In RITA Award-winning author Melody Carlson's light-hearted tale, 30-something Gretchen Hanover learns that renewing a heart takes as much grace as renovating a home. Jilted just before her wedding, she turns to home improvement TV-and ice cream-to soothe her broken heart. And when Gretchen's grand plan to flip a house soon flops, a certain carpenter-at first-only makes matters worse. "A delicious chick-lit entry that fans will relish."-Library Journal
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"This was an enjoyable read. It was easy to read and very predictable but it was just what I needed to distract me from the stress and chaos of life. If you are into deep and thought provoking reading this isn't for you but if you are looking for something quick and easy to read this book is great!"
— Pam (4 out of 5 stars)
" A fun, quick read. Gretchen's got some girl-power. "
— Jen, 2/18/2014" this was a cute story, it was really really great!!! melody carlson nevr disapoints "
— Nicole(crazybooklover11), 2/7/2014" This was a fun read, and it went fast! The book chronicles a woman who is flipping a house. I think the backdroup of the flip keeps the pace of the story moving. It was the perfect book to read while waiting for my dad in surgery. "
— Laura, 2/6/2014" I enjoyed reading this book. It was similar in tone to Meg Cabot's Size 14 is Not Fat. series. Pleasant uplifting read. "
— Lynda, 2/6/2014" This book is total fluff - a little better than the average fluff, probably worth 2.5 stars - but I'm not sure I want to admit I read it. And even sort of enjoyed it. I guess it's a better stress-reducer than consuming large quantities of chocolate. "
— Lisa, 2/4/2014" A fun and light read. The main character goes through the process of remodeling a home and in the course of events, ends up rearranging her own personal life as well. Heartwarming and fun! "
— Darlene, 1/31/2014" I loved this book- total quick chick lit read. Fun. "
— Lara, 1/29/2014" I picked up the book first because I love flip flops. Then I thought a semi-spoof on HGTV (I'm a recovering addict) with a spiritual twist would be a good balance of fun and meaty. And it almost was. Yet, it never really grabbed me as much as I wanted it to. Maybe a bit too chick-litty and predictable. I did stay up late to read it all in one evening/night; I think I did this because it was sufficiently entertaining since I wasn't sleepy yet I wasn't sure I'd go back to finish it during a busy week. "
— Katie, 1/28/2014" Quick, easy read. My mother would say too contrived, and she would be right. The concept of the book is cute, but the writing and story line is lame. I can't understand why other readers gave this book 4 and 5 stars. "
— Kathy, 1/16/2014" This is a really cute/fun book! Encourages me even more to go find a fixer upper and get to work! "
— Kimberly, 1/10/2014" Cute story, easy to read! "
— Lindamac, 12/14/2013" This book was so cute! Since I also am an HGTV addict and love anything to do with real estate, I knew I would love this book....it was cute without being preachy or silly and even managed to work in a fath aspect without coming off as overly religious. Very real life characterization. "
— Erin, 11/22/2013" I always enjoy this author. She writes a good story and mixes in a good dose of humor. The gal in this story buys a house to flip and since I've done the work on these type houses getting them ready to be rentals it struck a cord with me. "
— Mary, 11/15/2013" Totally predictable but nevertheless enjoyable piece of fluff. I'm surprised the library didn't have this one labelled with their "religious fiction" sticker, because it definitely fits that category as well. "
— Andrea, 9/19/2013" This was a really good "quick-read". Not in-depth, so it wasn't stimulating, but sometimes I read just for reading's sake, not to think too hard. I enjoyed it, but it was very predictable. It had a good message. "
— Gretchen, 8/4/2013" Super cute and fun read. Got me back in the swing of reading, for sure. I recommend! "
— Erin, 6/29/2013" Cute, fun read. Take it to the beach with you. "
— Sharon, 3/26/2013" This was a good read. And actually sort of inspired me. If the protagonist can flip a whole house from watching HGTV, there's hope for me in updating my own :) "
— Loretta, 2/19/2013" Loved this fun, quick, clean read. "
— Shalet, 1/21/2013" I love Melody Carlson but this book did not go deep like some of her other work. Good quick read. "
— Tracy, 12/31/2012" i remember liking this book just fine. it's a bit of a fluffy, chick lit type book for a christian audience so it's clean. clearly not groundbreaking stuff, but a nice diversion. "
— Jessica, 12/14/2012" Quick read, light fare. A bit more God than I'm used to seeing but not preachy. "
— Jamie, 10/4/2011" liked the book til the ending. Life just doesn't happen that way. "
— Alison, 9/29/2011" I read this for a book club. The first two chapters I thought were going to kill me. But it improved a little and was interesting enough to keep going. It was like 7th Heaven meets Bridget Jones Diary. It was alright. (Sorry, my friend who recommended it! I'm still anxious to read your other books!) "
— Denise, 8/3/2011" I liked it. It's a fun read and is written so that I want to flip a house too! "
— Loraine, 3/17/2011" A light read, but good. I read it in one day. "
— Katie, 2/7/2011" Loved this fun, quick, clean read. "
— Shalet, 1/8/2011" This is just a sweet, fun book - perfect for a little mental "escape!" "
— Pam, 12/22/2010" Inspirational fiction. Junk food. Quick read. Melody Carlson's writing style reminds me of Meg Cabot. Their characters seem to be very similar. "
— Amy, 12/14/2010" This book was a fun, light, airy book. I read it really quick and found it to be a great no-brainer. The plot was predictable and uncomplicated, which I enjoy sometimes. <br/> <br/>Gretchen was a believable character "
— Elisabeth, 8/18/2010" A fun and light read. The main character goes through the process of remodeling a home and in the course of events, ends up rearranging her own personal life as well. Heartwarming and fun! "
— Darlene, 8/13/2010" I loved this book- total quick chick lit read. Fun. "
— Lara, 4/27/2010" This book was a little hard for me to get into, but once I did, I didn't want to put it down. I guess it's considered a "Christian romance", but the references to God weren't overpowering. I am pleasantly surprised. "
— Angela, 4/19/2010" This is a really cute/fun book! Encourages me even more to go find a fixer upper and get to work! "
— Kimberly, 4/15/2010" This is our June book club book. A quick, easy, fun, summer read. <br/>Gretchen is the main character and she decides to try to fix up a dump and flip it. As usual, life gets in the way and things don't go as smoothly as she wishes them to. It is about her struggles and strengths. "
— Lyndi, 1/22/2010" i thought this would be whimsical and funny but it was not... "
— Sharonbrown, 1/6/2010Melody Carlson has published more than ninety books for children, teens, and adults. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband, where they enjoy skiing, gardening, camping, and biking in the beautiful Cascade mountains.
Danielle Ferland performed in her first Broadway musical production, Sunday in the Park with George, at the age of thirteen. She is best known for her Drama Desk-nominated role as Little Red Riding Hood in the original 1987 Broadway production of Into the Woods. She also appeared in theatrical productions of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, and Moliere’s Tartuffe.