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Carolina Current #2
Against the Current
WHITNEY
When the flirty, fast-talking guy I met gaming online suggested we meet in person, I took a chance. But then, he ghosted.
Two months later, I’m back in Coral Cove, training with the Carolina Current, when a pair of tattooed arms and an easy, dangerous smile have me one bad glance away from swimming into a lane rope.
Connor Fisk.
He’s charming, cocky, and absolutely off-limits thanks to his history with my brother. I should know better than to get pulled in, but Connor has a way of showing up when I least expect him—and every time he does, I find myself more intrigued.
I didn’t come back to Coral Cove to play it safe or live in my brother’s shadow. I came to trust my gut, even when it points straight at the one guy I’m supposed to avoid. Connor’s bad-boy image is only part of the story, and when the truth finally comes out, I want to keep my distance. But holding onto my anger gets a lot harder when we’re forced to travel together and keeping my guard up feels impossible.
CONNOR
I built my career on headlines, sponsorships, and pretending I have everything figured out. The only place I ever get to be myself is gaming anonymously with a girl who makes me laugh when everything else feels empty.
When I show up to our real-life meeting, I don’t expect to see Whitney Shields—my rival’s little sister—waiting there for me. So, I panic and bail, telling myself I’m protecting her, that the truth would only make a mess of everything.
Two months later, we’re teammates. And from the moment she smashes cake into me and swipes frosting off my bare chest with her finger, I know staying away from her is going to prove impossible.
Soon, we’re gaming, going on grocery store runs, and walks on the beach. For a moment, it almost feels like I could make it right, then she finds out I’m the guy who earned her trust online and broke it in real life.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but I’m learning that owning them is a hell of a lot easier than walking away from her.
When the flirty, fast-talking guy I met gaming online suggested we meet in person, I took a chance. But then, he ghosted.
Two months later, I’m back in Coral Cove, training with the Carolina Current, when a pair of tattooed arms and an easy, dangerous smile have me one bad glance away from swimming into a lane rope.
Connor Fisk.
He’s charming, cocky, and absolutely off-limits thanks to his history with my brother. I should know better than to get pulled in, but Connor has a way of showing up when I least expect him—and every time he does, I find myself more intrigued.
I didn’t come back to Coral Cove to play it safe or live in my brother’s shadow. I came to trust my gut, even when it points straight at the one guy I’m supposed to avoid. Connor’s bad-boy image is only part of the story, and when the truth finally comes out, I want to keep my distance. But holding onto my anger gets a lot harder when we’re forced to travel together and keeping my guard up feels impossible.
CONNOR
I built my career on headlines, sponsorships, and pretending I have everything figured out. The only place I ever get to be myself is gaming anonymously with a girl who makes me laugh when everything else feels empty.
When I show up to our real-life meeting, I don’t expect to see Whitney Shields—my rival’s little sister—waiting there for me. So, I panic and bail, telling myself I’m protecting her, that the truth would only make a mess of everything.
Two months later, we’re teammates. And from the moment she smashes cake into me and swipes frosting off my bare chest with her finger, I know staying away from her is going to prove impossible.
Soon, we’re gaming, going on grocery store runs, and walks on the beach. For a moment, it almost feels like I could make it right, then she finds out I’m the guy who earned her trust online and broke it in real life.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but I’m learning that owning them is a hell of a lot easier than walking away from her.
544 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2026
About the author
Erin Hawkins
14 books1,145 followersErin Hawkins is the author of steamy romantic comedy novels full of humor and spice. She lives in Colorado with her husband, three children, and mini Bernedoodle, Scout. She enjoys reading, working out, spending time in the mountains, watching reality TV (Bravo!), and brunch that lasts all day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
June 29, 2026
I have really enjoyed all of the previous books by Erin Hawkins but I couldn’t finish this one. I made it to 70% and just couldn’t keep going it was so repetitive and essentially nothing was happening. I couldn’t even really understand why the MMC liked the FMC who was way too manic pixie dream girl for my taste. I know she was only 22 but committing to eating cake off the floor is the behavior of a 3 year old. I just found her to be painfully immature and not charming at all.
There is absolutely not enough plot in this book to justify 500+ pages. It comes across as unedited at times with the same phrases (“my chest tightened”) being said multiple times within a paragraph. The reader is told at least 100+ times that the name of his cat is Pussy. This was barely funny the first time it’s said let alone hundreds of pages later. It came across like she was seeing how many times she could use the word “pussy” in one book.
There is absolutely not enough plot in this book to justify 500+ pages. It comes across as unedited at times with the same phrases (“my chest tightened”) being said multiple times within a paragraph. The reader is told at least 100+ times that the name of his cat is Pussy. This was barely funny the first time it’s said let alone hundreds of pages later. It came across like she was seeing how many times she could use the word “pussy” in one book.
June 26, 2026
5🌟, 3🌶️
This completely swept me away from the first beginning.
It was the perfect mix of humor, heart, chemistry, and emotional depth, and I couldn’t stop smiling while I was reading.
Whitney and Connor were everything I wanted in a couple. Their banter was effortless, their connection felt genuine, and I loved how they brought out the best in each other while learning to let go of the expectations and labels that had followed them for so long. The competitive swimming backdrop, secret online friendship, and plenty of chaotic, laugh-out-loud moments made the story feel fresh, while Connor’s growth and heartfelt grovel made me love him even more. Even the cat managed to steal every scene.
This was funny, swoony, and full of heart in all the right ways. I fell completely in love with these characters, and by the final page I was already wishing I could spend more time with them.
Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite sports romances.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Erin Hawkins and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This completely swept me away from the first beginning.
It was the perfect mix of humor, heart, chemistry, and emotional depth, and I couldn’t stop smiling while I was reading.
Whitney and Connor were everything I wanted in a couple. Their banter was effortless, their connection felt genuine, and I loved how they brought out the best in each other while learning to let go of the expectations and labels that had followed them for so long. The competitive swimming backdrop, secret online friendship, and plenty of chaotic, laugh-out-loud moments made the story feel fresh, while Connor’s growth and heartfelt grovel made me love him even more. Even the cat managed to steal every scene.
This was funny, swoony, and full of heart in all the right ways. I fell completely in love with these characters, and by the final page I was already wishing I could spend more time with them.
Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite sports romances.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Erin Hawkins and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
May 29, 2026
Marry me, Connor Fisk!!!
When Whitney moves to Coral Cove to train at the Carolina Current facility, she is immediately hypnotized by a strong set of swimmer's shoulders and tattooed arms she'd like to lick.
Unfortunately they belong to Connor Fisk, her brother's bitter rival and newest teammate, who also happens to be a walking PR nightmare.
*Of course the universe would send me a man with muscles and mystery and obvious bad decision energy then slap a giant DO NOT TOUCH label on him in permanent ink.*
*He's your brother's rival ... Yes, but have you seen his arms?* (A completely valid argument, in my opinion!)
Whitney's chaotic energy and hilarious & thirsty inner monologue made me feel seen. I am she, she is me. And Connor made Whitney feel seen when she's used to being known as her famous brother's sister instead of her own person. The man was down bad for Whit and desperate to belong somewhere. (My sweet, misunderstood Connor 😍🫠) But going after Rory Shields's little sister is the last thing he should do if he wants to be accepted by his new team.
This book has everything! A (reluctant) tattooed cat dad, a reverse-adopted cat named P*ssy, hidden identity, pro swimmers (+ women in sports), brother's rival, flirty banter, nicknames, forbidden romance, a misunderstood hero with a bad reputation, secret hookups, a tongue ring, gamers, a man on his knees, light bondage, and so much spicy goodness!
I absolutely loved this book! If you haven't started this series full of sweet, swoony & spicy swimmers yet, do yourself a favor and read them today!
5⭐ 3🌶️
Thanks so much to author Erin Hawkins & team for the advanced digital copy! These are my honest thoughts.
When Whitney moves to Coral Cove to train at the Carolina Current facility, she is immediately hypnotized by a strong set of swimmer's shoulders and tattooed arms she'd like to lick.
Unfortunately they belong to Connor Fisk, her brother's bitter rival and newest teammate, who also happens to be a walking PR nightmare.
*Of course the universe would send me a man with muscles and mystery and obvious bad decision energy then slap a giant DO NOT TOUCH label on him in permanent ink.*
*He's your brother's rival ... Yes, but have you seen his arms?* (A completely valid argument, in my opinion!)
Whitney's chaotic energy and hilarious & thirsty inner monologue made me feel seen. I am she, she is me. And Connor made Whitney feel seen when she's used to being known as her famous brother's sister instead of her own person. The man was down bad for Whit and desperate to belong somewhere. (My sweet, misunderstood Connor 😍🫠) But going after Rory Shields's little sister is the last thing he should do if he wants to be accepted by his new team.
This book has everything! A (reluctant) tattooed cat dad, a reverse-adopted cat named P*ssy, hidden identity, pro swimmers (+ women in sports), brother's rival, flirty banter, nicknames, forbidden romance, a misunderstood hero with a bad reputation, secret hookups, a tongue ring, gamers, a man on his knees, light bondage, and so much spicy goodness!
I absolutely loved this book! If you haven't started this series full of sweet, swoony & spicy swimmers yet, do yourself a favor and read them today!
5⭐ 3🌶️
Thanks so much to author Erin Hawkins & team for the advanced digital copy! These are my honest thoughts.
May 31, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Do you love sports romance, but feel you’ve read every hockey and football and all the other usual?
Well this is for you: swimming!
I went into the first book unsure but here I am just finished the second and can say I can dig it.
Backstroke it?
Breaststroke it?
Whitney & Connor 🏊♀️💕
Both competitive swimmers
Her older brother is a teammate and there’s some bad history between him and Connor.
He’s the bad boy with a reputation with tattoos and piercings
She is sunshine personified
There’s a cat in his house
Gamers - there’s a whole situation there
This is funny and romcom-y while also hitting on touches of serious.
There’s fighting the tension.
There’s two people just meant to be.
Arc review ✨
Do you love sports romance, but feel you’ve read every hockey and football and all the other usual?
Well this is for you: swimming!
I went into the first book unsure but here I am just finished the second and can say I can dig it.
Backstroke it?
Breaststroke it?
Whitney & Connor 🏊♀️💕
Both competitive swimmers
Her older brother is a teammate and there’s some bad history between him and Connor.
He’s the bad boy with a reputation with tattoos and piercings
She is sunshine personified
There’s a cat in his house
Gamers - there’s a whole situation there
This is funny and romcom-y while also hitting on touches of serious.
There’s fighting the tension.
There’s two people just meant to be.
Arc review ✨
June 16, 2026
every page of this book has the word “like” multiple times, everything needs a comparison to something omg
June 29, 2026
I made it to 15% on this one! The writing is soooo overwrought, it’s insane. Three women spot a tiny bandage on a swimmer’s ribs from a distance and realize it’s a tattoo, and they go on and on about how painful a rib tattoo is. Which, fine. But plenty of people have them.
They go on to say, “So, either he likes pain—“ “Or,” Dani cuts in, quieter, “it matters.” That lands harder than it should.
Eye roll. How are we inferring THIS MUCH from a tiny bandage on someone none of them knows?? It’s so dramatic. Shortly after this she writes
Then his head lifts and his gaze finds the window.
Finds me.
For one beat, he holds it - cool, unreadable, like he’s deciding what kind of moment this is allowed to be.
Really? All that from a tiny LOOK? Nope
Shortly after, she has a disaster with a huge slice of cake. Instead of the cake slice being transported on its side, it’s standing up and of course something happens to it. Bc she is a klutz and this is her whole personality. I’m not into ineptitude so I didn’t even finish the cringe scene. Such a shame bc I really liked other works by this author!
They go on to say, “So, either he likes pain—“ “Or,” Dani cuts in, quieter, “it matters.” That lands harder than it should.
Eye roll. How are we inferring THIS MUCH from a tiny bandage on someone none of them knows?? It’s so dramatic. Shortly after this she writes
Then his head lifts and his gaze finds the window.
Finds me.
For one beat, he holds it - cool, unreadable, like he’s deciding what kind of moment this is allowed to be.
Really? All that from a tiny LOOK? Nope
Shortly after, she has a disaster with a huge slice of cake. Instead of the cake slice being transported on its side, it’s standing up and of course something happens to it. Bc she is a klutz and this is her whole personality. I’m not into ineptitude so I didn’t even finish the cringe scene. Such a shame bc I really liked other works by this author!
June 17, 2026
beginning was good but then it got so repetitive. I was extremely bored in the second half like this book could’ve been 200 pages shorter. The third act breakup was dumb asf.
July 15, 2026
This was such a witty and fun rom com!! Connor and Whitney had chemistry and tension for days! I loved their meet cute and the hidden identity of that! Connor had to overcome a lot of obstacles but that man knew how to grovel! Whitney was so much fun! Her personality was chaotic in the best way and I loved how endearing she was. A lot of people made fun of her for that or tried to change her but I loved how Connor wanted those parts of her to shine. Whitney also saw the real Connor. The Connor no one knew and I loved how she pushed him to bet better. These two were perfect for each other!
AUDIO: This was narrated in duet by Victoria Connolly and Austin Stone. This was such a cute one! Victoria portrayed Whitney PERFECTLY! Her sweet but quirky personality was brought to life in the best way! And Austin did an incredible job as Connor. His emotional depth was a highlight in this audio for me!
-Small Coastal Town
-Pro Simmers
-Brother's Rival
-Hidden Identity
-Secret Romance
-Forced Proximity
Thank you Erin and Must Love Audio for this ALC!
AUDIO: This was narrated in duet by Victoria Connolly and Austin Stone. This was such a cute one! Victoria portrayed Whitney PERFECTLY! Her sweet but quirky personality was brought to life in the best way! And Austin did an incredible job as Connor. His emotional depth was a highlight in this audio for me!
-Small Coastal Town
-Pro Simmers
-Brother's Rival
-Hidden Identity
-Secret Romance
-Forced Proximity
Thank you Erin and Must Love Audio for this ALC!
August 31, 2026
ᴀɢᴀɪɴꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛ ʙʏ ᴇʀɪɴ ʜᴀᴡᴋɪɴꜱ 🎧
⭐⭐⭐💫
This one was so cute. It checked all the boxes that I always love. Sassy banter, best friend’s brother, tattoo’d MMC, friends to lovers, and so much more. I love how hard Connor worked to regain Whitney’s trust after holding on to the truth for so much longer than he should have. I love how even though Connor’s relationship with Rory was rocky that he wanted to prove that he was going to be there for Whitney. I also loved the bits of the competitive swimmers in them. The only thing that I didn’t like was that I think she would have clued in a lot sooner to who Connor was because of the voice, but also kinda makes sense she wasn’t thinking about it.
I was super lucky to win a copy of this audiobook through a giveaway from the author herself. Thank you so much Erin for a copy of the audiobook. I really enjoyed it!
⭐⭐⭐💫
This one was so cute. It checked all the boxes that I always love. Sassy banter, best friend’s brother, tattoo’d MMC, friends to lovers, and so much more. I love how hard Connor worked to regain Whitney’s trust after holding on to the truth for so much longer than he should have. I love how even though Connor’s relationship with Rory was rocky that he wanted to prove that he was going to be there for Whitney. I also loved the bits of the competitive swimmers in them. The only thing that I didn’t like was that I think she would have clued in a lot sooner to who Connor was because of the voice, but also kinda makes sense she wasn’t thinking about it.
I was super lucky to win a copy of this audiobook through a giveaway from the author herself. Thank you so much Erin for a copy of the audiobook. I really enjoyed it!
July 27, 2026
🏊🏼♂️Beyond the Stroke🏊🏼♂️
Available Now
4⭐️/3🔥
Swimming is such a refreshing twist for a sports romance, and I adored this marriage of convenience! Summer—an heiress who turned her back on her family's snack cake empire to become a nomadic artist—was such a fun heroine. Watching her get rescued from a party mermaid gig by Rory, a pro swimmer instantly obsessed with her, was as delightfully chaotic as it sounds. Rory is so sweet, protective, and determined to look out for her—even offering a fake marriage just so she can get health insurance. Their mutual support and sweetness made me smile the entire time.
🎧Audiobook Thoughts
Lucy Rivers and Alex Knox’s dual narration was top-notch and made this delightful story an absolute breeze to listen to. Definitely worth the pick-up!
Available Now
4⭐️/3🔥
Swimming is such a refreshing twist for a sports romance, and I adored this marriage of convenience! Summer—an heiress who turned her back on her family's snack cake empire to become a nomadic artist—was such a fun heroine. Watching her get rescued from a party mermaid gig by Rory, a pro swimmer instantly obsessed with her, was as delightfully chaotic as it sounds. Rory is so sweet, protective, and determined to look out for her—even offering a fake marriage just so she can get health insurance. Their mutual support and sweetness made me smile the entire time.
🎧Audiobook Thoughts
Lucy Rivers and Alex Knox’s dual narration was top-notch and made this delightful story an absolute breeze to listen to. Definitely worth the pick-up!
June 1, 2026
5⭐️2🌶️
Thankful to Erin and Luna Literary Management for sending me this advanced readers copy. I adore a sports romance and swimming is such an interesting sport to read about! It’s an individual sport that the athletes also compete in team relays and have to form bonds with those teammates.
Connor, our MMC, has been known as a lone wolf for too long, and is finding his way back to being part of a team. Whitney, our FMC, is the team captain’s little sister. And that’s just the start of the drama!
Connor & Whitney seeing each other and forming such a strong bond was awesome to witness - they helped each other grow as individuals and as partners together. The tension between them with the comedic breaks was incredible and I’m grateful for the lack of third act breakup 🙌🏼
As one of my favorite indie authors, I cannot wait to see what Erin writes next!
Thankful to Erin and Luna Literary Management for sending me this advanced readers copy. I adore a sports romance and swimming is such an interesting sport to read about! It’s an individual sport that the athletes also compete in team relays and have to form bonds with those teammates.
Connor, our MMC, has been known as a lone wolf for too long, and is finding his way back to being part of a team. Whitney, our FMC, is the team captain’s little sister. And that’s just the start of the drama!
Connor & Whitney seeing each other and forming such a strong bond was awesome to witness - they helped each other grow as individuals and as partners together. The tension between them with the comedic breaks was incredible and I’m grateful for the lack of third act breakup 🙌🏼
As one of my favorite indie authors, I cannot wait to see what Erin writes next!
June 15, 2026
I loved the beginning, but once they started on their trip, it got a bit slow for me. I missed the dynamic of being around the other swimmers and the pool. I thought there would be more sneaking around, which is my favourite part of a brother's rival story.
July 27, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
Every time I get the chance to read an Erin Hawkins book, I’m obsessed. I loved reading about Whitney and Connor, and the fact that it’s a swimming romance that pulls on your emotions had me devouring this. This is a character driven storyline and I just love how their story started with a beautiful friendship through gaming, then they actually knew of each other through the world of swimming competitions.
I love Whitney so much. Her fun, chaotic, and at times bold personality was such a joy to read. The way she handled Connor pushing the boundaries and having him wrapped around her finger had me grinning. Their chemistry and connection were so intimate and beautiful. I found Connor a bit misunderstood, but he’s such a vulnerable character who’s falling hard for Whitney. I loved delving into who Connor is, especially getting to know a little of his past. Both can relate to each other in many ways, and they just clicked so well. Lastly, the spice is incredible there are so many scenes that add so much to the story on such an intimate level.
I need to mention the audiobook is brilliant. Victoria and Austin are fantastic as Whitney and Connor. I always enjoy their work when I get the chance to listen, so make sure you pick it up in this format.
Overall, this was a fantastic story and I look forward to reading more of Erin’s work in the future.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 14hrs 52mins
Narrators: Victoria Connolly and Austin Stone - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Spicy Chapters: 8, 9, 20, 31, 32, 36, 42, 43, 44, 46 and 50
POV: First Person
Series or Standalone: Book Two In The Carolina Current Series
Tropes or Themes: Sports (Swimming), Brothers Rival, Secret Relationship, Hidden Identity, One Bed, Intimate Tattoo, Obsessed MMC, Misunderstood MMC, Made Me Laugh, Chemistry, Tension, Jealousy, Taken Car Of, Mine, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Oral Play, Taken Bare, Rough Play, Restrictive Play and Impact Play.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Pinterest | Facebook | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
Every time I get the chance to read an Erin Hawkins book, I’m obsessed. I loved reading about Whitney and Connor, and the fact that it’s a swimming romance that pulls on your emotions had me devouring this. This is a character driven storyline and I just love how their story started with a beautiful friendship through gaming, then they actually knew of each other through the world of swimming competitions.
I love Whitney so much. Her fun, chaotic, and at times bold personality was such a joy to read. The way she handled Connor pushing the boundaries and having him wrapped around her finger had me grinning. Their chemistry and connection were so intimate and beautiful. I found Connor a bit misunderstood, but he’s such a vulnerable character who’s falling hard for Whitney. I loved delving into who Connor is, especially getting to know a little of his past. Both can relate to each other in many ways, and they just clicked so well. Lastly, the spice is incredible there are so many scenes that add so much to the story on such an intimate level.
I need to mention the audiobook is brilliant. Victoria and Austin are fantastic as Whitney and Connor. I always enjoy their work when I get the chance to listen, so make sure you pick it up in this format.
Overall, this was a fantastic story and I look forward to reading more of Erin’s work in the future.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 14hrs 52mins
Narrators: Victoria Connolly and Austin Stone - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Spicy Chapters: 8, 9, 20, 31, 32, 36, 42, 43, 44, 46 and 50
POV: First Person
Series or Standalone: Book Two In The Carolina Current Series
Tropes or Themes: Sports (Swimming), Brothers Rival, Secret Relationship, Hidden Identity, One Bed, Intimate Tattoo, Obsessed MMC, Misunderstood MMC, Made Me Laugh, Chemistry, Tension, Jealousy, Taken Car Of, Mine, Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Oral Play, Taken Bare, Rough Play, Restrictive Play and Impact Play.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Pinterest | Facebook | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
July 22, 2026
4.25⭐️
🎙️Narrated by Victoria Connolly & Alex Knox
Ahhh Connor my baby. He’s so misunderstood & trying to do his best. I lovedd the gamer identity storyline & the sneaking around! The brothers rival trope & the drama that we knew from book 1 with these two. I knew the fallout of the relationship would be rough but I just loved Connor & the bad boy that he was. Give me a misunderstood hero any day! Also loved that they were both swimmers & we got so much of that athlete aspect in this book as well!
🫶🏼thank you so much mla for the free audiobook!
🎧the audio for this book was so well done and easy to listen to! I really thought that the narrators did great jobs with their distinctions of characters and pulling lots of emotion into the moments that needed it!
🎙️Narrated by Victoria Connolly & Alex Knox
Ahhh Connor my baby. He’s so misunderstood & trying to do his best. I lovedd the gamer identity storyline & the sneaking around! The brothers rival trope & the drama that we knew from book 1 with these two. I knew the fallout of the relationship would be rough but I just loved Connor & the bad boy that he was. Give me a misunderstood hero any day! Also loved that they were both swimmers & we got so much of that athlete aspect in this book as well!
🫶🏼thank you so much mla for the free audiobook!
🎧the audio for this book was so well done and easy to listen to! I really thought that the narrators did great jobs with their distinctions of characters and pulling lots of emotion into the moments that needed it!
September 16, 2026
I feel ambivalent about this book. The FMC was clumsy and chaotic. I liked how her chaos was written, but didn’t enjoy her cringy clumsy moments. There was a lot of potential for the FMC to have an interesting character arc based on the introduction, but her character never really developed. The MMC’s reformation was unbelievable - in that it seemed like a Stepford boyfriend replaced his prior personality. There was no backsliding, no human emotion, just steady, calm, therapy-approved responses to every situation.
There were some genuinely funny moments and dialogue but not enough to save the book. It started with potential, but all that buildup ended up fizzling quickly in the second half.
Thoughts and spoilers below:
There’s been a lot of buildup over a video game and a tattoo and no interaction between the main characters yet. I hope the plot starts moving. 15%
“This place is a pressure cooker. Do not be a match.” Quite the mixed metaphor 😬. 18%
Hello hip stretch tease 🔥. The friends really made that scene perfect. 😆
All right, so the withholding information is for the plot and I am not here for it. This is getting really old. I think we’re already at the third time he has considered telling her the truth. 36%
Getting tacos and seeing Pussy. I feel like naming the cat Pussy has made every joke so obvious it can’t be funny - it’s like gross old man jokes. I wish the cat had been named Kitty or Flower or Pearl or even Taco. “How does your Kitty like the feather tickler” would at least hint at double entendre. 37%
Alright! An apology CJ at 40%. I’m so glad the “secret” wasn’t for the entire book. Is Whitney going to explore a dominant phase?
“The way my body betrayed me while my heart was breaking.” Girl, you told him to apologize by getting on his knees. That is not body betrayal. 40%
Ok - co-ambassadors. Betting there’s a one-bed trope in here somewhere.
Wait - Blair and Mark and Eli? Is this a setup for the next book? A second-chance romance? Are Winnie and Logan getting a book too? 43%
This sexy photoshoot feels like it was written by a teenager imagining a photo shoot. If they aren’t already in a public relationship, why are they face-to-face lips nearly touching for a childrens charity / brand sponsor photo shoot? So very “for the plot” and honesty, gross.
I am not liking this impulsive say anything and kick yourself after personality trait. And these rules seem so very high school. Also the self-tanner accident seems way too romcom. Is her whole personality going to be she’s impulsive and chaotic and then upset when her brand image reflects that? 48%
I think I’m going to have to stop posting my thoughts every time I find a part of this book that I don’t like or I’m never going to finish. She literally just said I’m going to intentionally make this a bad road trip by picking a playlist that is horrible and then the next page, he says this roadtrip is so terrible. “This is intentional. There’s no way this isn’t intentional.” That is correct sir. She just told you she was intentionally making this road trip terrible. 49%
One bed! I was right. 50%
Wow, convenient that this hotel doesn’t seem to have security cameras 66%
Whitney’s chaos condoms 😆 72% I like how her character is written when she’s fun-loving chaos, but I hate that clumsy/bumbling also had to be part of her personality.
Sex at 78%. I really hope there isn’t a 3rd act breakup immediately after.
I like this demonstration of trust/truth! Actually showing the test results instead of just saying, “my last test was clear.” 82%
This book has too many names with the same shape/energy “Whitney & Winnie”, “Viví and Veni”, “Rory, Ronica, Ren” 85%
Ok, so a “for the plot” leaked video. But is this MMC real? It kind of feels like he was lobotomized - he moves to a beyond-his-years emotionally mature apology almost instantly. 92%
There were some genuinely funny moments and dialogue but not enough to save the book. It started with potential, but all that buildup ended up fizzling quickly in the second half.
Thoughts and spoilers below:
There’s been a lot of buildup over a video game and a tattoo and no interaction between the main characters yet. I hope the plot starts moving. 15%
“This place is a pressure cooker. Do not be a match.” Quite the mixed metaphor 😬. 18%
Hello hip stretch tease 🔥. The friends really made that scene perfect. 😆
All right, so the withholding information is for the plot and I am not here for it. This is getting really old. I think we’re already at the third time he has considered telling her the truth. 36%
Getting tacos and seeing Pussy. I feel like naming the cat Pussy has made every joke so obvious it can’t be funny - it’s like gross old man jokes. I wish the cat had been named Kitty or Flower or Pearl or even Taco. “How does your Kitty like the feather tickler” would at least hint at double entendre. 37%
Alright! An apology CJ at 40%. I’m so glad the “secret” wasn’t for the entire book. Is Whitney going to explore a dominant phase?
“The way my body betrayed me while my heart was breaking.” Girl, you told him to apologize by getting on his knees. That is not body betrayal. 40%
Ok - co-ambassadors. Betting there’s a one-bed trope in here somewhere.
Wait - Blair and Mark and Eli? Is this a setup for the next book? A second-chance romance? Are Winnie and Logan getting a book too? 43%
This sexy photoshoot feels like it was written by a teenager imagining a photo shoot. If they aren’t already in a public relationship, why are they face-to-face lips nearly touching for a childrens charity / brand sponsor photo shoot? So very “for the plot” and honesty, gross.
I am not liking this impulsive say anything and kick yourself after personality trait. And these rules seem so very high school. Also the self-tanner accident seems way too romcom. Is her whole personality going to be she’s impulsive and chaotic and then upset when her brand image reflects that? 48%
I think I’m going to have to stop posting my thoughts every time I find a part of this book that I don’t like or I’m never going to finish. She literally just said I’m going to intentionally make this a bad road trip by picking a playlist that is horrible and then the next page, he says this roadtrip is so terrible. “This is intentional. There’s no way this isn’t intentional.” That is correct sir. She just told you she was intentionally making this road trip terrible. 49%
One bed! I was right. 50%
Wow, convenient that this hotel doesn’t seem to have security cameras 66%
Whitney’s chaos condoms 😆 72% I like how her character is written when she’s fun-loving chaos, but I hate that clumsy/bumbling also had to be part of her personality.
Sex at 78%. I really hope there isn’t a 3rd act breakup immediately after.
I like this demonstration of trust/truth! Actually showing the test results instead of just saying, “my last test was clear.” 82%
This book has too many names with the same shape/energy “Whitney & Winnie”, “Viví and Veni”, “Rory, Ronica, Ren” 85%
Ok, so a “for the plot” leaked video. But is this MMC real? It kind of feels like he was lobotomized - he moves to a beyond-his-years emotionally mature apology almost instantly. 92%
October 19, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.25 a good read with plenty to like, but had things i didn’t love
🌶️🌶️🌶️: moderate heat, 4 to 6 detailed sex scenes that push beyond vanilla, incorporating light kinks but plot focused.
whitney returns to coral cove to pursue her swimming career, only to discover that connor fisk, the charming gamer who ghosted her, is now her teammate and her brother’s rival. as forced proximity brings them closer, connor must earn back her trust and prove their connection is worth the risk.
i really wanted to love this one, especially because i loved the first one but unfortunately it just didn't work for me. i found the story incredibly repetitive, and by 70% i was struggling to stay interested because so little was happening. it was a very long book and i struggled to understand the connection between her and connor. i did enjoy the best friend's brother trope, the banter, and connor trying to rebuild her trust, but the book really needed some trimming.
tropes: brother's rival, sports romance, hidden identity, forced proximity,
🌶️🌶️🌶️: moderate heat, 4 to 6 detailed sex scenes that push beyond vanilla, incorporating light kinks but plot focused.
whitney returns to coral cove to pursue her swimming career, only to discover that connor fisk, the charming gamer who ghosted her, is now her teammate and her brother’s rival. as forced proximity brings them closer, connor must earn back her trust and prove their connection is worth the risk.
i really wanted to love this one, especially because i loved the first one but unfortunately it just didn't work for me. i found the story incredibly repetitive, and by 70% i was struggling to stay interested because so little was happening. it was a very long book and i struggled to understand the connection between her and connor. i did enjoy the best friend's brother trope, the banter, and connor trying to rebuild her trust, but the book really needed some trimming.
tropes: brother's rival, sports romance, hidden identity, forced proximity,
July 25, 2026
Against the Current is book 2 of the series and can be read as a standalone. This is my first book in the series and my first book by the author and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔: Connor Fisk & Whitney Shields
𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆: Carolina Current
Connor and Whitney were so much fun. I loved how unique the story was and it really made me want more swimming romances! These two originally met through online gaming but things intensified in the pool where they are both swimmers. Connor is also the rival of Whitney’s brother. Connor was something special. I loved how he was protective and supportive of Whitney. Their chemistry made this a book I couldn’t put down.
The audio was narrated in duet by Austin Stone and Victoria Connelly. I will forever be a fan of Austin Stone and he is what drew me to this audio. I absolutely loved his portrayal of Connor. Victoria really did an amazing job voicing Whitney. They nailed the chemistry between the characters.
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔: Connor Fisk & Whitney Shields
𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆: Carolina Current
Connor and Whitney were so much fun. I loved how unique the story was and it really made me want more swimming romances! These two originally met through online gaming but things intensified in the pool where they are both swimmers. Connor is also the rival of Whitney’s brother. Connor was something special. I loved how he was protective and supportive of Whitney. Their chemistry made this a book I couldn’t put down.
The audio was narrated in duet by Austin Stone and Victoria Connelly. I will forever be a fan of Austin Stone and he is what drew me to this audio. I absolutely loved his portrayal of Connor. Victoria really did an amazing job voicing Whitney. They nailed the chemistry between the characters.
August 3, 2026
Against the Current
Carolina Current • Book 2️⃣
By: Erin Hawkins
Narrated by: Victoria Connolly and Austin Stone
Sorry for the late review, but it’s not for lack of loving Against the Current by Erin Hawkins. I have just been soaking up the last few weeks of summer with the kids, in and out of service, and loving my audiobooks while on the go.
But I still want to recommend this audio because I absolutely loved it! The story, the narrators, the road trip, the silly moments, the intimate truths, and the daring leap. It’s all perfect for summertime reading, and I’ve had it on repeat.
Narrated in duet with Austin Stone and Victoria Connolly, you can enjoy this audio as a standalone or listen to the series as a whole. Either way, they are the perfect summer, feel-good stories that will put a smile on your face at the end of the day.
Thank you Must Love Audio for the opportunity to listen and review.
Carolina Current • Book 2️⃣
By: Erin Hawkins
Narrated by: Victoria Connolly and Austin Stone
Sorry for the late review, but it’s not for lack of loving Against the Current by Erin Hawkins. I have just been soaking up the last few weeks of summer with the kids, in and out of service, and loving my audiobooks while on the go.
But I still want to recommend this audio because I absolutely loved it! The story, the narrators, the road trip, the silly moments, the intimate truths, and the daring leap. It’s all perfect for summertime reading, and I’ve had it on repeat.
Narrated in duet with Austin Stone and Victoria Connolly, you can enjoy this audio as a standalone or listen to the series as a whole. Either way, they are the perfect summer, feel-good stories that will put a smile on your face at the end of the day.
Thank you Must Love Audio for the opportunity to listen and review.
July 18, 2026
There is something SO good about something a little forbidden! A little secret identity is always SO good!! And we all LOVE a man who YEARNS! And Connor was that man! Him and Whitney were FUN! I loved their friendship, and how easy it was for them to establish that in the real world! Their roadtrip came at of course the most chaotic time. But it made for the best parts of them trying to really figure out where they stood with each other!!
I felt like there was a lot going on…but also nothing was happening?! And idk if that’s bc I just wasn’t enjoying it or that’s what was actually happening?? It also felt very long for seemingly no reason. I’m actually really bummed I didn’t love this one. Erin’s writing IS good! So I’m certainly Not writing her off! This just didn’t work for me.
I felt like there was a lot going on…but also nothing was happening?! And idk if that’s bc I just wasn’t enjoying it or that’s what was actually happening?? It also felt very long for seemingly no reason. I’m actually really bummed I didn’t love this one. Erin’s writing IS good! So I’m certainly Not writing her off! This just didn’t work for me.
July 24, 2026
3.75 stars
Points added to the MMC who had the most personal growth in this novel. Points deducted for the FMC and her whiplash feelings and actions that felt almost manic to me at times.
As a former swimmer, I was excited for this setting but wished we got more of a glimpse into competitive swimmer besides a couple sentences regarding “sets” and “swimming laps.” I really dislikes when a sports romance doesn’t actually explore or show many scenes of the sport itself.
Overall I didn’t dislike this book… but I definitely had to push myself to finish it. I liked that there was no TAB but the FMC just felt a bit flat and immature at times despite some glimpses and what felt like a set up for her to also have some personal growth over the course of the story.
Points added to the MMC who had the most personal growth in this novel. Points deducted for the FMC and her whiplash feelings and actions that felt almost manic to me at times.
As a former swimmer, I was excited for this setting but wished we got more of a glimpse into competitive swimmer besides a couple sentences regarding “sets” and “swimming laps.” I really dislikes when a sports romance doesn’t actually explore or show many scenes of the sport itself.
Overall I didn’t dislike this book… but I definitely had to push myself to finish it. I liked that there was no TAB but the FMC just felt a bit flat and immature at times despite some glimpses and what felt like a set up for her to also have some personal growth over the course of the story.
June 2, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Turns out I love a brother’s rival trope just as much as I love brother’s best friend? Who knew!
We all knew when reading Beyond the Stroke that Connor and Whitney were going to end up with a book and boy oh boy was it an enjoyable time.
Forced proximity, secret tattoos, hidden identity, a funny pet sidekick, and my fav - a boy OBSESSED. Pick this one up when it releases if you’re looking for a light and funny summer read with a kick! 🌶️
Thank you to Erin and Luna Literary for the ARC!
Turns out I love a brother’s rival trope just as much as I love brother’s best friend? Who knew!
We all knew when reading Beyond the Stroke that Connor and Whitney were going to end up with a book and boy oh boy was it an enjoyable time.
Forced proximity, secret tattoos, hidden identity, a funny pet sidekick, and my fav - a boy OBSESSED. Pick this one up when it releases if you’re looking for a light and funny summer read with a kick! 🌶️
Thank you to Erin and Luna Literary for the ARC!
June 4, 2026
i thought this was so much fun!!! connor was swoon worthy, whitney was delightfully bubbly and i felt like the emotions tackled in this book were done so well and with such grace!
thank you to the author and the publisher for an advanced reader copy!!
thank you to the author and the publisher for an advanced reader copy!!
June 19, 2026
ARC Review | Against the Current by Erin Hawkins | 5⭐️
What kind of crack is in this book?! Because I am OBSESSED!🤯
I LOVED that Whitney and Connor met online first. As SailorGirl and DreamBoat, they built such a genuine connection before ever knowing who the other really was. No expectations, no famous siblings, no headlines… just two people who clicked.
But will they IRL? The second Connor realizes she’s Rory’s little sister, he PANICS… and ghosts her. 😭 Sir… WHAT?!
Fast forward two months, and they’re suddenly teammates, and the tension is IMMEDIATE.
Connor completely stole my heart. Beneath all the headlines and “bad boy” rumors, he's a genuinely kind, thoughtful guy who wants someone to see the real him. He never bothered correcting people’s opinions, and watching someone finally understand him made me love him even more.
With a new agent, to move past his reputation, he joins a new team...
What he doesn't suspect is to see Whiney again.. Cue all the awkward tension, hilarious banter, and Whitney making it her personal mission to drive Connor absolutely insane. 🤭
Whitney's hilarious, driven, caring, and determined to step out of her brother’s shadow. She brought so much chaos in the best way, and I adored every second of her. She reminded me of myself LMAOO!!
Their first official interaction?! Whitney has ice cream melting down her hand… and Connor LICKS IT OFF. EXCUSE ME, SIR?! 🫠🍦
And THE CHEMISTRY?! 🥵 The banter? Effortless! The flirting? Perfection. The tension? Chef’s kiss. I was grinning nonstop!
From gaming together to grocery store runs, beach walks, road trips, and all the forced proximity goodness… I was obsessed.
The dirty talk? Top tier. The yearning? Delicious. The SPICE? OFF. THE. CHARTS🔥 And the TONUGE PEIERCING? FERAL!!😮💨
The moment when Whitney learns the truth, that Conner is Dreamboat, she refuses to forgive him.
And this man WORDS FOR IT! He GROVELED, owned EVERY mistake, NEVER made excuses, and FOUGHT to earn Whitney’s trust back.
This man earned a whole PhD in groveling with a double major in dirty talking. 🫠🔥 PUT IT IN MY VEINS!
The secret tattoo?!? 😭🥹 MY HEART! And his cat, Pussy. 😂🐈⬛ I was here for it!
Both struggle with their identities: Whitney stuck in her brother's shadow, and Conner with his "bad boy" reputation. But together they got to be themselves
What kind of crack is in this book?! Because I am OBSESSED!🤯
I LOVED that Whitney and Connor met online first. As SailorGirl and DreamBoat, they built such a genuine connection before ever knowing who the other really was. No expectations, no famous siblings, no headlines… just two people who clicked.
But will they IRL? The second Connor realizes she’s Rory’s little sister, he PANICS… and ghosts her. 😭 Sir… WHAT?!
Fast forward two months, and they’re suddenly teammates, and the tension is IMMEDIATE.
Connor completely stole my heart. Beneath all the headlines and “bad boy” rumors, he's a genuinely kind, thoughtful guy who wants someone to see the real him. He never bothered correcting people’s opinions, and watching someone finally understand him made me love him even more.
With a new agent, to move past his reputation, he joins a new team...
What he doesn't suspect is to see Whiney again.. Cue all the awkward tension, hilarious banter, and Whitney making it her personal mission to drive Connor absolutely insane. 🤭
Whitney's hilarious, driven, caring, and determined to step out of her brother’s shadow. She brought so much chaos in the best way, and I adored every second of her. She reminded me of myself LMAOO!!
Their first official interaction?! Whitney has ice cream melting down her hand… and Connor LICKS IT OFF. EXCUSE ME, SIR?! 🫠🍦
And THE CHEMISTRY?! 🥵 The banter? Effortless! The flirting? Perfection. The tension? Chef’s kiss. I was grinning nonstop!
From gaming together to grocery store runs, beach walks, road trips, and all the forced proximity goodness… I was obsessed.
The dirty talk? Top tier. The yearning? Delicious. The SPICE? OFF. THE. CHARTS🔥 And the TONUGE PEIERCING? FERAL!!😮💨
The moment when Whitney learns the truth, that Conner is Dreamboat, she refuses to forgive him.
And this man WORDS FOR IT! He GROVELED, owned EVERY mistake, NEVER made excuses, and FOUGHT to earn Whitney’s trust back.
This man earned a whole PhD in groveling with a double major in dirty talking. 🫠🔥 PUT IT IN MY VEINS!
The secret tattoo?!? 😭🥹 MY HEART! And his cat, Pussy. 😂🐈⬛ I was here for it!
Both struggle with their identities: Whitney stuck in her brother's shadow, and Conner with his "bad boy" reputation. But together they got to be themselves
July 11, 2026
i could write so many reasons why whitney should not be with connor fisk??? like he’s literally a walking red flag and whitney is an olympian??? we want better for her!! i felt like there was just a lot of ‘dry laughing’ and ‘i feel seen’ without it feeling genuine. he had a lot of penance to pay for all his crappy behavior and she was perhaps too quick to forgive? not my fav love story
June 12, 2026
We all knew after Beyond the Stroke that Connor and Whitney were absolutely heading for their own book, and Against the Current did not disappoint. It’s flirty, chaotic, surprisingly emotional, and exactly the kind of sports romance that keeps you smiling while also sneaking up on your heart.
This one takes sports romance and gives it a fun twist with competitive swimming, and honestly, I didn’t know I needed that until now. Whitney and Connor are both swimmers at the top of their game, but off the blocks they could not be more complicated. He’s the tattooed, pierced, reputation-heavy “bad boy” of the pool with a past that follows him everywhere. She’s sunshine in human form, constantly trying to step out of her older brother Rory’s shadow while proving she’s her own force in the sport.
And the setup? Obsessed. They meet first through an anonymous online gaming connection, completely unaware of who the other really is. That digital bond turns into something real and easy and unexpectedly deep…until Connor shows up, realizes Whitney is his rival’s little sister, and completely panics. Instead of facing it, he ghosts her. And then of course fate does what fate does and throws them right back together at the same training facility. F
Whitney is absolutely unhinged in the best way. Funny, impulsive, always saying exactly what she thinks, and somehow managing to turn every situation into either comedy or chaos. But underneath all that humor is a girl who is so done living in someone else’s shadow and ready to finally be seen for herself. I loved how real she felt, especially in the way she uses humor to cover vulnerability but never loses her sense of self.
And Connor?? Connor Fisk is so much more than the rumors attached to him. He’s the guy everyone has an opinion about, but no one actually knows. Watching him slowly realize that avoidance isn’t the same as fixing things is where his character really shines. Yes, he messes up. Badly. But what makes his arc so satisfying is that he owns it. He doesn’t run from it forever, he comes back, and he works for it. The grovel? Top tier. Fully committed. The emotional accountability is chef’s kiss.
“I learned plenty last night … mostly that I’m in love with you and terrible at pretending this is casual.” SWOOOOON. And once the truth is out and everything between them implodes a little, the story shifts in the best way. It becomes about Connor trying to earn back trust he didn’t realize he was putting at risk, and Whitney deciding whether she can let him back in. Add in forced proximity with a shared road trip situation and things get even better. The tension is constant, the banter is sharp, and the chemistry is absolutely undeniable.
There are so many moments in this book that had me laughing out loud. The chaos is part of the charm, from ridiculous mishaps to those little “did that really just happen” scenes that make everything feel so alive and fun. And then right in the middle of all that humor, you get these softer emotional beats where both of them start to realize they don’t have to perform versions of themselves anymore. That’s really what this story is about. Two people who have been boxed in by expectations finally finding someone who sees them clearly. Not the athlete. Not the rumor. Not the shadow. Just them.
And of course, we cannot ignore the true menace of the story, Connor’s cat, who absolutely runs his entire household like she owns it. AND I LOVE HER.
By the end, I was completely sold on them. Their relationship feels messy in a real way, but also open, honest, and built on genuine connection once they figure things out. They don’t get everything right, but they try, and that’s what makes it work.
What to expect / Tropes
🏊♀️ Competitive swimming
🏊♀️ Brother’s rival
🏊♀️ Forced proximity
🏊♀️ Secret online gaming identity
🏊♀️ Grumpy / sunshine
🏊♀️ Grovelling
🏊♀️ Hidden identity
🏊♀️ Slow burn tension
🏊♀️ One very memorable cat
🏊♀️ Romcom Vibes
🏊♀️ Becoming more yourself
This one takes sports romance and gives it a fun twist with competitive swimming, and honestly, I didn’t know I needed that until now. Whitney and Connor are both swimmers at the top of their game, but off the blocks they could not be more complicated. He’s the tattooed, pierced, reputation-heavy “bad boy” of the pool with a past that follows him everywhere. She’s sunshine in human form, constantly trying to step out of her older brother Rory’s shadow while proving she’s her own force in the sport.
And the setup? Obsessed. They meet first through an anonymous online gaming connection, completely unaware of who the other really is. That digital bond turns into something real and easy and unexpectedly deep…until Connor shows up, realizes Whitney is his rival’s little sister, and completely panics. Instead of facing it, he ghosts her. And then of course fate does what fate does and throws them right back together at the same training facility. F
Whitney is absolutely unhinged in the best way. Funny, impulsive, always saying exactly what she thinks, and somehow managing to turn every situation into either comedy or chaos. But underneath all that humor is a girl who is so done living in someone else’s shadow and ready to finally be seen for herself. I loved how real she felt, especially in the way she uses humor to cover vulnerability but never loses her sense of self.
And Connor?? Connor Fisk is so much more than the rumors attached to him. He’s the guy everyone has an opinion about, but no one actually knows. Watching him slowly realize that avoidance isn’t the same as fixing things is where his character really shines. Yes, he messes up. Badly. But what makes his arc so satisfying is that he owns it. He doesn’t run from it forever, he comes back, and he works for it. The grovel? Top tier. Fully committed. The emotional accountability is chef’s kiss.
“I learned plenty last night … mostly that I’m in love with you and terrible at pretending this is casual.” SWOOOOON. And once the truth is out and everything between them implodes a little, the story shifts in the best way. It becomes about Connor trying to earn back trust he didn’t realize he was putting at risk, and Whitney deciding whether she can let him back in. Add in forced proximity with a shared road trip situation and things get even better. The tension is constant, the banter is sharp, and the chemistry is absolutely undeniable.
There are so many moments in this book that had me laughing out loud. The chaos is part of the charm, from ridiculous mishaps to those little “did that really just happen” scenes that make everything feel so alive and fun. And then right in the middle of all that humor, you get these softer emotional beats where both of them start to realize they don’t have to perform versions of themselves anymore. That’s really what this story is about. Two people who have been boxed in by expectations finally finding someone who sees them clearly. Not the athlete. Not the rumor. Not the shadow. Just them.
And of course, we cannot ignore the true menace of the story, Connor’s cat, who absolutely runs his entire household like she owns it. AND I LOVE HER.
By the end, I was completely sold on them. Their relationship feels messy in a real way, but also open, honest, and built on genuine connection once they figure things out. They don’t get everything right, but they try, and that’s what makes it work.
What to expect / Tropes
🏊♀️ Competitive swimming
🏊♀️ Brother’s rival
🏊♀️ Forced proximity
🏊♀️ Secret online gaming identity
🏊♀️ Grumpy / sunshine
🏊♀️ Grovelling
🏊♀️ Hidden identity
🏊♀️ Slow burn tension
🏊♀️ One very memorable cat
🏊♀️ Romcom Vibes
🏊♀️ Becoming more yourself
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 stars
This is the most gorgeous read! A brother’s rival, grumpy/sunshine story set in the world of professional swimming, it’s fun, flirty, and the chemistry is epic. I wasn’t expecting the emotion and intensity, or what a hit to the feels this book would be, or just how much I would adore these characters. I loved everything about this one!
Connor and Whitney are professional swimmers. He is the tattooed bad boy of the pool with a bad reputation, but who is tragically misunderstood. She is the chaotic younger sister of swimming’s golden boy (Rory, hero from book #1 of the series), who is determined to step out of her brother’s shadow.
They have the sweetest meet-cute – meeting as anonymous online gamers who form a genuine connection before agreeing to meet in person. But when Connor immediately recognises Whitney as the younger sister to his biggest rival, he panics and ghosts her. Two months later, they find themselves training at the same club, and the attraction between them is impossible to ignore.
Whitney’s pursuit of closed-off Connor is funny, sweet and flirty, and fantastically entertaining. Their chemistry is electric and every interaction crackles with tension, and they can't help but fall for each other. But right when they’re on the cusp of something, she learns his secret and everything changes, shifting the story from Whitney chasing Connor to Connor realising his mistake and desperately trying to make amends and win back her trust and her heart. And oh, what a ride it is!
I love a good grovel story, and Connor is a master. He knows he messed up, and he pulls out all the stops to win Whitney’s heart. Just to make their situation even more awesome, they are teamed up on a road trip together, so we get the added awesomeness of forced proximity which leads to a series of fun and hilarious situations, some of which had me laughing out loud. Every moment ramps up the chemistry, and OMG, I could not get enough of these two!
Though they have ups and downs, I loved every step of their story. They have some challenges to overcome, and they don’t always get things right, but they own it, they talk openly and are vulnerable with each other, and they choose each other again and again. Their relationship feels real and authentic, and I could feel their love for each other through it all.
Connor and Whitney both stole my heart. Beneath their public personas, they are both desperate to be seen for who they really are, and watching them open up to each other was beautiful.
Fans of the first book will love catching up with familiar characters, and the rest of the boys in the swim team bring lots of funny moments. I’m hoping we get more books in this series, because I need more from this world!
Such a gorgeous read – funny, heartfelt and beautifully romantic. I loved it. 5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
This is the most gorgeous read! A brother’s rival, grumpy/sunshine story set in the world of professional swimming, it’s fun, flirty, and the chemistry is epic. I wasn’t expecting the emotion and intensity, or what a hit to the feels this book would be, or just how much I would adore these characters. I loved everything about this one!
Connor and Whitney are professional swimmers. He is the tattooed bad boy of the pool with a bad reputation, but who is tragically misunderstood. She is the chaotic younger sister of swimming’s golden boy (Rory, hero from book #1 of the series), who is determined to step out of her brother’s shadow.
They have the sweetest meet-cute – meeting as anonymous online gamers who form a genuine connection before agreeing to meet in person. But when Connor immediately recognises Whitney as the younger sister to his biggest rival, he panics and ghosts her. Two months later, they find themselves training at the same club, and the attraction between them is impossible to ignore.
I don’t want the easy path. I want my path.
And right now, my path is inconveniently horny for the one guy Rory would absolutely kill.
Whitney’s pursuit of closed-off Connor is funny, sweet and flirty, and fantastically entertaining. Their chemistry is electric and every interaction crackles with tension, and they can't help but fall for each other. But right when they’re on the cusp of something, she learns his secret and everything changes, shifting the story from Whitney chasing Connor to Connor realising his mistake and desperately trying to make amends and win back her trust and her heart. And oh, what a ride it is!
This thing between us isn’t done. It’s just unfinished. And when she’s ready – when she decides I’ve earned my way back into that space with her – I’ll be right here. Not trying to convince her. But making damn sure she never has to wonder again.
I love a good grovel story, and Connor is a master. He knows he messed up, and he pulls out all the stops to win Whitney’s heart. Just to make their situation even more awesome, they are teamed up on a road trip together, so we get the added awesomeness of forced proximity which leads to a series of fun and hilarious situations, some of which had me laughing out loud. Every moment ramps up the chemistry, and OMG, I could not get enough of these two!
“I think this could be something big,” I say. “And I don’t mean public. I mean…important.”
Though they have ups and downs, I loved every step of their story. They have some challenges to overcome, and they don’t always get things right, but they own it, they talk openly and are vulnerable with each other, and they choose each other again and again. Their relationship feels real and authentic, and I could feel their love for each other through it all.
“Did you learn nothing from last night?”
“I learned plenty last night … Mostly that I’m in love with you and terrible at pretending this is casual.”
Connor and Whitney both stole my heart. Beneath their public personas, they are both desperate to be seen for who they really are, and watching them open up to each other was beautiful.
Fans of the first book will love catching up with familiar characters, and the rest of the boys in the swim team bring lots of funny moments. I’m hoping we get more books in this series, because I need more from this world!
Such a gorgeous read – funny, heartfelt and beautifully romantic. I loved it. 5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Against the Current was such a fun, charming read. Between the secret gaming identities, brother's rival tension, laugh-out-loud chaos, and chemistry that practically jumped off the page, I was hooked from beginning to end.
Whitney Shields completely stole the show for me. She's funny, impulsive, and says absolutely everything that pops into her head. Beneath all of that humor, though, is someone who is tired of living in her brother's shadow and determined to create her own path. I loved how relatable she felt. She uses jokes to lighten difficult moments, avoids taking herself too seriously, and somehow manages to turn every situation into complete chaos. Honestly, she was impossible not to love.
And then there's Connor Fisk.
Connor has spent years carrying around a reputation that doesn't tell the full story. Rather than correcting rumors or explaining himself, he simply lets people believe what they want and hopes it eventually goes away. Watching him slowly learn that some things can't be fixed through avoidance alone made his character arc incredibly rewarding. He was flawed, vulnerable, and so much more layered than his public image suggested.
I absolutely loved the SailorGirl and DreamBoat storyline. The fact that Whitney and Connor formed a connection online before ever meeting in person made their relationship feel so genuine. Once real life brought them together, the chemistry was immediate. The banter between them was exactly what I look for in a romance—playful, flirty, and effortless. Whether they were making each other laugh or driving each other crazy, every scene felt entertaining.
And speaking of entertaining, the cake scene deserves special recognition. Whitney splattering cake all over Connor and then immediately deciding to eat frosting off his chest like that's a perfectly normal thing to do? Incredible. No notes.
The Grand Theft Towel incident also had me laughing so hard. Every time Whitney and Connor shared a scene, there was either enough tension to make my heart race or enough chaos to leave me grinning.
We also need to acknowledge the true star of the book: Pussy the cat. That cat is an absolute menace, a complete diva, and unquestionably the one actually running Connor's household.
What I loved most about Whitney and Connor was how understood they felt with each other. Both of them have spent years being defined by outside expectations—Whitney as Rory's younger sister and Connor as the swimming world's bad boy. Together, they finally get to be themselves, and that emotional connection made their romance feel even stronger.
Fun, flirty, emotional, and wonderfully chaotic, Against the Current delivered everything I wanted from a sports romance. I adored Whitney and Connor, fell completely in love with their story, and I'm already hoping we get more books in the Carolina Current world.
Whitney Shields completely stole the show for me. She's funny, impulsive, and says absolutely everything that pops into her head. Beneath all of that humor, though, is someone who is tired of living in her brother's shadow and determined to create her own path. I loved how relatable she felt. She uses jokes to lighten difficult moments, avoids taking herself too seriously, and somehow manages to turn every situation into complete chaos. Honestly, she was impossible not to love.
And then there's Connor Fisk.
Connor has spent years carrying around a reputation that doesn't tell the full story. Rather than correcting rumors or explaining himself, he simply lets people believe what they want and hopes it eventually goes away. Watching him slowly learn that some things can't be fixed through avoidance alone made his character arc incredibly rewarding. He was flawed, vulnerable, and so much more layered than his public image suggested.
I absolutely loved the SailorGirl and DreamBoat storyline. The fact that Whitney and Connor formed a connection online before ever meeting in person made their relationship feel so genuine. Once real life brought them together, the chemistry was immediate. The banter between them was exactly what I look for in a romance—playful, flirty, and effortless. Whether they were making each other laugh or driving each other crazy, every scene felt entertaining.
And speaking of entertaining, the cake scene deserves special recognition. Whitney splattering cake all over Connor and then immediately deciding to eat frosting off his chest like that's a perfectly normal thing to do? Incredible. No notes.
The Grand Theft Towel incident also had me laughing so hard. Every time Whitney and Connor shared a scene, there was either enough tension to make my heart race or enough chaos to leave me grinning.
We also need to acknowledge the true star of the book: Pussy the cat. That cat is an absolute menace, a complete diva, and unquestionably the one actually running Connor's household.
What I loved most about Whitney and Connor was how understood they felt with each other. Both of them have spent years being defined by outside expectations—Whitney as Rory's younger sister and Connor as the swimming world's bad boy. Together, they finally get to be themselves, and that emotional connection made their romance feel even stronger.
Fun, flirty, emotional, and wonderfully chaotic, Against the Current delivered everything I wanted from a sports romance. I adored Whitney and Connor, fell completely in love with their story, and I'm already hoping we get more books in the Carolina Current world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Swimming Against Expectations
Against the Current completely won me over. What started as a fun sports romance quickly became a heartfelt story filled with humor, chemistry, vulnerability, and two characters who were impossible not to love. Between the secret online friendship, brother's rival tension, forced proximity, and one very memorable cat, I was hooked from beginning to end.
Whitney Shields absolutely stole the show for me. She's funny, impulsive, chaotic in the best possible way, and has a habit of saying whatever pops into her head. Beneath all of her humor, though, is a woman who is tired of being known as Rory's little sister and determined to create her own path. I loved how relatable she felt, and every scene she was in brought a smile to my face.
Connor Fisk was so much more than the tattooed bad boy image everyone sees. For years, he's allowed people to believe the rumors and assumptions about him because it felt easier than explaining the truth. Watching him slowly learn that some mistakes require accountability, vulnerability, and effort made his character arc incredibly rewarding. When he realizes how badly he hurt Whitney, he doesn't make excuses—he puts in the work to earn back her trust, and I absolutely loved that.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the SailorGirl and DreamBoat storyline. Whitney and Connor form a genuine connection through online gaming before either of them truly know who the other is, which made their relationship feel authentic from the very beginning. Once they reconnect in person, the chemistry is immediate. Their banter was playful, flirty, and effortless, and every interaction crackled with tension.
The humor in this book was another standout. From the cake incident to the Grand Theft Towel situation, there were multiple moments that had me laughing out loud. And of course, I can't write this review without mentioning Pussy the cat, who was an absolute menace and one of my favorite side characters in the entire book.
What I loved most about Whitney and Connor was how understood they felt with each other. Both have spent years being defined by outside expectations—Whitney as her brother's little sister and Connor as the swimming world's bad boy. Together, they finally get to be themselves, and that emotional connection made their romance even more meaningful.
Fun, flirty, emotional, and wonderfully chaotic, Against the Current delivered everything I wanted from a sports romance. I adored Whitney and Connor, fell completely in love with their story, and cannot wait to spend more time in the Carolina Current world.
Thank you again to Erin Hawkins and Luna Literary for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Against the Current completely won me over. What started as a fun sports romance quickly became a heartfelt story filled with humor, chemistry, vulnerability, and two characters who were impossible not to love. Between the secret online friendship, brother's rival tension, forced proximity, and one very memorable cat, I was hooked from beginning to end.
Whitney Shields absolutely stole the show for me. She's funny, impulsive, chaotic in the best possible way, and has a habit of saying whatever pops into her head. Beneath all of her humor, though, is a woman who is tired of being known as Rory's little sister and determined to create her own path. I loved how relatable she felt, and every scene she was in brought a smile to my face.
Connor Fisk was so much more than the tattooed bad boy image everyone sees. For years, he's allowed people to believe the rumors and assumptions about him because it felt easier than explaining the truth. Watching him slowly learn that some mistakes require accountability, vulnerability, and effort made his character arc incredibly rewarding. When he realizes how badly he hurt Whitney, he doesn't make excuses—he puts in the work to earn back her trust, and I absolutely loved that.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the SailorGirl and DreamBoat storyline. Whitney and Connor form a genuine connection through online gaming before either of them truly know who the other is, which made their relationship feel authentic from the very beginning. Once they reconnect in person, the chemistry is immediate. Their banter was playful, flirty, and effortless, and every interaction crackled with tension.
The humor in this book was another standout. From the cake incident to the Grand Theft Towel situation, there were multiple moments that had me laughing out loud. And of course, I can't write this review without mentioning Pussy the cat, who was an absolute menace and one of my favorite side characters in the entire book.
What I loved most about Whitney and Connor was how understood they felt with each other. Both have spent years being defined by outside expectations—Whitney as her brother's little sister and Connor as the swimming world's bad boy. Together, they finally get to be themselves, and that emotional connection made their romance even more meaningful.
Fun, flirty, emotional, and wonderfully chaotic, Against the Current delivered everything I wanted from a sports romance. I adored Whitney and Connor, fell completely in love with their story, and cannot wait to spend more time in the Carolina Current world.
Thank you again to Erin Hawkins and Luna Literary for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 22, 2026
Against the Current is a captivating sports romance that beautifully blends emotional depth, heartfelt character development, and irresistible chemistry into a story that is both entertaining and emotionally rewarding. Erin Hawkins delivers a romance that goes far beyond attraction, exploring trust, forgiveness, vulnerability, and the courage required to let someone truly know you.
Whitney and Connor are wonderfully layered protagonists whose personal journeys feel authentic from the very beginning. Whitney's determination to step out of her brother's shadow and build confidence in herself makes her an easy character to admire, while Connor's struggle to confront his past mistakes and become the person he truly wants to be gives the story genuine emotional weight. Their relationship develops naturally, allowing every interaction to deepen both the romance and their individual growth.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is the balance between emotional tension and lighter moments. The competitive swimming backdrop provides energy and excitement, while the gaming friendship, playful banter, beach walks, road trips, and quiet conversations create opportunities for meaningful connection. The forced proximity and hidden identity elements add just the right amount of tension, making every revelation feel impactful without overshadowing the emotional heart of the story.
Erin Hawkins writes with warmth and sensitivity, creating believable dialogue and characters whose emotions feel sincere. The chemistry between Whitney and Connor is undeniable, but it is their emotional honesty and willingness to confront difficult truths that make their relationship so satisfying. Themes of forgiveness, healing, family expectations, and finding the courage to trust again are woven seamlessly throughout the novel.
Overall, Against the Current is a heartfelt, engaging, and beautifully written romance that delivers memorable characters, genuine emotion, and a deeply satisfying love story. It is a wonderful choice for readers who enjoy sports romance, slow burn relationships, forced proximity, found family, and emotionally rich contemporary fiction. Erin Hawkins has crafted a novel that is both romantic and uplifting, leaving readers invested in the characters long after the final page.
Whitney and Connor are wonderfully layered protagonists whose personal journeys feel authentic from the very beginning. Whitney's determination to step out of her brother's shadow and build confidence in herself makes her an easy character to admire, while Connor's struggle to confront his past mistakes and become the person he truly wants to be gives the story genuine emotional weight. Their relationship develops naturally, allowing every interaction to deepen both the romance and their individual growth.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is the balance between emotional tension and lighter moments. The competitive swimming backdrop provides energy and excitement, while the gaming friendship, playful banter, beach walks, road trips, and quiet conversations create opportunities for meaningful connection. The forced proximity and hidden identity elements add just the right amount of tension, making every revelation feel impactful without overshadowing the emotional heart of the story.
Erin Hawkins writes with warmth and sensitivity, creating believable dialogue and characters whose emotions feel sincere. The chemistry between Whitney and Connor is undeniable, but it is their emotional honesty and willingness to confront difficult truths that make their relationship so satisfying. Themes of forgiveness, healing, family expectations, and finding the courage to trust again are woven seamlessly throughout the novel.
Overall, Against the Current is a heartfelt, engaging, and beautifully written romance that delivers memorable characters, genuine emotion, and a deeply satisfying love story. It is a wonderful choice for readers who enjoy sports romance, slow burn relationships, forced proximity, found family, and emotionally rich contemporary fiction. Erin Hawkins has crafted a novel that is both romantic and uplifting, leaving readers invested in the characters long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Against The Current by Erin Hawkins 🏊♀️
I love Erin Hawkins writing so, so much. After getting a small tease of Connor and Whitney at the end of the first book in this series, I've been eagerly anticipating this book. I did not want to put this book down I loved it so much.
Whitney is back in Coral Cove after college ready to continue her professional swimming career. She didn't expect to see Connor there, the tattooed and incredibly attractive but off limits guy who is her brother's rival. So despite a few run ins at the training facility, Whitney does her best to keep her distance from Connor. Except it's really hard to ignore the obvious chemistry between them. But when secrets get revealed that changes things between them, they're both stuck trying to figure out what the next step is in their relationship. When they are both chosen as ambassadors for a program and forced to spend 10 days on the road with each other, the proximity gives them the nudge they need to take the next step.
I love a man that grovels and oh my goodness does Connor grovel hard. Whitney makes him work for it and I'm so glad she did because it was so enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed getting to know the backstory for both of the characters because there is so much more to them both than the little bit we learned from the first book (which you don't need to read to read this book, but I highly recommend it). Whitney is done living in her brother's shadow while Connor is working to leave his bad boy reputation in the past. It was sweet seeing both of them open up to each other and be comfortable doing so. There's a ton of chemistry between Whitney and Connor. I loved how they balanced each other with Whitney being the sort of impulsive one saying the first thing that comes to her mind and Connor being the broody guy who holds back his smiles no matter how bad he wants to give them to Whitney.
I haven't read a secret tattoo moment in a book in a while and I forgot how much I love it!
🏊♂️ professional swimmers (both)
🤭 brother's rival
🛏️ only one bed
👥 close proximity
⛵️ secret tattoo
🐈⬛ includes a cat
👏🏼 no third act breakup
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
3/5 spice level 🌶️
I love Erin Hawkins writing so, so much. After getting a small tease of Connor and Whitney at the end of the first book in this series, I've been eagerly anticipating this book. I did not want to put this book down I loved it so much.
Whitney is back in Coral Cove after college ready to continue her professional swimming career. She didn't expect to see Connor there, the tattooed and incredibly attractive but off limits guy who is her brother's rival. So despite a few run ins at the training facility, Whitney does her best to keep her distance from Connor. Except it's really hard to ignore the obvious chemistry between them. But when secrets get revealed that changes things between them, they're both stuck trying to figure out what the next step is in their relationship. When they are both chosen as ambassadors for a program and forced to spend 10 days on the road with each other, the proximity gives them the nudge they need to take the next step.
I love a man that grovels and oh my goodness does Connor grovel hard. Whitney makes him work for it and I'm so glad she did because it was so enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed getting to know the backstory for both of the characters because there is so much more to them both than the little bit we learned from the first book (which you don't need to read to read this book, but I highly recommend it). Whitney is done living in her brother's shadow while Connor is working to leave his bad boy reputation in the past. It was sweet seeing both of them open up to each other and be comfortable doing so. There's a ton of chemistry between Whitney and Connor. I loved how they balanced each other with Whitney being the sort of impulsive one saying the first thing that comes to her mind and Connor being the broody guy who holds back his smiles no matter how bad he wants to give them to Whitney.
I haven't read a secret tattoo moment in a book in a while and I forgot how much I love it!
🏊♂️ professional swimmers (both)
🤭 brother's rival
🛏️ only one bed
👥 close proximity
⛵️ secret tattoo
🐈⬛ includes a cat
👏🏼 no third act breakup
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
3/5 spice level 🌶️
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