Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Final Offer

Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Final Offer by Lauren Asher

429 reviews

k_fry's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I was surprised by how much I disliked this one, especially in comparison to the earlier books. But I just truly hated Lana’s character.

She isn’t communicative, but expects people to tell her things or else it’s “betrayal”. She refuses to listen when people do try to explain things and then is upset when she finds out about it later.

My biggest issue though, is how everyone treats Cal terribly for frankly the flimsiest reason I’ve ever read. It’s a lose lose situation for him - if he hadn’t left they’d have hated him for staying and not letting Lana do her own thing. The lack of empathy was truly disgusting and I think said A LOT about the authors perspective on addiction. It did not sit well with me and came across as a dangerously naive story to tell.

Wyatt in particular made me want to throw my e-reader at a wall. I’m supposed to root for the friendship of cop that intentionally incited violence? Fuck that. He abused his power and the story called it a joke.

I know it’s “just smut” but even that wasn’t good enough in this book to make up for how it handled addiction as a main element of the story.

The only reason I gave it 1 star is because of the updates to the previous books characters. I don’t think I’ll be reading any more books by this author.

Content Warnings

witcheep's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Are you a sucker for second chance romances, working on oneself, and respecting the boundaries of others while in a work-in-progress relationship? Do you like wholesome families that are based both on blood and commitment? If the answer is yes, you'll eat this one up!

"Falling in love with yourself is ten times harder than falling in love with someone else, especially when I don't like myself very much."

—Callahan

This book is a solid read that addresses many sensitive topics (

addiction, trust issues, emotionally abusive parents

...) respectfully. The characters are well-rounded and multidimensional, and I'm glad we'll continue to get peeks into their lives even after this Dreamland Billionaires series, since they have cameos as side characters in Asher's newest series Lakefront Billionaires that takes place at the location of this book, Lake Wisteria.

Content Warnings

lauraelovesbooks's review

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emotional funny slow-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

4.25

There was a lot to love here and this is definitely my favourite of the series. It did, however, drag on a few hundred pages more than it needed to. I understand the journey required for these characters but I think it would have packed more of a punch if it was trimmed down

It was also hard not to be irritated with Alana at times. But seeing what she went through with her sister makes her reactions understandable. I also loved how hard she worked to protect Cami

Speaking of Cami, her relationship with Cal (or Cow-l)was hands down the best part of this book. They were the absolute sweetest and I loved all of their interactions , especially the card she made and her hustling him for the swear jar

I also loved how everything wrapped up for the trilogy as a whole. A satisfying ending for sure

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karlapardo's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

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you_fanci_me_mad's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

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ashtontdavis's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

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jesskreads's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Final Offer by Lauren Asher ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📚 I recommend this if you love a second chance, friends to lovers romance with elements of emotional depth and redemption

Genre: romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series or Standalone: series
Tropes & Themes: addiction, second chance romance, forced proximity, small town, reuniting, billionaire romance, friends to lovers, single parent

After reading the first 2 books in the Dreamland billionaire series, I was gifted this book for Christmas and put off reading it as I knew it was the last in the series and didn't want it to end!

Loooved the character development in this and Cals personal growth! Cami is portrayed as such a sweet loveable daughter and some things she said made me laugh so much! To me, I think her positioning in the book is good, as she acts like an icebreaker to the difficult conversations around loss and addiction.
You can't help but feel sorry for Cal and what he's been through, but I equally understand Lana's hesitance in letting him back into her life after their previous experiences together.

📖 Brief plot summary:
Lana and Cal, previous lovers who ended on bad terms, are back in eachothers lives, but not for good reason. Cal has been tasked to sell his grandfather's house, which Lana also has a 50% stake in... Will they be able to see eye to eye and make amends, or are past experiences too much for them to fix things?

@jesswanders_andreads on Instagram & Tiktok! 📚

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just_me_annie_leigh's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Content Warnings

katelynndzindzio's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

The final brother, always waiting until the last minute to complete his tasks. Callahan Kane. Also known as Cal. To gain his inheritance he has to essentially make amends with his childhood best friend and the woman who still holds his heart.

The only problem is.... Alana hates him. (Rightfully so). Before Cal broke her heart into pieces they experienced a love that no one could forget.

"You told me you wouldn't ever leave me." he promised. It's the only reason I let him shatter our friendship with a single kiss. Because I was just as invested in our future as a couple as he seemed to be. He looks up with cloudy eyes. "I'm sorry." -Alana and Cal

After 6 years apart Cal returns to Lake Wisteria with one thing on his mind. Sell the house. Only there is a road block... Alana lives there with her kid. Cal immediately falls back into old habits with Alana but she is hesitant.

"A part of me hope that he found happiness in the 6 years we spent apart. Not with someone else, but with himself. He is no better than the day he left."-Alana

But they just can't resist each other.

"Anything for you." Three words. Five syllables. One punch in the gut. -Callahan and Alana

After some time, Alana finally begins to trust Cal again. She is falling back into love with him since he makes it so damn hard not to.

"I left her arm up and nudge Lana to do the same. She copies me, causing Cami to swing between us. The giggle she lets out makes my whole heart threatened to burst like a confetti cannon." -Cal

Cal finally realized what his grandfather really meant in his letter. Why he sent him there again. Why he needs to get sober. It's for himself. So he can be there for his family.

"I make the same wish I did back at Dreamland, although I have no candle or cake to make it official. I wish to kick my addiction for good." -Cal

Cal is determined to kick his addiction and be the man that Lana needs. Be the dad that Cami wants. And finally be the happiest version of himself.

Content Warnings

malop's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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

The characters were extremely relatable, to the point were even during their lows I couldn't be fully upset at them the way I have in other books. The book took all the right turns at the right pace and made me feel like a part of it's universe which I was devastated to leave by the end of the book.

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