If you haven’t been reading Olivia Dade, you are truly missing out! This book…I don’t even have words, just do yourself a favor and read it!

Oh my gosh this book has like all my favorite tropes. Enemies to Lovers with some forbidden romance (ex fiance's brother), slow burn and the PINING. Good heavens the pining. This book also has an on page depressive episode and I just feel like it was written extremely well. This book also deals with grief and it was heart wrenching. I loved it.

This was a spicy and fun read. I had no idea romantasy existed and this was a great way to get a secondhand introduction to it, Olivia Dade always writes relatable characters you want to see win their true love in the end.

I really enjoy Olivia Dade's writing style. This was a great introduction to the Harlot's Bay series.

Read this book if you enjoy:
> Enemies to lovers
> Ex's brother
> Forced proximity
> He takes care of her
> Mental health/depression rep

I thought this book was a really great start to a series. From the very beginning, I was invested in the FMC's journey - her desire to be seen as 'having her life together' and the motivations that got her to the situation that she was in. The spite house angle was hilarious. I could not imagine ending up in that sort of living scenario. The MMC was very grumpy and it took me a little while to warm up to him. I appreciated that the book had both POVs which helped a bit to understand what was going on in the MMC's head.

The pranks that the FMC pulled were excellent and I loved the way that she used the spite house to her advantage. I also melted when he crawled across between the two houses to check on her and the way that he took care of her while she was in crisis. Just a well written and enjoyable book all around. Yes some of the topics are heavy (there are a few trigger warnings I recommend checking), but at the same time the levity and humor balances out the things that the MCs are dealing with.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. Of course I also have a copy on my shelf next to all of Olivia's other books!

The first book in the new Harlot’s Bay series, AT FIRST SPITE
captured me right away with the hilarious writing and banter that leapt off the page. I just loved the characters, the mental health rep, and all the spice,

WHAT TO EXPECT
-opposites attract
-ex’s brother
-monster smut-loving-Nasty Wenches Bookclub
-plus-sized rep
-mental health rep

*many thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

**Book Review: At First Spite by Olivia Dade**

At First Spite by Olivia Dade is a heartwarming read that tackles some big issues with grace and humor. As a big fan of Olivia Dade, especially her plus-size heroines, I was excited to dive into this one, and it did not disappoint!

The story centers around two characters who initially clash but slowly uncover deeper layers of each other, leading to a sweet and satisfying romance. Olivia Dade excels at creating relatable, flawed, yet lovable characters, and this book is no exception. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and their journey from antagonists to lovers is beautifully written.

What I love most about Dade’s writing is how she handles serious topics. At First Spite addresses themes like body positivity, self-acceptance, and emotional healing in a way that feels genuine and impactful. The heroine’s journey to embracing her plus-size body is particularly inspiring. Dade’s portrayal is both empowering and realistic, making her characters resonate deeply with readers.

The humor in the book is another highlight. Dade’s wit shines through in the dialogue and interactions between characters, adding a lightness to the story even when it deals with heavier themes. The balance between humor and heart is perfect, making the book an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

At First Spite is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. It’s a touching story that will leave you smiling and feeling good. If you love strong, relatable heroines and a romance that tugs at your heartstrings, this book is definitely for you. Olivia Dade has done it again!

Olivia Dade has done it again. I was a bit hesitant to read this after Ship Wrecked. That was a major flop for me. I thoroughly enjoyed At First Spite however. I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers so the witty banter was already going to be swoon worthy. The plus size rep is wonderful, as a plus size person. I will definitely be reading more of work in the future.

Olivia Dade continues to deliver with this enemies to lovers spicy romance. The main characters are a joy to follow and their connection jumps off the page. Can't wait for her next one!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the e-arc!
At First Spite is a great contemporary romance with a surprising amount of emotions and complex character relationships. I initially picked it up for the plus-size MC and was excited about the messy relationships the story promised. While I loved some parts of the story, I think the book was not for me. The rep was amazing, and I enjoyed Dade's writing style and ability. The difficult topics in this book were handled extremely well, and I would love to check out more from Dade.

I didn't much enjoy these characters. I liked the idea of the Spite House, but not so much the follow through of the story.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Olivia Dade can do no wrong in my eyes!

I've loved every single story I've ever read by here, At First Spite was no different! I really love how Olivia deals with heavier topics, especially surrounding Mental Health. and I felt like she really knocked it out of the park with this one!

I did wish there more groveling and making up for the way Matthew... Idk just was. I wanted to see more from him.

I did love this story and cannot wait to read her future works.

"At First Spite" by Olivia Dade is a delightful and emotionally rich contemporary romance that offers a fresh take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. Set in the charming town of Harlot's Bay, the story follows Athena Greydon, who finds herself living in a narrow Spite House next door to her ex-fiancé's brother, Matthew Vine.

Dade's writing shines in her portrayal of complex, relatable characters grappling with real-life issues. Athena's struggle with her career direction and mental health is handled with sensitivity and authenticity, adding depth to her character. The slow-burning romance between Athena and Matthew is both witty and heartfelt, with their initial animosity gradually evolving into a deeper connection.

The novel skillfully balances humor with more serious themes, including family dynamics and personal growth. Dade's inclusion of diverse body types and mental health representation is particularly praiseworthy, offering a refreshing and inclusive narrative.

While the premise might seem potentially problematic, Dade navigates the complexities of relationships with nuance and care. The emotional journey of the characters is intense and compelling, making for an engrossing read that's difficult to put down.

"At First Spite" is more than just a romance; it's a story about healing, self-discovery, and the unexpected ways love can enter our lives. With its charming setting, well-developed characters, and touching narrative, this novel cements Olivia Dade's reputation as a skilled author in the contemporary romance genre.

I love Olivia Dade. Sometimes she is a bit hit or miss for me, but even when she misses I still adore her. Ultimately this book was a miss for me. The mental illness representation in this book was VERY well done. I think I struggled with the romance because I just could not get behind the way that the Hero spoke about our Heroine and then flipped so quickly. I just couldn't suspend disbelief enough to support the romance. I almost wish this wasn't a romance and was just a regular fiction book that explored these issues. I think that I could get behind it more readily. My favorite part was the concept of a spite house though, loved that.

Athena bought the Spite House for her fiance as a wedding gift. Little did she know that her relationship would end before the ending. To make things work out, Athena moves into the house herself and finds out soon after she has a very unfortunate neighbor: her ex's brother Matthew. She can't stand his mannerisms or him. But come to find out, proximity between Matthew and she may not prove as unwanted as she thought.

I really enjoyed as per usual Dade's humor in this book. I found myself laughing at some point every chapter. I also really enjoyed the foil of proximity with the two characters. It kind of amped up the sexy. And of course, the character ending up working at a library? How else do you make a librarian happy?

Overall, I really enjoyed this one! Thanks for the ARC.

We love a plus size MC, a man who knows how to treat her right, and witty banter. All together, they create a super fun novel in At First Spite. I adored it, read it in a day, and couldn't put it down!

Swoon. Dr. Matthew Vine the Third is my new book boyfriend. Harlot's Bay is the new book town I want to move to and Olivia Dade continues to be one of my favorite authors. I'm generally not a fan of pranks but this book had me rolling with some of the petty stuff Athena pulls on Matthew. This book is for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider and if Harlot's Bay existed, my weirdo self would move there immediately. Olivia Dade, thanks for always making me feel seen.

A cute little enemies to friends to lovers rom com. Olivia Dade is hit or miss author for me, but this one was a hit. I loved the banter, the characters were well thought out, and the chemistry between the two leads was good. A definite recommend.

A slow spite but we got there! I had trouble getting into it, I just didn't see the appeal of Matthew. As the story went on, I grew to see Athena in a better light and Matthew grew on me. This book juggled some difficult topics like depression but Olivia Dade did it in such a delicate and important way. I did want more of the two of them by the end.

excellent book. was so excited to receive this ARC. it became one of my top favorite reads. cannot wait to read more from this author.

This was such a cute concept and interesting read! I felt like I learned a little bit of history. I had never heard of the concept of a spite house and that made this book a unique storyline for me!