Long Shot

August West and Iris DuPree cross paths as rising stars in basketball - he as an NBA prospect and she as a sports journalist covering March Madness. Their connection forms against the backdrop of high-stakes college basketball and professional aspirations. Their relationship faces obstacles beyond the typical challenges of their careers. Iris must navigate being a woman in the male-dominated world of sports media, while August deals with intense pressure as a potential top draft pick. Personal demons and past traumas threaten to derail both their individual goals and their chance at love. Both characters learn to balance ambition with matters of the heart, making choices that test their values and reshape their futures. The competitive world of professional sports serves as more than just a setting - it amplifies the personal stakes for both August and Iris. The novel examines themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the price of success through the lens of professional athletics and journalism. It questions what people are willing to risk for their dreams, and how they define victory both on and off the court.

Readers appreciate the depth of research into social justice themes, women's basketball, and chronic illness. The slow-burn romance and complex character development received frequent mentions in reviews. Multiple readers noted the authenticity of the basketball scenes and training details. Readers highlight: - Strong female friendships - Realistic portrayal of chronic illness - Sports scenes that feel accurate - Emotional impact and character growth Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in first third - Some found the social commentary heavy-handed - Length (500+ pages) deterred some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (28,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) BookBub: 4.5/5 (1,100+ ratings) "The basketball scenes made me feel like I was on the court" - Goodreads reviewer "Tackles tough topics without feeling preachy" - Amazon review "Could have been shorter but the character development was worth it" - BookBub review

The Love Con by Seressia Glass A Black female cosplayer navigates the gaming industry while falling for her best friend in a fake relationship that challenges cultural expectations and career dreams.

Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan A professional basketball player and single father finds unexpected love with a fashion executive while dealing with family obligations and professional pressures.

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai A dating app CEO must work with a former pro football player who ghosted her as they confront the intersection of technology, sports, and second chances.

Intercepted by Alexa Martin The girlfriend of an NFL player discovers her independence and new love with the team's quarterback while exposing the realities of professional sports relationships.

The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams A fitness app reviewer develops feelings for her personal trainer-app developer while pursuing career advancement in sports journalism.

🏀 Kennedy Ryan interviewed professional basketball players and their partners to authentically portray the demands and lifestyle of pro athletes in "Long Shot." 💪 The book tackles challenging themes of domestic violence and trauma recovery, with the author working closely with abuse survivors during her research. 🏆 "Long Shot" won the 2018 RITA Award for Contemporary Romance: Long, making Kennedy Ryan the first Black author to win this prestigious romance industry award. 📚 The story was partially inspired by real-life accounts of professional athletes whose promising careers were impacted by abusive relationships. 🎯 The basketball scenes in the book were meticulously crafted with input from former college players to ensure accuracy in the gameplay descriptions and terminology.