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The Whole Package
It's a man's world-but in this outrageous debut, the girls aren't playing by the rules.
For lifelong friends Jackie, Cheryl, and Doris, life hasn't turned out according to plan. But after a drunken night sampling the delights at a strip club for women, the ladies stumble upon an ingenious idea and open up The Whole Package-the world's first restaurant staffed exclusively by very attractive men. Mixing business with pleasure can be risky, but for these three best friends, getting a little bit outrageous just might be what it takes to make their mark in the world.
For lifelong friends Jackie, Cheryl, and Doris, life hasn't turned out according to plan. But after a drunken night sampling the delights at a strip club for women, the ladies stumble upon an ingenious idea and open up The Whole Package-the world's first restaurant staffed exclusively by very attractive men. Mixing business with pleasure can be risky, but for these three best friends, getting a little bit outrageous just might be what it takes to make their mark in the world.
399 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 2, 2012
I'm a little biased, but I'm a fan!
April 25, 2020
Libro che mi ha lasciato molto indifferente.
Dal titolo non potevo immaginarmi nulla di diverso, ma una speranza c'è sempre.
Come al solito il titolo originale "The whole package" è molto più indicativo di quello che hanno messo nel titolo di questa edizione.
Di amori impossibili comunque ce ne sono... ma le fragole con panna che centrano??
La storia è comunque abbastanza scialba e le protagoniste irritanti, ognuno in maniera diversa, ma tutte inequivocabilmente irritanti.
Qui fanno decisamente una migliora figura i personaggi maschili (tutti tranne uno)
Piacevole, ma nulla più.
Dal titolo non potevo immaginarmi nulla di diverso, ma una speranza c'è sempre.
Come al solito il titolo originale "The whole package" è molto più indicativo di quello che hanno messo nel titolo di questa edizione.
Di amori impossibili comunque ce ne sono... ma le fragole con panna che centrano??
La storia è comunque abbastanza scialba e le protagoniste irritanti, ognuno in maniera diversa, ma tutte inequivocabilmente irritanti.
Qui fanno decisamente una migliora figura i personaggi maschili (tutti tranne uno)
Piacevole, ma nulla più.
September 7, 2011
Three friends have lost it all. Doris finds out her husband is having an affair, Cheryl lost her fantastic job, and Jackie is poor after her husband passes away and leaves her with debt. When the three high school friends get together once again, now in their forties, they feel like everything is crashing around them. When they get an idea to reclaim their lives, their independence, and their happiness, it comes in the form of an unexpected business venture- a restaurant. But not just any old restaurant- a place where women can come for a delicious meal with a side of a yummy, half-naked waiter. The Whole Package centers on giving women some eye candy, a little show, and great food. But can the friends make their business succeed, or will their restaurant go bust- along with their friendships?
The Whole Package by Cynthia Ellingsen is a heartfelt story that still provides comedic relief. The idea behind the restaurant is a bit silly and out there, but I thought the ending was pitch perfect. The friendship between the three women is complex yet so utterly truthful. Each character well written and developed, and I enjoyed that they were in a different place in their lives. Doris was watching her marriage crumble and struggling to parent her teenage daughter, Jackie was still mourning her husband but having thoughts about her lawyer and late husband’s best friend, and Cheryl is the single gal that can’t seem to commit. I loved reading about all three of them, and was cheering for each woman to succeed. The middle seemed to lag a bit for me, but I definitely recommend The Whole Package. A delightful read from a new author that clearly has a way with the written word.
The Whole Package by Cynthia Ellingsen is a heartfelt story that still provides comedic relief. The idea behind the restaurant is a bit silly and out there, but I thought the ending was pitch perfect. The friendship between the three women is complex yet so utterly truthful. Each character well written and developed, and I enjoyed that they were in a different place in their lives. Doris was watching her marriage crumble and struggling to parent her teenage daughter, Jackie was still mourning her husband but having thoughts about her lawyer and late husband’s best friend, and Cheryl is the single gal that can’t seem to commit. I loved reading about all three of them, and was cheering for each woman to succeed. The middle seemed to lag a bit for me, but I definitely recommend The Whole Package. A delightful read from a new author that clearly has a way with the written word.
August 23, 2011
What a great idea... and one that many of us women would whole heartily endorse: a "Hooters" for women, a restaurant where women can go and be served delectable dishes by scantily dressed men and see a strip show every 15 minutes.
And that is what Jackie, Cheryl, and Doris set out to do. The BFFs start a restaurant together, The Whole Package. Whether their business survives or fails is up to them. And while interviewing sexy models, shopping with gay men, and dealing with picketers, each woman is dealing with turmoil and betrayal in her personal life...
For full review, please click on the link below:
http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
And that is what Jackie, Cheryl, and Doris set out to do. The BFFs start a restaurant together, The Whole Package. Whether their business survives or fails is up to them. And while interviewing sexy models, shopping with gay men, and dealing with picketers, each woman is dealing with turmoil and betrayal in her personal life...
For full review, please click on the link below:
http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
August 12, 2012
Three longtime best friends ... three lives in shambles ... an opportunity to rebuild their lives together ...
Jackie, Cheryl and Doris have been longtime best friends through thick and thin. When each of their lives takes a downward turn, they come together at the age of forty to pick themselves up off the floor and rebuild their lives together.
Jackie had married into money, and when her husband Robert died, she took off for Paris to become an artist. After living the glamorous Parisian high society life for two years, the money from her husband's estate has run out and she is left penniless. What does she do ... why she goes back home to her BFFs in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Cheryl is a career oriented marketing executive who is on top of her game, until a racquetball incident and damaging information on her Blackberry gets her wrongfully terminated from the marketing firm. She also likes to sleep around until one of her dalliances leads to an unexpected pregnancy.
Doris and Doug were high school sweethearts who got married at 17 years of age when Doris became pregnant, only to suffer a miscarriage. Their marriage survived and Doris has been a stay-at-home mom for their only child, Mandy, a fifteen year old ungrateful spoiled brat. Two years ago Doris' mother passed away and she became a completely different person: gloomy, depressed, judgmental, prone to panic attacks and chocolate binges. When their twenty-third wedding anniversary arrives, Doug has a mid-life crisis and tells Doris that he needs to "find himself."
Now back together, the three BFFs go out on the town to a strip club and come up with a brilliant business idea: open a Hooteresque like restaurant called The Whole Package that caters to women staffed with half-naked male servers.
Can their business plan yield a success and help them rebuild their lives, or will it tear their lifelong friendships apart?
The Whole Package is a delightfully entertaining story about the importance and beauty of the power of friendship. Written in the third person narrative with alternating perspectives of Jackie, Cheryl and Doris, the author weaves a magical tale about the special bond that is formed in lifelong friendships. Through thick and thin, good times and bad, ups and downs, these three ladies share a special bond that has kept them together for over thirty years. The author does a wonderful job describing the women's individual life stories, their shared memories, and their lifelong friendship bond. Rich in detail, the women's plans to start-up their restaurant was intriguing and had a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. The journey that the three women take to rediscover themselves and rebuild their lives is a testament that even when the chips are down, someone will still be in your corner giving you support. Their story is heartwarming, tender and poignant, it will make you think about your own friendships, while providing a nice dose of humor to make you smile as you turn the pages.
The author has created a cast of characters who are realistic, complex, strong, loving women. I loved the dynamic of their friendship. The description of their different personalities and lifestyles along with the complexities of their friendship was intriguing, I loved seeing how their three lives meshed together over the span of three decades. The dialogue had a nice mixture of poignancy and humor, it made the story an enjoyable and compelling read. You can't help but become engrossed in the women's lives and cheer for them to succeed as they go on a journey to rebuild their lives.
The Whole Package is a wonderful story that captures the beauty and essence of the bond of friendship. This heartwarming and poignant story will resonate with you long after the last words have been read.
Disclaimer: I purchased the book and will give my honest review. I am participating in a virtual book tour event hosted by CBLS Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Jackie, Cheryl and Doris have been longtime best friends through thick and thin. When each of their lives takes a downward turn, they come together at the age of forty to pick themselves up off the floor and rebuild their lives together.
Jackie had married into money, and when her husband Robert died, she took off for Paris to become an artist. After living the glamorous Parisian high society life for two years, the money from her husband's estate has run out and she is left penniless. What does she do ... why she goes back home to her BFFs in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Cheryl is a career oriented marketing executive who is on top of her game, until a racquetball incident and damaging information on her Blackberry gets her wrongfully terminated from the marketing firm. She also likes to sleep around until one of her dalliances leads to an unexpected pregnancy.
Doris and Doug were high school sweethearts who got married at 17 years of age when Doris became pregnant, only to suffer a miscarriage. Their marriage survived and Doris has been a stay-at-home mom for their only child, Mandy, a fifteen year old ungrateful spoiled brat. Two years ago Doris' mother passed away and she became a completely different person: gloomy, depressed, judgmental, prone to panic attacks and chocolate binges. When their twenty-third wedding anniversary arrives, Doug has a mid-life crisis and tells Doris that he needs to "find himself."
Now back together, the three BFFs go out on the town to a strip club and come up with a brilliant business idea: open a Hooteresque like restaurant called The Whole Package that caters to women staffed with half-naked male servers.
Can their business plan yield a success and help them rebuild their lives, or will it tear their lifelong friendships apart?
The Whole Package is a delightfully entertaining story about the importance and beauty of the power of friendship. Written in the third person narrative with alternating perspectives of Jackie, Cheryl and Doris, the author weaves a magical tale about the special bond that is formed in lifelong friendships. Through thick and thin, good times and bad, ups and downs, these three ladies share a special bond that has kept them together for over thirty years. The author does a wonderful job describing the women's individual life stories, their shared memories, and their lifelong friendship bond. Rich in detail, the women's plans to start-up their restaurant was intriguing and had a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. The journey that the three women take to rediscover themselves and rebuild their lives is a testament that even when the chips are down, someone will still be in your corner giving you support. Their story is heartwarming, tender and poignant, it will make you think about your own friendships, while providing a nice dose of humor to make you smile as you turn the pages.
The author has created a cast of characters who are realistic, complex, strong, loving women. I loved the dynamic of their friendship. The description of their different personalities and lifestyles along with the complexities of their friendship was intriguing, I loved seeing how their three lives meshed together over the span of three decades. The dialogue had a nice mixture of poignancy and humor, it made the story an enjoyable and compelling read. You can't help but become engrossed in the women's lives and cheer for them to succeed as they go on a journey to rebuild their lives.
The Whole Package is a wonderful story that captures the beauty and essence of the bond of friendship. This heartwarming and poignant story will resonate with you long after the last words have been read.
Disclaimer: I purchased the book and will give my honest review. I am participating in a virtual book tour event hosted by CBLS Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
December 3, 2012
Da http://leggerefantastico.blogspot.com
Tre donne, tre catastrofi in arrivo, e un sogno da realizzare. Amori Impossibili e Fragole con Panna è il nuovo frizzante romanzo targato Newton Compton dell' autrice Cynthia Ellingsen. E' una commedia divertente e leggera che narra la storia di tre amiche, Doris, Jackie e Cheryl, alle prese rispettivamente con guai matrimoniali, economici e lavorativi. Ormai varcata la soglia dei 40 anni, Cheryl, si ritrova improvvisamente senza lavoro. Jackie, dopo la morte del marito e la fuga a Parigi, si trova costretta a tornare a casa senza un dollaro in tasca. Doris, invece, sta per attraversare un lungo tunnel buio di infelicità coniugale dopo il tradimento del marito.
Le tre amiche, decise a non farsi travolgere dalla malinconia e dall' immobilità, decidono di aprire il Sex & Fashion Restaurant, un locale in cui si fonde la buona cucina con camerieri ai tavoli in abiti piuttosto succinti. Un' idea audace che dovrà andare contro ai pregiudizi della gente, alle risorse economiche limitate e superare insidie che potrebbero allontanare una volta per tutte le tre amiche una dall' altra. Come se non bastasse, per ognuna di loro, ci sarà in aggiunta qualche guaio d' amore da sormontare per ottenere la felicità desiderata. Amori Impossibili e Fragole con Panna racconta in modo ironico e piccante, non solo la vita di queste tre donne, ma al contempo include numerosi personaggi che riusciranno a integrarsi egregiamente con le tre storie principali. Questo romanzo racchiude al suo interno tre storie di vita, approfondite grazie ai molti flash back inclusi nella narrazione che portano il lettore spesso indietro nel tempo in modo tale da comprendere perfettamente tutti quei passi che hanno portato le nostre tre protagoniste a vivere la vita attuale. Inoltre, contiene una sana e genuina storia di amicizia femminile, con tutti i pregi e difetti che essa può possedere. Litigate, riappacificazioni, incomprensioni. Tutto questo è raccontato in modo esilarante e piacevole dall' autrice.
L' autrice, a mio parere, ha un brillante stile narrativo, nonostante alcune volte tenda a soffermarsi eccessivamente su particolari situazioni o ricordi passati. Al di là di questo, è una lettura piacevole, ideale per trascorrere qualche giorno in compagnia di tre donne tenaci ed esileranti, momenti piccanti e spogliarellisti deliziosi.
Tre donne, tre catastrofi in arrivo, e un sogno da realizzare. Amori Impossibili e Fragole con Panna è il nuovo frizzante romanzo targato Newton Compton dell' autrice Cynthia Ellingsen. E' una commedia divertente e leggera che narra la storia di tre amiche, Doris, Jackie e Cheryl, alle prese rispettivamente con guai matrimoniali, economici e lavorativi. Ormai varcata la soglia dei 40 anni, Cheryl, si ritrova improvvisamente senza lavoro. Jackie, dopo la morte del marito e la fuga a Parigi, si trova costretta a tornare a casa senza un dollaro in tasca. Doris, invece, sta per attraversare un lungo tunnel buio di infelicità coniugale dopo il tradimento del marito.
Le tre amiche, decise a non farsi travolgere dalla malinconia e dall' immobilità, decidono di aprire il Sex & Fashion Restaurant, un locale in cui si fonde la buona cucina con camerieri ai tavoli in abiti piuttosto succinti. Un' idea audace che dovrà andare contro ai pregiudizi della gente, alle risorse economiche limitate e superare insidie che potrebbero allontanare una volta per tutte le tre amiche una dall' altra. Come se non bastasse, per ognuna di loro, ci sarà in aggiunta qualche guaio d' amore da sormontare per ottenere la felicità desiderata. Amori Impossibili e Fragole con Panna racconta in modo ironico e piccante, non solo la vita di queste tre donne, ma al contempo include numerosi personaggi che riusciranno a integrarsi egregiamente con le tre storie principali. Questo romanzo racchiude al suo interno tre storie di vita, approfondite grazie ai molti flash back inclusi nella narrazione che portano il lettore spesso indietro nel tempo in modo tale da comprendere perfettamente tutti quei passi che hanno portato le nostre tre protagoniste a vivere la vita attuale. Inoltre, contiene una sana e genuina storia di amicizia femminile, con tutti i pregi e difetti che essa può possedere. Litigate, riappacificazioni, incomprensioni. Tutto questo è raccontato in modo esilarante e piacevole dall' autrice.
L' autrice, a mio parere, ha un brillante stile narrativo, nonostante alcune volte tenda a soffermarsi eccessivamente su particolari situazioni o ricordi passati. Al di là di questo, è una lettura piacevole, ideale per trascorrere qualche giorno in compagnia di tre donne tenaci ed esileranti, momenti piccanti e spogliarellisti deliziosi.
October 6, 2012
A fun read with romance and scandal all wrapped up in a pretty package.
So your life is the pits. You have lost your job, lost all of your money, lost your cheating husband. Do you curl up with your tail between your legs feeling sorry for yourself? Hell no! You do what these three best friends do, pull up your big girl panties, go for a drunken and debauched night on the town and put it all behind you. Then you start up a business showcasing drop dead sexy, gorgeous men whose only purpose is to create a night to remember for each lady who walks in the door. Hence, The Whole Package is born.
You would think that is when the fun begins, but far from it. The best friends hit obstacle after obstacle on the way to being famous restaurateurs testing each of their limits and rifts between the ladies. With steely resolve and the support of unlikely new friends and lovers the ladies dig in their heels and fight all the odds until their vision comes true.
Cynthia Ellingsen, author and screenwriter, has created a hysterically funny book with off the wall situations and characters you can’t help but love. The three protagonists are written with depth allowing readers to either fall in love with or deeply dislike each of them as the plot unfolds. The book is an engaging read that will have you glued to the pages not wanting to miss a single antic.
Bottom line, The Whole Package is a solid 5 star read worthy of the purchase.
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for my service.
So your life is the pits. You have lost your job, lost all of your money, lost your cheating husband. Do you curl up with your tail between your legs feeling sorry for yourself? Hell no! You do what these three best friends do, pull up your big girl panties, go for a drunken and debauched night on the town and put it all behind you. Then you start up a business showcasing drop dead sexy, gorgeous men whose only purpose is to create a night to remember for each lady who walks in the door. Hence, The Whole Package is born.
You would think that is when the fun begins, but far from it. The best friends hit obstacle after obstacle on the way to being famous restaurateurs testing each of their limits and rifts between the ladies. With steely resolve and the support of unlikely new friends and lovers the ladies dig in their heels and fight all the odds until their vision comes true.
Cynthia Ellingsen, author and screenwriter, has created a hysterically funny book with off the wall situations and characters you can’t help but love. The three protagonists are written with depth allowing readers to either fall in love with or deeply dislike each of them as the plot unfolds. The book is an engaging read that will have you glued to the pages not wanting to miss a single antic.
Bottom line, The Whole Package is a solid 5 star read worthy of the purchase.
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for my service.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2016
"Amori impossibili e fragole con panna" è un romanzo che tratta il tema dell'amicizia, sia quella sempre esistita che quella ritrovata. Tuttavia è anche un romanzo in cui si fanno i conti con il tempo che passa, volente o nolente.
Le tre protagoniste, Doris, Jackie e Cheryl, si conoscono dai tempi del liceo e alla soglia dei quaranta anni sono pronte a raccontarsi. Un terzetto di cuori spezzati, teste rotte e sogni infranti.
Doris è la classica piagnona, una donna dotata di poco carattere e poco polso (tirerà fuori gli artigli solo alla fine del romanzo!); Jackie rappresenta la donna di mondo, la riccona caduta in disgrazia e che cerca in tutti i modi di salvare la faccia; Cheryl, da ultimo, è colei che ha trascorso la maggior parte del tempo a dimostrare di essere in grado di conquistare il mondo dimenticandosi di viverci.
Personalmente l'ho trovato un romanzo sotto tono, senza quel qualcosa in più che me ne facesse apprezzare la lettura. I personaggi sono piuttosto scialbi e forse su questo incide molto la storia. Si è rivelata una lettura scorrevole, forse per lo stile alquanto semplice ed elementare, ma nulla di eccezionale. Peccato!
Le tre protagoniste, Doris, Jackie e Cheryl, si conoscono dai tempi del liceo e alla soglia dei quaranta anni sono pronte a raccontarsi. Un terzetto di cuori spezzati, teste rotte e sogni infranti.
Doris è la classica piagnona, una donna dotata di poco carattere e poco polso (tirerà fuori gli artigli solo alla fine del romanzo!); Jackie rappresenta la donna di mondo, la riccona caduta in disgrazia e che cerca in tutti i modi di salvare la faccia; Cheryl, da ultimo, è colei che ha trascorso la maggior parte del tempo a dimostrare di essere in grado di conquistare il mondo dimenticandosi di viverci.
Personalmente l'ho trovato un romanzo sotto tono, senza quel qualcosa in più che me ne facesse apprezzare la lettura. I personaggi sono piuttosto scialbi e forse su questo incide molto la storia. Si è rivelata una lettura scorrevole, forse per lo stile alquanto semplice ed elementare, ma nulla di eccezionale. Peccato!
November 3, 2011
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but I really loved it! It took me about two evenings to read - despite being insanely busy last week!
I loved the friendship between Jackie, Cheryl and Doris! (It's rare to share my name with a character in a book, so I was partial to Jackie from the beginning!) I have a set of girlfriends who I have been close with since elementary school, so it was easy for me to picture us in the lead roles a little later in life!
I loved the journey that they took, both in their personal lives and with their business. I loved the idea of a "Hooters-esque" restaurant for women, although I have to admit that from moment one I worried about IF the concept would even work! (And at one point one of the secondary characters mentions the same concern, and I found myself cheering for him at that point.)
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple and fun read!
I loved the friendship between Jackie, Cheryl and Doris! (It's rare to share my name with a character in a book, so I was partial to Jackie from the beginning!) I have a set of girlfriends who I have been close with since elementary school, so it was easy for me to picture us in the lead roles a little later in life!
I loved the journey that they took, both in their personal lives and with their business. I loved the idea of a "Hooters-esque" restaurant for women, although I have to admit that from moment one I worried about IF the concept would even work! (And at one point one of the secondary characters mentions the same concern, and I found myself cheering for him at that point.)
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple and fun read!
March 15, 2013
Three friends, Cheryl, Jackie, and Doris are going through trials and tribulations in their personal lives and need something new. When they go to a strip club following man troubles, they decide what their town needs is a male version of Hooters. This story follows their personal troubles and the opening of their new restaurant.
I was very impressed with this book. The author developed strong characters with human characteristics, both good and bad. The three friends are by no means perfect which shows in some of their choices and interactions. Like most strong friendships the women do not always agree or get along, but the love is always there. Humor mixed very nicely with deep emotions to make this book a strong interpretation of life. The middle of the novel does get slow but all in all it was a great book that I would recommend.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I was very impressed with this book. The author developed strong characters with human characteristics, both good and bad. The three friends are by no means perfect which shows in some of their choices and interactions. Like most strong friendships the women do not always agree or get along, but the love is always there. Humor mixed very nicely with deep emotions to make this book a strong interpretation of life. The middle of the novel does get slow but all in all it was a great book that I would recommend.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
May 23, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this funny story of three high school girls who grow into women full of hope to make all their lives what they dreamed it could be. Dissolved relationships, failed business ventures and their ingenious idea to open a "women's restaurant" - one staffed exclusive with very attractive men - lead these women down the path of risky pleasures and the possibility of their friendship dying right along with their business. Fast-paced, couldn't put it down; a wonderful read for a woman that remembers figuring out life with her "best friends".
June 18, 2013
Il libro è una mezza rottura di palle e non vale nemmeno la pena star qui a raccontare la rava e la fava. Però su Goodreads non c'era e, non avendo voglia di inserire il libro, l'ho inserito in inglese.
Qualcuno mi deve spiegare come "The Whole Package" possa essere diventato "Amori impossibili e fragole con panna". No, non ce la faccio a capire. Non capisco manco che centrino le fragole con panna.
Qualcuno mi deve spiegare come "The Whole Package" possa essere diventato "Amori impossibili e fragole con panna". No, non ce la faccio a capire. Non capisco manco che centrino le fragole con panna.
November 14, 2012
I love books about old friends that explore not only their relationship with each other, but also their relationships with others in their lives. This book had all that. Three 40ish women, long-time friends with various major events going on in their lives, go into business together ina totally unexpected way. I enjoyed this book.
September 2, 2012
I thought the characters in this book would be more interesting than the twenty-somethings that populate chick-lit but, unfortunately they were just clueless forty-somethings. The friendship between the three main characters was the strongest part of the story.
November 4, 2012
A great read and a great story about friendship. And yes, the idea is brilliant. But this book goes beyond a brilliant catchy idea. The friendship between these three women is tested, and as a result I can't help putting down the book and calling up my bffs just to say "I love you."
May 3, 2013
I won this from a Goodreads giveaway. I usually dont like books that have multiple main characters but the balance between these women worked together nicely. I actually liked all of the characters equally. This is a fun, quick read. I may have given it 3.5 stars if that were an option.
March 21, 2013
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. This was a great story of friendship, loyalty, and the difficulties of relationships. It was a nice, easy read. Only thing was the ending was a little predictable. Saying that, it didn't really take away from the rest of the book.
August 28, 2013
This was a perfect little beach read. Sweet, fun, relatable characters. There was one tiny little disappointment at the end (or at least I think it was, it wasn't totally clear what happened), but otherwise a very fun book.
September 18, 2011
Funny, sweet, and sassy! And cinematic -- I can see the movie now!
September 28, 2011
This was a fun book to read. Loved how Cheryl(my fav), Jackie and Doris were introduced to the reader.
The storyline is a fun and orginal idea.
The storyline is a fun and orginal idea.
September 13, 2016
Cute. Fun read.
Want to read
July 1, 2012An old friend of mine from high school wrote this. The reviews look good. I guess I will need to track down a copy.
September 18, 2012
What a fun book! Definitely a good book for a book club or vacation! Thanks Cynthia - cant wait to see what's next!
March 24, 2013
I received this book free from the Goodreads giveaway. I loved this book. It is about time someone came up with this idea. Can't let the men have all the fun.
June 14, 2020
quest'autrice... no.
Read
August 7, 2021read
February 18, 2025
Entertaining. About women's friendships
May 24, 2025
I liked her other books better. It just wasn't my 'style'. Still, I will continue to look for her books to read.
November 17, 2011
It’s a man’s word, but in Cynthia Ellingsen’s debut novel, “The Whole Package,” these girls aren’t playing by the rules.
Ever since high school Jackie, Doris and Cheryl have been the closest of friends. Now, 40 years later, they reunite, and life has not turned out the way they planned. After Jackie’s husband dies, she takes off to Paris to restart her artist career. When she gets a call from George, her husband’s lawyer, saying all of her husband’s money has been depleted, she returns home, broke and has no idea what to do with her life. Ever since Doris's mother passed away, she has turned into a prude and unhappy wife, watching her husband leave to go “find himself” and dealing with an ungrateful daughter. Instead of taking care of herself, and going after her dreams, she suffers from panic attacks and heads for the chocolates. One would think Cheryl has the life. She is one of the top executives at her marketing firm, that she has helped build from the bottom up. She is also usually “on top” of her game in the bedroom. But after a wrongful termination, where is she to go?
After Jackie, Cheryl and Doris reunite, they end up going for a girl’s night out at a strip club. Next thing you know they come up with a great idea – why not open a “Hooter” themed restaurant but for women, and call it The Whole Package? Who says only men get to have fun? The ladies end up putting their heads together, doing some research, and before you knew it was opening night…but to say things didn’t go so well is an understatement.
I thorough enjoyed reading this book. It makes you realize how important the power of friendship is. Having close friends, even if it’s one or two, makes your world that much more special. When I think of qualities that explain my closest friends, they are being there for me, telling me like it is (even if I don’t want to hear it), supportive, and last but not least, they are genuine. And these traits illustrate the bond between these three women. Even with the ups and downs, that all friends go through, in the end they always stick by each other. Despite these women dealing with some tough issues, such as teenage drama, financial difficulties, job loss and marital separation, Cynthia’s words are not all gloom and doom. However they do make you think, which is what most people want out of a book right?
This story reminds me SO much of the movie “The First Wives Club.” If you have not seen it, and you are a chicklit fan, I’m not sure what you are waiting for. Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton reunite twenty plus years after college. They have been screwed over by their husbands. They want them to pay for their mistakes, and they come up with a plan. For a short while their new business venture seems to be going well, and things start to look up. However, after some bitter fighting, and only thinking about themselves, they realize they were going about it all wrong, just as the three women in this book realize.
My only criticism is the middle was a bit slow, when the characters were planning, and sorting through the details for setting up the restaurant. But overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a heart-warming story with some added comedy relief. I take away from this book the following. We must learn to love ourselves before others can love us. Bad things will happen in your life, but with loving support from close friends, you can get through almost anything. In the end women always rule, and always have each other’s backs. A big hooray to Cynthia Ellingsen, for an entertaining, enjoyable, and genuine novel. I’m very much looking forward to more of Cynthia’s work.
Ever since high school Jackie, Doris and Cheryl have been the closest of friends. Now, 40 years later, they reunite, and life has not turned out the way they planned. After Jackie’s husband dies, she takes off to Paris to restart her artist career. When she gets a call from George, her husband’s lawyer, saying all of her husband’s money has been depleted, she returns home, broke and has no idea what to do with her life. Ever since Doris's mother passed away, she has turned into a prude and unhappy wife, watching her husband leave to go “find himself” and dealing with an ungrateful daughter. Instead of taking care of herself, and going after her dreams, she suffers from panic attacks and heads for the chocolates. One would think Cheryl has the life. She is one of the top executives at her marketing firm, that she has helped build from the bottom up. She is also usually “on top” of her game in the bedroom. But after a wrongful termination, where is she to go?
After Jackie, Cheryl and Doris reunite, they end up going for a girl’s night out at a strip club. Next thing you know they come up with a great idea – why not open a “Hooter” themed restaurant but for women, and call it The Whole Package? Who says only men get to have fun? The ladies end up putting their heads together, doing some research, and before you knew it was opening night…but to say things didn’t go so well is an understatement.
I thorough enjoyed reading this book. It makes you realize how important the power of friendship is. Having close friends, even if it’s one or two, makes your world that much more special. When I think of qualities that explain my closest friends, they are being there for me, telling me like it is (even if I don’t want to hear it), supportive, and last but not least, they are genuine. And these traits illustrate the bond between these three women. Even with the ups and downs, that all friends go through, in the end they always stick by each other. Despite these women dealing with some tough issues, such as teenage drama, financial difficulties, job loss and marital separation, Cynthia’s words are not all gloom and doom. However they do make you think, which is what most people want out of a book right?
This story reminds me SO much of the movie “The First Wives Club.” If you have not seen it, and you are a chicklit fan, I’m not sure what you are waiting for. Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton reunite twenty plus years after college. They have been screwed over by their husbands. They want them to pay for their mistakes, and they come up with a plan. For a short while their new business venture seems to be going well, and things start to look up. However, after some bitter fighting, and only thinking about themselves, they realize they were going about it all wrong, just as the three women in this book realize.
My only criticism is the middle was a bit slow, when the characters were planning, and sorting through the details for setting up the restaurant. But overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a heart-warming story with some added comedy relief. I take away from this book the following. We must learn to love ourselves before others can love us. Bad things will happen in your life, but with loving support from close friends, you can get through almost anything. In the end women always rule, and always have each other’s backs. A big hooray to Cynthia Ellingsen, for an entertaining, enjoyable, and genuine novel. I’m very much looking forward to more of Cynthia’s work.
April 9, 2012
3.5 stars. Jackie, Cheryl, and Doris are longtime friends whose lives haven't exactly turned out as planned. Jackie's discovered that she's broke because of her late husband's financial decisions; Cheryl's worked hard to rise to the top at work, but a devious coworker has ruined this; and Doris is dealing with a bratty teenaged daughter and a husband going through a midlife crisis. The three of them decide to go into business together, opening up a Hooters-ish restaurant catering to women, where the male waiters are the scantily clad ones. Along the way, as they try to get this idea to succeed, they must deal with personal problems and help each other through their issues with confidence.
I really liked the premise of opening this sort of restaurant, although I think it would have made more sense if one of the women had previous experience owning - or even working in - a restaurant. Instead, they rely on their business smarts, finances, and their selection of staff members. It was fun to hear their ideas for how to make the restaurant a success, and it was entertaining (but not surprising) to see how the public reacted to such a place.
The restaurant plot was overshadowed by the personal stories about each woman. Jackie's dealing with the loss of her money, trying to hide this fact from her friends, and wondering if she should date her late husband's best friend. Doris has lost all self-confidence over the years and needs help trying to find her inner fire again; she also is having problems with both her husband and her daughter and doesn't know how to fix anything, except by pretending that nothing bad is going on. And then there's Cheryl, my favorite of the three, who refuses to get close to anyone because she might lose her power over them. These three stories were kept separate for the most part, which kept the action jumping around. Their friendship was portrayed well, and I thought the author did an excellent job showing how they'd hurt each other in the past through careless words or thoughtless actions, yet they managed to come through and pull together because that's what friends do. Something that struck me as odd, however, was the fact that Doris is most helped along by a new friend she makes, one of the staff members they've hired for the restaurant. I didn't fully understand how or why the two of them became so close, perhaps because I didn't feel like any of the staff members were ever fully developed. Although this friendship helped show Doris coming out of her shell and regaining confidence, it also took away from the friendships Doris had with Jackie and Cheryl, whose own page time and growth were missing from these scenes. I think showing their friendships and separate journeys intersect more would have made the overall book more cohesive and enjoyable.
Parts of the book were a little slow, which is odd because so much happens throughout the book, especially with so many separate plots! I think the problem, for me, is that there was so much going on, I never had time to get fully invested in anything. All the issues the women dealt with, and even the problems with the restaurant itself, were touched upon but not dwelled on or explored in detail. I would have liked to read a little more about the various problems instead of having them glossed over. This was especially apparent near the end, when problems were resolved and then described in summary to the reader.
While this book is not particularly deep, it kept me entertained for a few hours while reading. Those looking for a light, fun beach read will probably find this to their liking as well.
I really liked the premise of opening this sort of restaurant, although I think it would have made more sense if one of the women had previous experience owning - or even working in - a restaurant. Instead, they rely on their business smarts, finances, and their selection of staff members. It was fun to hear their ideas for how to make the restaurant a success, and it was entertaining (but not surprising) to see how the public reacted to such a place.
The restaurant plot was overshadowed by the personal stories about each woman. Jackie's dealing with the loss of her money, trying to hide this fact from her friends, and wondering if she should date her late husband's best friend. Doris has lost all self-confidence over the years and needs help trying to find her inner fire again; she also is having problems with both her husband and her daughter and doesn't know how to fix anything, except by pretending that nothing bad is going on. And then there's Cheryl, my favorite of the three, who refuses to get close to anyone because she might lose her power over them. These three stories were kept separate for the most part, which kept the action jumping around. Their friendship was portrayed well, and I thought the author did an excellent job showing how they'd hurt each other in the past through careless words or thoughtless actions, yet they managed to come through and pull together because that's what friends do. Something that struck me as odd, however, was the fact that Doris is most helped along by a new friend she makes, one of the staff members they've hired for the restaurant. I didn't fully understand how or why the two of them became so close, perhaps because I didn't feel like any of the staff members were ever fully developed. Although this friendship helped show Doris coming out of her shell and regaining confidence, it also took away from the friendships Doris had with Jackie and Cheryl, whose own page time and growth were missing from these scenes. I think showing their friendships and separate journeys intersect more would have made the overall book more cohesive and enjoyable.
Parts of the book were a little slow, which is odd because so much happens throughout the book, especially with so many separate plots! I think the problem, for me, is that there was so much going on, I never had time to get fully invested in anything. All the issues the women dealt with, and even the problems with the restaurant itself, were touched upon but not dwelled on or explored in detail. I would have liked to read a little more about the various problems instead of having them glossed over. This was especially apparent near the end, when problems were resolved and then described in summary to the reader.
While this book is not particularly deep, it kept me entertained for a few hours while reading. Those looking for a light, fun beach read will probably find this to their liking as well.
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