Tea and Spite

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Tea is Currently Reading

Tea and Spite rated a book really liked it

At First Spite (Harlot's Bay #1)

by Olivia Dade (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: boxes-afterlight, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in February 2024

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Tea and Spite said: " While not perfect, this was still mostly a good way to pass a few hours. Engaging characters, decent arc, not too terribly cringey. I did find (view spoiler) more than a bit impossible to believe, bu While not perfect, this was still mostly a good way to pass a few hours. Engaging characters, decent arc, not too terribly cringey. I did find (view spoiler) more than a bit impossible to believe, but it was glossed over quickly enough that it wasn't completely book-ruining.

Unfortunately, the same can't quite be said for Athena's intense privilege. Really, the intense privilege of basically everyone in the book. Yes, the general underlying moral of everyone having problems regardless of income is true and reasonable. Yes, it is also incredibly annoying to read about a woman with two advanced degrees, rich parents willing to support her her entire life, and theoretically no barrier to achieving any goal she wants completely falling apart. It might have been more bearable had Dade made clear that Athena has blatantly fucking obvious ADHD, but instead her inability to hold down a job is glossed over as curiosity and intelligence.

Listen, lots of people are curious and intelligent. They mostly still manage to keep their jobs. The point at which you burn out of every single job you've ever had because it becomes too much for you is the point at which there's something else going on. Dade failing to address that just made Athena look like a spoilt brat who never truly had to worry about keeping a roof over her head. Johnny is equally spoilt, but he is at least written that way intentionally.

There's also the issue of timing and experience. Matthew is all in way fast. Love at first sight kind of fast. And while that's fine in most books, in this one it just ended up feeling a bit lopsided. Combined with (view spoiler), it doesn't really inspire the kind of long-term fluffy feelings you want from a romance.

I probably would have dropped this down to three stars, if not for the background cast. Karl and Yvonna are particular favourites, though Hill and his emotional support chicken are great too. The erotic romance book club, petty revenge hijinks, and general vibes of Harlot Bay helped save the rating. Not quite enough that I'm likely to keep my hardback copy, but enough that I'll probably grab an ebook of the rest of the series as it comes out. ...more "

progress:

(page 332 of 386)
"Girl, do not. Just don't. You are in some epic well meaning but absolutely fucking stupid territory right now. Back away. Go read another monster fucking book" — Feb 12, 2024 06:12AM

13 hours, 59 min ago · see review

Tea and Spite is currently reading

The Wedding Witch (The Ex Hex, #3)

by Erin Sterling

bookshelves: currently-reading

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progress:

(page 1 of 279)
"Was going to save this for winter, but it was the first book I saw after realising the book I'd started reading was yet ANOTHER involving dead/dying/almost dead partners so here we are. At a minimum, I'm almost certain this one won't send me spiralling into "what if" scenarios where I'm alone, homeless, and unemployable" — Jul 07, 2026 10:13PM

Jul 07, 2026 10:10PM

Tea and Spite is currently reading

How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

by Katy Milkman (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jul 07, 2026 05:27PM

See all 8 books that Tea is reading…

Tea’s Notes & Highlights

Book cover for Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

1 note & 2 highlights

For scientific leadership give me Scott; for swift and efficient travel, Amundsen; but when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems no way out, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton.