The Flaw in Our Design

By: Monica McCallan

Narrated by: Lori Prince

Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Olivia Carver's life in Lake Cabot, New York, is simple. That's how she likes it, even if she can't stop the town she loves from being overrun by wealthy tourists each summer. When she's not working at her family's paddleboard shop or spending time with her lovable but infuriating brothers, she puts her energy into writing professionally, a dream that has yet to materialize.

Valerie Maycomb used to summer in Lake Cabot with her family when she was younger, until school and planning for her future became the driving forces in her existence. For the first time in years, following her college graduation, she's spending a few months in the small, lakeside town she loved as a child. All she wants is a little time to decompress before law school in the fall and maybe even strike up the courage to talk to a woman.

A chance meeting at the lake opens up the possibility of a summer romance, with the explicit understanding that it can't become something more. Olivia's not built for falling in love, and Val needs to keep her eye on the prize of a successful career. But neither of them can deny the attraction, and summer quickly takes on a life of its own.

Contains mature themes.

©2020 Monica McCallan (P)2021 Tantor

Very well written and a pleasure to read

The character development was wonderfully done, not just the main characters, but the secondary as well, the sage, the relatives, etc.
The lake, the bar, the bakery etc, settings were described in a fun, smooth way.
Sub plots fit perfectly and were entertaining.
I enjoyed her similes.
The reading was fantastic.
I would listen to another by this combination of writer/narrator.
My only very, very, very minor complaint is not just this one, but others in the romance genre . Do they have to not only find love, but hit the financial jackpot? If it’s real love, do they need find the good life or can’t the live in the life where they met and became happy.

This book gives you the feels

Such an amazing story!! We all hold our hearts close afraid for let someone in. This book opens your as the characters open theirs. Lori Prince is the perfect narrator for this story! Win win combo!

Good Book

I enjoyed this book. I liked the story more than I thought I would. It was predictable in some ways, but unexpected in others. Good characters. It didn’t feel forced, writing was very good.
Lori Prince does an excellent job narrating.
I would recommend this.

I Absolutely LOVE this book!

As an author myself, I listen to books with a critical ear, not to destroy the book, but to listen for nuances in the storytelling. As I listened to this story, the storytelling brought the town to life and between Monica's writing and Lori Prince's vocalization, the entire town came to life. You can see the paddle board shack where Olivia works. I could see the lake with it's still water because I've been at a lake like that.
When Olivia and Val went through their bump in the road, it brought emotions up that have been buried for some time. As the bumps smoothed out and they reconnected, it made me release MY emotions, tears coming hard and heavy! I cannot applaud this book more! If you're leaning one way or another, do yourself a favor and GET THIS BOOK!

The Love Dilemma

You vacation in a small lakeside town not looking for anyone since you’re off to law school in the Fall. You meet a pretty woman who since The death of her mother at 15 doesn’t want any long term relationships. So it’s prefect for a summer fling. Except for one thing—the flaw in our design. When Love comes uninvited you either walk away with a broken heart or change your silly plans. Val and Olivia are wonderful characters brought to life by Lori Prince. But more than that this book has a lot to say about life that is worth listening to. It could help you rewrite your life.

This Does Not Disappoint

Listen to this story. Some of us have been in a "summer fling" just waiting to go back to your normal life. Did you actually enjoy your normal life? If so why did you need wish for desire a summer fling? This title is well worth your attention.

Emotional twists and turns

Absolutely engaging! I enjoyed how other relationship with main characters were also developed and added to Olivia and Val’s identity. So far my favorite story by Monica and Lori , the narrator… I will continue with both… this story begs for a sequel or series there are so many great characters

enjoyment

Really loved this storyline. it is well written and had me trying to figure out what would come next.

Team Lori

Lori prince is heavenly and makes any book an absolute masterpiece. Great story and great performance

More than the romance

I liked this book because it introduced good sideline stories that were independent from the main romance. Also, it wasn’t, like so many, just irritating misscommunication. There seemed to be a lot of shortcuts in the story, but it was a feel good book for me.

[spoilers] I found it way to easy the way Val’s parents accepted her new choices (sexuality, career, moving cities, Olivia (independently of being a woman, but a bar atendent) ). It din’t fit with their description, but you know what? I didn’t mind, there is enough of that in the real world