Spoiler Alert

Marcus Caster-Rupp stars in the hit TV show Gods of the Gates and secretly writes fanfiction about his own character under a pseudonym. He strikes up an online friendship with April Whittier, a fanfiction writer who creates stories about the same show. When April's plus-size cosplay photos go viral, Marcus impulsively asks her on a date to show support against online trolls. Their real-world romance begins to blossom, but Marcus must keep his fanfiction writing hidden to maintain his public image and contractual obligations. The couple navigates their relationship while dealing with career pressures, family expectations, and the challenges of dating in the public eye. They each carry emotional wounds from their pasts that impact their ability to trust and be vulnerable with each other. This romance explores themes of authenticity, self-acceptance, and the masks people wear in both online and offline spaces. The story examines how fan communities and creative expression can lead to genuine human connection.

Readers highlight the authentic plus-size representation and the loving portrayal of fan fiction writers. Many appreciate how the romance addresses body image, fan culture, and learning disabilities without making these the sole focus of the story. Readers praise: - Natural chemistry between leads - Depiction of online fandom communities - Treatment of complicated family relationships - Humor in dialogue and character interactions Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Too much focus on fictional TV show details - Some find the character Marcus unrealistic - Romance follows predictable patterns "The fat representation felt real, not performative," notes one Goodreads review. "The show-within-a-show parts lost me," comments another. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,900+ ratings) BookBub: 4.2/5 (2,400+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.75/5 (2,800+ ratings)

Beach Read by Emily Henry A romance writer and a literary author switch genres on a deadline while exploring their mutual attraction and processing their personal grief.

Fangs by Sarah Andersen A graphic novel about a vampire and werewolf finding love while bonding over pop culture references and fandom experiences.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell A college student navigates romance and identity while writing fanfiction based on her favorite book series.

The Love Con by Seressia Glass A cosplayer ropes her best friend into pretending to be her boyfriend for a reality TV competition about cosplay.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun A dating show producer falls for the show's star while helping him navigate social anxiety and questioning his sexuality on set.

🎬 The book explores the world of Game of Thrones-style TV show fanfiction, drawing from the author's own experience as a fanfiction writer 📝 Author Olivia Dade worked as a librarian for 12 years before becoming a full-time romance writer ⭐ The novel tackles fat representation in media, with protagonist April being a successful plus-size model and cosplayer 💻 The story originally began as a short Twitter thread that went viral, inspiring Dade to expand it into a full novel 🎭 The fictional TV show "Gods of the Gates" in the book serves as a commentary on the real-world experiences of fans who were disappointed by Game of Thrones' final season