Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Hook Shot

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan

27 reviews

kiarra_s's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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

3.9⭐️ The age-gap romance and slow-burn were done well! I also think the author did a great job with Lotus’ journey as a survivor of childhood SA. A lot of the story I loved, but I didn’t vibe with how chaotic the ending was.

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kerrythefire's review against another edition

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challenging emotional slow-paced

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

4.0

Oof this story was so much. Glad Lotus and Kenan got their HEA. They deserved it.

Lotus was an unabashed, strong, powerhouse... despite her brutal history. (CW: on the page description of
rape and sexual assault of a minor
- all of Chapter 30 - but mentioned in other instances as well). I loved how she had this trauma that broke something in her, but didn't leave her broken. She was fierce in holding her own boundaries, making her own decisions, and standing by her convictions and beliefs.

She deserved better from her mother... Gosh that was truly brutal and heartbreaking. Chapter 30 basically had me feeling sick and on the edge of tears. But the sacrifice Lotus was able to make, clear-eyed and confidently, for Simone because she knew the feeling, was really powerful. Speaking of Simone, ugh I was so frustrated at her till the very end. Believable behavior from a kid who's struggling with their parents' divorce for sure, but just enraging how myopic she was, especially forgiving or turning a blind eye to her mom's

infidelity

and then trying to blame her dad. When I tell you I did not have the patience!

Also, Kennedy Ryan was too generous to Bridget, ha. God I loathed her. She was so selfish and self-centered and manipulative. Kennedy Ryan injecting some nuance into her was more lifelike, sure, but man did I just want her to be pure villain throughout because jeeze she sucked. 😖

Kenan was also strong in his own right, but so tender and safe for/with Lotus. I think that's what I loved most about him is that at every turn, he just showed up right for Lotus and in every interaction with her. He was respectful. He was always safe. And that kind of trust is the sexiest thing about a romance. He didn't fuck up or have some major misstep... he was consistent and that was really nice in a MMC.

Did I care about the fashion or the basketball background plots, not really. But the voodoo bit was unexpected and kinda fun.

CWs:

rape

vicitm blaming or disbelieve of person who experienced sexual assault

colorism

car accident and medical trauma

attempted suicide

physical abuse

toxic relationship/messy divorce

...

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mayawata_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful 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

I LOVE how they put his daughter first. One thing I love about this series is how relevant the problems the characters face are. How brutal and heart wrenching the trauma can be while also showing that life can be beautiful. Lotus and Kenan worked so well together. This might be my favorite.

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amanda_reads13's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad 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

4.0

It was love a frist sight for Kenan, but Lotus's past has her shying away from any long term commitments.

As usual, this book is so beautifully written. This story is so heartbreaking and emotional, yet has so many heartwarming moments. The characters are so vibrant and well developed.

Their chemistry was palpable. The tension and banter was perfection. I loved the slow burn in this book. They took their time to slowly transition from friends to lovers. The slow pace of their relationship makes so much sense considering Lotus's past trauma and Kenan's challenges with his ex-wife. Their relationship isn't perfect, but they choose each other and have open communication.

Kenan has been through a horrible and public divorce after his wife cheated on him with a teammate. His ex-wife was so emotionally abusive and was a master at manipulation. He is such a empathetic, compassion, protective, and complicated man. He didn't let many people in, but he felt an instant connection to Lotus. He was so patient with her and his letters were so endearing.

Lotus was a strong and mighty woman. She is struggling with PTSD and has massive trust issues. She was a survivor.

As a child, she was raped by her mother's boyfriend and then her mother rejected her for him.

Her circle is small, but close, it takes a lot for her to trust. She was bold and loud, yet vulnerable and struggling. It takes a lot for her to let Kenan in, but once he is in, he is her world.

The addition of Voodoo was interesting. Lotus was raised by her grandmother and was taught about her "power".

Lotus predicts death around Kenan. They end up discovering that his daughter has ODed and then she almost dies. Lotus assumes this was the feeling she gets, but later in the book Kenan is in a car accident and is declared dead. Lotus and Iris somehow save him with their "energy". To me it seemed like a bit of a gimmick in the book. I would have liked to have seen it explored more.

Tropes: friends to lovers, found family, slow burn, single dad

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gabichatslit's review against another edition

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5.0

I have the most bittersweet feeling growing in my chest, having completed this series now. So much so that I stretched this last book out because I didn’t want it to end and to leave this world that Mrs. Ryan created and this lovable cast of characters.

And wow, was it easy to love and root for Lotus and Kenan.

Two characters who had an undeniable connection, who meet during a crossroad in their respective lives and try to ignore (mostly on Lotus’s part lol) what they know will be a life changing love. Getting to see more of Lotus upbringing and her time with MiMi was really nice, despite the heartbreaking circumstances. I enjoyed seeing how devoted she was to her career as well. And I loved her conviction— in herself, in her love, in her faith even in the face on misunderstanding or other’s uncertainty. I loved Kenan’s surety of Lotus. His commitment to her and to his daughter. To being Lotus protector, her ‘gris-gris’.

Also the bits of Song of Solomon, made my heart ache and brought tears to my eyes.

This book was so beautiful and healing in its portrayal of love. I loved seeing Lo’s village grow and provide space for her to heal and grieve and stretch. She deserved every second of her HEA and Mrs. Ryan delivered ten-fold. This is my new favorite book series.

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thekrujue's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense 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

3.5

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clareasday's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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jtpgdavey's review against another edition

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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

3.5

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kitcat_reads's review against another edition

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challenging dark 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

4.25

My Rating: 4.25 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️

Tropes:

x Single dad

x Age Gap

x Summer Love

x Sports Romance

x Slight Insta-love

My Review:

Lotus and Kenan’s love story is so sweet and strong. Kennedy Ryan does a fantastic job unraveling the attraction and emotion between the characters.

But, I am mad about the last few chapters/ending of the story. Like Long Shot, this book is not a romance. There is no HEA nor a HFN before the epilogue. The majority of the situations that stand between the MCs and an HEA or HFN remain unresolved by the end of the last chapter. The story and drama that unfolds between Lotus and Kenan is told so well and with a lot of care. But there is a MAJOR plot twist(?) in the last three chapters. Wtf? And it isn’t fully resolved before the epilogue. IMHO, the story and all major plot points should be resolved in their entirety before the epilogue. As a reader, I am not owed an epilogue and know it doesn’t come with every romance book. So in my opinion this is contemporary fiction with a love story.

Also - that MAJOR plot twist is not necessary. The author could have had just as a meaningful exchange between Lotus and the people in Kenan’s life in a different setting with just as much emotion. Instead, the reader is forced to read through another tragedy in the last 30 pages of the book before the epilogue.

This whole book, it’s like a love story between two people who have an insta-attraction/love but are mired but a ton of effed up situations that are happening to and around them. Like, please just get them to an HEA before the epilogue. I shouldn’t have to wait for the Epilogue for all major issues/challenges faced by the MCs to find a resolution.

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booknerdcoco's review against another edition

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I just could not get into this book. I tried, I really did as I really enjoyed kennedy Ryan's previous books. However, this one was not my cup of tea. I found it boring at best.

I listened to an audiobook and the thing that usually puts me off is the narration. However in this case I enjoyed the narrators. I think that's partly why I persevered as long as I did.

I got over half way and felt loke i should continue but I can't face another 6 and a half hours when I have no investment in the story. I ended up not really listening to it anyways in the end.

There are a couple if things I liked though.

The fact that it is a standalone but part of the interconnected series. I was already familiar with the characters and was pleased to find out this story focused on Lo as she intrigued me in the previous 2 books of the series (however the investment dismissed as I progressed).

I really liked how the themes if Lo's upbringing and experience of voodoo was a thread that continued throughout the story.

Though there were some redeems qualities, it was nit enough for me to continue. I really enjoyed the previous 2 books of the series and am disappointed at the anti climax with thus third and final installment.

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