Book Review: The Fixer

I am madly in love with the depth of the characters in Jennifer Lynn Barnes latest novel, The Fixer. I found I was still reading at two in the morning and laughing out loud at Asher's sense of humor. Laughing. Out. Loud.  Now, don't misunderstand, this is not a humorous novel; it is about a 17-year-old girl, Tess Kendrick, who is living on a ranch in in Montana when we first meet her. She is maintaining some semblance of high school normalcy. Due to an altercation with one of her teachers, she is sent to the counselor. Tess has been able to manage taking care of their horse ranch, and keeping a secret: her grandfather has Alzheimer's. The school counselor has noticed something is off and calls in 'The Fixer' --Ivy Kendrick. Ivy, Tess' older sister, swoops in and instantly takes charge. Grandpa is shipped off to a treatment facility in Boston and Tess is now living in a two bedroom apartment in Washington D.C. starting at a prep school with the elite children of the bigwigs of D.C.

I was astonished to learn of the depth of political nominations and the prices paid to gain access to the top--the layers kept peeling away. The political scandal is unearthed within the first few chapters with the complexity of the crimes continuously evolving throughout the book. Your word is law in D.C. and the phrase 'I'll owe you' is one you must be willing to ante up on when your card is called. Unlike Tess, the students at Hardwicke Prep School know this as well as knowing Ivy Kendrick is called to resolve issues when a cover up is required. 

To help assimilate Tess into her new life as the fixer's sister, we meet Asher, Henry and Vivvie. Asher is a sarcastic, popular hottie whose wit is met with contempt from the 'I don't give a crap' Tess. He is unfazed throughout and keeps the comments coming. Henry is his best friend and is a no-nonsense hard ass. (Complete opposite of his bf, so this keeps it entertaining!) Vivvie is the first friend Tess meets at the school and is the daughter of the man who has just murdered the Chief Supreme Justice. See what I mean about the layers?

This is the first installment of a new series; the base of these characters promises to be a series worth following.

See the complete review at Books & What Not [DOT]com