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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
***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.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Idk why anyone would wanna read about violent sexual assault but ok.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
emotional
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Please check your trigger warnings before you open this book up. While there is a beautiful love story ultimately told here, there are some very heavy moments to read.
There were moments where I needed to step away and process what I had read. As tough as it was to read at times, Kennedy's messaging is clear about domestic violence and survivors. We have to show them grace and understand that it's not as easy to leave as we would like to think.
I found myself admiring Iris' strength. I know she represents what many women in real life have experienced unfortunately. I know this was influenced by horrifying headlines in the world of sports where athletes have committed heinous acts against women only to receive light punishments by the various leagues if any punishment at all.
I really appreciated how August and Iris' relationship shone amongst some of the more horrifying moments of the book.
There were moments where I needed to step away and process what I had read. As tough as it was to read at times, Kennedy's messaging is clear about domestic violence and survivors. We have to show them grace and understand that it's not as easy to leave as we would like to think.
I found myself admiring Iris' strength. I know she represents what many women in real life have experienced unfortunately. I know this was influenced by horrifying headlines in the world of sports where athletes have committed heinous acts against women only to receive light punishments by the various leagues if any punishment at all.
I really appreciated how August and Iris' relationship shone amongst some of the more horrifying moments of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
Should come with a trigger warning—basically a moment by moment account of horrible domestic violence.
dark
emotional
informative
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:
Complicated