Designed for Love

by Erin Dutton

Jillian Sealy and Wil Johnson don't much like each other but they do have to work together, at least long enough to rehab an historic house.
Jillian Sealy is not running away from her life, she's seizing a business opportunity. That's what she tells herself when she moves to a rural Tennessee town to flip a nearly century-old house. But the project gets a bit more interesting when she meets her devastatingly attractive contractor, Wil Johnson. When Jillian seems to think she has Wil all figured out from nearly their first meeting, Wil wants nothing to do with her. Wil has spent most of her life being underestimated by her neighbors because of where she came from, and she's not about to get involved with a big-city snob who does the same.
Forced to cooperate for the sake of the project, Jillian and Wil find that what they desire most is not what either of them had planned.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Lesbian Fiction, LGBT, Fiction, Lesbian Romance, LGBT Romance

196 pages, ebook

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

Born and raised in Upstate New York, Erin Dutton moved to Nashville, Tennessee several years ago. No longer a Yankee, and yet not a true Southerner, she remains somewhere between the two, and is happy to claim both places as home. Her days are spent earning a living, while her nights and weekends are divided between several of her favorite things: writing, reading, golf, and her friends. Erin is the author of ten romance novels and the recipient of the 2011 Alice B. Medal for body of work.

Reviews

[Diana P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about two women who fall for each other in spite of their differences.

The dynamic and interactions between the lead characters were interesting and sexy. Their disagreements were quite funny but at the same time portrayed their perspectives about life and that helped to get to know them better.

I can’t say I fell in love with these characters because at some point I found their attitudes quite irritating. The development of their relationship was engaging but I couldn’t feel one of the character’s feelings really evolve (until the very end) and that includes actions and thoughts. Perhaps, there weren’t enough situations or events that could have helped those emotions to be portrayed properly, Idk. I guess that was the reason I didn’t feel they were on the same page (falling in love). This situation made me perceive the other character somehow a bit weak when acting on her feelings, especially when the other one seemed to reciprocate only the physical attraction.

However, it’s possible that the situation in which they were was hard for this character to understand or be aware of the feelings that were growing inside her. At the end, she acknowledges how empty her life has always been and realizes she’s in love. Once again, I’d have loved to read the evolution of those feelings expressed through actions and internal dialogues throughout the development of the story. I guess that’s the only thing I didn’t like; otherwise, I did enjoy the tension and vibe between them.

Overall, this was a nice reading, not one I’d reread but it was interesting nonetheless.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed score: 3.25

Reading this book made me appreciate all the more just how much Dutton has grown in her writing over the years. Don't get me wrong - this wasn't bad per se - I don't regret taking the time to read it. However her later work is much - richer.

Kudos to Dutton for slipping in a plausible pwoar scene within the first two chapters though - nothing like a (well written) one of those to hook the reader!

Where this book falls down is the development of the emotional connection - we are meant to believe the characters are falling for each other but <\spoiler> I believed the physical but not the emotional.

If you've liked Dutton's other work and are casting about for something to read then you could do worse - but be aware that this is middle of the road rather than top of the tree.

[MJSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice, quick read. It's completely formulaic, with precitable plot points, and a tried and true formula, but the leads are likeable enough. Nothing happens in this book that you can't see coming from the opening few chapters and it could definitely have used a bit more substance, but if all you're looking for is a nice way to kill a few hours, then this should do the trick.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, at times fluffy, at times angsty story about two women who are the total opposite of one another.

At times I found the dialogue and narrative hard to follow, it wasn't always clear which character the author was referring to. Additionally, you don't really get to know the characters outside of their interactions with one another. I could have stood to have more character development in there.

All in all a nice quick read.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opposites attract in this fluffy light romance. Jullian inherits her Aunt Mary's house in rural Tennessee. As a real estate agent her goal is to remodel and flip the house and return to her bigger city career. Wil Johnson is the attractive contractor who has grown up in the small town and never got over the feelings of being the poor kid even after turning Johnson and Son into a successful business. No big angst and a very sweet side story with neighbor Rose

[AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very lovely and simple story for a rainy afternoon. Beautifully described moments with beautifully described characters. Easy to follow and waiting for the romantic end. Life is not that easy but this book it is so uncomplicated which made me smile during some moments.

[Bookgirrll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth a read

A little stereotypical characters but well written, I liked the longer term story too in the background. Give it a go!

[Rashika · Rating 3 out of 5]

tthe chemistry was nice.