Reviews

At First Spite by Olivia Dade

elemee's review

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

nenz's review

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hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

cosyreadingandcoffees's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

ghostmomxoxo's review

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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boyaunt1618's review against another edition

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1.0

Spare yourself

bookishlass's review

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5.0

Olivia Dade is one of my favorite romance authors, and At First Spite does not disappoint! I can't tell you how much it means to see a main character with depression cared for when she cannot care for herself with such gentle, loving compassion with absolutely no judgement.

Content warnings: depression, anxiety, sexual content, grief, child death, abandonment, suicidal thoughts, medical content, panic attacks

kodiex's review

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

natalie_wyatt's review

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4.0

Received as an ARC in return for my honest review.

hellobookbird's review against another edition

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5.0

Thank goodness for Professor Google, tireless purveyor of information, dependable provider of undemanding company.


When Athena Greydon’s fiancé ends their engagement, she has no choice but to move into the Spite House she recklessly bought him as a wedding gift. Which is a problem, for several reasons: The house, originally built as a brick middle finger to the neighbors, is only ten feet wide. Her ex’s home is literally attached to hers. And Dr. Matthew Vine the Freaking Third—AKA the uptight, judgy jerk who convinced his younger brother to leave her—is living on her other side, only a four-foot alley away.

Matthew may not regret ending his brother's engagement, but he does regret what the breakup has done to Athena. He'll help her however he can. And if that means watching Athena through their windows a bit too often and caring about her a bit too much…well, nothing can come of it. She’ll never forgive him. Even if she did, how could he ever tell his beloved younger brother the truth—that Matthew wants the very same woman he encouraged Johnny to leave?

Pride might be cold comfort, but it was all she had left. Other than, of course, a ridiculously narrow row house built for fraternal vengeance.


I literally cannot recommend this read enough. Everything from the history of Spite House, the circumstances of the current Spite House, the Nasty Wenches book club, the war on Matthew from unstraightening his house numbers to blasting monster-fucking audiobooks to posting murder dolls facing his windows...to Athena's very real depression and the subsequent amazingly fantastic care that Matthew shows her.

Lack of certainty baffled them, and right now, she was composed of ninety-nine percent doubt and one percent potato products.


I also loved her parents. And her love of potatoes.

Whenever she accompanied him, everything was better, brighter, and easier. Even though she wasn’t easy, and she likely never would be.


The above quote just...as someone who isn't easy, this makes me tear up.

SpoilerHE EVEN MAKES HER HER OWN CUSTOM MONSTER PORN AUDIOBOOK TO WIN HER BACK. I'M CRYING.


You absolutely need to read this. Now. This minute. Drop everything and shell em out. It'll be well worth it.

liorehk's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5