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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape
Moderate: Toxic relationship
tense
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Kennedy Ryan's universe was introduced to me through her Skyland series (Before I Let Go and This Could Be Us). I expected nothing short of greatness for Long Shot and it did not disappoint.
⭐ 4.75/5 Stars ⭐
Overall Thoughts
I think the thing I appreciate the most about Kennedy Ryan's writing is her ability to have me on the edge of my seat. The way she writes anticipation should be studied. She always has enough pull to keep you turning the page, but she also knows when to give you the information you need. Reading her books is an interactive experience like she is connected to the reader's brain.
August West and Iris DuPree meet one night at a bar on the eve of August's biggest basketball game of his college career. The connection between them is instantaneous and a fiery ball of passion. Unfortunately, their pull to one another is shaken up after August finds out Iris not only has a boyfriend, but her boyfriend is his longtime basketball rival, Caleb Bradley.
Ryan takes us through a story of a series of wrong turns and what-ifs. A lot of those lead down a path of abuse and hopelessness. But when you're going through a storm, there's always a beacon of hope. Will that hope persevere? I guess you'll just have to find out!
Long Shot is a wonderful story of the right person, wrong time. It is a heartwrenching depiction of abuse. It is a great reminder that you are not your past and just as much as the wrong choice can shake up your world, the right one can put it right back together.
Do I recommend this book? HECK YEAH, I do!
**Spoilers Below!**
The First Encounter
What I love the most about August and Iris's connection is that it's based on a sense of belonging. They understand each other and their pull to each other is shameless. I believe that's what made their connection so strong and unforgettable throughout the book.
Caleb and Iris
I knew this man was a headache and then some when Iris explained to Lotus that Caleb preferred her hair straight and for her to wear tight, skimpy clothing. Alarms were going off in my head IMMEDIATELY and they just kept ringing.
I felt physically sick when Iris found out she was pregnant. I was hoping it was a scare, a false positive. I knew he had set her up and so did Lotus (more on this badass later). I did not want my girl to go out like that, but it was only the beginning.
**TRIGGER WARNING**
Kennedy Ryan does a phenomenal job with the trigger warning and her care in writing about domestic violence and sexual assault. She illustrated how it's eased into. Disguised as a mistake, something that will never happen again. Until it does and it gets worse with every occurrence. I found myself thinking "I don't know how she will escape." I felt the fear and pain like a sentient fly on the wall, watching everything Caleb did to her. I had to take breaks after reading each instance. That is a testament to Ryan's detailed and thorough writing.
It just made me SO mad that he was so protected. He didn't even want their daughter, he just wanted an avenue to control Iris. I was going to give Andrew his own section, but he really pissed me off, so I won't. I was thinking that Caleb better have M*RD*R on him (turns out he did). I wouldn't even call what he did redemption, but the most decent thing he could've done at that point.
She also knows how to write a man I will hate because between Caleb and Edward (This Could Be Us)... The hate runs SO deep.
Lotus
HOPSCOTCH. A bond that transcended so much hardship especially the things that little girls (or boys) should never have to go through. Knowing that Lotus and Iris had each other kept my hopes high for a happy ending. Even during their falling out, I knew Lotus would come back with a vengeance, and that she did. Even though they were cousins, the sisterhood they shared breathed a different kind of life in this book. I love them as a duo, but Lotus is a force to be reckoned with on her own.
Finally... August and Iris
The one negative thing I will say about how the book ends and how August and Iris end up together is I wish we got a little bit more of Iris's healing and development in the year she was in Louisiana with MiMi.
I love that the neon string that connected them may have dimmed, but never went out. The spice between them was worth the wait. Beyond that, I love that he never forgot who she was, even when the things Caleb did to her made her forget.
August was the answer to all her insecurities fueled by the abuse. He showed up exactly how he needed to, even though it was challenging. His relationship with Syrai melted my heart and I'm glad the three of them got the happy ending they deserved.
Honorable Mentions
- Finding out that Jared Foster was August's stepbrother literally made me gasp. I love how his involvement added to the story, but what I loved the most is that it reinforced the theme that August and Iris belonged together. What are the chances? Some things don't need to be explicitly said to bring the point home, but Jared being captivated by her professionally made for a nice, full-circle moment.
- MiMi healing her great-grandchildren will be my favorite thing for a while. Going back to your roots to ground yourself was a pleasant theme throughout this book.
- Little Syrai saying "Mommy I saw a monster" when talking about Caleb will go down in history. She must've had the spirit of MiMi running through her at that moment.
- Kenan checking for Lotus?!?! I may ball up and cry if the next book does not follow their potential love interest. I need it like Spongebob needed water in Sandy's Tree Dome.
⭐ 4.75/5 Stars ⭐
Overall Thoughts
I think the thing I appreciate the most about Kennedy Ryan's writing is her ability to have me on the edge of my seat. The way she writes anticipation should be studied. She always has enough pull to keep you turning the page, but she also knows when to give you the information you need. Reading her books is an interactive experience like she is connected to the reader's brain.
August West and Iris DuPree meet one night at a bar on the eve of August's biggest basketball game of his college career. The connection between them is instantaneous and a fiery ball of passion. Unfortunately, their pull to one another is shaken up after August finds out Iris not only has a boyfriend, but her boyfriend is his longtime basketball rival, Caleb Bradley.
Ryan takes us through a story of a series of wrong turns and what-ifs. A lot of those lead down a path of abuse and hopelessness. But when you're going through a storm, there's always a beacon of hope. Will that hope persevere? I guess you'll just have to find out!
Long Shot is a wonderful story of the right person, wrong time. It is a heartwrenching depiction of abuse. It is a great reminder that you are not your past and just as much as the wrong choice can shake up your world, the right one can put it right back together.
Do I recommend this book? HECK YEAH, I do!
**Spoilers Below!**
The First Encounter
What I love the most about August and Iris's connection is that it's based on a sense of belonging. They understand each other and their pull to each other is shameless. I believe that's what made their connection so strong and unforgettable throughout the book.
Caleb and Iris
I knew this man was a headache and then some when Iris explained to Lotus that Caleb preferred her hair straight and for her to wear tight, skimpy clothing. Alarms were going off in my head IMMEDIATELY and they just kept ringing.
I felt physically sick when Iris found out she was pregnant. I was hoping it was a scare, a false positive. I knew he had set her up and so did Lotus (more on this badass later). I did not want my girl to go out like that, but it was only the beginning.
**TRIGGER WARNING**
Kennedy Ryan does a phenomenal job with the trigger warning and her care in writing about domestic violence and sexual assault. She illustrated how it's eased into. Disguised as a mistake, something that will never happen again. Until it does and it gets worse with every occurrence. I found myself thinking "I don't know how she will escape." I felt the fear and pain like a sentient fly on the wall, watching everything Caleb did to her. I had to take breaks after reading each instance. That is a testament to Ryan's detailed and thorough writing.
It just made me SO mad that he was so protected. He didn't even want their daughter, he just wanted an avenue to control Iris. I was going to give Andrew his own section, but he really pissed me off, so I won't. I was thinking that Caleb better have M*RD*R on him (turns out he did). I wouldn't even call what he did redemption, but the most decent thing he could've done at that point.
She also knows how to write a man I will hate because between Caleb and Edward (This Could Be Us)... The hate runs SO deep.
Lotus
HOPSCOTCH. A bond that transcended so much hardship especially the things that little girls (or boys) should never have to go through. Knowing that Lotus and Iris had each other kept my hopes high for a happy ending. Even during their falling out, I knew Lotus would come back with a vengeance, and that she did. Even though they were cousins, the sisterhood they shared breathed a different kind of life in this book. I love them as a duo, but Lotus is a force to be reckoned with on her own.
Finally... August and Iris
The one negative thing I will say about how the book ends and how August and Iris end up together is I wish we got a little bit more of Iris's healing and development in the year she was in Louisiana with MiMi.
I love that the neon string that connected them may have dimmed, but never went out. The spice between them was worth the wait. Beyond that, I love that he never forgot who she was, even when the things Caleb did to her made her forget.
August was the answer to all her insecurities fueled by the abuse. He showed up exactly how he needed to, even though it was challenging. His relationship with Syrai melted my heart and I'm glad the three of them got the happy ending they deserved.
Honorable Mentions
- Finding out that Jared Foster was August's stepbrother literally made me gasp. I love how his involvement added to the story, but what I loved the most is that it reinforced the theme that August and Iris belonged together. What are the chances? Some things don't need to be explicitly said to bring the point home, but Jared being captivated by her professionally made for a nice, full-circle moment.
- MiMi healing her great-grandchildren will be my favorite thing for a while. Going back to your roots to ground yourself was a pleasant theme throughout this book.
- Little Syrai saying "Mommy I saw a monster" when talking about Caleb will go down in history. She must've had the spirit of MiMi running through her at that moment.
- Kenan checking for Lotus?!?! I may ball up and cry if the next book does not follow their potential love interest. I need it like Spongebob needed water in Sandy's Tree Dome.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Wow what a book! Definitely a five star read!
I started this book in the middle of the day and stayed up all night to finish it, I had to know what was going to happen
I started this book in the middle of the day and stayed up all night to finish it, I had to know what was going to happen
emotional
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