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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Beyond the Stroke is the first in the Carolina Current Series by Erin Hawkins. I was excited for this one and it made me smile so hard!
I loved this new world that Erin created, the swimming team, siblings, friendships, found family and much more.
I enjoyed a lot the dynamic between Rory and Summer! Their meet cute was so fun and seeing their relationship grow was amazing. I was giggling and kicking my feet!
This story was heartwarming and inspiring. It was a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to go back to Coral Cove!
“He’s like the ocean waves slamming against the rocks. No matter how much resistance there is, he keeps showing up, eroding my defenses in a way that’s natural and unstoppable.”
A cute and steamy swimming romance. Just what I needed.
What I liked:
I love the chemistry between Summer and Rory. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and I really enjoyed the relationship growth.
Edgar is flipping adorable.
Rory’s team is great. I really enjoyed the dynamic between all the guys and am excited to get some more from them.
What didn’t work for me:
I wanted just a little bit of conflict. It felt like Rory & Summer’s relationship was too easy. I don’t necessarily need a 3rd act breakup, but some kind of tension or conflict along the way would’ve added just that bit more for me.
Thank you to the author and Pen Pal PR for this e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A cute and steamy swimming romance. Just what I needed.
What I liked:
I love the chemistry between Summer and Rory. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and I really enjoyed the relationship growth.
Edgar is flipping adorable.
Rory’s team is great. I really enjoyed the dynamic between all the guys and am excited to get some more from them.
What didn’t work for me:
I wanted just a little bit of conflict. It felt like Rory & Summer’s relationship was too easy. I don’t necessarily need a 3rd act breakup, but some kind of tension or conflict along the way would’ve added just that bit more for me.
Thank you to the author and Pen Pal PR for this e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Erin Hawkins and Pen Pal PR for sending me an ARC! (Literally screamed to myself in my kitchen when I saw the book funnel link come through 😅😅)
This is a true black cat/golden retriever rom com - Summer is a secret artist who is guarded from her past, Rory is the golden retriever golden boy of their town who works his way past all of her defenses. This book had me squealing and kicking my feet, crying, laughing my booty off, and every emotion in between. Erin Hawkins never fails to create a killer love story with characters you always fall in love with and she just hit another one out of the park!
This is a true black cat/golden retriever rom com - Summer is a secret artist who is guarded from her past, Rory is the golden retriever golden boy of their town who works his way past all of her defenses. This book had me squealing and kicking my feet, crying, laughing my booty off, and every emotion in between. Erin Hawkins never fails to create a killer love story with characters you always fall in love with and she just hit another one out of the park!
I would like to thank the author and Pen Pals Pr for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This was so cute! The mermaid meet cute was the cutest I think I’ve ever read and I loved the hero’s consideration for the heroine. Also loved the pug!
This was so cute! The mermaid meet cute was the cutest I think I’ve ever read and I loved the hero’s consideration for the heroine. Also loved the pug!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
No
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
I love when a book hits all the right notes—like a golden retriever hero, a prickly artist heroine, a fake marriage, and a beach town that makes you want to pack your bags. Beyond the Stroke: SUMMER by Erin Hawkins gave me all of that and then some.
Summer is a traveling artist who’s sworn off love after escaping a toxic ex and growing up with parents who made marriage look like misery. Then a mermaid cosplay mishap lands her—literally—in the arms of Rory Shields, Olympic swimmer and town golden boy. When his overbearing family and ex start meddling, Summer blurts out that they’re married. Oops. But also… maybe brilliant?
What starts as a fake marriage quickly turns into something deeper. Rory is sunshine and steadfastness. Summer is guarded but tender. Their chemistry is so good, the slow burn is delicious, and the emotional layers? Deep and satisfying.
I love Erin Hawkins' books because they’re laugh-out-loud funny but always grounded in heart and connection. The characters feel real, messy, and worth rooting for.
If you love marriage of convenience, fake relationships to real love, slow burns, and romances that balance humor with emotional depth, add this to your summer reading list immediately.