Man at Work

by Elaine Fox

Truman Fleming has spent enough days wearing a suit -- and enough nights on the arm of silly socialites -- to last a lifetime. After all, he has better things to do with his hands than push pencils and spend the family fortune, so he straps on a toolbelt and decides to live the simple life. But things definitelyget complicated when he runs smack into lady lawyer Marcy Paglinowski. Together, they rescue a terrified puppy...and soon the sparks that fly ignite more than just their sympathy. Marcy's strived hard to become a lawyer, and the last thing she needs is a workin' man -- even one like Truman -- who's got biceps and triceps galore...and who certainly knows how to work with those hands. No, she's determined to find a reliable guy with a steady paycheck and a four-door vehicle, and Truman, no matter how sexy he looks in tight, dusty jeans and a T-shirt, isn't for her...or is he?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Humor, Dogs, M F Romance

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Olga Godim · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Didn’t like this one. The story is forced, with silly assumptions on both the hero’s and heroine’s parts. He is a rich lawyer, jaded with his society and his wealth. In an attempt to be done with his class and privileges, he plays a poor construction worker who lives in the slums and can’t even afford a telephone. He wants to find a woman who would be interested in him, not in his money. In the slums. Can you believe it?
She is a young, upward moving lawyer too but from a poor family, with often-unemployed dad and brothers skirting criminal life. She works her butt off because she wants money as a security blanket and she doesn’t camouflage her goals as something ‘noble’.
She despises him because of his seeming aimlessness. He dislikes her because of her overt ambitions. Both misunderstand each other’s goals and motivations. Both scorn what the other represents.
But they fall in love regardless? I doubt it. Profound misunderstanding of the classes isn’t conducive to love, not outside the romance genre anyway.
The entire story feels made-up for the sake of the plot. Although it read well – the author is obviously a pro – it left behind a faint puzzlement: “Why did I read this crap?”

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The entire premise of this story is ridiculous. Rich man temporarily lives like a working class construction worker. Poor woman becomes successful attorney but remains embarrassed by her family & poor upbringing.

Truman is very judgmental towards everyone else without even knowing their background or motivations. I'm not sure why Marcy puts up with him at all. He lies to her from beginning to end and judges her for her ambition to make a better life for herself. Since they both lied to each other about who they are, it's really just a booty call "relationship" so the happily ever after is laughable.

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book was so expected and cliche. However, I couldn’t help but love it. Maybe it’s the sap in me, but I read this entire book in one day. If you’re looking for something challenging, with beautifully crafted prose and highly developed characters, this isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for something light and entertaining, I would definitely recommend.

[Patty Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read in a long time. Yes it was a bit sappy and predictable at times, but it was so sweet and fun that it made for a great distraction from the sad state of affairs in the real world right now. I couldn’t put it down.

[Hajira · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING

[Marianthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

[Christine D · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I feel the premise tried a little too hard

[Cherie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read!

[Aleeya Mitsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

Pride and prejudice vibes which I love. The characters are addicting to read about, I just wish I had more of them after they finally get together.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a good read, this book has a predictable but fun plot and some great characters.

[Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, fun read. This is a new author for me, just one I came across and I can't wait to look into some of her other books. Granted it took me a little longer to finsih it, only because I was overwhelmed this week with my son's soccer and school activiities or I would have had it done a lot sooner. Her writing style reminds me a lot of Rachel Gibson and Susan Andersen who I think are both great authors. This book is about Marcy Paglinowski who grew up in a bad neighborhood in D.C. who worked her way out of it and went to law school and became a lawyer. She's not proud of her past and strives to have a life far from the life her parents led. Which includes a man from the right side of the tracks with a good education and a good job. Truman Fleming comes from a rich family and was a lawyer himself but feels like something is missing from his life. He is fed up with dating society women who are after his status and money and is frankly fed up with living a superficial life. He chucks it all to live in the slums and see how the other half lives and takes a job in construction. This is where Truman and Marcy meet. She thinks he's a blue collar worker with no incentive to better his life and he thinks she's a high society lawyer with name brand clothes. The sparks we see between these two light up the page, both thinking they are the opposite of what they want and have been running from, but under the their deceptiveness they are exactly what they have been looking for. Though I really like this book, I feel the ending was wrapped up to quickly in the last few pages. Regardless I still really enjoyed this read

[Goddess Of Blah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is brilliant if you want a warm, LIGHT, sweet romance (with a contemporary career-successful Cinderella fairytale type story involved).

Its very chick lit and the writing style isn't sophisticated. But its excellent to relax with and has loads of sparks and fireworks. I highly recommend it for those looking for a relaxing, non-taxing, ultra romantic and easy read.

Synopsis: Truman Fleming has spent enough days wearing a suit -- and enough nights on the arm of silly socialites -- to last a lifetime. After all, he has better things to do with his hands than push pencils and spend the family fortune, so he straps on a toolbelt and decides to live the simple life. But things definitely get complicated when he runs smack into lady lawyer Marcy Paglinowski. Together, they rescue a terrified puppy...and soon the sparks that fly ignite more than just their sympathy.
Marcy's strived hard to become a lawyer, and the last thing she needs is a working man, (even one like Truman) who's got biceps and triceps galore...and who certainly knows how to work with those hands. No, she's determined to find a reliable guy with a steady pay-cheque and a four-door vehicle, and Truman, no matter how sexy he looks in tight, dusty jeans and a T-shirt, isn't for her...or is he?

[C Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a light read, just what I need from reading some classics that are well...dragging at times. So, two characters, two different backgrounds, and one main goal: to get away from what they've grown up to. Enter Truman, the man who wanted to live the simple life, who bumps into Marcy, the lawyer who grew up in an ugly neighborhood. First there's the attraction, then the tension and indecision, but it all lead to sleeping with each other which wasn't really surprising. I like the funny parts of the book, characters are likeable too, they were described in detail, plot is so-so, we all know where this would lead. I gave it a four because of the humor, reading this book would make time pass by quickly. In a nutshell it's a kind of rags-to-riches for the heroine, and riches-to-rags-to-riches-again for Truman. I just don't like the part where the guy has to propose to the girl for the ending, it's kind of rushed after less than 6 mos of meeting each other.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* A fun, if predictable romance. One thing I did really like about the book: the author doesn't let either character feel superior about their part in the misunderstanding. She also doesn't try to solve all the problems that are expressed. Both characters had good reasons to feel the way they did, although they both took it too far when they let their own narrow life experience blind them to the big picture. If nothing else, this book is a pretty good lesson (and a humorous one) in not getting carried away with your own assumptions.

The book gets 3.5* instead of 4* because it was so predictable, and because in the end, not much besides the predictable actually happened. I did like it, but I wanted to love this book. The characters were good, and the "moral of the story" was interesting. But somehow it just missed the mark and ended up lacking something to make it "pop."

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by Elaine Fox and even thought I found it cute it did eventually get tiresome. I even have to admit skipping large amounts of the story so I could get to the ending. I found neither the Hero nor the Heroine truly likable. I mean they were likeable in the sense that they had good hearts but they were just not easy to connect to and feel for. Here is how the story read to me.

Judge each other, Judge each other, Sex, Hurt each others feelings, Jump to conclusions, Judge each other, Sex, Judge each other, Shock, you lied to me, she could never love me, I love you and I love you too.

I hate to say this but it but it wasn't my favorite. But I still was able to find very funny parts and I'm not giving up on Elaine Fox and hope that this was just one of those books that didn't agree with me.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man at work was enjoyable to read. However it lacked something for me. The "Word of the day" was fun to see, especially when it was used by Marcy. I loved that the McDonald lawsuit got some accurate info in this. Probably the most excitement I got from this book. Part of my issue was the time frame change and how Elaine Fox jumped between characters. There were moments when I was reading this and unaware the POV had changed, or the time between the characters had shifted a day or even a week until two paragraphs later, leaving me confused and trying to back track to see what I missed. I can't say much for the plot or characters one way or another. I basically finished the book to see how she cleaned up some minor characters stories.

[Grace*dnfing books since 2022* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, Elaine Fox is a talented writer who has great grammar and vocabulary so that I don't feel like I'm reading a comic strip. This book had a great premise, but as a romance, it is not really there, especially when it seems like the girl does everything to pursue the relationship while the guy makes no overtures. Sure, we see from his point of view that he likes her, but he does nothing about it. Which is realistic, for sure, but who wants to read that when one's reading a romance.

Isn't there a good midway between a psychotic sadistic guy who stalks the girl and resembles a Greek god but makes the Greek god look like day old poop and a normal human being? ISN'T THERE?!?!?

[mandyfujita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read Elaine Fox's books. I enjoyed the book immensely. I think because there was a dog involved. That's what brought me to this author. Folly is a pup that is being abused by a supervisor at a job site. Marcy P. is a lawyer that is working on a worker compensation type lawsuit. She is getting photos of the jobsite to prove how unsafe it is and she sees this poor dog being beaten up. She gets into a jam until Truman Fleming comes to rescue her. Tall, dark and hunky. What else can you ask for in a light read?

Truman and Marcy comes from different worlds and somehow they think they can make it work. Find out for yourself if they do.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cutesy romance I read in the store. This is a well written contemporary romance, great for a fun read by the pool or to take to pass the time on a long trip. There is nothing ground breaking here but if you are reading this book you are probably more in the mood for some comfort food, than caviar.

Recommended for a fun read.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARR

this book really fresh and funny, i loved marcy shes very cute and sexy lawyer even her background were so rough but shes managed to survive for her future..

truman, i guess there was something really wrong with him he he.. but hes tried to understand the world outside and ended up met marcy...i guess hes really gentleman

HEA for them he he

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute flirty story. Although Marcy's ambition grated on my nerves, her one-sidedness about not wanting a man like her father, assuming without getting to know Truman first was frustrating, but a main story line. Had to laugh at Truman's attempt to give himself a nickname and her insistence of using his real name, you can't pick your own nickname. Enjoyed the ending.

[Amber Ziegler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another trashy romance novel that I read while on my trashy romance novel kick in undergrad. As far as trashy romance novels go, though, it wasn't that bad.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Other than the constant flip-flopping back and forth by both main characters this is a fun read. The puppy rescue was enough to cause me to laugh out loud and was worth the predictable romance plot.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book from Ms. Fox, I really liked the characters & story. I will be reading more books from her.

[Laura Lay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little romance, sweet ending

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was sooooooooooo gooooooood!!!!! I was sad when it ended because I wanted MORE!!!!!

[Josi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good. It was predictable but still entertaining. I like Elaine's style of writing.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light read but a bit disappointing in the end. There was so much introspection on the characters' part, but the end wrapped up too quickly for me.

[Laarin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Some of the interactions are a little contrived to get the main characters together in the end.