Shooting to Win

Pierson U #2

by Elouise Tynan

A forced proximity romance perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy's Off-Campus and Briar U hockey series.




ADAM 'VAN' VANDENBERG

It all started one drunken night when she was a sweet and innocent freshman and I was a cocky, overconfident sophomore.

I've never forgotten the time we spent together, but life is complicated and I let it get in the way.

The universe has thrown us back together and now that I'm newly single, I can't stop thinking about her. So it's a damn shame my dream girl wants absolutely nothing to do with me.

I'm determined to shoot my shot one last time though. And this time, I'm shooting to win.




STELLA LECROY

I swear the universe is trying to punish me.

Why else would my man-eating cousin who betrayed me in the most hurtful of ways end up at Pierson University with me? Or why I'd be forced to spend time with the one boy I can't stand the sight of?

Not that looking at him is a hardship. He's a charming, ripped and insanely hot basketball player. But being around him brings back memories of that night-one that turned me into the worst kind of girl.

Only now that we have to co-exist, I'm having a hard time reconciling the nefarious guy I thought he was back then with the sweet, attentive, selfless one in front of me.

Did I really get him so wrong? Or is he just that good at playing the game?

Genres: Sports Romance, Romance, College, Sports, Forced Proximity, Second Chance, Basketball

302 pages, Paperback

Published October 30, 2022

About the author

Elouise Tynan is a romance author obsessed with stories about strong heroines and swoony heroes, mixed with laughter, a whole lot of love and a little bit of heat.

She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and sons.

Sign up for her newsletter at www.elouisetynan.com for news on new releases, giveaways and more!

FIND HER HERE:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B09MSV4LTJ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elouisetyna...

Reviews

[Bec (becbingesbooks) - sorry, behind with lots of catching up to do · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book 2 in the Pierson U series.

I really liked escaping into a quieter perspective of the college life of basketball men from Stella, and seeing just how sweet and kind the Pierson U basketball team are to their friends and friends' partners. I really love them all, they're protective, loyal and funny. But ofc, Van reminding me of my IRL man so much means he's a stand out favourite of the series so far.

If you want to read about an insanely misunderstood (from Stella's perspective) guy who is in fact the sweetest and most caring - this is probably for you!

I find Elouise Tynan's ability to incite emotions from the good moments to the sh*tty characters doing even sh*ttier things to be very talented. It gets you even more engaged in the story.

Some of my favourite parts were the Basketball House group chats - sooo good, funny and unique. They included Monty and Stella, and the exchanges in mixed media.

Once again I bought book 3 straight away and I'm so looking forward to Bant's story as his character has grown on me a lot, especially toward the end of this book 2.

I would recommend this series to all Romance fans, especially lovers of basketball romances and drama. It also has some amazing depictions of friendship and perseverance 🥰.

The first romance novel I read was book 1 in this series and given how much I loved it and this one, this author's work will always be that extra bit special leading me to a new genre that I'm enjoying.

[Giorgia Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I remember this one being kinda sweet and liking both characters. (Read it months ago)

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 ⭐️s

Elouise Tynan is quickly becoming a favorite for me! Van and Stella had all the second chance romance vibes I could ever ask for. Their sexual tension leading up to them finally getting together was PERFECT. That game of Never Have I Ever? I loved it so much. The game of dare? UGH, I have no words for how happy it made me.

I can’t wait for book 3, and I’m happy to reread the first two books until it gets here!

Spice: 2.5/5 🌶

[Jessica Kane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so Shooting to Win by Elouise Tynan? Total gem in the college romance scene. It's all about Van and Stella navigating their messy past and trying not to jump each other's bones at Pierson University.

First off, the chemistry between these two is off the charts. Like, you could power a small city with the tension between them.
And Van? This guy is literally everything. He's campus royalty but without the fuckboy vibes. Watching him fall hard for Stella and try to win her over had me melting into a puddle. All those sweet little things he does? Chef's kiss.

Stella's this adorable artist type, all sweet and caring, but she's stuck in her head about what she thinks went down between them. Girl, communication is key!
Now, let's talk spice. This book is a slow burn, but when it finally delivers? Holy hotness, Batman! It's steamy AF and worth every page of buildup. 🥵🥵🥵

The villain in this story can go kick rocks though. They got off way too easy if you ask me. Like, karma? Where you at?

One tiny gripe – I was left wanting more Van and Stella time. Here's hoping they show up as side characters in the next book because I'm not ready to let them go.

Bottom line: If you're into new adult romance that'll make you swoon, laugh, and fan yourself, "Shooting to Win" is your jam. It's got all the feels, some serious steam, and characters you'll be rooting for from page one.

Tropes for days:
Slow burn
Second chance romance
He falls first
Dual POV
Forced proximity
Sports romance
College romance

Fair warning: You might need a cold shower after this one. Just saying!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ughh I absolutely love this series so much!! I fell in love with Elouise’s writing in the first book and this book even more!! 😭❤️ the characters were such a joy to see their story unfolding and seeing them come back together (second chance) and find love was everything!!! I need everyone to read this series bc it’s just that good!! 5 stars all the way!! ❤️

[Amanda Cagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book was just as good as Waiting to Score, book 1 in the Pierson U series. Seriously could not put it down.

A couple things:
1) Do I think Stella should’ve brought up with problem with Van sooner? Absolutely! Girl you wasted too much time not being with that man
2) Camille sucks. No further comment.
3) Loved that Monty & West made regular appearances.
4) Hopefully in the next book, assuming there is another one, we’ll still get to see Stella & Van

So could the next book be Imogen and Bant???? Yes, please.


I received a copy of this book for free from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sienasummerrreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follows Stella and Van. It started on a drunken night as an innocent freshman. They can not stop thinking about each other but life got in the way and Van wasn’t the man she thought he was. Still feels guilty and feeling like the worst person in the world. But their paths cross due to unfortunate events and a forced into a college living situation. Can they resist each other for long.

This is just addicting. I loved this story and Stella and Van. The tension was fantastic. such an easy, fun and spicy read. Also the characters had a wide range of feelings that made me feel all the emotions when reading. Really enjoyed this book very excited for the third book.

If you love:

🔹Basketball
🔹NBA Dream
🔹Determined Artist
🔹Secretly Pining Over Each Other
🔹Past Memories
🔹Trying To Open Up

Genre/Type: Sports Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook Scribd
Audio Length: 6hrs 40mins
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️
Series or Stand Alone: Book 2 in the Peirson U Series.
Tropes or Themes: Sports, Forced Proximity, Second Chance, Basketball, College, Family Drama & Jealousy.
Check Triggers ⚠️

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Scribd | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

[Nikki'J' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where Elouise Tynan has been hiding and why I haven't stumbled across her before now, considering my love of sports romance, but I am so glad I have found her.

I absolutely loved Shooting To Win (Book 2 in the Pierson U series).

It was fun with some great moments not only between the couple but the rest of the ballers. I'm sorry I didn't read book 1 Waiting to Score first. It isn't that it needed to be read they can be read as a standalone it's just I would have loved to have that story first, so I'll be going back to read that one as soon as I can.

It is full of hot ballers, smart independent women, and a comradery found with a strong team and real true friends. A perfect combination and one I will always be here for.

Can't wait for more from Elouise.
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.
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Van is breaking up with his girlfriend, he loves her and cares for her but he is not in love with her. For 2 years he has really been pining for the one-night stand he had. Until his best friend fell in love he had managed to push those feeling aside. But since West is in love with Monty the one the got away is always around. He can't ignore what he really wants anymore or be with someone who he isn't in love with. He has no idea where to go from here considering she doesn't talk to him or even look at him but he knows what he wants and Stella is it.

Stella feels like her one-night stand was the biggest mistake of her life. Not because Van wasn't amazing but because of his jockish ways he turned her into the worst kind of girl, he made her the other woman in a relationship. After being on the other end of a cheater she can't stand to remember what they did, even though deep down it was one of the best experiences of her life and if things had been different she would have tried to make something real with Van. Now he's in her life all the time, with her best friend Monty not only in love with his best friend/teammate West but living at the house she has to see Van and his girlfriend the one she helped him betray.

Van tries to get Stella to talk to him but over and over again she shuts him down, no matter how he tries she won't give him a chance and tell him what happened between them. His plan to try to wear her down is thrown out the window when she is forced to move in with them after her apartment is under some serious maintenance. He won't make her time there uncomfortable but maybe he can get her to relax a little.

Despite her attempt to keep Van at arm's length all the things she sees while living with him contradict everything she thought she knew about him. While forced to spend time together over and over again Van chips away at her walls and she can't help but enjoy being near him all while hating herself for their past.

One moment is all it takes. A chance to lay everything out on the table and when the whole story is out in the open they realize they have been fighting to ignore what they want for no good reason. They crash into each other at such speed that it seems like they have always been together. Finally getting what they have wanted for so long is even better than they had hoped.

"I'm fucking addicted to you, Stella." I gave him a lazy satisfied smile. "The addiction is definitely mutual."

An injury to Van will start them into a spiral they weren't prepared for. Van has a habit of shutting down, his competition with his brother has always pushed him to be better but in his senior year he might lose his dream of being in the NBA. He had no idea pushing Stella away would hurt so much but he can't see past what he thinks is real. If he realizes before it's too late what a mistake he's made he might be able to save them both the heartache they are going through.

Happy Reading.

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 / 5 Stars
2.5 / 5 Steam

I am thoroughly enjoying this series! I was teetering between a 4 or a 4.5 but the abrupt ending settled it at 4. I’m one of those people that like epilogues, especially if the ending isn’t a full HEA. This didn’t have one, so for me, it ended with a HFN, and it almost felt like it was in the middle of a scene.

Van and Stella hooked up a few years back. It was just a one-night stand but neither of them forgot about the other one. Now it's a few years later and Van has broken up with his girlfriend and Stella needs a place to stay while her apartment is being re-wired. They are forced to see each other daily. Stella has always treated Van like she hated him, or she has ignored him. He assumed it was because he never called her after their initial hookup. Of course, most of this is all because assumptions were made, and both were wrong. Now they can't deny their attraction and the reminder of that night.
Van is complete sweetheart. I loved reading about a guy that is considered campus royalty because he's a big shot jock but he's not a player. He was so hung up on Stella and only saw her. I loved that.
I understood why Stella was upset, though I do think most of it was frustrating because she could have very easily cleared things up by talking to him and saved them both years of her ire. Her cousin was a pos. Flat out, I hated her.

I wasn't ready for it to end. I wanted to see a bit more after they came back from the third act breakup. The ending felt way too abrupt for me, with no closure. I'm looking forward to the last book in the series. I'm hoping it will show a bit more of Van and Stella as well so I can feel the full HEA for them rather than the HFN this book ended on.

[Genna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the double pov for me.
I really enjoyed reading about the way he felt about her and how she slowly warmed up to him.
Van was gentle, thoughtful, lovely and absolutely, deeply, madly into her. Nothing is better than reading about a tall, good looking athlete being crazy over this one girl he wanted for a very long time.
And though the start of their relationship was not that easy, it became a fun and cute friendship which evolved into this passionate romantic relationship that gave me goose bumps.

Both characters were real and dynamic and just matched perfectly together.

The other side characters were wonderfully woven into the story and gave me a hard time not to love and wanting to laugh with them.

I can't wait to meet all of them again in her next book!!!

Finished in 24-hours, and would read it again :)

[caitys.booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024:
I loved everything about listening to this book.
As much as I enjoyed Monty and West's love story...in my eyes, they don't hold a candle to Stella and Van.
The vibes from this story - amazing!!! I absolutely feel like I could've walked into the story and joined the characters in all the fun and games, dare nights and hang outs at the basketball house.
The cameos of previous characters really helped the connection to the story blossom while leaving you eager and hoping for more in the last book with a different set of MCs.
I can definitely see myself listening to this story again - the narrators did a fantastic job of conveying all the right emotions.
I absolutely wanted to slap Camille.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of Elle Kennedy's Off Campus and Briar U series and Meghan Quinn's Brentwood Boys series, but make it basketball. Shooting to Win is an absolute delight. It is a quick read, I devoured it in a night, and it is so much fun. Love the basketball guys and their house im threads were the funniest. You know Camille is going to be a foil from the get go. I've been watching a lot of Hart of Dixie lately and she reminds me of Lemon's sister Magnolia but meaner. This was just the book I needed to get me out of a slump.

Thanks BookSirens and Ardently Romance for the arc!

[Christina Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Loved this one! I was a little nervous because the first book was cute, but nothing special. I also didn't love how short the book was and how involved the plot was. I finished the first book and was still wanting more from West and Monty. However, this one had great pacing and a really good plot. I like the plot that Camille added to the story and I thought that Stella and Van were a cute couple. This book was such a quick read, but unlike the first book in the series, this plot/story matched perfectly with its length.

[Tyra Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I expect every plot point? Maybe. Did I still enjoy this book? Without a doubt. Look, I loved them. Not only did we get to see Van and Stella just being two sweltering hot people, but we got to see them get together. AND WE GOT SOME WEST AND MONTY. I loved seeing Van grovel because who doesn't love grovelling? Oh, and Camilla can choke on dick and get a yeast infection, thanks.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to start this book because I was in some kind of annoying reading slump but once I actually focused on reading, I couldn’t put it down! I had such a fun time reading Shooting to Win and loved reading the up and down romance between Stella and Van! They are one hot couple! This was a great book to read if you’re looking for a sports romance and something that is punchy, laid back and quick.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC! Elouise Tynan scored with another amazing book in this series! I really liked the characters but they could have had a little bit more dept to them. No worries though! If you're looking for a fresh, fun, flirty and well written story, I highly recommend this book! I look forward to the next stories Elouise Tynan comes up with:-)

[Solara! · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5/5) the miscommunication was nagging at me the entire time so

[destinym · Rating 4 out of 5]

would’ve been 5 🌟 but the ending felt a lil rushed.. this guy gave me nathan scott vibes 😍

[MAYA TRIPOLI · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Bri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was a fun contemporary romance, but I didn't love it. I don't know if it was because the characters are young (and I am not anymore...) and so the drama/dialogue felt immature to me, or if I am just not a sports romance girlie? This is the only one I have ever read. It was fine, I would never dissuade anyone from reading anything based on my own bias, I just don't think this one was for me. I struggle with reality-based stories because of my inability to visualize- I need the descriptive flowery writing that comes with a more fantastic setting. This is the kind of story that I prefer to watch (it felt like a CW show) rather than read.

[Tabetha (tabsbooknook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Tori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shooting to Win
4.5/5⭐️ 2/5🌶
The spice, the humor, the basketball boys, and of course the drama! This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I liked the first book in the series- Waiting to score, but Shooting to Win, chef’s kiss.
Adam Vandenberg AKA Van is now my current obsession but nothing will compete with his determination to win over Stella LeCroy, the girl that got away so many years ago.

All the best tropes in this book
Forced proximity
Enemies-to-lovers
Second chance romance

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So hot, so witty.

I loved book one but enjoyed book 2 even more. The characters got deeper and more loveable 😍. I found Pearson U the perfect place to escape to after a big day. Hoping book 3 comes soon.

[C. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eeekkkk… I’m smiling from ear to ear right now!! How could anyone not love Van, Stella and the guys?!?! This was a great second chance love story. Misinformation put a big wedge between Van and Stella but once the air was cleared these two took off like a rocket. I absolutely LOVE these guys!! 🖤🔥🏀🔥🖤

[Tara Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️
I could not put this book down! I'm obsessed with Pierson U - this was the perfect sequel. Book 3 can't come soon enough!

[No · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.8* after reading the first book i was excited to read the 2nd book but it wasn't as good as the first book imo. Still a good book.

(i just love monty and west too much ig...)

[Alex E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and I really appreciated that Van is not a "do&che".
The night shared with Stella was between a breakup with Ana, with whom they already had a rocky relationship, so as Ross would have said "We were on a break".

He started liking Stella, after the incidents that took place at book 1, but due to the misunderstanding and general bad timing, Stella thinks he is a cheater. After all, they weren't really close friends in the beginning, to clear the situation better. Due to her house needing maintenance, she moves into the basketball house and slowly she sees the real Van. He understands what she must have thought regarding the time they got together and he clears the story.
After a few twists (which he could really handle better) they have their HEA.

I liked both characters and their development. The misunderstanding leading to Stella's initial behavior is "acceptable" and not over exaggerated.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lauren Nesic · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it! Would recommend, almost perfect and likely would reread.

Adam will never forget his memorable night with Stella when he was a sophomore. While they didn't end up together, all of a sudden they have been brought back together after Adam finds himself single again and Stella needing a place to stay. Stella seems uninterested but she is dealing with her cousin's betrayal who is now attending the same school as her and constantly chasing after Adam. While they are both dealing with the chaos of their own lives, Adam has decided this is his shot to finally win Stella.

I loved this book so much, I loved the dynamics between all of the basketball house and I adored Van he was the sweetest. I think I just really struggled with the other woman drama because it came from a family member but that is a personal thing. I cannot get enough of Elouise's books.

Tropes: forced proximity, mutual pining
Triggers: family drama, OW drama

[Jess (fromthebookshelfofdreams) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shooting to Win has absolutely everything I look for in a sports romance.

The hilarious antics between the team players is a huge draw card for me, and I love when they all live in a share house and have this incredible true ‘brother’ bond between them all. Add in some force proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and second-chance romance trope and you have a winning combination.

Van was everything I hoped he would be. Yes, he’s a cocky basketball player who loves his sport. But he prioritised so much of his life BEFORE basketball, including Stella. That was amazing to see.

Thank you SO much to Elouise Tynan for sending me an advanced copy to read. After reading book one and hounding her inbox for book two she must have sensed my desperation and taken pity on me. Fingers crossed I can work my magic and get book three into my hands early too!

[Renée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shooting to Win by Elouise Tynan is the second book in the Pierson U series.

Van and Stella’s story is a forced proximity, college sports romance with a dash of second chance added in as well.

I enjoy how the author allows for the personal interests of each character and their backstories to come through. This story has a slow build up and both Van and Stella have personal things they need to work through. But even from the little hints in Waiting to Score, you could see that the attraction between these two would be amazing.