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By Design
She's got loads of talent, a massive crush--and no confidence. Now she just needs a plan. . .
Interior designer Emmie Brewster is having one of those. . .decades. Her overbearing boss believes she's only qualified to make coffee. Her boyfriend treats her like a booty call. And her widowed father is dating again--more successfully than she is. Then Emmie lands a client who happens to be the hottest man she's ever encountered. Too bad Graham Cooper is already involved with the kind of woman Emmie longs to be. If only she had the courage. . .
Emmie's always been content to dream--about having her own business, her own Mr. Right--but something about Graham makes her want to take action. Maybe it's time she used her talent for creating beauty and order on herself. She has Graham's admiration--does she dare go for more? With a little encouragement from her friends, and a lot of newfound motivation, Emmie's ready to try. . .
95,000 Words
Interior designer Emmie Brewster is having one of those. . .decades. Her overbearing boss believes she's only qualified to make coffee. Her boyfriend treats her like a booty call. And her widowed father is dating again--more successfully than she is. Then Emmie lands a client who happens to be the hottest man she's ever encountered. Too bad Graham Cooper is already involved with the kind of woman Emmie longs to be. If only she had the courage. . .
Emmie's always been content to dream--about having her own business, her own Mr. Right--but something about Graham makes her want to take action. Maybe it's time she used her talent for creating beauty and order on herself. She has Graham's admiration--does she dare go for more? With a little encouragement from her friends, and a lot of newfound motivation, Emmie's ready to try. . .
95,000 Words
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Denker
11 books255 followersJayne Denker is the author of closed-door, low-spice romantic comedies. When she's not hard at work on another novel (or, rather, when she should be hard at work on another novel), she can usually be found frittering away stupid amounts of time on social media. Check in with her on Facebook (“Jayne Denker Author”), Twitter (@JDenkerAuthor), Instagram (@JayneDenkerAuthor), or her blog, jaynedenker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 30, 2025
Interior Designer hopeful, Emmie Brewster, is stuck in a job going nowhere. Her boss, Wilma, is a monster to work for and her boyfriend is cheating on her. She starts surfing her high school classmates on the web and yearns for their success. Just when she thinks she’ll be stuck in this rut forever the most gorgeous man enters her office. After days of wish filled fantasies about the mystery hunk she discovers he is having an affair with the popular girl from high school that has just returned to their home town.
Suddenly, something clicks and Emmie decides she is going for what she wants. The mystery man, which she learns name is Graham, tells her overbearing boss that he wants Emmie as the lead on his design project. With her quirky friends by her side Emmie struggles her way into the life she always desired. Will she have to face it alone or can she win the man of her dreams?
This was a fun, entertaining story. I enjoyed watching Emmie fight her way into the life she has always wanted. Jayne Denker wrote true friendship, strong characters and Emmie as a young woman embolden by her stagnant life. By Design was a great contemporary romance and a perfectly delightful book.
This ARC copy of By Design was given to me by Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.
Suddenly, something clicks and Emmie decides she is going for what she wants. The mystery man, which she learns name is Graham, tells her overbearing boss that he wants Emmie as the lead on his design project. With her quirky friends by her side Emmie struggles her way into the life she always desired. Will she have to face it alone or can she win the man of her dreams?
This was a fun, entertaining story. I enjoyed watching Emmie fight her way into the life she has always wanted. Jayne Denker wrote true friendship, strong characters and Emmie as a young woman embolden by her stagnant life. By Design was a great contemporary romance and a perfectly delightful book.
This ARC copy of By Design was given to me by Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2013
By Design was my first book by Jane Denker and it will not be my last. This book brought all kinds of feelings in me. At times I found myself laughing out loud and other times I was yelling, inside my head, at the characters. I enjoyed it a lot!
Graham Cooper needs to get his life together. After the death of his wife he’s done all he could to be everything his little girl needs. He’s a good man, great father and a successful architect. Right now, his biggest problem is getting the beautiful, old building that he bought livable, so he and his daughter can settle in. He meets Emmie when he is ready to hire a designer and is immediately smitten. He quickly finds to make things work with Emmie he needs to make a clean break with a very unhealthy relationship that he has going on. Can he do this before he loses everything?
Emmie Brewster is a walking doormat. She allows everyone to take advantage of her and this drove me crazy. Her boss is the boss from hell. He talks to her like dirt and treats her like a minion rather than the competent designer that she is. Since the death of her mom her father just pops in and out of her life at will. Heck, she even has an ex-boyfriend, who openly cheats on her, pop back into her life whenever he wants. She has only 2 good people in her life and that is her best friend, Trish and her newest friend Avery. So, I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that she allowed herself to be bounced around by Graham, as he sorted out his own problems.
Seriously, there were times in this book I wanted to take Emmie and shake her. How can you just sit back and allow people treat you like dirt and then whine that people treat you like dirt? Graham comes across as such a good guy and I really think he is, but he’s just as bad as Emmie. Instead of standing up to the woman he has been seeing and telling her he’s done he pitter patters around her and allows her to repeatedly manipulate him. This drove me crazy. I just don’t understand how you can be such a successful business man in a very masculine business, yet not have the balls to stand up for what is best for you and your daughter. It just doesn’t add up.
I really wanted to hate this book since the 2 main characters annoyed me so bad, but I couldn’t. This book is really good! The characters are likeable and easy to identify with, even though they need to buck up and find their voices. The banter is hilarious. I loved how Emmie interacts with her friends. The things that they would say to one another made the book.
“So, I hear you kicked Kyle out on his ass.” “Yeah, but It’s okay. He landed on Caitlynn’s boobs and they cushioned his fall.”
I would like to thank NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.
You can find this review and others at http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com and http://tinar1121.blogspot.com.
Graham Cooper needs to get his life together. After the death of his wife he’s done all he could to be everything his little girl needs. He’s a good man, great father and a successful architect. Right now, his biggest problem is getting the beautiful, old building that he bought livable, so he and his daughter can settle in. He meets Emmie when he is ready to hire a designer and is immediately smitten. He quickly finds to make things work with Emmie he needs to make a clean break with a very unhealthy relationship that he has going on. Can he do this before he loses everything?
Emmie Brewster is a walking doormat. She allows everyone to take advantage of her and this drove me crazy. Her boss is the boss from hell. He talks to her like dirt and treats her like a minion rather than the competent designer that she is. Since the death of her mom her father just pops in and out of her life at will. Heck, she even has an ex-boyfriend, who openly cheats on her, pop back into her life whenever he wants. She has only 2 good people in her life and that is her best friend, Trish and her newest friend Avery. So, I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that she allowed herself to be bounced around by Graham, as he sorted out his own problems.
Seriously, there were times in this book I wanted to take Emmie and shake her. How can you just sit back and allow people treat you like dirt and then whine that people treat you like dirt? Graham comes across as such a good guy and I really think he is, but he’s just as bad as Emmie. Instead of standing up to the woman he has been seeing and telling her he’s done he pitter patters around her and allows her to repeatedly manipulate him. This drove me crazy. I just don’t understand how you can be such a successful business man in a very masculine business, yet not have the balls to stand up for what is best for you and your daughter. It just doesn’t add up.
I really wanted to hate this book since the 2 main characters annoyed me so bad, but I couldn’t. This book is really good! The characters are likeable and easy to identify with, even though they need to buck up and find their voices. The banter is hilarious. I loved how Emmie interacts with her friends. The things that they would say to one another made the book.
“So, I hear you kicked Kyle out on his ass.” “Yeah, but It’s okay. He landed on Caitlynn’s boobs and they cushioned his fall.”
I would like to thank NetGalley.com for the loan of this book in exchange for my honest review.
You can find this review and others at http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com and http://tinar1121.blogspot.com.
May 30, 2013
his is an enjoyable romance with entertaining characters.
Emmie needs to get a backbone, she is letting others run her life and her best friend Trish, lets her know about it frequently. She is a budding interior designer with many dreams, yet seems to let her boss, whom she calls Wilma, run the show. Daily she sits at the front desk and makes coffee for clients and feels she is fading away. Trish can tell her anything and is constantly trying to boost her ego to get her to live her dream. Trish wants her to quit her job and start her own business, the first step in gaining control.
Things start looking up when she meets a gorgeous man, Graham, who comes in and asks specifically for her to talk about interior design for the house he is redoing. She starts having all these thoughts about the type of man he is until she meets him again at her “friend” Juliet’s cookie party. She notices right away there is something intimate between Juliet and Graham, she is crushed.
Graham does hire Emmie to finish the inside of his house, much to Wilma’s dismay, as he feels she is not experienced enough to work on the project. However others in town are also hearing about Emmie and she is starting to feel a bit more encouraged and her confidence is growing. And the story becomes even more interesting when we find that Graham is definitely interested in Emmie and yet Juliet acts like she is still with Graham when she pulls her aside and wants Emmie to keep quiet, as she is still married. Talk about complicated.
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Received copy from publisher for an honest review
Emmie needs to get a backbone, she is letting others run her life and her best friend Trish, lets her know about it frequently. She is a budding interior designer with many dreams, yet seems to let her boss, whom she calls Wilma, run the show. Daily she sits at the front desk and makes coffee for clients and feels she is fading away. Trish can tell her anything and is constantly trying to boost her ego to get her to live her dream. Trish wants her to quit her job and start her own business, the first step in gaining control.
Things start looking up when she meets a gorgeous man, Graham, who comes in and asks specifically for her to talk about interior design for the house he is redoing. She starts having all these thoughts about the type of man he is until she meets him again at her “friend” Juliet’s cookie party. She notices right away there is something intimate between Juliet and Graham, she is crushed.
Graham does hire Emmie to finish the inside of his house, much to Wilma’s dismay, as he feels she is not experienced enough to work on the project. However others in town are also hearing about Emmie and she is starting to feel a bit more encouraged and her confidence is growing. And the story becomes even more interesting when we find that Graham is definitely interested in Emmie and yet Juliet acts like she is still with Graham when she pulls her aside and wants Emmie to keep quiet, as she is still married. Talk about complicated.
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Received copy from publisher for an honest review
September 30, 2014
I finished this book last night and I have to say, I enjoyed it. Emmie Brewster was a regular woman with a life that was fine but kind of monotonous, and after meeting the captivating Graham (and reuniting with the still-frustratingly all-together former high school classmate Juliet) she starts to shake things up a bit.
I loved the humorous tone of the book; that helped to make it a much easier and more enjoyable read. One thing that intrigued me was just how 'every day' Emmie was...she was attractive, but not glamorous...she was in a field she loved, even though she didn't get to utilize her talents much at first thanks to her restricting and domineering boss...she had a selfish boyfriend in Kyle that she put up with far longer than she should have...all of these are things I can relate to. Relatable characters keep me more engaged. And Lord knows I've spent my share of time lusting after someone who I deemed somewhat out of my league, or who was already snagged by someone else. When 'New Emmie' (as she often referred to herself) took the initiative with Graham, I internally cheered. When she pushed him away after one too many calls from his former flame, I cringed, even though I got the reasoning behind it. (Really, I thought the link between Juliet and Graham was going to be some kind of red herring, but it turned out not to be).
Another element of the book I enjoyed was Emmie's friendship with Trish and later, Avery; and her rebuilding of her relationship with her father, Bob, after her mother (and buffer) passing away.
Overall, it was a good read. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Denker.
I loved the humorous tone of the book; that helped to make it a much easier and more enjoyable read. One thing that intrigued me was just how 'every day' Emmie was...she was attractive, but not glamorous...she was in a field she loved, even though she didn't get to utilize her talents much at first thanks to her restricting and domineering boss...she had a selfish boyfriend in Kyle that she put up with far longer than she should have...all of these are things I can relate to. Relatable characters keep me more engaged. And Lord knows I've spent my share of time lusting after someone who I deemed somewhat out of my league, or who was already snagged by someone else. When 'New Emmie' (as she often referred to herself) took the initiative with Graham, I internally cheered. When she pushed him away after one too many calls from his former flame, I cringed, even though I got the reasoning behind it. (Really, I thought the link between Juliet and Graham was going to be some kind of red herring, but it turned out not to be).
Another element of the book I enjoyed was Emmie's friendship with Trish and later, Avery; and her rebuilding of her relationship with her father, Bob, after her mother (and buffer) passing away.
Overall, it was a good read. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Denker.
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May 18, 2013DNF
I intially requested this title for review because the blurb sounded like a female empowerment romance. You know, the ones where the woman is tired of being in a rut so makes some positive changes in her life. After which a wonderful man enters the picture and enhances (not completes) her new life.
And this book may have been exactly that, but I don't know. The heroine was too whiny and self-absorbed in these pages for me to like her and I ended up stopping around page 60 on my iPad. I seriously got tired of her poor me attitude and her extremely passive aggressive attitude. My boyfriend is stepping out with another girl, I'll get drunk and never see him again. Oh, well, he is cute and he is sorry I will forgive him and make dinner. My boss is a total asshat and ignores my ideas and treats me like a servant. I'll speak up with a client, only to cower when said boss takes me to task, so I'll go home and whine and drink.
And this was all in those sixty some pages. I just couldn't stand the back and forth between assertiveness and timidity. I jumped ahead to the end to see if the heroine learned anything, and she did. But I couldn't make myself read any more to find exactly how she did it.
*review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for honest review
I intially requested this title for review because the blurb sounded like a female empowerment romance. You know, the ones where the woman is tired of being in a rut so makes some positive changes in her life. After which a wonderful man enters the picture and enhances (not completes) her new life.
And this book may have been exactly that, but I don't know. The heroine was too whiny and self-absorbed in these pages for me to like her and I ended up stopping around page 60 on my iPad. I seriously got tired of her poor me attitude and her extremely passive aggressive attitude. My boyfriend is stepping out with another girl, I'll get drunk and never see him again. Oh, well, he is cute and he is sorry I will forgive him and make dinner. My boss is a total asshat and ignores my ideas and treats me like a servant. I'll speak up with a client, only to cower when said boss takes me to task, so I'll go home and whine and drink.
And this was all in those sixty some pages. I just couldn't stand the back and forth between assertiveness and timidity. I jumped ahead to the end to see if the heroine learned anything, and she did. But I couldn't make myself read any more to find exactly how she did it.
*review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for honest review
May 21, 2013
I liked this book a lot. It was a very enjoyable read with a great main character who I could not help but root for from the very beginning.
Emmie is looking for a life filled with love and happiness, and it seems to her that everyone around her has what she wants, not noticing they are all as flawed as she is, and in some instances, even more so. Emmie, however, has some issues in the confidence department and does not think she has what it takes to get what she wants out of life, and as a result she is taken advantage of – a lot.
Fortunately, she has a great group of friends who encourage her to take the initiative. What happens in some instances are downright laugh out loud funny and sometimes, not so much.
There is a little Emmie in all of us and we could all relate to her – in some way.
Emmie is looking for a life filled with love and happiness, and it seems to her that everyone around her has what she wants, not noticing they are all as flawed as she is, and in some instances, even more so. Emmie, however, has some issues in the confidence department and does not think she has what it takes to get what she wants out of life, and as a result she is taken advantage of – a lot.
Fortunately, she has a great group of friends who encourage her to take the initiative. What happens in some instances are downright laugh out loud funny and sometimes, not so much.
There is a little Emmie in all of us and we could all relate to her – in some way.
April 22, 2013
This is a new to me author and I like her voice. The heroine is fun. Her friendship with her BFF made me laugh. There are some really well done scenes in this one.
The hero at the beginning is nice and sexy but he becomes a total weenie when he has to deal with an ex-lover. AND that lover is married. (bangs head). Granted - he didn't realize but then he did. And he SOOOO needed to grow a pair when dealing with her. UGH. The resolution with this is very weak too.
Oh - and no sex. Not even a make-out scene. I wanted to see the hero in action. He was sexy. Why no dirty dirty? boo.
So - good, witty banter, but lots that frustrated me too. Full review to come
The hero at the beginning is nice and sexy but he becomes a total weenie when he has to deal with an ex-lover. AND that lover is married. (bangs head). Granted - he didn't realize but then he did. And he SOOOO needed to grow a pair when dealing with her. UGH. The resolution with this is very weak too.
Oh - and no sex. Not even a make-out scene. I wanted to see the hero in action. He was sexy. Why no dirty dirty? boo.
So - good, witty banter, but lots that frustrated me too. Full review to come
August 18, 2014
Firstly I have to say that this author is a fellow writer who is with my literary agency, however, that did not taint my view on this book -- either in a good or bad way.
I loved this right from the first chapter -- because Emmie is an every-girl. She acts and says things just as I would, and is thoroughly beleiveable, althought I did want to kick her butt a few times for letting herself being walked over. In saying that, I loved her, and laughed my way through the book. Jayne has a great sense of flow, knowing just how to hook in a reader, and I have to say that I'd love just a tad of her talent.
Great romance, great book!
I loved this right from the first chapter -- because Emmie is an every-girl. She acts and says things just as I would, and is thoroughly beleiveable, althought I did want to kick her butt a few times for letting herself being walked over. In saying that, I loved her, and laughed my way through the book. Jayne has a great sense of flow, knowing just how to hook in a reader, and I have to say that I'd love just a tad of her talent.
Great romance, great book!
July 20, 2013
By Design is an engaging story not only about finding love, but also about finding yourself. - Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress...
March 4, 2014
I love Jayne's books! They're light-hearted and funny with realistic characters.
December 30, 2015
holy doormat of a heroine! I just couldn't get passed that - the writing wasy good; hero was a bit of a DB and Emmie - well, ugh
July 31, 2017
Nice, clean romance. Easy read
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters were likable and I laughed out loud many times. My only issue was how it read on the kindle - there weren't separations within chapters which made it confusing.
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters were likable and I laughed out loud many times. My only issue was how it read on the kindle - there weren't separations within chapters which made it confusing.
April 10, 2021
DNF.. I didn’t understand what was going on.
September 21, 2013
This was a very cute romance, she a interior designer, he an architect. Emmaline works for a horrible boss who thinks of her as his personal assistance for phone calls and coffee. She ends up being contracted by Graham to work on her house. Unfortunately she falls hard for him and finds out he is dating Emmie's old high school classmate that is married. As the relationship develops between Emmie and Graham, he ends his relationship with the woman. However, she is very needy and threatens to hurt herself if he doesn't come running back to her. Emmie has had enough and sets and ultimatum. They separate but of course the novel can't end there, and they work things out and end up together happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2014
I can tell it's summer when I start a book one day and finish it the next. A quick read about a 30 something year old who seems to be stuck in a job where there is no prospect of moving up, with no relationship to speak of and certainly no grand kids to make her family and friends happy. Until, she meets Graham and Juliet who will change her life in so many ways.
My only problem was the Juliet/ Kevin follow up at the end. It didn't seem like a strong solution though I did like other conclusions, and found humor in the bedroom set problems.
My only problem was the Juliet/ Kevin follow up at the end. It didn't seem like a strong solution though I did like other conclusions, and found humor in the bedroom set problems.
September 20, 2013
This book was a cute story. I liked it but only 3 stars because the heroin starts to get a little annoying. I know everyone has their "ditzy" moments but I get annoyed when she just takes what is thrown at her and says "oh well" ugg! The so called "great guy" just starts making me want to punch him and I start wanting the girl to just dump his a&&! It's a good quick easy read and funny at times and cheap so I don't regret reading it. It was just okay.
November 28, 2015
I liked the author's voice, but the hero spoiled the book for me. He is supposed to have a hero complex, but in my eyes he came across as seriously weak. So did the heroine at first, but least she grows some at the end of the book.
The book reminded me a bit of another book, btw: The Boat Builder's Bed by Kris Pearson. At first I thought I had read this book already.
The book reminded me a bit of another book, btw: The Boat Builder's Bed by Kris Pearson. At first I thought I had read this book already.
February 20, 2014
The friendships in this novel were great, but the various pairings just didn't ring true to me.
July 25, 2015
PG13
Violence: none
Language: some swears, including deity; FBombs <5
Sex: only referenced post fact; descriptive kissing
Super cute story. I realized after reading how quick to judge and pigeonhole a character I am. Definitely in this book, things are not always as they seem.
Violence: none
Language: some swears, including deity; FBombs <5
Sex: only referenced post fact; descriptive kissing
Super cute story. I realized after reading how quick to judge and pigeonhole a character I am. Definitely in this book, things are not always as they seem.
March 1, 2016
Jayne Denker, NookBook, @ 2013, 9/13. Romance novel about an interior designer stuck with a crumby boyfriend, a crumby boss who does not let her design, and a depressing period of her life, when her ex-boyfriend burns down her house. Okay.
September 8, 2013
This was a cute book. It started off kind of slow but once it started moving I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed it.
January 29, 2015
3.5 stars. Good light reading before bed.
September 9, 2013
Nice story.
September 10, 2013
Atrocious.
September 11, 2013
A freebie from B&N Free Fridays. An okay read, but not one I would pay to read.
September 21, 2013
9/21/13 - ok book!
September 21, 2013
Sweet story. A little slow at times, but sweet.
September 24, 2013
Quick, lighthearted romance novel. Got it through Free Nook Fridays, and it's a LendMe, if anyone would like to borrow. Enjoyed it.
September 30, 2013
This was a free Nook book and decided to read it after the summary caught my attention. I really liked this book and the story has humor, romance and a believable story. I was glad I read it.
October 6, 2013
'Twas free. Seems like a young version of chick lit. Wanted to smack a few people, but they are young, so maybe they need to go round the block a few times...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews