Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Deep End

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

239 reviews

mellgo's review against another edition

4.0

emotional inspiring 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

By far not as kinky as suggested

Content Warnings

inglep's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

Content Warnings

kaylahcc's review against another edition

4.25

emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing 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: No

Content Warnings

felishacb's review against another edition

3.0

emotional fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book is okay, and from someone who isn't fluent in kink, the dynamics and consent in this book felt more approachable. Scarlett's obsessive self-talk centered around being used (and Lukas saying the same) during intimate scenes was an ick for me, at times.

To me, you do see their relationship develop and see them grow. You also get to see friendships that practice rupture and repair, as well as some nurturing love from Lukas's family and Scarlett's stepmom.

I do wish we would get away from this "no condoms" obsession, esp when these two are in undergrad. There's one scene early on that is supposed to be before they share STI testing results that is presented as a safe practice b/c there's no PIV. It's not.

Content Warnings

kassidyscatalogue's review against another edition

2.5

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

While I did enjoy the book, I found the main character, Scarlett, to be a bit unbearable at times. So many times I was yelling at the air "Why do we care about Pen?!"

Pen was literally dating another guy and Scarlett was still worried about whether she'd be mad Scarlet was dating her ex, even though she pushed them together.
And that brings me to another point. Scarlett was sooo oblivious to Lukas's feelings. He basically told her he wanted to be more than just friends with benefits and she never wanted to acknowledge it. I understand anxiety, as an anxious girl myself, but this is way beyond that in my opinion.

Also, I found some of the spicy scenes to be unrealistic. I know all bodies are different, but this girl orgasms like 5 times a session. I'm done after 2 max. And some of the positions seemed a little unrealistic. Not to mention the lack of all the kink they kept talking about. There was literally one kink in the whole book, power play, but they kept talking like they were gonna do all of these other things. They never explored any of these other options at all.

Overall, I did like the book but so many moments were unrealistic or frustrating and it really took me out of the story. I hope the next book I read by Ali Hazelwood goes a little better.

Content Warnings

chantale's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

reish3ll's review against another edition

3.0

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Review: The Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

Midway through The Deep End, I found myself enjoying the humor and the sprinkle of medical terminology—it added a nice layer of realism and wit to the story. But despite the promise of kink hinted at early on, by the time I reached the first spicy scene, I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed. For a book that’s supposed to dabble in BDSM, it felt… incredibly tame. Seriously, where’s that list they were filling out? I needed to know what they chose!

Lukas, our brooding Swedish lead, is kind of a jerk. Most of his behavior—especially the ghosting—gets brushed off with a “well, he’s Swedish” excuse, which didn’t sit right. And dreaming about Scarlett while still with Pen? Major ick. His whole “I’m into BDSM but not ball gags” vibe felt inconsistent. Like, if you’re gonna lean into kink, commit! Instead, we got something more like a watered-down Fifty Shades—predictable and trying a bit too hard to be edgy.

Scarlett, on the other hand, is every overused trope rolled into one: anxious, isolated, emotionally fragile. I feel like I’ve read this exact female main character in so many other romance novels. Where are the fun, well-adjusted women with full lives and support systems?

The ending didn’t help much either. The epilogue was basically just texts and a rushed engagement—where’s the depth? Give me a peek into their actual relationship post-diving drama!

Honestly, I think The Deep End would’ve been better as a straightforward sappy sports romance, with more focus on Scarlett’s fear of diving and personal growth. The writing wasn’t bad, but the story just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. That said, if you’re into mild spice, a sports backdrop, and don’t mind a bit of predictable drama, this one might still be your cup of tea.

Content Warnings