Man, every Kennedy Ryan book is like a punch in the gut, and this one is no exception. Banner is a perfect example of the martyr - someone who assumes things without asking or believing others, who *must* take everything on even when it's not her place, who's too nice to do the necessary thing, and who ends up hurting herself and everyone else worse because of it all. Super frustrating, but I liked how Jared just let her do what she felt she needed to do and stood by her until she pulled her head out of her ass. Jared is A+.

I'm a big fan of Kennedy Ryan's other books like Before I Let Go, This Could Be Us, and Long Shot, but unfortunately, I had to DNF Block Shot. I don't like cheating in books and I just don't think this book was for me. My issues with Block Shot were personal though, so even though I didn't love this book, I'm sure many other readers would enjoy it! I still love Kennedy Ryan's writing and will definitely continue to read her books in the future

I had to DNF this at about 45% due to the fact that the MMC kept trying to pressure the FMC to cheat on her boyfriend.

Banner and Jared are college friends/study partners. Jared realizes that he is falling for Banner during their study sessions, and since she is not Jared's usual type, she doesn't trust that jared genuinely likes her when he decides to make his move on her. She recently got accepted to a very competitive and prestigious internship. This is the same night at Jared is supposed to be accepted into a secret society, as long as he completes one last task... f*ck the fat girl... aka Banner. Without giving too many things away... things to awry.

Fast forward 10 years, and Banner is a high profile sports agent, and so is Jared. They find themselves living in the same town for the first time since college and while they have not seen each other much over the past 10 years, they can't seem to get out of each others orbits now that they are both in California, due to their careers, and having clients in many of the same circles.

I really liked that Banner was a strong, independent woman. She is multi-lingual, assertive, and caring sports agent. I thought that Jared was selfish, single minded, lazy, and a complete asshole. He got by on his good looks, and it seemed like he used that to his advantage whenever he could to get what he wanted. It usually worked out for him, but when it came to Banner and Zo, he disrespected her by continuing to pursue her even though she was in a relationship.

This is a best friends to enemies/rivals to lovers (?), second chance romance set in the cutthroat sports world. Trigger warnings are fat-phobia, fat-shaming, cheating. Between the cheating and Jared being a total asshole, I didn't want to finish this book. I don't know if they get their HEA, but im not interested in finding out. I don't want Jared to get his HEA with Banner because he's such as disrespectful jerk.

I loved the first one and DID NOT enjoy this one like. At all. I hate cheating. There is lots of emotional and physical cheating in the book, and that's after the FMC makes a huge deal out of another woman cheating and calls her a whore. Really made the FMC not likeable. The MMC is terrible as well, but at least he knows he's a terrible person. I did not root for them together. Strongly disliked both.

Also found the way weight loss and health was discussed was really problematic. This should have trigger warnings for unhealthy eating and obsessive/disordered food thoughts as what she does is NOT healthy and is presented as health for a large portion of the book. Very very bad and made me really want to quit the book.

I'll read the 3rd only because I liked the first and hope it'll be more like that one, but this one was not it for me at all.

3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the E-ARC. I will start off by saying while there were some things I was not down with I kept reading because it really was a great romance story between Banner and Jared. There were also other things that I enjoyed like the drama and the banter between them and the spice it was spicing and I was here for it.

I enjoyed reading this book. This wasn’t my first book by this author and it certainly won’t be my last! I will recommend and read again.

These stories are so deep. The representation is so strong and done really well. This book really keeps up the strength of the series. I’m glad I discovered this book because it really hit the spot and was a good read.

"Block Shot" by Kennedy Ryan is a passionate and gripping sports romance that delivers both heart-pounding excitement and tender moments of connection. Ryan skillfully intertwines the high-stakes world of professional basketball with a captivating love story that defies expectations. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, drawing readers into their tumultuous relationship filled with passion and intensity. Beyond the romance, Ryan delves into important themes such as ambition, loyalty, and self-discovery, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. With its dynamic characters, emotional depth, and sizzling romance, "Block Shot" is a slam dunk for fans of sports romance looking for a compelling and unforgettable read.

RATING : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

Let me start by saying I’m a huge Kennedy Ryan fan, and I love her writing style and her characters and the emotional way she tells a story.

This was just not the book for me. I didn’t connect with Jarend or Banner as much as I’ve connected with other MMCs and even though it was well done, I just couldn’t get into this.

This book is a prime example of it’s not you, it’s me, and I know that other titles by this author have and will continue to blow me away.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Banner and Jared. They meet while at college. They had a one night stand right before Banner left to do internship. They meet several years later, both were sports agents. Banner worked for an agency. Jared started up his own agency. The attraction wasn’t gone. They started dating. They each had issues but together they worked them out and fell in love.

It is crazy because these two are my favorite couple in this series in terms of romantic connection. I love the way Kennedy Ryan described the way they felt for each other. With them, I genuinely believed they love each other. I JUST COULD NOT GET PAST ALL THE CHEATING. The book would have had such a higher rating from me if they didn't cheat. Banner is such a headstrong woman and I she knewwww it was wrong of her to lead on her boyfriend the way she did, the fact that she cheated was aggravating.
If you're okay with so much unapologetic cheating, then dive in, because I really would have loved Jared and Banner 10000x more.

Kennedy Ryan, you keep drawing me in.

stunning stunning stunning. kennedy ryan is one of my absolute favorite authors and this just solidifies that. i love her stories to death and finishing this series is going to be the death of me. heartbreaking but so uplifting simultaneously, i will never get tired of her characters :’))))

I fell in love with the emotional writing of author Kennedy Ryan and was so excited to read Block Shot. I found myself completely captivated into this heartbreaking and beautiful story. This is the second book in the Hoops series, as it tells Jared’s story.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-friends to lovers
-enemies to lovers
-emotional and heartbreaking

*many thanks to Sourcebooks, Bloom and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Kennedy's writing is captivating....Block Shot is no exception. It is full of depth, breathtaking, thought-provoking, heartbreaking and basically a roller coaster of emotions. Jared and Banner's second chancce love story was intense, raw, dark and edgy, but still so passionate and heartfelt.. Brilliant!!

This is the 2nd book that I have had the opportunity to read by Kennedy Ryan and the 2nd book in the trilogy Hoops Series. I must say that I have enjoyed the first book that I had the opportunity to read. Jared and Banner share a pass and heart break for Banner. As the two navigate their way back together there are ups and downs in their relationship along with twists and turns. Jared loved Banner and I was excited and loved that they were able to have their second chance at romance one of my favorite reading genres. I have the 1st book in this series “Long Shot” and I didn’t realize that I had and I will most definitely be reading it.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Source Books Bloom Books and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I jumped into this only with the knowledge that it was Jared’s story. Kennedy Ryan is an auto-buy author for me so I was so excited to start this story. There was so much that I loved about this book. I really loved friends to one night stand to enemies to lovers thing that this had going on. What a whirlwind of emotions that Jared and Banner went through and sent me through as well.

There is a trope in here that I normally despise with all my being and the fact that Kennedy Ryan made me still love this book is a testament to what an amazing writer she is.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I have to say that I looooved the first one much more but I still had a great time with this. However the characters did not tear at my heartstrings as much as the ones in Long Shot. I am still very excited to read the last book in this series.

You say blocked shot I say missed shot

After coming off the heart ache of book 1 I just expected to have the same outcome in book 2. However the major issue faced is cheating? For me the only story line that is seen in book 2 as well as book 1 is rekindled love.
Banners character also wasn't true to her own story line strong independent girl regardless of her size but it still seems to be at the forefront to every thoight and decision she makes (which is fair if you have been heavy to thin) but she didn't have consistency in that it was her strength and weakness . For me this story didn't work but can't wait to see story 3 !
Also there is a lot more steam/smut in this book which felt awkward because of my character disconnect

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

TW: Cheating trope!

I thought book one was okay, and that maybe book two would be better. BOY WAS I WRONG.

I'm not sure if its just me, but both of the men in this series give me a serious ick. I hate the way they talk and act, and lets not even talk about how obsessed they get over the FMC, to the point of being super creepy and stalkerish. Not my cup of tea!

I stopped reading this book as soon as cheating came up. I liked Banner at the beginning of the book, but as the book went on her character got worse instead of getting better. I couldn't imagine her character at the beginning of the book cheating on someone.

I'm out. Just couldn't do it anymore. Will not be picking up the next book.