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aprilyvonne's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
“Spoiler Alert” by Olivia Dade was a really fun read. I don’t know why I’m always so hesitant to read romance, but I’m slowly being won over apparently. This novel was full of funny, spicy, and intelligent characters. The book delved in many important topics such as fat shaming, learning disabilities, sexism, beauty standards, problem parents, and the quirkiness of fanfic. I can’t say I ever got into reading fan fiction, but this read sparked my interest a little.
At times, I felt like things moved along too quickly with our main characters. Yet, that was also part of the charm - a whirlwind romance between a tv star and fan does make for a good story. Even the combination of a tv series based a book series based on Greek Mythology as part of plot added a lot of layers that a reader would appreciate.
Overall, I enjoyed this much more than I anticipated - not because I thought it wouldn’t be good. But, it contained relatable struggles and toxic views in society that should be addressed. There was a lot of spice, in case that’s a reason for some of you to read it or avoid it. Just keep in mind there’s some sweet mixed in as well. Lol
Oh, and I loved the main character’s name!! ☺️
Happy reading! 📚
“Spoiler Alert” by Olivia Dade was a really fun read. I don’t know why I’m always so hesitant to read romance, but I’m slowly being won over apparently. This novel was full of funny, spicy, and intelligent characters. The book delved in many important topics such as fat shaming, learning disabilities, sexism, beauty standards, problem parents, and the quirkiness of fanfic. I can’t say I ever got into reading fan fiction, but this read sparked my interest a little.
At times, I felt like things moved along too quickly with our main characters. Yet, that was also part of the charm - a whirlwind romance between a tv star and fan does make for a good story. Even the combination of a tv series based a book series based on Greek Mythology as part of plot added a lot of layers that a reader would appreciate.
Overall, I enjoyed this much more than I anticipated - not because I thought it wouldn’t be good. But, it contained relatable struggles and toxic views in society that should be addressed. There was a lot of spice, in case that’s a reason for some of you to read it or avoid it. Just keep in mind there’s some sweet mixed in as well. Lol
Oh, and I loved the main character’s name!! ☺️
Happy reading! 📚
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny
rmgoldberg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Body shaming
epsyphus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
A very cute romance with a good dose of body positivity and boundary setting. Also a good depiction of the kind of amazing community fandom offers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Eating disorder
bethanycrowepowell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
This tropelicious romance marries fandom escapism with intensely felt angst in a sweet (if well-spiced) fast read.
I am a fan of Talia Hibbert's Brown Sisters books, and found a great companion to them in this series, launched by our fabulous fat cosplaying heroine April and dyslexic fake-Hollywood-himbo secret fic-writer Marcus. I enjoyed the fact that even while trope-aware some of the turns in their relationship that are so clearly mapped out by good drama writing were delivered on fully. I'm a sucker for alter egos as romantic rivals, and the angst of having kept a big secret (of the alter ego) was on point.
Good fun, with neat representation that grappled with real world issues in a nuanced way.
I am a fan of Talia Hibbert's Brown Sisters books, and found a great companion to them in this series, launched by our fabulous fat cosplaying heroine April and dyslexic fake-Hollywood-himbo secret fic-writer Marcus. I enjoyed the fact that even while trope-aware some of the turns in their relationship that are so clearly mapped out by good drama writing were delivered on fully. I'm a sucker for alter egos as romantic rivals, and the angst of having kept a big secret (of the alter ego) was on point.
Good fun, with neat representation that grappled with real world issues in a nuanced way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, and Body shaming
Our heroine knows she's taking a risk posting her cosplay, but it's never treated as foregone conclusion that she gets online hate for it. She grapples with parental body shaming from a standpoint of having worked hard to accept herself but having to draw boundaries to protect herself. Her partner is always affirming, and she confronts folks in her fandom about fatphobic tropes in their writing to mostly positive responses. This series represents different levels of comfort and acceptance of bodies and neurodiversity, which I appreciate, and while Marcus and April both deal with unaccepting parents, other protagonists deal with different kinds of emotional baggage. I love when an author is thoughtful on a level of their body of work, not just at a book level.lcronin0815's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
This is the second book I have picked up by Olivia Dade and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance. I love the plus size representation and the conversations around it were ones that I could relate too. The story was sweet and despite reading her books technically out of order, I had a great time and didn’t feel like I was lost or rereading the plot of her second novel in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Sexual content
merlesstorys's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Honestly, I had big hopes, especially because of April.
But this book was mediocre, if even. The characters were alright and though their storylines were okay, the spark did not reach me.
This is 1) because of the obvious use of Gods if the Gates as a carbon copy of GoT when it comes to fan response. 2), the implementation of librettos and fictional fanfics were not so nicely done (at least in the German translation, which I read).
In general, the characters felt kinda flat with the premise and the "plot twist" at the end also being implemented lazily to say the least.
But this book was mediocre, if even. The characters were alright and though their storylines were okay, the spark did not reach me.
This is 1) because of the obvious use of Gods if the Gates as a carbon copy of GoT when it comes to fan response. 2), the implementation of librettos and fictional fanfics were not so nicely done (at least in the German translation, which I read).
In general, the characters felt kinda flat with the premise and the "plot twist" at the end also being implemented lazily to say the least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
hannelovestoread's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
abslibros's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
The premise is cute but the male lead was somehow too flawless- to the point he had me rolling my eyes at some points. As a fat person, I was excited going into this book!- but I found Marcus to boring and dreamy for my taste. But you know what, fat people also deserve cheesy romance books with unrealistic male leads- just be sure to know that’s the vibe going in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
maggies's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I can't believe I slept on this book...possibly because I'm not a fanfic writer or reader, but maybe I should be! Such a refreshing story, with characters who actually have and enforce boundaries, communicate effectively (no ridiculous miscommunications here!), and understand the benefit of therapy. I could swoon, it was so lovely. Fair warning though: the writing style read, by my untrained eye, like fanfic itself. I didn't mind it so much in this context, but I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it in any other book that wasn't so heavy on fandom/fanfic plot. The very end was also a bit out of left-field for me, given there had previously been no references to Little Red Riding Hood, and then all of a sudden they're role-playing as Grandma and the Wolf??? Weird but not worth docking a star lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Ableism
Minor: Stalking
dancinglemur17's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Bullying