“He thought I was his muse. Turned out, he was mine too.”
Maggie Stevens is done feeling objectified.
After spending her entire life in the spotlight and climbing the high fashion ranks as a model in LA, she’s willing to leave it all behind for a fresh start. Moving to Seattle seems like the perfect solution.
A clean slate.
New adventures.
Endless opportunities.
All is going according to plan. … adventures.
Endless opportunities.
All is going according to plan. Until she meets the drop-dead gorgeous cooking instructor who delights in adding to her misery.
Desmond Blake is determined to make a name for his culinary school–one that speaks to his hard work and undeniable passion.
The day his food photography hobby garners attention from an unexpected source, he knows his dreams are finally within reach. An obstacle he never sees coming? The sharp-tongued bombshell with a distaste for all he stands for.
When Desmond accidentally captures a photo of Maggie during a moment of weakness, he starts to see there’s more to the fashionista than meets the eye…
Sometimes what can be seen through the lens is a skewed version of reality. A bent perspective. Manufactured, therefore losing all sense of authenticity. And sometimes all it takes is a different angle to see what’s right in front of you.
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Fans of Under the Bleachers…….it’s been quite the wait for Desmond and Maggie’s story, hasn’t it?
Let me tell you that IT. IS. WORTH. THE. WAIT.
You are absolutely going to love their story! It’s a beautiful, emotional, and incredible story that will captivate you from the start. It’s a bit of a slow burn between them on their journey from enemies to friends to lovers, and for me, that just made everything that much more special between them when they did cross that line into something more. I truly loved everything about this story, and one of the things I loved most was that there was no big drama towards the end to cause conflict between them. What I thought might cause Desmond to push her away actually brought them closer together. And as much as I love all the other couples we’ve met in the BelleCurve series, Desmond and Maggie by far are my favorite!!
If you don’t have Through the Lens on your TBR – make sure you add it now!! It’s definitely a story you don’t want to miss out on!
5 STARS
I always enjoy a good enemies to lovers romance and this one is just absolutely perfect! Desmond and Maggie have to endure each other’s company considering Maggie sister is dating Desmond’s best friend, as well as Maggie’s dad was Desmond’s high school football coach (who he has close relationship with and she does not, additional drama). The banter and the chemistry these two have in and out of the kitchen is highly entertaining and hot. Through The Lens is an EPIC read and will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
I remember when I first discovered this author years ago when Up in the Tree House came out that I knew then that this author would find success in writing. I was correct in that assumption because there is just something magical about the way that she writes. I find myself becoming one with not only the story but the characters themselves. I feel their fears, their concerns, their hopes, their attraction, and their sadness. That was especially true with this story.
Initially, I was a little unsure about Maggie because I didn’t understand how she was acting but I WANTED to understand her so that propelled me forward. I am glad I did because I liked being along for the ride as she discovered herself too. I could understand her not having a focus when everything she had thought she wanted was tied to her looks and what she had been basically trained to believe. Desmond was another one that I was unsure of at first because he seemed so cocky while also being aloof and somewhat jaded in regards to Maggie. However, the old saying that opposites attract was definitely true because I felt the connection as they both tried to fight it. I liked the symbology of the camera and what it meant for both of them. I appreciated that there has to be mutual trust. I also liked getting to know Desmond’s background story and why he behaved the way he did. There is definitely Daddy baggage for both of them. I appreciated how the author tied the entire full circle through the dad connection and showed how precious life is and to appreciate what you have.
My biggest issue with this story comes from Maggie’s relationship with her Mom and Dad. First, her mom seemed like she had a lot to make up for and also answer for and her Dad I just wanted a further explanation. I loved seeing Monica and Zach again and Gavin and Chloe. It makes me want to go back and reread them again and leave a review since I didn’t know then the importance of leaving a review in addition to leaving a star ranking for in
Through the Lens by K.K. Allen is a beautiful emotional read that hooks you from the beginning. I loved Desmond and Maggie. Their romance was hot and steamy and gave you all the great feels. This author never fails and she didn’t disappoint with this book. I highly recommend it!!
This book is simply amazing. I was hooked from the very first page and was addicted to this story. Mags and Des are FIRE! Once their spark was lit and you added their chemistry, attraction and banter, that spark burned as hot as an inferno. I could not get enough of these two! Definitely secured a place as one of my 2020 Top Read’s!!!!
I love a good-feeling romance and KK Allen had written one hellion story. I wasnt expect the sassiness banter between Maggie and Desmond. These two lovebirds were the perfect enemies to lovers! They had the chemistry since the beginning and how they fell inlove with each other. Lost souls.. new confidence.. Through the lens really was an oh so good romance story. The angst between the feelings..
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I finished this book yesterday, and I’m still just in awe of this book. I know I say it with all of her releases, but this is truly my favorite book K has written. It’s so beautiful, poignant, moving, special, adorable, HOT, emotional.. And don’t even get me started on the banter! (I’m a sucker for good banter, and this book has it in spades.) This book has all that we’ve come to except from this author and so much more — it’s like she poured her heart and soul in the pages and it definitely shows.
This author truly has a way with her words, and I immediately blocked out the world around me once I began reading. I was so enamoured with Desmond and Maggie. They are so different, yet so alike that you just can’t help but root for them. They had a similar upbringing due to their absentee parents, and that created a void they each wanted to fill.
Although these two push each other’s buttons, their snake turns into such an amazing flirtatious banter, and they develop into such a deep and passionate love so organically. They just worked so well together, and just couldn’t not be with one another. I just adored these two!
It was also so great seeing our other favorite characters from the previous two books! These books are truly special, but this one is by far my favorite! Truly a special read.
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
Slow on burn, high on chemistry
As I read Maggie’s book, I felt every emotion from embarrassment on her behalf to horror through to an empathy for her family situation, and beyond that into a warmth and love when she finally connects on an emotional level with her sister again. I loved the dynamic between and it seemed that for a bit Monica was the one acting in the big sister role as Mags was taking stock of her life away that of a super-model.
I have to say that I loved Monica and Zach as secondary characters so much, and because I’m relatively new to K.K. Allen’s books, I messaged a book bestie who LOVES her books and was rapt to find out that yes, they have!!!
Wow, Desmond Blake is described as one super culinary hottie. So, I start thinking of every hot movie chef all rolled into some sexy male with a man-bun and a beard along with Maggie’s begrudging admiration, and all of a sudden, this enemies-to-lovers book has sparks that will ignite a fire in any kitchen!
I’ll tell you here that one of my favourite moments in any book is the first kiss, and K.K. Allen set that in what would be for me the most romantic of settings ever – a music concert. Yep, I YouTubed that vid, and totally saw that hot AF scene in my head. Best book first kiss ever!!!!
While the burn is slow, I believe the chemistry between them was so thick I chewed on it, and holy hell, I was still thinking of that kiss….
Maggie and Desmond’s story has pulled together everything that I love to read in a contemporary romance; family angst and turmoil, utter sadness, witty banter, a hint of humour, shots of steam and more chemistry than you can shake a stick at. One thing that I can guarantee is that I’ll be reading more from KK Allen in the future, and I can easily recommend this 5-star read to you along with her others. And, the best book first kiss ever remember!
K.K. Allen does a wonderful job of writing this witty, sexy opposites attract, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. It was a beautiful, sweet, and emotional journey of heartbreak, forgiveness, and healing. The plot is well-written and well-paced. You are swept up from start to finish in this emotional romance where there is so much more to these characters than meets the eye. They are real and relatable. Initially, they hate each other, or at least that’s what they think. But most of us have heard the saying, “There is a thin line between love and hate,” and the lines start to blur when they are thrown together when Maggie starts working for Desmond. Desmond is swoony and smartass, and Maggie is sassy. The more time they spend together, the more the line is blurred. Desmond sees more than what is on the surface with Maggie, and he is determined to peel back every single layer. Their connection and attraction are undeniable. The witty banter back and forth was hilarious and highly entertaining. I loved it! I loved seeing characters from previous books and what they are up to now. They add a lot of depth and character to the story.
This was such an emotional journey but fun too, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. I highly recommend reading this book!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
Chock full of ALL THE FEELS, this book is a quick and easy read that will have you avoiding adulting at all costs.
Mags is a spitfire! But, she also has many layers to her, which slowly unravel during the story.
Desmond. SWOON.
Okay, maybe a bit of a douche to start with but when he spouts out stuff like:
“I love that I can make you moan without even touching you”
And:
“No, Mags. All my dreams came true when I met you.”
He quickly makes you retract your earlier thoughts.
I always know I’m going to get a good swoony romance when I read KK Allen, but these characters brought the angst with them and their chemistry was off the charts!
Being a Pacific NW girl, I especially loved that this book was set in Seattle. I felt right at home and could easily picture Desmond, a cooking school instructor, and Maggie, an ex-model looking for herself, strolling through Pike Place Market, tailgating before the NFL game and the hype of the stadium, and experiencing the Seattle nightlife. This book just felt like home to me.
Desmond is a bit broken and broody, and Maggie is sassy, smart and beautiful; she completely surprises Desmond at every turn and I loved the push and pull between these two. Everything from their banter in the cooking classes to their teasing and flirting everywhere else they ran into each other built up to one HOT and amazing connection.
The tie between these two characters was undeniable from the start, but what I loved was watching them fall so effortlessly for the other when life handed them both difficult situations, including the loss of a loved one. Neither of them shied away or played games, which was refreshing. They continued to stand by one another, and their love came so organically and naturally which made for a swoony and easy read.
Although this book is part of a series, you can read it as a standalone. But if you have read the other books in this series, you will LOVE the cameo appearances from past characters, who play a part in these two falling for one another. Well done once again KK Allen!!
Through the Lens wasn’t just a good book, it was an GREAT one! From the moment I opened the book I. WAS. HOOKED!!!
K.K. Allen has this way of sucking you in until the very end. With sassy characters, witty banter (my fave) and a slow burn that turned into one EPIC explosion. Everything I want in an enemies to lovers book.
I absolutely loved K.K.’s Gravity series so I was super excited to check out more of her work. Through The Lens was the third book in her BelleCurve Series (Up In The Treehouse and Under The Bleachers were the others), I can attest that it can be read as a stand-alone since I have not read the other two and I didn’t feel lost. It was a sweet and slow, laugh out loud, emotional, enemies to lovers romance!
Maggie was used to living her life a certain way, one she wasn’t always in control of. When an opportunity presented itself, she chose to trust her instincts and take the leap. With little to her name, she uprooted her life to start new.
Desmond had been working for years to get his culinary school to the level he always dreamed of. With his eye on the prize, he wasn’t expecting to meet his match. Maggie was nothing but a pain in his rear from the start, but as time passed, was it hate or was it more? Would seeing the world through his lens allow him to see that things are not always as they appear?
Sigh! This book was just so sweet, very little angst but still so emotional. It left me feeling lighter and happy with a permanent smile!
You really don’t have to read the other books first but I looking forward to diving in! Fair warning for all that don’t like spoilers – you do get updates on the other couples, so if you don’t want spoilers, you may want to start from the beginning.
Through the Lens is a slow burn Enemies to Lovers story that was angsty and romantic and will have you falling in love with the characters. Desmond and Maggie were relatable characters who were both strong, they had an amazing connection, intense chemistry and playful banter which I loved. They both shared complicated family history and their story will evoke a range of emotion from you, it will touch your heart and will have you laughing. Their romance developed slowly and when it does, their steamy scenes were hott and passionate. Through The Lens is the 3rd book in the Bellecurve series. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to all lovers of enemies to lovers romances.
This story stole me from the first page. I couldn’t put it down. This author never fails to disappoint
This heartfelt, feel good, enemies to lovers romance was a real treat for the senses.
I was captivated from beginning to end by this angsty passionate read.
Desmond snd Maggie both share painful pasts and finding each other was both a curse and a blessing.
Their story flowed nicely as these 2 characters made certain discoveries that showed their growth and their ability to move forward. Once they made these discoveries the connection of these 2 characters was absolutely magnetic.
Well worth reading!
I FEEL ADDICTED and very satisfied (however it sounds like).
Throught the Lens is my very first book from this author and the only thing I
can say is WOW ! This book is amazing with every possibly meaning of this word… plus Dear KK Allen, feel warned – my stalker’s list has Your name on it now… #winkwink
HOWEVER In serious way – Desmond and Maggie … This couple captivated my heart from the begining. Since first chapters I could only fall deep and deeper in love for them !!!
Through the Lens is maybe a slow burn romance, but chemistry between Desmond and Maggie was over the charts !!! I’m still suprised, that my kindle didn’t set up on fire – LITERALLY… KK Allen done great job with with creating all this steamy climat around her characters. It was even more delicious because of… The banter between this couple ! OMG – Momma Marta likes it very very much !!!! It was funny and so damn brilliant, even writting this review I can’t stop smilling. Desmond is such an Alpha, and HEAR ME OUT LADIES – HE CAN COOK !!! Do I need to add more, to convince You to read Through the Lens ??? I.DON’T.THINK.SO hihi
Mr.Blake and Maggie can gave You all the feels over amazing culinary adventure, that can show You one, the most important truth : Find the right people and LOVE in life because these are the only things that matter !
I adored this book and I’m sure – I will come back for more to this author.
A slow burn, enemies to lovers story that is truly enjoyable and yet delves into the feelings and experiences of the characters’ entwined pasts and evokes some smiles and a little bit of angst.
“I feel our connection – in our past, in our present, and in our future. Desmond has never truly been my enemy-I see that now. He’s a missing link, a part of me. And I’m a part of him.”
I liked Maggie’s tenacity and Desmond’s commitment to his culinary craft. Once they moved past the tense chemistry of “hate” the heat that consumed these two was palpable. Not just in the kitchen. This also shows how there’s much more than meets the eye…And though Maggie has been a fashion model never quite comfortable in the high fashion world, the lens through which Desmond sees and captures her when he photographs her in spontaneous moments is palpable.
“When I snap photos of you, you’re no puppet to me. You are your most authentic, vulnerable, and beautiful self. I see you through the lens, Maggie Stevens. I see your heart, I see your soul, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about.”
An enemies to loves read this book is more than that, the emotional angst that these two go through is intense. Their HEA well deserved and the ride we took was wonderfully written. I love KK Allen and this is just another fabulous reason why.
Through The Lens by K.K. Allen was a heartaching story of two lost souls that melted my heart. It’s an enemies to lovers romance but the gritty and intense part attracted me more.
Maggie Stevens literally had a fall from grace. And the successful model has come to Seattle to live with her sister Monica. For a fresh start. And when Monica drags her to popular cooking class hosted by Desmond, she instantly hates him. Because she believes he and Monica’s boyfriend Zack were part of the reason their father moved away. Desmond doesn’t understand why she is so hostile and he gets back at her with equal animosity. Until they have to strike a deal. Desmond needs an assistant. Maggie needs a place to stay.
Desmond is so dreamy! He is just perfect. He has a big heart. He is kind. He is hardworking. He is loyal and respectful. He is gorgeous and charming. But he also has that bad boy edge. His bossy and arrogant and control freak side. His broken pieces. The dark past. Everything made him so much enticing. Maggie is an interesting character. In the beginning, she is on edge and sarcastic and bitter because the world pushed her to the corner. She was always on guard. Though I completely understand her reason for acting out so strongly, I think she was taking her anger and frustration out on people trying to help her. And I didn’t like that Maggie much. But slowly Desmond coaxed her out and I love that Maggie. Vibrant. Full of life. A bit naughty, a bit sassy, a bit sweet and full of lots of love and appreaciating people who matters. It’s a very slow paced romance that I just loved too much. I enjoyed their bickering and banter as much as I loved the heat and passion and swoonworthy emotions.
Through the Lens by K.K. Allen is a heartfelt and inspiring journey of two people finding out true peace and happiness in life. They repaired their hearts and love did an expert job. K.k. Allen made me fall in love with her amazing writing all over again.
Received ARC for honest review