REVIEW: Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

In Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, They say opposites attract. And while that couldn’t be more accurate about when Rory Garrett Meadows and Brett Rivers first met, the way they left things was less than stellar. So, when the out of work chocolate maker and the high-flying sports agent butt heads the next time they meet, you’d think they’d ignore each other going forward. But unfortunately, that’s not what happens. Instead, Brett and Rory are aligned on a serious task: to prove her half-brother Clint Garrett, a legendary player for the Chicago Stars, had nothing to do with the murder of his ex-girlfriend. IF they can find Clint, that is, considering he’s disappeared without a trace.

She cocked her head at him. “Are you really sorry or sister-of-my-biggest-client-sorry?”
He gave her a rueful smile. “Both.”
She grinned. She liked this sexy weasel way more than she wanted to.

Between Rory’s tenacity and Brett’s many resources–and stubbornness on both their parts–they won’t stop until the real killer is found. But in the meantime, Rory’s career crafting high-end chocolate is at a dead-end while Brett is working his way toward a promotion. Then everything goes even more sideways for the duo. When they catch a case of feelings for each other, it threatens to complicate an already complex situation. Brett is a perma-bachelor–whose biggest client is AWOL. And Rory is a relationship woman, through and through. The cherry on top is the sudden appearance of Rory’s (evil) stepmother Kristin and having her hound them to find her precious son Clint. It’s a mess. But if Brett and Rory can fess up to their true feelings, the truth about their time together, and manage to stop arguing for a few minutes, they might just be able to figure things out.

‘The moment Brett felt Rory’s lips on his, common sense flew out the window… Made him forget that discipline was his superpower. Instead, his body took over from his brain, and every part of him needed this calamity of a woman.’

From its steamy meet cute to the sparks of attraction and hilarious bickering, SIMPLY THE BEST is classic Susan Elizabeth Phillips–but also with a murder mystery twist that will leave readers guessing until the end.

“I can’t be friends with you. And from the way you’re looking at me, you can’t be friends with me, either.”
“How am I looking at you?”
Her voice grew hoarse. “Like I’m one more obstacle you need to conquer.”

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is back with her beloved Chicago Stars and fans of the series won’t want to miss this novel. SIMPLY THE BEST was less about the world of football than it was the saga of an estranged family as well as the undeniable chemistry between a down-on-her-luck chocolatier and a successful sports agent. Oh…and we can’t forget the mystery surrounding the murder of a beautiful (gold digging) woman being pinned on one of the Stars most well-known players.

If you’ve read the previous book, When Stars Collide, you’ve already met Clint Garrett, one of Thad Owens’ closest friends. The star NFL player gets into a whole heap of trouble here when his ex-girlfriend Ashley is murdered at his mansion. While the story mainly revolves around Clint’s half-sister Rory Garrett Meadows and Clint’s agent Brett Rivers, he definitely makes some memorable appearances. But for me, it was the sparks flying between our couple that captured my heart. So much fun! The bickering and the way Brett and Rory fought their feelings with everything they had, it fit them both perfectly.

Rory and Brett’s meet cute (which I won’t spoil) set the tone for their relationship. And as you’d expect from two strong, dynamic people, there was a ton of push-pull between them the entire time. I laughed until I nearly cried through a lot of their scenes together. Although it was when Brett and Rory were finally, finally figuring out that what they had was much more than a tenuous friendship that made my heart soar. Seriously. They were absolutely meant to be together. And the addition of Rory and Clint’s family issues rounded out the story, bringing in more tension, drama, and (eventually) healing.

QOTD: Have you read the Chicago Stars series? If so, do you have a favorite book or couple?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: February 13th, 2024 | by Avon | Chicago Stars #10

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

Take one hard-driving sports agent…

Throw in a failed chocolatier…

And her superstar football player brother…

Add a quirky pink and purple food truck…

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

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

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

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

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

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