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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
After reading and enjoying "The Fine Print", I wanted to continue reading this romance series.
"Terms and Conditions" follows the next grumpy brother, Declan, and his assistant, Iris. Following their grandfather's death, three brothers each have to achieve an objective in order to secure their future roles and shares in the billion-dollar family business: Dreamland. Declan wants to become the future CEO, but in order to do so, he must marry someone and have a baby with them within a year. The only problem is that Declan is VERY unpleasant and no woman wants to be around him. In order to help her boss, Iris steps in and offers to marry Declan so that his father will not continue to have such a chokehold over the amusement park and subsequently, their lives. Can these two work through their issues and make this marriage a happy one, or is this all destined to blow up in their face?
Declan is an insufferable man. He knows full well what he is doing hurts those around him, but he is so ruthless and focused on the end goal, he does not comprehend that he is becoming the real villain. Throughout the ENTIRE story he continues to make decisions to do things that will hurt Iris. We see very early on that he clearly cares for her, and has for much longer than their arrangement, but it takes him WAY too long to learn from his actions and make better choices.
Iris has dyslexia, and she was ridiculed for her challenges in the past, so she works twice as hard to hide it. It is heartbreaking to see her working herself into the ground because she struggles to read and write but she does not want to ask for help or accommodation. I did enjoy seeing this representation and I think the conversations around her dyslexia were done so thoughtfully and I appreciated where that plot point ultimately ended up.
Declan and Iris together reminded me of fire and gasoline; they were either encouraging each other in the best way or they were moments away from a massive explosion. Their relationship felt like it was more out of convivence and not love, which I think was kind of the point? Declan is about to lose his job unless he gets married within a year AND has a baby? THAT seems like a ludicrous situation, laced with ill-intent. People will do absolutely crazy things to keep their money, so to strongarm someone into feeling forced to have a baby is so wrong. A baby should be wanted, brought into the world with love, not a bargaining chip.
I did have a fun time with this story because I love Dreamland (*Disney*). I am definitely still intrigued and intend on picking up the third book soon.
"Terms and Conditions" follows the next grumpy brother, Declan, and his assistant, Iris. Following their grandfather's death, three brothers each have to achieve an objective in order to secure their future roles and shares in the billion-dollar family business: Dreamland. Declan wants to become the future CEO, but in order to do so, he must marry someone and have a baby with them within a year. The only problem is that Declan is VERY unpleasant and no woman wants to be around him. In order to help her boss, Iris steps in and offers to marry Declan so that his father will not continue to have such a chokehold over the amusement park and subsequently, their lives. Can these two work through their issues and make this marriage a happy one, or is this all destined to blow up in their face?
Declan is an insufferable man. He knows full well what he is doing hurts those around him, but he is so ruthless and focused on the end goal, he does not comprehend that he is becoming the real villain. Throughout the ENTIRE story he continues to make decisions to do things that will hurt Iris. We see very early on that he clearly cares for her, and has for much longer than their arrangement, but it takes him WAY too long to learn from his actions and make better choices.
Iris has dyslexia, and she was ridiculed for her challenges in the past, so she works twice as hard to hide it. It is heartbreaking to see her working herself into the ground because she struggles to read and write but she does not want to ask for help or accommodation. I did enjoy seeing this representation and I think the conversations around her dyslexia were done so thoughtfully and I appreciated where that plot point ultimately ended up.
Declan and Iris together reminded me of fire and gasoline; they were either encouraging each other in the best way or they were moments away from a massive explosion. Their relationship felt like it was more out of convivence and not love, which I think was kind of the point? Declan is about to lose his job unless he gets married within a year AND has a baby? THAT seems like a ludicrous situation, laced with ill-intent. People will do absolutely crazy things to keep their money, so to strongarm someone into feeling forced to have a baby is so wrong. A baby should be wanted, brought into the world with love, not a bargaining chip.
I did have a fun time with this story because I love Dreamland (*Disney*). I am definitely still intrigued and intend on picking up the third book soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pregnancy and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death
plueschi77's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
melissa_rueff's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is just fine? I didn’t hate or like the main characters. But I do hate this man trying to trap a woman with him through manipulative tactics and just weird power grabs? I understand that the main lady doesn’t care about it but even when you don’t feel like you’re being manipulated or like controlled by a romantic partner you are? I feel like, if you have like a controlling partner thing you might be into this, but for me, it was just a lot of red flags decorated in like acts of service and ways to show your love through like presents and things. So if you’re in any of that, I think you’d be into this book but for me, I got a bit of a ick but I wanted to finish.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Ableism, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
just_klaudia's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
malisac16's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Bullying and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
chelsearose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy and Medical content
daniluvsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
3.5
I was slightly let down with this book, I didn’t really enjoy it as much as the first book. Only because I didn’t really get the vibe from Declan that he was obsessed with Iris. Maybe I slightly rushed through the book, but I don’t know maybe I’m not a fake marriage gal. I didn’t really like Declan’s personality. But I still like their relationship and vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
kottengoesbork's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content
zc2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Epilogue was a little much. Kinda forgot they went on a Safari tbh. It did help the growth of the characters though, it’s def a slowburn but it does give you taste of how they will progress as characters. I was not a fan of how Declan just one day out of the blue decided he was in love with Iris but yea it was pretty good ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
ka_ke's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Lauren Asher sure knows how to grab your attention with another fantastic rom-com. It was refreshing to see that not everything was resolved with Declan, and I enjoyed seeing the family dynamics on all sides. Cal may be my favourite of the Kane brothers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Cursing, and Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content