I absolutely loved this book! I cannot wait to read more from Kristen Callihan. I’ve been in a really bad reading slump and this book pulled me out of it!

Thank you NetGalley and Kristen Callihan for the ARC and for the opportunity to read Chess and Finn’s story.

For my first football romance this was definitely a great experience. These were two characters finding their way in their careers and in each other. Finn is portrayed as a cocky, playful football player discovering that he is more than just his sport and position. Chess is someone learning to explore her vulnerability and realizing it’s ok to let another person in and allow herself to be taken care of.

Communication was such an important aspect of this story and relationship even if it wasn’t perfect.

I loved this story. Just when you thought you knew the characters and the obstacles they had to overcome, another plot twist would happen. The banter between Chess and Finn was so much fun to read. I loved their relationship as friends and loved their romantic relationship even more. I didn’t realized this was book 4 in the series, but it was easy enough to pick up and read without having to read the remainder of the series. Highly recommend!

In "The Hot Shot," Kristen Callihan crafts a delightful sports romance that explores the unexpected journey of love between two characters who have yet to experience it. Finn Mannus, the star quarterback known for his charm and prowess on the field, has always shunned the idea of commitment. On the other hand, Chess Copperpot, a photographer, has never ventured into the world of romantic relationships.

What makes this story truly captivating is how Callihan skillfully illustrates the complexities of love through the eyes of Finn and Chess. Their characters, both naive about relationships, navigate their newfound feelings in a world filled with doubts and societal pressures whispering that love might not be what they need. Despite the external insecurities, the chemistry between them ignites a powerful connection that challenges their preconceived notions.

Callihan's writing is both engaging and heartfelt, allowing readers to witness the evolution of Finn and Chess as they stumble through the awkward yet exhilarating phases of falling in love. The plot beautifully balances humor, emotion, and the realities of their individual struggles, making their journey relatable and endearing.

Overall, "The Hot Shot" is a charming exploration of how love can flourish in the most unexpected circumstances, proving that even those who have never experienced it can find their own unique love story. A must-read for fans of sweet romances, this novel leaves a lasting impression with its relatable characters and heartfelt moments.

I love this author and this series, and I am so grateful to see her getting the traditional publishing attention she deserves. This relationship was really enjoyable to watch unfold. Highly recommend!

Pretty good! I did enjoy the back and forth between Finn and Chess. Another good sports romance, I will continue to read this series!

The Hot Shot -ARC review! 🥰📚
5⭐️

✨I devoured this book! The chemistry, banter, friendship, and spice is 😘🤌🏻 You know when you’re reading, and you can feel the tingles in your toes right along with the character? THIS!! ‼️🙌🏻 Their chemistry was electric and I loved every minute of this book!

✨Chess is a photographer, Finn is a professional football player. Chess is hired to do a calendar shoot for the team and immediately there are sparks. The two become unlikely friends, Finn being her anchor and chess being his escape. Together they navigate loss, grief, change, and their careers. 😍

✨If you’re a Windy City girlie, this a must read! Can be read as a standalone or apart of the series! 🙌🏻🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

Thank you so much @kristen_callihan and @netgalley for the arc! 🎉

#booksbooksbooks #books #reviewer #bookreviewer #bookish #bookstagrammer #bookgirl #kindlegirlie #arc #arcreview #traditionalpublishing #netgalley #rebranding #rereleasing

This is an arc received from NetGalley for a honest review. This is the fourth book in the game on series. The main characters are Chess and Finn. They met on a naked fed photo shoot. Chess was not too fond of Finn. She thought he was cocky and arrogant. The story was great. The chemistry was great. Not gonna go into details. I don’t wanna spoil it for you. If you’re sports romance reader you will enjoy this book. But remember it is a series. This is the fourth book of a five book series. It can be read separately, but is better if you read an order.

The Hot Shot is a fun, slow-burn romance that hooked me from start to finish. Finn, an NFL quarterback, and Chess, a photographer, share sizzling chemistry that grows naturally amidst witty banter and real emotional moments. The story balances humor, vulnerability, and heat perfectly, making it a standout in contemporary sports romance. If you love characters who evolve while sparking off each other, this one’s for you.

The Hot Shot is a romance between an all star New Orleans quarterback and the "opposites attract" photographer hired to take naked calendar shots of the team. It was a serviceable story, notable more for the very sloooooow burn between the characters. Finn, who is used to only one-night stands and hook ups, decides that he likes Chess, and doesn't want to ruin things by jumping in. Which makes for great real life romance building but somewhat boring reading if the chemistry is average, which, unfortunately it was. Plus there was a plot device of Chess getting hurt not once, but twice(!) in the novel, which was questionable.

An ARC was generously provided by NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

sadly this book should have stayed back in its era 0f 2016-2017...

the hook up, which is the first book in this series, is a book i consider to be a favorite from the romance genre. after revisiting this book i am scared to ever reread it. i know its better than this solely based on plot, that book has one and this one doesn't, but its still scary. if i have to hear the "i'm not like other girls" dialogue one more time...

chess, our main character, is a photographer and she is doing a shoot of the mens football team in new orleans. finn is the quarterback, he's cocky but also freaked about doing the photo shoot. the two have a moment when she's taking his picture and they strike up a friendship. i was enjoying the story in the beginning but after this initial meeting, (spoiler) her home burns down with everything she owns and she's forced to move in with him.... thats the book. i got annoyed because she never thinks about her job after the fire until its convenient for the third act breakup which is so incredibly insane. it just felt like the two of them had no life outside their romance and they didn't feel like fully rounded characters at all.

this book let me down just because i think the hook up is so emotionally well rounded and the romance is so strong whereas this book had all the potential and failed. the britt storyline felt odd and not dealt with well. i wanted more for her and i wanted to see her heal. at the end of the day this was a short sports romance that managed to feel like 500 pages because it was so boring...

*thank you netgalley and canary street press for the arc!*

📖 Book Title: The Hot Shot
👩‍💻 Author: Kristen Callihan
📚 Tropes: Roommates to Lovers, Opposites Attract, He Falls First, Sports Romance, Friends-to-Lovers, Found Family
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

⸻
🤩 The Vibe:
Playboy quarterback meets quirky, guarded photographer—and somehow ends up offering her his guest room. The Hot Shot is a slow-burn romance full of playful banter, emotional vulnerability, and sizzling chemistry that sneaks up on you until you’re absolutely gone for these two. It’s about finding the one person who makes you feel safe enough to be yourself—and never wanting to let them go.

⸻
👩‍❤️‍👨 Main Characters:
Finn “Hot Shot” Mannus: A confident, charming NFL quarterback with a reputation for casual flings. Beneath the swagger is a man who’s fiercely loyal, deeply caring, and not as carefree as he pretends to be. He falls hard for Chess—way before she realizes it—and quietly makes her feel like the most important person in the room.
Chess Copper: A talented photographer with a unique sense of style and a heart she keeps heavily guarded. Independent and determined to protect herself from heartbreak, she’s not looking for love… until living with Finn starts to blur all her rules.

⸻
💕 What I Loved:
• The he falls first energy—Finn was smitten almost instantly
• Chess’s quirky, creative personality and how Finn celebrates it instead of trying to change her
• Their playful roommate banter (so many laugh-out-loud moments)
• How the friendship foundation made the eventual romance feel so earned
• The way Finn shows up for Chess without pushing her past her comfort zone
• The blend of lighthearted humor with deeper emotional beats

⸻
🚫 What Didn’t Work For Me:
• The miscommunication near the end dragged longer than I wanted—it’s one of those “just talk to each other!” moments
• The sports aspect felt a little underused given Finn’s career (I wanted more NFL life details)

⸻
🤔 Final Thoughts:
The Hot Shot is a charming, heartfelt sports romance that delivers both laugh-out-loud humor and swoony emotional moments. It’s about breaking down walls, finding a home in another person, and realizing love can feel like both fireworks and peace. Finn Mannus is the perfect blend of cocky quarterback and golden retriever boyfriend, and Chess? She’s the kind of heroine you root for from page one.

I’ve been lucky to read some truly wonderful romance novels lately, but The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan was an absolute standout. This was my first book by the author, and I was hooked from the very first page.

The plot—centered around a photographer forming a genuine connection and a slow-burn romance with the quarterback of New Orleans’ NFL team—completely drew me in. I especially loved the New Orleans backdrop; seeing all my favorite spots woven into the story made it even more special.

Chess and Finn were simply unforgettable. They were so well-developed, lovable, and genuine that I found myself thinking about them long after I turned the last page. That’s my favorite kind of romance—the one that lingers.

This was such a great read, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of Kristen Callihan’s work. Huge thanks to Kristen Callihan, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Hot Shot is my favorite of this series, but it really should come with a content warning about miscarriage and infertility. I was loving Finn and Chess’ brewing relationship and BAM Britt bangs on the door and forces some awkward but necessary reflection. While I appreciate the character growth, as a person who has miscarried, I would not have picked up this book had I known it was a side plot.

Wow this series?!! I felt like it was right up with my Tessa Bailey kind of Rom com love! Loved reading each book learning more about each player but so far this book was my favorite of the series for sure. Love love love the banter friends they had that turned into more of course and his persistent of wanting more with her. Not one bad thing to say about this series, book, author… anything!? It’s just chef kiss good and a must read series for all sport Rom com loving girlies! Thank you to net galley and the publishers for access to this amazing book in turn for my honest opinion! I can not wait to read the next and tell my friends about them!

I don’t typically love slow burns, but I really enjoyed this one. I also enjoyed that the FMC was the grumpy one. I’ve actually enjoyed this series from this author. The spice is the perfect amount.

Chester is a grumpy photographer, and Finn is a charming quarterback. They meet while working on a charity calendar, which just happens to feature Finn and his teammates in the buff. The attraction between them is instant, but instead of rushing in, they take the time to truly get to know one another.

I’ve enjoyed this series so far, and this installment is a strong addition to the sports romance genre. I loved Chess and Finn’s dynamic and the way their relationship developed over the course of the story. The pacing was solid, the side characters were fun, and the chemistry between the leads was fantastic. I especially appreciated that Chess had a bit more edge to her personality than many other FMCs, and that Finn was playful without being overly soft or one-dimensional. Their banter and connection made for a really fun read.

I liked this book, I like Kristen Callihan, and I liked Chess and Finn!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC. 

This was a cute slow burn romance, but at times it was a bit too slow for me and felt more boring than slow burn. 

Some of the things Chess said felt very "I'm not like other girls" which I didn't love, but otherwise she was likable. 

I didn't love the third act breakup, but otherwise their relationships was cute.

Chess and Finn are not each other’s type but find chemistry and intrigue in one another. I love their dialogue and I can feel their attraction. I love Chess because she is so relatable, and when she describes her body and her “little pooch,” she becomes my new book best friend.

“James? Do you ever feel . . .” A shuddering breath leaves me. I should shut up. Right now. But I have to ask someone, and James is my closest friend. He’ll never judge me. “Defective? Like damaged goods?”

Another thing I love about this couple is that they are honest about their feelings for each other, and the conflict they navigate is realistic. I enjoyed the pacing, the twists and turns, and the brutal honesty each character faced about themselves.

I rarely give books 5 stars, but this one earned it. The Hot Shot is such a well-written, feel-good romance. I loved Chess and totally saw myself in her. Their banter had me laughing out loud (I even cried a bit), and I really loved the friendship at the heart of it all. The whole dynamic felt so natural that the story just came alive for me. This is the perfect fourth book, and reading this series has been one of the highlights of my year.

Perfect for anyone who wants a funny and fun love story with characters who feel real.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy!

I will be posting my review on Goodreads on 08/08/25.