Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Iris and August's story. They meet one night in a bar when Iris is screaming at the tv over a Laker's game. August is a basketball player that is about to play the National Championship game the next day and is intrigued by Iris instantly. They end up spending the night talking and sharing more with each other than they're used to, but the night ends with Iris confessing that she has a boyfriend. They meet a few more times over the years, but timing and circumstances are always against them. Iris finds herself trapped in a relationship with a young baby to take care of, but neither of them can forget the other. There are some suspenseful scenes, some sexy times, and some sweet moments...and they get a HFN ending. I love Kennedy Ryan's words. They're poetry in motion. Art. She has created something so beautiful and poignant in this painful yet hopeful story. I don't think my words will ever be enough to express how much I love it. But what I can say is, I love that this author continues to use her platform to tell the stories that need to be heard. Relevant issues, the good and the bad. There is no sugarcoating the pain, and I commend her for that.

And if I never see another woman come, that’s fine with me. If I could just watch this one in the eye of her storm, in this crisis of her pleasure, it would be enough. God, for the rest of my life, it would be enough. The look on her face is wondrous, as if she’s suspended between realities, has wandered into a fantasy and is drowning in this rapture.❞ Hope is the gap between what if and what is, but you have to fill the gap with a lot of hard work.” In my dreams I choose him, my prince, instead of the fraud. In this parallel universe, at this second-chance juncture, I turn right instead of choosing wrong… and there only there, we are together." I do not want to say too much about the storyline but I must say this- It's splendid, it's heartbreaking. The story is so intense and it captured me the minute it started. Five stars doesn’t do this book justice.

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There are some heavy themes that are dealt with, with such elegance and suspense that I really enjoyed this as a read and I was also really happy how the author portrayed all these thematic elements into one. Although I had a few issues with the story at the beginning and further, some of the efforts put in to showcase the trope - I really enjoyed this and I will definitely be reading more of this author later! Overall Pace of Story: Good, but the ending was way too abrupt (and at 78% in the kindle app). I never skimmed though and I thought it flowed well otherwise. 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. The distinct, prominent, and important voice of author Kennedy Ryan speaks volumes in Long Shot. This book hails as an emotional experience in reading as Kennedy Ryan daringly takes a risk to stand up, tall and proud, and use her voice to enlighten, to prove love eventually conquers all, and to pay tribute to the strength and resolve all good men and women have within them. This book, gosh this book, it's not for the faint of heart. It's not all 3 pointers and dazzling smiles from hot ballers - that's there of course too, don't worry. But this one - it's dark and scary too. It's takes you to a place I hope you've never been but will understand more after reading it. It's really tough quite honestly. But it's also freeing and more than worth every single word.

Iris’s story is important. I wish I could explain how much this book touched me. These characters, their stories, and my girl Iris… the way she fought, sacrificed, and found herself. She is the hero of this story, the shining star. As much as I loved August (and I really loved August) Iris stole the show for me. I loved watching her come into her own. Her story broke me at times, it felt so real, because it is real for a lot of people, but it gave me hope. I loved her relationship with her cousin, Lo. I loved the bond they shared with their MiMi. I loved the sisterhood in this story. Oh.” I lob a smile up at him, much too close to flirting. “And what position will I play on your team?” Sometimes, we stand at a juncture on which our path, our very life can turn. A fork in the road. Sometimes the heart speaks in whispers, and by the time we hear, by the time we listen, it’s too late and we don’t knowAugust West and Iris Dupree meet in a bar before the two graduate from college. They have an instant spark followed by the conversation of a lifetime, but something prevents them from taking things further than a one time kiss. Their timing is all wrong, but they never forget the connection they felt that night. Long Shot,' is a story set in the Basketball sports arena with a very sexy basketball playing hero who I absolutely adore. He is caring, charming and totally charismatic; a hero to fall in love with. However, for me, this is Iris' story. She is without doubt the character at the heart of the narrative and the emotional layers that are in glorious abundance in this story. Her strength, determination and survival are firmly encased in a story about love, a love that readers will long to see flourish. Kennedy Ryan navigates through a sensitive topic with eloquence and compassion ensuring that I understood the standpoint of the heroine and felt compassion for her situation. All the reasons why are convincingly depicted in the thought process and actions of both protagonists. It truly opened my own personal thought process into the judgments I may have made about someone like Iris prior to her experiences being so vividly depicted. My understanding surrounding the topic at the heart of this story was richly broadened which perfectly shows the power of reading. She is singular, obliterating every kiss that came before her, eliminating the possibility of anyone else ever tasting this good.” This is a love story. A deep commitment of a feeling when you meet someone and can’t get them out of your mind. But, as there is always a but, life’s timing or the choice we choose can make life not as expected. And that feeling, has to be pushed aside until hopefully life’s timing can be on your side.