Nadia

I`d give this book 3,5-4 stars - I liked it a lot, but I doubt I will pick it for reread any time soon.

I have read all Ali's previous STEM novels, but this one is different, maybe a bit more serious. Don`t get me wrong, we still have all the usual Ali Hazelwood Things TM, like a scientist girl going through something (Rue); a big muscular handsome man, who was captivated by her from the first sight (Eli); some very funny friend of the MC; a happy ending.

The main difference can be seen on the first page - Ali herself warns us about certain trigger-warnings. The main characters are more complex now, both Rue and Eli have been through a lot and we see how it affects them (and their relationships) now. Compared with Love, Theoretically, the difference is huge! (yes, I think that MCs in Love, Theoretically were flat, especially Adam! Still enjoyed it though, but will not return to it again).

I also had a feeling while reading, as if there was less humor and less science in this one, probably because the author focused deeply on the traumatic past of MCs, and their healing and development. It was still quite funny, and warm, and lighthearted to a degree, but it's the characters` past that gives the book a more serious tone - it's kinda their thing from the beginning to share their deepest, darkest secrets with each other.

Another big difference - the main heroine. She is no longer a small, delicate, struggling academic. This time we see a young woman, who is tall, calm (at least she looks calm and composed), has a decent job that she likes, and, in her own words, was born without a sense of humor. What a change, right? It was very refreshing to see a new type of MC in classic Ali Hazelwood setting, I'm really glad that Ali`s books are becoming slightly more complex while still remaining an unmistakable Ali Hazelwood`s booksTM.

Eli - he is nice, especially through Rue`s eyes. We have all the classics: he's tall, successful, and obsessed with Rue, but it is still interesting to observe their dynamic. This time he does not fall in love at first sight (he is obsessed with her body at first sight. Why, you may ask? I have no idea), and we can actually see development of their relationship. It is still very obviously He Falls First kinda thing. There are chapters from his point of view, but I maintain that Ali Hazelwood cannot write MMC POV in a non-creepy way (that Adam`s chapter haunts me to this day!). And yet it helps the story, and not everything is creepy, some of it quite nice; we can see other sides of MMC beyond his obsession with a girl and that's a win!

I really enjoyed Not in love, and I like that Ali Hazelwood tries different things while keeping her style. Some people don't like the predictability of her books, but I do, as I always know what to expect, and can enjoy humor, scientific topics and romance in the process. I read this one in two days, and even though I knew how things will end for MCs, I was still invested in other story lines (the one with business side of things - tbh, I expected more justice for some characters, and if you read previous books, than it will be easy to guess who villain is, though not right from the beginning, I`ll give Ali that). Oh, and this book is very 18+.

Enjoy! (but pls check trigger-warnings first)

I feel like review for this book is a review for a long way we and Ali Hazelwood made since The Love Hypothesis. Deep End is still funny, bright, romantic, with academic setting - all the things we have loved AHs books for from day 1, but everything feels more mature now: characters have more dimensions, love story takes more time to develop (though he still falls first for some unknown to me reason. It is not even a spoiler, fight me), and the story itself now has more depth (pun intended).

I realy enjoyed following the Scarlet`s personal, proffesional and academic journey, watching her deal with strugles, overcome trauma, and navigate quite kinky relationship (PSA: book is very spicy). She is not a charachter from a comedy film - goofy, clumsy girl, who needs a man in her life. No, she is strong, powerful, and smart, and she actualy puts a lot of effort in her vell-deserved sucsses.

Another win is that MMC - Lukas - is not her saviour, like it was in first 2 or 3 books, where MFC struggled until she met him. He does not save Scarlet but rather supports her in her healing journey and I swear it makes him even hotter. Of course, he is tall, fit, smart, but AH gives him personality beyond being the best in everything, brooding and obsessed with a girl, which means we can enjoy him outside of spice sceens too.

Last but not least - Penelopy is not a good friend! I kinda understand the redemtion arc, but no! Being such a horrible friend to Scarlet after an important event and than saying Ops! Sorry, I was sad… is not okay. And thats not counting all the microagressions during their friendship. Scarlet is a better woman than me, I would have never talked to Pen again.

Long story short, I loved this book, loved much more that I expected! The story is not all sunshine, as it involves topics of trauma, healing from abuse, academic and athletic pressure for success, but it is still captivating and optimistic.