Rowan Kane is an Asshole. But Who Says I Don't Like Assholes?

The Fine Print By Lauren Asher

Rate: ★★★★.5

Synopsis

• Centers around a fictional Disneyland called “Dreamland” where Brady Kane (basically the Walt Disney in our world) passes away and leaves his company to be run by his grandsons, Declan, Cal, and Rowan

  • They were each assigned a task in order to get their share of the company and Rowan is responsible to become the director of the theme park to bring back its magic

• Zahra, one of the workers at Dreamland, sends in a drunk proposal on improving the park and surprisingly is offered her dream job at the theme park to work alongside Rowan

  • There’s this spark between Rowan and Zahra but can they trust one another?

Review

Plot

I had to keep putting this book down because I needed a moment to take in all of its cuteness. I went in a little blind going into this book with only the idea that it was based on a fictional Disneyland and there was a billionaire involved. So I was a little surprised at how quickly things picked up with Zahra’s and Rowan’s relationship; I initially thought it was a slow-burn but I guess not! The book is pretty fast-paced and it is dual POV which is absolute god-tier when it comes to romance novels. As much I want to say the writing style felt a bit too simplistic and flat at certain points, I also need to be reminded that this is a romance book where the main goal isn’t to be insightful or learn something ground-breaking. So overall, it was an easy and enjoyable read.

The third-act breakup wasn’t the best in originality but it still had me screaming at my book (in the best way possible). And usually, I find the epilogues of romances to be predictable and cliche, but there was something about this book’s epilogue that still had me dying out of cuteness and making my ovaries explode. So this book still has you crying at how single you feel even in the last pages!

Characters

Zahra! Lovely Zahra. She definitely fits the standards for the sunshine in the grumpy x sunshine trope. But I also appreciated how she still had a little depth to her with her dark past and I think it added to her own character. I also loved how we get to see her grow into this individual who stands up for what is right and takes charge of her own life. She also makes it extremely clear that she prioritizes the people she loves and I absolutely admired her storyline of being this sort-of activist for people with disabilities. I found myself relating to her a lot as I also have a sibling with special needs and loved her character even more because of it. She was just an overall strong character and I loved her.

Oh, Rowan Kane. If you’re like me and are more of an optimist and kinda like seeing things with a positive mindset, Rowan Kane might be someone who you need to warm up to. He takes the cake on being the grumpiest person in the grumpy x sunshine trope I have ever read. He is a bit of an asshole to Zahra in the beginning and it made me think “This is who I am supposed to fall for? He is so mean!” BUT seeing him defrost into this guy who falls head over heels for Zahra, someone who is “too bright” for his liking, is extremely wholesome. His relationship with Ani, Zahra’s sister who has down syndrome, was also so cute to read; their mentorship with each other didn’t feel forced at all, and watching his friendship blossom with Ani was something special to witness. (Also Rowan also has some parental issues that make it hard for him to trust others, so if you’re into that, you’ve come to the right place.)

Finals Thoughts, Parting Words

This book was so fun to read and I am glad I picked it up. It was my first Lauren Asher book and I can’t wait to read her other novels; I still have to read the Dirty Air Series so I am excited for that!! This book made further proved my point that the grumpy x sunshine trope is one of the best tropes out there for romance books. It also made me want to go to Disneyland now and look for some billionaire to sweep me off my feet. Sadly, Walt Disney’s grandkids are not super hot and are super old in their 60s. So I can’t fantasy that and will have to stick with the dreamland billionaire series Lauren Asher writes.

I recommend this book to people who love the grumpy sunshine trope and ESPECIALLY to people who love an emphasis on the grumpy part. Because this man…he is an asshole. But who says I don’t love assholes?!

Game Time! Which Taylor Swift Song Reminds Me Of This Book?

I believe everyone in this book is a Swifite. Maybe not Seth Kane, but everyone else would love listening to blondie whether in public or secret.

I know it’s kinda cheating but “White Horse (Taylor’s Version)" was on the book’s playlist so I think I am going to stick with that answer. I am also going to change up the game and name each character's favorite album!

Zahra 100% is a Swiftie and would explain to everyone the reasoning behind the rerecordings. She would definitely be a Lover fan because she is such a romantic and enjoys watching and reading romantic films and novels. I also think Reputation would have a special place in her heart for some reason just because she was in the process of figuring out her true worth/potential throughout the book.

I think Rowan's favorite album would be Folklore. Maybe it’s because I am getting this wood-ly folky vibe from him and he would think Taylor's other albums are too frivolous for his taste---he needs some deep lyrics, you know? He also seems like a person to only realize how good Taylor Swift is after Folklore and Evermore are released and show his love for both albums without shame. But I also think he is secretly a Speak Now fan who listens to the albums with no skips.

The other Kane brothers would listen to her privately and discreetly and Ani would love 1989. Seth Kane will say that she only writes about her exes and look down on people who listen to her and side with Scooter Braun.