This charming British romcom had me laughing out loud and engaged from start to finish. The banter among the characters, particularly Aly, Tola, and Eric, was a definite highlight. Although the book's premise was undeniably unrealistic, I chose to suspend my disbelief and simply enjoy the ride without dwelling on the details and logistics.
The second chance romance between Aly and Dylan added a delightful layer of nostalgia. As childhood best friends who once harbored secret crushes, their reconnection after fifteen years was both heartwarming and bittersweet. However, I must admit that the initial miscommunication that drove them apart felt unnecessary and frustrating, as miscommunications often do.
Overall, this book provided an easy and enjoyable reading experience. The chemistry between Aly and Dylan was evident, and the camaraderie with the side characters added depth to the story. Additionally, the ending felt rushed, with the grand gesture occurring much too late for my taste.

3.5 This was a cute second chance romance that had some pacing issues for me but still really enjoyed it. This story follows Aly has she sets up an unground business to train your man without them knowing. Things were going great until Nicky enters the wants her to get her fiancé to propose Aly was up for the challenge until she realized it was her high school best friend who she was secretly in love with. Needing the money to help save her mothers house Aly continues with the scheme as old feelings start emerging . Usually I am not a second chance romance girl but this one was cute and funny and had enough enemies to lover in it for me to really enjoy it. I will say that some points in this book felt a little slow but otherwise really liked this book and hope to pick up more from this author in the future. I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for and honest review.

Such a FUN read!! The banter and romance in this book is top notch! It's fast paced and the characters are all super dynamic and interesting. Great read!

The story follows Aly, a strong and determined protagonist, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. It is refreshing to witness her growth throughout the book, as she finds her voice, strength, and passion while working to improve the lives of others. While the book excels in portraying Aly's personal growth and the modern woman's journey, the romantic element between Aly and Dylan falls slightly short. Due to Dylan's commitment to another serious relationship throughout most of the story, I felt like their romance remained vastly unexplored. That being said, I appreciated underlying feminist empowerment message of this story, which shined a spotlight on some of the challenges faced by women in today's society.

he Fixer Upper" is a heartwarming and delightful novel that immerses readers in a tale of love, second chances, and the power of home renovation. Set in the picturesque town of Guthrie, this story follows the journey of protagonist Kate as she embarks on a new chapter in her life. With its charming characters, engaging plot, and a touch of romance, this book is a perfect escape into a world where dreams can be rebuilt and true love can be found.

The author skillfully weaves together themes of self-discovery and personal growth as Kate takes on the challenge of renovating a historic home. The descriptions of the house's transformation and the small-town community's involvement create a sense of warmth and nostalgia. With its relatable characters and uplifting narrative, "The Fixer Upper" is a delightful read that leaves readers feeling inspired and hopeful, reminding us that sometimes the things we set out to fix end up fixing us in the most unexpected ways.

So I definitely thought I was going into this reading a romance... and it really lacked romance. It was more women's fiction? GIven that, I did like it and I liked seeing the story line about friends and their character growth. This was a super quick read and still pretty cute.

The Fixer Upper by Lauren Forsythe is a delightful and enchanting romance that will warm your heart and leave you with a smile. With its endearing characters, small-town charm, and a touch of magic, this book is a perfect choice for lovers of sweet contemporary romance.

The story centers around Sarah, a talented home renovator, who finds herself in a new town with a dilapidated house in desperate need of some love and attention. Enter Ben, the charming and handsome contractor who offers his assistance. As Sarah and Ben work together to restore the house to its former glory, they discover not only the beauty hidden within the walls but also a deep connection and undeniable chemistry between them.

Forsythe's writing style is engaging and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the small town and its colorful residents. The author skillfully weaves together the elements of romance, friendship, and personal growth, creating a well-rounded and captivating story. The slow-burning romance between Sarah and Ben is delightful to witness, filled with banter, shared moments, and a genuine sense of warmth.

The characters in The Fixer Upper are lovable and relatable, with their strengths and vulnerabilities adding depth and authenticity to the story. Sarah's passion for her work and her determination to rebuild her life resonates with readers, while Ben's charisma and compassion make him an irresistible love interest. The supporting cast of quirky townspeople adds charm and humor to the narrative, creating a vibrant and welcoming community.

The romance in the book is sweet and heartfelt, allowing the relationship between Sarah and Ben to develop naturally and organically. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their shared moments are filled with tenderness and genuine emotion. Forsythe excels at capturing the magic of falling in love and the transformative power of finding someone who accepts you for who you are.

While The Fixer Upper follows some familiar romantic tropes, the author injects enough fresh and unique elements into the story to keep readers engaged. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of tension and anticipation interspersed with heartwarming scenes that make you root for the characters' happily ever after.

In conclusion, The Fixer Upper is a heartwarming and charming romance that will leave readers with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Lauren Forsythe's engaging storytelling, lovable characters, and delightful small-town setting make this book a delightful escape into the world of love and renovation. If you're in the mood for a feel-good romance with a touch of magic, be sure to pick up The Fixer Upper.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of The Fixer Upper from the author for an honest review.

This was such a cute read. The premise made me cringe at times, but I also found myself wishing there was a service like this in real life sometimes, so there were definite pros and cons ha ha. Definitely a unique concept. The banter was *chefs kiss* though, and I loved how the characters were written. Cute cute cute!

I have both the ebook and audio for this one and ended up doing mostly audio. It was an enjoyable book overall, with both things I liked and things I didn’t love.

Likes:
I loved the friendships in this book. There were opportunities for petty twists or complications from the FMC’s best friends when she was, quite frankly, kind of terrible to them. Instead they continuously stuck by her and were understanding — which taught her more in the end.

Didn’t love:
I didn’t love that the main character, Aly, lied so much. It drove me nuts that so many of her issues could be resolved if she stopped lying both to herself and others.

Read if you like:
🔨 Second Chance
💕 Happily Ever After
🔨 Closed Door
💕 Friends to Lovers

Rating: 3.5/5

I always try to give British books a go - and then get partway into the book before remembering that I just don’t connect with that style book. Nothing against the author or book itself, just not my style.

"Fixer Upper" is a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy that will have readers laughing out loud and swooning with delight. Aly, a natural problem solver, has made a habit of fixing everything and everyone around her, including her past boyfriends. When she reunites with an old flame who has transformed his life, she decides to channel her talents into a professional service called the Fixer Upper, aimed at helping women with their relationship woes. Little does she know that her latest assignment will involve her childhood best friend and first love.

Lauren Forsythe expertly combines humor, wit, and genuine emotion in this delightful tale. Aly's character is relatable and endearing, and readers will find themselves cheering for her as she navigates the complexities of her personal and professional life. The dynamic between Aly and her two work friends adds an extra layer of fun and camaraderie to the story, enhancing the comedic moments and showcasing the power of female friendship.

The concept of the Fixer Upper service is both clever and entertaining. It offers a fresh twist on the rom-com genre by flipping the script and putting the responsibility of change and growth on the men in the relationships. The tricks and tips employed by Aly and her friends provide plenty of comedic moments while also highlighting the importance of shared effort and emotional labor in relationships.

The rekindling of Aly's relationship with her childhood best friend adds depth and nostalgia to the narrative. As she grapples with their complicated history, readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. The exploration of whether someone can and should be changed for the better adds a layer of depth to the story, questioning the fine balance between acceptance and personal growth.

"Fixer Upper" is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and self-reflection. The author's writing style is engaging, with sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions that bring the story to life. The pacing is spot-on, keeping readers hooked from beginning to end, eagerly turning the pages to see how Aly's journey unfolds.

Overall, "Fixer Upper" is a charming and entertaining read that will leave readers with a smile on their faces. It offers a refreshing take on the rom-com genre, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and personal growth while delivering plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments. This book is a perfect choice for anyone seeking a feel-good story filled with love, laughter, and a touch of nostalgia.

I really enjoyed this book! The writing style, the characters, the premise of the Fixer Upper group, it all worked to make a unique, fun, and memorable book. Although I wasn't as invested in the subplot of Aly's relationship with her mother and the terrible toxic dynamic of her parents, it still held my interest and it was a very good explanation of why Aly was the way she was.
I'd love to see more about these characters and find out what Aly and Tola end up doing. Perfect set up for a spinoff!
I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

I am always looking for fresh ideas in romance; this book caught my attention with its intriguing premise. However, I must admit that I encountered several issues that prevented me from fully embracing it.

First and foremost, the lack of romance was noticeable in a romance novel. Transitioning from friends to lovers can be challenging to execute convincingly, especially without a proper foundation. Unfortunately, in this case, we were not provided with enough insight into Aly and Dylan's past, making their romantic connection feel sudden and somewhat unbelievable.

Another significant concern I had was Dylan's continuous involvement with a girlfriend throughout the story. This situation created an uncomfortable dynamic between him and Aly, leading to a complex emotional relationship. Witnessing their connection while Dylan was committed to someone else felt morally ambiguous and unappealing. Although Dylan's girlfriend had some flaws, she was portrayed as a genuinely lovely person who believed in their love. Cheating in romances is not a thing I am a fan of.

Furthermore, I found Aly's character to be problematic. While she demonstrated remarkable intuition and strength when understanding others, she seemed entirely clueless about her life. Her history was marred by destructive relationships, workplace abuse, and emotionally harmful interactions with her parents. The extent of her turmoil made it difficult to believe that she could be portrayed as a "master manipulator."

In conclusion, this book presented several problematic aspects that impeded my enjoyment. The insufficient development of the romantic element, including a cheating dynamic and the jarring characterization of Aly, all contributed to my concerns. While the premise held promise, the execution could have been smoother in multiple ways.

The Fixer Upper is a fun light read. I struggled at points to connect with the characters. But it could have been my reading mood.

Oh man, I liked this book so much more than I was expecting to! It's got a bit of a slow start, but then it really gets going and is hilarious, warm, a total sleeper hit. This is a friends to strangers to enemies to friends again to lovers story (lol that old tired trope)(just kidding)(its second chance romance) and I ate it up. A girl who is a professional man-fixer-upper, who spends her whole life on other people in a *toxic* way, finally figures out her own soul mate in a way that is so shockingly NOT CHEESY or lame! Refreshing. This is a great new romance for readers of Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, Sally Thorne, and Jasmine Guillory, but is looking for a refreshing, fun, smart voice.

3.5 stars - This is a decent read, However, I don’t like that the heroine is basically a doormat for everyone in her life.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A cute romcom, Aly must come to terms with her newfound career and a reality check she didn't see coming. Hired to fixup her first love, can she really change someone who she thought was pretty good as is?

I really enjoyed this British romcom, although the premise was a little unlikely to ever happen. After discovering that most of the men she dated are now thriving, Ally creates a business “fixing up” men so that they can live to the full potential their significant others want them to. All of this is going well until she’s tasked with “fixing” her old friend (and childhood love) Dylan. I enjoyed this book for its different portrayals of what love looks like and Ally’s struggle to figure it all out. I enjoyed Ally as a main character and really loved the side characters too. I did have a little trouble getting into it at first, but once Ally met Dylan. I was more engrossed in the book. I did take off a star for the lack of believability and for the fact that I’m really not a fan of the misunderstanding trope in books. Overall, I would recommend this book to any romcom readers who like a clean, not spicy romance!

-Around 12% in, story skipped a little which made difficult to understand
-Struggled to get into it, as it started out 20% of fixing other people’s problems and not Aly’s problem
-made for a difficult story to follow along with and get into, I didn’t connect to characters or find them charming. Just a lot of repeating how her dating life was a wreck

Overall, not my favorite book I’ve read. It was hard to keep going and while I trudged through, I honestly couldn’t tell ya much about what I read. Thank you for the opportunity to review, though!

A sweet romcom with a good underlying story of not only fixing other people’s problems but also focusing on making yourself better and happy