Book 1,073: Shots on Net (SCU Hockey #1) – J.J. Mulder

While waiting for the next book in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series I decided I wanted to read yet another sports romance. Specifically I was looking for the jock/nerd trope and when I googled it, this was one of the ones that came up over and over on Reddit. In general, I’m loath to trust Reddit, but after reading a couple of blurbs I kept coming back to this one.

Shots on Net is the story of Zeke, the small super nerdy demisexual desperately looking for a cheap room, who finds Carter, the stacked varsity hockey goalie who is rich AF, who happens to have a room for rent. And, y’all, the sass in this novel was epic. I honestly wasn’t sure as I started reading if I was going to like Mulder’s style, but this line got me:

‘You look twelve, or something.’
‘And you look like someone who breaks kneecaps for the mafia,’ he retorts. (16)

Like I legit cackled imagining the small Zeke standing up to Carter and was like oh, this is going to be good, and it was.

The bulk of the book was Zeke and Carter getting to know each other as roommates and friends. They both seemed to only have one or two other people in their life they could turn to or even remotely enjoy being around, so they were both awkward and ultimately figured out how to be around each other.

No offense to hockey or anything, but my interest in the sport starts and ends with you. (49)

Zeke’s demisexuality kept the heat pretty low in the first half of the novel, which I could appreciate because I love a slow burn. Carter definitely got feelings for Zeke earlier and had to constantly rein them in, but OMFG my heart nearly burst when Zeke started reading to Carter, who may have a learning/processing issue, but it was just so sweet and adorable, I’m surprised my sighing didn’t disturb anyone.

My favorite scene was when Zeke totally messed up their first date because he didn’t realize Carter was trying to tell him that he liked him and was willing to wait to see if Zeke liked him back. When Zeke realized it, he went into full panic mode and then how do I fix it and his BFF helped him which was just perfection. This was closely followed by Carter’s parents finally being brought around on hockey and his potential for actually going pro, between the coach who apparently is from book three, Between the Pipes, of Mulder’s other series, Offsides, and Zeke defending him it was just all the warm feels.

‘I wouldn’t mind if you were bad at kissing,’ he muses, not letting go of my hand.
‘That just means we get to practice more.’ (178)

If there was one thing I didn’t like about the novel, was I’m not sure it was ever explained why Zeke was looking for a room. That’s a minor detail and maybe it was in those first few pages where I wasn’t quite vibing with Mulder’s style, but yeah it just felt weird to me. Maybe I’ll go back and re-read those first few pages now that I know I like their overall style.

Recommendation: Another solid hockey romance novelist has been found! I enjoyed this one so much that I immediately went into book two, Save the Game, knowing it was going to be Max’s story even before I confirmed it. I will definitely check out her other series knowing it ties into this one too! Mulder did a better job than others balancing the sport and the romance and this one definitely gave me Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu vibes except only one was the hockey player.

Opening Line: “I’m cold, wet and miserable as I hurry to my appointment, which, incidentally, is also the way I would describe the weather.”

Closing Line: “Closing my eyes, I fiddle with his ring finger as I fall asleep, dreaming about one day.” (Whited out to avoids spoilers, highlight to read.)

Additional Quotes from Shots on Net
“The man standing in front of me, whom I assume is Carter Morgan III, looks like the kind of person who would rob Carter Morgan III at gunpoint.” (2)

“‘I’m demi. Essentially, I don’t feel attracted to people sexually. Not unless we’ve⁠—”
‘I know what it means,’ Carter interrupts, glowering at me.” (27)

“I don’t want to argue about money. I want to keep enjoying the day and not have him worry about how he’s going to afford it. I want to be invited to more days like this, and if I have to buy that privilege, so be it.” (40)

“‘I don’t know, I just . . . he felt right, is all.’ I blush as I say this, the tips of my ears burning. There’s no better way to explain it, though. Carter was inevitable.” (98)

“Uhm, yeah, my grandma gave me a couple books and a hat she knitted. I told her we were dating and she felt bad for not making you something. So, don’t be surprised if that’s in your future.” (174)