I enjoyed reading novels of characters reinventing themselves and Marlowe Banks, Redesigned” by Jacqueline Firkins is a great example of that.

Marlowe worked as a costume designer in NYC, but had to leaveher job and fiancé to start her life over in LA. She starts work as a PA on a TV show and of course, buts heads with an arrogant actor, Augus. Naturally, the two are headed for romance with plenty of pitstops on the way.

I found both Angus and Marlowe are hugely relatable. This story and plenty of humor to balance the romance.

Three and a half stars.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to give this novel an early read.

✏️ ARC Review: Publication Date, October 24!✏️

📚72/100
Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins
Format: 📱(ARC e-book via NetGalley)

All the thanks to @netgalley and Saint Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for publishing an honest review!

Okay, I’m either warming up to rom-coms or this was uniquely fun! To me, this gave me what I wanted from The Love Hypothesis. It was a cute, light read that still managed to not force eye rolls. Beachy, summer fun!

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*Spoiler Free Summary*

A wardrobe emergency forces production assistant, Marlowe, into a walk on role in the TV show for which she works. Unfortunately, this means a scene with Angus- the brooding, arrogant male lead. Her background casting turns into a whirlwind when the internet theorizes her as a love interest. Marlowe comes to learn that not everything, or everyone, in Hollywood is what they seem.

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good book and story. i felt for Marlow. I was a good story and really enjoyed this very much. must read.

When Marlow Banks high-tales it out of NYC because of some bad reviews of her costume designs and her critical ex-boyfriend, she is hoping for a fresh start. Unfortunately, L.A. isn't working out as she had hoped either. Marlowe is full of self doubt and insecurities. Working as a personal assistant for a costume designer on a long running TV show, she meets Angus. As the star of the show, he has a reputation of being a bad boy and womanizer. But as Marlowe gets to know the real Angus, she sees that you can't believe everything you hear. As the two get closer Marlowe and Angus are faced with media lies and trolls.

I liked Marlowe and how hard working she was. I was nice to see her move forward with her life and leave the past behind. Angus was such a good guy. The author did a good job of highlighting social media and online bullying in the story. The connection that Marlowe and Angus had felt realistic and the chemistry was good. Of course, I wanted to give Marlowe a pep talk and tell her not to worry about anyone else and do what was right for her.

The story has some good secondary characters like Cherry who deserves a happy ending of her own.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for the arc. This is my honest review.

this was really cute! watching marlowe’s confidence grow was so heartwarming and i love a good enemies to friends to lovers.

I requested to read and review this book from St. Martin Publishing Company. This book is a cute rom-com with some drama put into this mix. It's a great read. Marlowe is a girl that is down on her luck. She wants to be appreciated for her and what she has to offer in life. Angus is misunderstood but to the right person he is an awesome loyal person. The cast and crew that helps each other figure out life and learn their is more to someone then what you think. This book can be read and but by a mature audience.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy. I enjoyed this one although I wouldn’t say I loved it. Marlowe is working as an assistant on a television show when by chance is she forced from behind the scenes into the spotlight. Marlowe learns the hard way of the troubles of being a celebrity. The romance in this one was a slow burn but that was a nice reprieve from the insta-love you find in so many romances these days. 4/5 for a good, breezy read.

I loved this book.

I was apprehensive initially because the beginning was kind of slow, but it wow, it took me by surprise.

Personally, I truly appreciated Cherry. As an adult who's moved across the country for a fresh start, I know how hard it is to meet new people and make new friends, their friendship was tender and real. Cherry was unwavering and exactly what a best friend should be.

As for Marlowe and Angus -- WOW. The enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope was so good. In most rom-coms, on page 1 they hate each other and on page 2, someone is in love. This was nothing like it at all. It was slow-burning and realistic. Their banter wasn't at all cheesy, and one of the things I liked most about their relationship. Marlowe's preconceived notions about Angus are relatable in the world we live in now. We make assumptions about who people are based on what we see on social media, especially celebrities, but it's all a facade, At times I thought Marlowe was a little dramatic when it came to the reasons why she shouldn't be with Angus, but that was me being an impatient reader wanting to get to the happily ever after soon.

Marlowe is a complete mess. Her confidence and self-worth have been shaken, and she has a lot of untreated trauma (her parents, her ex-fiance, and her last job) she needed to deal with, and it was good to see Angus help her navigate that. Often times we are told that we have to be whole and healed to be with someone, but Angus proves to us that isn't true.

Overall, I'm just really freaking proud of Marlowe. She learns to bet on herself and take risks again, and I love that.

I enjoyed this more than I expected. Marlowe Banks Redesigned is a super cute, fun and easy to read. A perfect beach/pool side read to kick off summer. Marlowe is great and you find yourself wanting to cheer her on to get her HEA. .

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the e-arc.
Cute story that got better and better. Slow start, but I'm glad I kept going. Great main characters who both show growth throughout the story, particularly Marlowe. I liked that she and Angus got to know each other first as friends and really built their relationship. Cherry was an excellent side character and friend to Marlowe and I'm so glad the friendship endured, and didn't, like in so many books, crash and burn over petty rivalry, etc. Good, strong, honest relationships. Started out 3 stars, ended as 4. Would definitely read other books by this author. A quick summer read!

This book is absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed the characterization of the FMC. I thought she was relatable, funny, and witty—I would recommend this to anyone. Marlowe Banks is an icon and a legend! Love love love.

This oftentimes funny book was written with great style. I loved the complexities of the characters. Most everyone only looks at the surface of people. This book shows why it’s worth digging deeper. I eagerly read this book in one day.

This was such a fun read! I devoured this book in two days, it was that good! The characters were engaging, multi-dimensional and the chemistry and romance was spot on between the two leads. I also loved the message of. Marlowe finding her strength to be herself and not who everyone else wanted her to be. The Hollywood setting was so entertaining...what a great rom com! Definitely interested in reading more by this author!
Thanks to St. Martin's Press & Net Galley for the ARC!

I love this book because one of my bucket list items is a trip to California. So until I could visit I was happy to join Marlowe as she navigated through the busy Los Angeles traffic, basked in the warm California sunshine and searched for the meaning of life.

Marlowe knew that her job as a personal assistant was demeaning but living in Los Angeles if only briefly, was good for her soul. She needed to get away from her old life for a while, broaden her horizons and finally put herself first. Marlowe never considered an acting career but somehow she found herself the recipient of “the look” from Angus Gordon, superstar heartthrob. Social media ran away with their one, short scene and Marlowe couldn't handle all the nasty comments and innuendo. How could a brief glance between two strangers change her life so drastically?

Marlowe’s interaction with Angus would never be considered “movie star quality” but it surprisingly set the stage for a friendship that was beneficial to both of them. Angus helped Marlowe understand the ins and outs of Hollywood and Marlowe got to know the real Angus behind his sexy and brooding character. Everyone thought that Angus was a player but in reality, he was a regular guy who liked to relax at home with a good book. Angus could be himself around Marlowe and they spent many hours sharing stories of their childhood and their hopes and dreams for the future. The entertainment industry is constantly changing and Marlowe was confused as to what to do about her future. Should she stay in California, or would the bright lights of New York City call her back home?

Super cute romantic comedy. It was a very slow burn and the end seemed a tad rushed but definitely a good summer read! First time reading this author. Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this! I could see a sequel for this book to see where the relationship goes!

Super cute and easy to read. This book strikes me as a perfect beach/pool side read. You will love the main character and cheer her on as the story progresses.

Finally! A male lead who isn't a dark, brooding jerk with an awful upbringing that made him dark and brooding, and a female lead who isn't from a broken home that makes her incapable of love! I think that is why I liked this book. Sure, they each had their *things* they had to get through and over, but they weren't tumultuous. I found both characters (yes, even the wealthy actor) relatable which was quite refreshing. I'd actually enjoy a sequel to see how Marlowe and Angus navigate their careers together and see how Hollywood and the theater world treat them.

🌮🛍🎬Marlowe Banks, Redesigned🎬🛍🌮
By Jacqueline Firkins (via #netgalley)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So much yes!! I loved the banter, the super relatable anxiety driven main character, and just the overall flow of this book. It was like indulging in a quiet Saturday night at home in sweats and basking in your reality TV guilty pleasure. This was my first read by Firkins and am already halfway running to see if she’s written anything else because I love her writing style in this book. It was a slightly steamy, a little bit angsty, but overall a super enjoyable rom-com.

After breaking off her engagement, Marlowe Banks fled New York and took a Production Assistant job on a film studio in L.A. The title sounds fancy, but really she’s just an errand runner - she shops for shoes and costumes, picks up lunches, and dog sits for her grueling boss - not at all her dream job. Marlowe is feeling dejected and can’t seem to escape constant criticism and the pressures of life. When the chance arises to help save a day’s worth of filming from disaster, Marlowe steps in as a waitress/extra in a scene with notorious celebrity and incredibly arrogant Angus Gordon. As they’re forced together to film scenes, Marlowe and Angus break down their walls of self defense mechanisms and Marlowe learns that Angus is not what she expected him to be. Marlowe finds herself questioning more and more about her future and herself as she’s unexpectedly thrust into the public spot light. She’s not sure if she’s ready or can handle this L.A. lifestyle or if she should go back to New York to pursue the career opportunity she’s been looking for.

Thank you #netgalley for an ARC of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned!

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This was a delightful frothy rom-com of finding yourself again after a bad relationship, and maybe getting with a TV star along the way.

We meet Marlowe, who has settled for an unfulfilling grunt job working on a TV show after breaking up with her ex. This book is really about her finding her self-confidence again, and learning how to live after being torn down by her ex. I really enjoyed this, and thought Firkins did a great job depicting a post-bad relationship brain.

Highly recommended!

Absolutely devoured this book. Marlowe is your everyday girl who worries about if she is good enough and is struggling and trying to make something of herself after a failed relationship. Enter Angus. Handsome actor on the tv show she is PA-ing for, infuriating at first, as Marlowe gets to know the real “behind the curtain” Angus, the two develop a connection that is rare. This was a fun twist on your rom-com girl meets boy, while delivering an encouraging message about love and friendship.