Reviews

At First Spite by Olivia Dade

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hellobookbird's review against another edition

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.

Spoiler

HE 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

Go to review page

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

hol_k's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

“…right now, she was composed of ninety-nine percent doubt and one percent potato products.” Girl, so relatable.

This was about a 3.5 star book for me. I love Olivia Dade’s dedication to centering fat MCs in her romances. But idk, I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters in this book, especially Athena.