Scan barcode
amzlyn's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism and Fatphobia
luckykosmos's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I need to just admit to myself that I don't enjoy books about fandom, and that's that. Don't get me wrong, I love fandom and talking about it with my friends. This feels dated, with notes of "I like your shoelaces"/"Thanks, I stole them from the president" - showing off terms for the sake of showing off. It made the prose drag, especially when it got to pegging as a plot point. Teehee, it's funny, we get it, I guess. It was just boring to read.
Moreover, I read this book for the plus size rep, and had to face the sad reality that just because the representation is there doesn't mean it it relatable. I was hoping to read a book about a woman proud of her size, and while the disappointment isn't that she had internalized trauma from this - far from that, because April facing her trauma was one of her most likeable moments - the way it subsumed her personality did make her unlikeable. While I understand the idea because having her cut off Marcus because of a misunderstanding, thinking he was judging her for her weight, the way it was introduced made her come off as paranoid and self-absorbed. I wanted so much to root for her, but the author's constant hammering of "she is fat, therefore she is hated" in an otherwise lighthearted book was a drag. I understand having trust issues as a major character flaw that she needs to work on, but it wasn't a satisfying conclusion.
I'm happy for the people that did relate to this, and I'm happy they got something out of this that I didn't. All that means is there need to be more books about plus size leads - ones where they are celebrated and where they are unabashed about the space they take up, as well as the ones that try to address the trauma. This just wasn't the one for me.
Moreover, I read this book for the plus size rep, and had to face the sad reality that just because the representation is there doesn't mean it it relatable. I was hoping to read a book about a woman proud of her size, and while the disappointment isn't that she had internalized trauma from this - far from that, because April facing her trauma was one of her most likeable moments - the way it subsumed her personality did make her unlikeable. While I understand the idea because having her cut off Marcus because of a misunderstanding, thinking he was judging her for her weight, the way it was introduced made her come off as paranoid and self-absorbed. I wanted so much to root for her, but the author's constant hammering of "she is fat, therefore she is hated" in an otherwise lighthearted book was a drag. I understand having trust issues as a major character flaw that she needs to work on, but it wasn't a satisfying conclusion.
I'm happy for the people that did relate to this, and I'm happy they got something out of this that I didn't. All that means is there need to be more books about plus size leads - ones where they are celebrated and where they are unabashed about the space they take up, as well as the ones that try to address the trauma. This just wasn't the one for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
albon's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
emsim's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Fatphobia
renrose03'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
cristinareading's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism and Fatphobia
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)ladygagita's review against another edition
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
a cute, earnest, and fun love story! i enjoyed how the book handled characters insecurities without letting them dominate every scene. i thought the fanfic community was really sweet and definitely highlighted some of the positive impacts that fandom can have on people. april and marcus were a good couple and i was rooting for them! i will definitely be reading the sequel :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Ableism and Body shaming
kylieqrada's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
4.5 ⭐s. It took me way too long to finish this one. I started it on audio in the spring and had to return it to the library when my loan expired. When I fell into the Great Romance Reading Marathon of 2021, I checked it back out again, this time on ebook. It didn't take long for me to remember why I was loving this book. While I don't adore the fame trope, Marcus as a hero definitely works for me. The characterization of both Marcus and April is so multidimensional and rich, and I loved seeing the dyslexia rep along with Olivia Dade's classic body diversity. The fandom elements were really fun and not cheesy at all, and the non-romance plot threads, especially the family drama, made me feel all the things. Love love love this book and love Marcus and April together. Plus this book is v v v spicy for those of you who like to get down with the sickness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, and Mental illness
jane_carey's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
08/01/2021-08/02/2021
Book CWS: Fatphobia, Body Shaming, Ableism, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Content
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I'm gonna be honest when I say this isn't a book I thought I would enjoy. However I am pleasantly surprised. This felt like a weird explicit mix of 'Alex, Approximately' by Jenn Bennett and Brooklyn 99? I really liked the positivity of this book on so many levels. It celebrated all sorts of people and was so light I felt like I was floating while also tackling pretty large issues sensitively. I liked how most of the time the characters were able to deal with their emotions instead of shutting down and getting broody. And it sounds cheesie but this book made me feel seen and that means a lot to me. All this being said and my enjoyment of the book aside I have a few critques because unfortunately I'm kind of a hater. I dont want these critiques to take away from the story and the important message in this (People of all shapes can be loved!!). These are just tiny things that annoyed me.
1. The was good diversity and rep in this book on most parts but the racial diversity felt a little lacking.
2. I didn't completely understand the show and stories which was really key to the story so I was a little lose most of the time. I feel like the development there could have been a bit better.
3. Earlier I said they dealt with their problems well most of the time, I want to add emphasis on most. Some times it just got annoying. These characters are in their mid to late thirties but sometimes it felt like they were early twenties or some shit.
4. The relationship was kind of fast paced and I just wanted to add that in case you're looking for a slow burn (most of it happens off-page)
5. Some of the Fanfic stuff came across REALLY cringey, like I had to put the book down for a second cause I was having a full on cringe attack. (I was worried the whole book would be cringey so the fact that it was only a few times is nice)
6. THERE WAS A GODDAMN PUBLIC LOVE CONFESSION AT THE END. I hate those motherfuckers. That's one of the main reasons 'The Spanish Love Deception' by Elena Armas didn't really do it for me. It's so embarrassing like ugh no thank you.
7. Not as much of a complaint just a weird thing. There was a scene in the epilogue where April and Marcus are doing the nasty while Little Red Riding Hood role playing so that messed with me a bit. I feel like that didn't have to make the cut.
8. Not a complaint at all but They kept mentioning pegging and for some reason everything it threw me for a loop..
⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
08/01/2021-08/02/2021
Book CWS: Fatphobia, Body Shaming, Ableism, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Content
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I'm gonna be honest when I say this isn't a book I thought I would enjoy. However I am pleasantly surprised. This felt like a weird explicit mix of 'Alex, Approximately' by Jenn Bennett and Brooklyn 99? I really liked the positivity of this book on so many levels. It celebrated all sorts of people and was so light I felt like I was floating while also tackling pretty large issues sensitively. I liked how most of the time the characters were able to deal with their emotions instead of shutting down and getting broody. And it sounds cheesie but this book made me feel seen and that means a lot to me. All this being said and my enjoyment of the book aside I have a few critques because unfortunately I'm kind of a hater. I dont want these critiques to take away from the story and the important message in this (People of all shapes can be loved!!). These are just tiny things that annoyed me.
1. The was good diversity and rep in this book on most parts but the racial diversity felt a little lacking.
2. I didn't completely understand the show and stories which was really key to the story so I was a little lose most of the time. I feel like the development there could have been a bit better.
3. Earlier I said they dealt with their problems well most of the time, I want to add emphasis on most. Some times it just got annoying. These characters are in their mid to late thirties but sometimes it felt like they were early twenties or some shit.
4. The relationship was kind of fast paced and I just wanted to add that in case you're looking for a slow burn (most of it happens off-page)
5. Some of the Fanfic stuff came across REALLY cringey, like I had to put the book down for a second cause I was having a full on cringe attack. (I was worried the whole book would be cringey so the fact that it was only a few times is nice)
6. THERE WAS A GODDAMN PUBLIC LOVE CONFESSION AT THE END. I hate those motherfuckers. That's one of the main reasons 'The Spanish Love Deception' by Elena Armas didn't really do it for me. It's so embarrassing like ugh no thank you.
7. Not as much of a complaint just a weird thing. There was a scene in the epilogue where April and Marcus are doing the nasty while Little Red Riding Hood role playing so that messed with me a bit. I feel like that didn't have to make the cut.
8. Not a complaint at all but They kept mentioning pegging and for some reason everything it threw me for a loop..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, and Fatphobia