4.5 - “Once the part you expected to follow vanishes beneath you, it can take a while to decide where you want to go next.”

I’ve always enjoyed Olivia Dade’s writing, but this is by far my favorite of hers. It’s sexy and sweet, while also dealing with incredibly heavy topics so well.

Athena is moving into a spite house after her engagement falls apart right before her wedding. She’s next door to her fiancé’s older brother, Matthew. They have chemistry from the very start, and we get that from the prologue when they meet at her engagement party. Matthew comes off as a jerk, but we find out how much more there is to it.

I love Athena and how curious she is about the world. She wants to learn and grow, and she’s so intelligent but feels like a failure because she never stays in one job for too long. She gets burnt out or bored, and seeks something new. Her failures moves to depression, and when Matthew comes to take care of her it’s such a beautiful moment. It also depicts depression in a way that feels delicate and caring. Sometimes it can feel like depression is used as a cheap plot point, but here it feels like an integral part of Athena's journey.

It’s also great to see that Athena has such supportive parents, who understand how she is as a person and are so proud of her despite her continual changes. And Matthew is so supportive as a partner, though he doesn’t come without his own issues. He carries this guilt over the death of his youngest brother and feels responsible for Johnny, who was engaged to Athena. He struggles with his feelings for Athena as well and views it as a possible betrayal of Johnny,

The late conflict isn’t my favorite, but the resolution is down so well that it didn’t take too much away from story. All of the characters involved in the conflicts have mature resolution. It doesn't feel petty, despite the premise of the story being that Athena buys a spite house. The conversations are thoughtful and show that each of them complete their arc.

In At First Spite, Olivia Dade sets up a perfect storm of a romcom. We have Athena, her ex-fiance, and the ex’s brother (who contributed to the breakup in a massive way) all living literally side by side in a small town. It was funny and engaging and I had to pace myself to keep from reading it straight through.

In addition to the romance and the humor, however, Dade has written the most heart-achingly realistic depiction of clinical depression I’ve ever seen in a work of fiction. I’m someone who deals with depression and anxiety, and I could see myself so clearly in Athena. Dade treats the subject of depression with dignity and compassion, and the response that Matthew and the entire tight-knit community has to Athena’s depressive episode is uplifting and heart-warming.

Athena and Matthew were wonderful together, and I truly enjoyed watching them dance around one another in the beginning. The way Matthew cares for and eventually grows to love Athena is beautiful, and the depiction of his grief and the way it has affected him over the course of his life is also well written.

This book deals with some heavy subjects, but it is also funny, lighthearted, and beautifully written, and it was well-worth the read. I can’t wait for more by this author!

I am in a love/hate relationship with this book. There are so many parts of this book that are just so much fun, but also instances where I was rolling my eyes. A great pick me up that actually didn't have me freaking out over that third act no-no.

I loved that we had plus-size and depression rep!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review*

DNF at 35%

I really wanted to like this book because it is a plus-size romance and you don't often get to see that representation. It also sounded like it would be super petty and I loved the sound of that.

However, I was unable to connect with any of the characters. I found the characters to be stiff and superficial. The way Athena was written made it feel like a poor attempt to make her seem to be on the spectrum. Matthew is just written to be weirdly obsessed with Athena and her boobs. I'd like him to think about Athena once without thinking about her boobs.

I went into the romance with an open mind because I was unsure how the ex's brother thing would work out, but it didn't seem realistic at all. The instalove that Matthew felt for Athena despite trying to break her and Johnny up was so off-putting. And the fact that Athena so openly and willingly would sit and flirt with another man at her engagement party didn't sit right with me.

There is some sort of mystery floating around about the way Johnny and Athena broke up and that's really the only thing that kept me reading until 35%, but I don't care enough to make it through the book.

I do not think I was the target audience for this book, so everyone who thinks the book sounds good should still give it a chance. This could be exactly what some people are looking for, it just wasn't for me.

At First Spite (eARC) — 3 ⭐️

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: February 13, 2024

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 —
📺 Real-Life Pop Culture References
🧠 Mental Health Rep
🔒 Forced Proximity
👫 He Fell First
😏 Witty Banter
🔓 Open Door Romance
📚 Book about Books

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐟 —
🥔 Potatoes are the way to your heart
💼 You have an impressive resume
📖 You could spend all day reading
🤝 You have a great support system
😈 You’re not afraid of monsters (or dolls)

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: I had a lot of hope for my first Olivia Dade book because I’ve only heard good things about her stories. After reading the book’s description, I requested it since it had plenty of things I like in rom-coms — mental health representation, body diversity, witty banter, a fun premise… the list goes on. Sadly, this book came up short for me, and I really wanted to like it more! There were some parts that I enjoyed, but it mostly felt drawn out and too lengthy. The romance felt mediocre, and I felt like the MMC didn’t respect some obvious boundaries throughout the book, even if he said he “had good intentions.” Even though this book wasn’t for me, I do plan to read other books by the author to see what the hype is about.

𝐓𝐖: child death, profanity, sexual content, grief, depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, for providing me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED this book! This was such a real romance. I appreciate so deeply the way the author accurately depicted symptoms of depression. It was also so refreshing to see a main male character that was so in tune with his emotions. Athena was such a relatable character + seeing a body confident plus size character was amazing!

I love Olivia Dade's characters SO much. They are funny, mature, and so darn realistic. Her newest release might be her most intimate and vulnerable book to date.

Athena is in her upper 30's with two masters' degrees yet she cannot seem to land on the career of her dreams. She has sold all her belongings and is planning to relocate to the small coastal town or Harlot's Bay, when her fiance abruptly ends the engagement. Unfortunately for the couple, and her fiance's infuriating older brother who she partially blames for her breakup, she is now stuck as their neighbors living in very TINY 'Spite House' she recklessly purchased as an ironic wedding gift. While her ex gallavants solo in Hawaii on their honeymoon, Athena decides vengence must be served on her new neighbor: Dr. Matthew Vine III. She signs him up for marketing campaigns, messes with his house numbers, and blares monster smut through open windows at top volume. However, ruffling Matthew's feathers in unexpectedly more difficult than she anticipated. Especially when Athena falls into a depressive episode, Matthew keeps helping her! He keeps checking in, connecting her with new friends, putting in a good word for local job openings, and he's an amazing conversationalist. Is it just his guilt over breaking up her and his brother or could there be something more than a spark with her ex-fiance's older brother??

I loved this romance! However, full disclosure, while the initial banter and pranks are hilarious, this book morphs from rom-com to include one of the most on-page realistic depressive episodes I've ever read and it definitely wrecked me/unleashed my own emotions. Dade does this with exceptional care, and Matthew literally needs to publish a manual on 'how to support a loved one when they are depressed'. Additionally, Matthew is also working through the off-page death of his sibling that led to the dissolution of his family and thrusted him into a parent role for his younger brother. That being said, their friendship, and then deeper romantic connection, was hard earned through conversation and consistently supporting each other!! The on-page steam is classic Dade, meaning incredibly hot, but it was a slow burn/occurs late in the book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Publishing for my e-arc in exchange for my review. I will be posting my review to IG during pub week!

Another stunning, stellar plus sized heroine romance. Full of forced proximity, sexual tension, and delightful heat, this book will be a great edition to any romance lovers shelf.

I'm loathe to give this review but this book was a mess and not at all consistent with Dade's previous works.

MCs were neither likeable nor unlikeable- I never mustered enough of an emotional investment to really care. The plot had so. many. threads that it was just a knot. Is this enemies to lovers? Is the focus mental illness? Grief? Second chances? There was no satisfaction with the resolution because *nothing* felt fully resolved or explored. The HEA fell flat on its face and had me rolling my eyes.

Olivia Dade is (usually) a very solid writer but I can't even fake enthusiasm for At First Spite.

NetGalley provided the ARC, opnions 100% mine.

First book to land on my Best of 2024 watch list. Olivia Dade's AT FIRST SPITE took me on a roller coaster ride of emotion. Anger, hope, heartbreak, joy, snark (Athena, you're a master), sadness, monster erotica (couldn't stop laughing), murder dolls (I feel ya, Matthew), and more. I was snort laughing one minute, mopping up tears the next, and reaching for a fan (the steam...so delicious) in between. I could not have loved Matthew and Athena more. Their flaws. Their fears. Their creativity (so hilariously creative). Their good hearts. Their slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. By the time I turned the final page I felt like their personal cheerleader. I just wanted to hug both of them.

I've come to expect 5-star reads from this author but this book is special. I'm already eager to experience it all over again.

Note: Dade tackles some tough topics in this one - including severe depression and grief (death of a child/off page and before the story begins) - and does so in a raw, realistic way that figuratively lays open the character then slowly, carefully, realistically, stitches them back together with love, medical care, kindness, and a gentle hand.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

I loved this book! Olivia is great at writing real characters and this book is no exception! I just reviewed At First Spite by Olivia Dade. #AtFirstSpite #NetGalley

At First Spite is about Athena, who has just bought a spite house that is only 10 feet wide, as a wedding present for her fiance, so he can expand his own house. Unfortunately, the wedding is off, and she now lives between her ex and his brother, Matthew, who convinced him to end the engagement. Naturally, she decides to make Matthew's life as hard as possible while she figures out what to do next.

The premise of this story sounds light, and I was nervous about how that would play out in a romance between a woman and her ex's brother. But even though this book is laugh out loud funny, I wouldn't call it light. Matthew has a very complicated (although loving and close) relationship with his brother Johnny, having essentially raised him after the death of their younger brother. Athena struggles with depression, and her financial situation is somewhat precarious for a large part of the book. These are people with real struggles, but they're also incredibly kind and have an immense capacity for love and fun.

I really enjoyed the way Athena's teasing brought Matthew out of his shell, and the depths of humor and kindness Matthew had. I was half in love with both of them by the end of the book, and I even ended up caring a lot about Johnny, who was struggling to find himself as much as Matthew and Athena. The town of Harlot's Bay and the people in it are incredibly charming. The final grand gesture was dramatic but also really personal and thoughtful, and the epilogue was pure happiness.

I have a love/hate relationship with third-person writing and this one was in the latter category. Also not connecting with the FMC at all. Putting it down for now, might pick up later.

At First Spite by Olivia Dade is about a woman caught between two brothers who both love her. Athena meets Johnny, the younger brother first and falls in love. Older brother Matthew objects to their engagement and eventually Johnny gives in to his brothers warnings and dumps Athena one month before the wedding. Athena had left her job and given up her residence at this point so she is left with nowhere to go except for the "spite house," a sliver of a house built on to the side of Johnny's townhouse and across the alley from Matthew's house. At first Athena is determined to bounce back from this unwelcome situation but money and employment woes contribute to her downward spiral into deep deppression. And who should come to her aid, to help her begin her climb back to health but Matthew. Meanwhile Johhny has been working hard to better himself so that he might be worthy of Athena.

Olivia Dade is magical sorceress who lures us into her books where we soon find ourselves lost and helpless to do anything but keep turning pages as she pulls us along, our hearts torn with sympathy for the characters's travails. This particular book shows us how trust precedes intimacy and is necessary for achieving true intimacy. Other issues explore the far-reaching effects of trauma, the importance of support for people struggling with mental health issues, the pain and joy of personal growth, and deep strength of family ties. All of this is mixed with a healthy serving of humor and an assortment of quirky, easy-to-love characters. My only complaints would be that the language was salty more frequently than I personally like and that the sex scenes, while a beautiful depiction of a joyful and loving relationship, went on a bit long. These are small things that are a matter of taste and not quality. They didn't stop me from reading every minute I could until I reached the happy and very satisfying ending.

Sadly this book is a tad of a miss for me. The premise just didnt call to me - the brothers that is. I couldnt help but get the ick.

Thank you for this ARC!

TW: grief, accidental death of a child (off page), clinical depression

I love Olivia’s Dade’s books! We love plus size rep. But this book is so relatable- who doesn’t read or stay busy 24/7 so that we can’t have a single thought? Just me? Okay anyways, moving on. Athena has just been jilted a month before she was supposed to get married to Johnny and move to a town called Harlot’s Bay. She bought a Spite house as a wedding gift and has no where else to go after quitting her job and using up all her savings. Well guess what? Her ex-fiancés older brother, Matthew, convinced his brother to break off the engagement. And what Athena didn’t realize when moving to Harlot’s Bay was that she would be living in right between her ex fiancé AND his older brother. Matthew feels horrible for his role and ends up spending time with Athena and helping her however he can. But hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! The pranks!!! So funny. Also I want to read every Sally Brazen novel referenced in this book. They made me laugh so hard!

I actually can’t wait for Johnny’s book

Overall rating: 4 ⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️

Athena is struggling after breaking up with her fiance and moves into the house that she bought for him. Unfortunately this house happens to be next door to the ex fiance's brother (Matthew). Who she believes is responsible for the breakup of the first place. So she decides to absolutely annoy him and every way possible.

Both Athena and Matthew are very flawed individuals and those flaws are very much portrayed on page. They're both struggling with grief and loss in very different ways. And have learned how to cope also in very different ways.

The portrayal of Athena's depression felt so incredibly real and raw. The depth that it affects her and those around her was heartbreaking but very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book.

This book is equal parts, beautiful and romantic, as well as being heartbreaking and reduced me to tears. But in the end is an incredibly beautiful and well told story.

Thank you to Netgalley and @Avonbooks for an arc of this book.

Cute slow burn enemies-to-lovers with representation of clinical depression in the FMC, Athena. Athena was almost married to her fiance when the fiance's brother, Matthew, convinced him to call off the wedding. At that point, she had already purchased a tiny sliver of a row house next to said fiance, uprooted herself from her job, and moved away from her family and friends. So, what's a girl to do? Well, when Matthew finds out what's been happening with Athena, he takes a step into helping her along.

Slow burns and enemies-to-lovers are both super hit or miss for me, but I enjoyed this ride. I love the plus-size and mental health representations. The depression in the book feels very, very real, so just know that going in.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

This is my favorite Olivia Dade book to date. It’s an authentic and heart-breakingly beautiful depiction of how depression can bring you down and how those who are close to you and love you can help lift you back up. Matthew is such a nurturing and loving hero and I loved seeing him take care of Athena and, eventually, turn those same traits back to himself. I loved Athena’s sass and spunk. She was funny, sweet, and incredibly real. While I didn’t expect a book about revenge to turn into a hurt/comfort story, I’m so glad that it did. I loved this book so much and can’t wait to read more from Harlot’s Bay.

Tropes: hurt/comfort, slow burn, close proximity

A Blurb: After her fiancé breaks off their engagement, Athena Greydon is forced to move into the narrow Spite House she impulsively bought for him. Living in the ten-foot-wide house, she discovers her ex's home is attached, and his judgmental brother, Dr. Matthew Vine the Third, resides only a four-foot alley away, making her revenge plans more complicated as she finds herself drawn to him.

My Thoughts: Just finished my first Olivia Dade book and I'm hooked! This story was humorous and entertaining, but also deep and depicted the lows of depression. The caretaking moments hit me right in the heart, and Matthew working on healing his inner child was everything. Only thing I wanted more of was exploring their friendships with the side characters.

TW: severe depressive episode (on page), anxiety, death of a child/sibling (past, recounted on page), parental abandonment (past)

Read If You Love:
- he falls first
- ex’s brother
- forced proximity/neighbors
- hate to love
- opposites attract
- plus size heroine
- depression rep (immaculate care taking)
- monster erotica

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!