Deep End: From the bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis Paperback – 4 Feb. 2025

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Lukas and Scarlett. I would have preferred that they explore that some more as it was indicated that Scarlett had very little actual relationship experience, so I would have liked to have explored her feelings more. Also Lukas was very one dimensional for the first half of the book especially around Scarlett and Pen in contrast to when seen with his team.I do feel that the mental block that Scarlett was experiencing was a very useful tool to talk about her mental health and the counselling also helped. But the dynamic that she had with Lukas really helped. I liked that this book showed that within a dynamic there a lot of emotions and that the most important thing is trust. Where I have said I would want to read more about the relationship and dynamic there would therefore need to also be something less. This would be the repetitive descriptions of the times that they were apart, their travel, the description of the planes and airports, some of the practicing. It felt like filler that didn't really add anything to the story when actually putting in more detail about trust, setting limits, power exchange dynamics and different circumstances of Lukas and Scarlett together would have. All that said I did really enjoy the story, once they finally got together I think that the dynamic what was shown of it was written well and I really like BDSM, kink and power exchange dynamics being brought out a bit more into the mainstream.

4.5✨Deep End is probably my favourite Ali Hazelwood book so far! I really appreciated the straightforward and mature conversations between the characters - it was such a refreshing change, especially in situations that could have easily led to frustrating miscommunication. Their interactions and sense of humour were great, and the cameos from Olive and Adam were a nice touch. Overall, I really enjoyed this one!

I am deeply in love with all Ali's books but this one has exceeded my expectations!The main characters are very lovable and their love story is simply perfect. When I read thag he is her best friend's ex, I was a bit skeptical thinking that it would be an incredibly toxic relationship but I was so wrong! The characters are very mature and kind and caring towards each other. I love the story about swimmers and divers because even though I have read lots of sports romance, this is the first one on this area and I simply loved it.I honestly cannot wait to Ali's next book because they make me incredibly happy!

So, this is my second time reading an Ali Hazelwood book, Bride being the first (a book I LOVED). I’m not too sure this hit the spot for me, honestly. Maybe my expectations were too high? The premise was perfect, the execution felt choppy.The biggest hurdle for me was the time jumps all over the place throughout the book. I’ve read some well written books that do this no problem, it’s not a reading comprehension thing, but this book was making me feel like I can’t bloody read. It ends up jumping forward weeks at a time within the same chapters, to the point where I genuinely thought people were teleporting. Really difficult to make sense of at times.There were three big meaningful “conversations” that ended the book, two of which felt ridiculously rushed and potentially underwritten. It built and built to a potentially really lovely scene that didn’t really happen, had plenty of nonsensical sentences and just ended in a badly timed smut scene. I was constantly waiting and waiting for something worthwhile to happen and it to scratch the itch, but it never really did…Overall, the characters were super complex and interesting. Lucas started off seeming a little slimy, but as the book progressed you learned more about him and the reasons for his actions and he became a much more lovable character. Maybe the reverse could be said for Scarlett? She starts off very lovable but towards the end I was getting truly fed up with her attitude towards Lukas and incessant need to pretend not to understand what Lukas was hinting towards.

This is such a cute and spicy romance I read this after a friend recommended it I’m normally a fantasy girly but this was a nice pallet cleanser romance!!

I really enjoyed this story. A gentle story of seizing and ceding control and a super spicy look into the results. Interesting characters, well plotted storyline, good humour and light angst. An overall very entertaining read.

This was a brilliant book very addictive I was rooting for the main characters all the way.

I love all of her books! This one was a very easy read! Read it in 2 days!