Member Reviews
This book was so much more than I thought it would be when I decided to read it. From the book cover (which I really like), I thought it would be a silly, light romance and there is nothing wrong with that. I enjoy a light romance, especially when real life is too stressed.
What I received when I began to dive into this book was so much more than “just a romance book”. It is book filled with lessons to women to empower their lives, and to find their true worth, despite what society and their family or so called friends might tell them. It is about finding strength within to change your life and pursue your goals and disregard the fear of failing that seems to be ever present. Also, social media is all over and to not believe everything posted and not let it control your life!
I cannot express how much I totally enjoyed this book! I loved the romance, between Angus, the hunky, famous TV star and Marlowe, a women that never seemed to be given the love or admiration that she deserved. Also, I adore Cherry and the fabulous friendship that she has with Marlowe. Everyone needs a friend like Cherry to tell it like it is, and support unconditionally.
It was so interesting to read about being on a TV set while filming and also see into the lives of celebrities. I am sure that most people do not think about the role of a costume designer, but this book shows it is a very important job for a film, TV show or play to be a success!
A huge thank you to Jacqueline Firkins for writing this fabulous, uplifting book! Thank for also for the many times I laughed out loud! I am a first time reader of your work, and will definitely be reading your other two books. I not only adore this story, but also your acknowledgments at the end of your book. If the reader did not get the message while reading, you certainly wrote it out very plain in the end. Everyone is worthy of love!
I want to thank St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.
This was a cute enemies to lovers one, Marlowe had all these ideas of what Angus was for what she had read online and that he had not bothered to correct, but then they start to hang out and one thing led to the other and mutual attraction and comprehension happens and love flourishes, is it a little cliché? Yes, but sometimes that’s what I want, specially from my rom-coms
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Marlowe decides she needs a change. She is hoping that moving to California will be the right decision. She works behind the scenes for a TV show. I liked the different characters in this book.
Slow burn romance, and very enjojable ride.
It was a quick read for me and I loved how this story had been created by an author. It's full of sweet heartwarming moments, but with the right dose of drama and angst.
Marlowe and Angus are bringing slow burn, friends to lovers romance. . From the very begining Marlowe captivated me by her imperpections, because it made her so real... I could connect with her character immediately. I enjoed how her relationship with Angus changed into smth deeper than friendship. He wasn't my fave peron, when I met him for the first tome, so... It was really good to see development of their feelings diving further into this book. Author done amazing job and made me invisted in Malrowe and Angus' love life hihi A like it very, very much.
I recomend this title for everyone who loves sweet, slow burn romance with heartmelting ending.
Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins is an adorable novel, just right for those who love a good love story. Marlowe is a costume designer, who after getting bad reviews on her work in NYC, flees to CA to work on a popular show as a lowly production assistant. A costume snafu results in her stepping onstage briefly as a waitress, where she and the star share a smoldering glance...and suddenly she's thrust into the limelight as an actress who is said to be destroying the star, Angus Gordon's relationship with another actress. But is she? Was there anything behind that look? Or was it really just acting?
Thank you to the author,St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Marlowe Banks, redesigned is a cute book. Marlowe leaves Los Angeles after a broken engagement and a career failure in costume design. Once in New York she finds a job on a popular T.V. show.
She ends up as a character of the show. The story is superficial but nice.
I had to suspend belief but enjoyed the story. I recommend the story for those who like light and fun stories about finding your love and conflict with different walks of life.
great romance about a costume designer and a tv actor. She is dealing with an ex who was just bad for her. She works well with her cast mates. She really assumed many things about angus and didn't quite get along with him. Loved this enemies to lovers story. I loved how they both worked at their relationship and he helped her along. Great chemistry between angus and Marlowe.
This book was just sweet and fun and it made me happy! I appreciated that the romance between Marlowe and Angus took over a long period of time and allowed room for friendship first. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author as she really knows how to entertain her readers. If you're looking for a fun, quick read, then this book is for you!
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the book. I like that Harlow had career aspirations and she wasn't going to have that deterred by romance, but a part of me didn't really understand the chemistry. It seemed to come of nowhere for me and even though i liked them together a part of me didn't understand it.
I could easily identify with Marlowe and some of the thoughts she had. Her journey to find herself was very relatable to the every day persons.
I received this ARC for an honest review. Jacqueline Firkins is a new to me author, but has become a must read author.
Jacqueline Firkins is wonderful at writing a slow burn. She was great with her character building, and you became invested with her characters.
This story is about Marlowe (a costume designer assistant) and Angus (an actor in a tv series). They met while both of them worked on a series named Heart’s Diner. The reason why Marlowe left New York to move to California was because of a bad relationship. Nothing violent, but her ex-fiancé was very manipulative. Marlowe has very low self esteem because of her parents and ex-fiancé.
Marlowe and Angus meet cute was when she ran into Angus when carrying boxes and made him spill his coffee on his shirt. Angus didn’t make a very good first impression, but as the story unfolds you get to see different sides. Marlowe let social media color her judgement about Angus but learns that social can be a good place also being an awful place.
I’m not saying much more about the story in hopes that you will get it a chance. It was well written and you became invested with the characters. I’m definitely reading another book by Jacqueline Firkins!
Marlowe Banks, Resdesigned is a very satisfying romantic comedy. Great dialog, intelligently written, slow burn and plenty of insight into how the costume aspect of TV episodes is handled behind the scenes and what’s involved in shooting the scenes. The author leaned a little heavy on making sure we got the themes of the book: self confidence, looking beyond the public image, following your dreams, etc. But it was all so nicely packaged in a readable story that I didn’t mind a bit. Recommended.
I really enjoyed these characters and their journey. I feel like I want more info on their future and the future of other characters
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I very much appreciate it.
I had seemed to be in a bit of a drought finding books that I really enjoyed until this book ended my drought. I loved the characters in this book -- they were well developed, likeable and flawed. Without being "preachy", this book deftly explored self-image and the influences others have on self-image. There were a number of scenes that made me laugh which kept the book light and easy to read. I also learned quite a bit about costume design which was very interesting. My only negative about this book is that it was written in 3rd person, which is never my favorite.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and hope this turns into a series to explore some of the other characters in more detail, especially Cherry.
Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins superbly captures the chaos of default, amnesty, and reconnecting. On love and life.
I absolutely loved this book! It was sheer joy to turn the pages as I continued reading Marlowe's story.
I don’t think I can swoon, gush or squeal anymore than I have with this book.
Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is one seriously well written book that will grab your attention from the start and will carry you through a delightful story with equally delightful characters.
Firkins writes so vividly and powerfully, that I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself. And that yall is some powerful writing in my opinion.
Our characters were so well developed, relatable and real.
I loved the humor, starting a clean slate, self-discovery, romance... I don't have one negative thing to say here.
Beautifully written with real people problems, A very true, relatable, strong story that made me look beyond the book itself.
The author added so many levels into this story that it just pulls you forward page by page. The highs and the lows then ultimate healing and finding yourself again made for a terrific story.
Very much recommend!
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
St. Martin's Griffin,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.
Didn’t love the book but didn’t hate it. The book felt long at some parts. I liked the development of the main character and her confidence.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for a n honest review.
Well, I can honestly I enjoyed the slow burn love story of Marlowe-like the detective from Raymond Chandler books and Angus- not the meat, charming Scottish guy!
Their story starts at TV series set: where Angus is one of rising stars of the show and Marlowe works as PA of most displeased, commending costume designer of the show, using her as dog-walker, delivery girl.
One bumping accident ends with splashing coffee and soaked t-shirt starts the flame of hate at first sight between Angus and Marlowe and when Marlowe tries to help her coworker Cherry to fix a wardrobe malfunction by playing waitress for one episode, the most intense LOOK she shares with Angus becomes the most trending topic at the Twitter! She finds herself to negotiate for playing Angus’ old flame for three episodes! Wow! See what fifteen minutes fame can do to you!
Marlowe still deals with her past: she ran from her old life where she was an aspiring costume designer but she failed so big and after being garnered with poor reviews from critics about the costumes she’s designed for Broadway show: she gave up from her dreams and dumbed her over criticizing fiancée. She wanted to have a fresh start by starting a new life in the city of Angels but running away from the city she lived doesn’t mean she can run away from who she is.
She is still messy, often frazzled, ordinary, deeply insecure, nail-chewing, hot sauce- spilling, no time for make up and lunch, working class girl! That girl is also deserved to be loved unconditionally. The very same girl has to confront with her past, showing herself some respect, fighting with her insecurities to evolve!
The enemies to lovers trope starts between Marlowe and Angus slowly turns into a beautiful friendship! Marlowe realizes he’s not the womanizer bad boy : that’s just a facade of introvert, bookish, caring man, coming from crowded, lovely family.
Could Marlowe fight against her fears to give their love story a chance as vultures and toxic internet trolls who are addicted to the clickbait are ready to tear them apart?
Overall: I loved the characterization and real aspect of how things work at tv series sets. I found Marlowe a little dramatic and her reasonings not to fall for Angus we’re a little repetitive. The book was a little too long with this repeating cycle. But I still enjoyed the slow burn chemistry between characters and the author’s thought provoking approach to social media and online bullying.
I’m giving my 4 wardrobe malfunction, sizzling chemistry, bad boy loved smart ordinary girl stars !
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.