“Fix Her Up ticks all my romance boxes. Not only is it hilarious, it’s sweet, endearing, heartwarming and downright sexy. It’s a recipe for the perfect love story.” – Helena Hunting, New York Times bestselling author of Meet Cute
A steamy, hilarious new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne!Georgette Castle’s … Tessa Bailey, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne!
Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World… whatever that means.
Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?)
Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)
Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)
Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)
Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite.
Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there’s Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her…
more
4.5 Stars!
Georgette Castle is a 23 yr. old woman who feels like nobody really takes her seriously. Her family rules the real estate scene in her town of Port Jefferson, Long Island with their popular renovation business. Georgie has always done her own thing, and enjoys planning children’s birthday parties, but lately she wants more, and is ready to live her best life, and make all her dreams come true. This is the year she’s going to have it all. She’s prepared to work to fix herself up, from career, to wardrobe, to dating, she wants a full makeover. She’s a woman in charge, who’s tired of sitting on the sidelines, and is going to make things happen for herself.
Then a curve ball is thrown her way when the guy she’s loved and had a king size crush on since her teens moves back to town. She’s thought Travis Ford was her soulmate for as long as she could remember. He’d always been her hero, and the object of all her fantasies, but as her older brother Stephen’s best friend he was untouchable.
Travis Ford had amazing success as a professional baseball player, and now he’s returned home to Port Jefferson feeling like a failure after an injury leaves him facing retirement at age 28. His career has gone up in flames, and he didn’t know what to do with himself anymore.
Georgie is shocked to see this confident, beautiful, man all broody, and on a downward spiral. She’s always thought he was extraordinary, but apparently he couldn’t see it right now. He was currently participating in, and leading his own pity party, and it was time for him to snap out of it. She was determined to show him his worth. That he was more than the towns baseball star, and a famous athlete. Both wanting to change their image they come up with a plan to fake date. Travis wants to shed his bad boy image, and Georgie wants people to finally notice her.
The longer they pretend the more real their feelings become. They are in dangerous territory when the passion between them can’t be contained any longer. The unattainable guy Georgie has been infatuated with suddenly wants her. Travis knew his best friend’s little sister should be off limits, but he couldn’t fight his attraction. She’d become the best thing in his life, and his biggest temptation. She was stunning, so sweet, and real. Small, but fierce, Georgie accepted him as he was, and helped him be a better version of himself. The once annoying friend’s little sister was now the woman he craved and felt like he couldn’t live without.
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey is a fabulous romantic comedy I adored! This book is a hilarious, super cute brother’s best friend romance that had me smiling throughout. I loved this couple together, but especially loved Georgie. She’s one of my favorite heroines I’ve read. She was just such a kind, positive person with a huge heart, but she knows her self worth, and tells it like it is. Then there’s Travis. The man is so unbelievably sexy, and his chemistry with Georgie is sizzling hot! I can’t wait for more in this series,and look forward to Rosie & Dominic’s book next!
It’s a shame I can only give this book five stars because it’s easily one of my favorite romance reads of 2019. I laughed, and cried, and swooned so many times I lost count. Travis is now my second favorite Tessa Bailey hero, coming very close to knocking Brent from top spot. (Just sayin’, that’s a position Brent has held for a LONG time.) I could go on and on about this book. The family dynamics, the strong female relationships (I so want to join their club!), and the way that the H/h grew into their friendship/relationship all made this a perfect summer read. And really, who doesn’t love a baseball player?! That dugout scene was HOT!
All this rambling is to say that I want more books in this world and I want them yesterday! Really. I need Rosie & Dominic to be okay. I need Bethany to find a man that will treat her right. Kristin and Stephen? I need them to figure stuff out because they’re bananas! I am 100% invested in these characters and their lives! Until the next book, I’ll have to satisfy myself with the knowledge that Travis and Georgie are forever part of my keeper collection, and I can visit them anytime I want.
My first book from Tessa Bailey and I was blown away. Her writing is so witty and comical and oh so sultry! This book had me hooked from the first chapter.
I adored the heroine Georgie and her infectious, quirky personality and unique line of work. She was so sweet yet different from most romance book leading ladies. You never knew what was going to come out of her mouth, but you knew it would either floor you or leave you laughing. She never let anyone steal her sunshine or break her spirit, despite how many times it was thrown in her face that she was a joke and still just a “kid” in her ripe old age of 23.
Travis, the has been MLB player who needed to have lo mein thrown at his head to get him to come to terms with his new reality was not only sexy and swoon worthy in all his self loathing, but proved that sometimes people truly can change.
Yes, this book had some of the typical aspects of a brother’s best friend romance and parts were predictable and safe. But, the intimate scenes were HOT and I’m a sucker for grand gestures! This book gave me everything I look for in a rom-com and then some. The humor was wonderful, the characters were likable and relatable, there was a bit of woman power surrounding some of the main characters and there was the all important HEA. What more could you want? Tessa Bailey won me over with this read.
I was provided an ARC of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Funny, and SUPER hot, and also full of sooooo much heart… I AM SO EXCITED there will be more books in the series!
Tessa does it again. I laughed, swooned and had to look over my shoulder to make sure no one was reading the sexy scenes with me. Well-written, with great pacing and lovable characters, I absolutely loved everything about Fix Her Up.
Hot Read! Georgie is a spirited young woman who gets the chance to date her crush. Travis is doesn’t believe in happy endings. This story is a rocking load of hilarious fun. It is also full of heated scenes between Travis and Georgie that is enough to singe the pages. The author has brought the characters and story to life using fun and flirty banter that keeps the plot flowing smoothly and effectively. Tessa Bailey has hit a high note with this story.
4.5 stars! I loved so many things about this book, the evolution of Georgie and her family, her fight to be seen as more than the youngest Castle sibling was emotional and I loved how the relationships developed. But more, I loved the way she knocked Travis clear off his feet and helped him to see himself differently. This book was so well written and the perfect blend of humour and light drama. I cannot wait for the next book!
I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to read the ARC of Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey, and there was no better way to honor a fav than by making it my first read of 2019!
No way I’d rather kick-off my reading year than with this gem by one of my favorite authors!
I’m already in love with Georgie, the town clown and sister no one takes seriously, and how she’s bringing the man she’s always loved to his knees. Go girl! Funny and oh so hot
I kind of love that the cartoon cover is a bit twee and hides a seriously erotic story. Georgie is a virgin but quickly figures out grumpy and gruff Travis’s form of rough is exactly what she likes and needs.
A perfect combination of heat, swoon, and small-town feels for those looking for their next read after The Kiss Quotient or My Favorite Half-Night Stand. Avon is on to something good here.
Loved this book!! Looooved everything about it! A sweet and sexy brother’s best friend/fake dating/unrequited love/former athlete/ virgin heroine rom com, I mean what more could I ask for. It has all my favorite tropes without it being too much. Tessa Bailey does not disappoint.
The chemistry between Travis and Georgie was insane. They brought out the best in each other. Travis’s gruff down on his luck demeanor may take some getting used to (not from me. I loved him right off the bat) but he definitely makes up for it as the story goes one.
Georgie was especially amazing. I’ve never developed a girl crush on a heroine as quickly as the one I currently have on Georgie. She is definitely the star of the story. She’s funny and quirky. Totally loveable. I love her development and her growth. The start of her “Just Us League” was probably my favorite thing about this book. I am all for women empowering women.
I’ve only read a few of Tessa Bailey’s books but I quickly learned she is the queen of the dirty talk. If you like steamy, you will not be disappointed with Fix Her Up.
All around this book is a total must read. I could not get enough of it!
This was an ok read. I have read Tessa Bailey before and I have enjoyed her. But I just did not fully like Fix Her Up. The plot was a good one-I enjoyed a sibling’s best friend romance and Georgie was a fine heroine. But it took a while for me to warm up to Travis. And I think because of that it was hard to get into the romance. There were some nice interactions and banter between the two so it wasn’t completely unpleasant. I also enjoyed the interactions that Georgie had with others in the story. Those were entertaining. Overall this story just fell short for me. However it does not deter me from checking out the other people in this series.
A delightful romantic comedy, with famous playboy Travis Ford fighting off developing feelings for the forbidden best friends little sister. Georgie Castle is all grown up and trying to get everyone, especially her family, to take her seriously. What starts off as a hoax to benefit both parties, quickly turns in to so much more. A great story that you won’t be able to keep a straight face while reading. The secondary characters are just as entertaining and lovable. I can’t wait for more in this series!
Laugh out loud hilarious. Unbearably sexy. Poignant and sweet. Travis and Georgie hit all the notes that make me sigh and dream and love and want. Tessa brings the male voice perfectly, rough and raw. And Georgie’s sweet heart is on display in every page.
Each book Ms. Bailey writes is somehow better than the last….which I also loved. This book is no exception. Loved every word.
At this point, I’m convinced I would pay to read Tessa Bailey’s grocery list, but with Fix Her Up she gave me all the tropes that I love: sibling’s best friend/best friend’s sibling, sports romance, fake relationship, grumpy hero, and a virgin heroine – so basically my heart and head wanted to explode with all the greatness. While no where near my early 20’s, Georgie’s plight to be seen, heard, and appreciated for who she is resonated deeply with me and her character arc is so very inspiring. And Travis grappling with and overcoming his past and embracing a new vision of his future is equally inspiring. I also really loved the Just Us League and what it stands for. Then there are all the FANTASTIC steamy bits and Travis’ delicious dirty talk… I read another Tessa Bailey book earlier this month and was worried that it might eclipse Fix Her Up. I’m happy to report that it didn’t – they (as I have found with all of her work that I’ve read since the first book Too Close To Call) both are phenomenal in their own rights and proof positive of why she is a must read/autobuy author for me.
Fix Her Up was my first Tessa Bailey book and while I was excited to get in on the ground level of a new series, I was also a little nervous. I think it was the combination of best friend’s little sister trope combined with a family business trope – both of which are hit-or-miss for me depending on how they are written and so while excited to give a new-to-me author a try, I approached cautiously.
But all that nervous hesitation was for nothing because this book sucked me in almost immediately and my heart swooned and thumped away happily over the course of Travis and Georgie’s love story.
One thing I will never get enough of is strong, plucky, quirky heroines. Georgie fit the bill on all counts and then some. I mean, she’s a clown by trade and part of me thought that might be a little over-the-top for me. But…it wasn’t. It was somehow perfect for her and handled in a way that didn’t seem too zany or weird. I also loved how she wasn’t afraid to call Travis on his bad behavior, she wasn’t afraid to push him, and she wasn’t afraid to walk away when it seemed like he wasn’t good enough for her. I absolutely adored her.
The chemistry she had with Travis was on point. It sparked and sizzled and gave me that highly coveted achy, swoony feeling in my chest as they flirted and bantered their way into real feelings. I loved Travis’s story arc just as much as Georgie’s, and while he proved to be a bit more frustrating as a character than Georgie was, I still loved him pretty intensely. He was all growly alpha male, but also wounded and I seriously couldn’t get enough of all the ways those two healed each other.
There were some things that I felt maybe deserved a bit more resolution. Travis and Georgie’s story tied up beautifully, but I would have liked some more closure with Georgie’s family relationships. I mean, there were some pretty broken, icky relationships there and it maybe wrapped up a little too neatly for me. But overall, my heart felt full and happy with how this book played out and I absolutely will be back for more!
4.5 Fun & Steamy Stars!
I absolutely loved this new fun, and steamy romcom by Tessa Bailey. Travis only sees himself as a star baseball player. So when an injury ends his career, he feels like a failure, and doesn’t know what to do with his life. Georgie has crushed on her brother’s best friend since she was a kid. She will not let him believe he is worthless, when he is the world to her. Travis can’t believe the way Georgie pushes him, but he likes it. The annoying little kid has grown into a sexy woman who stands up for him when no one else will. Now he wants nothing more than to help her achieve her dreams as well. I really fell for both Georgie and Travis. They were so supportive and protective of each other, helping them be their best. I loved their little quirks, their fun banter, and their chemistry was off the charts! What a great start to the Hot and Hammered series! I loved this funny, heartfelt, sweet & steamy romance!
This story is two of my favorite troupes….best friend’s little sister and a fake relationship!
Georgette “Georgie” Castle is tired of everyone treating her like she doesn’t matter. Just because she chose to be a children’s party planner including dressing up as a clown, instead of working for the family’s home renovations business, doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have a brain! Georgie decides she is going to change a few things in her life so that maybe for once she will actually be noticed. What she never expected was to be noticed by Travis Ford, her brother Stephen’s best friend. Travis was the hot “it” player in the MLB until a career ending injury has sidelined him for good and thrown him into a self induced pity party.
Growing up Georgie was always the little tag along bratty sister because she had a huge crush on Travis and if she was fully honest, she still did! When Georgie goes over to Travis place to force him out of his funk, she didn’t expect to find him asleep, naked and his place a pig sty! After some fun banter back and forth, Georgie leaves but clearly she affected Travis because he finally decides to move on with his life….and he is thinking maybe he wants some more of Georgie in that life!
As Georgie and Travis spend more time together, their friendship starts to take a different turn. When Georgie realizes that they both could give each other something that they both want, they come up with a fun plan. But just when it seems like this plan is working perfectly, feelings start to get in the way and feelings end up getting hurt because of demons from the past.
It will take a huge leap of faith along with some unexpected moves for Georgie and Travis to get their happy ending but it is well worth the wait.
Overall I loved this story! Two fun, flawed characters with such witty banter I found myself laughing out loud a lot as I read this book. The sexual chemistry these two shared was off the charts and their emotional connection brought tears to my eyes a few times.
I loved this story. Georgie and Travis are just ADORABLE!
These two people have issues – Family issues. Career issues… As their maybe real, then sort-of fake, then definitely real (and totally HOT) relationship develops, they learn that together they can grow and evolve and move forward and face their stuff together. It’s delightfully sweet and satisfying to go on that journey with them.
Tessa Bailey’s writing is always great and this is a longer read, allowing for a satisfyingly broad cast of characters to support Travis and Georgie as they work their way to their HEA. Highly recommended!
4 stars. Fix Her Up was a good book! This book is about Georgie and Travis. They both grew up in the same small town. Travis was Georgie’s older brother’s best friend. He went on to become a professional baseball player, but a career-ending injury has landed him out of a job and back in town, depressed and at loose ends. Georgie is now a clown who performs at birthday parties. She is the youngest in her family and she feels like no one takes her seriously. Also, she always had a crush on Travis, even though he always thought of her as a pest. So when she finds him wallowing over his circumstances, Georgie decides to help him move on. Travis has a bad reputation as a manwhore in the press. When a new chance at a career as a commentator comes around for him, he and Georgie make a deal. The two of them will pretend to be a serious couple, giving him a more settled down reputation and letting her family know she is not the child they think she is. Of course, as the two spend time together, the game of pretend becomes very real and they fall for each other.
I really enjoyed this book. Travis and Georgie were both good characters with great chemistry and lots of layers. They were funny, sweet and sexy together. I definitely felt the love between them. Their relationship was fun to watch develop from barely friends to more. I also really liked the small town feel and the side characters of the couple’s friends and family. I wish there was an epilogue, but that did not hinder my enjoyment.
Overall, this was a good read! I am never disappointed by a Tessa Bailey book. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
Though I have enjoyed the Read Me Romance podcast and have enjoyed stories from Tessa Bailey on the podcast, Fix Her Up is the first book of hers I have read and I loved it. It was such a fun and charming read. I loved every minute of it and I am very excited to read more from this author in the future.
I absolutely loved Georgette Castle, Georgie, so much. She was quirky and funny and a clown. Yes, you read that right, a clown. While her family runs a very successful business. She knows her family does not take her seriously, but she has a plan. She is going to build her business, redo herself and start dating. Easy enough, right?
Travis Ford is not in a good place in his life right now. His dreams were all coming true until an injury took him out of the MLB. Now he is back to the last place he wanted to return and trying to find his new normal. When Georgie asks Travis for help, he agrees, but somehow his best friend’s sister is not the kid he remembers anymore.
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey was such an adorable read with great characters. A fake romance with a whole lot of non-faking going on. It was steamy and fun and had me smiling throughout the story.
Read and reviewed for Reviews From the Heart.
Happy reading!
Fix Her Up was a highly entertaining story and great start to a new standalone series. Georgie made this book for me. She’s so quirky and fun. I can’t tell you how many times she had me giggling. Despite not liking how everyone treats her like a child she didn’t really care what people thought of her. She does want to be taken seriously but still be herself. I really liked that about her.
Travis was a bitter and angry man after getting injured and losing his professional baseball career. He needed a kick in the pants and Georgie intends to deliver. She’s been in love with him since she was a child and he treats her just like everyone else but as she challenges his new attitude, he’s starting to see her in a new light.
I really enjoyed the banter between these two. He’s angry and rude and she responds in a way that is defrosting his heart until he’s no longer angry. They were just a fun couple to read about. The only thing that I didn’t enjoy about this book was the way Travis insisted he would never do commitment. I’m just not a fan of commitment phobe men, however, it didn’t keep me from appreciating their journey to a happily ever after.