This was a fabulous introduction to a new series. Julian and Dahlia were perfect for each other, which their meddling mothers knew, but they denied their feelings for a long time. He always viewed her as the one that got away and now that she is back in town old feelings are coming back. Dahlia found a way to leave her ex, who is a horrible person, and start over. She vows to never trust a man, especially someone who hurt her once before, with her heart.

Even when they are acting like they hate each owner, they still show admiration for what they have accomplished. They have horribly mean nicknames for each other but they all in good fun. The wonderful banter, angst, and discussions about topics most people don’t want to talk about; mental health, infertility, loss, and grief are so poignant and touching that you will be all in your feels. That’s not to say it is all emotional, there were plenty of times that I was giggling.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

“The feminism left my body the moment you mentioned spiders.” Hehe my fave line. Okay, review time.

I just…couldn’t connect the way I wanted to. I enjoyed the storyline, and Julian is certainly a very sweet cutie patootie. But I wasn’t feeling the love like I want to feel the love when reading a swoony romance. I found myself getting exhausted by the sheer number of words I had to consume, I could’ve done without several hundred pages here. We could’ve gotten where we needed to go in a more efficient and compact manner. But alas, that’s not always the way it goes and that is fine. The 500+ page romances are usually hit or miss for me.

I would still recommend the book, just prepare for A LOT OF STORY.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

Dahlia is back in town, to lick her wounds, after a big heartbreak and broken engagement. Which means she is once again crossing paths with her childhood crush and best friend, Julian, with whom she is now estranged. Their current relationship is... awkward at best, until their forced to work together on a project. She is a HGTV style home renovator and designer, and he is a billionare home builder and company owner... so with their skillset, renovating a historical home in town should be a breeze right?!

My feels: I really, really loved this one - however felt it was a tad too long. The characters are very well developed, and loveable - and as always, Lauren Asher kills it with the chemistry and spice.

Definitely recommend!! 4.5/5 Stars

*Gifted by Bloom Books & Netgalley - thank you! All opinions are my own.

Thank you netgalley and Sourcebooks for an eARC in exchange for a review.

I loved this book, solid 4.5 stars. This is the first book in the Lakefront Billionaires series and follows childhood frenemies, Julian and Dahlia as they get a second chance at romance; and mercilessly roasting each other. The story moves along at a great pace, and sets up well for a second book. I loved both of their families and how much they interfered in Julian and Dahlia's lives, it felt very Gilmore Girls.

There is a ton of heart and diversity in this book, including little footnotes for when some of the characters switch to Spanish. There was also discussions around grief and family loss, as well as expectations for how you want your life to turn out and chasing your dreams. I will be recommending this to tons of people.

I loved this one! At first, I wasn't so sure, but as I got to know more about Julian and Dahlia, I completely fell in love. Loved the romance, loved the spice, loved how the characters overcame their grief, depression, anxiety, etc. Great start to a new series, I'm excited!

I am going to say this here confidently: It is the best book by Lauren Asher to date (by far). Asher gave the perfect mix of childhood rivals to lovers that provided the tension promised, a complex character development between both main characters, heart-felt and tough moments executed perfectly, and a swoon-worthy romance all wrapped up into one excellent first book. So many moments had me absolutely obsessed with the world Lauren Asher created, down to the little town details she provided.

This series will be one of those where I impatiently wait for the next book and the next because I cannot seem to get over it.

📖 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖 ℝ𝕖𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕃𝕒𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕟 𝔸𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕣

"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."

Dahlia has returned to her childhood hometown after a nasty breakup with her boyfriend of 9 years/fiancé of 2 years. She’s battling anxiety and depression, and just wants to hideaway from the world. Unfortunately, Dahlia is a TV home renovation star and a local idol in her hometown. On her first day back, she gets into a fender bender with her childhood rival, Julian.

Julian has reached billionaire status after creating a real estate app/company with his cousin. 9 years ago while attending Stanford with Dahlia, his feelings for her shifted to attraction. After one world altering kiss, everything was heading in the right direction until he suffers a loss and he pushes her away, right into his roommate’s arms.

Now his and Dahlia’s mother want Julian to help Dahlia work through her struggles and get her on the right track again by teaming up with her to renovate one of Lake Wisteria’s last founder’s house.

This was a great book! The banter and constant pranks between Dahlia and Julian were hilarious, if not childish at times. Dahlia’s character was very relatable as she tries to cope with her anxiety and depression. Julian is a great big softie at heart, and definitely has a savor complex. He’s afraid of letting anyone get close enough to him because he can’t live through another loss.

Fans of Lauren Asher’s Dreamland Billionaire series will love this book! There are a bunch of cameos/mentions about those characters. I can’t wait for more books in the Lakefront Billionaire series!

Overall rating, 4.5⭐️! Once they both get over their childhood rivalry and stop lashing out at each other, their relationship builds very nicely!

Spice rating: 2.5 🌶️

Tropes:
🩶 Dual POV
🌻 Mental Health
🫶🏼 Childhood Rivals to Lovers
🏠 Home renovations/design
🥵 Forced proximity
🛏️ One bed
☕️ Small town
💃🏻 Push/Pull Relationship

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for my eARC so that I can share my honest review! 🩶

4/5 Stars

Thank you to Bloom Books, Netgalley, and Lauren Asher for the ARC.

So I got this arc after release day. That's why this review is only now being posted but I was super excited to be approved for this arc. I really liked the Dreamland Billionaires series and I am one of the people that really liked book 3 so I was excited for this new series set at Lake Wisteria and I loved it. I really liked that both the FMC and MMC are rich unlike a lot of billionaire or millionaire romances where just the MMC is rich. I loved the small town vibes yet also you have the fun things that come with a billionaire romance.

Dahlia is returning to her hometown after a bad breakup and the possible destruction of her career but she just needs a break from the emotional abuse she was put through for years. The worst part about coming home is the fact she has to be face to face with Julian Lopez who was her childhood rival and family frenemy but she vows to steer clear from him until he makes an irresistible offer. Julian was in love with Dahlia Muñoz but after his father died he ruined everything and he thinks that finally he is over his feelings for Dahlia. But when his mom asks him to help Dahlia he can’t say no whether it is because he loves his mother or he sees this as a way to get Dahlia out of town sooner. But their feelings start to become less rivals and more romantic and they don’t know what to do about it.

I loved seeing Dahlia heal during this book. She is coming out of a very toxic and emotionally abusive relationship with Julian's ex friend and her sense of self and confidence is in the deepest hole imaginable so she has to figure out how to heal and deal with the fact she is working with a man she hates. Julian is still healing from the death of his father even though it was decades ago so when one of the biggest mistakes he ever made comes back to face him, he actually has to tackle what he feels. Julian is surrounded by family and by love but he can’t figure out why he still feels lonely.

This book handles depression and infertility very well I feel. While I can’t fully say if infertility was handled perfectly, since I haven’t dealt with that. I do have a lot of conditions that will affect my fertility and understand how it feels to learn you shouldn’t have a child at least not biologically. I can talk about depression as I have depression and have for most of my life, and I really related to how Dahlia felt. The lack of interest in what she loved, and the feeling like you just don’t quite fit was really amazing.

I do recommend this book especially if you like other Lauren Asher books. I can not wait for the next book as I think it is featuring Rafa’s book and I think it is a nanny romance which I always eat up.

This BOOK!!! 5 stars. The slow burn build up wears fantastic and the second-chance?! I was eating it up. I loved how their families were best friends and it forced them to be closer to each other. This is probably my favorite Lauren Asher book and she has SO many amazing books. Highly recommend this tension-filled, close proximity enemies to lovers slow burn.

4.5 stars rounded up. Lauren Asher started this new series off with a win for me. I loved this one.

Childhood nemeses to brief-almost-lovers to only-forced-family-interaction-enemies to full-on-lovers was quite the journey for Dahlia and Julian, but what a journey it was. I always gets a little nervous when the childhood nemesis turned grown up enemy storyline is involved because it can read immature and mean-spirited at times but I never felt that way here, likely because it was all done in an effort to redirect the energy of attraction and emotions they were trying to hold back. Dahlia and Julian had both been through life-alternating trauma and loss in different ways. The softness and understanding that Julian gave to Dahlia when he decided he was done running was so lovely. Dahlia’s determination to pick herself up and find her way back to herself was admirable and the bravery she showed in allowing herself to trust again was beautiful. This book was an emotional slow burn even once the spice caught fire. It felt very genuine.

I’m already looking forward to the rest of this series.

I tore through this book in a day! I loved the friends to rivals to enemies to friends to lovers journey we got between Dahlia and Julian.

We love a billionaire that is still living humbly but making sure his family and friends are taken care of.

I really loved the way that Julian was so open and honest finally about his feelings and remained steadfast through Dahlia’s moments where she felt like she couldn’t trust anything.

I’m definitely looking forward to future books in the Lakefront Billionaires series!

Thank you NetGalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review!

billionaire/interior designer romance
- Small town
- Second chance

5⭐️Oh Julian Lopez… you have my WHOLE HEART! That man, was SO HOT. Every single word out of his mouth had me on the floorrrrrr! He was a sweet talker who had me at the first chapter.

Lake Wisteria is the cutest little small town ever that if I could travel anywhere in the universe for one day, it would be there! I adore how close and kind everyone is to one another! Reminds me of my family <3

Side note: I love the very real, and “non-conformative” issues dealt with in this book. I always love and appreciate seeing a couple who knows what they want and won’t always bend to societal norms and speaks their ways for their life. A beautiful love story about self preservation <3

Dahlia and Julian and hands down, one of the hottest, sweetest, funniest couples there is to excited! Lauren Asher KNOWS what she’s doing when she writes a purple book (Love Redesigned & Redeemed)! This book was like coming home in the cold with a warm cup of tea <3

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

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ //5

Love Redesigned
by: Lauren Asher

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Do you love a book that:

- Grumpy x Grumpy
- Small Town
- Childhood Friends To Lovers
- One Bed ;)
- Billionaire

This will be for you and it has even more within!

UM EXCUSE ME. OOOWWEEE this spicy romcom full of spicy hot banter is my favorite! This book though is what’s up! I literally left no crumbs at the end of this. I loved these two main characters, I loved watching their dynamic and watching it grow into something bigger. They were two cute through the entire book throwing all their banter back and forth but the chemistry TOP KNOTCH! I wanted more of this after it was over, I didn’t want to leave this story at all. This book easily stomped its way around all my 2023 books and sat in first place. LOVED THIS and will forever watch for more books by the author to gobble up and devour.

First, I just want to say I didn't realize Julian made a cameo in Final Offer so when I figured that out, it was a pleasant surprise and I was super happy to see some cameos of characters from the Dreamland Billionaires series!

This was a good second chance romance book. There are some heavier topics discussed, especially in the beginning, and while there were some things that were done well, I think we could have gotten a deeper dive with Dahlia's emotions at the end.

The book did feel a tad bit too long but I personally really liked seeing how Julian and Dahlia's relationship came full circle. There was a lot of healing and discovery to do on both sides and it was really wholesome to see how their story was eventually revealed. Since they have so much history, they know exactly how to push each other while also knowing exactly what kind of support is perfect for each other.

I feel like I've read so many books where the fmc will do everything to deny the fact that they should be together, even if she is aware of her feelings, so that part felt a bit overused. However, I adored how attentive Julian was and how much effort he put in to show how secure he is in their relationship. His grand gestures were extremely cute and the revelations about his feelings were done so well. The side characters were fun and I'm really excited to see how Rafa and Ellie will work things out in future books!

i spent the summers at my grandparents, where HGTV plays on a never ending loop between soap operas. so, i like a good home renovation show (and don’t even get me started on the vortex that is house hunters). but i had no idea how ~satisfying~ it would be to combine a home renovation with some romance. mmmMMM!!!

julian and dahlia have been competing since they were teens. but julian always held a secret torch for dahlia (he keeps all these little momentos of their competitions my HEART). he was always too afraid to make a move so it wasn’t until college that they finally kissed. but then a terrible tragedy happened and julian pushed dahlia away… a decade later, dahlia is back, but she’s a shell of herself. julian swore he wouldn’t fall for her again, but the moment he sees her that all flies out the window. he’ll do anything to make her smile, even if it means teaming up to renovate an old house together.

i like it when the enemies are real enemies and then turn into lovers. but you know what i like better? when they aren’t actually enemies at all and one of them has always been desperately in love and trying to cover it up by *hating* the other. it makes for the most delicious banter. and pining. and angst.

julian simps for his girl. and he’s a billionaire. simp 🤝 billionaire… this is the greatest combo of all time. why? because he can be like: oh, you want that 10 million dollar house? let me make a phone call. AND HE DOES.

he literally pays her 100k to THROW HER ENGAGEMENT RING INTO A CONCRETE MIXER. iconic. and inside his little the head the whole time he’s just falling hard and fast for dahlia. my heart was soaring.

another thing i loved! they play little pranks on one another. ADORABLE.

and we get to be back in lake wisteria with some pop-ins from the Kane brothers! there are small-town activities and they are all set during the holiday season, which made the book extra warm and cozy.

there’s ONLY ONE BED.

you pick up the book to read 20 pages and suddenly you’ve read 200?? the best feeling!!

i could go on and on, but just go read this! experience joy!!

This is the second Lauren Asher book I’ve read and she's definitely become one of my favourite authors. I loved the way the relationship between Dahlia and Julian developed and I loved being back in Wisteria Lake. I can’t wait for Rafa’s book.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@laurenasherauthor has written yet another amazing love story that will have you swooning and giggling. Every single one of her books hit the spot for me, but this has made it to the top 3.

Dahlia Muñoz is recovering from a broken engagement, and has returned to her childhood home at Lake Wisteria. Unfortunately for her, she bumps into Julian Lopez - her childhood rival and family frenemy. She vows to steer clear of him but what she doesn’t know is that Julian’s mother has exploited his savior complex, and tasked him to help Dahlia recover emotionally. Julian then came up with an irresistible offer to renovate a historic house together and help Dahlia find her creative spark. But both of them overlooked one potential issue - their truce would mean facing years’ worth of denied attraction and mixed emotions.

If you’ve read the Dreamland Billionaires series, Lake Wisteria should ring a bell for you as this was the same location where Final Offer took place (and with that we get cameos! Iykyk). If you have not read the series, fret not - this is a complete standalone.

The mutual pining and slow burn in the first half was so delicious. I loved how Dahlia’s and Julian’s occupation is weaved into their love story, with the project creating many cute interactions and character development moments. The banter kept me engaged and the tension had me rooting for them - communication is 💯(no 3rd act breakup 💃). The family dynamics was top notch, with many laugh out loud moments. The story was also balanced out with heavier themes like grief, depression, and infertility which was handled with care, making the story more real but not too sombre for a romance.

Don’t even get me started on the spice - LOVED all the scenes (2🌶️). For my girlies who love to be praised, Julian’s got you 😉

I highly recommend you pick this read up if you love:
💜 Billionaire Romance
💜 Enemies to Lovers
💜 Childhood Rivals to lovers
💜 Slow Burn
💜 Small Town Romance
💜 Forced Proximity

This series is off to an awesome start and I cannot wait for the next!

4.5⭐️ If I'm a sucker for anything it's a spicy romcom with loads of witty banter 💜 This book singlehandedly proves my theory that the better the banter is between two characters, the better the chemistry, the better the romance, and the better the spice. These two are roasting each other aliveeeee on every single page and it translates to SO much heat and tension! There is such a perfect balance between trusting playfulness and grumpy rivalry between these two and it just makes for the perfect sweet and funny romcom.

🏡 grumpy x grumpy
🏡 HGTV inspired
🏡 small town romance
🏡 childhood friends to lovers
🏡 one bed
🏡 billionaire

I had such a blast reading this. Lauren Asher has come such a long way from her first published book and this was a delight to read. Julian and Dahlia had great chemistry. I loved their banter and every interaction. These two characters really carried the book for me. I also enjoyed the way they always wanted each other. They served rivals to lovers so well. Cant wait for the next book!

OH MY GOODNESS LAUREN ASHER DOES IT ONCE AGAIN!!

Love Redesigned was everything and more. Especially with this book surrounding Mexican characters, it is even more special to me. You don’t read too many books about Mexicans and this was absolutely perfect. So, thank you Lauren for writing and giving us Mexicans representation in a romance book because you don’t get that very much. It filled me with so much happiness to be represented in a book by such an iconic author. The Spanish and the family in this book made me feel right at home. I loved every second.

But seriously, Julian and Dahlia having that rivals to lovers romance was all consuming!! It was so beautiful, and so entertaining!!! I loved their tension and banter and the way they mended together so perfectly. I will never get over these two wanting each other for years and just finally waiting for that moment where they could give in. I am forever obsessed with this book!!!