★ A Top 30 Amazon Bestseller & RITA® Winner ★.A FORBIDDEN LOVE SET IN THE EXPLOSIVE WORLD OF THE NBA… .Think you know what it’s like being a baller’s girl? You don’t. My fairy tale is upside down. A happily never after. I kissed the prince and he turned into a fraud. I was a fool, and his love – fool’s gold. Now there’s a new player in the game, August West. One of the NBA’s brightest … the game, August West.
One of the NBA’s brightest stars.
Fine. Forbidden.
He wants me. I want him.
But my past, my fraudulent prince, just won’t let me go
*Contains domestic/sexual abuse not involving the hero. Read reviews for guidance.
more
Kennedy Ryan please stand up.
You aren’t a hero (and I don’t mean that in a negative way). You are the voice of a large and misunderstood population. You are a spotlight in a darkened alley. Long Shot will hopefully be a wake up call.
But for me it’s a reminder…
You see for a long time I judged the most important woman in my life. I shook my head in disgust and often didn’t take her advice. I used her experiences as a mantra. I will never, would never, and won’t ever. I never stopped to think about her. I heard her reasons and wrote them off. I heard her “excuses” and brushed them off. I never heard her pain. She only spoke in facts when talking about those times. I never heard HER.
My mother is a hero. Kennedy Ryan gave her a voice. I may never “understand” but I will never dismiss her again. This isn’t the first book I’ve read with these situations. It’s just seems to BE more.
So again, Kennedy Ryan, please stand up. Take a bow. Take a bow and KNOW that even if you can’t save them all, you are helping salvage relationships between survivors and their families.
Thank you for being a voice.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
It has been a LONG time since I’ve been this speechless when it comes to describing how much I loved a book. In fact, the last time I felt like this was when I read The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre. But when it comes to Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan, I truly believe there are no words to accurately describe how much my heart, my soul, my entire BEING was wrapped up in these pages.
Long Shot is the most brutally honest and beautiful romance novel I have ever read, and undoubtedly my top read of 2018.
I have wanted to read a Kennedy Ryan book for a while now, and as much as I’m kicking myself for waiting, I’m also SO happy that Long Shot was my first read by her. It was such an incredible experience, from the very first word to the very last, and it’s absolutely a book I’ll never forget.
If you know anything about me and my “type” of books, then you know I CRAVE the real, the raw, the honest. I long for love that burns a little, that doesn’t come easily, and Long Shot cured all these cravings and then some. Kennedy Ryan’s writing is outstanding and emotional, and it will keep you captivated as you devour Iris and August’s love story. If you think it will hurt, you’re right. If you think you’ll cry, you can count on it. And if you think you’ll feel healed in the end, you’ve never been more spot on in your entire life.
There are so many elements of this story I loved, but what I loved MOST was how fearlessly Kennedy Ryan tackled the taboo subject of abuse — specifically in the sports world. I think we’ve all seen within the past year (and more) that the rules get bent far to often for athletes who use their power to abuse, and this story shines a light on the WOMAN, the victim, who actually transcends that label and shows us the true definition of a survivor. It’s not a glorious thing, it’s not an easy thing, and it’s not something you just “survive” and then walk away from forever. No, abuse is with you for your entire life, in subtle and larger ways, but if you dig deep within yourself and lean on those who love you, you can survive, wearing your scars like jewelry.
The characters in this story were so real, so cinematic, it was like they were living and breathing and acting right in front of me. I felt like a fly on the wall, watching with my nails between my teeth, sucked into every single moment. And it wasn’t just Iris and August who jumped off the pages, but the supporting characters, too. I felt the menacing evil spirit of Caleb, I loved the free, fierce spirit of Lotus, and I found comfort in the calm, healing spirit of Mimi. It’s such a rare feeling and such an AMAZING one to want to stay within a book’s pages for long after they end, and that was the case with Long Shot. It was spellbinding.
I could go on and on and on and ON about this book, but all I can really say is if you have a love for honest, sometimes heartbreaking but overall healing romance, this is perfect for you. And if you’re scared of the subject matter, of being uncomfortable as you read, please, PLEASE, believe me when I say it’s worth it. Sometimes we have to stir the most uncomfortable of our emotions in order to discover a new layer beneath, one raw and untouched and beautiful. I promise, Long Shot will reach so deep down inside your soul that it will touch a place you never knew existed, and you’ll be forever changed.
I cannot recommend this book enough. If you take even one book recommendation from me for the year, please, let it be this one. Five angsty, heartbreaking, soul-healing stars.
“If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt the position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.” <3
A raw, insightful story of survival against domestic abuse.
When August enters a quiet bar on the eve of the biggest night of his college basketball career, he doesn’t expect to meet the woman who will change his world.
Iris is fascinated by the shy, handsome baller who joins her for a drink, but she is in a committed relationship, so regretfully says goodbye at the end of the evening, never expecting how her life is about to change.
When I told my story, some said I was a hero. I’m not. I’m just a woman who ended up in a bad relationship with a bad man and had to fight my way out of it. I did what I had to do to protect my daughter and to protect myself. That doesn’t make me special, but it does make me a survivor.
RYAN, KENNEDY. LONG SHOT (HOOPS BOOK 1) . KINDLE EDITION.
When Iris becomes pregnant(unplanned on her part) and is forced into bedrest, her dreams of a career and independence are placed on hold. Without her realizing how it happened, Caleb- her boyfriend- slowly and inexorably separates her from family and friends under the guise of love. A chance encounter with August reminds her of the friendship/attraction she’d given up and draws a jealous reaction from Caleb she doesn’t expect.
I’ve never been hit in the face. My mother didn’t bother disciplining me. Though I saw men hit her and my aunt from time to time, no man has ever hit me, so I didn’t know. I couldn’t have known that the first hit, that baptism into violence, doesn’t just sting the flesh. It startles the soul.
RYAN, KENNEDY. LONG SHOT (HOOPS BOOK 1) . KINDLE EDITION.
I’m not going to lie, this is a brutal read. But, it’s also an important story- one that needs told. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of death for women, and in many cases either goes unreported, or is swept under the carpet by an overworked law enforcement.
Women are victims of intimate partner violence more often and more severely than men
79% of police reported intimate partner violence is against women Women were victims of intimate partner homicide at a rate four times greater than men
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/problem-canada.html
Crisis Lines (24/7):
Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1 888 494 3888
Women Against Violence Against Women: 1 877 392 7583
Battered Women’s Support Services: 604 687 1867
We need books like this to show us, we CAN WIN. Don’t give up the fight!
I’m still trying to find my words. If I could give this book 10 stars–20–a hundred, I would. I picked this up because it’s one of this year’s RITA finalists. It’s outside my wheelhouse. As a rule I have avoided anything that sounds like a sports romance because I do not give two hoots about sports and cocky athletes…meh. While it is set against a backdrop of basketball, this is NOT a sports romance. This book is a hurricane that will tear you apart and wring you out until every last tear has been shed and you lay limp with relief and gratitude for the privilege of having read it.
It has a happy ending. A glorious, beyond well-earned happy ending with a dreamboat of a guy who is…well it’s hard to simplify what August is but perfectly imperfect. But dear God, the journey to get to that happy ending left me gutted. The subject matter is rough. Abuse is never an easy subject and Ryan does not shy away. She portrays the brutality endured by Iris in vivid, bruising detail that flays your heart with every strike. It’s not violence or brutality for the sake of violence and brutality. It’s truth. A crushing, horrifying truth that illustrates in no uncertain terms that the women caught in these relationships do not have simple choices. That it can happen to the smart, to the vivid, to the strong. That one day they can wake up and find themselves in a prison. And she paints with equal clarity the unassailable strength of a survivor getting herself out. Doing whatever it takes to protect herself, her child. Iris Dupree is badass to the core.
Make no mistake. This will absolutely be triggering to some readers, so don’t go into it blind. But if you choose to undertake the journey, you’re in for one of the best reads of your life.
Kennedy Ryan has done it again. She manages to pull us into her web of love, honesty and truth to such a degree you feel like you are living the ups and downs of these characters. Her words are powerful and strong. There are painful truths to this story, ones you cannot look away from or deny. The journey of Iris and August is an experience, not just words on paper to be read and forgotten once you move on to another book. She evokes emotions you didn’t know you had buried deep inside you. Their love story gives us hope that there is always someone who will stand up for you when you feel like you don’t have a voice or nowhere to turn.
Iris is a fighter, she’s a survivor and the lengths at which she goes to regain control of her life are nothing short of extraordinary. I wanted to be her friend and reach through the pages to be by her side during her journey. August, August, August. Honestly, this man is the book boyfriend of ALL book boyfriends. He wears his heart on this sleeve and that is so refreshing. He is such a genuinely good, decent, loving human being you’ll want to bottle him up and keep coming back for more. GAH! He is perfection.
The love story of Iris and August is very powerful. Kennedy’s writing is flawless and the story itself is so intense with chemistry, I thought I was going to explode. The passion and love she has for her characters is blatantly obvious. She handles them with such care and compassion. Her writing is beautiful, thoughtful and poetic. Once again, she is not afraid to touch on sensitive subjects; things that people shy away from and are too afraid to talk about.
This is an emotional and intense story, yet Kennedy manages to pull us out of the darkness with some comical side characters and fun, lighthearted banter. Iris and August would not be the people they are without their friends and family. Yes, some family we’d like to throat punch, but they also give us credence as to who Iris and August are as people. We are all shaped by those we surround ourselves with, but it’s how we/Iris & August choose to direct those influences that count.
This is a win in my book. I loved this story. It touched my heart in so many ways, these characters are some of the strongest I’ve read. I laughed, cried and most definitely raged over this beautiful romance. Kennedy has set us up with some beautiful side characters that we will be fortunate enough to hear from in the future. They’re like family now and letting go is not easy to do. However, knowing we’ll be reunited again is a slam dunk.
#TakeTheShot
#SighSwoonSwoosh
Long Shot was my first Kennedy Ryan book, after which I immediately read everything else she’d written. This one is heartbreaking and wonderful — the heroine escapes a terrible abusive relationship and has to heal herself before she can fall in love. It’s gorgeous.
This is my favorite book Kennedy has written. More than that, though, it is an important book. It makes me proud–as her friend, as a fellow author, as a reader and writer, and as a woman. It’s real, and it’s incredibly challenging but in ways that will leave you powerfully affected.
REVIEW: 5 Humbling Stars
“Those eyes are the color of whiskey tonight, and they’re just as intoxicating. She goes right to my head.”
I’m sure I will be a raving 5 star review floating among a sea of hundreds, so mine may not stick out much. But if you know me, I love to give my opinion on books, especially ones that touch me or move me. This one had everything I needed to keep the midnight oil burning while I ravaged the pages. I was giddy when August and Iris met. I was mad when circumstances didn’t work in their favor. I was fuming when reasons appeared as calculated and purposeful and added fuel to the fire of hurt. My heart, it could barely withstand the pain covering these pages, but I knew that Kennedy had a story she needed to tell me. I needed to be patient and make it through her words. It was definitely an exercise in patience and understanding for me.
As difficult as it was, I made it through – but not without stopping and having to put it down. This was a read that I needed to marinate in….it was a savoring kind of read, one that I couldn’t power through. It was one that made me read slow, meticulously, soaking up the words as she intended because they were hard hitting words. This one hit me so hard. It was an emotional sucker punch right to the gut…but it was amazing. It’s tragic, the actions and happenings in this book, but the fact that she was able to depict such a horrific world and turn it around to give us the love and the happy ending we crave, that tells me something. Kennedy is powerful with her words. She is one of the most conscious writers of actual REAL issues. She is able to wrap these societal issues up in a book that makes you THINK. It makes you FEEL. But you don’t feel like you are having some opinion forced down your throat. She is bringing to light tragic issues responsibly, while appealing to our romantic hearts….and I just love her for it. She always has an impact on my heart and my mind. I will admit, this book definitely made me see things in a different light. It was eye-opening and angering, emotional and beautiful, all wrapped up into one beautiful book.
“Yesterday’s regrets make today’s sorrows.”
I had to message Kennedy a few times while reading this. At first it was August that was getting my excitement because of how ‘perfect’ he was. And when I say perfect, I mean literally perfect. Kennedy Ryan is one of my favorite HERO writers. Her men, they are definitely ones of the swoon-tipping crowd, but they are not infallible. They are real. They have their own controversies surrounding them, but they are real to the very core of their personalities and convictions. August was the man, through and through.
When we met the sassy and witty Iris, I knew she was going to be one of my favorite heroines. She was strong. She was opinionated. She had drive. Everything about her, I could look up to and admire. And yet, my head shakes when I see what happened during this book, and how perceptions are actually rumors in disguise. How questions turn into misdirected accusations. My heart hurt, but I never stopped looking up to her because with everything she went through, she held her head high and always did the most admirable things. I loved everything about her.
“If you ever want a man to keep dreaming, give him a glimpse of what could be.”
If I wanted to discuss the love and the drive that August had for Iris, I would be able to get all giddy and smile, look to the heavens and sigh. I could. But that would be a gimme, right? He just did everything right. He fought long and hard for a feeling. Yes, a feeling. And to me? It spoke volumes about his personality and his strength as a man. His thoughtfulness was apparent, as well as swoon-worthy. The little things he did and the big things he did…they all had an impact on the heart of the story. But the pain that he felt when he found out the truth of the world in which he wasn’t aware of? My heart shattered. I couldn’t even begin to put myself in his shoes; to try and accept a reality that he wasn’t able to protect Iris from.
Kennedy Ryan is the type of author that uses her platform to educate and entertain. She paints a horrid picture of filth and guilt, anger and malevolence. But she writes of bright lights, warm encompassing hearts and arms of solid gold. This book definitely made me take a deeper, personal look inside my own biases; my own thought processes. It stopped me dead in my tracks and pissed.me.off. But it also gave me the love and the emotions I’ve come to crave and expect from her stories. As usual, Kennedy nailed this one. I’m going to stop right here, because all the highlights and notes I made while reading could give me enough info for 4 reviews. Do yourself a favor and feel this book.
“There is no before. There is no after. Now gives birth to forever.”
BEE
Purchase: http://amzn.to/2pyhuq9
Enter here to win a copy: http://bit.ly/2ubai8W
I cannot turn off the myraid thoughts and emotions activated by my reading of Long Shot from Author/Activist/Philosopher, Kennedy Ryan. I am reminded at an extremely visceral level about this fundamental truth of human existence:
There comes a point in every person’s life when they find themselves in a place that they never expected to be. It matters not how intelligent , how beautiful, how hardworking, how wealthy, how independent, or how confident we are. Things beyond our control, beyond our line of vision conspire to ensnare us and we become trapped in a place we promised ourselves we would never be.
It is in this most unexpected place that we find out who we truly are. It is where we face our weaknesses and also where we find our strengths. It is in this unspeakable place we face the stranger we have morphed into. In this awful unwanted space, we fight to become not simply who we once were, but also to emerge as an improved version of that self. In this place of shattered dreams and incomplete aspirations is where we begin to fulfill our destiny.
Iris Dupree is a woman who must fulfill her destiny. Her journey rips open the shutters which enclose darkness and illuminates a truth which is painful but quite necessary to know. Her twisted path leads the way to understanding that is hard fought and life altering. Iris is so truly damaged and so exquisitely magnificent. Her life is an education and an inspiration.
August West is an angel who masquerades as a basketball-playing man. His wings have helped him to soar to the elite levels of his craft. His halo is eclipsed by the light which emanates from the pure heart sheltered within this toned chest. August’s unfaltering faith in love and truth is the catalyst which transforms Iris’s Hell on Earth into a peaceful piece of Heaven.
Long Shot is not a paranormal romance. At times, it is not even remotely romantic. It is, however, always raw, real, and relevant. Kennedy Ryan has written a story which defies description.
The telling of Iris and August’s story brings to light things we would rather not realize. It prompts us to see circumstances are not sometimes what they seem. Kennedy Ryan reminds us that we must be vigilant. She reminds us that we must not surrender our essential self to those who seek to alter us; nor must we close ourselves off to those who love and honor us in our truest form.
This multi-faceted tale of love and basketball challenges each and every complex emotion a human can feel. It reveals to us exactly what love is and is not. Long Shot intricately embeds its lessons in the mind and more importantly, in the soul. It is a book which creates fundamental changes in the way life is perceived and lived. If the best view comes after the hardest climb, one will never want to look away from the breath-stealing horizon revealed by this extraordinary book.
5 STARS FOR LONG SHOT!! This story is powerful, Iris’s strength is out of this world. The tough subjects in this book are beautifully written with all the feels. Kennedy Ryan transports us readers into the story. I felt all the pain, happiness, struggles and even on the basketball court with the team. Iris, August and Caleb have a painful and loving story to tell you. Thank you Kennedy Ryan for giving us your beautiful words in this book. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Amazing 10 “I’d play you at the five Stars! Every time you get your hands on a Kennedy Ryan book you know you’ll be in for an emotionally charged EPIC journey. This is so much more than a story. Her words are like poetry, so powerful they feed your soul, and with imagery so vivid it’ll captivate you and you won’t be able to put it down.
This one will give you ALL the FEELS! While it contains a tough subject matter, this story will give a new perspective. A perspective we so desperately need, especially in times like this. So many lessons weave throughout this compelling story of the true love between Iris and August. The most important one, not judging people unless you’ve walked in their shoes.
August, #keeper, a one of a kind, totally swoon worthy, sexy and SO good down to his core. Iris, her strength, and her devotion empowers me. This is definitely an unforgettable read, one that will take you on a journey so dark and so deep at times, that when you reach the light it will feel amazing, a self- transformation that reaches all the way down to your soul. It’s a definite must read!
#ChangeYourCourse
#TruthThatNeedsToBeHeard
#TakeTheShot
A heart throbbing, painfully beautiful romance. My favorite read of 2018! Not only is this book
written flawlessly, but it is one of the most emotional books I’ve ever read. I can not begin to
express how much I loved it. Long Shot has been added to the list of my favorite reads of all
time! Kennedy takes us on a raw, heartbreaking, epic journey. It will take the breath right out of
your lungs. It can not get any more real than this book. I don’t usually have a hard time writing a
review, but I am at a loss for words. I don’t think I can emphasize enough how amazing this book
is.
When we first meet August he is a senior, playing college basketball. He is extremely talented,
and well rounded. There is no doubt he will eventually get drafted to play pro ball. Iris is also a
senior, attending a different college. She is determined to make a life for herself, goal oriented,
smart, and beautiful.
August and Iris were meant for each other, there was no denying it. But their timing wasn’t right,
when they first meet Iris is already in a relationship. The book spans over a long period of time,
the encounters August and Iris had were few and far between. But every single encounter was
charged with electricity, lust, and want. August was willing to wait as long as it took, because in
his heart he knew Iris was the one.
Iris finds herself trapped in a relationship that she can not escape, no matter how much she
wants to. She is the definition of strength! Not only was she strong physically but mentally as
well. I have never loved a heroine more than I loved Iris. She stands for all the women who
deserve better, but think there is no escape. For all the women who suffer at the hands of
another. I was so immersed, completely consumed by Iris.
When the time is right, and after a lot of suffering August and Iris finally find their way towards
each other. But just when you think the horrid past is just that, in the past, it comes back with a
vengeance. Once again August and Iris show their strength, their faith, and their fight.
Again, this book is amazing!! I don’t know how else to put it without giving away any spoilers. You
just have to read it! You will not regret it, I promise. Not only will you fall in love with August and
Iris, but with the secondary characters as well. Everyone comes to life in this book. There were
times when I found myself grinding my teeth, I was so angry. Then I sobbed, I was completely
destroyed. But it was all worth it, because at the end August and Iris get the HEA they deserved.
If I could give this book more than a 5 star rating I would do it in a heartbeat. I believe this is one
of those books that will stay with you forever. A must read!!
Long Shot is by far one of the best books I’ve read. Its a real life story with a very relevant story line, all set in the exciting world of basketball, with all the good, bad and the ugly.
August and Iris. The characters draw you into their lives. You feel their joy, their struggles, their pain, their successes, their loss and their love. “Oh, the feels.” They are so real. They’re human.
Their story is fiction but it could be your own story. Ok, maybe not being a basketball superstar, but that adds to the depth of the story. I don’t want to tell the secrets of the story, but there are parts that will shred you. It will make you really think. Have I ever judged someone before for this very thing? Have I missed something in someone I know? Would I recognize it and how would I handle it? What if it was me?
The supporting characters are equally as engaging. MiMi, Lo, Kenan, Deck, Jared, August’s mom.
Love waits. The timing must be right to take the shot.
My favorite quote is “I’d play you at the five”.
Long Shot is an absolute “must read”. You will love August and Iris. You will be gutted with the story. And you will fall in love as they find the strength to fight their way to that perfect moment and take the long shot.
I think the author just made the game winning shot at the buzzer from mid-court. Long Shot is amazing.
Long Shot is not your ordinary basketball story it has depth. It’s heart-warming and gut-wrenching at the same time. It’s about love, strength, patience, and courage.
An instant connection that’s what August West and Iris DuPree felt when they first met. They just click! August thought Iris is worth pursuing but Iris told him that she’s in a committed relationship. As the story unfolds, August learned whom Iris belongs to, to his archrival on and off the court. And because of that, no matter how hard it is, August must let go of her. Will he be able to move on and truly forget Iris?
What happens next… well, you’ll just have to read it for if I add more, I know I’ll slip and spoil the story for you. Just brace yourself for you’re in for a great read.
Kennedy Ryan is one author you can bank on to deliver a well-thought plot; unforgettable characters that continue to linger in your heart and mind after reading them. I enjoyed and consider Long Shot to be her best work to date; it’s exceptionally written spent. ne of my BEST read of 2018. If you haven’t read a book by this author, I greatly recommend this one. Because whenever I read a book by Ms. Kennedy Ryan, it’s time well spent.
Long Shot is so much more than a sports romance! It is about the epic love between two souls and their hard fought journey to be together. It is a beautiful, and at times heartbreaking, story that will take your breath away. The chemistry between August and Iris is combustible from their very first meeting. Even when circumstances keep them apart, and try to make them doubt the other, it never fades. I love both August and Iris, they are honest, thoughtful and endearing. Iris’s family and background is so fascinating, adding a wonderful dimension and making this even more intriguing. August is such a good man, so loving and protective. I really cared for them both and it was so painful to watch them go through some of the things they did. But more inspiring to see them become stronger, and their love more powerful. This is what Ms. Ryan does so well. Her writing style is beautifully poetic. It is so alluring and seductive that you feel like you are right there and experiencing every emotion. She takes us on an exhilarating journey that will leave you raw and breathless and totally satisfied.
This is storytelling at it’s absolute finest and I loved every word of this beautiful, passionate, poignant stellar love story! Bravo! <3
BRAVA!!
This is a compelling story of survival and love. It is so appropriate to the times we live, as women fight for justice in this male dominated society. No longer will we stand around silent as men abuse women and expect that no one will believe them. We have a long way to go, but our strength comes from helping each and believing in each other.
The story of Iris, August and Caleb will not only touch your hearts, but will also raise awareness as to the options available to us women when abused by a significant other. The plight is even more complicated when children are involved. As mothers, we protect our children with our body and soul. So glad I read this book!
I loved this book. It’s got a conflict that took hold of my heart, real stakes, and a description of a basketball game that was so tense I could NOT stop reading. I don’t even LIKE basketball.
It is REALLY, really intense, and you might want to look at reviews for some content warnings, but the thing I loved most about this book was how good the hero and heroine were, and how they always, ALWAYS respected each other. Also this book had something that will get me always, every time: Sisters who fight and don’t always agree, but have each other’s backs NO QUESTION. (For the record they’re technically cousins but they’re sisters, so I’m sticking with that.)
I wish I could give this book more than five stars. I can’t think of a story in recent memory that moved me as deeply as this one did. I literally could not put it down, and as soon as I finished it I raced to the author’s website to get the bonus epilogue. The writing is glorious, a master class in pacing and characterization. Such a hard-fought HEA for these two. An absolute must-read, unless reading about rape and domestic violence is a trigger for you. (It is on the page and it is graphic.)
just ….. wow
So. This was intense. Days after finishing and it still brings me to my knees. This is the story of Iris Dupree . Everyone and everything else were just pebbles on the ground she walked thru her journey. Some of those pebbles were really big with jagged edges and some of them were smooth as silk. Every pebble had a purpose and a meaning. This is the story of Iris’s growth, determination and survival. It’s the story of her relentless pursuit for better. For happiness. For love. For freedom. And of the boy waiting at the end of that really rocky path with open arms.
This isn’t an easy story. It’s not even fictional. It’s real. Very real. Iris may be a fictional character, but her story is someone’s truth. It’s a lot of people’s truth. It is heartbreaking and glorious all at the same time. I thought that days after finishing this book I would be able to sit down and tell you the phenomenal job this author has done with this story without shedding a tear. Well, I can’t. But my tears are not just because of the tragic element in Iris’s journey, but also the glorious triumph. My tears are for that man who never lost focus of the ultimate goal. The man who had his own journey parallel to Iris but never lost hope their paths would meld together as one.
Lastly, I want to talk a little about the depth of this story and its unfolding. This book has a lot of story. There is a lot that happens in just a few years. It’s also the type of story where character depth is super important. Iris’s past was necessary to understand in order to understand her present. It takes a really talented author to provide you with a whole lot of information AND tell a story impeccably. This author has that skill and then some. I was blown away at how well every aspect of this story unfolded. No detail was missed. If an author isn’t talented, this type of story can come across as tedious but not this one. It was detailed yet it seemed to be over before I knew it. It’s not a story I recommend you start late in the evening or if you don’t have enough time to read it thru until the end in one sitting. Why? Because it sucks you in and doesn’t let go. It’s captivating and thrilling. As I mentioned earlier … growth, determination and survival … you just won’t want to put the book down because you’ll need to get to the end. #TRUST
Long Shot was so amazing. I was left completely stunned when I finished reading this book. I now see and understand what an amazing writer Kennedy Ryan is. I thought Long Shot was going to be this cute and funny sports romance, but it is sooo much more than that. It is about love, the road not traveled, survival, and the will to fight for what you want.
August and Iris were two of the most amazing characters I have ever read. While August is a big part of this book and his connection to Iris was meant to be, Iris stole the heart and soul of this novel. This girl goes through so much in this book that it seriously broke my heart. The emotions I felt while reading this book were overwhelming. I commend Kennedy Ryan for writing a character like Iris. Holy hell I have never felt a connection between two characters than when Iris and August are in close vicinity of each other. It seriously melted my heart.
If I didn’t know why so many readers and authors are completely in love with Kennedy Ryan, this book has sealed my fate and turned me into a believer. Her writing is truly something beautiful and unlike any other authors. I have mad respect for her after reading Iris and August’s love story. The way she tackled this serious topic was perfect. I highly recommend this book.