Spoiler Alert: A Novel

It is a story of a boy (Marcus) and a girl (April) who write fan fiction anonymously until one knows the other's identity when they are on a date. Marcus happens to be a celebrity, and April is his fan who, when body-shamed on Twitter, lands a date with this hot celebrity. Marcus falls in love with April because of her intelligence but can never open about his childhood trauma. Slowly and steadily, both open about their emotional baggage and help each other become a more stable person. Olivia describes each romantic moment in great detail, allowing the reader to realize why they start feeling so deeply about each other. It is a heartfelt love story, and Marcus will blow you off your feet! If you want to read something with a happy ending while PMSing or otherwise.. this is the one for you!

I'm not sure why this book is not well-rated on Goodreads (usually, I blindly trust Goodreads ratings but lately, I've started relying on Amazon ratings because I think they are more compassionate). This book's premise works very well. Frankly, if the female protagonist of this book was Indian, then thanks to her genes, she would be riddled with health problems - which is why I am not gung-ho about her size. But the important message of this book is that one should look beyond appearances while looking for love - which is a message I can fully get behind, even if I struggle to follow it in my own life.

I honestly can’t get enough of this book, and this author! I picked this book up because of a TikTok video I saw about the second book in the series. I was immediately intrigued and figured I’d give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the main character was a plus sized woman, bc often I don’t find main characters who I can completely relate to due to them being often thinner. Finally to have a MC who I could authentically understand and relate with.The writing is humorous and witty, but does an amazing job covering the more serious aspects and giving them the respect they deserve, while keeping you engaged. I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book. I’m glad I unintentionally found this book, because it has become one of my new favourites!Will definitely be checking it it the next one in the series!!

This book spoke to me in so many levels!First, I'm still grieving the Supernatural finale and could relate with the unsatisfaction and need for fix-it fanfics. Besides, I wish Gods of the Gates were real so I could be a Lavineas Stan too (even if the series went downhill lol).April's struggles with fat shaming were so real and heartbreaking. I could relate with people's uninvited concern about her weight as I put on a few pounds during quarantine. She's such a strong and wonderful woman and she deserves the most beautiful happy ending.Finally, Marcus is another incredible character with an amazing (and sad) background that brings an insightful perspective of show business.This book is a love letter to fanfiction and fandoms, it has earned a special place in my heart and I can't wait to read Alex and Lauren's sequence.

This book was fricking amazing. One of the best of the year and it’s only March.What made it so fantastic?1) Its maturity in how it handled complicated emotional issues. Just like me, they have rocky relationships with their parents. They recognize their parents’ short comings but still get hurt by them in spite of it. Just like me, they know that random people’s opinions don’t determine my self-worth, but old wounds unexpectedly crop up when least expected. Reactions and hurts are analyzed afterwards, instead of simply taking them as the truth of that moment. The pair are mature enough to admit they were wrong, to consider someone else’s emotions, to use that consideration to temper their own. I could relate to both in their doubts and insecurities. In making your friends your family. In not wanting to hide anymore and being brave enough to go through with taking off the protective mask.2) It was hilarious. I can’t remember the number of times I guffawed. Especially as we get to know Marcus and then read some of the drivel he has to act. I can’t decide which is my favorite. Maybe the kelp. But good grief, craggy sponges indeed. It was hilarious in an intelligent way, where some of the humor came from paying attention or not taking yourself too seriously.3) Its reflection on fat shaming. This isn’t a book that preaches or is treacly. It’s not a tragic tale or a finger-wagging epistolary. It’s a vulnerable look at how society’s condemnation of the imperfect can hurt, even when it’s well-meaning people who care. Even though I didn’t struggle with this issue growing up, there were other ways where I was ‘wrong’ and needed fixing. Reading this made me catch places where I’ve fat-shamed unintentionally and how I’ve subconsciously absorbed those messages. Times where my family has tried to be ‘helpful’ but was hurtful instead. Health challenges have meant weight gain and now I sometimes resent it when I hear that more exercise or a better diet would solve my problems, when vacuuming my living room or flipping my bed now is enough to make me feel exhausted. Why do I care if other people might decide I have a muffin top? Why do I worry about making sure I ‘hide my flaws’ when I’m in pictures?4) Its vulnerability helped me feel more comfortable in my own skin. Reflecting on ways I’ve let well-meaning messages hurt me and make me afraid. Seeing the courage to confront that pain and to decide that your opinion is the only one that matters and is enough. Seeing Marcus’s struggles because of how his parents handled parenting challenges and made him feel less rather than more. Seeing how those wounds made him hide behind a golden retriever facade and lie to his best friend out of fear that she’d treat him just like they did. Marcus and April’s challenges helped me heal from some of my own.5) Its fantastic OTP. April is someone I would be friends with. She’s a strong, confident, capable female who excels at a STEM job. She’s the kind of woman you can admire and are proud to call your friend. She also doesn’t define herself by men and she isn’t afraid to embrace her intellect or her femininity. She’s the kind of protagonist and woman we need to see more of. Marcus is... the kind of guy that more people should write. He’s what toxic males aspire to be in their puny ideas of masculinity (he’s ripped, handsome, could have any woman he wants), even though he’s so much more. He’s proof that being in touch with your feelings doesn’t make you effeminate or [insert derogatory descriptor here]. It also doesn’t make you a wuss (even though he might argue with me about his bravery) or someone to disrespect. He’s also not perfect nor does he always have the answer. And even though he’s wounded, he’s not a bad boy jerk. Neither of our OTP tries to change their partner or is focused on the superficial aspects of a relationship. He’s someone who is more than a pretty face.6) It’s a love story about people who aren’t in their 20s and are finding *that person* (the 1 and only) later in life. And it’s a love story about people who aren’t in their 20s. They’re still single, not because something’s wrong with them, but because they hadn’t found the right one. It’s rare to find a romance about people their age, especially one where being single was just life rather than being their fault.I can’t recommend it enough. Enthusiastic 5 stars.I know I’ll be doing a reread- it was that good. Especially right before Alex and Lauren’s story comes out. Can’t wait!!!

As a fat woman who loves, loves romance books; I have always felt hard to connect to the female MC because they were described as a different species as me.But in this novel, Olivia Dade gave someone who look like me, with struggles similar to my own, and I found myself on the verge to tears (more than once) because i was seing my fears, my doubts, my desires in a piece of paper. i FELT, EXACTLY, AS THE BOOK DEDICATION.

Delightfully fun, such 'real' characters that you are actively wishing them the best, almost forgetting they are fictional. I highly recommend this story. I can't wait for the author's next one.