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A review by kerrythefire
Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan
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