The Fixer Upper

by Anne Conley

James, a UK based chef, has tried to make a career with EAT-TV, but his womanizing ways aren’t what they’re looking for with their wholesome family style image. However, the producers of a new reality show about single life, The Fixer Upper, think he’s perfect. Against his wishes his agent convinces him to give it a shot. His overpriced bachelor pad is needing a mortgage payment, and he needs a job to support the tween-aged daughter that’s recently been dumped in his lap. Margaret Dumas is control freak who has micromanaged her marriage to shambles. When she makes a deal with her mother to quit fixing her up if she’ll do this new reality show, she thinks she’s won. No more blind dates, no more friendly advice, no more “chance meetings” with her Mother’s friends’ sons. The only catch is she’s got to go on detestable reality television and expose her dating habits to a total stranger who is supposed to “fix” her and make her a dating machine. As if. When Margaret meets James, they clash on the surface, but deep down they recognize something in the other that they want. Redemption.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Chick Lit

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2015

About the author

Anne has written her entire life and has the boxes of angst-filled journals and poetry to prove it. She’s been writing for public consumption for the past several years. She lives in rural East Texas with her husband and children in her own private oasis, where she prides herself in her complete lack of social skills, choosing instead to live with the people inside her head.

Currently, she has five romance series. Playing with Fire explores the trials and tribulations of a small team of fire fighters in the fictional mountain town of Pamona Gulch. In Pierce Securities, she gives us Ryan, Evan, Miriam, Zack, Quinten, Jordan, Hollerman, and Simon. Her favorite series, Book B!tches, is all about a group of women in Mystic, Texas who get into all sorts of shenanigans. In Stories of Serendipity, she explores real people living real lives in small town Texas in a contemporary romance setting. In The Four Winds, she chronicles God’s four closest archangels, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael, falling in love and becoming human.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

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[Tbird London · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love books that make you believe in fate and that love can begin out of embarrassing situations caused by bad decisions or the desperation to get people to shut up, then this book is for you. The Fixer Upper is not the kind of book we are used to from this author, she showed us there is much more to her talent than taking tough topics and making the reader want to change the world once they are done. She can give us a fun read that will make you feel good at the end.
Margaret is so tired of hearing how she needs to find a man and settle down. She works too much, she stays at home more than she goes out and she is fine with that. She was divorced and learned at an early age to depend on herself for any attention she needed to gain, but her mother wasn’t content, she thought it was time for Margaret to sign up for a dating show. It was clear to her mother that Margaret just didn’t know how to dress, act or even capture the attention of a man and this show would teach her all she needed to know and lead her to Mr. Right.
James has a teenage daughter he just learned about and that relationship is rocky to say the least. His daughter is angry because he never came to see her, didn’t even want her but what she doesn’t understand is he didn’t even know about her till her mother died and the girl was brought to him announcing fatherhood. Now he has to find a show fast to keep the money coming in, but instead of a cooking show like he wants, he ends up being the host of a dating show. He can’t even keep a woman around for more than a few dates, who is he to tell losers what they need to do to find a date and keep them? When he knocks on Margaret’s door for the first time interview he figures out he is in more hot water than even he could imagine. She was hot and her beauty turned him on.
Through fumbles and egotistic acts, Margaret was pretty sure this was going to be bad. She reminds herself to just get through the week without killing James or herself and then she will be free from the harassment of her mother and this stupid show invading her home and life. Watching these two go from introductions to the ending was entertaining and beautiful. I hadn’t read a book with the plot centered on a dating show before and it was crazy to say the least. I have always loved Anne’s writing, her style for story telling always leaves me feeling something and this one didn’t disappoint. I LOVED watching James continue to get in trouble with his ego and looks and Margaret was so fascinating with her humble beauty and life style. Only Anne could get these two together and make it work and what a brilliant job she did in making that happen.

[Karen Voitik · Rating 5 out of 5]

>Review - The Fixer Upper -

>I received this from the author and from Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock. I am an independent reviewer. This is a standalone book and ends in an HEA.

>This story takes place on a reality dating show. People who have dating issues get makeovers and advice and learn to date. The premise is rich with content for a great romantic story. The romance is not between the cast member needing dating help, Margaret and any blind dates she goes on. No, the romance is actually between Margaret and the sexy host, James.

>Margaret's backstory is kind of a tear jerker. Her parents really didn't pay much attention to her, her husband divorced her and she is stuck in a boring job and life. She doesn't even realize the rut she is in. Watching her transform, starting with superficial things, like her wardrobe to actually dancing and letting loose is like winning the lotto. Too many women have lower self esteem and don't know how to have fun. James really brings out the real Margaret. Too bad Margaret doesn't know if the relationship is real or made for the ratings.

>James comes across as a money hungry ex playboy. His playboy days ended when he realized he has custody of a 12 year old daughter he never knew he had. He doesn't know how to parent and Nicolette is an angry grieving bundle of hormones. Watching James fight his attraction to Margaret and feel guilty about the whole scripted ness of the reality episode makes him seem real somehow. He is a real "douch canoe" as Nicolette calls him, early on in the reality show. He transforms throughout the episode, as well. He feels he has to step back to let Margaret be happy and concern himself just with his daughter.

>The final part of the book has the obligatory jumping to conclusion issues, but the Epilogue is the best. The Epilogue is one big HEA and ties everyone's wants and desires together. This story is a feel good story of ever there was one.

>This book is for an adult audience.

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: THE FIXER UPPER
Series: N/A
Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Received from: Anne Conley (in exchange for an honest review)
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect

This is a stand-alone story / not part of a series.

Of course, I identified with Margaret – newly divorced and wondering if dating is worth the potential heartache and stress. The answer is always, “yes!” That is one risk that is more than worth the possible rewards. In this story, Margaret has made a deal with her mother – participate in the new reality show, The Fixer Upper, and her mother will forever after refrain from setting up dates or pressuring her to make a relationship. Margaret sees it as one week in exchange for freedom. When she meets the host, James Fleming, the sparks fly immediately. First they are sparks of conflict, but always with an undercurrent of desire.

This is another enjoyable contemporary romance from Anne Conley. She knows that I adore her and her stories. I only need to hear that she is ready and she knows I’ll want to read.

[Stephanie (Between the Coverz) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say this is my favorite book by Anne Conley. I absolutely loved it!!!
James is a chef who has tried to make a career on television. The producers of a new show think he would be perfect. Even though he didn’t want to, he gave in and decided to give it a go. Margaret is a control freak whose mom thinks she should be settled down with the perfect man already. Margaret made a deal with her mom that she would stop fixing her up with guys if she goes on the new reality show The Fixer Upper.

Margaret wanted her life to be just so and didn’t want anyone to make any changes. However James had a different idea, per the shows instructions, and started instantly breaking her down. James feels bad when he has to be “mean” to Margaret and tries to fight his attraction to her. When he finally can’t stop himself, the show’s producers decide that it would be the perfect spin to the show.

I loved the twist and turns in the book. It made me feel all sorts of emotions throughout…laughing, crying, sad, happy…when you can go through several emotions in one book that is a well written story. I can’t tell anyone enough how much I loved this story.

[Cara Bristol · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a reality TV show watcher, I had to read this book. James is a womanizing celebrity chef whose career is on the downhill slide. To perk it up, he accepts a job as host of a dating reality TV show that fixes people up, critiques their dating style, and then sets them on the supposedly right track to love. Margaret is a perfectionist accountant whose mother despairs of her ever getting married. To get her mother off her back, she agrees to go on the show to be fixed up. James and Margaret dislike each other at the start, but soon discover there’s a very fine line between irritation and attraction.

I liked this book. I loved the concept and I liked the characters who were very engaging. I was disappointed by how the end was handled—it’s an HEA, but the story went on too long. At the point where the TV show wraps up, there was still about 20 percent left to read and much of the dramatic tension was lost by extending it out. The story had the feel of women’s fiction with romantic elements as opposed to a romance.

[Patti K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry from Anne Conley. Both James and Margaret were memorable characters, and I loved how each of them grew over the course of the story. A twist on the reality TV concept, the book was a refreshing take on what it might be like to jump into that pool if you were in your late 30's and life had already happened to you a bit. A fun cross between The Bachelor-type shows and What Not to Wear, I enjoyed seeing what made James and his Maggie tick and watching them fall for each other over the process. All in all, I'm glad I read it and look forward to more contemporary stories from this author.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review, which appears at my blog, In Patti's Imagination, and at Amazon.

[Andrew Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the premise of this book alone was enough to wet my appetite. But Anne Conley delivered in another incredible story. I went in this with high expectations due how much I liked the author's Four Winds Series. The switch between James and Margret's perspectives put a nice spin on the story allowing us to see how the story played out from both of them. I found the chemistry between James and Margret to be highly entertaining and had me pulling for each of them to find the right person or each other. The only thing I wished was that the story would've ended a little sooner, but felt the conclusion was well worth the wait.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay read

Wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but it was quirky. Margaret was anally retentive and a stick up her bottom. James was a bit of a jack the lad with luggage. That said was a quirky story that I quite enjoyed.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book is unique. James, a well-known playboy/chef, is hired to host a new dating show (The Fixer Upper) and must "fix" people to make them more date-able. While filming the show, an unexpected romance blossoms between James and a participant on the show, Margaret, even though the two seem to be polar opposites.

From his first line, I knew I was going to like James. Sure, he's a bit arrogant, but his arrogance wasn't off-putting to me for some reason. Maybe it's because Conley did a great job of slowly revealing bits of his personality, gradually helping me to see his caring, less arrogant side. I also really liked Margaret, even though there were a few times when I felt that her hesitance to say what she's feeling and thinking were uncharacteristic of such a strong, independent woman.

I loved that this book was funny and light at times but also serious and a bit sad during certain scenes. Why is there such a range? Because the characters and their lives are realistically flawed. And despite the way James and Margaret meet, I found their romantic journey to be completely believable.

This is the first book I've read by Anne Conley, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Her writing is seamless. Chapters flowed nicely from one to the next, and there wasn't a typo to be found.

If you enjoy contemporary romance novels with a good blend of humor, real life issues and tastefully written hot-n-heavy scenes, then you're likely to enjoy this one.

[PelicanFreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cover:
Very pretty, professional. Fits with James.

Editing/proofing/formatting:
Decent, only a few mistakes noted, and only one formatting mistake noted.

Rotating third person POVs, well executed. Clear, no confusion.

Character development:
I’d call it advanced; we get to know each MC intimately. Also, absolutely LOVE how each character is completely likeable in their own POV, but despicable in each other’s.

Overall:
I’d call it four stars -it took a little bit to get going, but once it did, I couldn’t put it down. I felt like Conley did a great job instilling reality too, the fictitious reality show setting is exactly how I imagine them to be in ‘real life’. I enjoyed the looks at both, the characters’ actual lives and then what was perceived to the viewers. Lots of fun. Heat level is up there at times, as well. All around fun, hot read.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun rom-com of a novel

Fixer Uppper made me laugh as well as sigh and dream of that perfect man, a partner and a soulmate. There was plenty of romance, who wouldn't want to experience a walk on the beach with a sexy hot Englishman. And oh those panty melting love scenes! Yep, looking for that perfect man , one who doesn't just want to get in your pants but wants to worship your body like a true goddess deserves. So my question is do men like James truly exist or do we just make them up for our romance novel fantasy boyfriend? The Fixer Upper is a perfect afternoon, out on your back porch swing with your ice tea, kind of read. I really like Anne Conley's style and can hardly wait to read more of her work. In fact that is why I have 3 more queued up in my Kindle already!

[Tami czenkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Fixer Upper. Even though Margaret and James had personal obstacles to overcome, they found solace in one another without even knowing it.
I liked the concept of the story line as well as the characters. I wanted to climb inside the book and bash their heads in a few times but I loved the outcome!!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not at all what I suspected this book to be didn’t really know what I was getting into but hey it’s an Anne Conley book so it’s gotta be good. It’s better than good. I laughed, I huffed, I swore ( in my head) and the characters, sat straight up a few times with my stomach turning in knots and got teary eyed. Loved it

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! James and Maggie are so relatable. James is a newly, single Dad and Maggie is an accountant, both want nothing to do with Love but fate has other ideas and it’s all on national tv. I’ve never have wanted to see a reality show until now.

[Lorelei Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny

James and Margaret's story is pretty funny! Uptight Margaret, TV host, reality
TV show brings out a lot of humiliation, frustration and apparently love!

[Mary-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 5 STARS ***

Absolutely loved this book, the story, the characters, the witty dialogue but especially the romance.

Former British chef/restaurateur James Fleming [36] finds himself in need of gainful and immediate employment after recently discovering he’s father to a 12-yr old daughter following the death of her mother, a world renowned fashion model he’d dated years earlier. A reality TV dating/makeover show – The Fixer Upper – wants the handsome, charismatic playboy as their new host/dating guru and as much as he hates the premise, he needs the money more.

Margaret Dumas [38] is a control freak accountant, recently divorced and fed up with her mother’s endless attempts at matchmaking. So when her mother suggests she sign up as a Fixer Upper contestant she reluctantly agrees but with the stipulation that the hook-ups end here. And so begins the ‘Bitch vs A**hat’ confrontation between contestant and host as the dating game and Margaret’s makeover begins. Love the interactions between James and Margaret as the show progresses and their chemistry sizzles.

A relatively new author to my radar and one to definitely follow with her flawless, dual POV writing, her flirty, witty banter exchanges, her story perfect MC’s, her sweet, at times steamy romance and her knowledgeable dealings with the serious issues of bulimia and self-esteem. Well Done !!!

* 5 STARS *

[Natasha Carrere · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆.•°*°•.☆The Fixer Upper • Anne Conley☆.•°*°•.☆

Who would of thought you could find love by being on a dating show?

Margaret decides to go on a dating show against her better judgment just to get her mother off her back about dating since she recently got a divorce. What she didn't expect was to fall in love with the host James.

James is a chef with no job so when his agent suggests to him to became a host for a dating show he agrees since he needs an income to raise his unexpected 12 year old daughter he knew nothing about.

☆.•°*°•.☆☆.•°*°•.☆☆.•°*°•.☆

"I love that feeling you give me that I can fly, I can move mountains, I can do anything, as long as I have you."

☆.•°*°•.☆☆.•°*°•.☆☆.•°*°•.☆

I truly enjoyed reading this story! It was funny, cute and just enough sass from Margaret to make the story enjoyable. I loved her character and could understand why she needed her life in order the way she did. And thank goodness though that James came in and messed it all up!

Their love story was great to read and this just goes to show you never know where you can find love.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fixer Upper follows the story of out of work chef, turned reality tv host and a contestant. Margaret is impossibly uptight and has everything in life in order. She only goes on the show so her mother stops setting her up with people. By all accounts, they were opposites.

This proved to me very funny, at times! I laughed out loud many times. The story is sweet but I felt it went on maybe a little too long. Overall, I'm a big believer in the opposites attract, theory and loved how Anne Conley showed that clearly.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw the title of this book, I figured it would be about a handy man...but I was so wrong!! This is about a down on his luck chef, James, and how he became a reality TV star by "fixing" people so they can find romance. One of his "fixes" is a woman named Maggie...she has too high standards and the only reason she went on the show was to get her mother off her back. James and Maggie are like fire and ice and it is much fun to see them spar one minute and spark the next. I really enjoyed this fun book, and I think you will too!

[doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This is a good stand alone book. The characters are funny and the banter between the 2 is great.