Book Review: “I Owe You One” by Sophie Kinsella

“I Owe You One” by Sophie Kinsella (2019)

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Page Length: 448 pages (hardcover edition)

Synopsis:

Fixie Farr has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” But 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 her nature to say no to people.

So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. Turns out the computer’s owner is an investment manager. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, Sebastian scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. But Fixie laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?

Then Fixie’s childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie’s buttons. She wants nothing for herself—but she’d love Seb to give Ryan a job. And Seb agrees, until 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? (description from Goodreads)

Review:

I am a big fan of Kinsella’s books so this has been an anticipated read on my TBR list!

In this novel the main character, Fixie, is working at her family store, Farrs, while clashing with her siblings on how to run the business while her mom is away. Fixie wants to improve the shop and keep her father’s legacy, Jake wants to create a department store and Nicole wants to create a yoga studio. In the midst of the chaos Fixie receives and IOU from a handsome stranger Sebastian which she uses on a longtime crush, Ryan to help him get job and from there everything takes off.

Most of Kinsella’s books read as romance, but this book has more of a contemporary fiction feel. Fixie’s journey in this novel is about self-growth, finding herself, becoming more confident in standing up for herself, and reconnecting with her family. With her mom being away from the shop it forces her to take a deeper look at herself and with the help of Sebastian who helps her to spark a change in her life.

Fixie was a frustrating character because she is such a kind-hearted soul who is always doing way too much for others.He siblings are beyond selfish. Jake being narcissistic, Nicole who is self-absorbed, and even her crush Ryan is taking advantage of her are I wanted her to put her foot down and be stronger. Sebastian, the love interest proves to be a cute and perfect match for Fixie and a new opportunity to step away from the life she’s always known.

Throwing the IOU concept into the plot made the romance super sweet even when the story tackles a multitude of subjects such as gas lighting, grief, sibling rivalry, and relationships with its cast of characters. Farr’s was such a interesting setting for the story. I have a fondness for local mom & pop shops because they are so welcoming and offer a shopping experience that big stores don’t. It gave a book a cozy sort of feeling.

All in all, I enjoyed this book a lot. It’s a good story, I liked the character development over the course of the story, and it was realistic despite being a quite fluffy book.

Final Verdict: