REVIEW: I OWE YOU ONE, BY SOPHIE KINSELLA

 

Fixie Farr has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” And since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn’t take care of her father’s legacy, who will?

It’s simply not in Fixie’s nature to say no to people. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, she not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, the computer’s owner, Sebastian, an investment manager, scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. Fixie laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?

But then Fixie’s childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life, and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie’s buttons. As always, she wants nothing for herself—but she’d love Seb to give Ryan a job. No sooner has Seb agreed than the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie—from small favors to life-changing moments—ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants?

 

 

My Thoughts: From the very first lines of I Owe You One, I was captivated by Fixie and her foibles. Always wanting to fix things, happily giving in to others and their needs, and putting her own wishes and dreams on hold in favor of the shop and the family made her lovable. But how would she get what she wanted?

A bystander, like this reader, might think of giving her a little push now and then; after all, what good is all the sweetness if her voice is unheard?

I loved Fixie’s serendipitous meeting with Seb Marlowe, and their cute “coffee sleeve” notes back and forth.

I couldn’t stand her siblings Jake and Nicole, who were arrogant and had no problem shoving her out of the way and taking over the shop, even when she knew their ways would not work.

Finally, however, there were some defining moments that brought a halt to Fixie’s martyrdom…and a way for her to start getting what she needed.

The ending felt a little rushed, in that a big misunderstanding was quickly resolved by others on Fixie’s behalf, and I was disappointed not to be part of that conversation. But everything worked out, so I’m giving this delightful story 4.5 stars.

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