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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
UGH HOW I LOVE LUKAS!!!!! Honestly this book had me so heavily in my feels I could not stop yearning with the characters. When they were heartbroken I was literally on the verge of tears and when they were being goofy and happy I was smiling like crazy! Although I could heavily relate to Scarlette, there was a point in time that he consistent need to push Lukas away and serve Pen’s happiness started annoying me, but that was only about 20 pages towards the end so I can’t necessarily say it brought my rating down any more than .25-.5 of a star. I also thought the story could’ve been a little bit shorter, but it didn’t necessarily drag enough to make it unbearable. I loved the ending and was glad to see that Scarlette finally realized it wasn’t just that Pen didn’t understand Lukas, but also that Lukas understood her and that’s why he opened up with her so much. Overall, definitely a more unique story line than I’ve read before and I really thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ps …. Can we talk about the Dr Carlson & Olive feature???!!!! I was screaming
Ps …. Can we talk about the Dr Carlson & Olive feature???!!!! I was screaming
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first Ali Hazelwood-book, and it's always so funny to me when an author's background in fanfiction makes itself known on page (affectionate) 🤭
I also picked this book up mainly because I am, in fact, Swedish, and have worked at a public pool/gym for more or less 10 years, surrounded by friends and family who did competative swimming, and was endlessly curious about how accurate these very specific elements would be represented.
To be honest? I was happily surprised, and kind of impressed, lmao. Hazelwood sure did her research! 🤭
The few Swedish phrases and words sprinkled in were SO fun, and while Lukas might be the boldest Swede I've ever heard of, surrounded by other Swedes with, at times, very "grandpa"-sounding names, I feel the need to give Ali credit where credit is due, and applaud her for not using the standard "Swedish" name "Stig" for any of her characters. "Lukas Blomqvist" for one is a very believable name, and both my Dad and brother have "Jan" as their middle/"first" names, but a 20-something year old called "Gösta" is where I draw the LINE 😂
I also didn't expect this book to hit so many points I myself have struggled with, both with navigating high-stakes friendships and self-confidence dips, and even tho I don't necessarily think a (very light) BDSM-relationship is the way to go for me personally, it was kind of nice to see Scarlett grow and evolve with the support system she was building for herself. She was also just a very funny character, which is always a plus hshdhdh
All in all, I had a great time! I don't know if I'll be reading Hazelwood's other books, since this type of romance is not usually my thing, but who knows ! 👏
I also picked this book up mainly because I am, in fact, Swedish, and have worked at a public pool/gym for more or less 10 years, surrounded by friends and family who did competative swimming, and was endlessly curious about how accurate these very specific elements would be represented.
To be honest? I was happily surprised, and kind of impressed, lmao. Hazelwood sure did her research! 🤭
The few Swedish phrases and words sprinkled in were SO fun, and while Lukas might be the boldest Swede I've ever heard of, surrounded by other Swedes with, at times, very "grandpa"-sounding names, I feel the need to give Ali credit where credit is due, and applaud her for not using the standard "Swedish" name "Stig" for any of her characters. "Lukas Blomqvist" for one is a very believable name, and both my Dad and brother have "Jan" as their middle/"first" names, but a 20-something year old called "Gösta" is where I draw the LINE 😂
I also didn't expect this book to hit so many points I myself have struggled with, both with navigating high-stakes friendships and self-confidence dips, and even tho I don't necessarily think a (very light) BDSM-relationship is the way to go for me personally, it was kind of nice to see Scarlett grow and evolve with the support system she was building for herself. She was also just a very funny character, which is always a plus hshdhdh
All in all, I had a great time! I don't know if I'll be reading Hazelwood's other books, since this type of romance is not usually my thing, but who knows ! 👏
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
Exactly what you expect by Ali, such a fun read. I am not a member of the kink community but I think the theme was approached well. Loved how the stem aspect was incorporated
Content Warnings
Light BDSM elements
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes