A delightful beach read book! I ate this book up in three days and felt like I was on a cruise alongside Alex and her friend group. I appreciated this book’s balance of glamorous vacation escapades with exploration of class differences, anxiety, and allowing yourself to move on from harmful relationships. I enjoyed following Alex across the Mediterranean as she grew, and I especially appreciated her relationship with her best friend. However, the resolution felt a little underdeveloped to me, and I wished a bit more time had been given to explore it more. I recommend this book for anyone looking for an escapist story with a big heart.

It took me so long to figure out how I felt about this book.

It was pretty well written, but I actually hated almost every character!
Alexandra was immature, spiteful, and it mystefied me why she wanted to stay friends with this terrible group of people so badly? Like, only one person in this whole group seemed to actually like her, and as someone near in age to Alex, I was just exhausted reading about these people who just hated everything about each others whole lives. like stop hanging out with them then????
A lot of her social commentary was on important, impactful topics. but (to me, personally) Alex was not the best vehicle to be imparting it.

And the drama that happened between her and Danial 10 years ago was.... a notch too far for me in terms of believability, and it impacted my desire for them to get together.

Chelsea Fagan writes well, her characters were believable, her descriptions of food and scenery made me wish to be in Europe, but I just sadly could not connect with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orsay Press for the eARC.

3.5/5 - This was a beautiful, scenic, impactful story that, at its core, was an exploration of identity, growth and friendship. But it was also a more serious examination of social class, social capital, and how pedigree and history impact relationships and group dynamics. Or maybe that’s just the sociology major in me 😉 While love was also a central component here, it wasn’t the main one, and I didn’t find this to be an overwhelmingly happy read. Tense, fraught, deeply honest, and angst ridden, for sure. Sexy too! It definitely made me think.

Despite this being in third person (never my fave tbh) Alex has a very candid voice and you feel the depths of her inner conflict and constant mental negotiating. Fagan’s writing is so descriptive, smart and engaging. The scene was idyllic, the characters developed, and the story fresh and modern…it just didn’t hook me like I was hoping! I’m such a mood reader, so take with that what you will.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and Orsay Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Fun, glamorous, sun kissed summer read.

I loved the insight into Alexandra's everyday as a political marketing creator, something that I personally know very little about, but supremely enjoyed. I feel like we get so many novels about bakers and writers so love to give other careers their time in the spotlight. The tension between her and Danial was palpable! I felt that the miscommunication and the way they both hurt each other in the past felt very real.

I did want a little more bite from Alexandra at times, she's this fish out of water and I'd have loved to see more of her taking charge instead of trying to fit in with the ultra wealthy group. Second chance romance still isn't my favorite trope personally, but liked that we got to see growth from both the characters (and some side characters) along the way.

I didn't think I would like a politics romance but yes, I do. Sexy and angsty, I've never read a book like this. Usually these romances play out the same way but Chelsea does something so different. Having the characters have high highs only to bring them so low and to find their happy medium was so satisfying. The hotel scene was so hot, I loved it. On a serious note, I think it's hard for people, especially today, to come to terms with a partner, working for or believing in something that is in direct conflict with what you believe in. Of course Alex and Dan had to resolve that issue otherwise it wouldn't be a HEA. But these are issues couples have in real life too. And that just because we don't have all the answers, we do know that having grace towards others is a way better avenue of a better life for everyone than just shutting down rights for everyone. While I didn't love the side plot of the characters who are getting married, I was so sad that Paul was treated that way and waited until the last minute to call off the wedding. I just wanted him to be happy!

The High Dive is an absolutely perfect novel for summer reading. There's romance, there's steam, there's a gorgeous yacht, there's food and clothing and glamour,,,what more could you ask for? I loved this second-chance romance, I loved the realistic miscommunications, the finanical differences that can strain a relationship, whether it's platonic or romantic. And I loved Greece! I honestly don't have much criticism, this is a delight.

This book was just too far-fetched. Some of the issues facing the main couple are simply insurmountable, and they were far too mean to each other to warrant being able to make a relationship work in the end. I would have liked this more if any of the characters had been more likable, but there were little to no redeeming qualities through the whole thing. 2.5 stars. (Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy!)

The High Dive by Chelsea Fagan is a charming romantic comedy that delivers a light, entertaining read with a bold, opinionated heroine at its center. The novel thrives on witty banter, humorous mishaps, and the classic push-and-pull dynamic between two characters who seem destined to be together—if only they can get out of their own way.

Fagan’s female lead is unapologetically headstrong, adding energy and personality to every scene she’s in. While her intensity occasionally borders on overwhelming, it also makes her a memorable and engaging character. Her chemistry with Alex, the romantic counterpart, is clear from the start, though their journey is anything but smooth. Missteps, misunderstandings, and emotional roadblocks—particularly on Alex’s part—create a believable tension that keeps readers invested.

While the novel hits all the right notes for a feel-good rom-com, it occasionally lacks the emotional depth that might have elevated it from a fun read to a truly memorable one. That said, The High Dive remains a breezy, enjoyable story perfect for readers seeking humor, heart, and a romance worth rooting for.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish this book. I found it to be very slow and it couldn’t keep my attention. I gave it a fair shot unfortunately it was too slow for the speed that I typically like.

class conscious summer vacation

I’ve been following Chelsea Fagan’s work on The Financial Diet for years now an I wanted to read her fiction debut, *A Perfect Vintage*, but it’s hard to get a copy in the UK. I was so excited when her sophomore effort, *The High Dive*, became available on Netgalley.

I appreciate Fagan’s insight into the financial aspects of relationships. Romance and relationships are inherently political and romance that tries to gloss over this falls flat. Fagan makes sure to explore class differences in the context of the friendship group that Alex and Danial are part of. The group meets in university where Aex and Danial are the only on-wealthy members of the group. Their initial relationship is bolstered by this bond, but their circumstances change in the years since graduation. Their relationship was already adversarial, but this new change adds an extra layer of complexity.

I initially did not like Danial – both in the present timeline and the college-era timeline. I love unlikeable characters and the challenge they present, but I was worried that Alex would end up romanticizing misbehavior and bad treatment. He grew on me, but more importantly, my discomfort with him made me realize that Alex is also unlikeable in some ways. Their initial pairing highlights both of their flaws, especially because of their early adversarial relationship.

I found the pacing of the narrative a bit jarring, but I cannot figure out exactly why. Maybe we spent too much time on the guy that insults Alex at the beginning of the sailing trip or perhaps not enough time setting up Alex’s relationship with her ex-boyfriend-turned-bestie Paul. I think the book itself is the perfect length, so I wouldn’t want to add or subtract anything, but the reconciliation felt rushed.

Now that it is spring, I am in the mood to read sumptuous summer vacation narratives and The High Dive is literally a summer vacation set on a yacht surrounded by delicious Mediterranean food and wine. The vibes of this book are perfect and exactly what I was looking for.

I had a good time with The High Dive! As an avid fan of Below Deck and all things Bravo, I was very intrigued by the concept of a Below Deck-themed romance novel and wanted to give Fagan another try as a fiction writer after her debut romance novel didn't really work as well for me. However, this one was a much better fit.

I felt like the financial/political commentary was well-balanced against the romance and while as a fan of the author's other projects I could definitely see the overlap between Fagan and our FMC (particularly in the class/political commentary as well as in the FMC's more humble roots and proximity to the ultrawealthy), I didn't find it distracting and I think those elements would read naturally to a completely outside reader.

I'm a sucker for a second chance romance (my favorite trope) and the dual timeline in this one was really effective for me. It really built the tension to find out what exactly caused the falling out between the MMC and FMC during their college years and I was very invested. I don't know that they were my favorite couple I have ever read, but I was rooting for them!

If you're looking for a book that transports you to the Mediterranean for a little romantic summer escape, definitely give this one a try.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orsay Press for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Perfect vacation read! I devoured this on my trip to Jamaica. Perfect balance of escapism (set on a yacht in the Mediterranean) with truth (these characters are so human aka complicated). Exactly what I needed as I sat by the sea!

The High Dive was a heartwarming and memorable romance about missed opportunities and second chances. I had such a love hate relationship with Alex as I loved how strong she was in her values and morals but would get so frustrated with her and her decision making and how defensive she would get about any perceived attack. She felt like a real fully flushed out character. Danial was also incredibly well flushed out and a compelling character, however I do feel like his character development at the end wasn’t quite earned. He felt like he did a lot of things to make her happy with who he was out of no where, and Alex didn’t get all the repercussions of her decision I felt she should get. Paul frustrated me as her bestie because I still felt at the end that he didn’t ever make efforts to empathize with how different Alex’s life was because of her being from a different socioeconomic background. I was extremely glad he didn’t marry Guy though. Sophia, Dev and Bee just didn’t feel like fully realized characters to me. They were kinda fun but they would disappear and reappear and I don’t feel like I really knew anything about them. Overall the plot was fun, I enjoyed the relationship between Alex and Danial which was the point.

DNF @ 52%

I was really looking forward to this one, but unfortunately it fell short for me on multiple fronts. The story felt surface-level throughout, and the dual timeline structure ("now and then") was sporadic and inconsistent, which made it hard to stay engaged. The handling of the wealth disparity was also quite jarring, and the complex dynamics between the characters left me wondering why the FMC was even part of the trip to begin with. Ultimately, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I gave it a fair shot, but ended up DNFing.

I’m a huge fan of Chelsea Fagan‘s social media presence. I think she does a really fantastic job of talking about the modern woman and all the expectations that come along with that. Also, she gives very good financial advice! So I was intrigued when I found out she was writing a novel. The High Dive is the story of friendship, romance, and class discourse. I enjoyed the romance between the FMC and MMC, but I was really intrigued by the social discourse amongst the friend group- How does money, class and status affect not just our friendships but also our relationships? I am always fascinated about people’s perspective on money/ class. I knew Fagan would do a good job with this because she has the same nuanced discussions on her social media platforms daily. I really recommend this book, plus the Mediterranean yacht setting was delightful!

Thank you #Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The High Dive" by Chelsea Fagan is a fun summer read set in the beautiful Mediterranean. It follows Alex and Danial, who were once friends in college but haven't spoken in years. They reunite for a friend's wedding and have to deal with their past issues. The story mixes romance with interesting ideas about class and wealth. The setting is vivid, and the characters are engaging, making it a great book to dive into. If you like romance with a bit of drama and social commentary, this is a perfect pick for a summer read.

This book takes you to a summer in the Mediterranean!! The descriptive and vibrant setting was beautifully described. I felt like I was joining this group of friends on this adventure. A group of college best friends are reunited to celebrate the marriage of Paul and Guy. They are spending ten days on a luxurious yacht and a stop for a Greece Wedding! The characters are complex with so many layers, a lot of rich people behaving badly type vibe. Alex is our FMC and she has always felt like she was such an outsider with this group of friends. The story is told in a dual timeline where you get little snippets that lead up to the breakup of Alex and Danial. So much tension, the setting, and the social class commentary all made this book such a perfect bingeable summer read.

I wanted to like The High Dive more than I did. The writing is solid, and there are moments of sharp observation, but overall it felt like a bit of a slog. The novel flirts with big themes—politics, capitalism, the tension between the haves and have-nots—but never fully lands them in a satisfying or impactful way.

Set on a chartered ship, I expected a more compelling sense of place or some juicy Below Deck-style dynamics, but the setting never quite came alive. Instead, everything felt a little too distant, like watching events drift by from a deck chair rather than being pulled into the current.

It’s not a bad book—it just never fully gripped me. I finished it, but it washed over me more than it moved me. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

This was a really cute summer read! Even though it was lighter and easy to read- it still had heavy-ish hitting topics- in a good way! I've never read such a strong female character, strong in her convictions, in a romance novel. I admired her and her refusal to settle and change her beliefs for a relationship, even when she was in love. I loved Danial's character arc and how they figured things out. I do wish things would have been fleshed out a bit more between them. The enemies to lovers vibes were strong but I wasn't fully sold on how in love she was, even with the flashbacks. Overall, this is a great summer read for a beach day.

Thank you Orsay Press and Chelsea for the E-ARC early copy of this book!

Having finished this in 2 days, I can confirm its a fabulous read!

The pacing and flow was great, I adored Alex and Danial, I was rooting for them to make it the whole time.

The setting in Greece took me back to my own Greek holiday, and I loved that.

Overall, 4 stars!