Natural Born Charmer (Chicago Stars, 7)

I love to read. Moreover, I love to read romantic comedies. So I am at a loss as to why it took me so long to discover an author who, for good reason, has had legions of loyal fans for years! I was first introduced to Susan Elizabeth Phillips (or SEP which those of us "in the know" [wink, wink] like to call her) a couple of years ago when `AINT SHE SWEET' was first published. I bought it, I loved it. I then could not wait for her next book `MATCH ME IF YOU CAN' which immediately became one of my all time favorite books. So it was obvious that when `NATURAL BORN CHARMER' came out I ordered it on the spot. Regretfully it took me almost a year to the day of purchasing it to actually read it, but let me tell you it was well worth the wait! SEP has a way of creating characters that her readers genuinely care about, a story that engulfs you and can weave a tale of romance that will leave even the ficklest of readers wanting more, and more, and more. In `NATURAL BORN CHARMER' she reintroduces us to Dean Rolbillard star player for the Chicago Stars football team who, in search of a much needed respite from the chaos of his everyday life, heads down to his Tennessee vacation home. He soon meets Blue Bailey who is also in need. She needs a roof over her head, a job and time to sort out the mess her life has become. These two soon find out that they have more in common than an instant attraction. They both come from similar childhoods and they both are stubborn, headstrong and not willing to give an inch. All of which makes this novel a ton of fun. At the heart of this story, yes, it is a romance but there is so much more to it than that. It is about family, reconciliation, willingness to forgive and being able to look past some serious rough edges in order to see the good in people. All of which may sound a bit cheesy but believe me SEP makes it work. I have a list of "go to authors" as I like to call them. They are the authors that I can always count on to produce quality work, who I know will never let me down. Now Susan Elizabeth Phillips, you my friend, are definitely on that list, I thank you.

I was just browsing one day, looking for something to read and was turned on to this book after reading the jacket flap. How can you resist a book whose main characters are (and I'm only naming a few) a middle aged ex-groupie, a bitter football star and a rock idol? It's not often that an author can make me laugh but Phillips' dialog had me chuckling long and often. What a find! I can't wait to read some of this author's other offerings.

I just put down this book and I feel almost stunned at the beauty and complexity of this story. SEP is the absolute best at this type of writing -- unsurpassed wit, humor and drama all mixed to create yet another masterpiece. Yes, once again we get extremely flawed characters with major emotional issues. But isn't that what SEP does so well? In a way, it's like reading a great mystery and trying to figure out how the seemingly mismatched pair will fall in love amidst the background of events that shaped their personalities. It is all the more heartwrenching to include the extended family and seeing those wounds healed. I must say I was surprised at the twists and turns this book took as each character was introduced. Like Blue, SEP is truly a word artist as she paints us picture after beautiful picture of relationships in all their pain and glory. Do not miss this wonderful book!

I read this book in a day. I thought it was clearly one of her best (along with Dream A Little Dream & Ain't She Sweet). It was funny and touching with great characters and subplots. Clearly worth the price of a hardback. It's everything a romance novel should be and too often isn't - a compeling story with compeling characters (and some hot sex)!

SEP has done it again. In Blue Bailey, she's created another terrific female character you'll never forget and hate to let go, like Phoebe and Sugar Beth and Isobel. Someone touched on the darker themes in this book and SEP doesn't shy away from these: abandonment, drug abuse, etc. But as an author, SEP always writes with a non-judgmental approach to her characters and through her talent, she peels away layers until she finds that one true note that explains her characters' motivation. And suddenly you understand. SEP writes comedy with human drama mixed in and although she touches on these darker themes, she doesn't allow them to steal the story. It takes a deft touch to handle these themes the way she does because the stories could so easily become humorless. As usual, there's the great dialogue, the funny one-liners, the peerless descriptions that make SEP one of a kind, and the love for her flawed characters that sparkles on every page. I wish we could clone Susan, or just compel her to write faster.