Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
First, I loved the characters. from Annie (very minor character, but left a last impression) to Gil (major character with a chip on his shoulder). In the beginning I struggled to like Ellie, It was the 'her not being welcoming to Gil, but worrying that he didn't like her.' I had a hard time connecting with her, but when she started opening up a bit more, i fell in love with her.
This book was the slowest of burns and the cleanest romance I've read in a long time. Definitely hallmark territory. I think the hardest thing part of reading this book was how slow it was. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it. The parts with Oliver and talking about Ollie, The ADHD representation was spot on, and the way Gil took care of her and loved her before any feelings were really shown between them was sweet.
Now my least favorite part of the book. The ending. There was so much to be desired. and i would have loved an epilogue. I would have given 4 stars, but that ending kind or ruined it. I think it was way to rushed.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for sending me this book for review.

I give this book a 3.5 out of 5. Don’t get me wrong, I loved reading it! It’s sweet, fun, a feel good read as I like them.

I loved:
The sarcastic and dry humor from Ellie, the fact the we’re with in that messy head of hers
The no non-sense but gentle approach of Gil —oops Gilbert—kinda like always unfazed.
The freaking notes between them!
The raw and authentic description of ADHD in women (maybe I should get myself checked)
The slow burn relationship
Had tears when they went through the pictures Ollie had of his family

Characters I loved:
Gil, because he is straight forward, patient and kind.
Ellie, for the authentic hardship, fears of what tomorrow will be and sense of humor despite everything.
Oliver, my little man, so sweet
Iris for the banter
Mikey, oh Mikey I loved this character as soon as we got to meet him. The “great adventure” part? Cherry on the cake!
Teddy!

Why only 3.5?
A few repetitions of the same thing (ex: the fact she was pregnant being a wannabe actress and no money)
Though I love small town and coffee shops, the plot was great but didn’t wow me either. I loved reading it, but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before. And that’s okay.
The romance was a bit behind the story itself. We feel like there might be something between them, but it’s so “slow burn” that it drags to a tiny bit. I liked all the attentions from Gil, with everything he was taking care of without Ellie noticing at first.
The proper use of trademark needs to be checked. I know for a fact that LEGO has to be capitalized, with the proper trademark sign. We don’t say Legos, nor Lego block.

Overall, this is a great read for anytime in the year if you’re looking for a fun time and a love story in a small town with lovable characters.

Happy reading!

Sharon M. Peterson’s The Fix-Up is a heartwarming and hilarious addition to the romantic comedy genre, blending the charm of small-town life with the complexities of unexpected cohabitation. Set in the quaint town of Two Harts, the story follows Ellie Sterns, a 28-year-old single mother who inherits half of a house and café. The catch? The other half belongs to Gilbert Dalton, the grumpy yet handsome grandson of the previous owner. Forced to live together for six months to claim their inheritance, Ellie and Gil navigate their clashing personalities, leading to a series of comedic and heartfelt moments.

Peterson masterfully crafts the enemies-to-lovers trope, infusing it with witty banter and genuine emotional depth. The dynamic between Ellie and Gil is both entertaining and relatable, as they transition from reluctant housemates to something more profound. Their interactions are peppered with snarky notes and playful confrontations, making their evolving relationship a delightful journey for readers.

Beyond the central romance, The Fix-Up delves into themes of personal growth, community, and the importance of confronting one's past. The discovery of a poignant secret about the house's previous owner adds depth to the narrative, prompting both characters to reevaluate their priorities and desires. Peterson's portrayal of small-town dynamics and the significance of found family further enriches the story, offering readers a comprehensive and satisfying experience.

In essence, The Fix-Up is a charming and engaging read that balances humor with heartfelt moments. Peterson's adept storytelling and well-developed characters make this novel a standout in the romantic comedy landscape, appealing to fans of authors like Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry. Whether you're drawn to the allure of forced proximity or the intricacies of emotional healing, this book promises a delightful and memorable journey.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Multiple reviews described this as a Hallmark movie and I think that’s spot on. It’s sweet, wholesome, entertaining, and a quick read. I’m not sure I’d say it’s going to be memorable. The blurb promised “sizzling chemistry”, but I honestly felt the relationship was a bit underdeveloped.

Sharon is an auto-buy author, and my favorite kissing only romance writer, so of course this was a five-star read for me.

Her writing just tickles my brain in all the right ways. She writes flawed, relatable characters that feel real. And while her books are kissing only, there is still 🔥 chemistry and many a swoony moment .

This latest book is no exception. I will admit that I was kind of side eying Gil at first. But, much like who I'm hoping he's named after (Gilbert Blythe), he grew on me and ended up being my favorite of Sharon's book boyfriends so far. Sorry Chris, you couldn't hold the throne forever.

yes/no/maybe? Absolutely yes! As for me, I'm checking every day for the moment I can order my physical copy.

I really enjoyed it from beginning to end. Ellie is such a fun and relatable main character. Her chaotic energy, her ADHD moments, and even her petty side, I loved all of it. She felt real, and I found myself rooting for her so hard. Gil, on the other hand, is the quiet type who grows on you the more you read. He’s the kind of guy who just shows up and makes life better without making a big deal out of it. Their chemistry is slow burn, for sure, but the tension and banter between them made it worth the wait. The side characters were great too and made the story feel full and alive. I laughed out loud a few times. Definitely recommend. Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early. I’m sharing my thoughts voluntarily and with genuine appreciation

I loved the premise of this and I was not disappointed at l with the delivery!!

I could really really relate to Elly so much. Her ADHD and her struggles to accept herself as she is resounded with me. I also enjoyed how petty she was too! 🤣

Gil reminded me of my husband. Calm, cool and quietly competent.

When Gil arrived on the scene and was told he was to inherit half of everything that Elly had worked for I was furious for her, but then I warmed to Gil so quickly, way more quickly than Elly did!

This is a super slow burn but so very worth it. Not only that but all of the secondary characters are brilliant too and the whole book will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside! A perfect cosy read

I laughed. I cried. Such a sweet story! I loved the banter and the slow burn. The back stories of each character was heartbreaking and really sucked you in. I absolutely loved this story 😍 and I loved the interconnected characters from the previous 2 books!

Sharon M. Peterson has done it again. I feel like a stone rolling down a hill when I read her books. I keep picking up speed and I can’t stop until I reach the end. I loved this book. Slow burn. Enemies to lovers. An adorable 6-year-old matchmaker. A man who fixes things and takes care of the to-do list. And all the muffins and baked goods!

I adore small town Hallmark-esque rom-coms like this one! I couldn't put it down and had so much fun reading this. Great summer read!

A great addition to this series! I loved the relationship between Ellie and her son Oliver and all the side characters. Gilbert made a wonderful leading man and his relationship with his brother was very special too, as well as his budding relationship with Oliver, including their adorable Man Club. So to see how Ellie and Gilbert’s relationship progressed was really lovely and I was cheering them on the whole way. Great to see Ali, Theo, Mae and Chris again too!

Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers.
- Forced proximity.
- Obligations over needs.
- Slowburn.
- Smalltown romance.

A sweet, feel-good small-town romance about second chances and unexpected love. Ellie, a single mom with way too much on her plate, inherits a house and restaurant—but only if she can share it for six months with Gill, the grumpy (but secretly kind) grandson no one knew existed.

They clash at first, but watching them slowly find common ground is heartwarming. It’s grumpy x sunshine done right, with just enough emotional depth to keep you hooked. Perfect if you love stories about found family, healing, and turning chaos into comfort.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the free advance copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

This felt like a Hallmark movie in book form, and I mean that in the best way!

I just finished The Fix-Up by Sharon M. Peterson and it was a sweet, heartwarming, and fun-to-read story. The plot has all the makings of a Hallmark movie, like small-town romance, a fixer-upper house that might be taken away, MC who didn't like each other at first, and an MMC who needs convincing by the FMC not to sell, added with a few funny and swoonworthy moments.

It gave me all the cozy and slow-burn vibes I wanted, and I loved that ending!

I’m so excited to discover that the author has more books, including one with a brother’s best friend trope (I've already added that to my TBR)!

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with small-town charm and lovable characters, this one’s a great pick!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an e-ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an e-ARC! I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. A solid 4.5 stars! It had me laughing out loud. Loved the banter between Gil and Ellie and their post it note exchanges. Ellie’s date with a flat earther was so enjoyable to read, but happy she ended up with Gil. Did I have a hard time imagining a hot guy named Gilbert? Yes. But love a man who can fold a fitted sheet and knows how to use some tools. Wish this book had some spice, but the connection between Gil and Ellie was so well developed. I did find the ending a little rushed but enjoyed the meet cute at the bookstore.

Enjoyed hearing about Ollie and Teddy developing a connection with Gil.

Looking forward to reading more books by Sharon M. Peterson soon! Also really want a muffin after hearing so much about Ellie’s baked goods.

Sharon M. Peterson may be a new author to me but after reading The Fix Up, she has quickly become a one-click author to this reader. I absolutely adored this book! Ellie and Gil and little Ollie were well-developed, intriguing and fascinating characters and the story line was written in such a way that I felt like I personally knew these people. I’m honestly going to miss visiting them each day. The secondary characters were just as entertaining and captivating as Ellie and Gil. It just all worked together.

This was a very emotional read for me because there are some really thought-provoking, heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that brought me to my knees, but then she would have me in hysterics and laughing so hard there were tears running down my face. I was looking for a clean, low spice well-written romance that would make my heart race and give me all the “feels” and Ms. Peterson hit it out of the park for me because it has all those traits and so much more. I loved, loved, loved how each chapter began with a quote from various children who were asked what the definition of “love” meant to them – how ingenious! It tied right into what this family was experiencing in this journey that I so enjoyed sharing with them.

I must say this is probably my favorite romance read of the year so obviously I’ll be reading Theo & Ali’s story, as well as Chris and Mae’s story. I highly recommend this 5+ star read to anyone looking for a thoughtful, sweet, clean romance those evokes all the feelings. I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

Single mom, Ellie, inherits half of a large plot of land and café when her beloved father figure Ollie passes away. Unfortunately, his secret grandson Gil inherits the other half. The one condition is that they live on the land together for 6 months. Gil and Ellie do not see eye-to-eye on what to do with the property. Gil wants to sell while Ellie wants to keep it, but she can’t afford to buy Gil out. The two do no get along and Gil is very closed off. Ellie has 6 months to convince him to give the town of Two Harts a chance and save the only home her son has every known.

There were parts of Ellie I really liked. She was kind and generous and trying very hard to become the best version of herself. Unfortunately, I also found her to be a bit selfish. When it came to what she wanted for herself, she sometimes forgot to see things from someone else’s perspective. Gil was so closed off. It wasn’t until very late in the story that I understood the pressure he was under. That meant I spent a lot of the book irritated with him for his behaviour. This is a really slow burn romance. I didn’t feel much chemistry between them until the last 20% of the book, so the book dragged a bit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Sharon M. Peterson for an advanced reader copy (eARC) in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was an interesting storyline for a book! I like the idea that Ollie was really looking out for the family he had and the people he viewed as family. I really liked the son and Mikey as supporting characters in the book, I felt like they brought a lot to the story line. I will say the middle of the story did drag a bit but I liked the concept overall

This was a super cute love story, but if you’re looking for spice this isn’t your book-just keep that one in mind. Otherwise, I loved it. It was cute, funny, romantic, heartwarming. It was the kinda couple you dream to be with your future partner. So cute.

This has been one of my favorite romance reads to date. And it didn't even have spice! It was not your typical meet cute, instant love, perfect couple book. It was more enemies to roommates to friends to lovers. I fell in love with every character. They were all so well written and all had a part to play. It was hilarious and emotional and beautiful. Everyone needs an Ollie and a Gil. The back story was so tragic but so perfect. I dont have any parts of this book that I did not enjoy.

Love is in the details.
I must say I expected this book to be something like a TV reality about house renovations. Am I dissapointed that was not the case? Not at all.
Not only is the book soft, funny and, in a way, gentle, but it also speaks volumes of how sometimes things are simple and we are complicated. Specially when it comes to choosing, because there's a big "must have" and "must not have" list for Ellie, and turns out in her case, love was in the details she did not want to focus on.
Not only does this book speak of romance, but also of maternal love, of friendship, and healing, of families and stories and of what is and what we wish could have been.
In the end, it's not only the tale of a man and a woman, but of a father who took in a daughter who loves her son.
And the tale of a son, who came into their lives, who's also a brother to a man who loves him so dearly he knows he's home.
It was a great experience to read this book, and I'm thankful I was allowed to read the ARC. I cannot praise it enough.