It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars Book 1)

~* 4.5 Stars *~ A surprise amendment to her father's will leaves Manhattan bombshell Phoebe Somerville ownership of the Chicago Stars football team. She thought she's long been disinherited and was thrilled by the will, seeing it as proof that her father did love her after all...until the vicious, controlling codicil gives her one season to win the AFC Championship and demands she stop being such an unrelieved screw up. If she fails, the team will be handed off to her slimy bastard of a cousin, a man who, as a boy, made Phoebe's life miserable. Refusing to give in to her father's manipulations, even in death, she blows off the whole idea and heads off on vacation, submerging herself in the artistic world to which she had fled when her father had betrayed her in the worst way years ago. Finding the head coach of the Stars in her living room a few days after her return, however, wasn't something she had anticipated. Dan Calebow makes her nervous and strips her of her vaunted control. He's large, intimidating, and forbidding, and something about him does weird things to her stomach. His condescending derision, on the other hand, does something else entirely to her temper. She's the biggest bimbo that he's ever met, but Phoebe Somerville sure was a looker. Pity that she was so useless as an owner and was technically his boss. He had players with unsigned contracts and a team to coach, he didn't have time to play her games. He needed her back in Chicago immediately. Once there, he could set her up as a brainless figurehead and get on doing the job he loved. Problem was, Phoebe's anything but brainless, and the bimbo act is a shield she uses to protect herself. After years of insecurity with men, and a childhood of trauma and neglect, she has honed herself into being exactly what she needs to be to get what she wants. It isn't until she returns to Chicago and starts to take up the reins of the team that she realizes she wants to be the one thing her father never thought she could be. A smashing success. If that means she has to kick the patootie of one supercilious head coach, well...surely they make helmets or something for that. Sparks fly and quips are traded with witty alacrity in this sports romance romp, the first of the Chicago Stars series. With a rather astounding level of character definition and tragic backstory that tugs at the heartstrings, this is a light romance with deep, dark undertones and was doubly satisfying for it. I loved Phoebe. More than that, I admired her. She's a survivor, and while her survival instincts may be dressed up in inappropriate gold lame at times, or wrapped up like a bow on her poodle's topknot, they're exceptionally adept at keeping her afloat. She has a truly tender and kind heart, and her intelligence is keen, especially when she truly starts using it. Dan was a little harder to peg. He's drawn to Phoebe, but doesn't see much beyond her bodacious bod at first, and there was a sex scene towards the beginning of the book (not with Phoebe) that I found deeply disturbing until his partner was identified. Even after that scene I found his relationship with his ex to be a bit distasteful, and the manner in which he so clinically decides to marry a woman just because she's good with kids didn't enamor him to me, either. I did eventually warm up to him, and he does show a far wider range of emotion and intellect through the book, but it was a bit of a rough start for me with him. The push-pull between him and Phoebe, though, was straight up, classic, awesome romance fun wrapped around a very complex consortium of character issues and insecurities. I have to give Susan Eliabeth Phillips credit, she created fully realized and very human characters on all levels, including secondary and ancillary characters, that filled up and filled out this book superbly, giving it much more depth and a far more meaty plot than I was anticipating. There were a few spots that seemed a bit formulaic (it's an HEA romance, though, it wasn't like I wasn't expecting that) and the major relationship conflicts could be seen coming from across the stadium and were, in my opinion, the least elegant aspects of the storyline, but nothing was a major detractor. In fact, it was one of the most satisfying and comprehensive contemporary romances I've read lately. I was particularly pleased with the subplot about the evolution of the relationship Phoebe has with her half sister, and the nifty ways Dan factored into that. I was also pleasantly surprised with how SEP addressed Phoebe's rape at the age of eighteen, and how realistically that assault was integrated into Phoebe's psyche and personality. The moment that Phoebe shared that trauma with Dan was a very good moment for me in the book, for a lot of reasons that are hard to explain, but touch on my appreciation for honest relationship conversation and trust. And I loved absolutely everything about Dan's actions and reactions to the whole of his knowledge of that rape from that point to the very end. I did have a few issues with the book. I could have done without the crazy stalker subplot, I feel it did too little to expand or assist in adding insight into Dan's past and it seemed too hokey a plot device at the end to be a credible threat. Snippets throughout the book shined a glaring spotlight on its 1994 original publishing date (O.J. Simpson being mentioned as a sports correspondent, not a defendant was particularly telling). Dan's ex-wife served little purpose beyond being an excuse for a very emotional scene between Dan and Phoebe...and for the total gross out factor of that initial sex scene. On the other hand, I was highly impressed with the taut play-by-play of the AFC Championship game. It was very well written - informative, tense, emotional, but not so detailed as to make your eyes cross. Admittedly, I'm a rabid football fan, and I have been since childhood. I know football. I even follow my team's off-season personnel and contract stories religiously. It was pretty much guaranteed that I wasn't going to be bored or disinterested with the level of the sports detail in this book. That being said, I'd like to think that I'm objective enough to assure those who aren't football fans that there wasn't a ton of it in the book, and certainly nothing I would consider a major detractor for those who don't like the sport. It Had to Be You is, at its core, the story of two damaged and emotionally fragile people finding each other in the least likely of places, and realizing that despite appearances and regardless of propriety, they're perfect for each other. And in getting there, it was the Superbowl of delicious, deep, thrilling, emotional journeys, ripe with fully realized and sympathetic characters that resonate with a sense of genuine triumph. ~*~*~*~ Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading/listening to this story. I read this book with my book club and I'm so glad that it was picked. I wasn't quite sure if I would enjoy it or not because I'm not really a football person however, that was truly not the main focus and the story was very well written. Phoebe and Dan are really great characters! I honestly loved all of the characters and noticed that there are more books in this series and I do intend to read them. Excellent story!

In "It Had to Be You," Susan Elizabeth Phillips delivers a delightful romantic comedy filled with sizzling chemistry and laugh-out-loud moments. As Phoebe Somerville, a vibrant and curvy New Yorker, takes the reins of the Chicago Stars football team, she quickly finds herself out of her element in the Windy City. Phoebe's bold personality and city sophistication clash spectacularly with the world of professional football and its rugged cast of characters. Central to the story is Dan Celebow, the Stars' head coach, whose rough exterior and old-school mentality symbolize everything Phoebe despises. His no-nonsense attitude and blatant sexism ignite a fiery animosity, making their initial encounters anything but smooth. Yet, despite their differences and the barbs they exchange, an undeniable spark simmers beneath the surface, drawing them together like magnets despite their protests. Phillips masterfully explores the tension between Phoebe and Dan, showcasing their witty banter and the evolving layers of their relationship. As they navigate misunderstandings and challenges, the story highlights themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the irresistible allure of opposites attracting. "It Had to Be You" is a scrumptious blend of romance, humor, and heart, inviting readers to root for Phoebe and Dan as they confront their preconceived notions and ultimately find love—whether they’re ready for it or not. Perfect for fans of romantic comedies, this novel is sure to entertain and leave you with a smile.

Other authors I like for reference (Jennifer Crusie, Kresley Cole, Melanie Harlow). This is the first Susan Elizabeth Phillips I've read, and was reassured from the other reviews that it's not just about football - it's relatable (even if you don't like sport) - and it is! Her supporting characters actually make me want to read her the rest of her series. I love her way of story telling, her quirky Heroine, the way she uses the characters back stories to explain their motivations, and how she ties everything into the present to deliver a punchy, relatable, delicious read. To be clear, I'm not one for cringe-worthy romances with withering bodies on every page. I like a happy ending but I want to feel fulfilled, and enjoy a well told story. I found it with this book, and my only negative is that Phoebe's backstory may be a little confronting for those who have difficulty reading about rape. I struggled at first but it's also a big part of the story as the characters develop. I really enjoyed this book, so definitely worth a go - and don't let the football fool you, it's more about the people. Let it surprise you, if this doesn't sound like your usual read. Enjoy!

My fav author. My fav book.. Read it so many times. Still fresh in my mind.

Premier volume de la série des Chicago Stars/Frères Bonner, 'It had to be you' nous en met plein les yeux avec des personnages hauts en couleurs (même la couverture, qui est pour une fois réussie, reflète bien l'esprit du bouquin). Entre Phoebe Somerville, une bombe sexuelle qui drague tous ceux qui portent un pantalon, et Dan Calebow, le coach trèèès viril (et brut de décoffrage) de l'équipe de football américain (les Chicago Stars) dont Phoebe vient d'hériter, les étincelles ne tardent pas à voler... Toute la saveur de ce livre et des suivants, tient à la galerie de personnages secondaires (Pooh, Molly, Ron...), aux répliques cinglantes des deux héros ('I promise that I won't hurt her. When I murder her, I'll do it real quick, so she won't feel a thing') qui ont tous les deux bien plus à révéler que ce que les apparences ne le laissent tout d'abord paraître et aux perles d'ironie qui parsèment le roman (P:"I accept your apology." / D: "An honest acceptance or one of those female things where a woman tells a man she forgives him for something, then spends all her spare time thinking up ways to make him feel guilty?"). J'ai adoré, et je me suis empressée d'acheter la suite pour me replonger dans le monde de Susan Elizabeth Phillips (7 tomes pour le moment). Plus qu'une romance contemporaine, c'est un vrai divertissement !!!

Bella trama anche divertente, mi ha introdotta al mondo del rugby che non conoscevo

Great to read over and over. Sweet love story where it all begins for the Chicago Stars series

舞台はシカゴ。縁を切ったものと思っていた父親の遺言で、一年だけアメフトのチームのオーナーになってしまったPhoebe。芸術は好きだけれど、アメフトなんて興味なし、ブロンドにセクシーボディーでいかにも軽そうなPhoebeをもろ体育界系なヘッドコーチのDanは気に食わない。そんなDanの殺気にビビるPhoebe。でも実は互いにちょっと気になっている。 実はPhoebeは過去のつらい体験もあって男性恐怖症気味で、男を手玉にとる態度もそんな恐怖の裏返しなのだ。Danといい感じになっても、身体だけが目当てなのだろうと、今一歩踏み出せない。昔は遊びまくったDanも今一番欲しいものは安らぐ家庭で、家庭的な奥さんタイプの女性を探しているところ。Phoebeに惹かれつつも、そんな自分のクライテリアにかすりもしない彼女からむしろ距離を置こうとしたり。チームのために力をあわせるうちに打ち解ける二人だけれど、思い込みが邪魔してすれ違ってばかり。 チームの優勝を目指した道のりと、オーナーとして成長していくPhoebeの姿と、最後までもどかしくハラハラさせられる二人の関係とで一瞬も目の話せない傑作でした。