Simply the Best demonstrates once again why Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a must read author. This story focuses on Brett, a sports agent, his client football star, Clint, and Clint’s half sister, Rory, who makes the very best chocolates. The death of Clint’s former girlfriend complicates Brett’s life when Rory drags him into her investigation against his better judgment. The situations in which Ms. Phillips puts these characters and their ensuing dialogue run the gamut from sexy to ridiculously funny with a good dose of introspection and honesty. This is one fine story! I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

How have I never read a Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel when I follow her on social media? Just finished my ARC copy of Simply The Best from NetGalley. The dynamics between her characters in not just superficial but so well developed that if I met them, we could be friends. I really enjoyed this book and will now be reading more of her novels.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips knocks it out of the park again (or more accurately, scores another touchdown) with this next addition to the Chicago Stars series.

Brett and Rory are so much fun. They fit Phillips' common strokes: he's a high-powered, uber successful, super driven alpha with some deep-seated insecurities, and Rory is a misfit creative who's struggled to feel validated by her family and on the surface has no business attracting a GQ model with muscles and money. Of course this mismatched pair ends up being a hilarious couple that ends up in ridiculous situations and learns to appreciate each other.

Loved this story and found myself absolutely salivating over Rory's chocolate concoctions (and I'm not even a chocolate person!).

Four strong stars.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

This hits all the right notes in a way that seems specific to Phillips, though maybe she just does it best. One star deducted because I was absolutely physically incapable of picturing the MC, which became both distracting and annoying.

SEP always beings a certain charm to her books that I love. She’s one of my all time favorite authors. With that being said, her past two books haven’t been hitting the mark for me, as she’s adapting to the changing social landscape where chauvinistic characters don’t really cut the mark. Her newer books focus a lot on mentioning feminism and the hero trying to hard to not be a chauvinist that it fails at appealing to a more sensitive audience. Those characters of hers worked in her earlier backlist, but now those same characters need much more nuance. The effort to write charming men but without being an over the top macho man is not landing well, unlike her backlist.

While this books read marginally better than her previous two, I thought the romance was lacking. There were too many interruptions and back and forth.

This book was so cute! I loved the playful banter between the two main characters. I really wish I could try some of those chocolates! A perfect romance with a little mystery!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

It has been years since I've read a Chicago Stars book and it was fun to get back into that universe. Rory and Brett are two headstrong and quirky characters who were a hoot to deal with. At times their banter and the plot twists were a bit overwhelming, but the chaos did seem in kind with their personalities.

I think readers will be excited for this foray back into the Stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

I think Rory is my favorite SEP heroine ever. Like, ever!! I love her so much. I love her honesty and loyalty and audacity and her willingness to help and all of her quirkiness. I love her!! But she has been drifting along and now she has all this pent up guilt that she needs to resolve...

Brett is driven and hard and focused and has absolutely no plans to let some wild woman change the path of his life. He is The River and rivers never change course!!

This whole book was an absolute joy to read, filled with lovely characters and silly moments and so much heart. I loved it!!

The latest in Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ long-running Chicago Stars series, #SimplytheBest tells the story of Rory Meadows Garrett, half-sister of the football team’s quarterback (Clint Garrett) and Brett Rivers, a hard-driving sports agents whose clients include Rory’s brother.

Rory has suffered all her life from an inferiority complex, thanks to constantly being compared to her talented younger brother and found wanting. She’s in her mid-thirties with a passion for making high quality chocolates, but still trying to figure out how to make a living out of it. Brett is high energy, highly successful workaholic, who has all the outer trappings of professional success but few relationships that he can count on.

They meet at a party and have a one-night stand, then reluctantly agree to work together to try to clear Clint of murder charges after Clint’s former girlfriend, Ashley Hart, is found dead at the quarterback’s house.

Despite their obvious differences, Rory and Brett find that in addition to being attracted to each other, they actually like each other. Although it took a while to warm up to the two of them, eventually, as they began to open up, they became a likeable couple.

The murder felt like a distraction though, and the overall story seemed choppy as it veered from the Rory/Brett relationship, to Clint’s situation, to the mystery of who killed Ashley and to a secondary romance between Rory’s stepmother Kristin and Daniel. There was also less of the humor which is usually characteristic of Phillips’ books.

An interesting idea for a story, but not as engaging as some of her previous work.

I have been a fan since first reading her work after I was postpartum with my second baby in under two years and my husband went to the library to grab me some new books - the librarian recommended an SEP title and I’ve been hooked ever since. So, I was thrilled when I was given an opportunity to read an early copy of this 😍

In many ways, its ultimate SEP. There's some tropes Phillips has employed in the past (mistaken identity on the part of the outrageously wealthy MMC, the likeable, unique and financially struggling creative creator MFC, the mention of past characters in the series…). In other ways, it's unique (or has SEP written a murder mystery into the plot in another book?).

There's a lot going on in this one but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. I found it a fun read as well as enjoyable and think it's a great addition to the Chicago Stars series.



Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC!

Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips has well-developed, multi-layered characters, , each with their flaws and strengths. Brett's and Rory's humorous banter adds to making the characters real and reliable. Been awhile since I last read a Chicago Star book and with added element of suspense, this is a welcome addition to the series.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is simply the best! You can never go wrong when you immerse yourself in Chicago Stars land. I have loved every book in this series including this one!
Move over Python , River is in the house! I really enjoyed the evolution of the story and was very vested in it. I am hoping that the next story will be about Clint. The book is a murder mystery/romance. The only complaint I have is I would have loved to have seen more characters from the past .
Buy this book! You will love it!

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is always a must-read. (I don't even know how many times I've read Nobody's Baby Except Mine and This Heart of Mine.) While I haven't enjoyed her more recent books as much as the early ones, I am always happy to catch up with any of the Chicago Stars characters. I hope she keeps writing them.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is the GOAT of sports romances. And Simply the Best reminds me a lot of Match Me If You Can, which is my favorite of her Chicago Stars series.

Brett needs to find his biggest client and Rory needs to find her half brother who has become the prime suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend.
Forced proximity while searching for the Stars’ QB leads to road trips, posing as a couple and of course romance.

Also there is a subplot with Rory’s stepmother finding love and herself again. SEP has done this before, where she takes a secondary, mature character and gives them a nice side romance.

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

SEP, is the real queen fr!! It’s no wonder they’re simply considered the OG and their romance books the real blue print; and this book right here is the real proof of it all. I so loved it.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has once again captured the essence of love, growth, and humor in her latest addition to the Chicago Stars series, Simply the Best. With her signature simple yet descriptive writing style, Phillips weaves a tale that effortlessly draws readers into the whirlwind lives of her characters.
The story revolves around Brett Rivers, a relentless sports agent, and Rory Garrett, a talented but unsuccessful chocolatier with an enormous inferiority complex. The collision of their worlds is as unexpected as it is entertaining. What follows is a captivating tale of two seemingly incompatible souls entangled in a battle of wits and desires.

The book's beginning immediately hooks the reader with a highly amusing scene that sets the tone for the rollercoaster of emotions to come. As the narrative unfolds, Phillips introduces an unexpected element of suspense through a murder investigation. This twist keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end, culminating in a revelation that few will see coming.

One of the book's standout features is the well-developed characters. Phillips presents Brett and Rory as multi-layered individuals, each with their flaws and strengths. Their character arcs are a joy to witness as we watch Rory's transformation from a naive and laid-back dreamer to a more assertive and confident woman. Conversely, Brett's evolution from a goal-oriented, stubborn, and arrogant sports agent to a more open-minded and compassionate human being is equally engaging. Their witty banter adds a layer of authenticity to their budding romance, making their relationship feel both genuine and relatable.

The supporting cast in Simply the Best is nothing short of exceptional. The inclusion of Kristin's romance subplot adds depth and excitement to the narrative, making it all the more engaging. Phillips seamlessly integrates these secondary characters into the story, making their contributions feel integral rather than forced.
What truly sets Simply the Best apart is its portrayal of intimacy. Rather than relying on explicit scenes, Phillips focuses on the gradual development of tender feelings that evolve into a profound love. It's a refreshing approach that highlights the emotional connection between the characters.

However, there are a few aspects of the book that might not resonate with all readers. The repetitive use of the phrase “ the best chocolate” and its significance might feel a bit excessive. The initial stereotypical portrayal of the stepmother-stepdaughter relationship, while later explained and elaborated upon, might be off-putting to some. Additionally, the ending, though satisfying, may leave some readers expecting a different more elaborated outcome.

In conclusion, Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a delightful and engaging addition to the Chicago Stars series. With its well-developed characters, intriguing subplots, unexpected twists, and heartfelt portrayal of love, it is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. While it may have a few minor flaws, the overall experience of reading this book is simply the best.

** My full-length review will be posted and online links shared closer to the release date

Another winner by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Two great characters with opposing views on life. A set up for a plot filled with humor. More when released

Been awhile since I've read a Susan Elizabeth Phillips book. I enjoyed this romantic thriller. Just the right amount of both. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #SimplytheBest

A very charming, exciting and suspense filled story. Filled with the most wonderful characters you can imagine. I read it in one day (my dinner plans suffered for it, cue rotisserie chicken)
It is wildly entertaining, unusual and delightful.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips will always be an author I automatically reach for and look forward to reading. I have been a huge fan since "Natural Born Charmer" and love that she is still writing stories that are entertaining, plot and character driven, and overall well-written.
I did struggle with liking the main character for a bit at the beginning--just her stubbornness and pride at times but then to see her character growth and the development of various types of relationships was beautifully done.