REVIEW: The Total Package by Stephanie Evanovich

In The Total Package by Stephanie Evanovich, Tyson Palmer has come a long way since the days when football took a back burner to whatever pill or bottle of booze he could get his hands on. Now the star quarterback for the Austin Mavericks, he gives his thanks every single day for a second chance at life. When Tyson realizes that the beautiful journalist making a fool out of him in the media is none other than his former college tutor, a girl he couldn’t resist back then and still can’t today, he hopes that he’ll get another second chance: to get back in Dani’s good graces.

He said it quietly, but distinctly. “One day, and that day is coming soon, you won’t have the protection of a camera crew. There won’t be a stadium full of people standing between me and what I want to do to you.”

Dani Carr has totally revamped her image to become successful in the world of sports broadcasting. Getting a job reporting for the Austin Mavericks could be just the break she needs to be seen as a contender for an on air job. Only Dani didn’t realize that Tyson would still be playing for the Mavericks. As one of the most important guys in her past, it still stings that he doesn’t recognize her under the new hair color and more stylish clothes. But when Tyson realizes the full truth about their past and her continuing feelings for him, it will change both of their lives forever.

“I’ve waited so long for this,” he breathed, his mouth sweeping along her jawline. “A lifetime.”
She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt in the effort to bring him closer. “Me too. It’s always been you.”

The Total Package was part Redemption story, part Second Chance Romance, part Sports Romance…but most importantly it was 100% charming. I couldn’t help but fall for each of the characters as I got to know them and their situation better.

The format of this novel was different than I expected, in that the first third of it was from Tyson’s POV as he fought his way from being a pill popping alcoholic to getting himself sober. I liked it, though, and thought his personal journey set up the rest of the story quite well. But I have a feeling it might not work for some readers, especially if you’re looking for straight-up romance. Although the romance that followed was worth every page and every moment leading up to it, in my humble opinion.

Tyson started off a bit, ahem, rough around the edges but he completely redeemed himself by the time he had his second chance with Dani. I loved who he turned out to be. He was a smooth talker with just enough of a dirty mouth to make him swoon-worthy. But he was also trying to do his best to be a good person and to give back to the community. That’s what made him stand out, to me. He still managed to make some momentary bad decisions once he cleaned up his act, but he wouldn’t be human if he was perfect all the time, right? The ending totally made up for anything he might have done, though. *sigh*

Dani also went through a transformation herself from a sort of shy student to a woman determined to make her mark in the male dominated world of sportscasting. With her, I started off liking who she was and then had doubts about where she was heading until toward the end. Basically it was opposite of how I saw Tyson. But Dani was a strong female character. I admired her tenacity and also her love for her family back in Pennsylvania. I got a kick out of her getting all flustered around Tyson as it seemed realistic and made for some memorable moments. They truly were a lovely couple once they quit fighting the process and let things happen.

There was a lot to enjoy about Tyson and Dani’s romantic journey. With Evanovich’s emotionally rich writing, a hero and heroine who had great simmering attraction, and a cast of secondary characters who were equally interesting, I think The Total Package will appeal to a wide variety of romance fans.

Book Info:

Publication: March 15th 2016 | by William Morrow |

The New York Times bestselling author of Big Girl Panties and The Sweet Spot is back with a funny, sweet, and sizzling novel about the game of love, in which a hot quarterback must figure out how to score big with a beautiful and talented media analyst after a heartbreaking fumble.

Star quarterback, first-round draft-pick, and heartthrob Tyson Palmer has made a name for himself with his spectacular moves. When the head coach of the Austin Mavericks refuses to let him waste his million-dollar arm, Tyson makes a Hail Mary pass at redemption and succeeds with everyone . . . except Dani, whose negative comments about his performance draw high ratings and spectacular notices of her own.

Dani can’t forgive Tyson’s transgressions or forget the sizzling history the two of them shared in college, a passionate love Tyson casually threw away. And even more infuriating, he doesn’t realize that the bombshell with huge ratings is the cute girl whose heart he once broke.

But can a woman trying to claw her way to the top and a quarterback who knows all about rock bottom make it to the Super Bowl without destroying each other? And what will happen when Tyson—riding high now that he’s revived his career—realizes he needs to make an even more important comeback with Dani? Can he make some spectacular moves to get past her defenses—or will she sideline him for good?