Olivia Dade shows once again why she’s a favorite. Charming, witty, and heartfelt, At First Spite is not to be missed!” — Kylie Scott, New York Times bestselling author
“At First Spite is one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read. True love exists on these pages in the form of beautiful, gentle care when it’s needed most. Breathtakingly poignant. Warmly funny. With its delicious pastries, erotica book club, used bookstore complete with emotional support chicken, and surplus of kind, sexy residents, Harlot's Bay is my dream town. Olivia Dade gives us another remarkable, essential addition to the modern romance canon. A slow burn that delivers in spades.” — Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate
"Olivia Dade never fails to make me laugh, blush, and feel like I'm being wrapped in a warm blanket. Cannot recommend enough!" — Katee Robert, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
"With the sublime launch of her new Harlot’s Bay series, Dade once again dazzles and delights readers as she delivers a heart-meltingly romantic, sensually steamy love story that also embraces body positivity and thoughtfully explores such real-life issues as clinical depression and grief. Wielding a devilishly wicked sense of wit...Dade deftly demonstrates her mastery of love and laughter." — Booklist (starred review)
"This swoony contemporary romance is well-written and paced, but what really makes it shine are the intricate characters that Dade has brought to life. Readers will connect emotionally with Athena and Matthew, laughing at their witty banter and tearing up when they’re vulnerable. Buy multiple copies of this title, because it won’t stay on the shelf." — Library Journal (starred review)
“The adorable opener to the Harlot’s Bay series from Dade delivers all the laughs of a well-crafted rom-com while gracefully portraying characters struggling with mental health issues. … Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, this charming love story will have readers clamoring for another visit to Harlot’s Bay.” — Publishers Weekly
“Dade’s romances…routinely show that people contain multitudes and that life is about offsetting personal pain with things that bring joy, and this one is no exception.” — Kirkus Reviews
"Dade challenges love story norms in Ship Wrecked with a wonderfully complex relationship that's years in the making. Sexy and delicious from page one!" — Nisha Sharma, author of Dating Dr. Dil
“Dade’s book is a sparkling jolt of fangirling, body-positive swoons.” — Entertainment Weekly on Spoiler Alert
"If you’re a fan of romances that feature nuanced protagonists, whip-smart dialogue, scorching chemistry, and sidesplitting humor, look no further than Olivia Dade’s books. This author is an absolute gem!" — Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man
★ 12/01/2023
Athena Greydon's fiancé, Johnny Vine, has broken off their engagement days before the wedding, leaving Athena nowhere to live—nowhere except the house that she bought him as a wedding gift, using almost all of her savings. There, only an alleyway separates her from Johnny's brother, Matthew, the man who told Johnny to ditch her. While Athena has no choice about where she lives, she can make Matthew pay, whether that means putting creepy dolls in the windows or playing monster erotica at top volume. Matthew knows he made the right decision when he convinced Johnny to leave Athena, but he also understands that he's messed up her life, so he'll do everything he can to make things easier for her—while secretly wishing he could have her for himself. This swoony contemporary romance is well-written and paced, but what really makes it shine are the intricate characters that Dade (Ship Wrecked) has brought to life. Readers will connect emotionally with Athena and Matthew, laughing at their witty banter and tearing up when they're vulnerable. VERDICT Buy multiple copies of this title, because it won't stay on the shelf.—Heather Miller Cover
2023-11-04
A woman takes up residence in a “spite house” located four feet from the home of her ex-fiance’s brother.
When Athena Greydon buys her fiance, Johnny Vine, a “spite house”—a 10-foot-wide home created to annoy the neighbors—in his hometown of Harlot’s Bay, Maryland, as a wedding present, she isn’t expecting him to call off their engagement soon after. But, at the encouragement of his older brother, Matthew, who thinks she’s irresponsible, he does just that. Athena, though, has no desire to sell the impulsively purchased home. Instead, she’s going to move in and make Matthew’s life a living hell because he just so happens to be her new next-door neighbor. Despite everything Athena does to irk him, like blasting erotica audiobooks at full volume, Matthew remains surprisingly nice. Dade thoughtfully includes trigger warnings at the beginning of the book because, while Athena is drawn in all her chaotic and petty glory, she’s reckoning with a lot of intense emotions—namely, loneliness and heartbreak. She goes through an accurately portrayed depressive episode, which injects a heavy, sorrowful tone that contrasts with the rest of the book. Matthew is calm and caring, not wanting to add to Athena’s heartache while attempting to be mindful of their mutual connection to Johnny. The biggest downside of the book is Dade’s attempt to do too much. Pop culture references and memes are shoehorned into a mental health journey that often shifts the focus away from the romance. Some jokes run a little too long, and that space could have been used to further untangle the knot of Athena and Matthew’s complicated dynamic. Dade’s romances, though, routinely show that people contain multitudes and that life is about offsetting personal pain with things that bring joy, and this one is no exception.
Though the slow-burn romance is unbalanced, there’s a nuanced and intimate depiction of depression and caretaking.
