In the new Play-by-Play novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Final Score, opposites attract when a figure skater and hockey player lace up their skates–and go for the gold…Will “Mad Dog” Madigan is making his second trip to the Winter Games, and he couldn’t be happier. Hockey is his life and playing for the U.S. team is a privilege. Then he meets U.S. figure skater Amber … skater Amber Sloane. She’s beautiful, ambitious and driven–everything Will desires in a woman. He would love to show Amber how hot life off the ice can be.
Amber has skated her entire life, sacrificing everything in the hopes of one day winning gold. Now she’s competing for the third and final time. She intends to win, and nothing’s going to get in her way–until she meets Will. He’s an irresistible charmer, and before long Amber is wondering if this sexy hockey player is the perfect guy to show her some moves outside the rink.
But after all the medals have been awarded, Will and Amber will have to decide if what they have together is just a fling or a real shot at true love.
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“This is how it works.”
Confession, Shot on Gold was my introduction to Jaci Burton. Though it is book #14 in the Play by Play series, I read it as a standalone. Yes, I’ve been hearing the buzz about this author in the book world, and her work has been on my TBR. I might have even purchased a book or two, but I just never got around to reading one until now. Dumb, huh? Well, you can consider me schooled. I get it now. Consider me properly chastised and on the way to performing my future duties as a fangirl, #Stalking101
How strange and exhilarating it must be for Will to be on the US Olympic team, playing with former opponents and against his regular teammates that are competing for their own countries. To wish them well, but hope he beats them at the same time. Using his #MadDog skills against his friends has got to be difficult, but necessary when you’re going for a shot at the gold.
Amber is 24 yrs old. This is her last shot at winning a gold medal. She’s competing against 17-year-olds. She has been doing nothing but figure skating since she was very young. Her momager has been pushing her to be the best as long as she can remember. She has missed out on the fun things that most kids and teenagers enjoy growing up, including friendships. She’s always been a loner, discouraged from forming friendships with her competition or attending events that didn’t further her career. But she’s been training hard for the last four years and she deserves to enjoy it this time, her last time. She’s determined to push herself outside her comfort zone and to make some memories to last her for the years ahead. Luckily, Lisa, her previous roommate, has been assigned to her again. She refuses to let Amber hideout and includes her in the activities and events she attends. Before long, she runs into Will, the #HockeyHunk.
I really really enjoyed Amber. For having been an introvert for so long, she surprisingly has no filter when it comes to expressing her thoughts and feelings when talking to Will. Being a professional athlete, there’s been no lack of female attention in his past. But somehow he seems to sense her need to be handled with care and doesn’t push her, treating her instead to some friendly flirting. It was highly amusing when she turned the tables on him and spoke her mind. It was really fun waiting for the fireworks to spark between them.
I also found the winter sports details very interesting, along with the colorful support characters. I found myself mentally matchmaking and cheering for them as they competed against each other. I was ready to get myself a pair of #LuckyPanties to wear during their games. And of course, I was very anxious during the games that determined who would receive the gold medals. I was like their coaches, worrying when they would take risks and do things that might cause injury or affect their performance. What a nail-biting experience as I waited for the final outcome, on the ice, and in their hearts. Would they win a medal? Would they win in love? Could their connection last longer than the few weeks that would be together during the games? They are used to going all-in in their sport, could they do the same with each other?
Sorry, I’m not gonna give you a ‘play by play’ so you’ll have to read this amazing book for yourself. I’m not sure if there will be more in this series or not, but I do know that this won’t be my last read of this author’s work. I will be on the lookout for whatever she has next. The line forms here…
I have read a scattering of books from this series, but each can be read as a Stand Alone. It takes place at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It is Hockey player Will “Mad Dog” Madigan’s second time at the Winter Olympics, but he is also a part of the Chicago Ice team, and he and several other professional hockey players find themself in the weird situation of being on the same team as some of the guys he normal plays against and against some of his regular teammates. Last time he partied hard, but now older and wiser is going to tame things down a bit- and then he meets Amber Sloane and beautiful and shy figure skater, roommate with one of his friends. Amber has been shelter (or bullied) by her mother since she started skating at age 5. She was never allowed to have friends or fun, but her entire life has been regimented by her mother to earn the gold. Four years ago, she won the silver metal but now at the age of 24, this is her last chance for the gold. She is attracted to Will and has decided that this year she is not going to listen to her mother and closet herself away from the competition, but his going to have fun make friends and lose her virginity and will is the one who is going to make that happen. It is a lovely story, until she does the thing that I absolutely hate in romance novels- the stupid sacrifice love without discussing the situation with the partner- “if you love something set it free” nonsense. It never turns out well and I am really tired of reading them. Too bad there is not a warning label. That is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
This one was just pure fun, from the beginning to the end. Will “Mad Dog” is at the winter games for the second time playing hockey for the USA and knows this will most likely be his last chance to get a gold medal. Last time he partied his way through the games but now he is older and wiser. He meets Amber, a figure skater, who is gorgeous but has that deer in headlights look but there is something about here he is intrigued. She is coming out of her shell and decides this is her chance to break free from her mother’s chains and finally live. Who would have thought love would strike at the games? As I said, this was just pure fun and I really enjoyed this one.
I enjoyed this book, it was light entertainment and I read it in one afternoon.
This story is set at the Winter games, something this Aussie doesn’t follow much.
I enjoyed the hockey guy and his love interest, gold medal winning figure skater. It was a steamy romance on and off ice. I thought this series was starting to go stale but this one was fun.
Shot On Gold was the best Play By Play book in a while. Will was everything that made me love Jaci Burton’s books. He was thoughtful and sweet all while being incredibly sexy. Amber took me a little bit to get used to. She was so innocent and it really reminded me of a teenager, but thankfully she came into her own after a while. Together they were amazing!
I did wish it was a bit longer though. As with all of the Play by Play books you know you’re getting an HEA at the end, but I really wish we could of had an epilogue here.
I love Jaci Burton’s Play-by-Play series. This series is my absolute favorite sports romance series EVER!! So when I saw that Shot on Gold was coming, I knew that I would one-click this book without looking at the blurb! When I actually read the blurb, I was more in love. I mean, who wouldn’t love a hockey player and a figure skater who’s love story takes place at the Olympics. And know that I read this during the 2018 Winter Olympics. I just smiled the entire way through this book!
Will Madigan is an NHL player who goes to the Olympics to play for Team USA. He was excited to play with people that he normally played against in the NHL. There was something special about the Olympics that he was going to enjoy.
“He wasn’t interested in sex. Okay, that was a lie. He was always interested in sex. But there was plenty of time for that, and for the next few weeks there’d be a hell of a lot of it going around. The only thing on his mind right now was getting on the ice. After that he could think about sex.”
~ Jaci Burton, Shot on Gold (Play-by-Play #14)
Amber Sloane is a figure skater who’s only dream is to win an Olympic Gold in the individual event. She (and her mother) are laser focused on that, and that alone for her life. That is until she meets Will.
“She’d been hot on by a lot of guys over the years, mainly at skating competitions, and especially at the international games. She’s ignored them all to focus only on her goal of winning. Never before had she been affected by flirting or guys coming on to her. She knew she’d be nothing more than a one-night stand, and she wasn’t much interested in being some guy’s forgettable bang. But there was something about Will Madigan that intrigued her. He was hot, and had a magnificent body. She liked that they were compatible from a skating point of view, but she’d had attractive male figure skaters hit on her before and they had certainly been more compatible than Will, so what was the deal with this guy? Why him, other than she’d madly crushed on him four years ago when he’d never once even looked in her direction.”
~ Jaci Burton, Shot on Gold (Play-by-Play #14)
I loved these two together. Will loved her to life! He took his time to allow her to get out of her safe place. It was like watching a flower blossom. Or like building the best snowman ever!
“Sometimes we have to start out in the wrong place to find out right place.”
~ Jaci Burton, Shot on Gold (Play-by-Play #14)
I loved the side characters in this book. They added a lot of fun and dimension to the book.
I also loved the realness of the book. I could tell the Jaci did her research on figure skating! The only thing that she got wrong that seemed to irritate me, was that she called the kiss and cry the scoring area. Can you tell that I love ice skating?!?! Lol. I grew up on ice skates, so the details matter to me when it comes to ice skating.
That aside, I loved this book.
“I’ll move mountains to make it work with you.”
~ Jaci Burton, Shot on Gold (Play-by-Play #14)
Throughout this series I have loved a lot of the couples, but Will and Amber will go down as one of my favorites! Thank you Jaci for bringing these characters to life. It was a fantastic read!
#MadDogMadigan #Vancouver #IcePrincess #WereAlwaysEightYearsOld #SnowmanTime #TodayIsBuildingASnowmanDay #BigfootOfSnowmen #KissedInTheSnow #IllGiveItMyBestShot #Carolina #ReduceStress #YoureLikeMagic #ToGold #NumberSeventeen #Donuts #FeelsLikeIveKnownYouForever #Stats #BelieveInYourself #GoldIsYourColor #StLouisIce #LuckyPanties #WereAHellOfATeam
Jaci Burton is a medal winner with SHOT ON GOLD, the fourteenth book in the Play by Play series. Will “Mad Dog” Madigan is excited to go back to the Winter Games for the second time as a member of the U.S. Hockey team. He meets U.S. figure skater Amber Sloane, who is competing for the third time. Both are determined to win gold but decide to have some fun together along the way. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult audiences.
Jaci Burton does a great job with her character development. Being a Chicagoan, I like that Will grew up there. He has a supportive family. He is a good guy. Amber has had a lonely life. Her mother put a lot of unnecessary pressure on her. I like that she meets Will and becomes more social. The two have great chemistry and make a cute couple.
SHOT ON GOLD is a great book to put you in the mood for the Olympics or any winter sporting event. Jaci Burton does an excellent job describing the various sporting events that take place during the novel. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Exhilarating, unique take on a sports romance. Jaci Burton has delivered another enticing novel in her Play by Play series with Shot on Gold, a romance rotating around the Winter Olympics. Jaci did her due diligence in her research on not just her knowledge regarding one sport but multiple sports. As a fan of ice skating, I really enjoyed Will and Amber’s romance.
Two veterans return to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver to seek out Gold medals. Amber, 24 is on her third ice skating tour and Will on his second hockey tour. Both are complete opposites in every way but they click. Encouraging each other through friendly banter, sporting praises and eventually lustful/loveable intimacy.
“Besides, you haven’t even seen my long program yet. Now that’s packed with some sizzle.”
He leveled her with the wicked desire in his gaze. “Babe, you haven’t seen my long program yet, either. Trust me, I’m packing some heat, too”
Jaci has created charming characters all around. Amber is trying to prove to her family that all her hard work and sequestered dedication can pay off once she has her hands on the gold but deep down she yearns to have fun like everyone her age. Will sees a light inside her and wants to let her light shine bright to her fullest, but he might ruffel her feathers a little to get her to achieve her goals. So much passion between these two. You see the desire slowly build within the pages and Jaci showcases their lust beautifully.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved that it showcased more than just the two sports, but also skiing and snowboarding. Also, it had the ‘behind the scenes’ aspect which I really appreciated. Shot on Gold is inspiring and has hidden meanings for oneself. Releases in time for this years Winter Olympics. For sure, I won’t look at the Olympics the same again.
5 Olympic Gold Rings
Shot on Gold is an Olympic hopeful story. But it’s also a hockey player and a figure skater…sigh. I love the brawny, tough guy and the statuesque woman.
The rough and tumble of a hockey player in contrast to the grace and elegance of a figure skater is just so visually appealing…in my head at least. Add some great new friends, some great games, and adrenaline, it will keep you smiling.
From greeting to goodbye, Shot on Gold is sweet with plenty of sultry, a side of naughty, and a whole lot of confidence.
Knowing this maybe his last trip to the Olympics Will “Mad Dog” Madigan is determined to bring home gold, he plans on staying focused and keeping all distractions out, but then an unexpected, and oh so beautiful distraction skates into his life and changes everything. He wasn’t planning on meeting a woman like Amber Sloane, but fate brought them together, and now he is determined to not let her get away once their time at the Olympics is over.
At her age coming to the Olympics is not only a brave, but also a privilege most skaters aren’t lucky enough to have, it’s a privilege she is determined to make the most of and not take for granted, she wants gold and she isn’t about to let anything get in the way of achieving it. But then a devastatingly handsome hockey player wanders into her world, and her focus starts to stray… and suddenly a gold medal isn’t the only thing on her radar at the Olympics!
Between the pages of Shot On Gold readers will discover a scintillating story full of toe curling romance, drama, and emotion that will hit you deep and leave you moved! I thoroughly enjoyed this new addition to the Play by Play series, it was everything I hoped it would be and so much more, the emotional depth in this one could be felt throughout and the well crafted characters had a very realistic feel to them, and they made me feel right at home in their world. The intense chemistry shared between the characters kept the fire stoked and continually kept things nice and steamy throughout, they had me blushing more than a few times! I highly recommend you give this one a try, especially if you are a sports romance fanatic like me, it’s heavy on the sports and loaded with heart!!