The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Published: July 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Pages: 372

Copy Provided by: Borrowed

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Tess Kendrick has spent her entire life on her grandfather's ranch. But when her estranged sister Ivy uproots her to D.C., Tess is thrown into a world that revolves around politics and power. She also starts at Hardwicke Academy, the D.C. school for the children of the rich and powerful, where she unwittingly becomes a fixer for the high school set, fixing teens’ problems the way her sister fixes their parents’ problems.

And when a conspiracy surfaces that involves the family member of one of Tess's classmates, love triangles and unbelievable family secrets come to light and life gets even more interesting—and complicated—for Tess.

Review:

First of all, Happy Valentine's day! I'm going to gift you with a review about a killer! 💘

This novel starts of quickly as Miss Barnes socks you in the stomach with Tess's tragic life.  She is struggling to look after her grandfather and his ranch while finishing up high school.  Unfortunately, her grandfather has entered an age of dementia and Alzheimer's.  That's quite a chore for a 16 year old.  Older sister Ivy enters the picture and takes them away from their home, ultimately changing Tess' life forever.

At first I felt that Tess and Ivy's relationship was tense.  Ivy has been away and out of Tess's life for so long that it is hard for them to re-connect.  Ivy shares the occasional memory with readers of heartfelt moments with Ivy but still harbors resentment over her leaving so many years previously.  Tess doesn't even know what Ivy does for work!  Because of this lack of trust, as events unfold at her new school, Tess doesn't share information with her sister and the plot thickens.  

3/4 of the way through the book, Tess and newfound frenemy Henry begin to meddle in the secrets of politicians.  Each has a different motive.  And as you continue reading, the real players begin to make their stance.

Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this title.  So much so that I jumped into Book #2 right away and finished it all while I was on vacation.  The ending of this book spun me for a loop.  I was shocked by what I wasn't able to predict and I LOVE those kinds of endings.  I would like to see if you jump right into Book #2 as well.  Let me know what you think of this one in the comments.  It was a winner for me. 

- Christinabean