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caleyr94's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Zahra works for what basically amounts to Disneyworld (and the larger Disney empire) but with another name. Rowan is one of the heirs and needs to prove he should earn his shares in the company, but childhood trauma has left him unkind and without his prior passions. I enjoyed the similarities with a certain theme park and their banter. However I struggled a lot with Rowan’s character and the speed with which Zahra got over any problems they had. It was also a slow build to the spice, which was fine, but I didn’t feel invested in their more intimate relationship.
I did love the characters and commentary on the lack of inclusiveness in the park, in character costumes/etc and in employment for people who are differently abled.
I always love a HEA and I liked the ending plot-wise but I felt like the characters fell a little flat for me at the end.
I did love the characters and commentary on the lack of inclusiveness in the park, in character costumes/etc and in employment for people who are differently abled.
I always love a HEA and I liked the ending plot-wise but I felt like the characters fell a little flat for me at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
wrenl's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Fun fact about me. I love theme parks. I’m originally from Orlando, so that tracks. So I was super excited for this book. And while I was a bit bored in the middle, the ending is as magical as you might expect.
I’m not the biggest grump and sunshine romance person. Nor am I the biggest office romance person (the HR violations! The power dynamics! Gasp!) But this one was okay.
I wasn’t super into Zahra as a character because she stays the same for the most part, but Rowan’s character development is pretty nice.
This book ticks a lot of different tropes. Sunshine and grump, office romance, rich asshole, etc etc. If you’re into those, you’ll probably enjoy this book.
I’m not the biggest grump and sunshine romance person. Nor am I the biggest office romance person (the HR violations! The power dynamics! Gasp!) But this one was okay.
I wasn’t super into Zahra as a character because she stays the same for the most part, but Rowan’s character development is pretty nice.
This book ticks a lot of different tropes. Sunshine and grump, office romance, rich asshole, etc etc. If you’re into those, you’ll probably enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
rosie_valadez's review against another edition
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Cancer, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Pregnancy
maxthedinosaur's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.5
I did not think I would love this book so much but I did. Rowan and Zahra are one of my favorite book couples of all time. All of the characters were amazingly written and I especially loved Ani, she's definitely my favorite character. The only thing that ticks off some points for my rating is around the 2/3 mark we had like 4 sex scenes in like 100 pages and I think it was a bit excessive and I felt like they just did like the same thing in all of them and I don't really feel like there was much need for as many of them as there were. Especially since only like 2 of them came back up in conversation. Overall I love this book and I am happy to give it my first kind of 5 star of the year
Content Warnings
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
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Loved the setting of this book and it’s similarities to another popular Florida theme park. The romance and spice levels were just right, although there wasn’t much of a cat and mouse game between the two main characters. This book was enjoyable and I’m looking forward to the next brothers story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Medical content, Grief, Cursing, and Cancer
annabananadel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
“If I had a heart to give, it would be all yours. Free of cost.”
I had high hopes when I went into this book given the fact that the series is all over the internet. Unfortunately, it wasn't met and I just simply just enjoyed this book not thinking that it would be up there with the other books that are actually good.
It has been so long for me since I've read a employee x boss workplace romance - in fact, I can't even think about a book with that trope at the top of my head, so I guess this might be my first. To be honest, not much has retained from my memory and that’s already a pretty depressing fact. The only things I can remember is that I love workplace romance in this setting - boss and employee. I love how both of them took a vacation and how he actually planned a book signing event just for her. I mean, if you have gazillions of moolah, why not spend it, right? That’s like one the of highest point for me as a book reader (my boyfriend bought me one book in the span of our 3.5 years together so that’s saying a lot).
I think one of the plus points is that they focus so much on work employee’s problems and what benefit they get from the work - this itself redeemed a lot of stars because it’s so relatable especially in the Philippines where health insurance is very limited. I’m thankful that the company I work for has it as a benefit but with the rising expenses, my wage is legit can’t keep up. Will I recommend this to my boss? Definitely no (lol).
The romance between the two MCs are pretty cute considering that it’s grumpy x sunshine so it did make me smile a lot. Also, Rowan is just too cute but kinda dumb for letting Zahra go but he got smarter by the end so everything’s good between us now. I’m happy to see the epilogue too because ugh it’s just so cute to imagine where they would be in a few years time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death of parent, Addiction, and Mental illness
Minor: Terminal illness
kirareadssometimes's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I’m not a big fan of domineering, alpha male mmcs who feel like the epitome of the male gaze. And that is who Rowan is. While he has some character development, I had such a hard time rooting for him. Zahra was more likable but her constant lack of confidence got old. Oh and the not quite insta love but might as well have been. Ughh.
The parts of the book I liked were all secondary plots; Zahra’s sister and Rowan’s relationship and Rowan learning about the importance of paying employees fairly and providing them with proper care and benefits. These things did feel really preachy though. Idk not my fav and prob won’t continue the series unless I’m really stuck in a rut or out of things to read
The parts of the book I liked were all secondary plots; Zahra’s sister and Rowan’s relationship and Rowan learning about the importance of paying employees fairly and providing them with proper care and benefits. These things did feel really preachy though. Idk not my fav and prob won’t continue the series unless I’m really stuck in a rut or out of things to read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Sexual content, and Ableism
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism
luxxltyd's review
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Addiction
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