medium-paced

4.75 ⭐️
Gobbled this up… but maybe it could’ve been shorter?

Love Unwritten by Lauren Asher: A Billionaire Romance That Gets It Right

If you’ve read Lauren Asher’s Dreamland Billionaires series and didn’t love it—same. It just didn’t work for me. But her Lakefront Billionaires series? Now this is the kind of romance I can get behind. It feels more mature, better developed, and honestly, just a much more enjoyable read.

I just finished Love Unwritten, the second book in the series, and I have to say—I really enjoyed it. We follow Rafael, Julian’s cousin from the first book, and Ellie, the nanny for his son. Both of them have intense pasts that shape who they are, and watching their relationship slowly build felt incredibly satisfying.

Why Love Unwritten Worked for Me

First off, I typically don’t love 600-page romance books. They can feel like a drag, but this one? It didn’t feel like 600 pages at all. Yes, it took me longer to read, but it wasn’t exhausting—it was well-paced, engaging, and gave the characters the space to actually grow.

And the best part? No third-act breakup! I hate that trope with a passion. Sometimes, an author throws in a breakup just to create drama, and it completely derails the book. But in Love Unwritten, we actually get a relationship that develops naturally, without forced conflict. It makes the story feel so much more genuine.

The Characters: Depth, Growth, and So Much Emotion

Both Rafael and Ellie have really compelling backstories, especially when it comes to trust issues. Rafael starts out grumpy, closed-off, and emotionally guarded, but his growth is incredibly well-written. You see him struggle, open up, and finally become someone who can truly let love in.

Ellie, on the other hand, has her own battles. Where she came from as a teenager, the struggles she faced before becoming a nanny—it’s all explored so well. She doesn’t just exist as Rafael’s love interest; she’s a fully developed character in her own right.

And then there’s Rafael’s son—one of the most well-written kids in romance books. He’s mature but still has those moments of vulnerability that remind you he’s just eight years old. Watching Rafael and Ellie navigate their relationship while also putting his well-being first added so much depth to the story.

Final Thoughts

I gave Love Unwritten a solid 4 stars. It had everything I wanted:
✔️ A slow-burn romance with real emotional depth
✔️ A grumpy-sunshine dynamic that actually works
✔️ Character growth that feels earned
✔️ No unnecessary third-act drama

I also think we might have gotten a hint about who the third book will be about—but I guess I’ll find out soon since I already pre-ordered it!

Up next on my TBR is Powerless by Elsie Silver, so I’m sticking with romance for now. But once I finish my list, I might switch things up and jump into fantasy.

If you’re wondering whether to pick up Lakefront Billionaires, I say go for it. It’s easily one of the best billionaire romance series I’ve read, and it’s miles ahead of Dreamland Billionaires in every way.
emotional 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: N/A

There wasn’t enough plot to carry the length of this book. While it wasn’t bad, I found myself bored at times. The story had emotional moments and the characters were likable.

That said, Lauren Asher’s writing style often feels a bit distant to me. I understand this is contemporary fiction, but the way people act and speak in the story doesn’t quite reflect real-life behavior, which made it harder for me to stay fully engaged.
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

This book is EVERYTHING. Character development was incredible. The spice was perfect. I was kicking my feet and giggling with the romance and banter. So freaking cute!!!
challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice rating:

I feel like each Lauren Asher’s books just get better and better! The Lakefront Billionaires series is my favorite so far and I actually love that the books in this series are on the thicker side. I feel like Lauren Asher takes her time to develop her characters and their story and I love it so much.

I just Lauren Asher’s writing and stories so much