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Shots on Goal #2

Cross Checked

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One accident - a freaking car crash. That’s all it took to send my life into a tailspin.
Little did I know that out of the wreckage, everything would fall into place. I would get everything I had ever worked for.
Little did I know that I would find the woman who would cross check my life, flipping everything upside down.
Even though she's melting the ice that surrounds my heart, I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Will I ever be able to find my footing or am I destined to stay pinned against the boards?

Note: Cross Checked is the second book in the Shots On Goal Series. It can be read as a standalone, has a happily ever after, and does not have a cliffhanger. There are character crossovers from Hat Trick (book one in the series) which is also a standalone with a HEA and no cliffhanger.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2017

502 people want to read

About the author

Kristen Hope Mazzola

61 books1,101 followers
Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Hope Mazzola is a Florida native now happily rooted in North Carolina with her loving husband and two lazy basset hounds. After several years away from publishing, she has returned to the romance world with a renewed passion for storytelling and a bold, reimagined vision for her Shots on Goal universe. She writes every flavor of contemporary romance— from steamy rom-coms to gritty biker tales to emotional, heart-thumping sports love stories.


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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,420 followers
February 27, 2017
It's live & on Blog Tour!

After reading the Huntress series, which was more of a darker read, I was more than a little excited to try something contemporary from Kristen Hope Mazzola. Then I read her note at the beginning of the book and I was hooked. I love when authors give us some insight into who they really are!

This author has a unique style of writing that immediately grabs my attention, with entertaining plots and interesting characters. I enjoyed getting to know Brayden and Karla but I felt that far too much of their story happened behind the scenes. It could be because I haven't read Hat Trick. So as much as I wanted to root for their happy ending, I wasn't that dedicated because I didn't feel like I knew them all that well. This story felt a bit rushed and so their characters weren't fully developed nor was their relationship 100% believable.

Sometimes I really hate going against popular opinion but there is usually no way to avoid it. Luckily, I was asked for my honest opinion and that is exactly what I'm going to give.



This was a difficult story to become completely immersed in. Too many times to count I felt like I was missing something. Actually, I felt like I was lost right from the start.



But I wasn't missing anything. Huge chunks of what should have been plot didn't make it somehow into my copy of the book, leaving me with too many questions at the end of my read. All things considered, this is slated as a standalone and I'm wondering if answers will ever be provided.



Please note that my dissatisfaction with this one story will not prevent me from picking up another book from this author. I adored her Huntress series and I'm sure many of you will enjoy CROSS CHECKED despite my opinion.

Release Date: February 23, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
POV: Dual - 1st person
Steam: 2 out of 5
Book Type: Standalone
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
February 22, 2017
Slick's review:

Cross Checked by Kristen Hope Mazzola was an entertaining story; I liked the characters and the story was fairly compelling, but it was also disjointed. Unusual circumstances puts two people into each other’s lives, but it is years later when they are reconnected strictly by coincidence and begin their journey to happiness.

Professional hockey star Brayden’s life is turned more upside down when a car accident kills his mother and leaves his sister in the hospital and her career as a figure skater over. He wouldn’t have gotten through the first night without Karla, the nurse caring for his sister.

While their relationship doesn’t begin for a couple of years after the accident, there is a connection between them that was undeniable. What I found difficult was the somewhat stilted conversations and at times awkward sexual encounters especially the ones that had a BDSM vibe, but felt more like people starring in a bad porno than people actually understanding the aspects of the BDSM lifestyle. These characters had both been through so much and their story was interesting and pretty amazing, so I hated that this part of the story took away from their love story. I have no problems with books featuring BDSM or a couple even exploring their kinky side, but in this story it just didn’t seem to fit in or flow well.

Overall I enjoyed Cross Checked enough to give this author another try at some point.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Profile Image for Kate.
2,283 reviews357 followers
June 25, 2017
2.5 Stars

First of all I'm going to be a bit bitchy. But I never said that I'm a nice person. I just keep it in check most of the time.

At the end of the book the author wrote:
It is better to leave a negative review than no review at all. For all you trolls out there this is what the author wants.

Told in dual POV. Which is one of my favorites. It apparently is on the same time line as Hat Trick and can be read as a standalone.

Karla & Braydon first meet when his sister Myla is in ICU. There is very little interaction between the two. The first part shows how each lead their lives. Karla is in a relationship that turns abusive. I mean that came out of bloody nowhere. Braydon hockey player for the Otters has had it quite tough. We each deal with stuff differently but this is a tough scene to read. What I didn't like is the detailed sex scene with a other woman. That is the most off putting thing I have read in a really, long time.

At 39 % there was still was no interaction between the two main characters. Which got me very close to..


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and a DNF this majorly. I thought I'd continue for a little while more. A reviewer wrote that gets better.
Then FINALLY we fast forward and its two years later. The main characters meet. They remember one another straightaway. I can’t remember people from last month let alone who I met two years ago. We then have a whirlwind of a romance. Which quite frankly is hardly believable. This was the next point where

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The time frame for me was also an issue. As I said that met one another again after two years. Their relationship was written in brief intervals of how they met, their first date, meet the friends, specific important dates. Every couple of months I didn’t feel as if it flowed.

Another thing Braydon doesn’t come across as cold but as a dipshit.

I don't know quite the author was aiming for here. Was it meant to be dramatic and emotional? If yes, then the banter was out of place and that I didn't believe that it affected Karla as the author tries to make us believe. Maybe because this is a short read and rushed it just didn't work.

This is just me so please read the book and decide for yourself.





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Profile Image for Laura Hampton.
641 reviews36 followers
February 22, 2017
This is the second book by Mazzola that I have had the opportunity to read and I am so glad I took the time to do so. With so many authors out there to read and follow these days, it's nice to find a new one that I enjoy so much. All though this is the second book in the series, they can all be read as standalone's.

We first met Brayden and Karla in Hat Trick and I was so glad to see that they would be getting their own book. Cross Checked is a quick, fast paced read. And although I did enjoy it, it felt rushed at times. Brayden is reeling from a tragic accident that has claimed the life of his mother and now he is left to put the pieces of his life and his injured younger sisters back together. Hockey and family are Brayden's life. He plays hard on and off the ice and will stop at nothing to make sure his sister has what she needs. When he runs into the nurse that cared for his sister a few years later, he doesn't hesitate to ask Karla out. He has spent the past few years wondering about her and has often thought he should thank her for all her help and support at such a rough time in his life. Can Brayden make room in his life for the beauty that has him so transfixed or will his life on the ice prevent him from finding the happiness he deserves?

I really liked the premise and story line. I am a sucker for a hot,sexy hockey player. I just felt that it lacked detail at times. We have two strong characters that have spent a few years apart and they both have these great background stories. The chemistry is there, but it was all so fast paced that we never got the real buildup and romance that most of us readers want. It was over before I knew it. I did like the fact that we got to see more of Myla and Gavin in this book as well. I will say that if you are a new reader to this series, that even though these can be read as standalone's, I would not recommend it. Start out with Hat Trick and then grab Cross Checked!

3.75 Stars
March 10, 2018


I am not sure what happened and I am really sorry about it but I could not connect to the characters of Cross Checked by Kristen Hope Mazzola.

It was supposed to be a standalone novel but from the first moment on I felt thrown into a story where pieces were missing for me. So I was running after details from the beginning on and I

… Never managed to get up to date.

…Never managed to connect to the characters because there was too much that seemed to be missing

After I finished I checked the details of this author and found that there is another book that seems to be connected to this one in some way.

Maybe if I had read this book my thoughts and feelings would be different. But at this was supposed to be a standalone I never gave that a thought in advance and that is the base on which I have to set my review.

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Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,225 reviews219 followers
February 7, 2017
Not a particularly long read, but enjoyable none the less. We first met Brayden and Karla in Hat Trick and this is their story. Karla was the ICU nurse charged with taking care of Brayden's sister Myla after her horrific accident.

Brayden plays hockey and as is often the case, he plays hard both professionally and personally. He is grateful for the care that Karla took with his sister.

Fast forward a couple of years and Brayden and Karla meet again by chance, their attraction to each other simmering under the surface; and with that in mind, Brayden asks Karla on a date, her first in years.

I liked Brayden and Karla together and it was good to catch up on Myla and Gavin. I do feel however that the story might have been a little rushed as it seemed that they no sooner re connected, then dived into a relationship and then the book pretty well finished . Perhaps if it had been a little longer I may have connected more with Brayden and Karla.

Karla's best friends will hopefully get their own stories as they are a hoot and it would be good to see what develops for Myla and Gavin as well as Brayden and Karla moving forward.
Profile Image for JoAnna G.
677 reviews9 followers
February 16, 2017
This is the second book in this series but can be read as a standalone. This is Karla and Brayden's book. Brayden is Myla’s brother. I wanted to read this book because I love a family man and hockey. I got both but felt it was missing something.

This is was short quick read. The pace is fast and there is a drastic time jump.To me, this is two stories in one. You get Karla and her life, then you get Brayden and his life separately, then when they meet again.

Brayden loves hockey and his family. Hockey is his love and he loves his sister. He wanted to do whatever he could for his sister to make her life better. This book opens with Brayden having to care for his sister after a tragic accident, and while in the hospital the nurse is Karla. They exchange numbers so she can text him, after making him leave because of hospital policy. Karla, as I said is a nurse and has two best friends. She gets to leave work early and goes home and sees the unthinkable. Her boyfriend cheating. She breaks up with him then things for her go from bad to worse.

Then we time jump to two years later. Karla had a horrible ex as I said, and went through a lot. She has great friends and support from them. Brayden has been moving forward with his career and still has Myla with him. As both our main characters are out, it’s the last thing both expect is to run into each other. He decides to ask her out since, get this, he still has her number.

It feels like things are left out and rushed or glossed over. I would have liked more of all of them, including the friends. In this book, we get to see Myla and Gavin as well.

This was not a bad book. It was, all in all, a cute story with likable people. I just felt it was like I was wanting more and didn’t. It just felt a bit rushed. I won’t let this deter me, I will read more from this author.

*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by JoAnna from Alpha Book Club
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Profile Image for Jan .
2,156 reviews45 followers
February 18, 2017
2nd book in the series to shots on Goal

Cross checked stated that it is the 2nd book in the series and can be read as a standalone. That being said it didn't feel that way, I felt there were parts missing, no details of the crash that supposedly changed Brayden's life and the story jumped from a then when kayla was the nurse in the hospital caring for his sister to now, so I am presuming that the then part was in the first book, I didn't have the right flow for me to enjoy it.

I haven't read the first book and feel this book I may have enjoyed more if I had read Hat Trick, all the same characters were also in the first book. Brayden is a hockey player but very little is mentioned about hockey apart from he leaves the house to go training and returns and conversations with his team mates, I don't know when a book can be classed as a sports romance when there is no sport or scenes with the sport in it?

There is no angst or drama in Cross checked it is simply a girl meets boy, they fall in love and the plot leads to a hea, a quick read but slow going.

I very rarely write negative reviews but I found it boring, so I am unable to be positive about Cross Checked but hope someone else will see it differently especially if you have read the first book.

Arc received for review purposes
Profile Image for Chasidy.
698 reviews20 followers
March 1, 2017
Brayden has suffered a lot of loss in his life. His dad in prison and recently he lost his mom in a car accident and his sister is severly injured in ICU. He is doing his best to juggle his hockey career and take care of his sister. Thankfully, one of the nurses at the hospital keeps him up to date on her condition while he is away.

Karla is the ICU nurse helping to take car of Myla. She loves her job and taking care of people. She recently has a horrible break up with her ex and is trying to get her life back in order. She has great friends to help her through this horrible time.

Fast forward two years later. Brayden and Karla meet again while Myla is looking to adopt a dog. They have an insta connection.

This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone. It is a great quick read.
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Profile Image for Maddy's Reading.
437 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2017
we met Brayden & Karla in Hat Trick and this book shows their journey. Both of them have had a difficult past, they have faced tragedy but have come out of it so much stronger. They are wonderful souls and their connection in instant. it takes them a couple of years to cross paths but then Brayden knows she is someone special.
I loved Karla's strength of character and how confident she is. I liked Braydoen's loyalty as well as his dominant side. we have Myla and Gavin as well as some other favorite characters which made this book all the more enjoyable.
*~*~*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange of an honest review*~*~*
Profile Image for Diane Lynch Lynch.
1,883 reviews52 followers
February 27, 2017
Kristen Hope Mazzola’s CROSS CHECKED is a fantastic follow up to HAT TRICK. This was Brayden Cox' and Karla McAdams' story. After a horrible car accident, Brandon was left to raise his sister Myla, whose story was told in HAT TRICK, along with Brayden’s teammate, Gavin Hayes. Karla was Myla’s ICU nurse after the car accident. Both stories take place around the same timeframe. CROSS CHECKED is told from both Brayden and Karla’s point of view.

Mazzola does a great job with her character development. They are believable and very human. I like Karla. She had a horrible childhood and went through a difficult time with her previous boyfriend. She is a strong and compassionate individual. I enjoyed hearing Brayden’s side to the story and finding out what was going on with him. He is protective and caring of those he loves. I love how Karla and Brayden reconnect at the dog rescue event, especially since they adopt a husky. I am a husky owner and very partial to the breed. Karla and Brayden have great chemistry. I love how they interact with each other.

The plot was exciting and carefully thought out. There were some interesting connections throughout the story. There was some overlap with HAT TRICK, but it was fun seeing the story from a different perspective. The hockey scenes are well done. There were some unexpected twists. I enjoyed the ending. The story was well resolved. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Merged review:

Cross Checked by Kristen Hope Mazzola Kristen Hope Mazzola’s CROSS CHECKED is a fantastic follow up to HAT TRICK.  This was Brayden Cox' and Karla McAdams' story.  After a horrible car accident, Brandon was left to raise his sister Myla, whose story was told in HAT TRICK, along with Brayden’s teammate, Gavin Hayes. Karla was Myla’s ICU nurse after the car accident.  Both stories take place around the same timeframe.  CROSS CHECKED is told from both Brayden and Karla’s point of view.
 
Mazzola does a great job with her character development.  They are believable and very human.  I like Karla.  She had a horrible childhood and went through a difficult time with her previous boyfriend.  She is a strong and compassionate individual.  I enjoyed hearing Brayden’s side to the story and finding out what was going on with him.  He is protective and caring of those he loves.  I love how Karla and Brayden reconnect at the dog rescue event, especially since they adopt a husky.  I am a husky owner and very partial to the breed.  Karla and Brayden have great chemistry.  I love how they interact with each other.
 
The plot was exciting and carefully thought out.  There were some interesting connections throughout the story.  There was some overlap with HAT TRICK, but it was fun seeing the story from a different perspective.  The hockey scenes are well done.  There were some unexpected twists.  I enjoyed the ending. The story was well resolved.  I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
 
 
Profile Image for Chasing Away Reality.
516 reviews30 followers
February 23, 2017
READ HAT TRICK FIRST! I can't imagine making it through this book without having read it. Overall, I enjoyed Brayden and Karla's story. It was nice reading about their journey after seeing pieces of it in Hat Trick. However, it all felt a little disconnected. I think it was easier for me to read knowing what happened in book 1. But it still left me wanting more. I felt like the author glanced over things and rushed through Brayden and Karla's journey to get to the end. I just really wanted more. I would have liked to see them dive more into their backgrounds. We get a small glimpse of Karla's past when she has her nightmare, but that's it. And if it weren't for Hat Trick and the nurse's summarization at the beginning, we wouldn't know anything about Brayden's history. I also wanted more of a resolution of Karla's trouble with James. I was a bit stunned by how their breakup went down. It didn't seem very realistic after she and James had been together for so long. And James was super sweet for the little we were showed of him at the start. I was also hoping for more interaction with the team and their friends and family.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Readers Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Amy March (Between the Screens).
257 reviews15 followers
Read
February 23, 2017
Reading this book is a lot like taking a walk through your favorite park on a perfect spring day. It's light, crisp and easy. It doesn't break you or manipulate your mind. It's honest and refreshing, it's sweet and unassuming. It's not angst ridden or needlessly dramatic, but it still touches on heartbreak building a foundation to something beautiful.

"It was the best kiss of my life—simple, quick, perfect. It was a kiss that started the rest of our lives together, a kiss that made my life complete."

Brayden meets Karla on arguably one of the worst nights of his life, and she experiences her own tragedy just days later. It's not 'love at first sight' but there is a solid bond formed and it only goes stronger over the months and years. He's a reformed and cautious man, and she's a romantic recovering from one heck of s broken heart. Together they manage to build something wonderful out of the wreck that was their lives, and along the way they discover what it means to find your soulmate.

"I felt for the first time in my life that I was right where I needed to be, next to the woman that would bring together all of my broken pieces."

To love this book is to love its author, each paragraph and page is a direct look into the writers mind and a few things become plain as day, she's an optimist and she was meant to be your very best friend. Kristen knows friendship, she's perfected silly girls nights and strong relationships with your girlfriends. She's mastered meet cutes and insta-love, and her writing is completely different from anyone else I've ever read. She doesn't use tricks or gimmicks, she just gives you what you want and puts a smile on your face. She's also effortlessly funny and can write a damn fine sex scene.


Don't miss out on falling for Brayden and Karla and getting lost in their wonderful world.
Profile Image for Cat.
2,203 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2017
AN ENJOYABLE FAST PACED JAM PACKED READ,I NEVER READ THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF THIS SERIES AND I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEFORE READING THIS ONE.
HAVING SAID THAT,I STILL FOUND THIS A VERY PLEASANT STORY TO READ AND I WILL PROBABLY READ THE 3RD BOOK TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
Profile Image for Casey.
2,650 reviews47 followers
August 5, 2017
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick

Cross Checked is the second book in the Shots on Goal series and is the second book I have read from Kristen Hope Mazzola. I enjoyed the first in the series and I was really looking forward to Cross Checked. This is a standalone story, though I will admit that I had some troubles with it and I did read the first book. While I think that there are some readers that will enjoy this one and be fine reading it as a standalone, I would recommend reading it in order if possible.

After a car accident changed the life of Brayden's family, Karla helped take care of his sister. Years later, they meet back up and the chemistry between them is one that they can't deny. They start dating and things are going well, but Brayden is always waiting for something to wreck his life and finds it hard to live his life without worrying. Can he let go and see where things with Karla take him or will he continue to live his life waiting for the other shoe to drop?

I have to admit that I had a tough time relating to these characters. I didn't feel connected to them, and I wasn't invested in their story. As much as I wanted to love them, I just was never able to. It always felt like things were missing from the story and things felt rushed. There was a lot that seemed to happen off page and between the scenes, and even though I had read the first book and somewhat knew things it really felt confusing at times. I did think that Karla and Brayden had chemistry, I just wasn't able to really get behind their story.

I also found a lot of things to be unbelievable, and that added together just kept me from really into Cross Checked like I was able to with Hat Trick. I think that there are readers that will enjoy this story, but for me it was just okay and I was left wanting more. This wasn't what I was expecting and after really enjoying the first book I was a bit disappointed here. I would read more from Kristen Hope Mazzola in the future, but this one wasn't as good as the first I read from her.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**
Profile Image for Lindsey Adams.
1,110 reviews22 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Book 2 in Kristen Hope Mazzola’s Shots on Goal dives deeper in Brayden’s life. Brayden is one of the POVs we get in book 1 and in Crossed Checked, it’s his turn to find his happily ever after with a second chance from years ago. Kristen wrote a book full of heart and emotion. With the changes made from the original book, although I don’t know exactly what they are, Kristen once again proves she can take criticism and do something about it.

Brayden lost so much in one night. The one bright spot was Karla, his sister’s nurse, whom he felt an immediate connection with. However, due to the state of his life and his sister needed him more than ever, he put his needs to the side. Now a few years later, his sister doing well, he runs into Karla again. Except this time he doesn’t wait to see what will happen. He jumps at the opportunity and asks her out.

Karla never forgot Brayden and how she felt around him. When nothing happened, she moved on, but never completely removed him from her mind. When they run into each other again and he does ask her out, she says yes quickly. They quickly begin to make up for the lost years, but something seems to be holding Brayden back. Karla knows he’s been through a lot and doesn’t want to push it, but she also doesn’t want to start something that will guarantee a heartbreak.

Kristen continues her wonderful storytelling with new characters, beloved old ones (yes we get more of Myla and Gavin!), and side characters that once again bring so much to the storyline that it wouldn't be the same without. To enjoy this book to its fullest, you must read Hat Trick first. Yes, this series can be standalones, but these two books build off each other. You will miss so much!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🏒Hockey Romance
🩷Friends to Lovers
🏒Athlete x Nurse
🩷Missed Connection
🏒BDSM Exploration
Profile Image for Treena Ross - Rockstar Book Muse.
478 reviews16 followers
February 21, 2017
3.5 STARS

This is the first book I read from this author and it is the 2nd in the series and can be read as a stand alone. I felt that was true since I had not read the first I did not feel like I was missing anything.

The story is told a little differently then what I am use too meaning that there was Karla's story and there was Brayden's story and then there was the story of the 2 of them. I don't have an issue with that it was just different. The only issue I had was I felt that things were rushed and there was some huge time gaps that made it a little harder for me to get attached to the characters.

This is a cute quick romantic read and I was able to do it in one sitting. The characters are great and required just a little bit more depth for me. Overall if you are into hockey, a little bit of tragedy and some great romance this is the book for you!!

I volunteered to review an Advance Reader Copy of this book for Rockstar Book Muse
Profile Image for 2OCC Reviews.
3,487 reviews254 followers
February 23, 2017
Kristen Hope Mazzola is a new to me author. Cross Checked is the 2nd book in the series, Shots on Goal, even though the description doesn’t include this information. What the description says is “A Shots on Goal Standalone”. However, you would do well to read the first book, Hat Trick, before you read this one.

Brayden’s life has been tough. A Father that is in jail, a mother that is killed in a car accident that seriously injures his sister, Myla. He meets nurse Karla during Myla’s stay in ICU.

Karla having discovered her live in boyfriend, James, is a cheater turned abuser, kicks him out. Only to have him return to wreck havoc on her life.

Cut to 2 years later, Brayden and Karla meet again and their story begins.

It was described as a hockey book and has a hockey player on the cover, but has little to do with hockey. I liked the pace of this book and it was a quick read. But in the end, it just wasn’t enough.

3 Stars

#2OCCMS
Profile Image for Kathryn Linke .
2,116 reviews24 followers
February 23, 2017
3.5 Stars

Cross Checked is the second title in this series, although each one can be read as a standalone, the majority of the story line runs concurrent to the first title.

Brayden and Karla both appeared in Hat Trick, and I was quite looking forward to reading their story.

It's a fast paced read, at times a little too fast in my opinion, as there were large gaps in the time frame that made the story a bit disjointed. I actually wanted more of the story of their relationship and more interactions with Brayden's team mates and Karla's group of friends.

The characters were like-able and I enjoyed their chemistry. I love a sports romance, and particularly a hockey themed romance, and as much as I enjoyed this story and the characters it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I'm sure anyone who enjoys a sports romance will still enjoy cross checked.




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35 reviews
January 9, 2026
Cross Checked is listed as a standalone, but it’s much better with having read Hat Trick first.

That being said, we get the other side of Myla and Gavin’s story with Myla’s brother Brayden and how things come to be with ICU nurse Karla. The story was a quick read but slow burn romance that touches on Brayden’s past as well as Karla’s and how it influences their beliefs and lives. Brayden had some serious anger issues in the first book, and I feel like most of that was skipped in this one. He went from being angry to immediately accepting of everything, and that seems a little unreasonable. It would’ve been nice to see him have some genuine friendships as well. Karla had a difficult hand starting out, and was such a genuinely good person, so watching her get her happily ever after was refreshing after what she went through.
Profile Image for Kristen Hope Mazzola.
Author 61 books1,101 followers
Currently reading
December 11, 2025
Shots on Goal is for readers who want:
🚫🏒 Off-limits hockey romances that push loyalty to the brink
🛡️🔥 Protective, brooding athletes who fall hard (and don’t recover quietly)
💪💔 Strong, resilient heroines rebuilding after loss
🤝💙 Found-family team dynamics that sneak up and wreck you
⏳💥 Slow burns that explode into all-consuming chemistry
🤫❤️ Secret relationships + “we absolutely shouldn’t be doing this” tension
🫂😭 Emotional caretaking scenes that hit harder than the final buzzer
🌆🏒 Big-city energy, locker-room intensity, and playoff pressure
😂❤️‍🩹 Rom-com banter paired with real, gut-level healing
📚🔥 A binge-worthy sports romance universe built for devoted readers
Profile Image for L KQ.
5,615 reviews21 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
January 14, 2026
Bonding to Heal

While Brayden and Karla are introduced in the first book of this series it is not necessary to read it first, although it would give perspective as to his relationship with his sister and a more detailed hospital context. I do like the fact that there was background information on both characters before these two come together as a potential couple. It was an interesting read as the desire to heal was prominently featured through different perspectives and for different reasons. Emotionally charged at some points it could trigger some readers, but the overall the premise was fantastic.

I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Jordan Fiest.
2,118 reviews31 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 6, 2026
Cross Checked is book two of the Shots on Goal Series.

We got to see some of this love story in the first book of the series, but now we get to see everything to fill in all the gaps we had for them. Brayden and Karla have a great relationship together. I loved seeing them reconnect and make something strong together.

It does help to read the first book as this one and the previous book are connected with events going on at the same time. It isn't overly necessary, just might help to give some more information when reading.
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,966 reviews28 followers
February 22, 2017
***arc for an honest review***
What a great story about Brayden & Kayla, how they met, then came together, while the story is a stand alone you will benefit from reading Hat Trick first as more of the story is explained there with Bray's sister Myla. Regardless, I absolutely loved Brayden & Kayla's story and Kristen told it beautifully! 4 stars for this beauty!!
Profile Image for Kimme.
772 reviews2 followers
February 26, 2017
Cross checked

Character development was lacking. The time hops were too much and you lost the maturing of the characters. Too many gaps because of the time hops. Too many unanswered questions. I think I could have really liked these characters but I wasn't given the opportunity to get to know them. So much potential.
Profile Image for Char Sowers.
674 reviews20 followers
February 28, 2017
"Cross Checked" is a book which runs concurrently with Kristen Hope Mazzola's novel "Hat Trick". This book follows Myla's brother Brayden and the young overnight ICU nurse, Karla. She was the nurse who comforted and reassured Brayden after the tragic car accident which killed his and Myla's mother. "Cross Checked" begins the morning before Myla and her mother's car accident. We see that Brayden is the kind of man who puts the feelings and well being of his family first. After the accident we see the magnitude of the dedication he puts into balancing his hockey career and Myla's health. We also see a couple of different sides to Brayden an unexpected sexual side and a true romantic. Karla is a woman who has everything: a career, a loving boyfriend, and two amazing friends. She's survived a lot and rises above even more.
As I mentioned "Cross Checked" runs concurrently to "Hat Trick" and even a little further into the future. Some of Brayden's story conflicts with events in "Hat Trick", which was a little bothersome only if the books were read back to back. The first few chapters follow Brayden and Karla in their separate lives dealing with their own issues. At the beginning Karla is in a loving and happy relationship which falls apart in a dangerous way. Brayden deals with the stress of a hospitalized sister and a grueling fledgling professional hockey career with sex. The kind of sex he likes is surprising and I really love the little trip into the dark side. This book spans over a two years. In addition to the cross pollination of events there are secondary characters who lives intertwine their lives. This serves to prove that Brayden and Karla are a Fated pairing.
This book is definitely character based with no real huge relationship threatening conflict. This is a love story. The book moves quickly and is a fast, easy, and enjoyable read. There are some contradictions in the storylines between the two books. It isn't really a deal killer in the enjoyment factor of "Cross Checked". Brayden's character was portrayed as a heavy drinker and a womanizer. In "Hat Trick" he's a lot more devoted to Karla and a big gooey romantic. In fact, Karla plays a more important role in his life than what was portrayed in the previous book. Both Brayden and Karla are likable with vulnerabilities and big life experience hurdles they had to overcome. Karla's friends are fabulous additions to the cast of characters. Kristen Hope Mazzola's "Cross Checked" is easy to get sucked into and find you've read it in one sitting.
To read the entire review please visit: http://wp.me/p4XqxF-1JH
This novel was provided, voluntarily read, and honestly reviewed
Profile Image for Lucy Mejia.
6 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2017
Nurses are stronger than you think

Want to read about a strong nurse versus a romantic hockey player? You will find it all in this book. Love can heal the abused soul. Love can heal a shattered heart. Friends are created in ways you never thought possible . This book will renew your faith in love and trust
Profile Image for Jennifer Alexander.
309 reviews3 followers
October 6, 2017
Cross Checked is book #2 in the Shots on Goal Series. It can be read as a standalone, but if you read book 1 Hat Trick first, it will give you a better insight on things.

This book wasn't full of hockey and it wasn't full of sex and random banter. It was the perfect blend of it all. It was a fast paced read that you will enjoy from start to finish. 4.5 stars"
Profile Image for Megan.
546 reviews2 followers
April 10, 2018
Another win.

I can’t seem to stop devouring this series. Cross Checked is Karla and Brayden’s story and is absolutely fantastic. It is told from dual POV and begins when Karla and Brayden first meet on the night of Mylas accident.

I adored Brayden and am glad we got so much character growth with him. Karla is perfect for him.
764 reviews8 followers
April 22, 2018
Absolutely perfect!

Loved this story so much! Brayden fully deserved the happiness he finally got. I loved how Kristen Hope Mazzola interwove the two stories like she did. She took scenes from the first book, but described them from Brayden and Karlas viewpoint. It worked really well. Once again funny, steamy, and heart warming.
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