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edietz22's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
ermunleybooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia and Toxic relationship
ahsokasbookshelf's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall I really liked this book. It was a fluffy romcom that was cute and entertaining and had the right amount of steam. I found the characters likable, the romantic tension was top notch, and I loved seeing a plus size lead! Was the premise of a Hollywood celebrity dating a super fan from the fandom a bit far fetched? You bet. But that personally does not bother me as it added to the fun of the story. I got major Notting Hill vibes from this book, which was super fun!
The cons: I think ultimately this book couldn’t decide how to incorporate some of its heavier emotional themes like the parental relationship issues and the fatphobia. I LOVE seeing a confident plus size lead, but I feel that some of April’s confidence was undercut by how severely and frequently she seemed to react to triggers (some of which were just basic miscommunications that could have been cleared up with a conversation). While April made it clear that she wanted to be loved not despite her body, or because of it, but rather for who she is, the narration often focused on her body size as a complication to their love story. As a plus size person myself, I can absolutely see how for some it could feel incomplete to tell this story without addressing the character’s body type differences and the fatphobia that would come with dating someone in the public eye. But for me it was a little too much. I already know that many people are unkind to those in larger bodies, and so I just don’t want to read about it in my escapism-feel-good-romcoms.
The cons: I think ultimately this book couldn’t decide how to incorporate some of its heavier emotional themes like the parental relationship issues and the fatphobia. I LOVE seeing a confident plus size lead, but I feel that some of April’s confidence was undercut by how severely and frequently she seemed to react to triggers (some of which were just basic miscommunications that could have been cleared up with a conversation). While April made it clear that she wanted to be loved not despite her body, or because of it, but rather for who she is, the narration often focused on her body size as a complication to their love story. As a plus size person myself, I can absolutely see how for some it could feel incomplete to tell this story without addressing the character’s body type differences and the fatphobia that would come with dating someone in the public eye. But for me it was a little too much. I already know that many people are unkind to those in larger bodies, and so I just don’t want to read about it in my escapism-feel-good-romcoms.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Ableism and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying and Emotional abuse
marswritesthings's review
funny
hopeful
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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexual content
ghostlyprince's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Eating disorder and Alcohol
*It is heavily implied one of the main protag's mother had an eating disorderltlmz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexual content
knunderb's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Great read! I loved the chemistry between Marcus and April. And loved the fat representation and an example of a woman who sets firm boundaries and doesn't let others violate them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse
proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Marcus Caster-Rupp is a star in the popular TV show "Gods of the Gates", where he plays the demigod Aeneas. To get rid of his frustration over his character he secretly writes fanfiction anonymously. If someone finds out he’ll get fired.
April Whittier is a geologist and has always hid her fanfiction writing to everyone. But she's decided that hiding is over, and when she posts on Twitter her photo goes viral. Both supporters and trolls comment her plus size and when Marcus sees her picture he asks her on a date to spite her bullies.
I've already read "All the Feels", the second book in the series, but they play out at the same time, so it doesn't really matter in what order you read them.
I really like both characters, and the chemistry between them feels real, although they seem like an ill-matched couple. Marcus isn't only hiding his fanfic writing. He plays a role in public, to make everyone see him as a very handsome, but shallow and not too bright, actor. April is plus size, but proud of her body. I like the positive body attitude, but the author also shows what prejudice and snarky comments they often have to face. Marcus makes sure April knows that he loves her body just the way it is (the sex scenes are VERY explicit - it almost had me blushing in my solitude!).
I've never read fanfiction and don't know much about that world, so those parts I found quite uninteresting. Since this is a romantic comedy it was mostly predictable, but that's no real disadvantage in these kind of books. I'm being entertained for the most part, and Isabelle Ruther does an excellent job narrating. I definitely want to read "Ship Wrecked", the next book in the series!
April Whittier is a geologist and has always hid her fanfiction writing to everyone. But she's decided that hiding is over, and when she posts on Twitter her photo goes viral. Both supporters and trolls comment her plus size and when Marcus sees her picture he asks her on a date to spite her bullies.
I've already read "All the Feels", the second book in the series, but they play out at the same time, so it doesn't really matter in what order you read them.
I really like both characters, and the chemistry between them feels real, although they seem like an ill-matched couple. Marcus isn't only hiding his fanfic writing. He plays a role in public, to make everyone see him as a very handsome, but shallow and not too bright, actor. April is plus size, but proud of her body. I like the positive body attitude, but the author also shows what prejudice and snarky comments they often have to face. Marcus makes sure April knows that he loves her body just the way it is (the sex scenes are VERY explicit - it almost had me blushing in my solitude!).
I've never read fanfiction and don't know much about that world, so those parts I found quite uninteresting. Since this is a romantic comedy it was mostly predictable, but that's no real disadvantage in these kind of books. I'm being entertained for the most part, and Isabelle Ruther does an excellent job narrating. I definitely want to read "Ship Wrecked", the next book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
julia51's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexual content
renpuspita's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I read one of this book's review that stated the story feels like a self-insert pairing with Nikolas Coster-Waldau (you know, Jamie Lannister) and..somehow I agree. Heck, Marcus full name, Marcus Caster-Rupp kinda rhyme with Coster-Waldau, lol. I really, REALLY want to love Spoiler Alert. I bought the book because I like the cover, the representation of plus size woman since I'm myself also fat too, the premise that seems interesting despite I'm not that familiar with fanfiction world. However, April kinda grated my nerves. For a woman age 36, a same age with me when I read this book, she acts like a teenager or in early 20-ish when it's come to her treatment to Marcus. I got that her low self-esteem issues come from fat-shaming that she received from her parents, but I hate that mostly she assumed things regarding Marcus's act to her.
At first, when Marcus invite April to do a workout and she bristled, she internally accused Marcus based on her own interpretation without try to confirm with him first. Then, when April want Marcus to accompany her in her family home but Marcus choose with her estranged father instead in a ploy to protect her feelings, April getting hurt because again..assuming things even she said it's her own fault. Girl, this is a con-rom not a science fiction, please communicate properly since April and Marcus are adult in their latest 30-ish. Don't expect your significant other can guess your thoughts if you don't talk to him. When it's come to the climax in which Marcus confess that he's April's fanfic best friend, Book!Aeneas Would Never, I just feel tired with the drama. Marcus think that he's a drama queen, while the actual drama queen is April.
I also dislike how Marcus try to protect April's feeling. Reading how he' try to be careful regarding of what he will said or will act toward April make me stressful because I KNOW how it's feel to be Marcus. How you always second guessed your actions regarding your loved ones's feeling, since you scared that you will hurt them since their egos apparently as fragile as a glass. I know that both Marcus and April comes with so much emotional baggage and the trust between them is a thing that hard to be earned. I just don't like how it was written because what Marcus try to do best for everything hit too close to home. A funny thing because at first I think I will relate to April because our sameness in physical matter and how I too often got fat-shaming with people around me, but turn out that I feel sympathetic more toward Marcus. As for how Marcus portrayed to be a feminist and a green flag man walking bordering to "too good to be true" category it's can be perceived as author's wish fulfillment and I don't mind it. This book is clearly a fiction and we need some escapism in our fiction. Although, I agree with a reviewer that state that Marcus's identity as fanfic writer is sketchy as best. Like..if I find an actor suddenly become part of my community fandom I will really freaked out.
Despite the characters weaknesses, I did enjoy the fanfic parts since I'm not familiar with it. I also liked that April is a geologist consultant since I once studied geology in my civil engineering class, although I wish the geology parts will be explained more but seems like Dade want to focus to April as a fans of the show Gate of Gods. I also think some of criticism toward the final season of Gate of Gods that derived from the source materials might be mirrored the fans frustration feelings towards last season of Game of Thrones. I'm not watching GoT (yet), but I knew the disappointment that ensues. The steamy sex scenes are well written and I can said that it's one of the plus point of this book. Dade sure knows how to write a scorching hot sex scenes, phew. Although...yeah, things proceed so fast since you can said that what happen to Marcus and April can be considered as an insta-lust at first, so if you love your romance to be a slow burn sadly this book didn't have it.
Next book is about Alex Woodroe and I do like his devil-may-care attitude. But, since I feel that Spoiler Alert is just a so so and some part irritated me so, better to not have a high expectation for book 2 and 3 (that I already bought 🥲).
At first, when Marcus invite April to do a workout and she bristled, she internally accused Marcus based on her own interpretation without try to confirm with him first. Then, when April want Marcus to accompany her in her family home but Marcus choose with her estranged father instead in a ploy to protect her feelings, April getting hurt because again..assuming things even she said it's her own fault. Girl, this is a con-rom not a science fiction, please communicate properly since April and Marcus are adult in their latest 30-ish. Don't expect your significant other can guess your thoughts if you don't talk to him. When it's come to the climax in which Marcus confess that he's April's fanfic best friend, Book!Aeneas Would Never, I just feel tired with the drama. Marcus think that he's a drama queen, while the actual drama queen is April.
I also dislike how Marcus try to protect April's feeling. Reading how he' try to be careful regarding of what he will said or will act toward April make me stressful because I KNOW how it's feel to be Marcus. How you always second guessed your actions regarding your loved ones's feeling, since you scared that you will hurt them since their egos apparently as fragile as a glass. I know that both Marcus and April comes with so much emotional baggage and the trust between them is a thing that hard to be earned. I just don't like how it was written because what Marcus try to do best for everything hit too close to home. A funny thing because at first I think I will relate to April because our sameness in physical matter and how I too often got fat-shaming with people around me, but turn out that I feel sympathetic more toward Marcus. As for how Marcus portrayed to be a feminist and a green flag man walking bordering to "too good to be true" category it's can be perceived as author's wish fulfillment and I don't mind it. This book is clearly a fiction and we need some escapism in our fiction. Although, I agree with a reviewer that state that Marcus's identity as fanfic writer is sketchy as best. Like..if I find an actor suddenly become part of my community fandom I will really freaked out.
Despite the characters weaknesses, I did enjoy the fanfic parts since I'm not familiar with it. I also liked that April is a geologist consultant since I once studied geology in my civil engineering class, although I wish the geology parts will be explained more but seems like Dade want to focus to April as a fans of the show Gate of Gods. I also think some of criticism toward the final season of Gate of Gods that derived from the source materials might be mirrored the fans frustration feelings towards last season of Game of Thrones. I'm not watching GoT (yet), but I knew the disappointment that ensues. The steamy sex scenes are well written and I can said that it's one of the plus point of this book. Dade sure knows how to write a scorching hot sex scenes, phew. Although...yeah, things proceed so fast since you can said that what happen to Marcus and April can be considered as an insta-lust at first, so if you love your romance to be a slow burn sadly this book didn't have it.
Next book is about Alex Woodroe and I do like his devil-may-care attitude. But, since I feel that Spoiler Alert is just a so so and some part irritated me so, better to not have a high expectation for book 2 and 3 (that I already bought 🥲).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying