Georgie is a clown. Literally. Her family runs a profitable home renovation business, but she traded the family legacy for balloon animals and bubble machines. She's always harbored a crush on her brother's best friend, Travis, who left Long Island for a lucrative career in professional baseball. Now, after a career-ending injury, he's back in his hometown flipping houses for Georgie's family. Travis's Lothario reputation follows him everywhere, which is a problem for the family-friendly network that wants to make him the new commentator for the Bombers baseball team. It's an opportunity he can't pass up. Georgie's desire to be taken seriously (and to be with Travis) leads her to strike a deal with him in Tessa Bailey's Fix Her Up: they'll pretend to date to convince the community that they've turned a new leaf.
Georgie has never dated anyone, seemingly saving herself for her dream boyfriend, Travis. Though he can take his alpha-ness to the extreme sometimes, Travis's genuine desire and concern for Georgie live up to her expectations. Georgie's strong drive to change her life while building friendships with the women around her is something readers can identify with. Travis may have a very comfortable career in baseball, but dealing with the loss of his livelihood as well as returning to some toxic childhood memories shows that even this cocksure star can have darker moments. Watching Georgie and Travis gradually fall in love is a treat, but seeing them stick up for each other and work to reach their goals is even more heartwarming. --Amy Dittmeier, adult services librarian, Brookfield Public Library, Ill.