Long Shot: A Forbidden Basketball Standalone Romance (HOOPS Book 1)

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To me, it wasn't much a romance. Or a romance at all. Romantic elements, sure. A romance story? Certainly not. i read the book and waited for the audio version so I could do a re-read, and it was absolutely worth the wait. Long Shot cane to life with the narrators, and added to the intensity of situations and emotions. It cut straight to the heart.

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From award-winning author Kennedy Ryan comes the soul-gripping, unforgettable first installment of the Hoops trilogy. But this story isn’t hero focused, it has the vibe of being woman driven. Iris DuPree is no shrinking violet. She’s a strong-minded woman who is driven and passionate about where she’s headed. When her course takes a turn for the worse she ultimately steps into the role as the hero of her own story. Favorite Quote: He tries to demean me with his words…his words are a dog with no bite. They have no teeth with me. But who needs teeth when you have fangs? 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.

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. Iris, our heroine, is one of THE BEST, one of the strongest and most resilient female characters you will ever read about. It can be tough for a female character who is so strong to not come off as arrogant or obnoxious. Iris was neither. Iris was beauty and strength personified. Read this book if you’re a self sadist and willing to torture yourself and dug a whole in your soul. 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.I’ve sworn off men altogether, but so what? I’ve never m 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. And if I never see another woman come, that’s fine with me. If I could just watch this one in the eye of her storm, in this crisis of her pleasure, it would be enough. God, for the rest of my life, it would be enough. The look on her face is wondrous, as if she’s suspended between realities, has wandered into a fantasy and is drowning in this rapture.❞ Even when you think you’re defeated, dig deeper. Go harder. Press, because there is something worth it on the other side.” 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.

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. 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. 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! Iris is young when she first meets Caleb, she is swept of her feet by the golden boy in Basketball, she has her own ambitions, her own future to look forward to. Iris is a strong independent young woman with a mother who used men her whole life to get what she wanted and Iris is determined to break the mould, determined to go through life being dependant on nobody. All Iris's plans and ambitions are destroyed when she finds herself in a relationship with an obsessive, possessive man, a violent and destructive to the soul relationship she didn't see coming.None for Iris in a relationship she made clear she wasn't interested in—but still commited because... reasons. She’s the most intoxicating champagne. I sip. I drink. I slurp. I gulp her until I can’t remember the taste of another woman—there’s only ever been her scent and her hair and her shape. She is singular, obliterating every kiss that came before her, eliminating the possibility of anyone else ever tasting this good.❞ There is a reader sensitive content warning at the beginning of the novel, and it is well-earned, however, the content is so well written, so responsibly conveyed that I have little doubt that readers will digest and appreciate the difficult scenes. The author writes the ugly, so beautifully, looking away is not even an option. I read it half breathing at times, heart pounding throughout. I was not the same person in the few hours it took me to finish it. I’d gone from casually reading to pass the time, to wanting to DO SOMETHING! Upon reading this book, I was vibrating with energy and excitement. I felt so alive and happy. So, happy. 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.