I really enjoyed this one! Marlowe Banks is the queen of playing it safe, after a failed engagement and growing up with two perfectionist parents. She’s scared to go after what she wants, so she isn’t dating and she’s in a job that makes her unhappy.

But when a job opportunity arises, and a guy she thought was a jerk ends up being not such a jerk.. Marlowe takes some opportunities to change her life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the character development throughout this book. I loved the slow revealing of Angus’ true character, and he was such an easy to love character. And I loved the journey of Marlowe finding her inner voice (as opposed to being shy, and settling for what is comfortable) and discovering what she wants in life (and going for it!)

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martins Press for the ARC!

BOOK REVIEW: Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins
2022 Publication Date: October 25

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Best Contemporary Romance Book
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2022

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
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T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Such a wonderful reading experience of how failure can lead to growth and how important it is to trust that you deserve the best life has to offer.

I also loved the romance in the book — it was slow-burning and believable. And I applaud the author for giving the romance time to decant while a solid friendship was created first.

Firkins does an excellent job of exploring the complexities of relationships, both platonic and romantic. Marlowe is a well-developed character who readers will be able to relate.

And although the novel deals with the ever-pervasive and unhealthy social media pressure that has become commonplace, Firkins expertly weaves in elements of humor and heart that make the story enjoyable and easy to read, while still providing gems of insight via the main characters.

And did I mention loads of laugh-out-loud funny scenes and witty banter? Oh, yeah...

If you're looking for touching best contemporary romance novels about second chances with character development evolving from a "hating game" to undeniable chemistry to a best friend as a relationship develops, I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins.

Explores the messy reality of life and love in a way that is both relatable and enjoyable. You won't be able to put it down!... ✨😎✨

Pages: 346
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Workplace Romance | Steamy Romance
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ 🌶 (Mild Spicy)
Time Period: Present Day
Location: Los Angeles, California

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Movie: La La Land

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Marlowe, a costume designer "paying her dues" as an entry-level assistant on a TV series, is struggling to make it in Hollywood.

When a costume mix-up requires Marlowe to step into a scene as an emergency "fill-in", she is thrown into the spotlight. The camera catches a heated look between her and Angus Gordon, the show's arrogant bad boy, and the audience runs with it creating a viral social media frenzy.

This is too much for the producers of the show to ignore... So, they put the wheels in motion to work Marlowe into the final storyline of the season.

As she begins to work closely with Angus, Marlowe starts to learn that she's not the only one hiding secrets.

What follows is a story of self-discovery, love, and learning to embrace a second chance in all of it.

If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh... Root for the characters from beginning to end... And beautifully capture the messy reality of life and love... Then you need to pick up a copy of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins.

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
• The importance of taking risks, even if they may lead to failure.
• The power of friendship and how it can blossom into romance.
• The dangers of social media pressure and the need to be true to oneself.

BOOK QUOTE:
"I think you're brave... You're the first person I've met who wants his life to be quieter. In a world filled with messages to be louder and bigger, to take up more space, to garner more attention, denying those messages seems pretty brave to me... " — Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins.

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

After a disappointing review of her designs and breaking off her engagement, Marlowe Banks left Manhattan for LA, Broadway for Hollywood. Instead of designing costumes, she's a PA for the petty Babs on the set of a teen drama. Star Angus Gordon, although admittedly gorgeous, is the stereotypical egotistical man-whore. Or at least Marlowe believes until a bizarre chain of events causes her to get to know him better. Way better.

The Angus she gets to know is a genuinely kind person with his own insecurities. But Marlowe soon finds herself having to make difficult choices about her career and what sacrifice she's willing to make for someone she loves.

This book challenges certain aspects of the romance trope and it's so so refreshing. I love romantic elements in a story, but generally do not enjoy pure romance, particularly when it's formulaic. But this book is so much more than that. Marlowe is a smart protagonist who learns that she is as guilty at judging as those she accuses of judging. Angus is perhaps too good to be true, but this story is a refreshing blend of escapism and realism. #NetGalley

Marlowe Banks is a completely relatable heroine just trying to hide in the background of her life after a few unfortunate events. When she is thrust into the spotlight with heart throb actor Angus, their hate fueled chemistry starts to blossom into a sort of friendship, and then into something much more.

I loved watching Marlowe peel back the layers as she gets to know the real Angus, not the PR bad boy he's often made out to be. It just goes to show yet again that you can't judge a book by it's cover, or a person by their reputation alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital arc for my review.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Marlowe Banks is a costume designer who fled her life in New York after a series of unfortunate events. Her last design was panned and she broke off her engagement to a guy who was at best, a bit of gaslighter. Now in L.A. she works on a sappy show with Hollywood heartthrobs, including arrogant Angus Gordon, where she’s basically a glorified errand girl and dog sitter. But when a costume mishap forces her to play an extra, a look between she and Angus that goes viral thrusts Marlowe into the spotlight whether she wants to be there or not.

Jaqueline Firkins is an amazing costume designer herself (check out her feed if you haven’t already), and it’s clear she knows the world she’s writing about, right from the dedication, and she also knows how to write women who feel wonderfully real. Marlowe isn’t perfect. She’s lovely, but she’s a bit of klutz, indecisive, and insecure. She’s also funny, talented and a lot of other things, just like all of us, but you don’t always see characters this fleshed out in romcoms.

Angus is a great character too. He’s layered and interesting, and okay maybe a little on the perfect side, but he’s a hundred percent book boyfriend material. The banter between the characters is great and there are passages I’m already planning to reread once my preorder arrives.

I love the theme of the media needing to represent all types of women, and how perfectly it was woven into the romance, right through the resolution. I also loved the exploration of toxicity in relationships with Marlowe and her ex. Clearly he was not fabulous, but I love it when characters own their part. I always tell my kids that the only thing you can control is you, and I loved how that was explored in this book even though I’m pretty sure we’ll all hate Kelvin.

Thank you so much to @stmartinspress and @netgally for an e-copy. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a thought-provoking romcom.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I really liked the plot, loved the snappy dialogue, and thought the characters were interesting - except for Marlowe Banks herself. I found to her to be pretty unlikeable for most of the book. There were moments when I thought she was finally coming into her own, only to have her revert back to the wishy-washy mouse she was at the beginning. Normally I love a good 'finding yourself again after heartbreak' but she was just too much.

I did enjoy the other characters, and would love to see some of them developed further in a spin off book.

I ❤ these two!!

Marlowe and Angus are a perfect fit, even though they don't see it. Seems everyone else is much quicker, so their misjudgment of each other at the beginning sets them off to become reluctant friends that slowly turns into something much more real and frightening for both. I really connected with both of them from the start and anxiously binge read to see things through, for my own sanity and it was worth it!
All the other supportive and toxic players in their lives only served to guide them to each other in the end and I couldn't have been happier, with a side of relieved. Enjoyed the read completely and feel a little empty (but satisfied) now that it's done. Definitely an author I will be keeping my eyes on.
Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read this book and give my honest opinion.

Marlowe's meet-cute with famed childhood actor, Angus Gordon, goes about as good as a scolding cup of hot coffee would feel down the front of you. Her messy encounter causes her to jump to quick conclusions about his entitled life.

But don't judge a book by its cover they say, and Angus has so much underneath his outward grumpiness. He just wants someone to give him the chance to share the "who" he truly is as a person.

Angus and Marlowe’s chemistry is palpable - "Marlowe like the Detective" and "Angus not like the Beef" Ladies, Angus loves to read books too!!! Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is simply fantastic!

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the complimentary copy.

A delightful romance! I loved the characters and the love story development. This was witty and oh-so-adorable in it’s presentation. I found myself smiling and rooting for Marlowe throughout the book. Her antics were authentic and relatable. The banter was top notch! I flew through this one quickly, I was invested from the beginning. So cute and charming!

Marlowe Banks flees from her life in New York City, including her fiancé and dream career, and is hiding from her life in Los Angeles working as a Production Assistant for a popular TV show. When a mix-up leaves Marlowe acting as a background actor, she shares a heated look with the show’s hunky star, thrusting Marlowe into the spotlight and time around Angus.

I knew I would like this book, I mean it all starts with a misunderstanding and Angus and Marlowe have a sort of enemies-to-lovers but not kind of initial tension between the two. Their meet cute moment is the quintessential meet cute moment.

Speaking of moments, the moment I knew I loved our main character happened when Marlowe made a beef joke towards Angus’ name. No offense to any Angus’ out there but it would have been a missed opportunity as far as I’m concerned.

This novel was a comfort read for me. After a series of mediocre reads this novel stood out because it has all the things I love in a contemporary romance (supporting characters with a purpose, quirky friends, good banter and relatable and realistic relationship problems). Angus was described as an Adonis type but don’t let his perfectly chiseled exterior fool you, he had layers! He was sensitive, a hermit and had enough books on his shelves to rival my own.

The story is primarily a romance but it does follow Marlowe’s journey towards self-confidence and self-love, and a lot of it comes from searching within as opposed to a male’s influence, which I particularly appreciated.

In addition to being a writer, the author is also a costume designer, which is Marlowe’s career background. The setting of the novel allows for some interesting insight into the costuming industry for television and movies for the uninitiated.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading what Firkins comes up with next!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advanced reading copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Do you like reading books that take place where you live? I love LA based books - they make me feel like a hip insider (which I am clearly not in real life). Marlowe Banks, Redesigned was the adorable book about Marlowe, a costume designer recovering from heartbreak and working on the set of a tv show when she ends up getting inadvertently cast in the show. I love reading books about all things Hollywood and this was such a fun take hearing about it from the stylist side. I loved the pop culture references, the witty banter, the toe curling romance, the many mishaps, and the entertaining side characters. Marlowe and the messes she got into was just inherently likable and relatable, while making me giggle.

3.5 stars

The idea behind it is a bit fanfiction-y but I happen to like that. The story was very cute and the tropes were well portrayed. However, I struggled to connect with the characters. If you list the characteristics of Marlowe you have someone I would want to be friends with. All messy and insecure and hard working. But when it comes to actually played out the character just didn’t come across right to me. I felt like I was being told she’s all those things not shown. I did appreciate that it was enemies to friends to lovers.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the #gifted eARC of MARLOWE BANKS, REDESIGNED.

From the synopsis, I thought I was going to be getting another celebrity romance a la THE IDEA OF YOU (aka one of my fav celebrity romances ever) but without the reverse age gap. Instead, MARLOWE BANKS is more of a self-discovery of a woman who has lost confidence in herself with a splash of romance. That doesn’t make it a bad book, it just wasn’t what I was hoping to read.

I wanted more of Angus and Marlowe together. I loved the scenes where they were together. But the book is incredibly slow-paced and it felt like it took forever for anything to happen.

There are so many glowing reviews for this book so if it sounds good to you, definitely pick it up! I think this just comes down to this book not being a good fit for me, and I probably picked it up at a not great time for me personally.

MARLOWE BANKS, REDESIGNED is out today!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4702488861
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkJFAvOrkZi/

I usually steer clear of celebrity character books, but I love the ones that turn out that the character really isn't into all the celebrity stuff and just wants someone to love and someone to love them back. That's what happens in this story. Marlowe Banks is working as mostly an aide for a costume designer on the set of a TV show that Angus stars in. She thinks Angus is pretty uppity based on his reaction to things. When things take a turn on the show and the two of them are thrown together when Marlowe steps in to fill a roll, she is pleasantly surprised to discover that the celebrity isn't what he's about.

This was a lovely romcom. It was cute and funny and made my heart skip a beat. If only everyone could find their Angus!

Thanks to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC to read in exchange for an honest review!

It started with a heated look and escalated into a wonderful romance story from there.

I really liked that the backdrop of the story is the set of a TV show. This made for an absorbing read as an emergency fill-in puts the main character into the spotlight.

Marlowe is working as a Production Assistant in Los Angeles while she tries to figure out what to do with her life after a major rejection of her recent costume design work (and then some) obliterated her self-worth. I really empathized with her and could relate to some of her personal struggles, especially the paralyzing fear of rejection.

Marlowe does often get stuck in what she assumes to be true, which leads to contention while getting to know Angus. It’s a well-done source of conflict since Angus’ character on the show (a bad boy, angsty, moody playboy type) that he’s played for several seasons had gradually taken over his image off screen.

Angus I liked as well because he is more than what the public perceives him to be. Like Marlowe, he has high, defensive walls put up and can (though to a lesser extent) succumb to assumptions of his own that leave him (to me) exhausted and lonely.

Angus and Marlowe may seem like an unlikely pair (the best kind pairing really), but they are super relatable and super cute together. I liked how their relationship changed overtime as they went from enemies to co-stars to friends to lovers. They both deserved a love and support that is unconditional: a redesigned life in which there are no walls, no characters to play, and they can truly be happy and themselves. Overall, it was an interesting, engaging, and emotional journey for them both.

"Marlowe Banks, Redesigned" was a great story that was well-written, thought-provoking, and sweet.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned was a fun, adorable rom-com novel. At first, I was hesitant to pick this one up because I’ve been trying hard to prioritize my backlog of reviews before accepting a lot of new releases, but I’ve been getting more into the romance genre this past summer and decided to give this one a shot.

I expected it to be a surface-level rom-com – easy and fun to read (which it was), but I assumed it wouldn’t have much substance beyond that. Main character Marlowe Banks moved to LA and is working as a lowly costuming assistant on a popular teen TV show where she ends up meeting the vapid lead actor and getting thrown into several situations with him. On the surface, this was totally a teen girl’s dream come true – meeting and falling in love with her celebrity crush.

What I loved about this book was that it was so much more than I expected. Throughout the story, Marlow deals with imposter syndrome and holds her self back from following her career goals. This is totally relatable to many of us, I’m sure, and it’s even harder to overcome after a failure. I also really appreciated how realistic Marlowe was and how much she did not want to date a celebrity. Having worked in the industry in the past, I can definitely attest to how much it’s glorified and, like Marlowe, would not want to deal with that level of scrutiny and drama for just any fleeting teen crush.

Overall, Marlowe’s story was about kindness, love and acceptance – both of self and of others. Our society can be very quick judge, at our detriment. Just as I was quick to judge this book by its cover initially, I learned that once I actually gave it a chance, it had so much more to offer and it was a valuable lesson and reminder.

I loved this slow burn delight of a book. Angus is the absolute best book boyfriend. Firkins did so well on character development, which is so important in a romance book.

Title: Marlowe Banks, Redesigned
Author: Jacqueline Firkins
Publisher: St. Martins's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Marlowe Banks, Redesigned" by Jacqueline Firkins

My Assessment:

'Marlowe Banks, Redesigned' featured Marlowe and Angus, an exciting romance of how the two came together. We find that Marlowe was a New York costume designer and moved to LA, leaving that ex-fiance, Kelvin, behind. First, Marlowe worked as an errand girl; then, she moved on to working as a TV PA show. It is at this TV show where Marlowe's world is turned upside down and where she gets to know the leading actor, Angus. The novel had many intriguing characters that kept one interested in turning the pages to see what was coming next. Marlowe's parents were quite a trip in the expectations of their ideas of success which didn't match up to what she wanted to do with her life. So, how will all of this work out for Marlowe, as it seems there is an interest in a particular actor? Will there be a lot of learning and mistakes...well, this is where the reader will have to pick up this good novel and see how it all comes out, especially for Marlowe and Angus. Enjoy this fun read where the reader can see Marlowe and Angus becoming their own.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one! Not only was it a fun read, but it was also a beautifully written story. I love the author’s writing style and would love to read more by her.

Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

Marlowe Banks is like so many of us in our mid 20s. Overqualified for the job she has, possibly underqualified for the job she wants, and just working to survive. She's got a lot of baggage from a previous relationship and she's stuck as an assistant. Firkins does a great job of writing a woman trying to figure out her next move.

And along comes Angus Banks, this hot, sexy, actor on the show where Marlowe works. And through the ups and downs, and a lot of miscommunication (naturally), they figure it out.

I like this book a lot but at times the pacing felt off and I understood the slow burn on her side but then all of a sudden it was I love you at the end? It felt a bit rushed. And without his point of view, it was hard to get a handle on the build-up of his feelings. He's respectful of her, and is clearly into her, but then all of a sudden everything is fine? I don't know. I feel like I could have gotten there better with different pacing.

The side characters are fun, but not really developed and, honesty, that's fine if this is a stand alone romance. And for a romance set in Hollywood with one of the characters as an actor, it had the right amount of "Hollywood insider" feeling without it feeling like a tell all; I really appreciate how the author kept the focus on the two main characters.

All in all, I liked this book a lot and stayed up late reading it, it scratched an itch, but I wasn't overwhelmed by the story or the pacing. But I would definitely read another book by this author.