Saira Not to brag, but I’ve led a charmed life. I come from a loving family, my bestie and I have been tight since the third grade, and catching boys is easy as pie. Meeting Kellan Morgan one summer night feels like kismet…and it only takes a conversation to know he feels the spark. Unfortunately a couple of bozos pick a fight with his friends, and we get separated without exchanging numbers. The thing is, a lot can happen in a year…and when I finally see Kellan again, I’m not the same girl I used to be. But if he can be patient, and just give me some time, maybe our friendship with benefits can bloom into something real. Kellan
I don’t need much. Just sunshine, a solid set of waves, and some good vibes. And maybe a pretty girl, which is just what I find when I meet Saira Mangal. Sassy, sexy, and smart as a whip, she’s exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for. Too bad life has other plans, blasting us off in different UC Santa Cruz for me and Berkeley for her. When we find each other again, I’m ready to pick up where we left off, but something’s changed. There’s a shadow clinging to the confident girl from the boardwalk, holding her back. But I live my life in the deep end. If she can just be brave and trust me, I’ll be right there to catch her.
Born and raised in the sunny US Virgin Islands, Rochelle Allison has been making up stories since she was a little girl. Nowadays, Rochelle lives just outside of Atlanta with her one true love and their kids. When she’s not writing, she's reading, hiking, swimming, having coffee with friends, playing word games or taking pictures. She can almost always be found with a book…and, often, chocolate.
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"The Deep End: Tanlines" by Rochelle Allison tells the story of Saira and Kellan, two young individuals whose paths cross one fateful summer night. The book explores their journey from a chance encounter to a friendship with benefits, and ultimately, their quest for something more.
While the premise of the story is promising, I found myself somewhat disappointed with certain aspects of the book. The characters, Saira and Kellan, are initially portrayed as likable and charming individuals. Their chemistry is evident from the start, and the potential for a compelling romance is palpable. However, as the story progresses, their development feels somewhat stagnant. Their interactions become predictable, and I longed for more depth and complexity in their emotional connection.
The writing style of Rochelle Allison is easy to follow and flows smoothly throughout the narrative. The author captures the beachy, carefree atmosphere effectively, making it a suitable summer read. However, I would have appreciated more detailed descriptions and vivid imagery to truly immerse myself in the coastal setting and enhance the overall reading experience.
The plot, although containing some interesting twists and turns, lacked a certain sense of urgency and tension. The conflicts introduced felt resolved too quickly, leaving me wanting more depth and exploration of the characters' emotional dilemmas. Additionally, the pacing of the story seemed inconsistent at times, with certain sections dragging on while others were rushed.
Despite these shortcomings, "The Deep End: Tanlines" does touch upon important themes such as personal growth, trust, and the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship. The author attempts to delve into deeper emotional territory, particularly regarding Saira's personal struggles. However, I felt that the exploration of these themes could have been more nuanced and impactful.
In conclusion, "The Deep End: Tanlines" by Rochelle Allison offers a light and breezy summer romance with likable characters. While the story has its enjoyable moments, it falls short in terms of character development, pacing, and the exploration of deeper emotions. As a three-star review, I believe it's a decent choice for readers seeking a lighthearted beach read but don't expect a deeply satisfying emotional journey.
Santa Cruz, California in the summertime and weeks spent on a luxury yacht for a reality TV show (as “the help”, but still fun) – whatever happens, it’s going to be entertaining!
The Deep End is the third book in the Tan Lines Trilogy. Each book has told the story of one of the 3 young women who are friends and roommates at the University of California at Santa Cruz and it brings us full circle with the story of Saira (sigh-rah) and Kellen who we have seen become friends and flirting with each other since the first book in the series, “The Sweet Spot”. Both Kellen and Saira are smart, beautiful, hardworking and free spirited. Her parents came to California from Trinidad, her mother becoming a doctor and her father building a successful car dealership. I love that all three of these books bring in different cultures and family dynamics. Family is always a focal point. As the book starts out, Saira and Kellan have been separated for a while when Saira goes to school in Berkley and when she returns suddenly, she is not quite as free spirited as she was when she left. There is an author’s note that gives a trigger warning, which is good, but know that the event happens “outside the story” and there are no real details given.
Kellan lives to surf and for his family and friends. He may have been born into money but his parents have raised him to be smart, to work hard and to be respectful. Honestly, I really appreciated how “consent” was handled in this book. It was seamless and natural and didn’t take you out of the story but it said so much about Kellan’s character that it was there.
This book was just so much fun to read! They are both at the age where they have to make decisions about where life will lead them but they are also enjoying their summer at the beach, hanging with friends, and then signing on to work (and they work hard) on a yacht while some “influencers” film a reality TV show.
Of course, they don’t work too hard for moments like this: “I kiss her mouth slowly, running my hands through her hair. She cups my face like I’m precious and I let myself do something that I’ve never done. I fall”.
I loved this book. It was the first book I’ve ever read by Rochelle Allison, and I’ll definitely be back for more!
Saira and Kellan are best friends - with benefits. A misunderstanding and lack of communication lead Saira to think Kellan means more to her than she does to him, and she agrees to work aboard a ship on a 2 week reality TV show with Kellan’s brother and doesn’t tell Kellan. Kellan finds out from his brother and miraculously gets to fill in for someone who can’t go because he doesn’t want to be away from Saira for that long.
The ship is full of the drama you’d anticipate when your two main characters aren’t communicating about a misunderstanding and a reality TV show is being filmed. The reality stars were (mostly) just as awful as you’d anticipate, which made reading this all the more fun (just like watching trash TV!). Eventually while on board Kellan and Saira clear the air about the pre-ship misunderstanding and we think things will be fine - until Saira yet again thinks something is happening that isn’t. The drama continues from there but eventually, they work it all out and Kellan and Saira get their HEA that I hoped for from the beginning.
I really loved both Kellan and Saira. I loved the way they’d go to bat for each other. The friendship they had. The relationship they built. And how on the same page they always were even if they didn’t think they were. Five solid stars.
This story has a dreamy California beachy vibe that features friends with a bit of “benefits” Saira and sexy surfer, Kellan. I loved their real friendship and the moderate angst of their romantic/physical attraction to each other. It is something they had trouble being open about and communicating to each other. I think their own feelings were a bit confused so the situation was difficult all around. There was a bit of delicious longing and plenty of sexual tension crackling between them. The pace is on the slower side, which I enjoy with this authors books, the style works for me, the characters are given enough time for the reader to see their life, their relationships and get the full picture. Also the atmosphere gets set very vividly. When the the pair along with Kellan’s brother get jobs on a luxury yacht that a reality show is filming on things get very interesting. There’s minor celebrities who add drama and there is a peek at the yachtie workers life that was really fun and interesting. They are in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands for the trip. There’s tension between the friends, the cast members and there’s plenty of youthful angst. There’s some entertaining drama that unfolds over the course of the trip and there’s some very fun times. I really enjoyed this story, the characters are very likable and I was rooting for them to open up to each other and be an actual couple, not the unsure relationship they had for so long. The secondary characters are great as well and play pivotal roles in the story. It was such an entertaining, thoughtful, enjoyable and steamy story that had tons of heart, emotions and depth. I love all the books in this series, they can be read as true standalone’s in my opinion.
This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I wasn’t real sure what to expect.
Book is different from anything I normally read but it is super cute!
Kellan and Saira have been messing around for years and are best friends.
Something happened to her during her freshman year. She decided to leave that college and came back home.
Saira is sick of working at her dads car dealership so she takes a job on a yacht that is filming a reality tv show on it.
Last minute Kellan asks his brother if any spots are still open so he can go also.
Of course drama happens 🎥
It takes a few small issues and miscommunications for Kellan and Saira to both realize what they have is real and they don’t want to be with anyone else.
Surfer Kellan (gap year before Law school) and home-for-the-summer Saira are our story’s main focus. Kellan comes from a family that is well-off, but he learns there are strings attached. Saira is struggling under her parent’s roof after being away at college. Working at her dad’s car dealership is definitely not her forte. When an opportunity comes up to crew on a yacht and be part of a reality show, Saira jumps and Kellan ultimately follows.
An interesting view of crewing, relationships, backstory and hard work. Entertaining, gritty at times, and quite realistic. Will definitely keep the reader engrossed and entertained.
***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
The Deep End is the third book in the series, and this is Kellan and Saira's story.
This is a friend's to lovers story with a lot of tension. I enjoyed this book and the way the story unfolded. I knew I would love Kellan's story, and his love of Saira is unconditional. That is one of my favorite things of this story, the way these two love each other.
Saira has a past she wants to keep there, and Kellan is trying to find the girl that he met on the boardwalk... These two have such a strong bond, and I love the way it blooms!
An emotional journey for Kellan and Saira that sweeps you along, carrying you through their friendship, struggles, angst, chemistry and ultimately romance leading to a HEA. Superbly written with a relaxed pace and beautiful imagery. All the characters are realistic, have great depth and grab at your heartstrings making you root for them and want to be part of their world
I received an ARC from Wordsmith Publicity and this is my honest review.
Ro does it again! A great romance mixed in with struggles of sexual violence recovery, racism, and learning to separate from family and be your own person-all mixed in with the backdrop of sailing and Hawaii and surfing and some reality TV! I love Ros character all loveable and a bit flawed and then watch as they grow as individuals and a couple! And a HEA which for me is a must. A must read!!
I loved how every book in this series makes readers feel like they’re being transported to all of these tropical places. Getting to read about all of the couples was also nice. I will admit, there were times where I wanted to reach through the books and knock common sense into the characters, but that’s part of the fun of reading a book. I’d definitely recommend reading all of these books.
This was an enjoyable read. It was another good addition to the series but worked well as a standalone. It gave me Below Deck vibes when they were on the boat which I liked. I loved the drama.
Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review
Kellan is a surfer taking a gap year before heading to law school. Saira just transferred colleges but she is also planning on going to law school. Saira and Kellan meet years ago and there was a definite spark…they never exchanged info so they haven’t seen each other in a while. Recently reconnected these two are friends with strong feelings for each other but haven’t gotten to far with those feelings. This is another great addition to this series. This series is about friendship, family and the up and downs of falling in love. This book definitely turned it up a few notches. This had layers on top of layers….wow did we have a lot going on! Saira had an emotional past to unpack and heal from before she could move on with Kellan. Kellan was sweet and caring with her and would do just about anything for her. I loved these two together and enjoyed the story they told. There were several sensitive subjects in this book and they were handled extremely well and with care. I really enjoyed this emotional read and this series. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I love me a good friend's to lovers story. This is Saira and Kellan's story and I really enjoyed it. I loved their friendship and their connection. I thought it made their love stronger. Saira emotional past definitely had to be processed and I felt the author took us along as she unpacked her past and healed herself before allowing herself to be fully happy and move on with Kellan. I love just how caring he was with her and proved to her he would so anything for her. I loved them as a couple and loved their journey. Definitely a book I would recommend.
Si vuelvo a leer otro libro donde los protagonistas se la pasen drogados porfis díganme que pare. Primero la historia empezó re rara, los personajes principales eran amigos y mejor se hubieran quedado así porque no les vi nada de química.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.