It’s a servicable story, and I appreciate the author’s commitment to making sure people who are not usually leads in rom-coms get the spotlight, but I didn’t really care about either of these characters.

After an incredibly steamy one-night-stand, Peter and Maria discover that they have been cast as costars on the hit TV show Gods of the Gate. Their character arc has them stranded on a remote Irish island to film with a small crew and no other actors for the next 6 years. They both decide to keep things professional, even though it is clear to everyone on the island and their fans alike that there are feelings between them. Once their final scene is a wrap, they must decide if they can make a committed relationship work, especially since Peter lives in Hollywood and Maria is from Sweden.

There are so many themes in this book, from body positivity, childhood trauma, and found family, to name a few. All wrapped up with Olivia Dade's signature witty banter and steamy chemistry between her characters. Unlike other series that follow a linear timeline with the cast of characters, The Spoiler Alert series takes place around the same time, so this book has little Easter eggs and overlapping storylines from the first two books, which I love!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy for review. Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade is out November 15, 2022.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

This book definitely kicked things off with a bang.

Literally.

It did not take long for Maria and Peter to get it on, book-wise and life-wise. These two met while hanging out in a sauna, and the connection was immediate...and scorching. They definitely had a physical connection that had Peter hoping for more...until Maria left him without a note or farewell.

It did not take long for them to meet again at an audition for two enticing roles in a highly profiled show. Peter was not too pleased with Maria, but would eventually have to deal as her co-star in an enemies-to-lovers paranormal TV show.

It did not take long for them to get on the same page on set. Maria may be a TV-acting novice, but she quickly wins over the cast and crew's hearts, including the grouchy Peter, with her unapologetic confidence and kind, outgoing personality. Their on- and off-screen chemistry was filled with unresolved tension.

What did take long was for their romantic arc to complete, given that they agreed to be friends only while filming the show for six tension-filled years. It did not feel like it for this reader, however, because Olivia Dade did a great job of building a deep connection and creating sizzling chemistry between our two main characters.

Did she give us an insta-lust only to follow it with a slow burn? Absolutely, and the wait was worth it.

This is the third book in the Spoiler Alert universe, but as a newbie to the series, the book did well in briefly introducing characters from the previous reads and can be read as a standalone.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Olivia Dade, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

This is probably the most complicated 3.5 🌟 review I've ever written.

📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, Hollywood romance

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Maria and Peter have a one-night stand he is hoping will turn into more. But not only does she disappear without another word, she also turns out to be starring next to him in a show that's both of their big breaks. Peter swears he won't take things further, an act that could ruin heir careers. But when filming is over, all bets are off.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I can totally see why Olivia Dade's work nets out to under 4 stars on Goodreads. As I was personally balancing my thoughts on this book, it's where I netted out, too. There are plusses and minuses, times I wanted to DNF the book and times where I was wrapped up in the story.

As a reader, it's incredibly confusing and leads to these warring contradictions.

I love reading long, pining love. But Olivia Dade totally mishandled the passage of time in this book. I love when art imitates reality. But this series centers around a show that's exactly like Game of Thrones, so much it made my eyes roll. I love a good side cast of characters. But there were so many in this book, and they were so big in attitude, it felt like I could barely concentrate. I love plus-sized representation. But I can't stand when a plus-sized heroine makes being fat her entire personality.

It was a hard read for me, and I didn't really love the FMC here. I also wasn't a fan of Olivia Dade punctuating chapters with drafts of fan fiction and text threads... it really broke it up for me. But I did adore the spice - it was top notch - and I did love the third-act grovel, which had me pretty swoony.

And I can't simply ignore the fact that this book, and all of the others in the series (which I considered reading to see if I was missing out) are $10.99 ebooks. In my opinion, there's better ways to spend your money.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

4✨
I don't think I've read a single Olivia Dade book that I haven't devoured in a single sitting.
Is this my favorite out of the entire series? Not quite. Was this another absolute banger? You bet your sweet bippy it is!

Ship Wrecked continues following members of the God of the Gates cast— this time Peter and Maria, who, while essentially trapped together on a remote Irish island, must fight their real-life feelings in order to remain professional on set after a steamy and passionate one-night stand. Once filming wraps however…😏😏

The spice was on the milder side of things but the tension/banter and overall pining was absolutely perfect and i enjoyed all the references to the previous books too 💕💕

This is a story about knowing yourself to know what you want from others.  Peter and Maria have an incredible one-night stand, not knowing much about each other or, in the case of Peter, even her name.  So imagine both of their surprise when they encounter each other the next day at an audition to be co-stars for Gods of the Gates -- an incredibly popular fantasy television show about to enter its second season.  Peter and Maria are both cast in the show, which means they will spend the next six years together on a largely isolated island filming their scenes.

For Peter, the show is an opportunity to prove, after years as a character actor, that he has what it takes to be a leading man -- and to achieve the financial security he has long wanted.  For Maria, who has largely been a theater actor in Sweden, where she is from, the show is an opportunity to show that people with different body types can be television stars.  Despite their strong attraction, Peter worries that any attempt at a relationship with Maria could end in disaster, making it hard, or even impossible, for them to continue filming together.  So he is committed to being nothing more than friends with Maria while they are filming, even if his desire for her is palpable.  

When they wrap their last night of filming, Maria and Peter can't resist anymore, and they are together again for the first time in six years.  But even with one obstacle behind them, another looms -- Peter is returning to Los Angeles and Maria to her native Sweden.  Even apart from the physical separation, Maria is convinced that Peter cannot give her the commitment she needs given his dedication to his work.  Peter is determined to not let the opportunity to be with Maria pass him by -- but, given all their history, will it be enough for a happy ever after?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It combines a topflight romance with insightful explorations about childhood trauma, body image, and wealth -- all in the context of a story that will often have you laughing out loud.  The author did an excellent job of revealing over the course of the story the ways that Peter and Maria's respective childhoods have shaped their adulthoods in profound respects -- everything from how they approach romantic relationships, to their ability to make friends, to their relationship to financial security.  The chemistry between Maria and Peter jumps off the page, but, thanks to the author's deft touch, the barriers that make a lasting connection a challenge come across as quite authentic.  Similarly, the book's exploration of body positivity -- Maria's commitment to it in her life and art, the obvious and subtle ways she is challenged on it, and how far she is willing to go, both for her own health and for the example she sets, in service of her commitment -- is very well done.  Finally, the peek behind the scenes of a prestige cable drama that seems to draw on real-life counterparts is a fun dimension of the story.

Highly recommended!

Coming out of a bad relationship, Maria just moved to the states to try and make it in Hollywood. After a steamy one night stand, she sneaks out without leaving a note, only to have her lover show up unexpectedly at her audition for the Gods of the Gates tv show. To make things worse, they both get the parts of shipwreck survivors on an isolated island, forced to live and work together along with a small crew for the next six years. Peter, surly and reclusive, is still attracted to Maria, but he can't risk a relationship with her at the expense of his career, after all, she already left him once. But after the last episode wraps, he can't stay away any longer. But with him looking for another job in LA and her family in Sweden, will he be enough to convince her to stay?
This book can technically be read as a standalone, but I took the advice of a fellow reviewer and started with book 1. The whole series is hilarious and the castmates have such great relationships with each other throughout, so I'm really glad I read them in order. I like that all of these characters had different issues they had to overcome, from fat-shaming, ADHD, domestic violence, depression, etc. These books all have a positive and uplifting message to accept people as the are.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

**Thank you to Olivia Dade, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for allowing me to receive an ARC of Ship Wrecked in exchange for an honest review!!** I LOVED THIS BOOK. I definitely did a double take at the beginning but I very quickly got into this book. I could NOT put this book down. I have not read any of Olivia Dade's work before so I was very excited when I was able to read this book. I had heard good things about her other novels and I completely get the hype! The characters in this are so fun yet well developed. I also enjoyed being able to tell that some of the characters had their own novels in the series while still allowing their portions of the story to be concise enough that it didn't cause the plot to drag on. I will admit there was one portion of this book that I found frustrating, but I loved it overall! Maria is the coolest and Peter is just amazed by her (as he should be!!). I really enjoyed the aspect of their filming taking place on a semi-remote island. It definitely added to the ambiance of the group feeling like they were stranded together. I did love how body-positive this book was and it was really nice to experience. I loved how much Maria stood up for herself and others and I think we could all stand to be more like her. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to going back and being able to read the rest of the series. This was a beautiful ending to the series and I already want to reread this book.

What can I say, but I’d give this book 5,000 ✨ ⭐️s and you should all go read it? But I’m sure you’d like a little more from a review.
Olivia Dade knows how to start a book with a bang! 🔥🔥🔥 Sexy, funny, and emotional, with the best character writing, this book has my whole heart. Maria and Peter as a match could not make me happier and what a wonderful way to round out the finale of the Spoiler Alert series. As the third couple to star in their own book from the Gods of the Gates series, Ship Wrecked opens with a one night stand between Peter and Maria. When the two find themselves vying for the roles of Cyprian and Cassia, their chemistry read test could not be stronger. Set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland with a tiny film crew, how can these two deny their past hook up, while also having to work side by side professionally for upwards of 6 years?

Maria Ivarsson is my favorite type of heroine. She’s strong, extremely confident, a sexy plus-sized Swede, and knows who she is and what she wants. I loved that Maria is never willing to compromise her feelings or beliefs for anyone, but can also be unbelievably soft and feminine at the same time. You can tell just how much Olivia Dade enjoyed writing Maria’s character because she is so pro-women and self-assured and just loved by everyone on the cast. Maria is very self-assured and is willing to walk away from the show if it means compromising her values or altering her body to fit a more traditional appearance, and I loved how vocal she was in her intentions (amazingly without sounding cocky). Of course to complement her, Peter Reedton is the perfect bearded hulking man who at first gets off on the wrong foot with Maria. His shyness and quietness comes off as broody and jerk-like to Maria who doesn’t understand that Peter is completely enamored with her, but just afraid of getting hurt again. Maria is able to coax Peter out of his untrusting shell and allow him to make connections to the crew and herself.
The journey these two MCs go on is beautiful; we get to se them as themselves and also as cast members struggling with how to live in their desire for one another while performing as lovers. This book is so tender and gentle in the way it allows Peter and Maria’s relationship to unfold. It sometimes felt like a slowburn, but the intimate scenes are off the charts. I found myself laughing at poor Peter when he has to engage in a sex scene for the show with Maria; it is funny, and spicy, and wonderful seeing each MC’s reaction when they are both still secretly vying for each other! And the moments later in the novel where we get to see each of them around the other’s family…it just helped to bind them closer together as two people who really want to love and understand one another. Maria sharing her photo album in the chair with Peter is possibly one of the most revealing and tender moments in the book; it is why romance readers fall in love with characters.
Of course I would be remiss to not mention the infamous GOTG message group where we get to see how each of the past series characters are doing. It’s hilarious and heartwarming to read their interactions and I’m so glad that readers are left with a sense of finality for each of the original cast members and their loves.
Olivia Dade has written something so special and she just keeps getting better and better with each book. As sad as I am to see this series end, I am excited to see what comes next. I always know I’ll get amazing romance and sexy scenes, emotional connections, fat rep, humor, and BIG FEELINGS with each of her books. And if you don’t believe me, just look at the gorgeous cover by Leni Kauffman delivering all of that in an illustration! Thank you so much to Avon and Harper Collins along with NetGalley for this wonderful advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Okay after much thinking and questioning - Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade is my favorite of the “series”.

The way that these characters are incredible and are such a significant presence throughout the entire book is startling. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest while I read Maria and Peter’s ongoing banter.

This is such a slow burn and literal years pass by but the wait is so worth it. There is work that both Maria and Peter need to put in to be truly fulfilled and watching them do so is awe-inspiring.

You know what also happens a lot throughout this book? Communication between two grown-ass adults. Like that is so hot! Just sit down and talk about your problems, and share your feelings!!

I just love these two so much! Maria and Peter are incredible characters who take up all the space and it makes my heart so happy. And let’s give a huge round of applause for our two plus-sized characters who were proud and absolutely unashamed of their bodies

I want to thank Netgalley for giving me an ARC of Ship Wrecked in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know what it is about Olivia Dade's writing that pulls me in. I devoured the first two books in this series in hours, and both times it was a really pleasant read. It might have to do with how deeply she has engrained fandom into her novels, but it's such a fun twist that her characters are actors in a show that they wholeheartedly love. I jumped at the chance to read this novel, and it didn't disappoint.
I will admit, it did take me longer to get into the story this time around because I wasn't vibing with Maria in the same way I did with Marcus and Alex, but once the story captured me I came around. (I think this is because I am not one for a lot of pining. It stresses me out so much.)
Ship Wrecked is a great addition to the Spoiler Alert series. I love that Dade has stuck to her formula of plus-sized characters, body positivity, and the idea that everybody deserves love. I also love that she doesn't shy away from real-life issues like mental health and losing loved ones.

Ship Wrecked
Book 3 in the Spoiler Alert Series
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.


First off I want to say that I really looked forward to reading this book. The premise sounded very interesting in which, like the previous books in the series, we found ourselves immersed in the world of a big production TV series. This book takes off with a very hot and smexy scene between our two leads. It was supposed to be a one night stand but Peter seems to have developed feelings towards Maria as the night ends. Little do they know that they'll end up working together on the same TV show as one of the couples in the story. This is where the story takes off.
I will have to admit that I was enjoying the beginning of it with all their banter and quick come backs, but then as the story slowly progressed I got bored. I kept looking at the corner of my Kindle at the percentage read and I noticed that it was moving too slow.
I feel that nothing much happened in the story to catch my attention. I actually skimmed some chapters towards the end and didn't seem to miss much.
I'm giving it three stars because I enjoyed reading about two people representing body positivity and how much they pined for each other during all those years they filmed together and when they finally get together again...hot!!

I love her books and I was looking forward to read this new addition to her latest series.
Maria and Peter have a one night stand and she leaves before he wakes up. No walk of shame on here but I was sad for Peter because he felt used and I was sure that wasn’t her intention.
Moving forward , they met again competing for an interesting audition. I loved how they both played out in it and to see what comes next in their real relationship. The open discussion was so worth it and something that I am always looking for in romance books because miscommunications are the worst.
They both have a past and lost to share about that said past but I loved how responsive they both are for each other and how their love just blooms with each new scene.
I’m all about the body positivity and I’m hoping to see more about it in other books, not only by a handful of authors.

Romance at its best for me.

📖NetGalley arc

Oh holy, am I in love with Olivia Dade.

I'm not sure how she was recommended to me but I started the Spoiler Alert series to get to SHIP WRECKED and wow, just wow. BIg, beautiful humans, great banter, wonderful plots, I loved the cross-pollentation with the text groups and AO3. Being a big nerd, everything about the cons felt right and GODS OF THE GATES is a show I would totally watch.

MORE PLEASE! (Is Carrah next? What about Summer? Please let it be Carrah.)

I tooted at her on Mastodon that I love her books and that I'm going to head to my library to read more of her stuff. I also have a crush on Peter. is it possible to have a crush on a fictional character? Yes, yes it is.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

I have read other novels by Olivia Dade before and really enjoyed them which is why I just have a few questions on this novel because I DNF'd at 25%:
-Am I supposed to be rooting for Peter?
-At 25% into the novel this man has been the absolute worst and not in a "villain" way but in a "real wold disappointing men" way and I'm supposed to hope he gets better? I'm supposed to want the absolutely fabulous Maria to get with ... Peter? No. I refuse.

I'm not going to finish this novel because while I like the plus size rep, I do not like misogynistic "heros" in novels. I hope Maria, our heroine, gets with someone else I really do.

She was midnight sun, drawing everyone into her orbit. She shone. She brightened everything around her. Including him.”

Olivia Dade just absolutely knows the way to my heart. I was so thrilled to be able to get an ARC of the third book in this series, especially after loving the first two books. And this one does not disappoint.

After a one-night stand, Maria and Peter show up to an audition for Gods of the Gates. Maria left Peter before he woke up, and he’ feeling bitter and used. Once they’re cast and the years go by, it’s clear that Peter and Maria have much deeper feelings than they have allowed themselves to act on. Now that the show is over, they’ll need to figure out how to navigate this new phase of their relationship.

I loved Peter and Maria. They’re both so different on the surface but they’ve both been through so much in their personal lives. Maria is outspoken and outgoing, while Peter is an introvert and slightly socially awkward. But when they’re together, they seem to settles into a routine that’s good for both of them. They feel protected and valued, and it’s clear they’re a team even before they are officially a couple.

It was really beautiful to see them have open, honest conversations with each other that bond them further. Maria talks about her adoption and Peter talks about his strained relationship with his father. What I really loved about this was how they were both unwavering in their support and understanding, and it felt realistic, as if they were two well-adjusted adults who know how to communicate. Of course, it’s not without a bit of drama, but even that doesn’t feel out of place. Everything clicks for both of them at the same time and they’re exactly the couple you want to root for.

Also, we need to give it up for two plus-sized main characters who are proud and unashamed of their bodies. The romance genre continues to shine with body positive characters, and I really hope we keep seeing more and more of it. On top of that, there is an incredible moment where they both stand their ground over what the show runners want Maria’s body to look like, and it’s so moving to see Peter stand by her.

Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
Rating: 3 stars
Steam: 2 chilis
Pub Date: 11/15

I was SO excited to get a recent approval from NetGalley for Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade. I was drawn in by the beautiful cover and the author’s fantastic reputation, but it didn’t blow me away as I’d hoped.

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, and that was my first mistake. There are cameos, references, and inside jokes that I absolutely did not understand. That didn’t affect my rating so much as it just annoyed me.

I’m a little torn on this one. On the one hand, I liked the body positivity, the dual POV, the dual pining, the steam, and the behind-the-scenes look at the production of a big TV show. But even with its positive attributes, I still ended up disappointed.

The pacing of this book was way off. It starts off well enough, and then suddenly, weeks have passed, and we don’t know what happens during that time. Then there is a six-year time jump, in the middle of a chapter, with no preamble. Yup, you read that right. It completely disrupts the flow of the story, and I had a hard time catching up.

I also really didn’t like Peter or Maria. Peter is grumpy, and not in a cute way…he’s mostly just a jerk. And Maria is super liberal about certain things and yet conservative and uptight about others. Her self-righteousness and abrasive personality made her hard to connect with, and I just never found a good rhythm with this one.

I will absolutely read other books by Olivia Dade because I have heard such great things! This one just wasn’t for me. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon for the gifted copy. Ship Wrecked comes out on 11/15.

I said it before in my reviews for Spoiler Alert and All the Feels - this is the romantic comedy we didn’t know we needed. Sequels are always so tricky because they have so much to live up to, and Olivia Dade completely exceeded even my ridiculously incredibly high hopes and expectations with Ship Wrecked.

All the same sentiments I had with Spoiler Alert and All the Feels still apply - the importance of self-love and acceptance, embracing our differences and faults, and learning that our pasts don’t define our futures. I didn’t think it would be possible but I love Maria and Peter even more than I loved Marcus & April and Alex & Lauren. We first met Maria and Peter in Spoiler Alert back when they were just friends/co-actors in the cast group chat, and we follow them from their first meet at the spa where they have a one-night stand, to their second meet as potential love interests at their auditions and then through the next six years as cast mates. I really appreciate this crossover, which we don’t usually see in sequels. As with all sequels, I love looking back at the first couple and revisiting them, which we do a little bit of her but not as much as I hoped, especially given the timeline - pasts of the book occur before that of the first two and then concurrently with the events in the other two. The focus is firmly on Maria and Peter and the development of their relationship from lovers, to enemies,, to friends and eventually lovers again. In terms of the fandom and fanfic in this one, this falls between Spoiler Alert and All the Feels - Maria and Peter’s characters on the show mimic their real-life relationship, and the fans are pretty rabid for this particular ship and love to speculate on whether they are or not a couple IRL. Like All the Feels, there is more time spent on character development - insight into how Peter got to be the man he is, how Maria came to be his friend and why they seem to be able to connect despite their differences, but also the barriers holding them back.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper for the opportunity to read this amazing book months ahead of its release and saving me the agony of waiting for my preorder to become available!

In Ship-Wrecked, we meet more stars of the TV series Gods of the Gates. This time the main characters are plus size co-stars filming together on a deserted island six years after having a one night stand. He’s pined for her ever since that night, but she refuses to love someone who won’t put her first.

After reading the first two books in the Spoiler Alert series, I was equally excited and apprehensive about starting this one. In Spoiler Alert and All the Feels, the male main character is neurodivergent and his diagnosis becomes his entire personality and character arc. Fortunately, Ship-Wrecked seemed to diverge from that formula. Instead, Peter is given childhood trauma, abandonment issues, and an amusing fear of cows.

Overall, the book was good. The big picture of the romance was sweet. The spice was good. The cameos of the rest of the characters from the Gods of the Gates universe were nice. The timeline was a little choppy and hard to follow at times. The story was told from a third person point of view, but occasionally seemed to switch from Peter’s POV to Maria’s POV without feeling intentional.

I received an e-ARC from NetGalley/Avon.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I absolutely loved Spoiler Alert when I read it a couple of years ago. And then All the Feels was long but good. But Ship Wrecked just felt long...and it is at 400 pages long for a modern romance novel.

In this story we are following Maria, a Swedish actress making her American debut on Gods of the Gates (think fictionalized Game of Thrones but Roman gods), and Peter, her introverted and pessimistic costar who hates cows. The book starts off with an incredibly steamy one-night stand between Peter and Maria (so not a spoiler, because the action starts on the first few pages), and then at some point Peter and Maria realize they will be costars on GOTG. Either I am dense, or the writing style was kind of confusing, but apparently the slow burn of one-night stand to kind of tense coworkers to friends to lovers spans 6 years (AKA the first 200 pages). I didn't realize it was a 6 year timeline until I was at page 150...oops.

There are some good things in this book - plus-sized representation for him and her, introversion representation (is that even a thing -- don't we kind of all know what introverts are by now?), and foster family/adoption.

My biggest issues, besides this being essentially 2 stories in one (the first of their time on set, and the second after the show wrapped - which could have been 2 separate books), is that Maria and Peter fall flat for me as characters, and I got mixed messages about their love for one another. I get that it is supposed to be playful, but her nickname/term of endearment for the man she supposedly loves with all her heart is skitstovel - which means shit-boot. And it's not like he ended up stepping in poo to earn this moniker...nope...she just decides he's a shit boot. Also, Peter is apparently deathly afraid of cows - it's mentioned repeatedly throughout the book, but there's no context or character building of why, just that he is. For some of the things that Dade spends painstaking care to walk through, other parts feel rushed or just thrown in.

I did like the scene where Maria and Peter go to Sweden. And I liked the scene with the two of them at the charity event that Alex (from the previous books) sponsored. But other than that, this felt a bit of a slog to get through, and I didn't understand how Maria and Peter's characters (Cassia and Cyprian) fit into the Gods of the Gates world because they are apparently fictionalized characters in an Irish island while the rest of the show takes place in Rome? I dunno...so much of this just felt disconnected to me. Oh well!