Tag Archives: olivia dade

Weekend Reads: How about a Little Romance?

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An Absolute gimme of a theme for today, Valentine’s Day, but I couldn’t miss an opportunity to highlight some of our favorite romance novels for this addition of Weekend Reads. While it has gained popularity in recent years, especially with the advent of Booktok, I still feel Romance is a culturally slighted genre. It often centers women’s stories and/or more mundane topics of daily life and these are important and worthy things to include in our fiction. Also, there is the possibility of a little smut that isn’t super gratuitous because it contributes to the narrative, something you might not get in another genre like fantasy or mystery. St. Valentine risked his life for love and in honor of him here are some, admittedly much lower stakes, romantic tales to delight you this weekend.

Spolier Alert by Olivia Dade

This is one that both Beth and I enjoyed! Marcus Caster-Rupp is an actor in a popular TV series by day and an avid reader and writer of fan fiction by night. He uses it to explore his character and work through his frustrations with the adaptation of the source material for the small screen. April Whittier is a geologist by day and a Cosplayer and fan fiction writer by night. When April posts a picture of herself, a plus-sized woman, in her cosplay on social media, she gets all kinds of hate from dumbasses who think the ultimate flex wiill be if they tag Marcus and he comes into the comments and also dunks on April. But then he asks her out. And he means it. Marcus then also discovers that April is his beta-reader and his very best friend in the fic writing world. Sparks fly but can they survive the publicity and secrets? If you haven’t read this but you like cosplaying and fan fiction, this one is for you. Even if you aren’t into those things, Marcus and April are such a cute pair that this one is also for you.

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by india Holton

Part of the Dangerous Damsels series, you have witches, pirates, flying houses, romance, hijinks…what’s not to love? When Beth finished this, she lent me her copy and I’m embarrassed to say that it has been on my bedside table for probably a year and a half now. Perhaps it will get bumped up that TBR queue this weekend!

iThe Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

Rhiannon is the CEO of a successful dating app and Samson is a former football player. They met once, through the app, and had a marvelous time for what it was, but nothing ever came of it. But now they are meeting again because Rhiannon wants to buy another dating site to grow her business and Samson is the new spokesperson and company representative that attends industry events. Can they both move forward in their lives? Are they both really feeling the vibes? And what happens when a former business-partner turned competitor throws his hat into the dating site purchase ring?

These characters were both so likable, with their flaws and their strengths. I needed to know what happened next in their story. I enjoyed the arc of this novel and if you want some cheeky fun with some really touching serious moments in a contemporary setting, this one is for you!

We here at Stacks hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day! What are you planning on reading this weekend? Are you starting something new or are you finishing something up? Let us know in the comments!

Beth’s Favorite Books of 2024!!!

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I read a lot of good books this year. Like many of us, books were a much-needed respite from all the things going on in the world. So, I am forever grateful to all the authors who created the amazing worlds I visited this year.

In no particular order. Here are the books that I loved the most in 2024!

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang – This was such an excellent book. It was a tough read, I am not going to lie because I saw a little bit more of myself in the main character than I would care to admit but that’s a good thing. It’s good to be uncomfortable from time to time because that’s how you learn and ultimately grow. So yes, read this book. Especially if you are a liberally leaning white woman.

What the River Knows and Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibanez – These were a fun series. It really is a mix of The Mummy (1999 version) and Death of the Nile. I loved the dynamic between the main character and her love interest. It was a mix of adventure, romance and mystery. What the River Knows was so much fun, I had to immediately read the sequel Where the Library Hides. It just hit all the right notes for me.

Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan – What if you could become a character in your favorite story? Sounds like fun, right? It is, at least to me. Rae may disagree as to where she ends up at the end of the book, but it is so much fun. A lot of humor and all the fantasy tropes that readers expect. I can’t wait for the sequel to come out.

Assistant to the Villain and Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer – Both of these books were so funny. I think I picked this up on a whim because it sounded interesting, and I am so glad that I did. It is just the right kind of humor I like. It is so ridiculous I love it.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy – The only non-fiction title on my list. Okay, it might have been the only non-fiction book I read this year, but I digress. Jennette’s story is heartbreaking because so much of the pain in her life was caused by her mother. How she handling it all now is admirable. I only wish the best for her.

The Familiar – Leigh Bardugo – Magic, mystery, betrayal. It is all here. I loved the atmosphere of the story. Leigh Bardugo is such a great writer. She paints such great portraits in her books. If you are looking for a standalone fantasy novel, You can’t go wrong with this one.

Spoiler Alert, All the Feels and Ship wrecked by Olivia Dade – I love them all. The Spoiler Alert trilogy follows three different couples from a TV show. All of them are relatable and easy to cheer for. I also love the fan fiction part of the stories.

Starter Villain by John Scalzi – Another hilarious book. I have never read John Scalzi before but I might have to after this. The absurdity of the books is amazing. Like I need this to be a movie or TV show because it would be awesome.

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan – I was introduced to Sophie Jordan from her first dragon books, so I was happy she’s back to writing dragons. There are some similarities to the last series, but I am not mad about it. It was a very fast read, and I didn’t want it to end. It’s a good thing the sequel is coming out next year.

Those were my favorite books of this year. After going through my list, I see a theme of comedic books. I obviously needed the laughs, and I am probably going to need the laughs next year. What were your favorite books of this year?

Review: Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade

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This is the third book in the Fan Fiction series by Olivia Dade. I think it’s the last but I hope not. While fan fics didn’t play as big as part in the plot as the first two it was still enjoyable. Peter and Maria meet one day at sauna, have a one night stand only to find out the next day that they are both actors and auditioning for the same show. Of course they get plum roles for the hit series Gates of the Gods that Marcus and Alex are in but they characters spend the entire series on a deserted island away from everyone else. Which would be great but Maria left Peter without a note after their one night stand and Peter is quite salty. He has some issues. Don’t we all. The first two books follow Marcus and Alex dating “normal” people so already this one is different because both Peter and Maria are actors and become very famous thanks to their roles on this show. There is mention of the fandom and shippers. I wished they kinda went more into this because I found fandoms to be so interesting but I understand while it was not a focus. The story is about Maria and Peter and how for them to get together, they both have to overcome their own insecurities and professional obligations. This is also a story of found family. Maria is adopted and is afraid of being abandon. Even though her adopted family is awesome, the fear of being left behind again still stays with her. Peter is desperate for his dad’s approval and to prove he can make it as an artist that he often shuts people out so not to disappoint anyone else. Though each other, they not only find love but a family that cares and supports them. Isn’t that what we all need. To me, this wasn’t as good as the first two but it was still very much enjoyable.

What I’m Listening to now: All the Feels by Olivia Dade

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I try not to have more than one audiobook going at a time so I don’t have to deal with decision paralysis about what to pick up. However, this became available at the library while I was still reading Renegades and I need to know about the characters in the B plot of Spoiler Alert and I’m told we find out what happened to them. I am so excited.

Beth Favorite’s Books of 2023!

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It’s that time of the year! Where we look back at all of the books we read this year and pick our favorites. These are my favorite books of 2023. They are in no particular order but in order that I read them.

  1. The Dangerous Damsels series by India Holton – The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, The League of Gentlewoman Witches and The Secret Service of Tea and Treason were such a fun trilogy of books I loved all the prim and proper pirates and witches and their flying houses. It has the perfect mix of romance, hijinks and adventure.
  2. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty – Keeping with the pirate theme. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is such a fun story of piracy, adventure and magic. Unlike most books where the protagonist is young and just starting out, Amina is in her 40’s and well established. She has to come out of retirement for this adventure and not only have battle the present but the past. So much fun.
  3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – This was the book of the year. I don’t remember the last time that people were excited about the release of a book. The sequel, Iron Flame got the full Midnight release party treatment. Violet has a chronic illness that makes her a poor candidate to be a dragon rider but she’s forced to join by her mom. In a mixture of Hunger Games and Harry Potter. Violet will become a rider if only she can survive, which in this school is not a given. Did I mention there are dragons?
  4. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade – Spoiler Alert and it’s sequel All the Feels are delightful. This is such a nerd romance. It’s mixture of romance, fandoms and fan fics is irresistible. Who doesn’t dream of meeting a handsome actor and falling in love? Marcus and April are the perfect couple. It’s also so great to have a plus size romantic lead. To often we are forgotten about so it’s great to finally get the guy at the end.
  5. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – This was another TikTok find. I am a sucker for enemies to lover trope and I guess also the relationship of convenience trope. It was was such a fun read and I was invested from the beginning. I can’t wait to read more from Ali Hazelwood.

Those were mine. I want to hear what books you loved this year! Maybe they will be mine in 2024!

Review: Spoiler Alert and All the Feels by Olivia Dade

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Spoiler Alert and All the Feels are delightful. Spoiler Alert we meet Marcus Caster-Rupp is an actor on the most popular show on TV. A Game of Thrones type show based on the Illiad. He sees a fan being bullied online for her weight so he asks her out on a date. He doesn’t realize that April Whittier just happens to be beta reader for his secret double life as fan fic writer. Of course he’s immediately falls in love with her but can’t say anything because if word got out about his fics criticizing his show it could ruin his career. So he keeps it a secret from her but as you know it’s going to come out. April is an intelligent woman but is a little shy when it comes to love because a big girl she hasn’t had the best experiences. Dating as someone as famous as Marcus is a challenge in own right because it won’t stay private for long and people are not kind to fat women. This was such a wonderful story and I loved every second of it. I do love reading about two grown people falling in love. More of this please.

Which brings me to All the Feels. This one follow’s Marcus’ co-star Alex Woodroe who is the life of the party but also a little bit of a wildcard. When he gets in a bar fight the last week of filming, the producers hire a baby sitter to keep in check until the show airs. Lauren Clegg was supposed to be on vacation when her cousin and producer hires her to watch Alex. She moves into his guests house and of course they fall in love but things don’t go smoothly. They both have secrets and insecurities they have to work through until they can move on. Alex is that guy that everyone is friends with and Lauren is okay just staying at home. Opposites attract and boy do they. I think I liked this book better than the Spoiler Alert but they are both incredible. I can’t wait to read the third book.