Olivia Dade’s At First Spite is the first in her new contemporary romance series Harlot’s Bay, named after the residence of the characters in Harlot’s Bay, Maryland. It’s a romantic comedy, but does deal with some pretty heavy emotional themes (the author prefaces the story with a content note). If a book can make me laugh, make me cry, and linger in my memory for days, it’s a winner and well deserving of a Desert Isle Keeper rating.

Athena Graydon thought her engagement to Johnny Vine and a move to Harlot’s Bay was going to be the first notch in climbing a ladder to a more stable and successful life. But overhearing Johnny’s brother Matthew tell Johnny that the engagement was a mistake, and Johnny’s subsequent dumping of her strikes a blow to her plans and her self-esteem. If only she hadn’t bought the tiny house - nicknamed the Spite House by local residents - that’s next to Johnny’s as an engagement gift for him with all her savings! The plans to combine the two houses into one are now irrevocably broken. Athena is stuck with the house as her own, and lo and behold if it doesn’t bring her right back in the vicinity of her nemesis Matthew, who, infuriatingly, lives across the alley facing her.

Job hunting in the local town leads to few prospects, though Athena does manage to get some temporary jobs. All the while she thinks and acts on ways to spite Matthew for his interference in her relationship with Johnny. What she doesn’t know is the reasoning behind Matthew’s actions and words, nor does she know to what lengths he is going behind her back in the attempt to try to make amends.

Matthew feels terrible about how Athena feels, even though he’s convinced that they would never have been a happy couple together so it was the right decision for Johnny to break up with her. He also feels guilty about his attraction to her, something that had started before he knew exactly who she was. Now it’s double the guilt, for ruining her life AND being attracted to his brother’s former fiancée. Gradually, thanks to their close proximity and Matthew’s kind and attentive manner, Athena is able to forgive him and friendship blooms, followed eventually by deeper feelings. But can Athena trust Matthew with her heart after having him break it once already?

This romance has several deeply emotional scenes that intersperse with the more comedic and funny moments. It’s clear early on that Matthew is grieving a loss that has affected him since he was a child. He is very protective of Johnny, having become a surrogate parent when their parents divorced, and as such, he’s always acted more in Johnny’s best interests rather than his own, leaving him frustrated, exhausted and lonely most of the time. The character reminded me of Martin in the author’s Teach Me (a top ten book of mine in 2019) – a really nice guy challenged by life’s often difficult circumstances. Having Athena across the alleyway from him is temptation and torture. But he goes out of his way to be friendly and pleasant to her in public and supportive in private, gradually winning her over to understanding that he really isn’t the bad guy she’s made him out to be. And maybe, just maybe, he might have been right that marriage to Johnny would have been a mistake.

By mid-point in the story, Athena’s thoughts and actions have slipped into something more serious than ‘the blues’ and Matthew’s concern for her as she goes missing from the public eye has him braving his own fears to check up on her. Athena is clinically depressed and the author does an admirable job of describing her condition, the circumstances leading up to and during the episode, and the hard work of pulling herself out of it with the help of therapy and Matthew’s attention. It’s heartwrenching and heartwarming all at once. But the end result is to put Athena on a better path, and one from which she can now see a future with Matthew and a chance to really put down roots in Harlot’s Bay.

The secondary characters are well-rounded and add those small town details one expects with a few exceptions – namely that the surly baker Karl likes monster erotica and listens to it in his bakery at full volume prior to opening hours, and that some of the residents have formed a Nasty Wenches book club that exclusively reads erotic romance. This definitely adds to the comedic parts of the story. The character growth of Athena, Matthew, and Johnny (who is away on the pre-planned and paid for (by Matthew) honeymoon trip without Athena when she moves into the Spite House but returns to Harlot’s Bay) is sometimes painful but believable and leads the way towards a satisfying happy ending for everyone. At First Spite is definitely a contender for my top ten list this year and is highly recommended. I eagerly await the next in the series!

This book was typical Dade fashion, an adorable romcom, but Dade added a lot more depth into this one. As someone who has struggled with depression and letting negative thoughts overwhelm them, this felt like a “Yes, exactly this” read. During Athena’s low times and spiral down I recognized a parallel between us. And the way Dr. Matthew Vine came in and supported her……(caveat it’s not the same for everyone) but for me Vine was the perfect partner. Dade’s writing in those chapters between the 2 mains, who were struggling with real life issues made me feel as if I was finally exhaling a breathe I didn’t know I was holding.

This book made me laugh and tear up, it was well done. It’s great to see authors stepping away from the usual troupes and writing about real life struggles. I’m giving this a 3.25 and thank you NetGalley & Avon for the ARC

I love Olivia Dade and her representation of plus-size girls like myself. Her books are very positive and uplifting to everyone and has amazing romance throughout.

i love olivia dade! give me a plus size icon anytime. the writing is funny and the stories are entertaining. im always happy to read a book by this author.

This book was EVERYTHING to me! I adored everything about this. Both of our main characters have some grump to them, and that worked really well for me. The depression representation, along with the representation of a supportive partner had me sobbing at work. Athena truly was a force to be reckoned with, and I love that she lived in the "Spite House" after being left by her fiance at the love interest, Matthew's insistence. Their chemistry is off the charts, but Matthew is truly the most supportive partner. The scene where he draws her a bath literally is the best scene depicting the truths of depression I have ever read. I will forever love Olivia Dade for giving the world this book. ALL THE STARS!!!!

This book was sexy, funny, and heartbreaking all at once.

Athena and Matthew's relationship starts out a bit rocky since Athena was engaged to Matthew's brother and he was trying to break them up...
Athena ends up single after Matthew convinces his brother to leave her. This results in her losing basically everything since she quit her job and spent all her money on a spite house that's located right next to her ex fiancé's home since she was under the impression that they were going to spend the rest of their lives together...

Athena and Matthew's relationship develops slowly and naturally. There is no instant forgiveness or excessive groveling that can sometimes turn me off as a reader. Dade takes us through Athena's grief while handling her characters depression in a delicate way. I like that Matthew slowly becomes a love interest and isn't immediately seen as a romantic option. They work though their issues first and clear up any distrust before making substantial romantic gestures.

Along with the sad parts, there were many laugh out loud moments in this book. I loved the use of "professor Google" and Athena's *spicy* book club. I found all the characters to be charming and easy to love.

4/5

Rounded up from 4.5⭐️

I loved this romance! As always, Olivia Dade writes another great, body positive romance. It was incredibly sweet, at times spicy, and overall so full of heart! I was reading it in between meetings, during bathroom runs all so I could read just one more paragraph.

I love how when reading romances you can let go of some of your morals. In real life, would I be okay with someone ending up with their brother’s ex-fiancee? No. I’d tell him to check his priorities. But in a romance, I will 100% root for them. And in this book specifically, the particular circumstances, plus Olivia Dade’s writing leave you with no scruples.

Depression plays a big part in this book and I really loved the way it was handled, it felt so real. Starting from just the dedication I was already starting to get feels. “For my husband, who climbed into the shower with me, grabbed the soap, and helped take care of me when I couldn’t take care of myself.” While depression is a big part of the story, it’s balanced well with lots of laughter, optimism and pranks in a way that it still feels lighthearted overall. I liked that therapy wasn’t presented as a fix-all solution. I appreciated that depression wasn’t just used as a single plot point, it was a part of who Athena was throughout.

Matthew is the sweetest of sweethearts and I found his cluelessness about memes and most internet related trends endearing. He’s so thoughtful and selfless, he makes for the best book boyfriend.

Although this does have a third act breakup, I think it aligned well with the characters and their situations. I don’t think it could have really worked out any other way.

Were there things that I found a bit eye-roll-y? Sure. Especially the chicken-man was a little too lame for me. But, it didn’t take me out of the book enough to matter.

I already know who I want book 2 of the Harlot’s Bay series to be about, and I will definitely be reading it.

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

Olivia Dade knows how to tell a love story, this book is no different. Forced to move in a house between her very recent ex-fiancé and his brother, who encouraged the breakup, Athena has hit rock bottom. Not only is this a love story but also a story of a woman finding herself. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

No, this book is amazing wow. Like if you have the chance to read it, get it. Do it. You won't be disappointed. This got to me, I cried buckets of tears while reading it, feeling everything Olivia Dade wrote in the pages of this book. The romance is beautiful and special and so soft and everything. Matthew and Athena are perfect for each other and I'm literally so glad they were able to find each other.

Be in a good headspace but RUN DON'T WALK to pick this book up!

Is the premise ridiculous and unrealistic? Maybe. Do the characters act the way that's a little convenient? Yeah. But the representation in this book had me crying at work... I related to Athena on such a personal level, going through those dark days of depression, when the simple tasks feel like walking through sludge.

The bathtub scene? Wrecked me. Olivia handled such an intimate, personal moment, but still was able to keep it light with some humor.

I love how Olivia Dade's books have plus size MCs! This was a cute enemies to lovers book, with a side of some serious depression, and some hilarious monster porn. A quick, enjoyable read. I'm really looking forward to Karl's book next.

I love Olivia Dade. She knows exactly what her reader wants, and she delivers. I felt so many feelings, and I loved Athena as a protag.

Olivia Dade’s At First Spite is the first in her new contemporary romance series Harlot’s Bay, named after the residence of the characters in Harlot’s Bay, Maryland. It’s a romantic comedy, but does deal with some pretty heavy emotional themes (the author prefaces the story with a content note). If a book can make me laugh, make me cry, and linger in my memory for days, it’s a winner and well deserving of a Desert Isle Keeper rating.

Athena Graydon thought her engagement to Johnny Vine and a move to Harlot’s Bay was going to be the first notch in climbing a ladder to a more stable and successful life. But overhearing Johnny’s brother Matthew tell Johnny that the engagement was a mistake, and Johnny’s subsequent dumping of her strikes a blow to her plans and her self-esteem. If only she hadn’t bought the tiny house - nicknamed the Spite House by local residents - that’s next to Johnny’s as an engagement gift for him with all her savings! The plans to combine the two houses into one are now irrevocably broken. Athena is stuck with the house as her own, and lo and behold if it doesn’t bring her right back in the vicinity of her nemesis Matthew, who, infuriatingly, lives across the alley facing her.

Job hunting in the local town leads to few prospects, though Athena does manage to get some temporary jobs. All the while she thinks and acts on ways to spite Matthew for his interference in her relationship with Johnny. What she doesn’t know is the reasoning behind Matthew’s actions and words, nor does she know to what lengths he is going behind her back in the attempt to try to make amends.

Matthew feels terrible about how Athena feels, even though he’s convinced that they would never have been a happy couple together so it was the right decision for Johnny to break up with her. He also feels guilty about his attraction to her, something that had started before he knew exactly who she was. Now it’s double the guilt, for ruining her life AND being attracted to his brother’s former fiancée. Gradually, thanks to their close proximity and Matthew’s kind and attentive manner, Athena is able to forgive him and friendship blooms, followed eventually by deeper feelings. But can Athena trust Matthew with her heart after having him break it once already?

This romance has several deeply emotional scenes that intersperse with the more comedic and funny moments. It’s clear early on that Matthew is grieving a loss that has affected him since he was a child. He is very protective of Johnny, having become a surrogate parent when their parents divorced, and as such, he’s always acted more in Johnny’s best interests rather than his own, leaving him frustrated, exhausted and lonely most of the time. The character reminded me of Martin in the author’s Teach Me (a top ten book of mine in 2019) – a really nice guy challenged by life’s often difficult circumstances. Having Athena across the alleyway from him is temptation and torture. But he goes out of his way to be friendly and pleasant to her in public and supportive in private, gradually winning her over to understanding that he really isn’t the bad guy she’s made him out to be. And maybe, just maybe, he might have been right that marriage to Johnny would have been a mistake.

By mid-point in the story, Athena’s thoughts and actions have slipped into something more serious than ‘the blues’ and Matthew’s concern for her as she goes missing from the public eye has him braving his own fears to check up on her. Athena is clinically depressed and the author does an admirable job of describing her condition, the circumstances leading up to and during the episode, and the hard work of pulling herself out of it with the help of therapy and Matthew’s attention. It’s heartwrenching and heartwarming all at once. But the end result is to put Athena on a better path, and one from which she can now see a future with Matthew and a chance to really put down roots in Harlot’s Bay.

The secondary characters are well-rounded and add those small town details one expects with a few exceptions – namely that the surly baker Karl likes monster erotica and listens to it in his bakery at full volume prior to opening hours, and that some of the residents have formed a Nasty Wenches book club that exclusively reads erotic romance. This definitely adds to the comedic parts of the story. The character growth of Athena, Matthew, and Johnny (who is away on the pre-planned and paid for (by Matthew) honeymoon trip without Athena when she moves into the Spite House but returns to Harlot’s Bay) is sometimes painful but believable and leads the way towards a satisfying happy ending for everyone. At First Spite is definitely a contender for my top ten list this year and is highly recommended. I eagerly await the next in the series!

I love Olivia Dade! Her stories make me swoon, and this story did the same! I immediately felt for Athena and fell in love with Matthew! I laughed at their antics and banter! Definitely a great story for those loving a little steamy romcom!

✨ At First Spite ✨⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Genre- Contemporary Romance. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Length- 400 pages.
⁣⁣
⁣My thoughts- Olivia Dade is back again with a completely delightful contemporary romance! At First Spite features a couple of wonderful characters, a complicated almost love triangle, an honest look at depression and so much spice! It’s funny, relatable and so stinking cute! ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣I highly recommend! Four stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for my honest review. At First Spite is available now.

“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦, 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴.”

TW: memories of a child/sibling death & intense scenes of depression ‼️

Athena Greydon's whirlwind romance has been cut short a month before her wedding. With as much pride as she can muster she moves into the Spite House she recklessly bought her former fiancé as a wedding gift. What could be worse than that you might ask? Oh, her ex-fiancés older brother Dr. Matthew Vine, lives across the alley.

Despite her best efforts, Athena’s plans to avoid and/or ignore Matthew prove to be rather difficult. He’s kind, he makes me her laugh, and he truly listens to her. Also, he’s so hot.

He might not regret breaking up her engagement to his brother Johnny, but he does care about what it did to her. He loved their banter and having Athena help him broaden his literary horizons with the book club’s monster sex. He wants to be with her, but he just doesn’t know how to tell his brother. Can they both overcome their own struggles to see what’s finally right in front of them all along?

This book made me cry several times! The thoughts Athena had were very relatable to me and I was very touched by her character. It was hard to read at times, but I think it’s so important to make these characters real. 💛 a big thank you to Dade for providing the trigger warnings in the beginning and for showcasing real mental health.

I am a rather large Olivia dade fan. I’ve read several of her books and enjoyed them all immensely. What I’ll say for this book, I loved, LOVED that the characters plus size body type wasn’t a point of negativity or contention. Athena was comfortable in her skin and that is very refreshing as every other book of dades I’d read, body type was a hard point for the main character. I also loved the depression representation. As someone who also battles my own mind daily, it was great to see the journey. It was very healing.

That being said. These are the most annoying characters. Neither of them were likeable or charming. And their struggles were just so very … I dunno privileged may be too strong of a word for Matthew but Athena certainly was. Boo boo my parents are well off and I spent too much of their money on education. I get that’s a part of the depression but it’s just so … whiny? And the way they both speak is so clinical and do people talk like that? Like anyone? I know several doctors and they talk just the same as my waiter at longhorn.

I think the brothers ex romance was handled well. I just would have liked to have seen a little more. Everything wrapped up too neatly too quickly. An extra chapter would have gone a long way. But the 3rd act big gesture by far the best one I’ve ever read.

All in all, I enjoyed it. And it was pleasantly surprising in some ways. And I recommend this to anyone enjoys plus size main characters and needs a break from the body discomfort.

Also. Monsterfuckers. I have never felt so seen. Yes. 🐙

This was a fun enemies to lovers steamy romance. I love how Olivia Dade features plus size characters. It's so refreshing to read and I adore it.
I did enjoy Athena's and Matthew's romance but it did feel a little forced at times. I wasn't overally in love with it.
This book also had depression, anxiety, and loss of a loved one representation.

Absolutely perfect. I don't know how Olivia Dade wrote a slow burn that I loved, but she did. I was desperate for these characters to be together from the beginning, and that's how I stayed. The characters were both lovably sweet and so tender.

I enjoyed this. I say it’s classic Olivia dade, if you’ve read her other series’ you’ll know what I mean.

I liked the characters and I like the mental health feature. I appreciate that Olivia is striving to normalize mental health and treatments.
There was a few cringe moments and a few funny pranks. And I felt like it took forever for me to finish this. I was invested and very into i but it felt like it went on forever.

I didn’t like the brother storyline. I don’t want to give too much away, I just want to emphasize that it was a bit weird how all the pieces fall into place at the end. I’m not sure I’d be as gracious as her ex.

Anyways, overall: good story with minor cringe. Definitely recommend for entertainment.