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Chicago Stars #11
And the Crowd Went Wild
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips is back with the latest novel in her beloved Chicago Stars series, featuring a romance between a star quarterback and one of the country’s most beautiful—and misunderstood—actresses.
After a mortifying—and very public—humiliation, Dancy Flynn is desperate to find sanctuary far from the crowd. But where can a washed-up sex symbol hide? How about making an unannounced appearance at the secluded lake house of the sweet, sensitive high school boyfriend she hasn’t seen in almost twenty years?
But Chicago Stars quarterback Clint Garrett is no longer the kid Dancy remembers. Now he’s a gridiron superhero, still holding a massive grudge against her for breaking his teenage heart. With no room in his life for either complexity or distractions, he banishes Dancy to a refurbished old railroad caboose tucked away in the woods…and out of his sight.
Except Dancy’s not good at staying invisible. Her efforts to rebuild her career clash with Clint’s desperation to regain his focus, all made more challenging by a rescue dog, a local woman in trouble, a meddling mother, an ex with an agenda…and the sizzle of rekindled emotions.
As Dancy attempts to get her life on track and Clint tries to get his groove back, can these two one-time lovers navigate their rocky pasts and complicated present to find themselves…and each other?
Tropes include:
second-chance romance
enemies to lovers
forced proximity
childhood sweethearts
After a mortifying—and very public—humiliation, Dancy Flynn is desperate to find sanctuary far from the crowd. But where can a washed-up sex symbol hide? How about making an unannounced appearance at the secluded lake house of the sweet, sensitive high school boyfriend she hasn’t seen in almost twenty years?
But Chicago Stars quarterback Clint Garrett is no longer the kid Dancy remembers. Now he’s a gridiron superhero, still holding a massive grudge against her for breaking his teenage heart. With no room in his life for either complexity or distractions, he banishes Dancy to a refurbished old railroad caboose tucked away in the woods…and out of his sight.
Except Dancy’s not good at staying invisible. Her efforts to rebuild her career clash with Clint’s desperation to regain his focus, all made more challenging by a rescue dog, a local woman in trouble, a meddling mother, an ex with an agenda…and the sizzle of rekindled emotions.
As Dancy attempts to get her life on track and Clint tries to get his groove back, can these two one-time lovers navigate their rocky pasts and complicated present to find themselves…and each other?
Tropes include:
second-chance romance
enemies to lovers
forced proximity
childhood sweethearts
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2026
475 people are currently reading
9617 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 390 reviews
August 25, 2025
As the kids these days would say, Susan Elizabeth Phillips is THE MOTHER. Point. Blank. Period.
One of the OGs of the contemporary romance genre, she’s not just beloved in the U.S. but worldwide and as someone outside the U.S., I can tell you her reputation is well-earned.
I’ve read the entire Chicago Stars series, and it’s my ultimate comfort reread. I’ll be honest I haven’t loved every single book, so when I say this one was exceptional, I mean it. This story had everything: the palpable tension, the emotions that sneak up on you, the joy that leaves you smiling long after the last page. It was executed to perfection.
Dancy and Clint’s journey from heartbreak to healing, from enemies to something more, had me completely hooked. The witty banter, the complex characters, the forced proximity, the sizzling second-chance romance… chef’s kiss. Add in the rescue dog, meddling family, and all the feels, and you’ve got a book that’s impossible to put down.
I highly recommend this to everyone, especially if you love romance, sports romance, second chances, or the Chicago Stars series. This book is Susan Elizabeth Phillips at her absolute best.
EXTRA POINTS:
✔️ Green flag hero – Finally, a male lead who communicates like an adult, respects boundaries, and doesn’t rely on brooding or manipulation to be compelling. He’s emotionally safe and swoon-worthy.
✔️ Accurate representation of people in their 30s These characters aren’t stuck in coming-of-age loops or midlife crises. They’re navigating real-life transitions, emotional baggage, and evolving relationships with nuance and maturity.
Trigger warning: The heroine experienced sexual violence at age 17 during high school (the story takes place when she is 35)
🎶“Love on Top” by Beyonce
🎶“We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
🎶“So Into You” by Tamia
One of the OGs of the contemporary romance genre, she’s not just beloved in the U.S. but worldwide and as someone outside the U.S., I can tell you her reputation is well-earned.
I’ve read the entire Chicago Stars series, and it’s my ultimate comfort reread. I’ll be honest I haven’t loved every single book, so when I say this one was exceptional, I mean it. This story had everything: the palpable tension, the emotions that sneak up on you, the joy that leaves you smiling long after the last page. It was executed to perfection.
Dancy and Clint’s journey from heartbreak to healing, from enemies to something more, had me completely hooked. The witty banter, the complex characters, the forced proximity, the sizzling second-chance romance… chef’s kiss. Add in the rescue dog, meddling family, and all the feels, and you’ve got a book that’s impossible to put down.
I highly recommend this to everyone, especially if you love romance, sports romance, second chances, or the Chicago Stars series. This book is Susan Elizabeth Phillips at her absolute best.
EXTRA POINTS:
✔️ Green flag hero – Finally, a male lead who communicates like an adult, respects boundaries, and doesn’t rely on brooding or manipulation to be compelling. He’s emotionally safe and swoon-worthy.
✔️ Accurate representation of people in their 30s These characters aren’t stuck in coming-of-age loops or midlife crises. They’re navigating real-life transitions, emotional baggage, and evolving relationships with nuance and maturity.
Trigger warning: The heroine experienced sexual violence at age 17 during high school (the story takes place when she is 35)
🎶“Love on Top” by Beyonce
🎶“We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
🎶“So Into You” by Tamia
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️ Life is so unpredictable, sometimes finding the courage to move on from all the heartache may feel like the hardest thing to do. It’s hard to be all alone in the world when the world wants a piece of you. But here we have a story that will give you a soft hug, promise hope and say that everything will be ok.
Susan Elizabeth Phillips delivered a relatable story full of heart, love and hope. This is a story about Dancy, an ex-Hollywood actress with a broken heart who reconnects with an old high school flame, Clint, who is an NFL quarterback struggling to get his game back. Dancy is struggling to move from the shadow of her ex husband, another famous actor who left her for someone younger & now expecting a child. Dancy’s personal issues run deeper than just a divorce, her world is crashing down on her and on impulse, she decides to hide out at Clint’s home. Surprised and reluctant, Clint is initially resilient to accept her stay. They have history and that history runs deep, something that will slowly be unraveled as the story moves along. While as grumpy as he appears, his soft side eventually comes out and it’s a total swoon.
Dancy’s problems are quite relatable. She’s depressed and let her self go. She forgets to eat, she medicates with alcohol. She doesn’t have anyone to support her through difficult times but she heavily leans on Clint during her stay. However, they have a past and it’s not a pretty one. A lot of hurt and unresolved issues stand in the way, but this unresolved tension is what gives the BEST banter and chemistry in this second chance novel.
I haven’t read any of SEP novels, so this is a first for me with this author. I loved how the author tackles “mature” issues and lays them out for you. These is no ambiguity, no miscommunication, her characters are mature and the issues are relatively relatable. I liked how Dancy’s mental health crisis was portrayed and resolved. I also enjoyed how she weaved it into Dancy’s past and brought up good points about acceptance, moving forward and putting yourself first.
Clint is no boy, this is a man with zero ulterior motives, a man who puts his woman and family first. His character is layered, his reactions are grounded, his personality has a spark on its own. He is someone I can definitely see as a shoulder to lean on. He was everything that Dancy needed—at the right place and time. Their chemistry was that of a slow burn, sizzling with tension and excitement, I loved their relationship, their conversation and their push and pull. It was delicious! This is honestly how I love my second-chances to be written.
Don’t hesitate to pick this one up!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and the author, Susan Elizabeth Phillips for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: February 10, 2026
Susan Elizabeth Phillips delivered a relatable story full of heart, love and hope. This is a story about Dancy, an ex-Hollywood actress with a broken heart who reconnects with an old high school flame, Clint, who is an NFL quarterback struggling to get his game back. Dancy is struggling to move from the shadow of her ex husband, another famous actor who left her for someone younger & now expecting a child. Dancy’s personal issues run deeper than just a divorce, her world is crashing down on her and on impulse, she decides to hide out at Clint’s home. Surprised and reluctant, Clint is initially resilient to accept her stay. They have history and that history runs deep, something that will slowly be unraveled as the story moves along. While as grumpy as he appears, his soft side eventually comes out and it’s a total swoon.
Dancy’s problems are quite relatable. She’s depressed and let her self go. She forgets to eat, she medicates with alcohol. She doesn’t have anyone to support her through difficult times but she heavily leans on Clint during her stay. However, they have a past and it’s not a pretty one. A lot of hurt and unresolved issues stand in the way, but this unresolved tension is what gives the BEST banter and chemistry in this second chance novel.
I haven’t read any of SEP novels, so this is a first for me with this author. I loved how the author tackles “mature” issues and lays them out for you. These is no ambiguity, no miscommunication, her characters are mature and the issues are relatively relatable. I liked how Dancy’s mental health crisis was portrayed and resolved. I also enjoyed how she weaved it into Dancy’s past and brought up good points about acceptance, moving forward and putting yourself first.
Clint is no boy, this is a man with zero ulterior motives, a man who puts his woman and family first. His character is layered, his reactions are grounded, his personality has a spark on its own. He is someone I can definitely see as a shoulder to lean on. He was everything that Dancy needed—at the right place and time. Their chemistry was that of a slow burn, sizzling with tension and excitement, I loved their relationship, their conversation and their push and pull. It was delicious! This is honestly how I love my second-chances to be written.
Don’t hesitate to pick this one up!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and the author, Susan Elizabeth Phillips for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: February 10, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So much of the Romance genre is of the Contemporary Romance variety. I just can't get into the single POV of some of those books. It's a little better when the characters change the POV every few chapters. But what I really want and long for is a good old-fashioned Romance and Susan Elizabeth Phillips is the best to ever write that genre. I have always believed that the best romance has a mystery/suspense element and that is not just the "will they or won't they get together". It is an outside problem that both main characters need to confront and deal with. "And the Crowd Went Wild" is a lot more serious than a usual SEP romance and the issues here are not normally seen in Contemporary Romance. It took me a while to get over this book not being fluff and fun, but it is a wonderful read with plenty to think about.
Dancy Flynn, former Bond Girl and ex-wife of the leading Hollywood action hero, needs to resurrect her career and it ends up being a complete and utter failure at a Gala event. She runs and hides with her high school boyfriend who is now the leading NFL quarterback for the Chicago Stars. He isn't happy to see her and would really like to send her on her way. Their parting in high school was not on the best of terms. But Clint Garrett is a good guy, so he takes Dancy in, but not willingly and not without a few digs.
Darcy will take whatever she can get, she just needs a place to hide and the caboose that Clint has turned into a guest retreat is just the place where she can, hopefully, get her act together. Part of that is facing the mess she has made of her life and why and figuring out how to move forward.
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.
Dancy Flynn, former Bond Girl and ex-wife of the leading Hollywood action hero, needs to resurrect her career and it ends up being a complete and utter failure at a Gala event. She runs and hides with her high school boyfriend who is now the leading NFL quarterback for the Chicago Stars. He isn't happy to see her and would really like to send her on her way. Their parting in high school was not on the best of terms. But Clint Garrett is a good guy, so he takes Dancy in, but not willingly and not without a few digs.
Darcy will take whatever she can get, she just needs a place to hide and the caboose that Clint has turned into a guest retreat is just the place where she can, hopefully, get her act together. Part of that is facing the mess she has made of her life and why and figuring out how to move forward.
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.
February 10, 2026
And the Crowd Went Wild by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Chicago Stars series #11. Contemporary sports related romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Dancy Flynn has reached bottom. A humiliating public appearance in front of hundreds plus reporters has her looking for an escape. A place to hide. She shows up at the remote lake house of a childhood boyfriend hoping to spend time rethinking her life.
Clint Garrett doesn’t want anything to with the woman who broke his heart so long ago. But he can’t quite turn her away either. He lets her camp in an old boxcar on his property temporarily, making sure she knows there is a limit to his hospitality.
A dog rescue brings the two together and then another mission and soon, things aren’t quite as uncomfortable. Can they be friends at this point? Maybe more?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Kelli Tager who created a wonderful performance of this story. Unique voices for the main characters and a couple of the secondary were clear and distinct. Emotions such as apathy, worry, interest and fear came through clearly in the writing as well as the performance.
Chapter headings are meant to tie the boxcar books to this story but I’m not sure it worked in the audio version. Especially if they haven’t been read. They work wonderfully for a print version, making the reader interested in the books.
I listened to this at 1.5 and slightly higher to more closely match local conversation speed.
I love coming back to the Stars.
This story was often heartbreaking but always heartfelt and intensive. I was routing for this couple, probably more than they were.
Totally enticing.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and HarperAudio.
I purchased a signed hardback copy to keep.
Chicago Stars series #11. Contemporary sports related romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Dancy Flynn has reached bottom. A humiliating public appearance in front of hundreds plus reporters has her looking for an escape. A place to hide. She shows up at the remote lake house of a childhood boyfriend hoping to spend time rethinking her life.
Clint Garrett doesn’t want anything to with the woman who broke his heart so long ago. But he can’t quite turn her away either. He lets her camp in an old boxcar on his property temporarily, making sure she knows there is a limit to his hospitality.
A dog rescue brings the two together and then another mission and soon, things aren’t quite as uncomfortable. Can they be friends at this point? Maybe more?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Kelli Tager who created a wonderful performance of this story. Unique voices for the main characters and a couple of the secondary were clear and distinct. Emotions such as apathy, worry, interest and fear came through clearly in the writing as well as the performance.
Chapter headings are meant to tie the boxcar books to this story but I’m not sure it worked in the audio version. Especially if they haven’t been read. They work wonderfully for a print version, making the reader interested in the books.
I listened to this at 1.5 and slightly higher to more closely match local conversation speed.
I love coming back to the Stars.
This story was often heartbreaking but always heartfelt and intensive. I was routing for this couple, probably more than they were.
Totally enticing.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and HarperAudio.
I purchased a signed hardback copy to keep.
Read
October 28, 2025I’ve read every book in this series, and SEP never misses. Honestly, she’s the OG sports romance writer, and here we are 20+ years later, and her books still hit.
The chemistry, the banter, the emotional build-up, it’s all there. SEP just gets how to write romance. Her characters are always layered, funny, a little messy, and somehow totally real. I’m obsessed with how she still brings fresh energy to a story while keeping that classic SEP vibe we all love.
Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy!
The chemistry, the banter, the emotional build-up, it’s all there. SEP just gets how to write romance. Her characters are always layered, funny, a little messy, and somehow totally real. I’m obsessed with how she still brings fresh energy to a story while keeping that classic SEP vibe we all love.
Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy!
February 1, 2026
Dancy is an actress/sex symbol who has seen better days. Her marriage has ended and she’s planned a glamorous comeback moment, but instead it ends in public humiliation. Clint is the famous quarterback for a Chicago football team. It’s the offseason and he’s spending it at a private lake house. These two were in love in high school, but Dancy hurt him terribly and he’s never forgiven her.
Clint is shocked when Dancy shows up at his house. She’s a mess and he wants nothing to do with her but she’s desperate to escape the public and has nowhere else to go. He relents but says she can’t be in his house; rather, he has a refurbished old train caboose on his property and she can stay the night there. I fell in love with this caboose and now think I need to look for a caboose Airbnb!
This is part of a series of books centered on players from his team. They can easily be read as stand alone books, though there seems to be some overlap with characters. These two characters are so fun! They are complex, but each really sweet good people at their core, when you can scrape away the facade. There’s also a rescued dog, a woman from town who needs help, Dancy’s ex and his new girlfriend. Each of them are interesting characters who are integral to the story.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this book. This genre is typically a bit of fluff I read in between other books; sometimes romance tropes work and other times they can fall flat. I read it because it was an ARC audiobook with a fun cover. But I loved this book!! It’s a romance but the characters have depth and it’s really heartwarming and funny. This one will definitely draw me back into the series, and I’d love to see Clint & Dancy make an appearance in future books. I’m giving this 4-1/2 stars for the overall good feels and fun, and it’s rare for me to rate romance genre books so highly. I’m tempted to give it 5 stars, but will round down to a 4. Please Goodreads, give us half stars! 🌟
I want to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to listen to this Advanced Reader Copy. My appreciation also to the author and publisher for providing this early access. My opinions and comments in reviews are always my own. Happy reading!
Clint is shocked when Dancy shows up at his house. She’s a mess and he wants nothing to do with her but she’s desperate to escape the public and has nowhere else to go. He relents but says she can’t be in his house; rather, he has a refurbished old train caboose on his property and she can stay the night there. I fell in love with this caboose and now think I need to look for a caboose Airbnb!
This is part of a series of books centered on players from his team. They can easily be read as stand alone books, though there seems to be some overlap with characters. These two characters are so fun! They are complex, but each really sweet good people at their core, when you can scrape away the facade. There’s also a rescued dog, a woman from town who needs help, Dancy’s ex and his new girlfriend. Each of them are interesting characters who are integral to the story.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this book. This genre is typically a bit of fluff I read in between other books; sometimes romance tropes work and other times they can fall flat. I read it because it was an ARC audiobook with a fun cover. But I loved this book!! It’s a romance but the characters have depth and it’s really heartwarming and funny. This one will definitely draw me back into the series, and I’d love to see Clint & Dancy make an appearance in future books. I’m giving this 4-1/2 stars for the overall good feels and fun, and it’s rare for me to rate romance genre books so highly. I’m tempted to give it 5 stars, but will round down to a 4. Please Goodreads, give us half stars! 🌟
I want to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to listen to this Advanced Reader Copy. My appreciation also to the author and publisher for providing this early access. My opinions and comments in reviews are always my own. Happy reading!
January 9, 2026
4 1/2 🌟 rounded up
How does SEP do this voodoo magic? She is just so good at writing romance. I guess that’s what makes her the OG for sports romance. She never disappoints, ever. There have been books of hers that I didn’t love but still somehow did love? I know, makes no sense. It’s because SEP always brings her particular brand of characters you can’t stop reading about, the banter, the angst, the humor, always some tragedy. She’s just always so good.
It’s all here again and it’s back to the good old roots of the Chicago Stars series. A bold and brazen bombshell that’s broken inside and the strong and resilient football star who has lost his way. That opening chapter was so well written it was painful to read. She bares her characters tragic humiliations and heartbreaks to the readers in such a raw way.
The main characters, Dancy and Clint, have a LOT of history and a LOT of it is bad. The hate and animosity they have towards each other in the early book is so funny to watch play out. They do not like each other! Here, as always, her characters are layered and complex and SEP takes her time exposing their pain and walking you through their recovery, with many challenges along the way.
I really liked Dancy - a tough little rich girl with a hard exterior but a heart betrayed many times over, leaving her full of self-doubt. Dancy slowly mends herself over the course of the entire book with a struggle that is so believable. She and Clint find the anchor, friendship and trust they both desperately need and save each other. It’s not a new plot line at all but SEP manages to make it new and so enjoyable.
It’s just really good. Just read it. SEP was my very first romance book, I’ve read every one of her books since and will wait patiently for the next one to arrive.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Susan Elizabeth Phillips for the opportunity to read an advance copy and provide a review!
How does SEP do this voodoo magic? She is just so good at writing romance. I guess that’s what makes her the OG for sports romance. She never disappoints, ever. There have been books of hers that I didn’t love but still somehow did love? I know, makes no sense. It’s because SEP always brings her particular brand of characters you can’t stop reading about, the banter, the angst, the humor, always some tragedy. She’s just always so good.
It’s all here again and it’s back to the good old roots of the Chicago Stars series. A bold and brazen bombshell that’s broken inside and the strong and resilient football star who has lost his way. That opening chapter was so well written it was painful to read. She bares her characters tragic humiliations and heartbreaks to the readers in such a raw way.
The main characters, Dancy and Clint, have a LOT of history and a LOT of it is bad. The hate and animosity they have towards each other in the early book is so funny to watch play out. They do not like each other! Here, as always, her characters are layered and complex and SEP takes her time exposing their pain and walking you through their recovery, with many challenges along the way.
I really liked Dancy - a tough little rich girl with a hard exterior but a heart betrayed many times over, leaving her full of self-doubt. Dancy slowly mends herself over the course of the entire book with a struggle that is so believable. She and Clint find the anchor, friendship and trust they both desperately need and save each other. It’s not a new plot line at all but SEP manages to make it new and so enjoyable.
It’s just really good. Just read it. SEP was my very first romance book, I’ve read every one of her books since and will wait patiently for the next one to arrive.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Susan Elizabeth Phillips for the opportunity to read an advance copy and provide a review!
July 11, 2025
And the Crowd Went Wild showcases Susan Elizabeth Phillips’s adeptness in presenting characters that her readers can relate to…their strengths, their struggles and their weaknesses. Actress Dancy and Clint once were high school sweethearts and when Dancy suffers the ultimate public humiliation the only place she can think of to hide is at Clint’s home. Pro football quarterback, Clint is dealing with his own issues as he prepares for the upcoming season. There’s no way he wants the girl who broke his heart for the first time to get in his life again, but the gentleman in him can’t turn her away. What happens next is told with insight, humor, compassion, honesty and care all under the loving eyes of one of the most adorable canine characters this reader has encountered. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.
February 10, 2026
Ms. Phillips has done it again, as usual. I expected nothing less from the queen of sports romance herself. I loved Clint and Dancy almost as much as I love Kevin and Molly and Dan and Phoebe, and that’s saying something from me. This book is another hit.
Also, the references to the Boxcar Children were *chefs kiss*. Totally made the book for me!
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Also, the references to the Boxcar Children were *chefs kiss*. Totally made the book for me!
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 14, 2026
4.5 Light Up Dress Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
I was pretty sure I was in a reading slump before I picked up this book because nothing was connecting with me. Nothing was vibing! I just couldn’t get sucked into a book. And then I picked up this and my slump just vanished... Gone.
Also: it has been literal years since I’ve read an SEP romance. She was very much part of my reading journey around 2016/2017, and I honestly couldn’t remember what I loved about her writing or why she stood out so much. I just had her name playing on repeat in the back of my mind that I love her and love her writing... AND VERY SOON this book very aggressively reminded me why!
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This follows our main character Dancy Flynn (WHO HAS A really weird name, I kept wanting to call her Darcy or Nancy but OH WELL), who has just come off a very messy divorce with Hollywood’s number one superstar/"It" guy. She’s also suffered a miscarriage (not from the husband), and she’s trying to reintroduce herself into the Hollywood scene by appearing at a "Met-like" Gala to show the world (and the paparazzi) that she’s not impacted by her ex and his new girlfriend. Except… her ex rocks up unexpectedly to the same event, and his new girlfriend is pregnant... after he swore he never wanted kids. So Dancy has a very public breakdown and flees to the most unlikely place someone would find her: her high school ex-boyfriend, Clint Garret, who hates her and really wants nothing to do with her. And from there, it becomes a story of her trying to rebuild her life while also stumbling into a second chance romance that ended for the worst reasons...
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
This book was such a comforting and impactful read for me. And I think it stood out so much because Dancy is this blonde bombshell but she's actually so much more...
Dancy’s arc is the heart of this book, it's just so deep and impactful. She is gorgeous, beautiful, and she has this stigma that follows her around based on her appearance. But underneath she is utterly and completely broken. She is jaded and numb having gone through the lowest of her low. It's like she has nothing left to give. She also hates that she's constantly misjudged as stupid for her looks, being a former sex symbol of Hollywood. The blond bimbo and never the hero.
This book wasn’t just a romance, it was about how Dancy overcomes being at the very bottom and, through the help of a kindergarten principal turned best friend and a stray dog she finds on the side of the road, while living in a refurbished railroad caboose, she puts her life back together one step at a time. This is a story not just about finding love but finding it again in herself. It’s about reclaiming who she is and her sense of self, defying what other people expect about her, and building her life up again and getting over her struggles. It was just emotionally beautiful.
Clint is there, but honestly? He feels like a minor secondary character compared to Dancy’s journey and I don’t mean that as a drag. He is just a part of her journey to self love again. On face value he’s the star quarterback who is sweet and has everything together. He's controlled. Perfect. A gentleman through and through. The "perfect guy." But underneath, he’s also hurting. He’s deeply wounded by their teenage breakup, as Dancy physically ripped out his heart, so he’s very slow to open up to her again and slow to let her back into his life while he’s also dealing with depression and the difficult pressure he has to deal with being the "star" player and what that means to the team.
Now, I have seen quite a bit of commentary about how there is an imbalance in the characterisation. Clint’s issues and his depression are almost brushed over and minimised in comparison to Dancy’s arc. But I think that was kind of the point. This isn’t a book about Clint and Dancy equally. It was about Dancy being at the very bottom and slowly pulling herself out of it, putting her life back together piece by piece; and the romance rekindles alongside that. Like… the romance is there, but it almost feels second nature compared to the emotional recovery story. And I think that’s what I loved. I loved the female empowerment that this book speaks to.
I laughed. I cried. I smiled. I felt warm. I felt cosy. I just thought it was a spectacular book to read, especially as a story of how a woman can triumph.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Second Chance Romance - Childhood Sweethearts
▶ Football Romance
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Celebrity Romance
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Mental Health Rep
▶ Brings her Food/Drinks
▶ Reverse Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Older Couple
▶ Cute Dog
In the end, I really enjoyed this. The epilogue was really cute, and I was genuinely gushing about this book! This was probably the best book I read in January. I love it because it’s not just a rom-com. It’s a beautiful romance about two jaded people finding themselves again.
It’s just… it’s beautiful.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley and Susan Elizabeth Phillips for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
I was pretty sure I was in a reading slump before I picked up this book because nothing was connecting with me. Nothing was vibing! I just couldn’t get sucked into a book. And then I picked up this and my slump just vanished... Gone.
Also: it has been literal years since I’ve read an SEP romance. She was very much part of my reading journey around 2016/2017, and I honestly couldn’t remember what I loved about her writing or why she stood out so much. I just had her name playing on repeat in the back of my mind that I love her and love her writing... AND VERY SOON this book very aggressively reminded me why!
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This follows our main character Dancy Flynn (WHO HAS A really weird name, I kept wanting to call her Darcy or Nancy but OH WELL), who has just come off a very messy divorce with Hollywood’s number one superstar/"It" guy. She’s also suffered a miscarriage (not from the husband), and she’s trying to reintroduce herself into the Hollywood scene by appearing at a "Met-like" Gala to show the world (and the paparazzi) that she’s not impacted by her ex and his new girlfriend. Except… her ex rocks up unexpectedly to the same event, and his new girlfriend is pregnant... after he swore he never wanted kids. So Dancy has a very public breakdown and flees to the most unlikely place someone would find her: her high school ex-boyfriend, Clint Garret, who hates her and really wants nothing to do with her. And from there, it becomes a story of her trying to rebuild her life while also stumbling into a second chance romance that ended for the worst reasons...
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
This book was such a comforting and impactful read for me. And I think it stood out so much because Dancy is this blonde bombshell but she's actually so much more...
Dancy’s arc is the heart of this book, it's just so deep and impactful. She is gorgeous, beautiful, and she has this stigma that follows her around based on her appearance. But underneath she is utterly and completely broken. She is jaded and numb having gone through the lowest of her low. It's like she has nothing left to give. She also hates that she's constantly misjudged as stupid for her looks, being a former sex symbol of Hollywood. The blond bimbo and never the hero.
This book wasn’t just a romance, it was about how Dancy overcomes being at the very bottom and, through the help of a kindergarten principal turned best friend and a stray dog she finds on the side of the road, while living in a refurbished railroad caboose, she puts her life back together one step at a time. This is a story not just about finding love but finding it again in herself. It’s about reclaiming who she is and her sense of self, defying what other people expect about her, and building her life up again and getting over her struggles. It was just emotionally beautiful.
Clint is there, but honestly? He feels like a minor secondary character compared to Dancy’s journey and I don’t mean that as a drag. He is just a part of her journey to self love again. On face value he’s the star quarterback who is sweet and has everything together. He's controlled. Perfect. A gentleman through and through. The "perfect guy." But underneath, he’s also hurting. He’s deeply wounded by their teenage breakup, as Dancy physically ripped out his heart, so he’s very slow to open up to her again and slow to let her back into his life while he’s also dealing with depression and the difficult pressure he has to deal with being the "star" player and what that means to the team.
Now, I have seen quite a bit of commentary about how there is an imbalance in the characterisation. Clint’s issues and his depression are almost brushed over and minimised in comparison to Dancy’s arc. But I think that was kind of the point. This isn’t a book about Clint and Dancy equally. It was about Dancy being at the very bottom and slowly pulling herself out of it, putting her life back together piece by piece; and the romance rekindles alongside that. Like… the romance is there, but it almost feels second nature compared to the emotional recovery story. And I think that’s what I loved. I loved the female empowerment that this book speaks to.
I laughed. I cried. I smiled. I felt warm. I felt cosy. I just thought it was a spectacular book to read, especially as a story of how a woman can triumph.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Second Chance Romance - Childhood Sweethearts
▶ Football Romance
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Celebrity Romance
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Mental Health Rep
▶ Brings her Food/Drinks
▶ Reverse Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Older Couple
▶ Cute Dog
In the end, I really enjoyed this. The epilogue was really cute, and I was genuinely gushing about this book! This was probably the best book I read in January. I love it because it’s not just a rom-com. It’s a beautiful romance about two jaded people finding themselves again.
It’s just… it’s beautiful.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley and Susan Elizabeth Phillips for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own
February 12, 2026
I didn’t exactly go wild for this one, but I’m grateful she’s still sharing her stories.
July 11, 2025
Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of my favorite romance authors. She's got this magic romance formula mastered and it just works time and again, and I used to be this dewy eyed teenager who ate it all right up.
'And the Crowd Went Wild' is her latest installment in the Chicago Stars Series - it center's on Dancy, a disgraced Hollywood bombshell and Clint, her teenage love, and a charming Chicago Stars' Quarterback. Its a second chance romance with all the best SEP trademarks - sharp banter, quirky characters, and a delicious slow burn chemistry!
Dancy, fresh off a very public, very messy divorce, shows up uninvited at Clint’s lakeside retreat in Wisconsin. What starts off as a tense reunion unravels into something more as they learn to trust each other, and rekindle the love and friendship they once shared.
Clint is basically the dream book boyfriend - tall, dark and handsome on the outside, but super soft and a gentleman underneath all that swagger.
What I enjoy about Phillips' novels is they're more than just romance - there are beautiful friendships, cozy little moments and heartwarming emotions that make her books feel well-rounded and lived in.
Also, the setting in this book? A lakeside retreat with the cutest little caboose for a guest house that I could picture vividly and low-key want to live in.
There's also a nod to Gertrude Chandler's 'Boxcar Children' in the book. It brings in this whimsical, childlike sweetness to the characters and counterbalances their grown up scars and complexities, making the book light-hearted.
That said, I'm giving this book three stars. *cue the dramatic gasp* The tone felt a little too familiar to her older books. Maybe I've changed or maybe her writing hasn't kept up with the times, but parts of it didn't hit quite right. And while there's comfort in a romance novel being predictable, it also left me wanting more.
Still, I was thrilled when my ARC request got approved. Huge thanks to the Publisher and SEP! And even though the book doesn't come close to her older books (Kiss an Angel, This Heart of Mine), its still a solid romance read and I definitely recommend it!
'And the Crowd Went Wild' is her latest installment in the Chicago Stars Series - it center's on Dancy, a disgraced Hollywood bombshell and Clint, her teenage love, and a charming Chicago Stars' Quarterback. Its a second chance romance with all the best SEP trademarks - sharp banter, quirky characters, and a delicious slow burn chemistry!
Dancy, fresh off a very public, very messy divorce, shows up uninvited at Clint’s lakeside retreat in Wisconsin. What starts off as a tense reunion unravels into something more as they learn to trust each other, and rekindle the love and friendship they once shared.
Clint is basically the dream book boyfriend - tall, dark and handsome on the outside, but super soft and a gentleman underneath all that swagger.
What I enjoy about Phillips' novels is they're more than just romance - there are beautiful friendships, cozy little moments and heartwarming emotions that make her books feel well-rounded and lived in.
Also, the setting in this book? A lakeside retreat with the cutest little caboose for a guest house that I could picture vividly and low-key want to live in.
There's also a nod to Gertrude Chandler's 'Boxcar Children' in the book. It brings in this whimsical, childlike sweetness to the characters and counterbalances their grown up scars and complexities, making the book light-hearted.
That said, I'm giving this book three stars. *cue the dramatic gasp* The tone felt a little too familiar to her older books. Maybe I've changed or maybe her writing hasn't kept up with the times, but parts of it didn't hit quite right. And while there's comfort in a romance novel being predictable, it also left me wanting more.
Still, I was thrilled when my ARC request got approved. Huge thanks to the Publisher and SEP! And even though the book doesn't come close to her older books (Kiss an Angel, This Heart of Mine), its still a solid romance read and I definitely recommend it!
August 13, 2025
SEP is my girl. She has lots of angst and a flair for the dramatics. And a dog epilogue, which I honestly could’ve done without, but for SEP I’ll read it and hold back my cringe.
Dancy (weird name) is a divorced actress who has been through a very tough year and is depressed and drinking and after a VERY embarrassing and hard to read and very public fail, she ends up at her high school ex boyfriend’s house.
Clint can’t stand Dancy. Really, they can’t stand each other and I was cracking up at how they still couldn’t stand each other 25% into the book. But Clint starts to see Dancy isn’t the jerk he thought she was, and Dancy very very veeeerrryyy slowly realizes maybe love is worth putting herself out there again after all the hurt.
I enjoyed watching Dancy get her life back in order and the classic SEP flair of dramatics.
I received an ARC from the publisher. Review is my own.
Dancy (weird name) is a divorced actress who has been through a very tough year and is depressed and drinking and after a VERY embarrassing and hard to read and very public fail, she ends up at her high school ex boyfriend’s house.
Clint can’t stand Dancy. Really, they can’t stand each other and I was cracking up at how they still couldn’t stand each other 25% into the book. But Clint starts to see Dancy isn’t the jerk he thought she was, and Dancy very very veeeerrryyy slowly realizes maybe love is worth putting herself out there again after all the hurt.
I enjoyed watching Dancy get her life back in order and the classic SEP flair of dramatics.
I received an ARC from the publisher. Review is my own.
December 17, 2025
Much thanks to Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Avon, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Jen McGuire at William Morrow for emailing the widget.
No huge plot spoilers, but I do mention some minor details, so beware. Also I'm aware of my verbosity and not at all sorry.
No huge plot spoilers, but I do mention some minor details, so beware. Also I'm aware of my verbosity and not at all sorry.
Read
December 9, 2025Dancy Flynn is really going through it. Problem for Dancy is she isn’t a mere mortal who can retreat without an entire country of eyeballs focused on her wound licking process. She’s a B-list celebrity who was married to an A-list actor (A standing for the social status and for A$$hole). When he dumps her for a younger woman, who is now pregnant, Dancy commits a social crime and dares be human in public. Regret sets in and what’s a depressed Cinderella in a ballgown in Chicago to do but run straight to Wisconsin and find a good hide out.
When Chicago Stars series readers last met Clint Garrett, he was the adorable but messy brother of the heroine of the excellent “Simply the Best.” He also had a dead body at his fancy house and super problematic taste in girlfriends. By “And the Crowd Went Wild,” Clint is a very serious man. He’s the Quarterback of the Chicago Stars, he’s going through the ups and downs of being in the public eye too, and he’s also the high school boyfriend of Dancy. In short, their breakup was bad.
Somewhat inexplicably, Dancy decides that the only man she can actually trust is the man who didn’t trust her in any way before. But no matter. She pops up to his off-season hideout in Wisconsin and he pops her into a random caboose train car on his property because he’s still mad.
[Side Note: I grew up in Northern Illinois and we had a Wisconsin cabin. I’d like to agree with anyone who thinks that having a railcar on a vacation property isn’t realistic, but it is. It could have been a plane that doesn’t fly anymore and someone thought “Let’s park that out back in case we need it someday.” Outdoor decor in the upper midwest is quirky.]
Dancy and Clint are still physically attracted to each other, but both have arrested development when it comes to their interactions with the opposite sex. I’m not a big fan of adult characters that allow their high school drama to affect their present lives. In the case of these two, I gave it more of a pass because their misunderstanding is truly awful, to the extent that Dancy’s poor decision making around men later in life makes sense. Clint was an immature cruel jerk and deserved a lot more cold storage than he got, but to be fair, his last serious girlfriend was a grifter that made his life not great.
Everyone in Clint’s world has always seen him as a sweetheart, a real cinnamon roll type. What makes Clint interesting is that he isn’t actually a sweetheart. That’s a part of him, but he’s also resentful, myopic, and spoiled in ways he believes Dancy gave him cause to be. He has a lot more growing to do than anyone but Dancy and Clint himself realize.
It takes a long time for Dancy to stop blaming herself for the ways that men, including Clint, harmed her. It also takes Clint a long time to realize that he needs to stop believing his own PR.
When Dancy’s ex-husband and his new wife invade the quiet of Clint’s retreat, the interlopers will force a set of confrontations of each other and of themselves in ways both subtle and dramatic.
In typical Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ style, the other woman gets a sort of growth moment of her own, and Dancy will see that her enemies are not always the ones that make the most sense. Real people are complex–especially women–and forgiveness can be good therapy.
Also, there’s a cute disaster of a dog as tension maker and breaker.
———
Genre/Subgenre: contemporary romance, sports romance (distant, off-season)
Standalone/Series: #11 in the Chicago Stars series, but 100% can be read standalone
Themes/Tropes: second chance, celebrities under the mean public eye, trauma recovery, arrested development, small down midwest, bad exes, Hollywood is the worst unless you’re a robot, has an HEA
Steam/Spice Level: low level spicy for ’20s-era Contemporary, but open door, on the page love scenes
Setting: Chicago, rural Wisconsin
POV: third person, past tense
Does the Dog/Horse/Cat Die? There is an adorable puppy they decide to raise and the dog makes it to the HEA as well
__________
Thank you to Avon Books for the Advanced Reader Copy. Expected publication date: Feb 10, 2026
When Chicago Stars series readers last met Clint Garrett, he was the adorable but messy brother of the heroine of the excellent “Simply the Best.” He also had a dead body at his fancy house and super problematic taste in girlfriends. By “And the Crowd Went Wild,” Clint is a very serious man. He’s the Quarterback of the Chicago Stars, he’s going through the ups and downs of being in the public eye too, and he’s also the high school boyfriend of Dancy. In short, their breakup was bad.
Somewhat inexplicably, Dancy decides that the only man she can actually trust is the man who didn’t trust her in any way before. But no matter. She pops up to his off-season hideout in Wisconsin and he pops her into a random caboose train car on his property because he’s still mad.
[Side Note: I grew up in Northern Illinois and we had a Wisconsin cabin. I’d like to agree with anyone who thinks that having a railcar on a vacation property isn’t realistic, but it is. It could have been a plane that doesn’t fly anymore and someone thought “Let’s park that out back in case we need it someday.” Outdoor decor in the upper midwest is quirky.]
Dancy and Clint are still physically attracted to each other, but both have arrested development when it comes to their interactions with the opposite sex. I’m not a big fan of adult characters that allow their high school drama to affect their present lives. In the case of these two, I gave it more of a pass because their misunderstanding is truly awful, to the extent that Dancy’s poor decision making around men later in life makes sense. Clint was an immature cruel jerk and deserved a lot more cold storage than he got, but to be fair, his last serious girlfriend was a grifter that made his life not great.
Everyone in Clint’s world has always seen him as a sweetheart, a real cinnamon roll type. What makes Clint interesting is that he isn’t actually a sweetheart. That’s a part of him, but he’s also resentful, myopic, and spoiled in ways he believes Dancy gave him cause to be. He has a lot more growing to do than anyone but Dancy and Clint himself realize.
It takes a long time for Dancy to stop blaming herself for the ways that men, including Clint, harmed her. It also takes Clint a long time to realize that he needs to stop believing his own PR.
When Dancy’s ex-husband and his new wife invade the quiet of Clint’s retreat, the interlopers will force a set of confrontations of each other and of themselves in ways both subtle and dramatic.
In typical Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ style, the other woman gets a sort of growth moment of her own, and Dancy will see that her enemies are not always the ones that make the most sense. Real people are complex–especially women–and forgiveness can be good therapy.
Also, there’s a cute disaster of a dog as tension maker and breaker.
———
Genre/Subgenre: contemporary romance, sports romance (distant, off-season)
Standalone/Series: #11 in the Chicago Stars series, but 100% can be read standalone
Themes/Tropes: second chance, celebrities under the mean public eye, trauma recovery, arrested development, small down midwest, bad exes, Hollywood is the worst unless you’re a robot, has an HEA
Steam/Spice Level: low level spicy for ’20s-era Contemporary, but open door, on the page love scenes
Setting: Chicago, rural Wisconsin
POV: third person, past tense
Does the Dog/Horse/Cat Die? There is an adorable puppy they decide to raise and the dog makes it to the HEA as well
__________
Thank you to Avon Books for the Advanced Reader Copy. Expected publication date: Feb 10, 2026
July 14, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
I haven’t read Susan Elizabeth Phillips in over a decade. Back then, her books were my reward for surviving grad school readings on the L train. When I saw this ARC on @netgalley, I had to see if the Chicago Stars still held up. Spoiler: they absolutely do.
I forgot how often SEP makes me work to like her heroines. Dancy was tough at first, but her arc was worth it. She surprised me with her (initially) subtle feminism, and I loved how each character in her orbit shaped her growth. I always knew her “why”—even when she frustrated me.
I did wish for more emotional depth in Clint’s character, and one subplot with a friend’s ex felt unnecessary. Still, the writing was sharp. SEP reminded me how good third person POV can feel like first.
Content warning: discusses miscarriage and themes of fertility.
I haven’t read Susan Elizabeth Phillips in over a decade. Back then, her books were my reward for surviving grad school readings on the L train. When I saw this ARC on @netgalley, I had to see if the Chicago Stars still held up. Spoiler: they absolutely do.
I forgot how often SEP makes me work to like her heroines. Dancy was tough at first, but her arc was worth it. She surprised me with her (initially) subtle feminism, and I loved how each character in her orbit shaped her growth. I always knew her “why”—even when she frustrated me.
I did wish for more emotional depth in Clint’s character, and one subplot with a friend’s ex felt unnecessary. Still, the writing was sharp. SEP reminded me how good third person POV can feel like first.
Content warning: discusses miscarriage and themes of fertility.
July 5, 2025
Somehow Susan Elizabeth Phillips never makes a wrong step. She’s the queen of rom com, while still making you feel all the things. The witty repartee that is her trademark is on full display here, so you’re laughing while she breaks your heart and puts it back together again.
Read
November 27, 2025DNFing now because I already hate Dancy and will not suffer through her bitchy shenanigans
November 21, 2025
Although this book doesn't come out until February 2026, I received an EARC and moved it ahead of books I need to read sooner, BECAUSE I LOVE THIS SERIES. As I went back and read the synopsis of all the previous 10 books, and inputted dates read because many predates Goodreads, I am now determined to reread them. some will be a 3rd or 4th read.
This is a second chance romance. 17 year old Dancy broke 16 year old Clint's heart in high school. It takes a while to learn what happened, but they haven't seen each other in 20 years
Both Dancy, hiding out after a humiliating breakdown, and Clint a famous football player wracked with uncertainty, meeting again is fraught with emotions.
I loved how this book offers a chance for both characters to think about their posts and overcome deep seated beliefs to become people who finally love themselves so they can love each other.
Clint is one of the best heroes of this series, no, of almost any contemporary romances.
I hope when you read this book (and it can be a standalone) you will love him as much as I did.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
This is a second chance romance. 17 year old Dancy broke 16 year old Clint's heart in high school. It takes a while to learn what happened, but they haven't seen each other in 20 years
Both Dancy, hiding out after a humiliating breakdown, and Clint a famous football player wracked with uncertainty, meeting again is fraught with emotions.
I loved how this book offers a chance for both characters to think about their posts and overcome deep seated beliefs to become people who finally love themselves so they can love each other.
Clint is one of the best heroes of this series, no, of almost any contemporary romances.
I hope when you read this book (and it can be a standalone) you will love him as much as I did.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
October 10, 2025
I received this ARC as part of a Goodreads giveaway, and I was beyond excited to win this book. I have read all her books since the first one. Her books never disappoint and have great stories and wonderful characters. This is Clint's story. We were introduced to him in Simply The Best. This is his story of an old love coming back into his life. Dancy is a mess at the beginning of the story, but as the book progresses, she begins to learn more about herself and find her strengths plus fall in love. It was nice that some past book characters made brief appearances in this book. It's always nice to have them visit and be woven into the story. I highly recommend any of her books, including this one.
October 1, 2025
I received an advanced copy of this book. It was beautifully written. I loved the unique way this author wrote the story with a Caboose, Watch and Blue Dress as important, quirky, supporting characters. The main characters, however, drew this reader in with relatable, heartbreaking tragedies and unique coping mechanisms. I cried, laughed and even cursed out loud, which had my fur babies completely baffled. Real life can be chaotic mess. Fortunately, my favorite authors, which includes Susan Elizabeth Phillips, can take my mind on a mini get away for a while. 💕
February 13, 2026
A Sizzling, Heartfelt Second Chance That Scores a Flawless 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Dancy Flynn is at rock bottom. After a soul-crushing public humiliation, the 35-year-old celebrity actress flees Hollywood for the only sanctuary she can think of: her high school ex-boyfriend’s secluded lake house.
There’s just one problem. Clint Garrett—now a famous superstar NFL quarterback—is still nursing a long-lasting grudge over the way she shattered his heart back in high school. Distancing himself, he allows her to stay on his property in a refurbished caboose with her rescued mutt, Watch. Watching these two forced into proximity while Dancy fights to "pick up the pieces" and Clint struggles with his own pre-season pressure is absolute romance gold.
What I Loved:
* The Boxcar Children Connection: Each chapter opens with a quote from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s classic series. Even though I’ve never read them, the quotes perfectly set the tone for Dancy’s journey.
* Brilliant Character Arcs: From the "fading" sex symbol status, Dancy focuses on reclaiming the spotlight, while Clint struggles with career burnout—the growth is honest, earned, and mature, proving that second chances are sometimes more about finding yourself before you can find each other.
* The Perfect Blend: This story has it all—witty banter, the "found family" vibes, a sweet stray, and an authentic, dynamic plot with memorable minor characters that add to the challenges.
I loved this novel and was rooting for Dancy and Clint just like the title says! I’ll definitely be reading more from Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Triggers include past and present trauma: domestic abuse, stalking and miscarriage.
***I received this advance reader copy from HarperCollins Publishers via NetGalley. These thoughts are my own.***
Dancy Flynn is at rock bottom. After a soul-crushing public humiliation, the 35-year-old celebrity actress flees Hollywood for the only sanctuary she can think of: her high school ex-boyfriend’s secluded lake house.
There’s just one problem. Clint Garrett—now a famous superstar NFL quarterback—is still nursing a long-lasting grudge over the way she shattered his heart back in high school. Distancing himself, he allows her to stay on his property in a refurbished caboose with her rescued mutt, Watch. Watching these two forced into proximity while Dancy fights to "pick up the pieces" and Clint struggles with his own pre-season pressure is absolute romance gold.
What I Loved:
* The Boxcar Children Connection: Each chapter opens with a quote from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s classic series. Even though I’ve never read them, the quotes perfectly set the tone for Dancy’s journey.
* Brilliant Character Arcs: From the "fading" sex symbol status, Dancy focuses on reclaiming the spotlight, while Clint struggles with career burnout—the growth is honest, earned, and mature, proving that second chances are sometimes more about finding yourself before you can find each other.
* The Perfect Blend: This story has it all—witty banter, the "found family" vibes, a sweet stray, and an authentic, dynamic plot with memorable minor characters that add to the challenges.
I loved this novel and was rooting for Dancy and Clint just like the title says! I’ll definitely be reading more from Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Triggers include past and present trauma: domestic abuse, stalking and miscarriage.
***I received this advance reader copy from HarperCollins Publishers via NetGalley. These thoughts are my own.***
February 10, 2026
After being publicly humiliated by her ex and his new pregnant girlfriend, Hollywood icon Dancy is just looking for a place to hide. Someone kind to take her in. And the best person she's ever known is her high school boyfriend Clint, now quarterback for the Chicago Stars. But the sweet and sensitive man she knew has changed, still bitter over what she did back then. He reluctantly let's her stay at his lake resort in a restored boxcar out off sight. But Dancy isn't so good at being invisible. The more time they spend together, the more those old feelings come back. But they both have their own issues to work through.
I like SEP for her realistic and relatable characters. I wish that Clint's story was recapped a bit more from the last book since it's been awhile since I read it. The investigation into what happened to his girlfriend is briefly mentioned as a reason for his depression, but not much detail is given. Other than that, the book can be read as a standalone. The setting and description of Clint's house and boxcar sound absolutely beautiful. Watch stole my heart from the moment Dancy rescued him from the ditch and he was a big part of the story for helping each character with their issues. The writing was good, the pacing was perfect, and the HEA left me dreamy and satisfied.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
I like SEP for her realistic and relatable characters. I wish that Clint's story was recapped a bit more from the last book since it's been awhile since I read it. The investigation into what happened to his girlfriend is briefly mentioned as a reason for his depression, but not much detail is given. Other than that, the book can be read as a standalone. The setting and description of Clint's house and boxcar sound absolutely beautiful. Watch stole my heart from the moment Dancy rescued him from the ditch and he was a big part of the story for helping each character with their issues. The writing was good, the pacing was perfect, and the HEA left me dreamy and satisfied.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
July 17, 2025
ARC REVIEW (thanks NETGALLEY!)
I love SEP and the Chicago stars series and this one was no different! But no, literally, it was no different. Every novel in the series seems to have the same kinda thing going on (weird little hideaway next to main house, gross dog, home renovations) But I eat them up every time! SEP is a master of banter! My main gripe with book was that it was more chick-lit than romance with Dancy being the main character and Clint just kinda there. The side plot with Shane and Erin was a waste of words and book could have done without it. Dancy’s whole revival kind of seemed out of left field especially when we learned about her love of sewing and knack for home decorating, I just figured she would have went into something more along those lines.
I love SEP and the Chicago stars series and this one was no different! But no, literally, it was no different. Every novel in the series seems to have the same kinda thing going on (weird little hideaway next to main house, gross dog, home renovations) But I eat them up every time! SEP is a master of banter! My main gripe with book was that it was more chick-lit than romance with Dancy being the main character and Clint just kinda there. The side plot with Shane and Erin was a waste of words and book could have done without it. Dancy’s whole revival kind of seemed out of left field especially when we learned about her love of sewing and knack for home decorating, I just figured she would have went into something more along those lines.
February 13, 2026
*3.75 stars
aw man, it pains me to rate this low! but while it was entertaining and well-written and had the trademark susan elizabeth phillips flair, i just didn't feel super connected to the characters. it felt like a story that coloured nicely within the lines but without anything new. it's exactly what you expect from one of her books: an antagonistic approach to flirting, golden boy and supposed bad girl, some side characters to expand the world, some sort of pity character (the dog), and some shady bad guy in the background. but it was still fun
also so funny to me that her sports romances are romances about sports players, not sports romances... like it's the off season for 90% of the book LOL
aw man, it pains me to rate this low! but while it was entertaining and well-written and had the trademark susan elizabeth phillips flair, i just didn't feel super connected to the characters. it felt like a story that coloured nicely within the lines but without anything new. it's exactly what you expect from one of her books: an antagonistic approach to flirting, golden boy and supposed bad girl, some side characters to expand the world, some sort of pity character (the dog), and some shady bad guy in the background. but it was still fun
also so funny to me that her sports romances are romances about sports players, not sports romances... like it's the off season for 90% of the book LOL
October 19, 2025
This is the next book in the Chicago Stars series. It follows Clint the star quarterback, as his high school girlfriend comes back into his life. Dancy is a Hollywood actress whose husband divorces her for a younger woman and after hitting rock bottom ends up at Clint’s lake house to hide out. Dancy slowly pulls herself together . The banter between her and Clint was funny. In the end they get their HEA.
February 9, 2026
I received a copy of this audiobook from netgalley.
I didn’t realize that this was part of a series until I started it. I think it can be read as a stand alone book.
This book references a children’s book a lot called The Boxcar Children. I have never read that book so I feel like I missed some of the major theme of the book.
I did enjoy the story of Nancy and Clint. It’s a close proximity romance ❤️🔥
I didn’t realize that this was part of a series until I started it. I think it can be read as a stand alone book.
This book references a children’s book a lot called The Boxcar Children. I have never read that book so I feel like I missed some of the major theme of the book.
I did enjoy the story of Nancy and Clint. It’s a close proximity romance ❤️🔥
February 13, 2026
4.5 stars. Excellent book. There’s so much more depth and fun in SEP’s books than in the average romance. I was stuck in a book slump, and this one pulled me out of it. Great dynamics, great characters. The plot could have been a bit simpler, with fewer side characters, but overall an excellent read. Not cheap, but worth it.
November 18, 2025
this was a pretty good book. a good story, easy reading and it really kept you wondering what might happen next. loved the end!
thanks Goodreads for choosing me to win this book!
thanks Goodreads for choosing me to win this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars RTC
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