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The Fixer Upper

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 7,130 ratings · 860 reviews

The delightful New York Times bestselling author returns with a hilarious novel about one woman's quest to redo an old house . . . and her life.

After her boss in a high-powered Washington public relations firm is caught in a political scandal, fledgling lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left almost broke, unemployed, and homeless. Out of options, she reluctantly accepts her...more

Hardcover, First edition, 422 pages

Published June 23rd 2009 by Harper (first published 2009)

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Jan 07, 2011 Kaye rated it 4 of 5 stars

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. Unfortunately, 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...more 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. Unfortunately, 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****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Harper Collins for TLC Book Tours.
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Mar 18, 2012 Ian rated it 3 of 5 stars

There are a few things I don't like about this book. I find it a little annoying when authors throw out brand names excessively. Describing the watches two people are wearing and telling me that her Panerai trumped his Rolex...well it's just a little silly. A bunch of other brands are mentioned which I suspect were paid product placement.
The other thing which left me feeling somewhere between "blah" and "meh", was the police procedures described. I'd love to know where that old chestnut of a pl...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Karen added it

In typical Andrews style, the main character (Dempsey) is trying to avoid a male-created disaster (being set up in a political scandal) and therefore engages in a creative activity (renovating an old Georgia mansion), made more entertaining by an interesting guy in the picture (Tee) while surrounded by colorful Southern characters. Although the book is far better than the awful "Deep Dish," it never quite makes it to the level of "Savannah Blues" or "Hissy Fit." Those books were dominated by And...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Ricki Treleaven rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have always wanted to buy an old cottage and renovate it while maintaining its character. I would try to use historically accurate materials and colors. When discussing the possibility with a friend, she suggested I read The Fixer Upper by Mary Kate Andrews (she knows how much I enjoy reading). I think many of my followers who love DIY will enjoy this book.

Dempsey Killibrew is a willing exile to Guthrie, Georgia. Her father, Mitch, has recently inherited the family ancestral home, Birdsong. Th...more I have always wanted to buy an old cottage and renovate it while maintaining its character. I would try to use historically accurate materials and colors. When discussing the possibility with a friend, she suggested I read The Fixer Upper by Mary Kate Andrews (she knows how much I enjoy reading). I think many of my followers who love DIY will enjoy this book.

Dempsey Killibrew is a willing exile to Guthrie, Georgia. Her father, Mitch, has recently inherited the family ancestral home, Birdsong. The house is in need of some TLC before it can be listed and sold. Mitch sends Demspey to Guthrie because she has absolutely nothing better to do: as a Washington, D.C. lobbyist in the midst of a political bribery scandal, Dempsey is jobless, homeless, broke, and unhirable within the beltway. A home decorating magazine junkie, Dempsey accepts the challenge and heads to Georgia.

Guthrie is a tiny town about an hour south of Atlanta. When Dempsey arrives, she meets many characters almost as colorful as the Pepto-Bismol-hued Birdsong: and they all seem to know her "bidness" (that's "business" for you folks who live north of the Mason-Dixon line). The whole town knows about Birdsong, her scandalous firing from Hodder and Associates, and the FBI investigation. Dempsey finds that Birdsong also comes with a squatter: one of Dempsey's elderly distant cousins named Ella Kate and Shorty, her cocker spaniel. The house needs a new roof, so Dempsey hires a talented and ingenious general contractor who helps Dempsey with the restoration. An over-zealous realtor appears on the scene and paints over the Pepto-Bismol pink with Benjamin Moore's Dill Pickle Green (I truly can't decide which color is worse). There is also a father/son attorney duo hired to represent Dempsey as the FBI investigates her involvement in the scandal; the FBI agents are fun characters, too.

This book is a fun, easy read and would be a great book to take to the beach or lake this summer. I enjoy books with the theme of "finding one's home" especially when it is completely unexpected by the character. Plus, the plot has a heaping-helping of romance and DIY. The Fixer Upper has been the perfect read for a very busy week.
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Aug 03, 2012 Tiffany rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first novel I've read by Mary Kay Andrews. I'm a Georgia girl born and bred, and I kept seeing her books in the bookstore touting Ms. Andrews as a local writer. I finally picked up the novel Fixer Upper. The book intrigued me since my husband and I are in the process of buying a house. This book has it all- political scandals, cover-ups, a love story, and my favorite part - a depiction of the south that is not stereotypical, but is honest and endearing. The main character in Fixer Up...more

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Jul 01, 2012 Robbie Sparrow rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The publisher's description of "The Fixer Upper" is right on target. This was a delightful read about a successful D.C. PR professional turned HGTV wannabe thanks to her boss getting caught up in a scandal with a congressman. Dempsey, the lead character, has to hide out in the small town of Guthrey, GA in order to figure out her next move (because she is also being charged in the bribing scandal thanks to her boss!). The reason she chooses Guthrey is because her father has recently inherited a s...more

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May 31, 2012 Merri rated it 4 of 5 stars

1st book I read by this author- nice easy-enjoyable read- i will definitely read more by her

After her boss in a high-powered Washington public relations firm is caught in a political scandal, fledgling lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left almost broke, unemployed, and homeless. Out of options, she reluctantly accepts her father's offer to help refurbish Birdsong, the old family place he recently inherited in Guthrie, Georgia. All it will take, he tells her, is a little paint and some TLC to tur...more

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Jan 27, 2012 Sheila DeChantal rated it 3 of 5 stars

When Dempsey Jo Killebrew gets caught up in a political scandal brought on by her kiniving boss, she is left suddenly unemployed, and under investigation as a possible accomplice. Feeling the heat and having a strong desire "to get out of dodge", she accepts an offer from her father to help restore the old family home he had recently inherited in Guthrie Georgia. The home, known as Birdsong, is a family treasure, a Victorian Mansion that just needs a little love is what Dempsey is told... and co...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Torimac rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: light-fun

It was a imperfect, formulaic and escapist. The writing wasn't super quality, but it was more than competent. I enjoyed it.
Also, I recently read Nora Robert's "Tribute", and it was surprising how similar these two books were, while also being very different. Perhaps it's like the difference between peanut butter and oatmeal cookies: they are both sweets, meant for dessert not nutrition, though they have some nutritional value (protein vs fiber), and you can enjoy them in a convenient way althoug...more

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Oct 07, 2011 Jadaloves rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love Mary Kay Andrew’s books because she is a master at creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere in her stories. In The Fixer Upper, Andrews weaves another small-town tale of one woman’s awakening to all the things that really bring her alive. Convinced that being a lobbyist and loyal assistant to her disgraced boss was her calling, Dempsey is surprised to find more accomplishment and joy than she could imagine, fixing up her father’s old homestead, Birdsong.

I almost always love a story...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Fixer Upper is set in modern day Washington D.C., Miami Florida and Guthrie Georgia. Naive novice lobbyist Dempsey Killebrew is set up to take the fall when her boss is caught bribing a Congressman. Dempsey can't afford to stay in Washington without a job, her career in ruins. Her affluent, arms-length father will not lend her the money to help her get back on her feet, but offers her a task: fix up an old house he inherited so he can resell for an inflated price, to finance his new young wi...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Carolyn Hill rated it 2 of 5 stars

This is light (to the point of air-heady) southern chick-lit. From its popularity at my local library (it was always on reserve and there was a long wait), you'd think this must be a winner. I've enjoyed other efforts by Mary Kay Andrews, and I was drawn to the fixer upper part of the story. (Anyone who knows me can attest that I'm a house person.) While her descriptions of renovating and decorating show that M.K.A. is really into it (check out her blog for pics of her adorable re-done beach hou...more This is light (to the point of air-heady) southern chick-lit. From its popularity at my local library (it was always on reserve and there was a long wait), you'd think this must be a winner. I've enjoyed other efforts by Mary Kay Andrews, and I was drawn to the fixer upper part of the story. (Anyone who knows me can attest that I'm a house person.) While her descriptions of renovating and decorating show that M.K.A. is really into it (check out her blog for pics of her adorable re-done beach house), they were too idealistic. What novice can master floor sanding and staining, cabinet refinishing, tiling, and wallpaper removal with the veritable snap of her fingers? But that was perhaps the most believable part of the story. The main character is a twenty-something lawyer who worked for a lobbyist involved in buying votes from a congressman. For being near the top of her class in law school, she is ridiculously naive. She is fired from her job and her boss tries to implicate her in the scandal. She flees Washington to a small Georgia town where her father has inherited a once grand but now old and dilapidated house from a distant relative. He wants her to fix it up just enough so that he can flip it for a nice profit. There's the usual big city girl in a small town set-up with a young handsome lawyer ready to escort her to the country club dance. He's charming, sexy, and too perfect to be believed - even his flaws that he lists are more endearing than maddening. And after seeing her for maybe a dozen times, if that, and maybe two of them actual dates, he's ready to spend his life with her if only she could decide to give up the big city life. Pleez. Not only cliched, but totally unrealistic. (My thirty-something sons were with their girlfriends for seven and nine years before they got around to proposing.) The plot sounds more like some movie from the forties with Jimmy Stewart playing the romantic lead. It's old-fashioned, despite the modern trappings, but not in a good way. In fact, I think Andrews had a harder time with such a young protagonist. Usually her characters are a bit older and been around a few times. In an attempt to give her character suitably young tastes, she has her juking out to Thriller on her iPod playlist. That didn't seem to really fit for a twenty-eight-year-old, and when she dances the shag to beach music at the country club, the author's real tastes - and age - becomes evident. To round out the supporting cast, there's the crotchety old biddy who won't leave the house who is supposed to end up being endearing somehow, but doesn't. Andrews usually writes with her trademark southern sass and wit, but it's lacking here. I had a hard time finishing it. There's nothing much to drive the plot - the end is a foregone conclusion, and there are no surprises. I'm not really sure why it's so popular here; it's not one I'd recommend. But maybe it's just me.(less)

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Apr 19, 2011 Eva rated it 4 of 5 stars

Washington lobbyist, Dempsey Killebrew finds herself unemployed and disgraced when her boss frames her for bribing a senator. Turning to her father for help, he bullies her into removing herself to Georgia to fix up and flip the family mansion he has just inherited. Arriving at the family home, she discovers that it is extremely dilapidated and contains a squatter - her 79-year-old, several times removed, very cranky cousin.

In this extreme flight of fancy (but very entertaining read), Dempsey qu...more

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Mar 31, 2011 Sandie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-books, 20th-century-women, contemporary-lit, feel-good-reads, romance

THE FIXER UPPER is a clever and witty piece of entertainment about a naïve neophite lobbyist unwittingly caught up in a political scandal in which she has been cast as the scapegoat. Out of work, low on funds and with few employment prospects she calls upon her father for assistance. His solution is that she temporarily get away from her problem by leaving Washington D.C. and relocating to his southern hometown where she will be responsible for renovating a piece of family real estate which they...more THE FIXER UPPER is a clever and witty piece of entertainment about a naïve neophite lobbyist unwittingly caught up in a political scandal in which she has been cast as the scapegoat. Out of work, low on funds and with few employment prospects she calls upon her father for assistance. His solution is that she temporarily get away from her problem by leaving Washington D.C. and relocating to his southern hometown where she will be responsible for renovating a piece of family real estate which they can flip and split the profits.

Determined to succeed in the task of restoring the old family abode in the town of Guthrie, Georgia our protagonist, Dempsey Killebrew, is devastated to discover that the “gracious family mansion” is more Tobacco Road than the cover of Southern Living. Unfortunately, restoring the old house with the limited funds provided by her father is only one of the many challenges facing Dempsey. Ensconced in the residence are a cantankerous female octogenarian and her less than friendly dog, both of whom refuse to vacate the property. She must also deal with a persistent female newspaper reporter plus two tenacious FBI agents intent on an indictment, all while attempting to out-maneuver her slimy ex-boss who is bent on evading prosecution for his criminal machinations by diverting suspicion (and ultimately the blame)to Dempsey. Of course, as with any good piece of “chick-lit” there is the requisite tall, dark and handsome romantic interest in the person of the town newspaper publisher, as well as a number of quirky town residents.

Guthrie is a place that most folks who grew up in a small town are familiar with…… close knit and insular, a place where folks love to gossip and everyone knows everyone else’s business.

While the plot and outcome of this escapade are predictable, the dialog is humorous and the characters engaging. This book is a perfect companion for your trip to the beach or, if you prefer, take the CD along to keep you entertained on those long boring commutes to the office.
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Feb 25, 2011 Danielle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, chicklit, for-review

From the city to the sticks, The Fixer Upper is just the right balance of fun, suspense and romance. Dempsey Killebrew is a recently fired lobbyist from one of the biggest Lobbying firms in Washington DC, who has now been sent to the sticks to "fix up" a historic family home passed down from her Great Uncle, under her father's decree. Little does she know the house is basically a frame with great plumbing. Not only that, it comes with its very own squatter in the form of her "distant" cousin, El...more From the city to the sticks, The Fixer Upper is just the right balance of fun, suspense and romance. Dempsey Killebrew is a recently fired lobbyist from one of the biggest Lobbying firms in Washington DC, who has now been sent to the sticks to "fix up" a historic family home passed down from her Great Uncle, under her father's decree. Little does she know the house is basically a frame with great plumbing. Not only that, it comes with its very own squatter in the form of her "distant" cousin, Ella Kate, and loads of small town gossip. Guthrie, Georgia isn't without its charm which comes in the form of a couple of smooth talking great looking men, which help to ease the near constant reminder of the federal investigation that has her career looking about the same as the home she's trying to fix up.

During my husband's time in law school I think I must have met close to three or four dozen "Dempsey Killebrew's". That's not to say anything bad about those girls, they were usually just so focused on school work that they failed to notice some basic common sense matters we each take for granted every day. She's smart in every way that makes you successful in business; she's a quick learner, has wonderful follow-thru and is a tremendously hard-worker. But when it comes to real-life common sense skills, she's just as blinded as most of us when her heart gets in the way, even just a little. Unfortunately for Dempsey her "blindness" results in a federal investigation, the loss of her credibility, quite possibly her career and life as she knows it. But, as I said, though she lacks some basic common sense, she makes up for with elbow grease and a zest to survive when the cards are down. Her character was completely likable and page after page I couldn't help but become her own personal cheerleader.

One of the best things about the book though were all the wonderful characters. I'm a huge fan of books that take place in the South. At heart I think I belong there. Everyone is so friendly and easy going. In Guthrie, it's no different, everyone knows everyone and is in some way related to each other from years ago. Yes, it has it's draw backs, but the benefits (in my opinion) far out-weigh those. Carter Berryhill, Bobby Livesey, Jimmy Maynard, Shirlene Pepper and Ella Kate are some of the most fantastic characters I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Each so dynamic and personable in your own way. You feel as if they could be sitting in your very own living room sipping lemonade and talking about the weather. In each of their own ways they help Dempsey her newly acquired renovation project and her life.

The Fixer Upper was a pleasant surprise for me. Before picking it up for the tour I hadn't read much about it, purposefully, and the journey I went on with Dempsey was just what I needed at the moment. A little bit of suspense, with a John Grisham style criminal investigation in the background, but a perfect balance of Southern charm and personal reinvention. It's a perfect and quick summer read! One that had me flipping page after page without hesitation. Mary Kay Andrews actually has a few other books out, including one titled Deep Dish that I'm now dying to read.(less)

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Feb 19, 2011 Paul Pessolano rated it 4 of 5 stars

For those of you who are looking for a summer read and don't want anything too heavy, but would like something interesting with a mixture of comedy, romance, and some mystery, this book was written with you in mind.

I know I'm preaching to the choir to those of you who are already fans of May Kay Andrews but she puts together some of the most delightful novels, and they all take place in Georgia.

No exception with "The Fixer Upper". The story starts in Washington, D.C. and Dempsey Jo Killebrew, a...more

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Jul 21, 2010 ICPL Staff Picks added it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, kara, staff-picks-blog

The Fixer Upper is a great read. Dempsey Killebrew is a young Washington DC attorney/lobbyist who gets mixed up in a political scandal. Unfortunately for Dempsey, her boss sets her up to take the blame for the scandal. After losing her job, her only option is to move to Guthrie, GA to rehab a Pepto-Bismol-pink old mansion, recently inherited by her father, that has fallen in disrepair. Unfortunately the home is inhabited by a grumpy octogenarian and dog who refuse to leave. Dempsey rolls up her...more

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Jul 05, 2010 Snap rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

"After her boss is caught in a political scandal, fledgling Washington lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left broke, unemployed and homeless. Out of options, she reluctantly accepts her farther's offer to help turn Birdsong -- the fading Victorian mansion he recently inherited in Guthrie, Georgia -- into a real estate cash cow. But Birdsong turns out to be a moldering Pepto-Bismol- pink dump with duct-taped windows, a driveway full of junk, and grumpy distant relation who's claiming squatter's ri...more

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Aug 10, 2009 Pam rated it 2 of 5 stars

Twenty-eight year old Dempsey Killebrew has just learned a hard lesson: the real reason people in power have assistants. One minute, Killebrew is a rising PR associate, Georgetown JD in hand, the next, she finds herself at the wrong end of a political scandal involving her PR firm and her slick, backstabbing boss. Looking for career advice, she looks to her dad who, in turn, offers her a less than stellar “opportunity” to flip a family property in Guthrie, GA. Dempsey reluctantly packs her high-...more Twenty-eight year old Dempsey Killebrew has just learned a hard lesson: the real reason people in power have assistants. One minute, Killebrew is a rising PR associate, Georgetown JD in hand, the next, she finds herself at the wrong end of a political scandal involving her PR firm and her slick, backstabbing boss. Looking for career advice, she looks to her dad who, in turn, offers her a less than stellar “opportunity” to flip a family property in Guthrie, GA. Dempsey reluctantly packs her high-gloss city life into her bag and heads south where she finds a shack, rather than a house, and a borderline psychotic, shot-gun wielding great –cousin who has taken up residence in the old place along with her grumpy cocker-spaniel. While she rails against the change in scenery at the beginning, Guthrie’s small town charm (and gentlemen) brings unexpected plot twists, sure to excite Andrews’ faithful readers.

I have no idea why this book, cover or synopsis, appealed to me but it did. Not only have I read nothing previously by Andrews, I have reading next to nothing that constitutes as “chick lit”. That is not to say, as some assume, that I dislike female writers or even men writing about female protagonists. I just have not gotten around to the doilies and bachelorette parties because I fancy myself a reader of deeper things. I thought I should probably have a go at it and I do, to explain the cover fixation, occasionally like pink.

The story itself is cute and fast paced, making a light summer read. I am not sure it had me hooked on the romance, though. For me, the love stories in romance novels always seem contrived. There is always one girl in town that the boys are after and she doesn’t seem to realize this until page 127. Eventually one lucky suitor wins out, leaving the others in the jolly, fraternal dust, and the rest is history (although not before a little bit of reluctant, soul searching on the part of the sought after protagonist). I will not drag this model across the coals as it is clearly a successful one and will resonate with many readers, no matter how many different ways it dresses up.

I sat down to write my review, notes in hand, ready to go to town tearing apart character development, sexism, racism and a very loose concept of reality holding the piece together. And while I must get off my chest that I found Dempsey infuriatingly dimwitted and weak considering her place in Washington as a Georgetown Law School grad, I fear she is not based on complete and total fiction. Thankfully, before I launched into an essay on the pitfalls of female writers chucking their lady characters into the same bimbo category that many of their male counter parts are accused of doing, I remembered that this was not my usual reading; that it was, perhaps, just a piece of fiction meant for a breezy summer evening. Now, I will not for a second tell you that I’ve fallen highlighted head over Manoloed heel (look, I learned something: a Manolo Blahnik is apparently some type of shoe) in love with pink-pulp fiction but it was a silly fun read and for that I commend it.(less)

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Jul 02, 2009 Justin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am a huge Mary Kay Andrews fan, and know that I am not alone. As a southern woman, I just adore the picture the paints of quaint southern charm. And she never fails to create a main character that is a strong, yet sweet and gentile southern belle. I wish I was a Mary Kay Andrews character!

The moment I read about the upcoming release of The Fixer Upper, I rushed to reserve my copy, and couldn't wait to start reading. I finished the book in near record time for me, it was that good. I loved that...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Heather Boustead rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, contemporary, crime, romance

The Fixer Upper
By Mary Kay Andrews

Dempsey Jo Killebrew, is a young naive junior associate to a lobbyist in Washington, After her boss throws her under the bus for his actions in trying to bribe a US Congress member, Dempsey winds up broke, unemployed, and homeless. That is until her father suggests that she go down to Guthrie, Georgia and fix up his family’s home, he had just inherited, Birdsong. As she fixes the house she comes to terms with her own situation and we join her in an adventure of...more

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Mar 19, 2011 Tiffany rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very, very entertaining book. A light, breezy beach read (even though I'm reading it in March) and a good break in-between heavy reading like school textbooks.

Dempsey Killebrew is an up-and-coming Washington D.C. aide to a lobbyist when a scandal implicating her boss leaves her without a job, money or a place to stay. Her father offers to let her renovate the family's historic home in the tiny town of Guthrie, Georgia that he hasn't seen in years. Dempsey makes friends - including the handsome...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Lee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dempsey Jo Killebrew is a lobbyist who gets thrown under the bus by her influence peddling boss. She leaves D.C. in a wave of scandal and finds refuge at a remodel project inherited by her father in Guthrey Georgia. Along the way she finds love, friendship and a life outside of politics. Dempsey is driven to seek retribution against her former boss in order to save herself. Other than that, she is a forgiving sort in the face of unjust criticism and ill tempered outbursts. I have a couple of iss...more

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Sep 30, 2011 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Junior lobbyist, Dempsey Killebrew lives with two other girls to make ends meet in D.C. When her boss is caught in a political scandal Dempsey suddenly finds herself without a job, broke, and unable to pay her share of the rent. When her dad offers her the opportunity to go to GA and get an old family home ready for sale, she jumps at it since she has no other options.

When she arrives in GA, Dempsey finds her work cut out for her since the house is in ruins. As she works on the house, she comes...more

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Jul 22, 2010 Vickie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: booksthatmakemegowow, listened-to

There were times in the beginning and sometimes in the middle of the book where I wanted to reach in and smack Dempsey upside the back of the cranium for her naivete and lack of gumption, especially when it came to how she let her ex-boss and her father try to run her over.
But when Dempsey got her fire back...watch out! It was a sight to behold and I cheered.
It was a slow rather steady process of Dempsey getting her life back on track. Starting with the renovation of Birdsong. She took one ste...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Paula rated it 2 of 5 stars

Dempsey Killebrew is a junior lobbyist in Washington D.C. whose boss has taken her under his wing and made her his prodigy, so she thinks, until he is charged with bribing a senator and uses Dempsey as the fall guy. She loses her job and her name and picture is spread all over the news as the girl who hired prostitutes for the senator. Dempsey's unlikable father has just inherited his family home in small town Georgia and, not having much choice, Dempsey packs up and heads to Georgia to "flip" t...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Lori Anaple rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, beach-reads, chic-lit

Dempsey is a lobbyist in DC. Her boss is a tool (and not the hammer type...more the screw type). He sets her up for a fall and fires her. Her dad gives her a lifeline to move to GA and fix up a family home that he just inherited. He thinks it just needs a coat of paint and then it can be flipped.

Not so much. It is in complete disrepair. That is how Dempsey goes from the Hill to HGTV (not really). What I love so much about Andrews is that she has a way of incorporating sub plots that are just as...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Veronica Maldonado rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is perfect for an ambitious working woman who is in dire needing of finding peace and balance with self, rather than seeking perfection through her work to deal with past emotional issues. The story will allow you to consider what would be left of your life if work were not the escape some use it for. It will allow you a rare opportunity to assess the quality of your life vicariously through Dempsey Jo's character and break down all the stuff we add to our image to make the outside pre...more

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Jul 11, 2009 Dawn rated it 2 of 5 stars

If you're working on a fixer-upper (like my husband and I), and looking for some literary respite...skip this. Dempsey Killebrew loses her DC lobbying job, and ends up trying to fix up her family's crumbling antebellum mansion in Georgia. She miraculously develops super-renovating abilities (don't get me started on how fast she learns and works--it defies the laws of time and space), and finds a handyman who works at about 1/10th the going rate and ten times as fast as the average contractor.

My...more

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May 31, 2010 Emily rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, fiction

Where to begin?

This book is cute. Young girl, caught in a scandal, moves to a small town to fix up an old house and of course she has lots of "life" moments and finds romance along the way. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a light, summer romance read. And it is...there are just some parts of this book that really bugged me.

First of all, I understand books like this aren't really meant to be realistic, but Andrews' lack of reality in this book gets a little extreme. There were just parts here...more

like 2 likes · see review

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About Mary Kay Andrews

Andrews has a B.A. in newspaper journalism from The University of Georgia. She is a former reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. While a reporter in Savannah, GA, she covered the real-life murder trials which were the basis of the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
She also publishes under the name Kathy Hogan Trocheck.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/maryka...

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Savannah Blues (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #1)

Savannah Breeze (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #2)

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