Going Deep

Winning Love #1

by Sophie Andrews

As a teacher, I'm burned out and a nanny gig for the summer should be a perfect reset. Too bad my boss would be football's bad boy—and my brother’s best friend.

I'm not a fan of Camden Long. He’s rude, arrogant, and never misses an opportunity to throw a few verbal jabs my way. The tight end is well known for his reckless behavior on and off the field, yet when tragedy strikes and he suddenly finds himself responsible for his teenage sister, his life is thrown into a new level of chaos. That’s when my brother volunteers my help.

I don't want to say yes, but I can't say no, and tell myself it's just for the summer.
Except the more I learn about the man beneath the conceited façade, the less I want to leave Camden or his sister. Especially when he loses all of his cocky attitude and rasps out, “I need you.”

Going Deep is the first book in a brand new sports series by Sophie Andrews that will make you giggle and kick your feet!

Genres: Sports Romance, Romance

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 1, 2026

Reviews

[Miffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:

So this is my second book by Sophie and I am so glad I was accepted for this ARC (thank you Sophie and your team!) because I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved the banter between Camden and Nadine, including their witty comments, insults and sarcasm. I also really liked how Sophie represented the deaf community really well! 🥹

Apart from the banter, I also really loved the emotional and vulnerable moments between Camden and Nadine. Without spoiling the book too much, I loved how Camden and Nadine broke down their walls and let each other in. It was really wholesome and enjoyable to see. Although I wouldn’t say the book is extremely spicy, the chemistry and tension was there and it was written well! Thank you again Sophie! ❤️

[Ashleigh Orr · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a gorgeous fluffy rom com to start my ARC journey off 🤩 the banter between Camden and Nadine had me audibly giggling and I could've just read their backwards and forwards for the entirety of a book😂 Nadine is a sassy independent woman who can give as good as she gets. And Camden is a lovesick man enjoying the sparring. There is real emotion and vulnerability between the characters which highlights the deep connection they form.

The friendship Nadine builds with Camden's sister Paisley through ASL is heartwarming and they inevitably gang up on Camden to wrap him around their pinkies. I especially enjoyed the referencing to 10 things I hate about you and the jokes around this because what a film! 👏🏼

I do feel the storyline moved quite fast and there are some topics that aren't necessary to the story and felt like a bit of a filler, and some parts of the story which could have been developed on more but were skipped over. Camden went from asshole to lovesick puppy almost overnight with no real gradual development, and Nadine went from hate to love quite quickly also. That's not to say this is negative, but do feel this contributed in not feeling a deep connection to any of the characters. However, I very much enjoyed reading their love story and was invested in their relationship!

This book is great for a light read if you've come from something heavy, and something to make you laugh on a gloomy day. If you want an easy read without a too emotional rollarcoaster, then this is definitely a great pallete cleanser!

[Lynn_G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional education teacher Nadine is on the verge of burnout when she receives an offer to help out with a young deaf girl who lost her parents in an accident. The offer comes from her brother’s NFL teammate and best friend who is the brother of the girl Nadine will be working with, a man who became Nadine’s nemesis years before when he made some insulting remarks about her looks at her brother’s wedding.

Tight end Camden has been on thin ice with his team and management since he was caught drag racing the very night his parents were killed and he became guardian to his fourteen year old sister. Hiring Nadine was the best decision he made: it brought Paisley out of her shell and clarified the feelings he’s been experiencing toward the lovely and super capable Nadine. Having been warned away from Nadine by her brother, the pair embark on a steamy, torrid affair which causes Nadine’s brother to take notice of the way their interactions change from barely civil to scorching lust.

Will big brother ever come around to accepting that there may be something special between Nadine and Camden?

I received an advance reader copy from the author and bookfunnel, and I’m sharing my honest review.

[Seersh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Genuinely unsure to be honest with what I think about this book. I was really happy to read with multiple characters who are deaf and just a supportive group who can actually all sign. I won’t lie but that’s what pulled me in. I really had such high expectations but the more I read into the book I was just disappointed, and I felt like I just couldn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to. I didn’t like how their relationship just started off so inappropriately. If Camden was starting to have feelings for Nadine, and they grew stronger, he should’ve had the balls to end his current relationship FIRST. The further it dragged on, just pissed me off, it was going so good, why ruin it??? I realised that I forgot about the cheating from the start of the book and honestly… I personally wouldn’t go near a dude like that.. it’s not a one off… he has clearly demonstrated that pattern of just disrespect like he almost CHEATED on the OW for Nadine. Ugh… I am just feeling disappointed after reading this book
It was also like Camden had an overnight personality change… that doesn’t happen in real life… there’s no growth, no development. I felt it was just completely rushed in that aspect. I just didn’t feel super connected with these characters. It didn’t feel like they had a proper connection that they truly built. The characters did have a good connection with talking and their banter, they definitely had chemistry for sure. Just wasn’t for me


Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Andrews, and Victory Editing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Tals' Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book can be read as a standalone.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Going Deep by Sophie Andrews follows Nadine, a burnt-out teacher, and Camden, an arrogant professional football player whose life is thrown into turmoil after a devastating loss forces him to make drastic changes.

The banter and interactions between Nadine and Camden were genuinely hilarious, but it was the character development that truly stole the show along with the strong deaf representation, which was so refreshing to see.

Camden’s growth shines throughout the story. Watching him evolve from someone completely reckless and unserious into a mature, humbled man was incredibly satisfying. His emotional journey felt earned and deeply moving.

Nadine’s arc was just as compelling. Seeing her go from a woman weighed down by burnout to someone who rediscovers herself and what she truly wants was empowering and relatable.

This hate-to-love, brother’s best friend romance delivered everything I wanted and more. I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book in the Winning Love series.

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camden + Nadine

-football romance
-teammate’s sister
-brother’s best friend
-single guardian/nanny
-hate to love
-slow burn

these two were cute, i loved the fire in their little spat they had going. the tension that broke out with the brother when he found out was great too, always down for a bit a drama haha

[Amy Beers · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review-
This book was SO cute. A must read if you like enemies to lovers/ nanny/ brothers best friend tropes. This was such a feel good book that I didn't want to end. Camden is book boyfriend goals. Looking forward to book 2 in the series!

[Alexandra Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Summary✨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
HEA with no 3rd act separation (although he tries being noble 🙄)
POV: dual
Tropes: nanny, NFL player, teacher, curvy FMC, teammate’s sister, brother’s best friend, enemies to lovers, deaf representation, miscommunication, OWD

Camden is floundering at life and has even messed up the one thing he is good at, football. When he is nearing rock bottom, he receives news that knocks his life off kilter, or maybe knocks it back into place. With his parents gone and suddenly becoming the guardian to his teenage sister Paisley, who is deaf, Camden desperately needs help. His teammate and best friend suggests that his sister Nadine step in since she is a teacher on break and fluent in ASL. This should be a simple solution, except for one small problem…Camden and Nadine dislike each other with a passion. They love to hate each other and trade barbs like it is an Olympic sport. After meeting Paisley, Nadine agrees to help keep her company while Camden is working. Slowly, their dynamic begins to shift. What starts as dislike turns into reluctant understanding, then something deeper as their animosity stems from hurt feelings and miscommunication rather than true hatred. As Nadine helps Camden and Paisley navigate their new reality without their parents, Camden helps Nadine confront her self-doubt and feelings of being a disappointment. Through supporting one another, they find connection, understanding, and the love they both desperately needed.

This was an extremely enjoyable read and had me chuckling at their banter throughout. Once you get past the initial hesitation of whether Camden is likable, it becomes clear that he is a cinnamon roll at heart. The more his layers are peeled back, the more you see his soft, gooey center. The way he loves and supports Nadine is incredibly sweet. He consistently shows up for her even when pretending he does not care, like buying her a new tea kettle and tins of tea after teasing her for needing tea every day.

One of my favorite scenes was when Camden calls Nadine in a panic because Paisley gets her first period and he is overwhelmed by all the options at the store. Even after Nadine tells him exactly what to buy, he still grabs extra supplies and adds a Get Well Soon card lol. I also loved the moment when Camden attempts to end things with Nadine after receiving negative backlash about their relationship, assuming it is what she wants. Nadine immediately calls him out, points out his attempted third act breakup, and explains her romance book tropes (I need to know if that Jurassic Park romance exists…)

I do want to mention that in the first half of the book, Camden is technically in another relationship, although they are not intimate during the book (she also lives in another city). He is largely going through the motions and is too deep in his grief to end things until circumstances force his hand. There is no cheating involving Nadine. While Camden mentions cheating in the past, it occurs before the book begins and is not part of this relationship.

Because of this, the romance is a true slow burn, with intimacy not occurring until around the 70% mark. This did not bother me at all, as there was a lot for both characters to work through individually and together. Watching their progression from dislike, to tentative understanding, to love felt natural and earned. The emotional growth was substantial for both characters, especially Camden, who is not afraid to cry while processing his grief or learning how to support his sister. Nadine’s bond with Paisley was also incredibly heartwarming and felt like a true big sister relationship.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book. Like Sophie Andrews’ other work, the writing is strong with very few grammatical or storyline errors. The characters are well developed, the story is emotionally rich, and the journey feels complete. I’m excited to read the rest of the series!

[Caroline | tropes.and.pageturners · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC copy. My review is based solely on my experience and honest opinion.

3.5 stars!

Going Deep is one of those books that almost wrecked me emotionally — but then stopped short, shrugged, and said, “That’s probably enough character development for today.” But I had a good time reading this. I was invested. I cared. But I was also frequently aware that I was reading a romance novel hitting familiar beats a little too comfortably.

So yes: enjoyable, solid, occasionally swoony… and mildly frustrating. Hence the 3.5 stars.

The good stuff (aka why I didn’t rage-quit)

The writing voice is strong. Sophie Andrews knows how to write characters who feel alive on the page. The dialogue flows naturally, the banter works, and when emotions hit, they hit. I trusted the author enough to stay with the story even when it dragged.

Emotional moments actually land. When the book slows down to let characters be vulnerable, awkward, or quietly undone, it shines. Some scenes genuinely tug at the heartstrings — the kind where you pause for a second and stare at the wall.

The chemistry? Legit. The romantic tension is well done, especially in the slower, quieter moments. The attraction builds in a believable way, and when things heat up, it feels earned instead of rushed.

Side characters understood the assignment. They’re not revolutionary, but they’re functional, likable, and add flavor without hijacking the story.

The not-so-great (aka why this isn’t a 4-star read)

The pacing is… a choice. The middle section meanders like it forgot where it was going. Meanwhile, some emotional turning points near the end are wrapped up suspiciously fast, as if the book suddenly remembered it had a word count.

Predictable to a fault. If you’ve read more than a handful of romances, you’ll see several plot turns coming from chapters away. Familiar tropes aren’t bad — but this book plays them a bit too safely.

Missed depth opportunities. There are hints of richer backstory and deeper emotional conflict that never fully get unpacked. The book flirts with complexity, then backs away before things get too uncomfortable.

Occasional melodrama. A few conflicts feel inflated for drama’s sake, which briefly pulled me out of the story. Not enough to ruin the book — just enough to earn an eye roll.

Themes (handled very well, if not boldly)

At its core, Going Deep is about vulnerability, emotional risk, and the terrifying act of letting someone truly see you. The themes are solid and treated with care — I just wish the book had pushed them further instead of playing it safe when things got messy.

But, with that being said, I loved the representation in this book - and the ASL dialogue was handled beautifully.

Who should read this

If you love character-driven romance, slow-burn tension, and emotional honesty — and you don’t mind a few familiar tropes and pacing hiccups — this will absolutely work for you. It’s cozy-angsty rather than devastating, comforting rather than daring.

Final verdict

Going Deep is good. Genuinely. It just never quite becomes great. Sophie Andrews clearly has the talent to deliver something sharper, darker, and more emotionally ruthless — and I’d love to see her go there next time. Until then, this is a solid, enjoyable read that left me satisfied… but still wanting a little more bite.

[Alice Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏈 ARC Review 🪽

Okay, I just HAVE to start this by thanking Sophie, because it's such an honour being on your ARC team, your books never disappoint, and this one was no exception, I mean, you already know how much I loved it. 🩷

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
To say this book was amazing would be one hell of an understatement, there truly aren't enough words to explain how incredible this book was, but I'm gonna try anyway. Every single fucking part of this book was just incredible, from the story, to the characters, the writing, the chemistry, the character growth, just all of it. And mf when I tell you I cried at this book, that's not accurate enough, I fucking sobbed, so much (for personal reasons mainly.) Camden and Paisley's story was fucking heartbreaking man, like honestly, I was hurting for them. Living with grief is such a difficult thing to do, it makes the simplest things feel impossible, and letting yourself be happy after losing someone you love? Feels like the hardest thing in the world, and it truly is, and Sophie captured it perfectly.

I can't even begin to imagine how tough this all must have been for Paisley, but thankfully she had a big brother who loved her more than anything, and I will admit, I do too. He may not have known what he was doing at the start, it was obvious he just wanted what was best for her, he just wanted her to be happy, as happy as can be. It can't have been easy for Paisley, to lose her parents, have to move away from her best friend on top of the struggles she faces already. She was such an amazing character.

Now, we know I HAVE to talk about my main man Camden, mf he was literally perfect, I love him. Sure, he made mistakes and he fucked up, who hasn't tho? He sure as hell redeemed himself, with everyone, including his best friend and the woman who 'hates' him, our main girl Nadine. This man was so down bad for her, I'm jealous, I wanna be loved as fiercely as Camden loves Nadine. The way he defended her? Speechless. And we love a man who isn't afraid to be vulnerable or show how much he loves his girl. And to say he loved Nadine, the way he worked on himself for her. Truly amazing. And he did ALL of this, while being in the spotlight facing such hate? Admirable doesn't even come close.

Okay,time to talk about our girl Nadine, because I love her so much, the world NEEDS more people even half as amazing as Nadine. She was such an incredible character even I wanna be like her when I grow up. The way she was so patient with Paisley and so understanding, truly an incredible woman. Everything about her was perfect, the way she put her brother in his place was absolutely ICONIC. I loved how she didn't take shit from no one, especially Camden. She never hesitated to be there for anyone. I saw a lot of myself in her, maybe that's why I love her so much? She's so easy to relate to, for so many people.

This very quickly became POSSIBLY, my favourite book of Sophie's. I thoroughly enjoyed every goddamn second, even if I cried a lot... She absolutely KILLED it with this book. Every second was amazing, the story was incredible, all the characters were amazing and so fucking easy to love. I cannot WAIT for this series to continue.

[anzeliyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Going Deep
Author: Sophie Andrews
Genre: Sports Romance • Teammate's sister• Hate to love • Possesive ML
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts shared below are my own and completely honest.

The author first introduced us to Camden Long, he is a pro football player who is recently grieving the loss of his parents and also the guardian for his deaf teenage sister, Paisley. He really cares about her a lot, but its like he cant figure out how to show it properly and had hard times adjusting his new reality.

Then there's Nadine Riveras, she's the female main character. She is a teacher who's kind of burned out from her job, but she's got this compassionate side. And her first language is ASL, which I guess ties into the sister thing somehow. It feels like that connection is important, though the book doesnt spell it all out right away.

Nadine, enters Camden life to help his sister as a temporary solution and quickly becomes something much more than that. With Nadine’s support, the siblings begin to open up and strengthen their bond. Nadine’s nurturing nature offers Paisley a mix of motherly care and sisterly warmth.

The plot is slow burn that develops from enemies to lovers through emotional connection. Nadine and Camden misjudges each other like a real pride and prejudice situation. Paisley plays a key role in developing their feelings and bringing them closer because every conversation they had revolves around her. I like their constant bickering between each other. One of my favorite quirks is Camden giving Nadine nicknames, and somehow, he never runs out of them by the end of the book. And don’t even get me started on the spiciness in this novel because once it shows up, its getting....( read it yourself )

Camden is a little messy, not in a dangerous way, but enough to raise a few eyebrows maybe a soft orange flag. I don't see much chemistry with Camden and his girlfriend Valeria. Their 2 years relationship feels so forced and devoid of feelings. Camden is silently longing for Nadine. He doesn't seem to care much about Valerie and remain completely detached from the girl he’s supposed to be with. He hesitates to breakup and he is not completely honestly to both girls.

Nadine on the other hand, she's such a loyal, kind and empathetic person who genuinely cares about the people she loves. She brings this warmth everywhere, helps her people through tough emotions. And when she decides something, she sticks to it, stands her ground. Her brother Erik is also such a supportive brother and best friend to Camden. Maybe such kind of nature runs in the genes of Riveras.

In conclusion of my review the book "Going Deep" by Sophie Andrews is about something light but full of feelings, romance, humor mixed in. I was so invested into their progression from dislike to understanding, and then to love in a way that felt real. I am glad I picked this up and i honestly enjoyed diving into the worlds of Camden and Nadine. I felt like watching a rom-com movie throughout the novel. The book title going deep is going deeper in my heart.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Sophie Andrews and I really liked her style. I wound up enjoying this book more than I thought I would when I first started. I’m glad that I got over my initial aversion to Camden because he was actually quite sweet.

Camden was a little hard to like at the beginning. However, pretty soon after his parents pass away it is clear that he knows that he needs to make changes to his lifestyle and to his life in general. Later in the story you find out one of the driving factors behind his depression and his drive for change. I felt pretty bad for him for most of the first half of the book as he is dealing with a lot. One of the biggest things that I liked about Camden though was that he realizes that he was going down a pretty bad path and that his life was fairly empty in spite of him having every advantage. Once he and Nadine get together he was really sweet with her and their relationship was nice and normal (as much as is can be for a famous football player and his non-nanny crush). It was also nice to have him be so insecure about their relationship.

Nadine was dealing with a lot in her old job and to be honest I felt a little overwhelmed with just how realistically her job was depicted. As a sister of a teacher I felt that, although brief, the depiction of the burn out and depression that they deal with was quite accurate. We need more realistic depictions of teachers and all that they deal with. This book was dedicated to teachers and the author clearly knows what they go through and how undervalued they are, in spite of doing so much for our society.

Both characters reflected on their past behavior and made changing accordingly. I really appreciated the growth and maturity that both Camden and Nadine exhibited. One of my favorite moments was when Nadine realizes that she might have understood a situation and asks herself if she is the asshole. I feel like it’s pretty rare to have a character come to that realization in their own and not have to have someone else make them look in the mirror.

Once they finally hook up it gets pretty spicy. I also liked the body positivity, while Nadine is not necessarily plus size she isn’t a twig and is human with insecurities. But Camden adores everything abut Nadine and only sees hers as a perfect specimen.

This being the first in a new series I will keep an eye out for the next installment and look forward to reading more of her works in the future.

[Becka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nadine is a burnt-out teacher desperately in need of a break from her overwhelming workload. Camden, her brother’s best friend, is dealing with his own upheaval after losing his parents and suddenly becoming the guardian of his deaf sister, Paisley. Nadine sees Camden as an arrogant jerk, while Camden thinks Nadine needs to loosen up. Over the course of several months, however, the two begin to realise that first impressions can be misleading and that they may have more in common than they initially thought.

This was one of those books that I absolutely devoured and then found myself completely unable to explain why I loved it quite so much. In many ways, it is predictable in terms of what develops between Nadine and Camden and how that relationship unfolds, but I loved every single moment regardless. The emotional connection between them is written so well that I never once felt bored or impatient. I was fully absorbed from the start and ended up reading almost the entire book in one sitting, only stopping because sleep became unavoidable.

Part of my enjoyment may come from my love of a sports bad boy who slowly begins to recognise that his life needs to change. It may also be that this story arrived at exactly the right time for me. Whatever the reason, I found myself deeply invested in both Nadine and Camden. I especially appreciated the relationships each of them has with their siblings, and how those dynamics grow and shift alongside their own personal development and romance.

I would have enjoyed a slightly slower burn when it came to them recognising and confessing their feelings, as that tension is something I usually love. That said, the pacing still felt right for these characters and never took away from my enjoyment of the story.

While this was not a particularly surprising read, it was an incredibly satisfying one. I closed the book feeling happy and emotionally fulfilled, and I am especially excited for the next instalment in the series. I will always be more than happy to pick up a hockey romance.

Tropes:

Enemies to lovers

Brother’s best friend

Football player MMC

Reformed bad boy (sort of)

[Sarah - Get Booked with Sez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Sophie for sending me an e-arc to review! This book was addictive & cute - I sped through it!

- Nanny / Guardian Romance
- Football MMC
- School Teacher MFC
- Brother's Best Friend
- Enemies to Lovers

4/5 stars with 3/5 steam.

Camden is a moody football player who after a tragic event, is left in guardianship of his 14YO sister who is deaf. With her having to move out of the state she lives in and into the city to live with her brother, she is angry & frustrated at the world. She needs a friend. And this is where Nadine comes in.

Nadine is a school teacher for difficult kids. She finds herself getting too emotionally connected to her kids, and needs a break. This is how she finds herself living at her brother's house - And for her brother to set her up with his best friend's daughter - As not a nanny, but a friend / guardian for when Camden is on the road for his sports career. Nadine is fluent in ASL, and her & Paisley (Camden's younger sister) hit it off from get go. And even though she may hate Camden Long - She finds herself sympathising with him more than she thought she ever would.

Camden has a past he needs to face & move on from, while Nadine needs to work out her complicated life & make a decision for herself and herself only. As they both set up a challenge to get their own mental health in order - They develop a friendship that quickly turns into a lustful relationship, while still working on their life together.

I truly enjoyed the growth they experienced not just together, but in the challenges they set each other. I also loved seeing Paisley come out of her shell and developing not just a friendship with Nadine, but also with Camden.

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading without looking for the blurb so I started this trip with Nadine, on how thoughtful and careful she was to her students and every person she encounters. So when we have glimpses of Pride and Prejudice in the story or when we see how this two interact I was in so deep.
.
Camden is a wild shot, doing every rush and crazy choice he can take until reality came crashing and he has to step up to take care of his sister. He's griving and hanging by a thread in his team, so when his bestfriend and team mate sugest that his sister teacher and afluent in ASL helphim with Paisley, he put their differences and start behaving, or at list try to. Because this two are like a wild fire and can barely see eye to eye
The chemistry between this two is off the charts, and I really enjoyed all the banter. Their were fun to read and the relationship with Paisley was so heartwarming and cute with both of them.
.
But, I'm being more critic this year and I have to say I was all in for the first 70% of the book, but I have issues with two things.
First Camden have a girlfriend, at least in the start and in various chapters, and I don't care how brainless or egocentrinc she was, he should have ended that relationship long ago. Second the change on Camden character was in one blink, we don't get to see how he grown into a deep caring and thoughtful man, and also I don't like seeing the mc being trown under the scrutiny and public opinion almost constantly, I would have love someone to step up to her in public.
.
But overall I enjoyed the story and it was fun to read, I love sport romance and main characters that fall so deeply in love.
.
Thanks to Sophie Andrews and her team for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved reading this book.
Going Deep is an exciting new series by Sophie Andrews and it starts with Camden and Nadine's friends to lovers romance.
They become enemies years before when Nadine mishears something Camden says about her and she takes it personally.
Camden is a footballer and Nadine's brothers best friend he is a bit difficult to like at first,but he does redeem himself and you discover why he behaves the way he does.
Camden's life is turned upside down when his parents die and he becomes the legal guardian to his sister and he is struggling.Paisley is partially deaf and so he needs someone who can help with experience.
Nadine is that woman and perfect for the job as she is an exceptional education Teacher.
Nadine's job is getting her down she loves teaching but everything else that comes along with teaching is burning her out...she needs a break.So when her brother suggests the job for Paisley she takes it even with her distaste for Camden.Nadine's struggles certainly made me appreciate teachers more thats for sure.
I do love the relationship she develops with Paisley and I think it has been said before but Sophie Andrews does a wonderful job in representing the Deaf community...It was good for me as a reader to get to know more about being deaf.
Being in eachothers space brings them close and they start to see one another in a different light,they have so much chemistry and the spice is hot.
Sophie Andrew's writing seems to get better everytime I read one of her books...She writes just the right amount of steam,romance,emotion and laughter..The banter is always fun.
Reading this book was a delight and I enjoyed it very much and I fell in love with Camden and Nadine,and you will too.
Brilliant 5 Stars.

[Sheridan Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This story definitely gives enemies-to-lovers vibes, and Sophie Andrews’ writing is strong, clear, and easy to sink into. The characters are set up well from the start, and I appreciated the depth we get with both Camden and Nadine as individuals. We’re shown their strengths and flaws early on, and it’s satisfying to watch them evolve and grow. Especially with each other’s support.

I struggled with Camden in the beginning but my heart did soften for him and Paisley after losing their parents. He was forced to grow up fast, and seeing Nadine show up for him during that time, even while they were still trading barbs, was genuinely sweet.

Nadine’s burnout as a teacher felt painfully real and isn’t talked about enough. I’m not a teacher myself, but I have so much admiration for those who are, and this portrayal felt honest and validating.

My biggest struggle was the chemistry. While I enjoyed the romance, the emotional escalation between Camden and Nadine felt a bit rushed, making it hard to fully grasp why their feelings grew so quickly. That said, certain moments absolutely landed. Like when Nadine says, “I know your heart, and I’ll take care of it,” I swooned. I also loved how she stands up to Camden while still helping him see that he isn’t always the problem and that his worth is far greater than he believes.

The conflict resolutions toward the end between Camden and Nadine along with other characters, were well done and satisfying. Overall, this wasn’t a favorite and didn’t keep me fully invested, but it was still a good book with solid writing. The chemistry did improve as the story went on, just not quite enough for where their relationship ends up, in my opinion. Still, an enjoyable read with thoughtful themes and strong character work.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved reading this book.
Going Deep is an exciting new series by Sophie Andrews and it starts with Camden and Nadine's friends to lovers romance.
They become enemies years before when Nadine mishears something Camden says about her and she takes it personally.
Camden is a footballer and Nadine's brothers best friend he is a bit difficult to like at first,but he does redeem himself and you discover why he behaves the way he does.
Camden's life is turned upside down when his parents die and he becomes the legal guardian to his sister and he is struggling.Paisley is partially deaf and so he needs someone who can help with experience.
Nadine is that woman and perfect for the job as she is an exceptional education Teacher.
Nadine's job is getting her down she loves teaching but everything else that comes along with teaching is burning her out...she needs a break.So when her brother suggests the job for Paisley she takes it even with her distaste for Camden.Nadine's struggles certainly made me appreciate teachers more thats for sure.
I do love the relationship she develops with Paisley and I think it has been said before but Sophie Andrews does a wonderful job in representing the Deaf community...It was good for me as a reader to get to know more about being deaf.
Being in eachothers space brings them close and they start to see one another in a different light,they have so much chemistry and the spice is hot.
Sophie Andrew's writing seems to get better everytime I read one of her books...She writes just the right amount of steam,romance,emotion and laughter..The banter is always fun.
Reading this book was a delight and I enjoyed it very much and I fell in love with Camden and Nadine,and you will too.
Brilliant 5 Stars.- Cat W.

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

4.5⭐|3🌶|14%🌶frequency

A new series by Sophie Andrews? Of course, I needed to read it 😁
And one thing I can already say, I'm excited for all the books that are coming in this series 🤩

I don't know about you, but I love brother's best friend. Because it always has this forbidden in it. The "you are not good enough for my sister" thing. I'm not sure if I'll understand it someday, because shouldn't you want the best for your sister? Someone you can trust? Just because you saw the person at their lowest point, doesn't mean you still trust this person. Otherwise, they wouldn't be your best friend. And still it always causes drama 🙈
And yes, Erik (Nadine's brother) is such an idiot 🙄

Camden made mistakes in his life. Huge mistakes, but with his parents ☠️, everything changed. Not just the fact that he's now the legal guardian for his sister, he's also grieving, and has lots of self-doubt 🥺

I don't know anything about deafness. But I was always fascinated by sign language. I never learned it, but still, it fascinated me.
So reading about Paisley (Camden's sister), who is deaf, made this book even more interesting. And because of Mama Rivera, Nadine can ASL and is the best "no-nanny nanny" for her 😁

This book is funny with all the dislike and banter between Camden and Nadine 🤣
But it's also sad. With the ☠️ of Camden's parents and him needing to take care of his deaf sister. The grief both feel.
Also, all the self-doubts of both MCs, and getting supported by the people you love and who love you 🩷

Thanks to the author for trusting me with an ARC 🩷


Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with others from this talented author, I found it difficult to pull myself away from these pages, and enjoyed this one a lot, even though it is very emotionally heavy at times.

The cliche of a young, talented football athlete doing reckless and PR damaging things is what we find in Camden. Enjoying the life of irresponsibility and notoriety for being a bad boy only lasts for so long, but people's memories of your past behaviors doesn't just go away. Something he wishes he could wipe clean, when he needs the help of his best friend's sister - Nadine.

Nadine is going through her own crisis when she gets the request to assist Camden in caring for his sister after the sudden passing of his parents. She is sassy and spirited, but needs a reset in the worst way. What is supposed to be a simple "nanny-like" arrangement swings into more as they spend more time together. The "want to hate you, but I really don't" energies are solid, and their chemistry is never it question.

The ups and downs in this storyline were easy to relate with, and empathize with the emotional fragility of holding life together, when it is pushing to fall apart. There were some tough situations that were written very well, and I found myself getting a bit emotional for both Camden and Paisley.

Overall, this is a steamy, entertaining page turner, full of emotions and banter that kept me locked in from the first page to the last. I recommend reading this, and others from this creative author. Just so easy to love!

[Megs · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏈🩷🤟ARC Review🤟🩷🏈

Thank you SO MUCH Sophie Andrews for this ARC of Going Deep! This was my 5th book of yours, and Going Deep is my new favorite!

I LOVED EVERYTHING about this book! I loved the story, how everything came together, the love that these characters share, to the ASL representation was all top notch!

Camden and Nadien were the perfect enemies to lovers! How their relationship started with them at each others throats (because of something that Nadien misheard years prior).

When tragedy strikes and Nadien steps in to help Camden and his sister Paisley (who is deaf) the forced proximity and banter gives way to quite the relationship! Both physical and emotional.

Cam was the Bad Boy of the NFL, but all of that changed the moment he found out he would be raising his little sister, forcing him to change his ways, which in turn he realized how fake his life had become. That he truly wasn’t the persona that he showed to the media and the fans.

The way this story developed was perfect! I loved every single second of this book, and not just the parts with the MCs, but also Paisley!

I can’t wait to read this again!
Hence I will absolutely be getting this Trophy for my shelf 🤭

Tropes:
🏈Football Player MMC
🩷Teach/Special Education FMC
🤟ASL Representation
🏈Bad Boy MMC
🩷Enemies to Lovers
🤟Brothers Best Friend
🏈No 3rd Act Break Up
🩷Nanny Adjacent
🤟Breeding Kink

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟, 3🌶️

This was one of those books that grabbed me quickly and kept me turning pages even when my heart felt a little heavy.

Camden starts out as a reckless football star barely holding his life together, and being thrust into caring for his deaf teenage sister forces him to face grief and responsibility head-on. Nadine, burnt out and already overwhelmed, steps in to help and what begins as an awkward, reluctant arrangement slowly turns into something neither of them expected.

The banter between Camden and Nadine is easily the highlight. Their love-hate dynamic is funny, sharp, and full of chemistry, and watching Camden soften into someone genuinely caring and emotionally open was surprisingly touching. Nadine’s quiet journey back to herself felt just as relatable, and her bond with Paisley through ASL was heartwarming and beautifully handled. Those softer, emotional moments are where this story really shines.

The pacing does move quickly at times, and a few emotional beats could have been explored more deeply, which kept the story from hitting quite as hard as it could have. Still, the romance is satisfying, the representation is thoughtful, and the balance of humor, grief, and warmth makes this a genuinely enjoyable read.

Not perfect, but deeply enjoyable and easy to recommend.

~~~~

Thank you, Sophie Andrews and her Team, for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of romance over the years, but sports romances always seem to hit a little differently for me. I especially enjoy stories where the FMC does not see herself as the athlete’s “type,” because that dynamic adds vulnerability and emotional depth to the relationship. When you also throw in an enemies to lovers element, I am instantly interested. That combination alone made me really excited to pick up this book.

One of the things I loved most is that the story is told in first person with alternating perspectives. I also appreciated that the book opens with the MMC’s point of view, which hooked me right away. It gave me a deeper understanding of his mindset from the start, and I found myself rooting for him throughout the story. The added layer of a forbidden or secret romance gave everything an extra edge and raised the emotional stakes in a way I really enjoyed.

All in all, I really liked this book. The romance was engaging, the tension kept me turning pages, and the characters were easy to invest in. My only small disappointment is that we did not get to spend more time with the FMC’s siblings, but I am hopeful we will see more of them in future books. I would definitely continue on with this series.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Kaitlyn Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was honestly really cute and I finished it so quickly! Camden is your typical bad boy jock who makes dumb decisions until life forces him to actually be an adult and take care of his sister when his parents die. Nadine is on the verge of a burnout from teaching and goes to her brother’s during summer break to get away but ultimately gets roped into helping Camden with his sister who is deaf. The forced proximity definitely helped Nadine and Camden to break through Nadine’s hostility towards him (because of a misunderstanding) and help each other heal from what they’re individually dealing with. Camden was down bad for her the first time he saw her and did everything he could to win her over. There is slight OW drama but it’s squashed pretty quickly! This is definitely a great sports romance and hit all the good tropes—brother’s best friend, hate to love, he falls first, and most importantly NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP (although he tried and she laughed in his face and told him no). The bonus chapter was also a nice addition to show their life post-marriage, post-grad school, and post-NFL retirement with their family of 5 in the suburbs and also gave you a glimpse into how Paisley was doing!

Thank you to Sophie Andrews for the ARC copy of this book and can’t wait to see where the rest of the series goes!!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ and 3 🌶️

I was given a digital ARC of this book by NetGalley but this review is all my own opinion.

This is a Football romance that has Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Sudo-Nanny vibes, Single Dad (he is guardian to his sister), Forbidden romance/best friends sister, Longtime crush, he falls first.

I found this book very easy to read. I didn’t like the Camden in the beginning because he was an a**hat. Then his parent die and he is forced to become his 14 year old sisters guardian.

Nadine is his best friend’s sister. When they first met she heard part of a conversation that put her off of him. She is a teacher who is experiencing burn out. She comes to stay with her brother for the summer to get a break and ends up being a Nanny for Camden’s sister. Their attraction starts to build and they start to become friends and overcome past hurts.

It was a fun story to read and the reason that I only gave it 3.5 stars is that there wasn’t anything that made me giddy about their story. The funniest part of the story is when Cam buys his sister a get well soon card when she gets her first period.

Overall, this was a fun read but it didn’t make me kick my feet because of all the feels it gives you. Writing was good and I would read more of Sophie’s books.

[☆Laura☆]

No me gustó. Primero, Nadine y Camden se llevaban mal, ella lo tenía en un pésimo concepto y de la nada, por arte de magia, ya lo quiere montar.
Luego, él está en una relación, pero no deja de pensar en Nadine, se masturba pensando en ella y coquetea constantemente. Nadine sabe que él tiene novia, pero como la chica no le cae bien, no ve ningún problema en eso. Incluso hay una escena en la que casi se besan y ya estaban pensando en acostarse, pero justo la novia llama y los interrumpe.
Camden tuvo meses para terminar esa relación y prefirió seguir de novio mientras también le hacía ojitos a Nadine y ella está totalmente de acuerdo con esa situación. Y eso no es todo, porque después él confiesa que sí le fue infiel a la novia meses antes, cuando se acostó con otra y su justificación fue que pensaba que no era nada serio. O sea, llevaban dos años juntos, pero según él no era nada serio. Cuando Camden le confiesa esto a Nadine, ella tampoco ve el problema, pues claro, si al final ella también fue el cuerno.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[jade’s reading journey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light, fast-paced romance with elements reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, as the two main characters initially clash due to a misunderstanding. Nadine, the female protagonist, is quick to judge others, and over the course of the novel, she comes to recognize and confront her own flaws. The male lead, Camden, is portrayed as reckless at first; however, his life is abruptly upended by the death of his parents and his sudden responsibility for his sister, Paisley. Forced to abandon his former lifestyle, Camden turns to Nadine, a teacher, for support.

One of the highlights of the story is the educational aspect surrounding Nadine and Paisley, particularly the inclusion of ASL. The friendship that develops between them is genuinely heartwarming and adds emotional depth to the narrative.

That said, I did not agree with all of Camden’s actions and found certain moments in the story to be somewhat childish.

tropes:
- Reformed playboy
- Sports romance
- Brother’s best friend
- Deaf representation
- Miscommunication
- Enemies to lovers

Thank you to NetGalley and Sophie Andrews for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Imogen Dior · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.
I liked Going Deep. Both Camden and Nadine were good characters. Camden had made some mistakes but was a good man and was willing to do whatever it took to be there for his sister and redeem himself to the football world that he loved and was so passionate about. Nadine was great too and I liked getting her perspective on teaching and how much she genuinely loved her students and put her all into it even to the detriment of herself. I think it was such a real and raw look at what teachers are going through today and is a reminder of how much the good one’s do for our students. I also think it was really smart of her to take the break so she could save herself with the ultimate goal of getting back into the classroom in some way- it was necessary for her mental health. Camden and Nadine had good chemistry and I enjoyed their banter. Paisley was a great character and I liked how we were taught a bit about ASL and how normalised it was in the book. I loved Nadine’s family! The pacing in some areas was a bit fast for me from one extreme to another and I feel like some things weren’t talked about fully. Overall this was a good story.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But that’s the whole thing, isn’t it? The harshest judges of others are projecting from themselves.”

Huge thanks to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sophie Andrews is the best romance author you’re not reading and this is a hill I will die on. I have yet to meet a book she’s written that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed or blown straight through. I’m so excited for this new series!

I love a little enemies to lovers, and Nadine and Camden have this tension that’s simmering right from the beginning. They’re also both such sympathetic characters. Camden’s reeling from the loss of his parents and becoming his sister’s guardian. Nadine struggled with her teaching position, seeing firsthand how administrations fail to take care of students. She agrees to help with Camden’s sister during the football season.

This was a great balance of emotion and humor, especially because the topics discussed like grief, guilt, and regret can feel heavy at times. They make an agreement to each other to start seeing therapists which I loved because their traumas run deep and they needed to find the proper way to work through them.

The romance is so great, and the pining from Camden is excellent. His growth is particularly good because he is not at all the same person by the end. He finds what’s truly important to him and it makes him such an endearing book boyfriend.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚ARC Review📚

📖Going Deep- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🤟🏻”You don’t want Superman?” I shake my head. “Too many people know him. But I know the real version. Only I know Clark.”🤟🏻

I always go into a new to me author unsure of what to expect, but let me tell you Sophie Andrews can write a book! Going Deep was such a fun read, there was depth, emotional baggage, laughter, and so much banter!

I loved Camden and Nadine, brother’s best friend is one of my favorites and Sophie did it so well. They truly brought out the best in each other and the banter and tension was definitely an added bonus! The ASL representation was also something I haven’t read before but absolutely adored!

Side note: As a real life Eagles fan I loved the nods to the craziness of the fandom and of course am now a Founders fan for life!

I’ll definitely be back for Nico’s book, yall know I can’t resist a hockey player with a bad reputation!

🗓️Going Deep releases February 1st and will be available on Kindle Unlimited!

🏈Football Romance (Professional)
🤟🏻Teammate’s/Best Friend’s Sister
🏈Single Guardian X Nanny
🤟🏻Forced Proximity
🏈 Slow Burn