About the Book:
Title: Ship Wrecked
Author: Olivia Dade
Series: Spoiler Alert #3
Page Length: 400
Publication Date: Nov. 15, 2022
Publisher: Avon
Synopsis: Maria’s one-night-stand—the thick-thighed, sexy Viking of a man she left without a word or a note—just reappeared. Apparently, Peter’s her surly Gods of the Gates co-star, and they’re about to spend the next six years filming on a desolate Irish island together. She still wants him…but he now wants nothing to do with her.
Peter knows this role could finally transform him from a forgettable character actor into a leading man. He also knows a failed relationship with Maria could poison the set, and he won’t sabotage his career for a woman who’s already walked away from him once. Given time, maybe they can be cooperative colleagues or friends—possibly even best friends—but not lovers again. No matter how much he aches for her.
For years, they don’t touch off-camera. But on their last night of filming, their mutual restraint finally shatters, and all their pent-up desire explodes into renewed passion. Too bad they still don’t have a future together, since Peter’s going back to Hollywood, while Maria’s returning to her native Sweden. She thinks she needs more than he can give her, but he’s determined to change her mind, and he’s spent the last six years waiting. Watching. Wanting.
His shipwrecked Swede doesn’t stand a chance.
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My Review:
Ship Wrecked is the third book in the Spoiler Alert series by Olivia Dade, and I absolutely loved it! The characters are fantastic, the banter and dialogue are brilliant, and the romance is layered and filled with chemistry.
The story definitely endears you to Peter first as he feels the sting of rejection after a one-night stand with Maria. He’s so awkward, and his hurt is palpable, so I totally sympathized with him. Maria seems cold and selfish to leave him like that, but as the story progresses, you see a different side to Maria. You begin to understand why she did what she did. She proves to be kind and discerning, and she quietly helps and compliments others. She is also strong and knows her worth. She doesn’t let people treat her any less than how she deserves to be treated, and I love that about her. She also has an uncanny ability to understand what people need, and she helps them achieve it. She does this with Peter a lot, especially in getting him to open up to his crew mates.
Maria and Peter’s story begins with one night together, but when forced to work in a remote location together for years, they end up developing g a lovely friendship. However, it’s super sexually charged, and you can tell they are in love with each other pretty early on. They know each other so well, and they develop such a strong bond. Both characters, at times, frustrated me with their actions and some of the things they said to each other, but it was relatable. They are flawed, and they make mistakes, but they both learn from them, show remorse, and grow.
Time together on set leads to a lot of angst and longing between Maria and Peter, and their sexual tension is off the charts! Their banter and chemistry are wonderful too! Oh my gosh the way they tease each other and the way she pulls him out of his shell by just accepting him and showing him all the good she sees in him is beautiful. I love that they laugh together and have so much fun in each other’s company, and their comical and sweet moments are just as fantastic as their sexy times. Oof – The way they drool over each other’s plus-size bodies made my plus-size heart melt.
There are actually several romances in the story, each unique and lovely. And I love that the book includes text messages between the protagonists as well as a group chat between all of the cast members who work on the show in different locations. The conversations are hysterical and show how close they are all growing even though they are in different parts of the world. They, as well as the crew on the island with Maria and Peter, form this unique and wonderful found family, which is fantastic.
I also adore the fat representation in the book. Maria is unapologetically positive about her plus size, and she becomes a voice and role model for fat people. She is sexy and proud and true to herself. She knows her worth and fights to have more fat representation in film regardless of the pressure impressed upon her. Plus-size women are often treated poorly, and Maria does not accept that even at the threat of her livelihood. Peter is big too, which I don’t often see in romances. Bring on the plus-size hunks!
This is such a wonderful contemporary romance. Funny, heartwarming, and sexy, the story has dynamically developed characters and strong messages about fighting for what you believe in, stepping out of your comfort zone, and loving yourself. Though it is the third book in the series, this can easily be read as a standalone. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance!
- The messages.
- The friendships.
Favorite Line:
If anyone ever handed him an actual olive branch, he’d probably snap it over his knee and use it as kindling, then extinguish the resulting flames by urinating on them.
Recommendations:
I would highly recommend Ship Wrecked to readers who enjoy contemporary romance!
I still haven’t read anything by Olivia Dade, but I really need to!
Oh, you so should! She writes such great romances!