Kenya Stewart is so close to getting her dream position at an event agency. When a scheduling blunder risks her promotion, she hopes an upcoming pitch will give her a second chance. But an accident at her cousin’s wedding sends her to the emergency room in the care of another wedding guest, Solomon Anruchi, the handsome doctor who ghosted her after their first date.
Solomon’s parents are eager for him to find a business-savvy wife and make the move to New York to take over a recent acquisition by their family’s company. But he needs to buy more time to finish his residency and convince them that staying in Hope Springs is the best path for him. He realizes that Kenya is the perfect person to help, and Kenya needs his connections to land a high-profile client and save her career. Their solution? A fake dating relationship.
As attractions increase amid their ruse, secrets they’ve kept from each other and the weight of others’ expectations begin to unravel their scheme. Will their carefully constructed plans crumble when the truth comes out?
Jenny Erlingsson’s charming new contemporary romance is brimming with heart, humor, and characters that leap off the page.
My Review:
Happy sigh of supreme bibliophile satisfaction, that’s me after reading (listening) to ‘Almost by Design.‘ I am a forever Jenny Erlingsson fan now. Her evocative storytelling style invites a reader in and compels her to stay. I love the combination of comedy and drama centred around a fake dating trope. Kenya and Solomon couldn’t be more right for each other…in all the wrong ways…and it was so much fun watching them come together after an inauspicious beginning. Hmmm, might even be able to say this starts out as an ‘enemies to more’ trope as well, on Kenya’s side anyway.
She’s feisty and focused. Career-minded to the nth degree because she has something to prove, or thinks she does anyway. Her intense need to prove herself feels almost exhausting at times but she has very good reasons for feeling that way.
Solomon is burdened by the weight of parental expectations. They see his future one way, he sees it going in a completely different direction. He loves and respects his parents, but does that mean he has to sacrifice his hopes and dreams for them?
Honestly, the character growth for both hero and heroine is phenomenal. Lots of emotional depth with touches of faith and insightful wisdom from unexpected places. And the romance? Swoonalicious all the way! From their hesitant fake relationship pact that grows into friendship that deepens into something they both need to be brave enough to hold onto. Oh la la! Sublime, toe-curling romance with just the right touch of angst!
A full cast of opinionated secondary characters adds flare and even more drama to Solomon and Kenya’s love story (as if they actually needed any more drama!) Leaves me eagerly anticipating more Hope Springs stories in my reading future because some of these characters deserve their chance to shine in their own stories!
I listened to the audible edition of ‘Almost by Design’ narrated by AhDream Smith who delivered a stunning performance. She matched the energy and emotion of Erlingsson’s storytelling and added to my overall enjoyment.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice
Canada – ebook or audible copy – winner’s choice
International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account
If you would like a chance to win a copy of Almost by Design, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 13 2026
Kav's Best Reads 
Oooppsss, sorry, I schedule this post for 12:00 p.m instead of a.m. Sigh — frazzled moving brain strikes again! 🙂
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I’ve recently been seeing this cover a lot and I like it! I thought maybe this was her debut, but according to her website it’s not. Your review drew me right in, so please count me into the drawing. I always appreciate a stellar and enthusiastic review!
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
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Isn’t the cover gorgeous? Love the movement in her dress especially — makes me feel like they are about to walk right off the cover! Her debut was fantastic as well — the setting is the same — small town Alabama but this book reads as a standalone. Mind you we get to see characters from the first book in this one, but not written in a way that you’d feel lost if you haven’t read Her Part to Play. This book has lots to be enthusiastic over. 🙂 Good luck, Perrianne!
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Oh, and should mention that this is her second fiction book, as far as I can tell, so while Her Part to Play was her debut fiction novel, Jenny Erlingsson wrote a number of Christian Non-Fiction books before that.
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Yes! I had to look up her website and was quite impressed! She is one busy lady with four kids, writes devotionals, does speaking engagements and ministers. Her family has a heart for Iceland. The library has her debut in e-book format (as long as it’s not Hoopla). One of her non-fiction books is there, too. I’m not sure how I’ve never heard of her, I feel like I missed out on some awesome talent. The Almost by Design cover is simply beautiful.
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I want to check out her non-fiction as well. Will have to do some digging after I move. Love that your library has one of them!
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I haven’t seen one bad comment about this book, and your sigh of satisfaction seals the deal! Thanks for the chance.
Connie
cps1950ATgmailDOTcom
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It’s excellent! That kind of story that takes over your real world for a time. Good luck, Connie!
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This sounds like it has everything I love in a book. Thanks for the review!
Sandyavery at Comcast dot net
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You’re welcome, Sandy. Good luck!
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Jenny’s first book was great. Can’t wait to read this one!
Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com
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She’s on my ‘must read’ list now. Good luck, Jolene!
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Oh my! ALMOST BY DESIGN sounds like a magnificent read and one I just know I’m going to be compelled to read in one sitting. I’ve said it once (ok a million times) and I’ll say it again – sounds like hubby and me. I do so love a story that starts off on a sour note, but oh can it slowly get sweeter as time goes by and one takes the time to learn the “real” person. Can’t wait to dive into Kenya and Solomon’s story.
Hey don’t worry about the time thing. Believe me, after another busy day, I needed the time to get to it anyway. 😉
Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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This is your kind of read, Kay! Thanks for understanding about the time glitch. Got the hour right, just forgot to select ‘am’ and then I headed out to the grocery store early to avoid the thunderstorms rolling in later. We have your heat and humidity now and it’s yucky! Good luck, Kay!
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Sounds intriguing! Though I’m not sure I’m 100% liking the cover, so maybe that was a bit off-putting when I first saw this come out. As usual, your review convinces me to give it a chance!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
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Ooohhh, interesting! You’re the first person I’ve heard say they didn’t like the cover. Definitely do give the story a try, it’s amazing! Good luck, Trixi!
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Oh, I just love when I discover new authors. Thanks for sharing. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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You’re welcome, Lucy. Good luck!
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Hi Kav! I really enjoyed her debut, Her Part to Play. Not my usual preference as far as professions in fiction goes, but she pulls it off amazingly well and with depth! I usually avoid books with actors, singers, or any performers, because of…well…the drama! LOL! I’d love to read this one, because I’m sure it will be even better.
Karen kcrhoadesATroadrunnerDOTcom
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Hey Kav,I think I may have made my comment as a reply to your reply to Lucy Reynolds. WordPress was giving me a hassle, and I think I accidentally hit reply while I was touching my screen trying to get the comment box to respond and bring up the keyboard! I didn’t mean to piggyback, but of course, I can’t seem to remove the comment. lol!😅Have a great weekend!Sent from my iPhoneOn Jun 10, 2026,
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No worries, Karen, I’ve done the same thing. We go with the flow here at Best Reads. 🙂 And I’m the same as you when it comes to careers in the entertainment industry, just not a draw for me at all but, as you say, Her Part to Play was excellent. This one she’s an event manager/designer and he’s a physical therapist — so no Hollywood type drama at all…just some challenging family members at times. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Karen!
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Awe … this sounds like a book I’d enjoy. She’s a new author for me too.
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Happy to make the introduction. Good luck, Becky!
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I think I might have a copy of her first book, but I haven’t read it yet, but this one sounds like a fun read too!
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She’s a talented storyteller, that’s for sure. Good luck, Patty!
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oh this sounds so good! She is a new to me author but I’ve definitely added this one to my TBR pile!
ladepooh at hotmail dot com
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