One More Shot is a new hockey series (the Hometown Players series) from author Victoria Denault. It features Jordan Garrison and Jessie Caplan, two best friends torn apart by their growing feelings for each other. When the story begins, Jordan is well, he is a bit of an asshat honestly. He’s drunk and in bed with a random women. I will admit, story beginnings like this do not do much for me, no matter that I know the story will end with a happily-ever-after for the main couple. That being said, you will quickly learn how Jordan has let himself fall into these behaviors. It helped me understand his character more and at least try to make peace with his decisions.
When the story started with flashbacks to Jordan and Jessie’s past, that is where my interest definitely picked up. These two were best friends growing up in their small hometown in Maine. Jessie came from a rather dysfunctional family. She raised her two younger sisters essentially because the aunt they lived with was rather neglectful. She had a lot on her shoulders at a young age and Jordan was right by her side helping as much as he could. His family became her family. They were such good friends that Jessie did not want to risk developing feelings for him in case the friendship suffered. But feelings grow between them, as things are wont to do between young adults, and soon Jessie loses her virginity to Jordan. Unfortunately, this is where trouble starts to brew too.
The book continues to switch back and forth from the present to the past. It’s not always a smooth 
transition but it definitely kept me hooked so kudos to Denault! Jordan has re-entered Jessie’s life after the death of her Aunt Lily. He has arrived for the funeral though he is reluctant to see Jessie. The majority of the story explores their lingering feelings for each other as adults and how much things have changed but yet remained the same between them.
It took me a bit of time to really became involved in Jordan and Jessie’s love story because they were both behaving somewhat immaturely at the beginning. But once they finally meet again and reconcile some of their past mistakes, I warmed up to them as a couple quite a bit. I also really liked learning about their family, Jessie’s two sisters, and Jordan’s warm and welcoming family. I liked how fierce Jessie’s sisters were in their protection of her. These three were very tight-knit and it showed in all their actions. Jordan is not the only pro hockey player in his family, which seems convenient but actually opens the door for some interesting conversations with his brothers.
Overall, One More Shot, had its ups and downs for me. I think when it comes down to it, I felt rather blah about the book. I don’t LOVE it but I also didn’t HATE it by any means. It was just an okay read for me. The excerpt at the back though sounded promising for the next book in the series so I will probably see what book two in the Hometown Players series has to offer.
ARC provided by publisher for review.
Other reviews of One More Shot:
Ramblings from this Chick reviews One More Shot
Nestled in a Book reviews One More Shot
More information about One More Shot:
ONE MORE SHOT by Victoria Denault (June 2, 2015; Forever Yours E-Book; Hometown Players: Book 1)
They say you only get one shot at making your dreams come true. Jordan is determined to take two.
Drafted by the NHL at eighteen, Jordan Garrison was headed for fame, and there was only one person he wanted to share it with-Jessie Caplan. He was crazy in love with her, and had finally told her so. They shared an amazing night . . . and then everything fell apart.
Jessie tries not to think about the night she gave herself to Jordan-or how he broke her heart. She tries not to think about it, but she does. Especially now, when she’s staring into his sky-blue eyes for the first time in six years. After so much time and torment, she can’t tell if she loves him or hates him. But Jordan has learned enough to know a connection like theirs is rare. He was lucky to find Jessie once. No way will he lose her again.
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About the author:
Victoria Denault loves long walks on the beach, cinnamon dolce lattes and writing angst-filled romance. She lives in LA but grew up in Montreal, which is why she is fluent in English, French and hockey. You can find Victoria at her website, Facebook, on Twitter and at Goodreads.
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