Thank you to Lauren Asher, Bloom Books, and Raincoast for the advance reader copy of Love Redesigned, the first story in the Lakefront Billionaires series.
I was super intrigued to dive into a new series from Lauren Asher. Once I had the ARC in my hands I was worried about the length. but I am here to tell you don’t dismay! Lauren Asher is so damn good at writing a quick, compelling yet chunky book.
Julian
If I ever caught on fire, Dahlia Muñoz would fan the flames with a smile.
So, when she returns to Lake Wisteria, I fully intend to avoid the interior designer.
At least until my meddling mother exploits my savior complex.
The faster I help Dahlia find her creative spark, the sooner she will leave town.
But while I was busy getting rid of Dahlia, I overlooked one potential issue.
What happens if I want her to stay?
Dahlia
People say the devil has many faces, but I know only one.
Julian Lopez—my childhood rival and family frenemy.
I vow to steer clear of him while recovering from my broken engagement, but then the billionaire makes an irresistible offer.
Renovate a historic house together and triple our profits.
Our temporary truce becomes compromised as we face years’ worth of denied attraction and mixed emotions.
Giving into our desire is inevitable…but falling in love?
That isn’t part of the plan.
Love Redesigned is a steamy, small town romance about two family friends-turned-childhood rivals. It is the first book in the standalone Lakefront Billionaires series and has a happy ending.
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
- Characters: Dahlia and Julian are the lead characters of Love Redesigned. Let’s start with Dahlia who I found intriguing from the first few pages. She had this quiet tenacity about her, no wonder she went from small-town girl to designer with an HGTV-like show. I loved how determined she was, which is what made Julian her perfect match. He puts the billionaire in Lakefront Billionaires and has done mighty well for himself while sacrificing his wants and desires. Both the characters lost their fathers and it shaped who they are as people, and Lauren did such a good job showcasing how that can affect people in two very different ways. Another character that stood out to me almost right away was Julian’s brother, Rafa who I clocked as the hero of the next instalment the minute he walked on the page as a single dad, with a new nanny.
- Setting: Lake Wisteria is the setting for this book and it felt one part gossipy small town with both the Muñoz and Lopez families playing a large role in cheering on the romance. This was balanced with the whimsical nature of the founders’ homes and the renovation of such historic houses. If you’ve read the Dreamland Billionaires then Lake Wisteria will ring a bell, and do not fret Lauren found some great ways to weave a few cameos. I like this town and I cannot wait to read future books set in it.
- Pacing: I read most of this book in about a day as within just the first few chapters I found myself hooked and had no desire to let go. I alluded to just how terrifyingly a brick this book looks but everyone who I have talked to who has read it had a similar experience where it just flew by. I have never seen a romance novel with footnotes before and I loved this! It was awesome to include lots of bits of Spanish, from the terms of endearment to the insults I loved this little touch.
- Romance: Yes this is childhood friends to rivals to lovers, and yes I ate up every second of tension. Most of this book is filled with our couple pranking each other and getting into tizzies but then it just makes those heartwarming quiet moments so impactful. It is a slow burn but I loved every second from the early embers to when the spark burst and the characters could not keep away from each other.
Love Redesigned receives five out of five stars.
You can pick up the story below…
Shop Local | Amazon | Indigo
Thank you again to Bloom Books and Raincoast for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog.
