Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - Deep End

Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

202 reviews

eros_romantica's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Ali Hazelwood is either hit or miss with me. Though I appreciate her characters utilizing STEM and building strong female protagonist, sometimes the execution can be completely off. In this instance, her couple who are aspiring Olympians are trying to build tension while dealing with the competitive world of aquatic sports, there is very little tension or build-up of a courtship. Her main character Scarlett is flat and at times obnoxious so it's difficult for me to believe what attraction the love interest, Lukas, has to her. In addition, the publisher and author tease a little kink play in their relationship but fail to deliver and instead readers are treated to just some basic aggressive vanilla sex. The hint of BDSM is nonexistent so it's misleading to say that some of this would be displayed with the exception of it being discussed and not shown in the book. Lastly, the revelation in the finale just wanted me to toss this book across the room and really dampen any empathy I had for these characters. If you want to know what it is, please check out the spoiler part of this review. Overall, this is an okay read for me!

Content Warnings

kathis_wonderland's review against another edition

5.0

emotional lighthearted 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

Deep End is the newest book by Ali Hazelwood. Scarlett is a student platform diver and has rarely anything in common with Lukas, who is a swimmer. But when a friend of both blurts out that both are into kink, they decide to give have a mutual sexual relationship with nothing attached. Over time, they realise that they have more in common than they thought and leaving out feelings gets more difficult.

I was way too excited for Ali Hazelwood's newest book. But right after the release I had an exam and I could only start the book after that. When I started the book and realised that it was about kink (I somehow missed that the promotions) I was slightly scarred that it might be like 50 Shades of Grey. However, there was no need for fear. Ali Hazelwood is all about consent. I love that about her books. There was no pushing or any grey area, just consensual negotiations and trust. Both main characters seem to understand each other so well. And I love it so much when only the male main character calls the female main character by her full first name!

I don't know what else to say about this book. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The cover is to die for! And there still was academia even though the book was mainly about aquatic sports. I am a big Ali Hazelwood fan and can't wait for new books from her!

Content Warnings

suh_van_uhhh's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional funny slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

author2223's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

allieryanreads's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny lighthearted 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

Going with my gut feeling of 5, mainly because certain plot points meant a lot to me and my own healing journey. Definitely a decent amount of spice, so pay attention to the author’s note. I copied her list from her website below.

Reading this made me want to reread Check & Mate again soon.

Content Warnings

graciesimons18's review against another edition

4.0

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Ali Hazelwood does it again! This is definitely an adult romance featuring two college athletes falling in love. It’s never a surprise when you jump into an Ali Hazelwood and

within the first couple chapters a romance begins right away

, and I really appreciate that!

I consider a few of her other books to be in the YA category, but don’t be misled, this is definitely an adult romance. It is open door with very spicy scenes throughout. Featuring BDSM and Dom sub.

This is not my favorite type of romance genre, but she really does know how to write a heartwarming romance with true depth. She shows that trauma can bind us together but sometimes you have to move on from the past. She also portrays PTSD and mental blocks well in this book.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/4

Content Warnings

autumn_summer's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

Content Warnings

katharina90's review against another edition

3.5

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Overall this was a cute and enjoyable read, but not as spicy as advertised. It's a very Ali Hazelwood take on kink.

The third act conflict was ridiculous and unnecessary. Just immature drama and lack of communication.

MMC really carried this novel. He's not without flaws, but he made the book fun to read.

FMC, on the other hand, was pretty annoying and unconvincing as a character. So many things about her didn't make sense.

Content Warnings

kyras_reads's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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: N/A

Ali Hazelwood is without a doubt one of my comfort authors. Maybe not in the warm hug kind of way but I know I can expect humor and wit and an enjoyable story with smart characters that feel realistic.

I enjoyed this book so much! I’m a little sad I didn’t go in more blind and have some surprises but I got to it a few days too late to avoid any spoilers.

I think the only dynamic I wasn’t a huge fan of was the best friend’s ex situation and how that felt. Especially the farther into the book I got.

Lukas was a little different than the usual MMC’s of this universe but wow did I love that! Scarlett was my favorite though, which usually doesn’t happen. I can probably count on both hands the amount of times I’ve actually liked an FMC over an MMC in a romance book… but I loved Vandy the whole way through.

Bonus!! We got a cameo from some of her other characters, which I LOVE.

And listen… is there spice in this book? Yes. Is it particularly kinky? No… genuinely don’t think there’s almost any but it’s also possible that my kink meter is a little off. I read some wild stuff sometimes. But the spice was definitely spicin’ in this one!

Tropes

Sports Romance

He Falls First

Secret Relationship

Slow Burn

Best Friend’s Ex

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

lillianreads's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny 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: No

Content Warnings

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