A review by craftyhilary
At First Spite by Olivia Dade

emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

Athena, in her late 30s, has never quite settled on her path in life. With multiple graduate degrees and a string of short employment stints, she falls for and plans to marry handsome and charming pediatrician Johnny Vine. That is, till Johnny's older brother, Matthew, persuades him otherwise. While Johnny jets off on Athena's dream honeymoon, on Matthew's dime, Athena moves to Harlot's Bay and into the spite house that shares a wall with Johnny's house and, unexpectedly, an alley with Matthew's. Understandably furious, Athena immediately goes on the offensive with Matthew, but he's not quite the man she thought he was, and vice versa.

Sparkling with Olivia Dade's signature wit, this is a surprisingly funny novel for one with such heavy themes (
grief over the death of sibling in childhood, depression, feelings of abandonment, and low self-worth
) and relationship angst. Those felt a little bit incongruous with the rom-com set-up, and I felt like the
depressive episode and Athena's serious issues
were dealt with a bit too neatly with
some pills and a little therapy
, but I felt like the ending was earned.

Extra points for a hilarious cast of local weirdos, lots of librarians, and the fact that monster-f*cking erotica was a major plot point. Oh, and healthy diversity, and a generously proportioned heroine whose body is not an issue for her or for anyone else (and a hero who loves her curves without fetishizing them).
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