Helpful Score: 5
"It Had To Be You" is my favorite book by S.E.P. It is also the first book in her Chicago Stars football team series. Phoebe Somerville is the sexy and outrageous (like Marilyn Monroe) daughter of Bert Somerville, owner of the Stars. After Bert's death, Phoebe learns, to her surprise, that she inherited the team with the stipulation that she can retain ownership if they win the championship. If they loose, the team ownership will be passed on to her obnoxious cousin, Reed Chandler. This is Phoebe's wake-up call. Everyone considered her to be a bimbo. Even her father thought she was a failure. But with the help of General Manager Ron McDermitt, she proves to be more than capable to run the organization.
Dan Calebo, head coach of the Stars, is everything Phoebe despises--a sexist jock with a one track mind. Dan thinks she is a meddling bimbo. Phoebe and Dan are both stubborn and sparks fly between these two from the start. Before long, there is more at stake than just winning the championship.
This was my first SEP novel and to date it is my favorite of all her work. The story will make you laugh, cry, cheer and leave you with a well-satisfied feeling. You don't have to be a fan of football to enjoy this wonderful story.
AMAZON.COM READER'S REVIEW
Dan Calebo, head coach of the Stars, is everything Phoebe despises--a sexist jock with a one track mind. Dan thinks she is a meddling bimbo. Phoebe and Dan are both stubborn and sparks fly between these two from the start. Before long, there is more at stake than just winning the championship.
This was my first SEP novel and to date it is my favorite of all her work. The story will make you laugh, cry, cheer and leave you with a well-satisfied feeling. You don't have to be a fan of football to enjoy this wonderful story.
AMAZON.COM READER'S REVIEW
Barbara M. (LadyExplicate) reviewed It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars, Bk 1) on + 111 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Another wonderful story by Phillips, this one set mostly in Chicago. Phoebe's father, though estranged from her at his death, leaves her as owner of a football team - temporarily -- unless the team can win the Super Bowl! Impossible? Probably, but she has a contentious, stubborn and gorgeous new coach and a brilliant general manager. And Phoebe, who everyone sees as a super-bimbo, does have hidden talent, and finally finds the courage to not run away from the challenge. Great read!
Ruth T. (RegencyBelle) - , reviewed It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
My favorite by Phillips, this book has it all from the initial confrontation to the end. Lots of sexual tension here, loads of laughs, a chilling moment of self-sacrifice and a satisfying resolution. Sex and romanoe. Who could ask for anything more?
Helpful Score: 2
Fun, page-turning read that is funny, poignant and sweet all in one package. The first book of the Chicago Stars series by SEP is a first-class novel.
Helpful Score: 2
I have read LOTS of books by LOTS of Authors. However, I have to say I was in a horrible rut! All the stories where the same! Until I came across a SEP book at a thrift store. BREATHING ROOM was my first and it was so refreshing and different. I was in a state of shock. I thought it was not possible to love a book more then that one UNTIL I BOUGHT "IT HAD TO BE YOU" This was what I have been craving. SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I love that the H/H are flawed and GOD BLESS SEP for not insulting our intelligence with couples falling head over heels in love after knowing each other 14 days! Her books are realistic and loaded with love, humor and a little sadness. I dare you not to fall in love with this BOOK, this SERIES, this AUTHOR. YOU HAVE TO GET THIS BOOK >>>>>>>>>> N O W ! :) enjoy!
Helpful Score: 2
Sexy and witty!
Helpful Score: 2
I really like this book and wish I've read it sooner. It had been sitting on my bookshelf for several years. I finally got around to reading it when this book was requested on another book trading site. There has never been a heroine like Phoebe and watching her exchanges with Dan are so much fun. I hope they show up as secondary characters in other SEP books. Now I have to look for the rest of the series.
Helpful Score: 2
Wonderful start to the Chicago Stars series. What happens when a bombshell inherits a football team? In order to prove everyone wrong about her, Phoebe makes it work and gains a little something for herself along the way!
Helpful Score: 1
Good book, emotional. About a girl who inherits her hard-nosed, man's man's fathers football team. No one thinks she can run it, but she's stronger than they (and she) thinks. Including the gorgeous head coach...who doesn't realize that what he's been looking for is already there, just in a different package.
Part of the Chicago Stars series.
Part of the Chicago Stars series.
Stephanie R. (neimanmarxist) reviewed It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars, Bk 1) on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
not sep's best. characters are too predictable. there's a fun suspense scene at the end.
Helpful Score: 1
What a Catch.
It Had to be You is about this heiress inheriting a baseball team when her famous father passes away. The storyline tumbles and winds around Phoebe's chance to lead the team and getting along with everyone; especially butting heads with Dan, the coach, every chance she gets. They end up in this wild fling
Phoebe makes an excellent and hillarious entrance, when the whole team is at the father's funeral.
You can really feel Phoebe's emotions, in what her cousin did to her and the compassion of the other teamplayers. The friendships form into heart-felt relationships.
Dan's exwife was crazy and childish. Her attempts at getting with her exhusband again just killed me. Makes you wonder why Dan got with her in the first place. How did they even get past the first couple of dates... LOL This by no means takes away- or makes the story bad- from the development of the storyline, but rather it shows Dan's growth from childish desires with his ex-wife to lust as a man with a woman like Phoebe.
Also, as I was reading thru the book, I could picture Matthew McConaughey playing Dan and Heather Locklear playing Phoebe. If this were acted out in a movie, I could definitely see both actors being in the cast.
It Had to be You is about this heiress inheriting a baseball team when her famous father passes away. The storyline tumbles and winds around Phoebe's chance to lead the team and getting along with everyone; especially butting heads with Dan, the coach, every chance she gets. They end up in this wild fling
Phoebe makes an excellent and hillarious entrance, when the whole team is at the father's funeral.
You can really feel Phoebe's emotions, in what her cousin did to her and the compassion of the other teamplayers. The friendships form into heart-felt relationships.
Dan's exwife was crazy and childish. Her attempts at getting with her exhusband again just killed me. Makes you wonder why Dan got with her in the first place. How did they even get past the first couple of dates... LOL This by no means takes away- or makes the story bad- from the development of the storyline, but rather it shows Dan's growth from childish desires with his ex-wife to lust as a man with a woman like Phoebe.
Also, as I was reading thru the book, I could picture Matthew McConaughey playing Dan and Heather Locklear playing Phoebe. If this were acted out in a movie, I could definitely see both actors being in the cast.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars, Bk 1) on + 1712 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really like her books, great strong women characters that know what they want and find a way to achieve that goal. These gals make you wish they were your friends too. Excellent read!
Helpful Score: 1
A real page turner...I am not a big reader. takes me months to read a book...I did this one in 2 days.....great sexual tention; humor; and all the good stuff ladies like when reading this stuff. a must read...an now a SUSAN E. PHILLIP:S FAN !
Helpful Score: 1
I have read and re-read this book a dozen times.
This is a book I won't part with - it's SO good....!!!!!!!
This is a book I won't part with - it's SO good....!!!!!!!
Helpful Score: 1
Good read. Phoebe's blond bimbo act was hilarious. Dan's reaction to it was LOL funny. Sometimes people only "see" what is displayed in front of them. They don't bother looking beneath the surface.
Helpful Score: 1
This is an enchanting story of two stubborn people who believe in playing for keeps. 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? This is the prequel to This Heart of Mine.
Helpful Score: 1
This author knows how to build great tension between her characters! Can't put the book down.
"Prequel" to "This Heart of Mine" and part of the Chicago Stars stories. Loved it.
Part of the series about the Chicago Stars football team. I liked this series because it had intelligent, strong, independent women.
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 definately 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 boxx is everything Dan despises - a meddling bimbo who doesn't know a pigskin from a pitcher's mound.
Enjoyable romance. I enjoyed "Ain't She Sweet" by the same author more. I thought the characters could have been developed more in this one.
great book
Phoebe Summerville was stunned when her father left her his NFL football team. They had been estranged for years. Of course, there is a stipulation that she can't keep the team unless the Stars win the AFC Championship. The biggest problem is Phoebe knows absolutely nothing about football. Head Coach Dan Calebow is not happy with his new boss. He feels she is a bimbo and sees his chance for the Super Bowl slipping down the drain. Dan is ready to find a maternal woman to settle down and raise a family with him. So why does his mind keep returning to Phoebe?
This is the first book in the Stars Football series and it's a winner. Phoebe may act like a sexpot, but she is actually a woman who is hiding a secret from her past and is afraid of being hurt again. Dan is coming off a divorce from a powerful woman who likes sex games. He just wants to find a down-to-earth woman and doesn't think Phoebe fits that description.
I first read this book over 10 years ago and loved it. I'm happy to say it stands up to time. My rating: 5 Stars.
This is the first book in the Stars Football series and it's a winner. Phoebe may act like a sexpot, but she is actually a woman who is hiding a secret from her past and is afraid of being hurt again. Dan is coming off a divorce from a powerful woman who likes sex games. He just wants to find a down-to-earth woman and doesn't think Phoebe fits that description.
I first read this book over 10 years ago and loved it. I'm happy to say it stands up to time. My rating: 5 Stars.
E.D. C. (Farscapegirl) -
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 Susan Elizabeth Phillip's This Heart of Mine -- her sensational bestsellng blockbuster -- It Had To Be You is an enchanting story of two stubborn people who believe in playing for keeps.
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 Susan Elizabeth Phillip's This Heart of Mine -- her sensational bestsellng blockbuster -- It Had To Be You is an enchanting story of two stubborn people who believe in playing for keeps.
The beginning of a HOT series about two sisters, the family football team and how they learned to live with their inheritance.
Took a while to warm up. Some of the characters had issues I don't care to read about in a light romance. Loved the football references and the dialogue.
A great book. you'll go from laughter to tears and back.
The Windy City isn't quite ready for Phoebe Somerville - the trendy, outrageous and curvaceous New York knockout who has just inherited the Chicago Stars football team. Phoebe is defintely not prepared for the Stars' head coach Dan Calebo, an Alabama-born former gridiron legend and blond barbarian. Suddenly there's more than just a championship at stake. Because passion's the name of this game and two stubborn people are playing for keeps.
a first time author for me a real page turner
Not as good as I thought it would be. I felt as if it was a little more vulgar than I was used to. But that may have just been because the lead guy, Dan, was somewhat of a hothead.
Great story and was hard to stop reading. As always I enjoyed this SEP book,a great romance read!!
Good book - part of the romantic football series.
I enjoy most of Susan Elizabeth Phillip's stories. Several of her books had me really emotionally invested in her characters.
You gotta love Phoebe's Bimbo act! She has them all fooled because this is one smart, sassy, sexy lady! Good read!
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 Susan Elizabeth Phillip's This Heart of Mine -- her sensational bestsellng blockbuster -- It Had To Be You is an enchanting story of two stubborn people who believe in playing for keeps.
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 Susan Elizabeth Phillip's This Heart of Mine -- her sensational bestsellng blockbuster -- It Had To Be You is an enchanting story of two stubborn people who believe in playing for keeps.
The first or chronologically the first of the Stars books. If you like romantic novels, this is definitely one that should not be overlooked. If you like this book, there are several more in the series.
Excellent book. Excellent author. I read her books over and over.
Awesome series
1st in a series. This is the first book I have read by by this author. I did think the book started out a little slow, but it picked up and I really enjoyed it and look forward to more in the series.
This book was awesome! It had all the elements of a great book!
I totally didn't think I would like Phoebe and Dan because I didn't really care for them in the other books. I was shocked at how much I adored Phoebe. Dan didn't really win me until towards the end. They balance each other really well. And I loved all the side characters, especially Ron. I kind of wish he got his own book.
Funny, silly, and touching.
Funny, silly, and touching.
Great book
A good book.
Sports and Romance plus set in Chicago!! Great Story! My copy has different cover.
