I wanted to love this - it kind of reminded me of a Finlay Donovan (one of my faves) kind of vibe at first, but it turned into a stereotypical romance. I read most of it, but I just wasn’t interested and couldn’t bring myself to finish.

If I were a romance reader, I would have probably loved it! It’s just not my thing.

I really loved this book and I've been a little off on most romance recently. What set it apart was the realism. Marlowe is kind of a hot mess, and I could easily identify with her, particularly with her clothing malfunctions. Nothing is going right in her life when the book begins. She has discovered that her fiance is cheating on her, and her parents think that she should try to make up with him. Her parents also disapprove of her chosen field of costume design for plays. Her student loans are stressing her economically. Her life has kind of fallen apart and at the suggestion of a friend, she applies for and receives a job in Los Angeles, all the way across the country.

It's a big step lower than the job she had before. Now she is a Production Assistant for a popular TV show, rather than costume designer for live plays. Her boss treats her as a gofer - gofer this, gofer that, and work hours are whatever her boss says they are. Quitting time is a suggestion to her boss. Fortunately for her she does have some good coworkers.

Another plus turns out to be Angus Gordon, the star of her TV series. She expects that he will be as arrogant as the character that he plays, and finds instead that he is down to earth and likeable. And he likes her back. Marlowe is torn about pursuing that possibility, as she doesn't want to jump too quickly into another relationship and she also wants to return to New York and work on live plays. She worries about jumping into another relationship too soon also. Angus also has his own set of issues, but he is sure about Marlowe. This was a lovely, realistic love story and I thoroughly enjoyed both the romance and getting a glimpse of what goes into producing an episode of a TV series.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher St. Martin's Griffin via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

Life is difficult for Marlowe Banks these days. She broke up with her fiance, lost her job, has tons of bills and her parents are not very happy with her. She leaves New York City and heads to Los Angeles. She gets a job as a Production Assistant on a TV show. It’s not the career move she wants to make, but it will have to do for now. Her goal is to be a costume designer, not someone who does personal chores for her boss, including walking her dog.

When a mix-up on the set occurs, Marlowe steps in to help. She takes on the small role of a waitress, However, the camera catches a look between Marlowe and the leading man, Angus Gordon. Suddenly Marlowe finds herself in the limelight. Even social media goes crazy. This isn’t what she wants at all, but she does find herself quite attracted to Angus.

This is a fun romantic comedy. The characters made me laugh. Marlowe finds herself in some wacky situations. The romance between Marlowe and Angus is slowly building. Their romantic scenes sizzle to say the least.

The book subtly shows how a mere mention in social media can really turn things around. The truth isn’t always at it appears to be.

This is a new-to-me author, but I will be checking out her backlist. If this book is any indication, her stories are delightful and a great way to spend an afternoon relaxing.




FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A completely delightful romantic comedy, featuring Marlowe, who is a lovable underdog as the story begins. She's fled New York for Los Angeles, where she works as a personal assistant on a film set. When circumstances force her to step in as a stand in, she meets Angus, an actor, who seems to be her total opposite. Eventually, Marlowe outgrows her underdog status and finds love, and as readers, we truly enjoy going along on the journey with her.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins from the publisher.

Marlowe is a relatable character. She’s trying to make her way in a creative career and having to deal with criticism and the fears that the criticism brings up. Angus is different than what he initially appears to Marlowe. She learns that what she assumes about him from what she sees in the media is inaccurate. I really loved how their relationship was developed over the course of the story.

Babs and Cherry were great secondary characters. I especially liked how Babs’s character was revealed throughout.

This is a charming romantic comedy that was a fun read.

Marlowe leaves life in NYC to go to LA to become invisible. While working on the set of a TV show as a personal assistant to the costume designer, Marlowe bumps into Angus (the show's bad boy) and spills coffee on him. Then Marlowe helps a co-worker fix a wardrobe malfunction by playing a waitress, where her and Angus share an intense look that becomes a trending topic on Twitter. Thus she's written into the show to play Angus' old flame.

The enemies to lovers trope is out in full force in this book and I love it. I like that it also included friendship between Marlowe and Angus and they didn't rush straight to lovers. Getting to see an insecure, nervous, down to earth girl in Marlowe is refreshing. I love that she's not perfect and yet she still can succeed and love herself.

Marlowe Banks, Rediscovered is the perfect mash-up of my childhood favorite The A List by Zoey Dean, and Julie Murphy's If The Shoe Fits. It's funny, poignant, self-reflective, and a page-turner.

Marlowe Banks wants one thing out of her PA job in LA, to blend in and not fail. After her first foray into her real passion in design goes belly up, Marlowe ends her engagement with Kelvin, a grade A emotional gaslighter, and moves across country to the West coast to try again in safer territory. Muddling through busy work from her boss Babs, Marlowe steps in to be an extra one day on set when her world shifts again. This time thanks to Angus Gordon, the party-boy, vain, star of the show...or so she thinks. The pair have electric chemistry both in front and behind the camera, and as one of my favorite movies goes, "You can't fake chemistry." Overnight Marlowe goes from unknown PA to "the waitress" that everyone wants to see on screen again. With Angus to guide her through the unwanted journey into acting and celebrity fame, Marlowe realizes the public persona of Angus and the Angus standing right in front of her might just be two different people, and one of those as a man she wants to know.

This book was such a delight to read. I was sent this book as an ARC and had never heard of Jacqueline Firkins before, and I'm so happy I was asked to review this. This book was funny, smart, and made me rethink some of my own self-held beliefs. Marlowe "like the detective" is someone all women should aspire to be. Her friendship with Cherry was refreshing, and Angus was just so swoon worthy. Either the bar is below sea level or "let me cook you dinner and you can tell me all about your day" is next level courtship. Do not miss out on reading this book!

This book worms my heart and soul.
It’s rarely when that happens now after reading a few thousands romance books over the years and I’m always happy when I find one this good.
I loved how Marlon grows into her own person and how she redesign herself staying true to what she believes and making it her own ride.
Angus is a perfect hero. Caring , assertive and honest. Their banter was so on point at all times and their chemistry was so sweet to watch.

Beautiful story that many readers will enjoy

This was a fun and different read. It had a unique setting of being on a television set. I loved seeing how the characters developed throughout out the book.

**Thank you to Jacqueline Firkins, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to receive an ARC of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned in exchange for an honest review!** This was such a fun read! Speaking as someone that didn't follow a traditional route of employment I really resonated with the struggles that Marlowe had when it came to feeling left out because her career didn't progress as she thought it would. I really enjoyed seeing how she dealt with her ex. I do definitely see where she was coming from when it came to that and I felt like it the author did a really good job portraying Marlowe's emotions when it came to her previous relationship in a very understandable way. I did really enjoy all of the hijinks that ensued with Edith Head. I thought that this book was very fun and I loved the friendship that she had with Cherry. I thought that all of the characters seemed fun to be around and I also loved the relationship that she had with Tanareve. It definitely made sense to explain the different ways that people approach social media and why some people are more hesitant when it comes to their online persona. I really enjoyed this book and I am so happy that I was able to read it! I think this is a great read for people that enjoy books that take a plot point that is slightly unrealistic but then the author makes it seem like it is actually plausible that it could happen. I'm always hesitant when it comes to books with celebrities in them but I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book!

This was a fun read. Quirkiness and relatability go hand in hand as the story unfolds. The steam, heat, heart and humor all flow freely through this book and if you are anything like me this potent combo is sure to put a smile on your face.

Marlowe Banks is a costume designer for a popular tv show after moving away from her friends in New York and breaking off her engagement. She's a bit of a mess, but is trying really hard, and a meet-cute (meet-messy?) that spirals into her also needing to fill a background position in the show due to costuming requirements, and that spirals into a social media frenzy, into even more shenanigans, to her life just blowing up!

It's a real fun story with a lot of growth for Marlowe, which I loved. Also loved getting to know Angus, the heartthrob who seems like a total jerk at first, but we get to see why he's got his own walls up throughout the book as well, and his own growth. The side characters are also fantastic, and add a lot to the story.

This book was easily read in a day with its fast pace and fun chapters!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the e-ARC!

5 stars hands down! This story of Marlowe and Angus is a beautiful story of accidental love. How does Marlowe manage staying out of the spotlight and can their relationship handle it? Marlowe proves over and over throughout this book that she is a strong, independent woman that knows what she deserves. Beautiful job!

Marlowe Banks is a costume designer who makes the big move from NY to LA after her engagement was broken and her last design was panned by the critics. In LA she finds anonymity working as a PA on a popular TV show until she offers to step in for a background actor after a costume issue. Sizzling eye contact is caught on camera between Marlowe and megastar Angus Gordon, and the public, via social media, demand more from the two.
I'm not sure what I expected when I picked this one up, but I don't think it was what I read. I really enjoyed this one. It's a unique premise and great writing - what an excellent combo! Thanks to St Martin's Griffin, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. It's available now, so check it out if you're interested in a behind-the-scenes romance with a Hollywood star - and so much more!

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is marketed as a romance, which it is. But it also so much more! It is about a woman trying to learn who she truly is after a lifetime of feeling like she will never be enough. From her parents constantly negating her feelings to an ex-fiancé always ignoring her feelings, Marlowe feels like she’s lost her voice and finds it easier to be in the shadows. But is that any way to truly live life? Especially when you have so much to say.

As a romance, I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Angus and Marlowe. It was refreshing to know that it isn’t always perfect. In one scene, they fall off the couch while making out. Please tell me that I’m not the only one who has had that happen!

Have you ever felt like you’re not enough? Well, guess what? You are wrong! You are enough, and you are loved! If you need the reminder, then you should give Marlowe Banks a read!

*4.5 stars rounded up*
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the copy of this ARC. This book was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Marlowe Banks is anything but perfect. She doesn't have the job she wants, she's entertaining her Ex's toxic antics, Her parents are constantly on her for "wasted potential", and she just spilt coffee all over the sexy brooding star of the tv show she is a costumer for. Not much else could go wrong right?

Oh yeah, her friend and coworker Cherry had a mixup, and now there is no one that can fit into the waitress custom needed for today's set. Yet, in step's Marlowe, designer, now part time actress as an extra in a popular drama and Angus just can't stop glowering at her in every take.

Honestly the premise was what drew me in and I was expecting a cheeky little rom com, but it was so much more than that. I related to Marlowe in many ways and seeing the complexity in which Jacqueline handled her story line as well as Angus's is what kept me turning the page.

She is messy, and flawed, and maybe a little cursed but she brought humor to the story that was needed when dealing with the things she did. If I have any critique of this book, it is only that I didn't like where it ended. I need more. I wanted to see the publics reaction to them coming out as a couple, I wanted more of them after the show wrapped, I wanted to see Marlowe's response to the episodes when they aired. I just wanted more more more.

I hope that the author will continue their story, or maybe even give us a peak into Cherry's world and on set of her brand new movie. Anything for more of these characters.

Wonderful story about second chances, reinventing yourself after failure, and seizing opportunity with both hands.

I loved the character development and the quick pace of this book and the plot kept pulling me in and left me wanting to read more even when I had other things to do.

There is a wee bit more than a bit of spice in this, so note that if that's not your thing. This is definitely a good read when you need a pick-me-up or just a good story to escape into.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC at my request.

I'm not sure I empathized with Marlowe. It seemed too much to leave NYC in order to hide... NYC is a city that never sleeps and is generally pretty easy to hide in if you aren't wanting to be found. Either way, I found this one to be a bit... forced. It just wasn't the book for me.

What a wonderful, feel-good romcom. It was fun, funny, sweet, angsty, grumpy, completely relatable, and dozens of other descriptors. I loved Marlowe and Angus and thought they were perfect for each other.
Definitely recommend.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

This was a really delightful book to read. The characters were fully realized - with their own baggage and issues, but not in an annoying way. They were aware of them and working to be healthier individuals. Where some romances rely on miscommunication or conflict that if they just TALKED could be solved, these characters address things head on and don’t let that miscommunication linger. It was refreshing and healthy and very sexy. Lots of sexual tension but not overly done or gratuitous. The writing is clever and funny.
A really great read, will definitely read another book by this author and recommend Marlowe Banks, Redesigned.