Book: Unexpected Shot by Chelle Sloan
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 5/5
ARC REVIEW
Unexpected Shot by Chelle Sloan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
This is a master class in how to write enemies-to-lovers.
Shelby and Beau have been in each other's lives for years thanks to Shelby's best friend, who also happens to be Beau's sister. Friends as children, their relationship imploded after a tournament in their late teens where Shelby was the clear winner, yet Beau walked away with the trophy and, more importantly, the scholarship Shelby desperately needed. Shelby has spent years convinced Beau cheated her out of both. Beau, meanwhile, has no idea what actually happened. The result? Shelby can't let go of her anger and hurt, firmly cementing Beau as a cheater and Public Enemy #1 in her book.
When their agent forces them to team up for a mixed-pair tournament—Shelby to ease back into competition after an injury-related hiatus, and Beau to repair his reputation after a viral outburst—everyone expects a complete disaster. What no one expects is the insane chemistry simmering beneath all that resentment... or a drunken Vegas wedding.
I love Shelby to pieces. As a woman competing in a male-dominated sport (GROSS misogyny), she's used to being underestimated and constantly having to prove herself. I completely understood her drive to succeed, and beneath all her confidence and razor-sharp wit is a secret softie that made me root for her from the very beginning. Basically, I have a total crush on her.
And Beau? Who doesn't love a charming Southern gentleman who knows how to use his (golf) club? I loved that he gives as good as he gets when it comes to Shelby because he knows she's more than capable of standing her ground. He never tries to diminish her strength. Instead, he wants to stand beside her. It becomes clear pretty early on that Beau never wanted to be Shelby's enemy in the first place and would give just about anything to get their friendship back... or maybe something even more.
Together, they are absolute perfection. The banter is razor-sharp, the emotional moments hit exactly where they should, and the chemistry is completely off the charts. The spice was spicing, and I don't know if I've ever rooted so hard for two stubborn people to finally give in to their attraction.
Chelle Sloan continues to prove why she's an auto-buy author for me.
Thank you to the author and The Smuthood for providing an ARC.