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hellowildflower's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Miscarriage
chloelj27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
sarahball47's review against another edition
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
3.75
Honestly the only reason I’m rating this one as high as Terms and Conditions is because I LOVE CAMI
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
ecravens's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
jjohnston_05's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Gosh, Lauren Asher never fails to amaze me with her characters and their story. Following the Kane brothers through Dreamland and their journeys, I'm so sad that its over! Saving Cal till the end was a great choice. I think he had the most personal growth that was needed, and he pushed himself to be a better man. Not just for Alana, but for himself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Drug abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, and Death of parent
faraway_'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I just love Lauren Asher
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
abiigrl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
zc2's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The end was so worth it.in love with the epilogue. This book was everything any reader would want in a book. Truely an emotional roller coaster. A journey I was proud to be on. Like Lauren states at the end it’s bittersweet to see the series go. With that in mind I’ll definitely cry later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
natttbuggg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
IF I COULD RATE THIS 6 STARS I WOULD! (Spoilers Ahead)
This book is the perfect example of romance done right. The heavy topics were balanced perfectly with the fluff and spice. I absolutely loved that Asher didn’t demonize Cal’s prescription to Adderall when discussing his alcoholism and previous opioid addiction. Adderall addictions are more common among those who are not in need of it, but rather use it as a party drug. Asher making sure to exclude it from Cal’s list of vices made very happy to say the least. The other aspect I loved was that Cal and Alana both discussed frequently that recovery is not something that can be done for others, rather it needs to come from the person’s own need and want to recover. It would have been easy to have Cal come in and say “you’re the reason I want to get sober” and have that been the big touching romantic gesture but it would be unrealistic. Change cannot be made if it is for any other reason than for yourself.
THE ENDING THOUGH!!! I kept hearing people say that this book gives amazing closure to the whole family and WOW DID IT! I kind of forgot about their father, Seth, until they ran into each other at the AA meeting, and I was left wondering for the rest of the chapter what would be his end. Especially with the 6% in shares that is left unaccounted for. I was so glad to see Seth get his comeuppance, ESPECIALLY when he had the chance to make things better. Part of me wishes we got his book of redemption but overall it makes more sense for his character to not have changed given everything we see of him (I just wanted more time with everyone else). I think his choice in picking the easier sobriety option only exemplifies the kind of person he is, because even now without alcohol he is still a horrible human who does not want to change. Not even for his own children.
This book made me sob like a WATERFALL! Although I knew that the plank from the dock would come back later in the book I wasn’t exactly sure how, but the way we did get it got me crying. But what got me full body sobs though was Cami’s gift in the end. I am a sucker for “adopt me” gifts but having seen Cami fall in love with Cal along side Alana made this even more impactful that seeing the 1 minute clips on tiktok.
I am absolutely devastated that the series came to an end (especially when I literally started The Fine Print on 1/19/2023) but I am so happy that I got to experience the stories of these people and I cannot wait to read Lauren Ashers’ backlist and whatever else comes from her beautiful mind later on!
This book is the perfect example of romance done right. The heavy topics were balanced perfectly with the fluff and spice. I absolutely loved that Asher didn’t demonize Cal’s prescription to Adderall when discussing his alcoholism and previous opioid addiction. Adderall addictions are more common among those who are not in need of it, but rather use it as a party drug. Asher making sure to exclude it from Cal’s list of vices made very happy to say the least. The other aspect I loved was that Cal and Alana both discussed frequently that recovery is not something that can be done for others, rather it needs to come from the person’s own need and want to recover. It would have been easy to have Cal come in and say “you’re the reason I want to get sober” and have that been the big touching romantic gesture but it would be unrealistic. Change cannot be made if it is for any other reason than for yourself.
THE ENDING THOUGH!!! I kept hearing people say that this book gives amazing closure to the whole family and WOW DID IT! I kind of forgot about their father, Seth, until they ran into each other at the AA meeting, and I was left wondering for the rest of the chapter what would be his end. Especially with the 6% in shares that is left unaccounted for. I was so glad to see Seth get his comeuppance, ESPECIALLY when he had the chance to make things better. Part of me wishes we got his book of redemption but overall it makes more sense for his character to not have changed given everything we see of him (I just wanted more time with everyone else). I think his choice in picking the easier sobriety option only exemplifies the kind of person he is, because even now without alcohol he is still a horrible human who does not want to change. Not even for his own children.
This book made me sob like a WATERFALL! Although I knew that the plank from the dock would come back later in the book I wasn’t exactly sure how, but the way we did get it got me crying. But what got me full body sobs though was Cami’s gift in the end. I am a sucker for “adopt me” gifts but having seen Cami fall in love with Cal along side Alana made this even more impactful that seeing the 1 minute clips on tiktok.
I am absolutely devastated that the series came to an end (especially when I literally started The Fine Print on 1/19/2023) but I am so happy that I got to experience the stories of these people and I cannot wait to read Lauren Ashers’ backlist and whatever else comes from her beautiful mind later on!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
scmp73's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve been waiting for Cal’s book from the beginning, and Lauren Asher did not disappoint.
Cal’s struggles to get sober and be a better person were hard to get through. You could feel his torment each time he realized he fell back into his harmful patterns. I appreciated that he knew he didn’t deserve Lana the way he was, but I also appreciated that he also knew he couldn’t get better if he only did it for her. “I’m going to rehab because I want to love myself as much as you love me.” That was so beautiful to see. Oftentimes, with addiction, it feels like the MC is only getting sober for the other MC, but that wouldn’t have been realistic for Cal. He had a lot of issues to deal with that had nothing to do with Lana, and until he addressed them, he would continue that same cycle of addiction and alcohol abuse. Seeing him bond with Cami was so cute, and everything I hoped for Cal earlier in the series.
Lana was scared of following her dreams, but she led with her whole heart, even when that wasn’t always the best option. I loved that she was stern with Cal when he needed it but loved him enough to give him a chance. She did what she could to protect Cami, especially from Lana’s sister/Cami’s bio mom. Watching her allow Cami to form a relationship with Cal was nice. I was worried Lana would use Cal’s desire to have a relationship with Cami against him, as a form of punishment for his addiction. Seeing her have her dreams of a bakery and the lake house come true was everything I needed for Lana and her story.
Overall, this was my favorite of all the Kane brother books. I thought Lana and Cal’s love story felt more realistic than the others, and I’m a huge sucker for second chance romances. The grace Lana extended Cal and the hard work Cal paid off just gave me all the warm and fuzzies.
Lana was scared of following her dreams, but she led with her whole heart, even when that wasn’t always the best option. I loved that she was stern with Cal when he needed it but loved him enough to give him a chance. She did what she could to protect Cami, especially from Lana’s sister/Cami’s bio mom. Watching her allow Cami to form a relationship with Cal was nice. I was worried Lana would use Cal’s desire to have a relationship with Cami against him, as a form of punishment for his addiction. Seeing her have her dreams of a bakery and the lake house come true was everything I needed for Lana and her story.
Overall, this was my favorite of all the Kane brother books. I thought Lana and Cal’s love story felt more realistic than the others, and I’m a huge sucker for second chance romances. The grace Lana extended Cal and the hard work Cal paid off just gave me all the warm and fuzzies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Cancer and Drug abuse