The Flaw in Our Design

Written by Monica McCallan

Narrated by Lori Prince

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jul 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781666104844

Reviews for The Flaw in Our Design

[emily · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awww I loved this book. This is my first from this author, but one of MANY that I’ve listened to from narrator Lori Prince, which is why I picked it up. I love the way she brings stories to life and what a lovely one this was. I really related to both Val and Olivia for different reasons and loved listened to them fall in love with each other. Wonderful narration, really sweet story, and I’ll def check out what else this author puts out in the future.

[Shannon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Lori prince narrating anything. I loved reading this book before and to see it on audiobook I love it even more

[Jeannie Molina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story and Lori Prince!!! Can’t ask for more. Is a beautiful one

[diaz.malissa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have read over 75 books this year and this is the first one that I’ve left a review for. I’ve enjoyed this book from the very beginning I especially enjoyed the first interaction between both MC. I enjoyed their banter and the pace in the story was executed naturally. Another massive plus about this book was that Lori Prince narrated it, she is one of my favorite narrator and I’ve been trying to read all books she’s voiced. Highly recommend this book!!

[Tempe Mason · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant writing! Val was spending the summer in her parents’ lake house before going to law school. Those plans were halted when she met Olivia and they fell in love.

[Melissa Aldis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good enjoyed listening to it not like the old man die

[Shrimp Perator · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I don't understand the good reviews, I absolutely hated it. It's super generic, the characters are 1-dimensional and all consist basically of a single character trait exaggerated into oblivion. Now I would be okay with that if at least the writing was good, which it definitely is not. Aside from constantly misusing various sayings (such as the good old could vs. couldn't care less, or constantly misusing adverbs where they are clearly not supposed to be used), a good chunk of the book consists of the characters internally reacting to what just happened by basically repeating the whole thing over and over. I found it to really drag on, with very little progress to show for. Yes, I understand what just happened, I do not need to hear it explained three times, I do have basic brain function.

Also, it really feels like a weird parallel universe where people were replaced by aliens who have just discovered stereotypes and think they are the extent of human psychology. While listening, in my mind I just kept screaming: "THIS IS NOT HOW PEOPLE WORK". People can have multiple character traits and not be defined by a single attribute.

For a little rundown of the characters/traits featured: the shy person, the commitment-phobe, the wacky dad, the rich parent(s), the big brother(s), the grumpy but well meaning old man... I could go on, all of the characters can be explained like that and you basically know everything there is to know - there is no depth I can see to any of the characters.

And the final nail in the coffin: I didn't want the two main characters to be together. Apart from being walking stereotypes, one of them is just the most judgy person possible, who dislikes people for staying in a rich part of town for some unexplained reason... oh, and she hates commitment, what a fascinating new idea. Now that would probably be okay if the characters had some proper reasons to like each other, but it's all explained away by some magical attraction with no real substance. It just all feels super cheap.

The narrator has a really great voice, but something about her speaking just irritates me. There are these weird pauses in between some words (or sometimes even within a single word) that just do not belong there. And everything is a bit monotone and just generally hard to listen to. That probably wouldn't be so bad if the writing weren't so cringeworthy. Both things combined though...

Hard pass from me :/

[CHERYL SHROCK · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars
Sweet summer romance that blossoms in to love. A good quick read. No surprises, very predictable but a nice read.

[Ruta · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved these two characters and the whole town. I didn’t want the book to end. I also love love love the narrator, Lori Prince and Monica McCallan is now my new favorite writer. I’ll probably be listening to this book again soon.