I first encountered Susan Elizabeth Philips TEN years ago when I was a graduate student alone and miserable in a new state. I was also convinced I would never find love. Her books made me laugh and were just the right amount of romance. Now I’m married with two kids and her books still hit the spot. This newest one was no exception. I loved Rory and Brett together and I loved how this book was unique compared to the other Chicago Star books. I loved it!

Another incredibly romantic, thoroughly entertaining novel in Phillip's Chicago Stars series. This new one is centered a little less on the world of professional football, and also is a murder mystery, which is a little bit different (in a good way!). Rory is a mess -- when we meet her she is pretty much at rock bottom and not even close to fulfilling her dream of becoming a successful chocolatier. Her half brother, Clint, is a famous football player who has just fired his agent, Brett. Then, Clint's girlfriend, a friend of Rory's, is found dead in Clint's mansion, and Clint is nowhere to be found. It turns out that Rory is a little more involved in all this than you might think, and needs to figure things out to clear Clint's name. Lots of slow-burn, hurry up and wait romance between Brett and Rory, who are two very opposite types. I loved this book and can't wait to recommend it. Phillip's many, many loyal readers will love it, as will newcomers who enjoy books by authors like Emily Henry, Elin Hilderbrand, and Mary Kay Andrews.

Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is the latest in her Chicago Stars series, and while it was peripherally a Stars book, the main characters aren't directly related to the team.

Rory wants to be a chocolatier, but is letting her low self-esteem and the way she thinks everyone views her stop her from going for her dreams, Brett is a sports agent whose top client, Rory's brother, and star quarterback Clint Garrett, is the main suspect in a murder. Rory shows Brett that he can be a human who wants a relationship and that life is more than your job, and Brett shows Rory that is more than Clint's sister and to have faith in herself and her abilities. The secondary story is about Rory's step-mom Kristen and her finding a second chance at love.

The story brings us back into contact with Heath and Annabelle Champion, and Thad and Olivia (kind of) from other Stars books and it's like a visit from a long lost friend.

Simply the Best is a good addition to the Chicago Stars library, but I felt kind of cheated because now I want more Clint. He's kind of a jerk and needs a good redemption story - I hope one's coming.

I've been a Susan Elizabeth Phillips fan since I first read "Kiss an Angel" more than five years ago. One of the many reasons being that she writes such unique romances that you can't just pick up off the checkout line in a grocery store. So, I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to review one of her stories, and I won't even lie about the high expectations that I had going into this story. "Simply the Best" certainly didn't disappoint.

Rory is a disaster of an FMC. Her life is essentially one big mess. She is a hopeful chocolatier, but at 34, she hasn't had her big break yet. But, it's pretty clear that she is compassionate and kind.

Brett is your hotshot, successful MMC. He is ambitious and driven. As a 35 year-old sports agent, his singular focus is closing the next deal... And the next... And the next... Well, you get the picture.

Their first meeting absolutely hilarious, and a completely misunderstanding, but it leaves Rory offended and Brett in hot water with one of his best clients, Clint, a.k.a. Rory's half-brother.

Unfortunately their subsequent meetings wind up being due to the murder of Clint's girlfriend. Their world is also the smallest on the planet, because she happens to be Rory's neighbor. So, Rory and Clint end up being the primary suspects, and she teams up with no other than Brett to find the real killer and find Clint who has mysteriously (or conveniently) disappeared.

The chemistry between Rory and Brett is quite evident from the beginning. They're both gun-shy about serious relationships and the possibility of love. And while this might be the primary plot of the story, the murder is the primary subplot of the story. Interestingly enough, both plots are seamlessly interwoven and seem to progress simultaneously.

To say that the story kept me engaged and entertained from beginning to end would be an understatement. It is yet another solid read from this author that I know I will be re-reading in the near future! The only reason that this story doesn't get 5 ⭐️ is because of Rory's attitude towards Brett. Sure, on the surface he was your typical hotshot sports agent at first, but even when he let her in and showed her that he cared, she refused to give him an inch. She continued to be unfair towards him even when he proved that he was different than she imagined him to be.

This is the first story that I've read in the Chicago Stars series, but you can bet I'll be reading the rest of the series a.s.a.p!

4 ⭐️

Great story. It has mystery, romance and several family relationship drama storylines running parallel to the story. Lots going on. The football aspect is low key, so I wouldn’t categorize this as a sports romance really. Low spice, it’s minimally there but mainly “& end scene” style. Still a very enjoyable read. If you are a Susan Elizabeth Phillips fan, you won’t be disappointed by this one.

I received this book from the publisher & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

There was a lot going on in Simply the Best. It's part romance and part murder mystery. It had a lot of promise in the first quarter of the book, but I never really felt like it spent enough time on either romance that develops or on the murder mystery. It was also fade to black, which is surprising given how SEP has brought the spice in previous books. Overall, this was just okay.

I absolutely love the Chicago Stars series, and have re read Natural Born Charmer more times that I care to say. I find that even though this is a book series, they can all be read and fully enjoyed as stand alone reads. The banter between Rory and Brett is what you know and love with SEP books, along with fun side characters that keep the story flowing. I giggled when Heath & AnnaBelle showed up for they an one of my all time favorite couples in the series. A wonderful sports read for those who love the Chicago Stars series, and those who this is your first in the series, welcome and be ready to go back and read them all.

Fun read, very fast-paced! The book follows the main character, Rory Meadows as she struggles through "adulting" while watching her NFL playing brother, Clint, win at everything. His ever-present sports agent, Brett Rivers, is by his side the whole way and on top-of-the world himself. Then, the unthinkable happens. There is a murder and their lives turn topsy-turvy.

Although this is part of the Chicago Stars series, you don't have to read them in order. I have only read of the few books in the Chicago Stars series and it didn't make a difference in my understanding of the characters. I found Brett and Rory's relationship to be a bit cliché but, it's a rom-com, so I went in expecting that. I did enjoy each of the characters and the murder-mystery was a bonus part of the suspense.

Thank you to Susan Elizabeth Phillips, NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager Publishing for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.

I love the Chicago Stars series and Match Me If You Can is one of my top three favorite romance novels, so I was looking forward to Simply The Best. There are many similarities between the characters in both novels, and I was thrilled Annabelle and Heath made appearances in this book as well. The story is great as is the dialogue and Phillips style of writing.

I love this series. It's like having coffee with old friends! They are independent enough to be stand-alone, but knowing the history of the supporting characters makes the story richer. Those are my kind of series! Anyway, this one had a twist I don't remember her other titles having in that it was more oriented around solving a murder than it was romance. I liked it! The dialogue was there and wonderful, as well as flawed, but deeply lovable characters. If you haven't read SEP, start at the beginning and fall in love with the Chicago Stars from the beginning. It's worth it!

Wonderful, wonderful novel. Phillips’ characters just leap from the pages and the story while sometimes might seem outlandish, but all in the funny and heartwarming way. I kept smiling throughout the book. At the same time, I thought the story was deep and emotional. I loved how the the characters have to travel to reach their happy ending, because it had me hooked. This is a book to read again, and again!

There’s only one SEP! Every time I read a book of hers, I remember what’s missing from almost every other book. I can’t describe it or name it, but whatever it is, Phillips’ books have it. It’s more than a sassy heroine, great supporting characters, and a flawed but perfect for her hero. It’s more than humor and heart. I wish more authors had it!