Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - 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

katie_lacour's review

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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!

Content Warnings

thirdeyeangel23's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

5.0

I’ve been obsessed with Lotus and Kenan since reading Long Shot, and this story did not disappoint. After longing from a distance, a brand deal puts Kenan in the perfect position to finally shoot his shot with Lotus. While reconciling with childhood trauma, Lotus finally allows herself to explore true love and intimacy with the one man who can truly hold her down. With plenty of love and lots of spice, Lotus and Kenan are a beautiful story of healing and learning to trust again. A perfect end to the series.

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*)

Content Warnings

shania_siobhan's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

t4vi's review against another edition

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challenging emotional slow-paced

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

3.25

Wasn’t what I was expecting. I’ve never read a book by this author. I was expecting a more detailed depiction on how one navigates SA assault, especially how a significant other handles it. This was not it. I still enjoyed the book however. I like the progression of the story. I’m not used to her writing style or word choice but that will not deter me from reading Kennedy Ryan’s work again.
It was interesting reading about someone with so much voodoo and faith. I’m wonder if the author has first hand knowledge of this. If not she did f phenomenal research.

Content Warnings

cayapapaya's review

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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

5.0

I absolutely LOVED this book. I’ve read the entire hoop series and this one was by far my favorite. I adore Lotus, just as much as I adored Iris. The thing that stood out to me in this book is the bits of spirituality and the love story in general. Romantic, and Heartwarming!

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