A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC copy of Terms & Conditions by Jensen Parker.
Marriage of convenience is one of my absolute favorite tropes, I say it all the time, but never enough! However, throw in a touch of marriage in trouble? Oh my God, sign me up! Despite my love for these tropes, I have mixed feelings about this book. I’m still struggling to settle on a rating, maybe around 2.75 stars.
Let’s dive into the review and break down my thoughts in more detail!
Can you lose something that was never really yours in the first place?
When one wrong choice lands him in hot water, Josh Davis has no choice but to make a deal with the Devil. By signing the dotted line, he’ll never have to worry about being implicated in what happened that night.
Elizabeth Cain lost her parents two months before her sixteenth birthday. Per their will, to gain her full inheritance and attend the school of her dreams, she must first be married. When her adoptive mother approaches her with a solution to all of their problems, it’s an offer Elizabeth can’t refuse, even if she wants to. By agreeing to the arranged marriage, Josh and Elizabeth are thrust into a life much different than the ones they imagined.
Over the course of the next decade, they play their parts, make their required public appearances, and successfully fool everyone into thinking they’re madly in love… But not even the perfect ruse can put time on their side. With the terms of their contract coming to an end, Josh and Elizabeth are faced with deciding whether they were meant to stay together or end things once and for all. Elizabeth wants out, but Josh isn’t sure he’s ready to let go. When she invokes the Last Hoorah Clause of their contract, Josh has no choice but to join her on a weekend trip with her friends in Palm Valley—and maybe find a way to keep the woman he never expected to want in the first place.
Review of Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker
Like I said, I have mixed feelings about this book. It had the potential to be a big hit, but it lacked in many ways. Maybe it’s because I didn’t read the first two books in the series, but I didn’t feel as connected to the side characters as I probably should have. I’m not entirely sure, but something just didn’t click for me.
Plot Analysis of Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker
Josh Davis and Elizabeth Cain never planned on a love story—only a business arrangement that would benefit them both. Bound by a decade-long contract, their marriage was supposed to be nothing more than a strategic move—Elizabeth securing her inheritance and Josh finding a way out of a reckless mistake. But as years pass, the lines between obligation and genuine emotion begin to blur.
Elizabeth, fiercely independent and determined to forge her own path, refuses to let the contract define her future. With the agreement nearing its expiration, she’s ready to reclaim her life. But Josh, who once saw their marriage as nothing more than a convenient escape, now finds himself questioning everything. His flaws and past mistakes haunt him, but his undeniable connection to Elizabeth keeps pulling him back.
Characters of Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker
Elizabeth Cain : I struggled to root for her. Even though she had a heartbreaking backstory that did make me feel for her in those moments, it wasn’t enough to truly connect with her. She was quick to judge Josh for his mistakes, yet she never seemed to hold herself accountable for her own. I kept thinking, GIRL, GROW UP!
(Potential spoiler—skip ahead if you haven’t read the book!)
She cheated on Josh twice—once early in their arrangement and then again later. And while their contract technically allowed them to see other people, she still acted as if she was morally superior to him. Meanwhile, Josh never crossed that line, yet she made him carry the full weight of his one mistake. The double standard frustrated me and made it hard to sympathize with her character.
Joshua Davis : Josh’s character felt more developed, likely because the story was told from his POV. There were moments when I was completely rooting for him, and others when he frustrated the hell out of me. I kept thinking, BRO, JUST SPEAK UP! But at the same time, I understood where his insecurities stemmed from. His struggles made him feel more real, and his emotions toward Elizabeth came across as deeply genuine. Even when he made mistakes, his love for her never felt anything less than sincere.
Elizabeth & Josh : Josh’s feelings felt authentic and consistent, but Elizabeth’s were all over the map. She’d be enthusiastic one moment and completely withdrawn the next. Their relationship suffered from a severe case of miscommunication, which is a trope I personally find very frustrating. Despite this, I was still invested in their story and hoping they’d find happiness together.
Pacing & writing style
Jensen’s writing style made for a quick and easy read, but I felt her priorities were misplaced. She dedicated so much attention to describing settings and developing side characters, while the main characters felt underdeveloped. We didn’t even get a description of the leads’ appearances until well past the halfway mark – I didn’t know the FMC had honey-blonde hair until then! I struggled to picture them in my mind, which made it hard to connect. Furthermore, the sheer number of secondary characters and their interwoven storylines was overwhelming. Keeping track of everyone and their individual arcs pulled me out of the main narrative and detracted from my overall enjoyment.
This was my first time reading from a male POV, and I loved it! The author did a fantastic job with it. However, I felt it came at the expense of the female lead. I struggled to connect with her, and I think a dual POV would have allowed for more balanced character development and growth for her.
The pacing in Terms & Conditions was generally smooth and well-managed, and the transitions between past and present were handled skillfully. My only real issue with the pacing was that some scenes felt unnecessarily drawn out, adding little to the overall story. Conversely, other scenes, particularly those that could have deepened our understanding of the characters and the plot, felt rushed and underdeveloped. A tighter focus on the main characters and their story, rather than the numerous side characters, would have greatly benefited the narrative.
Tropes and Trigger warnings of Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker
Tropes of Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker
Marriage of convenience
Second chance
Forced proximity
Marriage in trouble
Friends to lovers
Trigger warnings of Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker
Death
Grief
Violence
Blood
Final Thought
Terms & Conditions by Jensen Parker is a fast-paced and engaging read, perfect for fans of the marriage of convenience trope. While it can technically be read as a standalone, it is part of The Strangers series, and I highly recommend reading the first two books beforehand. Doing so will enhance the overall experience, making it easier to connect with the side characters, who play a significant role in the story.
One of my biggest critiques is that the supporting cast often felt like they took center stage, overshadowing the main couple in several key moments. While I understand the author’s intention to weave their story into the larger series, the heavy focus on side characters sometimes detracted from Josh and Elizabeth’s development. I would have loved to see more depth in their relationship, exploring their emotional growth rather than shifting attention to the wider social circle.
That said, the book still kept me engaged. The family drama, personal struggles, and emotional highs and lows made it an entertaining read. Even though I had mixed feelings about certain aspects, the story held my attention, and I’m now curious to read the first two books and see where the series goes next.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy, I’m looking forward to what’s next!
About the author
Jensen Parker is a contemporary romance author. A former retail manager and real estate professional, but her heart has always belonged to writing (and books!). She has a deep love of traveling, coffee, and wine. She began writing at a young age and continued to develop her craft with programs at Harvard University and Loyola University. When she isn’t working you’ll find her reading, playing with her daughter, cooking, or planning her next vacation. She currently lives in Indiana with her husband, daughter, and their zoo.
Practical Information for Readers
Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker Book Formats
Terms & conditions is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:
Paperback: Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
PDF Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.
Where to find Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker PDF
Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.
Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker Age Rating
Terms & Conditions by Jensen Parker is generally considered an adult romance novel. This means it is intended for readers 18 years and older, due to explicit scenes and the female lead’s difficult past. Please check trigger warnings before reading.
1 thought on “Terms & conditions by Jensen Parker : A Comprehensive Review and Summary”
Comments are closed.