Reviews with content warning for Cursing - Long Shot

Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan

15 reviews

gabichatslit's review against another edition

5.0

This book was so much more than a love story or a second-chance romance. It was life-affirming. It was a reminder that better things await on the other side of people, things and situations meant (and sent) to destroy you. I’ve had a copy of Long Shot for years and I had always been intimidated by the story and its subject matter (PLEASE READ/TAKE NOTE OF THE CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNINGS). And at one point I resigned myself to just skip the first book and read BS and HS w/o understanding whatever interconnectedness that links the trilogy but I’m so glad that I read it. This book was tough and at times I was microdosing it, reading in short spurts bc I could feel the heaviness/since the pain that was coming and couldn’t handle it, but it was so worth it in the end.

Often times, when reading contemporary romance, I find myself frustrated and irritated when the FMC’s are dealing with a no good man/love interest, whose clearly not who he pretends to be and they keep falling for the lies. However, because of the tenderness and love from which Mrs. Ryan was writing Iris and her story (the stories of so many real women), all I could feel was compassion and empathy. And maybe because there were moments where I saw the behaviors of men I trusted or the lived experiences of women close to me, all I could do was extend grace to Iris. Because while this book might be unique, the experiences detailed are not.

Every time I read a KR book, I think there’s no way I could love her and her writing more than I do, and then she surprises me and I find a deeper well of respect and admiration for her craft and the stories she tells. I’m also thankful to all the people who sat with her and shared their stories that helped her write this book. The strength and courage those individuals possess, is commendable.

August and Iris’ journey and eventual love story was one I won’t forget anytime soon. They cracked me open and I am truly changed. Their HEA was so earned and I loved watching Iris return to herself and learn to trust herself again. I loved August and his brother’s interactions (I called it early on and they did not disappoint), I loved Iris and Lotus, and Kenan’s “who the hell was that??” lol I loved August’s mom and Deck. I loved MiMi and I loved little miss Sarai.

It’s rare that I come across love at first sight in romances that I read and even rarer that I enjoy them, even though I’m still not sure if that’s the best way to describe the beginning of August and Iris’s story. But in every interaction between the two, you know it’s more than lust that’s bringing them together. Like their connection is so much more than just physical. It’s just greater. Their dynamic reminded me a lot of Luca and Ever’s in Luca by Grey Huffington, another one of those undeniable connections that makes little sense and is larger than life.

‘I’d play you at the five.’ Whew. Seeing August stand ten toes down for Iris even when he couldn’t see/didn’t know all she was going up against. His commitment to her and their family— to his princess, he was a hero/love interest, unlike anything I’ve ever read. I truly believe every book I read after this will be weighed differently against how this book made me feel.

I’m starting Book #2 immediately, and I’m so looking forward to watching Jared come to know and understand why August would walk to the end of the earth, sacrifice anything, for the person that made his soul come alive.

Content Warnings

cikureads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

Content Warnings

cloudycity_reads's review against another edition

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fast-paced

2.0

Content Warnings

kat7794's review

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dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Content Warnings

late_nite_reads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I wasn’t the biggest fan of august because he has a random ass temper throughout the book and is a bit possessive.

Content Warnings

hannibanani29's review

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dark emotional tense slow-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

4.25

Content Warnings

teachreadrepeat's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-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

4.5

Holy wow! I saw a TikTok that said, "Instead of reading IT ENDS WITH US by Colleen Hoover, you should read LONG SHOT by Kennedy Ryan." Boy am I glad I listened to that recommendation?? I devoured this book in less than 2 days.

First and foremost, let's get the elephant out of the way. There are graphic, on-page depictions of DV and SA throughout a large portion of this book. This violence is not between the end game couple and is very difficult to stomach, so take care of yourself while reading this one if it's a trigger for you. However, I am so impressed with Ryan's ability to shed light on this very real issue with such care and dignity for victims. DV is an issue that still goes largely ignored and is so often twisted by a society of people who have never experienced it themselves and are unwilling to empathize with those who have. While these scenes are challenging to get through, I think Ryan did a phenomenal job of digging deep into the manipulation tactics that often keep partners trapped in this cycle of abuse. I hope this book also helps victims reconcile what has happened to them OR helps them finally find the courage and ability to walk away for good.

Next, let's discuss August. Oh my good golly gosh!! He is seriously the perfect "man written by a woman." Basketball is one of my favorite sports and it was refreshing to read a sports romance that wasn't hockey (even though I do love me some ice boys as well). August's devotion to Iris was beautiful and heartwrenching and the long journey to the HEA was well worth it in the end.

This book earned 4.5 stars from me simply due to the amount of typos/errors in the KU digital version I read. Even so, I am very excited to continue reading the rest of this series!!

Content Warnings