Shots & Echoes

by Heather C. Myers, Frankie Cardona

She was the line I wasn’t supposed to cross. Now I’ll break every rule to keep her.



Knox

As assistant coach of Crestwood’s most brutal hockey team, I command respect through discipline, grit, and a reputation that keeps most people at a distance.

I don’t bend. I don’t break.

And I sure as hell don’t touch my players.

Until Iris Evans.

She’s fire on the ice and chaos off it. The sharpest shot I’ve ever seen—and the only one that’s ever made it past my defenses.

She thinks I’m cold. Controlled. Detached.

She doesn’t know what it costs me not to fall apart every time she walks into the room.

But when secrets leak and lines blur, keeping my hands off her stops being an option.

Now? She’s mine.

Even if the league, the team, and the world come for us.



Iris

Being a female hockey player means fighting every day to be seen, heard, and respected.

It doesn’t leave room for distractions—especially not ones with piercing eyes and a growl that makes me forget my own name.

Knox Callahan is my coach. My rulebook. My breaking point.

We’re toxic. Impossible. Addictive.

But when the ice melts and the truth comes out, I have to protect my career or risk it all for the man who makes me feel like I finally belong.



Shots & Echoes is a stand-alone forbidden hockey romance featuring a brooding, fiercely loyal coach and a relentless, blazing-hot forward who refuses to play by the rules. Expect electric chemistry, sharp banter, and a love story that hits harder than any check on the ice. Guaranteed HEA. No cliffhanger.

459 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2025

About the author

Full disclosure: I am an acquired taste. I'm a typical blonde Orange County suburbanite who says 'like' more than necessary, laughs loud and probably obnoxiously, and loves to dance in the rain. I'm a 23 year old college graduate with more than a few tricks up my sleeve, and I also happen to be a pretty big Ducks fan. Oh, and I'm a writer. Like, for real.

Reviews

[Beckie Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t think it could get any worse. This was the worst book in the series. It was so repetitive and skipped back and forth so much. The storyline didn’t flow and so many of the chapters repeated the same lines over and over.

Also, the FMC started off with green eyes and they changed to blue and then back to green?!

I was so close to DNF (which I never do)

[Dimitra A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knox & Iris: A battle of wills like no other!

A great conclusion to an amazing series! I loved all the books, some more than others, but it was overall one of the most intriguing – and unhinged at times – series that I have read. That being said, let’s talk about Knox and Iris. Iris is, in a sense, the equivalent of Knox in the female hockey world. She is the prodigy, his father’s hockey star, dreaming for a place in the USA Team. One mistake was enough for Knox to lose everything – his career, his place in the hockey world. So, he ends up helping his father co-coaching the female team in Crestwood. Their first meeting is explosive. He pushes, she pushes back. He resents her as much as he is drawn to her – because she represents everything he once was – and lost. The lines blur along the way, Iris manages to break down his walls, their battles take a deeper turn that could potentially ruin everything for Iris. Because it is taboo and frowned upon. But they are exactly right for each other (on and off the ice) – so the world needs to back off. Will they succeed? I couldn’t put the book down till the very last page. Very good character development, with multi-layered main MCs. A great book overall. 4 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon McMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooohhhhh I loved this story line and it was a hefty 400+ pages too so it was amazing as you got all the nitty gritty, banter, chemistry, hockey, forbidden dark romance (coach x player). This one gave us a reverse scenario than what we have typically seen in the hockey romance world where the coach is a man, and the player is a female. I love that Crestwood now has a female hockey team, and the co-coach Knox is helping his father with the team since losing out on his NHL career due to stupid mistakes that he made. But the sparks fly when Iris and Knox butt heads right out of the gate but the chemistry sparks immediately. Iris is trying to make Team USA’s Hockey Team as she has grown up with hockey in her life since her dad was the high school hockey coach but it’s a lot of pressure and tries to be tough both on and off the ice. Knox knows she has what it takes to be the very best and I am not sure if it’s because he let his dream slip to his fingers that he comes off as so relentless in his push for her limits or if it’s his obsession with her and the need to claim her as his. The back and forth between the two is amazing but you do see both characters develop more throughout the storyline. I really enjoyed this book and struggled to put it down as it was such a great read!

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

You had me at Red Flags...

I love a good dark hockey romance and this book delivered. I ate this up so fast, I was addicted. The spice was on fire and the plot was delicious.

Dual POV
Forbidden
Age-gap
Enemies to lovers
Check TW

Iris is a baddie hockey player. Being a hockey legacy trying to live up to her name and earn her own merits. She's confident, tough, and defiant. She can't stand Knox but also loves the way he sees her and pushes her to succeed and push the limits she sets for herself.

Knox is her assistant coach. *gasp* He ruined his Hockey career and now he's trying to be more than just a has-been. He agrees to help his father coach the team. He is instantly obsessed with her. He sees her potential and will do whatever it takes to push her even if he fears he'll break her. He's possessive and won't stop till he's claimed her and made her his.

Their first meeting is so intense, they get under eachothers skin and instantly butt heads.
The smack talk, the intensity, the spice is so yummy. I really enjoyed the build-up to their relationship.

I didn't realize this was a whole series of standalones and now I'm obsessed and will be going back to read books 1-11.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shot to the heart

Shots & Echoes is the twelfth book in The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy Series. This is an age-gap, power dynamic story about Iris Evans and Knox Callahan. He is the assistant coach of the women's hockey team at the academy, where he is working with his father after his won hockey career ended. Iris is one of the players on the team and she is determined, fierce, and does not back down. She is also trying to help lead the team to big victories as she wants to make the USA team. These two battle from the beginning in ways small and big. But part of that tension is because of the sparks that fly between them and the need for both to deny it fully. But what happens when denying it any longer is just not an option. Then the fireworks are lit up between them in ways that will melt the ice in the rink and then some.
I have not read all of the books in this series but have enjoyed the ones I have. This book is passionate, broody, and banter filled, all wrapped into a forbidden romance that skates away with your heart if you let it.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shots & Echoes is Book 12 and the final of The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy Series. This was a steamy, forbidden, enemies-to-lovers, age-gap, coach and player, forbidden hockey romance. Knox is a hunky, broody, former hockey player who lost his job after a particularly bad fight. He is now helping his father coach the girls' hockey team at Crestwood. Iris is their star player who wants to play on the USA hockey team. Knox is obsessed with her from the beginning, really pushing her, sometimes it seems even trying to break her. Iris has a love-hate relationship with him immediately. OMG, the chemistry and sexual tension were to die for. They were both over-the-top possessive of each other. The banter and smack talk were hysterical, and the ending was happy after a lot of drama. I'm sad this series is over!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“God, I hate when the broody ones get soft.” Kara might hate it, but I absolutely live for it. This story was a little bit enemies to lovers, a little hint of love triangle, and all colored in dark shades of the forbidden. The push-me/pull-you dynamic between Knox and Iris made for compelling reading, and I downright gobbled this book up in a single sitting because I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down! Watching these two crack open their defenses to let one another in was heady and intoxicating. They’ve both got some powerful ‘touch my partner and die’ energy zinging off the page, and that ending showed us just how strong a power that was. I don’t have any guesses who’s up next, but I can’t wait to get my hands on more in this series, whoever it may be.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Currently I'm on chapter 13 and so far its been 90% inner dialogue of woe is me and inner war of their feelings and towards the other.

Update I'm finished and it was about the 85 percent into it before it got more interesting with more interactive between Knox and Iris and lot less inner war, or hatred on Knox's side for wanting Iris. Wasn't the best that I've read from this author.

Iris Evens, sophomore, girls hockey team, hopeful for team USA. Daughter of the high school hockey coach, who also was on team USA in his younger years .Her coach's favorite so all around pressure filled days.

Knox Callahan, son of the Coach of the Crestwood Male and Female Hokey teams. Kicked off his NHL hockey team for the fight that injured a fellow player and a ref hit. Now he assistant coach with his dad for the female team and for his father's favorite golden girl, Iris. His need to break her, to give her a spark to keep her head in the game to earn the jersey for Team USA.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really surprised that I had to struggle to finish this book. I didn't understand how Iris and Nox basically hated each other's sight unseen. Then Wednesday meeting person it's a bunch of inner dialogue of how much they hate each other and then had themselves for wanting each other. Whereas I didn't see absolutely any chemistry. And the repetitiveness of their inner dialogue literally put me to sleep several times. I've read this entire series and enjoyed them immensely except for this one. I don't feel like there is any serious revelation during this book. I struggled to give it three stars I would say it's more 2.5. But I round it up because I do love this author and I love the series just not this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* - Rounded up to 4...

Each book in the series seems to have gotten less dark and more pining as we went along. And this final book in The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy Series is ALL angst and pining, and no dark...

We also move from the male hockey players to a female hockey player. And, of course, her coach. There wasn't really much story progression, with about 70% of the book being pining. Which, is fine as a once off, but when it's been the theme of the last 3 or 4 books in the series it gets a bit repetitive.

So yes, you get an HEA, and there are some decent spicy scenes. And if you like the angst and pining, this will certainly scratch your itch, but it's certainly not one of those stories that will move you or make you pine for the love the characters find.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kyrie Mangus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coach and The Player

We're back at Crestwood for another installment in the Elite Hockey World. We have coach Knox and team player Iris. I am here for this dou, and I was obsessed with the storyline from start to finish.

Knox is our broody mmc. His career ended, so now he's helping his father coach the girls' team. Enter Iris, she fierce and unstoppable trying to help lead the team to victory so she can play on the USA team. The tension and angst soon rise between these two, which leads to lines being blurred.

Will everything work out, or will they crash and burn out?

Grab this book now if you like age gap, coach/player, enemies to lovers with forbidden romance. This series is amazing.

[Empress_Solace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ( Shots & Echos) is about a hockey romance that is guaranteed to leave you breathless.Knox is the assistant coach at Crestwood  who lives by the rules. He is helping his father coach the girls team. Iris is the fiery forward with a killer shot who is trying to lead the team to victory. She’s chaos on and off the ice, and the one person who makes Knox's carefully controlled world unravel. She becomes Knox's obsession. Their chemistry is electric! As secrets surface and lines blur Knox and Iris must decide if risking everything is worth it.I loved their banter and the tension between them. The world building was fantastic and I would highly recommend this book.

[Audrianna Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Myers certainly knows how to hand us some firecracker women and broody men. Knox, our mmc, is broody and sharp, but slowly gives in to his desires. Iris, our fmc, a firecracker, who wants to prove it all, realizes what is all of it worth?
The bantering back and forth, the build up between them, and the realization that they are right for each other is written well. Sometimes Knox comes off a little bit too broody and takes away a bit from the story.
As always there is a HEA and our brief interview with Kara at the end. Who will be next in the series?!? I’m dying to know!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all an all consuming dark obsession. A game of cat and mouse seeing who will break first. Knox and Iris have the most intense chemistry. You could feel every push and pull between them. The feelings were so intense it felt like something was going to burst any minute. This book had such dark, raw emotion you couldn't help but be sucked in.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knox is the assistant coach at Crestwood, and Iris is the forward for the hockey team. Sparks flew at their first meeting, and this enemies to lovers age gap romance took them on quite a ride. From the crazy fun banter and their intense chemistry, these two had me cheering them on to get their happily ever after. The writing is good, and the characters are well developed. Shots and Echoes is book twelve in The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is choc full of sexual tension. Every page is a tease and pulls you in. It is a conundrum, did I want the tension to finish or did I want Knox and Iris would get together? I couldn't decide, but when they did get together I wasn't disappointed. This was so well written and emotional, but in just the right way. This is a story with heart. I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. What a wonderful read!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

And...she's back! Heather C Myers brought back the fire, the sizzle, the wow! Iris and Knox are combustible! I couldn't put the book down. The pages were on fire. I wish I knew what the ref chirped to Knox, but oh my wow, I loved how Iris got her grit back and flew to his defense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandy Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing conclusion to a fantastic and addicting series. I loved Knox and Iris. Their taboo romance was dark, spicy, and intense. I loved their banter!! The build up to their relationship was perfect. I loved it!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knox is the definition of disciplined as coach he has boundaries but Iris breaks all his walls, she's fire on the ice but when events chance things between them can they go the distance. Well written steamy desires, off limits engaging, action and more!

[TheBookishK9RN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knox and Irises story if full of push/pull chemistry and connection. Iris knows how to break all Knocks control and push his boundaires. Intense steamy read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was so hard to read for some reasons. No chemistry at all, dialogues between characters take up 15 percent at most. The whole book is boring and vague descriptions of what the characters are thinking about, and it’s just the same thing from chapter to chapter.

[KayCee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knox ended his hockey career in a fight. Iris is just beginning her career. So when Knox is asked to consult the women's college team that his father coaches for, he reluctantly agrees. Iris Evans is everything he never knew he needed. Enemies to lovers, forbidden love, age gap, spice and banter. Another great Crestwood Elite book. I have loved this entire series.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the chemistry between Knox and Iris and how they fell in love. I'm glad they won in the end by her winning her spot on Team USA and more importantly their love for each other.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this engaging sports/age gap romance with drama, chemistry, determination, good secondary characters and defined, likable, talented MCs who belong together. Emotions run high in this entertaining book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shyralf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Stars! An ok read

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed shots and echoes which was Knox and Iris’s story. I thought the characters had great chemistry and fun banter. I received an early copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.