Review: Taking Shots by Toni Aleo

Elli Fisher has never thought she was good enough. Let it be her job, her weight, her love life, nothing, she was convinced she couldn’t do anything right. She had walked through life for the past six years in a daze, never thinking that life could be good again after the abuse she endured from her ex boyfriend. She is lonely, sad, and depressed, that is until she meets Shea Adler. After doing a promotional shoot for the NHL team, the Nashville Assassins, she meets the hunky hockey player who shoots a puck, shattering her world.
Shea Adler was tired of the life he was living outside of the rink. The girls, the money blowing, the drinking, everything had to stop and it all did when he met Eleanor Fisher. He had never met anyone like her. She is feisty, witty, shy, and simply gorgeous. When he laid eyes on her, it was as if he was taking the hardest hit of his life into the boards, and he had to have her.
Elli is a little skeptical of Shea, but he knows that they were meant to be together, and he needed her in his life. But Elli just doesn’t understand what Shea could see in her. She is overweight, loud, and not even that pretty, so why would someone so gorgeous and so amazing want to be with her? It seemed that no matter how hard she tried to shake Shea off, he wasn’t going anywhere, and for the first time Elli didn’t feel alone.
But could Elli throw her insecurities out the window and love Shea with everything inside of her? Or will she let a past relationship, and her family ruin any chance of her being happy?

Would Elli miss her shot at love?

I almost didn't rate this book because I came down with a terrible case of indecision. Three-stars? Four? It's funny that the very issues that some reviewers had with this book were the very things that I loved; the length, Elli's never ending insecurities. It's all about perspective so here's mine...

First lets discuss Shea's the book's length ;-) Most defintely longer than the average book. I' have to admit admit that while reading Taking Shots I had several nagging thoughts about this being the never ending story; love me some Falkor (please excuse the 80's movie reference), but by the ending I welcomed the length; I embraced it with open hands arms. It allowed me a connection with the characters that often times is lacking. It allowed for the development of well, everything! It provided a journey, a transition that needed those many pages to accomplish it.

Elli's insecurities were enough to drive you batshit crazy, but they were very very REAL! As someone who's been around women with body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, or just your average weight issues, Elli's behavior and thoughts were spot on!! Yes, you reach a point in the book where you're screaming, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH", but that's how insecurities work. They are the voices in your head that can't be turned off, but luckily Shea finds the switch. Which brings me to Shea.

What I wouldn't do for two minutes in the penalty box with Shea Adler. As much as I love my alpha-males, I loved Shea's soft heart even more. He was able to pull off emotional, sweet, and devoted without appearing whipped. He was sexy as hell!!

This is one of those books that some of you will love and some will just like. I think it's definitely worth taking a shot!