Thank you to Avon (via NetGalley) for the ARC.

Sigh. I was disappointed by this one. I had such high hopes because I've really liked everything else I've read of Olivia Dade, including Spoiler Alert, the first book in this series. But honestly this one was a little boring.

I say this as someone who has read a lot of romance novels. I know to expect a happy ending. I know to expect a third act disaster. I know how things work. But this was...blah. Like for all the talk about fan fiction tropes and how into them Alex is, it didn't use any of them really. And the tropes it did use, I just don't think it did anything original with them.

Maybe part of the boredom came from the fact that this book continues with the thinly-veiled Game of Thrones bashing, and we're long enough removed from the show ending that it feels stale to me. Yes, we get it. The show ended terribly. The creators ruined it. Everyone hated the last season. The timeline of this book overlaps with the first book, so a lot of the action is still happening while they're filming the show and dealing with how terrible the show and its creators are. And it just feels like old news at this point.

I also didn't really care for either of the main characters. Both of them were Extremely "woe is me" and constantly talked about how selfish and/or worthless they were and it just wasn't interesting. It was like a contest to see who could be more self-loathing. By the last 20% of the book, I was just skimming so I could get it over with.

Very specific NSFW complaint coming, so beware: For all the talk of Cupid (and tbh, Alex) wanting to be pegged, and all the hints that it was going to happen, there is only one passing mention at the end of the book that Alex and Lauren actually engage in it. That's it. It felt like a lot of build-up for something that didn't even happen on-page.

It wasn't all terrible, and I did actually finish it, so I have to mention the things I enjoyed too.

Things I liked:
1. ADHD rep in Alex, the love interest. I haven't seen it in an adult before (in a book), so it was interesting to see how that manifested
2. I liked the ending (I won't spoil it, but I liked how things were resolved even though it was pretty predictable)
3. The fat rep. That's one thing that Olivia Dade always does well, and this is no different

I'm not sure if this series is going to continue (I couldn't easily tell from this book if another person from the Gods of the Gates cast would get their own story), but if it does, I will probably read the next book. Either way, I'll read whatever Olivia Dade writes next because I do enjoy her books. This one just didn't do it for me

I have been saving this ARC for when I was in the mood for a well-balanced, sublime romance novel because I adored Spoiler Alert. Unsurprisingly, Olivia Dade delivered once more. All the Feels had truly everything I look for in a romance: A+ chemistry and banter, emotional connection and growth for both characters, quality communication, and some serious steam. It also maintained a lot of the energy of Spoiler Alert with quality male friendship, an emphasis on the importance of therapy, and unapologetic fat protagonists.

The one thing I will say is that although All the Feels could be read without reading Spoiler Alert , I would not recommend it. There is a lot of context about Alex, the show, and fan fiction writing that a reader would be missing if they had not read Spoiler Alert first.

Tragically does not appear that there will be another book in this particular series, but at least there's plenty more Olivia Dade to read!

I loved Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade. It was a love letter to fanfic, plus-size, nerdy women. And OMG the witty banter. AND THE TROPES. *ahem* So when I saw that her next book ALL THE FEELS was going to be about Alex, Marcus’ BFF and the actor playing Cupid, I could not wait.

So much trope-y goodness - sunshine and grump, only one bed, soulmate mark. And when the characters know the tropes and lean into them? It’s so much more fulfilling!

Alex, the actor playing Cupid on the popular tv series God of the Gates, has a reputation as an out-of-control, bad boy. The final straw for the show’s executives is when his arrested for being in a bar brawl. To ensure his good behavior, he’s assigned a minder to accompany him at all times and keep him out of trouble.

Lauren, an ER therapist, is taking time off between jobs when her cousin asks (demands) that she help him out by keeping his star out of trouble. Sounds like an easy paycheck plus the studio is covering things like first-class air tickets so what’s not to like.

Except Alex isn’t the substance-abusing, out of control, party boy she was expecting. He’s got depth and intensity.

So much to love about this book. You don’t need to read Spoiler Alert first but seriously, why wouldn’t you? You learn more about why Alex is impulsive and extra. You also get to see more of the big heart and warm soul underneath that Very MUCH exterior. He’s a delicious, warm sunshine, extra icing cinnamon roll.

Lauren is plagued by so much self-doubt from her appearance to her self-worth. There were times it broke my heart reading her reactions to insults and snubs.

So much witty banter in this though. Whether it’s Lauren and Alex or the texts between Alex and his BFF Marcus, it all had me laughing so hard.

I love that this isn’t a makeover romance. Lauren’s okay about her appearance as a petite plus-size woman. Alex is the one who gets salon time to get prettied up. No offers to “fix” her. When Lauren has to walk the red carpet with Alex and he questions what she’s wearing, no offers to Pretty Woman her and buy her new clothes. Yes! True acceptance and I love it.

And like in Spoiler Alert, we get fanfic goodness!

ALL THE FEELS is about love and acceptance. For yourself and for those you love. And being able to value yourself.

Does contain bullying, talk of abusive relationships.

Rating: 4/5
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fiction
Warnings: Fatphobia, ADHD, Abusive Relationship (off page)
Read if you liked: Spoiler Alert or Always Only You
Steam: 3/5

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unlike the rest of the booksta community, I didn’t love Spoiler Alert…I know don’t hate me, the fanfiction angle was just too much for me at the time. However, I really enjoyed All the Feels, it was a delightful book and it made me want to dive more into Dade’s backlist + try Spoiler Alert again.

Things I loved: I love love love that these characters are in their mid-to-late thirties. There was incredibly funny and witty banter throughout (I live for all the banter). Lauren and Alex made each other better people. This was a slow burn, friends to lovers story at it’s best. Alex literally just loves Lauren exactly as she is and it’s perfect! I related to have an ADHD best friend with the text message dialogue between Marcus (from Spoiler Alert) and Alex. Only one bed trope and having the MC call it that and get excited because they are living out a trope. These fanfic moments were actually pretty funny!

I want to note that I know some of the things I didn’t care for are critical plot points, that were really heartbreaking to read at times but were important for the overall story.

Things I didn’t care for: I loved Lauren as a whole, but her lack of believe in her own self-worth really is heartbreaking, this leads her to disappear throughout the book because of misplaced guilt. Alex, delightful cinnamon roll that he is, sunshine is super impulsive + has A LOT of misplaced guilt. Ron was really cruel; I really wanted to slap him. Zach, the agent, I need people to stop doing this stuff in the “name of their friends well-being”.

This was such a great romance and I can’t wait for people to enjoy! All the Feels is out October 26th, 2021! Pre-order or request at your local library!

You know what's better than the "only 1 bed" trope? "Only 1 bed but the main character reads fanfiction and is well aware of the trope"

This book is pure fun. The characters are so loveable, their relationship and dynamic is entertaining and adorable. I didn't want to say goodbye to them at the end.

I can't wait for this to be out so more people will read it and we can all scream about it together because this was such a fantastic book.

(full review to come, thank you to Netgalley for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!)

I loved this. Spoiler Alert is probably still my favorite but All the Feels was a worthy follow-up. Olivia Dade is definitely one of the writers I look forward to now.

Olivia Dade is a talented author. She creates characters that are interesting to read. I found this plot well done and I would recommend this book to others.

Olivia Dade's Spoiler Alert series continues with actor Alex and therapist Lauren. When Alex's impulsive behavior overseas gets him in trouble with his showrunners, Lauren ends up with a temporary job as his minder. She's on hiatus from her career as an ER therapist, and living in the LA guesthouse of a famous actor and making sure he doesn't get into trouble sounds like an easy gig. Even if he doesn't want her around at all. But the more time the two spend together, the more they realize they may have misjudged the other. And the more they may have in common.

This was an emotional story with some genuinely hilarious moments. I look forward to seeing what's next in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARc to review. All opinions are my own.

This is hard because I absolutely adore Alex, and he shines in every scene (which doesn't surprise me because honestly he was my favorite character in Spoiler Alert)...BUT...something was off in All the Feels for me? I felt like too much of Lauren and Alex's relationship was glossed over in the beginning. We heard about things they did after the fact in passing, and I wanted to know about those things as they happened! Again, I was absolutely smitten with Alex, so I devoured this, but I needed a little more. Still a delightful read! I love Alex's love for tropes, he's adorable. And Lauren is such a cool heroine. Unconventional in all the best ways.

How would this book have changed my life if I had had it when I was 16? God, I can't even imagine. Life-changing, for sure.

My favorite part was when the main male character bellowed "Only! One! Bed! My second-favorite trope!" Oh Olivia Dade, poking fun at and loving tropes all at once. So good.

The last thing I'll say is that this wasn't a slow-burn, not really, but I appreciated the fact that the two main people got to be friends BEFORE they caught lust and feelings. It felt more real that way.

Thanks so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC. Loved it.

This was just as good, if not better, than the first book in the series (Spoiler Alert). It was fun to get to know two of the side characters from Spoiler Alert better and watching the relationship between Alex and Lauren develop was enjoyable. The pacing of the book pulled me through quickly without ever feeling rushed. Would love to see this series continue with some of the other side characters from the first two books.

All the Feels takes everything I loved about the first book in the series and deepens it, makes it stronger and better and is very likely going to make it into my top three books of the year.

All the Feels is born in the sidelines of Spoiler Alert, but I don’t think you necessarily need to have read the first to enjoy the second. When Alex Woodroe, best friend of Marcus Caster-Rupp and Cupid on the extremely popular God of the Gates, managed to get arrested in a bar fight, the show’s producers saddle him with a minder to keep him on the straight and narrow through the end of filming and the show’s eventual airing. Enter into Alex’s life Lauren Clegg, cousin to one of the producer’s and a former ER therapist who just wants to take a vacation after burning out at work but instead finds that she can’t say no to the job being offered to her. Lauren is not overawed or intimidated by his fame. The plot of the first half of All the Feels runs parallel to Spoiler Alert, and then we are off to the races. On the basis of a friendship that has developed over their months spent together when Alex does implode his career he makes it his mission to keep Lauren in his life, and as they are no longer employed by the same company he lets himself pursue her romantically.

I was charmed immediately by the nature of Alex and Lauren’s relationship with each other. Alex has ADHD and it makes him hyperverbal, while Lauren has closed herself off from the world in a subconscious way to protect herself from the constant onslaught of trauma she saw in the ER and the lack of resources available to her to help those who crossed her path. Alex makes it his goal to coax Lauren’s personality out because he finds her captivating (he is enthralled by her Big Harpy Energy t-shirt as he rightly should be) and Lauren discovers the kind compassionate heart hiding behind movie star good looks – its right there if only you bother to look. I laughed so hard I snorted during the early portions of the book and the banter between the two just gets better and better. Dade writes such human characters, Alex and Lauren each have baggage they are working through, traumas that haunt their pasts and influence their actions, and neither fixes the other, but their growing love inspires each to make the growth they need.

Fanfiction plays an important role in the book. Alex writes and reads fanfiction for various purposes (venting his anger about the character assassination and downright dangerous messaging in his character’s final season arc as well as reading to blow off steam). Alex is also highly conversant in tropes which proves a delight in the back half of the book as he calls out the tropes as they are occurring and talks Lauren into role playing a few. I’m telling you – this book is a hoot with a big damn heart.

I can’t wait for it to come out and everyone else to get a chance to read it, nor can I wait to dive into my personal copy when it comes in the mail, since I had already pre-ordered this anyway. I immediately wanted to go back and read this story again, I don’t know a better compliment I can pay it.

Ahhhhhh!, I am so in love with this big beautiful book and Olivia Dade’s delightful writing. I want to to stop everyone I see and tell them how much I loved this book. You need to read this book, yes, you! This was given to me an as ARC from NetGalley/Avon/Harper-Collins and I immediately knew I needed to first read Spoiler Alert before starting All the Feels. I would highly recommend any other reader do the same because the storylines weave together so wonderfully. Reading the two together just makes the characters and storytelling that much sweeter.
Alex Woodroe may possibly be my most favorite romantic hero EVER; he is charming, funny, “ridiculous”, gorgeous, delightfully smug, and an actor playing Cupid on one of Tv’s hottest series, Gods of the Gates. When Alex gets into a bar fight, the Producers sit him with a minder, ex-E.R. Therapist Lauren Clegg. Anywhere Alex goes, so goes Lauren, aka Nanny Clegg. The anti-chemistry between Lauren and Alex is hilarious at the start of the book; Alex is the adorable but frisky puppy that will do anything to grab the attention of Lauren. How will the two very different characters handle being thrown together 24/7? Well you’ll just have to read!
But an inside hint—this rom-com checked off every box for me:
Witty banter? ☑️
Realistic smart female protagonist? ☑️
Sexy, funny, but flawed hero? ☑️
Page turner? ☑️
Exceptional writing? ☑️
Emotional character development? ☑️
Oh so hot sex scenes? ☑️
And one of the most well written endings and epilogue ever? ☑️
Need I say more? Oh yes…. BIG HARPY ENERGY!!!

#AlltheFeels
A sweet, funny adult romance that will have you wishing for instances like this one, but in reality it just doesn't happen. I think that the characters are fun and sensitive, but in reality I am not sure how self aware real romance could make it in Hollywood.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager to Read and Review this book. First, let me list out the trigger warnings of domestic violence, discussion of violence in an Psych ER, verbal abuse, and negative self-talk. This novel has a lot to unpack, but it only enhances the story in my personal opinion. Based on the previous book's depiction of this couple, it's essentially sunshine and rainbows up to a certain point, this goes a lot deeper in the best way even deeper than you'd think it would so be prepared. There's less fanfiction in it which was also appreciated for me personally, but there was also not as much need as it was in the previous. This one, I loved the progression of everything with the third-act conflict being something realistic and necessary to move the story forward, without feeling like it was rehashing the previous. There also although I cannot speak for the representation myself, amazing ADHD depth and understanding especially when it came to the character that possessed it. This has a lot of different elements involved, but the pieces fit together nicely in a fantastic story that I could feel all the feels involved. If I had to pick something that I wasn't sure about the story with would be how there weren't as many cohesive transitions from one perspective to the next. In those moments they just felt choppy otherwise though, I loved this book very much. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars

I think Olivia Dade is one of my new favorite authors!

What I loved about this book:
--The fact that a super hot actor ends up with an amazing, everyday girl!
--The inclusivity of people who are plus size
--The adorable love story/plot

The only thing I didn't love was that the book felt a little long. But, that's a personal preference thing. I always recommend Spoiler Alert. I can't wait to begin recommending this, too!

This was so delightful! If you liked Spoiler Alert, you’ll love this one. It’s a very similar storyline in that it’s gorgeous Hollywood actor man and plus sized woman and bring on the representation! Dade always manages to weave in so much good rep without it feeling forced. Alex, our hero, has ADHD and seemingly violent tendencies (which we learn is simply not true) and is struggling with his role in Hollywood and his past but is an outwardly happy for lucky dude. Lauren, our heroine, is a more serious and realistic woman who has to learn how to put her needs over others and gets assigned to essentially babysit Alex.

I loved how many tropes are in this book, grump and sunshine is one of my favorites and this book has that but reversed from the traditional roles; he is the sunshine and she is the grump in this case. So not only are there solid romance tropes throughout the book, they are self aware of them. There’s an “only one bed” scene and Alex is fully aware and does a happy dance because that’s one of his favorite tropes in fanfic. I was dying laughing the entire time. So while this seems like a fun and fluffy romcom, there are some heavier undertones to help explain why Alec and Lauren are the way they are. It was adorable and fun and definitely a book I’d recommend,

Review posted on GoodReads (July 9, 2021)
Review linked.

5/5 stars!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon for sending me this E-ARC for an honest review. Content Warnings for this book include: Ableism, Fatphobia, Domestic Abuse.

The moment I read Spoiler Alert I became a huge fan of Olivia Dade, and this new book, ALL THE FEELS made me love her writing even more. I absolutely LOVE Dade’s writing so so much and I will scream about this book at the top of my lungs because everyone needs to read them.

If you loved the fan fiction and nerdiness of Spoiler Alert, but are looking for an even more sassy and snarky love interest with a strong and inspiring female lead then this book is for you! I adored Alex and Lauren’s love story so much. It was so natural and beautiful, and I could not stop falling in love with both of their characters.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was its rep of ADHD and neurodivergence. Honestly, this book made me cry and it was so beautifully done. I love seeing romance and more books with neurodivergent rep.

I really recommend this book to anyone who loves Adult Romance!

Thanks for reading!
Caden

*I received this book as a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Content Warning for this book: emotional abuse, past spousal abuse mentioned

Another lovely, quick romance from Olivia Dade! I was absolutely stoked to find that the Spoiler Alert was becoming a series. Wit, body positivity, and nerdy fanfiction references constantly sprinkled in? What more could a girl want? Not to mention that Dade writes the absolute best simps.

All the Feels follows Marcus's best friend, Alex. You may also know him as Cupid from his role on God of the Gates. This book takes place at the same time as Spoiler Alert, which I really enjoyed. A lot of romance series sort of tackle each character in a one-by-one sort of order, so It's nice to see a series that shows the other characters are living out their own lives and grand romances while their friends are doing their own things. People do exist outside of the main character! Wonderful news for those of us suffering from supporting-character energy.

Additionally, I'd like to point out that Dade does a really good job of highlighting some of the unhealthy aspects that we sometimes see in romance novels (dependency, self-sacrificing, etc) and uses her characters to sort of acknowledging that those tendencies are not in fact healthy. Her characters, despite what faults they may have, are good people who work to fix their mistakes and take their relationships in healthy and respectful ways.

Carah next please?

Also the smut was good. 5 stars.

This book was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. I loved the glimpses of Alex and Lauren we got in Spoiler Alert and their story did not disappoint. I devoured this book in two days, it gave me all the feels. It was absolutely incredible and I am forever a fan of Olivia Dade. I will pick up any book she ever writes!