I really enjoyed this book, but it seemed a little long for me AND a third act break up so had to knock it .5 stars. But it’s definitely 4.5 stars!! ⭐️

Kenan and Lotus are both dealing with their own emotional traumas and drama with a divorce. Lotus is swearing off guys but then has to kiss Kenan at a party and from there the sparks just fly. They start off as friends and I absolutely love the friends to lovers trope. Getting to know each other before anything intimate happens is *chefs kiss* to me. The chemistry between the characters and the attention to detail is so beautiful. I loved the quotes from Song of Soloman in the book as well.

We get to see Lotus heal from past childhood traumas, go into therapy and become whole. Such a beautiful moment.

Kenan, his ex wife and his teenage daughter also go through therapy for the divorce and I love seeing that so normalized. Kudos to you Kennedy Ryan!

There’s a lot that happens in this book with navigating their relationship and it’s done so well that I definitely recommend. Doesn’t feel like just two people thrown together not communicating, but it feels like a REAL relationship.

Tropes:
POC Main Characters
Friends to lovers
Long distance
Age gap DONE RIGHT
Basketball romance (which there’s not a lot of basketball in here so that’s a plus for me) 🤣

TW:
Child sexual assault
Suicide attempt

I received an early copy through Net Galley

What a way to end her series!!

Quick Summary:
Kenan has some major trust issues. His ex-wife cheated on him with a team mate and then put him through hell during their divorce. Lotus, Iris' cousin from book 1, also has MAJOR trust issues and has sworn off men. That is, until the man she has been avoiding for 2 years comes enters her life determined to make her have a change of heart.
You can read this as a standalone, HOWEVER I highly recommend you reading the first two books to get the full effect of Kenan and Lotus together.

This one hit home for me because it focuses on how much trust someone needs in order to really have intimacy. Lotus is a spitfire, confident in herself and takes ZERO shit from anyone. That doesnt mean intimacy comes easy for her. Kenan was.......perfect. Not much more to say there.

Thank you #NEtGaley for prociding me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

(4.5 ⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️ | check tw’s ⚠️!! SA, suicide)

I said what I freaking said. If Kennedy Ryan ever writes a “bad” book, I won’t be around for it. It simply isn’t possible. 😮‍💨

Kennedy Ryan is like a master weaver. She can take the most broken, complex characters and add the ugliest circumstances and make something so beautiful. She did it with the entire Hoops series and just went extra hard for Hook Shot. I’ve known since “Long Shot” that Kenan and Lotus’ story would be my absolute fave.

This also proves that the combination of grumpy single dad and age gap will always be top tier.

Many thanks to netgalley and bloom books for the eARC! 🫶🏼

Dans Hook Shot, on va suivre Kenan, un joueur de basket divorcé et père d’une jeune fille ainsi que Lotus, la cousine d’Iris qui rêve d’être créatrice de mode. Il ne veut plus faire confiance à une femme suite à son divorce et elle veut éviter les hommes pour le moment mais pourtant à force de se cotoyer, l’attirance ne devient que plus forte…
Kennedy Ryan arrive à se renouveler à chaque fois et nous livre des romans riches en émotions mais surtout avec des thèmes d’actualités et qui sont variés! Tous les personnages sont touchants et j’ai développé une haine viscérale à l’encontre de Bridget ^^ J’ai adoré le fait de revoir Auguste et Iris cela nous permet de les voir s’épanouir dans leur vie ^^

En bref, si vous ne connaissez pas cette série, foncez les yeux fermés, Kennedy Ryan va vous séduire!!

Lotus is working in high fashion, Kenan is a professional basketball player. Lotus is working through childhood trauma, Kenan has just finalised his divorce.

This book was less about the romance and more about all the hectic shit going on in their lives. Don’t get me wrong, the romance is good, the spice is good and the romance plot helps you have all the good, sweet feelings. More than that though, this books is about healing from childhood trauma, learning to trust people and looking after those around us.

It’s heartbreaking to read their stories and see how they are trying to heal and move on with their lives. I loved Lotus and Iris together as besties and the “hopscotch” thing had my heart clenching every time they said it.

“You had your chance to love me unconditionally, but you chose to change me. You had your chance to protect me as a mother should, but you chose to betray me…”

CN for drug overdose, attempted suicide and child sexual assault/rape. It’s an on page retelling like a memory, so look after yourselves! It is pretty obvious what’s about to happen so you could probably just skip that chapter if you’re worried about it.

Thanks to #NetGallery and the publisher. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
POV: Dual
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Age suggestion: 18+

4.5⭐️ - So much to love about this one. Esp the care with which Kenan's relationship with his daughter was handled. I loved that there was nuance with the way Lotus interacted with both his daughter and ex. And the unpacking of her past trauma. 💞

I had the immense pleasure of delving into an advanced reader copy of "Hook Shot" by Kennedy Ryan, and I must say, it's an absolute masterpiece that deserves nothing less than a perfect 5/5 stars.

From the very first page, I was swept away by Ryan's eloquent prose and her ability to breathe life into her characters. The story of Lotus DuPree and Kenan Ross is a poignant, emotionally charged journey that explores love, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Ryan's writing doesn't just tell their story; it makes you feel it, deep in your heart.

The characters in "Hook Shot" are exquisitely crafted and multi-dimensional. Lotus and Kenan are not your typical romance novel protagonists; they are flawed, relatable, and utterly authentic. Their chemistry is electric, and their emotional connection is so palpable that you can't help but root for their love to triumph over adversity.

What truly sets "Hook Shot" apart is its ability to tackle important and timely social issues without ever sacrificing the romance and passion at its core. Ryan deftly weaves themes of racial inequality, family dynamics, and personal growth into the narrative, adding depth and resonance to the story without ever feeling preachy.

The pacing of the novel is impeccable, with every chapter propelling the story forward and keeping you engrossed in the lives of the characters. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and filled with genuine emotion, making it easy to become completely immersed in the world Ryan has created.

As for the romance itself, it's a slow-burning, intense, and utterly captivating journey. The tension between Lotus and Kenan is palpable, and when they finally come together, it's nothing short of explosive. Ryan has a gift for writing love scenes that are both sensual and emotionally charged, leaving you breathless and yearning for more.

"Hook Shot" is not just a romance novel; it's a work of art that explores the complexities of love and the power it holds to heal and transform. It's a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page, leaving a lasting impression on your heart and soul.

In conclusion, Kennedy Ryan's "Hook Shot" is a literary gem that surpasses all expectations. With its beautifully developed characters, socially relevant themes, and a romance that sizzles and sparks, it's a must-read for anyone who appreciates exceptional storytelling. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a love story that goes beyond the surface and into the depths of the human heart. It's a true 5/5 star read that deserves all the praise it receives.

2.5/5 ⭐️

i love interconnected standalones so. much.

there is something so rewarding about reading a series and getting to books later on revolving around side characters, finally finding the love they deserve. that is how i felt about lotus and kenan’s story.

you learn a bit about lotus in long shot, don’t hear about her in block shot and now we have a whole book dedicated to her working on herself and finding love. so so good.

i do think that out of the three, this one was my least favourite. It had nothing to do with the characters (i loved them) but I just felt like the pacing was off for me at times and i struggled to be fully invested in where the story was going.

overall though I heavily recommend this series but if you’re considering picking it up, check TW’s because each book contains heavy material that readers should be aware of.

thank you to netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS bloom books for an e-arc!

SO GOOD.

Kenan + Lotus are perfect. I loved how Lotus fought through to overcome her horrors of the past & I did NOT predict any of the ending happening. I also really enjoy Kennedy’s writing style!!

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 stars

Loved Lotus and Kenan’s story! I’ve been waiting since book one to read all about them and it definitely did not disappoint! I love Kennedy Ryan’s writing and can’t wait to read more of her books!

Would definitely recommend this series, but each book deals with different traumas so you may want to look them up ahead of time and make sure you are comfortable before reading.

Yet again. Kennedy Ryan just knows how to write. She is prepared to make you feel all the emotions. So be prepared.

This was absolute gold, I loved Lotus and Kenan's journey. It was emotional, heartwarming, spicy telling a story that grabbed at your heart strings the way Kennedy Ryan does leaving you with a mark for weeks after.

Thankful to Netgalley and Bloombooks for this early copy!
I’ve said it so many times, Kennedy Ryan is an amazing author. She tells stories that seem so real, so palpable.
I loved the relationship between Kenyan and Lo, and the side characters of his ex and daughter.
I find myself being more drawn to her other plot lines, but this series is still very solid.

Good news is I liked this one better than the second, however still less than the first. Kenan and Lotus have such a cute love story and I do like the dynamics with his ex wife and daughter story lines. I don’t like how she throws a suicide attempt in there but don’t unpack or dive deep with it … the first book unpacks the trauma going on way better. The end was weird where there’s a random car accident and boom all better … it’s a lot like August in the first book has the accident on the court and Zo has this rare disease in the second. It’s almost overdone. Either way, happy I read the series but not overly sad it’s done.

First off thank you to Kennedy Ryan, Bloom Books and NetGalley for the arc!

I loved every single minute of this book. Lotus and Kenan are perfection!! They had me hooked on each other before they even because a couple. Seriously love everything about this book. It had me swooning, giggling and kicking my feet, crying, and wanting to kick ass all at the same time. Age gap done well and I loved that it wasn't such a big issue. The healing both Lotus and Kenan have to go through is so well written. This my second book I've read of Kennedy Ryan and it has her as an instant buy author now. Trust me pick up this book and welcome a new all time favorite book couple!! Please do make sure to read the trigger warnings though.

Safe to say I fell completely in love with Lotus & Keenan! Their stories (both together and individually) were beautiful. The healing that both characters had to go through was written so incredibly.

At first I was unsure how the role of voodoo magic would come into the story and make sense (purely because it’s the first time I’ve seen it in a romance book) - but I actually loved it and to read more about the meaningful role voodoo has in New Orleans culture was a highlight for me.

I received this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I was so excited to learn that Keenan and Lotus were going to have their own story! I loved the little bits we saw of them in The Long Shot. I loved to see how their story unfolded

⤷‧₊˚4.25⭑
“Extended conversations, even with people I love, sometimes leave me feeling drained. I’m an introvert. The things that refuel me don’t involve people at all. I love being alone.”

let me tell you this was 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠.
i loved this soo much after reading the second book which was a disaster and a huge disappointment it makes me happy that the third book is amazing again. Kennedy Ryan hit a huge hit with this series and i say with my whole heart she fucking deserves it.

the quotes in this book made me swoon and cry way too many times..
“Give yourself permission to let it hurt, but allow yourself permission to let it heal.”

“You’re magnificent,” I whisper. “I think in another life you ruled a planet. You were the king of your own galaxy.” “And in this other life,” he says, the laughter fading from his eyes, “were you my queen?”

“You populate my dreams. They are rich with the scent of you. Your heart is on my pillow, and I taste you in my sleep. – This one is all me”

Kennedy is the GOAT. Her books always slap. They have it all. Swoony, spicy, all the feels, and a great story. Loved this book and the series! Definitely would recommend. Check tw!

[Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]


Muy entretenido, con muchos dramas sueltos que afectan a los protagonistas (demasiados dramas) y menos drama entre ellos de lo que yo esperaba. Realmente me he entretenido bastante, aunque algo menos que con los anteriores, de ahí que le dé un pelín menos de nota.
Jugador de baloncesto buenorro y diseñadora con cara rancia que aparentemente se repelen cuando lo que les ocurre realmente es que se les funden los plomos al mirarse. Nada nuevo bajo el sol pero muy bien contado. Me encanta cómo escribe Kennedy Ryan, hasta cuando te cuenta algo que no te interesa especialmente te envuelve en la narración y no te deja soltar el libro.