Almost by Design

by Jenny Erlingsson

Kenya Stewart is so close to getting her dream position at an event agency. When a scheduling blunder risks her promotion, she hopes an upcoming pitch will give her a second chance. But an accident at her cousin's wedding sends her to the emergency room in the care of another wedding guest, Solomon Anruchi, the handsome doctor who ghosted her after their first date.

Solomon's parents are eager for him to find a business-savvy wife and make the move to New York to take over a recent acquisition by their family's company. But he needs to buy more time to finish his residency and convince them that staying in Hope Springs is the best path for him. He realizes that Kenya is the perfect person to help, and Kenya needs his connections to land a high-profile client and save her career. Their solution? A fake dating relationship.

As attractions increase amid their ruse, secrets they've kept from each other and the weight of others' expectations begin to unravel their scheme. Will their carefully constructed plans crumble when the truth comes out?

Jenny Erlingsson's charming new contemporary romance is brimming with heart, humor, and characters that leap off the page.

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

Jenny Erlingsson is an Alabama born author and speaker of Nigerian descent, who has been an avid writer and reader since her childhood. She writes to encourage deeply rooted Christ-centered Identity, Intimacy and Influence in every age, stage, and season. When she’s not running after her kids or ministering alongside her husband in both Alabama and Iceland,, she can be found writing deeply-rooted novels and non-fiction, and encouraging others with a bit of Icelandic chocolate on the side. Learn more at jennyerlingsson.com.

Reviews

[Style and Savings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Revell Fiction for the gifted copy.

Kenya, an Event Coordinator for Rose-Hued Event Management in Hope Springs, Alabama is working hard to be promoted to Creative Director. She injures her ankle on the dance floor at her cousin’s wedding and to her dismay is attended to by a guy who ghosted her after their first date!
Solomon, is working to become a doctor of physical therapy and avoiding his parents’ insistence that he go to New York to join the family’s couture fashion business. He convinces them he has a girlfriend to stay in Hope Springs for, as they are also eager for him to find a wife.
Kenya agrees to pretend they are dating in exchange for an introduction to a potential sponsor for a major upcoming event. During the course of their fake relationship, real feelings develop.

I liked that Solomon was humble and kind despite his family being wealthy. My favorite character was Ms. Althea because she was warm, wise and understanding.

I wish that Kenya had been more open with Solomon about her challenges and that she had made a different choice when presented with a new career opportunity.

I appreciated that Kenya, the female main character, is neurodivergent. The author took care to include the challenges a person with dyslexia must work through each day and the available tools to assist with this condition in a way that will make readers empathetic.

I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate Christian romance in a small town setting featuring the fake dating trope.

[Ann | This Quiet Heart Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Revell and Jenny Erlingsson for the gifted copy of this book!

What a unique and interesting book! I haven’t had the opportunity to read a book with a character who has the gift of Dyslexia, so this book brought an interesting perspective, I hadn’t run into yet. I enjoyed this book and the way that Jenny worked Spiritual truth and encouragement into the story along the way. The banter was amazing and had me giggling and laughing throughout.

Kenya’s character brought so much joy and laughter wherever she went. I wish I had the ability to connect with others the way that she had! I loved the way that she was always open and trying to make the best of the situation she was in. I also related to her desire to work her way to wherever she wanted to go. Her journey with realizing she is worthy because she is a child of God, is something I have/always am going through.

There were a couple of moments when I felt lost like I was missing information and struggled to understand how a scene came to be, but for the most part I really enjoyed this book! I am definitely going to have to go back and read Adanne and John’s story now! Looking forward to what comes next from Jenny as well!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content Guide:
Language: No Language
Spice: Level 1: Kissing Only
CC: Controlling Parents

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book!! Kenya is a motivated woman, who knows what she wants and works to get it. Too bad her dyslexia gets in her way, until she meets someone who tells her it's actually a gift. Solomon knows what he's expected to do, and knows that he doesn't want that for his life. What he wants is to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and his goal is in reach, if he can past his test. Solomon met Kenya and was captivated, and managed to ask her on a date. Kenya thought he'd call her for a second date, she even reached out, but then he ghosted her. Now, thanks to an accident at her cousin's wedding, Solomon and Kenya are thrown together again. The more time they spend together, the more they fall for each other. However, Kenya hasn't told Solomon about her dyslexia, and Solomon's secrets are even more troublesome. When things come out in a very public setting, will these two be able to work things out, or will their secrets kill their second chance at happiness?? Oh, my, I could relate to both Kenya and Solomon, though more to Kenya, and wanted to cry at few times with her and for her. I can't imagine not being able to read, for whatever reason, and felt for her through the whole book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Daniellehullreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost by Design by Jenny Erlingsson is a wonderful contemporary romance with strong family relationships, healthy friendships, humor, dyslexia rep and faith.

The main characters are in their 30s, and I appreciated the maturity that came with that.
They both seemed surprised that they were falling in love, instead of them having so much angst and denying it. That was refreshing for me. There's an "auntie" who spoke wisdom from God into their lives.

I got teary at the tenderness of the romance. I just love seeing a faith-based romance with good communication. That's swoony.

I have enjoyed both contemporary romance novels I have read by Jenny Erlingsson and highly recommend them!

Fav quotes:

"We all receive gifts. They come in so many different shapes and sizes. The fit of yours is a mind that processes information differently. Because God knows exactly who you are and what he would have you be. And God wanted that exact expression of you on this earth."

"Your gift is for for whatever journey he has for you to take. So don't you dare take it for granted..... And don't you fail to glorify God with it."

"But why would you do that for me?"
"You know why."

I received an early copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

[Christine Barth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review by librarian Christine Barth was first published in the May 2025 issue of Library Journal.

Kenya Stewart is laser-focused on a promotion at work. Though she is skilled at hiding her dyslexia behind an effervescent mask and thousands of phone reminders, one misstep on the dance floor at a high-profile wedding derails her carefully laid career plans.
With her self-worth tied up in corporate success, forced time off work and sitting still is akin to torture, and she fears everyone will discover her learning disability.
As she rehabs her injured ankle, Solomon Anruchi, a physical therapist in training, makes her a deal. Pretending to be Solomon's date will give Kenya much-needed business connections, but it may cost her pride--and her heart. Also, Solomon is not being completely upfront about his Nigerian immigrant family's worldwide success and his own future with the company.
VERDICT: Erlingsson (Her Part to Play) returns to rural Alabama with a multicultural cast of characters and a heart for pairing humor with real-life dilemmas. This is an enjoyable and relatable rom-com for fans of Toni Shiloh's "Love in the Spotlight" and Sherryl Wood's "Sweet Magnolias" series.

[Scott County Library System · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review by librarian Christine Barth was first published in the May 2025 issue of Library Journal.

Kenya Stewart is laser-focused on a promotion at work. Though she is skilled at hiding her dyslexia behind an effervescent mask and thousands of phone reminders, one misstep on the dance floor at a high-profile wedding derails her carefully laid career plans.
With her self-worth tied up in corporate success, forced time off work and sitting still is akin to torture, and she fears everyone will discover her learning disability.
As she rehabs her injured ankle, Solomon Anruchi, a physical therapist in training, makes her a deal. Pretending to be Solomon's date will give Kenya much-needed business connections, but it may cost her pride--and her heart. Also, Solomon is not being completely upfront about his Nigerian immigrant family's worldwide success and his own future with the company.
VERDICT: Erlingsson (Her Part to Play) returns to rural Alabama with a multicultural cast of characters and a heart for pairing humor with real-life dilemmas. This is an enjoyable and relatable rom-com for fans of Toni Shiloh's "Love in the Spotlight" and Sherryl Wood's "Sweet Magnolias" series.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It doesn't matter how many fake dating romances I read, I always seem to enjoy them. Every. Single. Time. And this one was no exception. Kenya and Solomon drew me in pretty quickly. They'd been on one date, but when they reconnect and he asks her to fake date to get his parents off his back to find a wife, she agrees... an agreement that can help her make a needed business connection as well. Their fake dating scheme had plenty of drama to keep me entertained. Could much of this drama been avoided if they'd talked about things a little more? Perhaps. But it was all entertaining, nonetheless. I thought Kenya's struggles with dyslexia added another great layer to the story as well. If you enjoy Christian romance and fake dating (and a bit of a second chance too), this is one to check out.

Almost by Design is a Christian romance with kisses only and no language.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Terri Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

With delicious tropes like a botched promotion, an awkward reunion, and fake dating, ALMOST BY DESIGN easily drew me in. Jenny Erlingsson beautifully blends Southern charm with rich Nigerian culture through an elegant, engaging narrative.

THE STORY: Kenya Stewart’s dream promotion is slipping away when she unexpectedly reconnects with Solomon Anruchi, the handsome doctor who ghosted her after their first date. To save both their futures, they agree to a fake-dating arrangement—but growing feelings and hidden secrets threaten to unravel everything.

5 STARS because I love stories with a meaningful takeaway. Beyond the dyslexia thread, Erlingsson skillfully explores the idea of finding the gift within the challenge—without offering simplistic answers. I look forward to her next book.

I received an ARC from Revell through #NetGalley for my honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Christian romantic drama that is not only interesting, emotionally intense, and wrought with action but one that has many faith filled takeaways and perhaps a different, more enlightened view of Spirit. It deals gracefully being the issues of dyslexia and family expectations. Well written, and gift worthy. 100 percent recommend.

[Anne Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kenya Stewart messes up her diary and misses a crucially important meeting, putting her work promotion in serious jeapardy. And shortly afterwards she has an accident which puts her in the emergency room, and out of her office for some time.

Solomon Anruchi is training to be a physical therapist, but his parents see this as a 'phase' before he commits to the family business. Thinking that having a girlfriend will ease his family's pressure on him, Solomon suggests to Kenya that they fake a relationship. And this is where things hit the first snag, for me. At this point, I cannot see ANY reason why Kenya would even entertain the idea. It's not until later on that she discovers that Solomon's family have links which could help her in her business aspirations. Anyway, they begin their 'relationship', which is very quickly trickier than planned because Solomon, who previously ghosted Kenya after a single 'real' date (see earlier comment ref not understanding why she would think fake dating a good idea) has strong feelings for her and she for him. But because neither of them talk, life gets messy pretty quickly.

I found this hard going often. It didn't help that I disliked Solomon's family pretty much from the off, especially his parents. I also find Kenya, in her 30s, still referring to her father as 'Daddy' a bit odd (though this story is set in the southern US where I gather it's more common useage), and I strongly dislike people who excuse outright rudeness by casually saying 'she knows that's how I roll', never mind those who ask a very newly married couple when they will have babies. A question which to my mind is no-one else's business at any point, ever.

That said, it's a well-written story. The library scene is especially well-done, entertaining and clever, although I can't understand why Kenya didn't tell Solomon about her dyslexia afterwards. She's clearly a woman who has achieved a lot, and doing it with dyslexia is even more impressive, given her career. She could easily have told him, but then we wouldn't have had the dramatic wedding situation! On the other hand, Solomon not saying a BIT more about the substance of his family's business is also nuts, considering his worries when Kenya goes to meet his mother. And it would have avoided the entirely unnecessarily awkward - and slightly offensive - conversation they had as a result.

But the bottom line is that I didn't really find myself cheering for any of the characters. Reading, especially fiction, is very subjective, so I'm sure others will really enjoy this one. I could be accused of reading with a cultural bias, but I read lots of novels which are set in different cultures to mine and I enjoy most of them. I actually really enjoyed the author's previous book in this series, Her Part to Play, so I am hoping that for me this is a blip in the series, and I'll certainly still be reading the next.

I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.