Jess Tyler is a dreamer.
An up-and-coming interior designer, she experiences her surroundings through energy and possibility, seeing a space not only as what it is now but what it was in the past and what it could be in the future. Two years after launching her own firm, her career is about to take off. The sense that she's carried with her all her life of never belonging, trying to fit her artist's soul into a mainstream world, is finally feeling at peace.
Jess is on the brink of having everything she could have imagined. She has just landed the biggest commission of her life, but it has a catch. She'll need to work with Jack Stinson, presumed trust fund playboy, on the project. And Jess is finding, to her dismay, that the chemistry between them could throw everything she's worked for off track.
Set in vibrant San Francisco, Love by Design draws you in with emotionally complex characters undergoing rich romantic and personal journeys, with the pulse of the city flowing through the pages. A must read if you want to laugh, feel alive, and, most importantly, fall in love.
Jess Tyler is a dreamer.
An up-and-coming interior designer, she experiences her surroundings through energy and possibility, seeing a space not only as what it is now but what it was in the past and what it could be in the future. Two years after launching her own firm, her career is about to take off. The sense that she's carried with her all her life of never belonging, trying to fit her artist's soul into a mainstream world, is finally feeling at peace.
Jess is on the brink of having everything she could have imagined. She has just landed the biggest commission of her life, but it has a catch. She'll need to work with Jack Stinson, presumed trust fund playboy, on the project. And Jess is finding, to her dismay, that the chemistry between them could throw everything she's worked for off track.
Set in vibrant San Francisco, Love by Design draws you in with emotionally complex characters undergoing rich romantic and personal journeys, with the pulse of the city flowing through the pages. A must read if you want to laugh, feel alive, and, most importantly, fall in love.
Some days, you wake up knowing your life is about to be different.
In the two years since Jess Tyler had started her own interior design firm, Anicca, sheâd had many kinds of days. Days when she had been inspired. Days when she had been challenged, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Days when she had wondered why she ever left the safety of her old firm, Unoa, which was established and past the point of building a reputation, developing a client base, and trying to make ends meet. Days when she had to push herself out of her comfort zone, in ways both large and small, all so that her fledgling firm would survive in the competitive world of interior design.
And then days like today, when she knew it had all been worth it.
âTheyâre here!â Jess heard Charlie, her assistant, call from outside the bathroom door where Jess had been hiding out for the last twenty minutes.
His voice snapped Jess back to the present. She took a breath and focused on transforming her nerves into excitement.
About a month ago, Jess had been notified that 7Ă7 Magazine, the go-to magazine for all things San Francisco, was profiling Anicca. She still remembered the expression on Charlieâs face when he told her the news. She had literally jumped for joy with him, screaming so loud that her other assistant Moira had rushed in wondering if one of them had gotten hurt. But Moira joined the celebration as soon as sheâd been filled in. A profile in 7Ă7 meant big things for all of them, not only more clients but more prestigious opportunities. It was the culmination of everything Jess had dreamed of when she left Unoa.
âJust a sec!â Jess replied. She glanced at herself in the mirror, grateful that she had taken her sister, Bridgetâs, advice on what to wear. She looked the part, the twenty-nine-year-old founder and CEO of a cutting-edge design firmâa far cry from shy, quiet artist sheâd been in her youth, the one who had never quite fit in and had doubted she ever would. In many ways, Anicca existed because of that girl. If Jess had not spent most of her life wondering if she would ever belong, she might not have taken the huge risk of starting her own firm, to create a place where she, finally, felt at home. Â
âCome on, Jess!â Moira shouted. âTheyâre asking where you are, and Charlieâs getting dangerously close to having a panic attack.â
Jess smiled. âComing,â she said, bracing herself as she opened the bathroom door. She took in the chaotic scene outside. Aniccaâs small lobby had been taken over with cameras and studio lighting. There were at least three people setting up various pieces of equipment, with Charlie in the corner directing people where to go while at the same time offering croissants that he had stood in line early to pick up from Tartine, the famous bakery renowned for its long lines as much as for its pastries.
Jess turned to Moira. âI see what you mean. Letâs go save him. It wonât look good if a member of the team passes out in the middle of the photoshoot.â
âNot exactly what we want to be remembered for,â Moira chuckled. âHey, Jess,â she placed her hand gently on Jessâs shoulder, âyou are going to crush it today.â
Jess touched Moiraâs hand. âThank you. I think I needed to hear that. Alright, letâs do this.â
As if through some coordinated dance, each of them assumed their roles. Moira became the de facto project manager. It suited her well. Moira was that strange combination, perhaps unique to San Francisco, of a dedicated yogi and meditator who believed in a higher connection and human potential but who also wasnât afraid to tell you straight up when you were being an idiot. In addition to being a talented artist, she helped Jess manage the design process, working with sometimes challenging clients and coordinating the many steps necessary for a design to actualize. Jess had laughed to herself a few times during the shoot as she caught Moira correcting a photographer on how they could best capture an image. Moiraâs directness was tempered by a well-meaning nature that let her get away with much more than she might otherwise have. Jess had been lucky to add Moira to her team when Anicca was starting out. Someone with her talents could have gone to any firm she wanted, but she had taken a chance on Jess, believing not only in Jessâs designs but in Jess herself. Her faith in Anicca had been crucial during those many times when Jessâs doubt had felt overwhelming.
In the meantime, Jess teamed up with Charlie to go through some of the designs they had selected for the shoot. Charlie had also been with Jess since the beginning, recently graduated and eager to take on the many and varied tasks inherent to a new business. He told the crew about the Wabisabi aesthetic that informed much of Aniccaâs work, which took what might be perceived as flaws in a space and elevated them, honoring them as reflecting its history, something that adding to its richness. Perfect was boring, but a well-designed imperfection made a design beautiful.
It was in homage to that idea that Jess had named her firm Anicca, reflecting the belief that all things are impermanent and changing. Jess loved the concept of impermanence, how everything was just as it was for a moment in time and then it was gone. The philosophy deeply resonated with something that she had felt and appreciated in her bones since she was young, watching the sky and seeing the clouds move and the colors change, feeling like, for at least a moment in time, she belonged. Like it was okay that she too was imperfect, because there was no such thing as perfect, and she was exactly how she was supposed to be.
By some minor miracle, everything that morning went smoothly, and after a few hours, the photoshoot portion was wrapping up. The only thing left now was the interview. Jess separated herself from the chaos so that she could reflect on what she wanted to say. Her mind became still as she let herself imagine the design process, how she started with a blank slate and then felt the energy of the room. It was a visual experience, but also physical, auditory . . . all her senses alive to capture the essence of her surroundings. Jess felt some of that now. She leaned against a wall in a side hallway and closed her eyes, remembering some of the spaces she had designed, those that had spoken to her. Her skin tingled with that energy, her mind wholly immersed in the memories.
âYou look lost in thought.â
Jess started abruptly from her reverie to find a man standing next to her.
âSorry, didnât mean to startle you,â he added. He looked at Jess with interest. His eyes, a deep brown, sparkled, matching the amusement in his slightly upturned lips.
âItâs okay,â Jess replied, collecting herself. âI was just . . . preparing.â
âBy all means, donât let me disturb you.â
Jess stood up straight from against the wall, too flustered to continue her meditation. She took a closer look at him, seeing his rich chocolate-colored hair that made his brown eyes seem even darker. As Jess studied him more, she found that he exuded a certain warmth, an energy that Jess, sensitive to people as well as environments, immediately found comforting. Her shoulders naturally relaxed around him, which was unexpected given that he had startled her. Yet, somehow, he brought that feeling of relaxation out in her. His demeanor conveyed sincere interest, like she could tell him anything she wanted and feel completely accepted, not judged.
 âAh, you must be the interviewer,â Jess said, realization dawning. âFigured I would hear from you soon. I have to say, even though Iâm excited for this, Iâm also nervous. Weâd better get started before I back out! We can move to my office for a little more privacy.â
He paused. The corner of his mouth twitched up mischievously. âWell, as much as I would enjoy more privacy with you, I . . .â
âOh,â Jess blushed. âI mean, I just thought that for the interview, it made sense not to have distractions, but I donât want to presume how you work. We can do this however youâd like.â
Jess blushed again. She tried to get a handle on what was happening to her. She was supposed to be making a great first impression with the person whose words could makeâor breakâher career, and she was stumbling over herself. By sheer force of will, she stopped talking and looked up.
He had a curious smile on his face, like the two of them shared some personal joke; only she wasnât in on it. He extended his hand.
âJack,â he said, as she took his hand. âItâs great to meet you, but I think you have me confused for someone else.â He let go of her hand. âYou must be the person this whole showâs about.â
âOh, youâre not the interviewer? Thatâs embarrassing. I assumed that you must be one of the crew here, and the only person I hadnât met yet was the interviewer.â Jess noticed she was rambling again and, for the second time in as many seconds, recollected herself. âYes, hi, Iâm Jess. Jess Tyler. And yes, this âwhole show,â as you described it, is about me. Well, about my firm, which is more than only me, but itâs about the work we do.â
Jess paused for a beat. Now that she had had a moment to exhale, she saw how strikingly attractive he was. Tall, clearly athletic. His clothes, though subdued, were well made. That confidence, which before she had found inviting, now seemed deeper, like he was a man who knew his way in the world, had always known his way in the world, and simply was on the path to get there.
âHave I seen you before?â Jess asked, tilting her head slightly. She didnât know how she could forget an interaction with him, and yet, he looked so oddly familiar.
âI donât think so,â Jack replied. âBut Iââ
âJack!â A woman approached his side. âHi there,â she said, extending her hand to Jess. âIâm Alex, the interviewer.â Jess took her hand, mortified at what had just happened. Alex looked back at Jack. âSorry, Jack, this is going a bit longer than Iâd expected. Do you mind if we start lunch a little later? Iâm thinking, what, half an hour?â Alex asked, looking inquiringly at Jess.
âIf youâre asking me, I say definitely. I canât imagine wanting to spend more than half an hour on this daunting, although life affirming and validating, experience.â Jess chuckled.
âSure thing,â Jack replied. âI have some errands I could do in the area. Iâll put our name in at the restaurant and meet you there when youâre finished.â
âThank you,â Alex said. She and Jack exchanged a quick, somewhat awkward, hug as he left.
âSo sorry about that,â Alex said to Jess. âI thought we were going to meet at the restaurant across the street, but I think our communication got crossed. Not the most professional first impression.â
âNo problem,â Jess replied. âBoyfriend?â
âOh God, no,â Alex laughed. âOr at least, certainly not yet. Still early stages, and, to be honest, itâs probably not going anywhere.â
âAh,â Jess responded quickly. âHe must be pretty interested, though, to brave coming to your work?â Jess found herself curious about how serious their relationship was, which made no sense. She had just met Jack and was only now meeting Alex.
Alex shook her head. âI doubt it. Heâs nice and obviously a total catch. But Iâm not getting too invested in that bachelor-of-the-year type. No, heâs for fun but . . . itâs been a lot of fun.â Alexâs eyes twinkled mischievously.
âBachelor-of-the-year type?â Jess asked, a vague recollection dawning. She knew she had seen him somewhere . . .
âOh yeah,â Alex answered. âThatâs Jack Stinson. You know, SF royalty, one of those born-and-bred-in-SF types. Surely youâve heard of him.â
Jess shook her head. âNo, the name sounds familiar, and itâs possible that I have seen a picture of him before, but to be honest, I havenât paid too much attention to that scene. When I think Stinson, I only think Stinson Beach.â She shrugged her shoulders, referencing the locally famous beach at the foot of Mount Tamalpais, the tallest mountain in Marin County, an upscale area for SF hiking, mountain biking, wine tasting, and the other recreational yet sophisticated activities that made San Franciscansâ hearts flutter.
âWell, yes, exactly,â Alex said, looking intently at Jess. âOld SF money. His grandfatherâs grandfather, or his grandfatherâs grandfatherâs grandfather, or some grandfather-type figure, is that Stinson, the guy who founded Stinson Beach. SF royalty, Iâm telling you.â
âWow,â Jess said. âI guess Iâd never thought about how Stinson must have been a person. I mean, Iâve heard of Sutro, but . . .â
âYep!â Alex laughed. âThatâs what everyone says. Sutro, yes, of course, Sutro Tower, Landâs End. But Stinson? No way.â
Jess appreciated Alexâs ease. âRight? Itâs funny how we choose what realities we easily accept. But, for the sake of your date, I guess weâd better get started. You donât want to keep the one-and-only Jack Stinson waiting!â
Alex tilted her head. âI guess, when you put it that way.â She smiled. âYou know, I think you and I are going to get along just fine. Enough about Jack. Iâm interested in hearing about you and this incredible firm that youâve put together. Honestly, Jess, your designs are so inspiring. I canât wait to hear your story.â
Jess glowed as she took in Alexâs earnestness. âI canât wait to tell you about it. Letâs get started.â
Jess got home that day feeling that good kind of tired when, despite it all, you feel sated. It was days like this when she appreciated that her apartment had a bay window and that the owner had been wise enough to put a bench underneath it. She had loved that nook immediately when sheâd come to view the apartment and applied on the spot, despite the cramped kitchen and the antiquated appliances.
She went there now to watch the sunset. It was calming, watching the shades of orange and purple and pink that decorated her window. Whenever she felt particularly uninspired in life, she connected to the vastness of the sky. It made her feel like more was possible, like as hard as things were, or as complicated as things seemed, with every day, the world created something magical. She found great comfort in that.
She ran through the day, beaming again at what her team had put together. It was hectic, to be sure, but it all came together in the end. Perfectly imperfect, Jess smiled to herself. She recalled the interview.
âYou got your start at Unoa, the top firm in SF. Tell me about that,â Alex had asked.
âYes, I went to Unoa right out of schoolââ
âNo small feat, from what I hear, by the way. I heard Unoa usually only accepts people whoâve been working in the field for a couple years,â Alex said. âRebecca Morrison is not known for taking chances on new talent. Itâs one of the reasons people say sheâs made Unoa so successful.â
âThatâs usually true, I guess, but Rebecca and I had a natural rapport as soon as she saw my graduation show. She took me under her wing, so to speak, helping me hone my aesthetic. I will forever be beholden to her,â Jess continued. âBut, after a time, I realized I needed to have my own platform to fully express my vision. It was a hard decision to leave Unoa because I was happy there and because, well, starting my own firm was scary, leaving my friends, the reputation that Unoa had, benefits!â Jess had laughed, trying to sound poised and professional while at the same time authentic. âWhen I look at what Anicca has become, though, it all feels worth it.â
Alex had seemed impressed. âIt is. What you create is beautiful. And running a business is its own accomplishment.â
âThat is certainly true. But my team makes it easier. Theyâre fantastic. I made mistakes along the way, but luckily nothing so huge that it wasnât fixable,â Jess had continued. âStepping out on my own, though, forced me to learn that I could rely on myself and that the limits I had set for myself were worth questioning. It taught me to believe in myself. Iâve always been a dreamer. Through Anicca, Iâve realized that I can make those dreams a reality.â
Jess exhaled deeply, steadying herself and remembering that, at the end of the day, sheâd lived a life true to her own values. That was what was important. She turned her attention back to the sky, the colors by this time vibrant. The changing patterns in the sky spoke straight to her heart. She felt herself slow down, absorb everything. Reminders of the impermanent nature of things made her want to be present in the moment she was in now, which was beautiful, one of those rare moments sheâd felt since leaving Unoa where she felt completely sure that sheâd made the right choice.
She let her mind drift off as she watched the sky continue to change colors, a deeper orange now surrounded by shades of pink, turning darker as the day transitioned to night. No matter what was going on in her life, she could always count on this daily ritual of day becoming night, indifferent to the travails of her human existence, speaking to a more ancient rhythm. Jessâs thoughts calmed as she let herself be held by that truth, as she let herself take comfort in the bigger picture and in the joy of somehow, finally, finding her place within it.
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Jess is a budding interior designer living in San Francisco. The company she recently founded, Anicca, just caught its first big break by getting featured in a well-known design web magazine. With this break, Jess and her small company come upon a great opportunity, a daunting project with horrid time constraints but a great payout if all goes well and a fateful encounter. Jack Stinson, yes, like the beach Stinson, is handsome and charismatic and interested in Jess and her design process. Jess, however, is having a hard time processing that. Jack takes Jess on a tour around SF's historical landmarks, and Jess realizes that now is an opportunity to reconnect with her family, face her fears, and move upward. Â
Love by Design by Tiffany Landis is a Romantic Comedy with well-written banter that takes its readers on a gorgeous tour of San Francisco and some of the city's lesser-known historical landmarks. The characters in this book are mindful and supportive of each other and quick to apologize for their mistakes and check in on each other's mental health. Jess is a real go-getter and work-oriented character, and Landis supports that by including a large part of Jess's work in the book. The world seen through Jess's mind is lively and energetic, and this book is written in a very light-hearted manner. There is little external conflict in this book as Jess's life is smooth sailing from where the reader is dropped in when everything has started going right for Jess. Jess spends a lot of time self-reflecting and working through her problems, which is very satisfying.Â
While this book shows how mindfulness and prioritizing mental health strengthen interpersonal relationships, it feels very out of place from the interior designer, Jess. Many of Jess's responses, and the other characters' responses sometimes, come off like a therapist's. While it's good that the characters are all being mindful and making each other feel heard and checking in on each other's mental health, none of the characters seem to have a background in psychology or mention any experience with a therapist or therapy during the book. While it's refreshing to see a romance book character acting with mindfulness, it made this book seem like a diet version of enemies to lovers troupe as Jess does her best to keep her thoughts in check when she realizes that she's irrationally vilifying Jack and this, in turn, causes Jess to take more time in learning her feelings and where her internal conflict is coming from. Jess and Jack are very similar people, and as they both had similar feelings of not quite fitting in as children, Jess's resistance and rejection of Jack feel frustrating. Landis spends most of the book building Jess's character, and Jess's failure to be upfront with the people around her contrasts with her reliance on the energies around her, and her mindfulness and belief in impermanence contrasts with her trepidation about starting a long-term relationship.Â
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy light-hearted storylines and workplace romances or readers who enjoy books that take place in San Francisco or appreciate mental-health-focused stories. This book is a refreshing take on the Romantic Comedy genre. The dialogue is wonderful and funny, and the mindfulness and nods to the natural beauty of San Francisco are lovely, but this book wasn't for me. Many scenes feel like they are introduced at the wrong point for smooth plot progression and cause the book to feel tedious and disorganized, although everything in this book is done with purpose. Love by Design is a lovely debut novel. I am excited to read future books by Landis as I genuinely enjoyed the character interactions and research into the character's jobs.