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Chicago Stars #10
Mīlestība šokolādes glazūrā
Bretam un Rorijai nekad nebūtu vajadzējis tikties, un pavisam noteikti nebūtu vajadzējis iesaistīties muļķīgā vienas nakts sakarā, kura sekas sāpīgi skar abus…
Bet tad pēkšņi pazūd futbolists… un tiek atrasta skaista, mirusi meitene. Breta karjera karājas mata galā. Viss kļūst aizvien sarežģītāk, bīstamāk… un seksīgāk. Rorijai liekas, ka Brets dzīvo pēc aplamiem principiem. Savukārt, Bretam Rorija ir aizliegtais auglis, neaizskarama un neaizsniedzama, bet tikpat kārdinoša kā viņas gatavotā izcilā šokolāde. Bet tā kā Rorijas brālis ir Breta lielākais klients, viņa māsa ir tabu.
Sieviete, kurai neveicas itin visā, un vīrietis, kurš it visā ir guvis panākumus – tas ir īsts izaicinājums viens otram cīņā pašiem par sevi, un ceļā vienam pie otra. Cik augstu cenu viņi ir gatavi maksāt, lai būtu kopā, lai drīkstētu mīlēt viens otru?
No angļu valodas tulkojusi Ingūna Jundze.
Bet tad pēkšņi pazūd futbolists… un tiek atrasta skaista, mirusi meitene. Breta karjera karājas mata galā. Viss kļūst aizvien sarežģītāk, bīstamāk… un seksīgāk. Rorijai liekas, ka Brets dzīvo pēc aplamiem principiem. Savukārt, Bretam Rorija ir aizliegtais auglis, neaizskarama un neaizsniedzama, bet tikpat kārdinoša kā viņas gatavotā izcilā šokolāde. Bet tā kā Rorijas brālis ir Breta lielākais klients, viņa māsa ir tabu.
Sieviete, kurai neveicas itin visā, un vīrietis, kurš it visā ir guvis panākumus – tas ir īsts izaicinājums viens otram cīņā pašiem par sevi, un ceļā vienam pie otra. Cik augstu cenu viņi ir gatavi maksāt, lai būtu kopā, lai drīkstētu mīlēt viens otru?
No angļu valodas tulkojusi Ingūna Jundze.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2024
760 people are currently reading
11135 people want to read
About the author
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
47 books15.8k followersSUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS
Susan Elizabeth Phillips has been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy and is the creator of the sports romance, beginning with her 1989 bestseller, FANCY PANTS. An internationally acclaimed author, her books have been published in over 30 languages. She’s the only four-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Favorite Book of the Year Award, and a recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Susan's newest book, SIMPLY THE BEST, is coming in hardcover, ebook and audiobook in February 2024. SIMPLY THE BEST is book #10 in the highly acclaimed CHICAGO STARS football series. Susan is also known for the Wynette, Texas book series and many stand-alone women's fiction/romance novels.
In addition to being a New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, she is a hiker, lazy gardener, horrible singer, passable cook, passionate reader, wife, mother of two grown sons, and grandmother.
You can visit Susan on Facebook, Instagram or on her website.
https://www.facebook.com/SusanElizabe...
https://www.instagram.com/SEPauthor/
http://susanelizabethphillips.com/
Susan Elizabeth Phillips has been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy and is the creator of the sports romance, beginning with her 1989 bestseller, FANCY PANTS. An internationally acclaimed author, her books have been published in over 30 languages. She’s the only four-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Favorite Book of the Year Award, and a recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Susan's newest book, SIMPLY THE BEST, is coming in hardcover, ebook and audiobook in February 2024. SIMPLY THE BEST is book #10 in the highly acclaimed CHICAGO STARS football series. Susan is also known for the Wynette, Texas book series and many stand-alone women's fiction/romance novels.
In addition to being a New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, she is a hiker, lazy gardener, horrible singer, passable cook, passionate reader, wife, mother of two grown sons, and grandmother.
You can visit Susan on Facebook, Instagram or on her website.
https://www.facebook.com/SusanElizabe...
https://www.instagram.com/SEPauthor/
http://susanelizabethphillips.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,268 reviews
May 21, 2024
I'm absolutely hooked on the Chicago Stars series, and I can proudly say that I indulged in a delightful readathon, devouring all the books in the series. "Natural Born Charmer," "Match Me If You Can," and "Dream a Little Dream" still hold a special place in my heart. So, when I had the opportunity to get my hands on an advanced copy of book 10, you can bet I gave myself a high-five and celebrated with a little victory dance in my study.
Let me dive into what makes this new addition to the series so incredible: It beautifully weaves together the themes of opposites attracting and enemies-to-lovers, all set against the backdrop of a gripping murder mystery and a dysfunctional family drama. And let's not forget those descriptions of mouthwatering, delectable chocolates that turn into a sweet serenade for your taste buds—talk about a dreamy combination that's impossible to resist!
The book kicks off with an entertaining scene. Rory Garrett Meadows reluctantly finds herself at her baby stepbrother's party, where he's the star football player and an overachiever. For years, Rory has felt like a bit of a failure when comparing herself to his accomplishments. As the night progresses, she ends up getting a bit tipsy, leading to some flirtatious interactions with an overconfident, arrogant, powerful, and incredibly attractive man. Against her usual better judgment, she winds up in his hotel room, only to sober up and discover five hundred dollars left on a table—making her realize she's made a colossal mistake. Little does she know that Brett Rivers, the man in question, has also jumped to conclusions and mistakes her for a different kind of professional.
Brett Rivers gets his first strike from his client Clint Garrett due to his involvement in Clint's tumultuous breakup with Ashley, a woman who accused her of being a gold digger. Brett's advice led to the breakup, but luckily, Ashley eventually dumped Clint for another football player, one with a smaller paycheck, seemingly proving she wasn't solely interested in money. Or was she?
What Brett doesn't realize is that Rory isn't completely innocent when it comes to the breakup. In fact, she's Ashley's neighbor and has found her to be manipulative. Rory decides to come clean about her role in the breakup to Clint, but her plans are foiled when she unexpectedly crosses paths with the pretentious agent who had previously humiliated her at Clint's house. As if that weren't enough, he had also given Clint a key that seemed to be in high demand across Chicago. But Rory's day takes a truly nightmarish turn when, upon returning home, she stumbles upon a lifeless body in her stepbrother's pool, the unfortunate victim being none other than Ashley. Given Rory and Clint's connection to Ashley, they become prime suspects in her murder.
Now, Rory is determined to find her brother before the police do to clear her conscience. On the flip side, Brett is on a mission to locate Clint to manage the media crisis. Despite their initial reluctance to spend more time together, they soon find themselves forming an uneasy alliance to buy some time.
While Rory is intent on finding her brother, she also launches her own investigation to clear his name, all the while grappling with the guilt gnawing at her. She's also forced to contend with her stepmother Kristin's drama queen tendencies, which have always made her feel insecure. Kristin has babied Clint for years, and her constant snarky comments about Rory's lifestyle have only added to the tension.
Rory finds herself smack in the middle of a murder mystery, surrounded by unresolved family drama, and contending with sizzling chemistry with a hotshot, arrogant, workaholic sports agent who also happens to be commitment-phobic. But she's a strong, independent woman who believes she can handle it all—mend her heart, resist her undeniable attraction, and face her own personal demons head-on. Or can she?
As an added bonus, I was delighted to see Heath the Python and Annabella (from "Match Me If You Can") making cameos in this book. Their appearances had me laughing out loud and deepening my connection to the characters. While Brett might have started off as a bit of a jerk, he more than made up for it by the end. I grew to love Rory and Kristin as they navigated the chaos and crisis. This series continues to captivate me, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for generously sharing this entertaining book's digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. It was an absolute pleasure!
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Let me dive into what makes this new addition to the series so incredible: It beautifully weaves together the themes of opposites attracting and enemies-to-lovers, all set against the backdrop of a gripping murder mystery and a dysfunctional family drama. And let's not forget those descriptions of mouthwatering, delectable chocolates that turn into a sweet serenade for your taste buds—talk about a dreamy combination that's impossible to resist!
The book kicks off with an entertaining scene. Rory Garrett Meadows reluctantly finds herself at her baby stepbrother's party, where he's the star football player and an overachiever. For years, Rory has felt like a bit of a failure when comparing herself to his accomplishments. As the night progresses, she ends up getting a bit tipsy, leading to some flirtatious interactions with an overconfident, arrogant, powerful, and incredibly attractive man. Against her usual better judgment, she winds up in his hotel room, only to sober up and discover five hundred dollars left on a table—making her realize she's made a colossal mistake. Little does she know that Brett Rivers, the man in question, has also jumped to conclusions and mistakes her for a different kind of professional.
Brett Rivers gets his first strike from his client Clint Garrett due to his involvement in Clint's tumultuous breakup with Ashley, a woman who accused her of being a gold digger. Brett's advice led to the breakup, but luckily, Ashley eventually dumped Clint for another football player, one with a smaller paycheck, seemingly proving she wasn't solely interested in money. Or was she?
What Brett doesn't realize is that Rory isn't completely innocent when it comes to the breakup. In fact, she's Ashley's neighbor and has found her to be manipulative. Rory decides to come clean about her role in the breakup to Clint, but her plans are foiled when she unexpectedly crosses paths with the pretentious agent who had previously humiliated her at Clint's house. As if that weren't enough, he had also given Clint a key that seemed to be in high demand across Chicago. But Rory's day takes a truly nightmarish turn when, upon returning home, she stumbles upon a lifeless body in her stepbrother's pool, the unfortunate victim being none other than Ashley. Given Rory and Clint's connection to Ashley, they become prime suspects in her murder.
Now, Rory is determined to find her brother before the police do to clear her conscience. On the flip side, Brett is on a mission to locate Clint to manage the media crisis. Despite their initial reluctance to spend more time together, they soon find themselves forming an uneasy alliance to buy some time.
While Rory is intent on finding her brother, she also launches her own investigation to clear his name, all the while grappling with the guilt gnawing at her. She's also forced to contend with her stepmother Kristin's drama queen tendencies, which have always made her feel insecure. Kristin has babied Clint for years, and her constant snarky comments about Rory's lifestyle have only added to the tension.
Rory finds herself smack in the middle of a murder mystery, surrounded by unresolved family drama, and contending with sizzling chemistry with a hotshot, arrogant, workaholic sports agent who also happens to be commitment-phobic. But she's a strong, independent woman who believes she can handle it all—mend her heart, resist her undeniable attraction, and face her own personal demons head-on. Or can she?
As an added bonus, I was delighted to see Heath the Python and Annabella (from "Match Me If You Can") making cameos in this book. Their appearances had me laughing out loud and deepening my connection to the characters. While Brett might have started off as a bit of a jerk, he more than made up for it by the end. I grew to love Rory and Kristin as they navigated the chaos and crisis. This series continues to captivate me, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for generously sharing this entertaining book's digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. It was an absolute pleasure!
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November 16, 2023
SEP can write a phenomenal rom com. I know because I’ve read them. She’s been a staple in the genre (with good reason) for decades and her signature humor is always front and center no matter how many releases she puts out.
Unfortunately, I didn’t care for this one. I LOVED the premise of a surly sports agent falling for client’s sister. And the humor was spot on like usual. (The bit where they stumble on to a backwoods nowhere camp of gun toting idiots as Rory calls them was hysterical).
But these characters didn’t have the lovable qualities I’ve come to expect in The Chicago Stars series. Rory is too immature and wishy washy about her life. Brett is too full of stoic machismo. There were moments where I wondered if they were even romantically interested in each other because the chemistry wasn’t there.
And plot wise, for a story that centers around Rory’s brother’s ex girlfriend being found murdered at his house, there’s too many other plot lines going on at the same time to make this a satisfying read. Clint (Rory’s brother) mopes because his agent and his sister saved him from an admittedly disaster in the making relationship. Kristin, Rory’s sort of awful step mother, gets her own romance subplot that took up way too much of our time. And honestly, after reading about her being a verbally and emotionally abusive mother figure to Rory because Rory wasn’t her biological child (even though she raised her from age 5!!), I didn’t need to see her redeemed, forgiven, or end up with a happy ending. Her POV is pretty awful in how she talks and thinks about Clint like he’s the special one because he’s HER child. And poor Rory, whose only sin was not being her biological child, had to deal with her emotional abuse for years. No thank you.
There’s agent meetings and recruitment parties and a sorta kinda “we’ll just investigate this ourselves” subplot that was jumbled and grew clunky and choppy after so much skipping around.
And the romance really gets lost in all of that plus the internal pity party every character seems intent on having.
An initially promising but unfortunately flat entry into a beloved series.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Unfortunately, I didn’t care for this one. I LOVED the premise of a surly sports agent falling for client’s sister. And the humor was spot on like usual. (The bit where they stumble on to a backwoods nowhere camp of gun toting idiots as Rory calls them was hysterical).
But these characters didn’t have the lovable qualities I’ve come to expect in The Chicago Stars series. Rory is too immature and wishy washy about her life. Brett is too full of stoic machismo. There were moments where I wondered if they were even romantically interested in each other because the chemistry wasn’t there.
And plot wise, for a story that centers around Rory’s brother’s ex girlfriend being found murdered at his house, there’s too many other plot lines going on at the same time to make this a satisfying read. Clint (Rory’s brother) mopes because his agent and his sister saved him from an admittedly disaster in the making relationship. Kristin, Rory’s sort of awful step mother, gets her own romance subplot that took up way too much of our time. And honestly, after reading about her being a verbally and emotionally abusive mother figure to Rory because Rory wasn’t her biological child (even though she raised her from age 5!!), I didn’t need to see her redeemed, forgiven, or end up with a happy ending. Her POV is pretty awful in how she talks and thinks about Clint like he’s the special one because he’s HER child. And poor Rory, whose only sin was not being her biological child, had to deal with her emotional abuse for years. No thank you.
There’s agent meetings and recruitment parties and a sorta kinda “we’ll just investigate this ourselves” subplot that was jumbled and grew clunky and choppy after so much skipping around.
And the romance really gets lost in all of that plus the internal pity party every character seems intent on having.
An initially promising but unfortunately flat entry into a beloved series.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
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June 2, 2025
Simply the Best is book ten in the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I have loved every book in this series and have had this on hold at my library for awhile now. It was finally my turn and it was so worth the wait. One thing I love about Susan’s writing is that not only do we get the story of the two main characters, there are a couple of side stories going on at the same time. So we’re getting so much more. I loved the growth of all the people involved in this book. I just read the blurb and honestly, it pretty much says it all but I’ll try to give you just a little more to convince you to read this.
Rory Garrett is thirty four years old. Her dream is for a career as a chocolatier and she has the skill to do it. But in all honesty, Rory is a bit of a mess. And things just don’t seem to be turning around. She grew up in the shadow of her younger brother, Clint, who is a famous quarterback for the Chicago Stars football team. Rory’s father and step mother doted on Clint throughout their childhoods. She never could measure up. But she has hit a new low and is struggling to figure out how she will get out of this one. And at her lowest point, “that night” happened and it complicated everything even more.
Brett Rivers is thirty five years old and is a workaholic for Champion Sports Management. He is working towards the VP position at his company and makes himself available to his famous clients twenty four hours a day. His work is his life and he has no interest in love or relationships. It’s how he wants things. But an unfortunate lapse of judgment added a whole new level of stress to his life. Then, when there is a murder at the home of his biggest client, his life completely turns upside down.
As Rory and Brett are thrown together to try to find the murderer, the chemistry between them becomes harder and harder to ignore. But Rory is the sister of Clint, Brett’s biggest client. She is off limits. Rory is everything he is not. She has a huge, soft heart. He has no heart. She deserves things he cannot ever give. But the deeper they become involved in each other’s lives, the more they see that what they thought they wanted, maybe wasn’t what they really needed at all.
There is just so much here to love. We have the relationship between Rory and Brett. The relationship between Rory and her step mother, between Rory and her brother, Clint, and a relationship between her step mother and someone new. I felt like everyone involved really evolved in this book in the best of ways. And what an ending! I think this is my first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book with a murder and a twist!!
This was a wonderful book and a crazy ride and I loved it. This author has such a fantastic way of weaving her stories to pull us in and not let us go.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Rory Garrett is thirty four years old. Her dream is for a career as a chocolatier and she has the skill to do it. But in all honesty, Rory is a bit of a mess. And things just don’t seem to be turning around. She grew up in the shadow of her younger brother, Clint, who is a famous quarterback for the Chicago Stars football team. Rory’s father and step mother doted on Clint throughout their childhoods. She never could measure up. But she has hit a new low and is struggling to figure out how she will get out of this one. And at her lowest point, “that night” happened and it complicated everything even more.
Brett Rivers is thirty five years old and is a workaholic for Champion Sports Management. He is working towards the VP position at his company and makes himself available to his famous clients twenty four hours a day. His work is his life and he has no interest in love or relationships. It’s how he wants things. But an unfortunate lapse of judgment added a whole new level of stress to his life. Then, when there is a murder at the home of his biggest client, his life completely turns upside down.
As Rory and Brett are thrown together to try to find the murderer, the chemistry between them becomes harder and harder to ignore. But Rory is the sister of Clint, Brett’s biggest client. She is off limits. Rory is everything he is not. She has a huge, soft heart. He has no heart. She deserves things he cannot ever give. But the deeper they become involved in each other’s lives, the more they see that what they thought they wanted, maybe wasn’t what they really needed at all.
There is just so much here to love. We have the relationship between Rory and Brett. The relationship between Rory and her step mother, between Rory and her brother, Clint, and a relationship between her step mother and someone new. I felt like everyone involved really evolved in this book in the best of ways. And what an ending! I think this is my first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book with a murder and a twist!!
This was a wonderful book and a crazy ride and I loved it. This author has such a fantastic way of weaving her stories to pull us in and not let us go.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
January 28, 2024
Murder? SEP is throwing a murder into this romance? Be still my heart. My favorite romance author is adding a little suspense to spice up her romance. I. Can't. Wait!!!! Snarky humor and sarcastic dialogue spice up this latest Chicago Stars book. SEP has moved from sweet romance to a slightly darker side and adds a murder into the mix. As a romance, the opposites attract trope works fantastic. As a coat tale mystery, the baddie was a complete unknown, but that wasn't the focus of the book, just a means for Rory and Brett to keep bumping up against each other. I loved seeing some of SEP's past couples make cameo appearances.
What happens when a tipsy Juliet Capulet meets a disgruntled Darth Vader on a dark balcony? A lot of fireworks and a big misunderstanding. Brett Rivers and Rory Garrett have no idea who the other is and that just makes the smash up all the more interesting.
Brett Rivers is a wealthy sports agent who puts his client's interests first - always. He is tethered to his phone and striving for a promotion to Vice President at Champion Sports Management. He has broken a cardinal rule - Never dish the star client's girlfriend and is paying for it. That is what led him to drink a little too much and end up on a balcony with said Star Client's sister.
Rory Garrett is a free spirit with a big heart, big dreams and a small bank account even though her half-brother, Clint Garrett, is the star quarterback for the Chicago Stars. Rory had a tough time growing up in the shadow of such a gifted brother and she wants nothing from him. She is going to make it on her own as a chocolatier, but that plan isn't quite working out and all she has is a pink and purple food truck and no cash to stock it.
Rory and Brett both owe Clint an apology for messing in his life, with good intentions, of course. But when a body turns up, they both really, really need each other to figure out how to save an innocent man. But first they have to figure out what to do with each other.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
What happens when a tipsy Juliet Capulet meets a disgruntled Darth Vader on a dark balcony? A lot of fireworks and a big misunderstanding. Brett Rivers and Rory Garrett have no idea who the other is and that just makes the smash up all the more interesting.
Brett Rivers is a wealthy sports agent who puts his client's interests first - always. He is tethered to his phone and striving for a promotion to Vice President at Champion Sports Management. He has broken a cardinal rule - Never dish the star client's girlfriend and is paying for it. That is what led him to drink a little too much and end up on a balcony with said Star Client's sister.
Rory Garrett is a free spirit with a big heart, big dreams and a small bank account even though her half-brother, Clint Garrett, is the star quarterback for the Chicago Stars. Rory had a tough time growing up in the shadow of such a gifted brother and she wants nothing from him. She is going to make it on her own as a chocolatier, but that plan isn't quite working out and all she has is a pink and purple food truck and no cash to stock it.
Rory and Brett both owe Clint an apology for messing in his life, with good intentions, of course. But when a body turns up, they both really, really need each other to figure out how to save an innocent man. But first they have to figure out what to do with each other.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
March 28, 2024
Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Chicago Stars series #10. Contemporary romance with references to sports and athletics but no games or matches in the story. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Rory Garrett has told her half brother and famous football player Clint, that she believes his current girlfriend Ashley, is only after his money. Clint’s business manager, Brett Rivers has told Clint the same thing. When Ashley turns up dead by Clint’s pool and he’s missing, Rory and Brett work together to find Clint though their relationship is contentious at best.
Entertaining and fun to continue the Stars series. It’s been a long time running and while this book has very little actual sporting interaction, it’s still a wonderful romance. The author writes a compelling story.
Chicago Stars series #10. Contemporary romance with references to sports and athletics but no games or matches in the story. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Rory Garrett has told her half brother and famous football player Clint, that she believes his current girlfriend Ashley, is only after his money. Clint’s business manager, Brett Rivers has told Clint the same thing. When Ashley turns up dead by Clint’s pool and he’s missing, Rory and Brett work together to find Clint though their relationship is contentious at best.
Entertaining and fun to continue the Stars series. It’s been a long time running and while this book has very little actual sporting interaction, it’s still a wonderful romance. The author writes a compelling story.
February 26, 2024
3.5 (upped to 4 stars (which isn't necessarily true as I didn't 'really like it' - it was only 'OK' for me - give us the option of a half star)
For most of this book, it was going to be a 3 star (and that would have me being generous). I read it and did the audible and, in one way, I feel terrible comparing the new narrator to the old narrator, that we all loved (Anna Fields) but maybe she will grow on me in future books ...
I had re-listened to It Had to Be You prior to starting this one (for the umpteenth time). Bad idea maybe because there is no comparison (in my opinion) between this new book and the older SEP books ... her last book did not enthrall me much either. Has she a thing now about promoting 'metro men' as her heros - where are the rough and tumble Dan Calebows or Gabe Bonners with their ragged hair and jeans and shirts/t-shirts - no designer labels, no hair products (and definitly NO 'gucci loafers (yeuk) for those guys (and I much prefer that).
Things improved in the second part of the book, probably helped a little by the appearance of Heath and Annabelle - a reminder of SEP's better books, for me ...
I know, I sometimes feel I am too harsh a critic but I cannot, in my heart, give this book the solid four or five stars that I would have given the majority of the earlier books in the Chicago Stars series.
Yes, you might be longing for a little sliver of chocolate while reading this book.
... and a lovely epilogue. But I doubt I will be re-reading this one.
For most of this book, it was going to be a 3 star (and that would have me being generous). I read it and did the audible and, in one way, I feel terrible comparing the new narrator to the old narrator, that we all loved (Anna Fields) but maybe she will grow on me in future books ...
I had re-listened to It Had to Be You prior to starting this one (for the umpteenth time). Bad idea maybe because there is no comparison (in my opinion) between this new book and the older SEP books ... her last book did not enthrall me much either. Has she a thing now about promoting 'metro men' as her heros - where are the rough and tumble Dan Calebows or Gabe Bonners with their ragged hair and jeans and shirts/t-shirts - no designer labels, no hair products (and definitly NO 'gucci loafers (yeuk) for those guys (and I much prefer that).
Things improved in the second part of the book, probably helped a little by the appearance of Heath and Annabelle - a reminder of SEP's better books, for me ...
I know, I sometimes feel I am too harsh a critic but I cannot, in my heart, give this book the solid four or five stars that I would have given the majority of the earlier books in the Chicago Stars series.
Yes, you might be longing for a little sliver of chocolate while reading this book.
... and a lovely epilogue. But I doubt I will be re-reading this one.
February 18, 2024
Much anticipated, but somewhat lackluster, which is a shame, as I usually adore all SEP puts out. Hopefully a fluke.
Also, unfortunately, SEP has jumped on the recentish bandwagon of inserting politics into her stuff. It's mild, but there's an encounter with a bunch of armed "insurrectionists" clearly coded as MAGA/Jan 6th dudes, and it's unnecessary, not really funny and has nothing to do with the plot. There's also the utterly tiresome consent shit that's been creeping into nearly all recent romance novels. I read romance novels to get away from real life issues, not to be beaten over the head with them. Cut it out.
Cameos by Heath and Annabelle only serve to highlight the utter delight of the perfect Match Me If You Can and how much this book falls short, particularly in comparison.
Also, unfortunately, SEP has jumped on the recentish bandwagon of inserting politics into her stuff. It's mild, but there's an encounter with a bunch of armed "insurrectionists" clearly coded as MAGA/Jan 6th dudes, and it's unnecessary, not really funny and has nothing to do with the plot. There's also the utterly tiresome consent shit that's been creeping into nearly all recent romance novels. I read romance novels to get away from real life issues, not to be beaten over the head with them. Cut it out.
Cameos by Heath and Annabelle only serve to highlight the utter delight of the perfect Match Me If You Can and how much this book falls short, particularly in comparison.
July 21, 2024
4 Estrellitas. ¡Qué maravilla volver a leer a SEP! Pero es verdad que de los Chicago Stars se hecha de menos que el protagonista sea jugador y aparezca algún partido; pero no se puede tener todo.
"Lo mejor de ti" es el décimo libro de los Chicago Stars, y como en sus ultimos tiempos, SEP ha decidido meter algo de misterio/thriller en su novela romántica.
Como viene siendo habitual en ella, tenemos a Brett Rivers, un representante de deportistas serio, eficaz e implacable, y a Rory Garrett, una chica que es un desastre, sin blanca y con un negocio que parece que nunca va a empezar.
La existencia de Rory siempre se vio empañaba por el perfeccionismo de su hermano menor, Clint, quarterback de los Chicago Stars. Mientras Clint era perfecto en todo, Rory siempre lo hizo todo fatal. Pero hay algo en lo que Rory es perfecta y es en la cocina, su especialidad es el chocolate, y su siguiente meta, emprender un negocio de venta de chocolate gourmet en su gastroneta.
El problema de Rory es que su sueño se verá empeñado por acontecimientos recientes. En una fiesta de su hermano, Rory se emborrachará y acostará con su representante, Brett Rivers. Para después fingir que nunca ha habido nada. Más adelante, su hermano rompe con Ashley, la chica materialista que parecía perfecta para él. Lo peor de todo es que un día Rory y Brett acuden a casa de Clint para descubrir que éste ha desaparecido, pero han encontrado en el jardín el cadáver de Ashley.
Todas las sospechas recaen sobre Clint, pero Rory, pese a que nunca se ha llevado bien con su madrastra y hermanastro, jamás ha dudado de la inocencia de éste. Será en éste momento cuando Rory y Brett se unan para buscar a Clint, mientras intentan limpiar su nombre de toda sospecha del asesinato de su ex-novia.
Ciertamente, la búsqueda y misterio será bastante light, porque en ningún momento SEP pretende eclipsar el romance de los protagonistas con la búsqueda de Clint y el auténtico asesino. Por supuesto, SEP creará un lío y embrollo tremendo entre los protagonistas, como suele ser habitual. Si acaso, en Rory he encontrado a una chica SEP más inmadura de lo normal, pero el contraste entre ella y Brett es magnífico para complementarse.
Además, tendremos de todo, aparte de la búsqueda, pues la trama no se detiene solo en esto. Tras encontrar a Clint, los protagonistas deben volver a su vida, y las últimas cagadas de Brett, dejan a su jefe, Heath Champion muy cabreado. Por otro lado, Rory tiene muchas deudas y necesita emprender su negocio cuanto antes, y madurar y dejarse ayudar por su madrastra quizás sea lo que necesite para encauzar su vida.
Sí, tendremos un poco de todo y SEP no decepciona. El romance ha estado bien, además las situaciones y conversaciones de sus protagonistas son marca de la casa. El romance me ha gustado y no ha sido muy empalagoso, pues aunque los personajes empiezan muy a saco, tardan en enamorarse. El puntillo lo acabará poniendo la autora creando un romance secundario con la madrastra de Rory.
Para mí ha funcionado muy bien y me alegro de que sigan apostando por publicar a SEP en castellano. Es bueno que las autoras de toda la vida que gustan, no las abandonen. Desde luego, mientras sigan publicando a SEP, aquí habrá una que la lea. Nunca decepciona.
"Lo mejor de ti" es el décimo libro de los Chicago Stars, y como en sus ultimos tiempos, SEP ha decidido meter algo de misterio/thriller en su novela romántica.
Como viene siendo habitual en ella, tenemos a Brett Rivers, un representante de deportistas serio, eficaz e implacable, y a Rory Garrett, una chica que es un desastre, sin blanca y con un negocio que parece que nunca va a empezar.
La existencia de Rory siempre se vio empañaba por el perfeccionismo de su hermano menor, Clint, quarterback de los Chicago Stars. Mientras Clint era perfecto en todo, Rory siempre lo hizo todo fatal. Pero hay algo en lo que Rory es perfecta y es en la cocina, su especialidad es el chocolate, y su siguiente meta, emprender un negocio de venta de chocolate gourmet en su gastroneta.
El problema de Rory es que su sueño se verá empeñado por acontecimientos recientes. En una fiesta de su hermano, Rory se emborrachará y acostará con su representante, Brett Rivers. Para después fingir que nunca ha habido nada. Más adelante, su hermano rompe con Ashley, la chica materialista que parecía perfecta para él. Lo peor de todo es que un día Rory y Brett acuden a casa de Clint para descubrir que éste ha desaparecido, pero han encontrado en el jardín el cadáver de Ashley.
Todas las sospechas recaen sobre Clint, pero Rory, pese a que nunca se ha llevado bien con su madrastra y hermanastro, jamás ha dudado de la inocencia de éste. Será en éste momento cuando Rory y Brett se unan para buscar a Clint, mientras intentan limpiar su nombre de toda sospecha del asesinato de su ex-novia.
Ciertamente, la búsqueda y misterio será bastante light, porque en ningún momento SEP pretende eclipsar el romance de los protagonistas con la búsqueda de Clint y el auténtico asesino. Por supuesto, SEP creará un lío y embrollo tremendo entre los protagonistas, como suele ser habitual. Si acaso, en Rory he encontrado a una chica SEP más inmadura de lo normal, pero el contraste entre ella y Brett es magnífico para complementarse.
Además, tendremos de todo, aparte de la búsqueda, pues la trama no se detiene solo en esto. Tras encontrar a Clint, los protagonistas deben volver a su vida, y las últimas cagadas de Brett, dejan a su jefe, Heath Champion muy cabreado. Por otro lado, Rory tiene muchas deudas y necesita emprender su negocio cuanto antes, y madurar y dejarse ayudar por su madrastra quizás sea lo que necesite para encauzar su vida.
Sí, tendremos un poco de todo y SEP no decepciona. El romance ha estado bien, además las situaciones y conversaciones de sus protagonistas son marca de la casa. El romance me ha gustado y no ha sido muy empalagoso, pues aunque los personajes empiezan muy a saco, tardan en enamorarse. El puntillo lo acabará poniendo la autora creando un romance secundario con la madrastra de Rory.
Para mí ha funcionado muy bien y me alegro de que sigan apostando por publicar a SEP en castellano. Es bueno que las autoras de toda la vida que gustan, no las abandonen. Desde luego, mientras sigan publicando a SEP, aquí habrá una que la lea. Nunca decepciona.
February 16, 2024
3.5 to 4 stars. An enjoyable new book from Phillips that is more like her classic older books than some of her other books of recent years have been. A sharp and driven sports agent, and a slightly goofy, slightly eccentric heroine who makes brilliant chocolates, fall in love. Both are appealing characters, who have integrity.
This book does differ from Phillips' other works in that it's a murder-mystery as well as a romance. The mystery plot helps drive the story, but doesn't dominate. The gradual development of Brett and Rory's relationship is nicely written. A secondary romance for the heroine's stepmother is also nicely done. Overall, an enjoyable addition to the series, but could easily be read as a standalone.
This book does differ from Phillips' other works in that it's a murder-mystery as well as a romance. The mystery plot helps drive the story, but doesn't dominate. The gradual development of Brett and Rory's relationship is nicely written. A secondary romance for the heroine's stepmother is also nicely done. Overall, an enjoyable addition to the series, but could easily be read as a standalone.
June 6, 2024
4/5⭐️
3/5🌶
SEP es una autora que me encanta. Prácticamente no hay libro suyo que no disfrute, pero el último que había leído (cuando las estrellas colisionan), no me había convencido.
Pero Lo mejor de ti, me sorprendió gratamente. Se acerca a los libros de antes.
Una historia de amor hermosa, protagonistas que son perfectamente imperfectos, que buscan descubrirse a sí mismos, que se equivocan y que lo vuelven a intentar.
Un crimen, un misterio y los mejores diálogos de la novela romántica. Qué más pedir?
Lo leí de un tirón.
3/5🌶
SEP es una autora que me encanta. Prácticamente no hay libro suyo que no disfrute, pero el último que había leído (cuando las estrellas colisionan), no me había convencido.
Pero Lo mejor de ti, me sorprendió gratamente. Se acerca a los libros de antes.
Una historia de amor hermosa, protagonistas que son perfectamente imperfectos, que buscan descubrirse a sí mismos, que se equivocan y que lo vuelven a intentar.
Un crimen, un misterio y los mejores diálogos de la novela romántica. Qué más pedir?
Lo leí de un tirón.
January 10, 2025
3'5 ⭐
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2025/...
Una pequeña sorpresa con esta novela.
No esperaba nada, pero este toque de humor, el misterio de ese asesinato y unos personajes sin traumas con una relación sana y no tóxica en contemporánea ha sido un soplo de aire fresco
Me quedo con esa primera parte, en la que el humor de Rory deja sin tablas a Brett, esa investigación que más que avanzar en las pesquisas, evoluciona el romance...
Recomendable y una alegría para las seguidoras de la serie
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2025/...
Una pequeña sorpresa con esta novela.
No esperaba nada, pero este toque de humor, el misterio de ese asesinato y unos personajes sin traumas con una relación sana y no tóxica en contemporánea ha sido un soplo de aire fresco
Me quedo con esa primera parte, en la que el humor de Rory deja sin tablas a Brett, esa investigación que más que avanzar en las pesquisas, evoluciona el romance...
Recomendable y una alegría para las seguidoras de la serie
August 19, 2023
Fun read, very fast-paced! The book follows the main character, Rory Meadows as she struggles through "adulting" while watching her NFL playing brother, Clint, win at everything. His ever-present sports agent, Brett Rivers, is by his side the whole way and on top-of-the world himself. Then, the unthinkable happens. There is a murder and their lives turn topsy-turvy.
Although this is part of the Chicago Stars series, you don't have to read them in order. I have only read of the few books in the Chicago Stars series and it didn't make a difference in my understanding of the characters. I found Brett and Rory's relationship to be a bit cliché but, it's a rom-com, so I went in expecting that. I did enjoy each of the characters and the murder-mystery was a bonus part of the suspense.
Thank you to Susan Elizabeth Phillips, NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager Publishing for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.
Although this is part of the Chicago Stars series, you don't have to read them in order. I have only read of the few books in the Chicago Stars series and it didn't make a difference in my understanding of the characters. I found Brett and Rory's relationship to be a bit cliché but, it's a rom-com, so I went in expecting that. I did enjoy each of the characters and the murder-mystery was a bonus part of the suspense.
Thank you to Susan Elizabeth Phillips, NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager Publishing for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.
April 8, 2024
What a great book! My first read by #1 New York Times Best Seller ,SEP ( Susan Elizabeth Phillips) and it fully entertained me. Mystery, love, football sports agent, and chocolate, it had it ALL! The next book in the Chicago Stars series but I read it as a stand alone and it was great!
Quirky Rory Garrett who fit the part of the once failed chocolatier led this novel with her zany dress, passion for chocolate, disastrous complex but yet would always speak her mind! Football star half-brother, Clint and his intense sports agent, Brett, play two major different rolls in Simply the Best but find their way into Rory’s heart. Brett, a mistake, a one nighter on accident has him balancing between client manager privilege and loyalty. A dead body, mysterious behaviors and Rory’s determined mindset take this novel to the next level. Mixed with family, new relationships and the transformation of them adds closure to this otherwise open ended flirty read!
Easy to read
Engaging
Character driven
Creative
Original
An enjoyable read I would recommend to anyone who likes contemporary fiction, a fun, vivid and immersive novel.
Thanks to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review
Quirky Rory Garrett who fit the part of the once failed chocolatier led this novel with her zany dress, passion for chocolate, disastrous complex but yet would always speak her mind! Football star half-brother, Clint and his intense sports agent, Brett, play two major different rolls in Simply the Best but find their way into Rory’s heart. Brett, a mistake, a one nighter on accident has him balancing between client manager privilege and loyalty. A dead body, mysterious behaviors and Rory’s determined mindset take this novel to the next level. Mixed with family, new relationships and the transformation of them adds closure to this otherwise open ended flirty read!
Easy to read
Engaging
Character driven
Creative
Original
An enjoyable read I would recommend to anyone who likes contemporary fiction, a fun, vivid and immersive novel.
Thanks to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review
February 20, 2024
I really wanted to like this book. But by even the 20% mark I new I just wasn’t going to enjoy this book. I feel like the author was trying to recreate an earlier book in the series (match me if you can). I recalled loved match me if you can but this just felt like an odd spin off of it. My biggest issue with this book was the main female character. She was just really annoying and I did not agree with most of her actions. Honestly I didn’t really love any character in this book, including the main male character and the FMCs brother. Additionally the whole murder mystery part started out interesting and then just fell flat. Also I did not feel anyyyy connection between the main characters in the middle or end of the book. When they finally exchanged I love yous I was just like ??? the entire time because like howwww. Super disappointing.
December 26, 2023
Much thanks to Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Possible Spoilers
This book has a rough start. I was so scared it was going to be a disaster and I'd have to give one of my favorite authors a bad review. But I feel it finished strong, so it's not all bad.
First off, the prologue is worthless. It's too short and vague to paint a full picture, and the incident has little to do with the narrative; it's just a funny anecdote in Rory and Clint's relationship.
Second, Rory and Brett's initial hookup was also unnecessary. It sets up great tension between the two, and introduces a wonderful conflict for Brett, but both of those things could have been accomplished by them merely being attracted to each other when they meet. I feel they should have met at Clint's house when they were both looking for him. The chapter at the party does not endear to us any of the characters we're supposed to sympathize with. Rory's miserable and drunk and ready to fall into bed with the first man who shows interest; Brett's looking for a release and distraction and is ready to pay the first woman who warms his blood; and Clint comes off like a petulant teenager who's convinced they're in love with their first crush. Sorry, I have little respect for any of those attitudes. Furthermore, it stole any credence from my mind that Brett was such a good agent, because I have a hard time believing he wouldn't recognize his most important client's sister much less have no idea she was invited to said client's birthday party.
I really hated that first chapter.
Third, there's a weird scene around 30% that struck me as, again, unnecessary. Rory and Brett are trying to find Clint and come across this group of backwoods hicks who carry guns like additional limbs. My feelings toward such individuals are similar to Rory and Brett's, however I feel Brett and especially Rory could have handled the meeting far better if they'd tried. Instead of being polite and patient, they attacked the hicks with presumptions and prejudice on their own property. I wasn't at all surprised that the hicks were defensive and disinclined to cooperate. I'm not a hick, but I do live in the rural Midwest and know some hicks, and I don't think I'd much care for two obvious city slickers showing up in their fancy car and looking at me and my place like it was smeared with shit. Then for those city slickers to take their political and social frustrations out on me because they judged me as a stereotype as soon as they saw me, I'd probably want to shoot at them too. Rory and Brett were being just as rude and spiteful as they assumed the hicks would be.
I hated that entire scene, and it was ultimately unnecessary, because those hicks had absolutely zero consequence to the plot. Yeah, they loaned them a chainsaw, but Clint could have showed up a few minutes early instead and had one of his own. The whole inclusion of the hicks really comes off like SEP just wanted an excuse to yell at the perps of January 6.
Fourth, SEP tooted her own horn a couple times. No, she's not the first author to do that, but it really annoyed me in this book. It just wasn't tasteful. Perhaps because the book was so bad in the beginning that it seemed super cringy to tout other stories that may or may not be equally bad. Perhaps because at least one of those toots was horribly written and forced in. I quote:
[Brett:] "My boss, Heath Champion. Real name, Harley Davidson Champione--"
[Rory:] "There's a story behind that."
[Brett:] "A good one."
Are you not cringing?
It took me a while to find Rory and Brett likeable as characters. Their introduction didn't endear, as I've described above, but their behavior continued to grate. Rory seemed to be contrary and argumentative for the sheer joy of it, and Brett acted like the boy who pulls the braids of the girl he likes because that was the only way he knew to get her attention--then acts too cool to have anything to do with girls. Their banter early on was more annoying than funny, and it often was a battle of the sexes that soon exasperated me. Their banter was supposed to be cute and funny, but it wasn't clever or original, so it didn't do what SEP wanted it to do.
All of these complaints occurred in the first 40%. The book got better after that. My only notes toward the end were that Brett's stalking of Rory made me uncomfortable and that it made zero sense for Troy not to have his own wire cutters.
I adored Kristin's storyline and her and Rory's relationship evolution. Kristin and Daniel's romance didn't have enough room to breathe and could have used some more development, but it was heartwarming nevertheless. I liked Rory more when she stopped being so damn argumentative and grew a backbone; SEP did an excellent job swapping Rory and Brett's circumstances. Clint continued to be a petulant child but more or less redeemed himself toward the end. I'm afraid I never considered Brett a swoon-worthy hero, but he turned out okay. I kind of agree with Heath, Brett made some really bad choices job-wise, and reaped what he sowed.
I wish Landom had gotten a comeuppance. And it would have been nice to find out Tyler's career crashed and burned. Those could be considered loose ends.
I loved that the story was a murder mystery! Not a great one, but solid. It definitely made me more interested. And the epilogue was inspired--loved it. It's not the first time SEP has had a heroine pull that trump card to get what she wants, but it was done well here.
Overall, it's definitely not SEP's best work, but if you can overlook the bad, there's good to be found.
Possible Spoilers
This book has a rough start. I was so scared it was going to be a disaster and I'd have to give one of my favorite authors a bad review. But I feel it finished strong, so it's not all bad.
First off, the prologue is worthless. It's too short and vague to paint a full picture, and the incident has little to do with the narrative; it's just a funny anecdote in Rory and Clint's relationship.
Second, Rory and Brett's initial hookup was also unnecessary. It sets up great tension between the two, and introduces a wonderful conflict for Brett, but both of those things could have been accomplished by them merely being attracted to each other when they meet. I feel they should have met at Clint's house when they were both looking for him. The chapter at the party does not endear to us any of the characters we're supposed to sympathize with. Rory's miserable and drunk and ready to fall into bed with the first man who shows interest; Brett's looking for a release and distraction and is ready to pay the first woman who warms his blood; and Clint comes off like a petulant teenager who's convinced they're in love with their first crush. Sorry, I have little respect for any of those attitudes. Furthermore, it stole any credence from my mind that Brett was such a good agent, because I have a hard time believing he wouldn't recognize his most important client's sister much less have no idea she was invited to said client's birthday party.
I really hated that first chapter.
Third, there's a weird scene around 30% that struck me as, again, unnecessary. Rory and Brett are trying to find Clint and come across this group of backwoods hicks who carry guns like additional limbs. My feelings toward such individuals are similar to Rory and Brett's, however I feel Brett and especially Rory could have handled the meeting far better if they'd tried. Instead of being polite and patient, they attacked the hicks with presumptions and prejudice on their own property. I wasn't at all surprised that the hicks were defensive and disinclined to cooperate. I'm not a hick, but I do live in the rural Midwest and know some hicks, and I don't think I'd much care for two obvious city slickers showing up in their fancy car and looking at me and my place like it was smeared with shit. Then for those city slickers to take their political and social frustrations out on me because they judged me as a stereotype as soon as they saw me, I'd probably want to shoot at them too. Rory and Brett were being just as rude and spiteful as they assumed the hicks would be.
I hated that entire scene, and it was ultimately unnecessary, because those hicks had absolutely zero consequence to the plot. Yeah, they loaned them a chainsaw, but Clint could have showed up a few minutes early instead and had one of his own. The whole inclusion of the hicks really comes off like SEP just wanted an excuse to yell at the perps of January 6.
Fourth, SEP tooted her own horn a couple times. No, she's not the first author to do that, but it really annoyed me in this book. It just wasn't tasteful. Perhaps because the book was so bad in the beginning that it seemed super cringy to tout other stories that may or may not be equally bad. Perhaps because at least one of those toots was horribly written and forced in. I quote:
[Brett:] "My boss, Heath Champion. Real name, Harley Davidson Champione--"
[Rory:] "There's a story behind that."
[Brett:] "A good one."
Are you not cringing?
It took me a while to find Rory and Brett likeable as characters. Their introduction didn't endear, as I've described above, but their behavior continued to grate. Rory seemed to be contrary and argumentative for the sheer joy of it, and Brett acted like the boy who pulls the braids of the girl he likes because that was the only way he knew to get her attention--then acts too cool to have anything to do with girls. Their banter early on was more annoying than funny, and it often was a battle of the sexes that soon exasperated me. Their banter was supposed to be cute and funny, but it wasn't clever or original, so it didn't do what SEP wanted it to do.
All of these complaints occurred in the first 40%. The book got better after that. My only notes toward the end were that Brett's stalking of Rory made me uncomfortable and that it made zero sense for Troy not to have his own wire cutters.
I adored Kristin's storyline and her and Rory's relationship evolution. Kristin and Daniel's romance didn't have enough room to breathe and could have used some more development, but it was heartwarming nevertheless. I liked Rory more when she stopped being so damn argumentative and grew a backbone; SEP did an excellent job swapping Rory and Brett's circumstances. Clint continued to be a petulant child but more or less redeemed himself toward the end. I'm afraid I never considered Brett a swoon-worthy hero, but he turned out okay. I kind of agree with Heath, Brett made some really bad choices job-wise, and reaped what he sowed.
I wish Landom had gotten a comeuppance. And it would have been nice to find out Tyler's career crashed and burned. Those could be considered loose ends.
I loved that the story was a murder mystery! Not a great one, but solid. It definitely made me more interested. And the epilogue was inspired--loved it. It's not the first time SEP has had a heroine pull that trump card to get what she wants, but it was done well here.
Overall, it's definitely not SEP's best work, but if you can overlook the bad, there's good to be found.
February 15, 2024
SEP goodness through and through!! (and when I say goodness, I’m not talking about gourmet truffles/bonbons). Simply the Best was so much fun to read and although I don’t remember all of the Chicago Stars books that preceded this 10th in the series (yes, I’ve read them all but my memory sucks) …. I know it was just as fabulous if not better than them. That being said… I have an incredible hankering to re-read the first nine books. I loved Brett and Rory so much as well as Rory’s “half” (haha) brother, Clint and step mother, Kristin. It’s a must read for fans of the talented Susan Elizabeth Phillips and for those who have not discovered her books as well. It can easily be read as a stand alone although I strongly recommend reading the entire series because they are just that good!!
November 12, 2023
If you've never had the pleasure of reading a Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel you're really missing out! Her stories are funny, well crafted, and wonderful to read time and time again. It's hard to believe this is the 10th installment in the Chicago Stars series.
I made the mistake of starting this book in the morning before work. Before I knew it, I'd read the 1/3 in about an hour and I didn't want to put it down. I found myself reading it at red lights and then reading it during lulls at work and during my lunch. I finished it when I got home and I loved every minute of it- and I NEVER read at work because I know I will forget about everything else around me and lose myself in the story!
SEP combines her epic humor with a whodunit and it's as magnificent as you'd expect. While I was watching Brett and Rory fall in love, The banter is some of the best. The entire time I was trying to figure out who the killer was, and I will admit that I never once guessed the identity of the killer.
Long may the Queen of sports romances reign and I as always, would love more Chicago Stars novels!
I made the mistake of starting this book in the morning before work. Before I knew it, I'd read the 1/3 in about an hour and I didn't want to put it down. I found myself reading it at red lights and then reading it during lulls at work and during my lunch. I finished it when I got home and I loved every minute of it- and I NEVER read at work because I know I will forget about everything else around me and lose myself in the story!
SEP combines her epic humor with a whodunit and it's as magnificent as you'd expect. While I was watching Brett and Rory fall in love, The banter is some of the best. The entire time I was trying to figure out who the killer was, and I will admit that I never once guessed the identity of the killer.
Long may the Queen of sports romances reign and I as always, would love more Chicago Stars novels!
May 3, 2024
I'm not happy with the narrator ....
Clearly not every narrator is like the wonderful Julia Whelan, and sadly it always takes time for me to get used to someone that is just not in the same league as her.
Anyway, SEP writes as predictable as ever. On the other hand, you know what you get.
I have enjoyed her books for the last 20 odd years.
Some have stuck with me for many years.
Others have been enjoyable reads but also soon forgotten.
For me, Simply the Best falls into the latter category.
I enjoyed the audiobook, the story and the characters. They weren't the BEST, but not bad either.
What frustrates me a bit ist that her heroes always make the same mistakes, and afterwards have to grovel to figure out a way back to their heroines.
I'm someone that prefers couples to figure out their issues differently, without the big third act break-up. But that's just me.
I'm sure die hard SEP fans are going to love this novel. It represents the author's signature style and delivers exactly what fans want.
Clearly not every narrator is like the wonderful Julia Whelan, and sadly it always takes time for me to get used to someone that is just not in the same league as her.
Anyway, SEP writes as predictable as ever. On the other hand, you know what you get.
I have enjoyed her books for the last 20 odd years.
Some have stuck with me for many years.
Others have been enjoyable reads but also soon forgotten.
For me, Simply the Best falls into the latter category.
I enjoyed the audiobook, the story and the characters. They weren't the BEST, but not bad either.
What frustrates me a bit ist that her heroes always make the same mistakes, and afterwards have to grovel to figure out a way back to their heroines.
I'm someone that prefers couples to figure out their issues differently, without the big third act break-up. But that's just me.
I'm sure die hard SEP fans are going to love this novel. It represents the author's signature style and delivers exactly what fans want.
November 2, 2024
Release date: 02-13-24
New book from SEP, can't wait to read it.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips returns with the next book in her Chicago Stars series where a successful sports agent and the sister of his biggest client engage in a take-no-prisoners battle of the sexes.
Another good addition to Chicago Stars series.
Although I must say that this was not my favorite by SEP because I found Rory a bit too immature for my taste. And the heroine named Rory...sorry, all girl-Rorys but this name confused me because I know more male Rorys than female, so I had to remind that Rory was the heroine, not the hero which was distracting. I also did not like the way she had
Also I did not like the way Rory treated her stepmother who had done nothing to her, neverless she was impolite and ungrateful towards her stepmother. Same with her half-brother. The things improved as the story progressed, so you can be sure that Mrs. Phillips knows how to develop her character and make them grow wiser and more relatable.
Ms Phillips is working on yet untitled Chicago Stars #11. Out probably early 2026!!!!! Can't wait!!!!!!
New book from SEP, can't wait to read it.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips returns with the next book in her Chicago Stars series where a successful sports agent and the sister of his biggest client engage in a take-no-prisoners battle of the sexes.
Another good addition to Chicago Stars series.
Although I must say that this was not my favorite by SEP because I found Rory a bit too immature for my taste. And the heroine named Rory...sorry, all girl-Rorys but this name confused me because I know more male Rorys than female, so I had to remind that Rory was the heroine, not the hero which was distracting. I also did not like the way she had
Also I did not like the way Rory treated her stepmother who had done nothing to her, neverless she was impolite and ungrateful towards her stepmother. Same with her half-brother. The things improved as the story progressed, so you can be sure that Mrs. Phillips knows how to develop her character and make them grow wiser and more relatable.
Ms Phillips is working on yet untitled Chicago Stars #11. Out probably early 2026!!!!! Can't wait!!!!!!
May 18, 2024
SEP siempre será SEP en mi corazón. Da igual lo que escriba, siempre me hace pasar un rato estupendo y me deja con ganas de seguir leyendo sus historias.
En este caso, con crimen de por medio, lo ha vuelto a hacer. Me ha encantado el duo de hermana del deportista acusado de asesinato y el representante de dicho deportista, ambos unidos por la necesidad de arreglar un error y luchar por encontrar su lugar en el mundo.
A mi parecer, se ha quedado un poco descafeinada, en el sentido de que ha faltado «algo» más. No obstante, la historia mola y los personajes te sacan una sonrisa muy grande en muchos momentos (Kristin, esto va por ti).
Ojalá Versátil publicara los ocho primeros libros, en ediciones similares, para tenerlos todos juntos.
¡Gran trabajo de traducción de Xavier Beltrán!
En este caso, con crimen de por medio, lo ha vuelto a hacer. Me ha encantado el duo de hermana del deportista acusado de asesinato y el representante de dicho deportista, ambos unidos por la necesidad de arreglar un error y luchar por encontrar su lugar en el mundo.
A mi parecer, se ha quedado un poco descafeinada, en el sentido de que ha faltado «algo» más. No obstante, la historia mola y los personajes te sacan una sonrisa muy grande en muchos momentos (Kristin, esto va por ti).
Ojalá Versátil publicara los ocho primeros libros, en ediciones similares, para tenerlos todos juntos.
¡Gran trabajo de traducción de Xavier Beltrán!
July 31, 2024
Three duds in a row is not a coincidence.
First, it started with First Star I See Tonight. The sprinkle sprinkle of "all men [insert the most sweeping yet harsh statement]" and a GirlBoss GirlGang had me rolling my eyes. But sure, it might be a fluke. Then, came the flaming hot disaster that was When Stars Collide. If Western fourth-wave feminism was a person, it was the heroine. She was stubborn and lacked any self-awareness at her tomfoolery. Not what I expected in a SEP heroine at all. The men-women dynamics were aggravating. I DNF-ed twice, and finally pushed through the third time only because it's SEP and I thought the problem was me. Alas.
Simply the Best unfortunately continues SEP's foray into heroines who are too good for a man, has sO mUcH "dRiVe" and has the emotional intelligence of a brick? What bothered me most is the sprinkle sprinkle of SJW-ey monologues here and there. No one is safe. If not the heroine, it'd be her annoying friend or a stranger. Why can't these things be dealt with more finesse, a la the old books? I don't think the heroines actually have changed much, but there's so much more anger, and telling and not showing. I don't want unlikeable, caricature-like characters. I wanted likeable yet flawed characters! I'm not seeing this in SEP's recent books and I'm so disappointed.
I'm definitely not alone in feeling this way. I suppose I can only hope that SEP reads some of her feedback / criticism and writes characters in her own style again. The characters in her recent books feel like imitations of contemporary romances by indie / indie-turned-trad authors that often feature heroines who are Like That.
I'll stick to her old stories.
First, it started with First Star I See Tonight. The sprinkle sprinkle of "all men [insert the most sweeping yet harsh statement]" and a GirlBoss GirlGang had me rolling my eyes. But sure, it might be a fluke. Then, came the flaming hot disaster that was When Stars Collide. If Western fourth-wave feminism was a person, it was the heroine. She was stubborn and lacked any self-awareness at her tomfoolery. Not what I expected in a SEP heroine at all. The men-women dynamics were aggravating. I DNF-ed twice, and finally pushed through the third time only because it's SEP and I thought the problem was me. Alas.
Simply the Best unfortunately continues SEP's foray into heroines who are too good for a man, has sO mUcH "dRiVe" and has the emotional intelligence of a brick? What bothered me most is the sprinkle sprinkle of SJW-ey monologues here and there. No one is safe. If not the heroine, it'd be her annoying friend or a stranger. Why can't these things be dealt with more finesse, a la the old books? I don't think the heroines actually have changed much, but there's so much more anger, and telling and not showing. I don't want unlikeable, caricature-like characters. I wanted likeable yet flawed characters! I'm not seeing this in SEP's recent books and I'm so disappointed.
I'm definitely not alone in feeling this way. I suppose I can only hope that SEP reads some of her feedback / criticism and writes characters in her own style again. The characters in her recent books feel like imitations of contemporary romances by indie / indie-turned-trad authors that often feature heroines who are Like That.
I'll stick to her old stories.
September 16, 2023
I think Rory is my favorite SEP heroine ever. Like, ever!! I love her so much. I love her honesty and loyalty and audacity and her willingness to help and all of her quirkiness. I love her!! But she has been drifting along and now she has all this pent up guilt that she needs to resolve...
Brett is driven and hard and focused and has absolutely no plans to let some wild woman change the path of his life. He is The River and rivers never change course!!
This whole book was an absolute joy to read, filled with lovely characters and silly moments and so much heart. I loved it!!
Brett is driven and hard and focused and has absolutely no plans to let some wild woman change the path of his life. He is The River and rivers never change course!!
This whole book was an absolute joy to read, filled with lovely characters and silly moments and so much heart. I loved it!!
May 13, 2024
4/5 🌟
3/5 ❤️🩹
3/5 🥰
1/5 🌶️
4/5 🔎
2/5 😰😱
3/5 🎭😂
2/5 🎭😭
0/5 👻
0/5 🔬
2/5 🔫
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Murder
Death
Blood
Violence
Kidnapping
Alcohol Use
Profanity
Injury/Injury Detail
Sexual Content
Death of a Parent
Toxic Friendship
Medical Content
Stalking
Car Accident
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
A successful sports agent and the sister of his biggest client engage in a take-no-prisoners battle of the sexes.
Take one hard-driving sports agent...
And her superstar football player brother...
Add a quirky pink and purple food truck...
Then, to really screw things up, mix in a very unfortunate murder.
Brett Rivers is the hottest sports agent in the business—fast and furious, swift and deadly. Failure? Not an option.
Rory Garrett is—let's be honest—a disaster. She has a big heart, an empty bank account, a passion for making exquisite chocolate, and a huge inferiority complex from living in the shadow of Brett's most important client, her football legend brother.
Brett and Rory should never have met, and they absolutely, positively should never have had to deal with the consequences of one stupid, drunken night...one disastrous lie...one career in jeopardy...one missing football player...and a very dead body.
It's going to get messy...and dangerous...and heartbreaking...and sexy. To Rory, Brett represents skewed values and a devious mind. To Brett, Rory is forbidden fruit, off limits, do not disturb, and no entry—definitely no entry.
A woman who has succeeded at nothing and a man who's succeeded at everything confront the challenge of their lives as they struggle with themselves and each other. When it comes to love—what price are any of us willing to pay to be simply the best?
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
SUMMARY OF 167 REVIEWS
Moods
funny 67%
lighthearted 58%
mysterious 53%
emotional 50%
hopeful 39%
adventurous 23%
relaxing 12%
reflective 11%
tense 11%
inspiring 8%
challenging 6%
sad 3%
dark 1%
Pace
medium 58%
fast 39%
slow 2%
Plot- or character-driven?
A mix: 64% | Character: 19% | Plot: 16%
Strong character development?
Yes: 70% | No: 19% | It's complicated: 10%
Loveable characters?
Yes: 79% | It's complicated: 11% | No: 8%
Diverse cast of characters?
No: 70% | Yes: 17% | It's complicated: 9% | N/A: 3%
Flaws of characters a main focus?
Yes: 69% | No: 17% | It's complicated: 12%
Average rating
3.83 ⭐️
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I liked the writing style of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and I will definitely be reading more from this series. I had no problem with the world or character development and Rory and Brett were adorable together. The other characters were equally as lovable. Rory’s younger brother, Clint, and her step mom, Kristen. Even Rory’s neighbor, Toby. The characters are memorable.
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬 Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
3/5 ❤️🩹
3/5 🥰
1/5 🌶️
4/5 🔎
2/5 😰😱
3/5 🎭😂
2/5 🎭😭
0/5 👻
0/5 🔬
2/5 🔫
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Murder
Death
Blood
Violence
Kidnapping
Alcohol Use
Profanity
Injury/Injury Detail
Sexual Content
Death of a Parent
Toxic Friendship
Medical Content
Stalking
Car Accident
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
A successful sports agent and the sister of his biggest client engage in a take-no-prisoners battle of the sexes.
Take one hard-driving sports agent...
And her superstar football player brother...
Add a quirky pink and purple food truck...
Then, to really screw things up, mix in a very unfortunate murder.
Brett Rivers is the hottest sports agent in the business—fast and furious, swift and deadly. Failure? Not an option.
Rory Garrett is—let's be honest—a disaster. She has a big heart, an empty bank account, a passion for making exquisite chocolate, and a huge inferiority complex from living in the shadow of Brett's most important client, her football legend brother.
Brett and Rory should never have met, and they absolutely, positively should never have had to deal with the consequences of one stupid, drunken night...one disastrous lie...one career in jeopardy...one missing football player...and a very dead body.
It's going to get messy...and dangerous...and heartbreaking...and sexy. To Rory, Brett represents skewed values and a devious mind. To Brett, Rory is forbidden fruit, off limits, do not disturb, and no entry—definitely no entry.
A woman who has succeeded at nothing and a man who's succeeded at everything confront the challenge of their lives as they struggle with themselves and each other. When it comes to love—what price are any of us willing to pay to be simply the best?
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
SUMMARY OF 167 REVIEWS
Moods
funny 67%
lighthearted 58%
mysterious 53%
emotional 50%
hopeful 39%
adventurous 23%
relaxing 12%
reflective 11%
tense 11%
inspiring 8%
challenging 6%
sad 3%
dark 1%
Pace
medium 58%
fast 39%
slow 2%
Plot- or character-driven?
A mix: 64% | Character: 19% | Plot: 16%
Strong character development?
Yes: 70% | No: 19% | It's complicated: 10%
Loveable characters?
Yes: 79% | It's complicated: 11% | No: 8%
Diverse cast of characters?
No: 70% | Yes: 17% | It's complicated: 9% | N/A: 3%
Flaws of characters a main focus?
Yes: 69% | No: 17% | It's complicated: 12%
Average rating
3.83 ⭐️
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I liked the writing style of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and I will definitely be reading more from this series. I had no problem with the world or character development and Rory and Brett were adorable together. The other characters were equally as lovable. Rory’s younger brother, Clint, and her step mom, Kristen. Even Rory’s neighbor, Toby. The characters are memorable.
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬 Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
March 9, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
I had pretty much written SEP off but was persuaded to read this latest from her based on some stellar reviews. It's hard for me to review this book without comparing it to the author's long list of books over decades. This, to my great surprise, is a tremendously fun and romantic book and probably my favorite of the Chicago Stars books, a series I've read over many years. It has some of the best banter I've read in a romance.
Rory is definitely in the mold of so many SEP heroines: she's quirky and unconventional, self-deprecating, down on her luck, and ultimately good-hearted. However, in a very much appreciated change here, she has self-esteem and is not a doormat for anyone, least of all Brett, her one-night stand/friend/enemy/lover - their relationship is transient from chapter to chapter. I admit that I felt some disappointment in the first few chapters as I struggled to understand how either character was feeling about the other. Once their shared mission to join forces and find a killer is underway, the banter and snark is nearly off the charts, and it becomes clearer that both characters use sarcasm to cover for their own insecurities as well as to one-up each other. Whatever concerns I had from the first chapters was gone before even mid way through, and I just went along for the ride.
Though SEP has written a few of my all-time favorite romances, I have struggled in the past with some of her usual conventions. Both of her main characters in this book though feel different. Brett is on the surface an arrogant and flashy power player, but those traits are surface only, and his true character is revealed in poignant and believable conversations and actions throughout the book. Likewise with Rory, her ineptness is more surface than reality. She is an expert chocolatier, and it was fun to see everyone's reactions to eating her truffles. The scene with the anti government gun-toting men out in the wilderness savoring her bon bons in exchange for clues is hilarious. I love that she and Brett use her chocolates throughout the story to bribe all kinds of strange people along the way. The murder mystery is light on mystery, but it serves its function to push two very different people together and give them the opportunity to discover how perfect they are for each other.
Loved this one and am now curious to see if SEP is in a new phase of her writing career. I sure hope so!
I had pretty much written SEP off but was persuaded to read this latest from her based on some stellar reviews. It's hard for me to review this book without comparing it to the author's long list of books over decades. This, to my great surprise, is a tremendously fun and romantic book and probably my favorite of the Chicago Stars books, a series I've read over many years. It has some of the best banter I've read in a romance.
Rory is definitely in the mold of so many SEP heroines: she's quirky and unconventional, self-deprecating, down on her luck, and ultimately good-hearted. However, in a very much appreciated change here, she has self-esteem and is not a doormat for anyone, least of all Brett, her one-night stand/friend/enemy/lover - their relationship is transient from chapter to chapter. I admit that I felt some disappointment in the first few chapters as I struggled to understand how either character was feeling about the other. Once their shared mission to join forces and find a killer is underway, the banter and snark is nearly off the charts, and it becomes clearer that both characters use sarcasm to cover for their own insecurities as well as to one-up each other. Whatever concerns I had from the first chapters was gone before even mid way through, and I just went along for the ride.
Though SEP has written a few of my all-time favorite romances, I have struggled in the past with some of her usual conventions. Both of her main characters in this book though feel different. Brett is on the surface an arrogant and flashy power player, but those traits are surface only, and his true character is revealed in poignant and believable conversations and actions throughout the book. Likewise with Rory, her ineptness is more surface than reality. She is an expert chocolatier, and it was fun to see everyone's reactions to eating her truffles. The scene with the anti government gun-toting men out in the wilderness savoring her bon bons in exchange for clues is hilarious. I love that she and Brett use her chocolates throughout the story to bribe all kinds of strange people along the way. The murder mystery is light on mystery, but it serves its function to push two very different people together and give them the opportunity to discover how perfect they are for each other.
Loved this one and am now curious to see if SEP is in a new phase of her writing career. I sure hope so!
February 18, 2024
Classic SEP romance filled with her trademark snarky humor. And add in a murder mystery? The title says it all! I haven’t enjoyed a few of this author’s most recent books as much as the older ones, but this one is right back up at the top for me.
February 28, 2024
I enjoyed this book for the most part but, I must admit, I came very close to abandoning it in the beginning because I disliked Rory’s character. This character spent an awful lot of time bemoaning the sad state of her life but, at the same time, she was an insensitive jerk to her brother, a judgmental and intolerant hag to Brett and stupid martyr about money. She was often making bad choices and just being stupid and stubborn. Its hard to get behind a character like that. I guess one of the reasons I like this author is that she has the talent to turn that around. By the end of the book Rory was bit more likable but still not one of my favorite characters. The mystery was almost an afterthought for much of the book but I guess, since this is a romance, that is to be expected. I’m glad I got this from the library. It was way overpriced in my opinion.
I like Nicole Poole as a narrator for the books in this series.
I like Nicole Poole as a narrator for the books in this series.
March 23, 2024
I used to LOVE this author, her books made me so happy. My favorite has to be “Ain’t She Sweet”- I loved it so much I read it twice. I was so psyched to see that SEP had a new book, and I hate to say I was underwhelmed. The characters didn’t have that chemistry that pulls you in and the heroine was annoying in that “I’m so adorable and sassy” way. There’s also a bit of politics in here that not only permanently time stamps this story, but is also condescending and silly. There’s a scene with hillbilly types that the lead character Rory keeps referring to as insurrectionists, and her inner dialogue is about how she’s such a patriot, yada yada. Insert eye roll and exasperated sigh here. I can’t believe I read a rom com that referenced Jan 6, are you serious? Also the steamy scenes were….not. Political correctness also ruled the day with our hero Brett worried about consent when he kisses her and that sort of jazz. Yet, what’s not so politically correct is how Rory is such a mess and can’t do anything right and failed at everthing, and the guy is just so perfect and successful and rich. There’s some serious cognitive dissonance going on here with the author. Anyways, not the frothy, fun escape I was hoping for. Bummer.
August 12, 2023
There’s only one SEP! Every time I read a book of hers, I remember what’s missing from almost every other book. I can’t describe it or name it, but whatever it is, Phillips’ books have it. It’s more than a sassy heroine, great supporting characters, and a flawed but perfect for her hero. It’s more than humor and heart. I wish more authors had it!
May 1, 2024
Yeah, this book did nothing for me.
I’m not sure if I ruined it for myself by just finishing Book 7—which I liked very much—before jumping into this book, because the identical notes and beats were glaringly obvious. For example…
Philips did her thing where she starts with the reader hating, or greatly disliking, both MCs; with the intention that you’ll love them by the end. That never happened. It didn’t help that the meet-cute debacle that is supposed to set up the enemies to lovers hook was reprehensible to me. Want me to hate a character? Have them do exactly what they did in Chapter 1.
Then there was the power imbalance between Brett and Rory. He’s a rich, handsome ambitious sports agent; she’s a directionless hot mess. Somehow, they are supposed to find common ground? There is nothing wrong with being either ambitious or a hot mess, but you need to fix yourself before you can find that common ground. Here, it felt more like the MCs were trying to change themselves for the other person. That never works.
The real problem was Philips expecting us to connect the dots of the romance based on their interactions and forced proximity while trying to solve a murder mystery. There was no chemistry and they were primarily antagonist to each, so the E to L turnaround made no sense. And the murder mystery was more contrivance than anything else.
Of course this being an SEP love story, there is a romance brewing alongside the main couple. Unfortunately, this time around, it fell flat too (though the author gets points for including a love interest on the autism spectrum). There are more similar beats from previous books with a parent and sibling reconciliation. This was where I could have used some space between books in the series, because all the found family elements in Natural Born Charmer were awesome, so it made everything in this book pale in comparison.
Ultimately, I just never came around to liking either of the main characters, so I can only offer the worst condemnation of a Romance. I just didn’t care if they lived happily ever after.
I’m not sure if I ruined it for myself by just finishing Book 7—which I liked very much—before jumping into this book, because the identical notes and beats were glaringly obvious. For example…
Philips did her thing where she starts with the reader hating, or greatly disliking, both MCs; with the intention that you’ll love them by the end. That never happened. It didn’t help that the meet-cute debacle that is supposed to set up the enemies to lovers hook was reprehensible to me. Want me to hate a character? Have them do exactly what they did in Chapter 1.
Then there was the power imbalance between Brett and Rory. He’s a rich, handsome ambitious sports agent; she’s a directionless hot mess. Somehow, they are supposed to find common ground? There is nothing wrong with being either ambitious or a hot mess, but you need to fix yourself before you can find that common ground. Here, it felt more like the MCs were trying to change themselves for the other person. That never works.
The real problem was Philips expecting us to connect the dots of the romance based on their interactions and forced proximity while trying to solve a murder mystery. There was no chemistry and they were primarily antagonist to each, so the E to L turnaround made no sense. And the murder mystery was more contrivance than anything else.
Of course this being an SEP love story, there is a romance brewing alongside the main couple. Unfortunately, this time around, it fell flat too (though the author gets points for including a love interest on the autism spectrum). There are more similar beats from previous books with a parent and sibling reconciliation. This was where I could have used some space between books in the series, because all the found family elements in Natural Born Charmer were awesome, so it made everything in this book pale in comparison.
Ultimately, I just never came around to liking either of the main characters, so I can only offer the worst condemnation of a Romance. I just didn’t care if they lived happily ever after.
March 23, 2024
I used to love this author in the past but I just can’t connect with her writing anymore. 😔
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