This was a very solid 3 star read. I liked the illusions to Riverdale. Angus, the hero, was like a mashup of Archie & Jughead. A fun read! Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC!

thank you netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest review :)

my oh my oh my

this book had such an original plot. i loved that our actor was this introverted, flirty, misunderstood, quiet person that strongly contrasted the character he played.

the fmc marlowe reminds me of me and honestly has this internal battle that most of us can relate to. Taking risks, up and changing your life, figuring out what you want to do with your life (career wise). I know I can relate to this as a college student with her graduation coming up lol.

overall this was a good read! a bit slow in the beginning but it picks up once marlowe enters california.

3/5 stars

posted on goodreads 6/10/22

I'm often drawn to contemporary romances set in the world of show business, and this one is a case in point. Marlowe doesn't want to be in the limelight. Her dream is to be a costume designer, but she's still paying her dues as a lowly assistant working on a long-running TV drama. She's also reeling after breaking up with her cluelessly abusive fiancé, although she knows it was the right thing to do.

Marlowe feels sure that Angus, the hunky male star of the TV show, shares all of the traits that soured her on her ex, but when a twist of fate has her subbing for a background actor, she finds herself exchanging glances with Angus that appear steamy when they turn up all over social media. All of a sudden, she is the subject of hatred from his fans and those of his actress girlfriend.

I appreciate the fact that the story is more about Marlowe's difficulty in going after the career that she deserves and standing up for herself where relationships are concerned than it is about romance. My favorite character, however, is Angus because there is so much more to him than his handsome exterior. I like the way we slowly uncover bits and pieces of the "real" Angus and how he feels about himself as the story progresses. Marlowe's friend and coworker Cherry also provides some upbeat assistance and counsel that is frequently humorous but always supportive and insightful. I was not familiar with this author but, on the strength of this book, will look for more from her.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

This was a great book, easy to get lost in the world of LA and TV stars. The plot was slow at times but it still was a fun and enjoyable summer read

Marlowe Banks is graduate of Yale University with a Master of Fine Arts degree, however, her main job these days is shopping for multiple pairs of shoes in various sizes, organizing hangers and dog sitting, among a variety of other similar tasks. She is like a personal shopper with the fancy title of Costume Production Assistant. Among her daily work errands, her boss, Babs throws in a few personal errands as well. She’s often out shopping until the stores close. She’s been told assisting is the best way to land a design job, which is her goal.

This is an interesting, intriguing story with an assortment of characters in various roles. Who would have guessed it takes so many different people to put together a TV show? On top of all her never-ending tasks, Marlowe ends up in the non-speaking role of a waitress serving coffee simply because she is the only one who fits into the waitress costume. The program, Hearts Diner, starts Angus Gordon, who plays the town bad boy, with a similar reputation in real life.

This is a fast-paced story with a mixture of various situation and people with some humor thrown in. The story held my interest until the last page was turned, however, I could have done with less graphic sex scenes and the use of the F word. I know many reads don’t mind that, however, personally, I don’t feel that is necessary to tell a compelling story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All comments and opinions expressed here are my own.

Fun romcom that includes finding yourself! Fun read. Definitely recommend
Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I adored this book. There was so much to this book and I adored every second, it was on of those I just can’t put it down books. I totally loved Marlowe.

“Marlowe Banks, Redesigned” is by Jacqueline Firkins. While this book is a rom-com, for me it was more a book about finding oneself and navigating life. Marlowe Banks is currently working as a personal assistant to a costume designer for a TV show that has seen better days. The main male lead (Angus) is someone Marlowe had a crush on years ago (he was a child actor) and through a bunch of twists, ends up having to act with said crush. Over time, Marlowe realizes that much of what she knows about Angus is manufactured social media gossip but maybe the real Angus is a bit deeper and more interesting than what she thought she knew. What I liked about this book was the over-the-top-ness regarding working on a TV show. One would think that costuming isn’t that hard, but thinking about it, even in a modern setting, yes, it’s difficult. I liked that Marlowe’s boss named her dog Edith Head (nod for greatness!). I greatly enjoyed Cherry - from her t-shirts to her older sister listening. Many of the characters were decently developed. I liked a number of lines in this book - including Angus’s comment about a book doesn’t make it to the bookshelf until he’s read it and how many genres that bookcase held … but then I love exploring someone’s bookshelf and seeing what is there. I felt the sexy time scenes were a bit something and ended up skimming those sections. I did like the slowness of the relationship developing. A solid 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Poor Marlowe. She really has a hard time getting herself together. Her ex keeps coming at her. Her boss is very hard to get along with. She doesn't know what to believe about Angus, what he says or what she sees online. Then what people say about her online gets to her. She just can't seem to catch a break. Should she go back to New York or stay in LA, it is so hard for her to decide. You keep wondering through the whole book if things are finally going to turn around for her.

Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARK of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This is a funny adult romance novel that follows Marlowe a loveably goofy women who has recently left her fiancé and ditched New York after her costume designs for a show are torn apart. She then moves to LA where she’s working as a PA for Barb who is reminiscent of the lead actress in the Devil wears Prada. While working in the fashion department on the TV show Marlowe finds herself volunteering to be a background actress and after sharing it a steamy look on camera with the resident bad boy fans demand more- which lead to Marlowe having a small acting role and the romcom goes from there. I found that the two leads, Angus and Marlowe, had great chemistry and tons of witty banter, I do feel like Marlowes work days she wasn’t on the show acting to drag in areas. Other than that this was a wonderful one day read.

This book in 3 words: Satisfying. Intentional. Vibrant.

Down-and-out, fresh off a failed engagement and career flop, Marlowe is working as a production assistant on a popular reality show. When the show is in a pinch, she offers to stand-in as an extra, being a counterpart for Angus. As Marlowe and Angus work together, it turns out to be about much more than a TV show...

Couldn't get enough of this one. Here's what I loved:
1. The banter. It's so so so good. I enjoyed how Marlowe interacts with most of the characters, but specifically Angus.

2. Marlowe. That's it. That's all you need.

3. Representation. I thought Firkins does a stellar job of creative diverse characters in a modern setting. It didn't feel forced or placed haphazardly.

4. Girl power, baby. Now, this shouldn't scare you off. It's realistic, important, and fits like a glove within the plot.

5. Slowwwwww burn.

6. The ending. NO SPOILERS THOUGH.

Out on October 25, 2022. Get it on your TBR, request it from your library, or pre-order it. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is a tv star genre romance. I’m normally not a huge fan of these plot lines. Who in their right mind would want the stress of being in the spotlight and like you are never measuring up. Sure enough the lead character Marlowe faces this dilemma as she begins to fall for a mega hunk tv star. Surprisingly, Jake is very likable and comes across as a very human in the world of glam and glitz. Marlowe begins to grow as a character and come into her own after having a few self esteem crises for a moving, enjoyable, and sweet romance with enough steam to heat up the pages. The novel is an enjoyable story that has a feel good HEA. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun read! A rom-com with depth and self-discovery, this book checks all the boxes and is hard to put down!

Marlowe moves from NY to LA to escape a toxic relationship and broken engagement. After being crushed by negative reviews about her theatre costume work, she takes on a PA position to a costumer for a hit TV show. Worked to the bone by a miserable boss, Marlowe relies on her local bestie for support and encouragement. By chance, she meets the star of the series and notorious playboy, Angus. Swayed by his public persona and social media presence, Marlowe is instantly turned off by a man who is used to everyone falling all over him.

As the story unfolds, Marlowe finds her voice and confidence. She also discovers that Angus' public image may not be who he is at heart. This is a great escape read that will have you staying up late to read just one more chapter!

If you like celeb-normie books, this is a good one. Marlow Banks works wardrobe on set for a TV/streaming show and Angus Gordon is the star. Romance novel circumstances occur and a moment between them goes viral. Turns out almost nothing in the celebrity world is as it seems. Unlike a lot of books in the celeb-normie genre this book takes a nuanced look at stan culture and the impact to real people on the other side. Oh and it’s 🔥.

Marlowe is a costume designer hiding out as an assistant on a TV show set in LA after fleeing New York after a broken engagement and criticism of her latest costume design. Marlowe has no interest in the limelight or celebrities, but volunteers as an extra on set one day to help out a friend. When fans of the show witness the chemistry between her and the main actor on the show, Marlowe is thrust into the spotlight in ways she never expected.

Ooook I don’t know what I was expecting from this one but I LOVED it! Marlowe and Angus have both made assumptions about each other that they gradually unlearn throughout the book. Their relationship is also just so stinking cute with all the in jokes and their obvious affection for each other. I also adored all the side characters, especially Tanareve.

I feel like we saw so much growth in both main characters throughout this book, but especially in Marlowe’s self confidence and willingness to take risks again.

I would highly recommend checking this one out!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced reading copy!

I received an ARC of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned, by Jacqueline Firkins. Marlowe Banks, has had a series of unfortunate events. Is she do for some good luck?

Book received for free through NetGalley

An adorably cute rom com that was hard enough to out down that I started and finished it in one day. Love the characters, story, and would love to continue on following their story. Thanks for the read.

Marlowe Banks is a mess. With an MFA that has landed her a few good jobs in New York and one not-so-good job that has her doubting herself. She wants to design costumes. She is really good at it too.

But after a bad review and facing the fact that she really doesn’t love her fiance’ and gives back that ring and runs to the west coast. Facing student loan debt, critical parents, and a demanding boss, she is not in the mood for any movie set romance.

But when a costume mix-up lands her in front of the camera, shy Marlowe is suddenly front and center in la-la-land.

A light and fun story of following one’s own star and putting friendship above a roll in the hay. It was a good read.

NetGalley/ October 25, 2022, St. Martin’s Press

I fell so so SO in love with this book. I had read Jacqueline Firkins’ YA novel before and it didn’t really work for me but I ate this book up. Marlowe and Angus struggle so much with communication and assumptions that it makes the payoff THAT much better. Babs got on my nerves at first but I love how much of a Miranda Priestly she ended up being. Cherry and Tanareve also were great side characters that I adored seeing. Such a cute love story that I devoured in one night. This might have made Firkins an automatic buy for me now.