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Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse
Vandy was a likeable though annoying protagonist, often overthinking and hesitating to a very frustrating degree which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't a key plot mechanic at times (eg the final act- predictably) where there were many simpler or more exciting alternative solutions to a dilemma. Also, for a genius academic and world-class diver, the anxiety didn't seem to add up or contribute meaningfully to Vandy's character other than as a lukewarm plot device to further the romance angst. Lukas, however, was a delightful green flag of a love interest, not very complex but attractive, successful, emotionally intelligent and possibly the most patient and supportive man on the planet THANK GOODNESS or Vandy would never get anywhere on her own, getting in her own way all the time. Lukas being so dependably calm, confident, and (clearly) adoring of Vandy kept me reading. Those are nice vibes, even if they lower the stakes quite considerably.
Reading the blurb I thought this was more of an enemies to lovers vibe but I wasn't disappointed at this dynamic either. The story did very much hinge on the protagonists' shared kinky bedroom preferences which ended up not being very kinky at all, and seemed to be abandoned altogether once the relationship escalated to more than just sex, but were still fun while they lasted.
Overall this was fine, a familiar, comfortable romance for when that's all you need.
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent
I, as always, hate the word c*nt used in a sexual context! I feel like a broken record because this is like the third or fourth review this year where I mention this.
Lukas and Scarlett are barely legal and I’m just too old to fully enjoy a college setting. I’m a decade older than Lukas! I would have preferred them to be aged up and maybe both training at the same swim/dive center in their mid-twenties. That being said, it was still an excellent book and worthy of the hype.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Mental illness
Character building, world building, character depth of emotions and realistic relationship highs and lows.
Well composed- I did audio, not reading.
Loved it.
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Alcohol