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bagelpapi's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
kiwij96's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A super easy story to read, even if it is over 500 pages. There is absolutely 0 plot for the most part, just two adults who have seemingly been in love with each other since they were kids. Yes, at times it got a bit repetitive. Yes, at times I felt it dragged on a bit (Julian definitely could have called in his favour earlier than he did). Yes, sometimes I was hoping for more plot about remodelling the Founder's House. And yes, they definitely should have communicated their thoughts and feelings like actual grown ups.
However, I enjoyed reading this despite some of the criticisms. A lot of romance books that I have read in the past have always ended with children, even when originally characters didn't want them, so to read something that held discussions on infertility and miscarriages and the grief and trauma that comes with them was refreshing.
However, I enjoyed reading this despite some of the criticisms. A lot of romance books that I have read in the past have always ended with children, even when originally characters didn't want them, so to read something that held discussions on infertility and miscarriages and the grief and trauma that comes with them was refreshing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infertility, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child death and Miscarriage
finnickdeservedbetter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tropes & Themes
- Small town
- Billionaire romance
- Childhood rivals to lovers
- Friends with benefits
- Second chance
- Carpenter x interior designer
- One bed
- Witty banter
- Mexican-American FMC & MMC
- Infertility/genetic illness struggles
- Mental health rep (anxiety & depression)
- Dead dad trauma
Spice:
Medium (4+ explict scenes)
My Thoughts:
To absolutely no one's shock, I loved yet another Lauren Asher book.
I took me a second to warm up the Dahlia but I ended up loving her. I really liked seeing not only anxiety and depression representation that was realistic and non-stigmatizing, but also infertility/genetic illness talked about. That's not super common in contemporary romance. I really admired her strength in healing from what Oliver did to her, as well as accepting that she'll always struggle with mental illness. Sometimes it iz what it iz. Anxiety and major depression gang ✌🏻😘
I also loved Julian of course. I too, am a petty and spiteful asshole. I loved seeing his growth and journey learning to be emotionally vulnerable. I also really appreciated seeing a MMC that was adamant about adopting and that adoptive kids are no less part of their family (although conversations about the adoption industry are also very important).
That being said, I'm very excited for Rafe and Ellie's book. Fingers crossed book three will be Lorenzo and Lily 🤞🏻
Favourite Quote:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Infertility, and Grief
Minor: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Death of parent
faraway_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Even though I think this one is not some of her best work my queen Lauren never disappoints people !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Infertility
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship
lemonsforyu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Infertility, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
kalefactory's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Infertility
Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
thatblondiebookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Why was this 500+ pages???? So much unnecessary fluff that I forgot what we were even doing
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
merlesstorys's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay, why are rich men, who adore their love interests so much that they buy them everything at the drop of a hat, so hot? That petty scene at the party where he buys her a house because her ex wanted it? Perfection.
Anyway, I really loved this book. There wasn’t a external conflict breaking them up, rather they stayed together and worked together on their flaws, which was so nice and healthy.
This book was so freaking wholesome in general, even though it dealt with some heavy topics like depression, stillbirths and more.
She was the grumpy one for once, he was the sunshine, but both weren’t just that. They had actual loveable layers that made them vulnerable.
Him going up from second to first choice in her contacts was my second-best revelation throughout this book.
Anyway, I really loved this book. There wasn’t a external conflict breaking them up, rather they stayed together and worked together on their flaws, which was so nice and healthy.
This book was so freaking wholesome in general, even though it dealt with some heavy topics like depression, stillbirths and more.
She was the grumpy one for once, he was the sunshine, but both weren’t just that. They had actual loveable layers that made them vulnerable.
Him going up from second to first choice in her contacts was my second-best revelation throughout this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Infertility, Medical content, Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Miscarriage
raesreadingrealm_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It had been so long since I read from a physical book as opposed to an e-book, I'm glad Love Redesigned broke my dry spell and took my annotating virginity. This read was an easy 5 stars.
Lauren is one of the few authors that got better with popularity. This book perfectly balanced everything, including the cameos and intricate themes, it was just chef's kiss. I loved the banter, how I felt the chemistry when they did little touches or held eye contact for too long, and the tension was felt throughout the book. Julian was so patient, so gruff, so certain ugh he was a MAN. I loved that she didn't miraculously heal Dahlia and that Julian was so firm in his beliefs - she normalized not normalizing a stereotypical family and shed much light on something that many women suffer with. I felt all the emotions in this book and I especially loved every detail she put into it - it was all perfect. I can't wait for Rafa and Ellie's book. Lake Wisteria now has a piece of my heart <3.
Lauren is one of the few authors that got better with popularity. This book perfectly balanced everything, including the cameos and intricate themes, it was just chef's kiss. I loved the banter, how I felt the chemistry when they did little touches or held eye contact for too long, and the tension was felt throughout the book. Julian was so patient, so gruff, so certain ugh he was a MAN. I loved that she didn't miraculously heal Dahlia and that Julian was so firm in his beliefs - she normalized not normalizing a stereotypical family and shed much light on something that many women suffer with. I felt all the emotions in this book and I especially loved every detail she put into it - it was all perfect. I can't wait for Rafa and Ellie's book. Lake Wisteria now has a piece of my heart <3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
abigailreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Lauren Asher’s books are a real mix for me but I enjoyed this one! I loved seeing a shyer mmc and I really think she dealt with some serious issues quite well. The spice was very enjoyable - didn’t feel like inorganic or out of the blue. The chemistry was so solid and I loved that it was very family centric. The ending felt a little open ended but I don’t think that’s a necessarily a bad thing. I’ll be reading the next in the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Minor: Emotional abuse