Customer Reviews

Handyman

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I actually like this storyline: wealthy businessman falls in love with the hot tradesman working on his house/car/garden/etc. It's a cliché and it's not quite realistic, but it's a fun fantasy nevertheless.

Handyman has its flaws, but overall it's a very nice story. Will is sexy and confident. He's never had a serious relationship and has always been hesitant to settle down, and he doesn't know quite what to make of his feelings for deeply-closeted Jack. Jack is strong, honest, and uncertain about his sexuality. He's been mourning the loss of his wife for two years and wonders if he might finally be ready for a new start.

This story has some good angst. It's interesting to see the emotions at play between Will and Jack, and within each man individually. I'm a big fan of shy, tentative touches and "so wrong but feels so good" loveplay, and Claire Thompson writes those scenes very well. The love scenes are steamy and emotional, and the chemistry between the two men sizzles.

I also enjoyed the scenes between Jack and his two sons. Ms. Thompson deals with grief and the emotions of "coming out" very well.

I have two major problems with this book that dragged the rating down from an A to a B-. First of all, this book is incredibly dialogue heavy. The men talk and talk and talk some more. I don't even know any girls who talk that much. The dialogue became exhausting after a while. The narrative was just as tedious as the dialogue. There are literally pages of flashback tossed into the middle of a scene. It's very jarring to be in the middle of a conversation or a sex scene one minute, then suddenly flash back twenty years. It gave me whiplash and broke the flow of what could have been a truly wonderful story.

My second problem with this book is the experience on which Jack bases his "I must be gay" acceptance. There's really no way to describe it in detail without giving spoilers, but it just wasn't convincing to me.

Overall, this is a good story. I'll give it an A for concept, but only a B- for execution.

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 9/10

PROS:
- The way in which Jack slowly opens up to Will's hints and advances is beautifully done. I know a man who didn't face his homosexuality until he was in his 50s whose awakening proceeded in almost exactly the same way as Jack's does in this book.
- Good examination of the internal uncertainty on the part of both characters; Will thinks Jack will decide he's straight (or at least that he doesn't want to explore whether or not he's really gay), and Jack thinks that Will's just looking for another notch on his belt. Of course, we readers have the benefit of witnessing their blossoming I-don't-trust-this-but-I-can't-help-falling-for-him-anyway feelings also.
- The buildup of feelings and desire on the way to the characters' first sexual encounter is very well done. Each scene is a bit more erotic and a bit less tentative than the last. And I LOVE how patient Will is with Jack's hesitance and inexperience.
- The sex, when we finally get to it (not a complaint; I love the slow speed at which physical intimacy escalates), is sensual and explosive and delightful. And there's a kissing scene that's almost as hot as any of the sex scenes.
- Jack's sons are realistically portrayed and add a nice amount of gravity.
- Far fewer typos and editing issues in this than in many other m/m books I've read.

CON:
- Premise that's a stretch to believe. The difference in age is significant--14 years--as is the difference in lifestyle, education, and emotional background. But I must say, I loved the characters so much that after a few chapters, I happily allowed myself to dismiss any misgivings about the story idea.

Overall comments: If you're looking for erotica, this might not be a good choice for you; there's sexual tension throughout the book, but it doesn't really contain that much sex (as compared to most other m/m romances I've read). But if you enjoy reading about the emotional connection between two men with an occasional hot sex scene thrown in here and there, this is a lovely read.

Not a bad book, I guess, but the relationship between Will and Jack progresses along very predictable lines and then devolves into a mega-helping of pure emo: lots of angst, introspection, and melodrama. The confrontation with Jack's sons just had me laughing -- and not in a good way. I couldn't help thinking that this kind of situation would only play out like this in the movies (and formulaic romance novels, apparently).

The novel's beginning held my interest but, as often happens in romances of this type, the story started careening out of control about halfway through, like a car rolling down a mountain road with the brakes failing. Jack's constant and brooding ruminations read more like the entries in a love-sick schoolgirl's diary than the real thoughts of a 44-year-old working-class man coming to grips with being attracted to another man.

As for Will, he describes himself at one point as a "Drama Queen"; I couldn't describe him any better myself. By book's end I was ready to see the last of Will. He was, in my opinion, "a mile wide and an inch deep", personality-wise. Jack was the more interesting character of the two and deserved someone better, deeper.

There was potential for an interesting, credible story in "Handyman", but it just wasn't happening for me.

Jack is a 44 years old widower. Since the day his wife suddenly death he had a pretty quite, even if not exciting life: married at 19 years old to have get pregnant his highschool sweetheart, Jack has never had the chance to choice what to do; clever and with a lot of possibilities ahead of him, instead he had to skip college and became a carpenter to bring soon and fast money at home. He doesn't regret having his two sons, and he was fond of his wife, but he didn't love her; actually even that first time with her, when she got pregnant, was due to the fact that Jack was trying to understand his feelings for his bestfriend and buddy of highschool. Now twentyfive years later he is still at the same point, wondering if what he feels for Will is real love or only curiosity.

Will is 30 years old and wealthy. An easy life, he passed from highschool, to college, to work always knowing what he wanted and what he liked. He likes men and even if he is conscious that in his life of work his better not to flaunt it, endlessly numbers of one night stand prove that he has not problem to reach what he desires. But Will is in a moment in his life that if he doesn't slow down, he will be burn out soon. He decided to leave his multimillionaire work for six months and see where life brings him, instead of lead his life. And here he is, with a sudden interest for a man that usually he would never notice. Jack is not handsome, wealthy or powerful. He is a simple man who quietly listen to him and always seems comfortable with himself. Will feels good around him and would like to take on the relationship to a step up, but he even knows if Jack is gay or at least bi-curios.

The story could be simple and erotic, being a gay version of the rich woman who has a torrid relationship with the handyman, and instead Clare Thompson chooses to write it as an almost sweet romance, made of tender wooing and gentle encouragement. Jack is not the hot stud of every woman fantasy, he is an almost middle age man with plain feature and an apparently non interesting work. But Jack hides secret, like the fact that he loves beauty and he can create it with his hands; he seems rough but instead he is gentle and caring.

Also Will is a surprising character: I really believe for him to fail to proof of love... oh, yes, I was expecting my happily ever after, but I was sure that it would be Jack to bring it home. And instead Will revealed to be a very good seducer since this time his purpose is not to love them and leave them, but to assure him a man for his life.

And for who is wondering about that sweet romance thing, don't worry, this is a romance by Clare Thompson, and so, yes, you will have also the erotic part, and for me, it is one of the best erotic part I read lately.

One final note: I was really expecting Jack's confrontation with his family, with his two adult sons, and in fact I was counting the pages to the end to see if and when the author chose to write it. She did, but in my opinion, there is space for more, maybe another book where deepen Jack and Will's relationship, but also Will's relationship with Jack's sons, and why not, that of Jack with Will's world.

This is such a GREAT book. One of the best, I could not put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I could really picture everything as it was happening. I hope there is a sequel to this book. This is one book I will not give away or lone out. I love this story. Thank You Claire Thompson. Sincerely a new fan! Keith Keeler

Oh soooooo slow. Just when the book got interesting the story was over. I was surprised that the build up took so long and the the climax and the conclusion was one and the same.

I really enjoyed this book. I am a sucker for a good romance novel, and have to say this is the best one I have read. Too many gay novels focus on sex and lack substance, however, I found this novel to have character and heart. I couldn't put the book down and finished it in a few hours. It is very easy to read and doesn't require much thought- which is exactly what I look for in a book. The characters were needy and always questioning the others intentions- but for me this is perfect! The same thoughts and have raced through my own head many times when I am in a relationship, but once you build trust, they seem to melt away.

Handyman was somewhere in between a 3 and 4 star book for me and was a very sweet read.
What worked for me:
* Loved the quaint setting...most of the beginning of the novel takes place in Will`s fixer-upper in Scarsdale. I`m a sucker for renos!
* Jack`s character is very down to earth and I loved his honest responses to Will`s initial flirting.
* The seduction was a nice SLOW TEASE and I loved every second of it!
* Makes you look back on your life and think of a point where, had you made a different choice, your life would turned out completely differently.
* I liked that Jack feels like he`s finally living for the first time in his life...like coming out of a long sleep.
What didn`t work for me:
*There was a lot of talking that could have been slimmed down and perhaps replaced with more of a detailed HEA.
*Will needed to be a little less pouty when things didn't go as he planned.

Well after reading the book,which I found very hot..........
I read all the reviews ... most enjoyed reading it... but the one thing that got was most was not very part of the book reads perfectly for very one. But hey ya can't please all of the people all the time.
But in my case I wish their were more books like this one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The blossoming of the relationship between Will and Jack was a pleasure to read. Jack's character is very well developed and I love how the author provided detailed descriptions of his thoughts. The sexual tension between the characters was scorching as were the sex scenes. Jack's awakening was both poignant and sweet. This is the first book I've read by this author and I can't wait to read more. I've put most of her other books on my wishlist.