If you know Mia Sheridan from Archer’s Voice or her other emotional romances, you need to mentally shift gears before picking up The Fix. This isn’t just a love story with a bit of drama; it is a full-blown, gritty psychological thriller that happens to have a romance woven through it.
The premise immediately grabbed me: imagine surviving the worst night of your life—a brutal home invasion that took your family—only to get a taunting phone call eleven years later asking, “Would you like a do-over?”
It’s a chilling setup. The book balances two timelines: the “Before,” where we see high school dynamics and the tragic event itself, and the “Present,” where Cami is forced to team up with the town outcast-turned-tech-genius, Rex Lowe, to save a kidnapped boy.
The Characters: Broken but Resilient
For me, the strongest part of this book was the dynamic between Cami and Rex.
Cami is a survivor, but not in the cliché “strong female lead” way where she magically has it all together. You can feel her trauma; it’s tangible. She was the popular, perfect cheerleader who lost everything, and seeing her navigate her PTSD while trying to be a hero is genuinely compelling.
Then there is Rex. If you love a hero who is quietly competent and fiercely protective, you will love him. He was the invisible “poor kid” in high school who had a crush on Cami from afar. In the present, he’s grown into a capable man who is willing to burn the world down to help her. Their romance is a slow burn—it doesn’t overshadow the mystery, but it provides a necessary soft place to land amidst all the darkness.
The Atmosphere: Dark, Heavy, and Triggering
I have to be honest here: this book is dark.
Sheridan does not shy away from the gritty details of the crimes. There are scenes involving sexual assault, graphic violence, and child endangerment. It’s not just “implied” off-page stuff; it’s visceral. At times, it felt like the author was pushing the envelope to see how much the reader could handle.
If you are a sensitive reader, please check the trigger warnings. There were moments where I had to put the book down and take a breath because the evil depicted felt very heavy. However, this heaviness makes the themes of redemption and healing shine brighter. It explores the idea that even when you are shattered, you can be put back together—maybe not exactly as you were, but into something new.
The Pacing and Plot Twists
The pacing is a bit of a rollercoaster. The first half is incredibly fast—I flew through the pages trying to figure out the “who” and the “why.” The “do-over” concept creates a ticking clock that keeps the tension high.
However, the middle section does get a little bogged down with side plots and secondary characters. There are a few twists that felt a bit like “shock for the sake of shock,” and one reveal towards the end required a massive suspension of disbelief. But if you can let go of the need for perfect logic and just enjoy the ride, it’s a gripping experience.
Final Verdict
The Fix is a solid 4-star read for me. It’s an emotional romantic suspense that leans heavily into the suspense.
Read this if you like:
- Romance heroes who are “simps” for the heroine (in the best way).
- Cold cases and second-chance tropes.
- Books like Verity or The Silent Patient but with more emotional grounding.
Skip this if:
- You are looking for a light, fluffy beach read.
- You are sensitive to on-page violence or sexual assault.
Ultimately, Mia Sheridan proves she can write more than just heart-tugging romance; she can write a story that scares you, breaks your heart, and then slowly pieces it back together.
