Long Shot: A Forbidden Basketball Standalone Romance (HOOPS Book 1)

Product Information

First and foremost, I really want to emphasize that this is a book about abuse and what it is like to be in a very dangerous and abusive relationship. I decided not to read the synopsis, the tropes or anything else, I just knew that August was a man who would bring me to my knees (which, by the way, is true). Now from the teasers and posts the author has shared, I think most can surmise what this story is about and the tough subject it covers (a little more on that towards the end of this review).

She's the modern version of everything I aspire to be in life and it was a pleasure getting to know her. 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 know.The strength, the hope, and that determination of surviving against all odds is fierce and possessive in the face of fear, hurt and pain.

I'm going to be honest, when I started reading this book I thought it was going to be a 2 star read because of prevalent issues. It just all felt too much of "I can fuck / treat you better than him" at times, but after the halftime mark ran - I got into the flow of things and it worked.

None for Caleb, the obvious villain of the story, parading his girlfriend/prize to spite his nemesis. This book deals with a lot of problems and it would be unwise to just look over it and not give it a try if you wanted to in the first place. Iris was such a strong and inspiring character and reading about her go through the worst period of her life was so heartbreaking but honestly a privilege to read. MAJOR trigger and content warnings for a lot of graphic rape, stalking, being trapped, and a lot of very graphic physical, emotional, and mental abuse. My heart just raced, my pulse went berserk and I had to calm myself down because it did transport me back to my own dismal hole many a times.

I don't want to go into any specific details because it'll be pretty hard to talk about the plot without honestly revealing huge spoilers.

August was just looking to blow off some steam, but he wasn’t planning on meeting someone who he would never forget. August West is a God among men, and Iris is one of the strongest protagonists I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about, and August is so deserving of her. It's not all 3 pointers and dazzling smiles from hot ballers - that's there of course too, don't worry. Ok, I need to stop here because I could spend all day re-reading and sharing all the highlights I have of all the delicious things that came from August. This read is not easy or light, but it very importantly talks about taking back your own body after someone has been forcefully taking it for so long.

Things are difficult for them and it seems impossible that they will find their way to each other, but it’s meant to be. There’s a part of me, though, that will always think of her as the gorgeous girl swearing at the television in a sports dive, sipping flat beer and pulling for her Lakers.Yeah, well, when you can’t have what you really want,” I say, locking our eyes together, willing her not to look away, “you settle for whatever’s available. Long Shot spans over years and it gives the reader time to connect and invest themselves in Iris and August. I also classify it partly as true women's fiction because it's the tale of a strong woman who was wronged when she never saw it coming. There’s just this one-just this life, and we go where are choices take us and grow wiser from our mistakes.