My first Tessa Bailey, but not my last! Fix Her Up is a fun romantic comedy with an older brother’s best friend trope (one of my favorite). While Georgie and Travis initially come together for a mutually beneficial fake relationship, it never feels that way, and honestly they were kidding themselves from the beginning. Georgie wishes for her family (and others in their small town) to treat her and see her like the adult she is; Travis is coming off of a career-ending injury and finds himself needing an image remake in order to land a job as a baseball commentator. Thus the basis of their "relationship" is born.

There were times I wish the characters were a little more fleshed out (Travis’ backstory in particular), but they both had clear voices and reasons for why they chose to enter into a farce. It's clear they both feel something more than friendship for each other and in the end they seem to hide the truth from themselves more than anyone else. Once they get together it is steamier than the cover leads you to think. I like that the cute and fun dynamic that started their friendship didn't disappear though. 

Georgie's family served as great side characters, even if at times they seemed a little self-involved (at least in regards to her) and over the top. I am glad to see that this will be a series, as we are introduced to others, such as Rosie, who clearly have stories to be told. (And, I believe Rosie's is the next one we will get.)

Of course, our main characters suffer from the requisite misunderstanding that leads to the big gesture of every rom com movie and book out there, but I didn't mind it as we all read these to get to that happily ever after.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

It’s been a minute since my last Bailey book. This one was really cute and fun. Georgie with her witty banter and Travis with his dirty talking self. It was nice to see Georgie trying to break free from the little kid mold her family has her in. Being the youngest and with her super cool profession as a clown, not a lot of people take her seriously. Travis has a not so great rep from his baseball days and he has a lot of resentment about his past. Things get a little dicey her and there but overall, I really enjoyed reading it.

REVIEW: FIX HER UP BY TESSA BAILEY

Thank you @netgalley for the review copy. This books is NOT what I expected. It was very....steamy. However, I really enjoyed the story line. I think it was a little cheesy at times (especially the nickname), but overall it was a good book. This is the first book I’ve read by Tessa Bailey and I will definitely be reading more! I’m rating Fix Her Up ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5.

3.5 stars...
Fix Her Up is a story about Georgie and her undying love for Travis the local superstar now back home after injuries. Georgie proposes that her and Travis pretend they are dating in order for him to get a job and for her to no longer be the baby sister in the family. I struggled so much with the book because I loved the concept so much. Georgie was fearless and comfortable in her own skin. She brings Travis out of his dark cloud and their relationship was very cute. Where I struggled was the language and I promise I am not a prude. I read this books for the romance and sex but this had me cringing. I did not find it sexy in the least and it was creepy most of the time. I'm still trying to figure out why it bothered me so much...........

To be honest, steamy romance novels are not my thing. I like fairly clean rom-coms. However, this is probably one of the best romance novels I've read in a long time. No, I did not like the sexy scenes, but that's just my personal taste. 

What I did like about this book was the character depth in each one of these characters. I loved Georgie and her spunky, cute personality. I loved that she did what she loved and encouraged others to follow their dreams, especially her sister and their friend, Rosie. Georgie was fleshed out and real, and I could see why Travis loved her so much. I liked Travis, too. He was smart enough to know what a good woman Georgie was and fell in love with her because she supported and encouraged him to be better. This story had depth and it was just plain sweet. Some of the stuff Travis did to make Georgie happy was so heart-meltingly romantic and touching. The only thing I did not like about this book, besides all the steam, was that I felt that the fake-dating trope was pushed to the background of this story. The pacing leading up to that plotline was very disappointing. They were supposed to be pretending to date, but they had already hooked up and seemed "together" before they even came up with the idea to fake their relationship. The author could have slowed the burn down a little on that one piece. Otherwise, this was a super cute, funny, sweet rom-com.

Georgette Castle is the baby of the family--the only way to get attention is being funny, the clown of the family and town. Literally. Georgie is a professional clown due to that no one takes her seriously especially her family. To top it off her childhood crush returned to town. Georgie is at her wits end. She needs to be taken seriously.

Travis Ford returns home a broken man after being traded from team to team after his shoulder injury. He feels like a complete failure, not even his World Series ring can make him feel better. His best friend's baby sister little Georgie waltzes into his room--throws food at him. The sprite yells at him for the way he's been moping, wallowing and the way he's been living the past few months. Georgie doesn't leave him alone after that either. She brings him leftovers and helps him clean his apartment. What does he do in return? He fantasizes about her. He can't treat her like he does other women. 1) she's Stephen's baby sister, 2) Georgie is different, 3) she's a virgin.

If he wants the broadcast job, he has to show he's as wholesome and family oriented as the network. Georgie wants everyone to look at her differently and to be taken seriously. They make a deal--fake date until Travis gets the job. Too bad they both develop feelings for each other along the way. It doesn't help that both Stephen and Travis's dad further complicate their relationship.

2/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this title before its release date.

Do not let that cute illustrated cover fool you - this book is straight up filthy haha.

Fix Her Up follows Georgie, a children's entertainer whose family runs the best house-flipping business in her Long Island town. Georgie's older brother's best friend Travis, former MLB baseball star, returns to town after a career-ending injury. Georgie wants to be taken more seriously by her family; Travis needs to change his image into something more wholesome if he wants a shot at a new commentator position; so the two concoct a plan to "fake date" to both get what they want.

I didn't dislike this book but I did think that a lot of it was ridiculous. The ending was so over the top that even I, a romantic at heart, was rolling my eyes. I wasn't a huge fan of the whole "virgin and experienced lover" trope but it is what it is. Also, Travis calling her "baby girl" every other line made me want to gouge my eyes out.

I think that maybe this type of romance isn't necessarily what I'm into, which is fine. A lot of people love this! I think that I might like a little bit more complex story with my smut. But I think a lot of people will enjoy this, especially if you are already a fan of Tessa Bailey's books.

Perfection!

Brother’s Best Friend ✔️
Fake Dating ✔️
Quirky Heroine ✔️
Hot AF Tessa Bailey Sex Scenes ✔️✔️

Fix Her Up is now hands down my favorite Tessa Bailey book!  The chemistry and emotion between Georgie and Travis explodes off the page, along with some ice cream and lo-mein, and absolutely enthralls.  

She’s a party clown who wants to be taken seriously and he’s a baseball phenom who’s down on his luck and together they support each other in a way that is wonderfully fulfilling and satisfying.  Add in her crazy family and the citizens of Port Jeff and Fix Her Up becomes everything I love about a small town contemporary romance. 

I am beyond in need of Dominic and Rosie’s story and more of Port Jeff and the Just Us League! 

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Georgie Castle has been in love with her brother’s best friend forever. Travis Ford has returned home after an injury has derailed his baseball career. He is wallowing right now, and Georgie is the perfect person to drag him out of his pity party. Georgie gets Travis to pretend to date her. Georgie is trying to help Travis with his image (to land a new job) and she wants to change her image. She is tired of her family not taking her seriously and she wants to shock them. 

I am a huge fan of Tessa Bailey’s books. Sadly, this isn’t my favorite book by her. At times I felt like I wasn’t reading a TB book. It felt choppy to me. I liked the idea of the female empowerment, but I felt like Georgie getting her business going was dropped. I also didn’t get why Georgie liked Travis. I usually love Tessa Bailey’s male leads, but Travis wasn’t all that great. 

I think if you love brother’s best friend romances you might still like this so give it a go.

Copy provided in exchange for a voluntary review

I am going to start out by saying this is my first Tessa Bailey book. She's been on my radar for a while now, I just never got around to reading any of her books. I have been into illustrated covers for years. I love the simplistic feel of them. A cover doesn't have to be over done to sell in my opinion. 

In Fix Her Up we get to meet Georgie Castle, the youngest sibling of Castle family, and well shes quite a clown, not figuratively but literally. I loved this concept because I've never read a book where the heroine was, well a clown. In her family shes not taken seriously and wants to shed this image not just with family but the entire town. But she remains passionate about her career. This isn't just some job to her, it's been part of her for a long time. Travis Ford has been her crush since she was a kid, and harboring these feelings for him never entirely went away, so when he moves back to town her feelings grow even more. 

Travis is a former MBA player who's only home because of an injury that caused him to take a break from the league. Feeling depressed and out of place, he calls up his best-friend, who just happens to be Georgie's brother. She sets out to make him feel better about himself and in turn doing so finds herself shedding the image she thought about herself. Watching these two grow together was probably the best thing about this book. Georgie begins her journey of feeling comfortable in her own skin while Travis begins seeing himself through Georgie's eyes, not just some soon-to-be has 
been. 

The book starts out with a crush turning into a friends-with-benefits transforming into something more than either could have hope for. Travis is the sequential boy-next-door turned ladies man, he might be harder for people to connect to than Georgie, but if you're like me then you'll grow to like then love him.

There were other parts of the book that I loved as well, that included secondary characters, such as Bethany and Rose and their Just Us League. Those parts of the book were hilarious and we get to see more of their lives. I honestly can't wait for their books!

For my first Tessa Bailey, I loved this book! And I do recommend this to anyone who loves a brothers best friend book. 

ARC generously provided by Netgalley, publisher and author, Thank you so much!


★★★★ Baby Girl Stars

4.5 STARS!

Fix Her Up was adorably witty, sweet, and oh so sexy #rawr. Now, before I get into talking about this wonderful book I should let the cat out of the bag and state that this is my first book read by Tessa Bailey. And yes I know, what the H am I thinking!? (Idk if listening to Reniassance Man counts, hm). Anyways, let's talk about this book... I absolutely loved it! It was so angsty, le sigh.

Georgette Castle is our heroine. She's quirky, funny, and states what's on her mind. Young at heart and for a living she's a... clown. Literally. I ain't joking! That alone makes her awesome. But Georgie feels unappreciated. No one takes her seriously nor treats her like a grown woman. That doesn't stop her from smiling at the world even when the world tends to bring her down. Then one Travis Ford returns to Port Jefferson; the guy she's always crushed on.

Travis Ford sustains an injury, which ultimately ends his baseball career. Returning back home to Port Jefferson is a rude awakening for him. People only see his status, how famous he once was, and how he used to be a ladies man. Now he's depressed, angry, and mopes around. Eventually, Georgie shakes him back to reality and makes him see that he's more then another famous baseball player.

Georgie and Travis form this unlikely friendship. With change and time, Travis begins to see Georgie as a beautiful woman and not as his best friend's little sister who used to be a pest. Sparks fly. The chemistry is phenomenal. Soon feelings get involved and oh the angst! #feels.

Overall, this story is perfect for audiences who love contemporary romance involving best-friend's-sister/brother tropes and just a good sexy story that will have you laughing and your heart hurting. I'm definitely excited for the next book in this series! 💃🏽


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books (HarperCollins Publishers) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

Fix Her Up opens with Georgie visiting Travis at home and waking his drunk ass up by throwing melting ice cream and lo mein on him. She manages to shock him into realizing the has-been cliché he's becoming. He gets a job working construction for his best friend, Stephen, who is Georgie's older brother. And suddenly he can't stop thinking about Georgie, why is that?

Georgie is the third child and all her parents' goals were covered by Stephen and Bethany, leaving her the afterthought, the one everyone still sees as a kid or the clown. She's got her own business, her own house, and wants to expand the business and be taken more seriously. When I first read she was a clown I wondered if it would be used for comedic purposes, but no, she really loves kids and keeping them entertained, and it's her business. It's not used for comedic effect at all.

Travis has a shot at an announcer job in New York (this book is set on Long Island) and needs to shake off his playboy image. The town is literally betting on who he's going to sleep with first when he gets back, that's how bad it is. It's not helping his self-esteem that the only thing people think he's good for now is one-night stands.

Georgie gives herself a makeover and forms a group with her sister, Bethany, and Rosie, who is married to Travis' co-worker. They agree to support each other and each other's business goals. I LOVED this part of the book. Bethany wants more at her job in the family firm but Stephen is blocking it (honestly, Stephen and his wife are insufferable). Rosie wants to own a restaurant but her husband has forgotten their dream - and how to talk to her - since he came back from serving from overseas. Georgie getting asked for bigger parties and more entertainment in order to expand her business. The Fix Her Up is really about Georgie working on her own strengths and building her life as she wants it, not about fixing something that's broken.

The fake relationship between Georgie and Travis intermingles with some intense sexual tension. You know that even as they claim they're going to, they're not going to keep their hands off each other. Neither of them have really been in a relationship before so it's fun to see them figure it out.

Fix Her Up has an excellent balance of developing romance and character growth for each of the leads. Sometimes I take issue with Bailey's writing being too surface level, but it was much more developed here. Looking forward to Dom and Rosie's story next and hopefully Bethany will get her own book.

They say never judge a book by the cover but the reason I requested an ARC copy of the newest from Tessa Bailey was due, in part, to the bright and colorful cover.  I expected a fun read about 2 people falling in love with the backdrop of house flipping.  While this book wasn’t anything like that, I enjoyed it and would definitely read the next in the series as well as more from Bailey.  
Georgie Castle is the youngest in a family of home renovators but decided to forge her own career path as a professional clown, hired to entertain the town’s children at birthday parties.  She has always been seen as the “little sister” and no one seems to take her seriously, especially her family. Travis Ford was destined for great things as the town’s baseball star and had his sights on a long career in the majors until an injury forced him to retire at 28. He returns home, lost and angry, with no idea what to do next.  When Georgie, who happens to be his best friend’s sister, proposes a plan to help them both out, Travis is reluctant.  Can they both become who they were meant to be without feelings getting in the way?
I would be very happy if all contemporary romance books read like this one did.   There was nothing surprising in this book or too angsty.  It was funny and light hearted while still being smart and at times emotional.  Georgie was a great character because you can understand why she feels like she does.  She genuinely loves being a clown (which is a very funny sentence to write).   She likes making kids happy and her job fulfills her.  The issue is the town and how they can’t seem to realize she’s a grownup and take her seriously…which leads to her having a makeover.  BUT—this isn’t a typical book makeover where the heroine never realized how beautiful she actually was and now everything about her changes once she puts on a dress and heels.  Georgie’s makeover makes her feel more adult and in turn changes the way she presents herself and interacts with her family and the town.  It was refreshing to read.  In fact, what I liked most about this book was that Bailey took what could be overused romance tropes (virgin, man who sleeps around, small town etc…) and made them feel believable in the context of the story.  It’s not a stretch of the imagination to believe that Travis dates and sleeps around.  It’s also not unbelievable that Georgie, living in a small own and being a clown, has a hard time dating.  Overall, these plot devices worked for me.  In terms of the spiciness level, don’t let the cutesy cover fool you.   There are several sex scenes and they are hot, filled with description and dirty talk. 
This book was my first by Tessa Bailey and I very much enjoyed it.  I would recommend to people looking for something fun with a believable story and characters.  I look forward to reading more by this author.

Huge thank you to Harper Collins for the Advanced Copy! This review is my complete honest opinion!
Georgie Castle is the youngest out of the Castle Siblings and instead of going into home renovation, she decided to be a children's party entertainer, making children laugh and smile. Travis Ford, Georgies older brothers best friend from child hood, has been gone for years pursuing his baseball career until he has a major injury causing him to retire his glove. Travis comes back to town to wallow in self pity for the loss of his dream and Georgie is determined to not let him sulk. Georgie has had a long term crush in Travis since they were kids but he will never get past her "little sister stays". Georgie is tired of always being treated like a child in her family so she is determined to step out and show the world how much of a woman she can be. Starting with her look. She gets her hair done, and gets a whole new wardrobe. Trading up from all the second hand clothes she usually buys. When Travis see's Georgie's new look he is taken back at how grown up she looks. One thing leads to another, and they end up coming up with a fake relationship to help Travis's career, and to help Georgie show her family she is not a little girl anymore. They may be in a fake relationship but are the feelings fake as well?
I devoured this book in one sitting! I think any women can relate to Georgie at least some point in their life. Georgie has such an innocence about her and how she views the world you can't help but root for her! This book has the perfect amount of sweetness, sass, and steam!! This book had me swooning and is going on my list of favorites so far this year!!

Ohhh friends, this is a good one. This is my first time reading anything by Tessa Bailey but it will most certainly not be my last. This adorable, STEAMY novel is exactly what I needed and I couldn't put it down. 

Georgie Castle is the youngest child, and is always stuck in that role. No one takes her seriously, no matter how much of a life she carves into it. She is confident and loud and hysterically funny. And did I mention that she's a clown? Like, an actual birthday party clown. Now, if you'd have told me a month ago that I would be in love with a book where the heroine is a clown, I would have thought you were on something. 

Travis Ford is back in Port Jefferson after an injury put an end to his career in the Major Leagues. He's angry and drunk, wallowing in self-pity. Then, Georgie walks in to cheer him up and bring him back to life. 

This book has everything. Fake dating, a bad boy, witty dialogue, and STEAM. Oh boy, the steam. It is so, so good. I devoured this book, and the only regret that I have is that it's over now.

DNF at 25 percent. 

I can’t finish it. I could maybe force myself but reading is supposed to be relaxing and fun. This book does not bring me joy so I am quitting 😂
There are just so many books that I could be reading and enjoying so why continue and torture myself. 

This is my first Tessa Bailey book and sadly probably my last. The marketing and synopsis were great and initially drew me in. I mean look at that cover. Super cute!! 

I am a very character driven reader. Plots are awesome but mostly I need to be invested in a character or care what happens to them and relate in some way to something in the book. These two characters drove me nuts. I disliked both of them. I don’t care if they get together or not. 

Even the side characters annoyed me and they kinda have only made a cameo at this point. 

I’m sorry. I must move on with my life.

This was a very fun read that hit every element that I expect from a RomCom. Very much in the vein of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne, Bailey created some memorable characters that I enjoyed from page 1. I can honestly say that I've never read about a heroine that worked as a CLOWN for a living. Georgie actually became one of my favourite heroines of the past couple years--she was so endearing and had such a fire that left me totally smitten. Highly recommend this read!

“You have to fight for what you deserve. What you want is no more or less important than what anyone else wants.” - Travis Ford
.
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Travis Ford, the town hero, who after an injury has been released from his professional baseball contacts. He finds himself back in Port Jefferson with no job, or family and feels like a failure. Until one day his best friends kid sister decides to take matters into her own hands, and give him the wake up call he needs, in the form of a one sided food fight.

Georgie Castle has always been the baby, the kid sister, being the youngest of the Castle children. She is often still thought of in that way, and not taken seriously by her family or others in town. She had big dreams of opening her own business, but for now she is the town clown, for birthday parties and events. 

Georgie and Travis decide they could help each other improve their images. Travis, nicknamed ‘two bats’, has a reputation as a player, and not just baseball. While Georgie is often still seen as a teenager she used to be. They each have exactly what the other needs, so they decide to start fake dating. The idea seems like a good one until Travis learns one thing ... Georgie has has a crush on him for years. He has to decide which is more important his future career or steering clear of his best friends little sister who he may have started to have more than just “fake feelings” for. 

Fix Her Up was a cute romance. But don’t let this cover fool you, it is full of steam. This was the first book by Tessa Bailey, but not my last. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollinsPublishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Georgie and Travis were absolutely amazing. I loved her sass and  their connection. This story was funny and loving and filled to the brim with the Tessa Bailey steam we have come to love with a heartfelt connection.

Loved this quirky, romantic, steamy comedy.  The female lead Georgie is an entertainment clown for children's birthday parties and isn't taken seriously by her family.  Travis feels like a washed up baseball player after an injury that puts him out of the game.  The angst was definitely there with Travis being Georgie's brother's best friend. Fun read.