Yes, it was a surprisingly good book. However, it was not an appropriate first venture into Romance. The main character had been raped as a high-schooler, so she had a lot of intimacy issues. The whole theme made me uncomfortable and the book was not the most pleasant read. Theoretically, if 33% of women have been raped in their lives, then the probably of meeting a person like Phoebe is not so slim. Still, my romances do not start with overcoming such an obstacle.
In addition, the entire beginning with the inheritance and team ownership was too unbelievable. Surely, the story would have worked on a smaller scale. Why does these authors feel the need to inflate the importance of their characters?

Despite the enjoyment of the read, it was also a bit too erotic. Every time I sit down and read I get hot and bothered. Certainly there is a place for that and it is reserved for short stories.

Will not read Phillips again... ( )

I'm not usually wild about big sporty macho men as romantic leads, but this book made me feel like my brain was being scooped out with a spoon. ( )

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
It Had To Be You is the first book in the "Chicago Stars" series and this book has been on my TBR for probably at least a decade. Its also one of the most popular romances over the years and is on all the romance book lists and I was very curious about this one. This isn't my first book from this author, but I am still very new to this author. I will say that this book had a unique writing style and Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a league all on her own just like Kristen Ashley is. You instantly get thrust into a story that is so different from majority of contemporaries and romantic comedies out there. And Yes I would definitely label this a rom com. So if you love a good rom com, I highly recommend you check this one out. It is just a blast of pure football fun. And I also think that this book is perfect for this time of year as we are entering American football season. This also was written in the 90's so keep in mind for some of the cultural references but there didn't seem to be anything offensive about anything so modern readers should be okay with this one here. There is also a hint of danger and suspense to the plot but its more in the background so I think any romance reader will be fine with how its implemented. And the romance is a very solid one for sure.

First Line
Phoebe Somerville outraged everyone by bringing a French poodle and a Hungarian lover to her father's funeral.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Dan Calebow
Dan is a ex professional football player and newest head coach for the Chicago Stars.

The Heroine: Phoebe Somerville
Southern Belle, Feisty and Stubborn, newest owner of the Chicago Stars team

Summary
Our story begins with our heroine, Phoebe Summerville, who is used to people underestimating her and for years she has a persona to make her seem like a flighty bimbo when in truth she is one of the smartest women in society. But when her father dies, and she is mentioned in the will, she is flabbergasted as he has disowned her years previous. So now she has to make a decision that could affect her future. She is now the temporary owner of the Chicago Stars team and if in a year the team doesn't win the championship, then it will go to her stepbrother, a true bully and tormenter of her childhood. Then we have our hero, Dan Calebow, who is the head coach for the Chicago Stars. And when it becomes apparent that Phoebe has zero plans to do anything the owner should be doing and their team is falling apart, he goes to her to convince her to be the owner in true form and fight for her future. Tensions clash between Dan and Phoebe in their first meeting, but there is a connection that forms between them. As Phoebe begins learning everything she can to be the owner and Dan fights for his team, a sizzling romance builds between them. But there is a dangerous stalker, a stepbrother determined to demean Phoebe’s role, and a team struggling mentally. Will Dan and Phoebe find common ground in their relationship and get the true balance to bring success to the stars like they deserve?

What I Loved
There are so many aspects to this story that I fell so hard for. First off, the heroine is awesome. She isn’t my normal type of heroine I am typically drawn to. But boy is she smart and I loved how she manipulates others with her looks and come out on top intellectually. She is so stubborn but fierce for those that she loves. And she is so determined to succeed when she puts a mind to. She is definitely a heroine you can easily get behind. And then we have our hero, who is delectable in his own way. He is prideful and stubborn and a fighter for his team. And does he have a temper. He likes things his own way and Phoebe is so different from him and the ways in which they choose to handle the team matters are completely opposite even when they are both right in their own way. But their banter and angst was so delightful. And when they finally give in and share their vulnerabilities with each other and become more open to each other, is when their relationship thrives. What makes this book is so powerful, is the character and relationship growth with Dan and Phoebe. They are such a incredible match together, and a true power couple when its needed. The ending had me on the edge of my seat and what Dan is willing to do for his lady, just melted my heart. But we also see what Phoebe is capable of in fighting for her dream and her man and it ends in such a raw and epically glorious manner that will bring happy tears to your eyes.

What I Struggled With
Not much, honestly I fell so hard for this story here. And It was true perfection for me.

Narration
I was able to do the audio narration for this book and it was so so well done. I immediately was drawn into this story and I couldn’t get enough of it. They really enhanced the character depth to the story and just made them multi dimensional.

Overall View
This is a story that will win your heart and evoke such laugh and beautiful heart. It’s a sports romance that will bring such clarity and happy vibes from beginning to end.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Character Types: Coaching, Southern Belle
Themes: Angst, Lots of Laughs, Sports-Football, Stalker
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix of both

Song This Book Inspires
Unless Its With You by Christina Aguilera

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

Narrators:
Anna Fields ( )

eh. ( )

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 of her books. ( )