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Available
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Series
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Publication
Books on Tape (2007), Edition: Unabridged Audiobook, Downloadable WMA/MP3 Audiofile, 17 hrs 53 mins
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 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 meddling bimbo who doesn't know a pigskin from a pitcher's mound. So why is he 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 New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips' This Heart of Mine -- her sensational bestselling blockbuster -- It Had To Be You is an enchanting story of two stubborn people who believe in playing for keeps.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Ridley_
I've felt for some time that SEP probably wasn't for me. Every review of her books, even the 5* OMG BEST BOOK EVAR reviews, signaled to me that they'd likely end up in the firestarter bin. Today's events really only cement that for me
LibraryThing member mschweer432
I loved this book!!!! I was a fan of Susan Elizabeth Phillips from the first book of hers I read and I have loved everyone of them, this being no exception. In "It Had To Be You" Phoebe Sommerville is a knock out socialite who inherits the Chicago Stars football team from her father who wishes to
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control her even in death. Phoebe, who knows nothing of football (she doesn't even like the sport) instnatly clashes with Stars head coach, Dan Calebow. This is a story of Phoebe breakng out of the chains that she has set herself in after a tramatic incident when she was young and Dan learning how to listen to his true feelings without the filter of a not so hot childhood. Oh, and it's about football!! There is love, lust, romance, laughter, and even some suspense. I will never tire of Susan Elizabeth Phillips's hilarious yet touching love stories. I am happy to have this book in particular join those that I would read over and over again. That is whenever I haven't loaned the book to friends!! Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This author and novel is on several romance rec lists, so I had tried this one before the last time I looked to see what the genre had to offer. The heroine is supposedly someone smart who only pretends to be a bimbo--but I'm afraid she comes across as the real thing. Oh, and the hero, head coach
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at the football team she inherits, is another one of those a-hole "alpha" males. Right after they have sex, since the heroine has a "reputation" he asks her if she has been tested for STDS. Smoooth... The book had some funny moments, was interesting in it's look at pro football, and kept me to the end, but the characters never really grew on me or convinced they had anything going for them beyond mutual lust. Part of the Chicago Stars series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Conkie
This is one of the first books I read of Ms. Phillips. I fell in love with her writing immediately. Precocious, offbeat, and at times, bittersweet. Never a "direct line" ending. An added bonus, if you enjoy listening to books, is Ms. Fields rendition of the story. Wonderful.
LibraryThing member jolzyn
I have alway like to read this author's books. I like the fast moving pace of the book and the interesting characters in it; for this book; i like Phoebe very much. Although her outer look allow peoples to perceived negatively about her and the outrageous personality have been giving out the wrong
I like to read about Dan and Phoebe together; they are like chalk and cheese. It is true to say that the opposites truly attract. From the beginning, their attraction to each other is very much explosive and firework seems to set off on its own whenever they are together. The most romantic scene in the book that i really like was when Dan have to make the decision to lose a game in exchange for Phoebe's safety. It just show how much Dan's love is for Phoebe. I really can feel their love then.
Overall, the book is a good read and as before; it was never a dissapointment.. ;)
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signal to people that she has come in contact with. Phoebe doesnt care about what others' perception about her. When her father died, she stand to inherit the football club for a year and a challenge was issue by her dead father to her. Being someone who is very good in ignoring things; she refused to acknowledge her inheritance until the Club's Head Coach' Dan look for her and force her to accept her responsibility. I like to read about Dan and Phoebe together; they are like chalk and cheese. It is true to say that the opposites truly attract. From the beginning, their attraction to each other is very much explosive and firework seems to set off on its own whenever they are together. The most romantic scene in the book that i really like was when Dan have to make the decision to lose a game in exchange for Phoebe's safety. It just show how much Dan's love is for Phoebe. I really can feel their love then.
Overall, the book is a good read and as before; it was never a dissapointment.. ;)
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LibraryThing member hailelib
This book by Phillips is the first one in the Chicago Stars series. It is mainly recommended for her fans and for lovers of contemporary romance and American football.
Phoebe inherits her father's professional football team conditionally. If the team doesn't win the AFC championship in January then
I did describe this book to my son as a bit of fluff between more serious reads. Entertaining but not particularly memorable and not one I'm likely to reread.
Phoebe inherits her father's professional football team conditionally. If the team doesn't win the AFC championship in January then
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it will pass to her cousin instead. The story is about how two damaged people come to respect and even love one another while leading the team to a better than expected season.I did describe this book to my son as a bit of fluff between more serious reads. Entertaining but not particularly memorable and not one I'm likely to reread.
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LibraryThing member ICANABIBBELG
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
So why is he 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
Show More
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 he 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
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LibraryThing member ktleyed
Oh. My. God. My first read by this author and - I loved it! Phoebe Somerville is the new owner of the Chicago Stars NFL team that she inherited from her father. She knows nothing about football and could care less about the team. But Dan Calebow, the team's demanding head coach is not about to let
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his team fall apart because it's deceased owner gave it to his (seemingly) bimbo, nitwit, bombshell daughter. Admittedly, I am no football fan, but this book has given me a new appreciation for it! This book was so much fun to read, the chemistry between Dan and Phoebe sizzles off the pages. I laughed, I had tears in my eyes at one point, it was exciting at the end, this book ran the gamut of emotions and had it all! I can't wait to see what the rest of the series is like! Fabulous! Show Less
LibraryThing member thehistorychic
Quick Review
Rating 3.5 Wine Glasses
It Had to Be You is the first in the Chicago Stars book and a pretty good beginning to the series. I am a recent fangirl of SEP and love her writing. She always manages to balance fun with serious and tackle some pretty hefty issues in her stories. In this story,
I think if you like Sports Romances and Contemporary Romances that you will like this series. I have read them out of order so you don't necessarily have to start from the beginning.
Rating 3.5 Wine Glasses
It Had to Be You is the first in the Chicago Stars book and a pretty good beginning to the series. I am a recent fangirl of SEP and love her writing. She always manages to balance fun with serious and tackle some pretty hefty issues in her stories. In this story,
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I liked Pheobe from the beginning because you saw that much of her outward actions were driven by a horrid past and some insecurities. That being said, it took me awhile to warm up to Coach. I didn't think he was a bad guy but he didn't exactly scream leading man material to me. By the end, I did warm up to him and the whole Chicago Stars team.I think if you like Sports Romances and Contemporary Romances that you will like this series. I have read them out of order so you don't necessarily have to start from the beginning.
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LibraryThing member JenJ.
I simply did not want to put this book down. Great dialogue and interesting, likeable characters. I never imagined that football could be this fun.
LibraryThing member RubyA
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,
For me, this moment occurred while we meandered along the bookcases at Barnes and Nobles and saw It Had to Be You prominently displayed, cover-forward on a bookshelf. I had been asking him, "So, do you like to read books?" and he had replied, "Books? Yeah, books are cool." When he saw the novel, he stared at the cover which proudly displayed a close-up of a glorious rack in lavender lingerie, snickered, and said, "Maybe I should read this one, huh?"
I remember that as the exact moment I made up my mind that this guy was a "no." I guess, in retrospect, we may have been on that path from the beginning of the evening, but nonetheless that book and that boorish joke made up my mind. Perhaps if it would have been someone else, I would have laughed uproariously, or flung back some witty repartee, or made a sweet flirtatious remark, but, as I recall, all I remember feeling was disdain.
At any rate, I forgot about It Had To Be You (and the boor) until I saw it, proud rack and all, on one listopia list or another, and on the mass-market paperback rack at the library (this time with a quite generic skyline of Chicago on its cover) and decided to give it a shot despite the (gag) football plot.
I actually rather liked it. I haven't read a contemporary romance in a while and this one was pretty good. I'll be honest, Phoebe does come across as a bimbo throughout and Dan seems like an obnoxious jerk. Phoebe wears the most ridiculous clothes ever and she seems kind of dumb to me, but I did find her likable and kind of cute in her silly outfits. Phillips does a great job constructing Phoebe as a bimbo, and it's hard for me to change that perspective of her, even after she apparently "proves herself." I didn't like Dan at all- he just seems like an overall, overbearing ass, which probably fits with his role as "coach."
Overall, an entertaining read and recommended, but no fireworks for me.
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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, the moment in which, unbidden, a woman's intuition (scoff all you want) tells her: "Run!" or "hmmmm" or "wow...yes." For me, this moment occurred while we meandered along the bookcases at Barnes and Nobles and saw It Had to Be You prominently displayed, cover-forward on a bookshelf. I had been asking him, "So, do you like to read books?" and he had replied, "Books? Yeah, books are cool." When he saw the novel, he stared at the cover which proudly displayed a close-up of a glorious rack in lavender lingerie, snickered, and said, "Maybe I should read this one, huh?"
I remember that as the exact moment I made up my mind that this guy was a "no." I guess, in retrospect, we may have been on that path from the beginning of the evening, but nonetheless that book and that boorish joke made up my mind. Perhaps if it would have been someone else, I would have laughed uproariously, or flung back some witty repartee, or made a sweet flirtatious remark, but, as I recall, all I remember feeling was disdain.
At any rate, I forgot about It Had To Be You (and the boor) until I saw it, proud rack and all, on one listopia list or another, and on the mass-market paperback rack at the library (this time with a quite generic skyline of Chicago on its cover) and decided to give it a shot despite the (gag) football plot.
I actually rather liked it. I haven't read a contemporary romance in a while and this one was pretty good. I'll be honest, Phoebe does come across as a bimbo throughout and Dan seems like an obnoxious jerk. Phoebe wears the most ridiculous clothes ever and she seems kind of dumb to me, but I did find her likable and kind of cute in her silly outfits. Phillips does a great job constructing Phoebe as a bimbo, and it's hard for me to change that perspective of her, even after she apparently "proves herself." I didn't like Dan at all- he just seems like an overall, overbearing ass, which probably fits with his role as "coach."
Overall, an entertaining read and recommended, but no fireworks for me.
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LibraryThing member LaCello
I loved this book! It was great! Phoebe and Dan had such great chemistry! This book was feel good, but still had some drama. There were lot's of laughing and snorting and still tense moments. I really enjoyed reading it, it was really cute! :)
LibraryThing member Nitzan_Schwarz
At first I didn't think I was going to like it, but I read a review that said that despite the fact the first 50 pages didn't managed to grip her so much, she was glad she continued to read, so I gave it a shot.
It was a great read :)
It was a great read :)
LibraryThing member msralways
Great start for a series! I loved the characters, despite finding Dan a little on the too hot tempered side at the beginning, but then he warmed his way into my heart. Phoebe was such a hoot! I laughed at almost everything she did alongside with that adorable dog. Some of the funiest scenes in the
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book were portraid by Dan and Pooh. o/ Great writing, great if cliche plot, just thought something got a little too mushy for me near the end, but I loved the epiogue. Recommend it! Show Less
LibraryThing member dts1dbm
-very good - start of chicago's stars series
LibraryThing member Dawn772
I loved this book! It started out with a bang, great plot, funny, emotional issues, hot sex and exciting action especially the ending. Curvaceous knockout Phoebe who knows nothing about sports, inherits football team and sparks fly with Coach Dan. It gets one of my rare 5* ratings is because half
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of it takes place in my hometown. Show Less
LibraryThing member sweetzombieducky
This was a DNF. The first four chapters were too damn depressing. Could be I just wasn't in the mood for it, but if the author doesn't have me in the first chapter she usually doesn't get me in the long run. I might try other books in this series - I seem to recall really enjoying the third book
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when I read it in the 90s. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Back Cover: 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
My reactions:
Okay, I knew this was a chick-lit romance going into it, but my Stars (pun intended)! This was so stupid I lost 20 IQ points reading it. I’ll give Phillips one star because she manage to write a couple of steamy sex scenes (though most of them had me gritting my teeth because the situations were so unrealistically stupid). Did I mention losing 20 IQ points? Oh, well, it satisfied a couple of challenges.
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with a one-track mind. My reactions:
Okay, I knew this was a chick-lit romance going into it, but my Stars (pun intended)! This was so stupid I lost 20 IQ points reading it. I’ll give Phillips one star because she manage to write a couple of steamy sex scenes (though most of them had me gritting my teeth because the situations were so unrealistically stupid). Did I mention losing 20 IQ points? Oh, well, it satisfied a couple of challenges.
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LibraryThing member Marcella1717
As soon as I finished, I wanted to read it again... And that doesn't happen often to me.
LibraryThing member Becky_McKenna
First off, I have to say that I hate this cover. There. I said it and I know I'm not the first, but I just had to do it. On to the review...
After the first chapter or two, I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep reading this book. Phoebe's past was heartbreaking and her way of dealing with the trauma ofOf course it didn't help that her own father was emotionally abusive, or that he didn't believe her when she told him she had been raped. The crime went unreported and she suffered alone, holding all that pain inside for years.
As the book progressed and we learn more about her years as an adult, I became more interested in the book, i.e., the football team, the players, Dan's coaching and how Phoebe was handling her new position as owner of the team. It turned out to be a pretty good read. I even softened toward's Dan after he stopped being so hard on Phoebe. It was sweet to watch the transformation of both Dan and Phoebe as they lowered their defenses and began to trust each other. It wasn't easy for them. Believe it or not, a sports romance actually brought a tear to my eye.
This is a pretty special couple and there is a ton of laugh out loud humor blended into the story. It's a book worth reading, but to get to the good stuff, you have to get through the tough times....kind of like life.
After the first chapter or two, I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep reading this book. Phoebe's past was heartbreaking and her way of dealing with the trauma of
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her past seemed really sad. As the book progressed and we learn more about her years as an adult, I became more interested in the book, i.e., the football team, the players, Dan's coaching and how Phoebe was handling her new position as owner of the team. It turned out to be a pretty good read. I even softened toward's Dan after he stopped being so hard on Phoebe. It was sweet to watch the transformation of both Dan and Phoebe as they lowered their defenses and began to trust each other. It wasn't easy for them. Believe it or not, a sports romance actually brought a tear to my eye.
This is a pretty special couple and there is a ton of laugh out loud humor blended into the story. It's a book worth reading, but to get to the good stuff, you have to get through the tough times....kind of like life.
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LibraryThing member MyaB
This was a fun book. Dan and Phoebe were well matched. I thought I could predict a few things that were going to happen but I was wrong, which was a delightful surprise. This is only the second book I have read by this author but I am really enjoying the feel of her characters. They are strong and
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I can fall in love with them easily. Looking forward to more from this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member Chandra-of-Red
*Disappointing*
SENSUALITY RATING: YES Profanity; YES sexual encounters (plenty) but on the mild side, “Gathering her breast in his hands”; “he stroked her with a deep and gentle movement”; “She climaxed”, etc. etc. etc.
GENRE: Current day Romance; Sports Romance
SETTING: Chicago home of
CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: PHOEBE SUMMERVILLE – world class Bimbo; shapely; dresser of a non-professional class; clueless; appreciates art.
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: - DAN CALEBROW – Hard pushing coach; former football player and built; no patience; authoritative.
SYNOPSIS: Her dad never gave two cents about her until he unexpectedly left her as owner of the football team when he had passed. He had passed on and she had no experience (NONE). She had no clue about the game of football.
WHAT I LIKED: Pooh on the airplane and reaching the end.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Author “Bimbotized” the plot for too long a time.
OVERALL RATING: (2) stars because I give the author credit for her writing however too much emphasis on making love (boring) and story dragged out. Not enough conflict between her and her cousin. Overall, boring (yawn). Skipped numerous pages just to get to the point.
SENSUALITY RATING: YES Profanity; YES sexual encounters (plenty) but on the mild side, “Gathering her breast in his hands”; “he stroked her with a deep and gentle movement”; “She climaxed”, etc. etc. etc.
GENRE: Current day Romance; Sports Romance
SETTING: Chicago home of
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the Stars football teamCENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: PHOEBE SUMMERVILLE – world class Bimbo; shapely; dresser of a non-professional class; clueless; appreciates art.
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: - DAN CALEBROW – Hard pushing coach; former football player and built; no patience; authoritative.
SYNOPSIS: Her dad never gave two cents about her until he unexpectedly left her as owner of the football team when he had passed. He had passed on and she had no experience (NONE). She had no clue about the game of football.
WHAT I LIKED: Pooh on the airplane and reaching the end.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Author “Bimbotized” the plot for too long a time.
OVERALL RATING: (2) stars because I give the author credit for her writing however too much emphasis on making love (boring) and story dragged out. Not enough conflict between her and her cousin. Overall, boring (yawn). Skipped numerous pages just to get to the point.
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LibraryThing member PatsyMac
still a great book
I first read this book probably 15 years ago. Wanted something good but light and entertaining and this very much filled the bill. I just wish her later books were still this original and fresh.
I first read this book probably 15 years ago. Wanted something good but light and entertaining and this very much filled the bill. I just wish her later books were still this original and fresh.
LibraryThing member PNRList
This was a bit more chick-lit-y than I generally prefer, but I liked it overall. There some really great angst built around the facade Phoebe had created to help cope with being raped. The resolution of that Big Misunderstanding was a bit anticlimactic and not nearly as angsty as I had hoped, but
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there was a great bit of protectiveness from Dan that I really appreciated. Overall I liked it. I'd read other books from this author if they cater to my preferred tropes. Show Less
LibraryThing member purpledog
Not your everyday beach read. Why? Because the author managed to give me a fantastic main character in Phoebe. Loved her story, her strengths and her weaknesses. Even liked Dan, but until later, once he got his head out of his ass.
So glad I stumbled onto this author and look forward to read more
So glad I stumbled onto this author and look forward to read more
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of her books. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
RITA Award (Finalist — 1995)
AAR Top 100 Romances (14 — [Previously 1998-10 / 2000-#7 / 2004-11] Most Recent Rank - 2007)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1994-08
ISBN
141594069X / 9781415940693