Ship Wrecked

          

Title: Ship Wrecked

Series: Spoiler Alert #3

Author: Olivia Dade

Published: Avon, November 15, 2022

Pages: 413

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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.

This book has it all. Plus-size main characters that are HOT. Lovers to friends to lovers! Second chance romance. Found family. Some truly beautiful character growth from both love interests. 

Peter is an actor who has something to prove. He says he doesn't, but pretty much every decision he makes is to prove that he's successful and worthy.

Maria is an actor who loves what she does, and isn't afraid to quit if she doesn't love it. This was unthinkable to Peter. You can just quit if you're not happy? Did not compute for ya boy! 

Peter and Maria run into one another, share a *steamy* night, and then Maria bounces before Peter wakes up. Cut to Peter's audition later that day with none other than Maria. The sexy Swede who ghosted him. The audition goes great, but their reunion does not. However, they have the next 6 years of filming remotely to smooth things over. 

Watching them build a friendship and family with their crewmates over those 6 years was really cool. And I say them, but I mean Maria. Peter, poor baby, is the most introverted of introverts and he would have spent those 6 years barely speaking if not for his gregarious costar. 

But seeing them open up to one another, and build trust, and grow, both separately and together was really good stuff. They both make mistakes. And they both piss me off! But it is truly a nod to Ms. Dade's talent that I was absolutely boiling mad at Maria while reading from Peter's POV. Then with like 3 sentences from her POV, I was ready to go to war for her! Both of them had valid reactions to the same set of stimuli, and until they got some space and perspective it was ROUGH. Thank goodness this was a romance because I edged that third act breakup for like 2 days. I was dreading it so much! But watching it play out was exceptional. I should never have doubted.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 3/5