Scarlett is a NCAA Diver at Stanford University fighting her way back from a life-altering injury in her Junior year of college. She has few friends, is recently single, and struggles to get back to diving.
When her teammate and somewhat-friend Penelope - the darling of college diving - brings up the spicy side of her relationship with her boyfriend at a girls' outing, Scarlett is stunned to learn more about the sexy Olympian swimmer Lukas Blomqvist than she expected. Pen has no qualms against sharing her boyfriend's proclivities with the girls on the team and even pushes Scarlett and Lukas together at a team event.
Scarlett's academics throw them together outside the pool and the two do allow themselves to discuss the potential to let off some steam. Scarlett is surprised that Lukas's preferences are nearly perfect for her own. What starts as a purely physical relationship soon becomes more than either expected. Dealing with Lukas, her friendships, her schoolwork, and her diving becomes more and more difficult as the season continues and Scarlett has a chance at the podium at nationals, then at the Olympic Trials.
Drama enters the scene the further along in her competition and her relationship with Lukas Scarlett moves. Though she's stayed mostly out of the drama, when it strikes it leads to questioning all of her choices over the last year.
The relationship between Scarlett and Lukas takes a turn from Hazelwood's typical portrayal. The mature themes and power exchange are inappropriate for young readers making this book an adult novel.
