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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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
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. ✨
June 18, 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.
June 11, 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 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 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 11, 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.
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.
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 20, 2026
ARC Review | Against the Current by Erin Hawkins | 5⭐️
Love, love, love!! Ugh I love Erin’s books SO much! While they are emotional they also have so much humor to balance it out!
Love, love, love!! Ugh I love Erin’s books SO much! While they are emotional they also have so much humor to balance it out!
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 16, 2026
every page of this book has the word “like” multiple times, everything needs a comparison to something omg
June 13, 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.
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 🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author
4★
Against the Current is the second book in the Carolina Current series, a rom-com centered around two professional swimmers who first met online through a video game while hiding their true identities, only to unexpectedly cross paths again in Coral Cove.
Connor Fisk arrives at the Carolina Current sports facility to join a new team, gain new experiences, and protect his reputation while working alongside his rival, Rory.
Whitney Shields, an Olympic swimmer, comes to Carolina Current determined to prove that she is more than Rory's sister < she is Whitney Shields and soon finds herself getting to know her brother's rival.
I absolutely loved both Connor and Whitney. Their chemistry and character growth were amazing from the very beginning until the very last bombshell that exploded between them. The words that came out of Connor's mouth were hurtful, but I still wanted to forgive him. Maybe he was under a lot of pressure because of his mother's treatments.
Even so, I couldn't forget how much he cared about Whitney. The tattoo he got for her, the way he took care of her after intimate moments, how he remembered every little thing about her, how hard he worked to earn her trust, and how he initially tried to avoid her for her own good and keep things from becoming complicated. Those were the moments that made me love him. Whitneys character was too perfect, and her power over Connor, superb. I loved how she always tried to stay positive, even during difficult situations.
My favourite scene was definitely the towel scene. Oh my God, they were so cute and adorable! Did they really walk through the hotel lobby practically naked while sharing just one towel? I couldn't stop laughing. Of course, I was also happy to see Rory and Connor get along again, as if they had never been upset with each other.
For me, the entire story can be summed up in one word: trust. Trust was at the heart of every relationship in this book, and it was beautifully woven throughout the story.
4★
Against the Current is the second book in the Carolina Current series, a rom-com centered around two professional swimmers who first met online through a video game while hiding their true identities, only to unexpectedly cross paths again in Coral Cove.
Connor Fisk arrives at the Carolina Current sports facility to join a new team, gain new experiences, and protect his reputation while working alongside his rival, Rory.
Whitney Shields, an Olympic swimmer, comes to Carolina Current determined to prove that she is more than Rory's sister < she is Whitney Shields and soon finds herself getting to know her brother's rival.
I absolutely loved both Connor and Whitney. Their chemistry and character growth were amazing from the very beginning until the very last bombshell that exploded between them. The words that came out of Connor's mouth were hurtful, but I still wanted to forgive him. Maybe he was under a lot of pressure because of his mother's treatments.
Even so, I couldn't forget how much he cared about Whitney. The tattoo he got for her, the way he took care of her after intimate moments, how he remembered every little thing about her, how hard he worked to earn her trust, and how he initially tried to avoid her for her own good and keep things from becoming complicated. Those were the moments that made me love him. Whitneys character was too perfect, and her power over Connor, superb. I loved how she always tried to stay positive, even during difficult situations.
My favourite scene was definitely the towel scene. Oh my God, they were so cute and adorable! Did they really walk through the hotel lobby practically naked while sharing just one towel? I couldn't stop laughing. Of course, I was also happy to see Rory and Connor get along again, as if they had never been upset with each other.
For me, the entire story can be summed up in one word: trust. Trust was at the heart of every relationship in this book, and it was beautifully woven throughout the story.
June 11, 2026
🏊♀️ sports romance (swimming)
🤭 brother's rival
🎮 hidden identity (online gaming)
🧎♂️ groveling
💙 secret relationship
Thank you Luna Literary and Erin Hawkins for the ARC! 💙
With a bad boy reputation built on sponsors and headlines, the only escape Connor Fisk has is gaming online where he can be himself behind a gamertag. Especially with a woman who makes him feel again. When he shows up to their meet up, he realizes the woman is Whitney Shields, his rival's younger sister. So he panics and bails to save himself.
Only he doesn't have it so easy. When Connor moves to Coral Cove to swim for the Carolina Current, he becomes Whitney's teammate.
This book sure hits the spot for a sweet summer romance! It had my kicking my feet and giggling. This brought the aws, the shenanigans, and even a little angst! I'm a sucker for two opposites building up a chaotic friendship with a side of hidden identity.
They both struggled with a sort of identity issue because of the mold that others set for them. It was cute how easily they could just be themselves with each other like it was a bubble.
I loved Connor's character progression so much. He's made some mistakes and he owned up to it proudly. His dorky side getting flustered by Whitney and feeling *accepted* slowly but surely by a team was adorable. (Did I mention he's got a tongue piercing and he's a cat daddy? 👀)
Whitney was a super lovable impulsive ray of sunshine, but she will hold her own when Connor messes up with her. I loved it when Whitney would be a little tornado and Connor would follow behind her like a dog indulging her. Her penchant for teasing him was always gold!!
The coastal small town vibes of this book are unmatched! Ugh. I yearn for the seaside!!
P*ssy the Cat (yes that is her name) stole the show really. I missed her when she wouldn't show up for a while. 🐈⬛️
I loved the Carolina Current team so much. I can't wait to see more of them! Loved seeing glimpses of Rory and Summer and even Edgar the pug.
🤭 brother's rival
🎮 hidden identity (online gaming)
🧎♂️ groveling
💙 secret relationship
Thank you Luna Literary and Erin Hawkins for the ARC! 💙
With a bad boy reputation built on sponsors and headlines, the only escape Connor Fisk has is gaming online where he can be himself behind a gamertag. Especially with a woman who makes him feel again. When he shows up to their meet up, he realizes the woman is Whitney Shields, his rival's younger sister. So he panics and bails to save himself.
Only he doesn't have it so easy. When Connor moves to Coral Cove to swim for the Carolina Current, he becomes Whitney's teammate.
This book sure hits the spot for a sweet summer romance! It had my kicking my feet and giggling. This brought the aws, the shenanigans, and even a little angst! I'm a sucker for two opposites building up a chaotic friendship with a side of hidden identity.
They both struggled with a sort of identity issue because of the mold that others set for them. It was cute how easily they could just be themselves with each other like it was a bubble.
I loved Connor's character progression so much. He's made some mistakes and he owned up to it proudly. His dorky side getting flustered by Whitney and feeling *accepted* slowly but surely by a team was adorable. (Did I mention he's got a tongue piercing and he's a cat daddy? 👀)
Whitney was a super lovable impulsive ray of sunshine, but she will hold her own when Connor messes up with her. I loved it when Whitney would be a little tornado and Connor would follow behind her like a dog indulging her. Her penchant for teasing him was always gold!!
The coastal small town vibes of this book are unmatched! Ugh. I yearn for the seaside!!
P*ssy the Cat (yes that is her name) stole the show really. I missed her when she wouldn't show up for a while. 🐈⬛️
I loved the Carolina Current team so much. I can't wait to see more of them! Loved seeing glimpses of Rory and Summer and even Edgar the pug.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love an Erin Hawkins romance! Beyond the Stroke was among my top reads last year and Against the Current brings us back to the Carolina Current swim team, this time with a delicious brother's biggest rival love story.
We're introduced to both Connor (the brother's rival) and Whitney (the sister) in Beyond the Stroke and we get at least some of Connor's backstory with Rory in that book. Against the Current actually picks up during the action of that book, seeing that story from another angle.
Whitney is trying to both carve out her own lane and decide if swimming is what she wants to do or if it's what she's fallen into. Connor, long a lone wolf of swimming, is breaking free of the bad influences around him and wants to be part of something bigger, even if it means putting him in the line of fire of the person he betrayed. When the two both join the team, they quickly click, but there's more to their story. They actually connected months ago as gamers, but Connor ghosted Whitney when he realized who she was.
While our MMC from the previous book was a cheerful golden retriever, Connor is more of a grump, but Hawkins has written him with a lot of depth. His betrayal of Rory was driven by more than money and his persona was crafted by others, and it is a persona he never fully embodied. He's also a secret softie who has been assigned a diva cat through the cat distribution system and sees Whitney more than anyone else and truly anticipates her needs and desires. Whitney has a sunshine-y personality, but struggles with living in the shadow of her bigger brother. She's competitive and funny and knows how to needle Connor.
While this book can be read as a standalone, I actually think it is a much richer experience if you read Beyond the Stroke first, because not much time is spent carving out how and why Rory sees Connor as a rival. That, as well as a plot that slows down a bit in the middle, were the only minor complaints from what was a great second entry into the series.
* Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review! *
We're introduced to both Connor (the brother's rival) and Whitney (the sister) in Beyond the Stroke and we get at least some of Connor's backstory with Rory in that book. Against the Current actually picks up during the action of that book, seeing that story from another angle.
Whitney is trying to both carve out her own lane and decide if swimming is what she wants to do or if it's what she's fallen into. Connor, long a lone wolf of swimming, is breaking free of the bad influences around him and wants to be part of something bigger, even if it means putting him in the line of fire of the person he betrayed. When the two both join the team, they quickly click, but there's more to their story. They actually connected months ago as gamers, but Connor ghosted Whitney when he realized who she was.
While our MMC from the previous book was a cheerful golden retriever, Connor is more of a grump, but Hawkins has written him with a lot of depth. His betrayal of Rory was driven by more than money and his persona was crafted by others, and it is a persona he never fully embodied. He's also a secret softie who has been assigned a diva cat through the cat distribution system and sees Whitney more than anyone else and truly anticipates her needs and desires. Whitney has a sunshine-y personality, but struggles with living in the shadow of her bigger brother. She's competitive and funny and knows how to needle Connor.
While this book can be read as a standalone, I actually think it is a much richer experience if you read Beyond the Stroke first, because not much time is spent carving out how and why Rory sees Connor as a rival. That, as well as a plot that slows down a bit in the middle, were the only minor complaints from what was a great second entry into the series.
* Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review! *
June 12, 2026
I always enjoy an Erin Hawkins book, but this one had me squealing and kicking my feet by the time I reached the HEA. If you love spicy sports romance, pro swimmers, a hero who falls first (and hard), forced proximity, found family, hidden identity and a tattooed cat dad, this book delivers all of it.
Connor Fisk has spent years accepting his reputation as swimming's bad boy. Fast, cocky and constantly making headlines, it's easier to play the role people expect than let them see who he really is. When he connects online with a gamer girl who sees the real him, he finally finds something worth pursuing—until he discovers she's Whitney Shields, his rival's little sister. Hoping to avoid disaster, he ghosts her, only to end up as her teammate on a new team, with her brother Rory serving as captain and making it very clear Connor isn't welcome.
Whitney is an accomplished athlete in her own right, but living in her brother's shadow isn't easy. Falling for Connor is the last thing she needs, especially when he's the one person her brother can't stand. She’s afraid to fall for someone who could hurt her again like the guy who ghosted her online. Yet the more time they’re forced to spend together, the harder he is to resist.
I absolutely loved Connor and Whitney. Their chemistry is electric, their banter is sharp and funny and the tension is chef's kiss. Connor is the perfect tortured hero—kind, caring, and impossible not to root for. And don't even get me started on his cat dad energy. P completely stole the show and is officially one of my favorite fictional cats. Whitney was equally fantastic. I loved watching her grow into her confidence and strength while standing her ground in every situation. The romance, the pining, the passion, and the spice were all perfectly balanced.
Don't sleep on this one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC Review 📚
Connor Fisk has spent years accepting his reputation as swimming's bad boy. Fast, cocky and constantly making headlines, it's easier to play the role people expect than let them see who he really is. When he connects online with a gamer girl who sees the real him, he finally finds something worth pursuing—until he discovers she's Whitney Shields, his rival's little sister. Hoping to avoid disaster, he ghosts her, only to end up as her teammate on a new team, with her brother Rory serving as captain and making it very clear Connor isn't welcome.
Whitney is an accomplished athlete in her own right, but living in her brother's shadow isn't easy. Falling for Connor is the last thing she needs, especially when he's the one person her brother can't stand. She’s afraid to fall for someone who could hurt her again like the guy who ghosted her online. Yet the more time they’re forced to spend together, the harder he is to resist.
I absolutely loved Connor and Whitney. Their chemistry is electric, their banter is sharp and funny and the tension is chef's kiss. Connor is the perfect tortured hero—kind, caring, and impossible not to root for. And don't even get me started on his cat dad energy. P completely stole the show and is officially one of my favorite fictional cats. Whitney was equally fantastic. I loved watching her grow into her confidence and strength while standing her ground in every situation. The romance, the pining, the passion, and the spice were all perfectly balanced.
Don't sleep on this one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC Review 📚
Currently Reading
June 17, 2026🌊 𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐀𝐖𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐒 - 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓
𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 #2
🎉𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖
I've never read a book by the author before, so I was pleasantly surprised by the concept, the writing and the slight angst and romantic plot.
I liked Connor, our MMC, from the get go. I felt empathetic towards his self-destructive tendencies, his doubts and fears. He was kind of a grumpy, edgy cool guy with some vendetta and ill-timed declarations, but beneath his tough exterior we found an anxious cat dad, who had no one to rely on and some big emotions to conquer.
Whitney was a bit chaotic, yes, but I'd much prefer saying she was just impulsive. Quick-witted, always down for a good time and some teasing she was the fun one between the MCs.
She had some big shoes to fill as her older brother was the constant comparison in her life, but she tried really hard being an individual and not just somebody's little sister with some 'extra' personality.
I enjoyed the storyline of two gamers connecting then losing touch and meeting again in person. It added the slightest bit of angsty love story that had me interested in the plot, the character arc and the possible 'solution' from the first interaction between the pair. The betrayal, past ill-tempered actions and the denial of the attraction was delicious, especially when our pair was forced into close quarters.
I loved the banter, Whitney's take no prisoners attitude toward Connor. I enjoyed seeing both of them realizing their own potential, burning down bridges that held them down and finding happiness despite what their immediate circle voiced as an opinion about their relationship.
This was a surprisingly punchy story, with spice and a lot of groveling. A true forbidden lovers, grumpy-sunshine trope-fest!
𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 #2
🎉𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖
I've never read a book by the author before, so I was pleasantly surprised by the concept, the writing and the slight angst and romantic plot.
I liked Connor, our MMC, from the get go. I felt empathetic towards his self-destructive tendencies, his doubts and fears. He was kind of a grumpy, edgy cool guy with some vendetta and ill-timed declarations, but beneath his tough exterior we found an anxious cat dad, who had no one to rely on and some big emotions to conquer.
Whitney was a bit chaotic, yes, but I'd much prefer saying she was just impulsive. Quick-witted, always down for a good time and some teasing she was the fun one between the MCs.
She had some big shoes to fill as her older brother was the constant comparison in her life, but she tried really hard being an individual and not just somebody's little sister with some 'extra' personality.
I enjoyed the storyline of two gamers connecting then losing touch and meeting again in person. It added the slightest bit of angsty love story that had me interested in the plot, the character arc and the possible 'solution' from the first interaction between the pair. The betrayal, past ill-tempered actions and the denial of the attraction was delicious, especially when our pair was forced into close quarters.
I loved the banter, Whitney's take no prisoners attitude toward Connor. I enjoyed seeing both of them realizing their own potential, burning down bridges that held them down and finding happiness despite what their immediate circle voiced as an opinion about their relationship.
This was a surprisingly punchy story, with spice and a lot of groveling. A true forbidden lovers, grumpy-sunshine trope-fest!
June 17, 2026
Romance in the world of competitive swimming
Against the Current takes place in the world of professional swimming and it shows how athletes are shaped and labeled for maximum relevance, publicity and endorsement potential. Whitney, has been framed as Captain Chaos, a ditzy, clumsy (really?! She's an Olympic gold medalist!), funny and very likable blonde, while Connor has been made out as her opposite - a brooding, arrogant bad boy.
The pair meet as online gaming partners and become close over several months. When they plan to meet in person, Connor ghosts Whitney when he realizes that his gaming friend is the sister of his arch rival. This is a forbidden romance because there's a lot of history between Connor and Whitney's older brother. The plot resumes when Connor moves to Coral Cove to join the same team as Whitney and her brother. There's a lot of information about training regimens and competition prep.
While Whitney is unaware that she knows Connor online, they have the same chemistry and compatibility in person. She learns that he's deceived her and the bulk of the book is about Connor earning her trust after concealing his identity.
There's a road trip and some madcap adventures and lots of close proximity. As Whitney and Connor volunteer with a charity to make swimming more accessible to kids, they learn about each other and see the sides they each hide from the public.
While the author resolves the emotional conflicts between Whitney, Connor and her brother, there's a big plot point at the end that's not really resolved but just swept aside. That was frustrating for a 500+ page book. I expected to find out what happened to the manipulative bad guy and to maybe get a grand gesture.
Against the Current takes place in the world of professional swimming and it shows how athletes are shaped and labeled for maximum relevance, publicity and endorsement potential. Whitney, has been framed as Captain Chaos, a ditzy, clumsy (really?! She's an Olympic gold medalist!), funny and very likable blonde, while Connor has been made out as her opposite - a brooding, arrogant bad boy.
The pair meet as online gaming partners and become close over several months. When they plan to meet in person, Connor ghosts Whitney when he realizes that his gaming friend is the sister of his arch rival. This is a forbidden romance because there's a lot of history between Connor and Whitney's older brother. The plot resumes when Connor moves to Coral Cove to join the same team as Whitney and her brother. There's a lot of information about training regimens and competition prep.
While Whitney is unaware that she knows Connor online, they have the same chemistry and compatibility in person. She learns that he's deceived her and the bulk of the book is about Connor earning her trust after concealing his identity.
There's a road trip and some madcap adventures and lots of close proximity. As Whitney and Connor volunteer with a charity to make swimming more accessible to kids, they learn about each other and see the sides they each hide from the public.
While the author resolves the emotional conflicts between Whitney, Connor and her brother, there's a big plot point at the end that's not really resolved but just swept aside. That was frustrating for a 500+ page book. I expected to find out what happened to the manipulative bad guy and to maybe get a grand gesture.
July 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
Excuse me while I spend the foreseeable future comparing every fictional man to Connor Fisk and being disappointed.
Because Against the Current absolutely wrecked my standards.
Connor Fisk has officially cannonballed his way onto my all-time favourite book boyfriend list. Protective? Check. Funny? Check. Completely obsessed with Whitney? Double check. And let’s just say… there may or may not be a certain piece of jewelry that had me asking questions science simply cannot answer. I’ll leave that between me, Connor, and the pages. 🤭
And Whitney? Captain Chaos herself. I adored her. She’s messy, hilarious, fiercely lovable, and somehow the perfect match for Connor’s steady presence. These two together? Your Honour, I love them. I will be accepting zero criticism regarding this couple.
I was lucky enough to receive the ALC, and can we PLEASE talk about this audiobook? Absolutely phenomenal. The narrators didn’t just read the story—they performed it. It was one of those rare audiobooks that elevates an already incredible book into an unforgettable experience. Then I went back and physically read it… and somehow loved it just as much. That’s how you know it’s special.
If you’re a fan of the swoony romance and banter of Ali Hazelwood or the heart and emotional depth of Catherine Cowles, you need this book on your TBR immediately.
This is one of those books I’ll be recommending to literally anyone who will listen (and probably a few people who won’t). I already know this is going to be one of my forever rereads, and I will be not-so-patiently waiting for the next Carolina Current book because I am officially obsessed.
Erin Hawkins… whatever you put in this book, I’d like another dose immediately.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
📞 sailor girl
Excuse me while I spend the foreseeable future comparing every fictional man to Connor Fisk and being disappointed.
Because Against the Current absolutely wrecked my standards.
Connor Fisk has officially cannonballed his way onto my all-time favourite book boyfriend list. Protective? Check. Funny? Check. Completely obsessed with Whitney? Double check. And let’s just say… there may or may not be a certain piece of jewelry that had me asking questions science simply cannot answer. I’ll leave that between me, Connor, and the pages. 🤭
And Whitney? Captain Chaos herself. I adored her. She’s messy, hilarious, fiercely lovable, and somehow the perfect match for Connor’s steady presence. These two together? Your Honour, I love them. I will be accepting zero criticism regarding this couple.
I was lucky enough to receive the ALC, and can we PLEASE talk about this audiobook? Absolutely phenomenal. The narrators didn’t just read the story—they performed it. It was one of those rare audiobooks that elevates an already incredible book into an unforgettable experience. Then I went back and physically read it… and somehow loved it just as much. That’s how you know it’s special.
If you’re a fan of the swoony romance and banter of Ali Hazelwood or the heart and emotional depth of Catherine Cowles, you need this book on your TBR immediately.
This is one of those books I’ll be recommending to literally anyone who will listen (and probably a few people who won’t). I already know this is going to be one of my forever rereads, and I will be not-so-patiently waiting for the next Carolina Current book because I am officially obsessed.
Erin Hawkins… whatever you put in this book, I’d like another dose immediately.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
📞 sailor girl
Read
June 9, 20264.5⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️
eARC provided by Luna Literary 💜
Love an Erin Hawkins romance!! 🩷🩷
This story follows Whitney Shields (sailorgirl) and Connor Fisk (dreamboat)! Both are professional swimmers (first time reading a swim romance)…Whitney and Connor first met while gaming online. Months of playing games and chatting into the late nights, they realized there was a connection and took the chance of meeting in person. When Connor arrived, he realized Whitney is his former teammates sister, and absolutely off limits! He leaves her waiting because he didn’t want to be rejected based on the rivalry, and he knew he would want more with his SailorGirl!
Two months later, both are in Coral Cove, Connor to fix his reputation and join a new swim team, and Whitney to prove to everyone she’s more than just Rory Shield’s little sister and Captain Chaos!!
Forced proximity allows them to become friends although it’s short lived when Whitney finds out Connor is DreamBoat.. they both get a second chance when they are chosen to be ambassadors of Rising Tides Swim Foundation.. Having to spend 10 days together, traveling along the coast to different cities where the swim clinics are being held!
Love didn’t come to the easily and there was a lot of character growth! Connor stopped running when things got hard and Whitney learned to live life how she wanted to..
Loved Whitney’s spunky nature and how she challenged Connor.. the large box of condoms she got just to embarrass him?! EPIC!!
Tropes:
🌊Sports Romance (swimming)
💙Brother’s Rival/Teammate
🌊Hidden Identity (online gaming)
💙Forced Proximity
🌊One Bed
💙He has a tattoo for her
🐈Cat Daddy
💙Sunshine x Bad Boy
eARC provided by Luna Literary 💜
Love an Erin Hawkins romance!! 🩷🩷
This story follows Whitney Shields (sailorgirl) and Connor Fisk (dreamboat)! Both are professional swimmers (first time reading a swim romance)…Whitney and Connor first met while gaming online. Months of playing games and chatting into the late nights, they realized there was a connection and took the chance of meeting in person. When Connor arrived, he realized Whitney is his former teammates sister, and absolutely off limits! He leaves her waiting because he didn’t want to be rejected based on the rivalry, and he knew he would want more with his SailorGirl!
Two months later, both are in Coral Cove, Connor to fix his reputation and join a new swim team, and Whitney to prove to everyone she’s more than just Rory Shield’s little sister and Captain Chaos!!
Forced proximity allows them to become friends although it’s short lived when Whitney finds out Connor is DreamBoat.. they both get a second chance when they are chosen to be ambassadors of Rising Tides Swim Foundation.. Having to spend 10 days together, traveling along the coast to different cities where the swim clinics are being held!
Love didn’t come to the easily and there was a lot of character growth! Connor stopped running when things got hard and Whitney learned to live life how she wanted to..
Loved Whitney’s spunky nature and how she challenged Connor.. the large box of condoms she got just to embarrass him?! EPIC!!
Tropes:
🌊Sports Romance (swimming)
💙Brother’s Rival/Teammate
🌊Hidden Identity (online gaming)
💙Forced Proximity
🌊One Bed
💙He has a tattoo for her
🐈Cat Daddy
💙Sunshine x Bad Boy
Review of advance copy
ARC REVIEW
★★★★.5
whitney and connor, i love themmmmm.
they were cool and funny and hot and all the good things. they truly brought out the best in each other and i really loved reading their story as it played out. the way they met online before meeting in person was so precious.
i really liked how layered they were as characters, connor especially. to me, it was obvious he was working hard to undo all the things that made him the kind of person he started to despise. he’s the kind of mmc i love because he’s a little (lot) misunderstood. by the end of the book, i felt proud of him for coming so far. i loved that his ‘redemption’ wasn’t wrapped in a bow - he was still a work in progress.
whitney had the perfectly balanced confidence and insecurity of a twenty-something and i adored her. if you’re a twenty-something, prepare to relate hard to some of her thoughts and decisions. she was sassy and funny and just a girl who loved a good dessert. she struggled constantly being compared to rory, and was determined to create her own path - which she did beautifully as the story progressed.
i loved the two of them together because it was clear from the beginning that they just understood each other perfectly.
also, getting to see connor & rory’s relationship dynamic after the tension between them was so needed!! loved logan & charlie instantly welcoming connor too.
i can’t wait for the rest of this series. erin hawkins has made me care about professional swimmers for the first time in my life, and i fear i need more carolina current content asap.
thank you to luna literary for the arc!
★★★★.5
whitney and connor, i love themmmmm.
they were cool and funny and hot and all the good things. they truly brought out the best in each other and i really loved reading their story as it played out. the way they met online before meeting in person was so precious.
i really liked how layered they were as characters, connor especially. to me, it was obvious he was working hard to undo all the things that made him the kind of person he started to despise. he’s the kind of mmc i love because he’s a little (lot) misunderstood. by the end of the book, i felt proud of him for coming so far. i loved that his ‘redemption’ wasn’t wrapped in a bow - he was still a work in progress.
whitney had the perfectly balanced confidence and insecurity of a twenty-something and i adored her. if you’re a twenty-something, prepare to relate hard to some of her thoughts and decisions. she was sassy and funny and just a girl who loved a good dessert. she struggled constantly being compared to rory, and was determined to create her own path - which she did beautifully as the story progressed.
i loved the two of them together because it was clear from the beginning that they just understood each other perfectly.
also, getting to see connor & rory’s relationship dynamic after the tension between them was so needed!! loved logan & charlie instantly welcoming connor too.
i can’t wait for the rest of this series. erin hawkins has made me care about professional swimmers for the first time in my life, and i fear i need more carolina current content asap.
thank you to luna literary for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Erin Hawkins writes the BEST fun, lighthearted romcoms that I can’t get enough of! Now we get a forbidden love, secret identity, small beach town, sports romance (swimming) with groveling, banter, heat, and everything you could want in a romcom.
Top swimmer Whitney loves her sport, but is getting sick of being in golden-boy big brother Rory’s shadow. She’d love to have more of a chance to be her own person and own success story. And he’s a tad bit overprotective. Gaming is a fun escape for her, and boy does she have some chemistry with a fellow gamer. So when they decide to meet in person and he ghosts her, it hurts. Little does she know it’s swimming’s bad boy, Connor.
Fast forward to small North Carolina swim town and training center, where Whitney and Connor (and big bro) are training and the chemistry is right there. They each know the other is forbidden, but as they get closer, she finds out he’s the ghoster. Ouch. Connor has always run away from problems and anything messy, but not this time…let the groveling begin.
LOVED it. It was funny, heartwarming, sexy, sweet, all the things I love about a summer romcom. Connor’s had his issues, and I love how he’s trying to be a good guy and what Whitney needs. And the cat dad stuff—priceless! The book might be worth it for those scenes alone. Whitney’s trying to figure herself out and kicking butt in the pool (I adore a strong athlete FMC). She does her best to hate him but just can’t when he keeps showing up. When the dam finally breaks, all I can say is look out.
Top swimmer Whitney loves her sport, but is getting sick of being in golden-boy big brother Rory’s shadow. She’d love to have more of a chance to be her own person and own success story. And he’s a tad bit overprotective. Gaming is a fun escape for her, and boy does she have some chemistry with a fellow gamer. So when they decide to meet in person and he ghosts her, it hurts. Little does she know it’s swimming’s bad boy, Connor.
Fast forward to small North Carolina swim town and training center, where Whitney and Connor (and big bro) are training and the chemistry is right there. They each know the other is forbidden, but as they get closer, she finds out he’s the ghoster. Ouch. Connor has always run away from problems and anything messy, but not this time…let the groveling begin.
LOVED it. It was funny, heartwarming, sexy, sweet, all the things I love about a summer romcom. Connor’s had his issues, and I love how he’s trying to be a good guy and what Whitney needs. And the cat dad stuff—priceless! The book might be worth it for those scenes alone. Whitney’s trying to figure herself out and kicking butt in the pool (I adore a strong athlete FMC). She does her best to hate him but just can’t when he keeps showing up. When the dam finally breaks, all I can say is look out.
June 11, 2026
Actual Rating on this book is 4.5.
Are you looking for a book with all the summer vibes? Do you love a down bad boy obsessed who isn’t afraid to beg for what he wants? Then head to the small coastal town of Coral Cove and fall in love with Whitney and Connor. These two could not be more perfect for each other and as an added bonus - There is So. Much. Yearning.
I absolutely devoured this book. Whitney and Connor are both new to the Carolina Current swim team, and they each have something to prove.
Whitney is chaotic and whimsical - absolute sunshine. She knows what she wants, and she goes for it. Connor is the perfect misunderstood cinnamon roll masquerading as a bad boy. There are lots of obstacles between them, and the journey through is full of hilarious, sweet and steamy shenanigans. I found myself laughing, sweating, blushing and swooning throughout.
The third act conflict surprised me in the best way - it was not at all what I was expecting, and it was handled perfectly.
This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. Of course, if you loved Rory (he’s Whitney’s brother) in the first book (Beyond the Stroke), you’ll love him here too!
If you love forbidden romance (her brother is his rival), found family, pampered cats, and hidden identities - you will adore this book.
Thank you so much to Erin Hawkins and team for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed within this review are my own.
Are you looking for a book with all the summer vibes? Do you love a down bad boy obsessed who isn’t afraid to beg for what he wants? Then head to the small coastal town of Coral Cove and fall in love with Whitney and Connor. These two could not be more perfect for each other and as an added bonus - There is So. Much. Yearning.
I absolutely devoured this book. Whitney and Connor are both new to the Carolina Current swim team, and they each have something to prove.
Whitney is chaotic and whimsical - absolute sunshine. She knows what she wants, and she goes for it. Connor is the perfect misunderstood cinnamon roll masquerading as a bad boy. There are lots of obstacles between them, and the journey through is full of hilarious, sweet and steamy shenanigans. I found myself laughing, sweating, blushing and swooning throughout.
The third act conflict surprised me in the best way - it was not at all what I was expecting, and it was handled perfectly.
This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. Of course, if you loved Rory (he’s Whitney’s brother) in the first book (Beyond the Stroke), you’ll love him here too!
If you love forbidden romance (her brother is his rival), found family, pampered cats, and hidden identities - you will adore this book.
Thank you so much to Erin Hawkins and team for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed within this review are my own.
June 12, 2026
OKAY. I am unwell about this book.
Against the Current had me kicking my feet, screaming into my pillow, and rethinking my entire relationship with swimming romance because WHAT do you mean this is my new obsession??
Erin Hawkins said “brother’s rival + secret online connection + forced proximity + tattooed swimmer + cat dad energy” and I said yes ma’am immediately😮💨
Connor Fisk😍😍😍
The whole “bad boy swimmer everyone misunderstands” thing should be illegal because I fell for him so fast it should be studied. The man has been acting like a walking scandal headline but in reality he’s just soft, loyal, and down BAD once Whitney enters the chat.
And Whitney, my girl!!! She is NOT just the rival’s little sister. She’s strong, competitive, trying to step out of her brother’s shadow, and absolutely NOT prepared for Connor Fisk to ruin her peace like this. (He did. He really did.)
The chemistry was ELECTRIC. Like actual sparks. Like “why are they not kissing right now” every five seconds.
The banter was so Unhinged in the best way. The tension?? I was STRESSED. The pining, it was Criminal.
Also I need everyone to talk about cat dad Connor because I was NOT emotionally prepared for that level of softness. I repeat: CAT DAD. 🐈⬛💔
I devoured this like it was a sport in itself.
🏊♂️ rival swimmers
🤭 brother’s enemy energy
🛏 forced proximity
💬 secret online connection
🔥 tension so thick I needed air
🐈 cat dad MMC
💛 absolutely no third-act breakup (bless)
Connor Fisk has entered my book boyfriend roster and he is NOT leaving.
Against the Current had me kicking my feet, screaming into my pillow, and rethinking my entire relationship with swimming romance because WHAT do you mean this is my new obsession??
Erin Hawkins said “brother’s rival + secret online connection + forced proximity + tattooed swimmer + cat dad energy” and I said yes ma’am immediately😮💨
Connor Fisk😍😍😍
The whole “bad boy swimmer everyone misunderstands” thing should be illegal because I fell for him so fast it should be studied. The man has been acting like a walking scandal headline but in reality he’s just soft, loyal, and down BAD once Whitney enters the chat.
And Whitney, my girl!!! She is NOT just the rival’s little sister. She’s strong, competitive, trying to step out of her brother’s shadow, and absolutely NOT prepared for Connor Fisk to ruin her peace like this. (He did. He really did.)
The chemistry was ELECTRIC. Like actual sparks. Like “why are they not kissing right now” every five seconds.
The banter was so Unhinged in the best way. The tension?? I was STRESSED. The pining, it was Criminal.
Also I need everyone to talk about cat dad Connor because I was NOT emotionally prepared for that level of softness. I repeat: CAT DAD. 🐈⬛💔
I devoured this like it was a sport in itself.
🏊♂️ rival swimmers
🤭 brother’s enemy energy
🛏 forced proximity
💬 secret online connection
🔥 tension so thick I needed air
🐈 cat dad MMC
💛 absolutely no third-act breakup (bless)
Connor Fisk has entered my book boyfriend roster and he is NOT leaving.
June 20, 2026
One of my most anticipated releases of this year and it did not disappoint!!! If you haven't read anything by Erin Hawkins, you're SERIOUSLY missing out and this is the perfect summer romance book.
The story follows Whitney and Connor. They are both pro swimmers and train in the same small town. Their instant chemistry is undeniable but they're off limits to each other because of Connor's reputation and his feud with Whitney's brother. What Whitney doesn't know is that Connor is not honest with her and he's her anonymous friend who gamed with her before ghosting her. So when they get close, they have to be secretive, Connor to Whitney and the both of them to the outside world.
This was absolutely perfect. It was my first time reading about pro swimmers and I loved getting to know the sport from different perspectives. It's the perfect summer romance with tons of humor, spice and raw, lovable characters. Whitney was sunshine in human form, so bubbly and kind. I expected Connor to be more grumpy and I'm glad he wasn't like that because I was able to understand him more. His love for Pu**y, his cat, was one of the best things about this book. The scene in the vet office was adorable and I totally get him as a pet parent myself. I loved the humor in this book, it honestly felt like watching a romcom that's actually funny. Spice was HOT and Connor made me blush like a tomato.... This book was exactly what I needed and more than I expected. Erin, I'm a fan, stan and an ambassador 🛐
The story follows Whitney and Connor. They are both pro swimmers and train in the same small town. Their instant chemistry is undeniable but they're off limits to each other because of Connor's reputation and his feud with Whitney's brother. What Whitney doesn't know is that Connor is not honest with her and he's her anonymous friend who gamed with her before ghosting her. So when they get close, they have to be secretive, Connor to Whitney and the both of them to the outside world.
This was absolutely perfect. It was my first time reading about pro swimmers and I loved getting to know the sport from different perspectives. It's the perfect summer romance with tons of humor, spice and raw, lovable characters. Whitney was sunshine in human form, so bubbly and kind. I expected Connor to be more grumpy and I'm glad he wasn't like that because I was able to understand him more. His love for Pu**y, his cat, was one of the best things about this book. The scene in the vet office was adorable and I totally get him as a pet parent myself. I loved the humor in this book, it honestly felt like watching a romcom that's actually funny. Spice was HOT and Connor made me blush like a tomato.... This book was exactly what I needed and more than I expected. Erin, I'm a fan, stan and an ambassador 🛐
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