Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan

13 reviews

inaliterarymood's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault

Moderate: Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

Minor: Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

just_klaudia's review against another edition

emotional slow-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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Grief

mayawata_'s review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

amanda_reads13's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

gabichatslit's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Misogyny, Car accident, and Pregnancy

blakeandbooks's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Pregnancy

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Car accident

bronxgirlreading's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring 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? No

4.75

So excited to read Lotus’ story!! I’ve been obsessed with her since she showed up in Iris’ story. If you love strong but broken, independent women who fall for too good to be true but is true and is good men, this is for you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, and Car accident

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

stephwtsn27's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I loved everything about this book! The love story, family dynamics, divorce/parenting, fashion, basketball, music, friendships. Kenan was so patient with Lotus the entire book and Lotus was unapologetically herself. The entire Hoops trilogy is AMAZING and you should probably do yourself a favor and go read them all immediately!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Moderate: Infidelity and Car accident

Minor: Toxic relationship and Pregnancy

sarahsbookstacks's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief