DNF @ 37%

I made the attempt to read this having not read the previous books in the series and felt like I was doing myself aa disservice. I will likely come back to this title in the future.

Another great rom-com from Olivia Dade in the Spoiler Alert series! This is a fun and spicy slow burn. I love how Olivia Dade writes plus sized female main characters and Maria is no exception. I love Maria and Peter’s relationship and watching it develop. Overall I would definitely recommend this one!

I have loved this entire series and this book is no different. Maria and Peter are such a great paring. He's grumpy and brooding on the outside but deep down he's a cinnamon roll. She's soft sunshine but doesn't let people walk all over her. This entire book was perfection, the time gaps and pining, the dynamic between Maria and Peter, the side characters. I will always welcome Alex's chaos and Chara's dazzling personality and the amazing cast of characters Olivia Dade has brought to life in this series.

I just loved this book from beginning to end! It took me a bit to fix it in time with the previous books, since it’s not in sequential order like the previous two were, but it does not detract. I loved the characters and the slow burn was very well done! Olivia Dade is a favorite of mine, and this book did not disappoint in the least!

Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and Olivia Dade for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I was excited to read this one because of the gorgeous cover and it was super cute. It follows Maria and Peter after their one-night stand and how they decide to reunite. They’re going separate ways though, so things probably won’t work out… right? They end up working out and it turns into a warm, fun, romantic story. I think fans of the author and her other books will enjoy this one!

No man is an island…even if Peter tried his damnedest. Lemme splain.

Peter and Maria meet in a sauna, have a smoking hot one night stand, and Maria leaves Peter flat, which hurt Peter he’s ngl. And then they turn up at the same audition for parts on Gods of the Gates, a very popular TV show. Now they have to work together. And deal with those pesky feelings while acting out their enemies to lovers storyline. And to no one’s surprise and a lot of shippers’ deepest fantasies, romance happens.

I hoarded this ARC like a dragon hoards it’s gold because I knew it would be good and damn I was not disappointed.

This starts like fire and yet simmered down to a slow burn that built beautifully. Both Maria and Peter are fat, but that’s just a descriptor. It’s not the focal point, and while it factors into a certain plot point, it’s just one facet of the story. I cannot tell you how much I loved that. As a fat reader, I’m really tired of the stories that portray weight as the end all be all to a character’s motivation and Ms Dade really knows how to navigate that potential trope trap. When you’re looking for excellent fat rep, I highly recommend this series. But I digress.

The real emotional journey here is Peter’s. He has spent a good chunk of his life living like an outsider. He’s awkward, occasionally surly and so focused on his career he doesn’t quite realize how dark his life is, until Maria shines a light on his loneliness and brings him out of his shell as they grow to be friends and co-workers. While there’s some moments that made me cringe on his behalf, there’s never a time I didn’t understand why he acts the way he does.

Maria’s emotional journey isn’t as prominent, but I think that’s only because she knows herself and frankly, she kicks butt. I adored her and even at the dark moment, I loved her ability to realize her own issues while not just taking blame to ease Peter’s way. She values herself more than that and it was refreshing to see her refuse to compromise that. Plus her Swedish roots are deep and her pet name for Peter and the general Swedish cultural references were great.

But the real joy here is there’s an entire ‘verse that Ms. Dade has created in earlier books and continues to grow here. Family scenes are sprinkled throughout, and family bonds in all its forms, which were beautifully written. Plus I have to shout out the little fanfic interludes - they cracked me up.

This is the trifecta of heart, heat, and humor-everything that I ever want in a romance- and I couldn’t be happier to recommend this.

**ARC provided via Netgalley for review**

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this advanced reader copy. This book had things I enjoyed and things not so much!

I'm rating it 2.5 stars

Pros:
The pure art of being able to have sex on the first page but still make it an incredibly slow burn takes skill. I loved the fact this book shows your looks have nothing to do with being desired. Also, my favorite was Peters inner turmoil when he had to film the sex scene with Maria.

Cons:
Maria at time gives off the same vibes I disliked with April. Everything is her way and if people don't like it they are made to look like horrible human beings and just have to accept everything that comes out of her mouth. She doesn't have to see other POVs. I made the decision to DNF with a possibility of finishing. I am about 55% through and I am so bored I cannot finish. I cant even fathom what the rest could be about and I know it will probably be a third act conflict which I do not like so I don't even want to put myself through it

2.5 Stars

In the third installment of the Spoiler Alert series, we follow Maria and Peter. The novel begins with a steamy one night encounter that ends in Peter being left alone yet again. He’s feeling bitter, but decides to push it away in order to nail his audition. He lands the part, but his romantic interest on the TV show is the woman who walked out on him only a few hours prior. For the next six years, they must learn to live with one another in close quarters. When the show wraps, the two decide to give their relationship another chance.

I did not read the first two books in this series, so there were a lot of side characters that were introduced and fleshed out earlier in the series. I was still able to follow the storyline since Peter and Maria were new characters, but I was extremely confused in scenes where the entire cast was texting or hanging out and I didn’t understand their inside jokes or relationships to one another. I don’t recommend reading this series out of order.

I didn’t want the confusion with the rest of the cast to affect my review since that was an oversight on my part, but I still didn’t enjoy the moments of this book that were just Peter and Maria. I think the first half of the novel was strong, when they were filming the show and their relationship was back and forth. After the show wraps, they start dating immediately which was not what the book blurb led me to believe going into the novel. The second half felt more like a character study since a lot of the turmoil were the characters figuring themselves out internally rather than things happening between them physically. I didn’t really feel that connected to the characters by this point, so it was honestly boring for me to read and it took me forever to finish this book.

Overall, I don’t think this book was bad, it just isn’t what I look for in a romance. If you enjoy character heavy plots and internal struggles, then this is more for you. I wanted more drama, more moments between the two that weren’t just sex, and maybe a little explanation for the other characters so people just discovering this series (like me) can enjoy that aspect a little more. Meeting 5+ characters all at once through a text chain wasn’t the right way to tackle that.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc In exchange for my honest review.

This book definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. I loved the first two in the world built by Olivia Dade but this one just fell flat to me.

I didn’t feel that community presence as much as the first two. Also found it hard to connect with the two main characters. I really had to force myself to read this because their relationship lacked so much chemistry.

I love every book I have read by Olivia Dade. This book is no exception - I enjoyed it so much I read it twice before I reviewed it. The tension, the setting, the love the characters have for each other is AMAZING. And it's so nice to see characters (and scenes!) from other books make appearances. I highly recommend Olivia Dade to anyone who wants a good, plus-size romance.

I loved this book soo much that after reading it, I went and got this authors whole catalog to catch up on reading all her stories.
Fun and memorable characters and great storyline that has me vested on reading more from her.

Work and the holidays have kept me busy this year, but not too busy to finish reading Ship Wrecked.
While my review is a bit late to the party, this was an enjoyable read for me. Having not read the first two in the series, I found it wasn't needed to follow along. I did find myself getting a bit bored mid way through but I enjoyed the steamy sex scenes.

I loved loved loved this story!!

The mutual pining that goes on throughout their time together on the show was so well done. I loved the text messages between the cast, they added so much humor and fun.

Maria is such a strong FMC but still show’s vulnerability and I absolutely loved that so much. And Peter.. I love him. These two both felt so real.

I love seeing strong plus sized characters who love their bodies and don’t feel like they need to change in order to please others.

I will say that Maria has been my favorite out of the three female protagonists of this series, buuut this is not my favorite one. I understand that they cared for and loved each other throughout the years but it felt too long for me and I also understand the conflict they had but it didn't feel high stake for me, I felt like it could've got resolved with a good extended conversation. Other than I enjoyed their banter, Maria was smart and strong, and I admired her "I do whatever I want" attitude. Steamy scenes, yes please and thank you, Dade did not disappoint and had plenty to spare. I'm planning on buying more from her because I really like her style and characters.

I adored every bit of this! Peter and Maria are amazing together, and the attraction between them is red hot. Loved how defensive Maria got of Peter and how undeniable their chemistry was. Spice was great and this was an all around really entertaining, romantic read with wonderful characters and a sweet hea. *I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Olivia!!! This story! The slow burn! The literal opening line! Obviously this book is hard to put down and Peter and Maria are just…!!!! Ship Wrecked is a great addition to the series and I love to watch the development of some of the other love stories (*cough* Alex and Lauren *cough*) as Peter and Marie’s becomes unavoidable!
Unfortunately I did find the story a bit unbalanced and felt your typical romance formula was forced more so in this story than some of Dade’s others. All the tension and the spicy stuff was at the beginning and while I like a strong opening, I was begging for something blush worthy to happen at the end. Also, the third act break-up was so dumb. Both of them were being ridiculous so of course they were going to figure it out. Plus the awkwardness of some chapters being separated by days or years and never really addressed made the whole thing feel discombobulated.

Also, I really want Peter to go to therapy - not because trauma is holding him back from being in a healthy, loving, and self-sustaining relationship with Maria but because I think he thinks the success of their relationship is enough to prove to himself and everyone else that he is fine. Spoiler alert: it is not. I want him to find peace with his dad and let that allow him to be happy in all parts of his life! Ugh, I just want Peter to be the best Peter!

Thank you to NetGalley and Olivia Dade for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review! #hcponstrike

Of the three in this series I enjoyed this one most. The female mc is a strong character. I liked that her happiness was more important than any job and she made that clear up front. I like the character chats within the story, the references to the incidents from the other books and the characters are enjoyable.

What I didn't care for was the story jumping years from one chapter to the next bringing the story to present day. While this made sense with where the story needed to go, it felt abrupt. The author uses heavy language in the book, which I didn't care for. Overall though the author knows how to write a good story.

The author includes character chats You do not need to read the first two to understand this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

(11/15/2022) 5 stars. Ms. Olivia Dade can never go wrong. Ship Wrecked is a wonderful addition to the Spoiler Alert universe. The romance: as spicy as ever. The characters: perfectly human with great things about them and faults. Perfectly flawed. It's interesting because I am more of a fantasy romance type of gal but I cannot ever get enough of Olivia Dade and her contemporary romance. They always bring the much needed light mixed in with dark. Always teaching a lesson while providing the beautiful escape that we all need nowadays.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon allowing me to review this book. I really like the romantic relationship in this book and the cute side characters that would come in for great banter. I do wish that the romance would have hold out longer and been more of a slow burn in the book versus having time breaks. I would have liked to seen it progress and get it the breaking point it did. Otherwise I enjoyed reading it! 4 ⭐️

While this has been my least favorite book in this series so far, it was still so enjoyable. That said, I would have liked more of the in between instead of the jumps from past to present. I liked this love story, but just needed to see more of the development. It's hard not to love Maria and Peter and want the best for them, even if they don't communicate well at all.

If you liked the first 2 books, definitely keep going with this one. 3.5 stars.