This is unfortunately my last favorite Kennedy Ryan book. The dialogue was a bit redundant at times, it got pretty repetitive, and I'm not a fan of cheating. It's by no means a bad book, just definitely not for me.

I don't want to hear anything negative EVER about Ms. Kennedy Ryan. This woman is a magical fairy with a gift for words.

Quick summary:
Banner and Jared had a life changing one night stand that unfortunately, ended terribly and traumatically. However, she doesn't know that Jared had no involvement in what occurred and the depth of his feelings. Jared in turn, resents that Banner never allowed him to explain. Fast forward 10 years and they now are rival sport agents that have to work together. Jared is determined to not let Banner get away a second time. Banner is confused and torn for reasons I will omit.

You do NOT need to read Long Shot before diving into this one.

For many people cheating is a HARD no for them, and if you are one of those people, I wouldn't recommend this book. Honestly I only took off one star because I thought at times it focused too much on Banner's weight issues.

The beauty of Kennedy Ryan is that she often writes about tough and very real things in a way that leaves you questioning your own judgements. This was just another example of her mastery with words. She wrote about cheating without defending it but also understanding it. Too many times we see things as black and white (Banner surely does) and in reality so much of our lives and decisions live in the gray.

Thank you #NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Dans Block Shot, nous allons suivre Jared Foster, le demi-frère d’Auguste (rencontré dans le tome 1 de la série) et Banner, ils se sont rencontrés à l’université mais pourtant après des paroles maladroites, ils vont couper les ponts pour se retrouver des années plus tard… mais chacun a fait sa vie sans pour autant s’oublier alors pourront-ils arriver à surmonter toutes les épreuves?
J’ai beaucoup aimé cette histoire qui aborde beaucoup de thèmes comme la confiance en soi, le premier amour, les blessures émotionnelles avec beaucoup de justesse et de brio. Le petit bémol, c’est que j’ai trouvé qu’il y avait quelques longueurs vers le milieu du livre^^ J’ai beaucoup apprécié les personnages de Jared et Banner et ils forment un couple parfait ensemble!

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

First, the book isn't rated higher because it has a trope that I'm not fond of.
Second, the writing was amazing. This was the first sports romance I read that didn't have an athlete as the MC. Instead, both leads were sports agents, which I enjoyed seeing/reading about. I love Banner. She's strong, smart, and kind, overall a bad b*tch. Jared, that man didn't give a fuck(I kind of like it). The love he had for Banner and the willingness to do anything for her was coupled goal.
Go read if you're looking for
- rivals to lovers
- second chance romance
- sport romance
Please check the Trigger Warning

Jared and Banner have a history and their second chance is full of obstacles. I enjoyed the premise and the cast of characters, but it felt repetitive and drawn out for me. The epilogue/second epilogue were larger chunks of the book than I thought they'd be making the ending anticlimactic.

Things I liked: alternating POV, multicultural background, and inclusive of different languages.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fast paced plotline with enemies to lovers , academic rivals, second chance standalone romance set in world of sports management. The author has wonderfully portraited two different timelines i.e. their past and present to show the characters' background. It definitely gives more death to the lead characters's bonding.
The banter and sexual tension between Banner and Jared was my favourite part of this book.

📚 Block Shot
Hoops Series Book 2
✍ Kennedy Ryan
📖 Drama, Romance
4.5 ★⚊
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Un romance con drama y angsty. Con un personaje principal femenino lleno de fuerza y resiliencia. Jasper y Banner son dos poderosas fuerzas en el mundo de los negocios.. con un pasado que Banner no quiere recordar, pero en el mundo de los agentes de deporte, será inevitable coincidir..
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Jasper and Banner are two sharks in a world of the sports management..
They have their past, Banner moved on, but in the world of business, she will have no option but to see Jasper one more time ..
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Oof with these two .. 🔥😱💥
You'll experience all emotions with this book.
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Read if you like
💥 second chance
💥 kick ass heroine
💥 witty
💥 battle of wills
💥 enemies to lovers
💥 steamy af
💥 right person/wrong time
💥 secret crush
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This is by far the hardest Kennedy Ryan book I’ve had to review. I adore Jared and Banner as a couple, for sure. I think Jared said it best “Banner is my opposite, but she’s my match. My equinox.”

Individually, both characters were quite… flawed. 🫢 But what I loved most about them, a true testament to Ryan’s writing, was that they were always unapologetically themselves. Jared being an absolute menace to society. And Banner being a bad ass. 😂 if there’s one thing they’re gonna do, it’s keep it 100. lol

I can write a whole review on just how much I loved Banner Morales and the sliver of Jared’s more redeeming qualities. But we’d be here all day. For these two alone, this books is worth the read. The root and genesis of their relationship will ultimately rub (a lot of) people the wrong way. But that’s just life, isn’t it. Love and people are MESSY. These two, messier 🤭

Ms. Kennedy Ryan has yet to write a bad book. I simply refuse to believe it’s possible. 😌

Thank you to netgalley and bloom books for the eARC!

So much to love about this, despite it having a trope I don't love. The chemistry between the MCs is amazing, and I love how nuanced all the side characters are. I was interested and engaged regardless of who was in the forefront, and that's hard to do!

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

This is my second Kennedy Ryan book and I really enjoy the way she writes! I like that she writes about realistic things that go on in relationships.

You can tell she puts a lot of thought into her characters and backgrounds. I haven't found a character that I didn't love in some fashion.

I will say I enjoyed the first book a lot more. I didn't really care for the cheating trope in this story. That being said still a really good book.

I had the pleasure of diving into an advanced reader copy of "Block Shot" by Kennedy Ryan, and it's safe to say that Ryan continues to deliver a compelling sports romance that deserves a solid 4/5 stars.

"Block Shot" offers a fresh perspective on the world of professional basketball, blending the excitement of the sport with a heartfelt love story. Ryan's writing is as polished as ever, drawing readers in with her knack for vivid descriptions and relatable character dynamics.

The characters in "Block Shot" are well-crafted and multi-dimensional, with a focus on Jared Foster and Banner Morales, two individuals whose chemistry is undeniable. Jared, a successful sports agent, and Banner, a brilliant entrepreneur, are driven, ambitious, and unapologetically flawed. Their passionate, love-hate relationship is both entertaining and emotionally charged, and Ryan does an excellent job of delving into their backgrounds and motivations.

One of the standout features of "Block Shot" is the way it addresses sensitive and thought-provoking themes. The novel explores complex issues such as gender inequality and workplace dynamics, which adds depth and relevance to the story. Ryan's ability to incorporate these themes into a romance novel without overwhelming the central love story is commendable.

The pacing of the novel is generally well-balanced, with moments of tension, passion, and reflection. However, there were a few instances where the story seemed to meander, which affected the overall momentum. Despite these occasional lulls, the engaging dialogue and character interactions keep the reader invested in the unfolding drama.

The romance in "Block Shot" is passionate and magnetic, with sizzling chemistry between Jared and Banner. Ryan excels in crafting intimate scenes that are both sensual and emotionally charged, making it easy to become absorbed in their evolving relationship.

In conclusion, "Block Shot" by Kennedy Ryan is a solid addition to the sports romance genre. With its well-drawn characters, thought-provoking themes, and a romance that ignites the pages, it's a recommended read for fans of the genre. While there were moments where the pacing faltered, the overall experience is enjoyable and engaging. If you're looking for a sports romance with depth and a touch of social commentary, "Block Shot" is a book worth exploring, earning a solid 4/5 stars in my book.

I loved this book - the story of Banner and Jared, who started as friends in college. Jared admittedly doesn’t tolerate many people, and Banner is the exception. She has a long journey of self-acceptance after years of dealing with hurtful comments by callous people, but her brilliance and pure heart lead her successful career. While misunderstanding gets in the way of Banner and Jared having their HEA in college, the story to how they eventually find it is satisfying in all the ways Kennedy Ryan serves her stories. Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I decided to tab Block Shot and physically read it this time through and y’all, that tabbing is intense. I knew I really loved this book, but I also remembered being frustrated by Banner’s weight loss journey just because I can find the topic triggering depending on where I’m at in life. Fortunately, this time around, the topic didn’t bother me at all! (I will say though if you think that’s likely to cause an issue for you, it’s a big part of the story really, in that Banner is remembering to work out, specifically deciding to have a cheat meal, etc.) A super quick synopsis is that Jared was very into Banner when they were in college together, but something happens that interrupts their budding relationship and now it’s been years and there’s bad blood there. In the present day, Banner is dating a man whose nickname is Zo, but Jared wants her anyway and so he goes after her. But overall, I just found Jared and Banner to be so compelling, both individually and together. And then there’s the way Zo plays in and I just really, really liked the way this was done. I wish I could articulate how Kennedy Ryan’s writing makes me feel so much, but I honestly can’t.

So speaking of characters, as I mentioned, Kennedy Ryan crafts such intricate characters in this book (and really, all of her books). Banner is an incredible woman who has worked so hard in all areas of her life and she is so caring and driven. I adored seeing how she has managed to be such a badass in the field of sports management without sacrificing anything that some men would deem make her soft. And Jared is… Honestly, he is fairly amoral and doesn’t really give a fuck about the vast majority of people on the planet. And the people he’s willing to sacrifice for? That list is nearly non-existent. It’s so cool to see how Kennedy manages to make you care about Jared even though he really has so little softness in him and it’s because his love for Banner really humanizes him. But not in a Banner fixes him kind of way. But in a like, because he loves Banner, he sort of tries to be a better human. If that makes sense. Either way, I love them and how well developed they are. And that is true of all of the supporting cast as well. I just had such a great time with this one.

Then we have chemistry and for me, Banner and Jared have that spark between them that makes every interaction they have sizzle off the page whether they touch one another or snipe at one another. I’m just very into them and how palpable the tension is at all times. All in all, this book is one of my favorites and I am absolutely THRILLED that Kennedy Ryan is getting the attention from trad pub that she deserves. Her writing is fantastic, her characters are so real and so messy... I highly recommend this book. Also if you read Long Shot and were alarmed by the content, this one does not feature domestic violence.

Content Notes: serious illness (not cancer but similar), caretaking, cheating, body image issues, talk of weight loss

Miss Ryan. I will forever love your writing. It's addictive. It's clean. It's fresh. It makes me want to cry and love and just everything! I probably will be daydreaming about this entire trilogy.

This is the first novel I’ve ever read by Kennedy Ryan.

I was unable to put this book down. Kennedy’s main characters in this book are not easy to like, for me at least. Banner is a strong FMC. She is intelligent, focused, driven, passionate and loves fiercely. She worked hard and was relentless in the pursuit of her career and made a name for herself. She is relatable in the sense that even though she has all these strong qualities, she isn’t immune to feeling less than. She has spent most her life feeling inadequate because of her physical body. She has suffered under scrutiny and insults from people who appeared to have it all. I liked her a lot, until she committed the unforgivable act.

Jared is a pompous jerk. Beautiful on the outside, not so much on the inside. He has also worked hard his entire life and built his name and career but he has done so without considering the feelings or circumstance of other people. He is never apologetic with his actions and feelings. He has no issue fighting for something he wants, even when it isn’t his to have. He takes what doesn’t belong to him with no remorse.

Despite not liking the main characters, I cannot deny the once in a lifetime love that they had. This novel put me through the wringer, emotionally. This was a fast paced read for me, the plot was undeniable and the support characters were just as important to the story. I loved Zo, and what a beautiful human, to come out on the other side the way he did. I love how Kennedy wrote this novel with a story that isn’t typical of the romance novels I’ve previously read. Despite my feelings about the main characters, this was still a beautifully written novel and i cannot deny that it is a five star read.

Thank you netgalley and Bloom for this arc in return for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. This books starts out with our FMC and MMC in college. Jared wants into the pride which means completing the final challenge. Fuck the fat girl. Surprise, he does but he also likes her.

Fast forward to now, they’re adults, she has a boyfriend and is successful. He works himself back into Banners life. I could smell the cheating trope coming from a mile away

Jared’s attitude in this book infuriated me so much. Banner redeemed it by being the sassy queen that she is.

I liked this book a lot it showed real struggles in such a way that it was hard not to relate the the characters! Banner and Jared's story was well done and you could see the full depth of them and their character building throughout the book!

The only thing I struggled to settle on is that throughout Jared talks about how he loves the type of person banner is and that he loves her heart however he encourages her to abandon her morals in his persuit of her. I understand the whole “if she truly loved him I wouldnt have been able to take her” scenario and whilst I agree I think he should not have put her in the position in the first place if he truly held her to such a high regard.

Despite this I did still enjoy the story and will continue reading this series!

Gritty. Raw and deeply emotional, Block Shot is sure to put you through your paces. The flawed, believable characters allow you to become entranced and glued to the pages in this enemies to lovers, second chance sports romance.

This is the second book of this series and can be read stand-alone. Jared is introduced in the first novel. Also trigger warnings for a cheating trope, and weight issues!

Jared is given a final task in his pledge for ‘The Pride’, a secret society that would set him up for life. The task? Sleep with the ‘fat’ girl, Banner.

This story takes place over a span of 10 years — best friends until an unfortunate accident, they run into each other periodically until the day that they work in offices in LA and can’t seem to avoid one another any longer.

Yes. These characters do questionable, realistic actions and mistakes we would make. Ryan is a true masterclass in the ways of storytelling. The rough edges cut deep and I had a box of tissues next to me as I navigated these characters who were the complete opposite of the cookie cutter ideal romance plots tend to foster.

The Hoops Series is so powerful. Not your average sports-romance-vibes. Kennedy Ryan goes deeeep, she’s not afraid to show darkness amongst light, and she creates strong characters, especially her FMCs, who kick ass, take names, and show their vulnerability as they go. There are not enough raving adjectives to discuss this book, and the others in this series, but I’ll do my best in my own ‘quirkabulary.’ I hope something resonates with you because this is a MUST READ.

WHAT I LOVED:
Banner. Fearless, tender-hearted, loyal. She’s tackling self love and her toxic relationship with food, carving her name in a male-dominated industry, and seeking more, because she’s not afraid to want it all. Banner is #girlgoals.

Jared. I’ve never swooned harder for a straight-up a88hole. He makes no qualms about it. He’s selfish, ruthless, and holy cow, it’s hot. He has enough introspection to know he’s not the “nice guy,” and that “his girl” deserves more, but he doesn’t care. And did I say it’s hot? It just really is.

Twists and turns and delicious angst. I have yet been able to predict how stories will unravel in Kennedy Ryan's books. Her beats are on their own rhythm and it’s nice to go along for the ride, instead of glancing at the % of the book you're in and waiting for the 3rd act conflict.

FAVORITE QUOTES:
“Jared can say more with the corner of his mouth than most people do with a hundred words. Turned down, canted up, twisted. Humor, disdain, skepticism. Those lips say it all without uttering a sound, but I have no idea what they are saying now.”

“Jared, great to see you again.” She looks over at Iris and Sarai. “Introduce me to your family.” Pause. Does she think I’ve…procreated?”

“One Direction?” She turns up the volume so “What Makes You Beautiful” soaks the interior of my car. I’ll have to hose it down later, but watching her dance beside me, the most carefree I’ve seen her since our laundromat days, is worth enduring a British boy band that is not the Beatles.”

“I imagine how good it would feel to tear my teeth into something soft and carby, not crunch salads or strips of lean meat. Something puffy as a marshmallow. Something gooey that feels like a pillow in my mouth. Comforting.”

“There’s a pain in my chest every time I think of my mother. Some emotions are so strong, some losses so essential that the heart-not your beating heart, your feeling heart-can’t contain them, so the body absorbs the blow. That’s how I grieve my mother.

Um, yea. So read it. Give your heart a little zip and a little smoosh, and enjoy this perfectly, unperfect love story. Then add Kennedy Ryan to your auto-buy-author list. She belongs there.

3.5/5 ⭐️

i genuinely think that kennedy ryan is now one of my auto-buy authors. her books are always good and the fmc’s are some of my favourites! i also really appreciate how she doesn’t shy away from writing about intense/heavy topics and does it with the care that they need.

i really liked banner! i just found that she was incredibly badass and went for what she wanted which is difficult in the male dominated workplace she was involved in.

i would have rated this higher, but the cheating trope is easily my least favourite and i didn’t appreciate jared being fully aware that what he was doing was wrong but justifying it by saying that if banner truly loved zo, she wouldn’t let his advances sway her.

overall this was a good book and i’m really looking forward to see how this series’s wraps up with lotus’ book!

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