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emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood is a sexy college sports romance that I just adored and cements that Ali is truly one of my fav contemporary romance authors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t know what to feel about this book. I loved Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist novels for how lighthearted and humorous they are so I’m not really digging the new direction she’s going with her stories.
Despite Lukas and Scarlett’s rather wholesome relationship development outside the bedroom, the kinky parts of the book really made me uncomfortable. But maybe I just don’t get BDSM as something that can be enjoyable for both parties, so in that sense, it was difficult for me to follow.
I appreciated that despite the premise of the book, it was set in a simpler, easier to understand setting of college. Although some of the technical terms of being an athlete (especially all the championships and touring) flew over my head.
I hated the implied love triangle, it really gave the idea that there’s no other fish in the sea. And the random conflicts near the end felt a bit unnecessary.
Despite Lukas and Scarlett’s rather wholesome relationship development outside the bedroom, the kinky parts of the book really made me uncomfortable. But maybe I just don’t get BDSM as something that can be enjoyable for both parties, so in that sense, it was difficult for me to follow.
I appreciated that despite the premise of the book, it was set in a simpler, easier to understand setting of college. Although some of the technical terms of being an athlete (especially all the championships and touring) flew over my head.
I hated the implied love triangle, it really gave the idea that there’s no other fish in the sea. And the random conflicts near the end felt a bit unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse
emotional
funny
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic friendship
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Ali Hazelwood, you genius *kisses her on the forehead* the subplot is one of my favorites yet. These characters are so interesting. I love the sports world and the very interesting dynamics in these friendships and relationships. It’s a departure from her formula and it works like a charm. I won’t harp on the tiny inconsistencies and critiques. My reviews have been so negative recently and I’m trying to turn over a new leaf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
slow-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
Type of read: Commuter Read.
What made me pick it up: Many of my fellow book club members and friends have read 'Deep End,' and I was looking for an easy read to help bump up some of my book numbers before a busy summer.
Overall rating: Predictable? Yes. Enjoyable? Also yes. There were definitely parts of 'Deep End' where I wondered how Hazelwood was going to keep the book going (seriously, some stretches were just so dang long), but in the end, I'm not mad at it. I also found myself nearly screaming at the FMC to get it together and stop caring what other people thought...but then I realized that's literally a premise of the book. As a fellow overachieving, anxious individual, it made me realize that a lot of the conversations or thoughts Scarlet was dealing with have also been things that have run through my mind in situations soooooooo, no room to talk. 😅 I do feel like the emphasis on kink was more present than the kink itself, but that's coming from an individual who welcomes trigger warnings and has read much, much worse than this.
Reader's Note: 'Deep End' includes themes of mental health; consensual sexual activity - including kink; and mental, emotional, and financial abuse.
What made me pick it up: Many of my fellow book club members and friends have read 'Deep End,' and I was looking for an easy read to help bump up some of my book numbers before a busy summer.
Overall rating: Predictable? Yes. Enjoyable? Also yes. There were definitely parts of 'Deep End' where I wondered how Hazelwood was going to keep the book going (seriously, some stretches were just so dang long), but in the end, I'm not mad at it. I also found myself nearly screaming at the FMC to get it together and stop caring what other people thought...but then I realized that's literally a premise of the book. As a fellow overachieving, anxious individual, it made me realize that a lot of the conversations or thoughts Scarlet was dealing with have also been things that have run through my mind in situations soooooooo, no room to talk. 😅 I do feel like the emphasis on kink was more present than the kink itself, but that's coming from an individual who welcomes trigger warnings and has read much, much worse than this.
Reader's Note: 'Deep End' includes themes of mental health; consensual sexual activity - including kink; and mental, emotional, and financial abuse.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Medical content, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked that it was funny - a lot of Hazelwood’s writing is which I appreciate. The ending felt rushed though. But maybe it’s just because I wanted more of the characters!
I didn’t know this book has a BDSM-type, kinky relationship in it, so be aware of that! It was not anything triggering, though, in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My favorite Hazelwood book that I have read so far is Love on the Brain and I am incredibly excited to continue to delve into her catalog of work. I will tell you that if I was rating this book on vibes alone it would be a 5. I absolutely loved escaping into Scarlett and Lukas' world.
However, I had a few problems with the characters and the way that they interacted with one another.
I particularly had some issues with Penelope throughout the book. First, it's a bit weird that Penelope recently broke up with Lukas, and only after that event her and Scarlett become best friends. Second, why does it need to be continually referenced that Penelope and Scarlett look so much alike? It was truly creepy when Scarlett kept being mistaken for Penelope at parties which was so unsettling. Third, Penelope constantly goes off about how specific Scarlett's sexual preferences are, but then we learn later in the book that Penelope has had three ways. I am not knocking anyone's sexual preferences at all, but I did find it weird that Penelope is fixated on what Scarlett enjoys in bed and acts a bit like it's so specialized but Penelope is also exploring various aspects of her sexuality. It just felt like something that did not connect. Finally, what was with the plot line with the rival diver not liking Penelope? I would like to point out that to a certain extent, that character was correct given what happens later in the book, but why is it a fundamental part of Scarlett's personality that she must defend her friend with no evidence? This just felt a bit like infighting among very talented women for no reason.
I also wasn't particularly comfortable with the fact that Lukas and Scarlett were keeping their relationship a secret because Penelope wanted them to. I mean Penelope wanted to end her relationship with Lukas. Why did she not want people to know? We of course learn later that Penelope and or one of the other girls on the team thinks that they are destined to be together... so it makes things even worse. Please date my ex Scarlett you are well matched sexually, but don't catch feelings because really he's still mine was a little cringe.
This book is messy. So, if you love complicated group dynamics and relationship drama you will likely enjoy this book because it's got a lot of that going for it. The romance component is sweet in quite a few ways that give you what you want from a romance. Overall the vibes are fun.
However, I had a few problems with the characters and the way that they interacted with one another.
I also wasn't particularly comfortable with the fact that Lukas and Scarlett were keeping their relationship a secret because Penelope wanted them to. I mean Penelope wanted to end her relationship with Lukas. Why did she not want people to know? We of course learn later that Penelope and or one of the other girls on the team thinks that they are destined to be together... so it makes things even worse. Please date my ex Scarlett you are well matched sexually, but don't catch feelings because really he's still mine was a little cringe.
This book is messy. So, if you love complicated group dynamics and relationship drama you will likely enjoy this book because it's got a lot of that going for it. The romance component is sweet in quite a few ways that give you what you want from a romance. Overall the vibes are fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse