Romcom lovers rejoice, your new fave has arrived! This is an absolute utter delight!!! Aptly named, All the Feels as I laughed, cried, found myself angry at times, and fell in love with the characters.

I didn’t realize this is the second book in a series and now I can’t wait to read the first one. This can definitely be read as a standalone, but I probably would’ve liked Marcus’ character even more had I read the first book.

Go grab your copy today!!

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. First of all, look at that cover! Finally, a cover artist said, "look, a clinch is nice, but have you seen a hot guy in a Henley roll up his sleeves?", and I am here for that. It might sound cheesy, but All the Feels literally gave me all the feels. Alex is hilariously delightful, and he and Lauren play off each other so well that I laughed out loud several times, Their gradual, slow burn romance was beautiful, and I did almost cry near the end. (Which I did not appreciate at all, since I was trying to sneak in a few more pages while getting ready for work.) This book took me on a ride, and I loved almost every minute of it.
What I love about Olivia Dade's writing is that the characters feel so real, that the fantasy doesn't seem out of reach. Because let's face it; most of the women in the world are not skinny supermodels, and having a character who looks like a normal person be the heroine of a celebrity romance can feel like a far reach. When a gorgeous man with great forearms looks at an average woman and tells her that she's the hottest woman he's ever seen, that is validating. Alex and Lauren are both nice people with completely realistic flaws and baggage, and they talk about them and make plans to deal with them like full-grown adults! This book is filled with nice people, great banter, some very steamy moments, and so much fanfiction.
The only real flaw in this book is that it needs to be read as the second book in a series. (Which should not be a hardship, because the first book is great too.) There were a few scenes and people that needed to be fleshed out a bit more, simply because the bulk of those scenes also happened in the first book from a different perspective. While you can read and understand what is going on without it, it misses some of the seasoning and character development. Otherwise, this is a fun and emotional read, and I loved this OTP so much. Also, I think I need to go track down a Big Harpy Energy shirt.

All The Feels gave me all the feels. Olivia Dade weaves funny, warmth and just the right amount of conflict. A lovely follow up to Spoiler Alert. Events in the book follow the timeline of Spoiler Alert for the first half, so read that one first.

Alex Woodrow is a talented and passionate actor with baggage. He also has ADHD which Dade captures in a real and nuanced way. Dade captures his Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, thought processes, impulsivity, hyper focused attention and much more. Its a very realistic portrayal. I loved also how he works very hard to care for himself during the demands of his acting career. Alex is also a surprise sweetheart. With baggage and so much love for his mom and friends.

Lauren is so likable and wonderful. A therapist with a family feeding into bully tendencies. Lauren gets roped into helping her cousin, Ron, while on a vacation in Spain. She was suffering from burn out after thirteen years as an ER therapist. I love Lauren and relate to her so much. Loves to help others but doesn’t remember how to stick up for herself and what she deserves.

Overall this is a wonderful book about choices, being good to yourself and helping others. You will love all the journeys Alex and Lauren take. I really love this series. I was expecting an over the top actor, pegging and an uptight handler. That is not this book at all! VERY SLOW BURN here my friends. Totally worth it for this relationship!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #NetGalley #oliviadade #allthefeels

I love the writing style of this author. She writes the perfect amount of description, allowing room for imagination. I love that. I can also tear through her books.

I will say that the troupe of the bigger girl getting the guy is a hard one for me. I don't like that it is central to this book, in that, Lauren's size is really harped on throughout. That is a hard thing for me to get into. I had a difficult time getting into this book.

In the end, I'm glad I did. I really liked the story despite it's flaws. I would definitely read it again and will recommend it!

I am publishing this review today on Netgalley, Instagram @Mzcookzbookz, and on Amazon.

One of the highlights of my last year (and life?) was reading Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade. As someone who has spent countless hours on fandom message boards and in various fan communities, it felt revelatory to get to experience a piece of art where fans were celebrated as well as those online spaces where people can find each other.

I was so happy to learn that Alex and Lauren’s story would be Dade’s follow up and even happier when NetGalley and the publisher granted me an opportunity to read an advanced copy of All the Feels in exchange for an honest review. And honestly? I really enjoyed it. Dade’s writing is SO good and Alex is just adorable. Lauren is his perfect foil and their banter and tension ramp up was just as much fun to read as the 🌶🌶🌶.

All the Feels picks up almost parallel to the events of Spoiler Alert and…uh spoiler alert but even knowing some of what takes place really doesn’t take away anything from the absolute riotous fun, sexy ride that this book is. There is pathos and friendship and love and TROPES. So many tropes!

Even if you aren’t a fan of romance or *cough* Game of Thrones *cough* I really think this book is for anyone looking for a great time, wonderful characters and a meaningful story. Upon reflection, the ending doesn’t hold up entirely as well for me as the beginning of the book, but I still loved so much of it and look forward to anything else Dade wants to write in this universe in the future.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon books for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

Pre-read thoughts: My first Olivia Dade I’m equal parts scared I’ll be disappointed and scared it’s going to cause a dent in my pocketbook when I go on a backlist binge read.

Post-read thoughts: I’m going to cut into Christmas money to buy all the books in Olivia Dade’s backlist. Literally, if anyone is asking me what I want for Christmas it’s book money. Because this story tells me I’ve been missing out. Let’s talk about the book title because I truly experienced ALL THE FEELS while reading this story.

Our players, our actor Alexander Woodroe and his newly appointed minder, ER therapist Lauren Clegg. Alex shouldn’t need someone to eagle eye him, but after a recent incident at a local bar the showrunners want to make sure he doesn’t ruin their ramp up to the final season of the hit show Alex stars in. Lauren just needs a break from her job and took this gig since her cousin is a director. Watching Alex comes with some perks like a paycheck nearly triple what she usually brings in, plus staying in accommodations Lauren could only dream about… even if she’s stuck with the most attractive, ludicrous man.

Alex is swoony worthy. He’s A LOT, but in all the best ways. He’s got some challenges, but at his core is a born hero. He also has a fanfiction addiction. As he and Lauren interact, he finds the woman to be fascinating, helpful, and completely the opposite of what he expected. Especially, when he starts falling for her. Lauren isn’t a skinny stick woman and bless her she knows it. But she has so much appeal, from her ability to read situations and sticking to her word at all times.

Watching these two fall for each other is so damn sweet, fun, and laughter-inducing. Emotionally, this book took me on a rollercoaster that I’d happily ride over and over. I eagerly devoured this in just a few hours. It kept me up far too late, I didn’t want to put it down, and ended up having to look up a few terms in relation to fanfiction that I never knew. The best books teach you things, even if those things make you question your hard limits.

Overall, if you’re looking for a book that will make you smile, your heart ache, and the joy tears gather All The Feels is the book for you. Perfect for readers who enjoy Lucy Parker.

~ Landra

I loved Spoiler Alert and was so excited to read this book! This one just wasn’t quite it for me. While it was still well written, the chemistry just wasn’t there for me. I also really just didn’t like the male main character and that kind of ruined it for me. Again, well written, not bad, was just hoping for something as good as Spoiler Alert and didn’t get it.

I was so excited to read this one and I wasn’t disappointed!

The writing was intelligent and SO funny. Within the first couple of chapters I found myself laughing out loud. More than funny, however, the characters in this book are so unbelievably real that I was in awe of them and sometimes in pain for them. Wonderful, strong Lauren and sweet, annoying Alex were both people I’ve known and people I’ve been at times. The way they learned about each other and themselves throughout their relationship was so relatable that I felt that same tether described in the book between myself - the reader - and these characters. Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2021 and one I’ll be pushing onto - er, recommending to - all of my friends!

Alex is a charming puppy dog of a man. Mischievous, relentlessly playful, and unaware of personal boundaries. He’s the type of book hero I never knew I wanted. He’s impulsive and reckless, but he’s also kind and generous and unpretentious and delightful. He’s unapologetically who he is, and not at all Alpha or self-conscious.

I like how there is no insta-love or even insta-attraction in this story. Lauren and Alex may be drawn to one another, but it’s not attraction or fondness for a long time. I find it refreshing and honest to see two people fall in love solely from personality. To, over time, begin to love the face of the person you are inexplicably drawn to. Alex has no shame, and it makes people able to be fully themselves around him.

My absolute favorite part of the book was Alex’s faux-aggressive ramblings. He makes “you’re the WORST” sound like “I love you” by the end. Absolutely delightful and heartwarming! I loved this story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely adored this book! I had my doubts that I could love a pair as much as I loved Marcus and April in Spoiler Alert, but Alex and Lauren gave me a run for my money. The tone of this one was slightly different from the first, diving deep into the characters' mental health issues and backgrounds from the start, which I appreciated. It can be difficult to pull off a romance that keeps the main love plots going for a long slow-burn while not becoming frustrating or losing the reader's attention. But the thing I loved the most was that I understood completely why the burn was so slow. These are two people who are so utterly good and kind and precious that they never want to risk hurting the other, even when that means completely sacrificing their own wants. Honestly, I was having such a great time reading this that I didn't even realize how far along I was when things kicked into high gear, so major kudos for that. There are some heavier topics discussed, including domestic violence and bullying, but they work into the plot seamlessly and I feel that those topics are handled realistically and with care. Overall, this is the perfect romance for fans of fan fiction, slow burns, and soulmate AUs. I love Olivia Dade's work so much and cannot wait to read whatever comes next.

Adorable. Every time I read one of Olivia Dade’s books, I know I’m in for a treat. Treat yourself to a cup of cocoa and some GOT inspired hotness.

I loved Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (5 stars) so when I heard that the 2nd book in the series was publishing this November I immediately added it to my TBR. All the Feels follows Alexander Woodroe, aka Cupid on the hit TV show God of the Gates who recently got into a bit of hot water due to a bar fight, and Lauren Clegg, a full-figured former ER therapist that has been tasked with being Alex's "minder," aka the person who keep an eye on him and ensure he stays in line with the terms of his contract. As Lauren isn't supposed to leave Alex's side, the enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes are alive and well in this book.

I loved that the fanfic featured in the first book also appeared in this one, in fact, I wish there had been more because it is just plain fun. I loved their witty/sarcastic banter, but sometimes the constant teasing felt a bit mean. Both characters had a lot of emotional baggage, at times I appreciated the self-reflection by them both and other times I was ready to move on already. I loved Lauren's body positivity and her progression in how she will deal with others making comments about her appearance in the future and truly valuing herself. There is some steam in the book which is always preceded by requests for consent. The book can easily be read as a stand alone, but I did enjoy the context of having read the first one when it came time to referencing side characters.

3.75 stars rounded up for goodreads. Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for an arc of this book.

The premise for All the Feels was good.

Opposites attract, hate to love, forced proximity, single bed, slow burn.

What's not to love?

Yet I found myself not liking Alex at all. There is being an ass, but he took it to the extreme. Then there was the frequent reminder about Lauren's size. It just didn't sit right with me. Add in the fact that I didn't feel the connection between Lauren and Alex. To me they felt more like friends, versus two people who were destined to be together.

I also didn't understand Alex's obsession with writing fan fiction. That storyline was done in the first book, and it worked for those characters since it was a shared passion. Yet for Alex and Lauren, it was a miss.

Olivia takes us on another fun adventure in the "spoiler alert" universe with All the Feels. I loved seeing a different perspective of some of the characters that appeared for us in the first book and how different the story was at the same time. I loved reading about Alex and Lauren and how their relationship changed and grew throughout the adventure. I especially loved hearing more about this 'fake' tv show and how completely the writers ruined it. Nothing like that ever happened in real life absolutely not. I sincerely loved all the pegging jokes and the fanfiction tropes that Alex wrote about in his stories. I loved Lauren's seriousness but also her willingness to have fun. I really connected with Lauren as a plus size therapist and I definitely understand burnout from being in a helping profession. I was glad to see her change over the course of the book just as much as Alex does. I loved it and will definitely be reading any and all other books that Olivia gives to us.

This book picks up and overlaps with Spoiler Alert. Alex is the very definition of extra and was so much fun to read. His nonstop observations and energy leapt off the page. He steals your heart and makes you love him. Lauren is no meek push over and I loved the theme of big harpy energy. I am thinking the author should start a tshirt shop that sells some of the tshirt worn or imagined in this book. In any case, Lauren is hired as Alex’s babysitter to keep him in line.

The book has a one bed trope and Alex who loves reading and writing fan fiction is so adorably excited by it. The book does have a standard lack of communication at one point that frustrated me but I will forgive it as it led to character growth. Again, I loved the body positivity present in Spoiler Alert and the fun embracing of geek culture.

I adore the previous book Spoiler Alert and was looking forward to Alex‘s story. I was not disappointed. Alex has a starring role on TV’s biggest show yet he gets in trouble and needs a minder. Lauren is kind of pushed into being his mind or in order to help her family as well as earn some money.

Alex has hidden depths such as writing fanfiction. Alex and Lauren do not get off on the best foot but slowly their relationship starts to get better. The banter is wonderful and seeing how the relationship progresses makes it a fun book to read.

Somehow Olivia Dade manages to make both in an entertaining book as well as show us characters who have much depth. Both Alex and Lauren must deal with feelings from the past in order to move forward and seeing how it happens is lovely. This is a fun book that also shows great emotion and I’m looking forward to the next book that Olivia Dade writes.

** spoiler alert ** I loved the communication and lessons learned through this story! Alex and Lauren have great chemistry from the start and I was so anxious for them to finally make it happen. The beginning half of this book felt a bit slower and dragged on for me, but about halfway through a lot started happening and I couldn't put it down from there. I know the beginning was necessary for some back story, but it made it harder to want to go back to when I had put it down.

There are a lot of things I enjoyed more in this book than the first. Although there was some miscommunication, I felt like Olivia Dade did a phenomenal job in this book to visit what really triggered that, how it all happened and the characters worked through their own issues so well. I don't feel like those things are always worked through or talked about in-depth like they were in this book and it made me love it so much more!

I also really loved and appreciated the confidence Lauren had and in moments of doubt or insecurity, there was always some level of "I know how amazing I am, here is what I am insecure about" kind of internal monologue, which was so reassuring as a plus size woman. Shout out to the steamy scenes and sex positivity built into them as well.

I would happily recommend both Spoiler Alert and All The Feels for great reads. Happy publishing day!

One of my favorite books of the year! It made me so happy, the title says it all. It is a funny, sweet, and at times heartbreaking book. Olivia Dade writes characters that you fall in love with. Alex and Lauren were both fantastic and flawed and perfect together.

I loved how sarcastic Alex was. He’s snarky, but really cares and wants to take care of everyone. He’s filled with guilt for things he’s not responsible for and that affects all of his relationships. Lauren has her own issues with putting everything and everyone ahead of her own happiness. Together though, they work to support each other and encourage the other to truly reach for what they want and need.

And honestly- Alex’s excitement over the one bed trope and pegging Abominable Snowmen made him the best guy I’ve read in a long time!

Happy Monday y'all! I hope everyone had a great weekend- I definitely did, but now I'm exhausted and work is extra exhausting too, so today (and this whole week) look to be very... interesting haha
A whole bunch of amazing books are coming out tomorrow, so today, I'm going to talk about one that I read last week (thank you so much to Avon and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC)- All the Feels by Olivia Dade. All the Feels is the sequel to Spoiler Alert (which was super cute) and while you really don't have to read them in order, I loved having that foundation while reading All the Feels.
All the Feels 4/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads:
Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a devil-may-care actor—who actually cares more than anyone knows—and the no-nonsense woman hired to keep him in line.
Alexander Woodroe has it all. Charm. Sex appeal. Wealth. Fame. A starring role as Cupid on TV’s biggest show, God of the Gates. But the showrunners have wrecked his character, he’s dogged by old demons, and his post-show future remains uncertain. When all that reckless emotion explodes into a bar fight, the tabloids and public agree: his star is falling.
Enter Lauren Clegg, the former ER therapist hired to keep him in line. Compared to her previous work, watching over handsome but impulsive Alex shouldn’t be especially difficult. But the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to keep her professional remove and her heart intact, especially when she discovers the reasons behind his recklessness…not to mention his Cupid fanfiction habit.
When another scandal lands Alex in major hot water and costs Lauren her job, she’ll have to choose between protecting him and offering him what he really wants—her. But he’s determined to keep his improbably short, impossibly stubborn, and extremely endearing minder in his life any way he can. And on a road trip up the California coast together, he intends to show her exactly what a falling star will do to catch the woman he loves: anything at all.
I really liked this book! I loved Alex when I read Spoiler Alert, but through reading All the Feels, you learn so much more about him and he becomes this amazing character that sticks with you. Of course, like with most books, there were definitely things that I wasn't a huge fan of with this book, so let's talk about them now, and then I'll go back to talking about everything I loved. There were really only two things I really disliked 1) that Alex kept referring to Lauren as a round bird (well the references to birds in general weren't my favorite, because I hate birds, but some people like them, so I guess that isn't too big of a deal). I kept trying to picture her and he kept describing her as a round bird with stick-like legs and all I could think of was a child's stick figure drawing of a person- two circles for the head and the body and lines for the arms and legs and I hated that. As a woman, if anyone EVER described me as a round bird, we'd be done. 2) the pacing threw me off a little- don't get me wrong, it's a great book, but it felt so much longer than it actually was because it was divided up into two very distinct halves: pre-Alex having his massive blow up at the Gates Con (which you 100% know about if you read book 1) and Alex and Lauren being a thing- and while I enjoyed both halves, they really did feel like two distinct books.
But since those two things aren't the biggest issues, let's focus on the great parts of this book! I really enjoyed getting to know Alex more- he's such a giving guy and everyone seems to love him, which was great. I also really liked Lauren- we barely knew her in Marcus and April's book, so it was nice to see her have real personality. In terms of the romance, it really only took place in the second half of the book and it was really fast, but I didn't mind that too much because I enjoyed watching Alex and Lauren become friends and getting to know their personalities. Also, I really love Olivia Dade's writing style, so just reading it in general was fun. There were also fun interludes between the chapters with some of the fan fic stories and text conversations that add richness to the storytelling (plus your girl always loves a good random text convo haha). Overall, I really enjoyed All the Feels and I cannot wait to see what Olivia Dade comes out with next! As a reminder, All the Feels comes out tomorrow, so make sure you go check it out then!

This book is just so fun. There are few book characters more entertaining than Alex and tbe story is so engrossing. Lauren is easy to root for and the will they won't they thankfully didn't drag on for too long. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ if you liked Spoiler Alert you'll like this one too!