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amberpatel's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Pregnancy
michaelahoyman's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
I honestly didn’t expect to like this book, but I absolutely LOVE it. Lauren Asher is an amazing offer. I’m usually extremely picky and won’t read a book if they’re not kissing by page 10, but I actually still loved this book. Rowan is such a sweetie, and so just ugh in a beautiful way, you know? The ending is super sweet and happy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Addiction, and Pregnancy
siriuslyz's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
It's been a while since I've read these types of books, and I can say that it's been comforting to start doing it again.
This is your typical grumpy-sunshine, I-love-my-boss kind of book. It's nothing too exciting, but leaves you wanting for more.
The main characters are Rowan and Zahra. Rowan is your typical alluring, brooding, mysteriously silent boss, while Zahra is a ray of sunshine. Don't worry though, she has a backbone and knows her worth.
Zahra's personality is so inspiring, the way she knows her worth and when to put her foot down is admirable. She has a strong personality and is so selfless it hurts. Treating everyone with the utmost respect, she is the kind of female main character we've all needed.
I also loved Claire, Zahra's best friend, and Ani, Zahra's sister, and the support they have for Zahra and the amount of care for her wellbeing.
Rowan was alright, but I kind of think that his personality is too cliché. He makes mistakes, but he makes up for them and Zahra makes him grovel. A little. Because Rowan understands his actions and faults, he finds a way to make up for them in thoughtful ways.
All in all, I did like this book, but for me it was just lacking (if you know what I mean). I didn't get the excited tingles I feel when I really love a book, and it is kind of like all the other books that are currently trending. You don't need a Rowan, just go read the Twisted series and you'll have the same guy, the same outcome. This book wasn't anything special.
This is your typical grumpy-sunshine, I-love-my-boss kind of book. It's nothing too exciting, but leaves you wanting for more.
The main characters are Rowan and Zahra. Rowan is your typical alluring, brooding, mysteriously silent boss, while Zahra is a ray of sunshine. Don't worry though, she has a backbone and knows her worth.
Zahra's personality is so inspiring, the way she knows her worth and when to put her foot down is admirable. She has a strong personality and is so selfless it hurts. Treating everyone with the utmost respect, she is the kind of female main character we've all needed.
I also loved Claire, Zahra's best friend, and Ani, Zahra's sister, and the support they have for Zahra and the amount of care for her wellbeing.
Rowan was alright, but I kind of think that his personality is too cliché. He makes mistakes, but he makes up for them and Zahra makes him grovel. A little. Because Rowan understands his actions and faults, he finds a way to make up for them in thoughtful ways.
All in all, I did like this book, but for me it was just lacking (if you know what I mean). I didn't get the excited tingles I feel when I really love a book, and it is kind of like all the other books that are currently trending. You don't need a Rowan, just go read the Twisted series and you'll have the same guy, the same outcome. This book wasn't anything special.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Cursing, and Death of parent
bri__'s review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
I loved Zahra and her personality and I loved the character development she caused Rowan to experience. This is the classic grumpy x sunshine trope and I really adored the side characters in this book as well. I was slightly underwhelmed within the middle of the book but I pushed through and I enjoyed the last 50 pages worth. I will be continuing the series because I'm interested in seeing Declan and Cal's stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Death of parent, Medical content, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
emmieanna's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.25
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,plus they incorporated a positive action scheme into the park Love love love.
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,
Content Warnings
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
neevabeeva510's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cancer, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness and Pregnancy
albasapri's review
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
It's definitely an easy read but I'm personally left indifferent after finishing it. Smut warning! Explicit scenes are exactly that.
Firstly I must say I picked this book up without knowing much about it other than it concerning an inheritance and what these millionaires must do to secure it. Mistake, it's a romance.
(Now that I think about it there's another popular millionaire inheritance book thar is a thriller. So I might have mixed them up.)
I quickly readjusted my expectations and had several things I didn't personally enjoy but can understand are part of the genre. These features I know are loved by others, think "possessive language", grumpy/sunshine or off balance power dynamics that aren't clearly stated as such, especially when they're obviously taken advantage of. This is a "millionaire romance" after all.
Having said that, I struggled with some of the choices made.
The character archs didn't hit as hard as I would've liked them to.
Yes there was a clear arch for one of our main protagonists, but some of the growth didn't come from their own journey. Realising the flaws in their logic came only because it was what was necessary to achieve something character A wanted in the first place. It was necessary for them to fit in with what other characters wanted from them to achieve something they wanted in the first place. Very much like "oh I like that thing, I need to change my ways to get it? Okay then!"
When there's such a clear advantages to changing your ways, when there's a clear gain to it, in cheapens the characters journey.
It also felt like some of the characters wrong doings were swept under the rug for the sake of moving on with the plot without actually having them be as serious an issue as the characters were pointing out. I'll give a silly expample: "hey you ate the cake I spent 2 months preparing. Oh you're sorry? And you mean it?you'll fuck me into oblivion? oh that's okay then!"
All is forgiven and the character moves on forgetting that this has happened only for it to be brought up when convenient for the eventual misunderstanding before the end of the book. Why hasn't there been a struggle with the situation beforehand? Especially when the characters have stated how troubled they've been by it.
The most succinct way I can put it is I would've liked a bit more "show, don't tell".
Kind of ironic given some statements in the book, I know xd
All in all it was an entertaining read. Just didn't satisfy me as much as I would've liked. Plus I like books where smut feels more incorporated into the story and evenly distributed. Less of a "and now... they fuck" and more of "a and how couldn't they fuck? But wait! This happens... and then we're in bed again and what else has happened? How does that affect our characters and the bond they're creating?"
Firstly I must say I picked this book up without knowing much about it other than it concerning an inheritance and what these millionaires must do to secure it. Mistake, it's a romance.
(Now that I think about it there's another popular millionaire inheritance book thar is a thriller. So I might have mixed them up.)
I quickly readjusted my expectations and had several things I didn't personally enjoy but can understand are part of the genre. These features I know are loved by others, think "
Having said that, I struggled with some of the choices made.
The character archs didn't hit as hard as I would've liked them to.
Yes there was a clear arch for one of our main protagonists, but some of the growth didn't come from their own journey. Realising the flaws in their logic came only because it was what was necessary to achieve something character A wanted in the first place. It was necessary for them to fit in with what other characters wanted from them to achieve something they wanted in the first place. Very much like "oh I like that thing, I need to change my ways to get it? Okay then!"
When there's such a clear advantages to changing your ways, when there's a clear gain to it, in cheapens the characters journey.
It also felt like some of the characters wrong doings were swept under the rug for the sake of moving on with the plot without actually having them be as serious an issue as the characters were pointing out. I'll give a silly expample: "hey you ate the cake I spent 2 months preparing. Oh you're sorry? And you mean it?
All is forgiven and the character moves on forgetting that this has happened only for it to be brought up when convenient for the eventual misunderstanding before the end of the book. Why hasn't there been a struggle with the situation beforehand? Especially when the characters have stated how troubled they've been by it.
The most succinct way I can put it is I would've liked a bit more "show, don't tell".
Kind of ironic given some statements in the book, I know xd
All in all it was an entertaining read. Just didn't satisfy me as much as I would've liked. Plus I like books where smut feels more incorporated into the story and evenly distributed. Less of a "and now... they fuck" and more of "a and how couldn't they fuck? But wait! This happens... and then we're in bed again and what else has happened? How does that affect our characters and the bond they're creating?"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Cancer
Minor: Fatphobia, Ableism, Medical content, and Pregnancy
edietz22's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Cancer, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Classism, Gaslighting, Addiction, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Vomit, Classism, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Terminal illness
amateur_bookworm's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
My summary: Rowan Kane is grieving his grandfather’s death. Shortly after the funeral, Rowan and his brothers receive letters that his grandfather had written before his accident that detail what each of them must do in order to receive their shares of their family’s Dreamland company. Rowan must tap into his buried childhood aspirations of creating and become the director of the Dreamland theme park and develop a renovation plan addressing the park’s shortcomings. This seems like an impossible task for Rowan; after losing his mom to cancer and surviving his childhood with an abusive and alcoholic father, Rowan’s dreams had died long before his grandfather did. Soon after Rowan arrives at Dreamland, Zahra stumbles right into Rowan’s lap. Just a lowly minimum wage Dreamland employee, the gorgeous and eccentric Zahra once worked on a project with Rowan’s grandfather and hoped to one day become a Dreamland Creator. After drunkenly submitting a critique of an expensive new ride being developed from which her cheating ex-boyfriend stole the idea from her, Zahra is expecting to be fired but instead receives a promotion. Zahra may be just what Rowan needs to nail his renovation plan, but she also may be just what he needs to heal his brokenness too.
My thoughts: I found this to be an unexpectedly sweet love story for a grumpy/sunshine trope that delved into some deeper issues throughout the plot. And who doesn’t love a billionaire romance set in Disne—er, Dreamland?!? Lauren Asher did a great job portraying Rowan’s brokenness at the hands of childhood grief and verbal abuse and how that manifested in adulthood. I enjoyed Zahra’s positive disposition and selfless interest in helping people. The juxtaposition of the natures of each of their characters made for a good romance read. This is a great light-hearted, opposites attract love story that has enough substance to it that makes the story feel fuller than I had expected. This first book of this trilogy did not disappoint and I’ll be moving straight into the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Mental illness, Cancer, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Infidelity
tiffanne11's review against another edition
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
3.25
I really enjoyed the setting and characters in this book. Zahra is an employee (cast member) at Dreamland, a theme park in Orlando(WDW). Rowan's family owns the entire franchise, and he personally is responsible for some terrible working conditions the employees have. After his grandfather's death, the will reveals a stipulation. Each of the three brothers much complete a task before they will be able to inherit their portion of the company. Rowan must work as a director of Dreamland and come up with an improvement.
The pair meet at an employee meeting and are immediately at odds and also attracted to each other.
The first 70% or so of this book was a 4 or 5 star. The plot outside of the romance was intriguing and kept you interested. The spice was well written but not too vulgar.
However, there were two things that really pulled me out of the story.
First, Rowan is concerningly possessive of Zahra. He "jokes" that she doesn't have a choice when it comes to various things in their relationship. Ironically, her outspokenness is one of the things he initially liked about her. I think it was supposed to be steamy in a dominant kind of way, but it didn't work for me.
Second, there is a third act break up. I expect it, especially with a romance this long, but *damn*. He quite literally didn't learn from his mistake WITH HER in the early part of the book. I was hoping for a weird twist relating to the will but instead we got the bane of my romance existence.
Overall, I would likely still recommend this book, with the above warnings to potential readers.
Spice: 3/5 🌶️ - acts on page with detail
The pair meet at an employee meeting and are immediately at odds and also attracted to each other.
The first 70% or so of this book was a 4 or 5 star. The plot outside of the romance was intriguing and kept you interested. The spice was well written but not too vulgar.
However, there were two things that really pulled me out of the story.
First, Rowan is concerningly possessive of Zahra. He "jokes" that she doesn't have a choice when it comes to various things in their relationship. Ironically, her outspokenness is one of the things he initially liked about her. I think it was supposed to be steamy in a dominant kind of way, but it didn't work for me.
Second, there is a third act break up. I expect it, especially with a romance this long, but *damn*. He quite literally didn't learn from his mistake WITH HER in the early part of the book. I was hoping for a weird twist relating to the will but instead we got the bane of my romance existence.
Overall, I would likely still recommend this book, with the above warnings to potential readers.
Spice: 3/5 🌶️ - acts on page with detail
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Medical content, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content