Read this in a matter of days and loved this book so much that as soon as I'd finished, I went and bought everything by the author I could lay my hands on!

Loved the setting of Two Harts as well as the hero and heroine - who definitely don't fall into stereotypes!

This was the first book I've read for this author. Going into this, I guess I expected something more than what I got. Don't get me wrong, I read this book quickly and found it cute and sweet, in a Rated G/PG Hallmark movie kind of way. But the blurb said there would be 'sizzling chemistry' and there was pretty much no chemistry or romance to be seen. They don't even kiss until around the 70% mark, maybe even later. We're told they spend time together and grow close, but it's just mentioned in a sentence or two. We don't actually get to see the romance happening, it's all implied and brushed over. He does nice things for her, but that's about it. I kept waiting for something to happen that would really make this a true romance, but then the book ends and I'm left waiting. There wasn't even an epilogue to show how they managed as a family once Gil came back to town. If I had to classify this book, I'd label it as chick lit, not romance. So if that's your thing, you'll probably enjoy this.

I did appreciate the ADHD representation. As someone who was just diagnosed with ADHD and autism both at the age of 43, I could totally relate with a lot of what Ellie dealt with on a daily basis. I too have a room of unfinished projects and to-do's that never get done lol. I may have to try that sticky note idea out to see if it helps me in my daily life.

I received ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture. I absolutely loved this one! Within the first few pages of this book, I was hooked! This was such a wholesome feel good story and I loved it. I enjoyed Ellie’s character a lot and her story! I also loved how the author started each chapter with what children of various ages thought love was, it was sweet. This was my first Sharon M. Peterson novel and I now want to read her others! I saw some of the characters in this story already have their own novel! I enjoyed her style of writing! This is a good one, be sure to read it!

| The Fix-Up - Sharon M. Peterson |

"Love is in the details... how we treat each other on our worst days or find a way to put the other person first every day. Love is a choice".

This was my first ever ARC and I feel super lucky that this was the very first!

Such a lovely story from start to finish. Lots of laugh out loud moments, times where I was kicking my feet and a few occasions where I had to stop to wipe my eyes before I could keep reading.

The characters were lovely, I felt connected with them like I knew them personally. Ellie and Gil's romantic journey was one that made me feel happy, angry, sad and everything in between.

Not to mention Oliver, Mikey who were so sweet. Their passion for things and excitement was adorable.

I especially loved that with each new chapter, it began with a quote from a child saying what they think love is. A beautiful touch ♥️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🥧 This was the first book I've read by Sharon M. Peterson & it definitely won't be the last. It had everything I love about romance & was written so perfectly.

🦖 Ellie was a relatable, lovely leading lady & Gil was a dreamy, swoonworthy leading man.

🥧 I adored their chemistry & banter & simply the way they were with each other. I'd ramble forever over the way Gil was with Ellie around the house, so I'll just say he was everything!

🦖 This was definitely one of those books that I was trying to dissect how the author was putting words together because everything fell into place & fit & just had be grinning from ear to ear!

🥧I highly, highly recommend this for romantics out their. I loved it so much.

Kelly

The Fix-Up was the sweetest of books! Ellie and Gil are an unlikely match at first, but the forced proximity of them being in the same house for six months is both hilarious and heartwarming. I loved watching their dynamic grow tentatively into friendship and then eventually into more.

I so loved the character of Oliver, Ellie’s six year old son. He really reads like a six year old- asking all the wrong questions at the wrong times but also leaning on his mom at the right ones. The relationship that Gil develops with Oliver is so precious, and I especially loved their “man club”.

This book was an easy read and a tender one. It’s got all the cute small town vibes as well as a lovely found family dynamic in Ellie and her friends as well as Ellie’s relationship with Ollie, whose passing kicks off the whole story. I will definitely be looking to read more of Sharon M. Peterson’s books in the future!

Thank you to Bookouture Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another fun read from Sharon Peterson, with the appearances of other familiar characters from her other novels set in Two Harts, Texas.
Ellie is a single mom who has lived in Two Harts and worked in her grumpy boss's cafe for years. When she is told she has inherited a house, a cafe, and some land, she starts out excited and wondering how much her life will change. That initial thrill quickly disappears when she hears that her dear departed boss has a grandson ready to claim his half and sell it ASAP. Add to that disastrous news with the info that the two must live in the house together for six months before they inherit.
There is one possible way for Ellie to save her home and career, and that is to win Gilbert over, but he is almost as grumpy as his grandfather and clearly doesn't like her. I can't say I blame him—having to live in the backyard in a tent—but who is winning over whom?
The banter in this is great, and Ellie's disquietude in his presence is very funny. Loved this clean romance.

4 stars!

Ellie and Gilbert inherit a house together. They don't know each other, and they have completely different views on what should be done with the house. Before the inheritance is officially theirs, they both have to live in the house for six months. At first, their life together is quite rocky, but over time they get to know each other and become friends.

I really liked Sharon M. Peterson's previous book, so I was happy to pick up this one.

At the beginning I had a bit of trouble because I didn't like the main character Ellie very much. She seemed a bit selfish and childish. As I read on, I started to like her.

The book was enjoyable to read, and I would happily continue to read books by this author.

WHAT I LIKED: Gilbert & Oliver (Ellie's son) were so cute together! I also liked the ADHD rep (as an ADHDer myself I always like relatable characters).

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: Ellie at first. She was really hostile towards Gilbert, and seemed quite childish and selfish at times.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Pov: heroine, 1st person
Heat: closed doors
Pacing: slowburn
Communication: some miscommunication, some healthy communication
Third act: break up
Ending: HEA

Main characters:
* Cinnamon roll hero
* Strangers to enemies to friends to lovers
* Grumpy - sunshine
* Opposites attract
* Single parent

What?
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Grand gesture
* One bed

Where?
* Small town

Drama?
* Difficult past
* Family drama

Other vibes:
* Mental health rep
* ”We’re just friends”

The Fix-Up is a lighthearted romance about Ellie, a single mom who lives in a small town in Texas with her 6 year old son. She has recently inherited a house and cafe from her former boss/landlord, Ollie, but is shocked to find that there’s a clause in the will that requires her to live on the property with Ollie’s long-lost grandson, Gilbert, for 6 months. Gil intends to sell the property, while Ellie wants to continue to run the cafe and fix up the house. The two don’t get along initially, but get to know each other over the course of the book.

Personally, I found the book a little too predictable and I didn’t love how the resolution unfolded (I feel like there could have been much better communication, much sooner), but I will keep it in mind to recommend to people who are looking for a wholesome romance set in a Texas version of Stars Hallow.

This book was so heartwarming! It had its moments where you related, where you laughed, where you hurt with or for them. It was genuinely one of those books where you end the book understanding the main characters and knowing their love. The banter was cute and light-hearted. I loved it!

The Fix-Up is the third book in the Two Harts series. While those who have read the previous books will see some familiar characters, I do believe this could be enjoyed just fine as a standalone as well.

This was such a sweet read! Ellie is a single mom who had moved to Two Harts a few years earlier to get a fresh start with her son... which she found in part thanks to a cafe owner named Oliver. When Oliver passes away, he leaves her his home and cafe... with one small catch, he also left them to the grandson he'd never met Gil... and to claim it, they must live on the property for six months. Right away, I loved Ellie and Oliver. Their meet cute had me laughing out loud, and while they had very different plans for what to do with the property (leading to some slight enemies to love vibes early on), they had a really sweet chemistry and personalities that just seemed to balance each other very well. They both had their reasons for these plans, and the more we learned about all those reasons, the more I couldn't help but root for them both. Theirs was definitely a slower burn... but with a fantastic payoff in the end. If you love stories with a lot of heart and humor, this is definitely one to check out.

The Fix-Up is a closed-door romance with kisses only. It does have some minor language.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

If you’re looking for a sweet small town romance, you can’t go wrong withThe Fix-Up. Both Ellie and Gil we great characters and I loved all the supporting characters as well.

I liked this book a whole lot more than I was expecting. It was such a sweet and heartwarming story, one I really loved.

Ellie is a single mother, who started her life over in a small town where a grumpy old man, Ollie, took her and her son in. After his death, she inherits his home and the café, but under one condition. She only owns half, the other half goes to his grandson Gilbert, one nobody knew he had. Both of them have to live in the house for the next six months to get their share. He wants to sell, she wants to stay. They don't like each other at all, but a lot can change in six months.

I loved Ellie, I can recognise parts of myself in her, so I felt a special connection to her. And I think I should definitely use her notes system, that's genius. I really liked Gil too, the way he understood her, how he was with her son and how he tried to do what's best for his brother.
I adored their story, all the banter, the sticky notes and the tension. It really was a slow burn, but worth it in the end.
We also got a little glimpse into why Ollie was absent from Gil's life, which was heartbreaking.
The small town setting and all the secondary characters really made this story great. And Ellie's son Oliver was adorable.

It was an amazing story, it really made me feel all the feelings. I had fun, fell in love and, honestly, cried a little. It really struck a chord with me. Also, the fact that the author started every chapter with a note of what love is, answered by a child, is honestly the cutest thing I have ever read.

The only complaint I have is that the ending was a little bit rushed, I wish we got more. An epilogue would've been great.

This was my first book by this author, but I'll most definitely read more, especially since I found out that Chris already has his own book.

Ugh, what can I say?! How stinking cute! That's what! I will 100% admit to staying up far past my bedtime to continue reading this - which really says a lot considering I, like Ellie, am a mom as well as a 4am waker.

I guess you could say I'm a sucker for a good rom-com. I thoroughly enjoyed how relatable Ellie (and really all of the characters) was. And having previously read The Fake-Out, it was nice to see the return of some already enjoyed characters. I would also like to add that Gil definitely "ticks the boxes" if you know what I mean 😉😏

oh! and before i forget, I'd like to give a thank you to the author for providing the opportunity to be an ARC reader! I can't wait to add a square to my 2025 crochet book blanket for this read 😊

it's not enemies to lovers. they dislike each other. there's banter. they're not actually enemies. but that's on the marketing department and has nothing to do with the book itself.

the book was okay. it's not memorable and blends in with every other 'enemies to lovers' romance out there. there's adhd representation, which is something you don't see often, and i think it was handled well. overall, it's nothing to write home about, but it's far from being a bad book.

Sharon M. Peterson’s The Fix-Up is everything you want in a rom-com—sharp banter, sizzling chemistry, and just the right amount of emotional depth. From the moment Ellie and Gil’s paths collide (literally, in an inheritance battle), it’s clear that this will be a journey filled with laughter, tension, and unexpected heart. Ellie is a delightfully chaotic protagonist, balancing single motherhood, her newly acquired café, and an infuriatingly handsome co-inheritor with a mix of stubbornness and charm. Gil, on the other hand, is the classic grump with a past he’d rather forget. Their forced proximity creates an electric dynamic, packed with witty exchanges and moments that will leave readers grinning. If you’re looking for a feel-good read with a dash of spice and a whole lot of laughs, The Fix-Up is a perfect pick. It’s a romance that keeps you entertained from start to finish, and Ellie and Gil’s journey will have you rooting for them every step of the way.

I'm so loss at words how to describe this book. It literally made me feel all emotions. I was giggling at Ellie & Gil's banter so late at night, had a hard time suppressing it 😂 but then oh my!! it did make me shed some real fat tears too 😭 the chemistry, story flow, cuteness, everything is so ON point!
Easiest five stars & HIGHLYY recommended from my side ❤

Forced proximity, single mom romance. Small town and found family feel. Great main and side characters.

Didn’t make the connection until a bit into it that this book follows The Fake Out, so I got to revisit Mae and Chris from that book as well. Can be read as a stand alone though!

Thanks to Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for The Fix Up to come out June 17, 2025.

This is a perfect book for Summer Reading !

Ellie and Gilbert are the main characters. They become your friends and you’re are hooked from the beginning as it is brilliantly written. You feel as you are part of the community they are in!

I related to Ellie as I am a Post-it fan! I have used them for communication at home just like Ellie! I have them all over the house to keep me organized! Ellie would be so proud! LOL!

When she described herself as an “anxiety burrito”- and was told “your man picker is broken!” by her therapist ! It reminded me of past conversations that I have had.

As a snarky fumer just like Ellie, I loved this book!. Her
I thought the character development was incredible!
Gil will capture your heart just like Ellie’s I loved how he stepped up to be the Duncle for his nephew, Jason. He is kind, caring and Amazing!

I think it was easy to root for them to become more than friends even though they both thought I can spend 6 months in the same space ! How hard could it be? Throw in a old farm house, tent, cafe and nosy
people and a calendar and postit notes!

It is a great read that is you won’t want to put down!

This romantic comedy was an enjoyable read. Just like in Sharon's previous books, there were definitely moments that made me laugh out loud.

One of the highlights for me was Ellie's son. His adorable attempts to play matchmaker between his mom and Gil brought a sweet touch to the story.

What I also appreciated was seeing Ellie and Gil go from enemies to lovers. To see how they grow closer to each other despite the big responsibilities they both carried in their lives. It was touching to see how they supported and understood one another while still managing their own challenges.

While the pacing wasn’t perfect, I thought it felt a bit slow at times, the book still delivered the fun and cozy small town vibe I was hoping for.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Sharon M. Peterson for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: June 17th, 2025