Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan

85 reviews

threeundertwopnw's review

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challenging dark sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a really rough read and I'm not sure I'd recommend it to everyone. Major trigger warnings for domestic violence, rape, abuse, imprisonment and child endangerment. I was in a bad place myself reading part of this book, but had to finish it to make sure the heroine got through to the other side.

That said, the writing is amazing and quotable. The author obviously did extensive research because the circumstances and emotions and decisions ring true. If you are in a dangerous situation at home, call the Domestic Abuse Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).

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kandacewright's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0


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mayawata_'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

5.0

This was absolutely heart wrenching, especially the first half oml. I read the trigger warning but I was not expecting THAT. It was so beautifully done and brought so much light to survivors of domestic abuse. I’m gonna need a comfort show after this but one of my favorites, for sure <3

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bananenbrot's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Before reading this book please look at the tw!
I really liked this book and it had potential to be a five star read but it was extremely gory and very disturbing. The explicit scenes of rape and violence weren't what I was prepared for when I wanted to read a romance with a complicated setting.  Maybe thats my fault for not reading through the tw or the publishers fault for not labeling the book correctly. I felt like this book was more about the domestic abuse than about the romance. 
I also have some other minors problems with the book, like how the MMC wasn't empathetic enough for my liking. I mean I don't expect him to react perfectly in every scenario but he doesn't even concider to ask her about a lot of things and when he does he's a bit judgy. But the biggest fault of the book were definitely the overly explicit scenes of abuse.

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gabichatslit's review against another edition

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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. 

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thesirendiary's review against another edition

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2.75

Couldn't focus on the romance because of all the (very detailed) physical/sexual abuse scenes. I’ve read plenty of books that dealt with similar topics but this was too graphic. I didn’t care for the MCs relationship at all… I was too busy being traumatized. 

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amanda_reads13's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.5

Iris meets August in a bar and they feel an instant connection, but the timing is all wrong - he is entering the NBA draft and she is dating his rival. Years later August renters her life, but she is suffering in ways August couldn't even being to imagine. 

I went in blind and this book was not at all what I expected (in a good way). I was expecting a cute basketball romance... It's so much more than that. This book has so much depth and emotion. It is a story of survival, of the magnitude of motherhood, and learning to trust after trauma. There were many parts that were very hard to read, so please check the trigger warnings. This book will run you through the ringer; it is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, yet incredibly beautiful and so powerful. 

All of these character are incredible.  Each one is so full of heart that you cannot help but love them. Iris's story is such an important one. Her story will break you. It is easy to look at people and judge, but it really shows you that we never know the battles that people are fighting.
The world sees her as a ballers wife, with access to anything and everything she wants. In reality she is being controlled, tortured, and abused by her boyfriend daily.


Iris is the definition of strength. To endure what she did and to not only survive, but to find a way to thrive after all she went through gives you hope. Hope that there is life and love after such incredible trauma. Hope that you can endure the most horrific abuse, yet regain your power. This is a story of her strength, her perseverance, and her will to survive. 

How can you not love August? He is so patient and empathetic. All he wants to do is protect and take care of Iris and Sarai. I love how he always puts them first and never diminishes Iris's dreams. He fights for her in every way he possibly can. His love for her is so pure. 

The love between Iris and her family was a highlight in this book. Their connection highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with people who love you unconditionally. Lo is an incredible supporting character, she is the best friend we all need. I cannot wait to read her story. 

Iris and August have an undeniable connection. Their story is about defing the odds. It is about how patience, love, trust, and strength can help us endure, to live. You can tell that Kennedy put so much time, care, and research into this book. It is truly a powerful read. She is able to create such deep and interesting characters and tackle an incredibly difficult topic with so much heart and empathy. This book will stick with me for a long time.

One small issue I had was that for the first part of the book in August's POV it felt like Iris was a "prize" in a testosterone filled competition with Caleb.

I'm.so glad that Caleb gets what he deserves. He is worse than scum. 

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clareasday's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0


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thekrujue's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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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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

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