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The Handyman
From bestselling author Britney King comes a hypnotic and terrifying psychological thriller about a man held hostage in a remote location by the “love of his life”—aka the woman he refuses to marry.
She only wants one
for him to love her the way he used to.
When her boyfriend hesitates to propose—and then cheats instead of leaving—she decides the relationship needs structure. Space. Consequences. A reset. Retreating to an isolated house in the countryside feels like the responsible choice. A place where distractions disappear and commitment can finally take root.
He doesn’t see it that way.
At least not at first.
To the outside world, the man in her basement is her ill husband—too fragile for one of those homes, she explains. She’s devoted. Patient. Doing the work. No one asks too many questions.
Enter Luke.
Luke fixes problems.
Not the kind you call the police about.
The kind people quietly hope someone else will handle.
When he takes a job renovating an isolated country house, he knows something is wrong immediately. The work requests are about privacy, sound, containment. The woman who hired him is calm, polite, and lying badly.
He doesn’t intervene.
As Luke works, he watches her devotion harden into something stranger—and far more interesting. When he realizes her plan is flawed, he doesn’t stop it. He improves it. Suggests a way to make her boyfriend jealous. Engaged. Afraid of losing her.
It works.
What begins as an experiment turns into alignment. What looks like obsession becomes efficiency. And as lines are crossed—quietly, rationally—Luke understands the truth before she does:
Some relationships aren’t meant to be saved.
They’re meant to be replaced.
Darkly funny, unsettling, and compulsively readable, The Handyman is a psychological thriller about love, control, and what happens when the wrong person decides to help. Perfect for fans of You, Misery, and The Housemaid, this is a story that dares you to root for the solution—even when you know it’s wrong.
She only wants one
for him to love her the way he used to.
When her boyfriend hesitates to propose—and then cheats instead of leaving—she decides the relationship needs structure. Space. Consequences. A reset. Retreating to an isolated house in the countryside feels like the responsible choice. A place where distractions disappear and commitment can finally take root.
He doesn’t see it that way.
At least not at first.
To the outside world, the man in her basement is her ill husband—too fragile for one of those homes, she explains. She’s devoted. Patient. Doing the work. No one asks too many questions.
Enter Luke.
Luke fixes problems.
Not the kind you call the police about.
The kind people quietly hope someone else will handle.
When he takes a job renovating an isolated country house, he knows something is wrong immediately. The work requests are about privacy, sound, containment. The woman who hired him is calm, polite, and lying badly.
He doesn’t intervene.
As Luke works, he watches her devotion harden into something stranger—and far more interesting. When he realizes her plan is flawed, he doesn’t stop it. He improves it. Suggests a way to make her boyfriend jealous. Engaged. Afraid of losing her.
It works.
What begins as an experiment turns into alignment. What looks like obsession becomes efficiency. And as lines are crossed—quietly, rationally—Luke understands the truth before she does:
Some relationships aren’t meant to be saved.
They’re meant to be replaced.
Darkly funny, unsettling, and compulsively readable, The Handyman is a psychological thriller about love, control, and what happens when the wrong person decides to help. Perfect for fans of You, Misery, and The Housemaid, this is a story that dares you to root for the solution—even when you know it’s wrong.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2026
11 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Britney King
110 books1,628 followersGrab a drink. Settle in. I’ve got a quick story for you.
It starts, as most good stories do, with someone chasing a feeling.
Picture a Texas writer surrounded by five kids, two literary dogs, one unreasonable cat, and a partridge in a pear tree—all orbiting a household powered by caffeine, chaos, and sheer willpower.
Instead of getting into trouble in real life, she decided to invent it on the page. (Healthier for everyone. Mostly.)
She didn’t set out to write the perfect thriller, but she has been chasing a certain feeling for years—chasing the perfect story.
The kind that makes you miss your exit, burn your dinner, or stay up later than you meant to.
The kind that makes a reader say “just one more chapter” and lie to themselves beautifully.
Some writers chase awards.
Britney chases that feeling.
You might call it persistence.
She calls it passion—the only real secret ingredient behind thirty-plus books and counting.
Always reaching for whatever that elusive green-light moment is.
She hasn’t caught it yet.
But that’s half the fun.
You can find Britney online here:
Website ➜ https://britneyking.com
Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/BritneyKingA...
TikTok ➜ https://www.tiktok.com/@britneyking_
Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/britneyking_/
BookBub ➜ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/britn...
Newsletter ➜ https://britneyking.com/newsletter/
It starts, as most good stories do, with someone chasing a feeling.
Picture a Texas writer surrounded by five kids, two literary dogs, one unreasonable cat, and a partridge in a pear tree—all orbiting a household powered by caffeine, chaos, and sheer willpower.
Instead of getting into trouble in real life, she decided to invent it on the page. (Healthier for everyone. Mostly.)
She didn’t set out to write the perfect thriller, but she has been chasing a certain feeling for years—chasing the perfect story.
The kind that makes you miss your exit, burn your dinner, or stay up later than you meant to.
The kind that makes a reader say “just one more chapter” and lie to themselves beautifully.
Some writers chase awards.
Britney chases that feeling.
You might call it persistence.
She calls it passion—the only real secret ingredient behind thirty-plus books and counting.
Always reaching for whatever that elusive green-light moment is.
She hasn’t caught it yet.
But that’s half the fun.
You can find Britney online here:
Website ➜ https://britneyking.com
Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/BritneyKingA...
TikTok ➜ https://www.tiktok.com/@britneyking_
Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/britneyking_/
BookBub ➜ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/britn...
Newsletter ➜ https://britneyking.com/newsletter/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 25, 2026
The excellent cover of The Handyman by Britney King sure fits the story inside. I have read a lot of Britney King's work and she can spin a psychological tale that makes your head spin, wondering who is who and what is what. I gladly hopped onto the crazy train.
Marin makes a drastic and dark decision when she finds out her boyfriend doesn't love her any more and has been cheating on her. She believes she can change his mind. She kidnaps him, taking him out to the country and locking him in her basement, telling everyone he is ill.
Luke, a fixer, caught me off guard. He uses his hammer for more than hitting a nail on the head.
Alternately between Marin and Luke's points of view, the story unfolds at a rapid pace.
If you are like me, once you get lost in The Handyman by Britney King, you won't be able to stop reading. Gripping. Riveting. Jaw dropping surprises that are sure to leave you guessing....how will the story end. Mind officially blown.
I want to thank Britney King and Hot Banana Press for the opportunity to review The Handyman.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
Marin makes a drastic and dark decision when she finds out her boyfriend doesn't love her any more and has been cheating on her. She believes she can change his mind. She kidnaps him, taking him out to the country and locking him in her basement, telling everyone he is ill.
Luke, a fixer, caught me off guard. He uses his hammer for more than hitting a nail on the head.
Alternately between Marin and Luke's points of view, the story unfolds at a rapid pace.
If you are like me, once you get lost in The Handyman by Britney King, you won't be able to stop reading. Gripping. Riveting. Jaw dropping surprises that are sure to leave you guessing....how will the story end. Mind officially blown.
I want to thank Britney King and Hot Banana Press for the opportunity to review The Handyman.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
March 22, 2026
Better than I could have ever expected.
This author never disappoints and this book was one of her best ones yet.
It kept me on the edge of my seat then entire time. And it was so original, never read anything like it before.
This author never disappoints and this book was one of her best ones yet.
It kept me on the edge of my seat then entire time. And it was so original, never read anything like it before.
March 19, 2026
Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner
If dark humour is your thing, then this book is for you. It has a cleverly designed storyline, written from both Luke, the handyman’s, point of view, and Marin’s, the girlfriend who is keeping her boyfriend, Charles, tied up in the basement.
This is my first experience reading a book by this author and it certainly won’t be the last. I found The Handyman unique and hard to put down once I started reading it. It is intense, thrilling, and a page turner.
The lead characters, Luke and Marin, are both extremely interesting and help to create quite intense, and at times, humorous scenes. Some excellent secondary characters really support the story well.
There are some great twists that I didn’t see coming, always a winner in my opinion.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
If dark humour is your thing, then this book is for you. It has a cleverly designed storyline, written from both Luke, the handyman’s, point of view, and Marin’s, the girlfriend who is keeping her boyfriend, Charles, tied up in the basement.
This is my first experience reading a book by this author and it certainly won’t be the last. I found The Handyman unique and hard to put down once I started reading it. It is intense, thrilling, and a page turner.
The lead characters, Luke and Marin, are both extremely interesting and help to create quite intense, and at times, humorous scenes. Some excellent secondary characters really support the story well.
There are some great twists that I didn’t see coming, always a winner in my opinion.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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March 19, 2026
Britney King has given us an exceptional must read psychological thriller that's a bit outside of the traditional tropes and it's one of the best I've read in quite a while!
Imagine a woman deeply in love, just waiting for that proposal that might not come who decides to take action, hoping to change his reluctant mind and heart! She strongly believes that some time alone in a home in the woods will give them time to grow their love, unfortunately not everyone feels the same way! Enter the handyman next door who decides to 'help' her with her plan! His ideas for changes around the house are designed to help her win her love, or are they? The Handyman changes everything and you'll love this mystery/thriller with every nail he hammers!
Imagine a woman deeply in love, just waiting for that proposal that might not come who decides to take action, hoping to change his reluctant mind and heart! She strongly believes that some time alone in a home in the woods will give them time to grow their love, unfortunately not everyone feels the same way! Enter the handyman next door who decides to 'help' her with her plan! His ideas for changes around the house are designed to help her win her love, or are they? The Handyman changes everything and you'll love this mystery/thriller with every nail he hammers!
March 25, 2026
Holy Moly...
This was a thrill from beginning to end! Let me start by saying every character in the story is some level of crazy, but Marin takes the cake. And then there's Luke, the handyman. We find out he has some demons in his past. And Charles... you have to read the story to find out about him.
The book takes place in a small Texas town, which, in my opinion, becomes a character in the story as well.
While I was reading, I couldn’t decide if I loved the book is hated it. 😆 Not one character was particularly likable, but it worked. Overall, the book left me feeling unsettled, and I still
don't know how I feel about it.
This was a thrill from beginning to end! Let me start by saying every character in the story is some level of crazy, but Marin takes the cake. And then there's Luke, the handyman. We find out he has some demons in his past. And Charles... you have to read the story to find out about him.
The book takes place in a small Texas town, which, in my opinion, becomes a character in the story as well.
While I was reading, I couldn’t decide if I loved the book is hated it. 😆 Not one character was particularly likable, but it worked. Overall, the book left me feeling unsettled, and I still
don't know how I feel about it.
March 19, 2026
Wow this book is intense, thrilling and very hard to put down.
Marin moves into a new home and calls the local handyman to fix some issues and to make the basement sound proof for her work. He soon discovers her secret. Marin has her boyfriend Tied up and held hostage. Just how does the handyman react to this? Read and find out !
The Handyman is another terrific twists book by Britney King and her writing keeps getting better and better. If you love psychological thrillers, this one is for you. 5 stars
Marin moves into a new home and calls the local handyman to fix some issues and to make the basement sound proof for her work. He soon discovers her secret. Marin has her boyfriend Tied up and held hostage. Just how does the handyman react to this? Read and find out !
The Handyman is another terrific twists book by Britney King and her writing keeps getting better and better. If you love psychological thrillers, this one is for you. 5 stars
March 23, 2026
4.5 Stars-A Quick Creepy Read…
While I’m not sure I’d call this a psychological thriller, it was definitely a different kind of read for me and I liked it. Sometimes these darker stories just hit the spot.
The blurb pretty much tells you what you need to know, but the real story is in the details. Marin is fragile but more emotionally than anything else. Otherwise, she’s an absolute force. Her ex, Charles, says she doesn’t like to lose, and honestly… everything she does proves him right. Marin is determined to show him they’re meant to be together, but once they head upstate, her plan starts unraveling fast.
“...the people who wreck you know exactly what they’re doing.”
Then there’s Luke, who lives in the small town Marin escapes to. It’s one of those places where everyone knows your business, and his past tragedy follows him everywhere. He used to be a radiologist, but now he sticks to handyman work that suits him better. Luke is on a mission to fix things, and Marin just happens to cross his path at the perfect time.
I liked both of these characters right away. They each carry so much baggage, and the story lets you slowly circle around it rather than laying it all out at once. Marin is strong-willed, to put it lightly, and Luke gives off serious Dexter vibes… just without the killing.
“It’s not murder. Just a message.” ~ Luke
Britney King really weaves a compelling story here. Chapter after chapter, I kept wondering how it was all going to play out. Marin ends up in an impossible situation, and I couldn’t read fast enough, just waiting for that other shoe to drop.
The book is well written and has a really interesting concept. If I had one small complaint, it would be the repeated lines at the start of new chapters. It felt a bit like filler in a story that didn’t need it. That said, The Handyman is a fast-paced, creepy thrill ride from beginning to end.
Review for Renee Entress’s Blog
While I’m not sure I’d call this a psychological thriller, it was definitely a different kind of read for me and I liked it. Sometimes these darker stories just hit the spot.
The blurb pretty much tells you what you need to know, but the real story is in the details. Marin is fragile but more emotionally than anything else. Otherwise, she’s an absolute force. Her ex, Charles, says she doesn’t like to lose, and honestly… everything she does proves him right. Marin is determined to show him they’re meant to be together, but once they head upstate, her plan starts unraveling fast.
“...the people who wreck you know exactly what they’re doing.”
Then there’s Luke, who lives in the small town Marin escapes to. It’s one of those places where everyone knows your business, and his past tragedy follows him everywhere. He used to be a radiologist, but now he sticks to handyman work that suits him better. Luke is on a mission to fix things, and Marin just happens to cross his path at the perfect time.
I liked both of these characters right away. They each carry so much baggage, and the story lets you slowly circle around it rather than laying it all out at once. Marin is strong-willed, to put it lightly, and Luke gives off serious Dexter vibes… just without the killing.
“It’s not murder. Just a message.” ~ Luke
Britney King really weaves a compelling story here. Chapter after chapter, I kept wondering how it was all going to play out. Marin ends up in an impossible situation, and I couldn’t read fast enough, just waiting for that other shoe to drop.
The book is well written and has a really interesting concept. If I had one small complaint, it would be the repeated lines at the start of new chapters. It felt a bit like filler in a story that didn’t need it. That said, The Handyman is a fast-paced, creepy thrill ride from beginning to end.
Review for Renee Entress’s Blog
March 21, 2026
Favorite Quotes:
The house squats at a dead end like it was built last out of spite. Faded clapboard, porch sagging at one corner, roof doing that subtle bow that means the beams are remembering they are mortal. One gutter hangs like a loose tooth.
I open the fridge out of habit. Filthy. The light inside flickers weakly, as if it’s surprised to be involved.
“My ribs are killing me because you dropped me down a flight of stairs.” “That was gravity. I just facilitated the introduction.”
I don’t trust this. I don’t trust this the way I don’t trust gas station sushi— the presentation is fine but something underneath is going to kill me.
He said thank you yesterday and I nearly called a priest because I was sure he’d been possessed.
My Review:
No one does clever, smirk-worthy, and creepy snark like Britney King, no one! I revel in her cringe-worthy tales. The hair on my arms was often standing at attention, and the phone went unanswered during my rapt perusal. My favorite scene was cunningly and wryly crafted and involved Meg Ryan in the background for a brilliant touch of irony.
Ms. King never fails to deliver unpredictable twists and is deftly skilled at creating deeply fractured characters who commit heinous acts, yet her word skills are smooth, unbelievably sly, and stealthily manipulate me into caring about them. This pair was an unexpected find and laced together with major issues.
As is typical when I read one of her gripping and well-paced missives, upon reaching the last page, I wore a satisfied smirk, yet my cuticles were a ragged mess. Her family had best take note to mind their p’s and q’s, and come home with sweet treats on a daily basis.
The house squats at a dead end like it was built last out of spite. Faded clapboard, porch sagging at one corner, roof doing that subtle bow that means the beams are remembering they are mortal. One gutter hangs like a loose tooth.
I open the fridge out of habit. Filthy. The light inside flickers weakly, as if it’s surprised to be involved.
“My ribs are killing me because you dropped me down a flight of stairs.” “That was gravity. I just facilitated the introduction.”
I don’t trust this. I don’t trust this the way I don’t trust gas station sushi— the presentation is fine but something underneath is going to kill me.
He said thank you yesterday and I nearly called a priest because I was sure he’d been possessed.
My Review:
No one does clever, smirk-worthy, and creepy snark like Britney King, no one! I revel in her cringe-worthy tales. The hair on my arms was often standing at attention, and the phone went unanswered during my rapt perusal. My favorite scene was cunningly and wryly crafted and involved Meg Ryan in the background for a brilliant touch of irony.
Ms. King never fails to deliver unpredictable twists and is deftly skilled at creating deeply fractured characters who commit heinous acts, yet her word skills are smooth, unbelievably sly, and stealthily manipulate me into caring about them. This pair was an unexpected find and laced together with major issues.
As is typical when I read one of her gripping and well-paced missives, upon reaching the last page, I wore a satisfied smirk, yet my cuticles were a ragged mess. Her family had best take note to mind their p’s and q’s, and come home with sweet treats on a daily basis.
Read
March 18, 2026The Handyman is a thoughtfully structured, witty, and darkly funny journey into human desires and motivations. As a reader and reviewer of Britney King’s previous psychological thrillers, I assume that The Handyman deliberately steered clear of her more typical complex plots filled with murder, mayhem, and lots of plot twists and turns. I envision that perhaps Ms. King had the slogan of Monty Python’s Flying Circus (“now for something completely different”) in mind as she sat down to write this book. The Handyman is filled with a bounty of philosophical wisdom on the meaning of love, life, and equitable relationships. And on starting over. While there is some fighting and vandalism, The Handyman lacks the lethal violence of earlier Britney King novels.
As with Britney King’s previous books, both male (“Luke) and female (“”Marin”) protagonists of The Handyman are interesting, intelligent, and attractive characters who drive the story forward while alternating chapters in telling the story from their (often conflicting) points of view. Both protagonists are highly flawed people with a past filled with psychological baggage. The key aspect of the plot, that Marin kidnapped her reluctant-to-marry boyfriend (“Charles”) and relocated him from New York to rural Texas, interestingly and effectively defies sexual stereotypes.
Several unique, interesting, and well-developed minor characters aid the telling of the story.
In brief, The Handyman is a unique, titillating, well-written, thought-provoking book that showcases the remarkable range of Britney King’s writing talents. The Handyman earned a solid 5-star rating from me.
As with Britney King’s previous books, both male (“Luke) and female (“”Marin”) protagonists of The Handyman are interesting, intelligent, and attractive characters who drive the story forward while alternating chapters in telling the story from their (often conflicting) points of view. Both protagonists are highly flawed people with a past filled with psychological baggage. The key aspect of the plot, that Marin kidnapped her reluctant-to-marry boyfriend (“Charles”) and relocated him from New York to rural Texas, interestingly and effectively defies sexual stereotypes.
Several unique, interesting, and well-developed minor characters aid the telling of the story.
In brief, The Handyman is a unique, titillating, well-written, thought-provoking book that showcases the remarkable range of Britney King’s writing talents. The Handyman earned a solid 5-star rating from me.
March 29, 2026
The Handyman was such an engaging and fast-paced read that completely hooked me from the very first page. It had me constantly turning pages, needing to know what was going to happen next—and I genuinely loved that feeling of being pulled so deeply into the story.
One of my favorite aspects was the way both main characters were written with layers of mystery. I kept questioning their motives, wondering if they were truly as twisted as they seemed or if it was all part of a bigger plan to distract from the eventual plot twist. That sense of uncertainty added a lot of tension and made the reading experience really enjoyable.
That said, while I had a great time reading this book, it didn’t quite reach that unforgettable “wow” level for me—the kind that leaves you in a full book hangover. The premise, though entertaining, felt a bit familiar. The idea of kidnapping someone you believe you love, hoping that captivity will somehow make them return those feelings, is intriguing but also something that’s been explored before.
Overall, The Handyman is a gripping and entertaining psychological thriller that delivers on suspense and intrigue. Even if it didn’t completely blow me away, it was still a very enjoyable read that I’d definitely recommend to fans of twisty, character-driven stories.
Thank you to the author for my digital ARC in exchange for a review. As always, my reviews are my own and unbiased opinions.
One of my favorite aspects was the way both main characters were written with layers of mystery. I kept questioning their motives, wondering if they were truly as twisted as they seemed or if it was all part of a bigger plan to distract from the eventual plot twist. That sense of uncertainty added a lot of tension and made the reading experience really enjoyable.
That said, while I had a great time reading this book, it didn’t quite reach that unforgettable “wow” level for me—the kind that leaves you in a full book hangover. The premise, though entertaining, felt a bit familiar. The idea of kidnapping someone you believe you love, hoping that captivity will somehow make them return those feelings, is intriguing but also something that’s been explored before.
Overall, The Handyman is a gripping and entertaining psychological thriller that delivers on suspense and intrigue. Even if it didn’t completely blow me away, it was still a very enjoyable read that I’d definitely recommend to fans of twisty, character-driven stories.
Thank you to the author for my digital ARC in exchange for a review. As always, my reviews are my own and unbiased opinions.
March 21, 2026
The Handyman is a fairly quick psychological thriller that will have you up all night. This is one of those stories that once you start, you can't stop.
Marin is starting her life over in a new town, new house, with her boyfriend, Charlie. Except, Charlie isn't exactly a willing participant. After Marin found out that Charlie was cheating on her, she comes up with this plan to move with him and start over. She doesn't plan to keep him hostage forever, just until she can get him back on board with being in a relationship with her. But the house she buys needs some work done and she connects with the previous homeowner who is also a handyman, named Luke. Luke seems attracted to Marin, but Marin is focused on what she has going on with Charlie, until, Luke finds Charlie. Instead of reporting her or calling the police though, he listens to what she has to say and decides to help her.
Now, the story is fast paced and keeps you hooked, but I really expected more from Luke in the story. I thought he would play a bigger role in the way things turned out with Charlie and while he did in a way, it wasn't really him. That wouldn't make sense to anyone unless they read the story, but, I do wish he had more of an active role.
Over all though, I thought the story flowed great, had great consistency with pacing, and was addicting.
Marin is starting her life over in a new town, new house, with her boyfriend, Charlie. Except, Charlie isn't exactly a willing participant. After Marin found out that Charlie was cheating on her, she comes up with this plan to move with him and start over. She doesn't plan to keep him hostage forever, just until she can get him back on board with being in a relationship with her. But the house she buys needs some work done and she connects with the previous homeowner who is also a handyman, named Luke. Luke seems attracted to Marin, but Marin is focused on what she has going on with Charlie, until, Luke finds Charlie. Instead of reporting her or calling the police though, he listens to what she has to say and decides to help her.
Now, the story is fast paced and keeps you hooked, but I really expected more from Luke in the story. I thought he would play a bigger role in the way things turned out with Charlie and while he did in a way, it wasn't really him. That wouldn't make sense to anyone unless they read the story, but, I do wish he had more of an active role.
Over all though, I thought the story flowed great, had great consistency with pacing, and was addicting.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an Awesome Read but it is from Britney King so you know is going to be excellent. if you don't im guessing you're not read any of her other books yet
So the Handyman is Luke, but Marin is the lady scorned the culprit Charles is well he's in a predicament I think it's fair to say, if thats the description of a man chained to the bed post. Marni will change him and well this is a Britney Thriller so anything can happen and it does. No spoilers just you need to know this is an awesome tale, I didn't think she could raise the bar any higher in her storytelling but I was so wrong. The story is told from Marin and Lukes view point and is so well done it blew my mind. (yes they're is something they're to blow thank you).
There's a great support cast and as well with well meaning neighbours to add to the mix, plus the most awesome is twists so come, so every page really is a treat. the only reason it's stuck on 5 stars is they don't allow a truer reflection of how good this is. The only advice I have for reading this is make sure you have snacks at the ready as you won't want to put it down. May be order a do not disturb sign or my favourite one that says "I'm not ignoring you this is just more interesting than you are" referring to people who interrupt your reading or a Britney novel.
So the Handyman is Luke, but Marin is the lady scorned the culprit Charles is well he's in a predicament I think it's fair to say, if thats the description of a man chained to the bed post. Marni will change him and well this is a Britney Thriller so anything can happen and it does. No spoilers just you need to know this is an awesome tale, I didn't think she could raise the bar any higher in her storytelling but I was so wrong. The story is told from Marin and Lukes view point and is so well done it blew my mind. (yes they're is something they're to blow thank you).
There's a great support cast and as well with well meaning neighbours to add to the mix, plus the most awesome is twists so come, so every page really is a treat. the only reason it's stuck on 5 stars is they don't allow a truer reflection of how good this is. The only advice I have for reading this is make sure you have snacks at the ready as you won't want to put it down. May be order a do not disturb sign or my favourite one that says "I'm not ignoring you this is just more interesting than you are" referring to people who interrupt your reading or a Britney novel.
March 19, 2026
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I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
If dark humour is your thing, then this book is for you. It has a cleverly designed storyline, written from both Luke, the handyman’s, point of view, and Marin’s, the girlfriend who is keeping her boyfriend, Charles, tied up in the basement.
This is my first experience reading a book by this author and it certainly won’t be the last. I found The Handyman unique and hard to put down once I started reading it. It is intense, thrilling, and a page turner.
The lead characters, Luke and Marin, are both extremely interesting and help to create quite intense, and at times, humorous scenes. Some excellent secondary characters really support the story well.
There are some great twists that I didn’t see coming, always a winner in my opinion.
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
If dark humour is your thing, then this book is for you. It has a cleverly designed storyline, written from both Luke, the handyman’s, point of view, and Marin’s, the girlfriend who is keeping her boyfriend, Charles, tied up in the basement.
This is my first experience reading a book by this author and it certainly won’t be the last. I found The Handyman unique and hard to put down once I started reading it. It is intense, thrilling, and a page turner.
The lead characters, Luke and Marin, are both extremely interesting and help to create quite intense, and at times, humorous scenes. Some excellent secondary characters really support the story well.
There are some great twists that I didn’t see coming, always a winner in my opinion.
March 20, 2026
Wow, I was completely blown away by this story! A true page turner, I couldn’t put it down. Britney sure knows how to rope you in (quite literally) and hold you hostage until you’ve finished. This book has it all, mystery, secrets, danger, grief, love, and some spice along with twists you truly won’t see coming. Marin has her life in order, the way she likes it, until she’s let go of her job, and her boyfriend, who’s fallen for someone else and tells Marin she’s not marriage material. So she decides to buy a secluded house states away, loads Charles into a trailer and moves. She locks him in the basement, a schedule of food, water, medication and to not let her nosy neighbor Mrs. Mathers find out. But the house is literally falling apart so the towns Handyman Luke is hired. But Luke has a heartbreaking past and a mysterious edge to him. You won’t believe everything that happens in this book. Such a great read.
March 27, 2026
Another great psychological thriller from Britney. This one had humor in it, quite witty and very enjoyable. The basics of this book is Marin who lives in New York and had a boyfriend named Charles who she thinks she loves but he wants out of the relationship. She kidnaps him in a trailer and rents a house in Texas. There is Luke, the local handyman who was a radiologist and Marin does not know this, the house she bought was Luke’s who was married with a child who got run over and both killed by the local doctor. He soon is aware of Marin’s kidnapped man. I will not give you any spoilers but the end was wild. I truly loved this book from start to finish. A must read book book if you are a fan of Britney King.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh wow....my only issue with this is it kept me up all night...yep I had to finish once I started.
Some things I loved most...the characters...the town seemed full of crazy characters.
2 stories in 1. You have Luke's story and it gets twisted then you have Marin... then its like hmmm could Charles be bad?
Suspense... so much Suspense.
Twist.....so so many of them and really? That end shocked me....so if you love a good Phsycological thriller, lots of twists and suspense try this!
I love this author but this one lands at top of my list of thiers.
Some things I loved most...the characters...the town seemed full of crazy characters.
2 stories in 1. You have Luke's story and it gets twisted then you have Marin... then its like hmmm could Charles be bad?
Suspense... so much Suspense.
Twist.....so so many of them and really? That end shocked me....so if you love a good Phsycological thriller, lots of twists and suspense try this!
I love this author but this one lands at top of my list of thiers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow Britney King, you never fail to shock me. Just when I think I have seen it all, she brings out another crazy wild book that has me gobsmacked. I don’t know how she does it every-time, but The Handyman is a fast flowing, never boring or predictable thriller that begs to be read in one sitting.
The Handyman is the dark and mysterious Luke. He will look after those little and not so little jobs around the house. He has a side gig as well but we won’t talk about that right now. Marin is a woman who is not used to getting what she wants. New to Texas from New York, she has a problem that needs solving , and Luke is just the man to help.
This book is just nuts.. and I couldn’t stop reading it. Just crazy. Love you Britney!!
The Handyman is the dark and mysterious Luke. He will look after those little and not so little jobs around the house. He has a side gig as well but we won’t talk about that right now. Marin is a woman who is not used to getting what she wants. New to Texas from New York, she has a problem that needs solving , and Luke is just the man to help.
This book is just nuts.. and I couldn’t stop reading it. Just crazy. Love you Britney!!
March 19, 2026
Marin kidnaps her reluctant to marry boyfriend, and relocates him from New York to rural Texas, and keeps him tied up in the basement.
This is a well written easy to read story, with great secondary characters, suspense, intrigue, unique and complex storyline, dark humour, witty banter, and thought provoking, which leads to an entertaining, and thrilling page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
This is a well written easy to read story, with great secondary characters, suspense, intrigue, unique and complex storyline, dark humour, witty banter, and thought provoking, which leads to an entertaining, and thrilling page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
March 19, 2026
Can The Handyman be described as a romance novel? I suppose so, if you think it’s normal for Marin to lock her partner Charles in the basement of their new house because he refuses to marry her and has cheated on her. Add Luke, the handyman—who’s just as intense as Marin—and you’ve got an absolutely delightful psychological thriller. In fact, this book is completely off-the-wall—in a good way—crazy, and packed with dark humor. I loved it!
March 22, 2026
This authors tagline should be Mistress of Psychological Suspense. She could teach a master class on how it’s done, and done right. This book proves once again that dark twisty suspense is addictive. Never really sure who is the villain here since it seems to switch up with each curve. Never saw the end coming which is classic for Ms King. Plan to be up all night turning pages as you race to the end!
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
March 25, 2026
I adore King's books and this one blew me away! Marin has a "human secret" in her trailer when she arrives at the house she will live in. Handsome handyman Luke will fix anything she needs him to. But they both have secrets that are hidden from the world (and each other) so their attraction to each other is like a dance they must control. I read this in one sitting as I couldn't tear myself away! So creepy good!
March 15, 2026
This book was somewhat suspenseful but I feel it had a deeper moral to it. What happens when we hold on to things that no longer are best for us? It speaks to how the fear of letting go of the familiar can make people do crazy things. Even when the characters had the best intentions, things did not go as planned. Once a person accepts letting go, it can sometimes be too late.
March 19, 2026
Find your hammock or favorite comfy reading spot because you will not want to put this one down. Psychologically suspenseful, spine-chilling the things done in the name of love, manipulation with unexpected results, & lies that catch up in the end. The Handyman hits the nail on the head for a few twisted unstable characters & a great story!
March 19, 2026
This is a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
March 19, 2026
Britney King is a master at writing Psychological Thrillers. She has done it again in The Handyman. It is a fast paced read, a page turner. From start to finish you won't want to put it down. The plot takes many twists and turns from beginning to end. It is about obsession and control and has a very surprise ending. I highly recommend this book to all Psychological Thriller fans.
March 20, 2026
Small towns don't need evidence. They need a story.............(A paraphrased quote from the book.)
I finished the last sentence in this book and my body chilled. I couldn't imagine how Marin's story would end. But it ends perfectly. Such craziness. Such tension. Such humor. Such small town nosiness. Just brilliant. I love it!
I finished the last sentence in this book and my body chilled. I couldn't imagine how Marin's story would end. But it ends perfectly. Such craziness. Such tension. Such humor. Such small town nosiness. Just brilliant. I love it!
March 20, 2026
Fast-paced and full of twists that keep you guessing. Secrets are layered throughout. The story follows two characters grappling with their pasts in ways that feel rational to them, but are anything but healthy. Set it a tight-knit town where everyone looks out for each other…sometimes to an unsettling degree.
March 20, 2026
As usual, Britney King had me trying to figure out what the twists were going to be as everything is unraveling and coming back together! I loved that the antagonist in this one is a woman! I would like to say it was a fun read, but it’s so dark that fun seems like the wrong word. There’s just not a word for it!!
Review of advance copy
Another hit novel from Britney King. A man held captive by a woman she believes he will love her in return if he is near here long enough. She spins a tale about her husband having a brain tumor and acting inappropriately. A handyman finds out about the captive. A conclusion I did not see coming.
March 24, 2026
the handy man
Couldn’t put this one down. The handyman is a handy man indeed. And the woman he meets is the most dangerous woman he’s ever met. A good story as usual by this author.
Couldn’t put this one down. The handyman is a handy man indeed. And the woman he meets is the most dangerous woman he’s ever met. A good story as usual by this author.
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