Scan barcode
emmieanna's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
I don’t know how to feel about this one. I think I liked the story and wanted the characters to end up together but also he is the worst kind of person. I guess that is the point but she literally did not do one thing wrong to him the whole time and he was a liar and manipulator who couldn’t admit his feelings even to himself.
That being said, I will be continuing the series because I want to see Declan eat his words and be humbled by Iris because I know that they are supposed to end up together.
Also, I love the representation of differently ambled people in this book. Anni is the best character and you can’t tell me otherwise,
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Medical content, Body shaming, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Stalking, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Ableism, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Infidelity
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Classism, Bullying, Abortion, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Cancer
bbygirl21's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
- 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
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
cdoubet's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Classism, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Medical content, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Ableism, Alcohol, Cancer, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Body horror, and Blood
ifoundcallie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Classism, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Child abuse
melissa_rueff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Alcoholism, Self harm, Ableism, Addiction, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
agnesbebon's review against another edition
1.0
The attempts at diversity felt forced, weird, and underdeveloped. I was left feeling really uncomfortable with pretty much every attempt this book had at diversity. I also predicted this book would have fatphobia, and lo and behold, the first fatphobic comment is at 9%. I also hate the “my ex used to call me fat” thing so much.
The writing was flat and immature. Sentences were unnecessarily wordy, making them hard to follow. I’m also over books relying on text messages. Speaking of text messages, the whole “catfishing my employee thing” was really weird. Rowan is controlling and manipulative from the start in a way that made it impossible to suspend disbelief and go with it. Also, who the hell talks to their boss like that?
Rowan is a bad dude, Zahra is insufferable, and they have no chemistry. Like at all. Rowan is gross for so many reasons (the way he treats Zahra, his polices and practices). I don’t think there’s a single chapter where Zahra doesn’t cry. I’ve never disliked a book boyfriend or a book couple more.
The characters are not well developed. I don’t think the author had a good grasp of who the characters are, which would make it impossible for the reader. The timeline was also impossible to follow, which certainly did not help.
Also the condom thing at the end? Really fucking weird.
Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Fatphobia and Homophobia