Just a good one.
Read it in one sitting. Four stars read.
I deeply enjoyed it.
Thanks to netgalley for this book

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

Highly recommend

4 stars

I'm honestly not to sure what it was about this read but it just wasn't for me, I've read the others in this series and enjoyed them didn't love them. To each your own, just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean it wont be for you. All the Kings Men series is by far my favorite and Before I let you go, SO good.

Hook Shot is a classic Kennedy Ryan novel - she will make you cry, but then heal you. How this author is able to again and again write a book that makes you feel so many things, while giving the hard subject she covers complete justice is just aweing! If you want a book that is unafraid to show what real love, romance and life is about then you need to read a Kennedy Ryan book and this is a great introduction to her amazing writing.

In Hook Shot you get to read about the long awaited story of Kenan Ross and Lotus Dupree. Since the first book in the series I have wanted this story and I was not disappointed. Kenan is a divorced single Dad that is still healing from his life falling apart with his ex-wife's betrayal when he meets a woman that he can't risk passing up, Lotus Dupree. It is not the best timing, since Lotus is trying to work on herself and come to terms with her trauma, but there are some forces that can't be denied and their attraction to one another is one of those forces.

This book was amazing! I loved it so much, because it's not only great writing, but it also talked about subjects that hit close to home for me and those I know. I felt so empathetic with Kenan and his struggles to coparent with his ex, when she was not making it easy and was being openly hostile. The love and maturity that Lotus and Kenan show in working on themselves and taking things slow was so refreshing to see in a romance novel. Watching Lotus' story unfold was absolutely devastating, there were so many people that I wanted to drop kick in this book. It was difficult to read about her trauma, but it lent so much to the story without being too descriptive of the actual events. That is one of the many things that I respect and love about Kennedy Ryan, her talent to write about abuse and mental health in a way that you know what happens, but doesn't linger on it unnecessarily - it is apparent how much respect the author has for others and their traumas in the accuracy and research that she conducts in preparation to write these novels.

Honestly, the only reason not to read this book is if you are not in a place in your life to read about the traumas within. Be sure to read the author's foreward and any triggers the publisher has reported.

Overall, I have yet another book by Kennedy Ryan that I will be lauding forever and ever. I love basically everything she writes, she is always so original and fortunately for me, is a workhorse that publishes on the regular. READ THIS BOOK, it will change you and make you a better person, I know it did that for me. Thank you Kennedy.

lotus has been a character that we've encountered ever since the first hoops book, long shot. even in long shot, though, i wasn't a big fan of her as a character. however, i thought that, maybe, if i had lotus's pov, it might make my feelings about her change. unfortunately, that wasn't entirely the case. something about her characterization just felt a little clunky to me, and i never felt entirely invested in her character.

i really liked kenan and i loved how obsessed he was with lotus (!!!). i think i would have loved getting a few more scenes with kenan and simone, though, since i feel like we didn't see a lot of kenan being a dad.

the last third of the book also kind of went off the rails there for a second. it felt like kennedy ryan couldn't really decide where she wanted to take the plot so she just decided to use every plot twist.

really can't wait to read more from kennedy ryan, though! she knows how to write such amazing romantic storylines and genuine characters that i can't help but feel connected to.

Entertaining and engaging with a strong female leading character. Well written and easy to follow story line. Characters well developed.
I was able to read this as a stand-alone as I did not read book one prior.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Saving the best for last! This is the third book in the Hoops Series by Kennedy Ryan.
After reading this, I convinced a stranger in a book store to buy all three after telling her how these were phenomenal books!!

Kenan is divorced, a basketball player, and a single dad, with a crazy ex. He knows Lotus is the one for him and he won’t give up on her.
Lotus has a lot of childhood trauma to deal with, and the last thing she’s looking for is a relationship. They have an undeniable attraction, but start a friendship first. They are amazing at communicating with each other, and that’s what makes them so amazing!

This story has a really good flow to it. Major sexual tension between these two will have you on pins and needles🔥🔥🔥
This book does have trigger warnings, but once again, Kennedy Ryan writes these topics with such hope. This book touched my heart and was the cherry on top of the sundae for me! I can’t recommend this book and entire series enough!!!

📘: Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan
🗓️: October 10, 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

I was so sad to see this series end. After reading the other two books I such hugh expectations and this did not disappoint. I. Was so excited to Lotus and Kenan's story. I laughed, I cried, and screamed at some parts. The writing was beautiful and I am so glad this series got such a wonderful ending

If you have ready any Kennedy Ryan then you know this was PERFECT!! Her writing and stories are so good! I loved Lotus and Kenan. These were great characters and I had a great time reading this book. I definitely recommend this book!!!


Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Kennedy Ryan know how to write a book that you want to keep reading. She's out her setting the romance expectations high with this book. This couple is absolutely all the goals.

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!

An awesome love story. Kennedy Ryan completely blew me away with Kenan and Lotus' story. Her stellar writing and gift of weaving the ideal harmony of love, loss, fear, anger, hate and intense sexual chemistry is perfection.

#NetGalley #KennedyRyan

3.5 stars [I liked it]. The writing was as great as always but this wasn’t my fave of this series. I think my expectations were too high when I found out there was a single dad in the plot but overall it was good.

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

The new cover of this one is pure perfection! I love it so much

I love Kennedy's work and this one is nothing different, the series itself is so good but I am LOVING this one so much

Standalone but interconnected series so you will see friends and meet new ones along the way! SINGLE DAD! Fashion Designer. NBA player.

Tall guy, short girl, perfect combo, 6'7 Come on, that is perfect, he towers over a 5'3 Lotus! Her spirit alone just is a reason to read the book, add in the rest of the goodness and you are in for a ride

one of my fav quotes - "Of course, you aren’t afraid of the storm,” MiMi had said with a smile. “You are the storm.”

I love this novel so much. I love this author so much and I love this story so much. A beautiful story of loving people where they are, meeting in the middle an love being uncompromising and unconditional. Beautiful.

The tears I cried!!😭😭😭😭😭

Hook Shot - Kennedy Ryan ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Kenan & Lotus 😭😭😭😭.

The healing that took place between the two of them was beyond beautiful. Their attraction was evident and inevitable, but it just took the right time to come together. I love how each of the characters from previous books are woven into this story. Iris and Lotus's sisterhood and friendship was the cornerstone of this story. The bond between Lotus and her grandmother was the heartbeat. Love heals. Love can be a safe place.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟+

This is a disappointing note to end on considering how this series started but honestly after book two I didn’t honestly have much faith in a strong ending. I hoped the middle instalment was a fluke but.. it gave me doubts. And here we are.

Though this is not as relentlessly triggering as book one, there is a lot of content on dealing with the trauma of an assault and a betrayal and how, years later, Lotus is being forced to reckon with the ripple effects of that event. I can’t speak to it as someone with experience but I thought, as she’s known to do, Ryan handled this well.

It was kinda everything else that failed to live up to what I expected. The slowbuild romance, forced to move in such a way because of Lotus’ healing, was well done. I always enjoy a gradual tumble into the hot and heavy when it can showcase the chemistry in a believable and exciting way. And we almost almost had that all the way through. But the moment Kenan started side-eyeing Lotus’ beliefs.. well, that was a red flag. And it was shortly thereafter, with the possessive caveman behaviour, the fact that he had to be convinced of something relating to his daughter by Lotus herself, and a few other things, that slowly had me checking out. Being inundated with the Evil Ex trope (twice! we had tow to contend with) and all that drama, too, was exhausting. Things just got so messy and not in a way that I felt was helping the story’s tension; moreso in just making you dread wading through it.

As for a near-the-end drama and conflict, I nearly chucked the kindle away. Suddenly Iris is doing what Kenan did when it came to Lotus and her instinct. I don’t remember her feeling that way about it in book one, so maybe this is on me for feeling blindsided by it if in fact that was the case, but it felt like an unnecessary betrayal during a moment I was already not loving and.. then it’s all over. We just gloss over the incident, the near loss, and move on? Sounds fake but okay.

Considering the page count on this, which is considerable for a contemporary, the end just.. flew by. The pacing is definitely off with this one and I felt we dropped or misplaced a few issues that maybe needed more page time and some closure.

Overall I guess this was easier than book two but sadly still a disappointment. It may be that LONG SHOT and the author’s Grip series (which I’m now afraid to revisit) are the standouts for me. Here’s hoping one day I’ll find another Ryan to love the way I love those.

Kenan is a recently divorced father who is approaching the end of his NBA career. Lotus is finally finding success in the fashion world. Their paths have crossed many times before, but this time it feels different. Neither one of them is in the best place to start a new relationship. But Kenan is willing to be patient as Lotus opens up to the possibility of love.

Like the first book in the series, Hook Shot deals with some tough issues (sexual assault, child abuse, suidice attempt) and was challenging to read at times. However, Kennedy Ryan does a phenomenal job addressing these topics with care. I experienced a wide range of emotions when reading this one - it was heartbreaking at times, made me angry at others, and also had me smiling and feeling the love between Kenan and Lotus. Learning Lotus’s full story was heartbreaking, but I adored and kind and loving Kenan was with her, and how he gave her the space to heal and take her time while still working to make sure she felt safe and loved with him. Kennedy’s books are beautifully written, filled with incredible chemistry, and have so much depth to them. I have loved my adventure through this series!

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

I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true
opinions after fully reading this book. This was a quick & enjoyable read!

The story of Lotus and Kenan was really great. I loved how unapologetic Lotus was about herself. She was self-confident and self-assured and she had a good grasp on what she wanted for her life. Kenan’s character was also wonderful. He wasn’t caught up in the fact that he is a basketball superstar. And he’s had a thing for Lotus since he first met her. I really appreciated how they approached their relationship and how they navigated Kenan’s single parent status. The pacing and the writing were great. An amazing love story.