Fix Me When I Fall: A second chance Hollywood makeover romance...

by Zoe Forward

I never should've agreed to do Ryan Brandt.
I know it’s best I never see him again. He ruined my everything. My career. My heart.

I have little choice when his movie career implodes from one too many PR fiascoes. I've been assigned to spin his disasters and make over his life. If I don't, my life in the career fixing business is over.

Now his intensity and seductive scheming are set on me. I refuse to cave to it.

Mackensie Parker is mine. I forgot until she burst into my life full of accusations that my smoking hot action movie career was about to crash.
I never should have touched her. Falling for her will ruin my life. Again.

There’s too much at stake. The problem is our chemistry is instant. Combustible. Something neither of us can resist. Before I know it, she’s under my skin.

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2024

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, parent, wife, veterinarian, chocolate lover. Author of spicy paranormal and contemporary romances. Zoe Forward brings readers the perfect combination of action adventure, romance, humor and a bit of magic.

Her novels have won numerous awards including the Prism, Readers' Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers Choice Award, and the Booksellers' Best Award.
You can find her residing in the South with a menagerie of four-legged beasts and two wild kids.

[Note: Many apologies, but I'm terrible at checking my Goodreads emails! If you'd like to send a note/msg, please catch me on Instagram or FB)

See the latest on Zoe's website: http://www.zoeforward.com

Don't miss the newsletter: http://www.zoeforward.com/contact/

Reviews

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mackensie Parker’s life as a Hollywood fixer is about to get a whole lot messier when she’s forced to rescue the career of Ryan Brandt, the man who shattered her heart years ago. Now, his movie-star status is in free fall, and it’s her job to clean up his wreckage—or risk losing her own career.

Ryan, for his part, is determined to resist her, but their chemistry is impossible to deny. As Mackensie turns his life around, old feelings reignite, secrets resurface, and both are caught in a tangled web of past mistakes and new beginnings.

Zoe Forward delivers a sizzling second-chance romance full of tension, passion, and redemption. Mackensie’s fierce independence and Ryan’s brooding charm create a dynamic push-and-pull that will have you flipping pages, rooting for their love.

With plenty of Hollywood drama, scandal, and heartwarming moments, this story hits all the right notes for romance fans.

If you’re craving an emotional rollercoaster with a sweet resolution, "Fix Me When I Fall" is your perfect pick!

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author, although I’ve wanted to read a few of her past ones. I’m pretty sure after this one though, that I’ll be eagerly anticipating any new releases to come. I really liked this book, I devoured it! It’s a good thing, because I got behind in my reading/reviewing schedule the week I had this one because of all the stuff going on with work and it being my birthday month. But having to sit down and just read for hours straight was perfect for this wonderful story!

Kenzie and Ryan had a really messed up back story. Ryan is an actor and had been in a fake relationship with her sister, you know how actors/celebrities do that for PR reasons. She’d confessed her feelings for him and then he told her he was going to marry her sister. He left, she assumed after telling her that he didn’t feel the same. But he thought that he’d told her he felt the same and he went to break it off with her sister. Unfortunately her sister died that night, and things never were the same.

Now Kenzie is a person in Hollywood who fixes the careers for actors who are slipping because of drugs, or other types of bad PR. She’s really good at it, but works for a boss that seems to have it out for her. She doesn’t want to take on Ryan’s case, he keeps getting caught with different women, being out partying, and even sleeping with a director’s daughter. But another friend of theirs, J.T., reaches out to her boss and gets them to take on his case. Not only that, but Ryan doesn’t WANT to be “fixed”. He’s still dealing with the way he feels after the death of his fiancee and losing Kenzie in the process.

So we get an enemy to lovers story. Also a second chance story. While I don’t always enjoy movie star romances, this one was really good. The writing was good, the story kept moving and had so much going on that it kept me turning pages and hating that I couldn’t just sit and read all day from the moment I started it. It had some steamy times, it had romantic times, and it had great banter as well. I’m so thankful I got to read this one!

Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.

[Joy Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

Angst: 💔💔💔

Cliffhanger? ❌️

Do I recommend it? ✔️

Tropes: Contemporary Romance, second chance, enemies to lovers, Hollywood makeover

Mackensie Parker never should’ve agreed to do Ryan Brandt. She knows it’s best she never see him again. He ruined her everything. Her career. Her heart. Kensie has little choice when Ryan's movie career implodes from one too many PR fiascoes. She’s been assigned to spin his disasters and make over his life. If she doesn't, her life in the career fixing business is over. Now, his intensity and seductive scheming are set on her. She refuses to cave to it. For Ryan, Kensie is his. He forgot until she burst into his life full of accusations that his smoking hot action movie career was about to crash. He never should have touched her. Falling for her will ruin his life. Again. There’s too much at stake. The problem is their chemistry is instant. Combustible. Something neither of them can resist. Before Ryan knows it, Kensie’s under his skin.

This was a mostly entertaining and engaging read for a relaxing weekend. Ryan and Kensie were forced to work together after a difficult past. I love a good redemption story, and these two were like opposing forces who found exactly where they were meant to be. The plot was well constructed with believable emotional struggles leading to the right conclusion. I definitely recommend giving their story a shot. This is my honest opinion, freely given.

[Bexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackenzie “Kenzie” Parker’s job is to overhaul the failing careers of Hollywood stars. Her past comes back to haunt her when she is asked to help fix a new PR nightmare, in the form of her childhood crush, Ryan Brandt. In her profession, Kenzie embodies a confident and capable woman. She has developed a reputation in the industry; everyone respects her and wants to work with her. Ryan Brandt re-entering her life presents a challenge. He needs her to help fix his career, but he wants so much more from her.

Kenzie is really good at fixing other people’s problems and helping them live their best lives but neglects her own. I enjoyed seeing the Kenzie let down her guard, let love in, and fight for what she really wants. The relationship between Kenzie and Ryan comes across as really caring and genuine. I would love to read more stories about these two!

This book was provided by the publisher via Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review.

[Em Reads Romance]

not a fan of this book 😭

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mackensie is an in demand Hollywood fixer and Ryan is a movie star in need of an image overhaul. He is also the boy she loved that broke her heart years ago. They have so much chemistry that you just can't help rooting for them to get together. This feel-good, heartwarming, fun story is charming and sweet with likeable characters and an entertaining story. I enjoyed this romcom lot.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really liked the story of FIX ME WHEN I FALL, I always get a bit squirrley when an MC is sexually active with a lot of partners...especially when the romance is one where the couple knew each other prior to the start of our story. It makes me very uncomfortable. That aside, Ryan and Mackenzie have great chemistry and I love that since he's known her for most of his life, he trusts her simplicity. Her instincts are absolutely worth his attention and care to what she suggests for him to improve his career. I don't know how accurate Mackenzie's side of the story is, but regardless of the accuracy, it's interesting to see that side of the acting career. Ryan trusting and loving her is nothing less than smart.

I received an ARC of this book; I was not paid for my review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is about to go through trouble again when she is given him as her client. She needs to clean his act up or she will lose everything. He ruined her heart once before and she does not want it to happen again. He knows he is in trouble when she arrives. What will happen this time? How will they deal with it all? See how it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Barb Lie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fix Me When I Fall by Zoe Forward is a wonderful romantic novel. We meet Mackensie Parker, who is successful in her career in a firm that helps fix issues with famous people/stars, etc. Mackensie has been assigned to take over Ryan Brandt’s career, which is currently falling apart. She never wanted to see him again, since years ago he destroyed her heart, especially when her sister was killed in a car accident. Mackensie is determined to do a makeover on his life and movie career, fixing all of the current disasters that have slowly begun to ruin him.

Mackensie meets with Ryan, to go over his career, but he doesn’t want anything to do with whatever changes she wants to make; since he feels there is nothing wrong with the movies he makes. Mackensie notes everything that is wrong, and when he refuses her thoughts, she walks away. Ryan remembers the past, when he thought he loved her sister, but was close to breaking up, because of his feelings for Mackensie. Everything changed when the sister was killed in an accident. Ryan doesn’t want to fall for Mackensie again, which would ruin his life again.

At first, he still thinks his career is just fine, but soon he realizes she is making a lot of changes that will bring him able to move forward. Mackensie assigns Michael (assistant) and Vin (driver) to stay close to Ryan, and be there during all the upcoming changes. Mackensie manages to get some new movies for Ryan, as well as stop his drinking and attend some events; making sure Ryan is following up. In a short period of time both Ryan and Mackensie begin to have strong feelings for each other.

Mackensie has issues with her boss, who threatens to fire her, after pictures were posted with Ryan and Mackensie kissing. Which leads to a female actress claiming that she loves Ryan and they plan on getting married, even though he knows he was drugged. There is a lot at stake, but Mackensie knows that Ryan is telling the truth, and she will help him fight the bad guys. Both Mackensie and Ryan will discover who is trying to frame him, and she does everything in her power to make sure Ryan career rises.

Fix Me When I Fall was a romantic, fun, and intriguing story line. Fix Me When I Fall was very well written by Zoe Forward. I really enjoyed this book.

The Reading Cafe

[Narci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun, exciting, dramatic, scary but sweet story about two friends who secretly had crushes on the other but end up making wrong decisions that lead to the end of their relationship. However, years later life throws them back into each other’s lives forcing them to reevaluate their lives and giving them a second chance. As things get complicated, feeling resurface, decisions leave marks and actions leave consequences that can make or break both of their careers, and lives again. Ryans life implodes from bad decisions and poor judgment, when his childhood crush and the woman he blames for almost ruining his life resurfaces claiming she will fix his life, how can he trust her? Kenzie is assigned to spin Ryans disaster of a career and re imagine a makeover or lose the career and job she worked so hard to accomplish and loves. Kenzie struggles between her work rules, her head in keep things professional and her heart which melts still longing for her childhood crush who broke her heart and career once. Ryan has to take a big leap of faith and trust the woman he's always wanted but almost destroyed him, his reluctance to work with her turns to determination to making her his for real this time…I loved the other characters, Michael, Vin, Angie, Claire, Suze and Ren. I shed a few tears as my heart goes out to Bryan. This is a fun, sweet, nerve wrecking story with lots and lots of drama and emotional battles. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving this ARC.

[Renee Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing Read - More Flash than Substance

I received an ARC of "Fix Me When I Fall" and unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to expectations for me. This review is my honest assessment, and while I appreciate the opportunity to read it early, I have to rate it at 2 out of 5 stars.

While the book aims for an emotional, second-chance Hollywood romance, I found myself struggling to connect with the characters. They simply weren't memorable, and their actions felt predictable throughout the story. The plot itself followed a fairly formulaic path, leaving little room for genuine surprise or intrigue.

Instead of a deeply developed romance, the book leaned heavily into explicit scenes and frequent cursing. While spice can be a welcome element in romance, here it felt like it overshadowed the emotional connection I was hoping for. The balance just wasn't there for me, and it detracted from the potential for a truly heartwarming story.

Ultimately, "Fix Me When I Fall" failed to hold my interest. I even had to put it down for several days before forcing myself to finish. If you're looking for a book with significant romantic depth and memorable characters, this might not be the one. However, if you prioritize explicit content and a fast-paced, predictable plot, you might find it more enjoyable than I did.

In short: Predictable plot, unmemorable characters, and an overemphasis on sex and cursing at the expense of true romantic development.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenzie and Ryan a struggling combination. Their story is full of pain and heartache. This heartfelt story will move you. The journey to heal ones soul in this book is a rough one. These characters seem to have everyone against them. It seems no one wants them to succeed. But against all odds, they fight and they fight hard.

This book has some difficult supporting characters whom are determined to ruin everyone around them. But karma shows up and takes care of things and puts things into perspective. Throughout the book our main characters struggle over and over. Especially Ryan. But Kenzie is a lighthouse in the storm for him, even though she has her own hiccups.

This story is inspiring and emotional at times. The main characters are well developed and have interesting personalities. Their story draws readers in and gets them invested to see the story through to the end. It is a roller coaster of emotions throughout. I highly enjoyed the banter between the two main characters and they had electric chemistry.

I recommend this book to those whom enjoy redemption type stories with an HEA.

[Leslie Ooten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay for me. The writing flowed well for the most part, but I wasn't sold on Ryan and Kensie. They had intense chemistry, it was there from the start, but it's really hard for me to root for a couple when Ryan had been engaged to Kensie's sister. No matter the reason, it's just weird for me. There is a lot of stuff going on in this story, and it was hard for me at times to set aside reality and try to stay in the story. It was nice to see Ryan and Kensie be able to work through their issues though and fight for what they wanted. The ending was good for these characters. This was a first for me from this author, but I would read her again.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read several books by this author, this ARC was an easy pick for me when offered by Hidden Gems. The book opens when action movie star Ryan Brandt is in the middle of another PR disaster and it looks like he needs professional help before his career completely implodes. Enter Mackensie Parker, a professional fixer and the girl he has never forgotten. They have known each other their whole lives and have a complicated past.
It's good Hollywood story, that takes you behind the scenes of how the publicity and image works to put the actors in the right opportunities. Reading how Mackensie moved the pieces around to help Ryan’s career while revising his image was fascinating. Thought it was entertaining and a very different perspective of the Hollywood lifestyle.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. No hay algo positivo que pueda decir.


Mackensie siempre ha estado enamorada de Ryan. Él fue novio de la hermana, se pusone que su relación era falsa (pero con los beneficios), sin embargo, siempre le gustó Mac. Eso de que sentía algo por Mackensie se me hizo una mentira porque siempre elegío a la hermana e incluso le llegó a pedir matrimonio.

Todo el libro es de ella siguiendo a Ryan como cachorro enamorado, todo lo que hace es en beneficio para él, incluso si eso significaba poner en peligro su trabajo.

No tengo idea porque terminaron juntos, no hay amor, ni química o atracción.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dana McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fix me When I Fall
Zoe Forward

Some of my favorite tropes are enemies to lovers and second chance romance. This one had both!

Kenzie‘s job is to fix celebrities life/situation when they get bad PR. But her next assignment with Brian. The man who she was in love with, but at the time was dating her sister. Of course she didn’t realize he was actually in love with her too.

There was a lot of obstacles both Kenzie and Ryan had to overcome. I really enjoyed their insane chemistry. I also enjoyed seeing the behind-the-scenes life makeover, makes me wonder if there are people who actually have jobs like Kinzie.

[Charlotte Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fix Me When I Fall is a super quick read. The surprises are small and the story moves as expected. I expected a HEA and that is exactly what I received. It is the perfect book to read after reading a heavy or deeper book.

Second-chance romance is one of the genres I enjoy. Zoe Forward did a great job writing this one. I liked the history of Makensie and Ryan. The twists and turns of their relationship seemed real to what you read in the movie star magazine at the grocery store check-out. There was fake relationships, friendships that did not move past that label, and feelings that were too hot to smother.

[Eris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book. The two main characters are Mackensie and Ryan. They have known each other for all their lives. Ryan is an actor, who has a rough year. Mackensie is a representative of a remake yor career for actors that are having bad publicity. Mackensie make a meeting with Ryan to help him. Eventually he agrees to let Mackensie help him. She starts to clean up him image. They spend a lot of time together. There is an attraction. They start dating. They fall in love.

[Linda Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. The characters were well developed and interesting. I felt invested in their story and wanted them to get a HEA ending.

This novel is filled with laugh out loud moments. It was also interesting to get a glimpse of what goes on "behind the curtain " of Hollywood.

If you enjoy the, you will love this book. The author is on my must read authors' list.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very charming book that shows the dark side of Hollywood. I really liked Ray; his actions speak volumes. Mackensie is also a pretty likable character, dealing with a past that still shapes her present. Together, they create an interesting and engaging story.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that I liked this book about second chances and the difficulties of fame. This feel good and heartwarming story is charming and sweet with realistic characters and a fun plot line. First time reading this author for me, and I would gladly read more books by her. Highly recommend!

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging story that had a good balance of romance, humour and drama. I liked the chemistry between the characters.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Rachel Kokes · Rating 1 out of 5]

The characters were not like-able at all. Be prepared for a toxic relationship, swearing, and graphic sexual content-and that was just the first 9% of the book, because after that I quit reading.

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming romance about Mackensie Parker, a Hollywood fixer, and Ryan Brandt, a fading movie star. Mackensie, whose job is to revive celebrity careers, is tasked with salvaging Ryan’s reputation, even though he once broke her heart after her sister’s tragic death. Determined to stay professional, Mackensie works to repair Ryan's life and career, while struggling with her lingering feelings for him.

Ryan, initially resistant to change, slowly recognizes Mackensie's efforts and the undeniable chemistry between them. As they work together, old emotions resurface, complicating their professional relationship. Outside threats, including Mackensie's job security and sabotage attempts against Ryan, add tension to the unfolding romance.

This story beautifully balances personal and professional challenges, as Mackensie and Ryan navigate misunderstandings, rekindled feelings, and second chances. Full of drama, emotion, and sweet moments, *Fix Me When I Fall* is a compelling read about overcoming the past and rebuilding both love and trust.