“From the very start, you had all the power. From the very start, I was in the palm of your hand.”
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, so it genuinely pains me to say I was really disappointed. Giving it anything under 3 stars physically hurt—that’s how much I wanted to love it.
Thankfully, the epilogue helped redeem things just enough to bump it up to a solid 3 stars. And while 3 stars is still a good rating in general, when it comes to Ali Hazelwood’s books, it’s definitely on the lower end for me. I went in with high expectations and just didn’t get the emotional or romantic payoff I was hoping for.
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…
Review of Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
My disappointment with Deep End mostly stemmed from the characters, I just couldn’t connect with them at all. Their dynamics felt off to me and really threw me out of the story. It made it hard to stay emotionally invested.
Plot Analysis of Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A junior at Stanford and a top-tier platform diver, she’s spent her entire life chasing Olympic gold. But that dream was nearly shattered after a traumatic dive left her physically injured and emotionally scarred. Now, as she pushes through grueling practices and the pressure of pre-med coursework, Scarlett is also battling the lingering PTSD that haunts her every time she steps onto the platform.
Relationships? Absolutely not on the agenda.
That is, until her best friend, and fellow diver, Pen drops a bombshell: Scarlett should consider hooking up with her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend, Lukas Blomqvist, the swim team captain and campus golden boy. Pen and Lukas have different sexual needs, and in a bizarre twist of fate, Scarlett shares Lukas’s exact same desires. It sounds absurd, even reckless, but Pen’s suggestion plants a seed Scarlett can’t ignore.
And then there’s Lukas himself: disciplined, focused, impossibly attractive, and surprisingly vulnerable. He and Scarlett may look like opposites on the surface, but beneath the waterline, they understand each other more than anyone else ever has. Both are driven by ambition, haunted by trauma, and tightly wound in ways that only unravel in each other’s presence.
What begins as a no-strings, mutually satisfying arrangement starts to bleed into something much deeper. With Olympic trials looming and old wounds rising to the surface, Scarlett finds herself in dangerous territory, not just on the diving board, but with her heart.
Because this was supposed to be casual. This wasn’t supposed to mean anything.
But some connections are impossible to keep shallow.
Characters of Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Scarlett Vandermeer : Scarlett’s character fell really flat for me. Her development throughout the book felt minimal, and honestly, she often seemed like a side character in her OWN story. She didn’t really bring anything to the table, most of her actions felt like they were guided by Pen rather than coming from her own agency. The entire book, she kept saying “I’m not submissive in real life,” but then continued to act in ways that totally contradicted that, without any internal conflict or growth to back it up. And the cherry on top? When the third-act conflict hit, she just dipped and left everything behind. No resolution, no confrontation, just vanished. Like… where was the character development?! It was super disappointing.
Lukas Blomqvist : Lukas’s character honestly didn’t do much for me either. Sure, he had that typical Ali Hazelwood MMC energy, the possessiveness, the boy-obsessed behavior, and okay, I Have to admit… the dirty talk was hot 🫠. But that’s pretty much where it ended. That kind of intensity is usually what draws me to Ali’s male leads, but this time it just didn’t hit the same. Like Scarlett, he lacked any real character development. There was no emotional depth, no layers to peel back, just surface-level charm. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t connect with him either. He felt more like a fantasy than a fully fleshed-out character.
I’ll leave you with some of Lukas’s DIRTY TALK moments that had me absolutely melting. 🫠 Read at your own risk, you’ve been warned! 🤣
“Please.”
“Please, what? Please, stop?”
“I shake my head.”
“Please, make me come?”
“I bite my lower lip, suddenly embarrassed.”
“Please, fuck me? In your sore little cunt?”
“ I should shower first.”
“Scarlett, if i want you showered after we fuck, I’ll do it myself. Okay?”
“I fuck you—” He pushes deeper. “Because—” Deeper “It’s all I want to do—” Deeper. “From the moment I wake up.”
“I fuck you because you’re the most perfect thing I’ve ever felt, Scarlett.”
“You’re fucking adorable, Scarlett.”
“It makes me want to wreck you.”
“I know you wouldn’t mind. Being my precious toy. My girl. Mine to use. Mine to fuck. Mine to destroy and to fix.”
“Sweetheart. I’m here to pick you up,” he whispers.
“Fuck you into a thousand little pieces, and then put them back together. You don’t need me to do it, but it’s what you want, isn’t it? For me to fix you?”
Scarlett & Lukas : THE ROMANCE. Oh my god, don’t even get me started on the romance, it was nonexistent! WHERE was the love? The chemistry? The yearning?? Their entire dynamic revolved around BDSM, kinks, and planning their next hookup. I kept waiting for something deeper, for a connection beyond the physical… but it never came. I was so disappointed.
Pacing & writing style
As usual, I have nothing bad to say about Ali Hazelwood’s writing, it’s impeccable. The story was the real issue for me with this book. Ali’s writing is just so easy to fall into, effortless, sharp, and completely addicting. You could genuinely finish this in one sitting (crying in slow reader 😭). She’s one of my favorite authors for a reason, her writing always delivers.
And honestly, that’s clear from the sheer number of quotes I enjoyed. Even though the story itself didn’t quite work for me, the writing? 100% for me.
That being said, I’ll admit the friend’s ex trope threw me off a little right from the start. And while I do enjoy some spice, the amount of steamy scenes felt like too much for my personal taste. I think if there had been fewer sex scenes and more focus on actual character development, the story would’ve landed a lot better.
The pacing in Deep End was overall pretty solid, it kept me engaged most of the time. The only part that felt a bit off was the therapy sessions. They honestly felt kind of thrown in and didn’t really seem to contribute much to Scarlett’s growth or the storyline. And not gonna lie, I kept getting confused like… who is Sam again? 😅
If those chapters had been used to build more character development instead, I think both the pacing and the overall impact of the story could’ve been a lot stronger.
Tropes and Trigger warnings of Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Tropes of Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Tropes :
Friends with benefit
Opposite Attracts
Women in Steam
College romance
Sport romance
He falls first
Swimmer x Diver
Trigger warnings of Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Abusive Parent
Grief
PTSD
Some quotes I enjoyed
“Therapy is a privilege. I’m lucky to have it. Above all, I need it.”
“Come closer.”
“Why?”
“Because I just asked you to, Scarlett.”
“If you decide to go for it, I think it should be me.”
“You know what fucks with my head?”
“You’re at ease with me. I don’t think you realize it, but you tend to move closer when others are around. Sometimes you look to me, for reassurance maybe. And we’re alone right now and there are no signs of distress, and—at some point you chose to trust me, and you get why that gets me going so hard, right?’
“When and where?”
“You’re not cold, Scarlett, you’re… soft”
“I’m not soft.”
“You are with me.”
“Maybe I make you soft.”
“Because sometimes I can’t breath when you’re around.”
“ I owe you respect, I owe you care, and I owe you the truth. You, on the other hand, do not owe me forgiveness. But if you ever enter this kind of relationship with someone else…” His jaw grinds, tense. I don’t think he likes the idea. “These are the things you should demand.”
“You are exactly what I wanted.”
“That list, Scarlett?”
“I’m going to do it all to you. All of it. And when I’m done, I’ll do it again. And if you don’t ask me to stop, I’ll do it again—”
“You know,” he says against my lips, “I wanted to be righteously angry at you. I told myself I wouldn’t be with you until you were ready to be honest.” I don’t ask about what. That would be supremely dishonest. “But I’m just so fucking happy to see you, Scarlett. I can’t be mad at you, when every time I think about you, I am reminded that you exist.”
“Remember back in the fall? When I was being a total asshole, trying to prove to myself that I could exist without you? I can’t, Scarlett. I can’t be without you. And for the first time in my life, I don’t care. I think of you all the time, and I want to make plans with you, I want to talk about the future, and I’m fucking happy about it—”
“Scarlett.” His fingers come up to my chin. Grab it gently, but tight. “The only time wasted is time we are apart.”
Final Thought
Deep End was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, so it truly breaks my heart to say I was disappointed. Rating an Ali Hazelwood book anything under 3 stars feels wrong, honestly, but I just didn’t get the emotional payoff or character-driven storytelling I was hoping for. The concept had so much potential, but the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth, the romance felt surface-level, and the connection between Scarlett and Lukas never fully clicked for me beyond their steamy dynamic.
That said, the epilogue saved this book from a lower rating. It gave me just enough to bump it up to a 3-star read. And I can’t move on without mentioning the highlight of the entire book, the cameo of Olive and Adam. Seeing them again, married, thriving, and still so in love?? My heart actually burst. I could LITERALLY cry 😭. That little moment gave me a rush of nostalgia and reminded me why I adore Ali’s universe. It was the perfect bittersweet touch, especially after struggling to connect with the main couple.
One thing that absolutely remained consistent was Ali Hazelwood’s writing, and that’s what kept me going. Her style is so sharp, immersive, and addictive. Even when the story wasn’t working for me, the writing always was. I highlighted so many lines. She knows how to deliver emotional weight with precision, even when the characters themselves aren’t quite doing it for me. It’s why she remains one of my favorite authors despite this book not fully landing.
In the end, Deep End felt like it prioritized spice over substance. A little less heat and a little more heart would’ve gone a long way. Still, Ali’s writing kept me hooked, the epilogue brought just enough resolution, and the Adam and Olive cameo? Worth it. So while this wasn’t my favorite from her, I’m still here, ready and waiting for her next release.
About the author
Ali Hazelwood is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis, as well as a writer of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the US to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her three feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband)
Practical Information for Readers
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood Book Formats
Deep End is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:
Paperback: Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
PDF Deep End by Ali Hazelwood: While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.
Where to find Deep End by Ali Hazelwood PDF
Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood Age Rating
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood is best suited for readers 22 years old and up. Due to the high number of explicit scenes and mature themes, including various trigger warnings, this book is not appropriate for younger audiences. It’s very much an adult romance, and readers should go in prepared for content that deals with heavy and mature topics. Definitely one for a more mature audience.
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