The Fixer Upper

Walking the line between rom-com and tale of self-discovery, Forsythe’s debut delights with sure-footed plotting and an endearing cast. Aly Aresti has perfected the art of problem-solving. After a chance encounter leads her to realize that all her ex-boyfriends’ lives have improved after dating her, her friends convince her that she could sell this skill set. Together, they launch Fixer-Upper, a top-secret consulting firm that promises to subtly “fix” the men in its clients lives. When social media influencer Nicki Wetherington-Smythe hires Aly hoping Aly can push her boyfriend to a proposal, Aly’s shocked to discover that the man she’s meant to be fixing is her own childhood friend and first love, Dylan James. As they reconnect, Aly struggles with the morality of secretly working to “fix” Dylan for her client. Charming characters and quick wit make for a fun, breezy romp, though some romance readers may wish the love story took more of a central role. Indeed, the primary focus here is on Aly learning to love herself enough to stop putting everyone else’s needs before her own. It’s entertaining in its own right, and readers looking for a smart, empowering blend of romance and women’s fiction are sure to be pleased. Agent: Hayley Steed, Madeline Milburn Literary. (Aug.)