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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
3-3.5 stars
I went into Deep End expecting a deeper exploration of the characters' kinks, especially since the story introduced their list early on—but that plot point was barely mentioned again, which left me feeling disappointed. I also didn’t love how much focus Pen received; at times it felt like the book should have been about her instead of the main couple.
On the positive side, I really enjoyed Luka’s character. Listening to the audiobook, I especially loved Luka’s Swedish accent and the warmth the narrator brought to his voice—it made his character even more likable. I appreciated seeing Luka help the main character rebuild her confidence in swimming and in herself after her accident.
Overall, while the audiobook made some moments more enjoyable, the story itself wasn’t as spicy or emotionally impactful as I hoped. I prefer Hazelwood’s other books more.
I went into Deep End expecting a deeper exploration of the characters' kinks, especially since the story introduced their list early on—but that plot point was barely mentioned again, which left me feeling disappointed. I also didn’t love how much focus Pen received; at times it felt like the book should have been about her instead of the main couple.
On the positive side, I really enjoyed Luka’s character. Listening to the audiobook, I especially loved Luka’s Swedish accent and the warmth the narrator brought to his voice—it made his character even more likable. I appreciated seeing Luka help the main character rebuild her confidence in swimming and in herself after her accident.
Overall, while the audiobook made some moments more enjoyable, the story itself wasn’t as spicy or emotionally impactful as I hoped. I prefer Hazelwood’s other books more.
I don’t typically write really negative reviews because I understand everyone has different taste. I’m sorry for how harsh this will sound.
This book was just pure ick and second hand embarrassment. The main character is more insufferable than any main character I’ve ever encountered. Accomplished woman with zero self worth who begs to be hurt during sex by a man twice her size who doesn’t say a single interesting thing. She’s probably smarter than me in terms of science/ engineering but does not understand how emotions work and blocks out everything that’s inconvenient and falls for a man with a cardboard personality. Like this was genuinely rage bait to me. Ironically, it’s so anti feminist that it feels like it’s written for the male gaze. I was reading this for book club and was determined to finish but the ick was getting the best of me. I cannot fathom people liking this book.
This book was just pure ick and second hand embarrassment. The main character is more insufferable than any main character I’ve ever encountered. Accomplished woman with zero self worth who begs to be hurt during sex by a man twice her size who doesn’t say a single interesting thing. She’s probably smarter than me in terms of science/ engineering but does not understand how emotions work and blocks out everything that’s inconvenient and falls for a man with a cardboard personality. Like this was genuinely rage bait to me. Ironically, it’s so anti feminist that it feels like it’s written for the male gaze. I was reading this for book club and was determined to finish but the ick was getting the best of me. I cannot fathom people liking this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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:
Complicated
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Audio is great for this one.
Still have same gripes as previously stated in review, but both leads have grown on me and I don't care as much this time around lol.
Still have same gripes as previously stated in review, but both leads have grown on me and I don't care as much this time around lol.
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a good book and I really liked it. A good introduction into Ali Hazelwood. I like both the characters, especially Lukas, but there were times that Scarlett drove me crazy. The over analyzing of Pen was annoying and being perfect at everything but also thinking she’s a failure can be annoying to read at times. How can you be an Olympian, a doctor, a brilliant computer scientist and marry a famous person and still think life can suck. But overall a quick fun and entertaining read.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“If you decide to go for it, I think it should be me.”
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I was excited to read this book - I adored the cover and I do enjoy Ali Hazelwood's writing! As well as being interested in the dynamics explored in this book, I was so curious to see her take on them. I adored Scarlett, she felt so relatable to me, and Lukas's quiet adoration paired with how stoic he was had me absolutely hooked. All the hints about how head-over-heels he was had me speeding to the next chapter, eager for Scarlett to catch on. Loved the communication and how direct Lukas was (and how she could see him so clearly! They are truly soulmates!)
I read Problematic Summer Romance twice since buying it, and some of my thoughts on that book reflect ones here. It was so cool to see kink explored but just like PSR I felt like the "taboo" of it was just sort of - teased, and not fully explored. There's more conversations and jokes about their shared ✨ interests ✨ than Lukas and Scarlett experiencing them together, and I feel like those conversations were happening too often. I would have loved to see them explore their list more - or more moments of "just them" together, without Pen hanging so heavily over them.
And Pen - she was an interesting character and the way she pushes them together was great for the drama - I just have a lot of thoughts about her role, and that also detracted from my overall enjoyment (though I do appreciate her friendship with Scarlett, excluding the rocky bits).
I did have a great time reading, and this had me looking up dives so I could visualize what was happening! I also loved all the cameos, there were so fun.
Tropes & Tags:
💜 college romance
🏊♀️ sports romance (swimming & diving)
💜 secret/forbidden relationship
🏊♀️ opposites attract
💜 slow burn
🏊♀️ best friend's ex
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I was excited to read this book - I adored the cover and I do enjoy Ali Hazelwood's writing! As well as being interested in the dynamics explored in this book, I was so curious to see her take on them. I adored Scarlett, she felt so relatable to me, and Lukas's quiet adoration paired with how stoic he was had me absolutely hooked. All the hints about how head-over-heels he was had me speeding to the next chapter, eager for Scarlett to catch on. Loved the communication and how direct Lukas was (and how she could see him so clearly! They are truly soulmates!)
I read Problematic Summer Romance twice since buying it, and some of my thoughts on that book reflect ones here. It was so cool to see kink explored but just like PSR I felt like the "taboo" of it was just sort of - teased, and not fully explored. There's more conversations and jokes about their shared ✨ interests ✨ than Lukas and Scarlett experiencing them together, and I feel like those conversations were happening too often. I would have loved to see them explore their list more - or more moments of "just them" together, without Pen hanging so heavily over them.
And Pen - she was an interesting character and the way she pushes them together was great for the drama - I just have a lot of thoughts about her role, and that also detracted from my overall enjoyment (though I do appreciate her friendship with Scarlett, excluding the rocky bits).
I did have a great time reading, and this had me looking up dives so I could visualize what was happening! I also loved all the cameos, there were so fun.
Tropes & Tags:
💜 college romance
🏊♀️ sports romance (swimming & diving)
💜 secret/forbidden relationship
🏊♀️ opposites attract
💜 slow burn
🏊♀️ best friend's ex