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abigail_moffat's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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: Domestic abuse, Cursing, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Bullying
sierrabowers's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
Was a great addition to the first book! I really like when authors have series that are focused around different family members. This was was just as good or even better than the first, with a new perspective on Dreamland.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Medical content, Cursing, Misogyny, Abandonment, Classism, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Panic attacks/disorders
bbygirl21's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this book so much more than the first one. I love the dynamic between Iris and Declan and although they may be toxic at times, I enjoyed the progression of their relationship. I love that Iris is the only one that can talk back to Declan and have him not retaliate. It shows that he cared about her long before their initial marriage contract.
One thing I loved about this book over the first one was that there was only one break up rather than the two that was in Rowan and Zahra's book. I think the two breaks ups in the fine print was a bit excessive, so it was nice to only get one "breakup" between Declan and Iris.
This book is also way faster paced than the previous one, which I was quite happy about. I found I didn't need to take at many breaks reading this book at I did with The Fine Print.
So overall, I highly enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend. I'm excited to get into Cal's book.
One thing I loved about this book over the first one was that there was only one break up rather than the two that was in Rowan and Zahra's book. I think the two breaks ups in the fine print was a bit excessive, so it was nice to only get one "breakup" between Declan and Iris.
This book is also way faster paced than the previous one, which I was quite happy about. I found I didn't need to take at many breaks reading this book at I did with The Fine Print.
So overall, I highly enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend. I'm excited to get into Cal's book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Medical content, and Misogyny
rororoxmysox's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, and Medical content
m_antoinette_c'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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy and Domestic abuse
chelsearose's review
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
vj_thompson's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.25
First off, I wish there was more overlap in the two stories. Yes, it is about a whole new love story but in other romance series I have read, the author still brings in the other couples into all the stories. Second, I wish there were more moments where each character had someone to support them like their family members stepping in. It felt too focused on Declan and Iris, and there inner monologue. Overall, I love their story and thought the ending was adorable. It was something straight out of a romance movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse and Pregnancy
hannahmcl394's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
Definitely preferred this one to the first in the series, although I wouldn’t say there is a drastic difference as I have seen others review.
Declan appealed to me more a lot more than Rowan, despite being described as the more “robotic” or heartless of all the brothers I found him a lot more loveable and thoroughly enjoyed reading the book from his pov (most notably the secret smiles he doesn’t allow Iris to see)
The wedding in particularly coaxed a visceral reaction from me and absolutely reeked havoc with emotions.
Love love loved Iris and Cals friendship!! I only wish there was more of it (however there is always book 3) and thoroughly enjoyed the small moments of Declan’s jealously over it.
Initial rating: 5 stars
Reviewed rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5
While this is my favourite Lauren Asher book so far and in some ways it could deserve the five star rating when compared to books by other others (Ana Huang) the writing falls short and so it must be dropped a fraction of a star.
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶 3.5 spice
Not huge amounts of smut but worth the buildup and definitely integrated well into the storyline without feeling forced. Very much a slow burn romance with great pay off. <spoiler?> THE OFFICE SCENE OH MY GOD!!
Would I read again? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes
Declan appealed to me more a lot more than Rowan, despite being described as the more “robotic” or heartless of all the brothers I found him a lot more loveable and thoroughly enjoyed reading the book from his pov (most notably the secret smiles he doesn’t allow Iris to see)
The wedding in particularly coaxed a visceral reaction from me and absolutely reeked havoc with emotions.
Love love loved Iris and Cals friendship!! I only wish there was more of it (however there is always book 3) and thoroughly enjoyed the small moments of Declan’s jealously over it.
Initial rating: 5 stars
Reviewed rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5
While this is my favourite Lauren Asher book so far and in some ways it could deserve the five star rating when compared to books by other others (Ana Huang) the writing falls short and so it must be dropped a fraction of a star.
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶 3.5 spice
Not huge amounts of smut but worth the buildup and definitely integrated well into the storyline without feeling forced. Very much a slow burn romance with great pay off. <spoiler?> THE OFFICE SCENE OH MY GOD!!
Would I read again? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
Minor: Medical content, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy
readerorwateva's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Misogyny, Pregnancy, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, and Bullying
milareads_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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
Long Review (to be fair there’s three reviews so…!)
T/W: Age gap, alcoholism, mention of abuse / DV
Third Read (01/03/23)
okayyyy third time reading this book! After careful deliberation, I can confidently state that it is a 3.75 star book. When it’s good, it’s great and when it’s bad it’s cringy. I love that each time I read this book I fall in love with the characters (pretty much everyone but Declan lmao) and see how much the care for one another. Are there aspects that could be improved? Definitely. But for a billionaire romance this one definitely follows a unique trope and always acknowledges Declan’s problematic behavior.
Second read: 10/25/2022 (2.5 ⭐️/5)
Ok so this book was not that good :/. After I was done riding the booktok high I honestly say this book was meh at best. A lot of the scenes were designed to gain traction on social media and now that I see that it so CORNY. Declan is not endearing … AT ALL. Yes he does nice things at times but for the most part he’s a selfish controlling ass who cannot communicate his feelings. Also the way he attacks Irises ONE insecurity??? I have a very hard time supporting characters that hit below the belt. If I’m being completely honest the whole argument was so overblown and felt … inauthentic?
Overall the pacing in the book was a bit fast and could use some improvement. That being said this is definitely one of the better books in the franchise.
Initial read: 02/25/2022
THIS BOOK?!?? INCREDIBLE. AMAZING. WONDERFUL.
First of all let’s give it up for our black MC!!! Iris is funny, witty, confident, and takes no shit. She’s an icon, she’s a legend and she is the moment. And Declan??? Ugh my grumpy king! Strong, Determined, a bit of an ass, and a fierce protector of those he loves.
Iris and Declan could not be any more different and that’s what makes them work so well. Iris is 24. Declan is 36. Iris is personable and friendly, Declan is brooding and anti-social. I have read a ton of books that have the grumpy sunshine trope but this is by far one of the best ones. I’m telling you as soon as I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down, it’s REALLY THAT good.
Terms and conditions is endearing, sweet, funny, frustrating at times, and has more butterfly inducing moments that one can possibly deem safe in one book, but most importantly it’s genuinely a love story. If you read Wattpad stories growing up I promise this books is everything you could want and more. I don’t believe in calling many books perfect but this one’s a close contender.
Tropes
Office romance - ✅
Grumpy/Sunshine- ✅
GUY FALLS FIRST- ✅✅✅✅
Enemies to lovers- ✅
HEALTY AND MATURE COMMUNICATION- ✅✅✅ (depends where you’re in the story tbh)
SLOW BURN- 100% ✅
There’s nothing else I can say except this book is genuinely so good. Take the dive and emerge yourself in Declan and Iris‘s story. I promise you won’t regret it. If you like Colleen Hoover then you’re gonna love Lauren Asher.
T/W: Age gap, alcoholism, mention of abuse / DV
Third Read (01/03/23)
okayyyy third time reading this book! After careful deliberation, I can confidently state that it is a 3.75 star book. When it’s good, it’s great and when it’s bad it’s cringy. I love that each time I read this book I fall in love with the characters (pretty much everyone but Declan lmao) and see how much the care for one another. Are there aspects that could be improved? Definitely. But for a billionaire romance this one definitely follows a unique trope and always acknowledges Declan’s problematic behavior.
Second read: 10/25/2022 (2.5 ⭐️/5)
Ok so this book was not that good :/. After I was done riding the booktok high I honestly say this book was meh at best. A lot of the scenes were designed to gain traction on social media and now that I see that it so CORNY. Declan is not endearing … AT ALL. Yes he does nice things at times but for the most part he’s a selfish controlling ass who cannot communicate his feelings. Also the way he attacks Irises ONE insecurity??? I have a very hard time supporting characters that hit below the belt. If I’m being completely honest the whole argument was so overblown and felt … inauthentic?
Overall the pacing in the book was a bit fast and could use some improvement. That being said this is definitely one of the better books in the franchise.
Initial read: 02/25/2022
THIS BOOK?!?? INCREDIBLE. AMAZING. WONDERFUL.
First of all let’s give it up for our black MC!!! Iris is funny, witty, confident, and takes no shit. She’s an icon, she’s a legend and she is the moment. And Declan??? Ugh my grumpy king! Strong, Determined, a bit of an ass, and a fierce protector of those he loves.
Iris and Declan could not be any more different and that’s what makes them work so well. Iris is 24. Declan is 36. Iris is personable and friendly, Declan is brooding and anti-social. I have read a ton of books that have the grumpy sunshine trope but this is by far one of the best ones. I’m telling you as soon as I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down, it’s REALLY THAT good.
Terms and conditions is endearing, sweet, funny, frustrating at times, and has more butterfly inducing moments that one can possibly deem safe in one book, but most importantly it’s genuinely a love story. If you read Wattpad stories growing up I promise this books is everything you could want and more. I don’t believe in calling many books perfect but this one’s a close contender.
Tropes
Office romance - ✅
Grumpy/Sunshine- ✅
GUY FALLS FIRST- ✅✅✅✅
Enemies to lovers- ✅
HEALTY AND MATURE COMMUNICATION- ✅✅✅ (depends where you’re in the story tbh)
SLOW BURN- 100% ✅
There’s nothing else I can say except this book is genuinely so good. Take the dive and emerge yourself in Declan and Iris‘s story. I promise you won’t regret it. If you like Colleen Hoover then you’re gonna love Lauren Asher.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Cancer, Medical trauma, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Grief