The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the The Fine Print Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on August 1st 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 08/01
1st: chapters 1-6
2nd: chapters 7-12
3rd: chapters 13-19
4th: chapters 20-25

Week of 08/05
5th: chapters 26-30
6th: chapters 31-36
7th: chapters 37-41
8th: chapters 42-48
9th: chapters 49-end


PARTICIPANTS
~ Shabnam
~ Sophie

this is great!! im so excited

Chapters 1-6

I am lovingggggg this one so far surprisingly. I’ve been putting it off for such a long time and now I regret that. I was obsessed with dark/millionaire etc kinda romances back in 2021 so god knows why I never picked it up.

I just know I’m going to love Zhara. She’s so funny and the complete opposite of Rowan. I do always appreciate a good grumpy sunshine romance.

I would die to know what Zhara drunkenly wrote in that email😭 and to know Rowan’s real time reaction……☠️

I may have to read on because I’m getting that special feeling. I will cover up if I read ahead so that I don’t spoil anything for you.

How’re you enjoying so far? :)

im sorry it took me so long to read this, I was binging the "A good girl's guide to murder show" haha!

I am loving Zahra so much omg 😭 She's so unintentionally funny I love her. AND ROWAN OMG?? He's the perfect "cold, closed-off" type of guy that makes every story literally so much better.

I can already tell their story is about to be AMAZING. I can't wait for the chemistry, and also Zahra's lovely comebacks haha!

I will also definitely be reading ahead a teeennnsyyy little bit! I just want to read Rowan's thoughts on their meeting in his office!!

Loving this book so much!

Chapters 7-12

I’m sooooooooo in love with them. Rowan is such an introvert and it’s sad to read about his insecurities and him second guessing himself all of the time. I can’t wait for him to open up to Zhara and have them hit that deeper emotional connection.

Every scene with Zhara and Rowan has me either smirking or cackling. Their banter is top tier, I swear they are already like an old married couple.

And how is the a good girls guide to murder show? I read the book a few years ago and didn’t love it so I’ve been hesitant to watch😬

chapters 7-12

All I have to say right now is oh my god. THE KISS?? It was so unexpected, and so random, I was shocked!! But it was sooo appropriate though because with that kind of chemistry it was expected.

I love how Rowan is so bothered by his attraction to Zahra, as if it's the worst thing to ever happen to him.

And I also love how they're both just constantly checking each other out 😭 Like this is top tier entertainment people.

I like the plot, and the characters of this story, but I feel like the writing is just meh. It's written in a way that reminds mr of something I'd read on wattpad, which isn't necessarily bad, but it could be better.

Other than that, this story is wonderful, and I'm sooooo excited to see what happens next!

The A good girls guide to murder show was lowkey really disappointing. I loved the books so much, and I was expecting the show to be just as good. Spoiler alert; It wasn't. It did't have the dramatics, and the emotions that the books had, and it just seemed very rushed. If u didn't like the books, you're probably not gonna like the show!

Chapters 13-19

I just already know this secret texting thing is going to end badly. It’s probably going to be the reason or a part of the reason for the third act breakup. In the same breath I do really understand why Rowan has chosen to hide his identity from Zhara; he already is insecure and believes no can ever really love him.

Rowan and Ani are the duo I never knew I needed. We only saw a small snippet of them at the end of chapter 19, but I already need more.

We’re already getting hints of the next couple in the series, Iris and Declan. Oh I cannot wait for them two already.

I actually can’t pinpoint the reason I’m loving this one so much. I’ve read hundreds of romances and I genuinely thought this one was going to be a mediocre 3 star read for me so I’m pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for the tip with AGGGTM! I’m in a tv show drought at the moment and was hoping I’d finally found something to watch, it’s best that I don’t waste my time.

Chapters 13-19

This book is so interesting I'm literally in love. I think by now you can tell that I love a lot of things haha!

I like how the author included some diversity with the characters, like Ani. Most authors don't care enough about that, and turn everyone into perfect people who have absolutely no flaws. Lauren might just be my new favourite writer.

Rowan is so self-conscious it's so sad. He's so talented, and it's terrible that he can't see that. I wonder what happened to his mother. I can tell that she was loved dearly by everyone, but what happened? I hope that we find out, and it isn't left as some mystery to be solved in the other two books.

I'm enjoying Rowan's alias, but as you said, this is definitely going to backfire. I can already feel how this is going to take a turn for the worst, and I'm dreading it 😭

Through Scott we get to see more of Rowan as a human, and not just some scary, mean business man, and I really want it to stay that way.

I'm obsessed with this book, and I can already tell i'm gonna love the other two just as much.

If you're in a show drought, u should definitely try watching 13 reasons why, superstore, or modern family! They're lovely shows that i've watched iver and iver again! They're perfect for slump!

I was able to pick this up in between other planned reads and am currently through the end of chapter 19. I'm liking it - it's cute. I first read this probably a couple years ago and since then I would say there are only a couple things so far that I view as mildly problematic but not enough to be an issue.

I ALSO would very much like to read the submission she sent in. It had to have been good to grab his attention like that. I also am dreading what is bound to happen with Rowan texting as Scott - it's going to go south for sure.

I am also curious what their dad is up to - like these 3 guys have their letter for the inheritance - did their dad also get one? Rowan (and I think at least one of his brothers) have pointed out that their dad is also acting differently.

I am a bit bummed to hear about AGGGTM - I LOVE the series and am looking forward to the show but may hold off on it for a bit to make sure I'm in the right place for what sounds like a mid adaptation.

Chapters 20-25

Rowan’s capitalist, unfriendly, intimidating billionaire side has cropped up a few times and always does make me a little uncomfortable. I’m glad that Zhara and Martha are helping him see the error of his ways.

I never picked up on the dad acting differently thing but I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it now. God knows what he’s plotting though. Maybe to try and usurp Rowan’s position.

I’ve watched 13rw and modern family and loved both, but not superstore, so I’ll definitely check that out! :)

Chapters 20-25

GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET THE ENTIRE TIME I READ THIS.

I llooovvveeee this new side of Rowan we're seeing, he's so funny I love it.

Also, how iconic is Ani!? She's so amazing, definitely one of my favourite characters so far.

Have you read king of Wrath? If you have, did the takeout part remind you of Dante too? When he ordered literally everything on the menu of this place Vivian liked. Rowan doing that was so Dante coded.

These chapters seemed like they were more of a filler, so nothing really interesting happened.

BUT! I'm wondering if this is going to turn into a long triangle- can you even call it that? Not really, but I wonder how this whole Scott situation is going to turn out. I hope Zahra doesn't resign from her job just to get away from Rowan afterwards. That would be terrible.

I'm sure you'll love superstore! It's a wonderful show.

I meant to write "love triangle"!

Chapters 26-30

Big big big changes today. The secret was revealed and…….reconciled, kind of ? They still have work to do, but at least we’re on our way there.

We still have around 200 pages left which makes me nervous. At this point in a romance plot line I would expect there to be 50-100 pages left max, so god knows what’s coming.

Ani is absolutely the sweetest and I hope she aides Rowan in winning Zhara’s heart. I’d also love Rowan to meet Zhara’s family, maybe have a family meal with them, it would melt my heart.

Rowan opening up to Zhara about his childhood 😭😭 I’m forever crying. I just know Zhara is going to help heal that part of him, his childhood trauma.

It was revealed that Rowan’s dad did get a letter but it wasn’t said what was in it. I’m guessing some sort of stipulation that allows him to overtake Rowan’s position maybe?

I actually haven’t read king of wrath but it has been on my tbr for a hot minute. However I did read the twisted series which I enjoyed, especially twisted games, so I think I’m going to bump that one up on my tbr.

Chapters 26-30

woah this was..a lot.

Rowans apology was literally the saddest thing I've ever read. Why is it that all male book characters have the saddest back stories ever.

I'm relieved that the whole Scott situation wasn't too drawn out, and I'm glad that Zahra forgave him. I would've been devastated if they ended up not talking to each for like a year or something and there would be a whole time skip and blah blah.

So we finally found out what happened to Rowan's mother. Cancer is a terrible thing, and I feel so bad for him and his family.

Rowan's father is up to no good. I mean, he got a letter too!?
This is definitely going to be a big deal, and I'm a little nervous for what happens next.

Going back to Rowan's apology- though i'm glad it went well, I feel that Zahra caved too easily. That was a huge betrayal of her trust, and I feel she had a right to react worse than she did. Maybe that's just me though.

The twisted series is one of my favs! King of wrath is definitely just as good.

Chapters 31-36

I’m loving these romantic scenes that we’re getting. This sweet side of Rowan is swoon worthy. Although I do share the same concern with you that Zhara absolutely accepted his apology too easily and too quickly.

Ok so I totallyyyy predicted the family meal scene. I am a little sad that it was short, but hopefully we see them all together again before the book ends.

Lol Rowan sending Lance to the other side of the world☠️. I respect Rowan for that because he could’ve been so childish and predictable with it, but he actually took the mature route. Kinda.

Also Declan’s middle name being Lancelot 😭 I hope that gets brought up in his book.

Chapters 31-36

So, I don't know what to think of this.

I love nice Rowan, he's a sweetheart, but I feel like this is moving a little fast.

I mean, he took her to New York! That's great- but this means their relationship is more than casual now. That might mean fine for Zahra, but I don't think Rowan will treat this nicely.

I feel like once he realizes that their relationship is becoming more than what it is now, he may shut down completely because of his insecurities. And Zahra will nottttt like that.

Plus, with how much of the book is left, there's gonna be another blowup between the two.

I like this book, but I feel that it's too predictable- and cliché.

Forget Declan's middle name being Lancelot, LETS TALK ABOUT GALAHAN!?

I was expecting something like "George", NOT that. But it makes him even hotter either way so it doesn't matter haha.

I wonder what Cal's middle name is.

I just realized it's "Galahad" not "Galahan"!!

Chapters 37-41

Aha George was my guess to, Galahad is CRAZY though.

Rowan is definitely going to shut down and push Zhara away so that he doesn’t have to tell her about his grandfather’s will contingencies and keep the relationship with his brother steady.

On the other hand, I do really think he opened up a lot during these chapters, and I’m happy that he now at least feels comfortable enough to open up to Zhara.

I think Zhara getting sick and collapsing at the end of chapter 41 is going to freak Rowan out, and he’ll runaway to protect himself from getting hurt.

I hope we see Zhara meeting Rowan’s brothers at some point though. They’re both quite the characters, so it’d be interesting to see how she’d interact with them.

Chapters 37-41

I'm loving what their relationship is turning into, and now that we've brought the word "love" in, it can only get better from here.

Zahra seeing snow for the first time had me giggling the entire time, she's such a cutie I love her.

I'm worried for her though, her passing out was definitely something serious, and I hope she doesn't find out she has some sort of serious problem.

I feel like Zahra being in the hospital will remind Rowan too much of his mother, and he may just completely shut down- like you said.

Chapters 42-end

I’ve finished early so I’ll hide it as spoilers and leave my final thoughts!

(view spoiler)[ ok, so I love love loved this one! Totally unexpected if I’m being honest, but I just fell in love with Rowan and Zhara both individually and as a couple.

They had me giggling one minute and tearing up the next😭.

Zhara being on the board to vote was a surprise to me, but looking back I should’ve seen it coming. The way Ani defended Zhara and stood up to Rowan was so sweet but yet simultaneously heartbreaking because they were building such a solid relationship. I’m happy it was all rectified in the end.

The epilogue 😭😭🥹🥹 We got a mini Zhara and a mini Rowan on the way! The final few pages when they were sat on the infamous swing🥲

It’s gonna take me a while to get over this one, but at least I have Declan and Iris to look forward to, I just know they are going to be insane. (hide spoiler)]

actually i finished the book as well!! haha i couldn't resist!! i'll drop my review in a few minutes too.

okay! my final review!

I really liked this book, but I have a few thoughts.

This book had a great plot, and I loved the (small) plot twists and such, but I kind of felt that Lauren rushed this book. And the plot was really predictable.

Everything moved really fast, and it was as if she just couldn't wait to be done with the book. A lot of authors do this, and some are able to make it work, but it just didn't work for this one.

Zahra's character was supposed to be strong, but she caved so easily for Rowan, completely going against everything she was telling herself. And yes I know- she was in love and blah blah, but Rowan betrayed her trust, and I think she should've been angrier than she was. I mean, she had already gone into depression because of Lance (I think that's what his name was?), she definitely should've been more mad at Rowan. Or maybe that's just me?

And though I was liking Lauren's writing, I thought that the way she wrote Rowan's apology was just so..cliché. It felt like every other romance book, and there was nothing original about it.

BUT-apart from all this, this book was amazing, and Zahra and Rowan will always have a place in my heart ❤️