When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Phillips puts her best foot forward when she speaks to the heart. When the Stars Collide is a conversation with the heart. Olivia and Thad are a mystery that really shouldn't work, yet they are at their best when they are being their worst. From intriguing to dramatic, Phillips sets off sparks with an uproar that deserves a standing ovation.
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A star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.
Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham’s spotted her, and he’s not happy.
Which is why a good detective needs to think on her feet. “The fact is . . . I’m your stalker. Not full-out barmy. Just . . . mildly unhinged.”
Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he’s hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop’s life might be in danger, and Piper’s determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. (Hint: Not!) If only she weren’t also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants of fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.
And then there’s Cooper Graham himself, a legendary sports hero who always gets what he wants—even if what he wants is a feisty detective hell bent on proving she’s as tough as he is.
I really wanted to love this one because Phillips is a favorite author but after I could feel myself pushing to enjoy it, I let go of expectations.
I felt like we never got to really delve into the hero's character and while I enjoyed the offbeat personality of the heroine, it felt forced. Their snarky dialogue felt stuttered, robotic, and didn't always flow for me. The emotion I typically love from Phillip's books was missing here for me. I've talked about loving some of her past books and looking back now and noticing some problematic issues, well, older me caught some slight things (heroine waking up to them having sex brought back This Heart of Mine big issue and kind of meshed together in my mind, rightly or wrongly, and gave me an icky feeling) that I wasn't able to ignore here.
My main issue, though, I just didn't feel the emotional connection and missed the growth of the hero and heroine's relationship; they just kind of verbally spar back and forth and then suddenly they are in love.
This just, sadly, wasn't for me.
A star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.
Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham’s spotted her, and he’s not happy.
Which is why a good detective needs to think on her feet. “The fact is...I’m your stalker. Not full-out barmy. Just...mildly unhinged.”
Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he’s hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop’s life might be in danger, and Piper’s determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. (Hint: Not!) If only she weren’t also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants to fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.
And then there’s Cooper Graham himself, a legendary sports hero who always gets what he wants—even if what he wants is a feisty detective hell bent on proving she’s as tough as he is.
From the bustling streets of Chicago to a windswept lighthouse on Lake Superior to the glistening waters of Biscayne Bay, two people who can’t stand to lose will test themselves and each other to discover what matters most
Review
| I love me some Susan Elizabeth Phillips and this book is just great. What happens here, that always happens in a Phillips' boo, is the hero and heroine come to deeply respect and value each other. They like and admire each other. They are also really hot for one another but that seems to follow this deep connection the Phillips does like nobody else. Sigh. The hero and heroine a difficult people. They are cranky. I love them. They are both very witty and so much themselves. They meet in a moment where they are both struggling. They both kick ass and are loyal and brave. But not so much with the emotionial bravery which lingers for a little longer than I would like. The secondary characters are grand. We have the old crew show up. The opera singer needs her own romance please. |
I had a grand year reading Contemporary Romance. Just grand.
These are my top Contemporary Romance reads that were published in 2016. There is a tie for 10th (though my lists are usually not in any order) as some crazy wonderful writers managed to publish more than one excellent Contemporary Romance this year.
I love it. But now I am on a budget! Lots of sports romance, nerds, laughter, and sexy here.
Please let me know if you loved any of these books and if I missed your favorite!
1. Beard Science (Winston Brothers, #3) by Penny Reid. Lets be clear, Cletus is odd and Cletus is grand. Cletus wins it all and so does Jennifer. So, funny, So, tender. 5 Stars.
2. First Step Forward (Grand Valley, #1) by Liora Blake Blake is an amazing writer. Read all her stuff. Grumpy football hero, organic farming heroine. Opposites attract at its best. 5 Stars
3. Her Naughty Holiday (Men at Work, #2) by Tiffany Reisz The heroine gets mad and its glorious. The wit here is enchanting. Love two adults having a relationship and adulting. 5 Stars
4. Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen I couldn't get enough of farming. Bowen writes amazing characters and the spark between them is devine. This is a great world being built in Vermont with dark and light and gray. The cast of characters is this series is the very best. 5 Stars.
5. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata Gah. Zapata is queen of the slow burn. The ruler. I adore it so hard. Friendship develops and passion. So very good. Yeah, more football and a working class heroine. Good stuff. 4 Stars
6. Hold Me (Cyclone, #2) by Courtney Milan I like big brains and I can not lie. Wicked smart hero and heroine. There is a lot of snark in this one but all the little nerdy details make it a winner plus a multiracial cast and sexual diversity as well. 4 Stars.
7. So Right (Sugar Baby, #2) by Rebekah Weatherspoon A great continuation of the romance began in the first book More genius characters and very sexy love with an older man. 4 Stars.
8.Hail Mary by Nicola Rendell Where is all this football coming from? The cute meet in this one happens when the heroine knocks the hero out in a sparring match. So, good. 4 Stars.
9. First Star I See Tonight (Chicago Stars, #8) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips While the hero is an recently retired football star, the really star here is the private eye heroine. They are both uber grumpy. It is zany fun.
10. So, yeah. All the great books--
Grin and Beard It (Winston Brothers, #2) by Penny Reid
Steadfast and Keepsake by Sarina Bowen
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