*Some aspects of this story may be sensitive for some readers. That warning was not strong enough but should have said something about rape triggers. That said, this is absolutely the best Sports Romance literature that I have ever read. It was also the most emotional, gut wrenching book I've read. Even though I read it straight through, I had to put it down in the middle of chapters 19 and 20. I picked it back up and it was worth me staying up until 1 in the morning to complete the book. It's one I'll read again.
I don't have the vocabulary to review this book properly. This was a well written book full of gritty, realism. Her characters were so well developed I recognized them. We had Katrina victims come to our church with relatives. A few are still here and are members of our family. I am a basketball freak with cousins who played AAU ball and traveled the country from a young age. The abuse is something most families hide. I had two aunts who were the victims of spousal abuse. One was sent to another city so her brother wouldn't kill her husband. She had a bullet behind her ear untiI the day she died. Even modern medicine couldn't remove it. Another aunt went from family members to family members every time she was brutally abused but always went back. She knew she had family members who would keep her safe. The bad thing about that was when everything was going well, he participated in family get togethers. Difficult to say the least.
So, until you walk two miles in Iris's shoes, don't judge her. I loved August (not Gus) and Lo. Both were forces to be reckoned with. Why didn't she reach out to them, you ask? If you have lived through something like that, you wouldn't ask that question. In my family we knew what going on, but couldn't help because she was afraid for us and was protecting us. When you're in that situation, that's your truth. Why am I talking about my family's situation? The book was so real, it brought those memories to mind. That's why it's an excellent book.
I admire Iris for her strength and endurance but hate she couldn't see another way out. God always provides a way out no matter the situation. See, I'm doing it again as if she's real and not a character in a book. I'm glad Lo didn't kill Caleb and his name won't cross my lips again. Hell is too good for him. I loved August for waiting on her no matter how difficult. His maturity, passion and patience was unbelievable; and the boy could hoop. I could see everything in my mind. That's not all good but still worth reading This book.
This book has it all. Good back stories for all the main characters and some others. Good knowledge of basketball and how college ball and Pro ball worked together. The author's basketball IQ is spot on. Yes, I know professional ball players. Don't most African-Americans? Too bad none are kin to me. I don't know how someone with no personal knowledge of spousal abuse could write such a real down and dirty book. It messed with every emotion until you wanted to kill him who I won't name again. How true is the way police react to abused people especially women. It doesn't matter what you have, the man is usually let off lightly. Don't think for a moment that it's not still going on. I worked for legal services for years. Our lawyers would help abused victims get divorces. They'd remarry the abuser and come back to us for another divorce. It happened over and over until we had to restrict them to two divorces. Even after getting them divorce, they were still in danger. One morning I was listening to early morning news as I was dressing for work and I heard about a shooting involving three people. I knew the name. Yes, her ex husband killed her and her boy friend and himself. She had been one of our repeat clients. We even had to warn women when we helped them get restraining order that it wouldn't protect them if the man chose not to honor it. Many didn't and even went to jail. Enough, it's just that I know “the heart speaks in whispers."
I'm not touching the interracial aspects and that brown bag test "black folks" know all to well, especially those who aren't close to the color of a brown bag like Lo and myself. Hopefully , we'll read more of that in Lo and Kenan book. I can't wait.
This review didn't do justice to this book. There are characters I didn't touch on - some who should have been imprisoned for years. And Iris's and Lo's mothers, no word in the English lan can describe them and their actions are all too real. They'll get theirs. Maybe Iris's mother is getting hers because of what happened to the nameless. If course Lo's mother should get hers too since they shared everything at the expense of their daughters. Thank God for Grandmothers and Greatgrandmothers.
Nothing can do this book justice and I read some really well written reviews about this book. Just buy and read it. It's more than sensitive, it's gritty, brutal and very real. There are scenes that may be rape triggers for some. My warning is "It'll mess with your emotions and heartstrings and have you ready to kill someone." This the first book I've purchased or read by this author and it won't be my last.
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Hope is the gap between what if and what is, but you have to fill that gap with a lot of hard work.Highlighted by 2,689 Kindle readers- “Struggle does not make you weak,” she whispers back. “Struggling against those who hold us is what makes us, over time, stronger than they are. Strong enough to fight back. Strong enough to win.”Highlighted by 796 Kindle readers
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This book will break your heart but you SHOULD read it
*I wanted to give a warning at the begining of my review so that it's seen* I cannot emphasize this enough- Please be mindful that this is not a light/cute read. This book contains heavy and triggering material. The main trigger warning mentions domestic violence. PLEASE be aware that this does include SA.That being said, this book & my reading experience was brutal but this book contains such an important message & even through the worst parts, carries a really beautiful story. The love story aspect comes second to me, the story of a woman fighting for her life & her child's life comes first.Iris is a 20 something college student. She's independent, driven, intelligent & so beautiful. One night out at a bar where she's watching a basketball game, Iris is approached & starts bickering with none other than August West. Iris being the basketball fan & stats queen that she is, knows exactly who he is. August is also a 20 something college student who's headed straight to the NBA. What starts as a night of bickering and joking, soon turns into something more. As the night goes on, they talk, laugh & get to know each other. They share things that they haven't with anyone else before. When the night comes to an end, when the two go to say goodbye, August learns that Iris has a boyfriend. Her boyfriend just so happens to be his basketball rival.Iris and August's story is very much insta lust but it's insta lust with the complication of her having a boyfriend & the very major complication of an unexpected future ahead of her that's going to derail any chance of the two being together.When you think of a character that deserves the world? It's Iris. I've never felt such pain & so much empathy & compassion for a fictional character. Everything she felt, I felt & it was horrible. She shows just how brave and fierce a survivor can be and to not judge anyone's situation if you're not in it.August is truly the sweetest man & watching his character unfold from the beginning all the way to the end, I love him so much & if any man deserves Iris, it's August. These two do share a HEA.
Top reviews from other countries
Letícia Medeiros
Infinity stars are not enough
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Sonya aka Bookobsession83
Such an emotional ride!
Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2024
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4.5 stars: Amazing! Didn't want it to end.
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