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.

Marlowe Banks is working in the costume department of a TV show being filmed in LA. Her boss is an ass, her parents are disappointed in her, she is lonely after moving across the country away from all her friends and she is living in a pathetic dump of an apartment.

One random day when an extra doesn't show up for a scene, Marlowe offers to step in because she just happens to be the right body type for the costume. Little does Marlowe know that she is about to have her life changed forever.

This is a sweet rom-com that was a great beach/vacation read. It is a good reminder that things are not always as they appear.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marlowe up at leaves NYC and an ex fiancee behind to start a new in Los Angelous. She gets a job as a PA on a Riverdale-esq TV show for an up tight costumer. When a costume mix-up requires Marlowe to step into in a scene, the camera catches a heated look between her and Angus Gordon, the show's arrogant bad boy, thrusting Marlowe into the spotlight. As the pair is forced together on set, Marlowe learns she's not the only one hiding. Walls come down for both of them, revealing a life Marlowe isn't sure she's ready for, and when her past comes calling, she has to decide if she's going to stay invisible or if it's time for a redesign.

I absolutely devoured this book! I couldn't put it down. It was everything I wanted in a little escapist celeb/normal person romance. I loved that it wasn't super stereotypical. The supporting characters were really well rounded and enjoyable. I hope we see more from them. You could consider this a slow burn, which I am not usually a fan of, but this was written so well, I didn't even mind! I loved the spotlight on personal/mental growth and the impact social media has on everyone no matter what your status is. Also the conversation about how failure impacts a persons life if not handled the right way. I cannot say enough good things about this one!

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases. 10/25

This was such a cute, sweet, & heartwarming book. Marlowe was fun, likeable, and relatable. Angus was a little angsty, a little charming, and incredibly sweet. I loved the banter between Marlowe and Angus - it was easy and witty. Even Babs grew on me. It was also fun to learn a little bit about costume designing in Hollywood. If you are looking for a slow burn romance/chic lit kind of book, this is it! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital arc of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned.

A charming and delightful Hollywood romance. Interesting couple and fun behind the scenes action. I skipped the amorous activities. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

My Thoughts


2nd chances come in different forms, for Marlowe Banks however her particular form turns out to be Angus Gordon and a sideline career change that causes her to face not only her past but her insecurities as well.

For me the fact that a working class woman and a rising television star are put together as romantic interests for each other worked better than I hoped.

I found this story to be all about connecting, with others and with oneself as well.

Marlowe went to college and her degree in design has been put aside in favor of doing her best to blend into the background doing a job that basically turns her into someone’s slave.

Having put her dreams aside for the moment Marlowe finds causes her no satisfaction in an alternative occupation she is way overqualified for, and in fact really dislikes the longer she does it.

In the shallow world of Hollyweird, as I like to call Hollywood, Marlowe is a square peg in a round hole who finally finds out where she fits and it is worth her waiting to get there!

The story did have a few fits and such that gave it some trouble here and there but what story doesn’t?
[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

The story of a costume designer, working as a lowly designer in on the set of a long-running tv series. She meets the grumpy star of the show and isn't impressed. Then she accidently gets a small part on the show and gets closer to the show's star and realizes he isn't all she assumed he was. I absolutely loved this story, both main characters were very likeable and it was a fun hard-to-put-down read!

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned started off as a cute, low-angst, slow burn, celebrity, not-really-enemies to lovers read that became a bit too slow of a burn and left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins is a fantastic romance that takes place on the set of a big TV show between a talented costume assistant & one of the show’s leading stars.
Marlowe accidentally stumbles into being an extra for a day on set when the cameras catch a moment between her & the TV show’s handsome lead that blows up Twitter. Production can’t ignore the fans’ reactions & the undeniable chemistry, so she lands a spot as more than an extra. The chemistry the camera caught is just as spicy behind the lens & these two have fiery sparks right away.
There is a celebrity aspect to this book, but it’s handled in a way that feels very authentic & realistic. It doesn’t shy away from the hardships of working in the entertainment business while also acknowledging the privileges that come with said power. I thought it was handled in a way that was extremely interesting because you get both in front & behind the camera while also discussing the unglamorous side of being a celebrity. It felt very self-aware while still behind extremely entertaining which I think is a difficult note to achieve!
This was an excellent matchup that I was completely rooting for. I devoured this book in one day!
If you are looking for an attention-grabbing & engrossing romance set in the entertainment business that somehow feels authentic, mature & utterly charming, I highly recommend reading Marlowe Banks, Redesigned!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Griffith for the arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins is a cute romantic comedy that I really enjoyed.

Story Recap:
Marlowe Banks’s life is a bit of a mess. She broke up with her fiance and her design business failed, and she has her student loans to pay off, So, she escapes to Los Angeles where she gets a job as a production assistant on a popular TV show. She’s given the most menial tasks, but she enjoys the invisibility of the job while she can figure out what to do next.

Angus Gordon is the show’s bad boy and he has a reputation. When there is a costume mix-up, Marlowe is thrust into a minor role as an extra, but when the camera catches Agnus giving Marlow a very smoldering look, social media blows up wondering if the characters have a past. And then the producers decide to give her a more involved role in the show. Working together, Marlowe and Angus learn more about each other and eventually develop a relationship. But, what happens when Marlowe’s life in New York calls her back?

My Thoughts:
This book was a lot of fun. I enjoyed learning about what happens behind the scenes of a television show and all the issues of costume design for the show. The harried pace and demands of the stars were interesting for me to read about.

But the characters are what really drew me into the story. Marlowe might be a bit of a mess at first, but she is hard-working and didn’t complain about all the menial tasks she was assigned. She really knew her costume design stuff and it was fun when she knew more than the lead costume designer. Marlowe was also very modest and she didn’t want to have a role in the show, but she knew it was the only way to help her friend who had caused the costume mix-up. Her loyalty to her friend was admirable.
I don’t usually like a famous actor as the main character in a story, but Angus Gordon was surprisingly very down-to-earth and relatable. Yes, he has a reputation for being a bad boy, but we find out that he cultivates the image in order to protect his heart. He is a very endearing character and I grew to love him too.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend Marlowe Banks, Redesigned to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.