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A review by jackie_recommends
Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'll be honest, I have mixed drinks about feelings for this one. On the surface, I love the premise; I love the blatant nod to Vikings and GoT, and the behind-the-scenes aspects with the characters and the show. I also love the representation, both characters are plus-sized/fat, and love their bodies and own their sexuality.
BUT...I wish that content warnings had been included at the start or made more available to arc readers. There is a big ol' trigger warning about 30% through for major fatphobia, body shaming, disordered eating, and toxic work environment. The two main characters are both hired to their roles because they have larger bodies; the tv show execs they work for then decide that between seasons 1 & 2 their characters will have to lose a good deal of weight to show that they've been stranded on a frozen island all alone.
Now, the characters don't actually go through this; the heroine stands up for herself and her costar and threatens retaliation and legal stuff based on her contract if the show execs make them go through with the weight loss. However, a BIG RED FLAG - the hero doesn't stand up for the heroine, and is ready to go along with the execs plans...ew.
ALSO, I don't like the hero. He's got a big old chip on his shoulder from a past relationship, and takes it out on the heroine; the book opens up with the characters having a one night stand, and the heroine clearly isn't expecting or wanting more. The hero, however, obviously is and when he wakes up and the heroine's gone, he takes it out on the heroine, and is an absolute douche to her through that 30% mark.
This is a well-written book, however I really didn't enjoy these facts, and they ruined the rest of the book for me.
BUT...I wish that content warnings had been included at the start or made more available to arc readers. There is a big ol' trigger warning about 30% through for major fatphobia, body shaming, disordered eating, and toxic work environment. The two main characters are both hired to their roles because they have larger bodies; the tv show execs they work for then decide that between seasons 1 & 2 their characters will have to lose a good deal of weight to show that they've been stranded on a frozen island all alone.
Now, the characters don't actually go through this; the heroine stands up for herself and her costar and threatens retaliation and legal stuff based on her contract if the show execs make them go through with the weight loss. However, a BIG RED FLAG - the hero doesn't stand up for the heroine, and is ready to go along with the execs plans...ew.
ALSO, I don't like the hero. He's got a big old chip on his shoulder from a past relationship, and takes it out on the heroine; the book opens up with the characters having a one night stand, and the heroine clearly isn't expecting or wanting more. The hero, however, obviously is and when he wakes up and the heroine's gone, he takes it out on the heroine, and is an absolute douche to her through that 30% mark.
This is a well-written book, however I really didn't enjoy these facts, and they ruined the rest of the book for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia