Reviews with content warning for Pedophilia - Hook Shot

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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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

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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.

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asruy's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

I’m gonna start by saying Kennedy Ryan you need to chillllll. Why you putting my babies through all the trauma. Like iris and august I sobbed through that whole book then Jared and banner they really didn’t have an easy relationship and then you tried to kill off kenan I was sobbing with lo. Their romance was absolutely adorable. I feel like in this series they all had other people in their relationships and even tho Bridget and chase triedddd it they failed. Their love is so sweet and honestly their age agp doesn’t even feel noticeable. Lowkey in long shot I thought iris was younger like lotus have me older vibes but turns out she was younger. It felt like they were trying to make her way younger tho cause It was literally my first time hearing iris say my little cousin?? Anywaysss while they do have the same age gap (11 yrs) as her and his daughter it could be worse and I feel like they really suite. His notes🥹 to her literally melted me and he was so gentle and patient with her especially with her past (hers mums a ho). Also I loveeee that they include the other characters!! I really need a book with all 6 of them like yesterday!!! Also button😩 why does no one have a cute private nickname for me🤔 🏀this emoji was in recently used to thought I’d throw it in Xx.

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chekwube's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional 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

4.25

This was also a really powerful book with another powerful woman. Lotus for me is just goddamn amazing.
The interplay with all kinds of spirituality and faith is something I found interesting as well but it was also interesting to follow the trauma she experienced as a child to see how that impacted her view of romance.

When she went to therapy and the lady began to walk her through how assault translates into different responses to sex at different points of the healing journey. Oh, I just remembered when her mom was dying. That was an interesting point in the book as well.

But ultimately the romance story between her and Kenan was so profound and you know, I just love my Black love stories. 😻 But I also really love how Ryan also includes Kenan’s single father status

The sacrifice they had to make for Simone (his daughter) to get accustomed to the change in the family. That was precious

I feel like the inclusion of that douchebag was almost not necessary. Or maybe he just annoyed me. Either way, the book was really good and I enjoyed it a lot.

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iliana_'s review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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shaipanda's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful sad tense 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

I’m so glad I got back into Kennedy Ryan’s work because I loved Reel but also reading it was so painful at times that I never delved into the rest of her backlist. But I’m seriously so glad I did because this is literally by far one of my favorite couples I’ve read about this year - they go through so much in this book but they combat it all so well and I suprisingly didn’t feel like what they gave throughout the book was too much too quickly. I mean obviously it’s a lot in one book and probably one of the huge crises/hospital trips in this book could have been cut because it was a lot, but also everything served a purpose and was amazing written and discussed

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onemorepagecrew's review against another edition

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5.0

Hook Shot is another fantastic read from Kennedy Ryan with a couple that is fun to root for. The way she writes is so deep; it’s the current day love story AND each character’s personal growth that helps them be ready for love. It’s therapy, romance, and spice packaged up in entertaining writing – incredibly well done.

In this book, the third in the Hoops series, we meet Kenan and Lotus. Kenan is a recently divorced dad still working through the public scandal of his wife cheating with his NBA teammate. Lotus is a single woman who shields her heart with physical hook ups that keep everyone an arm’s length away from her childhood trauma. Lotus is the cousin of Iris (book 1) and this story goes a little deeper into their childhoods, which I enjoyed.

When they meet, sparks fly and they can’t help but spend time with each other. It’s friendship first, slow burn love, with an older grumpy man and a younger fun woman. It’s emotional depth with heat and spice, the Kennedy Ryan special.

I loved this book. I loved it almost (almost!) as much as Before I Let Go and I’m excited to keep going through her backlist. She has devoted fans for a reason and there are so many books to dig into. I’m awful at reading romance books in order so I’ll go back and read book 2 in this series – I hear Jared is a fan favorite and I can’t wait to see what the fuss is about.

Content warnings: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Self-harm, Pedophilia, Panic attacks, Death of parent

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