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librarybookfamily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
5/5 spicy level (Monster erotica bookclub)
Big focus on depression.
Hate to love. Small town.
Big focus on depression.
Hate to love. Small town.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death
Depression at its darkest. Lots of sex, including monster erotica. Child dies due to medication over dose.kellyjcm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
This defied my expectations, and I was initially quite reluctant to read it due to early marketing? discussion? I'm not sure. Whatever I heard made me think it featured a love triangle, then an unredeemable hero, etc. I even heard on a recent Fated Mates episode it featured a virgin hero, which further muddied my thoughts. And I LOVED all of Olivia Dade's books in the Spoiler Alert trilogy. So not exactly sure where my hangups originated, but I wasn't planning to read it until a book club pick made the decision for me.
I LOVED it. It's funny, it's spicy, it's sweet, it's emotionally mature. It has two MCs over the age of 35. No love triangle. The FMC's body size - not a plot point.The virgin hero thing - not a big deal. It comes up once during their first time. And it has PINING for days. I cannot wait for more in this Harlot's Bay series (absolutely phenomenal name).
I LOVED it. It's funny, it's spicy, it's sweet, it's emotionally mature. It has two MCs over the age of 35. No love triangle. The FMC's body size - not a plot point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Death and Grief
pie_rogue's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, and Grief
juffnstuff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Medical content, and Medical trauma
arwenaardbeienstruik's review against another edition
4.0
One of the most realistic portrayals of depression i have seen in a romance novel which is the reason that it gets 4 stars. If i would solely judge on the romance i would not rate it this high. The romance was not very much romancing; the chemistry between the main characters wasn't really there. At the beginning of the book could also be a lot shorter, i often felt bored. If i objectify look at the romance i can say it's cute and the groveling from the mmc was top tier, but god i missed the tension. It just felt flat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
monicalaurette's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
No one with a good heart is a failure.
Hi my name is Monica and I am a very big fan of Olivia Dade and literally broke my buying ban to get this book. The concept I was not fully sold on but I knew Dade's writing would be enough for me to enjoy it and it WAS!
Athena and Matthew were both so complex individuals and together were able to fit into the little spots left by their lives and the people around them. I wanted more of their journey but excited to see who else comes into Harlot's Bay and earns a place in my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Medical trauma
Minor: Child death
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I was iffy on this one until an emotional support chicken made an appearance in a used bookstore. Then I was somehow all in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
lowkeymarie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, and Abandonment
leebee1776's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
If Olivia Dad has one fan it’s me, if Olivia Dade has no fans I’m dead. Olivia Dade has quickly become my favorite contemporary authors, and in my options has revolutionized the way fat bodies are portrayed in the romance genre. First Spite in now firmly in my number #1 position of favorite Olivia Dade book. I’m a sucker for a small town romance but the community of Harlots Bay is a place that I would kill to leave in. It’s filled with a fleshed out and interesting history, (I loved seeing Dade put to use her MA in History… perhaps one day she will venture into historical romance?) and a lovey diverse cast of characters. And reading about how this community really help support a love story between two lonely and lost people was so touching and I can’t wait for more in this universe!
Dr. Matthew Vine the third is not the perfect man, but he is perfect to me. He is so loyal and devoted, and I can’t get over the way he was OBSESSED with Athena. Like the scene where he tore off his shirt and gave it to her so she could hold the chicken had me squealing. I’m was also really pleasantly surprised to see that he was a virgin. I’m this genre there are very few male main characters who are virgins or lose there virginity later in life, and I felt like this was great representation.
Although I do love Olivia Dades unapologetically fat characters, her Spoiler Alert series talked a bit about fat phobia and fat bias which makes sense since the tv/movie industries is full of it. But I thought it was so refreshing that this book had Athena living in a setting that was much more body neutral. There are the moment where Athan struggles to fit into the tight spaces in her home, but no one ever makes her feel less then for her size. Athena is a smock hot babe and everyone knows it.
Another thing that really stuck to me was the mental health representation I thought the way this book dealt with both grief and mental health was so gentle and made me as a reader who has struggle with anxiety and depression feel seen and not shamed.
Overall this book 10/10 would recommend to lovers of competmory romance, plus size representation or any romance reader who wants a sweet funny story which has some deep moments.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Child death
bookphenomena_micky's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Headlines:
Trope ick
MH rep
Character depth
There is lots I liked about this book and then things like context, trope and timings that I struggled with in this new series starter from Olivia Dade. My heart pretty much sank when I started reading this and realised we were going to have a kind of love triangle involving two brothers. It's more complex than that with engagements, break-ups and houses but still it was somewhat icky to me from the off.
What saved this book and kept me reading were the individual characterisations of Athena and Matthew (even though I struggled with them together). I really liked both characters and the depth with which they were crafted. The depression representation was very good but do not talk to me about the timing of the connection in relation to this depression...
The friendship between Matthew and Athena was worth the read but I didn't like much about their sexual connection. I couldn't stand the other brother and the debacle of the houses was meant to be quirky but seemed so unlikely to me.
So as you can see, such a mixed bag but I will give the next one a go.
Thank you to netgalley for this eARC.
Trope ick
MH rep
Character depth
There is lots I liked about this book and then things like context, trope and timings that I struggled with in this new series starter from Olivia Dade. My heart pretty much sank when I started reading this and realised we were going to have a kind of love triangle involving two brothers. It's more complex than that with engagements, break-ups and houses but still it was somewhat icky to me from the off.
What saved this book and kept me reading were the individual characterisations of Athena and Matthew (even though I struggled with them together). I really liked both characters and the depth with which they were crafted. The depression representation was very good but do not talk to me about the timing of the connection in relation to this depression...
The friendship between Matthew and Athena was worth the read but I didn't like much about their sexual connection. I couldn't stand the other brother and the debacle of the houses was meant to be quirky but seemed so unlikely to me.
So as you can see, such a mixed bag but I will give the next one a go.
Thank you to netgalley for this eARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death