A review by _onemorechapter_
Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

“I could find a hundred different ways to tell her I care enough to choose her, but none of them matter unless I find a way to show her.”

💭A Swoon-Worthy, Banter-Packed Delight

Lauren Asher really said, "Let me sprinkle some second-chance romance, forced proximity, and delicious angst into a mixing bowl and create the perfect book boyfriend while I’m at it." And you know what? She ATE.

Love Redesigned is giving HGTV meets heartbreak, and I was living for every single moment.

We’ve got Julian — Mr. Ice King, architect extraordinaire, emotionally constipated but secretly a mushy mess. And then there’s Dahlia—our sunshine girl turned independent queen, out here trying to avoid the walking heartache that is Julian. Too bad fate (and a shared project) had other plans. Their history is woven with childhood rivalry, a constant dance of competition and one-upmanship. Little did they realize that, beneath the teasing and rivalry, a profound connection was quietly taking root. 

This book had me feeling things. The tension? Immaculate. The yearning? Gut-punching. The romance? Fireworks-level stunning. Julian and Dahlia’s history is tangled, messy, and oh-so-addictive. Every glance, every touch, every flashback had me gripping my Kindle like my life depended on it. And don't even get me started on the "banter" between Julian and Dahlia. It was *mind-blowing.* 
Every conversation, every sharp remark, every teasing exchange? Peak entertainment. 
Their chemistry was flawless—flirty, fiery, and fun in all the right ways. I couldn’t get enough. Their romance felt like a perfectly mixed cocktail: "one part sexual tension, one part deep emotional connection, and a whole lot of chaotic flirting." 
The romance was the best part of this book because when you get a man like Julian, it's bound to be amazing.

But what truly made me love this book? The character growth. Julian, the man who once fumbled the bag, is out here WORKING for it. And Dahlia? She’s not just sitting around waiting—she’s thriving, demanding better, and making sure she gets what she deserves. We love a self-respecting queen.

And I have officially found the "best" book boyfriend in Julian. I don’t care that he exists in a fictional world; I am 'in love' and fully prepared to fight for this man. This man embodies the dream partner for any girl. His love and devotion to Dahlia had me genuinely giddy, kicking my feet in the air. Despite his personal struggles, he never allowed them to overshadow his unwavering love for Dahlia. He went above and beyond for her – brought her dream house and made a pro-con list for 12 years where the only "con" was the fear she might not love him back. His unwavering commitment and patience during her struggles showcased a profound dedication. It's not an exaggeration; this man genuinely revered the ground she walked on. The way he spends an 'insane' amount of money on Dahlia without blinking?? "Take my heart, sir." Billionaires in books usually make a whole speech about not wanting to spoil their love interest, but Julian? No hesitation. No guilt-tripping. Just pure, unfiltered, "Here, take everything I have because I adore you" energy. We love a thoughtful, financially reckless king.  

The pacing? Absolute perfection. I ate this book up in two days because putting it down wasn’t an option. Every chapter had me fully hooked, and if I could have devoured it faster, I would have. Lauren knows exactly how to keep a story moving without sacrificing character depth, and I am forever grateful.  

Also, can we talk about the side characters? Because they were serving. I love the moms. The friendships, the banter, the found-family vibes? Chef’s kiss. I need spinoffs, novellas, deleted scenes—ANYTHING.

Final thoughts - If you love billionaire romances with a hero who actually 'deserves' the title of best book boyfriend, "read this immediately." If you enjoy fast-paced, swoon-worthy, *banter-filled* stories, this book is calling your name. And if you, like me, find yourself wishing Julian was real…well, we suffer together.

𝐏.𝐒 Julian Lopez, if you’re out there, please come ruin my life. 

𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 If I see anyone slandering this man, I will be taking legal action.

🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5                                                                                                                                       🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Contemporary Romance  
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Lakefront Billionaires (Book 1)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:Absolutely!!
If you love second-chance romance with sizzling chemistry, emotional depth, and a hero who has to grovel (and does it WELL), Love Redesigned is calling your name. Answer it. 📞💘
                                                                                                
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:

“When did we go from wanting to murder each other to wanting to murder for one another?”

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

“If you have to change yourself to fit someone’s ideal version of you, then that’s not love.”

“He stares up at me like one does the sun—in equal parts pain and wonder.”

“Life without you was a series of pros and cons. Risks and rewards. Black and white with very few shades of gray. But then you came back and flipped a switch inside me, flooding my world with color after a ten-year blackout, and I don’t plan on giving that up. Not now. Not ever.”

“To those whose love language is words of affirmation. Your praise kink is safe with me (and Julian Lopez).”

“I’m falling in love with you, Dahlia. I don’t expect you to say it back after everything you’ve been through this year, but I didn’t want to go another night without you knowing how I feel. Just like I can’t go another day with you thinking I’m okay with us keeping things casual.” Por Dios. His eyes shimmer from the moon peeking through the clouds. “I missed out on a chance to make you mine before, but I don’t plan on making the same mistake again. We’re the real deal, sweetheart, and I’m done letting you believe anything else.”

“Whatever it is, I’ll fix it.
Whoever hurt her, I’ll ruin them.
And whenever she needs someone to lean on, I will be there.”

“I scowl. “You know what happens when you tell an anxious person to relax?” “What?” I squeeze his hand harder. “The complete freaking opposite!”

“Julian interlocks our fingers and tucks my hand against his chest. “Breathe.” He demonstrates, and I follow along. “Everything will be fine because you have me, and I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you,” he responds between deep inhales.”

“Julian won’t hurt you.” I rear back. “How do you know?” “The answer is obvious every time I catch him staring at you.” My heart misses a beat. “What do you mean?” “That man would rather hurt himself before putting you in true harm’s way.” I lock my knees together to stop myself from toppling over. “Mami.” “It’s been that way since you were kids.”

“Your issue isn’t depending on people but rather finding the right people to depend on.”

“Funny how I spent ten years searching for someone to make me feel a fraction of the way Dahlia did, only to end up here, hoping I get to spend the rest of my days with her.”

“You only have one negative.” Con: She may never love me back. “Little by little, your cons annoyingly started making their way over to the pros column.” Her laugh comes out like a half sob. “That’s ridiculous.” “No, Dahlia, that’s love.”                                                                                                                                                             “Experiencing Julian’s love for a moment is far better than me spending a lifetime without it, wondering what might have happened had I given him a chance.”

“I love the little ways he shows he cares, like giving me the last piece from his favorite sushi roll or only stealing a single bite of dessert before handing it over, although I know we both suffer from the same unfortunate sweet tooth.”

“There was nothing I wanted more than my mom’s hugs and her unwavering belief that Vicks VapoRub will cure everything, including a broken heart.”

“Dahlia, I'm not going to give up because you expect me to.”
“Because you like a challenge?”
“Because I like you enough to know you're worth fighting for.”

“Her smile rivals the brightest gem, and I’ll be damned if anyone threatens her happiness again. She is more valuable to me than anything else, and it’s only a matter of time before she realizes that. And it’s my job to help get her there.”

“If he keeps talking that way, I might do something incredibly stupid and fall in love with him.”

“But I know this will be good for him.”
“How so?”
“Because this is what life is all about.”
“Decorating?”
“Living rather than going through the motions.”

“What do you say about making this place ours?” I drop a kiss on the base of her neck. “Tempting, but you know how my mom feels about living with someone before marriage.” “That can easily be arranged.” Her eyes roll. “Ask me again in a year.” “I’ll hold you to that.” Until then, I plan on making this woman mine in every sense of the word. Mine to love. Mine to marry. Mine to cherish for as long as we live.”

“Julian doesn’t wait for a reply before he bends down and captures my mouth with his. I bask in the afterglow of his admission as he kisses me, making me feel the truth behind his words. Every kiss feels like a promise. Every touch an oath. A vow that Julian will love me, cherish me, and protect me—no matter if I choose to believe it or not.”