Book Review for All the Feels

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This book is so appropriately named - it brings ALL THE FEELS. I laughed my butt off and swooned and cried, all in the span of a few hours.

We first met Alex in Spoiler Alert. The initial impression is that he's an off the rails actor heading for disaster, but the reality is that he's a deeply loyal, protective, huge hearted guy who, yeah, has a bit of an impulsive streak. He's seen some tragic things happen to people he loves, and those events have really shaped who he is and how he reacts to events in his life. The guilt he carries and how it shapes every aspect of his life is heartbreaking, especially for such a charismatic character.

Lauren is a character I can relate to in so many ways. She worked as an ER therapist - working the crap shifts, working holidays, working weekends, etc. because she's unmarried and childless and wants to ensure her coworkers get to spend those special times with their families. After years of this (plus the stress that comes from dealing with mental health issues in an ER in the best of circumstances) she's burned out and just needs a break. She's also a very plus size woman who, like a lot of us plus size women, has spent her life enduring insults and mistreatment from strangers and loved ones alike. She's so accustomed to making herself physically and mentally miserable so she doesn't make anyone else uncomfortable that she doesn't even realize she's doing it. It's agonizing to see how Lauren treats herself and how she allows others to treat her, if for no other reason than I so clearly recognize it. She is ultimately unapologetic about her body though, which I love. When it comes down to it, she's comfortable in who she is, and that's refreshing to see for a plus size character.

Alex and Lauren have a rocky start, but soon develop a friendly rapport, Their romance is very much a slow burn, but it's such a fun, satisfying read. I loved all of the little fanfic snippets and the group text messages and other insights that added to this story. I was a big fan of Spoiler Alert, but this one probably tops it. Overall just a nice, fun, feel good read!

All the Feels was... all the fun. A fantastic follow-up to Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade creates two compelling characters once again, that each have to address their own issues in order to lean into the slow-burn romance that builds between them. Lauren, an ER mental health clinician who is burnt out on work, takes a job as a "nanny" for famed actor Alexander Woodroe, who can't seem to stay out of trouble.

While this one has less fandom than Spoiler Alert, you still get some very fun AUs and fanfiction snippets (Alex has some very specific interests for his character Cupid!). The friendships that are on the periphery for both of these characters are very sweet, and the conflict in this one is not overly drawn out, which I appreciated. It is a very slow burn, but luckily, there is a lot of hilarious, never-ending banter and wit from the chatty Alex, and you get to live vicariously through him and his rich lifestyle of castles, fancy bathrobes, and delicious meals.

I am very excited for fans of the first book to pick this one up and see these two lovebirds (*wink*) thrive. Thanks to NetGalley for an early review copy, all opinions are my own.

This lived up to the first book in the series! I liked the main characters and enjoyed the continuation of the story of The Gods of the Gates series. Highly recommended!

My goodness... Is it possible to identify with BOTH main characters in a novel? Because I did in this book. Alex and Wren are #CoupleGoals. They both have low self-esteem, although Alex is a famous actor on an extremely popular show (mentioned in Dade's Spoiler Alert) and Wren is a former ER therapist who just ignores people's meanness and animosity towards her existence as a short fat woman. Alex doesn't feel worthy of love because of things that happened in his past and Wren doesn't feel that she is worthy of someone sacrificing everything for her. I actually thought this was going to be an enemies to lovers book, but was pleasantly surprised to find it was a friends to lovers book. Basically, Olivia Dade can do no wrong. She writes beautifully, her characters have depth, and the reader leaves her stories happier than when they started. Siiiiiiiiiigh. Can I give this book ten stars please?

This was a really fun, cute read. Alex was like an overgrown chatty, protective puppy and Lauren was wonderfully dry and sarcastic. I liked the gradual development of their relationship and their feelings for each other. I could have done with a little bit less on how unattractive she was compared to him. After the initial description it felt like overkill. Still an interesting, enjoyable read overall. .

This book promised exactly what the title says: all the feels. This book was simply delightful. As per her previous books, Spoiler Alert in particular, Olivia Dade promotes direct, non-filtered dialogue between the hero/heroine, and promotes body positivity. I’ve come to expect these themes from her now and All the Feels didn’t disappoint.

I was so excited to read Alex’s story after meeting him in Spoiler Alert, and he was everything I hoped he would be. With a constant stream of words leaving his mouth at any given time, he learned to use his diagnosis of ADHD to his advantage, rather than let it hold him back. Every time he said “hey Lauren” I giggled. Every single time. He was like a niggling toddler, in that regard. He also had the biggest, softest heart. He wanted to take care of those special people in his life, and he was willing to make whatever sacrifices necessary to make that happen.

Lauren was a breath of fresh air, with her tough skin and heart. As a curvy woman, she never let that hinder her relationships in any way. A lot of time, being overweight causes body image issues and negative thoughts, but not with Lauren. She knew who she was, and loved who she was. Even though she didn’t surround herself with people who encouraged her to stand up for herself, with the exception of Sionna. I loved how meeting Alex introduced her to more of those people.

Alex and Lauren’s chemistry was sooooo good that I could feel it in my heart in some scenes. It broke my heart, then put it right back together.

Just like the first book in this series, I loved the cast mates group text and their mutual disdain for Ian. It cracked me up when they put him in his place.

All the Feels is an appropriate title for this romance, both because of what readers will experience and the journey that that Lauren and Alex take.

When Alex and Lauren meet, Lauren is clinical and remote. Hired to be Alex's minder after he's embroiled in a PR fiasco while filming the final season of his GOT-like show, Lauren tries to keep her distance from this actor whose co-stars describe as a "delightful asshole." And she has her reasons: because she's not conventionally attractive and works in a stressful, demanding job, she lives at a remove from her emotions. Meanwhile, Alex is like an exposed nerve. He describes himself as "extra," and what an apt description that is. Some of that stems from his ADHD, and some of that comes from an emotionally traumatic experience in his past. He's impulsive, emotional, and big-hearted.

It's a real pleasure to watch them engage with one another, to witness her shell cracking and the ways she begins to share herself with Alex. (Also nice: this is not a story of a fat woman learning to become confident because a hot man is sexually attracted to her. Although it takes her a while to get that he is attracted to her, she doesn't question it once they clarify that they are beyond the friend zone.) Throughout, Alex struggles with self-governance, and it's rewarding to see him settle into himself more without suddenly being "fixed" by her; it's a respectful depiction of ADHD and mental health issues.

As I was reading, I could not help but feel that gorgeous Alex is nonetheless an acquired taste and quite a handful. This was not one of those books where I got heart-eyes for the hero, even though he was kind, loving, and principled. Rather, I was delighted that the lid and the pot found each other. (If you've read the Stage Dive series by Kylie Scott, and specifically Play, you might recognize a bit of Mal's manic energy in Alex.)

They have great chemistry, although I imagine some readers will be disappointed in how their romance plays out physically. They are hot together--that's for sure. Spoiler Alert, the prior book in the series, may have raised expectations for sexual interests that this novel mostly dances around.

All in all, an enjoyable read. I'll definitely look forward to whatever comes next in the series--perhaps Siona's (Lauren's BFF) story?

Thank you @netgalley for a copy of this ARC in return for an honest review. All the feels is a continuation from spoil alert except the story continues with Alex and Lauren. LAuren has been hired by the director to watch h Alex and help keep him on the straight and arrow as we keeps getting g into trouble. She does it as a favor for her mother eve, tho she does not want to but does it out of guilt.

It is a good story and I enjoyed it. but it felt like I was reading a similar story as Spoil Alert. I kept making comparisons to the previous book. Actor, plus size character and Laurent having family issues . I still would recommend it and give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I honestly don't know how but somehow olivia has outdone herself with this book, I absolutely loved Spoiler Alert and and thought a sequel could possibly top that but it did and i love it so much! I highly highly recommend this series to everyone it's such a feel good and comfort series and im so excited to see more from Olivia!

It's official- lightning can strike twice!

A few months ago, I read Spoiler Alert and was absolutely delighted. My geeky romance-loving heart could not be contained. So when I got the ARC for All the Feels, I was worried that it wouldn't be as good. I'm happy to say I was EXTREMELY wrong. All the Feels captures the same magic combination that Spoiler Alert had- solid characters, strong romance, a good level of heat, and a strong storyline. With all the fun of AO3 thrown in as well. The only negative was that it wasn't *as geeky* as Spoiler Alert. But honestly, I only realized that upon reflection. I read it in one day and could not stop even if I wanted to.

So whether you're a geek, romance lover, or both- I highly suggest both this book and the series. I plan on reading more Olivia Dade in the future, but if all her books are like this, I think I've found another new favorite author!

Olivia Dade knocks it out of the park in her follow-up to beloved fandom romance Spoiler Alert. All The Feels follows Marcus's costar Alex, who has been assigned a minder named Lauren after getting in a bar fight during filming for their hit show Gate of the Gods. Predictably, wonderfully, Alex and Lauren fall for each other in a slow-burn relationship that plays with beloved fan fiction tropes.

If you enjoyed the body-positivity of Spoiler Alert, you'll find much to love in All The Feels. I appreciated Dade's thoughtful depiction of ADHD, which firmly shapes Alex's character and his choices. She also delves into issues of domestic violence in a way that shouldn't trigger survivors who happen to read the book.

This book is the perfect addition to the first book. It is cute, sweet, and emotional. I loved seeing the full story of Lauren and Alex and I hope that we get more stories set in this world in the near future. 🥰

When I read the first book in the Spoiler Alert series by Olivia Dade, I was hooked! I loved that story! I wanted to read everything by Olivia Dade. While this still stands true, I didn't enjoy All the Feels as much as the first book. It was still a well written story and I enjoyed aspects of it. But I wasn't as into the romance and the couple in this story. Also, I don't love the fan fiction in the books, which is a huge aspect, but I can get past that for a good story!

I LOVED the Spoiler Alert and was so excited to read All the Feels that I stayed up until 1:30 AM to devour it, and it didn't disappoint. All the Feels was compulsively readable and I loved everything about it. I can't wait to read the next thing from Olivia Dade and hope to see more from this universe soon!

This book smashed it out of the park for me! All of the feels, a genuine connection, the individual growth, as well as the combined growth of this couple.
Add in the bonus of a cast of characters that enriched the experience and you’ll understand what I loved so much!
Lauren & Alex we’re the right kind of burn for my summer, with the only lasting effects being a love so beautiful and some truths realized.
BHE forever!

4.5 stars because this book totally earned them. I laughed out loud so many times in this book! Alex was hysterical and I loved how dry Lauren was in response. I loved how this book didn't turn to instant attraction for either of them... they became great friends and then fell for each other with no rush, it was fantastic. They faced real issues and did them well. This book was really well written and fun, and I honestly see myself rereading it soon. Great job Olivia Dade!

I loved Spoiler Alert--the characters, the world in which they live, and the excellent portrayal of love between a famous, very attractive actor and a non-famous, equally-attractive civilian who happens to be fat. Of all the marvelous secondary characters, the ones I wanted to see more of next were Alex and Lauren. And here they are, in all their glory!

All the Feels is everything I had hoped for--more of the showbiz world, a reality check in the form of ADHD and other hidden disability rep, and great sexytimes. Alex and Lauren are so good for each other. Alex has a heart of gold, even if it doesn't always look that way to the casually observer. And Lauren is amazingly capable--all the competence porn here with her job. It warmed my heart when Alex was first fascinated and then enthralled by Lauren's singular attributes. The heart wants what the heart wants, and sometimes it wants someone who isn't conventionally beautiful but interesting and intelligent and funny and kind. I love that this book celebrates that dynamic.

I think I've said before that I don't really like romance novels, because of a lot of reasons, so for me to give this five stars, there must be a reason.

First, I love that the love interest is a short squat woman who doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks about her, and has the mouth to back that up.

And the movie star she has to mind, writes fanfic on the side, about the show that he is in. Amazing.

So, even though we know, as all romances go, that they will eventually get together, in the end, I still had to stay up late to finish it, because I wanted to see how. And of course, the part where they have to part, because all romances have that as well, was thoroughly heart wrenching.

So, fun romance, for the non-romance readers out there, and totally relatable heroine, as well.

<em> Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

Sometime in the last month or so, I was listening to a romance podcast where the cohosts applauded an author for the clear love they have for their characters. They're nuanced, they make mistakes, they're imperfect, they want to be better, and they're treated with respect by the author.

This book isn't that book.

It's a very interesting choice to spend the first 25% of your book negging a heroine. Lauren is not ""traditionally attractive,"" and you cannot forget it. Alex acknowledges she isn't pretty, Lauren acknowledges she isn't pretty, her cousin acknowledges she's pretty, all the background narration acknowledges she isn't pretty. (As an aside, Lauren on the cover of this book? GORGEOUS.) Alex never calls her fat, but he sure does spend a lot of time reminding her that she's irritatingly short and making digs at her intelligence, as well as mentally remarking about things like her crooked nose, her wrinkles, and her undereye bags.

Lauren is less of a character and more of a way to prove that Alex is a Good Man. And the thing is, I don't think we need to have that proven. I think it's really clear that Alex is a good man, who cares about treating people with decency, who wants to support the people he loves, who understands so much of his privilege. But then he's just so rude to Lauren under the guise of a sharp wit, when she has done literally nothing to earn his ire besides being paid to sit and read a book while he works out. He's so quick to jump in and defend her to other people, but refuses to defend her from himself.
Marcus even points out this hypocrisy at one point, reminding him that he's constantly calling her a harpy and a shrew -- but Alex thinks it's okay because he does it because he thinks he's funny, not because he thinks it's true.

I like Alex. I think he's intelligent, thoughtful, and vulnerable (his reaction in the black moment especially so). And I think there's literally no need for him to be so mean to Lauren over and over, even if it's masked by this "just joshin'!" aura. To be clear, Lauren really never takes any of these comments to heart. But I think you can write a minder/enemies-to-lovers story without spending a truly irrational amount of time reminding the reader that the world thinks the heroine is ugly. The rudeness eases up, but it lasted long enough to make me seriously consider DNFing the book and to make the story nearly irredeemable for me.

I don't think that Alex and Lauren were treated with respect by Dade. I think Lauren wasn't given room to shine as her own human being self, and I think she did Alex dirty by making him act like a petulant and rude child to Lauren for as long as he did when he could have been straight golden retriever and get essentially the same story out of it. It's disappointing, particularly given the level of trust a lot of communities have put into this author.

The best thing about this book was also the best thing about the previous book! The delightful text exchanges, snippets of past movies, and best of all, the fanfic excerpts are back. I would absolutely love to read more fanfics about either the show they're on or the characters in this universe -- it's truly shocking to me that nothing exists on AO3.

I'm not going to NOT mention this book to people asking for recs. But I'll certainly be mindful of who I recommend it to, and it won't be coming out of my mouth without some heavy caveats.