Review|I Owe You One

Title: I Owe You One

Author: Sophia Kinsella

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Publisher: Dial Press

Release Date: Feb 05, 2019

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Synopsis: Fixie Farr has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” And since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn’t take care of her father’s legacy, who will?

It’s simply not in Fixie’s nature to say no to people. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, she not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, the computer’s owner, Sebastian, an investment manager, scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. Fixie laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?

But then Fixie’s childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life, and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie’s buttons. As always, she wants nothing for herself—but she’d love Seb to give Ryan a job. No sooner has Seb agreed than the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie—from small favors to life-changing moments—ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants?

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Fixie has always been the fixer in her family- hence the nickname, Fixie. When her lifetime crush comes back into her life, Fixie is drawn immediately right back into his arms. Jobless, homeless, and hopeless, Ryan is the ultimate fixer upper and Fixie can’t help but try to work her magic on him. When a chance encounter with a big-shot business investor, Seb, lands her an IOU, Fixie takes it upon herself to see if that IOU would extend as far as a job for Ryan. When Seb agrees to hire Ryan, Fixie gives him an IOU for the huge favor he did her, and so ensues the ever-growing chemistry and IOU’s between the two.

“I just can’t help fixing things. It’s my flaw. It’s who I am.”

I really wanted to love this book as a whole but sadly I only really enjoyed bits and pieces. Fixie was annoying as a main character in general. And her family is atrocious! Luckily, we did get to see some exceptional growth in all the characters but unfortunately, it did not come until the very end of the book. In the meantime I had to endure the repetitive inner monologue of Fixie, constantly(CONSTANTLY) letting everyone walk all over and put her down. Like come on Fixie, I know they’re family but that doesn’t give them the right to treat you like poo!

“Family is it, Fixie. Family is what drive us. Family is everything. Family loyalty is basically our religion.”

Argh. Luckily, we got the bit of romance with the handsome Seb. The romance with Ryan, thankfully, is brief as he is also garbage. Seb and Fixie had fun banter and chemistry and I liked their relationship. He helped her learn she could stand on her own and that her opinions mattered. Yay Seb! Their back and forth IOU’s were fun and I loved the ending!

So with that, I give this a 3 out of 5 stars.

*I received this book for free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*