★ 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
If you are affected by reading about spousal abuse, read with caution. This book pulls on all the emotions inside you. I shudder to think the things some women go through in an abusive relationship and the struggles they go through to overcome it. I also feel some sympathy for the abuser because there must be something really broken inside them to cause them to behave that way and they need help too. This story has so much sadness, betrayal and pain but it also shows strength, perseverance, recovery,and love. An amazing friendship between Lo and Iris and a all consuming beautiful love between Iris and August. A love the helped her to know what a real relationship should feel like. An emotional anguished story which ended beautifully. Bravo to the writer.
If I could I would give this book 10 stars, it was so hard to read but also a reality check and reminder of what a good life I have.
It’s filled with hopelessness but also hopefulness. It’s also filled love and affection and a hero that never gives up on his one true love. The heroine is a strong women who’s trapped but never breakes.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Lots of good dialogues
A intense chemistry from the first moment to the last.
This was a intense story that I’m glad I got to read even though it was hard to read.
5 golden stars
My Heart, My All, My Everything! I LOVED THIS
*self-purchased on Amazon. No need of sugar daddies called promo teams*
“All the pretty stars shine for you, my love
Am I that girl that you dream of?
All those little times you said that I’m your girl
You make me feel like your whole world.”
Pretty When You Cry – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
She’s not the baller’s girl you’re thinking of. She’s the girl trapped in a nightmare and for her, the game has just begun. Who will attempt the shot?
*“Contains domestic abuse not involving the hero.”*
This my first Kennedy Ryan read and I am so happy to have picked this book up! Watching The Last Dance on Netflix had me like ‘I need a basketball read ASAP’ and I ended up finding the right one. I will be reading more books by this author and that’s a fact. This is an impeccable sports romance. I was mesmerized by the protagonists from their first encounter to the overtime. August had me at “I like a woman with a little height.” He’s just…. He leaves me speechless. You have to read him to get it because I can’t put it in words. I rooted for him so much. Everything he brought to the table was just electrifying; even his mom ffs. I mean, you have to be a cool mom to produce such a son, that’s all I’m saying. I rooted for Iris, too, and I can’t even begin describing all the feels that went through me as I read her story. Iris’ relationship with her family is definitely complex; it was quite a journey of ups and downs, from magical, warm and loving to dangerous and heartless. He who will not be named in this review was a complete manifestation of evil. I’m not even joking. This thing – he’s not even a man – made our protagonists’ lives living hell. I cannot stress how much I related to Iris and her struggles; it takes a lot to chase your happily ever after and it’s not as easy as people think it is to actually get there. I admired Iris for powering through this ordeal and for coming out of it the way that she did. This book had lots of important messages and I’d advise you to read with caution if you have triggers related to domestic abuse. Other than that, this was a splendid read and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series and other books by this brilliant author!
I recommend this read to people who love themselves an exquisite basketball romance, enjoy a little more substance in their sports romance and long to read captivating leads that will have you invested from the first sentence to that final shot that makes or breaks the game.
“I don’t know how you convince them and get them, boy
I don’t know what you do, it’s unbelievable
And I don’t know how you get over, get over
Someone as dangerous, tainted, and flawed as you.”
Million Dollar Man – Lana Del Rey
Sports Romance | Emotional
First and foremost, I want readers who haven’t read this book to understand that Long Shot is a highly emotional story with some very dark scenes . I’m laying it out there now that there could be triggers for some people who suffer or have suffered at the hands of domestic violence. These scenes are RAW, they are described in great detail, and in some respects, stomach churning. Readers on Instagram told me to heed these warnings because this book is not always easy to read and while I didn’t think it would be THAT BAD, I was wrong. Kennedy Ryan does a wonderful job at bringing domestic violence to light and I commend her for writing about such a tough topic, but some readers WILL find the subject matter to be “too much”. So, take that for whatever you want, but I am warning potential readers of what happens in the story.
On to the book… WOW! This is my FIRST Kennedy Ryan book and I am utterly flabbergasted. Her writing style is poetic. The topic, while devastating, is written with such clarity and care that I can’t even fault her for bringing me to my knees with this read. Aside from the harrowing tale of abuse, the romance is on point and deliciously swoon worthy. You can feel the love and a sense of fate throughout the book. I love how she used a reference for the movie Sliding Doors because it makes so much sense for this novel. Gosh, I am just so amazed with the way she penned this novel and am slapping myself for not reading it sooner. I can see why so many readers have fallen for her stories and I know for a fact tis won’t be my last. I’ll be picking up the next book immediately!
Iris and August are two of the most special characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. August is an NBA player with such a good future ahead of him and is so lucky to “have it all.” The only thing missing in his life is for someone to share it with.
Iris is a woman with dreams. She’s a woman who hasn’t had the easiest life and has been let down by the people who are supposed to protect her. But when a surprise pregnancy occurs, her life takes her on a path even darker than she would have imagined…
Iris and August may be fated from the start, but life has many roads and twists and turns. What path with this lead them too? Will they survive the storm? Or will it be the end of something that never even had the chance to begin?
All in all, I found this to be a blessing of a book. It hurt to read at some points, but the message is powerful. Kennedy Ryan is clearly a gifted writer and there is no doubt in my mind that I’ll be reading many more of her books. I’m glad I started here though…
This book…this author knows her way with words…omg it was like i was in the actual book, i felt the pain Iris was going through and I had to take a break and convince myself this is a book, because Kennedy’s writing is that good …and the chemistry between August and Iris… I highly recommend this book.
Caution for triggers…for people that have issues with abuse and rape…
such a good book, cannot wait to read more from Kennedy
I loved this book. I love the way Kennedy Ryan spins this love story and addresses domestic violence and overcoming past traumatic pain. It touched my heart in ways most books don’t. It’s so much more than a romantic basketball story!
Mind blowingly tragic and intense
Wow! Just wow.
It’s really hard to describe how intensely emotional this book is .
It’s a sports romance yes. But it’s also tragically suspenseful, heart breaking and such an important topic . Domestic violence – how slow it can creep up then stay hidden , secret, frightening and how violent it can get and be. Kennedy writes this really well!!
And on top of that , then how on the other side how there can be hope and healing and survivors can find love again…. though painful this process can be.
I can’t say a lot without kind of letting spoilers go
But I can say August is gorgeous , he’s a talented basketball rookie , humble, caring , loving , patient and kind . He’s a special kind of man.
Iris – she’s strong and determined to be independent and make something of her self but still finds herself trapped in a toxic relationship that slowly breaks her apart – and August Is part of her healing process .
“Sometimes the heart speaks in whispers, and by the time we hear, by the time we listen, it’s too late and we don’t know. We don’t know that we should have turned right instead of left. Chosen one instead of the other. But now, in the retreat of my mind, I know” – iris
*tigger warning * this book contains graphic scenes of domestic violence including rape and physical abuse , which may be a trigger for some people . If you know this is a trigger I suggest this is not a boon for you .
This book was intense and emotional but I was hooked . I loved the characters , and I loved the world Kennedy has created ! I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series !
Long Shot is the kind of book that stays with you.
It was tough to get through. The first half of the book she’s in an abusive relationship. She’s abused, she’s raped. I think on a normal day, it’d be hard to read. I read it during the coronavirus outbreak, and I suppose combined with all the world news and emotions of the moment, I almost didn’t get through this one. I actually at one point told a friend I wasn’t going to finish it.
Kennedy Ryan does a great job of showing how a woman can slip into an abusive relationship, and we get a good understanding of some of the ways she could be trapped.
When she finally breaks free, that’s when I flew through to the end of the book. I’ll definitely read more Kennedy Ryan, as she is a gifted and highly talented writer, but I’ll wait until I’m in a better place emotionally to dig deep in a book.
The other reviews almost scared me from reading this book but I’m so glad I DID read it. What a wonderful book, not overly violent in my opinion. Just a real depiction of the hell a woman goes though in an abusive situation.
Overcoming adversity!
Remaining true to your heart!
If you believe in the above, this book is for you.
Kennedy Ryan did the romance genre and the world as a whole a favor with this novel. It addresses graphically and honestly the experiences that more women than imaginable endure in silence. I listened to this audio book after read a blurb about how and why it came to be written. I am not sure if this would be considered a spoiler or a content warning but the open way the the horrors of physical, emotional and mental domestic abuse/violence are depicted in this novel are intense yet so true. This story is incredible and I believe should be required reading in educational institutions….because although it is fiction it is so real, raw and ultimately solution oriented that it is a good tool. As an avid, yet casual, reader I prefer only fiction, this was a challenge yet gratifying read. I am looking forward to reading more by Kennedy Ryan.
Great story about a strong women trapped in the cycle of domestic violence, and her courage to escape and protect her child
I usually don’t enjoy books about abusive boyfriends or spouses, but this was good.
Good story about professional basketball drama and domestic abuse. Good ending.
Wow! Talk about having your heart ripped out. I could not even imagine what it would be like to be in a situation like that. A mother’s instinct is to protect her child and you would do ANYTHING to make sure they are AND stay safe! This book may not be for everyone. It was really tough to read in parts, but as a whole, it was a thought provoking, beautifully written, work of art. Showcasing an incredibly strong woman living through the worst possible situation and taking control of her life – outsmarting, outwitting and outlasting.
I get it, I hate to admit it but I have had those thoughts too – why are they staying, why not just walk away. Well, we don’t know their situation and I bet it wasn’t as easy as it seemed… One can not judge what they aren’t living.
Iris was swept into the basketball world. One would think she was living the dream but no one knew what she was hiding, not every prince could be charming.
When August met Iris, he knew she was it. Unfortunately, the stars were not aligned for them. Could he wait for their paths to cross again? Would Iris allow him back into her life? Could she ever trust again?
Kennedy has this amazing talent to take hard subjects and create masterpieces out of them; she writes them with such care. I hope whoever needs to hear her books, does, and that it gives them the strength to do whatever it is they need to.
I’m not one for cheating though…even if the other was cheating, it doesn’t make it right for you to do it too.
Loved this book!!
Wow! A must read! Much of the storyline is difficult to accept but so realistic.
Very haunting and not for you if you can’t handle graphic domestic violence. Amazing story. I loved it.
Very difficult to read at time. Unfortunately all to real in todays world of abuse.
It describes the reasons so many women stay in these horrible situations and not always about money. Many women are just not strong enough to leave and never fully recover as they try to move on.
A powerful story! Enjoyed it!