Cover Image: The Fixer

The Fixer

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Member Reviews

The MCs, Michelle and Eden have opposite personalities, which makes for some interesting interactions. I especially loved the banter and comedy, made me grin and giggle by myself like an idiot.

The story has some game to it which was fun to read even if I couldn't really puzzle along. It added a pleasing structure to the book, I would say. As for the romance, Winter took her time to slowly build Michelle and Eden's attraction and I also love a slow burn so this was definitely a treat. The ending will make you want to grab the second installment immediately.

Overall, this was wonderful and fun story that was hard to put down. On to the second one!

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Going into this book I figured an ice queen slow burn sounds like fun with a little mystery on the side. Well, boy was I in for a treat.

I have not read any of the previous books so I had no feelings about Michelle as a lot of other readers did. I do have to read those books now though as I am very intrigued by her character. She's the CEO of some secret company who hires Eden Lawless (what's in a name right) an activist with a van named Gloria.

Having Eden dismiss all of Michelle's ways (such as addressing her with Michelle) was very entertaining.

This book left me wanting more so I cannot wait to read the next installment of this series.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

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A good grumpy/sunshine read. Michelle takes the title of 'ice queen' to a whole new level. Perhaps because it is the first of a series, it was a slower burn than I expected, but an enjoyable read nonetheless.

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I was really excited about the concept of this novel, but I think the execution needs work. The writing style is stiff and unnatural. I also thought the tropes were cliche and really took me out of the reading experience. I think the concept is great, but the story itself needs more editing to be readable.

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I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I had so much fun reading Eden’s POV, she was fun, there was a mystery/treasure hunt with clues the town people had to figure out and my brain loves puzzles so of course I enjoyed this aspect. Michelle’s POV was good as well, they give grumpy/sunshine vibes and I adored the grandma as well, she’s simply the best. One the other hand, for a book supposed to be a romance, it barely even started anything which is fine, I like a good slow-burn, however added with the fact that this book wraps up its plot at the end of this instalment, I have no desire to read the second one. I think it would’ve been better if this one ended on a cliffhanger (I know not everyone is a fan of those) because it would have added some suspens and tension to a story that lacked that aspect (especially since it’s a mystery). Not a bad book, don’t get me wrong but it’s not the greatest novel either and I could’ve done with more romance between Michelle and Eden. 3.5 stars.

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‘The Fixer’ really grabbed me from the first few pages, which I was so grateful for after being in a bit of a reading slump for a while. Winter’s characters came alive for me with their humour and quick wit. The main premise follows Michelle Hastings whose focus is her corporate career, she is at the top of her game running the best team of fixers from the shadows. Although during an operation to bring down a corrupt mayor she meets someone she definitely didn’t plan for, Eden Lawless, who is both in name and nature.
The two women are complete opposites, which is one of my favourite tropes, but even within the elaborate confines of the fixer world there is real heart to this story. I loved the way in which Eden’s dynamism and wild spirit is counterbalanced by Michelle’s need to micromanage and restrain every part of her life. Without saying too much I also am so grateful that no aspect, of their relationship or individual realisations about their life choices, was rushed. There is a resolution of sorts by the end of ‘The Fixer’ but I was craving to dive into ‘Chaos Agent’ as soon as I finished the last page.
Their attraction is palpable, their banter is sarcastic flirtation from their first interaction but there is an instant warmth and humility that they bring out from one another. Winter has a beautiful way of creating characters that extends to a great cast of supporting players and I cannot recommend this read enough!

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This was a great build-up for the second book. I didn't think of Michelle as evil in the On the Records series, but I had a dislike for her for hurting Catherine Ayers and I also pitied her sorry self. Here, though? I could see that she struggled with the life that she chose. I liked her because of the glimpses I got through her interactions with Eden and Hannah. Michelle was in deep denial and had tons of issues that I couldn't help but like her. Her banters and protectiveness for Eden showed how she wasn't a heartless devil.
Eden was a panda liked Michelle said - cute and unknowingly strong. She was what Michelle needed but didn't know, and Hannah could see it.
At first, I thought this book was unnecessary when I was reading the first few chapters of the second book. But when I finished Chaos Agent, it made sense. Michelle and Eden needed the time to get to know each other. And this book was needed to get the ball rolling for The Fixer organization storyline.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book a lot. The characters, including the sides, weren't one-dimensional and the plot was exciting.

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Really enjoyed the villain love interest plot line. The author does a fantastic job with the characters and kept me guessing the whole time. I will be reading the next in the series.

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Thank you Netgalley for an ARc in exchange for my honest review.
I really like the characters in this book. It is my first Lee Winter novel. I can't wait to read more. I'm hooked

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I enjoy reading books that have my home state, Maryland, as the majority of where the book takes place. Even if the town is fictional.
Eden is a too good to be true activist. She believes in finding justice for those who deserve it. When she is given the opportunity to get justice for the corrupt mayor of her hometown, she is all in.
The opportunity is given to her by The Fixers. A secret organization that will do what needs to be done given the funds, even if the person or company is not deserving of it.
Eden devises the perfect plan and what needs to happen to take down the mayor. She is to have nightly zoom meetings with the CEO, Michelle to keep her up to date on what is happening in the town.
Eden and Michelle are total opposites, but they are definitely the definition of opposites attract. Sparks are flying despite both trying to deny.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Nine years ago, aloof, icy Michelle Hastings chose career over love. She’s now living with that choice as she rules a secret corporation catering to the rich and powerful.

Enter Eden Lawless. The guileless activist finds it a bit weird being employed by a mystery organization to bring down a corrupt mayor. But, hey, she’s up for a challenge. Much harder is getting her beautiful new boss out of her head. The pull between them is electric.

This is a lesbian romance filled with intrigue, humour, and heart.

The Fixer is part of a two-book series called the Villain Series. I can't wait to read the second in the series which is - Chaos Agent! This series can also be linked to The Red Files universe but can be read as a standalone series.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

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LOVED it! I'm off to binge read the next book!
The cute interactions between Michelle and Eden - thought their Skype videocalls were the best.
I loved the creativity, the slow build tension and Eden's ability to just be herself. Goofy and human juxtaposed to Michelle's pristine professionalism. Love it!

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I just couldn't get into the book... I tried.... I'm sure it's a great book to read but wasn't grabbing my attention...

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LISTEN. If you're a fan of Killing Eve, you NEED to pick up Lee Winter. I was told to read this after a friend I trust said that Winter is theeeee go-to person for sapphic romantic suspense... And she was NOT wrong! I'm only sad that it took. me this long to pick up their work, and am going to be reading much more of Winter's work moving forward.

The story introduces (to me) Michelle, an Ice Queen who begins to melt at the hands of Eden, a PR Rights Activist who she hires. The dynamic between the two is deliciously slow-burn and works so well. Set in a small town, and with endearing political intrigue, the ending requires IMMEDIATELY picking up Chaos Agent (and, honestly, the rest of this universe).

Thank you to Netgalley and Ylva for providing me with this copy in exchange for a review!

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Lee Winter has yet to let me down. Her ice queen/age gap friends to enemy romances are guaranteed to have me read her books in one sitting.

The Fixer is book one of two.

Eden Lawless and Michelle Hastings couldn't be more different from each other even if they tried. But opposites attract in this case.

For most of the book Eden and Michelle only meet online. Thanks to this slow and short communication they built a somewhat tentative friendship. Eden does not know the true character of Michelle's company and lives in blissful ignorance of the company she currently works for and what kind of business her very attractive boss does. This leads us to book two, The Chaos Agent.

Eden's best friend and Michelle's grandmother are the best side characters. The book wouldn't be the same without them.

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This book was a joy to read. Lee Winter is a new author for me, writing smart and witty fiction with a bit of unexpected romance (from the characters point of view) thrown into the mix. Michelle has worked hard to get where she is. Head of a company that fixes things, by hook or by crook. She is smart, loyal, can come across as hard as nails and everything has to be just right. She hires Eden, a PR rights activist to help fix one of her clients’ problems. Eden is smart, soft where it counts and sees the world as Eden sees it, and isn’t going to change for anyone! Eden may be the right person to fix the problem, only time will tell. But Michelle is going to have her, fixed in place, tough exterior challenged and both are going to get under the others skin. This relationship and Eden’s inventive PR campaign leads to much entertainment for the reader. I also have to say I was delightfully surprised by the ending to this book.
Thank you to Ylva Publishing, Literally PR and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

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The Ice Queen is one of the most revered characters in lesfic because they are so damn hot. The Fixer redefines this category in a way I thought was not possible. Part 1 of a 2 part series, the author wisely split this plot line into 2 distinct books. The Fixer foments the definition of Ice Queen in Michelle, the one to break Catherine’s heart and destroy her career way back in the Red Files series. Even though breaking Catherine’s heart propelled her to immeasurable power as the CEO of a clandestine corporation dedicated to fixing the elite’s problems, the cost of such unscrupulous business is causing cracks in her foundation. Eden becomes the one to not only soften and begin to melt Michelle’s iciness, but to toss the proverbially life buoy to rescue Michelle from herself. The cost of letting Eden in, and at what that means continues in Chaos Agent. Both books will blow you away and certainly is one of my favorites of the year. Brava!

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I have been sleeping on Lee Winter her books and I don't know how it happened. This is exactly what I want to read and I'll be sure to find more books by her hands.
The Fixers is an intrigueing company with Michelle Hastings as the Ice Queen CEO who might find herself out of her depth when hiring Eden Lawless for a job.
Eden is a environmental protester and is the good opposite Hasting's evil yet there is a connection between them and I for one am all for it!
Perfectly written book, interesting plot and realistic dialogues (some had me chuckle) and very interesting leading ladies. Can't wait to see what the future holds for them.

***Thank you Netgalley en Ylva Publishing for the chance to read and review this book***

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I do not think this one is Winter's best book, but it is a Winter's book, so you can always expect something good!
You can read it even if you did not read the Red Files, but you do not really want to skip that one. Eden and Michelle are an improbable couple and the romance does not really happen here, you will need to read the next book, Chaos Agent, to see it bloom, but The Fixer's plot with all its intrigues and mysteries is great!

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I'd not read anything by Lee Winter before, but heard many good things - and I wasn't disappointed!
This was a fun read, it's slow burn in terms of sapphic romance, but nicely paced. With great characters and dotted with humour it's enjoyable throughout and has left me looking forward to the sequel.

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