I'm a sucker for a good romance and this book nailed it (no pun intended). I've never read anything from this author before, but I really enjoyed her writing style. I loved all the characters. This book kept me wanting to keep reading. You know a book is good when you don't want it to end, or you want a sequel.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

#TheFixUp #NetGalley

This book was a sweet, easy read. Ellie is a single mom who has not had good luck in the dating world. Ollie, the owner of a cafe and home where she has been living, passes away and leaves them to her. Little does she know that she has only inherited half of them when his long lost grandson, Gilbert, suddenly comes forward. They have to live together for 6 months in order to fulfill the terms of the will. It was fun to see the relationship between Ellie and Gil progress as they did not like each other at the beginning. I loved how Gil was such a good role model to Oliver, Ellie's son. It was definitely a slow burn, but the payoff at the end was worth it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC!

Sharon M. Peterson’s FMC never disappoint in being completely hilarious and Ellie was no exception. I would have loved this one to be dual POV because I’m sure Gilbert spent 3/4 of the book completely confused by Ellie and how her brain works, which is of course why he couldn’t let her go! Their story of being forced together in order to meet the requirements to inherit the house and land made for some interesting interactions. Thankfully sweet little Oliver, and his love of dinosaurs and Valentines, was there to smooth any rough points and continue to force them together. This story was so cute and the perfect addition to the Two Harts series. If you haven’t read any books by Sharon M. Peterson, now it the time to start! All of her books are interconnected standalones, so just grab one and start laughing!

Three and a half stars.

Ellie Sterns is a twenty-eight year old with ADHD, and the mother of a six year old called Oliver. After an unremarkable career as an actress, and numerous short-lived romances, she was en route to her family home in Oklahoma when she stopped briefly in the town of Two Harts to see her brother and ended up staying. The local diner owner, grumpy Ollie, took pity on Ellie and gave her a job and a place to stay. Ollie has recently died and Ellie has been keeping things going as best she can, when she gets the amazing news that Ollie has left her the house and the diner. Unfortunately, Ollie only left her 50%, the other half has been left to his previously unknown grandson. The kicker is that to inherit the two of them must live in the house for six months.

The grandson, Gilbert, wants to sell and get out of Two Harts as quickly as he can, he doesn't understand why Ollie abandoned his wife and daughter and never got in contact with them when they were alive, an inheritance means nothing to him. Ellie on the other hand, has put down roots, the inheritance safeguards her job and her home, she'll resist any move to sell either of them, even if the local property developer is offering a vast sum for the large plot of land on which the house sits.

This is a classic, opposites-attract, enemies-to-love, small-town romance. After being very grumpy and leaving some less than enthused reviews recently this was a breath of fresh air. Yes it trod a familiar path, but it was fun, sweet, and an easy read.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

It is a cute and clean romantic story. I enjoyed the characters and how they were developed. I wish I could read about them more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.


After losing her father figure Ollie, Ellie learns that he has left her his house and cafe. But she’s not the only one who was left this inheritance. Ollie’s estranged grandson also has a claim to the cafe and house. The terms of the will are simple: the two must live together for 6 months before they can claim their inheritance. Both have opposing plans as to what they want to do with the house and cafe. As the two get to know each other plans seem to go by the wayside, but what will happen once the six months are up?

This story is told from Ellie’s POV, and I felt like we really needed Gil’s POV in this. He’s a reserved man, and we never really get an idea of where he stands, what he thinks. I couldn’t really connect with Ellie. On the one hand she’s devoted to her son and a hard worker, but on the other hand she’s very selfish and doesn’t take into consideration that Gil may have his own struggles that lead him to make the decision he makes. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them at all. I did love his relationship with Oliver and thought that was very wholesome, but as far as his relationship with Ellie, it never felt like it evolved. They would take one step forward only to take two steps back. I didn’t feel the yearning or passion between them. The story dragged and the characters just fell flat. For those who like spice in their romance, you won’t find that here.

Ultimately, while a quick read, it was quite lackluster.

The romance unfolded at a slow pace, but I enjoyed that for once. This was genuinely a heartwarming, uplifting tale. Certain moments brought me joy, and I appreciated the charm of the small-town setting. The conclusion was delightful! This was the first book I have read by this author, and I found the writing to be pretty good.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Cutesy, slow burn. I particularly liked the little quotes at the beginning of chapters.
Single mum trope in a small town having to share a house with the grandson of a chap who owned the house she’s living in.
Quick, wholesome read

Ooooohh this book got me. The beginning of it started similarly to something else I had read before but a few chapters in I know I was in a ride that was going to leave me feeling a little tender and SO in need of a happy ever after.

Ellie is left a house and business by grandfather like, Ollie, under the one condition that she split it with a grandson no one knew he had, Gilbert. Ellie is a single mom and won't allow Gil to move into the house but he gladly accepts her offer to stay outside in a tent on the property. The two have a hate hate relationship until they are forced to actually live in the house together (cold weather and tents don't mix!). Ellie's son and Gil bond and it's pretty much down hill for her heart from there on.

The whole story is so beautifully done and there were moments reading where I audibly gasped just feeling overwhelmed with emotion and so excited for people I wish I knew in real life. Gil's vulnerability through his rough exterior and how he is so silently intentional with her...Ellie's hospitality and constant desire to just do a little extra for everyone around her...her friends and family and their desire to see good for her even when she doesnt feel like she deserves it for herself...his willingness to admit that he's scared and doesn't know what to do next but pushing past the obvious decisions and wanting to be MORE for her than she's ever been given the option of before...ugh...it was SO good. I haven't been sad for a book to end in a minute but I was for sure sad when I got to the last page of The Fix-Up. Im ready for more of the story!

Hilarious, compelling, and heartwarming! This is undoubtedly one of my top romantic comedies and enemies-to-lovers reads of the year so far. It immediately captures your attention and draws you into the captivating world of Two Harts. It’s such a delightful read that kept me laughing and smiling throughout the entire journey! Add it to your TBR now. You won’t regret it.

Sharon M. Peterson knocks it out of the park again with another heartfelt, romantic, silly rom-com to make us squeal and kick our little feet. At this point, any book with her name on it is an automatic blind buy. Absolutely delightful and charming, will be recommending to everyone I know who knows how to read.

Soo…um. Like at its core this book had good parts. But, I think this book might need a little fix up.
3

The Fix-Up is the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with romantic comedies in the first place. With sparkling wit, heartfelt emotion, and characters that feel like old friends, Sharon M. Peterson delivers a story that’s both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly tender.

Ellie Sterns is a single mom just trying to keep her head above water, so inheriting half a house and a failing café seems like a blessing—until she meets her co-inheritor: Gil Dalton, a grumpy, sharp-tongued chef who is as frustrating as he is handsome. Forced to live and work together, Ellie and Gil embark on an uneasy truce that slowly (and hilariously) melts into something deeper.

Peterson’s writing shines with quick dialogue, quirky small-town charm, and a deep understanding of how people love, lose, and find each other again. Ellie’s fierce loyalty to her son and Gil’s quiet, brooding vulnerability make for a delicious slow-burn romance that feels earned and honest.

This book has everything: enemies to reluctant allies, found family, a dash of kitchen chaos, and one unforgettable cinnamon roll child who steals every scene he's in.

If you’re looking for a rom-com with substance, The Fix-Up delivers—equal parts funny and full of feels.

I really enjoyed my reading experience of this book. It was fast paced and the banter was really great. I thought that Oliver was a really cute kid and I liked his relationships in the book. I also enjoyed that Ellie and Gil’s relationship was a slow burn and that there was enough tention without spice. I do have a few cretics for it tho. First of all I think that the book would have hit more if it was told from both POV’s. That way we got more of Gil his thoughts. The third act also kinda annoyed me because I think his comment was quite rude. I don’t think he ment it that way and with his POV we would have seen this more.

Overall a fun story with great banter!

This was a lighthearted warm feeling book. The characters were likeable and not phoney, with some sass.

The Fix-Up is the kind of romance that draws you in from the very first page. With the perfect blend of warmth, wit, and emotional depth, it’s a story that lingers long after the final chapter. Ellie is a strong, determined single mom who’s just inherited half a house and café—along with a grumpy (but absurdly attractive) co-owner, Gil, who wants nothing to do with any of it.

Their forced cohabitation sets the stage for a slow-burn romance full of tension, banter, and unexpected tenderness. Gil doesn’t have a tragic past, but a mysterious one—especially when it comes to his grandfather Ollie, the man who left everything behind. As Ellie and Gil navigate their new normal, long-buried emotions come to light, and so does the chemistry neither of them expected.

Ellie’s son Oliver absolutely stole my heart. His bond with Gil grows in the most heartwarming ways, and his joy and curiosity bring a beautiful layer of light to the story. I also really enjoyed Gil’s brother, Mikey—his emotional depth and unwavering loyalty stood out. Mikey clearly just wants to be wherever Gil is, and the friendship he and Oliver develop is both touching and sweet.

What truly made this book shine for me was the writing. Sharon M. Peterson’s voice is engaging and heartfelt, with pacing that feels just right. You can tell how much thought, care, and emotion went into every chapter. The story flows effortlessly, filled with both laugh-out-loud moments and scenes that tug at your heart.

The Fix-Up is a charming, feel-good read with forced proximity, lovable characters, and a romance that builds naturally and beautifully. It’s everything I want in a small-town love story—and more.

After her landlord/employer/pseudo grandfather dies, Ellie inherits the house she's living in with her son, as well as the cafe she's working at in a small town. The only problem is that she only inherits half, the other half goes to a long-lost grandson that no one knew about. He wants to sell and she wants to stay, and they have to both live on the property for 6 months before a decision can be made. Cue the grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity and slow-burn.

As a romcom, it was fine. Entirely predictable, but satisfying in a way only a cheesy romcom can be. The characters start out on the wrong foot but slowly worm their way into each other's hearts and lives. It was sweet and feel-good, but also felt a little bit bland, lacking a certain "umph" that I look for in contemporary romance. She's eccentric and at times, overly judgey with ADHD that keeps her second-guessing herself. He's sturdy, reliable and kind with a toolbelt that she obsesses over. There's lots of yearning and a great slow build. At times though, it's overly preachy about love and therapy. Even though I am a huge proponent of both of those things, it sometimes felt a little too on-the-nose. The characters also fall into very traditional gender roles which I found a bit boring. It takes place in small town Texas, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that it often felt southern, white, christian coded, but it just lacked any real edge or nuance for me. It might be a great read for others, but for me it was very middle of the road.

I overall really enjoyed this book! I loved the banter between the FMC and MMC and the story kept me engaged throughout. The portrayal of ADHD was done well while not being over-done, which is something to be appreciated. It was a bit predictable at times, but I would recommend this to anybody who is looking for a cute easy romance!

3.5 Stars

This was a sweet, Hallmark movie type rom-com. It’s definitely a character focused book rather than plot. The first is told from single mom Ellie’s POV and so it takes us a while to really get to know the MMC, Gilbert. I do think his character could have been expanded on a bit more. I enjoyed the ADHD rep (Ellie) and thought it fit the story well.

However, I felt like I was missing some background info on other characters. This book doesn’t appear to be part of a series but is set in the same universe as other books by the author. I felt the book dragged a bit in the middle as nothing really happened - given the cover and title I was expecting more home renovations scenes.

With that said, this is still a nice slow burn that shows family comes in many different shapes.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

My first book from this author and the Two Harts series. It’s a light, feel-good, low-stakes read with a kind-of enemies-to-lovers setup and forced proximity.
I liked the feel of the small city but I didn’t really believe the romance - I don't think we got to learn a lot about Gil - like his personality in depth and I also could not see the spark between them. But it’s a cozy pick if you’re after something sweet and drama-free.