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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
Beyond the Stroke is the first book in Erin Hawkins new sports romance series following the swimmers of the Carolina Current swim team. This is a marriage of convenience story between secret artist Summer and veteran swimmer Rory.
Rory needs to focus on his swim career and keep his parents and ex girlfriend off his back and after rescuing Summer from the ocean dressed as a mermaid, Rory knew his world was about to change. With Summer’s past she doesn’t trust herself to let people in but there’s something about Rory and his walking green flags that has Summer softening to him.
Quickly but slowly, Summer and Rory get to know each other and the ease they experience together solidifies their friendship foundation and strengthens their connection which only intensifies their chemistry when they finally take that step. I really enjoyed the found family team dynamic of the relay swimmers and can’t wait for each of their stories. After the second epilogue, I’m excited about the next story and hope it’s who I think it’s about.
Thank you @authorerinhawkins and @penpalpr for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback
Rory needs to focus on his swim career and keep his parents and ex girlfriend off his back and after rescuing Summer from the ocean dressed as a mermaid, Rory knew his world was about to change. With Summer’s past she doesn’t trust herself to let people in but there’s something about Rory and his walking green flags that has Summer softening to him.
Quickly but slowly, Summer and Rory get to know each other and the ease they experience together solidifies their friendship foundation and strengthens their connection which only intensifies their chemistry when they finally take that step. I really enjoyed the found family team dynamic of the relay swimmers and can’t wait for each of their stories. After the second epilogue, I’m excited about the next story and hope it’s who I think it’s about.
Thank you @authorerinhawkins and @penpalpr for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback
Rory & Summer 🥰
I’m a sport romance girly.. but now? I’m a pro swimmer romance girly! 😉
Rory is a pro swimmer whose main priority has always been swimming. Until he meets Summer. Summer is an artist who ran away from her rich family to make it on her own. They enter into a “fake marriage” to ward off Rory’s family and to help Summer with her medical insurance (thanks a lot, Americas health system 🙄) but is it fake?
Ahhhh these two! 🥵
can’t wait for this series to continue!
🏊 marriage of convenience | sports romance | he falls first
I’m a sport romance girly.. but now? I’m a pro swimmer romance girly! 😉
Rory is a pro swimmer whose main priority has always been swimming. Until he meets Summer. Summer is an artist who ran away from her rich family to make it on her own. They enter into a “fake marriage” to ward off Rory’s family and to help Summer with her medical insurance (thanks a lot, Americas health system 🙄) but is it fake?
Ahhhh these two! 🥵
can’t wait for this series to continue!
🏊 marriage of convenience | sports romance | he falls first
𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎
★★★★★
Oh my goodness I fear that has to be a new favorite of mine! The entire time I was reading this I either looked unhinged because I could not stop smiling or I was blushing from the chemistry between these two 🤭
Their meet cute was adorable honestly—Summer almost drowning while dressed in costume for a job to make some extra money and Rory coming in and saving her… priceless. That man literally was obsessed from that moment on. After running into each other again and honestly Rory not wanting to lose her they form a friendship that is so precious. The way he is so protective over her but lets her shine—stop it right now!
After a turn of events they realize an arranged relationship/marriage of convenience would benefit them both. Right from the start the tension and chemistry between these two had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. This man whimpers y’all… WHIMPERS. A man who yearns is a man who earns my friends. This man paid attention to everything she said and remembered it all.
I truly have no notes and I can’t wait to dive further into this series with the other swimmers on the team.
If you are wanting a cute, cozy, but steamy rom-com literally look no further because this was just what I needed!
𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
- grumpy x sunshine
- golden retriever MMC
- professional swimmer x artist
- so many cute dogs 🥹🦮
- marriage of convenience
- a man who is down bad from the start
- no third act breakup BABY!!
- oh and there is an age gap—HELL YES
THANK YOU to PenPal PR for the ARC!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
This book had me giggling and swooning, but also really feeling for the characters. It's a romcom with a side of serious. Everything about Rory is a green flag, and his golden retriever energy is exactly what was needed to break down Summer's walls. I'm in love and can't wait to see what's next in the series.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
“That’s it. That’s the moment I fall completely, irreversibly, fuck-it-all-in love with her.”
I’m not exactly sure what Erin Hawkins put in this book, but I ✨INHALED IT✨ at an ungodly rate. I was kicking my feet and giggling like a school girl because of Rory. The man is such a charmer and so freaking sweet. And Summer? I love how we see her finally start to let her walls fall and allow herself to be vulnerable and open up to Rory. These two are a match made in heaven and I honestly couldn’t have loved this book anymore than I did. I am so excited to continue this series and absolutely can’t wait for book two!
I’m not exactly sure what Erin Hawkins put in this book, but I ✨INHALED IT✨ at an ungodly rate. I was kicking my feet and giggling like a school girl because of Rory. The man is such a charmer and so freaking sweet. And Summer? I love how we see her finally start to let her walls fall and allow herself to be vulnerable and open up to Rory. These two are a match made in heaven and I honestly couldn’t have loved this book anymore than I did. I am so excited to continue this series and absolutely can’t wait for book two!
Such a cute and fun read that stole my attention from the very start. The meet cute between Rory and Summer was hilarious and one of those moments that just steals the show letting you know this book is going keep you invested. Summer has had her fair share of problematic relationships and she is determined to find herself, but when Rory saves her life and they both need each other’s help things start to change. Rory was so adorable at times and other times that mouth on him (insert evil smirk) and Summer tried her best to be independent keeping her walls firmly in place, but fate has other plans. I enjoyed this book so much it was cute, fun, emotional all in one.
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
ARC REVIEW
Rating: 4/5 stars
Spice: 2/5
This is the perfect summer romance book! Swimming romances are becoming one of my new favorite sports to read. Rory and Summer's story was adorable and super charming.
Rory was the perfect Golden Retriever MMC. He was so sweet and protective of Summer, even though he didn't know her that well. Summer was the complete opposite of him, her being a black cat FMC. Despite how hard she tried to push Rory away, it didn't work. Both Rory and Summer had insecurities, but with the help of each other, they were able to overcome some of those fears. I loved seeing Summer learn to open up to Rory and become comfortable leaning on him when she needed someone. Rory also needed someone he could rely on, as he is so used to being the one everyone needs.
I will say I wish we got more background on Rory and his family, along with his ex. I feel like that was supposed to be a big part of the plot, but it sorta got glossed over in the end.
Thank you, Erin and Pen Pal PR, for the eARC.
Tropes:
- Fake Marriage
- Small town
- Forced proximity
- Age Gap
- Grumpy (her) x Sunshine (him)
- Pro Swimmer MMC
- Found family
- He falls first
Rating: 4/5 stars
Spice: 2/5
This is the perfect summer romance book! Swimming romances are becoming one of my new favorite sports to read. Rory and Summer's story was adorable and super charming.
Rory was the perfect Golden Retriever MMC. He was so sweet and protective of Summer, even though he didn't know her that well. Summer was the complete opposite of him, her being a black cat FMC. Despite how hard she tried to push Rory away, it didn't work. Both Rory and Summer had insecurities, but with the help of each other, they were able to overcome some of those fears. I loved seeing Summer learn to open up to Rory and become comfortable leaning on him when she needed someone. Rory also needed someone he could rely on, as he is so used to being the one everyone needs.
I will say I wish we got more background on Rory and his family, along with his ex. I feel like that was supposed to be a big part of the plot, but it sorta got glossed over in the end.
Thank you, Erin and Pen Pal PR, for the eARC.
Tropes:
- Fake Marriage
- Small town
- Forced proximity
- Age Gap
- Grumpy (her) x Sunshine (him)
- Pro Swimmer MMC
- Found family
- He falls first
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Such a great read!! This was my first book by Erin Hawkins and I will definitely be picking up more by her after this one!! This is the perfect summer read. Check this one out if you like fake dating and forced proximity! I loved Summer and Rory, I thought the banter between them was so well done. I’m looking forward to reading more by Erin Hawkins!
Thank you Erin Hawkins and PenPal PR for the advanced copy!! All opinions are my own.
Thank you Erin Hawkins and PenPal PR for the advanced copy!! All opinions are my own.