Deep End

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 10,074 ratings

Price: 10.99

Last update: 02-19-2025


About this item

A competitive diver and an ace swimmer jump into forbidden waters in this steamy college romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis.

Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A Junior at Stanford and a student-athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships—at least, that’s what she tells herself.

Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus, with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes.

So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water...

From the Publisher

Ali Hazelhood makes a splash with her first college sports romance with the DEEP END

Top reviews from the United States

  • Alyx
    5.0 out of 5 stars Deep End
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2025
    4.5 stars

    It wasn’t perfect, and I had to remind myself several times that the characters were all in their early 20s. That said, I had a great time reading this and flew through it. The FMC had great character growth. I also love a story where the characters are working toward something or waiting for a large event. This happened to be the NCAA Championships. The sports part of this story was easy to understand, had me interested, and wrapped into the story well. It wasn’t overwhelming at all. The romance is very steamy with several open door scenes.
  • Kaitlyn L
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good but could have been better, love queen Ali though
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    ???????? Deep End by Ali Hazelwood ????????

    Ali Hazelwood said spice, and she DELIVERED! OH MY GOODNESS, this was so hot.????Deep End is easily her hottest book yet, diving into dom/sub dynamics, BDSM exploration (though more on the rough side and less of the kink stuff), and an undeniable chemistry that sets the pages on FIRE.

    ????‍♂️ Lukas Blomqvist? Elite Swimmer. Golden Boy. Absolute MENACE in and out of the pool. His discipline and dominance? Chef’s kiss. ???? And Scarlett? Strong, determined, and just trying to recover from her injury while resisting a man who makes that VERY difficult. Their arrangement? Not staying casual for long.

    ???? What I loved:
    ✔️ Lukas as an MMC – he’s so good at everything (maybe too good? but still, obsessed)
    ✔️ The smut – TOP TIER. This was Ali Hazelwood’s most explicit book, and I was so here for it
    ✔️ The tension and power dynamics – absolutely addicting

    ???? What drove me nuts:
    ???? PEN. Just… Pen. The constant interference, the lack of boundaries, the way Lukas could not say no—even IN FRONT of Scarlett?? The secondhand embarrassment was real ????
    ???? The OW drama felt forced and repetitive. It dragged the story down when I really just wanted her to disappear.
    ???? Plot? What plot? Beyond Scarlett’s injury recovery and Lukas winning at life, there wasn’t much else. It was basically just ???? scenes (which, no complaints, but still).

    If you’re here for elite athlete romance, spicy tension, and dominant men who know exactly what they’re doing, you’re going to devour this. But if you hate annoying third party interference and MMCs who struggle with boundaries, prepare for frustration.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️– because Lukas + spice carried this book HARD ????????‍♂️
  • JenS
    5.0 out of 5 stars More proof Hazelwood is Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2025
    Fantastic story with a perfectly flawed set of characters. This author keeps bringing her A-game with smart dialogue and an understanding of human trauma and resilience that resonates regardless of your proclivities. Can’t wait for the next one!
  • TeriLyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ali Hazelwood SLAYED college sports romance and so much more!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2025
    Ali Hazelwood SLAYED: her writing, her characters, her story, my romance-loving heart. This was so good I couldn't put it down and when I had to I couldn't wait to get back to it. What I love most was the discovery of self theme woven throughout, the perseverance and commitment. This proved to be heroine-centric story. All about Scarlett. And I'm grateful for Hazelwood's clear, concise, engaging and thoughtful execution of the heroines plight because it so excellent and "favorite story" worthy for me. The hero of the story takes a back seat to Scarlett, in a certain way, just basically meaning he's just as, more, all about her as the rest of us, but my goodness does he SHINE. This was simply perfection. It's been a while since I've been so swept away by a story. Even longer since I have immediately went back and re-read passages over and over. I wish I could start it all over again fresh. I've been a big fan of this author through all of her works but this by far is my new favorite. This will be on re-read list forever as something really resonated with me on a soul level. It's more than just "college sports romance" or romance at all. It's exploration of womanhood and the bravery it takes to grab it with both hands in a way that makes you the best version of you. Bravo, Ali Hazelwood and thank you.
  • Maggie May
    4.0 out of 5 stars really good
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2025
    RATING: 5 stars
    SPICE: 3 chili peppers

    Okay I know Ive been under a rock because this was my first Ali Hazelwood book, and let's just say I am charmed. I love her writing style and her characters.

    I also just loved the plot of this book, the spice and how it was tied together. Vandy and Lukas were just so so good, and that man,,, SO DOWN BAD. Like he fell, he fell hard and there was no changing his mind.

    I also have so say as a former swimmer, the sport aspect of this was done so well.

    - Swimming/Diving Romance
    - K*nk Negotiation
    - He Falls First

    Now, let's talk about the spice because the collective internet has lost its mind over it. YES there is spice, yes it deals with power dynamics, and yes it is essential to the plot and there are several open door scenes. The spice is good when it hits. But this book is NOT pushing the envelope in k*nk negations or power play dynamics. if you read spice on the daily, not a single thing about this book will phase you.

    If you don't read spice, then this may seem like it's pushing the envelope. But, I will say the spice is essential. it makes the book in my opinion. It lets the characters explore trust and compatibility in a way that's raw and honest. It's a great read, the way that the exploration is explained and consent is showcased is fantastic, and Ali's style is quirky enough to make it fun.

    This book was a delight, I devoured it, but y'all are dramatic over the spice situation.

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