Tuesday, May 21, 2013

[Review]: "Taking Shots"



Taking Shots by Toni Aleo
Publisher: Loveswept (October 4, 2011)
Series: Assassins, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
 
Elli Fisher has never thought she was good enough, let it be her job, her weight, her love life, nothing. That is until she meets Shea Adler. After doing a promotional shoot for the NHL team, the Assassins, she meets the hunky hockey player who shoots a puck, shattering her world.


Shea Adler was tired of the life he was living outside of the rink. The girls, the money blowing, the drinking, everything had to stop and it all did when he met Eleanor Fisher. He had never met anyone like her. She was feisty, witty, shy, and simply gorgeous. When he laid eyes on her, it was as if he was taking the hardest hit of his life into the boards, and he had to have her. Elli is a little skeptical of Shea, but he knows that they were meant to be together, and he needed her in his life.




Can Elli throw her insecurities out the window and love Shea with everything inside of her, or will she let a past relationship, and her family ruin any chance of her being happy.







Where to Buy*:
More Info:



My Review:



I have to be honest—I'm a bit unsure on my opinion of this book. On one hand, I couldn't stop myself from reading it, not matter what happened. Yet there were definitely things that ticked me off, things that made me almost stop reading. And yet, despite my mixed feelings, I think I will try Aleo's other books in the future.

 

I was happy to see that Elli wasn't a size 2 heroine. But the way her family treated her because of it made me pissed. And the way she lost so much weight at the end didn't sit well with me, either. Sickly skinny and suddenly people say she's beautiful? No thanks! My biggest question is did she stay skinny, or did she gain weight (to a healthy size, of course)?

 

And the drama...oh the drama! It was enough to give me a headache, made me want to slap everyone from Shea and Elli to her family, and maybe even Harper and Grace a time or two. If you're not one for drama romances, perhaps this isn't the book for you.

 

“I was meant to walk on this earth with only you. I was meant to give only you every piece of me. I don’t want anyone but you. I love you. I had this whole speech, baby. I did, but as I’m looking into your beautiful green eyes, I can’t think of anything but the fact that I love you.”

3.5 STARS! I think Taking Shots was very much a guilty pleasure read for me--I couldn't walk away from it, yet I could see the flaws. I'll admit, I did melt a bit at Shea and Elli's courting, and this was a sexy book. The writing was a bit stiff to me, and I couldn't stand all the explanation points used, but I can't say I regret reading this one. Nope, not at all. This ended up being one of those books that grabs your emotions and twists them around a bit (I blame it mostly on the drama). It wasn't perfect, at least not for me, but I still liked it very much.




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I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.

*Note: The quote used belongs to Toni Aleo. TBQ's Book Palace does not claim it.

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Have you read any of Toni Aleo's books? Do you like sport romances?




Enjoy!




Until Next Time,



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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

10 comments :

Kame said...

Hey TBQ! Great review. I agree her family got me angry - but sometimes family is like that - so I did what I would do if they were mine - ignored them LOL! I have read all three and looking forward to the 4th. Book 2 is the one that irked me.... Oh and yes I love sports books!

Colleen Isolde said...

Great review TBQ! This series is on my TBR pile. I love hockey romance. :)

The_Book_Queen said...

True. It could have been my mood---this was a few weeks ago when I read it, I think at the time I really needed a book that would take me into fantasy land, not remind me of family drama (though mine is nothing like Elli's), so maybe that's why it pushed my buttons? Oh well. Still, I did like it, and I think I'll be reading the rest of the series when I get a chance.
Enjoy!
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

:) I've only just started reading sport romances, but when they're done well--yum! :D You'll have to let us know what you think of this series when you read it.
Enjoy!
TBQ

Lover Of Romance said...

Awesome review!!! I do love the cover though, and I will put this on my wishlist.And the quote was so sweet. LOVED it! Thanks for sharing.

Anna@herding cats said...

Oooo this is a series I've been wanting to try! I can handle some drama now and again so think I'll pick it up. You'll probably see me bitching a bit about wanting to put the hurt on a character or two I'm guessing. lol Excellent review :)

Anna@herding cats said...

::snort:: I have fun over on FB. lol Glad you enjoy it ;)

Ahh yeah I've had some like that where I wonder hmmm is it me and I just need some chocolate? or is it them. lol

The_Book_Queen said...

Wait, you mean the answer isn't always "I just need some chocolate"? :( LOL
Enjoy!
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

;) I'm interested to see what you think of the book. I'm wondering if it was just my mood at the time or what. Book bitching is acceptable. :D I always laugh and pull o.0 faces at some of your FB reading updates! LOL
Enjoy!
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

I think the series has definite promise, and I know Kame really enjoyed the other books in the series, so I think you'd like this one. Let me know when you read it!
Enjoy,
TBQ