Against the Current by Erin Hawkins is live and it 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!
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Blurb
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.
Review
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.
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.
Carolina Current
Beyond the Stroke (#1) (Rory & Winter)
Review
Buy: Amazon
Against the Current (#2) (Connor & Whitney)
Review
Buy: Amazon
About Erin
Erin Hawkins lives in Colorado with her husband and three young children. She enjoys reading, running, spending time in the mountains, and watching reality TV.
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