UNDER THE TABLE – Stephanie Evanovich
A Perfect 10
William Morrow
ISBN: 978-0-06-241592-9
April 2019
Contemporary Fiction

New York City – Present Day

Zoey Sullivan fled Ohio to New York from a bad marriage with a promise to her husband that if she changes her mind about him within a year, she'll return to him. Dead-end jobs didn't go anywhere for her, so she's now pursuing her first love: a business catering private dinners and parties. One day Zoey is hired by reclusive millionaire Tristan Malloy to cook a dinner for his private party. Her first impression of Tristan is that he's a geek because he dresses the part and is socially awkward. Yet, he intrigues Zoey, who feels there is more to Tristan Malloy than what people see. Of course, her big mouth tells him that he appears out of place in New York City, so when he offers her a job as his makeover specialist, she accepts. The two are soon spending a lot of time together, leading to a realization that they have a lot in common.

Zoey is at the crossroads of her life after she walked out on a philandering and lazy husband but still wonders if she should try to repair her marriage. In New York City she lives with her sister, Ruth, who is a partyer and always critical of Zoey's decisions. At first, Tristan's nerdy ways has her smiling, but she soon learns that he lived a sheltered life growing up in the Caribbean. In fact, he confesses to her that he's only had sex once—with a woman in Vegas that he soon found out was a prostitute who wanted to be paid. Let's just say the experience left him even more awkward and untrusting of building relationships. But Zoey and Tristan click in many ways, leading to a friendship. Can they be more than friends?

UNDER THE TABLE is listed as a contemporary fiction novel, but in reality, it's more of a romance. Zoey is Tristan's Professor Henry Higgins of  My Fair Lady  fame. She's patient with him, while along the way, she learns more about herself. At first, Zoey holds back a little from Tristan because she is, after all, still legally married. But, soon, she wants more. Will Zoey and Tristan end up having a romantic relationship? Her husband might still live in Ohio, but he continues to lurk in the background. How will this play out in UNDER THE TABLE?

As I read UNDER THE TABLE, I found myself furiously turning the pages as I wanted to find out if Zoey and Tristan would get together. It's a fun read. Let's just say that I will never ever look at the game of golf again as not being sexy. <wink> This is my first exposure to Stephanie Evanovich, but it won't be my last. UNDER THE TABLE is cute, funny, romantic and endearing—which makes it a perfect read for me to give it  A Perfect 10 . Tristan and Zoey are perfect together. Don't miss UNDER THE TABLE.

Patti Fischer