A review by intostarlight
At First Spite by Olivia Dade

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I wanted to love this one, but in the end, I was frustrated with the choices that were being made by all of the characters. I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. A woman who is about to marry but her fiancé breaks up with her one month before the wedding, because his brother convinced him she isn't a good fit. Now she has to move in the house she bought as a wedding present and live close to both brothers who she naturally despises. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with any of the characters and couldn't understand why they acted they way they did in many occasions. Also the writing style was a little clunky and the plot felt forced and improbable.
The triangle with both brothers was completely lopsided. Why even bring Johnny back at the end? Why would he suddenly want her again after months apart? The author spends no time on his character or their relationship despite the 400 pages to even make it viable. Dating the other brother is usually a fun taboo to read about but this wasn’t done right. The angst at the end came out of nowhere.
However, the depiction of depression and mental health is carefully and authentically done. And the audiobook narrator was great too.