I Owe You One

Sophie Kinsella

The Dial Press

Random House Publishing

February 5, 2019

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Blurb: 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?

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SASCHA DARLINGTON’S REVIEW

I was late coming to the Sophie Kinsella camp and after reading I Owe You One, I once again wonder why, as well as wonder when I’ll have the time to read all of her past novels.

One of the best things and one of the worst things about I Owe You One is the main character, Fixie Farr. She is the normal one in a world of quirky individuals, but while trying to see to everyone’s needs, she is frequently a doormat, which made me want to shake her a little. However, I could also understand feeling flustered and backing down to an older sibling who makes one feel inferior. Again, while I grew annoyed with her behavior with her long time infatuation, Ryan, I could also understand it because I’ve seen that behavior in real life. Women and men who are so blinded by their crush and totally overwhelmed when their crush seems to reciprocate that they can’t see that the person is not deserving.

Most of the characters are complex, which is a rom-com novelty. Even the ones who come across as superficial and very annoying, Fixie’s brother, Jake, and sister, Nicole, have depths and change during the course of the novel, as does Fixie.

While I called this a rom-com, I probably should amend that because a reader going into I Owe You One might be disappointed that there isn’t more romance. There is romance and many humorous moments, but I think that I Owe You One is more women’s fiction than rom-com. All of the relationships are explored with each having their own “love” element. The aspect of “family first,” Fixie’s father’s motto, is examined with Fixie deciding that family also describes those people you find along the way who are more family sometimes than the people with whom you share blood.

There is much to love about I Owe You One especially it’s upbeat, playful, feel-good ending.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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rating: 

4 butterflies and a ladybug out of 5 butterflies

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