SIMPLY THE BEST by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I am a lifelong SEPPIE. There are tons of us to be sure. You honestly just have to utter that she has a new book coming and we are there with our literary tongues hanging out. And SIMPLY THE BEST takes place in one of my favorite scenarios - the Chicago Stars. I bet I have your attention now. Phoebe, owner of the Stars, is one of my longtime favorite characters. Sure didn’t look like football team owner material, but Susan Elizabeth Phillips crafted her with a deft eye. It was love at first gaudy sight. If you’ve missed The Chicago Stars series - get on the bandwagon guys. It is simply the best.

And now we have the next installment SIMPLY THE BEST with some brand-new stars Rory and Brett. Mismatched of course. Like leather luggage and backpacks. But it works. Of course, Susan Elizabeth Phillips waves her magic wand, and we get it. The dialog between Rory and Brett is just plain adorable. Sass meets refined. Outlandish meets classy. Joyous.

When Rory opens her mouth you can almost see Brett bristle. But then he starts to get her. The next step is defending her. And you know where this is hopefully going to wind up.

Brett is a sports agent. In this case, he is Rory’s brother Clint’s agent. Clint’s girlfriend has just been killed, well that’s what we assume since she is found dead at the bottom of the balcony at Clint’s house. Clint is naturally a suspect. So is Rory since she made the discovery. And Brett’s role is to try to keep them both out of jail. They are needless to say innocent, but the road to discovery is marked with detours.

In the meantime, Brett has sort of attached himself to this outlandish woman who defies all logic. Certainly not his type, actually Brett is not particularly sure he has a type. Rory though is like an unmade bed. And Brett likes his linens crisp and tight. You get the picture.

Those familiar with this series will certainly have images of Phoebe and Dan pop into your mind. Cherished memories. It Had To Be You started my love affair and SIMPLY THE BEST picks up where the series had ended. All ten books stand alone but looking through the list brings back some dear memories. I have read them all and reviewed them when the opportunity arose. Start with SIMPLY THE BEST and if you have the opportunity catch up with this entire series. It simply is the best.

#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?