Simply the Best

Starred review from December 1, 2023

Rory Garrett's life is currently a disaster: her business partner steals her products and disappears; her spoiled neighbor, Ashley, ends up dead; and she has a steamy, ill-advised one-night stand with a man who mistakes her for a sex worker. When her brother, NFL quarterback Clint Garrett, is sought in connection with Ashley's death, Rory is shocked to find that the one person who can help her find her brother is that sexy mistake she hoped to forget--Brett Rivers, her brother's agent. Slick and perfect, Brett is enchanted with Rory and her broken-down food truck and furious over the attraction that he can't deny. Now he's being forced to choose between his client, his job, and his chance at love. Return to the world of sports agents and their rich and talented clients in Phillips's 10th sexy, sports-themed "Chicago Stars" novel (following When Stars Collide). VERDICT Funny and engaging, with twists and turns that keep it moving. Newbies to the series and even sports-averse readers will appreciate this modern-day Cinderella tale from Phillips.--Judy Garner

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2024
A classic underachiever falls in love with a man who seemingly cares only about business. Rory Meadows Garrett has always felt like a failure in her family; she's a broke, unemployed chocolatier who drifts from job to job while Clint, her half brother, has found fame and fortune as a professional quarterback. After interfering in Clint's love life, Rory attends a team party, intending to come clean about her meddling. Instead, Rory falls into bed with Brett Rivers, Clint's agent. For Brett, sleeping with Clint's sister is the ultimate fireable offense, and he was already in hot water for suggesting that Clint's girlfriend, Ashley Hart, is a gold digger. After a few days of failing to reach Clint on the phone, Brett drives out to his house, but he only finds Rory, also looking for Clint. As they search the house, they discover Ashley's dead body and realize she was murdered. Although Rory and Brett's quest to find the killer and clear Clint's name drives the plot, it's the shifting kaleidoscope of personal, business, and family relationships that makes this such a captivating novel. Rory and Brett seem to be complete opposites, but Phillips is a pro at creating characters who turn out to be perfect for each other in unlikely ways. Brett's staunch belief that professional success is all that matters is challenged by Rory's laid-back approach to life, while Rory's feelings of inferiority are vanquished by Brett's assurance and belief in her skills. Ashley is more plot device than real person, which is the one discordant note in an otherwise emotionally generous novel about romantic and familial love. Not quite a touchdown, but still a winning romance novel.

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Starred review from January 1, 2024
As one of Champion Management's top sports agents, Brett Rivers is used to winning deals, but he has to admit he may finally have met his match in Rory Garrett. Rory's brother (and Brett's client) Clint has just become the leading suspect in the suspicious death of Ashley Hart, Clint's ex-girlfriend. Even though Clint is mad as heck at her for telling him to break up with Ashley, Rory knows Clint had nothing to do with the murder. So when Brett tries to sideline Rory after she begins investigating the crime, she offers Brett a deal. In exchange for Brett sharing his contacts in Clint's world, Rory will help Brett, who had also told Clint to break up with Ashley, get back in the good graces of his most important client. Sounds fair, right? Readers will want to savor every delectable word in the sublimely talented Phillips' latest Chicago Stars novel, following When Stars Collide (2021), just as one would enjoy the luscious artisanal bonbons crafted by the book's heroine. Infused with addictively acerbic wit and graced with a perfectly matched pair of protagonists whose sexual chemistry is hot enough to melt chocolate, this is Phillips at her dazzling best.

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