The Dreamland Billionaire Series - Lauren Asher

 

I was in two minds about how to go when reviewing these books. The chronological part of me wanted to do 3 separate ones but the optimist in me chose otherwise. I love Lauren Asher. After Ana Huang, she does the most amazing Billionaire books however I think one 1 of the books, Booktok really mislead me.

I was a bit apprehensive buying this series in the first place just because Ana Huang set such high standards that I didn’t want that to be my compass when rating Lauren Asher’s books. Whilst they both do tropes we love, they do it very differently which was a. so refreshing and b. gave me peace of mind when spending on them. Sometimes it can get repetitive like the whole single dad, nanny trope but nope. Not this time. The ‘Dreamland Billionaire’ series has an engraved space on my bookshelf. It wouldn’t be an honest review if I didn’t tell you the truth though; on my Instagram I initially posted this as a mediocre (like over the top bad) book series. I don’t know why I did that but once I gravitated to read about it again I came to the conclusion that I just wanted to post on Instagram therefore giving me a very poor lack of judgment. I won’t delete that post because maybe a couple months ago I stuck by it but I cross my heart and hope to die; trust me this time I’m thinking before speaking. I swear on Dreamland and the billionaires.

So this is a series centred around 3 rich billionaire brothers, in order form oldest to youngest; Declan Kane, Callhan Kane and Rowan Kane. They have the worst dad they could ask for after the death of their mother when they were younger but such a reliable grandfather – for everyone but Callhan. Dreamland is like Disneyland. It’s were dreams come true, princess meet their price charming and happily ever afters are made. An unexpected turn of events, leaves the Kane’s getting instructed through the will left by their grandfather to follow each of their tasks – more like challenges – to earn their inheritances. IF one fails then the father gets the long end of the stick. The best part? Their grandfather made sure to centre each task alongside one of their fears which included the people they loved but didn’t know until this will hit them like a bull in a China town.

It was genius for two reasons. One because duh I need to know what everyone’s will said alongside if they would complete it and two because it made the three billionaires realise something they could never without Grandpa Kane; the women in their life. Iris for Declan; Zahra for Rowan and Lana for Callhan (plus little Cami).

Ordinary. That’s the word Booktok should have used for ‘The Fine Print’. To be fair I think if it wasn’t so hyped up I would have loved it more than I did but my expectations were just set astronomically high (50/50 fault) which left me feeling a tad bit unsatisfied once I finished this books. It lacked something. That something – however – was found more in ‘Terms & Conditions’ whilst completely in ‘The Final Offer’. Whilst I loved Zahra and Rowan's characters in addition to how their siblings were introduced, if felt a bit too common if that makes sense. The most touching part was when Rowan picked up sketching pencils again to help the poorly made ones by Zahra. Small moments like that made me get through the book but overall, out of the whole series, ‘The Fine Print’ gets a 3.5/5 stars for me. There were areas off improvement but still a reasonable read. I also really touching concept of Grandpa Kane and his letters which was why I even got to the Final Offer in the first place.

‘Terms & Conditions’ was where my interested started to peek. Listen, I don’t know if it's because I’ve always wanted that office romance or because of the age gap but Declan Stick-In-The-Arse-Kane was where it was at! I mean come on he changed the font in his company because ONE (that one being Iris) person was suffering with dyslexia. I can’t get my family to turn the volume down on the TV. My weakness is the forced proximity/age-gap/office romance books; Lauren Asher hit the nail on the head with this one. It felt realistic which was is what I like in a book. The way Iris stood by Declan like a rock during the rough patches is reflected during the break up act (sorry mini spoiler) plus the history they have with Iris being his PA for the last 3 years just adds so much more grit. What I find with a lot of these kind of tropes is that they go from not liking each other to then having an enormous amount of sexual frustration to falling in love. The journey was somewhat of a slow-burn, with the delicate Lauren Asher details from what Iris struggled with most to helping Delcan overcome his own. Heart-wrenching? Iris and Callhan Kane’s friendship. He gives golden retriever vibes who puts Declan in his place making sure no one – not even a Kane – can get away with disrespecting his best friend. Did I mention she wanted a job transfer and later finds out the reason she didn’t get it was because someone’s name who starts with a D couldn’t let her go? I can’t remember. Maybe that was a different book. Either way, ‘Terms & Conditions’ ranks second best in the series for me at a comfortable 4/5 stars. Love ya but not more than blondie.

Callhan Kane? Yeah, he was the real star of the show. Lake Wisteria holds his beloved ex-girlfriend Lana and a little Cami (I’m not telling you anything about that kid). Now ‘Final Offer’ should have been the most hyped book in my humble opinion. Callahan Kane was Fox Thornton vibes from Hook, Line & Sinker in a different font. There was so much sentiment to the story from the letter to the end outcome and the letter actually had a constant correlation to the end which I feel like was more explored in this final book. The flashbacks of his time with Lana really broke my heart when putting the pieces together for why they broke of like they did. Though I loved the pairing in all books, this one was the cherry on the cake. I appreciated how much Cami was involved without it being overbearing. I mean she made him a card for his ‘hang ovary’ (hangover) that was both sweet and funny. Please I died. The bakery and Lanas dream was in the background but not in your face. There was a nice flow of Cal and his issues being forefront which was nicely done. Sometimes books like this are too predictable but the realness of 5 year old Cami, an overbearing Alana paired with a very confused Cal was my safe haven. Side note; Iris being pregnant made everything full circle. Seth Kane.......take that. 'Final Offer' took a big fat 5/5 stars from me making this the winner of my holy trinity. 

One thing Lauren Asher didn’t mess up? The spice. Mmmhmm. 10/10. No complains. Would do it all over again but Declan Kane? Yeah. He’s the SHIT in that department.

The series was wonderful. If I were to read it again it would be the last instalment but I already know the new Lakeside Series is already winner for me. Guys I’m currently writing the review for Love ReDesigned; tears everywhere.

Anybody else feeling like me when it comes to the Dreamland series? Who was your favourite and why?

Until next time 🌈☁️ don’t froget to keep reading some more paper pages to make your fictional reality a real one.

Vivian.

Don’t forget to keep reading, because as long as you do, it’s making a struggling authors day that much better. Reach for the starts of success.