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Handyman
Maggie Ivey is about to make the best mistake of her life.
A struggling twenty-six-year-old single mom, Maggie Ivey is just trying to keep it all together. She's got a lecherous boss, a dead-end job, and a worried mother who just wants her to move back home to Georgia. Maggie's prospects look dim, until a friend signs her up for the famous Dr. Jason Golding's 21-Day Overhaul. The first session seems to go perfectly. Dr. Golding is warm, sensitive, and a terrific listener. There's only one The handsome man in Dr. Golding's chair isn't Dr. Golding. In fact, he's not even a therapist; he's Jake Cooper, a contractor hired to remodel the office. But all Maggie knows is that talking to him helps her feel better. And Jake doesn't quite know how to let Maggie in on the secret. Will he eventually confess to his ruse? Will she discover the truth on her own? And the most important question of Can a Handyman fix a broken heart?
Handyman
A struggling twenty-six-year-old single mom, Maggie Ivey is just trying to keep it all together. She's got a lecherous boss, a dead-end job, and a worried mother who just wants her to move back home to Georgia. Maggie's prospects look dim, until a friend signs her up for the famous Dr. Jason Golding's 21-Day Overhaul. The first session seems to go perfectly. Dr. Golding is warm, sensitive, and a terrific listener. There's only one The handsome man in Dr. Golding's chair isn't Dr. Golding. In fact, he's not even a therapist; he's Jake Cooper, a contractor hired to remodel the office. But all Maggie knows is that talking to him helps her feel better. And Jake doesn't quite know how to let Maggie in on the secret. Will he eventually confess to his ruse? Will she discover the truth on her own? And the most important question of Can a Handyman fix a broken heart?
Handyman
270 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 11, 2000
4 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Linda Nichols
28 books142 followersLinda Nichols is an American writer known for her contemporary romance and inspirational fiction novels. Initially gaining recognition with Handyman (2000), a romantic comedy that satirizes pop psychology, she later shifted toward faith-based fiction following a personal renewal of her religious beliefs. Her subsequent works, including Not a Sparrow Falls (2002), If I Gained the World (2003), and At the Scent of Water (2002), explore themes of faith, redemption, and personal growth. Nichols, who has also contributed articles to parenting magazines, is praised for her skill in crafting compelling characters and engaging narratives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
October 18, 2010
This book sounded like a whole heck of a lot of fun. Imagine all of the amusing scenarios possible when a handyman (architect actually) poses as a crackpot psychologist to a woman in desperate need of one. Sadly, what followed was hardly laugh out loud funny for this reader though.
The heroine Maggie Ivey is a total wimp (and, of course, is a paragon of all that is loving and good) whose life is in shambles. With a young ill son and no health insurance she should elicit reader sympathy. Unfortunately, her total dependence on the hero (who she naively believes is "her doctor") to fix everything bad in her life quickly strained my patience. After one speech the fine, strong hero scares off her lecherous boss who immediately gives her a huge raise, benefits etc. and so on. We should all be so lucky . . .
Besides a lame heroine, the plot hinges on a huge and totally unbelievable big misunderstanding that could've been cleared up ten minutes into the book. The hero is a great guy, don't get me wrong (he's the only good thing about the book) but his silly excuses to withhold the truth of his identity from Maggie were an obvious and annoying plot tactic created by the author to drag out her story. And, boy, did it drag. I won't even get started on the stereotypical female secondary characters who were all self centered, workaholic, super bitches taken straight from the archives of a bad Melrose Place episode.
Another thing that really bugged me throughout the reading of this novel was the fact that the heroine was called "Maggie Ivey" whenever the hero thought of her - even after they got close. Here's an example of the hero thinking about Maggie: "oh, if only I could tell Maggie Ivey the truth" -- "if only Maggie Ivey didn't think I was her psychologist" -- "If only Maggie Ivey weren't such a dunce" - whoops that last one was mine. This may sound like a minor nit-pick but it quickly becomes major when one is listening to it on an audiobook. Finally, the reading of this audiobook nearly put me into a coma because the actress exhibited zero emotion and all of her characters sounded eerily similar.
This great hero was worthy of a much better heroine. For his sake and sanity, I only hope that Maggie perishes (probably while helping a kitten cross the street) so that he can find one. I'll be the first in line to buy that sequel!
The heroine Maggie Ivey is a total wimp (and, of course, is a paragon of all that is loving and good) whose life is in shambles. With a young ill son and no health insurance she should elicit reader sympathy. Unfortunately, her total dependence on the hero (who she naively believes is "her doctor") to fix everything bad in her life quickly strained my patience. After one speech the fine, strong hero scares off her lecherous boss who immediately gives her a huge raise, benefits etc. and so on. We should all be so lucky . . .
Besides a lame heroine, the plot hinges on a huge and totally unbelievable big misunderstanding that could've been cleared up ten minutes into the book. The hero is a great guy, don't get me wrong (he's the only good thing about the book) but his silly excuses to withhold the truth of his identity from Maggie were an obvious and annoying plot tactic created by the author to drag out her story. And, boy, did it drag. I won't even get started on the stereotypical female secondary characters who were all self centered, workaholic, super bitches taken straight from the archives of a bad Melrose Place episode.
Another thing that really bugged me throughout the reading of this novel was the fact that the heroine was called "Maggie Ivey" whenever the hero thought of her - even after they got close. Here's an example of the hero thinking about Maggie: "oh, if only I could tell Maggie Ivey the truth" -- "if only Maggie Ivey didn't think I was her psychologist" -- "If only Maggie Ivey weren't such a dunce" - whoops that last one was mine. This may sound like a minor nit-pick but it quickly becomes major when one is listening to it on an audiobook. Finally, the reading of this audiobook nearly put me into a coma because the actress exhibited zero emotion and all of her characters sounded eerily similar.
This great hero was worthy of a much better heroine. For his sake and sanity, I only hope that Maggie perishes (probably while helping a kitten cross the street) so that he can find one. I'll be the first in line to buy that sequel!
September 29, 2014
I've read this one more than once, because I enjoyed it so much! It is a clean romantic comedy with witty dialogue.
July 24, 2010
I wanted this book to be so much better. I found myself skimming and skipping A LOT of it. I thought both the main characters where flat and only semi interesting. I got annoyed with Jake for lying to Maggie through the whole book. I just wanted to shake him and say 'what's wrong with you? Tell her the truth!'. It got annoying how Jake kept thinking about telling her but then didn't. What did he really expect that she would find out and then come back to him? Oh wait, that's what happened. Boring, predictable and not very interesting.
September 14, 2025
This was light but I thought the plot was very flimsy. It is about a woman who mistakes the person remodeling the psychology office as the psychologist. He just goes along with it.
April 22, 2014
A romance novel that actually kept me interested because the characters are quite likable. The plot is predictable, but no one would want a romance novel to end badly, would they? I also enjoyed it because I read it while visiting northern California, and the entire story takes place in the Bay Area and north on Highway 101. There is nothing like traveling through graffiti-scarred Oakland on a Greyhound Bus to give a person empathy for the struggling single mom portrayed in this story.
September 14, 2019
Plenty of Fun! This book must be taken for what it is, instead of what it isn't. No, it's not particularly realistic. But I enjoyed it completely. And I've read it multiple times. I would classify it as Romantic-Comedy, and we all know that Romantic-Comedy genre is more for Fun than anything else.
The scene where all personalities face a climactic confrontation in one small office: that scene is my favorite. It's laugh-out-loud funny as one absurd situation piles up on top of another.
Yes, I definitely recommend this book. Just sit back with a cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy it.
The scene where all personalities face a climactic confrontation in one small office: that scene is my favorite. It's laugh-out-loud funny as one absurd situation piles up on top of another.
Yes, I definitely recommend this book. Just sit back with a cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy it.
September 20, 2011
Cute story. The problem was a little silly. All along you think, "I still don't get why he didn't just tell her early on," but eventually I just moved on. I love both of the main characters. I love how down-to-earth they are and how family-focused.
January 22, 2013
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have lasted through this book if it weren't in Reader's Digest form. It was already boring enough as it was in the condensed version.
As for the book itself, it's a standard romance book. There is nothing special about it as far as I can tell.
As for the book itself, it's a standard romance book. There is nothing special about it as far as I can tell.
January 19, 2021
Very sweet...too sweet..too Romantic.
November 21, 2024
This has been collecting dust for a while so why not finally get in it!
Maggie is a single mom trying to keep it all together. She has a crap job, a lecherous boss, and her mother won't leave her alone. Her prospects are dim....until her friend signs her up for the famous Dr. Jason Golding's 21-Day Overhaul. The first session is fine. However, the doctor isn't a doctor at all....it is a contractor named Jake who accidently got roped into this. Should he tell her the truth? Will she discover it on her own?
I tried so hardddddddd and got so farrrrr *insert headbanging*!!!!!!!!
I had to call it. Maggie and Jake seem fine enough but ugh. That is a lie I don't think anyone should get over.
Boring. Slow.
Meh. Not for me. Maybe for someone else. I could be bitter and have been struggling to find my rhythm in reading this month.
DNF.
Maggie is a single mom trying to keep it all together. She has a crap job, a lecherous boss, and her mother won't leave her alone. Her prospects are dim....until her friend signs her up for the famous Dr. Jason Golding's 21-Day Overhaul. The first session is fine. However, the doctor isn't a doctor at all....it is a contractor named Jake who accidently got roped into this. Should he tell her the truth? Will she discover it on her own?
I tried so hardddddddd and got so farrrrr *insert headbanging*!!!!!!!!
I had to call it. Maggie and Jake seem fine enough but ugh. That is a lie I don't think anyone should get over.
Boring. Slow.
Meh. Not for me. Maybe for someone else. I could be bitter and have been struggling to find my rhythm in reading this month.
DNF.
November 2, 2025
Very Hallmark-core, silly, everyone is a caricature and everything works out in the end. Supposedly, a feel-good read. (Though did I actually feel good that he was lying to her and masquerading as her therapist? No.) Not sure why I even read this, but there was a Borders Books mention, so maybe that made it worth it.
August 16, 2023
O poveste ca un film. Scrisă într-un stil simplu și foarte previzibil.
November 5, 2023
Sweet love story even though it seemed a bit implausible. But, maybe that is what made it even more enjoyable.
November 12, 2023
A good story. For a first book, of the author, was good. It took me about 3/4 of the book before I could really get into it.
January 19, 2024
This book was pretty good and had a cute ending. 4/10, not very much action
July 28, 2024
The book was sweet but like so many of the reviews - a lot of missed opportunities to be way funnier and more believable.
August 23, 2024
Would make a great Hallmark movie. Can’t believe it was her first novel. Enjoyed the feel good story.
May 15, 2025
A fun story!
October 21, 2009
This story is told from Maggie's point of view and also from Jake's. He is caught off guard by a new female patient in the office of the psychologist where he and his partner were writing up a construction estimate. Maggie, the patient, mistakenly believes he's Dr. Golding and pours out her heart to him. At first he tries to tell her that he's not the doctor but each time he goes to open his mouth, she either starts another round of tears or continues talking. Meanwhile, Dr. Golding had just survived a heart attack and is now a hospital patient.
Maggie's life isn't going so well. She's no longer with the father of her young son. Her son suffers with ear infections and she's told he will need surgery to put tubes in his ears and also a tonsillectomy. She is barely eking by financially and doesn't know how she will pay the bills. Her job had promised insurance but they've yet to come through for her. Instead she receives threats that she is about to lose her job if she takes more than a few days off at a time. Her mother would give her the needed money for Tim's surgery but there would be strings attached.
Redundancy throughout with Jake trying to "work out" the when and the way he is going to approach Maggie with the truth of who he is and that he's not really Dr. Golding. In the meantime, they start dating and her friend and family are concerned over her seeing this "doctor." His family and work partner are also wondering what he's up to. They're both beginning to fall for each other. Yada yada yada.... Yawn.
Maggie's life isn't going so well. She's no longer with the father of her young son. Her son suffers with ear infections and she's told he will need surgery to put tubes in his ears and also a tonsillectomy. She is barely eking by financially and doesn't know how she will pay the bills. Her job had promised insurance but they've yet to come through for her. Instead she receives threats that she is about to lose her job if she takes more than a few days off at a time. Her mother would give her the needed money for Tim's surgery but there would be strings attached.
Redundancy throughout with Jake trying to "work out" the when and the way he is going to approach Maggie with the truth of who he is and that he's not really Dr. Golding. In the meantime, they start dating and her friend and family are concerned over her seeing this "doctor." His family and work partner are also wondering what he's up to. They're both beginning to fall for each other. Yada yada yada.... Yawn.
October 8, 2021
Tengo que aclarar que estoy siendo muy imparcial al otorgarle 5 estrellas, pues es casi la historia de mi vida convertida en fantasía romántica. Lo disfruté mucho porque nos imaginé a mi esposo (el handyman) y a mí (madre soltera trabajadora que pinta con prismacolor) en la situación del doctor. Quiero compartirles a todos que no importa cuan disparatada sea la novela de ficción, la vida real siempre la supera.
I must say I’m not being impartial in giving it 5 stars since this novel is basically the story of my life made into a romantic fantasy. I enjoyed it very much because I pictured my husband (a handyman) and my-self (a working single- mother who paints with prismacolor) in the doctor’s situation. I want to share that it doesn’t matter how fantastic a fiction novel can be, real life is always above and beyond.
I must say I’m not being impartial in giving it 5 stars since this novel is basically the story of my life made into a romantic fantasy. I enjoyed it very much because I pictured my husband (a handyman) and my-self (a working single- mother who paints with prismacolor) in the doctor’s situation. I want to share that it doesn’t matter how fantastic a fiction novel can be, real life is always above and beyond.
April 10, 2010
Maggie walks into her first appointment with famous psychiatric guru Dr. Jason Golding crying like she's never cried before and relaying her whole woeful life story. What she doesn't know is that she's actually speaking to the carpenter, Jake Cooper, hired to renovate the doctor's office. As Maggie feels much better and can't believe how understanding and sympathetic her "doctor" is and Jake feels compelled to keep helping her, their charade goes on for 3 weeks. Jake is tormented by not being able to tell Maggie the truth (and also falling in love with her) and Maggie feels torn when she feels more than friendship with her doctor. Of course, it all comes down to an ultimate showdown, but with a happy happy ending!
February 1, 2011
If you love inspirational romances, you'll enjoy Handyman by Linda Nichols. Maggie Ivey is a single mother and needs some spiritual help. When she attends Dr. Golding's 21-Day Overhaul, her life is transformed and righted, as she stands up for herself. Things look up to her, when she's with "Jake", who accidentally poses as him. Little did they know, they fall in love with each other, as other people gang up on her and reveal his scam. When she finds out, she leaves him. With a little bit of forgiveness, they're reunited. A light-headed romance in faith and in love.
October 17, 2022
I was flipping through a Reader's Digest volume from 2000 and stumbled across this book. It drew me in from the beginning, a short, sweet story that was totally out of my normal wheelhouse, but I gave it a chance and I was pleasantly surprised. While a little predictable, the characters are easy to fall in love with and root for. The ending was easy to guess but still satisfying, and it had me smiling to myself. A cute, fluffy read with not much substance, but still fun.
November 5, 2022
Wow! This book exceeded any expectations I had for it… It is such a sweet love story, that comes from the most unseemly of places. Linda Nichols constructs such a great story, with real life issues, and some simple solutions. The humanity that is wrapped up into this book is truly spectacular. It is so refreshing to read a story that is realistic, that gives you hope, And inspires you to be the best person you can be. It is also a great love story, sweet and romantic that warms the heart.
February 21, 2011
I picked this up from the display at the library. This was cute and sweet. Imagine a guy working to remodel the office of a psychologist when a lady comes in for her apt. and thinks he's the psychologist. She's crying her eyes out and he's never been good with women but for some reason he wants to help her... and your off to the races!
October 2, 2011
Sweet love story involving mistaken identity. I enjoyed this light read, especially since I occasionally learned something (now I know what "hubris" means). The contrast between the handyman and the psychologist was funny. I also enjoyed the satisfying culmination of complicated mess which had been unintentionally created.
July 23, 2013
Nichols as a first time novelist. Funny, detailed, thorough, informative book on love in San Francisco. Thoroughly enjoyed it although at times tempted to put down because of the expanding stories of the secondary characters. Lovely book nonetheless! Good job Linda...looking forward to more reads from you.
July 10, 2014
So much potential and never realized, I finished the book but it took me over a decade. I bought this book a long time ago, would read a chapter here and there but never had a drive to finish the story. Problem is that despite well crafted characters you felt empathy for, the premise and result was improbable and unrealistic.
January 28, 2023
At the time I first read it I would have rated it five stars but I’m more stringent now. It was one of the first chick lit type books I ever read and it captured me so much I was hawking it constantly as a librarian. It is fresh and very funny and will leave a girl craving her very own handyman. Not spicy at all. I usually don’t like romances with single mothers but this one won my heart.
April 29, 2008
I read that Nicholas Sparks recommends this book, so I thought I'd give it a shot. It was pretty good, if not kind of predictable. I didn't really get that involved in the characters or the conflicts that created the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews