The Total Package by Stephanie Evanovich

Author: Stephanie Evanovich
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of publication: March 2016

Heartthrob star quarterback Tyson Palmer has it all: a million-dollar arm, a winning season and the promise of a Superbowl ring. But more importantly, football’s biggest star is the ultimate comeback kid. After an addiction to painkillers nearly derailed his career, Tyson got sober and went from zero to hero in the eyes of the public.

But one person remains unconvinced: Dani Carr, a sports commentator with high ratings and following of her own.

Dani can’t forgive Tyson’s transgressions or forget a single passionate night with him back in college. To make things worse, Tyson doesn’t realize that the bombshell with huge ratings is the cute co-ed whose heart he once broke.

But can a sports journalist trying to claw her way to the top and a quarterback who knows all about rock bottom make it to the Super Bowl without destroying each other? And what will happen when Tyson—riding high now that he’s revived his career—realizes he needs to make an even more important comeback with Dani? Can he use his million-dollar moves to get past her defenses—or will she sideline him for good?

I really like this author's first two books, so I was eager to get my hands on The Total Package. Wile it can be read as a stand alone, it does take place, partly, in the world of the first two books.  That means we get to see some old friends.  In this book, Tyson is at his lowest point in his life when her runs into Dani (Ella) at homecoming.  She has always regretted not hooking up with him in college and decides now is the time.  She also thinks she can save him in the process.  But like any addict, he can't see past the quick night with her and his next fix.  Meeting up again years later, Tyson is now clean and Dani has a secret.

I have kind of mixed feelings about this story.  While I did ultimately enjoy the book, I didn't love it as much as her first two books.  My most favorite part about The Total Package was Tyson.  I liked his journey to becoming clean and turning his life around.  I wish we could have seen more of his return to the football world and how he navigated that. But with the time jump ahead 5 years, it wasn't there. That was a little disappointing.  He was a great and humble character who didn't end up having a huge ego.  I found myself rooting for him.  I also did like Dani.  Normally, I'm not a fan of the "secret baby" story line, but I ended up agreeing with her reasons for keeping Brendan a secret.  Not being able to trust that Tyson was sincere about his change was pretty valid.

What I didn't ultimately love about the book was the relationship between Dani and Tyson.  For me they weren't really together enough to love their HEA.  That is what I loved about the first two books.  The main characters in those books spent a lot of time together in the story, so the reader gets to see the love really grow.  Dani and Tyson were barely together.  So, for me, this book was more about personal second chances and forgiveness than it was a love story.  Everyone deserves to start over and with hard work can make things right.  

In the end, I do recommend this book.  Ms. Evanovich has a talent for creating interesting characters that you can't help fall in love with.  I would recommend reading this one more for those characters and less for a love story.  You won't be sorry.

About Stephanie Evanovich

Stephanie Evanovich is a full-fledged Jersey girl who attended New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, performed with several improvisational troupes, and acted in a few small-budget movies, all in preparation for the greatest job she ever had: raising her two sons. Now a full-time writer, she’s an avid sports fan who holds a black belt in tae kwon do.

Find out more about Stephanie at her website and connect with her on Facebook.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Tour Stops

Tuesday, March 15th: Sara’s Organized Chaos

Wednesday, March 16th: Books and Bindings

Wednesday, March 16th: A Soccer Mom’s Book Blog

Thursday, March 17th: Savvy Verse & Wit

Friday, March 18th: Walking With Nora

Monday, March 21st: Kritters Ramblings

Tuesday, March 22nd: FictionZeal

Wednesday, March 23rd: Reading Reality

Thursday, March 24th: Luxury Reading

Friday, March 25th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, March 28th: Sarah Reads Too Much

Tuesday, March 29th: Read-Love-Blog

Wednesday, March 30th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Wednesday, March 30th: Stephany Writes

Thursday, March 31st: Book Journey

Kari's Most Anticipated Reads for 2016

Blog Tour: The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich

Author: Stephanie Evanovich
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of publication: July 8 2014

From New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Evanovich comes another rollicking, sexy story of just how far a couple will go to find true love—and keep it sizzling!

When pro baseball player Chase Walker first meets restaurateur Amanda Cole, it’s love at first sight. But while Amanda can’t help noticing the superstar with the Greek-god build, he doesn’t have a chance of getting to first—or any other—base with her. A successful entrepreneur who’s built her business from scratch, Amanda doesn’t need a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet.

But Chase has charm and heart, as well as hunky good looks, and he isn’t about to strike out in this courtship. His hopes rally when Amanda discovers that squeaky-clean Chase has a few sexy and very secret pregame rituals that turn the smart, headstrong businesswoman on—and into his number one fan.

Then a tabloid and a hidden camera threaten to turn the love of a lifetime into just another late-night punch line. Is Amanda ready to let loose and swing for the fences? Or will the pressure of Chase’s stardom force them to call it quits?

 The Sweet Spot actually take place before Big Girl Panties (my review). We first met Chase and Amanda in Big Girl Panties.  They were a fun couple and this is the story of how they got together.  Amanda is an independent, strong willed restaurant owner.  Chase, a famous baseball player, is smitten the minute he meets her.

There are a couple of things that I loved about this book.  I loved the way Chase sets out to woo Amanda and prove to her he is all in.  I also loved the open communication between the couple especially when it came to their bedroom play.  I always think that is important for any couple to be open and honest about what they want. That being said, their "secret" was kind of off for me. It didn't really go along with anything the normal dom/sub relationships I am used to seeing in books. But then, Chase always did say they were writing their own rules.

I loved the ending.  I thought their wedding was so perfect! This is another hit from this author!  I definitely recommend reading it and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

About the author:

Stephanie Evanovich is a full-fledged Jersey girl from Asbury Park who began writing fiction while waiting for her cues during countless community theater projects. She attended New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, performed with several improvisational troupes, and acted in a few small-budget movies, all in preparation for the greatest job she’s ever had: raising her two sons. 

Now a full-time writer, she’s also an avid sports fan who holds a black belt in tae kwon do.

Connect with Stephanie on Facebook.

Purchase Links

Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

Stephanie’s Tour Stops

Tuesday, July 8th: bookchickdi

Wednesday, July 9th: Ageless Pages Reviews

Thursday, July 10th: From the TBR Pile

Friday, July 11th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Monday, July 14th: What She Read …

Tuesday, July 15th: A Chick Who Reads

Wednesday, July 16th: Tina’s Book Reviews

Thursday, July 17th: Walking With Nora

Monday, July 21st: Stephany Writes

Tuesday, July 22nd: Book Loving Hippo

Wednesday, July 23rd: Snowdrop Dreams of Books

Thursday, July 24th: Books à la Mode

Monday, July 28th: Always With a Book

Review: Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

Author: Stephanie Evanovich
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of publication: July 2013

They say that big girls don't cry. But when the chips are down and the dip is gone, what can you do? Pull up your BIG GIRL PANTIES and change your life.

Holly Brennan didn't expect to be a widow at thirty-two. She also didn't expect to be so big. Through her husband Bruce's diagnosis and death, food was the one thing she could always count on. Now, those extra pounds make flying coach more than a little mortifying-especially since she's sitting next to Adonis himself, aka Logan Montgomery, a personal trainer to the country's most famous pro athletes.

Though Holly doesn't make the grade on his first-impression meter, Logan finds himself intrigued by her sharp wit and keen insight-a welcome change from the beautiful bubble-headed dolls he usually dates-and impulsively offers to get her back in shape. Ready to make at least one positive change in her life, Holly agrees.

I have to admit that I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book.  I was happy to say that I was sucked right into the story and finished it in one day.   The best part about this book is Holly.  She is a character with whom I could easily relate.  In the beginning of the book,  we don't know a lot about her.  We learn more about her as the story unfolds.  She is a grieving widow, but her marriage isn't all that it seemed to be.  When she meets Logan on the plane, she decides to make a change and begin to train with him. Given her background, her lack of confidence and low self-esteem came across as very genuine.   I found myself cheering her on as she makes changes in her life to get to a healthy place.

This story isn't just about a woman's transformation, it's about figuring out what is truly important in life.  Image isn't everything.  Through his relationship with Holly, Logan is able to find himself and what he really wants out of life.  I admit, I was suspicious of him throughout most of the book.  I was really hoping he would figure it all out in the end.  I love seeing two people who are so opposite figure out that they are so right for each other.

There was one thing about the book that I thought was unnecessary.  The story-line involving Logan's friends, Chase and Amanda and their spanking lifestyle just seemed out of place.  I think the book would have been fine without it.  Although it did allow for a very amusing scene between Logan and Holly.  This book is the author's debut.  I can see a bright future for her.  I look forward to her next book.

About the author:

Stephanie Evanovich is a full-fledged Jersey girl who began writing fiction while waiting for her cues during countless community theater projects. She attended New York School of Film and Television and acted in several improvisational troupes and a few small-budget movies, all in preparation for the greatest job she ever had, raising her two sons. Now a full-time writer, she's an avid sports fan who holds a black belt in tae kwon do.