Thank you so much to Netgalley, Penguin and Lulu Moore for an Arc of this book!

Wow! I was blown away by how much I adored this book! This was my first book by Lulu Moore and I cannot wait to read more!

I have never read a sports romance where the sport was rowing before, so it was a really nice change!

Lulu has written one of my new favourite book boyfriends ever! Oz has the purest heart ever. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is not afraid to go after what he wants, which in this case was Kate, who had just joined his rival universities rowing club!

This book had one of the sweetest romances that I have read and I loved every single page!

The way I loved this book. ❤️

This book hits all my high notes: sports, obsessed and intelligent MCs, a friend group that is more like family and great banter.

The romance - I just adored Kate and Oz. The way they continually chose each other despite blips and trips along the way is everything I want in a romance book. The supporting cast of characters is elite and just friend goals.

The sports - I went in with nothing, nada, no previous experience, and it did not matter. I was captivated by the tradition, the athleticism, and the competition of rowing. Do not be afraid to wade into the water here.

This book gives it all, and I'm not ashamed to say, I laughed, I cried, and I may have bit through my lip because of the tension in the end.

I'll end by stating that it is not unknown what a Lulu stan I am, but, when I tell you I was nervous about a new world, new sport and new country, I shouldn't have been. Lulu put me right in the story - I was on the River Thames cheering for these wonderfully written characters while eating McVities Jaffa Cakes. You will be too!

Thank you to Lulu and Penguin Random House UK for an advanced copy for my honest review.

Amazing. Loved every second of this book. It’s lovely to have an English setting for a change and a new sports romance to read about.

I have to start by saying I know absolutely nothing about rowing but now I'd love to know more about it!
This was so much fun. It was interesting and entertaining!
I adored both our main characters. Oz, was such an amazing guy. I love how caring and supportive he was not only with our fmc but with everyone he loves.
Kate was incredible too. The fish out of water element with her was done fantastically and I related so much with her. Her struggles... I have to admit i might have teared up a couple of times.
The romance between these two was adorable. Their meet cute was hilarious and perfect! I love how their relationship developed and how there they were for each other!
This book deals with grief and it was done beautifully but also it showed different types of grief and how they're all valid.
The family elements... I love how Lulu writes friendships like they're a type of family too because sometimes they are and a lot of times those are the people we can count on the most. I loved it.
The boys group as per usual. I adored them and can't wait for their books too (Brooks and Will's especially!)
Overall this was another fantastic read from Lulu but am I surprised? Absolutely not!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A breathtakingly unique take on the college rivals and sports romance tropes.

A question for a question. What’s a girl to do when the guy you hit it off with at the start of your first year at Cambridge is actually attending Oxford? Oh, and he’s on the rival rowing team with a rivalry so intense you’re not sure you’re allowed to see him.

Oz perfectly embodies boy obsessed. As Kate tries to fight her attraction to him and his efforts to spend time with her, Oz doubles down. His inner monologue is incredibly sweet and I adore him. Kate is a strong FMC dealing with a trauma that’s currently dictating how she lives her live. Watching her gain strength and confidence from her relationship with Oz, and using that follow her own path, was a highlight for me.

Lulu really never misses for me. I’ve never read a rowing romance, and I don’t know how any could top this. She always incorporates humor, romance, and plot in such a way where you’re obsessed by the beginning. I also love that she got to embrace the British with this book!

I BEG for the rest of Oz’s friend group to get books. I love how different they all are, but they fit together so well.

Thank you to Penguin for the early copy! I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5+ stars!

Oh my goodness, where to start?!
I absolutely adored this book and fell head over heels in love with both Kate and Oz.

I knew pretty much nothing about rowing going into the story and was worried this might impact my enjoyment or I might get bored, but couldn’t have been more wrong. I defy anyone not to be on the edge of their seat reading that final race!

Kate has moved from the states to Cambridge to study medicine on a scholarship and hopes to also make their women’s rowing team. Her reasons for being there are heartbreaking, and Lulu handles this really sensitively.
Oz is the son of a politician who is never out of the tabloids, but his reputation is not representative of his true character. He’s studying at Oxford and is a very successful rower who is also part of their team.

As a Brit it was great to read a book set in England with a British main character and an American. It worked really well and the British humour definitely shone through. The banter in this book is fantastic, there are some real laugh out loud moments (I was in tears laughing at a couple of points!)
Oz was seriously swoony- I fancy his chances in the 2024 book boyfriend polls!

I’m already desperate for book 2- there’s a little sneak peak at the end of Oar than Friends and I can’t wait to read more about Violet, she is fabulous!

If you’re an original Lulu Moore fan- you’ll love this book and these characters who are new to the Luluverse.
And if you’re new to Lulu’s books, I urge you to go back and read her backlist after this- you won’t be disappointed, she writes some incredibly swoony men as well as strong heroines who you’ll want to be bffs with.

Huge thank you to Lulu and Penguin for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for my honest review. It was an honour.