The Fix Up is the third book in the Two Harts series by Sharon M. Peterson. Ellie Sterns is a twenty eight year old single mother who has a broken man picker. She recently inherited the cafe in which she works, the house where she lives with her six year old son, Oliver and the land it sits on. However, she quickly learns that she only inherits half of everything. The other half belongs to the previous owner’s grandson, Gilbert Dalton, a grandson no one knew existed. They discover they must live together on the property for six months in order to complete the inheritance. Gilbert is handsome; however, he’d be irresistible if he smiled which he rarely does. Both have different motivations as the cafe and house means a future for Ellie and for Gilbert, it means a past he wants to forget. She wants to stay and he wants to sell. Can they find a common ground? As the months pass, they learn the heartbreaking secret and their mutual iciness starts to melt, could it turn into a sizzling chemistry?
The Fix Up is Sharon M Peterson’s fourth book and she has established herself as one of my go-to authors. Full of heart and laughs along with real life drama and hurts, she handles a story that gives all the feels. Even though The Fix Up is the third book in the series, readers do not need to read them in order to understand each book; however, I highly recommend that readers do as each story is wonderful. That being said, I loved this story. This story is the ultimate grumpy-sunshine, enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance as when readers first see Ellie and Gilbert together, you can’t help to think that their relationship would never work. I loved the characters, especially Ellie’s son, Oliver. Usually featuring children in fiction can be hit and miss; Ms. Peterson captures the six year old beautifully and believably. There wasn’t a plot point or character that I didn’t care for, everything came together wonderfully. I laughed. I cried and I closed the book with a smile. The Fix Up is sweet with fun banter and dramatic with real emotions. I highly, highly recommend The Fix Up.

The Fix Up will be available in June 17, 2025 in eBook and audiobook

Although the storyline was predictable (enemies to lovers trope), I absolutely loved this story! Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC! The main characters were portrayed so well, and just really had you invested from the start. The twist in Gil’s character makes you love him even more!

This is the type of romance that is just sweet. A single mom meets a grumpy dude and they’re forced to live together and decide what to do with a shared property. I found everything to be pretty predictable, formulaic but it was an easy read. It’s another type of romance that as soon as the last page is finished I will forget and move on to the next, but it was pleasant to read and overall a positive hopeful message. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

The Fix-Up by Sharon M. Peterson is the third book in the Two Harts series. I haven’t read the first two novels, but I didn’t feel like I was missing any important information—so I’d say this can definitely be read as a standalone.

The story follows Ellie and Gilbert (aka Gil). Ellie moved to Two Harts a couple of years ago with her son, and through her late housemate Ollie, she inherits half of a diner and home. The twist? The other half is left to Ollie’s grandson, Gil—whom he never actually met. There’s a condition: Ellie and Gil must live on the property for six months before they can decide whether to sell or keep it. Ellie is determined to stay, while Gil is just as determined to sell so he can take care of obligations back home.

I won’t lie—this book took me a while to get into. It wasn’t until the final part of the story that I truly couldn’t put it down. That said, I really enjoyed how the author developed Ellie and Gil’s relationship, and the ending was just perfect.

This is a no-spice romance, making it a great choice for readers who enjoy love stories without the heat. It does touch on some sensitive topics, including the death of a loved one and parental abandonment, so be mindful of those potential triggers.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

I met Sharon Peterson at the first writing conference I ever attended and I sat down next to her initially without noticing (I was busy with my own Imposter Syndrome thank you very much). AND THEN! She was wearing these amazing red glasses, every word that came of out her mouth was hilarious, and I couldn’t get enough (don’t worry Sharon- I won’t be stalking you…but I sure do hope we meet again someday!)

So imagine my surprise when I read a book she had written and LOVED it (The Fake Out).

When I was able to get my hands on an Advance Reader copy of her latest book (number 4 for those of you counting) I was thrilled! And The Fix Up did not disappoint!

Ellie and Gil are thrown together when they find out they are co-inheriting a house/cafe/land in the small town that Ellie lives in. Forced proximity? Yes please!

They both want very different things for very different reasons both valid and both understandable, yet as the tension rises, you can’t help but root for each one of them!

Sharon writes closed door romance with fantastically relatable characters. In fact I made my husband wait for dinner so that I could figure out how they were going to get their happily ever after.

Bravo Sharon! Another winner!

Thank you to NetGalley and @bookouture for my ARC of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.

#bookstagram #netgalley #readers #bookouture #whatimreadingnow #romance #closeddoor #twoharts #happilyeverafter #instabooks #bookreview

i thought the plot to the story was so much fun and tense well for the characters LOL

oh my gosh i laughed out loud so much the whole book had some of the best banter i have read in a while .

the Forced proximity well hello you could feel the steam coming off the characters , the perfect enemies to friends and then lovers .

i loved the small town setting. It was perfect .

i loved everything about the story and the writing is wonderful .

i am giving the book 4 heart swoon worthy stars

huge thank you to bookouture for asking me to review the wonderful book

A fun close proximity, meddling friends/family romance taking us back to two hearts!

When Gilbert shows up at the house he has part ownership of, finding Ellie, who was under the impression the house was hers following the passing of her landlord, the two have one heck of a meet cute. When the attorney handling the estate tells them that they need to occupy the space, together, for 6 months before making any decisions, it's only a matter of time before things heat up and the enemies paves a way towards friends and eventual feelings.

While I wanted more of an epilogue, this was a fun one sitting read! And i still need to go back and read chris and man's story!



Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my review!

I admire Ellie because she seems to continuously move forward from her disappointments. She didn't make it as an actress. She didn't make it as a partner to her first boyfriend who ran off, or her son's father who was a mooch, or any of her boyfriends or dates since then, but she is not giving up. She is a great mom, a hard worker, a true friend and sister. She loves her boss, Ollie, who is also her roommate and she mourns him when he. passes away. I love the way she fights Gil who is Ollie's grandson. I love their banter and their connection. I love how they grow and change and become more than rivals for Ollie's inheritance. I love the small town and it's phone tree and all of it's charm. The story is emotional in several ways, but it is also sweet and fun and funny. 3.5 Stars

Really cute romance with all of my favorite tropes! This would be a great read for vacation.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Charming, heartfelt, and full of slow-burn chemistry

This story had me hooked from the very beginning—and not just because of the grumpy, brooding co-owner with a toolbelt.

Ellie Sterns is a single mom with a history of dating the wrong men, but her luck seems to turn around when she inherits half of a house and a thriving café. The catch? The other half belongs to Gilbert Dalton—a man as handsome as he is grumpy, and who clearly wants nothing to do with this small-town life. What follows is a delightful blend of enemies to lovers, grump/sunshine, and single parent romance as they navigate their forced cohabitation and slowly unravel both the home’s past and their own growing feelings.

The characters were incredibly easy to love, even Gil with all his moody stares and sharp edges. While the banter between Ellie and Gil was more subtle than I usually go for, every moment they shared felt meaningful—and sometimes it’s the quieter connections that hit hardest. I found myself invested in their dynamic from the start, flipping through pages to see how their story unfolded.

If you love slow-burn romance with heart, a bit of tension, and just the right touch of emotional depth, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. I’d absolutely recommend it!

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this eARC!

Another winner from Peterson! Reading her books is like a breath of fresh air for me. In this story, which is part of her Two Harts, Texas series, Ellie is secretly matched up with Gilbert ("Gil") by Gil's dead grandfather. In the will, Ollie leaves the house, land, and cafe to both of them, but only if they both live on the property for six months. While there is almost never any question as to where this rom-com is headed, there are several surprises and events that keep the reader wondering and wanting to read more. The writing is witty and spot on, and I can't wait to read the next installment!

Thank you so much for the ARC! I loved the small town setting of Two Harts. And also loved little Oliver. I bet he and Ollie were great buddies. Great banter between Ellie and Gil. I also loved how Oliver and Ollie had matching shirts.

The Fix-Up is a sweet, light hearted romcom with a classic enemies to lovers setup, quirky charm, and enough emotional depth to keep things interesting. It’s a cute, easy read with some standout moments and likable main characters.

Ellie is a single mom juggling responsibility, emotional baggage, and a dream of stability. Her dynamic with Gil, the gruff and brooding co-inheritor, is filled with tension and banter. The premise of them cohabiting as strangers in order to secure an inheritance is fun. The notes they leave each other add a cute, almost nostalgic charm. There’s some real emotional payoff when they begin to uncover the layers of both their pasts and the house’s history.

Overall, The Fix-Up is a cozy, feel good read that delivers on humor and heart. Great for fans of warm, small-town romance with a bit of sass and some slow burn heat.

ARC provided by NetGalley

An utterly unputdownable slow burn pleasure to read.

Every character and the town grow on you so quick it’s easy to feel part of the community. The writing moves at just the right pace, the tension building just the right amount.

Ellie and Gilbert are magnetic and joyous and my favourite book couple this year. What is love? The Fix-Up!

Thank you Netgalley and to Bookouture for providing me with this amazing ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

I went into it not knowing what the book will be about or if I would like it. Surprisingly, I enjoyed this one so so much!! Giggled, shed some tears and everything in between. I loved how the old man, Ollie, cared for her even after he passed, and that his dream of them meeting came true. Oliver, Ellie's son, was adorable and made my heart so warm reading about him. The gradual connection and relationship made me giddy. Their post it notes, ahh! loved them. And the little quotes from kids about what love is at the beginning of each chapter was the cherry on top.

This was my first book written by Sharon M. Peterson, but I am now so excited to read the others! 5+ stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of The Fix-Up!

This was such a fun, feel-good rom-com packed with all the ingredients I love: forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers tension, snarky banter, a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and a cozy setting with heart. Sharon M. Peterson balances humor, heart, and heat in the perfect proportions—this one had me grinning, swooning, and even tearing up a bit.

Ellie is the kind of heroine you immediately root for—messy, real, and hilarious. Gil? The definition of brooding grump with a secret soft side. Their chemistry jumps off the page, and the snarky notes they leave each other were chef’s kiss. Beneath the witty dialogue and sizzling tension is a deeper story about healing, starting over, and choosing what truly matters.

If you're a fan of small-town charm, reluctant roommates, single mom representation, and rom-coms with both laugh-out-loud and tender moments, The Fix-Up should be at the top of your TBR. A perfect pick for fans of Abby Jimenez and Sarah Adams!

THE FIX-UP BY SHARON M. PETERSON.
I did enjoy this book. I love the cover and blurb. I did like Ollie. I loved Ellie character. Thos was a lovely story, which i liked more than I thought I would.



Blurb.
Ellie should probably have listened to the part where inheriting her house came with a hot, grumpy stranger and six months to figure it all out…

Ellie Sterns is a twenty-eight-year-old single mother who only ever seems to date seriously questionable men. But she’s just inherited both a home and thriving café, so life is looking up. The catch? Only half belongs to Ellie—the other half goes to the previous owner’s grandson. Gilbert Dalton may be absurdly handsome, but his frown never wavers and he has a chip on his shoulder the size of a small country.

Ellie would happily spend the rest of her life avoiding him, but to claim their inheritance, they must first live on the property together for six months. For Ellie, the house and the café are her future. For Gil, they’re part of a past he wants nothing to do with. She wants to stay, he is determined to sell. Will they be able to decide what comes next without going to war with Ellie’s whisk and Gil’s toolbelt for weapons?

But somewhere between the snarky notes they leave around the place, and discovering a heartbreaking secret about the house’s previous owner, Ellie and Gil might learn that frustration can turn into sizzling chemistry, and hate can turn into not-hate—and that’s basically only one step away from love…

A totally uplifting, heart-stealing and addictive enemies-to-lovers romance full of sweet chemistry and true laugh-out-loud moments. Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry and Sarah Adams.

@SHARONMPETERSON
@bookouture
#netgalley
#FreeBookReview
#ad

📚 Plot Snapshot
When single mom Ellie unexpectedly inherits half a house and café, she’s forced to co-own—and cohabit—with Gil, a grumpy but skilled handyman. Though their personalities clash from the start, a series of home renovation disasters, shared grief, and unlikely friendship stir up more than dust and drywall. It’s a slow build—of the house, and maybe something more.

🖋️ Writing Style Vibe
• Snappy, humorous first-person POV
• Plenty of inner monologue with emotional insight
• Rom-com charm with grounded, real-life stakes
• Enemies-to-lovers tension wrapped in warmth
• Clean and cozy with just enough zing to feel electric

❤️ My Highlights

✨Ellie’s Voice: She’s funny, real, and relatable in her chaos.
✨Gil’s Growth: He’s more than just a grumpy love interest—there’s nuance here, and his moments with Ellie (and the house) were sweet without being saccharine.
✨Renovation Romance: Always a fun trope when done right—and here, the shared space led to some great tension and quiet vulnerability.
✨Themes of Starting Over: Parenting, grief, career pivots—lots of heartfelt layers under the humor.

💭My Thoughts
This was an intriguing setup, especially since I’d been curious about Ellie ever since her name popped up in earlier books in the series. I really wanted to see her get a story—and a happy ending—of her own.

The beginning drew me in, but the pacing wavered around the first third. It felt like a lot was happening at once: friend-orchestrated blind dates, the inheritance issues, tension with Gil, her child, and a business to revive. The middle is where the story found its footing, especially when the emotional connection deepened and Gil’s gruff exterior started to soften.

🤔 What Fell Flat (if anything)
The pacing dragged in parts, especially in the early-middle sections. Too many side plots at once—Ellie’s friends trying to match her up while she’s already tangled in a growing bond with Gil felt distracting from the core romance.

⭐ Final Rating + Shelf Status
★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
Keep if you’re a fan of the series, but not a top-tier reread. Solid, heartfelt read with cozy charm and fun dynamics—but slightly bogged down by subplot overload.

I received an advance reader copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. My review reflects my honest and unbiased thoughts.

Ellie has a bad reputation with dating, so it's time to put it on pause. She has enough happening trying to be a single mum, running a business and now trying to keep the roof over her head.

Gilbert never knew his grandfather, but there is a secret love story that needs to be told, and one that may lead to his finding love, also.

I love that each chapter starts with a description of 'what is love?' described by children. Some of these made my heart melt, and the simplest answers were the best.

This novel explores themes of therapy and ADHD, I loved how Peterson made it so accepting and an easy everyday subject.

I loved the main characters in this novel. The character of Ellie made me want to bake. Gil and Ellie were so cute together, especially the scenes with the sticky note messages. I found myself trying to figure out their solution, and wanting to shout my ideas at how they could make things work down the pages.

There was also a scene I cried at sheer relief. This author knows how to make you feel all the emotions in this narrative.

We also revisit old characters from these previous novels, and I am genuinely so attached to them. This is a great addition to this series, which can be read as a standalone, but you do not want to miss out on this series.

Rating: 3.7/5

Ellie is a single mom of a little boy, Oliver. They came to the small town of Two Harts, TX several years ago in search of a better life after Oliver's dad left them. Luckily, the community took them in, especially an old man, named Ollie. Ollie had a old home in need of repairs and needed tenants to help pay for the mortgage, so Ellie and Oliver moved in. Ollie also owned the small-town cafe and hired Ellie to work their and have Oliver there when she couldn't find daycare. All of a sudden, Ollie passes away. It wasn't known that Ollie had any family, so everything was left to Ellie and Oliver. It was, until Gilbert shows up at Ellie's front door. Gilbert (Gil) turns out to be Ollie's secret grandson. Gil had a version of the will that said everything of Ollie's must be split between the two of them after 6 months of living on the property together. While Ellie is desperate to keep the property and her livelihood, Gilbert is wanting to sell everything and move back to Austin, where he has a life to take care of. Over the next 6 months, the two of them work together to fix up the properties and find that they have much more in common than there are differences. Gil and Oliver bond together -- Oliver even asking him to be a part of their family.

This is an adorable, little-to-no spice romance that makes you just blush. It's an enemies-to-lovers/grumpy-sunshiny dichotomy. It was pretty predictable, but one that makes you feel good. It was a fairly quick read. Would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!