Sink or Swim

by Kirstie Pelling

He’s a fish out of water, she’s fighting the current, but together will they Sink or Swim? Arriving back in the small Lake District town of Inglemere, Aria thinks she’s reclaiming her childhood home after her dad’s untimely death. Resentful of her self-involved stepmother, and dodging her insufferable ex, Aria has no choice but to move into the falling-apart fishing hut she’s been left instead.

Enter Nic, a southern property tycoon with a desperate plan to transform the untouched lake shore into a luxury haven for the rich. But when his development plans hit a snag, the only way forward is to convince the locals he’s one of them.

With Aria’s financial situation worsening, a deal with this handsome devil feels like her only option. As they navigate rapidly changing rules and their accelerating attraction to each other, they must confront their personal dilemmas before the landscape they are fighting over is destroyed.

This steamy small-town story is all about how thin the line between love and hate is, and about discovering what – and who – makes a home.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2026

Reviews

[Emma Farrell]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advanced listener copy of Sink or Swim.

This was cute, funny and charming. Perfect cozy summer read. All the charm of a small town English romcom, with a hint of spice and some laugh out loud moments.

My criticism would be that sometimes it felt like this book didn’t quite know what adult age it was targeted at. However, I feel as though a lot of that feeling came from the narrator, she is brilliant, but she didn’t really fit the Cumbrian or Gen Z/millennial feel of the book.

Overall I liked the book, and although the narration was good, it just felt out of place with the tone of the book.

[Hannah Wickes]

Loved this. Such a fun read set in the lakes that really made me laugh!

[Cozy Sabie]

"You fit here, like one of those sunflowers... You understand the earth and the water and the relationship we have with them much more than I do."

GENRE: Romance
RATING: 3.5/5 (rounded on platforms that dont have half stars)
FORMAT: eBook ARC

Blog, Newsletter & Book Clubs 🍄 Insta 🍄 Tiktok 🍄 Youtube 🍄 Threads

Review:
Sink or Swim is a Romance story that is set in a small town (yay) with a focus on a lot of things and it's based in North England (double yay)!

I did like reading Sink or Swim and it was my first book by the author. I thought the dynamic was quite fun between Nic and Aria plus I enjoyed meeting our side characters: Aria's Step Mother and her community/childhood friend and just everyone in the community.

We dive into the concept of second homes and how its taking over smaller towns, affecting the environment because of lack of concern regarding co-existing with nature rather than harming it. I think this was done best in Sink or Swim and we get to see it from multiple perspectives as we watch Nic realise what it means to continue building properties in a way that doesnt place importance on the environment and the community that already lives there. There's also a theme of belonging and fitting in communities that we are new into, but I think this could have been explored more. We do get two different perspectives of it with both POVs from our MCs and we hear different people in the community share what they think.

I did wish we could have developed the other topics throughout the book a bit more. We get to read about Aria's grief and her leaving home but I felt we could have dived into this a bit deeper as there was potential for us to connect to Aria more in this regard. These two themes are usually ones I love in any books and I wanted a bit more depth into both of them. We also did get to see and learn more about Nic and his past towards the end and more about his brother, which I thought was done nicely and didn't overshadow Nic & Aria's story.

All in all, I do think that we get to see Aria & Nic develop throughout the story quite well though even without diving deep into a lot of the topics brought up and it was a fun read overall! I really do enjoy reading UK based books and can't wait to see more of it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the Arc copy in the exchange for my honest opinion.

[Emilie]

Aria returns to the Lake District town of Inglemere to reclaim her childhood home after her father’s death, only to find herself displaced by her stepmother and living in a dilapidated fishing hut. Her path crosses with Nic, a southern property tycoon determined to transform the untouched lakeshore into a luxury development. When his plans stall, Nic must convince the local community he is one of them, leading him to strike a deal with a financially struggling Aria. As they navigate their conflicting goals, the line between rivalry and attraction begins to blur in this small-town story about finding where you truly belong.

I listened to the audiobook version of Sink or Swim, narrated by Beth Eyre. It was an easy, lighthearted and cosy listen with a touch of spice. I enjoyed the narration and the initial premise, which features a classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic set against a charming small-town backdrop.

The story touches on several important subjects, including disability, environmental concerns and the consequences of human development, specifically within the beautiful landscape of the Lake District. However, for my personal taste, the pacing and character development didn't quite land. I found that the relationship between Aria and Nic lacked the tension and slow-burn build-up I usually look for in a romance. The plot felt a bit too predictable and would have benefited from more surprises or deeper development. While it didn't fully grip me, it was still a pleasant and cosy way to spend a few hours.

[Antoinette Tyrrell]

Uplifting, light and spicy romance.

Sink or Swim is a delightful small town romance that follows Aria, who returns to her hometown in the Lake District, following the death of the father. Reeling from grief, there is a sliver of silver lining, as Aria’s life is London is not going as planned, and so she hopes to retreat to her father’s house to recover and figure out what she’s going to do with the rest of her life.

But fate has other plans, the details of her father’s will are not what Aria expected and she’s forced to move to a fishing hut on the local lake where she first encounters Nick, blow-in developer, set on destroying the local environment and ruining everything Aria’s beloved father fought to protect.

Sparks fly in this fun romp, as Aria settles into village life, begins to reacquaint herself with the local community and comes to terms with what she’s lost and who she is becoming. Nick as the love interest is intriguing, gorgeous and battling with demons of his own. Sink or Swim features tropes including enemies to lovers, fake dating and slow burn romance. There are also some really fab minor characters. I especially loved Tiger the pug and Sophie, an old friend from school that Aria reunites with. Overall, a fun, escapist read.

I read an ARC copy of Sink or Swim in exchange for an honest review.

[Madeleine Iddon]

I absolutely loved this book. As someone who lives in Cumbria and has both studied and taught tourism and rural issues in the Lakes, so much of Sink or Swim felt incredibly authentic. Even with fictional locations and characters, there were moments where I was grinning in recognition at the settings, atmosphere and local dynamics.

What makes this book different from much of the chick lit I’ve read is the depth beneath the fun, romance and humour. Alongside the enemies-to-lovers trope, developing chemistry and lighter moments, the story also touches on grief, shame, belonging, tourism, rural life and community pressures in a way that felt very real and grounded. The emotional moments made the romance feel earned rather than superficial.

I’m a big fan of Kirstie’s writing style and humour, and often found myself laughing out loud and scaring the kids, who would then ask what I was laughing at… and I definitely couldn’t tell them!

This was also the first new book that managed to pull me away from my ongoing Throne of Glass reread spiral, which is honestly very high praise from me.

Warm, funny, escapist and heartfelt, with just enough spice and a wonderfully strong sense of place. A bit like if Marian Keyes and Jilly Cooper co-wrote a book while staying in a waterside cabin in Windermere.

I’m already excited for the next instalment.

[Book Escapes Babs]

Sink or Swim is a highly entertaining rom-com with a strong dash of spice. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be back for more. I was initially drawn to this book by its Lake District setting and fully supported its messages about the impact of the second-home influx.

While the preservation of the National Park is a key element to the story, it doesn’t in any way detract from the unmistakable chemistry between the main characters. From the initial meet-cute to the quick-as-a-whip, witty banter, there is no denying their shared attraction.

Both Aria and Nic come with a stack of emotional baggage that could be overwhelming, but their stories are handled in a fun way. Not dismissive, as that would detract from the story, but gently and with great empathy. I felt informed and entertained. Not lectured.

I loved their connection and the way they came to understand each other’s points of view. The plight of Lakeland residents was addressed tactfully, but the reader was left in no doubt about the importance of the much-needed intervention, both commercially and ecologically.

A special shout-out to Tiger, Aria’s randy pug! A new favourite book pet. He’s a hoot

Their enemies-to-lovers romance felt authentic, and the spice was just right. A fun-packed escape to my happy place, and I’ll certainly be back for more.

[Sarah]

Based on the description, this had a lot going for it: interesting location, relevant subject - the encroachment of second homes in tourist areas - and the promise of some enemies-to-lovers sparks. However, it seems this author's writing style is really not for me. It was both oddly choppy and full of expositional paragraphs that often ran to several pages. Nor did I sympathise with Aria as a character: she's chaotic to the point of cringeworthy, doesn't listen, repeatedly jumps to conclusions, and apparently one part of her anatomy is worthy of being mentioned so often that it was inducing repeated eye rolls from this quarter (a clue: it wasn't her brain). In comparison, Nic was just... bland. I finished the book mostly to see if the denouement was as predictable as I suspected, but for me, this sank without trace.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez]

I was looking forward to this from the synopsis, but it soon became clear that it just wasn’t gripping or enthralling at all. I couldn’t feel for Aria.

The funeral was just glossed over. It could have been a much more emotional and immersive experience.

The surroundings of the Lake District could’ve been much more visual. I know that the Lake District is a beautiful area because I’ve been there.

The whole book lacked atmosphere.

There was no chemistry between Aria and Nick. There was so much telling rather than showing in the writing style. The chapters were short and the pacing was too quick. I felt that nothing really happened in the chapters. It’s a shame, as the story could’ve been so much better.

This was a DNF for me.

One star.

Thanks to Harper North for an advance review copy.

[Rachel Bowdler]

SINK OR SWIM is overflowing with sparkling wit and sizzling chemistry - enemies to lovers at its best! Between the idyllic Cumbrian setting and the rocky beginnings of an unconventional romance, which truly keeps you on your toes in the best way, I would have happily lived in this book for another hundred pages. I’m super duper hoping Sophie and Cal get their own book - excellent side characters! I’d also love to see Theo’s story, as I’m certain it’s only just beginning - his disability narrative was handled with a wonderful amount of care.

All in all, a gorgeous journey of healing from different forms of grief, with an overarching theme of discovering what home means when you’ve never quite felt belonging before. Guaranteed to make you laugh and swoon out loud!

[Jennifer S]

If you’re looking for your next funny, flirty modern romance, then this one is absolutely worth adding to your TBR.

I picked this up while on holiday in the Lake District — partly because I loved the idea of reading a local author while surrounded by the gorgeous lakes — and it turned out to be such a fun escape.

This book has everything you want from a great romantic comedy: sharp banter, fantastic characters, genuinely funny moments, a wonderful pug, and plenty of chemistry between the two main characters in the very best enemies-to-lovers tradition.

It was warm, witty, romantic and ridiculously easy to fly through, and I found myself constantly wanting “just one more chapter.”

I enjoyed this so much that I’m already keen to go back and read Kirstie Pelling’s earlier novels too.

[Laura-Elise Bishop]

Enemies to lovers is one of my favourite tropes. Add in a stunning setting and a little forced proximity and I'm hooked!

I adored Aria. She's strong, independent, and so loyal to her family and her community.

I didn't expect to like Nic from the start, but he quickly grew on me. His aloof, workaholic persona soon revealed a hidden depth, and a tragic weight on his shoulders.

It's hard to reveal more without spoiling the rest of the book, but I loved every page of this, I loved their snarky banter, the way that they cared for each other, and their shared love of her dog, Tiger.

[Caroline O'Neill]

Sink or Swim is a cute enemies to lovers romance based around property development in quiet rural town where lots of rich people like to own a second home which is slowly wrecking the community for the locals. When Aria is left a lakeside fishing hut by her father she is getting in the way of a new development and instantly clashes with the owner of the surrounding property.

I really enjoyed this audiobook and I will definitely listen to/read more of Kirstie Pelling's work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

[Nati]

She needs to protect her small Lake District town. Inheriting her late father’s decrepit fishing hut is not ideal, but she is homeless and jobless at the moment. He needs to build his ambitious project in Lake District or else his business can collapse. Aria and Nic’s fight bring them together, add a quirky town, charming townspeople, a disgusting ex and a fake engagement and you have a recipe for disaster or the beginning of a true love story. The audiobook with Beth Eyre as narrator is a great addition to a great story.

[Jadey🌻]

Sink or Swim by Kirstie Pelling is a steamy, feel good romance set in the gorgeous Lake District.

I was hooked by the enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and small-town vibes. The tension between Aria and Nic is full of banter and sparks, and I really enjoyed both of their character journeys.

The setting adds a cosy, emotional feel, though the pacing felt a little uneven at times. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the gifted ARC.

[Jilly Sumsion]

Fun fun fun. This is a witty, warm romance novel. I loved the quirky protagonist and beautiful Lakes setting. It's a perfect holiday read. Book a night in the Lakes and cosy up with this book. It's funny and pacey and has a strong message about the state of housing in this area. It will make you want to move to a lakeside lodge and fall in love.

[Lesley Hodgson]

It is a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book as much as this. The humour and Kirstie’s writing style were right up my street - it is a good laugh whilst highlighting some of the problems we come up against living in the Lake District. A well recommended read.

[Stacey]

I genuinely couldn’t put Sink or Swim down and can’t recommend it enough!

The story is an easy, feel-good rom-com that strikes the perfect balance between romance, humour, and relatable, loveable characters whilst capturing the essence of the Lake District perfectly.

[Rachel Kennedy]

A great read. Aria and Nic are neighbors and he wants the land she inherited. I liked the setting and how it was told from both points of view. Hope Theo gets a book next!

[Beth Broomby]

Kirstie’s writing whips along and takes you with it.
Wonderful escapism with heart and soul set in the Lake District.

[Lizzie]

I didn’t care about the characters and actually found the MFC really irritating at times!

[Cassandra T.]

AUDIOBOOK