Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Chicago Stars series #10. Contemporary romance with references to sports and athletics but no games or matches in the story. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Rory Garrett has told her half brother and famous football player Clint, that she believes his current girlfriend Ashley, is only after his money. Clint’s business manager, Brett Rivers has told Clint the same thing. When Ashley turns up dead by Clint’s pool and he’s missing, Rory and Brett work together to find Clint though their relationship is contentious at best.

Entertaining and fun to continue the Stars series. It’s been a long time running and while this book has very little actual sporting interaction, it’s still a wonderful romance. The author writes a compelling story.… (more)

Chocolatier, Rory Garrett has spent all of her life in the shadow of her highly successful quarterback half brother, Clint, until he is arrested for murdering his girlfriend. Rory knows he couldn't have done it and tries to prove it, but she finds it tougher than she thought, especially when her brother's agent, Brett Rivers, begins to interfere in her investigation. Brett is equally convinced that Clint is innocent and knows that his standing at the Champion Sports Agency depends on clearing his client. Rory and Clint try to deal with their growing attraction and the interruptions caused by the problems of their businesses, but they just aren't sure if they are going to find the real killer before it is too late.

Simply The Best is filled with quirky characters and descriptions of yummy chocolate. The protagonists are well developed, leaving them a bit unlikable at times throughout the story, but the banter is fun and provides some laugh out loud moments. The plot splits time between the romance and the mystery and remains fairly balanced, however a weakness of the story is the amount of time spend on the investigation, which ends up being solved by accident rather than intent. Suspenseful moments add to the narrative as well as a satisfying conclusion. Overall, Simply the Best is a fun addition to the Chicago Stars series and well worth the read… (more)