Pub. Date: June 2009
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Hardcover, 432pp
ISBN-13: 9780060837389
It's another scandalous news day in Washington, D.C. with prominent public relations firm owner, Alex Hodder, being investigated for bribing Congressman Anthony Licata. Unfortuately, his young lobbyist, Dempsey, is caught in the crossfire with him. Vulnerable and naive she might have been but that changes quickly as she realizes what a ninny she was to believe her ever-so-sleazy boss. After having lost her job and her self respect, and fearing that no one will hire her, she visits her father in Miami to escape the reporters and gain some perspective. When her father throws her a lifeline, she reluctantly agrees to fix up Birdsong, an old family home that her father just inherited. It might need a little work before flipping it, or so her father tells her. When Dempsey arrives in Guthrie, Georgia, she finds a dilapidated house that needs more than just a little paint. A total makeover is more like it! Dempsey finds to her consternation that the house also comes with a surprise; 79 year old Ella Kate, some sort of distant relative, has taken up residence and she's not budging. It will take more than a stick of dynamite to get that stubborn old lady out of the house. As the house begins to take shape, so does Dempsey. She becomes more confident, gains a better understanding of her family, finds a little romance and even works on her relationship with Ella Kate. When Dempsey finds her resolve to not let Alex get away with trashing her life, things get mighty interesting. The Fixer Upper captivated me immediately. I really liked Dempsey and could feel her pain and her sense of hopelessness at the beginning of her predicament. Andrews, with her signature humor, has the southern atmosphere and family dynamics down to perfection. She aptly captured the small town feel where it seems everyone knows your "bidness" even though they don't know you. The ending was a sheer delight! If you haven't read this one, get ready to be charmed with these endearing characters. Even the prickly Ella Kate started to grow on me! I guarantee the pages will just fly by. Such fun! 4**** See more stops on the tour.
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Harper Collins
for TLC Book Tours.
Great review. I've seen a lot of her books around and need to get one to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this lovely review.
ReplyDeleteWasn't this good? It was the first MKA book I read and I loved it. Nice review, Kaye!
ReplyDeleteI have been a fan of Mary Kay Andrews for awhile now and I so enjoyed this one as well.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I would like!
ReplyDeleteI read this one a while back and really enjoyed it- glad to know that you felt the same!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the book, but wasn't so sure about the ending :-).
ReplyDeleteI did love Ella Kate, prickles and all.
Sounds fantastic! I love books with great endings. I enjoyed your review!
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought the fixer-upper was going to be a man ... not a house!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this one too. I read it last year.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like the perfect beach read! Thanks for being a part of the tour - I'm glad to see you enjoyed the book so much. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree! I loved this book as well! I wish it would have kept on though - when you like a book so much you don't want it to end.
ReplyDeleteThis book has been on my list for a while. Your review reminded me to nudge it up a bit. Thanks fir your great review.
ReplyDeleteMy mom has this book in her pile to read since I got it for her at a library sale. I loved Andrews' Deep Dish, and this sounds like another fun one.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting read more of this author after enjoying Deep Dish. Sounds like a fun book.
ReplyDeleteThis one has been on my wish list for awhile, can't wait to snag a copy so I can read it.
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