Lauren has done it again!!! Love Unwritten is the perfect single dad/nanny, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity summer romance. Rafael and Elle are so perfect together and I appreciate how their relationship requires some emotional heavy lifting on both their parts so they can be the best versions of themselves for each other (and Nico of course). I can't recommend this enough!

Lauren Asher, you gave me a book that I can read again and again and shed happy tears 😭💖 each time.

The way she pictures each character and the vision of life from her eyes is something I can easily relate to, each and every time!!

This time too SHE DID IT *AGAIN*..!!

Rafael had caught my attention from book 1 as a very loving and caring dad and Nico ❤️ omg that boy is my most cutest and favourite cupid of all time!!

And with then comes Ellie in this book 🤌✨💫 and the picture is perfect!! The way they blend in together even with the bitterness of past is beautiful ❤️ the way they know each other and understand that shows how deep the roots of their bond is and it's the cherry on the cake of this book.

Each character has its own demon to fight yet the way Lauren leaves in the positiveness is something I crave for and she delivered it right!!!

This time I cried so hard! Got so emotional reading this 🥺😭🤧 I loved the way writing was a little different as the characters were emotionally mature in this and it did make sense totally ❤️😌

I believe this will my 2024's best 5 stars read!!!

4.25 stars
Huge thank you to sourcebooks /bloom books for the advanced reader copy!
This is one of my most anticipated releases of the year and Lauren Asher just kills it every time. I absolutely love the single parent x nanny trope and the learning to communicate in a healthy way HITS. The only reason this book isn’t rated higher for me is personally I am not the biggest fan of music/musician/performer storylines (but again that is a me thing, so please check this one out!)

Also Lauren has me PUMPED for book 3! I’m already manifesting that it’s going to be my overall favorite!

Will def have more thoughts on release day!

This was possibly Lauren Asher's best book yet. I loved these characters, I loved their connection, and I especially loved Nico, Rafael's son. I absolutely devoured this book and I cannot wait for the future books in this series.

An unforgettable love story that truly will have no end!

tropes: single dad x nanny

rafa and ellie share one of the most special loves i’ve ever read about. they are two characters that have heartbreaking back stories that come together and love each other for all of their imperfections. their love is so so beautiful and so real. telling someone you love them is obviously very important, but ellie and rafa show how much they love each other through their actions which is often overlooked, but equally as significant.

now we can’t forget about nico! if ellie and rafa own my soul, nico will always have my heart. sometimes in single parent books the kids get lost in the story or don’t have the largest backstory, but that is not the case in this book. nico is just as important as rafa and ellie and i was rooting for his complete and utter happiness just like i was for the couple.

if i wasn’t clear enough READ IT

thank you vpr, bloom, and lauren for this arc

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A well-executed single dad/nanny story featuring two characters whose friendship bloomed into a romance and they both had such lovely feelings for one another!! I thought this was well done and so far, my favorite of her Lakefront books!

This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

"Love Unwritten" by Lauren Asher is a captivating romance that explores the complexities of love, work, and family. The story centers on Rafael, a workaholic single dad, and Ellie, a hopeless romantic and songwriter hired to nanny his son. Despite their differences, a summer trip to two islands brings them closer, challenging their initial perceptions of each other.

Rafael, still reeling from his divorce, is determined to guard his heart, even if it means risking Ellie’s. Ellie, on the other hand, struggles with rekindling her old crush on Rafael while trying to maintain professionalism. Their evolving relationship is filled with tension, attraction, and emotional depth.

Asher's writing vividly brings the characters to life, making their internal conflicts and romantic chemistry compelling. The idyllic vacation setting enhances the romance, providing a perfect backdrop for their burgeoning feelings. The story's pacing keeps readers engaged, balancing moments of tenderness with the inevitable challenges they face.

While the premise of a single dad and a nanny falling in love is familiar, Asher adds unique twists that make the story feel fresh. Some readers might find certain plot points predictable, but the strong character development and heartfelt moments more than compensate.

Overall, "Love Unwritten" is a delightful and heartwarming romance that fans of the genre will thoroughly enjoy. Asher's skillful storytelling and nuanced characters make this a standout read.

Love Unwritten is a sweet and heartfelt romance about finding love after heartbreak has left you an open wound.

Rafael Lopez is a man who lost faith in love when his ex-wife deserted him and their son. His trust issues run deep, and his childhood trauma permeates every relationship he has ever had. Rafa is a man who is always trying, but never seems to be enough.

Ellie Sinclair is a woman who just wants to be enough for herself. After a devastating development in her songwriting career, she returns home to Lake Wisteria. Elle is a woman still reeling from the winds of fate, but is open to love and its power to heal old wounds.

Pros: Love Unwritten is a fast-paced and engaging novel. The pining in this novel was top-tier and Asher writes a fitting conclusion to the love affair between Rafa and Elle. A majority of the novel takes place in Hawaii, and it is clear that significant research was put into the traveling elements of the story. Despite its 624 pages, by the end I somehow wished there was more!

Cons: Love Unwritten weaves a beautiful tale, but I feel that Rafa and Elle’s backstories were shown at a very surface level. Instead of summary, learning how their pasts made them into the people they are at present would have improved my reading experience. Similarly, I felt that plot holes in characterization and representation took away from my enjoyment of the story.

Recommended Listening: “The Prophecy” by Taylor Swift

Thank you to Sourcebooks Bloom and NetGalley for this arc.

I love how Asher’s stories are full of heart-rending emotion and characters that will stay with you for years to come. I just know that, I wouldn’t stop recommending it!