The Last Shot

by Sara Hubbard

As a child I was unwanted and unloved. Tossed aside until my maternal grandmother came to claim me. Life got better after that, and it got better still when I met Ethan Michaels, the boy down the street who was determined to make me feel like I mattered. At first he was my friend, but then he became much more. But love isn’t real. Not in my world. When Ethan left to pursue professional hockey I had to make a clean break. I couldn’t wait for him to find someone better, couldn’t wait for him to break my heart. It’s better to leave than be left. But now he’s back, and I can't run from him anymore. Worse…he won't let me. Annie Fraser owned me as a kid. She owns me still. When I got my first contract to play professional hockey I asked her to come with me, but she wouldn’t leave Rawdon, not while her grandmother was sick. I understood. Still, I wanted to stay together, do whatever I could to keep her. But she wanted to run. I loved her enough to let her. Now I’m back in town and I’m pissed. I think I hate her. I’m sure of it. Until I see her… and those old feelings come rushing back. I won’t let her walk away again. I don’t care what it takes. * The Last Shot is a contemporary, second chance at love novel between a professional hockey player and a nurse. Although sweet with tamer language, it contains sexual situations and adult language.

Genres: Sports, Romance, Hockey, Sports Romance, Second Chance, New Adult, Friends To Lovers

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2015

About the author

Sara Hubbard is a romantic fiction author. Her debut novel released fall 2012 and was a NEORWA Cleveland Rocks winner and a RCRW Duel on the Delta finalist. Sara lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with her two children (four if you count her husband and her needy labradoodle) and works as a registered nurse.

Reviews

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[A_Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 50%

Great idea... but there's something missing...

I think I would have liked more time spent on each character's back story because it was really interesting.

Perhaps it was the inconsistency of Annie's internal dialogue that was frustrating. She would go to great lengths to defend her decision NOT to do something, and then you'd turn the page only to read her defending it instead.

Either way, it would benefit from another edit as there are some glaring spelling errors throughout.

I might return to it, but reading this after revisiting The Outlander series and indulging in the plot and character development skills of Penny Reid, this just seemed... lacking.

[Three Chicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Lisa Kane

I love a good second chance at love romance! This one checked off all the boxes-angst, forgiveness, lust. Ethan and Annie were best friends since they were kids. Annie's mother abandoned her (literally dropped her off and never came back!) and she was bounced from foster home to foster home before her grandmother was located and took her in. Of course she had self esteem issues from this and never quite felt worthy of love. Or even believed in love for that matter.

Ethan and his brother Manny had a normal childhood until their mom died. Their dad became an abusive drunk and he recognized in Annie the same hurt and rejection he felt. They remained best friends until right before his hockey dreams were about to come true. Ethan worked harder than anyone to be the best hockey player he could and when he was recruited to the Philadelphia Predators he grabbed his chance. But Annie never really thought it could work-she was going to school and living in Canada and he was thousands of miles away. So she broke it off and broke his heart.

Better to do the leaving than have someone do it to you.

Three years later, Annie is a nurse and is working one night when Manny is taken in with a stab wound. He lost a kidney and will have a long recovery. The two instantly connect again, but he makes no bones about how angry he is that she hurt his brother so badly, and that Ethan still holds a torch for her. Annie has been dating a doctor, Charlie for a couple of months. It's easy and uncomplicated. Just how she wants it-so maybe there are no real sparks, but she doesn't care. She's not looking for love.

It's just...nice. And nice is easy.

Ethan finds out about Manny and returns to his home town. Of course when he and Annie see each other, it's a stomach plummeting moment. It's so clear that neither one of them as moved on and I just wanted to bang both their heads together. Ethan definitely wants Annie back, in spite of all the heartache she caused him, but Annie still pushes him away (argghh!)

Ethan and I were like a moth and a flame. If I was in his orbit, I would spin, unable to pull myself away.


There's a little suspense thrown in with Annie's boyfriend. This guy just doesn't know how to handle rejection. Ethan has some anger issues, but he is one swoon worthy guy.

Ethan is one of those guys that acts first and asks questions later. He's hotheaded and ruled by his emotions.

Annie makes a HUGE mistake towards the end of the book and it was one of those "what the hell were you thinking" moments! Can Ethan forgive her? How can a long distance relationship work now, when it couldn't before?

Loved this book!

"I'd rather hurt with you than without you."

[Rhea_Sways · Rating 3 out of 5]

So


I would like to begin this review by saying... I FUCKING LOVE YOU ETHAN ...



Well this book is all about second chances, telling us a story of a passionate man who gives everything his 100%. And a stupid bitch who has feelings and emotions as thick as cardboard and IQ points that she can count on one hand's fingers. I mean a emotionally "broken" can't fix myself woman ... fuck it there is nothing positive about her. Basically Ethan loves this "woman" and tries everything in his power to mend fences and be with her. While she tries to come up with different ways to be a cock sucking insecure bitch.

Ethan is the only reason this book got 3 stars from me. What can I say? I love it when the male MC just loves their significant other without any conditions. Makes me go weak in the knees and all gooey in the belly. Yes I know I'm very eloquent..



Anyways I absolutely fucking hated the female MC.. I mean..








She has absolutely no redeeming qualities or interesting things about her. She is an idiotic underdeveloped character with misplaced feelings and a fucking black hole for personality. I have no idea what Ethan found in this callus bitch, I hate bashing characters but she tested my fucking patience.

Anyways I don't want to give away a lot about the story, I'm sure you guys can form your own opinion.. this is just how I felt. Also sorry for all the swearing.

[Lana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why can't I find something good,looks that I don't like some books this month.
There is nothing special about this book and I hate Anna...

like call police to arrest your boyfriend because he's gonna beat your ex boyfriend because HE HIT YOU! FUCKING HELL I WOULD PUNCH YOU ONE MORE TIME


Ethan is okay guy,but for me he was a lost boy and not a man.
The storyline was there, however it never got “there”

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

* A review copy was provided by the author for the Blog Tour *

~ 4.5 Stars ~

The Last Shot is the third novel that I have read by Sara Hubbard and I really enjoyed it. Her stories suck me in with her blurbs and then keep ahold of me as soon as I read the first page. I took a chance on a new author when I read her book inCAPABLE and I am still extremely happy I did. She hasn't disappointed me yet.

What I love the most about her books is that she doesn't overload them with extra stuff that normally slows a story down. She keeps the pace and flow moving right along.

The Last Shot is a second chance love story based around a hockey theme. I will tell you though the hockey aspect really plays a small part in this story, so if that's the reason for choosing this book, just beware the hockey theme is the secondary plot to the storyline. If you are a fan of second chance love stories, then you really don't want to miss this one. I thought this story was well written. It is told in Dual POV. Another thing I liked was that this book wasn't too heavy. I say that because what we learn about Annie's and Ethan's past. I like that she gave us just enough history on the characters for us to connect with them and know why they are the way they are without bringing the mood of the story down. I was happy she concentrated on the second time around for Annie and Ethan. They had a special love story :)

We meet Annie and Ethan in this story. They have known each other since Annie moved to Rawdon as a young child. Annie is abandoned by her mother and when things go bad for her in foster care she is sent to live with her nan. This is how she meets Ethan. Ethan came from a good home until his mom dies of cancer and his dad falls off the deep end turning into a drunk and a mean one at that. Ethan seeks comfort from Annie and her nan. They forged a friendship that eventually turned into more and then Ethan was given his ultimate dream….a contract in the NHL. Annie and Ethan try to make things work when he leaves, but Annie was always told by her mom, to leave a man before he can leave you, so that is what Annie does. Now fast forward 3 years and Ethan is forced to come back to Rawdon, because his brother Manny was hurt and in the hospital. This is when Annie and Ethan reunite. What I'll say from here is that their road to a HEA is not an easy or smooth one, but they work through it all together.

The only secondary character I liked was Manny (Ethan's brother) I think he has a story there and I hope we get a book about him. He deserves to be happy too.

I don't think there was just one thing about this book that spoke to me, it was everything about this book. The writing was fantastic. The characters were engaging and believable. The storyline was great and I just loved how the author told this story. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to those readers who are fans of the second chance romance.



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[Kristin Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love Second Chance Romances? I do, I love when a couple who is in love soul mate love break up and reunite after years. I love that spark that just is there. I love that undeniable chemistry, and sometimes I even love the fight one puts up not to fall back into the other persons arms.

Once again Sara has written such a beautiful love story. She is another author that just makes you feel everything. Her words are captivating and you never want to put down her stories. This book was no exception.

Annie is this smart and beautiful girl, one whose past is the reason for a lot of her issues and trust issues. Ethan, he is this handsome,talented, famous hockey player, also a bit of a hot head, and Annie's childhood best friend, lover, and her everything.

Their story is so beautiful, I love how they just want to take care of one another. I love how the love is so present, there is no guessing, it is just there and you feel it during the whole story.

This book is a #MustRead. A great romance and a great feel good book. Loved this book.

[Suzanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing special.

[Ella · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just couldn’t finish it....

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

That's it????

[Michelle Krystel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good book, I love sports romance they are such eye catching stories that have you hooked from start. What I loved about Ethan was that he wasn't at all manwhore. He may have hooked up a few times. But nothing extreme which makes him even sexyier. This book deserves a 5 star rating if not better.

[Doreth Groot wesseldijk · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great quick read. It is cheesy yet realistic. You know what's going to happen if you've read chicklits before. It's a really great quick summer read though!

[Shauna Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars
ARC review

Annie and Ethan were high school sweethearts. Annie was raised by her Nana while Ethan and his brother Manny were raised by an alcoholic father. Neither have had an easy life while growing up. Annie has commitment issues, Ethan has anger issues. Ethan’s dreams come true when he has the chance to play hockey for the NHL in America. Annie does not want to stand in the way of Ethan’s dreams, so she breaks up with him. Fast forward three years later when Manny becomes a patient at the hospital where Annie works. This will bring Ethan back into Annie’s life. Can their past relationship pull them together again? Can Annie trust Ethan with her heart? Can Ethan trust Annie not to break his again?

The idea for this book was a good one. Old flames rekindling the love they once shared. Both of them overcoming some adversity as they learn to love each other again. Throw in some hockey, a lovable “baby” brother, a bossy sports agent and a doctor who wants the heroine and it should set the theme for an entertaining read right? Well, not so much for me. I try very hard to find the good in a book/story/author and overlook the bad. I do not like to give negative reviews because I know each book is important to the person who put it to paper. Each book is a piece of the writer, a story they are sharing with us, the reader. However, I had a very hard time staying focused on this book. It took twice as long to read it than most books I read. I kept having issues with continuity, examples: I was led to believe Annie broke up with Ethan so he could go play hockey. I learned Annie was convinced she could not trust Ethan anymore. The writer went into great detail about how the heroine was dressed, right down to her shoes, however on the following page she described her as wearing something different when she got to her destination, surly she did not change her clothes in the truck from home to the skating rink. As a detail oriented reader, this throws off the flow. I found myself backing up to re-read a section to make sure I read it correctly. I also found discrepancies with terminology. Example: Annie gave her resignation to her boss, but later told Ethan she needed to give notice. Both continuity and terminology were used incorrectly. A couple times, hockey terminology was used out of context. “Soft hands” is how a player handles his hockey stick, not the “feel” of his hands. There are too many of these errors to mention them all.
There were times I felt the lead characters were childish and immature. The heroine thoughts or opinions of someone or something changed every few pages. “Oh I love him and cannot live without him” to “Oh, I cannot let him back into my life again” or “How can I ever trust him again” She never fully trusted Ethan - that was why she broke up with him to begin with. The angst presented to the readers was hardly worth mentioning and the “bad” guy folded like a soggy noodle when the heroine “fussed” at him. The animosity between the heroine and the agent appeared childish and unnecessary. I’m still trying to figure that one out.
The entire book seemed to lack depth and connection. These characters had such potential. The storyline was there, however it never got “there”. Parts of the story seemed detached and distracted. The author needs to allow the characters to grow and develop. Let them think and feel at a deeper emotional level. They have difficult jobs, she is a nurse and he is a professional athlete. Let the reader feel that connection with the characters, rather than telling us that what we should feel it.

Christy

[Lustful Literature · Rating 3 out of 5]

**BETH'S 3.5 STAR REVIEW**

I am a lover of hockey romances and a sucker for a good second chance romance so when you put those two things together on top of that romance being a childhood friends to lovers romance, you know I am going to definitely check it out. As well, I always love finding new authors to read, especially ones that love to write hockey hunks but was excited to see not only is this author Canadian, she lives right here in Nova Scotia, the true heart of hockey!

Annie and Ethan have always loved each other but when it came time for Ethan to leave and become a professional hockey player, Annie knew it was only a matter of time before she was hurt. Rather than wait, she ended things, be the one to hurt rather than the one to be hurt. Now the book picks up several years later, Annie is still living in Rawdon, NS and has just recently graduated from nursing and enjoying working at the Rawdon hospital. She has never forgotten about Ethan and all that comes back when her new patient is no one other than Ethan’s younger brother Manny. Manny being in the hospital brings Ethan back to town and face to face with Annie and they finally deal with the past and how things ended.

The Last Shot was an enjoyable second chance love story about a great hockey hunk and his childhood friend, both of whom never had it an easy life growing up. From the moment these two were back in the same room, you could truly feel their connection and the love they still felt for each other. Though nothing has changed, things are still complicated, she lives in Nova Scotia and has a job she loves while he lives and plays hockey in Philadelphia. Not only that, Annie is currently involved with the perfect Dr. Charlie Davidson, AKA Dr. Dreamy. I enjoyed the dynamic between these characters, Ethan was such a selfless person , he walked away from his hockey commitment to be at his brothers side but he was also willing to walk away from it all just to get Annie back, he was willing to give up his dream just so that they could be together and make her happy. I liked Annie’s character but at times she truly annoyed me with how she was with both Charlie and Ethan. I just didn’t find her as strong a character as Ethan.

Overall this was an enjoyable read that was well written, it just fell flat for me at times. At times I wished there had been more depth to the storyline and definitely more hockey action. This was my first read by this author but I will be definitely checking our more from her, especially if they are about hockey hunks.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie and Ethan were best friends and first loves. But when he got his first hockey contract and had to move, she had to stay at home and long distance did not work out. But now their present lives are about to collide. She broke up with him three years ago and both have unresolved feelings. She had her reasons, but he didn't really understand.

He got his hockey dream. She achieved hers of becoming a nurse. But both are missing not only their love, but friendship. But even though they both have unresolved feelings, their lives are still in different places.
Annie has some significant issues that keep her emotionally detached at times. Her past has damaged her, trust is hard, and she finds it hard to truly in believe in love. She has fears, insecurities, an inferiority complex, and guards her heart. She can be a martyr at times and sacrifices for others. Oh, and she has a boyfriend too that seems perfect.

Ethan is emotional and hot headed. He is not afraid of admitting feelings or pursuing her. But his temper and anger sometimes get the best of him. He has his own issues from his past that affect him as well.

Their pasts tie them together and it is hard to resist that pull in the present. But that does not mean their problems have gone away. They live in two different worlds. In their attempts at protecting each other, sometimes they feel the need to sacrifice their own needs. They have to deal with anger issues, anxiety, fears, insecurities, and outside influences. Their communication issues caused complications in their past and present. I really liked them together and could feel their connection in their dual points of view. I was rooting for them to navigate all of their challenges.

I liked his brother Manny who was a wisecracking, trouble-making playboy. I can see him as a future male lead. This was a fast-paced, sweet, second chance love story with a background of hockey and a bit of danger thrown in.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Lorena Garcia -- Brittany's Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

I love reading books with sports involved and definitely about friends to lovers kind of books. I am a huge sucker for reading about friends to lovers. The sports always give it brownie points because they're usually super HOT athletes with some alpha tendencies and that just drives me bananas!

Annie and Ethan were best of friends as children and fell in love as teenagers. They dated even though Annie has always had a hard time believing in anyone as she led a very difficult childhood and found herself unable to trust anyone at all.

Ethan fell for Annie, a lost little girl with big brown eyes and mousy brown hair. But something about her had him from day one that he laid eyes on her. He knew, just knew that she was it for him and he had to be with her. He was going to show her just how much she meant to him.

Ethan made it to the NHL and had to travel and Annie didn't trust that he would stay faithful and she didn't think his love was grand enough for him to stay faithful so she went ahead and broke his heart along with hers.

But as the years passed, Ethan has come back home to take care of some matters and runs into Annie. He has this anger towards her for breaking his heart and has a few things to say to her, but the minute he see's her, all that went out the window and his feelings for her return. He's always been so in love with her and she has loved him all this time as well.

Can they overcome their past and move forward? Can they forgive each other and start over? Can Annie FINALLY let her fears go and trust Ethan and give him another chance? Can Ethan prove to Annie that he truly loves her and wants to be with HER only!!

I love reading books by new authors, at least she's fairly new to me and I found myself engrossed in this book. It's always refreshing reading a book by a new author and give them a chance to prove to the readers that they definitely can hook us into their stories!

​4.0 stars

[The Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good second chance story and this one definitely was it! the story was beautifully written, I fell in love with the story and the characters since page 1! Even though they appeared to have moved on... once they see each other you can truly realize they didn't move on after all, I believe in second chances and this couple definitely deserved it even if there were some events that drew them apart and loyalties were tested, as usual love triumphs in the end! ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a cute, sweet story. The drama was meh. I get why Annie is so wishy-washy. She's scared and scarred. I just wish this book had a little more detail, info, drama, and an epilogue. Even though this book doesn't end in a cliffhanger, it felt like it just ended. Maybe an epilogue? Maybe one more chapter? I don't know. Not a bad read. Just not my favorite. I read way too much so maybe I'm just jaded. If Manny gets a book, I will read it.

[Annie Lindgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a cute story about a small town girl and a big shot hockey star who comes back to his home when his brother gets hurt. The two had allot of history and when he comes back home old feelings rise back up. They fight through there past and find their way back to each other. The book was good but i wish it had a little more to the plot.

[BethyMac]

ARC received in exchange for honest review... full review to come

[Nancy Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! The characters were so real, right from the beginning. I love hockey, but this was more about two people who get a second chance at love.

[Félicia Bedard · Rating 1 out of 5]

in one word : bored

[Alexa · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at just under 50%. Couldn't get into the characters, the plot, or the voice. I tried to stick it out, but couldn't.

[Mary Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an okay book. Would be better if it had an epilogue many years later.

[Michelle Quintana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book more than what I thought I would. It had both Annie's and Ethan's pov's. Annie is an ER nurse in her hometown and Ethan is a big time hocky player with the pros. Best friends since they were kids and lovers as adults, Annie broke Ethan's heart when she told him she was done with him. Annie thought it was for the best since he was going to be busy his career. Ethan is hurting because he can't understand why she left him. When Ethan's brother Manny ends up in the hospital, Ethan goes back home. Feeling guilty for not looking out more for his younger brother, he is livid when he runs into Annie at the hospital and finds out that she is his brother's nurse. He plans to take his anger out on her but when he sees Annie, he knows he is still in love with her. However, Annie has moved on and is dating a doctor from the hospital. When she finally she Ethan, she is afriad of how he will react. When she sees that he is determined to get her back, she resolves to stay strong since she is already in a relationship. After spending some time with Ethan away from the hospital, she knows that she can't stay in her current relationship because her heart still belongs to Ethan. Even though they are both hurting from the break-up for different reasons,they slowly realize that things are not over between them. Annie is not willing to give up her life and career just to follow Ethan but he is determined to convince her otherwise. When a situation happens with the doctor she was seeing, Annie is afraid to tell Ethan because she knows that he will lose it. Not knowing what to do, she still refuses to folow Ethan. After reading a letter from her dead grandmother to Ethan, Annie finally realizes what she needs to do with her life and knows that there is nothing to be afraid of. I liked the chemistry between Annie and Ethan and I liked how she kept standing up to him until it was time for her to do the right thing. The situation with the doctor was crazy and I believe that there are people out there like that. I just with there was more to the book because I feel like that there is more to their story

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up because of Ethan & Manny.

Ethan and Manny were well rounded characters. Annie? Well she was meh? The storyline was good but probably could have been fleshed out more. For me, Annie wasn’t a likeable character at all. Who calls the police on their partner to save the psycho ex boyfriend and gets Ethan arrested, when she should have reported Charlie’s attack before Ethan got back home? She knew how upset Ethan would be when he found out and even just for herself would have been a good enough reason. She knew Charlie had done it before and most likely attacked his college girlfriend, she also knew he was stalking her, breaking into her house without permission, so seriously???

The ending was way too rushed and felt like it was missing its last chapters. There should have been at the very minimum an epilogue, as there was more story to go. This is something I think the Author can easily rectify by an update to the story. Maybe a 2-3 year jump? Manny working at the rink and playing in a band with his life on track? Annie and Ethan settled and married? Annie being a Mother? Or perhaps nursing? Or helping with the rink? I don’t know something to show her moving forward is needed. The Father appeared to be most likely dead if he didn’t clean up his act.

It was on the right track in terms of storyline, but just didn’t quite get there for me.

[SydneyK🌷 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3

I wanted to reread this book as it’s been sitting in my iBooks for a hot while and I ended up DNF’ing it sadly. I want give it another chance at some point but this was just sort of pushed to the back burner for now!

Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed most of it and liked the premise of a second chance romance but it was more of a case of right/good book just wrong time for me!

I’ll come back to it again at some point!

[Becky Rendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second chances to melt the ice around her heart

The One that got away...or the one you shoved so far away he didn't realize you still cared.

The Last Shot is the latter of those two. It's a second chance at everything. It's a sweet story. I am curious to see if Manny got his own book too.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The connection between Annie and Ethan was so profound and warm that although they'd hurt each other, they always found their way back. The writing was strong and the character's believable. I kinda wish there was a bit more development for a few of the characters, but overall a likable and enjoyable read. I mean, really, you can't go wrong with a story involving hockey.

[Justina · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something missing on this book. I love the author and all, I enjoyed the book but I felt like it needed a little more to it. There was no passion it was jump into last time they were together almost like I missed a book.