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emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood follows diver Scarlett who is dealing with a tough mental block after and injury. When one of her diving partners ends her long term relationship with Olympic swimmer Lukas and finds that Scarlett and Lukas have certain kinky sexual preferences in common, Scarlett finds herself in a deal with Lukas. But as they spend more time together, she finds herself drawn to him not just in the sexual way but as so much more.
I don't know who isn't liking this book but I absolutely loved this book. Ali Hazelwood is always an author I turn to if I need a good book that really is going to remind me of the love of reading. I just adore her characters and story so much and this was no different.
This book was a bit different for her as it explored kink and two characters who are exploring kink together and I think it was well done. I really loved how these two had a deep connection with each other and seeing them really talk about and understand each other's preferences.
I really love Ali's main characters cause they feel like they could be real people (minus the freakishly tall men). Scarlett is not perfect in any way and she struggles a lot with her self-confidence and who she is, especially after her diving incident. I really loved following her point of view because she just felt so real. She has a really complicated relationship with her father and was raised by her step-mother which I thought was really interesting. I also love Lukas. Ali's MMC's are always so complex and he was no different. It's intersting that he's from Sweden and seeing how he handles American culture versus his own. He's a very stoic person except when he's with Scarlett who he feels he can be his whole self with.
Also I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Olive and Adam are mentioned and featured a couple times in this book which made my Love Hypothesis loving heart so happy. I was literally freaking out when we got to finally see the two of them together instead of in their separate interactions with Scarlett.
I really loved the sports aspect of this. I did swimming just as a club in college and have watched Olympic level swimming and diving my whole life. I thought it was really interesting to get an inside look into how the collegiate level athletics is and what it takes for these swimmers to get to where they are. I really thought Ali did a good job balancing the sports element with the development of these two characters relationship.
Overall, I loved this book but it scratched a specific itch for me. If you are nto someone who is interested in kink or wouldn't like more sex scenes in an Ali book, I would say this probably won['t be for you. But if it does intrigue you and you are okay with more explicit scenes exploring kink and love sports romance, I think this is definitely worth the read.
I don't know who isn't liking this book but I absolutely loved this book. Ali Hazelwood is always an author I turn to if I need a good book that really is going to remind me of the love of reading. I just adore her characters and story so much and this was no different.
This book was a bit different for her as it explored kink and two characters who are exploring kink together and I think it was well done. I really loved how these two had a deep connection with each other and seeing them really talk about and understand each other's preferences.
I really love Ali's main characters cause they feel like they could be real people (minus the freakishly tall men). Scarlett is not perfect in any way and she struggles a lot with her self-confidence and who she is, especially after her diving incident. I really loved following her point of view because she just felt so real. She has a really complicated relationship with her father and was raised by her step-mother which I thought was really interesting. I also love Lukas. Ali's MMC's are always so complex and he was no different. It's intersting that he's from Sweden and seeing how he handles American culture versus his own. He's a very stoic person except when he's with Scarlett who he feels he can be his whole self with.
Also I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Olive and Adam are mentioned and featured a couple times in this book which made my Love Hypothesis loving heart so happy. I was literally freaking out when we got to finally see the two of them together instead of in their separate interactions with Scarlett.
I really loved the sports aspect of this. I did swimming just as a club in college and have watched Olympic level swimming and diving my whole life. I thought it was really interesting to get an inside look into how the collegiate level athletics is and what it takes for these swimmers to get to where they are. I really thought Ali did a good job balancing the sports element with the development of these two characters relationship.
Overall, I loved this book but it scratched a specific itch for me. If you are nto someone who is interested in kink or wouldn't like more sex scenes in an Ali book, I would say this probably won['t be for you. But if it does intrigue you and you are okay with more explicit scenes exploring kink and love sports romance, I think this is definitely worth the read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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 really enjoyed this book! It was exactly what I needed in a smutty book, great smut scenes but also an emotional connection and romance between the characters. There were also no miscommunications between the characters which I loved! There was very clear communication. Highly recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
This book was trully amazing. Her books are getting sipicier each time and i loved to read about this light BDSM. Hope you enjoy to.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
There are so many things to be mad and sad about in the world, but one thing I’ll never stop being thankful for is living in a time with access to all these amazing books and existing at the same time as greats like Ali Hazelwood. Every time I think the next Ali book can’t be as good as the previous one, she proves me wrong, and makes it even better. This may be like the 5th time I’m saying this, but this is surely my most favorite Ali Hazelwood book yet. Her writing is only going from strength to strength, full of humor and caustic observations on society with a strong emotional core, while showing off her mastery in research of wildly varied topics like neuroscience, computational biology, and the intricacies of competitive water sports; Ms. Hazelwood can literally do it all and do it with panache. You can tell from the dialog and prose and the confident command on any subject matter that she’s in the zone and in rare form at the moment, and I’m glad she’s writing exactly what she wants.
Scarlett Vandemeer is an anxious ball of insecurities wrapped in a socially awkward tortoise shell, tempered with type A perfectionism, academic and athletic brilliance, and severe traumas. Scarlett is everything and I wanted to be her and also wrap her in cotton wool and protect her at all costs. Like all AH heroines, Scarlett made me feel seen and taught me something about myself, and also inspired tf out of me. For someone uncomfortable with strong emotions, she’s melodramatic as all get out and funny as fuck. I would throw myself under a bus for her. And her dog. And her stepmom probably. I know I say this about a lot of characters but they’re my babies leave me alone.
Scarlett deserves the world; so enter Lukas Blomqvist; unflappable Swede, world class swimmer, major heartthrob, baby Dom (nothing baby about him), love of my life. Okay fine, Scarlett’s. That unflappable calm (I know I’m reusing that word), that unshakeable confidence, and the enviable control? Gods Ali could not have created a more perfect man if she was AI sent to my brain to download its deepest desires and create an AI human (the cool kind not the glitchy Frankenstein version). I’m utterly and irrevocably obsessed with him; you guys this is a parasocial emergency and I do not want to be rescued from it 😩 I clearly did not maximize my trip to Sweden, I should’ve kept my eyes and ears peeked for an Alexander Skarsgard type whose calling in life is taking utmost care of his girl. We all love a man written by a woman, but I personally would like Ms. Hazelwood to be assigned to the creation of custom men for the earth girlies (and gays and theys who so wish) by some higher celestial power. Pls, the dating pool is miserable around here.
But I digress. Scar and Lukas’s chemistry is gravity defying, earth shaking (an AH hallmark), and honestly even if they weren’t kinky lil mofos trying to find their match in this world, they’d set those pools on fire. But they are—as we’ve been warned by the author right from the start—and it’s glorious. As any young couple just dipping their toes in the kink pool (I need to stop with the aquatic analogies), they’re tentative and imperfect, but they’re experimental and sincere and so freaking compatible it hurts my painfully single soul. Their relationship is a slow, sensual exploration of kink, and a masterclass in consent. Now would I have liked to see a little more actual bondage etc? Yes, but you see that’s the beauty of an AH romance. It might dig into your deepest fantasies, but it’s always just realistic enough that it never seems out of reach and in this case, these two are just starting their kink journey so they obviously can’t go full dungeon master/sub. Regardless it’s so incredibly hot, several times in the book I wished I actually knew how to swim because I sure did feel the need for a plunge in an ice bath to cool down. Anyway, they’re emotionally as in tune as they are physically, not withstanding Scar’s issues, and I’m feral over them.
This is in large part Scarlett’s coming of age story; and her learning to balance her athletic aspirations with an intense academic schedule and a fulfilling social life had me in my feels (Lukas too but he’s a Swedish god and does not have mortal problems like an unbalanced life), as did the angst of her getting into a situationship and eventually falling for her teammate’s ex. I was either blushing furiously or swooning or teary eyed or smiling stupidly throughout this entire book and what else could I possibly want from it? I know, I want a Lukas. And barring that, I want to go back and reread it immediately just to get back the same giddy, weightless feelings. Also making me giddy were certain cameos (nice juicy ones), and that adorable little slice of perfection that was the epilogue.
Scarlett Vandemeer is an anxious ball of insecurities wrapped in a socially awkward tortoise shell, tempered with type A perfectionism, academic and athletic brilliance, and severe traumas. Scarlett is everything and I wanted to be her and also wrap her in cotton wool and protect her at all costs. Like all AH heroines, Scarlett made me feel seen and taught me something about myself, and also inspired tf out of me. For someone uncomfortable with strong emotions, she’s melodramatic as all get out and funny as fuck. I would throw myself under a bus for her. And her dog. And her stepmom probably. I know I say this about a lot of characters but they’re my babies leave me alone.
Scarlett deserves the world; so enter Lukas Blomqvist; unflappable Swede, world class swimmer, major heartthrob, baby Dom (nothing baby about him), love of my life. Okay fine, Scarlett’s. That unflappable calm (I know I’m reusing that word), that unshakeable confidence, and the enviable control? Gods Ali could not have created a more perfect man if she was AI sent to my brain to download its deepest desires and create an AI human (the cool kind not the glitchy Frankenstein version). I’m utterly and irrevocably obsessed with him; you guys this is a parasocial emergency and I do not want to be rescued from it 😩 I clearly did not maximize my trip to Sweden, I should’ve kept my eyes and ears peeked for an Alexander Skarsgard type whose calling in life is taking utmost care of his girl. We all love a man written by a woman, but I personally would like Ms. Hazelwood to be assigned to the creation of custom men for the earth girlies (and gays and theys who so wish) by some higher celestial power. Pls, the dating pool is miserable around here.
But I digress. Scar and Lukas’s chemistry is gravity defying, earth shaking (an AH hallmark), and honestly even if they weren’t kinky lil mofos trying to find their match in this world, they’d set those pools on fire. But they are—as we’ve been warned by the author right from the start—and it’s glorious. As any young couple just dipping their toes in the kink pool (I need to stop with the aquatic analogies), they’re tentative and imperfect, but they’re experimental and sincere and so freaking compatible it hurts my painfully single soul. Their relationship is a slow, sensual exploration of kink, and a masterclass in consent. Now would I have liked to see a little more actual bondage etc? Yes, but you see that’s the beauty of an AH romance. It might dig into your deepest fantasies, but it’s always just realistic enough that it never seems out of reach and in this case, these two are just starting their kink journey so they obviously can’t go full dungeon master/sub. Regardless it’s so incredibly hot, several times in the book I wished I actually knew how to swim because I sure did feel the need for a plunge in an ice bath to cool down. Anyway, they’re emotionally as in tune as they are physically, not withstanding Scar’s issues, and I’m feral over them.
This is in large part Scarlett’s coming of age story; and her learning to balance her athletic aspirations with an intense academic schedule and a fulfilling social life had me in my feels (Lukas too but he’s a Swedish god and does not have mortal problems like an unbalanced life), as did the angst of her getting into a situationship and eventually falling for her teammate’s ex. I was either blushing furiously or swooning or teary eyed or smiling stupidly throughout this entire book and what else could I possibly want from it? I know, I want a Lukas. And barring that, I want to go back and reread it immediately just to get back the same giddy, weightless feelings. Also making me giddy were certain cameos (nice juicy ones), and that adorable little slice of perfection that was the epilogue.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
This was so sweet! I was looking for something light hearted and fun and Deep End checked all the boxes.
I loved Scarlett and Lukas from page one. They had such a beautiful, caring and supportive relationship. This book is very spicy but the good kind of spice if you ask me. It was so well done. I enjoyed the swimming and diving aspect of the story and was rooting for Scarlett SO much. Side-characters like Pen and Barb were also pure bliss and so beautifully written.
I listened to the audiobook and it was just as good as the story itself. Lukas is Swedish and I loved his accent. I also loved the Duolingo references. (I'm currently learning Norwegian with Duolingo)
Just keeping this review short and sweet. It was wonderful, exactly what I needed right now. I love Scarlett and Lukas to bits and I can't recommend this book enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
I wanted to love this one more than I did. To get this out of the way, I like Lukas as a MMC. The clipped personality that warms up in the right circumstances was well-rendered. I found the relationship between him and Scarlett believable and well-developed.
I had a harder time with Scarlett. She was frustrating for a multitude of understandable reasons, and I wanted to warm to her more than I did. On one hand, I found her unwillingness to really do quality introspection for so much of the story difficult to enjoy. On the other hand, I totally get that the type of personal development she was undergoing is slow and difficult, but that doesn't make it easier to engage with.
I can't speak to specifics regarding the physical relationship between Lukas and Scarlett because I don't know a lot about BDSM and/or whether this relationship is a good or bad example of that particular world. As an outsider, it neither added nor distracted from their relationship and my investment in it. I did really enjoy them together overall, and I especially appreciated the resolution of the third-act breakup. The evolution of their relationship was believable and I did want to see them together.
I suspect a large aspect of my ambivalence toward the story is a matter of feeling too far removed from college to appreciate some of the story beats that are specific to college life (gossip, parties, cliques). But I still enjoyed it overall, and I completely understand if it hit for others more than it did for me.
I had a harder time with Scarlett. She was frustrating for a multitude of understandable reasons, and I wanted to warm to her more than I did. On one hand, I found her unwillingness to really do quality introspection for so much of the story difficult to enjoy. On the other hand, I totally get that the type of personal development she was undergoing is slow and difficult, but that doesn't make it easier to engage with.
I can't speak to specifics regarding the physical relationship between Lukas and Scarlett because I don't know a lot about BDSM and/or whether this relationship is a good or bad example of that particular world. As an outsider, it neither added nor distracted from their relationship and my investment in it. I did really enjoy them together overall, and I especially appreciated the resolution of the third-act breakup. The evolution of their relationship was believable and I did want to see them together.
I suspect a large aspect of my ambivalence toward the story is a matter of feeling too far removed from college to appreciate some of the story beats that are specific to college life (gossip, parties, cliques). But I still enjoyed it overall, and I completely understand if it hit for others more than it did for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse