Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey, book cover

Fix Her Up Summary

by Tessa Bailey

3.60 Goodreads · 27k ratingsRomance400 pages13-min summary

A party planner, eager for respect, enlists a retired baseball star to fake a romance, only to find their staged kisses spark a real, passionate attraction.

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Synopsis

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

Georgette Castle, a children's party planner often underestimated by her home renovation mogul family, is determined to shed her 'little sister' image and be seen as a sophisticated 'Woman of the World.' To achieve this, she embarks on a self-improvement journey and concocts a plan: a fake relationship with Travis Ford, her older brother's best friend and a former pro baseball player whose career ended due to injury. Travis, who is trying to rebuild his life flipping houses and escape his past glory, agrees to the charade, hoping it will help him secure a new job by making him appear more stable. What starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement quickly blurs the lines as their undeniable chemistry and genuine affection begin to surface. Georgie finds herself falling for the man she's always secretly crushed on, while Travis realizes the 'kid sister' he used to tease has grown into a vibrant, desirable woman. Their fake romance forces them to confront their true feelings, navigate family expectations, and decide if their pretend love can become a real-life happily ever after.
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Funny, heartwarming, steamy, lighthearted

Fix Her Up Plot Summary

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

  1. The Proposal

    Georgette 'Georgie' Castle feels her family, who run a successful renovation business, underestimates her. She decides to change her image from 'town clown' to 'Woman of the World'. Her plan involves modernizing her party planning business, updating her wardrobe, and proving she is desirable. She has secretly liked Travis Ford, her older brother Stephen's best friend, for years. When she overhears Travis struggling to find a new job because of his 'bad boy' image from his baseball days, Georgie sees an opportunity. She suggests a fake relationship: they will pretend to date to shock her family into taking her seriously and help Travis appear more stable to potential employers. Travis, at first unsure, agrees, seeing the benefit for both of them.

  2. Operation: Fake Dating Begins

    Their fake relationship starts with a public display of affection at a local diner, meant for the town's gossip to notice. Georgie's family, especially her brothers Stephen and Ben, are shocked and disbelieving, which Georgie enjoys. Travis, used to public attention from his baseball career, plays his part well, amused by Georgie's reactions. They set rules for their 'relationship,' mainly to keep their hands off each other. This rule becomes harder to follow as their closeness blurs the lines of their agreement. The town quickly notices, and the 'relationship' becomes the talk of the town, pleasing Georgie and begrudgingly amusing Travis.

  3. Beneath the Surface

    As Georgie and Travis spend more time together, their fake dates begin to feel real. Travis looks past Georgie's 'clown' persona, seeing her warmth, humor, and intelligence. Georgie discovers Travis's kind and vulnerable side beneath his rough exterior. They share personal stories and support each other. Travis helps Georgie with her business website, offering advice, and Georgie encourages Travis to pursue his interest in flipping houses. Their physical attraction, initially dismissed as part of the 'act,' becomes clear, leading to moments of tension and accidental touches that suggest something more than a charade. They both start to question their agreement's limits.

  4. The First Crack in the Facade

    A public event, like a local festival or charity gala, forces Georgie and Travis to intensify their performance. During this event, their 'act' becomes convincing, blurring lines for them and for observers. They share a public kiss that feels real to both, leaving them confused. Later, a jealous ex-girlfriend of Travis's or a rival from Georgie's past tries to expose their relationship as fake, but Travis instinctively defends Georgie, strengthening their public image and private bond. The incident makes them both realize the strength of their feelings, making it harder to maintain the pretense and their no-touching rule. They begin to wonder if what they are doing is still just an act.

  5. Conflicting Desires

    The growing closeness between Georgie and Travis leads to clear sexual tension. They find themselves in situations where their boundaries are tested, often leading to near-kisses or lingering touches that leave them wanting more. Travis, still dealing with his career-ending injury, struggles with the idea of a real relationship, fearing he might hurt Georgie or not be 'enough' for her. Georgie, though drawn to Travis, is also afraid of getting her heart broken, especially if he does not truly feel the same way outside their agreement. Their internal struggles create a push-and-pull, making their fake relationship feel real yet out of reach.

  6. Family Interventions

    Georgie's brothers, Stephen and Ben, initially doubtful, become protective and suspicious of Travis's intentions. They confront Travis, warning him not to hurt Georgie. These confrontations make Travis express his respect and growing affection for Georgie, even as he keeps up the fake relationship. Georgie, seeing her brothers' concern, feels both validated and annoyed, still wanting to prove her independence. The family's interventions, though well-meaning, complicate Georgie and Travis's dynamic, making it harder for them to deny their true feelings, especially when they have to defend their 'relationship' to others. The pressure increases as their secret becomes harder to keep.

  7. A Real Date

    Unable to deny their connection, Travis takes Georgie on a 'real' date, separate from their public performances. This date is personal, showing a deeper side of Travis that Georgie has only hinted at. They share vulnerabilities and dreams, and the evening ends with their first truly passionate kiss, one not for show. This moment breaks the pretense of their fake relationship, forcing them to acknowledge the romantic and sexual chemistry between them. They both realize their feelings have grown far beyond the initial agreement, and the idea of returning to just being 'friends' or ending their 'relationship' becomes painful.

  8. The First Intimacy

    After the real date, Georgie and Travis finally give in to the strong attraction they have been fighting. They spend their first night together, which is tender, passionate, and emotional. This intimacy solidifies their connection, making it impossible to go back. However, the question of whether this is truly a 'real' relationship or just temporary remains. They both feel vulnerable and scared, unsure how to handle this new, genuine stage after starting with a lie. Despite the uncertainty, their physical and emotional bond deepens, leaving them both overwhelmed by their feelings.

  9. The Truth Comes Out

    The truth about Georgie and Travis's fake relationship is exposed, perhaps by a nosy family member, a jealous acquaintance, or an accidental slip-up. Georgie's family feels betrayed, especially her brothers, who had come to accept Travis. Travis's job prospects are at risk, as the deception reflects poorly on him. Georgie is upset by her family's reaction and the potential harm to Travis's career, feeling guilty for starting the plan. The exposure forces them to face the results of their actions and the depth of their true feelings for each other, now without any pretense.

  10. Rebuilding and Reaffirming

    After the truth comes out, Georgie and Travis work to regain trust and prove their genuine feelings. Georgie apologizes to her family, explaining her reasons, while Travis takes responsibility for his part in the deception. They openly acknowledge their real love for each other, showing through actions that their relationship is no longer fake. Travis works to improve his professional reputation, and Georgie continues to build her business with new confidence. They support each other, showing their bond is strong enough to withstand the initial lie and its aftermath, leading to reconciliation with Georgie's family and a stronger, more honest foundation for their relationship.

  11. A Future Together

    With their relationship now public and accepted by Georgie's family, Georgie and Travis commit to a future together. Georgie's business grows, and she earns the respect and recognition she wanted from her family, who now see her as a capable and successful woman. Travis successfully establishes his house-flipping business, finding new purpose and happiness outside of baseball. They continue to support each other's dreams, their love deepened by the challenges they have overcome. The story ends with them happily together, having built a real relationship from a fake start, showing that sometimes the best things come from unexpected beginnings.

Principal Figures

Georgette 'Georgie' Castle

Protagonist

The quirky, underestimated party planner seeking respect and love.

Georgie is a vibrant, funny, and somewhat eccentric woman in her late twenties who runs a children's party planning business. Despite her talent and infectious personality, she feels perpetually overlooked and underestimated by her successful home renovation family, who still see her as the 'little sister' or 'town clown'. She yearns for respect, independence, and to be seen as a desirable woman, not just a source of amusement. She's secretly harbored a crush on Travis Ford for years and is the instigator of the fake relationship scheme, driven by a desire to 'fix herself up' and prove her worth.

Relationships: Travis Ford (Best friend's sister, fake boyfriend, eventual lover); Stephen Castle (Older brother, protective); Ben Castle (Older brother, protective); Castle Family (Family, source of frustration and love)

Travis Ford

Protagonist

The former baseball star trying to rebuild his life after injury, Georgie's fake boyfriend.

Travis is a former major league baseball star whose career was cut short by an injury. He's struggling to find new purpose and manage his lingering 'bad boy' reputation, which makes securing new jobs difficult. He's Stephen Castle's best friend and has always seen Georgie as his friend's quirky little sister. Beneath his gruff, somewhat jaded exterior, he's kind, loyal, and surprisingly vulnerable. He agrees to Georgie's fake dating scheme out of a mix of desperation for a job and a growing, subconscious attraction to her. He's initially wary of commitment and emotional entanglement.

Relationships: Georgette Castle (Best friend's sister, fake girlfriend, eventual lover); Stephen Castle (Best friend)

Stephen Castle

Supporting

Georgie's protective older brother and Travis's best friend.

Stephen is Georgie's older brother and Travis's best friend. He is a key member of the Castle family renovation business and is fiercely protective of Georgie, often seeing her as still a child. He's initially highly suspicious and disapproving of Georgie's 'relationship' with Travis, especially given their long-standing friendship. His protectiveness, while sometimes stifling for Georgie, comes from a place of deep love and concern for her well-being.

Relationships: Georgette Castle (Sister); Travis Ford (Best friend); Ben Castle (Brother)

Ben Castle

Supporting

Another of Georgie's older, equally protective brothers.

Ben is another of Georgie's older brothers, also involved in the family business. Like Stephen, he is very protective of Georgie and views her as his 'little sister.' He's initially skeptical of her sudden 'romance' with Travis and joins Stephen in questioning Travis's intentions. He represents another facet of the family's well-meaning but sometimes overbearing influence on Georgie.

Relationships: Georgette Castle (Sister); Stephen Castle (Brother); Travis Ford (Friend of the family)

Brenda

Supporting

The local gossip queen and town matriarch.

Brenda is a minor character who serves as the town's unofficial gossip columnist. She's often seen at the local diner or community events, observing and commenting on everyone's lives. Her reactions and spreading of rumors are instrumental in making Georgie and Travis's fake relationship believable to the rest of the town. She embodies the small-town mentality where everyone knows everyone's business.

Themes & Insights

The Quest for Self-Acceptance and Validation

Georgie's plan to 'fix herself up' comes from her desire to be taken seriously and seen as a mature, desirable woman, not just the 'town clown' by her family and community. Her journey is about learning that true validation comes from within, not from outside opinions or a fake relationship. She finds confidence in her unique qualities and her career, rather than trying to fit a mold.

“She wanted to be a Woman of the World. Whatever that meant. Most likely, it meant no more leggings. And definitely no more crushing on her brother’s best friend.”
Narrator

Finding New Purpose After Loss

Travis's story centers on his struggle to find meaning after his baseball career ended due to an injury. He feels defined by his past success and lingering 'bad boy' image. His time with Georgie and his growing house-flipping business help him discover new interests and self-worth not tied to his athletic achievements. This theme explores the challenges of starting over and moving on from a major life change.

“He’d been major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days.”
Narrator

The Blurring Lines Between Pretense and Reality

The main idea of a fake relationship becoming real is a core theme. Georgie and Travis initially agree to a charade, but as they spend more time together, their manufactured intimacy turns into genuine connection, attraction, and eventually, love. This theme explores how actions and shared experiences, even when faked at first, can create real emotions and change how people see themselves and others. It shows that sometimes, what seems 'fake' can lead to something true.

“It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her...”
Narrator

Family Expectations and Independence

Georgie's relationship with her family, especially her older brothers, is a key theme. Her family, though loving, often treats her like a child and does not take her party planning business seriously, always pushing her towards their renovation business. Georgie's fake relationship is partly a rebellion against these expectations and a way to assert her independence and maturity. The story explores the difficulties of breaking free from family expectations while keeping loving relationships.

“Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since.”
Narrator

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

Fake Relationship Trope

A pretense of dating leads to genuine romance.

This is the central plot device of the novel. Georgie and Travis agree to pretend to be in a relationship for mutual benefit: Georgie wants to gain respect and prove her maturity to her family, and Travis needs to clean up his image for potential employers. The fake relationship creates immediate conflict, humorous situations, and allows the characters to spend significant time together, gradually developing real feelings and undeniable chemistry that ultimately transcends their initial agreement. It's a classic romance trope used to explore themes of identity, perception, and unexpected love.

Best Friend's Sister Trope

Forbidden attraction between a man and his best friend's sibling.

Travis is the best friend of Georgie's older brother, Stephen. This dynamic creates an inherent tension and a sense of 'forbidden' attraction, as Travis has always seen Georgie as Stephen's 'little sister.' This trope adds layers of conflict, particularly through Stephen's protective instincts, and heightens the emotional stakes when Travis's feelings for Georgie become genuine. It also plays into Georgie's desire to be seen as a woman, not just a kid, especially by someone from her brother's circle.

Small Town Setting

A close-knit community where everyone knows everyone's business.

The story is set in a small town where gossip travels fast and reputations are hard to shake. This setting is crucial for the fake relationship plot to work, as the characters rely on the town's rumor mill to spread the news of their 'romance.' The close-knit nature of the community also means that Georgie's family is constantly aware of her actions, adding pressure and scrutiny to her efforts to 'fix herself up.' The small-town atmosphere enhances the humor and the eventual emotional impact of the truth being revealed.

Quiz

10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.

  1. Question 1

    What is Georgie's primary motivation for wanting to 'fix herself up'?

    1. To impress a new business partner.
    2. To gain respect from her family and be taken more seriously.
    3. To overcome a fear of public speaking.
    4. To start a career in professional sports.
    Show answer

    B. To gain respect from her family and be taken more seriously. Georgie's family runs a home renovation business, and she feels they don't take her seriously because she chose balloons over blueprints. She wants to be seen as more than just the 'little sister'.

  2. Question 2

    What does Georgie decide is 'Phase Four' of her plan to 'fix herself up'?

    1. Updating her wardrobe.
    2. Creating a professional website.
    3. Putting herself on the market (dating).
    4. Getting a new hairstyle.
    Show answer

    C. Putting herself on the market (dating). The text explicitly lists the phases: Phase one: new framework for her business, Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe, Phase three: updates to her exterior, and Phase four: put herself on the market.

  3. Question 3

    What sport was Travis Ford known for before his injury?

    1. Football.
    2. Basketball.
    3. Baseball.
    4. Hockey.
    Show answer

    C. Baseball. The book states, 'Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career.'

  4. Question 4

    What is Georgie's profession that she feels people don't take seriously?

    1. Home renovator.
    2. Party planner, specifically for children's birthdays.
    3. Professional athlete.
    4. Fashion designer.
    Show answer

    B. Party planner, specifically for children's birthdays. Georgie's family are home renovators, but she chose balloons and plans children's birthday parties. She feels this is not taken as seriously as her family's business.

  5. Question 5

    Why does Georgie propose the 'wild scheme' to Travis?

    1. To help him get his baseball career back.
    2. To make her ex-boyfriend jealous.
    3. To get a job in the renovation business.
    4. To shock her family and improve her image.
    Show answer

    D. To shock her family and improve her image. Georgie wants to 'fix herself up' and proposes they pretend to date to shock her family and help them both achieve their goals (her image, him landing a new job).

  6. Question 6

    What is Travis Ford currently doing for work after his baseball career ended?

    1. Coaching baseball.
    2. Flipping houses.
    3. Commentating on sports.
    4. Working in event planning.
    Show answer

    B. Flipping houses. The book mentions, 'Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days.'

  7. Question 7

    What does Georgie believe is the main reason she hasn't been on a date?

    1. She's too shy to ask anyone out.
    2. Her family disapproves of dating.
    3. Nobody asks out the 'town clown'.
    4. She's too focused on her career.
    Show answer

    C. Nobody asks out the 'town clown'. Georgie reflects, 'Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure.'

  8. Question 8

    What does Georgie mean by 'fixing her exterior' in Phase Three?

    1. Getting a new car.
    2. Improving her physical appearance.
    3. Renovating her house.
    4. Learning a new skill.
    Show answer

    B. Improving her physical appearance. The context of 'fixing herself up' and the other phases (wardrobe, dating) strongly suggest that 'exterior' refers to her physical appearance and personal grooming.

  9. Question 9

    What is the underlying irony regarding Travis's career-ending injury?

    1. He was injured while trying to impress Georgie.
    2. The injury was caused by a faulty piece of equipment he was flipping.
    3. He is still famous despite not being able to play.
    4. He secretly wanted to quit baseball anyway.
    Show answer

    C. He is still famous despite not being able to play. The text mentions that he 'can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits,' indicating he remains a public figure despite his career ending, suggesting a level of fame persists.

  10. Question 10

    What is the primary internal conflict Georgie faces regarding her identity?

    1. She wants to be a serious businesswoman but enjoys being fun and silly.
    2. She secretly dislikes planning parties but does it for her family.
    3. She is attracted to Travis but fears his fame.
    4. She is embarrassed by her family's business but wants to join it.
    Show answer

    A. She wants to be a serious businesswoman but enjoys being fun and silly. Georgie 'picked balloons instead of blueprints' and enjoys planning parties and making people laugh, but her family's business is renovation. She struggles with being seen as just the 'town clown' versus a more serious 'Woman of the World'.

Fix Her Up FAQ

What is the plot of Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey?

Fix Her Up follows Georgette 'Georgie' Castle, who wants to prove to her family she's more than just the 'little sister' by fixing herself up and getting noticed. She enlists Travis Ford, a former baseball star, to pretend to date her to achieve this, but their fake relationship starts to feel very real.

Who are the main characters in Fix Her Up?

The main characters are Georgette 'Georgie' Castle, a party planner tired of being underestimated, and Travis Ford, a former professional baseball player whose career was cut short by injury. Georgie is the younger sister of Travis's best friend.

What is Georgie's goal in Fix Her Up?

Georgie's primary goal is to 'fix herself up' and gain recognition from her family, who run a successful home renovation business. She wants to be seen as a capable adult and not just the 'little sister' who plans parties and paints faces.

Why does Travis Ford agree to pretend to date Georgie?

Travis agrees to Georgie's plan because he sees it as a way to help her shock her family and also potentially benefit his own career, as he's looking for a new job. He also finds Georgie, who he used to tease, to be a funny and attractive woman.

What is the central conflict in Fix Her Up?

The central conflict arises as Georgie and Travis's fake dating arrangement blurs the lines between pretense and reality. They both develop genuine feelings for each other, leading to complications as they navigate their true desires versus the initial agreement.

Is Fix Her Up a standalone novel or part of a series?

Fix Her Up is part of Tessa Bailey's 'Hot & Hammered' series, but it can be read as a standalone novel. Each book in the series focuses on a different couple within the same world.

What kind of romance can readers expect from Fix Her Up?

Readers can expect a steamy, witty, and heartfelt contemporary romance. It features a fake dating trope, friends-to-lovers elements (as Travis is Georgie's brother's best friend), and the signature humor and emotional depth characteristic of Tessa Bailey's writing.

What does 'fix herself up' mean for Georgie in the book?

For Georgie, 'fixing herself up' involves several phases: updating her business's online presence, revamping her wardrobe, improving her personal appearance, and ultimately, putting herself out there romantically. It's about gaining confidence and shedding her perceived 'clown' persona.

What is the 'fake dating' trope in Fix Her Up?

The fake dating trope in Fix Her Up involves Georgie and Travis pretending to be in a romantic relationship. The goal is to create a stir and help Georgie prove her newfound 'Woman of the World' status to her family, while also potentially aiding Travis's professional endeavors.

What is the role of Travis's baseball career in the story?

Travis Ford was a rising star in Major League Baseball before an injury ended his career. His past fame and the public's memory of his 'glory days' are still a significant part of his identity, and the book explores his transition to a new career in house flipping.

About the author

Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey is an author known for her contemporary romance novels. Her book "Fix Her Up" features a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, focusing on themes of love and personal growth. Bailey's engaging storytelling has garnered a dedicated readership within the fiction genre.

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