Reviews with content warning for Sexism - Spoiler Alert

I really loved this book. If you know me, I'm not a huge romance novel person (I usually prefer it in other forms for whatever reason), but this one won my heart (and when I read the author's note and saw it was basically a Braime fix-it (I kind of saw that anyway) I loved it even more).

This book follows our two main protagonists; Marcus - an actor from a well-known GoT-like TV series (it's an Aeneid retelling), and April a geologist. Both of them are involved in the Gods of the Gates fandom - writing and reading fanfic, going to cons, part of an online community...when April, who is fat, posts a picture of herself cosplaying on of her favorite characters from the show on twitter, and gets hate for her body, Marcus asks her out on a date, and things go from there.

The writing was well done, pacing was pretty good and I loved the dual perspectives we got with excerpts from fanfic, DMs and scripts for extra immersion.

The plot was pretty much what I mentioned above and primarily follows their relationship with each other, but also with their parents and coworkers.

The setting was really great. Most of it takes place in CA in various ways, but it was also great seeing the fandom things. Clearly the author has been involved in fandom life in the past because it was some of the best fandom representation I've arguably ever seen - from the servers to the toxicity, to fawning over the actors, complaining about content, fanfic, all of it. That aspect was one of the things that drew me to the book in the first place.

Finally, the characters. I really loved both April and Marcus, flaws and all. They're both highly flawed characters, but that's what made it feel real. Both of them have a lot of baggage from their pasts that cause some bumps along the road of their relationship, and overall I really love how that was handled. Several of the side characters were also great, but the book was primarily about April and Marcus and their journey. The fat representation was really strong, I didn't always love how it was executed, but that doesn't mean it was bad by any means, it was some of the best I've seen in books and done in a really respectful way (and it might be own voices?). I also liked the dyslexia representation. That's not something that always makes an appearance in books, or is done well. Here, it was both and I really appreciated it.

I had a few issues with the book like the lawyer stereotyping (very much a personal thing) and classics stereotyping (also very personal thing), but it was pretty minor, so it didn't detract from my experience much. Finally, some aspects of their relationship got under my skin from time to time, but that mostly goes to the flawed characters thing. They didn't always make the best life choices. Also I should say, if you're not a fan of smut, or steamy romance scenes, this might not be the best choice for you.

All in all, this was a fantastic read, and one I struggled to put down. I'm definitely going to reread it again in the future.

Content Warnings

memorable's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.75

This is one of those books that you can’t put down yet you don’t want it to end. It had me laughing, almost in tears and it definitely did something to my heart. This is just so pure! And so important! All people regardless of their size are to be loved!
I loved both April and Marcus, their vulnerability, but also their fierce behaviour to set boundaries and to stand up for each other. And also the fanfic storyline is definitely something the younger part of myself can still identify with.
The only thing I didn’t love as much as the rest was the stretched and very public ending; that was simply a bit too much for my taste. Other than that, I loved it!
It’s definitely not the last time that I’ve read this book and I guess I gotta get the paperback as well, since this cover is just stunning!

Content Warnings

ourxstorybegins's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Warnings

brokenlightdances's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

5.0

This book brought me so much joy as a fat woman with a deep love of fanfics

Content Warnings

candidceillie's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

planreadrepeat's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Content Warnings

bookstolivewith's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Y’ALL. I am obsessed with Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade. Like stayed-up-until-2am-to-finish-reading obsessed.

April Whittier, confident geologist, and Marcus Caster-Rupp, world famous actor, have been BFFs on a fan forum for years, but they have no idea of each other’s real identities. But then Marcus asks April out via Twitter after an ugly fan dispute, having no idea who she is. When he finds out that this same woman has been his touchstone for years, will he reveal himself to her, potentially ending his Hollywood career, or will he keep up the double persona and try to have the best of both worlds?

This is the perfect book for anyone who has dabbled into fanfiction, fan cons or fan forums. (Guilty as charged — seriously, though Anne of Green Gables fanfiction is where it’s at.) This is a perfect book for anyone who has struggled with their appearance or insecurities and found comfort in a fictional world. This is a perfect book if you just want to read about some hot, swoony, sexy moments.

I think what I found most loveable about Spoiler Alert was the inherent realism in what is kind of a crazy star-crossed lovers type of story. April & Marcus are both older, which is super refreshing as someone in her mid-20s with no romantic relationship in sight, and also gives credence to the idea that you never have to age out of being a fan. Also, this might be TMI but there’s finally a sex scene with a sensible bra whose cups can’t be just pulled down at a moments notice and that you can’t feel a nipple through! Like, I’ve got big lady boobs and those flimsy bras that everyone is ripping off as soon as sex starts are a pipe dream as far as I’m concerned. So thank you Olivia Dade, for putting sexy realism back in the bedroom!

I am sure there are critiques to be made or things I’m overlooking but long story short, I loved it. It made me feel butterfly-filled. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade is out on October 6th and I can’t wait to see what she does next!

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