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Long Shot: A HOOPS Novel
- Hoops Series, Book 1
- Narrated by: Sean Crisden, Jo Raylan
- Series: Hoops Series, Book 1
- Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Women's Fiction
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Publisher's Summary
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.
Please note: Some aspects of this story may be sensitive for some listeners.
Featured Article: From Sweet to Steamy, Here Are Our Picks for the Best Black Romance Authors
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What listeners say about Long Shot: A HOOPS Novel
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Performance
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- Karina Inigo
- 12-21-18
Not quite romantic
I think there should be some kind of a warning. This books deals with domestic violence and brutal rape. At one point I was going to stop reading but I am sucker and need to know the ending. It was tough read and a bit traumatizing. Not what I would categorize as a romance. It’s a survival story.
20 people found this helpful
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- Laura NE
- 08-27-18
MAJOR TRIGGERS
I wish this book would have come with a warning actually - the book is tough to get through. I'm only able to listen to a couple of chapters at a time - and of course with the subject matter the plot and pace make complete sense. It doesn't make it any easier to listen to. I wish I hadn't wasted a credit on it now that I'm almost done but at this point I'm determined to listen to the whole thing at least once, even if afterwards I shelve it and never listen to it again. Unfortunately for me the credit was kind of wasted here but it *is* a powerful book. Just a bit too dark for my tastes. You've been warned.
14 people found this helpful
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- mandy
- 08-29-18
Epic!!!
Wow! This book was so good! The narration was super well done! Suspense, angst, drama... this book had me ugly crying in the car line picking up my kids while I was listening. My heart hurt for these characters and some of the scenes were honestly really hard to read but I loved the strength of these characters and the way they found their way to happiness. This is my first Kennedy Ryan book and the writing was off-the-charts amazing, I just bought every book she has so I can read all her words - simply amazing! Long Shot is a top pick of 2018 and going on my favorite heroines shelf. This is an a fantastic story and I highly recommend it! I can't wait for more by this author and these narrators!!!
11 people found this helpful
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- Trinigal78
- 10-21-18
Emotional rollercoaster
There were a few chapters that were unbearable. One I couldn't finish. That's how raw & good this book was.
6 people found this helpful
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- LeeAnne
- 09-26-18
Long Shot comes to life!
i read the book and waited for the audio version so I could do a re-read, and it was absolutely worth the wait. Long Shot cane to life with the narrators, and added to the intensity of situations and emotions. It cut straight to the heart.
Long Shot is by far one of the best books I've read. Its a real life story with a very relevant story line, all set in the exciting world of basketball, with all the good, bad and the ugly.
August and Iris. The characters draw you into their lives. You feel their joy, their struggles, their pain, their successes, their loss and their love. "Oh, the feels." They are so real. They're human.
Their story is fiction but it could be your own story. Ok, maybe not being a basketball superstar, but that adds to the depth of the story. I don't want to tell the secrets of the story, but there are parts that will shred you. It will make you really think. Have I ever judged someone before for this very thing? Have I missed something in someone I know? Would I recognize it and how would I handle it? What if it was me?
The supporting characters are equally as engaging. MiMi, Lo, Kenan, Deck, Jared, August's mom.
Love waits. The timing must be right to take the shot.
My favorite quote is "I'd play you at the five".
Long Shot is an absolute "must read". You will love August and Iris. You will be gutted with the story. And you will fall in love as they find the strength to fight their way to that perfect moment and take the long shot.
I think the author just made the game winning shot at the buzzer from mid-court. Long Shot is amazing.
6 people found this helpful
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- Steph's Romance Book Talk
- 08-16-18
So Many More Than 5 Stars!!
I am still speechless to what I should be writing for this review. Kennedy Ryan has this beautiful way of telling a story that you can relate to and just be in that moment with her characters. Sean Crisden and Jo Raylan embody everything these characters feel and go through. AMAZING narration!!
Iris and August have a few things in common; 1) they are both huge basketball fans, 2) that they both have troubled pasts that have impact on their lives as adults, and 3) they have this instant connection that can be seen from a mile away. Iris and August meet at a bar on possibly the eve of his biggest game ever. She is watching her favorite team and he is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. They have a wonderful conversation that is easy and charged with sexual chemistry. However, when the bartender lets them know they can't stay any long the two of them have a moment of do I stay or should I go. Because life is complicated they go their separate ways but that one brief encounter forever haunts them. Their story is not an easy one as a matter of fact it is hard, heartbreaking, and just painful at times.
Their story is beautiful, heart breaking, funny, sexy, and so very relevant. There are some trigger warnings for abuse and trauma but if you can just be in the moment with these characters, feel with them there is resolution.
This is specific video review will be included in the August 2018 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk.
13 people found this helpful
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- Strongfaith1
- 10-23-18
Heavyweight
Heavyweight in the most beautiful and agonizing ways a story can be! It kept me anxious and angry, frightened and scared. Then there was a light at the and of the longest tunnel. In spite of the very sensitive matter, domestic abuse, the love story is one of unmatched passion and chemistry. We all should be as blessed to have what August and Iris did.
5 people found this helpful
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- Jocelyne
- 09-28-18
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.
5 people found this helpful
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- Lumpyone
- 09-03-19
so much detailed rape.
way too much rape in this book. seriously, even when rape is not happening in graphic, anal ripping detail, she is replaying the rape....just in case we might forget. well written rape porn, but not the book for me.
4 people found this helpful
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- kgagnon
- 09-26-18
This is storytelling at it's absolute finest!
Long Shot is so much more than a sports romance! It is about the epic love between two souls and their hard fought journey to be together. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful story that will take your breath away. The chemistry between August and Iris is combustible from their very first meeting. Even when circumstances keep them apart, and try to make them doubt the other, it never fades. Iris is so strong and resilient, I cannot imagine surviving what she has so selflessly and becoming even stronger and more giving. August is such a good man, so loving and protective, while being so patient with Iris to become who she is meant to be. Iris's family and background is so fascinating, adding a wonderful dimension and making this even more intriguing. I really cared for both August and Iris, and it was so painful to watch them go through some of the things they did. But more inspiring to see them become stronger, and their love more powerful. This is what Ms. Ryan does so well. Her writing style is beautifully poetic. It is so alluring and seductive that you feel like you are right there and experiencing every emotion. She takes us on an exhilarating journey that will leave you raw and breathless and totally satisfied. Add to that the phenomenal narration by Sean Crisden, and Jo Raylan and you have an audiobook experience that is stellar. Crisden's smooth, deep voice, and perfect inflections made August come alive and made me swoon! Raylan's brilliant delivery gripped my imagination and compelled me to feel everything these characters think and experience. Both narrators embodied these characters perfectly making my heart race from beginning to end. This is storytelling at it's absolute finest and I loved every moment of this beautiful, raw, passionate, poignant and unforgettable, love story! Bravo! <3
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- Jan
- 05-11-19
A COMPELLING AND GRIPPING STORY
"The heart speaks in whispers but sometimes by the time you listen its too late"
Hook shot is a compelling and gripping story. A story of, choices, domestic abuse and survival.
Wow, I was blown away with this story, not only does it awaken the awareness of domestic abuse but tells the story of two relationships, one that was destined to heal and one that had the potential to destroy.
Iris is young when she first meets Caleb, she is swept of her feet by the golden boy in Basketball, she has her own ambitions, her own future to look forward to. Iris is a strong independent young woman with a mother who used men her whole life to get what she wanted and Iris is determined to break the mould, determined to go through life being dependant on nobody. All Iris's plans and ambitions are destroyed when she finds herself in a relationship with an obsessive, possessive man, a violent and destructive to the soul relationship she didn't see coming.
Iris first meets August when Caleb is playing away,she is watching a game in a local bar near her hotel and they chat the night away, its like their souls are aligned, like they have known each other years and in the moment when it's time to say goodnight Iris doesn't take it any further and even though the pull is strong for them to kiss she tells August she has a boyfriend, that moment, if only Iris had known this was a sign, an invisible crossroads in her life.
August felt Iris, it was more than attraction so when he see's her again at a game he believes it's fate until he discovers the boyfriend she was taking about was his rival in the sport Caleb.
Caleb is a possessive and vindictive guy, she didn't see the evil side to him until it was too late, the once strong black woman became a shell of herself when she became trapped in a relationship she couldn't get out of.
Many times August and Iris cross paths, and even when they are apart he thinks of Iris. August has no idea what Iris is going through behind closed doors he sees only what the media see's, the golden boy of basketball and his new fiance but he was taught one thing by is father and goes by has gut and that is, when the time is right he needs to take a shot.
"The last thing I wanted to be was a poster child for domestic abuse, not with the way our culture finds a way of blaming the victim but none of that was the deciding factor in why I finally spoke, I spoke because maybe there's some girl like me, young, vulnerable, naive, flattered by his attention, maybe she thinks that jealousy means he loves her more or that's cute but she realises slowly, surely, shes being cut off from her friends, isolated from her family, being moulded into something shes not, into what he wants her to be. The heart speaks in whispers but sometimes by the time you listen, its too late"
A beautiful but powerful story. August will make you week at the knees and your heart melt.
This story is bittersweet and worth the five stars given. Kennedy Ryan has a way with words and when I listened to this book in audio, the words either went straight to my heart or sat at the forefront of my mind for me to ponder on.
I have read Book three HOOK SHOT which is Lotus's story, Iris's cousin and when I read that I was eager to know Iris's story. Each book ca be read as a standalone and the author gives away no spoilers to the other stories. I am eagerly wanting to read other books in this series and more books from Kennedy Ryan.
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- ZOE R
- 09-26-18
Long Shot
The story and narration are good BUT according to the author there are chapters that are omitted in the audio book. I feel so so cheated
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- Abi Hayden
- 01-18-22
Could listen forever
I have read this book so many times, this story line has become one of my many comfort reads
The readers voice!! Omg I could listen to him forever
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- Zoeb
- 03-16-21
All the emotions, just brilliant
It’s been some time since I read the book, I knew the audio would be a hard listen due to some of the contents. However this was brought to life with so much emotion by the narrators. I felt every single one of those emotions.
Kennedy has a way to bring us to our knees with her words. This just brought it to another level.
An amazing book from a fantastic series.
Iris and August’s story is one of heartache, heartbreak, violence and then so much love. It’s certainly a very powerful read and so well adapted to audio.
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- Chichi
- 09-11-20
"wow" you need to listen to this book...
im not one to listen to narrators im not used to but I loved it! narrator's performance was excellent. They sunk into their character and brought them to Life. my imaginations were wilding😂😭🤣😠. Good Work Kennedy.
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- For Old Times' Sake
- 09-09-20
Engaging, Touching, Real
I really enjoyed this story, and thought it was a truely excellent book. This novel covers the really difficult subject of domestic violence, toxic relationships, and coercive control with care and in a believable way, but also really depicted the absolute awfulness of the situation so vividly.
Iris truely was an amazing character. She went through so much with her ex-partner, she really was a warrior princess. August is the basketball player who she meets by chance, but it's a case of the right person, at the wrong time and wrong place. Covering a number of years this story sees August and Iris' relationship develop over time, and against adversity. This is a genuinely gritty and real story.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy sports romances, contemporary fiction and people finding light and hope from darkness.
This is a complete standalone story told in dual pov. The two narrators were absolutely excellent, and really brought this story to life for me.
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- Katharoo
- 07-24-20
True love finds a way
This was a powerful and moving book reading it but this audiobook brings it to another level. Thankfully Iris survives everything Caleb does to her and August is one amazing man. The love Iris and August have for one another is so heart warming that it heals the heart after hearing all of the horrific things that Caleb does.
So sad that this book represents what really happens in the society today. Thankfully there are strong women out there who do make it to the other side.
I have heard Sean Crisden earlier this year and I think he is becoming one of my favourite narrators. I really love his voice. It’s so southing and really matched August’s character in my head to perfection. Jo’s performance was amazing as well.
Definitely happy to add this one to my library and so worth the credit used.
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- Book Addict
- 04-08-19
A Heartbreaking Romance!
I don’t know why I’m surprised, because Kennedy Ryan’s writing always blows me away, after I’ve been pulled into the story so much, it feels like you there the story. You can’t get story out your head, I worked with victims, not victims, survivors for many years. Kennedy still me shedding tears in so many parts. Thank god the parts with August and Iris make me smile. I thought I was reading a sports romance, and it did involve sports. Baseball was a subject that brought Iris and August together.
The larger story arc opens your eyes, Kennedy's books often helps us to open our eyes to a wider issue, and has done so spectacularly that has made very difficult for me not give away spoilers.
I will say this book doesn’t leave your mind for days after and is clunking away in mine. This is not for the fainthearted, but is a special book to me. Five stars is not enough for writing this good.
After reading the book and now having brought to life with the narrators I can only say it still made me cry Perfection.
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- Mrs. N. Housen
- 09-26-18
Amazing
Absolutely loved this, I completely felt all the struggles and emotions in the storyline. Would 100% recommend.
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- ARCHANGEL
- 09-16-18
fantastic
excellent audio, I've already read the book, the narrators took what was already an amazing book to another level. u love live loved this audio
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- K1burger
- 03-10-20
Tear Jerker
This book had all the feels. My tears flowed freely with the heavy content. It was well written. The story was heart breaking and healing all at the same time. The narration only added to the sorrow I felt as I read. At the end I was exhausted and overwhelmed, I needed a couple of days to get over it.
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- Violet Reads
- 06-15-21
Congratulations Kennedy Ryan
I love that Kennedy Ryan combines her journalism and contemporary romance fiction writing skills in each book to teach about a new topic!
Kennedy’s thorough research and interviews of victims true stories is what makes you understand what victims often endure. The most common accounts are combined as one and told through Iris’s point of view, with the safety of anonymity for victims.
Thank you Kennedy for helping give a voice to these innocent and courageous women currently suffering from domestic violence and survivors that have lived through it.
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- Felicity
- 12-26-20
AWESOME
This is such a cute story! I was a bit wary and worried that I would be left with the female protagonist ending in a torn situation between two men, but this was so not like that. There will be one person you want Iris to end up with and everyone else will have the same want. The love story is one of my favourites, I swear, it was adorable I just felt so happy by the end of this. There are some possible triggers in this story but if you are ok with that and think you might like this, I would definitely give this a go. I listened to this as an audiobook and loved the narration, but also just how the story was written. Both were amazing and I hope you decide to read this. Enjoy!
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- Author
- 12-24-18
5 frigginng deserving stars
I cried, and cried and swooned and cried and loved how much humanity Kennedy Ryan breathed into this story. The poetic and hypnotic way of story telling took me into the dark depths of hells some women are trapped in, others never managed escape to before paying with their lives and also the beauty that is luck when you fall into the arms of someone who loves and cherishes you. She pays homage to the roots shunned about the black culture when priestesses are mentioned and practises that give black people a shrine that has been taken from us but still thrives, there's power just beneath the surface.