REVIEW
After seeing a lot of good reviews on Goodreads and NetGalley I decided to give this book a try. I wouldn’t say disappointed but I have mixed opinions about this book.
The ending was pretty good but I cannot say the same about the beginning. The story starts with Tiffanie and Gavin on a dinner date at her favorite restaurant. Gavin ends his relationship with Tiffanie at her favorite restaurant on their tenth anniversary. The reason he gives for the breakup is annoying all right! “You have reached someplace high while I am still trying to climb” – the reason for the breakup!
Tiffanie is the same old sweet little girl who still believes in unicorns and second chances. She’s ready to do whatever it takes to get back with Gavin. They even have breakup sex. Tiffanie thinks that doing it one last time is going to mend their relationship. The next morning she finds a note by her pillow and it says “we ended it with a bang!” What an ass!
Broken and helpless, Tiffanie goes to her bookkeeping job at Blackie’s gym. Blackie’s talking to her one moment and two hours later, when Tiff asks him if he wants a cup of tea, he doesn’t respond. The old man is dead! After the funeral and will reading, Tiff learns that Blackie has given the gym and his money to Tiff. Aaron, Blackie’s stepson is not happy with this decision. Ron, the coach at the gym isn’t happy either. Both men warn and gaslight Tiff saying that she doesn’t deserve to be the rightful owner of the gym. To add to her voes, Gavin comes over and says that she’s reached her limit and she has to sell off the building and go elsewhere, after all, she’s good for nothing.
I really found all this annoying. Men and their male ego and Tiff actually convincing herself that these losers are right about her! To add to this mess, there comes Mike. A famous boxer, ex-student of Blackie and Tiff’s ex-boyfriend. Tiff’s angry with him for no reason. It was super annoying to read that Tiff did nothing about all these buggers who were trying to put her down. But giving it a thought, I did feel that these situations do happen in real life, don’t they? Jealous people, irrespective of gender, try to put their competitors down. These are the ones with high ego and low self-esteem. They thrive on other people’s failures.
The second half of the book was really good when compared to the first half. Tiff’s now feeling good about herself. From muffin-top (as Gavin used to call her) to a slim-figured woman, Tiff, Natalie, and Shelby are doing their best at trying out classes. Tiff decides to convert the gym into a boxing and fitness zone. But something’s wrong. Tiff’s been getting blank calls. Then she starts getting envelopes filled with dog shit. She thinks that either Gavin, Aaron or Ron is trying their hand at scaring Tiff away from the gym.
Shelby is portrayed as a sex minx. She’s slept with anyone and everyone in the town. Natalie has her own issues – childless and a husband who’s cheated on her once. Though Tiff’s been portrayed as a weakling, in the beginning, I liked her transformation in the second half of the book. She stood up to those who belittled her. She gave it back to those who thought they could mold her and manipulate her according to their choice.
All’s well that ends well. There was a twist just before the end and it made the story interesting. Overall, the story is pretty good. Maybe even inspiring too, to all those who don’t believe in second chances or “whatever happens, happens for good.” Tiff’s transformation is a proof of just that.
The author’s writing style was okay. The first half of the book was a drag while the second just flew. My least favorite parts of the book are – Blackie’s sudden death which went unnoticed!; Gavin’s reason for the breakup; Gavin underestimating Tiff; Ron belittling Tiff. My favorite parts of the book are – Gavin and Ron coming back when Tiff’s gym is going pretty well – they both act like nothing was wrong between them and Tiff!! This is where Tiff gives it back, left, right and center! Tiff’s chance at finding love again; Tiff, Natalie and Shelby’s friendship; Mike’s loving and caring nature.
RATING
Writing/Language: 2.5/5
Plot/Story: 3/5
Character Development: 3/5
Ending: 3/5
Overall Rating: 3/5
BOOK DETAILS
Title: Sweatpants at Tiffanie’s
Author: Pernille Hughes
Published on: 03 August 2018
Genre: Romance, General Fiction
Featured Image Credits: NetGalley
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Impulse for the ARC.
The Book Decoder 
Sweatpants…such a promising title 🧐🧐
😀😀
Sounds similar or maybe it’s our Indian serials 😂 great review! 😃
Haha, I read “the girl who had a secret crush” – typical indian serial story. 😉 Sweatpants at Tiffanie’s had a good ending🙂