Review: Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

HOOK SHOT by Kennedy Ryan
Published by Scribechick Media on March 28, 2019
Genres: Multicultural & Interracial, African American, Romance, Women's Fiction
Format: ARC
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five-stars

A deeply emotional standalone romance set in the worlds of professional basketball and high fashion.

Divorced. Single dad. Traded to a losing squad.
Cheated on, betrayed, exposed.
My perfect life blew up in my face and I'm still picking up the pieces.
The last thing I need is her.
A wildflower. A storm. A woman I can't resist.
Lotus DuPree is a kick to my gut and a wrench in my plans
from the moment our eyes meet.
I promised myself I wouldn't trust a woman again,
but I've never wanted anyone the way I want Lo.
She's not the plan I made, but she's the risk I have to take.

A warrior. A baller. The one they call Gladiator.
Kenan Ross charged into my life smelling all good, looking even better and snatching my breath from the moment we met.
The last thing I need is him.
I’m working on me. Facing my pain and conquering my demons.
I've seen what trusting a man gets you.
I. Don't. Have. Time. For. This.
But he just keeps coming for me.
Keeps knocking down my defenses and stealing my excuses
one by one.
He never gives up, and now...I'm not sure I want him to.

“To those living with invisible pain

and fighting so hard to be free,

Don’t stop healing. “

Now if you follow me on social media, you know that I have been patiently waiting on Kenan and Lotus’s story from Kennedy Ryan’s HOOPS series.

Let’s just say I stanned for Kenan and Lotus before we even got to know them. I had a feeling that they would be one of my favorites and they indeed were, Kennedy knocked me off of my feet once again.

I knew without a doubt I would love Lotus, and that proved true. Kenan took me a little bit by surprise in the best possible way. I didn’t think anyone would move above August in this series but Kenan came through for that number one spot. If he wasn’t madly in love with Lotus, and of course fictional, I’d ask for his phone number. Anywho, let’s get to the story before I get carried away. 🙂

Kenan and Lotus’s bond is more like a magnetic pull. There’s an invisible rope that slowly ties them together, even when they think they should be apart. Everyone around them knows it, they’ve known it since they met over two years ago. Life, and fear, among other things, have prevented them from ever saying more than a few words to each other. A summer in New York, while Kenan is in basketball offseason, changes that, and these two finally allow themselves the opportunity to explore their inevitable connection.

Kenan has steely control, he masks his pain and vulnerability behind his work ethic and responsibilities. There’s pain behind the surly attitude. He can seem standoffish to most, and a hard nut to crack. But to those he loves, he’s open, charming and loving. Very few people get him to open up and truly expose himself and his feelings, our Lotus is one of those people.

Lotus is a badass; she’s unapologetic, outgoing and vivacious. A ball of creativity and cutting edge. Beneath the tattoos and expertly expressive clothing is a woman with a past that she hasn’t fully dealt with it and demons she must exercise.

There are a lot of intricate details to their individual lives and their relationship that they must explore. They become a blanket of protection for each other, a source of strength when they are in need.

Hook Shot isn’t just a story about love though there is definitely some soul-stirring, heart-tugging, once in this lifetime love here. It’s not even necessarily about forgiveness. At least not for me, it isn’t. it’s about putting our selves and our needs first. It’s about not letting the past define us, finding ways to healthily deal with our pain and finding a way to move on, no matter how painful it may seem.

Now don’t get me wrong, their story isn’t perfect but there’s something about them that pulls you in immediately. Their love is patient and kind; understanding and electric.

Though this is a stand-alone novel, I highly recommend reading Long Shot and Block Shot as well. You don’t have to read it beforehand but it’s worth circling back to if you aren’t familiar with the series.

Now go read the book (and the full series) and come back. We have lots to discuss.

Please and thanks! 🙂

P.S. Enter the Release Giveaway for a $50 Gift Card +Signed HOOK SHOT Paperback here:

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Natalya

Natalya is an Account Manager by day and an editor and author's assistant to passionate creatives by night. When she is not adding to her enormous book collection or stationery supply, she is catching up on her favorite television shows.

Natalya is the author of All The Things I Never Said, a soul-stirring collection of short stories, prose and love letters for the soulful wanderers, the brokenhearted and the hopeless romantics.

You can follow her rantings and occasional sparks of brilliance on Twitter @NatalyaMuncuff.