wonderland_wanderer's review
5.0
This book... this freaking book. I don’t even know where to begin with all the things I want to say about this book.
I suppose I should start by saying I don’t normally read Romances. I’ll read books with romance in them but I don’t read romances. My very good friend recommended Spoiler Alert and based on the book summery and her words I decided I’d give it a chance. I had pretty much written this off as a You’ve Got Mail/ hallmark channel movie type story that happened to have a plus size lead and some minor nerdy aspects to it. After finishing the book... I will more than happily eat those words.
Spoiler alert is the story of April, a spunky, bold, confidant geologist who is in her own words fat but who is not defined by her weight or her body. Spoiler Alert is also the story of Marcus, a Hollywood golden boy with so many more layers to him than first meets the eye.
As a plus size nerdy woman (and cosplayer) reading this book brought me to tears on more than one occasion. Seeing April be so unabashedly herself despite many hurtles from both strangers and those closest to her was inspiring. I had connecting moments with Marcus as well but April is honestly something I’ve never seen before in a book, much less a romance, and that’s me. To see someone that looks like me in a piece of media like this is such a strange experience but to see that person find real, true, and honest love not only in and for another person, but for herself just as she is, is so satisfying and reassuring.
I highly recommend this book. It is well written, the cast of characters are lively and believable all with their own distinct personalities, with a variety of representation and inclusion. It is definitely not just a hallmark type story. There is so much depth just waiting below the surface if you’re willing to dig a little.
I suppose I should start by saying I don’t normally read Romances. I’ll read books with romance in them but I don’t read romances. My very good friend recommended Spoiler Alert and based on the book summery and her words I decided I’d give it a chance. I had pretty much written this off as a You’ve Got Mail/ hallmark channel movie type story that happened to have a plus size lead and some minor nerdy aspects to it. After finishing the book... I will more than happily eat those words.
Spoiler alert is the story of April, a spunky, bold, confidant geologist who is in her own words fat but who is not defined by her weight or her body. Spoiler Alert is also the story of Marcus, a Hollywood golden boy with so many more layers to him than first meets the eye.
As a plus size nerdy woman (and cosplayer) reading this book brought me to tears on more than one occasion. Seeing April be so unabashedly herself despite many hurtles from both strangers and those closest to her was inspiring. I had connecting moments with Marcus as well but April is honestly something I’ve never seen before in a book, much less a romance, and that’s me. To see someone that looks like me in a piece of media like this is such a strange experience but to see that person find real, true, and honest love not only in and for another person, but for herself just as she is, is so satisfying and reassuring.
I highly recommend this book. It is well written, the cast of characters are lively and believable all with their own distinct personalities, with a variety of representation and inclusion. It is definitely not just a hallmark type story. There is so much depth just waiting below the surface if you’re willing to dig a little.
gkarla's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I meaan, it was okay. Maybe this isn't my type of book anymore. It was cute but kinda cringy at times tho. I feel like this took me sm time to read lol but it was a cute read.
kbarn97's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
msmathy's review
4.0
3.5 stars. For the audio.
Four stars for the story.
I'm never a fan of secrets, but this author came up with a different way for things to be handled. It wasn't that he lied to her or kept up a premise in his secret identity and as a real person. I appreciate that honesty at least. It's hard to read a story where there isn't some kind of redemption for the adults, in particular the parents, but I appreciated that Marcus and April found one another and a life where they could support one another.
Four stars for the story.
I'm never a fan of secrets, but this author came up with a different way for things to be handled. It wasn't that he lied to her or kept up a premise in his secret identity and as a real person. I appreciate that honesty at least. It's hard to read a story where there isn't some kind of redemption for the adults, in particular the parents, but I appreciated that Marcus and April found one another and a life where they could support one another.
alireads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kampbellia's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful
This novel was a refreshing take on a modern love story. I enjoyed each moment reading it. Quirky, funny, and sweet with a cast of well defined characters from beginning to end. It changed the narrative on several different topics in such a delightful and inspiring way. It was more than an enjoyable read, it was something I will look back on with a smile.
This novel was a refreshing take on a modern love story. I enjoyed each moment reading it. Quirky, funny, and sweet with a cast of well defined characters from beginning to end. It changed the narrative on several different topics in such a delightful and inspiring way. It was more than an enjoyable read, it was something I will look back on with a smile.
sharniandbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I’m sad that this didn’t work for me, because the overall premise is something that I was so excited about.
Things I liked:
- The fandom aspect
- The dyslexia rep
- Plus sized main character
Things I disliked:
- the fact that the main characters didn’t talk to each other. I HATE the miscommunication trope! The characters are suppose to be 40 but have the communication skills of teenagers, it honestly felt like I was reading a young adult book.
- April expecting people to read her mind
Things I liked:
- The fandom aspect
- The dyslexia rep
- Plus sized main character
Things I disliked:
- the fact that the main characters didn’t talk to each other. I HATE the miscommunication trope! The characters are suppose to be 40 but have the communication skills of teenagers, it honestly felt like I was reading a young adult book.
- April expecting people to read her mind
mitsumizushima's review against another edition
4.0
Es una historia entretenida, recuerda a cinder & ella en una versión adulta (+18)
elyana's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the first part of this book more than the second as I struggled to really care about the main characters, but still a cute read.
I won't lie, the parts about "Gods of the Gates" made me chuckle!
Definitely not for anyone who hasn't watched Game of Thrones and/or grew up with fanfiction.
I enjoyed the first part of this book more than the second as I struggled to really care about the main characters, but still a cute read.
I won't lie, the parts about "Gods of the Gates" made me chuckle!
Definitely not for anyone who hasn't watched Game of Thrones and/or grew up with fanfiction.
cosycinephile's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0