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sosireads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.75
bookmaniacforever's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️ 5 "My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His" Stars ⭐️
Hook Shot unquestionably was one my most anticipated read of the year. Since I first started the Hoops Series, I’ve been charmed by all its characters. When Kenan and Lotus were first introduced in Long Shot, their magnetic connection was already so easy to feel and I just was awaiting their own book with enthusiasm! Let me tell you that these two have one the most beautiful, swoon worthy love story ever! Kennedy Ryan gifts her readers with a heartfelt story overflowing with feels! A romance that made my heart hurt, melt, but also quiver from the beauty of this couple!
"I'm a girl he could crush, but everything in the way he looks at me says cherish. Says treasure. Says protect. Says I'm his, too."
From the little glimpses at Kenan I had in the previous novels, I already liked the guy. Having a whole book to discover this giant with a heart of gold and an old soul was spellbinding! He’s so romantic, caring and patient! He’s an introvert and like his solitude, but Lotus brings an surprizing talkative side of his personality. He opens up to her like never before! They’re just so perfect together, I found myself enamored with them.
Lotus is a great example of strength, dedication and loyalty. She’s trying to heal from a traumatizing event of her past where she lost her innocence and a part of her. I admire the way she was committed to heal herself and be better, even when Kenan appears into her life and make her question her motives. She’s driven by her need to not be afraid of feelings. And what better partner to help her discover the intimacy she’s seeking than Kenan.
Their slow burn romance was flawlessly paced. They have this powerful attraction, but with Lotus’s “no dick” stipulation they start as friends and learn about each other. The simmering feelings between them is breathtaking and hypnotic. They’re patient and treasure what they have, not jumping into a physical relationship but only solidifying their emotional bond.
"There is no place, no spot on the continuum of time that could have hidden this man from me."
Kennedy Ryan presents a sincerely touching story of self-discovery, healing and true love in the most romantic way! With her compelling prose and remarkable protagonists, she downright amazed me! Hook Shot is another gem from this talented author!
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
taty_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Kenan and Lotus. Their stories, their pasts, the trials they faced. Them two together and starting off as friends, although it’s clear they both wanted more than that, just flowed. I love the development, the pacing of their relationship. Really good story. I enjoyed the whole Hoops series!
rissarireads's review against another edition
4.0
Yes Kennedy! I’m not sure if this one overtakes my love for book 1 but it’s definitely pushing. They are both so easy to love. I actually appreciated his breakthrough in understanding his role with Bridget. I spent most of the book thinking how dare she! She was wrong, and so was he. He abandoned their marriage in a different, less public way!
wellreadandratchet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
sahmreadss's review against another edition
3.0
kennedy ryan is a great writer; her writing style is packed with emotion and as a reader you hang onto every word afraid you’ll miss something
what i dislike about romance stories that are 400+ pages is the instant obsession trope because it’s not love and it’s more than attraction if you’re constantly thinking about them. but I don’t want to read that when we have so many pages to fill with more burn and build up. and it’s been a theme throughout this trilogy. so while the writing is excellent i am not a fan of the progression.
I am also not a fan of how all three stories are pretty much the same with different characters. good guy is after main girl with some kind of trauma that also has a bunch of suitors after her. the “villain” continuously shows up throughout the story but we only get their redemption in the last few pages. c’mon I want more real life depth than this !!! i am asking too much for a romance book shit sorry
what i dislike about romance stories that are 400+ pages is the instant obsession trope because it’s not love and it’s more than attraction if you’re constantly thinking about them. but I don’t want to read that when we have so many pages to fill with more burn and build up. and it’s been a theme throughout this trilogy. so while the writing is excellent i am not a fan of the progression.
I am also not a fan of how all three stories are pretty much the same with different characters. good guy is after main girl with some kind of trauma that also has a bunch of suitors after her. the “villain” continuously shows up throughout the story but we only get their redemption in the last few pages. c’mon I want more real life depth than this !!! i am asking too much for a romance book shit sorry
tagoreketabkhane31's review against another edition
5.0
I'm sorry, but that is how you end a trilogy. From my very first time reading Kennedy Ryan, I fell in love with her meaningful prose. I know that many people have different introductions into her writing and stories, but for me, I will be forever happy that I found her from her Hoops series, and let me tell - every book is worth it. The perfect blend of still being a sports romance, but with more depth, fleshed out characthers, and great storylines.
Hook Shot focuses on two characters that we have previously been introduced to in the other two books - keep in mind that Hoops are standalone interconnected novels that contain minor spoilers from the previous books. Kenan Ross is the MMC, and Lotus DuPress is the FMC, both whom we met back in the first book, "Long Shot".
Kenan is in NYC for the summer, having followed his ex-wife and his daughter Simone to the city as Bridget (the ex-wife, who cheated on him back in book and were in the process of finalizing their divorce) and is told by his agent (Banner from Block Shot) that he needs to attend this party for his upcoming role in a fashion collab. To his surprise, when he arrives at the party, he sees Lotus as well, and that is where the story picks up - with their reunion and a chance kiss that leaves no room that the two are still very much attracted to each other. However, Kenan has a messy divorce and a toubled teenager to manage, while Lotus is still working through some childhood trauma that she never really processed, but made her very distrustful of men and their attempt at intimacy.
As the two learn to trust each other and begin to test their own limits, the usual blend of simple but beautiful prose, surprise easter eggs from Ryan's other series, and of course, cultural commentary loop together the narrative and the excellent mix of angst and drama that has made the Hoop series one of my all time favorites. I appreciate that Ryan understand that romance stories need more than the linear narratives to make them truly impactful and with meaning - and I also really, really apprecaite the fact that she does not shy away from including real topics about race and society in her books. I am very tired of authors being afraid to have those in their stories.
I can't say enough good things about these books and the impacts that her characters have had on me. I can't wait to get my hands on her frontlist and backlist.
Hook Shot focuses on two characters that we have previously been introduced to in the other two books - keep in mind that Hoops are standalone interconnected novels that contain minor spoilers from the previous books. Kenan Ross is the MMC, and Lotus DuPress is the FMC, both whom we met back in the first book, "Long Shot".
Kenan is in NYC for the summer, having followed his ex-wife and his daughter Simone to the city as Bridget (the ex-wife, who cheated on him back in book and were in the process of finalizing their divorce) and is told by his agent (Banner from Block Shot) that he needs to attend this party for his upcoming role in a fashion collab. To his surprise, when he arrives at the party, he sees Lotus as well, and that is where the story picks up - with their reunion and a chance kiss that leaves no room that the two are still very much attracted to each other. However, Kenan has a messy divorce and a toubled teenager to manage, while Lotus is still working through some childhood trauma that she never really processed, but made her very distrustful of men and their attempt at intimacy.
As the two learn to trust each other and begin to test their own limits, the usual blend of simple but beautiful prose, surprise easter eggs from Ryan's other series, and of course, cultural commentary loop together the narrative and the excellent mix of angst and drama that has made the Hoop series one of my all time favorites. I appreciate that Ryan understand that romance stories need more than the linear narratives to make them truly impactful and with meaning - and I also really, really apprecaite the fact that she does not shy away from including real topics about race and society in her books. I am very tired of authors being afraid to have those in their stories.
I can't say enough good things about these books and the impacts that her characters have had on me. I can't wait to get my hands on her frontlist and backlist.
alysses's review against another edition
5.0
CW: Child Rape, Assault, Attempted Suicide, Near Death Experience
A LOT happens in that third scene. Like one thing after another. Also, this spoils the Grip series a bit.
I love how Kennedy Ryan handled beliefs surrounding Vodun. It was respectful.
Edit: 5 mins later
After reading a review where the reader (who is entitled to their own uneducated opinion) stated that there was silly Voodoo and 14 year olds don't need that much counseling because they are self absorbed and don't care that much about their parent's divorce AND the typical bitchy ex wife---I bumped my rating to a 5 star.
** Vodun is a beautiful religion. Comes in clutch when you are just trying to survive, trying to live and accept yourself. It's usually a journey of self discovery which Kennedy Ryan captures and depicts perfectly in Lotus' story, past and present. It is through her teachings that she understands when to step back and deal with underlying issues. It is through these teachings that she stays quiet enough to really listen to her surroundings. It is through these teachings that she saves herself after the tragic events that brought her to live with her grandmother.
If it's not your thing---cool, but don't shit on it. Just move on but know that there are other people in the world than just you. And you called 14 year olds self absorbed...
**14 year olds are extremely emotional. They feel everything and it is all in the surface but unfortunately don't know how to channel those feelings or are rarely given permission/encouragement to voice those feelings. They need that permission because adults are always trying to impose their authority over them. Counseling is often frowned upon or not as widely accepted among POC families. The fact that the author included this and made it normal and necessary was amazing and needed.
** Yes, there are bitchy and petty ex wives. There are bitchy and petty ex husbands. It happens A LOT. So??
A LOT happens in that third scene. Like one thing after another. Also, this spoils the Grip series a bit.
I love how Kennedy Ryan handled beliefs surrounding Vodun. It was respectful.
Edit: 5 mins later
After reading a review where the reader (who is entitled to their own uneducated opinion) stated that there was silly Voodoo and 14 year olds don't need that much counseling because they are self absorbed and don't care that much about their parent's divorce AND the typical bitchy ex wife---I bumped my rating to a 5 star.
** Vodun is a beautiful religion. Comes in clutch when you are just trying to survive, trying to live and accept yourself. It's usually a journey of self discovery which Kennedy Ryan captures and depicts perfectly in Lotus' story, past and present. It is through her teachings that she understands when to step back and deal with underlying issues. It is through these teachings that she stays quiet enough to really listen to her surroundings. It is through these teachings that she saves herself after the tragic events that brought her to live with her grandmother.
If it's not your thing---cool, but don't shit on it. Just move on but know that there are other people in the world than just you. And you called 14 year olds self absorbed...
**14 year olds are extremely emotional. They feel everything and it is all in the surface but unfortunately don't know how to channel those feelings or are rarely given permission/encouragement to voice those feelings. They need that permission because adults are always trying to impose their authority over them. Counseling is often frowned upon or not as widely accepted among POC families. The fact that the author included this and made it normal and necessary was amazing and needed.
** Yes, there are bitchy and petty ex wives. There are bitchy and petty ex husbands. It happens A LOT. So??
ibubbles_30's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0