I love a slow burn full of pining and Olivia Dade's <i>Ship Wrecked</i> definitely delivers on that front. And the fact that it starts mid-sex scene and still develops into 6 years of pining? Inspired!

The book follows Maria and Peter, two actors who have a one night stand then end up getting cast together for many seasons of a successful fantasy action television series. Not only that, but they're filming on a small island with a small crew and they're the only two actors. A perfect formula for forced proximity angsting!

Dade uses fanfiction and conventions to build out the show and its fandom. It adds a fun texture to the book beyond just telling the straightforward story of the two main characters.

This book had a lot of things I liked, but there were still a few drawbacks. While I usually love a found family vibe, I felt like all of the characters in this book (mainly the co-stars of the show) were super familiar with each other right away in a way that didn't feel very natural to me. I might have liked a little bit more if there was a bit more development in those supporting. relationships rather than an insta-family. I also struggled a little bit with Peter's anger at the beginning of the book. Although it's explained later on, it still made it very hard to like him and he's a main characters so that was a bit of a drag.

All of that being said, I still loved the pining and the steamy scenes were super fun to read! I also thought it was very cool to read a romance novel with two sexy, fat protagonists. There's definitely not a lot of body diversity in romance, so this was great to read!

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 stars - Bonus points for starting a romance mid-thrust of a one night stand - and somehow still making the book a slow burn. I'm not sure the elements all came together to make this a home run, but I really did enjoy our main characters! Maria in particular was so compelling to follow, and I believed the chemistry between her and Peter.

I enjoyed this book but it wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I have read a couple of other Olivia Dade books and had been eagerly waiting for another. I thought this would be similar to those I had previously read. I wanted it to be a romance about a man falling in love with a fat woman and while this book did have fat characters it wasn't really central to the book's plot or the central romance. I was disappointed at first, but I did enjoy the book for what.it was despite that. I could eagerly recommend it to my library patrons.

I'm new to this series but when I saw it on NetGalley, I took a chance. I really enjoyed this rom-com. It had some great depth, interesting characters, and a ton of steam.

Maria and Peter have one hot night together, and the next morning they discover they are new co-stars in a high fantasy show. Although the attraction is there, they decide to not pursue a relationship since they will be in a tight work environment for the next six years. Fast forward six years later and they are finally ready to make a go of it. But will they be able to last?

Ship Wrecked was a spicy, sweet book. I loved the body positivity message that this book exuded. Peter and Maria were both charming characters and I loved how they brought out the best of each other. Their chemistry was also smokin' hot. I loved the slow burn aspect of their story and their banter was adorable.

There are a couple of things that prevented me from pushing this book into five star territory. One, although it's not necessary, I think a reader's enjoyment would be enhanced if you had read the previous books in this series, especially with the content toward the end of the book. Two, <spoiler> Maria was a bit unreasonable for me in the third act conflict. She did end up working through those thoughts but her "my way or the highway" approach wasn't my favorite. Communication is good. </spoiler>

I would definitely read more Olivia Dade! This book was delightful and a perfect escape read with a little something extra.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Ahhhhhh this book! omfg

First off I have to say that the fact that they are costars is just *mwah* chefs kiss
So much sexual tension and so many sweet moments even before they admit their feelings for each other.
I personally fell that somehow... the Spoiler Alert books just get better and better. I loved book one...loved book two and this book was OMFG sooooo good.
Peter and Marias banter is one of the many reasons I love them as a couple and as individuals.
the way Maria stands her ground in any argument and refuses to sway even if it could cost her her job and/or money is something i love to see. a strong independent woman that doesn't need anyone to fight her battles for her! YES PLEASE.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Peters character was stubborn until the end on his views and I'm glad Maria got through to him. The breakup was so annoying and I almost threw my phone. I know it needed to happen or Peter wouldn't have fully understood Marias stubbornness on the situation but omg he made me so mad. If he had just fully listened to her he could've prevented so many tears (Marias and mine). I like seeing more of the characters from the other books in the text chains and such, it fills my heart with happiness.
Ramón and Nava throughout the story was also a touch I very much appreciated and I was rooting for them the whole time haha.
Overall such an amazing book and I wouldn't expect anything less from Olivia. ❤

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed the other books in the Spoiler Alert series, so I was excited to get to read the next story in the series. I love how all the books in this series deal with body positivity. It was written so well in Ship Wrecked.

The chemistry between Maria and Peter was excellent. I like how they started with a one-night stand that turns them into enemies, but they grow to something more throughout the story. Olivia Dade wrote this slow burn brilliantly. It wasn't too slow or rushed at all. When the characters get together, it is in the perfect place.

Overall, Ship Wrecked was a very enjoyable, charming, and fun read. I recommend this book if you love slow-burn romances and ones in the world of celebrities. I can't wait to see what Olivia Dade writes about next.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for allowing me to read this ARC!

I love Olivia Dade and I knew going in that this book would be good but I wasn’t expecting to be AMAZING! Dade is known for their fat representation well we got TWO FAT CHARACTERS! That’s right, TWO! Both the female and male characters are plus sized and I had a fit upon first reading! So, right away I’m hooked!

It follows the Gods of the Gates/celebrity universe like Dade’s two previous books. It opens up to these two strangers, Peter and Maria, who have just had a one night stand. Maria leaves the next morning but they find themselves having to do a script read with one another at an audition for the show Gods of the Gates. Despite any animosity Peter might feel toward Maria for leaving that morning they land the show and over the span of six years still harbor feelings for the other.

You get a sneak peek at the other characters from the previous books and just how big of a family all the characters are! It’s so wholesome and these are by far my two favorite characters! Also, for any Swedish people out there, you’ll have some fun with Maria! Some things regarding Sweden got a little bit too much (the jar of pickled herring always popping out) but I’m not sure if that’s just because I’m not Swedish and don’t get the joke. But I still enjoyed the banter. It’s definitely lovers to enemies to lovers. When this book comes out I am telling you, you need to READ IT! ASAP! 😊💕

This was an excellent follow-up to Spoiler Alert and All The Feels. So charming and sweet and spicy and funny! The ongoing Sweden vs. America conversation is hilarious. There are several highly amusing appearances by cast members Marcus (from Spoiler Alert) and Alex (from All The Feels). I really enjoyed the cast’s group texts; they were delightful. Another of my favorite things in the book was all the references to AO3 and RPF. Too real. 😂

Maria is a great character. She’s brave, kind, and strong. She’s very close with her family and is willing to put her money where her mouth is when it comes to her beliefs. And Peter is the socially awkward introvert who was way too relatable for me. They both had extremely interesting and heart-rending backstories that flesh out their characters really well and believably inform their actions later in the book. I appreciated how much influence Dade allowed their traumatic childhoods to have on their adult lives. That’s not something that gets acknowledged or incorporated enough, in my opinion.

Overall, This is a very sweet love story between two really lovely characters. I love how Dade presented Peter & Maria’s difficult backstories; it was sensitively done and added a lot to the characters. It was fun getting to see the other cast mates again. Ship Wrecked can absolutely be read as a stand alone but since it overlaps chronologically with the other two books, I think it will be an especially satisfying read for those who’ve read them. (The epilogue is fantastic!) I enjoyed it very much!

*ARC Review*

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were really fun and vivacious and the story was interesting. I enjoyed the opening meet cute and how the two main characters were reintroduced. The book was action packed (even though they were on an island with few people for most of it) and had a nice storyline. I loved how Maria's extroverted nature beautifully mirrored Peter's introverted tendencies. They worked really well for each other and it made me root for them until the very end.

It is a fast read with plenty of humor and love. Great book!

I was given this ARC by NetGallery in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Thank you Olivia Dade for such an incredible story - and holy smokes did that GORGEOUS cover draw me in!

I loved Maria and Peter! Olivia did an amazing job with character development, and OMG the ANGST in this one! The chemistry between these two was simply electric, and I could not get enough of it! I loved that Olivia created such awesome plus-sized characters in this story. We don't see enough of that! It doesn't define them, but it is a character description worth noting. It is clear that Peter is not comfortable in his own skin, and vulnerable moments really are part of what make a character lovable. I love how they empowered one another in such a pressured work environment!

This story had me laughing out loud, blushing, and cheering for these two. They both have a lot of respect for each other, and I love the one night stand to friends vibe. Sometimes when you least expect it - you find someone incredible. And is definitely the case as they are cast off to an isolated island for filming!

Definitely check out books 1 and 2 of the Spoiler Alert series!

Review posted on Goodreads (Agust 18, 2022)
Review linked.


4/5 stars!

A huge thank you to Avon and NetGalley for sending me an E-ARC of this book for an honest review.

As someone who has loved the past two books in this series, I expected to love this book as well. And let me just say that this was a book I was not sure how I felt about until I finished it. I rarely say that, for some reason I usually know within five pages if I will like a book or not, but wow, did this book take me on an emotional rollercoaster.

This book plays with tropes that I usually hate (Time jump, miscommunication, and finally a massive misunderstanding at the end of the book) and somehow made me still love this book.

My biggest critique about this book is that the time jumps were very confusing and not clear enough for me. I do have an ARC so I’m not sure if that will change before publication. However, I cared enough about these two lovable MCs that I had to keep reading.

This book does a brilliant job of representing to people loving through trauma and how trauma impacts someone’s life and relationships. I think one of the things that I respect most about Olivia Dade’s writing is that she creates characters that you love but are still flawed human beings—and, during the course of each book, you come to love the characters not in spite of their flaws, but because of their flaws. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but that is how I feel haha.

Once again, especially with this book, Dade has created a romance that full on celebrates plus-size bodies, giving a space for celebration and love of each character’s body. I loved the conversations around body-positivity in the film industry and how that impacted each character. This book is truly a book expressing plus-size joy and love.

And, Oh my gods, Maria and Peter. I love these two rough, lovable actors so fucking much. Peter is 100% autism coded (and in this book NOT in a harmful way, which we love). I loved his character so much. And Maria was a breath of fresh air. I love reading about women like her who have such confidence but are still allowed to show moments of softness.


And finally, THIS ENDING. It gave me all of the feels and I loved seeing all of the GODS OF THE GATE cast back together as a family. This book is like a warm hug filled with love, acceptance, and found family.


Thanks for reading!
Caden

I enjoyed this addition to Dade's other God's of the Gates titles. If you're looking for a slow burn this book is for you. Maria and Peter have a one night stand and shocker! wind up being co-stars filming exclusively on a remote island together for six years. I found the scenes on the island to be my favorite- lots of sexual tension and angst. The protagonist/hurdle of this novel really turns out to be Peter himself who has a lot of baggage when it comes to a work/life balance. This was one instance where I felt the stubbornness of the character took me out of the plot. Overall this wasn't my favorite from Dade, but highlighted her quirky body-positive writing that I consistently enjoy.

Ship Wrecked is one of my new favorite romances, and you better believe I will be recommending it to other romance readers. Two people meet and have a one-night-stand, and although they were very passionate and emotionally connected, Maria chooses to leave the hotel room before Peter wakes up. Upon waking, Peter is understandably disappointed, as he felt the night was exceptional and wanted more. However, when he sees her at his audition later that day, he becomes rude beyond belief which is in turn even more of a turn-off for Maria. Of course they get cast to play two roles on a remote island together for the next six years, and entertainment ensues as they navigate their working relationship, and eventually friendship.

Although at times the story felt a little long and drawn out, overall the scenes were necessary towards their character development both singularly and as a couple. Dade does something wonderful with Maria and Peter, as she allows them to explore their traumas individually and as a couple in a way that really gives them the space to make those mistakes and recover from them. I thought Dade really does a beautiful job in not over-emphasizing their struggles, but rather giving them enough weight to show the impact and then providing the characters the chance to move past their insecurities, to be vulnerable together.

Don't worry though, it's not all serious. There is plenty of Dade's humor that we have come to know and love from the first two books in the series sprinkled throughout. This also reads well as a stand alone, so if you haven't read the other two in the series, I would still highly recommend checking this one out.

Overall, it was cute, but not the best I've read. I've tried getting into her other books since I finished Spoiler Alert in under 24 hours back in 2020, but I just can't do it. The story doesn't grab me as much. But if you like forced proximity, enemies to friends to lovers, and witty banter, this book is for you. I also loved how there was plus size male representation.

I was excited to see I was approved to read this from Net Galley b
Since I had just read another book from Olivia Dade. Shipwrecked has laughter, wit, and is full of emotion. I highly recommend.

This one was a DNF for me. I heard such good things and was excited to start this one - I even tried pushing through until I couldn't anymore. This one just didn't capture my interest and the characters were boring.

The characters never truly felt connected to me and it kept going back and forth so much. The time jumps between the scenes and then the text messages were also really confusing to me. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be reading or what the time of the moment was. There was so much random stuff added in that I was frequently lost until I just gave up.

Big thanks for sending me this ARC, sorry I didn't finish it but I couldn't power through this one.

This is my FIRST ever arc review, and I am beyond excited that it was one of my top anticipated releases of the year, the next installment in the Spoiler Alert series!

Olivia Dade does some of the BEST plus size representation in literature I’ve ever seen. Her characters have real - yes fat - unique bodies. The BEST part about Ship Wrecked, is that BOTH MCs are explicitly stated as being plus size/fat, without any judgement.

In this book we follow an extreme slow burn romance between two Hollywood rising stars who need to put aside their burning attraction for each other to focus on filming their scenes for the seasons of Gods of the Gates! The issue: they are quite literally stranded on an island together with a VERY intimate crew.

Maria…ohhh Maria. We love a body posititve Swedish queen. I think I’ve got a crush on her a this point, she is so unapologetically herself that I have no other option than to worship her fictional (lovely) ass. Peter was quite a unique character, blindly devoted to Hollywood and his reputation, he did rub me the wrong way (pun most definitely intended) initially, but I love a good redemption arc. Their chemistry was beyond drool worthy.

Because this is the third book in a steamy Romcom series, we get to see snippets and small appearances from our beloved Spoiler Alert series alumni! But you definitely can just jump straight into this installment if it tickles your fancy (although I HIGHLY recommend this series, it is so much fun).

I really thought I would love this book. I have heard wonderful things about the author and this series, but this book missed its mark for me. I felt like the flow of the book was off. The timeline would jump a few weeks or months and then six years. It had me going back and re-reading to make sure I read it correctly. I also had a hard time connecting with the characters and their relationship. There was no tension or buildup to their relationship even though it was six years in the making. Everything just felt a little off.

With that being said, I do think that a lot of people will connect with Peter and Maria. I loved that they were BOTH plus sized, not just the FMC. I loved Maria’s attitude about work and modern beauty standards. I could relate to Peter a lot with being an introvert. But the writing wasn’t helping me connect and ultimately took me out of the book.

I did not love this one. I will recommend it to friends and family still, but I will not purchase it for myself nor reread it in the future.

Thank you thank you THANK YOU to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. I adore the Spoiler Alert series and this book was no exception. The relationship between Maria and Peter is HOT and starting the book right in the sex scene was unexpected and wonderful for how it proceeds. They are so well matched in terms of what they need and learning how to prioritize each other. My favorite part was the epilogue if only to see all of my favorite pairings from the previous novels in one spot along with razzing on the finale episode of God of the Gates the way I hoped the actors of GoT did, at least virtually. Another 5 star one from Olivia Dade and I cannot wait to see what comes out next. More Spoilers for the other actors?!?!