NOW A TOP 25 AMAZON BESTSELLER.
A deeply emotional standalone romance set in the worlds of professional basketball and high fashion.Divorced. Single dad. Traded to a losing squad.Cheated on, betrayed, exposed.My perfect life blew up in my face and I’m still picking up the pieces.The last thing I need is her.A wildflower. A storm. A woman I can’t resist.Lotus DuPree is a kick to my gut and a … pieces.
The last thing I need is her.
A wildflower. A storm. A woman I can’t resist.
Lotus DuPree is a kick to my gut and a wrench in my plans
from the moment our eyes meet.
I promised myself I wouldn’t trust a woman again,
but I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want Lo.
She’s not the plan I made, but she’s the risk I have to take.
A warrior. A baller. The one they call Gladiator.Kenan Ross charged into my life smelling all good, looking even better and snatching my breath from the moment we met.
The last thing I need is him.
I’m working on me. Facing my pain and conquering my demons.
I’ve seen what trusting a man gets you.
I. Don’t. Have. Time. For. This.
But he just keeps coming for me.
Keeps knocking down my defenses and stealing my excuses
one by one.
He never gives up, and now…I’m not sure I want him to.
If ever a book will give you a book hangover, this one did it big time.
I was smiling whilst reading, totally engrossed in the story and not wanting to come up for air. I cried, I laughed, I genuinely loved Kenan and Lotus. So much. They have embedded themselves in my heart and will remain there forever!
This book was the most heartwarming but also heartwrenching story of the year!! It certainly is. It should be a book that is on everyone’s wish list.
It has so many elements that make this story so incredibly beautiful but also wonderful. The connections between the characters can be felt from the get go and you cannot help but fall in love with them. Genuine hearts that find their soul mate?? Could it be true?
The beautiful quotes in this story had my heart soaring.
This was hands down the most amazing emotional read of 2019. Congrats to the author on her brilliant mind. Well done!
Another amazing read by Kennedy Ryan. The Hoops series is a series worth reading. Hook Shot is a second chance read that brings a smile to your lips and captures your heart.
I love this series so much! Long Shot is the first book in the series and one of my all-time favorites. I could not fathom how Kennedy Ryan would be able to rip out my heart with her words again. Her new release Hook Shot had me on an emotional rollercoaster, my heart at times didn’t know at which rate it was beating, my heart ached, my lips trembled, and I was teary-eyed. Kenan and Lotus’s relationship was kismet from the start, two souls with troubled past destined to connect. I loved that the author slowly teased the building of KeLo’s relationship. I felt the desire, the restraint, the annoyance, anger, frustration, heartbreak and even their smiles by how wonderfully it was written. The words not only flowed into each chapter perfectly, but they also flowed their way into my heart.
When it comes to stories that leave me emotionally spent, I want to restrain myself from saying too much. Would it be crazy to say that I want the reader to experience what I felt? I’m going to write this review short for a Kenan, divorced single dad, who was betrayed by his wife (now is attention seeking ex) and Lotus, a woman that lights up a room, holds her abandonment issues closely, rises above her insecurities and she may be tiny in stature but her soul is a storm within itself. This is a story of friendships, betrayal, support, family, fighting for self-worth, letting go of the past, forgiveness, and taking a second chance at not only believing in yourself but believing your worth giving and receiving love. I leave you with, this story hooked me from the start and took a shot at my heart.
A 2019 Favorite 5 Stars Must Read!
My heart is so full after finishing Hook Shot. My tummy still has flutters and my face is still split in two. But make no mistake, this is Kennedy Ryan- so that road was far from easy. Even being gutted more than once, I couldn’t look away.
Lotus- what a firecracker. She was so real but almost too awesome to be true. Strong and sassy. Loyal and brave. She knew who she was. What she would and wouldn’t stand for. And don’t even get me started on her fashion sense…For as much as I loved Lotus (and that’s a whole hell of a lot), it was Kenan that made this book jump. It was his patience and calm. How even after all his heart had been through, he didn’t close it off to love. But he only wanted it with one person- Lotus.
She made him work for it, and he was more than happy to. He took his time learning the truth of Lotus. The song of her. And as she revealed each painful memory my heart just ached more and more. But it was the anticipation that kept me riveted. Can you say slow burn? Yes the chemistry was there from the start but there was so much more to them than that. They connected on a deeper level than either of them had ever experienced. The intimacy of it all scared them both but there was no way they were walking away. Except their lives didn’t exactly mesh with their relationship goals. And when an unexpected tragedy sets off a chain of events that left everyone reeling.
From start to finish, Hook Shot had me by the heart. Kennedy Ryan tackled some heavy topics within the pages of this book but she also laced it with humor and heat. There was such a good balance between the drama and hurt and healing and hope that I couldn’t read fast enough. Lotus and Kenan’s journey was heartfelt and profound and the thing that happily ever after dreams are made of.
Wow! I don’t know what to say! I’ve waited anxiously for this book, and it was so worth it! I loved Kenan from the first time he was mentioned. Lotus was magnificent. Their emotions so real that you could feel them coming off the pages. I felt his daughter Simone’s anguish over her parents splitting up. Lotus moved them all forward by stepping back, and I loved her insight. I also loved Song of Solomon and it was beautifully used.
Good Lord. I need a minute. I am left speechless and out of breath after the magnificence that was Kennedy Ryan’s Hook Shot. It was nothing short of perfection. This story was so richly written and depicted with a rawness that few authors are able to accomplish. Kenan Ross and Lotus DuPree spoke to my soul and their lovestory embedded itself to my heart. I never wanted this story to end.
Without giving away any spoilers, Hook Shot is the third book in the Hoops series and is a complete standalone. But you would be doing yourself a disservice if you did not read Long Shot where we see the very first moment where Lotus and Kenan recognized the significance of one another down to their soul and life was never the same for them. Fast forward two years later and fate has struck again when Kenan and Lotus find themselves working together on a fashion campaign in New York. What follows is one man’s steadfast approach to making a woman his beloved in the most honest, genuine and heartfelt manner.
Gah!! I love this story so so much! It was pure writing goals! The writing was richly poignant, compelling and utterly magnificent. Kenan and Lotus were absolutely amazing by themselves, but together KELO was phenomenal. Lotus was a powerful and strong woman but one that has seen some past trauma in her life. As a result, she is a woman that allows no true intimacy in her romantic relationships leaving her physical encounters strictly outside the realm of her heart and emotions. But she never expected Kenan to come into her life and shake up everything she knew to be true. He, likewise is a private and cautious man who has been betrayed in the past but with one look at Lotus, he knew she was a gamechanger. I absolutely loved this book so much as I loved seeing Kenan systematically lay siege to all of Lotus’ rules about dating and intimacy and made it his mission to breach her walls and patiently wait for her to be ready. This book was powerful and such a joy to read! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
Wonderful characters and fast moving plot!
I am really enjoying this author’s books and glad that I have found her as she’s a talented writer that definitely gets the story to touch you in a way that a book needs to when you read it. I really like this series and was looking forward to reading Lotus her story. That said, there is just something that held me back somewhat and I can’t truly explain it. That’s the only reason why I’m only giving 4 stars, I just can’t put my finger on it where I was a bit lost. Throughout reading the story though, I reconnected and there was something that pulled me back in, the way Lotus was going through her journey to deal with what happened to her a long time ago, I could definitely relate and in some way it’s healing. That’s what really drew me to her and her inner strength, even if she didn’t know how truly strong she is. It’s definitely a book that needs to be read and gives you faith that there is hope out there…
Kenan went through a nasty divorce and is trying to do the best he can for his daughter but his ex-wife isn’t making it easy on him. Even though he’s a big basketball player and enjoys the game, the welfare of his baby girl comes first. When he meets Lotus again, there’s this pull between them that is unexplainable but he’ll try to do whatever he can to get more than one night with her…
Lotus hasn’t had an easy life and she and her cousin are very close with everything they’ve been through together. Besides her, she doesn’t trust easily. When Kenan comes back into her life, there’s this strong connection between them. Lotus believes and has been brought up with magic in her life that others don’t believe in but in a way it has brought her some peace. When she finally has the strength to face what she has been through, Kenan will stand by her side but trusting is hard but somehow there’s just something about him that makes it easy.
But will it be enough for them to have a chance together?… Will love find a way?…
“I have found the one whom my soul loves.”
Every book I’ve read thus far from Kennedy Ryan has been profoundly beautiful beyond words—utterly breathtaking and heart-wrenching and downright poetic. Each one she puts pen to paper is just pure art. A full-on masterpiece that translates into a life-changing, eye-opening and extraordinary experience—one that stirs emotions even you weren’t aware you’re able to feel until then.
“You trust this ring to protect you, because MiMi gave it to you. What if she gave me to you? What if I’m your gris gris now?”
Hook Shot wasn’t only solely about Lotus and Kenan’s epically slow-building, yet powerful and fiery romance. It was also about all the struggles and trauma, all the speed bumps and cracks on the road they had to face individually at some point in their lives that shaped them to who they are now. Separately, these two characters will already mesmerize you and capture every bit of your attention. But together… together, they were just something else entirely.
“My beloved is mine and I am his.”
Lotus and Kenan set my soul ablaze. They lit my chest on fire and painted this huge smile on my face I don’t think I’ll be able to wipe away anytime soon. They swallowed me whole, made my heart flutter and soar so high, I feel like I’ll be basking on all the feels they left me with for days on end. I fell in love with their love. With their intensely out of this world bond. With that deep-rooted connection that was so uniquely theirs and was radiating off of every single page of this book.
“He’s a castle with secret tunnels and abandoned dungeons and heavy locked doors. And I’m his skeleton key.”
This is Kennedy Ryan, taking romance to a whole other level and making it her own. Her fervency for her craft, her fearlessness in tackling these sensitive topics and weaving them so flawlessly and exquisitely into her stories are absolutely unparalleled. She’ll make you feel and drown in every emotion her characters are feeling like you just become a part of them the whole time you’re immersed in their journey. Her unbelievable talent truly knows no bounds and this book right here is sheer proof of it.
“You’re magnificent. I think in another life you ruled a planet. You were the king of your own galaxy.”
“And in this other life, were you my queen?”
“I’ll be your queen in this one.”
An emotionally charged and exceptionally transcendent romance that will carve its mark deep within your heart and soul, Hook Shot is undoubtedly one of my top favorite reads this year and one you just can’t miss out on. If you’re craving for the kind of romance that will touch and leave a permanent mark on every crevice of your being… the kind that will tie you up, unravel something fierce inside you and speak right to the depths of your soul… this is the book you’re looking for. This is the one story you just never knew you needed in your life.
Reader fact number one: It takes me FOREVER and a day to write a review for a Kennedy Ryan book. It’s just something I’ve learned to be ok with….. the inadequacy of my words when pertaining to her work.
When you start a Kennedy Ryan book you know you’re going to get an edification for your mind, a satisfying yet torturous tug to your heart and a healing for your spirit. Kennedy has every tool at her disposal but knows when and which one to use and how to use it. It doesn’t always have to be heavy handed….. done with a mallet or a heavy drill sometimes a mini hammer or a screwdriver gets the job done. I dont really know why I’m using tool analogies since I don’t even have any but my point is she’s a brilliant artist that can give you heavy and light strokes. All stories don’t have to be extremely angsty or hurtful or tragic, they just have to be real, genuine and sincere.
Hook Shot is masterfully written with characters that will take up permanent residence in your thoughts. Kenan and Lotus are everything I’ve been waiting for and exponentially more!
If you’re in a reading slump or feel like every romance out there seems the same…. Hook Shot is the remedy. It is real, vibrant, raw, exhilarating, emotional and honest. I can never get enough of these two!
Just finished and WOW….just WOW!! This book will grab your heart and soul completely!
Kennedy Ryan is such a wizard in writing from the soul! Please go read this book ASAP!!!
Thoughts:
One thing that sets my love for Kennedy Ryan’s books apart from 95% of the other books I read…she makes you genuinely admire/love the main female character of the story just as much, if not more than the male character. This is a rarity in my opinion. When you read books the character that leaves the biggest impression (in the romance genre) is usually the male/hero. I’m not saying that is a bad thing. Just that the strong impactful female charcters that Kennedy writes are true equals to their male counterparts. They both touch your soul in some way.
Please go read this amazing story, your heart will thank you afterwards!
#KeLo
Kennedy Ryan creates male characters that I fall in love with. Men who are loving, protective, honourable and gentlemanly. Not just book boyfriends but the kind of men you want to love you or your daughter or your best friend because you would be so happy they found such a diamond.
I actually think Kenan is the best yet. Kenan. Oh Kenan. You are magnificent. I really think you might be the best yet and you have some very, very tough competition.
I don’t know how she does it, I think there might be some kind of voodoo but her female characters are empowered women. They might have had pain. They might go through pain in the book but they are fierce. They are heroes. They are the captains’ of their ships. They are the women we want to be. The women we want our daughters to be. The women we want our sons to find and keep forever.
Lotus is fierce and oh so strong. And I just love her. Plain as that.
This book is one you should read. One you will love. One that strikes a chord in your heart. One that will be a forever favourite.
My favourites:
“If this were a game, I’d be showing all my cards, but it’s not a game. It’s butterflies and emoticons and heart eyes. It’s risk and emotion and intimacy and all the things a girl like me dreads. I’ve sworn off Prince Charmings.”
“I will possess this warrior under me. The man they call Gladiator taken captive by a girl half his size and a decade younger. 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. Mine, his eyes answer.”
“I have found the one whom my soul loves.”
“No one has to tell a queen to wear her crown.”
“My beloved is mine and I am his.”
I’ve cried and laughed and I’m so in awe of Kennedy and her storytelling skills.
Such a fantastic and emotional story! Readers will have their hearts broken and fall in love countless times reading this.
This was a good read. The writing flowed well, and I loved the characters together. Kenan and Lotus had great chemistry, but this is a slow burn, so it’s takes a while to get there. Lotus was a good heroine. She had things she was dealing with, but I felt like she did it well. Kenan also had baggage, in the form of a ex-wife. I liked that he was still trying to spend time with his daughter, despite what happened with his ex. Keenan and Lotus’s story isn’t over the top. It’s just them being able to work through everything to get to be with each other. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
I had never read a story by Kennedy Ryan before this one. After reading Hook Shot I can say, I will never miss another of her books. As this is not the first book in the series I also know I will be going back to read those I missed. Others had informed me that as an author she is without compare. Having met her, as a person, she is the nicest you could ever want to meet and know. And reading Hook Shot I can definitely agree with others in reference to her skills. This is just an amazing story.
Lotus Dupree is a spitfire of energy, with a heart of gold and a head that does not take much BS. Smart intelligent and rising in the world, she is a walking success story in her friends’ eyes. But behind that face hides heartache and pain. She is a woman that carries her emotional luggage like a feather although it weighs a ton. Others may not see it, but she feels it with each breath she takes.
Kenan Ross is nothing if not the true Alpha male. Quiet in his welding of power, yet strong in the visibility of such power., A man with a huge heart who knows where his priorities lie. He is not one to sit still with life, but to embrace it and move forward with what is offered. But he is also a man with his own demons to deal with. Sometimes, what is hidden comes out to the light. What has come out for him has scarred him and left his inner self damaged.
I was warned this story was not what I thought it would be. Even that warning was not enough to prepare me for where this story went, or how deep I could get involved in a novel. Kennedy does not gloss over the surface with this story. She brings depth, and a real presence to not only the characters, but the surroundings and the scenery. All of my senses were touched by this story even the ones attached to tears. This is that powerful a story. Seldom am I left without the words to express my enjoyment of a story but this one indeed leaves me speechless and shaking my head in absolute amazement. I know you are going to love this story too. Kennedy five stars is not enough to pass on in accolades on this book. Job very well done!
Hook Shot is another powerful book by Kennedy Ryan. It deals with real life issues, people who truly do care and loves of steamy romance!! Kenan and Lotus- what chemistry! We felt their connection in previous books but wow!!
Lotus is an amazing, powerful, honest, selfless, broken woman! Kenan is the NBA power player who is so dedicated to his job and his daughter! Both have messed up pasta- so how can they create a future together?
Kennedy Ryan is delivers a phenomenal story of lose, power and honesty! Her storytelling is the best! From the history of Lotus and Kenan’s pasts, the connections of all the characters, you feel like you are part of their lives!
Then there is amazing chemistry, swoony parts- Button, the power of Song on Solomon, Faith vs religion, real honest conversations…. just fabulous!!
Thank you Kennedy Ryan for bringing readers a book that hopefully helps us all realize life is short, love those around us, put others first and just be there for those we love!!
Kennedy Ryan’s Hoops series is without a doubt my very favorite series I’ve read. There are three books that I have read that deal with physical-sexual abuse that are all written so true to life and hit on a personal level for me. I love them all L.B. Simmons Out of Focus, Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us, Kennedy Ryan’s Long Shot and I have just added to my list Hook Shot.
Kennedy’s writing is sensational, her words poetic, and her storytelling at times took my breath away.
Kenan and Lotus’s story was perfection, a connection that had been building throughout the series. Both of them very strong characters but both being hurt and broken by people they should have been able to trust in their lives. Kenan is struggling with making sure that his daughter is adjusting to the divorce, his ex-wife is not making that so easy. Lotus is having issues brought on by her Mom’s treatment of her during her childhood and especially not taking her side and protecting her when it really counted. Together they seem to be healing each other through all the obstacles. The cast of secondary characters just enriches this story.
That all I am giving you spoiler free is the way to go into this incredible story.
HOOK SHOT (Hoops Series 3)
by Kennedy Ryan
5
Release Date March 28
This is Book 3 in the Hoops Series. Kenan and Lotus are relationship goals. Omg! I loved the open and honest relationship between them. There was nothing about their characters I disliked. Kenan was patient, loyal and loving. Lotus even with a troubled past was so strong and had so much love. Allowing herself to heal and find answers within her soul with the help of a good man beside her made me love her character.
“…here, trapped between our lips, each breath is holy. Here between our chests, our hearts bang like ancient drums. Here between our eyes, his and mine, a searing glance sees everything.”
This is my fave in the hoops series which is saying a lot cause I totally loved August and Jared’s story. But, the slight edge this one had was a small cameo from a character in her backlist. Ahh!!
“You populate my dreams. They are rich with the scent of you. Your heart is on my pillow, and I taste you in my sleep.”
Kennedy Ryan’s writing was exceptional. I couldn’t put this arc down until I finished it. I highly recommend this book. The struggles that are mentioned in Hook Shot occur on the daily. It’s so real and it is issues people around you struggle with and unfortunately not a lot of people get help or have the support of others especially if they keep it to themselves. Kennedy always leaves me in the feels after all her stories. Talk about book hangover. This is a must read!
#OnceAndGreatly
Hook Shot is amazing. It is a bit of a slow-burn but ratchets the burn up to INFERNO. The chemistry between these characters is electric and reaches beyond the page.
“It’s all there in the look he settles on me. To him, I’m more than enough. I’m all that he wants.”
Kenan Ross is a single dad, still at the top of his basketball career trying to do the best for his teenage daughter and dealing with his drama queen ex-wife.
Lotus DuPree feels the electricity but has demons of her own that she is realizing have to be dealt with before she can move on.
“I was raised on hope and weaned on miracles so the exceptional feels familiar to me.”
Ms. Ryan gives us everything in this book, all the emotions and romance. She tackles difficult issues with thoughtfulness and caring woven into a beautiful love story.
-5+Stars!-
Just read the book people. It’s so so so so good.