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6th out of 1,088 books
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It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars #1)
by
Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Goodreads Author)
The Windy City isn't quite ready for Phoebe Somerville -- the outrageous, curvaceous New York knockout who has just inherited the Chicago Stars football team. And Phoebe is definitely not prepared for the Stars' head coach Dan Celebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. Celebow is everything Phoebe abhors. And the sexy new boss is everything Dan despises - a m...more
Mass Market Paperback, 376 pages
Published
August 1st 1994
by Avon Books
(first published 1994)
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Okay, now I can understand why everyone is so crazy about SEP. The funny thing is I almost stopped reading this novel after the first 50 pages. I’m not into football or sports of any kind, and the characters hadn’t grabbed me enough to continue. Plus, the book was published in 1994, and I didn’t know what the sex scenes would be like (I had visions of purple prose…eek!). So while I was working on computer yesterday I grabbed the book and started flipping through, looking for the sex scenes w...more
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I just have no words to describe how much I loved this book. It was amazing! Maybe I was just in the right mood for this kind of read or maybe it really is a terrific read. I just know that apart from LK's Travises series, I had never, ever enjoyed a contemporary romance as much as I did this one and the Travises. And yes, it was that good for me. Well maybe not that good, lol, but definitely the closest I will ever find.
I loved Phoebe! She was an amazing heroine. Everything about he...more
I loved Phoebe! She was an amazing heroine. Everything about he...more
I'll have to admit that I am probably one of the last romance readers to climb aboard Ms. Phillips' bandwagon, but now that I'm here, I don't plan to leave anytime soon. I had read so many raves about the Chicago Stars series that I eagerly began reading this first installment, imagining that I would fall in love on page 1. I didn't. At first, I felt the male lead had potential, but I wasn't fond at all of the female lead, her sister, or even what I knew of the plot at that point. It wasn't l...more
Wow! I almost didn’t read this series but I’m sure glad that I gave it a chance. From beginning to end I could not put this book down. The funeral scene was absolutely hilarious and sucked me right in. Some of the scenes were so HOT that I had to read it over and over again, especially the kinky kiddy scene. I was so engrossed in the story that by the last scene, where Dan was looking back at his life, I had decided the Susan Elizabeth Phillips is another one of my favorite authors (even though ...more
Alexis
rated it
Recommends it for:
readers of fluffy romances who also like sports movies
Recommended to Alexis by:
Erin
Shelves:
romance,
my-reviews
Phoebe Somerville inherits the football team that her father owned, but only temporarily. After being disinherited (basically because her father was a complete ass), he bequeaths her the team in order to make a woman out of her. But there's a big catch, and it takes Phoebe a while to rise to the occasion. Eventually, she starts to get involved with the team, and it becomes less about proving to her dead dad that she can do it and more about proving it to herself. (Wow, it's character development...more
Anzu ZombieHazard
rated it
I simply loved this book. It sucked me in since the very beginning. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers of all time.
Diah
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommended to Diah by:
Veeta, Dwi, Adwina, Aline, Amelia, dll...
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Carrie
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Shelves:
audio,
contemporary,
humorous,
read-2010,
sports-related,
re-read,
read-2011,
manipulative-friends-family
I don't know if it's me or the books I'm reading, but I'm having a difficult time assigning ratings these day. Take It Had to be You. On one hand the writing is crisp and witty; and on the other hand the author used cheesy plot devices that felt more like a made-for-TV movie than good story making.
Pros:
The story has depth and detail, and the characters are well-developed and 3 dimensional. Ms. Phillips delivers emotional impact with her writing, being alternatively humorous or ...more
Pros:
The story has depth and detail, and the characters are well-developed and 3 dimensional. Ms. Phillips delivers emotional impact with her writing, being alternatively humorous or ...more
This book came at a time when I was pretty much not reading romance novels. I had been down on the genre. But enter Phoebe who was a breath of fresh air. First of all, SEP set her story surrounding pro sports. This was, imo, a big deal. She was bringing something very different to a genre that to me had grown tired. Every other contemporary writer in the genre was putting women on ranches to capture the Marlboro Man or making them run from some serial killer.
Phoebe, otoh, was lear...more
Phoebe, otoh, was lear...more
The first series on the Chicago Stars as well as the first one of the Sommervilles girls. Now I've been waiting to read this one for a long time and once I start, I can't stop. This is where the Chicago Stars really started. This is where Phoebe Sommerville and Dan Calebow met. I know zilch about American Football but I do know that I love the Chicago Stars. I love the way they rise to success, how Phoebe and Dan make it possible for the Stars to shine. Most of all, I love Phoebe and Dan. Yes, t...more
3.5 stars. This book consistently makes top five lists of all time favorite romances, so when I saw that our library had the ebook version, I decided to give it a try. As it's from 1994, there's a good chance I have read this before. But it is also possible that it just feels so familiar because every sports romance that followed after used the same winning formula: clueless but hot girl is forced to interact with pro sports Guy who resents her presence until she saves the day. And most novels a...more
Tirolo: il gioco della seduzione
Titolo originale: It had to be you (Dovevi essere tu)
Autore: Susan Elizabeth Philips
Serie: Chicago Stars primo libro
Editore: Leggereditore
Trama: Quando gli opposti non solo si attraggono, ma diventano inseparabili… Chicago non è pronta per l’affascinante e capricciosa Phoebe Somerville, ma quando il padre le consegna le redini della squadra di football della famiglia,tutti, lei compresa, dovranno ricreder...more
Titolo originale: It had to be you (Dovevi essere tu)
Autore: Susan Elizabeth Philips
Serie: Chicago Stars primo libro
Editore: Leggereditore
Trama: Quando gli opposti non solo si attraggono, ma diventano inseparabili… Chicago non è pronta per l’affascinante e capricciosa Phoebe Somerville, ma quando il padre le consegna le redini della squadra di football della famiglia,tutti, lei compresa, dovranno ricreder...more
I had avoided this book for a long time because of the in your face boob shot on the cover. In light of my new desire to read the back catalog of m/f contemporary romance, I figured why not.
The book opens at a funeral of probably one of the sleaziest old men ever. What a complete dick he was and we get glimpses of his true rise as the king of his own dickhead land through those that survived him with the true victims, his daughters. The funeral turns into a circus and was such a f...more
The book opens at a funeral of probably one of the sleaziest old men ever. What a complete dick he was and we get glimpses of his true rise as the king of his own dickhead land through those that survived him with the true victims, his daughters. The funeral turns into a circus and was such a f...more
Flame
rated it
This review is also posted on Always a Booklover.
This was a very good read. I loved the characters in the book, and their love truly touched me. I devoured the book, and finished it within a few hours. I simply could not stop reading. The action that was unfolding on the pages of the book was really captivating and everything just fell so nicely in place. I’m trying to say, there wasn’t too much of anything or too little. At the risk of sounding like Goldilocks, everything wa...more
This was a very good read. I loved the characters in the book, and their love truly touched me. I devoured the book, and finished it within a few hours. I simply could not stop reading. The action that was unfolding on the pages of the book was really captivating and everything just fell so nicely in place. I’m trying to say, there wasn’t too much of anything or too little. At the risk of sounding like Goldilocks, everything wa...more
This book is a perfect example of the problem I have with contemporary romances.
I used to read books like this in the early 90s - I took a hiatus from historicals (for some reason I thought they were silly) and I read tons of books just like this one. Not a problem in 1994, but a big one in 2011, when references to football coaches being interviewed by OJ Simpson (poor SEP, it looks like this book was originally released barely 2 months after Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman were mur...more
I used to read books like this in the early 90s - I took a hiatus from historicals (for some reason I thought they were silly) and I read tons of books just like this one. Not a problem in 1994, but a big one in 2011, when references to football coaches being interviewed by OJ Simpson (poor SEP, it looks like this book was originally released barely 2 months after Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman were mur...more
Phoebe Somerville, von ihrem eigenen Vater verstoßen, muss nach seinem Tod für ein halbes Jahr sein Footballteam übernehmen, um sich ihren Teil des Erbes zu verdienen.
Da sie sich mit diesem Sport nie auseinandergesetzt hatte und auch noch eine schlimme Erinnerung einen schalen Beigeschmack hatte, ist diese Aufgabe für sie auswegslos. Doch da haben vereinzelte wichtige Persönlichkeiten in der Managerreihe dieses Clubs andere Ansichten und lernen sie ein. Auch das versprochene Erbe trägt sein...more
Da sie sich mit diesem Sport nie auseinandergesetzt hatte und auch noch eine schlimme Erinnerung einen schalen Beigeschmack hatte, ist diese Aufgabe für sie auswegslos. Doch da haben vereinzelte wichtige Persönlichkeiten in der Managerreihe dieses Clubs andere Ansichten und lernen sie ein. Auch das versprochene Erbe trägt sein...more
4.5 stars.
So I've obviously been living under a rock for the past 30 years simply because I seemed to be the only person in the romance reading stratosphere to have not sampled any SEP. Needless to say I just spent the past 7 hours making up for lost time.
Despite their individual angsty backgrounds and a few moments of knuckleheaded stubbornness, I adored the H/h in this book. I also loved all the football action even though I had no freaking idea how the American NFL system ...more
So I've obviously been living under a rock for the past 30 years simply because I seemed to be the only person in the romance reading stratosphere to have not sampled any SEP. Needless to say I just spent the past 7 hours making up for lost time.
Despite their individual angsty backgrounds and a few moments of knuckleheaded stubbornness, I adored the H/h in this book. I also loved all the football action even though I had no freaking idea how the American NFL system ...more
I remember the first time I saw the cover of this book. It was on a first (and last) date during which my date and I decided to "walk around" an enormous three story Barnes and Nobles after dinner. I don't remember most of the details of the date, what we talked about, or even what his name was, but I do remember the turning point of the date, the distinct moment when my internal voice simply said, "Oh, hell no." For almost every woman I know, this is the moment of truth, ...more
Though this is the 1st book in the Chicago Stars series it was the about the 5th one I've read. That being said, the later stories are much better, imo, than the earlier ones, however, I do consider this to b a very good story but SEP does use the "characters psychologically and/or emotionally abused by their parents" trope WAY too much.
In IHTBY Phoebe Somerville, is the estranged daughter of the Star's team owner, returns home to attend her father's funeral and to take custody of he...more
In IHTBY Phoebe Somerville, is the estranged daughter of the Star's team owner, returns home to attend her father's funeral and to take custody of he...more
Memiliki masa kecil penuh kepedihan, pelecehan,perkosaan dan ayah yg membenci serta tdk pernah mempercayai sedikitpun kata2nya, Phoebe menjadi pribadi yg getir ketika memutuskan pergi ke Paris untuk hidup bersama dan jadi model lukisan telanjang seorang seniman Paris.
Saat ayah nya meninggal dunia dan mewaris kan klub football paling terkenal, dia hampir tidak percaya ,namun akhirnya menyadari kalau dalam kubur nya pun ayah nya msh ingin menguasai dan mengatur hidup nya, Brtemu dan saling me...more
Saat ayah nya meninggal dunia dan mewaris kan klub football paling terkenal, dia hampir tidak percaya ,namun akhirnya menyadari kalau dalam kubur nya pun ayah nya msh ingin menguasai dan mengatur hidup nya, Brtemu dan saling me...more
I absolutely loved this book. I'm wavering between 4 and 5 stars.
Let me start with the heroine, Pheobe, which I think was the only weak link in the book for me. I felt for Pheobe, I cared about her, I admired some of the things she did, and the way she handled certain situations, but I never felt overwhelming affection for her. In the end, this is probably why I only gave it 4 stars.
One of the best things about this book is that SEP didn't rely on one of the characters ...more
Let me start with the heroine, Pheobe, which I think was the only weak link in the book for me. I felt for Pheobe, I cared about her, I admired some of the things she did, and the way she handled certain situations, but I never felt overwhelming affection for her. In the end, this is probably why I only gave it 4 stars.
One of the best things about this book is that SEP didn't rely on one of the characters ...more
All Phoebe's life her father disowned her, she doesn't have a relationship with her half sister, and she is on the edge of financial ruin. Phoebe is extravagant and dresses proactively but that is all part of her desire to stay in control. If she controls how men perceive her than they can't overpower her. Phoebe is also gorgeous with a pin-up girl like figure she attracts attention where ever she goes.
When her father dies and his will stipulates that she must run his pro-football te...more
When her father dies and his will stipulates that she must run his pro-football te...more
~* 4.5 Stars *~
A surprise amendment to her father's will leaves Manhattan bombshell Phoebe Somerville ownership of the Chicago Stars football team. She thought she's long been disinherited and was thrilled by the will, seeing it as proof that her father did love her after all...until the vicious, controlling codicil gives her one season to win the AFC Championship and demands she stop being such an unrelieved screw up. If she fails, the team will be handed off to her slimy bastard of a cou...more
A surprise amendment to her father's will leaves Manhattan bombshell Phoebe Somerville ownership of the Chicago Stars football team. She thought she's long been disinherited and was thrilled by the will, seeing it as proof that her father did love her after all...until the vicious, controlling codicil gives her one season to win the AFC Championship and demands she stop being such an unrelieved screw up. If she fails, the team will be handed off to her slimy bastard of a cou...more
This is the one about the gorgeous and outrageous heroine who inherits a football team from her less than loving deceased dad & butts heads & falls in love with the teams bullheaded jock Head Coach. I hate football (and most sports) so I had doubts about liking this book. Well, the first chapter had me in stitches and the snappy pace continued throughout the book. When I began my first thought was "Oh, no, the heroine is a major bimbo" but I soon learned she was so much more than she a...more
OMG!!!! This was the first book I read and I freaking loved it!
I had no idea that Susan Elizabeth Phillips could write such a book! God, I am so hooked up with this book that now I'll have to read the whole series. I just can't wait to go on with the next one. The plot was amazing, with a competitive streak,sassy comments and a few lines of suspense twisted into a beautiful romance.
I like Phoebe Somerville, the girl who maintained an appearance of an outrageous, glamorous, curvaceous ...more
I had no idea that Susan Elizabeth Phillips could write such a book! God, I am so hooked up with this book that now I'll have to read the whole series. I just can't wait to go on with the next one. The plot was amazing, with a competitive streak,sassy comments and a few lines of suspense twisted into a beautiful romance.
I like Phoebe Somerville, the girl who maintained an appearance of an outrageous, glamorous, curvaceous ...more
I liked this book, but maybe it's been that too many books i've read involve so many rape incidents that it made me like the book less. I mean even though in this book she actually tried to report it, it just fell on deaf ears. I suppose in my eyes it made it worse. When Phoebe thought she was getting raped for a second time, I was actually brought to tears. I really don't like chick lit making me so upset. I'm on vacation dammit!! But the love story between Dan and Phoebe was incredible, very ...more
I really liked the story of someone who doesn't know anything about football becoming the owner of the team and that she could pull herself back from all the abuse she had suffered.
The Windy City isn't quite ready for Phoebe Somerville--the outrageous, curvaceous New York knockout who has just inherited the Chicago Stars football team. And Phoebe is definitely not prepared for the Stars' head coach Dan Celebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. Celebow is everything Pho...more
The Windy City isn't quite ready for Phoebe Somerville--the outrageous, curvaceous New York knockout who has just inherited the Chicago Stars football team. And Phoebe is definitely not prepared for the Stars' head coach Dan Celebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. Celebow is everything Pho...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Crista
rated it
Shelves:
5-star,
contemporary,
favorites,
hot,
series,
sports-themed,
tear-jerkers,
tortured-heroines,
tortured-heroes
I first read this book years ago. I picked it up yesterday after reading a particularly "dark" and "gloomy" type of story and definitely needed something lighter to brighten my mood.
My impressions on my second re-read is that this book is worth all the hype that surrounds it (and more)!
First off, do not be deceived by the cover of this book or it's football theme. This is a multi-layered book with multi-dimensional characters. It deals with serious...more
My impressions on my second re-read is that this book is worth all the hype that surrounds it (and more)!
First off, do not be deceived by the cover of this book or it's football theme. This is a multi-layered book with multi-dimensional characters. It deals with serious...more
Isn’t it nice when a book you read could not just make you laugh at some lines, but can make you smile almost all throughout the book (exemption are the pages where either or both major protagonists are in distress of course) and just as you are about to close it? But then, it just hits you that it’s over and then you’re wistfully happy?
It Had To Be You just has to be that book.
Phoebe Somerville, blonde hottie, has just inherited a football team. And she doesn’t even know t...more
It Had To Be You just has to be that book.
Phoebe Somerville, blonde hottie, has just inherited a football team. And she doesn’t even know t...more
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“I guess we're oil and water. (Phoebe)
I'd say we're more like gasoline and a blowtorch. (Dan)”
—
59 people liked it
I'd say we're more like gasoline and a blowtorch. (Dan)”
“The door closed behind her (Phoebe), and the two men regarded each other for a moment. Viktor spoke first. "I must have your promise, Coach, that you won't hurt her." Dan: "I won't." Viktor: "You spoke a little too quickly for my taste. I don't quite believe you." Dan: "I'm a man of my word, and I promise I won't hurt her." He flexed his hands. "When I murder her, I'll do it real quick so she won't feel a thing." Viktor sighed. "That's exactly what I was afraid of.”
—
40 people liked it
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