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sherbetfrosting's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hannuhreads's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
The vibes:
- childhood best friends reconnected
- house renovations
- slow burn
- cutie dog, Ted
The vibes:
- childhood best friends reconnected
- house renovations
- slow burn
- cutie dog, Ted
aurigae's review
4.0
I just could not get into the premise of this romance. Freya and Charlie, childhood friends with no adult relationship, to decide to buy a fixer-upper together despite having no skill or experience in renovation and no disposable income to hire help. This seemed like such an unwise and bizarre decision, based on nothing except a nebulous and irrational desire to "climb the property ladder". Perhaps for a different main character, it would be a *funny* unwise decision, leading to all manner of hijinks and compromising situations. But for Freya, who likes to stay in control and doesn't have a lot of margin for error in her life, it seemed more like *stupid* unwise. I spent a lot of the book concerned for her physical safety as she and Charlie camped in a semi-unsafe house and did things like try to build a kitchen in less time than it would take a team of professionals.
Still, the fact that I was concerned for Freya at all is a positive. And in the second half of the book, as the story's focus shifts from home purchase and renovation to Freya's relationship with Charlie, the story hits all the right romantic beats. I just wish we could have gotten there without Freya's 20th-century conviction that being underwater on a money pit will make her rich.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
[I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publishers. Opinions are my own.]
Still, the fact that I was concerned for Freya at all is a positive. And in the second half of the book, as the story's focus shifts from home purchase and renovation to Freya's relationship with Charlie, the story hits all the right romantic beats. I just wish we could have gotten there without Freya's 20th-century conviction that being underwater on a money pit will make her rich.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
[I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publishers. Opinions are my own.]
laura_elise_bishop's review
4.0
This is a hilarious and poignant read about two childhood friends who team up to renovate a house. By following "The Rules" they start tackling their derelict new home while managing their busy jobs, friends and family. With plenty of bumps in the road and with both Freya and Charlie fighting their attractions to each other, there is plenty to keep the reader hooked! The characters are all extremely loveable and the setting is idyllic. Perfect for a holiday read.
thisandthatwithkaren's review
4.0
What can I say other than I loved it! It had everything you could want in a story humour, friendship, a Border terrier, named Ted and romance…
I ended up reading in one day.
Unable to afford their own homes, two friends decide to buy a renovation house together as a project. What could possibly go wrong…?
I will definitely read other books by this author.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from One More Chapter and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I ended up reading in one day.
Unable to afford their own homes, two friends decide to buy a renovation house together as a project. What could possibly go wrong…?
I will definitely read other books by this author.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from One More Chapter and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
sikonat's review
4.0
I think we can all say, if you're a hopeful first home buyer, you're shit out of luck. Housing prices in most capital cities are insane. In my city, the average price for a two-bedroom flat is $600k or $1.4m for a house! The situation is even more dire if you, like me, would be buying on your own. And that's the situation Freya and Charlie are in, in Emily Kerr's Her Fixer Upper.
As children, Hutch and Humph (aka Freya and Charlie) were once thick as thieves, until Freya was forced to move towns. As an adult Freya is desperately saving to buy her first home on a meagre teacher's salary. At a pub quiz night she runs into Charlie, whom she hasn't seen since. An offhand comment by her best friend Leila that they should team up to buy a place as joint-owners suddenly becomes a serious idea.
Freya and Charlie are chalk and cheese. Freya is full of lists, spreadsheets and planning, while Charlie is a lot more freewheeling. Of course, Freya drafts The Rules, one of which includes they should not get involved.
This book is a little gem, I loved the premise and I found it highly relatable. In one scene a well-off middle aged colleague spouted off about young people being picky when buying homes, all the while being married to a rich wife who allowed him to acquire a holiday house.
I did find the middle became a bit too repetitious with Freya snapping at Charlie because she was covering up her embarrassment at her attraction to him and jealousy. While it was understandable, it messed with the pace of the book. The denouement was also something I didn't expect and to be honest, I found it just a bit too much, I would've preferred if the book focused on their relationship and progress of their home as I felt it finished abruptly and wrapped up the house issues without seeing a real pay off.
Overall, this book was just a delightful, funny and cosy read, I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more of Emily Kerr's books.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC, I truly enjoyed this.
As children, Hutch and Humph (aka Freya and Charlie) were once thick as thieves, until Freya was forced to move towns. As an adult Freya is desperately saving to buy her first home on a meagre teacher's salary. At a pub quiz night she runs into Charlie, whom she hasn't seen since. An offhand comment by her best friend Leila that they should team up to buy a place as joint-owners suddenly becomes a serious idea.
Freya and Charlie are chalk and cheese. Freya is full of lists, spreadsheets and planning, while Charlie is a lot more freewheeling. Of course, Freya drafts The Rules, one of which includes they should not get involved.
This book is a little gem, I loved the premise and I found it highly relatable. In one scene a well-off middle aged colleague spouted off about young people being picky when buying homes, all the while being married to a rich wife who allowed him to acquire a holiday house.
I did find the middle became a bit too repetitious with Freya snapping at Charlie because she was covering up her embarrassment at her attraction to him and jealousy. While it was understandable, it messed with the pace of the book. The denouement was also something I didn't expect and to be honest, I found it just a bit too much, I would've preferred if the book focused on their relationship and progress of their home as I felt it finished abruptly and wrapped up the house issues without seeing a real pay off.
Overall, this book was just a delightful, funny and cosy read, I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more of Emily Kerr's books.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC, I truly enjoyed this.
amb0517's review
3.0
It was cute. Perhaps a bit too predictable for me. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't wowed by it. I did enjoy the setting of the home though.
frannyhaha's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
suziem00n's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I loved the concept of this book and first half was as I'd hoped. I knew it would be a friends to lovers story, so it wasn't a huge surprise when it happened, however there was not as much build up and tension as I usually like in a book. The ending felt a bit rushed but otherwise lovely, gentle story line and likeable characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
onceuponafrida's review
4.0
This was such a cute and cozy book. It made me frustrated, both with the house and also the stubborness and cluelessness of Freya and Charlie. But it also warmed my heart and gave me fluttering butterflies all around my stomach. This book will provide you with a second-chance romance, childhood friends to lovers, close proximity, grumpy x sunshine, a bookboyfriend with such golden retriever energy and funny banter. All the things I love in a good romance novel I got in this book. No spice, but it wasn’t needed for the story. If you want a book to cozy up to on the couch with a big fuzzy blanket, and a nice steaming cup of tea? Then this book is for you