Cider - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$4.99 with 67 percent savings
Print List Price: $14.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Simon and Schuster Digital Sales LLC. Price set by seller.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Ellen Butler
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Heart of Design (Love, California Style Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Ellen Butler (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

Sophie Hartland has recently turned 30, and is five years out from a confidence crushing divorce. She’s sworn off men in favor of making her interior design business a success when her best friend introduces her to LA Heat’s hot new star, Ian O’Connor. He’s one of Hollywood’s beautiful people, with an Irish accent that makes Sophie’s toes curl. Ian hires her to renovate his home, and at their second meeting he initiates a scorching kiss that knocks her socks off. Even though she would love to drop down and go for it on the funky kitchen floor, Sophie sticks to her guns and enforces her “no dating clients” rule.

The tabloids portray flirtatious Ian as Hollywood’s latest playboy who has women falling at his feet, and Sophie refuses to be another notch on his bedpost. But Ian isn’t the type to take no for an answer, and he finds Sophie a refreshing change from the actress wannabes trying to hop aboard his new gravy train of success. Using his charm, he tries to persuade Sophie to break the rules.

Can Sophie ignore her traitorous libido and hold Ian off for the next five or six weeks until the renovations are finished? Or will she cave in to his pull on her heartstrings, and end up doing the knicky-knacky on the new velvet sofa? More importantly, can she protect her heart in this game of wills?

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Love, California Style
  2. Print length
    305 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Crimson Romance
  5. Publication date
    July 7, 2014
  6. File size
    736 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Loved all the characters in the book: Ian and his Irish accent, Poppy, her mom and the squawking bird ringtone, and the sister Holly. The secondary story line with Holly added intrigue to the book. All in all a must read!" 5 stars, Harps Romance Book Review

"I know what you are thinking. "Bah, same old, same old." But it wasn't, trust me on this. ... Have you ever read one of those books where you go, 'What the hell was she/he thinking?' Yeah, this isn't one of them. The characters make smart choices, because the drama is generated from actual events, not manufactured from emotional outbursts. Plus, the dialogue and characters were spot on. I will read more of this author in the future." --4 stars, Musings and Ramblings

"Ellen Butler has written a witty, fast-paced romance that was just a pure pleasure to read. I could easily hear Ian's deep Irish brogue as his flirting made Sophie blush all over. It's the mark of a great writer and I look forward to reading more stories like this one." -- 4 Stars Reader's Favorite

About the Author

An Adams Media author.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00LH63T1I
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crimson Romance (July 7, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 7, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 736 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 305 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Ellen Butler

Ellen Butler

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series. Her experiences working on Capitol Hill and at a medical association in Washington, D.C. inspired the mystery-action series. Multiple books in the series have hit #1 on Amazon bestseller lists in the US and abroad. Book critics call the Karina Cardinal mysteries, “intelligent escapism." Butler is also the author of the award-winning historical suspense novel, The Brass Compass. The Brass Compass has won multiple awards for historical fiction including: 2022 Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird Book Award, 2018 Indie Reader Discovery Award, 2019 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner. Butler started writing in the romance genre and won the The Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Award 2015 with her novel Planning for Love. Her 12th book Operation Blackbird, a Cold War Spy novel, was published in October 2022 and won a Next Generation Indie Book Award gold medal for historical fiction.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
33 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book to be a great summer read, with one mentioning it's perfect for a beach vacation. They describe it as romantic.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with several describing it as a great summer read, and one mentioning it's perfect for a beach vacation.

"This was a great summer read. It was quick, held my interest and had a satisfying resolution...." Read more

"Once again an enjoyable book with interesting characters from Ellen Butler with a sprinkle romance...." Read more

"LOVED this book!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Romance"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book.

"...Romantic and superbly written, this story found a place in my heart from the first chapter. I highly recommend this book...." Read more

"...book with interesting characters from Ellen Butler with a sprinkle romance...." Read more

"...read it and to let the author know I enjoyed the humor and the genuine love scenes." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Mom of Two
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book for a beach vacation
    Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This was a great summer read. It was quick, held my interest and had a satisfying resolution. Sophia and Ian meet at a party and he hires her to be his interior designer. Ian is an Irishman and the star of a top Hollywood cop show. In my mind, I pictured him as Jason O'Mara. The narration switches from first person (Sophie) to third person (Ian) depending on whose part of the story you are getting. This happens relatively seamlessly, and in fact I didn't notice it until I had been through several switches. The two are obviously attracted to each other, but decide to wait until after their professional relationship ends to get involved. This leads to a lot of tension and anticipation, just what you want in a steamy romance. Along they way, they get mixed up in typical Hollywood drama and not-so-typical familial disfunction. The latter leads to a dramatic climax that really tests the boundaries of the budding romance. This is the third book I have read by Ms. Butler and I've found each one to be more enjoyable than the last. I enjoy discovering new authors at the beginning if their careers. I look forward to reading the next book from her and will follow her career as it develops.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If you love romance, HEART OF DESIGN needs to be on your list of novels to read! I absolutely fell in love with Ian and Sophie. They were both wonderfully complex characters, and Ms. Butler wove their stories together like a master. Romantic and superbly written, this story found a place in my heart from the first chapter. I highly recommend this book. If you don't read this book, you will have missed something very special that only comes around once in a great while.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Judy C
    4.0 out of 5 stars The drama is generated from actual events not manufactured from emotional outbursts.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2014
    Sophie is working hard at making a go of her interior design business. She knows that if she could just get the chance at one top tier name in Los Angeles, she could easily break into the upper echelon's circle. Until that time, she occasionally assists her friend Poppy with setting up for and even working at, Poppy's party planning business. It is at one such party she is introduced to Ian O'Conner, a hot new actor on a hit cop show. He was admiring a painting she had done, and so the introduction was made. It's not long before Ian is hiring Sophie to decorate his new house.

    I know what you are thinking, "Bah, same old, same old". But it wasn't, trust me on this. Ian doesn't have that "Hollywood" vibe that is seen so often. He is a down to earth guy who meets a woman he is interested in and works to get to know her, it just happens that his day job is that of an actor. Sophie was cheated on in the past, and is leery of trusting men. However when she tries to tar Ian with this same brush, he calls her on it, and she listens and actually works to not do it again. Shocking, right! This book is full of similar type situations, like Sophie telling Ian she won't go out with him until she is finished with the job and then sticking to it. Or when Ian is concerned about her well being due to a certain situation (not going to spoiler), she doesn't just rush off and ignore his concern. They discuss and compromise. Have you ever read one of those books where you go, 'What the hell was she/he thinking?' Yeah, this isn't one of them. The characters make smart choices, because the drama is generated from actual events not manufactured from emotional outbursts. Plus, the dialogue and characters were spot on. I will read more of this author in the future. 4 stars.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Sue
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Summertime Read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Once again an enjoyable book with interesting characters from Ellen Butler with a sprinkle romance. I am not a fan of "bodice rippers" and Ms Butler's books use romance in the right amounts to keep it lively without being overwhelming. Great summertime read.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Robyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful book for romantics at heart.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I don't often write reviews but I enjoyed this book so much I wanted to share my enthusiasm to encourage others to read it and to let the author know I enjoyed the humor and the genuine love scenes.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great 5 Star Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2014
    First, I received this as ARC for a honest review. This was a great 5 Star Read! Sophie is a strong woman who runs her own design business. She also helps out her friend Poppy who has a catering business, this way she can meet customers and hand out her business cards. She meets Ian at one of these events. He is on the newest hot cop TV show. He hires Sophie Hartland (Heart of Design, love the title) to furnish and redecorate his new house. He wants to date Sophie but she doesn't date clients so they make a deal to go out with each other after her job is finished. This actually gives them time to get to know each other. Loved all the characters in the book, Ian and his Irish accent, Poppy, her mom and the squawking bird ringtone and the sister Holly. The secondary story line with Holly added intrigue to the book. All in all a must read! http://harpsromancebookreview.com
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Allykitten
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very engaging read with romance, suspense, and excitement!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2015
    The author uses an unfortunate act of mother nature to bring two unlikely strangers together. Even though they are faced with how to survive this tragedy, they cannot avoid the sizzling chemistry that is erupting between them. The story is filled with excitement, determination, suspense, danger, and the possibility of romance during an expected time that will keep you reading till the last page wanting more. I would rate this book five stars and would definitely recommend it. This book is part of a trilogy and I can't wait to read the next book!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report