5 It’s So Good Being Back in Chicago Stars!!

I’ve been reading SEP books for as long as I can remember and her Chicago Stars series has been in my Top Ten favorite series even 30 years later. So when I heard we were getting another book in this series I was giddy with excitement. The minute I started this book I was obsessed with it and devoured it in one sitting over the weekend.

What I wasn’t expecting in this book was for SEP to put a murder into the storyline! I’m a little ahead of myself though. Brett and Rory meet at a costume party and after a few drinks where the chemistry is flying high, the next morning Rory is alone with some cash on the table so clearly there was a misunderstanding between these two. What neither knew that night was they were already in each other’s universe but in completely different ways and I was all in for everything that was about to go down!

This is a fast paced read filled with all the witty banter I love in one of Ms. Phillips books along with this new added element of solving a crime. When Rory puts her mind to something, having her dreams come true as a chocolatier to finding her NFL star brother to falling for uber agent Brett she will find a way to make it all happen.

If you’re looking for a book that will have you captivated from beginning to end, this is the book for you!

Simply the Best is a fabulous addition to the Chicago Stars series. It starts off right away with Rory and Brett meeting and having a one night stand where both of them have misunderstandings around who the other is which ends up with a bit of a messy situation. Complicating things further, a murder occurs, Rory's brother is mixed up in it, and both Rory and Brett are inserting themselves into things to try and clear Rory's brother and help his situation.

Simply the Best has a little of everything in it, from steamy situations to hilarious ones, and at it's heart deals with the different ways and levels in which we connect with friends and family. Family can be complicated and messy regardless if they are the ones you are born into or the ones you find along the way. I really loved reading about Rory and Brett finding themselves and each other during the course of this book. How different they were and their witty and fun banter and the situations they find themselves in made for such an entertaining read.

Rory Garrett's life isn't going the way she had hoped it would, it's actually quite the disaster. She has hopes of one day opening a chocolate shop but she still feels like she is standing in her football player brothers shadow. Brett is Rory's brothers sports agent. His life couldn't be better, he is known for never missing a beat and everything just seems to go his way. When the two meet its one night of drunken passion and they don't think they will see each other again. When Rory finds a dead body in her brothers home and Brett shows up shortly after the two are shocked to see each other again. Follow along as they can't seem to stay away from one another all the while trying to clear her brothers name. Will the two find a killer and fall in love at the same time or will love not be in the picture at all? This was a fun read filled with great characters and wonderful story.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is the author of a top 5 fav of mine, Ain't She Sweet. Its a product of its time, but the story at heart has kept me coming back to Philips' work year after year. Her latest, Simply the Best, is a mystery romcom with two great leads who's character arcs really kept me entertained. Philips also never fails me in the spice department. Overwhelmingly enjoyed.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Guess who is back? Back again! YES SEP is finally back, and nothing less with "Chicago stars". I love this serie!
We have Susan's ever-present humor, football, hilarious dialogue, and a dead body.
Do we need anything else? I have been following Susan for many years, now every time
she announces a new book, it ends up directly in the cart, without even reading the plot.
It's a guarantee. When I saw that Netgalley had let me read the arc I was so happy. This book, like the others in the
Chicago star series, is also a must read. Did I mention that Susan put murder in there this time? Bring it on!
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley.
This is my honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone.

It’s been a little while since I’ve read one of Susan Elizabeth Phillips Dallas Stars novels and this put me right back in the mood to read them all. She is so good at creating moments and this novel had so many different kinds that drew me in and made me want to keep reading this quirky, fun, love story. This was truly a case of opposites attract. Brett seems to be so put together, and Rory is definitely a catastrophe and together they seem to unravel each others good intentions and bad ones too. The one thing they do have in common is that they want to find her missing brother and figure out what happened.

Murder, mayhem, chocolate, and romance. That’s what you know you’re getting from the synopsis of this book. What caught me by surprise was the humanity, depth of character and feelings that enriched the story. I had fun returning to this series and remembering how much a good book can create that escape from reality you might need.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me to an ARC copy. This is my honest and personal opinion.
Guys, we have our tenth Chicago star's book.
We met Rory and Brett, two opposites that inevitably collide and can no longer separate.
A classic!
I missed Susan's story! This is absolutely one of my favourites!

Brett Rivers' life is usually perfect. He's the best NFL agent to the biggest stars. Brett has anything a man could want but all of a sudden finds he himself in a fix with his biggest client....The Chicago Stars quarterback, Clint Garrett. He knew Ashley Hart was a gold digger and worked his magic to steer her clear of Clint. Now Clint's mad at Brett for Ashley breaking up with him and won't talk with him at Clint's birthday party. So Brett decides to find a little action and flirts with a curly haired blonde. Next thing they know they are in a hotel room getting to know each other on a horizontal level. Brett leaves afterwards while she is sleeping and leaves $500 on the table thinking she is part of the entertainment. Soon Brett realizes that the blonde is actually Rory Garrett, Clint's older half sister. Oh, boy....Brett's life is about to get even worse.

Brett and Rory accidentally meet up at Clint's house the next morning and that's when the fun begins. They both realize the mistake they made but as they are trying to find Clint in his big house, they come across a dead body, that of Ashley Hart! Now they have to find Clint and figure out what happened to Ashley so they decide to join forces. Of course the more time they spend together, the more their chemistry starts to boil. They both know being together is wrong but they can't seem to help themselves. Brett and Rory seem to bring out the best in each other and he even helps her to try and get her life back on track with her chocolate business. As they are trying to find Clint, trying to find Ashley's killer, and dealing with Rory's stepmom, things start to get even crazier. Finally everything gets figured out and once everything falls into place, Brett and Rory can finally get their happy ever after....they just need to grab it!

I just adored this forbidden, opposites attract story. Brett was the typical A-type personality who had EVERYTHING in his life in order. Rory was the typical B-type personality who had NOTHING in her life in order. Together they balanced each other out and were perfect for each other. Another great addition to the wonderful series.

what a great book and i loved reading this author. I haven't read her in many years. loved the romance and how the couple came to be. Loved that they worked through their issues and found love.

I was hooked from the first page of the book. I knew I would love Rory immediately and I was not disappointed. I laughed a lot while reading. I wasn't as sure if I would love Brett as much when I started, but he grew on me and won me over. The book has some intrigue which was a nice fit to the story. As all books by this author, the banter is fabulous. It's so much fun. The book is hard to put down and I wanted to make it last. This is definitely one I'll reread and enjoy just as much a second time. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Stepping out of her regular stories, Phillips adds a murder into this one. But, it doesn't detract from the romance, the genre she is really known for and trying to solve the mystery lets our two main characters get past their initial meeting which was both good... and not so good.

Rory Garrett (she uses the name Meadows so people are less likely to connect her to Clint Garrett, Chicago Stars football player) is used to things going wrong in her life. But her recent life is really taking the cake on that. A failed business, a bad attempt at a one-night-stand, and breaking up her best friend in Chicago and Clint are just some of the recent examples. But she's not prepared to find a body. Nor is she able to understand why Clint's agent is so darn hot, even if she knows there can never be a real relationship between them.
Brett "The River" Rivers is used to being perfect. His life is built around being the best sports agent in the business. And that's about to be paid off with a promotion to Vice President at Champion Sports Management. But he's just made two massive mistakes and now he's not sure how to hang on to Cliff as a client. And it seems foolhardy to run around with the man's sister when Brett just can't help but be so darn attracted to her.
I'm really not sure about the murder but it does create an external reason for Rory and Brett to be thrown together. Of course, there was a last Big Misunderstanding and a rather over-the-top end scene to the two being together but I overall enjoyed the book.

Chicago Stars #10
Three and a half stars
This book comes out February 14, 2024
Follows When Stars Collide
ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, book ten in her Chicago Stars series, combines humor with a whodunit and it's fantastic. Rory Meadows struggled with life, especially since her NFL playing half-brother, Clint, wins at everything. His ever-present sports agent, Brett Rivers, is by his side the whole way and is also quite successful. Then, the unthinkable happens; a murder occurs, affecting them and turning all of their lives chaotic. The banter is the best. The entire time I was trying to figure out who the killer was, and I will admit that I never once guessed the identity of the killer. Beautifully woven together are the themes of opposites attracting and enemies-to-lovers, set against a murder mystery and a dysfunctional family drama.

This amazing, emotional, and entertaining story with intriguing characters, who you want to know and hang out with, draws you in and does not let go until you turn the last page. Susan Elizabeth Phillips displayed what she does best, writing a humorous and a wonderful story line while taking the reader on a journey, or maybe an escape. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is the absolute best at creating a world where all characters stand on their own, but that you still meet familiar faces in each book. She writes of strong willed women and the men who fall in love with them. Simply the Best follows the same path as most of her novels do, but it was cozy and familiar like a warm blanket on a rainy day. I loved the banter between Rory and Brett, it was both comical and endearing. My Phillips readers will be so excited about this book, and I know I can entice others with it too.

Simply the Best is book ten in the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
This was a fun, sexy, sweet romance story with a murder mystery.
How have I not been in the loop with this amazing series?
Brett and Rory were a perfectly matched couple who had fantastic chemistry. I loved their witty banter.

Thank You NetGalley and Avon for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Classic SEP with a lot of snarky comments!

Rory Garrett knows that she has never lived up to the standards of her family after failing to make a career as a chocolatier especially in the shadow of her brother Clint. Everything went haywire when she told Clint that his now ex-girlfriend was only into him for the money and connections and he didn’t take it well since his agent, Brett Rivers told him the same thing. But sleeping with Rory at Clint’s birthday party might ruin Brett’s career forever especially when Clint’s ex-girlfriend is found dead at Clint’s house and they can’t find her brother.

If you want a sports romance with a lot of snarky comments between Rory and Brett with a little bit of mystery you need to read Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a blast! Mix a prickly chocolatier struggling to find her place in the world with a hard hitting, successful sports agent, sprinkle in a murder and quirky family and you have this fresh and funny novel. Maybe a little formulaic in places but an entertaining and charming world to escape into. Releases Feb 13.

SIMPLY THE BEST – Susan Elizabeth Phillips
A Perfect 10
Chicago Stars, Book 10
Avon
ISBN: 978-0-06-324856-4
February 13, 2024
Contemporary Romance

Chicago, Illinois – Present Day

Rory Garrett is roped into attending her half-brother’s fancy cocktail party one night at a hotel and she wishes she could be anywhere else. But her half-brother Clint is the Chicago Stars all-pro quarterback and insisted that Rory be there. Feeling out of place, she gets drunk and runs into a handsome stranger she assumes is just another jock. They banter back and forth, and before she can think properly, she finds herself in bed with him. Waking up afterward, she is alone except for the 5 one hundred dollar bills he left behind. He thought Rory was a sex worker.

Going back to the party, super-agent Brett Rivers goes in search of his star client. After Clint voices concerns about where his sister is, Brett gets a sinking feeling that he just made a big mistake. Hopefully, Clint won’t find out about his hooking up with Rory and hopefully, they won’t run into each other again.

Rory is looking for her brother one day and goes to his mansion. He doesn’t answer the doorbell, so she opens the door with the key she has. Wandering around, she calls out for him. No answer. While in the kitchen, she is startled when a voice asks her what she is doing here. It’s the man from the party who thought she was a sex worker. Rory soon finds out he is her brother’s agent, Brett Rivers, and boy, she is pissed. But they both are looking for Clint, so they start searching for him in the house. They don’t find him but do find the dead body of his ex-girlfriend.

At this point in SIMPLY THE BEST I knew that I was going to give it a Perfect 10. Susan Elizabeth Phillips set it up perfectly for readers to become interested in what happens with Rory and Brett. Finding the body was like the cherry on top of a hot fudge sundae. As expected, Rory and Brett call the police, but everyone knows that Clint is the number one suspect. Where is the man? Rory and Brett decide to track Clint down, but it isn’t easy because he isn’t answering his cell phone, and no one seems to know where he has gone—or if he is on the run. A call to Clint’s mother in Minnesota reveals nothing but now Rory’s stepmother Kristin is worried about her only son. Rory and Brett finally get a lead and head off together to chase it to find Clint. They don’t trust the other to be truthful if he’s found.

Rory and Brett seem like an unlikely pair. She is a failed chocolatier with dreams of one day opening her own chocolate store but in the meantime is selling candy out of a rundown food truck. Brett lives a good life as a sports agent and rubs shoulders with the rich and famous. Rory says whatever she’s feeling and right now she dislikes Brett, letting him know loud and clear. As they bicker back and forth, readers will enjoy the sizzling chemistry that is burning bright through the pages of SIMPLY THE BEST. While Rory and Clint didn’t have the best relationship, she still cares about him. She is also feeling a little guilty that she may be responsible for what happened. Readers will have to learn why as I’m not revealing that little tidbit. Meanwhile, Kristin shows up in Chicago. Her baby boy is in trouble, and she wants to see him. He’s nowhere to be found, so it’s Rory she latches onto. Kristin and Rory never got along, so how will they survive without killing each other before the end of this tale?

SIMPLY THE BEST is quite simply a rip-roaring read that will have you laughing, crying, and enjoying a tale that will keep you glued to the pages. While part of the Chicago Stars series, it is easily read as a standalone. I compel you to not pass on grabbing a copy of SIMPLY THE BEST, or you will be sorry.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

I loved this book. The author, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, again combines humor, wonderful characters, and a well-written story with a murder to solve. What more can you want?

Rory has a big heart and a small bank account, with a passion for making exquisite chocolate. Brett Rivers is her brother's sport agent and takes no prisoners. With Rory's quirkiness and Brett's driven personality they make an unlikely couple, but they are drawn together in their quest to prove her brother's innocence of the murder of his ex-girlfriend.

Even though each book can be read as a standalone, if you haven't read the other books in the series, you MUST STOP what you are doing and start reading them NOW. You won't be disappointed.

With SIMPLY THE BEST, Susan Elizabeth Phillips delivers her trademark witty banter, twisty plots, and surprising moments that left me grinning, enjoying the story of a truly wonderful and relatable heroine in Rory Garrett, vivid as her business and memorable for her spirit and perspective on business, life, and romance, particularly when it comes packaged in Brett Rivers. They shouldn't get involved -- but do so spectacularly and wonderfully. I have not read the other books in this series -- yet. I'm heading for my next one now in this delicious, satisfying series from the incomparable SEP. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a delightful and captivating novel, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers thoroughly engaged.