I requested this arc since i loved Chelsea's last romance so much and this one did not disappoint! I love The emotional depth of the characters, I started the book hating Danial and than understanding their dinamic and than falling in love with them. I also loved this book for representing adults with flaws, still getting to know themselves as it is obviously the reality that i often don't see in books. Absolutely a charming summer read, thought i read it in the early days of autumn (south hemisphere reader) the atmosphere is palpable. Loved it, loved it!

I am a hard to please reader when it comes to romance, and this story really checks my beach read boxes: high stakes almost entirely due to emotional depth, low stakes for almost everything else (I love sumptuous settings and the feeling of escape to somewhere beautiful!), and the frustrations on the path to romance felt pretty realistic, not contrived. Alex is a heroine I can root for, whose foibles are understandable. Absolutely the perfect read for someone (like me) who has frequently put my foot in my mouth right when I wanted to sound like the smartest person in the room... or anyone who just daydreams of breakfasting on deck on the Mediterranean in a gorgeous outfit. :)

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Alex and Daniel were the only two students on a scholarship amongst the elite group. Alex has always strived to fit in. One night before grad an incident caused a rife in their relationship. Alex has always loved Daniel and has followed him making his mark in the firm.
Ten years later they meet in a yacht for a friends wedding. Can they put aside their issues and find love again?

No notes. This book was the escape I needed. I stayed up way too late because I couldn’t put it down.
I won’t remember the name of the book…I actually don’t know how “the high dive” fits in. However, I will remember the plot. There were a few times that I hated the main character as much as she seemed to hate herself and all of friends. I wish the author would have mentioned a few times that they had seen each other over the past decade. It seemed like everyone knows they argue, but why do they know that if they pretended not to acknowledge each other? It seemed to go from “we argue” to “I’ve always loved you” with nothing in between.

I’ve also already downloaded another book by the same author.

“Something about the water - being in it or being on it - put her at ease. Maybe it was the summers she spent on Lake Ontario, or the fact that she was a Cancer.”

😍 I loved this read. This was the perfect book for someone in their busy life trying to go on vacation with a group of friends even if you’re all at different points.

🙌 Alex, I absolutely get the gripe about parents and dating coaches. What a fantastic introduction to her character.
The supporting characters were so fun and thought out so well - all really cool in their own regards. Danial was a broody (steamy) gem.

👏 The tension between the two MC’s was so emotional and real. No further spoilers but loved this read, but true adults with true hard decisions and life choices can be found in this 📕.

Thank you for the ARC!

Damn my attempt at an intellectual review... THE HIGH DIVE IS HOT, YALL. It's rich, and it's indulgent, and it tackles issues of class and wealth in really thoughtful ways, and it has examples of beautiful, heartfelt friendship, and there's a wonderful, chronically overachieving female protagonist and her intelligent and introspective love interest, and a yacht and all my summer fashion inspo and OH WAIT - THE BEST SPICY SCENE I HAVE EVER READ!? There is a line of dialogue so achingly seductive I thought about it all day. There is exploration of parent/child relationships, the dichotomy of male and female friendships, and emotional abuse in relationships. There are LGBTQIA+ characters and Black and brown characters and annoying characters and hilarious characters. The High Dive is sassy and sultry and, if I'm going for alliteration here, smart, and I hope it is your first beach read of the summer. If you weren't already a fan (and if you weren't, what is wrong with you??), The High Dive will put Chelsea Fagan at the top of your list of favorite authors.

"High Dive" is a captivating romance novel set against the backdrop of a luxurious yacht, where the shimmering ocean and the thrill of adventure collide with passion and longing. Fagan masterfully weaves a narrative that explores themes of love, self-discovery, wealth, and the complexities of relationships, making it a delightful read that will sweep you off your feet.

The story revolves around Alex, a spirited character who embarks on a journey of both literal and emotional high diving. From the moment she steps onto the yacht, the opulence and allure of the setting are vividly described, immersing readers in a world of sun-soaked decks and endless sea.

One of the novel's strengths is its vibrant cast of characters, each with their own aspirations and secrets. The chemistry between Alex and Danial is electric; their encounters are charged with tension, brimming with witty banter and undeniable attraction. The romantic build-up is expertly paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating their next connection.

The writing is lush and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the yacht's adventures, from dusk till dawn. The author's ability to balance the light-hearted moments with deeper emotional themes creates a well-rounded story that resonates on multiple levels. The exploration of the characters’ pasts adds depth, making their struggles and triumphs feel authentic and relatable.

While the plot is engaging, some readers may find certain aspects predictable, adhering to familiar tropes within the romance genre. However, the charm of "High Dive" lies in its execution, offering enough to keep readers invested until the very last page. The resolution is satisfying, tying up loose ends while leaving just the right amount of sweetness and hope.

Overall, "High Dive" is an enchanting read that transports you to the sunlit decks of a yacht, where love and adventure intertwine beautifully. With well-developed characters, a gripping plot, and an atmospheric setting, it earns a solid four stars. If you’re looking for a romantic escape that balances fun and heartfelt moments, this novel is definitely worth diving into!

Adored this one - what a lovely combination of second chance romance with some fascinating class & social commentary that didn’t feel trite. I wish there was a bit more exploration of the other characters in the friend group (perhaps rather than introducing the new setting of the Greece hotel & characters there) but overall a delightful read. A really fresh take for the genre - loved it.

OMFG LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!
Enemies to lovers and second chances romance are 2 of my favourite tropes - but this book is so MUCH MORE, immigrant experiences, rich kids/scholarship kids, political affiliation, the 1 percent, aging parents and WHITE LOTUS vibes.
Seriously Chelsea Fagan is a voodoo queen/magican for somehow making all these different strands work in such a delicate, complex and DELICIOUS modern day American romance.
BRAVO CHELSEA, BRAVO!!

The High Dive by Chelsea Fagan is the perfect summer read! I loved escaping into this opulent story and setting! I felt like I was on this bachelor party right along side Alex! I loved seeing the drama and relationships play out!

Fast paced, but slow burn. Interesting character background with lots of commentary about how wealth plays a role in one’s perception of life. Alex makes some questionable decisions which are relatable when viewed through the lens of anxiety. A fun read!

All I needed to hear was Chelsea Fagan and enemies-to-lovers, and I knew I was in for a treat!! THE HIGH DIVE is a sexy, sophisticated and tasteful romance that also has an exceptional commentary on classism. It's been ten years since Alex and Danial have seen each other since "the incident" at college graduation, and now they are forced to act as "friends" for their friend's upcoming wedding. Despite how much they'd prefer to avoid one another, there's no escaping each other as they are stuck on a luxury yacht with their group of college friends before the nuptials. Alex campaigns for the progressive party's candidate, while Danial is making a name for himself in the private equity world. Constantly bickering and jumping at the chance to prove one another wrong, they simply wouldn't work as a couple as their values aren't aligned no matter how delicious and undeniable the tension and chemistry is between the two. Or could it? Alex must decide what's more important to her, her values or her desires. I loved the emotional maturity and depth to the characters. They felt so real to me which is something I always want and admire in a romance. Already looking forward to whatever the author grants us with next!

Many thanks to Orsay Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Starting off this review with two truths: I adored Chelsea Fagan's first novel "A Perfect Vintage" and I really enjoy her writing and her as an author. Unfortunately, this book wasn't really for me. I do love a good tale critiquing the lives of the ultrarich, but the characters on the whole were too shallow and their development was pretty nonexistent. Most of all, our protagonist Alex is truly insufferable - her "woe is me" mentality made me want to toss my phone off my building every 50 pages or so.

Alex is 32, works in progressive politics, and can't get over the events of her past. She is invited to her rich best friend's wedding and preceding yacht cruise with her group of, you guessed it, rich college friends. But Alex is poor! She grew up poor! She's still poor! And she's worried about seeing these friends again and being viewed as the poor girl. Plus, her longtime love and enemy Danial (spelling infuriated me) will be there, and they haven't connected in a decade after an unspeakably embarrassing event right before they graduated college years ago. Plus he also works for a hedge fund and is corrupt and evil, according to Alex.

So the book recounts current day events on the bachelor yacht and it jumps back in time to fill in the reader on the history between Danial and Alex. No matter the time though, Alex is annoying. Alex has a primal need for constant approval and acceptance from her rich friends, yet whenever they treat her as a friend/one of them, she immediately tells herself it can't be genuine. She has and continues to alienate herself from her "friends" and it bothered me until the end of the book. Also, I think the plot build and eventual peak of Danial and Alex's relationship comes too late in the book. It seemed unrealistic to me. What I loved about "A Perfect Vintage" was that it challenged an unorthodox relationship dynamic (older woman, younger man) and really explored the stigma and preconceptions about that relationship dynamic and what it says about people. This book is enemies to lovers, but it's far less complex than I was hoping for and generally fell flat.

Had to give it 3 stars though because I finished it in 24hours and Fagan made me want to keep coming back to find out what happens. I think most girlies would enjoy this by the lake or the pool this summer (even if it's simplistic), so pick up your copy once it releases on May 27th! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy

4.5/5

Alex and Danial were two friends/scholarship kids (who argued a lot) in a group of rich Ivy League-educated people, until their friendship (and any potential for a relationship) was erased after an awful (and embarrassing) night before their graduation. 10 years later, they are forced to reunite for a yacht party to celebrate their friends' upcoming wedding. When they see each other again for the first time in 10 years, fights get rehashed and it is clear that there are still unresolved feelings between the two.

This book was a second chance, rivals to lovers. It switches between timelines (the events leading to the big "awful" night before graduation vs now). We don't immediately know what transpired between the two that led them to their separation after college, but from the very start, the feelings between Alex and Danial were visceral and emotional when they are thrust back into each other's lives. The chemistry was there and the tension was there. I felt so bad for Alex once we find out what had happened, and we also learn more about her insecurities with being surrounded by her wealthy friends. There is a great declaration of love (if you love letters) that Alex fully needed and absolutely deserved, but I would have loved to see the final, earth-shattering reconciliation scene between the two that we didn't get.

The book also provides commentary on socioeconomic status and social class, and privilege. It's clear that Alex (and Danial) faced challenges with money that their friends did not and that was part of why they developed such a unique understanding with each other. However, since college, Alex and Danial have gone onto different paths, with Danial rising through the social echelons of the wealthy while Alex is in the middle class. It was interesting to see how different Alex and her friends' perspectives were politically and how Alex reconciled her views with the fact that she was experiencing the life of the rich.

Thank you to Orsay Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Chelsea Fagan for providing a copy of this ARC.

I went into The High Drive with measured expectations, as it was a "Read Now" title on NetGalley. While the cover and premise immediately caught my interest, I’ve learned that not all books with an eye-catching pitch deliver. But this one? It absolutely did.

Chelsea Fagan crafts a compelling second-chance romance brimming with tension, nostalgia, and deeply personal growth. Ten years ago, Alex confessed her love to Daniel in college—only for him to completely ignore her admission. Now, they’re thrown back together at Alex’s best friend’s wedding, forced to confront the unresolved feelings and unspoken words that have lingered between them for a decade.

The chemistry between Alex and Daniel is palpable, with just the right balance of angst and longing. The flashbacks are seamlessly woven into the narrative, providing essential backstory without slowing the momentum of the present-day storyline. And while Alex’s choices had me wanting to shake some sense into her at times, that’s the beauty of this book—it’s about growth, facing hard truths, and finally overcoming deep-seated fears and insecurities.

Fagan’s writing is sharp, engaging, and emotionally resonant, making The High Drive a standout for fans of slow-burn romance and second chances. If you love stories with complex characters, undeniable chemistry, and a satisfying emotional payoff, this one belongs on your radar.