What do you think?
Unexpected Shot: An enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, romance
Two rivals. One mistake. A shot we never thought we'd take.
Being a professional golfer has always been my dream. But there are parts of the job I hate.
Interviews. Tournaments that make me wear skirts. Being nice to Beau Devereaux.
I hate that one—and him—the most.
Since we were kids, he's had a special way of getting under my skin. As adults, it’s only gotten worse.
My best friend's brother will always be the most infuriating man on the planet in his bright, tight, and outlandish golf shirts and his stupid beard covering his annoyingly chiseled jaw.
Which is why it’s my worst nightmare that I’m paired with him for a golf tournament in Las Vegas. But I'll do it if it means I get my career back on track after my injury.
Good PR can't hurt, right?
“Shelby LeBlanc, Beau Devereaux get in fight on 16th green.”
“Did Shelby LeBlanc and Beau Devereaux get married in Vegas?”
Yes, we did.
And yes, we did.
I don't want to stay married, but I said I wanted good PR, and somehow this is giving it to us.
It's fine. This marriage isn't for love. It's for our careers.
Except the looks he gives me now are filled with heat, not disgust. The childhood nickname he calls me doesn't have the same bite. And seeing him shirtless around the house? A woman is only so strong.
Now I'm starting to hate how much this feels right.
Because this marriage might've been unexpected, but now I'm wondering if Beau and I were always meant to be.
Being a professional golfer has always been my dream. But there are parts of the job I hate.
Interviews. Tournaments that make me wear skirts. Being nice to Beau Devereaux.
I hate that one—and him—the most.
Since we were kids, he's had a special way of getting under my skin. As adults, it’s only gotten worse.
My best friend's brother will always be the most infuriating man on the planet in his bright, tight, and outlandish golf shirts and his stupid beard covering his annoyingly chiseled jaw.
Which is why it’s my worst nightmare that I’m paired with him for a golf tournament in Las Vegas. But I'll do it if it means I get my career back on track after my injury.
Good PR can't hurt, right?
“Shelby LeBlanc, Beau Devereaux get in fight on 16th green.”
“Did Shelby LeBlanc and Beau Devereaux get married in Vegas?”
Yes, we did.
And yes, we did.
I don't want to stay married, but I said I wanted good PR, and somehow this is giving it to us.
It's fine. This marriage isn't for love. It's for our careers.
Except the looks he gives me now are filled with heat, not disgust. The childhood nickname he calls me doesn't have the same bite. And seeing him shirtless around the house? A woman is only so strong.
Now I'm starting to hate how much this feels right.
Because this marriage might've been unexpected, but now I'm wondering if Beau and I were always meant to be.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2026
About the author
Chelle Sloan
35 books1,287 followersKnown for her witty sense of humor, Chelle Sloan is a former sports reporter who recently completed her master's degree in journalism, and is now putting that to good use — one happily ever after at a time.
An Ohio native, she’s fiercely loyal to Cleveland sports, is the owner of way too many — yet not enough — tumblers and will be a New Kids on the Block fan until the day she dies. She does her best writing at Panera, or any place that's not her office. Oh, and yes, you probably saw her on TikTok.
As for her own happily every after? Maybe one day...
Follow me!
Newsletter: https://geni.us/ChelleNewsletter
Facebook: https://geni.us/ChelleFacebook
Facebook Reader Group: https://geni.us/ChelleSquad
Instagram: https://geni.us/ChelleInstagram
TikTok: https://geni.us/chelleTikTok
An Ohio native, she’s fiercely loyal to Cleveland sports, is the owner of way too many — yet not enough — tumblers and will be a New Kids on the Block fan until the day she dies. She does her best writing at Panera, or any place that's not her office. Oh, and yes, you probably saw her on TikTok.
As for her own happily every after? Maybe one day...
Follow me!
Newsletter: https://geni.us/ChelleNewsletter
Facebook: https://geni.us/ChelleFacebook
Facebook Reader Group: https://geni.us/ChelleSquad
Instagram: https://geni.us/ChelleInstagram
TikTok: https://geni.us/chelleTikTok
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
August 3, 2026
4.5 stars.
Chelle Sloan's "Unexpected Shot" is a riot of a childhood enemies-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience, sports (golf) romance. I laughed so much while reading this book! The main characters, Shelby (FMC) and Beau (MCC), have such an intense banter with one another that it's hard *not* to laugh at their semi-aggressive antics. They have so much chemistry with one another despite ALLEGEDLY hating each other's guts. Honestly? I've never seen a couple of people that so obviously *do not* hate each other, and that's clearly the point. The insults they hurl at each other are progressively funnier and funnier, creative and detailed for maximum annoyance toward the other person. The way they get under each other's skin... my goodness, I ate this book up and couldn't put it down. The miscommunication aspect actually works in this book and feels wholly necessary (something I never thought I'd say as a miscommunication hater!!). You've got an incredibly independent black cat of a woman clinging to her spot in a male-dominated sport after a bad injury sidelined her and a c0ck-sure, charming goofball, a Southern alpha man's man who understand each other despite claiming a deep dislike for one another. They each have a little bit of healing to do, and a misunderstanding to fix, and when they actually sit down and put the pieces together, the chemistry gets even better... and HOTTER! I am not a huge fan of sports romances, but I think Chelle Sloan finds an excellent balance of the two here. I loved the reason they are thrust together, I loved the settings, I loved the side characters, I loved the humor, I loved the spice!
Thank you to Chelle Sloan and The Smuthood for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Chelle Sloan's "Unexpected Shot" is a riot of a childhood enemies-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience, sports (golf) romance. I laughed so much while reading this book! The main characters, Shelby (FMC) and Beau (MCC), have such an intense banter with one another that it's hard *not* to laugh at their semi-aggressive antics. They have so much chemistry with one another despite ALLEGEDLY hating each other's guts. Honestly? I've never seen a couple of people that so obviously *do not* hate each other, and that's clearly the point. The insults they hurl at each other are progressively funnier and funnier, creative and detailed for maximum annoyance toward the other person. The way they get under each other's skin... my goodness, I ate this book up and couldn't put it down. The miscommunication aspect actually works in this book and feels wholly necessary (something I never thought I'd say as a miscommunication hater!!). You've got an incredibly independent black cat of a woman clinging to her spot in a male-dominated sport after a bad injury sidelined her and a c0ck-sure, charming goofball, a Southern alpha man's man who understand each other despite claiming a deep dislike for one another. They each have a little bit of healing to do, and a misunderstanding to fix, and when they actually sit down and put the pieces together, the chemistry gets even better... and HOTTER! I am not a huge fan of sports romances, but I think Chelle Sloan finds an excellent balance of the two here. I loved the reason they are thrust together, I loved the settings, I loved the side characters, I loved the humor, I loved the spice!
Thank you to Chelle Sloan and The Smuthood for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
August 5, 2026
5🌟, 3.5🌶️
This was such a joyful, addictive read.
Shelby and Beau completely stole the show with their hilarious banter, undeniable chemistry, and the kind of tension that made every interaction entertaining. Their childhood enemies dynamic, mixed with the Vegas wedding and marriage of convenience, made this impossible to put down.
What really made this stand out was the balance between the humor and the heart. Shelby was such a strong, determined heroine, and I loved watching her slowly let Beau in. He was charming, supportive, and exactly what she needed without ever overshadowing her. Their emotional growth made every romantic moment feel even more rewarding.
This had everything I look for in a romance. It was funny, swoony, emotional, and wonderfully addictive, with a fantastic cast of side characters and a found family that added so much warmth. Shelby and Beau were simply meant to be, and I finished this with the biggest smile on my face.
From the banter to the romance, everything came together perfectly, making this such a memorable read.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Chelle Sloan and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This was such a joyful, addictive read.
Shelby and Beau completely stole the show with their hilarious banter, undeniable chemistry, and the kind of tension that made every interaction entertaining. Their childhood enemies dynamic, mixed with the Vegas wedding and marriage of convenience, made this impossible to put down.
What really made this stand out was the balance between the humor and the heart. Shelby was such a strong, determined heroine, and I loved watching her slowly let Beau in. He was charming, supportive, and exactly what she needed without ever overshadowing her. Their emotional growth made every romantic moment feel even more rewarding.
This had everything I look for in a romance. It was funny, swoony, emotional, and wonderfully addictive, with a fantastic cast of side characters and a found family that added so much warmth. Shelby and Beau were simply meant to be, and I finished this with the biggest smile on my face.
From the banter to the romance, everything came together perfectly, making this such a memorable read.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Chelle Sloan and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
July 27, 2026
Unexpected Shot by Chelle Sloan is Book 2 in the Nashville Players series, and this one is all about golf!
I don't think I've ever read a golf sports romance before, and I really enjoyed this one.
What can you expect?
⛳ Enemies to lovers
💙 Best friend's brother
💍 Marriage of convenience “My wife”
🏡 Found family
🎰 Vegas wedding
🏌️ Two professional golfers
🚪 Neighbors to lover
5 ⭐️ | 🌶️ 3
After Book 1, I couldn't wait to see what Chelle had in store for us next, and I was so excited that this was Beau and Shelby's story. I loved their banter in the first book, and somehow it was even better here.
Beau and Shelby have known each other since childhood, bonded by their love of golf. But after one tournament, Shelby becomes convinced Beau is a cheater. With Beau's reputation damaged by a viral video and Shelby returning to golf after a two-year injury, they're forced to team up for a tournament. Then they accidentally end up married, and staying married might be the only way to save both of their careers.
I loved Beau and Shelby together. Their banter was top-tier! They can't stand each other, yet they're forced to work together. I also felt bad for Gabi, Beau's sister, who constantly has to play referee between them. Beau has tried over and over to explain that he never cheated, but Shelby, who he calls Belle, refuses to believe him. To her, he'll always be a cheater. Meanwhile, Shelby is working on a new swing with Chad, her high school ex and Beau's friend... and I could not stand that guy.
The way they ended up married was hilarious. They blacked out in Vegas and had absolutely no memory of it until the truth came out after their tournament. I laughed so much while reading this book. And the scene where Beau coughs and Shelby immediately gets annoyed? 😂 Beneath all the banter was so much chemistry and sexual tension. Their Vegas fling was supposed to stay in Vegas... but we all know how that goes. And the spice? 🥵 Beau's mouth... that's all I'm going to say. Oh, and he crawls!
Watching them move in together and fake their marriage while slowly falling for each other was one of my favorite parts. Little by little, they started talking, trusting each other, and tearing down the walls they'd built over the years. Shelby slowly let her guard down, and Beau never stopped showing up for her. Shelby started to see the man Beau really is. I also loved finally learning the truth about what happened during that tournament; and seeing Chad exposed for the fraud he really was.
The poker nights with the guys continue to be one of my favorite parts of this series, especially since no one has realized they don't actually play poker! I also loved seeing more of Gabi, Maddox, and baby Ace. The found family aspect was so heartwarming. Everyone supported Beau and Shelby without judging them, and I loved that.
This was such a fun and entertaining read! I'm already excited for the next book because it's a single dad romance, and you all know that's one of my favorite tropes.
I received an advance copy of this book, but this review reflects my honest thoughts.
I don't think I've ever read a golf sports romance before, and I really enjoyed this one.
What can you expect?
⛳ Enemies to lovers
💙 Best friend's brother
💍 Marriage of convenience “My wife”
🏡 Found family
🎰 Vegas wedding
🏌️ Two professional golfers
🚪 Neighbors to lover
5 ⭐️ | 🌶️ 3
After Book 1, I couldn't wait to see what Chelle had in store for us next, and I was so excited that this was Beau and Shelby's story. I loved their banter in the first book, and somehow it was even better here.
Beau and Shelby have known each other since childhood, bonded by their love of golf. But after one tournament, Shelby becomes convinced Beau is a cheater. With Beau's reputation damaged by a viral video and Shelby returning to golf after a two-year injury, they're forced to team up for a tournament. Then they accidentally end up married, and staying married might be the only way to save both of their careers.
I loved Beau and Shelby together. Their banter was top-tier! They can't stand each other, yet they're forced to work together. I also felt bad for Gabi, Beau's sister, who constantly has to play referee between them. Beau has tried over and over to explain that he never cheated, but Shelby, who he calls Belle, refuses to believe him. To her, he'll always be a cheater. Meanwhile, Shelby is working on a new swing with Chad, her high school ex and Beau's friend... and I could not stand that guy.
The way they ended up married was hilarious. They blacked out in Vegas and had absolutely no memory of it until the truth came out after their tournament. I laughed so much while reading this book. And the scene where Beau coughs and Shelby immediately gets annoyed? 😂 Beneath all the banter was so much chemistry and sexual tension. Their Vegas fling was supposed to stay in Vegas... but we all know how that goes. And the spice? 🥵 Beau's mouth... that's all I'm going to say. Oh, and he crawls!
Watching them move in together and fake their marriage while slowly falling for each other was one of my favorite parts. Little by little, they started talking, trusting each other, and tearing down the walls they'd built over the years. Shelby slowly let her guard down, and Beau never stopped showing up for her. Shelby started to see the man Beau really is. I also loved finally learning the truth about what happened during that tournament; and seeing Chad exposed for the fraud he really was.
The poker nights with the guys continue to be one of my favorite parts of this series, especially since no one has realized they don't actually play poker! I also loved seeing more of Gabi, Maddox, and baby Ace. The found family aspect was so heartwarming. Everyone supported Beau and Shelby without judging them, and I loved that.
This was such a fun and entertaining read! I'm already excited for the next book because it's a single dad romance, and you all know that's one of my favorite tropes.
I received an advance copy of this book, but this review reflects my honest thoughts.
August 5, 2026
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Look, my very niche thing is that I grew up with a semi professional golfer, grew up watching golf, and absolutely love the rare opportunities when someone writes a golf romance.
And holy hell, Chelle did this one exactly right.
I loved this. The enemies to lovers vibes, the fact that these two were absolutely meant for each other, a drunk Vegas wedding… it all was done perfectly.
✨ GOLF ROMANCE
✨ THEY ARE BOTH PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES
✨ ENEMIES TO LOVERS
✨ VEGAS MARRIAGE
✨ FORCED PROXIMITY
✨ BLAXK CAT X GOLDEN RETRIEVER
I loved Beau and Shelby so much. Separately, they were both great characters, but together…. They shined. The tension, the hate that was really years of simmering want and need. The fact that these people had been in each other’s orbit for so long. The fact that’s even though they hated each other, they KNEW each other so damn well despite the animosity. Ugh, I’m melting just thinking about them 🫠🫠🫠
I couldn’t put this book down. It was fun, it was spicy, I loved the Vegas marriage aspect, and I loved their friend group. I cannot wait air for more.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Look, my very niche thing is that I grew up with a semi professional golfer, grew up watching golf, and absolutely love the rare opportunities when someone writes a golf romance.
And holy hell, Chelle did this one exactly right.
I loved this. The enemies to lovers vibes, the fact that these two were absolutely meant for each other, a drunk Vegas wedding… it all was done perfectly.
✨ GOLF ROMANCE
✨ THEY ARE BOTH PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES
✨ ENEMIES TO LOVERS
✨ VEGAS MARRIAGE
✨ FORCED PROXIMITY
✨ BLAXK CAT X GOLDEN RETRIEVER
I loved Beau and Shelby so much. Separately, they were both great characters, but together…. They shined. The tension, the hate that was really years of simmering want and need. The fact that these people had been in each other’s orbit for so long. The fact that’s even though they hated each other, they KNEW each other so damn well despite the animosity. Ugh, I’m melting just thinking about them 🫠🫠🫠
I couldn’t put this book down. It was fun, it was spicy, I loved the Vegas marriage aspect, and I loved their friend group. I cannot wait air for more.
August 20, 2026
“𝙌𝙐𝙄𝙏 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂, 𝘽𝙀𝙇𝙇𝙀, 𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝙄𝙎, 𝙐𝙉𝙇𝙀𝙎𝙎 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝙒𝘼𝙉𝙏 𝙏𝙊 𝙂𝙀𝙏 𝘼 𝘾𝙇𝙊𝙎𝙀𝙍 𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙆? 𝙈𝘼𝙔𝘽𝙀 𝙏𝘼𝙆𝙀 𝘼 𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙏𝙐𝙍𝙀. 𝙄𝙏'𝙇𝙇 𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙏 𝙇𝙊𝙉𝙂𝙀𝙍.”
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
WHO KNEW A SPORT THAT REQUIRES THIS MUCH SILENCE COULD HAVE ME SCREAMING THIS F*CKING LOUD?! 😩⛳️😂
FIVE. GLORIOUS. STARS.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chelle Sloan has done it AGAIN.
At this point, this woman could announce she’s writing a competitive curling romance and I’d be sitting there like…
Okay but when does the ARC drop? 👀😂
Chelle is one of my absolute FAVORITE authors. There is literally nothing she writes that I don’t devour, and she is truly the queen of equal-opportunity sports romances. Hockey? Yes. Football? Absolutely. Baseball? Hand it over.
And now we’re dipping our toes into…
GOLF?! ⛳️
Chelle dipped a toe.
I dove in head-f*cking-first. 😂🧎🏻♀️
Because Unexpected Shot gave me TWO professional golfers, enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s brother, marriage of convenience, a Vegas wedding, found family AND “my wife.”
Excuse me???
Was I supposed to behave normally about this?!
Because I DID NOT. 😩
Shelby LeBlanc is a professional golfer trying to get her career back on track after an injury sidelined her.
And first of all…
PROFESSIONAL FEMALE ATHLETE.
YESSSSSS. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
You guys know I LOVE women dominating male spaces, and Shelby is exactly the kind of FMC I want in a sports romance.
She’s independent.
Competitive.
Stubborn.
Talented.
Black-cat energy personified.
And she is NOT interested in making herself smaller or quieter just because she’s competing in a male-dominated sport.
THAT’S MY GIRL. 👏🏻⛳️
Unfortunately for Shelby, there’s one particularly irritating man who has been getting under her skin since they were kids.
Her best friend’s brother…
Beau Devereaux.
👀
Bright, obnoxious golf shirts.
Stupid beard covering an annoyingly chiseled jaw.
Cocky.
Charming.
Southern.
And apparently has made irritating Shelby his own personal Olympic sport.
Sir.
I already know exactly where this is going. 😂
These two supposedly HATE each other.
Allegedly.
Because I don’t think I have EVER read two people who were more obviously obsessed with each other while simultaneously screaming…
“I CAN’T STAND YOU.”
😂😂😂
Baby.
That’s not hatred.
That’s foreplay with extra steps.
The BANTER in this book???
TOP. F*CKING. TIER.
The insults just kept getting more ridiculous and more specific and somehow these two knew EXACTLY what to say to drive the other one insane.
I was laughing constantly.
And underneath every insult is this absolutely ridiculous amount of chemistry that neither one of them apparently wants to acknowledge.
Meanwhile I’m sitting there like…
👁️👄👁️
Do you two hear yourselves?!
Then they’re paired together for a tournament in Las Vegas.
Because obviously forcing two people who “hate” each other to work together has NEVER resulted in anything questionable happening.
😂
Shelby needs the good PR after her injury.
Beau is Beau.
Everything is fine.
Until…
“Shelby LeBlanc, Beau Devereaux get in fight on 16th green.”
Okay.
Not ideal.
😂
Followed shortly by…
“Did Shelby LeBlanc and Beau Devereaux get married in Vegas?”
………
I’M SORRY.
WHAT?!
😂😂😂⛳️💍
And yes.
YES THEY F*CKING DID.
So naturally these two decide that instead of immediately fixing their drunken Vegas mistake, they’ll stay married because it’s actually GOOD for their careers.
Sure.
Very reasonable.
Absolutely professional.
Nothing could possibly go wrong.
👁️👄👁️
WELCOME TO THE MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE PORTION OF OUR PROGRAM.
And this is where Beau really started doing DAMAGE.
Because suddenly we’ve gone from enemies to…
“My wife.”
😩🧎🏻♀️
No.
NO.
You cannot give me a man who has spent years antagonizing this woman and then suddenly have him start throwing around MY WIFE like he was born to say it.
I have RIGHTS, Chelle.
😭😂
And the way he starts LOOKING at her differently???
The childhood nickname suddenly doesn’t have quite the same bite.
They’re living together.
She’s seeing him shirtless.
He’s seeing HER differently.
And suddenly all that “I hate you” energy is starting to look suspiciously like…
“I’ve been completely f*cking obsessed with you this entire time and we’re both idiots.”
MY FAVORITE FLAVOR. 😩👏🏻
And can we discuss the fact that Chelle somehow made MISCOMMUNICATION work for me?!
ME?!
A certified “JUST OPEN YOUR FCKING MOUTH AND TALK TO EACH OTHER”* reader?! 😂
I normally want to launch my Kindle when an entire relationship could be fixed with one conversation.
But HERE?
It made sense.
These two have YEARS of history.
Years of assumptions.
Years of interpreting each other’s behavior through the lens of “this person hates me.”
So when they finally start putting the pieces together and realizing that maybe they’ve both been very, VERY wrong about each other…
OH BABY.
The payoff was SO GOOD. 😩
Because underneath all the banter and ridiculous fighting, these two understand each other.
They’re both professional athletes.
They both understand the pressure.
They both have their own healing to do.
And Beau understands exactly how important Shelby’s career is to her.
She’s not an accessory to HIS sports career.
SHE HAS HER OWN.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
That double-athlete dynamic gets me EVERY TIME.
And Chelle actually gives us the SPORT.
We’re golfing.
We’re competing.
We’re dealing with careers and injuries and PR.
The sports element isn’t just some cute little backdrop so the MMC can wear an athletic uniform occasionally.
IT MATTERS.
And I LOVE THAT.
The found family???
Loved.
The side characters???
Loved.
The humor???
Loved.
The chemistry???
OBSCENE. 👀😂
The romance???
ATE IT UP.
The whole ridiculous Vegas-marriage situation???
NO CRUMBS.
And when the chemistry finally shifts from “I hate you” to “oh sht…maybe I’ve never hated you at all”*???
🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️
This is EXACTLY why Chelle remains an auto-read author for me.
She can take a sport I have NEVER specifically thought “you know what I need? A golf romance” about and suddenly have me emotionally invested in people arguing on the 16th green. 😂⛳️
If you love enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s brother, marriage of convenience, Vegas weddings, “my wife,” neighbors-to-lovers, found family, TWO professional athletes, women dominating male-dominated sports, elite banter and two idiots who have apparently mistaken sexual tension for hatred their entire lives…
READ. THIS. BOOK.
5 GLORIOUS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chelle Sloan…
You made me feral over GOLF.
GOLF.
The sport where people literally hold up signs asking everyone to be quiet.
Meanwhile I was over here like…
BEAU, THAT’S YOUR F*CKING WIFE!!!!! 😭⛳️💍😂
Chelle, babe…
Unexpected Shot was a HOLE IN ONE. 🤌🏻⛳️🖤
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
WHO KNEW A SPORT THAT REQUIRES THIS MUCH SILENCE COULD HAVE ME SCREAMING THIS F*CKING LOUD?! 😩⛳️😂
FIVE. GLORIOUS. STARS.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chelle Sloan has done it AGAIN.
At this point, this woman could announce she’s writing a competitive curling romance and I’d be sitting there like…
Okay but when does the ARC drop? 👀😂
Chelle is one of my absolute FAVORITE authors. There is literally nothing she writes that I don’t devour, and she is truly the queen of equal-opportunity sports romances. Hockey? Yes. Football? Absolutely. Baseball? Hand it over.
And now we’re dipping our toes into…
GOLF?! ⛳️
Chelle dipped a toe.
I dove in head-f*cking-first. 😂🧎🏻♀️
Because Unexpected Shot gave me TWO professional golfers, enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s brother, marriage of convenience, a Vegas wedding, found family AND “my wife.”
Excuse me???
Was I supposed to behave normally about this?!
Because I DID NOT. 😩
Shelby LeBlanc is a professional golfer trying to get her career back on track after an injury sidelined her.
And first of all…
PROFESSIONAL FEMALE ATHLETE.
YESSSSSS. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
You guys know I LOVE women dominating male spaces, and Shelby is exactly the kind of FMC I want in a sports romance.
She’s independent.
Competitive.
Stubborn.
Talented.
Black-cat energy personified.
And she is NOT interested in making herself smaller or quieter just because she’s competing in a male-dominated sport.
THAT’S MY GIRL. 👏🏻⛳️
Unfortunately for Shelby, there’s one particularly irritating man who has been getting under her skin since they were kids.
Her best friend’s brother…
Beau Devereaux.
👀
Bright, obnoxious golf shirts.
Stupid beard covering an annoyingly chiseled jaw.
Cocky.
Charming.
Southern.
And apparently has made irritating Shelby his own personal Olympic sport.
Sir.
I already know exactly where this is going. 😂
These two supposedly HATE each other.
Allegedly.
Because I don’t think I have EVER read two people who were more obviously obsessed with each other while simultaneously screaming…
“I CAN’T STAND YOU.”
😂😂😂
Baby.
That’s not hatred.
That’s foreplay with extra steps.
The BANTER in this book???
TOP. F*CKING. TIER.
The insults just kept getting more ridiculous and more specific and somehow these two knew EXACTLY what to say to drive the other one insane.
I was laughing constantly.
And underneath every insult is this absolutely ridiculous amount of chemistry that neither one of them apparently wants to acknowledge.
Meanwhile I’m sitting there like…
👁️👄👁️
Do you two hear yourselves?!
Then they’re paired together for a tournament in Las Vegas.
Because obviously forcing two people who “hate” each other to work together has NEVER resulted in anything questionable happening.
😂
Shelby needs the good PR after her injury.
Beau is Beau.
Everything is fine.
Until…
“Shelby LeBlanc, Beau Devereaux get in fight on 16th green.”
Okay.
Not ideal.
😂
Followed shortly by…
“Did Shelby LeBlanc and Beau Devereaux get married in Vegas?”
………
I’M SORRY.
WHAT?!
😂😂😂⛳️💍
And yes.
YES THEY F*CKING DID.
So naturally these two decide that instead of immediately fixing their drunken Vegas mistake, they’ll stay married because it’s actually GOOD for their careers.
Sure.
Very reasonable.
Absolutely professional.
Nothing could possibly go wrong.
👁️👄👁️
WELCOME TO THE MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE PORTION OF OUR PROGRAM.
And this is where Beau really started doing DAMAGE.
Because suddenly we’ve gone from enemies to…
“My wife.”
😩🧎🏻♀️
No.
NO.
You cannot give me a man who has spent years antagonizing this woman and then suddenly have him start throwing around MY WIFE like he was born to say it.
I have RIGHTS, Chelle.
😭😂
And the way he starts LOOKING at her differently???
The childhood nickname suddenly doesn’t have quite the same bite.
They’re living together.
She’s seeing him shirtless.
He’s seeing HER differently.
And suddenly all that “I hate you” energy is starting to look suspiciously like…
“I’ve been completely f*cking obsessed with you this entire time and we’re both idiots.”
MY FAVORITE FLAVOR. 😩👏🏻
And can we discuss the fact that Chelle somehow made MISCOMMUNICATION work for me?!
ME?!
A certified “JUST OPEN YOUR FCKING MOUTH AND TALK TO EACH OTHER”* reader?! 😂
I normally want to launch my Kindle when an entire relationship could be fixed with one conversation.
But HERE?
It made sense.
These two have YEARS of history.
Years of assumptions.
Years of interpreting each other’s behavior through the lens of “this person hates me.”
So when they finally start putting the pieces together and realizing that maybe they’ve both been very, VERY wrong about each other…
OH BABY.
The payoff was SO GOOD. 😩
Because underneath all the banter and ridiculous fighting, these two understand each other.
They’re both professional athletes.
They both understand the pressure.
They both have their own healing to do.
And Beau understands exactly how important Shelby’s career is to her.
She’s not an accessory to HIS sports career.
SHE HAS HER OWN.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
That double-athlete dynamic gets me EVERY TIME.
And Chelle actually gives us the SPORT.
We’re golfing.
We’re competing.
We’re dealing with careers and injuries and PR.
The sports element isn’t just some cute little backdrop so the MMC can wear an athletic uniform occasionally.
IT MATTERS.
And I LOVE THAT.
The found family???
Loved.
The side characters???
Loved.
The humor???
Loved.
The chemistry???
OBSCENE. 👀😂
The romance???
ATE IT UP.
The whole ridiculous Vegas-marriage situation???
NO CRUMBS.
And when the chemistry finally shifts from “I hate you” to “oh sht…maybe I’ve never hated you at all”*???
🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️
This is EXACTLY why Chelle remains an auto-read author for me.
She can take a sport I have NEVER specifically thought “you know what I need? A golf romance” about and suddenly have me emotionally invested in people arguing on the 16th green. 😂⛳️
If you love enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s brother, marriage of convenience, Vegas weddings, “my wife,” neighbors-to-lovers, found family, TWO professional athletes, women dominating male-dominated sports, elite banter and two idiots who have apparently mistaken sexual tension for hatred their entire lives…
READ. THIS. BOOK.
5 GLORIOUS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chelle Sloan…
You made me feral over GOLF.
GOLF.
The sport where people literally hold up signs asking everyone to be quiet.
Meanwhile I was over here like…
BEAU, THAT’S YOUR F*CKING WIFE!!!!! 😭⛳️💍😂
Chelle, babe…
Unexpected Shot was a HOLE IN ONE. 🤌🏻⛳️🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
Unexpected Shot by Chelle Sloan was an absolute hole-in-one! ⛳️💚 This book had everything I love in a sports romance, and I couldn’t put it down.
Shelby and Beau’s chemistry was electric from the very first page. Watching two professional golfers who have known each other since childhood go from constant bickering to undeniable love was so satisfying. The enemies-to-lovers tension was top-tier, and the fact that Beau is her best friend’s older brother only made every interaction even more entertaining.
I’m always a sucker for a marriage of convenience, and the impulsive Vegas wedding/fake marriage setup was executed perfectly. What starts as a chaotic solution quickly turns into something so much deeper, filled with laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt vulnerability, and plenty of swoon-worthy romance.
One of my favorite parts of this story was the found family aspect. The love and support surrounding Shelby and Beau made the emotional moments hit even harder, and it added so much warmth to an already incredible romance.
If you’re looking for a sports romance packed with witty banter, forced proximity, childhood history, emotional depth, and two professional golfers who are clearly meant to be together, Unexpected Shot is an easy five-star read. I loved every minute of Shelby and Beau’s journey and didn’t want it to end!
⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 5/5
Thank you to Chelle and The Smuthood for an advanced copy! All opinions are honest and my own.
Shelby and Beau’s chemistry was electric from the very first page. Watching two professional golfers who have known each other since childhood go from constant bickering to undeniable love was so satisfying. The enemies-to-lovers tension was top-tier, and the fact that Beau is her best friend’s older brother only made every interaction even more entertaining.
I’m always a sucker for a marriage of convenience, and the impulsive Vegas wedding/fake marriage setup was executed perfectly. What starts as a chaotic solution quickly turns into something so much deeper, filled with laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt vulnerability, and plenty of swoon-worthy romance.
One of my favorite parts of this story was the found family aspect. The love and support surrounding Shelby and Beau made the emotional moments hit even harder, and it added so much warmth to an already incredible romance.
If you’re looking for a sports romance packed with witty banter, forced proximity, childhood history, emotional depth, and two professional golfers who are clearly meant to be together, Unexpected Shot is an easy five-star read. I loved every minute of Shelby and Beau’s journey and didn’t want it to end!
⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 5/5
Thank you to Chelle and The Smuthood for an advanced copy! All opinions are honest and my own.
July 30, 2026
I went into this story expecting a fun read and came out absolutely gobsmacked in the best way. This story has it ALL.
Chelle is a master of intelligent humor for me - and dang, is this story funny — the kind of smart, sharp banter that makes you snort-laugh and truly LOL. But it's never just jokes for the sake of jokes.
The plot around the humor has real teeth. It pulls you in, twists when you least expect it, and keeps you turning the page far too late into the night because you just can’t stop. And then there's the tension between these two. GOOD GOD, I was sweating.
MMC Beau is charming without trying too hard, deep without being broody about it, and honestly? I'm a little concerned about how attached I am. 😍
And Shelby. SHELBY. She is the black cat energy every heroine should aspire to — a little unpredictable, completely herself and impossible not to root for. I wanted to be her best friend and also possibly BE her.
Their childhood friends to enemies to lovers story was one of the best times I’ve had reading in awhile — it made me laugh, made me sweat, made me feel things I wasn't expecting on a random Tuesday night — and honestly, that's the highest compliment I can give a story. Loved every second. Already grieving the fact that it's over.
Thanks so much to Chelle for this ARC!
Chelle is a master of intelligent humor for me - and dang, is this story funny — the kind of smart, sharp banter that makes you snort-laugh and truly LOL. But it's never just jokes for the sake of jokes.
The plot around the humor has real teeth. It pulls you in, twists when you least expect it, and keeps you turning the page far too late into the night because you just can’t stop. And then there's the tension between these two. GOOD GOD, I was sweating.
MMC Beau is charming without trying too hard, deep without being broody about it, and honestly? I'm a little concerned about how attached I am. 😍
And Shelby. SHELBY. She is the black cat energy every heroine should aspire to — a little unpredictable, completely herself and impossible not to root for. I wanted to be her best friend and also possibly BE her.
Their childhood friends to enemies to lovers story was one of the best times I’ve had reading in awhile — it made me laugh, made me sweat, made me feel things I wasn't expecting on a random Tuesday night — and honestly, that's the highest compliment I can give a story. Loved every second. Already grieving the fact that it's over.
Thanks so much to Chelle for this ARC!
August 3, 2026
I love a Vegas wedding between two rivals and this book delivered on that. They’re childhood friends who became enemies and the tension was beautiful. In my opinion, the first 50% is a little messy as they have this tension between rivals but also because Shelby holds a grudge against him from a past “mistake”. However the last 50%, after they got married, was filled with the sweetest and funniest moments. Shelby is the best character, I admired her determination to prove herself as a woman in a very male dominated field. And her temper was so funny, perfectly complimenting Beau’s more calm personality. But don’t get me wrong, that man will get fired up if anyone speaks wrong about his wife. They truly make an amazing team, and fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. They give extreme soulmates vibes that had me melting, with their playful and flirty banter and Beau being extremely whipped for Shelby since they were kids. He follows the “happy wife happy life” mentality to the max, and I loved eve to time he called her “Belle”. That nickname is so freaking cute. This book gives some romcom vibes with great plot twists too. All I can say is I hate that MF Chad. This book was a fun golf romance and give this a 4/5
July 30, 2026
Unexpected Shot by Chelle Sloan is definitely a hole in one! And five stars! I liked the main characters, Shelby & Beau, a lot! Shelby is a true black cat, and I LOVED HER! It was also so nice to see a romance with two professional athletes. Cheers to having the same job in a romance book! And you gotta love the fun of a Las Vegas wedding mixed in! This book is hilarious and pretty spicy!! Such a fun read and especially while golf season is still in full swing! I’m obsessed with golf so this book really made me super happy. I have to add I think it will be great for people who don’t watch sports as well! And I highly recommend this book who loves a messy rom-com with lots of hilarious problematic situations and a marriage of convenience.
Tropes:
Enemies To Lovers
Best Friend's Brother
Marriage of Convenience
Vegas Wedding
Found Family
Two Professional Athletes
Neighbors to Lovers
Thank you Chelle Sloan for providing this book for review consideration via Smuthood. All opinions are my own.
Tropes:
Enemies To Lovers
Best Friend's Brother
Marriage of Convenience
Vegas Wedding
Found Family
Two Professional Athletes
Neighbors to Lovers
Thank you Chelle Sloan for providing this book for review consideration via Smuthood. All opinions are my own.
August 9, 2026
Chelle hit a hole in one with Unexpected Shot! This book gives us the story I've been waiting for, Shelby and Beau! Unexpected Shot is book 2 in the Nashville Players series. It can be read as a standalone but if you really want an insight to the banter between these two characters I suggest you read book 1. This book is a childhood friends/rivals to enemies to lovers, accidental marriage, golf romance. I loved the way we got insight as to why these two hate each other with a passion (and passion is the best way to describe it). After all there is a very fine line between love and hate. Seeing them overcome their past and stand together was perfection! The banter continues in this book and it is done so well. Beau and Shelby (Belle) love to hate one another but when they find themselves in a position where distance from each other is no longer an option they'll either have to fight it out and finally talk about the thing they refuse to speak about or watch their careers crumble. I am so in love with this series and cannot wait for book 3!
September 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Holy moly 6 stars, I freaking love Chelle Sloan books but this sky rocketed to the top!! The banter, the chemistry, the spice and don't even talk to me about the no third act break up!! Perfection, I laughed out loud many times while reading this one. I'm so insanely obsessed with Beau and the fire in Shelby is incredible. The pacing was perfect, I was worried it would be too long but I need more immediately. Getting to see Gabi and Maddox again was also a huge plus. I'm a sucker for childhood best friends and best friends brother so this one really hit every single one of my favorites tropes. Not only that it was enemies to lovers and a true one, they very much hated each other it was perfect !!! Thank you for the ARC and letting me be on the contect team, I'm so obsessed!
Holy moly 6 stars, I freaking love Chelle Sloan books but this sky rocketed to the top!! The banter, the chemistry, the spice and don't even talk to me about the no third act break up!! Perfection, I laughed out loud many times while reading this one. I'm so insanely obsessed with Beau and the fire in Shelby is incredible. The pacing was perfect, I was worried it would be too long but I need more immediately. Getting to see Gabi and Maddox again was also a huge plus. I'm a sucker for childhood best friends and best friends brother so this one really hit every single one of my favorites tropes. Not only that it was enemies to lovers and a true one, they very much hated each other it was perfect !!! Thank you for the ARC and letting me be on the contect team, I'm so obsessed!
August 1, 2026
OMG!! Unexpected Shot is a childhood friends to enemies to lovers romance with secrets and unexpected marriage. This is Beau and Shelby’s story with witty banter, tension, and protectiveness. I love their interactions and the chemistry is to die for. Their story gets more complicated and interesting when unexplained moments happen in the past that gets in their way in the future. I love how they both protect each other and are willing to find the truth. I also wasn’t ready for that ending and how much their story took me on an emotional roller coaster. I really enjoyed their story and can’t wait to read more!!
I voluntarily leave my honest thoughts about this gifted advance reader copy.
I voluntarily leave my honest thoughts about this gifted advance reader copy.
July 31, 2026
ARC Review thanks to the SmuthoodPR Team& the author !
3.5 ☆
Well, this was a good surprise. I know NOTHING about golf so I wasn't expecting to be this invested in the stories of two pro-golfers yet...here we are !
It's honestly a good book but it felt very slow and long until 40-ish % in and Shelby was so irritating and stuck in her wrong opinions that it got bumped down to 3.5 ( Which is still a great review!!!)
I'm intrigued to read more books by the author next 🫡
3.5 ☆
Well, this was a good surprise. I know NOTHING about golf so I wasn't expecting to be this invested in the stories of two pro-golfers yet...here we are !
It's honestly a good book but it felt very slow and long until 40-ish % in and Shelby was so irritating and stuck in her wrong opinions that it got bumped down to 3.5 ( Which is still a great review!!!)
I'm intrigued to read more books by the author next 🫡
September 5, 2026
If I felt like Shelby was kinda stupid. Like she should’ve put it together who was truly behind she cheating scandal when the enemies part of the story started.
I understand why Beau stopped trying to prove himself innocent when she was too stupid and stubborn to listen to someone she once called a friend.
Imo she didn’t deserve his forgiveness nor did she deserve the HEA with him.
I’m not sure if I’ll read the read if these books.
Spice is probably a half pepper
I understand why Beau stopped trying to prove himself innocent when she was too stupid and stubborn to listen to someone she once called a friend.
Imo she didn’t deserve his forgiveness nor did she deserve the HEA with him.
I’m not sure if I’ll read the read if these books.
Spice is probably a half pepper
August 7, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
🩷💚Unexpected Shot by: Chelle Sloan💚🩷
First off...a special thank you to Chelle Sloan for trusting me with this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review! 🥰
Ok I love a good sports romance, but I’ve never read one centered around golf before and honestly...I wasn’t sure what to expect. But Chelle Sloan pulled it off because I enjoyed this book so much!!
This book is the perfect example of why I love enemies to lovers. Beau and Shelby are basically mortal enemies and it shows how thin the line between love and hate can be so thin. Their chemistry was so much fun to watch unfold and the banter between them had me giggling🤭
Again...As someone who isn’t a golf fan, I never once felt disconnected from Beau and Shelby’s story. The sport really added to the romance instead of taking away from it.
If you’ve been hesitant because golf isn’t your thing, trust me it wasn’t…well isn’t…mine either, But please don’t let that stop you from reading this book because Chelle Sloan made it so easy to get swept up in the story. This was also my first ever read from Chelle and I can’t wait to read more of her books.🫶⛳️
Tropes:
🩷Enemies to Lovers
💚 Marriage of convenience
🩷Best friend’s sibling
💚Found family
🩷Vegas wedding
💚Professional Athletes
🩷💚Unexpected Shot by: Chelle Sloan💚🩷
First off...a special thank you to Chelle Sloan for trusting me with this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review! 🥰
Ok I love a good sports romance, but I’ve never read one centered around golf before and honestly...I wasn’t sure what to expect. But Chelle Sloan pulled it off because I enjoyed this book so much!!
This book is the perfect example of why I love enemies to lovers. Beau and Shelby are basically mortal enemies and it shows how thin the line between love and hate can be so thin. Their chemistry was so much fun to watch unfold and the banter between them had me giggling🤭
Again...As someone who isn’t a golf fan, I never once felt disconnected from Beau and Shelby’s story. The sport really added to the romance instead of taking away from it.
If you’ve been hesitant because golf isn’t your thing, trust me it wasn’t…well isn’t…mine either, But please don’t let that stop you from reading this book because Chelle Sloan made it so easy to get swept up in the story. This was also my first ever read from Chelle and I can’t wait to read more of her books.🫶⛳️
Tropes:
🩷Enemies to Lovers
💚 Marriage of convenience
🩷Best friend’s sibling
💚Found family
🩷Vegas wedding
💚Professional Athletes
August 9, 2026
I love sports romance! This was my very first golf romance and I am here for it! I love the banter and the enemies to lovers with the best friend stuck in the middle!
July 31, 2026
What a fun group of characters and a wicked twist on golf athletes growing up together. Sadly I know what it's also like growing up being one of a very small group of gals playing sports with the boys. It's awesome to see how far girls sports have come along these days.
August 7, 2026
⛳💍 From Sworn Rivals to Accidentally Married 💍⛳
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I laughed SO much reading Unexpected Shot. Chelle Sloan took two childhood rivals who have spent years perfecting the art of annoying each other, threw them together on a golf course, sent them to Vegas, accidentally married them, and somehow turned all that chaos into a romance with so much heart. I ate this book up and genuinely did not want to put it down.
Shelby and Beau's banter is absolutely top-tier. These two claim to hate each other, but I don't think I've ever read about two people who were more obviously paying WAY too much attention to someone they supposedly couldn't stand. 😂 Their insults become increasingly creative, their arguments are hilarious, and they know exactly how to get under each other's skin. Poor Gabi has spent years stuck in the middle playing referee between her best friend and her brother.
But their history goes deeper than simple childhood rivalry. Shelby has believed for years that Beau cheated during a golf tournament, while Beau has repeatedly tried to tell her that she doesn't know the entire story. That misunderstanding has shaped so much of their relationship, and as someone who normally struggles with miscommunication in romance, I can't believe I'm saying this, but it actually worked for me here. It felt necessary to their story and made finally putting all those pieces together so satisfying.
Shelby was one of my favorite parts of this book. She's independent, stubborn, competitive, and has the best black-cat energy. She's also fighting her way back into professional golf after an injury sidelined her for two years, and I loved how important that journey remained throughout the story. She's determined to reclaim her place in a male-dominated sport, and Beau never needed to dim her light to stand beside her.
And then there's Beau.
Cocky, charming, goofy, Southern, ridiculously confident, and walking around in those bright golf shirts while driving Shelby absolutely insane. But underneath all of that is a man who understands her far better than she wants to admit. I loved watching Shelby slowly discover the Beau that exists beyond the rivalry and seeing how consistently he shows up for her.
Then Vegas happens. 😂
Their accidental wedding was HILARIOUS. They wake up with no memory of getting married, only to discover the truth after their tournament. And when staying married unexpectedly becomes good PR for both of their careers, suddenly these lifelong rivals are moving in together and pretending their marriage is completely legitimate.
What could possibly go wrong?
Apparently, a lot of sexual tension. 🔥
Forced proximity changes everything because they finally have to stop throwing insults long enough to actually talk. Walls start coming down. Trust starts growing. Shelby begins seeing Beau differently, and all that chemistry they've disguised as irritation for years finally has somewhere to go.
And GOOD GOD, Beau. 🥵
His mouth alone deserves its own paragraph. And he crawls. That's all I'm saying.
What made this such a strong five-star read for me was how well Chelle Sloan balanced everything. The romance and spice never overwhelmed the story, the golf never overwhelmed the romance, and the humor didn't take away from the more emotional moments. Even as someone who isn't usually a huge sports-romance reader, I was completely invested.
I also loved being back with this found family. Gabi, Maddox, baby Ace, and the rest of the crew brought so much warmth to the story. And the poker nights continue to crack me up because these men STILL aren't actually playing poker. 😂 Those relationships make this series feel like a world you want to keep coming back to.
Unexpected Shot was funny, sexy, heartfelt, and ridiculously addictive. Shelby and Beau had years of history to untangle, but watching them finally communicate, heal, and realize that maybe they never hated each other nearly as much as they claimed was worth every second.
And now I'm already looking ahead to the next book because SINGLE DAD ROMANCE? Chelle, you have my attention. 👀💕
Thank you to Chelle Sloan and The Smuthood for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I laughed SO much reading Unexpected Shot. Chelle Sloan took two childhood rivals who have spent years perfecting the art of annoying each other, threw them together on a golf course, sent them to Vegas, accidentally married them, and somehow turned all that chaos into a romance with so much heart. I ate this book up and genuinely did not want to put it down.
Shelby and Beau's banter is absolutely top-tier. These two claim to hate each other, but I don't think I've ever read about two people who were more obviously paying WAY too much attention to someone they supposedly couldn't stand. 😂 Their insults become increasingly creative, their arguments are hilarious, and they know exactly how to get under each other's skin. Poor Gabi has spent years stuck in the middle playing referee between her best friend and her brother.
But their history goes deeper than simple childhood rivalry. Shelby has believed for years that Beau cheated during a golf tournament, while Beau has repeatedly tried to tell her that she doesn't know the entire story. That misunderstanding has shaped so much of their relationship, and as someone who normally struggles with miscommunication in romance, I can't believe I'm saying this, but it actually worked for me here. It felt necessary to their story and made finally putting all those pieces together so satisfying.
Shelby was one of my favorite parts of this book. She's independent, stubborn, competitive, and has the best black-cat energy. She's also fighting her way back into professional golf after an injury sidelined her for two years, and I loved how important that journey remained throughout the story. She's determined to reclaim her place in a male-dominated sport, and Beau never needed to dim her light to stand beside her.
And then there's Beau.
Cocky, charming, goofy, Southern, ridiculously confident, and walking around in those bright golf shirts while driving Shelby absolutely insane. But underneath all of that is a man who understands her far better than she wants to admit. I loved watching Shelby slowly discover the Beau that exists beyond the rivalry and seeing how consistently he shows up for her.
Then Vegas happens. 😂
Their accidental wedding was HILARIOUS. They wake up with no memory of getting married, only to discover the truth after their tournament. And when staying married unexpectedly becomes good PR for both of their careers, suddenly these lifelong rivals are moving in together and pretending their marriage is completely legitimate.
What could possibly go wrong?
Apparently, a lot of sexual tension. 🔥
Forced proximity changes everything because they finally have to stop throwing insults long enough to actually talk. Walls start coming down. Trust starts growing. Shelby begins seeing Beau differently, and all that chemistry they've disguised as irritation for years finally has somewhere to go.
And GOOD GOD, Beau. 🥵
His mouth alone deserves its own paragraph. And he crawls. That's all I'm saying.
What made this such a strong five-star read for me was how well Chelle Sloan balanced everything. The romance and spice never overwhelmed the story, the golf never overwhelmed the romance, and the humor didn't take away from the more emotional moments. Even as someone who isn't usually a huge sports-romance reader, I was completely invested.
I also loved being back with this found family. Gabi, Maddox, baby Ace, and the rest of the crew brought so much warmth to the story. And the poker nights continue to crack me up because these men STILL aren't actually playing poker. 😂 Those relationships make this series feel like a world you want to keep coming back to.
Unexpected Shot was funny, sexy, heartfelt, and ridiculously addictive. Shelby and Beau had years of history to untangle, but watching them finally communicate, heal, and realize that maybe they never hated each other nearly as much as they claimed was worth every second.
And now I'm already looking ahead to the next book because SINGLE DAD ROMANCE? Chelle, you have my attention. 👀💕
Thank you to Chelle Sloan and The Smuthood for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 30, 2026
Chelle Sloan wrote one of my favorite books of the year in Unplanned Play, so I was not sure how she could write the next book in the series and make it just as good as the first. Well, she totally did it. We get to know both Beau and Shelby in book one as the best friend and the brother of the best friend, but now we get to know them a whole lot better, and I loved every bit of it.
Both Beau and Shelby are pro golfers that have been in each other's lives since they were kids. An incident at a tournament blew up their friendship and they have been at each others throats ever since. Their dislike of one another is not new information to anyone who knows them, so they are stunned when they are asked to work together for a tournament in Vegas.
Their relationship, or lack thereof, is volatile and full of vitriol. But the weekend golf tournament changes everything. From a fight on the green, to the media circus, to horrid ex-boyfriends and a regular Vegas hookup, to the neighborhood bar that sets their new reality in motion. Suddenly they are forced to be together not just on paper, but in the same space, all the time. Bring on the tension and the angst.
Shelby is an extremely independent woman. Learning from an early age that she can only rely on herself is a lesson she has never forgotten. She would rather rip her own arm off than ask for help. But somewhere in this whole mixed up mess with Beau, she learns to trust again and to lean on him for support. Total shocker.
Beau is a total man's man. He has that sexy alpha male vibe in spades and makes no apologies for who he is and what he has achieved in his career. But underneath it all, he still has a soft spot for Shelby, despite the evidence to the contrary. He pushes her boundaries and his own as he works to tear down every wall Shelby has put in place. He also knows what a well timed dare can do as Shelby is incapable of turning it down. Well played Beau, well played.
The banter between these two had me laughing so hard. The insults were creative and witty. The rant Shelby went on with both her ex-boyfriends was epic. She is the queen of sass. But when the sass stopped, the chemistry between these two was explosive...a match to gasoline. Sheesh it was hot.
I still love Gabi and Maddox and the Devereaux family. Their friend group and, of course, Phyllis and Kitty, are so much fun and support them both in the best ways. The story just flows so smoothly that I finished before I was ready to let these characters go. I could not stop reading from the time I started the first page until I read the last word. Bring on the book hangover. Thank goodness I have the playlist to tide me over until her next masterpiece.
There are not enough words to do this story justice. It is perfect just like the first. Read the books.
Thank you to Chelle Sloan for the advanced copy to read and review.
Both Beau and Shelby are pro golfers that have been in each other's lives since they were kids. An incident at a tournament blew up their friendship and they have been at each others throats ever since. Their dislike of one another is not new information to anyone who knows them, so they are stunned when they are asked to work together for a tournament in Vegas.
Their relationship, or lack thereof, is volatile and full of vitriol. But the weekend golf tournament changes everything. From a fight on the green, to the media circus, to horrid ex-boyfriends and a regular Vegas hookup, to the neighborhood bar that sets their new reality in motion. Suddenly they are forced to be together not just on paper, but in the same space, all the time. Bring on the tension and the angst.
Shelby is an extremely independent woman. Learning from an early age that she can only rely on herself is a lesson she has never forgotten. She would rather rip her own arm off than ask for help. But somewhere in this whole mixed up mess with Beau, she learns to trust again and to lean on him for support. Total shocker.
Beau is a total man's man. He has that sexy alpha male vibe in spades and makes no apologies for who he is and what he has achieved in his career. But underneath it all, he still has a soft spot for Shelby, despite the evidence to the contrary. He pushes her boundaries and his own as he works to tear down every wall Shelby has put in place. He also knows what a well timed dare can do as Shelby is incapable of turning it down. Well played Beau, well played.
The banter between these two had me laughing so hard. The insults were creative and witty. The rant Shelby went on with both her ex-boyfriends was epic. She is the queen of sass. But when the sass stopped, the chemistry between these two was explosive...a match to gasoline. Sheesh it was hot.
I still love Gabi and Maddox and the Devereaux family. Their friend group and, of course, Phyllis and Kitty, are so much fun and support them both in the best ways. The story just flows so smoothly that I finished before I was ready to let these characters go. I could not stop reading from the time I started the first page until I read the last word. Bring on the book hangover. Thank goodness I have the playlist to tide me over until her next masterpiece.
There are not enough words to do this story justice. It is perfect just like the first. Read the books.
Thank you to Chelle Sloan for the advanced copy to read and review.
July 30, 2026
Review of Unexpected Shot by Chelle Sloan, ARC copy provided by Smuthood
I honestly didn't expect to become this obsessed with a golf romance, but this book completely won me over. From the first chapter, I was hooked by Shelby and Beau's dynamic, and by the end, I was already missing them.
What I loved most was that this wasn't just an enemies to lovers romance. Their history runs deep, which made every argument, every sarcastic comment, and every emotional moment hit so much harder. The tension between them was incredible because you could tell there were years of hurt, unresolved feelings, and misunderstandings hiding beneath all the insults.
Shelby was easily one of my favorite heroines I've read this year. She's fiercely independent, stubborn, and unapologetically ambitious. As a woman competing in a male dominated sport, she's had to fight for every bit of respect she's earned, and that made her character feel so authentic. I admired her strength, but I also loved watching her slowly learn that trusting someone isn't a weakness.
And then there's Beau. Chelle Sloan really knew what she was doing when she created him. He's confident, charming, successful, and somehow manages to be both protective and incredibly supportive without taking away from Shelby's strength. Underneath all the cockiness, he genuinely cares about her, and seeing him break down her walls little by little was one of my favorite parts of the story.
The banter deserves its own special mention because it was absolute perfection. I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book. Shelby and Beau know exactly how to get under each other's skin, and their verbal sparring felt effortless and entertaining from start to finish.
I'm also a huge fan of marriage of convenience romances, and the Vegas wedding setup delivered everything I wanted. It was chaotic, funny, emotional, and gave the characters the perfect opportunity to finally face feelings they'd been avoiding for years.
Beyond the romance, I loved the found-family aspect and the supportive cast. The friendships and family relationships added so much warmth to the story and made the emotional moments even more impactful.
By the end, I was completely invested in Shelby and Beau's happiness. Their journey felt earned, their chemistry was off the charts, and their love story made me laugh, swoon, and occasionally want to shake some sense into both of them.
If you love enemies to lovers, childhood history, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, best friend's brother, and characters with incredible chemistry, this book is a must-read.
⭐ 5/5
🌶️ 5/5
Chelle Sloan definitely delivered one of my favorite romances of the year.
Shelby and Beau had me grinning, blushing, and refusing to put my Kindle down until I reached the very last page. 💚⛳️✨
I honestly didn't expect to become this obsessed with a golf romance, but this book completely won me over. From the first chapter, I was hooked by Shelby and Beau's dynamic, and by the end, I was already missing them.
What I loved most was that this wasn't just an enemies to lovers romance. Their history runs deep, which made every argument, every sarcastic comment, and every emotional moment hit so much harder. The tension between them was incredible because you could tell there were years of hurt, unresolved feelings, and misunderstandings hiding beneath all the insults.
Shelby was easily one of my favorite heroines I've read this year. She's fiercely independent, stubborn, and unapologetically ambitious. As a woman competing in a male dominated sport, she's had to fight for every bit of respect she's earned, and that made her character feel so authentic. I admired her strength, but I also loved watching her slowly learn that trusting someone isn't a weakness.
And then there's Beau. Chelle Sloan really knew what she was doing when she created him. He's confident, charming, successful, and somehow manages to be both protective and incredibly supportive without taking away from Shelby's strength. Underneath all the cockiness, he genuinely cares about her, and seeing him break down her walls little by little was one of my favorite parts of the story.
The banter deserves its own special mention because it was absolute perfection. I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book. Shelby and Beau know exactly how to get under each other's skin, and their verbal sparring felt effortless and entertaining from start to finish.
I'm also a huge fan of marriage of convenience romances, and the Vegas wedding setup delivered everything I wanted. It was chaotic, funny, emotional, and gave the characters the perfect opportunity to finally face feelings they'd been avoiding for years.
Beyond the romance, I loved the found-family aspect and the supportive cast. The friendships and family relationships added so much warmth to the story and made the emotional moments even more impactful.
By the end, I was completely invested in Shelby and Beau's happiness. Their journey felt earned, their chemistry was off the charts, and their love story made me laugh, swoon, and occasionally want to shake some sense into both of them.
If you love enemies to lovers, childhood history, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, best friend's brother, and characters with incredible chemistry, this book is a must-read.
⭐ 5/5
🌶️ 5/5
Chelle Sloan definitely delivered one of my favorite romances of the year.
Shelby and Beau had me grinning, blushing, and refusing to put my Kindle down until I reached the very last page. 💚⛳️✨
August 14, 2026
I have been hanging out for Shelby and Beau’s story since reading Unplanned Play, and somehow their banter became even better when they were given an entire book to torment each other. 😂
Unexpected Shot was such a joyful, addictive read. Chelle Sloan took childhood friends turned enemies, professional golf, years of resentment, an accidental Vegas wedding and a marriage of convenience and turned it into a romance that had me laughing constantly while still giving me all the emotional payoff I wanted.
Shelby and Beau’s chemistry is ridiculous. These two claim they hate each other while simultaneously paying an extraordinary amount of attention to everything the other person does. Their insults get more creative, their arguments become increasingly hilarious, and they know precisely which buttons to push. Poor Gabi deserves compensation for the number of years she has spent refereeing them.
Shelby was probably my favourite part of the story. She has glorious black-cat energy: independent, stubborn, competitive and determined to reclaim her place in professional golf after an injury sidelined her. I loved that her career and what returning meant to her remained important throughout the romance.
Then there’s Beau. 😂 Charming, confident, goofy, protective and apparently born knowing exactly how to irritate Shelby. But underneath that is someone who understands her incredibly well and consistently shows up for her. Watching Shelby gradually see beyond the version of Beau she had held onto for years was one of my favourite parts.
And somehow Chelle made miscommunication work for me. ME. 😂 Normally I want to reach into a book and force everyone into a room until they talk, but the misunderstanding here felt necessary to understanding their history. When they finally begin communicating and putting the pieces together, the emotional shift feels earned.
I’m also not a golf fan and never felt disconnected from the story. The sport added to the romance without overwhelming it, which is exactly the balance I want from sports romance.
Add the accidental Vegas marriage, forced proximity, found family, Gabi and Maddox, baby Ace and the continuing poker nights where these men STILL don’t actually play poker, and I was completely sold.
Funny, swoony, heartfelt and ridiculously addictive. I finished with a huge smile and immediately wanted to read it again.
And now I’m crossing every finger and toe for an audiobook because I NEED to hear Shelby and Beau’s banter performed. 🎧😂
Thank you so much to Chelle Sloan and Smuthood PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Unexpected Shot was such a joyful, addictive read. Chelle Sloan took childhood friends turned enemies, professional golf, years of resentment, an accidental Vegas wedding and a marriage of convenience and turned it into a romance that had me laughing constantly while still giving me all the emotional payoff I wanted.
Shelby and Beau’s chemistry is ridiculous. These two claim they hate each other while simultaneously paying an extraordinary amount of attention to everything the other person does. Their insults get more creative, their arguments become increasingly hilarious, and they know precisely which buttons to push. Poor Gabi deserves compensation for the number of years she has spent refereeing them.
Shelby was probably my favourite part of the story. She has glorious black-cat energy: independent, stubborn, competitive and determined to reclaim her place in professional golf after an injury sidelined her. I loved that her career and what returning meant to her remained important throughout the romance.
Then there’s Beau. 😂 Charming, confident, goofy, protective and apparently born knowing exactly how to irritate Shelby. But underneath that is someone who understands her incredibly well and consistently shows up for her. Watching Shelby gradually see beyond the version of Beau she had held onto for years was one of my favourite parts.
And somehow Chelle made miscommunication work for me. ME. 😂 Normally I want to reach into a book and force everyone into a room until they talk, but the misunderstanding here felt necessary to understanding their history. When they finally begin communicating and putting the pieces together, the emotional shift feels earned.
I’m also not a golf fan and never felt disconnected from the story. The sport added to the romance without overwhelming it, which is exactly the balance I want from sports romance.
Add the accidental Vegas marriage, forced proximity, found family, Gabi and Maddox, baby Ace and the continuing poker nights where these men STILL don’t actually play poker, and I was completely sold.
Funny, swoony, heartfelt and ridiculously addictive. I finished with a huge smile and immediately wanted to read it again.
And now I’m crossing every finger and toe for an audiobook because I NEED to hear Shelby and Beau’s banter performed. 🎧😂
Thank you so much to Chelle Sloan and Smuthood PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2026
There's a reason enemies-to-lovers and marriage-of-convenience romances never go out of style, and Unexpected Shot is a perfect example of why.
From the moment Shelby and Beau are forced onto the same golf course, their competitive streaks take over. Every interaction is a challenge, every conversation is laced with sarcasm, and neither of them is willing to admit that maybe the line between irritation and attraction has been blurred for years.
What I loved most was that their history gave the romance so much depth. This wasn't a case of two strangers suddenly falling for each other. They'd spent years pushing each other's buttons, holding onto old assumptions, and refusing to see what was really underneath. Watching those walls slowly come down made every step of their relationship feel earned.
Shelby was such a fun heroine to follow. She's fiercely determined, especially after her injury, and she's unwilling to let anyone question her place in professional golf. Her resilience and sharp wit made her impossible not to cheer for.
Beau completely surprised me. Beneath the teasing and cocky exterior was someone who cared far more deeply than he let on. As the fake marriage forced them to spend more time together, his quieter, more protective side began to shine, and it became obvious that there was much more to him than Shelby had allowed herself to see.
The golf setting also gave this romance its own identity. It wasn't just a backdrop—it shaped the characters, their rivalry, and the pressures they faced throughout the story. Combined with the Las Vegas wedding, forced proximity, and plenty of unresolved chemistry, it created a romance that was equal parts entertaining and heartfelt.
One of my favorite aspects was how naturally the relationship evolved. What began as a marriage for appearances slowly transformed into genuine friendship, trust, and eventually love. There wasn't one defining moment where everything changed; instead, it happened through countless little moments that made their connection feel believable.
If you're looking for a romance filled with witty banter, childhood rivals, a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, sports romance, and two characters who slowly realize they've been looking at each other all wrong, Unexpected Shot is definitely worth picking up. It's charming, funny, emotionally satisfying, and proof that sometimes the best love stories begin with the people we swear we can't stand. ⛳❤️
From the moment Shelby and Beau are forced onto the same golf course, their competitive streaks take over. Every interaction is a challenge, every conversation is laced with sarcasm, and neither of them is willing to admit that maybe the line between irritation and attraction has been blurred for years.
What I loved most was that their history gave the romance so much depth. This wasn't a case of two strangers suddenly falling for each other. They'd spent years pushing each other's buttons, holding onto old assumptions, and refusing to see what was really underneath. Watching those walls slowly come down made every step of their relationship feel earned.
Shelby was such a fun heroine to follow. She's fiercely determined, especially after her injury, and she's unwilling to let anyone question her place in professional golf. Her resilience and sharp wit made her impossible not to cheer for.
Beau completely surprised me. Beneath the teasing and cocky exterior was someone who cared far more deeply than he let on. As the fake marriage forced them to spend more time together, his quieter, more protective side began to shine, and it became obvious that there was much more to him than Shelby had allowed herself to see.
The golf setting also gave this romance its own identity. It wasn't just a backdrop—it shaped the characters, their rivalry, and the pressures they faced throughout the story. Combined with the Las Vegas wedding, forced proximity, and plenty of unresolved chemistry, it created a romance that was equal parts entertaining and heartfelt.
One of my favorite aspects was how naturally the relationship evolved. What began as a marriage for appearances slowly transformed into genuine friendship, trust, and eventually love. There wasn't one defining moment where everything changed; instead, it happened through countless little moments that made their connection feel believable.
If you're looking for a romance filled with witty banter, childhood rivals, a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, sports romance, and two characters who slowly realize they've been looking at each other all wrong, Unexpected Shot is definitely worth picking up. It's charming, funny, emotionally satisfying, and proof that sometimes the best love stories begin with the people we swear we can't stand. ⛳❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
Unexpected Shot by Chelle Sloan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
This is a master class in how to write enemies-to-lovers.
Shelby and Beau have been in each other's lives for years thanks to Shelby's best friend, who also happens to be Beau's sister. Friends as children, their relationship imploded after a tournament in their late teens where Shelby was the clear winner, yet Beau walked away with the trophy and, more importantly, the scholarship Shelby desperately needed. Shelby has spent years convinced Beau cheated her out of both. Beau, meanwhile, has no idea what actually happened. The result? Shelby can't let go of her anger and hurt, firmly cementing Beau as a cheater and Public Enemy #1 in her book.
When their agent forces them to team up for a mixed-pair tournament—Shelby to ease back into competition after an injury-related hiatus, and Beau to repair his reputation after a viral outburst—everyone expects a complete disaster. What no one expects is the insane chemistry simmering beneath all that resentment... or a drunken Vegas wedding.
I love Shelby to pieces. As a woman competing in a male-dominated sport (GROSS misogyny), she's used to being underestimated and constantly having to prove herself. I completely understood her drive to succeed, and beneath all her confidence and razor-sharp wit is a secret softie that made me root for her from the very beginning. Basically, I have a total crush on her.
And Beau? Who doesn't love a charming Southern gentleman who knows how to use his (golf) club? I loved that he gives as good as he gets when it comes to Shelby because he knows she's more than capable of standing her ground. He never tries to diminish her strength. Instead, he wants to stand beside her. It becomes clear pretty early on that Beau never wanted to be Shelby's enemy in the first place and would give just about anything to get their friendship back... or maybe something even more.
Together, they are absolute perfection. The banter is razor-sharp, the emotional moments hit exactly where they should, and the chemistry is completely off the charts. The spice was spicing, and I don't know if I've ever rooted so hard for two stubborn people to finally give in to their attraction.
Chelle Sloan continues to prove why she's an auto-buy author for me.
Thank you to the author and The Smuthood for providing an ARC.
Unexpected Shot by Chelle Sloan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
This is a master class in how to write enemies-to-lovers.
Shelby and Beau have been in each other's lives for years thanks to Shelby's best friend, who also happens to be Beau's sister. Friends as children, their relationship imploded after a tournament in their late teens where Shelby was the clear winner, yet Beau walked away with the trophy and, more importantly, the scholarship Shelby desperately needed. Shelby has spent years convinced Beau cheated her out of both. Beau, meanwhile, has no idea what actually happened. The result? Shelby can't let go of her anger and hurt, firmly cementing Beau as a cheater and Public Enemy #1 in her book.
When their agent forces them to team up for a mixed-pair tournament—Shelby to ease back into competition after an injury-related hiatus, and Beau to repair his reputation after a viral outburst—everyone expects a complete disaster. What no one expects is the insane chemistry simmering beneath all that resentment... or a drunken Vegas wedding.
I love Shelby to pieces. As a woman competing in a male-dominated sport (GROSS misogyny), she's used to being underestimated and constantly having to prove herself. I completely understood her drive to succeed, and beneath all her confidence and razor-sharp wit is a secret softie that made me root for her from the very beginning. Basically, I have a total crush on her.
And Beau? Who doesn't love a charming Southern gentleman who knows how to use his (golf) club? I loved that he gives as good as he gets when it comes to Shelby because he knows she's more than capable of standing her ground. He never tries to diminish her strength. Instead, he wants to stand beside her. It becomes clear pretty early on that Beau never wanted to be Shelby's enemy in the first place and would give just about anything to get their friendship back... or maybe something even more.
Together, they are absolute perfection. The banter is razor-sharp, the emotional moments hit exactly where they should, and the chemistry is completely off the charts. The spice was spicing, and I don't know if I've ever rooted so hard for two stubborn people to finally give in to their attraction.
Chelle Sloan continues to prove why she's an auto-buy author for me.
Thank you to the author and The Smuthood for providing an ARC.
September 9, 2026
Enfin un livre que j'ai lu du début à la fin. Après 3 abandons je commençais à croire que j'arrivais dans une panne de lecture.
Unexpected Shot était addictif. J'aime beaucoup l'idée de départ de ce livre :
Ils se détestent mais se retrouvent mariés après une nuit à Vegas.
Amis depuis leur enfance, Shelby et Beau ont participé à un tournois de golf quand ils avaient 16 et 18 ans. Les jeunes étaient responsables de noter les points des autres. Beau était responsable de la carte de Shelby.
Dans les faits, Shelby a gagné.
Mais qui a été annoncé comme le gagnant, reçu le trophée et les 5000$ de récompense ? Beau.
Persuadée que Beau a triché et changé le score sur sa carte, Shelby le déteste depuis ce jour.
Beau a beau lui dire qu'il ne l'a pas fait, elle refuse de le croire.
Voilà le premier point qui m'a frustrée.
L'histoire se passe 20 ans plus tard, et 20 plus tard elle est sur le même disque, à le détester pour ça alors qu'il lui a dit à maintes reprises être innocent. Elle refuse de le croire.
Il y a une histoire derrière son ressentiment : sa mère l'a abonnée elle et son père pour partir avec un autre homme, son premier copain l'a trompée, et son dernier copain a trompé sa femme avec elle (elle ne savait pas qu'il était marié). Du coup, elle déteste les tricheurs. Et pour elle Beau en est un.
Mais 20 ans à vraiment le haïr sans chercher plus loin que le bout de son nez je trouve ça un peu exagéré.
Ensuite, le deuxième point qui m'a frustrée et qui rejoint le premier, c'est qu'ils se détestent pendant pratiquement tout le livre ! Shelby est si méchante avec lui, j'avais mal au cœur pour lui.
J'attendais qu'une chose c'est que Shelby ouvre enfin les yeux parce que vraiment Beau était le gars parfait et elle le voyait comme le pire des mecs alors qu'il n'a jamais rien fait de mal. Et c'était trop looooong ! Tout le long du livre elle l'a vu comme le pire des mecs.
Voilà pourquoi j'ai baissé la note à 3 étoiles.
D'un côté c'était addictif mais d'un autre je trouve qu'il y avait beaucoup trop de ressentiment et de méchanceté.
Sinon, j'ai bien aimé tous les à-côtés, avec les autres personnages, et la découverte de ce qui s'est réellement passé 20 ans plus tôt.
Et j'ai adoré la fin quand ENFIN ils ont commencé à s'entendre et que Shelby a réalisé que finalement Beau est pas si mal.
Unexpected Shot était addictif. J'aime beaucoup l'idée de départ de ce livre :
Ils se détestent mais se retrouvent mariés après une nuit à Vegas.
Amis depuis leur enfance, Shelby et Beau ont participé à un tournois de golf quand ils avaient 16 et 18 ans. Les jeunes étaient responsables de noter les points des autres. Beau était responsable de la carte de Shelby.
Dans les faits, Shelby a gagné.
Mais qui a été annoncé comme le gagnant, reçu le trophée et les 5000$ de récompense ? Beau.
Persuadée que Beau a triché et changé le score sur sa carte, Shelby le déteste depuis ce jour.
Beau a beau lui dire qu'il ne l'a pas fait, elle refuse de le croire.
Voilà le premier point qui m'a frustrée.
L'histoire se passe 20 ans plus tard, et 20 plus tard elle est sur le même disque, à le détester pour ça alors qu'il lui a dit à maintes reprises être innocent. Elle refuse de le croire.
Il y a une histoire derrière son ressentiment : sa mère l'a abonnée elle et son père pour partir avec un autre homme, son premier copain l'a trompée, et son dernier copain a trompé sa femme avec elle (elle ne savait pas qu'il était marié). Du coup, elle déteste les tricheurs. Et pour elle Beau en est un.
Mais 20 ans à vraiment le haïr sans chercher plus loin que le bout de son nez je trouve ça un peu exagéré.
Ensuite, le deuxième point qui m'a frustrée et qui rejoint le premier, c'est qu'ils se détestent pendant pratiquement tout le livre ! Shelby est si méchante avec lui, j'avais mal au cœur pour lui.
J'attendais qu'une chose c'est que Shelby ouvre enfin les yeux parce que vraiment Beau était le gars parfait et elle le voyait comme le pire des mecs alors qu'il n'a jamais rien fait de mal. Et c'était trop looooong ! Tout le long du livre elle l'a vu comme le pire des mecs.
Voilà pourquoi j'ai baissé la note à 3 étoiles.
D'un côté c'était addictif mais d'un autre je trouve qu'il y avait beaucoup trop de ressentiment et de méchanceté.
Sinon, j'ai bien aimé tous les à-côtés, avec les autres personnages, et la découverte de ce qui s'est réellement passé 20 ans plus tôt.
Et j'ai adoré la fin quand ENFIN ils ont commencé à s'entendre et que Shelby a réalisé que finalement Beau est pas si mal.
July 27, 2026
4.75/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️
O. M. G. Shelby and Beau are everything! The animosity and verbal sparring I expected were definitely there, but their story was so much more than that.
I absolutely loved Beau, which honestly wasn't a surprise. He started out as an attention-seeking manwhore, and watching him completely deny his feelings for Shelby was downright hilarious. The moment he finally opened his eyes and truly saw her, it was like he got hit by a truck. Beneath all the cockiness, he turned out to be incredibly adorable. He was also possessive, fiercely protective, and had the filthiest mouth in the best way. I would 100% recommend marrying Beau Devereaux in Las Vegas.
Shelby was every bit as prickly as I expected, but she was also an incredible heroine. From her perspective, her disdain for Beau was completely justified. Even though multiple people tried to convince her he wasn't the terrible person she believed him to be, she refused to let go of the past. Once they were forced to spend time together, though, she finally had the chance to see who Beau really was. Watching her walls slowly come down and allowing him to trust her enough to help her heal made their relationship feel authentic, emotional, and so rewarding.
The chemistry between these two was absolutely electric. Whether they were arguing, teasing each other, celebrating, or falling in love, the sparks never stopped flying. Shelby's healing journey, paired with Beau finally realizing what he truly wanted for his future, had me completely invested from beginning to end.
While we don't get much of the Poker Club crew, Gabi, or Hannah in this book, we are introduced to some fantastic new characters and even get to catch up with a few familiar faces from Chelle's previous books. Those little cameos were such a fun surprise.
The book is a little long and contains quite a bit of extra storyline that could be been cleared up sooner, but that’s just my opinion. Despite that, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone wanting a funny, emotional romance read.
Tropes:
Two Professional Golfers
Best Friend’s Brother
Los Vegas Wedding
Marriage of Convenience
Close Proximity
Enemies to Lovers
Thank you Chelle for an eARC in exchange of my honest review.
O. M. G. Shelby and Beau are everything! The animosity and verbal sparring I expected were definitely there, but their story was so much more than that.
I absolutely loved Beau, which honestly wasn't a surprise. He started out as an attention-seeking manwhore, and watching him completely deny his feelings for Shelby was downright hilarious. The moment he finally opened his eyes and truly saw her, it was like he got hit by a truck. Beneath all the cockiness, he turned out to be incredibly adorable. He was also possessive, fiercely protective, and had the filthiest mouth in the best way. I would 100% recommend marrying Beau Devereaux in Las Vegas.
Shelby was every bit as prickly as I expected, but she was also an incredible heroine. From her perspective, her disdain for Beau was completely justified. Even though multiple people tried to convince her he wasn't the terrible person she believed him to be, she refused to let go of the past. Once they were forced to spend time together, though, she finally had the chance to see who Beau really was. Watching her walls slowly come down and allowing him to trust her enough to help her heal made their relationship feel authentic, emotional, and so rewarding.
The chemistry between these two was absolutely electric. Whether they were arguing, teasing each other, celebrating, or falling in love, the sparks never stopped flying. Shelby's healing journey, paired with Beau finally realizing what he truly wanted for his future, had me completely invested from beginning to end.
While we don't get much of the Poker Club crew, Gabi, or Hannah in this book, we are introduced to some fantastic new characters and even get to catch up with a few familiar faces from Chelle's previous books. Those little cameos were such a fun surprise.
The book is a little long and contains quite a bit of extra storyline that could be been cleared up sooner, but that’s just my opinion. Despite that, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone wanting a funny, emotional romance read.
Tropes:
Two Professional Golfers
Best Friend’s Brother
Los Vegas Wedding
Marriage of Convenience
Close Proximity
Enemies to Lovers
Thank you Chelle for an eARC in exchange of my honest review.
July 30, 2026
I had such a fun time with Unexpected Shot.
This was one of those enemies-to-lovers romances where the chemistry is obvious long before either character is willing to admit it. Beau and Shelby have spent twenty years getting under each other's skin, and their banter had me laughing from beginning to end. Whether they were arguing on the golf course, trading sarcastic insults, or pretending they couldn't stand each other, every interaction crackled with tension.
I'll be honest, though—Shelby tested my patience for the first half of the book. She's the blackest black cat I've read in a long time. Fiercely independent, emotionally guarded, and once she decides someone belongs on her permanent hate list, good luck changing her mind. There were more than a few moments where I wanted to reach through the pages and tell her to just *listen*. But that stubbornness also made her growth feel genuine, and by the end, I appreciated her journey so much more.
Beau Devereaux completely won me over. He starts out as the cocky, attention-loving flirt in the loud golf shirts, but underneath all that confidence is a man who's patient, protective, fiercely loyal, and absolutely gone for Shelby—even if it takes him a while to admit it. Watching him slowly realize what she truly means to him was one of my favorite parts of the book. And yes... the filthy mouth, the possessiveness, the slutty little glasses, and the fact that he'll crawl to her on command definitely didn't hurt.
I also loved that this wasn't the typical sports romance. Seeing two professional golfers as the main characters felt refreshing, and Shelby navigating a male-dominated sport added another layer to the story without overshadowing the romance.
The hate banter was hands-down my favorite part. These two are hilarious together, and one particular golf course incident had me laughing out loud. Pair that with a drunken Vegas wedding, forced proximity, and a marriage of convenience, and I was hooked.
And Chad?
What a tool.
If you're looking for a sports romance with unforgettable banter, explosive chemistry, plenty of spice, and no unnecessary third-act breakup, Unexpected Shot is absolutely worth picking up.
This was one of those enemies-to-lovers romances where the chemistry is obvious long before either character is willing to admit it. Beau and Shelby have spent twenty years getting under each other's skin, and their banter had me laughing from beginning to end. Whether they were arguing on the golf course, trading sarcastic insults, or pretending they couldn't stand each other, every interaction crackled with tension.
I'll be honest, though—Shelby tested my patience for the first half of the book. She's the blackest black cat I've read in a long time. Fiercely independent, emotionally guarded, and once she decides someone belongs on her permanent hate list, good luck changing her mind. There were more than a few moments where I wanted to reach through the pages and tell her to just *listen*. But that stubbornness also made her growth feel genuine, and by the end, I appreciated her journey so much more.
Beau Devereaux completely won me over. He starts out as the cocky, attention-loving flirt in the loud golf shirts, but underneath all that confidence is a man who's patient, protective, fiercely loyal, and absolutely gone for Shelby—even if it takes him a while to admit it. Watching him slowly realize what she truly means to him was one of my favorite parts of the book. And yes... the filthy mouth, the possessiveness, the slutty little glasses, and the fact that he'll crawl to her on command definitely didn't hurt.
I also loved that this wasn't the typical sports romance. Seeing two professional golfers as the main characters felt refreshing, and Shelby navigating a male-dominated sport added another layer to the story without overshadowing the romance.
The hate banter was hands-down my favorite part. These two are hilarious together, and one particular golf course incident had me laughing out loud. Pair that with a drunken Vegas wedding, forced proximity, and a marriage of convenience, and I was hooked.
And Chad?
What a tool.
If you're looking for a sports romance with unforgettable banter, explosive chemistry, plenty of spice, and no unnecessary third-act breakup, Unexpected Shot is absolutely worth picking up.
July 25, 2026
Shelby is one of the US’s top female golfers, but when an injury forced her to leave Vegas and move to Nashville to train with a new coach, everything changed. Living close to her best friend was a definite bonus, but having her friend’s brother, the bane of her existence, in the house next door sets her on edge. Especially when her agent announces that they will be playing together at an upcoming mixed tournament. When their animosity turns into one too many drinks, they wake up the next morning with no recollection of the night before. Instead of boosting their reputation through good PR, the following day’s news isn’t about the playing, but about the physical altercation they had on the 16th hole.
Beau still isn’t sure why Shelby has hated him for the past 20 years, but since that’s been her attitude all along, he just dishes it right back. As he tries to make amends for his actions in the first day, their argument explodes into a heated night of explosive chemistry, and after they end up playing their best rounds in years, they agree that what happens in Vegas can stay in Vegas, until a new headline leaves them blindsided: did they really get married that first night?
I received an early copy of this book from @thesmuthood and really enjoyed it! While the first book demonstrated how much Shelby and Beau disliked each other, this one brought us back to the beginning, when they were just learning to play golf, and the round that ruined what had until then been a close friendship. The banter between them kept things light, and I loved the partial flashbacks they kept getting of their blackout night. While Shelby may have been in denial about their new relationship status, Beau seemed to be all in from their first night together, and I knew that once they were forced to play the part of a loving couple we would get to see another side of both of them. Watching them work together, not only on the course but to take down their opponents showed a more protective side of both of them. I love how the author can weave humour into a book, without taking away from the storyline, and the result is a great love story that will keep you coming back for more. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the poker night crew will bring us.
Beau still isn’t sure why Shelby has hated him for the past 20 years, but since that’s been her attitude all along, he just dishes it right back. As he tries to make amends for his actions in the first day, their argument explodes into a heated night of explosive chemistry, and after they end up playing their best rounds in years, they agree that what happens in Vegas can stay in Vegas, until a new headline leaves them blindsided: did they really get married that first night?
I received an early copy of this book from @thesmuthood and really enjoyed it! While the first book demonstrated how much Shelby and Beau disliked each other, this one brought us back to the beginning, when they were just learning to play golf, and the round that ruined what had until then been a close friendship. The banter between them kept things light, and I loved the partial flashbacks they kept getting of their blackout night. While Shelby may have been in denial about their new relationship status, Beau seemed to be all in from their first night together, and I knew that once they were forced to play the part of a loving couple we would get to see another side of both of them. Watching them work together, not only on the course but to take down their opponents showed a more protective side of both of them. I love how the author can weave humour into a book, without taking away from the storyline, and the result is a great love story that will keep you coming back for more. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the poker night crew will bring us.
July 30, 2026
⛳️ Unexpected Shot – ARC Review ⛳️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A golf romance?? I genuinely didn't think it would be for me and yet here I am, completely obsessed ! I'm not even kidding, before this book I knew absolutely nothing about golf. By the time I finished, I had somehow ended up watching way too many YouTube videos just to understand the game better. If a book can make me voluntarily watch golf, you know it's doing something right 😂 Shelby & Beau?? OBSESSED !
Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was everything I wanted. The banter was so sharp, the tension never let up, and every interaction had me smiling because you could feel there was so much more underneath all that resentment.
Shelby was such an amazing FMC. Fierce, stubborn, incredibly talented, and constantly has to prove herself in such a male-dominated sport. I loved that she wasn't immediately ready to forgive or forget. She had every reason to protect herself, and watching those walls slowly come down made their story feel so rewarding. And Beau yeah, love him. Confident, patient, protective, and so obviously gone for Shelby long before he admitted it. What I loved most is that he never wanted to outshine her. He just wanted to stand beside her, support her, and let her shine. Biggest green flag.
The Vegas wedding ?? Say less ! It was chaotic in the best way and gave them exactly what they needed: time. Time to finally understand each other, work through years of misunderstandings, and realize that maybe they were never really enemies in the first place.
Their chemistry? INSANE. Whether they were arguing, flirting, or finally giving in, I was completely hooked. And yes the spice absolutely spiced 🫠
Also, as a French reader, can we take a moment to appreciate that the couple's names are literally Belle and Beau? I don't know if that was intentional, but every time I saw their names together it made me smile. Such a cute little detail that I absolutely loved !
And can we talk about the side characters for a second?? I loved getting little glimpses of everyone again, and I'm officially way too invested !
Thank you so much to Chelle 🩷
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A golf romance?? I genuinely didn't think it would be for me and yet here I am, completely obsessed ! I'm not even kidding, before this book I knew absolutely nothing about golf. By the time I finished, I had somehow ended up watching way too many YouTube videos just to understand the game better. If a book can make me voluntarily watch golf, you know it's doing something right 😂 Shelby & Beau?? OBSESSED !
Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was everything I wanted. The banter was so sharp, the tension never let up, and every interaction had me smiling because you could feel there was so much more underneath all that resentment.
Shelby was such an amazing FMC. Fierce, stubborn, incredibly talented, and constantly has to prove herself in such a male-dominated sport. I loved that she wasn't immediately ready to forgive or forget. She had every reason to protect herself, and watching those walls slowly come down made their story feel so rewarding. And Beau yeah, love him. Confident, patient, protective, and so obviously gone for Shelby long before he admitted it. What I loved most is that he never wanted to outshine her. He just wanted to stand beside her, support her, and let her shine. Biggest green flag.
The Vegas wedding ?? Say less ! It was chaotic in the best way and gave them exactly what they needed: time. Time to finally understand each other, work through years of misunderstandings, and realize that maybe they were never really enemies in the first place.
Their chemistry? INSANE. Whether they were arguing, flirting, or finally giving in, I was completely hooked. And yes the spice absolutely spiced 🫠
Also, as a French reader, can we take a moment to appreciate that the couple's names are literally Belle and Beau? I don't know if that was intentional, but every time I saw their names together it made me smile. Such a cute little detail that I absolutely loved !
And can we talk about the side characters for a second?? I loved getting little glimpses of everyone again, and I'm officially way too invested !
Thank you so much to Chelle 🩷
August 3, 2026
Shelby and Beau had been friends on and off the golf course when they were children but one tournament changed the course of their friends for over a decade. They went from best friends to enemies within minutes. They were forced to tolerate each other when his sister was around because Shelby remained best friends with her all these years. No one knew exactly what happened that day but Shelby blamed Beau even though he claimed that he was innocent of all wrongdoing.
Years later they both need a PR boost and they are forced to partner for a mixed tournament in Las Vegas. Can these two coexist for four rounds of golf? Will this tournament improve their images and allow Shelby return to the tour in a positive way after being sidelined by an injury? Can Beau get back in the good graces of the tour directors after his viral rant? Will what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas or will it follow them home to Nashville?
After learning that they accidentally got married in Vegas they chose to stay together at least temporarily. They would have to learn how to coexist peacefully. The chemistry between them was off the charts but what happened years ago still made trusting each other fully impossible. They both were competitive and wanted to be the best on their respective tours. Even with the trust issue they helped each other be the best they could be, supporting the other’s career. The only things that were holding them back was the unknown and an old friend that liked to cause trouble.
Could they figure out what really happened and why? If so, could a future together be possible? I loved the banter between Shelby and Beau. I loved the poker boys and hiw they challenged each other. They are as hilarious as any girl tribe. The friendship between Beau's sister and Shelby seemed more like sisters than just friends. Beau's parents being there to support both of them is what found family is all about. The obstacles they faced were wild but hopefully the culprits will get what is coming to them.
Thank you Chelle Sloan and the Smuthood for the ARC and the opportunity to review!
Years later they both need a PR boost and they are forced to partner for a mixed tournament in Las Vegas. Can these two coexist for four rounds of golf? Will this tournament improve their images and allow Shelby return to the tour in a positive way after being sidelined by an injury? Can Beau get back in the good graces of the tour directors after his viral rant? Will what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas or will it follow them home to Nashville?
After learning that they accidentally got married in Vegas they chose to stay together at least temporarily. They would have to learn how to coexist peacefully. The chemistry between them was off the charts but what happened years ago still made trusting each other fully impossible. They both were competitive and wanted to be the best on their respective tours. Even with the trust issue they helped each other be the best they could be, supporting the other’s career. The only things that were holding them back was the unknown and an old friend that liked to cause trouble.
Could they figure out what really happened and why? If so, could a future together be possible? I loved the banter between Shelby and Beau. I loved the poker boys and hiw they challenged each other. They are as hilarious as any girl tribe. The friendship between Beau's sister and Shelby seemed more like sisters than just friends. Beau's parents being there to support both of them is what found family is all about. The obstacles they faced were wild but hopefully the culprits will get what is coming to them.
Thank you Chelle Sloan and the Smuthood for the ARC and the opportunity to review!
July 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Tropes:
Sports romance
Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
It’s always been you
Marriage of convenience
‘My wife’
ARC read, thank you to the author and Smuthood PR.
I thought I loved the first book in this series, but this one blew it out of the water! This had so many of my favourite tropes, well executed, and one of my favourite couples. It’s also a cute, fun read, with enough plot differences to make it feel fresh.
Shelby is the blackest of black cats, she carries a lot of emotional baggage from a childhood spent being the only girl playing golf and without the wealth and privilege that often accompanies the sport. She’s brusque, abrasive, and doesn’t show any emotion. She’s hated Beau since they were children and she believes that he cheated in a golf tournament to steal first place from her, even though he’s always denied it.
Beau so clearly only has eyes for Shelby but doesn’t understand why she won’t believe him when he insists he didn’t cheat or give him the chance to explain his side of the story. He’s strong, supportive, and will always leap to Shelby’s defence, whether she wants him to or not.
When their agent insists that they team up for a mixed doubles tournament in Vegas, they end up blackout drunk and married, but have no recollection of it until it’s broken by one of the sports writers following the golf tour. What they do remember, is finally giving in to their chemistry for a few wild nights that see them playing some of their best golf!
The spice is great, their chemistry is electric, however much Shelby insists that she hates Beau. And staying married to save their reputations gives them the opportunity to really get to know each other and talk through their issues, whilst building a bond that will stand the test of time.
And Chad is an absolute toxic piece of trash who deserves everything he gets!
I loved getting to see more of the guys and their Poker Nights, and can’t wait for Theo and Asher’s books!
🌶️🌶️/5
Tropes:
Sports romance
Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
It’s always been you
Marriage of convenience
‘My wife’
ARC read, thank you to the author and Smuthood PR.
I thought I loved the first book in this series, but this one blew it out of the water! This had so many of my favourite tropes, well executed, and one of my favourite couples. It’s also a cute, fun read, with enough plot differences to make it feel fresh.
Shelby is the blackest of black cats, she carries a lot of emotional baggage from a childhood spent being the only girl playing golf and without the wealth and privilege that often accompanies the sport. She’s brusque, abrasive, and doesn’t show any emotion. She’s hated Beau since they were children and she believes that he cheated in a golf tournament to steal first place from her, even though he’s always denied it.
Beau so clearly only has eyes for Shelby but doesn’t understand why she won’t believe him when he insists he didn’t cheat or give him the chance to explain his side of the story. He’s strong, supportive, and will always leap to Shelby’s defence, whether she wants him to or not.
When their agent insists that they team up for a mixed doubles tournament in Vegas, they end up blackout drunk and married, but have no recollection of it until it’s broken by one of the sports writers following the golf tour. What they do remember, is finally giving in to their chemistry for a few wild nights that see them playing some of their best golf!
The spice is great, their chemistry is electric, however much Shelby insists that she hates Beau. And staying married to save their reputations gives them the opportunity to really get to know each other and talk through their issues, whilst building a bond that will stand the test of time.
And Chad is an absolute toxic piece of trash who deserves everything he gets!
I loved getting to see more of the guys and their Poker Nights, and can’t wait for Theo and Asher’s books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews