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kerrythefire's review against another edition
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 ofrape 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'sinfidelity 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 ...
Lotus was an unabashed, strong, powerhouse... despite her brutal history. (CW: on the page description of
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
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:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Racism 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
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.
The addition of Voodoo was interesting. Lotus was raised by her grandmother and was taught about her "power".
Tropes: friends to lovers, found family, slow burn, single dad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
thirdeyeangel23's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gaslighting and Injury/Injury detail
shaipanda's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
naaytaashreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
“What if she gave me to you?” I bend to whisper over her lips. “What if I’m your gris gris now?”
Trigger warning: Rape, sexual assault, suicide, grief, divorce, broken families, trauma and PTSD.
I cannot believe I have to an end to this beautifully written series.
Kennedy Ryan literally struck an arrow in my heart and introduced me to her world.
Each series is beautiful on its own and I can't pick a favourite, however Hook Shot definitely was so emotional and tugged the strings of my heart.
We follow Lotus and Kenan who are facing different struggle in their life.
They swear off relationships, and trust is something to be earned.
Reading Hook Shot definitely made me even believe in fate. I believe in fate and how it stumbles into our life.
Sometimes love happens, can be the wrong place and time, but what will always find its way back to each other.
I enjoyed the two POVS and character growth for each of them.
With how their life is individual and how it affects them and their relationship.
The decisions they have to make, sacrifices and patience.
Lotus, our brave, fierce boss, definitely went through so much in her life and following her journey was heartbreaking but hopefully. It's difficult to face trauma but with time and the right people, she found her own happiness not saying the trauma ever goes away, but she found her balance of facing with it.
While following Kenan's journey in balancing his career, relationship and co-parenting.
The idea and plotline of seeing a counselor is such a big eye opener, as it might seem taboo or something is wrong when one seeks help.
Their chemistry was raw, honest, and natural. They are so beautiful individually, but together they create a rainbow in each other's life.
Kennedy Ryan did a phenomenal job with this series.
Not only did she write an amazing sports romance but writing on real-life issues that we avoid having conversations in real life, her story gives people hope and conversation starter on how we can help others and change how society sees them.
“Nothing against fake lashes. I just don’t like it when the woman blinking them is fake, too.”
Trigger warning: Rape, sexual assault, suicide, grief, divorce, broken families, trauma and PTSD.
I cannot believe I have to an end to this beautifully written series.
Kennedy Ryan literally struck an arrow in my heart and introduced me to her world.
Each series is beautiful on its own and I can't pick a favourite, however Hook Shot definitely was so emotional and tugged the strings of my heart.
We follow Lotus and Kenan who are facing different struggle in their life.
They swear off relationships, and trust is something to be earned.
Reading Hook Shot definitely made me even believe in fate. I believe in fate and how it stumbles into our life.
Sometimes love happens, can be the wrong place and time, but what will always find its way back to each other.
I enjoyed the two POVS and character growth for each of them.
With how their life is individual and how it affects them and their relationship.
The decisions they have to make, sacrifices and patience.
Lotus, our brave, fierce boss, definitely went through so much in her life and following her journey was heartbreaking but hopefully. It's difficult to face trauma but with time and the right people, she found her own happiness not saying the trauma ever goes away, but she found her balance of facing with it.
While following Kenan's journey in balancing his career, relationship and co-parenting.
The idea and plotline of seeing a counselor is such a big eye opener, as it might seem taboo or something is wrong when one seeks help.
Their chemistry was raw, honest, and natural. They are so beautiful individually, but together they create a rainbow in each other's life.
Kennedy Ryan did a phenomenal job with this series.
Not only did she write an amazing sports romance but writing on real-life issues that we avoid having conversations in real life, her story gives people hope and conversation starter on how we can help others and change how society sees them.
“Nothing against fake lashes. I just don’t like it when the woman blinking them is fake, too.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail