Book Review: Sure Shoot by Sarina Bowen

Sure Shot (Brooklyn #4) by Sarina Bowen

Pages: 300
Publish date: May 12th 2020
Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing LLC
ISBN: 9781950155019
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – More Purchase Links

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and colour-coded—she’ll tackle her personal life with the same zeal that she brings to her successful agency.

A big, tall, ripped hunk of a hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner with a bad reputation. He’s on the rebound. He is also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason, it’s Bess that he wants.

She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while, it seems like maybe he’ll do the same.

Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…

Sure Shot:

I received an earc of Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

I really love Sarina Bowen’s hockey romances – I’ve read them all now. And in reality, there is only two books I haven’t yet read by her. However, the last few books that I have read, I haven’t loved to bits. But this changed with Sure Shot. It’s a slight second chances romance with some forbidden love through it. And it was great. I think this has to be my second favourite from this series so far.

Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen follows Bess Beringer as she tries to figure out what to do with her life. She has a five-year-plan and none of it included the new trade to the Brooklyn Bruisers, Tank. Bess tries hard and tries to forget that Tank is even there, but they have a past. And it’s hard when he is the sexiest thing and he wants her. And even though she fights it, she falls. Things are great – until they are not. And everything around both Bess and Tank falls apart.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Bess was such a pleasure to read and follow. The reader already knows her from other books in the series, but we really get to know her here and it was such a great time. I loved everything that she represented and what she fought for. Bess felt like a very real for me. She had her faults and weakness, but then she had her strengths and characteristics. Bess has a fantastic character arc, that not only spans Sure Shot but the series as well. While you don’t need to read the other books in the series, I do feel that the reader is able to see Bess fully grow that way. I loved Bess’ determination and resilience.

Tank was such an interesting male protagonist in Sure Shot. On the outside and to most of the world, he seemed to have this hardass. But the reader is able to see this soft side, especially when he is with Bess. Tank has a lot of baggage and the reader really feels for him. His marriage has just broken down, he has moved to a team that seemingly don’t like him. And that effects him in a way that while wasn’t great, it was nice to see in the book. It’s not often that you see a male character, especially someone in sports really put everything out there. My heart really felt for Tank.

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

The romance in Sure Shot was adorable and something that I really did love. Bess and Tank were so good together. I loved their banter and the way that they were with one another. They both brought out the best in one another and that was just so nice to see. Tank and Bess both have a lot of issues and together they are able to deal with it. Although it is not smooth sailing – like at all. Bess is very hesitant. She feels that being with Tank could interfere with her job and many other things. And she pushes him away, but Tank doesn’t let her fully. He is there for her. And I loved that.

There are many heartbreaking moments throughout Sure Shot. And I thought that Sarina Bowen dealt with them in a great way. Tank has a lot of demons and that does affect the way that he thinks and reacts to people. And then being thrown into an environment where he doesn’t have any support is hard. But Bess becomes that person and as the novel so do his teammates and everyone in that circle. Infertility and pregnancy are some of the major themes throughout the novel. Because of this, there are some parts that are really hard to read, but I think that Sarina does talk about in a fantastic way.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Overall, I really enjoyed Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen. It was one of the harder-hitting books by Sarina, but it was still full of romance. Sure Shot explores second chances in life and in love while also exploring life and trying to find the positives. Bess and Tank were adorable and sexy today and I loved it. Bess is a stand out for me. If you are looking for an adorable and sexy romance that also explores the notion of family, infertility and starting new relationships, this Sure Shot is for you.