Sandy M’s review of The Fixer (Games People Play, Book 1) by HelenKay Dimon
Contemporary Romance published by HarperCollins 27 Dec 16
Over the last year HelenKay Dimon has made her way up my favorite author list, now competing with Lorraine Heath, Lorelei James, Jo Beverley, and a very few others. As with these other authors, doesn’t matter what she writes, I know her characters will pull every last emotion out of me and give me a sizzling, intriguing, and amazing story. She proves that once again with The Fixer, a book I couldn’t wait to get back to every time I was forced to lay it down.
Emery Finn’s family tragedy led her to helping others who find themselves in similar situations, hopefully bring closure in one way or another, good or bad. Her cousin Tiffany disappeared years ago and has never been heard from since. When her uncle passed away, Emery picked up where he left off in his own investigation to find out what happened to his daughter. In the man’s paperwork, Emery discovered the name “Wren” and believes if she can locate this person, she’ll have the one who knows where Tiffany is and what happened to her.
What Emery doesn’t know, of course, is that Wren is a man who keeps his identity hidden due to his job, fixing whatever it is his clients need. He’s known as The Fixer. Wren finally decides he needs to step in to put an end to Emery’s snooping, which can and probably will cause problems all around, for Emery as well. What he doesn’t expect is to be drawn to this smart, dedicated, loyal, and stubborn woman. Even despite warnings from his best friend and right-hand man, Wren continues to think about and help Emery. He even allows her into his world by telling her precisely who he is.
The best thing about these two characters is their banter and arguing. Because Wren doesn’t spend a lot of time with people other than those closest to him, he’s a bit slow on the uptake when it comes to social cues. However, what he is is just straightforward, honest, direct, and his intelligence and observation skills are off the charts. Emery doesn’t put up with his short and/or sometimes nonsensical way of communicating. She gives tit for tat, and that just makes her more attractive to Wren.
Their romance is slow to build, moving along as more layers from each of these characters is revealed. Sharing their tragic backgrounds is another part of the book that is my favorite, giving them more in common than Emery can imagine. Theirs is literally a case of only someone who has experienced the same can understand what the other is feeling and going through. Watching Wren open up more and more is fascinating, something he never does to anyone. Ever. I also like that when things go a bit awry for them, they don’t break up and make crazy vows about love. Emery is the one who must come to grips with her reaction when Wren delivers unimaginable news, and she does so admirably – one of the reasons Wren loves her so much.
I have to admit that I did figure who the villain is, which usually never happens. It seemed logical to me this time around, but that didn’t lessen my ire and gladness when comeuppance is delivered. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, The Enforcer, due out in April. HelenKay Dimon has started an intriguing series and I know my anticipation will be amped up waiting for each new book throughout the year.
Grade: A
Summary:
He’s known only as Wren. A wealthy, dangerously secretive man, he specializes in making problems disappear. A professional fixer, Wren hides a dark past, but his privacy is shattered when Emery Finn seeks him out—and what she wants from him is very personal.
Some people disappear against their will. Emery’s job is to find them and bring closure. Wren is the only person who can help solve Emery’s own personal mystery: the long-ago disappearance of her cousin. Just tracking down the sexy, brooding Wren is difficult enough. Resisting her body’s response to him will prove completely impossible.
Anonymity is essential to Wren’s success, yet drawn by Emery’s loyalty and sensuality, he’s pulled out of the shadows. But her digging is getting noticed by the wrong people. And as the clues start to point to someone terrifyingly close, Wren will have to put his haunted past aside to protect the woman he loves.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in the series:
