A review by readnoot
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I was disappointed in this novel. The story is way too derivative of the preceding book, The Fine Print. Recurring phrases, character quirks, storyline conflicts, and writing tropes mirrored the first installment too closely to make this book feel fresh. Most notably, the leading man of this novel, Declan, was unrelenting in his pursuit of Iris, his love interest. He repeatedly disparaged her in myriad ways, making me wish Iris would not have taken him back in the end. Further, even though I know Iris is not a real person, I felt bad for her as if she was. Although Asher had altruistic intent in writing a modern romance with a woman-of-color lead, the impact felt inappropriate and cringeworthy to me. Whether intentionally or not, Asher paints Iris in Black stereotypes: having a deadbeat bad, enjoying spicy chicken, possessing a hands-on-hips personality, being from a low socioeconomic status, etc. Perhaps you can write characters of a background different than yours, but you cannot incorporate tone deaf notions about said people in doing so. In total, the prevalence of unoriginal beats, predictable outcomes, and uncomfortable characterizations makes this book unlikable to me. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings