A wild ride with a hot “fixer” and a feisty professor!

Penny, a computer science professor, is visiting her sister for the summer when—boom!—she gets tangled up in the mysterious disappearance of a celebrity. Next thing she knows, she’s on the run from both the FBI and a vengeful husband. Lucky for her, she’s got Tony by her side—a fixer with connections to the shady side of life (but, you know, in an ambiguously sexy way). He’s the kind of guy who’s dangerously good-looking and dangerously responsible for the mess she’s in.

The sparks between Penny and Tony? Chef’s kiss. Their banter crackles, their chemistry is off the charts, and they keep each other (and the reader) on their toes. This book delivers non-stop action, reminding me of One for the Money by Janet Evanovich—fast-paced, a little over the top, but totally entertaining. The supporting cast does their job well, with Penny’s sister, Libby, adding comic relief and depth to Penny’s family dynamics.

If you’re in the mood for a fun, action-packed read with a side of romance, The Big Fix delivers. I’d definitely be up for more adventures with Penny and Tony—because let’s face it, these two are not staying out of trouble.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

I loved Name Your Price so much, and I had high hopes for this book, but it was a letdown. The adventure side of the story overshadowed the romance too much, and didn't leave enough room for chemistry to build or sexual tension to develop.

I find Holly James's writing entertaining and will definitely continue to read her books. I'm hoping for a return to more traditional romance.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this! 3.5 /5 stars
I'm a big Holly James/Holly Michelle fan and this was such an enjoyable but huge departure from her typical style. I was draw in immediately to the cover and the hook: a bookish woman heads to an estate sale where her sister is clearly trying to set her up with the grief-stricken nephew...and a body shows up.
This is just fun from beginning to end: hijnks galore, 'fixer' clients and their bad guys, money, fights, chases, millionaires, witness protection. You name it, this has it. And of course the romance is there between Anthony and Penny, just as her sister predicted. It's closed door but still really enjoyable and sweet.
Does this require a bit of suspension of belief? Absolutely. Is it going to be my favorite of the year? Probably not. But this was just plain FUN, and sometimes that's really all I want from a great winter read.

This was a fun, silly romantic suspense novel. I've enjoyed other books by Holly James in the past so it's fun to see her stretch her creative muscles across genres.

I liked the sometimes slapstick elements that countered some of the heavier themes.

Penny and Anthony were a fun duo, as well. I liked Libby and Max as side characters with chutzpah, too.

I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I do want to take a moment to just appreciate this cover, which I think is just beautiful. I thought the book inside the cover was pretty solid, too - not my favorite adventure/mystery/romance I've ever read, but I really liked that the main character is a female professor in a male-dominated field (computer science) who has very relatable concerns about not getting tenure. Those concerns get amped up when she's pulled into a dangerous mystery after she witnesses a dead body falling out of a closet at her sister's later next door neighbor's estate sale. She gets more embroiled when she's accidentally mistaken for the hot nephew of the aforementioned next door neighbor, making her a target of his enemies. Because he turns out to be a fixer, and a super rich, super dangerous guy is after him for helping his celebrity/influencer/philanthropist wife escape his abusive clutches. Pretty fast paced, with lots of adventure, but content warning for a lot of on page violence, off page murder, and many references to intimate partner violence. I kind of measure every romantic adventure/suspense again Ally Carter's Blonde Identity, and this didn't match that one for me, but it was a solid read and a creative take on the genre.

Penny is working towards tenure at her college. What she doesn't need is to go to an estate sale next door with her sister and help discover a dead body. Add to that, the new owner of the house next door is drop dead gorgeous, Anthony who keeps putting himself into Penny's life.

This was such a cute action romcom! Here's what I liked:

Penny: She's hilarious. I love her quirkiness and her humor throughout this story. I connected with her and was also so drawn into her story and reactions to what was going on around her. She was such a good character.

The action: Everything worked in this one. There are gun fights, kidnappings, and lots of falling in love. It has a great mix of romance, comedy, and action.

The side characters: I adored all of the characters in this one. Penny's family and Anthony's friends were a perfect mix!

All in all, this was such a good action romcom!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So what drew me to this ARC was both the premise as well as the colorful book cover. It just looked like such a fun time! Overall this was a decent read, there were some fun antics and outrageous moments in here that I quite enjoyed. The story was easy to breeze through, and I didn’t find myself dreading picking up my kindle to finish it. This was still a mid/ upper mid reading experience for me, as I just find the story a bit lacking in terms of the romance and of common sense.

The FMC Penny was supposed to be feisty and brave, but she just came off as really ditzy and immature, especially for someone that is supposed to be well educated with a career as a Professor. For her to constantly seek out and put herself in the vicinity of her sister’s potentially murderous neighbor was ridiculous and not very realistic. There was another part in the story where her sister called the cops on Penny’s behalf, as anyone in their right mind would’ve done, but Penny got upset and reprimanded her sister for it. Like, really? To reiterate again, no common sense .

We’re also told quite a few times throughout the story that the FMC AND MMC has major chemistry, but I couldn’t really see it. For me, Anthony just kind of existed but he wasn’t fully fleshed out to where I can grasp him as an individual, let alone an individual Penny was inexplicably drawn to.

Hilarious, romantic suspense with a fun level of intrigue. Nothing super heavy - but I was also focused most on Penny and Anthony's hilariously timed relationship amidst an absolute mess.

I read Moorewood Family Rules a little while back, and I've been looking for more books like this! Exactly what I was looking for! I've never read anything by Holly James, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!

**Thank you to Kensington for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

Penny is a tenure-track college professor whose short-term life plan was to spend the summer finalizing her case for tenure. Anthony's Uncle Lou died recently and left him responsible for emptying his uncle's mansion. Penny's sister tricks her into going to his estate sale, ostensibly to fix her up with Anthony. But who would have thought there'd be a dead body mixed in with the priceless antiques? Mystery/criminal caper mixed with insta-lust (but closed-door) romance, witty writing but not LOL. Slow-ish to start, but the pacing picked up around 30%. I really love the fantastic pop-art inspired cover!

But, overall I may not have been the right audience for this one. I've read this author before and enjoyed her books but this one didn't resonate with me as much. I was aggravated with Penny in the beginning: you are clearly a smart woman and you *know* Anthony is surrounded by scary people, but you poke around anyway and insert yourself into danger? It was like she abandoned all of her common sense, at least partly because of attraction, and the insta-lust between the two felt like a plot device meant to distract from the poor judgment of the main characters. Unfortunately that aggravation stuck with me during the rest of the book. Penny was surprisingly impulsive and it felt out-of-character at times (especially for a woman who had been fighting hard for five years to be taken seriously in her male-dominated profession, although in retrospect maybe that should have been a clue to me that she was tenacious and wouldn't give up when presented with a mystery/puzzle to solve). Pay attention to content warnings, especially if you're squeamish, there was some content that took me by surprise (mostly some graphic injury detail, but at least one other thing that would spoil part of the plot if I included it here). Bit too much hills-and-valleys with the tension for me and some of the reveals felt anticlimactic. But if you love forced proximity, perilous situations, and insta-attraction then this quick read is a great way to spend a few escapist hours! 3.5 stars. Publishes March 25, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an eARC of this story, all opinions are my own.

OMG - I LOVED this book so much!!! Buckle up, folks, because this book takes you on a wild ride you won't soon forget! Holly James has whipped up a tantalizing cocktail of romance, mystery, and humor that will have you flipping pages faster than Penny Collins trying to escape a house full of henchmen!

Picture this: our heroine, Penny, a brainy computer sciences professor who'd rather be coding in her PJs, gets dragged by her sister to an estate sale. Yawn, right? Not so fast! A dead body tumbles out of a closet, and suddenly Penny’s world explodes in a frenzy of danger and deceit. Thrilling? Try edge-of-your-seat exhilarating!

Enter Anthony, the oh-so-charming nephew of the deceased and the new owner next door. Everyone thinks he’s Penny’s boyfriend—cue the chaos! Forced to flee from shadowy villains and an unsatisfied FBI, Penny and Anthony must dodge bullets and ignite the chemistry that smolders hotter than a summer, Bay Area day. Their banter? Absolutely sizzling with just the right sprinkle of snark!

This book is packed tighter than a billionaire’s secret vault with twists that'll make your head spin. The fake dating trope has never felt this fresh, and the clever mix of danger and humor keeps the mood light, yet electrifying. It's all delightfully absurd, yet real enough that you'll wish you were along for the ride.

Penny's sharp wit balances perfectly with Anthony’s suave action skills, making them a dynamic duo you’ll root for every step of the way. And with supporting characters that add heart and hilarity, this story is a full-blown escapade you’ll wish you could jump right into.

In this daring escapade, no one's a flawless superhero—just real people thrust into extraordinary chaos. Holly James delivers an action-packed delight with a side of romance that's impossible to resist. So grab a comfy chair, clear your calendar, and prepare to be swept off your feet. This isn’t just a book—it’s an adventure so deliciously fun you’ll be begging for more! 🌟

I absolutely devoured The Big Fix—it’s the perfect mix of action, humor, and slow-burn romance that had me grinning the whole way through. Penny is the kind of heroine I love—smart and completely out of her element but rolling with it like a champ. And Anthony? Whew. Their banter is top-tier, the chemistry is electric, and the action scenes are legit cinematic.Holly James balances the adrenaline-pumping moments with laugh-out-loud humor and swoony romance, making this an absolute blast to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This fast paced thriller/romance was such a fun read! This was my first Holly James book and definitely won’t be my last. It was definitely predictable at times but that didn’t take away from the story at all. I will say though, there is no way they could have killed him at the hotel in Vegas without anyone noticing!! lol

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the ARC of this book! I have read other books by Holly James, and this was definitely a departure from her usually stuff. That being said, I really had a blast. The storyline reminded me a lot of the movie Game Night. The two main characters are seemingly normal people who find themselves kidnapped and on the run from the law and the bad guys all while developing feeling for each other. The story was definitely far fetched, but I think I knew it would be going into it. It was extremely fun and fast paced with just the right amount of romance to keep my romance loving heart happy! I definitely recommend this one!

This was SUCH a delightful ride!! If you like action-packed books with humor, heart, romance, and a mystery to boot, definitely check this one out. I was hooked from the line in the blurb “on the run with a man she barely knows” and the book absolutely delivered on every one of my hopes and dreams!

This was a fun and engaging romantic mystery with plenty of action, humor, and likable characters. When bookish Penny Collins reluctantly joins her sister Libby at a neighbor’s estate sale, she expects to browse antiques and maybe haggle a little. Instead, she finds herself in a heated argument over candlesticks with the deceased owner’s nephew, Anthony—right before a dead body falls out of a closet. From that moment, Penny’s quiet summer plans are derailed in spectacular fashion.

Penny, a computer sciences professor working toward tenure, is suddenly thrown into a whirlwind of danger. Mistaken for Anthony’s girlfriend and believed to possess something of great value, she’s forced to go on the run with him. Together, they dodge bullets, climb walls, and outwit henchmen—all while navigating a simmering attraction. Meanwhile, Anthony’s secretive job as a fixer complicates things further, as they’re hunted by a ruthless billionaire and the FBI.

The chemistry between Penny and Anthony is undeniable and adds a spark to the high-stakes mystery. Penny’s cleverness and level-headedness complement Anthony’s more action-oriented skills, making them a great team. Supporting characters like Libby and her kids add humor and heart, making the story even more enjoyable.

The plot, involving a missing billionaire’s wife and a web of secrets, keeps the reader hooked with twists and turns. The blend of romance, action, and intrigue makes this book a delightful read from start to finish. If you enjoy mysteries with strong characters, witty banter, and a dash of romance, this one is definitely worth picking up! Thank you a NetGalley for my ARC.

Alright, this one made me laugh.

It’s almost like Stephanie Plum had an affair with Harlen Coban and together they wrote The Big Fix (and yes, I mean Stephanie. Not Janet).

This book is so so amusing, we’ve got a hot Ranger-style dude, a murder and a dead body and no answers. What could go wrong?!


….only complaint: NOT ALL WOMEN ARE CLUMSY. PLEASE GET RID OF THIS TROPE.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an unbiased review. I’m giving it 2 stars, because i DNF’d at 45% (which was not a decision made lightly) but even though it didn't work for me, it might work for you

Here’s the thing: I really really wanted to like this book. I entered (and lost) several Goodreads giveaways for a copy, and was thrilled when I finally received one from Net Galley. Everything about it appealed to me - the concept, the promise of a fun mystery and wacky hijinks, even the super cool almost retro vibes of the cover. But unfortunately the execution did not live up to its potential.

First of all, the mystery fell flat. I figured out pretty quickly why the body in the closet was there, and what Anthony, our super spy like MMC, had to do with Lydia’s disappearance. I wanted to like Anthony as a character, but for some reason the way he was described just sounded like Matty Healy, which doesn’t really do it for me. His insta-love with Penny, our FMC fell flat, and the chemistry was lacking. Penny herself came across as juvenile, and lacking common sense. You’re telling me that a full grown adult with the mental wherewithal to navigate collegiate politics enough to be up for tenure is surprised to discover that impulsively investigating the murder of the book’s equivalent of Jeff Bezos’s wife might possibly be dangerous? Adding to the juvenile nonsense is the fact that the whole impetus for her involvement in the plot is that random strangers, including one of the big bad guys! saw her arguing with Anthony and decided to ship them, to the point where he is discussing their chemistry like a tweenager… while tying her up in a murder basement! And while in said murder basement, and while escaping said murder basement, Penny’s biggest concern is that someone will look at her underwear (not kill her, of course, that would be a sensible thing to worry about). Don’t get me wrong, I like unhinged comedy, and while I think this would work perfectly in a Jenny Cruise-Bob Mayer book, it just doesn’t work here, probably because author Holly James seems to be treating the plot far more seriously than she probably should, considering the abundance of stupid decisions her supposedly grown ass heroine makes.

Things I loved: The cover, the concept, the side characters (Honestly, I’d prefer more Lydia and less Penny all the way).

Things I didn’t: Literally everything else. Nothing about this book worked for me. I wanted to quit at 29% but kept pushing myself out of a sense of duty. However, based on other reviews people REALLY like this book, so don’t let me yuck your yum. Maybe I’d be satisfied if I went in with lower expectations. Give it a shot!

Perfect for fans of: Murder mysteries, Silicon Valley, Matty Healy, good guy mobsters, insta-love, Antique Roadshow, and anyone who hates tech-bro billionaires.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was such a fun read! I found it to be really refreshing and light, giving just the right amount of action entertainment to keep you wanting to read more. I finished this in two sittings! Penny finds herself tied up (literally) in a kidnapping scheme gone wrong, and ends up on the run from some really seedy characters with a handsome man she just met days before. While Penny and Anthony try to figure their way out of their predicament, they go on an adventure across state lines, trying to stay incognito in 70's attire and a fancy Camaro. I could definitely see this book being a really fun romcom action chick flick in all the best ways. Holly James has quickly become one of my faves!

Holly has quickly become an auto-read author of mine. This book was so much fun! It had adventure and romance in it, and I couldn’t stop reading it. Anthony and Penny were such a good pair.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.