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Rule #1: Teammate’s siblings are off-limits.

Haley has had enough hockey to last her for the rest of her life. The last thing she wants when she arrives at college is to live in her brother’s shadow but that’s nearly impossible when his face is everywhere she turns. Reid’s only focus has been one thing, make it to the NHL, until he meets the one woman that has the power to distract him. The only problem, she’s his best friend’s sister.

As much as she hates to admit it, Haley can’t stop thinking about the one person on campus she should avoid. Reid doesn’t seem to care about the reasons why they shouldn’t be together, and the longer she looks into his sapphire eyes the harder it is to resist him.

Are they willing to risk the wrath of the team or lose each other?

If you like L.J. Shen and Ilsa Madden-Mills, you’ll love this new college romance from Brittney Mulliner.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2021

176 people are currently reading
251 people want to read

About the author

Brittney Mulliner

41 books152 followers
Brittney has been an avid reader since she can remember. Her parents' form of punishment for her growing up was taking away her books and making her go outside to play. She was born and raised in Southern California, with a brief hiatus in Arizona. She loves the beach, exercising, sleeping in, and cookies. She is an obsessive dog lover, although her affection currently has no outlet. Something that she is planning on remedying soon. She and her husband currently reside in the Rocky Mountains exploring and hiking as much as possible.

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5 stars
94 (25%)
4 stars
105 (29%)
3 stars
101 (27%)
2 stars
43 (11%)
1 star
19 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for JessicaLynnReads.
262 reviews19 followers
August 13, 2022
Where do I begin....I went into this book blind and only had the blurb to go off of...so I will say to my own fault I should have done more research and looked at goodreads or Amazon reviews before I started this.

My biggest issue with this book was that in the blurb on Amazon it says " If you like L.J. Shen and Ilsa Madden-Mills, you'll love this new college romance from Brittney Mulliner" Now I have read these authors before and these are authors who write books with spice and this book has NONE! They kiss maybe a total of 3 times in the entire book. And don't get me wrong that's fine but it's just not my jam. Especially not if you are going to lead me on to believe it will be similar to a LJ Shen or Ilsa Madden-Mills book WITH SPICE 😒 I saw reviews on here (after the fact) that reviewers said it was a slow burn...uhm where was the burn in this at all?!?! There was no slow build up to anything IMO.

Now that that is out of the way, the story was just meh. There was a lot of filler and not a lot of tension or build up for the FMC and MMC.
What was bizarre was their meet cute. She is at a party and they bump into each other. Stunned and just staring at one another. I think somone says HI and then all of a sudden they are kissing!!!! Like really?!?!? She freaks out and runs away. The next day she goes to see her brother at his dorm and her mystery man who she just kissed the night before opens the door and then they find out who each other really is.

The book focused a lot on a few things specific to the FMC and not a lot of it dealing with the actual romance and relationship between the 2 main characters, other than she always turned to him when she needed somone. Her brother was protective but also always absent with no explanation to where he ever was. He would be just MIA and she could never get ahold of him when she needed him so she turned to his bestfriend. The plot also dealt with her always being in her older brothers shadow and how people use her to get close to him. And lastly the big plot was about her past SA and a current student who tries to drug her and continually harasses her and tries to rape her.
14 reviews2 followers
September 26, 2021
Didn’t feel like a romance

I love hockey romances more importantly clean ones so I really appreciate that the author kept it clean. I have read this author before and I don’t feel like I’m being mean or too harsh as I enjoyed her royal series and especially the first few books in her other hockey series. Sorry for the spoilers:
My major issue with this book was that I didn’t feel like it had enough romance. Yes they liked each other and shared a kiss but they didn’t spend that much time together and by the time they were officially together the book was over and it’s even stated that they didn’t spend a lot of time together dating.

It does deal with a serious issue and she does have a trigger warning but it felt like the whole book she was being attacked either physically or emotionally by a creepy guy, her brother or her supposed friends.

I know the next book is about her brother but he was so awful I have no intention of reading it. His reasoning for his behavior does not excuse the awful things he said to his sister.

Also she was over 18 so even though she went through something traumatic doesn’t mean her parents get to decide where she should go to school. Her parents also seemed like real pieces of work but there’s no interaction with them. They helped cause some of her issues but there’s no resolution with them.

I didn’t have any problems with the male lead. I actually really liked his relationship with his brother. The rules for the hockey team seemed far-fetched but not completely unbelievable.I wish I liked the book more but it didn’t hit the mark for me.
Profile Image for Char (1RadReader59).
3,203 reviews20 followers
January 10, 2023
Cheap Shot tells Haley’s story of healing and contains mentions of physical and sexual abuse that may be triggering to some.

Okay, now that those much need words are out of the way. Because the story did make me tense up, during different parts of it. Let me just say, that the fact that no one, in any of the altercations suggests therapy, is disheartening. Haley never truly lays into her brother, Ethan for not being there, and for the multiple phone calls she has made, to him. Not to mention him going MIA from his room, his best friend, and his teammates. So why? Yet, he thinks he has the right to dictate life for her and his best friend, Reid who she has become close because he, is there for her during several dangerous times, and, Ethan wasn’t.

What is astounding is, he dares, to blame the victim, his own sister, in both her horrific situations. Yet, Haley chooses, to fight her way through, to get back, to a semi-normal life. Most would feel happy, that she could find a bit of it, in a good loyal friend, like Reid. Someone who has always had, Ethan’s back and lately Haley’s. No, instead he acts like, a toddler who is losing, his favorite toy. Ethan rallies the other teammates, to back him, using it to where, Reid is the one causing discord amongst the team, by falling for, Haley. Although he is open and honest in telling, Ethan. It is that Ethan didn't like being called out, about his victim-shaming, Haley. Bringing up him not picking up, and returning calls, or texts when she needed him.

During this story, Ethan keeps disappearing, not sleeping in the dorm room, and he is zoning out and acting weird. We never find out why that is. Do any of the guys get drafted? It's just been a month, but you know what I mean. No closure. Is Jay convicted? So many questions.
486 reviews5 followers
September 18, 2021
4.5-stars for Cheap Shot

Brittney Mulliner scores a great shot with Cheap Shot to start her latest series, the West Penn Hockey series. Haley had reason based on her last boyfriend to seek her brother Ethan's protection even though she doesn't want to live in his shadow. Ethan's enlists the help of his best friend and teammate Reid to help watch over Haley when he isn't around; all while stating to his teammates, including Reid, that his little sister is off limits, bro code and all. But somehow Reid unknowingly kissed Haley, then with the time Reid spends watching out for Haley they start falling for each other. What happens Haley goes to a party with her friends and it gets out of hand? Or when Haley finds herself with a stalker? Can her brother protect her or will it be Reid that is her knight in shining hockey pads? But is Reid really all in when the questions start about his dedication for his NHL dream or will his relationship with Haley be the distraction he can't afford? Haley and Reid have undeniable chemistry but with so many obstacles in their way will they get their HEA or is the timing just wrong, will Reid be able to protect Haley, and her heart and still protect his shot at the NHL? Definitely recommend Cheap Shot, a hard slap shot to the start of the West Penn Hockey series.
After Cheap Shot I can't wait for Ethan & Kennedy's story in Trick Shot, book 2 of the series!
Even though I did receive an advanced review copy of this book, I also purchased the book/read with Kindle Unlimited and am voluntarily leaving my own unsolicited opinion with my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Tracy Pulley.
203 reviews6 followers
September 11, 2021
I didn’t like the first couple of chapters but I understand it was laying the groundwork for the premise of the book. The writing was good (the reason I gave it three stars); it kept my attention but the plot had too many flaws.
-Where/why did roommate disappear to? It’s like she only existed to get her to the first party.
-Brother, Ethan, isn’t likable. He’s an immature, selfish a**hole. And she forgave him way too quickly. I’ve never been assaulted but I can’t imagine an assault survivor allowing him to speak to her the way he did (blaming her and then all is forgiven because he’s her brother and after she was assaulted again he showed up for her)
-There should be a trigger warning (rape, assault). It seemed like she was being assaulted (or it was being set up) throughout the ENTIRE book.
-HFN, not HEA
-Epilogue could be just another chapter because it takes place right after the events of the book.
-Lingering Questions: Does he get drafted? Does she finish school? Does she go to tech school? Do they make it - since they “couldn’t be together” because it’s “hard”.

I probably won’t read the second one. Even if I can get the answers to the above questions because my personal preference is to have linked/connected books in a series that I shouldn’t have to wait for another book, about a different couple, to find out major stuff regarding this couple.

I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews359 followers
September 17, 2021
Reid and Haley's Story . . .

After a horrible incident during freshman year at college, Haley was forced to transfer to attend at her brother’s college instead. Her brother’s best friend is Reid who seems like a really decent guy who befriends Haley. Her own brother, Ethan, as a terrible attitude toward his sister and selfishly puts himself and his hockey priorities ahead of his (lack of) concern for his sister. As history repeats itself and Haley has to endure more violence, at least this time around she has Reid she can turn to for support.

The positive aspects of having Reid in Haley’s life are easily seen in the way he doesn’t push her for answers to satisfy his curiosity. He wants to be with her and is willing to accept her with no stipulations. They become friends before they progress to anything further, and a slow pace is especially thoughtful with Haley’s difficult history. She needs to build trust and confidence, and Reid is a steady, supportive item in her life right now. Grab your copy and see how their relationship develops. Is there a HEA for them? Or at least a HFN?
2,182 reviews14 followers
September 25, 2021
Cheap Shot is the 1st book in the West Penn Hockey series and it kicks off with Reid and Haley's story. Reid is Ethan's best friend and teammate Haley is Ethan's sister who experienced a horrible trauma her freshman year of college that forced her to transfer to Ethan's school. Ethan didn't really seem to understand or care about what happened to his sister all he cares about is Hockey and making it to the NHL. Reid on the other hand really becomes someone she can lean on and when lightning strikes again Reid is there for Haley. They develop a beautiful friendship with no expectations that slowly leads to more. They have a lot of challenges to overcome to get to their HEA first of which is Ethan who warned everyone away from his sister, there's Reid's Hockey and Haley's history. Will they be able to overcome any or all of these challenges? Pick up your copy to see what happens with Reid and Haley. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
10 reviews
November 16, 2024
I still have no idea why it’s called cheap shot?
I agree with other reviewers that this does not seem like a romance book at all.
There was way more trauma & angst and in the end I feel so awful after having finished it. At least the ending was positive.

It was a riveting story and the 2 main characters were great but wow, it was tough to be exposed to.
Please God May no one ever have to go through anything like this.

I did think that the reasoning and responses of the 2 mc’s was good and insightful. I think more therapy is needed and also in the book. These mc’s will have so much more to work through than eluded to in the book just to be normal. That is a lot of baggage to sort through no matter how tough someone is.

My big takeaway, I will not let fear dictate my life.
If anyone is researching before reading, please know that it is a serious book with a lot of love but little romance. There is a warning in the beginning for a reason.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
711 reviews15 followers
September 8, 2021
3.5
This was a very slow burn with an almost clean romance feel to it. Haley and Reid have an intense connection that can’t be ignored and I love that they grew to be friends first. There’s a lot of fast paced drama to follow and it seemed like the focus but I thought it kept the story moving. Even if I did want more Reid and Haley time, the drama sort of keeps bringing them together.
I haven’t read this author before but I’m looking forward to reading more from her.

Trauma, hockey, college, best friend sister, friends to lovers, forbidden, taboo, new adult, ARC for honest review, Booksprout
1,025 reviews4 followers
September 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Haley had a very traumatic backstory and I liked that Reid didn't push her more to tell him what happened. I was a little surprised there wasn't a trigger warning. Poor Haley is forced to transfer schools because of a trauma that occurred in her freshman year at her previous college. She had to choose between moving home or close to her brother. I have to say, Ethan (Haley's brother) is terrible. He treats Haley like she is an inconvenience and victim blames her repeatedly throughout the book. Based on his teammate's reactions there is something going on with him that we did not see in this book. I am hoping to find out more in book 2. Reid is the only character in this book who genuinely wanted to get to know Haley, everyone else used her to try to get closer to her brother. I am hoping they get their HEA.
Profile Image for Read.Review.Repeat Blog.
5,905 reviews101 followers
September 16, 2021
"3.5
This was a very slow burn with an almost clean romance feel to it. Haley and Reid have an intense connection that can’t be ignored and I love that they grew to be friends first. There’s a lot of fast paced drama to follow and it seemed like the focus but I thought it kept the story moving. Even if I did want more Reid and Haley time, the drama sort of keeps bringing them together.
I haven’t read this author before but I’m looking forward to reading more from her.

Trauma, hockey, college, best friend sister, friends to lovers, forbidden, taboo, new adult, ARC for honest review, Booksprout"
Profile Image for Baby Girl.
981 reviews12 followers
September 17, 2021
What a powerful story. Date rape or any kind of rape is a tough subject to read about. Brittney Mulliner did a great job writing about this topic. It is alarming, but not surprising how many people deal with things like rape, especially on a school campus and unfortunately some get away with it. Schools truly need to change and make safety a priority!! Thank you for writing Hailey's story and for pairing her with someone as strong, caring, and compassionate as Reid. Such a tough subject to write about, but totally necessary. I received this book for free as an ARC and my reviews are my own.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,434 reviews42 followers
September 22, 2021
Cheap Shot is a college hockey romance with potential triggers. Haley has transferred to a new college because she had a traumatizing experience at the previous one. But the new college doesn't seem much safer as she becomes the victim of crime several times. Her brother's friend Reid from the ice hockey team is usually there to comfort her.

This was well written and I enjoyed it although her brother's character annoyed me most of the time. He was never there when Haley needed help and then got angry that Reid was. There are no explicit steamy scenes. Some plot threads were left hanging.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kayla Pocernich.
1,749 reviews7 followers
February 21, 2022
This book was a great way to start off this new series by Brittney. I loved the chemistry between Haley and Reid and the attraction between them was instant. What starts off a forbidden relationship turns into so much more than that between these two.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,450 reviews32 followers
September 26, 2021
This was a great way to start a series. The characters were entertaining and endearing while the story line was engaging and kept me reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Arceli.
1,569 reviews11 followers
January 31, 2022
I really enjoyed this noodle romance. The characters are really awesome. I love the best Fran brothers truck. I also love how each of the characters really grew in this book and I can't wait to read more books by the author.
Profile Image for Natalie.
491 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2022
Good Start

Start of a new series and it started well. I like how Brittney creates her characters. They have dysfunctional families that aren’t comical, issues that are real and love doesn’t solve everything… commitment and communication do.
Profile Image for megan.
271 reviews
May 15, 2023
cheap shot review

This was a struggle to read and I started skimming pages. I like to storyline idea but felt her trauma was just brushed over, didn’t really glow that well and the story did not feel romantic at all. Won’t continue with the next book.
Profile Image for Stephanie Shelley.
29 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2021
Wonderful

I really enjoyed this book. I know the topic is a hard one to deal or even talk about Brittney did a wonderful job.
Profile Image for Nate.
24k reviews19 followers
October 4, 2021
I enjoyed Reid & Haley's book. It was an entertaining read. And a new author for me. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
1,240 reviews3 followers
October 10, 2021
Good

I am a very similar thing but the other one was pretty good. Edit on that are so much better to
Profile Image for Ki.
524 reviews
February 13, 2022
Sweat read but less than one chili pepper.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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