Match Me If You Can (Chicago Stars Series Book 6)

I read this book in two days - it is great. Susan Elizabeth Phillips excells with the dialogues and the characters are great! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was sorry when I finished the book. It made me laugh and happy. Can't wait for her next book.

Would have been a 5 star read, but the ending got a bit goofy. I'm not always a Susan Elizabeth Phillips' fan but this book was enjoyable, especially with the skillful narrative talents of Anna Fields.

This is the first book I have read for this author. I borrowed it from the libary and I will definately buy it when it is released in paperback. The characters were deeply charming and a great deal of humor was mixed in so you feel like you are visiting with friends. I can't wait for the next one!

It was a quick read. I finished it in a day, but it's not one I'd put on my "read it again" pile. Not sure it was worth the hard cover cost.

Update: I'll eat my own words. I just got her latest, and that prompted me to read this on again. It is enjoyable.

As with all Susan Elizabeth Phillips novels, I will have to read it a couple of more times

before I can really write a review. I got hooked on her writing when I accidently picked

up HONEY MOON. I Have read that one at least five times!

In my review of book #5 in this series, This Heart of Mine, I mentioned that the men in this series are quite frustrating to me when I first meet them. To the point that I called the insensitive brutes. Boy oh boy, Heath is no exception. It took a loooong time before I really felt I was seeing the real Heath. Well, that statement isn’t exactly true. It was more that the author gave us glimpses of the real Heath, but Heath himself didn’t realize that was the real him so kept shoving the kid back in the locker.

Bodie, Heath’s best friend/bodyguard/driver/jack-of-all-trades, on the other hand had my heart from the beginning. I only tell you this because, in true SEP fashion, this story has multiple other little romances and potential romances popping up and Bodie features in one of them.

I also adored Annabelle from the start. She could definitely be a bit of a pushover sometimes, but when push came to shove she often found her backbone. Plus, as much as she felt like she didn’t live up to her family’s expectations, she really lived her life by her terms. She wasn’t going to conform to societal pressures no matter that her whole family seemed to gang up on her.

Although this story followed the path I thought it would, the path had many more curves and loops than I thought it would. That’s one of the huge reasons I’ve become such a fan of this author. She knows how to weave a tale and throw in some unexpected elements while still staying true to the story being told. That, and she knows how to write chemistry. My goodness did the butterflies run rampant in my stomach for the last third of this book. Not always the warm-gooey kind of butterflies. Sometimes they were butterflies of dread…when the writing is strong I still get those even when I know the book I’m reading is an HEA.

I found the underlying story of strong women and what it means to be a strong woman to be of interest. Especially in today’s climate. There are so many examples of fierce ladies in this story yet they are all so different from one another. I loved it!

There were so many people we met in this story that I would love to see get their HEA, too. Of course, Dean will be the next up and I can’t wait to see him taken down a peg or two. He’s a great guy, I can tell that by his actions with Annabelle in this book. But the boy has some crazy ego going on!

I’m sitting here writing this review in my wrinkled black shorts, generic black shirt that says, “I got your back” with stick figures, and bare feet, my hair a tussle of curls. After finishing an in depth novel, I chose Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips because I’m a Chicago native and I wanted a light, fun read. It started good, but unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations. As I read wearing neglected tan shorts from Old Navy, pleated pockets that looked like origami, and a white camisole that collided with some raspberry jam, the constant clichés along with apparel descriptions obstructed the narrative. Much of the story is tell with little show, which made it difficult for me to invest my emotions into the characters; aside from the Rolex, crispy white pants, pencil skirts, sleeveless blouses that swooped in the back, silk suits, Oakleys, and diamonds.

Some of the characters and situations weren’t believable. Annabelle’s family are disrespectful and rude to her by criticizing and suggesting that she’s a loser. Toward the end of the story, when they meet Heath, he perceives them as a close loving family, and then suddenly, she becomes their golden child. Love doesn't equate to shaming your child's or sibling’s lifestyle. When I traded my spandex shorts for a pair of jeans and a Chicago T-shirt from Walgreens, frustration got the best of me when parts of the story felt thrown together at the last minute and didn’t quite make much sense to me, one being Annabelle’s house becoming the party place for football players. Where did that come from? It’s as if Phillips was searching for a reason for Delaney and Heath to break off their relationship, and decided to throw this in for a clean break and a few revelations. Then there’s Heath completely denying his love for Annabelle until Portia, who he isn’t even friends with, all of a sudden knocks some sense into him by showing up and preaching about love. No build up to it, just a woman he didn’t care for and a farfetched reason for donned sweatpants, stained T-shirts and a robe.

I give this book 2-stars for wishing it would end sooner than later instead of enjoying the adventure in my Chicago Bears pajamas.

Let me say that Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my go to for a good laugh. Oh my goodness, Annabelle and Heath are fantastic. The banter between these two are stupendous.

So, we have The Python aka Heath Champion in search of a wife, but he doesn't have time to find the perfect polish wife he needs for his career so he hires Power Matches. However, one of his clients wife has a friend who is started her own match making business, so he's doing this as a favor. Isn't so gracious of him. In comes Annabelle Granger, a walking disasters. However, she manages to get results done. Even though she's an unlikely character for Heath to hang around he likes her, okay that's stretching a bit, but she grows on him. Plus, she does an amazing job playing interference on his dates if they aren't working out. At the same time, Annabelle has a powerful connection that Heath would love to make amends. So, the snake slithers his way into getting on Phoebe Calebow good side.

Anyway, Match Me If You Can will definitely tickle your funny bone. The banter, fantastic. The chemistry, hot. Annabelle and Heath are both out of each other leagues, but you know what they work. Annabelle is definitely not the polish, sophisticated woman Heath wants, but she's feisty and fun loving and she's going to knock his socks off. Heath he's pretty snaky in the book, but Annabelle makes him a better man. She's the only one to stand up to the guy. Plus, we get to Deeeeean. Dean Robillard is my favorite character and he strikes up an interesting friendship with Annabelle. I definitely would recommend Match Me If You Can if you need a pick me up, laugh out loud kind of read.

Since, this was an audiobook nobody can do a better job than Anna Fields. She does a super job with reading this book like she has in the previous books. I love when she does her kid voices, because they are amazing.

Yes, you might consider reading the books in order, but you will be fine if you don't. I have been hopping around this series this whole time and have done fine on the stories.

Match Me If You Can is about Heath, the wealthy sports agent, who wants the perfect wife. Of course, he's too busy to look for this perfect woman and instead has two different match making agencies in search of her. Annabelle is the owner of one of those agencies and she's determined to find him the perfect woman.

Heath's demands on Annabelle created a lot of fun banter. Having Annabelle attend all the introductions between him and the potential candidates built lively conversation between the two of them. At this point, in the story, she had fallen for him and of course he was totally clueless to her feelings towards him.

"Basically, you expect me to find your bride, court her, and hand her over at the altar. Or do I have to come on the honeymoon, too?"

"Definitely not. I can take care of that all by myself.”

Match Me If You Can is part of the Chicago Stars series and while it's book #6 in the series I was able to read it just fine even though I've only read book #1. Don't let the series numbers stop you from giving it a try. I enjoyed listening to this audio while I painted our fence. It helped pass the hours. My kids thought it was funny the only place I ended up with paint was on my ear (from pulling out my headphones).

I read this book on another platform, but the store is where I read and therefore write my reviews. I did enjoy this book, although I'd say it was a tiny bit too long and had too many secondary characters - it was hard to keep them all straight in one's mind, although I understand that some of them have their own books, reading which, I'm sure, would help appreciate this one more, but even as a stand-alone it's pretty entertaining. I cannot tell you how many times I was grinning while reading :D. My favourite was the party at heroine's house during which the hero started to get his head out of his behind :D. However, I have to say that his turnarounds were a bit too abrupt, especially the one where he finally acknowledged he actually loves her...

I really enjoyed Match Me If You Can. Even though the ending was predictable, Phillips is a good writer and the story was fun and different from the usual romance story line.
Annabelle is just starting out as a matchmaker and comes up against Portia Powers -- her rival in their quest to find a wife for Heath Champion, a high-rolling, successful sports agent. Annabelle's life is going south and its critical that the matchmaking agency she inherited from her grandmother be a success. Her previous failures in business and love have made her the butt of family jokes and while she knows deep down she can make a success of this, her paranoia about failing can make it tough. I don't want to go into the whole story but the secondary love story about Brody & Portia is also fun to read. If you're looking for a light page turner you won't want to put down, this is definitely it!

This is Susan Elizabeth Phillips at her very best. This is the kind of book which made me fall in love with her writing. When I am in a reading slump, I know that if I pick one of SEP's early books, I will be laughing and engaged immediately.

Annabelle runs a matchmaking service. She inherited it from her Grandmother. She also inherited her late Grandmother's house and an automobile named Sherman. She also inherited many of her Grandmother's elderly clients. Annabelle is trying to get Heath Champion as a new client. This man is rich and famous, He is a sports agent who represents a great number of famous athletes. He is sophisticated and handsome and well known and all the things that will put Annabelle and her business on the map.

Her competition is Portia Powers. Portia is a successful and uptight woman who knows one can never be too rich or too thin or have too much control. Her matchmaking business is managed following a strict formula and well paid informants from all over the right places in the city.

Annabelle is a wonderful heroine. She is smart and able to build her business by hard work and people skills. Most of all she is witty and funny and she believes she can match people with someone who will bring them happiness. She believes her family thinks of her as a failure, because her mother and brothers call her on a regular basis to tell her how to improve.

Heath is a driven workaholic who has a vision of his perfect wife. She will have many marvelous qualities and be willing to bend her life to his will. He is smart about his clients but has no clue about the kind of woman who would truly make him happy. His family life gave him no background on what is true marital happiness.

The conversations are witty and humorous. Whether it is Annabelle and Heath, or any of the secondary characters speaking, there is no time that the reader does not want to read every word.

The background of the story involves the business of matchmaking but also professional football. We meet people who make their living being well paid and famous for playing a game. That career can end quickly if there is injury, and one of the characters is a prime illustration of that.

From the very beginning I was rooting for Annabelle and Heath to fall in love. They provide wonderful scenes filled with conversations that are very funny. Both of them are terrific characters who entertain the reader.

Secondary characters add wonderful texture to the story. Bodie appears to be just short of a hoodlum. Annabelle's former fiance left her and made a huge change in his life. Pippa is a tot who has a phone fetish. Everyone is an important part of the story.

Ms Phillips is such a talented writer who has provided me with countless hours of entertainment and actual reading joy. This book is a perfect example of her talent.

Match Me If You Can (Chicago Stars, Book 6) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (overdrive library kindle 3★) (iTunes audio 1★) 3★

Kindle - library overdrive
iTunes audio read by Anna Fields

Really really dislike all the characters. Felt no sympathy or connection to any of the character. Second book I've read of Susan's. Her humor and writing is ok. But I loved the first book so much more (Heroes Are My Weakness). Match Me was dull. Could also be that it's set in Chicago (and I'm reading this during hockey playoffs - Anaheim Ducks vs Chicago Blackhawks). My dislike to the book could also be the reader for the audio I got on iTunes. She has a nasal voice, and when the speed is increased, it sounds like a computer voice.

The middle was good. Portia's character was skip-able. And the ending was predictable but ok.

Match Me If You Can is the sixth installment in Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Chicago Stars series. I just love this series and am slowly but surely making my way through the books. Sadly, I am almost to the end. Match Me If You Can is a very interesting take on the classic matchmaker story featuring the matchmaker herself being the perfect match for her client. This story does not arrive to this conclusion easily though and I enjoyed the experiences that lead up to it. As always, there is a romance between two side characters that is such a wonderful addition to the story. I look forward to the side romance almost as much as the main characters' storyline. I really enjoyed the follow up with all the other couples from previous books in this story. If you enjoy contemporary romances then you will love Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books! The football theme is there but is very much in the background while the romance takes center stage.

The Chicago Stars series includes the following installments:
#1: It Had to Be You
#2: Heaven, Texas
#3: Nobody's Baby But Mine
#4: Dream a Little Dream
#5: This Heart of Mine
#6: Match Me If You Can
#7: Natural Born Charmer

My favorite quote:
“Disagreements over money are the biggest cause of divorce." She waved her hand. "Absolutely no problem. Your money is our money. My money is my money."

Without a doubt, this is Susan Elizabeth Phillips' best story to date. It has everything I've come to expect in a SEP romance: humor, passion, tenderness, "goose bump" moments, dramatic tension, fascinating characters and very smart and clever story lines. The story works brilliantly from the first page to the last. To my mind, however, what especially sets this book apart from the other SEP top-rated blockbusters is the fact that no one is cruel, no one is physically or psychically harmed or hurt, nothing fantastical takes place, and there are no over-the-top or unbelievable moments.

In Match Me If You Can (and arguably, Ain't She Sweet, which is a much darker story than MMIYC but also fabulous) I think SEP pretty much achieves perfection. Match Me If You Can has no weak plot points and it is filled with lots of likeable and quirky characters including a bevy of young pro athletes that are an absolute HOOT in addition to being "hot." I really appreciated the empathy and affection that SEP shows for these guys. Best of all, the story has two genuinely likeable romantic leads whose comedic banter could give Hepburn and Tracey a run for their money, even as they slowly develop a deep and abiding love for one another that is a joy to behold. This story is 100% entertaining, funny, insightful and WONDERFUL.

I liked it more than it irritated me. I know that’s damning it with faint praise, but it’s not a statement I can make about all the books in this series. I giggled with it more than I wanted to throw the book out a window. And really, that’s probably the best thing it has going for it. I don’t think I connected with the characters the way I would have preferred, which meant that my real enjoyment in the story fell a little flat.

I really enjoyed this book, although I would rather shelf this as chick-lit than romance. I went into this one with super high expectations and although this was a really good book - it didn't meet my expectations.

The story is set in contemporary Chicago and I loved the heroine Annabelle. She's fun, endearing and utterly strong but a tad insecure. Who wouldn't be if you're fiancé broke it off to change his sex? The story is about Annabelle and her journey as she takes over her grandmother's matchmaking business. Her family is all overachievers and she's the black sheep - but she's determined not to end up an accountant. To gain success she signs Heath Champion - a wealthy, gorgeous sports agent who has decided it's time to take a wife. However, this is easier said than done when he's searching for an über perfect woman that doesn't exist and he seems to have more chemistry with his Tinker Bell matchmaker.

I really enjoyed Annabelle's story and there was much needed growth for both characters throughout the book. I loved the side story about Portia and Bodie. However, for me this wasn't a romance book - Heath was just a side character to Annabelle's wonderful story. Their love story didn't come alive for me and I just couldn't feel their chemistry. I enjoyed reading this one, but I didn't laugh, cringe or sit with a sappy smile throughout the book. If I had - then this would definitely have been a 5 star novel.

A last note: I really liked the ending. There wasn't too much angst between Heath and Annabelle and more importantly no unnecessary angst. Thumbs up!

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a dangerous woman. I learned that way back in 1989 when I stumbled across her novel FANCY PANTS. In that richly textured, mainstream glitter and glitz women's fiction novel that still managed to be one of the most extraordinary romances I'd ever read, she first did the impossible. She made golf interesting. That's right. Her hero, Dallie Beaudine was the sexiest golfer to ever pull on (or off) a pair of...well...golf pants.

Since then, I've been forced to govern my SEP reading with a very strict set of rules. Because she's on a very short list of writers who can make me care more about what I'm reading than about what I'm writing, I'm only allowed to read her books on vacation, on long car or plane trips, or when I've just finished writing one of my own books.

Fortunately for me, a car trip to Florida coincided with the release of her brand spanking new Chicago Stars book, MATCH ME IF YOU CAN. Not since I first read ROOTS in the car when I was 13 have I enjoyed a road trip so much! From the very first page, SEP evokes empathy for her characters. We first meet modern day matchmaker Annabelle Granger trying to lure a drunk man out from under the wheels of her car because she's late for a very special appointment with high-profile sports agent Heath Champion, aka The Python. How can you not fall in love with a woman who smears lipstick on her lovely yellow shirt when she's trying to sniff her armpits for B.O. while driving? That's the beauty of SEP's female characters. They're not just the friends we'd long to have. They're already us!

She also excels in choosing the right details. The very fact that the heroine owns a Hello Kitty cookie jar tells you everything you need to know about her. As a writer, I found myself utterly seduced by sentences like, "Her sister-in-law used perfume like bug repellant." And Heath Champion has to be one of the most luscious, three-dimensional contemporary heroes I've ever read. SEP knows men! She knows how they think and how they talk and she loves them anyway, which only makes us love them more.

I also love the fact that the characters from the previous Chicago Stars novels weren't just marched onstage for a "Very Special Appearance" but were actually used to further the plot and facilitate the romance between Annabelle and Heath. I loved seeing Phoebe and Dan from IT HAD TO BE YOU with a few more wrinkles and a couple of teenagers of their own.

[...]

Annabelle has just taken over the matchmaking service that her grandmother left for her. She figures that she needs one great client to set her business up for success. She sets up a ten minute appointment with her best friends-husbands-sports agent, Heath Champion. Of course the morning of her appointment, she is running late, spills on her new suit and the receptionist doesn't want to let her in to see Heath. She bully's her way in and after a trial set up she has her new client, Chicago's hottest bachelor. Through their many matches she sets up they get to know each other and become friends.

Heath finds out that she is in good with some of Chicago's influential sports people and uses her friendship to try and get in good with them. He goes with her to a toddler's birthday party that leads to a weekend retreat to a lake where "things" happen.

I actually loved this book. The relationship between Heath and Annabelle is great. They actually know each other inside and out and they way they banter is adorable. The women in this story are successful in their own ways and stand by each other. The men are all about their sports careers but still love their wives. There is heart, humor and romance.

To see this and other book reviews, please visit my blog at [...]

This was the very first Susan Elizabeth Phillips romance I ever read. I don't know if that's why it became one of my romance favorites, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I enjoyed this book for its humor and romance/love story. There was a great balance between the two that made it a quick read. The antics and relationships between all the characters are what created the quirkiness and humor. There is some heat in the romance area, but not continually throughout the story.

I enjoyed Annabelle's attitude especially when dealing with Heath as a client of hers. Could Heath really be that vain? There was never a dull moment in the book and it had a very good ending. I also enjoyed the matching making job outlook. Something new I had never read before.
I would definitely recommend this book to all readers of romance. Don't let the sports theme turn you off, it isn't the full basis for the story.

It's been a long wait for another SEP book featuring the Chicago Stars, but in this case, it was definitely worth it!

MATCH ME IF YOU CAN centers around Heath Champion, alpha of alphas sports agent who has hired two different matchmaking companies to find him the perfect wife. He hasn't had time to furnish his home, never mind the time to exert a lot of energy into finding the perfect woman.

One of the matchmakers he's hired is Annabelle Granger, who took over her grandmother's old-fashioned business after her death. She's turned it into Perfect For You, and she needs to succeed in finding Heath a wife to get her business on the map.

What follows, of course, is a wacky, laugh-out-loud story revolving around Heath and his search for a perfect woman who just doesn't exist; Annabelle's search to find independence and self-suffiency away from her meddling parents and brothers; the downfall of Portia Powers, who runs rival Power Matches; and the salvation of Bodie, Heath's right-hand man. Interspersed with characters from previous SEP books such as Dan & Phoebe Calebow, Kevin & Molly Tucker and their adorable daughter Pippi, and other past and present Stars players add to the fun of MATCH ME IF YOU CAN.

The ending is predictable, of course, when Heath realizes that his perfect match is Annabelle. But the getting there is well worth reading, and the last chapter or so is a tear-jerker.

Pick up a copy today--you definitely won't be disappointed!

I jumped in this series by reading this book first. I didn't feel like I was missing anything, but am truly looking forward to reading the earlier books.

Annabelle Granger is a lost soul in a family of overachievers, and her family does not let her forget it. When her grandmother dies, Annabelle inherits her matchmaking business. Her grandmother's clients were mostly the senior set, but Annabelle dreams of expanding the business and catering to a wealthy, younger clientele - a market that is dominated by another matchmaker, Portia Powers.

Annabelle's old roommate is married to a professional football player who gets Annabelle a meeting with a young, wealthy, powerful, sports agent known not-so-affectionately as the Python. The Python's real name is Heath Champion. Heath rose from nothing to make his own place in the world and is ready to settle down with a woman he thinks will cement that place.

Heath gives Annabelle one chance and twenty-four hours. She rises to the occasion, sort of, but gets the opportunity to keep working with Heath, even sitting in on his meetings arranged by Portia. Neither one of them see the obvious chemistry between them immediately.

This is a truly entertaining book - a great find.

I have loved Susan Elizabeth Phillips sassy writing style for a very long time, have read all of her books, my two favorites being Dream a Little Dream and It Had To Be You. While this does not supplant either of those, it is fun and I stayed up late last night to finish it.

Annabelle, a soft touch trying to retool her grandmother's matchmaking business for a new generation and Heath, a hard nosed lawyer/sports agent come together with fireworks. While trying to find a match for Heath, she falls for him herself. He is a little slower coming to that realization, but he knows he enjoys their time together. Their story is fun to read, witty, touching and frustrating until they realize that they are right for each other, which of course, does not happen at the same time! With a background of semi-dysfunctional families and intervening friends thrown in to make their time story more complex, it is a laugh out loud every few pages.

The only disappointment was the inexplicable side romance of competitor Portia with Bodie, assistant/driver to Heath. It was a little distracting, but doesn't mar the overall enjoyment of the book.

I really enjoyed this! I was in the mood for a fun, light romance and Match Me If You Can kept popping up in my recommendations. I'd read the author before and liked her, but didn't remember the book being fun or light. I'm so glad I took the chance on this one anyway! It took a little while for me to warm up to Heath and decide he was worthy of Annabelle, but I fell for Annabelle right away. (And that's unusual for me! I'm usually all about the guy!) But I loved her personality and her way of dealing with Heath. I had hoped that Annabelle would see her family and their impressions of her through Heath's eyes, but I'll just assume she figured that out later. It's such a little detail and didn't really ruin my enjoyment of the story at all.

Match Me If You Can is part of a series, but it worked just fine as a stand alone book. I highly recommend it!

What i did mot like about this book is that it was over too quickly. I like all the characters and especially the little girl with that little issue. I'm trying not to give spoilers away. Emotions ranged from frustration to laughter. Give it a go.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips scores a sensational, funny, tender story in Match Me If You Can.

Annabelle Granger is determined to change her place as the family screw up. She is laying it all on the line to make Perfect for you the matchmaker service she inherited a success. Annabelle sets her sites on Heath Champion, top sports agent. If she can make this match the exposure will help Perfect for you.

Heath has decided its time to add a wife to the mix. Someone who will be the perfect partner. He already has a deal with Power Matches owner Portia Powers. But he is intrigued by this quirky woman who steamrolls her way into his life.

Dates are coming left and right from both women. But it's Annabelle and Heath that shake each other's world. Has the matchmaker made her match?

Match Me If You Can is a book to treasure. The dialogue is witty, snappy, the passion is hot and the family and friends are a joy. I loved peeking in to former friends for the Chicago Stars. It was like checking in with old and dear friends.

You can't go wrong with this book, it's a keeper.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I suspect I'll be picking up some more. The author includes just the right blend of romance and humor. The lead characters are likable, if somewhat dense, as they usually are in this type of book. They have to be dense in order to stay apart for most of the book for seemingly no good reason. Heath, the high-powered, workaholic sports agent and Annabelle, the idealistic, romantic matchmaker are a classic case of opposites attract. She balances him out perfectly. Though they never met until Heath hired Annabelle to find him a wife, they have a circle of friends in common. Many of Annabelle's strong, supportive female friends are married to men in the sports field. The book also has a subplot going on featuring Annabelle's rival matchmaker, Portia Powers and Heath's assistant, Bodie. Their story is just as interesting as the main one, and they'd make a great book themselves. I highly recommend this light, fun romance.

Annabelle Granger is the black sheep and baby in a family of chronic over-achievers. And while, granted, she's had her share of job misadventures, she believes that she has finally found her niche in taking over her deceased grandmother's matchmaking business. Determined to be a competitor of Chicago's reknowned Power Matches, Annabelle sets out to woo the services of the hottest bachelor in town--sports agent to the stars, Heath Champion. Champion--aka "The Python"---finds the slightly disheveled redhead intriguing, and agrees to "give her a try" to prove her abilities. Bowled over by her first choice, Champion enters into a contract with Annabelle's company--despite having one with Power Match--and also insists that Annabelle take part in "evaluating" any and all candidates....even those chosen by the illustrious Portia Powers. Ignoring the obvious chemistry, Annabelle sets about the task of finding the perfect trophy wife for The Python. Many, many, unsuccessful attempts later, the ultimate match is finally made...when Champion realizes that the very attributes that he seeks are right under his nose.

Fun, hot, sexy and funny, ladies everywhere will want to find their own Heath Champion. If not already a fan, readers will now look for anything and everything written by the popular Ms. Phillips.....I certainly will be.

DYB

Contemporary love stories as first-rate as this one are so hard to find. MATCH ME IF YOU CAN has got to be THE single best book I've read this year. Well written and sure to make you laugh and possibly cry (assuming you're a sucker for romance like me) it's a book that is highly deserving of all five stars!

Annabelle Granger is the vigorous yet haphazard owner of "Perfect for You", a matchmaking business she has inherited from her late Nana. In the spirit of keeping her grandmother's dream alive, as well as proving to her family that she has what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, Annabelle gets the perfect opportunity to greatly publicize her somewhat shabby business.

When a friend hooks her up with the chance to take the infamous and extraordinarily sexy sports agent Heath Champion on as a client, the money and acclaimed recognition she's envisioned will soon be within her reach.

Heath, affectionately nicknamed the Python, reluctantly gives Annabelle a chance to find his future wife and with all intents and purposes, she is prepared to get down to strict business. She expects this to be a challenge and extremely hard work. What she isn't prepared for are the rising feelings that are getting in the way of everything!

MATCH ME IF YOU CAN is a remarkable novel that focuses on true love and will encourage individuals everywhere to follow their heart.

Heath Champion is determined to find a wife. The successful sports agent (and popular bachelor) wants to expedite the entire courtship process, so he hires professional matchmaker Portia Powers.

Annabelle Granger just inherited her grandmother's matchmaking business - along with its septuagenarian clientele. After failing in her previous careers, Annabelle is determined to make this one work. She finagles an interview with Heath, who reluctantly agrees to a limited trial.

With both Portia and Annabelle introducing him to potential brides, Heath should be closer to finding a wife. And while his perfect match continues to elude him, Annabelle becomes more and more entangled in his life.

Phillips entertains with her usual combination of quirky comedy and deep emotion.

This is the first book by Susan Elizabeth Phillips I have read, and I doubt it will be the last. The basic plot is fairly simple; an upstart, somewhat scatter brained matchmaker named Annabelle is trying to make a success of her grandmother's business. Ruthless, driven sports agent, Heath Champion (sort of his real name) is ready to make his next big move--to a perfect society wife. Annabelle's best friend is the wife of one Heath's pro athlete clients, so she arranges a meeting with Heath, sure that landing him as a client is the key to her company's success.

But none of Annabelle's plans are working out; begining with a dead body under her car, and then Heath has already signed with Power Matches, the most successfull matchmakers in Chicago. She gets him to agree to sign with her also, but of course Heath doesn't have any chemestry with his dates, and plenty of sparks with Annabelle. While some of the notes are predictable, it is still a fun journey. There are plenty of fun subplots, the pro football players, cute but possibly klepto children, and the elderly clients looking for love that Annabelle can't get rid of.

Heath also starts exploting Annabelle's friendship with a female NFL owner who hates him, and for once in this genre everyone sees through the ruse. There is also a number of wonderfull secondary characters, many of whome are featured in other stories. These characters all seem like multi-deminsional people, no cardboard cutouts here. There are a few weak moments, like when Heath meets Annabelle's overachieving family. But all in all the book is worth a read.

is that any book I attempt to read right after it falls flat. Because I have just gotten lost in a book written by a master storyteller. <sigh> It takes me a few days to come down off the high she's put me on.

I always think I'm not going to like the latest one. Then, by the bottom of page 1, I am sucked in and can't stop reading. SEP is wicked that way. I think I'm put off by the blurbs on-line and/or the back of her books. I'm going to stop reading them because I know I'll get a prime book, no matter what the plot is.

I fell in love with Annabelle right off the bat. What's not to love about a woman who names her car? I wasn't sure that I would like Heath. But the 2nd chapter, I was in lust, er, love with him. And the secondary love story was interesting. There are several places in this book where I laughed so hard, I fogged my glasses. Then, I'd have to clean them and read the passage again. And still laugh. I can't wait to read this book again!

What a grand story. It was nice to see a bit of the Calebows and Tuckers. When last we met Miss Victoria Tucker, she could still talk to Daphne and company. It doesn't matter that she can't do that now. She is a pistol. Hang on to your cell phones around her.

Because I live on a fixed income, there are only a few authors whose books I would purchase in hardback. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one.

I can't wait till the next SEP. Maybe Dean will have a story? Or Hannah in a few years? She is so lovable.

WTG, Ms. Phillips. You've won the gold on another one!

*Sept 12, 2009. It's been several years since I wrote this review. I have re-read this book several times and also have listened to it on audiobook. If you haven't listened to SEP's books, I highly recommend that you do so. Delightfully read.

Boy!!! Am i glad to read it last....
I never have read a series in an order,I pick the one that I like the best, and Chicago Star was no exception to me. I started with It Had To Be You and Dan and Phoebe were just the best.
And finally I end the series with Match Me If You Can and I found my 2nd favorite. Annabelle & Heath were just great together.
Sparks are definitely there between them and it is something that everyone around them guesses including us readers except for these two.
It was fun to see all Dan, Phoebe, Ron, Molly , Kevin back and Pipi was just adorable. My favorite laugh-out-loud moments were between Heath and Pipi and yea well also the whole party scene.
All in all, it was a delicious treat. I loved it!!!!!

Through her social connections, Annabelle tries hard to establish herself as a matchmaker with superstar Chicago sports agent, Heath Champion. Annabelle had taken over her grandmother's business where she catered mainly to seniors. Snagging Heath would be a definite coop for her business. She is definitely on her own. Her friends provide her with love and support since all her family did was criticize her. However she is up against Portia Powers the ultimate diva in the dating services. Portia and Annabelle are definite opposites and Heath gives them both a chance to find the woman of his dreams. Portia and Annabelle set him up with a string of beautiful women. However along the way Heath realizes that Annabelle is the one for him though she is far from what he envisioned. He changes the ground rules; she plays along until their feelings get too strong for one another. There are cute, fun, romantic moments throughout the story. Overall it was too boring; and too much like the movies.

I listened to this book on audio and it ROCKED! The reader is Anna Fields (Real Name Kate Fleming) and has since passed away. I have not heard a better reader of audiobooks. She brings books to life and has the ability to bring a 3 book to a 5.

That wasn't the case with Match Me if you Can. This book was incredible. Heath and Anabellle first start off all business, then friends, then to much more. It's a cute, fun story and I enjoyed every minute of it. It's on the AAR top 100's list and it deserves to be there. Although it's part of the Chicago Star's series, I don't believe you need to read them in order, I haven't and I didn't feel lost at all. Great secondary characters, not one complaint for this book, it's EVERYTHING I want in a book!

Annabelle Granger is our little matchmaker - taking over her grandmother's business "Marriages by Myrna" now "Perfect for You." Annabelle just needs one good break to get her business off the ground since she is still handling her grandmother's leftover elderly clients. Enter Heath Champion, sports agent and man of the hour. Heath has decided it's time to settle down and doesn't have the time in his busy life to look for the proper wife. Heath has already hired a match service - Power Matches, headed by Portia Powers - a very sophisticated businesswoman, totally opposite Annabelle's makeup. This is the basis of the story. The characters from the Chicago Stars series come back to entertain us and this is where Annabelle gets her big break. Molly Somerville Tucker, wife of football quarterback and client to Heath, Kevin Tucker, asks Heath to give her friend Annabelle a chance. The story is quite entertaining as both Annabelle, Heath and Portia too learn how to deal with relationships and personalities and what is really important in both to bring a "perfect" match together. This is a good addition to the series - I especially like little Victoria Phoebe Tucker (Pippi) and her sweet "Pwince" idolism of our hero. If you have read any of the previous books, "It Had to Be You," or "This Heart of Mine," this book will definitely be a good investment. Either way, I enjoyed it and always like revisiting the Somerville ladies - Phoebe and Molly - and their extended families and friends.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has become one of my favorite authors. Her writing skill rises above those of almost every other author in this genre. She makes me feel like I personally know each character in her books, whether I like them or not! Her gift for dialogue is unmatched.

That said, this book had the same problem as "Heaven, Texas", in my opinion. The pacing was off enough to affect my enjoyment of the book. Phillips let Heath be oblivious to his feelings for Annabelle too long. It become grating that he was so clueless to what was right in front of him. It had some great tension, however, and some excellent steam, and I'd like to occasionally reread some scenes, but it's not a keeper for me - hence the 4 stars.

When I borrowed this book from the library, I couldn't quite remember what the book was about or what the reviews were like, but decided to give it a shot. I was so glad that I did because this book was such a cute, fun loving romance book and I loved every minute of it. Annabelle was such a fun loving character who took over her Nana's matchmaking business after she died. Her nana's customers were mainly senior citizens so Annabelle wanted to make it more of a modern crowd. She lands one of the areas most eligible bachelors; Heath, a sports agent who has decided it's time to find a wife. From there all sorts of things happen. Of course it was sort of predictable, but I didn't care because the dialogue between the different characters was priceless. I laughed and laughed when I read the conversation between Heath and Annabelle when he called to discuss the sex toy catalog he found that was hers. It was hysterical and very original. Everything flowed very smoothly as if it was playing out right in front of you. The plot between Portia; the powerful matchmaker competing with Annabelle, and Bodie; Heath's friend, was great. Honestly, I can't say anything negative about the book because it was perfect.

Perfect For You is the name of the match-making service Annabelle Granger has inherited. Having never quite accomplished anything in life (career-wise)Annabelle is in over her head but determined to succeed. And as luck would have it she signs on Heath Champion, a handsome, powerful and rich sports agent as her first client. But finding a match for Champion (known as the Python) won't be easy. He's rather picky and wants a trophy wife. It's a daunting task, but Annabelle has rolled up her sleeves and sets out to scour the earth (well at least the immediate vicinity) until she finds the perfect woman.

Unbeknownst to Annabelle, Heath Champion has also signed up with a rival match-making agency. Throw in some competition to spice things up and the sparks start flying. But why are there sparks flickering between Annabelle and her sexy client? Hmmm. Could that be the reason why she's unable to make a match?

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has written a novel that's delightful and fun with clever dialogue. Who could ask for more?

Annabelle Granger inherited her grandmother's matchmaking service and is determined to be a success in the business world. Sports agent Heath Champion is her first high profile client but she's in competition with another agency to find him a wife, and to complicate matters she becomes jealous of the women she is setting him up with.

This is a light-hearted story with light-hearted romance between several endearing characters. There are enough twists and enough panache to make this a fun literary escape. I wasn't one of those that enjoyed Natural Born Charmer, also by author Susanne Elizabeth Phillips, so I was surprised when I had a few laughs and enjoyed this audiobook as much as I did.

Except that I wanted to start singing 'Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match,' I thought this was a delightful read. As a male I'm sure that I see things just a bit differently than the lady who handed me this book.

It seemed to me that Heath was a perfectly reasonable man. I liked the deal he proposed at first: 'You've got one chance. Tomorrow night. Hit me with your best candidate. Introduce us, stay at the table twenty minutes exactly, then take her away. Now get the hell out of my office while you're ahead.'

Isn't that a reasonable way to have a first meeting. If you're not right for each other, you haven't wasted a lot of time and money on something like dinner and theater tickets. If the two of you mesh, then you can get together later.

This is a great sit on the airplane book. Just try not to laugh too loudly that you annoy those around.

Heath Champion, an agent for the athletic stars, is seeking a wife to create the perfect life. What he is seeking can only resemble what can only be described as the unattainable dream. While Heath has already hired one matchmaker to seek out his perfect match, he gets a sales pitch that he just could not refuse and ended up with more than he bargained for in a much smaller and less model-perfect package.

Annabelle Grainger is a free spirit that refuses to conform to her career-driven family and takes over her grandmother's matchmaking service. With a name change and a keen eye for details, she gives the sales pitch of her lifetime to be hired by the famous bachelor seeking his perfect match for a wife, Heath Champion. Getting this client is going to make "perfect for you", her matchmaking service get noticed and become successful. She only has to do better than the matchmaker to the elite, Portia Powers.

While the two matchmakers fight to find the perfect match to the ever wealthy and oh so attractive Heath Champion, the stakes get even higher when the demands of finding the perfect match in decided upon a 20 minute interview process. Really, who finds true and everlasting love in 20 minutes?

As the quest continues, Heath feels confident that Annabelle is more of a force to be reckoned with. The time they spend together creates a bond of friendship that quickly becomes something that neither of them are ready to face.... love. The attraction is mutual as well as the desire to fight it, but in the end.... in order to be in love, you need to know what love feels. That was the journey that Heath needed to take and it takes the words of people around him to realize that he is in love and who he is in love with is not what he pictured would be his ideal mate.

The banter is great, the emotion is raw, and the lesson is learned..... Love never comes in a pretty package with a pedigree... It can come in any package because love is not the cover of the book, but what is inside that matters most. This book is highly recommended for someone who enjoys a sharp tongue and witty banter.

I didn't want to stop reading to go to bed. I was laughing out loud several times. The witty and entertaining dialogue was great. Annabelle was fun to read about.

CAUTION SPOILER:
I loved the scene on pages 302 to 312. This showed how both Stars and Bears football players liked to visit and hang out with Annabelle in her home because she reminded them of their mothers. She and the players had a lot of fun just hanging out and teasing each other. It was great scene. There was a secondary story happening with Bodie and Portia that was fun. This book was great entertainment.

DATA:
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: three. Setting: current day Chicago. Copyright: 2005. Genre: contemporary romance with romantic comedy.

OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, see my 5 star review of "Glitter Baby" posted 1/15/09.

I read ALL the time and this was the first time is a long time I stayed up until 4:00 am to finish it. It was very refreshing to have a great story mixed with lovable and unlovable charactures and it made me laugh out loud a lot. The interaction between Annabelle and Heath was wonderful.

I love how her main female charactures are not perfect, not beautiful and they always find them selves and the inner strength they never knew they had! I loved watching Annabelle's confidence grow and learning it is ok just to be you and not settle. It was also fun to watch Portia uncoil and learn to let go. The blue face peel was pricless!

This was one of my favorite books of hers and a keeper!!

I listened to this on CD, unabridged. It was so well written, I found myself sitting in my garage after my 1 hour commutes home to hear the last little bit each day/evening. The characters were so unique, I love Annabelle from the very beginning. It was easy to imagine the Python softening to her and her clumsy, impish ways. It was a neat book. I usually prefer murder and gore, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, Stephen King, John Grisham, those types of books. But I love this one. I only checked it out of the local library because it is so small we don't have a lot to choose from, I have listened to every book in there! I am now going to find a larger library and check out more of her books on CD!

I wanted to read something light but funny, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips has become my go-to author for just that. This book was no exception. It was whitty, cute, and the characters and plot were solid. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Sweet romance, great character depth, and plenty of laughter. Great combination. I look forward to more of this writers work.

I don't know where I have been to have missed this SEP book. I have read all her stories, some more than once. I was perusing through the library and found this SEP hardcover and grabbed it. Boy am I happy I did. This is such a fun story. I loved the characters and can easily see their personalities fit into the real world. I hope SEP takes these two new characters and continues on with their story. This is one of the reasons I love to read SEP she rewards you for staying with her. You remember little bits that she brings into her books from when she first started writing the Chicago Stars-based stories. Some of those one-liners just made me LOL.

Yes, I know that man people believe all authors should be held to the same standard, but I don't. I'd give "Match Me If You Can" five stars--and then some--if it had been written by someone less talented. But if you have a fabulous writer, like SEP, she has already established her own higher standard. She is competing against herself. Unfair? Maybe, but I'm going with it. I liked her other "Stars" book better, especially "Heaven, Texas."

Let's get the weaker stuff out of the way first: this book needed to be tightened. It needed editing. It needed a sharper focus. For example, I was bored by the match-making of Annabelle's grandmother's clients. A page or two to show Annabelle's generosity, etc. would have been more effective. Her matching of other people should have been condensed too. Although I liked Heath and Anabelle, I wanted more scenes with just the two of them. And I got impatient with Heath, especially by the time he thought, for a while, that another woman was the right one for him. That came too late in the book, AFTER he and Annabelle had made love.

What I loved about the book: the humor. Gee, what a surprise from SEP--great humor! You can't praise SEP enough for this; except for Jennifer Crusie, no one does it better. (They are about equal, in my opinion). I liked the sub-plot of Portia's romance. As a matter of fact, I would have loved to have read a whole book about her, but because she lacked a sense of humor, I suppose that would have been difficult. I loved the fact that both men really came to love, love, love Annabelle and Portia. I loved Heath's desperation and decline when Annabelle would not marry him. And I give an A+ to the difference of interpretation of Annabelle's family party. At first, I was a little disappointed that Heath apparently did not see their dismissal and belittling of Annabelle, in the face of his need for a loving family himself. But, because of SEP's skill and depth, when he saw the reality of their love and protection of her that she was blind to (and OUR seeing it), it was like refocussing on an optical illusion. I also found Pippi, the three-year old, very cute, but not cloying as children are often portrayed.

To end this review, my advice is: if you've never read SEP. read "Heaven, Texas" or "Nobody's Baby But Mine" first. If you're already a fan of hers, buy the book. Or if you're not willing to spend $16 or so, get it in the library.

Sports agent Heath "Python" Champion decides he needs a societal acceptable trophy wife to further his career. The agent of football superstar Kevin Tucker (see THIS HEART OF MINE) does not want to go through the motion of finding someone or bother much beyond the superficial when it comes to the courting ritual. He hires Portia Powers of Power Match, but she wants to control his every move.

He then turns around and hires cute but wacky Annabelle Granger, who recently inherited her grandmother's matchmaking business. Between the two companies Heath meets a horde of eligible lovely women, but none of Chicago's finest is good enough for him. Instead he begins thinking of attractive Annabelle who he finds very kissable when they are not arguing and even more kissable when they are. However, Annabelle is the last person a social climber wants by his side so he keeps asking himself why does he want to make a permanent match with the madcap matchmaker?

Heath and Annabelle are a fun couple due to their vigorous spats, their vivacious kisses, and finally their undisputed conclusion that each is wrong for the other's career goals. In other words love is a wonderful irritating nuisance. MATCH ME IF YOU CAN is a fine animated contemporary romance starring a delightful duo.

Harriet Klausner

Although I usually read historicals, I read contemporaries now and again for variety. After reading this book, I'll be putting SEP on that list. It was witty, and it definitely succeeded at providing a realistic masculine feel to the guys' actions and emotions. It did take Heath a long time to "get it," but he seems like the kind of guy for whom that would be true. Annabelle's family was just too much, and I keep expecting Heath to fall into his old pattern because of them. She suffered realistically from their "help" while still forging her own path. The secondary romance was not my cup of tea. I did enjoy the friendship among the women and the comraderie of the men. The little girl was a hoot! Enjoyable story...not one of my favorites, but quite diverting.

This was okay. It wasn't my favorite by SEP but it kept my interest. I skimmed over the secondary romance because I did not like Portia and was not interested in reading about her. It was pretty easy to bypass it because the secondary romance had it's own sections that were not really entwined in the hero and heroine's story, thank goodness. The storyline of trying to find a match for the hero had it's appeal, but the love scenes were sadly lacking in this one. I was also expecting a little more fire in the chemistry department. Don't get me wrong, there were snippets of chemistry, but with a storyline like this, I was hoping for a little more spark. Also, I could have done without the OTT back story of the heroine's ex. One thing I did love though was Little Pip's take on the epilogue. It was too cute... Although, I thought there would have been a much more nefarious outcome of what she did with all those phones, lol.

Phillips' series set in Chicago around the fictional football team "Chicago Stars" has another installment. This time, Molly Tucker's best friend Annabelle Granger takes center stage. The "ne'er do well" sister in a household of over-achievers, Annabelle takes over her nanna's matchmaking business, and home, when her grandmother dies. Her entire family (surgeons, VPs, finance heads, etc.) want her to go into accounting. They're tired of her wayward ways. But renaming Marriages by Myrna to Perfect for You, Annabelle is determined to be successful. Molly's husband, Star's QB Kevin Tucker, convinces his agent, high powered, over achieving, workaholic Heath Champion, to give Annabelle's business a try. Heath is on a schedule and feels he should be married by the time he's 35. He has a long list of what he wants and has already contracted with Power Matches (run by aggressive, Type A Portia Powers) to find him his ideal woman who's polished, educated, socially connected etc. Heath needs this type of woman to further his career and to also further distance himself from the trailer park life and alcoholic father he's left behind.

Annabelle, however, is far from polished, poised, or even together. She's flighty, funny, and a little nutty. Somehow she convinces him to take on a second contract leading to some rather competitive and funny situations with her and Portia. The B story involves Heath's best friend, former football player, and partner Bodie who is the antithesis of Portia's lifestyle. He's tattooed, with a shaved head and BIG and SCARY. So naturally, Bodie's a softie and falls for Portia while never letting her see how much she scares him!

Naturally, Portia fixes Heath up with women he wants and Annabelle (dubbed Tinkerbell by Heath) fixes him up with women he needs. And predictably, Annabelle's charms start to work on Heath who nevertheless refuses to be steered off mission. She is hilarious, he's funny, and the book had me gasping and laughing. That said, as romance books go for Phillips, it was also hotter than her other work and surprisingly, the heat comes from Bodie and Portia more than Heath and Annabelle.

While Fields does a great job with most of the voices, showing range from a 3 year old girl to a man in his 70s, her voices for Bodie and Heath fell short. Trying to put on a Chicago accent, to me, she sounded more like a cross between NY mafia hit man and Philly cabbie.

I will start of by saying that this was an awesome awesome read. Although this is only the second book I've read in her football series, I'm a big fan and I hope the others are just as good. Heath was so hot and Annabelle was very sweet and endearing with a lot of spunk to her. SEP's characterization are just bang on and perfect and that's exactly what I've come to love of her books. On the surface, this might be just a lighthearted romantic book but it managed to touch my heart deeply. My only regret is that I got mine from the library and this one is definitely a keeper so I'm going to buy my own copy of this one. So go and get yours today and watch Heath and Annabelle make a match of a lifetime!

I am not yet finished with this CD, but I LOVE IT! I just listened to her Natural Born Charmer and I also loved it! My one complaint is that they used the same narrator for both books and people sound a lot alike---her father sounds exactly like Mad Jack in the NBC book etc. If you don't listen to them back to back, you probably won't notice.

I saw that some people gave this story low marks which is too bad because it is funny and sexy and the characters are really nice. I am about 3/4's into it and just like NBC, I do not want it to end. I hate that.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips doesn't write short books; instead, hers are epics. A book this size would normally take me several days to read, but since it's written by SEP , I couldn't put it down. I read it in under 24 hours, and as with each one before it, I am convinced it's the best book ever written. That's because the last one I've read (and coincidentally the freshest in my memory) truly seems like the best. But the truth is that every book by this author is solid gold, so they're all the best!

This is another great book by Phillips! It's my second by her, following Heaven, Texas, which was absolutely fantastic (5 stars). MATCH ME IF YOU CAN wasn't as good, but it was still excellent and after reading it from the library, I put it on my "to-buy" list, since I know that it will be a definite reread in the future.

The book had several laugh-out-loud scenes (I loved how Molly's daughter kept stealing Heath's cellphones!!), an interesting secondary romance between Portia Powers and Heath's friend Bodie (they were great - and a very interesting - pair), wonderful supporting characters (can't wait for Dean's story next, Natural Born Charmer), and the ending (or almost-ending, since there is an epilogue) where Annabelle asks Heath the two questions on the cliff is so sweet and very cute and funny.

MAIN CHARACTERS, Annabelle (31) and Heath (34):
The two main characters are absolutely wonderful and the interactions between them were from the start extremely entertaining. Annabelle is a feisty, red-haired woman, accurately described as "quirky" in the book's summary. She has a great sense of humor, is wonderfully generous and thoughtful, but is also a real spitfire who knows when to be sarcastic and poke someone who needs it (i.e. Heath). Heath is an equally great hero; he's determined, driven, dedicated, charming, loyal, and deeply in need of some relaxation, fun, and someone who is not as high-strung as he is (i.e. Annabelle).

They were really just perfect for each other and the reader sees from the beginning how well they balance one another. There were so many sweet and friendly interactions between them, with also plenty of chemistry between Annabelle and Heath to make the book into a romance. The teasing exchanges kept putting a smile on my face and when Heath would go visit Annabelle, find himself at her house, wonder why she was the first person he wanted to call with good news ... ::sigh:: yeah ...

CRITICISM:
One of my critiques is that Match Me If You Can didn't have the same chemistry as HEAVEN, TEXAS - or rather, it did, but there weren't as many ... shall we say, "chemistry induced" scenes that featured and showcased the sexual tension between the hero and heroine, lol ;-).

I also thought that the Epilogue could have used some retouching - it was told from Pippi's point of view (what a nickname ... does anyone else wonder at the pronunciation of that - isn't Philippa, which I think is her name, normally shortened to Pippa?) and thought I loved having that detail, it could have been told in a straight-narrator form instead, IMHO.

Finally - and this isn't really criticism, but more of an observation - I saw some striking similarities between Heaven, Texas and MATCH ME IF YOU CAN in the way that Phillips fashions her endings. Basically: the woman knows she's in love with him, the man won't admit his love, he proposes and gives various reasons (other than love) for why he wants to marry her, she publicly spurns his offer, he becomes destroyed and everyone tells him he's stupid, there's some chase involved and then the realization of love, declarations, etc. We'll see if this pattern holds in more of her books.

CHICAGO STARS SERIES:
1) It Had To Be You (1994)
2) Heaven, Texas (1995)
3) Nobody's Baby But Mine (1997)
4) Dream a Little Dream (1998)
5) This Heart of Mine (2001)
6) MATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2005)
7) Natural Born Charmer (2007)

The Chicago Stars Series features characters that are somehow tied to the Chicago football team, the Stars. Book 1, IT HAD TO BE YOU, features Phoebe Somerville, a sexy bombshell-type who inherits the football team, and Dan Celebow, the head coach of the team with whom she immediately clashes. Book 2 is HEAVEN, TEXAS and quickly became a favorite of mine; the heroine is an unusual ugly-duckling type, Gracie Snow, who becomes a (still unusual) swan, and the sexy and surprisingly complex Bobby Tom Denton, ex-quarterback for the Stars, is the hero.

NOBODY'S BABY BUT MINE is Book 3, starring physics professor Dr. Jane Darlington and the legendary quarterback Cal Bonner, followed by DREAM A LITTLE DREAM, featuring single-mother Rachel Stone and widower Gabe Bonner, who tragically recently lost his wife and child. Book 5 is THIS HEART OF MINE, featuring children's book author - and Phoebe's sister - Molly Somerville and handsome Stars quarterback, Kevin Tucker.

Book 6 is covered in this review and Book 7 is NATURAL BORN CHARMER, a book I just checked out from the library; the hero is new hotshot quarterback Dean Robillard whom we were introduced to in Match Me If You Can and the heroine is down-on-her-luck Blue Bailey.

BOTTOM LINE:
Read it and be prepared to laugh while you do! Not as sexually-charged as Heaven, Texas - the hottest scene was actually one with the secondary romance characters, Portia and Bodie - but still wonderful and a definite reread for me in the future.

MMIYC is part of the Chicago Stars/Bonner series, and a series I've enjoyed immensely but one.

I did like the main characters, Annabelle and Heath, who had some depth and dimension, and they were quite relatable and likable too. There were moments when the dialogue and certain scenes were really snappy and made me smile. Unfortunately, most of the book lacked any focus in terms of the roller-coaster ride of the relationship as well as the emotional undressing of both Annabelle and Heath. It tried too hard to be different, and that's where things just fall apart. To me, SEP couldn't really decide how to really paint these two on their own or together, as though she were too close to the story and incapable of stepping back and seeing the choppy pacing and unimaginative romantic tropes. Sometimes one chapter read completely different from the next and I felt like I totally missed point C to point E and point D was cut out and not blended in very well with the rest of the story. Other times, the main characters did a 180 from one scene to the next. So many parts of it were so saccharine and predictable, I found myself rather bored and wincing at how cliched it got.

Annabelle, a bit of a doormat redhead, was a mild echo of Gracie Snow (from Heaven, Texas--ugh). While Annabelle wasn't a pushover as much as Gracie was, she could be a little annoying, always letting people walk all over her or not defending herself. MMIYC is a step up but not by leaps or bounds. SEP tried to make Heath that male Cinderella you root for but you end up getting the standard emotionally constipated alpha male whose neurotically up and down, and no one could really stand in real life. He goes from hard core aloof, to hard-core gooey in love. Really? I don't know...it wasn't badly written, but it just wasn't a smooth, fun ride that I know SEP can do with intelligence and a sense of adventure. Lastly, the secondary story involving a competing matchmaker Portia Powers and Heath's BFF, Bodie, was really strange and completely unnecessary. It added NOTHING to the book overall and wasn't romantic to me at all.

I still love SEP and will read Natural Born Charmer; however, MMIYC, in general, was a miss for me.

I absolutely adored this book. This is the second book by author Susan Elizabeth Phillips that I have had the pleasure of reading and I have loved them both. The first `AINT SHE SWEET' was a fun romantic novel that also had somewhat of a serious side while `MATCH ME IF YOU CAN' was all fun! I found myself reading through the chapters quickly so I could find out what happened next. Matchmaker Annabelle Granger and Sports agent Heath Champion are a couple that you will be rooting for from the very beginning. The chemistry is great and the pacing of the story is just right. SEP gives you exactly what you want when you want it without making anything too easy. Can't wait for her next one...but in the meantime I think I will brush up on some of her previous works!

I highly recommend this book. You can guess from the beginning what is going to happen, but the dance to it is quite entertaining and will have you laughing quite a bit. This is a new author for me and one I want to keep up with.

This book has an ordinary woman, with a above average man, whom we all know in the end are going to get together, but they have to find out for themselves. Also, the "bodyguard" and the competition for the matchmaking have a "romance" going.

Enjoy this book, you won't be sorry you purchased it!

I'm not in the habit of giving books a five star rating unless they deserve it. Let me say that Susan Elizabeth Phillips never disappoints. This book had a funny, quirky heroine who is on a path to self actualization and in the process brings joy to a hunky, but hard man. The characters well developed and likable and the plot was enticing and, at times, took unexpected turns. You'll definitely enjoy this one!

I finished this book in two days - quite an achievement for me! After which I could not wait to recommend it to friends. I won't go into detail about storyline as there's enough said in some other reviews already.

My general comment locks onto the fact that Annabelle is such a loveable kook while Heath is so career driven and yet they are soooo perfect for each other. Heath, The Man With A Plan, does not 'see' Annabelle as his perfect mate until late in the story though. I could not believe that he was stupid enough to actually get engaged to someone else even with Annabelle constantly on his mind?! Thus the 4 stars instad of 5...

Enjoyable, warm, cosy kind of book that makes you root for all those women who can't keep their curly hair confined neatly in a bun for work (I'm one of them!) and who looks frazzled in a suit by lunchtime. I want more Ms Phillips! Looking forward to your latest...

I grabbed this book off the shelf because someone had recommended the author to me. I didn't bother to read the synopsis at all. I really shouldn't have liked this as much as I did. First, I read a book out of order. Seriously out of order. This is book six! Second, it's contemporary romance. Um, not my thing. Third, this book has both sports and a lawyer in it. That, right there, is enough for me to hate it. But, I didn't.

The story was so cute. The characters were fun and I loved the way they interacted. The secondary characters were endearing. (I guess they have their own books in the series.) The spunky offbeat heroine definitely made the book. Even the plot line was good. My only problem was with the whole, "you have to say I love you" crap. It was pretty ridiculous and felt like filler. I think I might go back and read the rest, even if they revolve around a sports team.

PS: Penalty flag? What's that? I hope it involves a big sequins-y sparkly rainbow-y flag being twirled.

Match Me IF You Can was a very pleasant read. Liked Annabelle right away, but had to reserve my feelings for Heath for a while. The repartee between him and Annabelle was so amusing and different that I really got into this book easily.

I so enjoyed seeing Phoebe and Dan; Molly and Kevin and the children from SEP's previous stories once again. I especially got a huge charge out of "Pippy" and her sweet affection for "Pwinze". Laughed out loud at the Princess party. Been there, done that. It was just one good laugh after another.

I thought Bodie was HOT and respected his insight into Portia's angst even tho I raised an eyebrow or two! :D Heath's version of Annabelle's family's treatment of her was an interpretation I was glad to accept. All SEP's books end with a soft spirited conclusion. Will anxiously await the next.

Wow! This is one author that I will read a lot more of. Fantastic writing, fast paced, witty, and funny. Characters are so lovable, even though they're not the typical 'perfect' people, they're real and very very entertaining.
I love the minor characters too, like Bodie and Portia, and especially the toddler who hides phones.
The plot was really good. I was afraid the 'matches' they find for him would be boring, but they weren't. It was hard to put the book down.

Heath Champion, aka The Python, is looking for a top drawer wife. Annabelle Granger is trying to jumpstart her matchmaking business. The witty barbs and sizzling sparks start flying. There are also a couple of interesting side (love) stories in this book which is just a happy bonus.

I put this in my top three favorite SEP books. Great characters, great dialogue, good sex and a happy ending. My other faves include other "Chicago Stars" related stories - Nobody's Baby But Mine and Natural Born Charmer.

Sometimes when you're sick or tired or depressed you need to create a lovely little cave for yourself to heal. Put on your softest sweats, foot lotion and sockies, lip balm, some aromatherapy on your ear lobes and across your forehead, grab this book and disappear. It's so perfect watching many characters grow, change, fall in love, have great and clever dialogue--just put this on your keeper stack and trust 113 reviews that you can't go wrong with this purchase.

This is the first book I've read of SEP's -- I really loved it. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I feel like if I had, I would have enjoyed this book even more. Many characters from past books show up, and I would have liked to know more about their backgrounds. I'll have to go back and read all the rest of them now.

Heath and Annabel make a really good couple, and I really enjoyed the interaction between them. Many times, in romance books, the main characters have no chemistry, but these two are loaded with it. It was also nice to see Heath evolve in the book, and it was nice how Annabel's family was exactly what Heath had been looking for all his life. In a way, Annabel was his dream woman (right under his nose). I liked that Annabel had pride and didn't run after Heath. I like main characters that are strong and confident (without being mean) and Annabel completely fit the bill. The interaction between the friends (the book club that Annabel belongs to) is a nice side story.

All in all, I thought it was well written, funny, romantic, and hard to put down. My mother was visiting, and I kept coming up with excuses to go into the other room just to read a couple of pages here and there. I ended up staying awake until 3 am one night to finish it (after everyone went to bed) and didn't regret it. Although, my work did suffer the next day. = )

Definite must-read for everyone that enjoys a good story.

Cute and sassy and fun. Wish I would write these right after reading them but alas, I didn't and unfortunately I read so many books that even the very best go by the wayside so to speak. Anyway, this is a cutie - sorry I can not be more specific.

I love this book. The characters are snarky, witty and sexy - what more could you ask for? The dialogue and story zip along in a brisk, well paced time-line. And tho the plot is nothing new (matchmaker falls for client, client falls for matchmaker) it not only works, it leaves you incredibly satisfied.

I've read this book dozens of times, and its staying on the bookshelf for a dozen more.

I rarely hang onto audiobooks, but I've already listened to this one twice through, and plan to keep it in my library. I'm impressed with Susan Elizabeth Phillips's way of giving the characters and situations that extra little something that makes one laugh out loud. Anna Fields was a great narrator; she was able to show emotion and distinguish character from character without going overboard on the voices. This is a great book!

This is my first book by author SEP and I am hooked! I couldn't stop reading nor did I want to. The dialogs were terrific, I kept cracking up and laughing out loud so that my husband had to know what was going on, and every time I simply answers: it's the book - I love it! Browsing through some of theses reviews I noticed that this is only one out of a series...now I have to go and find the other ones! I would love to see this made into a movie. Funny thing is I keep rereading certain chapters and dialogs because they are simply too good/funny.

Even though the romance between Heath and Annabelle took a long time to develop, the book was one of SEP's best. All her books are great- even the not so great ones- compared to other romance novels. Not to mention that it is one of the funniest ones I have read from her that did not detract from the story as a whole-which some of her other novels did.

Heath is a self-made multi-millionaire sports agent-think Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire-that has been climbing the social ladder since his trailer- park childhood, which gave him the drive to achieve more for his life. He feels that it is high time to settle down and find a pedigree wife; but with his hectic schedule finding such a paragon of class all by himself is not viable.

This is wear our hapless yet adorable Annabelle comes along. She had inherited a home-based matchmaking company for seniors from her grandmother and had just started to update it and launch it for the modern market. Because of a friend's connection with Heath, she landed an interview with him to see if he would hire her to do the job that a multi-million matchmaking company had thus far failed to accomplish.

The book had all of SEP's traits that has made her so successful-the writing is fantastic, the dialogue hilarious, the character development always thourough and in depth.

But there was something missing in this book that really frustrated me--the ROMANCE development took WAY too long!!!... which is not what SEP usually does. At lease Annabelle had ruminations about Heath and her feelings for him, but even those were very limited. Heath's ruminations and conflict about Annablle were non existent up until the love making scene, which was towards the end of the book.

But even with those major complaints-I just wanted more romance development between the two of them because I loved them so much-it did not affect my rating and recommending this book to any romance reader; this just tells you how good this book really is!!

If you're looking for a book to remind you why reading is fun, then MATCH ME IF YOU CAN is Perfect for You! In this latest installment of the Chicago Stars/Bonner Brothers series, hilarity ensues when super-slick sports agent Heath Champion hires spunky matchmaker Annabelle Granger to find him a woman who will make the ultimate trophy wife. Thanks to Phillips' trademark witty dialogue, Annabelle and Heath's search for the perfect match will keep you in stitches while endearing these characters to your heart. Given Heath's representation of several Chicago Stars and Annabelle's friendship with the Somerville sisters, this book has the added bonus of allowing the reader to check in with several old friends from previous books in the series. Not to mention the introduction of new characters that are certain to entertain us in the future - Dean Robillard, backup quarterback for the Stars, was completely outrageous and an absolute hoot! I understand his story will be next and am looking forward to it!

SEP knows how to write romance! The main characters were great; she provided spot-on dialogue and expressed their inner thoughts so well. I really understood Heath and Annabell and rooted for each of them. The building tension was at the right tempo so the inevitable romance really delivered. The secondary romance of Portia and Bodie was interesting and might merit another book?

I enjoy an easy ready when I'm working late nights. This may have taken a little while to get good but there's so many humourous parts that genuinely made me laugh out loud. I've completely fallen for SEPs books and can't wait to read the next one.

I had never read anything by SEP before Match Me If You Can. I picked up a copy of this book not knowing what to expect, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The development of the central relationship, between Annabelle and Heath, was well drawn out and realistic. I really dislike books in which the two main characters meet and then two pages later they're professing their undying love for one another. It was definitely not love at first sight between these two and some of the scenes where they engaged in their verbal sparring had me laughing out loud. It was great to read a story which actually devoted time to allow the relationship to evolve and had the love come on gradually. The subplot involving Portia and Bodie added a great dimension as well.

All in all, highly recommended. I plan on picking up more of SEP's other books in the very near future.

This book was no where near the quality of It Had to Be You or Heaven, Texas. The pacing was just tedious, the relationship between Heath and Annabelle nonexistent until the very end. I think too much time was wasted on the secondary characters Portia and Brodie. The relationship between Portia and Bodie was so tedious, unnecessary and boring I skipped over every section with those two in it. I could not see the point of their story being crowbarred in between the rest. I didn't do this with the secondary story in Heaven, Texas. Susie and Way were very compelling, very intertwined with the rest of the book and it was very enjoyable.

Also, I don't get the family. For most of the book they are putting her down, Annabelle's avoiding them like the plagues of Egypt because she's the big failure, the disappointing one and she doesn't want to hear it anymore form them. Then, **POOF** because she's with Mr. Wonderful, they are all on her side. Her family suddenly just LOOOOOVES her, they are defending her to Heath and oh it's all just playful ribbing (and not disapproval, badgering and put downs) because she's the baby and they LOOOOOVE her. *rolleyes.

Annabelle and Heath are two very lively people. They both had their issues and hang ups but I just loved them together do much! Fun and funny and when they needed to be, they were emotionally compatable. I really enjoyed the whole journey of them finding their love match! I will read this book over and over, it definitely gets put onto the keeper shelf.

All in all this was a good book. I am giving it 4 starts instead of 5 for several reasons. First, I felt the love scenes(or what there was of them) were too tame. The sexual chemistry was there but the follow through wasn't. Also, it was missing the deep emotional tug of some of SEP's earlier books. Dream A Little Dream, Kiss An Angel..to name a few. Those books were exceptional! This was a continuation of sorts to her Chicago Stars series and her fans will enjoy the appearance of past characters. To me the book was good, not great. More of a chic book than the before mentioned books where the character's turmoil was deep and heartfelt and the love scenes were hot!

I really enjoy Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Her writing is always fun. I think I've read almost all of them and, with the exception of one or two, loved every one of them. But Match Me If You Can is by far my favorite. I think it must be the one-liners in this story that captured me. That and Annabelle's drive to succeed even when faced with defeat. Heath Champion is man who needs to fall a few rungs down the ladder, and watching love smack him down to the ground is by far the best. After all, it takes love to furnish a house and his so needs furnishing!

Warm summer day, nothing to read, popped in the library. I always go to the new book area and there was this book by a writer I had never heard of. The first chapter had me in stitches......and continued throughout the book. I am not a reviewer who reveals the story, rather just recommend and let the reader discover the joy to be found in reading this particular book. This is only my second review, was driven to share with others how marvelously entertaining this book was. It reawakened my desire to find similar books. I've just received Heaven, Texas by the same author and ready to dive into it. Reading this book will be a gift you give yourself!

Being an avid SEP fan, I couldn't wait to get my hands on MATCH ME IF YOU CAN. And I read it in record time. The writing is smooth and the pages turn quickly. But there just isn't much to recommend. The two main characters were okay, but I never came to care if they got together either way. The secondary characters were more interesting and I wish their particular story had been fleshed out more. In fact, had the main characters and the secondary ones switched the story would have been more interesting. Seeing old characters was fun and added to the plot, but overall I was disappointed in this book. It isn't an awful book, it just isn't very memorable.

If you're looking for a hero and heroine that are actually well-suited another and make you laugh page after page after page, this is your book. By far my favorite SEP couple. Annabelle Granger is a fun character. No tired cliches like fiesty or quirky can do her justice. She's sarcastic and witty while fighting her own insecurities tooth and nail.

Annabelle Granger inherited a matchmaking business from her grandmother and sets out to land Chicago's most eligible bachelor, Heath Champion. Heath has already signed with powerhouse matchmaker, Portia Powers, but meets with Annabelle as a courtesy to his client, Chicago Stars quarterback, Kevin Turner. He gives Annabelle one chance to knock him off his feet - set him up with one date, and if he likes the woman, he'll sign with her. She talks a friend into posing as his date, and he's instantly attracted to Gwen, only to be informed that Gwen just wants to be friends. As she searches for the perfect woman for him, and sits in on all the dates (as well as those set up by Portia at Heath's request), she realizes that she's falling for him, despite his brash personality. But her trump card is the relationship she has with Phoebe Calebow, owner of the Stars, and nemesis of Heath. If he can get into Phoebe's good graces, one of his biggest obstacles can be overcome. When Annabelle and Heath give in to their growing feelings for each other while on a weekend retreat, Annabelle realizes that the rules have changed, and finding his perfect match will cause her heartbreak.

Loaded with SEP's signature crisp and witty dialogue, "Match Me if You Can" is a charming entry into the Stars/Bonner Brothers series. A bonus is the funny secondary romance between Portia and Bodie, who fashions himself as Heath's "bodyguard." He's a former football player and she's a former socialite. When their worlds collide, it makes for a raucous romance. This one is highly recommended!

I just went through this book in the space of two days and I almost never do that. It's because the storyline and development of it are the kind that make you want to turn that page and find out - what happens next. And it's not the kind that draws out a certain theme over such a long time that the book becomes tiresome and a drag to read, no. It's just the right length, has just the right amount of fulfillment and suspense, and is completely unput-downable!

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's also the second book by SEP I've read, the first one being This Heart of Mine which is a book from the same "series" oddly enough.

I loved the chemistry between Annabelle and Heath and the story of Bodie and Portia. I especially liked the relationship between Annabelle and Heath's clients. It was a great story, so much more than a typical romance.

All of the characters felt fully developed and like they had a point to the over all story. Sometimes, extra characters feel thrown in to make the story longer. This was totally not the case.

The dialogue was sharp, witty and realistic. Everyone had a happy ending and it was just great. I can't wait to read Natural Born Charmer.

All right, I admit I actually HAVE stayed up all night to read a Phillips book by candlelight.

The only reason I didn't this time is that I didn't have a power outtage. But I would have. Guaranteed!

Phillips' sharp wit and heart are unmatched. Hard to think of any other author who delivers both the way she does. Oh, right. I can't.

This book has charm, crackling dialogue, heart, and characters who, as always, grab me by the collar and insist on making me love them. Annabelle and Heath are fascinating to watch as they work their wary way towards one another. Adore 'em!

And, yes, Portia and Bodie are hothothot!

I'm a big SEP fan and have read many of her books. I read the reviews here and was really looking forward to a 'great' read. I have to say I was a little disappointed. It's definitely not up to Dream a Little Dream or Nobody's Baby But Mine. While it was an unexpected treat to catch up with some of the Stars series characters, like Molly and Phoebe, the book was just too predictable. I realize that romantic comedies are all going to follow the same path to a happy ending, I guess I just expected a little more sparkle and shine. Some of it was a little absurd, like the Portia Powers character. The 'Blue Face' scene, while funny, just seemed very unbelievable. Also, the relationship initially between Portia and Bodie is a little disturbing, although as it grows, it's a nice background story. I'd still recommend it because I think her dialog between characters is smart and funny, it's just not one I'd gush over.

When Annabelle Granger's grandmother dies and leaves her granddaughter her matchmaking business, Annabelle immediately jumps at the new buisness opportunity. Annabelle is a thirty-something gal from a family of doctors and investment bankers, and in her parents' eyes, she's gotta get it together, start a career and a life like her brothers. Since Nana's matchmaking business isn't exactly the most thriving business in Chicago, Annabelle renames it Perfect for You and sets out to do some serious updates: namely, to find a way to get rid of Nana's Social Security-collecting clientele and score a big-money client who will get her name out there (and, hopefully, give her a little bit of financial stability).

That client comes in the form of hunky Heath Champion, sports agent extraordinaire and very hard to please in the female department. Heath has already hired Portia Powers, owner of high-class Power Matches, to find his perfect woman, but he is intrigued by Annabelle's zany desperation, so he decides to give her a chance. (It doesn't hurt Annabelle's cause, either, when Heath finds out about her friendship with Chicago Stars owner Phoebe Calebow, with whom he's long had a feud he desperately wants to resolve.) What ensues is an endless series of first dates as Annabelle and Portia compete to find Heath's dream woman. Strangely, though, neither woman can produce her. Could that be because Annabelle herself, Heath's wholly imperfect, disorganized, yet charming matchmaker, who is absolutely not what he's looking for, is absolutely his perfect match?

There's nothing particularly unique about the characters or story, but Susan Elizabeth Phillips' MATCH ME IF YOU CAN is delightfully just what you'd expect: a witty, charming, unpretentious happily-ever-after story. MATCH ME IF YOU CAN is what it is: a formulaic chick-lit novel...but it embraces this categorization. Phillips' writing is vivid, and Annabelle is brilliantly written (even if she herself isn't exactly the brightest); she's a thoroughly lovable, clumsy, quirky, slightly eccentric character readers can really relate to. Heath, of course, is the gorgeous hero with a colored past...And together, he and Annabelle create some wicked sexual tension, as well as a matching of wits that is insanely entertaining.

I haven't read any of Phillips' other novels, so I can't compare MATCH ME IF YOU CAN to the rest of her books. What I can do is give MATCH ME IF YOU CAN a solid recommendation. Don't expect too many surprises in the text, but enjoy it for what it is: a light-hearted, charming novel that's both entertaining and sweet.

I was looking to be entertained when I picked this book up. Sometimes it's refreshing to be just simply that: entertained.
I don't always like to have to think when I read a book, and this one was humorous and very creative.

Sometimes... I just want to thank authors for the effort and the great entertainment!!!!!!!

Big fan of the series, especially books 1-3. However, this was slow moving and bland. Didn't have the spunk, sass and overall chemistry between characters as previous books. I will even wait a while before I attempt book 7!

I enjoyed this book. It's the first Susan Elizabeth Phillips' book I've read. I will look for some of her others to see if they are better. I felt the plot was known before the first chapter was finished. I think that the secondary plot was interesting though. I felt these characters weren't really flushed out and you didn't truly care about them. It was a cute idea and wasn't fully developed. I like the concept and the book but it's not great.

I love most of SEP's books, the glaring exception being Breathing Room... Thus I was a bit apprehensive about picking up this newest offering, though, having some faith in SEP I did go out and actually buy the hardcover.
It was a fun read. The dialogue was fresh, and the characters were interesting. I am glad I read it, as I got to see characters like Molly and Kevin, and Phoebe and Dan from previous books.
However... I do think I will be returning it, and not adding it to my SEP collection. The main reason is that I did not connect to the characters like I did to Molly, or to Daisy in Kiss an Angel. I've kept those books because even though I know the story and how it progresses I always get drawn in and invariably cry at some point. I did not feel drawn in to that degree here, even though I found it to be well-written. I did not *feel* the emotion as much as in previous books.
So overall I'd say a pleasant read, yes; a keeper, no.

This was a wonderful contemporary novel that is funny and sensual. Annabelle inherits his grandmother's matchmaker business. She needs to find a hire big client so sets her sights on sports agent Heath Champion. The characters are well developed and you are hooked within the first few pages. Get it - read it and you will enjoy it!

I loved this book! Of course it's a romance - but it's not one that starts out with them hooking up & then the whole store is about that (hope i didn't ruin it for you, but I'm sure you already knew the gist of it - it's romance). This one actually took sometime & I enjoyed that about this book. The characters were great & Annabelle was just lovable. Heath was the kind of character that you started out disliking his arrogant ways & then found yourself rooting for him by the end. This is my first Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel & I don't think it'll be my last. SEP did a terrific job with this book - great characters & story-telling ability. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

As usual, SEP has written wonderful, witty dialogue in Match Me If You Can. I loved the chemistry between the 2 main players. It did take me a while to warm up to Heath and his very alpha male ways, but SEP develops him nicely in the end.

I have to disagree with several other reviewers on the secondary romance. I thought it was distracting and skimmed those parts hurrying to get back to Heath and Annabelle who I thought were much more fun and interesting.

MY SHEER JOY!!!! Susan Phillips is the ONLY author I will buy unread and unseen, even if I'm not totally happy with the story (just a couple of times)-She's one of the very few authors that hits WAYYYYYYY more than she'd ever miss. LOVE HER AND LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! I have not been this excited about reading an SEP novel since I read "Dream a Little Dream".

I have taken every free moment-not very many-to finish this book, and I am reading again.That hasn't happened since I read my first SEP novel, "Nobody's Baby But Mine" eight years ago.

Note to Susan: Please-just one more Stars' book?? Rosie (from NBBBM), Pippi, Dale, even Edward (from DALD)??? Simply can't wait for the next one...Whatever story you decides to tell next, I'M THERE!!!!! You go, Miss Susan!!!!

I've read almost all of SEP's books, and this one just confirms my admiration for her writing! Even though this story was fresh and funny, it was simply wonderful for her to bring in all the Chicago Stars characters so we could see how they all turned out. "It Had To Be You" is one of my all-time favorites and to have the Somerville sisters prominently featured was truly a bonus. The character of Pippi is an unexpected treat!

As to Annabelle and Heath's story, Phillips brings us two new characters that are completely captivating. I was emotionally involved with them from the start. Their attraction leapt off the page, but Heath's reluctance to admit his feelings for Annabelle was absolutely believable. The ending is just heart-wrenching and had me in tears. This is a sweet, amusing and thoroughly touching love story that is everything I look for in a great read.

I guess the romantic in me loves the fact that SEP continues on with the Stars series and lets me know that all the couples truly lived happily ever after. I can't wait for Dean's story!

Well, another great SEP book! Excellent characters, nicely put together plot, lots of humorous touches and dialog, and as usual, a happy ending. I've become a sap for happily ever after romance reads!

This book is the latest in the Chicago Stars books. Heath is a sports agent, Phoebe's nemesis. He's on a search for the perfect wife. Annabelle is the family screw up and is determined to take over her grandmother's matchmaking business and make it a success. Most of her clients are retirees so she jumps at the chance to land Heath. The secondary characters are as interesting as the leads. It features most of our old favorites from the other Stars books as well as Portia, a competing matchmaker who is gorgeous, perfect and miserable. The book is full of SEP's classic colorful characters and humor. Another winner!

I love SEP. I Really do...But I do feel I must warn all you SEP fans out there, Match isn't like her previous work. The characters had absolutely, positively NO CHEMISTRY. Even knowing whom the hero and heroine were supposed to be, I found myself both dreading the moment they would figure their attraction, as well as looking forward to it out of some sort of misplaced curiosity. I was actually wondering how in the hell SEP was going to pull it off.
Turns out, she didn't.

Heath had no interest in Annabelle for 2/3 of the book. Scratch that, he was barely AWARE of Annabelle for 2/3 of the book. Get that? No "he hates her", no "he doesn't respect her", no "he has a problem with her", none of that... the man was barely AWARE of Annabelle.

To be honest, he had no interest in anything which wasn't his job. The man didn't even have friends, nothing but his cell phones and clients. I did get the message that he was super busy, but I needed to see the man behind that. I needed to believe there was a man in there somewhere. He was never anything more than a sketch. He seemed flat, empty, plastic. There was no depth to him. I never got to know him at all!
I usually fall in love with all my Heroes, but this guy I would be more interested in hiring rather than marrying.

There was barely any bedroom action, and the two times the hero and heroine got it on were so poorly portrayed I couldn't help but think even SEP wasn't convinced these two had the hots for one another.

Definitely not a good match.

It all made me so sad.

I liked this book--thought Heath was one of the best men to come down the pike in a long time. The book moved fast and I found myself laughing out loud numerous times. It has been reviewed to death so I will just state my reason for the 4 rating. SEP's book all have these gorgeous men. In fact, the women in this book commented on that when they were all at the cabin. My quibble is this: I realize Annabelle was a great girl with a wonderful sense of humor, but I found myself wondering, "Would a gorgeous guy like Heath really fall for her?" Yeah, yeah, it's a romance novel so he would, but I would like for the heroines to be a tad prettier. I find it a stretch that all these gods would be attracted to plain Janes. And, I am really tired of red-headed heroines.

This was a terrific novel by SEP. I loved the originality of the heroine, she ran a flop dating service that had potential if she could believe in herself and stop comparing herself to her successful siblings. Mrs. Phillips' handling of her rival was fresh and enjoyable, and the whole concept of the hero being an agent rather than the star of the team was good, too. I enjoyed every page of this sometimes quirky, always entertaining book.

I just finished reading this book in one sitting last night. It was SOOO good!! It was very funny, pretty romantic. There were scenes that made my heart beat faster! Heath sounds really hot! And the heroine, Annabelle, is sassy and interesting, and there is some really good dialogue in this book. It's definitely a great read and a great find!! I can't wait to read the rest of the books by this author.

Truthfully, I have been disappointed by SEP's last 3 books... I am partial to her books "Nobody's Baby But Mine" and "Kiss An Angel" - but when I finished this book and got through the last page, I was satisfied. Not just the main characters, but ALL of the little minor secondary characters had enough "life" so that I could easily picture them in my mind, which of course adds to the overall pleasure of reading! The progress of the relationships was believable and fun, and although I would love more details and more scenes describing Annabelle's and Heath's interactions on the way to falling in love with each other, that would make the book too heavy to carry around. Great job!

This was the first book I ever read by this author. I picked it up at a gas station on a road trip and had little expectation. I was pleasantly suprised! I finished the book in a couple of days and couldn't put it down!

I didn't like this one as much as SEP's last novel, Ain't She Sweet. Guess I'm more of a sucker for tortured heroines. And that's why I found Portia and Bodie's romance far more engrossing and unusual than Annabelle and Heath's. Portia/Bodie deserve a book of their own, not the snippets in this one. I'm constantly amazed at SEP's ability to create certain female characters (i.e. Portia in this one and Sugar Beth in Ain't She Sweet) that you're not supposed to like but you do end up sympathizing for them and cheering them on. Anyway, in my opinion, this book isn't worth reading so much for the romance between Annabelle and Heath (which seems somewhat formulaic ... man wants trophy wife, and ends up falling in love with someone completely different, i.e. man does not really know what he needs to make himself happy), but for the romance between Portia and Bodie.

'Match Me If You Can' is at its basic roots a very enjoyable story. I read it casually but still found myself thinking about the central characters when I was away from the book. The prose was sound with a rhythm that is easily embraced. The banter between the two main characters is very well done and was engaging enough to keep me interested in the eventual outcome. The relationship of Annabelle and Heathe does fall victim to obvious contrivance but other elements, such as a second romance was very well done. I also enjoyed the story's pacing, which did not seem rushed but had a pleasant 'pulse' throughout. I recommend this story for its contagious flair and enjoyable writing style. Also, I highly recommend the beautifully timeless novel, Anna's Trinity by Howard Cobiskey.

I am so HAPPYYYY that my friend bought this wonderful book for me. This is the first book that I read by Susan E. Phillips. I must say this is a very good book and I would read it again and again. My favorite character's in this book are Annabelle and Heath they made me laugh so much through this book they are the best. I promise you this is a very excellent book and you will NOT be disappointed if you purchase this book. This is a must own copy. I am looking forward to reading more books by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I think she is a very wondeful writer.

"Match Me If You Can" is a delightful book by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, full of memorable characters and bright, witty dialogue. It is the latest entry in her "Chicago Stars" football team series of books and features characters from the other books in the series (such as the Somerville sisters and their husbands) as secondary characters.

The heroine of the story, Annabelle Granger, is a charming but rather hapless redhead--a chronic underachiever born into a family of super-achievers. When Annabelle inherits her grandmother's matchmatching business ("Matches by Myrna") she changes the name to "Perfect for You" and sets out to make her new business a success. The key its success, she believes, is to land gorgeous Heath Champion, bachelor extraordinaire and wealthy sports agent, as a client. Heath is looking for a wife and has engaged a rival matchmaking service ("Power Matches" run by the ruthlessly perfect Portia Powers) to introduce him to likely candidates since he is just *too busy* with his work to look for a wife on his own. Annabelle goes after Heath's business with a vengeance, but cannot help taking a few jabs at his over-inflated ego. Heath is looking to the "perfect" woman to complement his "perfect" life. (Annabelle sums up his requirements for a wife: "Athletic, domestic, gorgeous, brilliant, socially connected, and pathologically submissive.") Heath is only willing to meet the "candidates" initially for a 20 minute interview and insists that Annabelle be present for all the first meetings. Of course none of the candidates is ever as perfect for Heath as Annabelle herself, but it takes him absolutely *forever* to figure this out.

Annabelle is a charming heroine--smart, warm-hearted, vulnerable and fun-loving. Heath is much harder to warm up to as a hero. His nickname is "The Python" since he squeezes money out of the team owners and sponsors for his clients, and he is suitably cold-blooded for that name to be appropriate. He is gorgeous, intelligent, driven and rich, but also a double cell-phoned workaholic full of smarmy charm and shallow emotions. I found it surprising that more of the "candidates" did not reject *him* after the first 20 minute meeting. Heath realizes that he is attracted to Annabelle but dismisses her as potential wife material since she does not fit his preconceived ideal of the beautiful, polished, perfect spouse. He has absolutely *tons* of emotional baggage to come to terms with before he is able to recognize his true feelings for Annabelle.

The dialogue is sharp and witty and it is a delight to revisit characters like Phoebe Somerville Calebow (heroine of "It Had to Be You"), the owner of the Chicago Stars and Heath's arch-enemy since she was forced to cave in to his hardball negotiating tactics early in his career as a sports agent. (Heath says at one point: "It's been seven years, Phoebe. Don't you think it's time we bury the hatchet?" To which Phoebe replies: "As long as the blade ends up in the back of your neck, I'm game.") The plot moves along fairly well, but it takes a long time (I mean, a *long* time!) for Heath to realize that Annabelle is the right woman for him and his epiphany when it does occur seems startlingly abrupt.

In summary, "Match Me If You Can" is a fun and fast read with the type of memorable characters and sparkling dialogue typical of Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Highly recommended.

Woohoo! This is one of the greatest book I've read so far, I will put it in my Top 10 collection. I love the way love grows slowly between Heath and Annabelle....Its great to see how Heath finally realized he fall in love...

Its funny, I can't stop smilling and laughing while reading this book. Its crazy!! I like it. Very fun. ex

Only one little complain, I really expecting more love-scenes...

I've been a SEP fan for years, so it's no surprise that I raced right out to buy this book. Once I opened it, I was hooked. I literally couldn't put it down. Even though I was on vacation, I ignored everyone and simply sat on the beach and raced through the pages. This book is pure, absolute, unadulterated fun. I loved the characters and found myself often laughing out loud. I can't remember a better contemporary romance. Enjoy!

I loved this book!!! A terrific love story. Along with being highly amusing, it explored and exposed so many different personality types in wise and witty ways, that it made me look at people I already know with a different perspective.
I can't say enough about the brilliant way SEP writes this story. It is at once moving,hilarious,spicey-sexy,while being deep and meaningful to the complexities of the human spirit. Go SEP GO!!

What makes any book from Susan Elizabeth Phillips is that she makes you "feel." You start reading and you just hold on for the ride of your life. Multiple emotions complimented by excellent characterization. You know these people and you want them to have their happily ever after...and within this you laugh, you cry and you sigh. I looooooved this book. No perfect hero or heroine--just perfect for each other.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I felt like I was right there with the camaraderie between the characters. I love Annabelle's wit, and felt a bond with all the characters. Loved Pipi. So cute! A bit slow in the beginning, but then you can't put it down. I'm so glad I picked up this book.

This was one of the first SEP books' I read and I loved it!

She is a great writer and this book is touching and funny. Emotions are so well described and the characters handled with such care and attention, that I was hooked.

It is a must read for anyone looking for a feel good book (although, there are some "serious" scenes).

The story of Annabelle and Heath is my favorite in the Chicago Stars series. Ms. Phillip's writing style is sassy and she has a great sense of humor. I was slightly disappointed that the romance in this particular book was over-shadowed by the subplots, but it was a fun read altogether and I highly recommend any of Ms. Phillip's books.

I read this book about three times and its a good one but I can't shake the feeling that Heath fell for Annabelle out of the blue. I didn't get a sense that it was a gradual process. When he blurted out "You want fun, I'll give you fun." it came as a shock to me like, "where did that come from?" A better approach would have been for the author to have Heath's life perspective change so that we could see that his values had changed thus we could see his attraction to Annabelle. There was nothing wrong with Annabelle...it was Heath's screwed up perspective of his life that was wrong and the author did not show his transformation.

Otherwise I really did like the book but I did not like Dean Robillard nor do I wish to read his story (although I will if she writes it!). Dean seemed like a sissy boy to me; not attractive and uninteresting.

I wish this story focused more on Bodie and Portia as they burned up the pages with their dialogue and heat. Would love to see them in future books as cameos.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has a great talent for combining beautifully human characters and incredibly funny situations to produce feel-good stories. Match Me If You Can is no exception. I found myself laughing out loud in parts, so be careful if you don't want strange looks when reading this book in public. I always look forward to Phillips' new publications and she never disappoints.

I can't afford to buy many hardcover books, but I thought the premise of this seemed promising--a nice, lighthearted romance. I had heard the author's name before, and was expecting something truly unique. The reality was a whole story expounding a cliche: what you want is just under your nose. And I could have even dealt with this but I was so let down by the heroine. She changed from someone interesting to someone predictable. She was presented as a loner, struggling with a dying business and somehow ended up as a member of a filthy rich family, dynastically established family (an overused plot device of bad Victorian novels). I think for me the novel became boring the second that Annabelle's friends were revealed to be high power players in the world of professional football. Annabelle should have remained a realistic character. I would have rooted for her then. It wasn't a big deal for her to win the prince in the end. It would have been if she hadn't, almost literally, become a princess.

I just finished reading this book and I loved it! I honestly wanted it to continue on. The romance between Heath and Annabelle was something you could tell would probably happen from the begining, but the way the story reached that point was very clever and witty. I know that SEB usually adds new characters into her books, but I want to hear more of the Annabelle and Heath saga.

This book is another winner for Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The book is full of laughs from Chapter 1 until the end. Annabelle Granger and Heath Champione's friendship turned romance never leaves a dull moment. It was also nice to visit with past characters, Pheobe, Molly and Kevin. When I finished this book I thought, when is her next book out because I can't wait. This is a great read!

I was excited to get this book because of the great reveiws it received. But I quickly became dissapointed. The beginning started off good and had lots of promise to be an exciting and enjoyable read...but after I read 40 pages still nothing exciting happened. It took forever for the two main characters to get together, I was bored with them. And I really got sick of hearing about all the friends and their boring lives. Usually I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips's novels. My favorites being Kiss an Angel and Dream a Little Dream.

I picked this book up thinking it would be a regular chick-romance novel, but was pleasantly surprised. The dialogue between the characters were cute and witty - it made me laugh and get into the story. Not only this, but Portia proved to be a character that was intriguing (to me) as was Bodie..

I am glad to have read this book; it is fun and relaxing and what a girl needs on a quiet night at home!

You know how it's going to end from the very beginning, but it still sucks you in. I read it in one day (much to my husband's dismay - but the perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday). I like SEP, and this book doesn't disappoint.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has done it again, this time with a tale of a sassy wannabe matchmaker, Annabelle, who will do anything to succeed in her new business venture and keep her overachieving family off her back. Her first big client Heath is a handsome self made man who is too busy to find his ideal trophy wife. The relationship that develops between Annabelle and Heath was slow to start off, but sparks eventually began to fly. I picked up this book because SEP has become a favorite, and she didn't disappoint with this offering, either.

Compared to all SEP's other work, Match Me was a let down. I love all her football series starting w/ it had to be You - and she has great characters but the story lacked the depth that she usually works into her characters. It was too pat that Bodie was rich and connected. And at the end, Heath has one session with her family and loves them to bits and we are supposed to buy into his idea of the family dynamics. In SEP's other stories like Nobody's Baby...the family felt real. Here- throughout the story SEP has them set up as some kind of irritant who always put her down and belittle her and so when they finally "root" for her, I just didnt buy it and I didn't even like them. So the end - where the hero grovels to the heroine - also didnt work- which is a shame because it worked really well in every other book of hers. Of SEP's work,my favorites have been Heaven Texas and Nobody's Baby.... Can anyone tell me why it doesn't work? Please, please let Dean Robillard's story have all the weight and humor of her older work.

First of all, I am a huge SEP fan and have most of her books on my keeper shelf and have read each one several times. However, I regret the hardcover price that I paid for this one. The storyline was ok, and had some amusing moments, but it was far from what I have come to expect from this talented author. One of the quotes that I read prior to this book coming out was that "this is her funniest book yet". I personally found that to be way off base. This book is not in the same laugh out loud funny league as most of her other books from the "Stars" series. I agree with another reviewer when they said at times the secondary characters seemed more interesting and should have been given more page time. I have to agree. While there was little acted upon sexual tension between the main characters, Annabelle and Heath, the situation between Portia and Bodie was scorching. Again, it was an ok read, but one I would have rather picked up in paperback.

I won't go over the whole story again, as has already been done - but I swear - Can SEP write a great romance book or what?! Totally enjoyable- funny, sexy, great writing - couldn't put it down. The audio version was wonderfully narrated. Another great book by SEP! She's one of the best!

This was one of Susan Elizabeth Phillips "good" books. I love most of her novels but have been disappointed in a couple of them. Match Me If You Can was right back up there! I could not put the book down because I wanted to see what was going to happen to the characters next. This was one of those kind of books that you don't want to end because you enjoy reading it so much.

I enjoy reading SEP because you are guarenteed to laugh and end up happy at the end. This was not a disappointment. LOved the story line, but also enjoyed seeing more of Molly, Kevin, Pheobe, and Dan. It felt like coming back home to great friends.

I'm a huge Susan Elizabeth Phillips fan and was not disappointed with this new book. Once again we are able to see past characters from the Chicago stars. Annabelle and Heath were awsome. I promice you will love this book!!!! Go SEP!!!!

I am not a big romance reader, but I really enjoyed this book. Sassy characters, snappy writing and dialogue, quick pace, nice twists, and good writing. The characters and plot aren't very realistic, but it's not supposed to be a realistic book. I will probably go search out other books by this author.

No doubt, this is one of SEP's funniest love stories. Not only did the dialogue between Annabelle and Heath have me howling with laughter, but the plot itself is so much fun. There are a couple love scenes that sizzle, too. Wonderful, wonderful story. You will love this book!

I find all of Susan Elizabeth Phillip's books to be worth reading

and this one is no exception. The plot moves along nicely and it's just enough of a fairy tale to make you smile. The humor is

magnificent (dry and scarcastic, just like me).

This is my first by the author S.E.Phillips but it wont be my last!I love her style of writing and normally I would be bored with a long plot but she knows how to keep me interested. I am now reading Dan and Phoebe's story It Had to be You.Get this book and enjoy the read...

This book is the perfect Prince Charming meets not so perfect Cinderella. Annabelle is sweetly flawed and ultimately shows nearly unflawed Heath a thing or two about love. Susan Elizabeth Phillips brings together characters that struggle as they grow and takes us along for the ride. Funny, smart, and a great read.

After listening and enjoying the new Harry Potter book, this book was a delight. The characters were interesting and there are many funny moments. I was looking for an interesting romantic book after being in the dark world for a while. This book fit the bill.

If you have read her other books from the series(And I suggest you do),you defintely won't be disappointed. It's funny, clever, charming, great story, what else can you ask for? I'm certain you will love it!

This was as good as Susan Elizabeth Phillips first books. The last two she had written were OK, but disappointing. This book was hot and funny. Definitely worth the wait and why I consider her one of my favorite authors.

I am new to reading for kicks and this book keep me wanting more. I read the entire book in two days, and for me that is saying alot. It was funny, passionate, and I just loved it. If your looking for a fun book, this one is for you.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of my favorite authors. This book if wonderful. Part of the football team series and funny like the others. I love a book that can make me laugh out loud and not many can! This one did over and over. It was great!

I think SEP is one of the best writers around - I have enjoyed all her 'baseball' books and this is equal to the previous ones of the series - funny and touching at the same time. Buy it - it's worth it