A review by witcheep
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher

dark emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The first read/review 20 July 2024: 1.5/5

His lips drop to the spot on my neck that's already marked and bruised. "Because why talk about being possessive when I can show you instead?"

It's scary how much excessive possessiveness and abuse of power and money is romantisized in this book. The MMC Rowan is a walking red flag who doesn't care about anyone but himself – and maybe his closest family –  and is comfortable with using any means necessary to get what he wants. Rowan doesn't even consider the impact his actions have on others unless he has something
*cough* someone *cough*
to lose if he doesn't. 🚩🚩🚩

The FMC and love interest Zahra is represented as the "relatable" good girl with a humble background and altruistic sunshiney nature. She resists an idea of any involvement with Rowan because he is her boss,
but after a short while gives the resistance up because Rowan implies she should
. However, Zahra's character fails to be lovable in her overflowing altruistic righteousness that is forgotten as soon as
Rowan comes around to hijack her into the luxurious lifestyle a billionaire can provide on a whim
. Zahra is willing to let go almost all of her agency for
Rowan's love
. That kind of unbalanced power dynamic just makes things very dangerous, and not in a good way.

"Now that I have you, I'll never let you go." [--]
     "I don't want you to."
     "It's cute that you think you have a choice."

Even though this is fiction, I could not let the possessiveness, the abuse of power and money, and unbalanced relationship dynamic pass; I felt uncomfortable throughout a big portion of reading this book. Luckily I read other books in this series (and a few other Asher's series) first, and can safely say that things get better. This might be the only one of Asher's books that I actually dislike.


Reread May 7 2025: 2/5

I'm still not a fan of this book, mainly because it portrays Rowan's selfish and possessive behavior as something romantic. The book is a little better than I remembered it being, though. Rowan's views shift only a little when he has something — Zahra's attention and love — to gain from it, but at least there is some character growth. Zahra isn't much better, as she gets swept into a millionaire lifestyle easily and encourages Rowan's possessiveness.

The Fine Print has the least likeable characters in any of Asher's books, thus keeping it my least favourite of hers. Asher's other books (any others of hers!) are a way better fit for my tastes, though. Since my first read, I've learned that millionaire romances rarely are my cup of tea, but in her other books, Asher writes millionaires in a way I like more. Usually, it's hard to relate to or even like characters who seem to be able to solve any issue with money, and who can have very selfish and entitled personalities and completely get away with it (like Rowan does). It seems I crave even some semblance of empathy in the realistic genres I read.
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