Fix You (Second Chances #1) by Mari Carr

4.5 Stars

This may be a short read, but let me just say that what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in content.  The fact that this is a novella does not impact one bit on the depth and emotional pull of this story.

I love Mari Carr’s stories and once she again she has given me a story and characters that have captured my heart.  This is a beautifully written book with characters that are so real and the writing so wonderful that you actually FEEL the struggle that Zoey is going through.

When Zoey found out she had Breast Cancer my heart sunk.  I really and truly felt every word, living Zoey’s utter devastation and confusion with her and she touched me deeply.

When she cried, I cried.  When she got angry, I got angry for her and my heart soared when during the moving and intimate scenes with her and Robbie.  Zoey was so brave and so totally believable in her emotions that I felt I knew her and I was absolutely championing for her,  and eagerly following her relationship with Robbie throughout the whole book.

In Fix You we meet Zoey who has secretly been in love with her best friend Robbie since they were ten years old.  They share a past and a bond that is so special and so unique that nothing could break it.  They’ve had their ups and downs but have been there for one another through everything life has thrown at them but neither has been able to share their deeper feelings for one another.

While Robbie is away living his dream of becoming a rock star, Zoey catches up with her “wine girls” and it is during one of their get together’s that they discuss their second chances and what they were going to do to ensure they don’t spend nights sitting at home instead of being out enjoying life.
Zoey would love to be able to tell Robbie how she feels but doesn’t feel this will ever become a reality.

I have say I loved the Wine Girls, they were all great friends and a great support system to one another.  I sense they all have stories to tell and I’m looking forward to meeting them in future books.

Zoey decides to get a routine check- up and is told a lump had been found in her breast.   The worst case scenario becomes a reality when it is discovered Zoey has breast cancer.   Zoey calls her best friend Robbie before he is due to go onstage but isn’t able to be tell him her news and decides she will deal with it on her own.

Sensing all isn’t well, Robbie comes straight home to Zoey and finds her alone, crying and obviously devastated. She blurts out that she has cancer and I have to tell you this scene just destroyed me.  It was so beautiful, so emotional and spoke volumes about the strength of character and the uniquely beautiful bond these two wonderful characters shared.

I didn’t just read that scene.  I was with them.  I felt like I experienced every word Zoey and Robbie spoke to each other and this absolutely moved me to tears.  I wanted to jump through the pages and comfort them both.  I experienced that moment through their eyes and it was heartbreaking.

The story switches from present to past showing us through flashbacks, the development of their friendship and allows us to witness first hand the start of their relationship and how it flourished over 25 years.

We experience their hopes and dreams as children, teenagers and adults.  We witness the promises they made to each other.  Promises they have kept to this day.  This switching in time really did allow me to see the depth of these characters, the growth of Zoey and Robbie,  and how they arrived at this point in their lives and it was all handled beautifully.

Josie:  “Promise me our plans aren’t lies, aren’t just silly dreams that kids make up rather than face that things are changing. I don’t want to lose you.”

The passion between these two was electric! The sex scenes were so steamy and hot and these two really connected on so many levels both physically and emotionally.  You feel deeply for these two because their relationship and the situation they are in feels so real.  

It is through her treatment that we are shown the strength of  Zoey and Robbie.  Witnessing their struggles was truly heartbreaking but they deal with it as a solid unit, with warmth, humor, love and passion.  You wish, with every breath, that these two enjoy happiness together because boy, do they deserve it.

The scene where Robbie sings Fix You to Zoey had me sobbing and really did sum them up so well.

“As you all know,we usually don’t cover other band’s songs,but tonight,I talked the guys into backing me up as we perform an awesome song from Coldplay.” Robbie’s gaze searched the room until he found her. “It’s called ‘Fix You’ and I’d like to dedicate it to Zoey

This is a beautifully written story about struggle, love and second chances.  It certainly makes you look at life and reassess what is important.  A great message and a truly wonderful read.

 Reviewed by Jenny

Purchase Fix You here

Fix You (Second Chances)

Book Two Full Moon

Full Moon (Second Chances)