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All These Lights #1
Trick Shot
Searching for something to read after Heated Rivalry? Look no further – you will love Trick Shot! 🏒Closeted NHL captain Nick Tiernan has always played it safe. He’s responsible for leading his team to victory—and that’s all that matters.
Then Matt bursts into Nick’s world. Charismatic, openly gay, and gorgeous, Matt is the frontman of a rock band whose queer euphoria lights up every stage he steps on. Their chemistry is impossible to ignore, even as Matt challenges everything Nick thought he knew about himself.
Their secret dates soon spark something more thrilling than either of them expected. But with Nick’s career hanging in the balance and the conservative hockey world watching his every move, can Nick risk it all for a love as thrilling and unpredictable as the game itself?
⛸️⛸️⛸️
You won’t want to miss this one! Perfect for fans of Rachel Reid, Emily Rath, and Chelsea Curto, be prepared to fall in love with Nick and Matt in 2026 🎤🏒
Then Matt bursts into Nick’s world. Charismatic, openly gay, and gorgeous, Matt is the frontman of a rock band whose queer euphoria lights up every stage he steps on. Their chemistry is impossible to ignore, even as Matt challenges everything Nick thought he knew about himself.
Their secret dates soon spark something more thrilling than either of them expected. But with Nick’s career hanging in the balance and the conservative hockey world watching his every move, can Nick risk it all for a love as thrilling and unpredictable as the game itself?
⛸️⛸️⛸️
You won’t want to miss this one! Perfect for fans of Rachel Reid, Emily Rath, and Chelsea Curto, be prepared to fall in love with Nick and Matt in 2026 🎤🏒
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 343 reviews
June 4, 2026
This was not a good read for me. I stopped focused reading at 60% and skimmed from there, though I did finish.
My favorite thing in the book was MC Matt Hudson, out gay rock star, and his band, Sticks+Stones. They were so fun to read about. They’re all former college hockey players who realized they weren’t going further, who also made music together and pursued their band to growing success, and they’re quite popular now.
In fact, they’re the favorite band of the point-of-view (this is a single POV book) MC, Nick’s, best friend on his NHL hockey team (Marco/Gabriel—Marco is his team nickname), and that’s how Nick meets Matt after a game one day, when the band comes to see them play, and Marco is beyond excited to meet them after and asks Nick to join him.
The band is utterly delightful, Matt is a charmer and lovely, though I didn’t feel we got to know him well enough, it was a bit surface, largely due to being only in Nick’s point of view, and Nick’s head was…not a good place for me at least half the time.
The book begins with the return of Nick’s former junior league teammate and ex-boyfriend, Connor. In fact it is SO focused on Connor that, a few chapters in, I went back to the book copy to see if I was reading the wrong book. Nick obsesses over Connor who, 5 years ago, ghosted him without explanation, blocked him and disappeared from the hockey scene only to surface playing in another country but never got in touch with Nick. Ever. Not once.
Nick is still obsessed. VERY obsessed. He’s spent years hurting, not knowing what happened, but never forgetting Connor.
Connor Connor CONNOR. There is no mention of the Connor plot thread in the book copy, and I was confused, because what the opening seemed to set up was either a love triangle including Connor, or a second chance with Connor, and Matt got super short shrift. And continued to, due to the constant focus on Connor.
The story opens with Connor coming back to North America. Part of an NHL team Nick’s team will play a few times in the season, and, apparently, they were both such hot prospects back when Nick joined the NHL and Connor disappeared, and were known to play so well together, that the media assumes something went way wrong between them and something Nick did sent Connor running. So with Connor now finally joining the NHL as he was always expected to do, the media focus on the two of them and there supposed rivals or enemies past is a big deal, and people are watching to see how they’ll interact. And Nick is both relieved to know Connor is okay, and still stumbling in the dark not knowing what *he* did wrong 🤨🙄 to send Connor running from their relationship and hockey both. He never got closure. So yeah, he’s a mess.
See what I mean? I can’t write a review without it all being about Nick and Connor. Poor Matt.
I began to hate and loathe Connor, and that wasn’t helped by the fact that, while the author clearly knows what happened to send Connor running off, the reader is never let in on the details. Connor reaches out to Nick like he has every right to, they meet OFF PAGE and talk…about what, who knows? 🙄🤷♀️. I guess Connor finally tells Nick what was going on with him back then?
Nick starts a hookups/casual sex only relationship with the adorable Matt, and they are TOO CUTE together, and Nick falls in love with Matt’s music, gets along well with the band, but he and Matt have to stay a secret. Matt is fine with it, understands, even though he’s an out and proud gay icon, he really likes Nick, and they have terrific chemistry. And, to the reader, it’s clear that Matt would be into dating and not being casual, but Nick keeps making assumptions and is still spiraling over the Connor situation. To the point that, after his team’s first game against Connor’s team, he leaves Matt on Read for days, feels guilty about surreptitiously inviting Connor to meet up after the game instead, takes Connor back to his place to talk, all the while remembering how they used to be together, and doesn’t blink when Connor chooses to drink a drink Matt left in Nick’s fridge.
It felt slimy, like emotional cheating. Nick felt guilty, and so, yes, there was something to feel guilty about.
Nick keeps Telling the reader oh, I’m over the romance, this is just to be friends again! Connor talks about why he fucked off 5 years ago in vague, generic terms. It’s hinted to have been a mental health issue? And he thought he was somehow “ruining” Nick’s life by being with him in the closet? But nothing is clarified, so I was left still feeling that Connor is a selfish jerk who had no respect for Nick and ditched him and left him holding the bag over “what did Nick do to Connor to drive away this promising NHL prospect?” and never cleared that up for the reader or anyone else in the general public. And Nick frustrated me, because he was like a kicked puppy, happy just to let Connor back into his life after being treated like dirt.
Maybe there is a good explanation, but, none was given to offset the sense of injustice about it, and so I could not get over my petty, pissed off feelings toward Connor. And boy, was Connor and being friends with Connor again a huge part of this story. It was so prominent that it felt prioritized over the romance.
Having to hear allll about Connor and his new boyfriend and oh, how GREAT it is that Nick and Connor have their friendship back just made me more and more nauseated. Oh, and, did I mention that halfway through in a sex scene, Matt calls Nick Nicky, and Nick immediately thinks of Connor bc Connor is the only one who calls him that (till right then)? 🤮
Matt who?
By halfway through, I was exhausted from Connor rage and overexposure, and I just. Did. Not. Care anymore about Nick’s HEA. I wished Matt would ditch him and find someone else.
We were entirely in Nick’s POV, so, Matt seemed really great and nice, but, we also don’t get to know him on a deeper level, and experience what he sees in Nick, or what his own conflicts were. Since I wound up not really liking Nick, I wound up not liking the story.
Nick’s sexual history is laid out. Constantly. But feels inconsistent with his deep fear of being outed. We learn he’s hooked up with many fellow NHL players—“dozens” in his own words, and has played against them as many times. 🤨🧐 How’d he even figure out other players were gay without outing himself? It didn’t seem to be a concern at all. And he’s also hooked up with who knows how many more randos (not sure how—apps? I guess) and somehow still never been outed, yet he’s so concerned that consistently hooking up with Matt, who is never going to out him and is willing to take precautions/stay secret/be “just friends” in public, is risky and will somehow expose him? What?
Nick’s insecurity over his career (for no legit reason, he’s just paranoid about it) creates whiplash around his relationship. He’s hot and cold and twice dumps Matt to protect himself. It was unheroic and turned me off him even more. And who helps comfort him?
I’ll give you one guess. 🙄😡 And that person has a big hand in the resolution too. 😤
So, rather than being focused on romance, this was more a story about repairing a childhood friendship (that included first love). One that we were given little reason to root for.
HEA (undeserved by Nick). Closeted hockey player meets out and proud rock star. Secret relationship. No OM action; tons of OM drama from the “other” main character Connor (I can’t even think of him as secondary as he hogged up the first half of the book) and his and Nick’s doomed former love affair and nebulousness about whatever actually happened/why Connor peaced out. Nick very obviously still has feelings for him but tells us over and over they are no longer romantic. But he still feels…something…hearing about and seeing Connor with his new boyfriend. 🧐 I don’t recommend the book for readers like me, but, the author has talent and the writing itself is enjoyable, so if this is the kind of messy feelings and chaos you find entertaining, I recommend it to you!
My favorite thing in the book was MC Matt Hudson, out gay rock star, and his band, Sticks+Stones. They were so fun to read about. They’re all former college hockey players who realized they weren’t going further, who also made music together and pursued their band to growing success, and they’re quite popular now.
In fact, they’re the favorite band of the point-of-view (this is a single POV book) MC, Nick’s, best friend on his NHL hockey team (Marco/Gabriel—Marco is his team nickname), and that’s how Nick meets Matt after a game one day, when the band comes to see them play, and Marco is beyond excited to meet them after and asks Nick to join him.
The band is utterly delightful, Matt is a charmer and lovely, though I didn’t feel we got to know him well enough, it was a bit surface, largely due to being only in Nick’s point of view, and Nick’s head was…not a good place for me at least half the time.
The book begins with the return of Nick’s former junior league teammate and ex-boyfriend, Connor. In fact it is SO focused on Connor that, a few chapters in, I went back to the book copy to see if I was reading the wrong book. Nick obsesses over Connor who, 5 years ago, ghosted him without explanation, blocked him and disappeared from the hockey scene only to surface playing in another country but never got in touch with Nick. Ever. Not once.
Nick is still obsessed. VERY obsessed. He’s spent years hurting, not knowing what happened, but never forgetting Connor.
Connor Connor CONNOR. There is no mention of the Connor plot thread in the book copy, and I was confused, because what the opening seemed to set up was either a love triangle including Connor, or a second chance with Connor, and Matt got super short shrift. And continued to, due to the constant focus on Connor.
The story opens with Connor coming back to North America. Part of an NHL team Nick’s team will play a few times in the season, and, apparently, they were both such hot prospects back when Nick joined the NHL and Connor disappeared, and were known to play so well together, that the media assumes something went way wrong between them and something Nick did sent Connor running. So with Connor now finally joining the NHL as he was always expected to do, the media focus on the two of them and there supposed rivals or enemies past is a big deal, and people are watching to see how they’ll interact. And Nick is both relieved to know Connor is okay, and still stumbling in the dark not knowing what *he* did wrong 🤨🙄 to send Connor running from their relationship and hockey both. He never got closure. So yeah, he’s a mess.
See what I mean? I can’t write a review without it all being about Nick and Connor. Poor Matt.
I began to hate and loathe Connor, and that wasn’t helped by the fact that, while the author clearly knows what happened to send Connor running off, the reader is never let in on the details. Connor reaches out to Nick like he has every right to, they meet OFF PAGE and talk…about what, who knows? 🙄🤷♀️. I guess Connor finally tells Nick what was going on with him back then?
Nick starts a hookups/casual sex only relationship with the adorable Matt, and they are TOO CUTE together, and Nick falls in love with Matt’s music, gets along well with the band, but he and Matt have to stay a secret. Matt is fine with it, understands, even though he’s an out and proud gay icon, he really likes Nick, and they have terrific chemistry. And, to the reader, it’s clear that Matt would be into dating and not being casual, but Nick keeps making assumptions and is still spiraling over the Connor situation. To the point that, after his team’s first game against Connor’s team, he leaves Matt on Read for days, feels guilty about surreptitiously inviting Connor to meet up after the game instead, takes Connor back to his place to talk, all the while remembering how they used to be together, and doesn’t blink when Connor chooses to drink a drink Matt left in Nick’s fridge.
It felt slimy, like emotional cheating. Nick felt guilty, and so, yes, there was something to feel guilty about.
Nick keeps Telling the reader oh, I’m over the romance, this is just to be friends again! Connor talks about why he fucked off 5 years ago in vague, generic terms. It’s hinted to have been a mental health issue? And he thought he was somehow “ruining” Nick’s life by being with him in the closet? But nothing is clarified, so I was left still feeling that Connor is a selfish jerk who had no respect for Nick and ditched him and left him holding the bag over “what did Nick do to Connor to drive away this promising NHL prospect?” and never cleared that up for the reader or anyone else in the general public. And Nick frustrated me, because he was like a kicked puppy, happy just to let Connor back into his life after being treated like dirt.
Maybe there is a good explanation, but, none was given to offset the sense of injustice about it, and so I could not get over my petty, pissed off feelings toward Connor. And boy, was Connor and being friends with Connor again a huge part of this story. It was so prominent that it felt prioritized over the romance.
Having to hear allll about Connor and his new boyfriend and oh, how GREAT it is that Nick and Connor have their friendship back just made me more and more nauseated. Oh, and, did I mention that halfway through in a sex scene, Matt calls Nick Nicky, and Nick immediately thinks of Connor bc Connor is the only one who calls him that (till right then)? 🤮
Matt who?
By halfway through, I was exhausted from Connor rage and overexposure, and I just. Did. Not. Care anymore about Nick’s HEA. I wished Matt would ditch him and find someone else.
We were entirely in Nick’s POV, so, Matt seemed really great and nice, but, we also don’t get to know him on a deeper level, and experience what he sees in Nick, or what his own conflicts were. Since I wound up not really liking Nick, I wound up not liking the story.
Nick’s sexual history is laid out. Constantly. But feels inconsistent with his deep fear of being outed. We learn he’s hooked up with many fellow NHL players—“dozens” in his own words, and has played against them as many times. 🤨🧐 How’d he even figure out other players were gay without outing himself? It didn’t seem to be a concern at all. And he’s also hooked up with who knows how many more randos (not sure how—apps? I guess) and somehow still never been outed, yet he’s so concerned that consistently hooking up with Matt, who is never going to out him and is willing to take precautions/stay secret/be “just friends” in public, is risky and will somehow expose him? What?
Nick’s insecurity over his career (for no legit reason, he’s just paranoid about it) creates whiplash around his relationship. He’s hot and cold and twice dumps Matt to protect himself. It was unheroic and turned me off him even more. And who helps comfort him?
I’ll give you one guess. 🙄😡 And that person has a big hand in the resolution too. 😤
So, rather than being focused on romance, this was more a story about repairing a childhood friendship (that included first love). One that we were given little reason to root for.
HEA (undeserved by Nick). Closeted hockey player meets out and proud rock star. Secret relationship. No OM action; tons of OM drama from the “other” main character Connor (I can’t even think of him as secondary as he hogged up the first half of the book) and his and Nick’s doomed former love affair and nebulousness about whatever actually happened/why Connor peaced out. Nick very obviously still has feelings for him but tells us over and over they are no longer romantic. But he still feels…something…hearing about and seeing Connor with his new boyfriend. 🧐 I don’t recommend the book for readers like me, but, the author has talent and the writing itself is enjoyable, so if this is the kind of messy feelings and chaos you find entertaining, I recommend it to you!
March 30, 2026
I’ve had a pretty tough week. Nothing major, just work stuff and a promise to my agent to deliver an edited draft of my manuscript. So I worked my ass off. With that, I needed a lighter read, one that made me smile and root for the main character. So I started reading Trick Shot.
There’s so much to love about this story: the media‑infused chapters, the great writing, the adorable poly cats, the way Nick came out (goosebumps crawled over my arms). And still…
I wanted less insta‑love. More slow burn. Fewer breakups. And most of all, more depth. Why not explore Nick’s relationship with his mom more? And what the f.. happened with Connor in the past?
I needed a lighter read and I definitely got one. But I also found out that I need a little bit more to really love a story. For me, this is just an in‑between. Okay, but not more than that. So if you want to read it, please check out more positive reviews!
Thank you, One More Chapter and Edelweiss, for this ARC.
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There’s so much to love about this story: the media‑infused chapters, the great writing, the adorable poly cats, the way Nick came out (goosebumps crawled over my arms). And still…
I wanted less insta‑love. More slow burn. Fewer breakups. And most of all, more depth. Why not explore Nick’s relationship with his mom more? And what the f.. happened with Connor in the past?
I needed a lighter read and I definitely got one. But I also found out that I need a little bit more to really love a story. For me, this is just an in‑between. Okay, but not more than that. So if you want to read it, please check out more positive reviews!
Thank you, One More Chapter and Edelweiss, for this ARC.
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July 2, 2026
ARC read
5⭐️ 3🌶️
I really enjoyed Trick Shot. The combination of professional hockey and the music industry made for a fun setting. I was invested in both characters from the beginning. I just thought they were so well written. I enjoyed getting to know them individually as much as I enjoyed watching their relationship grow.
Nick and Matt were easy to root for. Nick is carrying the weight of being an NHL captain and trying to meet everyone's expectations which naturally is stressful. While Matt brings a lighter energy that helps him see life differently. I thought they were really cute and sweet.
One of my favorite parts was the slow build between them. The secret dates, quiet moments, and learning to trust each other made for such a good romance. There was a nice balance of sweet, emotional, and steamy moments.
I also appreciated how the story explored the pressure of living in the public eye and how that affected Nick's choices. I loved the ending! It felt like a satisfying payoff to everything the characters had been through.
If you enjoy MM sports romances with a slow building relationship, plenty of chemistry, and characters you love, Trick Shot is definitely worth reading!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
5⭐️ 3🌶️
I really enjoyed Trick Shot. The combination of professional hockey and the music industry made for a fun setting. I was invested in both characters from the beginning. I just thought they were so well written. I enjoyed getting to know them individually as much as I enjoyed watching their relationship grow.
Nick and Matt were easy to root for. Nick is carrying the weight of being an NHL captain and trying to meet everyone's expectations which naturally is stressful. While Matt brings a lighter energy that helps him see life differently. I thought they were really cute and sweet.
One of my favorite parts was the slow build between them. The secret dates, quiet moments, and learning to trust each other made for such a good romance. There was a nice balance of sweet, emotional, and steamy moments.
I also appreciated how the story explored the pressure of living in the public eye and how that affected Nick's choices. I loved the ending! It felt like a satisfying payoff to everything the characters had been through.
If you enjoy MM sports romances with a slow building relationship, plenty of chemistry, and characters you love, Trick Shot is definitely worth reading!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Want to Read
May 18, 2026🏒✨ Trick Shot ✨🎤
This was a very cute queer hockey romance! I am officially obessed and need 10 more! And I need the audiobook ASAP!
🖤 What to Expect
🏒 NHL captain MMC
🏒 Queer awakening
🏒 Lots of yearning
🏒 Secret relationship
🏒 Found family
🏒 Spicyyy 🌶️
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 2, 2026
📝 Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
This was a very cute queer hockey romance! I am officially obessed and need 10 more! And I need the audiobook ASAP!
🖤 What to Expect
🏒 NHL captain MMC
🏒 Queer awakening
🏒 Lots of yearning
🏒 Secret relationship
🏒 Found family
🏒 Spicyyy 🌶️
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 2, 2026
📝 Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
July 1, 2026
This book was such a roller coaster!!
It’s third person narration, and we follow Nick, the captain of the Nevada Dragons, and he’s struggling at the start of this book. He’s had some sad things happen in his past that are still haunting him, so right from the get-go, I wasn’t sure what sort of story this was going to be. We follow him from the start of the hockey season all the way through post-season and into the summer after, and it was a beautiful journey!!
Nick has to deal with pressure from the media and a rivalry they’ve created over someone from his past, his struggles with being a closeted pro athlete, and navigating meeting a new person and all that comes with falling in love, fearing consequences, and the beautiful outcome of that, all at once.
There were some times throughout this story where my heart literally hurt for Nick; I was so worried and sad for him and what he’s going through—but there were also times when I couldn’t contain the smile on my face and I literally had happy tears!! It was such an emotional journey, and it also has a lot of hockey in it, so this was definitely a 5-star read for me!!
I received an eARC via NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s third person narration, and we follow Nick, the captain of the Nevada Dragons, and he’s struggling at the start of this book. He’s had some sad things happen in his past that are still haunting him, so right from the get-go, I wasn’t sure what sort of story this was going to be. We follow him from the start of the hockey season all the way through post-season and into the summer after, and it was a beautiful journey!!
Nick has to deal with pressure from the media and a rivalry they’ve created over someone from his past, his struggles with being a closeted pro athlete, and navigating meeting a new person and all that comes with falling in love, fearing consequences, and the beautiful outcome of that, all at once.
There were some times throughout this story where my heart literally hurt for Nick; I was so worried and sad for him and what he’s going through—but there were also times when I couldn’t contain the smile on my face and I literally had happy tears!! It was such an emotional journey, and it also has a lot of hockey in it, so this was definitely a 5-star read for me!!
I received an eARC via NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 27, 2026
Trick shot was nice, exactly what I was expecting which was a light, fluffy, fast-paced read in between my heavier reads. I liked it but I do not like how many unanswered threads we were left with especially the whole thing between Connor and Nick. I understand that Jasper is setting up for the next book but I'm still irked lol.
Thank you One More Chapter for the arc in exchange for an honest review
Thank you One More Chapter for the arc in exchange for an honest review
June 24, 2026
2.5 stars, rounded up.
First, the good: This was an enjoyable sports romance set in the hockey world where a team captain (Nick) first has a super secret sex-only arrangement and then falls in love with a very out, very gay rock star (Matt). It kept me interested until the ending, which was of course the OTT Grand Gesture. I liked Matt a lot, as well as the other members of the band, and I liked Marco, who's on Nick's team and Nick's best friend.
The not so good: I had questions. Like, why do you keep condoms in your bedside table if you never bring anyone home for sex? Lube, I can see, but condoms?
Also, for the first few chapters, I wasn't clear on whether Matt was the actual love interest, as Nick seemed to still be hung up on Connor, his ex-boyfriend and junior hockey league teammate. It sounded an awful lot as if Nick still wanted Connor back, so that confused me as I was expecting the love interest to be Matt. Since the whole book is in Nick's POV, all I got to read about for the first few chapters was Connor coming back to the NHL, and Nick's obsession with Connor, and Nick's hurt from Connor ghosting him 5 years ago with zero explanation, and Nick's anxiety about seeing Connor again. The reader is also never really told why Connor decided to run off. There's a conversation at some point, but it's off-page, and all we get is a hint of possible mental health issues, and not wanting to ruin Nick's life somehow. Except all he seemingly achieved with his running off was Nick being sort of blamed by fans/reporters/podcasts for Connor leaving the NHL. His character just felt selfish to me. Without any real thought to what his actions were doing to Nick. I didn't like him at all.
I also had questions about some of the hockey-related issues.
Disclaimer: I know absolutely nothing about hockey other than it's a game played on ice which involves putting a puck into the net by hitting it with a stick. What little I have seen of hockey games looked to be very violent. It's not a sport that interests me a whole lot, but this isn't the first hockey romance I've read. And with most sports, I accept that homophobia is rampant, and that a player coming out isn't going to be well-received.
Knowing nothing much about hockey, I used The Google to help me figure out whether a 23 year old is likely to be the team captain, and whether said 23 year old would be considered past his prime by some hockey fans/reporters/podcasts. Google said the average age is 30 for a team captain, and no, at 23, a player would not usually be considered as "his glory days are past him already".
And then another question - Nick mentions multiple times that he's had tons of hook-ups with other gay players in the league, which, what? How does he know which ones are the gay ones? How does he not see that as outing himself, something that terrifies him to the point of panic attacks? Not to mention the many random hook-ups mentioned - how does no one ever recognize a two time Stanley Cup winner? For someone so very worried about his sexuality coming to light and losing his job, he certainly seemed to partake in some risky behaviors.
Matt was so sweet and so patient with Nick, and it's clear to the reader that Matt really likes Nick, and eventually falls for him, even if Nick can't see it because he's too dang busy keeping his sexuality secret and thinking about Connor. We don't get a whole lot of insight into Matt, because we only get Nick's POV in this book, but he seemed like a great guy, and there were times when I wanted Nick to just STFU and for Matt to find someone better. And for Connor to go back to Switzerland.
So sadly, this book didn't deliver what I expected from the blurb. The writing itself is quite good, descriptive and immersive, and the author is certainly capable of producing an enjoyable read, but the story itself didn't work for me. YMMV.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **
First, the good: This was an enjoyable sports romance set in the hockey world where a team captain (Nick) first has a super secret sex-only arrangement and then falls in love with a very out, very gay rock star (Matt). It kept me interested until the ending, which was of course the OTT Grand Gesture. I liked Matt a lot, as well as the other members of the band, and I liked Marco, who's on Nick's team and Nick's best friend.
The not so good: I had questions. Like, why do you keep condoms in your bedside table if you never bring anyone home for sex? Lube, I can see, but condoms?
Also, for the first few chapters, I wasn't clear on whether Matt was the actual love interest, as Nick seemed to still be hung up on Connor, his ex-boyfriend and junior hockey league teammate. It sounded an awful lot as if Nick still wanted Connor back, so that confused me as I was expecting the love interest to be Matt. Since the whole book is in Nick's POV, all I got to read about for the first few chapters was Connor coming back to the NHL, and Nick's obsession with Connor, and Nick's hurt from Connor ghosting him 5 years ago with zero explanation, and Nick's anxiety about seeing Connor again. The reader is also never really told why Connor decided to run off. There's a conversation at some point, but it's off-page, and all we get is a hint of possible mental health issues, and not wanting to ruin Nick's life somehow. Except all he seemingly achieved with his running off was Nick being sort of blamed by fans/reporters/podcasts for Connor leaving the NHL. His character just felt selfish to me. Without any real thought to what his actions were doing to Nick. I didn't like him at all.
I also had questions about some of the hockey-related issues.
Disclaimer: I know absolutely nothing about hockey other than it's a game played on ice which involves putting a puck into the net by hitting it with a stick. What little I have seen of hockey games looked to be very violent. It's not a sport that interests me a whole lot, but this isn't the first hockey romance I've read. And with most sports, I accept that homophobia is rampant, and that a player coming out isn't going to be well-received.
Knowing nothing much about hockey, I used The Google to help me figure out whether a 23 year old is likely to be the team captain, and whether said 23 year old would be considered past his prime by some hockey fans/reporters/podcasts. Google said the average age is 30 for a team captain, and no, at 23, a player would not usually be considered as "his glory days are past him already".
And then another question - Nick mentions multiple times that he's had tons of hook-ups with other gay players in the league, which, what? How does he know which ones are the gay ones? How does he not see that as outing himself, something that terrifies him to the point of panic attacks? Not to mention the many random hook-ups mentioned - how does no one ever recognize a two time Stanley Cup winner? For someone so very worried about his sexuality coming to light and losing his job, he certainly seemed to partake in some risky behaviors.
Matt was so sweet and so patient with Nick, and it's clear to the reader that Matt really likes Nick, and eventually falls for him, even if Nick can't see it because he's too dang busy keeping his sexuality secret and thinking about Connor. We don't get a whole lot of insight into Matt, because we only get Nick's POV in this book, but he seemed like a great guy, and there were times when I wanted Nick to just STFU and for Matt to find someone better. And for Connor to go back to Switzerland.
So sadly, this book didn't deliver what I expected from the blurb. The writing itself is quite good, descriptive and immersive, and the author is certainly capable of producing an enjoyable read, but the story itself didn't work for me. YMMV.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **
April 20, 2026
5⭐️
NHLx Rockstar
He falls first
Secret relationship
Yearning
⚠️ Spoiler Disclaimer: This review contains minor spoilers.
What a beautiful book!!
Honnestly, this one completely surprised me. Going in, I expected a cute, light MM romance like many I’ve read before, but Trick Shot turned out to be so much more.
I loved every aspect of it. The writing was genuinely captivating, and it pulled me in from start to finish, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future releases from L.A. Jasper.
Normally, I hate miscommunication tropes or unjustified breakups, but both breakups felt justified and added such a strong sense of realism to the story. Nothing felt forced or overly dramatic, it all made sense for the characters and their journeys. I also loved the hockey setting, the team dynamic, and especially the way music was incorporated. I loved that the band is made up of ex-hockey players all from the LGBTQ+ community it adds such an authentic layer because they truly understand the world of hockey and the challenges that come with it but also for their community. Also loved that the fact that we don’t get actual lyrics, only descriptions of the songs and their vibes, made the experience even more immersive and unique. I normally find it’s so annoying when we get the lyrics sometimes it takes me out of the story because i dont connect to it.
Matt and Nick completely stole my heart. Their relationship, despite everything happening around them, felt so genuine and beautifully developed. There were grand gestures, but done in a subtle, meaningful way that made them feel even more impactful. Even with the spice, the spice/lust never felt like the main focus, it always came back to the emotional connection and the way they kept falling for each other more and more. (The jersey garder scene? God dam)
One of my favorite elements was how the coming-out storyline was handled. It felt empowering to see it portrayed as something shared and supported, rather than putting the weight on one person to go first and be the only one in the spot light! I think NHL players should take notes on this. It was the most perfect coming in sport i’ve read so far. It sent such a strong message, that everyone deserves to shine and be accepted for who they are and it doesn’t take away from the career and their success!
Overall, I think this book was excellent, and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be buying myself a physical copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and LA Jasper for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to share my honest review.
NHLx Rockstar
He falls first
Secret relationship
Yearning
⚠️ Spoiler Disclaimer: This review contains minor spoilers.
What a beautiful book!!
Honnestly, this one completely surprised me. Going in, I expected a cute, light MM romance like many I’ve read before, but Trick Shot turned out to be so much more.
I loved every aspect of it. The writing was genuinely captivating, and it pulled me in from start to finish, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future releases from L.A. Jasper.
Normally, I hate miscommunication tropes or unjustified breakups, but both breakups felt justified and added such a strong sense of realism to the story. Nothing felt forced or overly dramatic, it all made sense for the characters and their journeys. I also loved the hockey setting, the team dynamic, and especially the way music was incorporated. I loved that the band is made up of ex-hockey players all from the LGBTQ+ community it adds such an authentic layer because they truly understand the world of hockey and the challenges that come with it but also for their community. Also loved that the fact that we don’t get actual lyrics, only descriptions of the songs and their vibes, made the experience even more immersive and unique. I normally find it’s so annoying when we get the lyrics sometimes it takes me out of the story because i dont connect to it.
Matt and Nick completely stole my heart. Their relationship, despite everything happening around them, felt so genuine and beautifully developed. There were grand gestures, but done in a subtle, meaningful way that made them feel even more impactful. Even with the spice, the spice/lust never felt like the main focus, it always came back to the emotional connection and the way they kept falling for each other more and more. (The jersey garder scene? God dam)
One of my favorite elements was how the coming-out storyline was handled. It felt empowering to see it portrayed as something shared and supported, rather than putting the weight on one person to go first and be the only one in the spot light! I think NHL players should take notes on this. It was the most perfect coming in sport i’ve read so far. It sent such a strong message, that everyone deserves to shine and be accepted for who they are and it doesn’t take away from the career and their success!
Overall, I think this book was excellent, and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be buying myself a physical copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and LA Jasper for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to share my honest review.
June 2, 2026
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter and author L.A. Jasper, for providing me with the eARC of “Trick Shot”.
💭My Thoughts💭
Nick and Matt's story is just a feel good makes your heart swarm with feelings. And I really wish the NHL could be like this, and accept LBGTQ+ players. The league is just not there and it does come down to the management. The way the book rallied at the end is how I wish it would happen in real life.
And lets all give a huge slow clap for Matt, who saw his person and said I will wait till you're ready. This broke my heart! I was also so proud he also knew his worth when it mattered too.
Nick, my love, thank you for making those huge strides. I hope books like this continue to show that there is support out there.
❣️Tropes❣️
MM Romance
Hockey Player x Rockstar
Yearning
Found Family
Secret Relationship
Coming Out
🩵🩵🩵RATING🩵🩵🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️
Length: 387
Publisher: HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter
💭My Thoughts💭
Nick and Matt's story is just a feel good makes your heart swarm with feelings. And I really wish the NHL could be like this, and accept LBGTQ+ players. The league is just not there and it does come down to the management. The way the book rallied at the end is how I wish it would happen in real life.
And lets all give a huge slow clap for Matt, who saw his person and said I will wait till you're ready. This broke my heart! I was also so proud he also knew his worth when it mattered too.
Nick, my love, thank you for making those huge strides. I hope books like this continue to show that there is support out there.
❣️Tropes❣️
MM Romance
Hockey Player x Rockstar
Yearning
Found Family
Secret Relationship
Coming Out
🩵🩵🩵RATING🩵🩵🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️
Length: 387
Publisher: HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter
May 22, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is a he falls first, hockey player x rockstar and MM romance story.
Nick and Matt are so cute, they were absolutely lovely characters to read about. There might be a miscommunication trope going on too sometimes, but it suits the story. I normally don't like that, but L.A. Jasper has a good writing style so it didn't feel like it was on purpose.
I was really curious how the author could collide two completely different worlds (the hockey world and music world), And it was great! I was a little worried because of the public status they both have, but it turned out really well in this story. Matt and Nick are exploring their relationship during most of the story, so that makes it a little of an emotional rollercoaster for them.
The story itself is a little slow, but it suits the storyline. The author did a really good job on this insta love Nick and Matt are having for each other.. I don't know how, but this author made some of my biggest turn offs in books into a really great feeling I had after finishing it.
Overall, this might be my. new favorite hockey romance I've read to far. I really liked this book!
This is a he falls first, hockey player x rockstar and MM romance story.
Nick and Matt are so cute, they were absolutely lovely characters to read about. There might be a miscommunication trope going on too sometimes, but it suits the story. I normally don't like that, but L.A. Jasper has a good writing style so it didn't feel like it was on purpose.
I was really curious how the author could collide two completely different worlds (the hockey world and music world), And it was great! I was a little worried because of the public status they both have, but it turned out really well in this story. Matt and Nick are exploring their relationship during most of the story, so that makes it a little of an emotional rollercoaster for them.
The story itself is a little slow, but it suits the storyline. The author did a really good job on this insta love Nick and Matt are having for each other.. I don't know how, but this author made some of my biggest turn offs in books into a really great feeling I had after finishing it.
Overall, this might be my. new favorite hockey romance I've read to far. I really liked this book!
April 18, 2026
4.25
Trick Shot is an MM romance following the lead singer in an emo band and the captain of Nevada's NHL team.
I loved this book so much! The hockey, the friend group, all the side characters and more importantly the romance.
The couple gets together very early on in the book. It is not a slow burn, it's more about exploring the struggles of their secret relationship in the public eye, how they fit into eachother's busy lives and discovering themselves as a couple and individuals.
This book had me giggling and kicking my feet in the first few chapters and then shedding a tear or two in the last ones. It is a beautiful story and I definitely recommend.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
Trick Shot is an MM romance following the lead singer in an emo band and the captain of Nevada's NHL team.
I loved this book so much! The hockey, the friend group, all the side characters and more importantly the romance.
The couple gets together very early on in the book. It is not a slow burn, it's more about exploring the struggles of their secret relationship in the public eye, how they fit into eachother's busy lives and discovering themselves as a couple and individuals.
This book had me giggling and kicking my feet in the first few chapters and then shedding a tear or two in the last ones. It is a beautiful story and I definitely recommend.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
March 23, 2026
“You all know him. You all love him. But not like I love him.” 🎸🏒
NHL player x rockstar??? Need I say more??!!!?!
This is one of my favorite ARC reads of all time!! I adore Nick, Matt, and the entire (found) family in this book. The plot was enough to keep me interested and I was able to easily see myself in the characters; Nick especially (my poor anxious boy).
If you are a fan of Heated Rivalry, I would 100% recommend putting this on your TBR! I can’t wait to follow the rest of the series. 🩷
Thank you to the publisher, LA Jasper, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read!
NHL player x rockstar??? Need I say more??!!!?!
This is one of my favorite ARC reads of all time!! I adore Nick, Matt, and the entire (found) family in this book. The plot was enough to keep me interested and I was able to easily see myself in the characters; Nick especially (my poor anxious boy).
If you are a fan of Heated Rivalry, I would 100% recommend putting this on your TBR! I can’t wait to follow the rest of the series. 🩷
Thank you to the publisher, LA Jasper, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read!
June 23, 2026
Good book but didn’t need to be as long as it was. It felt like it was unnecessarily dragged out and that’s what ruined it for me and there wasn’t much going on in the middle which made me lose interest.
April 15, 2026
Thank you HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for this ARC!
I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, it was a good read, but there were several things that just didn’t fully work for me.
First and foremost: Nick being so deeply closeted for the entire book was honestly frustrating. What bothered me most wasn’t that he struggled with coming out—it was that, even while falling in love with Matt, he barely seemed to consider telling his teammates or imagining a future where he could be open. Then, after the classic third-act breakup, he suddenly decides to make this huge grand gesture and come out publicly. I didn’t mind the gesture itself, but the internal progression didn’t feel convincing to me.
That said, I really liked the secondary characters. They added a lot of charm to the story. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything remained a little superficial, as though the emotional depth never fully landed.
Matt was probably the most interesting character for me, and I really wish we’d gotten some chapters from his point of view. I think that would have added a lot more nuance and emotional connection.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of the third-person narration. It created even more distance for me, and I never felt fully immersed in the story.
I think a lot of readers will love this book, especially if they enjoy sports romance with a celebrity dynamic. For me, though, it was just… meh. And the spice? Also meh. Maybe I’m biased because I usually read steamier books, but for me this was about a 1.5/5 on the spice scale.
Overall: a solid concept with some enjoyable elements, but it didn’t completely click for me.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, it was a good read, but there were several things that just didn’t fully work for me.
First and foremost: Nick being so deeply closeted for the entire book was honestly frustrating. What bothered me most wasn’t that he struggled with coming out—it was that, even while falling in love with Matt, he barely seemed to consider telling his teammates or imagining a future where he could be open. Then, after the classic third-act breakup, he suddenly decides to make this huge grand gesture and come out publicly. I didn’t mind the gesture itself, but the internal progression didn’t feel convincing to me.
That said, I really liked the secondary characters. They added a lot of charm to the story. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything remained a little superficial, as though the emotional depth never fully landed.
Matt was probably the most interesting character for me, and I really wish we’d gotten some chapters from his point of view. I think that would have added a lot more nuance and emotional connection.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of the third-person narration. It created even more distance for me, and I never felt fully immersed in the story.
I think a lot of readers will love this book, especially if they enjoy sports romance with a celebrity dynamic. For me, though, it was just… meh. And the spice? Also meh. Maybe I’m biased because I usually read steamier books, but for me this was about a 1.5/5 on the spice scale.
Overall: a solid concept with some enjoyable elements, but it didn’t completely click for me.
Did Not Finish
June 5, 2026DNF
I really wanted to love this because LOOK AT THAT COVER. Look at it. That's an adorable cover. That's a cover that says "fun hockey romance." That's a cover that says "cute banter, chemistry, maybe some yearning." That's a cover that lures you into a dark alley and steals your lunch money.
Because unfortunately, I did not enjoy this.
My biggest issue was the writing style, which somehow managed to make every single thing feel both overexplained and underdeveloped at the exact same time. This book does not believe in showing. Showing is apparently for other books. This book believes in telling. It tells you things. Then it tells you some more things. Then it tells you about the things it already told you.
At times it genuinely felt less like reading a novel and more like reading somebody's notes about a novel.
"Then they did this. Then they talked about that. Then they felt this."
Okay??? Can I see it happen???
There were entire conversations where instead of actually getting the dialogue, the book would just summarize it for me. Like excuse me, I opened a romance novel because I wanted to witness the characters interacting, not receive the meeting minutes afterward.
And then there were scenes where the emotional conversations felt so bizarrely convenient that I was convinced the characters had secretly developed telepathic abilities. The way they instantly knew exactly what the other person was thinking and feeling at all times had me checking whether I'd accidentally wandered into a paranormal romance.
But the thing that truly sent me into orbit was Connor.
CONNOR.
I need to discuss Connor.
Because Connor is basically the third person in every room despite not actually being there.
This man left 5-6 years ago. Disappeared. Blocked Nick. Vanished into the mist. Apparently this happened after they kissed? Maybe? Kind of? Honestly the details are weirdly unclear but the important part is that he LEFT.
No explanation.
No closure.
No note.
No nothing.
Just poof.
And Nick's response to this is apparently to spend the next half decade being hopelessly, irrevocably, catastrophically in love with him.
Why?
I am asking sincerely.
WHY?
What exactly am I missing here?
Because every other thought in Nick's brain somehow circles back to Connor. If Nick looked at a hockey puck, I expected him to somehow start thinking about Connor. If Nick ate a sandwich, I expected the sandwich to remind him of Connor. If Nick saw a cloud in the sky, I was waiting for him to be like "This cloud reminds me of Connor."
At a certain point I literally stopped reading and checked the synopsis because I was convinced Connor had to be the love interest.
I was like, okay, surely this is a second-chance romance and I've somehow misunderstood the setup.
Then I thought maybe it was a love triangle.
Then I thought maybe the actual love interest was about to get hit by a bus because this book seemed significantly more interested in Connor than anyone else.
As a reader, I had absolutely no clue what I was supposed to be feeling.
Am I supposed to root for Connor?
Am I supposed to hate Connor?
Am I supposed to think Nick should move on?
Am I supposed to think Connor is secretly misunderstood?
Am I supposed to be preparing for a dramatic reunion?
WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE???
Because the book never seemed to make up its mind.
And that's a huge problem in a romance.
If your main character spends the entire book emotionally orbiting a ghost from six years ago, it becomes very difficult for me to invest in the actual romance standing directly in front of him.
I felt like I was constantly being told, "Look at this romance!" while Nick's internal monologue was busy erecting a shrine to Connor in the background.
And listen.
I am not against pining.
I LOVE pining.
I support yearning. I encourage yearning. I have read books powered entirely by yearning.
But yearning requires me to understand WHY we are yearning.
What exactly did Connor do besides disappear and block you?
What am I supposed to be clinging to here?
The concept of a man?
A memory?
A kiss from half a decade ago?
A LinkedIn connection request?
Help me understand.
And because the book spends so much time telling us things instead of showing us things, I never felt the emotional weight that would make Nick's obsession feel believable.
We're told he's in love.
We're told he's devastated.
We're told he can't move on.
Okay.
But can I FEEL any of that?
Not really.
Which is unfortunately the recurring issue with the entire book.
I felt like I was constantly being informed about emotions rather than actually experiencing them.
The ingredients existed.
But it felt like somebody handed me a recipe card instead of a meal.
And then we need to discuss the comparison that absolutely bamboozled me.
The synopsis claims this is for fans of Heated Rivalry.
Now.
I try not to be dramatic.
Actually that's a lie. I am extremely dramatic.
But this comparison needs to be studied.
Because if you tell me a book is for fans of Heated Rivalry, I am expecting insane chemistry. I am expecting tension so thick I could spread it on toast. I am expecting emotional devastation. I am expecting two idiots making terrible life choices while being obsessed with each other.
What I got instead was a book where I spent an alarming amount of time wondering why Connor, who isn't even the love interest, seemed to have a stronger hold on the narrative than the actual romance.
Comparing this to Heated Rivalry felt like recommending a kiddie pool to somebody who asked for the Atlantic Ocean.
The vibes are not vibing.
The math is not mathing.
There is hockey here (ridiculously inaccurate but not even touching that can of worms) but that's about where the similarities end.
And unfortunately, no amount of adorable cover art could save it.
Justice for that cover, honestly.
I really wanted to love this because LOOK AT THAT COVER. Look at it. That's an adorable cover. That's a cover that says "fun hockey romance." That's a cover that says "cute banter, chemistry, maybe some yearning." That's a cover that lures you into a dark alley and steals your lunch money.
Because unfortunately, I did not enjoy this.
My biggest issue was the writing style, which somehow managed to make every single thing feel both overexplained and underdeveloped at the exact same time. This book does not believe in showing. Showing is apparently for other books. This book believes in telling. It tells you things. Then it tells you some more things. Then it tells you about the things it already told you.
At times it genuinely felt less like reading a novel and more like reading somebody's notes about a novel.
"Then they did this. Then they talked about that. Then they felt this."
Okay??? Can I see it happen???
There were entire conversations where instead of actually getting the dialogue, the book would just summarize it for me. Like excuse me, I opened a romance novel because I wanted to witness the characters interacting, not receive the meeting minutes afterward.
And then there were scenes where the emotional conversations felt so bizarrely convenient that I was convinced the characters had secretly developed telepathic abilities. The way they instantly knew exactly what the other person was thinking and feeling at all times had me checking whether I'd accidentally wandered into a paranormal romance.
But the thing that truly sent me into orbit was Connor.
CONNOR.
I need to discuss Connor.
Because Connor is basically the third person in every room despite not actually being there.
This man left 5-6 years ago. Disappeared. Blocked Nick. Vanished into the mist. Apparently this happened after they kissed? Maybe? Kind of? Honestly the details are weirdly unclear but the important part is that he LEFT.
No explanation.
No closure.
No note.
No nothing.
Just poof.
And Nick's response to this is apparently to spend the next half decade being hopelessly, irrevocably, catastrophically in love with him.
Why?
I am asking sincerely.
WHY?
What exactly am I missing here?
Because every other thought in Nick's brain somehow circles back to Connor. If Nick looked at a hockey puck, I expected him to somehow start thinking about Connor. If Nick ate a sandwich, I expected the sandwich to remind him of Connor. If Nick saw a cloud in the sky, I was waiting for him to be like "This cloud reminds me of Connor."
At a certain point I literally stopped reading and checked the synopsis because I was convinced Connor had to be the love interest.
I was like, okay, surely this is a second-chance romance and I've somehow misunderstood the setup.
Then I thought maybe it was a love triangle.
Then I thought maybe the actual love interest was about to get hit by a bus because this book seemed significantly more interested in Connor than anyone else.
As a reader, I had absolutely no clue what I was supposed to be feeling.
Am I supposed to root for Connor?
Am I supposed to hate Connor?
Am I supposed to think Nick should move on?
Am I supposed to think Connor is secretly misunderstood?
Am I supposed to be preparing for a dramatic reunion?
WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE???
Because the book never seemed to make up its mind.
And that's a huge problem in a romance.
If your main character spends the entire book emotionally orbiting a ghost from six years ago, it becomes very difficult for me to invest in the actual romance standing directly in front of him.
I felt like I was constantly being told, "Look at this romance!" while Nick's internal monologue was busy erecting a shrine to Connor in the background.
And listen.
I am not against pining.
I LOVE pining.
I support yearning. I encourage yearning. I have read books powered entirely by yearning.
But yearning requires me to understand WHY we are yearning.
What exactly did Connor do besides disappear and block you?
What am I supposed to be clinging to here?
The concept of a man?
A memory?
A kiss from half a decade ago?
A LinkedIn connection request?
Help me understand.
And because the book spends so much time telling us things instead of showing us things, I never felt the emotional weight that would make Nick's obsession feel believable.
We're told he's in love.
We're told he's devastated.
We're told he can't move on.
Okay.
But can I FEEL any of that?
Not really.
Which is unfortunately the recurring issue with the entire book.
I felt like I was constantly being informed about emotions rather than actually experiencing them.
The ingredients existed.
But it felt like somebody handed me a recipe card instead of a meal.
And then we need to discuss the comparison that absolutely bamboozled me.
The synopsis claims this is for fans of Heated Rivalry.
Now.
I try not to be dramatic.
Actually that's a lie. I am extremely dramatic.
But this comparison needs to be studied.
Because if you tell me a book is for fans of Heated Rivalry, I am expecting insane chemistry. I am expecting tension so thick I could spread it on toast. I am expecting emotional devastation. I am expecting two idiots making terrible life choices while being obsessed with each other.
What I got instead was a book where I spent an alarming amount of time wondering why Connor, who isn't even the love interest, seemed to have a stronger hold on the narrative than the actual romance.
Comparing this to Heated Rivalry felt like recommending a kiddie pool to somebody who asked for the Atlantic Ocean.
The vibes are not vibing.
The math is not mathing.
There is hockey here (ridiculously inaccurate but not even touching that can of worms) but that's about where the similarities end.
And unfortunately, no amount of adorable cover art could save it.
Justice for that cover, honestly.
April 26, 2026
Thank you One More Chapter and Netgalley for the e-arc!! I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever shut up about this book.
If you’ve finished Heated Rivalry and want to keep that high going… Look no further!! This book is IT.
This is the kind of story that crawls under your skin and stays there. The kind that makes your chest ache a little while you’re reading because you can feel exactly what the characters are going through. I didn’t just read this, I felt it.
Nick and Matt completely consumed me. Watching them find each other, lose pieces of themselves, and slowly, painfully build something honest and real felt so intimate. Not just in the big moments, but in the quiet ones. The glances, the hesitation, the almosts. The things left unsaid that somehow said everything.
Nick’s journey hit me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. As someone who grew up an athlete, trying to understand yourself while existing in a space that doesn’t always feel safe for that kind of honesty is complicated. It’s scary. And L.A. Jasper didn’t soften that. The fear, the pressure, the loneliness of it is all there, and it’s written with so much care. There were moments I had to sit with because they felt a little too real.
And then there’s Matt. Steady, patient, soft in a way that never feels weak. The way he loves Nick without expectation, without force, just quiet understanding completely wrecked me. You can feel how much he wants him, but more importantly, how much he wants Nick to be okay. Had me in awe.
One of the most beautiful parts of this book is how it holds both intensity and tenderness at the same time. Yes, there’s heat. Yes, there’s tension. But what stood out to me was the softness. The brushing of hands, the lingering looks, the moments where they let their guards down just enough. It felt raw and warm all at once, and it made everything hit so much harder.
I also can’t stop thinking about the dual worlds in this book. The team and the band. Two completely different families, both so full of life and loyalty, and somehow they come together in a way that feels seamless. Like what do you mean we got TWO found families and I loved them all.
This book isn’t just about falling in love. It’s about allowing yourself to be seen. It’s about choosing yourself, even when it’s terrifying. And choosing someone else not because you have to, but because you finally can. Proudly.
#PaintYourPride🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
If you’ve finished Heated Rivalry and want to keep that high going… Look no further!! This book is IT.
This is the kind of story that crawls under your skin and stays there. The kind that makes your chest ache a little while you’re reading because you can feel exactly what the characters are going through. I didn’t just read this, I felt it.
Nick and Matt completely consumed me. Watching them find each other, lose pieces of themselves, and slowly, painfully build something honest and real felt so intimate. Not just in the big moments, but in the quiet ones. The glances, the hesitation, the almosts. The things left unsaid that somehow said everything.
Nick’s journey hit me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. As someone who grew up an athlete, trying to understand yourself while existing in a space that doesn’t always feel safe for that kind of honesty is complicated. It’s scary. And L.A. Jasper didn’t soften that. The fear, the pressure, the loneliness of it is all there, and it’s written with so much care. There were moments I had to sit with because they felt a little too real.
And then there’s Matt. Steady, patient, soft in a way that never feels weak. The way he loves Nick without expectation, without force, just quiet understanding completely wrecked me. You can feel how much he wants him, but more importantly, how much he wants Nick to be okay. Had me in awe.
One of the most beautiful parts of this book is how it holds both intensity and tenderness at the same time. Yes, there’s heat. Yes, there’s tension. But what stood out to me was the softness. The brushing of hands, the lingering looks, the moments where they let their guards down just enough. It felt raw and warm all at once, and it made everything hit so much harder.
I also can’t stop thinking about the dual worlds in this book. The team and the band. Two completely different families, both so full of life and loyalty, and somehow they come together in a way that feels seamless. Like what do you mean we got TWO found families and I loved them all.
This book isn’t just about falling in love. It’s about allowing yourself to be seen. It’s about choosing yourself, even when it’s terrifying. And choosing someone else not because you have to, but because you finally can. Proudly.
#PaintYourPride🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
April 2, 2026
Thank you not Netgalley for providing me with an earc in exchange for an honest review.
I do just be a girl yearning for yearning and banter, and this (mostly) delivered!
This is truly one of the better hockey romances I’ve read! I did really enjoy it and found the characters engaging. I do wish the timeline of their relation had been a bit slower so it could feel more solid by the time they had to deal with outside circumstances affecting their relationship to avoid the feeling of insta love!
I do just be a girl yearning for yearning and banter, and this (mostly) delivered!
This is truly one of the better hockey romances I’ve read! I did really enjoy it and found the characters engaging. I do wish the timeline of their relation had been a bit slower so it could feel more solid by the time they had to deal with outside circumstances affecting their relationship to avoid the feeling of insta love!
Did Not Finish
March 23, 2026Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
DNF @21%
There is nothing inherently wrong with this book honestly. I think the problem is I'm falling into a reading slump and every time I put this down, I have no motivation to pick it back up. It's taken me days to read 20% and I could not care less. I'll probably come back to this one at a later date and give it another chance as I don't think this is the books fault- it's my own.
DNF @21%
There is nothing inherently wrong with this book honestly. I think the problem is I'm falling into a reading slump and every time I put this down, I have no motivation to pick it back up. It's taken me days to read 20% and I could not care less. I'll probably come back to this one at a later date and give it another chance as I don't think this is the books fault- it's my own.
June 7, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
It was a fun and easy read with a sweet romance and great chemistry between Nick and Matt. I really enjoyed their different personalities and how they helped each other grow throughout the story. The hockey and music elements also added something extra to the plot.
Some parts felt a little predictable, but overall the book was entertaining and kept me interested until the end.
It was a fun and easy read with a sweet romance and great chemistry between Nick and Matt. I really enjoyed their different personalities and how they helped each other grow throughout the story. The hockey and music elements also added something extra to the plot.
Some parts felt a little predictable, but overall the book was entertaining and kept me interested until the end.
March 20, 2026
4.5/5!! Full review to come but thank you HarperCollins and Netgalley for the ARC!!!
If you liked Heated Rivalry please read this when it’s out!
If you liked Heated Rivalry please read this when it’s out!
June 5, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC of Trick Shot!!!
As a fan of MM romances, I was really excited for this one, especially after seeing it compared to Heated Rivalry. While I can see some similarities, I’d say this one felt more comparable to Game Changer with the way it goes from instalove, to figuring themselves out, to the classic third-act breakup and grand gesture.
With that being said, this was an okay read for me. It definitely started off strong, but somewhere around the 60–70% mark, I found myself getting a little bored and the pacing felt slower. I also struggled a bit with Matt’s character because I felt like he didn’t have much of a personality outside of the romance.. he was kind of just there.
Overall, this was a quick and easy read with plenty of sweet moments. If you’re looking for a cozy, instalove MM romance with hockey vibes, this one might be for you!
As a fan of MM romances, I was really excited for this one, especially after seeing it compared to Heated Rivalry. While I can see some similarities, I’d say this one felt more comparable to Game Changer with the way it goes from instalove, to figuring themselves out, to the classic third-act breakup and grand gesture.
With that being said, this was an okay read for me. It definitely started off strong, but somewhere around the 60–70% mark, I found myself getting a little bored and the pacing felt slower. I also struggled a bit with Matt’s character because I felt like he didn’t have much of a personality outside of the romance.. he was kind of just there.
Overall, this was a quick and easy read with plenty of sweet moments. If you’re looking for a cozy, instalove MM romance with hockey vibes, this one might be for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2026
I have complicated feelings about this book. I really wanted to love it, and I did enjoy bits of it... We'll start with the positive...
The concept is strong! I love a romance, obviously this kind of hockey romance is quite prevalent at the moment but I think this is a really unique spin on the trope. Matt being an out and proud rockstar contrasts well with Nick's closeted hockey player lifestyle. I absolutely adored the band and their dynamic, I thought it was really fun and honestly I wish we saw a bit more of it. I would have loved Matt POV!!! The same goes for Marco and Lindsay. The writing style was fun, I really liked the chapters beginning with different articles/social media posts. I think it provided a really interesting window into the general public's view of these characters, as well as provide some conflict with how Nick obsesses over his public image.
Onto the rest! I really love a flawed character. But Nick in my opinion, despite making some of the most chaotic-ly bad decisions throughout the story, always somehow managed to come out on top and get his fairy tale ending. He didn't face any permanent consequences at all, which made his character development feel quite flat.
The beginning in particular (but even a large portion of the story as a whole) focuses on Nick's ex Connor which I truly thought was going to be one of the main points of conflict... And yet, it all came to nothing. Nick is hung up on this guy for 5 whole years after he left with absolutely zero communication, and then Connor is immediately forgiven by Nick and welcomed as his new best friend.
Some of the writing and slang use, particularly between Matt and Nick seemed a little forced/out of touch. Calling each other "hot stuff" and "stud" pulled me out of the book a bit. There are a few other characterisations like that with Nick that meant he didn't quite make sense to me. His overwhelming fear of being outed that drives the main conflict in the story, and then his possession of a "twink closet" and his stories of sleeping with dozens of other closeted hockey players, seemed to be at odds for me.
Overall, this was a fun read. It was easy, smooth, and light hearted. I enjoyed the characters (other than Nick, sorry), and loved the glimpses we got into the hockey and band world. I just wish it had a bit more substance to it, and relied a bit less on the whole miscommunication trope.
The concept is strong! I love a romance, obviously this kind of hockey romance is quite prevalent at the moment but I think this is a really unique spin on the trope. Matt being an out and proud rockstar contrasts well with Nick's closeted hockey player lifestyle. I absolutely adored the band and their dynamic, I thought it was really fun and honestly I wish we saw a bit more of it. I would have loved Matt POV!!! The same goes for Marco and Lindsay. The writing style was fun, I really liked the chapters beginning with different articles/social media posts. I think it provided a really interesting window into the general public's view of these characters, as well as provide some conflict with how Nick obsesses over his public image.
Onto the rest! I really love a flawed character. But Nick in my opinion, despite making some of the most chaotic-ly bad decisions throughout the story, always somehow managed to come out on top and get his fairy tale ending. He didn't face any permanent consequences at all, which made his character development feel quite flat.
The beginning in particular (but even a large portion of the story as a whole) focuses on Nick's ex Connor which I truly thought was going to be one of the main points of conflict... And yet, it all came to nothing. Nick is hung up on this guy for 5 whole years after he left with absolutely zero communication, and then Connor is immediately forgiven by Nick and welcomed as his new best friend.
Some of the writing and slang use, particularly between Matt and Nick seemed a little forced/out of touch. Calling each other "hot stuff" and "stud" pulled me out of the book a bit. There are a few other characterisations like that with Nick that meant he didn't quite make sense to me. His overwhelming fear of being outed that drives the main conflict in the story, and then his possession of a "twink closet" and his stories of sleeping with dozens of other closeted hockey players, seemed to be at odds for me.
Overall, this was a fun read. It was easy, smooth, and light hearted. I enjoyed the characters (other than Nick, sorry), and loved the glimpses we got into the hockey and band world. I just wish it had a bit more substance to it, and relied a bit less on the whole miscommunication trope.
June 7, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
It's all sunshine and rainbows in Sin City. Who needs hockey when you've got a whirlwind romance with a publicly out rockstar? Well Nick does. As the captain of the Las Vegas Dragons, he's got a lot on his plate, and that's without the rumours surrounding his love life and the overwhelming dread that comes with hiding who you are.
Nick and Matt are easy to root for because of their awfully healthy and communicative relationship. Every conflict is so deeply human, and demonstrates the importance of having a support network. Hockey means a lot to so many people, myself included, and this book did it justice while also demonstrating a potentially better future for the NHL.
This book is set in the NHL. We have mentions of Crosby, Ovechkin, Landeskog, among other active players. The idea of Nick playing Slafkovsky or Will Smith Hockey in the following season made me giggle uncontrollably. Like many people, I hear anything about Vegas and I recoil in disgust, so reading a fictionalized Vegas team was probably the most challenging part of the book.
Don't make the same mistake I did by reading this during the playoffs; it made the Canes' loss last night just that much worse.
It's all sunshine and rainbows in Sin City. Who needs hockey when you've got a whirlwind romance with a publicly out rockstar? Well Nick does. As the captain of the Las Vegas Dragons, he's got a lot on his plate, and that's without the rumours surrounding his love life and the overwhelming dread that comes with hiding who you are.
Nick and Matt are easy to root for because of their awfully healthy and communicative relationship. Every conflict is so deeply human, and demonstrates the importance of having a support network. Hockey means a lot to so many people, myself included, and this book did it justice while also demonstrating a potentially better future for the NHL.
This book is set in the NHL. We have mentions of Crosby, Ovechkin, Landeskog, among other active players. The idea of Nick playing Slafkovsky or Will Smith Hockey in the following season made me giggle uncontrollably. Like many people, I hear anything about Vegas and I recoil in disgust, so reading a fictionalized Vegas team was probably the most challenging part of the book.
Don't make the same mistake I did by reading this during the playoffs; it made the Canes' loss last night just that much worse.
April 26, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
*3.5 stars*
I went into Trick Shot expecting something quick and fun, and that’s pretty much exactly what I got. It’s an easy, fast-paced read with just enough tension and chemistry to keep you turning the pages.
The relationship dynamic was definitely the highlight for me. There’s a good amount of build-up and emotional tension that made their connection feel engaging, and I liked how their personalities played off each other.
That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven at times, especially when it came to the breakup and makeup. It all happened so quickly that it didn’t fully land emotionally for me, which was a bit disappointing because the story had the potential to hit harder in those moments. I just wanted a little more time spent there to really feel the impact.
Overall, I still enjoyed it for what it was: a light, entertaining read with solid chemistry. Not perfect, but definitely worth picking up if you’re in the mood for something quick and engaging.
*3.5 stars*
I went into Trick Shot expecting something quick and fun, and that’s pretty much exactly what I got. It’s an easy, fast-paced read with just enough tension and chemistry to keep you turning the pages.
The relationship dynamic was definitely the highlight for me. There’s a good amount of build-up and emotional tension that made their connection feel engaging, and I liked how their personalities played off each other.
That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven at times, especially when it came to the breakup and makeup. It all happened so quickly that it didn’t fully land emotionally for me, which was a bit disappointing because the story had the potential to hit harder in those moments. I just wanted a little more time spent there to really feel the impact.
Overall, I still enjoyed it for what it was: a light, entertaining read with solid chemistry. Not perfect, but definitely worth picking up if you’re in the mood for something quick and engaging.
May 5, 2026
ARC read <333
My life got really busy in April so this one took me way too long to read the first half in between all my life things going on, but now that it’s finally calmed down I was able to fly through the second half of this book.
I really loved the writing of this book and every single side character we got. It was so inclusive in a very well done way that didn’t feel performative. I really just loved Matt and Nick. This book had me giggling at times and definitely teary eyed towards the end. It was such a fun read every time I was actually able to pick this up even if I was only able to get a chapter in a night for a while there.
Without spoiling I will say #PaintYourPride had me crying and filled my heart with so much joy. It was such a hopeful thing to read given the current political climate we are dealing with right now.
If you like emo boys/ rockstars, hockey players, great side characters and secret dating with a bunch of sweetness all in a well written story definitely give this one a try <3
ARC review from NetGalley.
My life got really busy in April so this one took me way too long to read the first half in between all my life things going on, but now that it’s finally calmed down I was able to fly through the second half of this book.
I really loved the writing of this book and every single side character we got. It was so inclusive in a very well done way that didn’t feel performative. I really just loved Matt and Nick. This book had me giggling at times and definitely teary eyed towards the end. It was such a fun read every time I was actually able to pick this up even if I was only able to get a chapter in a night for a while there.
Without spoiling I will say #PaintYourPride had me crying and filled my heart with so much joy. It was such a hopeful thing to read given the current political climate we are dealing with right now.
If you like emo boys/ rockstars, hockey players, great side characters and secret dating with a bunch of sweetness all in a well written story definitely give this one a try <3
ARC review from NetGalley.
July 1, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
For those who are still stuck at cottage? Pick this one up to fill that void!!
I read this back in April - and completely forgot to do my review on here for it!
This was exactly what I like with a hockey romance, fast paced, fluffy, easy to read! It was sweet, and emotional. The crossover between an ice hockey player and a rockstar? Didn’t know I needed it until I read this. I loved how it explored the disciplined, high pressured lifestyle of an ice hockey player, and the fun, energetic lifestyle of a rockstar.
I loved being on Nicks journey of balancing his career and his secret relationship with Matt. The secret dates were paced excellently and gave us plenty of spice throughout.
The main characters I loved. I also loved all the side characters introduced. I love a found family in a book, and it’s setting up nice for the rest of the series.
Expect -
Yearning
Secret relationship
Spice
Found family
Can’t wait for the rest of the series!!
For those who are still stuck at cottage? Pick this one up to fill that void!!
I read this back in April - and completely forgot to do my review on here for it!
This was exactly what I like with a hockey romance, fast paced, fluffy, easy to read! It was sweet, and emotional. The crossover between an ice hockey player and a rockstar? Didn’t know I needed it until I read this. I loved how it explored the disciplined, high pressured lifestyle of an ice hockey player, and the fun, energetic lifestyle of a rockstar.
I loved being on Nicks journey of balancing his career and his secret relationship with Matt. The secret dates were paced excellently and gave us plenty of spice throughout.
The main characters I loved. I also loved all the side characters introduced. I love a found family in a book, and it’s setting up nice for the rest of the series.
Expect -
Yearning
Secret relationship
Spice
Found family
Can’t wait for the rest of the series!!
June 19, 2026
I enjoyed this book, and a lot of that had to do with the ~similarities~ to some of my fave books and I wanted to see how this one would pan out while I had an idea of the general shell. I'm invested in the series and will continue, but this book just fell a bit short of what I had hoped it to be.
Nick is the Captain for the Vegas team - he was drafted there, he is their legacy to some extent. Enter Matt, the lead singer of a queer rock band, who's a former college hockey player and a huge hockey fan. Marco, Nick's best friend, is a fan of the band and a meeting after the game leads into an unexpected friendship that leads into more.
Matt and his band are out and proud. Queerness is a large part of their band, from who they are to the song they write to their audiences. Nick is closeted, only a select few people know about him. He doesn't know what will happen to his career if he were out, and he's too scared to find out.
Their friendship grows and eventually the idiots decide a friends with benefits situation makes sense despite the fact that they both basically fell straight into insta-love the second they met. And so ensues a public friendship, a secret quasi-relationship, and a whole lot of both joy and fear.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the book but there were a few things that made this lower than a 4 star read for me. I wished to see more character development besides who they were to the public (NHL star & musician), but the character growth was enjoyable.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley.
Nick is the Captain for the Vegas team - he was drafted there, he is their legacy to some extent. Enter Matt, the lead singer of a queer rock band, who's a former college hockey player and a huge hockey fan. Marco, Nick's best friend, is a fan of the band and a meeting after the game leads into an unexpected friendship that leads into more.
Matt and his band are out and proud. Queerness is a large part of their band, from who they are to the song they write to their audiences. Nick is closeted, only a select few people know about him. He doesn't know what will happen to his career if he were out, and he's too scared to find out.
Their friendship grows and eventually the idiots decide a friends with benefits situation makes sense despite the fact that they both basically fell straight into insta-love the second they met. And so ensues a public friendship, a secret quasi-relationship, and a whole lot of both joy and fear.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the book but there were a few things that made this lower than a 4 star read for me. I wished to see more character development besides who they were to the public (NHL star & musician), but the character growth was enjoyable.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley.
March 25, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this arc.
5★ / 2🌶️
⤷ from “And for the last time, I don’t have a crush on Matt,” to “Matt. I love you so fucking much, you have no idea”
♡ hockey player x singer
♡ MM
♡ stranger to friends with benefits to lovers
♡ secret relationship
Oh my god….i loved this so so much!!!! I knew I would enjoy this from reading the description but omg !!!
I love the universe of hockey in here !! And the relationship between Matt and Nick ?? So fucking cute. Matt was such a green flag, always so understanding and patient with Nick…so caring and he even wrote him a whole damn song..even though they were only friends with benefits at that time…
I really loved Nick development through the book and how he was able to be more confident, more himself in the end.
Also the friendship between Nick and Connor was so adorable, how they supported each other, and were still close friends after what happened.
5★ / 2🌶️
⤷ from “And for the last time, I don’t have a crush on Matt,” to “Matt. I love you so fucking much, you have no idea”
♡ hockey player x singer
♡ MM
♡ stranger to friends with benefits to lovers
♡ secret relationship
Oh my god….i loved this so so much!!!! I knew I would enjoy this from reading the description but omg !!!
I love the universe of hockey in here !! And the relationship between Matt and Nick ?? So fucking cute. Matt was such a green flag, always so understanding and patient with Nick…so caring and he even wrote him a whole damn song..even though they were only friends with benefits at that time…
I really loved Nick development through the book and how he was able to be more confident, more himself in the end.
Also the friendship between Nick and Connor was so adorable, how they supported each other, and were still close friends after what happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2026
Yays:
- The inclusion of media posts at the beginning of each chapter
- Matt - you are a dream
- The love between Matt and Nick was just so sweet and lovely
- We love a found family - watching Nick become more comfortable with himself on his journey to self acceptance was great
- Just amazing side characters
- Queer joy!!!!
- Maybe the ending was a bit unrealistic but I still loved it
Nays:
- Was kind of hard to suspend disbelief that an 18 year old would be named captain of a brand new franchise. Let alone win back to back Stanley cups in his rookie years? Connor being drafted over the age of 21…
Overall, a great debut. Had the right amount of tender sweet moments balanced with the right amount of angst and conflict! Will read future books in the universe!
Thank you to Netgalley,Harper Collin’s UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC!
- The inclusion of media posts at the beginning of each chapter
- Matt - you are a dream
- The love between Matt and Nick was just so sweet and lovely
- We love a found family - watching Nick become more comfortable with himself on his journey to self acceptance was great
- Just amazing side characters
- Queer joy!!!!
- Maybe the ending was a bit unrealistic but I still loved it
Nays:
- Was kind of hard to suspend disbelief that an 18 year old would be named captain of a brand new franchise. Let alone win back to back Stanley cups in his rookie years? Connor being drafted over the age of 21…
Overall, a great debut. Had the right amount of tender sweet moments balanced with the right amount of angst and conflict! Will read future books in the universe!
Thank you to Netgalley,Harper Collin’s UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC!
June 12, 2026
This book was such a great surprise! I loved it, and devoured it in a couple of days from the moment I opened that first page.
Matt and Nick are both fully-shaped and developed characters who both had their separate flaws and struggles, and the variety of the story (I don’t think I’ve read a hockey player x rock star romance before!) made it all the more compelling and fun to read. This story is filled with feel-good feelings, chemistry and the perfect dose of misunderstanding to make it delicious and addicting.
After reading a lot of hockey romances as of late, I can safely say that Trick shot is one of a kind by its single person POV and fresh new take on the NHL inclusivity (who doesn’t like a perfect world?!) and gives us such a lovely pairing with a a peep into the music world, too.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
4 ⭐️
Matt and Nick are both fully-shaped and developed characters who both had their separate flaws and struggles, and the variety of the story (I don’t think I’ve read a hockey player x rock star romance before!) made it all the more compelling and fun to read. This story is filled with feel-good feelings, chemistry and the perfect dose of misunderstanding to make it delicious and addicting.
After reading a lot of hockey romances as of late, I can safely say that Trick shot is one of a kind by its single person POV and fresh new take on the NHL inclusivity (who doesn’t like a perfect world?!) and gives us such a lovely pairing with a a peep into the music world, too.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
4 ⭐️
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