ALI HAS DONE IT AGAIN. I'll never not obsess over this woman's books because they are the perfect combination of witty dialogue, realistic characters, and face-fanningly hot spice. I didn't know what to expect since this was Ali's first foray into sports romance, but of course it was just as compelling as her previous books. Lukas and Scarlett have insane chemistry and the way they are obsessed with each other is everything to me. Honestly everything about this story was just fun? I devoured it? In less than a day? Though I'll forever be bitter about the name change (justice for Whet!!) I will be recommending this to everyone wanting a new romance to dive (ha) into.

I will read absolutely everything Ali Hazelwood writes and this did not disappoint. Set in Stanford university Scarlett is on the diving team recovering from an injury and doesn't have time for a relationship. Until Lukas the swim team captain enters. The high tension makes for one her best and hottest books yet.

Thank you to Hachette for this e-ARC! I am extremely grateful.
This was, put simply, one of Ali's best so far. It was joyful, sarcastic, hopeful and introspective when it needed to be. Reading this was such a breeze I couldn't put it down, and Ali Hazelwood does banter in a magnificent way that is quite frankly almost unparalleled. I felt connection to all the characters in the book, even the side ones, which is something so hard for me most of the time, but is a true testament to the way she writes. It was also so fun to see the Ali Hazelwood cinematic universe (wink wink). I'm so grateful for this ARC! This was already one of my favourite reads this year. 🏊🏻‍♂️

I’m quite a fan of contemporary romances and this one was really good. I enjoyed that explored bdsm and power play in a way that didn’t feel like it was just for the smut, it actually had a real bearing on the story and characters which I really enjoyed. Scarlett was a great main character, I loved her and she had some really nice growth over the course of the story. I sometimes found the scene transitions a bit abrupt, and occasionally had trouble figuring out what was going on, and sometimes there were some story beats that didn’t play into the greater narrative in satisfying ways that extended the book unnecessarily. But overall I thought this one was really great and is definitely worth reading if you’re a fan of college sports romances as many of us are haha.

Ali Hazelwood has done it AGAIN! I’m obsessed and will remain so for the next 0–365 business days.

Scarlett, NCAA diver and STEM queen, is our awkward and perfectionist FMC. Her POV was like a flow of constant thoughts and incredibly relatable.

Lukas, our hot and non-chalant MMC is an Olympic swimmer and the Swedish book boyfriend of everyone’s dream. He truly embodies “to be loved is to be known” with his acts of service.

If you’re wanting a college sports romance with elite athletes, emotional depth, and kinky spice, this is for you. The story dives deep (yes, these puns are intended) into complex relationships between the people Scarlett and Lukas are close to, especially with the best friend’s ex trope (cue the drama). Their dynamic—friends w benefits has amazing tension, some BDSM fun (you can understand its original title of Whet), incredible chemistry, and emotional vulnerability. Scarlett (our only pov) had such raw and real internal turmoil and external struggles, a mental health and therapy rep which we love.

This book had my usual romance-reading poker face GONE. I was grinning like a fool the entire time. Also, learning about the intensity of pro diving and swimming was so enlightening and interesting.

I devoured this book, and it’s a big one—464 pages thick. Yet somehow, it wasn’t long enough because the second I finished, I was actually so sad. I had 64 highlights which also says a lot (I struggled to condense my favourite quotes). These characters are everything to me and I will be mourning the fact they aren’t real.

I fear this may be Hazelwood's best romance yet. Yes, this is one of her spiciest/kinkiest romance but it is also so much more than that! Scarlett is so deeply relatable - not the crazy diving side - the vulnerable, tender, and deeply insecure side. The side that is not sure of her worth unless she is absolutely perfect in everything she does. Her personal growth was phenomenal and I absolutely loved going on this journey with her.
Not only do we have one amazingly talented, yet flawed female lead, the male lead is also just as great. Lukas matches and compliments Scarlett's character so well, their chemistry and tension were off the charts! How loving is it the be seen, known, heard, and understood on a level that you yourself are not capable of? The romantic in me was swooning, blushing, and kicking my feet every time Lukas and Scarlett had an interaction.
The side characters as well!! So well written, had their own personalities, were well rounded characters that never outshone the main couple! The found family, the development between Scarlett and Pen?! YES!
I genuinely have so much to say and not enough words to describe how freaking good this book is.
I cannot recommend this book enough!

A fast-paced exploration of love and healing, this novel is likely to be another hit for Ali Hazelwood fans! Scarlet is an intriguing, raw, and strong protagonist, and her mental health journey is the standout aspect of the story for me. Especially relatable for university students in STEM or competitive sports, I appreciated that Hazelwood did not shy away from portraying the challenges often faced in these environments.

I also enjoyed Scarlet’s relationships with her step-mum and roommate Maryam, as well as the adorable cameos from Olive and Adam. However, this one might be a miss for me. I struggled with some abrupt transitions between scenes, which left me confused at times, and I felt there was a notable lack of communication among certain characters. Some elements could have been more developed, though this might stem from my personal expectations going into the book.

While it’s undoubtedly entertaining and will resonate with many readers, it wasn’t the perfect Ali Hazelwood for me.

If I could give this book 6 stars then I absolutely would!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I just adored this book from start to finish. The tension, the chemistry, the characters— I loved it all and couldn’t put the book down!

The perfect blend of humour, real issues, character growth and spice! Just perfection!

A MUST READ!!!

Maybe one day Ali Hazelwood will write a book that isn’t the best thing I’ve ever read…probably not though!

Holy Mother of God.
This book (as Mary Poppins would say) is practically perfect in every way. Easily my new favourite Ali.
As well as the usual romance this one *dives* into the world of kink. Or at least dips its toes in. When I saw mention of BDSM and ball gags I thought "here we go" and braced myself for what was going to happen. Maybe I'd learn something new and be able to file this book under 'educational'. But fear not! This is no dark romance. It is pure unadulterated joy (except for the bits where I was stressed - which admittedly was a lot of the book - my god the tension in this one is out of the world) and it just gently draws back the curtains on power play kink.
Turns out my kink is...this book? Was it written just for me? To fit my own person niche? It must have been because i couldn't put it down. I read it walking to work, I read it at work. If i could have read it whilst having a shower I would have. It is the definition of page turner and I was absolutely here for it. Give Lukas the power to manipulate shadow and he'd be my new #1 MMC.
Even though the book was summed up beautifully in the epilogue I still think we deserve (need?) a second book. Scarlett and Lucas have plenty of things left on that list and it's only fair we get to go along for the ride again. (Make it happen!)
Easist 5 stars i've ever given to a book.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette for the eARC!

One of my most anticipated reads for 2025. But I hate to say I didn’t love it. I really tried, I promise! Ali’s books have always been my favourites to read!

Wasn’t as *kinky* as I thought (thankfully). But it’s definitely still there. So if you enjoyed ‘Not in Love’ and wanted more you’ll love this. But I don’t think it was the one for me. And that is okay!!!

There was also a lot of back and forth in Lukas and Scarlett’s relationship. And I didn’t love the whole best friend’s ex….girl code where?

Did however enjoy Scarlett’s character development as she overcame her trauma. The characters definitely felt more vulnerable than Ali’s other books.