This Heart of Mine

The best writer of contemporary romances proves that she is still at the top of her game in "This Little Heart of Mine." Susan Elizabeth Phillips plays matchmaker for two characters from some of her previous popular novels: Molly Somerville (Phoebe's little sister from "It Had to Be You") and Kevin Tucker (the Star's backup quarterback from "Nobody's Baby but Mine"). Molly is all grown up and is supporting herself as an author of children's books. Problem is, her personal life is non-existent. Kevin is now the Stars' superstar quarterback, but he hasn't allowed himself to have much of a life outside of football. Both are feeling restless and dissatisfied, and when they accidentally spend a weekend together, the results are disastrous. Kevin comes away thinking that Molly is a flat-out kook, and Molly is left emotionally battered. Thanks to some more unusual circumstances, they end up running a bed and breakfast Kevin has most unwillingly inherited. OK, so far this all sounds like nonsense, but trust me, Phillips makes it work. The characters are richly drawn and quite charming. Not only does SEP add a lot of humor (you will laugh out loud), but she also creates a wonderfully tender and sweet romance that manages to avoid being sappy and cloying. I was particularly impressed with the way she was able to intertwine Molly's children's books into the narrative without making them annoying distractions. If you only buy one contemporary romance this year, this should be the one.

This Heart of Mine lived up to all of my expectations for a SEP novel. Its hard to believe that we won't be meeting up with any other characters from the Chicago Stars. This book endeared me like all the rest. I loved Molly and Kevin's story and revisiting most of the families from some of her other books. It was great seeing that Dan & Phoebe had more children besides the twins. Both Molly and Kevin were believable characters. They each had insecurities that all of us have which keep us from accepting love without question. Its fascinating to watch their feelings mature as they work together on a neglected camp for senior adults. I also enjoyed the subplots surrounding Lilly and Liam, as well as the teenage newlyweds hired to work at the camp that couldn't keep their hands off each other long enough to get the work done. The way Molly wrote her childrens books around Nightingale Woods and the similarities between fact and fiction was the most fun for me, especially when Kevin realizes which character he is. If you've read any of Susan E. Phillip's books before, you won't be disappointed with this one.

This Heart of Mine combines the warmth and sass that are a Phillips' trademark. While Phillips has always created wonderful, endearing characters, she's added something new with this book. Kevin and Molly are part of a larger community where their actions and concerns--and, yes, their quite hot romance!--give the reader a sense of a larger world than one often finds in a romance. The secondary characters around Kevin and Molly and the "critters" in Molly's book are quite splendid and involving. And funny--laugh-out-loud funny, in fact!All this makes the This Heart of Mine poignant, touching, and quite special, a book that stands out from the crowd.And the writing? Well, nobody keeps up a pace like SEP, that's for sure! I can't imagine an evening better spent than entering the world of THIS HEART OF MINE. Loved it, loved it, loved it!

As an admitted fan of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, I may be biased, but THIS HEART OF MINE is one of her better books and I wouldn't hesitate to reccommend this book to anyone. Especially if you're already a fan don't wait for the paperback, this is one hardcover book that's worth the extra expense.Kevin Tucker (the back-up quarterback from NOBODY'S BABY BUT MINE) is a football player for whom the game is his life and that's the way he likes it. To simplify matters, he doesn't make it a habit to spend time with women who are chatty or intelligent. So to his surprise he enjoys the short time he inadvertantly spends with Phobe Somerville (from IT HAD TO BE YOU and current owner of the Chicago Stars, the team he plays for)'s little sister, what was her name again? That is until one night when she commits an impulsive act that could affect both their lives.Mollie Sommerville, a children's book author with a hard earned reputation for being a good girl has had a crush on Kevin for years. Unfortunately, he can't even remember her name. She's also had restless and wild impulses for years. Both she successfully subdues . . . most of the time. And one of those few times she didn't is something for which Kevin doesn't seem willing to forgive her.Pushed together by circumstances, Kevin and Mollie learn that the other is not entirely who they seem to be and they, and they alone, understand each other. Personally, as THIS HEART OF MINE is being sold as the last in the Chicago Stars series, I would have liked to have seen more and longer appearances from characters from the previous books. I was especially disappointed that the Bonner's didn't play a part, but new readers might find this a boon as THIS HEART OF MINE defintely stands alone, and while it's nice to have read IT HAD TO BE YOU first, it's certainly not necessary. Don't MISS THIS HEART OF MINE. A little crazy at times, very contemporary, and an all around great romantic read.