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abby_can_read's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
This was a cute book. I enjoyed reading it. I have a soft spot for grump x sunshine and workplace romances. The characters were alright, the romance was enjoyable, and the plot was decent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Pregnancy
molly31's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Medical content, Terminal illness, Cursing, and Death
bbygirl21's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
I was a little disappointed in this book. Don't get me wrong I still quite enjoyed reading this book. I liked the Disneyland type aspect of the story and I loved how it talked about inclusivity and diversity in all ways. It's just the pacing of the whole story was too slow in my opinion.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-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? Yes
5.0
One of the best grumpy x sunshine books I’ve read, it’s fast-paced, and I immediately fell in love with Lauren Asher’s writing.
I loved Zahra, even though she’s a bit annoying, she’s the typical sunshine-y character who’s always laughing at everything, but by halfway through I felt for her and was hoping she’d get the happy ending she deserves
Rowan is the typical grumpy billionaire he was a jerk for the majority of the book and loved seeing Zahra humble him and how he had a change of heart by the end.
I loved everything about this book except for how much it dragged on. Rowan is a commitment-phobe so despite them knowing that they’re 100% in love, they don’t “officially” get together till the end. And the third act breakup dragged on quite a bit but the rest of the book was entertaining.
Content Warnings
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
lorenmarie7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Death, Medical content, and Medical trauma
alxisrae's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Death, and Emotional abuse
makenna_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
kiwij96's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
I literally sat and read this in like 12 hours. I completely fell in love with the story and the characters. Granted Rowan is a teensy bit on the manipulative side, and I don't excuse his actions at times but his history is enough to understand why he is that way. And praise to the author for writing Zahra as someone who knows her worth.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
5.0
🇳🇱: Damn dit boek heeft mij gebroken.... ik zat helemaal in het verhaal en had hem zo uit. Ik was helemaal invested in het liefdes verhaal en werd zelf geirriteerd van de acties van Rowan. Ik heb tijdens dit boek echt af en toe een traantje gelaten! Ik ben ook echt door het boek gevlogen! Dit boek is zo makkelijk geschreven dat je niet eens doorhebt dat je al zoveel bladzijdes gelezen hebt. Ik kan echt niet wachten om in deel twee te beginnen.
🇬🇧: 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
🇬🇧: 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical content, Sexual content, Cancer, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
barocap001's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Death