Lauren Asher

Julian
If I ever caught on fire, Dahlia Muñoz would fan the flames with a smile.
So, when she returns to Lake Wisteria, I fully intend to avoid the interior designer.
At least until my meddling mother exploits my savior complex.
The faster I help Dahlia find her creative spark, the sooner she will leave town.
But while I was busy getting rid of Dahlia, I overlooked one potential issue.
What happens if I want her to stay?
 
Dahlia
People say the devil has many faces, but I know only one.
Julian Lopez—my childhood rival and family frenemy.
I vow to steer clear of him while recovering from my broken engagement, 
but then the billionaire makes an irresistible offer.
Renovate a historic house together and triple our profits.
Our temporary truce becomes compromised as we face years’ 
worth of denied attraction and mixed emotions.
Giving into our desire is inevitable…but falling in love?
That isn’t part of the plan. 
 
Tropes: childhood rivals, small town, billionaire, forced proximity

Love Redesigned

Clara

The last time I cried like this, my dad was being placed in the ground.

Dahlia having concerns about her new offer and conflicting doubts with her relationship with Julian.

San Fransisco has been my home since I started at Stanford, but Lake Wisteria has my heart… and Julian along with it.

Two sweet gestures in a span of ten minutes? If this is the kind of treatment I get after a make out session, I can’t imagine what will happen once I finally suck his cock.

Kymora Wang

Dahlia plucks the Formula 1 VIP paddock passes from tne floor. "Nice choice."

My stomach growls loud enough to have her looking up.

Truth is, I do care about Dahlia, regardless of whether I want to or not.

Julian is hot. Like really fucking hot in a look-but-don’t-touch kind of way.

Men in hard hats and work boots are my new kink

We find out that the relationship ended because Dahlia can’t have children.

Oliver pulled the plug on our nine year relationship.

Where my mom is a worrier, Josefina is a fixer like her son.

It’s pathetic how one smile from her can stir up countless memories,

Sophia

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

Ian Brakspear

"If you have to change yourself to fit someone's ideal version of you, then that's not love."

Now how’d you get that from one kiss😭

Temi Awani

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.

Linsey Mombert

“Sorry. The feminism left my body the moment you mentioned spiders." 

i have been loving the spicy romances recently so this was good read. cute little rivals to lovers 

Haley Bucklin

the fact that this book got me out of my reading slump says a lot. i would have to admit that the first few chapters were a bore for me as i'm a sucker for lovey-dovey scenarios while this one had the most gut wrenching exhange of dialogues from the past. 

— rivals to enemies to strangers to lovers, second chance, i waited for you for almost my whole life trope 

— i didn't expect to connect w dahlia so much which had me spiraling thru my past experiences resurfacing faster than my consciousness LOL. she had it worse tho :'((.

— i love LOVE all the characters. they were written perfectly and a little bit too funny for me to handle i love it so much. 

dahlia: she's really strong, i admire her for that; she'd gone thru a lot of things but she managed to past thru all of that. the character development, the passion, the courage, the teasing, the revenge ?! no one could have done it better. i understand julian for falling for her, because who wouldn't !? 

julian: i could talk about him for HOURS. he's everything! the first few chapters (again) were NOT IT with some foul comments, but ok the other chapters ?? i'd give him that, HE IS EVERYTHING. wdym he loved dahlia for like what almost his whole life and waited for like 12 years and bought the dreamhouse of dahlia which she mentioned when they were still kids and on a pageant and he remembered that despite her being engaged to some other guy and bought her THE ring she always dreamed about having and planning their marriage ever since he bought her a ring and was ready to marry her anytime of the day the week the month the year and wud plan out everything just so you won't have to worry about a thing or two. these words aren't enough to demo the admiration i have for this guy but i guess my annotations will be able to. i've never had THIS MANY annotations before and i almost purchase the hardcopy because reading this novel in epub is gonna be the end of me i want to have a hold of it. 

i'm so happy for them, they deserved each other but i had to say that i'm painfully and awfully jealous because i want what they have please give me my julian lopez in this lifetime and i shall rest in my peace. 

kshi

the fact that this book got me out of my reading slump says a lot. i would have to admit that the first few chapters were a bore for me as i'm a sucker for lovey-dovey scenarios while this one had the most gut wrenching exhange of dialogues from the past. 

about the book:

— rom(com?) !!

— rivals to enemies to strangers to lovers, second chance, i waited for you for almost my whole life trope 

— i didn't expect to connect w dahlia so much which had me spiraling thru my past experiences resurfacing faster than my consciousness LOL. she had it worse tho :'((.

— i love LOVE all the characters. they were written perfectly and a little bit too funny for me to handle i love it so much. 

dahlia: she's really strong, i admire her for that; she'd gone thru a lot of things but she managed to past thru all of that. the character development, the passion, the courage, the teasing, the revenge ?! no one could have done it better. i understand julian for falling for her, because who wouldn't !? 

julian: i could talk about him for HOURS. he's everything! the first few chapters (again) were NOT IT with some foul comments, but ok the other chapters ?? i'd give him that, HE IS EVERYTHING. wdym he loved dahlia for like what almost his whole life and waited for like 12 years and bought the dreamhouse of dahlia which she mentioned when they were still kids and on a pageant and he remembered that despite her being engaged to some other guy and bought her THE ring she always dreamed about having and planning their marriage ever since he bought her a ring and was ready to marry her anytime of the day the week the month the year and wud plan out everything just so you won't have to worry about a thing or two. these words aren't enough to demo the admiration i have for this guy but i guess my annotations will be able to. i've never had THIS MANY annotations before and i almost purchase the hardcopy because reading this novel in epub is gonna be the end of me i want to have a hold of it. 

i'm so happy for them, they deserved each other but i had to say that i'm painfully and awfully jealous because i want what they have please give me my julian lopez in this lifetime and i shall rest in my peace. 

Unpopular opinion I tried getting into the Dreamland Billionaires series and it just wasn’t for me, making me wary to start the Lakefront Billionaires series. That being said, I absolutely loved this book with enemies to lovers and a small town romance how could I not!!!!! You could also say it’s a second chance romance as Dahlia gives Julian a second chance after he broke her heart all those years ago. You can tell Julian regretted pushing Dahlia away all those years ago and it made my heart ache for him because she was his “the one who got away”. What really melted my heart was the fact that Julian had bought the blue Founder’s house years ago for Dahlia after she took part in the Strawberry Sweetheart pageant and had said one of her wishes was to own the blue Founder’s house. This just proves that Julian would have loved her for the rest of his life. Having loved this book has me thinking I should give the Dreamland Billionaires series a second chance????

Amber 

I enjoyed this book a lot!!! I can’t wait to read the next one!! 

- childhood friends to enemies to lovers 

- healing after parental loss(historical off page) 

I am very excited for the next book as I loved the side characters in this book a lot! 

Brittany Peterson

Solid 3.5 from me!! 

I enjoyed this book a lot!!! I can’t wait to read the next one!! 

What you can expect 

- billionaire romance 

- childhood friends to enemies to lovers 

- house remodelling

- meddling families

- healing after parental loss(historical off page) 

- a cute as heck godson 

- mid spice 

I am very excited for the next book as I loved the side characters in this book a lot! 

Kaitlin Slaughter

Would be three stars but it was soooooo long

Minahil Fatima 

julien might be my favourite. like i thought i loved declan but lauren asher you cooked with this one. 

spent 14 hours on a plane reading this and boy did i have fun.

This book was written so perfectly, I loved how creative it is and all the different design concepts throughout the novel. The epilogue with the wedding, was filled with so much emotion and love that it brought tears to my eyes. Can not wait to read the next book in this series. 

clau☁️

This book hit so close to home in so many ways that it made me way more emotional than it should have

I live for the bickering and competition between Dhalia and Julian 

Jaclyn

Ellie M.

I'm so excited for Julian and Dahlia's story! The cover is gorgeous and I've also ran out of lauren asher books so I'm looking forward to this <3

zatul 

Selin Igten

how is this worse than the books i’ve read on wattpad when i was 11

I loved this book way more than I thought I would. This was my first book by Lauren Asher, and I can’t believe I waited so long to read her books. 

I really loved Julian and Dahlia’s story. The more I read second chance romance, the more I like them. I love a good redemption story, so that makes sense. 

I adore Julian. I loved how down to earth he was. He didn’t flash his money around as much as he could have, and when he did it was all for Dahlia. I loved all of the little things he would do for her, like open the car door or give her his coat. His patience with her was incredible. I also loved his individual story. Watching him still struggle with his father’s death, even though he died a while ago, and seeing how he came to terms with his insecurities because of how his father’s death affected him was beautiful. 

I loved Dahlia too. The things she personally dealt with in the book were heavy things. I appreciated that she handled them in a relatable way. She moved home, wallowed for a bit, and then found something to do, with Julian’s help of course. I appreciated that we watched Dahlia spiral a bit and lay around and watch TV. I also appreciated her anxiety and constant overthinking. Both were so relatable. I loved how Julian handled her overthinking too. He never wavered. He held fast. Also, Dahlia’s fear of spiders…incredibly relatable. I too would’ve fallen off a ladder and broken my arm if a spider was on me. I also don’t know that I would’ve forgiven Julien so quickly for that prank.

Julian and Dahlia have fantastic chemistry which made their story such a joy to read. I was swooning and kicking my feet multiple times. 

Kendall Deranek

I loved this book way more than I thought I would. This was my first book by Lauren Asher, and I can’t believe I waited so long to read her books. 

I really loved Julian and Dahlia’s story. The more I read second chance romance, the more I like them. I love a good redemption story, so that makes sense. 

I adore Julian. I loved how down to earth he was. He didn’t flash his money around as much as he could have, and when he did it was all for Dahlia. I loved all of the little things he would do for her, like open the car door or give her his coat. His patience with her was incredible. I also loved his individual story. Watching him still struggle with his father’s death, even though he died a while ago, and seeing how he came to terms with his insecurities because of how his father’s death affected him was beautiful. 

I loved Dahlia too. The things she personally dealt with in the book were heavy things. I appreciated that she handled them in a relatable way. She moved home, wallowed for a bit, and then found something to do, with Julian’s help of course. I appreciated that we watched Dahlia spiral a bit and lay around and watch TV. I also appreciated her anxiety and constant overthinking. Both were so relatable. I loved how Julian handled her overthinking too. He never wavered. He held fast. Also, Dahlia’s fear of spiders…incredibly relatable. I too would’ve fallen off a ladder and broken my arm if a spider was on me. I also don’t know that I would’ve forgiven Julien so quickly for that prank.

Julian and Dahlia have fantastic chemistry which made their story such a joy to read. I was swooning and kicking my feet multiple times. 

Lauren never disappoints. I’m kicking myself for taking so long to read this but I’m going to use the excuse of not wanting to have nothing else to read by her at least now I only have to wait a couple of months. What I’ll do then sounds like a problem for me for another day. 

I love this concept because a guilty pleasure I have is watching the exact home renovation shows that Dahlia had. I fell in love with every character in here and can’t wait for stories I know we are bound to get because that extended epilogue very vaguely stated best uncle and aunt and didn’t include Nico who was the only one we know of so far. I won’t lie that some parts felt dragged out a bit but that could have been a me thing because this I wasn’t able to read it as quickly as I would have liked so that could explain it. Definitely in the top 3 of Lauren’s books so far and am so excited for more!

Priscilla Stanfield

Lauren never disappoints. I’m kicking myself for taking so long to read this but I’m going to use the excuse of not wanting to have nothing else to read by her at least now I only have to wait a couple of months. What I’ll do then sounds like a problem for me for another day. 

I love this concept because a guilty pleasure I have is watching the exact home renovation shows that Dahlia had. I fell in love with every character in here and can’t wait for stories I know we are bound to get because that extended epilogue very vaguely stated best uncle and aunt and didn’t include Nico who was the only one we know of so far. I won’t lie that some parts felt dragged out a bit but that could have been a me thing because this I wasn’t able to read it as quickly as I would have liked so that could explain it. Definitely in the top 3 of Lauren’s books so far and am so excited for more!

Lauren Asher crushed it again. There is something so cute and sweet and engaging about her books. Love it. 

Katie Buchanan

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

✨Pain slices through my chest. When I was younger, I would roll my eyes and ask what website my dad stole his latest quote from, but now I have an appreciation for how he had the right saying for every situation.

✨Just curious. Do I know the other buyer? Second Best Declan Kane.

✨Dahlia is always gorgeous to me—smile or scowl, made-up or barefaced, dressed like a runway model or wearing nothing but a sweatshirt and leggings—but right now, I find her absolutely stunning with her arm wrapped around me and her cheek pressed against my chest.

✨“Out of curiosity, was today a special occasion, or do you typically moan my name while making yourself come?” “Only when I’m thinking about you sitting on my face.” He tosses his towel on the back of a chair.

✨Tell me what’s wrong and I’ll fix it.

✨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.

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

✨“Because I want to give you a hundred different reasons to stay.”

✨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.”

✨“Because I like you enough to know you’re worth fighting for.”

✨“But what about your company?” “Turns out I’d rather build a home with you than a thousand houses by myself.”

✨“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.

✨I might be her first choice, but she is my one and only 

Mariaaa

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

✨Mejor solo que mal acompañado

✨Pain slices through my chest. When I was younger, I would roll my eyes and ask what website my dad stole his latest quote from, but now I have an appreciation for how he had the right saying for every situation.

✨Just curious. Do I know the other buyer? Second Best Declan Kane.

✨Dahlia is always gorgeous to me—smile or scowl, made-up or barefaced, dressed like a runway model or wearing nothing but a sweatshirt and leggings—but right now, I find her absolutely stunning with her arm wrapped around me and her cheek pressed against my chest.

✨“Out of curiosity, was today a special occasion, or do you typically moan my name while making yourself come?” “Only when I’m thinking about you sitting on my face.” He tosses his towel on the back of a chair.

✨Tell me what’s wrong and I’ll fix it.

✨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.

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

✨“Because I want to give you a hundred different reasons to stay.”

✨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.”

✨“Because I like you enough to know you’re worth fighting for.”

✨“But what about your company?” “Turns out I’d rather build a home with you than a thousand houses by myself.”

✨Te extraño, Papi.

✨“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.

✨I might be her first choice, but she is my one and only 

   Por todos los días de mi vida

Reality renovation star, Dahlia Munoz has come home to heal after being dumped by her fiance due to fertility issues.  Dahlia has dealt with depression all her life, but this recent double whammy has left her unable to cope, so she spends most of her time in bed, until Julian Lopez comes back into her life.  Rivals most of their lives, Julian left Dahlia alone in college to face her demons alone.  Now, with his mothers urging, Julian gives Dahlia the lifeline she needs in the form of an old Founders mansion that she has always loved. By asking her to help with the renovation, Julian has given Dahlia hope, but she is also afraid that he may have brought back feelings that she thought were long gone.

Love Redesigned is a good story about two souls, separated by circumstance and brought back together the same way.  The premise of the book held promise for me, but I had trouble with the writing style of the novel - too much telling, very little humor, and dialogue that seems to go nowhere.  The length of the book also seemed overly long for this type of story.  While the conclusion was satisfying, overall, there just wasn't enough of a story to hold my interest.  

Lynn Braden

Reality renovation star, Dahlia Munoz has come home to heal after being dumped by her fiance due to fertility issues.  Dahlia has dealt with depression all her life, but this recent double whammy has left her unable to cope, so she spends most of her time in bed, until Julian Lopez comes back into her life.  Rivals most of their lives, Julian left Dahlia alone in college to face her demons alone.  Now, with his mothers urging, Julian gives Dahlia the lifeline she needs in the form of an old Founders mansion that she has always loved. By asking her to help with the renovation, Julian has given Dahlia hope, but she is also afraid that he may have brought back feelings that she thought were long gone.

Love Redesigned is a good story about two souls, separated by circumstance and brought back together the same way.  The premise of the book held promise for me, but I had trouble with the writing style of the novel - too much telling, very little humor, and dialogue that seems to go nowhere.  The length of the book also seemed overly long for this type of story.  While the conclusion was satisfying, overall, there just wasn't enough of a story to hold my interest.  

one of my favorite romance authors ever, im glad she's back with another billionaire series!!! 

nothing will play my heartstrings quite like a right person wrong time trope and boy did she do it well

anna haskins 

one of my favorite romance authors ever, im glad she's back with another billionaire series!!! 

nothing will play my heartstrings quite like a right person wrong time trope and boy did she do it well

avenlaming

** spoiler alert **
           ♾️/ 5

“some people are worth the risk”

Lauren Asher NEVER disappoints with her books and this might just be my new favourite.

Dahlia and Julian are my new favourite couple, the banter was amazing. i devoured this book so quickly and really wish i could go back in time and read it all over again for the first time.

My favourite parts in this book; 

- THE HOTEL SCENE?! them making fun of the couple next door and it leading into THAT?! OMG
- ALL THE FOUNDERS HOUSE SCENES.
- THE BAR SCENE, when she has a breakdown and he just lets her cry into his arms and comforts her
- THE FACT HE FELL FIRST AND HARDER?! AHH
- i absolutely the love the fact he wanted to move to San Francisco to be with her if she took up the offer for her show
- THE FACT HE SPOKE TO DECLAN AND CALLAHAN KANE AND GOT HER SHOW A SPOT ON DREAMSTREAM
- He had brought the Founders house when she said something about it while doing pageants.
- the wedding.
- THE PROPOSAL.

if i’m being honest, it is safe to say that this book was amazing and every single part was my favourite.

Sofia Morales

My First Book of 2024 and I had big plans for Which book it was going to be but falling sick on NYE made me rethink them knowing I would need something cosy and easy to get me through the rough patch and when I remembered that I had the New Lauren Asher book on my TBR pile I knew that I had my first Book of the year and here it is!

Love Redesigned follows Dahlia and Julian who are childhood rivals. Dahlia is going through a messy separation and moves back home to find herself again where she runs into her old flame and rival, Julian!

Throughout the book the family dynamic and bond between their melding mothers was great and I just flew through every chapter when I had time to pick this book up. I loved the interior design / house remodelling theme and it's not something I've come across in a romance book before but I’m here for it and really enjoyed it.

Whilst I knew what was going to happen with the little references to the Dreamland series and could see where the story was going to go once the references where made I can confirm that you don’t need to have read that series first to understand this one.

The Love and beyond between Julian and dahlia was remarkable. Julian's unwavering support for Dahlia's dreams and his role in inspiring her to be her best self were commendable. While Dahlia consistently stood by his side, there were moments when it felt like Julian invested more effort into their relationship than he received in return. Dahlia's love for him, though genuine, seemed to unfold quickly, possibly influenced by her recent challenging relationship. It's understandable that she guarded herself.

Overall if you are after a heart-warming small-town romance that will leave you yearning for the kind of love found in its pages, then this book might just be the perfect catch.

My First Book of 2024 and I had big plans for Which book it was going to be but falling sick on NYE made me rethink them knowing I would need something cosy and easy to get me through the rough patch and when I remembered that I had the New Lauren Asher book on my TBR pile I knew that I had my first Book of the year and here it is!

Love Redesigned follows Dahlia and Julian who are childhood rivals. Dahlia is going through a messy separation and moves back home to find herself again where she runs into her old flame and rival, Julian!

Throughout the book the family dynamic and bond between their melding mothers was great and I just flew through every chapter when I had time to pick this book up. I loved the interior design / house remodelling theme and it's not something I've come across in a romance book before but I’m here for it and really enjoyed it.

Whilst I knew what was going to happen with the little references to the Dreamland series and could see where the story was going to go once the references where made I can confirm that you don’t need to have read that series first to understand this one.

The Love and beyond between Julian and dahlia was remarkable. Julian's unwavering support for Dahlia's dreams and his role in inspiring her to be her best self were commendable. While Dahlia consistently stood by his side, there were moments when it felt like Julian invested more effort into their relationship than he received in return. Dahlia's love for him, though genuine, seemed to unfold quickly, possibly influenced by her recent challenging relationship. It's understandable that she guarded herself.

Overall if you are after a heart-warming small-town romance that will leave you yearning for the kind of love found in its pages, then this book might just be the perfect catch.

This was such an easy read and the perfect book for the start of the year. The various topics which are not usually  mentioned in books were spoken about in such a way that wasn’t overpowering but brought attention to it. I love how characters from the dreamland billionaires series made appearances in the book. The process of Julian and Dahlia opening up to each other again and finally realising they’re falling in love with each other is just the cutest thing. Julian being the most selfless person is just a bonus!! 

How does Lauren Asher manage to make amazing book after amazing book, I cant wait for the next one already

Katherine

bro listened to mastermind by taylor swift too many times 

Love Redesigned

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