Unexpected Shot

Nashville Players series

by Chelle Sloan

Blurb:

Two rivals. One mistake. A shot we never thought we’d take.

Being a professional golfer has always been my dream. But there are parts of the job I hate.

Interviews. Tournaments that make me wear skirts. Being nice to Beau Devereaux.

I hate that one—and him—the most.

Since we were kids, he’s had a special way of getting under my skin. As adults, it’s only gotten worse.

My best friend’s brother will always be the most infuriating man on the planet in his bright, tight, and outlandish golf shirts and his stupid beard covering his annoyingly chiseled jaw.

Which is why it’s my worst nightmare that I’m paired with him for a golf tournament in Las Vegas. But I’ll do it if it means I get my career back on track after my injury.

Good PR can’t hurt, right?

“Shelby LeBlanc, Beau Devereaux get in fight on 16th green.”

“Did Shelby LeBlanc and Beau Devereaux get married in Vegas?”

Yes, we did.

And yes, we did.

I don’t want to stay married, but I said I wanted good PR, and somehow this is giving it to us.

It’s fine. This marriage isn’t for love. It’s for our careers.

Except the looks he gives me now are filled with heat, not disgust. The childhood nickname he calls me doesn’t have the same bite.

And seeing him shirtless around the house? A woman is only so strong.

Now I’m starting to hate how much this feels right.

Because this marriage might’ve been unexpected, but now I’m wondering if Beau and I were always meant to be.

*****

Review:

The drama, so much drama! First there’s Shelby who sometimes just can’t get out of her own way. She’s got quite the chip on her shoulder with her default setting to come out swinging. And her favorite target is Beau. There’s a lot of bad blood between them (of course, much of it is hiding some unresolved sexual tension – duh) but there are also 20 years of hurt there as well. We know there has to be more to that story, and if Shelby gave it a half a chance she would too, but it all comes out in the wash. And does it do it in spectacular fashion. Just when you think things can’t get any more outrageous Sloan says hold my beer 🙂

Of course, the heart of the story is Shelby and Beau realizing what their fighting has been hiding all these years. Forced to team up at a tournament, time (and a lot of alcohol) has them falling into bed … and into a wedding chapel. When it’s decided that staying together means good PR, they find themselves enjoying their new relationship more than they expect. And I love that for them. They blend so well, when they aren’t sniping at each other, elevating each other’s games beautifully. Their lives blending smoothly, understanding each other in ways only they can.

I loved Unplanned Play for it’s lack of angst but this one definitely made up for it! Once Shelby lets her guard down, lets Beau in, she is so fierce and funny and confident in herself. And Beau supports her and lifts her up, showing her everything she can have if she lets people help her. Together these two could take on just about anything.