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.
A DEEP, EMOTIONAL unveiling of second chance love for two characters who have been hurt in the past. Not the same type of hurt, but hurt that questions trust. So when there is a unnerving, intense connection that speaks to both hero and heroine, it eventually has to be addressed and unearthed. Hook Shot is a story of hope, an awakening of the soul, of learning to trust again and mostly, a magnificent love story.
Lotus Dupree is a spitfire. She beats to her own drum, she doesn’t care what anyone thinks, and she harbors an inner hurt that needs to be addressed. Kenan Ross is older, has a teenage daughter, and has suffered a public and humiliating divorce. He’s a baller and Lotus doesn’t fallow basketball except for the fact that her cousin is married to Kenan’s teammate. These two have met in the past and there has always been a spark but it just wasn’t their time.
This book is a slow burn. It’s a real courtship. It’s getting to know each other, becoming friends, and eventually lovers. But during all that courtship, Kenan and Lotus open up and begin to see that trusting the other is a possibility. But as with every relationship, there are complications that arise…..jobs, an ex-wife, a troubled daughter, an inner hurt that is unresolved, and the scary thought that maybe each have found their beloved.
This story is methodical and calculating in its storytelling. It flows with incredible ease. It’s a beautiful carefully constructed romance when there are issues of trust and a past traumatic experience . It shows that when two individuals feel something and work slowly to uncover those feelings, then the possibilities are endless. Communicating is the key to their relationship. They talk freely and do not hold back secrets. And while no relationship is perfect, Lotus and Kenan pretty much define what a true relationship should be.
I will say that this story runs the gambit of emotions. There is a past traumatic experience that does weigh heavily throughout the story and how sweeping it under the rug isn’t healthy in the long run. So while the story is emotional, it also makes you laugh, makes you cry, it’s flirty and fun and sorrowful and hurtful. The sexual tension is high and when the fireworks eventually happen, it’s sensual, passionate and comes from feelings of love and trust.
This author loves to peel back the layers with her characters and makes you feel everything. I love both Lotus and Keenan as well as all the parts that the secondary characters added to the story. The storytelling and prose makes this story beautiful, incredible, touching, and perfectly wonderful.
#NotToBeMissed #ABestOf2019 #KeLo
Kennedy Ryan blew my effing mind! It was a surreal experience! Lotus is one of the most amazing woman I have ever read about! I felt the magic, the power, the beauty in my heart. I feel changed in subtle ways. I know this is the kind of book I will come back again and again to find peace and strength.The words are pure perfection. #KeLo is the epic love story you cannot miss.
The story line is very simple. A love story between a celebrity NBA player and a talented upcoming designer. The complexity is in the execution. The layers are in the characters. This love story builds up slowly in a torturing pace. Kenan and Lotus both are two most unique and inspiring characters I have read this year. The intensity and honesty of emotions made me weep. Lotus is a survivor, a fighter, a powerhouse of compassion and love. Kenan is the perfect man. Seriously he is flawless and everything you can expect from a great hero. He is so protective, caring, loving, patient and just everything. Lotus has suffered so much but it has purified and strengthened her. We see her vulnerability and insecurity but I am so proud of her. And Kenan is one of the main reasons of her change. Both had some excruciatingly painful and traumatic relationship experience. But they are made for each other. This is the soul-claiming, earth-shattering and overwhelming kind of love.
This story evoked some strong reactions in me. Kennedy Ryan has magical out -of -this -world writing skills. You may not believe me but I felt a mysterious presence of something big and powerful with me while reading some of the intense scenes. That’s real talent and real beauty. I can’t express the feeling but you will feel the weight and effect of the words. Think about goosebumps, chills, tears, palpitations and pure ecstasy. I may never forgive Kennedy Ryan for the heart attack I had towards the ending.
Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan is not simply a romance story. This is a life changing experience. This is a source of strength and inspiration. Read this book because you won’t find such an emotional captivating love story every day. It is a rare gem and get it.
Received ARC for Honest Review
I gotta say that it’s unlikely that Kennedy Ryan will put a book out that I won’t like. She has such a talent of weaving real life situations with a bit of fiction, a story told, a message sent and received. Hook Shot carry it’s own kind of emotion and power than what we’ve seen in Block Shot and Long Shot. It was like a storm that was slowly brewing, hidden away yet packing so much behind it all. I loved every bit of Lotus and Kenan’s story.
My goodness I could have highlighted every single sentence in this book. I loved that everything that was being said in their story packed so much. You literally FEEL everything that’s being said. Kennedy Ryan had some points to make when it came to Lotus and Kenan, and I was here for all of it! Like with all of her books, I devoured this one so quickly.
I loved how these two were so consumed with one another, it was evident that they were just perfect for each other. But you’ll definitely appreciate the time they took to before taking the next step, never wanting to rush, but deep down they were at battle with that constantly.
Lotus is yet another heroine that you’ll love and admire! She has endured so much and only has a couple people that she trusts. She’s broken, but it was always an internal battle for her until it came to Kenan. And she knew that she wanted to heal, not only for herself, but for what could be with Kenan. She was such a relatable character, strong and fierce with vulnerabilities. Lotus is someone who can definitely take care of herself and threats is something she doesn’t pay mind to. I was clapping and saying “yesssssssssss” when it came to a couple of times of her putting people in their rightful place.
And then we have Kenan, dealing with a spiteful ex-wife and trying to be the best father that he can for his daughter, Simone, who was also trying this new life of her parents being divorced. I can only imagine what it’s like to be so young and just trying to process all of that. In my eyes, this man can do no wrong nor did I understand why ANYONE would want to leave this man. He’s got the perfect mix of strong, sweet and a bit of alpha. Lotus was his end game and there wasn’t going to be a damn thing that got in the way of that. I also loved and admired his patience with Lotus.
Everything about their story is just pure perfection and it’s something that I’ll never forget. That’s why I love Kennedy’s stories, I can remember every little detail, it’ll forever be ingrained in my mind. She did it again with and this has definitely been added to my favorites for the year!
**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM SOCIAL BUTTERFLY PR IN CONSIDERATION FOR A REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR CONTENT OF MY REVIEW**
Kennedy Ryan
Lotus DuPree is an upcoming designer and experiencing emotional turmoil. The aftereffects of what happened to her when she was just a teenager. That’s why she swears off any kind of relationship to the opposite sex this time.
A bitter divorce left Kenan Ross wary to start a new relationship. Playing basketball and being a devoted father fills most of his time.
The question now is, will Lotus and Kenan be able to resist the undeniable attraction between them?
Hook Shot was a slow burn romance that will make you believe in love. It was an utterly well-written, emotionally charged love story of two people overcoming personal struggles. Leave it to Kennedy Ryan to deliver another engrossing story that made me speechless when I finished it. Just WOW! It was time well spent reading this book. Highly recommended.
Finally, we get Lotus’ story!
Since Long Shot, I wanted to know all about her character, and this undeniable attraction between Kenan and her.
HOOK SHOT was a wonderful read, with heartbreaking moments, but we also got funny moments, glimpses of August and Iris, even of other beloved characters.
And all this passion…
Damn. Kennedy Ryan knows how to deliver the best steamy stuff!!
So, trust me, grab this book.
It’s a delicious, intoxicating and sexy shot of passion, love, heartache, with a twist… of magic maybe?
LONG SHOT is still my absolute favorite in the series, but HOOK SHOT isn’t very far.
***ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review***
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•Standalone
•Fashion designer
•NBA Baller
•Single dad
•Brooklyn, NYC!
•Older Man/Younger Woman – LEGAL!
It is Poetic. Emotional. Thought Provoking. Deeply Beautiful. Unforgettable!
~ 5 Tell Me Your Truth ‘s ~
Kennedy Ryan gives us an intense, raw, romantic love story.
With a hero that I not only want to *kiss/lick* but I respect and admire.
With a heroine that is beautiful on the outside and even more beautiful in the inside. Her compassion built strong by her own experiences.
Quote I have found the one whom my soul loves
I love that this author is not afraid to color outside the lines and continues to give us heartfelt words that feed our heart and soul. She presents us with topics that NEED to be brought to light and does so remarkably.
Fabulous characters with some brokenness that makes them better and that much more real.
Lotus and Kenan each have a past, each have their own current life struggles. And together they have this undeniable pull, this chemistry that fires up when they are together. I absolutely loved the buildup of their relationship. #Fabulous
Quote ~ This kiss is a dark corridor, twisting and turning, luring me deeper. I can’t find my way out, and if someone opened a door offering escape, I’d slam it in their face ~
Without a doubt Kenan is an adorable man and Lotus compliments him in a way that brings out the best of him. Because Lotus is his queen and she’s a warrior #LoveHer
“There is no one else but you, my friend, my equal.” ~ Song of Solomon 5:2 ~
Yes this book is a romance (around 14% I was sooo in love) BUT THIS BOOK IS MORE! It made me think, It felt relatable, There were things that made me sad and some that made me mad. #AllTheFeels
I felt all the different types of love (father/daughter, Son/Mother, Friends and Lovers).
WE all want and NEED to feel important to those we love and to those who are supposed to love us back.
Confession- I’m a sucker for a man that treats his mother sooo good
How does it feel To Read a Story That Reaches a Deep Part of Your Heart, That has Life Issues You Can Relate To and Still Sweeps You Off Your Feet?
It’s unbelievable
Another emotional, honest love story from Kennedy Ryan. Hook Shot prevails with Ryan’s richly beautiful storytelling. Kenan and Lotus stand proud apart from the rest of the series in this standalone but still full of the complexities in human nature and delicious romance we’ve come to expect from the Hoops Series.
I’m always in awe of the styling, world building, and narrative choices Kennedy Ryan makes with such conviction in her stories. Her words combine and combust to create effortless yet completely impactful reading. You feel every emotion; every sorrow, joy, pain and pleasure thanks to magnetic connection between Kenan and Lotus through Ryan’s explosive story telling. This author is so acutely aware of her characters that she surrounds readers with a certain intimacy in getting to know them. You feel a part of their world from the very beginning as though you’ve been a part of it forever. The constant push/pull you feel from this story is unrivaled.
Kenan and Lotus speak a lot about Faith in Hook Shot. Faith, in and of itself, is a tough concept to grasp. Not only in this book, but in every book she writes, Kennedy Ryan provides you with some kind of belief system. It’s what I love best about her books. The positioning of convictions and the staunch belief that’s important to believe in something. And the way she consistently represents that Faith comes in many forms.
Lotus believes in the Earth, the patterns of how the environment works and the solidity she gains from it. She believes in her own mind and her astounding strength. And Kenan, well Kenan figures out that he believes in Lotus. The abundant and glorious power in that melding and the understanding and patience derived from it is so forcefully honest. It’s what makes this story fierce. And one you won’t soon forget.
Lotus and Kenan’s story is powerful. They both have issues to work through and found each other at a time in their lives when they weren’t even looking. Kenan is supportive, strong, quiet in his own way but no less all consuming in his want and love for her. Lotus is so interesting, I love her, she’s been through a lot but she’s strong. I loved this story.
5 This book is EVERYTHING Stars!!!
Kenan and Lo are LIFE!! They’re intense, bright burning candles. This book and their story have sunk deep into my soul.
Lo is a woman that has been so damaged that her ability to trust anyone let alone a man has resulted in a wall around her that few have been able to break through. Those that have are truly the ones that are her everything and they protect her with a ferocity that could scare away a lesser man…. Kenan is a man up to the challenge!!
“The few encounters we’ve had were charged with an intensity that made one thing clear: the rules I set for other men—casual, easy, simple—do not apply with Kenan Ross.”
I loved this man. He has an eagle-eyed focus on what’s important in his life… his daughter and playing basketball. Until he meets Lo and everything changes.
This story flowed effortlessly with grace, humor, pain and every emotion in between. To see these characters change and grow is an amazing experience. I loved how Kenan loved his daughter and struggled with everything going on in their lives and what bringing another woman into her life might meant to their relationship. There are a few truly heartbreaking moments that had tears streaming down my face. I wasn’t expecting that with their relationship!!
Lo is so cognizant of what her being in this beautiful girl’s life means and that scares her. Because she wants to make sure she understands that she’ll always be number one in his life and there’s nothing that could change that … not even his love for Lotus.
And oh my stars, Banner (if you don’t know her, you need to read Block Shot) has once again proven why she’s the best at what she does!! Kenan is lucky and incredibly smart to have this woman on his team.
As I consumed this story, because yes in one sitting I did it, I experienced such a teeter-totter of emotions. The ups were so high and then on the down slide I was crying and raging at my kindle. I so wanted to slap a couple upside their heads!!
What it comes down to is that Ms. Kennedy has written a book that is absolutely in my top reads for 2019. I’ve not met characters like these two previously. They’ve grabbed my heart and won’t let go. My heart was torn apart and then put back together thanks to Ms. Kennedy and her amazing ability to write a story that I couldn’t help but fall in love with.
Lotus and Kenan were perfect together. Sometimes when my expectations are really high for a certain book and a certain couple I start to get nervous that I’m setting myself up for disappointment, well not in this case. No way. There was not one single second of this book that I didn’t love! Kenan was everything I expected him to be – solid, quiet, loyal, intense. I absolutely loved how he pursued Lotus. I loved Lotus’ relationships with her friends and with Iris, her history w her grandmother, her love and loyalty and passion for fashion. Theirs is a bit of a slow building romance, and that makes the the 2nd half of the book that much better for the payoff and the steamy moments! This book has the signature great writing and deep, serious storylines I’ve come to expect from this author. I’ve liked all the books in this series, but HOOK SHOT is my favorite.
5 AMAZING STARS for Hook Shot! K Ryan has done it once again and left me utterly speechless with this book. I had the privilege of being the “final eyes” on this book, and when I say privilege – I mean it in the deepest sense of the word. Not only does K Ryan write like a poet, but she takes so much pride in her work, and has the utmost dedication and passion for her writing. That passion shines throughout her books and her words. It is contagious, and her characters make you feel each and every emotion that is behind Ryan’s story-telling. Hook Shot and these characters were no different.
I fell for these two characters HARD. Kenan is the gentle pro-basketball giant who does not give up on what (or who) he wants, and Lotus is a tender-hearted, spiritual fashion designer. She has the most beautiful soul. She is compassionate, loving and devoted; and on the flip-side, she is fierce and determined and protective. She is in a category of her own when it comes to heroines. I first met Lotus in Long Shot, the first book in the Hoops Series (although you do not have to read this series in any order), and when she first comes on the scene, you just know there is something different and special about her. She brings inner calm and peace, but with a fire deep down that stirs something significant and almost powerful. Her protective nature over her cousin, Iris, and her niece is fierce and intimidating. I knew her own story would be a powerful one, and I was right. There is just so much passion in Lotus, and as her story unfolds you learn about her past and why she has kept it buried deep within her for so long.
Kenan – oh this man. He is one hero that will forever stay in my heart. He is big, bold, easy on the eyes, and goes after what he wants. I love that he is the “old man” on the team – he is a natural leader and protector, and that is reflected in every relationship he has. There were so many times I just wanted him to come scoop me up with those big arms and take me away because I knew he would keep me safe and shower me with love – that is just what he does. Although he has been hurt in the past, he remains the ever-optimistic, selfless, and compassionate man. SWOOOOOON!
Together Kenan and Lotus are like a raging storm that leaves a rainbow behind. They are both strong-willed, determined, stubborn, passionate, and keep their inner-most secrets and insecurities at bay for as long as possible. But, their chemistry is undeniable, and the more they fight being together, the more they want each other; and the more their walls come down and secrets and truths are laid bare. Their relationship is real, raw and organic at its most core. I cried with Lo and I cheered for Kenan. Their deep and soul-consuming connection will leave you breathless.
I did not want this book to end, and I know that these two are going to stay with me for a very long time. Hook Shot is definitely going to be one of my fav books of 2019. Well done once again, K Ryan!!
Love is as strong as Death
Immeasurable strength radiates from this story. Kennedy has taken a mammoth task of writing socially relevant stories. Powerful and Important in any day & age, this story could be about any race, gender, ethnicity or colour. The underlying theme of inflicted pain and abuse could belong to any human being.
The power in our veins passed between two little girls in the Lower Ninth. We held it in a field of rotting cane, even when we were torn apart. It flows between us now through years and heartache and unconditional love. The power of an unbroken line. We are the magic.
Some scars are visible, others not, yet all the characters in the story are bruised to an extent. Everybody is trying to do best under the circumstances, dealing with shitty cards that fate has dealt them, calling on their Hopscotch!!
Lotus Dupree is trying to take baby steps to heal from the blunt-edged trauma to her body & soul
“Give yourself permission to let it hurt, but allow yourself permission to let it heal.”
Bridget- the Venus Flytrap, is in a way is trying to recover from a broken life too. I won’t say that she had any excuse for what she did……..but I understand!
Simone, omg adorable, confused Simone whose life has been upended, is trying to deal with it too…and failing!
And all these characters are facing the NBA Gladiator, San Diego Waves MVP, two Championship Rings owner – Kenan Ross. A mountain of a man, title holder of #Armporn and rich AF.
Yet his life is a circus, his home a mess and all the characters are hooked up to his energy supply, one way or the other, sapping, draining and in Lotus’s case- replenishing and reviving him. It’s like he’s a fly trapped in a very large web.
A “vacuum cleaner kiss” later they are hooked. Buttons match, their lives now sewn together, and i was totally invested at this point.
The story has a very smooth flow, very subtle nuances and some bold, risqué moves intertwined. It has hints of mysterious and occult practices in the background. An inherited power at work behind the scenes in some instances.
I loved the relationship equation. Very untangled and sorted graph.
“My beloved is mine and I am his”
I’d been waiting for Lotus’s book ever since Book 1, I’d say I’m extremely happy to read it, it was everything and then some. Hopefully we get Decker and Avery book soon-ish
5 stars for Old men and their PYT Millenials
She was the storm. She was magic. She became his everything.
Five Magical Stars for this emotional, slow-burn romance that gave me chills and overwhelmed me with feelings of love! I fell completely for Kenan and Lotus
Kenan, NBA superstar, has been raked over the coals by his ex and all for public consumption. The last thing he needs is another relationship. Trusting a woman is a struggle for him. His daughter is his priority. However, life never follows the plan you set forth, because when Lotus comes back into his life, all bets are off.
Lotus has an amazing career in fashion and she is a strong, beautiful, amazing and spiritual woman. She likes her men HOT and with no strings. She likes a bed buddy and she cuts them loose before they catch feelings. She has always been attracted to Kenan, but her past holds her back.
This is a story of taking your power back. Learning to face the past head on so that you can grow, heal and move forward. Lotus was such an incredible person. Her journey was tough but her strength and fortitude were awe inspiring. And Kenan was patient, kind and loving. He was everything that she needed. Together their connection was otherworldly. It could not be stopped or avoided…they were inevitable.
I enjoy this author and the honesty with which she tells her stories. Her words are always beautiful and poignant. This story touched on very difficult topics, but unfortunately they are also extremely relevant. The secondary characters were wonderful and she created an entire world to become immersed within. Another unforgettable story that will break your heart and put it back piece by piece.
I could not put this book down or stop thinking about it for long after the last page! This raw, poignant, and breathtaking love story had me laughing, crying, swooning, and begging for more! Kenan and Lotus’ story was not what I expected after seeing glimpses of them in the previous books. But I absolutely loved the direction Ryan took us! I couldn’t wait to find out more about Lotus, her life with Mimi, and why she avoided Kenan for so long. Lotus and their story was everything and so much more! Lotus showed the world her strength and resilience but it was in her brokenness that revealed her true beauty. She learned to feel, no matter how painful, and to believe in the power she had right within herself. Kenan has a regal self-assurance and confidence, but also has a tenderness that is so swoony. They both have been betrayed by someone they should have been able to trust, and are so closed off, not allowing anyone past the walls they’ve built. But from the first moment their eyes met, their souls called to each other, and they knew they would never be the same. I loved the evolution of their journey. It was so compelling, passionate, emotional, heartbreaking, and honest. They supported one another, challenged each other and have fun together. I loved their strength, love, and devotion, and their passion and chemistry was beyond explosive. This story was about learning to feel, the power of healing, and unconditional love. The twists and turns their journey took wasn’t easy, but so worth the riveting ride. I highly recommend this beautiful, exhilarating, poignant and sexy romance! Kenan & Lotus’ epic love story will leave you raw and breathless and totally satisfied!
”He’s not what I need. I need simple. Easy. And this man is neither of those things.”
•
Where do I even begin with HOOK SHOT?! Kennedy Ryan knows how to create real life scenarios and intricately weave them into our favorite fictional characters lives. Hook Shot is once again, a top favorite!
•
Kenan and Lotus have been aware of each other for years. He’s intrigued by her, she feels the connection but doesn’t dare act on it.
•
”Mine. For tonight, for as long as I can keep him, mine.”
•
NBA star Kenan Ross is a single father at the tail end of a nasty divorce. He’s been determined to never get into another relationship but Lotus DuPree blows his plans out of the water. Lotus never wants intimacy. Horrible events from her past don’t let her open up in her relationships. Kenan and Lotus grow personally and together to create a slam dunk in HOOK SHOT!
•
Again, I can’t say enough about this book. Kennedy knows how to write diversity and hard topics with such grace that you find yourself turning the page for hours on end. Hook Shot is unputdownable!
Fashion designer Lotus DuPree “Lo” is a strong, fierce, brave, self-assured, intelligent, and determined young woman. She is my favorite type of heroine! She doesn’t back down from life, but love has been a different story. That is to say that it had been, until the moment came when she locked eyes with Kenan Ross. A moment that seemed predestined to rewrite both of their stories.
Kenan Ross is the devilishly handsome champion “Gladiator” currently holding the power forward position on the San Diego Waves basketball team. His talent & skill have made him a well loved baller on the courts, but it’s his personal life that has the tongues of social media enthusiasts wagging, and journalists scrambling for the scoop.
Honest to Gawd, this story might as well have been written in ink made of pure chocolate for how well Kennedy Ryan’s words melted on my tongue reading this, while simultaneously tempting me to lick my Kindle. Have y’all taken a good look at that cover…Phew?! And the words inside just get hotter!!
I could not have asked for any more from Kenan & Lotus. My expectations were sky high due to the extreme love that I have for August/Iris and Jared/Banner, but WOW…Kenan & Lotus far surpassed what I had hoped for in this profoundly intense, raw, emotional and gripping age-gap romance.
My heart is absolutely BURSTING!!! Seriously…someone is going to need to piece this girl back together!!!
I hardly know where to start….
Kenan & Lotus are just two characters that were meant to be together. Period.
Every unsavory experience and bad hand that life had dealt them leading up to their chance meeting had so clearly led them to one another. They were perfect for each other in every. single. way.
It was impossible not to root for them! They were beautifully matched, and their love was so deserving of a HEA. Kenan and his love notes….OMG!!! There is just so much to love about this man it’s a crime against other book boyfriends!! He. Is. Perfect.
What I love and fully appreciate about all the characters in the Hoops series, is how real they seem. They aren’t crafted from some superficial romance mold that feels cookie cutterish and all warm & fuzzy. Kennedy Ryan allows her characters to not only deal with adversity, but she writes in such a way that the readers and the characters embrace the challenges faced. She gives us cause to connect with them because they are realistically portrayed, and relatably flawed. I love that despite their magnificently packaged outward appearances (again…see that cover? lol), we get to bear witness to their pain and perceived weakness, as well as celebrate their personal growth & triumphs.
As with books 1 & 2 in the Hoops series, Kennedy Ryan has breathed such life into Kenan & Lotus that they WILL steal your heart!
It’s. A. Given.
While Hook Shot can be read as a standalone, I have to ask WHY?! LOL!!
Why would anyone deprive themselves of experiencing the love stories of August/Iris and Jared/Banner?! Wrong…just wrong. Don’t do it! Long Shot and Block Shot are two of my favorite romance reads and you will regret missing them.
This is an epic journey of friendship, trust, and love that is not to be missed! It is so wonderfully written that I’m positive I’ll be reading it many times over. It is heartwrenching and ultimately heartwarming! It is the best romance has to offer. The pace is natural, the details essential, the story breathtaking, the characters lovable, the chemistry off the charts, and the prose is nothing short of pure poetry!
Kennedy Ryan- nothing but net here girl! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
4 1/2 stars
I don’t read many sports romances but this was one brilliant! The characters were fantastic. Lotus is a fun, vibrant woman who is spontaneous. But more than that, she is a strong, independent survivor. Kenan is a compassionate, respectful man who is a devoted father. I love how he puts his daughter’s needs first. He is patient and caring and fiercely protective of those he loves. Both characters have been hurt in the past but embark on a friendship. I loved how easy and fun the interactions were between Lotus and Kenan. I laughed so many times while reading the banter between the two of them.
*Me: Send me the deets and I’ll see what I can do.
Unknown: I also hate the word “deets” and all that text talk abbreviations.
Me: I’m sry. IDK. It’s NBD. I’ll BRB with more deets l8tr.
Unknown: Real mature.
Me: Such a grumpy old man!*
The two of them together made me aww and swoon. But the path to love is never easy especially when there is a spiteful ex in the background and unresolved pain. There are some fantastic characters in this story besides our main protagonists. JP is fabulous and although he is hilarious he can be surprisingly wise too. And then there is Billie and Yari. Best friends that say it like it is and who are there for each other. They give each other a hard time but that’s because they know what each of them is worth.
Kennedy Ryan explored some sensitive issues and this wasn’t just a love story. It was a woman’s journey that focuses on her coming to terms with her past and finding a way to grow. To be free and realise that she has that power within herself. Lotus finds a way to allow people in and they earn her trust. I laughed and cried and laughed and cried some more. This was a beautiful story with strong women, compassionate men and a love that was stronger than anything.
I’m in a dream like state after finishing Hook Shot. Lotus and Kenan’s story pulled every emotion out of me. I’m spent, drained and so satisfied with their story which I have been anticipating for so long. Kennedy Ryan delivered and exceeded my expectations by a million. That says a lot.
Hook Shot is a delicious slow burn and oh the burn and heat is so damn good. Just simmering beneath the surface whenever Lotus and Kenan are around another. It’s intense, it’s tantalizing and so right for Lotus and Kenan’s story. A sensual dance between the two of them from start to finish.
Their relationship is a work in progress. Kennedy Ryan succeeds in making their connection and chemistry palpable and undeniable through the conversations Lotus and Kenan share. They get to know and learn about another through conversation and taking their time. Exploring and enjoying one another. It’s beautifully written and explored. Their evolvement from friends to lovers takes time and I treasured and savored every moment of it. Their relationship has to take its time because of the past trauma that Lotus has to deal with and Kenan also has his challenges in the form of an ex wife and their teenage daughter.
Lotus is a fantastic heroine. She knocked the wind right out of me. She exhibits strength, fierceness and grace. Truly a queen. Kenan. Oh my lord. The big and grumpy Gladiator with so much heart and vulnerability. His daughter is his world.
Lotus and Kenan are 2 unforgettable and memorable characters. They own Hook Shot. They make this story shine thanks to the magnificent prose and storytelling from Kennedy Ryan. Her words are out of this world. Liquid gold pouring off of my screen. Poetic and powerful in all its glory.
I’ve been in a Lotus and Kenan cocoon for the past couple of days while reading and it’s been a wonderful place to be. This is why I read. To escape. To be transported to another place. To feel and experience the power of written words. Hook Shot delivered on all accounts and so much more. I couldn’t ask for more.
6 PYT & Button Stars
It’s a given with any Kennedy Ryan romance there will be an abundance of love and that love will not be easily attained. Anything worth having never is as the saying goes. She writes with sensitivity and finesse on subjects that are hardly pleasant but need a voice. She creates characters that face situations any one of us could go through. She keeps it real and entertaining.
Lotus DuPree is fierceness and grace, bold and selfless with an undeniable inner strength. She is beautiful and intelligent. She is a woman that most can connect with on some level. Her name, Lotus, is fitting for both herself and her affect on Kenan and their relationship.
Kenan Ross can only be described as a gentle giant. He’s intimidating in stature but such tender man. And above that, he is a father first. He’s the kind of man to admire and be proud of. And to icing to that sweet cake, he is unbelievably sexy. A self-described introvert, he is a different person with Lotus. He opens up and that can only come with trust and the right person.
I’d be remiss not to mention their first kiss. It was everything a first kiss should be. It had all the sensations and beauty one can offer.
I’m finding more and more that I want my characters mature, open and communicative. I want them to get to know each other, work through their obstacles and Kennedy Ryan does this with ease and flair. With that kind of storytelling, it’s not hard to become invested in the outcome of their heartaches, joys and triumphs. And even with some of the heavy subject matter, this one had still had a lighter feel and sweet cadence. Hook Shot leaves the heart happy and full.