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siriuslyz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This is your typical grumpy-sunshine, I-love-my-boss kind of book. It's nothing too exciting, but leaves you wanting for more.
The main characters are Rowan and Zahra. Rowan is your typical alluring, brooding, mysteriously silent boss, while Zahra is a ray of sunshine. Don't worry though, she has a backbone and knows her worth.
Zahra's personality is so inspiring, the way she knows her worth and when to put her foot down is admirable. She has a strong personality and is so selfless it hurts. Treating everyone with the utmost respect, she is the kind of female main character we've all needed.
I also loved Claire, Zahra's best friend, and Ani, Zahra's sister, and the support they have for Zahra and the amount of care for her wellbeing.
Rowan was alright, but I kind of think that his personality is too cliché. He makes mistakes, but he makes up for them and Zahra makes him grovel. A little. Because Rowan understands his actions and faults, he finds a way to make up for them in thoughtful ways.
All in all, I did like this book, but for me it was just lacking (if you know what I mean). I didn't get the excited tingles I feel when I really love a book, and it is kind of like all the other books that are currently trending. You don't need a Rowan, just go read the Twisted series and you'll have the same guy, the same outcome. This book wasn't anything special.
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Cursing, and Death of parent
sierrabowers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death, and Gaslighting
platypusd10's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Cancer, Grief, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, and Terminal illness
maxthedinosaur's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Grief and Alcoholism
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship, Blood, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Ableism
nursestern's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Medical content, Grief, Cursing, and Cancer
abigail_moffat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Pregnancy
bbygirl21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
And I didn't like that there were two major conflicts/break up scenes in this book and I think it could've only done with one at most. I can't tell you which one I would get rid of, because quite frankly I didn't like either of them, but I do know having two portions of the book focused on that was unnecessary when they're could've only been one section focusing on a conflict/breakup period.
I also have mixed feelings on both MC's. Rowan (MMC) was an asshole through and through for a giant portion of this book. And while I'm understanding of Zahra's feelings on the things Rowan said and did to her, I felt a bit frustrated with her. The way she didn't let Rowan explain anything and the way she jumped to conclusions a lot made me very anxious and frustrated. Like I said, I'm not excusing Rowan's actions/behavior, because it was quite unforgivable even coming from a place of understanding of his past, but I just felt like they should've talked things out like adults and that's what Rowan was trying to do, whereas Zahra wasn't. In my opinion it seemed she just wanted to avoid things until they're unavoidable.
There are things I liked about both characters, like I loved that Zahra had a very sunshine outlook on life. Yes it is sometimes just a way to cover up her true feelings, but for the most part, she tries to exude positive energy especially around others so she doesn't negatively affect others. And I love how deep down Rowan has this sweet caring nature for others. Despite the way he presents himself to the general public, he has this deep seeded care for people in less fortunate situations. You can clearly see that with how he is with Ani and how he immediately helped Martha when he found out she has to work to jobs with a hurt foot/leg. But for the most part Rowan and Zahra were a big letdown to what I was expecting going into this. And how much I like the MC's plays a big part into my overall enjoyment of book.
I think my favorite part of this book were the side characters and the theme park storyline. I loved seeing the progression toward making the park more inclusive and diverse. I loved Ani, she's such a little sweetheart, wanting to help her sister be happy. And she's so adorable with her boyfriend JP. I also really liked Martha as well.
So would I recommend this, maybe, I'd like to say yes but I'm not entirely sure. I'll let the other two books decide for whether it's worth it to read this one or not. I'll most likely say yes, but will see. I thought it was an enjoyable for the most part. Enough for me to keep going until I finished it. It had a great plotline and some great character development in the long run. I loved the ending seeing how Rowan's final plans for Dreamland start to come into effect and I loved seeing him and Zahra together despite their toxic and rocky beginning.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Grief, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Addiction, Cancer, and Death
neverlandpages4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, and Classism
Minor: Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, and Medical trauma
kiwij96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am not usually someone who reads contempory romance, but I fell in love with this book and will happily read more as a result.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Cancer, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Classism, Pregnancy, Blood, and Death
thebookaddict's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
🇬🇧: Damn this book broke me. I was totally invested in the story and I finnished it in no-time. I was also totally invested in love stories and I was irritated at Rowans actions sometimes. I even cried during this book.. it is so easily written that you don't notice that you already read a lot of pages! I can't wait to start in part two
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical content, Sexual content, Cancer, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts