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Asthma Girl, The Carpenter And The Contract: An Enemies-to-Lovers Workplace Romance
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2026
About the author
Lauren Grace
3 books23 followersMy earliest works were about giant sunflowers, holidaying foxes and the river Nile, when I would enthusiastically bind and decorate my own books in primary school. Fast forwards a few decades, two amazing children, a supportive husband and a fluffy German Shepherd and I am thrilled to be sharing the characters living rent free in my head.
I am passionate about writing strong, female characters - breaking away from fictional stereotypes. My stories aim to shine a light on important issues such as abuse, violence against women, PTSD, mental health, trauma and sexism through their thrilling plots. All neatly wrapped up in the page-turning, feet-kicking, swoon-worthy romances I love to read. Life has been turbulent which has given me the strength and experience to write about these important, often poorly understood themes. One of my biggest aspirations as an author is that my books will create a safe space for victims of trauma to explore their feelings and identify with the characters, or promote better understanding and empathy within the community.
Authors who I love and have inspired me include (it's an ever growing list): Elsie Silver, Ali Hazelwood, Mia Sheridan, Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Hartman, Penelope Douglas, Charlotte Bronte and Meagan Brandy.
I am passionate about writing strong, female characters - breaking away from fictional stereotypes. My stories aim to shine a light on important issues such as abuse, violence against women, PTSD, mental health, trauma and sexism through their thrilling plots. All neatly wrapped up in the page-turning, feet-kicking, swoon-worthy romances I love to read. Life has been turbulent which has given me the strength and experience to write about these important, often poorly understood themes. One of my biggest aspirations as an author is that my books will create a safe space for victims of trauma to explore their feelings and identify with the characters, or promote better understanding and empathy within the community.
Authors who I love and have inspired me include (it's an ever growing list): Elsie Silver, Ali Hazelwood, Mia Sheridan, Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Hartman, Penelope Douglas, Charlotte Bronte and Meagan Brandy.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 10, 2026
“He’s the first person to make me feel whole and worthy, not broken and pathetic. He sees me like I’m complete, a person and not just asthma girl.”
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ʀɪsᴇ ᴜᴘ” x ᴀɴᴅʀᴇᴡ ᴅᴀʏ
1:25 ───♥────── 4:12
Lila and Archie are thrown together for a year of grief, work, frustration, and way more feelings than either of them bargained for. What starts as two people who would probably rather be anywhere else slowly turns into something much more complicated, with healing, unexpected understanding, and a whole lot of tension along the way.
Yet again, I am absolutely STUNNED by Lauren’s work. 🥹 The depth of these characters??? I was almost overwhelmed by how incredibly well they were written. By the time I finished, I genuinely felt like I knew these people personally, which is always my favorite thing about her books. She has this way of creating stories that feel completely different from anything I’ve read before, and I never know what I’m going to get when I pick one up🥹🥹
And Lila 😭 Oh. my. heart. Her strength was immeasurable, especially when you consider everything she had experienced and everything she had spent so much of her life carrying. I felt for her SO deeply, and I’m not even going to pretend I didn’t cry more than once... There were so many moments where I just wanted to reach through the pages and give her the biggest hug.
And Dale. 🥺 That entire piece of the story was heartbreaking, and I felt so much for both Lila and Archie as they tried to navigate that grief in their own ways.
Also THIS was an enemies-to-lovers romance. The genuine irritation between Lila and Archie, the constant sparring, the back-and-forth, the push and pull??? I ATE IT UP! Watching them slowly realize they weren’t as different as they thought, and that they could actually become each other’s biggest supporters...🥹 I especially loved watching Archie begin to care for Lila while still maintaining all that delicious tension. He was such a genuinely kind person underneath the gruff exterior, and seeing him become someone who simply cared about her (without treating her like she was fragile) hit me right in the heart.
One of my biggest takeaways was that feeling like a burden shouldn’t keep you from reaching for help. The people who love you can’t show up for what they don’t know you’re carrying.
And as someone who grew up with a mom and sister who struggled with asthma, I could feel how honest and carefully understood Lila’s experience was. It never felt like a detail added in passing. it felt woven into the fabric of her life, lived-in and deeply personal 🙂↕️
This book left me feeling completely full in the best way. It was tender and heartbreaking, funny and frustrating, and so deeply human. I loved watching Lila and Archie find their way through grief, anger, and all the things they were too afraid to say out loud. Their story reminded me that healing doesn’t have to be perfect or linear, and that sometimes the people who challenge us most are the ones who see us most clearly. I’m going to be thinking about these characters for a long time, and I already know this is one of those books I’ll want to return to whenever I need a story that makes me feel everything🥹🥹🥹
favorite quotes ↓
“He’s unlike anyone I’ve known, in good and bad ways. Archie doesn’t seem interested in many people but gives his whole heart to those he chooses.”
“I never want to have nothing to do with you, Lila.”
“Try it, you’ll do great. And if it goes nowhere, nothing ventured nothing gained.”
“She found a wood shaving the other day that was shaped like a butterfly (apparently) and stuck it to the notice board, smiling to herself over something so totally meaningless. She spent several minutes showing me, I didn’t know what to say, it was a bit of wood, but then I found myself putting shavings of certain shapes in my pocket. I couldn’t show her, that would be weird, but I figured I could sprinkle them in her path, manufacture some magic for her.”
“You drive me completely crazy but you’re utterly beautiful and you made me laugh when I thought I wouldn’t be able to ever again.”
things to know about the book ↓
🤎 enemies → lovers
🤎 forced proximity
🤎 chronic health rep (asthma)
🤎 workplace romance
🤎 shared grief & healing
🤎 single POV (hers)
🤎 give me more
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 5, 15, 31
for the author🫶🏼🫶🏼
→ Lauren, thank you for trusting me with this book and allowing me to be part of your team. I’m incredibly proud of you, and I hope you know how deeply this story moved me. I could feel how much of your heart and lived experience were woven into these pages, making the emotional impact feel even more honest and powerful. You have such an extraordinary gift for bringing characters to life, and Lila and Archie felt so real to me that leaving them behind genuinely hurt. 😭 Thank you for sharing something so personal and meaningful, and for reminding readers that being truly seen, understood, and loved can make even the hardest moments feel survivable—and that we don’t have to carry everything alone💝
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
august 9th- yay for enemies to lovers!! can't wait to dive into this one!!
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ʀɪsᴇ ᴜᴘ” x ᴀɴᴅʀᴇᴡ ᴅᴀʏ
1:25 ───♥────── 4:12
Lila and Archie are thrown together for a year of grief, work, frustration, and way more feelings than either of them bargained for. What starts as two people who would probably rather be anywhere else slowly turns into something much more complicated, with healing, unexpected understanding, and a whole lot of tension along the way.
Yet again, I am absolutely STUNNED by Lauren’s work. 🥹 The depth of these characters??? I was almost overwhelmed by how incredibly well they were written. By the time I finished, I genuinely felt like I knew these people personally, which is always my favorite thing about her books. She has this way of creating stories that feel completely different from anything I’ve read before, and I never know what I’m going to get when I pick one up🥹🥹
And Lila 😭 Oh. my. heart. Her strength was immeasurable, especially when you consider everything she had experienced and everything she had spent so much of her life carrying. I felt for her SO deeply, and I’m not even going to pretend I didn’t cry more than once... There were so many moments where I just wanted to reach through the pages and give her the biggest hug.
And Dale. 🥺 That entire piece of the story was heartbreaking, and I felt so much for both Lila and Archie as they tried to navigate that grief in their own ways.
Also THIS was an enemies-to-lovers romance. The genuine irritation between Lila and Archie, the constant sparring, the back-and-forth, the push and pull??? I ATE IT UP! Watching them slowly realize they weren’t as different as they thought, and that they could actually become each other’s biggest supporters...🥹 I especially loved watching Archie begin to care for Lila while still maintaining all that delicious tension. He was such a genuinely kind person underneath the gruff exterior, and seeing him become someone who simply cared about her (without treating her like she was fragile) hit me right in the heart.
One of my biggest takeaways was that feeling like a burden shouldn’t keep you from reaching for help. The people who love you can’t show up for what they don’t know you’re carrying.
And as someone who grew up with a mom and sister who struggled with asthma, I could feel how honest and carefully understood Lila’s experience was. It never felt like a detail added in passing. it felt woven into the fabric of her life, lived-in and deeply personal 🙂↕️
This book left me feeling completely full in the best way. It was tender and heartbreaking, funny and frustrating, and so deeply human. I loved watching Lila and Archie find their way through grief, anger, and all the things they were too afraid to say out loud. Their story reminded me that healing doesn’t have to be perfect or linear, and that sometimes the people who challenge us most are the ones who see us most clearly. I’m going to be thinking about these characters for a long time, and I already know this is one of those books I’ll want to return to whenever I need a story that makes me feel everything🥹🥹🥹
favorite quotes ↓
“He’s unlike anyone I’ve known, in good and bad ways. Archie doesn’t seem interested in many people but gives his whole heart to those he chooses.”
“I never want to have nothing to do with you, Lila.”
“Try it, you’ll do great. And if it goes nowhere, nothing ventured nothing gained.”
“She found a wood shaving the other day that was shaped like a butterfly (apparently) and stuck it to the notice board, smiling to herself over something so totally meaningless. She spent several minutes showing me, I didn’t know what to say, it was a bit of wood, but then I found myself putting shavings of certain shapes in my pocket. I couldn’t show her, that would be weird, but I figured I could sprinkle them in her path, manufacture some magic for her.”
“You drive me completely crazy but you’re utterly beautiful and you made me laugh when I thought I wouldn’t be able to ever again.”
things to know about the book ↓
🤎 enemies → lovers
🤎 forced proximity
🤎 chronic health rep (asthma)
🤎 workplace romance
🤎 shared grief & healing
🤎 single POV (hers)
🤎 give me more
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 5, 15, 31
for the author🫶🏼🫶🏼
→ Lauren, thank you for trusting me with this book and allowing me to be part of your team. I’m incredibly proud of you, and I hope you know how deeply this story moved me. I could feel how much of your heart and lived experience were woven into these pages, making the emotional impact feel even more honest and powerful. You have such an extraordinary gift for bringing characters to life, and Lila and Archie felt so real to me that leaving them behind genuinely hurt. 😭 Thank you for sharing something so personal and meaningful, and for reminding readers that being truly seen, understood, and loved can make even the hardest moments feel survivable—and that we don’t have to carry everything alone💝
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
august 9th- yay for enemies to lovers!! can't wait to dive into this one!!
August 16, 2026
4.25 ⭐
A beautifully and devastatingly relatable story with complex characters and a hot grumpy man. All I that I needed.
This is my first book read from this author and I can confidently say that I will be back for more. The writing is easy to read and the story explores different topics without over explaining them.
Both of the main characters were painfully relatable to me and that just made me connect with the story even more. You can truly feel that Lauren (the author) is also connected to both characters, which automatically makes them feel more dimensional.
All that’s left for me to say is, Lauren, have you stolen my diary? Because why was it so relatable?
A beautifully and devastatingly relatable story with complex characters and a hot grumpy man. All I that I needed.
This is my first book read from this author and I can confidently say that I will be back for more. The writing is easy to read and the story explores different topics without over explaining them.
Both of the main characters were painfully relatable to me and that just made me connect with the story even more. You can truly feel that Lauren (the author) is also connected to both characters, which automatically makes them feel more dimensional.
All that’s left for me to say is, Lauren, have you stolen my diary? Because why was it so relatable?
August 22, 2026
Not what I expected
I saw someone recommend this book and it sounded like a good light read so I jumped in without realizing how much of a tear jerker it would be. But it was amazing, despite the tears. The depth of characters was amazing and the story depicted a wonderful tale of chronic illness and the way it reaches into every aspect of your life; of grief and remembrance and of real, true love.
I saw someone recommend this book and it sounded like a good light read so I jumped in without realizing how much of a tear jerker it would be. But it was amazing, despite the tears. The depth of characters was amazing and the story depicted a wonderful tale of chronic illness and the way it reaches into every aspect of your life; of grief and remembrance and of real, true love.
August 14, 2026
Giiirrrrlllll!!
This book is phenominal! Had me staying up until gone 3am! Forced proximity at its finest!
The FMC and MMC are so relatable and I love it! This has been my favourite so far.
Im so invested in this story!
This book is phenominal! Had me staying up until gone 3am! Forced proximity at its finest!
The FMC and MMC are so relatable and I love it! This has been my favourite so far.
Im so invested in this story!
August 1, 2026
I was lucky to be one of the people chosen to ARC review this book and I loved it from start to finish. Lila is my favourite fmc from this author funny relatable and, let’s face it, a bit of a walking disaster. This book hits your where it hurts and then has you laughing till you’re tearing up again.
5 stars for Lauren Grace and Asthma Girl
5 stars for Lauren Grace and Asthma Girl
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m incredibly honoured and grateful to have been chosen as an ARC reader for Lauren Grace’s Asthma Girl, The Carpenter and the Contract. 💙
Being trusted to read this beautiful and emotional story before its release meant so much to me, especially because of the important chronic illness representation woven throughout.
Thank you so much, Lauren, for allowing me to be a small part of this book’s journey — it’s a privilege I’ll genuinely treasure. 📚✨
How I would describe this book:
💔 Heart-wrenching
🫶 Beautifully emotional
🫁 Powerful chronic illness representation
✨ Raw and honest
🌿 Healing
😭 Soul-crushing at times
🤍 Full of heart
🪵 Grumpy × vulnerable romance
🥹 Deeply moving
🌙 Tender and poignant
💬 Light humour amongst the heartbreak
🫂 Unexpected friendship
🌱 Character growth
💔 Grief and loss
❤️ Love through the difficult moments
🩹 Learning to accept help
👀 Enemies-to-something-more energy
🫶 Makes people with chronic illness feel seen
✨ Thought-provoking
📖 Unforgettable
🌟 Sensational
💛 Written with so much compassion
🥺 The kind of story that stays with you
Plot 🖋📜
Lila is living with severe chronic asthma, a condition that has shaped almost every part of her life. Holding down a job is difficult when hospital visits and flare-ups are unpredictable, and her relationships have repeatedly fallen apart because people decide that her illness makes her “too much” to deal with.
During one of her hospital stays, Lila meets Dale, and the two form an unexpected but incredibly meaningful friendship.
Dale is battling cancer, while his best friend and business partner, Archie, is desperately trying to keep their carpentry business afloat while watching the person closest to him become increasingly unwell.
There’s just one problem… Archie cannot stand Lila.When Dale sadly dies, he leaves behind one final plan for them both:
Archie must employ Lila for an entire year, and whether she turns up for work or not, she still gets paid.
Of course, Lila turns up. 😂
Now Archie is grieving, angry and struggling to keep everything together, while Lila is determined to prove that her illness does not define what she is capable of.
Forced to work side by side, their constant clashes slowly begin to uncover the pain, vulnerability and loneliness hiding underneath.
What starts as a contract created by their mutual best friend becomes something neither of them expected — a beautifully emotional story about grief, chronic illness, friendship, healing and finding love when life is anything but perfect. ❤️🩹
Story 📖🪚 💛
At its heart, Asthma Girl, The Carpenter and the Contract is a story about two people who are both struggling in very different ways.
Lila has spent years feeling like her chronic asthma makes her difficult to love, employ and understand.
She is fiercely independent, funny and determined, but underneath that strength is someone who is exhausted from constantly having to prove that she is more than her illness.
Archie is carrying his own pain. After losing his best friend and business partner, Dale, he is drowning in grief while trying to keep their carpentry business going. He is angry, closed off and not exactly thrilled when Dale’s final wishes force Lila into his life.
Their relationship begins with tension, arguments and plenty of stubbornness, but as they spend more time together, they slowly begin to understand the battles the other person is fighting.
It becomes a beautifully raw journey of grief, chronic illness, vulnerability, friendship and healing, showing that sometimes the person who challenges you the most can also become the person who finally sees you completely. ❤️🩹✨
It’s so powerful!!! It makes you see the real world of chronic illnesses and makes you understand how many problems people have and are judged just because they don’t have the ability to control their health!
And I absolutely loved Patch, the adorable three-legged rescue dog that Archie and Lila adopt. He was such a sweet little addition to their story and made the found-family element even more special. 🐾🤍
Five-Star Recommendation
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An easy five stars from me!
Asthma Girl, The Carpenter and the Contract is emotional, heartfelt and beautifully written, with characters and a story that stay with you long after you finish. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves an emotional romance with meaningful representation, healing, grief and plenty of heart.
Definitely one to add to your TBR! 💙📚✨
Being trusted to read this beautiful and emotional story before its release meant so much to me, especially because of the important chronic illness representation woven throughout.
Thank you so much, Lauren, for allowing me to be a small part of this book’s journey — it’s a privilege I’ll genuinely treasure. 📚✨
How I would describe this book:
💔 Heart-wrenching
🫶 Beautifully emotional
🫁 Powerful chronic illness representation
✨ Raw and honest
🌿 Healing
😭 Soul-crushing at times
🤍 Full of heart
🪵 Grumpy × vulnerable romance
🥹 Deeply moving
🌙 Tender and poignant
💬 Light humour amongst the heartbreak
🫂 Unexpected friendship
🌱 Character growth
💔 Grief and loss
❤️ Love through the difficult moments
🩹 Learning to accept help
👀 Enemies-to-something-more energy
🫶 Makes people with chronic illness feel seen
✨ Thought-provoking
📖 Unforgettable
🌟 Sensational
💛 Written with so much compassion
🥺 The kind of story that stays with you
Plot 🖋📜
Lila is living with severe chronic asthma, a condition that has shaped almost every part of her life. Holding down a job is difficult when hospital visits and flare-ups are unpredictable, and her relationships have repeatedly fallen apart because people decide that her illness makes her “too much” to deal with.
During one of her hospital stays, Lila meets Dale, and the two form an unexpected but incredibly meaningful friendship.
Dale is battling cancer, while his best friend and business partner, Archie, is desperately trying to keep their carpentry business afloat while watching the person closest to him become increasingly unwell.
There’s just one problem… Archie cannot stand Lila.When Dale sadly dies, he leaves behind one final plan for them both:
Archie must employ Lila for an entire year, and whether she turns up for work or not, she still gets paid.
Of course, Lila turns up. 😂
Now Archie is grieving, angry and struggling to keep everything together, while Lila is determined to prove that her illness does not define what she is capable of.
Forced to work side by side, their constant clashes slowly begin to uncover the pain, vulnerability and loneliness hiding underneath.
What starts as a contract created by their mutual best friend becomes something neither of them expected — a beautifully emotional story about grief, chronic illness, friendship, healing and finding love when life is anything but perfect. ❤️🩹
Story 📖🪚 💛
At its heart, Asthma Girl, The Carpenter and the Contract is a story about two people who are both struggling in very different ways.
Lila has spent years feeling like her chronic asthma makes her difficult to love, employ and understand.
She is fiercely independent, funny and determined, but underneath that strength is someone who is exhausted from constantly having to prove that she is more than her illness.
Archie is carrying his own pain. After losing his best friend and business partner, Dale, he is drowning in grief while trying to keep their carpentry business going. He is angry, closed off and not exactly thrilled when Dale’s final wishes force Lila into his life.
Their relationship begins with tension, arguments and plenty of stubbornness, but as they spend more time together, they slowly begin to understand the battles the other person is fighting.
It becomes a beautifully raw journey of grief, chronic illness, vulnerability, friendship and healing, showing that sometimes the person who challenges you the most can also become the person who finally sees you completely. ❤️🩹✨
It’s so powerful!!! It makes you see the real world of chronic illnesses and makes you understand how many problems people have and are judged just because they don’t have the ability to control their health!
And I absolutely loved Patch, the adorable three-legged rescue dog that Archie and Lila adopt. He was such a sweet little addition to their story and made the found-family element even more special. 🐾🤍
Five-Star Recommendation
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An easy five stars from me!
Asthma Girl, The Carpenter and the Contract is emotional, heartfelt and beautifully written, with characters and a story that stay with you long after you finish. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves an emotional romance with meaningful representation, healing, grief and plenty of heart.
Definitely one to add to your TBR! 💙📚✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2026
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Lauren has done it Again everyone! As always, she somehow manages to create characters that are likeable, loveable and completely loath-able.
Speaking of Loath-able…Polly? An absolute b*tch. Archie? Babe, I love you, but PLEASE grow a backbone! And Lila… I just wanted to shake her and Archie, bang their heads together and scream TALK TO EACH OTHER!
Then came the letters. I was full on UGLY crying. Dale’s letter to Archie absolutely broke me. There was something about those words and the emotions behind them.
The 2nd Shower Scene (yes there are multiple!)….ARE YOU JOKING ME?! My heart nearly burst, Archie just swoops in and became the hero Lila didn’t know she needed in that moment.
Speaking of characters, Darius… I knew I had a bad feeling about that man! Absolute asshat. The rage I felt towards him when Lila was already struggling just about sent me over the edge. She was finally feeling like she can breathe and exist, enjoy life’s little mundane tasks and then BOOM. I had to give myself a full-on reading timeout because the rage was too much.
This book put me through every possible emotion, laughter, rage, ugly tears and what-the-fuck-just-happened moments. Lauren knows exactly how to make you feel completely invested in her characters, even when you want to throttle half of them.
Another emotional rollercoaster from Lauren, and I absolutely loved the ride.
Quotes/Fave moments: This could have been highlighting the entire book in all fairness however here are a couple of my favourites.
“Casen, she’s a free spirit, a bird that cannot be caged, a feral cat chasing a mouse.”
He takes the chip from my fingers, and when I think he’s declaring a whole new style of warfare (one with chips, which would be a serious infraction), he shoves his sauced-up fry into my mouth. “Great, get out of my truck.” I grin as I chew, screwing up the rubbish and dramatically tossing it into the footwell behind. “Bye, dickhead.”
He presses his hands on mine. “It won’t. For the last six months every part of me has just wanted to look after you properly. To tuck you into bed every night and wake up with you there. To make you breakfast and drag you out for a run. I can’t help it, even when I try, I just want to be with you.”
“They’re all animals that stay together for life. Because I know that’s what you’re worried about, and I get it. So, I thought it might have some meaning, you know.”
Lauren has done it Again everyone! As always, she somehow manages to create characters that are likeable, loveable and completely loath-able.
Speaking of Loath-able…Polly? An absolute b*tch. Archie? Babe, I love you, but PLEASE grow a backbone! And Lila… I just wanted to shake her and Archie, bang their heads together and scream TALK TO EACH OTHER!
Then came the letters. I was full on UGLY crying. Dale’s letter to Archie absolutely broke me. There was something about those words and the emotions behind them.
The 2nd Shower Scene (yes there are multiple!)….ARE YOU JOKING ME?! My heart nearly burst, Archie just swoops in and became the hero Lila didn’t know she needed in that moment.
Speaking of characters, Darius… I knew I had a bad feeling about that man! Absolute asshat. The rage I felt towards him when Lila was already struggling just about sent me over the edge. She was finally feeling like she can breathe and exist, enjoy life’s little mundane tasks and then BOOM. I had to give myself a full-on reading timeout because the rage was too much.
This book put me through every possible emotion, laughter, rage, ugly tears and what-the-fuck-just-happened moments. Lauren knows exactly how to make you feel completely invested in her characters, even when you want to throttle half of them.
Another emotional rollercoaster from Lauren, and I absolutely loved the ride.
Quotes/Fave moments: This could have been highlighting the entire book in all fairness however here are a couple of my favourites.
“Casen, she’s a free spirit, a bird that cannot be caged, a feral cat chasing a mouse.”
He takes the chip from my fingers, and when I think he’s declaring a whole new style of warfare (one with chips, which would be a serious infraction), he shoves his sauced-up fry into my mouth. “Great, get out of my truck.” I grin as I chew, screwing up the rubbish and dramatically tossing it into the footwell behind. “Bye, dickhead.”
He presses his hands on mine. “It won’t. For the last six months every part of me has just wanted to look after you properly. To tuck you into bed every night and wake up with you there. To make you breakfast and drag you out for a run. I can’t help it, even when I try, I just want to be with you.”
“They’re all animals that stay together for life. Because I know that’s what you’re worried about, and I get it. So, I thought it might have some meaning, you know.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
shes done it again!!!...
Firstly thank you so much Lauren for allowing me to Arc read another one of your amazing books, you did not dissapoint!.
Thank you for making us with chronic illness feel seen
beautifully broken will definitely end up breaking me!
words to describe this book!
*powerfull
*beautiful
*awareness - chronic health
*heartwrenching
*light humour
*sensational
Plot.
Lila has chronic asthma and her life is in ruins, she can't keep a job due to her illness, every man decides shes to hard to manage.
Archie is a carpenter who is drowning in his business since his business partner and best friend Dane is dying from cancer.
Lila meets Dane in one of her hospital visits, they become best friends, but Archie hates her with a passion.
When Dane dies he leaves instructions for Archie and Lila - one year of employment for Lila if she turns up or not she will get paid.
of course she shows up.. to work with a man who is struggling through grief with his own issues.. what could possibly go wrong...
Story.
This is a beautiful story about chronic health, the reality of what its like for someone on a daily basis struggling with things we all take for granted,
its a story of growth between characters and friendships you dont see coming, Its about love, a love so pure that fractures the very soul.
Its written from the heart and they are the most beautiful books to read,
i am so honoured to be selected to read this as a arc.
The Author.
Lauren as a writer just gets better and better, ive read and enjoyed all her books,
but somehow this one is better!
its so powerfull!! it opens your eyes to chronic health it gives that awareness that should be out there! it shows what people go through and how much they struggle and are branded not good enough for something they cant even control,
I have chronic ilness and this book has helped me feel seen even though its a different kind.
I cannot wait for the next installment of Lauren's beautifully broken series! I know its going to be incredible!
Firstly thank you so much Lauren for allowing me to Arc read another one of your amazing books, you did not dissapoint!.
Thank you for making us with chronic illness feel seen
beautifully broken will definitely end up breaking me!
words to describe this book!
*powerfull
*beautiful
*awareness - chronic health
*heartwrenching
*light humour
*sensational
Plot.
Lila has chronic asthma and her life is in ruins, she can't keep a job due to her illness, every man decides shes to hard to manage.
Archie is a carpenter who is drowning in his business since his business partner and best friend Dane is dying from cancer.
Lila meets Dane in one of her hospital visits, they become best friends, but Archie hates her with a passion.
When Dane dies he leaves instructions for Archie and Lila - one year of employment for Lila if she turns up or not she will get paid.
of course she shows up.. to work with a man who is struggling through grief with his own issues.. what could possibly go wrong...
Story.
This is a beautiful story about chronic health, the reality of what its like for someone on a daily basis struggling with things we all take for granted,
its a story of growth between characters and friendships you dont see coming, Its about love, a love so pure that fractures the very soul.
Its written from the heart and they are the most beautiful books to read,
i am so honoured to be selected to read this as a arc.
The Author.
Lauren as a writer just gets better and better, ive read and enjoyed all her books,
but somehow this one is better!
its so powerfull!! it opens your eyes to chronic health it gives that awareness that should be out there! it shows what people go through and how much they struggle and are branded not good enough for something they cant even control,
I have chronic ilness and this book has helped me feel seen even though its a different kind.
I cannot wait for the next installment of Lauren's beautifully broken series! I know its going to be incredible!
August 21, 2026
If I could give this book 6 ⭐️ I would!
Thank you so much to Lauren Grace for allowing me to ARC read.
The story follows Lila, who suffers from chronic illnesses, who meets Dale, being treated for cancer. Dale is everything she needs in a friend, giving her true friendship. However, Dale succumbs to his illnesses leaving Lila devastated.
Dale has one last hand to play .. a contract!
The contract provides Lila with a no contest contract for 12 months. This is a lifeline for her, as her health has cost her many jobs. However, it means working very closely with Archie, Dale's best friend and business partner... and they hate each other!
The story is a beautiful blend of loss, grief, support, patience, understanding and love. I laughed, I cried (huge achievement if you know me), kicked my feet with excitement and fell in love with the characters. Especially Patch!!
Lauren's writing will capture you and not let go. I was hooked and couldn't put it down.
Lauren, how you represent chronic illnesses is absolutely beautiful. You didn't shy away from the isolation, mental health, impact on the individual and others etc. Being a fellow warrior, I feel seen and more understood than I ever have. I feel honoured to know you and to have read this beautiful love story.
Tropes
Enemies to lovers
Loss
Chronic health
Embarrassment for characters 🤣
Quotes: there are too many!
"I am trapped in a body I can't control ... It's a liberty healthy people take for granted: bodily autonomy. "
Thank you so much to Lauren Grace for allowing me to ARC read.
The story follows Lila, who suffers from chronic illnesses, who meets Dale, being treated for cancer. Dale is everything she needs in a friend, giving her true friendship. However, Dale succumbs to his illnesses leaving Lila devastated.
Dale has one last hand to play .. a contract!
The contract provides Lila with a no contest contract for 12 months. This is a lifeline for her, as her health has cost her many jobs. However, it means working very closely with Archie, Dale's best friend and business partner... and they hate each other!
The story is a beautiful blend of loss, grief, support, patience, understanding and love. I laughed, I cried (huge achievement if you know me), kicked my feet with excitement and fell in love with the characters. Especially Patch!!
Lauren's writing will capture you and not let go. I was hooked and couldn't put it down.
Lauren, how you represent chronic illnesses is absolutely beautiful. You didn't shy away from the isolation, mental health, impact on the individual and others etc. Being a fellow warrior, I feel seen and more understood than I ever have. I feel honoured to know you and to have read this beautiful love story.
Tropes
Enemies to lovers
Loss
Chronic health
Embarrassment for characters 🤣
Quotes: there are too many!
"I am trapped in a body I can't control ... It's a liberty healthy people take for granted: bodily autonomy. "
August 12, 2026
📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STAR REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Asthma Girl, The Carpenter & The Contract
✍🏻 Lauren Grace
🖤 Beautifully Broken #3
Well… Lauren Grace has officially stolen another piece of my sanity. 😂
I started this thinking, “I’ll just read a chapter.”
FAMOUS. LAST. WORDS. 🤡📖
Because suddenly I’m still reading, completely invested in fictional people who make questionable decisions… and honestly, please keep making them because I need the drama! 😂
🪚 The carpenter? YES PLEASE.
🔥 The chemistry? 🔥🔥🔥
😏 The tension? Someone call the fire brigade!
📜 The contract? Because apparently we needed MORE chaos. 😂
❤️🔥 The romance? Inject it directly into my veins.
But one of the things I really appreciated about this book was seeing asthma and ADHD represented within the story. 💙
I love seeing real-life conditions included in books in a way that helps create understanding and awareness. Neither asthma nor ADHD should define a person — they’re simply part of someone’s story, alongside their personality, relationships, dreams, struggles and everything else that makes them who they are.
Representation matters. 💙
And if this book encourages even one reader to learn more about asthma or ADHD, have a conversation, show someone a little more understanding or realise they aren’t alone, then that’s something worth celebrating. 🫶🏻
Between the banter, drama, chemistry and emotional moments, this was a definite 5⭐️ read for me.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Would I read it again? Yep.
Did I become emotionally attached to fictional people? Unfortunately, yes. 😂
Lauren Grace… respectfully, I need compensation for the emotional damage. 😂🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read the book. Enjoy the romance. Embrace the chaos. And let’s keep talking about asthma and ADHD awareness. 📚💙
#5StarRead #BookReview #ARCReader #BookTokUK #UKBookTok #LaurenGrace #AsthmaGirl #BeautifullyBroken #AsthmaAwareness #ADHDAwareness #ADHDRepresentation #RomanceBooks #RomanceBookTok #BookLovers #Bookstagram #FiveStarRead #Bookish #TBR #CurrentlyReading
Asthma Girl, The Carpenter & The Contract
✍🏻 Lauren Grace
🖤 Beautifully Broken #3
Well… Lauren Grace has officially stolen another piece of my sanity. 😂
I started this thinking, “I’ll just read a chapter.”
FAMOUS. LAST. WORDS. 🤡📖
Because suddenly I’m still reading, completely invested in fictional people who make questionable decisions… and honestly, please keep making them because I need the drama! 😂
🪚 The carpenter? YES PLEASE.
🔥 The chemistry? 🔥🔥🔥
😏 The tension? Someone call the fire brigade!
📜 The contract? Because apparently we needed MORE chaos. 😂
❤️🔥 The romance? Inject it directly into my veins.
But one of the things I really appreciated about this book was seeing asthma and ADHD represented within the story. 💙
I love seeing real-life conditions included in books in a way that helps create understanding and awareness. Neither asthma nor ADHD should define a person — they’re simply part of someone’s story, alongside their personality, relationships, dreams, struggles and everything else that makes them who they are.
Representation matters. 💙
And if this book encourages even one reader to learn more about asthma or ADHD, have a conversation, show someone a little more understanding or realise they aren’t alone, then that’s something worth celebrating. 🫶🏻
Between the banter, drama, chemistry and emotional moments, this was a definite 5⭐️ read for me.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Would I read it again? Yep.
Did I become emotionally attached to fictional people? Unfortunately, yes. 😂
Lauren Grace… respectfully, I need compensation for the emotional damage. 😂🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read the book. Enjoy the romance. Embrace the chaos. And let’s keep talking about asthma and ADHD awareness. 📚💙
#5StarRead #BookReview #ARCReader #BookTokUK #UKBookTok #LaurenGrace #AsthmaGirl #BeautifullyBroken #AsthmaAwareness #ADHDAwareness #ADHDRepresentation #RomanceBooks #RomanceBookTok #BookLovers #Bookstagram #FiveStarRead #Bookish #TBR #CurrentlyReading
August 17, 2026
I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for Lauren a second time and this book is another beautifully written book. 5*
I love Lauren's writing style and how she immediately has me hooked in every story she tells. This book was no different. It's part of her Beautifully Broken series and let me tell you every one so far has broken me in such a beautifully tragic way. There is some humour and spice too which I love. The characters were written perfectly for me. The development between them and their story had me constantly wanting to read more. There’s also a 3 legged dog so I was sold instantly 😂
As an asthma girlie myself the representation in this book made me feel seen and heard as asthma isn't something that many people understand. I love how Lauren writes about different things that people experience everyday in a way that shows you how misunderstood chronic illness is.
If you have never read a book by Lauren I highly suggest you start now you won’t be disappointed.
I want to thank Lauren for allowing me to be an ARC reader for another one of her books l am so appreciative of your trust in me again with your work. I can’t wait for the next book!
I love Lauren's writing style and how she immediately has me hooked in every story she tells. This book was no different. It's part of her Beautifully Broken series and let me tell you every one so far has broken me in such a beautifully tragic way. There is some humour and spice too which I love. The characters were written perfectly for me. The development between them and their story had me constantly wanting to read more. There’s also a 3 legged dog so I was sold instantly 😂
As an asthma girlie myself the representation in this book made me feel seen and heard as asthma isn't something that many people understand. I love how Lauren writes about different things that people experience everyday in a way that shows you how misunderstood chronic illness is.
If you have never read a book by Lauren I highly suggest you start now you won’t be disappointed.
I want to thank Lauren for allowing me to be an ARC reader for another one of her books l am so appreciative of your trust in me again with your work. I can’t wait for the next book!
August 21, 2026
Lauren Grace strikes again in all the best ways. 🥰
Her third book and I was hooked by chapter 2, would have read it even quicker but had to sleep 💤
The characters are great, Lauren has a way of making you feel totally invested in the story.
A roller coaster of emotions, immediately took an intense dislike to Polly and Darius, they should get together 🤣
Dales letter to Lila 😢
Lila and Archie I wanted to shake them and tell them to wake up and smell the coffee 🤣
The shower scene, I won’t spoil it but Archie you did good.
I’ve laughed, cried, been happy and absolutely furious at times, but I loved reading this book.
Patch what a superstar, might be a bit biased there as I’ve had three border collies and could totally relate to the antics.
I would recommend Lauren’s books to anyone who reads this, they are written from the heart and she manages to include really insightful information on her characters and the difficulties they are facing in their day to day lives.
Give this independent authors books a read, you won’t be disappointed. Pull up a nice comfy chair, get yourself a hot drink and settle down to enjoy Lauren’s latest book. 🥰📖
Her third book and I was hooked by chapter 2, would have read it even quicker but had to sleep 💤
The characters are great, Lauren has a way of making you feel totally invested in the story.
A roller coaster of emotions, immediately took an intense dislike to Polly and Darius, they should get together 🤣
Dales letter to Lila 😢
Lila and Archie I wanted to shake them and tell them to wake up and smell the coffee 🤣
The shower scene, I won’t spoil it but Archie you did good.
I’ve laughed, cried, been happy and absolutely furious at times, but I loved reading this book.
Patch what a superstar, might be a bit biased there as I’ve had three border collies and could totally relate to the antics.
I would recommend Lauren’s books to anyone who reads this, they are written from the heart and she manages to include really insightful information on her characters and the difficulties they are facing in their day to day lives.
Give this independent authors books a read, you won’t be disappointed. Pull up a nice comfy chair, get yourself a hot drink and settle down to enjoy Lauren’s latest book. 🥰📖
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a chronic health enemies to lovers romance where our FMC Lila is handed a 12 month job contract from her dear friend in his will.
The problem?
It's a carpentry, which she knows nothing about, the co-owner hates her..... and shes an asthmatic.
This has been such an enjoyable, fun and thought provoking read. I found myself quickly immersed in Lila's story.
She's 25 years old and she's had a hard time holding down a job due to long sickness absences.
It's really shone a light on just how hard it can be living with a chronic illness.
Archie, grumpy sod that he is, prejudges her and thinks shes a scrounger, and hates the idea of Lila coming to work with him at the carpentry business.
There's humour and sweet moments throughout in this book, that includes a shower mishap when Lila accidentally dyes a man's todger purple, and many more hilarious drunken mishaps.
Above all, this story is about proving you can be more then your illness and you can flourish if given a chance.
Oh and there's a 3 legged dog 🐕 ❤️
The problem?
It's a carpentry, which she knows nothing about, the co-owner hates her..... and shes an asthmatic.
This has been such an enjoyable, fun and thought provoking read. I found myself quickly immersed in Lila's story.
She's 25 years old and she's had a hard time holding down a job due to long sickness absences.
It's really shone a light on just how hard it can be living with a chronic illness.
Archie, grumpy sod that he is, prejudges her and thinks shes a scrounger, and hates the idea of Lila coming to work with him at the carpentry business.
There's humour and sweet moments throughout in this book, that includes a shower mishap when Lila accidentally dyes a man's todger purple, and many more hilarious drunken mishaps.
Above all, this story is about proving you can be more then your illness and you can flourish if given a chance.
Oh and there's a 3 legged dog 🐕 ❤️
August 15, 2026
This is a book that is exactly what it says on the tin! It is a romance with some trauma, grief, chronic illness and chaos. Lila reminded me of me years ago and she made me laugh, smile and sometimes roll my eyes!
This is an enemies to lovers and although I wasn't truly convinced that they were true enemies to lovers, I enjoyed being apart of Lila and Archie's story and watching it unfold.
This book has everything you want in a romance book, it ticks all the boxes and more. It also has a dog called Patch, a three legged rescue dog who I could seriously steal and take home!
Lauren has a wonderful way of making you feel that you are in the story, that you are watching everything unfold and you laugh, shout and get frustrated as if you are a bystander in their story.
I highly recommend this book, it was an enjoyable read with a great insight to what it's like living with a chronic illness. It will make you smile, laugh and it is very relatable.
I look forward to reading more books by Lauren Grace.
This is an enemies to lovers and although I wasn't truly convinced that they were true enemies to lovers, I enjoyed being apart of Lila and Archie's story and watching it unfold.
This book has everything you want in a romance book, it ticks all the boxes and more. It also has a dog called Patch, a three legged rescue dog who I could seriously steal and take home!
Lauren has a wonderful way of making you feel that you are in the story, that you are watching everything unfold and you laugh, shout and get frustrated as if you are a bystander in their story.
I highly recommend this book, it was an enjoyable read with a great insight to what it's like living with a chronic illness. It will make you smile, laugh and it is very relatable.
I look forward to reading more books by Lauren Grace.
August 17, 2026
I absolutely loved Asthma Girl the Carpenter and the Contract. I genuinely couldn’t put it down and ended up reading the whole thing within two days!
The characters were brilliant. Darius was definitely a hubba hubba moment 😆
The MFC was one of my favourite things about this book though. She was a little rough around the edges at times and care free and I absolutely loved that because shes relatable!
Aside from the romance and the laughs, there’s a much deeper side to this book around living with chronic illness, and this really hit home for me. As someone who lives with chronic health issues myself, it made me feel genuinely seen. Lauren wrote that side of the story so beautifully without it feeling forced or taking away from everything else in the book.
Again another book by Lauren that had me feeling all the feels I was laughing crying and cringing in places of this book 😆 I loved every minute!
The characters were brilliant. Darius was definitely a hubba hubba moment 😆
The MFC was one of my favourite things about this book though. She was a little rough around the edges at times and care free and I absolutely loved that because shes relatable!
Aside from the romance and the laughs, there’s a much deeper side to this book around living with chronic illness, and this really hit home for me. As someone who lives with chronic health issues myself, it made me feel genuinely seen. Lauren wrote that side of the story so beautifully without it feeling forced or taking away from everything else in the book.
Again another book by Lauren that had me feeling all the feels I was laughing crying and cringing in places of this book 😆 I loved every minute!
August 18, 2026
This isn't my go-to type of book, but after following the author on social media and absolutely loving her content I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did, it's such a beautifully written book that mirrors a lot of her own health issues in the form of her FMC.
An enemies to lovers story that just makes you fall in love with both characters. A wild and sassy girl named Lila who is given a 12 month contract to work with the grumpy, moody Carpenter, Archie. Their shared grief brings them together in ways they didn't think possible.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. I couldn't put it down.
An enemies to lovers story that just makes you fall in love with both characters. A wild and sassy girl named Lila who is given a 12 month contract to work with the grumpy, moody Carpenter, Archie. Their shared grief brings them together in ways they didn't think possible.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. I couldn't put it down.
August 16, 2026
An addictive read that hits you right in the feels! Lila and Archie’s journey is full of laughs, hatred and strength but most of all a love that can survive all. Lauren Grace has done it again, she is definitely an author to keep your eye on..
August 16, 2026
Oh my… this book was so eye opening to the struggles of life with a chronic illness. I adored Archie even if he did annoy me at the start, he won me over in the end. Oh and the ending , well it had me in tears it was perfect.
August 28, 2026
This story will have you gripped, it gives you all the feels with this heartfelt moving story.
Beautifully told loving with a chronic illness and adhd.
I myself struggle with asmtha and this really hit home and had me in a choke hold.
This story is emotional, tender and loving and covers love,loss, grief,support and illness full of self discovery & growth with great chemistry and banter.
This is a 2nd in a series but can be read as a standalone which I did and I devoured this in one sitting. Lila our FMC is chaotic and complex and struggles with the affects of living with a chronic illness and her grief after loosing a close friend.
I found her relatable but I also got extremely frustrated with her and the choices she made. I wanted so much for her and just do better and look after her self. Loved her sass and her banter with Archie, they had great chemistry. It got a bit furiating at times. This is supposed to be enemies to lovers but I didn’t feel that and the I hate yous just annoyed me as you just knew from the get go they were meant to be and that they had feelings.
Absolutely loved Archie, he was everything in a MMC, he was grumpy and moody but allso strong, supportive and vulnerable.
This was an enjoyable read, I enjoyed the story and it had the perfect ending.
Go and give it ago.
Beautifully told loving with a chronic illness and adhd.
I myself struggle with asmtha and this really hit home and had me in a choke hold.
This story is emotional, tender and loving and covers love,loss, grief,support and illness full of self discovery & growth with great chemistry and banter.
This is a 2nd in a series but can be read as a standalone which I did and I devoured this in one sitting. Lila our FMC is chaotic and complex and struggles with the affects of living with a chronic illness and her grief after loosing a close friend.
I found her relatable but I also got extremely frustrated with her and the choices she made. I wanted so much for her and just do better and look after her self. Loved her sass and her banter with Archie, they had great chemistry. It got a bit furiating at times. This is supposed to be enemies to lovers but I didn’t feel that and the I hate yous just annoyed me as you just knew from the get go they were meant to be and that they had feelings.
Absolutely loved Archie, he was everything in a MMC, he was grumpy and moody but allso strong, supportive and vulnerable.
This was an enjoyable read, I enjoyed the story and it had the perfect ending.
Go and give it ago.
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