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.
What can you say about a book that was so amazing in every way possible?
After reading Long Shot and Block Shot, we all couldn’t wait to ready about Lo and Kenan. Talk about ALL.THE.FEELS!! I am still thinking about this book after all this time. It was so beautifully written.
#KeLo have such an intense connection, you felt it from the first time they met. I really don’t want to get into specifics because you have to experience this book for yourself. Kennedy draws you in with her words and when you are done, you won’t be the same. You will want more. 🙂
Another fantastic read and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.
I don’t know if I have enough words to adequately describe how phenomenal Hook Shot is. This book is incredible in every way, it grabbed a hold of me, wouldn’t let me go and truly captured my soul.
Lotus is without a doubt one of the most courageous and bravest heroines I’ve ever read. I could feel her strength through the pages. She’s endured horrific trauma in the past and I was in awe of her resilience. Her path was not an easy one yet she displayed a remarkable ability to rise above it. And her relationship with her grandmother, Mimi (which significantly attributed to her strength) was indescribable and was so near and dear to my heart that I cried every time I read a scene with them. Mimi showed Lotus her self worth and encouraged her to believe in herself.
Kenan is the ultimate alpha hero. This man is seriously flawless, sweet and so genuine. He’s a sexy basketball star with A plus celebrity status, however he never let’s it go to his head with his low key, down to earth persona. After going through a terrible and very public divorce, he’s a little jaded when it comes to relationships. His love and devotion to his daughter made me weak in the knees. But don’t let hot daddy fool you, he is swoon worthy, exudes smooth sex appeal and is oh so naughty when it comes Lotus.
Although Kenan and Lotus are part of the broken souls club, I think their beautiful souls shined brighter than anything. There are times when these two are stubborn as heck given their strong and independent personalities. But they are so easy to love and this is where Ms. Ryan really shows off her talent by creating exceptional character development. Their journey to healing was magnificent to read and their relationship flourished into something so beautiful. Kenan and Lotus’s romance is intense, passion and the sexual chemistry is downright explosive.
I seriously wish that I could give Hook Shot more than five stars. Everything about this book is complete perfection. The plot is realistic that restores your faith along with its honest, powerful and relatable dialogue. Although there were times where I was overcome with emotion, I would do it all again because Hook Shot is worth it. It goes without saying that I highly recommend reading this book.
REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
“I need simple, but I want you.”
It’s after reading books like this that I want to sit down with Kennedy Ryan and just talk to her; find out how she does it, where she draws her inspiration from. How does she write a book with so much vivid emotion? I want to explain to her how she affects me so much with her words. All the words she strings together effortlessly with a mere 26 letters. The smallest denominator in our language, and yet she wields them as if they have the strength of a sword. They are so powerful and so moving and I am one of her biggest fans.
There is such an abandon in her storytelling. It flows easily and confidently, and I love that!! I am in complete awe of her storytelling abilities, but I am equally in awe of her characters. They aren’t weak. They aren’t misguided. They are relatable and understandable, with a pain that is tangible, and an emotional connection that’s tantalizing. I just want to know how she does it. It’s almost like a subdued intensity. It’s so subtle, but anxiety-pang-inducing. Kenan and Lotus have so much chemistry that is undeniably extraordinary. Undeniably. They have this type of connection that most can only dream about….a true soul mate.
“I have found the one whom my soul loves.” Song of Solomon 3:4
Her words are so romantic and they bring out so much more than I could ever begin to describe. I love that Kennedy’s books always transport me. She always gives me a love story worthy of my own emotions and reflection. But she also has a knack for stretching my thought processes, beyond my comfort level or understanding. This one tested me on a few different fronts, and while I wasn’t completely comfortable with some parts, it was a captivating read that I could settle in and enjoy with wonder. There was a different tone to it that I haven’t read in any of her others. It was sobering, sure – there were a lot of difficult times in this one, but there was an edgier feel to it. One from a world I know nothing of. Grittier, dirtier, bolder than anything I would know first hand – the city life, the culture, the vibe. It was just an all encompassing story in that aspect.
And to be perfectly honest, I am very shocked that I didn’t highlight as much as I thought I would with this book. There was something different within these pages that bewitched me, sucked me right in, and I never really stopped reading to make notes or highlight much. I have loved these stories, starting with Long shot with August and Iris to Block Shot with Jared and Banner, and now I can add Hook Shot with Kenan and Lotus to that list. She hasn’t given her characters an easy road in this series and I can appreciate each obstacles they all overcame within their own stories. Not easy by any means, because she writes about the kinds of things that aren’t spoken freely of and I respect her and commend her for tackling these hard to broach subjects. Here I am, just a reader sitting on my couch, once again, put in place by her words – completely mesmerized.
Oh! And now I want to try étouffée….
“I was raised on hope and weaned on miracles so the exceptional feels familiar to me.”
~BEE
AA Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2HZVQWn
Enter here for your chance to win an ecopy: http://bit.ly/2HZTHtO
A brand new single-dad standalone set in Brooklyn from Kennedy Ryan. Readers are raving about Hook Shot, and you can score it free with Kindle Unlimited 😉
Hook Shot is the love story of Lotus and Kenan. As they try to navigate building a relationship, each is dealing with struggles of their own. They have to face some difficult truths about themselves and the people that were supposed to love them.
Lotus was mature beyond her years. Despite her challenges, she was strong and always tried to do what was right and good, even if it meant giving up something important to her. I really enjoyed the love story between Kenan and Lotus, but I loved the healing that takes place, and power of forgiveness that was so important to these characters.
There were some difficult parts to read, but the author holds your hand and guides you through them. For anyone dealing with the issues Lotus faced, I wish you a Mimi in your life and cotton candy clouds.
Hook Shot is a well written and wonderful story. I recommend it.
You KNOW you’ve wanted a #KeLo story from book one. Well Mrs. Ryan did NOT disappoint. It is every.thing and then some.
We know from past books, that Kenan was dealt a hard blow when his then wife was caught cheating on him with a teammate/friend.
We know that there is an INSTANT spark with Kenan and Locus first meet and each time they see each other after have been intense.
What we don’t know or understand is why Locus runs each time they share the same space. But in the back of your/our mind we know it’s b/c she can’t process that instant spark. We know she is going to FIGHT that spark.
What we learn is that these two go through more than we thought to come together in one epic love story.
You will break further into the story than you imagine. At 70% I was waiting for that arc of the story, then at 80%, then at 90% and holy hell you wonder how it will wrap up and you keep looking at the percent left and wonder if it will end in a cliffhanger (*spoiler* it doesn’t).
You will wonder who gets the next book, I know who I want, but I’m not sure it will ever be written.
We see bits and pieces of other favorite couples.
All in all, I’m so happy for #KeLo but at the same time, I want so much more. I can’t wait for those bonus chapters, oh what, you didn’t know. Oh yes, make sure to sign up at the end of the book for MORE.
~I volunteered to read an advance copy.
I received an ARC in return for an honest review. Kenan and Lotus are two relatable characters and their sexual chemistry is off the charts. Besides that I’m honestly at a loss for words. There wasn’t a crazy dramatic plot that made it full of suspense. It was just a good read. I would definitely recommend this book.
I love Kennedy Ryan’s Hoops Series and I was so excited to read Hook Shot and it did not disappoint it was everything I expected and so much more. This very talented author has beautiful way with words she writes with compassion and stories that should leave you heartbroken give you strength through those words. I’m not sure I can ever do this book justice with mere words because how do write a review about characters who maybe imperfect but who’s story is perfection. I really don’t want to write a review that’s full of spoilers because I believe you need to read this first hand with no preconceived ideas about the story so I’m just going to tell you how this book made me feel.
I laughed and I cried and I was taken on Kenan and Lotus’s journey because this is not just a love story it’s two people coming to terms with their pasts and learning to trust with their futures. Your emotions will be all over the place but throughout this book there is hope and I really hope like me you will find strength in these beautifully written words. Lotus touched me on so many levels but I’m not going not that all I’m going to leave you with is this may well be The Book Of 2019 so grab yourself a copy now !!
Phenomenal! Kennedy Ryan never ceases to deliver something completely unique, unforgettable, thought provoking, completely addictive, and completely mind-blowing. I was utterly mesmerized, by the characters and this story that enraptured me with its emotion, anticipation, hunger, frustration, conviction, and vitality. Beautifully penned this book is a insta-must read, and one you wont be able to put down.
You do not want to miss this one. Obsessed. That’s how I felt while reading this book. Every page was better than the previous one. Just try to put this one down. I dare you.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I.AM.DEAD. Kennedy Ryan you kill me with your beautiful words!
Hook Shot is definitely my top read of the year. While I know it’s early, I doubt any other book could top what I just read. You can tell that Ryan puts so much thought into her writing. Hook Shot has some sensitive material, but it is handled impeccably.
Kenan and Lotus are fire together! Their passion is palpable. Their love so unique. Their souls intertwined. Perfection!
Lotus is as fierce as they come! I love how she doesn’t back down on her beliefs or anyone who tries to put her down. She loves with all she has!
Kenan…gah, I don’t even know what to say about the man besides he is EVERYTHING! He loves with all that is in him. I love how he fights for what he wants! They way he loves Lotus and how he handled her and her feelings with such care and patience. The love notes…sigh!
If there is one book you are going to read this year, let it be Hook Shot! Trust me, this is a winner!
I have found the one whom my soul loves! – Song of Solomon 3:4
Oh my Kennedy Ryan is a master storyteller!!!! I adore her words…compelling, powerful, dramatic, life changing, amazing and EPIC! That’s how I would best describe this five star read!
Kenan and Lo are everything…gah, this book has every single feel going inside of me. Like all the authors other books, I’ll be rereading Hook Shot for sure! Kenan is in my heart forever…
I highly recommend this read!
Read it, you won’t forget it…it’ll stick with you. It’s that good!
I Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book!
For the first time. I am without many words when it comes to reading Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan. I don’t know whether to cry, laugh or sigh. I have read incredible stories throughout the last few years. Ones that I can recall and ones that still have a hold but ai forget the name. This story has left me breathless and almost longing. Kennedy why must you obliterate my soul time and time again? What possesses you to create a true and full dynamic of a story that shakes the foundations of a person and their life? I am still too shocked and corrupted by love, grief, acceptance, intensity and true spellbinding to produce my actual thoughts… Shatters of my soul are left throughout the pages of this once in a lifetime love and sacrificing story….
This was a beautiful and chemically inducing love story. Kenan and Lotus knew from the beginning that their connection was powerful. Regardless of the amount of hiding Lotus tried to do, it was in the powers that be that forced her to realize the cosmic shift and understand the powerful pull Kenan had towards her soul. I always say the last Kennedy Ryan book was my favorite, but they just keep getting better and better…
10 STARS if that were possible
Slow burn but so worth it. Lotus and Kenan know each other from mutual friends and he’s always been intrigued. He runs into her again and decides he wants to see where things will go but she’s not really into it. There’s a lot of obstacles for example his teen daughter and an ex-wife that seems not wanting to stay away even though she cheated on him. This relationship was an obstacle of so many things that were in the way. Nothing was rushed and they worked on the things that had potential of keeping them apart before making things official. Great emotional love story with amazing characters.
Nothing I write here will do this book, or any of her books, justice. Kennedy is the master of words. The master of emotions. The master of love. The creator of book magic.
“She’ll allow you into her chaos, but she’ll also show you her magic”. That quote from Nikki Rowe at the very very beginning was probably my favorite as it set Hook Shot up for book magic.
And let me tell you-Lotus and Kenan were book magic. Their story started so long ago and the build up to this point was the Best. Thing. Ever. So many different stages of emotions that you go through reading this…so many times where you can feel what’s coming and you have to put the book down and walk away to prepare yourself to read it. To feel it.
Thats what KeLo is-feelings. All. The. Feels.
I will add, I also loved how Kennedy wraps up other characters stories from previous releases with a big bow in little pieces throughout Hook Shot.
I can’t wait to see what comes next because I will always read every one of Kennedy’s words.
The third installment of the Hoops Series is here and we cannot rave enough about it.
From the moment I met Kenan & Lo I knew their story would be one to remember and I was not wrong.
Another deeply emotional,gripping story from Mrs. Ryan that leaves you reeling and with your heart so full you think it’s gonna burst.
This book was pure MAGIC. So many touching moments,so heartfelt.
Kennedy Ryan slayed it once again and gave us nothing less than we expected from her: AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE
I don’t know what else to say as this story is one you can’t just put into words. So I’m gonna say this:
Go. Read. This. Book. Now
I can’t recommend it enough.
Loved this story with all my heart and everyone NEEDS to meet Kenan & Lo!
Another emotionally phenomenal story! Hook Shot is everything I was hoping for and then some! There is no denying that Kennedy Ryan has a way with words. I was completely and utterly captivated by this story and the words I was reading. Hook Shot is the third book in the Hoops series and it is just as amazing as the others. There is something in the way K. Ryan writes her characters that is so powerful. It left me wanting and craving more, more Kenan, more Lotus, just more.
Lotus and Kenan are an inspiring couple!
Kenan is an NBA super star, once an inspiring attorney now a true baller. Life was great, he married his college sweetheart, had a daughter together, he was living the life. And then his life spireled and he landed himself in boat load of drama and a divorce. Trying to make his daughter happy is his top priority. He is done with women. And just as he says that, Lotus walks into his life. She is a storm to his calm and yet he can’t stay away.
Lotus had a rough childhood, but has managed to put her past behind her and find success. Now a clothing designer, she is happy with her career but has been struggling with her personal life. She decides to take a break from men, until she works through her hangups. But of course Kenan had to choose that moment to make a presence in her life. Despite her hesitancy she can’t stay away from him for too long.
Both Kenan and Lotus have been betrayed in the worst of ways. They deserve happiness, but is trusting each other worth the risk of being hurt again?
This book is so raw, beautiful, and painful. I hurt for both Kenan and Lotus. I was rooting for them the entire time. I wanted nothing more than to see them together. I knew that their story wouldn’t just end at a HEA. They had to work through some very painful events, but managed to come out on top. Together they were a force to be reckoned with. Their journey to happiness was hard, but all things that are worth it are hard to come by.
Every book in this series has shattered my heart. They all touch upon subjects that are hard to process, but I have loved every single one. K. Ryan has managed to shatter me once again, but I would experience reading this book for the first time over and over again. The feelings this story evoked in me are unbelievable. I can not express how much I LOVED this book! No review I write will do Hook Shot justice. It is that good!
5+ magnificent stars!
This review is a difficult one to write. Why? Because this story was so amazing that there is no possible way that I can do it justice with my words. It truly deserves ten stars. I feel sorry for the next book I read. Hook Shot set the bar really high. If writing were an Olympic event Author Kennedy Ryan would have a perfect score and gold medal. Her writing is strong, flowing, consciously written and captivating. Her words provoke your mind to think and imagine.
Kennedy Ryan’s words are baptized in truth and delivered with eloquence. She challenges your mind and helps your splintered heart with her stories. She raises social awareness and speaks the truth with reverence and not rudeness. She is a champion of social awareness and justice. She continually proves herself to be a masterful wordsmith!
Her words are visual poetry. She delivers them with the exactness of a laser and they wash over you like the dawning of a new day.
“I have found the one that my soul loves”.
Her words are a tempest drawing you further into the story. She weaves the character and story in such a way that the tapestry is so tightly woven that it warms you with its words and the silkiness caresses your soul.
Kenan and Lotus’ story left me satiated. Their lives both had wreckage and carnage in them. They were swept up and stilted by their past. They were closed off in different ways, but they each brought out the best in each other. They healed their wounds themselves and when shared themselves with the right people for them. The story gave me, a survivor, hope and courage. Their love is an indescribable vision of what everyone aspires to have in their lives.
Hook Shot has chased my blues away. I sit here smiling in my pink clouds. Read the book and find out what I am referring to.
Kennedy Ryan may not publish a lot of books each year, but the books that do come out define the idea of romantic stories with a social conscience. Hook Shot is another example of a couple finding their way while also dealing with serious issues and luggage carts of baggage.
One of my favorite things about Ms Ryan – and it’s true for this book as well- is that she doesn’t let her characters make excuses. She makes them bring the hard things to light and by doing so, she gives them a path to be better and stronger down the road.
Having said that, Lotus and Kenna’s story isn’t all doom and gloom and heavy introspective thoughts. It’s also fun! We get to see them invest time in getting to know each other and explore a city that they each only know parts of.
There are also places in Hook Shot where I thought my kindle was going to steam from the chemistry of intimate moments and some of the pure romance that oozed between the two.
As different as I am from Kenan and Lotus – I’m definitely not an NBA player nor do I have a creative bone in my body – Ms Ryan’s craftsmanship made sure that I could relate to who they are as people. I could relate to the parent worried about his child. I could empathize with the young women who battled to create her self worth. Kenan and Lotus were an easy pair to root for and I appreciated the idea that once they were together, they were a team, no matter what happened next.
While this book connects with Long Shot and Block Shot it can be read as a stand alone, certain characters from the previous books do show up as secondary characters and having read the previous books will add back story and context.
I’m not sure how she does it, but Ms Ryan continues to hone her craft and tackle difficult subjects with grace and dignity – I seriously wouldn’t mind being her when I grow up.
I read my first Kennedy Ryan Romance three years ago and in a sea of romance stories, hers was a standout for all the right reasons. I very quickly devoured her back catalogue, have read every book since. Her attention to detail and passion for making the story the very best version of itself is outstanding. The development of this story is absolute pure perfection with outstanding depth of character and feel of emotion. Another stunning winner that will wow readers, both new and old.
Hook Shot is a romance novel set in the world of professional basketball and high fashion. It’s a part of the Hoops series so, of course, past characters of the series have a place in this book but despite that, Hook Shot stands tall as a standalone and can most definitely be read in isolation. Richly textured with thoughtful storytelling and a luxurious narrative, Hook Shot vividly tells a unique and charismatic story.
Kennedy Ryan’s aesthetically pleasing, lustrous writing immersed me in the world of Kenan and Lotus, the protagonists at the heart of the story. Both characters have a story to tell about their past, both have work to do on their own selves and the last thing either of them need is each other. It’s clear that their attraction is something that they cannot fight forever and the unfolding emotional story is totally compelling. I believed in their thoughts, their motives and their actions. Their chemistry with each other shines through the prose and made me care deeply about them as individuals and as a couple. I felt their passion for each other, their pain, their turmoil and heartache. The romantic relationship that develops between them is super sexy with a first kiss to end all first kisses…. GET READY FOR HOOK SHOT!
I love a good sports romance and Kennedy Ryan does it so well with HOOK SHOT!