Terms and Conditions (September 2024) Buddy Read Discussion - Sophie & Brianna

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Terms and Conditions Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on September 10th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 09/10
September 10th: chapters 1-6
September 11th: chapters 7-12
September 12th: chapters 13-17
September 13th: chapters 18-24
September 14th: chapters 25-29
September 15th: chapters 30-35

Week of 09/16
September 16th: chapters 36-41
September 17th: chapters 42-end


PARTICIPANTS
~ Sophie
~ Brianna

[Brianna]

through end of chapter 6: (view spoiler)[It took me a minute to remember all the brothers and personalities. I typically enjoy the fake marriage trope so excited for this one! I am a bit confused by the pretty sudden change in Declan's reluctance to participate in the planning to being more involved. I'm excited to get more of his thoughts and growth. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

through end of chapter 12: (view spoiler)[This hot and cold of Declan - I can see it getting annoying if it's too long before he realizes that he completely loves her and is *capable* of love. I am also curious what the 3rd act breakup will be - guessing the fake marriage is revealed but that almost feels obvious. (hide spoiler)]

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

So sorry I’m late!

Through to the end of chapter 17

Admittedly, I’m not loving Declan 🫣and I don’t feel a super strong connection to Iris. I loved Zhara and Roman off the bat in The Fine Print, so this is an adjustment. Everyone also says that this is their favourite book out of the series.

To be honest, it kinda felt like I started the book halfway through; the fake marriage was instantaneous without even a little bit of build up between Declan and Iris.

We’ve had a little bit of tension between them now that they’re on this honeymoon with Declan cancelling the safari. It really caught my attention.

[Brianna]

No worries!

through end of chapter 17: I really hope something crazy (in a good way) happens for me to like Declan more because right now - not a fan. It really does feel like the fake marriage part was super rushed and we are starting partway though. I like Iris okay but I need her to get a backbone. She's doing better about speaking her mind but she really does need to stand up for herself in the work arena - I hope she actually does put in her 2 weeks. She deserves better.

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Up to the end of chapter 24

I am warming up to Declan since we got more into his home life and his relationship with his father- it’s even worse than his father’s relationship with Rowan.

Speaking of Rowan, it’s sad that his relationship with his brothers is so stilted, especially since it seems that Declan and Cal are a little closer.

I love Cal, he seems so fun and I’m curious to see what his contingency in the will is.

I’m so happy that both Iris and Declan punched his dad 🫣

[Brianna]

through end of chapter 35: (view spoiler)[So Declan is *kind of* growing on me. I liked that he has been aware of her dyslexia but which he was up front about that from the beginning so she wouldn't have spent all that time stressing over nothing. I like that he opened up a bit more about his mom and relationship with her. As the oldest, he will certainly have a different perspective on everything family related. (hide spoiler)]

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Up to the end of chapter 41

Declan has grown on me too, I really feel for him regarding the situation with his father. I’m happy that Cal is there to support Iris.

There is just still a massive part of me that just isn’t feeling the connection between the two of them. It was very instantaneous I like them both individually, and I see the character development, but……where’s the chemistry?

[Brianna]

through end of chapter 41:

I pretty much fully agree with you - love the growth but where's the connection? It was so instant that it doesn't feel authentic. I do think Iris has grown more than Declan and hopefully he grows a bit more. I am probably going to finish tonight because it was a bit cliff-hanger-y and I want to know what happens lol

[Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

So I’m finished, and this is my final review. I do just hope I enjoy book 3 more.

3.25 stars ✨

I’m disappointed with this one 😔, it’s been so loved and I unfortunately didn’t love it as much as everybody else. And I really enjoyed book 1.

Their marriage was instantaneous and in the opposite way, their love didn’t feel gradual, it was like it just came out of the blue. I only really felt their connection within the last 60 pages.

It took me a while to like Declan but I really empathised with him in the end. Iris unfortunately felt very surface level for me, she had a lot of personal issues that could’ve been explored in the book rather than we just being told about them. Like having examples of her struggling with dyslexia.

The pacing was probably one of the only solid things in the book, it was really fast and consistent.

Honestly, overall it was just your run of the mill romance.

[Brianna]

I agree! I gave it a 3 - MAX 3.5 (mostly because it was easy to read). I only kind of sorta connected with Iris but not Declan. I think there was so much more potential to touch on important topics such as verbal abuses since most times you only see physical. I did like the moments of Cal (?) so I am thinking I may enjoy his book a bit more.