Reviews with content warning for Medical trauma - All the Feels

In All the Feels, Olivia Dade unapologetically puts her fat, selfless heroine in the spotlight with a famous and disgustingly attractive man as her enthusiastic love interest.

This book was such a fun read and a welcome departure from its current peers in the contemporary romance genre. Dark/tortured/serious men seem to be in favor at the moment with romance readers, but damn if Alex Woodroe doesn’t make me change my mind. He is so joyously ADHD and cares about others so fully and without hesitation. Not to mention his very kinky taste in fan fiction for HIS OWN GODDAMN CHARACTER. It’s a breath of fresh air or rather a gulp of fresh air after laughing too hard.

Wren’s character is oh so relatable, both as a fat woman and as someone who has perfected the art of making themselves less than for the benefit of others. Wren’s character struggles felt authentic and were portrayed with care. I sincerely appreciate the message that Wren doesn’t need someone to always defend her, but instead learns that she is WORTH defending herself.

While I value the narrative of supporting domestic violence victims, it came across a bit heavy handed and misguided at times. Alex’s guilt over

his mother’s abusive relationship

makes sense given his lack of understanding about DV. But, with the exception of the auction, it felt like his charity support was more like throwing his money at the issue instead of being a voice and actually learning about what DV is and the work that goes into helping victims. It would’ve been so good to have a scene where Alex takes Wren to one of the shelters he supports and they get the chance to interact with people there. Building a stronger connection between his charity work and Wren’s ER clinician background could’ve further established a common ground and sensitivity between the two.

I’m a little disappointed that we don’t get a scene with Wren confronting

Ron

. It would’ve been lovely to get closure there and see Wren come full circle with one of her childhood bullies.

Overall, this was a hilarious, unique, and big-hearted romance that makes room for people with different bodies and minds. Dade’s message is clear: you are worthy of love and ALL the good things this life has to offer. Period.

Content Warnings

tiannakelly's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

kayladaila's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

kcbookshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book is something special. I think I preferred Spoiler Alert on the whole but I definitely felt like there were more messages and more moments where I was proud of the characters. The personal development of both Alex and Lauren was deep, emotional, and heartwarming! The only reason I didn’t give it the full 5 stars was because there was a bit, around their sex scenes I guess, that it felt like it dipped. The sex scenes were good, didn’t take away anything from the story, but I was definitely at a point where I was ready for the two of them to start wrapping up their story, but I knew I still had a good hundred pages left. That said, I tabbed quite a bit for a romance novel and I wouldn’t definitely recommend to everyone!

The best way for me to describe it is that it is special, honest, and worthy!

I don’t know too much about ADHD but I felt like the representation was just. Alex’s character was full of energy but also you felt the pain, understood the other symptoms, could figure out his train of thought. It was truly well-rounded. Then to have a character that has dealt with abuse at her work place, ultimately getting burnt out, whilst also having dealt with comments about her appearance from people throughout her whole life… it was refreshing for them to both be proud of themselves, to know what’s best for their bodies (even if they don’t always stick to it) and to discuss that with one another. Granted, there are complications, but it was lovely to see their “flaws” (as they would be in a lot of other books) not be flaws at all. They were simply a part of them, part of their personality, part of their drive. And it wasn’t a huge part of the plot either, it aided it perfectly!

The conversations of body image, abuse, domestic abuse, ADHD, fat phobia, mental health, and struggling friendships were dealt with with heart, care and still remained lighthearted.

By the end I felt warm, comforted, and proud. Both of the fictional characters and the real characters in my life (myself, my friends, my family) who have dealt with similar things. It has left me with an outlook that I already had but now understand ways to word it and deal with it.

From your shrewish sister from another mister…

BIG HARPY ENERGY FOREVER

Content Warnings

More...