Susan Elizabeth Phillips releases a new book in her beloved Chicago Stars series. Check out my book review of When Stars Collide!
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When Stars Collide
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Category: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Tags: Opposites Attract, Sports, Football
Series: Chicago Stars
Published June 2021
Amazon | Goodreads
Rating: ★★★
Book Boyfriend Rating: 💍💍💍
Thaddeus Walker Bowman Owens is the backup quarterback for the Chicago Stars. He’s a total team player but not when it comes to his new travel partner for a nationwide promotional tour, Olivia Shore, the international opera superstar.
Too bad he has no tolerance for divas and she has a grudge against the jock. But these superstars have to find a way to work together or crash and burn.
I was SO excited to hear that Susan Elizabeth Phillips was releasing a new book in her Chicago Stars series because it is one of my favorite series to read.
Although this book has Phillip’s wonderful writing style, it didn’t meet my expectations despite it being one of my most anticipated romance books for 2021.
There was just too much going on in this book – the misunderstanding at their beginning, the mystery of her stalker, their issues with relationships, all the opera characters, the jewelry company employees/owners, etc. It made the story seem messy and all over the place at times.
Plus, I don’t think Tad and Olivia had enough opportunities to really fall in love for me to buy their connection. Sure, they had chemistry and lust in spades but love? After 4 weeks? I’m not so sure as it didn’t really come through in the writing.
I really love the Chicago Stars series but other than Tad being a back-up quarterback it really doesn’t fit. His storyline got lost for me too.
I do like Olivia and Tad but their relationship just got messy when it could have been a great, opposites attract, forced proximity story.
The writing is what I come to expect from Phillips, but the last few chapters started to really veer off course. The mystery took a life of its own that was a bit much and I think that’s what detracted from Tad and Olivia.
I honestly loved Phillips’ last release, Dance Away With Me, and say read that one instead or just reread some of the other Stars series books! If you’re a diehard Stars series fan, check it out but it wasn’t a favorite of mine.
*I received an advanced reader copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
