Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan

38 reviews

threeundertwopnw's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Bullying, Blood, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Death, Medical content, Sexism, Violence, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

keyro's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad 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

3.75

I should’ve read the TW because those couple of chapters were HARD and GRAPHIC. It was a realistic portrayal of abuse and how the system truly fails women. I skipped them. I was not going to subdue myself to that mental torture 🌝

I loved the dual POV and really enjoyed how august was written, this is my first KR book and I really enjoyed her writing style, she described everything where I felt like I was a background character

I didnt like idea of her having a baby she DOESNT WANT with a man she’s unsure of. But in the end you understand that he was just wearing a mask before he showed himself truly. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Rape, and Domestic abuse

survivor

gabi_715's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Torture, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

Minor: Vomit, Stalking, and Blood

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Cursing, Grief, Sexual content, and Blood

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, and Stalking

sheenaa's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

I loved the way Kennedy Ryan emphasized that Iris was a survivor of domestic abuse and that for many people in those situations it’s not as simple as up and leaving. 

Kennedy Ryan is able to immerse readers into the reality of abusive relationships and how it can start to the reasons as it continues. Also that for many who try to leave they have been brought back into the arms of the abuser by other people such as the police, CPS, and other institutions. Another thing she brings up is how people shame those who don’t leave and how they didn’t see the red flags and behaviors before. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual violence

clareasday's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Violence, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Sexual content, Blood, Domestic abuse, Rape, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

cikureads's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Violence, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Cursing, Torture, Sexual content, Blood, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship

jericca89's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Death of parent and Pregnancy

brittandwaffles's review against another edition

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, Death, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

claureading's review

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense slow-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

2.5

I have to say that this rating is no way the author’s fault. I love Kennedy Ryan’s writing! I just didn’t do enough research on the book before starting it and I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I saw it recommended as a sport’s romance and immediately downloaded it on my kindle. Should’ve looked up trigger warnings first. Still, I found it difficult to connect with some characters because of the dialogue, it didn’t really feel natural to me. Anyway, I do think the abuse and circumstances of the FMC were very well represented and felt very real. I really connected with the book in that aspect, and I feel it is the only romance out there (that I’ve read) that takes the matter seriously and handles it well. Still, don’t be like me and check TW so you know what to expect. This is in no way a fun fluffy sports romance!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, Violence, Misogyny, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Stalking

Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Medical content

Minor: Racism, Car accident, Infidelity, and Mental illness