Blog Tour & Review: The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich

Title: The Sweet Spot   

Author: Stephanie Evanovich     

Published: July 2014, William Morrow  

Format: ARC Paperback, 272 pages   

Source: Publisher via TLC Book Tours  

The amazing Stephanie
Evanovich returns with The Sweet Spot, the sizzling story of everyone’s
favorite couple from her New York Times bestseller Big Girl Panties:
hunky professional baseball player Chase Walker and his sassy wife
Amanda

When pro baseball player Chase Walker first meets Amanda
at her restaurant, it’s love at first sight. 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. And a curvy girl who likes
to cook and eat isn’t interested in being around the catty, stick-thin
herd of females chasing Chase and his teammates.

But Chase isn’t
about to strike out. A man who isn’t interested in playing the field,
he’s a monogamist who wants an independent woman like Amanda. His hopes
rally when she discovers that squeaky-clean Chase has a few sexy and
very secret pre-game rituals that turn the smart, headstrong
businesswoman on—and into his number one fan.

Then a tabloid
discovers the truth and turns their spanking good fun into a 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?

My thoughts: Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to read Stephanie Evanovich’s debut novel, Big Girl Panties when it was released in paperback and I really enjoyed it. I was quite happy to hear that the other main couple in the book, Amanda and Chase, would be getting their own book and have been eagerly awaiting the release of their story…and I wasn’t disappointed.

This story is sort of a prequel to Big Girl Panties in that it gives us an established couple’s journey to their happily-ever-after. If you’ve already read BGP, than you know all about Amanda and Chase and their quirks and idiosyncrasies, but don’t be alarmed if you haven’t read the other book – this book totally stands on its own.

I love the characters that Stephanie creates – their fun, sassy and completely flawed. Her female characters have spunk and Amanda certainly knows how to stand up for what she wants or doesn’t want. She makes Chase go through a lot before she’ll even go out on a first date with him, but he’s determined and will wait her out because he wants his chance with her. Once they do get together, though, things aren’t all roses…it’s a bumpy ride, but aren’t all things worth having worth the work it takes to get. There are quite a few sweet scenes that play out between Chase and Amanda, but my favorite, hands down, is the wedding – it just fits them to a tee and Stephanie infuses her classic wit even there!

This is a quick, fun read. It’s got just the right amount of humor and wit, with plenty of one-line zingers, but is balanced with some sassy, steamy romance, too. I enjoyed reading about how Chase and Amanda came to be the great couple they were in Big Girl Panties and am curious to see what’s next for Stephanie Evanovich. Fortunately, she’s doing a book signing not too far from me tomorrow night, so I’m hoping to find out what, if anything, she’s got in the works – I’ll be sure to share all I learn in an upcoming post!

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 or Twitter.

To see who else is participating in Stephanie Evanovich’s The Sweet Spot tour, click here.