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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
First it has a lot of DV and SA. It was a lot but the characters actions also pissed me off and it was triggering.
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
I felt all the feels reading this one and I’m a new fan of Kennedy Ryan!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.5 stars. I like that the author tackled the issue of intimate partner violence, but it was excessive to the point of being trauma porn. Iris spends half the book with her abusive partner, and there is just extremely detailed violence against her. While she does take time with her family and go to counseling, there is more detail about the violence than about her healing. I wish she had made some female friends along the way, too. Iris seems very dependent on August at the end and I wanted more for her.
I appreciated the author's depiction of the patriarchy in this book, and how people blame the victim in intimate partner violence.
MANY CWs, this is not even a complete list: intimate partner violence, on the page rape, murder, gun violence.
I appreciated the author's depiction of the patriarchy in this book, and how people blame the victim in intimate partner violence.
MANY CWs, this is not even a complete list: intimate partner violence, on the page rape, murder, gun violence.
Near perfection
This what nothing I expected it to be. But that what made it so wonderful. I loved the chemistry between August and Iris the magnetic pull they just can't escape. The story was so well written. I loved every moment although the epilogue felt a little preachy it had its purpose and the basketball metaphors were plenty, it was near perfect!
This what nothing I expected it to be. But that what made it so wonderful. I loved the chemistry between August and Iris the magnetic pull they just can't escape. The story was so well written. I loved every moment although the epilogue felt a little preachy it had its purpose and the basketball metaphors were plenty, it was near perfect!
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
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
***TRIGGER WARNING***
Domestic Violence
As someone who works in a domestic violence court, I see the devastating effects of abuse on survivors and their families every day. Reading *Long Shot* by Kennedy Ryan felt deeply personal. It’s more than just a romance novel; it’s an unflinching portrayal of the realities of domestic violence and a story of hope, healing, and resilience that will stay with me for a long time.
From the very first page, the book grabbed me with its authenticity. Iris DuPree, the heroine, is trapped in a nightmare—an abusive relationship with Caleb, a man whose wealth and charm conceal the monster he truly is. Kennedy Ryan does an extraordinary job capturing the psychological manipulation and isolation that often keep victims from leaving. As someone who has witnessed these patterns in real life, I can attest to how well the author captures both the visible and invisible scars of abuse.
Iris’s journey to reclaim her life is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her love for her daughter, Sarai, is the driving force behind her courage, and that felt so real to me. I see this same fierce determination in many of the survivors who come through our courts. The depiction of Iris’s struggles to navigate the power Caleb wields and her eventual fight for freedom is both harrowing and empowering.
Then there’s August West—the kind of man you want every survivor to meet after enduring the worst. August’s respect for Iris, his patience, and his willingness to wait until she’s ready for love again is nothing short of beautiful. He represents what a healthy relationship should look like: built on mutual respect, trust, and consent. In contrast to Caleb’s need for control, August’s love is freeing, not binding, and that contrast speaks volumes about the importance of showing what love *should* be.
The book doesn’t shy away from hard truths. It forces the reader to confront how abuse is often hidden behind wealth, charm, and power—and how systems, whether social or legal, sometimes fail to protect victims. These are realities I encounter daily, and seeing them portrayed so accurately in fiction is both validating and heartbreaking.
But what makes *Long Shot* stand out is its balance. While it tackles heavy, gut-wrenching themes, it also offers hope. Iris’s story isn’t just about survival; it’s about reclaiming joy, rebuilding trust, and finding love—not because she needs saving, but because she deserves it.
Kennedy Ryan’s writing is exceptional. Her dual perspectives—alternating between Iris and August—give readers an intimate understanding of their struggles and emotions. The characters are deeply nuanced, and their journeys feel authentic. Even the secondary characters, like Lotus, Iris’s best friend, add depth to the story. Lotus’s unwavering support reminded me of the importance of community and sisterhood in helping survivors heal.
For anyone who’s ever worked with survivors of domestic violence, this book will resonate on a profound level. It’s not just a love story—it’s a tribute to the strength of survivors and a call to action for us all to do better in supporting them. *Long Shot* is raw, emotional, and ultimately uplifting. It’s a story that needed to be told, and Kennedy Ryan told it with grace, compassion, and unflinching honesty.
This is a must-read, not just for fans of romance, but for anyone who wants to better understand the courage it takes to survive abuse and rebuild a life filled with hope and love.
Domestic Violence
As someone who works in a domestic violence court, I see the devastating effects of abuse on survivors and their families every day. Reading *Long Shot* by Kennedy Ryan felt deeply personal. It’s more than just a romance novel; it’s an unflinching portrayal of the realities of domestic violence and a story of hope, healing, and resilience that will stay with me for a long time.
From the very first page, the book grabbed me with its authenticity. Iris DuPree, the heroine, is trapped in a nightmare—an abusive relationship with Caleb, a man whose wealth and charm conceal the monster he truly is. Kennedy Ryan does an extraordinary job capturing the psychological manipulation and isolation that often keep victims from leaving. As someone who has witnessed these patterns in real life, I can attest to how well the author captures both the visible and invisible scars of abuse.
Iris’s journey to reclaim her life is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her love for her daughter, Sarai, is the driving force behind her courage, and that felt so real to me. I see this same fierce determination in many of the survivors who come through our courts. The depiction of Iris’s struggles to navigate the power Caleb wields and her eventual fight for freedom is both harrowing and empowering.
Then there’s August West—the kind of man you want every survivor to meet after enduring the worst. August’s respect for Iris, his patience, and his willingness to wait until she’s ready for love again is nothing short of beautiful. He represents what a healthy relationship should look like: built on mutual respect, trust, and consent. In contrast to Caleb’s need for control, August’s love is freeing, not binding, and that contrast speaks volumes about the importance of showing what love *should* be.
The book doesn’t shy away from hard truths. It forces the reader to confront how abuse is often hidden behind wealth, charm, and power—and how systems, whether social or legal, sometimes fail to protect victims. These are realities I encounter daily, and seeing them portrayed so accurately in fiction is both validating and heartbreaking.
But what makes *Long Shot* stand out is its balance. While it tackles heavy, gut-wrenching themes, it also offers hope. Iris’s story isn’t just about survival; it’s about reclaiming joy, rebuilding trust, and finding love—not because she needs saving, but because she deserves it.
Kennedy Ryan’s writing is exceptional. Her dual perspectives—alternating between Iris and August—give readers an intimate understanding of their struggles and emotions. The characters are deeply nuanced, and their journeys feel authentic. Even the secondary characters, like Lotus, Iris’s best friend, add depth to the story. Lotus’s unwavering support reminded me of the importance of community and sisterhood in helping survivors heal.
For anyone who’s ever worked with survivors of domestic violence, this book will resonate on a profound level. It’s not just a love story—it’s a tribute to the strength of survivors and a call to action for us all to do better in supporting them. *Long Shot* is raw, emotional, and ultimately uplifting. It’s a story that needed to be told, and Kennedy Ryan told it with grace, compassion, and unflinching honesty.
This is a must-read, not just for fans of romance, but for anyone who wants to better understand the courage it takes to survive abuse and rebuild a life filled with hope and love.