I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience. Please disregard the star rating as I do not give ratings on books I haven't read.

I just couldn't get into this which is why this review has taken forever, I can't even pinpoint why, it was truly a case of it's me not you. Will try to reread later and see if it hits different.

I really enjoyed this story! I loved the way Marlow and Angus met. The ordinary girl and the movie star was a fun trope to read. I liked how Marlow wasn't awestruck by Angus, which he is obviously used to women being.

Marlowe has been through some things, that was for sure! I loved the banter between her and Angus. I liked how she saw behind the walls Angus had in place and saw the real guy, not the actor. I really enjoyed the slow burn that was happening between them. This was a really fun read!

Ah, the classic — my life fell apart on this coast, so I'll be rebuilding it on the other — story. (AKA, the story I've dreamed any time my life feels like it's falling apart.)

"Marlowe Banks, Redesigned" by Jacqueline Firkins is a poignant exploration of failure, forgiveness, and the pursuit of second chances, skillfully woven into the messy tapestry of life and love. Marlowe Banks, facing a series of setbacks, seeks refuge in Los Angeles, hoping to escape her failures and find solace as a Production Assistant on a TV show.

Firkins masterfully captures the vulnerability of Marlowe as she navigates the aftermath of a broken engagement, career disappointments, and family expectations. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when a costume mix-up thrusts Marlowe into the spotlight alongside Angus Gordon, the show's arrogant bad boy. The ensuing dynamics between Marlowe and Angus unravel layers of hidden truths, creating a compelling and emotionally resonant story.

The author's portrayal of character growth is both authentic and relatable, allowing readers to empathize with Marlowe's journey of self-discovery. The thematic exploration of staying invisible versus embracing change adds depth to the plot, making "Marlowe Banks, Redesigned" a captivating read. Firkins' narrative unfolds with humor, heart, and a refreshing honesty that keeps the reader engaged until the final page. This novel is a testament to the transformative power of embracing life's imperfections and pursuing the courage to redesign one's path.

The cover really drew me in, and I'm glad it did, because Firkins brought out all the emotions and all the stops! I feel like a lot of readers can relate to Marlowe in that her life is falling apart and you just want to find a sense of normalcy.

Marlowe Banks is running from failure in NYC to be a designer's personal assistant in LA. Her life is in disarray after so much change, and it's hard for Marlowe to separate which decisions have been about finding something better and which have been motivated by crippling self-doubt. A costume designer drowning in student debt, Marlowe's last show in New York was buried by critics who left her questioning everything, especially herself. Now she fetches lunch, cares for a dog, and shops for clothes needed on the set of a popular, soapy TV drama. Her boss is a frigid taskmaster (Devil Wears Prada comps are appropriate), and Marlowe is only distantly interested in working her way up into a designing role for TV. She's also running from a breakup. Marlowe still gets texts from the fiancee she left behind, and the loneliness of being in a new city with no support system makes her wonder if her ex was right when he told her she'd never find anyone better than him (trigger warnings for emotional abuse and gaslighting).

Our celebrity love interest is Angus, an actor on the show of former Disney star fame. Marlowe thinks he's a classic fuckboy, overhyped and overconfident with arrogance to spare. It's a story of ill-considered and inaccurate assumptions, in real life and on social media. I was left feeling sheepish for misjudging Angus right alongside Marlowe. I appreciate the author doesn't make Marlowe out to be wildly unreasonable in her misread of the situation, and it's nice to see a misunderstanding that isn't drawn out to arduous levels. Marlowe and Angus have to talk things over and figure out where they went wrong to move forward with not only a common understanding of the situation but also a deeper look at how the other operates. A silver lining if you will. Angus is a cinnamon roll (my favorite type of hero) despite all initial, superficial signs to the contrary. And his actual vibe is so comfy and cute. I was fully on board with the romance once all the nonsense was cleared away. Think worn paperbacks and cooking together and soft, cozy banter. The author captures the little moments and the inside jokes that make the best romances melt my insides into happy goo.

Beyond a love story that gave me all the feel-good vibes I hope to get from the genre, this book tackles some important issues through Marlowe's experiences. There's a lot of musing on criticism that I found enlightening. With both Marlowe and Angus' art in the public eye, they have to parse when feedback is helpful vs when it comes from petty trolling or personal taste and can be safely ignored. It's a useful thought process as someone who both takes and gives plenty of critique-- what's the motivation in the words and how should we receive them? Related to this struggle with criticism is Marlowe's fear of failure to the point of not doing what she loves. The author strikes a good balance of relating Marlowe's insecurities in a way that's potentially relatable to readers without being too cloying. You won't have to trudge through so many self-recriminations that you feel like her unpaid, unexpected therapist. Another strong thread of Marlowe's arc is her journey with her ex. We see her relearn how to trust herself and take up space. She looks at a future full of opportunity rather than an escape from a past that minimized her. You can expect closure and catharsis as she fully extricates herself from the man who took too much from her.

This book works as both a romantic endeavor and a personal journey. It's a great addition to the celebrity romance niche, especially given the uncommon delve into the world of costume design. It turns out this is the author's expertise, so it isn't just decoration but genuine engagement with the artistry and reality of the field. I recommend this one to those who like seeing a woman come into her power with a sparkly happily ever after thrown in for good measure. Thanks to SMP Romance for my copy to read and review!

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins is a book about finding yourself in a new place. When Marlowe heads to LA from NYC in the wake of heartbreak, she finds a new spark of creativity when she's asked to redesign the show's costume where she's landed as a PA.

Alongside her creativity, she also finds a slow burn romance, with the show's lead writer Angus. It's fun to read their banter, but the true love story is Marlowe's love story with herself.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

A cute romance story with Marlowe learning a lot about movie shopping and secretly crushing after her ideal version of a man. Reality is quite different as the two clash until he admits to not doing his own social media. The angst smooths out and a relationship builds.

I like a man who is up front about his feelings and is honest in a romance. That seems to be pretty rare.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned has a cute premise. I wanted to like this book but I just couldn't connect with it. Perhaps I wasn't in the best headspace. I will not be posting my review publicly.

I enjoyed this one! I really liked the plot and the characters and the things they had to deal with and go through!

Marlowe’s life is a hot mess - her engagement has ended, her career as a costume designer is not going as planned, and she has no money to pay her student loans. She escapes all her failures in NYC and heads to LA to hide and work as a production assistant on a hit sitcom. A costume issue leads to Marlowe last minute stepping in and being in a scene and suddenly throws her into the spotlight. Marlowe is then forced to work even more closely with Angus, the show’s resident bad boy and she has to decide if she’s ready to reinvent herself or stay invisible.

I love a good celebrity romance, so this slow burn romance with a lot of behind the scenes looks into the TV industry was just what I needed. Marlowe is a hot mess and so relatable as a main character and I found myself rooting for her success almost instantly. Marlowe and Angus had incredible chemistry and I loved slowly peeling back the layers as we learned more about Angus throughout the story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Oh how I loved this! After a number of failed spooky reads I decided I needed a complete break. I picked this one up and it was such a breath of fresh air. I loved Marlowe, and as she slowly found her voice through the novel, I found myself smiling often. She was so relatable, her insecurities reminding me a lot of myself in my 20’s. Angus was a great character too and it made me think a lot about what celebrities go through: the invasion of their personal space as well as anyone who comes into contact with them, & the constant click bait articles and rumors about them. I’ve always thought it was unfair and this cemented that feeling. It’s hard for me to say too much about this without giving away a lot of the story, but trust me it’s good.

I can't wait to read Firkins next book out October 31, The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch.

Marlowe is a hot mess. She has a job that just takes all her time. Buy it, return it and working for a control freak. And then the star of the show catches her eye. Actually a pretty good story. There are some hot interactions, some scenes that make me laugh. Her family needs to let her live her own life. I liked the book.

Marlowe is one of those people who just sort of blends into the background. An assistant, she made me think of Anne Hathaway's character from The Devil Wears Prada. She's always being bossed around and she just takes it. Until one day, she ends up needing to be in the spotlight and that takes her places she never dreamed of ever being able to go. She meets someone, she's doing more than her boss ever thought she could, and she could finally be someone. But the question is, does she want to? Her whole life she's just been Marlowe. If she continues down this route, everyone will know her name...

I guess I forgot to review this one when I first read it my bad so sorry. I really really liked it though. It was a fresh take on a girls dreams of loving a celebrity and I liked that even the side characters had depth and interest.

I enjoyed this one. The characters were fun and the story was sweet. Marlowe was kinda messy but totally likeable.

“I can’t truly fail if I’m not chasing what I really want.” - Marlowe Banks

This one felt real to me. Real people, flawed in multitudes, and also so perfect in their humanity. I love a good rom com, and this one was excellent. I laughed and I got choked up a bit during some parts - it was all worth it. Well written, well paced, and well ended. It left me with a satisfied sigh and now I’m missing Marlowe and Angus and Jeeves.

May we all chase what we really want, failure be damned.

I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. The opinions are mine alone.

I never thought I'd be such a fan of the celebrity x non-celebrity trope but this book was everything. I loved that marlowe and angus actually became friends before turning into something more. It wasn't instant attraction. Rather, it was soft and full of banter. It was two people learning about each other beyond their preconceived notions and falling deeply in love.

At times, it did feel a bit like marlowe didn't deserve angus, someone who was all in the moment he realized his feelings. But I also just adored them together and, despite my fears about how they could possibly work out, liked where they ended up at the end. I'll definitely be reading Jacqueline's next release!

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press / St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.