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emotional
funny
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
I am convinced that Ali Hazelwood could write a grocery list, and it would be a five star read for me. As per usual, the characters are expertly done and feel very realistic. The relationship between our MMC and FMC is also well balanced. The third act break up managed not to put a sour taste in my mouth.
PROS:
🩱The Twisties
🩲Mental Health
🩱Sub & Dom relationship
🩲Top tier spice
🩱The drama
🩲The science
CONS:
🩱Penelope
🩲The men in Scarlett’s life before
🩱Past trauma
🔟🔟🔟🔟🔟’s across the board
Also known as, a 5 out of 5
PROS:
🩱The Twisties
🩲Mental Health
🩱Sub & Dom relationship
🩲Top tier spice
🩱The drama
🩲The science
CONS:
🩱Penelope
🩲The men in Scarlett’s life before
🩱Past trauma
🔟🔟🔟🔟🔟’s across the board
Also known as, a 5 out of 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
funny
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
I really loved Lukas, Scarlett drove me crazy at times but her character made a lot of sense. The whole plot was very Hazelwoo, but I really liked the friendship aspects a lot. I’m just going to say it now, the sex was very tame for a “BDSM” relationship. It felt also comical at points, especially how much she came with no preambles.
Fuckbuddies to Love, 3 3/4 🔥
"Confidence is showing up, and trying, and not giving up because deep in your heart you know who you are and what you are capable of."
Fuckbuddies to Love, 3 3/4 🔥
"Confidence is showing up, and trying, and not giving up because deep in your heart you know who you are and what you are capable of."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse
adventurous
hopeful
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
🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma
lighthearted
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
Besides all the spice or smut (which you are able to skip out of your own free will), this is an unironically good beginner romance book. Nothing toxic, everything was consensual and it was only corny once, or twice, and probably thrice. Only thing that bothered me was Pen. How the FMC didn’t immediately square up? Idk.
I need better morals.
I need better morals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
Re-read 9/3 - 9/4. 5 ⭐️
I knew that I would love this book. I will read the shit out of Ali Hazelwood’s books and love every single second of it.
Lukas Blomqvist and Scarlett Vandermeer.
Lukas by far is one of the best Main Male Characters that I’ve had the pleasure of reading about.
This might be my favorite Ali Hazelwood book so far.
I knew that I would love this book. I will read the shit out of Ali Hazelwood’s books and love every single second of it.
Lukas Blomqvist and Scarlett Vandermeer.
Lukas by far is one of the best Main Male Characters that I’ve had the pleasure of reading about.
This might be my favorite Ali Hazelwood book so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was a fun read. I loved Lukas and Scarlett together. Although I did feel Lukas dropped Scarlett a lot for Penelope. But other than that I loved them together
Penelope was definitely not a good friend to either Lukas or Scarlett. Honestly I got the feeling she broke up with Lukas because she caught feelings for her TA and she didn't want to feel bad and just blamed the break up on her and Lukas's incompatibility in the bedroom. I feel she put way too much blame on Lukas.
And then towards the end Penelope had no right to be upset about Scarlett and Lukas. Although I did see that 3rd act break up coming a mile away when none of their friends know about pen and Lukas's break up.
Overall this was a really great read. The 3rd act break up was annoying and unnecessary. But I really enjoyed it. I works certainly recommend.
Penelope was definitely not a good friend to either Lukas or Scarlett. Honestly I got the feeling she broke up with Lukas because she caught feelings for her TA and she didn't want to feel bad and just blamed the break up on her and Lukas's incompatibility in the bedroom. I feel she put way too much blame on Lukas.
And then towards the end Penelope had no right to be upset about Scarlett and Lukas. Although I did see that 3rd act break up coming a mile away when none of their friends know about pen and Lukas's break up.
Overall this was a really great read. The 3rd act break up was annoying and unnecessary. But I really enjoyed it. I works certainly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Death of parent
medium-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
This is not my fav of Ali's books, but I did still enjoy it. Just didn't really blow me away *shrug*
We didn't get to see a lot of Scarlett and Lukas together outside of sexy times which makes sense logistically cause they're traveling, busy athletes, and also they are not actually dating. I personally think we could've gotten a bit more swoony romance, if they had entered into this sexual arrangement, but then they like: couldn't stop talking, even on trips, or did spend more time together. The moments they are together, Lukas is being Scarlett's pseudo-therapist, which like, we love a supportive man. IDK I just wanted more!
Someone told me Deep End is to kink relationships as Bride is to omegaverse - and I think that sums it up perfectly.
For a sports romance there is a good amount of actual sports (diving, barely any swimming) as someone who knows nothing about that sport it seemed accurate, but a diver might have a different opinion?
Pen is actually the worst friend ever and she treats both Scarlett and Lukas horribly, and they forgive her for what reason? idk she needs to go to therapy herself.
Also like what did happen to those other divers who suddenly weren't able to compete? Was Pen's test a false positive like they said or was there funny business? I know that's not the point of this book, but it seemed funny to bring up all these like bullying girls and nefarious possibilities and in the end it was just all coincidence?
Anyway, of course Ali is good at writing men so Lukas was great and I really appreciated the storyline of Scarlett's mistrust of men in general (so real) and how that was handled so delicately from Lukas entering her life and this relationship.
I did also realize that Swedish accents? not my thing
We didn't get to see a lot of Scarlett and Lukas together outside of sexy times which makes sense logistically cause they're traveling, busy athletes, and also they are not actually dating. I personally think we could've gotten a bit more swoony romance, if they had entered into this sexual arrangement, but then they like: couldn't stop talking, even on trips, or did spend more time together. The moments they are together, Lukas is being Scarlett's pseudo-therapist, which like, we love a supportive man. IDK I just wanted more!
Someone told me Deep End is to kink relationships as Bride is to omegaverse - and I think that sums it up perfectly.
For a sports romance there is a good amount of actual sports (diving, barely any swimming) as someone who knows nothing about that sport it seemed accurate, but a diver might have a different opinion?
Also like what did happen to those other divers who suddenly weren't able to compete? Was Pen's test a false positive like they said or was there funny business? I know that's not the point of this book, but it seemed funny to bring up all these like bullying girls and nefarious possibilities and in the end it was just all coincidence?
Anyway, of course Ali is good at writing men so Lukas was great and I really appreciated the storyline of Scarlett's mistrust of men in general (so real) and how that was handled so delicately from Lukas entering her life and this relationship.
I did also realize that Swedish accents? not my thing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Death of parent
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
another day another ali hazelwood book !
i liked it well enough?! i had fun!?!
my hang-ups are kinda specific to my own personal preferences i think? like im not sure if the majority of people feel this way or if im just being pedantic... ANYWAYS!
i couldnt buy into vandy/luk's relationship -- there was something about it that just didnt feel authentic. not sure if this is a ~ spoiler ~ really bc, well, its a romance book ! BUT ill cover it anyways! --> i love love love when we finally get the 'i love you' reveals! its my fave part of a romance book - but this one? idk, i was pretty indifferent about it :(
their relationship felt very shallow (pun not intended). it wasnt bad per se but it felt lackluster. i wanted to love them together but by the end i didnt really think they were compatible beyond their shared kinks.
on a positive note ! i will say omg yay i love bi inclusion ! from a fellow bi, we loveeee to see it!
i want to go more in depth but i simply dont think i have it in me! long story shooooort: it was straightforward and fun but lacked a certain depth. there were a lot of themes that couldve been fleshed out and used to make this story more rich and that just didnt happen. not a terrible thing but kinda disappointing!
its not my least favorite ali hazelwood book - not even close! but its not my fave. i AM happy i bought it, its super cute and looks great on my bookshelf :) im sure ill re-read it some day!
excited to see what miss ali does next :P
i liked it well enough?! i had fun!?!
my hang-ups are kinda specific to my own personal preferences i think? like im not sure if the majority of people feel this way or if im just being pedantic... ANYWAYS!
i couldnt buy into vandy/luk's relationship -- there was something about it that just didnt feel authentic. not sure if this is a ~ spoiler ~ really bc, well, its a romance book ! BUT ill cover it anyways! -->
their relationship felt very shallow (pun not intended). it wasnt bad per se but it felt lackluster. i wanted to love them together but by the end i didnt really think they were compatible beyond their shared kinks.
on a positive note ! i will say omg yay i love bi inclusion ! from a fellow bi, we loveeee to see it!
i want to go more in depth but i simply dont think i have it in me! long story shooooort: it was straightforward and fun but lacked a certain depth. there were a lot of themes that couldve been fleshed out and used to make this story more rich and that just didnt happen. not a terrible thing but kinda disappointing!
its not my least favorite ali hazelwood book - not even close! but its not my fave. i AM happy i bought it, its super cute and looks great on my bookshelf :) im sure ill re-read it some day!
excited to see what miss ali does next :P
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ali Hazelwood is either hit or miss with me. Though I appreciate her characters utilizing STEM and building strong female protagonist, sometimes the execution can be completely off. In this instance, her couple who are aspiring Olympians are trying to build tension while dealing with the competitive world of aquatic sports, there is very little tension or build-up of a courtship. Her main character Scarlett is flat and at times obnoxious so it's difficult for me to believe what attraction the love interest, Lukas, has to her. In addition, the publisher and author tease a little kink play in their relationship but fail to deliver and instead readers are treated to just some basic aggressive vanilla sex. The hint of BDSM is nonexistent so it's misleading to say that some of this would be displayed with the exception of it being discussed and not shown in the book. Lastly, the revelation in the finale just wanted me to toss this book across the room and really dampen any empathy I had for these characters. If you want to know what it is, please check out the spoiler part of this review. Overall, this is an okay read for me!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Classism