Book Review: It Had To Be You

It Had To Be You

Book Details

Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 573 KB

Publisher: HarperCollins e-books (October 13, 2009)

Product Description

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 ready for the Stars' head coach, former gridiron legend Dan Calebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. Calebow is everything Phoebe abhors. And the sexy new boss is everything Dan despises—a meddling bimbo who doesn't know a pigskin from a pitcher's mound.

So why is Dan drawn to the shameless sexpot like a heat-seeking missile? And why does the coach's good ol' boy charm leave cosmopolitan Phoebe feeling awkward, tongue-tied...and ready to fight?

The sexy, heartwarming, and hilarious "prequel" to This Heart of Mine—Susan Elizabeth Phillips's New York Times bestselling blockbuster—It Had To Be Youis an enchanting story of two stubborn people who believe in playing for keeps.

Review
  

Rating: 5/5

I normally do not read adult contemporary romance, but It Had To Be You piqued my curiosity when I was searching for something to read over the web because it made almost all of the list of the most romantic romance novel ever read.

Now this is interesting, I had my hopes up because everybody saying this is REALLY GOOD. I haven’t read any of her books, so I don’t have anything to compare with but some other contemporary authors I have read.

The story starts off a little bit slow, and I was almost bored until it picked up after 30-40 pages, and the fun never ended. It was a great combination of drama, romance and of course, humor.

Phoebe reminds me so much of Marilyn Monroe – oozing with sex-appeal and a super big tease. She exudes confidence and sex so loud that I would just imagine it has been plastered on her forehead. She was estranged to her father that is why it was a shocked that he left her the football team. Everybody thought she doesn’t know anything but prettifying herself – but they’re so dead wrong. She’s the classic example of the adage, don’t judge the book by its cover. Although there is that really big problem that the new owner of the team didn’t know anything about football.

Coach Dan Calebow wanted a new owner when the previous one died, but he was in for a big surprise when it was handed down to Phoebe who was busy painting her nails than signing negotiations for the team. He wants to settle down and end the kinky role playing he has with his ex-wife. He is trying to look for some nice girl to settle down with and pursued a grade school teacher who matched his ideal wife. But, the big problem was that he found passion with Phoebe. They try to fight the budding attraction they have for each other, only to end up in each others’ arms (most of the time, naked).

The only problem with Dan Calebow is his screaming. I haven’t met a fictional male who screams as much as he. I wouldn’t want to meet one in real life.

Another character I like in the story is the General Manager, Ron. I think among all of the characters, I find his character well-developed and you can really see his changes unfolding as the story go on. Being friends with him was the best thing that ever happened to Phoebe. He helped and taught her everything she needs to know about the sport and business.

This story also touched Phoebe’s relation with Molly, her sister who is ay younger than her. Like her, Molly was sent to boarding schools and summer camps. She was always compared to her sister, hence the hostile treatment to Phoebe.

This romantic lit is filled with complex character coupled with an exciting love story, a little suspense and action. It is lovely, exciting and funny roller coaster ride as the two lead characters figure out themselves as well as each other.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips did a very good job with It Had To Be You. Indeed, now I know why it made every list of the most romantic romance novel there is.

Here’s the complete list of the series:

·         Chicago Stars / Bonner Brothers

·         It Had to Be You (1994)

·         Heaven Texas (1995)

·         Nobody's Baby But Mine (1997)

·         Dream a Little Dream (1998)

·         This Heart of Mine (2001)

·         Match Me If You Can (2005)

·         Natural Born Charmer (2007)

Favorite Quote

There’s no such thing as mistakes – only a lack of foresight.

ChuCha™