Big Girl Panties

Starred review from April 1, 2013
Evanovich’s incredibly entertaining debut mesmerizes with wit, heart, and intelligence as a spirited large woman breaks out of her shell in a thin-obsessed world. Holly Brennan, widowed at 32, is worn out after months of caring for her dying husband and seeking consolation in food. She surprises herself by saying yes when personal trainer Logan Montgomery, a Greek-god lookalike, offers to help her break some bad habits. Logan is impressed by Holly’s spunk (and embarrassed by his initial inclination to sneer at “the fat chick”), and he sees their partnership as a win-win situation: Holly will get back into the game of her own life, and he will enjoy watching her transformation. Shedding pounds and emotional baggage, Holly begins hanging out with Logan’s image-conscious friends, but the commitment-phobic trainer turns surly when others find her attractive. An explosive sexual encounter confirms their chemistry and budding love, but an intentional misspoken word and a party prank force both to confront their last barrier to happiness. Quality writing, memorable characters, hot sex scenes, and an emotionally satisfying story add up to a marvelous gem. Agents: Andrea Cirillo and Meg Ruley at Jane Rotrosen Agency.

June 1, 2013

Holly Brennan has taken comfort in food in the months since her husband's death. She's always been somewhat overweight but is now far beyond--a fact that becomes embarrassingly obvious when she finds herself crammed into an airplane seat next to the fittest, hottest guy she's ever met. Logan Montgomery is a personal trainer to the sports stars. His first impression of Holly is less than kind, but something about her draws him in, and he impulsively offers to help her get back in shape. As they work together, their mutual attraction is complicated by Holly's lack of self-confidence and Logan's preconceived notions about the physical appearance of his girlfriend. VERDICT This debut from Evanovich (a niece of the best-selling Janet) is a mixed bag. There is enough humor and romance to appeal, but it lacks emotional depth and only skims the surface with the protagonists. Evanovich's writing touches on some interesting themes about body image, but doesn't allow room for her characters to delve into them. Every emotion is thinly drawn, which makes this a slighter read than it could have been. Still, readers looking for something light for the beach will enjoy it. [See Prepub Alert, 1/6/13.]--Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., WI

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2013

Rather too zaftig after turning to food for comfort during her husband's fatal illness, 32-year-old Holly Brennan is chagrined to be occupying the plane seat next to Logan Montgomery, personal trainer to star athletes. But he's intrigued by her sass and offers to help her get back in shape, which leads to a hot affair. Former actress/comedienne Evanovich gets a one-day laydown on July 9 and the 150,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2013
A trainer accidentally plays the role of Pygmalion when he transforms a client into a love interest. The main thing for which people recognize witty, sparkly Holly Brennan is her need for more than one airline seat. Though she's always been a little fuller figured, Holly has been eating to fill an emotional void since the recent medical diagnosis and subsequent death of her husband, Bruce. When she's seated next to Logan Montgomery on a plane back home to Englewood, N.J., Holly imagines a silent ride alongside the handsome hunk. But before she knows it, the two are engaged in casual banter. Logan tells Holly about his personal training business and, breaking his usual rule of working only with athletes, suggests taking Holly on as a client. Holly takes to her training like an ugly duckling to water, transforming before Logan's eyes. Much to their surprise, both Logan and Holly start to see the friendship as something more. Now Holly needs to figure out whether she's more than just a project for Logan, and Logan has to determine if Holly will ever live up to the hard bodies he usually dates. Can these two put aside their fears long enough to face what's right in front of them? A good start by Evanovich, who presents both sides of the story in a romance with imperfect heroes.

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