When Stars Collide

A Chicago Stars Novel

By: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Narrated by: Nicole Poole

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times best-selling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips returns to her beloved Chicago Stars series with a romance between a Chicago Stars quarterback and one of the world’s greatest opera singers—and a major diva.

“Re-entering the world of the Chicago Stars is like a beloved friend come to call.” (Number-one New York Times best-selling author Robyn Carr)

Thaddeus Walker Bowman Owens, the backup quarterback for the Chicago Stars, is a team player, talented sideline coach, occasional male underwear model, and a man with a low tolerance for divas.

Olivia Shore, international opera superstar, is a driven diva with a passion for perfection, a craving for justice, too many secrets—and a monumental grudge against the egotistical, lowbrow jock she’s been stuck with.

It’s Mozart meets Monday Night Football as the temperamental soprano and stubborn jock embark on a nationwide tour promoting a luxury watch brand. Along the way, the combatants will engage in soul-searching and trash talk, backstage drama and, for sure, a quarterback pass. But there’ll also face trouble as threatening letters, haunting photographs, and a series of dangerous encounters complicate their lives. Is it the work of an overzealous fan or something more sinister?

This is the emotional journey of a brilliant woman whose career is everything and a talented man who’ll never be happy with second place. Tender and funny, passionate and insightful, this irresistible romantic adventure proves that anything can happen...when two superstars collide.

©2021 Susan Elizabeth Phillips (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

A surprising miss from a favorite author

I am sorry to say this book did not live up to its hype. I am generally a fan of Ms. Phillips’ work, and was especially excited for another Stars story. It is with sadness that I say this story missed the mark. I found myself disinterested in Olivia and Tad, and felt they lacked chemistry. The story was a little far-fetched (which can be forgiven in fiction if it’s done well) and did not really make sense from a conflict standpoint. I also noticed lines that read nearly word-for-word from other Stars books. All in all disappointing, and definitely not worth the credit.

Chicago Star Romances Aren't What They Used to Be

I was very excited when I saw that SEP had written a new book in the Chicago Stars series, but sadly this one just didn't do it for me. I really wanted to love Olivia and Thad, but I just couldn't get there. The usual love/hate banter lacked fire for this couple and it was tough to get invested in their story.

I still love SEP and will read/listen to anything she writes, but this one was disappointing.

So much fun!

I love the Chicago Stars series, and this latest did not disappoint. Plus I learned a lot about opera. Fun, multi-dimensional characters, a mystery, and a romance - the whole package! Plus Nicole Poole does an outstanding job narrating. Two thumbs up!

Well played!!

Nice story, a little simple, but nicely done and nicely performed. I did enjoy it.

Always a treat!

I love all the quarterbacks who have played for the ChicagoStars.
Thad is no exception.
As usual Susan Elizabeth Phillips gives us great character development, great descriptions of their homes and clothes. The whole package.
I love her books. Have read all of them at least once, most twice.

If you are new to s Phillips Chicago Stars books start at the beginning with It Had to be You.
Funny, sexy, pure entertainment is what you get with all her books.

Meh

Not SEP's best work. The romance build up, where you feel like the characters fall in love, was not executed well. Narrator did great job with female characters but her male characters sounded like dudes.

Hmmm

Not Susan’s best work. Characters weren’t flushed out well enough that when the villain was exposed I had to go back to figure out just where he came in.

Okay, but not her best.

It was good, but not quite they dynamic, interesting characters I’ve come to expect from SEP.

Great story but not a rom-com

Firstly, this is a great book. The story and characters are well developed and Susan’s research into the world of opera is impressive. I was rooting for a convoluted ending that the heroine figures out and this did not disappoint. Secondly, I don’t consider this a rom-com. There were some cute lines and a giggle or two but I long for the days of Sugar Beth’s rapier wit and Bobby Tom’s good ol’ boy throw-away lines that had me cracking up. So many of Susan’s books have had me laughing until tears ran down my leg. Not so with the last two.
That said, I love her writing style and characters so I’ll buy the next book, and the next and… you get it.
Keep writing, Susan!

Best Performance Since Anna Fields

Nicole Poole gives the BEST performance for a SEP book since Anna Fields, who I have missed so badly. This is another great story from Susan Elizabeth Phillips and if her future books are paired with the performance of Nicole Poole, I will buy every one.