I didn't realize this book was republished and originally written in the 80s. That makes a lot of sense. It was a decent story but not super memorable.

Unfortunately, this was DNF for me. I really didn't like the characters or plot.

I have read all of Leila Meacham's "Later in Life" books and LOVED them. I was thrilled to find that she had other books and they were re-released. I am a big fan of a good, old fashioned novel. Crowning Design fits the bill. Romance, strong female character who goes against what is expected of her. It even includes a little bit of mystery. Leila Meacham is so good and painting a picture of her characters and even the scenery that reading her books is almost like watching them play out like a movie in your imagination. Very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading her other re-released novels.

Mrs. Leila Meacham is a wonderful author with a style all of her own. Her recently written novels such as the sagas of Roses and Titans were favorites of mine. This release of Crowning Design is an earlier work of hers that doesn't have the same gothic/saga/southern flair that I love about Meacham and you can tell it is a work that was written a while ago. All that being said - it was a good read that kept me interested enough to see how the relationships would develop. The bit of a twist was sort of expected - yet the surrounding story arc and the end result made for a pleasantly satisfying read.

This book was nowhere near as epic or enthralling as Roses or Tumbleweeds. The story was pretty dull and predictable. It was a fast and easy read, though.

I found this book to be engaging, thoughtful, angering, fearful, and tormenting. I didn't know who Deborah could trust, but I was so excited for her to have a chance at love again. I was upset with her family, Roger's family and I was so happy that Deborah had made a life for herself. But it appeared that not all was what it seemed on the surface.

Dan seemed like an amazing man, especially in contrast to his financial peer. I was appalled at his behavior. It appears that Dan has an agenda but what was it. When it came to light what was going on with Dan you wanted to be in his corner but then you got whiplash with all the events taking place.

Dan and Deborah left me with questions in the end. The path that the book takes is winding and will keep the reader engaged trying to figure out everyone's alliterative motives. Now I am totally curious about John Turner...

Deborah Standridge left behind one kind of life story, to be architect of her own dreams. She is a very successful architect -- literally. She's a top name in Denver architecture. Her boss is like a second father to her ever since he talked her into joining his firm.

Deborah has a secret hiding behind her success.

Daniel Parker commissions her to design his company's headquarters. She does her best to learn about him, his company, and what information she can use to fuse the design together with her classic yet contemporary design style. Not so secret is that Dan is not interested in lasting relationships.

BUT... Dan has a secret ...that maybe he should have mentioned...

As the two work together and feel romance forming, Deborah's boss is irate with her. She has no business (!) getting romantic. He's planning to retire and leave the firm to her, if she behaves and lets this thing with Daniel Parker die (!)

Review mayalso be found at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/421983.Crowning_Design

Advanced reader's copy courtesy of Netgalley.com

Not to my taste, but not horribly written. At 165 pages, it was a quick read. .I'm not much of a romance reader and this one didn't come on terribly strong. Little twist at the end that helped keep things intriguing. Had heard good things about this author's novel, "Roses" - will check that book out next. 3 out of 5 stars.

My Goodreads review:

Wow, I did not see that coming. Well, I did at first, but then I thought not. Most of the book while I was reading it, I wasn't that crazy about. I felt it was good, but not remarkably so. Well, the last 20% was so full of twists. The very last part really redeemed everything and I could see how the first part set the stage for the ending. I'll give this 4 stars, because of all the surprises at the end. 3.75 stars, if I could. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

My thoughts:

While I was reading the first 3/4 of Crowning Design, I felt the book was all right, but not remarkable as I had thought Roses was which I listened to at the beginning of December, but boy, once I started reading the last quarter or so, the book just took a life of its own.  The twists and turns it took!  Although the book is not anything like Roses, which is a saga covering about 100 years of a Texas family, Crowning Design ended up totally redeeming itself.