Taking a Shot at Love

I really enjoyed KC Richardson's writing in this story. This story is a bit of an opposites attract story. Celeste Bouchard is an English professor who has dealt with weight issues and discouragement from it all her life. As a result, she takes up pole dancing and has lost a lot of weight. Still, the teasing and hurt of past experiences have left her cautious of others, especially those she works with. She has had one relationship in the past with a co-worker who mentally abused her, but continues to try to pursue her to get her back. Lisa Tobias is the head women's basketball coach at the university. She isn't looking for a relationship because she is striving to make it back to Division I as a coach. She throws herself into her work and doesn't have time for much more. The two character's paths cross when one of the girls on the team is struggling in English with Bouchard and Tobias goes to visit her to ask for help for her star athlete.

There is a lot of miscommunication and jumping to conclusions that occur in this novel, and on the surface, they look like they may be artificially there just to advance the story. As I thought about it more, though, the reactions the characters have are very realistic for those that have been through hurtful relationship or ones where there has been a lack of trust. I found the story to be very well done and very engaging throughout. I loved the pace of the story and of the relationsihp between the couple. You know the ending before it comes, but that in no way takes away from the enjoyment of the story. Sometimes it is good to sit down with a book where you know what is going to happen, but you just enjoy the ride to get there. This is one of those books.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

When Lisa and Celeste meet they both agree that they do not want to be in a relationship. Now if they could just stay away from each other.

Celeste is still feeling the effects from her last relationship. She has vowed to never get involved with another co-worker ever again. Then she locks eyes on a handsome woman across the room at a faculty function and immediately her interest is stirred.

Lisa takes one look at Celeste and needs to meet her. Lisa does not have time for a relationship though, she needs to concentrate on coaching. She spends most of her time traveling, studying, and coaching her team and that leaves no time for relationships. Plus, she does not plan on staying at the small college for long as she has her goals set at a larger university.

Now if Celeste and Lisa could just keep reminding themselves of why they need to stay away from each other.

K.C. Richardson gives me some hope in Taking A Shot At Love (Bold Strokes Books, 9781635555509, 2020). Shot is a great romance with realistic problems and characters that you want in your life and not on the page (laugh).

I am going to say that I want a friend like Olivia or Athena because these supporting characters bring humor and balance to this story. Lisa is a strong willed and competitive character who I would want to open my door.

When an author can make you feel connected to the characters and care about whether they get a “happily-ever-after” than you know the book is a winner. I read this in one sitting so that should tell you that you too should be Taking A Shot At Love this Valentine's Day.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.