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Beach Kingdom #3

Sink or Swim

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Andrew Prince wakes up before everyone else. He schedules the bar shifts, demands perfection from Long Beach’s lifeguards—most of all himself—and makes sure the family debts are paid. His unfaltering work ethic might leave him exhausted, but it comes with one advantage. It distracts him from the love he’s been harboring since childhood for the girl next door—who he cannot have.

Jiya Dalal has dreams. To fly a plane, see the world below…and prove irresistible to her best friend, Andrew. But she needs to be a good daughter first, which is becoming an increasingly difficult task, since her parents expect a good marriage and the man she loves with all her heart refuses to pursue the blistering connection between them. Just when she’s beginning to believe Andrew truly doesn’t want her, a moonlight tryst on the beach exposes his true feelings. But an echo from the past kept them apart before…and it’s only growing louder with every stolen kiss…

SINK OR SWIM is the third and final book of the Beach Kingdom series, but can be read as a standalone.

178 pages, ebook

First published August 20, 2019

329 people are currently reading
3290 people want to read

About the author

Tessa Bailey

99 books67.7k followers
New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
Profile Image for CristiinaReads୨ৎ.
597 reviews3,503 followers
August 15, 2019
So the queen Tessa Bailey has come out with yet again... another masterpiece in which concludes of a friends to lovers romance that will have you swooned away with through EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. OF. THIS. BOOK!



We first met Andrew and Jiya in the first installment of the Beach Kingdom series. And the moment Tessa mentioned them, I. WAS. HOOKED! When it comes down to friends to lovers there is no denying that my life for them, it is kind of immense. And when you combine that sub-genre trope alongside the wonders of Tessa Bailey... well...



Do you think I am exaggerating? Oh for sure NO! Tessa is one of those authors that when you read ONE book by her, she because a one-click author. In my case, she becomes an author in which I basically harassed to be her assistant at a book signing happening this August near me. Yup you heard that, she most likely detests me but guess what? I don't care as long as she does not stop writing her magic words I am completely fine being known as an addict to her words... her words only okay? Not her because then, that will just be downright creepy. Right?

Anyways, going back to Andrew and Jiya. SINK OR SWIM is the last installment in this series, and I just want to cry all the rivers and overflow them with my tears. I actually live in Long Island, which is where Long Beach is. I am about 15 minutes away from Long Beach, and let me just say something: I feel like I have spent much more time in Long Beach through Tessa's words then what I actually do in real life. That basically says something about me, which is that I have no life and my life basically consist of just simply reading. Andrew and his brothers, alongside their partners and Jiya live in Long Beach. Jiya and the Prince boys have known each other from a very young age. I guess you could say this story can also be considered a childhood friends to lovers trope. And ever since they were little, Andrew has always felt this protective instinct towards Jiya. They both have known from the start that their feelings towards each other have always been very strong. But like most characters in an angst novel, they don't express them to each other and let obstacles come in the way.



In this case, Jiya is being, not forced per say. But more like pressured to get married and stabilize a family with her future partner. Her parents, who own an Indian restaurant and she helps run as well, have brought possible "partners" in which she has to go on dates and see what she thinks of them. That is when Andrew comes in. With this force of pure jealousy that makes him such an alpha male that makes you swoon over and fall head over heels with. He is also an emotionally broken character because of the past he has with his dead beat father, and as the oldest he has been put in a place in which requires for him to take responsibility and protect those whom he loves. It's very endearing reading in the third perspective what he is thinking, and what his actions have accomplished. But he knows that being with Jiya would become a struggle due to his past. He believes that he is not enough for her, and if she ever finds herself the suitable guy he will be a lucky son of a gun. But the idea of her being with someone else, the idea of her having another guy's wedding ring, the idea of another man touching her? It becomes repulsive to him.
"... he wanted her to soar, wanted her to have the thing she'd always wanted, without her known he'd been responsible for giving it to her - and that kind of selflessness went well beyond friendship. That kind of selflessness was vast and bottomless. It was love..."

There is so much love and tender passion that oozes from this novel, and there is no denying that Andrew and Jiya will slowly make readers fall in love with their selfless story that concludes with always, a happily ever after that Tessa never seems to disappoint. Have you read a novel by Tessa Bailey? If not, then I advise you get on that bag wagon like Y.E.S.T.E.R.D.A.Y. I cannot wait for more readers to find her writing, and for those who have been on her fan wagon to read this novel alongside her future novels!

ARC kindly provided by Tessa in exchange for an honest review...

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Profile Image for Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read**.
1,483 reviews811 followers
September 9, 2019

***2.5 Stars***

Sad and disappointed, your table is ready.

Image result for sad and disappointed gif

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the summer, and it ended up being a melodramatic frustrating mess. I'm so bummed.

After finishing Heat Stroke, I was practically salivating for Andrew and Jiya's book. Best friends to lovers with years of pining...oh yes...YEARS! Their brief scenes together were filled with so much tension and yearning I just knew their book was going to pull at the heartstrings.

Well...unfortunately, it didn't. Not even close.

But before I get into all the ways this book missed the mark for me, let me tell you about the things I loved.

NUMBER ONE....the Prince brothers! Oh, how I love a tight family, especially when it's siblings. And let me tell you...the Prince brothers are ride or die. They always have each other's backs and are ready to jump in to help out in a moment's notice. It's that perfect blend of brotherly ribbing and unconditional love. I adored their relationship.

NUMBER TWO...the heat. I mean, is that a surprise? Tessa Bailey is the queen of dirty talk. And here she brings an added element of Andrew's need to please Jiya. In any way possible. I wouldn't 100% classify it as kink....but it does have a kink-lite feel to it. But even this had some awkwardness to it. Like the author was afraid to just "go there." The writing felt very hesitant.

And I think that's my crux about why this book didn't work for me.

Deep, sad reader sigh. This whole book felt hesitant and unsure. Like the author didn't know how to convey the emotion she wanted without succumbing to teenage-level internal angst, lack of communication, and awkwardness.

I'm just gonna dive right in. These two were melodramatic to the nth degree in their internal monologues....and there were many. Like a whole lot. Like mostly the first 60% of the book.

It was a lot of...

Andrew hadn't seen Jiya since Saturday night and every hour that passed without her, a little more color drained out of the universe until it was a dull steel gray.

It was a couple of days, my dude. People gotta go to work.

Andrew was Shakespearean level "woe is me." He kept going on and on and on and onnnnnn about how he's going to have to see Jiya get married, have babies, live a happy life with another man. Andrew took his martyrdom to whole other level. This was his punishment for the accident that happened years ago when he walked in on his father beating his mother unconscious.

Oh, did I forget to mention that there's this weird, out of place, suspense(ish) element to the story that was awkward and OTT and yet underdeveloped at the same time? Yeah, there's that too. A cop is stalking Andrew and threatening him, his brothers, and Jiya. And is alluding to the fact that he knows what went down with Andrew and his father.

That whole thing felt slapped together and forced for the sake of making Andrew this broody "I don't deserve her" hero....it didn't work for me, at all.

Let me also address that Andrew and Jiya don't really communicate. AT ALL. I'm talking no actual, real conversation for the first 60% of the book. Words are being said. Dialogue is on page. But no conversation is being had. They dance circles around each other. A LOT. It was beyond frustrating.

A little emotion would flair up. They'd run away. A little touching would happen. They'd run away. A lot of touching would happen. They'd run away. Rinse and repeat for most of the book.

All the pining I was waiting for was buried in what felt like neverending, teenage sounding, angsty internal monologue. How miserable they are. How a future without each other is unbearable. The distance between them is a crater of despair. Neither can breathe when not in the presence of the other. Blah, blah, blah...

Also, Andrew talks about Jiya like she's this delicate, precious, and perfect specimen delivered to earth by angels and unicorns. There's pages dedicated to how dirty Andrew feels that he masturbates to the beautiful creature that is Jiya. His dick and hands aren't worthy. If Jiya got so much as a hangnail, Andrew was ready to curse the universe for daring to put her through a hardship that she absolutely did not deserve. It was way too much.

And don't even get me started on the fact that at ALMOST 30 YEARS-OLD, Jiya is a virgin. I'm talking about never even having gotten off with a guy before. And Andrew has been celibate for almost 10 years because he can't imagine touching another woman that isn't Jiya. Seriously?!

Their first time together Andrew slams into her and pounds her into the mattress like they're making a porno. And obviously Jiya's going to have a "holy shit I think I blacked out" orgasm. And of course she's just going to get up like no biggie and walk normal. No soreness or bowleggedness. Okay, sure.

This whole book felt awkward and forced. The potential for a terrific story is buried underneath melodramatic internal angst, two frustrating characters, and awkward pacing.

I'll just sit here crying into my cereal.

*********************************************
FRIENDS TO LOVERS!!!! I've been dying for this book ever since I read Heat Stroke. GIVE ME ALL THE PINING!!!!!!!

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Profile Image for Isabella. R.
1,007 reviews2,200 followers
April 18, 2023
3 Selflessness Stars ⭐️

Andrew Prince and Jiya Dalal have been friends since forever. These two share a kinship that’s been formed from childhood; friendship, love and now attraction. From the very beginning it is evident that their love for each other is mutual. But for unknown reasons, it has remained unrequited and hidden. Jiya is feeling that time is ticking on and that surely her time for happiness is now…

Andrew Prince, lifeguard by day, bartender by night lives for his siblings and the girl next door who stole his heart years ago. But all it took was one night from his past to destroy any chance for future happiness. But oh, how he ached and yearned to be her everything.

"And with one hard decision, he’d lost his chance of maybe, just maybe, calling her his own someday. Don’t look back. Head down, move on. What happened can’t be undone."

Sink or Swim was truly sweet with both characters being so deserving of love. Even though Andrew spent most of his time pushing Jiya away, she was smart and visionary enough to realize that there had to be a good reason for this. Their chemistry was off the radar and their love all withstanding.

"She jabbed the air between them with a finger. “You love me.”

“Yes. God yes,” he growled, his heartbeat whipping into a frenzy. “I love you more than life. I don’t remember a second that wasn’t filled with love and more love and need for you.”


Unfortunately, this book felt a little incomplete. Where I loved the first half of the story with it’s slow burn and underlying sexual tension, the second half fizzled. Andrew’s reasons for keeping his distance were solid, but the way it was dealt with and his ‘particular’ kink were glossed over. I found myself skimming just to get to the good parts.
Profile Image for Lari.
291 reviews68 followers
April 7, 2025
You're telling me the mmc fucked half the world and the fmc was still a virgin at 29???!! Oh, but you say he loved her??
Go fuck yourself, Tessa Bailey. You have a fucking problem!!! I'm glad i found this shit so i can never trust you again.
Profile Image for London.
725 reviews
August 26, 2019
Probably one of the worst hero’s this author has ever written. The worst case of martyrdom syndrome I’ve read in a while too.

When the heroine is away for College Her mother tells the hero about her dating (she wasn’t) and because he was so upset over it he decides to fuck the world. He later decides To remain celibate, which he does for the next 10+ years. But I don’t really give a fucking shit that he was celibate. When she does come back into his life , another six years go by without him trying to initiate anything with her. She’s a 29 years old virgin and really wants a family, kids, etc but like the weak heroine that she is she remains celibate and doesn’t date or anything. She just waits around for years and years for him hoping to death that he’ll finally pursue her. Even after they did have sex, she asks him to ask her to wait for him and not date other men. She’s basically gives him one last chance to tell her he wants her and he doesn’t. Even when he finds out about her getting engaged (semi arranged/family matchmaking) he doesn’t do shit.

Such an awful and weak hero. Even the sex was too weird for me.
Profile Image for Alba and Her Secrets..♥.
954 reviews1,154 followers
August 20, 2019
4.5 'Ask me the question' Stars!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.


If you have read Tessa’s Beach Kingdom books, you’ve been expecting this story since the very beginning. We’ve had teasings of Andrew and Jiya all over the other two books and finally we are getting what we’ve been waiting for: the conclusion of this series with a wonderful friends-to-lovers romance. And of course, queen Tessa Bailey did not fail us!

Sink or Swim is the final installment of Tessa’s Beach Kingdom series following the stories of the three Prince brothers. It’s now time for the oldest, Andrew Prince, and the woman he’s been loving in secret for years: Jiya Dalal. These two have been best friends since they were very young but they also have been pinning for each other in secret for years. Just when Jiya’s beginning to believe Andrew doesn’t want her, something magic happens between them and that is the start of their love story. Will they finally get their happily ever after?

“You’ve got the one remaining shred of my decency protecting you from a messy bang right now, Jiya, but understand that I’d love to be buried so deep I could feel that place where your screams build.”

Obviously, as always, I am extremely excited when it comes to Tessa Bailey realizing anything. She is one of my favorite romance authors and I loved her works for years. This series I also loved because it was focused on three brothers and I was so curious about Andrew and Jiya since the start. And Sink or Swim was definitely what I expected: entertaining, filled with sexual tension, sexy AF and emotional (with even a little of suspense/drama in it). I loved the family interactions and all the moments between Andrew and Jiya. Andrew is so protective and alpha and I loved him! Jiya is the perfect match for him and together they melted my Kindle with their chemistry and feels. I am so happy all the Prince brothers finally got their HEAs!

“We’ve belonged to each other since the beginning of time. I’ve loved him since the day he walked through the gap in our fence.”

Therefore, I am rating Sink or Swim with 4.5 STARS because it was a great conclusion to the Beach Kingdom series, especially with this story that we have been waiting for since we first saw this amazing couple. I loved Andrew and Jiya together, they just are so good for each other and their chemistry was explosive! Yes, Marcus and Jamie are still my favorites though! But again, I really enjoyed the whole series and these characters so if you are a fan of Tessa, you definitely should check these novels out!

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Profile Image for Princess under cover.
617 reviews321 followers
October 23, 2019
I love this author’s style, I do. I love the kind of H/hs she creates. PERFECT men in my view. Which is why after I read about Andrew’s temporary jealousy induced rutting spree, it soured me for the book. See notes below.

I dunno, besides that this whole plot was a bit more convoluted and far fetched than other books which were a lot more grounded in reality. So unfortunately, 3 stars.
Profile Image for Melanie (mells_view).
1,940 reviews394 followers
August 19, 2019
“Don’t think about what we missed, think about how we’re going to have it in the future.”

I didn’t think that the Beach Kingdom series could get any more emotional or steamy, and then Andrew and Jiya proved me WRONG. This life long best friends to lovers read is NOT an easy road, but the angst is good and the tension will have you sweating. Andrew doesn’t think he is good enough for Jiya’s love and Jiya just doesn’t think Andrew loves her the way she loves him. Oh these two. But not so fast, things aren’t as simple as communication, because there are more things getting in the way of their HEA than themselves. In Sink or Swim we find out a little more about Andrew. Things that were hinted at in the first two books, but once you find out you will pass out and want to fist bump him at the same time.

All in all this was a good read and a great wrap up to this series. I cried happy tears, I smiled, I sighed, and I got a little hot and bothered. Can’t ask for more than that.

https://instagram.com/p/B08tnGAASbt/
^fan edit on IG!



Available now!
*ARC
Profile Image for Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile.
2,276 reviews518 followers
August 28, 2019
Spoilers ahead





Andrew and Jiya have been best friends for years with deeper feelings underlying. On the night he planned to ask for more he committed a crime that made him feel unworthy. Jiya left for college and they remained friends. Even when she returned their friendship remained strong and constant for them both, the problem was they both secretly wanted more. Realizing that she was spending her life waiting for Andrew to make a move Jiya starts dating. Andrew knows that he isn't good enough for Jiya and even though it kills him to know she was dating he didn't make a move until one steamy encounter blurs the line of friendship and just when things seemed to be looking up a blast from his deceased father's past turns up and upended Andrew's life.

I like this author's work but thus one was a disappointment with some things I didn't like

There was just too much time spent apart for no damn reason except lack of communication! Andrew seemed to be going for the selfless award but jeeze it wasn't called for dammit!

When Jiya was in college her mother told Andrew she was dating he then proceeded to fuck anything that smiled at him but it only made him feel even more unworthy until he stopped and hadn't had sex in 10 years! I wasn't pleased but I forgave him because 10 fricken years of celibacy!!!

Jiya was briefly engaged and still Andrew didn't make a move, he made himself into this great instead of the Alpha hero who would've fought for his woman

The resolution of the plot. The dirty cop blackmailing them because of their dad was believable maybe but I didn't like that they made a deal with him instead of turning the evidence over to the police even with him having the film's evidence on Andrew.

There were things I did like

Jiya is an Indian. I loved this so hard! And the Indian food and culture sprinked in here made my day

Andrew's devotion to Jiya was a thing of beauty. Yes he was an idiot for not even trying to make a move but man he was DEVOTED to her

The sexy times! Now this author always does outstanding sexy times like nobody's business but Andrew's kink being basically dying to serve his woman was anew one. There were no whips or chains but there's no doubt that he was all about service to Jiya

This was ok and definitely could've been better if only Andrew had fought for the woman he loved. In the end I was disappointed but I'll still keep reading this author

Virgin h
H was a manwhore for a while but he's been celibate for years
No OW/OM drama
Blackmail
Friends to lovers
Domestic violence with Andrew eventually killing his dad
Profile Image for Sharon.
507 reviews317 followers
May 31, 2021
Definitely the worst of the 3 books. To be fair, I hate these kinds of romances anywhere where the girl is pining after a guy forever.

The only think I liked was seeing the other couples from previous books. Olive and Rory were touchy and affectionate as always. And Marcus was ridiculous in a funny, endearing way while Jamie watches on adoringly, as always.

Andrew is annoying. To be fair, I get his concerns considering the crime he did in the past. However, it is annoying as hell that his own self-punishment has held Jiya back. I like Jiya in general – although I would have wanted her to be more assertive. Like, she pined after him for overrrr 10 years (was it 19 years?) – waiting for him to ask her out. Uh, no, thanks.

Also, I hate that there are 2 incidents that royally messed up their relationships. 1 is a convenient coincidence and the other is a misunderstanding that of course serve as plot devices to keep them apart with more angst.


So Idk I still enjoyed the family aspect, but the romance was tortuous – due to convenient coincidences, misunderstandings, passiveness, extended secrecy and guilt when it would’ve been easier to just be honest. They were sweet at times that I wanted to like them, but everything around this romance was too annoying to enjoy the cute times. So idk, I’ll give 2 stars (but really, I mean 1.5) b/c I won’t say I “hate” it but I really did hate certain aspects of this novel.

Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
Profile Image for Tracy  C.
541 reviews39 followers
August 20, 2019
Finally I get to read Andrew's story....and it was worth the wait. Bailey never fails to rev the ole engine with her dirty talking Alphas. Andrew was torturing himself because of his past, trying to stay away form Jiya for her own good. But these two were meant to be and the chemistry is explosive. I loved this whole series!
Profile Image for Sonia.
1,326 reviews2,108 followers
not-for-me
September 29, 2025
Friends to lovers
Manwhore H (but he’s been celibate for a long time now)
Virgin h (whyyyy?!? Her “friend” was clearly not one)

That’s all the info I need to know it’s not for me
Profile Image for Sarah/DragonflyReads.
822 reviews187 followers
August 18, 2019
 photo sinkor.jpg


Andrew and Jiya are EXPLOSIVE in Sink or Swim. The delicious tension between these two best friends is off the charts! I feel like I’ve been waiting ages for this story! Tessa Bailey does not disappoint.

Andrew and Jiya are the epitome of best friends. They both have hidden feelings for each other and for reasons she doesn’t know about, Andrew can’t make it known. Getting their HEA is supremely satisfying, angsty, and hotter than hell!

I adored Tessa’s Beach Kingdom series, and this one caps it off perfectly! We get some great bits from Rory and Olive, Jamie and Marcus, and I just didn’t want it to end!
Profile Image for Anne.
391 reviews69 followers
January 17, 2020
Rounding up to 3 stars is...generous. I anticipated an epic friends-to-lovers story filled with longing and tension and angst and passion. Yet much to my chagrin, Sink or Swim fell on the decidedly sinking side due to Andrew and Jiya's lack of communication, development, and true engagement.

Still, Bailey is adept at crafting humorous scenarios and charming characters. And she is one of the b-e-s-t when it comes to smut. So up I rounded.
Profile Image for Misha.
308 reviews172 followers
February 6, 2022
Bitch!!!! Swoon!! I want to marry into the Prince family— not fair.
Profile Image for The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha).
2,124 reviews361 followers
August 19, 2019
3.5 stars
Sink or Swim is the final book in the Beach Kingdom series and the angst is HIGH. Andrew is, by far, the most serious and dedicated brother and he has forgone his own happiness for years. He has spent his life cleaning up his father's messes and pining for Jiya, his best friend. Jiya waits for a long time for Andrew to make the move, but it never happens and she realizes she has to move on with her life.

As I mentioned, so much angst you guys. Andrew is one seriously tortured guy. He is consumed with Jiya but won't do a thing about it. He won't say anything. I wanted to reach into the book and choke him. I understood he felt that he couldn't risk Jiya being in danger from whatever BS his dad had pulled or being afraid she wouldn't love him back. Dude, grow some balls!! I was really annoyed. However, Andrew is also really good with the devotion and swoon.

He and Jiya had a nightly ritual of talking to each other from their bedroom windows. At the end of each conversation, he would ask "Is there anything I can do for you?" and it totally gave me Princess Bride vibes which I loved. Andrew is very devoted to Jiya and there are some seriously swoonworthy moments.

Sink or Swim started off angsty and I wasn't sure I was gonna stick with it. By the end, I was glad I did because Jiya and Andrew's story was tender, beautiful and hot AF!
Profile Image for Sarah Anne.
1,881 reviews190 followers
May 19, 2022
Representation: Indian American main character, Indian American supporting characters, Gay supporting characters, mlm side couple

Overall: 2-stars

Least Favourite of March 2022
Featured in my blog's March Wrap Up.

I'm not a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope; in fact, it's my least favourite romantic trope. However, Sink or Swim was included in the Beach Kingdom book bundle I purchased, so I thought I'd give it a try.

But I couldn't get over how it took the Hero TEN YEARS to get his head out of his ass. It would've been more forgivable if they were dual virgins but nope, of course, he isn't. I'm done with this idea that it's understandable for a woman to be a virgin at 29 but not a man.

I LOVED the Marcus & Jamie and Olive & Rory cameos. It's a bad sign that those scenes were my favourite in a book that wasn't about either couple.

Overall, Jiya deserved better. It came across that her life was frozen for ten years.

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

Possible Triggers: Yes

Ending:
Profile Image for Mandy.
59 reviews13 followers
August 19, 2019
This was the PERFECT ending to an amazing series! Andrew and Jiya absolutely blew me away, and friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes ever!!! Tessa brought all the emotions with this one....so many yearning, angsty, sweet, dirty, funny feels. I never wanted it to end!

Being the oldest Prince brother puts a lot of pressure on Andrew to take care of business and make sure his loved ones are taken care of. He works hard to keep the family bar busy and heads up the lifeguards during the summer. He’s been in love with his best friend and neighbor, Jiya, since he met her at 10 years old...but he has secrets that keep him from pursuing a relationship with her. He just wants to be a man deserving of her...but he needs to figure a few things out before he’ll feel worthy of being her man.
Jiya has always wondered if there could be more between her and Andrew, but he’s never shown interest. He’s the best man she’s ever known, and their connection is so strong, but she can’t keep waiting around for him to see what’s right in front of him. She decides it’s finally time to start dating and let go of something that’ll never happen...but Andrew decides that he’s waited long enough to set his plans in motion. These two are FIRE together, and once Andrew decided to trust his family with the truth it was amazing to see them all come together to free Andrew from his demons once and for all.

I also ADORED getting more time with Jamie and Marcus as well in this book! And Rory and Olive were so cute! To see these brothers finally unified and finding love was such an enjoyable reading experience. I already can’t wait to reread these Prince brothers over and over!
Profile Image for Pavlina Read more sleep less blog  .
2,434 reviews5,102 followers
August 19, 2019
4 STARS

Another fantastic read, full of sexual tension,drama and steamy moments. Jiya and Andrew's story is intense and sweet!They are both madly in love with each other, but they have no idea what to do about it.They were both friends and they were close.

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐’𝘥 𝘤𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵?”

If you like friends to lovers this is what you need! Sink or Swim was sweet,sexy and fun!Great read for the beach!


 


  
Profile Image for  Leo (Queen of the Rants and Spoilers).
1,148 reviews91 followers
avoid-like-the-plague
August 20, 2019
My shelf is perfect for this garbage. “Avoid like the plague” or more avoid this like a std. I’m sure that’s what the hero have since he decided it’ll be a good idea to have sex with everything while wanting the h. That’s smart, risk getting a std because he’s too much of a coward to ask the twat of the heroine out. And the twat? A 29-30 year old virgin.
Profile Image for Gi's Spot Reviews.
1,145 reviews1,367 followers
August 20, 2019

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1UiXr4okyy/

4 ‘ Ask Me The Question’ Stars

Gahhh, the angst… The believed to be unrequited love… The inner battle between full on ALPHA and the tortured self deprecating male… And most of all the omnipresent, full body and mind scorching, SEXUAL TENSION!!! Sink or Swim is without a doubt an emotional and sexiness overload!!!


This book was one of my most anticipated this year, as Beach Kingdom is without a doubt one of my all time fav series. And these two sure put me through the ringer! The angst and sexual pull between Andrew and Jiya about killed me.

“You’re worth it, Andrew.”
And in that moment, Andrew Prince knew he’d love Jiya Dalal for the rest of his life.

He would only ever be with Jiya, the object of his admiration, affection and lust, within the walls of his own brain.


Andrew and Jiya are indeed the personification of best friends to lovers trope, with how much they adored each other and their growing love ever since they were little kids. Believing to be suffering from unrequited love none of them took a step in that direction, first by pure fear, reservation and then, after a terror happens, in Andrew’s eyes, it was too late, because he would never pull his most precious person, his forever love, to the dark hole he was living. No, not leaving, surviving… And the only thing truly tethering him to the ground was her. Jyia.

I hurt so much for Andrew, being in his mind we could FEEL the helplessness, the desperation, craving and LOVE, so much love and devotion he had for Jiya since their childhood. Something akin of worship, it’s a better description. And for that, his sexual past made no sense for me, and it’s the very reason for which I couldn’t give the full five stars even though I loved this couple. Even if for a short duration and shallow, and even taking into account what led to it, Andrew’s deep seated love and obsession for Jiya would never even consider that – I was kind of blind sided on it, tbh, because it is not something I’m used to from my beloved Tessa Bailey’s heroes once they ‘focus’ on his one – so I felt it completely out of character, even with his ‘explanation’ and the very long devotion after. Specially considering he was the one that NEVER tried taking a step in the direction of more, when he had many years before the event that changed everything along with the chance to ever being with ‘his girl’ in his mind. After that I can understand his fear and helplessness devastation, but he had almost two decades before it to man up, damn it. LOL. So this bit of the past revelation was an character inconsistency to me, because this man was WELL of swoon worthy silent declarations!

The girl was every man’s dream come true. She had been his since moving to Long Beach from India when she was nine, trading the western state of Gujarat for their busy beach town.


Nonetheless, minus that mistep, Andrew character was so rich and emotional it’s impossible not to feel for him. And Jiya… How that girl put us in her corner! So strong but yet unsure, such dreamer, but yet so family devoted, she was a dichotomy between family ‘duty’ and personal dreams, and when she decided enough, I cheered for her!
I would have loved a bit more true couple time after the push and pull came to fruition, but yeah, am a self assumed greedy reader. But worry not because even within the emotional angst and battle, there are plenty of naughty and ‘off the charts’ HOT moments with a lot of dirty talk going on, it is a Tessa Bailey’s after all! ;)

The girl that held his pulpy, bloody heart in her hands.

He needed this girl in the most basic, vital, urgent way.


I can’t believe my beloved Beach Kingdom is coming to an end *sniff*, and wish there was many more characters so we could get even more glimpses of this gang in the future. Ms. Bailey wrapped up this emotional, heart touching and panty melting story love story with a beautiful Epilogue that no doubt satisfies us HEA lovers, but I still wanted more and more of these guys – like I said, greedy reader here – and every so much interaction with Rory and Olive, Jamie and Marcus in this book, and they are indeed very present here, I’m beyond sad to say goodbye to them all, truly bittersweet even with this amazing closure. Can’t wait to see what romantic deliciousness Tessa Bailey will give us next! <3 <3 <3 <3

She wanted more. She wanted what he’d threatened. His soul. After all, he already had hers.

“I love you more than life. I don’t remember a second that wasn’t filled with love and more love and need for you.”



ARC kindly provided by the author for an honest review


For full review with Release Blitz check out my Blog post,
http://gisspotreviews.com/index.php/2...
Profile Image for Skylar.
591 reviews
September 3, 2019
4.5 stars
Whoa Nelly! Jiya And Andrew killed it. Tessa Bailey switched some shit up in this one.
Andrew and Jiya have loved one another since they were kids. Andrew has dirtied his hands in a big way. He'll do anything to protect his next door neighbor from the repercussions. It doesn't stop his obsession, passion, and need for her. Jaya has a dream to fly and Andrew is determined to make sure she does in every way.
Jaya is pretty fucking frustrated that Andrew is never going to make his move. She knows she has to move on, but her heart doesn't belong to her any more. She has a lot of expectations placed on her by her family and some serious decisions to make.
Wow. That sounds pretty sweet and typically angsty enough, aye?
Y'all know that it's not. Drumroll, bitches...
Profile Image for Paloma FC (in my reading era).
341 reviews61 followers
June 30, 2024
Sink or Swim
4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Spicy chapters:

Andrew Prince (MMC) and Jiya Dalal (FMC)

I loved this book. Out of the series, this was hands down my favorite one 🙌 .

Pros:
The love, protection, infatuation, and depth of Andrew's feelings towards Jiya were so pure and palpable, I really enjoyed discovering the depth and layers of their relationship, from childhood friends to lovers ❤️

Cons:
I understand that Andrew didn't want to involve his brother's or Jiya about what he'd done in the past (and the blackmail by the crooked police in the present), but I think that his brothers would always have his back and he should've relied on them more.

What's up with Jiya having never lost her "V" card in her almost 30 years of life, even after having gone to college? I understand that this is a reasonable option for someone who is really interested in staying that way until matrimony since it is a personal choice, but I don't love authors romanticing being a virgin at 30.

Overall, I think that unlike other TB's romance novels, this one had a legitimate reason to keep the MMC Andrew away from wanting to pursue Jiya, even though he was head over heels about her. He'd done something in the past which he wanted to protect her from, and a recurring threat in the presence of a corrupt policeman who was blackmailing him. I give this read a solid 4 stars, I enjoyed it and would recommend!

Happy reading 📚
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