Deep End Paperback – 18 February 2025

Book so good.

I think we are officially heading into Ali Hazelwood territory because this was pure BRILLIANCE! At the heart of it all were two unforgettable characters: a fiercely competitive diver and a disciplined, ace swimmer. Both were written with so much care and realism that they felt like people I could know. As someone who is glued to the screen every Olympic season, this book was everything my sports-obsessed, book-loving heart could’ve dreamed of. as someone has rightly said, Ali Hazelwood doesn’t just write romance-she engineers it. i absolutely loved and lived for every scene Scarlett & Lukas were part of and if this is what ali brings in each of her book well that's QUEEN ENERGY right there. every emotion and every bit of romance, every interaction between these characters felt purposeful, and loaded with gravitas- every detail feels earned and every scene heavy with emotional intent. layered and matured adults grappling with real fears, burdens and dreams. and still, amid the chaos, they carved out moments of intimacy that makes your heart flutter. i'’m usually not one to gravitate toward the spicy romances. but if there was ever an author to nudge me past that threshold, i knew it wass Ali. and wow, did she DELIVER.

Love the information, sarcastic humour and the storytelling. Fab character building. It’s a perfect book with a lot of lows and fantastic highs

Great detailing and technicalities regarding the sports part of it doesn't make up for the repetition of same emotionally traumatized heroine ,some sexual deviation and introvert hero. But her humor is always very refreshing and so are her metaphors.. expecting more from her next one.I was waiting for a sports drama as enticing as Check mate but a little disappointed

4.5🌟honestly? At this point, I'd read anything @alihazelwood writes and will probably obsess over it completely. Like I did with this one (and the 6 other books I've read of hers so far 🤭)🥹🥰💗⁣⁣Deep End was very different from Ali's other books and I was kinda apprehensive because what if I didn't like it?? Of course it was all in vain because I don't think disliking any book of hers is even remotely possible! I mean, who knew I needed a college sports romance from Ms. Hazelwood?!🙈💘⁣⁣Scarlett Vandermeer, competitive diver and a junior at Stanford, is focused on working her way to med school and recovering from an injury that almost ended her career. Lukas Blomqvist, swim captain and olympian world champion swimmer, is also working his way to med school, living a life built on discipline and hard work. Both of them very few things in common until their well-guarded secret comes out in fron of each other and they realise just how much their taste aligns. And so the two start an arrangement, a mutually satisfying fling that heats up way too quickly for both of them to digest!⁣⁣Lukas and Scarlett had me obsessed!! They had great, smoking chemistry and some very well done 🌶🌶 scenes 👀🙈. They shared great banter, a staple in any Hazelwood romance which I absolutely loved, obviously! The book focused so much on diving and swimming and I was taken by surprise by how much I enjoyed and got interested in it as a sport. ⁣⁣My only issue was Pen, a mutual friend of Lukas and Scarlett, who was mentioned way too much for my liking and was such an important part of the story and sadly, I wasn't her biggest fan🤧⁣⁣To say I loved this book would be absolutely correct. I just could not put it down and would have literally read 100 pages more of it lol. Cannot wait for Ali Hazelwood to deliver a new book and for me to devour it! 🥹💘✨️⁣⁣🌟🌟🌟🌟✨️/5⁣⁣Thank you so much @hachette_india for sending this my way 💘🥰⁣⁣

Featuring The best human fictional boyfriend that could be written ladies and gentlemen- Lukas

Such a good book

⭐️ 4.75 ⭐️I loved everything about this book. Ali Hazelwood’s books have always been a hit or miss for me—there’s no in-between. So, I was quite surprised when I found myself getting addicted to this one.One of the things I appreciate about Ali Hazelwood’s books is how well-researched they are. Whether it’s STEM or another profession, she never does anything haphazardly. I’ve never been a sports person, but the way she wrote about it here made it feel natural and engaging—never boring or overwhelming.Now, let's talk about the characters. Lukas is Ali’s best MMC yet. I said what I said. He’s the most understanding, emotionally mature, and patient man ever. The way he loved and respected Scarlett? Chef’s kiss. There was a power dynamic between them, yet he was always so gentle, so patient. Even though Lukas is the MMC, it felt like his whole purpose was to uplift Scarlett, to help her become the best version of herself. His kindness and tenderness were just everything.And to all my girlies who have doubted themselves, who fear trying something new because they might not be good at it—you're going to love Scarlett. She felt so relatable. She’s now one of my favorite FMCs, and I truly admired her resilience, strength, vulnerability, and ability to push through adversities. Despite everything she faced, she was always kind, always supportive of Lukas. Their relationship was built on mutual love and respect, and it was so heartwarming to read.This is Ali Hazelwood’s spiciest book yet, but there was no toxicity, no disrespect, no mistreatment—just love in its softest, most tender form. It showed how love is about being there for each other. About having someone who holds you when you cry, who you want to run to after a long day because being apart feels unbearable.I also loved the friendship between Scarlett and Penn. Their bond played such an important role in the book, and it was refreshing to see a strong, supportive friendship alongside the romance. Their dynamic added so much depth to the story, and I loved how Penn was always there for Scarlett in his own way.Also, Lukas says things like:"From the very start, you had all the power. From the very start, I was in the palm of your hand."And yes, I got butterflies. Their chemistry was palpable, and the intimate scenes? Hot and swoony in the best way.The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars? I wasn’t a fan of the third-act breakup. It felt unnecessary and didn’t contribute much to the story.But overall? I adored this book and I HIGHLY, highly recommend it.