Books › Design for Life
Design for Life
First published 1997 · 296 pages
A scenic, slow-burn vintage romance where artistic passions and a breathtaking New Zealand backdrop heal the sting of a misunderstood first impression.
What it feels like
Reading this vintage romance feels like stepping into a sunlit, dust-moted antique shop before being whisked away to the sweeping, restorative shores of New Zealand. The narrative unfolds at a leisurely, comforting pace, wrapping the reader in a cozy atmosphere of creative restoration and scenic beauty. The prose is gently formal and deeply evocative, lingering on the textures of painted murals and the rugged charm of pioneer homes. It is a story driven by the quiet tension of art imitating life, where a serendipitous meeting blossoms into a slow-burn connection, only to be tested by the classic sting of a misunderstood motive. It will thoroughly delight readers who crave sweet, old-fashioned love stories anchored by strong-willed creatives, breathtaking landscapes, and the promise of finding one's true home.
- Mood
- scenic
- cozy
- nostalgic
- breezy
- Tone
- earnest
- gentle
- romantic
- wry
- Pace
- leisurely
- Themes
- creative collaboration · finding home · art imitating life · overcoming misunderstandings
- The writing
- Descriptive and slightly formal, lingering affectionately on artistic details and the lush beauty of the New Zealand landscape.
- The arc
- Begins with serendipitous intrigue and scenic charm, dips into the sharp sting of betrayal, and resolves into a heartwarming, secure romance.
- Who it's for
- Fans of vintage, sweet romances who delight in creative protagonists, scenic estate restorations, and gentle, slow-burn misunderstandings.
Content notes
- mild relationship anxiety
About the book
Successful New Zealander thriller writer Dane Inglethorpe is visiting Britain on an exhausting signing tour. His publisher has arranged yet another signing, this time at a famous antiques shop, Leonora's, in Surrey.
Leonora is currently displaying New Zealand artifacts and has become enamoured by Dane's most recent books. Unwillingly, Dane goes to see her and is pleasantly surprised by the display, which features some excellent murals. He discovers that the artist is Leonora's granddaughter, Chloe.
At lunch with Leonora, he overhears a red-headed girl reject a proposal and she storms out of the restaurant. Always the alert writer, Dane feels that this is good subject matter and notes everything down. But when he returns to the shop he is intrigued to find that the artist granddaughter is also the red-head at the restaurant.
Dane asks Chloe to return to New Zealand with him to restore his pioneer home and covert his sister's house on the property into the restaurant she has dreamed of. But though he and Chloe are initially drawn to each other, Chloe is incensed when she discovers his notes on the quarrel in the restaurant back in England. Is she just being used as material for Dane's next book or does he really love her?
Description from Open Library.
Books like Design for Life
See why they match
Daughter Of The Misty GorgesEssie SummersA comforting vintage romance that wraps you in the rugged beauty of New Zealand and the quiet satisfaction of finding where you truly belong.
Through all the yearsEssie SummersA gentle, scenic vintage romance where initial suspicions melt into warm domestic bliss against a lush New Zealand backdrop.
Meant To MarryRobyn DonaldA tempestuous battle of wills where buried secrets and undeniable attraction collide in a lush, atmospheric setting.
The Nanny AffairRobyn DonaldA classic vintage romance dripping with secret identities, rugged landscapes, and irresistible, high-stakes attraction.
A Passionate PropositionSusan NapierA crackling, high-angst battle of wills where fiery antagonism inevitably melts into consuming passion.
Half a world awayGloria BevanA cozy, vintage escape to the lush landscapes of New Zealand, where forced proximity sparks a gentle, slow-burn romance.