Book Review: First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Philips

First Star I See Tonight

Author: Susan Elizabeth Philips
Series: Chicago Stars, book 8
Publisher: Avon (June 27, 2017)
(first published August 23, 2016)
Paperback, 273 pages
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Summary
A star quarterback and a feisty detective play for keeps in this sporty, sexy, sassy novel—a long-awaited new entry in the beloved, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author’s fan-favorite Chicago Stars football series.

Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham’s spotted her, and he’s not happy.

Which is why a good detective needs to think on her feet. “The fact is . . . I’m your stalker. Not full-out barmy. Just . . . mildly unhinged.”

Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he’s hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop’s life might be in danger, and Piper’s determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. (Hint: Not!) If only she weren’t also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants of fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.

And then there’s Cooper Graham himself, a legendary sports hero who always gets what he wants—even if what he wants is a feisty detective hell bent on proving she’s as tough as he is.

From the bustling streets of Chicago to a windswept lighthouse on Lake Superior to the glistening waters of Biscayne Bay, two people who can’t stand to lose will test themselves and each other to discover what matters most.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review
This is one of those instances where I'd have never picked up the book with its original cover, and THANK GOODNESS for a re-release with a new cover! Because this great clinch cover for the win! (And yes, I am totally judging books by their covers... At least at first, scrolling through websites and deciding what to click on and read the blurb for. IT MATTERS.)

I LOVE Piper. She's whip-smart, and also kind of bonkers. Her detective Dad raised her to be super tough and street-smart, but at the same time was really over-protective and tried to shelter her from really living the same type of life he lead - which makes for one fairly messed-up adult at times. With her big bag o' disguises, her Tinkle Bell, her cocksure attitude and endless trove of snarky one-liners, Piper definitely sassed her way right into my heart. 

Cooper was a little less memorable for me. I read First Star I See Tonighton a weekend I was doing a readathon, so I read it smashed in between four or five other books, and I honestly can't remember Coop that well. He's overbearing and kind of obnoxious with how competitive he is, but at the same time rather endearing when it comes to how he loves gardening, or his friendships with certain people (like Heath, or Jada's family). I feel like if I hadn't gone on to read a few other books after reading this one (and before writing this review...) I'd have more to say about Coop, so the deficiency here is certainly mine and not his/the author's, haha. Also I think it would be a struggle for anyone to stand out next to the firecracker that is Piper Dove. And then of course their chemistry together was AWESOME.

I did find a couple elements of this book problematic, though now I can't remember exactly what. Problematic enough that I groaned aloud "Oh, COME ON" to the room of people I was reading with, and twice had to complain about "Gross, listen to this" about something I felt was in poor taste on the part of the author to put in there. (Again, too many books between reading and writing this review! I need to get a notebook to write thoughts down I guess, since my brain can't hold on to them...)

This is book 8 in the Chicago Stars series, but can be read as a stand alone. I haven't read any of the other books in the series so I really can't say if there are spoilers for earlier books in the series, but it didn't seem like it. I do need to go read Heath and Annabelle's book now (book 6, Match Me If You Can) because I adored them as side characters in First Star I See Tonight and now I need to read more about them RIGHT NOW.