Diving Heart First

by Emmy Lewes

Collegiate diver Maisie Thatcher begins her freshman year at Magnolia University hoping it will bring her the clarity she needs. Things have been off with her boyfriend. Her dives aren't where she'd like them to be. Even the major she selected no longer seems like the right dream to chase.

Enter: Connor Bocelli, a top recruit on the swim team who, despite his mesmerizing eyes and selfless nature, seems to be battling demons of his own. And yet, his small acts of kindness toward Maisie have her more confused about her feelings than ever.

Navigating love, family, and sports, these two athletes must figure out their own paths before choosing whether to risk their hearts for a future together or stay safely guarded behind their budding friendship.

Can Connor and Maisie find their way out of the friend-zone or will their love belly flop?

Genres: College

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2026

About the author

Emmy Lewes writes hot and heartfelt sports romance, where female athletes always shine.
When she’s not cuddled into the couch typing away on her laptop, she’s spending time with
friends and family, making any excuse to go to a beach, and narrating audiobooks with her
husband. A Pennsylvania native and certified “sporty-girl”, she hopes you enjoy her stories as
much as she enjoyed writing them. Find her on instagram at @authoremmylewes

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

How did I not know that I needed more swimming/diving sports romances? I know that hockey romances are all the rage right now - but please give me more swimming and diving! And this book absolutely filled that void that I didn't even know was there.

Maisie and Conner are such a cute relationship, and some of their moments? Absolute goals! I loved watching their relationship grow, and lordy, Maisie's first boyfriend couldn't go away soon enough! He made me so mad, but it led the way for Connor to show just how much better he could be, and boy was he better!

I'm so excited to see what comes next (please please please let it be the roommate!) and I'll be one of the first on the list begging to read it!

[Michele M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it possible to fall in love at first sight? Connor sure feels that way when he sets his sights on Maisie.

This swimmer and diver pair is an adorable couple! I love the quick bond they form, their playful banter, and their nicknames. Connor is head over heels for Maisie and will do anything to show his love for her. Lewis’s writing will have you pulled in from the first page.

I liked how she handled the various mental health aspects included in the novel. All the trigger warnings are included at the beginning of the book, with chapters to skip. I really appreciated how up front this was.

Read this one if you love:
🩱Quick chapters (with chapter names!) that pack a punch
🩱Blossoming romance of young love
🩱Golden retriever man who dotes on his girl

Thank you, Emmy Lewes, for the #gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Lauryn Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Ugh! I am such a sucker for a university aged romance, especially when swimming is involved!

Connor is an absolute dream boyfriend. Someone find me one ASAP!

Maisie is a great character and being so incredibly relatable for so many reasons is what makes her a character you want to know more about.

Fuck Karsen, I wish him the worst.

Please run and get yourself a copy if these tropes interest you:

🌊D1 Swimmer x Diver
​🤍Friends to Lovers
​​​​​🌊Anxiety Rep
​​🤍One Bed
​​​🌊No Third Act Breakup
​​🤍Complex Family Dynamics
​​​🌊Open Door
​​🤍He Falls First & Harder
​​​🌊Golden Retriever MMC
​​🤍Dual POV
​​​🌊Old Souls
​​🤍Men in Therapy
​​​🌊Self Growth & Discovery

[Stevie Hosler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emmy Lewes' debut is the perfect, feel-good romance.

Tackling important topics around abusive relationships, trauma, accepting that you deserve happiness, and the difficulty in finding yourself, Lewes balances sensitive subject matter with sweet romance, loveable characters, and great pacing.

I loved how through Connor and Maisie, Lewes inspires readers to be bold in going after what they want and aspiring to demand what they deserve in all aspects of life.

Heartbreaking moments were lifted back up by tender affirmations by the main characters.

If you need a pick me up, this is the perfect read. Congratulations, Emmy! I can't wait to see what you do next!

[Bevany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun sports romance. touch her and you die mmc. there is a trigger for abuse. The characters are likable. college age. not a lot of smut. the storyline is sweet a friends to lovers.

[Book Lover IRL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving Heart First is Emmy Lewes' debut novel. It is a new adult, college sports romance that balances some tough subjects with sweet and tender moments. In a nice twist, this story can be read as an open door or closed door romance by following the author's note in the beginning of the book. All other content warnings are also shared in the author's note. Personally I have few triggers and adore open door romances, so I was all in.

Connor Bocelli and Maisie Thatcher are spectacular college athletes trying to adjust to life in university. Connor is hooked on Maisie right away but sadly she has a nasty boyfriend who needs to be kicked to the curb. Connor is all kinds of amazing -- the best green flag, golden retriever MC! As he and Maisie start a beautiful friendship, Connor yearns for her in this sloooooooow burn. After a while their friendship grows into something deeper and even more glorious. Connor stands up for Maisie and encourages her to work through her emotional scars from a previous relationship.

There is fabulous mental health representation. Connor helps Maisie through her panic attacks and with her anxiety. He also goes to therapy for his own emotional outbursts and challenges, which helps normalize asking for help and attending therapy.

The book was spice-light and this totally made sense for a story focused on college freshmen. The intimacy focused on gentle and balanced emotions, instead of crazy, chaotic, gotta-have-you-now intensity. I loved that consent was front and center in Connor and Maisie's relationship. Connor worked hard to ensure Maisie felt she had control of her body. (CONSENT IS H0T!!!)

I enjoyed the fast pacing, joyful shenanigans, and heartbreaking moments that were balanced out with tenderness. The writing was smooth and thoroughly enjoyable. I wasn't a fan of some of the miscommunication, but it totally made sense in this story -- especially since it is a new adult romance focused on teenagers.

The side characters were marvelous and added a lot to the story. I'm hopeful that Lewes is setting up future books with some of these folks. I am especially interested in stories about Hunter, or Tyler, or perhaps Brock and Angie?!

Overall, Diving Heart First by Emmy Lewes is a gorgeous debut. It is perfect for folks looking for a light-hearted and emotional, contemporary romance who crave a character-driven, sports-adjacent, new adult romance in a college setting. I can't wait to see what comes next for Emmy Lewes.

IYKYK: I loved the nicknames, one bed situationship, and when one MC paid attention to the other MC's snack preferences.

Favorite quote: "Sometimes scars remain, but that doesn't make me any less healed."

A huge thank you to Emmy Lewes and Happily Booked PR for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Tropes: College Sports Romance, Mental Health Rep, One Bed, New Adult

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ .5
POV: Dual, alternating first person
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Series / Standalone: Book 1 in series, can be read as standalone

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: @Book_Lover_IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
FABLE: Book Lover IRL

[Katherine Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me knows I don't "read read" very often. I usually listen to audiobooks or read webcomics. So when I picked up Diving Heart First on Monday, I had no idea I'd be burning through it by Thursday night, but here we are.

Diving Heart First stars an emotionally self-aware swimmer MMC, Connor Bocelli. Now, he's no "Mary Sue". He has anger issues that fester beneath the surface (and even above a couple times) but he is very concious of it and willing to change. One chapter into Connor's perspective and you will feel safe with him and safe in the world of this book. He's gentle, he's warm, he communicates, he listens, he's not a proud aggro dark brooding ego-maniac like many men in books nowadays.

It also features Maisie Thatcher, a sweet but very nervous high diver. She's written very raw, and I mean that in the best way. Her nervous habits are on full display, and there's no attempt to frame them as cute. Her cuticles are gruesome. Biting her lip isn't sexy, it hurts and it makes it bleed. The description of her panic attacks and anxiety overall resonated hardcore with me.

One of the best parts about this book is that no switches are just "flipped" that make characters magically heal from their emotional traumas. It's a very deliberate story showing the evolution of two young college students, their adjustment to higher education, D-1 sports, friendships, and relationships (both healthy and not).

Lewes gives you a front row seat to the evolution of young college athletes facing the pressures of sports, academia, and family through a safe, warm lens.

There's plenty of interaction between the MCs, Connor and Maisie, but they have very lively and rich friendships with other people, resulting in a world that feels LIVED IN. It pulls you in and makes you feel like a member of their friend group. It very much resonated with my own collegiate experience. I was an anxiety WRECK. Making friends was HARD. But it was so so worth it, and when I did, I was able to blossom a bit like Maisie.

I will fight anyone who tries to compare this to Deep End. It's fundamentally different. I liked Deep End, don't get me wrong. But while Deep End is suspense-filled with a brooding MMC whose thoughts you never quite know, Diving Heart First is a safe, warm, and inviting read.

The spice is gentle and sweet and very well balanced. It's focused on emotions and vulnerability, and the story explores how it affects the relationship between the MCs.

I highly encourage anyone who has endured a less-than-stellar relationship to read Diving Heart First. It'll fill your heart with hope. I know it did for me.

**I received an ARC from Happily Booked PR & the author in exchange for my honest review**

[Lynsey ❤️‍ Hot Flashes Hot Listens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: eBook
Heat: 2.5/5
Rating: 5/5
Series or Stand Alone: Magnolia U Series Book #1
Book Source: Pre-Ordered on the ‘Zon
Tropes & Notes: Sports Romance • College Romance • Friends to Lovers • Mental Health Rep • Only One Bed • He Falls First (and Hard!!) • Check Content Warning

Recap Quickie
Maisie and Connor are first year students and D1 athletes at Magnolia University. Maisie is a diver and Connor- a swimmer. The first time Connor sees Maisie, he is smitten. But he soon learns she’s
dating a guy that she’s way too good for. Maisie comes to understand this clearly herself after a situation that leaves her feeling betrayed and unsafe. Connor and Maisie’s friendship blooms- bonding over Marvel movies, snacks, and the kindness with which they treat each other. And then there’s that growing attraction they both feel. They both also have important mental health issues to navigate as well as pressures of the pool, school, and their parents. Connor is falling hard but Maisie has lost trust in herself and faith that her heart won’t be broken again. Do they have the patience and vulnerability to dive heart first into love?


My Thoughts
This was a wonderful debut novel from author Emmy Lewes! Connor and Maisie were lovely characters to invest in and I enjoyed their journey. Diving Heart First navigates mental health concerns from start to finish. One topic that I don’t see addressed in romance novels often is ‘anger’ and I really appreciated that here. I also appreciated getting to peek in on one of the MC’s therapy sessions.

Emmy does a great job preparing the reader for the content in her Author’s Note which I encourage all readers to read. I am a reader who tends to skip content warnings but after reading Emmy’s, my perspective may have shifted. Knowing the insight and care she gave the sensitive content in her book gave my reading experience even more depth.

Ok and can we talk about those spicy scenes!? Damn! Connor is VERY unselfish! And a little bossy and I am all about it! I also felt like the pace at which their intimacy progressed was much more realistic than I am used to seeing!

40+ Reader Appeal? (Not Considered in Rating)
Ok 40+ friends, Connor and Maisie are 18 so we are reading this for nostalgic purposes. They will drive you crazy with some of their decisions (I’m looking at you Connor).... until you remember that this is exactly what it was like when we were 18! But they are so so sweet and I absolutely recommend this to 40+ readers!

For more 40+ romance takes, check me out on Instagram @HotFlashesHotListens!

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes scars remain, but that doesn’t make me any less healed.”

The first note I took when reading this book was “This book is for those of us who stuck with the dirtbag boyfriend way longer than we should have before finally realizing we deserved better.”

I was immediately sucked into this story. I LOVE that we got to Connor’s POV first. Connor, with his earnestness and kind heart, falls first and hard. He is the definition of “written by a woman.” A consent KING and I’m here for it. And then there’s Maisie with her desire to find her place in the world. Struggling with anxiety and figuring herself out. It was all so relatable. I really appreciated the authenticity and I just wanted to know these characters.

There is miscommunication within the story, which I usually hate and had me worried for a minute, but the author was able to write it in a way that made it understandable and appropriate for the situation. Miscommunication usually feels outrageously frustrating to me, but this felt exactly right for these characters.

The side characters were a hit for me as well. I’m REALLY hoping that she’s setting us up for more books in a series with their friends, because I definitely want to know more about their stories. The found family vibes are strong in this story. And Hunter has my heart! I love his feminist ideals and really want to see all the great things that happen for him. And quiet Tyler… I need to know more!

Overall, the writing itself was great. Very smooth, clear, and had a great pace. There weren’t any points where it slowed enough to make me want to put the book down. She also was able to write about diving well enough to convince someone who has never learned a thing about competitive diving that she (me) understood everything that was happening.

TLDR:
-College sports romance
-Anxiety rep
-Found family
-Consent is SEXY!
-He falls first and HARD
-Friends to lovers
-Therapy positive
-Smooth writing

Add this one to your TBR!

Thank you Happily Booked PR and Emmy Lewes for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for allowing me to ARC read this—I always appreciate the chance to dive into a new story early. Overall, this was a good book with strong potential, and there were definitely elements I enjoyed.

The MMC and FMC were solid characters. They each had distinct personalities, believable motivations, and a dynamic that could have been really compelling. I liked them individually, and I could see why they were drawn to one another. Their interactions were sweet, their chemistry was present, and they had the foundations of a relationship that could’ve been wonderful.

However, the slow burn aspect just didn’t work for me personally. Instead of feeling deliciously tense or emotionally satisfying, it ended up being more frustrating than enjoyable. There were so many moments where I found myself wanting to reach into the book, shove them together, and say, “Come on already—you both clearly want this!”

The long pauses between their emotional progression and the stops-and-starts of their relationship didn’t impress me the way slow burns usually do. I love a well-executed slow burn when the tension builds, the longing simmers, and the payoff feels earned—but here, the pacing felt a bit too drawn out, and the emotional beats didn’t always land as strongly as they could have.

That being said, the writing was still good, the characters were likable, and there were definitely moments that made the journey worthwhile. It simply wasn’t the kind of slow burn that clicks with my personal reading preferences.

A good book overall—just not quite the slow-burn style that works for me.

[Lindsayrosereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded to 4)

Diving Heart First is a cute, heartfelt debut sports romcom that captures the messy, confusing, emotional whirlwind of being a freshman, loving the wrong person, and slowly realizing what you actually want. Emmy Lewes delivers a sweet friends-to-lovers story centered around two college athletes trying to find their footing both in their sport and in their hearts.

Maisie is a collegiate diver struggling with doubt about everything: her boyfriend, her major, and even her passion for diving. Connor, a talented swimmer with a gentle soul and his own quiet struggles, becomes her steady presence in a season of uncertainty. Their friendship is tender, supportive, and built on small acts of kindness that slowly turn into something more.

This is a low-spice romance, and I appreciated the author’s clear trigger warnings and reading guidance that make the book a closed-door romance, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. The romance leans more sweet than hot, but those softer and very specifically consensual moments play an important role in Maisie’s emotional growth and self-discovery.

Where the book lost me slightly was in the pacing. I enjoy a slow burn, but the constant miscommunication and repeated back-and-forth between “we want this” and “we shouldn’t” started to feel more frustrating than deliciously tense. Some emotional beats felt drawn out longer than necessary, which dulled the impact for me.

That said, the writing style is enjoyable, the characters are likable, and several side characters shine in a way that makes me excited for future books in the series. I’m looking forward to checking back in on Connor and Maisie and seeing where their story continues.

A sweet, gentle college sports romance with friends-to-lovers vibes, closed-door intimacy, and lots of heart—perfect for readers who love emotional growth, soft heroes, and cozy romantic journeys.

Thank you @happilybookedpr for allowing me to read this debut novel before anyone else!

[Jasmine Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving Heart First is the kind of college romance that just feels real. It doesn't shy away from the messiness of young love, family pressure, and the very relatable experience of trying to find your footing when everything around you feels uncertain. Set on Magnolia University's swim team, we follow Connor, a top recruit carrying more than just athletic expectations, and Maisie, a struggling diver quietly trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs.

And honestly? Their relationship is the heart of everything. What I loved most is that Connor and Maisie don't just fall into romance; they build a friendship first, and you can feel it in every interaction. The inside jokes, the easy comfort they have with each other, the way they just get each other; it all makes you fall for them before the romance even kicks in. Connor especially won me over. The way he opens up to Maisie feels so genuine and unhurried, like he just couldn't help but trust her. It's the kind of slow burn that makes your chest ache in the best way.

The family drama layered throughout gives both characters a real, lived-in quality. These aren't just two people navigating a crush; they're carrying real weight, and watching them lean on each other through it makes their bond feel even more meaningful.

The one thing that had me impatient? Karsen. Maisie's ex was simply not it, and every scene with him had me silently screaming for her to walk away. But that frustration made it all the more satisfying when she finally did because she absolutely deserved better.

Thanks to Emmy Lewes and Happily Booked PR for the ARC!

[Angie (mushmysteriesandmore) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first romance in the swimming/diving world. It was a tender coming of age story, new adult. They are 18 years old but do indulge in adult intimate activity on page. The author does highlight the chapters where it features but I would say this is aimed at older readers, not YA.

So Connor and Maisie meet officially at the pool. Maisie is a diver and Connor is a swimmer so their paths cross naturally. Unfortunately for Connor, who is smitten at first sight, Maisie has a boyfriend, a walking nasty toxic excuse for a human called Karsen. Still Connor is happy to be friends with Maisie and they do become good friends, so much so to the point where Connor gets suspended from swimming when he punches Karsen for talking down about Maisie. Now Maisie is single but Karsen has messed her up, Connor tries to repair the damage by being the biggest green flag alive.

I enjoyed this story. Although I am (much) older than the MCs, I did feel their pain on some levels. They were trying to navigate an adult world, finding who they are rather than who their parents want them to be. Maisie had a loving family but they were projecting their own dreams onto her and she was drowning under the pressure of it all. Connor was trying to battle with the shadow of his father, who walked out on him as a child but then returned and used his money to bend Connor to his will.

Connor was amazing, he was wonderful on so many levels. He was all about consent and giving control to Maisie. However, he wasn’t perfect. He did have a temper but he worked to control it.

Yes there were times when both characters miscommunicated or stopped communicating but that’s what 18 year old kids do.

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved a sports romance but this was my first diving/swimming romance. And now I demand more. This was so cute and entertaining. It didn’t shy away from the messiness that comes from college romance, which is different than a lot of other college sports romance books I have read previously. Maisie and Connor are both college athletes who are struggling in different ways. Maisie is doubting everything. Connor is having issues himself but is still there for Maisie as much as he can be. These two have such a sweet friendship. They support each other and do for each other. The connection and chemistry between them is obvious and strong, based in that friendship they had developed. But like so many college romances there was drama in the form of misunderstandings. But watching them overcome and bloom on the other side was so satisfying. Their relationship felt so real and authentic that you couldn’t help but cheer for them. One thing I have to give a shout out to is Connor’s dedication to consent. That is something that’s often lacking in romance novels so seeing it at the forefront was touching. The way this author addresses the mental health aspects was respectful and done in a way that moves the story forward not as a punchline or flaw. This is a definite recommendation for me.

[Lara Loves Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect heartwarming sports romance I didn’t know I needed. With friends to lovers and complicated family dynamics, Maisie and Connor have a lot to overcome to find their happy ending, and their love story hit me right in the feels.

The way these characters deal with the challenging adjustments of starting college, being athletes on the swim team and the pressures of their families’ expectations made them so relatable, and I loved how they grow and develop throughout the book. Maisie’s anxiety and panic attacks feel so real, and the practical ways that Connor helps her deal with them cemented him as a gold medal level golden retriever boyfriend. I mean any guy who will take care of you during that time of the month, soars right to the top of my book boyfriend list!

Told in dual POV, the writer does an excellent job at making you feel everything her characters’ do, and because of this, I became deeply invested in wanting to see them not only together, but free from their pasts to make their own decisions. Their playful nicknames, banter and adorable moments made this so much fun to read. With no third act break up, and open door spice that moves the plot and the characters’ relationship along, I cannot recommend this college sports romance enough.

Thank you to Emmy Lewes and Happily Booked PR for the review copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5– rounded to 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Aida Rivero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving Heart First
By Emmy Lewes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Diving Heart First by Emmy Lewes is an absolutely delightful and uplifting college sports romance that will put a huge smile on your face! It’s the perfect, sunshine-filled read for anyone who loves a good D1 athlete story. The novel introduces us to Maisie Thatcher, a determined diver at Magnolia University, who is ready to shake up her life. As she navigates the thrilling ups and downs of freshman year and rediscovers her true passions, she crosses paths with the charming Connor Bocelli, a talented swim star with an incredibly kind heart.
The magic of this book lies in the bright and healthy relationship that blossoms between Maisie and Connor. It’s a refreshing friends-to-lovers journey that is full of heartwarming connection, supportive gestures, and all the sweet, swoony moments you could ask for. Lewes masterfully handles themes of anxietyand finding your path with warmth and optimism. There are no unnecessary dramatic breakups here, just pure, feel-good fun and characters you can genuinely cheer for. Get ready to "dive heart first" into this cheerful story and fall in love with Maisie and Connor's vibrant world!

10/10 Would recommend this book to all family and friends.

[Midnights Bookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving Heart First 🩱🩲

I received an ARC for this book, so I wanted to thank Emmy Lewes for sending me this.

What a cute and light read this was, I’ve been in a flow of reading more mature romances, so reading about two eighteen years old falling in love it’s like breath of fresh air.

In this book we have Maisie, and I think the best way to describe her, is saying that she is a people pleaser. She chose a graduation that she doesn’t necessarily wants to, she is in a sports because her father pushes her to it, she has a boyfriend that stopped caring about her a long time ago, but she accepts everything to make others happy while she is not.

And we have Connor, the swimmer golden retrivier boy who is always happy, he is caring, lovable, cute! He fell in love with Maisie at first sight, and I felt for him when he discovered she had a boyfriend. But she aleays respected her, he is a good person and an amazing friend.

They had chemistry from the beggining, and I get that Maisie didn’t want to be a relationship so soon after breaking with her ex, but they were meant to be together.

I really enjoyed the book, so I will give a 4,5 ⭐️ for them. Excited for the next one 🩱🩲

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by Happily Booked PR in exchange for an honest review.
Def check trigger warnings before reading this (the author does a very good job before the text starts listing any possible triggers) because there are some intense topics that are covered, but done so in a respectful way imo.
I have been absolutely chomping at the bit for more swimmer/diver romances after reading Deep End by Ali Hazelwood and was super hype I came across this book. Maisie’s anxiety and panic attacks are handled in a way that makes it seem thoroughly researched and it isn’t used as a “cute little quirk that makes her different than other girls”.
Maisie’s boyfriend she starts the book with is just the WORST and I couldn’t wait for her to kick him to the curb. He was trash and didn’t deserve her. Connor, the MMC falls first and falls hard. He’s a sweet golden retriever, but he has anger issues that he is :gasp: working on in therapy. Can we normalize men going to therapy please? I love that he is a mature adult working on himself. It was good to see Maisie and Connor grow together and there was no third act break up, which I also loved!

[The Booktrovert Records · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4/5 | 🌶️ 2/5

Freshman year at Magnolia University was supposed to bring Maisie Thatcher clarity. Instead, everything feels off—her relationship, her major, even her performance on the diving board.

Then there’s Connor Bocelli.

A top swim recruit with mesmerizing eyes and a quietly selfless heart, Connor seems to be carrying struggles of his own. What starts as small acts of kindness and friendship slowly turns into something deeper. But between family pressure, athletic expectations, and their own insecurities, risking their hearts might be the scariest leap of all.

Can they move beyond the friend zone… or will their love belly flop?

Oh boy—this was sweet, fun, and full of heart.

Both Maisie and Connor are battling their own demons, and I loved how grounded their struggles felt. At the collegiate level, the pressure on athletes is already intense. Add family expectations into the mix? It’s a lot. And this book doesn’t shy away from that emotional weight.

Connor was down bad from the start (love at first sight energy 🥹), and I adored his patience. Watching Maisie slowly find herself—reassess her dreams, her relationship, and what she truly wants—made her journey feel authentic. I’m so glad she gave Connor a real chance instead of staying guarded.

And Connor’s family? Everything. Truly. They were exactly the warmth and steadiness Maisie needed. Such a balm to her hurting soul, and it made their connection feel even more meaningful.

This is a soft, heartfelt sports romance about growth, timing, and choosing courage—both in love and in life.

✨ Tropes:
🏊‍♀️ College Athletes
💦 Diver FMC x Swimmer MMC
🐶 Golden Retriever MMC
💙 He Falls First (and Harder)
👯‍♀️ Friends to Lovers
🛏️ One Bed
🧠 Panic Attack Rep
🚫 No Third Act Breakup

A sweet, soul-filled romance that feels like taking a deep breath before the dive.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie + Connor

Diving Heart First is such a good read. Normally, I steer clear of college romances due to the decisions of the characters being juvenile but Emmy does a great job of acknowledging her MCs characters and throughout the book we get an inside track to their thoughts. I think having their inner thoughts help navigate the story AND it adds depth to the story.

Maisie suffers from panic attacks which are depicted amazingly well and Connor's help with them deepens their connection. Connor has demons (mostly his dad) and he is trying to work through why he has explosive behaviors instead of processing the feelings and then reacting. I love how we get to see him go to therapy and he is encouraged to go.

Diving Heart First is going to keep you engaged and entertained. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series.

Thank you to the author and Happily Booked PR for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Mayhem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super cute. Connor is such a great MMC he is self aware, has everyone's best interest in mind, and willing to work on himself plus have you seen swimmers 🥵 Maisey made me want to shake her several times but I guarantee this is exactly how anyone around us during a bad relationship feels. Connor is so mature it makes you forget that they're only freshman in college. staring at your crush across the pool between sets is so accurate too. While I personally could've used a little more spice the parts that were there were impactful for our FMCs growth and done very well. as someone who is not actively seeking out a slow burn I really enjoyed this storyline. will be looking forward to book 2.

[Loves2 Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A super sweet, realistic college romance with a very heavy slow-burn.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read an ARC of this story! Overall, this was a super cute read with a lot of heart and two very solid lead characters.

The Characters: Connor is an incredible MMC—self-aware, mature for a college freshman, and genuinely well-intentioned (plus, those swimmer vibes are a major bonus 🥵). While Maisey’s choices made me want to shake her at times, her journey felt very realistic to anyone who has navigated a difficult relationship. Their chemistry was present, and the foundations of their connection were lovely.

The Pacing & Communication: While I can appreciate the realism of college freshmen finding their way, the communication (or lack thereof) annoyed the crap out of me! I understood why it was happening, but it definitely added to my frustration with the pacing. As someone who usually loves a well-executed slow burn, the "stops-and-starts" here didn't quite click for me. Instead of feeling like delicious tension, it felt a bit too drawn out. There were so many moments where I wanted to reach into the book, shove them together, and say, “Come on already—you both clearly want this!”

The Verdict: The writing is solid, the "staring across the pool" moments were incredibly accurate, and the spice—while light—was impactful for the FMC's growth. Even though this specific slow-burn style tested my patience, the characters made the journey worthwhile. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens in Book 2!

TROPES & VIBES:

🏊‍♂️ Swimmer MMC

🎓 College Romance (Freshman Year)

🐢 Ultra Slow-Burn

✨ He Falls First

🫂 Emotional Growth / Healing

🚫 Miscommunication / Longing

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving Heart First by Emmy Lewes

3.5/5 stars

It was a cute bubbly romance where he fell HARD first and she followed not long after. This book is a duel pov between the fmc Maisie and mmc Connor who are wading their way through collage, future dreams and relationships.

Maisie after breaking up with her past boyfriend struggles to open her heart up again while figuring out if she son the right path. Connor needed to open up and heal past trauma that his father created while staying true to his feelings.

I liked this book for a quick filler in-between to break up my fantasy streak but I did get a little annoyed and bored over the miscommunication and back and forth between the fmc and mmc. That being said I’m glad I did stick with it to finish because it was enjoyable overall.

[Sara Straw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good! Conner knew from the moment he saw Maisie that she was something special. I loved the way their relationship blossomed. I truly appreciated the friendship that they built and just how much he cared for her. The spicy scenes were amazing and made so much sense. I appreciated that it wasn’t just happening to happen. I also loved Conner and Maisie’s friends. I did find myself yelling at Maisie to just be true to herself and speak up about her feelings to Conner and even with her dad about her major. It was a bit aggravating that she kept her feelings hidden for so long just by the off chance of him hurting her. But it did make sense for the story. Truly enjoyed and looking forward to future reads by this author!

[Vivien Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good college romance that featured the friends to lovers trope, one of my favorites. Maisie is on the diving team and is going through some inner struggles, questioning a lot of her decisions about the present and future. When Connor, the handsome caring athlete, joins the team, he seems too good to be true. This confuses Maisie, especially because she has a boyfriend at the time. This is a good story and a slow burn. But personally I would've liked a little faster pace for their relationship. While this was a great plot overall and I did enjoy the storyline but would've liked a lot more spice. The author is calling this an open door romance but it's rather low heat for me.

[Cortney Walls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good, especially for a debut. Conner and Mazie were both so sweet, and he is absolutely obsessed with her (in the best way) There was some miscommunication at the beginning of the book, which I’m usually not a fan of but I think this is probably the only time I’ve really loved the way it was done. As an anxious girl myself I thought Maxie’s anxiety and panic attacks were so well written and the way the book showed how damaging parents can be to their young adult children was really excellent. Thank you so much to Happily Booked for the opportunity to arc read this in exchange for a fair and honest review, I really enjoyed it!

[Gemma (Bookishgem94) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story and overall was a sweet read. Connor instantly falls in love with Maisie but finding out she already has a boyfriend he decides he would still be her new best friend. Maisie isn't happy in her relationship and when she realises what it feels like to have someone who treats you right she finally let's go of her past and tries to move forward with Connor. This is a very slow burn and Connor does everything he can to make Maisie feel comfortable and moves at her pace. Connor hold pain from his past and when he finally takes control of the present it makes you so proud of him. These two are super sweet together and im happy they got their happy ending.

[Kelsey Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connor spots Maisie at move in day of college. Then, he sees her again at practice where he is a swimmer and she is a diver. Problem is she has a boyfriend. What happens when he dives heart first?

I thought this was good. Connor is the kind of book boyfriend that only exists in books. He is literally perfect. I wish I could clone him.

The spice was eh. They hooked up, but not full spice scenes. I thought it was kind of odd thy never went all the way but 🤷‍♀️ there is a lot of one step forward and five steps back.

Overall, it was a good college romance about figuring out and fighting for what you really want.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!! It was beautifully written, it hits so many important and hard topics, and each character has such an amazing bond with each other and makes you fall in love with them!

Maisie loves, cares, and works so hard for everything she cares about. Connor loves deeply for those close to him. These two are amazing and perfect for each other.

This is a perfect and simple book! I had read some heavy books prior to this and it was a perfect balance of funny, relaxed, and sweet, while also having such important topics made so important to the story!

I can’t wait to see what is next for Magnolia U!!

4.25 ⭐️
2 🌶️

Thank you Emmy for the ARC!🫶🏻

[Joanna C · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart broke so many times for Maisie and Connor. The challenges they had to work through and just how resilient they were even when things seemed hopeless. Those moments when both MC’s found their strength were beautiful and the slow progression of their relationship was amazing. We don’t always need to have everything figured out and maybe what we thought we needed was not it at all. It’s okay to change your mind at any point in time. This was an enjoyable story that dealt with very difficult subjects. But it was done in such a beautiful way.

Please check triggers before reading. ❤️