First Star I See Tonight: A Chicago Stars Novel

The characters are quirky but so loveable. The romance is sometimes subtle but always simmering. I especially liked the bit of mystery that swirled throughout the entire book. I hated to see this book end.

She went downhill for awhile with the Hollywood novels but she's back to the foootball players and the trademark humor has returned. Accidentally bought this large print but my retired neighbor is happy I did...

The Stars books are my favorites. I always love the quirky characters. I especially like reading from each one's perspective. When they fill up all of the empty spaces, you can see why they are not perfect, but are perfect for each other.

First Star is a new Chicago Stars story that features a worthy hero and a feisty/spirited heroine. I liked it all, except for the side story about the foreign prince. I especially enjoyed visiting with Heath & Annabelle again.

Loved this book. Loved everything about it. Loved the quirky, engaging characters, the laugh-out-loud humor, and exquisite use of language. Makes me want to go back and reread the whole Chicago Stars series.

As usual, Phillips delivers another fun frolic through romantic comedy. Just when I think I can't possibly fall in love with another Star, she gives me Cooper Graham. I don't like cheating on Cal Bonner, but somehow I always do. Every. Single. Time.

I love the vulnerability SEP allows her characters to experience. Even when writing unlikely stories, she writes with such insight and humility that I’m continually charmed. I’d buy anything she wrote.

Although not prolific in her writing, any book.she does publish is a gem. Filled with humor and great characters, the reader is not left feeling shortchanged at the conclusion.

Well done, Ms Phillips.

I can always count on Susan Elizabeth Phillips to write a wonderful book! Her characters are "real" and her story line is always well thought out. She always includes a great sense of humor, and witty dialogue. Can't wait for her next book!

A great plot, romance, twists and turns, all without gratuitous violence - what else could you ask for? Leave the dishes in the sink and finish them later. This book is a page turner and right at the top of its genre.

An absolute joy to read! I laughed, cried and laughed some more. It's so great being back in Chicago with the Stars! If your an SEP fan, or even if you have never read her books ....grab this book, you won't be sorry!

Many kudos to this author, can she write a STORY ! There were a couple of places I laughed out loud, what an entertaining book. Loved the heroine, so funny and the hero, poor guy........ Great storyline

SEP definitely scored a TD with this one. Loved it, I'm a sucker for her witty heroines and Piper is just that, and what can I say about Coop, just great story telling all around , you won't be disappointed,

I always enjoy reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books. I like the way the characters interact with each other. There's the underlying attraction to each other although they refuse to admit it to themselves. This book goes into my "keepers" stash.

I so enjoyed this story including the characters and plot. Laughed so much and really admired the characters. From the tough heroin to the Superstar but sensitive hero, to the unflappable and humorous agent and then some some, all the characters all the characters were enjoyable. Love the style of writing by this author as well as the plot, the comedy, and the characters especially.

Love this series. Well crafted and believable characters. Always enjoy the way former characters are updated in the new story, but the plot stays focused on the new story. Stories engaging and entertaining.

Her characters are ordinary, attractive women that have strong personalities. The dynamics between the main characters are so funny and enjoyable. It’s so nice to read about the average woman getting the handsome, upstanding man!

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a wonderful writer and her books are some of the best I have read. This book is great. If you haven't read one of her books, go out and buy one or all of them right now. They are keepers.

No one writes witty banter like Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She is one of the few authors who manages to convey the emotional, as well as the physical, connection between two people. Her latest did not disappoint.

SEP never fails to come through. Her books are smart, funny and sexy, and this one is no different. I love both Piper and Coop. Piper's tough insecurity makes her incredibly interesting, and Cooper is both hot and smart.

You'll never go wrong with a book by SEP.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of my favorite Contemporary Romance authors, but her last few books just weren’t my cup of tea. I was excited when I found out that her new release would be a “Chicago Stars” book, and was curious to see if she’d be able to capture the “magic” of those early stories like “Dream a Little Dream”. The answer is “Yes”…and “No”.

Newly retired Quarterback Tom Brady (OK, the character’s name is Cooper Graham, but you’ll be picturing Brady) has opened a nightclub in Chicago and has big plans for expansion. Piper Dove (I know, it’s an awful name conjuring up images of Pippi Longstocking) is a private detective that’s been hired to investigate Coop. Long story short, Pippi/Piper ends up working for Brady/Coop and let’s just say that they end up mixing business with pleasure.

I liked this, but it did feel a bit like a mishmash of previous storylines from earlier “Chicago Stars” books. You’ve got the newly retired, drop-dead gorgeous athlete and the quirky heroine who is not his type, but of course he’s incredibly attracted to her. Even the first love scene was eerily reminiscent of a scene in “Natural Born Charmer”. That said, Phillips is an accomplished writer and she makes the implausible seem (almost) believable. I really came to like the character of Piper, and I enjoyed a couple of the sub-plots about Piper’s work that didn’t involve Coop. The dialog was smart and funny and the supporting characters were interesting and added another layer to the story. But as for the “magic”…

I didn’t really feel a whole lot of chemistry between Piper and Coop. His attraction to her came out of left field (wrong sport, but you get my drift). As a couple they just didn’t have any spark, and I found myself more interested in the various sub-plots than I was in their romance.

Overall I enjoyed this; it was a cute story. Maybe the fact that it didn’t quite measure up to her early books has more to do with me than it does with the book itself. It’s been almost 20 years since I read “Dream a Little Dream” (I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around that!), and my reading tastes have changed. Things have a way of changing over a couple of decades, don’t they?

Occasional swearing/strong language and a couple of fairly explicit love scenes. The “Chicago Stars” books are all standalone novels, and although characters from previous books pop up occasionally, you won’t feel like you’re missing anything if you haven’t read any other books in the series.

Just finished the Chicago series plus this book and loved them all...so we'll written....loved the wit and banter.....growing up with 3 brothers and lots of sports I can do relate to these stories.....Will continue to read all your books and look forward doing so.

I love SEP! Her books never disappoint and neither did this one! I loved Graham and Piper! Their love story was full of fun and adventures! The secondary characters are very interesting too! The writing is Romantic, witty, and funny!! 5 stars all the way!

Susan Elizabeth Phillips never disappoints. As usual her cast of characters are lovable, believable, wacky and wonderful. There are several plot twists and a mystery that will keep you guessing who done it until the very end. Enjoy!

I normally love SEP's writing. I read everything she writes. I was enjoying this book immensely, until she went political. I don't mind if a character says political opinions, if it is in keeping with the book/plot, and the character. I do mind when an author inserts his/her opinion without development. The scene that stopped my reading is this: "Only as he (Coop) ventured into politics did Faiza grow fiery. "The word Islam means 'peace, purity, submission, and obedience,' she said. 'What has terrorism to do with any of those things?" What the what? I never read Coop saying a thing about terrorism, yet here comes this comment out of nowhere, with no further dialogue on the subject. Now, I read for escapism, and that means even from the political arguments in the U.S. I don't need or want an author inserting his/her beliefs into a work of fiction. That's what an op-ed is for. I expected better from one of my favorite authors.

5 stars, as always, for my favorite romance author. Once again Susan Elizabeth Phillips had me at the first sentence. The characters are brought to life so vividly that the reader falls in love with them before Chapter Two. The best part of a Susan Elizabeth Phillips' novel is the beginning. The worst part, of course, is the ending. Not because it isn't a great ending but just because it ended! Looking forward to the next one.