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Stroke by Stroke
“You’re not going to do some crazy fangirl thing, are you?”
“Oh, please!” I scoffed. Yes.
So what if Dylan McKenzie came back home to northern Michigan? It wasn’t like he would ever notice me, the shy girl lurking around the edges of the pool deck while he passed around his gold medals like it was no big deal. He was one of the best swimmers in the world now, not a 13-year-old who said a few nice things to a little girl following him around like a puppy.
So what if he asked me to come with him to the biggest international swim meet of the year in Spain? He was just interested in my writing skills to finish his autobiography. And if he kissed me, well, it was probably just due to the adrenaline after winning his race!
So what if he had secrets in his life that were tearing him apart? It wasn’t like he needed me. Or we were going to end up together.
But maybe…
“Oh, please!” I scoffed. Yes.
So what if Dylan McKenzie came back home to northern Michigan? It wasn’t like he would ever notice me, the shy girl lurking around the edges of the pool deck while he passed around his gold medals like it was no big deal. He was one of the best swimmers in the world now, not a 13-year-old who said a few nice things to a little girl following him around like a puppy.
So what if he asked me to come with him to the biggest international swim meet of the year in Spain? He was just interested in my writing skills to finish his autobiography. And if he kissed me, well, it was probably just due to the adrenaline after winning his race!
So what if he had secrets in his life that were tearing him apart? It wasn’t like he needed me. Or we were going to end up together.
But maybe…
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 26, 2020
I definitely attribute my high rating of the book to the characters- every single one of them. I loved Dylan and Julia, but I think I loved Dylan's coach (it's been a week since I read it and I can't remember his name... I suck :'(( ) and Iván more. Man, what an amazing support group these two had :').
As for the story... I don't feel 100% satisfied with how it played out, but I'm not sure why. Maybe I wanted more grovelling?? Anyway, still worthy of 4 stars!
As for the story... I don't feel 100% satisfied with how it played out, but I'm not sure why. Maybe I wanted more grovelling?? Anyway, still worthy of 4 stars!
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September 7, 2021I am having a hard time quantifying my opinion of this book. The h had ridiculously low self-esteem and had imprinted on the troubled H since she was 9 years old and he treated her kindly. It was hard not to feel sorry for her; however, her emotions and some of her actions were like those of a middle-schooler.
1. She had a "private" online blog/diary where she agonized about the H and talked about intimate issues. (Well, surprise, surprise, the H ends up reading it.)
2. She cries a lot.
3. She says exactly what she feels when she's mad at him, and it's embarrassingly juvenile.
So why am I not giving this book one or two stars? Because it was strangely riveting.
1. Because it is like watching a slow-motion trainwreck.
2. Because it's hard to believe this could possibly work out well, since the H needs a ton of work himself.
3. Because it made me feel kinder towards my youthful self for her foolishness.
So in a weird way, I enjoyed this book.
One more thing -- this author does not seem to write sex scenes well. It comes across as a recitation of what they did to each other's bodies. Fortunately, there are only a few of them.
1. She had a "private" online blog/diary where she agonized about the H and talked about intimate issues. (Well, surprise, surprise, the H ends up reading it.)
2. She cries a lot.
3. She says exactly what she feels when she's mad at him, and it's embarrassingly juvenile.
So why am I not giving this book one or two stars? Because it was strangely riveting.
1. Because it is like watching a slow-motion trainwreck.
2. Because it's hard to believe this could possibly work out well, since the H needs a ton of work himself.
3. Because it made me feel kinder towards my youthful self for her foolishness.
So in a weird way, I enjoyed this book.
One more thing -- this author does not seem to write sex scenes well. It comes across as a recitation of what they did to each other's bodies. Fortunately, there are only a few of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2021
3.5 stars.
I was really loving the beginning of this book. I enjoyed Julia's comments and reactions.
However I felt the story was a bit predictable from the middle to the end.
I still really enjoyed it tho.
I was really loving the beginning of this book. I enjoyed Julia's comments and reactions.
However I felt the story was a bit predictable from the middle to the end.
I still really enjoyed it tho.
July 19, 2019
I'm really starting to enjoy this author's stories & characters. However, the editing needs improvement.
April 28, 2019
2.5 stars.
I was fairly disappointed by this one. I liked the premise and was hopeful at the beginning of the story since it seemed like it was going to be a slow burn sports situation like Kulti but with swimming. I guess in some ways it was, but in most ways it wasn't. Julia has looked up to Dylan since they were in the same swimming club when they were kids but then when he returns home all those years later she finds out he can be pretty rude. That's about the extent of similarities between Stroke by Stroke and Kulti. Of course that's no problem, I wasn't looking for a Kulti copy so I was still hopeful about the story.
After the first half of this book it was clear that the slow burn is more like a medium-speed flame that dies immediately after it flares up. After that the MC is a pile of dead ashes for a while and halfheartedly tries to get her life in order by making rash plans to move across the country/world to avoid anything that has to do with what happened instead of trying to work through it and accept that Dylan has a grip on her and what happened in Madrid had hurt her.
When Dylan returns again, there's a sudden out-of-nowhere flame again that gets doused before it even has a chance to grow at all, which confuses Julia (understandable) and the more confused she gets, the more annoying of a character she becomes. She thinks about wanting to talk to him and wanting clarity about what's going on in about the first 100 pages of the book, but once things have happened and there's actually something that's worth explaining, she doesn't ask Dylan for an explanation and when he tries to talk to her she doesn't give him a chance to say anything. She just assumes and makes up her own conclusion of what happened and then wallows in self-pity as if it's all his fault that she's hurting. Granted he is a complete mess and has no idea what he's doing.
The biggest problem with this book for me was the writing. It was very inconsistent, which messed up the pacing of the story for me. Some scenes seemed to just be summaries of what happened instead of actual written out scenes. Like the author just wanted to move on to the next scene and get the current part over with quickly because it was necessary for the plot. Some of those summary-scenes actually felt like very important relationship-development scenes to me, so it was definitely annoying and made me feel less connected.
Despite all of that I did enjoy it. The story is okay and had the potential to be better than it is.
I was fairly disappointed by this one. I liked the premise and was hopeful at the beginning of the story since it seemed like it was going to be a slow burn sports situation like Kulti but with swimming. I guess in some ways it was, but in most ways it wasn't. Julia has looked up to Dylan since they were in the same swimming club when they were kids but then when he returns home all those years later she finds out he can be pretty rude. That's about the extent of similarities between Stroke by Stroke and Kulti. Of course that's no problem, I wasn't looking for a Kulti copy so I was still hopeful about the story.
After the first half of this book it was clear that the slow burn is more like a medium-speed flame that dies immediately after it flares up. After that the MC is a pile of dead ashes for a while and halfheartedly tries to get her life in order by making rash plans to move across the country/world to avoid anything that has to do with what happened instead of trying to work through it and accept that Dylan has a grip on her and what happened in Madrid had hurt her.
When Dylan returns again, there's a sudden out-of-nowhere flame again that gets doused before it even has a chance to grow at all, which confuses Julia (understandable) and the more confused she gets, the more annoying of a character she becomes. She thinks about wanting to talk to him and wanting clarity about what's going on in about the first 100 pages of the book, but once things have happened and there's actually something that's worth explaining, she doesn't ask Dylan for an explanation and when he tries to talk to her she doesn't give him a chance to say anything. She just assumes and makes up her own conclusion of what happened and then wallows in self-pity as if it's all his fault that she's hurting. Granted he is a complete mess and has no idea what he's doing.
The biggest problem with this book for me was the writing. It was very inconsistent, which messed up the pacing of the story for me. Some scenes seemed to just be summaries of what happened instead of actual written out scenes. Like the author just wanted to move on to the next scene and get the current part over with quickly because it was necessary for the plot. Some of those summary-scenes actually felt like very important relationship-development scenes to me, so it was definitely annoying and made me feel less connected.
Despite all of that I did enjoy it. The story is okay and had the potential to be better than it is.
September 15, 2020
Angsty and dramatic but I have issues with the love interest, mainly him being an ass.
January 8, 2019
This book was okay. I can see how the author envisioned this book going, but I think the execution was a little lacking. I felt like there were a lot of summaries of situations instead of detailed situations which didn’t help with the believability of the MCs relationship.
I did not like Julia, at all. I thought she was whiny, immature, and a bit of a brat. She cried ALL THE TIME. It was exhausting. I was actually glad when Henry and Dylan called her out for being so self deprecating. It was just too much and instead of making her endearing, it just made her seem weak. It was looking like we were going to get some great character growth in part two, but then she just reverted back to her immature self. She held grudges and refused to let anything go, even at the end. I just didn’t like her.
I thought the relationship between Daisy and Julia’s mom, Mandy, was weird. I get that Mandy was trying to help her with art therapy, but it seemed to turn into regular therapy with zero art incorporated. Then it seemed to become a mother/daughter co-dependent relationship. I think Daisy would have been a really interesting character, but I don’t think her mental health was handled correctly.
Dylan was meh to me. He lacked personality and growth, but I give him so much credit for putting up with Julia. I didn’t buy Julia and Dylan’s chemistry at all. I felt like Julia played the victim and Dylan was “always wrong” even when Julia wasn’t letting him apologize or explain anything.
Someone recommended this as a Mariana Zapata type of slow burn, but I don’t agree with that. There was way too much back and forth and the “romance” happens really early on.
I gave it a two star because I was able to finish it and I somewhat enjoyed it. I am interested in Ivan though and I believe I saw there is a book for him. I may check it out to see if this is just a case of “the book is not for me” versus “this author is not for me.”
I did not like Julia, at all. I thought she was whiny, immature, and a bit of a brat. She cried ALL THE TIME. It was exhausting. I was actually glad when Henry and Dylan called her out for being so self deprecating. It was just too much and instead of making her endearing, it just made her seem weak. It was looking like we were going to get some great character growth in part two, but then she just reverted back to her immature self. She held grudges and refused to let anything go, even at the end. I just didn’t like her.
I thought the relationship between Daisy and Julia’s mom, Mandy, was weird. I get that Mandy was trying to help her with art therapy, but it seemed to turn into regular therapy with zero art incorporated. Then it seemed to become a mother/daughter co-dependent relationship. I think Daisy would have been a really interesting character, but I don’t think her mental health was handled correctly.
Dylan was meh to me. He lacked personality and growth, but I give him so much credit for putting up with Julia. I didn’t buy Julia and Dylan’s chemistry at all. I felt like Julia played the victim and Dylan was “always wrong” even when Julia wasn’t letting him apologize or explain anything.
Someone recommended this as a Mariana Zapata type of slow burn, but I don’t agree with that. There was way too much back and forth and the “romance” happens really early on.
I gave it a two star because I was able to finish it and I somewhat enjoyed it. I am interested in Ivan though and I believe I saw there is a book for him. I may check it out to see if this is just a case of “the book is not for me” versus “this author is not for me.”
January 6, 2020
i know julia was over the top sometimes, but you know what? i love the girl.
and dylan was such a... boy.
this one was a little all over the place, but i still liked it a lot.
i think mostly bcuz julia and dylan had so many flaws that i felt like i could relate.
it's nice sometimes to have a girl like juls that cries a lot, gets angry, says stupid things, gets jealous of another girl getting close to her mom, uses baggy clothes and is the girl next door all the same.
she was a mess and tbh? same.
and shelby was great LOL.
and dylan was such a... boy.
this one was a little all over the place, but i still liked it a lot.
i think mostly bcuz julia and dylan had so many flaws that i felt like i could relate.
it's nice sometimes to have a girl like juls that cries a lot, gets angry, says stupid things, gets jealous of another girl getting close to her mom, uses baggy clothes and is the girl next door all the same.
she was a mess and tbh? same.
and shelby was great LOL.
January 12, 2020
So pleasantly surprised
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I love competitive swimming and romance so it seemed like a perfect fit. The beginning seemed rough at first, but as I got deeper into the story I found myself thoroughly entertained. The characters were realistically flawed and their development through the story was satisfying. The ending felt a bit rushed and just the tiniest bit anticlimactic, but overall it was a good story to get lost in for a few hours. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I love competitive swimming and romance so it seemed like a perfect fit. The beginning seemed rough at first, but as I got deeper into the story I found myself thoroughly entertained. The characters were realistically flawed and their development through the story was satisfying. The ending felt a bit rushed and just the tiniest bit anticlimactic, but overall it was a good story to get lost in for a few hours. I look forward to reading more from this author.
August 23, 2025
complex characters
This story, i have mixed feelings on. Of course I loved it as I always do from Jamie Bennett. But wowwww these characters, Dylan pissed me off so bad. I personally think he should’ve grovelled, BUT I also relate to Julia heavily. I’m shy and considered a bit of a pushover by those who don’t know me, I definitely would’ve accepted Dylan back the same way she did. Anyway, excellent story, lots of problems in the beginning for these 2 but glad they resolved them
This story, i have mixed feelings on. Of course I loved it as I always do from Jamie Bennett. But wowwww these characters, Dylan pissed me off so bad. I personally think he should’ve grovelled, BUT I also relate to Julia heavily. I’m shy and considered a bit of a pushover by those who don’t know me, I definitely would’ve accepted Dylan back the same way she did. Anyway, excellent story, lots of problems in the beginning for these 2 but glad they resolved them
March 31, 2019
I really love a good slow burn book and this was captivating one. I haven't cried over anything in a novel in a good while and this one brought tears to my eyes a number of times. Yes the heroine was a bit naive, but it was awesome watching her grow as a person. Hero could be a real jerk at times, but he had a crappy childhood and was learned some things himself. This has a Mariana Zapata feel to it and I highly recommend for the slow burn lovers.
March 22, 2021
Amazing story. Julia is living a simple life in her small town, working part time as an assistant swimming coach. Everything gets complicated when Dylan, a gold medal swimmer, came back in town and in her life.
The story is really moving. Their relationship is not straight forward but is amazing thanks to Jamie Bennett talent for writing.
The descriptions of swimming meets and training is great also. It is a really good book with a lot of unexpected events.
The story is really moving. Their relationship is not straight forward but is amazing thanks to Jamie Bennett talent for writing.
The descriptions of swimming meets and training is great also. It is a really good book with a lot of unexpected events.
June 18, 2022
Love JB normally but I just couldn’t believe these two!
h was hurt more than once by the H but she kept going back too bloody easily for my liking (she even argued with the H’s sister for longer than she did the H I think)
After the Spain fiasco I kinda lost interest In it, I’m not sure his apology (not that he actually gave one for awhile) was good enough……he just seemed more disinterested dickhead than hurt hero!
Not a re-read for me I’m afraid!
h was hurt more than once by the H but she kept going back too bloody easily for my liking (she even argued with the H’s sister for longer than she did the H I think)
After the Spain fiasco I kinda lost interest In it, I’m not sure his apology (not that he actually gave one for awhile) was good enough……he just seemed more disinterested dickhead than hurt hero!
Not a re-read for me I’m afraid!
November 29, 2023
TSTL
I didn't like either main character! She was a 24 year old who acted like an 18 yo at most , writing a fringe diary/private blog that the hero was accidentally given access to. She lived at home width her mother and did not have a single friend. He was a rude, unpleasant selfish jerk who never really apologized for how poorly he treated the heroine. I picked it up because I used to swim and I really liked that part.
I didn't like either main character! She was a 24 year old who acted like an 18 yo at most , writing a fringe diary/private blog that the hero was accidentally given access to. She lived at home width her mother and did not have a single friend. He was a rude, unpleasant selfish jerk who never really apologized for how poorly he treated the heroine. I picked it up because I used to swim and I really liked that part.
June 4, 2019
Rec from the Sharks of Awesome group. I love swimming themed books for whatever reason. I did enjoy this, but Dylan was such a jerk for the beginning half of the book. I mean, I know he was keeping Julia guessing, and was not wanting to expose all his feelings, but after all she had done for him, to help him, he could’ve at least been decent to her. Right?? He’s lucky he won me over by the end.
November 29, 2019
Enjoyable.
This standalone was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the detailed writing and the pace of the novel. Every relationship has issues, rocky areas and does not discriminate regardless of money or fame and this was a great example.
This was not my first Jamie Bennet novel and it will not be my last.
This standalone was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the detailed writing and the pace of the novel. Every relationship has issues, rocky areas and does not discriminate regardless of money or fame and this was a great example.
This was not my first Jamie Bennet novel and it will not be my last.
April 24, 2021
2*
There must of been something about this book I liked as I finished it all. I didn’t like Dylan and didn’t understand his back and forth from being nice to being mean. His explanation at the end did not redeem him at all for me. Julia was a doormat and couldn’t she fell for it everytime.
There must of been something about this book I liked as I finished it all. I didn’t like Dylan and didn’t understand his back and forth from being nice to being mean. His explanation at the end did not redeem him at all for me. Julia was a doormat and couldn’t she fell for it everytime.
October 12, 2021
As a swimmer myself I was very excited to read this book. The drama was a bit much at time, seriously couldn't she just talk to him instead of jumping to conclusions every. single. time? I get it, maybe one or twice but it was like every single time she just jumped to conclusions. I liked the swimmer lingo and the romance was good.
November 7, 2022
Reading her books gives me warm fuzzy feelings. Like when I listen to a romantic country song by a guy with a slow sexy deep voice. Her characters are always flawed but kind with good intentions.
Dylan was a little bit of a head case and Julia had low self esteem. They waded (pun) through their challenges and found each other perfectly.
Dylan was a little bit of a head case and Julia had low self esteem. They waded (pun) through their challenges and found each other perfectly.
October 27, 2025
really wanted to love this one
But the MMC is just… not great. I don’t have a lot of faith in their HEA, despite having seen them in later books.
I guess I’m also not convinced the FMC actually loves him vs still has a crush on him. He wasn’t really that nice to her?
Not my favorite.
But the MMC is just… not great. I don’t have a lot of faith in their HEA, despite having seen them in later books.
I guess I’m also not convinced the FMC actually loves him vs still has a crush on him. He wasn’t really that nice to her?
Not my favorite.
March 29, 2019
No crying in swimming
I enjoyed this book, but it did have a few too many eye roll moments. There was way too much crying and I felt Julia was too immature. I did like the swimming story though.
I enjoyed this book, but it did have a few too many eye roll moments. There was way too much crying and I felt Julia was too immature. I did like the swimming story though.
June 18, 2021
This book was an emotional roller coaster. Swimming is a family sport, so I had no trouble understanding the lingo. I liked the characters, and they seemed real. They had problems and were trying to make sense of everything.
January 4, 2023
gets u right in the feels
sweet romantic heartbreaking and funny
Jamie Bennett's best books are unmatchable, and this is one of her best.
characters stayed true to themselves and the whole thing was lovely
sweet romantic heartbreaking and funny
Jamie Bennett's best books are unmatchable, and this is one of her best.
characters stayed true to themselves and the whole thing was lovely
April 1, 2025
This was so bad!!! And it made me so angry!!! It read like one long voice note, literally nothing made sense, the MMC was atrocious, the dialogue made me queasy… it was free on KU but I would still like a refund.
April 19, 2019
I felt that I understood both characters, Julia and Dylan, in Stroke by Stroke. I enjoyed their rocky romance.
January 26, 2020
I loved this sports romance! I really felt what the characters were going through and I can't wait to read more from this author!
June 26, 2020
Wow, there were a lot of ups and downs in this book. I think she spent more time upset and crying than she being happy in love. But I still liked it overall
November 18, 2020
4.25 stars
March 27, 2022
Another wonderful story by Jamie Bennett.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews