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?
PJ's Thoughts:
Dade tackles some tough topics in this book, including grief (death of a child/off page and before the story begins) and clinical depression (different character - unrelated to above). Both have profound impact on the lives of the characters dealing with them. The depression in particular is presented in a raw, realistic way that figuratively lays open the character then slowly, carefully, realistically, stitches them back together with love, medical care, kindness, and a gentle hand. If I hadn't already bonded with the characters, these scenes would have clinched the deal. It brought me to tears for those who deal with depression daily and had me giving thanks for the Matthews out there who lead with love, care, and zero judgment. It also gave this book the heft that not only made it a Top Dish but put it on my Best of 2024 watch list. In my opinion, the manner in which Dade presents this life-altering condition, organically weaving it into the story and taking no shortcuts, is exceptional, lifting At First Spite, already a stellar novel, to another level.
