographer
Slow Burn
Cat Dad
He Falls First

Thank you so much Clara Mott for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!🫶🏻

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you pick up a book that just feels as cozy as a warm blanket by the fire. Worth the Shot is one of those books. Ryan is a pro hockey player moving back home to play for the team of his dreams. He finds his college crush, Rosie, working as a photographer for the team. As their worlds begin to blend together, old feelings reignite. I thought Ryan was such a cinnamon roll- he was incredibly sweet and thoughtful. Rosie was fiercely independent and hardworking. I really enjoyed reading how their story together developed. There is some language (infrequent, but still there) and implied explicit content (not on page). If you’re looking for a cozy read, this is a good place to start!