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albasapri's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Definitely a "fast food" book for me. It was easy to read and I properly enjoyed some parts in which the characters' stryggles felt quite genuine, as well as it doing exactly what it I was looking for: distracting me and getting me to read for longer than 20 min after going a month without being able to.
I wasn't inclined to review as it's not really written for me, but I do think there's a reason these books are popular and it does what it sets out to achieve. (I say this because possessiveness, unbalanced power dynamics... aren't my thing and being quick to forget problematic behaviours because of the lusting makes me uncomfortable). I enjoyed the couple much much more than the first book,their dynamic and relationship just felt more real in a way Rowan and Zahra lacked for me personally once they got together.
I'd say in general the character work is better in this book and Cal's presence tempts me to try and find the last book in another charity shop for potential future book slumps.
I was looking for a quick and easy read to get me out of a reading slump and that I got! I'd recommend it to folk looking for another standard het romance :)
I wasn't inclined to review as it's not really written for me, but I do think there's a reason these books are popular and it does what it sets out to achieve. (I say this because possessiveness, unbalanced power dynamics... aren't my thing and being quick to forget problematic behaviours because of the lusting makes me uncomfortable). I enjoyed the couple much much more than the first book,
I'd say in general the character work is better in this book and Cal's presence tempts me to try and find the last book in another charity shop for potential future book slumps.
I was looking for a quick and easy read to get me out of a reading slump and that I got! I'd recommend it to folk looking for another standard het romance :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Medical content
katelynndzindzio's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
Imagine being a billionaire and having to get married and have a baby inorder to earn your inheritance and become CEO of your grandfather's company.... Declan understands the struggle. Unfortunately for him, he has no prospects for a wife so his assistant Iris has to find him one.
Iris found the fake wife but after just moments with Declan she quits. Leaving only one solution, Iris has to marry Declan.
These two have a spark that is ignoring between them and now they can't ignore it. Now that they are more.
Iris found the fake wife but after just moments with Declan she quits. Leaving only one solution, Iris has to marry Declan.
These two have a spark that is ignoring between them and now they can't ignore it. Now that they are more.
"Well he might be considered cold to the rest of the world, he makes me burn."-Iris
At the ceremony they realize they were screwed.
"The kiss I shared with Iris in the church was electric. The kind that shouldn't feel as good as it did, given our circumstances." -Declan
In order to sell their fake marriage, Iris created a plan for them to fake date but that only makes them question every single touch they share.
"Our marriage might be fake, but these feelings burning inside of me or anything but. It's only a matter of time before I make her mind. She just doesn't know it yet." -Declan
Declan is an asshole and hurts Iris but thankfully he proves to her that he really does love her.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Domestic abuse
mirthe_2003's review
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
nursestern's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This was another great book in the Dreamland series. I enjoyed the dynamic between Declan and Iris.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
she_readddsss86's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a pretty good fake marriage plot. The MMC was both grumpy, mean , and redeemable. Overall I liked the book and thought it was sexy even outside of the spicy scenes.
That said, I listened the to audio and the female voice actor was not the right choice for this book. I also was annoyed at the amount of times the author spoke of someone biting on their tongue. What a weird thing to fixate on. Otherwise, it’s pretty well written and a nice quick listen.
That said, I listened the to audio and the female voice actor was not the right choice for this book. I also was annoyed at the amount of times the author spoke of someone biting on their tongue. What a weird thing to fixate on. Otherwise, it’s pretty well written and a nice quick listen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Addiction
alxisrae's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
taelorslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Addiction
nessabali's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy
hannahmcl394's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
Definitely preferred this one to the first in the series, although I wouldn’t say there is a drastic difference as I have seen others review.
Declan appealed to me more a lot more than Rowan, despite being described as the more “robotic” or heartless of all the brothers I found him a lot more loveable and thoroughly enjoyed reading the book from his pov (most notably the secret smiles he doesn’t allow Iris to see)
The wedding in particularly coaxed a visceral reaction from me and absolutely reeked havoc with emotions.
Love love loved Iris and Cals friendship!! I only wish there was more of it (however there is always book 3) and thoroughly enjoyed the small moments of Declan’s jealously over it.
Initial rating: 5 stars
Reviewed rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5
While this is my favourite Lauren Asher book so far and in some ways it could deserve the five star rating when compared to books by other others (Ana Huang) the writing falls short and so it must be dropped a fraction of a star.
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶 3.5 spice
Not huge amounts of smut but worth the buildup and definitely integrated well into the storyline without feeling forced. Very much a slow burn romance with great pay off. <spoiler?> THE OFFICE SCENE OH MY GOD!!
Would I read again? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes
Declan appealed to me more a lot more than Rowan, despite being described as the more “robotic” or heartless of all the brothers I found him a lot more loveable and thoroughly enjoyed reading the book from his pov (most notably the secret smiles he doesn’t allow Iris to see)
The wedding in particularly coaxed a visceral reaction from me and absolutely reeked havoc with emotions.
Love love loved Iris and Cals friendship!! I only wish there was more of it (however there is always book 3) and thoroughly enjoyed the small moments of Declan’s jealously over it.
Initial rating: 5 stars
Reviewed rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5
While this is my favourite Lauren Asher book so far and in some ways it could deserve the five star rating when compared to books by other others (Ana Huang) the writing falls short and so it must be dropped a fraction of a star.
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶 3.5 spice
Not huge amounts of smut but worth the buildup and definitely integrated well into the storyline without feeling forced. Very much a slow burn romance with great pay off. <spoiler?> THE OFFICE SCENE OH MY GOD!!
Would I read again? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
Minor: Medical content, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy
bookaholic84's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Addiction, and Emotional abuse