In The Big Fix, Holly James delivers a whirlwind romantic thriller that masterfully blends screwball comedy with genuine suspense. What begins as a seemingly innocent estate sale visit quickly spirals into a cross-country adventure involving kidnapping, gunfire, buried bodies, and an unlikely romance. James creates a perfect storm of chaos and chemistry that keeps readers frantically turning pages until the very end.
Plot: When Academia Meets the Criminal Underworld
Penny Collins is a computer sciences professor focused solely on achieving tenure when her sister drags her to a neighbor’s estate sale. After a heated exchange over candlesticks with the deceased owner’s nephew, Anthony Pierce, Penny’s orderly life is thrown into complete disarray when a body tumbles out of a closet. When she’s mistakenly identified as Anthony’s girlfriend, Penny becomes a target in a dangerous game involving a missing billionaire’s wife, corrupt FBI agents, and murderous henchmen.
What follows is a thrilling escapade across multiple states as Penny and Anthony:
- Escape from kidnapping
- Navigate safe houses
- Exchange gunfire with pursuers
- Develop unexpected feelings for each other
- Attempt to help the missing Portia Slate escape her abusive tech billionaire husband
The plot moves at breakneck speed while still allowing for character development and romantic tension. James handles the pacing expertly, giving readers moments to catch their breath between action sequences.
Characters: Compelling and Complementary
The heart of this novel lies in its characters, particularly our protagonists:
- Penny Collins emerges as a wonderfully contradictory heroine – an academic who values order and rules yet discovers her capacity for breaking them when necessity demands. Her analytical mind becomes a perfect counterbalance to Anthony’s street smarts, and watching her step outside her comfort zone provides some of the novel’s most satisfying moments. Her internal dialogue offers a delightful window into how a logical person processes increasingly illogical circumstances.
- Anthony Pierce initially presents as the brooding, mysterious “fixer” with a troubled past, but James skillfully peels back his layers to reveal a man guided by loyalty and a clear moral compass despite his ethically ambiguous profession. His protective nature and developing feelings for Penny humanize what could have been a one-dimensional “bad boy” character.
The supporting cast shines equally bright:
- Libby, Penny’s meddling but loving sister
- Gio, the ex-Marine with hidden depths
- Portia Slate, whose journey from victim to architect of her own freedom provides a compelling subplot
Romance: A Slow Burn Amid Chaos
James excels at developing the romantic relationship between Penny and Anthony. What begins as antagonism gradually transforms into mutual respect, attraction, and eventually genuine affection. The romance evolves organically alongside the thriller plot, with neither element overwhelming the other.
Their first kiss, which occurs in a roadside motel while both are injured and exhausted, perfectly encapsulates the novel’s blend of adventure and romance. These are two people connecting not despite their extraordinary circumstances but partially because of them. The chemistry feels earned rather than manufactured, and their banter provides welcome comic relief during tense moments.
Writing Style and Pacing
Holly James employs a first-person perspective through Penny’s eyes that allows readers to experience her confusion, fear, and growing attraction to Anthony in real time. The writing is sharp, often funny, and surprisingly insightful about human nature.
The dialogue crackles with wit and genuine emotion:
“You’re good at this.”
“At what?”
“Pep talks.”
“Is that what this is?”
“Seems like it.”
“Huh. I was aiming more for comforting words for someone in need, but I guess that’s essentially the same thing.”
One particularly effective technique is how James balances action sequences with quieter character moments. After harrowing escapes or confrontations, she provides space for reflection and connection, creating a satisfying rhythm throughout the novel.
Critique: A Few Speed Bumps Along the Way
Despite its considerable strengths, The Big Fix by Holly James isn’t without flaws. The resolution of Connor Slate’s storyline feels somewhat rushed compared to the careful buildup. Additionally, the ease with which Penny – a self-proclaimed rule-follower – adapts to criminal activities occasionally strains credibility, even accounting for her extraordinary circumstances.
The novel also relies on several thriller tropes and coincidences that more discerning readers might question. For instance, Anthony’s transformation from suspected villain to romantic hero happens rather quickly, and some of the escapes depend heavily on convenient timing or unrealistically helpful strangers.
The middle section at the safe house, while providing necessary character development, temporarily slows the otherwise brisk pacing. Some readers might find themselves wishing to return to the action more quickly.
Themes: Identity and Reinvention
Beyond the romance and thriller elements, The Big Fix by Holly James explores meaningful themes about identity and reinvention. Penny discovers capacities within herself she never knew existed. Anthony confronts questions about his future and whether he can break from his uncle’s path. Portia literally creates a new identity to escape her abusive marriage.
James skillfully weaves these thematic elements throughout the narrative without heavy-handedness, allowing readers to consider questions about who we are versus who we could become when circumstances push us beyond our comfort zones.
Comparison to Other Works
Fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series will appreciate the blend of humor and suspense, though James brings a more contemporary sensibility and romantic focus. Readers who enjoyed Christina Lauren’s romantic comedies with a twist of adventure will find similar appeal in The Big Fix.
While this appears to be James’s first venture into the romantic thriller genre, it showcases her versatility as an author. Her previous works, including Nothing But the Truth and the young adult novels under her pen name Holly James Rus, demonstrate her skill at character development, though The Big Fix represents a successful genre expansion.
Final Verdict: A Thrilling Escape With Heart
The Big Fix by Holly James offers the perfect summer escape—a propulsive plot with genuine stakes, characters you can’t help but root for, and a satisfying romance that develops alongside the danger. Holly James has crafted a story that balances multiple genres without shortchanging any of them.
Strengths:
- Fast-paced, engaging plot
- Compelling character development
- Witty dialogue and genuine chemistry between protagonists
- Successful blending of romance and thriller elements
- Satisfying conclusion that leaves room for potential future adventures
Weaknesses:
- Occasional reliance on convenient coincidences
- Some character transformations happen with surprising speed
- Middle section temporarily slows the pacing
- Resolution of the main villain feels slightly rushed
For readers seeking a romance with substance and thrills or a thriller with genuine emotional stakes, The Big Fix by Holly James delivers both in a package that’s difficult to put down. Despite its few shortcomings, it succeeds brilliantly as an entertaining, romantically charged adventure that will leave readers hoping for more stories featuring this unlikely but perfectly matched couple.