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emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first Ali Hazelwood-book, and it's always so funny to me when an author's background in fanfiction makes itself known on page (affectionate) 🤭
I also picked this book up mainly because I am, in fact, Swedish, and have worked at a public pool/gym for more or less 10 years, surrounded by friends and family who did competative swimming, and was endlessly curious about how accurate these very specific elements would be represented.
To be honest? I was happily surprised, and kind of impressed, lmao. Hazelwood sure did her research! 🤭
The few Swedish phrases and words sprinkled in were SO fun, and while Lukas might be the boldest Swede I've ever heard of, surrounded by other Swedes with, at times, very "grandpa"-sounding names, I feel the need to give Ali credit where credit is due, and applaud her for not using the standard "Swedish" name "Stig" for any of her characters. "Lukas Blomqvist" for one is a very believable name, and both my Dad and brother have "Jan" as their middle/"first" names, but a 20-something year old called "Gösta" is where I draw the LINE 😂
I also didn't expect this book to hit so many points I myself have struggled with, both with navigating high-stakes friendships and self-confidence dips, and even tho I don't necessarily think a (very light) BDSM-relationship is the way to go for me personally, it was kind of nice to see Scarlett grow and evolve with the support system she was building for herself. She was also just a very funny character, which is always a plus hshdhdh
All in all, I had a great time! I don't know if I'll be reading Hazelwood's other books, since this type of romance is not usually my thing, but who knows ! 👏
I also picked this book up mainly because I am, in fact, Swedish, and have worked at a public pool/gym for more or less 10 years, surrounded by friends and family who did competative swimming, and was endlessly curious about how accurate these very specific elements would be represented.
To be honest? I was happily surprised, and kind of impressed, lmao. Hazelwood sure did her research! 🤭
The few Swedish phrases and words sprinkled in were SO fun, and while Lukas might be the boldest Swede I've ever heard of, surrounded by other Swedes with, at times, very "grandpa"-sounding names, I feel the need to give Ali credit where credit is due, and applaud her for not using the standard "Swedish" name "Stig" for any of her characters. "Lukas Blomqvist" for one is a very believable name, and both my Dad and brother have "Jan" as their middle/"first" names, but a 20-something year old called "Gösta" is where I draw the LINE 😂
I also didn't expect this book to hit so many points I myself have struggled with, both with navigating high-stakes friendships and self-confidence dips, and even tho I don't necessarily think a (very light) BDSM-relationship is the way to go for me personally, it was kind of nice to see Scarlett grow and evolve with the support system she was building for herself. She was also just a very funny character, which is always a plus hshdhdh
All in all, I had a great time! I don't know if I'll be reading Hazelwood's other books, since this type of romance is not usually my thing, but who knows ! 👏
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content