This was so fun and cute! I’m so glad I got to read this early! The premise captured my attention, and I’m so happy that it delivered on its promises! An amazing romance, highly recommended!

This is incredibly maudlin for something kind of billed as a romance and it is more enemies than lovers, for sure. I enjoyed the behind the scene descriptions of costume design, etc. I just never took to Marlowe -- the other characters were great in that it was easy to understand their motivations and actions but even by the end of the book, I didn't understand Marlowe, at all. I hope you have better luck!

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned comes out next week on October 25, 2022 and you can purchase HERE.

Marlowe Banks never dreamed that an MFA from YALE would earn her a job organizing hangers, picking crusted insoles out of an old pair of Top-Siders and busting every last fingernail in an attempt to resize a watchband using only a safety pin and the force of her formidable will. The title Costume Production Assistant has sounded so glamorous. More commonly referred to as a PA, she was a cog in a machine. Nothing more.

Marlowe's life is falling apart when her engagement ends and she feels like everything else in her life is a failure. So she flees to LA to be a production assistant for a popular TV show. But a costume mix-up pushes her on stage and in the limelight when she is caught on camera exchanging a juicy look with the show's arrogant bad boy, Angus.
This was a sweet, fun, predictable rom-com with amazing characters (although I highly preferred Angus to Marlowe). It was a bit slow to pick up and a bit redundant at times, but the writing was engaging, so I kept going, and I liked it.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Marlowe Banks is in “hiding” in LA after a job and relationship gone wrong in NYC and working as an assistant PA on a popular tv show. She works a lot for little pay and after one accidental incident with coffee spilled on Angus, the badboy star of the show, a love/hate relationship with him emerges.

After helping her coworker Cherry out with a costume issue and stepping in to play a waitress in a bit part on the show, Marlowe and Angus share a look that changes how everyone in the world sees her. This leads to her working on set for longer and becoming friends with Angus.

I loved the slow burn of this book. I thought Marlowe and Angus sizzled together. There were some miscommunication issues in the book but the banter between Marlowe and Angus kept it at bay. They were well developed and while they were “broken” characters apart, they were better together.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC. The book comes out Oct 25th, 22.

What a pleasant surprise! I’m so glad I agreed to read this ARC when I got the invitation. I’ve been feeling a little glum and while normally a rom-com is sure to cheer me up, I wasn’t sure it would this time. Nonetheless, for some reason, I decided to start reading it anyways. Y’all, this book was more than a rom com. It was fulsome, it was comforting, it was inspiring.

The scenes are wholesome. The story is just enough fairytale while still being grounded, giving it a fully attainable feel. It made me want to date again. The steam was steamy, but also natural and real.

I kept trying to sneak away to read just a few more pages because the story and writing were an absolute delight.

Also I feel like Babs would have totally asked Marlowe to not only learn how to knit but knit a blanket by the end of the day if the scene asked for it.

Thank you NetGalley and SMPRomance for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this book! I love picking up a book and getting what it promised plus more.

Our titular character Marlowe is an assistant to a costume designer on a show. Right away we see she knows her stuff and should be more advanced in her career but it's clear she is hiding away from things/people. Marlowe is fun. She is real. She was so relatable to me and i cheered her every step. I simply wanted the best for her. I admired her drive and loved her loyalty to Cherry. Ohh and then we have Angus. The author's skill in making Angus so 3-D and showing his layers is extremely commendable. I liked him a lot as a character and felt for him to in certain aspects. I was rooting so hard for these 2 lovebirds.

The book is not just a romance. It tells of growth and overcoming adversity. It shows how hard it is to sometimes reach for a long desired goal, or do something out of the norm, but it also tells how the reward could give everything we ever wanted. It brought an unexpected depth and I really, really liked it.

Special shout out to Jeeves (the 2 of them :)) and Tanareve.

A huge thank you to the St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Wow! I was not expecting to love this as much as I did! I have never read this author before and I hadn't heard any buzz about this book so I went into it blind, thinking it was just a generic romance. But I was wrong! This had so much I loved!

-Enemies to lovers
-Grumpy, misunderstood hero that just also happens to be a famous actor!
-Heroine trying to figure out her career while dealing with pressure from parents
-Broken off relationship and dealing with the trauma from that
-Amazing witty banter
-Deals favorably with consent
-Steamy scenes

I loved how the heroine's character development. Marlowe takes a job as a PA even though her higher education was in design. She's hoping to break into the design industry by putting in her time. While on a job, she bumps into grumpy actor Angus and the story takes off from there.

I read this so quickly and I just loved everything about this. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry. I was smiling so big at their inside jokes. I will definitely be reading more of this author! A great, fun romance!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful story with a quirky character. Marlowe Banks is a mess. She has moved across the country to get away from an ex fiancé and a failed job. Angus Gordon is an actor who has a public persona as a playboy. The plot shines as the characters discover each other and become friends. The conversations are funny and witty as they span both deep and light topics. Falling in love is sweet and fulfilling for Marlowe and Angus.

Cute, fluffy, and funny. I loved reading about Marlowe’s trials and tribulations of navigating the LA movie industry and finding the strength to pursue her own dreams.

I am in love with this book and the characters. When I finished the book I kept flipping pages praying that there was more. I want to follow these character and how they grow together and as individuals. I want to see what the future holds for them. I just want so much more of Marlowe and Angus. I haven't felt this much from a book in a long time. By the end of the book I felt like I knew the characters. They were all so thought out and had so much depth. Even the smaller secondary characters had purpose and a full personality and were 3 dimensional. The way in which the author brought the story alive is so amazing. So vivid and fleshed out and complete. I wasn't left wonder what this person might look like or what the studio looks like. It was perfectly detailed descriptions without being overly explanatory or being told out right in a way that didn't feel genuine. There is a lot of diverse representation in the secondary/supporting characters. And, what I am finding more and more and love so much when it is in book, girls weren't tearing other girls down for the sake of getting a man or the job. The females in this book are all relatively supportive of one another, friendly to each other and welcoming for the most part. However, the one instance where this is not the case it involves smaller plot point that aides in the overall finale of the book and the messaging/themes that are contained within the book. One of the biggest themes being the reality v media and how the unfair and unrealistic standards that are set on us all subconsciously can effect us all differently and that it is important to be able to be able to look inward and figure out what makes us think/feel a certain way about our bodies, how we act and how we perceive our day to day relationships. I was not expecting such a strong and powerful messaging about our perceived reality based off of the medias we consume growing up, but I am delighted that I read this book. I want to reread it 1000 more times. Overall, this has been the best book I have read this year and maybe even in the past few years. What I expected to be a quick light romance novel turned out to be so much more than that. 11/10 recommend reading.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned

Marlowe Banks is absolutely not living up to her potential, working as a production assistant on the set of dwindling TV series in Los Angeles. She has a MFA from Yale, but she’s stuck running errands and taking her boss’s dog to daycare. Dream job, it is not. But it’s her reality after ending her engagement and leaving her costume design job in New York City after a few bad reviews of the show.

Marlowe is about six weeks into her job when she literally bumps into the show’s hottest star, Angus - and drenches him with hot coffee. They get off on the wrong foot for sure. Later that week, while trying to fix her co-worker’s mistake, she ends up standing in for a waitress role on the show - opposite Angus. Their strong distaste for each other comes off as attraction and the writers make Marlowe an offer she can’t refuse. Overnight, she’s got a supporting role on this show and no idea how to act. The last person she expects help from is Angus, but he’s suddenly offering it at every turn. After her recent heartbreak, is she ready to let someone else in? Or is she going to turn around and run again?

I thought this was a charming and witty rom-com. Although it’s hard to relate to someone who seemingly quits their job after one bad review, I definitely felt empathy for Marlowe and all of her insecurities. I wish there was a little more background on the last job and the ended engagement, but what we got made sense. I enjoyed the character development - not just Marlowe’s, but Angus’ and even Marlowe’s boss Babs! This one definitely took me back to my early twenties and all of those feelings of inadequacy and unknowns - it had depth but wasn’t heavy or sad. I loved the author’s acknowledgment note - make sure to read that. I enjoyed it and I hope you do too!

I absolutely loved Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things and How Not to Fall in Love, Jacqueline Firkins’s first two books, so I was so excited to read her new book, Marlowe Banks, Redesigned. It did not disappoint—what a fun, amazing book.

Marlowe is living and working in L.A. as an assistant to a costume designer on a long-running tv show. Marlowe’s on the run from a series of failures: she’s disappointed her parents, failed in her career, given up on the promise she once felt she had. She’s utterly defeated.

She feels like she’s treading water, just existing on the most basic level. There’s no refuge at work—her boss is petty and demanding—but she has befriended another assistant who warns her against any kind of meetup with the stars of the show . . . particularly Angus Gordon. So it’s Angus, of course, who she keeps running into (sometimes literally!).

Things start changing when, because of a costume issue, Marlowe has to fill in as a secondary character on the show. The camera captures some major chemistry between Marlowe and Angus, and fans demand to know more.

I loved everything about this book. Firkins excels at writing romance—the banter and chemistry between Marlowe and Angus are so vivid—but also at just writing characters. Marlowe’s journey feels so real, and watching her grow and take chances and become more confident is a beautiful thing. As a big tv fan, I also really enjoyed all of the backstage details about the show that’s at the center of the book.

Do yourself a favor and order Jacqueline Firkins’s Marlowe Banks, Redesigned . . . and anything else she writes!

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is the sort of novel you could immediately see be put on the big screen. There’s enemies-to-lovers vibes, close proximity vibes, and an FMC coming into her own vibes aplenty.

Marlowe Banks has left NYC with her tail between her legs, a failed job and an ex-fiancé in her wake. Taking a job as a lowly PA for a television show in LA, Marlowe mistakenly gets in the crosshairs of one of the shows stars and notorious bad boy, Angus Gordon. When a costume mix-up places her on screen, yet again in Angus’s crosshairs, sparks fly. And Marlowe realizes that maybe Jake isn’t what he appears to be.

If you’re looking for a heroine’s journey to self-discovery, this is the book for you. And if you’re a sucker for an MMC who comes across like a jerk, but is actually a teddy bear inside, you are going to love this story. There’s a slow burn with a steamy payoff, and plenty of conflict that never feels *too* heavy. I will say that I felt frustrated with Marlowe’s character at times because she was a little too clumsy and a little too oblivious to be believable, but those are just personal preferences.

In all, it’s an entertaining read that delivers on the feels.

Thanks to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was such an enjoyable story and had a great plot. I enjoyed the banter between Marlowe and Angus. It was a great beach read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Devil Wears Prada meets the world of Hollywood costuming.

I really enjoyed this story! It was a great mix of romance and self-discovery/growth. Marlowe was well developed and felt so real (also, can we please be IRL friends?). The regular/famous person trope can be tricky for me but, this felt very organic. Angus was swoony and the romance, after a slow burn, was 🔥

4.5/5 stars

Marlowe Banks is a woman who has made a big transition in her life. She moved from New York after she broke up with her fiancee, experienced criticism in her job and to get away from the wrath of her parents. Now she’s in Los Angeles working long hours as a temporary Production Assistant on a popular TV show.

Her life in L.A. is one of long hours and isolation. Thankfully she has Cherry, a co-worker to make her life better while at work. But she’s too exhausted to think about socializing at the end of her work day.
When she fills in as a last-second replacement for an actress on the show opposite the famous Angus Gordon, she’s thrust into the spotlight. She’s come to L.A.to hide, not to be thrown to the paparazzi.

I loved the second-chance romance that slowly develops between Marlowe and Angus. Marlowe is hesitant to start a relationship, particularly with someone who has a reputation of being a player. She soon learns that her assumptions are not always correct, and she learns to trust Angus as the story unfolds.

I appreciated the discussion on the invasion of privacy for celebrities and others in the public eye, worsened since the prominence of social media. There is a heavier discussion regarding Marlowe’s relationship with her former fiancee and the emotional trauma that accompanied this.

This was a fun, enlightening story and one that I enjoyed reading. I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction or Romance.

I received an early copy of this book for review purposes but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins is a new author read for me. I really enjoyed the premise of this story about looking to escape your current life and try something new. It's an old cliche when one door closes another one opens. This book is everything like that. Starting over in a new city and new career to get to where your dream job is. Along the way, you meet new people and find new paths in life. I absolutely adored Marlowe and look forward to many more from this author!

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is my first novel by Jacqueline Firkins. The main character, Marlowe, is looking to escape her life in New York City after a series of disasters. She lands the role as a Production Assistant on a TV show after her relocation to Los Angeles. While her dream is to work her way up to a costumer, for now, she is running errands. Marlowe fills in on set one day for a scene with famous bad boy actor, Angus Gordon. As Marlowe is potentially asked to return to act alongside Angus, the two of them begin to get to know each other.

The longer Marlowe is trying to make a new life for herself in Los Angeles, the more she realizes how much she needs to confront from her past. She has some negative incidents with costuming from her past in New York plus a complex relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Angus is trying to deal with an ex of his own plus the daily struggle of his tough exterior persona. The concept of the Angus becoming fascinated by the hot mess girl and the girl falling for the misunderstood star is not new, but it still was an enjoyable story. Marlowe’s journey to empower herself after running away from her past has been done in other stories as well, so I do wish that there was something a little more to make her stand out to me.

The chemistry between Angus and Marlowe was well-done and I did love their slow burn enemies to lovers romance. The two characters were enjoyable, and I liked their storyline. The standouts for me were the exploration of social media and the meanings behind costumes. There is a lot to love in this story, though, and it is perfect for those who love pleasant and well-paced romance and personal growth stories. There is a nice balance between the romance and the growth of each character so neither storyline detracts from the other. Overall, this was a nice introduction to the author, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Griffin, for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Even though this is a romance, the main story arc of the book is more about Marlowe’s journey in discovering who she is, what she wants in life, and figuring out how she’s going to get it. It has more emotional depth than a typical romcom and explores many important topics.

The premise sold me on trying this one but it took me a while to connect with Marlowe and feel invested in her situation. )The last 40% is where the book really shines.) I enjoyed getting to know Angus though and immediately loved the dynamic between him and Marlowe. I also really enjoyed Marlowe’s friendship with her coworker Cherry and her scenes with Angus’ friend Tanareve.

There is a strong feminist tone to Marlowe’s character (and the book as a whole). I appreciated the discussions about beauty standards in the entertainment industry, patriarchal norms, and the concept of being able to distinguish between what’s real and what’s fake. One of the themes of the book is the difference between real life and the curated images you see online. Is it ever possible to really know someone based solely on what you see about them online? Marlowe also deals with body image issues and a lack of direction in her life. She feels discouraged at how elusive success and fulfillment have been in her personal and professional life.

Throughout the book, Marlowe struggles with many things but eventually learns how to acknowledge - and leave - a toxic relationship, how to believe in herself, how to follow her dreams even when everything is going against her, and how to put herself first when she needed to. Her evolution made me so proud of her. By the end she has accomplished new goals and made changes in her life for the better, and she is much happier for it.

The ending is so good! I loved it. The way Angus and Marlowe reconciled their very different lives (the third act breakup was mercifully short, thank you Ms Firkins) was exceedingly romantic and swoony and so so sweet.

🐶 One little side thing I loved: Marlowe’s boss has a dog that she sometimes asks Marlowe to care for. The dog’s name is Edith Head, named after a famous Old Hollywood era costume designer. Love that reference!

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins

Published: October 25, 2022
St. Martin’s Griffin
Pages: 346
Genre: Romantic Comedy
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Jacqueline Firkins is a writer, costume designer, and lover of beautiful things. She's on the full-time faculty in the Department of Theatre & Film at the University of British Columbia, where she also takes any writing class they’ll let her into. When not obsessing about where to put the buttons or the commas, she can be found running by the ocean, eating excessive amounts of gluten, listening to earnest love songs, and pretending her dog understands every word she says.

“Kindness is a choice, not a default or an exclusive club for the ordinary.”

Marlowe ran away from New York after a show she costumed bombed and got terrible reviews, realizing her relationship wasn’t working. Finding work in the glamorous world of Hollywood wasn’t necessarily the ideal vision, but Marlowe is able to work while blending in. When a simple favor to cover for a friend results in a spotlight she never wanted with a Hollywood heartthrob, Marlowe now has to decide what she wants and to realize she deserves it.

I am currently in tears. This book's acknowledgments are incredible, and the genuine sincerity in Jacqueline’s words have punched me right in the feels.

I loved this book. I loved the journey we took with Marlowe. I loved the internal struggle of not feeling like you’re enough. I loved the external voices of strangers we allow to influence our lives were portrayed.

The characters in this book were terrific. Marlowe is all of us. We are all Marlowe. We all have the struggle of figuring out who we are, what we want, how to achieve that, and dealing with the unbearable weight of societal pressure. Balance that with the seemingly calm confidence of Angus, and this couple was beautifully paired.

Cherry was such a fantastic side character. Wise, sassy, and loyal, she is the friend we all deserve. Even Babs was a great character who spent the majority of the book being misunderstood, which just further played the plot points home.

This storyline was so sweet. I enjoyed the emotional drive and the rational intentions. There was well-placed humor and heartfelt conversations.

Such a beautifully written story about how finding your voice and using your voice are two very different things. Also, about how choosing the road less traveled isn’t always the right thing to do. Follow your heart, even if it’s messy and unknown.