Pot Shot was a delight. Especially once Julian unclenched his butt. (If you read it you will get the reference and you will love it, I promise!) Keep reading this book review of Pot Shot for my full thoughts.
Summary
Former valedictorian, current pothead, and perpetual overthinker, Nomi Wyeth is this close to opening her very own Amsterdam-style cannabis dispensary in the historic Strange Drugs Pharmacy building downtown. Former salutatorian, current doctor, and perpetual try-hard, Julian D’Angelo’s chronic failure to listen leads to a mistake that ruins his reputation and forces him to serve in Sparrow Nook’s family clinic, located next door to the Strange Drugs Pharmacy.
But how is Julian supposed to be nice when the woman who stole both his valedictorian title and his heart is planning on opening some mangy weed palace for losers next to his clinic? Through zany zoning hearings and “pot luck” fundraisers, free-spirited Nomi and straight-and-narrow Julian battle against each other all over Sparrow Nook, New Jersey, bringing up old rivalries and older flames in the process. It’s tough to say what will change first—their minds or their hearts—but one thing’s for they’re not going down without a fight.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Pot Shot inspired rage for Julian. It’s easy to love Nomi and her fears, how she manages her medical condition, and how kind she is to everyone. So when we first meet Julian, and honestly for SO long, we kind of hate Julian. YES we get it. Having Julian’s POV is vital. Otherwise it would be hate without any understanding. Look, I get what Julian went through. His character growth is actually amazing to witness. He’s so scarred by his past, his anger with his father, and the ways he’s been wrong about his past. And it takes a long time for Julian to admit there might be some truth to the parts he didn’t see and that he can chance. Laura Piper Lee makes us WORK for that turn around though, to the point where in my notes I was like Julian better shape up NOW or else…
Because Julian is so passionate. Even when he’s passionately wrong. I admire a man who has convictions, but when they’re wrong I wanna get into a fight. CJ Mission & Elizabeth Lamont were fabulous narrators and singularly the only reason I didn’t throw Julian out a window. Pot Shot has one of the best character development in a romance book for both characters. It’s so important that they stand alone and their journeys are compelling and I loved seeing Julian find his empathy, to realize that theory and practice are miles apart. And for Nomi to realize she doesn’t have to be alone, that all of her deserves love. SWOON!
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Find Pot Shot on Goodreads, Storygraph, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.