Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins, features a woman who is trying to heal and learns to love herself along the way. Released on October 25, 2022, by St. Martin’s Griffin, readers are introduced to Marlowe Banks, a woman trying to figure out who she is after a lifetime of not feeling like she’s enough. Along the way, she makes fierce friends and possibly finds her true passion in life.
I want to thank St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Synopsis from Goodreads
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.
Positives
Character growth! It’s refreshing to see character development and growth, and it’s not just the main characters.
Quick and easy to read!
Negatives
The book feels a bit formulaic. She’s just leaving a bad relationship. He’s not what he seems, what everyone “knows” about him.
My Opinions
Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is marketed as a romance, which it is. But it also so much more! It is about a woman trying to learn who she truly is after a lifetime of feeling like she will never be enough. From her parents constantly negating her feelings to an ex-fiancé always ignoring her feelings, Marlowe feels like she’s lost her voice and finds it easier to be in the shadows. But is that any way to truly live life? Especially when you have so much to say.
As a romance, I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Angus and Marlowe. It was refreshing to know that it isn’t always perfect. In one scene, they fall off the couch while making out. Please tell me that I’m not the only one who has had that happen!
Have you ever felt like you’re not enough? Well, guess what? You are wrong! You are enough, and you are loved! If you need the reminder, then you should give Marlowe Banks a read!
Looking for some more books to read? Check out my other book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.