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lizgom's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Lauren Asher's writing style so much because it's so easy to read. I loved the grumpy/sunshine troupe, even though Declan was a bit insufferable. I did enjoy it more than reading Fine Print. I loved seeing Lauren doing a crossover scene with her Dirty Air Series. (The scene where Declan is watching F1)
I absolutely loved seeing Cal being a supportive friend.
I absolutely loved seeing Cal being a supportive friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Physical abuse and Alcohol
bbygirl21's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this book so much more than the first one. I love the dynamic between Iris and Declan and although they may be toxic at times, I enjoyed the progression of their relationship. I love that Iris is the only one that can talk back to Declan and have him not retaliate. It shows that he cared about her long before their initial marriage contract.
One thing I loved about this book over the first one was that there was only one break up rather than the two that was in Rowan and Zahra's book. I think the two breaks ups in the fine print was a bit excessive, so it was nice to only get one "breakup" between Declan and Iris.
This book is also way faster paced than the previous one, which I was quite happy about. I found I didn't need to take at many breaks reading this book at I did with The Fine Print.
So overall, I highly enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend. I'm excited to get into Cal's book.
One thing I loved about this book over the first one was that there was only one break up rather than the two that was in Rowan and Zahra's book. I think the two breaks ups in the fine print was a bit excessive, so it was nice to only get one "breakup" between Declan and Iris.
This book is also way faster paced than the previous one, which I was quite happy about. I found I didn't need to take at many breaks reading this book at I did with The Fine Print.
So overall, I highly enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend. I'm excited to get into Cal's book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
gabi_w21's review against another edition
2.5
While I largely enjoyed this book more than Throttled, it, by no means, is amazing. In between Declan treating Iris abhorrently and sneering at everyone around him and crying over his treatment by his father and Iris inexplicably being attracted to him despite his vile treatment, there were moments I loved—their back-n-forth banter, the little things he did to be nice for her, CAL. But any love I had for this book is overshadowed by just how abusive Declan is to Iris; over and over he snaps at her, throws a tantrum, and anytime she pushes back, he just mentions his dead, dead and did I mention dead mom and how he's sooooo unloveable and she forgave him. Also all of his little quirks are due to said dead mom. He likes mimosa and F1? Dead mom did. He likes elephants? Dead mom did. He drives a nice car? It was his mom's. He knows about Iris's learning disability? His mom had the same one. The little dumb word game he and iris play? He and his mom did—jesus, is there anything you enjoy/do that doesn't loop back to your Dead Mom? You can't tell me that him buying her a greenhouse and adopting a dog for her after calling her a failure, which her abusive dad always did, is gonna make her accept his random-ass marriage proposal. Why even make Iris Black if it adds nothing to the narrative? Iris could've been white and everything would've been the same, except she wouldn't have fallen into the “Black character has to do emotional labor for the traumatized, woe-is-me white character/love interest”. Nevermind how overworked she is. I hated Declan with a burning passion and Iris, for that matter. She never stayed angry with him, even when she had every reason to be, and each time she'd feel guilty and sorry for daring to be upset. Get mad, girlie! Don't let him pout and wobble his fucking lip and buy you plant after he hurt you so badly. I don't think I'll ever pick up anything by Lauren Asher again for the amount of bullshit in her books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
alxisrae's review against another edition
challenging
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
theangelssing's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
3.75
I didn’t hate the book. It was just too long for me. I didn’t appreciate how Declan was at first and didn’t appreciate what he did to Iris. But I admit I enjoyed reading about their relationship and the important subjects the book brought up.
Not my fav book but it is a nice one. (:
Not my fav book but it is a nice one. (:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
thebookaddict'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
🇳🇱: deel twee was net zo goed als deel 1! Het is leuk om te zien dat ze Broers ook echt wel op elkaar Lijken met hun doen en laten. De relatie tussen Declan en iris is in het begin slow paced maar later komt er meer tempo in. Je zit zo in het verhaal dat je geirriteerd wordt met de acties van Declan en de reactie van iris raakte mij dan ook echt. De spice in het boek zijn echt een leuke toevoeging. Het geeft je toch een ander inzicht in de relatie. Je ziet dan ook wat er zich achter gesloten slaapkamer deuren afspeelt. Het gebruik van woorden uit andere talen is ook een heel leuk detail! Vooral de nederlands woorden waren geweldig! Al met al een fanastisch tweede deel!
🇬🇧: part two was as good as part one! It is great to see that the brother look a like in character. The relationship between Declan and Iris is slow paced in the beginning but it is faster paced later on. You get sunken into the story. I even got irritated by Declan and his action, iris her reactions on the other hand made me tear up. The spicy scenes where a plot, this way you get a look in their relationship behind closed bedroom doors. The use of words in a other language is a great plus! Espcially the dutch words. A fantastic part two and I can't wait to read the last part!
🇬🇧: part two was as good as part one! It is great to see that the brother look a like in character. The relationship between Declan and Iris is slow paced in the beginning but it is faster paced later on. You get sunken into the story. I even got irritated by Declan and his action, iris her reactions on the other hand made me tear up. The spicy scenes where a plot, this way you get a look in their relationship behind closed bedroom doors. The use of words in a other language is a great plus! Espcially the dutch words. A fantastic part two and I can't wait to read the last part!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Alcohol
whynotreadwithalex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Seriously, this is on my all-time favorites and comfort reads lists. I honestly don't have enough words to express my deep love for this book.
Whenever I return to Iris and Declan's love story, something broken heals inside me. I'm humbled by the growth we see in both characters, their devotion to each other at each stage of their relationship, and the space they create to support, challenge, and wait for each other.
- grumpy x sunshine
- he's all-in and she's commitment-phobic
- plants, plants, plants + dog
- raw, honest internal growth + consistent effort to make amends
- marriage of convenience + fake dating + office romance
- CAL! Oh how I love Cal in this book
It's a masterpiece -- everything you want in a sweeping romance.
Better and better every time I read it.
Run, don't walk. You won't be disappointed (but definitely read The Fine Print first for the best experience!).
Whenever I return to Iris and Declan's love story, something broken heals inside me. I'm humbled by the growth we see in both characters, their devotion to each other at each stage of their relationship, and the space they create to support, challenge, and wait for each other.
- grumpy x sunshine
- he's all-in and she's commitment-phobic
- plants, plants, plants + dog
- raw, honest internal growth + consistent effort to make amends
- marriage of convenience + fake dating + office romance
- CAL! Oh how I love Cal in this book
It's a masterpiece -- everything you want in a sweeping romance.
Better and better every time I read it.
Run, don't walk. You won't be disappointed (but definitely read The Fine Print first for the best experience!).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
krosebooks's review against another edition
funny
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
4.75
Slow burn, but worth the wait. There was a good plot in the book that was unique and I loved the way Asher intertwined the characters in the other books. The ending is predictable, but not until like the LAST part of the book. It was the kind of predictable that was sweet but not super cheesy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
angelsfw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
hannahmcl394's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Definitely preferred this one to the first in the series, although I wouldn’t say there is a drastic difference as I have seen others review.
Declan appealed to me more a lot more than Rowan, despite being described as the more “robotic” or heartless of all the brothers I found him a lot more loveable and thoroughly enjoyed reading the book from his pov (most notably the secret smiles he doesn’t allow Iris to see)
The wedding in particularly coaxed a visceral reaction from me and absolutely reeked havoc with emotions.
Love love loved Iris and Cals friendship!! I only wish there was more of it (however there is always book 3) and thoroughly enjoyed the small moments of Declan’s jealously over it.
Initial rating: 5 stars
Reviewed rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5
While this is my favourite Lauren Asher book so far and in some ways it could deserve the five star rating when compared to books by other others (Ana Huang) the writing falls short and so it must be dropped a fraction of a star.
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶 3.5 spice
Not huge amounts of smut but worth the buildup and definitely integrated well into the storyline without feeling forced. Very much a slow burn romance with great pay off. <spoiler?> THE OFFICE SCENE OH MY GOD!!
Would I read again? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes
Declan appealed to me more a lot more than Rowan, despite being described as the more “robotic” or heartless of all the brothers I found him a lot more loveable and thoroughly enjoyed reading the book from his pov (most notably the secret smiles he doesn’t allow Iris to see)
The wedding in particularly coaxed a visceral reaction from me and absolutely reeked havoc with emotions.
Love love loved Iris and Cals friendship!! I only wish there was more of it (however there is always book 3) and thoroughly enjoyed the small moments of Declan’s jealously over it.
Initial rating: 5 stars
Reviewed rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5
While this is my favourite Lauren Asher book so far and in some ways it could deserve the five star rating when compared to books by other others (Ana Huang) the writing falls short and so it must be dropped a fraction of a star.
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶 3.5 spice
Not huge amounts of smut but worth the buildup and definitely integrated well into the storyline without feeling forced. Very much a slow burn romance with great pay off. <spoiler?> THE OFFICE SCENE OH MY GOD!!
Would I read again? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol