Shut Up and Score

Full Contact #1

by Kit Jade

I matched with a stranger on a queer hookup app.

He’s bold. Filthy. Addictive in a way that makes me forget everything else.

I don’t know his name.

He doesn’t know mine.

But when I'm at lunch with my girlfriend and see Micah Blackman standing there—my ex-best friend, the boy I kissed and then ruined—the game changes.

Micah’s back after two years of silence. He’s inked, pissed off, and he's back on the team, the one I captain, which would be fine…if I didn’t still want him. If I weren’t still pretending I’m straight. If the last time we played together, I hadn’t ruined his life.

And if I didn’t start to suspect the guy I’ve been falling for behind the screen might just be him.

Secrets don’t stay hidden forever. And the closer we get to the truth, the harder it is to tell if we’re headed for redemption or one last disaster.

This is a MM sports romance packed with angst, banter, and slow-burn heat. If you

Queer-awakening MMC trying (and failing) to stay in the closetSecond-chance romance with all the tension of ex-best-friends to loversSecret hookup apps that get way too complicatedSports settings with locker room tension, found family, and team dynamicsA golden-boy captain and a tattooed outcast colliding on and off the field…then this story was written for you.

Expect snark, steam, late-night texting, and a whole lot of pining. Our MCs will fumble, fall hard, and figure out if they’re brave enough to claim the love they never got over.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Enemies To Lovers, College, Romance, Sports Romance, Second Chance

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2025

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Colton Taylor is a walking red flag with an eight-pack.

Shut Up and Score is the story of Colton and Micah, former BFFs whose friendship ends in an instant when Colton's internal homophobia leads him to accuse Micah of sexual assault. The two reconnect again 2 years later when Micah comes back to school and they start unknowingly texting each other on a queer hookup app.

I want him to be the one who sent that message. I want it to be Micah behind the screen, teasing and tempting and always two steps ahead of me.

I love a good E2L storyline but this one did not work for me at all. We're supposed to believe that Colton has loved Micah as a best friend and more for forever, but that he was so afraid of anyone finding out that he's queer that he caused Micah to lose his scholarship and be kicked out of school? It made Colton irredeemable for me. And when Micah does earn his way back onto the football team years later, their coach makes a joke about them flirting and tells them to run laps until they can work together. Right- what a sensitive way to address 2 players with a sexual assault charge between them. It's just an incredibly insensitive way to address the situation. Maybe that's typical of college coaches but you'd think the school would mandate something. Unfortunately, I found it hard to work past these two elements of the story, because the plot is very.... let's just say thin. The emotional maturity of the characters was very low and maybe that's age appropriate, but it just wasn't believable for me. I also really don't like when an MC cheats on their girlfriend because it just further demonstrates their shitty character.

There’s always been something electric in the silence between us. A hum under the surface.

I liked the writing overall and the smutty parts were high spice. Unfortunately I felt as though there wasn't a lot of plot so the smut took over and became boring. There were several continuity errors and plot holes that I felt really should've been addressed. I do think the writing is strong enough that it will be successful anyway, and with a different plot I think I would've liked the book a lot more.

Rating: 2
Angst: 4/5
Steam: 3/5

I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙮.
“𝙊𝙝, 𝙄 𝙙𝙤, 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙩𝙤𝙣.” 𝙄 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢. “𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙥. 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙗 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙄 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙚.”

Colton and Micah are lowkey toxic af.

Because what do you mean you kissed your best friend, acted like he assaulted you, got him kicked off the team and out of school, and basically ruined his life for funsies because you were too chicken to come out of the closet, but now that he's back you realize you did all this because you were secretly in love with him the whole time?????????

Did I love it? You betcha lol

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- college football
- ex best friends to lovers
- anonymous texting
- second chance romance
- dirty talk + praise 🥵
- only one bed

[Ditte · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 4%

Nope, not for me, I'd warn Micah to stay far away from Colton. Making knowingly false sexual assault allegations because you're so far in the closet as a late teen that you'd rather go along with that than admit you willingly initiated a kiss with your best friend? Nope, not something that should be forgiven.

When they're caught kissing by a teammate, Colton insists he was cornered and didn't want it. The teammate who caught them told the coach Micah sexually assaulted Colton to which Colton never says anything to clear things up but just goes along with it. He doesn't even speak up when Micah is benched, kicked off the team, and loses his scholarship.

This was all in chapter 1 (from Colton's POV) so I don't even know if police was involved as well.

There are content warnings in the book but false SA allegations between the MCs (or any SA allegations for that matter) aren't listed.

I feel uncomfortable reading a romance based on this so I'm noping out.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can tell this is one of those books that everyone but me is going to like. It is well written so I definitely will check out Jade's future works. But, it just was things that specifically I dont like. Specifically:
1. What one MC did to the other is actually terrible and there was not enough groveling or fixing it. He did fix it with the school, but he never told the team, his parents, anyone else so that Micah still was probably thought to be a predator by some people. It's really gross that this this wasn't handled more IMO. .
2. There are 8 million sex scenes. It's one of the reasons enemies to lovers doesn't always work for me. Because they "don't like each other" sex is what keeps bringing them back together. It doesn't work for me and there wasn't much talking between.

Again, these are me things. Most people are going to love this.

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5 🌟
Spice: 3.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Colton and Micah

[Ash’s reading corner ✨🌈 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️

Tropes:
✨MM
✨Bestfriends to nothing to rivals to lovers
✨Closeted MC
✨Revenge
✨They’re texting and falling in love without knowing it
✨Hate to love
✨Hurt/Comfort
✨Second chance
✨Sport romance
✨Pierced cock
✨Found family
✨Golden boy x Bad boy
🔞
✨First time with a man
✨Risky / Public places
✨Hate / angry sex
✨Frotting
✨Humiliation / Degradation
✨Good boy
✨Sexting / Nudes
✨No strict top/bottom

My review :

Maybe RTC

[Alexooo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded down.
Honestly, this book didn't make much sense. Like making false sexual assault accusations just because you're scared of your feelings? That's absolutely horrible and I would never forgive such a thing.
The pacing didn't make much sense either, because up to 50% nothing happens and then it's a fuckfest.
This didn't do it for me at all.

[Whisper Wallen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

1st person
Dual POV
Revenge plot
2nd chance
Needy boy
Vers
Degration
Emotional cheating (not between mmcs)
Dirty talk 🔥🔥
Anonymous hookup app

“How do you reply when the person you’re falling for is the one you already broke?”

This is Kit Jade debut book and I have to say amazing. Micah and Colton were meant for each other even though they struggle. With what happened 2 years prior you can imagine the betrayal Micah felt from Colton. Colton being in the closet wasn’t just not allowing him to be himself but also hurt the person he cared about most. Even though it was rocky sometimes I feel like it was very realistic to how it would feel to still love someone even though they hurt you. I would have liked to maybe have some childhood flash backs to give them a little more depth to their relationship to what it is now. Also I’m not sure why it would take 2 years to clear up the situation that was kinda confusing but I can look past it. But I loved it and will definitely be reading the rest of the series. I just know they will get better and better!

“Golden boy, falling apart one perfect pass at a time.”

“Micah, tell them I’m a national treasure.” “You’re a public safety hazard.” “Same thing.”

[Flora.reads.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was this anything special? Nope.
Did I absolutely love it? Hell yeah!
5 freaking stars for Colton and Micah 🥹💙 I love them 💙

[Inga · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was some good tension in the beginning but as soon as they got together it became zero plot and just smut…

[raccoon reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt like it was written by two different people. The part up until the actual physical sex and then the part after they work out their shit was one person, but the part where all the physicality is taking place? Who wrote that? It felt like a crazy fever dream that I honestly was not enjoying. There was so much talent in the lines in the first 40 or 50% and some in the last 10%. But those bits in between? What happened? Who was that.

Ultimately I’d like to follow this author a bit more to see if they take the opportunity to tighten up theirs writing. A real editor, or solid writing group, might help close some of the story’s gaps (ie. Micah appears to be an orphan until the epilogue when his parents are mentioned in a throw away line) & also getting rid of some of the repetitiveness in the sex scenes. It felt like we read the overwritten “first time angry jock kiss™️” four times in this book. Those scenes and others needed to be slashed and condensed. 50 pages could’ve easily been removed with the right help. Am I that person? Oh hell no. But I hope they are out there. There’s a lot of raw talent here I’m excited to see develop with the right help.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨
📖 Shut Up and Score by Kit Jade
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am OBSESSED. No, really. I cannot stop thinking about this book. For a debut, Kit Jade didn’t just play, she dominated the field and I’m honestly in awe. Her writing style just does it for me… sharp, emotional, fun, and so addictive.

This story had every thing I love in an MM romance: ex-best friends to lovers, second chance, slow burn angst, spicy anonymous texting, the classic one bed setup (🫠), and all the delicious tension I crave.

Colton and Micah are the kind of characters that stick with you. The golden boy hiding in plain sight and the filthy-mouthed bestie he never really stopped loving. I laughed, I swooned, I yelled at them to just kiss already. And then I melted when they finally did.
They had me rooting for them the whole way. The tension, the banter, the mine moments… and let’s just say Kit knows how to deliver on spice. (Colton literally 💦 in his pants and I had to set the book down 🫠).

Five freaking stars. If I could give it more, I would. Kit Jade, you have my whole reader heart. Please never stop writing.

[Cella Oreta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ 3.5 🌶️

Wellll fuck me sideways! I love getting introduced the source of tension early in a book. And I have no clue I need the ex-friends turned lovers in my life. But man did I HATE Colton with a passion! And then he did make me soften towards him JUST A TAD AND I RESENT HIM FOR IT! 🤬 I wanted to stay mad!! lol

This book was a total vibe and my toxic ass was here for Micah’s revenge (though that didn’t really work lol), the spicy anonymous texting, and Colton chasing after him and wearing him down with his gesture of love!!! 😍😍

BUT DAMNIT I NEED COLTON TO GROVEL!!! 😩😩😩 this plot was MADE for epic grovel but I will say his gesture and the end- I will also accept, I’m just going to be petty about it 😇

[paisean13]

This is a debut so I am not rating it. I will strongly suggest that this goes through another edit. There are too many inconsistencies that take the reader out of the story. Lastly, I find that what Colton did to Micah is absolutely unforgivable. I can't even suspend my disbelief long enough to find forgiveness for Colton. He is so terrified of leaving his closet that instead of owning kissing Micah, when caught by a teammate, he would rather accuse him of SA?! Micah loses his place on the team, his friends, his scholarship, and Colton's accusation forces him to fight legally for 2 years to clear his name. Ya. No. That is not a hero I root for in a romance. That is a cowardly villian who should get his comeuppance. Micah definitely deserves better.

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an ex best friends / teammates college sports romance, featuring Colton Taylor and Micah Blackman, and is book one in the Full Contact series.

Colton’s anonymous online hookup turns out to be his ex-best friend, Micah, the boy he once kissed and pushed away. Now teammates again, their unresolved feelings and buried secrets threaten to explode.

This was a great debut novel. It has jocks, tension, anonymous texting, lots of push / pull, a bit of angst, great secondary characters and these two ex best friends falling for each other. Overall I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 1 in series
MM college sports romance
Ex best friends
Football teammates
Golden boy x Outcast
Revenge plan
Closeted MC
Anonymous online hook up
Pining
Pierced cock
Push / Pull
Spicy times
Biting
Mild Dom/sub vibes
Degradation & Praise
Begging
Secrets come out
Second chance
HEA

[Marianitaxoxo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a really sweet book. I think I just read it at the wrong time because I was in the mood for something soft and fluffy, but even then, Micah and Taylor were adorable. You can tell right from the start that they are completely in love with each other, even when they try to act like they are not.

I loved their little moments together, the teasing, the chemistry, and how they always ended up finding comfort in each other. It had that mix of friendship and love that just feels really cozy. Even though it was not the fluffy read I was craving, it still had those moments that made me smile.

Overall, it is a cute story with two characters who clearly belong together. Maybe not my favorite, but still a nice, easy read that leaves you feeling warm.

[Verity S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Micah & Colton’s song “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay”

The Good:
The author uses such good descriptive words in settings. I can hear the cleats digging into the turf (a description the author uses in the beginning).
The description in the book says a lot of pining. And there are tons! It is amazing.
It seems like the author might understand how to play American football, which is a plus.
Caleb. He’s an amazing friend.
Even with a hiccup in the middle, the chemistry between the two MCs does not fade.
I know the plot has something to do with queer awakening, Micah's story is the one that kept me turning pages. If the whole book had been his POV, it would have still been good. 

The Bad:
I am a huge NO fan of cheating, and I hadn’t even begun and I almost DNF’d due to the trigger warnings of cheating.
Emojis didn't come through in the book.
Something shifts at 50% and the author seems to realize that she needs to speed up the narrative. The pacing gets off and we skip “weeks” where Micah is silent. And then comes the “one bed at the Inn” trope and I think she meant to show that Micah had enough and his resolve snapped. It did get communicated that way. It was told instead of showed and having that scene from Micah’s perspective would have been better than Colton’s.
The scene in the hotel room was incredibly repetitive and dragged slowly. I felt like, with Micah’s shift in attitude, that the chemistry that had been delicious between our two MCs faded in that moment.
Wait, when did Micah get a tongue piercing?
Colton's last name changes, once. Near the end.

Tropes:
MM, forced proximity, happily ever after, enemies-to-lovers 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Crisana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*. I liked it but it did not blow me away. And that's mainly because there's sex on page between one of the MC's and his GF, even if they are not together at this point. I'm sure quite a few people will be ok with it and even enjoy it but it's not my cup of tea. Personally, they had enough going on without the need for a GF in the mix, even if it's part of the persona the MC is showing to the world.

[Amber J (Thereadingwitch) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this ARC after seeing i could request it on Tiktok and I am sooo glad I did. This book was an incredible read. I literally couldn't put it down. It was hot and spicy and sweet. Its MM romance, sports romance, ex bestfriends to lovers, and all wrapped up in incredible spice. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Ale · Rating 4 out of 5]

there was weed in this. not crack. weed.

“you’re really insane”
“yeah, and you love it”

[Isaac D · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was fine. The writing was decent and I do like the idea of the main characters - although Luke was definitely the stand out character. I feel like I would’ve liked Caleb a lot more too if we got to see more of him.

I struggle with the authenticity of the book though. Colton was the QB but the book didn’t play him like the QB. Also at one point Micah is labeled as a “forward” which is not even a football position. I also don’t love unprepared anal scenes. I just got the sense that this author doesn’t understand the ins and outs of an actual male-male relationship and it just gave very fetishized gay relationship.

I just also don’t love the base issue of Micah being accused of sexual assault basically but there not be any consequences for the inaccuracy of that.

[Naulee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 3.5🌶
Shut Up and Score is an entertaining ex-best friends to enemies to lovers story. Colton and Micah face off with each other on their college football team after Colton ruined Micah's life 2 years prior with a kiss.
Micah's out for revenge and Colton's still stuck in the closet.
Unbeknownst to each other they're both on an anonymous texting app, talking to each other. The sexting goes hard, but the burning tension in the locker room and on the field goes harder.

For the audiobook, Alexander Cendese and Michael Crouch do a phenomenal job bringing this story to life and really made me re-live all the burning and yearning again.

[unhingedreaderaunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic debut by Kit Jade! Well-written, voicey and just on the edge of gritty, Shut Up and Score hits all the right MM sports romance notes. The story hits the ground running—the conflict, the angst, the emotion, the secrets; I was instantly hooked. There were a couple issues that held it back from a 5 star rating for me, but overall, my advice is to shut up and score this one (heh) when it releases October 3rd.

Micah Blackman is back in town—tatted and set on revenge after a betrayal by best friend Colton Taylor two years ago cost him his scholarship and his place on the football team. His return makes life complicated for the still-closeted Golden Boy Colton, who is still playing the part of the straight quarterback while quietly trying to come to terms with his sexuality. And when football forces them together, Micah and Colton are also forced to confront their feelings, and their past mistakes.

Kit Jade’s sharp, punchy prose goes hand in hand with an angsty sports romance. The emotions of both characters were palpable—Colton’s disillusionment and guilt, Micah’s anger and cynicism. At no point did it feel like I was reading a debut. After such a strong start, it was a shame that the second half of the story went a bit too hard (no pun intended) on the sex scenes. Without breaks in between to allow the sexual tension to build, the spice did become a bit repetitive. (For the curious—chapters 23, 25-28, 30-31, 33-34 are all sex.)

At the start of the book, the Content Warning includes: “Explicit sexual content between consenting adult men”. It’s an MM romance, sex between men is to be expected. What wasn’t expected—and also not in the CW—was the explicit MF sex scene between Colton and his girlfriend. I thought it odd that there’s a warning about gay sex in a gay romance, instead of one about explicit hetero sex. In MM, sex between a man and a woman is the outlier, not the standard, and I think it should always be included in the CW.

The other issue for me was the misogyny. (Also not in the CW.) There were times I didn’t like how narrative and the MMC’s treat Jasmine, Colton’s girlfriend. Her character lacks depth, and is only ever referred to in superficial terms—her pink dress, her glossy lips, her perfect, practised smile. As though she’s not a real person, but a prop. And to a certain extent, I got it—for Colton, she was a prop: the Golden Boy quarterback’s perfect girlfriend. But in the story, the line between metaphor and misogyny is sometimes blurred.

A lot of emphasis is on Jasmine’s physical appearance and presentation, rather than her personality. Colton refers to her as a “walking Instagram filter”, and treats everything she says as vacuous.

“I’m sitting next to Jasmine (…) as she rattles on and on. Something about dinner plans. (…) Or whatever the hell I’m supposed to care about this week.”

(Your bi-panic is not Jasmine’s fault, Colton!)

Micah is also guilty of it:

“Long legs. Sorority tank. Fresh lip gloss. Perched on the bleachers like a goddamn recruiter, clapping slowly, as if she’s proud of her prize-winning racehorse. ‘Babe,’ she calls, all breathy and performative.”

I get it, Micah is jealous, and to him, Jasmine is just a reflection of Colton’s carefully constructed closet… but the poor woman is just living her life. She’s not doing anything wrong, but she’s copping the collateral damage.

Thankfully, her treatment does get better. She’s not demonised or painted as the bitter, jealous ex, and she even has a happy ending of her own. I just wish she’d had more depth, and wasn’t objectified.

Overall, I am very excited to see what else Kit Jade comes out with, because if this is her debut, I think we can expect great things in the future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟, rounded up.

In a tale as old as time, Micah had fallen for his straight best friend. He never let himself think about the what ifs, because he knew nothing would ever happen, so he felt like he hit the jackpot when Colton kissed him out of the blue one day after practice. It was a perfect moment in time until they were caught by a teammate and Colton freaked out, lying and saying that Micah came on to him. He got kicked off the team for assault, and subsequently lost his scholarship while Colton stood by in silence. He spends the next 2 years plotting his revenge.

A lot has changed in 2 years - there are actually out queer guys on the team and I love that Micah instantly makes friends after being ostracized for so long. Luke is an out and proud eyeliner and glitter nail polish wearing teammate who immediately claims Micah as his new bestie and Mario Cart partner. LOVED him and I hope he gets his own book! Meanwhile, Colton is absolutely miserable living his picture perfect lie. As he deserved, honestly.

This book had so much promise and there really was a lot to love, especially for a debut. The first half was great! I loved all of the tension and you could feel the deep love and also deep hurt between our guys. They were super entertaining at practices, doing the equivalent of pulling each others pigtails and fooling absolutely no one. Looooved how they were inadvertently falling for each other and actually being vulnerable in the hookup app chats. Then around 50% we’re expected to believe that the school/coach is going to force two teammates with SA allegations between them to room together on the road and oopsie, there’s only one bed 🤷‍♀️ It kinda jumped the shark and from that point until about 85% was like one extended sex scene that didn’t really move the plot… even though it was, indeed, hot. I am NOT one to complain about too much spice… but this was too much spice and it became stagnant. I also had to scratch my head at the personality transplant Colton’s parents had in the second half, which made his entire rationale behind lying and blowing Micah’s life up make zero sense. I loved everything before and after that, though. They were ridiculously cute once they actually got together. The writing was solid and I loved the cast of side characters, so I will definitely be checking out future releases from this author!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, and give it 3.75-4 stars with some real caveats.

1. This is a Kit Jade's first book, and I think it's well written and a strong debut. I will read more in the future if they continue to publish! 2. I have to overlook some of the plot. As another review said, it's a bit "thin" at best. Colton and Micah are childhood best friends, but then "no homo" happens and Micah is kicked out of school and loses his scholarship because of perceived sexual assault. And Colton seemingly let's it happen and everyone just looks the other way. Yikes my friend! I dont think I can get over that.

THAT said, Micah's reasons for wanting revenge seem plenty valid. And It took me a while to come around that Colton even deserved any redemption. The angst leading up to something happening between them was pretty good, and kept me booked. However, I struggled pretty hard once they suddenly kicked things off that now it was all dirty talk and dom/sub vibes and super smutty. TWhich, no shame on smut! But, I just had a hard time believing that these two childhood best friends, who had a major falling out, find their way back to each other and then suddenly it's all "hurt me daddy" vibes without any discussions. The beginning of the book mentions how they would sleep together as kids, and one MC was pining after the other, memorizing his smell, how his home made him feel, all the deep feelings of a hidden love. But forget that -- suddenly it was hardcore get on your knees. It was a lot of scenes like that (to the point where I started to get a little bored).

Things leveled off once they finally begin to communicate, and there is a reveal by Colton that shows he does deserve some redemption (but was it enough?) And then I once again enjoyed seeing these two back together. Overall fun read, and enjoyed their hard fought HEA.

[Jess📖🤍 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so fucking much and I love how most of the book was build up and not them tg bc I find it so boringgg when they get together early and the rest of the book is just about them yk? Anyways I fucking love Micah bless his heart he deserves everything and anything, Colton, I just feel pity for him like i actually cant comprehend how he could do that to someone, I feel sad that he felt like he had to, but I’m glad Micah is forgiving because ik I would never but at the end of the day it is a book and it was a good plot line I just feel so fucking bad that Micah has to go through all that for 2 years?!!! Losing his bsf, his scholarship, friends, teammates, not being able to play his sport, people thinking he assaulted someone, it must’ve been so much to handle whilst he saw Colton smiling living his life with a girlfriend whilst his life was ripped to shreds even tho COLTON WAS THE ONE THAT KISSED HIM. it’s so upsetting honestly and I hate after they did it for the first time Colton thought everything was forgiven?? He didn’t deserve to be forgiven but I do like that he knew he couldn’t be with Micah if he wanted to stay in the closet and Ik Micah didn’t have the most self respect for even getting with him but it’s emotions you can’t control them but I love that he stood his ground and didn’t let himself be a dirty secret and I do think they worked through it and would probably last so all in all this book in general was amazing I’m not rating the book as them individually as a couple I’m rating it as did I enjoy it? Did it have a good plot line? Was it fun? Yes yes yes and yes so this book is definitely recommended.

[Karen T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shut Up and Score drew me in from the beginning with its strong emotional pull and the complicated dynamic between Micah and Colton. Their shared past creates a simmering tension that shapes every scene, turning even small interactions into something charged and meaningful. Both characters are carrying heavy baggage, and the way their confusion, anger, and vulnerability are portrayed makes their journey feel authentic rather than dramatic for drama’s sake.

The story traces their shift from once-close friends to bitter rivals and, ultimately, to two people brave enough to face the damage between them. The process isn’t easy—there are moments of friction, misunderstandings, and old wounds reopening—but that’s what makes the eventual reconnection so rewarding. When they finally allow themselves to be honest, the emotional impact really lands.

I really liked how messy their connection becomes once they collide again—fueled by resentment, attraction, and the need for Micah to get even. Their encounters burn with a sharp, revenge-tinged heat, but underneath all that chaos is a truth neither wants to face: they’re still bound to each other. Every time they try to push away, they end up pulled right back in, making it impossible to pretend the past didn’t matter or that their feelings ever disappeared.

Overall, it’s a heartfelt second-chance sports romance that blends heat, angst, and genuine growth. As a debut from Kit Jade, it left a strong impression and made me excited to explore more of their work.

[TheBookishK9RN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender, tense, and utterly consuming

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes: second-chance, ex-best friends to lovers, queer awakening, sports romance

From the first page, Shut Up and Score hits with the force of something raw and real. Kit Jade writes like emotion is muscle memory—aching, powerful, and impossible to ignore. This isn’t just a sports romance; it’s a story about two boys who loved each other too young, lost everything in the fallout, and have to face the ghosts they made on their way back to each other.

Micah and Colton burn with the kind of tension that crawls under your skin and refuses to leave. Every shared look and sharp word is electric, and the slow unraveling of their walls feels heartbreakingly intimate. I loved the authenticity of Colton’s queer awakening and how the team dynamic added layers of pressure and vulnerability to every interaction.

If there’s a flaw, it’s that sometimes the miscommunication lasts a beat too long—it hurts to watch them twist in it—but honestly, that’s also what makes the payoff so worth it. This book is for anyone who’s ever wanted something they were too afraid to name. It’s about love, forgiveness, and finally choosing yourself—no matter who’s watching.

[Erin Wells]

Shut Up and Score completely pulled me in from the start. I love a good slow-burn romance, and Kit Jade delivers it perfectly here. The tension between the main characters is intense — messy, complicated, and painfully real. They’ve both been through so much, and the history between them makes every interaction charged with emotion.

What I appreciated most is how honestly their pain and confusion were written. They weren’t perfect — far from it — but that’s what made their story so powerful. There’s a lot of miscommunication, hurt feelings, and moments where they seem to be working against each other, but it all feels true to who they are and what they’ve been through. When they finally start to let their guards down and find their way back to each other, it’s incredibly satisfying and emotional.

By the time I reached the last third of the book, I couldn’t put it down. The payoff was worth every bit of the angst and struggle that came before it. Shut Up and Score is a story about second chances, forgiveness, and the hard, messy process of learning to love again — and it left me with a full heart and a lump in my throat. Kit Jade writes with so much depth and emotion, and I can’t wait to read more from them.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to be honest, the blurb irritated me rather than enticed me, and I initially just took note of the book. But what drew me to the series was book 2, and I am so incredibly glad it did.
Before I spoil book 2 here, let's talk about book 1 first, because the book is so much more than the blurb or the cover would suggest.
Anyone expecting a shallow story will be proven wrong within the first few pages. The emotions are raw, tragic, and stirring. You can feel it as you read, and the author doesn't try to tug at your heartstrings; it's the authentic portrayal that makes it so intense.
My heart went out to Micah because he was simply more tangible to me at first. But in doing so, I did “golden boy” an injustice. It may well be that his image bothered me and I found his inner turmoil a little too much at the beginning, but everything has its reason and nothing is as it seems at first glance.
I have to admit that I was misled by my first impression. This is a lesson that you learn with the two of them, because it's a difficult path they take to meet again, but every step is worth it.
A wonderful story about a second chance, where nothing is sugarcoated or glossed over, which is not so easy. Highly recommended and a heartfelt recommendation.