Ship Wrecked A Novel

The cover, the description I was IN. And the first chapter is AMAZING. But then the MMC is super rude after he endeared himself to me the first 4 or so chapters so that felt weirdly out of character from the jump. Just because you have a character apologize later doesn’t always make it okay. And then there’s a SIX YEAR time jump at 30% that is barely acknowledged. I think at the very least it would have been cool to have their texts throughout the years all at once to kind of help the reader through the time jump. I loved how Swedish the FMC was and how she was unapologetically herself. But then the 3rd act conflict happened and it made absolutely no sense, all the sudden she can’t speak her mind? It was so random and could have been solved with communication and understanding, something she had been doing the whole book.

All the stars are for the bomb spice and interesting setting filming on location for a thinly veiled GoT show. The random excerpt of fan fic was also highly entertaining.

I want to forget I ever read this book. I don't get why everybody in the book just seems to looooooove the FMC. Why? How? What's so great about her? Despite her terrific work as a body positivity activist, she's just so bland. Can't say MMC was the most interesting guy either... I can't really attribute any type of adjective to any of them. Well, except BORING, probably. Don't get me started on that last conflict. Omg. What was that? It was so pointless, unnecessary, ridiculous, and made absolutely no sense. I can't... I need a break.

The final book and final couple in the Spoiler Alert trilogy. I have enjoyed this series. There are themes that run throughout that I really like, especially dealing with family and what that means. Standing up to mysogyny and fatphobia is another running theme and the representation is so good. This time both of our leads are plus-sized and they are working screen actors having to stand up to the standards in the industry. I love the cover art on this book so much. But I also felt like at this point some things are getting really repetitive. Is this third entry even really necessary? Not so much. But was it fun enough? Sure. Did it also delve into the family drama and emotions the way the other ones did? Yes. And I like the way that the author has that balance. I will read more from her. I like a comedy with some sadness and drama underneath. I just found that in this trilogy, nothing lived up to the first book for me.

This book for me just felt like “Here we go again” it could have happily been a duology and I would have been happy this one just felt a Rinse and repeat of everything we had had before only this time It felt like huge chunks where missing, It was like a few chapters of being on the show and then bag that was over and both characters were back in the Real world and the storyline this time around felt like it was drawn out with no apparent reason. 

This third book in the Spoiler Alert series follows two actors who had a one-night stand and then end up working together on a fantasy TV show for six years. But one the last night of filming that one night stand thing happens again and this time he doesn't want to let her go. 

In this one we meet Maria and Peter who are sent away to a remote island to film for the series however having already hooked up before they are cast there is a lot of Frustration between them with the Will, they won’t they and this just went on throughout the book. However, having said that I’m 100% for the Rep in this book, it highlights the behind-the-scenes parts that go on with Producers and Cast members with demands that the Actor and actress are told how to act, look and I loved the Characters standing up for their self and saying no.  It was fabulous to read. I enjoyed the way these two really adored each other, which is why the conflict that kept them apart just felt so flimsy and unsatisfying. 

Overall, just a little flat and unsatisfying for me! 

3.5

Not my usual read, but cute! The definition of SLOW BURN. Like literal years long slow burn. A little too slow for my liking at times, but very sweet. Somewhat repetitive and random plot lines? Good overall though!

Ship Wrecked Olivia Dade ★★★★ *arc; *br @lumosthestars ✨ 🦙 419 🐉 rom-com 🦡 smut: 🍆🍆 (male) /🌶️🌶️ (fem) 🦘 fatphobia; parental death/trauma; weight triggers SHIP WRECKED is much more than a cute smutty romance—as I was expecting—and I really enjoyed everything about it, particularly the representation it gave. The novel is heavily devoted to fatphobia and femininity, as well as what it means to be an ally of these issues in Hollywood, particularly for men. In spite of the romance piece, I appreciate how the novel explores this conflict of what work means to people and how these needs could change over time—how needs in general can change over time. It takes a few chapters for SHIP WRECKED to gain momentum, but once it does, it becomes a delightful love story that is truly memorable. As Maria and Peter exist side-by-side, they are ✨perfect✨ opposites; their love story spans nearly a half-decade, just like their television series "Gods of the Gates." It is a significant part of what made SHIP WRECKED so compelling to read. This novel is both ✨romantic✨ and ✨sensual✨; it focuses on the intimacy of a relationship and the gradual development of love as it progresses. Alongside those elements, it was a joy to experience Swedish culture; the language, as well as the cute mannerisms Maria had, made it enjoyable to learn about it. Maria represented so much—as a female figure—then just her desire to be someone's top priority, she was such a powerful feminist character, too. She stood up for what she believed in and fought for the right to be herself, no matter what anyone said. I loved her character and voice. Peter's ability to change was refreshing. Although Peter did not believe that he would be able to live this life with Maria at the beginning of the novel, we were able to observe his development into a partner who was devoted to her and wanted to be with her. It was splendid to experience the dual POV by Dade. *It includes smut but it is not smutty just for smutty sake. 🥰😍

After a spectacular one night stand, Maria leaves without saying good-bye to Peter, and he is devastated. It isn't long before the two find out they are going to be paired together for a special story line in the Gods of the Gates television series. Peter and Maria manage to subdue their attraction for one another for 6 years, but with the pending end to their television roles, they give in to their desires and begin a relationship. However, trauma in childhood affects the way they relate to one another and presents problems with priorities and what that means for the bond that they share.

The tone of Ship Wrecked seems very different from the first two books in this series. From the beginning, the characters don't seem to relate well to each other and that carries on through the end of the book. Also, the pacing seems off as there is a major time jump after which we are told about what happened to the characters during those intervening years. Then there is a long period during which very little happens in the lives of the characters. By the time the third act break up happens, the issues seem trivial and the characters come across as selfish. In addition, the word "fat" is used in a way that is jarring throughout the book and the result seems preachy and takes the reader out of the story. Overall, Ship Wrecked is a disappointment from an author whose works I've previously enjoyed.

Ship Wrecked is the third book in Olivia Dade’s Spoiler Alert series. This book features not only one half of the couple being plus sized but TWO! There were parts in this book that legitimately made me cry tears of joy at the sweetness shared between the main love interests. I laughed out loud multiple times, and was ultimately happy with the ending. Thank you for yet another glorious love story from this crew, now is it time for a queer love story from the Gods of the Gates cast?! I certainly hope so. I know I’ll eat it up the same way I did the past three!

I knew I was in for a good book when there was an orgasm on the first page. Peter and Maria are such well rounded characters and I loved learning about their backstory. At first I thought their fight was stupid but when they both came to their realizations afterwards I understood how important it was. The epilogue at the end with all the cast members was so cute! I received an arc through netgalley.