Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC of The Fixer Upper.
This book was short and fun to read. I loved the banter and the character dynamics.

This was an enjoyable book. The banter was very fun and it kept me attention the whole time. I would recommend this book if you like romcoms!

Phoebe Macleod's 'The Fixer Upper' is the sort of book to read when you want low drama. Real estate agent Alex moves in with her best friend Emma. Emma hooks up with their neighbour Mark, while Alex develops a tentative friendship with his housemate, the introverted Callum. Meanwhile Alex's boyfriend Thomas has gone to San Francisco for a months' long artist retreat and gets way too close to another attendee.

While its a refreshing change to have no miscommunication and misunderstandings, I found myself slogging through this book as there was no real plot hook to keep me turning the page and the characters didn't do much for me. The Thomas storyline was just downright silly and I felt no chemistry between Alex and Callum. While I cheered Alex on for standing up for herself to Emma over her disrespect and filthiness, I didn't understand why she remained friends and didn't kick her out.

There's a lot of individual elements that were enjoyable, but as a whole book I came away feeling like something was missing to keep me enthralled. Truthfully I'd really mark this as a 2.5 stars, but rounded up because I like Phoebe MacLeod's earlier work.

Thanks to Boldwood and NetGalley for the ARC.

You do you, as Michelle mentions, which I think is the appropriate theme of this cute romcom. Indeed, just do as you like, as you see fit.
In this case, Alex being prudish (she doesn't like her boyfriend walking naked around the house, she throws away her underwear when it has been worn by someone else) yet kind to a homeless man who has been rude and made her frightful.
Or Callum being kind and gentle, despite what impression he might make when not being very sociable - making me almost whoop with joy for men being more than just their testosterone :)

However, I can't help but be a wee bit uncomfortable with some stereotypes, such as a man working in IT being shy, or an artist fooling around with another woman.
And I am confused about the title as the flat the two friends shared didn't need the least bit of DIY, so this might be about Callum who explicitly said he didn't want to be someone's pet project...

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.