The Fall Fix Up

Peach Blossom #4

by Karmen Lee, Angel Pean (Narrator)

Set in the cozy small town of Peach Blossom, a free-spirited mechanic and a fiercely independent artist make a pact to help each other rebuild, for fans of opposites attract romance and seasonal stories that celebrate autumn.

Welcome to Peach Blossom, an irresistibly charming small town where falling in love never goes quite as planned . . .

Aiden Flowers can fix anything. Cars, kitchens, houses—if something was broken, it could be rebuilt. Unless that something was his messy family. Especially his dad, who ruined Aiden’s credit. Or his sister, who Aiden hadn’t spoken to in years.

Janae Gunner is crafty, not handy. Give her a blank canvas, and she can make art. But she needed everything to be constructed before she could make it shine. That’s why she pretends her first marriage didn’t happen—pretty on the outside, with no foundation.

When an apartment fire leaves Aiden homeless and Janae living in a half-finished house, they agree to a practical fix Aiden will help Janae with repairs in exchange for a place to stay.

But neither of them planned on falling in love, especially not with their secrets threatening to surface. When the past catches up to them in the present, Aiden and Janae must weather the storm—or risk letting their spark burn out forever.

"Enchantingly charming and cozy. . . heart-thudding chemistry will have readers begging for more from Karmen Lee!" —Julian Winters, USA Today bestselling author of Last First Kiss

"Like a mug of hot apple comforting, cozy, and sweetly spicy." —Ruby Barrett, author of The Friendship Study

For fans of . . . Forced proximityOpposites attractSmall townsMeddling friends (AND siblings)Pumpkin patch "friend" datesCozy fall vibesBi for Bi romanceSlow Burn
Enter the Peach Blossom universe . . . The 7-10 Split The Relationship Mechanic The Secret Crush Book Club The Fall Fix Up

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, LGBT, Queer, Lesbian, Found Family, Slow Burn

Audible Audio

Published October 27, 2026

About the author

Karmen Lee is an avid reader of anything and everything. She’s a lifelong Southerner living it up in Atlanta, Georgia with her kid, her cats, and humidity. When she’s not packing lunches or working her normal nine-to-five, you can usually find her drinking coffee too late at night, watching House Hunters International and dreaming up ways to show her readers a good time. You can keep up with her on Twitter (@Author_KLee) or Instagram (@authorkarmenlee).

Never miss a New Release! Sign up for Karmen's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/g_UiEb

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

The Fall Fix Up by Karmen Lee
Peach Blossom series #4. Contemporary small town romance.
After a fire destroyed the only apartment building in town and a credit report destroyed by his father, Aiden Flowers agrees to rehab and fix Janae Gunner’s half refinished home. In exchange, he gets room and board in town so he doesn’t have a long commute to his day job. As the two literally bump into each other, their appreciation and liking of each other grows to more.

How horrible for Aiden that his father took advantage of him. Without remorse or apology. I’m very glad he was able to reconcile with his sister. She can help him with recovery.
Fun seeing characters from the prior books too. That’s the best part of small town series.

Great friendships. Steamy romance. Fall season vibes.

[gracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love stumbling upon bi4bi romances in the wild. This was cute, as is the norm for Karmen Lee, but I wasn't a fan of how much of the emotional heaviness and climax seemed to happen in the last 40 or so pages. It did a great disservice to the well written characters we'd had that far into the book, I was even surprised when I swiped my screen and saw epilogue. Thank you Harlequin Romance for the arc.

[SookandBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Fall Fix Up is a dual POV roommates to lovers romance. Janae is trying to build a new life for herself and that includes buying a home she intends to fix up slowly (with the help of professionals!) before moving in. But when a fire leaves many people, including Janae and her friendly neighbor across the hall, Aiden, displaced, she moves into the unfinished house. Family drama leads to Aiden being unable to secure alternate lodging and the two come to an agreement: Aiden will move into Janae’s spare bedroom in exchange for finishing up projects to make the house livable. They go from smiles and casual greetings in the hallway to roommates, learning more about one another and liking what they uncover! As they fix up the house, they also work on fixing up past baggage and rebuilding trust as they fall for one another!

This was my first book from Karmen Lee and I loved it! I definitely need to go back to the beginning of this series. It’s an adorable small town and filled with cozy fall vibes, but it also touches on issues of trust and being hurt by people you should be able to count on to provide love and support. Aiden was such a green flag and I adored him!! I loved Janae’s vision for her home and the life she wanted to build and how well they fit together.

[Katie (katieeatsbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

10/09/2026-10/10/2026

Thank you Harlequin Romance for the gifted digital proof copy of “The Fall Fix Up” by Karmen Lee 🏠

⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Coming October 27th, 2026)

What I liked:
🍂 the plot! Forced proximity and making the best of what you have can sometimes really spark things up! (No pun intended!)
🍂 the idea of a fixer upper house x fixer upper romance (Janae is a “second chance romance” trope and Aiden is a “first romance” & “trauma past” kinda guy, it fits their storyline to have a fixer upper situation.
🍂 the seriously heartfelt and connected friends to the main characters (I know I missed the first three books but im assuming it was their storylines which established this connection)
🍂 the fall vibes

What I didn’t like:
🍂 the surface level writing style, it just felt like there was no real connection between the author and the paper.
🍂 abandoning Janae’s whole complicated storyline to focus on Aiden’s and rushing it in a couple sentences in the epilogue after ignoring it most of the book.
🍂 never talking about the “big fire” again after it took so much of the beginning of the book.
🍂 an art teacher being able to afford an apartment, a house paid in full, complete expensive remodeling of said house, nonstop takeout and nonstop hobby supplies.


I think if you like a quick, cute, seasonal romance read this is definitely for you, it’s also very heartfelt. However, if you’re looking for depth, background, a storyline without major gaps and fragments, this probably isn’t it for you.

Gotta be willing to just be looking for vibes! 🎃

[Skeena8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cozy forced proximity romance. Neighbours have Ben crushing on each other for a while but never making a move. When circumstances make them homeless. They trade skills for a room. The chemistry is so good, the flirting and angst is delightful and the characters are so loveable. I hope this gets made into a movie cause it was just so good. The characters have great depth and personal growth. The writing style is fast pace and the writing is engaging and enjoyable. I loved how the story progressed and ended and just was happy and content while reading.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin - Romance, and Harlequin Audio for the gifted ARC and ALC!

3.5 stars rounded up. I was craving a small-town fall romance, and this one did just the job! This is part of a series, but can 100% be read as a standalone, so you don’t need to read the previous books first. Peach Blossom was such a fun setting, and I loved the autumn atmosphere throughout the story. It wasn’t overly fall-themed, but had just enough of that seasonal feel to put me in the mood for fall.

I enjoyed Janae and Aiden together. The forced proximity and having them unexpectedly live together gave them plenty of time to get to know each other, and I liked how naturally their relationship developed. I also loved watching Aiden help Janae fix up her house while they slowly started getting closer.

I liked that they both had their own things to work through, too. Aiden’s family situation added some good emotional depth to his story, although I do wish we would’ve gotten a little more from Janae’s backstory and divorce. There were also a few pacing issues for me, and I felt like some things were left a little unresolved.

I did this one as a tandem read with the audiobook, and I really enjoyed the narration! It’s a single narrator with dual POV, and I thought she did a great job switching between Janae and Aiden.

This was such an easy fall romance to get lost in and exactly what I was in the mood for!

[Magically Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and author Karmen Lee, for providing me with the ALC of “The Fall Fix Up”.

Angel did a wonderful job with the narration. She kept me hooked and really portrayed all the emotions that came up in this book. And there are a lot of them.

💭My Thoughts
Janae and Aiden are so cute trying so hard not to fall for each other or have feelings when they are living together after the fire. I also would have fallen so hard for Aiden too after he took her every consideration into making sure her home was the way she wanted. That is what a man should do, and yes he was there to help but he LISTENED. And for that he is a walking green flag.

The only red flag in this book is Aiden's dad and good lord that situation hurt. It happens so often and it makes me so sad. I wish there was a way for this to never happen to anyone ever again.

Okay go add this to your fall tbr because it is cute and cozy and worth the listen.

❣️Tropes❣️
Small Town
Artist FMC
Mechanic MMC
Slow Burn
He Falls First
Life After Divorce
Family Issues
ADHD Rep

🩵RATING🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️
Length: 304 Pages
Publisher: Harlequin

🎧Single Narration 8h 52m at 2x
🎙️Angel Pean
Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publisher: Harlequin Audio

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cozy bi4bi fall romance! I really enjoyed the connection between Janae and Aiden and seeing how they were dealing of the forced proximity of having to live together unexpectedly. I also liked the meddling of all their friends, the scenes of Aiden fixing up Janae's new house, and the autumn atmosphere.

The attraction and chemistry between Janae and Aiden was lovely. I liked how their romance was pretty low angst. But the circumstances of their apartment fire and elements of their backstories do bring in some more emotional moments that created good tension for the story. I especially liked seeing Aiden's family history and how he had to learn to deal with it differently. Janae's divorce and background don't get quite as much time in the story, I was hoping for a bit more on-page development there.

But overall this was a very sweet read with interesting characters, swoony chemistry, and some nice steamy scenes. I'd definitely recommend it for readers looking for a nice fall small town romance that features bi characters!

Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun, cosy read to get stuck into. I read the whole thing in a day; it was so easy to get lost in the story for a few hours, and escape into the world of Peach Blossom.

Our two main characters are Aiden, a mechanic, and Janae, a school teacher and artist. Although the romance amped up once their room-mate situation kicked in, I really liked that they both had a bit of a crush on each other at the very start of the book. There was so much yearning and some seriously awkward situations, but I was rooting for them the whole way through and I was THRILLED when they finally got their act together!

I also really liked the small town setting. There was a real sense of the community that they were in, and while I haven’t read the other books in the series, I still felt fully immersed in both the town and the characters in it.

📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚

While I really enjoyed the writing style and the romance, my main issue with this book is that there were some major oversights in the plot and character development. Both of our main characters have their own issues going on in their lives, but these felt very much in the background and didn’t have much impact on the romance itself. Janae, for instance, is in the middle of a drawn-out divorce process for much of the book, but it’s barely mentioned beyond the odd comment here or there. In fact, I had to go back and check if Aiden even knew about it after I finished the book, that’s how little it was brought up.

As for Aiden, he discovers that his father has taken out loans in his name, tanking his credit rating and making it impossible for him to find a place to rent. While this contributes to the mechanics of the plot, being the reason he has to move in with Janae, it’s barely brought up again until the final few chapters, when it is quickly resolved.

Both of their personal dramas were quickly resolved off-page, and while we didn’t necessarily have to go into the ins-and-outs of divorce or debt litigation, it felt like a missed opportunity not to get stuck into the emotional impact of it all. I ultimately left the book feeling frustrated that everything was brushed over so quickly.

So while I did really enjoy reading this book, I definitely finished it feeling more frustrated than satisfied, which was such a disappointment because I enjoyed everything else so much!

I received a free copy for an honest review.

[Tatyanna · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

✨ARC review
Release Date: 10/27/26
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spicy level: 2.5/5

Thoughts:
I loved that this book was cozy! It’s a great palette cleanser. Quick and easy read as well. The MMC and FMC were very relatable and it felt that I was in a hallmark movie from their banter. While this book was very much cozy, fall, and cute movie vibes. I think the author did a great job tying in relatable elements. The MMC dad was insufferable, and it really sucked to hear that he couldn’t get another place to stay as their only parent used his children’s credit. I think we really see Aiden pivot, and show Janae that he’s different and well also his handy skills (hehe). This book does have some spice, and having it packed in one bit was great as well. I only gave this 3.5 stars as, I wanted a bit more character development in the book. I’m not sure if this book was a bit predictable, so maybe that’s why, but just a bit more would’ve made it 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Karmen Lee for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a delight to return to Peach Blossom, Georgia. This latest in the small town cozy queer romance series has almost divorced, bisexual art teacher Janae and mechanic/handyman Aiden forced to live together when the apartment building they were both living in has a massive fire. In exchange for helping Janae fix up her house, she gives him her spare room. I loved seeing the two grow close and fight their feelings all while Aiden is dealing with the debt his father incurred under his name. Spicy, emotional and just a downright cozy Fall read that has fun cameos from past characters in the series. This works as a standalone though and is perfect for fans of authors like Alexa Martin and Talia Hibbert. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Tracy Redden · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of seasonal Hallmark holiday movies, then this one might be right up your alley! This was a sweet, small-town rural romance that will warm your heart and give you all those cozy fall feels🍂

I wasn’t entirely sure this would be a book I’d enjoy when I first started reading, but the more I got into the story, the more intrigued I became by the characters, their life stories, and the undeniable connection between Janae and Aiden.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming romance with small-town charm and cozy seasonal vibes, add The Fall Fix Up to your list to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the opportunity to read this e-arc and share my review.

[Carlota Silva · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

Cute and cozy fall romance, a low-drama story between two people who gravitate towards each other and help each other in a time of need.
The town and side characters are very cute.
I did find the plot a bit repetitive, and at times it felt like the characters were having the same conversation multiple times.
I appreciate how Aiden’s family trauma was dealt with ; however I also felt like Janae’s past was just brush under the rug. I wish there has been a bigger focus on her past and specifically on her divorce.
I would recommend this for readers who are in the mood for an easy, quick and seasonal read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin and the author for the chance to read this ARC.

[Turtleberry Turtleberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love small town romance and I was very excited to go back to Peach Blossom. Aiden is a mechanic and Janae is an art teacher. They are neighbors who might have a slight crush on one another. Then their apartment building burns down. Janae is forced to move into her barely habitable house that she has been renovating. Aiden is forced to sleep at the garage where he works because his father messed up his credit. Through the help of meddling friends, Aiden shows up to help Janae with her house. In return, she offers him a place to stay that is only slightly better than the garage.

This book had the small town romance and forced proximity and a little bit of opposites attract. Watching these two fall in love was so enjoyable. It was made even better by being able to also check in with characters from earlier books. I love a good series.

The only thing I wished was different was how the book went more into Aiden's issues but only scratched the surface of Janae's. I feel like more could have been said about what happened with her and her ex. I was glad for the epilogue that wrapped everything up nice and neat.

[Maria · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This was a fast and fun read. It’s not very deep, but I loved the whole forced proximity and fixer-upper part of the story, so cozy. I have read the other books in the series but not needed since this book works as a standalone.

It’s so fun to follow Aiden and Janae trying to live together when they are so different. They are so cute from the very start, and you really root for them. They try to resist but since they are made for each other it’s clear where this is heading and to follow that journey very nice.

[Emmie Rose]

I received an advanced copy for an honest review, however, I’m sad to say that I’m giving up with this one. After slowly picking away at it for about a month, I’ve only made it 22% of the way through and have no desire to pick it up to continue reading.

I haven’t felt a connection with the characters nor was I particularly invested in the plot. The author’s writing style isn’t bad, just not for me.

[Brooke Reno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! The romance happened so naturally and I loved that both characters were able to deal with their own issues while also slowly connecting with each other. The fall setting just felt like it fit in this storyline too which was so nice because it wasn't over the top fall but just enough. It was a necessary slow burn with forced proximity and roommates.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had such a great premise! I loved the idea of a love story because they were displaced and then he helps her make her dream house come true. Janae and Aiden were characters you could really root for. Janae having bought a fixer upper as a teacher in the small town of Peach Blossom finding a permanent home. And then you have Aiden who needs a place to stay and is recommended to help her fix up her house. It is the prefect about small town love story that makes you love Peach Blossom and the people who live there.

It was a bit slow in places but overly it was cute and cozy with a little spice. I recommend this one as a fall read that you could devour in a weekend.

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I don't think this book was a favorite of mine. I was very excited to get another cozy, fall black romance but this one was just a tad bit.. boring (for lack of better words).

It definitely gave the cute, cozy small town romance vibe I was looking for but I didn't really feel the chemistry between the characters too much.

I feel like the story also did a lot more explaining than showing, which made certain parts harder to get through.

I think a lot more could've been explored, i.e, Janae is going through a divorce, and while it's mentioned a couple times, I think some background there could've been helpful in learning her as a character, I don't even think I remember her mentioning that fact to Aiden? I'm not sure. However, we did get more detail regarding Aiden's family issues.

Overall, I just don't think this was the perfect read for me, but that doesn't mean it won't be for someone else!

[CourtneyRenee · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for this ARC.

This book was short and sweet. A little spicy romance with some small town charm. Janae is a teacher who moves to town and buys a fixer upper of a house and Aiden lives in an apartment that caught fire and now he needs a place to crash in the mean time. Since the workers have to leave Janae's house to help with repairs in town due to the fire, her and Aiden become roommates. A you scratch my back sort of arrangement.

Classic small town romance vibes and I really enjoyed it.

[Annie ~ Queer Books Unbound · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

When a fire destroys their apartment complex, Janae moves into the house she’s recently bought, even though it’s still very much a fixer-upper. In need of help with the renovations, a mutual friend recommends someone for the job without telling either of them who to expect. Imagine their surprise when Aiden shows up! They strike a deal: he’ll help fix up the house in exchange for a place to stay. Before long, they’re sharing a home, falling into an easy rhythm, and growing closer by the day. Aiden is already head over heels for Janae. It takes her a bit longer to realize she's just as smitten.

I absolutely loved the romance between these two. I liked the dual POV because we get to experience both sides of the growing feelings, their longing and the careful way they approach each other. There was something so incredibly sweet about watching them fall for each other, especially because Aiden was already pining hard and trying unsuccessfully to play it cool. He is such a sweetheart character and gentleman. Like he's the kind of person who'd rather make himself uncomfortable than leave someone else in a difficult situation.  
I loved how careful he was with Janae. Their relationship is built on so much care, respect, and consent, and watching them gradually find their way towards each other made me root for them even more.

Of course, that thoughtfulness comes with its own emotional baggage. Aiden has a difficult family history, and you can see how his childhood has shaped the way he sees himself and approaches relationships. There's something heartbreaking about how readily he puts others first, as though looking after everyone else comes more naturally to him than allowing someone to look after him. He deserves the same kindness, consideration, and love he so freely gives to others.

Janae has her own baggage to work through, too. As she navigates a divorce after a difficult marriage, I enjoyed watching her step into this new chapter of her life, learning to embrace who she is and what she wants. I especially appreciated seeing her open herself up to love again, despite the uncertainty that comes with it.

Karmen Lee does a wonderful job of creating characters that feel multifaceted and authentic, with inner struggles that add nuance to their personalities and depth to their relationships.  

This was such a cute story, but don't be fooled — there are some (small) emotional punches in there, too! The pining, the mutual feelings, the tenderness, the careful approach to intimacy — I loved all of it. Beneath the sweetness is a story about learning what healthy love looks like, finding your people, and realising that you don't always have to be the one holding everything together. Sometimes, you get to let someone else take care of you, too.

I've read three of Karmen Lee's shorts before, but this was my first full-length book by her! I'm excited to dive into her backlist and discover what else she has in store!

[Brenda Stokvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Books and the author for providing me with the ARC in return for an honest review.

Aiden and Janae live in the same apartment building, but when that building goes up in flames they are both struggling to make it work. Janae had already bought a little town house, but it is halfway through fixing up and the builders she hired are pulled away to rebuild the apartment complex. Aiden can't seem to find a new place to stay and lives out of the car shop he works in during the day. Friends suggest Aiden helps Janae with fixing up her house and she offers for him to stay in the spare bedroom.
This was a cute and cozy romance! Aiden sounded absolutely dreamy, such a green flag man and Janae came across as a strong but also soft person.
Where in a previous book in this series I felt parts of the plot were left unfinished, this book handles it better, but unfortunately not perfectly. Aiden finds out his dad has wrecked his credit score by taking out loans in his name and that was fleshed out and came to a satisfying conclusion. The parts about Janae's divorce were touched upon and find there conclusion in the end, I had hoped for more of this storyline. And little bits of the story are left unfinished, what happened with the pumpkin carvings? I really wanted to know who won and if they went through with their bets. I know it was just a small moment, but they had such fun banter about it that I wanted more out of that moment.
There were also really good moments though, I love it when characters show vulnerability and Aiden opening up to his sister and Janae was beautiful. The banter throughout was really fun and Vini was a great side character, who really had Aiden's back. Also loved the bisexual representation in this book!
So in the end this really is a fun read, the spice was good and I really felt the tension between the characters. There were some moments I wanted more off, but I wasn't left unsatisfied with it. A perfect book for people who love small town romances!

[Kaylie Helfrich · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was such a cute and fun fall read!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC!!

I have loved this whole series so much. I love a good small town romance where everyone knows everyone and everyone is in everyone else's business.

Janae has just bought a fixer upper home, but she was fully prepared and had contractors lined up. When the only apartment complex in the town catches fire, all the contractors she had lined up are now prioritizing the apartments. It get's extra complicated when she realizes she's gonna have to live in the house while doing repairs since finding a place to live is extra difficult. Aiden was one of the people who lived in the apartments and now has no where to live and a credit report that has been tanked by his own father stealing his identity. When his boss catches him sleeping in the auto shop he works in, his boss has the idea for him to help out Janae with her house. Janae offers Aiden a place to live while he helps her fix up her new house.

I really loved this book, but I do wish we would have gotten a little bit more of Janae and her story. This book felt like it was Aiden's book and Janae was the love interest, and I feel like there was so much more to explore with Janae. This is the first MF romance in this series, while the first three books are all Sapphic romances. I loved that we got to see the couples from the other books in this series. It was done in a way that if you have read the other books, it's nice, but if you haven't read the other books, you won't be lost or feel like your missing anything.

I read an ALC and loved this narrator! It is single narration, but Angel Pean does such a wonderful job of voicing different characters so it's easy to follow who's talking and what's going on without the different voices feeling forced.

[Tulip_OnTheTBR · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Cozy Autumn Pit Stop That Lost Its Spark 🍁✨

The first few chapters almost sold me. From the jump, the story had a fresh energy that skipped the usual small-town clichés, and I felt a bit of a rush. The chemistry had a lot of potential, and I was ready to ride at dawn for Aiden and Janae's love. Everything was there for this to be a great romance but...

Somewhere along the line, that initial spark sputtered out. And while I appreciate a slower character-driven story, there just wasn’t enough happening to keep me fully engaged. A slow burn works best for me when the tension keeps simmering leading up to a boil, but once the excitement of their living arrangement wore off, the story hit a plateau. I wanted more angst, something a little messier, or just more friction, but it never happened. Now, they both had baggage that made for interesting drama, and I did enjoy that part of the story. But instead of turning pages late at night, my attention span became the length of a toddler's, and my thumbs began doomscrolling. 😔

To be fair, it is worth noting that I have not read any of the previous books in the Peach Blossom series, and I wonder if my connection to the town and the side characters would've hit differently had I been invested from book one. As a standalone experience, it left me underwhelmed.

The Aftermath 🌷:
This was my first time reading Karmen Lee, and the book definitely delivered a cozy autumn vibe. Ultimately, it ended up being a middle-of-the-road THREE-STAR read for me, but it was still a pleasant seasonal pit stop that might be perfect for you! 🍂🏡

Publication Date: October 27, 2026

Thank you to Harlequin Books, Karmen Lee, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick and cute read that I find perfect for the fall! Especially their lil pumpkin patch date, so fun! While this is a cute read, I also enjoyed the heavier elements that moved the story along and showed that the right person will face anything with you.

We start this book with a terrible fire that displaces many people, including our two MCs. While many things were lost to the fire, it also brought these two together in a way they never would have expected. I absolutely loved this twist on a forced proximity.

I found it insanely cute how happy it made Aiden to fix up Janae’s house. Throughout the entire book Aiden was always super respect and kind, to everyone, not just Janae. I may be a sucker for a morally grey character, but I also love reading when there are characters that to their soul are just good people. Aiden is such a sweetheart and I love how he treats Janae.

When it comes to Janae, I love her bashfulness when it comes her growing feelings for Aiden. Which made it more entertaining when she finally gave in and told him exactly what she wanted. I also love how open she was to listening to his problems and helping him in any way she could, letting him know it’s okay to choose himself.

Together these two are absolutely adorable. I wish them nothing but happiness and a long future ahead of them. Each one of them experienced personal situations that weighed on them; but they learned they didn’t have to go through it alone as they each wanted to be there for one another. It made the story feel even more real and showed how deep their feelings ran for one another.

I didn’t realize until I had started that this was book FOUR in a series, so I will be going back to books 1-3 in the future! I recommend this book for a quick and cozy fall read!

[August Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a fantastic book full of humor, found family and romance.
I am such a fan of this book because also I've read many bi books this one actually felt bi! This is not to say that the ones I've read in the past aren't valid but when it's a straight passing couple as the lead in my romance books and there's only like one line that indicates that the character(s) are queer it can feel a bit disingenuous. While this book had a bi4bi couple that had a queer community that kept reminding you that these characters are queer and I loved that.
This was my first book by Karmen Lee and it makes me want to read all of the books in this series at least if not even more of their works.

If you are looking for a cozy fall vibes book I definitely recommend this one

Overview:
Aiden and Janae had been neighbors until the only apartment complex in town of where they lived had a massive fire. leaving them displaced.
Janae had purchased a house that over the course of the year was to be renovated, but crew got pulled to handle the apartments. So Janae found herself in a very cold almost unlivable house with no one to help.
Aiden found himself in a worse situation, having nowhere to go. with no vacancies in any nearby hotels or bnbs and finding out that his father tanked his credit so he can't rent a different apartment out of town. He finds himself secretly sleeping the mechanic shop where he works until his boss found out.
Aiden's boss Vini puts 2 and 2 together and suggests that Aiden help Janae out with the house leading to them living together and falling in love.

[Abby · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC.

On vibes alone this is an easy 4 stars. I had such a great time, Janae and Aiden are both great characters and I loved their slow burn romance.

However, I feel like we got a lot more development for Aiden than Janae and it made the book feel off balance. Both of them are trying to move on from difficult situations, Janae with her divorce and Aiden with his relationship with his father. Aiden’s backstory is the main driver in how the two end up in their close proximity situationship so I can understand why it got more attention, but it was like Janae’s divorce was an afterthought. There’s not a single conversation between Janae and Aiden about her previous relationship, I couldn’t even tell you if he knew she was previously married. And there were so many opportunities for her to open up that it simply didn’t make sense. I struggled to believe in their relationship longevity because there was this huge thing unspoken between them and as the reader I was left frustrated.

The book leans towards lighthearted but then tries to deal with two fairly heavy topics, unfortunately this resulted in a lack of emotional investment which felt like a missed opportunity. I think the divorce and Aiden’s dad either needed to be left out, or they needed to be handled with more care and focus. The halfway angst didn’t work.

If anything I feel like this book could have been a duology, and I think the characters deserved that time to fully develop. Great MCs, great premise, but ultimately rushed.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fall Fix Up is a heartwarming small-town romance that perfectly captures the cozy feeling of autumn while delivering an emotional story about healing, forgiveness, and second chances.
After an apartment fire leaves Aiden without a place to live and Janae struggling to finish renovating her home, the two agree to a mutually beneficial arrangement. What starts as a practical solution slowly develops into something much deeper. I loved how naturally their relationship evolved. The slow-burn romance gave both characters time to grow individually while building a genuine connection together.
Aiden's desire to fix everything around him while avoiding his own family issues made him a compelling hero. Janae's journey of rebuilding her confidence after a failed marriage added emotional depth to the story. Their chemistry felt authentic, and I appreciated how they supported one another through personal struggles rather than magically solving each other's problems.
The real standout for me was the atmosphere. Peach Blossom is the kind of small town that makes you want to grab a blanket, a warm drink, and spend an afternoon getting lost in the story. The fall setting added so much charm and perfectly complemented the themes of rebuilding and new beginnings.
Fans of forced proximity, opposites attract, small-town romance, and cozy seasonal reads will find plenty to love here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a small-town, cozy fall romance? Then Karmen Lee’s upcoming romance THE FALL FIX UP needs to be on your TBR. Take a trip to Peach Blossom for an absolutely delightful and swoony journey with Janae and Aiden.

Janae and Aiden live in the same apartment building, but when a devastating fire uproots them both, Janae invites Aiden to move into the extra room of her not-quite-ready-for-inhabitation fixer-upper in exchange for his help finishing the home repairs. Both are hesitant to let anything more than friendship develop between them, but the more time they spend together, the more their connection feels inevitable.

I really, really enjoyed this one. It had the best fall vibes, and combined with the charming small town of Peach Blossom, The Fall Fix Up was the perfect recipe for a cozy romance. Janae and Aiden were fantastic main characters. I loved that they were both a little reserved and shy, but gradually came out of their shells with each other. They each have their own personal struggles to work through, and I really enjoyed watching their character growth throughout the story. And their cute (and spicy!) moments? So, so swoony and romantic. I loved them!

The Fall Fix Up features:
🎨 Artist FMC x mechanic MMC
🛠️ Small-town vibes
🎨 Forced proximity
🛠️ Found family
🎨 Cozy fall vibes

THE FALL FIX UP releases 10/27/26. Thank you to Afterglow Books for this advanced reading copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[BookishLatinaJenn (Jennifer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review: The Fall Fix Up by Karmen Lee
Narrated by Angel Pean

I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.

Returning to Peach Blossom feels like catching up with old friends, and Aiden and Janae’s story brings all the cozy, autumn romance vibes! I loved their natural chemistry and how their friendship grew into something deeper while they navigated family baggage, past hurt, and the challenge of starting over. Aiden’s struggles especially added emotional depth, though I would have loved a little more time exploring Janae’s personal journey and family relationships.

Angel Pean does a wonderful job bringing this story to life. Her delivery captures the longing, humor, frustration, and tenderness between the characters, and her distinct character voices make the dialogue easy to follow. The dual narration was great, Aiden’s POV and the narrator's male voice is FANTASTIC, Angel carries the entire performance beautifully. Her narration adds warmth and emotion that make this a genuinely enjoyable listen.

Another sweet, heartfelt visit to Peach Blossom. I’m always happy to return!

🎧 Tropes & Vibes:
🏡 Small-town romance
🔨 Fixer-upper / renovation
🛠️ Mechanic MMC
🎨 Artist FMC
🏠 Forced proximity / roommates
💕 Friends to lovers
🍂 Cozy autumn vibes
🌱 Healing and new beginnings

Thank you Karmen Lee, NetGalley, and HTP Books/Harlequin Audio, for the ALC!