I LOVED THIS BOOK! I loved the characters, I loved the plot, I loved the writing, I loved the love!! It was such a cute and fun read, truly couldn't put it down!

ADORED THIS!!! ANGUS… I mean what can I say ? He is the perfect boyfriend!! There’s nothing more to say about him other than swoon worthy!! The slow burn romance was just what I needed from this one.

Dnf. Couldn’t get through it. Rating will not be posted to goodreads or retailers as I only share ratings there for books I complete.

A nice and sweet romance with wonderful characters. My first time with this author and I am intrigued.

This one follows a pretty standard format for rom coms, but it’s a formula that works for me. Girl had failure and is scared to put herself out there to have her dream job, famous actor who is misunderstood, girl is a little clumsy and less glamorous than the other female characters…you know how it goes.

I liked the main character and I thought how the relationship develops was cute. There’s a bit of miscommunication but it seemed realistic and understandable.

If you’re looking for a light rom-com I would definitely suggest this one.

I will still be reading and posting a review. I downloaded the book prior to the archive but had problems accessing the book. I will come back and update the review.

The moment I read the description of this book, I knew I had to read it. I love a good enemy turned lover trope which I had seen it called by some. The book is wonderful but not sure that trope is the best description of this book. I would say close proximity and misunderstanding(so much!) for sure.
Marlowe Banks is a costume designer who moved out to LA after many things happened back in NY including her ending her engagement to a super egotistical man. Marlowe works as a PA on a TV show schlepping around and doing the dirty work. She literally runs in Angus on set one day and things get off to a rocky start. Due to a sick stick thin background actor, Marlowe is put in the show. She is then offered a small part where she needs to work one on one with Angus. They grow closer and she finds he is not a bad guy after all.
Marlowe is a good main character. I did find her very wishy-washy at first but she really grew in the book with a lot of help from Angus. Angus is a fantastic character. He is a good person to lean on. Always thinking instead of just doing, he really makes the book. There are other side characters who really stick out. I have seen others say that they feel like Cherry, Marlowe’s friend/coworker, is not really necessary but I think that she also helps Marlowe grow into the person she is. Rather than having the conversations in her mind, Cherry is like her angel/devil on the shoulder.
This book was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone. Thank you to NetGalley, Jacqueline Firkins, and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

This was a really good book. I liked the characters and the way they were open and honest throughout the story. There’s no miscommunication, just open honesty that maybe doesn’t quite work out right away. I liked that both characters felt real. Angus was flawed but honest, and when Marlowe started standing up for herself I couldn’t help but cheer for her. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a more serious romance read; the characters experience real things, but the aspect of a comedy is still there.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 Stars. Man, I just love a "regular" person/celebrity trope, plus this book had an amazing slow burn. I really loved it. I loved Marlowe's character and backstory a lot and Angus was just oh so dreamy. This is definitely a must read. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

This was a decent read. I especially enjoyed Angus. :) Readers will find this intelligently written and brimming with emotion. Highly recommend!

The premise of the book didn't pan out in how the story unfolded. It was a decent read but not one that worked like it could for me.

This was my first book by this author and it just so happened to be her adult debut novel. This ended up being a great book to start the year with because it also ended up being my first 5 star read of the year. We are starting the year off great and in a way I hope will continue throughout the year. Anyways back to the book.

I was immediately immersed in the story pretty much from the first page. Marlowe is a flawed character which makes her very relatable. She's an anxious person and doesn't take criticism to well which is why we find her in LA working as a production assistant on a TV show instead of being back in New York working as a Costume Designer which is what she really wants to do. She fled New York to get away from her ex fiancé and the negativity surrounding her latest costume designing endeavor. Angus is the male lead in the book and on the TV show that Marlowe is working and he's just as layered as she is. We get to see them go from "enemies" to friends to lovers and it progressed naturally.

The only thing I will say is that I wish this book would have also included Angus' POV but other than that I loved it. We get humor, heart and a little bit of spice thrown in. This is definitely one I would recommend just be aware that this one deals with anxiety and emotional abuse.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an eCopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

As this book draws you in, it’s so much more than Angus a stunningly attractive arrogant male TV star, Marlowe an intelligent woman with burgeoning career goals and talent, the aggressive tv/film industry,LA paparazzi and gossip columns.
A jealous or possibly bitter boss, deep desires to pursue her design goals, old friends vs new friends, weather, tacos and a potential “more than friends” relationship keep Marlowe’s life decisions spiraling. The industry is tough,especially on women but speaking her mind gains respect!

The author does a great job making the characters reveal intelligent and interesting deep seated feelings about who we really are inside vs societies preconceived ideas. Will public criticism, haters and trolls win or will the heart know what’s best?
Super fun read, it will have you imagining actors for the movie version!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions in this review are my own.

Jacqueline Firkins Twitter/Instagram: @JFkillsdarlings
SMP Romance Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @smpromance
St. Martin’s Press TikTok: @stmartinspress
#MarloweBanksRedesigned #JacquelineFirkins #SMPRomance

beautifully done! this is a romance novel, but the underlying themes of finding yourself and learning about yourself is where the book really shines. i loved the juxtaposition of the fakeness of hollywood and marlowe becoming her true, authentic self.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The storyline differed from your typical rom com, and the characters endearing. It’s definitely worth a read.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Marlowe Banks booked it out of NYC as soon as her career tanked and her boyfriend wound up being a serial liar. Now in LA, she’s working as a PA on set of a popular TV show. While it’s a far cry from head costume designer on Broadway, Marlowe is content with the predictable routine of her new life.

When a scene mix up requires Marlowe to step into the spotlight, she finds herself filming a story arc with TVs bad boy Angus Gordon and second guessing whether her feeling for Angus are real or just great acting.

Reminiscent of 2022’s The Bodyguard and Elisa Sussman’s Funny You Should Ask - Marlowe Banks, Redesigned falls into the Hollywood Star - Regular person trope and it works. The characters are lovable and interesting and Firkin’s does a great job at plot development.

Thanks to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and Jacqueline Firkins for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Read if you like:

+ The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
+ Riverdale or The Vampire Diaries
+ Celebrity inspired romance

I'd seen so many good reviews for this that I was excited to read it. I did not disappoint. I enjoyed Marlowe and Angus' slow burn romance.

Marlowe Banks is a costume designer who fled New York and now works as a Costume Production Assistant in Los Angeles for a show called Heart's Diner. She doesn't have much contact with the show's stars, except for a literal run-in with the show's main star, Angus Gordon, which leaves her to think he is a jerk. When a costume mishap leads her to fill in on the show, she gets to know Angus better and she learns that he is the opposite of a jerk.

I really enjoyed this romance and both main characters. Marlowe had insecurities about herself and social media and it made her feel very relatable. Angus was wonderful. He showed Marlowe that there was more to him than just a pretty face and a nice body. I would definitely read more by this author.

Marlowe took a risk professionally, and when it didn't yield the results she wanted, she picked up her life and started over in a new city with a new job that allowed her to hide out a bit. In addition to the job issue, she also is single for the first time in years, after her engagement ends. However, she managed to call attention to herself anyway and is thrust into the limelight with a celebrity who works on the show where she is an assistant in the wardrobe department. Despite her best efforts to stay in the background, she continually finds herself in the public eye. Along the way though, Marlowe discovers just how strong and talented she is, not to make assumptions, and to trust both herself and others again. There were some plot points that were common to other books I have read involving celebrities public vs private images, as well as fake romances, but other than that, I enjoyed the story and would recommend for contemporary romance fans.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and have submitted an objective review.

Down on her luck Marlowe Banks is hiding away because she can't handle the criticism that is prevalent in her industry of fashion design.

She's working on set in L.A. when she stumbles on the set and through a series of events starts a friendship with the leading Male Angus.

Their banter and chemistry is great. This was a good story and it was great to see two people who are hiding their true self come around.

Oh wow. This book took me places I didn’t realize it was going to go. Enemies to lovers, romantic comedy set behind the scenes of Hollywood? Check. I was expecting all that. Deep introspection and social commentary about the price of beauty, fame, and womanhood? Nope, those weren’t on my radar. But they’re woven so skillfully into Marlowe’s journey and become such an important part of her character growth that this book wouldn’t be the same without them. Even Angus gets to voice some similarly weighty subjects; taking on the dangers of fame, social media, and toxic masculinity. I loved watching this pair get to know one another. I think the actual time is fairly short, but it all feels like a slow burn with all the drama and angst over “will they?” or “won’t they?” I have no idea if the author has plans for a series with any of these characters, but I’m not ready to let them go yet and I’d love to see their future adventures as they help their friends find Happily Ever Afters of their own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley.