This is a disappointing note to end on considering how this series started but honestly after book two I didn’t honestly have much faith in a strong ending. I hoped the middle instalment was a fluke but.. it gave me doubts. And here we are.

Though this is not as relentlessly triggering as book one, there is a lot of content on dealing with the trauma of an assault and a betrayal and how, years later, Lotus is being forced to reckon with the ripple effects of that event. I can’t speak to it as someone with experience but I thought, as she’s known to do, Ryan handled this well.

It was kinda everything else that failed to live up to what I expected. The slowbuild romance, forced to move in such a way because of Lotus’ healing, was well done. I always enjoy a gradual tumble into the hot and heavy when it can showcase the chemistry in a believable and exciting way. And we almost almost had that all the way through. But the moment Kenan started side-eyeing Lotus’ beliefs.. well, that was a red flag. And it was shortly thereafter, with the possessive caveman behaviour, the fact that he had to be convinced of something relating to his daughter by Lotus herself, and a few other things, that slowly had me checking out. Being inundated with the Evil Ex trope (twice! we had tow to contend with) and all that drama, too, was exhausting. Things just got so messy and not in a way that I felt was helping the story’s tension; moreso in just making you dread wading through it.

As for a near-the-end drama and conflict, I nearly chucked the kindle away. Suddenly Iris is doing what Kenan did when it came to Lotus and her instinct. I don’t remember her feeling that way about it in book one, so maybe this is on me for feeling blindsided by it if in fact that was the case, but it felt like an unnecessary betrayal during a moment I was already not loving and.. then it’s all over. We just gloss over the incident, the near loss, and move on? Sounds fake but okay.

Considering the page count on this, which is considerable for a contemporary, the end just.. flew by. The pacing is definitely off with this one and I felt we dropped or misplaced a few issues that maybe needed more page time and some closure.

Overall I guess this was easier than book two but sadly still a disappointment. It may be that LONG SHOT and the author’s Grip series (which I’m now afraid to revisit) are the standouts for me. Here’s hoping one day I’ll find another Ryan to love the way I love those.

Kenan is a recently divorced father who is approaching the end of his NBA career. Lotus is finally finding success in the fashion world. Their paths have crossed many times before, but this time it feels different. Neither one of them is in the best place to start a new relationship. But Kenan is willing to be patient as Lotus opens up to the possibility of love.

Like the first book in the series, Hook Shot deals with some tough issues (sexual assault, child abuse, suidice attempt) and was challenging to read at times. However, Kennedy Ryan does a phenomenal job addressing these topics with care. I experienced a wide range of emotions when reading this one - it was heartbreaking at times, made me angry at others, and also had me smiling and feeling the love between Kenan and Lotus. Learning Lotus’s full story was heartbreaking, but I adored and kind and loving Kenan was with her, and how he gave her the space to heal and take her time while still working to make sure she felt safe and loved with him. Kennedy’s books are beautifully written, filled with incredible chemistry, and have so much depth to them. I have loved my adventure through this series!

Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true
opinions after fully reading this book. This was a quick & enjoyable read!

The story of Lotus and Kenan was really great. I loved how unapologetic Lotus was about herself. She was self-confident and self-assured and she had a good grasp on what she wanted for her life. Kenan’s character was also wonderful. He wasn’t caught up in the fact that he is a basketball superstar. And he’s had a thing for Lotus since he first met her. I really appreciated how they approached their relationship and how they navigated Kenan’s single parent status. The pacing and the writing were great. An amazing love story.

I enjoyed that the characters had real life issues, but the dialogue was cringe worthy. Do people actually talk like this in their lates twenties and mid-thirties??? I'm not sure this book or series is for me.

Thank you Sourcebooks for the complimentary copy.

This is the final book in this trilogy, and it was a great read! Lotus is such a strong woman for all that she had to endure in life and at such a young age. The chemistry between Lotus and Kenan is *chef's kiss*. Overall, this entire series is worth a read! Kennedy Ryan is an impeccable writer!

Having only read the second book in this series, who isnt a sucker for a single dad trope?
And a powerful, yet vulnerable woman?

What a pair these two make. The chemistry is divine. I love how even though they want to stay away from eachother, they cant.

Kenan, taking a chance on love again after his crazy divorce? what a man. How he treats Lo, is beautiful

If you want a quick, easy smutty romantic read, this is for you.

What an incredible book! The love between Lotus and Kenan wasnt what I expected as it truly took things so much deeper. Their circumstances were each complicated in different ways, but the love and support they showed as they took their time to lead up to a romantic relationship was heart warming. By the end of the book I was completely invested!!

As much as it is a beautiful, unique love story, as with all books in the series there are some extremely heavy themes. I highly recommend that you read the trigger warnings prior to beginning the book. In saying that, these heavier topics are discussed with honesty and are an intrinsic aspect of the storyline.

I was lucky enough to receive all 3 books in the series as ARCs as a result of their re- publication with Bloom Books. Thank you again to Netgalley and Author Kennedy Ryan for taking me on a beautiful journey into this sports romance series!

This book was just as good as the previous two. I am really starting to fall in love with this author. Lotus and Kenan were wonderful characters, I loved them together. I really enjoyed this one and I am sad to see this series finished. 5 stars.
I received an ARC copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest voluntary review.

4.5 out of 5 stars!

Having met Lotus and Kenan in the first two books, I was ready to read their story! Lotus didn’t have the greatest childhood having suffered trauma no child should ever experience. If not for her grandmother, Lotus would have probably gone through life on a different path. Here she was taking the fashion science by storm at 25. A very far cry from her beginnings. Both she and her cousin Iris embody resilience. Then there’s Kenan. He’s a divorced father of one, successful as an NBA player, but his personal life is in shambles following his divorce. He wasn’t looking for any entanglements. But the attraction between Lotus and Kenan is difficult to tamp down every time they see each other. There were still many triggering aspects in this book (check them!) but not as harrowing as the first. Lotus and Kenan had to fight for their HEA, which made the ending that much more heartwarming. I applaud the author for having the courage to touch on very difficult subjects that sometimes don’t see the light in real life.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher at my request and voluntarily left this review.

This series is so good! This is a re-read for me and didn’t disappoint the second time around. It wasn’t simply a basketball romance. It was emotionally gripping, powerful, and the romance is impeccably written! I love Kennedy Ryan’s book, but especially love this series!

Hook Shot is the story of two people that deserve love. I thought I was getting one story when I started to read it but I ended up with something unexpected. Kenan was introduced in a prior story. Hook Shot shows how the events in the prior story have played out and how they have affected him. Lotus is not looking for any kind of a relationship. She needs to get herself together because she has decided that meaningless relationships aren't working for her anymore but trauma from the past is holding her back. They recognize something special in each other but they both have to travel their paths separately before they can find a path together.

I'm going to skip most of the details to focus on the end and the feelings the story elicits. I thought the bad guy(s) added a nice layer to the story. I like how Kenan and Lotus interacted with the bad guys. I found myself chanting yes, yes as they broke down each barrier put in place by the bad guys. I thought the interactions with family and friends were powerful and important. The author didn't waste time on throw away scenes. Each scene helped to build the reader's emotions.

I will give fair warning that this book contains some content that might trigger some readers. I thought the author did a good job rolling out the details of what happened to Lotus when she was younger without being gratuitous. In addition, if you are extra sensitive, the author chose to tell the reader up front which chapter details the situation so a reader can skip it. In addition, there is a supernatural component to this story. Lotus comes from a long line of voodoo practitioners. This is a key component of the story and runs through the entire book. It is up to the reader to either read it as supernatural in fact or to say that it is about the belief in the supernatural.

This is a contemporary romance that mostly takes place in New York. This story involves the aftermath of a vicious divorce and the effects it has on the children of divorce. It involves childhood trauma. It involves people making life changing decisions. This story is full of love, sadness, triumph, and tears. If you are looking for a well written story about two people who deserve lasting love, give this a try. I will read more from this author in the future.

I’ve been intrigued by Lotus ever since reading the first book in the Hoops series (Long Shot). We finally get to her (love) story and it’s intriguing as herself. Kenan is literally grumpy to everyone but her (and his daughter of course) and it’s cute and funny to see. I’d expect them to be stubborn with each other but they ended up falling for each other immediately without doing pride and emotional gymnastics. Their love was pure and emotional to read. I love Lotus, she’s as strong of a woman as Iris and Banner. They’re all strong in their own ways. I loved seeing the Iris and August tidbits. The relationship Simone (Kenan’s daughter) has with her parents is so real. I’m glad that Lotus understands what she feels and knows what she needs that she will sacrifice her relationship with Kenan in the meantime. I love that all of them had their flaws and was addressed rightfuly so. Death was a big part in this book, it was equally interesting and horrific. I learned a lot and cried a lot. This is the last book in the Hoops series and I will miss all of them.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Lotus and Kenan were everything good about romance! This was a beautifully written slow burn story with well fleshed out characters that I fell hard for. One of my favourite combinations is a damaged hero and a confident, brave heroine. The balance they bring to each other is chefs kiss.

Definitely recommend this one.

I received this book as an ARC from SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books through NetGalley and this review is based on my own opinion.

A single, divorced dad is about to enter his last years as a NBA basketball player, Kennan is still picking up the pieces of his once so perfect life when he meets Lotus.
Kennan promised himself he wouldn't trust a woman again but he wanted Lotus from the moment he laid eyes on her.

Lotus is a 25 year old girl, living her dream in the fashion industry in New York. Focusing on her job and trying to make piece with her past she swore off men but from the moment they met, she was drawn to him.

I expected a lot of this book after seeing so many things about it online but unfortunatly it was only a 2.5 star read for me.
I really struggled to get into the story for the first half of the book and once I finally got a bit into the story the author rushed a lot of different storylines towards the end of the book.

I'm not a DNF reader and I'm glad I read until the end to see that Kennan and Lotus got their happy ending.

A compliment about the way the writer wrote about difficult topics throughout the book tho.

Make sure to check the trigger warnings before you start reading!

Hook Shot is the third book of the Hoops series of interconnected standalones. This book…I don’t even know what to say. This book touched me on so many levels. I feel like it was written just for me. I found so much of myself in Lotus and her story. I don’t know that I have ever connected with a book as much as I have with Hook Shot! This story is more than a romance. It is about a journey through healing, of heartache and loss, putting others before yourself even though it hurts, finding oneself and loving yourself, and learning to let love into your heart even after being hurt. Kenan and Lotus’s story is so beautiful and the writing will make you feel like you are right there with these characters. I’m sad this series is over but what an ending! Thank you Kennedy for another amazing story!

another fantastic edition to the Hoops series. Kennedy Ryan's writing style is unlike any other. the story was packed with so much emotion. Just make you swoon, tear up and scream in joy all in one book.

Kennedy Ryan is in my top favorite romance authors of all time. She writes difficult pasts/presents and healing journeys of her characters with such care and tenacity. I absolutely loved Kenan and Lotus. They were both so easy to root for, and I could not get enough of their friends to lovers dynamic. Their chemistry was so palpable!! Literally every moment they’re together I was obsessed with them. Kenan is a single dad trying to help his daughter through his divorce via family therapy, and Lotus is taking a break from sexual encounters in order to process her childhood trauma. They both are starting from places with trust issues and difficult pasts, and they slowly begin to form trust and love and intimacy with one another that they’ve both never experienced before. There isn’t a 3rd act breakup, but they do take some time apart towards the end of the book. Lotus initiates this, and the reasoning is so important and necessary that it made me love Lotus so much more.

So many characters from her different books were woven into the story, and I loved getting those cameos wherever they popped up.

CW: child sexual abuse, toxic relationship, infidelity, child abandonment, grief, death/death of parent, suicide attempt, injury/injury detail

Ugh, my love for Kenan and Lotus is endless. Hook Shot hit me in a different way, at a personal level, and I spent half the book crying and the other half smiling. Kennedy Ryan really deals with a difficult subject and relationship building through it with such grace and strength. It's the kind of romance book that makes you know you aren't alone and gives you hope.

It also features a strong Queen, with Lotus running her own show, recognizing her needs, holding down for herself when her friends don't see it, and then letting herself take what she needs when she knows it's time. She's empowering, she's the kind of FMC I want in my books, from start to finish. Even better? Kenan sees this in her and loves it. Sure, he fumbles along the way, no basketball star always dribbles perfectly the first time, but he practices until he perfects it. Their friendship to lovers is that of time, effort, and patience, and we love that. This one also really ties in the pieces of the previous two novels perfectly, giving us Hoops fan the closure we needed and the happiness these characters deserve. Instant favorite.

I loved this book. The characters are realistic and have some baggage, but Kennan is fantastic. He doesn’t believe he will ever trust a woman again, but he can’t help but want to be near Lotus and break down her walls. Lotus is strong and has trust issues. She slowly lets Kennen in, but she has a lot to unpack.

I cried and held my breath throughout this book. The things he said and promised melted my heart. The conversation she had with her mom was heavy. So rarely does an author write such realistic characters that you are drawn in right away and don’t want to come out until the end, but that is exactly what Ms. Ryan did. Bravo!

I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.