Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Hook Shot: A Verdadeira Jogada

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Hook Shot: A Verdadeira Jogada by Kennedy Ryan

25 reviews

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.

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amanda_reads13's review against another edition

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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

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gabichatslit's review against another edition

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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.

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thekrujue's review against another edition

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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

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clareasday's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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jtpgdavey's review against another edition

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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

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cathyo_113's review against another edition

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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.

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booknerdcoco's review against another edition

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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.

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bribreez's review against another edition

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emotional 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? Yes

5.0

*Check trigger warning before reading.

5⭐️/ 4🌶️

I’ve quickly become a fan of this trilogy surrounding NBA basketball players, the romance, the angst, the anticipation that builds throughout each story, and ultimately seeing how each set of characters are. This story followed, Lotus DuPree and Kenan Ross. Both, Lotus and Kenan were introduced in, “Long Shot”, Lotus is Iris’s cousin and Kenan is August’s teammate. Even from that first book, there was an instant spark that formed between Lotus and Kenan. I’ve always been fascinated by both Kenan and Lotus from their different perspectives, personalities, and just wanting to dig deeper into their backstories. This story had, age gap romance (Lotus was twenty-five and Kenan was thirty-six), single dad trope, he falls first, she’s a fashion designer and he’s a NBA player.

Kenan Ross was not only am amazing NBA player, but also a loving, devoted dad to his daughter, and head over heels obsessed with Lotus. Kenan has always been present in the previous books, with his tall stature of being six feet seven, muscular, and toned, it was impossible to not notice him right away. I’ve always been curious about Kenan especially with how he was always described as being a man who kept his guard up, didn’t reveal much about his emotions, basically he was mysterious and introverted to most people, but revealed the truth to those closest to him. As much as I love a man with confidence, Kenan’s introverted personality caught my eye, and his idea of just having quiet time made me want to snuggle up with him! Haha. Kenan was also a dedicated dad to his daughter, and despite all the issues he had with his ex-wife, when it came to his daughter, Simone, he always went above and beyond for her.

Lotus has and always will be the baddest *beep* you’ve ever met! I love Lotus! The calm strength that Lotus had was awe inspiring and showed the level of power she wielded. Most people would easily give into their anger or negativity, but with Lotus she had a sense of calm that even when she was upset or angry, held a gentleness to it that exuded power and honestly invoked more fear to those who tried to go up against her. I also loved how Lotus was able to bring Kenan, a giant handsome man to melt into a puddle, acting like a love sick man over her. Kenan was mystified by Lotus’s allure and he was CORRECT! Lotus was easily lovable, but I also found her to be mysterious and intriguing the more I read about her. Lotus was a queen and I adored her from her blunt and sharp personality to her amazing sense of fashion!

The level of intimacy in this book was both passionate and genuine. For Lotus, she had always been someone who maintained clear boundaries when having sex which meant no intimacy. As long as Lotus scratched that occasionally itch of sleeping with someone she was good, but at some point it felt like nothing was the same as before. The theme of intimacy was a significant one for Lotus especially with what she experienced at a young age, that trauma was still inside her that she hadn’t fully come to terms with. I think having Lotus confront and reflect on her trauma and trying to understand what she really needed in a relationship was an important part of her overall journey. Seeing the way Lotus was with Kenan from spending time together to eventually having some sexy times illustrated that with Kenan she experienced true intimacy that she had always blocked out of her life. So, with whatever that Lotus went through, seeing her with Kenan made me really happy for the both of them. Plus, Kenan and Lotus matched each other perfectly! Those two shared a raw, passionate, and at times primal feelings when it came to their sexual intimacy.

The connection and chemistry between Lotus and Kenan was beautiful and all kinds of amazing to watch unfold. I feel like from the moment Lotus and Kenan were first introduced in, “Long Shot”, it has been a build up of tension within basically years of them always seeing one another. So, the fact that Lotus and Kenan finally got together was really perfect! Not everything was easy for them (as most relationships aren’t) from dealing with Kenan’s ex wife to Lotus working through her trauma, and both Lotus and Kenan learning to open up to one another. There was vulnerability that both Kenan and Lotus shared with one another that made their romance raw and honest. As much as I loved Lotus being her usual blunt and feisty attitude, seeing her with Kenan was a newfound love that she nor Kenan had ever experienced before. I loved the progression of romance in this story, and with Lotus and Kenan stealing whatever moments they could share between their busy schedules made me swoon and almost want to cry tears of cry.

I loved Kenan and Lotus! This book was truly beautiful, emotional, heartfelt, and even at times heartbreaking. Kennedy Ryan had such a unique way of writing her characters in a way that makes me consider all the aspects of the romance and more. Lotus truly was inspiring and I wanna be as strong as she is! Lotus didn’t let anyone take her down, she was a force to be reckoned with, and with her innate ability with the things MiMi taught her, she truly was more than we could possibly understand. Kenan was such an introverted man, but with Lotus he was open, happy, and in love that he hadn’t truly felt before. Lotus and Kenan were my favorite characters alongside August and Iris. This story tackled different issues from Lotus’s trauma from her childhood to even Kenan with his family. With so many emotions surrounding Lotus and Kenan’s story, it didn’t feel overwhelming, but just enough to fully grasp the reality of what they experienced. I’m a sucker for romance and Kenan Ross was a man in love who did anything for Lotus. I swooned over the romance and love that kept growing between Lotus and Kenan. (Sigh) lots of love and towards the end it had me in tears of joy and a little bit of sadness. Kennedy Ryan made me fall in love with Kenan and Lotus and it was easy to adore them! This whole story was amazing and I really enjoyed reading about Lotus and Kenan. The epilogues were chef’s kiss, made me cry even more tears of joy haha, but most of all, it showed the beauty of Kenan and Lotus’s love. Highly recommend reading this book!

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thetaylatrese's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny 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

4.0

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