New Release: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
ON OUR BOOKSHELF
Deep End
by Ali Hazelwood
A kinky new-adult sports romance by the STEM queen!
Anything Ali writes, I will read. Actually, anything Ali writes, my sisters and I will read. We’re obsessed. We love her writing, the STEM and the romance. In our minds and hearts, Ali can do no wrong. So when she ventures outside of her contemporary STEM romances, we’ll be among the first to pre-order and read her books. Because this love runs deep!
So, let’s dive in!
After 18 months of recovery from a freak accident at NCAA championships, D1 diver, Scarlett, is doing her best to keep her head literally and figuratively above water. But with her junior year classes off to a rocky start and her head still a jumbled mess from the accident, she’s far from in-control over her life. And she thrives on control.
So when she accidentally overhears a conversation between her captain and her 5-time Olympic medalist boyfriend, she’s pulled into the chaos of their impending break-up. And she’s further tangled in their mess when Pen suggests Scarlett and Lukas sleep together — as their preferences are perfectly complementary. “She’s the sandwich” to his dom.
While they’ve been on the same swim team for the past two years (and even met before Scarlett attended Stanford), Lukas has only just made it onto Scarlett’s radar. And now that she’s noticed him, she can’t stop seeing him— at practice, at the cafeteria… and now, at the lab, where they’re assigned to partner together on a project under the tutelage of a leading scientist.
And the more time they spend together, the clearer it becomes that maybe Pen was onto something. Because Scarlett isn’t just curious to learn more about Luk’s perversions, she’s “ravenous” to experience it.
What Victoria Loved
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5
This book made waves in my circle because from a steam perspective, we see a more playful side to Ali as she explores power-play. But it’s a fairly light touch! If you’re hesitating on adding this book to your TBR because you’re not sure if BDSM is for you, this is light play — no bondage, praise-kink friendly, plenty of consent throughout. If you’ve read/watched Fifty Shades of Grey (Amazon), this is about on-par with that.
That said, I think Ali did a great job navigating the exploration of kink and preferences. Understanding how that can exist in different types of relationships— if a partner doesn’t share the same preferences, good to explore with a new partner, understand one’s own preferences. I liked the overview of how this preference is related to trust and that Ali made a safe space to discuss this among her characters and with her readers. Also, the way we are gradually introduced to more is done really well — the baby steps into the topic when Pen briefly raised it as a subject for conversation, then wading in shallow waters when Scarlett shares her experience (she learns she can trust Pen), learning to tread as Scarlett and Luk’s preferences are revealed, floating around as we wait in anticipation and tension builds , doggy paddling with the study of the list and selection, then we’re full on swimming. Then we’re diving from 3-stories high right into the emotions as well.
Now, if you need more convincing, the character development is classic Ali. It is superb!
Scarlett comes across as introverted, but she is witty, observant and hilarious. She’s simultaneously precise yet hyperbolic. Open to experimentation, yet cautious of a million variables outside of her control. She’s eager to achieve perfection, yet she’s drawn to people’s imperfections. She’s beautifully complex.
On the other hand, Lukas is presented as broody, monotone and emotionally bland. But he’s playful and vulnerable. He’s admired and beloved by strangers, but he dispatches an endless stream of love to only a handful of people. He’s a clean freak, but he’s got the filthiest mouth.
Moreover, I like that we get another dimension of the characters and Ali with this student athlete. The sporty experience and the team dynamic is something we haven’t seen from her before. And as someone who was a student athlete, they felt infinitely more relatable to me. I understand the fear that comes with overcoming an injury— it feels like this body you’d trained to be so strong is really weak, fragile. There are suddenly so many unknowns that could impact everything you’ve worked for. And it’s scarier when your mind is part of the problem. You can’t run away. You can’t escape the anxiety.
And for those who love Ali for the STEM, don’t fret! The STEM is rather subtle compared to other books where it’s central to the plot. Yes, we get some nerdy dialogue which basically confirms that our two MCs are nerds and bond over it. And it gives us another reason for forced proximity. Although we ultimately spend so much more time in the pool, the STEM dialogue carries all the way through.
Pick up a copy of Deep End (Amazon) and read with me!
Favorite Scene
“If you decide to go for it, it think it should be me.”
- DEEP END by Ali Hazelwood
Similar Reads & Recommendations
JUST FRIENDS (WITH BENEFITS): Daydream (The Maple Hills Series #3) by Hannah Grace (Amazon)
He’s a student-athlete, she’s blocked (the writer’s variety). Their friendship is unexpected, but very much mutually beneficial. This friends-to-lovers romance will take you back to college where the nerdy girl gets the team captain. This series does not need to be read in order (and I personally found this one to be the best of the three, so you can just skip ahead).
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FALLING FOR THE BEST FRIEND’S EX: Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer (Amazon)
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A DIFFERENT SPORT BUT JUST AS STEAMY: The Deal (Off-Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy (Amazon)
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EDUCATIONAL EXPLORATION OF POWER-PLAY: Meegan (Loose Ends #3) by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Amazon)
Color me learned! This was such an informative book… but also so sweet. Fake dating turns real when Meegan and Olin realize their chemistry is worth exploring further. I appreciated the maturity in which the couple approaches sex and learning about each other’s needs. Rebekah presents an educational introduction to BDSM, multiple partners, and the community, while delivering some of the steamiest scenes I’ve ever read. And I love that it’s in the context of a healthy relationship and not entwined in a character’s dark past. Warning: Do not read or listen to this book in public. Just don’t do it!
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
BY THE AUTHOR: The Love Hypothesis (The Love Hypothesis #1) by Ali Hazelwood (Amazon)
We get peeks of Dr. Olive Smith and Dr. Adam Carlsen in Deep End as Scarlet’s project advisor and professor, respectively. Curious to learn more about them? The Love Hypothesis will fill in all the blanks and questions you might have! The Love Hypothesis kicks off one of my favorite romance series. Think broody male leads, brilliant female leads and a whole lot of chemistry (in and out of the lab).
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
