| Title | : | Desire by Design |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1622661001 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781622661008 |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 192 |
| Publication | : | First published May 13, 2013 |
Eve Doucette finally almost has it all. She's free from her mistake of an ex-husband and just landed her dream job: project manager for a new City Hall and drafter of the final design. That is, until a handsome architect sweeps into town to commandeer her blueprints.
Famous architect Matt Brison is unsatisfied with his mundane life in Toronto. So when the mayor of Halifax asks him to spearhead his City Hall project, Matt jumps at the opportunity. There's just one problem: the feisty and beautiful project lead, Eve, who isn't exactly thrilled about her new "coworker" hijacking her design.
But when the sparks begin to fly, they both find themselves falling for the colleague they shouldn't want. And before they know it, their already shaky foundation might come crumbling down...
Desire by Design Reviews
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*ARC copy from publisher, Entangled Publishing.*
4.5 Stars
Expected publication: May 13th 2013
Eve is the project manager for the new city hall, she has worked hard to get where she is. Harder then most being a female in the field without a proper degree. Hoping to get her name out there she is also the designer of the final draft. Or at least she had planed and hoped she would be until Matt Brison enters the scene.
Matt, an internationally known architect has been asked by his uncle the major if would come and work on the design plans for the new city hall, hoping he would modernize the building and move Halifax in a more forward direction.
Not knowing what he was getting himself into when he agreed to do so, a feisty, spirited "bully" with "hot chocolate" eyes was definitely not it. He definitely hadn't thought he would be remotely attracted to her, she is nothing at all what he typically looked for or is looking for in a potential wife and eventual mother of his future children he wanted to have. There is nothing domestic about Eve.
Eve has made mistakes in the past, ones that have completely changed how she trusts men, especially the handsome, charming,well educated ones, and Matt was definitely all three. She's been down that road before. She doesn't want to feel like she's lower or stupid, she doesn't want to be someones possession either.
I completely adored this story. It was cute and sweet and funny. Oh my how I giggled while reading this book. Author
Paula Altenburg has done a marvelous job at creating these two characters.
I have one complaint to make, I wish it had been longer. -
I'll admit, I've been caught up in a few years of Historical Fiction and Historical Romance, so I really wasn't sure what to expect when I received this advanced copy from Entangled.
Well .. what a lot of fun! I adored Ms Altenburg's characters, loved the way they evolved, and her HEA was exactly right. I laughed, I yelled at my screen, I melted when he touched her just so ... Finished it in a couple of nights, and when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it. :)
I guess I'm old-fashioned, but I'd call this chicklit. And I love chicklit. I just haven't read much lately! I'm not into graphic sex scenes and this one was absolutely perfect that way. Just enough. More romance than sex, which is just how I like it. -
This was quite simply a pleasure to read. Paula Altenburg has given us a book that has everything; it's well written, has a great storyline, fabulous characters, wit, humour, romance and whilst it doesn't go into the detailed act, the sexual tension and build up is there. I loved it and didn't want it to end!
Eve and Matt were wonderful loveable characters. Eve, a project manager for a construction company, has grown up with 3 older brothers, works in a male-dominated industry and is divorced from a guy who was let's just say, not so nice. She may be tiny, but she is feisty, stubborn, has a bit of a temper, lacks a little in her people skills and is insecure as much as she hates showing it. Matt is the architect brought in by his uncle (who just so happens to be the bane of Eve's life) to lead on the design of the new City Hall. He is her opposite; he's confident, thoughtful, gentle and protective, very witty and completely sexy with it. Both were completely easy to relate to with their realistic personalities and traits, particularly Eve. I work in similar industry and the scenario which starts the book off was believable and had me laughing out loud. From there it just continued to get even better and I struggled to put it down.
Together, the sparks flew and they complimented each other perfectly with Matt's confidence and determination professionally and personally up against Eve's stubbornness and insecurities. I laughed, I swooned, I laughed some more and smiled those little happy smiles at all the lovely heartwarming moments. The only thing that was missing for me was an epilogue, which would have finished their story off perfectly, but nevertheless, this most definitely a book that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend and is well worth every star.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher for an honest and unbiased opinion. -
4.5
Loved it. Loved PA's writing style. Loved the romance : it is more sweet than steam but enjoyable nonetheless. Loved the humour. Loved the heroine: She is so stubborn, so competitive ( she has 3 bigger brothers ) so determined to succeed in the very male construction business. Loved the hero : he is a hotshot architect, a beta hero confident but not arrogant and so caring. Even Loved the manipulative uncle. Can't wait for Paula Altenburg next book :-) -
Entangled has done it again! Lord they have so many genres that are new but I have to say that The Bliss line is great for HEA and great for love and romance that comes naturally not rushed or instant love. That is what I love about these stories in this line. They have a story and a plot that you follow to the end and all the while you are reading the story you are rooting for the main characters.
Desire by Design is a story about two people who come from two different worlds and collide in one world called WORK! Eve Doucette has worked her butt off to get to where she is today. She started off as a draftsman in an architecture firm and worked her way up to project manager for one of the biggest projects in the city. She is in charge of building a new City Hall and her drafting skills are superb so much so she has drafted a model version to show the mayor of the town. But the mayor has another agenda and he calls in the famous architect who just happens to be his nephew Matt Brison. To say that Eve is pissed off is an understatement and she is determined to keep this job and have it all by herself. But as things go we never get what we want so she is forced to work with Matt.
Matt Brison is a famous Architecture who is bored with his life and needs a new start or a fresh project. So when his uncle calls him and tells him he wants him to build the new city hall Matt jumps at the chance and goes to see what kind of building he could build. But what happens when he gets there is surreal because he meets Eve and is captivated by her. Even when she pushes him away and is vocal about her distaste for him being there and stealing her project. Matt is determined to get Eve to see that he is serious about the project and about her. But Matt has a long road ahead of him because Eve has been hurt and she does not love freely.
What is going to happen between these two? Will Eve let her walls down and let Matt in? Will Matt be able to get the girl of his dreams even if she is the total opposite of him? This is a must read summer romance beach read! Thank you to Entangled for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this book. I love you guys at Entangled! -
Eve is a draftsman and has worked her way up to project manager for Sullivan Construction. Their big project is the new City Hall, and Eve has done the preliminary design for it. She is proud of her work and takes it seriously. When Matt, the mayor's nephew and renowned architect shows up, having been convinced by his uncle to design the building, Eve is thrown for a loop! Eve is stubborn, says what she feels, and does not feel good about having been pushed aside! Eve feels something stirring when she first meets Matt, despite her attempts not to. "She tried not to notice how her breath quickened when his arm brushed against her shoulder."
Matt also feels a pull towards Eve...a petite spitfire who knows what she wants (and doesn't want!), finds the humor in situations, and totally intrigues Matt. Matt and Eve are a perfect example of opposites attracting! Eve is not at all they type of woman Matt pictures himself settling down with. Eve is suspicious of men, untrusting since her brief, painful marriage, she doesn't open up with many people, including her family. But when Matt ends up working with and being Eve's room mate, can they resist each other? Matt's not sure he wants to resist her!
Soon Eve's past starts to sneak up on her, and Matt knows more about her than she wants him to. Matt finds himself falling deeper and deeper for Eve, and wants to protect her. No matter what she does to try and push him away, he sticks with her. Eve is still very cautious about a future with Matt...what will it mean for her? For her work? The more Eve is with Matt, the more she wants to be with him. "Something was happening to her already, although she wasn't sure she wanted to identify it. Identifying it would mean having to think about the future. And Eve wasn't ready for that."
Is a future with Matt something Eve wants to take a chance on? Will she see that he is nothing like her ex-husband and worth the chance? As Matt gets to know Eve better, the more he wants to be with her. "That she looked like a siren in the moonlight, luring him onto the rocks toward certain destruction. But oh, baby, what a way to go."
I loved Desire by Design! Paula gives us a smoothly written, intriguing, fast paced romance with Matt and Eve! I loved all the humor in this, I laughed a lot, it was so funny at times! The humor fit right in with the story line and the characters perfectly. Matt and Eve's personalities really fed off each other, I really liked both of these characters. Even with her issues, Eve was fairly open with Matt, she didn't feel the need to hide everything until something blew up in her face. Matt and Eve as well as the story line were realistic. I felt like they were people I could hang out with!
The only thing I'd have liked to have in Desire by Design that I felt was missing was a bit more about Eve's family...I wasn't really clear why she wanted to distance herself so much from them. Some of what she was going through made it understandable that she'd pulled away from them a bit, but it seemed like there must have been more going on than we knew for her to feel that way so strongly.
Overall I alsolutely loved Desire by Design and would recommend it for anyone looking for a romance that also makes you laugh (alot!) and is sensual, but more behind the scenes than right in your face.
ARC for honest review provided by Entangled Publishing. Many thanks!!! -
Having only read books from Entangled’s Brazen line, I didn’t quite know what to expect from my first Bliss book. What I found in Paula Altenburg’s Desire by Design was a sweet, entertaining read with a strong element of romance, a dash of flirtatious banter, and just a pinch of intrigue.
Our oft-described ball-busting heroine, Evangeline Doucette, is a Project Manager for Sullivan Construction in Nova Scotia. At twenty-nine, Eve has climbed her way up the ladder, holding her own in a male-dominated field, despite not having a fancy degree. Eve is stubborn, opinionated, and driven to succeed – qualities that help stifle the insecurities that still linger long after the end of her disastrous divorce five years earlier.
Enter Matt Bison, the handsome nephew of Mayor Bob Anderson (a.k.a. Eve’s nemesis) and hotshot architect transported from Toronto to design the new City Hall – a commission for which Eve was campaigning. Sparks fly when Eve and Matt find themselves working together on plans for the project, although Eve’s penchant for historical restorations contrasts brilliantly with Matt’s professional accomplishments with modern designs.
What we then have is a case of opposite attracting. While Matt is the picture of calm assuredness, Eve is the textbook definition of a spitfire, quick to anger and passionate about everything she undertakes. When circumstances find the pair living under the same roof, Matt is left to examine his undeniable attraction to a no-nonsense workaholic who is drastically different than the domestic goddess he envisions as his future wife. Eve also must question whether or not she can place her trust in another man after being burned by her controlling ex-husband, Claude.
Despite Eve’s reservations, Matt is indeed a “nice guy”. While he may be disgruntled with the seemingly-offensive label, I found his straightforwardness and agreeable personality to be a refreshing change from the tattooed playboys with emotional baggage the size of Texas that are frequenting the pages of many a book nowadays.
The drama is thus provided by Eve, who faces criticism both at work and at home, where her tight-knit family is constantly on her case about settling down with a family of her own. While I applaud Eve’s decision to succeed with her career rather than succumb to the pressures of a patriarchal society, I had to wonder at her particular disdain for being a housewife and following in her mothers’ footsteps. This was a minor issue that didn’t sit well with me and I would’ve liked to see some resolution, i.e. each acknowledging the other’s hard work and dedication.
Overall, Desire by Design is a light, fun story with witty dialogue that flows effortlessly from start to finish. The clashing personalities of the two protagonists infuse the narrative with enough humor to counteract the seriousness of the narrative, ensuring that there is never a dull moment. -
Its stories like this one which remind me just how much I love a good contemporary romance – and Desire by Design is one of the best I’ve read in a long time.
Evangeline (Eve) Douchette is a woman in a predominately male workplace – she’s the project manager for a construction company. She may be short in stature but large in spirit. She won’t let anyone bully her around. Since her divorce five years ago she’s steered clear of professional men. That is until the mayor hires a world-famous architect for the job Eve is managing. Successful and gorgeous, Eve takes an instant dislike to Matt Brison. And Matt is shocked at how the tiny manager makes him feel. Sparks fly, drama occurs. There’s no question that the two have chemistry – but does either one have what it takes to break down the walls between them?
I loved the chemistry between Eve and Matt from the start. They have a meet-cute which borders on sexual harassment but somehow it just makes me adore the two of them together. Eve is the woman with a hard shell but soft interior and Matt is her opposite – he’s full of romance and gentlemanly gestures. And because of this they work so well together – both professionally and personally.
The secondary characters like Eve’s family and Matt’s uncle Bob which make the novel that much more entertaining – I loved the antics and misunderstandings. They really showed where the characters had come from and how much they have to overcome to be together.
This is a fun read that plays out much like a romantic comedy movie – it’s cute and romantic with plenty of laughs from cover to cover. -
Okay, for the most part, I absolutely loved this book. I cracked up several times while reading it, and would have loved to give it 5*. Our shero was awesome, and our hero was arrogant but pretty awesome, too.
Things I loved:
The humor - there were situations I've never seen in a romance novel before, and I giggled and chuckled for most of the book. Cat-calls, nail guns, and blankets, oh my!
I really enjoyed a lot of Eve's interaction with her family, but I thought there were several things that were introduced and then the author forgot to go back and flesh out. Interactions between her brothers and Matt, Eve and her mom, little things.
There were two main reasons I took off a star:
Claude - for an obsessed psycho, he actually isn't much of a villain. I expected a bigger confrontation, and more resolution than the end provided.
Eve's refusal to tell anyone about Claude. She puts up with years of harassment from her family for giving up on her marriage because she refuses to admit that he tried to hit her. He breaks into her house and trashes her bedroom - there's evidence everywhere, and she doesn't think the police will believe her? For someone who is otherwise completely competent, I thought that was uncharacteristically stupid and obviously author interference.
I half expected her mother to invite him to the family reunion to try and get them back together; THAT would have made for some entertainment.
Overall a really great read, and I will be happy to read other books by Paula. -
I received the ARC copy from publisher, Entangled Publishing, on the day of publishing..so i was thinking geez they won't trust me again with review copy if i didn't give a review quick. I was thinking what if i can't finish it with my busy schedule, and I didn't like the story, but I'm so wrong coz with busy schedule, I just can't stop reading it and I don't even want this story to end.
Honestly I have mixed emotions with the start of the story with feisty, a bit insecure and bit tactless Eve Doucette, "murder plotting" the Mayor turned into a "cute meet" with Matt Brison but I changed how I viewed the story as I quickly turned each pages. I love how the story went from cute to funny, sexy to dangerous and a bit dark.
"Pang, pang, pang I like the 'pang' in it."
Matt Brison is a hottie he doesnt even know it, the only thing he knew is all about EVE and be the best guy for her. Matt is not a super all alpha-male, dont have a dark secret or some bad-ass tattoos, his not even a rock God, but he doesn't need any of that and what sets him and could be a great contender for a great book boyfriend is that it doesnt matter what Eve have on her past or self-doubting, tactless she always will, the most important thing and the most beautiful for Matt's eye is ONLY EVE.
Such a great summer read!!!
Thank you for my arc! -
Quirky, sweet, funny as in laughing out loud moments are what you will be reading if you buy this book. Heroine is sweet but an edge who is constantly plotting the hero's uncle demise. Hero is a well known respected architect. Love the scene where Matt goes over shrubbery in trying to help Eve. Classic moments in this book and you don't want to miss them.
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Loved this book! Loved watching Eve fight her attraction to Matt and loved how he knew just how to handle her! Two strong, endearing characters that will stay with you long after you've finished the book.
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Blog Tour sul mio blog il 28 maggio 2013:
http://pleaseanotherbook.tumblr.com/p...
That way men had of marking territory, even when the territory didn’t belong to them.
“This is No-Man’s Land, buddy,” she telegraphed.
“Desire by design” è finito nella mia infinita lista delle cose da leggere grazie a Barbara Hightower che mi ha contattata per sapere se volevo recensirlo e partecipare al Blog Tour. Ragazzi ormai mi conoscete e sapete che non sono in grado di dire di no ad una romance, non quando mi viene offerta così su un piatto d’argento. E vi assicuro che questo libro è davvero molto interessante.
Non c’è nulla di particolarmente innovative nel romanzo di Paula Altenburg, e allora perché leggerlo? Innanzitutto si tratta di una romance e già questo di per sé, per chi è appassionato del genere è un motivo più che sufficiente. Ma per essere un po’ più consistenti. La trama è ben costruita, e seppur sembra che tutto corra al risultato finale, non si ha mai la sensazione di impossibilità, le cose sembrano procedere in modo regolare. Matt irrompe completamente nella vita di Eve e in qualche modo la destabilizza e di conseguenza crea una situazione di stallo che permette la nascita di un sentimento forte.
Eve è la classica donna tutta d’un pezzo, che non si lascia fermare da niente, che va dritta per la sua strada per ottenere quello che vuole. Cresciuta con tre fratelli maggiori, essendo la più piccola e donna è sempre stata trattata in modo differente, con la madre che cercava di accentuare la sua femminilità. Ma Eve ha sempre rifiutato il mondo fatto di trine e bambole e ha sempre voluto essere un ragazzo, ma non si è mai rifiutata di riconoscere il proprio ruolo. Si è fatta avanti nel suo campo senza chiedere aiuto a nessuno ed è una professionista rispettabile. Ma e c’è sempre un ma, il problema risiede nelle sue scelte passate, in quelle che ha intrapreso, ad un matrimonio che l’ha lasciata scossa e incredula, che le ha tolto fiducia in un’istituzione importante, ma soprattutto nei riguardi di un certo tipo di uomini: professionisti affermati nel proprio campo, di bell’aspetto, che sono coscienti delle proprie potenzialità. E quando le arriva davanti l’uomo che incarna in pieno il prototipo da cui tenersi alla larga, Eve applica il suo classico meccanismo difensivo: nega, scappa, tira fuori la sua grinta e la sua forza. E Matt? Matt è uno di quegli uomini che si definiscono “nice” nel senso di carini, rassicuranti, che hanno un forte senso protettivo. E Matt è si questo, ma è molto altro. E’ un uomo passionale, che non si lascia intimidire, che nonostante non sia in grado di rapportarsi a uomini più forti di lui si lancia al salvataggio di Eve, che non ha assolutamente bisogno di essere protetta o salvata da nessuno. Matt questo lo accetta e anzi lo ammira. Rimane affascinato dalla forza e dall’esuberanza della donna che continua a lasciarlo di stucco, tenendolo sempre sull’attenti. Matt è troppo adorabile, soprattutto nei momenti più divertenti, come una delle scene iniziali, quella in cui finiscono in un cespuglio…
Non ci sono tantissimi personaggi secondari degni di nota, sicuramente i genitori di Eve hanno un ruolo importante, anche perché Matt continua a far figuracce con loro, così come il sindaco Bob che sembra il nemico e invece si rivelerà una persona estremamente lungimirante. E come non citare Lena? Ne combinerà di tutti i colori.
L’ambientazione in una tranquilla cittadina di provincia, Halifax, vicino al confine canadese, è ottimale, sia per gli intrighi legati al progetto del municipio, sia per mantenere un’atmosfera intima e raccolta intorno allo sviluppo della storia d’amore tra Eve e Matt che non si perde nel clamore di una grande città che rischiava di soffocarla. E naturalmente non dimentichiamoci i dettagli tecnici, pertinenti e assolutamente non noiosi che aiutano a caratterizzare ancora meglio la storia e i personaggi, con il loro background lavorativo.
Il particolare da non dimenticare? Una pistola spara chiodi… una scena da ricordare!
Non posso far altro che consigliarvi la lettura di questo libro, uscito il 13 maggio, che prevedo sarà un vero successo. Una romance da procurarsi come lettura estiva per rilassarsi e godersi una romantica storia d’amore, di quelle che non tramontano, che sono piene di problemi che sembrano insormontabili, ma che possono essere appianati con il compromesso.
Buona lettura guys!
Ringrazio immensamente Barbara Hightower e Entangled Bliss per avermi concesso l’opportunità di leggere questo libro in anteprima e partecipare al Blog Tour. Grazie mille. -
4 / 4.5 stars
I liked this a lot! Full review soon
I enjoyed Desire by Design and thought that the story had a lot to offer. Eve is an extremely likable character who is struggling to come into her own after a disastrous marriage. Her large, loud family is overbearing, and she clashes with her mother at every gathering. She feels that she’s been nothing but a disappointment to her family, and she now has the dubious honor of being the only member to have been divorced. Worse, her ill-fated marriage lasted only two weeks before she realized that she married a jealous, controlling, abusive man. Vowing to focus only on herself and her career so she would avoid making another mistake, Eve dives into her position as a project manager with a gusto. Her latest job is to oversee the construction of the new city hall building, and right from the get go, she is confronted with strife and personality conflicts – mostly with Bob, the self-serving mayor.
When Matt Brison enters her construction trailer, Eve is in for an even larger challenge; Matt is a well-renowned architect from Toronto, and he’s been put in charge of designing the new building. For his uncle. You know, that annoying, self-serving mayor guy. I loved the built in conflict here; Eve is fantasizing about how to bump him off, and now she’s stuck working with his fancy, well-paid nephew. Matt wants to do his uncle proud for all of the support he’s given to him over the years. Matt’s mother was a flake, and Bob tried hard to provide some stability while Matt was growing up. Eve feels no loyalty toward the mayor and is upset about the thought of him railroading an ever increasing budget through to get his dream offices constructed. For Eve, it’s a no-win situation. Matt is accustomed to building nothing but the best, and she’s getting a migraine just contemplating the budget woes she’ll have to face. To stir things up even more between Eve and Matt, the mayor warns Matt away from Eve. She’s nothing but a bully, he tells his nephew, and she’ll do nothing but run roughshod over him in order to get her way. I loved how both Eve and Matt had to weave through the misconceptions people tossed in front of them about each other and make up their minds about each other.
Just to keep Eve from resting easy, her abusive ex ends up back in town. When Matt suspects that Eve is being threatened, he quickly dons his shining armor and offers to help her out. Because Eve has both forgotten how to trust in others or to trust her own judgment, this is the story of her learning to believe again. She needs to believe that others are decent and caring, and that she has the capacity to make the right decisions for herself. Instead of reacting to her mother and her family, she needs to stop worrying about disappointing anyone and start living again. When she finally learns to ask for help, and when she finally allows herself a second chance, I was right there cheering her on. To make the journey even more enjoyable, Matt keeps making the worst impression possible on her parents, with hilarious results. I really started feeling bad for the guy, because I didn’t see how anyone could ever live some of that stuff down. It kept the story from being too angsty, and added a nice touch of humor. It made both Eve and Matt more sympathetic and gave them an added depth of character.
I picked up Desire by Design completely on the spur of the moment. The first paragraph had me hooked, and I remained engaged in the story for the entire length. I’m looking forward to reading more from the author, because this hit all the right buttons for me.
Grade: B+ -
I must confess the reason I requested this book was originally because it was set in Nova Scotia. It's not typically a location I get to read about, so I was interested straight away.
Desire by Design is a funny and charming romance, with a fun twist on the male-female relationship.
Eve may look like a pixie - petite and delicate - but boy, she more than makes up for her lack of physical stature with her ambition and drive. Having gotten out of a bad marriage five years earlier, Eve is concentrating solely on her career and is working on the biggest job of her life, the City Hall in Halifax. What is meant to be her dream job is disrupted when the mayor of Halifax brings his nephew on board to redesign the building. Matt may very well be a world-famous architect, but he instantly gets Eve's back up. She sees Matt as taking over what should be hers.
They butt heads over many things - she yearns for the traditional look, his signature is modern and industrial. Eve's resentment wars with Matt's sweet and generous nature. They are unquestionably drawn to each other, but with misconceptions aplenty and Eve's crazy ex on the horizon, their road to each other is rocky to say the least.
This is pretty closed-door fade to black when it comes to the sexytimes, however the chemistry and sexual tension between Eve and Matt is very well done. You are left in no doubt that they are well-suited, and not just because they click in the bedroom.
Eve is pretty bolshy - I like that she has a need for independence and a desire to make something of herself outside of a relationship. I can see that her abrasiveness could turn a few people away, but I like that in my characters. Matt is a real sweetheart, one of the nice guys. He was a little less alpha-male than I generally prefer in my romance heroes, but still....a supportive, encouraging man = sexy in my books.
I loved the supporting characters - in particular, Eve's brothers and Uncle Bob. What a hoot they were. When it comes to my villains, I do love seeing them dealt their comeuppance, and the villainous one in Desire by Design does get that. Maybe it could have been a most spectacular one, but hey, it was not a deal breaker by any means.
This is the first book I have read from Paula Altenburg, and I will definitely keep my eye on her from now on. I very much enjoyed Desire by Design - an entertaining, fun book perfect for an afternoon's reading.
My rating: 3.5 out of 5
Note: I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book by Entangled Publishing, LLC in return for an honest review. -
DESIRE BY DESIGN is Sweet Romance, Canadian Style
http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspo...
There's something charming about DESIRE BY DESIGN.
It's set in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and on Prince Edward Island. This is so cool. I can't think of any romantic book set in PEI since ANN OF GREEN GABLES. And, this is a more adult book than that. Evie's last name of Doucette is actually one of the seven or eight families who founded Tignish at the very tip-top of the island; this is where my mother-in-law's family was from. It's a great story of the Acadians.
But it is by no means steamy. It's a nice romance but the intimacy is all moon-goes-behind-the-clouds stuff. It's enjoyable, but you could probably give it to your grandmother.
The characters are cute. Their relationship is based on immediate attraction, then ignoring and/or avoiding it until the chemistry between the two characters, well, you know.
Seriously, Eve's been burned and learned her lesson. So now she has encased her heart in asbestos. And we all know: asbestos is not good for you and it requires you to take care of it in removal. Matt doesn't think she's his type but quickly changes his mind, of course, or the story would be really short. There's an element of danger from her past.
I was ticked off a bit by Eve's stubborn stupidity about guys and relationships. Even after her disastrous marriage, maybe because of it, she still seems really naive.
But, she is not some stupid damsel who needs saving. She's very capable. But, she's also under the impression that what happened was her fault and that she has to take care of everything on her own. She's grown up and put on those big girl panties but she seems to have pulled them over her head and given herself a mental and emotional wedgie.
It's cute. It's entertaining with some slap stick comedy at Matt's expense. It's well written and edited with some Canadian nicely, but not exaggeratedly, thrown in. The characters are consistent. You'll know where it's going so you can sit back and enjoy the ride. More sweet than steamy, this gets a recommend for people who prefer a less spicy romance. -
This is a delightful quick read that would be perfect for a lazy afternoon around the house. The story is simple, but well written and truly a fun way to spend a few hours. I devoured this cute little book in one sitting. I was completely tangled up in the sweet romance between Eve and Matt.
The characters were well developed and easy to like (not counting the terrible ex, of course.) I loved the quick humour in the story, peppered amongst the narration of the story. It seemed no matter what Eve or Matt's intentions were, some sort of mischeif followed. Their zany experiences lightened my day and made me laugh out loud on a few occasions - mostly the beach scene. ;)
Eve was easy for me to relate to, as I have always been a bit of a tomboy myself, as well as the fact that my family doesn't approve of my job choice. Even without these qualities, I can see it being very easy to relate to Eve - a woman haunted by the mistakes of her past.
Why not a five? Well, although I really did enjoy this book, everything went a bit too smoothly for my taste. I kept expecting a big climax, but it never happened. I felt that there were a few things left unanswered about Eve and Matt's future, and that was a bit unsettling for me. I also think that a little more history about the Ex would have been beneficial.
Even with these small flaws, the book is very enjoyable and definitely worth the read to anyone looking for a light romance.
Note: I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.
First posted at
http://mamasreadingbreak.blogspot.com/ -
Heartwarming story with humor & suspense
Desire By Design is an entertaining romance that will grab your attention from page one. Paula Attenberg creates a sensual love story filled with humor and suspense that engages the reader from the very beginning
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Eve Doucette is the project manager for the new city hall being built for her city. She’s talented and ambitious and has the unsatisfactory job of dealing with a mayor who has innovative ideas and no idea of how to stay within the construction budget. She not only has to contend with the mayor, but also his drop dead gorgeous nephew, who has the same budget ailment.
Matt Brison is a talented and well-known architect, who has been brought in to design the city hall building that his uncle, the mayor, has in mind. To show his appreciation to his uncle for his unfailing support as he was growing up, Matt is determined to realize his uncle’s dream. But in order to make that dream come true, he needs to convince the project manager who’s determined to thwart his plans.
This book delivers a delightful read that will hold your attention from beginning to end. It has the right amount of conflict and sexual chemistry mixed with romance and humor that the reader will find enjoyable. The characters are likeable and the story line flows smoothly. This is a great contemporary romance that will warm your heart.
I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing
in exchange for my honest review. -
This novel follows the story of Eve, she has landed her dream job of being a project manager for the new city hall building, and she also did the final draft of the building. Just as she beings to think that everything is going her way, it is interrupted by the famous architect Matt Brison shows up and tells her that he has been hired to design the final look of the building.
There was a lot of back and forth in this book between Eve and Matt as she felt that she was doing the project justice by keeping to the traditional look of the town, where Matt wanted to do something a little more modern, and it did not help that he had the schooling behind him, and she did not. Also he has some connections that she does not that she is not aware of at the beginning.
There is a twist to the plot line involving something or someone from Eve's past, and this was really the only part of the book that I found slightly interesting that gave the book a little something extra that I can't really discuss in a review without it being a spoiler.
This book overall unfortunately for me was just okay, there was nothing spectacular about it that I remembered or even really kept me wanting to read to the end, though I did. I think it is for someone just looking for a nice light romance book that just takes 1 sitting to get through. This book gets a 3/5 from me. -
Eve Doucette is a project manager for a design/build construction company. Right now the Mayor is driving her nuts by making changes to the new city hall building her company was supposed to design and build. And now he is bringing in his high priced architect nephew to design the building and it won’t be anything like the preliminary drawing the Eve had done. Matt Brison is a well-known architect who is doing a favor for his Uncle Bob the Mayor. He never counted on the force of nature that is Eve. He starts out on the wrong foot and despite the fact that she is nothing like the women he has dated in the past or is looking for in his future he finds himself drawn to Eve. Eve has been hurt and doesn’t want to be drawn to Matt but he may be the one guy she can see building a future with.
This book was hilarious! Fans of Jill Shalvis and Kristan Higgins will love this book. It is filled with a multitude of “I Love Lucy” moments, a sweet thoughtful man and a woman who will shake up his world.
I’d love to thank Entangled Publishing for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review. It was seriously my pleasure. -
I give Paula Altenburg's Desire By Desgin 4 stars! Eve has a tenacity that wins her friends, enemies, and admirers all at the same time while Matt is cool, calm, and confident. These two butt heads on the design for the new city hall building, with seemingly no hope of agreeing on anything. After Matt discovers that Eve is in trouble, but too stubborn and independent to let anyone know, he invites himself into her life, slowly breaking down the walls around her heart and his.
I truly enjoyed the relationship Eve and Matt share. It isn't everyday that the heroine of the story is the one that needs convincing. Eve shows strength and compassion and fighting for what she believes in which gets especially hard working in an "all mans world". Matt shows curiosity and protection for a woman, for once in his life. And it just happens to probably be the one woman who doesn't need it or want it. Too bad both of them are getting exactly what they need, but never want to admit to.
*I received an ARC for my honest review and this is my honest to goodness, straight from the heart review!*
www.caretocommentanne.blogspot.com -
Desire by Design was a cute romance that felt rushed, but kept me laughing. I liked Paula's writing style and plan to look into her Demon Outlaws series soon!
Eve Doucette is finally putting her divorce firmly in the past and finding her dream job as a project manager and drafter for the new City Hall. Everything is going great until a hunky artichect shows up demanding the blue prints. Now Eve isn't happy, nor will she let him take over.
Famous artictect Matt Brison is looking for something to fulfill him. He's dissatisfied with how things are going, so when the mayer of Halifax asks him to help out, he can't turn it down. It also helps he is the nephew of the Mayor. Now he is dealing with a feisty, hot tempered Eve, who won't let him just take over.
The two get off on the wrong foot and they can't imagine getting into a relationship. Eve works hard and doesn't want to be sidetracked by a man. Once was a enough and she won't risk her heart again. The pull of attraction won't let her go though.
This was more of a cute romance story than a steamy one. It made me giggle and pull for these two. For a fun, sweet romance, this hits the mark! -
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. This review will be relatively short and simple. Personally, I don't care for reviews that basically tell you everything you meed to know, leaving you no reason to read for yourself. I always skip those when I look at reviews.
I really enjoyed this book. It's doesn't contain a lot of steamy sex, but plenty of sexual tension. The story line is not all rainbows and heart yet not filled with angst. There is some points of conflict and does not leave you with a cliffhanger at the end. The back story of Eve was interesting and definitely explains a lot in regards to her character. i love that even with a rough back story she isn't portrayed as a victim and she is a strong independent woman. The story progresses nicely, doesn't seem rushed and hits most of the points I wanted to know. I LOVE Eve and Matt! Matt is pretty dreamy.
Would recommend this book to anyone! -
Matt and Eve suck you in to their story and personalities from the beginning. I'm outright giggling and laughing at the antics and happenings in the story. Hint: she shoots him in the leg with a nail gun! Is it sad that I could literally picture everything as it happened? I credit that to fantastic and talented writing. The story never lags or drags and the author never undermines our intelligence by having the characters do things that make us cry foul.
She also knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat by having a suspenseful tidbit dangling in the story line the whole way through. I loved reading this. I only wish it was longer! Highly recommend for those who know how to enjoy humor, romance and action in their books.
I received this book from the publisher for an honest and unbiased opinion. -
In Desire by Design by Paula Altenburg, Eve Doucette has been trying to prove herself in her job. She may not have the title as an architect but she is good at what she does, her designs are great and her abilities as project manager is one of the best. But she knows that the mayor will not let things go as easily for she goes head to head with him on every change he wants for new City Hall that is out of budget.
Matt Brison is a famous architect with very modern designs. He is used to big projects where he get paid good money, but when his uncle, the mayor of Halifax, ask him to come to spearhead his City Hall project, he knows that he must help him, for his uncle was always there for him and his mother while he was growing up and he owes him.
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"Hey baby, bring some of that over here!"
When Matt walks into Eve's life she thinks she has him figured out but working with him on a project for city hall tests her patience and her design skills. Once he starts tempting her outside the office she knows she admires more than his skills as an architect.
Matt puts up with her sense of humor and her attitude of taking no flack from the men she works with and even meets her boisterous family.
I love their sense of humor and how she tests Matt's nice guy persona and patience and she thinks she knows what she wants until he shows her otherwise. They complimented each other nicely and I read this book in one day because I couldn't put it down.
