Starred review from August 17, 2020
This clever, creative love story from Dade (Teach Me) explodes preconceptions about what a modern romance heroine should look like. Plus-size geologist April Whittier spends her spare time cosplaying and writing fan fiction for her favorite book series turned TV show, Gods of the Gates. When a photo of one of April’s cosplays goes viral, Marcus Caster-Rupp, the star of the show, asks her out on Twitter to save her from a slew of fat-shaming comments. But readers shouldn’t let this dashing meet-cute fool them: April has a spine of steel and hardly needs saving, and Marcus may look like an alpha, but he has a sweet and vulnerable core. The fanfic that both characters write and the interactions they share online play integral roles in their courtship, and Dade handles both the fun and toxic dynamics of fandom and social media with insight and compassion. Given equal weight are Marcus and April’s difficult family histories, as both work through the damage inflicted by parents who judged them to be “flawed.” The result is nuanced, unflinching, and deeply romantic. Dade’s fans and new readers alike will fall in love. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary.

Starred review from October 1, 2020

This latest from Dade ("There's Something About Marysburg" series) delves into the world of fandom, in which superfans attempt to wield the weapon of fanfiction to right the wrongs perpetuated in a universe that has jumped from book series to TV show. Geologist and cosplayer April (aka Unapologetic Lavinia Stan), and actor and secret fanfiction author Marcus (aka Book!AeneasWouldNever), are good friends in the online community dedicated to shaping the wildly popular internet couple Aeneas and Lavinia. What no one in the fandom realizes--since it could cost him his job--is that Marcus is Aeneas. Or at least, he plays him on TV. When April's latest plus-size Lavinia costume goes viral, Marcus asks her out to dinner to quiet the internet trolls but soon figures out their virtual connection. He can't admit who he is online, but that's not the only thing he's hiding, and April is immediately suspicious that the Marcus the world sees is nothing like the real man. Can a relationship begun online survive in real life? VERDICT Even those new to online fanfiction will find this a charming and engrossing read. Issues of body positivity, dyslexia, and found families are among the topics addressed with sensitivity and realism. The between-chapter segments of fanfic server chats, fanfic synopsis, and truly horrible screenplays add to the fun.--Rebecca Moe, Alden Ewell Free Lib., NY

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2020
The power of fan fiction becomes the romantic catalyst between an actor and a cosplayer. Actor Marcus Caster-Rupp has shot his final scene as Aeneas in the TV series Gods of the Gates. Though the set has been home to him for seven years, he hasn't been particularly pleased with the direction the showrunners have taken his character. To work out his frustrations, he's secretly been writing fan fiction about his own character, giving Aeneas the storyline he deserves. The fanfic writing community has been a boon to him, leading him to "meet" one of his closest friends, Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, also known as Ulsie. Ulsie is really April Whittier, geologist and secret nerd determined to remain secret no longer. For too long, she's hidden her love of Gods of the Gates and is now determined to be outgoing about her fanfic writing and cosplay projects. April starts by tweeting a picture of herself wearing a costume of Lavinia, a Gods of the Gates character and Aeneas' love interest. Fat-shaming trolls quickly make the picture go viral until Marcus himself sees it. His solution: invite April out for dinner as way to stick it to the toxic fan base. Will their in-person meeting reflect the anonymous connection they have online? Readers (and viewers) of Game of Thrones will undoubtedly catch the parallels, giving a healthy dose of fan service with a quasi fix-it feel. Both Marcus and April struggle with other people's perceptions of them: Marcus knows everyone views him as vapid while April is often first judged on her weight. While this is a sweet romance that unfolds partially through tweets and direct messages and fanfic storytelling, it's also about the way the main characters learn to love themselves. The journey to self-acceptance is never easy, and Dade doesn't shy away from that, but she makes it just as beautiful and gentle as the love that blooms between Marcus and April. One note is that the book is fandom heavy. If you're entrenched in the community, you will feel right at home. If not, there's a terminology learning curve. Geek out with this romantic homage to fan culture.

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Starred review from September 1, 2020
April Whittier has come up with some wildly imaginative plots for her fan fiction based on the mega-popular television show, Gods of the Gates, but never in a million years could she have dreamed up a story like this. After posting a photo of herself in her latest show-inspired ensemble, April receives a lot of positive feedback as well as a few body-shaming comments. However, these comments are what prompt Marcus Caster-Rupp, the outrageously hot actor who plays Aeneas on the show, to invite April to dinner. Is this just a PR stunt, or could it turn into something more real and romantic? With considerable empathy and a generous helping of snarky wit, Dade invites readers into the fascinating world of fan fiction while at the same time deftly addressing some serious topics?body image issues and dyslexia?within the context of a scorchingly sexy contemporary romance. This dazzling debut ensures that Dade is going to be a force to reckon with in the romance genre.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)