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mayawata_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
I LOVE how they put his daughter first. One thing I love about this series is how relevant the problems the characters face are. How brutal and heart wrenching the trauma can be while also showing that life can be beautiful. Lotus and Kenan worked so well together. This might be my favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Death, Mental illness, Grief, Sexual content, and Car accident
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
clareasday's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Rape, and Infidelity
tortugacomegalletas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
dupha's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
njreadsandwrites's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
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