Nadia

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.