Fix Her Up

Cute Read

I wasn’t prepared for how much I would enjoy Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey. Going into this book, I had never read any of Bailey’s work before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The only reason I picked it up was because I needed a book with some kind of tool on the cover for the final day of a 10-day readathon. Thank goodness for Kindle Unlimited, which delivered this unexpected gem right when I needed it. This was my first Tessa Bailey book, but it definitely won’t be my last.

From the very beginning, I was drawn in by the vibrant characters and the charming small-town setting. Georgie and Travis felt like real people with real struggles, and I couldn’t help but root for them as their story unfolded. The chemistry between them was electric, and Bailey did an excellent job of building tension and anticipation without rushing the romance. The book is the first in a trilogy, and it’s safe to say I’m eagerly looking forward to diving into the next two installments.

The story centers around Georgie Castle, the youngest in her family and often overlooked or seen as just "the little sister." She’s had a crush on Travis Ford, her brother’s best friend, since they were teenagers. Travis, a former professional baseball player, is down on his luck after an injury ends his career, and he’s wallowing in self-pity when Georgie storms into his life, literally throwing takeout food at him to snap him out of it. What follows is a delightful fake dating trope, where both characters agree to pretend they’re in a relationship to solve their respective problems—Georgie wants to be seen as an adult, and Travis needs to clean up his playboy image to get his career back on track.

What I loved most about this book is how Bailey takes the time to develop the characters and their relationship. Georgie isn’t just a quirky, cute heroine; she’s a woman who is determined to be taken seriously and to pursue her dreams, even if it means stepping out of her comfort zone. Travis, on the other hand, is more than just a brooding, sexy athlete. He’s a man who’s lost his way and is trying to figure out who he is without the sport that once defined him. Their relationship starts off as a mutually beneficial arrangement, but it quickly becomes clear that they’re exactly what each other needs to heal and grow.

As they navigate their fake relationship, both Georgie and Travis undergo significant personal growth. Georgie learns to assert herself and embrace her own strength, while Travis realizes that there’s more to life than his baseball career and that love, true love, is worth the risk. The romance is steamy and heartfelt, filled with moments that made me smile, swoon, and even tear up a little.

Bailey’s writing style is engaging and witty, with just the right amount of humor to balance the emotional depth of the story. The small-town atmosphere adds an extra layer of coziness to the book, making it the perfect read when you’re in the mood for something warm and uplifting. And the side characters, including Georgie’s family and the members of the “Just Us League,” a group of women supporting each other through life’s ups and downs, are well-developed and add richness to the story.

Fix Her Up is more than just a romance; it’s a story about finding yourself, taking risks, and discovering that sometimes the things you need the most are the ones you never saw coming. If you’re a fan of the fake dating trope, small-town settings, or just love a good, steamy romance with heart, then this book is for you. I’m so glad I picked it up on a whim, and I can’t wait to see where Bailey takes the characters in the rest of the series. This book was a great start to a trilogy.