Long Shot: A HOOPS Novel

Hoops Series, Book 1

By: Kennedy Ryan

Narrated by: Sean Crisden, Jo Raylan

A forbidden love story set in the explosive world of the NBA . . .

Think you know what it's like being a baller's girl? You don't.

My fairy tale is upside down. A happily never after.

I kissed the prince and he turned into a fraud. I was a fool, and his love—fool's gold.

Now there's a new player in the game, August West. One of the NBA's brightest stars.

Fine. Forbidden. He wants me. I want him. But my past, my fraudulent prince, just won't let me go.

*Contains domestic abuse not involving the hero.

©2018 Kennedy Ryan (P)2018 Tantor

August West!

This was my first Kennedy Ryan's book and won't be the last. This is the first book in the Hoops Series. This forbidden love story, is set in the world of the NBA. This story wasn't what I had expected, it was so much more. The story is well written, realistic and breathtaking. The storyline is filled with angst, drama and suspense. I loved Iris and August. The other characters were also interesting. I can't wait for the next book in the Series! The narration was absolutely stunning, emotional and breathtaking. I really enjoyed my listening and I totally recommend this audiobook.

Warning label needed

This is my first Kennedy Ryan book. Although I loved it because it dealt with some really raw emotional stuff. This book is about overcoming domestic violence, rape and abuse and at the end of it all finding the love of your life through it all. There's a portion of postpartum depression and also getting through it. If there was one thing to say I think it should have noted the trigger warnings rather than sensitivity to others. I cringed at the most brutal parts cheered at the good because it definitely needed those good parts to be in there and to have that HEA. All in all good read just be warned that a good portion of this story has an extremely sensitive nature and my cause some triggers.

This Story...

Heart wrenching and absolutely amazing. This book is so important. The story was funny, sad, suspenseful, terrifying and so much more. The narration was amazing and made me feel with the characters. I wasn’t just listening to the story. I was feeling the feelings of these amazing characters.

Intense

Will start this review by emphasizing that the small trigger warning noted in the blurb for this book is not to be taken lightly. When I see trigger warnings I always read reviews here and on Goodreads so I can go into the book with my eyes wide open.

They take is about survival and the journey to trust again and dare to be happy. Poor girl was victimized by everyone that was a potential savior it’s no wonder she had a hard time trusting.

Both narrators did a great job portraying their characters and bringing the book to life.
#AudiobookObsessionsReviewer #CristinasAudiobookObessions

Intense and Beautiful Love Story

This may very well be the best audiobook I have ever listened to. I have noxwords for Jo Raylan’s portrayal of Iris. It is just overwhelming and raw and so heartfelt. I could feel so many emotions through her voice, she left me speechless. Sean Crisden was also excellent as August. The story is very difficult because it is sometimes painful, and they did it justice. It is awesome!!!

Long Shot was my first Kennedy Ryan book, and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved it so much. So, so, much. I love how real and heartfelt it feels. Iris and August are both incredibly awesome characters. They felt like real people to me.

Long Shot is truly beautiful. Everything about this story is simply outstanding. The writing, the characters, the story. Absolutely everything. Kennedy Ryan is a master storyteller, so talented. She makes you feel so much, experience so many emotions through her words. It’s raw, intense, sometimes painful, sometimes joyful, but the most amazing of all is that it feels so real.

Having said that, it’s not an easy book to read. It has plenty of ugliness, and violence, and hurt. But that is what makes it so powerful, so real. So compelling. There is so much violence against women in the world we live in, it’s something we even see every day on the news. This story tries to shine a few lights on this issue, specially how we as women see it from the outside. We need to be more compassionate and not judgmental. We, as women, need to stop judging women for being victims, for “allowing” men to abuse them, simply because we have no idea what they are going through.

But don’t worry, Long Shot is truly an epic love story. From the very beginning you can see the love, the connection between August and Iris, their devotion to each other. You can taste it. It’s a story of true, undying, unconditional love. Among all that raw ugly reality of violence and abuse, you see the beauty in Iris’s inner strength and August love for her. And as much as it their circumstances make you sad and despair, it also warms your heart and fills it with hope.

Wow ... just wow

So you shouldn’t read this if you can’t handle graphic domestic violence but if you can omg you won’t be disappointed. This book left me with a hangover and I had to download the next book. You won’t retreat this

Emotionally Brilliant!

Loved the story line, narration, and overall message. Very good read, powerful, empowering, and thought provoking!

W. O. W.

The story is 5 stars - please know there are a lot of triggers in this book, but it’s very emotional. I had to get over the male narrators version of the female character (it just sounded...ummm...like bad.) But, as August - he’s totally believable. The female narrator puts you right into those scenes and you feel everything! Really enjoyed it, this is my first book from this author and I’m excited to read more!

EMOTIONAL

This was a very.emotional book. I wanted to stop listening to this book several times but I continued to listen. I'm a fan of dark and disturbing books but for some reason I couldn't take what was happening to Iris. Deep down I felt her pain and understood the situation she was in. Iris was a survivor and I'm so happy she found her HEA at the end. I'm glad that the perfect timing came for Iris and August. Narrators did a great job.

Bitter sweet

I thought this was well done, yes it had some parts that were a bit.. much when they got into the domestic violence but I thought it painted the picture well. So many people think it’s all roses dealing with a athlete when it very well may not be. It was a happy ending I’m glad I stuck it out an listened until the end!