Happy Friday! Today I have a review of I Owe You One, the newest release from Sophie Kinsella, available now from The Dial Press/Random House!
My Thoughts:
Sophie Kinsella is like book comfort food for me. In my early twenties, I read every book as it came out, and I can remember where and when I read them. They are fun and funny and always have lovable characters you come to know as friends.
In recent years, Kinsella has added an emotional edge to her stories crossing over more into domestic fiction than rom com, and I’ve enjoyed that adventure, too. So where did I Owe You One measure up?
Fixie is the main character, and her motto is “family first.” Her father owned a housewares store, but he has passed away and left the store to Fixie’s mom and her siblings. And Fixie is the one left holding the bag all the time, being the most responsible and making sure the business stays afloat.
Fixie is asked to watch a stranger’s laptop in a coffee shop, and she saves it from being destroyed… The owner of the computer is an investment manager, Sebastian, and he’s in her debt for saving his laptop, so he gives Fixie an IOU.
Ryan, Fixie’s childhood boyfriend, comes back into her life, but he’s jobless, so she puts that IOU to work, hoping that Seb will hire Ryan. But things unfold and snowball, and Fixie is at a crossroads.
Will she take on life on her own terms, finally?
I found Fixie a trademark Kinsella main character. Zany, cute, warm, endearing, and I loved her, flaws and all! The romance was fun, and I loved laughing while I read.
Overall, I would say I Owe You One landed more in rom com land than domestic fiction, and I am totally ok with that. I felt like I had my classic Kinsella back!
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, an irresistible story of love and empowerment about a young woman with a complicated family, a handsome man who might be “the one,” and an IOU that changes everything
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?
Have you read I Owe You One, or is it on your TBR? Do you have a favorite book from Sophie Kinsella? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Fab review! I loved Fixie she really made me smile.
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Thanks, Nicki! I loved her too! So charming and fun!
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Gtrat review and picture, Jennifer. I cannot wait to read this rom com and added it ti my tbr list. Happy weekend.
💐❤️📚😍
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Thanks, Virginia! I didn’t know you were a Kinsella fan. I think you’d enjoy this for a chance of pace. Happy weekend to you too! 💗 xo
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Zany review… 😂 Kinsella’s books are a hit or a miss for me… Hoping this one I would like… I got rejected but will wait for a sale
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Thanks, Shalini! This was a fun one! I hope you get a chance to read it! ♥️
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Excellent review, Jen! I need to read more by Sophie Kinsella. Happy you enjoyed! 💜
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Thanks, favorite M! She’s wonderful for a fun read! Happy weekend! ♥️
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I miss reading Sophie Kinsella’s books. I loved the Shopaholic series. I would love to read this one!
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The Shopaholics are definitely her best works, Kris! I love them so! I hope you get a chance to read this too! ♥️
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Fixie sounds like such a great character. I’ve not read a Kinsella book in years but you have me wanting to dive back into them when I’m in the mood for a comfort read.
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Thanks, Suzanne! They are so much fun when you time them just right. Perfect for vacations, by the pool! Or just sitting in my house, where I read this one. 😂 I hope you enjoy your next one. ♥️
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Love the photo 🙂 I enjoy a good rom-com, so will definitely keep an eye out for this one.
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Thank you, Amy! I hope you get a chance to read it if you enjoy rom coms!
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I did not know you are a Kinsella fan! So many layers to you, Jennifer. Kinsella can be hit or miss with me but I’m always taking a chance on her. I’ve Got Your Mother cracked me up so much that I drew attention while listening in my car. I love the whimsy in her characters, which you’ve illustrated here in your fab review. I’ve got this one on my library wishlist…on audio of course (she picks the best narrators).
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I haven’t read read I’ve Got Your Number yet, but I own it- I have to read it now! It sounds like I need to try the audio version for sure!
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OMG! It had been laughing so hard tears were rolling down my face. If you can get the audio, please do. The narrator makes the book.
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“It had ME…”
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Awesome review! She is my favourite and I’m so glad to hear she goes back to her former style with this one 🙂
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Thank you, Shannon! Yes! It’s nice to have that sheer fun again!
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I absolutely loved the book, which is the first I’ve read by Sophie Kinsella – but definitely not the last. And I agree, her book is like comfort food 😀
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I adore Sophie Kinsella; she’s like my reading comfort food too! You perfectly described it. I didn’t even bother requesting this one and just straight preordered it, and I have been eyeing that beautiful hardback since it arrived wondering when I can work in the time to read it! Great review…I skimmed some since I haven’t read it yet, but I’m thrilled you loved it! Happy weekend! ❤ ❤
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I’m really intrigued by this book! Fab review.
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I am hanging my hear in shame as I have not read one of Kinsella’s books. Happy that you brought this author up as I need to get busy. Wonderful review, Jennifer,and happy weekend!
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Awesome review Jen. The last Kinsella I read I didnt like at all. I think I will give this one a try! Have a great weekend my friend.💜🤪
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Love the description of books being like emotional comfort food! ☺️ It is so true how books can feel that way, but I’ve never been able to express that sentiment before.
I’ve never heard of this author. Do you think I should start with this book or one of the earlier ones?
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I love the sound of this one, thank you for sharing Jennifer:)
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She’s totally the book version of comfort food! Wonderful review, Jennifer!!!
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Yay, I love Sophie Kinsella! Her books are so much fun.
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Completely agree romcom at its finest! Loved each and every one of these characters, well not Ryan, LOL! Glad you enjoyed it! 💕
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I read a bunch of Kinsella books a couple of years ago and had great fun even though romance/chick-lit isn’t usually my cup of tea. The Shopaholics were fun but I liked the Undomestic Goddess and Twenties Girl the most. Must pick up some more of these soon.
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Terrific review Jennifer! Do you know, I’ve never read any of her books! I think I’m missing out!!
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Thanks, Mackey! Yes, you are! Based on some of the fun rom coms I’ve seen you read, I think you’d love her!
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Excellent review! I may read this one when I’m in that mood. I read all the Shopaholic ones.
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Thanks, Anne! She’s such a fun author!
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I also love Sophie Kinsella and have read them all, even the one children’s book she wrote. I need to get to this one, it sounds like it has all the things I enjoy about her books. Great review Jennifer.
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Thanks, Carla. I love that! I need to read the children’s book too! I am excited to hear what you think of this one. Enjoy it when you get to it!
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Soon, I hope.
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Just finished this one the other day, it was my first Kinsella.
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Awesome review.I used to love Kinsella’s titles.I read Sjopaholics series and fell in love with her writing but haven’t read her latest books.This sounds like such a fun read.Can’t wait to get to it.
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Thanks, Diana! I loved the Shopaholics and this reminded me a touch of the zaniness of that series! I hope you enjoy this one if you end up reading it!
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Another great review, Jennifer. I read one or two of her earlier books and enjoyed them.
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Thank you, Cynthia! Her books are so much fun to read!
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