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Hoops #1
Long Shot
From award-winning author Kennedy Ryan comes the soul-gripping, unforgettable first installment of the Hoops trilogy. Iris DuPree meets August West in a sports bar during her last semester of college. It's the conversation of a lifetime and sends sparks flying in every direction. The connection is undeniable…but the timing is all wrong. August is poised for the NBA draft, and Iris belongs to another man―basketball's "golden boy" and August's long-time rival. The two go their separate ways, but they often recall that electric night and what could have been. While August has embarked on his all-star life, studded with wealth and fame, Iris's perfect public relationship has become a nightmare behind closed doors. A tarnished dream of fool's gold. When August re-enters her life, the world seems briefly bright again, but Iris's darkest nights are not over yet. To survive, she must build her own strength and trust that her bond with August can endure after all this time. Even when her fraudulent prince has vowed never to let her go.
480 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2018
6,823 people are currently reading
85.6k people want to read
About the author
Kennedy Ryan
72 books31.7k followersNEWSLETTER:
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KENNEDY RYAN BOOKS - https://www.facebook.com/groups/68160...
I write contemporary romance and women's fiction. I always give my characters their happily ever after, but I love to make them work for it! It's a long road to love, so sit back and enjoy the ride.
I am wife to the love of my life, mom to a special, beautiful son, and a friend to those living with autism through my charitable foundation.
bit.ly/KRList
BOOKBUB: bookbub.com/authors/kennedy-ryan
AMAZON:
http://amzn.to/2EX7pgg
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/KennedyRyanAuthor/
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/kennedyryan1/
KENNEDY RYAN BOOKS - https://www.facebook.com/groups/68160...
I write contemporary romance and women's fiction. I always give my characters their happily ever after, but I love to make them work for it! It's a long road to love, so sit back and enjoy the ride.
I am wife to the love of my life, mom to a special, beautiful son, and a friend to those living with autism through my charitable foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 10,409 reviews
March 22, 2018
Long Shot by Author Kennedy Ryan is a sports romance, forbidden love novel. It is a standalone.
“If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
I usually try to give a brief, non-spoiler idea of what a novel holds...kind of like my own blurb for the book. I can’t do that for this novel, because it will not do it justice. Long Shot is a must-read. A gut-wrenching, soul-piercing, heart-shattering, ugly-cry masterpiece. Author Kennedy Ryan kicked butt and took names in this novel. She wrote some of the most hard-to-read and some of the most beautiful-to-see words ever written. This book was fierce.
“Ours is a love that reimagines—that peels back the sky at high noon searching for the stars, collecting them like shells in a bucket. We bathe in stardust, drink from the Milky Way, and dance on the moon. We pierce the firmament, peer into infinity, and tread on time and space. There is no before. There is no after. Now gives birth to forever.”
At one point in reading, I put my Kindle down. I was so overcome with grief and anger I couldn’t continue right then. I had to take a break and remember that it wasn’t real, that I really didn’t need to find someone and smash their head in. I knew I’d go back to it because, if I know anything about this author’s writing, Author Kennedy Ryan always offers redemption in her books. And I was licking my lips, ready to taste sweet revenge.
“You are pure. You are enough. You are strong.”
The stars of this show, in my opinion, were characters by the names of August, Iris, Lotus, MiMi, and Sarai. These characters had heart. Strong heart. Genuine love and passion. Loyalty. Protective instincts. Unbreakable spirits. Simplistic faith. They embodied the good in the world. Their presence made the pages vibrate with life.
“Seeing you wear my number is like a wet dream wrapped in a hand job.”
The love shared between August and Iris was one that could not be denied or skimmed over. It was palpable and tantalizing, pulling at me in each heated moment. Their chemistry was cosmic in nature, capturing the universe in its grasp and making the skies light up each time they crashed into each other with explosive force.
“Strength. Dignity. Courage. All these things belong to you. Take them back. Your soul is yours. Your heart is yours. Your body is yours. Yours to keep and yours to share.”
Long Shot drained every bit of moisture from my eyes, and just when I thought I had none left, a torrent would occur again, each drop falling from heartache and deceit, but also from healing and newness. This was a crushing and, at times, unhinged story, but it was also filled with so much hope and worth. Good winning over evil. Right stamping out wrong. A true inspiration for us all.
“Let nothing hold you back or keep you down...Even when you think you’re defeated, dig deeper. Go harder. Press, because there is something worth it on the other side.”
#keeper #atthefive #kismet #serendipitous #truelovewins
“If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
I usually try to give a brief, non-spoiler idea of what a novel holds...kind of like my own blurb for the book. I can’t do that for this novel, because it will not do it justice. Long Shot is a must-read. A gut-wrenching, soul-piercing, heart-shattering, ugly-cry masterpiece. Author Kennedy Ryan kicked butt and took names in this novel. She wrote some of the most hard-to-read and some of the most beautiful-to-see words ever written. This book was fierce.
“Ours is a love that reimagines—that peels back the sky at high noon searching for the stars, collecting them like shells in a bucket. We bathe in stardust, drink from the Milky Way, and dance on the moon. We pierce the firmament, peer into infinity, and tread on time and space. There is no before. There is no after. Now gives birth to forever.”
At one point in reading, I put my Kindle down. I was so overcome with grief and anger I couldn’t continue right then. I had to take a break and remember that it wasn’t real, that I really didn’t need to find someone and smash their head in. I knew I’d go back to it because, if I know anything about this author’s writing, Author Kennedy Ryan always offers redemption in her books. And I was licking my lips, ready to taste sweet revenge.
“You are pure. You are enough. You are strong.”
The stars of this show, in my opinion, were characters by the names of August, Iris, Lotus, MiMi, and Sarai. These characters had heart. Strong heart. Genuine love and passion. Loyalty. Protective instincts. Unbreakable spirits. Simplistic faith. They embodied the good in the world. Their presence made the pages vibrate with life.
“Seeing you wear my number is like a wet dream wrapped in a hand job.”
The love shared between August and Iris was one that could not be denied or skimmed over. It was palpable and tantalizing, pulling at me in each heated moment. Their chemistry was cosmic in nature, capturing the universe in its grasp and making the skies light up each time they crashed into each other with explosive force.
“Strength. Dignity. Courage. All these things belong to you. Take them back. Your soul is yours. Your heart is yours. Your body is yours. Yours to keep and yours to share.”
Long Shot drained every bit of moisture from my eyes, and just when I thought I had none left, a torrent would occur again, each drop falling from heartache and deceit, but also from healing and newness. This was a crushing and, at times, unhinged story, but it was also filled with so much hope and worth. Good winning over evil. Right stamping out wrong. A true inspiration for us all.
“Let nothing hold you back or keep you down...Even when you think you’re defeated, dig deeper. Go harder. Press, because there is something worth it on the other side.”
#keeper #atthefive #kismet #serendipitous #truelovewins
March 9, 2019
Kennedy Ryan doesn’t just write stories, she provides a reading experience with a rich, beautiful narrative and has once again blown me away with the sheer power of her writing. This author is not one to shy away from exploring the full depths of her characters and the world they find themselves in, and never has this been more apparent than in, 'Long Shot.' It’s raw, thought provoking, and edgy, and feels so very real and authentic in the telling making this a heart-breaking story that thankfully healed my heart when I needed it to.
'Long Shot,' is a story set in the Basketball sports arena with a very sexy basketball playing hero who I absolutely adore. He is caring, charming and totally charismatic; a hero to fall in love with. However, for me, this is Iris' story. She is without doubt the character at the heart of the narrative and the emotional layers that are in glorious abundance in this story. Her strength, determination and survival are firmly encased in a story about love, a love that readers will long to see flourish. Kennedy Ryan navigates through a sensitive topic with eloquence and compassion ensuring that I understood the standpoint of the heroine and felt compassion for her situation. All the reasons why are convincingly depicted in the thought process and actions of both protagonists. It truly opened my own personal thought process into the judgments I may have made about someone like Iris prior to her experiences being so vividly depicted. My understanding surrounding the topic at the heart of this story was richly broadened which perfectly shows the power of reading.
This story is one that will stay with me forever and I truly cannot wait to experience the next standalone which will happily be about one of the supporting cast members.
Beta copy**
★ Teaser pictures created by me with purchased stock photos from deposit photos ★
July 17, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2! Long Shot (stand-alone). A bad decision, years of regrets, a love that could never be, but for the dream that kept them alive!
“If you were mine, Iris there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
Books in Hoops series are stand-alones:
Book 1: Long Shot
Book 2: Block Shot
Book 3: Hook Shot
Long Shot (stand-alone) is the against-all-odds love story, spanning years, between NBA superstar and businessman August West and college grad and aspiring sports marketer Iris DuPree.
Two strangers met in a bar their last year in college. They spent a night chatting basketball and feeling an undeniable connection. It was before he would be drafted to the NBA. Before he knew who she was and that she belonged to another. His life-long arch-enemy, in fact.
And so, they walked their separate ways and took different directions in life. But over the years, in their darkest moments, they’d think back on that night, on that fork in the road; the what if’s; the could-have beens; the (im)possibilities of second chances; the odds of a Long Shot.
“In my dreams I choose him, my prince, instead of the fraud. In this parallel universe, at this second-chance juncture, I turn right instead of choosing wrong… and there only there, we are together.”
Eight words to describe August West: Patient, naïve, considerate, methodical, reflective, focused, noble and oh so sweet.
Seven words to describe Iris DuPree: Naïve, lonely, meek, impressionable, stubborn, conflicted and patient.
Long Shot, told from dual POVs. It’s a beautiful, heart-wrenching, yet hopeful and inspiring tale of about life’s tough choices and poor timing. Their impossible love preservers thanks to the steadfast and fierce resolve of August and the surviving spirit of his Iris. To read an extended epilogue, [click here]
“She is singular, obliterating every kiss that came before her, eliminating the possibility of anyone else ever tasting this good.”
***
Hero: ★★★★1/2
Heroine: ★★★★
Plot: ★★★★1/2
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★1/2
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Angst: | HIGH FOCUS |
Darkness: | HIGH FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | LOW FOCUS |
Romance: | HIGH FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
ARC provided to me by Kennedy Ryan in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2023
only being able to rate this book 5 stars is criminal. i give this book infinity stars, but even infinity isn’t enough. i cried what felt like an infinite amount of tears. kennedy ryan, my new favorite author😭🫶🏼this book was tough to get through to say the very least…i couldn’t put the book down, but there were times that i had to. this book was very heavy and i wanna really stress that in my review so you guys know to read the triggers before reading this book. as a woman who has experienced physical/sexual abuse, it’s hard for me to write the kind of review i want to write. this book is everything to me. the writing…i can’t even describe it. probably the most well written book i’ve ever read. it made me feel every single emotion. i will never forget this book, never. the story was so painful/heartbreaking, yet so beautiful. this book consumed me from start to finish. iris will forever be in my top favorite fmc’s. her love for basketball omggg she’s so me. i related to her in more ways than one. she’s so strong, so precious🥹she deserves the entire world that august gives her omg this MAN. this man stole my heart and i never want it back. “if you were mine, iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. you’d be center. i’d play you at the five.” if you love basketball as much as me and iris….you understand how much this quote means to me omg. my heart melted. the way he loved and cherished iris. there’s so much more i want to say about this man, but i can’t without spoilers. i just love august for iris so much🥹they’re fictional characters, but to me they’re real. they’re me and my boyfriend. i cannot wait to get to lotus’ book. i absolutely love her name so much, the meaning of a lotus flower has such a deep meaning in my life. like a lotus flower🪷we too have the ability to rise from the mud, bloom out of the darkness and radiate into the world. that’s me. that’s iris. that’s every single person who survived being abused…whether it was emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. we are beautiful people that rose from the mud and bloomed out of the darkness. we’re beautiful. we’re strong. we’re survivors. i’ll be holding this book forever close to me, in my heart. i really recommend reading this book, but again…it is NOT for everyone🥺i care so much about all of your guys’ mental health, so please read the content warning🫶🏼kennedy ryan…thank you for writing this book🥺your book dedication means the world to so many, including myself. one day i hope you know how much your book means to me🫶🏼
update🥹i shared my review on my bookstagram and tagged kennedy ryan and she saw it hehe, she now knows how much her book means to me🫶🏼i love her.
update🥹i shared my review on my bookstagram and tagged kennedy ryan and she saw it hehe, she now knows how much her book means to me🫶🏼i love her.
March 21, 2018
5+ stars!!!
Long Shot is a book that left me speechless once I finished reading. That doesn’t happen to me very often, but the story was so profound, it took me a while to find my words. This book is unlike any story I’ve read before. It’s one of those books that will stay with me. If I had one word to describe it, I would say it’s powerful. It’s real, raw, intense, and a book that makes you feel everything.
Have you ever met someone who spoke to your soul? The moment you met, you felt this spark, and you knew you’d never be the same? That is how August and Iris feel when they meet. Unfortunately, their timing wasn’t right. That meeting becomes one of those moments in Iris’s life. That ‘what if’ moment. If I would have done one thing differently, would everything have changed? Would my path have been different? Unfortunately, Iris will never know if that would be the case. She’s stuck on the path she’s on, but is determined to survive it.
Iris’s story is important. I wish I could explain how much this book touched me. These characters, their stories, and my girl Iris… the way she fought, sacrificed, and found herself. She is the hero of this story, the shining star. As much as I loved August (and I really loved August) Iris stole the show for me. I loved watching her come into her own. Her story broke me at times, it felt so real, because it is real for a lot of people, but it gave me hope. I loved her relationship with her cousin, Lo. I loved the bond they shared with their MiMi. I loved the sisterhood in this story.
August and Iris have an unexplainable bond from the moment they meet. Things are difficult for them and it seems impossible that they will find their way to each other, but it’s meant to be. The thing I loved most about August and Iris’s relationship is the fact that he let her shine. He built her up and her hopes, dreams, and wants were important to him. Iris deserved that more than anyone.
Kennedy writes important books. The topics of her books aren’t always easy, and this book had some especially brutal scenes involving . There were parts that were hard to read, but it was a book that needs to be read. From the outside, we never truly know what battles others are fighting. It’s apparent that Kennedy really did her research when it came to this topic. It made my heart hurt at times, but I think as difficult as Iris’s story was to read, it was more empowering than anything. No matter what hardships Iris goes through, she finds a way to stand on her own two feet.
August and Iris’s love story is one that defies all the odds. It’s a love that lifts you up, leaves you inspired, and makes you feel hopeful that true love exists. That good men exist. Long Shot is a gorgeous romance, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a story of one woman’s strength, perseverance, and survival. Iris is the star of this story and she shines so bright. Kennedy Ryan weaves together a story full of romance, heartache, and healing. It comes together seamlessly to make one epic story. Long Shot is an book that is going toward the top of my favorites for 2018 and that I recommend to all.
“Even when you think you’re defeated, dig deeper. Go harder. Press, because there is something worth it on the other side.”
Long Shot is a book that left me speechless once I finished reading. That doesn’t happen to me very often, but the story was so profound, it took me a while to find my words. This book is unlike any story I’ve read before. It’s one of those books that will stay with me. If I had one word to describe it, I would say it’s powerful. It’s real, raw, intense, and a book that makes you feel everything.
Have you ever met someone who spoke to your soul? The moment you met, you felt this spark, and you knew you’d never be the same? That is how August and Iris feel when they meet. Unfortunately, their timing wasn’t right. That meeting becomes one of those moments in Iris’s life. That ‘what if’ moment. If I would have done one thing differently, would everything have changed? Would my path have been different? Unfortunately, Iris will never know if that would be the case. She’s stuck on the path she’s on, but is determined to survive it.
Iris’s story is important. I wish I could explain how much this book touched me. These characters, their stories, and my girl Iris… the way she fought, sacrificed, and found herself. She is the hero of this story, the shining star. As much as I loved August (and I really loved August) Iris stole the show for me. I loved watching her come into her own. Her story broke me at times, it felt so real, because it is real for a lot of people, but it gave me hope. I loved her relationship with her cousin, Lo. I loved the bond they shared with their MiMi. I loved the sisterhood in this story.
August and Iris have an unexplainable bond from the moment they meet. Things are difficult for them and it seems impossible that they will find their way to each other, but it’s meant to be. The thing I loved most about August and Iris’s relationship is the fact that he let her shine. He built her up and her hopes, dreams, and wants were important to him. Iris deserved that more than anyone.
It’s only in the contrast of night, when things are darkest, that the stars shine. Iris is my constellation. She took the darkness as her cue to shine. It only made her brighter, stronger, and tonight, her hard-won glimmer lights up the sky.
Kennedy writes important books. The topics of her books aren’t always easy, and this book had some especially brutal scenes involving . There were parts that were hard to read, but it was a book that needs to be read. From the outside, we never truly know what battles others are fighting. It’s apparent that Kennedy really did her research when it came to this topic. It made my heart hurt at times, but I think as difficult as Iris’s story was to read, it was more empowering than anything. No matter what hardships Iris goes through, she finds a way to stand on her own two feet.
August and Iris’s love story is one that defies all the odds. It’s a love that lifts you up, leaves you inspired, and makes you feel hopeful that true love exists. That good men exist. Long Shot is a gorgeous romance, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a story of one woman’s strength, perseverance, and survival. Iris is the star of this story and she shines so bright. Kennedy Ryan weaves together a story full of romance, heartache, and healing. It comes together seamlessly to make one epic story. Long Shot is an book that is going toward the top of my favorites for 2018 and that I recommend to all.
Ours is a love that reimagines—that peels back the sky at high noon searching for the stars, collecting them like shells in a bucket. We bathe in stardust, drink from the Milky Way, and dance on the moon. We pierce the firmament, peer into infinity, and tread on time and space. There is no before. There is no after. Now gives birth to forever. This moment may die, but this love never will. Time is not a line. It’s a circle, and we, August and Iris, we stand at the center.
March 25, 2018
“Please tell me you feel this, too. Tell me I’m not fooling myself that we’ll be good together.”
Well, fuck.
This was nothing like I expected it to be and almost everything I wished it was. I think so many people need to read this and give it a chance because Long Shot is a whole new ball game. (wink wink ;)
There are some heavy themes that are dealt with, with such elegance and suspense that I really enjoyed this as a read and I was also really happy how the author portrayed all these thematic elements into one. Although I had a few issues with the story at the beginning and further, some of the efforts put in to showcase the trope - I really enjoyed this and I will definitely be reading more of this author later!
______________
Clarity
I want to start by congratulating the author on doing everything right in the domestic violence front. In my last review, in fact, I stated how if an author is going to talk about subjects such as domestic violence or heavy themes like it - it is their duty as an advocate against it to leave a little note at the end of the book that could help any potential victims.
Kennedy Ryan is officially on my list. Not only did she go the extra mile and put in that note and throughly explained why domestic abuse is wrong through her characters story's but she clearly did her research. I want to throw my metaphorical hat up in the air and rejoice because you can see that this woman is passionate not only about writing, but loving what she writes. It's not just some bullshit - it's a story within a story, where she took different testimonies and put it together to create what we now know as Long Shot.
The modern application of this is deeply embedded not only with the sports system, but with our countries presidents, politicians, TV show hosts, actors etc. The branding of a trophy wife is something that needs to be stopped and needs to be seen as wrong, because when you're moving towards something as focused as equal rights or even to stop the wage gap. These kind of things cannot exist.
In a way, I am so grateful I read Long Shot because I know that there is nothing like it.
Comparisons
I'm going to be honest, when I started reading this book I thought it was going to be a 2 star read because of prevalent issues. Then when I got to the middle, I for sure thought I was going to rate this 4+ stars. Then the end I couldn't settle because my emotions were so mixed, I went and did the chaotically neutral thing and said it was a three star read.
Here's the rundown:
It felt cliche with the trope of whatever the first guy did wrong, the second guy did right. This was at the start and when the story took a turn for itself in the midst of it's plot - I started to acknowledge certain literary techniques and choices that the author chose to work with.
It then felt like a testosterone filled competition. The amount of times "He got the girl" was mentioned in different ways actually made me want to stop reading because firstly, a girl is not something you 'get'. Especially when you are campaigning a book that goes against the sexual objectification of woman. It just all felt too much of "I can fuck / treat you better than him" at times, but after the halftime mark ran - I got into the flow of things and it worked. Ish.
But like I said, it truly did get better towards the middle and I really enjoyed how the author incorporated elements of humor, suspense, sports and romance all in one to create this phenomenal piece of writing!
Clusterfucks
My heart bleeds for Iris.
I don't think a female lead has ever been written as beautifully and as pathos evoking as her in this genre. She's the modern version of everything I aspire to be in life and it was a pleasure getting to know her.
This book deals with a lot of problems and it would be unwise to just look over it and not give it a try if you wanted to in the first place. So if you're on the fence about it, just do yourself a favor and read it.
Well, fuck.
This was nothing like I expected it to be and almost everything I wished it was. I think so many people need to read this and give it a chance because Long Shot is a whole new ball game. (wink wink ;)
There are some heavy themes that are dealt with, with such elegance and suspense that I really enjoyed this as a read and I was also really happy how the author portrayed all these thematic elements into one. Although I had a few issues with the story at the beginning and further, some of the efforts put in to showcase the trope - I really enjoyed this and I will definitely be reading more of this author later!
______________
Clarity
I want to start by congratulating the author on doing everything right in the domestic violence front. In my last review, in fact, I stated how if an author is going to talk about subjects such as domestic violence or heavy themes like it - it is their duty as an advocate against it to leave a little note at the end of the book that could help any potential victims.
Kennedy Ryan is officially on my list. Not only did she go the extra mile and put in that note and throughly explained why domestic abuse is wrong through her characters story's but she clearly did her research. I want to throw my metaphorical hat up in the air and rejoice because you can see that this woman is passionate not only about writing, but loving what she writes. It's not just some bullshit - it's a story within a story, where she took different testimonies and put it together to create what we now know as Long Shot.
“Yeah, well, when you can’t have what you really want,” I say, locking our eyes together, willing her not to look away, “you settle for whatever’s available.”
The modern application of this is deeply embedded not only with the sports system, but with our countries presidents, politicians, TV show hosts, actors etc. The branding of a trophy wife is something that needs to be stopped and needs to be seen as wrong, because when you're moving towards something as focused as equal rights or even to stop the wage gap. These kind of things cannot exist.
In a way, I am so grateful I read Long Shot because I know that there is nothing like it.
Comparisons
I'm going to be honest, when I started reading this book I thought it was going to be a 2 star read because of prevalent issues. Then when I got to the middle, I for sure thought I was going to rate this 4+ stars. Then the end I couldn't settle because my emotions were so mixed, I went and did the chaotically neutral thing and said it was a three star read.
"Her hands map the muscles in my arms and chest, her eyes closed as if she’s reading my body by Braille."
Here's the rundown:
It felt cliche with the trope of whatever the first guy did wrong, the second guy did right. This was at the start and when the story took a turn for itself in the midst of it's plot - I started to acknowledge certain literary techniques and choices that the author chose to work with.
It then felt like a testosterone filled competition. The amount of times "He got the girl" was mentioned in different ways actually made me want to stop reading because firstly, a girl is not something you 'get'. Especially when you are campaigning a book that goes against the sexual objectification of woman. It just all felt too much of "I can fuck / treat you better than him" at times, but after the halftime mark ran - I got into the flow of things and it worked. Ish.
“You think my game is that weak?” She side-eyes me, extending both brows as high as they’ll go. “We talking on the court or off?”
But like I said, it truly did get better towards the middle and I really enjoyed how the author incorporated elements of humor, suspense, sports and romance all in one to create this phenomenal piece of writing!
"There’s a part of me, though, that will always think of her as the gorgeous girl swearing at the television in a sports dive, sipping flat beer and pulling for her Lakers. We’re different, but I wonder if the quick, deep intimacy we shared that night is still there. If it’s still the same."
Clusterfucks
My heart bleeds for Iris.
I don't think a female lead has ever been written as beautifully and as pathos evoking as her in this genre. She's the modern version of everything I aspire to be in life and it was a pleasure getting to know her.
This book deals with a lot of problems and it would be unwise to just look over it and not give it a try if you wanted to in the first place. So if you're on the fence about it, just do yourself a favor and read it.
“The heart speaks in whispers.”
March 21, 2018
5 STARS
Such powerful and beautiful story, my heart *sigh* I'm still thinking about it!Long Shot is one of these stories you'll never forget, it's one of these stories you will read again and again and it will stay with you!I have so many feelings while I was reading it, my heart was aching for Iris and August!Long Shot was a heartbreaking,intense and sweet story.
From the moment August met Iris it is obvious that there is attraction between them!They were so intense whenever they were together!I wanted to see them together!Iris is so brave and so strong!OMG I cried with what happened to her!August is amazing, I fall in love with him!He is kind,funny,sweet,protective!
This is my first by Kennedy Ryan and definitely not the last book I'm reading!I love her writing it was flawless and she has a way with words that you feel like you are a part of the story!
Such powerful and beautiful story, my heart *sigh* I'm still thinking about it!Long Shot is one of these stories you'll never forget, it's one of these stories you will read again and again and it will stay with you!I have so many feelings while I was reading it, my heart was aching for Iris and August!Long Shot was a heartbreaking,intense and sweet story.
From the moment August met Iris it is obvious that there is attraction between them!They were so intense whenever they were together!I wanted to see them together!Iris is so brave and so strong!OMG I cried with what happened to her!August is amazing, I fall in love with him!He is kind,funny,sweet,protective!
This is my first by Kennedy Ryan and definitely not the last book I'm reading!I love her writing it was flawless and she has a way with words that you feel like you are a part of the story!
April 7, 2025
”If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you'd hold in my life. You'd be center. I'd play you at the five.”
I’m conflicted on my rating because my thoughts are all over the place 😭 but I’m going to settle on 4 stars for now. rtc
________
ᝰ.ᐟ pre-read: ᯓᡣ𐭩୭˚.
MY FIRST KENNEDY RYAN BOOK!!!🤭🤭
I’ve been wanting to read her books for a while and everyone tells me that they are emotional, I’m in the mood for crying so I hope this delivers🤞🏻🤞🏻
I’m conflicted on my rating because my thoughts are all over the place 😭 but I’m going to settle on 4 stars for now. rtc
________
ᝰ.ᐟ pre-read: ᯓᡣ𐭩୭˚.
MY FIRST KENNEDY RYAN BOOK!!!🤭🤭
I’ve been wanting to read her books for a while and everyone tells me that they are emotional, I’m in the mood for crying so I hope this delivers🤞🏻🤞🏻
November 15, 2024
4.5 stars
Kennedy why did you do this to me. My heart was broken by this book again and again, but augustiris mended it with their love. But I don't think I’ll ever be same after reading this book. I don't even know how to write this review without bursting into tears— because this book changed something inside me. I love and hate Kennedy and her stories and it's mostly because she make me a emotional mess everytime I read her books.
Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting myself into because this book is marketed as a forbidden romance story set in the explosive world of NBA, and while it's true it is a romance story about Iris and August and their selfless and beautiful love, it's so much more than that. It's about survival, escaping the monster disguised as human, it's about selfless love and connection that is so strong that it helped you endure all the pain and life than live it, it's about breaking cycles and making life-altering choices and decisions, it's about regrets and then finally accepting the truth and fighting for your life and survival, it's about Iris Dupree the woman who chose to be her own saviour rather than waiting for someone to come and help her, it's about how August never stopped chasing Iris and his love for her.
Kennedy's writing is exceptional and I have no words to describe it. She ripped out my heart apart with her words, then shattered it again in million pieces and then she put it back in it's place with a sweet little smile on her face. You get it how many emotions this book made me go through. She made sure I read and feel every fear, sorrow and helplessness that Iris felt when she lived her nightmare everyday of her life.
I loved the starting and the first meet-cute of Iris and August and though it was a bit insta-love on both the character's part, but I didn't mind it a bit, because when you know you know. Iris and August had this undeniable connection and they understood each other so well that August made Iris his life mission to give her the life she deserved but never got. The accidental pregnancy trope bugged me a little in the starting because of how Iris never wanted it and it was all Caleb's doing but I think I understand why it was there in the first place, because Sarai gave Iris the strength and power she needed to get out of that hell.
➸ Iris DuPree
Iris is one of the strongest woman I have ever read about in a book and I admire her for her bravery, resilience and strength she showed when everything in her life was falling apart. She always wanted to be a woman with ambitions and career but sometimes life gives you the most hard choices and she did her best with them. She was affraid but she fought for her life and her freedom and she is not just a survivor but a warrior who didn't needed a man to save her and her daughter. I get it why she made those choices and why she blamed herself for them but she never knew and all she ever wanted was to achieve her dreams and be loved. I liked that even after going through this much trauma in her life, she never stopped trying and believing in herself. She fought through the shame and guilt to find her happiness and I love her for who she is and what she did with her life.
➸ August West
August is the man you find once in a lifetime and never let go of. The charming and perfect NBA player who can make your heart melt into a puddle with his sweet words and his actions. He's just incredible and he also had his faults but above all he is an amazing human who knows how to love, care and protect his loved ones. He is selfless, kind and ambitious just like Iris and I love how he loves his life and dreams and Iris. He had been through a lot in his life, but he is a chaser who never stops and no matter how many hardships are there in his life, he is determined to get what he wants and that is an admirable trait because that determination helped him find his true-self and his true love. I loved seeing him fall in love with Iris and her daughter.
╰┈➤ Iris and August
Iris and August are the embodiment of right person, wrong time. The two misfits. The soulmates in every universe. Their journey started that night in dive bar where they pour out their hearts to each other, a night that ended bittersweet for them but they were inevitable. I love them so much and the way they loved each other was truly so beautiful and so pure. They had a few interactions but Iris and August always understood each other so well like they were always suppose to find their way back to each other. They always knew what they meant to each other but their situation made it harder for them to be together. Iris was trapped in the baby drama with Caleb and Caleb was August's rival who did everything in his power to destroy both of them.
What I really loved was how August never stopped loving Iris, he was always chasing her and loving her, encouraging her when she never believed in her potential. Their love is so beautiful and selfless that even after going through hell they both found their way back to each other. I liked how August earned her trust, gave her the slow and space she needed, encouraged her and supported her dreams, waited for her to come back to him but also never let her go, he was always there for Iris and Sarai. And their family moments have all my heart. The way Iris accepted August in her little family and the way August loved Sarai was so precious and emotional. I love the three of them so much.
The ending chapters were so painful to read but the ending was everything I wanted. Thankfully, Iris killed Caleb or I would've done it myself because that man is a monster in human flesh. Also, I loved the epilogue and bonus epilogues 🥺❤️🩹 They healed my broken heart and made everything better. Kennedy wrote them so beautifully that I just need more of Iris and August.
This book was so hard to read and it dealt with some heavy topics like domestic abuse and rape and all those scenes were not off-page and I had no idea how I read those chapters because my eyes were all blurry with tears. It was painful to read what Iris had to go through and how she survived Caleb. I don't think I have ever read such a heavy book that dealt so deeply with topics like grief and domestic abuse and the system that do nothing for woman like Iris but everything Kennedy portrayed in this narrative is so real and painful. It's the reality we try to hide ourselves from but it exists and there are many women like Iris who try to survive their situations but never get to do it because the system that we believe in sucks in reality. Women like Iris never get the justice they deserve in real life and this is the book everyone should read once in their life.
—————————
I cried then i cried again then i cried some more and i am still crying 😭❤️🩹 Kennedy be ready to pay my therapy bills (Rtc)
—————————
Another heartbreaking book by kr bcs i m a masochist and i love her books
“If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
Kennedy why did you do this to me. My heart was broken by this book again and again, but augustiris mended it with their love. But I don't think I’ll ever be same after reading this book. I don't even know how to write this review without bursting into tears— because this book changed something inside me. I love and hate Kennedy and her stories and it's mostly because she make me a emotional mess everytime I read her books.
Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting myself into because this book is marketed as a forbidden romance story set in the explosive world of NBA, and while it's true it is a romance story about Iris and August and their selfless and beautiful love, it's so much more than that. It's about survival, escaping the monster disguised as human, it's about selfless love and connection that is so strong that it helped you endure all the pain and life than live it, it's about breaking cycles and making life-altering choices and decisions, it's about regrets and then finally accepting the truth and fighting for your life and survival, it's about Iris Dupree the woman who chose to be her own saviour rather than waiting for someone to come and help her, it's about how August never stopped chasing Iris and his love for her.
“Can you miss someone you’ve never had? Because I miss Iris.”
Kennedy's writing is exceptional and I have no words to describe it. She ripped out my heart apart with her words, then shattered it again in million pieces and then she put it back in it's place with a sweet little smile on her face. You get it how many emotions this book made me go through. She made sure I read and feel every fear, sorrow and helplessness that Iris felt when she lived her nightmare everyday of her life.
I loved the starting and the first meet-cute of Iris and August and though it was a bit insta-love on both the character's part, but I didn't mind it a bit, because when you know you know. Iris and August had this undeniable connection and they understood each other so well that August made Iris his life mission to give her the life she deserved but never got. The accidental pregnancy trope bugged me a little in the starting because of how Iris never wanted it and it was all Caleb's doing but I think I understand why it was there in the first place, because Sarai gave Iris the strength and power she needed to get out of that hell.
➸ Iris DuPree
Iris is one of the strongest woman I have ever read about in a book and I admire her for her bravery, resilience and strength she showed when everything in her life was falling apart. She always wanted to be a woman with ambitions and career but sometimes life gives you the most hard choices and she did her best with them. She was affraid but she fought for her life and her freedom and she is not just a survivor but a warrior who didn't needed a man to save her and her daughter. I get it why she made those choices and why she blamed herself for them but she never knew and all she ever wanted was to achieve her dreams and be loved. I liked that even after going through this much trauma in her life, she never stopped trying and believing in herself. She fought through the shame and guilt to find her happiness and I love her for who she is and what she did with her life.
“I couldn’t have known that the first hit, that baptism into violence, doesn’t just sting the flesh. It startles the soul.”
➸ August West
August is the man you find once in a lifetime and never let go of. The charming and perfect NBA player who can make your heart melt into a puddle with his sweet words and his actions. He's just incredible and he also had his faults but above all he is an amazing human who knows how to love, care and protect his loved ones. He is selfless, kind and ambitious just like Iris and I love how he loves his life and dreams and Iris. He had been through a lot in his life, but he is a chaser who never stops and no matter how many hardships are there in his life, he is determined to get what he wants and that is an admirable trait because that determination helped him find his true-self and his true love. I loved seeing him fall in love with Iris and her daughter.
“Iris is my constellation. She took the darkness as her cue to shine. It only made her brighter, stronger, and tonight, her hard-won glimmer lights up the sky.”
╰┈➤ Iris and August
Iris and August are the embodiment of right person, wrong time. The two misfits. The soulmates in every universe. Their journey started that night in dive bar where they pour out their hearts to each other, a night that ended bittersweet for them but they were inevitable. I love them so much and the way they loved each other was truly so beautiful and so pure. They had a few interactions but Iris and August always understood each other so well like they were always suppose to find their way back to each other. They always knew what they meant to each other but their situation made it harder for them to be together. Iris was trapped in the baby drama with Caleb and Caleb was August's rival who did everything in his power to destroy both of them.
“Time is not a line. It’s a circle, and we, August and Iris, we stand at the center.”
What I really loved was how August never stopped loving Iris, he was always chasing her and loving her, encouraging her when she never believed in her potential. Their love is so beautiful and selfless that even after going through hell they both found their way back to each other. I liked how August earned her trust, gave her the slow and space she needed, encouraged her and supported her dreams, waited for her to come back to him but also never let her go, he was always there for Iris and Sarai. And their family moments have all my heart. The way Iris accepted August in her little family and the way August loved Sarai was so precious and emotional. I love the three of them so much.
“The daughter captivates me at a glance, just like her mother did, and my heart falls right out of my chest and lands at this baby’s feet.”
The ending chapters were so painful to read but the ending was everything I wanted. Thankfully, Iris killed Caleb or I would've done it myself because that man is a monster in human flesh. Also, I loved the epilogue and bonus epilogues 🥺❤️🩹 They healed my broken heart and made everything better. Kennedy wrote them so beautifully that I just need more of Iris and August.
This book was so hard to read and it dealt with some heavy topics like domestic abuse and rape and all those scenes were not off-page and I had no idea how I read those chapters because my eyes were all blurry with tears. It was painful to read what Iris had to go through and how she survived Caleb. I don't think I have ever read such a heavy book that dealt so deeply with topics like grief and domestic abuse and the system that do nothing for woman like Iris but everything Kennedy portrayed in this narrative is so real and painful. It's the reality we try to hide ourselves from but it exists and there are many women like Iris who try to survive their situations but never get to do it because the system that we believe in sucks in reality. Women like Iris never get the justice they deserve in real life and this is the book everyone should read once in their life.
“Life isn’t a road that forks or a line of numbered sliding doors. There is no alternate universe filled with only right choices. There’s just this one—just this life, and we go where our choices take us and grow wiser from our mistakes.”
—————————
I cried then i cried again then i cried some more and i am still crying 😭❤️🩹 Kennedy be ready to pay my therapy bills (Rtc)
—————————
Another heartbreaking book by kr bcs i m a masochist and i love her books
March 16, 2018
**Long Shot generously provided in exchange for an honest review.**
5+ "Take the Shot" Stars
The distinct, prominent, and important voice of author Kennedy Ryan speaks volumes in Long Shot. This book hails as an emotional experience in reading as Kennedy Ryan daringly takes a risk to stand up, tall and proud, and use her voice to enlighten, to prove love eventually conquers all, and to pay tribute to the strength and resolve all good men and women have within them. This book, gosh this book, it's not for the faint of heart. It's not all 3 pointers and dazzling smiles from hot ballers - that's there of course too, don't worry. But this one - it's dark and scary too. It's takes you to a place I hope you've never been but will understand more after reading it. It's really tough quite honestly. But it's also freeing and more than worth every single word.
"I was there when the levies broke."
Long Shot is a romance. A really tough romance. I also classify it partly as true women's fiction because it's the tale of a strong woman who was wronged when she never saw it coming. It's a woman who trusted the wrong instincts and paid for it dearly. It's about trusting oneself, learning to let go, growing up, and surviving a storm so wicked you don't know where you made the wrong turn in the rain. It's one woman's soulful, crushing, and inspiring journey. It speaks to all women no matter their personal stories, no matter their beliefs. It's a hard truth and an eye opening novel about true love and spirit juxtaposed against true evil and hardship. It's a redemption song, a comeback game, a deep and meaningful path to righteousness.
"I think you'll be an even greater man."
It's a reminder that there's always love, trust, and loyalty in this world full of evil. That persevering and believing in yourself will lead once again to a place full of happiness and moments to cherish rather than fear. There's a great man in this book who serves as a testament to true strength in uplifting a woman and letting her soar. There's a great man in this book who facilitates a transition from fear into something extraordinary thanks to his kindness, his patience, and his incredible heart. His strength and depth of character make this great man a man who for whom you'll forever be in love.
"But staying here..."
Kennedy Ryan opened my eyes with Long Shot. She took the unfathomable, the misunderstandings, the atrocious and presented it me in a way that I'll never, ever be the same. She created a shift in my own personal bubble that allowed me to see more sides of issues that are vital to understand as a woman who wants to breathe compassion most of all. With her concise and beautifully written story she's empowering women and urging us to all understand a little more, to believe in each other and uplift each other through love.
Thank you Kennedy Ryan. Thank you for taking the shot. Thank you for your voice and your courage to tell the tough stories that touch us so very deeply. You're an inspiration.
**BETA READ**
5+ "Take the Shot" Stars
The distinct, prominent, and important voice of author Kennedy Ryan speaks volumes in Long Shot. This book hails as an emotional experience in reading as Kennedy Ryan daringly takes a risk to stand up, tall and proud, and use her voice to enlighten, to prove love eventually conquers all, and to pay tribute to the strength and resolve all good men and women have within them. This book, gosh this book, it's not for the faint of heart. It's not all 3 pointers and dazzling smiles from hot ballers - that's there of course too, don't worry. But this one - it's dark and scary too. It's takes you to a place I hope you've never been but will understand more after reading it. It's really tough quite honestly. But it's also freeing and more than worth every single word.
"I was there when the levies broke."
Long Shot is a romance. A really tough romance. I also classify it partly as true women's fiction because it's the tale of a strong woman who was wronged when she never saw it coming. It's a woman who trusted the wrong instincts and paid for it dearly. It's about trusting oneself, learning to let go, growing up, and surviving a storm so wicked you don't know where you made the wrong turn in the rain. It's one woman's soulful, crushing, and inspiring journey. It speaks to all women no matter their personal stories, no matter their beliefs. It's a hard truth and an eye opening novel about true love and spirit juxtaposed against true evil and hardship. It's a redemption song, a comeback game, a deep and meaningful path to righteousness.
"I think you'll be an even greater man."
It's a reminder that there's always love, trust, and loyalty in this world full of evil. That persevering and believing in yourself will lead once again to a place full of happiness and moments to cherish rather than fear. There's a great man in this book who serves as a testament to true strength in uplifting a woman and letting her soar. There's a great man in this book who facilitates a transition from fear into something extraordinary thanks to his kindness, his patience, and his incredible heart. His strength and depth of character make this great man a man who for whom you'll forever be in love.
"But staying here..."
Kennedy Ryan opened my eyes with Long Shot. She took the unfathomable, the misunderstandings, the atrocious and presented it me in a way that I'll never, ever be the same. She created a shift in my own personal bubble that allowed me to see more sides of issues that are vital to understand as a woman who wants to breathe compassion most of all. With her concise and beautifully written story she's empowering women and urging us to all understand a little more, to believe in each other and uplift each other through love.
Thank you Kennedy Ryan. Thank you for taking the shot. Thank you for your voice and your courage to tell the tough stories that touch us so very deeply. You're an inspiration.
**BETA READ**
March 25, 2018
5 Stars
"If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
Holy Moly this was one powerful read! Kennedy Ryan’s writing grabbed hold of me from the beginning with a connection between Iris and August that spans years. Centered around two NBA ball players and a beautiful young women fresh out of college. Iris is driven by her own career dreams and aspirations. Iris Dupree’s life takes several dark turns during the years and her situation seems hopeless.
It’s that one night she had with August West before graduation that leaves them both with so many what ifs even years later. As their encounters solidify a connection too strong to deny and yet Iris’ circumstances too dangerous to leave.
"In my dreams I choose him, my prince, instead of the fraud. In this parallel universe, at this second-chance juncture, I turn right instead of choosing wrong… and there only there, we are together.”
This is a love story that defies the odds and left me hopeful and comforted that true love isn’t just a notion but a tangible reliable bond!
"If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
Holy Moly this was one powerful read! Kennedy Ryan’s writing grabbed hold of me from the beginning with a connection between Iris and August that spans years. Centered around two NBA ball players and a beautiful young women fresh out of college. Iris is driven by her own career dreams and aspirations. Iris Dupree’s life takes several dark turns during the years and her situation seems hopeless.
It’s that one night she had with August West before graduation that leaves them both with so many what ifs even years later. As their encounters solidify a connection too strong to deny and yet Iris’ circumstances too dangerous to leave.
"In my dreams I choose him, my prince, instead of the fraud. In this parallel universe, at this second-chance juncture, I turn right instead of choosing wrong… and there only there, we are together.”
This is a love story that defies the odds and left me hopeful and comforted that true love isn’t just a notion but a tangible reliable bond!
September 24, 2023
WHY WOULD KENNEDY RYAN WRITE THIS? WHY WOULD SHE DO THIS TO ME??
What did I do to deserve this? 😭😭 I don't have the capacity to put together words to explain the state of my thoughts and feelings.
I recommend you invest in a therapist before and after reading this book 😣. I get a thought, but unfortunately I get a second thought. They ricochet off each other and I can't find either anymore 😭
I'm completely wrecked and broken and destroyed and unwell. Not me crying and giggling and cursing and reading through my wet, blurry glasses.
This book kept me up on a Friday night which is nothing new but I cried intermittently from page 14 to 434. I hyperventilated, my eyes were very puffy, I couldn't breathe for a couple of seconds and felt like someone was slowly and painfully taking my heart apart. I didn't stop until the last page when I cried until I passed tf out.
My heart is scattered into a million pieces, please excuse me while i try to pick up all the pieces from the floor and put them together in a semblance of something I can cope with.
What did I do to deserve this? 😭😭 I don't have the capacity to put together words to explain the state of my thoughts and feelings.
I recommend you invest in a therapist before and after reading this book 😣. I get a thought, but unfortunately I get a second thought. They ricochet off each other and I can't find either anymore 😭
I'm completely wrecked and broken and destroyed and unwell. Not me crying and giggling and cursing and reading through my wet, blurry glasses.
This book kept me up on a Friday night which is nothing new but I cried intermittently from page 14 to 434. I hyperventilated, my eyes were very puffy, I couldn't breathe for a couple of seconds and felt like someone was slowly and painfully taking my heart apart. I didn't stop until the last page when I cried until I passed tf out.
My heart is scattered into a million pieces, please excuse me while i try to pick up all the pieces from the floor and put them together in a semblance of something I can cope with.
December 7, 2021
I don’t know why I initially gave this 3 stars when I first read it.
I was clearly not thinking clearly.
The first half to this story is brutal. Kennedy Ryan does not shy away from showcasing what it means to be in an abusive relationship, both physical and emotional. These things happen on page, so trigger warnings for domestic violence, rape and gaslighting.
It was beyond uncomfortable to read. I almost had to disassociate at times, I took many breaks in between to read something lighter and step away from the story. Fortunately, I had the luxury to do that.
But for our heroine and many women this is a reality and it was far too raw and too real.
The second half of the story is where our heroine Iris goes on a journey of healing. But the aftermath of being in such a relationship are still very much present. It broke my heart to see how much she was broken down by this. Her soul was crushed. She never fully recovers by the end of it but she is getting there slowly. In her own time.
It was never-ending pain with glimpses of hope and love thrown in between all of it. The chemistry Iris and August formed from the beginning was undeniable. Kennedy Ryan does this thing where the first meeting between the hero and the heroine is chemistry squared. Its explosive. It’s palpable. And you’re experiencing it right alongside these characters.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. The side characters were fantastic and I hope we get more of Iris and August
———————————————
#BookTubeAthon Day 3, Book 3.
Challenge: Read a book while wearing the same hat the whole time.
Hat, tea and book at the ready! And buddy-reading with Sara who has me hooked on romance and NA! 😍💕
I was clearly not thinking clearly.
The first half to this story is brutal. Kennedy Ryan does not shy away from showcasing what it means to be in an abusive relationship, both physical and emotional. These things happen on page, so trigger warnings for domestic violence, rape and gaslighting.
It was beyond uncomfortable to read. I almost had to disassociate at times, I took many breaks in between to read something lighter and step away from the story. Fortunately, I had the luxury to do that.
But for our heroine and many women this is a reality and it was far too raw and too real.
The second half of the story is where our heroine Iris goes on a journey of healing. But the aftermath of being in such a relationship are still very much present. It broke my heart to see how much she was broken down by this. Her soul was crushed. She never fully recovers by the end of it but she is getting there slowly. In her own time.
It was never-ending pain with glimpses of hope and love thrown in between all of it. The chemistry Iris and August formed from the beginning was undeniable. Kennedy Ryan does this thing where the first meeting between the hero and the heroine is chemistry squared. Its explosive. It’s palpable. And you’re experiencing it right alongside these characters.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. The side characters were fantastic and I hope we get more of Iris and August
———————————————
#BookTubeAthon Day 3, Book 3.
Challenge: Read a book while wearing the same hat the whole time.
Hat, tea and book at the ready! And buddy-reading with Sara who has me hooked on romance and NA! 😍💕
March 24, 2018
“The heart speaks in whispers, but sometimes by the time we listen, it’s too late.”
It’s been days since I finished reading this book and I still have NO IDEA how to put coherent words down. I’ll tell you this. I went into LONG SHOT by Kennedy Ryan completely BLIND! I didn’t read ANY of the early reviews and I barely read the synopsis, because once you see this author’s name next to the title, there really is no point. You’re gonna love it! Your mind is gonna be blown! It’s gonna be an EPIC EXPERIENCE! And it was…it totally was everything I expected it to be, but then it was SO MUCH MORE! So, if you’re reading this review, first off, thank you very much. Secondly, I’m not going to tell you anything about the plot of this book because I want…I need you to read this just like I did. I believe it only made the journey that much more NECESSARY.
Long Shot pushed me, I’m not gonna lie. It obliterated my heart. It scratched at my soul. It boggled my mind by the fact that YES, this book is FICTION, but the circumstances and the events that go on within the story is someone else’s reality, and that my friends, is scary as hell. Kennedy Ryan will break hearts and open up minds with this unique and angst-filled love story. She will call upon the deepest part of you and will request that you be brave and open-minded. You may ask me why I think that this book is one of the BEST of the year. Well, if not for all of the reasons above, you will certainly find out for yourself within a few minutes of reading it. If you’re a hardcore fan of this author, you might have some idea what you’re in for. If you are a Kennedy Ryan virgin, just like I was, be prepared for anything and EVERYTHING. Be prepared to hurt. Be prepared to fall in love. Be prepared to just…FEEL.
April 21, 2018
First and foremost, I really want to emphasize that this is a book about abuse and what it is like to be in a very dangerous and abusive relationship. MAJOR trigger and content warnings for a lot of graphic rape, stalking, being trapped, and a lot of very graphic physical, emotional, and mental abuse. This read is not easy or light, but it very importantly talks about taking back your own body after someone has been forcefully taking it for so long. Also, if you need help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.
This book also puts on display how difficult it can be to leave an abusive relationship. We live in a world where people never want to believe a woman’s word, on top of the hundreds of other factors that come into play when someone is trying to leave their abuser. The author put in a lot of research and interviewed a lot of survivors, social workers, and women’s shelters and it shows on the pages. This book feels so real. But again, this is a book about reclaiming your body and your mind from your abuser. And if you are in the right mindset, I very much recommend this read.
Long Shot is a basketball, sort of second chance romance that starts with one night at a bar that changes two people’s lives forever. It is the night before August’s big college final game, and Iris is a basketball fanatic that came to the bar to catch her beloved Lakers play. August was just looking to blow off some steam, but he wasn’t planning on meeting someone who he would never forget. The chemistry is instant and so damn good. I truly believed that these two characters were real and were soulmates and it was a damn treat to be inside their heads.
This is also an ownvoices for the two black main characters that the points of view shift between. Actually, both August and Iris are biracial (white and black) and this book always holds an important discussion about growing up biracial and never feeling like you belong to either half of yourself.
Also, this book talks about Hurricane Katrina and how so many families were broken apart and forced to flee New Orleans, and become refuges in their own country. I’m telling you all, Kennedy Ryan packed this beautiful romance novel with some important topics and discussions that so many writers wouldn’t dare bring up. She’s made a fan for life.
But after having an amazing night just baring their souls to one another in a bar, Iris confesses that she has a boyfriend, so their relationship can go no further than friendship. And August is a standup guy and understands, until he realizes the next night at his game that Iris is dating his childhood nemesis.
From there we get to see how Iris and August’s lives go on different paths; him in the NBA and her with her abuser, but somehow their paths always connect back to one another. And the abuse I prefaced this review with? It starts out suddenly, with Iris being told what to wear, then telling Iris how her future should go, to eventually trapping Iris into something that changes her life forever. Again, this is a hard book to read, but I promise it is so rewarding.
The romance in this book is so damn swoon-worthy. August West is a God among men, and Iris is one of the strongest protagonists I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about, and August is so deserving of her. And not only is the romance perfect and the sex amazing, Iris and August’s friendship is always on display and seeing it grow into something more was something more beautiful that I have words for.
And this book is just a love letter to why it is so important to surround yourself with people who have your back and will always unconditionally love you. The love between Iris and her cousin, Lotus, was so important to me. And seeing Iris reconnect with her grandmother was also one of my favorite moments in the book. Yet, again, this book showcases the important of found family and how important it is to cut out toxic family members from your life, because blood is just that; blood, and nothing more.
This is a real and raw novel, and I know a lot of people won’t be able to read it because it is so triggering, but I also think this book has so much power to heal abuse victims. I will be forever thankful for Kennedy Ryan for creating this masterpiece and using her voice for so much good. And for somehow writing this novel that will evoke every emotion out of you, but will leave you believing in love again. If you are in the right mindset, and are looking for a good romance, I completely recommend Long Shot, and I anticipate it making many people’s best of 2018 lists. And I can’t wait to see if we get a story about Lotus. *crosses fingers forever* And girls? Make sure you always get a partner that always plays you at the five.
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I loved this interview from Steph so much that I knew I had to finally pick something up by Kennedy Ryan!
“I spoke because maybe there’s some girl like me. Young. Vulnerable. Naïve. Flattered by his attention. Maybe she thinks his jealousy means he loves her more or that it’s cute. Does she realize that slowly, surely, she’s being cut off from her friends? Isolated from her family? Being molded into something she’s not? Into what he wants her to be?”
This book also puts on display how difficult it can be to leave an abusive relationship. We live in a world where people never want to believe a woman’s word, on top of the hundreds of other factors that come into play when someone is trying to leave their abuser. The author put in a lot of research and interviewed a lot of survivors, social workers, and women’s shelters and it shows on the pages. This book feels so real. But again, this is a book about reclaiming your body and your mind from your abuser. And if you are in the right mindset, I very much recommend this read.
“Strength. Dignity. Courage. All these things belong to you. Take them back. Your soul is yours. Your heart is yours. Your body is yours. Yours to keep and yours to share.”
Long Shot is a basketball, sort of second chance romance that starts with one night at a bar that changes two people’s lives forever. It is the night before August’s big college final game, and Iris is a basketball fanatic that came to the bar to catch her beloved Lakers play. August was just looking to blow off some steam, but he wasn’t planning on meeting someone who he would never forget. The chemistry is instant and so damn good. I truly believed that these two characters were real and were soulmates and it was a damn treat to be inside their heads.
This is also an ownvoices for the two black main characters that the points of view shift between. Actually, both August and Iris are biracial (white and black) and this book always holds an important discussion about growing up biracial and never feeling like you belong to either half of yourself.
Also, this book talks about Hurricane Katrina and how so many families were broken apart and forced to flee New Orleans, and become refuges in their own country. I’m telling you all, Kennedy Ryan packed this beautiful romance novel with some important topics and discussions that so many writers wouldn’t dare bring up. She’s made a fan for life.
But after having an amazing night just baring their souls to one another in a bar, Iris confesses that she has a boyfriend, so their relationship can go no further than friendship. And August is a standup guy and understands, until he realizes the next night at his game that Iris is dating his childhood nemesis.
From there we get to see how Iris and August’s lives go on different paths; him in the NBA and her with her abuser, but somehow their paths always connect back to one another. And the abuse I prefaced this review with? It starts out suddenly, with Iris being told what to wear, then telling Iris how her future should go, to eventually trapping Iris into something that changes her life forever. Again, this is a hard book to read, but I promise it is so rewarding.
“The heart speaks in whispers, but sometimes by the time we listen, it’s too late. I learned that the hardest way. And maybe that girl can change her course before it’s too late.”
The romance in this book is so damn swoon-worthy. August West is a God among men, and Iris is one of the strongest protagonists I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about, and August is so deserving of her. And not only is the romance perfect and the sex amazing, Iris and August’s friendship is always on display and seeing it grow into something more was something more beautiful that I have words for.
“I’ll never take this for granted. Not his kindness, when I’ve known cruelty all too well. Not his tenderness, when I’ve been handled roughly in the past. Not his love, when I’ve been possessed and owned and mistreated.”
And this book is just a love letter to why it is so important to surround yourself with people who have your back and will always unconditionally love you. The love between Iris and her cousin, Lotus, was so important to me. And seeing Iris reconnect with her grandmother was also one of my favorite moments in the book. Yet, again, this book showcases the important of found family and how important it is to cut out toxic family members from your life, because blood is just that; blood, and nothing more.
This is a real and raw novel, and I know a lot of people won’t be able to read it because it is so triggering, but I also think this book has so much power to heal abuse victims. I will be forever thankful for Kennedy Ryan for creating this masterpiece and using her voice for so much good. And for somehow writing this novel that will evoke every emotion out of you, but will leave you believing in love again. If you are in the right mindset, and are looking for a good romance, I completely recommend Long Shot, and I anticipate it making many people’s best of 2018 lists. And I can’t wait to see if we get a story about Lotus. *crosses fingers forever* And girls? Make sure you always get a partner that always plays you at the five.
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I loved this interview from Steph so much that I knew I had to finally pick something up by Kennedy Ryan!
March 26, 2018
DNF @ 78%
I'm allowing myself to rate this although I couldn't finish it.
Whenever I fail to connect with the story, I'm asking myself why. Not whose fault is it.
The author obviously touched a lot of readers with Long Shot, I've been hearing how good and emotional the book was before it even released. Both bloggers and readers adored it, connected with it on different levels.
My first disappointement with the book is that I couldn't connect with any of the characters prior to get into the gritty parts. Sure Iris sounded all kind of awesome and August looked like a hero with charm and potential. I liked their first interaction very much.
But that was it for me. When all the player layed their cards flat and the situation was clear for all three players, I had no interest remaining for any of them whatsoever.
None for Iris in a relationship she made clear she wasn't interested in—but still commited because... reasons.
None for August and his puppy love for a woman he met once.
None for Caleb, the obvious villain of the story, parading his girlfriend/prize to spite his nemesis.
But full disclaimer : I'm not one to usually enjoy love triangle.
I've read some readers talking about perfect sport romance.
To me, it wasn't much a romance. Or a romance at all. Romantic elements, sure. A romance story? Certainly not.
The intent focus on domestic abuse steered any sweet feelings and ideas of HEA from my mind.
While the author did a great job describing physical abuse and portraying the feeling of being trapped in a relationship, I had difficulties understanding how Iris let herself in this situation in the first place. From the beginning it was clear she had no particular feelings for her boyfriend, so it felt like a contrived situation to me.
Parallel to the excruciating, very graphic and horrid POV from Iris days of abuse, we had August's POV. All slow, recovering from an injury, growing as a NBA player and as a man. Alright. I'm not sure what was the author's intent, but I had difficulties to remain interested about what was going on in his life. The alternate POVs felt so unbalanced. All I wanted to know was how Iris would eventually escape her living hell and be done with the book.
I told myself I was done a few times, but curiosity and a friend pushed me to pick up the book again, and again until I just couldn't.
Around 60% we reach an lull period, Iris has gotten away from Caleb and miraculously is over any lingering trauma, August finally got the girl (who felt more like a long awaited prize than a fateful reunion, IMO), but 15% later the monster is back and this is when I decided I've had enough.
It was obvious I wasn't a lick receptive to the "emotional" part of this story, all I could feel was being trapped into drama and horror and absurdity. The character development felt unachieved for me, probably why this book didn't work for me at all.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
I'm allowing myself to rate this although I couldn't finish it.
Whenever I fail to connect with the story, I'm asking myself why. Not whose fault is it.
The author obviously touched a lot of readers with Long Shot, I've been hearing how good and emotional the book was before it even released. Both bloggers and readers adored it, connected with it on different levels.
My first disappointement with the book is that I couldn't connect with any of the characters prior to get into the gritty parts. Sure Iris sounded all kind of awesome and August looked like a hero with charm and potential. I liked their first interaction very much.
But that was it for me. When all the player layed their cards flat and the situation was clear for all three players, I had no interest remaining for any of them whatsoever.
None for Iris in a relationship she made clear she wasn't interested in—but still commited because... reasons.
None for August and his puppy love for a woman he met once.
None for Caleb, the obvious villain of the story, parading his girlfriend/prize to spite his nemesis.
But full disclaimer : I'm not one to usually enjoy love triangle.
I've read some readers talking about perfect sport romance.
To me, it wasn't much a romance. Or a romance at all. Romantic elements, sure. A romance story? Certainly not.
The intent focus on domestic abuse steered any sweet feelings and ideas of HEA from my mind.
While the author did a great job describing physical abuse and portraying the feeling of being trapped in a relationship, I had difficulties understanding how Iris let herself in this situation in the first place. From the beginning it was clear she had no particular feelings for her boyfriend, so it felt like a contrived situation to me.
Parallel to the excruciating, very graphic and horrid POV from Iris days of abuse, we had August's POV. All slow, recovering from an injury, growing as a NBA player and as a man. Alright. I'm not sure what was the author's intent, but I had difficulties to remain interested about what was going on in his life. The alternate POVs felt so unbalanced. All I wanted to know was how Iris would eventually escape her living hell and be done with the book.
I told myself I was done a few times, but curiosity and a friend pushed me to pick up the book again, and again until I just couldn't.
Around 60% we reach an lull period, Iris has gotten away from Caleb and miraculously is over any lingering trauma, August finally got the girl (who felt more like a long awaited prize than a fateful reunion, IMO), but 15% later the monster is back and this is when I decided I've had enough.
It was obvious I wasn't a lick receptive to the "emotional" part of this story, all I could feel was being trapped into drama and horror and absurdity. The character development felt unachieved for me, probably why this book didn't work for me at all.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
September 22, 2018
4.5
When I read Grip by Kennedy Ryan last year, I used the word "important" to describe it. If I had to use one word to describe Long Shot, I would use the same one. This book helps give a voice to millions of people that suffer and are judged by others that have never gone through the horror they've experienced or still experience every single day.
August West and Iris Dupree meet in a bar before the two graduate from college. They have an instant spark followed by the conversation of a lifetime, but something prevents them from taking things further than a one time kiss. Their timing is all wrong, but they never forget the connection they felt that night.
As time goes on, life takes them in different directions keeping them apart. Other than a few chance but memorable meetings, Iris and August have no contact. In spite of that, their feelings for one another never dissipate.
When they finally reconnect, the pull they've always felt towards one another is too strong to deny. They momentarily give in to their feelings, and for that moment, all seems right with the world. Until that moment has passed and reality comes crashing down....
Long Shot is a love story, but it's also so much more than that. Don't get me wrong, Iris and August's romance gave me all the feels, but Iris' personal journey in this novel touched me even more. Kennedy Ryan is one of those authors that doesn't just entertain you with her stories. She makes you think. She enlightens you, and sometimes, she might even change you.
I've been purposely vague with my review, because I don't want to spoil this experience for you. That's what reading this book is...an experience. It's one you won't forget, and one that hopefully WILL make you think. One that will make you look at your own prejudices and judgements and show you another perspective.
If you want to know if I recommend this book, the answer is YES. It doesn't matter if romance is your preferred genre or not. This is a book for everyone. It's a story that needs to be heard, and Kennedy did an amazing job telling it. I hope you give it a shot!
ARC generously provided for an honest review.
When I read Grip by Kennedy Ryan last year, I used the word "important" to describe it. If I had to use one word to describe Long Shot, I would use the same one. This book helps give a voice to millions of people that suffer and are judged by others that have never gone through the horror they've experienced or still experience every single day.
"She is singular, obliterating every kiss that came before her, eliminating the possibility of anyone else ever tasting this good.”
August West and Iris Dupree meet in a bar before the two graduate from college. They have an instant spark followed by the conversation of a lifetime, but something prevents them from taking things further than a one time kiss. Their timing is all wrong, but they never forget the connection they felt that night.
“In my dreams I choose him, my prince, instead of the fraud. In this parallel universe, at this second-chance juncture, I turn right instead of choosing wrong… and there only there, we are together."
As time goes on, life takes them in different directions keeping them apart. Other than a few chance but memorable meetings, Iris and August have no contact. In spite of that, their feelings for one another never dissipate.
"I’ll see her again. That thread that connects us, glowing neon, it’s still there. I may not be able to see it, but I feel it. It’s still wrapped around me. Wherever Iris is, I hope it’s wrapped around her, too.”
When they finally reconnect, the pull they've always felt towards one another is too strong to deny. They momentarily give in to their feelings, and for that moment, all seems right with the world. Until that moment has passed and reality comes crashing down....
"Ours is a love that reimagines—that peels back the sky at high noon searching for the stars, collecting them like shells in a bucket. We bathe in stardust, drink from the Milky Way, and dance on the moon. We pierce the firmament, peer into infinity, and tread on time and space. There is no before. There is no after. Now gives birth to forever. This moment may die, but this love never will. Time is not a line. It’s a circle, and we, August and Iris, we stand at the center.”
Long Shot is a love story, but it's also so much more than that. Don't get me wrong, Iris and August's romance gave me all the feels, but Iris' personal journey in this novel touched me even more. Kennedy Ryan is one of those authors that doesn't just entertain you with her stories. She makes you think. She enlightens you, and sometimes, she might even change you.
I've been purposely vague with my review, because I don't want to spoil this experience for you. That's what reading this book is...an experience. It's one you won't forget, and one that hopefully WILL make you think. One that will make you look at your own prejudices and judgements and show you another perspective.
If you want to know if I recommend this book, the answer is YES. It doesn't matter if romance is your preferred genre or not. This is a book for everyone. It's a story that needs to be heard, and Kennedy did an amazing job telling it. I hope you give it a shot!
ARC generously provided for an honest review.
March 25, 2018
2.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: Yet again I feel like a broken record here. Why oh why can't we get some good closure?! We have such troublesome times that we experience with these characters...is it so much to ask for some more of the good stuff thrown in to balance it all out?! The drama seemed a little too OTT as well. At the time of reading it I let it go thinking that we would get those happy times to even it all out, but sadly I don't feel like I got enough to justify it all. I enjoyed the book enough to keep reading it, but I honestly think that it could've been a lot better. I had a hard time with the balance between the characters as well. The H seemed too good for the h, and I didn't feel like the h deserved him and all he did for her a lot of the time. She just seemed to be a taker in the relationship and not so much a giver (if that makes sense 🤷🏻♀️).
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Iris and August's story. They meet one night in a bar when Iris is screaming at the tv over a Laker's game. August is a basketball player that is about to play the National Championship game the next day and is intrigued by Iris instantly. They end up spending the night talking and sharing more with each other than they're used to, but the night ends with Iris confessing that she has a boyfriend. They meet a few more times over the years, but timing and circumstances are always against them. Iris finds herself trapped in a relationship with a young baby to take care of, but neither of them can forget the other. There are some suspenseful scenes, some sexy times, and some sweet moments...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between Iris and August's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good, but the ending was way too abrupt (and at 78% in the kindle app). I never skimmed though and I thought it flowed well otherwise.
Instalove: Kind of. They connect strongly and instantly. They don't confess love to each other or themselves until later though.
H rating: 4.5 stars. August. I really liked him. I felt like he was too good for the h though 😒
h rating: 2.5 stars. Iris. I understood where she was coming from with her past with her mom as well as her past with Caleb, but I didn't like how she treated the H or behaved at times.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes
Cheating: Yes, technically
Separation: Kind of
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had not enough closure for me. It ended at 78% on my kindle app and included another novella of the author's (I hate when they do that! If I wanted that book, I would get it.). I signed up for the "bonus epilogue" that's to be released in April, but I'm really frustrated that I had to. Why couldn't we get some more time with them as an official couple? We have majority of the book with them not together, them getting together but the h is pushing away, some suspense, and then it's over. Super bummed and not feeling good about the ending. I would call it a HFN ending .
Safety: This one is probably Not Safe for most safety gang readers
Overall Opinion: Yet again I feel like a broken record here. Why oh why can't we get some good closure?! We have such troublesome times that we experience with these characters...is it so much to ask for some more of the good stuff thrown in to balance it all out?! The drama seemed a little too OTT as well. At the time of reading it I let it go thinking that we would get those happy times to even it all out, but sadly I don't feel like I got enough to justify it all. I enjoyed the book enough to keep reading it, but I honestly think that it could've been a lot better. I had a hard time with the balance between the characters as well. The H seemed too good for the h, and I didn't feel like the h deserved him and all he did for her a lot of the time. She just seemed to be a taker in the relationship and not so much a giver (if that makes sense 🤷🏻♀️).
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Iris and August's story. They meet one night in a bar when Iris is screaming at the tv over a Laker's game. August is a basketball player that is about to play the National Championship game the next day and is intrigued by Iris instantly. They end up spending the night talking and sharing more with each other than they're used to, but the night ends with Iris confessing that she has a boyfriend. They meet a few more times over the years, but timing and circumstances are always against them. Iris finds herself trapped in a relationship with a young baby to take care of, but neither of them can forget the other. There are some suspenseful scenes, some sexy times, and some sweet moments...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between Iris and August's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good, but the ending was way too abrupt (and at 78% in the kindle app). I never skimmed though and I thought it flowed well otherwise.
Instalove: Kind of. They connect strongly and instantly. They don't confess love to each other or themselves until later though.
H rating: 4.5 stars. August. I really liked him. I felt like he was too good for the h though 😒
h rating: 2.5 stars. Iris. I understood where she was coming from with her past with her mom as well as her past with Caleb, but I didn't like how she treated the H or behaved at times.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes
Cheating: Yes, technically
Separation: Kind of
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had not enough closure for me. It ended at 78% on my kindle app and included another novella of the author's (I hate when they do that! If I wanted that book, I would get it.). I signed up for the "bonus epilogue" that's to be released in April, but I'm really frustrated that I had to. Why couldn't we get some more time with them as an official couple? We have majority of the book with them not together, them getting together but the h is pushing away, some suspense, and then it's over. Super bummed and not feeling good about the ending. I would call it a HFN ending .
Safety: This one is probably Not Safe for most safety gang readers
September 24, 2022
i don’t think i have enough words to describe this book so let me just try my best.
im truly baffled. i’m speechless. dare i say it.. dazzled (idk what i mean by this by u get me) iris dupree, that’s it. one of the strongest & best fictional women i’ve ever read about. she represents so many and she deserves everything pure on this earth.
kennedy ryan never disappoints me, i trust her with my life! block shot.. i’m coming for u 👀
oh & august, i’d play u at the five.
“tonight, her hard-won glimmer lights up the sky.” <3
im truly baffled. i’m speechless. dare i say it.. dazzled (idk what i mean by this by u get me) iris dupree, that’s it. one of the strongest & best fictional women i’ve ever read about. she represents so many and she deserves everything pure on this earth.
kennedy ryan never disappoints me, i trust her with my life! block shot.. i’m coming for u 👀
oh & august, i’d play u at the five.
“tonight, her hard-won glimmer lights up the sky.” <3
March 3, 2025
this is without a doubt, some of the most i have ever been effected by a book. it took my heart & carved a little piece out but PLEASE take the warnings seriously 🤍 i will simply never be the same
May 2, 2019
“Strength. Dignity. Courage. All these things belong to you. Take them back. Your soul is yours. Your heart is yours. Your body is yours. Yours to keep and yours to share.”
Remember these lines women of the world. These are your rights, never to be taken for granted and never ever to be violated. The free will counts ! As you progress in the story you will see that kennedy doesn't hide the ugliness of an abusive relationship at all. She lays them bare for the readers to see. Stark and naked, they are right in front of your eyes , for you to take note and see all the flags.
Kennedy skillfully elaborates this sentiment in this Raw story of two kindred spirits, misfits in the world. They meet serendipitously in a bar one night, feeling a pull, a tug towards each other. Outside they seperate to go their own ways, and leave the reader hanging with "what if" moment !
Sometimes, we stand at a juncture on which our path, our very life can turn. A fork in the road. 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
And it DOES get too late for both of them . They get mauled, abandoned, broken.
“Did you ever feel like you didn’t quite fit anywhere?”
"like you were always kind of in between?”
The story is Rich, powerful, loaded !
It's rich with really brilliant writing .
Powerful, because the characters are such a force to reckon with. Be it evil in disguise or a Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Loaded with very human emotion possible. Lust, love, bravery, endurance, persistence, courage, sacrifice and motherhood. Motherhood is THE most powerful of all emotions in this book.
A journey of girl trying to raise herself with hopes and dreams in her eyes, wings stretching just to take flight when EVERYTHING in her life just comes go a standstill. She's snatched from her golden trail and thrown in the thorny bushes of her circumstances . And she bleeds so bad, her spirit, her soul, her dreams, her body, all are dessicated.
I cannot even begin to tell you the importance of this book. Every woman/girl/daughter/sister/mother should MUST READ this story. Especially those stuck in dark hovels where hope doesn't shine for days/months/years. This story is a beacon of hope, that yes, there IS a light at the end of a tunnel, they only have to stand up on their own two legs and take a step.
There were those who stayed too long.
Remained when they should have fled.
They did not live to regret it.
A story of true survivors, though it's fictionalized, it could be anyone we come across everyday in our lives. A neighbour, a friend, your child's teacher, a fellow reader. This book did open some wounds for me, the ones I left behind long ago, but it definitely strengthened my belief in women being the stronger sex, esp when they have their backs to the wall and their kids hiding behind them.
I fell in love with Iris "Gumbo", an ill-fated girl, who tried so hard to believe in her love and family, just for the sake of her daughter. Her growth from girl to woman to mother to ultimately a warrior just left me in awe. She's got the spirit of Mighty Mississippi in her, changing course, adapting and finally wreaking havoc.
Some people are afraid a gator will crawl out of the swamp and emerge as a threat. My nightmares star a different predator. I dream Caleb will rise out of the bayou some day and eat me whole, and next time I won’t be able to pry his jaws open and escape.
Her courage in the face of Clear and Present Danger is laudable and admirable. A tigress protecting her cub is the fiercest fighter indeed. A true HEROINE !
I just couldn't stop drooling at August West, a rising star on the court and a real life hero off it. #Keeper !! His unwavering support and Unconditional Love feeds Iris's soul and gives her strength to tackle her demons
I could hug Lotus so tight for her appearance at the most crucial juncture, to save the story and save her sister. Everybody should have a Lo in their corner #HOPSCOTCH!
I wish I had met MiMi, her wisdom and her clairvoyance guiding me too. Her cryptic support meant for Iris, could be helpful for
“Struggle does not make you weak,” she whispers back. “Struggling against those who hold us is what makes us, over time, stronger than they are. Strong enough to fight back. Strong enough to win.”
Decker, a brother in arms and guide/mentor, always a pillar for August to lean on.
And I so wish I could get my hands on Caleb! I'd choke him with my bare hands and gouge his eyes out. One thing to note, he didn't change throughout the story, his venom never diluted, just distilled to potency and for which I must applaud Kennedy. She never gave him an out, or attributed his vehemence to obsessive love. Nope, he was pure evil through and through!
Bravo Ms.Ryan for adopting such a fearless tone while penning this unprocessed story of Domestic Abuse. You didn't soften the blows or tone down the humiliation. Throughout the first half of the story I was crying in rage & helplessness and the Rape had me puking ! My heart just raced, my pulse went berserk and I had to calm myself down because it did transport me back to my own dismal hole many a times.
Thank you for writing this necessary story.
Thank you for showing a path to survival.
Thank you instilling courage in women everywhere.
Some unfortunate victim, somewhere might read this and find courage to save herself like Iris and you would have accomplished your mission.
5 Bayou Flower star
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Remember these lines women of the world. These are your rights, never to be taken for granted and never ever to be violated. The free will counts ! As you progress in the story you will see that kennedy doesn't hide the ugliness of an abusive relationship at all. She lays them bare for the readers to see. Stark and naked, they are right in front of your eyes , for you to take note and see all the flags.
Kennedy skillfully elaborates this sentiment in this Raw story of two kindred spirits, misfits in the world. They meet serendipitously in a bar one night, feeling a pull, a tug towards each other. Outside they seperate to go their own ways, and leave the reader hanging with "what if" moment !
Sometimes, we stand at a juncture on which our path, our very life can turn. A fork in the road. 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
And it DOES get too late for both of them . They get mauled, abandoned, broken.
“Did you ever feel like you didn’t quite fit anywhere?”
"like you were always kind of in between?”
The story is Rich, powerful, loaded !
It's rich with really brilliant writing .
Powerful, because the characters are such a force to reckon with. Be it evil in disguise or a Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Loaded with very human emotion possible. Lust, love, bravery, endurance, persistence, courage, sacrifice and motherhood. Motherhood is THE most powerful of all emotions in this book.
A journey of girl trying to raise herself with hopes and dreams in her eyes, wings stretching just to take flight when EVERYTHING in her life just comes go a standstill. She's snatched from her golden trail and thrown in the thorny bushes of her circumstances . And she bleeds so bad, her spirit, her soul, her dreams, her body, all are dessicated.
I cannot even begin to tell you the importance of this book. Every woman/girl/daughter/sister/mother should MUST READ this story. Especially those stuck in dark hovels where hope doesn't shine for days/months/years. This story is a beacon of hope, that yes, there IS a light at the end of a tunnel, they only have to stand up on their own two legs and take a step.
There were those who stayed too long.
Remained when they should have fled.
They did not live to regret it.
A story of true survivors, though it's fictionalized, it could be anyone we come across everyday in our lives. A neighbour, a friend, your child's teacher, a fellow reader. This book did open some wounds for me, the ones I left behind long ago, but it definitely strengthened my belief in women being the stronger sex, esp when they have their backs to the wall and their kids hiding behind them.
I fell in love with Iris "Gumbo", an ill-fated girl, who tried so hard to believe in her love and family, just for the sake of her daughter. Her growth from girl to woman to mother to ultimately a warrior just left me in awe. She's got the spirit of Mighty Mississippi in her, changing course, adapting and finally wreaking havoc.
Some people are afraid a gator will crawl out of the swamp and emerge as a threat. My nightmares star a different predator. I dream Caleb will rise out of the bayou some day and eat me whole, and next time I won’t be able to pry his jaws open and escape.
Her courage in the face of Clear and Present Danger is laudable and admirable. A tigress protecting her cub is the fiercest fighter indeed. A true HEROINE !
I just couldn't stop drooling at August West, a rising star on the court and a real life hero off it. #Keeper !! His unwavering support and Unconditional Love feeds Iris's soul and gives her strength to tackle her demons
I could hug Lotus so tight for her appearance at the most crucial juncture, to save the story and save her sister. Everybody should have a Lo in their corner #HOPSCOTCH!
I wish I had met MiMi, her wisdom and her clairvoyance guiding me too. Her cryptic support meant for Iris, could be helpful for
“Struggle does not make you weak,” she whispers back. “Struggling against those who hold us is what makes us, over time, stronger than they are. Strong enough to fight back. Strong enough to win.”
Decker, a brother in arms and guide/mentor, always a pillar for August to lean on.
And I so wish I could get my hands on Caleb! I'd choke him with my bare hands and gouge his eyes out. One thing to note, he didn't change throughout the story, his venom never diluted, just distilled to potency and for which I must applaud Kennedy. She never gave him an out, or attributed his vehemence to obsessive love. Nope, he was pure evil through and through!
Bravo Ms.Ryan for adopting such a fearless tone while penning this unprocessed story of Domestic Abuse. You didn't soften the blows or tone down the humiliation. Throughout the first half of the story I was crying in rage & helplessness and the Rape had me puking ! My heart just raced, my pulse went berserk and I had to calm myself down because it did transport me back to my own dismal hole many a times.
Thank you for writing this necessary story.
Thank you for showing a path to survival.
Thank you instilling courage in women everywhere.
Some unfortunate victim, somewhere might read this and find courage to save herself like Iris and you would have accomplished your mission.
5 Bayou Flower star
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April 1, 2018
I’ve commented a few times as I’ve read this book that it is nothing like I expected. Nothing like I expected in a good way. It showed me a completely different style of Kennedy Ryan’s writing. And it was stunning, beautiful, and tragic
At times Long Shot was difficult to read because of the emotions it stirred in me. I raged a bit then steeled myself to face some more. And it was so worth it.
Iris is one of those book characters who will stay with me forever as will August. She is a tough cookie, he is the gentlest kind of gentleman. Together, you just know they will be perfect but life doesn’t always let you take the easiest path. Sometimes you have to play hopscotch.
On more than one occasion this book took my breath away, but I am no spoiler giver so I’m not even going to mention what got me so raging but I will leave this review with book quotes.
“Hope is the gap between what if and what is, but you have to fill the gap with a lot of hard work.”
“If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
“Struggling against those who hold us is what makes us, over time, stronger than they are. Strong enough to fight back. Strong enough to win.”
“Ours is a love that reimagines-that peels back the sky at high noon searching for the stars, collecting them like shells in a bucket.”
“Life isn’t a road that forks or a line of numbered sliding doors. There is no alternate universe filled with only right choices. There’s just this one-just this life, and we go where are choices take us and grow wiser from our mistakes.”
“Life is a constellation of decisions, connected by coincidences and deliberations, painting pictures in the heavens.”
Thank heaven that this world has men like August and women like Lotus and MiMi.
Totally 5 stars.
At times Long Shot was difficult to read because of the emotions it stirred in me. I raged a bit then steeled myself to face some more. And it was so worth it.
Iris is one of those book characters who will stay with me forever as will August. She is a tough cookie, he is the gentlest kind of gentleman. Together, you just know they will be perfect but life doesn’t always let you take the easiest path. Sometimes you have to play hopscotch.
On more than one occasion this book took my breath away, but I am no spoiler giver so I’m not even going to mention what got me so raging but I will leave this review with book quotes.
“Hope is the gap between what if and what is, but you have to fill the gap with a lot of hard work.”
“If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
“Struggling against those who hold us is what makes us, over time, stronger than they are. Strong enough to fight back. Strong enough to win.”
“Ours is a love that reimagines-that peels back the sky at high noon searching for the stars, collecting them like shells in a bucket.”
“Life isn’t a road that forks or a line of numbered sliding doors. There is no alternate universe filled with only right choices. There’s just this one-just this life, and we go where are choices take us and grow wiser from our mistakes.”
“Life is a constellation of decisions, connected by coincidences and deliberations, painting pictures in the heavens.”
Thank heaven that this world has men like August and women like Lotus and MiMi.
Totally 5 stars.
April 6, 2018
I think that the saying never judge a book by its cover apply so well there.
I genuinely do not think that I can find the right words to describe how this book made me feel. I should have known better… I should have known that as far as Kennedy Ryan is concerned, she never writes easy stories that make you dream. She writes stories that make you feel and think about your existence, about the meaning of life and love. I got drunk on her words and I am mesmerised by her talent and her prose.
“ I’m the devastation left in his wake”
Her writing style had me engulfed within the first few pages, and the deeper I went - the deeper the words were scarring me.
Iris is a damaged heroine who is brave, strong and so much more. Her story is about abuse and loss. You feel her constant headaches and the wrenching pain in her heart even as you breathe in her strengthening poise and resolve.
Caleb…
August- he is a bit of everything, friend, protector and a knight. I simply love him.
I do not want to say too much about the storyline but I must say this- It's splendid, it's heartbreaking. The story is so intense and it captured me the minute it started. Five stars doesn’t do this book justice.
Outstandingly PURE, RAW, HEARTWRENCHING,REAL AND BEAUTIFUL.
“ Iris is my constellation. She took the darkness as her cue to shine.”
I genuinely do not think that I can find the right words to describe how this book made me feel. I should have known better… I should have known that as far as Kennedy Ryan is concerned, she never writes easy stories that make you dream. She writes stories that make you feel and think about your existence, about the meaning of life and love. I got drunk on her words and I am mesmerised by her talent and her prose.
“ I’m the devastation left in his wake”
Her writing style had me engulfed within the first few pages, and the deeper I went - the deeper the words were scarring me.
Iris is a damaged heroine who is brave, strong and so much more. Her story is about abuse and loss. You feel her constant headaches and the wrenching pain in her heart even as you breathe in her strengthening poise and resolve.
Caleb…
August- he is a bit of everything, friend, protector and a knight. I simply love him.
I do not want to say too much about the storyline but I must say this- It's splendid, it's heartbreaking. The story is so intense and it captured me the minute it started. Five stars doesn’t do this book justice.
Outstandingly PURE, RAW, HEARTWRENCHING,REAL AND BEAUTIFUL.
“ Iris is my constellation. She took the darkness as her cue to shine.”
July 27, 2019
Update 2: Another reason for you to must read this book!!! Ms.Ryan won a RITA award!!! 👏👏👏
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0aDCVKgV...
---------------
Update 1: Pls don't forget to read Bonus Epilogue! And for more info pls check Ms.Ryan's IG post...☺
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhryn6Dh5wv/
Btw bonus epilogue was so beautiful! ❤❤❤
-------------------
Ours is a love that reimagines—that peels back the sky at high noon searching for the stars, collecting them like shells in a bucket. We bathe in stardust, drink from the Milky Way, and dance on the moon. We pierce the firmament, peer into infinity, and tread on time and space. There is no before. There is no after. Now gives birth to forever. This moment may die, but this love never will. Time is not a line. It’s a circle, and we, August and Iris, we stand at the center.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh THIS FREAKING BOOK! 😊 IT.WAS.SO.GOOD! <3
If you haven't read any books of this awesome lady yet, OMG you're missing too freaking much. I highly recommend her books to you. They're a must read!!! Trust me, you'll love her beautiful, heart warming stories! 😍 Grip series were my first Kennedy Ryan's books which they were spectacular and those books on my Favorites shelf right now and I'm planning to read her other books very soon too but you got the hint right?... Oh my gosh! What the hell are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor and please go and grab her books ASAP!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0aDCVKgV...
---------------
Update 1: Pls don't forget to read Bonus Epilogue! And for more info pls check Ms.Ryan's IG post...☺
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhryn6Dh5wv/
Btw bonus epilogue was so beautiful! ❤❤❤
-------------------
Ours is a love that reimagines—that peels back the sky at high noon searching for the stars, collecting them like shells in a bucket. We bathe in stardust, drink from the Milky Way, and dance on the moon. We pierce the firmament, peer into infinity, and tread on time and space. There is no before. There is no after. Now gives birth to forever. This moment may die, but this love never will. Time is not a line. It’s a circle, and we, August and Iris, we stand at the center.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh THIS FREAKING BOOK! 😊 IT.WAS.SO.GOOD! <3
If you haven't read any books of this awesome lady yet, OMG you're missing too freaking much. I highly recommend her books to you. They're a must read!!! Trust me, you'll love her beautiful, heart warming stories! 😍 Grip series were my first Kennedy Ryan's books which they were spectacular and those books on my Favorites shelf right now and I'm planning to read her other books very soon too but you got the hint right?... Oh my gosh! What the hell are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor and please go and grab her books ASAP!
May 1, 2018
I’ve read every book from Kennedy Ryan and what characterizes her work is that she always goes big. Epic. In every sense of the word. It’s the same with Long Shot. She has a clear point of view with this story. She doesn’t hold back and goes with her characters where it hurts. Long Shot is brutal, raw and heartbreaking but it has to be cause it’s the truth given the topics this book centers around. Nothing is sugarcoated and the actions and choices that are made feel real and true to the characters. The author has done her research when it comes to domestic abuse and it showed in her characterization of Iris and August, Lotus, Caleb.
Long Shot is Iris’s story. No, it’s not just Iris’s story. It’s a lot of women’s story.
Long Shot spans over years and it gives the reader time to connect and invest themselves in Iris and August. In their story. Separately and them together. I sure as hell. From their first meeting in the bar. Their connection was immediate and palpable.
Iris is a glorious and incredible character. A warrior. A survivor. Her story brought me to my knees. My heart broke for her cause her story is another woman’s too. I knew there was light at the other end of the tunnel and it was worth it to go through all this violence to get it.
Iris got her freedom because of her strength, determination, love for her daughter and support from her cousin and BFF Lotus. From her incredible man August.
Iris and August are destined to be together from the moment they met but choices derailed that. Long Shot is also about taking chances. Risks. Seize the moment and make choices that feels right for you. Make you feel heard. Iris encompasses and captures all of that with her independence and incredible strength. August is her compass. Her love and her center and vice versa. He’s deadset in his love for Iris and it never wavers. Together they’re an entity.
Once again I’m amazed and in awe of this author. Her prose and dedication to the story is spectacular. Her prose is poignant and powerful. With Long Shot she captures a crime which is deeply rooted in the societal inequality between women and men. It’s done with respect, care and thoughtfulness. This’s exactly why this book is important. It matters and must be read and experienced. I can’t recommend it enough.
5 BadAssDirtyPlayMeAtThe5Stars
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC
Long Shot is Iris’s story. No, it’s not just Iris’s story. It’s a lot of women’s story.
Long Shot spans over years and it gives the reader time to connect and invest themselves in Iris and August. In their story. Separately and them together. I sure as hell. From their first meeting in the bar. Their connection was immediate and palpable.
Iris is a glorious and incredible character. A warrior. A survivor. Her story brought me to my knees. My heart broke for her cause her story is another woman’s too. I knew there was light at the other end of the tunnel and it was worth it to go through all this violence to get it.
Iris got her freedom because of her strength, determination, love for her daughter and support from her cousin and BFF Lotus. From her incredible man August.
Iris and August are destined to be together from the moment they met but choices derailed that. Long Shot is also about taking chances. Risks. Seize the moment and make choices that feels right for you. Make you feel heard. Iris encompasses and captures all of that with her independence and incredible strength. August is her compass. Her love and her center and vice versa. He’s deadset in his love for Iris and it never wavers. Together they’re an entity.
Once again I’m amazed and in awe of this author. Her prose and dedication to the story is spectacular. Her prose is poignant and powerful. With Long Shot she captures a crime which is deeply rooted in the societal inequality between women and men. It’s done with respect, care and thoughtfulness. This’s exactly why this book is important. It matters and must be read and experienced. I can’t recommend it enough.
5 BadAssDirtyPlayMeAtThe5Stars
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC
March 27, 2018
5 stars!
Review at Of Pens and Pages.
It's 5 stars. No question. If I can give all the stars, I will. This left me completely speechless. You guys, you need to read this! This book completely wrecked me, then slowly built me up again. It's a story of heartache and healing, and ultimately of love. Plus, I've never read a basketball romance before, so I was so happy to read that.
Before I get into it, I have to warn readers that this book has sensitive themes that may trigger some. It is told in graphic detail, so tread lightly.
Iris and August meet just before their lives changed. They were just two college students who met at a dive bar and have a mutual love for basketball. Who both, at one point, have felt like they never really belonged. It was easy to open up to a stranger who seems to understand you more than anyone else, and that's what they did that night. There was a connection neither of them can deny, they just can't do anything because they're going on different paths in life.
While their paths go in different directions, they find out it's not as far as they thought. Their world is even smaller now, but their chance to be together seem to go further and further away.
I usually read books in one sitting, but with this one, I had to stop for a few times because I was overwhelmed with feelings. I bawled, screamed in anger and frustration, and I just had to take it all in. This book brought me to my knees.
I love Kennedy Ryan's words. They're poetry in motion. Art. She has created something so beautiful and poignant in this painful yet hopeful story. I don't think my words will ever be enough to express how much I love it. But what I can say is, I love that this author continues to use her platform to tell the stories that need to be heard. Relevant issues, the good and the bad. There is no sugarcoating the pain, and I commend her for that.
Iris DuPree is one of the strongest heroines I've ever encountered. My heart goes out to her. I adored this woman the moment we (the readers and August) met her, and she continued to impress me as I devoured each page. The world tried to beat her up, but she stood up stronger each time she fell. She is a survivor, a selfless mother, a good friend.
And August West. Wow. He's consistent, solid, strong. A rock. He proved that there are still good men out there who aren't in it to hurt you. He was steadfast in his love for Iris, and I want to cry just thinking about it. I won't even claim him as mine because I know there's no one else who would be worthy of Iris' love than August.
Their love gave me hope. It also helps that it made me swoon so bad. With the connection these two have, you won't even have any space in your heart to deny they're meant to be.
I loved Iris' relationship with her cousin and best friend Lotus. Their solidarity and deep bond. She was there when Iris needed her the most, and stayed strong for Iris when she couldn't be. Their relationship with their grandmother was beautiful.
It's so easy to judge a person for staying in a toxic or abusive relationship, and even easier to tell them to leave. We tell our friends that if that happens to us, we'll leave. It's so easy to say those things because we're not in that situation. I confess I was once guilty of thinking that way. I'm grateful for books like this and society and media becoming more vocal about abuse because then we lose the ignorance.
This is a story of love, sisterhood, heartache, healing, and hope. A story that will make your heart stop, and make it beat again. And it's a story you will carry with you forever.
Trigger Warning:
Tropes: Forbidden Romance, Triangle, Sports—Basketball
POV: First Person, Dual POV
Standalone: Yes
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Review at Of Pens and Pages.
It’s only in the contrast of night, when things are darkest, that the stars shine."
It's 5 stars. No question. If I can give all the stars, I will. This left me completely speechless. You guys, you need to read this! This book completely wrecked me, then slowly built me up again. It's a story of heartache and healing, and ultimately of love. Plus, I've never read a basketball romance before, so I was so happy to read that.
Before I get into it, I have to warn readers that this book has sensitive themes that may trigger some. It is told in graphic detail, so tread lightly.
Iris and August meet just before their lives changed. They were just two college students who met at a dive bar and have a mutual love for basketball. Who both, at one point, have felt like they never really belonged. It was easy to open up to a stranger who seems to understand you more than anyone else, and that's what they did that night. There was a connection neither of them can deny, they just can't do anything because they're going on different paths in life.
While their paths go in different directions, they find out it's not as far as they thought. Their world is even smaller now, but their chance to be together seem to go further and further away.
I usually read books in one sitting, but with this one, I had to stop for a few times because I was overwhelmed with feelings. I bawled, screamed in anger and frustration, and I just had to take it all in. This book brought me to my knees.
I love Kennedy Ryan's words. They're poetry in motion. Art. She has created something so beautiful and poignant in this painful yet hopeful story. I don't think my words will ever be enough to express how much I love it. But what I can say is, I love that this author continues to use her platform to tell the stories that need to be heard. Relevant issues, the good and the bad. There is no sugarcoating the pain, and I commend her for that.
Iris DuPree is one of the strongest heroines I've ever encountered. My heart goes out to her. I adored this woman the moment we (the readers and August) met her, and she continued to impress me as I devoured each page. The world tried to beat her up, but she stood up stronger each time she fell. She is a survivor, a selfless mother, a good friend.
And August West. Wow. He's consistent, solid, strong. A rock. He proved that there are still good men out there who aren't in it to hurt you. He was steadfast in his love for Iris, and I want to cry just thinking about it. I won't even claim him as mine because I know there's no one else who would be worthy of Iris' love than August.
Their love gave me hope. It also helps that it made me swoon so bad. With the connection these two have, you won't even have any space in your heart to deny they're meant to be.
I loved Iris' relationship with her cousin and best friend Lotus. Their solidarity and deep bond. She was there when Iris needed her the most, and stayed strong for Iris when she couldn't be. Their relationship with their grandmother was beautiful.
It's so easy to judge a person for staying in a toxic or abusive relationship, and even easier to tell them to leave. We tell our friends that if that happens to us, we'll leave. It's so easy to say those things because we're not in that situation. I confess I was once guilty of thinking that way. I'm grateful for books like this and society and media becoming more vocal about abuse because then we lose the ignorance.
This is a story of love, sisterhood, heartache, healing, and hope. A story that will make your heart stop, and make it beat again. And it's a story you will carry with you forever.
Trigger Warning:
Tropes: Forbidden Romance, Triangle, Sports—Basketball
POV: First Person, Dual POV
Standalone: Yes
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
January 9, 2022
WOW. I'm still recovering from how emotional this book was and how INCREDIBLE it was. It was so heartbreakingly beautiful and was similar to It Ends With Us as they both have the topic of Domestic Violence. Long Shot is a sports romance, my first time reading NBA, and it has also has the aspect of forbidden romance too.
The characters in this book were written so well. Iris was such a strong and inspiring character and reading about her go through the worst period of her life was so heartbreaking but honestly a privilege to read. I cried most of the book, sad, angry and happy tears. There were some very distressing scenes which were incredibly hard to read which were very graphic and upsetting so be careful before going into this book. I have so much respect and adoration for Iris for surviving such awful domestic violence. She is a FIGHTER!!
The characters in this book were written so well. Iris was such a strong and inspiring character and reading about her go through the worst period of her life was so heartbreaking but honestly a privilege to read. I cried most of the book, sad, angry and happy tears. There were some very distressing scenes which were incredibly hard to read which were very graphic and upsetting so be careful before going into this book. I have so much respect and adoration for Iris for surviving such awful domestic violence. She is a FIGHTER!!
“Strength. Dignity. Courage. All these things belong to you. Take them back. Your soul is yours. Your heart is yours. Your body is yours. Yours to keep and yours to share.”
Of course we then have August and oh my this man is one of the most caring and sweet book boys I've ever come across. The love he had for Iris was everything and I could only hope one day I'd find a love like theirs. Although the romance wasn't the main topic it was just perfection. You could tell from the first time they met that they were meant to be. August and Iris are truly soulmates.
Let's also not forget about Lotus, Iris' cousin. I'm so excited for her book and I just love her energy and how much she loves Iris. I can't wait to learn more about her. “Don’t let Caleb run all over you,” Lo plows on. “There is only one thing I take lying down, and that’s the good dick. Even then I’ll probably end up on top". UGH LOVE HER.
I 1000% recommend reading this book to just experience the most beautiful story. I am so looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
“If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
April 12, 2020
5 stars
We’ve been like satellites, just kind of in each other’s orbit but not close enough to touch.
Read this book if you’re a self sadist and willing to torture yourself and dug a whole in your soul.
This book was too hard to read. It was just pure torture. I was stuck between not being able to continue and wanting to know what’s going to happen next. Some scenes were really really hard to read. It got too graphic for my comfort. It’s horrible and worse than you could ever imagine. it’s painful, and sadly, it’s real.
“If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
I love Kennedy Ryan’s characters. Iris was a great heroine. I love how she was portrayed. She was a true human being who made mistakes, who suffered, and who had to sacrifice. A freakin fighter. She was really admirable. And August was so patient, loving, supporting, and caring. Their story was sad but beautiful. It wasn’t easy to read, so please read the trigger warnings first. I cant believe that I totally forgot to read this book and started the series from the second one. This book wrecked me.
The heart speaks in whispers.
I heard too late.
Song recommendation:
River by Leon Bridges
Breathin by Ariana Grande
Treat you better by Shawn Mendes
Rise up by Andra Day
We’ve been like satellites, just kind of in each other’s orbit but not close enough to touch.
Read this book if you’re a self sadist and willing to torture yourself and dug a whole in your soul.
This book was too hard to read. It was just pure torture. I was stuck between not being able to continue and wanting to know what’s going to happen next. Some scenes were really really hard to read. It got too graphic for my comfort. It’s horrible and worse than you could ever imagine. it’s painful, and sadly, it’s real.
“If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”
I love Kennedy Ryan’s characters. Iris was a great heroine. I love how she was portrayed. She was a true human being who made mistakes, who suffered, and who had to sacrifice. A freakin fighter. She was really admirable. And August was so patient, loving, supporting, and caring. Their story was sad but beautiful. It wasn’t easy to read, so please read the trigger warnings first. I cant believe that I totally forgot to read this book and started the series from the second one. This book wrecked me.
The heart speaks in whispers.
I heard too late.
Song recommendation:
River by Leon Bridges
Breathin by Ariana Grande
Treat you better by Shawn Mendes
Rise up by Andra Day
March 21, 2018
5 “BestOf2018Read” Stars
This book.......took me on a journey. A very raw, emotional, stripping of my soul journey. One that made me feel as if I was in the story experiencing all the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows, the hopes and fears, and the strength and determination of characters that engrained themselves into my soul. With the visual clarity of the author’s vivid, heartfelt, and passionate words, this story felt real, raw and painfully open and honest. A melancholy yet hopeful journey of life’s timing and the choices one makes over others.
This is a love story. A deep commitment of a feeling when you meet someone and can’t get them out of your mind. But, as there is always a but, life’s timing or the choice we choose can make life not as expected. And that feeling, has to be pushed aside until hopefully life’s timing can be on your side.
This emotional story is also about survival. And what we think we know about survival doesn’t really equate with what we think we know. The strength, the hope, and that determination of surviving against all odds is fierce and possessive in the face of fear, hurt and pain.
Iris Dupree is a smart, beautiful, and determined. She has survived so much and has turned out to be a survivor. She will not be like her mother, she has plans and dreams. Caleb Bradley is a star college basketball player and Iris’s boyfriend. But a chance meeting with August West, a fellow rival of Caleb’s, changes something in life’s cosmic plan.
But, as there is always that But.......Life’s Timing didn’t get the memo.
My review will stop here. There is nothing more that I can say without ruining this Epic Read. It needs to be read without prior knowledge or information. Just to be experienced in a pure moment. But know that there are twists and turns, choices and consequences, and dreams lost and taken back throughout the life of Iris Dupree. While the story is told in Dual POV, Iris is my hero in this story. Her life, her strength, her determination and her voice set the stage for an awakening. A story that will grab you, set you on a mesmerizing journey that will both slay you and ultimately heals your mind, your heart and your soul.
#BestReadOf2018 #MustRead #Emotional #LifeChanging #Epic #TakeTheShot
*advanced copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
This book.......took me on a journey. A very raw, emotional, stripping of my soul journey. One that made me feel as if I was in the story experiencing all the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows, the hopes and fears, and the strength and determination of characters that engrained themselves into my soul. With the visual clarity of the author’s vivid, heartfelt, and passionate words, this story felt real, raw and painfully open and honest. A melancholy yet hopeful journey of life’s timing and the choices one makes over others.
This is a love story. A deep commitment of a feeling when you meet someone and can’t get them out of your mind. But, as there is always a but, life’s timing or the choice we choose can make life not as expected. And that feeling, has to be pushed aside until hopefully life’s timing can be on your side.
This emotional story is also about survival. And what we think we know about survival doesn’t really equate with what we think we know. The strength, the hope, and that determination of surviving against all odds is fierce and possessive in the face of fear, hurt and pain.
Iris Dupree is a smart, beautiful, and determined. She has survived so much and has turned out to be a survivor. She will not be like her mother, she has plans and dreams. Caleb Bradley is a star college basketball player and Iris’s boyfriend. But a chance meeting with August West, a fellow rival of Caleb’s, changes something in life’s cosmic plan.
But, as there is always that But.......Life’s Timing didn’t get the memo.
My review will stop here. There is nothing more that I can say without ruining this Epic Read. It needs to be read without prior knowledge or information. Just to be experienced in a pure moment. But know that there are twists and turns, choices and consequences, and dreams lost and taken back throughout the life of Iris Dupree. While the story is told in Dual POV, Iris is my hero in this story. Her life, her strength, her determination and her voice set the stage for an awakening. A story that will grab you, set you on a mesmerizing journey that will both slay you and ultimately heals your mind, your heart and your soul.
#BestReadOf2018 #MustRead #Emotional #LifeChanging #Epic #TakeTheShot
*advanced copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
March 7, 2019
Let me first say, this is not the fluffy contemporary sports romance you might be expecting. This book was BRUTAL. If you have triggers in general about domestic/physical/sexual/emotional abuse, then consider yourself warned to not read this book because this book does not pull any punches AT ALL. I can't emphasize this enough, and I am not one to really give trigger warnings often but this book absolutely necessitates it.
Given that absolutely serious disclaimer about abuse - this book shook me up. I will say in the very beginning of the book when August and Iris meet, it's actually kind of boring to the point that I almost put this book down. And yet I am *so glad* I did not put this book down. Because shortly afterward it took a serious turn for the better (though for the worse for what the characters go through). I couldn't put it down! I don't want to give anything away, but just know that this is a romance story, but it is definitely about going through hell at first.
Iris is a smart woman who is put in an impossible situation and does the best to deal with the hand she has been dealt. August is perhaps written too much as a saint but given how dark this book gets at times, his endless light is very much needed so I will forgive the author for his sometimes unrealistic perfection. Oh and he is perhaps a little too much into giving oral sex, and I am not one to shy away from smexy times in books but even I was like "ok buddy calm down with that" LOL! An extended epilogue would have been nice considering everything that they go through, but the book did end on a note that I enjoyed. This book will absolutely stick with me.
And for those of you who have read this book already and liked it, I would recommend Kane's Hell (ignore the absolutely terrible title and cover, it's a much more serious book than it looks and is not a paranormal romance at all).
Given that absolutely serious disclaimer about abuse - this book shook me up. I will say in the very beginning of the book when August and Iris meet, it's actually kind of boring to the point that I almost put this book down. And yet I am *so glad* I did not put this book down. Because shortly afterward it took a serious turn for the better (though for the worse for what the characters go through). I couldn't put it down! I don't want to give anything away, but just know that this is a romance story, but it is definitely about going through hell at first.
Iris is a smart woman who is put in an impossible situation and does the best to deal with the hand she has been dealt. August is perhaps written too much as a saint but given how dark this book gets at times, his endless light is very much needed so I will forgive the author for his sometimes unrealistic perfection. Oh and he is perhaps a little too much into giving oral sex, and I am not one to shy away from smexy times in books but even I was like "ok buddy calm down with that" LOL! An extended epilogue would have been nice considering everything that they go through, but the book did end on a note that I enjoyed. This book will absolutely stick with me.
And for those of you who have read this book already and liked it, I would recommend Kane's Hell (ignore the absolutely terrible title and cover, it's a much more serious book than it looks and is not a paranormal romance at all).
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