When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I'm having a hard time figure out what I think of this book. I was uncertain about the two characters in the beginning, didn't really like that the reveal of why Olivia doesn't like Thaddeus at first (and it's ridiculously quick resolution), and REALLY thought there was too much drama at the end and Thad was a jerk. This book could have been saved with the elimination of any of the 16 reasons the HEA doesn't happen or the streamlining any of the 212 storylines. If this had just been a forced proximity between an opera singer and a football player, this could have been an amazing book, especially by this author. However, all that being said, SEP is an amazing author and I eventually grew to like Olivia and liked Thad other than his (out of character) ridiculousness  at the end. 

Olivia Shore is a world-famous opera singer. She is the perfect choice for a luxury watch brand. Too bad the man they've chose to be her counterpart is such an amazing jerk. This tour is definitely just adding to the problems heaping on her life that are coming out as physical ailments.

Thaddeus Walker Bowman Owens is thirty-six. Not particularly old unless you're a football player. And not particularly galling unless a much younger, much more egotistical player is now the starting quarterback for the Chicago Stars while he is still second string. And now he has to travel with a woman who not only looks down on him, she seems terrified of him. What else is he to do except try to figure out why that is and whether he can't help her figure out her life. 

Three stars
This book comes out June 29th, 2021

Chicago Stars #9
Follows First Star I See

Followed by Simply the Best
ARC kindly provided by William Morrow and Custom House, and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Reread as ebook from Libby February 2023, as hard copy May 2024