Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher

48 reviews

karlapardo's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

This two are just adorable together. I love the childhood rivals to lovers trope so that had me hooked from the beginning. The banter was *chef’s kiss* the tension! Julian is such a good mmc and you can tell this man is so in love with Dahlia that it’s just beautiful. Also! The way this man shows his love with acts of service *swoon*. Dahlia is just so relatable and I love her. Such a good female main character. Love this book

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theinstabookworm's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

This was my first book by the author, but it won't be my last. I tried reading THE FINE PRINT a while ago and couldn't get into it, but after loving this, I'm definitely going back to it, especially since I have to wait another month for the next book in this series to come out. I'm not a slow-burn girlie, but I ATE THIS UP.

✔️Amazing banter
✔️Chemistry and tension between Dahlia and Julian
✔️Their moms' friendship
✔️Mental health rep
✔️Childhood rivals-to-lovers,
✔️"It's always been you"
✔️Easter eggs from Asher's other books (I assume)

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malop's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative 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

4.75

Dahlia and Julian are two characters I can deeply relate to,

with Dahlia's battle against depression, and Julian's struggle to ever ask for help

it made this a book I find myself coming back to whenever I feel unheard. The love story was great as they complemented each other perfectly and their love bled through the pages, because not only were they lovers, they were best friends which was wonderfully executed.

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worldofv33's review against another edition

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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

Content Warnings

kiwij96's review against another edition

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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.

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tenderbench's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-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

4.25

Content Warnings

finnickdeservedbetter's review against another edition

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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:

“Turns out I’d rather build a home with you than a thousand houses by myself.”

Content Warnings