Library Journal - Audio
06/10/2024
The last person Peter thought he'd see at his audition for the popular Gods of the Gates television series is the curvaceous Swedish beauty who snuck out of his hotel room earlier that morning. Despite his anger over the way she left, the duo's chemistry comes through, landing them roles opposite each other. An award-winning stage actor in her home country, Maria easily transfers her talents to television. She and Peter spend the next several years working closely together and developing a deep friendship as they film on a remote Irish island. Once filming ends, they rekindle the passion ignited on that one night years ago. A jaunty tune opens and closes Dade's third installment in the "Spoiler Alert" series (following All the Feels), performed by returning narrator Kelsey Navarro. Characters are easily distinguishable as Navarro gives each a unique voice befitting their personalities. The few distinct accents are well performed, though the strength of Maria's voice occasionally fluctuates; however, this small flaw does little to distract the listener from the couple's developing love story. Navarro adds to the overall listening experience by believably narrating scenes of high emotion. VERDICT Recommended, particularly for collections where the author's works are popular.—Amanda L. S. Murphy
DECEMBER 2022 - AudioFile
Kelsey Navarro returns to narrate this third audiobook set among the cast and crew of the hit fantasy TV series “Gods of the Gates.” Swedish stage actress Maria and Hollywood hopeful Peter get off to a rocky start when they have a one-night stand before landing career-changing starring roles in the series. As they begin production on a secluded Irish island, the cast and crew’s relationships are distant, but Maria’s warm personality draws everyone together, and she finds herself involved in a slow-burn romance with Peter. Navarro gives all the characters in the large cast unique voices, making it easy to tell them apart. She has a solid Irish accent for secondary characters and captures the distinctive intonation of Swedish speech. S.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
09/05/2022
Returning to the world of Dade’s Spoiler Alert, this hilarious but clunky rom-com brings together two polar opposite actors both in need of emotional healing. Gregarious Swedish stage actor Maria Ivarsson doesn’t expect her relationship with reserved Wisconsinite character actor Peter Reedton to last beyond the steamy one night stand that opens the book, but Peter is furious when Maria sneaks out before dawn, feeling rejected. Tensions run high when they’re reunited at an audition for the hit TV show God of the Gates—and their undeniable chemistry lands them roles opposite each other. During filming, Peter thaws to Maria’s charms, and she reciprocates his feelings, but Peter insists their relationship remain platonic while they work together and they repeatedly clash over whether to prioritize their emotional health or their professional success. The meandering plot covers six years of filming and “repressed lust” and, once the show wraps, the pair still struggle to balance their competing priorities. It’s a bumpy ride full of contrived reasons to keep the couple apart, but some laugh-out-loud running gags—like Peter’s phobia of cows—will keep readers engaged. Though not as successful as it could be, there’s a solid emotional core here. Readers will want to pick this up for the laughs alone. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
a smart, stellar contemporary… A banger of a finish, and an absolute joy.” — New York Times Book Review
"Olivia Dade never fails to make me laugh, blush, and feel like I'm being wrapped in a warm blanket. Cannot recommend enough!" — Katee Robert, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
"Witty, steamy, and achingly tender, Ship Wrecked stole my heart. Olivia Dade writes romances that fill me to the brim with hope, affirmation, and absolute joy." — Chloe Liese, author of Two Wrongs Make a Right
While I have loved every book in the Spoiler Alert series, Ship Wrecked's Maria has my whole heart. She knows what she wants and she knows her worth: she's the confident and uncompromising heroine of my dreams. Watching these two grow into each other's perfect match was one of the highlights of my reading year. — Emma Barry, author of Star Dust
“Deliciously sultry heat, simmering chemistry, and divine characters that you just want to squeeze and then stuff in your pockets…what a joy. Olivia Dade knows how to make this fannish heart squee. I loved every second of Ship Wrecked.” — Charlotte Stein, author of Control
"Dade challenges love story norms in Ship Wrecked with a wonderfully complex relationship that's years in the making. Sexy and delicious from page one!" — Nisha Sharma, author of Dating Dr. Dil
"Dade (All the Feels, 2021) returns with another superbly entertaining, boldly sensual love story that unabashedly champions body positivity and delivers a cast of unforgettable characters, including a heroine who knows her own self-worth and isn’t afraid to fight for what she wants in life. Combine this with wit-infused writing and some love scenes hot enough to keep any Viking couple warm during those cold winter nights, and the result is another impactful romantic triumph from Dade." — Booklist
"a sexy, funny, heartwarming enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance... The story pulls readers in with well-developed, likable characters, and an unputdownable plot." — Library Journal (starred review)
"An absolutely witty, swoon worthy behind the scenes romp! Delightful from beginning to end!" — Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’ on All the Feels
"[All the Feels] weaves in sharp wit and dry humor even as it tugs at the reader's heartstrings with its exploration of the far-reaching repercussions of trauma...Dade's ironic awareness of popular romance tropes adds another layer of interest and fun. A consistently entertaining and often insightful romance." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Dade’s charming, sexy contemporary romance will be hard to put down. Alex and Lauren are likable, well-developed characters with emotional depth and relatable backstories that deal with body positivity, mental health, and abuse. While these heavy topics are major plotlines, they enhance rather than overshadow the friends-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance. The writing is excellent, with witty, banter-filled dialogue.” — Library Journal (starred review) on All the Feels
"After wowing readers with Spoiler Alert, Dade returns with another stunning contemporary romance that brilliantly celebrates the redemptive power of love. With a deliciously acerbic sense of humor and endless measures of grace and insight, Dade creatively dramatizes the serious—ADHD and career burnout—as well as the whimsical—an ardor for fan fiction—as she skillfully develops both the sweet emotional connection and the searingly sensual attraction that evolve between Alex and Lauren over the course of this romance between two opposites." — Booklist (starred review) on All the Feels
“Dade delivers and then some. This book frolics through fields of fannish allusion and metatext… It takes a skillful writer to juggle so many elements, yet the emotional through-line shines clear and strong at every point.” — New York Times Book Review on Spoiler Alert
“Joyful, clever, and full of heart, with two irresistible characters whose connection is both gorgeously sweet and wildly hot. Mixing riotous humor and aching tenderness, All the Feels is all the things I love about romance. Olivia Dade has jumped to the top of my auto-buy list!” — Rachel Lynn Solomon, national bestselling author of The Ex Talk
“Olivia Dade is so gentle with her characters, giving them each the space to become their best selves while also being loved for all their flaws. All the Feels is hilarious and poignant at the same time.” — Cat Sebastian, author of The Queer Principles of Kit Webb
"If you’re a fan of romances that feature nuanced protagonists, whip-smart dialogue, scorching chemistry, and sidesplitting humor, look no further than Olivia Dade’s books. This author is an absolute gem!" — Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man
“All the Feels leaves you swooning and eager for more!” — Denise Williams, author of How to Fail at Flirting
“I adore All the Feels. This slow burn romance had me falling in love every step of the way.” — Meryl Wilsner, author of Something to Talk About on All the Feels
“Olivia Dade once again delivers a book as sexy and charming as it is cathartic. Dade's books speak to my soul as she deftly tackles complicated subjects with humor, heart, and infinite kindness. I adored All the Feels and can't wait to see what Dade writes next. Olivia Dade is an auto-buy author!” — Jessie Mihalik, author of Chaos Reigning on All the Feels
“We need more representation like this … Filled with banter and tons of pining, Dade’s Ship Wrecked delivers an intense will-they-won’t-they type of love that is years in the making. Led by two protagonists as stubborn as they are ambitious, this emotional romance will fill readers with hope for their own happily ever after.” — The Nerd Daily
#1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy
An absolutely witty, swoon-worthy, behind-the-scenes romp! Delightful from beginning to end!”
Cat Sebastian
Olivia Dade is so gentle with her characters, giving them each the space to become their best selves while also being loved for all their flaws. All the Feels is hilarious and poignant at the same time.
Meryl Wilsner
I adore All the Feels. This slow burn romance had me falling in love every step of the way.
Mia Sosa
"If you’re a fan of romances that feature nuanced protagonists, whip-smart dialogue, scorching chemistry, and sidesplitting humor, look no further than Olivia Dade’s books. This author is an absolute gem!"
Rachel Lynn Solomon
Joyful, clever, and full of heart, with two irresistible characters whose connection is both gorgeously sweet and wildly hot. Mixing riotous humor and aching tenderness, All the Feels is all the things I love about romance. Olivia Dade has jumped to the top of my auto-buy list!”
Julie Murphy
"An absolutely witty, swoon worthy behind the scenes romp! Delightful from beginning to end!"
Denise Williams
All the Feels leaves you swooning and eager for more!
New York Times Book Review on Spoiler Alert
Dade delivers and then some. This book frolics through fields of fannish allusion and metatext… It takes a skillful writer to juggle so many elements, yet the emotional through-line shines clear and strong at every point.
Booklist (starred review) on All the Feels
"After wowing readers with Spoiler Alert, Dade returns with another stunning contemporary romance that brilliantly celebrates the redemptive power of love. With a deliciously acerbic sense of humor and endless measures of grace and insight, Dade creatively dramatizes the serious—ADHD and career burnout—as well as the whimsical—an ardor for fan fiction—as she skillfully develops both the sweet emotional connection and the searingly sensual attraction that evolve between Alex and Lauren over the course of this romance between two opposites."
Library Journal
★ 09/01/2022
In the finale to Dade's "Spoiler Alert" series (following All the Feels)—a sexy, funny, heartwarming enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance—Peter has finally gotten his big break. He's been cast in a TV show in a role that could last for years. His character is shipwrecked on a windswept Irish island with only one other person, played by Maria, the sexy Swedish one-night stand who left his bed without leaving him a note. Over the next six years, Peter and Maria become friends, and outgoing, kind Maria pulls the recalcitrant, lonely Peter into a new found family with the quirky crew. But for the sake of his career (a bad breakup would be hell in their situation), Peter keeps their relationship as friends only. No benefits. He doesn't even touch Maria unless it's called for in the script. Six years of building sexual tension. Finally, the show is canceled and so is their restraint. The story pulls readers in with well-developed, likable characters, and an unputdownable plot. Themes of standing up for yourself, self-care, and body acceptance run throughout, creating deeper subtext to character actions. VERDICT Fans of the "Spoiler Alert" series and fanfic readers will adore this book.—Heather Miller Cover
DECEMBER 2022 - AudioFile
Kelsey Navarro returns to narrate this third audiobook set among the cast and crew of the hit fantasy TV series “Gods of the Gates.” Swedish stage actress Maria and Hollywood hopeful Peter get off to a rocky start when they have a one-night stand before landing career-changing starring roles in the series. As they begin production on a secluded Irish island, the cast and crew’s relationships are distant, but Maria’s warm personality draws everyone together, and she finds herself involved in a slow-burn romance with Peter. Navarro gives all the characters in the large cast unique voices, making it easy to tell them apart. She has a solid Irish accent for secondary characters and captures the distinctive intonation of Swedish speech. S.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
