I received an ARC from Avon through Netgalley.
This author and the Chicago Stars hold a special place since THIS HEART OF MINE was the first romance I ever read. WHEN STARS COLLIDE is a wonderful addition to this beloved series. Olivia, an international opera star, and Thad, a professional backup quarterback, are seemingly complete opposites who must spend a month traveling together and promoting a luxury watch campaign. Thad is not thrilled to spending the month with a diva and Olivia has her own reasons for not wanting to travel with Thad in particular. Along the way, it becomes apparent that they more alike than meets the eye and friendship develops. Thad helps Olivia as she deals with personal and professional setbacks as well as threatening letters and encounters. WHEN STARS COLLIDE has SEP’s trademark humor, engaging characters, and heartwarming romance.

Talk about a sweet opposites attack romance! Thad and Olivia are thrown into unusual circumstances when they spend a month traveling to promote a luxury watch brand.

It was fun to read such different characters forced to interact and see as they resolved some pretty serious misunderstandings and misconceptions as they formed their reluctant and unlikely friendship. It is clear from fairly early on that they each have an interest in the other but although this was a romance I'd also say it had mystery tendencies as that was such a major part of the story and the romance really didn't hit the page until the last half of the book but the mystery kinda threaded through the whole thing.

This was a fast paced story that dealt with a few pretty heavy issues off the page that happened prior to the story (suicide) but also a few serious things on the page that all gave more weight to the sweet closed door romance.

When an opera star and a football player are both put on a nationwide tour promoting a luxury watch brand, there is so much backstage drama and conflict. Despite their differences, they agree to a no-strings attached hook-up situation for the duration of their tour.

I didn’t realize that this was book 9 in a series but I definitely think this one works well as a stand alone. I didn’t feel lost at all when reading it. There was a heavy element of suspense/mystery in this one which was fun and unexpected. I was hoping for a bit more comedy, but this ended up being a bit more dramatic than I anticipated. I think had I been aware of the suspense plot line going in, I would have loved this more.

I did a mix of audio and ebook for this one, and found that I preferred the audio in this case! The production was done well and I loved the narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and Harper Audio for the advanced copies!

This book surprised me! Centered around backup quarterback Thad Owens and opera superstar Olivia Shore, the two must travel together to promote a luxury watch as brand ambassadors and they don't get off to the greatest start!

There's romance and a bit of mystery as Olivia faces threatening letters and gets in some potential trouble! I thought the storyline progressed really well over the course of their PR trip--Thad & Olivia's chemistry was a joy to read. I do not know much about opera, but I really enjoyed the musical elements weaved throughout.

I listened to some of this on audio, narrated by Nicole Poole, who did a fantastic job! She brought a lot to each character as the narration perspective switches a bit throughout.

I've never read anything else in the Chicago Stars series, so this can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone. After this one, I will be checking out more from author Susan Elizabeth Phillips!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio and William Morrow & Custom House for an advanced copy of this and the opportunity to share my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have been a long-time fan of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and loved her Chicago Stars series so was really excited for this one. When Stars Collide features Thad who is a backup quarterback nearing full retirement and Olivia a renowned opera singer. The two are paired up for a monthlong tour to promote a high-end brand of watches.

There is a lot going on with this book. It starts out as an enemies-to-lovers with some forced proximity. But then there is also some mystery and suspense to it as Olivia is getting threats and is even attacked multiple times. Before too long, it shifts to friends to lovers and the mystery part gets more complex and complicated. It was a lot to keep track of and really took focus off any feel for a budding relationship.

I had a hard time connecting with these two and never really felt the chemistry. It may partially be that I'm just not interested in two mega-wealthy superstars and how tough their lives are right now. The writing felt over the top at times and the operatic parts were tough to follow. Plus, there were too many cliches for me. That being said, I could see if you are looking for a Hollywood drama style romance then this book may work for you. There are some old favorites from previous Stars books that pop up here and there which was fun. Phillips will always be a must-read for me. This one just wasn't my favorite of hers.

This just didn't do it for me. I found both the main characters to be unlikeable and rude. The writing was fine but the book, over all, just wasn't for me.

I'm having a hard time figure out what I think of this book. I was uncertain about the two characters in the beginning, didn't really like that the reveal of why Olivia doesn't like Thaddeus at first (and it's ridiculously quick resolution), and REALLY thought there was too much drama at the end and Thad was a jerk. This book could have been saved with the elimination of any of the 16 reasons the HEA doesn't happen or the streamlining any of the 212 storylines. If this had just been a forced proximity between an opera singer and a football player, this could have been an amazing book, especially by this author. However, all that being said, SEP is an amazing author and I eventually grew to like Olivia and liked Thad other than his (out of character) ridiculousness at the end.
Olivia Shore is a world-famous opera singer. She is the perfect choice for a luxury watch brand. Too bad the man they've chose to be her counterpart is such an amazing jerk. This tour is definitely just adding to the problems heaping on her life that are coming out as physical ailments.
Thaddeus Walker Bowman Owens is thirty-six. Not particularly old unless you're a football player. And not particularly galling unless a much younger, much more egotistical player is now the starting quarterback for the Chicago Stars while he is still second string. And now he has to travel with a woman who not only looks down on him, she seems terrified of him. What else is he to do except try to figure out why that is and whether he can't help her figure out her life.

Three stars
This book comes out June 29th, 2021
Follows First Star I See
ARC kindly provided by William Morrow and Custom House, and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

This book is part of a long running series, but it absolutely stands alone. Thad is the backup quarterback for the Chicago Stars, and Olivia is a superstar opera singer. They are paired together for an advertising campaign in which they travel to multiple cities over four weeks.

From the beginning, their relationship includes many obstacles. As one gets sorted, another arises. The book incorporates a mystery and suspense. It's anice balance of romance and mystery.

I enjoyed the way in which the characters questioned whether Thad could comfortably adapt to being the lesser known star in a relationship. It was a storyline unique to them but with broader implications about career-driven women.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

I was SO excited to hear that Susan Elizabeth Phillips was releasing a new book in her Chicago Stars series because it is one of my favorite series to read. Although this book has Phillip’s wonderful writing style, it didn’t meet my expectations despite it being one of my most anticipated romance books for 2021.

There was just too much going on in this book - the misunderstanding at their beginning, the mystery of her stalker, their issues with relationships, all the opera characters, the jewelry company employees/owners, etc. It made the story seem messy and all over the place at times.

Plus, I don’t think Tad and Olivia had enough opportunities to really fall in love for me to buy their connection. Sure, they had chemistry and lust in spades but love? After 4 weeks? I’m not so sure as it didn’t really come through in the writing.

I really love the Chicago Stars series but other than Tad being a back-up quarterback it really doesn’t fit. His storyline got lost for me too.

I do like Olivia and Tad but their relationship just got messy when it could have been a great, opposites attract, forced proximity story.

The writing is what I come to expect from Phillips, but the last few chapters started to really veer off course. The mystery took a life of its own that was a bit much and I think that’s what detracted from Tad and Olivia.

I honestly loved Phillips’ last release, Dance Away With Me, and say read that one instead or just reread some of the other Stars series books! If you’re a diehard Stars series fan, check it out but it wasn’t a favorite of mine.

*I received an advanced reader copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Not your average romance. WHEN STARS COLLIDE, manages to create a mystery amidst the romance between two very different stars promoting expensive watches. The opera star and the football star cannot help but fall in love while on a promotional tour for exclusive watches but someone is trying to harm one of them, why or for what reason is not entirely clear. The spin on the classic formula is just enough to make the book extra entertaining and perfect for summer. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Cute romantic mystery. Olivia Shore is an international renown opera singer. Thaddeus Walker Bowman is an aging (36) back up quarterback for the Chicago stars. Both are hired by high end Marchard Timepieces for a month-long cross country promotional tour. It is quick, easy money for both promoting qualities products. Of course there is stero-typical clashes. But the MC's actually enjoy each others company. Thad's protective instincts are aroused when he learns the threats are being made against Olivia. More alarmingly the stress is causing interference with her ability to sing.

Both the main characters are fun, driven professionals. They logically know their attraction can't be something long-term as their careers come first. But logic doesn't always stop love. I easily guessed part of the mystery but not all. I liked small things like Thad indulging Olivia's sweet tooth. I enjoyed some of the highlighted locations such as; The Met in NYC, hiking in AZ, a mountain cabin in the Rockies.

Surprisingly this is my first read from this author who has been successful for over 30 years. This book is the 9th in a series but obviously can be read alone. I love finding new to me authors who have lots of other books for me to binge through and I will add Susan Elizabeth Phillips to my list. This is a good contemporary romance especially if you enjoy a little mystery too. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable revisit to the Chicago Stars world. A misunderstanding results in the Opera star heroine Olivia thinking that the football star Thad is a player and she treats him with all of the disdain he deserves. Hijinks ensue but it all comes together in the end with another humorous offering from SEP.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: suicide (off-page side character), grief, stalking, attempted kidnapping, attempted murder, discussions of mental health, anxiety, false sexual assault allegation

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f rivals to lovers
-opposites attract
-close proximity
-sex pact/this is only a hookup
-sports romance
-celebrity romance
-sizzling chemistry with a side of adventure

I really enjoyed this one. Thad and Olivia misjudge each other from the beginning. He believes her to be a diva. She sees him as a dunderheaded athlete. Forced together on a promotional tour, hating how attracted to the other they are, they start to peel away the layers. Both are career-driven and burned by relationships in the past not understanding that.

I really enjoyed what this book had to say about the conflict between careers and relationships. This book was very immersed in Olivia's journey post-breakup and returning to the opera stage. In some ways it was more her story than Thad, but I so enjoyed how supportive he was of her. Pushing her rather than letting her fall down. He was just gone on her quickly and it was so wonderful to see. The sexual chemistry and banter between these two was amazing. How he wanted to protect her but still gave her agency, was so respectful.

My personal preference is when books emphasize the sex between the characters, especially making a sex pact part of the plot to have it be open door, so I was really disappointed to find out this book was closed door. But where this really frustrates me was the last 20%.

The ending honestly lost its grounding in a romance and went to the nth degree with the mystery/suspense aspect. The dark moment between Olivia and Thad went on for too long IMO and I kept flipping back feeling like I missed something. That Olivia had to grovel when she had so much going on, was in so much danger, dealing with grief, psychosomatic symptoms, honestly, it felt like I was reading another book and Thad was a different character. It truly made their HEA a bit disappointing because I wasn't sure I liked Thad anymore, or even Olivia with one of the choices she made. Overall an enjoyable read, but its hard to get over how disappointing the ending was.

Rating: 3
Steam: 2

I really enjoyed this book by SEP. Loved that the characters are not in their early 20's and also the opposites attract scenario. It is about a second string quarterback and a opera star as they travel the country together for a ad campaign and begin to see each other in a different light.

Monday Night Football meets the Metropolitan Opera House!

Olivia Shore, world renown Opera Singer and Thaddeus Walker Bowman Owens, Quarterback to the NFL Chicago Stars, trade in their talents to become brand ambassadors for a high-end watch company. This stubborn jock and feisty soprano embark on a four-week US tour thats full of high notes, a few low notes, and a few passes. The lust between the two hits a fever pitch so they agree to one-night together in Las Vegas to conclude to the tour. But can they give it just one night?

Olivia's past brings mystery to When Stars Collide, and the chemistry is a touchdown. Absolutely enjoyed this book, the banter and I think I need to buy Thad's jersey. Got to support the team, right?!?!?

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the complimentary copy for an honest review.

Olivia and Thad....sigh

I didn’t want this book to be over. It was everything I wanted and expected from SEP with a return to The Chicago Stars. A few interesting twists. I loved the characters especially Olivia, an opera singer. I was completely engrossed in their personalities and their love. It felt like something old and something new. Loved it! I’d definitely recommend this book. It left me wanting more. Clint reminded me of Kevin Tucker and I’d love to know where his story goes. Please and thank you!

Another edition of the Chicago Stars series of romance novels, this features two unlike individuals who find their commonalities while thrown together on a promotional tour. Careers, love, and balance are strong themes in this book.

I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Her books are quick reads, great for the beach, great for a laugh, and satisfying. This wasn't my favorite of her Chicago Stars series, but it was highly enjoyable.

Loved this story! After learning the characters involved in the plot the story was enjoyable. Would recommend for those who love books they want to read til the end. Thank you!

The latest in SEP’s Chicago Stars series is an example of the best of the best in romance!
This is an outstanding contemporary romance where the hero and heroine communicate like the intelligent, thoughtful, mature adults they are, yet still struggle with how to make it work between them. If you’re new to this author, sex scenes are closed door, but you won’t miss it because the storytelling is so excellent!
Olivia is ambitious, smart, sexy and may be my favorite SEP heroine to date. Thad is also ambitious, smart and sexy but most importantly, a worthy mate for such a formidable and troubled heroine. These two start off as enemies forced to work together, become friends and eventually (spoiler alert!)...lovers. There are detailed glimpses into the world of opera that shows respect for the craft and for the reader’s potential interest.
I started reading it, couldn’t put it down and then I didn’t want it to end.
SEP delivers all the things fans of her work can count on: flawless writing, endearing secondary characters and glimpses of past Chicago Stars couples, witty, laugh out loud banter, the masterful balance of internal and external conflicts, sexual tension and comic relief. SEP is in a class by herself and When Stars Collide is romance perfection!