SIMPLY THE BEST by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Book number 10 in the Chicago Stars series by prolific author Susan Elizabeth Phillips, SIMPLY THE BEST is loosely related to other Chicago Stars series novels, but can easily be read as a standalone. This is the second of the series after an extended Chicago Stars hiatus. I think the earlier books in the series were much stronger. SIMPLY THE BEST has portions that feel pretty slapstick to me, which is what turned me off so heavily to another of Phillips' books- Heroes Are My Weakness.

The heroine is a woman who is so broke that she dresses in thrift store cast-offs à la Pretty in Pink, although she does buy odd and quirky finds that make her appear interesting rather than dumpy. Rory’s got a lot of pipe dreams but very poor decisions and execution, and she feels somewhat like a caricature to me. While I was sort of rooting for her Happily Ever After, I never felt invested enough in her to feel disappointed if she didn’t get it. There is much made of her chocolatier skills, and the book did make me wish for a bowl full of chocolate to snack on as I read!

The hero is a typical bro overdriven asshat who discovers the true meaning of love and gives it all up for his woman. Again, a very tropish feel to the male lead. I was glad to see him brought down several pegs by the farcical circumstances. Brett is a successful sports agent who is hyperconnected to his demanding and needy clients, and dealing with jerky athletes has made him into a Class A jerk himself. I did like the twist that Brett falls into bed with Rory and then finds out she’s the half-sister of a star football player that he represents.

There’s a mystery threaded throughout this romance as well. Rory’s brother is the main suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend, who happens to be Rory’s neighbor. A lot is going on in this book! Susan Elizabeth Phillips can write some amazing romances, and some of her other books are on my Keeper shelf. SIMPLY THE BEST didn’t work for me on a lot of levels, though, and thus I hope Phillips’ next release feels different.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips returns with the next book in her Chicago Stars series where a successful sports agent and the sister of his biggest client engage in a take-no-prisoners battle of the sexes.

Take one hard-driving sports agent…

Throw in a failed chocolatier…

And her superstar football player brother…

Add a quirky pink and purple food truck…

Then, to really screw things up, mix in a very unfortunate murder.

Brett Rivers is the hottest sports agent in the business—fast and furious, swift and deadly. Failure? Not an option.

Rory Garrett is—let’s be honest—a disaster. She has a big heart, an empty bank account, a passion for making exquisite chocolate, and a huge inferiority complex from living in the shadow of Brett’s most important client, her football legend brother.

Brett and Rory should never have met, and they absolutely, positively should never have had to deal with the consequences of one stupid, drunken night…one disastrous lie…one career in jeopardy…one missing football player…and a very dead body.

It’s going to get messy…and dangerous…and heartbreaking…and sexy. To Rory, Brett represents skewed values and a devious mind. To Brett, Rory is forbidden fruit, off limits, do not disturb, and no entry—definitely no entry.

A woman who has succeeded at nothing and a man who’s succeeded at everything confront the challenge of their lives as they struggle with themselves and each other. When it comes to love—what price are any of us willing to pay to be simply the best?