Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Deep End

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

424 reviews

alliegator1015's review against another edition

4.0

funny fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Hands down my favourite Ali Hazelwood book to date!

With an addictive, character driven narrative and a DEEP focus on trust, overcoming fears, trauma and healing— I loved every second!

The emotional growth and journey our endearing MC, Scarlett, takes and the slow but swoonworthy relationship that grows between her and Lukas (who is far more caring and cinnamon roll-y than he first appears) was amazing. And the chemistry was absolutely scorching!

As was the level of trust, support and love that we see grow between them. Not to mention the pressures of their physically taxing disciplines (Scarlett’s a diver and Lukas an Olympic medal winning swimmer), the conflicting feelings Scarlett has about their arrangement, her best friend (who happens to be Lukas’ ex) and her growing feelings for Lukas.

I was seriously addicted and soo emotionally invested, I literally couldn’t put this down!

Oh, and before I forget, we’re also blessed with a cameo from my former fave Ali Hazelwood couple (Scarlett and Lukas have now stolen first place) I won’t spoil who they are, but if you’ve read Hazelwood’s previous STEM romances you’ll certainly recognise them!

Content Warnings

ericamiller96's review against another edition

3.0

emotional medium-paced

This was a like not a love. I started Love, Theoretically but never finished it so I don’t have much to compare this book to Ali Hazelwood’s other books. The BDSM wasn’t that bad and maybe it was just because I listened to this book, but sometimes the audio was a little cringey. I did not like the whole premise that they got together because of Pen, Lukas’s ex-girlfriend who everyone thinks is still together for MONTHS and then Scarlett and her become best friends?? Just feels so weird to me. And why fake that they are not broken up? Pen even starts dating another guy?? I didn’t like that Scarlett was putting Pen’s feelings above Lukas’s when she and Pen weren’t even close friends at the beginning. Did not love that Pen kept hanging around them. I think some of the words gave me the ick like saying “eyeballs” instead of “eyes” and some of the comparisons being super random like a broken waffle maker. I get that she is supposed to be nerdy and a little socially awkward so I get it but I just don’t love it. I did like that Lukas was helping Scarlett work through her mental blocks and past, just wish there was a little more dating involved. I also lived in San Francisco for a semester in college so I loved hearing about all the local areas like Palo Alto and Menlo Park!

Content Warnings

tashtoosh's review against another edition

4.0

emotional tense 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

This was my first Ali Hazelwood book, and it wasn’t my last! Like in many of her novels: 1) the FMC struggled with communicating her feelings and needs in the relationship, and 2) MMC swoops in, dix her down, and influences her to change.

There’s OD inner monologue from FMC, meaning the story is very character driven. I wouldn’t say that it is plot driven, but Hazelwood does use the events calendar by default to move the story along—term exams, swim meets, parties, etc. The sport is a large point of contention in the story.

Hazelwood does a wonderful job of developing the characters and building tension and anticipation, as per usual.

The spice was good and well written. Satisfying. Pleasurable. But for what is supposed to be her kinkiest work yet, it could’ve been kinkier. However, the spice was still enjoyable, and we got a good amount of it.

Content Warnings

rachelschloneger's review against another edition

3.75

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition

4.0

Excellent. Read in one sitting whilst delirious from back pain. A more than welcome respite.

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auntierarareads's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful reflective relaxing fast-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

Content Warnings

glotabor's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny inspiring sad tense 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: Complicated

Content Warnings

leclercs_wife_16's review against another edition

3.75

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

3readingcircus's review against another edition

3.0

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I really enjoyed the newbie, exploration in the beginning and thought it was cute. Anyone scandalized by this book never visited ao3 or ff.net.

FMC had literally dozens of Os. She should be studied by scientists, truly.

The OW drama really soured this book for me in the last third. It was bad enough that FMC was constantly worried what she would think early on, but then they both started prioritizing her.

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