Chante JVR

If you enjoyed this post, please consider donating to mine and my husband’s immigration fund and help us get to the UK! Even a small amount would mean the world to us.

“Love with all your heart and show kindness in all your actions.”

Lauren Asher’s “The Fine Print” left me more frustrated than fulfilled, as the promising premise of a Disneyland-esque billionaire romance quickly unraveled into a convoluted mess of underdeveloped characters and a man-child of a male character.

Synopsis:

“Rowan
I’m in the business of creating fairy tales.
Theme parks. Production companies. Five-star hotels.
Everything could be all mine if I renovated Dreamland.
My initial idea of hiring Zahra was good in theory, but then I kissed her.
Things spiraled out of control once I texted her using an alias.
By the time I realized where I went wrong, it was too late.
People like me don’t get happy endings.
Not when we’re destined to ruin them.

Zahra
After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland’s most expensive ride, I should have been fired.
Instead, Rowan Kane offered me a dream job.
The catch? I had to work for the most difficult boss I’d ever met.
Rowan was rude and completely off-limits, but my heart didn’t care.
At least not until I discovered his secret.
It was time to teach the billionaire that money couldn’t fix everything.
Especially not us.” – Goodreads

Lackluster Character Development

The characters in “The Fine Print” are disappointingly one-dimensional, with the cookie cutter, always positive, sunshine female, and the brooding, daddy issues male. Now don’t get me wrong, I love me a good grumpy x sunshine (see The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood) but these two resembled cardboard cutouts rather than well-rounded individuals. Their motivations and actions lack depth and seemed blown out of proportions, leaving readers struggling to connect with or care about them. This man took every opportunity to flaunt his wealth and I’d start of thinking “aww, he flew her to freaking New York and bought her tickets to meet her favourite author #goals” to “oh, he used his influence and money to arrange the whole thing, great.” We get it, you have money, bro. Like, I don’t know. I feel in a relationship, it’s the small things that matter. The small things that show you care. I mean this poor girl had to teach this man-child how to be a normal human being. At the risk of using an Ariana Grande quote, thank you, next.

This book also never fails to remind you how old the male MC is, and the fact that his brothers are even older has me skerd.

Predictable Plot

Despite the gorgeous backdrop of being set in a literal Disneyland, the plot of “The Fine Print” follows a disappointingly predictable trajectory. Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, boy realises he’s falling for girl, boy breaks girl’s heart, boy realises he can’t live without girl, boy makes it up to girl. And I get that’s pretty standard romance schtuff but maybe my dislike of the characters made it all the more irritating.

The Verdict

“The Fine Print” by Lauren Asher fails to deliver on its promise of a smutty romance. The lackluster character development and a predictable plot make it a frustrating read rather than the swooning, kicking-your-feet-while-giggling read it could have been. Regrettably, this novel fell short of my expectations, however, I’ve heard the sequel is much better and look forward to reading it.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider donating to mine and my husband’s immigration fund and help us get to the UK! Even a small amount would mean the world to us.

Related