Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for this eARC!

This was one of my most anticipated 2021 titles. I loved <i>Spoiler Alert</i>, and could not wait for this one. Worth the wait!

Alex and Lauren meet when she's assigned by his TV show (the same big-budget mythology epic from the first book which I would still like to be a real thing) to "mind" him after he has a little punching incident in a Spanish bar. Like his BFF Marcus, Alex writes fix-it fics about their show in his spare time. The fanfic is less present in this book than in the first, but still matters (and, yes, there's #onlyonebed).

Alex and Lauren's relationship, sparked by nonstop togetherness and a California road trip, is super sweet, and development as individual characters was satisfying. Also, I did love the concept of big harpy energy. I think anyone who likes Olivia Dade's past books will like this one!

Our hero was annoying. I enjoyed the fact that this book was body-positive for the MC and the hero neuro-divergent, but the antagonistic teasing was super grating for me.

This was a fantastic follow up to Spoiler Alert. We were lucky to get the beginnings of Lauren and Alex’s story in that book, and I was hooked. These are two excellent characters, written with depth and nuance. Highly recommended!

ok no joke i finished this in like 12 hours. it’s so quick-witted! alex and wren are one of my favorite couples i’ve read of late, possibly EVER, and the book deals realistically and sensitively with their struggles (ADHD, guilt, standing up for oneself, etc.). imo better than the first book in the series, and NOT to be missed!

#netgalley

I know I say this about every Olivia Dade book I read, but this time I really mean it. This is the best one! Frankly, this is the best book I've ever read. It's beautiful and hilarious and heart-wrenching and just plain fantastic. The way Olivia deals with plus-sized bodies echoes through my soul. Things I think about on a daily basis, are reflected in the words on the page. It's not just a one-off "she was curvy", it's "how do I navigate in a world that doesn't fit me".
It's touching and heartfelt and connects with me so much. Alex is adorable and I love him. He's an overzealous puppy and I really appreciated seeing someone who is just boundless all the time. He's so different from every other quiet, grumpy hero out there, and yet, he's relatable, he's your extroverted friend that just has a million things to say every time you see them.
I loved how funny this book is, I laughed constantly. I loved how sweet it is, how amidst all the chaos, there are moments of deep calm.
Most of all, this book just felt so REAL, despite being about a highly unlikely (she says bitterly, having already been crushed by the world) scenario. It made this cynic believe in magic, and that HEAs are possible for short, little bird-people like me.

This was an adorable sequel. Lauren and Alex are perfect for each other, and I loved getting the real story behind Alex’s behavior. Watching Lauren gain confidence was also empowering. I love this universe and hope for a third one in the series.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.