From the publisher:
Sparks fly when an interior designer and a game designer cross paths, but they must learn if they can design a happily ever after in this heartfelt romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton.
Natalie Parker is in her mid-thirties, divorced, and firmly focused on her newly resurrected career and her two children. When her sister asks her to help design the backyard in the new home she shares with her boyfriend, Linc, Natalie’s more than happy to take on the project. What she isn’t prepared for is Linc’s younger brother, video game designer Eugene Kennedy. He’s smart, incredibly good-looking, and constantly flirts with Natalie. He’s also too young for her, which makes him totally off-limits.
Eugene is intrigued by Natalie’s beauty, smarts, and especially her sarcastic wit. When he teases her, she throws it right back at him. Besides that, they have an instant chemistry, but she keeps trying to get rid of him despite the sparks that fly between them. And Eugene never backs down from a challenge.
Natalie is running out of reasons to think being with Eugene is a bad thing. Her kids adore him, her sister loves him, and even her always negative mother does, too. The only person holding her back is…her. Maybe it’s time she take that leap and design herself a love for the ages. After all, if she can create the perfect home, she sure as hell can design a happily ever after.
I enjoyed this steamy romance with an older woman/younger man dynamic. Natalie is divorced from a very demanding husband and trying to find her own footing. She is not looking for a relationship, but she can’t deny the chemistry she feels when she meets her sister’s boyfriend’s brother. Eugene is five years younger than Natalie, and she has a hard time with the age difference. He doesn’t care; he is instantly smitten with the young mother. Yes, Natalie has two children who feature prominently in this story, as they should.
Luckily, Natalie’s sister and her kids think Eugene is great, so that eases the way for her to tiptoe into the relationship. She fights it for as long as she can, but eventually, they start heating up the pages. Natalie isn’t sure she wants more than just a fling, but Eugene wants forever and figures out a way to get Natalie on board. This was a fast, fun read and like all of Burton’s books, it is sexy as hell. It’s not especially memorable but it is very entertaining, and I enjoyed it.
1/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
DESIGNS ON YOU by Jaci Burton. Berkley (December 3, 2024). ISBN: 978-0593439616. 352p.
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