The Fixer (The Fixer, #1) (2025)

EDIT: Fucking outage... I lost my first review.

Anyway, let me tell you a story.

It was the best of the YA romance time, it was the worst of time when Twilight was made, it was the age of wisdom in Erotic books, it was the age of foolishness when the FSoG was published, it was the epoch of belief in Adult mystery crime books, it was the epoch of incredulity when Dan Brown's Angel and Demons shook the catholic foundation...(you get the gist) and I dreamed of reading a very good YA mystery/thriller. I was so desperate of reading/finding a book like that that I promised to trade my life long affair with Nick Bateman if the book gods would give me the book that I want.

But here's the thing.

I thought the universe was rooting for a Paige-Nick loveteam because I never found that book... until yesterday.

I never knew the universe could be so cruel that it was practically screaming "HERE'S THE BOOK, BITCH. NOW GIVE ME NICK before it slap me something square and hard.

I looked at the offending thing. At first I was in doubt because, hey, it's NICK BATEMAN dude,'nuff said.

But Nick was already taken and all I have is a book in my hands. What's a girl got to do? Read the book.

And I did. And HOLY FUCKING SHIT IT WAS AWESOME.

The book is everything that I could ask for and more. It gripped me from the first page till the end and I'm still feeling the aftermaths of a bookgasm.

Reasons why you should/would read this book.

“There are a lot of ways to castrate a bull," I said, my words deliberate and slow. "You can band the balls off, so they shrivel up and die. Or you can take a knife, and slide it just so." I demonstrated with my free hand. "I grew up on a ranch. I know a lot about castrating bulls.”

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"Are you threatening me?" the boy asked.

Aaaaah. Don't you just love it when the heroine threatens castration and dismemberment? Tess is the type of heroine most people would love. She's not whiny, she's fluent in sarcasm and if that's not enough reason to love her, I assure you, if there's going to be a crossover, she and Meda of Cracked would be best buds.

Girlfriend number seventeen," Asher replied."Before Sophie and after Sarah."

"You'd had seventeen girlfriends by the time you were fourteen?" I asked.

"The ladies, he replied with a shrug. They love me. It's because I'm so charming."

"You're balancing on one leg on the roof of a chapel. You're not charming.You're an idiot."

Aaaand here's another one.

"We're not friends," I told Asher.

"Our bond goes far beyond friendship," Asher agreed pleasantly. "Epics will be written. Bards will sing.

And...

"Go away, Asher."

"You say go away, I hear be my bosom buddy." He gave an elaborate shrug.

"Seriously, though: friendship bracelets—yea or nay?”

Seriously.

Word of advice, don't ever assume you know what will happen in this book. You know what they say about assume, it makes ans ASS of U and Me.

Reading this book is like riding a roller coaster ride. It has a lot of freaky-make-your-heart-stop twists and it'll make your heart pound chapter by chapter.

Need I say more?

Really guys. You should read this. Just imagine the sacrifice I made in order to have this book.

It's Nick Bateman. Nick fucking Bateman....

Uh... I loved the personality of the protagonist. Very endearing and heartwarming, her relationship with her Grandfather. Touching and rare in this crazy world.

Q:
As far as I could tell, my history teacher had three passions in life: quoting Shakespeare, identifying historical inaccuracies in cable TV shows, and berating Ryan Washburn. (c)
Q:
“I’m concerned, Tess.”
“If you’re talking about the way Mr. Simpson victimizes his most vulnerable students, I am, too.” (c)
Q:
The words victimize and vulnerable were guidance counselor kryptonite. (c)
Q:
These days, friends were a luxury I couldn’t afford.
It was easy enough to make people give up on you if that was the goal. (c)
Q:
My sister was a mover, a shaker, a problem solver—and right now, the problem she’d set her sights on solving was me. (c)
Q:
Nobody knew how bad things were.
Nobody but me. (c)
Q:
“That beyond-freaky ability to pull conclusions out of midair and sound so blasted sure of them.”
I sounded sure because I was sure. I didn’t know how I knew, but I did. (c)
Q:
“You bake?... I wouldn’t have called that one.”
It was such a small thing—a tiny thing, really—to tell someone about myself, but the fact that I’d told Ivy anything felt like losing a protective layer of skin. (c)
Q:
When I was thirteen, I would have given anything for this Ivy. For after-school snacks and a bedroom in this house. For the phone to ring more than three times a year. I would have poured my heart out to her. I would have asked her everything I wanted to know. (c)
Q:
Vivvie broke into a smile the way other people broke into song and dance. (c)
Q:
“They love me. It’s because I’m so charming.”
“You’re balancing on one leg on the roof of a chapel. You’re not charming. You’re an idiot.” (c)
Q:
I’d thought he needed help—but clearly, what he really needed was a swift kick. (c)
Q:
“It’s a chapel,” I said, turning back to the teacher. “What do you think I was doing in there?”
The teacher was flummoxed. (c)
Q:
“Stay off the roof,” he ordered. Then he paused. “Stay off all the roofs.”
The fact that he felt he had to make that clarification told me a great deal about Asher Rhodes. (c)
Q:
“If it isn’t my favorite little psychopath. (c)
Q:
“I have a passing fondness for explosions.”
That was concerning on so many levels. (c)
Q:
“I see you’re the strong and silent type,” Asher said sagely. “I never shut up, so we’re going to get along smashingly.” (c)
Q:
“Go away.”
“You say ‘go away’, I hear ‘wreak havoc by my side.’” (c)
Q:
“I knew you were a little crazy, Tess. It’s there, in the eyes.” (c)

A well written and engrossing book that focuses on Politics. Where do I sign up?

The Fixer easily becomes one of my favorite reads this year. It is without doubt, this book is joining my Top Ten Favorite Reads of this year.

For me the best kind of books is the one that makes me feel intoxicated as if I am drunk in life’s high. The Fixer evokes these feelings for me. I was instantly hooked from the very first eyes I laid on it. There is Barnes’s trademark writing, snark, a group of teenagers bonding, a group of older crowd getting their own interesting, but doubtful spotlight. Aside from all that, The Fixer also explores Politics. There is an alluring portrayal of power, injustice and morality.

It is simply brilliant, and I did not guess any of the twists right.

The Fixer follows the story of Tess Kendrick, who is swept out of her feet by her sister Ivy. From living in her grandfather’s ranch, she now resides in D.C. where power makes the world go round. There she started attending Hardwicke Academy, a school for D.C.’s elite children. And like the title of this book, Tess quickly becomes a Fixer. In the same way her sister fixes D.C. most elites’ problems.

But when a problem immerged regarding Tess’s newest friend, her family will be put into a test.

Tess the protagonist is someone I immediately identify with. She has a distinct voice and narrative that is mature, yet a reader could still decipher her feisty teenager fire. It is such a delight to read her point of view. There was no moment of falter. She makes the plot rapidly flow. She is a heroine, someone should watch out for. Her legendary silent persona and bite is something no one should miss.

“There are a lot of ways to castrate a bull," I said, my words deliberate and slow. "You can band the balls off, so they shrivel up and die. Or you can take a knife, and slide it just so." I demonstrated with my free hand. "I grew up on a ranch. I know a lot about castrating bulls.”

Besides from Tess, The Fixer has a rather large cast. Her sister Ivy, who is a formidable fixer. Adam, a hottie man next door who comes from a very powerful line. Bodie, Ivy and Tess’s resident driver and bodyguard who talks too much.

Meet Tess’s entourage, Vivie who instantly becomes her friend. Asher, the charming and troublemaker guy who uses obscure words. His twin Emilia, who is very clever and useful. Henry, the disquieting and commanding presence boy.

For one book to have a bunch of characters, it is natural to expect the story cannot accommodate plenty of voices. But, fear not! Because these characters aren’t only here for a casual appearance. They are integrated into the plot with fleshed out depiction. Like I always say familial aspect and a band of friends taking over the world is one of my favorite things. The Fixer gave me all of this desire. There is a heavy emphasis on family love and friendship. I particularly teared up at a few scenes. What a dreamboat.

Compared to Barnes’s The Naturals series, The Fixer is proving itself to her finest work so far. The plot is engrossing. The author deftly made politics even more scandalous. Again, I did not guess any of the twists right. Tada!

I am certain this is my friend’s favorite part so do mine. Romance. If you want a lump of people kissing, you will be dismayed with this part. However, not in the way you think, while this book doesn’t have any skinship to get going, it exudes sexual tension and affection. Evidently this will be explored in the sequel, perhaps with a promise of love triangle?

Bonus: There are two main POC who are integrated into the plot. Yay for that!

Hopefully, this book will open more doors for Thriller-Politics book in YA. I am banking my money on this genre.

To conclude this somewhat long review, The Fixer is a book you should be clamoring your hands to get into!

Review also posted at Young Adult Hollywood.

I need Jennifer Lynn Barnes and I to be best friends

We all have those authors that we instinctively go to when we need something fun, original, and well written. Something that will keep us on the edge of our seats, engaged in the story from beginning to end. Something we will think about when we put the book down and something we will still be thinking about long after it is over.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes, is that author for me. She hasn't let me down yet and her latest release, The Fixer, is testament to why that still remains the same.

I adored this whole freaking book. I devoured it. I laughed, I smiled, I stressed, I held my breathe, I sighed, and I couldn't put it down.

Tess, Ivy, Adam, Brodie, Vivvie, Asher, were all instant hits. They all made me smile and laugh numerous times, and I couldn't help it, I fell in love with them all as the story progressed.

The storyline was completely engaging, completely unique and the added bonus of a mystery and a thriller, on top of a coming of age story, was something that was completely irresistible.

Did I mention that I really loved this story? And honestly, I can't even begin to describe why other than the above already mentioned. It was just appealing, fun, exciting, action packed, mystery filled, funny...I could go on and on but eventually I will run out of adjectives to use that apply. So, just know this, I loved every minute of this read. Barnes is an amazing story teller and I love that even the bad guys, are hard to resist.

I am so excited for this new series and will be on the edge of my seat waiting for book two to be released.

*An ARC Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

This review has also been posted on The Social Potato

What we need more in YA is political thrillers. SERIOUSLY. This book was so much funand so addictive. It’s the kind of book you want to high-five while reading (don’t question my logic of high-fiving inanimate objects).

For starters, believe the tagline, this book actually did remind me of Scandal (the tv show) and in the best possible way. I would also encourage you to disregard that bit about love triangles in the blurb because I don’t have a clue as to where that came from. There isn’t even a romance in the book so I don’t know what that love triangle bit is referring to.

Tess is forced to move to DC to live with a sister she hasn’t talked to in years. Understandably, she is pissed and doesn’t really want to have to move and have to deal with a whole new environment. Sometimes though, you don’t have a choice and you just gotta go with the flow. The problem is that Tess’s sister Ivy is hiding something from her and when she is thrown into a politically charged environment, Tess needs to catch up and FAST.

After a little questioning, Tess finds out that her sister is a professional fixer and is actually quite an influential person in DC (she is on a first name basis with the first lady.) All of that might make the reader wonder whether Ivy is actually an asshole and thankfully she isn’t. She has been absent for the past couple years but she had her (somewhat selfish) reasons and you find those out later on in the novel. It’s obvious she regrets not being there for Tess and she is trying to make up for it now. I really liked the way Tess and Ivy'srelationship was explored in this book. It's done in a very realistic manner so thateven though Tess isunderstandably mad, she also trusts her sister and would walk through fire for her.

Tess is also a great main character. I love how clever she is. I love how smart she is. I love how she hates bullies. And I love how badass she is. I love me some smart characters and Tess definitely hit that mark. She isalso loyal to her friends and family, makes good decisions, and will stand up to the bullies. I am not going to say that Tess if the first female lead with those characteristics in YA but I would also love to see more Tess-like female lead in YA.

The secondary characters are also a great bunch. We have Bodie and Adam who ‘work’ with/for Tess'sister and we have her friends Vivie, Asher and Henry who add so much detail into the story and make it so much fun to read. We also have Mr. Keyes who was very fishy (someone needs to stop eating all that fish *shakes head*) but also written really well as a dubious character whose moves you can never guess.

The plot in this book is intense. The thriller bits keep you on your toes trying to guess who done it but the best part is that it’s not an easy answer. In the world of DC, there is never just one person who is responsible but a chain of people. We never find out who is on top of the chain in this novel (because they were probably PRETTY high up) but that's okay because we found out a lot of other interesting things.

This is the kind of novel that is impossible to put down but also YOU DON’T WANT IT TO END. I know I didn’t. When the book finished, I wondered about the characters. I wondered who Tess could potentially get romantically involved with (not that I didn’t enjoy that there wasn’t a romance), I wondered about a potential romance between Ivy and someone (PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN. I SHIP IT), and I just wanted to know where things would go from here. Goodreads doesn’t say anything about there being a sequel but I NEEDS there to be a sequel to this fantabulous read. I am not ready to say goodbye to this politically charged world and to the fantasticcharacters.

This is a book I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys reading thrillers with high stakes!

Note that I received an e-arc of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

In The Fixer, we follow Tess, as she rediscovers her older sister, Ivy, after a family tragedy. Since the deaths of their parents over a decade ago, Tess has been living with her grandfather on a farm in rural Montana. Unfortunately, her grandfather falls ill with Alzheimer's, and Tess can no longer look after herself. Ivy comes to the rescue, and flies Tess off to Washington D.C., and sets her up at the prestigious Hardwicke Academy. As she discovers that Ivy is involved in high politics, and is known as a 'Fixer' around the city, Tess falls upon a conspiracy, one that she can only deal with herself.

I was completely blown away by this book, so much so, that I devoured it only three hours. I've heard it described as a YA crossover of the TV shows Scandal and Veronica Mars - shows that I love - and that's a perfect way to describe it. If you have ever watched Scandal, Ivy Kendrick is just like Olivia Pope, in the most perfect way ever! Also, Tess is wonderfully similar to Veronica Mars. This was honestly the best crossover I could have wished for.

The characters, albeit very similar to the aforementioned TV characters, were wonderful in their own ways. Tess was a character I associated with this author, and though her situation was unreal - I mean, who meets the President and First Lady on a regular basis? - she seemed like a real person. She wasn't shiny, and perfect, nor was she wholly a basket case. Simply, she was someone who put on a brave face in the face of adversity, and was still vulnerable and a bit damaged inside. She faced so many difficult situations throughout the book, and honestly, I would have been wary if it didn't affect her in some way.

Tess wasn't the only great character. Her sister, Ivy, though elusive and not around much, definitely cared for Tess, and proved time and time again that she was amazing at her job, if not at keeping up familial relationships. Tess's school friends, Asher, Vivvie, and Henry, each had their own redeeming qualities, and I honestly hope that Tess and Henry have a relationship in subsequent books - their chemistry was off the charts, and you can just tell there is something brewing below the surface.

The revelations discovered at the end of the novel knocked me off balance, and for that reason, I regret that I read/devoured this nearly 400 page book in under three hours. The wait til June just may kill me, until I can get my hands of The Long Game. If you have loved Barnes' The Naturals series, you will definitely enjoy this! If you have loved Scandal and/or Veronica Mars, you will love this! Honestly, I think the majority of people would definitely enjoy The Fixer, if they give it a chance!

REREAD APRIL 2020

Still a fucking masterpiece!!!!!

____

READ 2015

I FUCKING LOVE THIS BOOK.
THE PROS IN THIS BOOK OUT WEIGHS THE FUCKING CONS YASSSSSSS

POLITICS AND BADASS CHARACTERS WITH MORE BADASSERY AND AWESOME STORY YASSSSSSSSS

GAWD TOO MUCH STUFF TO GUSH ABOUT AND I CAN'T EVEN RIGHT NOW BUT IF YOU WANT MORE DETAILS I POSTED A NON-SPOILER BOOK REVIEW SO GO CHECK IT OUT HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x7xo...

5 FRIGGING GLORIOUS STARS.

HOLY SMOKES! This was phenomenal!

My review: Go get this book. Read it now!

Seriously, guys, The Fixer is everything I didn't know I wanted in a YA book. (YESS! Give me more!)

Okay, I'm not that versed on political thrillers and I'm unfamiliar with either popular hit sitcom "Scandal" or "Veronica Mars", so yeah, I was a tad bit hesitant picking this one up, wondering how on earth are they going to spin this one out for young adults, while maintaining a healthy dose of believability and excitement? The Fixer excelled at all the above effortlessly. And all without romance! Can you believe it?! Like, I didn't even realize it until I started writing out this review, but there's no romance (tacky or not) in this novel and I think that's pretty darn AWESOME in a YA novel which is bogged downed with insta-love and love-polygons tropes, which has become the "Twilight" of romances.

And for this to be a pretty dense novel, it moved along rather quickly. The pacing was perfection! The plot was complexed, intriguing, filled with twists (some I clearly saw comings, others I were completely oblivious to), and it never lost a grip on my interest.

Now let's talk about the characters--WHICH I LOVED! Even the bad guys, had some redeeming, likable qualities, and that's practically a feat in itself. That's to say: that from the main characters to the secondary players, they were all so well developed and layered. And oh my TESS!! UM, can we start saying TEAM TESS, because she's a rock star!

“There are a lot of ways to castrate a bull," I said, my words deliberate and slow. "You can band the balls off, so they shrivel up and die. Or you can take a knife, and slide it just so." I demonstrated with my free hand. "I grew up on a ranch. I know a lot about castrating bulls.”

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"Are you threatening me?" the boy asked.

A heroine that's not afraid of standing up to bullies or tyrannical teachers, who's smart with a sharp cutting edge... Yeah, I want to be on THAT GIRL'S team! #GIRLPOWER! And how can I not mention Asher who provided more than enough comic relief to this novel? I so wish he was my best friend! He's hilarious, and charming, and I dare you not to fall for him!

My only complaint I really have was with the writing. While the dialogues were wonderfully delicious (at times a bit pretentious, but still great all-around), the writing came across a little stilted, a bit too formal, and repetitively fell prone to "telling vs showing" throughout the novel. I also think it was entirely too passive for the excitement and action within the pages, which dulled the intensity of what was being read. The writing also suffered greatly from repetition, which was beyond annoying at times. Tess constantly repeats (I'm talking multiple times within each and every single chapter) what she's heard, what she's thinking, the conclusions she's drawing... It's like the author was afraid the reader would so easily forget what was spoken two pages ago, and she didn't trust us to connect the dots for ourselves. Did I mention how annoying that was? Because, it REALLY was.

Bottom line, the story is wildly addictive. It's witty, cunning, intelligently plotted, well thought out, and a fresh take in the YA genre. The execution did suffer, yet overall, I'm still a happy camper (which is pretty a big deal since I have a tendency to weigh heavily on the writing). In fact, this is a top favorite for me this year! The Fixer was such a wild ride, and I enjoyed every twist and turn it took me on! Bravo Jennifer Barnes, this was fan-freaking-tastic! I'm aching to get my hands on the next book in this series!!!

This just hit the spot for me! I was a little wary that this may be a "fixer for high school" kind of plot, and while there is an element of that, this is really a YA political thriller and I loved it. I particularly loved our main character, Tess, and the development of her relationship with her sister. I can't get into details as to why it worked so well for me, because it would be spoilers, but overall, I loved where the story went. Also Vivvie has my heart

CW: child abuse

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Beware spoilers ahead!

When I first heard about this book the only thing that went through my mind was the fact that it is compared to Heist Society. Naturally I added it thinking it would be an excellent heist and espionage novel. Then one day I decided to read the synopsis again and warning bells went off in my head. The idea of a 'Fixer' sounded odd and I am not a fan of books that have politics in it. Nonetheless I wanted to read it because of Tess. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the book.

The book begins with Tess in history class. From what she can figure her history teacher has a thing for picking on a particular student. Tess has a thing against bullies and stands up for the boy. Which lands her in the guidance counselors office.

The guidance counselor is worried about Tess. Tess has pretty much isolated herself from her peers in the beginning of the school year. The guidance counselor tries calling Tess's grandfather but he doesn't pick up. She says that she will call later on. Tess makes it very clear to the counselor that her history teacher loves to pick on that student. Said student always leaves the class feeling stupid. She explains that she has no tolerance for bullies and that her grandfather also knows that. She then leaves.

Once she reaches home she finds her estranged sister Ivy is there. Ivy explains that the guidance counselor called her and that they need to talk. She coolly tells her sister that they can talk after Tess is out of the shower. She takes a quick shower hoping that Ivy won't run into her grandfather.

She goes downstairs happy to find that her grandfather is on his own. They talk for a bit before Ivy shows up. Ivy and the readers discover that her grandfather has Alzheimer's. Which is why Tess separated herself from her peers so that they wouldn't discover it. She does not want to separate from her grandfather. Ivy arranges for him to go to a hospital and she takes Tess with her to DC.

When Tess reaches DC she finds it odd how people keep making a big deal of Ivy. Eventually she asks her school guide Vivie what Ivy does for a living. Vivie explains that Ivy is a Fixer. If there is any government problem Ivy makes it go away. By complete accident Tess gets herself wrapped up in 'Fixing' problems.

This wasn't a bad book it just wasn't for me. The political stuff gets complicated and I don't see the point in continuing the series. Their wasn't as much heist and espionage as I would've liked. There was a bigger focus on the political scandals.

The writing style was pretty good! I liked how there wasn't any romance in the book. And I loved Tess's character! I loved how she stood up for people. No matter if the bully was some rich and powerful person. Despite the fact that Tess doesn't like Ivy, she does care for because Ivy's family.

Overall this book wasn't for me. I would recommend it to fans of political drama and the author.

Thank you to Andye from readingteen.net for letting me review this book!

4.5 SHINING SHINING STARS

This book was. So. Clever.

Political intrigue. Fitted with a Sherlockesque main character and a mystery that will get your brain chugging away. Topped with witty dialogue. Mix it all together and you've got a brilliantly plotted novel with a genius set of characters otherwise known as The Fixer.

I had no idea what to expect going in to this. I was thinking some kind of contemporary with a Gossip Girl vibe?? Ah, no, no no.

Tess Kendrick, our 16 year old protagonist, was GREAT. She was sarcastic, strong, and very very smart. Her sister Ivy pulls her out of her ranch life in Montana where she lived with her her grandpa, and moves her to Washington D.C. Tess doesn't know much about her sister except that she abandoned her years ago, so there are hurt feelings and thus words are said that create tense situations. Anyway, Tess learns about Ivy's job as D.C.'s fixer. You have a problem? You go to Ivy and she'll clear it up for you, the catch is she'll have dirt on you she can use to get whatever she wants. As Ivy Kendrick's little sister, Tess is expected to be a fixer herself, something she realizes as soon as she walks through her new school's doors where all of D.C's elite send their kids.

The plot in this book was brilliantly done. When I was reading, I just kept wondering how on earth Jennifer Lynn Barnes thought of every. Little. Detail.

There were so many components to the mystery I felt like I had to take out a notepad and write things down. It was like playing a Nancy Drew game without the checklist (props if you know what I'm talking about). Tess had been asked to help fix one thing, but then Jennifer Lynn Barnes infused all these other components that made you scramble (the good kind of scramble) to keep up with the fast paced plot. And you know how this book is compared to the show Scandal?

I really really REALLY liked this book. I'm so glad it's part of a series, because I desperately need more Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Tess. Definitely recommend.

Happy Reading!!!

Please fix the book hangover I have now

Quote
"You're telling me that my sister is a professional problem solver?" I asked tightly. "She just goes around solving other people's problems? How is that even an occupation?"
"Supply and demand?" Vivvie suggested. "Around here, we call them fixers."
Review
My love for this book is unreal. I've said this before, but political intrigue is definitely one of my ultimate favorites in YA--typically, they come wrapped in high fantasy shaped packages though, and honestly? I wasn't quite expecting this much intrigue in The Fixer. It sounded like a kind of fluff/contemporary/light mystery kind of story, and not really my kind of book. But it was by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and I've loved everything she's written, so I thought.Hey? Why not?

Holy shit, guys. Holy holy shit.Jennifer Lynn Barnes has just secured her spot in my Top Ten Favorite Authors list, and she's probably going to be there for a long, long time.

Right off the bat, I loved Tess. She was sarcastic, protective, and she could handleall the crap that people threw at her--which turned out to be kind of pivotal in her story. She really just...kind of...accidentally falls into becoming a high school Fixer. It seems she can't really resist helping those with wounds to be bound, and the way she dealt with everything was honestly badass. And kind of scary.
And she was kind of incredibly incredibly good at what she does. (It must be the genes.) Tess has amazing deductive skills and I kind of loved her all the more for it--especially since this particular skill was shown rather than told,like so many other stories. She was blunt when she needed to be, and while she did make some reckless decisions, she was never as idiotic as to try to handle everything on her own.Really, I just wanted to tackle hug Tess--and do anything I could to stayon her good side. (She has no problem with name dropping to get what she wants.)

Dear god, though.Tess was so not the only fantastic character in the book. Ivy, Asher, Bodie, Vivvie, Henry--the entire cast. They all had such different personalities and they all managed to crawl into my heart. They were hilarious together and the way so many of these characters cared about each other and how they protected each other was just another added element to this book that just made me adore it.

But I'd be lying if I said the characters were the only reason I adored this book becausewhat a plot.I stayed up until 1:30 AM to read this book--which may not sound like a big deal, but it was a school day in which I had to wake up at 6 and take a test that same day. It was risky, but I took it, because who the hell can stop reading a book with a plot like this one? There were so many twists and the whole whodunit mystery is taken to a new level that I'm absolutely obsessed with. I will admit that I kind of saw the ending coming but only because I'd only recently read Pretty Wanted and the twist was on my mind. , but the details of it? I think I had to reread that ending several times in order for me to make sense of it. And then that open ending that left me with more questions than answers. God.

William Keyes, by the way, is a terrifying man.

I need YA political thrillers to be the next big thing. Ineedit. The Fixer was by far one of my absolute favorite books of the year and I'm just stunned by how amazing it was. Filled with intrigue and characters who are much more powerful than you'd think, The Fixer is a must-read for...readers. Whether you love high fantasy, mysteries, thrillers, contemporaries, or any other genre, this book is one that I willneverstop recommending.

Find more reviews at

I've reached the stage where I'd voluntarily read Barnes' shopping list. If you love a bit of politics--the push and pull of power--than you'll eat this one right up. Review To Come.

That, was fucking awesome. Bring on book #2. The end. [lol as if i'm rereading the sequel again. probably. eventually)

Еще одна история про то, что "хорошими намерениями вымощена дорога в ад".

Главная героиня, 16-я Тесс переезжает в Вашингтон к старшей сестре на ПМЖ, которая при Белом доме работает а-ля Оливией Поуп. (Оливия Поуп - героиня ТВ сериала "Скандал", который рассказывает про женщину (Оливию), которая при правительстве решает каверзные проблемы, будь то измена, развод или даже убийство). Собственно и сестра Тесс при президенте в Белом доме решает проблемы. И начинается вся заварушка с того, что Тесс идет в новую школу, где учатся детки политиков и знаменитостей, и в первые же дни решает проблему одной девушки... и пойдет-поедет, влезет она по самые уши в более сложную заварушку, которую не так то просто решить и замешаны там уже не детки и приближенные президента, сам президент.

Барнс на мой вкус пишет не плохо. Сюжет интересный, школа и богатые детки показаны как и везде, но мне кажется автору удалось избежать какой-та избитости в том, как показано избалованное потомство политиков. Там есть все стереотипные персонажи, но автор не заостряет на них внимание. Героиня , конечно, не такая как все - умнее, проще и бла-бла-бла. В коем то веке, с первых глав нет любовной линий про бедную девочку из захолустья, которая тут же открутит богатого наследника известного политика иль даже сына президента. В книги больше описываются дружеские и семейные отношения. Это мне пришлось по вкусу.

С чем у меня возникли проблемы, как сказать. Во-первых, мне никак не удалось поверить, что Тесс так легко стала "своей в доску" при Белом Доме. Вот не могу поверить, хоть убейте. Да, ее сестра занимает важное место, но она то никто. А во-вторых, не получилось у меня полюбить героиню. У нее типаж который я не очень люблю - не глупа, не наивна, но вот когда она влезла в заварушку, у меня прям слов не было на нее. Зачем? Она подросток, ничего поделать не может, но как баран лезет. В итоге, когда заварушка разрастется до космических размеров героиня начнет убиваться, винить других и как итог, под финал я осталась недовольна тем, как разрешилась эта самая заварушка. Зачем автор ее сунула туда? Ведь, я могу понять задумку - героиня совершает ошибку, влазите не в свое дело и тут фишка то в том, чтобы показать как она разрешит эту заварушку. В книге Тесс будет использовать других, один сделает для нее это, другой -это, третий - это...Вообще, если рассматривать с политической точки зрения, то наверное все ОК. Но вот в рамках книги и авантюры, под конец книга сдулась. Стало много соплей, нытья. Перечитывать вряд ли буду, продолжение возможно буду читать, хотя и не уверена на все 100%

Оценка 3,5 из 5 .

[4.5 Stars] I can’t get enough of Jennifer Lynn Barnes! Her books are smart, engaging, and so well constructed that she’ll always have your brain reeling. I read The Fixer (The Fixer series #1) with the hope that it would help hold me over for when Bad Blood (The Naturals series #4) comes out November 1st. And you know what? The Fixer completely satisfied my crime novel craving!

While The Naturals series is a YA version of the show Criminal Minds, The Fixer series is very reminiscent of Scandal (which I love). Tess, the main character, is thrust into a world of intrigue when she’s forced to move in with her “fixer” sister in Washington DC. Her involvement starts out minimal, but soon grows into something of epic proportions. The book has excellent momentum and pacing, and I found it super difficult to put down!

Part of that addictiveness comes from how well it’s written. Barnes is one smart cookie. With advanced degrees in psychology from Yale University, her smarts really translate to her stories – they are written brilliantly! She weaves such a compelling mystery that I spend the entire book analyzing every character to try to figure out whodunit. Barnes is so good at misdirection that I haven’t been right yet, but the beauty is that in hindsight all the clues were there to figure it out. I’ve never casually read a Barnes book and am always totally engaged/engrossed/enamored the whole way through.

The mystery was the funnest element of The Fixer, but I also loved the characters. If I’m honest, they were slightly more animated than real people, but that only made me like them more. One character in particular, Asher, had me busting a gut left and right.

Overall Jennifer Lynn Barnes is one of my top authors and current favorite to recommend. The Fixer is just one more example why I think she’s so brilliant.

Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.nikihawkes.com

The Fixer was a fun and quick read. In fact, I managed to read it on one rainy afternoon. The Fixer is the story of Tess Kendrick, a teenager who is forced to leave her Montana ranch when it becomes apparent that her grandfather is no longer able to care for her. Tess moves in with her big sister Ivy, who happens to work with a lot of very influential people in Washington D.C. Ivy makes things happen and Tess seems to follow in big sister's footsteps. When a classmate's grandfather dies, Tess is pulled into a strange series of events which cause her and her friends to think that something sinister is in play.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books for a review copy of this book.

This is a tough one. One the one hand, NO ONE writes thrillers like Barnes. On the other, this book is a bit hard to swallow. It's not just teens solving mysteries - they're solving deep-seated political schemes that go all the way to the top. It's Scandal meets Veronica Mars.

Although I appreciated that the book is full-on uncovering government secrets, it could have done with a bit of softening with either humor or romance. Because of that I got about 70 percent through and skimmed the rest.

**I received a free copy of The Fixer in exchange for an honest review, per FTC guidelines.

Шикарненько. Отличается от Естественных отсутствием экшна и большим количеством размышлений. Но все равно читать интересно, а герои все так же цепляют с первых глав. Здесь нет любовной линии, зато есть отличная линия дружбы. Плюс, пара тройка годных тайн, которые помогут вам приятно провести время над их разгадыванием.
Окунутся в мир интриг Вашингтона было крайне увлекательно и познавательно. С удовольствием почитаю вторую книгу, ведь еще многое осталось неизвестным.

Итоговая оценка: 10 из 10

This book has been recommended by my friends who know my love and weakness for thriller/mystery type of books since forever and it did not disappoint. It was smart and slick, and I throughly enjoyed the characters and the political conspiracy behind it all. This book reminded me of my favorite police drama, with its well thought plot and the sharp twists that brought it to life.

Full review to come soon.

This is the most dramatic thing I have read in a long time and I'm stressed

3.5

Reading books about politics is like playing a game of dice: you never know what can come out of it. So I was very cautious when I started to read The Fixer. But I also must admit - I was intrigued: politics, power, world of elite in Washington and presumably a good mystery to solve. And to my greatest joy this book turned out to be exactly what it promised me, well, almost.

The story is about a girl Tess who moves to Washington to live with her older sister Ivy after an accident with their grandfather. Tess did not happy about the move, she is not in a good relationship with her sister Ivy, but she has no choice and soon Tess is plunged into the world of elite life of Washington and also she learns a few things about her family.

Tess was a headstrong nice character. She did not annoy me, not once. I liked her, it was easy to follow her wherever she went and she acted like a reasonable, mature person. Also, she has a very strong character and can take care of herself

“There are a lot of ways to castrate a bull,” I said, my words deliberate and slow. “You can band the balls off so they shrivel up and die. Or you can take a knife and slide it just so.” I demonstrated with my free hand. “I grew up on a ranch. I know a lot about castrating bulls.”
There was a moment of stunned silence.
“Are you threatening me?” the boy asked. His friends glanced uncomfortably at each other. In my experience, it was pretty much impossible for the male of the species to be comfortable while listening to someone reminisce about castration.“No,” I said, my eyes locking on to the ringleader’s. “If I were threatening you, it would sound more like this.” It took everything I had not to ball my hands into fists. “She’s fourteen. Ever heard of Andrew Stinson? That case got some press, didn’t it? If I remember correctly, they found pictures on his phone, too. And you know where you can find good old Andrew now?” I could see the wheels in the boy’s head turning. “I’ll give you a hint: it’s a registry, and it’s not for weddings.”

I really did not expect this book to be good. I was skeptical about teenagers solving state-size problems, but in this book everything is at it's right place, and teenagers are not the world savers, not completely. Tess is an intelligent character, she knows when to act and when to let grown ups to act. She does not whine, she is afraid when she should be and I must say, that been in her head was a pleasure. Also, children at Hardwicke Academy are likable too. Despite being from the rich background they do not act like snobs, and there's no bitchiness among girls. Tess makes friends pretty quickly, and they are all different but likable. For example, Asher is the one who provides humor

“You’d had seventeen girlfriends by the time you were fourteen?” I asked.
“The ladies,” he replied with a shrug. “They love me. It’s because I’m so charming.”
“You’re balancing on one leg on the roof of a chapel. You’re not charming. You’re an idiot.”

I am not an expert in politics but to me the world of politics in this book looked believable, the mystery behind power was solid, and I wanted to know the truth as much as Tess did. Her sister Ivy was either nice believable character and she acted like an adult, yay, we have a normal adults in Ya for once, she restricted Tess when needed and overall was a headstrong person.

“You can’t do this,” I said. I was talking to Bodie and to Ivy and to Adam, who hadn’t said a word since he’d gotten here.
“I can,” Ivy said, “and I am.” For a second, I thought she’d leave it there, but she didn’t. “I’m the adult here. I make the decisions. You’re the kid.”

The book ended with a little cliffhanger and not all the issues were resolved, and I would like to read the next one in this series and see what adventures Tess and her friends will find in the world of politics and power. Read this book, everyone.

Okay I need the sequel STAT.

Murder, blackmail, secrets, and cover-ups! Watch your back. These people can slice and dice you with smiles on their faces! Smiles that can sell papers, charm the masses, and win elections. Welcome to DC politics!

Estranged sisters, Tess and Ivy Kendrick, are trying to be a family again in Washington DC, where Ivy is a problem solver in the world of politics. Ivy is that someone you want on your side. Someone who can fix anything. Sixteen year old Tess soon proves that the apple doesn’t fall far from the family tree. Fixing problems becomes her thing in the halls of her new elite DC high school. When a death stirs up all kinds of trouble at school, home, and in the White House—both sisters find themselves in the middle of the action. Yes, I said The White House! This scandal could go all the way to the top! Trouble with a capital “T”. Have the Kendrick sisters met their match? Have they found a problem they can’t “fix”?

This fast moving political thriller was like a jolt to my reading world. Politics is a rare setting for young adult fiction. And I want more, more, more! I loved it! The twists & turns, speed, and head games in the political arena can be so wicked and brutal. It’s a rush! Things can make or break you so fast. What you say, who you say it to, where you’re seen, and who you’re seen with can help you one day and hurt you the next. It’s like gambling. Which candidate can outlast the drama and scrutiny of the press and the mainstream long enough to last and take office? I loved the energy and language and power of it all.

What kind of character or mojo do you need to survive the ups and downs of politics though? Can you survive in DC with a heart and soul? Tess is fierce. She has a fast, witty, clever mind that puts things together quickly. You want to support her. Root for her! Plus she is surrounded by a fun cast of characters with pain and strength of their own. I liked how each new face and personality added a new layer to the suspense and mystery. Henry was a mystery all own his own. He is wealthy, handsome and so-not a fan of Ivy Kendrick’s ways. What is he hiding behind those mint-colored eyes? Does his cold, control melt at all? Only time will tell. Then there is Asher—the hilarious, smart ass with trouble, trouble, and more trouble pumping through his blood. Tess and Asher have the *snap*-iest chemistry in the bunch. Smarts and sarcasm fly through the air whenever they trade jabs and share space on the page. Will he help or hurt Tess in the long run though? This is just book one in the series, so here’s hoping we get to learn more about these guys in the future. Here’s hoping we learn more about everyone!

There is Bodie the driver/bodyguard, Adam the strong, military man, and of course, Ivy. The sisters have a history of pain, loss, and misunderstanding between them to unravel. Can’t wait to find out how a few developments play out in the next book. I want Bodie’s story ASAP!

I highly recommend The Fixer for anyone looking for a little something different from YA right now. It will keep you entertained and guessing until the end. There was one point that I guessed pretty early on, but it really didn’t bother me in the least. The suspense of when it would all come out added to the twists and turns of the other secrets bubbling and boiling all around.

A book not to be missed.

Looking forward to book two already!

I adore Jennifer Lynn Barnes. She is such a good writer. This is the fifth book I've read by her, so you can truly trust me when I say her books never disappoint in any way.

J.L. Barnes knows how to write characters and dialogue, and this book proved that. Tess Kendrick was such a good protagonist. She was smart and competent and totally relatable. There is true friendship portrayed in this book; no romance. Tess's friendship with Vivvie, Asher, and Henry is everything! I also love Ivy's friendship with Bodie and Adam.

J.L. Barnes also knows how to write a mystery and a plot that doesn't have any holes or stray components that aren't addressed. I flew through this book because it had me so intrigued. The writing flowed so nicely, that it was hard to stop reading once you started. The setting was perfect. Washington D.C, the politicians, the powerful elite, and their kids. I love the idea of a 'Fixer' and a 'Kingmaker'. I loved reading about Ivy and Tess fixing problems. It makes me wonder who really is the 'Kingmaker'...

As for the reveal, I didn't see who the bad guy was, but I did suspect the other twist. Those last three pages were so good. I live for it!

I. Cannot. Wait. To. Read. The. Next. Book!!! ... Just Bought it!

ETA 4/20/17: Upgraded to 5 stars because I don't remember why I only gave it 4 but it annoys me every single time I'm going through my past reads and I see it. However I felt about this book at the time, when I look back all I remember is how damn good it is and how annoyed I am that every YA thriller fan in the world hasn't read it.

This was a really fun and fast-paced thriller that had me guessing wrong at literally every turn. It's been a long time since I've been this consistently surprised by a thriller and I'll definitely be picking up more by this author soon! I personally would've loved some romance, and I'm hoping that factors in later in the series, but if you like your YAs without any, this is one of the very few I've read that can make that claim.

I read this book a few weeks back, but didn't get to review it till now.

LOVED, loved, loved this book. A BIG thanks to Paige Bookdragon for steering me towards this book. Her excellent 5-star review Paige's review had me pitching this book to the front of my TBR pile. I was hesitant to read this because of the Scandal meets Veronica Mars marketing for this book. Not only are those two things quite a lot to live up to, but also, that kind of comparison makes me think that this is going to be a clone of those, a derivative story. Boy was I WRONG. This really is Scandal meets Veronica Mars, the comparison (for once) is spot-on. But the story is wholly UNIQUE, it has it's own thing going. I LOVE all the characters in the story, they have got moxie in abundance. The story is all about the mystery and the political backstory, but foremost, it is a story about family. The family connections are complicated and they feel SO real. The characters feel real with very complicated motivations. I usually prefer my contemporary books to be a standalone story, but not this one, I want more of this world and more of the amazing characters. Tess, Ivy, Adam, Bodie, Asher, Henry and even William, can't wait to catch up with them in the next book. I miss Asher and Bodie already, I need them in REAL life.

The mystery in the book wasn't completely wrapped up, so there's that to look forward to as well. And while this book focused on the mystery, family and character drama, there were seedlings of romance that I'd really like to see followed up.

As the legendary V-Mars would say: Keep on keepin' on, book.

This book, HOLY SHIT (Excuse my language). I thought I had somewhat figured it out while I was reading, but I was totally wrong. It was so shocking and kept me guessing until the literal last page. I am a sucker for books set on the political scene, and I love suspense and mystery, therefore, I was sold on this book from the second I read the synopsis.

I really like Tess (our main character) because she is truly a strong independent girl who isn't focused on a boy (not that being focused on a boy is a bad thing), but she's been through a lot and has her sights set on her relationship with her sister, and her friends. Tess is also very intelligent and totally badass. She hates bullies, and stands up for the kids who seem to need it most. I really admired her character. Plus our secondary characters are amazing too! Asher, who loves explosions and is also very funny. Henry, who seems rude at first, but as we get to know him we learn there's so much more to his story. Vivvie, the extremely energetic and bubbly friend. They were all very well written side characters.

Another thing that was awesome about this book was that there was absolutely no romance. None whatsoever, yet the book was still really badass and intriguing. I actually think this is the first book I've read without a romantic relationship. It definitely proves a book can be captivating without a love interest or romance. There was never a point in The Fixer where I found myself wanting a romance either, because the story is so gripping and engaging.

I believe this is supposed to be a duology (based on Goodreads) and I am very excited for the next book. I can't believe I have to wait a year *pained expression*. By the end of The Fixer we had most answers, but there’s still more to be figured out. Jennifer Lynn Barnes is so good at throwing curve ball after curve ball and The Fixer has so many twists you'll never see coming.

This review is also on Literary Lover , Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

Rep: Indian side character, biracial Black side character