Love Arranged Book Review - No Spoilers
Last month I ordered a mug online that said "I solemnly swear I'm reading" and when it arrived, it was in a box with three other mugs I forgot I'd bought weeks earlier. Matthew found me standing in the kitchen holding all four like, "Did these just multiply?" Apparently I had a mug-buying spree after too much wine and zero self-control. But here's the thing—sometimes the best things sneak up on you when you're not paying attention, and you realize you needed them all along. That's exactly what happens in Love Arranged, where Lily and Lorenzo discover that the fake relationship they never planned on might be the real thing they've been avoiding.
Plot Summary
Love Arranged by Lauren Asher is the third and final book in the Lakefront Billionaires series. Lorenzo Vittori, a Chicago billionaire with a tarnished reputation, desperately needs to improve his public image to win the mayoral election. Lily Muñoz, owner of a struggling flower shop, finds her business threatened after a terrible rebound mistake. When Lily and Lorenzo—who have complicated history from an anonymous dating app connection that went nowhere—team up for a fake engagement, it seems like the perfect solution. He gets the wholesome girlfriend narrative for his campaign, and she gets protection for her family business. But their five-month arrangement becomes increasingly difficult as old feelings resurface, nosy families interfere, and the line between pretend and real starts to blur. Set in the charming town of Lake Wisteria, this is the conclusion to the series.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Love Arranged handles emotional vulnerability without shying away from messy, complicated feelings. Lorenzo isn't your typical billionaire hero—he struggles with OCD, family trauma, and the weight of revenge that's consumed him for years. Watching him learn to accept help and open his heart was incredibly moving. Lily is fiercely loyal, witty, and refuses to settle for less than she deserves, even when it means making Lorenzo work for her trust. The banter between them is electric and playful, but the emotional depth is what really got me. I appreciate how Asher shows characters healing together while also doing their own individual work. The slow burn is absolutely worth the wait, and the payoff feels earned. The representation of OCD and mental health struggles adds authenticity that makes Lorenzo's journey even more powerful.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy contemporary billionaire romance, fake dating, second chance romance, or forced proximity, you'll love this story. The book delivers on emotional tension, family drama, and characters who genuinely grow throughout the story. It's perfect for readers who like witty banter, vulnerable heroes, and heroines who demand respect. Fans of small town romance with political intrigue will appreciate the Lake Wisteria setting and mayoral campaign subplot. The steam level is moderate—not super explicit but definitely open door with meaningful intimate scenes. If you loved the first two books in the series, this conclusion will satisfy you.
⚠️ Trigger warning: mental health struggles (OCD), family trauma, emotional manipulation, past cheating (not between main characters), grief, anxiety, moderate sexual content
Tagged As
contemporary romance, billionaire romance, fake dating, fake engagement, second chance romance, forced proximity, small town, political campaign, enemies to lovers, anonymous online connection, Lakefront Billionaires series, book 3, family drama, OCD representation, mental health, emotional growth, slow burn, witty banter, protective hero, strong heroine, HEA, standalone within series
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Moderate
The book features open-door intimate scenes that are emotionally charged and meaningful to the relationship development. The spice is balanced with the emotional storyline—there's heat but it's not the primary focus. Scenes are explicit enough to satisfy but always serve the characters' emotional journey and connection.
