I purchased Mr. Fix-It months ago, on the fly, because the blurb intrigued me. No reason I can think of why I didn't read it right away other than I probably just got caught up with other books and life; thus, this one was lost in the shuffle as time passed. A Goodreads group book of the month gave me a good reason to pick this one up again.
This was my first book by Crystal Hubbard, so I didn't know exactly what to expect, but favorable reviews of other books of hers by reliable sources have passed by my social media news feeds, so I assumed I'd like it. Sadly, I was wrong.
"Almost anyone can open their mouths and tell a story that holds your attention. Very few people can sit at a keyboard and create stories that do with words what Monet did with paint.”
Ironically, these are the author's own words and it completely sums up this book for me. I liked the story's premise but the writing just wasn't my cuppa.
At the 20% mark I was already having issues with the main characters and had trouble connecting with them. By 40% I was bored and completely not feeling Khela and Carter, but I pressed on against my better judgement.
For those of you who might like to give this book a chance, I'll spare you all the gory details throughout Carter and Khela's love story that nagged me to no end. I'll just say that by the 75% point I started to skim just to get to the end and see how they end up at their HEA.
Besides the emo, insecure hero and the annoying, TSTL heroine, the writing was too long winded at points. Exhibit A:
"She lowered her head to bring her mouth closer to the tawny disk of sensitive flesh capping his left pectoral muscle."
All those words just to say, "nipple"??
Additionally, there are so many superfluous details to describe the environment that didn't add to the story...I have no desire to read 2-3 pages on all the fancy, gourmet delicacies in Khela's favorite speciality market or the type of appliances in Khela's kitchen. It just makes me think, "why am I reading this, again?!"
Lastly, the characters were such over the top caricatures; from Khela's gold-digger ex-husband, or her best friend standing in the shadows of her larger than life friend to the the stunningly, irresistibly, handsome Carter. There's a way of getting a point across without beating the reader over the head with it as Ms. Hubbard does here.
Overall, Khela's and Carter's issues were hard to empathize or connect with so they just came off as whiny brats who were too successful and too pretty for their own good. Furthermore, I barely felt any chemistry or sizzle between them to make me love this book beyond the issues I had with the story telling.
2
 - Crystal Hubbard)
