Spoiler Alert
By Olivia Dade
Rating: 5/5 Genre: Contemporary Romance Steam: Explicit/Descriptive/Multiple References Publisher: Avon Books Pub Date: October 6, 2020 Available: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop
Spoiler Alert Synopsis:
Marcus Caster-Rupp has a secret. The world may know him as Aeneas, star of the biggest show on television, but fanfiction readers call him something else: Book!AeneasWouldNever. Marcus gets out his frustrations with the show through anonymous stories about the internet’s favorite couple, Aeneas and Lavinia. But if anyone discovered his online persona, he’d be finished in Hollywood.
April Whittier has secrets of her own. A hardcore Lavinia fan, she’s long hidden her fanfic and cosplay hobbies from her “real life”—but not anymore. When she dares to post her latest costume creation on Twitter, her plus-size take goes viral. And when Marcus asks her out to spite her internet critics, truth officially becomes stranger than fanfiction.
On their date, Marcus quickly realizes he wants more from April than a one-time publicity stunt. But when he discovers she’s Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, his closest fandom friend, he has one more huge secret to keep from her.
With love and Marcus’s career on the line, can the two of them stop hiding once and for all, or will a match made in fandom end up prematurely cancelled?
Spoiler Alert Review
Oh my goodness, this book was just so perfect and cute and LOVE. Ah! I had seen Spoiler Alert on instagram a couple of times from various people, but when I went walking through the bookstore the other day I saw it and impulsively bought it. So glad I did. I literally read this in one sitting (ok there was some pacing back and forth when I just couldn’t sit still). The characters were both likable and were complex and multifaceted. Additionally, the main character was plus-size, but it wasn’t brought up that often, which I feel like isn’t the norm.
Most of the novel isn’t about them coming together because it’s pretty quickly established that they become one. It’s a little fast for a typical relationship, but considering they’ve been talking for 2 years already it wasn’t that out of the question (even if Marcus was the only one to know). But the story taking place over the two of them overcoming their insecurities was perfect. I prefer character driven plots, so this was amazing for me. Additionally, Marcus’s keeping his secret was reasonable. I understood why he did, which is often hard when it’s a lie by omission trope.
Likes
Marcus: I wanted to jump in the book, give him a hug and some hot chocolate and tell him he deserved the world. His back story was sad. Not like the crying-sad and there are worst things that could happen to someone, but it definitely made me feel for him. He was so unsure of himself and his capabilities because of his parents. His whole act of “Well-Groomed Gold Retriever” was completely understandable and I loved that April was able to break it down. His entire character arc was in beautiful contrast to his public portrayal. Additionally, the reasoning behind his actions are easy to understand. This is something I feel that romance novels often struggle with, as the man typically needs to brood. None of that here. Just a wholesome Marcus whom I’ve decided to love forever.
Plot: The premise of the novel is a little shaky, TV star who writes fanfiction just happens to go on a date with the one person he’s closest to in the fandom, who happens to be a normal person. A little out there. But the way that Dade handles all of this it makes it believable. Honestly, it was a great plot. There were enough side plots and backstory to keep everything moving. Most of the issues aren’t related to jealousy or lack of communication skills, which is a huge plus from me!
Their Relationship: Maybe it’s because they’re older and more established, but their relationship is real. Marcus and April are supportive of each other and help each other through their issues. Furthermore, there is sort of a switch in their relationship dynamic as April feels a lot more comfortable with herself (even as a STEM/Plus-Size/Fandom-Nerd) than Marcus (famous/attractive) was. Maybe I haven’t read enough, but I loved their dynamic.
Meh:
April: I wanted to love her, to see myself in her, and to root her on. I liked her, she just wasn’t a fave and honestly I felt like brought down the book a little. There were several moments in the novel where she was almost playing a game with Marcus. She would let him say something or prompt him and it wouldn’t go the way she wanted and would get upset. Like I get it. I am also plus size and having someone who is known for his good looks with you would be hard. Especially with all the other attention on you. However, if she would have communicated things better it would have been a lot better. Marcus really tried with her and was understanding of his shortcomings with her, but she didn’t communicate everything he needed to know. I know I’m ranting on something trivial, but the book would have been perfect if that hadn’t been there. Also, what else did April do outside her life than stuff with Gods of the Gates? That was never brought up. I doubt it was just that.
Long Story Short
Do I recommend this book? Yes! I’ve actually put it directly in my sister’s TBR pile and told a friend to read it.It is an incredibly sweet and uplifting story. Not to mention April and Marcus are a great couple. Spoiler Alert covers so many issues from dyslexia, body image, self-confidence, troubled parent relationships, fanfiction writing, and the many, many issues that being in Hollywood provides. It is worth every minute you spend reading it. Trust me, the epilogue is soooooo worth it (I almost cried). I am looking forward to Alex’s story when that comes out.
If You Liked This One…
If you liked this book I would highly recommend picking up the next two in this series, All the Feels and Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade as well (reviews coming). Otherwise a similar author would be Denise Williams. She has How to Fail at Flirting, Fastest Way to Fall (another fat FMC!), and Do You Take This Man (reviews are linked to title).
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