When Stars Collide

A Chicago Stars Novel

By: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Narrated by: Nicole Poole

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times best-selling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips returns to her beloved Chicago Stars series with a romance between a Chicago Stars quarterback and one of the world’s greatest opera singers—and a major diva.

“Re-entering the world of the Chicago Stars is like a beloved friend come to call.” (Number-one New York Times best-selling author Robyn Carr)

Thaddeus Walker Bowman Owens, the backup quarterback for the Chicago Stars, is a team player, talented sideline coach, occasional male underwear model, and a man with a low tolerance for divas.

Olivia Shore, international opera superstar, is a driven diva with a passion for perfection, a craving for justice, too many secrets—and a monumental grudge against the egotistical, lowbrow jock she’s been stuck with.

It’s Mozart meets Monday Night Football as the temperamental soprano and stubborn jock embark on a nationwide tour promoting a luxury watch brand. Along the way, the combatants will engage in soul-searching and trash talk, backstage drama and, for sure, a quarterback pass. But there’ll also face trouble as threatening letters, haunting photographs, and a series of dangerous encounters complicate their lives. Is it the work of an overzealous fan or something more sinister?

This is the emotional journey of a brilliant woman whose career is everything and a talented man who’ll never be happy with second place. Tender and funny, passionate and insightful, this irresistible romantic adventure proves that anything can happen...when two superstars collide.

©2021 Susan Elizabeth Phillips (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

A surprising miss from a favorite author

I am sorry to say this book did not live up to its hype. I am generally a fan of Ms. Phillips’ work, and was especially excited for another Stars story. It is with sadness that I say this story missed the mark. I found myself disinterested in Olivia and Tad, and felt they lacked chemistry. The story was a little far-fetched (which can be forgiven in fiction if it’s done well) and did not really make sense from a conflict standpoint. I also noticed lines that read nearly word-for-word from other Stars books. All in all disappointing, and definitely not worth the credit.

Chicago Star Romances Aren't What They Used to Be

I was very excited when I saw that SEP had written a new book in the Chicago Stars series, but sadly this one just didn't do it for me. I really wanted to love Olivia and Thad, but I just couldn't get there. The usual love/hate banter lacked fire for this couple and it was tough to get invested in their story.

I still love SEP and will read/listen to anything she writes, but this one was disappointing.

So much fun!

I love the Chicago Stars series, and this latest did not disappoint. Plus I learned a lot about opera. Fun, multi-dimensional characters, a mystery, and a romance - the whole package! Plus Nicole Poole does an outstanding job narrating. Two thumbs up!

Well played!!

Nice story, a little simple, but nicely done and nicely performed. I did enjoy it.

Always a treat!

I love all the quarterbacks who have played for the ChicagoStars.
Thad is no exception.
As usual Susan Elizabeth Phillips gives us great character development, great descriptions of their homes and clothes. The whole package.
I love her books. Have read all of them at least once, most twice.

If you are new to s Phillips Chicago Stars books start at the beginning with It Had to be You.
Funny, sexy, pure entertainment is what you get with all her books.

Meh

Not SEP's best work. The romance build up, where you feel like the characters fall in love, was not executed well. Narrator did great job with female characters but her male characters sounded like dudes.

Very operatic

I wasn't crazy about the reader, she wasn't right for this book. I especially did not care for her men's voices. A straight reading would have been better. I wish I had read this rather than listened.The opera details were fun and the plot was quite operatic.

Another Winner

SEP is one of my favorite authors, and this book is another triumph! Love the depth of these two strong characters, and the interesting and unusual story line. I feel compelled to say that the narrator did a great job. Like others, I was slightly disappointed that she and the whole recording staff didn’t do their due diligence on how Phoebe Calebow’s name was pronounced in previous books in this series, but it didn’t diminish what a fine performance it was. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook.

Phillips wins again

One of the things I like best about Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books is that she writes characters I'm interested in. I'm not a football fan but these Chicago Stars guys each have a story to tell and the women have distinct personalities and interesting lives. The story of Olivia and Thaddeus has the typical Phillips banter and sass but it goes in sort of a new direction, into a bit of mystery that I thought was successful. And again, Nicole Poole reads them beautifully.
Note: it leans more romance, not erotica

This a wonderful book you will enjoy listening to from start

Susan did it again. You won’t be disappointed in her latest book When the Stars Collide.