Ingie's Reviews > It Had to Be You

Written April 17, 2014

4 1/2 Stars - Jeez, Ms. Phillips has the talent to write wonderful charming romances.

After reading two amazing books by Susan Elizabeth Phillips was it time for the third. It Had to Be You recommended by my friend and fellow citizen Susanne (5 stars). The very best book by this author, according to her.



It Had to Be You is a 20 years old romance from 1994. ~ Already with ratings from more than 27.800 readers on goodreads is this SEP's most popular book here. ~ Further reviews and ratings, feels almost unnecessary. I'll try to keep myself short (..if that is possible?)

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Phoebe Somerville, the outrageous, beautiful, blonde, Marilyn Monroe-like knockout, inherits a professional football team from her recently deceased father. A complete surprise for her and for everyone else. She has not been her father's favorite daughter...ever.

After years of avoiding her old hometown and her father, Phoebe is now (as a 32 year old), forced to very reluctant return "home". She has to take care of a big football team, the staff, new dollar contracts, unsympathetic huge men and also a younger unfriendly teenage half-sister she barely knows. ~ And Phoebe knows exactly nothing about something so totally uninteresting as football.

‘She was without a doubt, the most worthless, spineless, silliest excuse for a human being he'd ever met in his life.’

The Chicago Stars' head coach Dan Calebow, is maybe not always a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind, but he isn't that very glad in his teams new female bimbo owner. She is among the most stupid and ridiculous woman he ever met. Eye candy or not. Appearances may be deceiving. ~ He can not help but be, at least a bit, enchanted by this female beauty.

The games start and the battle begins... ~ Will Phoebe manages to persuade and make peace with this new strange sports-world? And Coach Dan, this temperamental man (a 37 years old former football player), is he able to manage his temper and lead the team to necessary new victories? And, perhaps most importantly, is Dan able to handle the new team-owner and perhaps even see something more in this flashy blonde? ~ The answer is: (view spoiler)[ Read and you will see. (hide spoiler)]

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This started as a typical amusing hate to love romance, in a good old-fashioned traditional Austen spirit. It starts with prejudices, preconceptions, an innate stubbornness and proudly characters, and of course several fun misunderstandings. But be just calm and patient, it turns right, and indeed then things hot up properly.

‘He seemed stunned, as if he'd never before been sassed by a woman. God, he was cute. Cute and sexy and hunky and mean. Uhmm. Grrr. ... It would take a lot of woman to tame a man like him.
She uncrossed her legs.
It would take a bed, too. (...)’

Phoebe and Dan are really two opposites and their thorny path towards a happy HEA is filled with funny jokes, hot moments (... everywhere), heartbreaking moments and an intriguing (football) plot with wonderful side characters.

She: “I guess we're oil and water.”
He: “I'd say we're more like gasoline and a blowtorch.”

# Dan is really all the tough men's Man with a capital letter. A sweaty muscular and physically fit 37 year old in the gym can not be completely wrong. Or? ...I shouldn't say no. ~ He made me angry sometimes (so stupid unwise now and then), but finally was even I in his admirers league

# Phoebe is swank and sexy dressed, sparkly fun with pouty lips, swinging blond hair and a woman's curves. Her hips get men on the case. A 'sassy' awesome lady... Moreover, she lurks them all for this girl has wits. ~ I liked her from the first page.

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It Had To Be You is perhaps written a quite long time ago, but it's just as fun to read today. A traditional contemporary romance - a stellar. A perfect feel good read. Hopefully you will chuckle, laugh, cry, and be amazed, surprised and just smile your silly "cozy smiling". And get the chance to live out all your emotions. I did at least. ~ It's heart, pain and a grand romantic final.

For god's sake, don't miss these lovely, sizzling hot, super romantic books by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. ~ This one was another recommended novel.

I LIKE - oh yes, yet another sparkling romantic diamond in this series


*****
# BR with my (snowman) friend Kathleen (4 1/2 stars), who listened to the audiobook. Thanks for joining me dear! ~ Our BR thread.

# I also need to highly recommend two other great (5 stars) romanses by this author: Heaven, Texas (Chicago Stars, #2) and Kiss an Angel.

At last...