This book needs a much stronger content warning. In at least half of the book there is explicit domestic abuse and violent rape.

I went into this book blind, being an avid romance reader I was therefore a little shocked by the content of the story. I normally read romance as an escape for the harsh realities of the world.

SPOILERS BELOW...
That being said I understand the author was trying to tell a story portraying why women stay in abusive relationships and how harshly society judges abused women versus their abusers, especially when the abuser is rich, famous, and a professional athlete.

I did appreciate the time the FMC was given to heal after escaping her abusive relationship, but because of the ending I would at a minimum categorize this as a thriller romance, not a romance. ( )

This book ripped my heart out. OMG I have no words.
Amazing story telling, just amazing ( )

This book made me feel so many emotions. I was furious at Caleb, sympathetic for Iris and I wish I had an August of my own. This is my first book from Kennedy Ryan so I didn't have any expectations, but consider my expectations raised very high. I will recommend this book to anyone who likes a heart wrenching story with the perfect balance of sweet and smut. ( )

( )

[b:Long Shot|30555412|Long Shot (Hoops, #1)|Kennedy Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519905892s/30555412.jpg|51099584] by [a:Kennedy Ryan|7429243|Kennedy Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1464150359p2/7429243.jpg]
Genres: Adult, contemporary, Romance, Suspense
3.5 Stars

Way to angsty and slow paced for me.
Some repetitive thoughts from both mc's.

I understand what the author was trying to portray in this story.
I agree it is an important message for all humans to get about abuse.
The abuse that the h suffers may feel OTT to the reader, but I know it has and does happen.
I have seen many horrific things in my lifetime and OTT abuse is one of them.
It is something to take very seriously.

Unfortunately I had trouble connecting to the Iris (the h).
While I liked the August (the H) a lot of his parts were very repetitive thoughts.

The villain in this story is truly vile.

The ending was a bit to fantasy for me.

There aren't many typo's etc. & the story is well edited in that department, but would have been better if a lot of the repetitive and nonessential info was edited out.
That would have picked up the pace and made the story easier to keep me interested.

I understand where those who enjoyed it found it compelling.

It just was not a great read for me.

As for as the romance between the H & h, it is a weird mix of instant connection and slow burn.

There is a lot of adult content in the abuse scenes. However, I feel a mature audience of 16 and up would be fine reading this. Consider it 'Food for Thought'.

Just because it's pretty on the outside doesn't mean it won't try to kill you. ( )