Book Review: The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews
June 25th, 2010 by Danielle
After her boss in a high-powered Washington public relations firm is caught in a political scandal, fledgling lobbyist Dempsey Jo Killebrew is left almost broke, unemployed, and homeless. Out of options, she reluctantly accepts her father’s offer to help refurbish Birdsong, the old family place he recently inherited in Guthrie, Georgia. All it will take, he tells her, is a little paint and some TLC to turn the fading Victorian mansion into a real-estate But, oh, is Dempsey in for a surprise when she arrives in Guthrie. “Bird Droppings” would more aptly describe the moldering Pepto Bismol–pink dump with duct-taped windows and a driveway full of junk. There’s also a murderously grumpy old lady, one of Dempsey’s distant relations, who has claimed squatter’s rights and isn’t moving out. Ever.
Furthermore, everyone in Guthrie seems to know Dempsey’s business, from a smooth-
talking real-estate agent to a cute lawyer who owns the local newspaper. It wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the pesky FBI agents who show up on Dempsey’s doorstep, hoping to pry information about her ex-boss from her. All Dempsey can do is roll up her sleeves and get to work. And before long, what started as a job of necessity somehow becomes a labor of love and, ultimately, a journey that takes her to a place she never expected—back home again.
From the city to the sticks, The Fixer Upper is just the right balance of fun, suspense and romance. Dempsey Killebrew is a recently fired lobbyist from one of the biggest Lobbying firms in Washington DC, who has now been sent to the sticks to “fix up” a historic family home passed down from her Great Uncle, under her father’s decree. Little does she know the house is basically a frame with great plumbing. Not only that, it comes with its very own squatter in the form of her “distant” cousin, Ella Kate, and loads of small town gossip. Guthrie, Georgia isn’t without its charm which comes in the form of a couple of smooth talking great looking men, which help to ease the near constant reminder of the federal investigation that has her career looking about the same as the home she’s trying to fix up.
During my husband’s time in law school I think I must have met close to three or four dozen “Dempsey Killebrew’s”. That’s not to say anything bad about those girls, they were usually just so focused on school work that they failed to notice some basic common sense matters we each take for granted every day. She’s smart in every way that makes you successful in business; she’s a quick learner, has wonderful follow-thru and is a tremendously hard-worker. But when it comes to real-life common sense skills, she’s just as blinded as most of us when her heart gets in the way, even just a little. Unfortunately for Dempsey her “blindness” results in a federal investigation, the loss of her credibility, quite possibly her career and life as she knows it. But, as I said, though she lacks some basic common sense, she makes up for with elbow grease and a zest to survive when the cards are down. Her character was completely likable and page after page I couldn’t help but become her own personal cheerleader.
One of the best things about the book though were all the wonderful characters. I’m a huge fan of books that take place in the South. At heart I think I belong there. Everyone is so friendly and easy going. In Guthrie, it’s no different, everyone knows everyone and is in some way related to each other from years ago. Yes, it has it’s draw backs, but the benefits (in my opinion) far out-weigh those. Carter Berryhill, Bobby Livesey, Jimmy Maynard, Shirlene Pepper and Ella Kate are some of the most fantastic characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Each so dynamic and personable in your own way. You feel as if they could be sitting in your very own living room sipping lemonade and talking about the weather. In each of their own ways they help Dempsey her newly acquired renovation project and her life.
The Fixer Upper was a pleasant surprise for me. Before picking it up for the tour I hadn’t read much about it, purposefully, and the journey I went on with Dempsey was just what I needed at the moment. A little bit of suspense, with a John Grisham style criminal investigation in the background, but a perfect balance of Southern charm and personal reinvention. It’s a perfect and quick summer read! One that had me flipping page after page without hesitation. Mary Kay Andrews actually has a few other books out, including one titled Deep Dish that I’m now dying to read.
Thank you so much to TLC Book Tours and the Publisher for providing The Fixer Upper for review!
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TLCbooktours
Posted in 2010 releases, American Saturday, Book Reviews, Rating: 5/5 | 5 Comments »
Hey Danielle, thanks so much for your great review. So glad you liked TFU, and hope you’ll check out my other books too. Happy summer!
this book sounds great…..theres nothing like a good read
Fantastic review, Danielle! I’m going to see if i can buy it through the Sony store…..
Mary Kay – Thank you so much for stopping by! It’s always a treat to hear back from an author.
Ayesha – I completely agree! Especially during the summer, perfect poolside!
Rossy – Oh, I hope they have it! I really enjoyed it and I’m sure you’ll love it!
This looks like the perfect book for a beach weekend – I’m glad you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for being a part of the tour.