ARC Review: First Star I See Tonight (Chicago Stars #8) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
A star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.
Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham’s spotted her, and he’s not happy.
Which is why a good detective needs to think on her feet. “The fact is...I’m your stalker. Not full-out barmy. Just...mildly unhinged.”
Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he’s hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop’s life might be in danger, and Piper’s determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. (Hint: Not!) If only she weren’t also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants to fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.
And then there’s Cooper Graham himself, a legendary sports hero who always gets what he wants—even if what he wants is a feisty detective hell bent on proving she’s as tough as he is.
From the bustling streets of Chicago to a windswept lighthouse on Lake Superior to the glistening waters of Biscayne Bay, two people who can’t stand to lose will test themselves and each other to discover what matters most.
SEP nailed another Chicago Stars book! Right off the bat, I knew I was going to absolutely adore Cooper and Piper. This duo was quite dynamic, in and out of the sheets. Each moment with them felt more like foreplay than an angsty love/hate relationship. Their relationship was a light-hearted read, filled with the perfect combination of swoon worthy romance, tongue in cheek humor, and animated snark. With neither of them looking for a relationship, the friction mixed with the attraction between them just added to the tension and chemistry, making their connection that much more delicious.
Readers will love Piper, SEP’s newest kooky and spitfire of a heroine, the moment they meet her. Picture the girl next door, except brimming with sass. Her kick ass personality will draw you straight in, leaving you rooting her on and wishing she was real enough to be best friends with. And on the flip side, it'll also have you banging your head against the wall. Our girl can be a bit pigheaded.
Cooper's never had to chase a chick in his life—until Piper. I had a blast watching this big super star, alpha male succumb to the unfamiliar game of cat and mouse. It was definitely one of the most enticing rounds of fight and flight that I've read in a long time. Their chase was wicked fun, antagonizing, and quite sexy. Each time Piper ran and Cooper chased I fell even more in love with him. His stubbornness matched hers toe for toe, which came in handy at times. I loved that even though Cooper was a well known commitment phobe, he went after what he wanted and didn't let anything deter him from making Piper his.
If you are looking for an entertaining read with a captivating couple that will leave you with huge smiles and a happy heart than I highly suggest picking up Cooper and Piper's story. This is SEP at her best!
Thank you, William Morrow, for the complimentary copy of First Star I See Tonight.
The Huffington Post says the books of Susan Elizabeth Phillips provide a “gateway drug to the whole [romance] genre,” which she assumes is a good thing. Bookpage magazine calls her “the crown jewel of romantic comedy writers,” which is definitely a good thing. Since she wrote her first novel on a typewriter in her kitchen, her books have been published in over 30 languages and appear on bestseller lists all over the world.
In addition to being a New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, she is a hiker, lazy gardener, horrible singer, passable cook, passionate reader, wife, mother of two grown sons, and grandmother of two adorable little ones. Her newest book, HEROES ARE MY WEAKNESS, is now available in paperback. Susan is excited to announce her next book FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT, the next edition in the CHICAGO STARS SERIES, will be released Aug. 23, 2016. You can visit Susan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or on her website.
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