Mr. Fix-It

I never know what to expect when I open a book by Crystal Hubbard and that is a good thing. From page one to when the book is done, I know I'll get a story that will bring to life fascinating characters and the lives they live. Mr. Fix-It is no exception. Khela is smart, successful but troubled by the fact that she seems to attract male goldiggers. Carter is very handsome and laidback, until he doesn't know how to handle his emotions, but he's a great mix of rural charm and urban sophistication. These are two characters who find themselves in finding each other, and I liked the progression of their emotional growth. It's a nice twist where instead of a beautiful woman on a rich man's arm, you have a beautiful man on a rich woman's arm and the attendant issues of social status they face. Which is not to say that this book doesn't have the humor and details Ms. Hubbard so carefully uses to give her books genuine heart. I liked the nod to Waterstone's bookstore in Harvard Square. Many mourned the passing of that great bookstore. The love scenes were sensual and exciting, and I really appreciate the way Ms. Hubbard writes them. You won't find the typical cliched expressions and descriptions in a Crystal Hubbard love scene. Mr. Fix-It is another geat read.

I loved this book! It was a quick and refreshing read. The characters were solid and the story was believable. This would make a cute TV movie. I also loved the fact that the female lead was not totally messed up like many IR's tend to have. The male lead (Carter) was HOTTT!! He was witty and just right for Khela. I highly reccommend this book.

This isn't like Crystal Hubbard's other books. Mr. Fix-It is smaller in scope and focuses on the relationship between author Khela Halliday and maintenance man Carter Radcliffe. What I liked about the book was the way the author showed how writing is a solitary process and how publishing works and how crazy the public can be especially critics. That was very funny with Mangela the cashier but nice how it was respectful too. I also liked that Khela didn't have a perfect background. There was some meat to her history that explained a lot about why she acted the way she did and why she became a writer. I liked Carter evn though it took awhile because he didn't know what to do with himself until he met Khela and found a reason to be the best man he could be. I didn't like that there was no epilogue in this book because I like to know what happens to the characters. I know the story has to end but I want to know a little more than what Ms. Hubbard told us. Mr. Fix-It seemed more real than Crush and Blame It On Paradise but it still had very good romantic moments. I also liked seeing Bernard Reilly again. He's not mentioned by name but I know that was him at the gym talking to Carter! This is another good book by Crystal Hubbard but don't read it expecting to find the international flavor of her other books. The quotations at the start of each chapter are very good.

The characters, Khela and Carter, made me care for them. They could be Poster Children for the "Walking Wounded". Each time they tried to open up, to trust, you want to give them an extra push to cheer them on or a pop upside the head! Laughed, cried and shook my head all the way through. Ms Hubbard, you still have the touch like in the Winters Family Series and "Blame It On Paradise". Your book reminded me of Dyanne Davis' "The Critic". Looking forward to your next one. Thanks!!!

I recently discovered Crystal Hubbard and this is the third book of hers that I've read and I loved it. Khela Halliday is a very successful romance novelist who is attracted to her building's handyman, a hottie named Carter Radcliffe. They go on their first date when Khela makes a last minute decision to ask him to be her date for a writing award ceremony. I have been to my share of romance conventions and I laughed so hard I thought I would have a stroke when I read the part of the book that takes place with all the writers. I think I recognize a few of them! The romance between Khela and Carter unfolds beautifully with all the angst and drama of how past relationships affect them. A nice parallel is drawn with Khela's best friend and her whirlwind relationship. Khela's caution is understandable. There are so many good things in this book because it has the intelligence, warmth and humor all over it that Crystal Hubbard puts in her books. The love scenes are good and make sense to the plot. They aren't just thrown in there. If you've read Crush, you will recognize the man Carter talks to when he's at the gym. I like the way characters from Crystal Hubbard's other books pop up like old friends you haven't seen in a while. Carter Radcliffe is a lot different from Crystal Hubbard's other heroes. He's rougher around the edges and more raw. My only real complaint about the book is that the ending seems rushed compared to the rest of the book and I would have liked to have had an epilogue. I like the peek into the future given by an epilogue. One of the best parts of the book are the quotes topping each chapter because they make you want to read a Khela Halliday novel and provide a glimpse of how good a writer Ms. Hubbard really is. I really look forward to watching this author grow.