Deep End By Ali Hazelwood Book Review
A steamy college sports romance that dives into BDSM, mental health struggles, and messy ex drama, all while juggling Olympic-level competition? That’s exactly what Ali Hazelwood’s latest, Deep End, goes for, and it’s definitely not your typical romance
Deep End is set in the high-pressure world of collegiate swimming and diving at Stanford. Scarlett Vandermeer, a junior diver recovering from a career-threatening injury, is trying to get back on her feet. Along the way, she navigates a no-strings-attached fling with Lukas Blomqvist, the Olympic gold medalist swimmer who also happens to be her best friend’s ex. The story blends heartfelt moments with sharp banter and, yes, some pretty spicy bedroom scenes that include soft BDSM dynamics.
What makes Deep End stand out is its mix of fierce, flawed characters and how it thoughtfully handles both emotional and physical aspects. Scarlett is quirky and relatable, dealing with a lot of personal baggage and insecurities, especially around her injury and family trauma. Lukas comes off as this stoic, almost brooding but deeply caring golden boy athlete who’s all about control both in and out of the pool. Their chemistry? Off the charts. Ali Hazelwood’s trademark witty, dry humor is sprinkled throughout, and the dialogue crackles with a unique voice that keeps things fresh, even when some familiar romance tropes show up.
But here’s the thing, readers have very different reactions. Some absolutely loved the slow burn of Lukas falling hard, the respectful and trusting way the kink was handled, and the mental health themes woven in. They praised the authentic swim and dive details, the realistic portrayal of trauma and therapy, and the electric tension between the leads. The cameos from Hazelwood’s other beloved characters were also a fan-favorite.
On the flip side, plenty of readers found Scarlett selfish or frustratingly insecure, thought Lukas was underdeveloped, and felt the relationship was more about physical lust than emotional depth. Pen, Scarlett’s friend and Lukas’s ex, stirred up a lot of drama, some found her messy but fun, while others wished she wasn’t part of the story at all. The BDSM promised in the synopsis felt pretty light and more like “diet BDSM,” with some readers wanting a deeper kink experience than what was delivered. Plus, the pacing got uneven in the last third, making the ending feel rushed or unsatisfying for some.
From my perspective, if you’re a fan of Ali Hazelwood’s witty, smart romances featuring complex women in STEM and a side of spicy, consensual kink, Deep End will probably hit your sweet spot. It’s got that signature Hazelwood charm, unique banter, well-written chemistry, and heartfelt vulnerability. But if you’re looking for a heavy-duty kink romance or a super tight, polished plot without messy third-wheel drama, this might not be your cup of tea.
So, in short, Deep End is a quirky, emotionally rich romance with plenty of heat, flawed characters, and a splash of messy friendship and power dynamics. It’s definitely binge-worthy if you love sports romance mixed with slow-burning passion and don’t mind a little chaos.
If that sounds like your kind of story, definitely check it out. And hey, if you’ve already read it, let me know what you thought, I’m curious how you felt about the kink versus the drama in this one!