Renovation, Romance, and Resilience: Reviewing ‘The Fixer Upper’ by Mary Kay Andrews @mkayandrews @HarperCollins

‘The Fixer Upper’ is a delightful tale of a young woman’s journey to rebuild her life and a dilapidated southern home, filled with humour, heart, and small-town charm.

Summary:

Aly has always been a fixer, solving problems for her parents, colleagues, and friends, and even unknowingly transforming her boyfriends into better versions of themselves. After a chance encounter with a successful ex, Aly decides to formalize her talent by starting The Fixer Upper, a secret service dedicated to helping women offload their unpaid emotional labor. Together with two work friends, she teaches men to improve their own lives. Their unique business quickly attracts attention, culminating in a high-profile Instagram star hiring them to fix her app developer boyfriend. The twist? He’s Aly’s childhood best friend and first love. As Aly takes on her biggest challenge yet, she must navigate their complicated past and confront the question of how much to change someone she once thought was perfect.

My Thoughts:

As a longtime fan of Mary Kay Andrews, I’m excited to share my thoughts on one of her backlist gems, “The Fixer Upper,” originally published in 2009. Andrews has a knack for crafting well-developed characters and engaging storylines, and this book is no exception.

The story follows Dempsey Jo Killebrew, a young lawyer working as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. When a political scandal implicates her unknowingly, Dempsey finds herself unemployed, broke, and needing to flee the city. She ends up in Guthrie, Georgia, with the daunting task of refurbishing her family’s ancestral home, Birdsong. However, what she finds is a dilapidated Pepto-Bismol pink mess.

But the challenges don’t stop there. Dempsey’s troubles are compounded when FBI agents show up, pressuring her to help incriminate her former boss. With the town’s lawyer offering his support and a feisty elderly squatter named Ella Kate refusing to leave the premises, Dempsey has all the ingredients for a meltdown.

I loved the small-town southern setting of the book. Andrews captures the charm and complexity of small-town life, highlighting both its pros and cons. Despite the scandal hanging over her head, Dempsey finds unexpected allies among the townspeople, who step forward to help her out. I enjoyed the relationship that develops between Dempsey and Ella Kate that is built on respect. This sense of community and Andrews’ humour make the story a delight.

The renovation of Birdsong is a central part of the book, and I enjoyed following Dempsey’s progress. The romance that develops adds a sweet touch to the narrative, and the unfolding FBI case against Dempsey’s former boss adds an element of suspense.

What stood out most to me was Dempsey’s resilience and determination. No matter the obstacle, she rolls up her sleeves and tackles it head-on. Her journey from a place of desperation to one of strength and renewal is inspiring. The ending of the book left me satisfied and hopeful for Dempsey’s future.

Final Thoughts:

“The Fixer Upper” is a heartwarming and humorous read that showcases Mary Kay Andrews’ talent for storytelling. If you enjoy stories about overcoming adversity, finding unexpected support, and the transformative power of love and community, this book is a must-read.

Some Of The Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Mary Kay Andrews:

Summers At The Saint

The Homewreckers

The Newcomer