4.5 Creative People Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
Awww Creative People...it is their passion, their ability to see things others may not and to, of course, create. You see this ability, in my humble opinion, leaves them open to easy feelings of insecurity or manipulation from not-so-nice others...others who may be insecure themselves, so they lash out...or just crappy people who have their own issues and like to make others feel small.

So not to be a downer opening to this review, it is with this concept I read Marlowe Banks, Redesigned. I mention all of the above because she is a creative and has had numerous people hit on her abilities and her sense of self, causing her to run and try to hide. If she had been an accountant, then maybe all of the digs and criticism of her work wouldn't feel so personal...as numbers are objective, as in 2 plus 2 does equal 4.

So here we have a woman who was on her path to being the next big costume designer on Broadway who gets not only kicked in the gut with a cruel review of her designs, she finally takes the smart choice of breaking the engagement with a man who delights in tearing her essence apart. Goodbye NYC, and off to Loa Angeles.

By having the opportunity to take a job in the industry as just an assistant, glorified gopher in a TV show happens, Marlowe feels she will be able to sort of hide, regroup, and figure out her next chapter. Naturally, her boss is a witch, making sure Marlowe knows who the boss is and the main star of the show seems to be an ass from his social posting, pics with women, etc.

Marlowe's first exposure with him is not the best, so no love lost is there. Note to self...stay out of Star's way.
It takes a costuming error, not hers, that causes Marlowe to end up on the set in front of the camera doing a simple task as an extra.

Yet, what was supposed to be simple became something so much more. Marlowe had to interact with Angus, the star with who she had had that difficult experience, and before they both feel it... they are bickering on camera and flashing all sorts of sparks.

Fans of the show create a new surge of demanding Marlowe becomes an actual new character on the show and be Angus' love interest. So Much For Hiding and ReGrouping...

This tale is fun, sweet, sexy, and insightful in many unexpected ways.
Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner for All :DDD

I liked this book but didn't love it. The regular person and celebrity trope was good. I really liked the peek behind the scenes of the costume department of a network show.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned was just the kind of feel good book I have been craving! It follows the classic, enemies to lovers trope but the writing made it fresh and unique. I really loved this book and hope there will be more from Marlowe and Angus!

I really enjoyed this one. Marlowe was a little bit questionable at first but her character developed nicely throughout the book. She started out pretty judgmental and gullible but then she learned from her mistakes and I grew to love her.

I really loved her friend Cherry.. Everyone needs their own cheerleader in their life and she was the perfect friend.

This book reminded me a lot of the Devil Wears Prada but in the tv/film industry. I thought it was a super fun concept and I haven’t read many books Like it.

I also loved how witty all the characters were. The internal monologue for Marlowe was just hilarious. I loved Angus from the beginning and he just got better and better!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫rounded up to 5!

Is there a book you feel isn’t getting as much love or attention as it deserves on the ‘gram? For me, it’s MARLOWE BANKS REDESIGNED by Jacqueline Firkins @jfkillsdarlings !

This sleeper hit was placed on my radar by @readingismycardiobookclub , and I’m so glad I gave it a shot because I absolutely fell in love with the characters and plot (even Angus, whose snarky first impression didn’t exactly endear him to me).

When NYC critics tear apart a play Marlowe Banks did costume design on, she feels as though her life and career are falling apart at the seams. Cutting ties with her toxic, gaslighting fiancé, Marlowe flees to L.A. and hides within the confines of a wardrobe assistant job for Heart’s Diner, a popular soap opera in its sixth season. But when she and lead heartthrob Angus Gordon literally collide with each other, and are later seen exchanging heated and scathing looks on-camera, Marlowe goes from behind-the-scenes to front-and-center.

Could Hollywood (and love) be in the stars for her, or are she and Angus destined to hide behind their secrets and insecurities?

This romcom was utterly charming. I related to Marlowe right away (I care far, far too much what others think, suffer from severe imposter syndrome, and prefer blending into the background to being in the spotlight any day!), and having been in a toxic relationship in my twenties, my heart went out to her as I learned more about her situation with Kelvin.

As I mentioned earlier, Angus wasn’t initially my favorite, but Firkins did a great job developing his character. Marlowe was wonderful at peeling back his layers, and I laughed out loud at some of the banter and inside jokes. With quick wit and great chemistry, Marlowe and Angus pulled me in, and while I expected Tanareve to pose a problem, she was a breath of fresh air!

Fellow secondary characters Cherry (and yes, even Babs!) were lovely too, and I especially loved how Babs inspired Marlowe to help represent the everyday, working woman in the public eye - frizzy hair, no makeup, stained clothes and all!)

Though billed as a romcom, I actually think this book is more women’s fiction with a side of romance. The growth all of the main characters experience, but especially Marlowe and Angus, is remarkable, and the fact that they all get to embark on that journey together makes it even more impactful. Marlowe and Angus's slow-burn romance made my heart smile, and watching Marlowe find her voice again and stand up for herself, as well as Cherry, gave me all of the proud mom vibes!

If you're looking for a sweet, heartwarming read with some romance, put this one on your radar!! Purchase it wherever books are sold now, or put in a library hold request, because you won't want to miss it! Thank you so much to @readingismycardiobookclub for your great review and drawing my attention to this read, and to @netgalley @stmartinspress and @jfkillsdarlings for my complimentary galley!

#marlowebanksredesigned #jacquelinefirkins #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #IGbooks #readersofIG #readers #readersofinstagram #readersofinsta #bookreview #bookreviewsneedlovetoo #stmartinspress #womensfiction #romance #readingmama #momswhoread #relaxedengagers #novemberreads #readingismycardiobookclub #bookish #bookstabuddies #bibliophile #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #booksbooksandmorebooks #bookphotography #bookpictures #readersgonnaread

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how Marlowe stood up for herself to her ex-fiance and moved the LA to start fresh. I liked that she figured out what she wanted, both career wise and relationship wise and had the courage to go for it. I also liked that this book brought attention to the insecurities of celebrities, and the loneliness they sometimes feel, just like us regular people. I like that this book had some angst, some spice, and a HEA...

4.5 stars

This was such a fun rom-com with very likable leads! Marlowe is basically hiding in CA after she ended a toxic relationship, and is trying to throw off the disappointment from a failed show. You learn pretty quickly that she has grown up as the target of constant criticism from both of her parents, her ex, and the critics of her show. As you can imagine, her self-esteem is pretty nonexistent. With a mountain of debts from her MFA at Yale, she is willing to do anything to survive, including taking a job as a Costume Production Assistant, which basically means she is given all the jobs that no one else wants. Angus has a reputation as a vacuous bad boy, moving from one girl to another. But he was also the subject of her crushes when she was a girl.

I found this book quite engrossing and ended up reading it in one sitting. Despite their less-than-ideal first meeting, the author did a great job developing their relationship, through miscommunication and assumptions, and the mistakes were not all one-sided. I liked how Marlowe had to heal from her past, and that he gave her room to do so. Angus was absolutely adorable, and I loved his way of studying things. Her best friend Cherry was awesome, and her romance story was super cute as well. And her relationship with Babs, as challenging as it was, developed into a relationship of mutual respect, even if they were never going to be good friends. There were a lot of little things like that that really made me like this book even more.

There were moments when I couldn't stop laughing, including their first sexual encounter. I mean seriously, I was rolling throughout that scene. They actually had great chemistry and I loved that their attraction was more than just sexual. The sex scenes were very well done and conveyed mutual attraction and consideration for each other. This book would really make a great movie. I loved the inside jokes and phrases that they developed throughout their interactions.

I also appreciated that the author included things like the need for more female writers, the messed up view in Hollywood/social media about what sells, the loss of privacy for famous people and the different ways of handling it, the need for therapy, what a healthy relationship looks like, the need to change how things work in the industry so that job availability is not controlled by only a few, and so much more. But it was never too much and I think the author did a good job of sneaking in these perspectives, making them a realistic part of the story, but not overwhelming you with information.

This is the second romance I've read in a week and definitely the stronger of the two. It is better written and I just enjoyed falling into the story more. And the sex scenes that made me laugh were not because of how it was written (unlike the other one) but because it was meant to be funny. Oh, and Jeeves was an awesome addition.

The only possible weakness is that at times I got tired of Marlowe being down on herself. Fortunately, she would talk through the issue (rather than just ignoring it) and realize she was buying into the nonsense that her parents and ex were feeding her. One of my best friends was in an abusive and manipulative relationship and had many conversations with her that were similar to the ones Marlowe had with herself or with her best friend. So it was realistic. I just wanted her to see all the good in herself.

All this to say that I can definitely recommend this one, especially if you're looking for a fun rom-com with sweet and funny characters and a little bit more than the usual substance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publishers and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marlowe Banks is in need of a makeover. Recently leaving her hometown of NYC and narrowly dodging committing to the wrong man, she heads to California- Los Angeles to be exact. There she hopes to reinvent herself, which she sort of does, but not in the ways she hoped. See while Marlowe is technically working in costume design, she’s a production assistant on a well known TV show- fetching dinner, garments, and even dogs, if the shoe fits.

Desperate to hide behind her bad choices, Marlowe is appalled when she’s enlisted to fill in on camera one day. There the lense captures chemistry between Marlowe and one of the show’s stars, playboy Angus Gordon. As the old adage goes, the camera doesn’t lie. Before long the show is requesting Marlowe return and give the audience of the aging show more of the what they never knew they always wanted. But as Marlowe tries to walk the line between her day job as a PA and moonlighting as an actress, soon it’s not only the wardrobe that’s hanging by a thread.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is a romance with stylization that thinks outside the box. I loved the idea of Marlowe being thrust into a world she never intended to enter, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was expecting (or hoping) the story would focus on Marlowe becoming Hollywood’s latest darling. For a bit it looked like the author had designs in this general direction, but instead the redesign became more of a rebirth for Marlowe herself, one that led her down a path of independence, confidence, and fulfillment.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.

I loved this romcom about Marlowe Banks, a costume designer working on the set of a TV show in LA. She is tired of being the assistant to her boss (think Devil Wears Prada), and is wondering if LA is really for her. She ended up there after ending her engagement and wanting a fresh start. Her boss, Babs, is a piece of work, and the lead male actor on the show is too - or so she thinks. When Marlowe fills in for a background actor, fans go wild at the chemistry between her and Angus and she gets a three episode story arc.

Meanwhile, Angus is determined to show Marlowe that her pre-conceived ideas of him are wrong, and they end up forming the sweetest friendship...that obviously leads to more, because HELLO, this is a romcom.

I loved the chemistry between Angus and Marlowe, and I thought he was just the sweetest thing ever. It's a slow burn, but it's worth it. I did think the end wrapped up kind of quickly, but it was an enjoyable read overall. I will definitely read this author again!

This book was pretty good. This book follows two best friends who both have secrets. One is addicted to sec and the other is addicted to alcohol both trying to hide but facing new challenges. So when I first started the book, I didn't like the writing. I already hated Lily but I saw so much love for this series on TikTok that I knew I had to keep on going. And I did. The book did start to get better and I did start to enjoy the story more. The pacing was great and I love how big the world of the Calloways is. There is so much to discover about each character and I'm here for it. I do enjoy the storyline but I wonder how it will go for the next books in this series as it follows the same characters.

So this book only follows Lily's pov which I was disappointed with as I wanted to know more about Lo. I have to say that Lily was kind of meh. I didn't get her character (not her addiction) but I how she wasn't worried about Lo and how she was described. I did like Lo at some parts but I know I will love him later in the series. Not much character development here but I think it will focus on the upcoming books. There are many side characters who are easy to keep up with. I love how involved they are with the story and can't wait to read their parts. The romance is friends to lovers but I didn't feel much for the couple yet.

The ending didn't end with a cliffhanger but I will start the second book soon. I want to know how the story goes as it kind of gives me After by Anna Todd vibes. The blurb was correct that it's perfect for "fans of Gossip Girl, Friends and Euphoria" as I agree with it. I can't say I recommend this book yet until I read book 2 so be on the look out.

Well hello adorable! ⁣
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⁣Marlowe Banks, Redesigned was so cute and captivating that I got sucked into my kindle for long enough that both my babies ended up soaking themselves in the dog water! Oops! ⁣
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⁣This is a fun, entertaining read. Marlowe flees to LA to work as a Production Assistant on a tv show after her life in NYC implodes. When a costume mix up requires her to step into a scene, a heated look between her and the show’s bad boy, Angus Gordon, thrusts Marlowe into the spotlight. ⁣
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⁣This book was just lovely. It talked a lot about perfection, anxiety, social media and fears of failure. Oh one hand, it’s a spicy little treat of a book; on the other- Marlowe is a great example of overcoming failure to make a good life for yourself! ⁣
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⁣I recommend this one to all romance lovers! Four stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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⁣Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in return for my honest review.

Marlow’s life has been shattered. Her costume designs for a show in NYC were hated in the papers, her relationship ended abruptly, she is poor and she feels she is disappointing everyone. She runs away from her problems to California where she becomes a production assistant- a gopher on the set of a TV show. Her hours are awful, she is treated horribly by her boss, and she is bored. But she’s making a paycheck and she is hidden from any public critique.

She is asked to stand-in for an extra in the show and just one look between her and the star of the show sparks some gossip and interest online and she is thrown into a relationship with a man she sees as selfish, self-important and rude- typical Hollywood spoiled star. Come to find out, they each have walls built up to keep themselves safe and vulnerability is the trick to help them each heal.

Overall a fun story. Watch out for the open door romance in this one. Easy to skip though.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Marlowe Banks’s life has fallen apart. When her engagement abruptly ends, she leaves NY to go to L.A. to work as an assistant on a popular tv show. She gains the attention of start Angus Gordon, the show's arrogant bad boy, but he isn't at like what he seems. Of course her ex comes back and her old like comes a-calling, so she is going to have to decide what kind of life she wants, and what she wants it to look like. I really enjoyed Angus and their connection was great. This turned out to be a cute and funny romcom that I think will appeal to anyone who like a celebrity-who-isn't-really-a-celebrity romance.

Oh what a fun read - my first by this author (and i'll be reading more for sure)! I absolutely adore Marlowe Banks and her swoon-tastic love story with Angus, a TV star! Their relationship begins with the opposite of a meet-cute when she spills coffee on him and right away does not get a good first impression. But then the lowly costume design assistant ends up being the only one who can fit into a costume and become an extra for one episode. Except their chemistry is off the charts and anyone with eyes can see it, so they end up bringing Marlowe on for a few more episodes.

I fell for Angus pretty quickly and loved how the author challenged the impact of social media and fame. Marlowe regularly struggles with her own assumptions based on her life experiences - while she is often right, she can also be wrong (like most of us). But in her hesitancy to believe Angus and her fear of failure, a solid friendship sets the stage for a great relationship. They have great banter, don't always know how to deal with their feelings, and are just perfect for each other. And the book was much steamier than I expected - thank you Ms. Firkins for the unexpected spice!

I definitely recommend this book - the author is so knowledgeable about costuming, knows her way around a spicy scene (or three), and brought us an all around great romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this story.
He’s one of the most idolized, beloved actors on the planet.

She’s a costuming assistant whose boss treats her like a glorified errand girl.

Their first encounter convinced her that he’s an overpaid, arrogant tool. Even if he’s starred in her secret fantasies for years. When she’s picked as an extra in what should be a minor role, the sparks fly and suddenly she has her own ship hashtag. And everyone is speculating about where her relationship with America’s heartthrob will go.

He’s suddenly showing up at every available opportunity. They have inside jokes and confessions between them. He makes fun of her smelly car.

They shouldn’t work together based on first impressions and statistics. But they do.

This wonderful story was full of tongue in cheek humor, self-deprecation, and references to the absurdity that can ensue when social media gets involved in our personal lives.

Tropes: opposites attract; grumpy vs. grumpy; secretly nerdy hero.

Highly recommended for fans of Lynn Painter and Emily Henry.

3.5 stars
This book is really about Marlowe finding herself and acknowledging what she deserves. She's moved to LA to get away from her ex-fiance and horrible reviews at her last design job. She takes a job which is basically being the on-call personal assistant for anything and everything the head costume designer needs, both for the show and personally. It's not challenging (other than juggling) or fulfilling.
The ex won't stop texting her. The leading man on the show is a jerk but then starts showing his humanity. After Marlowe ends up standing in for a small role, everything explodes. She and Angus become friends, he helps her navigate what's being asked of her for participating in the show, and as he demonstrates what a good guy is like and makes her believe she has talent and is worthy, Marlowe starts to stand up for herself. Then they have to figure out if they're willing to try a relationship, given how different their lives are and how much fame bothers Marlowe.
I loved Marlowe's friendship with Cherry, he coworker. There was a lot here on the inner workings of costume departments and TV production. I really enjoyed watching Angus shed his layers and show Marlowe who he really was.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins
Contemporary room com.
After a harsh review of her design work and a relationship breakup, , Marlowe moves to Los Angeles to work as an assistant gofer. She’s always had a crush on actor Angus Gordon but being around him on set has her avoiding him because of rumors and his entourage. Marlowe is ordered to take Angus shopping and spending time with him alone reawakens her crush. Can he really be more than just a pretty face?

A cute romance with Marlowe learning a lot about movie shopping and secretly pining after her ideal version of Angus. Reality is quite different as the two clash until he admits to not doing his own social media. The angst smooths out and a relationship builds.
I liked how clearly his emotions are shown to Marlowe although I’m not sure I know anyone well enough to look into their eyes and read conflicting emotions.
Overall a satisfying and quirky romance.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

I have to say I absolutely adored this book!! I enjoyed the characters and the overall story development. This was witty and oh-so-adorable in it’s presentation. I found myself smiling and cheering for Marlowe throughout the entire book

A huge thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!
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My home base is in theatre, but I have a little bit of experience working in television; and I can definitely relate to Marlowe’s self-doubt when it comes to making it in the theatre industry. It is obvious that Firkins has experience working in both arenas, and the world-building is the better for it. Marlowe could be any young costume designer I know in real life, and Angus would fit right in with other young performers. The reality of the world and people definitely contributed to the plot feeling plausible yet completely outside of the world of the general reader.
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The slow burn was extremely well done and when we got to the steam it totally paid off. I was totally invested in their relationship and could not really predict what direction it would go as they battled the pressures of fame for one and not the other. I also loved the way Firkins approached the idea of failure through Marlowe, and how she had to confront rejection and find what it is that actually defines success for herself.

4 stars!

Jacqueline Firkins' book "Marlowe Banks, Redesigned" is a charming, slow-burn, open-door romance with a hefty dose of self-discovery and a bunch of witty banter to keep readers interested. It deals with reinventing oneself after failure, handling professional, personal, and public criticism, the foibles and perils of celebrity, learning to grow, self-esteem, and being in a partnership that's not strictly hinged on the physical (though the steam sure doesn't hurt!). The main characters, Marlowe and Angus, are both thoroughly developed, well-rounded characters who come from very different backgrounds. They both assume things about one another, but when they get to truly know each other, those assumptions come crashing down around them. Marlowe is an exceedingly relatable pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps hot mess who is *not* looking for love when she (literally) runs into Angus. He's also relatable in his way, minus the whole Hollywood stardom thing. They find common ground in one another and grow mutual respect and mutual "liking" out of it. Just a really wonderful book, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's a breeze to finish because the writing is so good!

Here's a link to my Instagram review: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkqoIrTpkQg/

Thank you to NetGalley, Jacqueline Firkins, and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with an ARC copy of this book! All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for my review.