The Fixer Upper – Phoebe MacLeod
What happens when your dream flatshare with your best friend turns into a comedy of errors, emotional blind spots, and awkward encounters with the neighbours? If you’re expecting a straightforward rom-com, prepare for a story that takes a slightly different, and surprisingly charming, path.
The Fixer Upper by Phoebe MacLeod is billed as a rom-com, but it quickly becomes apparent that it leans more into bromance than romance. We begin with Alex, our main character, who is desperate to escape her current flatshare and move into something nicer with her best friend, Emma – a scenario that will resonate with many readers. But, of course, reality has other plans. What follows is a humorous and often toe-curlingly awkward exploration of just how incompatible even the closest of friends can be when it comes to living together.
What the novel does deliver is the chance to watch these tentative first steps as Alex and Emma navigate their new domestic arrangement. There are plenty of moments to cringe at, especially during awkward neighbourly introductions and others that genuinely made me laugh out loud. That said, from the moment we’re introduced to Alex’s partner, it’s painfully obvious they are not meant to be. It was rather surprising that they remained a couple well into the book’s latter half. He’s a flimsy character who takes up a disproportionate amount of space on the page, muddying the waters about who’s supposed to be the male lead.
Plot-wise, there are no huge twists or gasp-worthy reveals. Everything is fairly transparent and signposted – something that would usually irritate me. However, in this case, the simplicity worked. The narrative felt warm and inviting, and I enjoyed watching it play out at its own gentle pace. Still, I do think the book falters slightly in its reluctance to focus on the romance that does matter. When the eventual relationship finally blossoms, it’s beautifully tender and emotionally satisfying – exactly the sort of payoff I’d been waiting for. It’s clear this is where the author’s passion lies, and it’s a shame it’s so fleeting. I wanted more time to revel in that connection.
One thing that truly stood out was the book’s restraint. It was refreshing to read a clean romance, particularly when so many stories these days lean heavily on explicit content, sometimes at the expense of the plot. MacLeod manages to keep things engaging without relying on spice, which gives the characters and humour more room to shine. I found myself both guffawing and blushing on Alex’s behalf more than once.
Overall, The Fixer Upper is a light, breezy read about the importance of looking beneath the surface – whether that’s in property, friendships, or relationships. If you’re after high drama or jaw-dropping revelations, this probably isn’t your cup of tea. But as a summery holiday companion or a gentle interlude between weightier reads, it’s a lovely palate cleanser that offers both warmth and wit in equal measure.
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