First Star I See Tonight (Chicago Stars #8) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

First Star I See Tonight (Chicago Stars #8) Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips 
Publication: August 23, 2016
By: William Morrow

A star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.

Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham’s spotted her, and he’s not happy. 

Which is why a good detective needs to think on her feet. “The fact is...I’m your stalker. Not full-out barmy. Just...mildly unhinged.”

Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he’s hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop’s life might be in danger, and Piper’s determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. (Hint: Not!) If only she weren’t also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants to fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.

And then there’s Cooper Graham himself, a legendary sports hero who always gets what he wants—even if what he wants is a feisty detective hell bent on proving she’s as tough as he is. 

From the bustling streets of Chicago to a windswept lighthouse on Lake Superior to the glistening waters of Biscayne Bay, two people who can’t stand to lose will test themselves and each other to discover what matters most.

My Thoughts

It was a lot of fun being back in the world of the Chicago Stars! While this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. Fast-paced, interesting, romantic and funny. First Star I See Tonight is everything I've come to expect from a SEP novel. 

Piper is a no-nonsense, shrewd business woman. She's comfortable in her own skin and doesn't give one iota about Cooper Graham's appearance or his star power. Not at first anyway. Things change once she gets to know him. Cooper Graham---Coop is a trip! The opening scene had me laughing out loud. He too, knows what he wants and what he doesn't, and Piper Dove is not his type. Until she is. 

Watching the two of them work together while trying not to fall for each other was entertaining. And the Epilogue was great!

One of the things I enjoy about SEPs characters is, her heroines can survive all on their own. They aren't damsels in distress, they don't need a man--a hero to complete them. And her heroes are often attracted to the heroines strengths, not just a great pair of legs. When the two eventually do fall in love, it's a true partnership.  






About the Author 

The Huffington Post says the books of Susan Elizabeth Phillips provide a “gateway drug to the whole [romance] genre,” which she assumes is a good thing. Bookpage magazine calls her “the crown jewel of romantic comedy writers,” which is definitely a good thing. Since she wrote her first novel on a typewriter in her kitchen, her books have been published in over 30 languages and appear on bestseller lists all over the world. 

In addition to being a New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, she is a hiker, lazy gardener, horrible singer, passable cook, passionate reader, wife, mother of two grown sons, and grandmother of two adorable little ones. Her newest book, HEROES ARE MY WEAKNESS, is now available in paperback. Susan is excited to announce her next book FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT, the next edition in the CHICAGO STARS SERIES, will be released Aug. 23, 2016. You can visit Susan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or on her website.

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