Book Review: Big Girl Panties

Media Type: Print Book (ARC)
Title: Big Girl Panties
Author: Stephanie Evanovich
Publisher: William Morrow
Pages: Hardcover; 336
Release Date: July 9, 2013
Source: Publisher
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Genre: Women’s Fiction / Romance

HDB Rating: 3 Keys to My Heart

Recommended to: Readers who enjoy vibrant female leads and a slow build up of romance

Add it on: Goodreads / Shelfari / Amazon / B&N

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?

Okay, before this review even begins, please let me warn you that I am completely on the fence about this book. Big Girl Panties was a read that I powered through, and both loved and seethed at in equal measures. I’m certain that alone makes it worth your time. Still, if I ramble, you’ve been warned.

Holly Brennan is a fabulous female lead! I absolutely have to start with that because I haven’t met a woman like her in a long time. She’s vibrant, witty and, even when the way others see her gets to her, strong as all get out. There was nothing I didn’t love about this woman. As I dove deeper into her past, and saw her grow into a new person, I couldn’t help but laugh and cry. Holy Brennan is amazing, that’s the long and short of it.

Which is why I could not, no matter how hard I tried, like Logan Montgomery. Described as an “Adonis”, Logan is a personal trainer to the stars. He’s a psuedo-celebrity and acts like one. Filling his social calendar, attending benefits, and dating busty and blonde waifs. When his interest in Holly started to peak, I wanted to scream at her that she could do better. Despite Ms. Evanovich’s attempts to make him seem caring, all I saw was a shallow man.

See, Logan is all about his image. He knows it, we know it, and yet somehow Holly takes forever to see it. Even when she’s in shape, and feeling better about herself, he uses words like “pudgy” and “soft” to describe her. I’m sorry, and maybe it’s just me, but being a single digit size doesn’t make a woman beautiful. Holly works her butt off in this book, and everyone can see her beauty but him. No spoilers, I promise. Let me just say that I never liked Logan. Not even after the book had ended.

Still, the story between them is fun, fresh and a quick read! I mentioned above that I powered through this book, and I truly did. Holly’s story is so inspirational. She overcomes a lot, and has the perfect attitude about changing her life. I couldn’t get enough of her witty personality, and honestly I rooted for her the entire way through. Holly is what made this book for me, and I’m not afraid to admit it.

So, if you are a fan of witty heroines and life changing stories, this is one for you! Pick up a copy of Big Girl Panties and meet Holly Brennan. You won’t be sorry.

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.