Lauren Asher’s Terms and Conditions is the second book in the Dreamland Billionaires series, a contemporary romance trilogy centered around the Kane brothers and their adventures in life, business, and love. This installment focuses on Declan Kane, the eldest brother, and his journey through a marriage of convenience with his assistant, Iris. While the book delivers moments of humor and charm, it struggles with certain plot points and character development, leaving readers with mixed impressions.
Table of Contents
Synopsis
Declan Kane is a cold and calculated businessman who always puts his work first. As part of his inheritance, Declan must marry to secure his role as CEO of Dreamland, the family’s multi-billion-dollar theme park empire. Iris, his loyal and witty assistant, steps up to the plate, agreeing to a marriage of convenience to help him achieve his goals.
While the agreement is meant to be purely professional, the lines between work and personal life blur as the two spend more time together. Banter turns into connection, and fake feelings begin to feel all too real. But with unresolved emotions, personal insecurities, and Declan’s emotional walls standing in their way, can their arrangement evolve into a genuine relationship?
What I Liked
1. Engaging Dialogue
The witty and humorous banter between Declan and Iris is a highlight of the book. Their back-and-forth exchanges keep the story lighthearted and entertaining, adding moments of levity to an otherwise dramatic plot. If you enjoy well-written dialogue and characters who can challenge each other, you’ll likely find this aspect of the book enjoyable.
2. Easy-to-Read Writing Style
Lauren Asher’s writing style is straightforward and accessible, making Terms and Conditions a breezy read. The pacing is consistent, and while the story isn’t groundbreaking, it’s engaging enough to hold your attention.
What Could Be Improved
1. Unrealistic Plot Premise
The central premise—that Iris, a dedicated assistant, would marry her boss to help him secure his inheritance—feels far-fetched. While marriage-of-convenience tropes can be fun, the reasoning behind this particular arrangement lacks depth and believability. It’s hard to imagine someone agreeing to such a drastic life choice without more personal motivation or stakes.
2. Weak Characterization of Iris
Iris’s motivations and backstory aren’t explored in enough depth to make her actions feel authentic. Her character lacks the emotional grounding necessary to connect readers with her journey, and her development feels underwhelming compared to other heroines in the romance genre.
3. Comparison to the First Book
Readers who enjoyed the first book in the Dreamland Billionaires series, The Fine Print, may find this sequel less compelling. The chemistry between Declan and Iris doesn’t quite match the spark between the characters in the first book, and the plot doesn’t feel as tightly constructed.
4. Minimal Spice
For a romance novel being discussed widely on BookTok, Terms and Conditions is surprisingly low on steamy scenes. With only three spicy moments appearing in the latter half of the book, some readers may find the romance lacking in intensity. didn’t bother me though I don’t really care much for spice in my books
Is Dreamland Just Disney?
It’s impossible not to notice the similarities between Dreamland, the fictional theme park empire, and Disney. From the branding to the family dynamics, Dreamland feels heavily inspired by the iconic entertainment giant. this isn’t a negative, it does make the setting feel more realistic I mean everyone knows what Disney looks like therefore easier to imagine.
Final Thoughts
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher is an enjoyable but not standout addition to the contemporary romance genre. Its easy readability and humorous dialogue make it a pleasant read, but the unrealistic plot and lack of character development hold it back from being a must-read. Fans of The Fine Print may find this sequel underwhelming in comparison, though it’s still worth a read for those invested in the Dreamland Billionaires series.
Questions?
- Is Terms and Conditions a standalone book?
No, Terms and Conditions is the second book in Lauren Asher’s Dreamland Billionaires series. While it can be read as a standalone, reading the first book, The Fine Print, provides better context for the characters and setting. - How spicy is Terms and Conditions?
The book includes three spicy scenes, all of which occur in the latter half of the story. It’s less explicit compared to other popular romance books on BookTok. - Who would enjoy Terms and Conditions?
Readers who enjoy light contemporary romance with a focus on humor and banter may enjoy this book. However, those looking for a more intense or deeply emotional romance might find it lacking.
Book Information
• Title: Terms and Conditions
• Author: Lauren Asher
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Series: Dreamland Billionaires (#2)
• Published: February 24, 2022
• Family pressure, emotionally distant characters
book available on kindle unlimited and amazon
my review of the rest of the books in this series:
