This book was near perfect! I loved the characters, their communication and the very real issues that they had to consider to get to their HEA. The mystery was very decent and made sense. Spoiler coming - I was so disappointed that SEP used the trope of "crying rape" at the beginning - there was really no reason for it and, given SEPs true capability, a bit of a cop out to create tension. The characters had plenty of issues to deal with.

I love SEP, I loved most of this book, but that part really made me mad.

Readers who have been waiting for a new book in the Chicago Stars series will be so happy to see When Stars Collide. A famous opera singer and a famous football player are thrown together as they join a four week tour to promote a luxury watch brand. Mutual dislike soon turns to mutual respect, then love. But there are frightening threats and more from unknown people from the past who are set on harm and revenge. So -- lots of great romance, mystery and intrigue. Longtime readers of this series will love seeing appearances by characters from past books. Looking forward to recommending this book.

When Stars Collide was.... OK. I read it through to the end, but it fell short of my expectations for SEP. Olivia, a renown diva, was not particularly relatable and her friendships poorly developed. Other characters in the book either needed fleshing out or they needed not to be there. The major plot line, outside of a growing attraction between Olivia and Thad, a Chicago Stars football star, was trying to figure out who was harassing/threatening Olivia as she struggles with emotional issues that are affecting her career. Without giving anything away, let’s just say that the answers to that question, for the most part, feel like rabbits pulled out of a hat. As usual for the Chicago Stars, Thad was hot and likable with some depth to him. Same goes for his teammates and friends.
I did enjoy learning something about the life of an opera singer and the world she lives in.

After raising her bar to a new high with Dance Away With Me, Susan Elizabeth Phillips disappointed with this one.

This title was a classic Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She returns to her roots in the Chicago Stars franchise. I loved seeing pop ups from old characters and greatly enjoyed the new romance.

It has been a long time since we have had a book in this series. I liked seeing older characters return for a visit. This book had lots of twists and turns and then a surprising ending. This is another great book by this author, you will really enjoy it

I remember enjoying the rest if the series, if in a not entirely serious way, so I was a touch disappointed to discover this new installment is...kind of messy. The characters don't feel relatable and their chemistry reads as forced. Still, it's a cute story and you'll run into some old friends along the way.

I have been waiting a long time for another Chicago Stars book from Susan Elizabeth Phillips. When Stars Collide was worth the wait. I loved it.

The wit and banter had me laughing out loud. The mystery and intrigue had me guessing until the last minute.

Olivia and Thad had so much in common, both being elite professionals in demanding careers. Yet superficially they seem opposites. He, the quintessential cocky quarterback; she, the operatic diva. They are thrown together on a whirlwind watch promotional tour and after a rocky start, they begin to connect. When mysterious gifts and notes begin showing up at the hotels they are staying at, Thad’s protective instincts make him determined to keep Olivia close, whether she likes it or not.

I learned so much about the world of opera from When Stars Collide. There were various jazz references as well and I found myself searching youtube for clips of every song mentioned in this book.

When Stars Collide, a great contemporary romance and a great addition to the Chicago Stars series.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always get so giddy when I see a new book by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. It took me a minute to get into When Stars Collide. The idea of Thad Owens referring to Olivia Shore as "The Diva" from the beginning was a little too much. Once I got passed a few things that irked me about the characters, I was able to be more into it. It was an interesting premise, and fans of Phillips' will enjoy!

Susan Elizabeth Phillips does it again. This story is really compelling for several different reasons. I loved the peek into the world of opera; Phillips definitely did her research, and that world felt really authentic. Speaking of authentic - I absolutely love the relationship between Thad and Olivia. They're both described as super dramatic people, and yet their back and forth and the development of their relationship feels so natural, in a way that even surpasses the last couple of Phillips' books I've read. They genuinely like each other and the connection is so easily identifiable; it's a little less opposites-attract and more about how similar and well-matched they are, which is a fun change. The conflict - even the villains - were complicated enough that there were some surprises for me at the end, which was fun. And of course there are several characters from previous Stars books that make appearances, even Champion, which I found just plain fun. All in all one of the most enjoyable romances I've read in some time.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*