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Love By Design
Life has a funny way of revealing harsh truths. Cassie Carl believes she has it all. On the cusp of achieving her professional goals and soon to marry the man of her dreams—the handsome, kind and loving Stefan Van Allen—it seems she's found the life every woman dreams of. What else could a girl want? Peyton Kingston is a beautiful, talented interior designer on the rise, whose sole focus is building her business. She loves what she does and has little time or patience for relationships. She's happy with her life. What else could a girl need? When Cassie’s wealthy fiancé brings Peyton in to do a renovation on their home before the big engagement party, sparks fly, leaving both Cassie and Peyton to question everything they thought they already had. What happens when the thin veil of perfection becomes riddled with holes? S.W. Andersen’s modern day romance takes you on a journey of self-discovery for two women who thought they had it all.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2016
100 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
S.W. Andersen
11 books100 followersS.W.'s latest, "A Call To Justice," is the third book in the Sarah Sawyer gunslinger series.
From old west gunslingers to a love that transcends time and space, S.W. Andersen offers a variety of romantic adventures, including the best selling lesbian romances, "Love By Design," and "Switchback."
Having been raised by her mother, a strong female character in her own right, she has always been attracted to stories that depicted independent, determined, capable women. A romantic at heart, her characters are rooted in hope and perseverance.
She has spent a large part of her life around horses and rodeos and has always had an affinity for the cowgirl lifestyle. Her love of the mountains, westerns and stories involving strong female characters were the driving forces behind the Sarah Sawyer series.
From old west gunslingers to a love that transcends time and space, S.W. Andersen offers a variety of romantic adventures, including the best selling lesbian romances, "Love By Design," and "Switchback."
Having been raised by her mother, a strong female character in her own right, she has always been attracted to stories that depicted independent, determined, capable women. A romantic at heart, her characters are rooted in hope and perseverance.
She has spent a large part of her life around horses and rodeos and has always had an affinity for the cowgirl lifestyle. Her love of the mountains, westerns and stories involving strong female characters were the driving forces behind the Sarah Sawyer series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 23, 2018
An incredibly well written story that had some spicy,steamy chemistry between both leading characters who also had the support of a few well developed secondary cast...great storytelling and i do recommend to everyone!
April 13, 2020
I rarely ever like insta love but this one I loved. Whenever Cassie and Peyton were in close proximity a energy crackled between them. Cassie almost kissed Peyton on the first meeting. Normally the sudden attraction and lack of control would be driving me crazy but the author managed to make their immediate connection believable. I am really surprised by the crazy fireworks those two always had going.
Since the start the book was full of angst because Cassie thought she loved both Stefan and Peyton. But thankfully no stupid decisions or miscommunications which made me love both Cassie and Peyton. Towards the end the mushy stuff was maybe a little too much for me but after so much angst it made sense. The side characters mainly their BFFs were very likable. Also it was refreshing to see that Van Allen family and especially Stefan wasn't made villain. Overall it was a adorable read which even though was full of light angst, left me smiling.
Since the start the book was full of angst because Cassie thought she loved both Stefan and Peyton. But thankfully no stupid decisions or miscommunications which made me love both Cassie and Peyton. Towards the end the mushy stuff was maybe a little too much for me but after so much angst it made sense. The side characters mainly their BFFs were very likable. Also it was refreshing to see that Van Allen family and especially Stefan wasn't made villain. Overall it was a adorable read which even though was full of light angst, left me smiling.
July 12, 2017
“Love By Design” features yet another woman, on the brink of being married to a man, who is attracted at the last minute to a lesbian! Is this more of a “thing” than I knew? Perhaps the Catholics need to add a section to their pre-Cana conferences, or their FOCCUS marriage quiz, asking whether the woman would prefer sex with other women!
All kidding aside, this is a very enjoyable book about very likable people. MC Cassie loves her fiancé, but not the life she will lead as his wife. MC Peyton loves her work, but has never clicked on a personal level with anyone…until she meets Cassie.
Their mutual attraction, passion and efforts to walk away from each other make for a wonderful story.
The book is relatively lighthearted, and as perfect as the MCs are, their many friends are also perfect. Cute, loyal, understanding, sexy….just wow.
The book uses two narrators, and switches between Cassie’s and Peyton’s POV. It works pretty well, and I’m glad that attention is paid to both MCs, which is often rare in lesfic, but while both narrators were ok, I didn’t quite love their voices for either character….YMMV.
Of the two MCs, Cassie’s journey is the more difficult (she’s the one engaged to a man). I liked that her journey was sweet, and not filled with angst. The reactions of her fiancé and his family were perhaps just slightly unrealistic, but hey, it’s a fun lesfic novel so I’m not complaining.
The topics are serious (what makes you happy?, what is the right balance between work and family?, what if your love-interest is attracted to someone else?, what if your love interest has different goals for the future than do you?), but the treatment is light, sweet and enjoyable. The interactions of friends Val, Gina, Charli and Francesca are delightful. “Love By Design” addresses passion (for a person, for work, and for life) but downplays sex. It is regarded as unremarkable that two of the women switch interest from man to woman and vice versa, and that lesbians flirt with straight women. There’s lots of kissing, very well written kissing scenes!, a fair amount of fade-to-black action, and only one explicit scene of lesbians - though by many book scenes, it really is rather tame - though enjoyable!
I rate “Love By Design” as 4.5* - rounded up to 5* because it made me smile and I’ll listen to it again! Plus, I’m in an extra good mood because this is my 100th book review for 2017, and it’s only mid-July! Thanks so much to my GR friends for helping me uncover so many books and authors I may never have found on my own!!!
All kidding aside, this is a very enjoyable book about very likable people. MC Cassie loves her fiancé, but not the life she will lead as his wife. MC Peyton loves her work, but has never clicked on a personal level with anyone…until she meets Cassie.
A switch had been flipped inside of me, one that had never been turned on before. From the first moment I had laid eyes on her, energy crackled between us.
Their mutual attraction, passion and efforts to walk away from each other make for a wonderful story.
The book is relatively lighthearted, and as perfect as the MCs are, their many friends are also perfect. Cute, loyal, understanding, sexy….just wow.
The book uses two narrators, and switches between Cassie’s and Peyton’s POV. It works pretty well, and I’m glad that attention is paid to both MCs, which is often rare in lesfic, but while both narrators were ok, I didn’t quite love their voices for either character….YMMV.
Of the two MCs, Cassie’s journey is the more difficult (she’s the one engaged to a man). I liked that her journey was sweet, and not filled with angst. The reactions of her fiancé and his family were perhaps just slightly unrealistic, but hey, it’s a fun lesfic novel so I’m not complaining.
The topics are serious (what makes you happy?, what is the right balance between work and family?, what if your love-interest is attracted to someone else?, what if your love interest has different goals for the future than do you?), but the treatment is light, sweet and enjoyable. The interactions of friends Val, Gina, Charli and Francesca are delightful. “Love By Design” addresses passion (for a person, for work, and for life) but downplays sex. It is regarded as unremarkable that two of the women switch interest from man to woman and vice versa, and that lesbians flirt with straight women. There’s lots of kissing, very well written kissing scenes!, a fair amount of fade-to-black action, and only one explicit scene of lesbians - though by many book scenes, it really is rather tame - though enjoyable!
I rate “Love By Design” as 4.5* - rounded up to 5* because it made me smile and I’ll listen to it again! Plus, I’m in an extra good mood because this is my 100th book review for 2017, and it’s only mid-July! Thanks so much to my GR friends for helping me uncover so many books and authors I may never have found on my own!!!
July 21, 2017
I have some mixed feelings on this one...
Is it well-written? Yes. Every scene was written well. The balance of dialogue, description, editing, etc was pretty much perfect. Even the side characters were given some personality that added to the narrative.
As a full story arc, though? Eh, I had a harder time. The story alternates between the POVs of Cassie, the woman that's engaged, and Peyton, the designer making changes to the betrothed's home. The first 30% of the book has the two leads lust for each other on sight, having obsessive thoughts, and doing everything they can to fight their urges.
From 30% - 75%, it's them spending time away from each other trying to move on with their lives because they know that giving in is just wrong. So, basically, we have a romance where the intended couple actually doesn't get together until 75% of the way into the book and they've yet to even know anything about each other. The other players in the book are all actually good people, even the fiance, and the overall effect made me like Cassie less and less as the book went along because she came across as entitled and selfish.
The author did spend the last 25% of the book with the two leads getting to know each other and mercifully didn't give us instalove. Instalust, yes, but the love comes later...so we do get a happily ever after romance here.
And then, some things were just too pat. Even the people that should cause some strife and be fully entitled to anger and grievance give a free pass to Cassie. I would've liked the story more if there was some actual fallout.
If you want to focus on a story that pits two circumstances against each other, one where everything is supposedly exactly right in the relationship minus *some* chemistry vs super-nova chemistry with an unknown possibility and questioning which one is right, then this is for you. Or, if you want angst galore, you got it.
Again, the writing is good here. Just the things I mentioned above held it back for me. 3.5 stars.
Is it well-written? Yes. Every scene was written well. The balance of dialogue, description, editing, etc was pretty much perfect. Even the side characters were given some personality that added to the narrative.
As a full story arc, though? Eh, I had a harder time. The story alternates between the POVs of Cassie, the woman that's engaged, and Peyton, the designer making changes to the betrothed's home. The first 30% of the book has the two leads lust for each other on sight, having obsessive thoughts, and doing everything they can to fight their urges.
From 30% - 75%, it's them spending time away from each other trying to move on with their lives because they know that giving in is just wrong. So, basically, we have a romance where the intended couple actually doesn't get together until 75% of the way into the book and they've yet to even know anything about each other. The other players in the book are all actually good people, even the fiance, and the overall effect made me like Cassie less and less as the book went along because she came across as entitled and selfish.
The author did spend the last 25% of the book with the two leads getting to know each other and mercifully didn't give us instalove. Instalust, yes, but the love comes later...so we do get a happily ever after romance here.
And then, some things were just too pat. Even the people that should cause some strife and be fully entitled to anger and grievance give a free pass to Cassie. I would've liked the story more if there was some actual fallout.
If you want to focus on a story that pits two circumstances against each other, one where everything is supposedly exactly right in the relationship minus *some* chemistry vs super-nova chemistry with an unknown possibility and questioning which one is right, then this is for you. Or, if you want angst galore, you got it.
Again, the writing is good here. Just the things I mentioned above held it back for me. 3.5 stars.
March 5, 2017
So sweet you'll get a cavity
I really enjoyed this book and S.W. Andersen's writing style. This read is very straight forward with little angst, very understand people, blunt best friends, and a whole lot of sweetness. Told from the the views of Payton and Cassie, everything is covered and you get a complete range of emotions and feel for the characters. It's the perfect book to read if you're looking for something to make you happy and smile.
I really enjoyed this book and S.W. Andersen's writing style. This read is very straight forward with little angst, very understand people, blunt best friends, and a whole lot of sweetness. Told from the the views of Payton and Cassie, everything is covered and you get a complete range of emotions and feel for the characters. It's the perfect book to read if you're looking for something to make you happy and smile.
September 27, 2017
3.5 Stars for the Audiobook.
A nice, pleasant, well written romance. It is written in 2 POVs of the MCs, basically alternating chapters. Cassie Carl is the fiance to the wealthy Stefan Van Allen, "of the Van Allens family". Cassie runs the local Neiman Marcus store and is eyeing a district manager position. Peyton Kingston, co-owns an interior design business and is the interior designer that Stefan hires to redo his mansion before the engagement party. So the audiobook is narrated by two narrators - Alexandra Shawnee (Peyton) and Gabra Zackman (Cassie). Gabra has that deep sexy voice I love, while Shawnee's voice is a bit harsh and not my favorite, but overall it is well done.
Cassie and Peyton meet when Peyton goes to check out and bid on Stefan's Mansion. It is insta-lust when Cassie and Peyton meet. They spend much of the book trying to figure out what to do (if anything). Cassie doesn't want to hurt Stefan not to mention the fast approaching nuptials. Peyton doesn't want to be the cause of the breakup, considering they really don't know each other that well not to mention the loss of business she may suffer from the wealthy clients Stefan's recommendations are bringing to her small company.
The middle of the book is Cassie and Peyton figuring out what they want in life. Does Cassie want to be the wife with all the duties that come from being a Van Alan spouse and probably give up on her ambitions? Peyton starts dating a very nice woman, but can she be happy?
I kept waiting for more fallout, any fallout. Consequences. Something. Yes, even angst. There really isn't a bad guy. Though, you could make the case that both Cassie and Peyton cause some hurt. The last third or so of the book is of Cassie and Peyton finally getting together and getting to know each other. Is that a spoiler? Nah, its a romance with HEA for *everyone*.
So, I learned something listening to this book. I always thought I preferred non-angsty, non-confrontational books. While I do believe I still lean that way, I found I out I do like to have some conflict. Some bad guy to boo. Even one character you thought would be a total Bit*h, turned out that I agreed with her position (not that she was all that likable, but she was right).
Would I recommend this book? Sure. It is well written and I didn't mention, the side characters are well done, especially the MC's Besties, Val and Gina. Everyone needs Besties like these two.
A nice, pleasant, well written romance. It is written in 2 POVs of the MCs, basically alternating chapters. Cassie Carl is the fiance to the wealthy Stefan Van Allen, "of the Van Allens family". Cassie runs the local Neiman Marcus store and is eyeing a district manager position. Peyton Kingston, co-owns an interior design business and is the interior designer that Stefan hires to redo his mansion before the engagement party. So the audiobook is narrated by two narrators - Alexandra Shawnee (Peyton) and Gabra Zackman (Cassie). Gabra has that deep sexy voice I love, while Shawnee's voice is a bit harsh and not my favorite, but overall it is well done.
Cassie and Peyton meet when Peyton goes to check out and bid on Stefan's Mansion. It is insta-lust when Cassie and Peyton meet. They spend much of the book trying to figure out what to do (if anything). Cassie doesn't want to hurt Stefan not to mention the fast approaching nuptials. Peyton doesn't want to be the cause of the breakup, considering they really don't know each other that well not to mention the loss of business she may suffer from the wealthy clients Stefan's recommendations are bringing to her small company.
The middle of the book is Cassie and Peyton figuring out what they want in life. Does Cassie want to be the wife with all the duties that come from being a Van Alan spouse and probably give up on her ambitions? Peyton starts dating a very nice woman, but can she be happy?
I kept waiting for more fallout, any fallout. Consequences. Something. Yes, even angst. There really isn't a bad guy. Though, you could make the case that both Cassie and Peyton cause some hurt. The last third or so of the book is of Cassie and Peyton finally getting together and getting to know each other. Is that a spoiler? Nah, its a romance with HEA for *everyone*.
So, I learned something listening to this book. I always thought I preferred non-angsty, non-confrontational books. While I do believe I still lean that way, I found I out I do like to have some conflict. Some bad guy to boo. Even one character you thought would be a total Bit*h, turned out that I agreed with her position (not that she was all that likable, but she was right).
Would I recommend this book? Sure. It is well written and I didn't mention, the side characters are well done, especially the MC's Besties, Val and Gina. Everyone needs Besties like these two.
November 12, 2017
2 stars. It's just too god damn sweet and cheesy as well as superficial and everyone in this book have massive communication issues.
Their attraction is nothing but infatuation of sexual nature, it's one-dimensional and unfortunately it stays that way for most of the book. Furthermore the relationship issues explored are pretty standard, I didn't read anything new in this book that hasn't been written about countless times before.
And I'm not a fan of endings where everyone pairs up happily and are good friends with no one left behind even though they had major conflicts throughout the book. Also not one but two time skips at the end! Why?
Technically I had no issues with this book, the writing flows well, the dialogue is alright. But it lacks a good editor - the book is too long, in places writing gets repetitive and it was a chore to finish it.
Overall a passable but forgettable read that's too long for what it delivers.
Their attraction is nothing but infatuation of sexual nature, it's one-dimensional and unfortunately it stays that way for most of the book. Furthermore the relationship issues explored are pretty standard, I didn't read anything new in this book that hasn't been written about countless times before.
And I'm not a fan of endings where everyone pairs up happily and are good friends with no one left behind even though they had major conflicts throughout the book. Also not one but two time skips at the end! Why?
Technically I had no issues with this book, the writing flows well, the dialogue is alright. But it lacks a good editor - the book is too long, in places writing gets repetitive and it was a chore to finish it.
Overall a passable but forgettable read that's too long for what it delivers.
September 20, 2018
My first read by Ms.Andersen, got it for a dollar through the mega sale the other day. Up to the 8O% of the story kept me on my toes and my heart beating rather fast. Yes, the story was insta but kudos to Ms.Andersen for spinning it gorgeously as a spider spinning its web. I was transfixed, I couldn't move away from Vader Jr, I wanted to cancel my dinner date with my friends especially when they told me that I couldn't bring him along. I was there, at the restaurant with my besties, I couldn't remember what I ordered, what I ate and what my friends were chatting about, my mind was at home wondering what the heck was going to happen at the next page. I came back to reality when the waiter gave me the bill and my friends smirking away as they graciously informed me that since I was a million miles away, I get to pay for dinner.
I came home, promised myself on the way home that I will not be picking up Vader Jr as soon as I reached home until I showered and all. Kids were away to my in laws, partner in crime was away too so I was able to immerse myself into the story once again. Then I reached to the 8O%, began speed reading, finished the book and slept.
A solid 4 stars. This book is available on KU.
I came home, promised myself on the way home that I will not be picking up Vader Jr as soon as I reached home until I showered and all. Kids were away to my in laws, partner in crime was away too so I was able to immerse myself into the story once again. Then I reached to the 8O%, began speed reading, finished the book and slept.
A solid 4 stars. This book is available on KU.
April 8, 2017
Absolutely WOW!
Repressing feelings is practically impossible and brings you only pain, sadness and frustrations. To give in is playing with fire. A close working relationship develops into a burning hot desire. The chemistry is explosive. It is a roller coaster of emotions and intense sexual tension. I loved the interaction between the main characters and their friends. The dialogues between Cassie, Peyton and their besties, bring so much fun to this book. I have enjoyed it immensely. This is an excellent romantic must read. I couldn't read fast enough. I wanted so badly to know if and when they could finally be together. And let me tell you, it was definitely worth the wait. This book I can highly recommend it to everybody.
Repressing feelings is practically impossible and brings you only pain, sadness and frustrations. To give in is playing with fire. A close working relationship develops into a burning hot desire. The chemistry is explosive. It is a roller coaster of emotions and intense sexual tension. I loved the interaction between the main characters and their friends. The dialogues between Cassie, Peyton and their besties, bring so much fun to this book. I have enjoyed it immensely. This is an excellent romantic must read. I couldn't read fast enough. I wanted so badly to know if and when they could finally be together. And let me tell you, it was definitely worth the wait. This book I can highly recommend it to everybody.
October 22, 2016
I have a huge weakness for those "when I saw her, I felt like I got struck by a lightning bolt" romances, so I won't even try to analyze it... I loved the chemistry between Peyton and Cassie, and even though the book wasn't perfect, this was enough for me.
May 18, 2018
For several reasons, this was a difficult book for me to read. The main one was the fact that at about 29% into the book, and no no need to use a spoiler alert, I ended up receiving access to two advance reader copies of books I really wanted to read. There wasn’t anything inherently bad or unreadable about this book up to that point, but, I found myself in the unfortunate situation of wanting to read something else while not having a good excuse to dump the book I was reading. This situation, oddly enough, ties into the book.
Oddly enough, has a somewhat (completely unrelated nonsimilar) similar situation develop. In that one of the main characters was in love with a particular character when the book began – to the point that she was in the process of marrying them. That’d be Cassie Carl. My this isn’t at all similar yet, eh? Then she finds she has access to two books . . wait, no, she meets the interior designer, Peyton Kingston, her future husband had hired to add a window to a part of the house (I thought you hired interior designers to do things like redesign a particular room, to make the furniture, walls, carpet, etc. ‘look good’, and hired an architect or, more likely, a contractor to put in a window, but whatever).
Cassie repeatedly, and I mean repeatedly, tells herself that she loves whatshisname, in fact she’d marry him in a heartbeat, the problem she has with him isn’t him, but his family – both the individuals in question (the mother seems to hate Cassie), and the position in society they hold which come with massive responsibilities (they be rich society types – the kind where women don’t work, unless it is charity and/or volunteer work – which really annoys Cassie since she’s worked her way up from garbage to be a department store manager). This, at least, is what she thinks before she meets Peyton for the first time. And afterwards. There’s just an added twist. The part where she’s deeply impacted by the mere presence of Peyton in a room – not that she’s ever been one of those, you know, lesbians – to the point of wanting to pounce her, rip her clothing off, and bang her for the next 90 years.
Meanwhile, in Peyton’s corner, we find . . . the exact same reaction. Except Peyton is not, at that point, ‘seeing anyone’. Oh, and is a lesbian, so finding another woman attractive isn’t a shock to the system. Later she, Peyton, finds someone to ‘see’ – Charyl (sp?) who runs a restaurant, is opening another, and lusts after Peyton (has for years).
There’s a weird mix of side characters that I cannot always remember how they fit in. Since they seem to float around amongst the main characters (especially Francesca), without ever being mentioned (it seems) by the main characters to each other.
Right, so, I was liking this book, not loving, but liking this book, two arcs became available to me, both of which I lusted at more than this book and . . . well, it’s a stretch. I had this thought. It isn’t working well. The part where Cassie is perfectly happy with ‘rich boyfriend dude whose name I can’t remember’, even loves him (she mentions this numerous times) – except for his connection to his family, as in they exist – until she becomes aware of someone else even more humpable. And . . . stuff.
Hmms. Good enough book. Took me longer than normal to read (shesh, three days to read this book?).
Rating: 3.33
May 17 2018
Oddly enough, has a somewhat (completely unrelated nonsimilar) similar situation develop. In that one of the main characters was in love with a particular character when the book began – to the point that she was in the process of marrying them. That’d be Cassie Carl. My this isn’t at all similar yet, eh? Then she finds she has access to two books . . wait, no, she meets the interior designer, Peyton Kingston, her future husband had hired to add a window to a part of the house (I thought you hired interior designers to do things like redesign a particular room, to make the furniture, walls, carpet, etc. ‘look good’, and hired an architect or, more likely, a contractor to put in a window, but whatever).
Cassie repeatedly, and I mean repeatedly, tells herself that she loves whatshisname, in fact she’d marry him in a heartbeat, the problem she has with him isn’t him, but his family – both the individuals in question (the mother seems to hate Cassie), and the position in society they hold which come with massive responsibilities (they be rich society types – the kind where women don’t work, unless it is charity and/or volunteer work – which really annoys Cassie since she’s worked her way up from garbage to be a department store manager). This, at least, is what she thinks before she meets Peyton for the first time. And afterwards. There’s just an added twist. The part where she’s deeply impacted by the mere presence of Peyton in a room – not that she’s ever been one of those, you know, lesbians – to the point of wanting to pounce her, rip her clothing off, and bang her for the next 90 years.
Meanwhile, in Peyton’s corner, we find . . . the exact same reaction. Except Peyton is not, at that point, ‘seeing anyone’. Oh, and is a lesbian, so finding another woman attractive isn’t a shock to the system. Later she, Peyton, finds someone to ‘see’ – Charyl (sp?) who runs a restaurant, is opening another, and lusts after Peyton (has for years).
There’s a weird mix of side characters that I cannot always remember how they fit in. Since they seem to float around amongst the main characters (especially Francesca), without ever being mentioned (it seems) by the main characters to each other.
Right, so, I was liking this book, not loving, but liking this book, two arcs became available to me, both of which I lusted at more than this book and . . . well, it’s a stretch. I had this thought. It isn’t working well. The part where Cassie is perfectly happy with ‘rich boyfriend dude whose name I can’t remember’, even loves him (she mentions this numerous times) – except for his connection to his family, as in they exist – until she becomes aware of someone else even more humpable. And . . . stuff.
Hmms. Good enough book. Took me longer than normal to read (shesh, three days to read this book?).
Rating: 3.33
May 17 2018
February 1, 2017
This book starts with a bang and its a roller coaster from that point forward. It just seems there is no way things could happen well for these two. Fortunately, the author is quite good at working things out. A romantic love story with excellent primary and secondary characters.
May 30, 2022
Almost stopped listening when the second narrator came on but managed to tolerate and then it was ok. I still don’t quite understand the benefit of two narrators. Feel there are more things that can go wrong and 4 voices to cope with with just the mains.
The story frustrated me a bit but then the resolution was very mature and simply made sense. No craziness or outrageousness, which I ended up appreciating and turned the book around for me.
The story frustrated me a bit but then the resolution was very mature and simply made sense. No craziness or outrageousness, which I ended up appreciating and turned the book around for me.
June 19, 2020
5-
I love the chemistry between Cassie and Payton. I didn't even mind the switching between POV. Beautiful love story...loved it. Thanks Kara for your review...you talked me into it.
I love the chemistry between Cassie and Payton. I didn't even mind the switching between POV. Beautiful love story...loved it. Thanks Kara for your review...you talked me into it.
November 26, 2017
Love by design
A very sweet romance that was a light and easy read with a bit of light angst thrown into the mix.
A very sweet romance that was a light and easy read with a bit of light angst thrown into the mix.
June 5, 2018
Interesting and engaging read for me. Loved the main characters and the storyline. My heart ached for both Cassie and Peyton while reading the book. Ending was just nice and not too rush or short.
October 6, 2018
Good book. Definitely recommend if you need a reminder that true love exist and finds you even if you think you've found it!
July 28, 2023
3,5/5
I've read this one last year ,so I'm not really sure what my exact thoughts were about it
I've read this one last year ,so I'm not really sure what my exact thoughts were about it
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September 7, 2016Oh, the "feels"!
Oh, the "feels"! Love By Design is a beautifully written love story. If you haven't read S. W Andersen's books yet, you will fall in love with her writing style with this one! I have and there is no turning back!
Oh, the "feels"! Love By Design is a beautifully written love story. If you haven't read S. W Andersen's books yet, you will fall in love with her writing style with this one! I have and there is no turning back!
February 8, 2021
Fun interaction that each main character had with their best friends - a nice way to get to know the characters. It was a bit of a stretch to believe the intensity of their immediate attraction, but as I reminded myself to let that go, the book was a fun read.
September 13, 2020
Great listen on audible
May 24, 2018
Excellent in so many ways. It is funny, hot and has all the ups and downs I love in a book!
January 26, 2018
LOVE BY DESIGN by S.W. Andersen is an alls-well-that-ends-well love story. On the whole, it's well written, the characters are likable, the feelings are pretty realistic, there is charm as well as humor, and there are love scenes with other feelings explored besides sexual desire. At the same time, the book seemed long, sad (what could be more sad than two people engaged to each other who don't belong in each other's lives and haven't seen that fact), and not particularly grounded. We are given little in the way of setting and few characters other than the main set of women who know and work with each other. Lesbian friends and lesbian lovers, period. I am not a fan of the "I" point of view when there are two heroines, because of the constant shifting back and forth. I am hit with internal feelings but I don't really know the characters very well from the outside, and I get lost as to who is "I" this time. Every time I read a book like this, unless it is brilliantly carried off, I end up feeling let down. It's not a bad book, but it could have been a better, more rewarding one for me.
November 27, 2016
Loved It.
I kept reading until 3:30 a.m. and still had to force myself to put it down for the night.
The characters are strong, charismatic and interesting women. I got a bit frustrated with the story at times, but it was worth the read.
My only disappointment with the book seems to be a recurrent situation with most lesbian romance stories I've read, and that is the exclusion of women who are not femme. I mean, come on, many of us are neither butch nor femme, falling somewhere in between, but I haven't seen us in any character.
Otherwise, I would give the book five stars.
I kept reading until 3:30 a.m. and still had to force myself to put it down for the night.
The characters are strong, charismatic and interesting women. I got a bit frustrated with the story at times, but it was worth the read.
My only disappointment with the book seems to be a recurrent situation with most lesbian romance stories I've read, and that is the exclusion of women who are not femme. I mean, come on, many of us are neither butch nor femme, falling somewhere in between, but I haven't seen us in any character.
Otherwise, I would give the book five stars.
February 18, 2017
I want more!
I would highly recommend this read hence the five stars. It had a great pace and lots of wonderfully anticipated build up between Cassie and Peyton. Would really enjoy a sequel or maybe a book with Val and Charli and we catch glimpses of Cassie and Peyton. I appreciated the way the author dealt with the relationships and the potential for supreme heartache if poor decisions were made on the characters behalf. The author created characters that acted like responsible adults and for that I applaud her. Nicely done and I will definitely be reading more from this author. Thank you!
I would highly recommend this read hence the five stars. It had a great pace and lots of wonderfully anticipated build up between Cassie and Peyton. Would really enjoy a sequel or maybe a book with Val and Charli and we catch glimpses of Cassie and Peyton. I appreciated the way the author dealt with the relationships and the potential for supreme heartache if poor decisions were made on the characters behalf. The author created characters that acted like responsible adults and for that I applaud her. Nicely done and I will definitely be reading more from this author. Thank you!
February 20, 2018
Not bad but needed far better editing than it got. Too much telling not showing, repetitive sentences as well as irritating mistakes e.g. sifter not snifter, Columbia not Colombia, peace not piece.
Nice to have adults behaving like adults after a break-up rather than the usual tropes. It wasn't painful to read but just too wordy.
Nice to have adults behaving like adults after a break-up rather than the usual tropes. It wasn't painful to read but just too wordy.
October 20, 2016
Normally you speak of a rollercoaster of emotions.
Not in this book. Here it is like the offspring of a bulldozer with the hyperloop.
From the start there is an instant connection between Cassie and Peyton. And despite their attempts to squash and ignore it, resistance is futile.
And contrary to many other books, the author decided to have no real controversy, so it peters out smoothly. Nobody is really angry or deeply crestfallen - quite contrary. Every counterpart gets seamlessly his/her woman and HEA.
The book title becomes a second meaning.
Not in this book. Here it is like the offspring of a bulldozer with the hyperloop.
From the start there is an instant connection between Cassie and Peyton. And despite their attempts to squash and ignore it, resistance is futile.
And contrary to many other books, the author decided to have no real controversy, so it peters out smoothly. Nobody is really angry or deeply crestfallen - quite contrary. Every counterpart gets seamlessly his/her woman and HEA.
The book title becomes a second meaning.
November 8, 2016
,Pretty good
Not bad but nothing great either. This book should have been over after the first 50 pages. The rest was just fill in. Peyton was the more likable of the two. Cassie and her internal monologue got old quick. This could have been a really good book had it put them together quickly and allow them to deal with the fallout together. Instead it wasted too much time. Still okay but could have been so much better.
Not bad but nothing great either. This book should have been over after the first 50 pages. The rest was just fill in. Peyton was the more likable of the two. Cassie and her internal monologue got old quick. This could have been a really good book had it put them together quickly and allow them to deal with the fallout together. Instead it wasted too much time. Still okay but could have been so much better.
December 19, 2017
I read the first chapter of this book and I was really confused. All the information provided by the author shows Cassie as definitely heterosexual, literally within a second she is hopelessly lusting over Peyton.
The more I read the less I liked Cassie and Peyton, with this type of book I really want to like the main characters. This might turn into an interesting story, but it’s not one I want to read.
The more I read the less I liked Cassie and Peyton, with this type of book I really want to like the main characters. This might turn into an interesting story, but it’s not one I want to read.
July 24, 2017
If you ever wanted to read a book by Joyce Wischnia, this is it. Maybe I misread the characters, but they felt like they should be in their 30's, while they talked like they were 60. I feel like this book had some potential under there, but got lost in the details. It's the same story I've read 100 times, with nothing new to contribute. Sorry to say, but this was a disappointing read.
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