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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
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
katharina90's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.5
Quite terrible and unconvincing. Childhood trauma is not an excuse for being a toxic misogynist. Paying your employees a living wage/ providing benefits only after getting to know them and falling in love with one of them is neither character development nor redeeming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Ableism
zg0612's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.5
It was a good book. Nothing i haven’t read before so there was nothing that was super new or exciting. He was grumpy, she was the sunshine, abusive father, snotty/funny brothers, he’s rich, and then something happens to her which makes him have a relization. Nothing new. Quite predictable for me. But it was a fun read to pass the time. Pretty fast too. Probably wouldn’t read it again, but recommend to someone wanting a read like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Toxic relationship
chelle22's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Addiction, Cursing, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
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
boba_n_books'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This little Disney romance book had no business being as good as it was. I went into this expecting it to be “meh” and came out of it pleasantly surprised.
There were a few things I found to be tropey and cliche, but that was to be expected. The references to “Dreamland” (Disney) were fairly obvious, but as someone who enjoys the parks, and has a husband who works for the mouse, I thought some of the small references to be quite entertaining.
Overall, I thought this was a sweet, but spicy, grumpy/sunshine romance where even the sunshine has her own dark past. Together, they get to find their own happiness.
This little Disney romance book had no business being as good as it was. I went into this expecting it to be “meh” and came out of it pleasantly surprised.
There were a few things I found to be tropey and cliche, but that was to be expected. The references to “Dreamland” (Disney) were fairly obvious, but as someone who enjoys the parks, and has a husband who works for the mouse, I thought some of the small references to be quite entertaining.
Overall, I thought this was a sweet, but spicy, grumpy/sunshine romance where even the sunshine has her own dark past. Together, they get to find their own happiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy
hunkydory's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
frantically's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I can excuse murder but I draw the line at exploiting minimum wage employees.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
mrsalexisrjones's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book is basically about one of Walt Disney’s grandsons trying to earn his inheritance. He is a grumpy who has to be a sunshine if he wants his shares in the company. He just so happens to meet a girl who embodies the sun. Would have given it more stars if physical/sexual attraction was not as prevalent in the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming, Classism, Death of parent, Mental illness, Medical content, Fatphobia, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse