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The Designated Twin
Lorelei
Every day looks the same for me: wake up, go to work, and bring work home. Organized schedules are life-giving, and Donwell Family Law is my soulmate. But when my well-intentioned twin ships me off on a date with the prince of Korsa in her stead, my perfectly functioning life is derailed. Especially when he begins to show up in my safe places.
To make matters worse, when I’m with him, I feel… something. He encourages the real me instead of the masked façade of my twin.
I’ve never dated before because most men don’t understand me, but Finley is somehow able to read me the way I read philosophy books: easy and quick.
And when he learns of my mental disabilities, he doesn’t shame me.
He… says he loves me?
Finley
After my brother drops news that alters my life course, I suddenly find myself in need of a wife. More than that, she must be a woman capable of queenship since I am now set to become the next king of Korsa in less than a year’s time. My old college friend believes she has the right woman for me, so I vow to give this woman a chance and pray she will be the one for me so that I can marry for love instead of necessity.
But when I learn I’ve been dating the wrong twin, I can’t bring myself to regret it. Lorelei is everything I need in a wife and queen—intelligent, brave, kind, and humble.
The problem?
She doesn’t see her worth through my eyes, so I must now convince her that she is capable of change and worthy of love.
Every day looks the same for me: wake up, go to work, and bring work home. Organized schedules are life-giving, and Donwell Family Law is my soulmate. But when my well-intentioned twin ships me off on a date with the prince of Korsa in her stead, my perfectly functioning life is derailed. Especially when he begins to show up in my safe places.
To make matters worse, when I’m with him, I feel… something. He encourages the real me instead of the masked façade of my twin.
I’ve never dated before because most men don’t understand me, but Finley is somehow able to read me the way I read philosophy books: easy and quick.
And when he learns of my mental disabilities, he doesn’t shame me.
He… says he loves me?
Finley
After my brother drops news that alters my life course, I suddenly find myself in need of a wife. More than that, she must be a woman capable of queenship since I am now set to become the next king of Korsa in less than a year’s time. My old college friend believes she has the right woman for me, so I vow to give this woman a chance and pray she will be the one for me so that I can marry for love instead of necessity.
But when I learn I’ve been dating the wrong twin, I can’t bring myself to regret it. Lorelei is everything I need in a wife and queen—intelligent, brave, kind, and humble.
The problem?
She doesn’t see her worth through my eyes, so I must now convince her that she is capable of change and worthy of love.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2024
39 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
Drew Taylor
24 books411 followersDrew Taylor writes modern closed-door chick-lit romance stories from a Biblical worldview. She believes faith-based romance can be full of heart, humor, healing, and hope while showcasing the reality of our fallen human condition. Her redemptive and engaging stories point to the One who embodies true love–Jesus Christ.
Drew lives in the great state of Mississippi where she teaches high school English. When not teaching or writing, she enjoys reading, baking, researching conspiracy theories, and spending quality time with the people who mean the most to her.
Follow Drew:
Instagram: @authordrewtaylor
Facebook: Drew Taylor, Author
TikTok: @drewtaylorwrites
Pinterest: @authordrewtaylor
YouTube: @authordrewtaylor
Drew lives in the great state of Mississippi where she teaches high school English. When not teaching or writing, she enjoys reading, baking, researching conspiracy theories, and spending quality time with the people who mean the most to her.
Follow Drew:
Instagram: @authordrewtaylor
Facebook: Drew Taylor, Author
TikTok: @drewtaylorwrites
Pinterest: @authordrewtaylor
YouTube: @authordrewtaylor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 17, 2024
"I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!"
This year is nice to me! I've been reading some good books lately and "The Designated Twin" is a full sweet syrupy five-star for me, maybe I'll give it one star extra for taking me out of my reading slump. The story is captivating. From the first page, it kept me hooked and not wanting to stop. I was giggling, admiring the characters, absorbing the emotions trying to understand all the new sensations that I heard before but never got the chance to understand that closely. talking about characters, they all are so different from each other but perfectly fitting as well like the pieces of a puzzle.MC, Finley is "the man" (prince of hearts, "hearts" not only Lucy's Heart because I'm sure there are many who fell for him) everyone would want to copy-paste him into their lives *hehe sorry, I didn't mean it to be this awkward*. Well, Lorelie is my person, such a sweetheart. I relate with her and throughout the story, I unnaturally saw myself relating with her as she navigates life with autism and sometimes struggles to process things that we all deal with at some point in our lives. Her straightforwardness and intelligence show her profound emotional depth. The way she articulates her feelings is just so beautiful to me. Not to forget her white sneakers and ponytail😂💗 bro she is the queen of her own and I can't explain about her enough. moving on to the other twin "Lucy" *twin of Lorelei* well, I can't end my review without mentioning her because she truly added her sparkle and aww moments in this story, apart from her fun, hopeless romantic personality what I love the most is her journal and little letters to God😫💗TBH I want more of them. I want more of Lucy and maybe I can get my wish fulfilled because as I'm guessing there gonna be sequel *hopefully* roaming around her and not sure of the guy😅. all in all I love this book for it's story, how beautifully it's penned down, the characters, clean closed room romance, and how drew included God in the character's life making it 100 times more beautiful, wanting me to read more of her books.
This year is nice to me! I've been reading some good books lately and "The Designated Twin" is a full sweet syrupy five-star for me, maybe I'll give it one star extra for taking me out of my reading slump. The story is captivating. From the first page, it kept me hooked and not wanting to stop. I was giggling, admiring the characters, absorbing the emotions trying to understand all the new sensations that I heard before but never got the chance to understand that closely. talking about characters, they all are so different from each other but perfectly fitting as well like the pieces of a puzzle.MC, Finley is "the man" (prince of hearts, "hearts" not only Lucy's Heart because I'm sure there are many who fell for him) everyone would want to copy-paste him into their lives *hehe sorry, I didn't mean it to be this awkward*. Well, Lorelie is my person, such a sweetheart. I relate with her and throughout the story, I unnaturally saw myself relating with her as she navigates life with autism and sometimes struggles to process things that we all deal with at some point in our lives. Her straightforwardness and intelligence show her profound emotional depth. The way she articulates her feelings is just so beautiful to me. Not to forget her white sneakers and ponytail😂💗 bro she is the queen of her own and I can't explain about her enough. moving on to the other twin "Lucy" *twin of Lorelei* well, I can't end my review without mentioning her because she truly added her sparkle and aww moments in this story, apart from her fun, hopeless romantic personality what I love the most is her journal and little letters to God😫💗TBH I want more of them. I want more of Lucy and maybe I can get my wish fulfilled because as I'm guessing there gonna be sequel *hopefully* roaming around her and not sure of the guy😅. all in all I love this book for it's story, how beautifully it's penned down, the characters, clean closed room romance, and how drew included God in the character's life making it 100 times more beautiful, wanting me to read more of her books.
August 21, 2025
This is a great Christian romance. By all rights, I should have found the pace intolerably slow, but I was too caught up in Lorelei’s character for that to be the case. I found her fully captivating and loved getting to know her. She’s autistic, brilliant, and masterfully painted. The MMC, Finley, is also great and clearly perfect for her… perhaps even a little too perfect? I guess that would be my one complaint about the book. At times he felt so overfitted to her as to be unrealistic, making the story tip into the “sappy” category a few times… but not to the point that I’ll be docking any stars from my rating.
As for tropes, let’s see, we have a Cinderella, prince-requires-wife, twin-swap, celebrity/royal-romance. There are some funny moments (the kids text!!), but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a rom-com. It’s definitely Christian, though, with very very strong Christian messaging.
Content:
There is no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is limited to lightly descriptive kisses. This is a Christian book with a strong message of faith, prayer, God’s will, and serving Jesus Christ.
Trigger warnings - Autism, Parkinson’s, a paparazzi stalker
As for tropes, let’s see, we have a Cinderella, prince-requires-wife, twin-swap, celebrity/royal-romance. There are some funny moments (the kids text!!), but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a rom-com. It’s definitely Christian, though, with very very strong Christian messaging.
Content:
There is no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is limited to lightly descriptive kisses. This is a Christian book with a strong message of faith, prayer, God’s will, and serving Jesus Christ.
Trigger warnings - Autism, Parkinson’s, a paparazzi stalker
January 26, 2025
This is my third book by Drew Taylor and let me tell you her books are always a real treat!
Finley and Lorelei’s story was absolutely beautiful!
Prince Finley will be taking the crown as the King of Korsa soon and needs a wife. He is granted 3 months to find himself one or he will have to marry the woman his moms chooses. Luckily he has someone in mind and heads out to set up a date with Lucy; only due to an unfortunate accident Lucy can’t make it and sends her twin Lorelei in her place. Finley is known as the “Prince of Hearts” and has dated a lot never finding the right person but he falls fast and hard for Lucy who is actually Lorelei. Lorelei is a smart lawyer and wonderful woman. She has autism and gets extreme sensory overload. She hasn’t dated before and was not looking to fall in love. When Finley realizes she is the right person for him he will do all he can to win her heart and make Lorelei his queen.
I absolutely fell in love with this book. It is a fun rom-com but it is also so much more. This book is a beautiful story of loving someone, seeing them for who they are, and putting their needs first. I savored this story as I read. I love how Drew writes real and flawed characters with obstacles to overcome. Finley and Lorelei are people of faith and make God the center of their lives turning to him with their needs throughout the story. Another thing I loved was how both Lorelei and Lucy are different. Lorelei is into cats, history, and plants. Lucy loves fiction, is flirty and loves makeup. Both characters are celebrated for their individualism and neither one is shown as “better” than the other. They both have value in who they are and how God created them.
I loved how protective and patient Finley was with Lorelei. He truly sees her and her needs and treats her with respect. He is flirty too and just the perfect book boyfriend. The book was a mixture of fun moments and beautiful heartwarming moments. A few highlights for me were Finley's text message, the camping trip, and all the cute nicknames. The kisses and romance were swoony and I literally cannot say enough about this one! Grab a copy and read it! I highly recommend this story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Finley and Lorelei’s story was absolutely beautiful!
Prince Finley will be taking the crown as the King of Korsa soon and needs a wife. He is granted 3 months to find himself one or he will have to marry the woman his moms chooses. Luckily he has someone in mind and heads out to set up a date with Lucy; only due to an unfortunate accident Lucy can’t make it and sends her twin Lorelei in her place. Finley is known as the “Prince of Hearts” and has dated a lot never finding the right person but he falls fast and hard for Lucy who is actually Lorelei. Lorelei is a smart lawyer and wonderful woman. She has autism and gets extreme sensory overload. She hasn’t dated before and was not looking to fall in love. When Finley realizes she is the right person for him he will do all he can to win her heart and make Lorelei his queen.
I absolutely fell in love with this book. It is a fun rom-com but it is also so much more. This book is a beautiful story of loving someone, seeing them for who they are, and putting their needs first. I savored this story as I read. I love how Drew writes real and flawed characters with obstacles to overcome. Finley and Lorelei are people of faith and make God the center of their lives turning to him with their needs throughout the story. Another thing I loved was how both Lorelei and Lucy are different. Lorelei is into cats, history, and plants. Lucy loves fiction, is flirty and loves makeup. Both characters are celebrated for their individualism and neither one is shown as “better” than the other. They both have value in who they are and how God created them.
I loved how protective and patient Finley was with Lorelei. He truly sees her and her needs and treats her with respect. He is flirty too and just the perfect book boyfriend. The book was a mixture of fun moments and beautiful heartwarming moments. A few highlights for me were Finley's text message, the camping trip, and all the cute nicknames. The kisses and romance were swoony and I literally cannot say enough about this one! Grab a copy and read it! I highly recommend this story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 2, 2024
*sighs dreamily* Where do I begin with this one? Once again Drew Taylor has made another beloved and wonderful romance that I devour, and once again I’m pretty sure this one is my favorite of the series. Being an identical twin myself (I’m the younger by one minute twin, literally) this was such a fun book to read. I loved Lucy and Lorelei, their relationship felt like a true twin relationship (even the butt slapping, twins why do we do that to each other?)without a lot of extra twin-y things that people try to add. I kept comparing myself and my twin to Lucy and Lorelei and by the end couldn’t decide who was more like who. The girls really captivated me and Lorelei was a beautiful and very multifaceted person who I connected with on many different levels. I enjoyed her being so vocal about her autism and her ability to handle emotions and physical touch. I want to be Lucy and Finley when it comes to the dating game but…alas I am a Lorelei. And the cool part is there’s nothing wrong with that. One of my favorite quotes from this book was “I will not rush my life.” How I completely connected with that right now!
When it comes to the other half of this lovely duo - I loved Finley…so much. I enjoyed his advances towards Lorelei and how honest he was with his interactions and intentions. Finley was such an enjoyable person to read, he cared so much about his country, his family, and Lorelei. There were many quotes and sentences I highlighted during Finley’s chapters. He was wonderfully refreshing when it came to communicating with other characters and throughout his relationships. If Finley was a real person, I would date him a thousand percent.
Overall this book brought me so many laughs and emotions. From the twin relationship of Lorelei and Lucy to the romance and love Finley and Lorelei had for each other, I was captured by the book and I had such a fun time with all the characters. Out of the Designated Series this one is my absolute favorite, it holds a special place in my heart. Much love for this book!
When it comes to the other half of this lovely duo - I loved Finley…so much. I enjoyed his advances towards Lorelei and how honest he was with his interactions and intentions. Finley was such an enjoyable person to read, he cared so much about his country, his family, and Lorelei. There were many quotes and sentences I highlighted during Finley’s chapters. He was wonderfully refreshing when it came to communicating with other characters and throughout his relationships. If Finley was a real person, I would date him a thousand percent.
Overall this book brought me so many laughs and emotions. From the twin relationship of Lorelei and Lucy to the romance and love Finley and Lorelei had for each other, I was captured by the book and I had such a fun time with all the characters. Out of the Designated Series this one is my absolute favorite, it holds a special place in my heart. Much love for this book!
May 24, 2025
I was hesitant at first to read this book because autism isn't always treated well in stories. But the blurb about the goal being to get her to accept how amazing she is convinced me. As the author notes at the beginning, autism is a spectrum so Lorelei is her version of autistic. As mother and sister of two wonderful autistic people, I felt the author did a good job of balancing how smart and capable Lorelei is with her neurodiverence and its difficulties. And I loved that Finley wasn't perfect either. He struggles with his anxiety at many points. But together they balance each other. And it was a beautiful story about accepting yours and other's unique weirdness because it is part of who we are. As a side note, it was Lucy's journal entries that worried me. She really needed to seek medical help for possible depression.
June 12, 2024
I really liked this book. It was the first twin swap book I’d ever read. So so cute!! I also loved that one of the female mc’s is autistic. And, there’s a prince. I’m normally not a royal romance kinda girl, but this Prince is so sweet!!! Drew is an amazing writer and she knocked it out of the ballpark again! Love this series!!!
June 19, 2024
I absolutely loved this one! I loved Finley & Lorelei together🤍. The way he cared for & loved her was heart melting🫠. I loved her defense of him. And all the crossovers makes my heart happy. If I didn’t love TPOL so much, this would be my favorite Drew book!
June 28, 2024
This may be my favorite of the Designated series (at least so far!) I really enjoyed the plot and the characters, and love the way Drew ties all of her novels together. This is a sweet romance that I highly recommend.
July 4, 2024
This was such a fun and sweet royal romcom with some twin swapping and autism rep. I loved the respect and care all of the characters had in their relationships with each other, but especially between Finley and Lorelei. Their story was so fun and tender, and I loved their realistic Christian perspectives being woven in.
July 14, 2024
Autism rep crosses with royalty perfectly
This book! It made me smile, it made me laugh out loud...it made me lose sleep... All the right things to say about a romcom! Written well, expressed clearly, perfectly paced. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
This book! It made me smile, it made me laugh out loud...it made me lose sleep... All the right things to say about a romcom! Written well, expressed clearly, perfectly paced. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
June 3, 2024
I loved this so much!!!!🩵👏👏💛
June 6, 2024
Such a fun book! Loved the faith elements and the Neuro-Divergent Rep in the FMC. Super sweet story, and looking forward to the next in the series.
July 9, 2024
4.5/5⭐️
In this latest installment of the "Designated" series, Prince Finley has found himself in want of a wife. Given three months to follow his own inclinations and heart, he sets up a date with outgoing, flirty Lucy. After an unfortunate accident, Lucy can't make the date and sends her twin, Lorelei, in her place. Finley falls fast and hard for "Lucy," despite all the clues that reveal she isn't who he thinks she is. When he finally comes to realize that the girl of his dreams isn't sassy Lucy, but quirky and intelligent Lorelei, he isn't disappointed and he doubles down on his efforts to win himself a princess and a wife.
Lorelei takes a long time to catch up to Finley, never believing that he will want her for real when he finds out she is autistic. She has created a life that thrives in carefully cultivated routines and boundaries, and she is completely inexperienced in the realm of dating. Can Finley change her mind?
As a PT who frequently works with children with autism, I feel the author has so delicately and thoughtfully given us a sensory experience inside Lorelei's head, experiencing the overwhelming emotional and physical sensations of navigating a serious relationship with someone changing the way your entire life is built. Lorelei doesn't just simply cave at the chance to marry a prince. Finley is portrayed as patient, consistent, caring, and accommodating while intentionally working to win Lorelei's trust and affections. He goes way beyond in proving himself to her, and the reader gains their own chance to grow in compassion and awareness through the story.
The author also does a beautiful job marrying a swoony love story with scriptural truths. The characters are very much faith-driven, and I appreciate the author showing us that we can have both in a well-written story. Faith doesn't fix all their problems, but it is a driving force for all of the characters and how they interact and problem solve throughout the story.
The author ended with a sneak peek into Lucy's story and my appetite is whet for what happens next!
I received a complimentary copy of the author's beautiful book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.
In this latest installment of the "Designated" series, Prince Finley has found himself in want of a wife. Given three months to follow his own inclinations and heart, he sets up a date with outgoing, flirty Lucy. After an unfortunate accident, Lucy can't make the date and sends her twin, Lorelei, in her place. Finley falls fast and hard for "Lucy," despite all the clues that reveal she isn't who he thinks she is. When he finally comes to realize that the girl of his dreams isn't sassy Lucy, but quirky and intelligent Lorelei, he isn't disappointed and he doubles down on his efforts to win himself a princess and a wife.
Lorelei takes a long time to catch up to Finley, never believing that he will want her for real when he finds out she is autistic. She has created a life that thrives in carefully cultivated routines and boundaries, and she is completely inexperienced in the realm of dating. Can Finley change her mind?
As a PT who frequently works with children with autism, I feel the author has so delicately and thoughtfully given us a sensory experience inside Lorelei's head, experiencing the overwhelming emotional and physical sensations of navigating a serious relationship with someone changing the way your entire life is built. Lorelei doesn't just simply cave at the chance to marry a prince. Finley is portrayed as patient, consistent, caring, and accommodating while intentionally working to win Lorelei's trust and affections. He goes way beyond in proving himself to her, and the reader gains their own chance to grow in compassion and awareness through the story.
The author also does a beautiful job marrying a swoony love story with scriptural truths. The characters are very much faith-driven, and I appreciate the author showing us that we can have both in a well-written story. Faith doesn't fix all their problems, but it is a driving force for all of the characters and how they interact and problem solve throughout the story.
The author ended with a sneak peek into Lucy's story and my appetite is whet for what happens next!
I received a complimentary copy of the author's beautiful book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.
July 21, 2024
Adorable story of self acceptance
I adored this book! I felt like I could relate to Lorelei so much, having curly red hair and a bit of social anxiety myself. I absolutely loved how both characters were flawed and they helped each other grow into stronger versions of themselves. Not by changing who they were, but accepting their flaws and learning how to build on what they had.
I also loved the underlying message that God has a special and unique plan for each of us, even if it’s hard for us to see, His ways are much better than ours.
I highly recommend this book!
I adored this book! I felt like I could relate to Lorelei so much, having curly red hair and a bit of social anxiety myself. I absolutely loved how both characters were flawed and they helped each other grow into stronger versions of themselves. Not by changing who they were, but accepting their flaws and learning how to build on what they had.
I also loved the underlying message that God has a special and unique plan for each of us, even if it’s hard for us to see, His ways are much better than ours.
I highly recommend this book!
July 1, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Sweet Royal Rom-Com
🗓️Releases 6•27•24
📖 Book Two In The Designated Series by Drew Taylor
📝REVIEW: All the feels!! The character development for Finley and Lorelei was beautiful to watch. The swoony moments were just perfect, and the comedy was… well… lol worthy!! The Christian elements were not to be ignored either. The characters relied on God to guide them through their rough moments, base their growing attraction on faith, and come to love and understand one another for who they truly are (flaws and all.) The unconditional love and protection Finley and Lorelei provided for each other was inspiring to say the least. This book has proven to be my favorite in The Designated series so far! Thank you Drew Taylor for writing relatable characters with stories that inspire and challenge your readers!
🚨CONTENT:
* FMC is autistic and she is challenged with sensory overload battles that are present on the page (one over the feel of her clothing when she is overwhelmed and one over a raging thunderstorm while camping)
* At one point the FMC is completely unclothed due to sensory overload but she is only with her sister in their shared apartment
* The one tent trope is present, and because of a storm MMC and FMC have to change in the same tent but it is kept PG (and very Hallmark movie in my opinion)
🗓️Releases 6•27•24
📖 Book Two In The Designated Series by Drew Taylor
📝REVIEW: All the feels!! The character development for Finley and Lorelei was beautiful to watch. The swoony moments were just perfect, and the comedy was… well… lol worthy!! The Christian elements were not to be ignored either. The characters relied on God to guide them through their rough moments, base their growing attraction on faith, and come to love and understand one another for who they truly are (flaws and all.) The unconditional love and protection Finley and Lorelei provided for each other was inspiring to say the least. This book has proven to be my favorite in The Designated series so far! Thank you Drew Taylor for writing relatable characters with stories that inspire and challenge your readers!
🚨CONTENT:
* FMC is autistic and she is challenged with sensory overload battles that are present on the page (one over the feel of her clothing when she is overwhelmed and one over a raging thunderstorm while camping)
* At one point the FMC is completely unclothed due to sensory overload but she is only with her sister in their shared apartment
* The one tent trope is present, and because of a storm MMC and FMC have to change in the same tent but it is kept PG (and very Hallmark movie in my opinion)
September 5, 2024
I don't know what to say about it. It was good but not the best. It did make me bored at times. But at least it didn't stress me out, so giving it 4 stars for solely this reason.
June 27, 2024
The designated twin - Drew Taylor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶: kissing only (clean)
❗️: autistic main character, multiple former partners, talk about former sexual experiences (not MC's),stalker,sick sibling
I always love a good royal romance,and what's even better, a autistic FMC falling in love with a prince
I loved the twins and how they read and understood each other.
Lorelei felt like I was looking at myself and my own relationship. I understood her fears ,her mannerisms, and ticks. But the thing that made me fall in love with this book was that Finley never got tired or irritated when Lorelei made her feelings known. He knew he had to tone down his character for her to feel comfortable. And he did such an amazing job while still being himself.
I loved how they grew and supported each other.
My favorite part was definitely her standing up to his mother and ultimately winning her respect.
If you like
Soft but protective MMC
He falls first
Royalty
Autistic FMC
Pets
Family and friends
Mystery
One tent
Faith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶: kissing only (clean)
❗️: autistic main character, multiple former partners, talk about former sexual experiences (not MC's),stalker,sick sibling
I always love a good royal romance,and what's even better, a autistic FMC falling in love with a prince
I loved the twins and how they read and understood each other.
Lorelei felt like I was looking at myself and my own relationship. I understood her fears ,her mannerisms, and ticks. But the thing that made me fall in love with this book was that Finley never got tired or irritated when Lorelei made her feelings known. He knew he had to tone down his character for her to feel comfortable. And he did such an amazing job while still being himself.
I loved how they grew and supported each other.
My favorite part was definitely her standing up to his mother and ultimately winning her respect.
If you like
Soft but protective MMC
He falls first
Royalty
Autistic FMC
Pets
Family and friends
Mystery
One tent
Faith
June 3, 2024
Twin Swap? Check
Royal Romance? Check
Neurodivergent Rep? Check
Giggle-inducing humor? Check
Random historical fact spewing? Check
Swoon-worthy tension while keeping the door closed? Check
A FMC battling insecurities and feeling less-than while the most swoony & loving MMC patiently waits for her to work through her feelings? Check
Sigh. I’ve only written the intro of this review, and I’m already sighing just thinking about Finley and how he’s everything Lorelei needs. He sees her, really sees who she is, and listens without judgement when she explains her needs. And then he anticipates her needs going forward, caring for her in such a tender, Christ-like manner. Lorelei is absolutely relatable – I could see myself in her character so much. Her insecurities are both commonly understandable, and also unique in that she has autism and has never dated anyone. She doesn’t know how or if she’ll be able to handle dating, her first kiss, and all that comes with eventual marriage – everything is brand new and unknown for her. And yet, Finley is not scared off or deterred by her concerns.
I could go on and on about this book. But I don’t want to spoil anything. Reading through The Designated Twin is both a romantic escape from the real world, and also an example of what biblical love looks like in action. As well as a representation of what I believe is a universal desire every human wants in their relationship – to be really seen and loved for who they are, struggles and all.
Drew Taylor has been one of my favorite authors since I read her first book, The Politics of Christmas, and I’m blown away each time she releases a new book how she’s able to distill the same depth to her stories while also giving the reader an escape, a couple to root for, and Biblical truth woven throughout the story. The Designated Twin is a sweet gem of a book! Don't wait to read it <3
Favorite Quote:
"Don't get bangs, Lucy." (You'll just have to read it to understand why it's my favorite!)
Intimacy: Kisses only
Sensitive Topics: Neurodivergent rep
I had the honor of beta reading The Designated Twin and received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Royal Romance? Check
Neurodivergent Rep? Check
Giggle-inducing humor? Check
Random historical fact spewing? Check
Swoon-worthy tension while keeping the door closed? Check
A FMC battling insecurities and feeling less-than while the most swoony & loving MMC patiently waits for her to work through her feelings? Check
Sigh. I’ve only written the intro of this review, and I’m already sighing just thinking about Finley and how he’s everything Lorelei needs. He sees her, really sees who she is, and listens without judgement when she explains her needs. And then he anticipates her needs going forward, caring for her in such a tender, Christ-like manner. Lorelei is absolutely relatable – I could see myself in her character so much. Her insecurities are both commonly understandable, and also unique in that she has autism and has never dated anyone. She doesn’t know how or if she’ll be able to handle dating, her first kiss, and all that comes with eventual marriage – everything is brand new and unknown for her. And yet, Finley is not scared off or deterred by her concerns.
I could go on and on about this book. But I don’t want to spoil anything. Reading through The Designated Twin is both a romantic escape from the real world, and also an example of what biblical love looks like in action. As well as a representation of what I believe is a universal desire every human wants in their relationship – to be really seen and loved for who they are, struggles and all.
Drew Taylor has been one of my favorite authors since I read her first book, The Politics of Christmas, and I’m blown away each time she releases a new book how she’s able to distill the same depth to her stories while also giving the reader an escape, a couple to root for, and Biblical truth woven throughout the story. The Designated Twin is a sweet gem of a book! Don't wait to read it <3
Favorite Quote:
"Don't get bangs, Lucy." (You'll just have to read it to understand why it's my favorite!)
Intimacy: Kisses only
Sensitive Topics: Neurodivergent rep
I had the honor of beta reading The Designated Twin and received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
April 27, 2024
THIS BOOK. I was wheezing and giggling and blushing the whole way through. Finley and Lorelei are the preciousest things ever, and their story is just… *chef kiss*
My favorite part about it all, though, is the respect these two consistently have for each other. They always seek the best in each other while respecting their needs and desires. It melted me in ways I didn’t know I could be melted. And best of all? It reminded me to wait for the guy God has for me—someone who will push me closer to Jesus, love me fully, and respect everything about me while continually helping me become the best person I can be.
Drew knocked it out of the park with this one. Yes, you’ll be giggling, but there’s so much truth here. So many nuggets of wisdom that really made me step back and reconsider the beauty of being in God’s will. 💕
10/10 recommend!
My favorite part about it all, though, is the respect these two consistently have for each other. They always seek the best in each other while respecting their needs and desires. It melted me in ways I didn’t know I could be melted. And best of all? It reminded me to wait for the guy God has for me—someone who will push me closer to Jesus, love me fully, and respect everything about me while continually helping me become the best person I can be.
Drew knocked it out of the park with this one. Yes, you’ll be giggling, but there’s so much truth here. So many nuggets of wisdom that really made me step back and reconsider the beauty of being in God’s will. 💕
10/10 recommend!
July 14, 2024
I loved this book! It's a great book to read if you're looking for a light-hearted, funny read with a happy ending. The awkwardness dripping from the characters navigating this new dating situation was so relatable - especially the first date! I found myself relating to Lucy while also wanting to be Lorelei. I love the banter between the guys in this book, too!
May 19, 2024
If you have not read this book or any of Drew Taylor's, you are missing out. I can not recommend this book enough. If you want a sweet clean romance then look no further. I finished this book in two days because I could not put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone. Thank you Drew Taylor for putting out romance I can read without fear. I was kicking my feet and giggling through it all.
June 27, 2024
I absolutely loved Finely & Lorelei 's cautious, sweet, patient, caring, loving, swoony story!!!!
July 1, 2024
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Lorelei & Finley’s points of view, along with a few journal entries from Lucy
– a character is neurodivergent (autistic); this means (for this particular character) that the character processes things a bit differently, is more blunt, & is a bit more sensitive to certain things (like noise levels, sensory things, & physical space)
– there is a short scene where a character has a major panic attack where they remove all of their clothing in the presence of their sibling (told from the character’s pov that has the attack)
– a character’s close family member recently discovered they have Parkinson’s disease
Review:
I don’t know what it is about this particular book, but it completely took first place for my favorite Drew Taylor book at the moment (who knows what future books could do to the list)! I absolutely adored Finley & Lorelei’s story! I loved how they first met & that Lorelei wanting to help her sister out made it happen. I loved how much Finley wanted to act like a gentleman with whoever he was dating. I loved that once Finley realized who he was falling for, he made it his mission to show her (Lorelei) how far he fell for her & that his reputation wasn’t who he truly was. I loved that Lorelei was so cerebral & was constantly thinking and overthinking when it came to parts of being in a relationship (with this being her first). I loved that Finley loved Lorelei’s constantly thinking mind and that she was chock full of information. These two were so sweet & I’m excited to find out what kind of relationship Lucy (Lorelei’s sister) will have with Stone (Lucy’s boss) in the next book! I’m also curious to find out if we’ll get a book for Finley’s sister in the future! (I loved her character!)
Summary:
When Finley is unexpectedly thrust into a new position that requires he be married before he can begin, he still hopes to find a love match despite the short amount of time he has to find the right woman. So when his close college friend suggests that they’ve got the perfect candidate, Finley is willing to go on the blind date knowing that the friend wouldn’t suggest someone lightly. Finley just never expected to be as enamored as he was when he first met his date. Nor did he expect to find out later on that the woman he went on a date with and the woman suggested to him were two completely different women despite their shared features. Not that Finley regrets the switch up between the twin sisters, because he fell for Lorelei fast and hard. He just needs her to understand how much she means to him…
Lorelei likes her life being constant and unchanging. But when her twin Lucy convinces her to go in Lucy’s place on a blind date with a prince, Lorelei finds her world upended in more ways than one. Between having to pretend to be her sister so that Lucy can have a chance to date him for herself when her injury heals & the unexpected feelings overtaking her senses, Lorelei doesn’t know what it all means. Especially when Finley discovers about the twin switch and wants to date her instead of her bubbly twin. What could he possibly see in Lorelei that she can’t see in herself?
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Lorelei & Finley’s points of view, along with a few journal entries from Lucy
– a character is neurodivergent (autistic); this means (for this particular character) that the character processes things a bit differently, is more blunt, & is a bit more sensitive to certain things (like noise levels, sensory things, & physical space)
– there is a short scene where a character has a major panic attack where they remove all of their clothing in the presence of their sibling (told from the character’s pov that has the attack)
– a character’s close family member recently discovered they have Parkinson’s disease
Review:
I don’t know what it is about this particular book, but it completely took first place for my favorite Drew Taylor book at the moment (who knows what future books could do to the list)! I absolutely adored Finley & Lorelei’s story! I loved how they first met & that Lorelei wanting to help her sister out made it happen. I loved how much Finley wanted to act like a gentleman with whoever he was dating. I loved that once Finley realized who he was falling for, he made it his mission to show her (Lorelei) how far he fell for her & that his reputation wasn’t who he truly was. I loved that Lorelei was so cerebral & was constantly thinking and overthinking when it came to parts of being in a relationship (with this being her first). I loved that Finley loved Lorelei’s constantly thinking mind and that she was chock full of information. These two were so sweet & I’m excited to find out what kind of relationship Lucy (Lorelei’s sister) will have with Stone (Lucy’s boss) in the next book! I’m also curious to find out if we’ll get a book for Finley’s sister in the future! (I loved her character!)
Summary:
When Finley is unexpectedly thrust into a new position that requires he be married before he can begin, he still hopes to find a love match despite the short amount of time he has to find the right woman. So when his close college friend suggests that they’ve got the perfect candidate, Finley is willing to go on the blind date knowing that the friend wouldn’t suggest someone lightly. Finley just never expected to be as enamored as he was when he first met his date. Nor did he expect to find out later on that the woman he went on a date with and the woman suggested to him were two completely different women despite their shared features. Not that Finley regrets the switch up between the twin sisters, because he fell for Lorelei fast and hard. He just needs her to understand how much she means to him…
Lorelei likes her life being constant and unchanging. But when her twin Lucy convinces her to go in Lucy’s place on a blind date with a prince, Lorelei finds her world upended in more ways than one. Between having to pretend to be her sister so that Lucy can have a chance to date him for herself when her injury heals & the unexpected feelings overtaking her senses, Lorelei doesn’t know what it all means. Especially when Finley discovers about the twin switch and wants to date her instead of her bubbly twin. What could he possibly see in Lorelei that she can’t see in herself?
June 28, 2024
5/5
Genre: Clean Romance
🚨TW: afraid of thunderstorm, stalking, a parent being controlling,
🚨CW: FMC who has autism unclothed herself because battling with sensory overload but in the apartment and only in front of her sister, sensitive to the fabric of clothing.
Read if you like
🐈 twin swap
🐈 royal & flirty MMC
🐈 forced proximity
🐈 hiking/camping
🐈 only one tent
🐈 lawyer & autistic FMC
🐈 slooowww burn
🐈 never dated/been kissed
🐈 cats
🐈 a wholesome, calming vibe
🐈 low tension
🐈 faith-filled
🐈 amazing friendships & sisterhood
Favourite Moments
🐈 Their first date
🐈 Him trying to win her heart
🐈 Them opening up to each other
🐈 Them supporting each other’s vulnerabilities
🐈 Surprise her in the church
🐈 Grandma Netty hahaha… (she is just so sweet)
🐈 The camping trip
🐈 In his country. (can’t spoil it)
🐈 Lucy’s journal
(lots more)
Swoony Moments
🐈 He loves her for who she is
🐈 He respected her boundaries and patient with her
🐈 He is a hopeless romantic (his words I can’t help but blush)
🐈 He falls for her first.
Synopsis:
Once upon a time two beautiful girls were born.
Though they look identical but their personalities are different. And because they are identical, they love to do the twin switch.
The day of twin switch came and all because Lucy had a bruised eye. It was her date with the prince. She can't go with her eye like that so Lorelei have to take her place.
Bracing her fears, Lorelei have to try her best to pretend to be her sister. But will she ever pull it off? She has never been on dates before like her sister does.
What if she messes up?
What is she going to do?
Read The Designated Twin to find out!!
Review
Ahhh...Finley stop with the nickname and the romantic lines. You are making me blush so much. Haha... Loving your relationship with Lorelei so much. You both give each other the assurance and also you are not afraid to show her when you are vulnerable. And both of you protect each other which is so sweet. You respected her boundaries and also you are patient with her.
Love that his dad supports his choice and also wants him to be happy. And their siblings supports their relationship as well. Haha… Lorelei cares for everyone she loves and she doesn’t want anyone to hurt the person she loves so she is always ready to protect them. The girls are so understanding and assured her that their friendship will remain no matter where they are. They are stick as a glue. And Grandma Netty is just so sweet and cool at the same time. They both put God in the centre in their lives which makes the relationship so beautiful. This book made me smile, blush, swoon and also felt the love. Hehe…
P/S I want to do the Belle moment in the library too. Hehe… and also I feel the story is a hint of Extraordinary Attorney Woo just a tiny bit not much.
Thanks to @authordrewtaylor for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
You can purchase Drew Taylor’s books on Amazon and it is also available on KU.
Genre: Clean Romance
🚨TW: afraid of thunderstorm, stalking, a parent being controlling,
🚨CW: FMC who has autism unclothed herself because battling with sensory overload but in the apartment and only in front of her sister, sensitive to the fabric of clothing.
Read if you like
🐈 twin swap
🐈 royal & flirty MMC
🐈 forced proximity
🐈 hiking/camping
🐈 only one tent
🐈 lawyer & autistic FMC
🐈 slooowww burn
🐈 never dated/been kissed
🐈 cats
🐈 a wholesome, calming vibe
🐈 low tension
🐈 faith-filled
🐈 amazing friendships & sisterhood
Favourite Moments
🐈 Their first date
🐈 Him trying to win her heart
🐈 Them opening up to each other
🐈 Them supporting each other’s vulnerabilities
🐈 Surprise her in the church
🐈 Grandma Netty hahaha… (she is just so sweet)
🐈 The camping trip
🐈 In his country. (can’t spoil it)
🐈 Lucy’s journal
(lots more)
Swoony Moments
🐈 He loves her for who she is
🐈 He respected her boundaries and patient with her
🐈 He is a hopeless romantic (his words I can’t help but blush)
🐈 He falls for her first.
Synopsis:
Once upon a time two beautiful girls were born.
Though they look identical but their personalities are different. And because they are identical, they love to do the twin switch.
The day of twin switch came and all because Lucy had a bruised eye. It was her date with the prince. She can't go with her eye like that so Lorelei have to take her place.
Bracing her fears, Lorelei have to try her best to pretend to be her sister. But will she ever pull it off? She has never been on dates before like her sister does.
What if she messes up?
What is she going to do?
Read The Designated Twin to find out!!
Review
Ahhh...Finley stop with the nickname and the romantic lines. You are making me blush so much. Haha... Loving your relationship with Lorelei so much. You both give each other the assurance and also you are not afraid to show her when you are vulnerable. And both of you protect each other which is so sweet. You respected her boundaries and also you are patient with her.
Love that his dad supports his choice and also wants him to be happy. And their siblings supports their relationship as well. Haha… Lorelei cares for everyone she loves and she doesn’t want anyone to hurt the person she loves so she is always ready to protect them. The girls are so understanding and assured her that their friendship will remain no matter where they are. They are stick as a glue. And Grandma Netty is just so sweet and cool at the same time. They both put God in the centre in their lives which makes the relationship so beautiful. This book made me smile, blush, swoon and also felt the love. Hehe…
P/S I want to do the Belle moment in the library too. Hehe… and also I feel the story is a hint of Extraordinary Attorney Woo just a tiny bit not much.
Thanks to @authordrewtaylor for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
You can purchase Drew Taylor’s books on Amazon and it is also available on KU.
August 16, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Christian contemporary romance
Content: makeouts
Finley and Lorelei have a fairytale-like love story. Finley is unexpectedly the crown prince of Korsa and he needs a wife. He recalls a redhead that he met at his friend’s wedding and decides to start there. Rather than go on that date, Lucy sends her twin, Lorelei. This is an interesting choice because Lucy and Lorelei are not alike personality-wise.
Lorelei has high-functioning autism and she thrives on routines and familiarity. She hasn’t dated and is shocked when Finley makes up his mind that he wants to pursue her. And Y’ALL. He 👏🏻 pursues 👏🏻 her! Our guy Finley falls fast and hard. I love that he finds Lorelei’s idiosyncrasies and quirks so endearing. He is just so patient with her and as works out how much physical touch and stimulation she can handle.
It was fun to see their trip to Korsa and see Lorelei get protective of Finley. I’m so looking forward to diving into Lucy’s story…and the ARC is on my kindle right now! 🎉
Favorite Quotes:
📚 Lorelei's difficult to read, which scares people. But not me. She's going to become my favorite book. One that I read over and over.
😏"So this is how you made the female population fall in love with you." "Whatever do you mean?" She gestures towards me with an open palm. "Prince of Hearts." I place my hand over my heart and act appalled. "Me? No, no, baby girl. I am the Prince of one heart. Yours."
❤️ Being with Finley makes sense. He makes sense. He loves me for me. He believes in me. And he needs someone to believe in him. I do.
😍 “Love comes for you. And then it's up to you to choose it. Thanks for choosing a girl like me, Finley." "There's only one of you, Leilei. You are not a girl like you. You are you. The only one of you. Perfect. Lovely. Brilliant. Weird." I nudge her and she laughs. "But your weirdness is everything I've prayed for, so thanks for staying true to who you are and not trying to diminish or change yourself. I love you."
Genre: Christian contemporary romance
Content: makeouts
Finley and Lorelei have a fairytale-like love story. Finley is unexpectedly the crown prince of Korsa and he needs a wife. He recalls a redhead that he met at his friend’s wedding and decides to start there. Rather than go on that date, Lucy sends her twin, Lorelei. This is an interesting choice because Lucy and Lorelei are not alike personality-wise.
Lorelei has high-functioning autism and she thrives on routines and familiarity. She hasn’t dated and is shocked when Finley makes up his mind that he wants to pursue her. And Y’ALL. He 👏🏻 pursues 👏🏻 her! Our guy Finley falls fast and hard. I love that he finds Lorelei’s idiosyncrasies and quirks so endearing. He is just so patient with her and as works out how much physical touch and stimulation she can handle.
It was fun to see their trip to Korsa and see Lorelei get protective of Finley. I’m so looking forward to diving into Lucy’s story…and the ARC is on my kindle right now! 🎉
Favorite Quotes:
📚 Lorelei's difficult to read, which scares people. But not me. She's going to become my favorite book. One that I read over and over.
😏"So this is how you made the female population fall in love with you." "Whatever do you mean?" She gestures towards me with an open palm. "Prince of Hearts." I place my hand over my heart and act appalled. "Me? No, no, baby girl. I am the Prince of one heart. Yours."
❤️ Being with Finley makes sense. He makes sense. He loves me for me. He believes in me. And he needs someone to believe in him. I do.
😍 “Love comes for you. And then it's up to you to choose it. Thanks for choosing a girl like me, Finley." "There's only one of you, Leilei. You are not a girl like you. You are you. The only one of you. Perfect. Lovely. Brilliant. Weird." I nudge her and she laughs. "But your weirdness is everything I've prayed for, so thanks for staying true to who you are and not trying to diminish or change yourself. I love you."
June 27, 2024
The Designated Twin
Fun fact: This book reminded me a little of Extraordinary Attorney Woo, not only because Woo Young Woo and Lorelei Raine Spence, the female main characters are both autistic lawyers but because they were both blessed to have vulnerable, intentional men as love interests - Finley Andersson and Lee Jong Ho.
Now, to my review. The Designated Twin is the third book in the Designated series, and it features a twin swap, so if you enjoyed movies like The Parent Trap or Princess Switch, you know TDT is a book that grabs your attention.
Lorelei goes on her first ever date, well, practice for her first date when her sister gets a black eye the day she's supposed to be on a date with the now crown prince of Korsa, the Prince of Hearts. Lorelei tries hard to pretend to be her sister, but her personality shines forth, making Prince Finley fall hard for Lorelei. Finley has the tough task of finding the love of his life and convincing her to marry him and become queen of Korsa in just three months. After his date with Lorelei, he is more than convinced that he's found the one and all that's left is to convince her to date him.
Lorelei and Finley's love story was sweet. I love how patient Finley was with Lorelei, easing her into new experiences and taking his time to love her the way she needed. His vulnerability was admirable. His sense of duty and love for his family too.
If you enjoy royal romances full of wit, sweet gestures, supportive sisters (this is me taking a moment to fangirl Lucy, one of the best fictional sisters I've ever met), strong female leads, beautiful friendships, emotional and open male leads and fast-paced romances, you'll enjoy The Designated Twin. The book had salient messages on faith weaved seamlessly into it, something you can always expect in a Drew Taylor book.
I'm really looking forward to The Designated Date.
Fun fact: This book reminded me a little of Extraordinary Attorney Woo, not only because Woo Young Woo and Lorelei Raine Spence, the female main characters are both autistic lawyers but because they were both blessed to have vulnerable, intentional men as love interests - Finley Andersson and Lee Jong Ho.
Now, to my review. The Designated Twin is the third book in the Designated series, and it features a twin swap, so if you enjoyed movies like The Parent Trap or Princess Switch, you know TDT is a book that grabs your attention.
Lorelei goes on her first ever date, well, practice for her first date when her sister gets a black eye the day she's supposed to be on a date with the now crown prince of Korsa, the Prince of Hearts. Lorelei tries hard to pretend to be her sister, but her personality shines forth, making Prince Finley fall hard for Lorelei. Finley has the tough task of finding the love of his life and convincing her to marry him and become queen of Korsa in just three months. After his date with Lorelei, he is more than convinced that he's found the one and all that's left is to convince her to date him.
Lorelei and Finley's love story was sweet. I love how patient Finley was with Lorelei, easing her into new experiences and taking his time to love her the way she needed. His vulnerability was admirable. His sense of duty and love for his family too.
If you enjoy royal romances full of wit, sweet gestures, supportive sisters (this is me taking a moment to fangirl Lucy, one of the best fictional sisters I've ever met), strong female leads, beautiful friendships, emotional and open male leads and fast-paced romances, you'll enjoy The Designated Twin. The book had salient messages on faith weaved seamlessly into it, something you can always expect in a Drew Taylor book.
I'm really looking forward to The Designated Date.
May 23, 2024
One of the things I love about reading fiction is the ability to understand other people who may be different from me. Getting to understand or be inside the head of a neurodivergent person was fascinating, and I think the author has done a beautiful job with it. Lorelei was incredible and I loved her honesty, loyalty, and true-to-herself character. I loved her support system in her family and friends (especially getting to see past ones, like Karoline and Mason, as well as Hadley and Braxton), which also made the introduction of Finley in her life all the more fun and intriguing.
She's the person who processes things slowly while he's got an overactive imagination (anxiety). She experiences sensory overload while his love language is physical touch. That all begs the question, how are they gonna work out? But they do. Oh, they do in the most beautiful swoon-worthy of ways. How he pursues, understands, and is patient with her had me in an emotional puddle with all the heart eyes. But it's not one-sided. The way she accepts and understands him, how she stands by, defends, supports, and encourages him, it was all perfect. Seriously, their story was the best, and I can't recommend it enough!! It has royalty, opposites attract, a slight mystery thanks to a certain stalker, swoony romance (those kisses were 😍🙌), humor, Christian characters (but it's not Christian Fiction), and a wonderful community, to name a few. Clear your schedules because you'll want to read it in one sitting! I can't wait for Lucy's story! ~ 5 stars!
For content warnings, read the first pages before the story starts.
She's the person who processes things slowly while he's got an overactive imagination (anxiety). She experiences sensory overload while his love language is physical touch. That all begs the question, how are they gonna work out? But they do. Oh, they do in the most beautiful swoon-worthy of ways. How he pursues, understands, and is patient with her had me in an emotional puddle with all the heart eyes. But it's not one-sided. The way she accepts and understands him, how she stands by, defends, supports, and encourages him, it was all perfect. Seriously, their story was the best, and I can't recommend it enough!! It has royalty, opposites attract, a slight mystery thanks to a certain stalker, swoony romance (those kisses were 😍🙌), humor, Christian characters (but it's not Christian Fiction), and a wonderful community, to name a few. Clear your schedules because you'll want to read it in one sitting! I can't wait for Lucy's story! ~ 5 stars!
For content warnings, read the first pages before the story starts.
August 17, 2024
Royal, fun, and flirty!
With all the heart and humour you can expect from a Drew Taylor novel, add the sparkle of royalty and the mishap of a twin switch and you’ve got a royal romp you won’t want to miss!
Let me quickly add that although there is a twin switch between Lorelei and Lucy there is no cheating. That’s something important to me in the face of another popular romcom recently that didn’t make that distinction. But I trust Drew as an author and friend and love how she handled it!
Lorelei and Finley are adorably matched. While I like my men less flirty, I felt a special kinship with Lorelei. Seeing them fall in love and how respectfully and patiently Finley treated her was beautiful. ALSO! The cameo appearances of the rest of the couples from the Designated series makes me so happy!
For all the girls how felt a little too seen in Harper Graham ( Falling for Your Best Friend by Emma St. Clair) and Ellen Little ( How to Fall in Love When You’re Weird by Camilla Evergreen), this one’s for us. 💛
*Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
With all the heart and humour you can expect from a Drew Taylor novel, add the sparkle of royalty and the mishap of a twin switch and you’ve got a royal romp you won’t want to miss!
Let me quickly add that although there is a twin switch between Lorelei and Lucy there is no cheating. That’s something important to me in the face of another popular romcom recently that didn’t make that distinction. But I trust Drew as an author and friend and love how she handled it!
Lorelei and Finley are adorably matched. While I like my men less flirty, I felt a special kinship with Lorelei. Seeing them fall in love and how respectfully and patiently Finley treated her was beautiful. ALSO! The cameo appearances of the rest of the couples from the Designated series makes me so happy!
For all the girls how felt a little too seen in Harper Graham ( Falling for Your Best Friend by Emma St. Clair) and Ellen Little ( How to Fall in Love When You’re Weird by Camilla Evergreen), this one’s for us. 💛
*Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
January 12, 2025
5 Stars.
👑 The vibes:
- Dual pov
- Prince looking for a wife
- Twin switch up
- Autism rep
- Christian themes
- Closed door
🐈 My thoughts:
Ok. This was so precious. I felt all the happy, love feelings during this entire book. It does have a bit of an instalove feeling for me as far as Finley is concerned. Two dates. One week. In love. HOWEVER. I think the situation of a prince looking for a wife does explain a quickly moving love match. Plus - Lorelei was NOT HAVING IT. The way that he fought to show love to Lorelei in a way that she could receive love was honestly the most romantic thing ever to me.
🐈 The autism rep felt very thoughtfully done. The cats were precious, and I LOVED THEM. The friend group was nice to see. The Christian characters didn’t actually feel cheesy to me, and I felt like those elements came organically which I loved.
🐈 This was Drew’s FINEST moment. I could just feel the emotion on every page. It was just perfection for me. I also really enjoyed seeing Lucy’s journal entries throughout. It was an interesting choice to put that in this book- but I feel like it PERFECTLY sets up the next book that I will be immediately diving into.
Note- closed door
👑 The vibes:
- Dual pov
- Prince looking for a wife
- Twin switch up
- Autism rep
- Christian themes
- Closed door
🐈 My thoughts:
Ok. This was so precious. I felt all the happy, love feelings during this entire book. It does have a bit of an instalove feeling for me as far as Finley is concerned. Two dates. One week. In love. HOWEVER. I think the situation of a prince looking for a wife does explain a quickly moving love match. Plus - Lorelei was NOT HAVING IT. The way that he fought to show love to Lorelei in a way that she could receive love was honestly the most romantic thing ever to me.
🐈 The autism rep felt very thoughtfully done. The cats were precious, and I LOVED THEM. The friend group was nice to see. The Christian characters didn’t actually feel cheesy to me, and I felt like those elements came organically which I loved.
🐈 This was Drew’s FINEST moment. I could just feel the emotion on every page. It was just perfection for me. I also really enjoyed seeing Lucy’s journal entries throughout. It was an interesting choice to put that in this book- but I feel like it PERFECTLY sets up the next book that I will be immediately diving into.
Note- closed door
June 23, 2024
The Designated Twin is a sweet clean romance with lots of faith and a fun mash up of tropes. It’s got the date switch, commoner dates prince, and intelligent/reserved meets flirty.
When Lorelei, who is on the spectrum and struggles with things like change and physical touch, goes out with the flirty Prince Finley (shh, she’s not supposed to know), who thinks he’s out with the flirty outspoken Lucy, sparks fly.
I enjoyed the way Finley and Lorelei complemented each other so they both grew in their confidence and faith. Both had insecurities and encouraged one another to be who God made them to be and use their gifts to accomplish the things God placed before them.
The way that Lorelei learned to accept love and loving touch (only sweet kisses and things like hand holding) was particularly moving because of her previous difficulties. Finley was caring, understanding, and had much more depth than Lorelei imagined, which made him a perfect match for her.
This swoony romance has a happily ever after and ended with a snippet of what’s to come with Lucy’s story. This is part of a series and can be read as a stand alone. I highly recommend it.
When Lorelei, who is on the spectrum and struggles with things like change and physical touch, goes out with the flirty Prince Finley (shh, she’s not supposed to know), who thinks he’s out with the flirty outspoken Lucy, sparks fly.
I enjoyed the way Finley and Lorelei complemented each other so they both grew in their confidence and faith. Both had insecurities and encouraged one another to be who God made them to be and use their gifts to accomplish the things God placed before them.
The way that Lorelei learned to accept love and loving touch (only sweet kisses and things like hand holding) was particularly moving because of her previous difficulties. Finley was caring, understanding, and had much more depth than Lorelei imagined, which made him a perfect match for her.
This swoony romance has a happily ever after and ended with a snippet of what’s to come with Lucy’s story. This is part of a series and can be read as a stand alone. I highly recommend it.
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