This was a fun fake dating, enemies to lovers, grumpyxsunshine. I enjoyed Natasha and Trent’s witty banter but wish we would have gotten more of the enemies portion. I absolutely loved Natasha, she was fierce and not afraid to speak her mind. Not even when confronted with a dashing CEO. As much as I enjoyed it, there were a lot of the book that felt rushed to me. The transition from enemies to lovers seemed to happen overnight and there wasn’t enough of a buildup for me. I also felt like a lot of Trent and Natasha’s relationship was built off of appearance rather than substance.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Natasha has always dreamed of selling her own furniture line. She works three crappy jobs in order to pay rent while also fulfilling furniture orders. When she gets fired from one of her jobs because of a cocky man she’s termed Coffeezilla, she’s at a loss. NYC is an expensive place, and she doesn’t quite make enough from her custom orders to pay for rent. Very quickly an opportunity presents itself to make various pieces for a client. But when she turns up at the client’s home she discovers that her new client is also the man who caused her to get fired.

Trent Saunders is the CEO of his grandparents’ furniture company. After taking the helm when his divorced parents nearly ran the company into the ground, he managed to take the company into a successful direction. Looking to create a line of sustainable furniture and quickly noticing Natasha’s talent, he offers a job on the design team at his company. Trent has a lot on his plate. His grandmother has a heart condition that requires her to have surgery, which she stubbornly refuses to do. When she mistakenly thinks Natasha is his girlfriend, he continues the facade in order to hopefully entice her to get the life saving surgery. As the two work closer together they begin to let the walls down. Trent has a lot of trust issues, and when an issue arises that makes him question Natasha’s loyalty will the two be able to get past it?

Boy was the heat coming off the pages. I loved the witty banter between Natasha and Trent and enjoyed the ride as they start to fall for each other. While this book is part of a series, it could be read as a standalone though I am curious to read the previous books to see Trent’s friends find their own happily ever afters.

I really loved both characters. Natasha doesn’t take any BS from anyone, and I liked that she stood her ground after the third act conflict. She really made Trent work for it, and I wholeheartedly approve. I liked the two of them together. They really complemented each other, and their relationship felt earnest. Each made themselves vulnerable and let the other see sides of them that they normally keep hidden. I loved their journey. I also loved their relationships with the side characters. There is a clear message of sometimes family is the one you choose. They each had strong support systems, and I felt that added layers to the characters. We got to see how they were when they felt safe and supported and how that translated into their own relationship.

I’m not typically a fan of third act conflicts, but this one worked given Trent’s past. I also appreciated that Natasha made him work for her forgiveness. He did say some very hurtful things, but he owned up to it, and it wasn’t easily brushed aside.

This was a very engaging read with the right mix of romance and spice. I really enjoyed it, and will definitely check out Ms. North’s other books.

Designed for Disaster, is unique to me. I've never read about a woodworking lady before. I enjoyed that part a lot. Boy Natasha, really has bad luck when it comes to guys and jobs though. Trent has a hard time enjoying a good thing when it happens to him. He seems to sabotage it almost from the beginning. Of course it's Grandma Dee that brings everyone together in the end. I love her. She is the rock that these guys were missing in their lives.

This was quick read with a fun enemies to lovers and fake dating premise. It fell a bit short in the pacing. The plot moved so quickly that it took away from the building tension that makes an enemies to lovers trope exciting. It also made it harder to suspend disbelief in situations that are essential to the plot. One minute the FMC is a barista, the next she's heading the design department in the MMC's furniture company. One minute she's meeting grandma, the next she's roped into fake dating the grandson. Everything happens so fast there's no chance to build up chemistry, so we're just told about it.

"Designed for Disaster" is a fun grumpy/sunshine romance with a dash of fake dating. The book can be read as a stand-alone, but comes in as the third book in a series.

The story follows Hellcat - Natasha, a feisty furniture designer who works several different part time jobs to support her true passion; and Trent AKA Coffeezilla, a grumpy CEO of a furniture company who seems to have no time for anyone but himself. In a series of events that can only be described as a coffee shop employee’s worst nightmare, our MMC manages to get Natasha fired from her part time job, later he unwittingly commissions her to make some furniture pieces for his grandmother which causes their paths to cross again - and that’s where our story really begins.

This was a short and sweet romance - and ultimately a rather fast paced read that was easy to get into. Our main couple were fun and feisty, and I really like when the FMC isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I really enjoyed the supporting character roles and the sense of chosen/found family (the little gang of lost boys dynamic has my whole heart). I also loved Nana Dee because how could you not.

There were a few scenes that broke the immersion experience for me a bit as it felt a bit rushed, or changes in time that weren’t clearly documented so I was left puzzling over how much time had passed but overall it didn’t take much from the experience.

There was also one specific scene where I had to stop and take a break where the current on-page scene (spicy) was broken up with flashbacks to a separate conversation that had occurred off-page (not-spicy and mentioning familial relationships), honestly the chopping and changing between the current realtime on-page scene and the recollection of the one in the past made me feel a bit uncomfortable… but on reflection I feel like it may have been an intentional writing device to make the reader feel similar to the main characters own conflicting thoughts at the time.

Overall this was a quick and mildly spicy read, with some great jokes and an enjoyable push-pull dynamic between our two main characters! (3.75 rounded up to 4)

Designed for Disaster by Leslie North is a grumpy/sunshine romance where Natasha, a sassy barista, gets fired after spilling coffee on Trent - Turns out, she’s a furniture design pro, and Trent hires her to work for his store. The side characters are fun, the plot's a little flimsy, but it's a quick, spicy read with snarky banter and plenty of hot moments

Thank you to Netgalley and Relay Publishing for an early copy of this book. I really enjoyed it and read it in one day. I loved the characters and the family dynamics with Trent. I would definitely recommend this book.

Leslie North’s Designed for Disaster is a charming mix of witty banter, heartfelt moments, and sizzling chemistry. As the third book in the Manhattan Bossholes series, it can easily be read as a standalone, but fans of the series will enjoy revisiting familiar characters and dynamics.

Natasha and Trent’s story begins with a hilariously disastrous meet-cute that sets the tone for their fiery dynamic. Natasha, a talented furniture designer with a no-nonsense attitude, clashes with Trent, the grumpy yet secretly sweet furniture store owner. Their journey from adversaries to fake-dating partners and, ultimately, to a heartfelt romance is as entertaining as it is emotional.

The supporting characters, especially Nana Dee and Trent’s "Lost Boys," bring warmth and humor to the story. They add layers of depth, making Trent’s world feel like a community you’d want to be part of. Nana Dee’s wisdom and the playful camaraderie of Trent’s friends are highlights that balance out the romance and drama.

While the story leans on some familiar tropes, such as the grumpy-sunshine dynamic and fake dating, Leslie North’s engaging writing and sharp dialogue make it feel fresh and fun. The pacing is spot on, with just the right amount of tension, passion, and character growth to keep you invested.

If you enjoy a lighthearted romance with emotional depth, a touch of spice, and a cast of lovable characters, Designed for Disaster is a must-read. Whether this is your first venture into Leslie North’s world or you’re a devoted fan of the Manhattan Bossholes series, this book is a delightful addition to your TBR!

Designed for Disaster is book three in the Manhattan Bossholes Series by Leslie North.
An entertaining billionaire romance the was lighthearted and so sweet.
This fake relationship was swoony and fun.
I’ve really enjoyed all three books.

Designed for Disaster is the first book by Leslie North that I've read it will definitely not be the last. It's the 3rd book in the Manhattan Bossholes series & Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC.
Designed for Disaster is a fantastic story of Natasha & Trent's relationship with the perfect ratio of funny & drama as well as romance & passion.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, with all thoughts and opinions being my own. If you enjoy spicy banter, a bit of family drama, some emotional trust issues, & plenty of passion, then you'll enjoy this amazing story.

This is a really cute easy read. One of those books you want when you are just in a reading mood but don’t want all the anxiety of a thriller.
Every grumpy being needs that one person that will through everything right back at them to break down those walls. Natasha is just that for Trent!
Natasha is the one person Trent never wants to see again… until it comes to making Nana Dee smile. He can fake it long enough to get the job done…. Or he thought. Natasha found a way to tear down those wall he has put into place as a young boy , she tore them down all the way to his heart.

I recently read "Designed for Disaster" by Leslie North, and I must say it was a wild ride. As a student, I don't always have a lot of time to read for pleasure, but this book was hard to put down.

*The Plot*

The story follows the main character, who gets caught up in a whirlwind romance with a wealthy and charming guy. But, as the title suggests, things don't quite go as planned. I won't give away too many spoilers, but let's just say there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.

*The Writing Style*

Leslie North's writing style is engaging and easy to follow. She does a great job of developing the characters and creating a vivid atmosphere. I loved how she wove together the romance, drama, and humor to create a story that's both entertaining and relatable.

*What I Liked*

- The romance was sweet and steamy (but not too explicit, which I appreciated).
- The characters were well-developed and complex.
- The plot was engaging and unpredictable.

*What I Didn't Like*

- Some of the supporting characters felt a bit one-dimensional.
- The ending felt a bit rushed.

*Overall*

"Designed for Disaster" was a fun and engaging read that I'd definitely recommend to fans of romance and drama. While it wasn't perfect, the strengths definitely outweighed the weaknesses. If you're looking for a lighthearted, entertaining read, this might be the book for you.

Would I read it again? Probably yes, but I'd definitely check out more of Leslie North's books in the future.

Designed for Disaster by Leslie North is a delight from start to finish! This book checks all the boxes for a perfect romance-an easy read with a hilarious meet-cute, sizzling chemistry, emotional depth, and a heartwarming HEA.

Natasha and Trent’s story had me hooked right from their unforgettable first encounter. The witty banter and feisty dynamic between these two had me laughing out loud and their journey from fake dating to falling deeply in love tugged at my heartstrings. Natasha is a strong, talented, and fiery heroine, and Trent’s grumpy exterior hides a sweet, loyal man who’s impossible not to root for. Watching them navigate their trust issues and grow together made their romance all the more satisfying.

Nana Dee and the "Lost Boys" add so much warmth and humor to the story. The family dynamics and friendships feel real and made me wish I could join their world. I especially loved the small moments of connection and care that brought depth to the characters- like Trent’s devotion to his grandmother and Natasha’s passion for her craft.

Leslie North’s writing is as engaging as ever with near perfect pacing, sharp dialogue, and just the right amount of spice to keep things steamy yet heartfelt. The emotional twists and turns and the satisfying resolution made this book impossible to put down.

If you love fake dating, grumpy-sunshine dynamics, and romances that make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even shed a tear or two, Designed for Disaster should be on your TBR. This is the second book I've read in the Manhattan Bossholes series and I highly recommend this series to everyone!

“Designed for Disaster” is a grumpy/sunshine romance book by Leslie North. Although this is part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone. The two main characters - Natasha (feisty, vocal, won’t back down) works at a coffee shop where Trent (grumpy, a bit controlling, and tough) spills coffee upon himself and, in a way that makes sense, gets Natasha fired. It turns out that Natasha, fortunately, has a skill besides being a barista and that’s designing furniture. It turns out that Trent runs a furniture store and (long story short) he hires Natasha for both pieces for his grandmother and to work in the main office. I liked a number of the side characters (Trent’s group of friends sound like friends we all need; ditto for Stacy) and while some point of the story are a bit flimsy, it was a good quick read. I will say there’s some “sexy time,” and a bit (for me) too much time spent thinking about hotness rather then, I don’t know, character - but I get it. A bit of snark from both characters throughout the book.

This book made me laugh several times and there is no way that you won’t fall in love with these character instantly. Trent and Natalia have so much sass and snark that they are amazing together. The love they both share for furniture and design is amazing and you will devour this book in no time. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read Stacy’s story. I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun guilty-pleasure read. It’s predictable and somewhat tropey, but it has some interesting plot points and some good writing. The likable side characters (especially Dee) are another highlight.

This wasn’t a five-star read for me because the story focuses too much on physical attraction (after Trent gets Natasha fired, she’s still thinking about how hot he is?!) and there’s a major relationship event that felt out-of-order.

However, I still enjoyed this book and it was satisfying to see Trent’s character growth. I rate this story 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you to Relay Publishing and NetGalley for the free eARC! I post this review with my honest opinions.

Content notes: profanity, sexual content

This book was so good - it was a true grumpy/sunshine book! Natasha is a hellcat on wheels - she's fierce and fiesty and oh so sunny. Trent is a stuck-up grump who is just miserable. The other characters are all fantastic, and all together they make this into such a wonderful book. I loved how their attraction naturally just grew from the start, and I really enjoyed the ending.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.