What do you think?
Rate this book
The Big Fix
When bookish Penny Collins reluctantly lets her sister drag her to an estate sale at a neighbor’s house, she’s hoping for a little diversion rummaging through dusty antiques. Instead she ends up in a public squabble over candlesticks with the deceased owner’s nephew, Anthony—right before a dead body tumbles out of a closet.
Penny’s plan for the summer involved finalizing tenure at the university where she’s a computer sciences professor. Now she’s suddenly on the run with a man she barely knows, scaling walls, evading bullets, and accidentally stabbing henchmen. It seems the wrong people believe she’s Anthony’s girlfriend and in possession of something they desperately need—and will do anything to get.
Penny’s plan for the summer involved finalizing tenure at the university where she’s a computer sciences professor. Now she’s suddenly on the run with a man she barely knows, scaling walls, evading bullets, and accidentally stabbing henchmen. It seems the wrong people believe she’s Anthony’s girlfriend and in possession of something they desperately need—and will do anything to get.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2025
110 people are currently reading
23751 people want to read
About the author
Holly James
6 books453 followersHolly James is the author of adult romance and commercial fiction. She holds a PhD in psychology and has worked in both academia and the tech industry. When she’s not reading or writing a book, she can be found on the beach or hiking in the woods. Born and raised in Northern California, she currently lives at the southern end of the state with her husband and their dog. Find her at hollyjamesbooks.com and on Instagram at @hellohollyjames.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 416 reviews
January 15, 2025
The eye catching cover art fits this lighthearted romp to a tee. While entertaining with some humor, this one is predictable to a fault.
Just when Penny Collins thought trying to make tenure would be the height of her summer stress, a body falls out of a closet at an estate sale. She soon finds herself on the run with Anthony the guy whose closet began these shenanigans. Banter, danger, and hijinks follow. Oh, and closed door romance!💘
In the early chapters Penny seemed a little immature however as the book progressed her character leveled out and I liked her more. The romance threads in the beginning are obvious. A more nuanced approach would’ve built more tension. That’s where it’s at when it comes to romance. Tension. The supporting characters were intriguing and felt genuine.
I’d recommend this one for those looking for genre bending escapism. Romantic/Suspense
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for providing an Advanced Reading Copy for review. These are my unbiased opinions.
Just when Penny Collins thought trying to make tenure would be the height of her summer stress, a body falls out of a closet at an estate sale. She soon finds herself on the run with Anthony the guy whose closet began these shenanigans. Banter, danger, and hijinks follow. Oh, and closed door romance!💘
In the early chapters Penny seemed a little immature however as the book progressed her character leveled out and I liked her more. The romance threads in the beginning are obvious. A more nuanced approach would’ve built more tension. That’s where it’s at when it comes to romance. Tension. The supporting characters were intriguing and felt genuine.
I’d recommend this one for those looking for genre bending escapism. Romantic/Suspense
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for providing an Advanced Reading Copy for review. These are my unbiased opinions.
February 22, 2025
Hilarious, romantic suspense with a fun level of intrigue. Nothing super heavy - but I was also focused most on Penny and Anthony's hilariously timed relationship amidst an absolute mess.
I read Moorewood Family Rules a little while back, and I've been looking for more books like this! Exactly what I was looking for! I've never read anything by Holly James, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!
**Thank you to Kensington for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋 || Check out the new Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel!!
I read Moorewood Family Rules a little while back, and I've been looking for more books like this! Exactly what I was looking for! I've never read anything by Holly James, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!
**Thank you to Kensington for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋 || Check out the new Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel!!
February 8, 2025
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
Note to self: never argue with someone over a pair of candlesticks; you never know what kind of wrong impression it might give someone. 🙃
Too bad computer science professor Dr. Penny Collins didn't get the memo, and I'm saying that loosely. 🙂↔️🙂↔️ All she wanted was a nice relaxing summer with her older sister, Lydia and her family, a much-needed break to just make tenure, and avoid getting entangled in anything reckless. The last thing she needed in her life was a distraction or an interruption in her simple life, let alone arguing at an estate sale with Lydia's recently deceased neighbor's nephew, financial consultant Anthony Pierce, over a pair of candlesticks! 😄 For what was an innocuous argument sets off an interesting sequence of events, one in which Penny realizes that she may be wrapped up in something far more sinister than she realized.
It surprised me how much I enjoyed this. It wouldn't surprise me if it did become a movie one of these days. Maybe because it had so many of the ingredients of the laid back recipe that used to constitute for those Hollywood films back in the day. Y'know, those ones where the FMC finds herself in a complicated situation, unwittingly, of course, totally out of the realms of her depth, simply a wrong place, wrong time kind of thing with an MMC who is handsome, enigmatic, sexy as hell, but with the heart of a golden retriever. ☺️
Y'know, that kind of situation. 😌
“It's just a puzzle, Penny. And you're smart enough to solve anything.”
I really got a hoot out of Penny's relationship with Lydia; very fun, very believable sisterly dynamic that had me chuckling a few times. And even though it might have seemed a bit ambitious of Penny to want to follow up what connection Anthony may have had with a mysterious kidnapping, simply because she felt beholden to the missing woman - having met her only once - I liked her as a protagonist. 👌🏻 She was smart and kind, tenacious, committed to her job, resourceful, and a badass! Not that she believed that, obviously, but one where she could use her brains and logic to get her and Anthony out of tight situations. A natural solver of puzzles, she was curious to know how the two mysterious and suspicious events involving this big, sexy, reckless oaf were connected to her, as well.
It's a fast-paced read, where every minute counts. But, what made it fun was watching the two of them together, with chemistry that was not exactly sparkling, but natural at ease with one another. It was both sexy and adorable how Penny was visibly annoyed with Anthony's evasive remarks, but was so very endeared by his enigmatic, but coy charms - helplessly attracted to him upon their first meeting. 🥺 How he would blush at her flattery, the casual but earnest way in their friendly quips that bordered on casual flirting, how he found her exasperating yet fascinating, apologetic to a core for how guilty he felt about putting her life in danger... But, uff , the gag removal scene was so deliciously intense! ❤️🔥 I can see why Penny was smitten with him. 🥰
“You seriously don't know I asked.” My voice came out low and breathy. Transfixed.
“Why I find you interesting?”
I mean, she tried! 😆 Even when it infuriated her to no end that for one simple misassumptions that she was his supposed girlfriend, she found herself in The Big Fix that she really had no need to be a part of, she liked him. Anthony, well Tony to his friends was sweet and honest - well, in a way. I liked how he encouraged her to recognize her strong suites - of how much of a badass she was. Enigmatic, a man of mystery and secrets, there was a softness and kindness to him that proved to Penny that their attraction was not a matter of circumstances but of choice, of want. 'It was the end of a journey and the start of another.' And may have been only a few days of their chance meeting, but it made both of them embrace a part of themselves they didn't know they had. 💕
Well, at least the spice was in a realistic sense - very PG and very chill, too - some wholesome but fiery kisses that definitely earned my approval. 🥹 Much like the mystery and thrills, too, but the writing was so fluid and their dynamic so engaging, that I was not perturbed by it. Like I said - Hollywood vibes. 😏 There was no real surprise to me, but it was fun to see the two of them work together; they were a good team. Penny was patient, but smart and seeing her step out of her comfort zone and be daring and bold definitely made Anthony's job a lot easier. So, as much as I figured how things would go down, it was still fun to be along for the ride that felt a bit light in tone, but still enough to make the threat prevalent. 👍🏻
A bit predictable, sweet and simple, and like the author hoped that readers would have a great time reading it. And, it was a nice easy-breezy read before I left for work this morning today, so can't complain now, can I. 😎
*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Gotta love life's curveballs.”
Note to self: never argue with someone over a pair of candlesticks; you never know what kind of wrong impression it might give someone. 🙃
Too bad computer science professor Dr. Penny Collins didn't get the memo, and I'm saying that loosely. 🙂↔️🙂↔️ All she wanted was a nice relaxing summer with her older sister, Lydia and her family, a much-needed break to just make tenure, and avoid getting entangled in anything reckless. The last thing she needed in her life was a distraction or an interruption in her simple life, let alone arguing at an estate sale with Lydia's recently deceased neighbor's nephew, financial consultant Anthony Pierce, over a pair of candlesticks! 😄 For what was an innocuous argument sets off an interesting sequence of events, one in which Penny realizes that she may be wrapped up in something far more sinister than she realized.
It surprised me how much I enjoyed this. It wouldn't surprise me if it did become a movie one of these days. Maybe because it had so many of the ingredients of the laid back recipe that used to constitute for those Hollywood films back in the day. Y'know, those ones where the FMC finds herself in a complicated situation, unwittingly, of course, totally out of the realms of her depth, simply a wrong place, wrong time kind of thing with an MMC who is handsome, enigmatic, sexy as hell, but with the heart of a golden retriever. ☺️
Y'know, that kind of situation. 😌
“It's just a puzzle, Penny. And you're smart enough to solve anything.”
I really got a hoot out of Penny's relationship with Lydia; very fun, very believable sisterly dynamic that had me chuckling a few times. And even though it might have seemed a bit ambitious of Penny to want to follow up what connection Anthony may have had with a mysterious kidnapping, simply because she felt beholden to the missing woman - having met her only once - I liked her as a protagonist. 👌🏻 She was smart and kind, tenacious, committed to her job, resourceful, and a badass! Not that she believed that, obviously, but one where she could use her brains and logic to get her and Anthony out of tight situations. A natural solver of puzzles, she was curious to know how the two mysterious and suspicious events involving this big, sexy, reckless oaf were connected to her, as well.
It's a fast-paced read, where every minute counts. But, what made it fun was watching the two of them together, with chemistry that was not exactly sparkling, but natural at ease with one another. It was both sexy and adorable how Penny was visibly annoyed with Anthony's evasive remarks, but was so very endeared by his enigmatic, but coy charms - helplessly attracted to him upon their first meeting. 🥺 How he would blush at her flattery, the casual but earnest way in their friendly quips that bordered on casual flirting, how he found her exasperating yet fascinating, apologetic to a core for how guilty he felt about putting her life in danger... But, uff , the gag removal scene was so deliciously intense! ❤️🔥 I can see why Penny was smitten with him. 🥰
“You seriously don't know I asked.” My voice came out low and breathy. Transfixed.
“Why I find you interesting?”
I mean, she tried! 😆 Even when it infuriated her to no end that for one simple misassumptions that she was his supposed girlfriend, she found herself in The Big Fix that she really had no need to be a part of, she liked him. Anthony, well Tony to his friends was sweet and honest - well, in a way. I liked how he encouraged her to recognize her strong suites - of how much of a badass she was. Enigmatic, a man of mystery and secrets, there was a softness and kindness to him that proved to Penny that their attraction was not a matter of circumstances but of choice, of want. 'It was the end of a journey and the start of another.' And may have been only a few days of their chance meeting, but it made both of them embrace a part of themselves they didn't know they had. 💕
Well, at least the spice was in a realistic sense - very PG and very chill, too - some wholesome but fiery kisses that definitely earned my approval. 🥹 Much like the mystery and thrills, too, but the writing was so fluid and their dynamic so engaging, that I was not perturbed by it. Like I said - Hollywood vibes. 😏 There was no real surprise to me, but it was fun to see the two of them work together; they were a good team. Penny was patient, but smart and seeing her step out of her comfort zone and be daring and bold definitely made Anthony's job a lot easier. So, as much as I figured how things would go down, it was still fun to be along for the ride that felt a bit light in tone, but still enough to make the threat prevalent. 👍🏻
A bit predictable, sweet and simple, and like the author hoped that readers would have a great time reading it. And, it was a nice easy-breezy read before I left for work this morning today, so can't complain now, can I. 😎
*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2024
Romantic, suspenseful, witty, and fun, THE BIG FIX has more twisty turns than a Roulette wheel. Highly recommended!
March 31, 2025
3.5 stars
this genre is something i had only seen in films before this book. i wasn't looking for a romance read when i picked this up but i guess it worked well for me in the end. it was light and easy, but i didn't really see the sparks between the main characters. this is quite unusual for me but i may have liked the plot more than the characters here...
this genre is something i had only seen in films before this book. i wasn't looking for a romance read when i picked this up but i guess it worked well for me in the end. it was light and easy, but i didn't really see the sparks between the main characters. this is quite unusual for me but i may have liked the plot more than the characters here...
May 14, 2025
Big Fix by Holly James
Narrated by Lila Winters
This was such a fun and hilarious listen, blending suspense, mystery, and romance in the best way. I absolutely loved Penny and Anthony’s dynamic and the start of their accidental relationship had me hooked.
If I were Penny, I would have been terrified of Anthony after their first encounter, but wow, their chemistry is undeniable!
I’d definitely recommend picking this one up as a fun summer read or adding it to your TBR for a quick vacation listen. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing a free advance listening copy.
Narrated by Lila Winters
This was such a fun and hilarious listen, blending suspense, mystery, and romance in the best way. I absolutely loved Penny and Anthony’s dynamic and the start of their accidental relationship had me hooked.
If I were Penny, I would have been terrified of Anthony after their first encounter, but wow, their chemistry is undeniable!
I’d definitely recommend picking this one up as a fun summer read or adding it to your TBR for a quick vacation listen. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing a free advance listening copy.
April 10, 2025
Super fun. An adventure slash romance that whisks you away!
- Desiree Reads
The Bookish Birder
April 9, 2025
See more book recs @ https://bookshop.org/shop/TheBookishB...
- Desiree Reads
The Bookish Birder
April 9, 2025
See more book recs @ https://bookshop.org/shop/TheBookishB...
June 1, 2025
When Penny's sister drags her to an estate sale, she doesn't expect to fight over a pair of candle sticks with the gorgeous new neighbor, Anthony, or discover a dead body in his closet. With plans to make tenure this summer, Penny cannot afford to look into the next-door neighbor or the dead body that seems so familiar. However, when the wrong people believe she is Anthony's girlfriend, Penny finds herself on the run. Penny must find out what information Anthony is hiding and why the people after them will do anything to get that information.
The Big Fix was a fun, action-packed romance. This book was a little insta-love for my liking. However, I did enjoy the chemistry between Anthony and Penny and the hilarious banter between the two while they were on the run. I also enjoyed the mystery of the missing person case and how it was connected to Anthony (and now Penny). Overall, this was a fun romance that I devoured in a day and would recommend to readers who like a little action with their romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review The Big Fix. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Big Fix was a fun, action-packed romance. This book was a little insta-love for my liking. However, I did enjoy the chemistry between Anthony and Penny and the hilarious banter between the two while they were on the run. I also enjoyed the mystery of the missing person case and how it was connected to Anthony (and now Penny). Overall, this was a fun romance that I devoured in a day and would recommend to readers who like a little action with their romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review The Big Fix. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 5, 2025
So fun! I loved this romantic suspense novel.
January 24, 2025
I'd like to thank the publisher and Goodreads for allowing me to read this book prior to release!
The Big Fix is one of those books that does have cute characters, and a good story, but there isn't much strength behind it to make it memorable.
You start out with a funny meet-cute: girl and her sister show up at her sister's next-door neighbor's house. Apparently the owner passed. The owner's grandson is having a garage sale. Items are leaving the house, and girl and sister look to score some deals. Girl meets the grandson, get off on a bad start, and ... a body falls out of a closet. After a trip to the local police station, and some headlines, girl can't seem to stay away from the neighbor she's trying to avoid.
This is where the book fell apart for me. As I indicated, I liked the leads, but I found their chemistry dull. I think personally the book would have done better for me if they didn't have feelings for one another from the get-go. It's clear that this book has strength in the way that the plausible missing person meets crazy billionaire husband out to silence people, but if the two people leading this are strong characters on their own but have no real chemistry, the book falls apart for me. So, if they were at odds, became reluctant allies, and then lovers? Then much more fun. Hell, a series could be made out of this story if it went that route because the book would end with them having a truce and then the next book ends up with them in one another's orbit and another mad-cap adventure.
Anyway. It's a cute story, but isn't really as fun as one hoped it would be.
The Big Fix is one of those books that does have cute characters, and a good story, but there isn't much strength behind it to make it memorable.
You start out with a funny meet-cute: girl and her sister show up at her sister's next-door neighbor's house. Apparently the owner passed. The owner's grandson is having a garage sale. Items are leaving the house, and girl and sister look to score some deals. Girl meets the grandson, get off on a bad start, and ... a body falls out of a closet. After a trip to the local police station, and some headlines, girl can't seem to stay away from the neighbor she's trying to avoid.
This is where the book fell apart for me. As I indicated, I liked the leads, but I found their chemistry dull. I think personally the book would have done better for me if they didn't have feelings for one another from the get-go. It's clear that this book has strength in the way that the plausible missing person meets crazy billionaire husband out to silence people, but if the two people leading this are strong characters on their own but have no real chemistry, the book falls apart for me. So, if they were at odds, became reluctant allies, and then lovers? Then much more fun. Hell, a series could be made out of this story if it went that route because the book would end with them having a truce and then the next book ends up with them in one another's orbit and another mad-cap adventure.
Anyway. It's a cute story, but isn't really as fun as one hoped it would be.
July 17, 2024
Review TC!
June 6, 2025
This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the audiobook narrator too. If you love the Finlay Donovan books you should for sure check this one out!!
August 27, 2024
5 stars for The Big Fix!
I was browsing NetGalley when I saw this cover and just loved it. Then I read the blurb and I was like HELL YEAH. My favorite book of the last year is The Blonde Identity, so this spy-adjacent novel was exactly what I had been craving.
The Big Fix is a good mix of outrageous, funny moments (example: a body falling out of a closet during an estate sale) and suspenseful, dangerous scenes (example: heroine and hero tied up in a basement together.) There is even an intimate moment WHILE they are tied up that had me blushing - not sure how the author managed it, but I was a FAN. After the first fifty pages (where things are slowly coming together, ratcheting up the suspense) things explode and I wasn't able to put it down from there once Penny is basically on the run.
Penny is a professor, and I loved that while yes, she is in distress and unfamiliar with the world of fixers and murder, she held her own. Her and Libby's relationship was well-written and realistic, and I missed Libby when Penny was forced to go on the run. Anthony was a hilarious combination of a practical, experienced fixer and stammering, blushing hero when it came to Penny and they just fit together so well. As a romance reader who loves a bit of spice, I was bummed this is closed-door but that is my only disappointment.
I was browsing NetGalley when I saw this cover and just loved it. Then I read the blurb and I was like HELL YEAH. My favorite book of the last year is The Blonde Identity, so this spy-adjacent novel was exactly what I had been craving.
The Big Fix is a good mix of outrageous, funny moments (example: a body falling out of a closet during an estate sale) and suspenseful, dangerous scenes (example: heroine and hero tied up in a basement together.) There is even an intimate moment WHILE they are tied up that had me blushing - not sure how the author managed it, but I was a FAN. After the first fifty pages (where things are slowly coming together, ratcheting up the suspense) things explode and I wasn't able to put it down from there once Penny is basically on the run.
Penny is a professor, and I loved that while yes, she is in distress and unfamiliar with the world of fixers and murder, she held her own. Her and Libby's relationship was well-written and realistic, and I missed Libby when Penny was forced to go on the run. Anthony was a hilarious combination of a practical, experienced fixer and stammering, blushing hero when it came to Penny and they just fit together so well. As a romance reader who loves a bit of spice, I was bummed this is closed-door but that is my only disappointment.
February 16, 2025
In the interest of full disclosure, I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an unbiased review. I’m giving it 2 stars, because although I DNF’d at 45% (not a decision made lightly) what sucked for me may still work for you.
Here’s the thing: I really really wanted to like this book. I entered (and lost) several Goodreads giveaways for a copy, and was thrilled when I finally received one from Net Galley. Everything about it appealed to me - the concept, the promise of a fun mystery and wacky hijinks, even the super cool almost retro vibes of the cover. But unfortunately the execution did not live up to its potential.
First of all, the mystery fell flat. I figured out pretty quickly why the body in the closet was there, and what Anthony, our super spy like MMC, had to do with Lydia’s disappearance. I wanted to like Anthony as a character, but for some reason the way he was described just sounded like Matty Healy, which doesn’t really do it for me. His insta-love with Penny, our FMC fell flat, and the chemistry was lacking. Penny herself came across as juvenile, and lacking common sense. You’re telling me that a full grown adult with the mental wherewithal to navigate collegiate politics enough to be up for tenure is surprised to discover that impulsively investigating the murder of the book’s equivalent of Jeff Bezos’s wife might possibly be dangerous? Adding to the juvenile nonsense is the fact that the whole impetus for her involvement in the plot is that random strangers, including one of the big bad guys! saw her arguing with Anthony and decided to ship them, to the point where he is discussing their chemistry like a tweenager… while tying her up in a murder basement! And while in said murder basement, and while escaping said murder basement, Penny’s biggest concern is that someone will look at her underwear (not kill her, of course, that would be a sensible thing to worry about). Don’t get me wrong, I like unhinged comedy, and while I think this would work perfectly in a Jenny Cruise-Bob Mayer book, it just doesn’t work here, probably because author Holly James seems to be treating the plot far more seriously than she probably should, considering the abundance of stupid decisions her supposedly grown ass heroine makes.
Things I loved: The cover, the concept, the side characters (Honestly, I’d prefer more Lydia and less Penny all the way).
Things I didn’t: Literally everything else. Nothing about this book worked for me. I wanted to quit at 29% but kept pushing myself out of a sense of duty. However, based on other reviews people REALLY like this book, so don’t let me yuck your yum. Maybe I’d be satisfied if I went in with lower expectations. Give it a shot!
Perfect for fans of: Murder mysteries, Silicon Valley, Matty Healy, good guy mobsters, insta-love, Antique Roadshows, and anyone who hates tech-bro billionaires.
Here’s the thing: I really really wanted to like this book. I entered (and lost) several Goodreads giveaways for a copy, and was thrilled when I finally received one from Net Galley. Everything about it appealed to me - the concept, the promise of a fun mystery and wacky hijinks, even the super cool almost retro vibes of the cover. But unfortunately the execution did not live up to its potential.
First of all, the mystery fell flat. I figured out pretty quickly why the body in the closet was there, and what Anthony, our super spy like MMC, had to do with Lydia’s disappearance. I wanted to like Anthony as a character, but for some reason the way he was described just sounded like Matty Healy, which doesn’t really do it for me. His insta-love with Penny, our FMC fell flat, and the chemistry was lacking. Penny herself came across as juvenile, and lacking common sense. You’re telling me that a full grown adult with the mental wherewithal to navigate collegiate politics enough to be up for tenure is surprised to discover that impulsively investigating the murder of the book’s equivalent of Jeff Bezos’s wife might possibly be dangerous? Adding to the juvenile nonsense is the fact that the whole impetus for her involvement in the plot is that random strangers, including one of the big bad guys! saw her arguing with Anthony and decided to ship them, to the point where he is discussing their chemistry like a tweenager… while tying her up in a murder basement! And while in said murder basement, and while escaping said murder basement, Penny’s biggest concern is that someone will look at her underwear (not kill her, of course, that would be a sensible thing to worry about). Don’t get me wrong, I like unhinged comedy, and while I think this would work perfectly in a Jenny Cruise-Bob Mayer book, it just doesn’t work here, probably because author Holly James seems to be treating the plot far more seriously than she probably should, considering the abundance of stupid decisions her supposedly grown ass heroine makes.
Things I loved: The cover, the concept, the side characters (Honestly, I’d prefer more Lydia and less Penny all the way).
Things I didn’t: Literally everything else. Nothing about this book worked for me. I wanted to quit at 29% but kept pushing myself out of a sense of duty. However, based on other reviews people REALLY like this book, so don’t let me yuck your yum. Maybe I’d be satisfied if I went in with lower expectations. Give it a shot!
Perfect for fans of: Murder mysteries, Silicon Valley, Matty Healy, good guy mobsters, insta-love, Antique Roadshows, and anyone who hates tech-bro billionaires.
June 16, 2025
Maybe a 2.5 or 3?? It was a quick read, but I couldn’t get overall the poor decisions the main character would make… I couldn’t get into the book whenever she would pivot the dire situation to be about how hot the main male character was.
August 5, 2025
The Big Fix by Holly James ❣️
Standalone
Adult • Romance/Mystery-thriller
Digital Review
304 Pages
Out now
❣️romantic suspense
❣️action packed
❣️neighbors to lovers
❣️on the run together
❣️mystery/thriller
❣️mistaken identity
Okay, I was thinking more romcom with a side of “let’s solve this.” But this was more on the “action packed, what is happening, things just got real, and maybe let’s kiss now that we’re relatively safe” side of things, and that was awesome! 😎 I didn’t breathe for a while but who needs air anyways — so overrated.
These two had me at first candelabra and I guess she had him too. Banter is always the way to my heart and I will never change. And I hope these two never do either. Well, I did hope they would change from fake girlfriend to real one but that’s more of an upgrade than a real change, am I right?
Ah! I almost forgot to mention her sister and that would be the ultimate sin. I adored her! And the messy and chaotic life she was living. That kid of hers was the catalyst of it all and I don’t think he gets enough credit 😂
All in all, this was a fun, fast paced “romance in a getaway car.” Only she’s not putting the money in the bag and stealing the keys. No. She’s saving them both and stealing his heart.
Standalone
Adult • Romance/Mystery-thriller
Digital Review
304 Pages
Out now
❣️romantic suspense
❣️action packed
❣️neighbors to lovers
❣️on the run together
❣️mystery/thriller
❣️mistaken identity
Okay, I was thinking more romcom with a side of “let’s solve this.” But this was more on the “action packed, what is happening, things just got real, and maybe let’s kiss now that we’re relatively safe” side of things, and that was awesome! 😎 I didn’t breathe for a while but who needs air anyways — so overrated.
These two had me at first candelabra and I guess she had him too. Banter is always the way to my heart and I will never change. And I hope these two never do either. Well, I did hope they would change from fake girlfriend to real one but that’s more of an upgrade than a real change, am I right?
Ah! I almost forgot to mention her sister and that would be the ultimate sin. I adored her! And the messy and chaotic life she was living. That kid of hers was the catalyst of it all and I don’t think he gets enough credit 😂
All in all, this was a fun, fast paced “romance in a getaway car.” Only she’s not putting the money in the bag and stealing the keys. No. She’s saving them both and stealing his heart.
June 19, 2025
This was a fun and entertaining adventure romance. Penelope Collins is a professor trying to make tenure by the end of the summer, and Anthony Pierce is the finance guy from New York that works for his uncle Lou, a fixer. Anthony comes to California to take care of his uncle's estate after his death and meets Penny when her sister drags her to the estate sale and her nephew finds a dead body in the house. Penny and Anthony are being chased by a megalomaniac billionaire after his wife goes missing. She inadvertently gets dragged into a hot mess with Anthony when the media thinks she is his girlfriend and bad people start coming after them.
Penny and Anthony have chemistry from the start, but the spice level in this story is very minimal. The plot is well written with plenty of action. It is more of an action drama with a dash of romance, but it still kept me turning the pages wanting more.
Penny and Anthony have chemistry from the start, but the spice level in this story is very minimal. The plot is well written with plenty of action. It is more of an action drama with a dash of romance, but it still kept me turning the pages wanting more.
May 6, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free audio arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fun time! Suspenseful, romantic, great quips between Penny and Anthony. It was a little cheesy, but it added to the charm, and it was a nice break from the heavy hitting reads that I've read recently. This is my first book by the author, and I'm definitely interested in reading more by her! I love the fact that the characters had such great chemistry with each other, and the author didn't need to resort to smut for the more intimate scenes. Such a relief, seeing as most books are all smut and no plot nowadays. It's definitely a fun and quick read that should be added to your TBR!
This was such a fun time! Suspenseful, romantic, great quips between Penny and Anthony. It was a little cheesy, but it added to the charm, and it was a nice break from the heavy hitting reads that I've read recently. This is my first book by the author, and I'm definitely interested in reading more by her! I love the fact that the characters had such great chemistry with each other, and the author didn't need to resort to smut for the more intimate scenes. Such a relief, seeing as most books are all smut and no plot nowadays. It's definitely a fun and quick read that should be added to your TBR!
April 1, 2025
Holly James strays away from her usual romance to bring us romance with some thrilling elements.
Penny is a thriving professor of computer science looking to finishing her tenure track by the end of summer. During this time, she was going to stay with her sister to help her with her kids while her husband is away, and to relax in her pool. Libby's next door neighbor passed away, and a hot man has taken over his estate. While Libby thinks to set him and Penny up, some shady things happen, like a dead man falling out of his hall closet.
Penny is in for more than just completing her tenure track this summer.. she is also on the run from some scary men. How did she get involved in all of this? Will she get her tenure or will meeting this man screw it up?
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Penny is a thriving professor of computer science looking to finishing her tenure track by the end of summer. During this time, she was going to stay with her sister to help her with her kids while her husband is away, and to relax in her pool. Libby's next door neighbor passed away, and a hot man has taken over his estate. While Libby thinks to set him and Penny up, some shady things happen, like a dead man falling out of his hall closet.
Penny is in for more than just completing her tenure track this summer.. she is also on the run from some scary men. How did she get involved in all of this? Will she get her tenure or will meeting this man screw it up?
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
April 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this book!! The plot was entertaining & suspenseful with a little bit of mystery and of course a romance. I loved the characters.
May 1, 2025
A computer science professor on track for tenure mistakenly becomes entangled in a kidnapping/murder mystery plot with her sister's very handsome but very suspicious neighbor. The plot has all the makings of an excellent cozy mystery! It has a surprising amount of action for a cozy and I do really like the cutesy relationship building during Penny and Anthony's drive to Nevada. But I'm not a huge fan of romance novels and I was a bit annoyed at how easily Penny seemed to just fall for Anthony even when he was clearly a bit sus early on.
But solid 3 stars for a good cozy vibe mystery.
But solid 3 stars for a good cozy vibe mystery.
June 24, 2025
This was a fun read. I thought it was going to be a cozy mystery, but it’s not. While the romance is mild and closed door, there is innuendo. It has mild language and some darker themes not typical to cozy mysteries so it’s more of a romantic suspense. The overall vibe is antagonists to lovers, witty banter, family love and meddling, friendships, fast paced and an easy read.
December 22, 2024
So this was definitely not my normal romance book I read. I would say the spice was 0.5-1. My normals are at like a 4 on average lol! I did love the banter between the two main characters. I loved that they didn’t make the FMC a complete damsel in distress. She was able to help and plan and do things as well to help with their situation. For being a professor she was definitely funny and clever. Also the MMC wasn’t a complete jerk and actually admitted he wasn’t really good at the physical side of the job. I feel like the damsel in distress meets the big bad wolf thing is always too much. This book was not that. I really hope the author writes more books along this same plot line. It’s a romance but it’s also a mystery and a thriller too. Maybe add a little more spice?
December 22, 2024
A cute rom-com mystery. The beginning seemed a bit sluggish like the author wasn't sure where she wanted to go with the story, but the storyline found its legs and picked up. Good banter, well paced, good ending.
Not a murder mystery per se, but more of a general mystery with some romance.
Romance is closed door, off the page.
Not a murder mystery per se, but more of a general mystery with some romance.
Romance is closed door, off the page.
March 1, 2025
This romantic thriller finds Penny Collins on the run with Anthony Pierce after innocently attending a house sale and discovering a body in the closet. Penny's sister Libby had some matchmaking in mind. All Penny wants is to finish up all the requirements for tenure at the university where she teaches computer science.
When the erroneous news spreads that Penny is Anthony's new girlfriend, she finds herself on the run from people who want to use her in order to get Anthony to tell what happened to a billionaire's missing wife Portia.
Portia has been Anthony's friend since childhood. He promised her brother that he's take care of her when her brother died. They had gone their separate ways with Portia reinventing herself in California and marrying a tech billionaire and Anthony becoming an Econ major at Penn before joining his uncle's firm. His uncle was a highly successful and somewhat shady fixer.
Now, Portia is missing, and her billionaire husbands isn't willing to let her go. She knows too much about his shady dealings.
Penny and Anthony fall in love while trying to elude the bad guys and find a way for Portia to begin a new life.
This was an entertaining story. The cover which looks to me to be cartoonish and promising a light read doesn't really do justice to the more serious nature of the story inside. While there are some lighter moments, the book is more thriller than romance.
When the erroneous news spreads that Penny is Anthony's new girlfriend, she finds herself on the run from people who want to use her in order to get Anthony to tell what happened to a billionaire's missing wife Portia.
Portia has been Anthony's friend since childhood. He promised her brother that he's take care of her when her brother died. They had gone their separate ways with Portia reinventing herself in California and marrying a tech billionaire and Anthony becoming an Econ major at Penn before joining his uncle's firm. His uncle was a highly successful and somewhat shady fixer.
Now, Portia is missing, and her billionaire husbands isn't willing to let her go. She knows too much about his shady dealings.
Penny and Anthony fall in love while trying to elude the bad guys and find a way for Portia to begin a new life.
This was an entertaining story. The cover which looks to me to be cartoonish and promising a light read doesn't really do justice to the more serious nature of the story inside. While there are some lighter moments, the book is more thriller than romance.
May 27, 2025
Net Galley ALC Review:
The cover art and concept hooked me instantly! If you loved movies like Knight and Day or books like the Blonde Identity, this one is for you!
Where this story fell flat is 1. It was extremely predictable, and 2. I just didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters and didn’t find them ending up together long term super believable.
We were told multiple times the characters had chemistry, but that was never really shown through the writing.
This was a good time! If you don’t take it too seriously, you will enjoy it!
The cover art and concept hooked me instantly! If you loved movies like Knight and Day or books like the Blonde Identity, this one is for you!
Where this story fell flat is 1. It was extremely predictable, and 2. I just didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters and didn’t find them ending up together long term super believable.
We were told multiple times the characters had chemistry, but that was never really shown through the writing.
This was a good time! If you don’t take it too seriously, you will enjoy it!
April 7, 2025
I honestly had such a fun time with this read! Sometimes I am a little wary of books that look to be just a fun or light hearted story as I feel like they can lose my interest about halfway through. I’m happy to report, The Big Fix did NOT fall into that category! In fact, it held my interest the entire time. I absolutely LOVED Pen and getting to see her relationship with Anthony from start to finish.
My favorite part of the book might honestly be how Pen handles everything. Not only does she get pulled into a wild situation, she handles it like any human would with humor, fear, and flirting. I adore that she balanced mature decision making with her heart and even leaned into romancing Mr. Anthony a.k.a. super spy (except, more like a super cleaner-upper than spy, iykyk). The chemistry between these two characters was phenomenal. But honestly, what I loved even more than that, is the fact that they became friends before lovers. Obviously they were thrown into a crazy situation together, but for me that is probably a huge part of what made it so notable (I'm still thinking about that chair scene!). Looking back now, I can hardly believe what a short period of time this book took place over. The pacing was so well done I thoroughly believed these characters had found love over their crazy escapade.
If nothing else, this book is an incredibly bingeable read and I can't wait to read more by this author! She made me laugh and escape this world while I was reading her book, and that was exactly what I needed.
Thank you so much Kensington books for this ARC!
My favorite part of the book might honestly be how Pen handles everything. Not only does she get pulled into a wild situation, she handles it like any human would with humor, fear, and flirting. I adore that she balanced mature decision making with her heart and even leaned into romancing Mr. Anthony a.k.a. super spy (except, more like a super cleaner-upper than spy, iykyk). The chemistry between these two characters was phenomenal. But honestly, what I loved even more than that, is the fact that they became friends before lovers. Obviously they were thrown into a crazy situation together, but for me that is probably a huge part of what made it so notable (I'm still thinking about that chair scene!). Looking back now, I can hardly believe what a short period of time this book took place over. The pacing was so well done I thoroughly believed these characters had found love over their crazy escapade.
If nothing else, this book is an incredibly bingeable read and I can't wait to read more by this author! She made me laugh and escape this world while I was reading her book, and that was exactly what I needed.
Thank you so much Kensington books for this ARC!
May 7, 2025
meh. I got like 70% through and then didn't care enough to finish. it cute ish. but also meh.
October 11, 2025
This is a rather slow-moving action adventure story. Which is weird to say because there's almost always something going on. There's almost always a sense of urgency or danger. I wasn't ever bored exactly, but I wasn't on the edge if my seat either. And when I looked down, I always expected to be about 20% further along than I was.
I do think the mystery, action-adventure, murdery fixer stuff was well written. It was fun, sometimes funny, and always interesting from a story standpoint. I think the story itself is well-built with morally gray characters who are easy to love doing things that need doing to keep those they care about safe from bad people.
Funnily enough, I don't think this needed the romance. I would have been fine if Penny and Anthony had stayed platonic friends. I just didn't really feel the chemistry between them.
I don't know if that's because this is a clean romance - where we don't get spice of any kind (and rightfully so, considering the dude's ribs are broken) - other than the vaguest mention near the end that they spend some time at a hotel room doing things, or if perhaps it's because this has a single narrator, so we never get Anthony's POV for anything. Regardless, I don't believe the romance is a necessary part of this story - the adventure itself was enough for me.
I did like that Penny didn't morph into a badass gun-slinging law-ignorer at any point in the story. She uncomfortable with weapons, but uses them when she absolutely has to - maybe not well but she doesn't take up Anthony's trade and doesn't encourage him to keep doing what he was doing with his uncle, either. At the end of the story she's still nervous around police officers and Anthony has to take the lead when speaking to detectives.
The found family was also sort of cute. I enjoyed Anthony and Gio and Portia's relationship with Penny and with each other.
Honestly this would have been a higher rating if it wasn't quite so slow moving (shorter chapters would have helped with this) and if the characters actually had chemistry and maybe didn't read quite so juvenile. There were large parts of this story that genuinely felt like YA...but this book isn't intended to be YA.
I do think the mystery, action-adventure, murdery fixer stuff was well written. It was fun, sometimes funny, and always interesting from a story standpoint. I think the story itself is well-built with morally gray characters who are easy to love doing things that need doing to keep those they care about safe from bad people.
Funnily enough, I don't think this needed the romance. I would have been fine if Penny and Anthony had stayed platonic friends. I just didn't really feel the chemistry between them.
I don't know if that's because this is a clean romance - where we don't get spice of any kind (and rightfully so, considering the dude's ribs are broken) - other than the vaguest mention near the end that they spend some time at a hotel room doing things, or if perhaps it's because this has a single narrator, so we never get Anthony's POV for anything. Regardless, I don't believe the romance is a necessary part of this story - the adventure itself was enough for me.
I did like that Penny didn't morph into a badass gun-slinging law-ignorer at any point in the story. She uncomfortable with weapons, but uses them when she absolutely has to - maybe not well but she doesn't take up Anthony's trade and doesn't encourage him to keep doing what he was doing with his uncle, either. At the end of the story she's still nervous around police officers and Anthony has to take the lead when speaking to detectives.
The found family was also sort of cute. I enjoyed Anthony and Gio and Portia's relationship with Penny and with each other.
Honestly this would have been a higher rating if it wasn't quite so slow moving (shorter chapters would have helped with this) and if the characters actually had chemistry and maybe didn't read quite so juvenile. There were large parts of this story that genuinely felt like YA...but this book isn't intended to be YA.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 416 reviews