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Expected 31 May 26
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Searching for something to read after Heated Rivalry? Look no further – you will love Trick Shot! 🏒Closeted NHL captain Nick Tiernan has always played it safe. He’s responsible for leading his team to victory—and that’s all that matters.

Then Matt bursts into Nick’s world. Charismatic, openly gay, and gorgeous, Matt is the frontman of a rock band whose queer euphoria lights up every stage he steps on. Their chemistry is impossible to ignore, even as Matt challenges everything Nick thought he knew about himself.

Their secret dates soon spark something more thrilling than either of them expected. But with Nick’s career hanging in the balance and the conservative hockey world watching his every move, can Nick risk it all for a love as thrilling and unpredictable as the game itself?

⛸️⛸️⛸️

You won’t want to miss this one! Perfect for fans of Rachel Reid, Emily Rath, and Chelsea Curto, be prepared to fall in love with Nick and Matt in 2026 🎤🏒

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 31, 2026

15 people are currently reading
37 people want to read

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L.A. Jasper

2 books1 follower

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Myrrowyn.
224 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 10, 2026
A hockey player and a rock star. SAY NO MORE! The marketing lady at HarperCollins really knows how to clock the target audience.

I sat down to squeak in a little reading time between doing other things and accidentally finished the entire book. So sorry to everything and everyone I neglected during this time frame. 😅😅

We follow Nick who is captain for the Nevada Dragons hockey team. And also gay, which we know is a combo that results in hiding parts of himself from the world.

Enter Matt. The gorgeous emo rocker. Unlike Nick, Matt is openly gay and gives no bothers.

When Matt’s band, Sticks+Stones, attends one of Nicks games, he is invited to meet the band. Nick immediately has cartoon heart eyes for Matt.

And thus we begin.

Nick with his conflict of being terrified at the backlash him being would likely cause him, fear of not having his contract renewed, but wanting Matt, taking stolen, private moments to be with him while also feeling like he doesn’t want to try to force Matt back into the closet and a life of secrecy. Matt is so patient and supportive of whatever Nick needs and wants to feel safe and comfortable because he simply wants Nick in whatever way that looks like.

The absolute heart break I felt when Nick resigned to himself he would not be able to have his career and Matt.

The story is emotional and sweet. It was wonderful.

We need story’s like this and Heated Rivalry to help bring this issue to light so it can become a closed chapter in the sports world. It is 2026, no one should care about someone else’s sexuality, jock or otherwise. Actually I vote for more kissing at the boy aquarium.

Respectfully, a hockey fan (Go Penguins) AND overgrown emo kid.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Copper.
302 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 17, 2026
ARC review
Nick is a closed hockey player captain of his team and dealing with teenage heart break that's never really been resolved. Introduced to his team's brand new super fans the band Sticks&Stones and the lead singer Matt leaves a solid impression.

The pair are quickly drawn together and begins a sweet relationship that's more feelings than the pair are letting on. nick struggles with his season and how to live up to the standards set for him by his management, team and the media. Each chapter starting with news coverage, Twitter posts or podcasts helps see how the story is developing in the wider world and helps see why Nick has such a difficult time balancing everything.

The issue he has with his ex Connor kept in the past but seeing them reconnect and become a strong friendship was lovely. Also seeing how Nick interacts with the team and how they work together was nice. The integration of the band felt natural and works.

Lovely story over all I love Nick and Matt together they have so many big feels that they are both struggling to keep under wraps. Sometimes I wanted to strangle the silly little hockey biuy for his stupid decision but that just made it fell earned and real.

The end of this story was such a beautiful idea and worked so well in the story I was very moved with the direction and how the characters supported eachother. Beautiful message done well.
14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 13, 2026
This book proves that yearning is a genre of its own.

Trick Shot delivers exactly what a great M/M hockey romance should: tension, chemistry, and two men who are so spectacularly oblivious to each others feelings that you can’t help but root for them. The main character is a lovable idiot who continues to make life harder for himself through an escalating series of misunderstandings that frustrate and entertain in equal parts.

Emotional slow burn, and pretty quick spice. The romance hits a really satisfying balance between the two. The slow burn gives the relationship real weight, and when things begin to progress it feels completely earned. It’s equal parts heart-melting and very, very fun.

One unexpected side effect: I’ve listened to nothing but Britney since finishing this book.

What makes Trick Shot stand out is how fresh it feels within the M/M hockey romance space. It keeps all the elements fans love—team dynamics, tension on and off the ice, big feelings hiding under stubborn pride—but adds a new dimension with the addition of an emo rockstar.

If you enjoy hockey romance, mutual pining, and two absolute disasters slowly realising they’re in love, this one is an easy recommendation.
Profile Image for Naomi (aplace_inthesun).
1,209 reviews35 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 16, 2026
Thanks to the publisher for this book through Netgalley.

I didn’t read the blurb closely and mistakenly thought this was a rivals to lovers. I don’t think I’ll be the only one doing that - I assume it’s intentional. It worked!

The rival aspect gives background to one of or MMc’s and the challenge for him around relationships as a player in the NHL. When he meets Matt, the lead singer of a band he tries to avoid complication and vows to remain single. It doesn’t work!

There was much angst and emotion in this book, that made it slightly longer than I felt was helpful. It was a little frustrating. In saying that I think it’s important Nick has the time to work out what he wanted and how he could navigate within the environment. The tricky thing is portraying the fictional NHL when we all know it to be a non-safe space for queer people.

Matt really was a wonderful character.. Patient and respectful, talented and empathetic. At times I felt he had much more depth than Nick but checked that thought when I considered the space he and his band mates had created for themselves. To an extent I guess that’s what this was about.

I did feel the Connor aspect was a tad underdone given the amount of focus given to that character though.
Profile Image for Crystal.
159 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 11, 2026
Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC

4.5⭐

Do you ever read a book description and think "yup that was written specifically for me"? Because that was my exact thought process when this book ended up in my inbox. Two of my top favorite types of romance books to read are hockey romances and rockstar romances, so a book that is both? Sold. Immediately. Take all my money.

The book itself did not disappoint! I read the entire thing in like an hour. This story follows the relationship between hockey star Nick and band frontman Matt and while you get the usual "closeted athlete/secret relationship" angst it didn't make the book feel too heavy. The only negative of this book (to me) was the level of miscommunication but that's not like a dealbreaker.

All the characters felt really well done to me and I don't think I even have a favorite (but like gun to my head need to choose it would probably be Casey)

Overall was a great reading experience and I definitely can't wait to see whatever else the author decides to write.
37 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 17, 2026
Really sweet and easy to get attached to. Nick and Matt’s dynamic is a little goofy but in a way that feels natural and warm, and you can tell they genuinely work well together. I did wish we got more of them actually being together—and I would’ve loved even a bit of Matt’s POV—but sticking with Nick’s perspective still makes sense for the story.
The message behind it stands out too. It touches on how much more the league should be doing for its gay players, and even if some parts (like the coming out) feel a bit idealistic, it still gives a sense of hope. It makes it clear the problem isn’t the sport itself, but the people around it.
I think the Connor conflict could’ve been developed more, since he appears to stir things up and then fades out again.
The side characters and little social media moments added a fun, almost behind-the-scenes vibe.
Overall, it’s a cute, meaningful read that just leaves you wanting a bit more—especially more of them.
Profile Image for Kelsey .
20 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 17, 2026
Trick Shot by L.A. Jasper
4/5 stars
What drew me in about this book was the cover art (which is soon to be reveal) and the description of a openly gay rockstar. The book follows Nick, a closeted hockey player, and Matt, an openly gay rockstar. They meet one of Nick's hockey game and the sparks fly.

The book does a great job of protraying the disadvanges gay men face being both in and out of the spotlight. The chemistry between the two man character are electric and exciting. This book keeps you on your toes, wondering, will they or won't they be together.

The story is fantastic. The synopsis accurately describes how the book reads. However, the book was personally not just for me. I am not a fan of hockey so, it made it a little harder to read.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to be an ARC reader!

Profile Image for Jine.
213 reviews6 followers
March 15, 2026
Oh my goodness gracious this was absolute perfection! We have Nick and Matt one is a rock singer and the other a closeted nhl player! It did give me some heated rivalry vibes with them having to keep it quiet and it does give you some of those moments that made you mad in that book too! But I love how their relationship changed so much! While Matt couldn’t speak his feeling sometimes he did through song which holy tears! Didn’t think I would cry while thinking about toxic by Britney Spears but here we are! They of course go through the hurdles and Nick does with having to deal with being a gay player in the nhl but how he deals with that in the end is another tear producing moment! You’re absolutely going to want to read this one once it’s out I loved it so much!
Profile Image for ReneeReads.
1,558 reviews129 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 17, 2026
Hockey Player and Rock Star MM Romance? Sign me up! Nick and Matt are my sweet babies and I just love them together. With all of the hype over another MM hockey romance (which I also enjoyed) I knew I had to get my hands on this one. For me, this book has the appropriate amount of plot to spice and I loved how their relationship evolved throughout the book. The yearning between the MC's was so wonderful and I was routing for them the whole time. I also really loved the supportive friends and appreciated their meddling little hearts. This book was sweet, spicy and surprisingly emotional and I couldn't get enough.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jennifer Taylor.
62 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 14, 2026
I loved this book from start to finish. A secret relationship, plenty of yearning, and a perfect amount of spice combine to form a stellar romance trifecta. Nick and Matt's relationship had me smiling as I was reading throughout most of the book, you know, when I wasn't wrecked by the newest hurdle they had to overcome.

I also loved that the majority of the book centered around found family and the relationships formed as a result (and a polyamorous cat relationship to keep things interesting). I have high hopes for future books in this series.
Profile Image for ChelsMarie.
405 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2026
Received as an ARC from NetGalley.

I am obsessed!

The entire time I was reading this book I had a smile on my face. Well, apart from when my heart hurt for the turmoil Nick was going through.

Absolutely adore Nick and Matt. They are so well suited as a couple and bring out the best in each other.
There were times when everything was up in the air but they had the support from friends and loved ones to persevere.

Such an enjoyable story with an amazing plot.
Everyone needs to read this.
Profile Image for Keeley Ribchester.
169 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 11, 2026
I found Trick Shot by L. A. Jasper to be a fun, emotional, and addictive sports romance that completely delivered on the chemistry and tension. NHL captain Nick and charismatic rock star Matt made for a fantastic pairing, and their connection was packed with yearning, flirtation, and heartfelt vulnerability.
The story balanced the excitement of professional hockey with the intensity of a secret relationship, self discovery, and found family dynamics, while the romance simmered with plenty of emotional heat and playful banter. Watching Nick navigate his identity while risking everything for love added real depth to the story.
Perfect for readers who loved the hockey romance energy of Heated Rivalry or the emotional, character-driven style of The Long Game.
A passionate, heartfelt sports romance full of longing, tension, humor, and swoony moments that kept me invested from the very first chapter.

Profile Image for Ashley.
567 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 18, 2026
With the success of Heated Rivalry, I have noticed an uptick in hockey romances being published en masse with many of them having subpar plots, editing, and hockey knowledge. I wasn't sure what I was getting into with this one, but it was definitely what I was hoping for. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Profile Image for Fernanda (ivyfer_isreading).
343 reviews98 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 17, 2026
Hockey player x rockstar, need I say more?
Trick Shot is everything I could ever want from a hockey romance, it was sweet, heartfelt and ended on a hopeful note that just makes me happy to be alive. I absolutely love Nick and Matt, and I would also read about Connor and Casey and Marco and... You get the idea. I love the writing too but for me the characters were the shinning star of the whole book.
Highly, highly recommend it!

Thank you Netgalley and Harpercollins/One More Chapter for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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