To get revenge on her ex-fiancé for cheating with their realtor, interior designer Dani and friends pull money together to buy the empty lot next to her ex’s to build a rental property—The Spite House. All she needs is an architect and a builder. And the architect she ends up hiring for free is a colleague at her work, Wyatt, who has the reputation of grumpy perfectionist. With the house project underway, could there be something else building between Wyatt and Dani?

I enjoyed the premise, flow, and characters a lot! The band of girlfriends (which were Dani’s landlord and cousin) were great supporting acts. And, I loved the romance that bloomed between two co-workers. I thought some things were juvenile, but looking at the bigger picture, Dani was channeling these feelings she couldn’t quite out to rest. The short chapters and quick pace made it also very easy to read!

Collins delivered a wonderful and promising romance debut. This was one of my first reads of the year as an ARC and she simply was a joy to read. The pacing was impeccable, I read it all in one sitting and totally lost track of time and was pleasantly surprised when I got the end of the book. I would describe Love at First Spite as more sweet than spicy, very simple, and nice easy read, with good disability rep. As with most romcoms, there is a miscommunication trope but it genuinely works with this book because it brings in the character arcs of the main leads, Dani and Wyatt. I'm a good sucker for a well done office romance and Collins goes beyond the broody hero who has been in love with the unknowing heroine which is what sets it apart from the Spanish love deception or the Hating game, but never the less readers who enjoyed the latter two books will surely enjoy this one.

How far would you go to get even?

Love At First Spite tackles this question in an ultimate tale of renovation tinged revenge.

Dani Porter has had it. After being jilted by her ex fiancé, she’s looking to move on. Only she had no idea how operative the word “move” would be when an opportunity presents itself to build right next door to her ex fiancé’s home. You know, the one they were supposed to live in happily ever after together. The very same one she wanted to add an expansion to, which would have never left said property to be there for the taking.

What can I say? Payback’s a bitch.

Together with her friends, they hatch an idea for a spite house. They will build the house to ruin her ex’s great view, but rent out to others who might be similarly scorned. A designer by trade, Dani knows a thing or two about what she wants to create. However, she still needs a good builder to add substance to her spite, I mean, vision. 😉

Enter her smug co-worker, Wyatt Montego who, after a series of awkward encounters at work, surprisingly offers up his services. As much as Dani dreads working with Wyatt for even MORE hours, she quickly realizes she’s in a bind and gives in. But the more they work together, the more she starts to see Wyatt differently. Suddenly everything she built up in her mind has the potential to come crumbling down.

Love At First Spite is a relatively predictable rom com with a unique twist. It’s really hard to have a character like Dani’s go to such lengths to seek retribution and still maintain her likability, but somehow it works. Besides its out there premise, I would have liked to get to know Dani’s friends a bit more. Still, if you’re in the market for a contemporary read with good bones, you might want to put a bid in on this book.

What is there to do when your fiancé cheats on you a month before your wedding with the Realtor for the house he just cut you out of? Time to get some creative revenge!
There were so many things I loved about this book - the dynamic between the MCs, the quirky and wonderful side characters, the unquestioning girl group support. I enjoy a good revenge plot line as much as the next person, but what I really liked about this particular revenge story was the healing that came along with the revenge. The grouping of Dani (MC), her best friend (Mia), and her 70 year old widowed lesbian landlady (Iris) was such a heartwarming combo. Iris was such a captivating character, I absolutely adored her.
Wyatt was a great love interest. Stoic exterior persona to keep people at arms length, but a cinnamon roll at heart. I would have loved to see a bit more from his side, personally.
I had to suspend my disbelief at the major conflict. After all the spite and revenge, and subsequent healing that came along with it, it seemed a little unrealistic for forgiveness to be so easily handed over. I was also a little bothered by the self-blame that came with forgiving the ex partner. It seemed counterintuitive to the healing plot line in my opinion. But the ending felt like a fitting conclusion to the story.
Overall, this was a light, fun, and quick read. A wonderful break out book from Anne E. Collins and I can't wait to see what comes next from her!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

The opening hooked me when we meet Dani and her cousin Mia playing paintball and I loved after at the bar when she had an awkward encounter with hot architect and office grump, Wyatt Montego.

Dani caught her fiancée cheating on her with their realtor and I understood her emotions, and while I believe karma looks after us, I even understood her need to make him suffer a little. She, along with her cousin and her dog loving landlord, invest in the small property next to the ex’s house. While she wants someone outside of her firm to handle the design, when Wyatt offers to do the work in exchange for her design work for his grandmother. Dani accepts, so long as Wyatt understands she is the boss.

I loved the secondary characters and the slow burning romance that develops between Dani and Wyatt. Turns out the office grump is quite the sweetheart and his behavior comes from some difficult baggage. I easily connected with Dani and sympathized with her in the beginning.

The romance was a mix of sweet, witty banter, and sizzling chemistry as Dani really got to know Wyatt and his story. The author touches on a subject I know all too well as my mother-in-law suffers from it. She did her research, and I appreciated how she shared Wyatt’s struggles.

Admittedly, I grew a little frustrated with Dani in the middle. Our girl had some growing pains, and she held on to the revenge idea a little too hard. She needed a rude awakening to see what was right in front of her. It wasn’t enough to deter me as I wanted a happily ever after. (for Wyatt).

Fans of the character growth, humor and grumpy heroes will enjoy this romcom.

This enemies to lovers, workplace romance had a fun, kind of silly premise. The first 25% of the book for me was the best, but it fell flat after that because I didn’t totally believe the love story between Dani and Wyatt, and for me the entire premise kept Dani from growing and evolving as a character.. but it’s a quick read and if you can get past the immaturity of it it’s an entertaining one too!

Thank you @htpbooks @graydonhousefor the ARC in exchanged for an honest review!

Love at First Spite comes out 1/4!

This book was ridiculous at times but it totally worked for me! I laughed because I can imagine (based on personal experience) how much a neighbor's house would irritate a person (my husband). Wyatt was a great book boyfriend and I liked the development of the relationship the first part of the book. I did wish the main character would have moved on from her ex a little sooner (once she saw the perfect guy right in front of her) but I suppose the book would have ended too soon and not quite right.

LOVE AT FIRST SPITE – Anna E. Collins

Graydon House

ISBN: 978-1-525-89979-9

January 4, 2022

Contemporary Fiction


Seattle, Washington – Present Day

Interior designer Dani Porter was all set to marry her longtime love, Sam, when she discovered that he was cheating on her with the realtor that just sold them their house. Now split from Sam, Dani plots a plan of revenge to get back at him. She decides to buy the small lot next to his house, with plans to build a house that will be used as a vacation rental and tall enough to block his view. With the help of a couple of friends, Dani purchases the lot and starts the process to hire the construction company. Now she needs to find the architect to help design it. Working at an architecture company means she has access to numerous candidates. Her gaze lands on Wyatt Montego, the snippy, but incredibly handsome, and talented architect.

Dani approaches Wyatt, and while he is arrogant with her at first, he agrees to help her with the project. But working closely together—discreetly—soon leads to a tentative friendship, then a mutual attraction. Dani is supposed to still be getting over Sam, but she starts having feelings for Wyatt. One thing leads to another, and soon they are more than friends. But Dani hasn’t told Wyatt the whole truth, namely that the house she is having built is her “spite house.” She is building it to get back at her ex. Can she truly be over Sam if she is trying to get under his skin? What about her growing feelings for Wyatt?

Dani’s plan for revenge doesn’t go as smoothly as she expects in LOVE AT FIRST SPITE. However, it does bring her closer to fellow employee Wyatt, who has an office reputation of being surly and difficult to work with. But he is the best architect in the company. Dani half expected him to turn her down when she approached him about the project, but he seemed intrigued by the challenges the small property would bring. After breaking up with her ex, Dani’s life is in an upheaval, which includes moving into a new place after a recommendation from a bartender friend. The owner, Iris, is a bit eccentric, but who doesn’t love someone who loves her two dogs like they are her children? There is also Dani’s cousin, Mia, who is ready to help Dani inflict pain upon Sam. The three ladies are a hoot together in their interactions.

While Wyatt might be a stuffy person to work with, he turns out to be intriguing outside the office. Certainly, Dani never expected Wyatt to “loosen up” around her. It was supposed to be a business deal between them, but he gets as much involved in the project as she. However, will the fact that he doesn’t know that Dani is building it to spite her ex play a part in determining whether they can expand upon their attraction? The relationship between Dani and Wyatt doesn’t go smoothly, but what about the house? A cute and intriguing tale from the first page, don’t miss LOVE AT FIRST SPITE.

Patti Fischer

Imagine planning your wedding and buying a new house and then catching your fiancée cheating with your realtor, this is where Dani Porter finds herself. Heartbroken and angry she begins to plan the perfect revenge. Dani is an interior designer and she finds the perfect opportunity to plan her revenge, she decides to buy the vacant lot next to her ex-fiancée house, yes the house she was supposed to be living in, she plans to turn the empty lot into a vacation house ( thanks to silent business partners: her bestie and her new landlord ). Right away the construction begins to drive her ex nuts so it’s already going to plan. Next step
Is to find an architect who may help her with her design , thankfully she finds this in handsome architect Wyatt Montego who offers his help if Dani helps his grandma with a redesign. The only issue is that Wyatt is unfriendly, grumpy and and the kind of man who eats his sandwich with a knife and fork. Who does this? The more she works with Wyatt she soon sees a more softer and kinder side to this man, and she questions is revenge worth ruining what might be with Wyatt? I truly enjoyed this book! I loved her friends and how she finally realized she’s stronger than she thought! Four stars!

Oh my god what else is there to say other than I LOVED this book. Dani's story is so endearing, and this hilarious, yet touching novel was everything I needed to get out of a slump. Both Wyatt's and Dani's trust issues regarding their own past worked seamlessly throughout the story. There is a little bit of a miscommunication trope in this book (and I know that some people aren't a fan of that), but I feel as thought it perfectly fit in to the plot without overdoing it. Such a good freaking read!!!

Love at First Spite was...it was ok. It offers a fun and campy premise of an ex getting revenge while hanging out with a hot coworker. It even has silly dogs and Joanna Gaines vibes with home building and decor. Yet, I didn’t understand the “hate-to-love” the author tried to create because the main male wasn’t unlikeable or giving reasons for the main character to dislike him. It was a bit unrealistic and petty as well with the main part of the plot being someone building a “spite house” to get back at an ex. It was an ok and quick read, but just didn’t offer what it could.

This romcom follows Dani, a spunky interior designer, who is coming out of a 3 year relationship after discovering her ex-fiancé, Sam, cheated on her a month before their wedding. Obviously resentful, Dani hatches a plan to build a "spite house" on the lot next door to the home her and Sam were going to live. She enlists the help of her new landlady, her cousin, and the talented but grumpy architect from her firm, Wyatt Montego, to make this vengeance a reality.

The premise of this story immediately grabbed my attention - because, hello, I LOVE an opportunity for pettiness and this just sounded like an excellent and grandiose scheme to get back at someone. Add in a Grumpy/Sunshine workplace romance plot and I'm sold.

I really liked Dani and Wyatt as characters. I just wish they actually interreacted MORE. The moments that they do are pure gold. Wyatt is so clearly into her from the start and it's so cute how he is trying to insert himself into her life.

Overall, this was a cute story. I do like how it all comes together at the end, I just wish we got to spend a little more time focusing on these two characters vs the heavy details of the spite house. I think this is also a story that would have benefited from a dual POV format- the inner workings of Wyatt's mind would have been very interesting. I would have loved to see his internal struggle of maintaining a professional boundary and his desire to get close to Dani.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Graydon House for sending me an eARC vis NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Dani has just called off her wedding after he cheated on her with their realtor, so she decides to get back at him by buying the lot next door to his house and making a spite house people can rent out like an Air bNb. She takes away his view, packs it full of things he hates, his college rival sports flags, shiny wind chimes and gnomes. She hires her co-worker Wyatt, a private and slightly stuck up architect, but it turns out they work extremely well together and soon the sexual tension heats up. They decide to give into their attraction only until the house is finished, but Dani starts to wonder if finishing the project is a good thing and was getting the revenge house completed worth it.

I really enjoyed this book! I read almost all of it in 1 sitting. I loved the supporting characters and Sam was the perfect smarmy villain. Wyatt was stuffy but ultimately swoony and cute and I was just rooting for them the whole time! And I loved that Wyatt wasn't this perfect character like they projected him to be in the beginning. I liked that he had a disability and was ultimately quite a cinnamon roll hero.

This had all the ingredients of a great read, but it never came together in a way that was satisfying, and instead fell flat. I was immediately charmed by the blurb - the storyline is completely unique, a little crazy, and I'm always up for a misunderstood grump of a hero. Throw in an opposites attract team-up and some rom com vibes, and I should've loved this. I just didn't. The writing is clunky and some of the word choices were strange. The romance was pretty lackluster, feeling more like a rebound/fling than anything. It's single perspective, but not done in a way that had me charmed and intrigued by the hero. I didn't get swoony vibes from him, and there was definitely a lack of chemistry. It just didn't work, but the foundation of a solid romance is here.

The story follows Dani, a woman who has recently gone through a breakup. Her fiancé cheated, and Dani feels like she needs to do something to settle the score. Realizing that the property next to her ex's house is available, Dani decides to do something unexpected - build a spite house. She'll rent out the property and be the worst neighbor ever, and that will (hopefully) make her feel better. Enlisting the help of the moody architect at her workplace, Dani moves forward with her plans. But spending time with Wyatt outside of the office allows her to see a whole other side of the man, and she likes what she sees. As they grow closer, Dani feels like she's finally moving forward - even if her past is right next door.

On paper, this is exactly the kind of book that I love to read. A mysterious grump of a hero with a softer side that's revealed along the way, a low angst feel with a deeper storyline beneath the humor, an office romance that sparks as our couple works together. It's all great, and yet... it didn't work this time. The spite house was too central to the storyline, and we really needed to get to know Wyatt better. Their relationship fell flat for me, and there's a reveal towards the end that was a total miss. More time with them and less time on the ill advised scheme would've improved the book significantly, though the writing itself was a little rough. Overall, I can't say that this was a win for me, but there's definitely some good stuff going on. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this unique romance.

This was a quick, fun read. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Wyatt & Dani. It was a fun premise. And I liked the supporting characters.

Who doesn't love a brooding man who you can't exactly read. Wyatt and Dani's relationship started with a misunderstanding. A classic for a good romance. I especially love the banter between them. It helps push the story along and keeps me from getting too bored. Although, the banter did go away halfway through the book that did slow the plot down. From then on it was predictable; however, it was still a good read. The most interesting character is Iris. Her life story was a fascinating side story. I don't think her character was fully developed.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received and ARC for Anna E. Collins debut novel Love at First Spite.

This story follows Dani who’s an interior designer. She’s about to get married when she finds out her fiancé has cheated on her. She decides to stir up a revenge plan and along the way her coworker Wyatt gets involved.

This is a cute workplace romance that I really enjoyed. Some things I didn’t like was how jumpy it was. Like how Dani would go from one place to another in just one paragraph or even sentence sometimes. Other than that I loved this book.

Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Forced proximity
Revenge plot

There are some mature scenes in this book so take that in to consideration if you plan on reading it!!

This book gets published 4th January 2022!

(This review will be available on my goodreads @jessiwritess and on my Instagram @wcstfield)

When Dani finds her fiance cheating with their real estate agent, she comes up with the perfect revenge. She buys the parcel of land next door with plans to build a house on it that will obstruct his water view. She enlists the help of her coworker and architect, Wyatt to draw up plans for the house. But as time goes on, the house project becomes less about revenge and more about spending time with Wyatt.

I don't know what this says about me, but I absolutely loved the whole concept of Dani's spite house! All the little touches that she and her cohorts kept adding to the house to bug her ex kept me immensely entertained. There isn't much I love more than a sunshine/grumpy trope, and this book doesn't disappoint. Loved the chemistry, loved the antics of Dani and her friends, and just plain loved the book. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from this debut author!

Thank you to Harelquin Trade Publishing and Graydon House for sending me an eARC vis NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

think the most entertaining part of this story was the female friendships and less so the romance aspect. I feel like this could have benefited from Wyatt's POV.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Super cute! A great sunshine/grump trope that is sure to be a big hit! I actually had no idea what a spite house was until this book!