This story felt more epic than a standard romance. The characters exist and grow over a long period of time, and it was a joy to watch the evolution of their relationships. This book felt like a couple of books in one: romance, business, celebrity--all put together in one really compelling plot.

This book was such a fun and addicting read! When I first started this book, I didn't think I would love as much as I did. I am a sucker for second chance lovers and this book delivered that with a hint of enemies to lovers and a lot of laughs. I instantly clicked with our main character and her sidekicks because they remind me a lot of my friends and I. Growing up in today's world, I always felt like I myself was fixing up things and people for other people to enjoy, but never myself. It always felt like my job to fix people, and that always killed me a bit inside. This book warmed my heart as I followed Aly on her self discovery and love journey. She is who I want to be when I grow up, smart, determined, kind, and wants to help everyone!

Overall, the plot of the book was something I've never seen before, and it was upbeat and had a great pace to it. There was never a slow or dull moment which made the book so much easier to read! I loved all of Lauren's characters, she did a wonderful job creating them and writing them into the story. Every character had a significant role and played into the plot beautifully. I especially loved Tola and Eric, I think they were the comedic relief I desperately needed during some of these hard hitting moments.

Alyssa is a fixer. Not only does she fix huge projects at work but she fixes people. She gives them that push to strive for something better. She creates a exclusive website for her to fix others. When a social media influencer reaches out to Aly to fix her boyfriend Aly agrees. The only problem is it’s with her childhood best friend, the boy she loved, Dylan.

This was such a fun read, it really pulled at my heart strings and I couldn’t put it down. Dylan is a people pleaser who will go above and beyond for the people he cares for. Aly is a overachiever who feels she hasn’t achieved anything at all. I feel many can relate to this story, I know I did!

Thanks to @NetyGalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I just finished this book a few minutes ago and I do have to say I did enjoy it. Aly's character was very likeable, and Dylan was a great love interest. I had some trouble reading it in the beginning because I was having trouble focusing on the plot but once I got to around 60%, I went through it really fast. At some points I was angry, sad, happy it was a perfect mix. The author did a great job with this.

This was a really sweet story that touched on many topics that affect women; motherhood, gender roles, daughter-mother dynamics, workplace discrimination to name a few. While it had a HEA and I could toooooootallyyy see the adorable romcom movie adaptation play out in my head, it felt more like a women's/friendship story than a romance, but that is most likely because I wanted to enjoy more time with the couple actually together.

LOVED:
* Beautifully written and wonderful character voice... I felt like I was with Aly every step of the way... even when I was dying inside as everything began to collapse on her
* Aly and her mothers relationship... while it killed me inside at every interaction, I could relate with it in many ways and it says a lot about the writer when something hits home that way
* We never get Dylan's POV, but I still fell in love with him and knew he was meant to be with Aly... I was invested in them getting together, despite not having a glimpse in his mind
* Ughhh... "5 Things!" and "Tell me something true..." THESE THINGS ARE PRECIOUS!
* Eric and Tula... what fun friends! I love how they didn't let Aly back away or put walls up for very long... they fought for her friendship and that did so much for Aly's growth

WOULD HAVE LOVED:
* More time with this beautiful couple! Even if it's just a little epilogue (makes puppy dog eyes at the author)
* A little more sexual tension between Aly and Dylan... I didn't need them to constantly be 2 seconds away from jumping each other's bones, but a few little accidental touches, intense eyes, fluttery feels would have upped the romance vibe for me by tons...

OVERALL:
This was a truly a unique telling of a 2nd chance, friends to lovers story filled with friendships, character wounds and growth, and gut wrenching plot tension<-- seriously, I thought "THERE'S NO WAY SHE CAN REDEEM ANY OF THIS, EVER" through most of the book.

I will 100% be reading Lauren Forsythe's next book, and hope I get to see more of these characters in future... especially if I can catch a few more peeks of a happily ever after'd Aly and Dylan.

Thank you Netgalley, the publish, and author for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this friends to love story. The supporting cast of characters, the growth in both main characters, it was all enjoyable and charming and made for a perfect fun read!

“The Fixer Upper” is a childhood friends to enemies to lovers second chance British romcom. It depicts a woman in an awful job who begins to try “fixing” the men in her friends and family’s lives. Until one day, she is tasked with fixing her first love, whom she never thought needed fixing. Mayhem ensues.

The romance gets somewhat lost in the exploration of what it means to stay in a career and work to advance, or leave everything you’ve achieved to start something entrepreneurial.

There is good character development- the friends and family in the main character’s universe come to life. The main character and her love interest are deeply flawed, like all of us. She struggles with self esteem, boundaries, and standing up for herself, which was frustrating at times. She is at times manipulative and also a doormat for her coworkers. Her love interest also struggles, seeming to be codependent and people pleasing to the point of sabotaging himself.

It is a quick read with great banter between the characters and fun moments woven throughout. There is zero steam (for those who are averse to it), and the grand gesture doesn’t occur until close to the end. It seems a little rushed at the end.

Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and publisher for this electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Fixer Upper is a slow burn, second chance romance with a significant emphasis on character development. We have a chance to grow with the characters as they figure out who they are and where they want to be in their lives.

Omg!!! I really loved this book so so much. I had been in a bit of a reading slump but seriously couldnt stop reading this one. I would whip out my kindle any chance I got. I loved the main character Aly and really identified with her as being a “fixer” personality type. I thought it was the perfect rom-com and wasnt over the top cheesy. Can’t wait to read future books by this author!

What a cute British romcom!

Aly was a relatable FMC. She was hardworking and yet she was super insecure. I think it is a reality that some women should see. It's a story about coming into yourself and learning to take control of your life.

The relationship with her friends and their new business was so funny. I loved the concept (fixing parts of a relationship people don't like). Aly was always able to help others but not take her own advice.

When the fixer upper crew is approached by a women to help get her boyfriend to propose, it happens to be her old best friend who was also her old love interest. Second chance romance for the win!!!

I really enjoyed the rest of the story more than the "rom" part. The romance was lacking a bit but the "com" kept it interesting.

Overall, I think this is a light hearted and easy read. It shares some harsh truths and can easily make you laugh. Aly was a sucker for love and couldn't say no, but through her time working with her two best friends and fixer upper she was able to be confident enough to take controL of her own life.

The Fixer Upper feels so relatable and would make a wonderful movie! Feels like a trip to London without the international flight!

Overall, this is a good book. I would recommend to readers interested in this genre. I had a little trouble driving into the story at the beginning, but I did find it enjoyable and a fun read.

The Fixer Upper by Lauren Forsythe

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Pub date: 8/2/2022

Not sure why this book is marketed as a romance novel when there was literally zero romance. It’s unfortunate that I didn’t vibe with this book because this story had a lot of potential. It just did not do it for me. 😔

*potential slight spoilers ahead*

There are so many shallow, hateable characters in this story.
-the superficial, narcissist, rich influencer
-the gaslighting, sexist boss
-annoying coworkers
-manipulative, toxic mother
-the blandest male mc ever

& our main girl, Aly, is a massive pushover and people pleaser. It was REALLY hard for me to relate to her or even like her because I am the complete opposite of her.

Our main guy, Dylan, sucked. No redeeming qualities. ❌

I did enjoy some of the dialogue between Aly & her two best friends, Tolu & Eric. There were some funny bits! The dialogue in this book was great, I just didn’t like who was talking 😅

However, the only respectable character in this book in Tolu. 💯

Overall, I didn’t *hate* this book, I just didn’t really enjoy it. 👎🏻

Thank you to Net Galley & Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

I was absolutely enraptured with the story of Aly, our fixer, and Dylan, the former friend/flame/first love. This novel had everything I'm looking for in a romance novel. Hot guy, check. Memorable and interesting side character who actually add something to the story, check. Sassy, smart and strong women, CHECK.

"'Are you his fucking mother?' Tola asked one of Becky's friends, pausing dramatically to sip from her straw. 'No? Then stop coddling! Stop feeding. Stop doing anything but demanding what you deserve. Because you are all beautiful, wonderful women, and you deserve to be worshipped! Those men should be on their fucking knees, grateful you put up with their badly shaven, unwashed, don't-know-where-the-dishwasher-tablets-are selves.'"

I mean, come on, that right there is something I feel like we have yelled, or at least wanted to, to one of our girlfriends. This book was so relatable and funny I couldn't help but devour it in one sitting. If my begging and pleading didn't encourage you to read this book maybe a few of my other favorite quotes might.

"'Well, we were thinking about starting a business outsourcing female emotional labor.' Eric told her. 'Apparently it might be the final puzzle pieces in the dismantling of the patriarchy.'" <- Que me cackling like a mad woman here.

This one is a long one but it's amazing so buckle up!
"'You know I 've got four sisters, right?' Tola said, and I nodded. 'One of them married a nice guy, just one of them. And even he's pretty useless.' She laughed, shaking her head. 'But it's like they put up with it, for love. For someone to look at them and own them and demand things form them, for the rest of their lives. But they just wanted so badly to be chosen...and now it's like it's normal. It's normal to be belittled by someone you marry, and expect them to be a crap dad and a lazy partner and just not expect more of them or more for you? I don't wanna be like that, babe. And I don't want any other women to be like that, either.'" Pure perfection. I cannot wait for this book to come out and you all get to experience it!

DNF at 20%
I really tried to make my way through this but honestly, there were just too many strikes.
The first one was the quirky GBF. Which I am sure that the author just wanted to include some representation but really it just came off as stereotyping and it's an old stereotype too.
Then we come to the fact that it's just boring. Like really really boring. The whole arc of this book is a woman fixing a man and I just can't read that. If I wanted that trope of 'I can fix him' then I'd watch a soap or read a dark romance. Something with actual drama and plot. Not this very stale version of a romcom.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved All of the characters and their relationships with each other , especially Aly and Dylan. Aly is a fixer. She “fixes” everything including her boyfriends, her job, her family. However , she puts herself last in all facets of her life. We learn all about her past and how the events in her past influence her future decisions.
I thought the title of the book was really cute as well which really tied in with the story.

I would highly recommend this book . I laughed, I cried . Such a great British romcom.
I could see this book becoming a Netflix movie in the future.

Thank you NetGalley , Penguin group Putnam publisher for this ARC.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a super fun read! I think this will be a big hit when it comes out this summer and I’d read more by this author in the future.

The Fixer Upper is a quick, fun read that had me smiling on practically every page.

What I loved about this book: I loved that it leaned into the ridiculousness of its plot & just embraced the craziness that often happens in romantic comedies. I loved the main character and I loved that she was deeply flawed but still so lovable and easy to root for. This book was sassy and feminist & I am always here for that. The romance was also super adorable!

What didn’t quite work for me: the plot relies heavily on the miscommunication trope. I didn’t think it soured the book but this trope is not my favorite in general. I also think the love interest could have been fleshed out a bit more other than the repetitive tidbits we get told about him.

(I also wanted to throw in here that this book is PG in its content, meaning there are no sex scenes. Just throwing that in here for anyone who wants to know to make a decision on reading this!)

I give this book a 3.75/5 ⭐️ rounded up because of how much I smiled while reading this. I definitely recommend this book if you need a light and easy read that will make you smile!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book. All thoughts in this review are my own!

So I read this in less than a day… Based on the description, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect, but Lauren Forsythe killed it! I loved the idea of the childhood friends to enemies to friends again to lovers. I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see how Aly was going to get herself out of the mess she was in and get her man! I also think this book did a good job of leaving the door open for potential spin offs later - Tola and her potential relationship and seeing if Ben and Eric get off the ground.

As a fellow fixer and marketing professional, I was very interested in Aly’s character and how she grew throughout the book. When she finally stood her ground at work, I was so excited for her! I loved the ending as well with the cute 5 things signs. All in all, a super cute and fun romance read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my review!

I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was a really cute story with great side characters. It’s definitely a bit cliche but I really don’t mind that in romance. All of the friendships are well done and feel genuine.

Aly and Dylan have great banter and I liked that it was Aly fighting for him in the end.