Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Hook Shot

Kennedy Ryan has written the best basketball romance series and I will take no other opinions on this matter.

Book 3 in the Hoops series focuses on Lotus. I was dying to know more about Lotus after being introduced to her character in Book 1 (Long Shot) and it surpassed my expectations. This story was deep, healing, and sensual. (Is that okay to say about a book?! lmao)

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵:
✨ basketball romance
✨ single dad
✨ friends to lovers
✨ age gap
✨ baddie FMC
✨ dirty talking MMC

A true masterpiece with so many beautiful, healing moments between this couple. This is a true love story from start to finish. There are so many elements to this story that hit you in the heart but Kennedy Ryan puts you back together at the end, I promise!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

christiegirl11's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would! I'm not a huge basketball person, so when this was passed on to me I admit I put it off for a while. But this book really dove into the effects of childhood trauma from both perspectives- the child and the survivor as an adult. I felt like that could have been a bigger part of the book, especially between

Simone and Lotus

but I recognize that that's not the intent of the book. Readers who enjoy a good romance, some smut, and a bit of depth to their characters would enjoy this book. I was also very intrigued by the little bit of voodoo included in the book! If I came across the other books in this series, I would definitely read them!

Content Warnings

katie_lacour's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Hook Shot is an incredibly well-written novel. The story follows Lotus, a complex woman confronting her childhood trauma, as she falls in love with Kenan, whose messy divorce means he has plenty of problems of his own. The characters’ patience, love, and fight for one another makes it a special relationship the reader has the privilege to witness.

I always appreciate when authors include content warnings at the beginning of their book, and it is especially appreciated that the author included the specific location of a graphic scene in the book which could trigger certain audiences.

My absolute favorite aspect of this book is the vivid imagery the author provides in her writing. The descriptions are some of the best I have ever read and are truly an example every author should follow.

Some of my favorite imagery is “We linger that way, lingering in elastic seconds, stretched for us to revel in one another”; “a communion of flesh and bone and heart and soul”; “here between our chests, our hearts beat like ancient drums”; “I feel his eyes on my profile as tactile as a caress.” Every page includes such descriptive writing I was shocked at how vividly I was able to sense the emotions and sensations of the characters.

I really liked the unique perspectives this book offers; for example, the book illustrates the meaningful place voodoo has in New Orleans culture. I especially appreciated the diversity of the characters in the book; the inclusion of characters from so many different backgrounds is an example of how all books should be (and an accurate representation of our world today).

While I appreciated the respectful manner in how Lotus’s healing process is written, I would have liked to read more about her healing process, especially as towards the end it is not mentioned as much. Healing from trauma is often a continuous process, and I wish the book reflected that more.

I also would have liked to have had more of Kenan and Simone’s relationship explored and discussed especially in the later part of the book. I liked Kenan less as a character because not enough was included about his role as a father. Although this was a side plot, I think it would have been prudent to include more about his development as a father in order to fully flush out the story.

Kennedy Ryan is an incredibly talented writer and it is clear she puts a lot of thought and work to her writing. It is admirable to see so much research and dedication to one’s craft. I would love to read more books by her and I look forward to seeing what else she comes up with!

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mechie's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Kennedy Ryan held my heart in a fist with this book. She wrote the Lotus character with admirable strength and bravery. If you add the character of Kenan you get a heartwarming, funny and seductive story.

I feel like this story has it all: a journey of healing and acceptance, a wonderful love story, lovable and funny characters (Iris and August as matchmakers 😂😍), strong female characters, interesting reflections on life, death, love, pain and faith, even a touch of magic and voodoo.

Kennedy Ryan creates characters with very well-constructed personalities and identities. She also approaches difficult subjects with care and honesty, you can tell she respects the voices of those she interviews before writing her books.

The development of the relationship between Lotus and Kenan is very romantic, but also sincere. The chemistry between the two is incredible, I love them so much, just like Iris and August! Also, the story that the author tells between Lotus and MiMi had me on the verge of tears the whole time. Their memories are comforting, empowering and full of teachings.

I bite my bottom lip until it hurts, and I love it. It’s a hurt I can control. I can turn it on. I can turn it off. If I bite hard enough, I’ll see the marks of my teeth. I prefer that to the pain that spreads over my body when I least expect it. That’s a pain I can’t stop—can’t control. And it’s invisible. Untraceable, but lately, it’s hurting me just the same.

I can’t see it. I can’t find it. I can’t fix it.

I falter, my throat closing around the secrets, around the dark memories. My body is reluctant to release them, but I have to. I’m not holding onto this trauma. It’s holding onto me. It has me in a vise grip. I have to get it out to move on.

“I have found the one whom my soul loves,” he quotes.

More tears rain over my cheeks; a release years overdue. I weep for every time I’ve felt unloved, unwanted, unnecessary, and imperfect. It’s all there in the look he settles on me. To him, I’m more than enough. I’m all that he wants.

Content Warnings

sallie_ees's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I just KNEW as soon as we met Kenan and Lotus in the first book, that I wanted to read their story as soon as I finished. And this book did not disappoint; I liked it even better than Long Shot.

As always, Ms. Ryan breaks our heart but she puts it back together. I cried so many times during this book, and the love story is so beautiful (the Song of Solomon quotes? Are you kidding me?? *sobs*)

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