I absolutely loved this book, although keep in mind it reads much like a cross between women's fiction and romance rather than straight romance (the only reason I docked a point). Aly and her friends realize that she "fixes" every man she's been with... so why not test this out? Their experiments turn into a side business, which leads to Aly being hired to "fix" the only man she's really ever loved, her childhood best friend, Dylan. Dear readers, this was a really slow burn, but SO WORTH IT. The ending had me in happy tears. There were also strong friendships, a sweet secondary romance, and a lot of character growth that I really appreciated. It was hard to put this book down at times because there were moments when everything, EVERYTHING seemed to go wrong. My jaw dropped, and I rarely could predict what was going to happen next. Forsythe has a gift here. If you want an unexpected love story that will make you feel like you grew up with the main characters, pick this book up. I'm so glad I did and will be reading whatever Forsythe writes next (hint, can Tola get a book?). A big thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for a fair review!

I really liked the premise of this book but sadly, it was hard for me to get through it. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters at all.
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own.

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

I was really intrigued by the original concept of the story and loved the fast paced beginning. I even highlighted a few sections that I really liked and made me laugh. Unfortunately, it wasn't able to keep that pace for me.

I enjoyed watching Aly find her footing in life as she developed the types of friendships she always wanted. I liked watching her finally standing up for what she deserves and finding a way to fix herself in the fashion she had always done for her boyfriends. What I would have liked to have seen was more of the romance. Without giving away too much, I had some issues with the main love interest and didn't fully subscribe to his way of dealing with his feelings. He was a serial dater, but also the victim at the same time. With all of her self discovery, I thought Aly deserved more in the end.

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! It was so charming and the characters were so likeable. Would definitely recommend to friends

Absolutely adorable characters and plot. I enjoyed every twist and turn and loved the plot line. I have always loved this authors books and was not disappointed n this one.

This one had a slow start and it took me some time to connect to any of the characters. I found Aly to be a bit grating at the beginning and her relationship with her “mama” felt forced. Also I had a hard time getting past her juvenile name for her mother and how she would drop everything to help her when her mom wouldn’t even help herself. The supporting characters in this one were fun but we didn’t get a lot of depth with any of them. I wanted more about Ben and Tola particularly.

I did love that Aly gained some confidence throughout the story. I also enjoy seeing personal growth along with the romantic relationship in a romcom. I’m a sucker for a second chance romance but the premise of changing Dylan for a woman he doesn’t love was hard to swallow. The writing was well done and overall an enjoyable story.

This book has a slow start but is so good! Aly realizes that she has fixed up every boyfriend she has had. She made them grow up and reach full potential. Her and her friends decide to turn it into a business. It’s all fun and games until she gets hired to help her former best friend and crush reach his full potential and propose to an influencer. The story is a sweet second chance romance.

I really liked this book, even though I predicted the whole ending. It was a really cute romance book to get through quickly. I also really liked all of the characters. Aly was independent and was needed for a lot in her life, which is relatable. I would totally recommend this!

this was just meh for me. as many other reviewers have already mentioned, it's slow to start, and even then, we don't see a ton of character development. not a lot of chemistry between the main relationship, and it felt a little ick that she was actually more or less going for someone else's boyfriend in this quest to fix him but also steal him. not all books are for everyone, and i think this one just wasn't for me!

I loved the premise of this book--a woman who has a knack for turning her ex-boyfriend's lives around starts a business to help fix up anyone's man! The MC was witty and hilarious and the banter between them was quite funny as well.

I do wish the romance was leveled up a bit. It felt sweet and the journey that was the MCs relationship was well thought out if at times a bit slow building. But overall a very cute romance!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
-
I was very close to DNFing this book near the beginning. The start was too slow for me. I didn’t care about any of the characters at first. I started to get invested halfway through. I really liked the best friends to enemies to lovers trope. I also understand why the main character Aly was good at fixing people. A lot came from what she experienced at home with her parents- but even then I didn’t care but about her parents either. I will say, I wish we could have seen a bit more of Eric and Bens relationship and a bit more romance overall. I also really liked the growth Aly had at the end! I didn’t HATE the book, but I did enjoy it. However, it’s more of a 3.5 star read for me.

This was the breakout romance book I've been hoping for!

Most of us in our heart of hearts do not trust our boyfriends/fiances/partners/husbands to do things around the house, and do them well- like when you ask them to mop the floor, and there are still dirty footprints on the floor, or you ask them to do the laundry and they only take it out of the dryer and don't fold it... yeah, you know.

Now imagine you could change that.

Enter Aly, who is the ultimate girlfriend- she leaves her boyfriends better off than when she finds them, we're talking hot mess express to executive. So when she turns this talent for bettering others into a business, oh yeah, now we're talking.

UNTIL the man she's bettering is the best and worst part of her past.

I loved everything about this book, all of our characters, the downfalls, plot twists... this was so gosh darn cute and I just want to be friends with Aly.

Easy five stars!

Nope nope nope not the book for me. The writing was fine but I just hated the premise and the characters so much. Is there a bigger cliché than someone starting a self-improvement business when they’re literally willing to do NONE of the work to improve their own unhappiness in life?

Did these ladies really think starting a business to manipulate men into being better was going to end well? The conflicts were predictable from one thousand miles away. The supporting characters were the only saving grace and I don’t even know how they put up with the main character’s BS with such understanding. The lack of growth was astounding.

Hoping my next go-around with this author is a more enjoyable plot.

Cute premise and interesting characters. However, I had a bit of trouble getting into it.

There was a miscommunication (and overreaction in my opinion) that split up the MCs Aly & Dylan in the past. Upon being unexpectedly reunited, they did a lot of lying and dancing around things, which was very frustrating. Their emotions were a bit all over the place and I had a hard time connecting with them.

But I’m a sucker for a second chance romance, and there were so many cute things included that kept me reading… tell me 5 things, go on an adventure, tell me something true… etc. And the stories with her mom and yiayia… overall a cute story with a few snags for me personally. But will keep an eye out for future stories from this debut author.

Thanks to Putnam Group GP Putnam’s Sons & NetGalley for this advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

One of the more convincing friends-to-enemies-to-lovers arcs I've read. And all of the bits about emotional labor and whatnot got me right in the gut. Sweet, adorable, and feisty.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC ✨

I’m not going to lie - this book had a slow start and I had some trouble getting into the story line. Once the plot took off it turned out to be an adorable second-chance romance.

I loved seeing the interactions between Aly & Dylan. The other characters I could take or leave them.
Spice level: adorable
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I love the concept of The Fixer Upper! The Fixer Upper follows Aly and her friends, Tola and Eric, as they help men find their full potential in life. While Aly is able to help others, she can’t help her own love life. When an opportunity arises to help a famous influencer fix her boyfriend, Aly’s ex-best friend is suddenly thrown back into her life.

This is definitely a slow burn, which I loved! I’m also a huge fan of the friends (especially ex-best friends) to lovers trope. I was rooting for Aly to finally stand up, communicate, and be selfish! I found The Fixer Upper to be an easy and lighthearted read, which I enjoyed. The only issue I had was that the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall, I thought this book was adorable and I had fun reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

What a fun book! A romance but twisted up in the main character trying to escape her terrible boss and make a business for herself. Would make a great poolside or beach read for the summer.

I liked the overall message this story had for women. The dedication really resonated with me: “For the women who learned, sooner or later, that selfish is not a dirty word. It took me a while, too.”

While the actual romance in the book (a second chance trope) actually didn’t feel like the primary focus of the story, I actually didn’t mind because I liked the character growth with saw with Aly.

I don’t love a slow burn. Although I liked the characters I didn’t feel the payoff was worth it in the end, though.