FU: Fixer Uppers by Devon McCormack

While the bones of this story was intriguing, the execution just wasn’t for me. This read very ‘frat boy-esque’ and I personally found that to be really off putting. Like Mikey is supposed to be 27 years old, and a successful engineer, but calls his brother and sister ‘bro’ and ‘sis’?! And uses words like ‘deets’ in a professional context!

Granted that shouldn’t be something to find major fault in, but when added to everything else, it annoyed me a lot!

I think it was mostly just the language used that made me dislike this story. Like the word ‘spooging’ and the constant references to topping and bottoming. It felt really immature.

Mikey should have been an amazing character, he is very clearly uber ‘masculine’ and at first glance would give the impression of not being altogether tolerant. So him being so open to his sexuality and being instantly attracted to another man, should have made him a likably character, and he was some of the time. But he also had so much anger ( I mean rightly so) but he was also unable to control that anger and that just seemed so at odds with his personality most of the time. Those outbursts were not normal, and I think Mikey (and actually every character in this book) needs some therapy. That is not me being flippant either, everyone in this book honest to goodness needed therapy!

For instance Scotts father, who had obviously a lot of unresolved shit surrounding his wife’s death, his lost dream of being a photographer, and some bizarre ideas about what constitutes a ‘good’ job. Like since when is being a graphic designer the equivalent of being poverty stricken? Did I miss something?

The straw that broke the camels back with this book for me though was unforgivable! Mikey makes dinner for himself and Scott. Arrives at the apartment with all the essentials for spaghetti and meatballs. The meat, tomato paste, spaghetti, rolls… fucking brussel sprouts!!!! BRUSSEL SPROUTS and spaghetti and meatballs? As a combo?!!!! My flabber was gasted!!

So look, this wasn’t for me, but it was very speedy, had parts that were legitimately funny, and even though the consent was dubious that first time (a lot of alcohol was had) they were very good about practicing safe sex so that’s something at least!

Synopsis:

MIKEY

I’ve never messed around with a guy before. Not that I haven’t been attracted to guys. The opportunity just never came up.

I stand at the front door, naked. My bro’s roomie, Scott, is pissed about how much noise I made with the girl I just escorted out of their apartment, but I figured we were alone, and I couldn’t help that she liked to scream out to let me know she was enjoying herself. Just like I can’t help that the raging boner I have right now is for Scott, not her. I don’t know what it is about the angry glare he’s giving me that turns me on so much, but I just want to tug on his curly brown locks and hear him call out my name as I show him a good time.

Scott doesn’t want anything to do with me. At least, I think that’s the case, but I learn just how wrong I am one night when we wind up tearing each other’s clothes off and racing for the bedroom. He blows my mind…and well, me too. We spend the next few days messing around before I head back to California. That’s supposed to be the end of it. But after my sister makes a crap investment on a rundown house near my bro’s apartment in Atlanta, I jump at the opportunity to help her fix it up. I don’t want her to have to stay with our parents, who I’ve avoided since I left for college–don’t get me started.

Scott volunteers to work on the project too, which gives us plenty of time to have a little fun together. It’s supposed to be about fixing up the house, but the more time I spend with him, the more I realize it’s not the only fixer upper Scott’s working on. He’s doing something to me–making me better. And even though I’m heading back home when this is all over, I don’t want it to end. Because I’m falling for Scott…so hard.