When Stars Collide (Chicago Stars) – book review

When Stars Collide
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Release Date:  June 29, 2021
Publisher:  William Morrow
Book #9 in the Chicago Stars series
Number of pages:  384
Kindle
Source: MCL
Contemporary Romance/Sports
Ages 17 and up
CW: sexual harassment, stalking, emotional torment

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.

It’s been 4 years since I’ve had the pleasure of reading a Chicago Stars book, and that’s way too long. I have high hopes that the author will continue this series again since there were a lot of fun new characters added to the roster in this story.

The beginning of this story really had me curious as to who I would and wouldn’t like. Both main characters seemed to be not-so-kind. Turns out they are both exceedingly kind, thoughtful, smart, and humble. They’re both amazing in their field but are also very aware of the privilege their careers afford them. And they work very hard to keep in top condition.

Thaddeus is such a down to earth guy, especially for being a top-rated football player. He is respectful to all women and expects women to be respectful of themselves. While he has a career that doesn’t always work out with having a significant other and/or family, he understands being with someone like him will not be a good fit for someone like Olivia.

Olivia has always had lofty goals, and with her talent she could very well reach those goals. She’s been derailed by tragedy and has had to keep her troubles secret in order to keep her career on track. She also knows something about Thaddeus that makes doing a tour with the man very difficult for her. Thad and Olivia have it out pretty early in the book, and that distaste they have for one another eventually turns to passion.

There is an underlying mystery and threat this couple faces that draws them closer and closer throughout this story. Their chemistry just keeps building throughout and I couldn’t help but love every brush of the hand and stolen glance they had. Once things start clearing up and their lives return to “normal”, Olivia and Thad must decide if what they have is worth compromising their goals. Goals they’ve had their whole adult lives.

The heartache and healing this couple goes through was a joy to read.

5 stars