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coils_n_commentary's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This is by far my favorite book of the Ballers series. Keenan is the perfect (slightly older) book boyfriend, expressing tenderness and care through every step of his relationship with Lotus. Kennedy Ryan constantly takes you through loops and turns through their relationship, so be prepared to be on your toes until the epilogue!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Pregnancy
Age gap romanceamanda_reads13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was love a frist sight for Kenan, but Lotus's past has her shying away from any long term commitments.
As usual, this book is so beautifully written. This story is so heartbreaking and emotional, yet has so many heartwarming moments. The characters are so vibrant and well developed.
Their chemistry was palpable. The tension and banter was perfection. I loved the slow burn in this book. They took their time to slowly transition from friends to lovers. The slow pace of their relationship makes so much sense considering Lotus's past trauma and Kenan's challenges with his ex-wife. Their relationship isn't perfect, but they choose each other and have open communication.
Kenan has been through a horrible and public divorce after his wife cheated on him with a teammate. His ex-wife was so emotionally abusive and was a master at manipulation. He is such a empathetic, compassion, protective, and complicated man. He didn't let many people in, but he felt an instant connection to Lotus. He was so patient with her and his letters were so endearing.
Lotus was a strong and mighty woman. She is struggling with PTSD and has massive trust issues. She was a survivor.As a child, she was raped by her mother's boyfriend and then her mother rejected her for him. Her circle is small, but close, it takes a lot for her to trust. She was bold and loud, yet vulnerable and struggling. It takes a lot for her to let Kenan in, but once he is in, he is her world.
The addition of Voodoo was interesting. Lotus was raised by her grandmother and was taught about her "power".Lotus predicts death around Kenan. They end up discovering that his daughter has ODed and then she almost dies. Lotus assumes this was the feeling she gets, but later in the book Kenan is in a car accident and is declared dead. Lotus and Iris somehow save him with their "energy". To me it seemed like a bit of a gimmick in the book. I would have liked to have seen it explored more.
Tropes: friends to lovers, found family, slow burn, single dad
As usual, this book is so beautifully written. This story is so heartbreaking and emotional, yet has so many heartwarming moments. The characters are so vibrant and well developed.
Their chemistry was palpable. The tension and banter was perfection. I loved the slow burn in this book. They took their time to slowly transition from friends to lovers. The slow pace of their relationship makes so much sense considering Lotus's past trauma and Kenan's challenges with his ex-wife. Their relationship isn't perfect, but they choose each other and have open communication.
Kenan has been through a horrible and public divorce after his wife cheated on him with a teammate. His ex-wife was so emotionally abusive and was a master at manipulation. He is such a empathetic, compassion, protective, and complicated man. He didn't let many people in, but he felt an instant connection to Lotus. He was so patient with her and his letters were so endearing.
Lotus was a strong and mighty woman. She is struggling with PTSD and has massive trust issues. She was a survivor.
The addition of Voodoo was interesting. Lotus was raised by her grandmother and was taught about her "power".
Tropes: friends to lovers, found family, slow burn, single dad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Rape
gabichatslit's review against another edition
5.0
I have the most bittersweet feeling growing in my chest, having completed this series now. So much so that I stretched this last book out because I didn’t want it to end and to leave this world that Mrs. Ryan created and this lovable cast of characters.
And wow, was it easy to love and root for Lotus and Kenan.
Two characters who had an undeniable connection, who meet during a crossroad in their respective lives and try to ignore (mostly on Lotus’s part lol) what they know will be a life changing love. Getting to see more of Lotus upbringing and her time with MiMi was really nice, despite the heartbreaking circumstances. I enjoyed seeing how devoted she was to her career as well. And I loved her conviction— in herself, in her love, in her faith even in the face on misunderstanding or other’s uncertainty. I loved Kenan’s surety of Lotus. His commitment to her and to his daughter. To being Lotus protector, her ‘gris-gris’.
Also the bits of Song of Solomon, made my heart ache and brought tears to my eyes.
This book was so beautiful and healing in its portrayal of love. I loved seeing Lo’s village grow and provide space for her to heal and grieve and stretch. She deserved every second of her HEA and Mrs. Ryan delivered ten-fold. This is my new favorite book series.
And wow, was it easy to love and root for Lotus and Kenan.
Two characters who had an undeniable connection, who meet during a crossroad in their respective lives and try to ignore (mostly on Lotus’s part lol) what they know will be a life changing love. Getting to see more of Lotus upbringing and her time with MiMi was really nice, despite the heartbreaking circumstances. I enjoyed seeing how devoted she was to her career as well. And I loved her conviction— in herself, in her love, in her faith even in the face on misunderstanding or other’s uncertainty. I loved Kenan’s surety of Lotus. His commitment to her and to his daughter. To being Lotus protector, her ‘gris-gris’.
Also the bits of Song of Solomon, made my heart ache and brought tears to my eyes.
This book was so beautiful and healing in its portrayal of love. I loved seeing Lo’s village grow and provide space for her to heal and grieve and stretch. She deserved every second of her HEA and Mrs. Ryan delivered ten-fold. This is my new favorite book series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, Rape, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny, Car accident, and Pregnancy
thekrujue's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Car accident
jtpgdavey's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident
msare_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Child abuse
dawnpage25's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Basketball player betrayed by ex-wife falls in love with a woman who is trying to heal from her past. Many many plot twists in the 3rd act that make one think HOW can the author pull out a hea from all of this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
cathyo_113's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
My Rating: 4.25 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️
Tropes:
x Single dad
x Age Gap
x Summer Love
x Sports Romance
x Slight Insta-love
My Review:
Lotus and Kenan’s love story is so sweet and strong. Kennedy Ryan does a fantastic job unraveling the attraction and emotion between the characters.
But, I am mad about the last few chapters/ending of the story. Like Long Shot, this book is not a romance. There is no HEA nor a HFN before the epilogue. The majority of the situations that stand between the MCs and an HEA or HFN remain unresolved by the end of the last chapter. The story and drama that unfolds between Lotus and Kenan is told so well and with a lot of care. But there is a MAJOR plot twist(?) in the last three chapters. Wtf? And it isn’t fully resolved before the epilogue. IMHO, the story and all major plot points should be resolved in their entirety before the epilogue. As a reader, I am not owed an epilogue and know it doesn’t come with every romance book. So in my opinion this is contemporary fiction with a love story.
Also - that MAJOR plot twist is not necessary. The author could have had just as a meaningful exchange between Lotus and the people in Kenan’s life in a different setting with just as much emotion. Instead, the reader is forced to read through another tragedy in the last 30 pages of the book before the epilogue.
This whole book, it’s like a love story between two people who have an insta-attraction/love but are mired but a ton of effed up situations that are happening to and around them. Like, please just get them to an HEA before the epilogue. I shouldn’t have to wait for the Epilogue for all major issues/challenges faced by the MCs to find a resolution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Violence, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and Infidelity
courthney's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
booknerdcoco's review against another edition
I just could not get into this book. I tried, I really did as I really enjoyed kennedy Ryan's previous books. However, this one was not my cup of tea. I found it boring at best.
I listened to an audiobook and the thing that usually puts me off is the narration. However in this case I enjoyed the narrators. I think that's partly why I persevered as long as I did.
I got over half way and felt loke i should continue but I can't face another 6 and a half hours when I have no investment in the story. I ended up not really listening to it anyways in the end.
There are a couple if things I liked though.
The fact that it is a standalone but part of the interconnected series. I was already familiar with the characters and was pleased to find out this story focused on Lo as she intrigued me in the previous 2 books of the series (however the investment dismissed as I progressed).
I really liked how the themes if Lo's upbringing and experience of voodoo was a thread that continued throughout the story.
Though there were some redeems qualities, it was nit enough for me to continue. I really enjoyed the previous 2 books of the series and am disappointed at the anti climax with thus third and final installment.
I listened to an audiobook and the thing that usually puts me off is the narration. However in this case I enjoyed the narrators. I think that's partly why I persevered as long as I did.
I got over half way and felt loke i should continue but I can't face another 6 and a half hours when I have no investment in the story. I ended up not really listening to it anyways in the end.
There are a couple if things I liked though.
The fact that it is a standalone but part of the interconnected series. I was already familiar with the characters and was pleased to find out this story focused on Lo as she intrigued me in the previous 2 books of the series (however the investment dismissed as I progressed).
I really liked how the themes if Lo's upbringing and experience of voodoo was a thread that continued throughout the story.
Though there were some redeems qualities, it was nit enough for me to continue. I really enjoyed the previous 2 books of the series and am disappointed at the anti climax with thus third and final installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, and Infidelity