"Block Shot," the second book in Kennedy Ryan's gripping Hoops series, takes readers on an emotionally charged journey through the world of sports management with a tantalizing enemies-to-lovers romance. This story of Jared Foster and Banner Morales sizzles with intensity and passion, making it a standout in contemporary romance.

Jared, a sports agent known for his ruthless business acumen, is haunted by the heartbeats Banner Morales causes to skip in his seemingly frozen chest. For every calculated move he's known for, Banner presents a challenge he can't resist. Their chemistry is palpable, her fiery defiance the perfect prelude to a dance of romance that leaves readers eagerly turning pages​​.

Banner, a character who embodies strength, intelligence, and determination, shines as a beacon for women in a male-dominated field. With just one heartbreaking memory of Jared, she arms herself with a resolve to rise above their tangled past. Yet, her success and her ability to navigate and block the shots in her professional life are contrasted with the vulnerability Jared's presence evokes, creating a compelling dynamic that is both relatable and aspirational​​​​.

The narrative weaves through their complicated history, from college acquaintances with unfulfilled potential to adversaries in the same professional sphere, building a nuanced tale of second chances. Ryan delves deep into their personalities; Banner's compassion and intelligence are a foil to Jared's instinctual, hard-edged approach. Together, they strike a balance, challenging and complementing each other in ways that only true counterparts can​​.

Jared's dogged determination to win Banner back, regardless of the cost, is as infuriating as it is endearing. His willingness to expose his vulnerability to Banner, juxtaposed against his harsh exterior to the world, peels back the layers of a complex man driven by love. His single-minded pursuit, while questionable at times, underscores the intensity of his feelings, making him a character that, despite his flaws, one can't help but root for​​.

With Ryan's signature blend of steamy encounters and profound emotional depth, "Block Shot" secures its place as a powerful, heart-stopping installment in the Hoops trilogy. It's a story that resonates with themes of resilience, second chances, and the courage to face one's past.

I love love love Kennedy's writing. It's so beautiful and descriptive. Her characters are so real and you just root for them. I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline and character development. Jared and Banner were both such enjoyable characters. It's a sexy and beautiful book that just gives you ALL the feels!! Another Kennedy Ryan banger for me!

Just as great as the first one and I above and beyond enjoyed reading this one! Can definitely be read as a stand alone but you’ll for sure want to read the first one as it does have inter-connecting charactersz

Block Shot is real, sexy, and engaging! I want to be best friends with Banner…please and thank you! Add this to your must read list.

This fabulous story was one I could not put down. It didn't take long for me to independently love Banner AND Jared and then love them together. I enjoy stories that are real, relatable and I especially love a story I can relate to. This one touched my heart in more ways than I can count. There are different types of love represented here. I was amazed by the strength of love and the impact it can have is awe-inspiring. It can heal. It can change a person. It can survive! Kennedy Ryan is known for her strong female characters. Banner is fierce in all aspects of her life. How she loves, how she carries herself, in her career, as a friend and a lover. She has this fight in her that I loved soo much. I loved book one more but still so good.

Love! Love love love love this series!! And I could not get enough of Jared and Banners story. This enemies to lovers had some serious spicey scenes. I ate this story up! This is the second in the Hoops series but it could easily be read as a stand alone book. Love this series!
I just reviewed Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan. #NetGalley
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It will never be a surprise to me when I fall in love with a Kennedy Ryan book. This series in particular has me in a chokehold. It combines my love of sports romance with heart wrenching stories where she breaks you apart and puts you back together again.

I’m almost as big of a sucker for second chance romance as I am for sports romances. This book had the best combination of both. Kennedy Ryan has this incredible writing style that draws you in and captivates you. And before you know it, you’ve read her entire book in one sitting.

This book was so incredibly beautiful and easily became a favorite. Everyone needs to read a Kennedy Ryan book because she is truly something special.

*Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

It will never be a surprise to me when I fall in love with a Kennedy Ryan book. This series in particular has me in a chokehold. It combines my love of sports romance with heart wrenching stories where she breaks you apart and puts you back together again.

I’m almost as big of a sucker for second chance romance as I am for sports romances. This book had the best combination of both. Kennedy Ryan has this incredible writing style that draws you in and captivates you. And before you know it, you’ve read her entire book in one sitting.

This book was so incredibly beautiful and easily became a favorite. Everyone needs to read a Kennedy Ryan book because she is truly something special.

*Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Block Shot is book 2 in the Hoops series and like book one it’s full of heavy topics and emotion.

I could not get enough of Banner and Jared. After a misunderstanding in college Banner and Jared part ways on bad terms. Now, 10 years later they are both successful sports agents working for rival companies.
However, there’s much more to the story than their jobs. It’s deep and raw and will suck you in, chew you up and spit you out the other end.
I could feel Banners pain as I listened to this book. My heart just hurt so much.
Jared was just Jared 🥰

“And even in the dark, I know we see each other.”

Make sure you have tissues handy if you pick up Block Shot. Kennedy Ryan loves to write a tear jerker and this is no exception.

Fans of second chance sports romance will enjoy this book but please check the trigger warnings.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Speechless!!!! This is a must read!!

Banner and Jared meet in college years ago, and are now successful and rival sports agents. They’re now in the same city and keep running into each other. Banner wants nothing to do with Jared, but he’s not giving up easily this time.

I loved that this story spans over a ten year period. You really get a feel for what is going on in Banner and Jared’s lives.
Jared is such a loveable a**hole! He’s hardworking and ruthless, but his love for Banner is like no other. Banner was such an awesome and strong heroine, yet still had flaws, and maybe that’s what I loved most about this book. The characters feel so real, like you already know them. The story feel so real, like you’re there. They had such a pull towards each other, and it made me not want to ever put this book down!
There was steam, heartbreak, love, hope. And although this book was so much fun to read, don’t let it fool you, there were definitely emotional parts that had me crying.

Another magnificent book by Kennedy Ryan! This story is beautifully written with lots of layers. She’s an auto buy author in my world now! Read this if you love a great enemies to lovers & second chance romance! It won’t disappoint!!

📘: Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan
🗓️: September 19, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Kennedy Ryan, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads.

As always Kennedy Ryan's writing is absolutely stunning. It pulls you in at first word and doesn't let you go until the end and even then you're thinking of the story. I always recommend her books for a must read. I haven't found one I have liked yet.

I’m cleaning up my Feedback bookshelf and trying to give reviews for past books I’ve read. I know I read this when it came out - I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads. I RARELY give out 5 stars, so it must have been a good story. Thanks for the advanced reader copy!

4.5 stars! I loved the writing and the characters, as always. It was interesting and I was hooked from the start. The storyline was so so good. Loved it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was the one. Block shot might be my favorite book by Kennedy Ryan. The emotional roller coaster was unmatched. The way these characters took hold of you is unparalleled. “The daughter of a lion, is still a lion.”

Jared has had a crush on Banner since college, but after a fantastic hook up gone horribly wrong right before she moved to chase her dreams, they haven’t spoken in years. With both Jared and Banner having successful careers as sports agents, their paths cross fairly often. How long can Banner really keep her distance?

I LOVED Banner - what a strong, badass woman. She is determined, passionate, and still so kind. Yet she is relatable and flawed - her weight is a huge insecurity for her leading to some unhealthy decisions around food and exercise. Her relationship with Jared in all of its forms was a messy emotional roller coaster. The pining, the chemistry, all of the back and forth, it was filled with passion making their second chance feel so much sweeter. I am loving the Hoops series and can’t wait to see what is next!

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

I always enjoy a good second-chance romance, but combine that with friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, and I could not request Block Shot fast enough! I was so excited for Jared and Banner's story (side note: how great of a name is Banner for an FMC?!). The banter was incredible, and the hate-fueled sexual tension was top-notch. The only thing that didn't sit right with me was Jared's insistence that Banner cheats on her long-time best friend turned partner to be with him. Yes, I understand that not liking the cheating trope is a "me problem" and not something inherently wrong with the book, but it is the only reason I gave this 4 instead of 5 stars.

That one issue aside, I am new to Kennedy Ryan's work, but I love that she always handles complex and even sometimes triggering issues with such delicacy, respect, and grace without shying away from real issues. Kennedy Ryan definitely has a new fan for life.

I hadn't read the first in this series, but I enjoyed reading about Jared and Banner. the way they both fell for each other but didn't voice is, and then suddenly shit got shoved in their faces and now they don't talk?
I love a second-chance romance, and this filled the bill.

The writing is superb! Like unbelievably crisp and beautiful.
The characters are fleshed out and so real. I could totally be friends with Banner. She's my kinda girl. And Jared is every single thing that ever was!! The ultimate BBF for me.
The storyline is so good. The plot is expertly crafted. I loved everything about it.

A kickass heroine, a ruthless and sexy AF hero, and an amazing story of not only finding love but growing to love yourself. I couldn't be more impressed if I tried. If you love good writing, amazing characters, and an emotional kick, this is a MUST READ! PURE PERFECTION!

This one was so good I love that it's an enemies to lovers and second chance romance book and this one is it. I love that it's also spicy romance compared to the first book. I love that Banner is a woman of it all especially struggling to see that Jared loves her for who she is and wants to be with her. I feel like every woman fathom and start to question why someone would want to be with them so this was super relatable.

As always, Kennedy Ryan did not disappoint. This was a re-read for me and I loved it just as much as the first time I read it. Kennedy books are always so emotional and well written. I love everything about this series!

Sports romance, yes please - make it basketball, even better - because I don't feel like it is done enough. I laughed, I got emotional, I was fully invested in this relationship and the path they were on.