Scan barcode
halfelfschollar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
This was a joy to read from start to finish! The characters are loveable and I found myself relating to both leads as a fat woman and someone who has struggled with dyslexia my whole life. Reading this book was an absolute pleasure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Ableism
jucolo's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
This was a great book, I can't recommend enough. This book proves that romcom-esque stories can be emotionally impactful, thoughtful AS WELL AS somewhat spicy. The spice in this (considering it's not published on AO3) is pretty good.
I also loved that the story centered around important and nuanced conversations around fatphobia, neurodivergence, fanfiction/fandom culture and parental relationships.
I want to emphasize that there may be triggering content in this book (which I go into below), but those triggers don't preclude the story from being thoughtful and caring for its characters. Oftentimes, I feel that with romance-type books, the triggers we list are because the author is engaging with certain problematic tropes (which, I will still read; I'm not judge-y). With Spoiler Alert, however, this is not the case. The triggers here portend well-crafted, three-dimensional character building. These characters have complicated histories, but they are both striving to do better and work on themselves. The triggers don't arise from shoddy writing, but rather from in-depth conversations on crucial topics. Unbelievably refreshing.
I also loved that the story centered around important and nuanced conversations around fatphobia, neurodivergence, fanfiction/fandom culture and parental relationships.
I want to emphasize that there may be triggering content in this book (which I go into below), but those triggers don't preclude the story from being thoughtful and caring for its characters. Oftentimes, I feel that with romance-type books, the triggers we list are because the author is engaging with certain problematic tropes (which, I will still read; I'm not judge-y). With Spoiler Alert, however, this is not the case. The triggers here portend well-crafted, three-dimensional character building. These characters have complicated histories, but they are both striving to do better and work on themselves. The triggers don't arise from shoddy writing, but rather from in-depth conversations on crucial topics. Unbelievably refreshing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Child abuse
The MC is fat. Dade (the author) does a good job (IMO) in explaining why "fat" isn't a negative word without the story feeling like an infographic. She handles conversations around fat liberation well. It was refreshing to have an MC who looks like a real person. It was especially refreshing for the lead guy (noted for being stereotypically Hollywood handsome) to find the MC sexy/hot/beautiful. This is what SHOULD be happening in books. We see it happen in real life, for crying out loud! I tagged for fatphobia becausebisexualwentworth's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Note to self: do not read books without reading the description first. I don’t know why I did that with this one, but it meant I was surprised by a lot of things at the beginning.
Ultimately, I thought this was a book with a super intriguing concept and some good scenes and elements but ultimately lackluster execution of a lot of it.
I appreciated the body positivity and the treatment of Marcus’s dyslexia. I especially liked when April called out fatphobia in the fandom and he responded as BAWN. That was maybe the part of the book where I actually cared about their relationship the most.
Overall, I thought that the characters’ online friendship was much more compelling than their actual relationship, and I spent a lot of the book wishing that they’d both been celebrities or both been normal fans. I know that some aspects of the books wouldn’t have worked at all with that change, but the inherent power dynamic that came from him knowing so much more and keeping so much from her for so much of the book made it kind of hard to root for them.
Also, Marcus is SO MUCH more developed as a character than April is. I’m realizing that this is pretty typical in straight contemporary romances, but I don’t love it.
Alex was an interesting side character. I’d almost be willing to read the second book for more of him. I didn’t like how his ADHD was blamed for anything he ever did wrong, though.
The whole concept of the Gates of the Gods show basically being Game of Thrones but make it the Aeneid made me scream a lot. In both good and bad ways. It was wild.
Ultimately, I thought this was a book with a super intriguing concept and some good scenes and elements but ultimately lackluster execution of a lot of it.
I appreciated the body positivity and the treatment of Marcus’s dyslexia. I especially liked when April called out fatphobia in the fandom and he responded as BAWN. That was maybe the part of the book where I actually cared about their relationship the most.
Overall, I thought that the characters’ online friendship was much more compelling than their actual relationship, and I spent a lot of the book wishing that they’d both been celebrities or both been normal fans. I know that some aspects of the books wouldn’t have worked at all with that change, but the inherent power dynamic that came from him knowing so much more and keeping so much from her for so much of the book made it kind of hard to root for them.
Also, Marcus is SO MUCH more developed as a character than April is. I’m realizing that this is pretty typical in straight contemporary romances, but I don’t love it.
Alex was an interesting side character. I’d almost be willing to read the second book for more of him. I didn’t like how his ADHD was blamed for anything he ever did wrong, though.
The whole concept of the Gates of the Gods show basically being Game of Thrones but make it the Aeneid made me scream a lot. In both good and bad ways. It was wild.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Ableism
killianshea's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Ableism, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Magical. Absolutely magical. A sensitive man both in touch with his feelings and aware of social issues. Adorable fluffy fan fiction snippets. Lovable side characters for both fun and future books. Childhood truant that is actually countered with a healthy setting of boundaries. Over the top fan fiction centered drama. Pure joy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
The ableism tag references Marcus’ dyslexia and significant childhood trauma from years of home schooling without a diagnosis.kpem's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Ableism
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexism
bryelle'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Super cute rom com of two friends to lovers. The main characters know each other anonymously on fan fiction message boards. Then they end up going on a date in real life. The two have past trauma of being emotionally abused from their parents and learn to come themselves and each other together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Ableism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, and Body shaming
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
gingerale06'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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Ableism and Emotional abuse
Minor: Eating disorder