Rating: 
Summary: More of the best from the best.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Another Star for Susan Elizabeth Philips!!!
Review: Molly and Kevin are a definate dynimite couple!!! They are funnier, crazier, nuttier and more loveable than any other Star couple that Susan Elizabeth Philips has written about yet! Molly is the complete oposite of her sister Phoebe but ten times as sweet. Molly is a struggling writer of childrens' books, she gave up all of the money that her father had willed to her and she is trying to make it on her own, but still dealing with her crush on Kevin, and having a hard time doing so. Kevin, the big bad quarterback with a marshmellow center, is dealing with an emptiness in his life and can't figure out why it is there, so he goes and does as many dangerous stunts he can find. Molly and Kevin have a great love story with a lot of banter, laughter and growth as people. This book is the icing on Ms. Philips cake as an author. A great read and a definate keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Be Careful What You Wish For...
Review: I really enjoyed this book.It's a continuation of the Chicago
Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I agree with others that at times it can be immature, but hey, aren't we all children at heart.
Molly is Phoebe's younger sister, and also a children's bookwriter. Kevin is the head quarterback for the
Chicago Stars. She's always had a 'schoolgirl' crush on him. They met briefly in SEP's earlier books, but they have an accidental meeting in this book that gives them more of an acquaintance. They find out how much they have in common.
This book made me laugh. This book made me cry. Susan
has such a wonderful way of telling a story. I give this story
my highest rating of 5 stars:)
Rating: 
Summary: Buy it if you really a fan of SEP
Review: Well, I must say that I have eagerly expected to read the story about Kevin Tucker for a long time. SEP has started to be slightly obsessed with weak female characters which surprises me a lot. I am used to read her stories about strong yet tender and somehow independent females. If you read "Dream a little dream or Nobody's baby but mine, you will understand what I am trying to say. Unfortunately I was not moved by Molly Sommerville. I, too am having trouble understanding what had happened the brilliant Kevin from Nobody's baby but mine. That one was definetly gorgeous and humorous. In this book he is still amazing but lack of that kind of spirit, perhaps because of immature Molly.
Just in Heaven, Texas before, this time I, again find most interesting, the romance between the celebrities; Kevin's mother and famous artist.
This one is not a real disappointment but, consider your time and preferences as well as money before ordering it.
Rating:
Summary: good....but the book is better
Review: This is the first novel I listened to after reading the novel itself. I always believe that it's better to read a book than listen to it, coz u can imagine however u want them to sound, and then there's the abridge and unabridge part. I'll give it to Van Dyke, She did a wonderful job in reading the novel. She is a very good actress and knew how to potray every emotions displayed on each scene. My only disappointment, is the way they cut some of the scenes( a lot of scenes) that should be there. Of course it's an abridge reproduction. Just a warning to all those who read the novel and planning to buy the audio cassette, Lily's story is gone, but her reunion with her son is still there, and then there's no mention of Cal, no softball game, they also deleted the epilogue part where there's a big celebration in the gazebo with Bobby Tom, Cal, and Kenny, and a lot of more, they are all gone,as in nada.. and then, It's ok that they cut of the scence, but I dont like the way they cut it, and let the listeners assume some things that really didnt happen. All in all, I still encourage everybody to get the novel instead, just because the story is better off itself without any deletions or alterations. But as I said before, Jennifer Van Dyke is an excellent reader, and my opinion about of how the story came out has nothing to do with her talent.
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely awesome contemporary romance!
Review: This Heart of Mine had it all when it comes to a great contemporary romance. The leads were well written and very likable, the story line did not have even one boring page, the secondary characters were really interesting, the romance was the primary emphasis throughout the book and the chemistry between the hero and heroine was sizzling. Add to that a most charming location, a very original story line, great humor throughout the book - yet a depth that kept this tale from being light hearted - and you have one of the best contemporary romances I have read in some time. Kevin Tucker is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and plays for the Chicago Stars. Kevin is quite the celebrity and is very dedicated to his profession. Although Kevin is a bit of a womanizer and is known to date a lot of women that aspect makes up very little of the actual man Kevin is. He has been playing professionally for ten years for the Stars and plans to stay with the Chicago team even beyond his actual football career. He envisions coaching the team someday and remaining within the Stars corporate environment even beyond that. Football is his job and he makes sure his personal life does not cross with his professional life. Part of that isolation involves not becoming too close to the family that owns and manages the Stars. He is friends with the owners but never even considers a relationship with the owner's sister although he finds her attractive. Molly Somerville is considered a spoiled heiress. Her sister owns the Chicago Stars football team and although Molly is very close to her sister and her family, she does not want or live a high profile life. In fact, the fifteen million Molly's father left to her now sits in a non-profit organization she created for a charity. Molly did not like the life of an heiress and her tendency to rely on her father's money rather than hard work for her living. So, she gave it away and now lives month to month as a fairly successful children's author. She loves her life and is actually quite mature in her life choices. She does not date men frivolously. When she finds herself sharing a vacation home, by mistake, with the famous quarterback of the Chicago Stars, she is quite startled by her overwhelming attraction to him. I can't say much more without giving away a portion of the story but this is the beginning of a somewhat reluctant relationship between Molly and Kevin. The book is quick to draw you in and has a most unusual beginning to the leads' improbable romance. This was a book I did not want to put down. I loved the story - laughing again and again and then alternately feeling a tender sadness for Kevin and Molly - both with their experiences and vulnerabilities. This very entertaining story has quite a serious side but Phillips is very talented at blending the two aspects into an entrancing story. The sensual rating is about 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). Two of the secondary characters, who are age 50 and 50 plus, add a very sexy flair with their relationship. This is a welcome surprise for the many romance readers out there that are members of the baby boomer generation. I highly recommend This Heart of Mine. It was thrilling to find such a good book after a rather dry run in reading. This is my second Phillips book and I am eager to work through her backlist. It is a definite keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Touchdown!!!!!!!
Review: I would definately agree with all the reviewers who mentioned the implausibility of the premise of the book- that a supposedly sane woman would be unable to control a compulsion to take off all her clothes and hop into bed with a sleeping man who is a near stranger-- Further, I would say that such a premise is ENTIRELY unappealing. I honestly had a hard time believing that Kevin would ever agree to be in the same room as Molly again after being so blatantly violated. I just can't get into a book that begins with a near blatant case of sexual assault... That said, the premise is just that-- a premise, to give the characters an excuse to get married and be stuck together. It plays basically NO part in the following 250 pages, so if you're able to block it from your memory, the book is a pleasant enough read, if you're stuck in a beach-house with your family, and don't know how to play solitaire.
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