Member Reviews
I read All the Feels immediately after Spoiler Alert and I was very familiar with the characters. ATF accomplished the very rare feat of making me audibly laugh while reading instead of just exhaling sharply through my nose. Alex was one of the funniest characters I've read in a long time and Lauren's dry sarcasm came across very well instead of other authors' paltry attempts at humor. Olivia Dade understands her characters and has written them in such a dynamic fashion. They are all so intelligent and well spoken, but they're constantly operating at a level 9 conversation that made my brain hurt at times. One of my major critiques from the first novel was how integral fan fiction was to the plot and it was blissfully reduced in All The Feels. It just seemed vapid and unrealistic to me for television stars to write fan fiction about their own characters. Thankfully, Alex only wrote a few chapters of fluff to align with his actions in Spoiler Alert for continuity purposes.
Alex and Lauren had a great conversational volley with each other. They had lightning quick comebacks and offered a great foil to their opposite temperaments. I liked all the nicknames he had for her, especially Nanny Clegg because she was paid to be his professional minder. While they developed a great friendship, their sexual chemistry didn't feel organic. Not because Lauren was a plus-sized heroine, but because as a reader I was constantly bombarded by characters calling her ugly. Even Alex's first impression of her was as a pudgy little bird. With constant insults to the heroine, it was difficult to see his attraction to her. There was also a moment where he mentally compared her to the Venus of Willendorf, which seemed more like a snub rather than a compliment. Their attraction to each other immediately started around the halfway mark and there wasn't much of a buildup. Their love scenes were awkward and they lacked the natural ease that Marcus/ April shared in Spoiler Alert. I will applaud the way Alex acknowledged his "only one bed trope" and fangirled in glee as much as I did. Romantic tropes are often used in fiction, but it's always neat when the characters knock down the fourth wall as a cheeky nudge the reader.
All the Feels was an excellent sequel to Spoiler Alert, but they had two different vibes. SA had an immediate connection, both emotional and physical, while ATF was an incredibly funny story. I don't know if there may be one extra actor from Gods of the Gates for us to make this series a trilogy, but I would snap that clapperboard in a heartbeat for an opportunity to read it. All the Feels offered great humor, whip smart banter, and a plus-size heroine as a romantic lead. While the romance aspect felt stilted, it more than made up for it by making me laugh out loud several times. I can't say I had all the feels, but I certainly felt a majority of them.
Another great read by Olivia Dade! Lauren gets the job of a lifetime, babysitting a grown adult who can't keep his sh*t together for the final season of his hit show. Lauren is tasked with keeping him in line and we all get to experience the little moments that make them fall for each other!
While the beginning of the book casts an unfortunate light on the characters, the farther in you go, the happier the reader will be. I was not a fan of how rude and vain Alex was about Lauren commenting on her weight and making her out to be unattractive; however, as their relationship deepened his view on her changed and it became more bearable to read. By the half-way point I was hooked and could not put it down. This is the first book I have read by Olivia Dade and it will not be my last.
What a sexy, fun, smart, heartfelt book! Olivia Dade creates rom com magic AGAIN - her love stories are a sheer delight to read. This sequel to "Spoiler Alert" includes elements of mental health representation, sex positivity, off the charts witty banter, body positivity, fan fiction fun, steamy sex, genuine romantic connection, sassy + eclectic characters and quite literally gave me all the feels when I was reading it. Do yourself a favor and read this brilliant book ASAP.
Thank you so much to Avon + Netgalley for my advanced reader copy in exchange for a honest review.
I love Olivia Dade's writing! It's so perceptive and well-conceived. Her characters feel real, have relatable quirks, and I just get warm fuzzies when I read her books. If you weren't a big fan of the fanfic aspect from Spoiler Alert, you'll be glad to know that it's more dialed down in this one; Lauren is not overly familiar with it and Alex is only just getting into it.
I really love romances where laughter and/or wanting to make the other person laugh is part of the attraction. Alex is all about trying to make Lauren laugh, and I just love to see that in novels because I think humor is an underrated but key part of relationships. That they're not immediately salivating over each other and instead trying to get to know each other is refreshing. Ahhhh, I do love me that slow-burn goodness!
The ending felt rushed, though, and I was oddly dissatisfied with the steamy scenes. They're definitely steamy, but I kinda prefer them to be evenly distributed in my romance reads; here, Alex and Lauren didn't bang until like chapter 20 or something, which was too close to that rushed end, in my opinion.
I did not think it would be possible for me to enjoy this book more than Spoiler Alert- but I was wrong! Often times I find that romance sequels retell the original book in a slightly different way. But I was pleasantly surprised how this book was able to have the same lighthearted feeling as the first, while having a unique story.
I really enjoy Olivia Dade's writing. She creates characters that are funny, geeky, heartfelt, and relatable. Plus, her characters always have such fun dialog! The conversations between Alex and Lauren were so charming and I seriously smiled throughout reading this entire book. Alex gave me big golden retriever energy, but I also felt like his struggles and character development truly gave the book the depth it needed. Plus, I loved how he was depicted as more affectionate, whiny, and emotional than Lauren was. Dade is able to create a fun, lighthearted story- while also touching on some series themes.
As someone who reads a lot of romance it is always refreshing to have elements that don't often appear in mainstream romance books. I loved how Lauren was described several times throughout the book as not being 'traditionally attractive' and yet she was still able to experience a great love. That is so much more interesting for me to read about than another book about two unrealistic drop-dead gorgeous main characters.
Additionally, it was so fun to read about a plus sized character who loved herself and not have the plot of the book revolve around her body type or body insecurity! I also enjoyed how the two main characters were in their late 30s. It is so refreshing to read a romance about two characters who are not 19!!
All in all, this was a really charming read. I enjoyed it enough that I am definitely planning on re-reading it in the future, which is always my biggest compliment!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC!
While this book didn’t have quite the same punch as the first book it was still very satisfying! Both Jain characters were well drawn and compelling, and the slow unfolding and building of their relationship was wonderful. The only real complaint I gave is that too much of the story overlapped the timeline of the first book, but the second half, the part with the road trip was much more compelling and enjoyable so I wish that part was explored more thoroughly.
This sequel to "Spoiler Alert" continues a hot streak for author Olivia Dade. People may pick up the book without reading "Spoiler Alert" but will miss introductions for side characters. The hero, Alex, unabashedly loves fan fiction and its tropes, so those tropes are integrated into the book for funny opportunities to force the main couple together. A fun read for romance readers.
I adored this book. Honestly, I want some of Lauren's tshirts - they sounded hilarious. I really enjoyed Spoiler Alert and this had the same wonderful chemistry between the leads. I liked the spin on forced proximity and was delighted that Alex and Lauren were the next featured couple (since they're briefly shown during the previous novel). The way they both dealt with feeling inadequate, but in completely different ways, This book is a delight to read and I'm so excited to see what Dade does next.
What a cute follow-up to Spoiler Alert! The tease we get of Lauren and Alex in that made me excited for their story and All the Feels did not disappoint.
The long awaited sequel for Spoiler Alert, and it did not disappoint. I’m always a little hesitant to read a book that follows more minor characters from previous books but this one came through, giving us just enough taste of Marcus and April as easter eggs, while also completely delving into Alex and Lauren’s characters. Olivia Dade makes two novels that can be read alone or together just as easily, and both are enjoyable.
ALL THE FEELS follows Gods of The Gates costar Alexander Woodroe after a bar fight, assigned a “minder” in the form of one Miss Lauren Clegg. The two start on uneasy territory but as their time progresses, the two grow closer, as does the tension between them. But between Alex’s impulsive personality (aided by his ADHD), and the walls Lauren has put around herself as a result of her job as an ER therapist and the cruelty she’s received because of her looks, the two have a lot to get through before they can truly come together.
Because I think one of the absolute highlights of this book is its unabashed relationship with fanfiction and the world of online readers, here are just a few popular tropes that occur within this book:
- there was only one bed
- slowburn
- friends to lovers
With that in mind, let’s talk about my favourite parts of the book and that is undeniably the characters. First of all, we get a hint of what Alex is really like in SPOILER ALERT, with Marcus being one of the few people who usually sees him for what he is (though he’s not perfect), but this book just goes so much further. We see Alex’s motivation, his pain, his longing, really just what makes him tick. He’s a beautifully complex, individual, and flawed character and I love that about them. And within the book we truly see him grow, not only in his view of himself but also in his actions. It’s truly refreshing to see within heterosexual romance, with a man so in touch with his feelings and thus overcoming his traumas. Another great facet of his character is the on page representation of ADHD, and how that not only interacts with his daily life in big and small ways, but also how it compounds with other factors for better or for worse.
Despite Alex dwarfing Lauren in size, he does not dwarf her in character development. The two work together in an almost opposites attract style, and just as Lauren is caring for Alex, he does the same for her. She, too, learns and grows not only about herself but also in her actions, as both learn to truly value themselves instead of putting everyone else above them. Lauren has to learn to put herself in a place of value, and the book tracks that arc. Ultimately this story is about growth, and how it brings two people together, at least to me.
And as much as I loved this book, especially in the wrapped up in a bow happy ending, there were definitely still flaws. Unlike SPOILER ALERT, this book just felt like slow going. This is in part because of the slowburn aspect, but it also feels like roughly the first half of the book is just kind of unmemorable. There are some vague benefits in that we see Lauren and Alex getting to know eachother, but at points it just starts to feel like the same point is being made over and over. Then, ultimately, it feels like the ending and the entire romance is rushed, like you waited hundreds of pages to get a summarization of a great romance. It didn’t completely ruin the book, but it made it much harder to get fully into and get through.
I really did like this book, and it was an enjoyable and cute romance. The characters are great and they have fantastic chemistry, although I think the beginning drags on much too long. If you’re into romance or any of the aforementioned tropes, I would absolutely recommend, but if you’re newer to romance I would start with SPOILER ALERT first.
This may be my second book by Olivia Dade and I am cautiously optimistic that I have found a new favorite author. ALL THE FEELs is a sweet story dealing with two very damaged individuals that find something missing in one another. I do feel this doesn't do well as a stand alone so please read the book before it, SPOILER ALERT.
I love the hero in this one - he is so damn adorable. Open to new things - loving the world - and definitely worries about his families and the people who rely on him. Lauren, our heroine, worries way too much about what she looks like. We spend pages knowing how heavy and short and how she is perceived ugly. I did have a bit of an issue with how many times people in her life complained to her about her looks but at the same time, it did give a bit of background into the character's low self esteem. Regardless though, this romance is super steamy, witty, funny, and I love the comradery between the two. Adorable and can't wait for the next one!
Overall, All the Feels is a fantastic read. The banter between Lauren and Alex is both hilarious and introspective. The relationship is friendly at first, but Alex and his commitment to righting wrongs sets the tone for the rest of the novel. Assigned as a glorified minder, Lauren is over Alex and his stardom from the get go. Alex constantly tries to understand and make Lauren more communicative from the start. His past traumas inform his reactions and behaviors and Lauren's clinical psychology background means she has the skills to see that and past it to Alex at his core.
The friendship that turns to love is delightful and fun to watch. Alex and Lauren have their miscommunications- what romance is complete without at least some of that- but the conflict created from that feels more like real life. The journey from Spain, to Malibu, and north is more than a physical journey and watching was like living romance tropes. Alex's regular discussion of the tropes he loves is a hoot and seeing at least some of them play out in real time just made the story that much better in my opinion.
I appreciate the realities of being overweight and neurodiverse (Alex has ADHD). Lauren spends no time hating her body or shying away from her appearance. All mentions of her size are in realistic context but aren't negative, just honest statement of fact. She loves who she is and so does Alex. Alex's reality of ADHD was informative, but also was the hardest for me to read. In the book, he's 39 but his behavior is more like how I would see a younger, more immature man. That was the one issue I struggled with. That said, I don't know if I know adults in their late 30's with ADHD so this may totally be a me thing.
Definitely read this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of this in exchange for my honest review.
This was super cute! It fell a little short of Spoiler Alert, for me. I’m so confused by the cover though, after such a huge deal was made about how ugly Lauren was and how it was crazy their relationship could work because he’s so much hotter, on the cover she’s cute! Like I am not cute, I’m fat, though I’m not short, I am covered in acne, and I have zero times been called ugly in public, something that supposedly happens ALL THE TIME to Lauren. Is this happening to other ugly people and I’m just lucky? Maybe they just wanted cute cover art, but I was expecting…not how heavily her looks are put down when she looks adorable.
All The Feels is really engaging from the first page. You meet Alex after he’s been in a bar fight and caused a lot of trouble for himself and the TV show production that he’s currently wrapping. His show runner gives Alex the ultimatum: get your sh*t together and behave until the show is over or we’ll sue you and take you to court and basically make you unemployable forever. Alex opts for the behave option (as much as he’s able) and is stuck with Lauren, his minder. Her job is to stick by Alex for the next few months to keep him out of trouble in the public eye.
I love Alex and Lauren. There was only one thing that really bugged me — the continual commentary about how Lauren was heavy and round. I think it was important to note her description in the beginning because it enhanced major plot points and behaviorism from Alex. It is imperative that the audience knows she’s not a beautiful celebrity-type, either. I get that she’s not typically pretty and she’s not thin, but in some references the point was hit home too hard and it prevented me from connecting to the scene because I was uncomfortable for Lauren and Alex.
I didn’t realize that this was a second book in the same universe, and if I did I probably would have read Spoiler Alert first. I don’t typically like to read out of order, even if it’s not necessary to read one before another. In this case it wasn’t necessary. Anything I might have missed from SA didn’t cause me any stress while reading All The Feels.
I don’t know whether *I* am Alex, or if I’m just in love with Alex. He really is a delightful asshole, and I completely identify with that description.
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars!
Thank you @netgalley and @avonbooks for my copy of All the Feels
Do you have a favorite trope? Mine just became “where the characters are also aware of tropes and get just as excited as the reader when they occur.”
Alex and Lauren’s story was so sweet. I loved how supportive Lauren was and how Alex didn’t fit the Hollywood Stereotype. They were such a great match…And now I desperately need a soulmate tattoo
Out Oct. 26th
After recently reading and really enjoying the first book in this series, Spoiler Alert, I was so excited to get an early e-ARC of All the Feels. Unfortunately, this one was good for me, but not great. I was really excited for Lauren and Alex's story, but it was a veryyyy slow start and I just didn't fully feel the chemistry between them. I'll be honest, the way Alex described Lauren in the beginning was a big turn off for me - it just made me sad - but, I will say the banter was great and I was happy with their HEA.
Also, something I will note, I would definitely make sure you've read Spoiler Alert before reading this. The first 50% of this book overlaps with Marcus and April's story and had I not read it, I think it would have hindered my reading experience!
Rating: 3.5 stars.
TW: domestic abuse and fatphobia.
This book was just so, so, so awesome. If you don't come away from it adoring Alex and wanting to order a Big Harpie Energy T-shirt - did you even read this book? I'll admit I was pre-disposed to love this book. The heroine was different, the hero I adored in Spoiler Alert, and the author is an auto-buy for me. But even by those standards this book did not disappoint.
Olivia Dade just understands how to write heroines who are - I'm not even sure how to say it - not perfect 10s. So much romance - even romance where the heroine is plus size - talk extensively about how beautiful the heroine is and make it clear that despite her physical differences she is still viewed by the hero as the most beautiful woman in the world and that others objectively find her beautiful. Finding a heroine that is described as not physically attractive is basically a unicorn. In fact the only other book that comes to mind is Butterface by Avery Flynn.
I will admit this is a book that definitely has some fantasy fulfilment aspect to it - unattractive woman with an amazing personality and rare depth of kindness about her is the object of affection of a most-beautiful people level gorgeous, famous man. But honestly - the entire thing just WORKS. When you see Lauren from Alex's perspective - you can just see why she is perfect for him. Why he needed someone so kind and warm. Why even her body type is appealing to him.
Alex seems shallow on the surface - and his ADHD is not hidden in any way - but the perception of him being shallow is because of his ADHD. His brain moves faster than his mouth - and people don't stop and take the time to understand him.
I can't recommend this book more - it is a seriously funny and deeply emotional read. I can't help but hope for more books around these people and in this world.
I was truly blessed to receive an ARC of this book (which I have been dying to read since Spoiler Alert came out), but these opinions are all my own.
Love her so I was so excited about this one and coming back to the world that we met in Spoiler Alert! I enjoyed returning to this world with her writing, the development and differences with the characters. If you haven't read this author, you. need to!
Thank you for Netgalley, author, and publisher for this ebook in exchange for a honest review!
I absolutely loved Spoiler Alert and I love returning to the world in All the Feels. Olivia Dade's characters are very charming and I love the humor that she weaves through her books, especially in the interstitial short scenes. Alex and Lauren didn't work as well for me as the couple of her first book did, largely because I know a lot of people with ADHD and Alex's behavior is highly accurate and irritating (I know that's selfish!). I love Lauren, but she is a bit of a mystery and she changes her mind about Alex really fast. I do love how much the characters care for each other. Alex is a jerk but he really cares for Lauren and I love his interactions with her and with the other minor characters, that show the real quality of his personality. Anyway, I love this series, I like this book slightly less than the first one for personal reasons, I can't wait for more from Olivia Dade.