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The Flaw in Our Design
Olivia Carver’s life in Lake Cabot, New York is simple. That’s how she likes it, even if she can’t stop the town she loves from being overrun by wealthy tourists each summer. When she’s not working at her family’s paddleboard shop or spending time with her lovable but infuriating brothers, she puts her energy into writing professionally, a dream that has yet to materialize.
Valerie Maycomb used to summer in Lake Cabot with her family when she was younger, until school and planning for her future became the driving forces in her existence. For the first time in years, following her college graduation, she’s spending a few months in the small, lakeside town she loved as a child. All she wants is a little time to decompress before law school in the fall and maybe even strike up the courage to talk to a woman.
A chance meeting at the lake opens up the possibility of a summer romance, with the explicit understanding that it can’t become something more. Olivia’s not built for falling in love, and Val needs to keep her eye on the prize of a successful career. But neither of them can deny the attraction, and summer quickly takes on a life of its own.
Valerie Maycomb used to summer in Lake Cabot with her family when she was younger, until school and planning for her future became the driving forces in her existence. For the first time in years, following her college graduation, she’s spending a few months in the small, lakeside town she loved as a child. All she wants is a little time to decompress before law school in the fall and maybe even strike up the courage to talk to a woman.
A chance meeting at the lake opens up the possibility of a summer romance, with the explicit understanding that it can’t become something more. Olivia’s not built for falling in love, and Val needs to keep her eye on the prize of a successful career. But neither of them can deny the attraction, and summer quickly takes on a life of its own.
Audiobook
First published September 28, 2020
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About the author
Monica McCallan
17 books1,488 followersMonica McCallan was an enthusiastic fan of romance novels before she began writing them.
Writing is her passion project, and she currently lives in Philadelphia, working at a startup which gives her lots of great inspiration for the settings and storylines of her contemporary romance novels.
She lives with her partner and two tiny dogs, cannot parallel park to save her life, enjoys playing pool a few times a week, and has enjoyed every second of the craft beer explosion these last few years.
Join her mailing list here: http://bit.ly/MonicaMcCallanLesfic
Writing is her passion project, and she currently lives in Philadelphia, working at a startup which gives her lots of great inspiration for the settings and storylines of her contemporary romance novels.
She lives with her partner and two tiny dogs, cannot parallel park to save her life, enjoys playing pool a few times a week, and has enjoyed every second of the craft beer explosion these last few years.
Join her mailing list here: http://bit.ly/MonicaMcCallanLesfic
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May 28, 2024Summer by a lake
Summer Romance
FF Romance
Give me all the hot summer vibes, yaaas please ☀️⛱️🏞️🍧🍉
June 19, 2021
A summer fling that went a little too long and carried a little more emotions. It was sweet, angsty, with sexy scenes which are simply hot (and yet not raunchy). The whole setting was endearing with very likeable MCs in Val & Olivia down to all the supporting characters; even the twins who came across as obnoxious entitled brats initially, grew on me over time, especially Carly. Theme is really on relationship; between family members, lovers and friends and to read the evolving relationships among all the characters in The Flaw in our Design really drew me in till the very last page.
June 9, 2021
My quest to keep increasing the number of new, to me, lesbian fiction authors continues. To this book here. A book that confuses me - no no, not for that reason *waves hand*, but because this is not an author I'd seen bouncing around my eyeballs for years before I finally tried them (unlike some of the others I've read in the past few months). I'm fairly certain I've not spotted their name before. Yet they've written something, like, 10 or 11 books.
hmms. Oh, right, why would I be so surprised by all of that? Because this specific book here is possibly within the range of being within the top 20, 10? 5? Well, let's stick with 20 for now, within the top 20 favorite lesbian fiction books I've read.
This book stars two 23 year-olds in a small lake-side town in New York. Both with their point of views expressed in this book. Both with certain flaws. Both, apparently, super gorgeous (though, almost like always, that's through the eyes of two women lusting after each other). Both college graduates. But, also, with many differences.
Olivia Carver is the local towns girl working two different jobs, while pursing a third. While also having a kind of laid back look (until her mouth opens and her sarcasm escapes). She helps her dad run a boating shed alongside the lake (mostly renting out paddle-boats); works as a bartender in the bar beneath her apartment; and also pursues a career as a writer (though she's mostly been writing and submitting, and not exactly been publishing).
Valerie Maycomb comes from the part of the small town that Olivia likes to sneer at. Those super rich "summer people" (they are not actually all summer people, though not important) who live in vast mansions in a gated community and with private piers. The kind who spend their time in their own community without visiting the small town. And other such stuff.
hmm.
Right, so. Talked more about what perceptions Olivia has of that rich area, and less about Valerie (or the actuality of the rich people).
So - Valerie is someone who has lived her live to a plan - get outstanding grades, get a double-major, go to law school, please her parents, have no friends or social life (not her plan, but a side effect of following her plan).
Valerie spent the summers in Lake Cabot, that is until she spent her summers interning. But this summer, between college and law school, she's going to . . . something. Rest? Well, something less plan like than normal. On her first day putting her plan into motion to live a summer without a plan, she flees her rich mansion to go jogging. Ends up near a boat rental shack. Begs the gorgeous wet woman there dressed only in a bikini top & wrap for some water.
Thereupon Valerie & Olivia meet. Spend time bumping into each other in the small town. Flirting, running away, etc. Until they fall into a "summer fling".
Great main characters. Great side characters (for the most part). Great plot; romance; story; etc. This is a top tier writing and book.
Rating: 5+
June 8 2021
hmms. Oh, right, why would I be so surprised by all of that? Because this specific book here is possibly within the range of being within the top 20, 10? 5? Well, let's stick with 20 for now, within the top 20 favorite lesbian fiction books I've read.
This book stars two 23 year-olds in a small lake-side town in New York. Both with their point of views expressed in this book. Both with certain flaws. Both, apparently, super gorgeous (though, almost like always, that's through the eyes of two women lusting after each other). Both college graduates. But, also, with many differences.
Olivia Carver is the local towns girl working two different jobs, while pursing a third. While also having a kind of laid back look (until her mouth opens and her sarcasm escapes). She helps her dad run a boating shed alongside the lake (mostly renting out paddle-boats); works as a bartender in the bar beneath her apartment; and also pursues a career as a writer (though she's mostly been writing and submitting, and not exactly been publishing).
Valerie Maycomb comes from the part of the small town that Olivia likes to sneer at. Those super rich "summer people" (they are not actually all summer people, though not important) who live in vast mansions in a gated community and with private piers. The kind who spend their time in their own community without visiting the small town. And other such stuff.
hmm.
Right, so. Talked more about what perceptions Olivia has of that rich area, and less about Valerie (or the actuality of the rich people).
So - Valerie is someone who has lived her live to a plan - get outstanding grades, get a double-major, go to law school, please her parents, have no friends or social life (not her plan, but a side effect of following her plan).
Valerie spent the summers in Lake Cabot, that is until she spent her summers interning. But this summer, between college and law school, she's going to . . . something. Rest? Well, something less plan like than normal. On her first day putting her plan into motion to live a summer without a plan, she flees her rich mansion to go jogging. Ends up near a boat rental shack. Begs the gorgeous wet woman there dressed only in a bikini top & wrap for some water.
Thereupon Valerie & Olivia meet. Spend time bumping into each other in the small town. Flirting, running away, etc. Until they fall into a "summer fling".
Great main characters. Great side characters (for the most part). Great plot; romance; story; etc. This is a top tier writing and book.
Rating: 5+
June 8 2021
September 28, 2020
The premise of this book, that people need people, is a wonderful way to develop a story about two main characters who are averse to opening themselves up to love.
The Flaw in Our Design follows the story of Val Maycomb, a strict life-plan follower who is spending the summer in Lake Cabot before heading to Chicago to start law school, and Olivia Carver, 24-year old local resident of Lake Cabot and aspiring writer. Val doesn’t want to deviate from her carefully constructed plans and simply wants to enjoy a summer fling with the gorgeous, green-eyed resident and is happy to find that Olivia - who fears having relationships, falling in love and forever-afters - is more than willing to participate in Val’s plan!
I like that McCallan took the time to set up the backstory for each character and the physical descriptions for both. I had an easy time picturing the scenery, what the characters looked like and could stay on track with the events. Too many times I’m left wondering about the characters' physicality, even what their age is, and I tend to lose focus and ask these simple questions while I’m trying to read the story – but maybe that’s just me.
The secondary characters were also well thought out, ranging from Olivia’s dad and brothers, to Val’s annoying younger twin siblings. The relationship between Mr Hutchinson, the gruff but lovable older local resident, and Olivia is also special – I wish I knew someone like him!
I really enjoyed the story telling and think this is one of McCallan’s best novels (but I love them all of course.) If you enjoy stories about instant chemistry, becoming friends and falling in love at the same time, mixed with quirky family, neighbors and friends set in small local communities, then this book is for you!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Flaw in Our Design follows the story of Val Maycomb, a strict life-plan follower who is spending the summer in Lake Cabot before heading to Chicago to start law school, and Olivia Carver, 24-year old local resident of Lake Cabot and aspiring writer. Val doesn’t want to deviate from her carefully constructed plans and simply wants to enjoy a summer fling with the gorgeous, green-eyed resident and is happy to find that Olivia - who fears having relationships, falling in love and forever-afters - is more than willing to participate in Val’s plan!
I like that McCallan took the time to set up the backstory for each character and the physical descriptions for both. I had an easy time picturing the scenery, what the characters looked like and could stay on track with the events. Too many times I’m left wondering about the characters' physicality, even what their age is, and I tend to lose focus and ask these simple questions while I’m trying to read the story – but maybe that’s just me.
The secondary characters were also well thought out, ranging from Olivia’s dad and brothers, to Val’s annoying younger twin siblings. The relationship between Mr Hutchinson, the gruff but lovable older local resident, and Olivia is also special – I wish I knew someone like him!
I really enjoyed the story telling and think this is one of McCallan’s best novels (but I love them all of course.) If you enjoy stories about instant chemistry, becoming friends and falling in love at the same time, mixed with quirky family, neighbors and friends set in small local communities, then this book is for you!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 18, 2020
4.25 Stars - Another great book by McCallan
Loved this book. Loved the ending. Loved these characters. Extra loved it is available via Kindle Unlimited. The only nit-pick I have is I think it was a little to long. There were a lot over thought processes rehashed over and over in each character's minds that got a bit repetitive for me.
oh yeah and 5+ Stars for the scene on the couch. holy moly. *fan's self*
Loved this book. Loved the ending. Loved these characters. Extra loved it is available via Kindle Unlimited. The only nit-pick I have is I think it was a little to long. There were a lot over thought processes rehashed over and over in each character's minds that got a bit repetitive for me.
oh yeah and 5+ Stars for the scene on the couch. holy moly. *fan's self*
June 7, 2024
Sometimes a book is just so lovely it speaks for itself and I feel like no review I write will do it justice.
May 6, 2022
3.5⭐
December 15, 2020
A sweet and spicy romance that’s all heart!
This is the perfect summer romance and I reckon would work well while lying on the beach somewhere… Honestly that’s where I read it today. I enjoyed it so much that I had to read it again to get my review notes down because the first time I just whizzed through it.
Both Olivia and Valerie were clearly just waiting for each other to break their well constructed paths to U-turn to find happiness (this book has made me so cheesy). In the beginning Olivia was my favourite character as I could imagine her life in Lake Cabot and I was desperate to be friends with her. But by the end I was one hundred percent loving Valerie. She became the dark horse and I had a bit of a crush on her by the end.
The secondary characters brought some levity to the book but also some vulnerability for the characters. I especially loved Olivia’s Dad. He reminded me of my Grandad a lot when he was younger. I honestly think this book could be the start of an awesome series with Lake Cabot as the backdrop. There are so many possibilities.
The ending/epilogue was fantastic and it was the reason for the fifth star in the end. It really wrapped everything up nicely.
The chemistry was off the charts from the moment the main characters met. When they finally let go and begin a physical relationship it’s hot but also quite vulnerable as the emotional walls come down. Frankly, this was just a fun book to read and the chemistry between the two characters had me enjoying each turn of the page.
A fantastic novel and I highly recommend grabbing a copy and letting the good book vibes let you drift away. These are the books getting everyone through 2020 with a satisfied smile and this book definitely left me feeling all happy feels.
This is the perfect summer romance and I reckon would work well while lying on the beach somewhere… Honestly that’s where I read it today. I enjoyed it so much that I had to read it again to get my review notes down because the first time I just whizzed through it.
Both Olivia and Valerie were clearly just waiting for each other to break their well constructed paths to U-turn to find happiness (this book has made me so cheesy). In the beginning Olivia was my favourite character as I could imagine her life in Lake Cabot and I was desperate to be friends with her. But by the end I was one hundred percent loving Valerie. She became the dark horse and I had a bit of a crush on her by the end.
The secondary characters brought some levity to the book but also some vulnerability for the characters. I especially loved Olivia’s Dad. He reminded me of my Grandad a lot when he was younger. I honestly think this book could be the start of an awesome series with Lake Cabot as the backdrop. There are so many possibilities.
The ending/epilogue was fantastic and it was the reason for the fifth star in the end. It really wrapped everything up nicely.
The chemistry was off the charts from the moment the main characters met. When they finally let go and begin a physical relationship it’s hot but also quite vulnerable as the emotional walls come down. Frankly, this was just a fun book to read and the chemistry between the two characters had me enjoying each turn of the page.
A fantastic novel and I highly recommend grabbing a copy and letting the good book vibes let you drift away. These are the books getting everyone through 2020 with a satisfied smile and this book definitely left me feeling all happy feels.
June 18, 2024
Perfect gem of a story!!
August 2, 2022
favourite McCallan book ❤️
August 4, 2022
Olivia feels loving someone will only lead to heartbreak so why bother. Val has set a path for herself that she is second guessing. Val is looking to explore a side of herself that she keeps hidden. When these two meet by chance the fireworks start. Both women need to work past their fears and open up to love. Great supporting cast of characters. My emotions were up and down but always rooting for a HEA for them. Lori Prince was fantastic as always with narrating and really bringing their emotions to life.
October 11, 2020
I'm happy to have picked up this book. Both MC's were likeable and the secondary characters made the story even better with the side stories that came with them.
Then and Now was great book and The Flaw in Our Design is just as great. I'm rather excited to see what McCallan comes up with in her next book.
Then and Now was great book and The Flaw in Our Design is just as great. I'm rather excited to see what McCallan comes up with in her next book.
July 11, 2022
3.5 stars
Sweet summer romance that blossoms in to love. A good quick read. No surprises, very predictable but a nice read.
Sweet summer romance that blossoms in to love. A good quick read. No surprises, very predictable but a nice read.
December 18, 2021
Excellent audiobook that was slow, steady and sweet.
July 9, 2024
I have nothing bad to say about this per se, good characters, good chemistry, heartfelt plot. But this wasn't anything special for me in comparison to other small town romances I've read.
I feel like I should have read this when it came out for it to make a more lasting impression on me if this makes sense.
I feel like I should have read this when it came out for it to make a more lasting impression on me if this makes sense.
August 11, 2021
Just Lovely
Valerie has returned to the lake where she spent her summers to unwind and relax while she plans her future. When she meets Olivia, a local woman who lives at the lake they strike up a friendship and a spark of connection makes Valerie open up to Olivia. With the possibility of a summer romance they both know it can’t be more than a fling but the summer has ideas of its own.
A very sweet, lighthearted but dramatic story that shows how one moment in time can derail your plans and change your life forever. Olivia and Valerie had such different lives but fate just had to play a hand in turning everything they knew upside down and presenting them with exactly what they needed to grow and have a future they both wanted even if they were reluctant to admit such things.
I adored the connection they had. Olivia was striving to achieve her dreams but also living a life she had always know unsure how to change it but she was friendly and open to conversations in a way Valerie wasn’t. Spending time with Olivia really did help Valerie’s character to grow but for both characters this was an emotional path to happiness and romance. They had many vulnerabilities and worries that they had to work through and overcome to achieve or even try to get closer to one another than just initial attraction.
A really enjoyable summer read with an air of drama, a touch of dreams and lovely moments shared between characters as they grew. I highly recommend this story for a light but thought-provoking read.
Valerie has returned to the lake where she spent her summers to unwind and relax while she plans her future. When she meets Olivia, a local woman who lives at the lake they strike up a friendship and a spark of connection makes Valerie open up to Olivia. With the possibility of a summer romance they both know it can’t be more than a fling but the summer has ideas of its own.
A very sweet, lighthearted but dramatic story that shows how one moment in time can derail your plans and change your life forever. Olivia and Valerie had such different lives but fate just had to play a hand in turning everything they knew upside down and presenting them with exactly what they needed to grow and have a future they both wanted even if they were reluctant to admit such things.
I adored the connection they had. Olivia was striving to achieve her dreams but also living a life she had always know unsure how to change it but she was friendly and open to conversations in a way Valerie wasn’t. Spending time with Olivia really did help Valerie’s character to grow but for both characters this was an emotional path to happiness and romance. They had many vulnerabilities and worries that they had to work through and overcome to achieve or even try to get closer to one another than just initial attraction.
A really enjoyable summer read with an air of drama, a touch of dreams and lovely moments shared between characters as they grew. I highly recommend this story for a light but thought-provoking read.
June 19, 2021
There’s a certain charm to small town stories that’s proven to be delightful to dip into from time to time. This recent offering by McCallan is a welcome addition to this category.
When I picked up this book, I didn’t expect it to have a touch of YA feels. In the first third of the story, the MCs acted more like unsure teenagers, but that was done deliberately as it was recognized in writing. It was cute witnessing how shy Olivia and Valerie initially acted around each other.
This was a fun read with characters that made me smile and chuckle plenty of times. But more than that, its true wonder lies in the many lessons it imbued when it comes to fostering relationships with other people.
It may not seem like it at first, as Val’s siblings were quite obnoxious in the beginning, but it turned out all characters were great. As for my favorites though, Olivia’s family, particularly John (O’s third oldest brother), Mr. Hutchinson (neighbor turned family), and Ben (O’s dad) were the most amusing. I especially loved the teasing between these characters and Olivia. Most of all, I loved their relationship as a family. It was heartwarming knowing how they came about bonding this strongly.
I also loved the conflict because it was convincing. As juxtapositions go, it was both simple and intricate. The justifications the MCs tell themselves for why they stick to the casual dating setup were reasonable. For confessions between two people with mutual attraction, McCallan had a talented way of twisting a supposedly happy moment and turning it into a bleak realization of things deviating from the plan. And before you ask, “WTH, CLAR? How is that a good thing?” Trust me. No matter how absurd the situation sounds, the conflicting feelings of the MCs remained valid and McCallan made the irony of the circumstance work.
I caught some editing slip-ups, but they’re pretty minor. Here are some of them:
- “Rule of thumb is that the paddle should be three to four inches taller than you.” — If Val is 5’8”, the paddle for her should be 5’11” or 6” long, not 6’1”. But yeah, this is a common mistake when adding heights/lengths. People forget a foot is supposed to have 12 inches hehe.
- In one chapter, it says Olivia is 23 years old. In another, it says she’s 24.
- Misplacement of a few inserted words: another common mistake when you add a word between texts, but you insert it before your indicator instead of after. I’m very adept at making this mistake too lol.
For other areas of improvement, the writing dives deep into the MCs’ thoughts rather than what’s happening around them most of the time. This is not a big deal, and this advice may be influenced by my preference, but I think McCallan has to be careful not to put lengthy introspections between dialogues too much, or she has to at least be mindful of their placement. They kind of distracted me from following conversations between characters, and I found myself shuffling through previous pages to check the last line of dialogue characters were responding to or remind myself what even the subject of the discussion was. She also has to watch out for repetitions, as even interesting details expressed in skillful writing can get tedious when told over and over again. Like in this case, for example, the indication Olivia has an idyllic life.
Overall, McCallan has outdone herself here. She’s proving to be a reliable author of quality F/F contemporary romances that whenever a new book by her comes out, it magically appears on my to-read pile ☺️
When I picked up this book, I didn’t expect it to have a touch of YA feels. In the first third of the story, the MCs acted more like unsure teenagers, but that was done deliberately as it was recognized in writing. It was cute witnessing how shy Olivia and Valerie initially acted around each other.
This was a fun read with characters that made me smile and chuckle plenty of times. But more than that, its true wonder lies in the many lessons it imbued when it comes to fostering relationships with other people.
It may not seem like it at first, as Val’s siblings were quite obnoxious in the beginning, but it turned out all characters were great. As for my favorites though, Olivia’s family, particularly John (O’s third oldest brother), Mr. Hutchinson (neighbor turned family), and Ben (O’s dad) were the most amusing. I especially loved the teasing between these characters and Olivia. Most of all, I loved their relationship as a family. It was heartwarming knowing how they came about bonding this strongly.
I also loved the conflict because it was convincing. As juxtapositions go, it was both simple and intricate. The justifications the MCs tell themselves for why they stick to the casual dating setup were reasonable. For confessions between two people with mutual attraction, McCallan had a talented way of twisting a supposedly happy moment and turning it into a bleak realization of things deviating from the plan. And before you ask, “WTH, CLAR? How is that a good thing?” Trust me. No matter how absurd the situation sounds, the conflicting feelings of the MCs remained valid and McCallan made the irony of the circumstance work.
I caught some editing slip-ups, but they’re pretty minor. Here are some of them:
- “Rule of thumb is that the paddle should be three to four inches taller than you.” — If Val is 5’8”, the paddle for her should be 5’11” or 6” long, not 6’1”. But yeah, this is a common mistake when adding heights/lengths. People forget a foot is supposed to have 12 inches hehe.
- In one chapter, it says Olivia is 23 years old. In another, it says she’s 24.
- Misplacement of a few inserted words: another common mistake when you add a word between texts, but you insert it before your indicator instead of after. I’m very adept at making this mistake too lol.
For other areas of improvement, the writing dives deep into the MCs’ thoughts rather than what’s happening around them most of the time. This is not a big deal, and this advice may be influenced by my preference, but I think McCallan has to be careful not to put lengthy introspections between dialogues too much, or she has to at least be mindful of their placement. They kind of distracted me from following conversations between characters, and I found myself shuffling through previous pages to check the last line of dialogue characters were responding to or remind myself what even the subject of the discussion was. She also has to watch out for repetitions, as even interesting details expressed in skillful writing can get tedious when told over and over again. Like in this case, for example, the indication Olivia has an idyllic life.
Overall, McCallan has outdone herself here. She’s proving to be a reliable author of quality F/F contemporary romances that whenever a new book by her comes out, it magically appears on my to-read pile ☺️
November 19, 2020
This book was part of the Sapphic Book Club
I really enjoyed this book. This book followed Olivia, a Lake Cabot resident who is not a fan of the seasonal rich tourists, and Val, a recent graduate spending the summer at her parents vacation house in Lake Cabot. Olivia isn't looking for anything serious and Val is just taking the summer to relax before going to Law School. With the time limit and lack of wanting emotional connections created an excellent, natural angst filled romance.
I liked both characters. Olivia was fiery, smart, and guarded, while Val was sweet, adorable, and still figuring out what she wanted. What really clinched it for me was the supporting characters. Olivia's family were great and funny; Dee, super supportive and the pastries sound delicious; Carly, Vals sister, a fine example of younger sibling who is endearing and a pain in the a$$; And lastly, Mr. Hutchinson, cranky old fellow with a massive heart! All of the characters worked well to move the story along naturally and to help each other overcome life events.
One of the things I appreciate the most, beside the characters, of this story is that McCallan didn't sacrifice the characters to create angst or obstacles in their relationship. The story had built in moments of angst that kept the story moving smoothly while also not lingering too long on any particular obstacle. Some books linger and others skipped right over, but this book had great pace and balance.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend this to contemporary romance fan.
I really enjoyed this book. This book followed Olivia, a Lake Cabot resident who is not a fan of the seasonal rich tourists, and Val, a recent graduate spending the summer at her parents vacation house in Lake Cabot. Olivia isn't looking for anything serious and Val is just taking the summer to relax before going to Law School. With the time limit and lack of wanting emotional connections created an excellent, natural angst filled romance.
I liked both characters. Olivia was fiery, smart, and guarded, while Val was sweet, adorable, and still figuring out what she wanted. What really clinched it for me was the supporting characters. Olivia's family were great and funny; Dee, super supportive and the pastries sound delicious; Carly, Vals sister, a fine example of younger sibling who is endearing and a pain in the a$$; And lastly, Mr. Hutchinson, cranky old fellow with a massive heart! All of the characters worked well to move the story along naturally and to help each other overcome life events.
One of the things I appreciate the most, beside the characters, of this story is that McCallan didn't sacrifice the characters to create angst or obstacles in their relationship. The story had built in moments of angst that kept the story moving smoothly while also not lingering too long on any particular obstacle. Some books linger and others skipped right over, but this book had great pace and balance.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend this to contemporary romance fan.
October 13, 2020
I'm surprised that this book got so many good reviews but again, who knows, maybe I'm the odd one with such high expectations. To be fair I think that Monica McCallan is actually one of the best new authors in the lesbian romance genre but I regrettably found this book extremely long and boring. Olivia and Val were both good people but I just couldn't feel the chemistry between them and even though it was described plenty in the book, I just couldn't see it. The conflict and the inevitable breakup irritated me cause it felt like an excuse in order to create drama that could have been avoided if Val and Olivia really communicated. It felt like it was more a sort of a sexual relationship even though I think that the author failed with the sexy part in this book. The way Val's lack of experience and the awkwardness around Olivia was playing out, didn't feel sexy to me and the constant repetition of their sex scenes didn't add anything to the story.
The ending also felt a little bit too convenient, like the writer needed to wrap everything up nicely.
I may be a little bit harsh but It's the third book that I read from this author recently and she seems to always have as a main character an emotionally unavailable woman who's afraid to open to love due to her past.
The ending also felt a little bit too convenient, like the writer needed to wrap everything up nicely.
I may be a little bit harsh but It's the third book that I read from this author recently and she seems to always have as a main character an emotionally unavailable woman who's afraid to open to love due to her past.
December 11, 2020
This book was November 2020's Sapphic Book Club read hosted by @sapphicbookclub
About the book: I absolutely LOVED it!! This book was really something special. I'm fairly new to the wlw romance scene, so I almost regret reading this book first. I wasn't really expecting anything particularly life changing, but Olivia and Val's journey to finding what they really want in life (and the courage to reach for it) turned what could have been a throw-away beach read into something that has stuck with me since finishing it.
McCallan does a fabulous job switching between Val and Olivia. While they're clearly different characters, I appreciated how their lines of thought were so similar at times. The plot of Flaw in Our Design perfectly balances predictability with spontaneity- although I could definitely figure out some major plot events, they still came as a surprise to me and I never felt like the narrative was overly formulaic. McCallan is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and I'm definitely going to read any other books by this author.
TLDR: definite yes!!!
About the book: I absolutely LOVED it!! This book was really something special. I'm fairly new to the wlw romance scene, so I almost regret reading this book first. I wasn't really expecting anything particularly life changing, but Olivia and Val's journey to finding what they really want in life (and the courage to reach for it) turned what could have been a throw-away beach read into something that has stuck with me since finishing it.
McCallan does a fabulous job switching between Val and Olivia. While they're clearly different characters, I appreciated how their lines of thought were so similar at times. The plot of Flaw in Our Design perfectly balances predictability with spontaneity- although I could definitely figure out some major plot events, they still came as a surprise to me and I never felt like the narrative was overly formulaic. McCallan is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and I'm definitely going to read any other books by this author.
TLDR: definite yes!!!
October 24, 2024
Sweet summer time romance.
November 14, 2021
Olivia was a flame that Val wanted to throw herself against and combust.
3.5 stars. This was a sweet, emotional, really well-written small town romance. Olivia and her family have lived here all her life, and she's reluctant to form attachments because she knows how painful it is to lose someone. Val's family is super wealthy and lives on the other side of the lake; she's grappling with her sexuality and what she wants to do school-wise. I definitely liked it a lot more in the beginning, where it felt like it had a lot of promise and room for the characters to grow and explore one another. And I mean, they did! I really loved their chemistry and the slow strides they took towards a relationship; the first 50% or so gave me so many butterflies. The book wasn't exactly slow, and it had a bit of angst, but it still felt overall really quiet. Which wasn't a bad thing! I loved the emotional parts of this, and the writing and some of the romantic stuff was really lovely and poignant.
I still find that I don't have a lot to say about this? The latter half didn't give me as much as I expected. I especially wanted more from the book in terms of being a class difference romance; the way it was talked about wealth added nothing for me, and I really wanted it to go a lot deeper. Some things got a little melodramatic. The dialogue didn't always seem fitting (especially when it came to Carly and Mr. Hutchinson). While I connected to the characters, I felt like there was potential for so much more.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Lori Prince, and I really enjoyed it! She puts a lot of emotion and nuance into her voices, and I super appreciated her rendition of the different characters. This was my first book by McCallan, and I loved the characters and the writing, so I'll definitely try her again.
Content warnings: .
August 24, 2025
I really love Monica McCallan's writing - and this one didn't disappoint. Excellent characters who live and breathe - with real back cast that is delightful. Thank you.
Forgotten how good she is! A re-read essential.
Forgotten how good she is! A re-read essential.
November 19, 2020
I might be a little generous with the rating. I found the internal dialogue boring and since there was so much of it, I really was only interesting in finding out what happens in the end. I do feel that the last 1/4 of the book was much better for me, but again I sort of lost some interest with all of the "head talk".
June 11, 2022
I usually end up liking McCallan’s books better than I did this one. I couldn’t connect with the main characters at all.
They seem sweet and trying to figure out their lives in their early twenties, but it just falls a little flat for me.
This book actually made me think of the Fletcher song Girls, Girls, Girls, and I much prefer that song over this book. I can listen to that song any time, but this book will not be one I’ll remember.
It’s still perfectly nice, with some emotional layers and character growth, but it just didn’t hit the right spot for me.
They seem sweet and trying to figure out their lives in their early twenties, but it just falls a little flat for me.
This book actually made me think of the Fletcher song Girls, Girls, Girls, and I much prefer that song over this book. I can listen to that song any time, but this book will not be one I’ll remember.
It’s still perfectly nice, with some emotional layers and character growth, but it just didn’t hit the right spot for me.
June 9, 2024
5⭐️ A beautiful story of love and humanity. I was drawn easily into the world of these wonderfully crafted and full characters, and the dreamy town in which their journey unravelled. I enjoyed every bit.
May 29, 2022
Cute feel-good romance novel, enjoyable read!
April 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written. The small-town feeling was well-done with a great set of supporting characters.
April 21, 2021
Refreshing!
How nice to be falling in love and think that you have control over it! You don’t! Olivia was so set on not having a relationship so that she would never relive the pain she had experienced when she lost her Mom. Val was so set on how her life plan was put in motion and nothing was going to get in her way of her plan. But when Val meets Olivia - so many things happen. First Val knows that in the fall she is going to law school in Chicago but she has realized that she is a lesbian, closeted but is and until she meets Olivia was happy to stay there. After convincing herself to have a summer for her, now she had to convince Olivia too. Olivia who has had many a fling with the summer women who visit, thinks she can help Val with her problem without getting involved. So this story begins and the added characters brought a depth to the story that brought Val and Olivia to love. Now they just have to grasp it before it’s gone. Great Read! Another good one from Monica.....
How nice to be falling in love and think that you have control over it! You don’t! Olivia was so set on not having a relationship so that she would never relive the pain she had experienced when she lost her Mom. Val was so set on how her life plan was put in motion and nothing was going to get in her way of her plan. But when Val meets Olivia - so many things happen. First Val knows that in the fall she is going to law school in Chicago but she has realized that she is a lesbian, closeted but is and until she meets Olivia was happy to stay there. After convincing herself to have a summer for her, now she had to convince Olivia too. Olivia who has had many a fling with the summer women who visit, thinks she can help Val with her problem without getting involved. So this story begins and the added characters brought a depth to the story that brought Val and Olivia to love. Now they just have to grasp it before it’s gone. Great Read! Another good one from Monica.....
January 8, 2021
This was my first read as a new member of the Sapphic Book Club which I am so happy to have stumbled upon! I've never really read romance novels before this and I loved this as an introduction to the genre. As a newbie to the genre I will admit I had expectations for over the top sappiness and was happy to be proven wrong through this down to earth love story. The characters felt relatable, as did their relationship. I adored the side characters possibly even more than our leading ladies. As someone familiar with lake life and quirky families, I felt right at home in this world!
While still being realistic, their journey still had plenty of twists to keep me page-turning and engaged from start to finish.
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