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Freestyle Flirting
ASIN B01GGJHNPS moved to the most recent edition with new title Olympic Love
Our eyes met and they stayed locked together, still holding onto to one another’s hand. I couldn’t look away from her. The smile built on Dasha’s face, growing from a slight curl to something that could only be described as elation. God, I was so infatuated with her. I felt silly about the whole thing. Loopy, even. I wondered if Dasha felt the same way.
Marie Mullally, competitive swimmer, has had it tough. Just a few short years back family tragedy kept her from her dreams of competing in the Olympic Games. But 4 years later she’s more driven than ever, focused on her training, and ready to bring home the Gold in the Summer Olympics. That singular focus, keeping her eyes on the prize, has proven to be great for her athletic goals… but not so much for her love life.
These goals get challenged once Marie meets her new coach, Dasha Belenko. Dasha is beautiful, fit, inspiring, a former Olympic Medal winner herself and the kind of coach any swimmer could easily swoon over. Marie and Dasha soon find themselves entangled in a joyful secretive affair, excited for the possibility of love. But jealousy on the team mixed with the impropriety of a coach/swimmer relationship cause for some conflict that could once again keep Marie from her Gold Medal ambitions.
Will Marie be able to navigate unfounded jealousy, regain focus on her swimming, and hoist the Gold Medal? Or will this high level competition on the world’s stage leave Marie dead in the water? With tragedy behind her, the spirit of a champion, and love in her heart, Marie is prepared to do what it takes to win in the pool… but at what cost?
Our eyes met and they stayed locked together, still holding onto to one another’s hand. I couldn’t look away from her. The smile built on Dasha’s face, growing from a slight curl to something that could only be described as elation. God, I was so infatuated with her. I felt silly about the whole thing. Loopy, even. I wondered if Dasha felt the same way.
Marie Mullally, competitive swimmer, has had it tough. Just a few short years back family tragedy kept her from her dreams of competing in the Olympic Games. But 4 years later she’s more driven than ever, focused on her training, and ready to bring home the Gold in the Summer Olympics. That singular focus, keeping her eyes on the prize, has proven to be great for her athletic goals… but not so much for her love life.
These goals get challenged once Marie meets her new coach, Dasha Belenko. Dasha is beautiful, fit, inspiring, a former Olympic Medal winner herself and the kind of coach any swimmer could easily swoon over. Marie and Dasha soon find themselves entangled in a joyful secretive affair, excited for the possibility of love. But jealousy on the team mixed with the impropriety of a coach/swimmer relationship cause for some conflict that could once again keep Marie from her Gold Medal ambitions.
Will Marie be able to navigate unfounded jealousy, regain focus on her swimming, and hoist the Gold Medal? Or will this high level competition on the world’s stage leave Marie dead in the water? With tragedy behind her, the spirit of a champion, and love in her heart, Marie is prepared to do what it takes to win in the pool… but at what cost?
228 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2016
44 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 21, 2020
1.5 stars almost a DNF book. The writing is all over the place. Coherency to style or plot is missing, to be honest I really only skimmed the remaining 100 pages. I couldn't force myself to read it all. I was hoping for redemption for the author or a better ending. I did not find it.
January 3, 2017
I love swimming and I love the Olympics. I even wrote my own love story about a future Olympian and his secret college sweetheart in a conservative college where people of his kind weren't accepted. So I will admit my expectations for this book were high because of my own personal passions.
The book was just underwhelming. It gave in too quickly to love and the strife was absolved to easily. Some of the characters were well developed like the main character herself. Amber, her main rival and the main antagonist, was developed quite poorly. It was as if the author realised she was getting to the end of book and still hadn't absolved the issues between Marie and Amber, so she just threw in a sudden personality change for Amber so they could move past that.
I would have loved the portion that actually took place in the Olympics to have been longer and more deatiled. I also would have liked for their secret relationship to continue into this portion of the book or at least give us some more interaction between them. There was too much inner monologue with the main character, she barely interacted with the people around her. It was more just about her internal strife about whether or not she truly cared about Dasha. There's so many fascinating things about the Olympic environment and how the Olympians interact with one another, I wish more of that had been explored.
What I did love was the descriptions of Marie in the water, it felt so real and authentic. I truly believe that swimmers feel that way in the water.
The book was just underwhelming. It gave in too quickly to love and the strife was absolved to easily. Some of the characters were well developed like the main character herself. Amber, her main rival and the main antagonist, was developed quite poorly. It was as if the author realised she was getting to the end of book and still hadn't absolved the issues between Marie and Amber, so she just threw in a sudden personality change for Amber so they could move past that.
I would have loved the portion that actually took place in the Olympics to have been longer and more deatiled. I also would have liked for their secret relationship to continue into this portion of the book or at least give us some more interaction between them. There was too much inner monologue with the main character, she barely interacted with the people around her. It was more just about her internal strife about whether or not she truly cared about Dasha. There's so many fascinating things about the Olympic environment and how the Olympians interact with one another, I wish more of that had been explored.
What I did love was the descriptions of Marie in the water, it felt so real and authentic. I truly believe that swimmers feel that way in the water.
February 6, 2017
A perfect read!
After tragedy struck her world, Marie spend more time in the water than with friends and has no lovelife at all. Than someone enters her life but someone off limits. Both trying to keep their focus on their goal. Her training sessions go the way as expected, her body is in top condition but Marie and Dasha have to deal with jealousy, blackmail, heartbreak, doubt, betrayal, sensual tension and pressure. Marie has worked hard all her life to get to this point and it is her last chance to participate in the Olympic Games. Will she win the gold or will she lose her true love? Is there any hope of reconciling with the woman she loves? I love the atmosphere in this book and the way the story developed. It is an exhilarating read with a perfect amount of drama and a sweet satisfaction at the end. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.
After tragedy struck her world, Marie spend more time in the water than with friends and has no lovelife at all. Than someone enters her life but someone off limits. Both trying to keep their focus on their goal. Her training sessions go the way as expected, her body is in top condition but Marie and Dasha have to deal with jealousy, blackmail, heartbreak, doubt, betrayal, sensual tension and pressure. Marie has worked hard all her life to get to this point and it is her last chance to participate in the Olympic Games. Will she win the gold or will she lose her true love? Is there any hope of reconciling with the woman she loves? I love the atmosphere in this book and the way the story developed. It is an exhilarating read with a perfect amount of drama and a sweet satisfaction at the end. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.
January 8, 2017
A bit rambling...
This was really all over the place with the writing style. A bit rambling in some spots as well. Had potential. More of a short story really... A bit like this review. Confusing.
This was really all over the place with the writing style. A bit rambling in some spots as well. Had potential. More of a short story really... A bit like this review. Confusing.
November 4, 2016
Second bust for me from this author. She lost me in the first few pages when the motherlode of an infodump took place during the course of a race. She never got me back after that. DNF at 18%
June 16, 2019
Entertaining story
“The pain of being alone had all but evaporated, replaced with the beautiful sapphic connection I felt for this tremendous woman.”
“Really, I longed for a friend. For someone who could genuinely understand me. It had been so long since I felt understood.”
“I know that winning a Gold Medal won’t bring my parents back, but I like to think that they might be proudly watching me, cheering me on, and seeing me accomplish what I had set out to do. Their hard work and support wasn’t lost on me. I wanted to win this for them. Then, maybe, I could start finding some lasting happiness.”
+ • + • + • +
An entertaining, well-written story with intriguing & likeable characters, some hot scenes & an interesting storyline.
“The pain of being alone had all but evaporated, replaced with the beautiful sapphic connection I felt for this tremendous woman.”
“Really, I longed for a friend. For someone who could genuinely understand me. It had been so long since I felt understood.”
“I know that winning a Gold Medal won’t bring my parents back, but I like to think that they might be proudly watching me, cheering me on, and seeing me accomplish what I had set out to do. Their hard work and support wasn’t lost on me. I wanted to win this for them. Then, maybe, I could start finding some lasting happiness.”
+ • + • + • +
An entertaining, well-written story with intriguing & likeable characters, some hot scenes & an interesting storyline.
October 4, 2017
Good writing, but...
The writing style is excellent. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and the twin dangers that assail their budding relationship are surprisingly thoroughly thought-out and well-connected for a romance novel. Unfortunately, it felt much too facile. Legitimate problems were continually introduced, only to be easily hurdled or even flung asside by the narrative. This book was almost a four-star effort in my estimation, but it could have used a couple more revisions.
The writing style is excellent. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and the twin dangers that assail their budding relationship are surprisingly thoroughly thought-out and well-connected for a romance novel. Unfortunately, it felt much too facile. Legitimate problems were continually introduced, only to be easily hurdled or even flung asside by the narrative. This book was almost a four-star effort in my estimation, but it could have used a couple more revisions.
July 14, 2018
Excellent!
Well written with well developed characters, this is a tale about finding one's self and understanding life and purpose after tragic loss. Having one's plans derailed by tragedy doesn't mean those plans can't ultimately come to fruition with determination and dedication. Along the way, one must accept themselves and continue on their set path. In the end, hard work pays off, and love will find a way into one's life, usually when it's least expected. I recommend you put this book on your must read list.
Well written with well developed characters, this is a tale about finding one's self and understanding life and purpose after tragic loss. Having one's plans derailed by tragedy doesn't mean those plans can't ultimately come to fruition with determination and dedication. Along the way, one must accept themselves and continue on their set path. In the end, hard work pays off, and love will find a way into one's life, usually when it's least expected. I recommend you put this book on your must read list.
February 29, 2020
Reads like a Wattpad story
The main characters are 25 and 31 but they read like teens. I felt for Marie and I'm happy she chased her dreams and found happiness but this book wasn't exceptional just a real bulky read needs a bit of editing but I'll chalk it up to been the Author learning how to perfect her stories
The main characters are 25 and 31 but they read like teens. I felt for Marie and I'm happy she chased her dreams and found happiness but this book wasn't exceptional just a real bulky read needs a bit of editing but I'll chalk it up to been the Author learning how to perfect her stories
April 14, 2018
Great book
This was a great story about sports , heartbreak, love and forgiveness . I loved the main character marks and following her story . Marie and Dasha a great couple.
This was a great story about sports , heartbreak, love and forgiveness . I loved the main character marks and following her story . Marie and Dasha a great couple.
November 15, 2016
Spoiler Alert:
This book was just OK. I mean the romance was sweet, and she did a good job creating the chemistry between Marie and Dasha. But I just felt like some of the plot elements didn't make sense. Like how after her frenemy Amber blackmails her by threatening to expose her relationship with Coach Dasha or to let Amber win the Gold Medal. Marie who has been trying to get an olympic medal her entire life was like..well, I guess I'll just get Silver then. I don't think she would have given that up that easily. Also, with a threat like that Marie could have just said she'd go along with it, and then kick her ass in the race anyway.
Also, the whole book talks about this fraught relationship with Amber and then in one paragraph with no real reason, Amber just says..oh we should just be friends. Really? It was definitely anti-climactic.
Also, I felt like the author threw in big words that felt random, like "denouement". Dane did the sex scenes pretty nicely (though I kind of balked at using the term "fur" to describe ladybits), she never depicted Marie reciprocating to Dasha, which I thought was odd.
Anyway, was an OK read for free or 99 cents.
This book was just OK. I mean the romance was sweet, and she did a good job creating the chemistry between Marie and Dasha. But I just felt like some of the plot elements didn't make sense. Like how after her frenemy Amber blackmails her by threatening to expose her relationship with Coach Dasha or to let Amber win the Gold Medal. Marie who has been trying to get an olympic medal her entire life was like..well, I guess I'll just get Silver then. I don't think she would have given that up that easily. Also, with a threat like that Marie could have just said she'd go along with it, and then kick her ass in the race anyway.
Also, the whole book talks about this fraught relationship with Amber and then in one paragraph with no real reason, Amber just says..oh we should just be friends. Really? It was definitely anti-climactic.
Also, I felt like the author threw in big words that felt random, like "denouement". Dane did the sex scenes pretty nicely (though I kind of balked at using the term "fur" to describe ladybits), she never depicted Marie reciprocating to Dasha, which I thought was odd.
Anyway, was an OK read for free or 99 cents.
September 2, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a little different from her other books, but I found it heartwarming.
At 64 years old, I've read many lesbian authors and Nicolette has become one of my favorites. Don't let this be the only book of hers that you read!
At 64 years old, I've read many lesbian authors and Nicolette has become one of my favorites. Don't let this be the only book of hers that you read!
November 18, 2016
Fun, easy
This is a fun, relatively , drama free romance. They fall into each other with an ease they aren't used to. After coming up for air they realize that a time out in the kiddy pool is needed but will there need for deeper water make them risk all?
This is a fun, relatively , drama free romance. They fall into each other with an ease they aren't used to. After coming up for air they realize that a time out in the kiddy pool is needed but will there need for deeper water make them risk all?
September 22, 2016
A must read
A very good book interested to read the other books by this author and see if they are as good
A very good book interested to read the other books by this author and see if they are as good
November 30, 2016
hmmm just ok... not so many tense situation. i thought amber will make more chaos.... just sweet..
February 2, 2017
Easy going, light hearted read
Really enjoyed reading this book. Light hearted and easy going that captures the essence of romance and competition at the same time.
Really enjoyed reading this book. Light hearted and easy going that captures the essence of romance and competition at the same time.
April 30, 2017
Freestyle flirting
A really good book. I managed to read it in one sitting! It definitely had me hooked from the beginning!
A really good book. I managed to read it in one sitting! It definitely had me hooked from the beginning!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews