A Novel by Stephanie Evanovich, William Morrow, March 2016.
* An e-copy was provided by William Morrow and Edelweiss for an honest review.
The Total Package by Stephanie Evanovich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
THE TOTAL PACKAGE by Stephanie Evanovich is a lighthearted book about football and romance, and the things that can go wrong when two people aren't honest with themselves and each other.
Tyson Palmer is a quarterback with the Austin Mavericks, enjoying a second chance at a quality football career. Once on a steady path to ruin and despair, he turns his life around through hard work, physical and mental endurance, and a little bit of blackmail from one of the Mavericks' owners. The meat of the story begins when he is on his last of four years with the Austin team. Ready to retire without having led his team to the Super Bowl, he's asked to stay on just one more year to work with potential new signee, receiver Marcus LaRue. Currently a Boston Blitz player, LaRue will only go to the Mavericks if Tyson is the quarterback, and he'll only speak to the press through Dani Carr, who has a past with Tyson.
Dani Carr is a woman sportscaster struggling to advance in the male-dominant world of sports news. Marcus doesn't play nice with the media, but he's willing to have Dani as his personal sportscaster. She is forced to accept or watch her career tank. She doesn't really want the specialty job but realizes it's one step higher on her master plan of becoming a well-respected woman sportscaster. And how bad can a football season in Boston be? But to her dismay, Marcus signs with the Austin Mavericks, putting her in proximity to Tyson Palmer every day. And every day she sees him will be torture.
This story begins with a lot of tell and not enough show, not a style of storytelling that I prefer. However, as the book progresses, it becomes fluid and interesting with more dialogue. While most of the characters are complex and multidimensional, I feel it's Dani who carries the story. She's tough and sensitive, self-deprecating and shy, and scared but bold. She has the most to lose in her fight to become a respected sportscaster. But she continues to do what's necessary to attain her goal. And Tyson Palmer presents one huge obstacle.
Overall, I enjoyed the interaction of the characters, their struggles, and how they worked out their differences. The book is humorous, with a few teary moments, and is perfect for fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson. Be sure to put THE TOTAL PACKAGE on your vacation reads list. It's the perfect lighthearted story for a nice day at the beach or a relaxing afternoon at home.
If You Like This, You Might Like: CHICAGO STARS SERIES by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, CHINOOK HOCKEY TEAM SERIES by Rachel Gibson, HOT ZONE SERIES by Carly Phillips
View all my reviews
The Total Package by Stephanie EvanovichMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
THE TOTAL PACKAGE by Stephanie Evanovich is a lighthearted book about football and romance, and the things that can go wrong when two people aren't honest with themselves and each other.
Tyson Palmer is a quarterback with the Austin Mavericks, enjoying a second chance at a quality football career. Once on a steady path to ruin and despair, he turns his life around through hard work, physical and mental endurance, and a little bit of blackmail from one of the Mavericks' owners. The meat of the story begins when he is on his last of four years with the Austin team. Ready to retire without having led his team to the Super Bowl, he's asked to stay on just one more year to work with potential new signee, receiver Marcus LaRue. Currently a Boston Blitz player, LaRue will only go to the Mavericks if Tyson is the quarterback, and he'll only speak to the press through Dani Carr, who has a past with Tyson.
Dani Carr is a woman sportscaster struggling to advance in the male-dominant world of sports news. Marcus doesn't play nice with the media, but he's willing to have Dani as his personal sportscaster. She is forced to accept or watch her career tank. She doesn't really want the specialty job but realizes it's one step higher on her master plan of becoming a well-respected woman sportscaster. And how bad can a football season in Boston be? But to her dismay, Marcus signs with the Austin Mavericks, putting her in proximity to Tyson Palmer every day. And every day she sees him will be torture.
This story begins with a lot of tell and not enough show, not a style of storytelling that I prefer. However, as the book progresses, it becomes fluid and interesting with more dialogue. While most of the characters are complex and multidimensional, I feel it's Dani who carries the story. She's tough and sensitive, self-deprecating and shy, and scared but bold. She has the most to lose in her fight to become a respected sportscaster. But she continues to do what's necessary to attain her goal. And Tyson Palmer presents one huge obstacle.
Overall, I enjoyed the interaction of the characters, their struggles, and how they worked out their differences. The book is humorous, with a few teary moments, and is perfect for fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson. Be sure to put THE TOTAL PACKAGE on your vacation reads list. It's the perfect lighthearted story for a nice day at the beach or a relaxing afternoon at home.
If You Like This, You Might Like: CHICAGO STARS SERIES by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, CHINOOK HOCKEY TEAM SERIES by Rachel Gibson, HOT ZONE SERIES by Carly Phillips
View all my reviews
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