by Stephanie Evanovich
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Source: Publisher
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. To Logan's (and her own) surprise, Holly turns out to be a natural in the gym. Throwing herself into exercise, the red head with the blazing wit and welcoming smile slims down into a bonafide looker with killer curves-and a new kind of hunger. Soon, the easy intimacy and playful banter of their training sessions lead Logan and Holly into the bedroom where they share their most intense and steamy workouts yet. But can a man whose whole life depends on looks commit himself to a woman who doesn't fit his image? Now that Holly's turning other men's heads, does she even need Logan anymore? Are they a couple built to last . . . or is this sizzling affair going to burn out fast?
Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich wasn’t something I would have picked up, but I am ever so glad Avon Books sent it to me. Evanovich is a Jersey girl like me and I fully connected with her witty humor, and her fleshed out flawed characters. It is a tale of personal growth, romance, and misconceptions. I found myself completely swept up in this easy flowing tale. Three word review: witty, romantic, enlightening.
Here is the set-up. Holly Brennan is a thirty-two year old widow who ate her way through her husband’s terminal illness and subsequent death. She boards a plane heading home and finds herself seated next to Logan Montgomery. Logan is personal trainer for famous athletes and completely shallow, caring more about his image and career. He is repulsed, she makes witty comments regarding her weight and slowly the two begin to chat. He decides to help transform this witty woman, and she accepts his offer and hires him. The tale that unfolds will have you laughing, sighing, and wanting to slap a few people.
Ooh these characters will get under your skin. You will run through a host of emotions ranging from anger, love, and inspiration. Logan and Holly are equally flawed and run in completely different circles. In his world it’s all about looks and image. Logan has closes friend, but he has never really forms personal attachments or develops intimate relationships with a woman. Logan is in his element as a trainer, he knows how to push his clients, and really cares about making them the best they can be. The man is drop dead gorgeous with dimples and a smile. He dates woman who reflect his image of health, physical fitness and glamour. In other words he is a douche. Holly has so many self-esteem issues, but she also has drive and determination. She struggles with self-worth and using snark and wit to cope. While Holly is not a classic beauty she has this spark and her eyes dance when she delivers her zingers. These two are flawed but both have redeemable qualities that endeared them to me. The relationship that develops grows out of respect, trust, and friendship.I loved their banter, and those heated moments that had me rooting for them. Chase and Amanda Walker are clients and friends of Logan. These two helped with back-story, engaging the couple and adding a little humor with their spanking antics.
Big Girl Panties is a contemporary romance at its core but it’s also a touching, realistic look at two flawed individuals and their personal journey. From the outside world Logan appears brilliant, confident and successful and oh so superficial but as the author peeled back his layers we found something more as he struggled to reevaluate himself. Holly has self-esteem issues and is trying to crawl back out of the bag of Funyun Rings she crawled into. Her weight is just one symptom of her issues and I enjoyed watching her become more confident and demand more for herself. I got caught up in the tale, rolled my eyes over the Walkers antics and sighed when the pages heated up. The author takes us into the minds of the characters and displayed their flaws to us in all there awful glory. It was at times raw and I found myself angry at the characters for their behavior and at other times I felt their fears.
Fans of Bridget Jones will enjoy the sassy romance and humor that Big Girl Panties delivers. I could totally see this on big screen as it screams “movie”.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mandy
I added this one to my TBR list because of you. At first I thought it was Janet Evanovich writing under a pen name but then I read about the author. The book sounds exciting may add it to my collection this week.
Thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
glad you added it and nope it is her niece. It is a perfect beach read 🙂
emaginette
It looks good, buy why can’t the great looking man love her from the beginning, as she was? Some of us dream of being thin, and some of us are who we are and accept it. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I agree completely, and she never gets model thin which I appreciated but she is simply healthier.
Jo
I read this book this week as well, and I agree with you about it screaming movie – especially the costume party scene 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
:snort: oh yes that would make a hilarious scene!
aurian
Great review Kim, glad you enjoyed the book. Not for me though.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Aurian 🙂
Dani C
I am a fan of Brigit Jones! Guess I will be checking out this book! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Dani, this was fun 🙂
Lisa
You definitely piqued my interest with this debut. I’m wondering if her writing style is similar to her aunt’s?? I’m not a fan of Janet’s at all :/
kimbacaffeinate
psst..*whispers* I have never tried Janet’s books..
Gina
Well I can’t say I disagree with your assessment in the least…and yes, this totally screams MOVIE! ^-^
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Gina!
Trish
I already want to slap Logan aand I haven’t even started reading yet! Sounds great, I’ll stick it on the wish list. Interesting that she is Janet’s niece too.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah I wanted to slap him plenty but he does grow 🙂
Sharon - Obsession with Books
This sounds really good! I love the sound of Holly but I think Logan would grate on my nerves.
I’m pleased to see you enjoyed this one Kimba! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Logan is flawed, no doubt about it, but he comes around.
Maida
I LOVE LOOVE LOOOVED her One For the Money! It was hilarious and romantic, and it seems she follows that pattern with some of her other books as well. I am very excited to read this. It sounds exactly like something I would enjoy, and I just love the sound of the characters, Logan and Holly. They sound like well-developed and strong characters despite their flaws and I want to see how they grow. I can’t wait to meet them! Glad you enjoyed this one! Lovely review! 😀
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
kimbacaffeinate
This was a fun book, but it isn’t written by Janet, this is her niece’s debut novel. thanks Maida and I hope you pick it up, she has her aunts wit.
Maida
LOL ;p Ooopps…my bad. Sorry about that. My point was though that I like the witty writing style alongside all the seriousness. 😀
~ Maida
kimbacaffeinate
I do too, and don’t feel bad so many peeps are making that mistake. I wonder how many people bought the book thinking Janet wrote it..LOL
Naomi
Oh wow!! This sounds like a read I would enjoy! I seem to be enjoying the witty Contemporary Romance books lately, I might have to check it out…. And go fly on a plane to find my own personal trainer….
kimbacaffeinate
good luck on that trip! hehehe 🙂
Lauren
Ooh a Bridget Jones-ish book? Sign me up! Logan sounds like a TOTAL jerk, so I’m interested to see him grow into someone I can root for. Holly sounds awesome though. Fabulous review!
kimbacaffeinate
he has his moments, and he grows on you.
Sarah
This sounds pretty decent. It seems as though Stephanie has inherited some of her aunt’s (I’m fully paying attention this time!) talent for writing and wit. I doubt I’ll seek it out, but if I see it at the library while I’m browsing, I’ll definitely pick it up.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Sarah and yes she is talented!
Melissa (Books and Things)
I can already see me tearing, but I love the sound of the journey. Oh these characters sound good and I do love flawed characters. *sigh* Another one I would have passed if it wasn’t for you! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was a quick, can’t put it down kind of read 🙂 enjoy!
Giselle
A friend of mine is a big fan of this author and I’ve been meaning to try a book by her. I guess she writes really awesome characters, eh? Seems like she nailed them in this one anyways. Sounds like the perfect book for summer, too! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This is not a book by popular author Janet Evanovich who writes the Stephanie Plum books, this is her niece Stephanie and it’s her debut book 🙂
You are right this is the perfect summer read, thanks Giselle
DannyBookworm
Oh what an awesome review!!!! and.. isn’t it awesome when a book appears on our doorstop and we are excited afterwards even though we would hav never picked it up??
You totally sold me already with “witty, romantic, enlightening.”
YEAH:))
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly, which is why I encourage peeps to try new genres and authors..you just never know 🙂
Marlene
I couldn’t put this one down when I read it. Parts of it don’t make comfy reading, but I absolutely adored Holly. Logan, not so much. I’m still not sure about his redemption, but I was thrilled about her HEA. Totally cheered her every step.
I’m glad you loved Holly too!
kimbacaffeinate
I think Logan is a work in progress and he did come along way from his opinions and attitudes on that plane. To me he was just as damaged as she was.
Debbie
Kim, I hadn’t heard that Janet’s niece was writing and really is there any better humor than Jersey humor. I’ll never forget Janet’s first Plum book with the big hair and the scrunchy socks.
Thanks for the great review this is one I’ll have to try.
deb
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy it Debbie and I would love to hear your thoughts after 🙂
Candace
This one sounds good! And it does sound like it would make a good movie!
kimbacaffeinate
yep..it would be perfect for the big screen 🙂
Andrea
Oh gosh, I got a request for this one, and I wished I had taken it. The story does sound like one I would enjoy, and I love that the characters have tons of depth. And a comparison to Bridget Jones is a Win!
Thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, this was good and totally could see Bridget in both characters.
Kay
I’m so glad you reviewed this book! I saw it somewhere and was debating about reading it, now I know I will!
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed it and would love to hear your thoughts after you read it.
Laurel-Rain Snow
I have read mostly negative reviews of this one, so I’m glad for your take on this book. I wanted to read this one, and then dismissed it or postponed it because of those reviews. Now I’m ready to take another look. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
I looked today after my review posted, I do not like to be swayed one way or the other. Most of them struggled with what the characters did..but to me both of the characters needed to grow and I am and always will be of the mindset that people can overcome and change.
Laurel-Rain Snow
I completely agree, Kimba. I adore flawed characters for that very reason: an opportunity to see growth.
brandileigh2003
Great to hear it was good even if not what you would usually read and that it was touching and realistic
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Brandi it was a fun read 🙂
Jenea
Wow, this does sounds like an emotional journey for all the characters. “In other words, he’s a douche”, I fell out laughing. I’m glad that you enjoy it. Wonderful review.
kimbacaffeinate
it was an appropriate description..but he does grow..he isn’t perfect yet but I have hope!
Angie
This is the first time I have heard of this book myself. At first I thought you had a typo with the name and was thinking of the Stephanie Plum books and mixed up the names!! I sometimes wonder if Janet Evanovich uses a ghost writer since she pushes so many books out. I will for sure be checking this out!
kimbacaffeinate
this is Janet’s niece and her first book 🙂
Ellen
I love the sound of this book. It sounds right up my alley. I am definitely going to get this one. Awesome review!
kimbacaffeinate
enjoy Ellen this was a fun read!
Christine
This sounds like a perfect summer read!
P.S. Love the new look 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
ooh yes perfect for the beach or a hammock!
Nick
This sounds like a really cute read and this is the first time I’m hearing of it.
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed this so much, Kim. It totally seems like something I would definitely enjoy as well.
Holly and Logan sound like they are really complex and I already love the romance between them. I’m also very curious about the “spanking antics”! xD
Great review, Kim! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe…those spanks were different!
kindlemom1
I saw this one for the first time yesterday and was totally wondering if it was any good. I love her Stephanie Plum series so I was hoping this would be humorous as well. I am so glad you were able to enjoy it and that it was funny at times.
kimbacaffeinate
that is her aunt sweetie, this is written by her niece 🙂
k
Oh crap, you’re right! I didn’t even notice that LOL! I think I just saw the name Evanovich and associated it with the “Stephanie” Plum series and not that the first name wasn’t Janet. I guess that is what I get for getting too little sleep last night. 😉
Thanks for clearing that up Kim!
Lark
Sounds like fun! And yes, it also sounds like a romantic comedy film.
blodeuedd
I keep thinkin she is her aunt
kimbacaffeinate
a lot of peeps are making that mistake 🙂