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shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse and Bullying
sarah_the_reviewroom's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Spoiler Alert has left me feeling somewhat...bemused.
The story basically revolves around fan fiction which I knew would be included from the synopsis but I didn't expect it to take over the entire story. I would've definitely liked this book more with less of a focus on fan fiction, it basically turns into 400 pages of dissing Game of Thrones' final season - the constant comparisons to GoT and real-life actors was really jarring and pulled me out of the story.
There are also excerpts of scripts and fan fiction at the end of every chapter, personally, I don't think they added anything to the story. Most of them were cringey and I ended up skipping them after a while.
The main characters Marcus and April are alright, I did like them together and the spicy scenes were good. They're supposed to be 40 and 36 but that just doesn't fit with the way they behave, the miscommunications are constant! Literally, every problem they come up against could've been resolved with a good old chat first, April had the tendency to fly off the handle for something Marcus said or did but he's not a mind reader - there was literally no way Marcus could've known April would be triggered.
They both have problematic parents and their own issues which leads to some pretty good body positivity rep, there's also dyslexia content but I don't know enough personally to comment on if that was well done or not.
All of the issues aside, I did actually enjoy reading this book. I finished the bulk of it in one day so something was clicking with me but I'm not really sure what that was! It's a low 3 stars for me, but I do want to read the sequel, I'm hoping that'll have less of a focus on fan fiction.
The story basically revolves around fan fiction which I knew would be included from the synopsis but I didn't expect it to take over the entire story. I would've definitely liked this book more with less of a focus on fan fiction, it basically turns into 400 pages of dissing Game of Thrones' final season - the constant comparisons to GoT and real-life actors was really jarring and pulled me out of the story.
There are also excerpts of scripts and fan fiction at the end of every chapter, personally, I don't think they added anything to the story. Most of them were cringey and I ended up skipping them after a while.
The main characters Marcus and April are alright, I did like them together and the spicy scenes were good. They're supposed to be 40 and 36 but that just doesn't fit with the way they behave, the miscommunications are constant! Literally, every problem they come up against could've been resolved with a good old chat first, April had the tendency to fly off the handle for something Marcus said or did but he's not a mind reader - there was literally no way Marcus could've known April would be triggered.
They both have problematic parents and their own issues which leads to some pretty good body positivity rep, there's also dyslexia content but I don't know enough personally to comment on if that was well done or not.
All of the issues aside, I did actually enjoy reading this book. I finished the bulk of it in one day so something was clicking with me but I'm not really sure what that was! It's a low 3 stars for me, but I do want to read the sequel, I'm hoping that'll have less of a focus on fan fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
mswarning's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, and Fatphobia
Minor: Bullying
epically_bookish's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Such a cute and fun read with wonderful lead characters! All in all, really enjoyable and worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Emotional abuse
alyssancoon's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
I think this might be the first book I read where a fat woman is proud of herself exactly as she is. This book is also an excellent example of setting strict boundaries with parents, which is amazing. All around I loved it. Spice 4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Fatphobia
cheye13's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
These characters felt so real and complete, and watching them fall into a relationship was a privilege.
I was a little annoyed by the inserts between chapters - I liked the concept, but would have preferred they stay more on-theme; I would've loved if the interludes were only "excerpts" from the source materials (the novels or the scripts), or if they were only examples of their fanfiction, but the mishmash of past DMs, fics, and unrelated scripts just felt haphazard. I also felt like the ending was cut short; for a couple who seemed so good at communicating, I found it unsatisfying that the "resolution" was not just between the two of them.
I was a little annoyed by the inserts between chapters - I liked the concept, but would have preferred they stay more on-theme; I would've loved if the interludes were only "excerpts" from the source materials (the novels or the scripts), or if they were only examples of their fanfiction, but the mishmash of past DMs, fics, and unrelated scripts just felt haphazard. I also felt like the ending was cut short; for a couple who seemed so good at communicating, I found it unsatisfying that the "resolution" was not just between the two of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Ableism
Minor: Violence and Bullying
Bullying is in context of cyberbullying-style responses to April's appearance, mentioned only in passing; Violence is in context of fictional violence in Marcus's television show.rae_bookmarkchronicles's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I really liked this story but have to admit that I was a little annoyed with how each of the main characters got in their own way. I totally understand April's hesitation but you can't bring past baggage into new relationships and she never gave Marcus the chance to elaborate on the initial comment that caused her hesitation.
Marcus on the other hand continued to lie to April knowing that she had trust issues and yeah I get hat he had concerns but once they became official he have told her. It would have eliminated all of the conflict which to me felt unnecessary.
But the chemistry between them was really great and I love them together
Marcus on the other hand continued to lie to April knowing that she had trust issues and yeah I get hat he had concerns but once they became official he have told her. It would have eliminated all of the conflict which to me felt unnecessary.
But the chemistry between them was really great and I love them together
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Bullying
mandaraffe's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Eating disorder
apollo0325's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
I’m trying to read more books that have fat MCs or love interests, and Spoiler Alert is the first of many of those and Olivia Dade’s work.
Dade does an excellent job of giving all of her main characters unique characteristics and even though it was written in third person, Marcus and April had unique enough thoughts that I could tell who it was without being told (helped when I kept jumping in and out of reading this if I stopped mid-chapter like a madman). She also makes sure we clearly care about our main characters and their personal frustrations/trauma were real and relatable. I’m glad it wasn’t nothing far-fetched as to why Marcus puts up a front or why April is ready to throw hands 24/7. I respect that though. ✨ Go off, queen. ✨
Also, the other big thing I loved? When April and Marcus had a miscommunication, April acknowledged that the miscommunication was on her!! Wow!!! A healthy romance where they actually communicate!!! Who would have thought that could exist?! We love to see it.
Really, this was a fun romance, and I love both April and Marcus. They’re so charming and their fun quips and banter made it feel so much more real to me. I enjoyed their interactions immensely.
Edit: I FORGOT TO ADD but I genuinely loved the fact the entire cast is comprised of adults. People in their 30s and 40s, and I’m glad the two MCs were also older. It’s such a nice change of pace from high schoolers/college aged characters.
This is hella personal preference, but the only reason why this isn’t a 5 star read for me was because of the immense amount of sex scenes. I know they were there to illustrate Marcus’s unequivocal attraction to April, but at some point, I was just like “can we please get back to the drama, okay ty ty.”
Anyway, I’m excited for the next installment because I love Alex and I can’t wait for his and Lauren’s shenanigans.
Dade does an excellent job of giving all of her main characters unique characteristics and even though it was written in third person, Marcus and April had unique enough thoughts that I could tell who it was without being told (helped when I kept jumping in and out of reading this if I stopped mid-chapter like a madman). She also makes sure we clearly care about our main characters and their personal frustrations/trauma were real and relatable. I’m glad it wasn’t nothing far-fetched as to why Marcus puts up a front or why April is ready to throw hands 24/7. I respect that though. ✨ Go off, queen. ✨
Also, the other big thing I loved? When April and Marcus had a miscommunication, April acknowledged that the miscommunication was on her!! Wow!!! A healthy romance where they actually communicate!!! Who would have thought that could exist?! We love to see it.
Really, this was a fun romance, and I love both April and Marcus. They’re so charming and their fun quips and banter made it feel so much more real to me. I enjoyed their interactions immensely.
Edit: I FORGOT TO ADD but I genuinely loved the fact the entire cast is comprised of adults. People in their 30s and 40s, and I’m glad the two MCs were also older. It’s such a nice change of pace from high schoolers/college aged characters.
This is hella personal preference, but the only reason why this isn’t a 5 star read for me was because of the immense amount of sex scenes. I know they were there to illustrate Marcus’s unequivocal attraction to April, but at some point, I was just like “can we please get back to the drama, okay ty ty.”
Anyway, I’m excited for the next installment because I love Alex and I can’t wait for his and Lauren’s shenanigans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit
Lots and lots of fatphobia. That’s kind of the crux of the narrative and a big part of April. Explicit sex scenes (on a scale of 1-5, 5 being the most detailed and based off of my experience as someone who has read A LOT of erotic fanfiction, it’s a solid 3.75)