Review: Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
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Declan
I’m destined to become the next CEO of my family’s media empire.
The only problem? My grandfather’s inheritance clause.
Fulfilling his dying wish of getting married and having an heir seemed impossible until my assistant volunteers for the job.
Our marriage was supposed to be the perfect solution to my biggest problem.
But the more we act in love for the public, the more unsure I feel about our contract.
Caring about Iris was never part of the deal.
Especially not when breaking her heart is inevitable.
Iris
My plan to marry Declan was simple in theory.
Move in together. Throw a wedding. Have a baby.
We set rules to prevent any kind of issues.
Ones that were never meant to be broken, no matter how much Declan tempts me.
But what happens when our fake relationship bleeds into our real one?
Falling in love was never an option.
At least not for me.
Terms and Conditions is the second book in a series of interconnected standalones following three billionaire brothers.
Review
I read The Fine Print—the first book in the Dreamland Billionaires series—last year and loved it. And immediately put this one on my 2022 list when it was announced. Before the synopsis was released, I knew enough to know that this was going to be my most anticipated book for 2022. It was a workplace romance, marriage of convivence type of story and I was going to eat it up. As we got closer to February, it became increasingly hard to read anything else because my anticipation for this book was increasing. Almost daily, Lauren Asher was releasing slight teasers for this book and I knew I had to have it in my hands soon. And when February 24 came, I would stop at nothing to be able to dive into this book. And I did. and I have thoughts.
The premise of the Dreamland Billionaires series is that there are three brothers and in order to get what was set aside by their grandfather, they have a task they have to complete. In the first book, The Fine Print, Rowan had to work at the original Dreamland park in Florida. While there he fell in love with Zahra. It’s a great romance, I highly recommend it. Rowan is the younger brother. The middle brother Cal (*his book will be the third one released) has to reconnect with an old love. And the other brother, Declan, well his task is a little more complicated than his older brothers. He has to marry someone and have a child in order for him to become CEO.
Enter, Iris. His secretary for a few years, who knows him better than he knows himself. I’m not just saying words. He said it himself. Anyway, enter Iris. She works very hard to find him a bride to put up with his grumpy nature. And when she finds one, she runs before they even make it to their engagement party. Which leaves Declan wifeless. So, Iris steps in. And what we get is one of the best romance novels I have read all year. I have added it to my list of favorite books.
I laughed. I cried. I had a great time. My expectations were high for this one, and although not all of them were met, I can’t be upset because I’m thrilled with what was given. I highlighted 80% of the book, and there were so many moments that were memorable.
This book hits the ground running. Around four or five pages in, Iris offers to be his wife. Because of that I think it’s important to read The Fine Print as well to get a hint of their relationship before that happens. There are like maybe two moments in there, but they are there. And are excellent and there is one scene that’s mirrored at the end.
The romance was excellent. Although they both didn’t realize it, it was clear that they had feelings for each other. there were things they would do for each other. Like Declan pulling out her chair, and Iris taking care of Declan when he was drunk. And there were so many other lengths they were willing to go for each other. I mean a big one is Iris offering to marry him and have his kid. And Declan did other things, but spoiler free zone.
And even when they thought they knew everything about each other, there were still things they learned about each other. Like Iris being a plant mom, and what Declan does to honor his mom.
There were some things that reminded me of two of my all-time favorite romances. Donna Paulsen and Harvey Specter, from the USA network show Suits (2011-2019), with the secretary and boss dynamic. Iris and Declan are a team. And Iris, like mentioned before, understands Declan on another level. Because of this, they have a deeper connection that sometimes shocks even themselves. Iris was extremely dedicated to her job, and because of this she sacrificed friendships and romantic relationships. And there are times when she wonders if this is something that she wants to continue to do. That gave me major Donna Paulsen vibes. And then we have Declan, who is closed off due to a parent and works as hard as he can and has a hard time communicating emotionally. Basically, Harvey Specter.
The other couple Declan and Iris reminded me of was Rose Calloway and Connor Cobalt from the Addicted Series/Calloway Sisters Series by Krista and Becca Ritchie. This one is only two aspects, but I squealed when I noticed the connection. Iris says a few dramatic threats to Declan and he just laughs it off. It was just small moments that made me smile. The other thing was both of them having their own secret language. Rose and Connor have French. And Declan and Iris didn’t have one set language. They have multiple.
Around 80% of the story, they had a fight. I wish the fight would have come earlier. Because when they do rekindle their romance, the book is sadly over. And the epilogues (there are two!) are left. And as amazing as those were, I wanted to spend more time with this couple. The book was too short for my liking.
Besides the romance, I really loved the interpersonal relationships with the family. Iris had an amazing relationship with her mom and grandma (who is a star). Iris did have a tough childhood and deals with a learning disability. And her mom and her grandma are her strengths. And she’s such an amazing person because of them.
I loved getting to see Declan around her family dynamic, since he lost his mother at a young age and his father isn’t great. I also enjoyed Iris’ relationship with Cal. He was her best friend and it was entertaining to see Declan be jealous of that relationship and both Iris and Cal sort of playfully tease Declan when they were together.
I guess I had forgotten, but after the events of The Fine Print, Rowan and Declan don’t have a good relationship since the younger one had decided to stay in Florida for Zahra. But he almost sort of has the same journey. They start off working towards a goal, but then find love when they least expect it. Both Rowan and Declan were similar in the way that they would do anything to put a smile on their love’s face.
And speaking of Rowan, it was great to catch up with him and Zahra. And I can’t wait to see the entire gang back for Cal’s story.
Final Thoughts
Terms and Conditions was worth the wait. Declan was a sworn worthy and intelligent lead, and Iris was a plant mom icon. The romance was showstopping and the chemistry was off the chart. A book that could be reread multiple times without losing the magic.
