Review: Fixer-Uppers

Fixer-Uppers by Cynthianna (Appel)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This review was originally posted at Hearts On Fire Reviews where I received the book as a free reviewing copy.

Mike is hard on his luck after a relationship which left him with a mountain of debt - most of which wasn't his. Cassie is a struggling single mother with big dreams and a husband who isn't paying child support. When their friends set them up on a reluctant blind date, the fireworks are nowhere to be found. What ensues is a sweet story of two people facing realistic hardships, who find a friendship and connection with each other.

This book was my first by this author. I found the story held a lot of promise; the characters faced realistic financial challenges, and unlike so many other romances, this story deals with them in an every-day way that is believable and familiar to most people.

What I loved was how relatable this story was to the average reader. I really appreciated the way the main characters fell in love, a slow steady build that felt all the stronger for the time getting to know each other. The friendship was well-developed, and the doubts Cassie had about wanting to take it further were understandable. The two boys were a real feature in showcasing Mike's character, and the love that was shared in the family, despite the hard-times was evident. Yes, this has a HEA, never fear. But the characters worked hard for their own happy ending, and take nothing for granted.

Where this story lacked for me, was in direction. I felt the plot was a little ambiguous, more a meandering of scenes, especially towards the end, where it started to drag. The dialogue was wooden at times.
All in all, I look forward to seeing some future works by this author, to see if she can deliver on the sweet romance promise so evident at the beginning of this book.



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