A review by pages_and_papercrafts
Beyond the Stroke by Erin Hawkins

4.5

This will be my recommendation forevermore when someone asks for a unique sports romance! Swimming! I loved it! From the rigorous training to the mental toll to body types to the teammate relationships…all of the authenticity portraying this sport was outstanding. And the romance aspect was just as good, engrossing and a perfect complement to the sporty aspect. Incognito artist with a black cat personality, Summer, travels to a small Carolina town where she is trying to find herself. Rory, a professional swimmer on the road the Olympics after an injury, knows she is for him. They stumble into a marriage of convenience which turns into more, after relentless patience and support on his part and learning to open up and trust on her part. Their story heartwarming, spicy and intimate, funny, and just…so good. 
Thanks to the author and PenPalPR for the gifted copy.