Title: I Owe You One
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Publisher: Bantam Press
[Synopsis]
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?
[My Review]
I Owe You One is an enjoyable, fun read – which I always expect from Sophie Kinsella – and it combines fun characters with a sweet (albeit predictable) storyline.
I found main character Flixie a bit too naïve and timid at times so I don’t think I connected with her as much as I have with characters in Kinsella’s other (great) books, and I hated her siblings with a passion! I really warmed to Flixie as the novel continued, and as she developed and became more confident.
The storyline of I Owe You One, as mentioned, was very easy to guess and you can see what’s coming a mile off, but I do feel that this is often the case with this genre; it didn’t really hamper my enjoyment. There was also some funny parts that made me really smile, and it still left me with that warm, happy feeling that I always love from Sophie Kinsella’s books.
So, I’d say not her best (but that’s a high bar to be up against anyway), but definitely worth a read, especially for her fans!
[Rating: 3.5/5]
Many thanks to Bantam Press for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.