I love Sophie Kinsella's quirky, British female characters & Fixie in this book doesn't disappoint. In fact, Fixie Farr may be my favorite character of all of them. She is funny, sweet, practical, down-to-earth, loyal, & I want to be her friend. I love the story & couldn't put it down. The characters are all interesting (can't stand Briony, but she's well written). Highly recommend this book!!

This is a rough one. I get it, Sophie's schtick is a book that's pretty buch 87% inner dialogue. I'm not saying that inner dialogue isn't funny. It's. Just. Too. Much. I couldn't stand a one of the characters. Not a one. Not mom, not Fixie, not her sister, not her brother, not Ryan, not Seb, not Gary, not Hannah. No one. The plot was meh. Honestly though, it kept coming back to the characters. I couldn't get into the story because I couldn't have given two sh*&s about the whole lot of them.

I do appreciate the book in exchange for an honest review (thank you Netgalley!)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2648603571

Let me first say although I had heard of author Sophie Kinsella, I had never read one of her books. But I am here to tell you better late than never!

I Owe You One is the charming, funny story of Fixie Farr the "fixer" of all her family's problems. Family is very important to Fixie and more so since her dad died. She is everyone's caretaker.

The book begins as Fixie is in a coffee shop and saves the computer of Sebastian, the very handsome owner of an investment firm from serious damage. He is so appreciative that he writes her out an IOU to be used if she ever needs anything.

On the family front, Fixie's family owns a cooking store named Farrs. After their dad's passing their mom took over the store, but due to a health scare she decides to go on an extended vacation and leaves the three children Fixie, Jake and Nicole, along with their Uncle to run things. They all seem to have different ideas as to the future of the store. And their personalities are oil and vinegar...and Nicole...oh my goodness...the dialogue had me laughing out loud!

To add to the confusion, Fixie's old crush Ryan returns from the United States, jobless and fixing to fix his sights on Fixie...

Add the IOU and the very dashing Sebastian and chaos ensues. Lessons are learned, especially by Fixie whose main purpose in life had always been just to make her family proud.

I Owe You One is a sweet story with snappy dialogue. I didn't want the book to end! It was such a happy, very humorous story!

And rest assured I have already ordered a few more Sophie Kinsella books!

Thank you to #NetGalley #Random House #The Dial Press #Sophie Kinsella for the advanced copy. I Owe You One will be out On February 5.

I liked this latest offering from Sophie Kinsella. It's definitely better than last year's Surprise Me, but not quite as good as My Not So Perfect Life.

What keeps me from giving it 4 or even 5 stars? The overwhelming rage I felt at times while reading this story!

Fixie fixes things (hence the nickname). She's a capable, reasonably intelligent doormat to her truly awful family. Seriously, these people are horrible. Her brother is a self-important ass and her sister is a vapid wannabe Instagram influencer who is quite possible the most selfish character I've ever encountered in all my years of reading. Fixie's biggest flaw is that she somehow thinks she's inferior to the terrible people and I spent a good portion of the book yelling at her to just tell them off already.

Frustrating as it was at times, this book has a great heart and I did enjoy it. Once it gets going (which was very early on for me), you won't want to put it down!

Fixie Farr has to fix things. If she sees something wrong she becomes very anxiety ridden until it’s fixed. The majority of the time when she fixes things though... it ends up worse. Anyway, the Farr family owns a grocery store that was their fathers pride and joy before he passed away, so everything is “family first”. Her mother is an angel and manages everything, but her brother and sister? Useless. So Fixie is always picking up the slack. One day she is at a coffee shop when a handsome gentleman asks her to watch his laptop while he goes outside to make a phone call. The ceiling in this coffee shop is leaking and Fixie saves the day by protecting this gentleman’s laptop (Spidey senses?) Fixie won’t take anything from this guy for her heroic efforts, except for an IOU on a coffee sleeve.

So anyway, life so goes on for Fixie until her high school love, Ryan, returns to town. She is stupid in love with this guy and I mean stupid in love. I could tell right from the beginning that Ryan was such a sleezeball, but Fixie kept making excuses for the guy. She cashes in her IOU from this handsome gentlemen (Seb is the CEO of a fancy marketing company) and gets Ryan a job.

What goes on from there makes me want to bang my head on the table. Ryan continues to be an idiot. Fixie continues to fall for it. Her siblings continue to be useless at the store. Fixie makes excuses for them. She sees Seb around town, but does nothing about her attraction to him. Granted he’s in a relationship, but he’s in a relationship with an awful woman!

It felt like there was a lot of back and forth with Fixie and Seb, but not a whole lot of action. I mean, there was someaction, but it was short lived. The characters felt a little flat. I mean, they mentioned their backstory, but it was just kind of glossed over. And why do we never know what Fixie's real name is?!

Personally, this book was a little boring and not what I’m used to from this author, but it picked up at the end. Things finally came together in those last few chapters and it wasn’t until then that I could actually say I had a smile on my face from this book. Originally rated it 3 stars/5 stars, but I bumped it up to 3.5 stars/5 stars (rounded up to 4 stars).

If you're already a fan of Sophie Kinsella, you'll enjoy her latest novel just as much as her others. This story stars Fixie, a woman who can't help meddling in other people's problems yet can't seem to stand up to her own family. When her Mom goes away for a much needed vacation, she's left to hold the family shop together despite her brother and sister's grand, but terrible plans. Plus, there's that intriguing stranger who insists he owes her a favor after she happened to save his laptop...

Kinsella always delivers a light-hearted, fun adventure with lots of ups and downs as the heroine tries to find her way through mishaps and misunderstandings. Everything you'd expect from a rom com is included here: the initial terrible love interest, family conflict, quirky characters, a misguided argument with the right guy, and a satisfying wrap up.

Although this follows the general chick lit outline, there are enough unique aspects to keep this novel fresh and engaging. I loved reading about the family shop and customers. The brother and sister were each ridiculous in their own ways, but still seemed reminiscent of people I've met and therefore believable. Overall a cute and satisfying story that I'd recommend for anyone who enjoys this genre.

"Family First." That's the motto and her late father's words that Fixie Farr lives by. That's why she spends her days working in the family general store with her mother, filling in for her wayward siblings and putting her own life on hold. Fixie's dating life is even in a rut, especially after Ryan, her childhood crush (and brother's best friend) moved to Hollywood after their whirlwind 10 day affair.

True to her name, Fixie can't help but fix things. One day she's sitting in a coffee shop and she fixes a situation by saving another customer's laptop from being destroyed. To thank her, the customer (who's actually the CEO of a major company) scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve. Fixie accepts the IOU, sure she'll never actually cash it in...until, Ryan returns - jobless and in need of help and she sees a way to fix things.

And so begins a series of back and forth IOUs between Fixie and Seb, the CEO. Along the way, she'll find her way and figure out how to fix her own life while still abiding by "Family First."

I have an interesting relationship with Sophie Kinsella books - I've tried to read the Confessions of a Shopaholic series and just couldn't get in to them. However, I've read a few of her standalone books and just loved them. I Owe You One falls more into the second category. It was a fun story and I enjoyed reading about Fixie's journey to figuring out her life. Some of the characters and their decisions were just a little too unlikeable and annoying to me, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5. But I would definitely recommend this, especially to people who enjoy a good chick-lit romance!

Kinsella is one of my favorite authors, so I'm always excited when she has a new release. Her books do usually follow a certain formula: adorkable girl with lovable quirks meets cute with handsome rich stranger. I liked the plot and I thought the IOU thing was sweet between Seb and Fixie. I didn't feel their chemistry in the same way I have with past Kinsella characters, so this was more of a 4 star read than a 5 for me. Perfect rainy day romance read that I finished in a couple sittings.

Review posted on Goodreads and Amazon

A cute read! I always look forward to books by Sophie Kinsella because they are enjoyable and fun books, and this one was no different.

I am a sucker for a good Sophie Kinsella book and this did not disappoint. After heavy reading, Kinsella's books are like cleansing the palate; a feel good story where I get to laugh and be light for a few hours.

Fixie is smart, but she won't say what's on her mind. Her family takes advantage of her and the object of her affection knows "good old Fixie" will always be there. Soon, Fixie meets a friend who will challenge her inner thinking. After saving his laptop from water damage, he owes her one. The story starts there.

Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down. When I get bogged down by the heaviness of non-fiction or the YA fiction which I read with my students, I know I can depend on Kinsella for a brain vacation. I Owe You One is one of her best.

I Owe You One is another delightful offering from Sophie Kinsella, whose books have become synonymous with warmth, wit, and imperfect, yet lovable, female protagonists.

Fxie Farr is the glue that holds the family business together in the years following the death of her father. Brother Jake has ambitions far beyond his station, and sister Nicole drifts around the periphery of the family as if nothing pertains to her self absorbed interests. Fixie's only ally in keeping the family afloat is her mother, but when a health scare sends her to Spain to recuperate Fixe is left to keep both business and family above water. Adding to her stress, ex-beau Ryan has returned from LA thoroughly defeated and anxious to resume relations with Fixie.

A chance encounter in a coffee shop is Fixie's first meeting with Sebastian Marlowe, the CEO of an ethical investment firm, ESIM. When the ceiling of the cafe collapses, Fixie avoids harm and manages to save Sebastian's laptop. To show his gratitude, Seb tells Fixie that he owes her a favour, and writes this promise on a coffee sleeve and the two part ways. When Fixie eventualy calls in the IOU, the two discover a mutual attraction and gradually realize that the only debt you really owe is to yourself for a chance at happiness.

Ms Kinsella seems to have a knack for creating relatable heroines and Fixie is no exception. You will be rooting for her until the end. Fans of the author will not be disappointed by this latest offering.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House and The Dial Press for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review!

I love Sophie Kinsella, so it’s pretty much assured I’ll read whatever she writes! I really enjoyed I Owe You One (which I knew I would). It’s hard not to fall in love with the main character, quirks and all, and the world around her. I will say, however, I didn’t enjoy this as much as her others. The plot felt rushed and unauthentic at the end to the story that had unfolded thus far, and the supporting characters in some cases were rather two dimensional and their backstories lackluster. While I couldn’t put this book down, it isn’t one of my favorites of hers. Nonetheless, I know I’ll be purchasing this for my library and my patrons will be clamoring for it!

Excellent book! Fixie is an engaging, relatable character and I was rooting for her success, in life and in love. The writing is very entertaining and flows easily -- I laughed out loud more than once while reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Random House The Dial Press, for the read of Sophie Kinsella’s, I Owe You One.

I read this in one sitting. I loved it. Meet Fixie, who ‘fixes’ everything. The sibling everyone walks all over. The child the mother always expects to be the go-to girl. Did I ever dislike her siblings. Oh yeah. Ryan, her childhood crush, rotten.

Things take an interesting turn when one random day, Fixie meets Seb in a coffee shop and she saves his laptop from being destroyed. He is so grateful and insists that he ‘owes her one’. From that fateful moment on, their lives are entwined forever.

I will never look at a coffee sleeve the same way again!

A definite must-read.

I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Random House The Dial Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in my review are my very own.

This is a light-hearted, yet lesson learning book. I hated Fixies siblings, I HATED Ryan. I felt bad for Fixie as she was always trying to make things right and her siblings constantly put her down and made her feel useless and not intelligent enough, it seemed as if they were projecting their insecurities onto her. I loved Sab, he was exactly what she needed to see what was really going on and to actually stand up for herself. I laughed out loud at this book a few times and this finally felt like a normal Sophie Kinsella book. 3 1/2 stars!

I always love Sophie Kinsella’s novels. Her characters are so relatable! (Even if I don’t have money troubles like Becky, or cleaning issues like Samantha, or blabbing everything like Emma or meddling like Poppy!) I might not have the need to fix everything (OCD?) like Fixie does, either, but I relate so much to her in this book. She is warm and giving, and wants to help all of her loved ones. But when the going gets tough, she finally shows tough love. I see a “Fixie” in myself, and so many of my awesome friends. Another great book by Sophie Kinsella. I hope there is a series of Fixie books!



(I plan to post to my Amazon review page and my GoodReads page too when the book releases.)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella. All opinions are my own.

I am and will continue to be a huge Sophie Kinsella fan. I have read all her stand alone novels, and I loved I Owe You One, which follows Fixie Farr as she navigates family, work, and her love life.

Fixie meets and saves Seb’s computer in a coffee shop.... what follows is a series of “I Owe You One’s” between the two; all while Fixie is trying to run her family business while her mom is on sabbatical. Her siblings and family are dysfunctional - making the story more realistic. Her sister Nicole is a Yogi who is married to a husband she never sees. Her brother is always scheming how to make a million dollars - both siblings try to influence their ways in the business which is driving Fixie crazy.

I liked the story line between Fixie and Seb. The I Owe You One storyline is clever and keeps you entrenched in the storyline. At times it was a bit long, but I liked the twists at the end and the way Ms. Kinsella wraps the story up.

I would recommend I Owe You One to all my book loving friends and to anyone who loves Sophie’s previous novels.

I have been a big fan of Sophie Kinsella but I have been reading a lot of suspense novels that I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get into, I OWE YOU ONE.
Thank goodness Sophie Kinsella, once again, didn’t disappoint.
With an odd family dynamic and a main character that frustrated me I was shocked at how it all worked. The characters grew and developed organically and I was rooting for them all.
It shows the flaws of a family and how naive we can be and how even when things don’t work out you (and your family) can figure it out if you stick together.

3 <b> Fix it </b> Stars
This story.. starts off with such a snoozefest. I honestly would have been more willing to accept the MC’s name was Fixie Farr but at one exact sentence in the entire book she indicated her name is Fawn. I also hate that Sebastian our male MC is like nahhh call me Seb.. gross. Fixie and Seb.. their names are so gross they have to be perfect for eachother.

AS with typical british novels I have read in the last year the authors are really amazing at making you hate every single one of them. Fixie’s entire family ( ENTIRE) sucks.. all of them should be disowned, cursed out and plain abandoned. They all have a holier than thou mentality and yet they suck as human beings.

Now Seb and Fixie.. I actually liked the pairing of them. It was a bit convoluted at times and I really with “I owe you one” had a larger focus.. but none the less adorable. The book had some good lines as well such as <b> Love is not transactional it is unconditional </b>

It turns out Fixie and Seb are doormats the entire cast and crew suck at life and … someone lives happily ever after I think. I think the author didn’t hit a home run with this book but it was nice quick weekend read. Something silly. I would say to other readers.. if you can get through the first half of the book.. it actually does get better and more enjoyable.

In this day and age, sometimes you just need a book you can get lost in for awhile. There's nothing really surprising in Sophie Kinsella's I Owe You One; it's just your typical formulaic love story. But that doesn't mean it's any less enjoyable.

Our main character is Fixie Farr, and no, I'm not even kidding. Fawn is nicknamed Fixie because of her tendency to want to make things right. She, along with her mother and siblings, are the owners of Farr's general store, a cute little place with loyal customers and a "Cake Club." One day, Fixie saves a handsome stranger's laptop from water damage in a coffee shop (don't even ask), and the stranger tells her if she ever needs anything to just ask. Fixie has no intention of ever taking him up on the offer until an unforeseen circumstance with her "boyfriend" gives her no choice in the matter. As is typical with these kinds of books, a bunch of horrible events then come together to give us the nice, sweet ending we all deserve.

Fixie starts off I Owe You One as a complete doormat, but I enjoyed seeing her grow into a stronger person. I have always love Kinsella's writing -- she can be hysterically funny or so sad you want to cry. Her latest is no exception, and it's the perfect book to cuddle up with some tea and a blankie.

MY RATING - 3.5