This book has all the tropes that would usually have me swooning grumpy sunshine, forced proximity and enemies to lovers.

However, something about the writing styling didn’t click for me personally. I didn’t find myself thinking about the book when I’d stopped reading. I also wasn’t motivated to keep picking it back up. The writer has a very wordy writing style that just didn’t work for me personally.

The book was a lot longer than it needed to be. Towards the middle when the book should be really picking up it became a slog. The author tackles a lot of issues in the book, arguably too many. If it was shortened and only a couple were really honed in on it would be better.

🐓 A beautiful heartfelt story 🐓

Tropes;
🏘️ Enemies to lovers
🏘️ Mental health rep
🏘️ Secret softie MMC
🏘️ Damaged MCs
🏘️ Off the scale banter

Trigger warnings; death of a sibling as a child, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, on page sexual activity.

I adored this book. A lot of romance lately suffers from an inability to have any plot device other than the romance. That wasn’t the case here. From hilarious side characters with interesting audiobook kinks to chickens as emotional support pets, this book delivers from page one. The level of depth in the characters is outstanding. Athena is flawed but in the most beautiful way. The representation of her struggles was so authentic and added dimension that you don’t always get in a romance. The way she was supported by Matthew is truly exceptional and the layers to his character are fantastic. Olivia has written a damaged MMC with anxiety of his own who still supports the woman he loves through a difficult time in her life and he feels SO real.

The relationship between the two is captivating. From the games and banter through to touching sensitive moments. They are adorable and I’m a little bit in love with Matthew Vine. The world that Olivia has created is an interesting yet believable one and I can’t wait to find out more about our friends in Harlots Bay.

“I’ve never had easy, and I don’t need it. I just need you”

I'd loved reading Olivia Dade's other books, so was super excited to see this one on net galley!
Wasn't disappointed at all. Dade write romance so well, I can't wait for more of her work!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'At First Spite' by Olivia Dade.

'At First Spite' is my first Olivia Dade and I was expecting fireworks after seeing how many people love Dade's books. For me, I didn't really fall in love with the writing style so the story just didn't capture me. It sucks but that's how the cookie crumbles. If you love Olivia Dade, you'll definitely love this.

A series of unfortunate events leads Athena to the unenviable position of living in the small house between her ex-fiancee's home, and the home owned by her ex's loathsome brother. Antics and unexpected romance ensue!

This was, all in, a well written and fun book. Unfortunately I had real trouble liking any of the characters though and found the story majorly dragged in parts. Not one for me, but others may enjoy it more!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This is my first Olivia Dade book and I can tell you from this one alone I'll be reading the rest of them 🩷

The writing style was new for me and I was a little apprehensive and anxious to read it. But I'm so glad that I did because I really enjoyed it🤗

This book does have it all. The banter in this is so good. It was funny and witty and had me laughing out loud at certain points. The pranking had me cackling and I'm not gonna lie matthew kinda deserved it a lil 🤣

Also it wouldn't be right not to talk about my gal Athena. Urgh she now lives in a special place in my heart 🖤 The way Olivia wrote and expressed the way she was feeling and thinking with her depression was something else. They were very real and very relatable so I would definitely say brace yourself a little when reading it. Also I really enjoyed that she was plus size but didn't make her body her main personality trait

Also unpopular opinion but I'm a sucker for the taboo ex's brother. 🤭 I do just live for the drama and tension

In true Olivia Dade style, this book was incredible. I loved how well the subject of depression was handled and with a "I'll look after you" hero who would do anything for her? Yes please.
Olivias books always have a plus size heroine and this was no different. That representation will always mean alot to me.
This book was sweet and spicy in equal measure and I now have a new fictional crush.

I really enjoyed this book, it tackled some hard hitting mental health issues with care

Athena and Matthew are super cute and I adore them together, however I couldn't get over the Johnny storyline as easy. So although the book is great, it wasn't the book for me

Thankyou for the ARC
3.5 stars

This was a cute read. I am all abord on romcom ship. This was a fun read, but I must say I expected a little more from this. 3,5 stars for this one

I liked this one. Matthew was an adorably stuffy, responsible and devoted lead who was vulnerable, not overly macho and had genuine fears that he did not try to hide. Athena was wonderfully curious and filled with a thirst for knowledge and also very real with her struggles. Olivia Dade dealt with some heavy issues for both our main characters, grief, guilt, parentification and the long term impact it has and depression. My heart broke for both Matthew and Athena at various points of the story but there was also themes of love, friendship and forgiveness woven throughout the story. I thought there was a good balance between the heavy stuff and the lighter aspects of the story. Overall an enjoyable read. 3.5 ⭐️

Three and a half stars.

Athena's fiancé Johnny breaks off their engagement, but only after she has surrendered her apartment, bought him the sliver of a house next to his called The Spite House, and given up her job. Now, with very little savings Athena is forced to move into the Spite House. What is worse is that she finds out her ex-fiancé's judgemental older brother Matthew, the one who convinced Johnny to dump her in the first place, lives next door. Now while Johnny enjoys a month long trip to Hawaii that Athena meticulously planned for their honeymoon she's trapped beside judgy-McJudgerson.

When Matthew first met Athena at a party he had no idea who she was. The two of them had a wonderful discussion, they seemed like soulmates, until Johnny landed the bombshell that this was his fiancée. Matthew loves his younger brother, in fact he practically raised him so he's half older brother half father figure, which is perhaps why Johnny has never grown up properly. Matthew paid for Johnny's college education and medical school, he even paid for the honeymoon, and now he and his business partner are covering Johnny's clients at their paediatric clinic while he enjoys a solo honeymoon. The trouble is Matthew just can't say no to Johnny. So now he'll do anything in his power to help Athena, get her a job, get her some friends, get her a better job, but he would never try to poach his brother's girlfriend.

This romance tackled some serious issues which affected both Matthew and Athena, and by-and-large it tackled them very sensitively in my opinion. Matthew and Athena seem to be the only ones who really see the other person and recognise what they are going through. However, I get the feeling that to alleviate the serious topics Olivia Dade went for some comic relief in the form of a book club that enjoys erotic creature romances, a baker who listens to erotic creature romances on audio books at full blast ... well you get the picture. It was funny once but then it felt silly. If it hadn't been for that this would have been a four star read.

Nearly forgot, love the cover.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

I just really loved this. I’m a sucker for a messy FMC and a starchy MMC who just wants to take care of her despite himself. The chemistry between Athena and Matthew was delicious and the book managed to feel like a warm cuddle. The writing is very pretty and flows so well, and the plot completely surprised me. It was heavier and deeper than I expected, but perfectly handled.

I loved the characters. Athena was a lovely main character, and the way that the book handled her depression and mental health was beautifully done. It was very realistic. I wasn’t actually in the mood for reading that sort of subplot at that point in time, but I really had to admire how it was constructed. It maybe wrapped up a bit too quickly, but Olivia Dade handled it so sensitively – just beautiful.

The thing that charmed me most about the book was actually Matthew; he was a lot softer and sweeter than I expected and the way he took care of her was just gorgeous. He was so careful and gentle with Athena, but my heart also broke for him. He was a very vulnerable character with his need to balance his desire to protect his brother with his feelings for Athena – but his quiet strength also shone through. A truly lovely, lovely character.

The romance between them was just lovely, too. It was good; the chemistry was so hot, and I loved how coquettish and naughty she is with him in contrast to his stiff, stern demeanour. They were both so desperate with each other. The love scenes were so hot and sensual and beautifully written.

The other thing I thought this book did well was the way it handled Johnny. His relationship with Matthew was messy and complicated, frustrating at times, but very real in its depiction. I also liked that his relationship with Athena was real; they, at one point, genuinely loved each other, even though there were good, legitimate reasons for their relationship to end.

The most impressive thing about this book was how the contrast of light and dark was balanced. There was a lot of hard, heavy content in this book; mental illness and grief are major themes. But the book also managed to be a lot of fun! It’s cute, it’s sweet, there was a delightful found family dynamic between Athena and all of her new friends. It really put a smile on my face, despite the heaviness. I personally could have done with less monster f*cking jokes (for me, the joke got old quite quickly), but it’s such a small gripe to be honest!

It was just the sort of book I wanted to devour. I easily could have read it in one sitting. There’s some absolutely beautiful writing in it. The book made me ache in the best sort of way. The romance is just gorgeous; a truly delightful romance novel, through and through. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Death of a sibling when children (in past), mental illness, depression (major episode, on-page), suicidal thoughts / suicide ideation, anxiety, grief, on-page sex, virgin MMC, oral sex.

Oliva Dade has become one of my favourite authors. She writes plus size heroines who are so well written and are full of love and deserve romance of their own.
This story is going to be one of my favourites. It features all the tropes I love and adore with well written characters that you can't help but fall in love with. It is a complicated love story with enemies to lovers, ex's brother, opposites attract, he falls first. I loved it all.

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. A woman who is about to marry byt her fiancé breaks up with her one month before the wedding, because his brother convinced him she isn't a good fit.

Now she has to move in the house she bought as a wedding present and live close to both brothers who she naturally despise.

Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with any of the characters and couldn't understand why they acted they way they did in many occasions. I found the plot very slow and wasn't able to help my interest.

* I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc of this book.

I loved this book, Matthew Vine is everything a MMC should be: considerate, vulnerable and caring.

At first, I thought it was going to be your run of the mill small town romance, but I was wrong. The way it deals with past trauma, mental health, positive masculinity and found family is not only powerful, but also creates a world of characters you don't want to leave. With hilarious and heart-rending moments throughout, I cannot wait to read more of Olivia Dade's work.
#netgalley #atfirstspite

I boarded this boat, happily awaiting adventure. A beautiful, fun and wonderful adventure. Even though this wrecked me inside and out, I adored every minute.

The characters are so thoughtful and balanced and rounded beyond belief. I rooted and cheered for them, felt their lows as if they were my own.

I’ve been an Olivia Dade fan since the beginning and was so happy to get the arc for this. I thought I was prepared. I was absolutely not. This is my favourite of all her writing. Heck, it’s my favourite of pretty much all writing ever.

Thank you for this book. This soul searching beauty of a book.

I was so lucky to receive an ARC of this one, its been an anticipated read for me since it was announced. And it did not disappoint.

I have always loved how Olivia Dade writes her characters, with emphasis on loving and celebrating our differences.

As a plus size woman it’s so wonderful to see someone who looks like me on the covers, and with attractive men next to them!

I loved the build up of love between Matthew and Athena, I loved how much he cared and the lengths he went to grow into someone that can stand by Athena.

I liked how much Athena's challenges were turned to strengths and supported instead of judged. I loved the therapy rep and how she stood on her own despite not wanting to.

As always I devoured this novel, it’s been a while since I read a book that takes up so much space that I have to force myself to put it down to work.

This is definitely one I will need a physical copy of and for future reference I am ALWAYS open to read and review Olivia Dade's books!

Thank you NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I struggled with this book, I couldn’t get into the romance between Athena and Matthew. I thought I would’ve been able to get past that fact that Athena gets with her ex-fiancés brother who made him break with her but I couldn’t. Their relationship moved way too fast and there wasn’t enough development there for them to go from kinda friends to getting with each other.

I did think the mental health and depression representation was done really well and to me were very relatable.

At first spite is a journey! I love the way it addresses mental health issues with such tender care.
The characters were amazing, and covered such a variety.
This book is an emotional read, there's ups and downs and a whole lot of laughs.
The running trend of the filthy audio books and pranks throughout are hilarious.
The romance of the mc and li builds so organically too which I appreciate!

At First Spite is a truly charming story. It's so easy to read and fall in love with the characters and their world. You'll fall into this book and never want to leave. It was well written, funny, deep, and a truly great read.