Book Review: At First Spite by Olivia Dade

‘At First Spite’ by Olivia Dade was released in 2024. It is Dade’s most recent novel, and the first of her Harlot’s Bay series. It follows Athena, a highly intelligent but incredibly depressed plus-sized FMC in her mid-thirties, and her love interest, Dr Matthew Vine III, her ex-fiance’s older brother.

I really loved this book, it was witty, intelligent and heartwarming. Dade had a great control of language, and voice, and demonstrated a lot of control when depicting a depressed main character and someone who could and would help her through the episode without being nasty and dismissive of her.

I loved this story and how the relationship between Matthew and Athena developed from meeting at her engagement party, having yet to be introduced to her fiance’s brother, to connecting in a voracious quest for knowledge and divulging in both humour and banter, but also in intellect.

But, when Matthew learns that this beautiful blonde woman is marrying his irresponsible brother, he wants to do what is right for them both and break them up. Except, when they do, Athena has already made a spontaneous purchase in anticipation of their wedding, a house. But not just any house, Harlot’s Bay’s infamous Spite House, wedged between two properties that unbeknownst to Athena are owned by the Vine brothers, Matthew owns the house he grew up in, and his younger brother inherited his Grandma’s home. In a bid to renovate and expand her fiance, Johnny’s house, Athena purchases the land he’s dreamed of having for years.

But she doesn’t know a lot about Johnny, or her break up, or his grumpy older brother.

I absolutely adored this book and the character development, from petty pranks, to obnoxious and comical moments such as blaring smutty monster romance audiobooks out of her window, specifically to irritate her new neighbour and nemesis, eventually Athena and Matthew bond through their thirst for knowledge, and when awkward amicability fades, all that is left is that nagging feeling of attraction.

Dade told a compelling, heartbreaking story about the reality of life with depression, especially when it isn’t validated or treated for a long time. Athena’s experiences with academic, and workplace burnout, the constant struggle as a teacher, desperate to keep the momentum up was something I really related to as someone who has been raised by a teacher. You can tell that Dade knows what she’s talking about there, specifically, because few will show the rougher elements of teaching in this light, it’s refreshing, raw and relatable, to see Athena reeling with the problems in her life. It was done delicately, whilst also being hard to read at times, and I really appreciated that respectful depiction of mental illness. It made me respect her a lot. She did an incredible job there.

It was such a fun read, a great introduction to Dade’s books and I cannot wait to continue reading more of her stories in the future!