If you're like me and love Ali Hazelwood (Bride was one of my top reads of 2024!), then you probably jumped into Deep End without thinking twice. I picked it up expecting another swoony, cute romcom — but this one surprised me in ways I wasn’t ready for.
Deep End follows two college athletes — a diver and a swimmer — and, while it's a super fast and easy read, it definitely heads into territory that’s very different from Hazelwood’s usual vibe. There’s a major emphasis on bondage and power play dynamics between the characters. If that’s not your thing, or if you’re expecting something light and sweet, you might want to read a few more reviews before diving in. (Heads up: the book does include a trigger warning right on the first page, but I had already bought my copy thinking it was a cute Valentine’s romcom... so learn from me!)
Overall, I’d give Deep End about 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it for what it was, and I love Ali Hazelwood’s ability to create chemistry between her characters — but honestly, if I had known the full context, I might have waited or picked it up at a different time.
Bottom line: Deep End is definitely different from what you might expect, but if you’re open to steamy, edgier romances, it might just be the right kind of surprise. If not, no worries — there are plenty of other cozy reads to swoon over!
