A jock, a journalist and a second chance . . .MacKenzie Decker was a question Avery never got to ask, much less answer.They met when she was a young reporter fueled by ambition, and the ink on Deck’s first NBA contract was barely dry. Years later, they’ve climbed so high and lost so much, but one thing hasn’t changed. The attraction that simmered between them in a locker room before is still … before is still there. With success like theirs, everything has been possible . . . except them.
That was then.
But what about now?
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I love Kennedy Ryan’s books! Hoops Holiday is a second chance, holiday romance you do not want to miss!
5 Star review of Hoops Holiday by Kennedy Ryan
Avery and Decker met 10 years ago and to say it didn’t go well if a bit of an understatement. Fast forward to the present and life is about to get complicated for both Avery and Decker.
When Deck is invited to co host Avery’s show when they are in need of a guest host, she initially wants nothing to do with him.
The attraction that has been hidden beneath the surface over the last 10 years is still there and in fact Deck is determined not to waste the opportunity to get into her life.
My heart just about broke for Avery as she struggles to come to terms with recent events in her life. What surprised me was how absolutely wonderful Deck was, so understanding, compassionate and for the most part patient. Deck is my kind on man, totally swoon worthy.
Once these two got together I really enjoyed their banter and playfulness towards one another.
The story simply flows and the characters are believable and so easy to relate too. The writing and story line is solid and all in all this was a good read. Although a quick story, it certainly ticked many of the boxes for me and I really enjoyed it.
I am excited to read the next book in the series which I believe will be early next year
This story is about a basketball star and a sports reporter. It’s about a chance that never was but now could be. It’s about finding happiness in oneself in order to realize true happiness with another. It’s full of life lessons and truths that could apply to anyone of us. It tackles both joy and pain, attraction and denial, and the wonders of real love. Full-Court Press is short and sweet and sexy and stunning in its complexity.
We both have pasts and we’ve both had pain, but what we’ve never had was each other.
I’ve found another book boyfriend and his name is Deck!! This man was truly what BBFs are supposed to be all about – honorable, charismatic, ambitious, determined, kind and considerate, patient and understanding, and beyond sexy as heck. Another man has officially been added to my harem and he’s in good company.
This book was nothing but net. I generally prefer longer stories. But Kennedy managed to captivate and leave me feeling completely satisfied with this short, but still emotion packed story of love between 2 people whose paths were destined to cross then run together. And oh my, visiting with characters who I’ve loved from word one was such a nice holiday surprise. These short visits were realistic snapshots into where these characters would find themselves at this point in their fictional lives.
‘Hoops Holiday,’ consists of a STANDALONE novella entitled, ‘FULL COURT PRESS,’ which was previously published in the TEAM PLAYER Anthology but has been expanded with brand new content & a gorgeous epilogue. Avery and Deck’s story is not to be missed and a solid example of the writing prowess of Kennedy Ryan. In addition to this, readers and fans of the Hoops series of standalone novels have been gifted bonus story content, so YES, we have been given more Long Shot (August and Iris) and more Block Shot (Jarred and Banner.) The more is so, so good, like visiting old friends and falling back into easy chat with them, sharing their love and learning all their recent news.
‘Full Court Press,’ is the love story of Avery and Deck. Once, a long time ago, they shared a moment in time, a moment that made me smile, but would that moment ever lead to anything more? This is the starting point for Kennedy Ryan’s sports romance novella and as the story unfolds readers are treated to a tale of love, loss, second chances, and passion all wrapped up in a delicious and sexy prose that gave me all the feels.
Avery is beautiful, fun and feisty. A sports presenter who has clawed her way up to co-hosting her own show. She’s experienced hurt and loss which is showcased eloquently through the narrative. Her story is depicted with just the right amount of evocative detail to allow the reader to understand her state of mind, empathize with her emotions and believe in her actions and feelings. Deck, the sporting hero at the heart of this romance is a basketball playing legend who’s heading for greatness. A kind and sensitive man with an easy-going nature and fun personality whom I fell effortlessly in love with. He has both beauty and brains transitioning from player to legend. A man who I believe in, have faith in and trust implicitly such is the development Kennedy Ryan packs into this novella length story. The couple’s undeniable chemistry and the relationship that evolves between them, allows, ‘Full Court Press,’ to develop into a story with a rich narrative that, although novella in size, is mighty in substance.
REVIEW: 5 Tease-worthy Stars
“This girl – one look and one question tells me I can’t have my way with her. I never could resist a challenge.”
Getting a new book by an author you love is bliss. Getting an addition to a book you never thought you’d get is like CHRISTMAS!! Kennedy Ryan is a top FIVE author for me. I have read EVERY single one of her books and have loved them all. I love the eloquence in which she tells a story, but I love the truth in her words that much more. It’s probably ridiculous how much I love her stories of love and triumph, but she is a very brilliant and gifted storyteller.
With this triple novella, I happily got a little bit more of Decker and Avery! I wasn’t able to spend much time with them since they were originally a novella in an anthology, so their story was short and sweet and a kind of prequel to the HOOPS series. Even though this novella kicked off that series, I must say…they definitely enjoyed their own beginning. I loved Decker and Avery. I loved that original novella very much, but adding a little bit more – well, sure I loved it, but now it makes me want their full story that much more!! They have unbelievable chemistry and it danced throughout the pages.
In addition to the added content in Full Court Press, we got little “stocking stuffer” additions to some of my favorite couples’ stories. I have been screaming about Long Shot and Block Shot since I read them earlier this year. I already loved Kennedy’s words before, but these stories stand out among the crowd. The stories stuck with me emotionally and mentally for quite some time after I read them, so to be able to get another glimpse into the lives of August and Iris, as well as Jared and Banner, well – that was a fun little tease at how they are doing after we closed the pages of their books. So fun. I’m not going to lie, short and sexy, and very to the point were these little stories….but so welcome because of the love she poured onto the pages. Snippets of sexiness, I will call them.
HOWEVER. Yes, there is that word again. My patience is wearing thin because what did Kennedy do? She gave me juuuussst a bit more of Lotus and Kenan again to make me remember whyyyy I am waiting so desperately for their story in HOOK SHOT. Coming in early 2019, the wait has been a long time coming because the mystery that surrounds Lotus alone makes me desperate to read her story, but the desires, the pull, the need that Kenan has makes me giddy. Yet, Kennedy throws in that little eyebrow raising, gasp inducing comment at the very end of August and Iris’s stocking stuffer and I fuh-reaked out!! Argh!! What’re you doing to meeee?? Hence my patience running low because the anticipation alone is making me wanna pace and Kennedy Ryan is a mastermind at building anticipation.
I haven’t yet decided if Kennedy is a mastermind at storytelling or teasing me. Just kidding. The storytelling wins out, but she sure can tease me well!!
“I understand the difference now between the first time you kiss someone, and a first kiss.”
~BEE
Amazon AA Link: https://amzn.to/2QY0B84
Holiday treat from Kennedy Ryan! This is a second chance sports romance standalone in Kennedy’s wildly popular HOOPS world.
Kennedy Ryan is one of my favorite writers, as she does to I fall in love more and more of her stories is beyond me. Her writing is complete perfection, be novella, extra scenes, complete stories, her writing is impeccable, her characters complex and well developed, the plot always captures your heart and does not let go and stays engraved in your soul.
Full Court Press is the love story of Avery and Deck. It is a novel about loss, pain, love and second chances all packed in a passionate and emotional prose, exquisite and poetic.
As is characteristic in the author’s stories, Avery is a beautiful, brave, strong heroine who has managed to break through in a world dominated by men and make her own name. But she is hurt, she has experienced situations full of pain and that is shown through the story, and through the narrative the author makes you feel and empathize with her pain.
Deck is a former basketball player, now a legend. He’s sexy, sensitive and funny, I completely fell in love with his way of treating Avery and his personality.
There is a brief encounter between the characters at the beginning of the story that is funny and made me laugh, then we see the characters many years later.
The attraction between them is immediate and intense, their sex scenes as always are so beautifully written, they made me sigh and blush countless times, and the emotional connection between the characters, oh God, is pure poetry. And that epilogue, my heart fall completely in love with them.
I loved the extra scenes of August, Iris, Banner and Jared. Get a glimpse of the four, Awww.
August and Iris are perfect, I love them.
Banner and Jared, caused me so many emotions, they are one of my favorite couples this year, and reading more of them put a smile on my face. I can not get enough of them. They are so perfect together.
Mrs. Ryan’s writing ability is exceptional, she manages to turn a simple chapter into an unforgettable experience for the reader, and this was no exception, hooked from the first words, catches, captive, spells, makes you feel so many emotions at the same time. It is definitely a MUST READ. You will love every moment with these characters.
• •
: Hoops Holiday
: Hoops #2.5
: Kennedy Ryan
: 5/5
I don’t know how she does it, Kennedy Ryan has a special skill that not a lot of authors have in my opinion. Which is making me feel like I’ve read a whole book with all the feels, layers and connections… when in reality it was just a novella!! I mean?!?! I got everything I wanted in a “normal” book and I got it from a novella. I feel like I’ve gotten a major discount on something really expensive that should never be this “cheap” (lol does that make sense?). Anyways, even better was that I was able to get this holiday collection for free via her newsletter in December. And even if it wasn’t free, these stories are worth your $$$. I said stories, because next to the novella Full-Court Press, there are also two Christmas themed short stories with characters from Long Shot and Block Shot. All in all, I really loved these stories and it is such an amazing addition to the Hoops Series.
Most of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
Hoops Holiday is a sizzling Christmas novella that drew me right back into the emotional Hoops world Kennedy Ryan has created. I devoured Deck and Avery’s story in one sitting. Hoops Holiday is the perfect combination of steam and deep emotion with a dash of Christmas magic.
I’m on holiday mood, so I decided to start reading this novella by Mrs. Ryan that I have in my bookshelf since last year. I know I suck as a reader but the book world is so big and you want to read all the authors, but the time is so short for so many books.
“Hoops Holiday” is an amazing little story about Decker and Avery. Two characters we see in “Long Shot” and “Block Shot”. I always wanted to read their story so much and I loved every chapter. Sadly the story was so short.
I enjoyed reading a short story by August and Iris, Jared and Banner as well.
Readers if you enjoy Holidays stories this one is for you.
I didn’t realize Hoops Holiday was actually in between books 2 and 3! It really doesn’t matter but the updates would make more sense if you read them in order. This was a fast, sweet and sexy read. The main story involved Decker and Avery but there were also two shorter holiday updates on Iris and August and Banner and Jared. Plus there was a little glimpse of Lotus and Kenan.
When Decker first met Avery she immediately turned him down. Years later, they found themselves together again and Decker wasn’t going to give up easily. Would Avery be able to let Decker in or would she turn him down again?
Awe! I loved getting Decker and Avery’s story!! They have been such a fixture, it was great to get to truly know them. It was so hot, raw and sexy! A perfect addition to the Hoops series.
I’m so in love with this series.
4,5 stars
We’ve met Avery and Deck before in the series, but this is a standalone. He’s a retired basketball star and she’s a sport journalist. Since their first encounter 10 years ago, their chemistry in undeniable, but the timing wasn’t right.
After a decade, they meet again and are “forced” to spend more time together, which only enphasizes their feelings and whatever they can’t deny between them.
But they both have baggage and a past, and in order to finally take a risk at what’s growing between them, they need to sort their demons out first, specially Avery.
I loved that this author always brings sensitive topics in her books, she brings to light things we need to discuss and talk about. Their characters are complex, their feelins are deep, the plot is consistent and full of emotions, no matter the length of the story.
And if that’s not enough, we get to see Iris and August and Banner and Jared again. This day called for this reading.
Three great stories in one book, finally seeing what lies behind Avery and Decker story, which was a fantastic read, heartbreaking but fab. Then on to the continuation of Block shot and Long shot…always good to get bonus chapters
You wouldn’t expect a novella to get 5 stars you wouldn’t think a novella could leave you nursing a book hangover well let me tell you Hoops Holiday did exactly both of those it may be a quick read but it certainly packs some mighty punches. A second chance sports romance between a former NBA player and very successful tv host make for some interesting reading as they get reacquainted on the air and off the air…..
Anyone who has read Kennedy Ryan’s Hoops series is probably anxiously waiting for book 3 in the Hoops series and Hoops Holiday is the perfect story to bridge the gap and keep us all happy over the holiday season. If you haven’t picked up this series yet why not guess this novella could be the book to get you started on what is one of my favourite sports romance series. Another great read from the very talented Kennedy Ryan and I’m looking forward to more from her in 2019.
Wow! Kennedy Ryan gives us another spectacular story full of heart! I can’t believe how much happens in this is a novella. It’s emotional and fantastic and sure hits you. Decker and Avery’s relationship is beautiful to watch grow. Decker is understanding and the rock Avery needs. Filled with hope and love, this story is sure to leave you with a full heart.
It was nice to dive back into the world of these characters for a little bit. I loved them and getting little glimpses of their lives now makes me happy!
Well this was all kinds of beautiful! Avery stole my heart guys! Like she grabbed onto it and just would not let go! What an incredibly heart-warming second chance story this was!
If you haven’t met the world of HOOPS, you couldn’t ask for a better place to start!
I loved getting to see how Deck and Avery’s relationship started. I would really love a full novel of their life now. The Long Shot and Block Shot bonus scenes were amazing. I absolutely cannot get enough of August/Iris and Jared/Banner!
For this being a novella, it’s a slam dunk in awesomeness!!!
Emotionally, this book ticked all the marks. Avery and Deck are two people who have definitely had their fair share of fouls in their lives. After a towel malfunction meeting, years have gone by and these two are now working a short stint at twofers.
Avery has grown and progressed in her career. Having guest co-hosts are nothing unusual. But when he walks in… It brings back all the feelings she remembered those years ago. Its been a year since she walked into her apartment and her life changed. Is Deck walking in today a sign that her life is going to change again?
Deck is ready to make the move… the time is right in his life to finally move on. For years, she has constantly been in the back of his head. Recently though, the divorce is final and he’s ready to see where things can go with Avery.
This is a short, great story that is packed to the rim! Reading this, you get so much that you feel like the book is a full-length novel.
This author can sure draw you in and emotionally give you a ride!! The chemistry between these two are off the charts! Awesome story that also gives you a second story on dealing with suicide.
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