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Her Fixer Upper
The brand new forced proximity romcom about second chance love from the author of Take a Chance on Greece
Unable to afford their own homes, two friends decide to buy a renovation house together as a project. What could possibly go wrong…?
Freya dreams of owning her own home.
Charlie is struggling to get a mortgage.
When the two old friends bump into each other on a night out, Charlie jokes that buying together would solve all their problems. He doesn’t expect Freya to say yes, let alone yes to a less-than-perfect fixer upper.
Nobody said renovating their dream home would be easy, but will Charlie and Freya fall out of love with the house, or in love with each other…
From the winner of the Romantic Comedy award at the Romantic Novelists’ Association awards 2023, this is the perfect feel-good read for fans of Beth O’Leary and Lia Louis.
Unable to afford their own homes, two friends decide to buy a renovation house together as a project. What could possibly go wrong…?
Freya dreams of owning her own home.
Charlie is struggling to get a mortgage.
When the two old friends bump into each other on a night out, Charlie jokes that buying together would solve all their problems. He doesn’t expect Freya to say yes, let alone yes to a less-than-perfect fixer upper.
Nobody said renovating their dream home would be easy, but will Charlie and Freya fall out of love with the house, or in love with each other…
From the winner of the Romantic Comedy award at the Romantic Novelists’ Association awards 2023, this is the perfect feel-good read for fans of Beth O’Leary and Lia Louis.
384 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2023
98 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
Emily Kerr
6 books31 followersEmily Kerr has been scribbling stories on bits of paper ever since she learnt how to write. She works as a journalist and is based in Yorkshire.
She can generally be found with her nose in a book, or hunched up over her laptop typing away, though she has been known to venture outside every so often to take part in various running-based activities.
Emily loves to hear from readers. You can tweet her @EmilyKerrWrites or check out her Facebook page www.facebook.com/emilykerrwrites and website www.emilykerrwrites.com.
She can generally be found with her nose in a book, or hunched up over her laptop typing away, though she has been known to venture outside every so often to take part in various running-based activities.
Emily loves to hear from readers. You can tweet her @EmilyKerrWrites or check out her Facebook page www.facebook.com/emilykerrwrites and website www.emilykerrwrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
dnf
November 1, 2023dnf @32%
So far, nothing much has happened except for the long process of buying a house and detailed descriptions of the state of house. Freya is very uptight and she is sometimes rude to Charlie, who is the complete opposite. I don't see much connection between them, to be honest, and I don't feel like reading a whole book about them fixing the house.
So far, nothing much has happened except for the long process of buying a house and detailed descriptions of the state of house. Freya is very uptight and she is sometimes rude to Charlie, who is the complete opposite. I don't see much connection between them, to be honest, and I don't feel like reading a whole book about them fixing the house.
May 26, 2023
This wasn’t a bad read. Sometimes it made me chuckle but on the whole it did annoy me a little. The characters were clueless about life and getting a house. Then trying to fix it up. It was an ok book. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
April 1, 2023
Oh my goodness, I LOVED this! I have read some other Emily Kerr books, so I knew I would enjoy this, but I sped through it, wanting to read every last word and to know exactly how things ended!
Freya and Charlie are childhood friends who have lost touch but meet again, by chance, in a pub.
And their fateful meeting couldn't come at a better time, as both are trying to get on the property ladder, but neither is having any luck, what with the economy, and the state of most people's finances, right now.
One thing leads to another, and the two friends find themselves celebrating their renewed friendship with the added golden handshake of a joint mortgage on a doozy of a fixer-upper!
I love property renovation, and I pictured Oak Tree Cottage as they gently rid it of its debris and began to make it a house worthy of living in.
And, more than the conversion of the house, I loved how the friendship between the two main characters began to morph, too.
Aided brilliantly by Arthur, Freya's Grandfather, and her best friend, Leila, and not forgetting Ted, Aarthur's dog, who ends up with them for a while, it was a pleasure to read the developments!
Hutch and Humph for life!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for an ARC.
Freya and Charlie are childhood friends who have lost touch but meet again, by chance, in a pub.
And their fateful meeting couldn't come at a better time, as both are trying to get on the property ladder, but neither is having any luck, what with the economy, and the state of most people's finances, right now.
One thing leads to another, and the two friends find themselves celebrating their renewed friendship with the added golden handshake of a joint mortgage on a doozy of a fixer-upper!
I love property renovation, and I pictured Oak Tree Cottage as they gently rid it of its debris and began to make it a house worthy of living in.
And, more than the conversion of the house, I loved how the friendship between the two main characters began to morph, too.
Aided brilliantly by Arthur, Freya's Grandfather, and her best friend, Leila, and not forgetting Ted, Aarthur's dog, who ends up with them for a while, it was a pleasure to read the developments!
Hutch and Humph for life!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for an ARC.
May 15, 2023
I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I absolutely loved Freya, she’s a secondary school teacher so she must have the patience of a saint!, she’s just delightful character I loved so much.
The real life parallels about the state of the housing market and the cost of living are spot on too!
Freya wants her own home so much and she’s doing her best to save for a deposit but she setting nowhere fast, that’s until she’s bumps into her old best friend from primary school Charlie.
They decide to get a mortgage together and it’s a proper “Fixer Upper”.
I loved this, it was fun, really down to earth and realistic which a lot of romance books aren’t.
It’s the perfect Friends to Lovers book.
I absolutely loved Freya, she’s a secondary school teacher so she must have the patience of a saint!, she’s just delightful character I loved so much.
The real life parallels about the state of the housing market and the cost of living are spot on too!
Freya wants her own home so much and she’s doing her best to save for a deposit but she setting nowhere fast, that’s until she’s bumps into her old best friend from primary school Charlie.
They decide to get a mortgage together and it’s a proper “Fixer Upper”.
I loved this, it was fun, really down to earth and realistic which a lot of romance books aren’t.
It’s the perfect Friends to Lovers book.
May 7, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/ One More Chapter for letting me apart of the list that got to read this book early.
This book is a sweet rom-com about two friends who have reunited, bought a home together and rekindle their friendship & find love along the way. It was a bit slow for me, but I think that was the point, to really give you the experience of them coming together, genuinely.
It was a lovely read and I think many people would enjoy it and find it quite charming.
4/5 ⭐️
This book is a sweet rom-com about two friends who have reunited, bought a home together and rekindle their friendship & find love along the way. It was a bit slow for me, but I think that was the point, to really give you the experience of them coming together, genuinely.
It was a lovely read and I think many people would enjoy it and find it quite charming.
4/5 ⭐️
June 11, 2023
What can I say other than I loved it! It had everything you could want in a story humour, friendship, a Border terrier, named Ted and romance…
I ended up reading in one day.
Unable to afford their own homes, two friends decide to buy a renovation house together as a project. What could possibly go wrong…?
I will definitely read other books by this author.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from One More Chapter and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I ended up reading in one day.
Unable to afford their own homes, two friends decide to buy a renovation house together as a project. What could possibly go wrong…?
I will definitely read other books by this author.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from One More Chapter and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 13, 2024
Se estão à procura de um livro que seja leve, romântico qb e ao mesmo tempo realista, é este. Freya quer comprar uma casa, mas com a situação actual do mercado, é-lhe impossível. Por conta de um ordenado baixo, preços elevados e taxas insuportáveis, sente que a sua vida não passa do mesmo, vivendo em quartos alugados. Farta dessa situação, Freya desenvolve todo um plano, para comprar uma casa juntamente com um amigo que se encontra em situação similar. Só que a casa está, digamos que a precisar de um makeover. Não deixa de ser um romcom, mas com os pés na terra. A semelhança com a realidade actual, torna o livro ainda mais cativante.
October 18, 2023
Her Fixer Upper by Emily Kerr
I really enjoyed this rom-com even though I sometimes was very annoyed with one of the main characters.
Freya and Charlie are two old friends who bump into each other. They are both dreaming of buying a house but none of them has the money for it. One thing leads to another and they soon find themselves being the co-owner of a house that has seen its best days. They spend their days at their work and the evenings and weekends trying to renovate the Oak Tree House.
We get to follow them struggling with the renovation as none of them has any knowledge on how-to. As the renovation slowly progresses so does their friendship.
This story is both funny, romantic and a little sad. I loved the banter between them. This was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more from Emily Kerr.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for this ARC I got through NetGalley. .
I really enjoyed this rom-com even though I sometimes was very annoyed with one of the main characters.
Freya and Charlie are two old friends who bump into each other. They are both dreaming of buying a house but none of them has the money for it. One thing leads to another and they soon find themselves being the co-owner of a house that has seen its best days. They spend their days at their work and the evenings and weekends trying to renovate the Oak Tree House.
We get to follow them struggling with the renovation as none of them has any knowledge on how-to. As the renovation slowly progresses so does their friendship.
This story is both funny, romantic and a little sad. I loved the banter between them. This was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more from Emily Kerr.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for this ARC I got through NetGalley. .
July 10, 2023
Full review here: https://theresnoenjoymentlikereading....
June 5, 2024
3.5 stars.
This one is cute. Best friends from 3-11, not really contact until now (I think maybe like end twenties? They probably said it at some point). Reconnect, both struggle to buy a house being single, decide to buy a house together as friends. Welll I wonder what will happen with that friendship of theirs.... ;)
The heroine is a teacher, which I always like, but after having just read three stories about teachers from Olivia Dade, this one just felt a lot less rich. She's mostly described as a super dedicated teacher who's always grading/preparing homework and cares about her students, but the actual caring interactions/feelings towards those students are very lacking which I think is a bit sad and a missed opportunity.
In a way, I understand what was hinted at; that the heroine is carrying the emotional/mental burden of having to plan everything and having to be the strict one all the time, which is def not okay. I also see how it was her personality and it's difficult to relax and the fact that he's more laid-back is what makes them a good team and teaches them each other's strengths. However, (me feeling unfeminist after the first part of my last statement) the main character did feel a bit annoyingly overbearing and pushy.
I'm just really struggling with the amount of assumptions that the heroine made during the story.
*SPOILER*
The whole thing about him framing 'the rules' for her and her interpreting that as a rejection seemed a bit too far-fetched. At the same time, it was pretty weird how he seemed to turn her down TWICE (once with the spider and one other time I forgot) while he was apparently in love with her the whole time. He was sending some definitely mixed signals, which I guess makes it make more sense that she was confused and insecure and saw rejections when they weren't there.
Definite bonus for the awesome grandpa who's very open-minded, observant, and more tech-savvy than me myself and I.
Definite point of annoyance; at the end of the book, she hurts her foot (like potentially a broken toe, whole foot is swollen hurt) and THEY NEVER MENTION GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. It's one of those things that keeps nagging in the back of my mind, but who am I, that's a me problem.
It seems the characters eat their favorite 'veggie sausages' all the time, which makes me think they might eat vegetarian? Always a bonus when those things are mentioned-but-not-mentioned (and me spoiling that by trying to analyse the heck out of it).
Plus I learned a new word: he-peat (where something a woman says has to be repeated by a man because another man refuses to listen to anything that is said by a woman - if I'm not mistaken). Which is of course an insanely ugghhh thing to have to exist, but I do like the wordplay.
Overall I love the story and the book, but the writing falls a bit short for me personally. Also, I'm a sucker for fixing-up abandoned houses. Plus, the writing is pretty funny.
This one is cute. Best friends from 3-11, not really contact until now (I think maybe like end twenties? They probably said it at some point). Reconnect, both struggle to buy a house being single, decide to buy a house together as friends. Welll I wonder what will happen with that friendship of theirs.... ;)
The heroine is a teacher, which I always like, but after having just read three stories about teachers from Olivia Dade, this one just felt a lot less rich. She's mostly described as a super dedicated teacher who's always grading/preparing homework and cares about her students, but the actual caring interactions/feelings towards those students are very lacking which I think is a bit sad and a missed opportunity.
In a way, I understand what was hinted at; that the heroine is carrying the emotional/mental burden of having to plan everything and having to be the strict one all the time, which is def not okay. I also see how it was her personality and it's difficult to relax and the fact that he's more laid-back is what makes them a good team and teaches them each other's strengths. However, (me feeling unfeminist after the first part of my last statement) the main character did feel a bit annoyingly overbearing and pushy.
I'm just really struggling with the amount of assumptions that the heroine made during the story.
*SPOILER*
The whole thing about him framing 'the rules' for her and her interpreting that as a rejection seemed a bit too far-fetched. At the same time, it was pretty weird how he seemed to turn her down TWICE (once with the spider and one other time I forgot) while he was apparently in love with her the whole time. He was sending some definitely mixed signals, which I guess makes it make more sense that she was confused and insecure and saw rejections when they weren't there.
Definite bonus for the awesome grandpa who's very open-minded, observant, and more tech-savvy than me myself and I.
Definite point of annoyance; at the end of the book, she hurts her foot (like potentially a broken toe, whole foot is swollen hurt) and THEY NEVER MENTION GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. It's one of those things that keeps nagging in the back of my mind, but who am I, that's a me problem.
It seems the characters eat their favorite 'veggie sausages' all the time, which makes me think they might eat vegetarian? Always a bonus when those things are mentioned-but-not-mentioned (and me spoiling that by trying to analyse the heck out of it).
Plus I learned a new word: he-peat (where something a woman says has to be repeated by a man because another man refuses to listen to anything that is said by a woman - if I'm not mistaken). Which is of course an insanely ugghhh thing to have to exist, but I do like the wordplay.
Overall I love the story and the book, but the writing falls a bit short for me personally. Also, I'm a sucker for fixing-up abandoned houses. Plus, the writing is pretty funny.
May 19, 2023
I think we can all say, if you're a hopeful first home buyer, you're shit out of luck. Housing prices in most capital cities are insane. In my city, the average price for a two-bedroom flat is $600k or $1.4m for a house! The situation is even more dire if you, like me, would be buying on your own. And that's the situation Freya and Charlie are in, in Emily Kerr's Her Fixer Upper.
As children, Hutch and Humph (aka Freya and Charlie) were once thick as thieves, until Freya was forced to move towns. As an adult Freya is desperately saving to buy her first home on a meagre teacher's salary. At a pub quiz night she runs into Charlie, whom she hasn't seen since. An offhand comment by her best friend Leila that they should team up to buy a place as joint-owners suddenly becomes a serious idea.
Freya and Charlie are chalk and cheese. Freya is full of lists, spreadsheets and planning, while Charlie is a lot more freewheeling. Of course, Freya drafts The Rules, one of which includes they should not get involved.
This book is a little gem, I loved the premise and I found it highly relatable. In one scene a well-off middle aged colleague spouted off about young people being picky when buying homes, all the while being married to a rich wife who allowed him to acquire a holiday house.
I did find the middle became a bit too repetitious with Freya snapping at Charlie because she was covering up her embarrassment at her attraction to him and jealousy. While it was understandable, it messed with the pace of the book. The denouement was also something I didn't expect and to be honest, I found it just a bit too much, I would've preferred if the book focused on their relationship and progress of their home as I felt it finished abruptly and wrapped up the house issues without seeing a real pay off.
Overall, this book was just a delightful, funny and cosy read, I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more of Emily Kerr's books.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC, I truly enjoyed this.
As children, Hutch and Humph (aka Freya and Charlie) were once thick as thieves, until Freya was forced to move towns. As an adult Freya is desperately saving to buy her first home on a meagre teacher's salary. At a pub quiz night she runs into Charlie, whom she hasn't seen since. An offhand comment by her best friend Leila that they should team up to buy a place as joint-owners suddenly becomes a serious idea.
Freya and Charlie are chalk and cheese. Freya is full of lists, spreadsheets and planning, while Charlie is a lot more freewheeling. Of course, Freya drafts The Rules, one of which includes they should not get involved.
This book is a little gem, I loved the premise and I found it highly relatable. In one scene a well-off middle aged colleague spouted off about young people being picky when buying homes, all the while being married to a rich wife who allowed him to acquire a holiday house.
I did find the middle became a bit too repetitious with Freya snapping at Charlie because she was covering up her embarrassment at her attraction to him and jealousy. While it was understandable, it messed with the pace of the book. The denouement was also something I didn't expect and to be honest, I found it just a bit too much, I would've preferred if the book focused on their relationship and progress of their home as I felt it finished abruptly and wrapped up the house issues without seeing a real pay off.
Overall, this book was just a delightful, funny and cosy read, I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more of Emily Kerr's books.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC, I truly enjoyed this.
July 16, 2023
Set in Yorkshire, this is a story of childhood friends reconnecting, after having lost touch for many years, and deciding to buy a house together. The house in question, Oak Tree Cottage, is in a bit of a state, to put it mildly, but Freya and Charlie are both so desperate to get a foot on the property ladder that they are prepared to take the risk. The descriptions of the renovation are so realistic you feel like you need a bath just reading about it. They could not have realised exactly what they were taking on or they would have run a mile. The pitfalls and steep learning curve required are completely convincing.
While I enjoyed Her Fixer Upper, I do have reservations. Freya and Charlie are opposites in that she loves a spreadsheet and a list, and he is fairly relaxed and easy going. They are good for each other as he encourages her to be more spontaneous, and she makes him want to improve himself. As we only get the story from Freya’s point of view, we have no idea what Charlie is thinking or doing – neither does Freya – and this leads to serious misunderstandings that slow the pace of the narrative as they go on for a bit too long in my view. I found it harder to warm to Freya as she was such a control freak. The way he was written, Charlie seemed a bit immature at times, considering he ran a successful business, which is why I would have liked some idea of what he was thinking. The romance element is fairly low key and not really the main focus of the story.
I liked the setting in the Yorkshire countryside, and the supporting characters of Freya’s friend Leila, her grandad Arthur, and his dog Ted whose antics definitely stole the show. I had not read anything by Emily Kerr before, but now plan to catch up and read her previous books. Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
While I enjoyed Her Fixer Upper, I do have reservations. Freya and Charlie are opposites in that she loves a spreadsheet and a list, and he is fairly relaxed and easy going. They are good for each other as he encourages her to be more spontaneous, and she makes him want to improve himself. As we only get the story from Freya’s point of view, we have no idea what Charlie is thinking or doing – neither does Freya – and this leads to serious misunderstandings that slow the pace of the narrative as they go on for a bit too long in my view. I found it harder to warm to Freya as she was such a control freak. The way he was written, Charlie seemed a bit immature at times, considering he ran a successful business, which is why I would have liked some idea of what he was thinking. The romance element is fairly low key and not really the main focus of the story.
I liked the setting in the Yorkshire countryside, and the supporting characters of Freya’s friend Leila, her grandad Arthur, and his dog Ted whose antics definitely stole the show. I had not read anything by Emily Kerr before, but now plan to catch up and read her previous books. Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
April 22, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter/HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. for a copy of "Her Fixer Upper" in exchange for my honest review.
Freya Hutchinson is a history teacher who is desperate for a home of her own but is constantly being turned down for a mortgage. She ends up sleeping on her best-friend's sofa after a nasty encounter with her landlord. She runs into Charlie Humphries in a pub and it's like they are back to their childhood friendship.
They come up with a plan to act like an engaged couple to get a mortgage and they buy a massive fixer-upper that they plan to restore, sell-up and each be in the position to get their own mortgages afterwards and move on. There is a lot of work to do - there's no electrics, no water and one of the windows falls out almost immediately after they move in. Freya is a stickler for rules and draws up a complicated document on how they should act/behave. Charlie is more of a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. There is a lot of miscommunication and misunderstandings that make the book a lot of fun because the reader knows what is going on but Freya is jumping from conclusion to conclusion. One of the best characters is Ted the dog - he belongs to Freya's grandfather but when he needs surgery, they agree to take care of him and he adds a lot of life to the story.
Freya Hutchinson is a history teacher who is desperate for a home of her own but is constantly being turned down for a mortgage. She ends up sleeping on her best-friend's sofa after a nasty encounter with her landlord. She runs into Charlie Humphries in a pub and it's like they are back to their childhood friendship.
They come up with a plan to act like an engaged couple to get a mortgage and they buy a massive fixer-upper that they plan to restore, sell-up and each be in the position to get their own mortgages afterwards and move on. There is a lot of work to do - there's no electrics, no water and one of the windows falls out almost immediately after they move in. Freya is a stickler for rules and draws up a complicated document on how they should act/behave. Charlie is more of a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. There is a lot of miscommunication and misunderstandings that make the book a lot of fun because the reader knows what is going on but Freya is jumping from conclusion to conclusion. One of the best characters is Ted the dog - he belongs to Freya's grandfather but when he needs surgery, they agree to take care of him and he adds a lot of life to the story.
September 23, 2024
I had a lot of thoughts while reading this.
First- it’s not a romcom- maybe if you squint. But the romance, the swoon, not at all in the room with us.
Freya was quite possibly the most annoying character I’ve read in a while, and the bad thing is, I don’t think she deserves Charlie. She tended to nitpick and snipe at him constantly and like I get being frustrated but she acted like it was all on her- and rather then treating him like an adult who she was friends with, it felt very much mothering to him.
Miscommunication was the major plot point- and plot hole cause it didn’t make sense of why they didn’t communicate. About anything important to either of them.
There was no chemistry, which I’m not sure was either the characters fault or the extreme British writing style which never let you see the swoon.
And honestly, this needed to be edited a lot- there were so many chapters where Freya was lamenting about what needed to be done- and to be honest it was kinda boring because it was the same song and dance each time.
Unfortunately even though I loved the premise of two friends getting together with a house cause they couldn’t afford anything, it just wasn’t for me.
First- it’s not a romcom- maybe if you squint. But the romance, the swoon, not at all in the room with us.
Freya was quite possibly the most annoying character I’ve read in a while, and the bad thing is, I don’t think she deserves Charlie. She tended to nitpick and snipe at him constantly and like I get being frustrated but she acted like it was all on her- and rather then treating him like an adult who she was friends with, it felt very much mothering to him.
Miscommunication was the major plot point- and plot hole cause it didn’t make sense of why they didn’t communicate. About anything important to either of them.
There was no chemistry, which I’m not sure was either the characters fault or the extreme British writing style which never let you see the swoon.
And honestly, this needed to be edited a lot- there were so many chapters where Freya was lamenting about what needed to be done- and to be honest it was kinda boring because it was the same song and dance each time.
Unfortunately even though I loved the premise of two friends getting together with a house cause they couldn’t afford anything, it just wasn’t for me.
May 17, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of Her Fixer Upper in exchange for a review.
History teacher Freya is dreaming of buying her own home but struggling to get anywhere near enough cash together for a deposit. Meanwhile, her landlord’s behaviour means she has to get out of her house share immediately and ends up on her friend’s sofa. As chance would have it, she bumps into her old school friend Charlie, who is in exactly the same predicament as she is. Before they know it, they’ve agreed to buy a house together as friends, do it up, sell it on and use the profits and position on the mortgage ladder to get themselves their own homes.
That is the plan anyway.. but the renovations of Oak Tree Cottage turn out to not be as straight forward as Freya hoped – and the ‘friends with mortgage benefits’ situation starts to get increasingly complicated too!
Her Fixer Upper is a lovely romantic comedy story with some great moments of tension between the two main characters. Some of it plodded along a little bit for me, but I think overall it is a 3.5 stars!
History teacher Freya is dreaming of buying her own home but struggling to get anywhere near enough cash together for a deposit. Meanwhile, her landlord’s behaviour means she has to get out of her house share immediately and ends up on her friend’s sofa. As chance would have it, she bumps into her old school friend Charlie, who is in exactly the same predicament as she is. Before they know it, they’ve agreed to buy a house together as friends, do it up, sell it on and use the profits and position on the mortgage ladder to get themselves their own homes.
That is the plan anyway.. but the renovations of Oak Tree Cottage turn out to not be as straight forward as Freya hoped – and the ‘friends with mortgage benefits’ situation starts to get increasingly complicated too!
Her Fixer Upper is a lovely romantic comedy story with some great moments of tension between the two main characters. Some of it plodded along a little bit for me, but I think overall it is a 3.5 stars!
May 18, 2023
I absolutely adore Emily Kerr's writing! It is so quirky, outrageously funny, and really can make you fall in love! In her latest submission to us lovers of romance, she reunites old school mates Freya and Charlie. They just both happen to be struggling to own their own homes, so of course, they decide to go in together on a "fixer upper." This sets up the reader for a wonderful ride of swoon worthy moments that will have you sad to leave their story at the end of the book.
I wish that every romance book was as fun a read as I have had from the past couple of Emily Kerr stories. There really is not anything more she could have added/done to make this any more perfect. You experience the ups and downs of trying to adult, making a home, and finding your ever after. Each character has little quirks, some that make you realize..."THIS IS ME!" A very relatable and enjoyable tale. Run, don't walk, to get Her Fixer Upper!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
I wish that every romance book was as fun a read as I have had from the past couple of Emily Kerr stories. There really is not anything more she could have added/done to make this any more perfect. You experience the ups and downs of trying to adult, making a home, and finding your ever after. Each character has little quirks, some that make you realize..."THIS IS ME!" A very relatable and enjoyable tale. Run, don't walk, to get Her Fixer Upper!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 8, 2024
The premise of the book was so good but it seriously lacked in execution. Childhood friends to lovers and fixing a house up together - it could have been so fun but unfortunately Freya was insufferable as a character who had more tension with a spreadsheet than Charlie.
There were a few times where she mentioned their ‘banter’ which was drier than sawdust and I truly couldn’t see what Charlie saw in her. She was dull, boring and unnecessarily rude to other characters multiple times. I had to put the book down a few times because she frustrated me so much.
I loved the side characters, especially Leila, Grandad Arthur and Ted the dog, but unfortunately they couldn’t salvage the book for me.
There isn’t much romance in the book either, although it’s pitched as being one. I don’t even know if I could class it as slow burn because there was just no chemistry or tension between them in the slightest.
Sadly this wasn’t for me and I don’t think I’ll be picking anything up by this author again.
There were a few times where she mentioned their ‘banter’ which was drier than sawdust and I truly couldn’t see what Charlie saw in her. She was dull, boring and unnecessarily rude to other characters multiple times. I had to put the book down a few times because she frustrated me so much.
I loved the side characters, especially Leila, Grandad Arthur and Ted the dog, but unfortunately they couldn’t salvage the book for me.
There isn’t much romance in the book either, although it’s pitched as being one. I don’t even know if I could class it as slow burn because there was just no chemistry or tension between them in the slightest.
Sadly this wasn’t for me and I don’t think I’ll be picking anything up by this author again.
May 1, 2023
Another sweet rom-com, this one centered around reunited childhood friends Freya (a school teacher) and Charlie (owner of a social media agency) who each dream of owning their own home. As they neither are able to secure loans, they team up and buy a fixer upper (horrendously in disrepair).
Freya, a meticulous planner, writes up The Rules, a guide of dos and don’ts of joint ownership. An easy-going and amused Charlie agrees to it. But as they work together to restore the cottage so they can flip it for their own homes, Freya finds herself loosening up and Charlie becoming more responsible as they begin to appreciate their old friendship (and perhaps more).
Both characters were endearing in different ways and the house with all its troubles/charms became a character in itself. Cute and funny and enjoyable.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing the free early arc of Her Fixer Upper for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
Freya, a meticulous planner, writes up The Rules, a guide of dos and don’ts of joint ownership. An easy-going and amused Charlie agrees to it. But as they work together to restore the cottage so they can flip it for their own homes, Freya finds herself loosening up and Charlie becoming more responsible as they begin to appreciate their old friendship (and perhaps more).
Both characters were endearing in different ways and the house with all its troubles/charms became a character in itself. Cute and funny and enjoyable.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing the free early arc of Her Fixer Upper for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
May 25, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a copy of Her Fixer Upper in exchange for an honest review.
I was interested in this story because I liked the premise and I always enjoy a good friends-to-lovers romance. This one just didn't do it for me though. The story was so slow and I understand using miscommunication as a means to create conflict in a story, but there was just way too much of it in Her Fixer Upper. Freya was practically insufferable by the end of the story. She was rude to Charlie constantly and her modes of pushing him away were downright cruel at times. It's hard for me to enjoy a story when I really dislike one of the MCs and unfortunately I just never connected to Freya, so it was hard for me to root for her happy ending. Overall, there were cute moments in the story and parts I did enjoy (like Freya's best friend and her grandfather and his dog), but ultimately Her Fixer Upper just wasn't really for me.
I was interested in this story because I liked the premise and I always enjoy a good friends-to-lovers romance. This one just didn't do it for me though. The story was so slow and I understand using miscommunication as a means to create conflict in a story, but there was just way too much of it in Her Fixer Upper. Freya was practically insufferable by the end of the story. She was rude to Charlie constantly and her modes of pushing him away were downright cruel at times. It's hard for me to enjoy a story when I really dislike one of the MCs and unfortunately I just never connected to Freya, so it was hard for me to root for her happy ending. Overall, there were cute moments in the story and parts I did enjoy (like Freya's best friend and her grandfather and his dog), but ultimately Her Fixer Upper just wasn't really for me.
April 2, 2023
Freya Hutchinson is stuck; she wants to get in the housing ladder but she can't, she's stuck in a shared house with a creepy landlord until she bumps into an old friend and her plans for the future change instantly.
This is a nice story; it's very realistic - From the description of Freya's job as a history teacher to the description of the DIY they undertake, it's a nice, realistic story. I quickly got swept up into the characters, even if I did find Freya frustrating at times!
Kerr has a great writing style that gives you all the detail you need without feeling like it's been shoe-horned in. The prose flows naturally and paints a great picture in your mind.
I'd quite like to read the sequel now...and find out what happens next!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a nice story; it's very realistic - From the description of Freya's job as a history teacher to the description of the DIY they undertake, it's a nice, realistic story. I quickly got swept up into the characters, even if I did find Freya frustrating at times!
Kerr has a great writing style that gives you all the detail you need without feeling like it's been shoe-horned in. The prose flows naturally and paints a great picture in your mind.
I'd quite like to read the sequel now...and find out what happens next!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2023
Freya and Charlie are old school friends who bump into each other after not meeting for years and find that they could join together to both get in the property ladder.
I found that I really enjoyed this book, although I've never been so deeply involved in a house refurbishment to that level I could almost taste the building dust. It gave a realistic impression of how much is actually involved in a Homes Under the Hammer rebuild and that idyllic cottage might be much harder work than initially thought. Freya's grandfather was a character and you can't help falling for Ted, his dog. Underneath all the rebuilding action there is the undercurrent of will they / won't they with Freya and Charlie going to fall for each other?
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book.
I found that I really enjoyed this book, although I've never been so deeply involved in a house refurbishment to that level I could almost taste the building dust. It gave a realistic impression of how much is actually involved in a Homes Under the Hammer rebuild and that idyllic cottage might be much harder work than initially thought. Freya's grandfather was a character and you can't help falling for Ted, his dog. Underneath all the rebuilding action there is the undercurrent of will they / won't they with Freya and Charlie going to fall for each other?
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book.
October 9, 2025
Her Fixer Upper by Emily Kerr
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Unable to afford their own homes, two friends decide to buy a renovation house together as a project. What could possibly go wrong…? Freya dreams of owning her own home. Charlie is struggling to get a mortgage. When the two old friends bump into each other on a night out, Charlie jokes that buying together would solve all their problems. He doesn’t expect Freya to say yes, let alone yes to a less-than-perfect fixer upper. Nobody said renovating their dream home would be easy, but will Charlie and Freya fall out of love with the house, or in love with each other…
My Opinion
Emily Kerr has written an enjoyable novel. A realistic book that was easy to read. The Fixer Upper was a sweet rom-com.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Unable to afford their own homes, two friends decide to buy a renovation house together as a project. What could possibly go wrong…? Freya dreams of owning her own home. Charlie is struggling to get a mortgage. When the two old friends bump into each other on a night out, Charlie jokes that buying together would solve all their problems. He doesn’t expect Freya to say yes, let alone yes to a less-than-perfect fixer upper. Nobody said renovating their dream home would be easy, but will Charlie and Freya fall out of love with the house, or in love with each other…
My Opinion
Emily Kerr has written an enjoyable novel. A realistic book that was easy to read. The Fixer Upper was a sweet rom-com.
Rating 4/5
March 23, 2023
Really cute story about long-lost friends, granddads who help save the day and dogs to round it out.
Freya and Charlie were best friends when they were kids. Imagine Freya's surprise when she runs into Charlie at a pub right when her life is hitting rock-bottom. They end up buying a fixer-upper together because neither of them can get a mortgage on their own. The trials and tribulations they go through as they do the "fixing-up" is both hilarious and encouraging.
Freya's grandad provides much needed tips throughout the process and just thinking of him brings a smile to my face.
If you're looking for lots of romance and sex, this isn't the book for you. But if you're looking for fun, friendship and a very slow burn, don't skip this book!!!
Freya and Charlie were best friends when they were kids. Imagine Freya's surprise when she runs into Charlie at a pub right when her life is hitting rock-bottom. They end up buying a fixer-upper together because neither of them can get a mortgage on their own. The trials and tribulations they go through as they do the "fixing-up" is both hilarious and encouraging.
Freya's grandad provides much needed tips throughout the process and just thinking of him brings a smile to my face.
If you're looking for lots of romance and sex, this isn't the book for you. But if you're looking for fun, friendship and a very slow burn, don't skip this book!!!
March 24, 2023
Two friends buy a fixer-upper house together and develop feelings in the process.
Very cute premise and backstory, loved the house they bought together, etc. It was a very solid premise to the novel, and should have worked.
I think I missed out on the spark and the chemistry between Freya and Charlie due to the absolute Britishness of the dialogue and the writing overall. I didn't feel anything for them at all, their dialogue felt like the two MC's were geriatric and Freya was so straightlaced and uptight (The Rules being one thing) that I couldn't actually see her as a possibility for Charlie. I thought this was a cute story, but ultimately wasn't quite for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
Very cute premise and backstory, loved the house they bought together, etc. It was a very solid premise to the novel, and should have worked.
I think I missed out on the spark and the chemistry between Freya and Charlie due to the absolute Britishness of the dialogue and the writing overall. I didn't feel anything for them at all, their dialogue felt like the two MC's were geriatric and Freya was so straightlaced and uptight (The Rules being one thing) that I couldn't actually see her as a possibility for Charlie. I thought this was a cute story, but ultimately wasn't quite for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
March 27, 2023
A really sweet friends-to-lovers romance. Two friends who are unable to afford their own homes, decide to purchase and renovate a house together. Could anything possibly go wrong?
Freya dreams of owning her own home. Charlie is struggling to get a mortgage. The two old friends bump into each other on a night out, and Charlie jokes that they should buy a house together to solve their problems. Charlie doesn’t expect Freya to say yes. What ensues are the trials and tribulations they go through on a less than perfect fixer upper.
A fun read with likeable characters, a grandad you can count on and romance. I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to Netgalley, One More Chapter and Emily Kerr for the chance to review this fun read in exchange for my honest opinion.
4/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Freya dreams of owning her own home. Charlie is struggling to get a mortgage. The two old friends bump into each other on a night out, and Charlie jokes that they should buy a house together to solve their problems. Charlie doesn’t expect Freya to say yes. What ensues are the trials and tribulations they go through on a less than perfect fixer upper.
A fun read with likeable characters, a grandad you can count on and romance. I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to Netgalley, One More Chapter and Emily Kerr for the chance to review this fun read in exchange for my honest opinion.
4/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 4, 2023
Freya and Charlie are both trying to get a bank to help them with a mortgage. They were best friends since kindergarten but had not seen each other in years. They run into each other in a bar and later Freya decides to ask if he wants to go in with her on a house. They intend to fix it up and then sell it and hopefully each have enough to buy their own houses. Charlie has his eye set on a house that needs lots of work but he convinces Freya it would not be too hard to fix it up. I really loved this book. The house has so many problems and it was fun to see how they tackle all the renovations. Charlie is so patient and Freya makes lists, including house rules for their living together. Freya’s grandfather and his dog add so much to the story. Great characters, lots love and humor.
April 8, 2023
This is a five-star read that doesn’t need any fixing up, unlike Oak tree cottage. This story is just swoon worthy at the end, there is just such a brilliant will they, wont they run up. The red herrings that are thrown about through this story, and the touching moments will just warm even the coldest of hearts. I adored how there are characters like Ted and how he came into the story, even though he may only be a small character, he is mighty in story. That’s the joy with this story, each part plays a role in the story even the house, and they each fill their roles with aplomb. This is a cosy and sweet story, that will keep you reading, it would be perfect for snuggling up on a lovely spring day, or in fact any day, it will go with everything, much like the house.
April 16, 2023
Freya and Charlie met at primary school and became firm friends but were separated when Freya moved away. Fast forward many years and Freya is now a teacher at the High School and Charlie after travelling for a while is back living at home when they meet by chance in the local pub.
Both would like to buy their own property but just can't afford! A chance remark by Charlie gives Freya the idea that they could buy a property together. Charlie finds an old cottage in need to refurbishment, the idea being that they will do it up and then sell it to provide them both with the necessary deposits to buy their own properties. Will it be a happy ending? What calamities will happen along the way?
An engaging read with plenty of twists and turns.
Both would like to buy their own property but just can't afford! A chance remark by Charlie gives Freya the idea that they could buy a property together. Charlie finds an old cottage in need to refurbishment, the idea being that they will do it up and then sell it to provide them both with the necessary deposits to buy their own properties. Will it be a happy ending? What calamities will happen along the way?
An engaging read with plenty of twists and turns.
May 4, 2023
3.5 stars.
When I read the synopsis for Her Fixer Upper, I immediately sent it to my friend and fellow home-makeover fan with the words: "I think this book was written for us."
I’d estimate 95% of my television viewing is a home transformation show of some kind; Homes Under The Hammer, Extreme Makeover - Home Edition, Home Greek Home - I’m there for them all!
So you can see why I found the idea of Emily Kerr's latest book so exciting.
As someone who quite often looks at old, falling down houses with hearts in my eyes behind my rose tinted glasses, I could totally see why Charlie and, with a bit more convincing, Freya fell for a fixer upper.
I found the descriptions of the house reno very realistic. I felt like I was there with them carting loads of rubbish out to the skip time and again - and then like I needed a shower and a nap!
I would have loved to have known more about their childhood friendship as it felt a bit quick for them to meet up once after so many years of not seeing each other and immediately leap into buying a house together.
I also found it difficult to think of Freya as anything but a character as she didn’t really come alive for me.
However, there’s a lot to like about this book - not least a cute dog - and the ending certainly ramped up the excitement in a way I didn’t see coming (no spoilers).
All in all, this is a fun, easy read.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
When I read the synopsis for Her Fixer Upper, I immediately sent it to my friend and fellow home-makeover fan with the words: "I think this book was written for us."
I’d estimate 95% of my television viewing is a home transformation show of some kind; Homes Under The Hammer, Extreme Makeover - Home Edition, Home Greek Home - I’m there for them all!
So you can see why I found the idea of Emily Kerr's latest book so exciting.
As someone who quite often looks at old, falling down houses with hearts in my eyes behind my rose tinted glasses, I could totally see why Charlie and, with a bit more convincing, Freya fell for a fixer upper.
I found the descriptions of the house reno very realistic. I felt like I was there with them carting loads of rubbish out to the skip time and again - and then like I needed a shower and a nap!
I would have loved to have known more about their childhood friendship as it felt a bit quick for them to meet up once after so many years of not seeing each other and immediately leap into buying a house together.
I also found it difficult to think of Freya as anything but a character as she didn’t really come alive for me.
However, there’s a lot to like about this book - not least a cute dog - and the ending certainly ramped up the excitement in a way I didn’t see coming (no spoilers).
All in all, this is a fun, easy read.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
April 30, 2023
Quite enjoyed this clean rom-com. It was a little (lost) friends to lovers and a little dating of convenience. I really liked the friendship/interactions between Charlie and Freya; they were a great balance for each other. And while there is a HEA, it wasn't all neatly tied up in a picture perfect way - which made this feel very true to life! Life is messy and has set-backs and this couple absolutely has to deal with those.
This book was completely told from Freya's point of view and there were times when I really, ReaLly wished Charlie's perspective had been part of the story too. But that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the book and I will definitely read more by Emily Kerr.
I received a dARC from the publisher via Netgalley; this is my honest review.
This book was completely told from Freya's point of view and there were times when I really, ReaLly wished Charlie's perspective had been part of the story too. But that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the book and I will definitely read more by Emily Kerr.
I received a dARC from the publisher via Netgalley; this is my honest review.
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