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The High Dive
Alexandra Onassis hates only two things: austerity politics, and Danial Azad.
As the only scholarship kids of their elite group at Columbia University, their heated dynamic was scorched forever by one fateful, awful night just before graduation. And in the ten years since, Alex and Danial have been on radically different paths: she crafts social media campaigns for an ultra-progressive political party; he’s a rising star at a notoriously savage private equity firm. But when two of their college friends decide to tie the knot in the Mediterranean — and to host their old crew on a ten-day chartered yacht trip beforehand — Alex must finally face Danial, and the sobering reality that she’s now the only middle class outcast in this ultra wealthy club.
When her ideals start to clash with her most intimate desires, Alex must learn to swim in emotional waters that are as unfamiliar as they are undeniable.
As the only scholarship kids of their elite group at Columbia University, their heated dynamic was scorched forever by one fateful, awful night just before graduation. And in the ten years since, Alex and Danial have been on radically different paths: she crafts social media campaigns for an ultra-progressive political party; he’s a rising star at a notoriously savage private equity firm. But when two of their college friends decide to tie the knot in the Mediterranean — and to host their old crew on a ten-day chartered yacht trip beforehand — Alex must finally face Danial, and the sobering reality that she’s now the only middle class outcast in this ultra wealthy club.
When her ideals start to clash with her most intimate desires, Alex must learn to swim in emotional waters that are as unfamiliar as they are undeniable.
368 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2025
136 people are currently reading
17530 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea Fagan
12 books921 followersChelsea Fagan is the co-founder and CEO of The Financial Diet. She is the author of many books, including THE HIGH DIVE, coming May 27, 2025.
Chelsea is an avid home cook, and lives in Manhattan with her husband and dog.
Chelsea is an avid home cook, and lives in Manhattan with her husband and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
May 15, 2025
3.5⭐️
Going into this book nearly blind, I was impressed with how much I enjoyed this! I was a little nervous going into this only because it's a genre more out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I took that leap.
Right off the bat, you can tell that this book is so character driven. We follow our FMC, Alex, on a 10 day yacht vacation where 2 of those in her friend group are getting married. While on this trip, she has to come face to face with Danial, a man she loved for a decade. This is very difficult for her since Danial is the one man she truly loved and since then their relationship to each other became strained.
I actually really enjoyed all the characters in this book! As a collective, they all had so much personality and they were all so diverse in representation. A big point of this book was the differences in wealth and class and I have to say...I was pleasantly surprised at how well this was written. Alex was described at this hard working, over achieving middle-class woman who had always been surrounded by her wealthy class friend group and she never felt like she fit in.
Even though we don't get much backstory or background information on these characters, they felt real and at many times I could feel myself relating to Alex's character. I think the tension between her and Danial made sense and was justified, and this felt like a modern day working "enemies-to-lovers" spicy romance. Alex works in politics and she takes down higher, more unethical companies that Danial just so happens to work for. I don't think there was much chemistry between them; at least not until the end of the book.
While this book touches on wealth and class and political positions, I really appreciated that this book wasn't going into nitty gritty specifics. I'm not one who typically will read a book that contains that, so I was a bit hesitant going into this. HOWEVER, this touched on just enough to make the book my substantial and give it some more depth.
That being said, I think that this book could have used a bit more oomph to make it stand out more and really set it apart from other modern day star-crossed lovers type books. I was thoroughly entertained, but this book didn't completely wow me. I would absolutely recommend this book if you're looking for a very slow-burn romance yet has an intense love story with high tensions and funny, iconic characters!!
Thank you SO MUCH to Chelsea Fagan & Top Shelf Book Consulting for gifting me a physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 💙
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
➵𝒫𝓇𝑒-ℛ𝑒𝒶𝒹:
This is my first physical ARC that was kindly gifted to me by the author and her publishing team and I am so excited to read this it sounds like a perfect spring/summer book 💙✨
Going into this book nearly blind, I was impressed with how much I enjoyed this! I was a little nervous going into this only because it's a genre more out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I took that leap.
Right off the bat, you can tell that this book is so character driven. We follow our FMC, Alex, on a 10 day yacht vacation where 2 of those in her friend group are getting married. While on this trip, she has to come face to face with Danial, a man she loved for a decade. This is very difficult for her since Danial is the one man she truly loved and since then their relationship to each other became strained.
I actually really enjoyed all the characters in this book! As a collective, they all had so much personality and they were all so diverse in representation. A big point of this book was the differences in wealth and class and I have to say...I was pleasantly surprised at how well this was written. Alex was described at this hard working, over achieving middle-class woman who had always been surrounded by her wealthy class friend group and she never felt like she fit in.
Even though we don't get much backstory or background information on these characters, they felt real and at many times I could feel myself relating to Alex's character. I think the tension between her and Danial made sense and was justified, and this felt like a modern day working "enemies-to-lovers" spicy romance. Alex works in politics and she takes down higher, more unethical companies that Danial just so happens to work for. I don't think there was much chemistry between them; at least not until the end of the book.
While this book touches on wealth and class and political positions, I really appreciated that this book wasn't going into nitty gritty specifics. I'm not one who typically will read a book that contains that, so I was a bit hesitant going into this. HOWEVER, this touched on just enough to make the book my substantial and give it some more depth.
That being said, I think that this book could have used a bit more oomph to make it stand out more and really set it apart from other modern day star-crossed lovers type books. I was thoroughly entertained, but this book didn't completely wow me. I would absolutely recommend this book if you're looking for a very slow-burn romance yet has an intense love story with high tensions and funny, iconic characters!!
Thank you SO MUCH to Chelsea Fagan & Top Shelf Book Consulting for gifting me a physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 💙
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
➵𝒫𝓇𝑒-ℛ𝑒𝒶𝒹:
This is my first physical ARC that was kindly gifted to me by the author and her publishing team and I am so excited to read this it sounds like a perfect spring/summer book 💙✨
May 24, 2025
Another truly out-of-the-ballpark summer romance from Chelsea Fagan. A sundrenched, wistful story about a decade of longing, money and class, and the tension between love and ambition, all set against the backdrop of a sultry yacht trip through the Mediterranean. I loved the split timelines, I loved the crystal-clear voice, I loved the sharply drawn and utterly real-feeling supporting cast, I loved Alex in all her complexities and conflicting desires, and I loved Danial, truly the perfect Scorpio man down to being just the right amount of tortured. Fagan is a both a skilled architect of swoonworthy fantasy, and a keen observer of human nature. I never get tired of watching her blend those two disciplines into books as sweet and complex as the-good-stuff champagne.
Want to read
May 10, 2025i believe this could be the perfect summer romance for me (and we will find out v soon!) ♡
July 9, 2025
Before I am human, I am a hater. I famously do not engage with couple content, I don’t read much Romance, + I read and write about divorce and the current state of American marriages— but I can happily say I loved THE HIGH DIVE.
The book is an enemies to lovers romance about two people who fiercely fight for what they believe in- Alex works for a progressive party while Danial works to provide for his family. My favorite scenes in this book were of them sparring. I love seeing people defend their beliefs, and I loved that this romance was infused with an explicit understanding of class, money, and how they warp and twist our understandings of ourselves and our relationships.
I’ve been following The Financial Diet and @faganchelsea on YouTube for years, and was lucky enough to meet Chelsea irl and get a copy of the book- a true honor! I THE HIGH DIVE is excellent and a perfect read for those who want their sweetness and spice with a side of serious social justice, politics, and the state of the world today.
The book is an enemies to lovers romance about two people who fiercely fight for what they believe in- Alex works for a progressive party while Danial works to provide for his family. My favorite scenes in this book were of them sparring. I love seeing people defend their beliefs, and I loved that this romance was infused with an explicit understanding of class, money, and how they warp and twist our understandings of ourselves and our relationships.
I’ve been following The Financial Diet and @faganchelsea on YouTube for years, and was lucky enough to meet Chelsea irl and get a copy of the book- a true honor! I THE HIGH DIVE is excellent and a perfect read for those who want their sweetness and spice with a side of serious social justice, politics, and the state of the world today.
March 18, 2025
Starting off this review with two truths: I adored Chelsea Fagan's first novel "A Perfect Vintage" and I really enjoy her writing and her as an author. Unfortunately, this book wasn't really for me. I do love a good tale critiquing the lives of the ultrarich, but the characters on the whole were too shallow and their development was pretty nonexistent. Most of all, our protagonist Alex is truly insufferable - her "woe is me" mentality made me want to toss my phone off my building every 50 pages or so.
Alex is 32, works in progressive politics, and can't get over the events of her past. She is invited to her rich best friend's wedding and preceding yacht cruise with her group of, you guessed it, rich college friends. But Alex is poor! She grew up poor! She's still poor! And she's worried about seeing these friends again and being viewed as the poor girl. Plus, her longtime love and enemy Danial (spelling infuriated me) will be there, and they haven't connected in a decade after an unspeakably embarrassing event right before they graduated college years ago. Plus he also works for a hedge fund and is corrupt and evil, according to Alex.
So the book recounts current day events on the bachelor yacht and it jumps back in time to fill in the reader on the history between Danial and Alex. No matter the time though, Alex is annoying. Alex has a primal need for constant approval and acceptance from her rich friends, yet whenever they treat her as a friend/one of them, she immediately tells herself it can't be genuine. She has and continues to alienate herself from her "friends" and it bothered me until the end of the book. Also, I think the plot build and eventual peak of Danial and Alex's relationship comes too late in the book. It seemed unrealistic to me. What I loved about "A Perfect Vintage" was that it challenged an unorthodox relationship dynamic (older woman, younger man) and really explored the stigma and preconceptions about that relationship dynamic and what it says about people. This book is enemies to lovers, but it's far less complex than I was hoping for and generally fell flat.
Had to give it 3 stars though because I finished it in 24hours and Fagan made me want to keep coming back to find out what happens. I think most girlies would enjoy this by the lake or the pool this summer (even if it's simplistic), so pick up your copy once it releases on May 27th! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy.
Alex is 32, works in progressive politics, and can't get over the events of her past. She is invited to her rich best friend's wedding and preceding yacht cruise with her group of, you guessed it, rich college friends. But Alex is poor! She grew up poor! She's still poor! And she's worried about seeing these friends again and being viewed as the poor girl. Plus, her longtime love and enemy Danial (spelling infuriated me) will be there, and they haven't connected in a decade after an unspeakably embarrassing event right before they graduated college years ago. Plus he also works for a hedge fund and is corrupt and evil, according to Alex.
So the book recounts current day events on the bachelor yacht and it jumps back in time to fill in the reader on the history between Danial and Alex. No matter the time though, Alex is annoying. Alex has a primal need for constant approval and acceptance from her rich friends, yet whenever they treat her as a friend/one of them, she immediately tells herself it can't be genuine. She has and continues to alienate herself from her "friends" and it bothered me until the end of the book. Also, I think the plot build and eventual peak of Danial and Alex's relationship comes too late in the book. It seemed unrealistic to me. What I loved about "A Perfect Vintage" was that it challenged an unorthodox relationship dynamic (older woman, younger man) and really explored the stigma and preconceptions about that relationship dynamic and what it says about people. This book is enemies to lovers, but it's far less complex than I was hoping for and generally fell flat.
Had to give it 3 stars though because I finished it in 24hours and Fagan made me want to keep coming back to find out what happens. I think most girlies would enjoy this by the lake or the pool this summer (even if it's simplistic), so pick up your copy once it releases on May 27th! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy.
September 21, 2025
“I vote straight-ticket Democrat” is the sexiest line I’ve ever read in a book. Besides that, I hated this book and every character in it.
May 8, 2025
The premise of this book was really good, and I was excited to read it. It didn't really deliver for me unfortunately.
Alex sucked. She thought she was better than everyone else because she wasn't rich but in the same breath kept saying she was below them because she was poor. I'm begging for you to pick a struggle. Also, she was SO defensive and confrontational to literally everyone. Someone would try and show they care? Shes mad because she thinks they're pitying her for absolutely no reason.
Danial (I pronounced it "denial" every single time I read it, and I couldn't stop) I think had the potential to be good. If this had been dual pov and we could see how desperately he was yearning, this could've been a 5-star book.
They have this whole dramatic decade long yearn-fest and we don't even get the reunion??????? He finally gives her a letter saying how much he loves her then we skip to the next day where they wake up together?????? There was no emotional payoff.
Overall, this book was well written, the setting was fun, and the background characters (especially Paul <3) had distinct personalities. I just didn't like how the romance played out.
ARC from NetGalley
Alex sucked. She thought she was better than everyone else because she wasn't rich but in the same breath kept saying she was below them because she was poor. I'm begging for you to pick a struggle. Also, she was SO defensive and confrontational to literally everyone. Someone would try and show they care? Shes mad because she thinks they're pitying her for absolutely no reason.
Danial (I pronounced it "denial" every single time I read it, and I couldn't stop) I think had the potential to be good. If this had been dual pov and we could see how desperately he was yearning, this could've been a 5-star book.
They have this whole dramatic decade long yearn-fest and we don't even get the reunion??????? He finally gives her a letter saying how much he loves her then we skip to the next day where they wake up together?????? There was no emotional payoff.
Overall, this book was well written, the setting was fun, and the background characters (especially Paul <3) had distinct personalities. I just didn't like how the romance played out.
ARC from NetGalley
March 20, 2025
Absolutely loved this!!! I've read so few romance novels that *actually* included a thoughtful discussion of social class, so this was really refreshing, and the central pair had such a juicy dynamic: a political strategist for a Working Families-coded party and a guy working in private equity. The writing was still every bit as lux as APV, and yes, there was still plenty of ridiculous rich people behavior to escape into. I especially loved Paul's character and storyline, which I found pretty heart-wrenching, without giving anything away. Overall a perfect summer read with real substance!
June 9, 2025
Absolutely DELECTABLE. Stunning setting, thought-provoking premise, swoon-worthy tension-filled romance.
Source: public library paperback
Source: public library paperback
June 25, 2025
Ето я! Моята книга на 2025 - та година!
Силата на книгите да се промъкват в съзнанието и дори под кожата ни, е истинска. Най – добрата книга е тази, в която на някой ред срещна фраза, реплика или описание и дъхът ми спира! Заради внушението, заради стила или заради пълното припознаване на момента.
Какво се случва, когато попадна на писателка, която от първата прочетена книга, приковава вниманието ми? Ами грабвам и втората й и започвам да следя всичко ново от нея.
The High Dive е много чувствена книга. С цялата сила на тази дума! Извиква копнеж, желание, привързаност, любопитство и екстаз – цялата дъга от усещания, които носим в себе си заради един – единствен човек!
Книгата е много детайлно и честно описание на грешките, които правим в стремежа си да се превърнем в такъв вариант на себе си, който можем да представим на другите. Още от училище някои се опитват да се впишат в среда, която им се струва бляскава и харесвана. По – нататък по пътя осъзнаваме, че ако сме красиви, секси, богати или нахакани, ще привлечем внимание. Или работим в сфера, която оказва влияние, има тежест и авторитет. Дори и да нямаме достатъчно финанси, правим всякакви маневри, за да сме в крак с кръга си от приятели – ползваме кредитна карта, пропиляваме малкото си спестявания ( и последното си самоуважение), за да покажем класа. Но нищичко не може да ни спаси от самите нас. От вътрешния ни глас, който шепне, че под пластовете блясък сме стресирани, уплашени, че правим грешки, че не можем да разговаряме свободно, че нямаме нужната подкрепа от най – близките си, освен ако не им предоставяме успехи : в училище, в университета, на работа… Комплексът ни за малоценност стои на дъното на чантата ни и при всеки удобен случай ни кара да настръхваме, щом се усетим пренебрегнати, отхвърлени или заменени.
Така е с Алекс Онасис на онази яхта за половин милионна долара на круиз в Средиземно море с приятели от университета. Така е и с Даниел Азад. Не чак така е и с Бий и Дев. Съвсем различно е с Пол и Гай. Заради финансовата независимост, заради по – лекия начин, по който се стремят да гледат на света и заради нежеланието им да споделят обществените порядки. Chelsea Fagan успява да покаже, че няма необмислен ход, който да не е наказан. Било с раздяла, било с неизвестни факти, било със срам заради прибързани заключения. И със самота!
Там, в нея, ако сме достатъчно честни, ще си признаем слабостите. Ще си отмием скъпия макиаж и ще си спомним кои сме. Откъде идваме? И че ние никога няма да бъдем като бляскавите си приятели. Колкото и кредита да натрупаме в картата си и каквито и снимки да качим в Инстаграм, в края на отпуската си, пак ще изпитваме тревожност, пак ще работим дълги часове в офиса, за да се докажем и пак ще бъдем себе си в най – естествения си вид.
Ако до 30 години не си разбрал, че да казваш на важните за теб хора, че ги цениш е освобождаващо и стимулиращо по повече от един начин, то дали е късно да се научиш за последващия си жизнен опит?
Но ,може би , именно с истинското си Аз ще можем да поправим грешките си, за да дадем шанс на любовта. Която, ако е истинска, ще оцелее дори след десет години враждебно мълчание!
* “ The bathroom felt like a microcosm of her life: small and tidy and good enough for her, until a rich person was looking at it. “
* “You might not remember this, but being surrounded by extremely rich people when you don’t have money gets kind of exhausting after a while.”
* “That’s why it’s so important who is deciding the history we live through.”
* “ … portion of their itinerary wasn’t new to her, but Taormina was a revelation. She’d read all about the winding streets of the old city, the breathtaking views of the sea, the elegant five-star hotels and their sprawling terraces, tinkling with grand piano music. This was once a destination for the most elite international jet setters, and every part of it screamed vintage glamor. She felt she could properly appreciate it alone, absent the constant drip of disaffected commentary. „
Силата на книгите да се промъкват в съзнанието и дори под кожата ни, е истинска. Най – добрата книга е тази, в която на някой ред срещна фраза, реплика или описание и дъхът ми спира! Заради внушението, заради стила или заради пълното припознаване на момента.
Какво се случва, когато попадна на писателка, която от първата прочетена книга, приковава вниманието ми? Ами грабвам и втората й и започвам да следя всичко ново от нея.
The High Dive е много чувствена книга. С цялата сила на тази дума! Извиква копнеж, желание, привързаност, любопитство и екстаз – цялата дъга от усещания, които носим в себе си заради един – единствен човек!
Книгата е много детайлно и честно описание на грешките, които правим в стремежа си да се превърнем в такъв вариант на себе си, който можем да представим на другите. Още от училище някои се опитват да се впишат в среда, която им се струва бляскава и харесвана. По – нататък по пътя осъзнаваме, че ако сме красиви, секси, богати или нахакани, ще привлечем внимание. Или работим в сфера, която оказва влияние, има тежест и авторитет. Дори и да нямаме достатъчно финанси, правим всякакви маневри, за да сме в крак с кръга си от приятели – ползваме кредитна карта, пропиляваме малкото си спестявания ( и последното си самоуважение), за да покажем класа. Но нищичко не може да ни спаси от самите нас. От вътрешния ни глас, който шепне, че под пластовете блясък сме стресирани, уплашени, че правим грешки, че не можем да разговаряме свободно, че нямаме нужната подкрепа от най – близките си, освен ако не им предоставяме успехи : в училище, в университета, на работа… Комплексът ни за малоценност стои на дъното на чантата ни и при всеки удобен случай ни кара да настръхваме, щом се усетим пренебрегнати, отхвърлени или заменени.
Така е с Алекс Онасис на онази яхта за половин милионна долара на круиз в Средиземно море с приятели от университета. Така е и с Даниел Азад. Не чак така е и с Бий и Дев. Съвсем различно е с Пол и Гай. Заради финансовата независимост, заради по – лекия начин, по който се стремят да гледат на света и заради нежеланието им да споделят обществените порядки. Chelsea Fagan успява да покаже, че няма необмислен ход, който да не е наказан. Било с раздяла, било с неизвестни факти, било със срам заради прибързани заключения. И със самота!
Там, в нея, ако сме достатъчно честни, ще си признаем слабостите. Ще си отмием скъпия макиаж и ще си спомним кои сме. Откъде идваме? И че ние никога няма да бъдем като бляскавите си приятели. Колкото и кредита да натрупаме в картата си и каквито и снимки да качим в Инстаграм, в края на отпуската си, пак ще изпитваме тревожност, пак ще работим дълги часове в офиса, за да се докажем и пак ще бъдем себе си в най – естествения си вид.
Ако до 30 години не си разбрал, че да казваш на важните за теб хора, че ги цениш е освобождаващо и стимулиращо по повече от един начин, то дали е късно да се научиш за последващия си жизнен опит?
Но ,може би , именно с истинското си Аз ще можем да поправим грешките си, за да дадем шанс на любовта. Която, ако е истинска, ще оцелее дори след десет години враждебно мълчание!
* “ The bathroom felt like a microcosm of her life: small and tidy and good enough for her, until a rich person was looking at it. “
* “You might not remember this, but being surrounded by extremely rich people when you don’t have money gets kind of exhausting after a while.”
* “That’s why it’s so important who is deciding the history we live through.”
* “ … portion of their itinerary wasn’t new to her, but Taormina was a revelation. She’d read all about the winding streets of the old city, the breathtaking views of the sea, the elegant five-star hotels and their sprawling terraces, tinkling with grand piano music. This was once a destination for the most elite international jet setters, and every part of it screamed vintage glamor. She felt she could properly appreciate it alone, absent the constant drip of disaffected commentary. „
July 8, 2025
Update: I had to add my review again because GoodReads kept my rating but deleted my review.
TLDR: this book is poorly written, romance underdeveloped, and uses a rust belt city that it’s very apparent the author has no connection to as a symbol of growing up poor.
I was really excited about this book but in the end it really didn’t work for me.
The main character is annoying with a “poor me” attitude when it comes to her friend group. The social class commentary was incredibly heavy handed and came off more as judgement than actually exploring social class.
This was also advertised as enemies to lovers which it is not. The main characters were never enemies, there was decision made and there was miscommunication that lead to a “hatred” that wasn’t even really a hatred. Also we don’t get to see a resolution on page. We see a “grand gesture” through a letter but we don’t get to see the characters actually reconcile and this really missed the mark for me.
Lastly, this book lost a star due to the Rochester NY representation. It is so clear the author has never been to Rochester with the “run down Rochester neighborhoods” comment. Rochester is a vibrant city with a lot of really nice areas and things to do. Alex also would not have grown up on the city realistically, she would’ve grown up in a decent suburb. Alex also seems to resent her Rochester upbringing when people who actually live in Rochester, or were raised there really love the city.
TLDR: this book is poorly written, romance underdeveloped, and uses a rust belt city that it’s very apparent the author has no connection to as a symbol of growing up poor.
I was really excited about this book but in the end it really didn’t work for me.
The main character is annoying with a “poor me” attitude when it comes to her friend group. The social class commentary was incredibly heavy handed and came off more as judgement than actually exploring social class.
This was also advertised as enemies to lovers which it is not. The main characters were never enemies, there was decision made and there was miscommunication that lead to a “hatred” that wasn’t even really a hatred. Also we don’t get to see a resolution on page. We see a “grand gesture” through a letter but we don’t get to see the characters actually reconcile and this really missed the mark for me.
Lastly, this book lost a star due to the Rochester NY representation. It is so clear the author has never been to Rochester with the “run down Rochester neighborhoods” comment. Rochester is a vibrant city with a lot of really nice areas and things to do. Alex also would not have grown up on the city realistically, she would’ve grown up in a decent suburb. Alex also seems to resent her Rochester upbringing when people who actually live in Rochester, or were raised there really love the city.
July 12, 2025
2.5 rounded up. I hope I have more than a teaspoon of emotional maturity when I’m 32
April 3, 2025
4.5 Stars! I was hooked from the very first pages and read it in 24 hours! I went into this based on the vibes of the cover alone, and a short blurb… so I truly did not know what to expect… but I was hooked! Alex is a middle class girl working in politics with an “eat the rich” state of mind, ironically, all her friends are ultra wealthy… her best friends wedding puts her in a yacht with the rest of the group for 10 days, and that is where it all starts to unravel, and although Alex was a bit insufferable at times, her reasons were valid, and I think throughout the story you really get to understand where she’s coming from. The side characters were giving me White Lotus vibes at times and I loved it. I need a second book about Paul, I loved everything about him. Thank you Netgalley for my ARC.
April 10, 2025
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The High Dive follows Alex Onassis, a scholarship student at Columbia turned political staffer, as she attempts to navigate a two week yacht trip through Europe with her rich best friend and his wealthy friends to celebrate his wedding. Despite going to college with them all, Alex always felt like an outsider. Alex has to face the group she had never truly fit in with while also avoiding her ex-best friend and college crush Danial.
I have so many thoughts about this book, and honestly, I don’t even know where to start.
What I liked: Paul deserves the world. He was the one character I consistently rooted for throughout the story. The descriptions of the yacht trip and the Mediterranean destinations were appealing as well. I love when a story takes me to a beautiful place.
What didn’t work for me: Unfortunately, most of the characters were deeply unlikable. Gus deserves to rot in prison. Sophie had no personality. Danial came off as spineless, constantly complaining about having no choice but to work for the Big Bad Corporate Machine™️ while enjoying all the luxuries he got from the salary. Alex seemed to have a superiority complex over everyone because of her job while also endlessly reminding us that she was poor and the outcast in the group. The plot felt repetitive and it seemed I was reading the same scenes on a loop. Alex and Danial hated each other for 99.9% of the book and then suddenly they are soulmates and loved each other all this time? I didn’t feel any chemistry and I never once rooted for them to be together.
Unfortunately this book was not for me but I think a specific audience would enjoy this!
The High Dive follows Alex Onassis, a scholarship student at Columbia turned political staffer, as she attempts to navigate a two week yacht trip through Europe with her rich best friend and his wealthy friends to celebrate his wedding. Despite going to college with them all, Alex always felt like an outsider. Alex has to face the group she had never truly fit in with while also avoiding her ex-best friend and college crush Danial.
I have so many thoughts about this book, and honestly, I don’t even know where to start.
What I liked: Paul deserves the world. He was the one character I consistently rooted for throughout the story. The descriptions of the yacht trip and the Mediterranean destinations were appealing as well. I love when a story takes me to a beautiful place.
What didn’t work for me: Unfortunately, most of the characters were deeply unlikable. Gus deserves to rot in prison. Sophie had no personality. Danial came off as spineless, constantly complaining about having no choice but to work for the Big Bad Corporate Machine™️ while enjoying all the luxuries he got from the salary. Alex seemed to have a superiority complex over everyone because of her job while also endlessly reminding us that she was poor and the outcast in the group. The plot felt repetitive and it seemed I was reading the same scenes on a loop. Alex and Danial hated each other for 99.9% of the book and then suddenly they are soulmates and loved each other all this time? I didn’t feel any chemistry and I never once rooted for them to be together.
Unfortunately this book was not for me but I think a specific audience would enjoy this!
May 16, 2025
This book absolutely rocked me. I devoured it in two sittings, staying up way too late past my bedtime. Chelsea takes us to the Mediterranean where a group of college best friends are reuniting to celebrate the marriage between Paul and Guy— spending ten days on a yacht, then a stop in Greece for the actual wedding. The scenery for a romance/beach read truly doesn’t get any better, and Chelsea’s descriptions are immersive.
The story centers around the dynamic between Alex and Danial — the only two scholarship kids in the group of ultra-wealthy Columbia grads. It’s 10 years later, and Alex is working for a working-families party helping to get progressive candidates elected and Danial is making millions at a PE firm. Something happened 10 years ago, and the pair haven’t spoken. Now they’re reuniting and Alex is the odd one out— the only remaining middle class outcast. This is very much a second chance romance, enemies to lovers vibe with lots of tension and chemistry.
This has a dual timeline, so you get a window into what happened that awful night, between Alex and Danial. You get a feel for the entire group’s dynamic, and there is plenty of rich people behaving badly amongst some incredible scenery. I absolutely loved the friendship elements here in addition to the romance— Paul and Alex’s relationship, despite coming from very different worlds— was completely heartwarming.
Chelsea does an incredible job of discussing wealth and social class— how that impacts how we behave, feel and move through the world. We love a progressive FMC! I found a lot of the thoughts and discussions really relatable and timely. However, it still very much has an escapist feel— and she balanced the two beautifully and with nuance. Overall, this book was a poignant, smart and sexy read that I highly recommend.
The story centers around the dynamic between Alex and Danial — the only two scholarship kids in the group of ultra-wealthy Columbia grads. It’s 10 years later, and Alex is working for a working-families party helping to get progressive candidates elected and Danial is making millions at a PE firm. Something happened 10 years ago, and the pair haven’t spoken. Now they’re reuniting and Alex is the odd one out— the only remaining middle class outcast. This is very much a second chance romance, enemies to lovers vibe with lots of tension and chemistry.
This has a dual timeline, so you get a window into what happened that awful night, between Alex and Danial. You get a feel for the entire group’s dynamic, and there is plenty of rich people behaving badly amongst some incredible scenery. I absolutely loved the friendship elements here in addition to the romance— Paul and Alex’s relationship, despite coming from very different worlds— was completely heartwarming.
Chelsea does an incredible job of discussing wealth and social class— how that impacts how we behave, feel and move through the world. We love a progressive FMC! I found a lot of the thoughts and discussions really relatable and timely. However, it still very much has an escapist feel— and she balanced the two beautifully and with nuance. Overall, this book was a poignant, smart and sexy read that I highly recommend.
April 18, 2025
I was provided an advanced copy of this book by Net Galley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to love this more but it fell a bit flat for me sadly. I am not even sure I can describe what exactly bothered me about it but to me Alex just felt incredibly inconsistent. She so desperately wants to be accepted by these people she also loudly morally opposes. I got a bit of whiplash when her and Danial had the massive falling out only for him to show up 5 minutes later at her door. Then, at the end, she suddenly is okay with his wealth because he quit his job and is spending it help her and Paul and by bringing their families together. Girl please pick a stance and stop flip flopping when it serves you to. The spice is essentially none existent if you’re looking for that and don’t even get me started on the wall thing.
The setting was really fun and I liked the concept of it all happening on a mega yacht but we spend 75% of the book away from the yacht. Anyway, I had high hopes but sadly it wasn’t quite what I was hoping.
I wanted to love this more but it fell a bit flat for me sadly. I am not even sure I can describe what exactly bothered me about it but to me Alex just felt incredibly inconsistent. She so desperately wants to be accepted by these people she also loudly morally opposes. I got a bit of whiplash when her and Danial had the massive falling out only for him to show up 5 minutes later at her door. Then, at the end, she suddenly is okay with his wealth because he quit his job and is spending it help her and Paul and by bringing their families together. Girl please pick a stance and stop flip flopping when it serves you to. The spice is essentially none existent if you’re looking for that and don’t even get me started on the wall thing.
The setting was really fun and I liked the concept of it all happening on a mega yacht but we spend 75% of the book away from the yacht. Anyway, I had high hopes but sadly it wasn’t quite what I was hoping.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2025
Wanted to give the author another chance even after hating her first novel “A Perfect Vintage”. Although I thought this book was better and more engaging, the main character was still so unlikable. For someone who constantly wanted to pick fights with each character, reminded everyone of how she is better than them, felt sorry for herself, etc etc it makes me question her genuine fit in this group of friends. I would also secretly hate having this girl tag along.
And for the actual point of the whole book: resolving a 10 year wait to be with a man who just seems too perfect… as lame as you would expect. Anticlimactic.
Also why do we need insight into characters who are just ultra rich? Isn’t that boring to anyone else?
And for the actual point of the whole book: resolving a 10 year wait to be with a man who just seems too perfect… as lame as you would expect. Anticlimactic.
Also why do we need insight into characters who are just ultra rich? Isn’t that boring to anyone else?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2025
Alex hasn't seen Danial since they graduated college ten years ago but that doesn't mean she doesn't think about him all the time. She had a massive crush on him back then but the night she confessed her feelings went terribly wrong. When they come face to face at their friend Paul's chartered yacht trip in the Mediterranean, their old bickering dynamic is still the same as is their sexual tension. If anyone is going to do things the hard way, it's Alex and Danial.
A romance that explores class and wealth differences, complicated friend group dynamics, and what to do when you suspect your best friend might be marrying someone abusive. Also: a truly romantic letter! I couldn't put this down.
Characters: Alex is a 32 year old white Greek American Director of Social Media Strategy for the Worker's Horizon political party. Danial is a 32 year old Irani American managing director at a private equity firm. It's been 10 years since their college graduation. This is set in present day Greece, Italy, and France, as well as ten years ago NYC where they attended Columbia University.
Content notes: verbal and emotional abuse (secondary characters), anxiety, physical assault, laceration, vomit, classism, credit card debt, financial stress, fatphobia, fatshaming (secondary character), diet, diet culture, MMC's mother has Parkinson's and arthritis, FMC's father has back pain, past death of MMC's father, MMC's parents left Iran during the revolution and immigrated to the US, secondary character's father is ill, overbearing mother, past parental fertility issues, facial scar from prep school hazing, pregnant secondary character, unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion of STI or pregnancy prevention), on page sex, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, excessive drinking, hangover, unprescribed Xanax, mixing Xanax and alcohol, past recreational drug use (secondary characters), cigarettes (secondary characters), gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
A romance that explores class and wealth differences, complicated friend group dynamics, and what to do when you suspect your best friend might be marrying someone abusive. Also: a truly romantic letter! I couldn't put this down.
Characters: Alex is a 32 year old white Greek American Director of Social Media Strategy for the Worker's Horizon political party. Danial is a 32 year old Irani American managing director at a private equity firm. It's been 10 years since their college graduation. This is set in present day Greece, Italy, and France, as well as ten years ago NYC where they attended Columbia University.
Content notes: verbal and emotional abuse (secondary characters), anxiety, physical assault, laceration, vomit, classism, credit card debt, financial stress, fatphobia, fatshaming (secondary character), diet, diet culture, MMC's mother has Parkinson's and arthritis, FMC's father has back pain, past death of MMC's father, MMC's parents left Iran during the revolution and immigrated to the US, secondary character's father is ill, overbearing mother, past parental fertility issues, facial scar from prep school hazing, pregnant secondary character, unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion of STI or pregnancy prevention), on page sex, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, excessive drinking, hangover, unprescribed Xanax, mixing Xanax and alcohol, past recreational drug use (secondary characters), cigarettes (secondary characters), gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
October 8, 2025
This was cute! Don’t totally buy the chemistry between the two main characters and the ten year silent treatment was a bit much. But this was fun and quick.
July 19, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
April 6, 2025
This was such a fun way to shut my brain off for a few days and just enjoy the sexy vibes. If being slutty on a yacht in the Mediterranean sea is your cup tea - I wish you a bon voyage :D
April 28, 2025
I found this book incredibly cringey to get through because the main protagonist was so frustrating. She’s nearly 30 years old and does not like her friends yet feels a need to still be friends with them. She describes her ‘friends’ so negatively around her and as it’s from her perspective then us as the reader only thinks of them as negative. She even describes her mom negatively though her mom is the one with some sense. I appreciated the aspects of social class discussion and politics but it seemed so detailed and at odds with the writing of the characters. We get detailed accounts of her social media plans and ideas that I don’t think the reader needs. When I think of enemies to lovers and a summer beach read which this seemed billed as I want to like the characters and want to root for the couple to fall in love. Instead I just wanted the main character to go home and never see these people again and get therapy.
Received ARC through NetGalley
Received ARC through NetGalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2025
Sorry to say I wasn't a fan of this book. Even though the main character was meant to be the less well-off/middle class friend, the whole set-up (including her attitude) felt pretentious and came across un-relatable. By the time the romance elements were being developed, it was hopeless since I already didn't like the MMC of FMC. I recently read Broken French by Natasha Boyd which also is a romance that takes place on a yacht in the med. That was much better executed and a better experience overall. Also, why did was his name spelled Danial? If the author wanted to be unique, I would have preferred the MMC have a unique name completely. It was distracting because I wanted to call him Denial. Which is what I was in while I was reading this book.
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July 2, 2025Incredibly grateful to have had a chance to read this book before it was officially published!
Chelsea Fagan really nails the perfect summertime romance read. A perfect balance of complex characters and plot contained in an easy to read shorter novel. I would recommend to friends and I will most certainly be on the look out for her future work 🫶🏻
Chelsea Fagan really nails the perfect summertime romance read. A perfect balance of complex characters and plot contained in an easy to read shorter novel. I would recommend to friends and I will most certainly be on the look out for her future work 🫶🏻
June 8, 2025
DNF@50%
I tried so hard to keep going but I just couldn’t. I hated every single character. It was taking way too long to get to the backstory of why the main characters hated each other but also apparently wanted to rip each other’s clothes off? In no reality would the FMC still be friends with the pretentious rich kids from college that are INSUFFERABLE. I enjoyed nothing about this book.
I tried so hard to keep going but I just couldn’t. I hated every single character. It was taking way too long to get to the backstory of why the main characters hated each other but also apparently wanted to rip each other’s clothes off? In no reality would the FMC still be friends with the pretentious rich kids from college that are INSUFFERABLE. I enjoyed nothing about this book.
May 26, 2025
3 stars (rounded up) ✨
I blew through this book in one night, basically, and it’s helped me get out of a weeks-long reading slump, so credit where credit is due. This was a fun read.
Will these characters stay with me for the rest of my life, though? Probably not. Everyone felt a little too one-dimensional for that. Alex isn’t the most forgiving narrator - for herself or others. All in all, her resentment gave the book a more shallow vibe than I would have liked.
I’d eat up a follow up on Paul any day, though. Give that man his happy ending, please.
Overall, I think there’s room for growth in the writing and for the author to find her voice as a fiction writer. I love the work she does with the Financial Diet, which was my main reason for picking this up. Her “critique voice”, if you will, is strong, confident, and her own. The writing in The High Dive felt derivative at times, in a way that doesn’t quite play to her strengths. This gave a stilted, awkward quality to especially the first few chapters. I’m curious to see how she’ll develop her writing further, hopefully with some justice for Paul.
I had trouble connecting with the MC in particular, because of her somewhat Pick Me coded blend of being gorgeous, flirty, smart - in all ways extremely desirable apparently - but also being extremely anxious and insecure, which she channeled into disdain and looking down on people with money. “I’m not like the other privileged people (because I’m not rich, too).” This is probably quite realistic, but I would have appreciated more exploration of the tension and disconnect I assume she must have been feeling. Especially because this was essentially the Big Issue keeping her and Danial apart.
Basically, I didn’t really care for Alex and wasn’t super invested in her finding happiness, because she was so actively and consciously blocking it.
Thanks to Chelsea Fagan, the publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!
I blew through this book in one night, basically, and it’s helped me get out of a weeks-long reading slump, so credit where credit is due. This was a fun read.
Will these characters stay with me for the rest of my life, though? Probably not. Everyone felt a little too one-dimensional for that. Alex isn’t the most forgiving narrator - for herself or others. All in all, her resentment gave the book a more shallow vibe than I would have liked.
I’d eat up a follow up on Paul any day, though. Give that man his happy ending, please.
Overall, I think there’s room for growth in the writing and for the author to find her voice as a fiction writer. I love the work she does with the Financial Diet, which was my main reason for picking this up. Her “critique voice”, if you will, is strong, confident, and her own. The writing in The High Dive felt derivative at times, in a way that doesn’t quite play to her strengths. This gave a stilted, awkward quality to especially the first few chapters. I’m curious to see how she’ll develop her writing further, hopefully with some justice for Paul.
I had trouble connecting with the MC in particular, because of her somewhat Pick Me coded blend of being gorgeous, flirty, smart - in all ways extremely desirable apparently - but also being extremely anxious and insecure, which she channeled into disdain and looking down on people with money. “I’m not like the other privileged people (because I’m not rich, too).” This is probably quite realistic, but I would have appreciated more exploration of the tension and disconnect I assume she must have been feeling. Especially because this was essentially the Big Issue keeping her and Danial apart.
Basically, I didn’t really care for Alex and wasn’t super invested in her finding happiness, because she was so actively and consciously blocking it.
Thanks to Chelsea Fagan, the publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!
June 10, 2025
WOW! What an escape!!! When I saw people saying this book was sexy, sophisticated, and aesthetically stunning, I KNEW I had to check it out!
Chelsea takes you on an adventure in a world full of champagne, yachts, and luxurious destinations. Her ability to teleport you to the karaoke bars of Italy, breakfast tables of fruits and cheeses, and resorts of Europe, made this book so BINGE WORTHY! I read it in 2 sittings!!
Alex and Danial are complicated. They fight, they bicker, they have intellectual “battles”, but man you can’t help but giggle while they do it. They are the perfect example of the “invisible string” theory. No matter what they went through, they always came back together!
I also LOVED seeing into the lives of a class I don’t fall into (LOL). Getting to know the friend group and differences in experiences was such a treat. WE LOVE YOU PAUL!!
Chelsea also deals with this difference of class in such a real way. Alex never was given the same opportunities as Danial and his friends, so her passion to succeed makes her an FMC that inspires!!!
This is the perfect summer read. It’s quick. It’s seductive. It’s intelligent. It teleports you to the world of the wealthy.
I highly recommend to anyone who loves:
🍾Dual Timelines
🍾Italian settings
🍾Political drama
🍾Friends to competition to lovers
🍾Bachelor party VIBESSSS
🍾Sophisticated and sexy banter
Content Warnings:
-Strong language
-Verbal abuse in relationships
-Spice: Page 112-113, Page 224-230
-there are also scenes without descriptive intimacy, however both people are undressed
Chelsea takes you on an adventure in a world full of champagne, yachts, and luxurious destinations. Her ability to teleport you to the karaoke bars of Italy, breakfast tables of fruits and cheeses, and resorts of Europe, made this book so BINGE WORTHY! I read it in 2 sittings!!
Alex and Danial are complicated. They fight, they bicker, they have intellectual “battles”, but man you can’t help but giggle while they do it. They are the perfect example of the “invisible string” theory. No matter what they went through, they always came back together!
I also LOVED seeing into the lives of a class I don’t fall into (LOL). Getting to know the friend group and differences in experiences was such a treat. WE LOVE YOU PAUL!!
Chelsea also deals with this difference of class in such a real way. Alex never was given the same opportunities as Danial and his friends, so her passion to succeed makes her an FMC that inspires!!!
This is the perfect summer read. It’s quick. It’s seductive. It’s intelligent. It teleports you to the world of the wealthy.
I highly recommend to anyone who loves:
🍾Dual Timelines
🍾Italian settings
🍾Political drama
🍾Friends to competition to lovers
🍾Bachelor party VIBESSSS
🍾Sophisticated and sexy banter
Content Warnings:
-Strong language
-Verbal abuse in relationships
-Spice: Page 112-113, Page 224-230
-there are also scenes without descriptive intimacy, however both people are undressed
March 25, 2025
“Something about the water - being in it or being on it - put her at ease. Maybe it was the summers she spent on Lake Ontario, or the fact that she was a Cancer.”
😍 I loved this read. This was the perfect book for someone in their busy life trying to go on vacation with a group of friends even if you’re all at different points.
🙌 Alex, I absolutely get the gripe about parents and dating coaches. What a fantastic introduction to her character.
The supporting characters were so fun and thought out so well - all really cool in their own regards. Danial was a broody (steamy) gem.
👏 The tension between the two MC’s was so emotional and real. No further spoilers but loved this read, but true adults with true hard decisions and life choices can be found in this 📕.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
😍 I loved this read. This was the perfect book for someone in their busy life trying to go on vacation with a group of friends even if you’re all at different points.
🙌 Alex, I absolutely get the gripe about parents and dating coaches. What a fantastic introduction to her character.
The supporting characters were so fun and thought out so well - all really cool in their own regards. Danial was a broody (steamy) gem.
👏 The tension between the two MC’s was so emotional and real. No further spoilers but loved this read, but true adults with true hard decisions and life choices can be found in this 📕.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
April 16, 2025
I received an ARC of this book (thank you, Chelsea!) and absolutely devoured it in a few days. It was one of those books I stayed up way too late reading every night because I couldn't put it down. I adored that this wasn't a traditional romance book where the plot solely revolved around 2 people but rather a group of 30-something friends who met in college.
The socioeconomic status difference between Alex and the rest of the group was handled in a realistic way and felt very timely to include in the book. While I loved Alex and Danial's relationship, Paul and Alex's friendship really drew me in. I finished this book needing to find a Paul in my life - he was a perfectly complex and heartwarming character.
Couldn't have loved this more: 5/5!
The socioeconomic status difference between Alex and the rest of the group was handled in a realistic way and felt very timely to include in the book. While I loved Alex and Danial's relationship, Paul and Alex's friendship really drew me in. I finished this book needing to find a Paul in my life - he was a perfectly complex and heartwarming character.
Couldn't have loved this more: 5/5!
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