These Spoiler Alert books are not only funny and hot, but the main characters are real people with real issues. Well, they aren’t really real, of course, but when you’re reading these novels you totally identify. Peter and Maria were no different than Spoiler Alert’s Marcus and April and All the Feels Alex and Lauren. They aren’t perfect people, but characters with real people’s problems and I loved them all. Peter and Maria definitely had a hot start to their relationship. Whew! After that first chapter though, the book slowed down to more of a slow burn novel with their engaging banter and friendship driving up the anticipation. I felt like one of the Gods of the Gates fans who desperately wanted their tv characters to get together, I did too! Peter and Maria were the darlings of their show and very sweet in real book life, although they had real issues that each of them had to work through. It was totally worth it to have them finally get together.

I wish this Gods of the Gates show was real. A mix of Games of Thrones and author Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles, it sounds right up my alley, fantasy meets Greek mythology. How fun! Olivia Dade’s writing helped me visualize all of the scenery on that Irish shoreline and those fun fan fic chapter openings were laugh out loud funny. I’m so glad that we got to have a bit of fun with the other characters as well. This was a fun book all around and I’m looking forward to listening to it soon. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review and it was honest.

The third book from the Spoiler Alert series!

Like the other books in the series, the book cover is fantastic! I love it so much. While Ship Wrecked can be considered a standalone book, I highly suggest reading the first two books before delving into this one. It will give you more insight into characters that occasionally popped into this book, their personalities, and how intertwined the series are with one another.

So, I genuinely like this book. There’s excellent pining between Maria and Peter. They had a great night together, only to bump into each other once again during the Gods of the Gates series audition – and found themselves working for six years on a remote island. The sequence of their relationship is excellent, from animosity to friends and then to lovers. I love the moments when one of them does something for the other without trying to be magnanimous about it; they just want to do something for the other’s happiness. I find it lovely, and it shows some top-notch yearning! And just like all the previous books from the author, this one is such a body-positive book. It also handles the complexity of love beautifully, especially between two people utterly confused about how to deal with ideals so different from themselves.

Overall, it still feels a little underwhelming, given how solid the first two books were from start to finish, especially All the Feels. That said, I love the author very much and look forward to more of her works.

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, for the eARC.

SYNOPSIS: Maria and Peter have a one-night stand which Peter hopes that it will turn into more. Maria disappears by the next morning without a word which leaves Peter heartbroken. Peter gets a job as an actor in a TV show which he is hoping to be his big break but his costar is none other than Maria. Peter swears he won't take his relationship any further with Maria while they are making this TV Show but all bets are off when they wrap the show.

THINGS I LIKED

One thing I loved about this book is that the main female character had more confidence than the male character which we don't get to see as often in books. The female character was positive, strong and confident. She stood up for herself despite what repercussions could have happened.

Another thing I enjoyed was the sex positivity in this book. I love reading about women taking control of their own sexuality, especially with this character being plus size. The steam rating in this book overall is about average.

The story also includes how childhood traumas can shape a person into their adulthood. I like how Dade doesn't shy away from realistic issues such as grief and mental illness in this book. Incorporating real life situtations made it easier to connect to the characters in the story.

THINGS I DID NOT LIKE

The only thing I didn't like about this was that it tended to get slow at certain times. There were some extra stuff that for me I didn't need and could have been left out to make the pacing go a little bit faster and to be more engaged in the storyline.

This entire series makes me so happy!! I love the god of the gates story AND the made up fandom, AND THE obvious hint of a certain show that actually exists and how crappy the final seasons were being constantly mentioned!

Olivia Dade is wonderful, and I loved these two main characters specifically <3 such a majorly high recommended book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Olivia Dade for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Ship Wrecked coming out November 15, 2022. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Maria Ivarrson has a one night stand with literal Viking of a man, but leaves him without so much as a note goodbye. To her surprise, the Viking Peter Reedton is her new costar for Gods of the Gates. The tv series will have them spending the next six years together on a desolate Irish island. She still wants him…but he doesn’t want her at all.
Peter is working hard to establish himself as an actor. He knows this role could finally transform him into a leading man. He also knows a failed relationship with Maria could ruin things on set and he won’t give up his career for a woman who’s already walked away from him once. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be her friend and long for something more.
For years, they don’t touch off-camera. But on their last night of filming, their mutual restraint finally ends and they turn to each other. Will they have what it takes to stick it out to the end or will they part ways after the filming ends?

This is my first book by Olivia Dade. I’ve seen her other books and was always wanting to check them out. I haven’t read the other two books in the series. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved that the main plot was a Vikings show. Reminded me of the Vikings series. I loved that they were regular actors trying to make a living. I enjoyed the text conversations and scripts thrown in there. I think the description at times was a little too much. It felt like I was in the characters’ heads and they were overthinking things. I understand why they didn’t want to ruin things because they worked together, but the six years also felt like a long time. So it seemed like something could’ve happened. There was also a little more spice than I’m used to reading. The epilogue wasn’t my favorite. It just seemed like a lot of exposition.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for a review.
After reading the blurb for this book, I was so excited for the chance to read it and was not disappointed. If you love the tropes of one night stand, forced proximity, and frenemies to lovers, this book is for you! As someone who has struggled with her accepting her weight, Olivias books have felt so accepting to read and this one was no different. I do not normally love when books start off with the characters having a one night stand, but I found that I really enjoyed it in this book. I think it added to the tension in a way that made sense and did not feel embarrassing for me as a reader. I loved that Maria was unapologetic about her weight and stood up for herself when she needed to. Peter was an asshole at times, which occasionally turned me off from reading the book, but it was balanced with Maria never taking anyones shit. Eventually, I was able to see Peter's heart and how well made the two characters were for each other.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun romance with a lot of heart!

Ship Wrecked is a breath of fresh air! I appreciate how Olivia Dade is body inclusive in this book and how she describes the main characters Maria and Peter. Their story is delightful and I could not put this book down. The setting of working on a television show in an enchanted setting also made this book so endearing. Peter’s deadpan humor had me laughing from the beginning. I don’t think I’ve audibly laughed so much while reading a book. Maria is strong and smart and the reader can’t help but love her!

This book does contain mature adult content.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advance readers copy. The thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

Olivia Dade did it again!!!

I'm sorry, but a spicy "thick thighed sexy viking of a man"? um what more do you want in a book?? Other than the fact that this beautiful speciman is a broody grump?? (aka the best kind) The cherry on top is that this is a plus sized romance!! The passion between these two costars was visible on every page and the body positivity was a breath of fresh air.

I loved the Spoiler Alert series before and now I'm obsessed. I'm already feeling a full series reread!

Spoiler Alert! This book gave me All the Feels. But seriously, it did. At first I was a little leery, I got mad at the characters and that wasn't fair--because, what they were doing and feeling was authentic, even if irritating. But that's life, and this may be an imitation of it, but the feelings and the traumas/backstories that are worked through are understandable and relatable. We all carry our own baggage. Just because you're on the same page, doesn't mean you're on the same story. But when that moment comes when you find the characters finally, FINALLY in sync with each other--it's magic. Now this is a real, relatable and funny love story.

Oh my goodness! This book had me grasped from the first page. So much tension! Plus all of the topics we love to see in books. Size inclusive, grumpy sunshine, one night stand, coworkers, banter, and so much more. It was so well written I felt like I was in the show with the characters with the added behind the scenes feature.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

This was a super cute, quick read for me. This was my first book by the author. I was a little frustrated at times with Maria and Peter’s communication skills but overall I really enjoyed this!

The cleverness. The fluff. The angst. This book was everything I think I want without any predictability. Except a *SPOILER* HEA. Because if it hadn't had a HEA I would have thrown jars of pickled herrings at Avon's offices.

I received an ARC through NetGalley and received not one thing in return for this review. Not even a single Swedish fish.

I went into this book not knowing it was a series, I thought it looked interesting in Net Galley and wanted to read it. Best compliment to the book is that after finishing and realizing in Goodreads that it was a series I placed holds for them in my library right away (although there is a bit of a spoiler as the two couples in the previous books appear on this book, so maybe read them in order, although once I do that I can give more clear guidance if you should wait or not.) I really enjoyed the body positivity of this book as well as the immersion on the making of the show, as a Game of Thrones fan, Gods of the Gates seemed like a show i would love. The meet cute is also top notch, and funnily enough very similar to one of the other books reviewed in this post, drunk on love. lessons from them all: assume all one night stands will come back to haunt you!

I was blown away by Olivia Dade's Spoiler Alert, set within the fanfic world of the hit (fictional) television show, Gods of the Gates. Then came book two, All the Feels and let me tell you, I felt all. the. feels. How, I wondered, would Dade possibly top Alex and Lauren's journey to love? With co-stars (self-contained, socially-awkward) Peter and (sunny, confident) Maria, with set-the-sheets-on-fire chemistry, intense yearning, emotional angst, hilarity, body positivity, snappy banter, laugh-inducing nicknames, and a hard-won happily ever after, all wrapped up in an immersive story that I could not put down. That's how she did it.

I fell head over heels in love with both Peter and Maria. How could I not when the author's love for these characters she had created was so clear? These are complex characters and the care she took with each of them was evident in their development, layers, flaws, fears, hopes, and dreams; in their subtle - and not so subtle - nuances, and in their significant personal growth. Dade's characters are so very real and relatable.

I have enormous respect for an author who, in a sea of ripped heroes and svelte heroines, chooses to create both a fat leading man and leading lady, embracing them as they are without making their weight a negative facet of their story. Peter is tall and broad-shouldered, with thick thighs and arms, and a soft belly, qualities Maria loves about him. He surrounds her body, makes her feel safe. Maria is a tall, strong, blonde Swede with with a healthy love of her ample curves and the fortitude to stand strong against those who would risk her health for a smaller silhouette on TV. Great body positivity! And she's not the only one who loves those curves. Needless to say, Peter and Maria enjoy an energetic and steamy physical relationship once they make the decision to indulge.

Secondary characters are flawlessly woven in and out of the story, interacting with Peter and Maria in ways that highlight facets of their personalities and move their story forward while also giving fans of the series a look at favorite couples from other books and new favorites to embrace. The relationships from the three books all move in a similar timeline so for those who have read the first two books, it's fun to view certain events from a different perspective. For those new to the series, if you want to avoid spoilers I recommend reading the three books in order. Though you can definitely enjoy Ship Wrecked as a standalone, my own enjoyment was enhanced by having read books one and two first.

A particular highlight of Ship Wrecked for me was Dade's impeccable comedic timing balanced with heart-tugging emotion. In Chapter 16, when Peter and Maria are sent to Stockholm on a publicity trip and stay with her family we are treated to both. There were heartbreaking parts of that chapter where I cried for past experiences Maria finally shared with Peter and other parts where people on the other side of my house were tracking me down to find out why I was snort laughing so loud and often. Pro tip: do not eat or drink anything while reading Chapter 16.

Olivia Dade has secured her place on my must-buy, favorite-author, I-will-never-miss-a-single-book-she-writes, all-novels-go-straight-to-my-keeper-shelf list. I enthusiastically recommend giving her a try.

One last thing: kudos to Avon for a fantastic cover that accurately depicts these wonderful characters!

Top Dish Review

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

Olivia Dade’s Spoiler Alert series never misses, and Ship Wrecked is another hilarious, insightful, heartwarming installment. We’ve known Peter and Maria as side characters, costars of the previous books’ MCs, but they more than hold their own as leads. The book is six years of slow burn between characters we know have chemistry and should be together, but the fun is in watching them realize they could actually work long term.
There is so much I love about this book. Peter and Maria are self-described “fat actors,” and it was wonderful to see that representation. They lead full lives, are complex and interesting characters in ways that have nothing to do with their weight. Just like the characters Maria wants to play, the stories we deserve to see told. And the chemistry between these two is So Good. It’s lovely to see their hearts catch up with their lust.

As always, the Gods of the Gates cast and crew are incredible supporting characters. They help show reserved, grumpy Peter that family is what you make it. They help Maria combat homesickness for Sweden during filming. And their group chats are the most hilarious use of the text message format I’ve ever seen.

I loved this book a lot, and I only have minor quibbles. The time jumps worked for the story, but particularly the moment I realized we’d jumped from season two to season six was a bit of a shock.

And I’m not sure the third act conflict worked for me. We spend six years seeing how close Maria and Peter are, how well they know each other, how they can intuit what the other one needs. I’m not sure I really buy that they could be so wrapped up in themselves and shocked that the other one might be unhappy with their choices, when they’ve spent so damn long doing the hard work to keep each other happy and safe. It’s not that I think either of their feelings were wrong. Just that I felt like two people as close and mature as the two of them having that blow up argument felt jarring.

This was a fun read and I loved the whole premise of two actors on a TV show. The tension, the spice, and the plot were all so great and I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author. I liked that topics such as representation, rejection, emotional neglect, depression, and more were covered- and covered well. Very much recommend this book!

It’s a servicable story, and I appreciate the author’s commitment to making sure people who are not usually leads in rom-coms get the spotlight, but I didn’t really care about either of these characters.

After an incredibly steamy one-night-stand, Peter and Maria discover that they have been cast as costars on the hit TV show Gods of the Gate. Their character arc has them stranded on a remote Irish island to film with a small crew and no other actors for the next 6 years. They both decide to keep things professional, even though it is clear to everyone on the island and their fans alike that there are feelings between them. Once their final scene is a wrap, they must decide if they can make a committed relationship work, especially since Peter lives in Hollywood and Maria is from Sweden.

There are so many themes in this book, from body positivity, childhood trauma, and found family, to name a few. All wrapped up with Olivia Dade's signature witty banter and steamy chemistry between her characters. Unlike other series that follow a linear timeline with the cast of characters, The Spoiler Alert series takes place around the same time, so this book has little Easter eggs and overlapping storylines from the first two books, which I love!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy for review. Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade is out November 15, 2022.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

This book definitely kicked things off with a bang.

Literally.

It did not take long for Maria and Peter to get it on, book-wise and life-wise. These two met while hanging out in a sauna, and the connection was immediate...and scorching. They definitely had a physical connection that had Peter hoping for more...until Maria left him without a note or farewell.

It did not take long for them to meet again at an audition for two enticing roles in a highly profiled show. Peter was not too pleased with Maria, but would eventually have to deal as her co-star in an enemies-to-lovers paranormal TV show.

It did not take long for them to get on the same page on set. Maria may be a TV-acting novice, but she quickly wins over the cast and crew's hearts, including the grouchy Peter, with her unapologetic confidence and kind, outgoing personality. Their on- and off-screen chemistry was filled with unresolved tension.

What did take long was for their romantic arc to complete, given that they agreed to be friends only while filming the show for six tension-filled years. It did not feel like it for this reader, however, because Olivia Dade did a great job of building a deep connection and creating sizzling chemistry between our two main characters.

Did she give us an insta-lust only to follow it with a slow burn? Absolutely, and the wait was worth it.

This is the third book in the Spoiler Alert universe, but as a newbie to the series, the book did well in briefly introducing characters from the previous reads and can be read as a standalone.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Olivia Dade, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

This is probably the most complicated 3.5 🌟 review I've ever written.

📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, Hollywood romance

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Maria and Peter have a one-night stand he is hoping will turn into more. But not only does she disappear without another word, she also turns out to be starring next to him in a show that's both of their big breaks. Peter swears he won't take things further, an act that could ruin heir careers. But when filming is over, all bets are off.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I can totally see why Olivia Dade's work nets out to under 4 stars on Goodreads. As I was personally balancing my thoughts on this book, it's where I netted out, too. There are plusses and minuses, times I wanted to DNF the book and times where I was wrapped up in the story.

As a reader, it's incredibly confusing and leads to these warring contradictions.

I love reading long, pining love. But Olivia Dade totally mishandled the passage of time in this book. I love when art imitates reality. But this series centers around a show that's exactly like Game of Thrones, so much it made my eyes roll. I love a good side cast of characters. But there were so many in this book, and they were so big in attitude, it felt like I could barely concentrate. I love plus-sized representation. But I can't stand when a plus-sized heroine makes being fat her entire personality.

It was a hard read for me, and I didn't really love the FMC here. I also wasn't a fan of Olivia Dade punctuating chapters with drafts of fan fiction and text threads... it really broke it up for me. But I did adore the spice - it was top notch - and I did love the third-act grovel, which had me pretty swoony.

And I can't simply ignore the fact that this book, and all of the others in the series (which I considered reading to see if I was missing out) are $10.99 ebooks. In my opinion, there's better ways to spend your money.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.