This book was fantastic. I loved it so much. The love story was both beautiful and inspiring. This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last.

Loved this NA novel! I thought the author did an excellent job with a realistic look at behind the scenes, as well as developing chemistry and supporting characters. I would happily read any novel by Ms. Firkins!

This book was provided to me by NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved all of the main characters and thought that the relationship between Marlowe and Angus was adorable. Overall, it was a fun and quick read that I could not put down!

I really enjoyed this rom-com from author Jacqueline Firkins.

Marlowe is a likable heroine recovering from a narcissistic ex who gaslit her. Her empowering confrontation with the ex later in the book was one of my favorite parts, and the author showed the emotional scars in a realistic way.

Marlowe and Angus together were so adorable. Angus is such a dorky and emotionally mature male lead, I found him charming and wholesome, but still sassy to Marlowe. I enjoyed their banter and chemistry.

This is a super enjoyable rom-com with a realistic description of a woman growing and healing after a toxic relationship.

A really fund read about the messiness of failure, forgiveness, and embracing a second chance on life and love. Well done and wonderful characters.

A cute, fluffy little romcom, this book was entertaining and quick, easy read. The relationship between Marlowe and Angus wasn't necessarily 100% believable, but it was cute. I essentially could have done without the Kelvin character at all.

Give us the Cherry spinoff that she deserves!!

Originally an East Coaster, Marlowe Banks has left behind a floundering career as a costume designer and an ex-fiance for the sunny skies of Los Angeles. Working as a Costume Production Assistant (basically a glorified errand-runner for her boss, Babs) on the popular television show, Heart's Diner - Marlowe finds her new job and new life to be busy, unfulfilling and lonely. When a background actor calls out sick, her replacement doesn't fit into the diner waitress costume. No one else seems to be the same size... except Marlowe. Her scene puts her in contact with dreamy bad boy, Angus Gordon. Their chemistry in the single diner scene leads to a new friendship and a three episode arc for Marlowe. As Marlowe tries to balance her new acting gig with her PA job, annoying texts from her ex and her growing romantic feelings Angus, Marlowe has to figure out what she really wants.

I absolutely adore this book. Angus and Marlowe are couple goals to end all couple goals. Angus is the slightly insecure, introverted book lover of my dreams. SWOON. 100%.

All the characters are truly presented as dynamic, interesting human beings. Cherry's extroverted and ballsy personality are the perfect opposite to Marlowe's almost obsessive overthinking.

The story is captivating and absolutely enjoyable.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Marlowe is a costume designer who recently broke up with her fiancé and moved to LA to try something new and find herself. Angus is the star of the show Marlowe works on. Sparks fly.

I really liked this book. Marlowe is so relatable and I loved how her relationship with Angus developed. She was real without being too over the top and you felt like you were there watching them fall in love. The friendships in this book were top notch. I cried at the epilogue.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Did I request this book simply for the book cover, yes? Did I love the heck out of this book? Also yes.

Marlowe Banks has lost her confidence. She put her career as a costume designer in NY, called off her wedding to a fiancé who made her feel less than, and is now working on the set of a popular drama series and is more dog walker and shopper than designer. She is trying to stay away from the bad boy star of the series but when a wardrobe malfunction threatens to derail production and hurt her friend, she finds herself on the other side of the screen across from said bad boy.

As their hate at first sight steamy glances go viral, she ends up on the show in a three episode arc and also realizes that Angus is not the bad boy everyone thinks he is.

This is a great exploration of finding oneself, the consequences and affects of life in the Hollywood spotlight and living up to others’ expectations. It is light hearted but important. Their friendship is sweet, their romance is definitely slow burn. I enjoyed every minute of reading this book.

Thank you NetGalley for my gifted arc.

I read this novel on my way to Rome and it was a great way to spend a long plane ride. Marlowe Banks, Redesigned follows the story of a lowly design assistant on the set of what I imagined to be a soapy teen drama like Riverdale and how she ends up with the star of the show, Angus Gordon. Marlowe and Angus start off on the wrong foot and that initial run in sets the tone for these two. She thinks he's an ass and he thinks she's clumsy, add a series of events and these perceptions don't seem that far off, but of course, they are. Marlowe's just a frazzled, overworked, undervalued step above intern to her boss who is constantly tasked with the most menial and impossible tasks. And Angus? Well his quiet persona and aloofness don't help things. As these two get thrown into a situation that forces them to spend more time together we get to see that Angus is so much more than he appears, as is Marlowe. He longs for roles that stretch him beyond what he's been given and she's longing for the commercial success that has eluded her so far.



This novel was fun to read, not only for the way the romance unfolded, but for the evolution of their separate careers. I also enjoyed how steady Angus was--he wasn't the usual angsty, over the top actor type and his kindness and patience was an unexpected plus.



A very lovely read, by a new to me author. Definitely will try her other works.

Ahhhhh this was just such a great read. I just didn't want this book to end and I was sad to turn the last page. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

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.