Handyman

This book starts with a feeling of compassion that leads to a lie of omission and starts the drama of Jake and Maggie. The side characters: Tim, Maggie's son, Gina who paid for Maggie's "makeover", and a host of others, not to mention Dr. Golding himself whose heart attack and hospital stay allowed this to take place, fill out the cast of a wonderful novel about love. Jake's last session of pretending he is Dr. Golding is a riot of characters! This is a book full of beauty and laughing, despite the despair.

First book by the author. Predictable plot and HATED the ending. After poor lost girl gains independence and confidence and finds man of her dreams becomes hausfrau and loses independence when marries same man. SUCKY ENDING. STUPID!

Linda Nichols charming debut book was a joy to read. "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive". "An accidental therapy session is the catalyst for Linda Nichol's winsome, witty, irresistible debut novel - a love story about two people who don't realize they're made for each other until it's almost too late."

predictable, cute, cop out ending.....

Maggie goes to a therapist and unknowingly unburdens herself to the contractor.

Booklist Review: /*Starred Review*/ When Maggie Ivey unloads her problems on the wonderful, understanding man in the office of eminent psychologist Jason Golding, she doesn't realize that the listener isn't the doctor but a contractor hired to install a "rebirthing" hot tub. Jake Cooper is basically a good man, but he can't bring himself to embarrass Maggie or himself by revealing the truth. Instead, he tries to help Maggie the way he knows best, by fixing the things that are wrong in her life. There are only two problems with this plan: Maggie thinks the "doctor" is operating on the three-week schedule outlined in his book The 21 Day Life Overhaul, but the real doctor is due back any day from heart surgery in New York. On this skeleton show more is hung the funniest, most poignant love story to come off the presses in years. Nichols manages to get in some sly digs at psychobabble and self-help fads, but her humor tends to be warm and forgiving rather than malicious. Recommended for anyone who wants a novel that touches both the heart and the funny bone. ((Reviewed December 1, 1999)) -- George Needham show less