This rom-com from author Lauren Forsythe was a quick read with some witty banter and an interesting premise. There were, however, too many flaws to render it of any significant merit.

The story begins with an introduction to Alyssa (Aly), a thirty something woman with a path behind her of torched relationships, a less-than-ideal childhood and superficial friendships. She does, however, have the same two stereotypic friends I’ve repeatedly seen in this genre: Tola, a beautiful female friend who is living what appears to be an ideal life, and Eric, a gay male confidante whose flame burns bright. When Tola and Eric suddenly realize that each of Aly’s former boyfriends have, since their breakups with Aly, become madly successful, they crunch the numbers. What they discover is that Aly is consistently the catalyst for their success. The three then launch an impromptu business that sets out to give a nudge to men on behalf of their significant others in an effort to improve upon their shortcomings, from the short sighted boyfriend who doesn’t realize his girlfriend’s need for a proposal to the downright blind father who doesn’t realize he is failing as a stay at home dad. The trio insert themselves into the lives of these men for planned encounters designed to show them the “error of their ways.”

There were a few things that bothered me right out of the gate. First, the idea that men are really this stupid and easily manipulated is offensive. This didn’t strike me as light hearted or funny, but rather as pathetic and sad. Wanting others to conform instead of appreciating who they are is the ultimate example of the needs of a narcissist.

Second, Aly lies with impunity. She lies to her mother about not being available, she lies to her business partners about the financial specifics of a particular deal, and she lies about her familiarity with a former boyfriend whom she claims to have “just met.” Whilst the specifics that led to these lies were portrayed as “cute”, “noble” or just plain necessary, they destroyed any likability for, or even relatability to, her. The author’s attempts to justify Aly’s prevarications fail over and over again never quite making any of the lies acceptable, though every single character of import forgives her without so much as a second thought. It was this aversion to the truth, the deep seated flaw in Aly’s character, that made investing in her seem to be not worth the effort.

The third issue I experienced was one of authenticity. The story takes place primarily in London, the characters are decidedly British and yet the word choice, spellings and punctuation struck me as all American. Finding out the author lives in the UK came as a surprise, as the book read as if an American writer were trying to sound like a Brit.

Finally, the word yelp needs to be removed from this author’s vocabulary. Aly yelps, her mother yelps, Eric yelps, and the list goes on. I found myself shaking my head every time it was used, resulting in near whiplash.

I vascillated between a 2.5 and a 3 for this one. I enjoyed this author’s character development and pacing, I just didn’t appreciate the characters themselves. They were far too old to be behaving like immature adolescents, they possessed few likable traits and simply failed to engage me in their story.

Than you to NetGalley and Penguin a group Putnam for this ARC copy for review. Publication of Fixer Upper is tentatively set for August of 2022.

I had mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the characters of Aly, Eric, and Tola, and appreciated the storyline of Aly being put in the middle of her parents' complicated relationship. That's not a perspective one often sees in rom-coms, so it was unique and interesting. I also enjoyed Aly's shift from workaholic-desperate-for-a-promotion, to someone who sees her own worth and the fact that she's being taken advantage of in the workplace.

I didn't really understand the concept of Aly, Eric and Tola's Fixer Upper business. The idea was that they would do the "emotional legwork" of improving men, which implies that the men don't have agency in their own lives. They do this by meeting these men in bars and subtlety suggesting they take a class, dress better, get a new job. What?? It just doesn't make any sense. I also had a really hard time with the main love interest, Dylan. His character seemed mercurial and I did not understand his relationship with his girlfriend, an Instagram influencer, with whom he had literally nothing in common. None of it made sense to me.

"The Fixer Upper" was fun and entertaining for what it was, but overall unremarkable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin group Putnam publishers for the opportunity to review an e-arc of this book.

This really reminded me of the movie Hitch. It was cute, had a lot of fun and sweet moments, a little heartbreaking at times, but also empowering. In the Fixer Upper we’re given Alyssa, the fixer. Someone who has been helping everyone since she could remember. From trying to fix her parents marriage, to helping fix her best friend, to fixing all her boyfriends and then her coworkers. She was a problem solver until she became a doormat and she was a fixer until she realized that some things are perfect the way they are. That realization comes to light when her former best friend comes back into her life on the receiving end of her help. She comes to see that her being a problem solver means she can’t focus on her own problems. She’s learning to make herself a priority and it’s a game changer for her.

I really enjoyed Alyssa and all her coworkers/ friends and Dylan and all his coworkers/friends. I loved that they so easily blended together almost as if they were meant to be. I felt bad about the way her a Dylan left things when they were kids. It was miscommunication and they went ten years without trying to fix it. That’s the only part of the book I didn’t care for, how easily they could have talked things over, but of course that’s the book. I really did enjoy the original concept of the Fixer Upper. Some people really just needed a nudge in the right direction. What it turned into feels very different from what it was. The outcome, their new goal, seems really empowering and is an important change to see in the world. I really really enjoyed these characters and the supporting characters. They all seem like someone you’d want as your best friend. Overall I think this was an awesome book. It went over a lot of great things that we overlook in our day to day. I’d definitely recommend this for a quick escape into a fun quirky story.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

The Fixer Upper was a cute read! I enjoyed the multiple friendship dynamics throughout the novel. I could relate to Aly’s need to “fix” and control things, especially those who you love the most. I do wish she would have figured things out a little bit sooner.

My heart ached for Dylan in this story. I don’t think he deserved all of the need for fixing.

I liked the grand gesture ending. I’m glad that Aly learns how to stand up for herself and finally goes after what she really wants.

Overall, I enjoyed the storyline. It was unique!

"If you want the spoils...you're going to have to do the work."

Aly is a fixer in all aspects of her life, notoriously dating "projects not people" and always knowing how to spin the right narrative to get a job done. When Aly and her coworkers decide to take her talent for workshopping men for dissatisfied spouses and girlfriends and develop a service, they eventually draw the attention of a social-media starlet looking to transform her beau into the camera-ready fiance her career desperately needs. In order to save her childhood home, Aly accepts her newest project (and the handsome fee that accompanies it). The problem? Her mark isn't a stranger in a bar or a clueless father...it's the best friend and love she left behind.

One of the things I loved most about this book is also what makes it a bit of a misleading read. I felt that Aly's development from a people-pleaser to a more assertive and honest version of herself was much more appealing that the romance plot between her and Dylan. While I feel that Forsythe did the leg wok of trying to establish chemistry and a history between the leads, I cared more about Aly coming into herself than their connection. I almost found myself questioning if I wanted them to be involved romantically or just reclaim their friendship. I think this book is a story about self-discovery, not necessarily the friends to strangers to lovers I anticipated. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it left me feeling a little dissatisfied with the romance plot.

Aside from a few lags in pacing, the concept is intriguing and the "fixes" add good variation in the first half of the story. Forsythe creates interesting and well-developed side characters that make this an enjoyable read. I enjoyed how the author explored the differences between love and acceptance in relationships, and how one cannot truly exist without the other. I found myself thinking often while reading this that it would lend well to a screen adaptation. The ending felt a bit rushed and didn't pay off like I had hoped, but overall "The Fixer Upper" is a fun read with characters the reader can root for,

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Lauren Forsythe for the advanced copy of this novel.

I choose this book because of the blurb. I feel like there was not a lot of romance. I love romance in a book and I felt like the story line was so slow.

Synopsis: Ever since she can remember, Aly has been fixing everything around her: her parents’ marriage, her colleagues’ work problems, and her friends’ love lives. After a chance meeting with an ex who has gone from a living in his parents’ basement to a married project manager in three years, she realizes she’s been fixing her boyfriends, too…

So, Aly decides to put her talents to good use and, alongside two work friends, sets up The Fixer Upper, an exclusive, underground service for women who are tired of unpaid emotional labor. Using little tricks and tips, Aly and her friends get the men to do the work themselves – to get out of the job they hate, sign up for that growth seminar, to do more parenting. Before long, a high-profile Instagram star hires them to fix-up her app developer boyfriend. There’s just one catch – he’s also Aly’s childhood best friend and first love. As Aly tackles her biggest “fixer upper” yet, she’ll have to come to terms with their complicated history and figure out how much to change someone she’d always thought was perfect as he is.

Review: I was disappointed Aly, who was so aware of others and their intentions, couldn't see the potential for herself. The main plot of the book has her making a very questionable decision to lie to people she considers her friends to help people who I'm not sure deserve it. I liked the story more as it progressed and we see why she acts the way she does, but her friends and Dylan's employees are still the stars of this book for me. I enjoyed every part that had them in it and was rewarded with some great lines and friendship moments.

I found the storyline to be interesting so was excited when I got an advanced copy to read this. This is a first I have heard of this author, and enjoyed the way the story flowed and was engaging. The main character, Aly is interesting and well developed, with realistic insecurities and unresolved issues stemming from her family. In short, Aly is dubbed the "fixer upper" hence the title of the book, because of her history with men who she has dated who ended up advancing in their life after they broke up, and how our main character has been responsible for their growth. The story really moves when she takes on a job and the person involved is her first young love. Without spoiling the ending, this story was easy to get involved in and help one relate.

First, I want to say the best point of this entire book: Lauren Forsythe's writing.
The story is medium in length, and I confess that I had high expectations due to the main trope being friends to strangers to friends to lovers. I LOVE second chance trope, and I loved the main character of this story, but some parts of it just didn't match what I was expecting. I feel like the protagonist's development was very good but her and Dylan's relationship part was kind of average for me and what I was expecting, it made me down a star because I expected something BETTER and different, but it's not something I I really disliked it, I just think it could have happened otherwise - and with Lauren's writing, it would have been perfect. Reading was easy, fun and this is an emotional book that readers who enjoy books like Beach Read and Malibu Rising will probably like it, but I didn't like it that much. 3,5/5 stars.
Thankyou to netgalley for providing me with an
eArc.

The premise for this book was cute, but I just did not love the execution. I felt like the main character was fairly one dimensional and I did not find myself caring deeply about what happened to them. I still enjoyed the book, but I don't know if I would read another by this author...

This book was something I could really relate to. Aly is in here 30's. I, as well, am in my 30's. The past men that I have dated I have helped them only for the relationship to end or not even really start and help them get to the path on where they want to go. Only for them to succeed. Now, I, have also succeeded professionally, but not so much with relationships.
Somethings I loved with the book:
The character development. The personal growth of Aly by the end made me realize somethings about myself. The side characters are fun and well written. It is a troupe I don't read too often but will now seek out (friends to strangers to lovers).
Overall, a great and fast read that I will be making a physical purchase of upon release.

Review on my IG @bookatthebeach to come closer to PUB Date!

“Love is only meant to be terrifying right at the beginning, right before you fall. Then it’s meant to feel like home”

I’ll be honest, I forgot the synopsis when I picked this one up and I’m so glad I did. The element of surprise for something I knew was going to happen was entirely worth my forgetful mind. I loved the history of Dylan and Aly and I loved the way that time stood still for them. This was the perfect friends to maybe lovers to lovers and I really enjoyed their story.

Overall, I give this story a 3.5 rating, having genuinely enjoyed the story, the characters, and the themes found throughout. If you’re looking for a cute and easy read about friendship, women empowerment, independence, and some romance sprinkled throughout, this is the one for you.

The Fixer Upper sets up an unrealistic premise to develop our main character, Alyssa, into a self-assured and confident woman. However, while the story starts off slow, and does have an outlandish plot device that becomes the central arc of the story–and the reason for the title–it was a cute enough read for me to suspend my disbelief and dive into this London girl’s life, rooting for her successes throughout the way. Alyssa is someone who is very much used to fixing everyone else’s problems around her. The issue comes in the form of her own life, where she seems to have become a background character, helping those around her without owning her strengths, demanding respect, or taking credit for any of it. As the story progresses, she learns more about demanding what is right for her and making more selfish decisions that will benefit her in the long run. Overall, the theme of women empowerment is threaded throughout the story, giving Alyssa a strong female friend, as well as placing women around her who purposely need lifting or can help lift Alyssa up. I enjoyed the commentary about the many hats women wear and the ways in which women can be viewed, both negatively and positively, in the workplace and in their personal lives.

However, I will say that if you’re in search for a high-key romance novel, this is not it. As a matter of fact, romance seems to take a backseat in this story, becoming a result of Alyssa’s character development, rather than the central plot. The story relies heavily on the history behind Alyssa and the love interest, so we don’t spend too much time reading about the current romance brewing between them; it simply becomes apparent there was something there in the past that has been threaded into their present selves. Despite this, there were some really cute moments between the two, some genuinely sweet quotes that I couldn’t help but highlight to go back and re-read, and a sweet tradition between them that made my heart flutter every time it was brought up.

Because the romance does take a backseat in the overall arc of the story, we get to spend more time with Alyssa and her friends, and this story becomes just as much a story about friendship than it does one about romantic relationships. Alyssa surrounds herself with two very strong and interesting friends, who are honest with her and good to her in ways even she is surprised about. They were developed enough that I couldn’t help but root for them as much as I was rooting for Alyssa. As a matter of fact, I really liked that there were an array of secondary characters introduced, some who I loved and some who I genuinely couldn’t stand, but it made the story seem more realistic, like most of our lives are painted with both colorful and dull background characters.

I’m relieved i finished this book. Because i did not enjoy it. I had no investment in the characters, no investment in the plot. It was soooo boring and I just wanted it to be done.

Aly Aresti is a fixer. In all her relationships she has been overly helpful improving the lives of her men and they have moved on to be very successful with other women reaping the benefits. Her friends have seen this happen enough. They convince her go into business with them. It will be called The Fixer Upper and women can hire them to improve their men. When one of those men end up being her childhood best fried what can possibly go wrong? The characters showed a lot of growth in this story, and it was an entertaining read. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC. The publishing date is in August.

I ADORED THIS BOOK. This is a story about Aly, a people pleasing fixer… in her personal, professional, and romantic relationships.
Let start with Aly.. her character development is TOP NOTCH. We watch as she finds her way through being trampled over at work… I have always been someone who believes you WORK to LIVE not live to work and seeing Aly learn that lesson was chefs kiss 🤌🏼 We also see her find a way to stand up for herself AND her mother, putting an end to years of manipulation.
Tola and Eric… I LOVE book friendships. Good friendships that pick at you but HAVE YOUR BACK when you need it. The way these two push Aly to reach full potential but step back when she’s struggling is beautiful.
AND of course Dylan James… This guy got on my nerves, at first. The too good for you act was almost killing me when the author gives you just a glimpse into the soft side. And MAN, does he have a soft side. Watching Dylan and Aly relearn each other while revisiting the past, righting wrongs and patching old heartaches, was my favorite part.
NOW The Fixer Upper…. A truly unique concept. Aly, Tola, and Eric spend their extra time “fixing up” men. Hired by women to motivate their men to improve professionally or personally. That could never backfire on them right?! I won’t spoil the ending… BUT the character development through the “change of direction” with this company is something fun to see. Feminism at its BEST. We love to see women equipped to be better and empowered to never settle for less than deserved.
This book is heartbreaking, funny, aggravating, and SO good. It’s a little long, and there was definitely some fluff but I didn’t even mind it. It felt, to me, like the story had a pretty steady pace and I really had time to connect to these characters. A wonderful debut from Lauren Forsythe… can’t wait to see what’s to come!

I had a lot of high hopes for this book when I read the plot summary. The idea of a fixer of relationships instead of politicians or celebrities was a great idea for the main character. Aly saw all of her ex's better off after dating her, so naturally her friends believed she could make a job out of it. She ends up with a client who wants to fix Aly's first love & best friend, thus putting Aly in a difficult position because does she think he needs any fixing at all?

As I said, I had high hopes for this book, & while I did enjoy the book, it didn't completely satisfy me. I thought it would be more of a romance, but I saw it lacking a lot in that category. Parts of this book did feel unrealistic for me, so that was slightly hard to ignore. I enjoyed reading Aly & Dylan's progressing relationship, & seeing how both characters were flawed in their own ways & wanted to be accepted for who they both are. I loved Aly's friends Tola & Eric & the dynamic the friends had together. While this was not my favorite read ever, it was a light read & I did enjoy it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, & G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC!

This book was so goddamn cute. A childhood friends to strangers to lovers story.

Alyssa is 33 working at a marketing firm, toiling away in the hopes of finally landing her well-earned big promotion. One night while dining out alone, she runs into an ex who credits her with turning his life around. Soon, with the help of her friends/co-workers Tola and Eric, she realizes that she is a "fixer" with a clear pattern: she dates men who are "projects" in need of improvement, then after she's put the work in to change them, she's exhausted and bounces, leaving other women to reap the rewards of her labor. So the three of them hatch a scheme to harness Aly's "fixer upper" skills to help women whose boyfriends/husbands need some gentle prods in the right direction.

That's how Aly ends up face-to-face with Dylan, her childhood best friend and crush whom she hasn't seen or spoken to in 15 years. Dylan's famous influencer girlfriend has hired Aly to "fix up" Dylan—she wants to mold him to fit better into her lifestyle. At first, Aly has no intention of taking Dylan on as a project, but when her mother needs money fast in order to keep her home, Aly accepts the job on the condition of a HUGE fee. As she reconnects with her old friend and gets sucked into his world again, Aly struggles to come to terms with her own feelings and what she wants and, most importantly, what is right.

The story was interesting and unique and really sucked me in. The beginning was a bit clunky—it was more telling than showing until the love interest was introduced, as if the author was just going through the motions to set up the good bits. Still, once Dylan came into the picture, it all fell into place. I will say, if you're looking for a book with loads of romance, this might not be for you. The romance is there, but it's slow-burn, more build-up and tension than actual action.

This book reminded me of Heartbreak for Hire, People We Meet On Vacation, and Love and Other Words, but a lot slower in terms of romance. Still very good, a solid 4-4.5.

This one was just okay for me. I thought the premise was interesting and I’m always looking for fresh ideas in romance. Overall I just had quite a few problems.

First, for a romance there wasn’t a lot of romance. I often struggle with friends to lovers because it can feel really instant and unbelievable since If there isn’t build up. Which is what happened here. We didn’t see Aly and Dylan’s past so their romance wasn’t obvious.

Another problem I had was that during this whole story Dylan had a girlfriend. So it felt really icky to have him and Aly in this weird emotional relationship when he had a girlfriend. And the girlfriend, sure she was a bit shallow but overall she was a nice person who thought they were in love. Cheating tropes really bother me.

Finally I had issues with Aly. I felt like it was really jarring how intuitive and strong she could be about other people but how utterly clueless she was in her own life. She was in terrible, destructive relationships, abused at work left and right, and had an emotionally harmful relationship with her parents. Her life was such a mess that it just made it more unbelievable that she was a “master manipulator.”

Overall, a pretty problematic book for me in several ways.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. I absolutely adored this book. I laughed, cried, screamed, got really angry, and had frequent heart eyes. I’ve read a lot of books that made me cry throughout but this one had me sobbing every 5 minutes. I quite literally could not put it down, and against my better judgment, stayed up until 6 am reading it. I am obsessed with Dylan and Aly. I want more more more. And there were absolutely characters that made me want to tear my hair out, but I loved to hate them. The only thing I want more of is Aly and Dylan’s romantic relationship. I would definitely read a novella or an entire book of Aly and Dylan fluff. will be buying the paperback once it’s released.