Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - The Fine Print

Guys this book was actually really cute. Like the book obviously has its red flags but it had really good disability and mental health representation. Like Zahra is so real for some of the things she does and she's one of those like takes no bs from anyone main characters like Jules Ambrose. Minus all the darker stuff the premise for everything is really cute plus it had amazing characters like Ani she's such a sweetheart and Cal too, I can't wait for his book. Brady is fr giving Mastermind by Taylor Swift and lowkey feels like Tobias Hawthorne the first from Inheritance Games. But guys, in all seriousness, it's a solid book 4.5/5 go read

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whalenjulianna's review against another edition

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hopeful medium-paced

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

3.25

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proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.0

The Dreamland theme park is getting a makeover and it becomes Rowan's responsibility after his grandfather's death. Dreamland's Creators have a hard job in front of them, because Rowan's a critical boss who only settles for the best. Zahra has always dreamed about being a Creator, but she didn't expect to get her wish after criticising the theme park's most expensive attraction. And Rowan turns out to be a nightmare to work with. Zahra's never met a more rude and selfish person, yet her heart starts beating faster whenever he's near.

Rowan is the cold, reserved billionaire who only trust himself. When he meets the happy, positive Zahra, who often thinks outside the box, sparks fly - in more than one way. I appriciate that we get dual POV's, it feels like I get closer to the characters. It's nice to see both Rowan and Zahra evolve by being in each others company, and how Zahra always has a response to Rowan's verbal attacks! The fact that it takes place in a theme park (although it's mostly backstage) is unusual, but interesting. I also love Zahra's sister Ani, who has Down syndrome, and who actually plays a big part in the story!

[Small spoilers ahead!]

The reason I don't fall completely is the classic, but tiresome, third act breakup. Sure, they decided that it would be temporary, but I didn't appriciate how Rowan handled it. The ending was maybe a bit too sweet as well, but that's a matter of opinion.

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witcheep's review against another edition

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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

1.5

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.

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yannalovesbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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

Umm okay so this book definitely changed my life and I’m SICK! I dont even know where to start with this review so let's just start with talking about the plot.

Essentially, Brady Kane (the owner and creator of a theme park similar to Disneyland called Dreamland) passes away. In his will, he leaves his three grandsons letters detailing the task they must complete to secure their part of the company (three grandsons, three different books). So this book focuses on the youngest grandson, Rowan Kane, who needs to fix whats wrong with the park/bring back the spark in order to become the CFO. Rowan Kane is a lot of things, grumpy, calculated, closed off, and not easily trusting. However, throughout the book, these choice of words are put into question when he meets ray of sunshine and super trusting, disorganized Zahra Gulian. He wants nothing more than to focus on the task at hand and together they have the potential to change the course of Dreamland forever...but can they keep their relationship strictly professional despite their frustration for each other?

Okay so now that you know the plot, I just want to say that for me this book was spectacular. It was perfect for getting me out of my reading slump and I couldn't help but find myself rooting for Zahra and Rowan. The characters were so emotional and vulnerable and flawed and so to watch them work through their insecurities and their past was beautiful. I loved that Lauren Asher didn't just brush away their past but instead showed us characters who behaved the way they did as a result of it. And with this, I loved that it wasn't just linear. In real life (as we all know) it takes time to change from old ways. It takes time to trust when you've been proven otherwise. Everything just takes patience and time and whoever is there for you, fighting for you, and prove time and time again they are there for you- they are the real people worthy of knowing the real you.

Throughout the book I was stressing for some of it and for other moments I couldn’t stop laughing. This book is one of a kind and it is not one I wont be forgetting any time soon.

Content Warnings

jaxx88's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.25

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diamondsequallove25's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

The book lost a bit of its shine for me because Rowan had to rely on Zahra to learn how to be more human. It would have been more impactful if he had realized the poor conditions of his workplace on his own. That said, I did feel a pang of sympathy for him, especially given his difficult family situation, which I can relate to personally.

On a brighter note, I’m really looking forward to meeting Iris. However, my hopes aren’t particularly high for Declan.

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kell_yeah_reads's review

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.5

per my spreadsheet:
yes, girl. make him work for it. nothing in life comes easy.

i love a good ol' fashioned grumpy-sunshine, enemies to lovers with a strong fmc that makes the mmc work for it. nothing in life comes easy... ;)

spice 🌶 - a 4🌶 spicy (romance.io scale)
length - just right
reading speed - read in 4 days
did it make me cry? - light sprinkle

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