The journey these two characters take to get there — both individually and separately — is where the magic happens: It’s a path of self-discovery, healing and growth, punctuated by scorching chemistry, whip-smart dialogue and sidesplitting humor.

You want a book that’s funny? A book that will make you cry because it’s so relatable? A book that will make you swoon, fan your face during saucy scenes, and then some? And above all, a book that is a love letter to fandoms and fanfiction and to being a nerd? Well, look no further, my friends, because Spoiler Alert has got it all ...There’s so much to love about this book but my favourite part was how this was equally a romantic comedy giving you all the second-hand embarrassment and fluff while also addressing real social issues. Marcus and April have sizzling chemistry and their banter is as funny as their flirting is enticing. But the both of them struggle with bigger issues ... the illuminating commentary Dade offers on the fatphobic society we live in was compulsive to read about. Dade does not hold back ... There is no condescension between these pages; instead, we are regaled with a fierce protagonist who is smart, quick-witted, gorgeous and fat. Not in spite of being fat. Not because she’s fat. It’s just another adjective describing the brilliant woman that is April Whittier. It’s a powerful message, showing that yes, fat women are desired, they are loved, they are worthy of getting their happily ever after. It’s not the size of your body but the size of your heart that matters. This representation will mean so much to so many people (I know it did a lot to me) and I hope that everyone falls head over heels in love with April, just like Marcus does ... With flawed, complex characters that leap straight off the page and into your heart, Spoiler Alert is a love letter to fiction, fandom and fatness. As much social commentary as romantic comedy, this one deserves a spot on your favourites shelf!

I’ve never met a book that brought as wonderful a feeling of catharsis as Spoiler Alert. I’ve never felt more seen than I did reading April’s story ... It’s really hard to express just how much I love Spoiler Alert ... While I found it really easy to slip into April shoes in the story, it was harder for me to understand Marcus’ point-of-view. He was just as uncomfortable with his choices as I was, but he had a hell of a lot to lose, and that fear is something I could definitely related to. Once I felt that bond with Marcus, I was even more engaged than I ever imagined I could be ... This was my first Olivia Dade story, and I was drawn in by the fandom of it all, but I know for certain that it will not be my last. I am beyond eager to dive into her back catalog and see all the interesting and varied lives that her other characters live ... No review of Spoiler Alert would be complete without acknowledging how accurate and empowering the depiction of fandom is throughout the story ... an absolutely fantastic romance. It’s a story I loved from start to finish, even when I found myself a little uncomfortable with Marcus’ choices. No one is perfect, and I hardly expect the heroes and heroines I read to be that way either. And what kind of romance would it be if I, the reader, weren’t begging the characters to talk to each other more, to admit their weaknesses and hidden truths, to bare their souls to each other? ... I may not have known who Olivia Dade was before Spoiler Alert entered my life, but I know I will never forget her name now that it is.

... a warm, witty and gorgeously romantic romance that captivated me from the very first page and didn’t let me go until the very last. Featuring two superbly crafted and incredibly relatable protagonists, a unique premise and an engaging secondary cast, it’s a fabulous tale of acceptance and self-discovery, of healing and growth, all wrapped up in a beautifully developed , sexy love story ... It’s true that it’s easy to see the major conflict in the story coming a mile away, but that didn’t in any way detract from my overall enjoyment of it, or the impact of the serious issues the author tackles throughout the book. And she addresses all of them – fat-shaming, body positivity, dyslexia, toxic parenting, acceptance and personal growth – in an appealing, totally non-preachy way that feels completely organic and true to her characters ... a fabulous read that works on every level. Olivia Dade explores the dynamics of fandom and social media really well, the chemistry between the leads is sizzling from the start and the writing is sharply focused and insightful. I loved the little snippets of fanfic (and scripts of some of the terrible movies Marcus made on his way to stardom) that were included between chapters – and kudos to the cover artist for properly depicting a luscious, curvy heroine ... deserves to be on every romance fan’s keeper shelf.

... a funny and poignant triumph that defies expectation ... That Spoiler Alert so effectively forces the reader to see the significance of the common ground between the scientist and the star is a testament to Dade’s skill as a storyteller. This romance also masterfully conveys both the fun and misery of fandom and social media, as only a text authored by someone who knows these worlds intimately can. It’s clear that Dade isn’t faking those geeky credentials ... On top of all that, Dade also gives weight to the challenges that many people must deal with closer to home ... The family scenes are powerful and unflinching; they might even make some readers cry, but they never overwhelm Marcus and April’s love story ... Despite the high level of difficulty involved in taking on these topics in combination, Spoiler Alert surpasses every mark. Even when the waters April and Marcus are navigating become choppy, it never feels like you’re drowning ... Dade has gifted readers with a thoughtful, swoonworthy and emotionally satisfying contemporary romance that has the added benefit of a realistic, multilayered and relatable portrayal of the digital world. If you’re into fan culture and practices, it will be an even greater pleasure. Loyal Olivia Dade fans and new readers alike will love it.

I read the first chapter of Spoiler Alert and was sucked into a compulsive reading vortex, becoming annoyed when work or sleep tried to distract me from gobbling up the book. It’s a delightful celebrity romance that treats writing sexy fanfiction as a worthy creative pursuit. It also has a classic falling for your penpal storyline, without the slow burn over correspondence that tends to annoy me ... The sweetness of this cozy romance, and the thoughtful fat representation, kept me from caring about the fandom in-jokes that went over my head ... This was a low-tension read ... if you need characters with stellar emotional problem-solving from page one, this is not your book. I was in the mood for realistic relationship development, so this worked for me. I wanted to cheer when these two learned to set firm boundaries with their parents ... My main issue with this book is the structure ... Readers more steeped in fan culture might enjoy drabbles about a fictional tv series more than I, but it didn’t keep me from loving the book ... tropey wish fulfillment, but at its heart, it’s is a quiet contemporary with a #couplegoals relationship where both characters offer comfort, create beautiful art, and help each other overcome insecurities. I never questioned whether the relationship made sense, and these two are adorable even when they’re not being completely honest with themselves (and each other). Spoiler Alert is also a love letter to fandoms, that will make you want to chase your romance novel with a shot of fanfiction.

Even those new to online fanfiction will find this a charming and engrossing read. Issues of body positivity, dyslexia, and found families are among the topics addressed with sensitivity and realism. The between-chapter segments of fanfic server chats, fanfic synopsis, and truly horrible screenplays add to the fun.

With considerable empathy and a generous helping of snarky wit, Dade invites readers into the fascinating world of fan fiction while at the same time deftly addressing some serious topics—body image issues and dyslexia—within the context of a scorchingly sexy contemporary romance. This dazzling debut ensures that Dade is going to be a force to reckon with in the romance genre.

This clever, creative love story from Dade explodes preconceptions about what a modern romance heroine should look like ... Dade handles both the fun and toxic dynamics of fandom and social media with insight and compassion. Given equal weight are Marcus and April’s difficult family histories, as both work through the damage inflicted by parents who judged them to be 'flawed.' The result is nuanced, unflinching, and deeply romantic. Dade’s fans and new readers alike will fall in love.

Readers (and viewers) of Game of Thrones will undoubtedly catch the parallels, giving a healthy dose of fan service with a quasi fix-it feell ... While this is a sweet romance that unfolds partially through tweets and direct messages and fanfic storytelling, it’s also about the way the main characters learn to love themselves. The journey to self-acceptance is never easy, and Dade doesn’t shy away from that, but she makes it just as beautiful and gentle as the love that blooms between Marcus and April. One note is that the book is fandom heavy. If you’re entrenched in the community, you will feel right at home. If not, there’s a terminology learning curve ... Geek out with this romantic homage to fan culture.