Body Shot: A Last Shot Novel by Kelly Jamieson
Publication Date: August 23, 2016
Contemporary/Military Romance
Loveswept

Reviewed by Kini

The bestselling author of the Heller Brothers series stirs up a tempting cocktail of fun and seduction as a sexy SEAL-turned-bartender treats a buttoned-up scientist to a wild weekend . . .and a change of heart.

Former Navy SEAL Beck Whitcomb left a world of privilege to prove he could make his own way. Money, mansions, expensive cars—none of it could heal the loss of his older brother, or buy his parents’ love. Now, after using his trust fund to open the Conquistadors tequila bar with his brothers-in-arms, Beck has it all: good friends, fine liquor, and hot hookups. When it comes to women, commitment’s not his thing—until he gets a taste of the pretty professor who walks into his bar . . . and winds up in his bed.

Hayden Miles knows all too well that emotional decisions can lead to heartbreak, and nothing screams “bad decision” like a playboy bartender with inked biceps and a wicked smile. Still, their chemistry is off-the-charts explosive—and Hayden knows her chemistry. For once, this good girl longs to let loose. But is she willing to risk the pain to quench her thirst? With the promise of more on the table, Hayden’s eager to believe . . . before she misses her shot.

I first want to mention that the blurb for this book is slightly misleading on the heroine’s occupation. It states she is a professor, which is true but she is only a part time professor and it has little presence in the book. She is mainly a research biochemist and this plays a much bigger part in the story than her being a professor. So if you’re looking for a book with a scientist/researcher heroine, this will be your jam.

This book had an interesting meet cute and I love a fun meet cute. Hayden is walking down the street trying to use her cell phone, isn’t paying attention and runs into the street sign. Beck is nearby and helps her get back to her feet. She goes on about her business and then sees Beck again at the tequila bar he owns with two of his friends/SEAL buddies. Hayden is there with her BFF and they are doing a tequila tasting. Hayden and Beck have some fun and sexually charged banter. He ends up taking her to a back room to show her a secret stash of tequila and because this is romland, they have some hot, panty ripping sex.

One of the things that I really like about this author, is she always does a great job of addressing consent and making something that isn’t always addressed in romance interesting and sexy.

“What do you want. Hayden?” He kissed her throat. “You need to be very clear.” “I’m always clear.” Her hips rolled deeper against him. His dick throbbed, begging to be inside her. “Okay, good. Tell me exactly what you want.”

Did he have a goddamn condom? Please, let me have a condom. “Sex.”

The clinical word uttered in a breathy tone almost made him laugh. He touched his lips to her cheek. “You want me to fuck you, gorgeous?” “Yes. That’s what I want.”

Beck is all about living in the moment and enjoying life. Hayden depicted as the uptight and work obsessed heroine, also helping to care for her elderly aunt and uncle, and she has some confidence issues and constantly questions why Beck would be attracted to her. That felt a little overwhelming to me and I wanted her to just accept that Beck liked her for her. Hayden’s inner monologue even acknowledged it at one point and she did try to do better.

Neither Hayden nor Beck has experience with real relationships because of their careers and unwillingness to get close to people prior to meeting each other. They have some ups and downs like they try to figure out what they want from each other and how to get it. It was a solid read, but not one of my favorites due to the stereotypical smart and slightly unconfident heroine that learns to loosen up and enjoy life due to the magical man bun having rich hero. There were some friends of Hayden and Beck, Marco and Carrie that seem to have something going on. The author did a good job of inserting the secondary characters and creating some interest in their stories, but not making it about them. Even though this book didn’t wow me, I am still looking forward to next in the series.

Grade: C

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