Harlot’s Bay, Book 1
From the publisher:
Bestselling author Olivia Dade welcomes you to Harlot’s Bay in this delightfully sexy rom-com about a woman who buys the town’s famous Spite House, only to realize the infuriating man she can’t stand lives right next door—and their unwilling proximity might spark something neither can ignore.
When Athena Greydon’s fiancé ends their engagement, she has no choice but to move into the Spite House she recklessly bought him as a wedding gift. Which is a problem, for several reasons: The house, originally built as a brick middle finger to the neighbors, is only ten feet wide. Her ex’s home is literally attached to hers. And Dr. Matthew Vine the Freaking Third—AKA the uptight, judgy jerk who convinced his younger brother to leave her—is living on her other side, only a four-foot alley away.
If she has to see Matthew every time she looks out her windows, she might as well have some fun with the situation. By, say, playing erotic audiobooks at top volume with those windows open. A woman living in a Spite House is basically obligated to get petty payback however she can, right?
Unfortunately, loathing Matthew proves more difficult than anticipated. He helps her move. He listens. And he’s kind of…hot? Dammit.
Matthew may not regret ending his brother’s engagement, but he does regret what the breakup has done to Athena. He’ll help her however he can. If that means finding her work, fine. If that means enduring nightly steamy story hours, so be it. And if that means watching Athena through their windows a bit too often and caring about her a bit too much…well, nothing can come of it. She’ll never forgive him. Even if she did, how could he ever tell his beloved younger brother the truth—that Matthew wants the very same woman he encouraged Johnny to leave?
A Library Journal Romance Pick of the Month
“With the sublime launch of her new Harlot’s Bay series, Dade once again dazzles and delights readers as she delivers a heart-meltingly romantic, sensually steamy love story that also embraces body positivity and thoughtfully explores such real-life issues as clinical depression and grief. Wielding a devilishly wicked sense of wit…Dade deftly demonstrates her mastery of love and laughter.” — Booklist (starred review)
“This swoony contemporary romance is well-written and paced, but what really makes it shine are the intricate characters that Dade has brought to life. Readers will connect emotionally with Athena and Matthew, laughing at their witty banter and tearing up when they’re vulnerable. Buy multiple copies of this title, because it won’t stay on the shelf.” — Library Journal (starred review)
“The adorable opener to the Harlot’s Bay series from Dade delivers all the laughs of a well-crafted rom-com while gracefully portraying characters struggling with mental health issues. … Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, this charming love story will have readers clamoring for another visit to Harlot’s Bay.” — Publishers Weekly
“Dade’s romances…routinely show that people contain multitudes and that life is about offsetting personal pain with things that bring joy, and this one is no exception.” — Kirkus Reviews
https://amzn.to/430d7GC
I loved Dade’s first series, Spoiler Alert, so I was very happy to hear about this new one. It may even be better!
Athena is engaged to Johnny, but at their engagement party, she meets a very interesting man. They only talk for fifteen minutes or so, but there is a real attraction there. Until she finds out that man is her fiance’s brother, Matthew. Then she overhears Matthew telling Johnny that he is making a mistake by marrying her. Humiliated and furious, Athena doesn’t let on that she overheard, but Matthew keeps harping on Johnny until he eventually dumps her.
Unfortunately, he waits until after she’s booked the month-long honeymoon in Hawaii, and purchased the Spite House next door to him. The Spite House is actually attached to Johnny’s house on one side, and across a very narrow alley from Mathew’s house on the other side. The house itself was built to spite someone and is only ten feet across, so very narrow, and four stories tall. Athena is a big girl, and she can barely fit up the ultra-narrow staircase. She emptied her bank account to buy the house as a wedding gift for Johnny, but decides to move in after the wedding doesn’t take place.
Athena’s parents are very well off and have supported everything Athena wants. She has two master’s degrees but changes jobs every couple of years. She can’t seem to find herself and is embarrassed that she is now broke and dumped, so she decides to strike out on her own. The Spite House is her first stop. Somehow a bakery job falls into her lap, and that helps until she gets fired when the previous worker returns. Then another miracle job at the library is hers, for a few weeks anyway, as it’s only a temp job.
Meanwhile, she tells off Johnny and lets him know in no uncertain terms to keep away from her. Then Matthew starts leaving her huge tips when she worked in the bakery, and seems to be keeping an eye on her. She’s so angry at him that she starts doing little things just to mess with him. But when she loses her next job, she spirals into a depression. She can’t get out of bed, the house is a wreck, and she’s not answering the door or the phone. Matthew can see into her home from his, and becomes concerned. He pretty much rescues her and they become friends. He is so caring and kind and helpful that her anger just dissipates.
Matthew has his own troubles. He was the oldest of three brothers and was only eight years old when his middle brother died from an overdose of cough medicine. Their parents can’t deal and eight-year-old Matthew becomes a pseudo-father to the baby, Johnny. He is very protective of him and takes care of him, past the point that he should.
Eventually, Athena and Matthew realize they are in love, and their physical relationship takes them to another plane. But things go awry when Johnny finds out, and it seems like no one is going to get their happy ending.
This is such a good story with so much heart. These characters really come to life on the page, and I just wanted the best for them. Grief and depression are very serious issues but are handled beautifully here. There is enough laughter to lighten the story, with murder dolls and monster sex! I was sorry to turn the last page, but I’m happy this is the first book of a new series. I imagine Johnny’s happy ever after will be in a future book.
3/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
AT FIRST SPITE by Olivia Dade. Avon (January 17, 2024). ISBN: 978-0063215917. 400p.
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