Is this year flying by, or is it just me? It seems there is never enough time for reading, writing, running, laundry, the packing list I’ve been meaning to start. It feels like a week ago that my boyfriend and I booked our vacation. Now it’s less than 20 days away… all this makes me think I better get moving on this list of books.

Book Read: I Owe You
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Number of Books Read, 2019 Edition: 14

Fixie Farr didn’t earn the nickname “Fixie” by standing by and watching things happen. She fixes things - she gets a sense and away she goes. Fixie also lives by her father’s words: “family first.” That means, when her brother Jake and sister Nicole have to help with the family shop while their mother is away, Fixie agrees to yoga and decreasing stock, despite having picked up their slack for years.

When a stranger asks her to watch his laptop in a coffee shop, Fixie agrees. Could she have known she’d save the laptop from a disaster? Doubtful. But so begins a series of IOU’s between Fixie and Sebastian. First, when a childhood crush moves back to town, Fixie cashes in on his behalf. Seb then asks for a dance, and then a phone call makes the biggest IOU of all.

With Sebastian’s help, Fixie begins to see fixing things may be one of the best and worst things she does. When her mother announces she is coming back early, the shop is a mess, the kitchen is a disaster, and someone has to step up. Remember, Fixie is good at fixing things.

Add in a childhood crush who is a douche (I’m being nice), a door that stays locked, a best friend who is loyal until the end, and a coffee sleeve, and you’ve got I Owe You One.

I like Sophie Kinsella’s books. I’m not a huge fan of her Shopaholic series, but outside of that, I always find them enjoyable. See Surprise Me from last year. She writes about fun main characters. They are quirky, different, and find their way. This one has that. Is it Kinsella’s best work? Probably not. Is it a worthy read? Yes, it is.

Fixie and Seb are likeable characters. You’ll be rolling your eyes at Fixie one minute, then fist pumping for her actions the next. Her siblings are, truthfully, pains for the majority of the book. But a family comes together despite their disagreements. Seb has his own past, but may need just a little fixing (see what I did there?).

I Owe You One is a quick, fun read. For being 435 pages, it felt like it flew by; I couldn’t put it down. There is growth for the majority of the characters - some remain the same and who needs them anyways. The ending does wrap up pretty quickly, but overall, a charming, easy read.

Next Read: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty