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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I really enjoy the not-so-subtle digs at "Game of Thrones" throughout this book. I like that the MMC and FMC are not your typical drop dead gorgeous, perfect bodied hero and heroine. However, does it really need to be constantly pointed out that the two love interests are fat?
There are many more examples.
It would be nice if we could normalise characters having different characteristics than what is 'standard' in romance books, but when it's constantly referred to then it just seems gimmicky. Which is ironic because one of the quotes about the FMC describes exactly that:
In this story, the only time their 'fatness' is actually relevant is when they are asked to lose weight for the show and she refuses. Other than that, it is a non-issue. Or it would be if it wasn't constantly referred to.
What can I say. It bugged me.
"Like him, she was fat, with a rounded belly and a soft chin."
"... odd that the showrunners chose fat actors for characters not specified as fat in the source material.."
.."I'm especially delighted because fat acceptance is a passion of mine..."
"..why else choose two fat actors for characters stranded on a chilly, desolate, windswept island for years?"
"...publicity you've received for casting fat actors on your show?"
There are many more examples.
It would be nice if we could normalise characters having different characteristics than what is 'standard' in romance books, but when it's constantly referred to then it just seems gimmicky. Which is ironic because one of the quotes about the FMC describes exactly that:
"Again and again, she'd used her moments in the media spotlight to advocate for more films starring fat people that had nothing to do with fatness."
In this story, the only time their 'fatness' is actually relevant is when they are asked to lose weight for the show and she refuses. Other than that, it is a non-issue. Or it would be if it wasn't constantly referred to.
What can I say. It bugged me.
HIGHLY recommend this *steamy*, well-written, character-driven romance. PHEW, some of these scenes!!! I had the best time reading this, it was my first Olivia Dade book and will now be buying all her others!
I loved reading about two actors and seeing behind the scenes a little into the acting/filming process. I also lowkey want to watch the show they were filming haha.
I loved reading about two actors and seeing behind the scenes a little into the acting/filming process. I also lowkey want to watch the show they were filming haha.
I… hmm.
I liked the first part of this a lot. LOVED the beginning, sauna one-night-stand. Fan of the fat rep and everything badass about Maria. (For real would she be my friend)
The bit on the island was fairly interesting (how do tv?) and it was sweet to see the other relationships develop. It did not seem to have quite enough pining. (Six years???!!) but maybe I’ve just been reading too much fan fiction.
Then they got together and I was like, well, shit, something still has to Come Between Them because there are Rules of the Genre and that’s when I kind of lost interest - because they had demonstrated their ability to be Adults and so to know that a break was coming was … annoying?
I did think that the break, when it did come, was not totally unexpected and handled pretty well. Ditto with the reconciliation.
I did also think of a friend’s critique of Spoiler Alert when I was reading this which was that April is a boss ass bitch and Marcus is just some guy? Hit him with your car? And I think sadly Peter is the same way. Maria is AMAZING and Peter is just… some guy.
But I did like it! 6.5/10.
Also Reedton sounds like the kind of last name I would have made up for a shitty “novel” I would have written in elementary school (bonus points for a first name of “Lisa” I had this thing idk), I don’t think it makes a lot of sense linguistically to have the dt like that and every time I had to read it it was jarring.
I liked the first part of this a lot. LOVED the beginning, sauna one-night-stand. Fan of the fat rep and everything badass about Maria. (For real would she be my friend)
The bit on the island was fairly interesting (how do tv?) and it was sweet to see the other relationships develop. It did not seem to have quite enough pining. (Six years???!!) but maybe I’ve just been reading too much fan fiction.
Then they got together and I was like, well, shit, something still has to Come Between Them because there are Rules of the Genre and that’s when I kind of lost interest - because they had demonstrated their ability to be Adults and so to know that a break was coming was … annoying?
I did think that the break, when it did come, was not totally unexpected and handled pretty well. Ditto with the reconciliation.
I did also think of a friend’s critique of Spoiler Alert when I was reading this which was that April is a boss ass bitch and Marcus is just some guy? Hit him with your car? And I think sadly Peter is the same way. Maria is AMAZING and Peter is just… some guy.
But I did like it! 6.5/10.
Also Reedton sounds like the kind of last name I would have made up for a shitty “novel” I would have written in elementary school (bonus points for a first name of “Lisa” I had this thing idk), I don’t think it makes a lot of sense linguistically to have the dt like that and every time I had to read it it was jarring.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
Ship Wrecked was such a fun read. I loved Peter and Maria! They were both stubborn assholes, but they were also idiots in love. I loved the slow burn romance (over six years 🫠) where they got to be really good friends and work colleagues before diving headfirst into a relationship.
One thing I loved about Maria specifically, was that she was so ready to fight and advocate for more acceptance of fat people in the entertainment industry. I loved just how unapologetic she was for taking up space and using her voice to push for more body diversity. Also, the friend group/found family that came out of the tv show cast and crew was fantastic. And in all honesty, I could read about these characters endlessly. But I desperately wish we got another book about Carah and Summer falling in love. They were so cute in the epilogue of this! Ship Wrecked is getting 5 stars from me 🥰.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny
Moderate: Infidelity
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
I think most of my quibbles with this book are from my personal preferences with romance novels. I’m much more of a fan of the slow burn rather than the lust-at-first-sight story. The book also includes a 6 year time jump, so we don’t have the chance see how how their relationship (and pining) grow. I also didn’t quite buy how the issues that kept them from their happily ever after were resolved. But I enjoyed our main characters, especially Maria’s matter-of-fact bluntness, and it was fun seeing were everything fit into the overall Spoiler Alert universe.
Received an ARC through goodreads
Received an ARC through goodreads