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Butch Girls Can Fix Anything
Kelly Walker is known around town as the Fix-it Lady who can repair just about anything. That's true, except for the hole in her life left by the death of her lover, Anna. Her fix-it business provides the perfect hideout as she resolves other people's problems instead of focusing on her own shattered life. Grace Owens, single mother, is determined to stand on her own two feet and make a fresh start for herself and her nine-year-old daughter, Lucy. Lucy has a goal of her own: she wants to master her math homework, and that's a hard task with a mother who doesn't understand division. The three meet under a leaky kitchen ceiling. What each has to give, the others need. They must learn when to take risks and when to trust each other. Together, can they find the tools that will allow them to fix what most needs to be rebuilt?
210 pages, Paperback
First published December 17, 2006
10 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Paula Offutt
3 books11 followersPaula Offutt lives in the mountains of western North Carolina. She and her partner share an old house with dogs, cats, and a koi named Haiku. Paula believes that humor is what makes the world go 'round, although love is a close second. She surrounds herself with as much of both as she can.
Her first novel, a romance titled Butch Girls Can Fix Anything, won a 2008 Golden Crown Literary Society's award for Debut Author.
After six years of the dreaded "writer's block", Paula's second novel, a science fiction titled To Sleep, is scheduled to be released in 2013. In her head are several more Butch Girl books and two sequels to To Sleep.
Her first novel, a romance titled Butch Girls Can Fix Anything, won a 2008 Golden Crown Literary Society's award for Debut Author.
After six years of the dreaded "writer's block", Paula's second novel, a science fiction titled To Sleep, is scheduled to be released in 2013. In her head are several more Butch Girl books and two sequels to To Sleep.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 24, 2017
If this book had ended somewhere around the 81st to 87st percent mark, I'd likely have placed this on my 5+ stars shelf. As it is I'm only tentatively rating the book 5 stars, while thinking about what shelf to put it on - probably 4.75. Odd thought to have, I know, when the whole book is only something like 228 pages long.
I'm not exactly sure what happened there. Wasn't a crisis point or anything - no, there were some before that point. I can't really think of anything that happened specifically that changed the book in my mind. Though I do know that the book turned super sappy in the last quarter of the book.
Well, I was just going to leave a brief note about ratings and stuff then something about maybe saying something more later. Then took longer than I expected to just say that. I should probably add some more while I'm here . . ..
The book stars Grace (30+ year old single mother; I think somewhere between 32 and 34) & Lucy (nine year old kid), and Kelly the butch (what, sometimes it seemed like it was a title; 'And here, ladies and gentlemen, is Butch Kelly.'; 36 if I recall correctly). Both of the adults would have, separately as lead characters in a book, warranted use of the 'women-with-tools' shelf. Though Grace would have gotten there through her job as a factory worker; while Kelly would have gotten there as being a 'Jack-of-all-trades' type (she can do plumbing, construction, planning, etc. etc.).
Grace, as already implied, comes with Lucy as part of her package; while Kelly comes with . . . . I guess the ghost of a bad prior relationship (with Anne; many flashbacks to Kelly's time with Anne, who, it appears, was a massive bitch (Anne that is)).
Two issues I had with the book - book got weirdly sappy/sugary/something or other in last quarter of the book; and there was this weird issue that came up that confuses me (both Grace and Kelly, separately, can't believe they are in the situation they are in because the other is 'so perfect', and both want to make sure that the other is 'real' and stuff . . . but . . . where the bloody hell is this 'so perfect' coming from? They both already know the other is flawed. I mean, Grace knows Kelly has a massive temper that she's trying to control, and while it isn't likely to erupt as badly as it did 'that one time', and that she isn't likely to hurt Grace or Lucy because of it (if, you know, she isn't in berserker mode like she was that one time); even putting on all of these 'we know she won't erupt again like this' type of disclaimers - she did literally lose control of herself to the point that she lost herself until a night passed, after which she found herself restrained in a hospital bed with arms and hands badly damaged - so much so there is/was fear of nerve damage and the like). 'Too perfect'? WTF?
Mind you, I think the three, Grace, Lucy, and Kelly are perfect for each other, but they all have flaws. Worry about 'too perfect' just seemed . . . weird.
Rating: . . . . 4.75-4.92
March 24 2017
I'm not exactly sure what happened there. Wasn't a crisis point or anything - no, there were some before that point. I can't really think of anything that happened specifically that changed the book in my mind. Though I do know that the book turned super sappy in the last quarter of the book.
Well, I was just going to leave a brief note about ratings and stuff then something about maybe saying something more later. Then took longer than I expected to just say that. I should probably add some more while I'm here . . ..
The book stars Grace (30+ year old single mother; I think somewhere between 32 and 34) & Lucy (nine year old kid), and Kelly the butch (what, sometimes it seemed like it was a title; 'And here, ladies and gentlemen, is Butch Kelly.'; 36 if I recall correctly). Both of the adults would have, separately as lead characters in a book, warranted use of the 'women-with-tools' shelf. Though Grace would have gotten there through her job as a factory worker; while Kelly would have gotten there as being a 'Jack-of-all-trades' type (she can do plumbing, construction, planning, etc. etc.).
Grace, as already implied, comes with Lucy as part of her package; while Kelly comes with . . . . I guess the ghost of a bad prior relationship (with Anne; many flashbacks to Kelly's time with Anne, who, it appears, was a massive bitch (Anne that is)).
Two issues I had with the book - book got weirdly sappy/sugary/something or other in last quarter of the book; and there was this weird issue that came up that confuses me (both Grace and Kelly, separately, can't believe they are in the situation they are in because the other is 'so perfect', and both want to make sure that the other is 'real' and stuff . . . but . . . where the bloody hell is this 'so perfect' coming from? They both already know the other is flawed. I mean, Grace knows Kelly has a massive temper that she's trying to control, and while it isn't likely to erupt as badly as it did 'that one time', and that she isn't likely to hurt Grace or Lucy because of it (if, you know, she isn't in berserker mode like she was that one time); even putting on all of these 'we know she won't erupt again like this' type of disclaimers - she did literally lose control of herself to the point that she lost herself until a night passed, after which she found herself restrained in a hospital bed with arms and hands badly damaged - so much so there is/was fear of nerve damage and the like). 'Too perfect'? WTF?
Mind you, I think the three, Grace, Lucy, and Kelly are perfect for each other, but they all have flaws. Worry about 'too perfect' just seemed . . . weird.
Rating: . . . . 4.75-4.92
March 24 2017
March 6, 2022
Everything can be fixed
Kelly has a troubled past that she hasn't finished working through when she meets Grace and her daughter Lucy. This story is full of love and hope. Kelly has a great bunch of friends to help her. Grace slowly becomes quite taken with Kelly. The story made me laugh and sometimes made my heart hurt for Kelly. I enjoyed this book very much.
Kelly has a troubled past that she hasn't finished working through when she meets Grace and her daughter Lucy. This story is full of love and hope. Kelly has a great bunch of friends to help her. Grace slowly becomes quite taken with Kelly. The story made me laugh and sometimes made my heart hurt for Kelly. I enjoyed this book very much.
July 3, 2016
WOWZERS!
A roof leak changed the life of Kelly. Kelly, a sexy, strong, smart but complex woman. She lives in a chaotic house after a traumatic relationship. She is always there for everyone and has friends that she can trust. I loved the flashbacks, the insight in the former life of Kelly. Flashbacks of the woman who has crushed her life. It was hard for Kelly to move on, to leave the past. Outwardly successful but inwardly very depressed. One day, it was THE day of the year, anger was overtaking the depression. It exploded inside her. Her future was very uncertain. Not only her work but also her love life was in danger. Her friends did everything they could to get Kelly back on track. But, is Kelly really ready for a new life, a new beginning? I loved the discussions between Grace and Lucy, how they interacted with each other? I loved that the main characters were all ordinary women. No story about glamorous women, career women but a story about "everyday" women and women with disabilities. Disabilities who has absolutely no pathetic role but, on the contrary, shows that a disability is no barrier. This is my first book I have read by this author and certainly not the last.
A roof leak changed the life of Kelly. Kelly, a sexy, strong, smart but complex woman. She lives in a chaotic house after a traumatic relationship. She is always there for everyone and has friends that she can trust. I loved the flashbacks, the insight in the former life of Kelly. Flashbacks of the woman who has crushed her life. It was hard for Kelly to move on, to leave the past. Outwardly successful but inwardly very depressed. One day, it was THE day of the year, anger was overtaking the depression. It exploded inside her. Her future was very uncertain. Not only her work but also her love life was in danger. Her friends did everything they could to get Kelly back on track. But, is Kelly really ready for a new life, a new beginning? I loved the discussions between Grace and Lucy, how they interacted with each other? I loved that the main characters were all ordinary women. No story about glamorous women, career women but a story about "everyday" women and women with disabilities. Disabilities who has absolutely no pathetic role but, on the contrary, shows that a disability is no barrier. This is my first book I have read by this author and certainly not the last.
December 27, 2018
A very good read. Nice cast of characters and tender heartwarming story.
May 5, 2015
This book is actually a 2.5 kind of book for me. I thought the butch girl personality depicted in the book was a bit much. I also struggeled with comments that tended to lean toward gender roles. Not a fan of gender role lesbian butch/femm anything. The idea seems dated to me. My opinion does not seem to fall within the majority, and I read the book without grumbling or anything. I would read another book by the author. Just not my favorite.
October 25, 2011
I did like this book. I thought it was pretty well written - no glaring grammatical errors or typos - and the characters felt honest and genuine. I guess I don't really have anything specific that I can point to that made me give it 3 instead of 4 stars. I felt more engaged in the first half of the book than I did the second half. I don't want to go into too much about what may have made me feel more submerged in the story because it may give away something. I suppose if some parts of the story had been further explored and some parts left out, that may have done it.
I will say that I'd absolutely read another book by Ms. Offutt. Well worth the read. I think, if I could, I'd give it 3.5.
I will say that I'd absolutely read another book by Ms. Offutt. Well worth the read. I think, if I could, I'd give it 3.5.
January 14, 2020
I Love Stories With Kids….
Weird I know (since the last thing I want to do is to be responsible for another) but still… Grace is a single mom to nine year old, math loving Lucy. Grace, who doesn’t understand Lucy’s math homework, is struggling to make ends meet. Her car is on its last legs, her job sucks and now her kitchen ceiling is leaking from the rain like crazy. Kelly is still feeling guilty for the death of her partner two years before. It’s a messy situation to say the least. She own her own handy woman business and works too hard to avoid thinking. When one of her best friend calls to beg her help with one of her rental properties, she crosses paths with the lovely Grace and suddenly things look a lot brighter….
Heavy, happy sighs!! This is so good… I adored all the drama, the storyline was great and the characters, wonderful!! It was an easy and fast read that kept me highly entertained from beginning to end. There are so many emotions involved in this story. There were places where my heart bled for Kelly, where I was thrilled for Grace and oh so amused by Lucy… Kelly’s friends were a delight too. I loved how close knit they are and how much they love Kelly and will do anything for her. I also loved that there were a few women in wheelchairs and who had service dogs as well as some older women, butch and femme, slim and plump, funny and serious. So many wonderful types of womanly goodness. (insert BIG smile here) I will admit, that the POV isn’t clear in a few spots and that made me wonder for a bit, but as soon as I got back on track it was full speed ahead and didn’t take away from my desire to keep reading at all! That being said, if you are anything like me, you will want to get in on the action too! Very well done Ms Offutt!
Weird I know (since the last thing I want to do is to be responsible for another) but still… Grace is a single mom to nine year old, math loving Lucy. Grace, who doesn’t understand Lucy’s math homework, is struggling to make ends meet. Her car is on its last legs, her job sucks and now her kitchen ceiling is leaking from the rain like crazy. Kelly is still feeling guilty for the death of her partner two years before. It’s a messy situation to say the least. She own her own handy woman business and works too hard to avoid thinking. When one of her best friend calls to beg her help with one of her rental properties, she crosses paths with the lovely Grace and suddenly things look a lot brighter….
Heavy, happy sighs!! This is so good… I adored all the drama, the storyline was great and the characters, wonderful!! It was an easy and fast read that kept me highly entertained from beginning to end. There are so many emotions involved in this story. There were places where my heart bled for Kelly, where I was thrilled for Grace and oh so amused by Lucy… Kelly’s friends were a delight too. I loved how close knit they are and how much they love Kelly and will do anything for her. I also loved that there were a few women in wheelchairs and who had service dogs as well as some older women, butch and femme, slim and plump, funny and serious. So many wonderful types of womanly goodness. (insert BIG smile here) I will admit, that the POV isn’t clear in a few spots and that made me wonder for a bit, but as soon as I got back on track it was full speed ahead and didn’t take away from my desire to keep reading at all! That being said, if you are anything like me, you will want to get in on the action too! Very well done Ms Offutt!
September 17, 2019
A romance with humour, angst and sex all wrapped up in a small town, down to earth, blue collar storyline. Leads Kelly and Grace (and her daughter Lucy) ably carry the plot with supporting characters adding to the hooks that sweep you along to a satisfying end. I particularly liked how disabled characters were skillfully woven into the book lending weight to the overall scenarios. There are some sappy bits but thankfully no fancy careers just every day people going about every day life. Ms. Offutt's debut book is a hit with 4 stars.
May 21, 2024
A beautiful romantic story with people who just treat each other nicely. Friends who support you, new friends who are tolerant and understanding. A world too good to be true and the dream I like to indulge in.
September 27, 2019
3.8 star rating
This was a good romance novel. The trust was gradual, the ex issue was convincing and the butchness though eye rolling at times...twas sweet other times.
A good read
This was a good romance novel. The trust was gradual, the ex issue was convincing and the butchness though eye rolling at times...twas sweet other times.
A good read
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February 3, 2014Trovo difficoltà a mettere stelline ad un libro che fatico anche un po' a calssificare come letteratura. la sensazione è di romance F/F che non è esattamente il mio genere o forse no, neanche troppo eccessivo; in ogni caso assomiglia alle serie harmony.
Un po' surreale un paese in cui la popolazione sembra composta solo e unicamente di lesbiche. Alla fin fine se anche si frequenta un gruppo ristretto possibile che non si abbiano altre relazioni al di fuori? Ma l'idea credo fosse proèprio quella, descrivere una comunità e fare immedesimare la lettrice nella possibilità che sia reale, più di quanto non accada. Il titolo e la copertina dovevano essere di monito. Ok fatta anche questa esperienza, non è il mio genere e passo oltre e sono contenta che qualcuno apprezzi ed abbia trovato la sua nicchia di lettura.
Un po' surreale un paese in cui la popolazione sembra composta solo e unicamente di lesbiche. Alla fin fine se anche si frequenta un gruppo ristretto possibile che non si abbiano altre relazioni al di fuori? Ma l'idea credo fosse proèprio quella, descrivere una comunità e fare immedesimare la lettrice nella possibilità che sia reale, più di quanto non accada. Il titolo e la copertina dovevano essere di monito. Ok fatta anche questa esperienza, non è il mio genere e passo oltre e sono contenta che qualcuno apprezzi ed abbia trovato la sua nicchia di lettura.
December 7, 2014
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars simply because i liked kelly so much. she was well layered and interesting. some of the "aww" moments were a bit much for me, but big ups to an author who chose not to make her characters flawless super-modelesque, but real people.
January 25, 2011
I really enjoyd readig this one! Wonderful characters, funny and sweet.
December 27, 2016
Solid 3.5, but didn't feel like it deserved 3, so it gets 4.
June 13, 2015
was an easy read.
lovely book
lovely book
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews