Reviews tagging 'Grief'

At First Spite by Olivia Dade

41 reviews

jennp28's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

More great curvy-girl MC vibes from Olivia Dade. This one gets intense for some bits in the middle there. Definitely check the content warnings if mental health is an issue for you. But thus story does a good job of weaving a love story around a crisis - there’s no magic fix, no loving someone enough to make it better, just acceptance and support. Some great romance tropes thrown in there and you have a pretty enjoyable (if emotional at times) read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Grief and Child death

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

brookey8888's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.25

I really enjoyed this! I really appreciated the depression representation and thought it was handled well. Athena was such a wonderful character and just unapologetically herself. Matthew was the sweetest ever and was so cute. Their romance was so sweet as well. I liked the small town vibes and the friendships. This was also really funny had times, but had some more serious moments. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Child death, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Mental illness

ghostmomxoxo's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Drug use and Medical content

callidoralblack's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Child death, Grief, Mental illness, and Cursing

Minor: Medical content and Abandonment

samchase112's review

emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, and Grief

Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, and Death

Minor: Medical content and Suicidal thoughts

kellyjcm's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This defied my expectations, and I was initially quite reluctant to read it due to early marketing? discussion? I'm not sure. Whatever I heard made me think it featured a love triangle, then an unredeemable hero, etc. I even heard on a recent Fated Mates episode it featured a virgin hero, which further muddied my thoughts. And I LOVED all of Olivia Dade's books in the Spoiler Alert trilogy. So not exactly sure where my hangups originated, but I wasn't planning to read it until a book club pick made the decision for me.

I LOVED it. It's funny, it's spicy, it's sweet, it's emotionally mature. It has two MCs over the age of 35. No love triangle.  The FMC's body size - not a plot point.

The virgin hero thing - not a big deal. It comes up once during their first time.

And it has PINING for days. I cannot wait for more in this Harlot's Bay series (absolutely phenomenal name). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Death and Grief

pie_rogue's review

emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Child death, and Mental illness

monicalaurette's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

5.0

No one with a good heart is a failure.

Hi my name is Monica and I am a very big fan of Olivia Dade and literally broke my buying ban to get this book. The concept I was not fully sold on but I knew Dade's writing would be enough for me to enjoy it and it WAS!

Athena and Matthew were both so complex individuals and together were able to fit into the little spots left by their lives and the people around them. I wanted more of their journey but excited to see who else comes into Harlot's Bay and earns a place in my heart.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Medical trauma

Minor: Child death

purplepenning's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I was iffy on this one until an emotional support chicken made an appearance in a used bookstore. Then I was somehow all in. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Grief, and Sexual content

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Panic attacks/disorders

mabellene's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, and Grief

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts