Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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:
Complicated
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:
Complicated
🌶️🌶️
This was the first book I’ve read by Erin Hawkins, and it definitely won’t be the last! First of all, how cute is the title when you realize that the FMC is a painter and the MMC is a professional swimmer. Secondly, speaking of the MMC, what a golden retriever snack Rory is! He was so sweet, thoughtful, loving, genuine, and just such a good guy. Not just with the FMC, but with his swim teammates, people in town, etc. And the FMC, Summer, is guarded and a pretty classic black cat, but with a big heart. I loved the humor in this book, the gentle determination Rory had to help Summer open up, and the support Summer showed Rory with his swimming. I also really appreciated all the mental images of hot swimmer bodies that this book conjured up. 😏. Definitely add this to your TBR for an easy fun read in a new world rife with hot swimmers (can you sense a theme of my interest in this book?😀).
What to expect:
🏊♂️ MMC Golden Retriever
👩🎨 FMC Black Cat
🏊♂️ Marriage of Convenience
👩🎨Forced Proximity
🏊♂️ Slow Burn
👩🎨 Small Town
🏊♂️ Sports Romance
👩🎨 Found Family
🏊♂️ Age Gap (8 years)
👩🎨 “My wife”
Thank you to Erin Hawkins and PenPal PR for the ARC. I voluntarily wrote this review and these are all my own, honest opinions.
This was the first book I’ve read by Erin Hawkins, and it definitely won’t be the last! First of all, how cute is the title when you realize that the FMC is a painter and the MMC is a professional swimmer. Secondly, speaking of the MMC, what a golden retriever snack Rory is! He was so sweet, thoughtful, loving, genuine, and just such a good guy. Not just with the FMC, but with his swim teammates, people in town, etc. And the FMC, Summer, is guarded and a pretty classic black cat, but with a big heart. I loved the humor in this book, the gentle determination Rory had to help Summer open up, and the support Summer showed Rory with his swimming. I also really appreciated all the mental images of hot swimmer bodies that this book conjured up. 😏. Definitely add this to your TBR for an easy fun read in a new world rife with hot swimmers (can you sense a theme of my interest in this book?😀).
What to expect:
🏊♂️ MMC Golden Retriever
👩🎨 FMC Black Cat
🏊♂️ Marriage of Convenience
👩🎨Forced Proximity
🏊♂️ Slow Burn
👩🎨 Small Town
🏊♂️ Sports Romance
👩🎨 Found Family
🏊♂️ Age Gap (8 years)
👩🎨 “My wife”
Thank you to Erin Hawkins and PenPal PR for the ARC. I voluntarily wrote this review and these are all my own, honest opinions.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
What a delightful book! Beyond the Stroke is the story of Summer, a woman trying to heal from her past relationships and determined to live life on her own terms, and Rory, an Olympic athlete recovering from injury and focused on living his life and career on his own terms. While on the outset these two seem like complete opposites, they both crave the same thing - to be truly seen and accepted for who they are and not what their families expect them to be. Their chance meeting kicks off a tenuous friendship that leads to a fake marriage that will help them both. What they don’t realize is that this marriage will lead them to a true relationship and a love that gives them exactly what they need.
I love a black cat x golden retriever couple. And Summer is a great black cat - she looks like her name, all warm breezes and soft golden hair - but she is prickly and protective and scowls like some people blink. Rory is her perfect counterpart - determined to help people, impervious to Summer’s scowls, and full of radiance and protectiveness. Their connection and evolution from acquaintances to friends is full of delicious heat and is the best kind of slow burn. Each of them has a complex family backstory and goals beyond their love story. Plus - no third act break-up, which made me feel like I was wrapped in a warm towel.
Besides these two great characters, we’ve got the town of Coral Cove and a bevy of characters both endearing and quirky. I love a quirky beach town and now I’ve added Coral Cove to my book-town vacation wish list. I’m ready for more of Rory’s teammates, of Summer’s fierce friend squad, and, of course, of Edgar the pug.
If you’re interested in fun and believable characters plus the sizzling slow burn that makes warm nights even hotter, grab this book. I know you will enjoy it.
I received an advance review copy for free from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love a good summer read, and Beyond The Stroke definitely delivers. It's engaging, swoon-worthy, and features an adorable dog you’ll wish was yours. I was hooked from page one and enjoyed the entire journey.
Tropes to Love:
🏠Forced Proximity
🏊♀️ Sports Romance
🐶Golden Retriever MMC
🐈⬛ Black Cat FMC
💍 Marriage of Convenience
🌶️Age Gap (8 yrs)
❤️Team Dynamics & Found Family
👰🏻♀️ “My Wife”
Rory Shields is a World Class swimmer coming back from injury and trying to stay focused as he goes for what will most likely be his last Olympic run. He’s returned home to Coral Cove in order to train and finds himself dodging his parents and ex-girlfriend’s attempts to get the two of them back together. She’s an ex for a reason and Rory isn’t interested in being a trophy for anyone. When Summer, the girl he recently saved tells his family she’s his wife to “save him” things get interesting real fast. What’s a little marriage of convenience between friends? Summer has loved living in Coral Cove after living on the road. She especially has loved painting without judgment. She wasn’t looking for attachments of any kind, but meeting Rory and his friends have started to make Coral Cove feel like home and remind her what it is to have people actually care about you.
I loved Rory and Summer! Rory's protective and loving nature shines through in how he supports his friends and Summer. With a big heart, he’s there for her despite all her insecurities and attempts to push him and other’s away. Summer is scarred by her past and is hesitant to let anyone in. However, Rory continues to prove to her that she’s worthy of love, respect and acceptance just as she is. These two have such great tension and don’t even get me started on the banter, that was top-tier! When they finally come together, it is sparks in the bedroom. The steam was giving, the spice was nice and the romance was perfection. The HEA will have you sighing in happiness. This was such an enjoyable read, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. 10 out of 10, I highly recommend.
***ARC Review***
Beyond the Stroke (Carolina Current #1) by Erin Hawkins
Release date: May 30th - Free on KU!
This was such a cute summer romance!
I loved the reverse Little Mermaid style meet-cute! Rory is down bad immediately to Summer's dismay 😅. He's our Sunshiney Golden Retriever (or dolphin!) to Summer's Grumpy Black Cat. She has mile-high walls up and couldn't be more clear that she's not interested in becoming friends (or more), but Rory is nothing if not persistent! He eventually wears Summer down so she'll allow him to hang around her 😂.
After a near-drowning, an asthma attack, and a nearly broken wrist, Rory is determined to help Summer, but she's too proud for her own good! Summer is in the small coastal town of Coral Cove to assert her independence, so she doesn't want to owe anybody anything for fear of strings being attached. She eventually accepts some of his help with a LOT of resistance.
They have similar family issues that leads to a deeper understanding of one another, so when Rory's family starts pressuring him to get back with his awful ex-girlfriend, Summer's protective instincts kick in. Next thing we know, she announces to them that she's his wife! When reality sinks in, Summer has regrets, but Rory convinces her to make it real to benefit them both. Rory's parents will be off his back so he can focus on his swimming career and Summer can get on his insurance and finally afford her much-needed inhaler!
The marriage of convenience doesn't take long to morph into more. Rory is so sweet, thoughtful, and gorgeous (hello, swimmer's bod!), and slowly but surely, he breaks down Summer's walls. He goes out of his way to show Summer how she should be treated and that she deserves the world! Their attraction is hard to ignore, and what's the point of living together and being married if you can't take advantage of the goods!? And they get STEAMY. 🥵
Erin has a way of writing banter and flirtation that I just love. Even though Rory and Summer moved quickly, I believed in their feelings and closeness and I melted over their relationship. I haven't met a man written by Erin yet that hasn't made me swoon! (You should check out her Accidentally in Love series! It's one of my faves!) Rory was no exception. In fact, he's high up on the list now!
I can't wait to see what's next for the series!
4.75⭐ 2.5🌶️
I received an advanced copy of this eBook, and this is my honest review. Thank you Erin Hawkins and Pen Pal PR for the ARC!
Beyond the Stroke (Carolina Current #1) by Erin Hawkins
Release date: May 30th - Free on KU!
This was such a cute summer romance!
I loved the reverse Little Mermaid style meet-cute! Rory is down bad immediately to Summer's dismay 😅. He's our Sunshiney Golden Retriever (or dolphin!) to Summer's Grumpy Black Cat. She has mile-high walls up and couldn't be more clear that she's not interested in becoming friends (or more), but Rory is nothing if not persistent! He eventually wears Summer down so she'll allow him to hang around her 😂.
After a near-drowning, an asthma attack, and a nearly broken wrist, Rory is determined to help Summer, but she's too proud for her own good! Summer is in the small coastal town of Coral Cove to assert her independence, so she doesn't want to owe anybody anything for fear of strings being attached. She eventually accepts some of his help with a LOT of resistance.
They have similar family issues that leads to a deeper understanding of one another, so when Rory's family starts pressuring him to get back with his awful ex-girlfriend, Summer's protective instincts kick in. Next thing we know, she announces to them that she's his wife! When reality sinks in, Summer has regrets, but Rory convinces her to make it real to benefit them both. Rory's parents will be off his back so he can focus on his swimming career and Summer can get on his insurance and finally afford her much-needed inhaler!
The marriage of convenience doesn't take long to morph into more. Rory is so sweet, thoughtful, and gorgeous (hello, swimmer's bod!), and slowly but surely, he breaks down Summer's walls. He goes out of his way to show Summer how she should be treated and that she deserves the world! Their attraction is hard to ignore, and what's the point of living together and being married if you can't take advantage of the goods!? And they get STEAMY. 🥵
Erin has a way of writing banter and flirtation that I just love. Even though Rory and Summer moved quickly, I believed in their feelings and closeness and I melted over their relationship. I haven't met a man written by Erin yet that hasn't made me swoon! (You should check out her Accidentally in Love series! It's one of my faves!) Rory was no exception. In fact, he's high up on the list now!
I can't wait to see what's next for the series!
4.75⭐ 2.5🌶️
I received an advanced copy of this eBook, and this is my honest review. Thank you Erin Hawkins and Pen Pal PR for the ARC!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Omg!!! A Black Cat, Golden Retriever sports romance with a side of marriage of convenience. Yes please. This book was such a fun read. The characters are amazing and you root for them from the moment that they meet.
There are so many wonderful moments. The story is original with believable characters that are endearing. I love the push and pull between summer and Rory. The side characters ended so much without distracting from the MC’s. I do feel that the family/ex plotline was sort of skimmed over and was a missed opportunity. But I am truly enjoyed it and am excited to see where the series goes so if you love a black cat versus golden retriever, small town, sports romance with tons of banter than this is for you.
There are so many wonderful moments. The story is original with believable characters that are endearing. I love the push and pull between summer and Rory. The side characters ended so much without distracting from the MC’s. I do feel that the family/ex plotline was sort of skimmed over and was a missed opportunity. But I am truly enjoyed it and am excited to see where the series goes so if you love a black cat versus golden retriever, small town, sports romance with tons of banter than this is for you.
Beyond the Stroke is the perfect summer read that had me laughing out loud during their meet cute!
Pick up this book if you love black cat FMC/golden retriever MMC, marriage of convenience, hilarious side characters, & small, beach town setting!
Rory Shields is a world champion swimmer recovering from an injury and while training in his small town he runs into Summer. She needs insurance, and he needs to get his meddling ex off his back so a marriage of convenience for the win!
I had a blast reading this book and love how Erin set up future books for the side characters. I did wish we had a confrontation with Summer’s parents or something. It felt kind of unfinished there on my end, and I adored the side characters so much that I wish they were in it more! I can’t wait for more books in this series, and now I want to go to the beach and find a professional swimmer!
Thank you to PenPal PR and Erin Hawkins for an arc!
Pick up this book if you love black cat FMC/golden retriever MMC, marriage of convenience, hilarious side characters, & small, beach town setting!
Rory Shields is a world champion swimmer recovering from an injury and while training in his small town he runs into Summer. She needs insurance, and he needs to get his meddling ex off his back so a marriage of convenience for the win!
I had a blast reading this book and love how Erin set up future books for the side characters. I did wish we had a confrontation with Summer’s parents or something. It felt kind of unfinished there on my end, and I adored the side characters so much that I wish they were in it more! I can’t wait for more books in this series, and now I want to go to the beach and find a professional swimmer!
Thank you to PenPal PR and Erin Hawkins for an arc!
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
This one was cute! I must say, I haven't read many swimmer romances so that a fun change. Rory saved Summer from drowning when she's cosplaying as a mermaid for a little girl's birthday party. Rory turned out to be nothing like I expected. He was a golden retriever and a walking green flag. Rory was instantly intrigued by her but Summer had her walls up high and was never planning on letting them down. I love how patient he was on waiting for Summer to figure things out. They had amazing chemistry & the banter was great. Also, I'm a sucker for a marriage of convenience and this one did NOT disappoint. It was set in a coastal town in North Carolina so this is a perfect summer read! Also, after that epilogue, I need to know what happens!
What to expect:
🏊🏻Age Gap
🩵Forced Proximity
🏊🏻Marriage of Convenience
🩵Golden Retriever MMC x Black Cat FMC
🏊🏻Swimmer MMC x Artist FMC
🩵No 3rd Act Break Up
Thank you Erin Hawkins & Pen Pal PR for this ARC!
What to expect:
🏊🏻Age Gap
🩵Forced Proximity
🏊🏻Marriage of Convenience
🩵Golden Retriever MMC x Black Cat FMC
🏊🏻Swimmer MMC x Artist FMC
🩵No 3rd Act Break Up
Thank you Erin Hawkins & Pen Pal PR for this ARC!
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beyond the Stroke by Erin Hawkins is a fun beach read. The book is set in the town of Coral Cove, and features Summer who has escaped the pressures of her former life having walked away from her toxic family and ex and relocated to this beach town. Rory, is an olympic level swimmer who spots Summer, a (literal) mermaid in distress and rescues her while she experienced an asthma attack during a side gig having gone wrong. The book features excellent banter, a fake marriage of convenience, an excellent cast of supporting characters and Edgar, the geriatric pug who was an added bonus!
Thank you to the author and Pen Pal PR for an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review. Will definitely look out for the next book in this series.