The Fine Print

By Lauren Asher

Book is rated 4 / 5 stars.

I had mild expectations about this book; this was another recommendation by Bookstagram and I fell into the trap at one of my frequent Bookstore stops. I loved the idea of this world of Dreamland and cherished the nods to Disney World. I had mixed reviews about this initially, but I loved the chemistry that came between Rowan and Zahra. I'm rooting for them. You better be, too! There are spoilers ahead, so if you haven't read the book, be prepared.

Book Tropes

Age Gap. Grumpy x Sunshine. Workplace Romance. Billionaire. Opposites Attract.

Dual POV.

Anyone else waiting for the moment when the two of them finally got together? But, was a little disappointed when it finally happened? I love them together but I think I liked them better with the sexual tension than when they hooked up.

Spice Level: 3 / 5

The Characters

The entire concept of this book had me completely hooked - to a point where I was eagerly awaiting more information on Declan and Cal, too. I loved the mentions peppered throughout the book to hint at later stories and I definitely couldn't wait.

Rowan was the harbinger of darkness - so it seemed. That prudish exterior was something I wanted to see crack from the first moment he walked in. He was the epitome of the dark, broody, and a history that makes you want to cry into a pillow. What is it about a man like that that just gets a girl's heart going? It gets mine going, at least. I was eager to find out more, but I also feel like he was a little stunted throughout the book. From the beginning to the end, I feel as though he had made great progress, but it wasn't really gradual. Perhaps that was the point.

Zahra, on the other hand, seemed very one-note throughout. It wasn't a bad note. I liked that she did finally gain her confidence by the end and I was so happy for her that she took the steps she needed to to find her footing. But, that didn't seem enough. I feel as though her main purpose was to change him - not an entirely bad thing. Sometimes, it just happens that not both characters change their purpose. That tends to be their purpose, to help guide someone else. She had potential and I really hope that there is more to her than just this. Maybe little sneak peaks into the other stories!

The Storyline

I wasted no time in jumping into this book; the storyline was cute and forbidden, which I am such a sucker for. It also helped that the plunge into the storyline is based on a requirement, rather than their own desire. Putting people in situations they don't want to - while the puppet master knows exactly what he's doing - is just a delicious little storyline. I also think it is so intriguing that Rowan's task is so vastly different from his brothers and we don't know what it is yet. They are each on their own journey and I love that balance.

"Love. Such a simple word for something so devastating."

The sexual tension between the two was FIRE. Each interaction with them was nothing but heat and I absolutely loved it. Rowan texting Zahra under an alias was awkward, but I also understood. No way would she have asked him for help. But, the way the texts really started to reconfigure his mind was beautiful to watch. I wasn't a huge fan of her falling for the alias - she didn't know him, well. Then again, that is probably the allure of it all. The mystery man - the unknowns. Of course, the inner battles with a man who acted the way Rowan did in person just to twist it all via text was alarming but easy to fall for and find chaos.

Dreamland is definitely somewhere I want to go - not to mention, the Disney World vibes was absolutely fantastic. I hadn't read a book like this before, so I was more than okay being taken for the ride (pun intended). The dual POV really elated me. Watching Zahra and Rowan fall in love and realizing way past the reader is something I am such a sucker for.

I'm addicted to the man Rowan becomes with me in private, so unlike his usual quiet, withdrawn self.

Rowan and Zahra having their heart-to-hearts was stunning and beautiful. I loved getting to know both equally, but I was more eager to see Rowan crack. I feel like he was still a little hard to break, which I suppose was the point. Their chemistry was beautiful, but the more they were together, the more I missed that banter and tension. I really hope that comes back somehow.

This book is definitely on my recommend list, and I am so curious to see how this shapes the other two books in the series.

I'm in love with Dreamland.