The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews was just a fabulous way to get away from everything and enjoy a good story for a while. I’ve read Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews and just loved it (my review) so of course I jumped at the chance to read this one and I’m so glad I did. This author is fast becoming one of my favorites. I had myself quite a few giggles and I just found it to be a sweet and charming southern tale which I can’t resist at the best of times.
In The Fixer Upper we meet Dempsey who is having herself more than a few problems right now. She’s deep in trouble with a boss who’s being accused of using bribes in a huge political scandal and to top it off he’s pushing all the blame right square on Dempsey. In the process she gets fired from her job as a lobbyist and is left with the prospect of no work and not being able to meet her rent. To the rescue, kind of, comes her father. He offers Dempsey the chance to fix up Birdsong; her grandmother’s homeplace in Guthrie, Georgia. This isn’t exactly what Dempsey had in mind but really what choice does she have at this point.
What Dempsey finds when she gets to Guthrie completely floors her – the house is a wreck! What has she gotten herself into? To top it off she realizes she has a house guest…
Turns out it’s Ella Kate, a distant relative of Dempseys who’s not the most pleasant individual in the world and has absolutely no intention of leaving the house. Some of the most funny incidents occur between these two such as this one where Ella Kate is referring to a thong…
Even though Ella Kate seems to be the world’s rudest person, I think there was just a really insecure person inside who’d hadn’t known in a long time what it was like to have someone care about her. I think Dempsey really ended up surprising her and I like where the story went with these two.
Ultimately I think this book is about Dempsey finding herself and learning to be a grown up. She learns the importance of family as well during the renovation – it’s almost like putting the house back together helps her to put herself back together. Along the way there’s even some romance thrown in. I really liked Dempsey’s character – from the very first few pages the author manages to draw you into Dempsey’s life and make you care about her and what will happen to her. And surprisingly enough I really liked the gnarly Ella Kate mainly for all the laughs she gave me throughout the book.
I read The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. You can see what others on the tour have to say about the book here. It’s definitely a book I would recommend and it’s the perfect summer time read. It’s relaxing, funny and will leave you feeling good and what more can you ask from a good summer book. You can buy your very own copy of The Fixer Upper here in the US and here in Canada. Be sure to pop into Mary Kay’s webiste as well and check it out.
My thanks…to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for my review copy of The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews.
The rudest person in the world there, well that does sound very intriguing 😀
I enjoyed this one too. Mary Kay Andrews has fast become a favorite author of mine.
Glad to see you enjoyed this one. I loved Deep Dish, too.
–Anna
I enjoyed Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews. It was funny and entertaining. I need to read the rest of her books. This one sounds especially good!
I picked up a hard cover of this book for my mom at a library sale and she just loved it. She thought it was hilarious.
I really want to read this one and think it sounds like the perfect light summer read. I am so glad that it was fun for you and enabled you to relax with it for a bit! Great review, Dar! I will be adding this one to my list. Thanks!!
This sounds like a fun summer read! Thanks for sharing with us.
Seems like a really fun author. I need to pick something up by her.
I keep hearing such good things about Mary Kay Andrews. All her books are Southern storylines, I believe. Something I really enjoy. I might see if I can get a couple of her books.
I enjoyed Savannah Blues a few years ago. Sounds like this would be a good summer read, too!
I love Mary Kay Andrews' books. This is on my TBR.
I read this book when it first came out-I loved it! I haven't read a book of hers that I haven't liked!
Thanks so much for your kind review of The Fixer Upper. Love my fans, love book bloggers! MKA
I loved this one too! this was my first experience with Mary Kay Andrews but it won't be my last!
My mom and I adore this book and this author. I haven't read one thing by her (even under her real name) that I haven't liked.
That just sounds like fun!
And I'm glad you laughed too!
I liked "shotgun-toting, dog-siccing, crazy old lady", sounds like somebody i know.
I've never read this author but I think i need to now.
I havent read this author yet, but this does sound like a fun read.
Great review 🙂
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Sweet and charming are just what a girl needs sometimes!
It sound like this is the perfect beach read – glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing about this book, Dar!
I love MKA's books. Hissy Fit is my favorite so far. Deep Dish wasn't too bad. It was light and funny, but not as good as her others. Can't wait to read this one.