Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: St. Martins Griffin
Release Date: Oct. 25, 2022
Purchase: Amazon
Special thanks to St. Martins Publ. for an arc.
In Marlowe Banks, Redesigned, Jacqueline Firkins wonderfully captures the messiness of failure, forgiveness, and embracing a second chance on life and love.
Review:
Marlowe Banks is an extremely talented Broadway costume designer who flees New York for California after devastating reviews of a play point the blame at her poor designs. At the same time, Marlowe broke her engagement to fiancé Kelvin although he continues pursuing her. Now, her designer skills are under utilized as she’s working as a lowly production assistant for an arrogant costume designer on a hit television show. The star of the show is a social media sensation and too full of himself to attract Marlowe. However, after she spills coffee down the front of his shirt, events take an interesting turn.
It quickly becomes obvious to readers that Marlowe is seriously underemployed. It's clear she's hiding - trying to avoid drawing attention to herself as she blends into the background of her mundane life. However, when Angus Gordon plows into her world, things begin to change as they slowly get to know each other - not the projected images, but the core of what's inside. I feel the author does a fantastic job of portraying each character's weaknesses and allowing readers to follow their transition and growing confidence. While the romance is sweet, for me it's the personal growth and the way these two characters prove vital to each other in deeper ways that makes this an important read.
Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is a sweet, intelligent contemporary romance that goes beyond the expected. I enjoyed the journey of personal growth the author puts these characters through and also liked the slow burn romance. Firkins writing style makes for easy reading, and her characterizations are spot-on. Highly recommended to fans of contemporary romance with a greater than normal depth of plot line.
Synopsis:
Marlowe Banks’s life has come apart at the seams. Her engagement ended abruptly. Her latest costume design was shredded by critics. Her student loans are overdue. Her parents have never been more disappointed. Desperate to hide from her failures, Marlowe flees New York City to embrace invisibility in Los Angeles as a menial Production Assistant on a popular TV show. While sorting socks and taking care of her boss’ spoiled Weimaraner, no one can confront her poor artistic choices or the end of her engagement, the end her ex refuses to accept.
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.
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.
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