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Fixer Upper
Some things can be fixed with a little duct tape… but a broken heart ain’t one of ‘em.
Avery Blake has spent years getting by all on her own in a big house on the countryside. As a contractor, there’s not much room for emotion in her male-dominated profession, and she’s perfectly content to keep people out of her private life, too.
After watching her elderly neighbor, Nora, be torn away from her long-time lover by heartless relatives, Avery has seen what it’s like to love and to lose, and she’d rather skip the whole thing and focus on work (and the occasional meaningless fling) instead.
Some relationships can be fixed with a little breathing room… and some are too far gone.
Hannah Grayson has nothing but room to breathe when she finds out her Great-Aunt Nora has passed and left her a house in rural Indiana. Fleeing a dysfunctional and controlling relationship in New York, she moves into the house because she’s got nowhere else to go.
Disasters start piling up almost as soon as the plane touches down - the house is in disrepair, Nora’s grandchildren are trying to evict her, and the gorgeous but chilly woman across the street seems to have a problem with Hannah’s presence.
When a pipe bursts on her first night in the house, Hannah has no choice but to run across the street and beg for help from Avery.
The rest, as they say, is history…
Avery Blake has spent years getting by all on her own in a big house on the countryside. As a contractor, there’s not much room for emotion in her male-dominated profession, and she’s perfectly content to keep people out of her private life, too.
After watching her elderly neighbor, Nora, be torn away from her long-time lover by heartless relatives, Avery has seen what it’s like to love and to lose, and she’d rather skip the whole thing and focus on work (and the occasional meaningless fling) instead.
Some relationships can be fixed with a little breathing room… and some are too far gone.
Hannah Grayson has nothing but room to breathe when she finds out her Great-Aunt Nora has passed and left her a house in rural Indiana. Fleeing a dysfunctional and controlling relationship in New York, she moves into the house because she’s got nowhere else to go.
Disasters start piling up almost as soon as the plane touches down - the house is in disrepair, Nora’s grandchildren are trying to evict her, and the gorgeous but chilly woman across the street seems to have a problem with Hannah’s presence.
When a pipe bursts on her first night in the house, Hannah has no choice but to run across the street and beg for help from Avery.
The rest, as they say, is history…
1 pages, Audiobook
First published July 31, 2017
265 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Cara Malone
68 books478 followersI write stories that explore the thrills – and challenges – of falling in love as a woman-loving woman, including the bestselling Lakeside Hospital medical romance series and Rainbow Award honorable mention The Rules of Love.
My books are for you if you’re a fan of contemporary romance, if you love strong women who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, and if you like a little heat with your sapphic love stories.
Grab a free copy of Mind Games on my website, CaraMalone.com
My books are for you if you’re a fan of contemporary romance, if you love strong women who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, and if you like a little heat with your sapphic love stories.
Grab a free copy of Mind Games on my website, CaraMalone.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 27, 2017
I was between 2 and 3 on this. If you're looking for good feels, well. *Makes the traffic cop swinging of the arms to move along* You're not gonna really find that here. The majority of this is all angst. In fact one of the MC's is a colossal jerk at times. Didn't like the first 23 chapters and the last 2 were meh. This one wasn't the greatest for me.
August 1, 2017
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest & unbiased review. Thank you!*
Cara Malone does it again! The attribute that really sets her from the pack is that Malone always pens flawed characters with authenicty & sensitivity. It's refreshing to see a romance that isn't plagued by "instalove" with absolutely no dialogue/conflict & resolution to back it up. FIXER UPPER is no different.
Hannah Grayson finds herself returning to country life in Indiana when she discovers her late great-aunt Nora has left the house to her. Hannah is also grappling with the dissolution of a dysfunctional relationship & what it means to start over again, this time in my own terms. Nora's neighbor /sort-of caretaker, Avery Blake, is used to not being in committed relationships. The idea of settling down & not being entirely independent has her spooked. But things change when Avery & Hannah meet. Sparks fly, but with a house to fix, Hannah's bigot family members, the discovery of a romance between Nora & her best friend, Minnie, an abusive ex & not believing in the power of love, is it too much to handle?
I absolutely loved that Malone showed the insidious side of many relationships- the power trips, control & mindgames. There needs to be more awareness for emotional abuse brought to the table. With consistent pacing, I flew by this one! The conflict between each woman as well as the internal conflict with themselves never felt corny. I was perfectly satisfied with the ending & am glad it didn't turn out too cheesy or romantic for it to be inauthentic to the MCs. I definitely wouldn't hesitate for a sequel featuring Avery & Hannah.
I honestly cannot recommend this author enough- certainly not a cookie-cutter & each story is so substantial, (unlike many mindless romances which I find more often than not) you can't wait for the next one. FIXER UPPER is highly recommended - as well as any of Malone's works.
Cara Malone does it again! The attribute that really sets her from the pack is that Malone always pens flawed characters with authenicty & sensitivity. It's refreshing to see a romance that isn't plagued by "instalove" with absolutely no dialogue/conflict & resolution to back it up. FIXER UPPER is no different.
Hannah Grayson finds herself returning to country life in Indiana when she discovers her late great-aunt Nora has left the house to her. Hannah is also grappling with the dissolution of a dysfunctional relationship & what it means to start over again, this time in my own terms. Nora's neighbor /sort-of caretaker, Avery Blake, is used to not being in committed relationships. The idea of settling down & not being entirely independent has her spooked. But things change when Avery & Hannah meet. Sparks fly, but with a house to fix, Hannah's bigot family members, the discovery of a romance between Nora & her best friend, Minnie, an abusive ex & not believing in the power of love, is it too much to handle?
I absolutely loved that Malone showed the insidious side of many relationships- the power trips, control & mindgames. There needs to be more awareness for emotional abuse brought to the table. With consistent pacing, I flew by this one! The conflict between each woman as well as the internal conflict with themselves never felt corny. I was perfectly satisfied with the ending & am glad it didn't turn out too cheesy or romantic for it to be inauthentic to the MCs. I definitely wouldn't hesitate for a sequel featuring Avery & Hannah.
I honestly cannot recommend this author enough- certainly not a cookie-cutter & each story is so substantial, (unlike many mindless romances which I find more often than not) you can't wait for the next one. FIXER UPPER is highly recommended - as well as any of Malone's works.
February 17, 2022
Contractor next door.
This wasn't an easy listen because of the circumstances that led to the characters being acquainted and shacking up. The first is the passing of an old neighbour / grandaunt who had a sad story and I felt for her. The other is the end of an abusive relationship that one of the characters, Hannah, had been in prior to the funeral. Hannah inherits the house of her late grandaunt, Nora, and in the midst of deciding what to do with it, she gets aquainted with the neighbour, Avery, who's a contractor. Avery views Hannah with suspicion at first but soon discovers that Hannah is nice. But even as they grow closer, she continues to keep Hannah emotionally at arm's length because of her cynicism towards love.
There were parts of the story I liked and parts I didn't. I think Malone writes really good and passionate sex scenes and they were such a turn on. I also love that Hannah has a growth arc. Hannah's ex cultivated her lack of self-confidence and independence but Hannah stepped up towards the end.
I know Avery has a role to play in encouraging and enabling Hannah but I'm not entirely convinced that she's the right person for her. I found it hard to like Avery for most parts because she didn't behave very well. I thought she was brash and rude. She threw tantrums and she was pushy when it came to a lot of house decisions. Hannah has a soft personality which I don't think goes well with Avery and considering how Hannah had just gotten out of an abusive relationship, I was a bit uncomfortable with the dynamics between them.
Emily Beresford narrated this and she makes the good characters sound nice and the bad characters sound really mean. Good job.
This wasn't an easy listen because of the circumstances that led to the characters being acquainted and shacking up. The first is the passing of an old neighbour / grandaunt who had a sad story and I felt for her. The other is the end of an abusive relationship that one of the characters, Hannah, had been in prior to the funeral. Hannah inherits the house of her late grandaunt, Nora, and in the midst of deciding what to do with it, she gets aquainted with the neighbour, Avery, who's a contractor. Avery views Hannah with suspicion at first but soon discovers that Hannah is nice. But even as they grow closer, she continues to keep Hannah emotionally at arm's length because of her cynicism towards love.
There were parts of the story I liked and parts I didn't. I think Malone writes really good and passionate sex scenes and they were such a turn on. I also love that Hannah has a growth arc. Hannah's ex cultivated her lack of self-confidence and independence but Hannah stepped up towards the end.
I know Avery has a role to play in encouraging and enabling Hannah but I'm not entirely convinced that she's the right person for her. I found it hard to like Avery for most parts because she didn't behave very well. I thought she was brash and rude. She threw tantrums and she was pushy when it came to a lot of house decisions. Hannah has a soft personality which I don't think goes well with Avery and considering how Hannah had just gotten out of an abusive relationship, I was a bit uncomfortable with the dynamics between them.
Emily Beresford narrated this and she makes the good characters sound nice and the bad characters sound really mean. Good job.
July 10, 2022
4.5 Stars for Fixer Upper (audiobook) by Cara Malone read by Emily Beresford.
I love romances set around home renovations. I was working on a remodel while I was listening to this today. Its fun to see two people come together in the dusty and sweaty world of remodeling.
I love romances set around home renovations. I was working on a remodel while I was listening to this today. Its fun to see two people come together in the dusty and sweaty world of remodeling.
March 6, 2022
so obvious and corny, all the characters felt like flat caricatures of an idea of someone, but I did enjoy the butch/femme representation and neighbor trope!
May 31, 2025
I Love this book! Hannah comes to Camden, Ohio for her Great Aunt Nora's funeral. Shes also been willed her house and property. Her across the street neighbor is Avery, a contractor, who helps her learn to renovate the house. Both women are attracted to one another.
This is a loving, learning to stand up for yourself, learning to love, HOT love story! 5 stars!
This is a loving, learning to stand up for yourself, learning to love, HOT love story! 5 stars!
August 25, 2017
Cute read
Nothing too special or new about this book BUT it was cute nice read with little angst, nice lustful scenes, and a HEA. Free on kU and worth the read if you have the time.
Nothing too special or new about this book BUT it was cute nice read with little angst, nice lustful scenes, and a HEA. Free on kU and worth the read if you have the time.
January 20, 2018
This is just another butch portrayal of a helpless and dunderheaded femme that doesn't begin to know how to change out an O-Ring or even find the water shut-off valve in her house. The femme is so grateful to the big, strong butch that she agrees to pay her $25 for the o-ring and she makes her handsome butch a half dozen blueberry muffins and then has sex with her because she is so grateful for butches o-ring (a 10 cent part, BTW). Ridiculous! And then, here-we-go-again, the rippling muscles of the handsome butch. LOL and GAG!
With the number of errors in this book, I have a hard time believing that this rubbish was written by someone with a "Bachelor's degree in Writing and her Master's in Library Science". Unless she wrote this book as a young teenager and never bothered to re-read and make corrections.
Odd phrasing used: Fiddlesticks, darn-it, Oh fudge, googly eyes
With the number of errors in this book, I have a hard time believing that this rubbish was written by someone with a "Bachelor's degree in Writing and her Master's in Library Science". Unless she wrote this book as a young teenager and never bothered to re-read and make corrections.
Odd phrasing used: Fiddlesticks, darn-it, Oh fudge, googly eyes
January 18, 2019
I like the MCs. I like how the story played out. I even got emotional at some point. Solid read from Malone.
July 7, 2018
Easy love story
This was my first book I have read of this author's and it won't be the last. I liked how light and easy it was to read. I found Avery and Hannah to be great characters not with overly dramatic problems. And the storyline was well done to. I definitely recommend this book.
This was my first book I have read of this author's and it won't be the last. I liked how light and easy it was to read. I found Avery and Hannah to be great characters not with overly dramatic problems. And the storyline was well done to. I definitely recommend this book.
September 25, 2019
Loved it! Brilliantly written, and I must admit, Avery is rather delicious. I felt the toxic relationship between Hannah and Rebecca was really well done, and loved watching Hannah finding her confidence. A great story!
December 5, 2017
Nice story to curl up with on the sofa after a long day at work or school. I'll be reading more stories by Cara.
August 12, 2022
Hannah Grayson inherits her Great Aunt Nora’s house in the midwest. Coming to the funeral causes a break-up with her possessive and controlling ex. She doesn’t understand why she is to inherit until she finds a notebook left by Nora. She is a fish out of water but I like her willingness to try to do something. The neighbor across the way is Avery Blake who doesn’t want to like her but does. She is a busy carpenter/contractor and convinces Hannah they can fix up the place so she can get a better resale. The story goes as expected with Hannah getting more confidence in herself and Avery not wanting a relationship although she never uses her words to say it. In ways she is as brusk as Hannah’s ex. This is short, passionate and with a little bit of extra heart with Nora’s backstory. (2.5-3 stars)
January 6, 2019
I been reading some reviews and the rating for this book and I think those are too harsh for the book, but that's my opinion.
I'm a regular when it comes to Cara Malone's books, I think she's a great writter and her books can go from angst (like this one or Falling Gracefully) to more of a angst free books she has write. I think that the book has more good than bad (like all the angst) like Hannah's character development, the relationship between Nora and Minnie, wich I think it has a prequel somewhere call "Odd Girls" or something (I need to find that one) and come on, even though it goes around the whole butch/femme type of relationship (wich I don't see Avery being a butch type of girl just because she works in construction).
Fixer Upper it's a great book to pass the time and it is just awesome to read.
I read this book because of 2 things: now that I have a kindle I want to read all of Cara Malone's books and because she's writting an anthology book where we're going to read about Hannah/Avery, Max/Ruby and Melody/Jessie life after the books, so I'm excited to read that one.
I'm a regular when it comes to Cara Malone's books, I think she's a great writter and her books can go from angst (like this one or Falling Gracefully) to more of a angst free books she has write. I think that the book has more good than bad (like all the angst) like Hannah's character development, the relationship between Nora and Minnie, wich I think it has a prequel somewhere call "Odd Girls" or something (I need to find that one) and come on, even though it goes around the whole butch/femme type of relationship (wich I don't see Avery being a butch type of girl just because she works in construction).
Fixer Upper it's a great book to pass the time and it is just awesome to read.
I read this book because of 2 things: now that I have a kindle I want to read all of Cara Malone's books and because she's writting an anthology book where we're going to read about Hannah/Avery, Max/Ruby and Melody/Jessie life after the books, so I'm excited to read that one.
June 13, 2020
A sweet and fun romance.
Hannah inherited her aunt's Victorian house in the country, where she often spent her summers. She left a controlling manipulative relationship and is lacking confidence.
Avery is a slightly arrogant contractor living across the road who swears off love and heartache and only does one night stands and no more. But she finds Hannah alluring and appealing and wants to help her elderly neighbours neice.
There is history with the elderly Aunt and her lover, another woman. Whom other family members kept apart in their aging. This apparently swore Avery off love, seeing her elderly neighbours hearts and lives ripped apart.
However this reason alone I felt was a strange reaction for Avery's anti love stance. I felt her character needed more reason to be as jaded and scared of love as she was. It just didn't make sense. There had to be more to it, but it never came.
However it was still a lovely uplifting story with some family drama. Hannah gained so much confidence and ability thanks to Avery's encouragement and support, and Avery learned to open her heart and soul.
Hannah inherited her aunt's Victorian house in the country, where she often spent her summers. She left a controlling manipulative relationship and is lacking confidence.
Avery is a slightly arrogant contractor living across the road who swears off love and heartache and only does one night stands and no more. But she finds Hannah alluring and appealing and wants to help her elderly neighbours neice.
There is history with the elderly Aunt and her lover, another woman. Whom other family members kept apart in their aging. This apparently swore Avery off love, seeing her elderly neighbours hearts and lives ripped apart.
However this reason alone I felt was a strange reaction for Avery's anti love stance. I felt her character needed more reason to be as jaded and scared of love as she was. It just didn't make sense. There had to be more to it, but it never came.
However it was still a lovely uplifting story with some family drama. Hannah gained so much confidence and ability thanks to Avery's encouragement and support, and Avery learned to open her heart and soul.
December 7, 2017
I think this is a simple book with a moving, beautiful story. That is because I love reading about characters who stand up for themselves, strong (and weak), self-awared and independent. I love how Hannah had evolved, and I respect all the fears that a strong person like Avery had gone through. The other good things about this book is that it does not overly fall into one-dimentional trick of shallow body obsession: She's beautiful and I love her or oh, she's strong and muscular. Hannah and Avery got more than that. And I love the ending scene with good prospect for Hannah and Avery, how Hannah was going to independently support herself with Avery as the cheerleader -- as this is also my dream of a good life with someone (if it does happen).
October 20, 2022
Easy read. A bit fast on getting together but it worked in this story.
February 7, 2019
Reminds me a lot of Built to Last. Pretty cover; a house-repair story where one heroine is a quasi-incompetent femme and the other is a butch contractor; didn't live up to my hopes of a renovation-detail-heavy story.
Some notes:
-The cover has nothing to do with the story. It's pretty, sure! But I have no idea which person on the cover is supposed to be which character. (And if you look behind the glasses on the girl on the right, you'll see something white that doesn't look like sky...oops.) The shack on the cover bears no resemblance to the Victorian-style farmhouse in the book, in which the biggest problem is a leaky toilet.
-Wait, the biggest problem is a leaky toilet? What about the dry rot Avery mentions? No idea.
-Evil ex is evilly evilly evil. This is something I see a lot in romance novels, and it never brings me joy. Among other things, it's sort of shorthand for 'Don't worry, reader, she's never going to go back to her ex!' But...like...I know that? This is a romance novel, after all. It's very clear who she's going to end up with. This particular Evil Ex, who treats Hannah like a cross between a servant and a very dumb animal, has exactly no redeeming characteristics. Part of the point, I think, is to give a reason for Hannah to be really beat-down and insecure, but it ends up feeling over the top. Surely there were reasons that they got into a relationship in the first place?
-I'm a sucker for house books but sorry that there aren't more, you know, demolition and rebuilding details here. Tell me about the rooms here! About the details! Hannah and Avery manage, between them, to rehab a house in less than a month, spending only what money Hannah can cadge from selling furniture at a steep discount on Craigslist. That doesn't say 'fixer-upper' to me so much as 'house with a few teeny tiny cosmetic woes', which is (for the sake of fiction!) kind of a shame.
-But at the end of the day I just...don't like Avery that much. Or Hannah, for that matter, but mostly Avery. It's something of a disappointment, because I've quite liked Malone's other books that I've read. I'm not sure if this is just an earlier effort or what, but it falls into a lot more pitfalls than other books I've read, and has weaker underpinnings. Hannah's a total doormat, which is explained only the aforementioned Evil Ex Who Is Evil. We're told that she has nowhere else to go, but I have no idea what her immediate family situation is like (what about her parents?). And Avery's supposed to be a quasi-stone butch, reluctant to love...but not because she's been burned before. She doesn't want to be in a relationship because she's seen one happy lesbian relationship, once, where the women's relatives were unmitigated bigots, and thus she's afraid of pain. But...she also does the toolish thing where (without communicating this at all) she's decided that whatever they have going on isn't serious...and then she gets mad when Hannah shows signs of taking things more seriously. It comes out of nowhere and is meant to provide conflict, but it's just...not terribly flattering.
Chances are good that I'll read more of Malone's books, but I'm hoping this one was something of an anomaly.
Some notes:
-The cover has nothing to do with the story. It's pretty, sure! But I have no idea which person on the cover is supposed to be which character. (And if you look behind the glasses on the girl on the right, you'll see something white that doesn't look like sky...oops.) The shack on the cover bears no resemblance to the Victorian-style farmhouse in the book, in which the biggest problem is a leaky toilet.
-Wait, the biggest problem is a leaky toilet? What about the dry rot Avery mentions? No idea.
-Evil ex is evilly evilly evil. This is something I see a lot in romance novels, and it never brings me joy. Among other things, it's sort of shorthand for 'Don't worry, reader, she's never going to go back to her ex!' But...like...I know that? This is a romance novel, after all. It's very clear who she's going to end up with. This particular Evil Ex, who treats Hannah like a cross between a servant and a very dumb animal, has exactly no redeeming characteristics. Part of the point, I think, is to give a reason for Hannah to be really beat-down and insecure, but it ends up feeling over the top. Surely there were reasons that they got into a relationship in the first place?
-I'm a sucker for house books but sorry that there aren't more, you know, demolition and rebuilding details here. Tell me about the rooms here! About the details! Hannah and Avery manage, between them, to rehab a house in less than a month, spending only what money Hannah can cadge from selling furniture at a steep discount on Craigslist. That doesn't say 'fixer-upper' to me so much as 'house with a few teeny tiny cosmetic woes', which is (for the sake of fiction!) kind of a shame.
-But at the end of the day I just...don't like Avery that much. Or Hannah, for that matter, but mostly Avery. It's something of a disappointment, because I've quite liked Malone's other books that I've read. I'm not sure if this is just an earlier effort or what, but it falls into a lot more pitfalls than other books I've read, and has weaker underpinnings. Hannah's a total doormat, which is explained only the aforementioned Evil Ex Who Is Evil. We're told that she has nowhere else to go, but I have no idea what her immediate family situation is like (what about her parents?). And Avery's supposed to be a quasi-stone butch, reluctant to love...but not because she's been burned before. She doesn't want to be in a relationship because she's seen one happy lesbian relationship, once, where the women's relatives were unmitigated bigots, and thus she's afraid of pain. But...she also does the toolish thing where (without communicating this at all) she's decided that whatever they have going on isn't serious...and then she gets mad when Hannah shows signs of taking things more seriously. It comes out of nowhere and is meant to provide conflict, but it's just...not terribly flattering.
Chances are good that I'll read more of Malone's books, but I'm hoping this one was something of an anomaly.
November 2, 2017
In Fixer Upper, Hannah has just escaped an abusive girlfriend and taken refuge in the house her Great Aunt Nora left to her. It turns out that the house is in need of hefty repairs and Nora’s grandchildren are less than pleased with Nora’s will. Hannah finds herself leaning on her new neighbor, Avery, a contractor with a bit of a frosty demeanor and a serious distaste for romantic relationships. After witnessing the struggles that her former neighbor, Nora, went through with love, she's sworn relationships off entirely. The two of them may not get off on the right foot, but after a pipe bursts on the first night of Hannah’s stay, they're drawn together in a way that neither of them expected.
I really wanted to love this, but I did have some issues which held me back. Hannah is a truly fantastic character and her growth was a thing of beauty to watch over the course of the story. I loved seeing her self-confidence build over her time at Nora’s house. Avery, on the other hand, rubbed me entirely the wrong way. While I understood her fear of commitment and her initial reluctance towards Hannah, her actions and emotions seemed to constantly be in flux and her hot-and-cold nature for what seemed like the entirety of the book frustrated me. While Hannah’s growth was continuous, Avery’s seemed to shift like a roller coaster.
Despite my qualms with Avery, Fixer Upper was well written and Hannah’s journey was lovely to see. The background with Nora and her family was particularly interesting. It was an enjoyable read, but I do wish that Avery wasn’t quite so fickle with her feelings towards Hannah.
I really wanted to love this, but I did have some issues which held me back. Hannah is a truly fantastic character and her growth was a thing of beauty to watch over the course of the story. I loved seeing her self-confidence build over her time at Nora’s house. Avery, on the other hand, rubbed me entirely the wrong way. While I understood her fear of commitment and her initial reluctance towards Hannah, her actions and emotions seemed to constantly be in flux and her hot-and-cold nature for what seemed like the entirety of the book frustrated me. While Hannah’s growth was continuous, Avery’s seemed to shift like a roller coaster.
Despite my qualms with Avery, Fixer Upper was well written and Hannah’s journey was lovely to see. The background with Nora and her family was particularly interesting. It was an enjoyable read, but I do wish that Avery wasn’t quite so fickle with her feelings towards Hannah.
August 26, 2017
If I recommend this book, it would be for Hannah. She grew so much and was able to stand up for herself and I love her. Avery, not so much. Her reasoning for not wanting love was too randomly recent and she kept conveniently getting situations right with Hannah right that she made when thinking of other women and based on her own (rude) assumptions of Hannah. She was very one dimensional. Plus she knew Nora pretty well but not well enough to know that she wouldn't leave her house to someone horrible?
The ending didn't match the rest of the book either. For instance, Hannah's "I've been wanting you to say that since..." scene made no sense since there was no evidence she wanted that at the time of the scene it's referring to. In fact, she was saying she didn't. Plus the last intimate scene was wayyyy more than all the other scenes. If I'm getting that in the ending, give me it in the rest of the book. All in all, it was a good book.
The ending didn't match the rest of the book either. For instance, Hannah's "I've been wanting you to say that since..." scene made no sense since there was no evidence she wanted that at the time of the scene it's referring to. In fact, she was saying she didn't. Plus the last intimate scene was wayyyy more than all the other scenes. If I'm getting that in the ending, give me it in the rest of the book. All in all, it was a good book.
August 1, 2017
Hannah doesn't know it, but she is in an abusive relationship. She starts to see it when she leaves New York to attend her Aunt Nora's funeral and her girlfriend, Rebecca, tells her if she goes, don't come back.
Avery doesn't do relationships. She doesn't want to get hurt, and is fine living alone with her occasional one night stands. She also doesn't want Nora's family living across the street from her, not after how badly they treated Nora.
Both girls have their baggage, and their issues, but they soon learn that not everything is as it seems, and they both have more to give than they realized.
This is a sweet story with great characters that will have you smiling as you read along, not wanting to put it down until you've read it all.
I received and ARC of this story and am voluntarily leaving this review. This is my honest opinion.
Avery doesn't do relationships. She doesn't want to get hurt, and is fine living alone with her occasional one night stands. She also doesn't want Nora's family living across the street from her, not after how badly they treated Nora.
Both girls have their baggage, and their issues, but they soon learn that not everything is as it seems, and they both have more to give than they realized.
This is a sweet story with great characters that will have you smiling as you read along, not wanting to put it down until you've read it all.
I received and ARC of this story and am voluntarily leaving this review. This is my honest opinion.
July 31, 2017
Wonderful read
This book was a wonderful read from beginning to end. I loved the story within a story. The main characters, Avery & Hannah are brought together due to the death of Hannah's Aunt Nora. Nora leaves Hannah her house in her will. Avery is Nora's neighbor and a contractor. The house has fallen in to disrepair and Hannah takes Avery's suggestion to fix it up to maybe sell. Hannah and Avery have a connection but Avery is reluctant because she has witnessed first hand the heartbreak that comes when you lose someone. This is where we learn more about Nora and her partner Millie's relationship. This part was very sad for me to read but unfortunately very real. This was a great story with a HEA. I did receive a free copy for an honest review.
This book was a wonderful read from beginning to end. I loved the story within a story. The main characters, Avery & Hannah are brought together due to the death of Hannah's Aunt Nora. Nora leaves Hannah her house in her will. Avery is Nora's neighbor and a contractor. The house has fallen in to disrepair and Hannah takes Avery's suggestion to fix it up to maybe sell. Hannah and Avery have a connection but Avery is reluctant because she has witnessed first hand the heartbreak that comes when you lose someone. This is where we learn more about Nora and her partner Millie's relationship. This part was very sad for me to read but unfortunately very real. This was a great story with a HEA. I did receive a free copy for an honest review.
October 15, 2017
More than I expected
I came into this blind, and was sincerely not expecting anything. The cover is a little off for how the characters are portrayed though.
It was a touching story, which I didn't think I'd like, but I was wrong. I loved the characters and I was so happy at the actual character development all the way to the end. It was a breath of fresh air to see characters actually grow and change into better versions of themselves.
The sex was hot. It wasn't explicit or anything, and yet... it was hot. I can't find a simpler way of saying that. Catches you pretty off guard too. lol
It doesn't happen often, but I'm in love with one of the characters... Make that both of them. :)
Will definitely read again.
I came into this blind, and was sincerely not expecting anything. The cover is a little off for how the characters are portrayed though.
It was a touching story, which I didn't think I'd like, but I was wrong. I loved the characters and I was so happy at the actual character development all the way to the end. It was a breath of fresh air to see characters actually grow and change into better versions of themselves.
The sex was hot. It wasn't explicit or anything, and yet... it was hot. I can't find a simpler way of saying that. Catches you pretty off guard too. lol
It doesn't happen often, but I'm in love with one of the characters... Make that both of them. :)
Will definitely read again.
April 12, 2021
It was a real treat to read this. Reading about Hannah’s Great Aunt Nora, how she went through life in the 40’s, married to Carl, while living a short distance from her soulmate, Minnie. How they waited until their 60’s to be together. Their love story impacted Hannah and Avery and gave Hannah the confidence to do the many things she did when she decides to come from New York to go to Camden for Nora’s funeral, finding that she’s inherited her home. There are some steamy scenes, but the story is built around them. It’s not the typical book where the love story is not there and it’s just a lust story. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) looking forward to reading “Odd Girls” which looks to be more of Nora and Minnie’s story.
July 31, 2017
From my Amazon review:
Where should I start? So, great, likable characters, interesting plot, crazy family members, and people with commitment issues. And an old and creaky house that needs a lot of fixing.
What I love about Cara Malone's novels, that she takes these flawed or even broken people and shows us how strong people who are willing to take risks can make their lives better while also finding love, while finding life partners who are worth those risks.
I won't recap story points here, read the book for that.
I have only one problem with this book, it was over and I still wanted to read more. But I'm like that with all the books I like.
Where should I start? So, great, likable characters, interesting plot, crazy family members, and people with commitment issues. And an old and creaky house that needs a lot of fixing.
What I love about Cara Malone's novels, that she takes these flawed or even broken people and shows us how strong people who are willing to take risks can make their lives better while also finding love, while finding life partners who are worth those risks.
I won't recap story points here, read the book for that.
I have only one problem with this book, it was over and I still wanted to read more. But I'm like that with all the books I like.
August 22, 2017
I finished this book a couple of weeks ago but found myself needing time to digest before reviewing. What I love about this author is her ability to immediately make me see and feel the characters. I'm not left at the end still trying to get them straight in my head as often happens with other works.
This particular storyline has some abuse and dysfuction themes but I thought they were handled well. Excellent pacing for their relationship and loved their HEA.
*ARC provided by the author. Opinions are mine.
This particular storyline has some abuse and dysfuction themes but I thought they were handled well. Excellent pacing for their relationship and loved their HEA.
*ARC provided by the author. Opinions are mine.
October 27, 2017
instead of duct tape only, hannah was given her self esteem one project at a time. avery taught her how to repair the inherited house hannah received, along the way navigated their relationship with each other. even though avery seems to not want long term, cara dies a good job showing us that we easily mix up what we say with the actions, as avery had done. avery also read things in innocent actions of hannah. hannahs bag of weirds, exes, extended crazy family, brings interesting situations for both of them to help.
January 13, 2018
Take that leap of faith...
Fear can keep you safe, but it can’t make you happy. Avery thought she was helping restore an old house and helping Hannah regain some confidence. Hannah had just left her controlling and abusive girlfriend and was trying to make a fresh start while helping her new neighbor understand that some relationships are worth the risk of a broken heart. Throw in a couple of nasty, homophobic cousins, an old journal left to Hannah by her great-aunt, plus some really great cooking and you have a very satisfying read.
Fear can keep you safe, but it can’t make you happy. Avery thought she was helping restore an old house and helping Hannah regain some confidence. Hannah had just left her controlling and abusive girlfriend and was trying to make a fresh start while helping her new neighbor understand that some relationships are worth the risk of a broken heart. Throw in a couple of nasty, homophobic cousins, an old journal left to Hannah by her great-aunt, plus some really great cooking and you have a very satisfying read.
May 15, 2018
A really sweet and totally enjoyable romance. I have to admit that I have an affinity for characters who wear toolbelts and know how to use power tools, so Avery was my kind of character. Malone's characterization of the dysfunctional family probably hit the mark for many readers like myself. As with anything, sometimes you have to accept an outside view when it comes to family. Malone guides Hannah's character though the troubling family dynamics to find the one person who would become more family to her than those who shared her youth.
February 4, 2020
Labor On, Buttercup
Hannah and Avery’s story was a rural gem. I enjoyed the banter, conversation, and aura between them. The inclusion of Nora and Minnie’s history, especially the notebook that Nora left for Hannah, was lovely. At the beginning, I was wondering about the contents of Nora’s letter to Hannah and I was happy that they were revealed during the moment when Avery really needed to hear them. For the future, a story involving the new occupants of the restored home would be welcomed and one that I would delve into. All in all, an enjoyable read. :)
Hannah and Avery’s story was a rural gem. I enjoyed the banter, conversation, and aura between them. The inclusion of Nora and Minnie’s history, especially the notebook that Nora left for Hannah, was lovely. At the beginning, I was wondering about the contents of Nora’s letter to Hannah and I was happy that they were revealed during the moment when Avery really needed to hear them. For the future, a story involving the new occupants of the restored home would be welcomed and one that I would delve into. All in all, an enjoyable read. :)
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