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Summary: Did the author herself wrote the first review?
Review: If so, need I say more about its validity
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Summary: Bravo Ms. Nichols on a fine book
Review: In this very cynical world where this country is getting slaughtered by the likes of Jerry Springer, it's refreshing to read a book this genuine and true to the heart. Compassion is dying in this country and the only people left to instill compassion are authors like Ms. Nichols. I support her and to all of the so-called 'elitists', I graduated from Stanford and I have an I.Q. of 210. I don't need to be taught how to 'think' by these self-appointed 'elitist' hypocrites. I'll think for myself, if you don't mind. Thank you again Miss Nichols for a wonderful book and keep writing! And to all of the 'flame-throwers' out there, I wish I could send you up on board the Space Shuttle with a half-empty tank.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, not life-changing
Review: Maggie Ivey is a struggling single mother that I believe a lot of women/mothers could relate to. Her frustrations are realistic. The plot is set up as a modern day fairy tale complete with Prince Charming and Evil women. I found it interesting how anytime I said to myself "but why did she do that?" or "why doesn't she/he realize that?" the author answered my question almost as if she could anticipate it (And perhaps early editorial readers DID ask the same questions and she then inserted the answers). This is a good read if you are the type of person who can only read in small bursts of time as the story is engaging enough to hold your memory, yet light enough not to require your whole afternoon, or evening or both. A good first novel that would make an entertaining film.Sarah Chace
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Summary: Reality Therapy
Review: Maggie Ivey is having a bad year - actually, a bad five years, ever since her boyfriend impregnated her, then left her with five hundred dollars and a callous note about "taking care of it." She didn't, and though her son Tim is the apple of her eye, other aspects of her life are well and truly broken. She is being sexually harassed on a dead end job that doesn't have the pay or benefits she was originally promised, and she just takes it without protest. Her mother wants her to go home and marry the local boy, dependable, but a little dull and a lot more emotionally abusive. Her so-called best friend thinks she needs a "21 Day Overhaul," the latest time-limited therapy rage on the West Coast. Maggie's friend Gina even springs for the cost of the therapy, so all Maggie has to do is show up in the renowned Dr. Jason Golding's office and go to work on her life. One problem: Dr. Golding is temporarily unavailable. In a comedy of errors and mistaken identities, Maggie ends up pouring out her heartache to contractor Jake Cooper, whom Dr. Golding has hired to remodel his office in his absence. Jake's been accused of being communication-impaired and emotionally unavailable by his ex-girlfriend, Lindsay, so you can imagine his surprise (and unexpectedly growing pleasure) when he actually turns out to be therapeutic for Maggie! The ensuing story gives new meaning to the saying (also quoted in the novel), "Oh what a tangled web we weave...," but also highlights how chance encounters can lead to lasting attractions and love, and how easily one can miss one's soulmate if they are not "in the right place, at the right time." I got wrapped up in Maggie and Jake, and I had a mounting sense of anxiety as I read this book, as if there were a big freight train racing toward them. I couldn't figure out how Jake was going to extract himself from the situation, and whether he would end up being victimized by his ex (a therapy addict), by Maggie's friend Gina (determined to "fix" Maggie's unexpectedly growing assertiveness by nailing her unscrupulous therapist and hopefully turning her back into a whimpering dependent in the process), or by Dr. Golding, a well-portrayed slime-ball psychobabblist. Not to fear - in a delightfully written, dry but droll climax worthy of the best film farces, all the pieces fall into place except one. Read the book to find out! Yes, you will have to suspend reality in order to accept the premise of this novel - that an emotionally beaten-down woman could actually believe that what was being done, was therapy. But the genius of this story is that that's probably how unethical psychological charlatans ply their wares. Jake and Dr. Jason were nicely drawn as counterpoints to one another, and the supporting characters were well and thoroughly dyssocial. The romance develops slowly and is understated, without much steaminess but a lot of affection. The author draws the story to its conclusion with the same matter-of-fact and unadorned narrative that she uses throughout the story, which makes the craziness of the whole situation stand out even more. Yes, it's an improbable plot - but, hey, it's great fiction!
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Summary: Down right edible! Perfect light reading material!
Review: Maggie Ivey was a single parent. Her four year old son, Tim, needed his tonsils removed and a few other minor, but necessary, medical things done. She lived in a bad neighborhood with worthless locks. She also quit her job when she was hired elsewhere only to find out her new boss had decided not to give her half the agreed on pay, no medical insurance, and for the first year she would be considered "temporary" with no vacation or sick days, no matter how bad off Tim was! A friend paid for Maggie to go to Dr. Jason Golding's 21-Day Overhaul to straighten out her life. As luck would have it, the doctor began having heart attacks and was in the hospital. Not knowing this, Maggie went to her first appointment and poured out her heart and soul to who she thought was the doctor. Jake Cooper was half owner of Cooper-Jackson Construction. His high class girlfriend and he had recently split up and Jake was happily getting back to his whole self. While revamping Dr. Golding's office, Maggie showed up and his whole life changed. Since he could not bring himself to embarrass both of them and tell the sobbing woman she had made a mistake, he decided to help her for the 21 days. She would never know he was Jake instead of Jason. She was about to find out that a Handyman in her life was much better than a Psychologist could ever be! ***** Down right edible, Readers! A definite "Keeper" for your book collection! This is not one to miss. To a lady with overwhelming problems, comes a modern day wizard with just the right spells to cast and make everything perfect! Highly recommended reading! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch
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Summary: Very Entertaining!!
Review: Maggie Ivy is a struggling twenty-six year old single mom trying to keep it all together. Her boss is a jerk, her job is part-time and barely pays enough and her mother wants her to move back home and marry Bobby Simple. Determined to stay in the San Francisco area, she accepts help when her friend, Gina, signs her up for Dr. Jason Golding's "21-Day Overhaul". Jake Cooper is surprised when a pretty woman enters Dr. Golding's office crying. Dr. Golding is away at a seminar and Jake, a contractor, is measuring the office for a remodeling bid. Unable to help himself he ushers Maggie to a seat and pulls up a chair for himself and sits down to listen to Maggie's problems. You can see the mistaken identity crises developing and after one hour Maggie feels so much better because "Dr. Golding" is warm, sensitive and a good listener. Jake doesn't know how to tell Maggie the truth so she leaves the office with an appointment to see him a few days later. After reading so many mixed reviews for this book, I decided to check it out for myself. I borrowed the audiobook version from the library. It was a real treat to have someone read for me. I am usually hesitant with abridged versions of audiobooks but this 6 hour/4 cassette version seems to have included the entire story. You don't feel as though you missed something by not reading the book. I thoroughly enjoyed Handyman. Jake was not a superhero but an old fashioned quiet guy who was determined to set the world right for Maggie Ivy and her son Tim. Maggie may be shy and naive but she needs a little help. Don't we all at times. Jake and Maggie are both warm and caring individuals and Jake's love for Maggie and Tim will tug at your heartstrings. I would recommend the audiobook. Sit back, relax and enjoy this heartwarming and delightful story.
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Summary: Reads like a script from a chick flick movie,
Review: Not normally my cup of tea, but a fun few hours.
Rating: 
Summary: Sweet
Review: Okay, so maybe this story is a bit sweet. Yet nobody says that sweet has to be bad. I grabbed this book off the proverbial drugstore shelf before getting on a train, and I found it pleasant and entertaining. With most genre romances, there has to be a total suspension of reality to get to the plot. I found this plot more plausible. Though the ancillary characters are caricatures, the stereotypes they represent are very real, and author Nichols did a fine job in creating them. In fact, though this story is linear in its track to a happy ending--but, then, aren't they all?--the motivating premise is far more original and well-conceived than the typical romance. For anyone who may be seeking a sweet and easy read, HANDYMAN is a fine choice.
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Summary: Pretty bad, but I kept reading anyways!
Review: The entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking that it would make a good "bad" tv movie! The plot and characters are incredibly stereotypical -- the gentle yet strong handyman, the vulnerable and kind single mom. There are no gray areas here -- the bad guys are all bad, and the good guys are completely good. I knew within 10 pages exactly how this book was going to end, yet I read it anyways. Definitely not quality literature, but it was a light and easy read that required no brain power!
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Summary: This is getting interesting
Review: The review from Stephen Nichols reads exactly the same as the one by Linda Tanner Nichols which appeared the day the book was published but presumably pulled recently. What's going on?
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