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A review by ratetheromance
At First Spite by Olivia Dade
slow-paced
3.5
AT FIRST SPITE had a stop-me-in-my-tracks scene that I am still thinking about a week after finishing the book. Despite that emotional impact, this book ended up being just an OK read for me.
On the positive side, I love that Olivia Dade hits all different notes when she writes plus size/fat lead characters. In AT FIRST SPITE, Athena's weight is mentioned indirectly, but is otherwise a non-issue. While a lot of romances rightly spend time exploring the complexities of body positivity both within the MC and those who come in contact with them, it was refreshing reading a romance where this body type just....was.
This book also hit a perfect and very respectful, but unvarnished look, at what an episode of Depression looks like. Just like the writing on weight. this writing had no heavy-handed or strong definitive value judgement on a bout of depression. It just...was. I loved that a lot.
Now, to the rest of the book, I found the writing style really odd. It read like a Classic Lit novel in language and structure. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it felt really disparate to me. I'm sure some readers will really love this aspect of the writing style, but I failed to connect with it.
And while these main characters had really likable moments, I struggled to like either of them for most of the book. Athena seemed incredibly immature throughout the entire story and Matthew was frustratingly bland to me.
But the spicy scenes were fantastic! Can't end a book review without discussing the spice. Despite the great chemistry and spice, I couldn't get past her previous relationship. Again, maybe just me, but romances with i-had-lots-of-sex-with-your-brother-now-i'm-sleeping-with-you just make me feel a bit icky. Not sure there's even a way to write it that wouldn't skeeve me out a bit.
AT FIRST SPITE is a good book that just didn't resonate with me, but I am certain a ton of other readers will love it.
SPICE: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
CW: past death of sibling, parent estrangement, depression
FEELS: 4/5 - Tackled some seriously tough topics.
On the positive side, I love that Olivia Dade hits all different notes when she writes plus size/fat lead characters. In AT FIRST SPITE, Athena's weight is mentioned indirectly, but is otherwise a non-issue. While a lot of romances rightly spend time exploring the complexities of body positivity both within the MC and those who come in contact with them, it was refreshing reading a romance where this body type just....was.
This book also hit a perfect and very respectful, but unvarnished look, at what an episode of Depression looks like. Just like the writing on weight. this writing had no heavy-handed or strong definitive value judgement on a bout of depression. It just...was. I loved that a lot.
Now, to the rest of the book, I found the writing style really odd. It read like a Classic Lit novel in language and structure. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it felt really disparate to me. I'm sure some readers will really love this aspect of the writing style, but I failed to connect with it.
And while these main characters had really likable moments, I struggled to like either of them for most of the book. Athena seemed incredibly immature throughout the entire story and Matthew was frustratingly bland to me.
But the spicy scenes were fantastic! Can't end a book review without discussing the spice. Despite the great chemistry and spice, I couldn't get past her previous relationship. Again, maybe just me, but romances with i-had-lots-of-sex-with-your-brother-now-i'm-sleeping-with-you just make me feel a bit icky. Not sure there's even a way to write it that wouldn't skeeve me out a bit.
AT FIRST SPITE is a good book that just didn't resonate with me, but I am certain a ton of other readers will love it.
SPICE: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
CW: past death of sibling, parent estrangement, depression
FEELS: 4/5 - Tackled some seriously tough topics.