It Had to Be You

~* 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 cousin, a man who, as a boy, made Phoebe's life miserable. Refusing to give in to her father's manipulations, even in death, she blows off the whole idea and heads off on vacation, submerging herself in the artistic world to which she had fled when her father had betrayed her in the worst way years ago. Finding the head coach of the Stars in her living room a few days after her return, however, wasn't something she had anticipated. Dan Calebow makes her nervous and strips her of her vaunted control. He's large, intimidating, and forbidding, and something about him does weird things to her stomach. His condescending derision, on the other hand, does something else entirely to her temper. She's the biggest bimbo that he's ever met, but Phoebe Somerville sure was a looker. Pity that she was so useless as an owner and was technically his boss. He had players with unsigned contracts and a team to coach, he didn't have time to play her games. He needed her back in Chicago immediately. Once there, he could set her up as a brainless figurehead and get on doing the job he loved. Problem was, Phoebe's anything but brainless, and the bimbo act is a shield she uses to protect herself. After years of insecurity with men, and a childhood of trauma and neglect, she has honed herself into being exactly what she needs to be to get what she wants. It isn't until she returns to Chicago and starts to take up the reins of the team that she realizes she wants to be the one thing her father never thought she could be. A smashing success. If that means she has to kick the patootie of one supercilious head coach, well...surely they make helmets or something for that. Sparks fly and quips are traded with witty alacrity in this sports romance romp, the first of the Chicago Stars series. With a rather astounding level of character definition and tragic backstory that tugs at the heartstrings, this is a light romance with deep, dark undertones and was doubly satisfying for it. I loved Phoebe. More than that, I admired her. She's a survivor, and while her survival instincts may be dressed up in inappropriate gold lame at times, or wrapped up like a bow on her poodle's topknot, they're exceptionally adept at keeping her afloat. She has a truly tender and kind heart, and her intelligence is keen, especially when she truly starts using it. Dan was a little harder to peg. He's drawn to Phoebe, but doesn't see much beyond her bodacious bod at first, and there was a sex scene towards the beginning of the book (not with Phoebe) that I found deeply disturbing until his partner was identified. Even after that scene I found his relationship with his ex to be a bit distasteful, and the manner in which he so clinically decides to marry a woman just because she's good with kids didn't enamor him to me, either. I did eventually warm up to him, and he does show a far wider range of emotion and intellect through the book, but it was a bit of a rough start for me with him. The push-pull between him and Phoebe, though, was straight up, classic, awesome romance fun wrapped around a very complex consortium of character issues and insecurities. I have to give Susan Eliabeth Phillips credit, she created fully realized and very human characters on all levels, including secondary and ancillary characters, that filled up and filled out this book superbly, giving it much more depth and a far more meaty plot than I was anticipating. There were a few spots that seemed a bit formulaic (it's an HEA romance, though, it wasn't like I wasn't expecting that) and the major relationship conflicts could be seen coming from across the stadium and were, in my opinion, the least elegant aspects of the storyline, but nothing was a major detractor. In fact, it was one of the most satisfying and comprehensive contemporary romances I've read lately. I was particularly pleased with the subplot about the evolution of the relationship Phoebe has with her half sister, and the nifty ways Dan factored into that. I was also pleasantly surprised with how SEP addressed Phoebe's rape at the age of eighteen, and how realistically that assault was integrated into Phoebe's psyche and personality. The moment that Phoebe shared that trauma with Dan was a very good moment for me in the book, for a lot of reasons that are hard to explain, but touch on my appreciation for honest relationship conversation and trust. And I loved absolutely everything about Dan's actions and reactions to the whole of his knowledge of that rape from that point to the very end. I did have a few issues with the book. I could have done without the crazy stalker subplot, I feel it did too little to expand or assist in adding insight into Dan's past and it seemed too hokey a plot device at the end to be a credible threat. Snippets throughout the book shined a glaring spotlight on its 1994 original publishing date (O.J. Simpson being mentioned as a sports correspondent, not a defendant was particularly telling). Dan's ex-wife served little purpose beyond being an excuse for a very emotional scene between Dan and Phoebe...and for the total gross out factor of that initial sex scene. On the other hand, I was highly impressed with the taut play-by-play of the AFC Championship game. It was very well written - informative, tense, emotional, but not so detailed as to make your eyes cross. Admittedly, I'm a rabid football fan, and I have been since childhood. I know football. I even follow my team's off-season personnel and contract stories religiously. It was pretty much guaranteed that I wasn't going to be bored or disinterested with the level of the sports detail in this book. That being said, I'd like to think that I'm objective enough to assure those who aren't football fans that there wasn't a ton of it in the book, and certainly nothing I would consider a major detractor for those who don't like the sport. It Had to Be You is, at its core, the story of two damaged and emotionally fragile people finding each other in the least likely of places, and realizing that despite appearances and regardless of propriety, they're perfect for each other. And in getting there, it was the Superbowl of delicious, deep, thrilling, emotional journeys, ripe with fully realized and sympathetic characters that resonate with a sense of genuine triumph. ~*~*~*~ Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading/listening to this story. I read this book with my book club and I'm so glad that it was picked. I wasn't quite sure if I would enjoy it or not because I'm not really a football person however, that was truly not the main focus and the story was very well written. Phoebe and Dan are really great characters! I honestly loved all of the characters and noticed that there are more books in this series and I do intend to read them. Excellent story!

In "It Had to Be You," Susan Elizabeth Phillips delivers a delightful romantic comedy filled with sizzling chemistry and laugh-out-loud moments. As Phoebe Somerville, a vibrant and curvy New Yorker, takes the reins of the Chicago Stars football team, she quickly finds herself out of her element in the Windy City. Phoebe's bold personality and city sophistication clash spectacularly with the world of professional football and its rugged cast of characters. Central to the story is Dan Celebow, the Stars' head coach, whose rough exterior and old-school mentality symbolize everything Phoebe despises. His no-nonsense attitude and blatant sexism ignite a fiery animosity, making their initial encounters anything but smooth. Yet, despite their differences and the barbs they exchange, an undeniable spark simmers beneath the surface, drawing them together like magnets despite their protests. Phillips masterfully explores the tension between Phoebe and Dan, showcasing their witty banter and the evolving layers of their relationship. As they navigate misunderstandings and challenges, the story highlights themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the irresistible allure of opposites attracting. "It Had to Be You" is a scrumptious blend of romance, humor, and heart, inviting readers to root for Phoebe and Dan as they confront their preconceived notions and ultimately find love—whether they’re ready for it or not. Perfect for fans of romantic comedies, this novel is sure to entertain and leave you with a smile.

Other authors I like for reference (Jennifer Crusie, Kresley Cole, Melanie Harlow). This is the first Susan Elizabeth Phillips I've read, and was reassured from the other reviews that it's not just about football - it's relatable (even if you don't like sport) - and it is! Her supporting characters actually make me want to read her the rest of her series. I love her way of story telling, her quirky Heroine, the way she uses the characters back stories to explain their motivations, and how she ties everything into the present to deliver a punchy, relatable, delicious read. To be clear, I'm not one for cringe-worthy romances with withering bodies on every page. I like a happy ending but I want to feel fulfilled, and enjoy a well told story. I found it with this book, and my only negative is that Phoebe's backstory may be a little confronting for those who have difficulty reading about rape. I struggled at first but it's also a big part of the story as the characters develop. I really enjoyed this book, so definitely worth a go - and don't let the football fool you, it's more about the people. Let it surprise you, if this doesn't sound like your usual read. Enjoy!

I read this book over a month ago and I just couldn't put into words how I felt about it. My feelings were THAT mixed. They still are. I liked it then I didn't. This was my first SEP book and I've heard so many good things about her books. If this is a taste of how her stories go, I think this will be my first AND last book of hers. I liked it but not enough to buy another from her. As a woman, Phoebe baffles me. Maybe it's a product of her being a woman of 1990 and me being in 2011 but I can't imagine a woman in her right mind thinking being and acting over-sexualized is a GOOD way to keep men at bay. In this world, in 2011 that's just asking for a guy to call you a c-tease. But in Phoebe's mind, batting her eyelashes, flashing cleavage, giving them little touches is keeping them at a distance. I don't think so! Phoebe's misogynistic father Bert dies and decides to mess with his Marilyn Monroe wannabe daughter from the grave. He knows Phoebe to be a child in the body of a bimbo so he leaves her his football franchise in his will. With stipulates that the team must go to the Superbowl or else the team goes to her misogynistic jerk of a cousin Reed. The Marilyn Monroe looking Phoebe is a hit with the entire team but clashes with the head coach Dan Calebow. Dan doesn't succumb to Phoebe's breathy whispers and hates her on at first sight and thinks she's a joke. Dan gets Phoebe all flustered because he's the type of man she's formed her whole persona against. A larger, football body man with good looks to boot. From here, Susan Elizabeth Phillips just throws in everything under the sun and this story goes from funny moments, to camp, to ridiculous to just plain stupid. I don't understand the point of Dan's ex wife having rape sexual fantasies even being in the book. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand why Phoebe acts the way she does. She's obviously afraid of physically powerful men and says so and again, it doesn't take a genius to tell why this is and what happened to her in the past. You feel for Phoebe with that but then again when you think of how she acts you roll your eyes. The fashion mentions caught me by surprise. This book is the prequel to This Heart of Mine so it's set in 1990. At the height of the just found out AIDS awareness and scares and the height of bad/scary fashion left over from the 80s. Phoebe is the poster child for what was wrong with New Wave 80s fashion. Overall: I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Nothing to write home about and tell what you've been reading. Just 3 stars. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. When you scroll over the stars in a review, 3 pops up a little "It's OK" and that's just what this book was. Just okay.

It had to be you KU, & purchased $5.99, 374 pgs ****.* 4/16/19, 2/26/24 Dan & Phoebe 4.5 stars because the first 27% was a little boring with all the backstories, the characters thoughts about everything and not a lot of conversations. Phoebe inherited a pro football team but her dead abusive father only left it to her for a few months and the only way to keep it was to win the AFL Championship. The team’s Coach, Dan, was not happy that the team owner knew nothing about football and was a high-falutin 30 yr. old snob that wanted nothing to do with football or the team. The team was on the bottom of the standings in their division. Needless to say, Dan and Phoebe butted heads constantly. If she failed to keep the team, it was to go to her cousin, Reed, who tormented her, her entire childhood. She wasn’t really a snob but a girl that had a horrible, abusive childhood. She had lived her adult life as a pretend person because she didn’t know how to deal with the life she had before. When her father died, he also left her as the legal guardian of her half-sister, Molly. Molly was 13 and no at all happy that she was put in that situation. I absolutely love all the football action, behind the scenes, the players, and Ron, the GM who became Phoebe’s best friend. Dan was a great coach but had a very quick anger point so it was fun watching his little fits on and off the field just like in the real football world. Their story and love hate relationship was a joy to watch unfold. There are triggers as rape and mental abuse. The character building was great. Storyline was near perfect except for the first 27%. Flow was fast and I could not put this book down. Sex was magnetic, at times romantic and hot, very well written sex scenes. This book will be a go to re-read for me since I love football and baseball with a passion and Ms. Phillips did her research and gave me the sports action that I love along with a little romance mixed in.

I read the fifth book of this series first and I am glad I went back to the beginning. Phobe Sommerville had a father with the penchant for marrying Vegas showgirls and ownership of the Chicago Stars NFL team. Phobe suffered greatly until she ran away and became the muse for a great Spanish painter. Bert Sommerville, in his last attempt to control his daughter, offers her a chance to get back in the will. The Stars have a great team, but with new coaches and players, is not expected to win this year. He offers Phobe a chance to own the Stars. She just has to show up every day and take the team to a division championship. Her molesting cousin Reed is waiting in the wings to take everything. Coach Dan Calebow wants no part of Phobe. He has unsigned players and wants to get down to the business of football. He is forced to go get her and thus their battle begins. Dan is an intelligent guy with a good heart, but he can be downright stupid sometimes. Phobe uses her Bombshell looks and other people's misconceptions about her to her advantage. The book is downright hilarious in places. Phobe learns to take back her life, get through to her half sister, and go after the inheritance and the life she has always wanted. Will be buying the series.

What a Ride. What a rush it is to see SEP at the beginning, and watch Dan and Phoebes relationship and characters develop from the get go. I laughed. I swooned. I rolled my eyes (in such a good way). I glowered at characters messes they made, and clapped internally as they groveled and cleaned it up. Love this book. Love Dan and Phoebe and Molly and Bobby Tom and Ron and the entire Chicago Stars family. Can't wait to continue on. ✌️🫶