ANNIKA
Cheating husband. On-air meltdown. Public humiliation.
Lucky me, I’ve experienced them all.
Oh, and the implosion of my career as an up-and-coming designer and renovation television darling.
But that was then.
Now, I’m in the TV studio, more determined than ever to prove to myself (and the few fans I have left), that I’m back for good. Nothing from my past—no man, no mistake—is going … past—no man, no mistake—is going to knock me down again.
If only fate—and Grayson Hesse—had gotten the memo.
GRAYSON
Woodworker. Stone house restoration guru. And the new host of Hesse and a Hard Place.
This is what I know:
If this show’s a success, I’ll finally be able to give my family the financial stability they need. My chances of success go way up if I have the best designer in the business working by my side. And the best in the business (despite the lingering rumors) is Annika Hale.
She’s the triple threat: brilliant designer, restoration maven, and the woman who stole my heart six years ago…and hasn’t looked back since.
But that was then.
Now… Well, what is it they say? After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love.
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Love by Design was such a fun, unique, and heartfelt read! Katy has done it again with this one, and I couldn’t recommend it more! I loved diving into the world of these characters and learning more about what goes on behind the scenes in the lives of home designers, builders, and renovators. Seeing the passion Grayson and Annika both had for what they did and how it shaped their view of the world, and ultimately drew them to each other, was a real highlight of the story for me. Of course, these two also have some intense passion for one another as well! Their love story was completely swoon-worthy and left me with no doubt they were perfect for each other. I’m a sucker for a second chance romance, and this one hit all the right notes. I loved seeing the characters’ pasts and presents get interwoven to create such a detailed and compelling picture of their bond and connection. Katy’s writing never disappointing, and it really shone here. Love by Design perfectly blends humor, heart, and just the right amount of angst to keep you turning the pages as fast as you can. If you’re looking for a story to get you in that ‘smiling and singing to myself because I just finished an adorable book and I believe in loooove’ mood, this is totally it! It might also leave you with a sudden urge to start a restoration project…
Having a second chance at love doesn’t happen everyday, so when Annika and Grayson meet after a one night stand that occured six years ago, you wonder what will happen as the story unfolds. The book is told in flashbacks as well as in present day by both characters. This way, you get the full feel of what happened when they first met and the years following.
I liked the premise of LOVE BY DESIGN, a home design television show, since watching home makeovers on television is one of my favorites.
It was an emotionally charged story, romantic and angsty. I thoroughly enjoyed LOVE BY DESIGN.
I honestly wish the author would write a second book about Annika and Grayson.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
I’m loving these 425 Madison books. Grayson and Annikas story just pulls you in. Perfect as a standalone. It’s not necessary to have read the other books. Loved it x
I really really enjoyed this book
I looooved Grayson and Annika. I loved their relationship. They had history and a past, and issues but They didnt let it sit or dance around it, they actually talked about it and delt with it. It was really well written and dealt with.
A past that ruined her career and a man who broke her heart give her the push to make some changes for the better in her life. First though there’s got to be some talking. Great story and characters who make you want their success, especially if it means sticking it to a jerk. Love this author for a great read and some steam.
Annika and Grayson’s story was a roller coaster, but sweet nonetheless. A few chapters we took a look in the past, it was a bit confusing but I was able to catch up. I hope the couple ends up at the cabin adjacent Grayson’s parents house and they keep the house.
In this series I haven’t been disappointed yet and while reading this one I couldn’t help but be blown away. Not only do you get the excitement of those butterfly feelings about a new couple but oh goodness do you get DRAMA!!
Throughout this book you feel all the emotions Annika feels and it kind of knocks you on your butt but when Grayson comes into the picture you can’t help but hold onto hope. Annika seems to struggle and I can completely understand why but seeing Grayson struggle had me completely confused for most of the book. It’s a good confusing because I had to keep guessing what the heck was going on and by the end you will be dancing around figuring out everything!
I loved the mystery of what the heck happened, I loved the growth of each character you witness throughout the book and holy goodness I loved the sexual tension plus the drama! I think in this book you get quite a bit more than you were expecting because parts kind of came out of no where but made me love this book all the more!!
So, I did really enjoy the book by this same author in the first season of this series, Accidentally in Love, but this one I loved even more! What I find interesting is that lately I have been reading a lot of books about home improvement shows, and in real life I HATE those shows! I always joke that they are like watching paint dry. However I really, really liked these characters and this whole story. Now, we had Annika’s side right away, but it was a bit before we got Grayson’s full back story. About a third of the way through I was turning pages as quickly as possible because I needed to know!
This book was so sweet, and sexy, and just all around fun!
Misunderstandings, douchebag ex, rollercoaster ride of mixed emotions . Love this addition to the 425 Madison series.
Annika is a designer but she’s had a tough time with a cheating ex, public meltdown and humiliation. Grayson is a woodworker and set to work on a tv show with Annika. Annika is the woman who stole his heart and left years ago. The two are such a cute couple and I loved reading about them.
When Grayson himself the host of a reality show about renovating homes he knows that Annika would be the perfect co-host. He is not deterred by her reputation as he knows that she would be an asset and it might just be the way to right the wrongs of the past.
Annika was the co-host of a popular show until her husband’s betrayal not only ended their marriage but destroyed her career as well. This show is the fresh start she desperately needs even if it means working with the man who hurt her so many years earlier.
There is no denying the chemistry between Grayson and Annika, but they are perfect for each other in all aspects of their lives. This is a second chance between two people who have always belonged together.
Love by Design is the 16th book in the 425 Madison Avenue series. This is Grayson and Annika’s story. I thought it was a cute second chance romance. I liked the chemistry between the couple. The story includes flashbacks to then they first met and their one night together. It helped give me a better view of how intense their feelings for each other were then and in the present. I only wish the story was a bit longer. I think the length took away form the little mystery that shows up toward the end. I do recommend this one.
Love By Design is book 16 in the 425 Madison series. This is a second chances kind of romance with the two characters meeting up after 6 years.
Both have gone through a lot. Annika more than Grayson as you soon find out at least when it comes to public opinion.
They have a shared past, though not a shared relationship. Misunderstandings and all that, some anger issues and what not.
You get to see the past in some flashback scenes, which I enjoyed. I loved that for the most part Annika and Grayson’s relationship was a slow burn, working their way back to each other, even as they were about to be working together.
There was a definite chemistry between the the two. I also loved that Grayson was committed to his family.
The thing I had the most problem with was Annika’s ex, who showed up at the end, and the end of the slow burn that turned into sex every other scene. Seriously? If a tree almost took me out, I would not be in the mood to do the deed. Any kind of deed, to be honest, I’d need a sedative.
While flashbacks played a huge part in the story at the beginning, I wish more time would have been spent on her marriage and its failure. That whole thing, that caused her demise in the tv world for a time, seemed almost like an afterthought. Actually the type of thing that happened, probably would have made her a star in today’s reality world of tv.
But these two characters were definitely meant for each other and they were hard not to love. This was a good addition to the series, though I will add 425 Madison didn’t play a huge part in the story with this book.
Love by Design is Book 16 in the 425 Madison series and stands perfectly fine on its own. In fact, this one even more so than the rest as the connection to 425 Madison was fairly minimal.
This story was extremely well written and drew me in right from the start. Without spoiling the story, there was a manipulation in the past and present that I would have liked to know more of the why behind their actions. Regardless however this was a great addition to this fun series!
Annika is getting back in the saddle, she has had a rough couple of years since finding her husband with another woman live on TV, and she lost everything, her career, her husband and her home.
Greyson is no longer the handsome carpenter he was six years ago, he is now the star of Hesse and The Hard Place, and Annika is a behind the scenes designer.
When the two meet, she realises who he is, and realises that the feelings she had 6 years ago are still there, but she is angry about what happened, and unbeknown to her, he is angry with her about what happened as well.
When the truth comes out, and they actually talk, they both know that they not only want but need each other. But, things don’t run according to plan when they turn up for a live tv morning show and someone she doesn’t want to ever see again tries to throw a spanner in the works. Will he tear Greyson and Annika apart or are they too strong together to let it happen.
Another great story to come out of the 425 Madison series.
This was just the kind of book I needed right now. Easy, fun read light on the drama and angst. Annika is recovering from a personal and professional disaster. Grayson is trying to keep his family afloat. Together they make a fabulous team, and the chemistry between them is fire.
This book is a wonderful little getaway from the real-life drama going on, and a fun behind-the-scenes look at the design and renovation shows we love to watch. Definitely get this second chance, one-that-got-away love story and escape to the world of 425 Madison for a couple hours.
A wonderful romance about Annika and Grayson! Entertaining and sweet – really enjoyed this latest 425 Madison Avenue Book!
I read an ARC copy of this book.
I loved how it showed you parts of their past in the book so you could get a sense of who they were before and this really helped me love the characters even more but I also loved the setting of the story. 425 Madison has the cutest couples and always leaves me waiting for the next story.
This is another entry in the second season of this wonderful series. While I thought that Annika and Grayson’s story was OK, it was far from my favorite. I had multiple issues with this book. First, I simply found that this book just didn’t hold my attention well. I refuse to go as far as to say I was bored but I was absolutely not as engaged as I normally would be when reading a book from this series. Second, I just wasn’t feeling much of a connection or many sparks between these two. To be completely fair, there was a moment or two in the story when I caught a glimmer but for me it always just fizzled away. Lastly, even though a few scenes actually do take place at the 425 Madison building, this read felt so isolated from it that I found it hard to believe that it was in fact part of this series. It really lacked the charm, cuteness, familiarity and feeling of family I’ve come to expect. Still, it was not a bad book, unfortunately it just fell sort of flat with me.
I loved that this wasn’t just a second chance, it was a second chance at redemption. Grayson was giving Annika a chance to show the world her talent, while he showed her his world. I loved how persistent he was, considering they both left each other confused and upset in the past. There were some really sweet moments in here and I loved the protective ones, as well. There was also a bit of crazy, so hold on to your books and readers. They could get thrown.