First Star I See Tonight: A Novel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The readers can download First Star I See Tonight: A Novel Audiobook for free via Audible Free Trial.
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.
In this book, Phillips returns to a familiar series, sticking to a well-established plotline that has been used in previous installments. While not particularly original, the inclusion of characters from past books adds a nice touch, and overall, I found this entry in the series just as enjoyable as its predecessors. It follows a formula that works well and provides a pleasant reading experience.
SEP used to be known as the queen of contemporary women's fiction/romance. It's undoubtedly challenging to remain relevant in a genre that has undergone significant changes while still staying true to your style and voice. Personally, I felt that her last three books didn't showcase her talent well. However, with "First Star I See Tonight," she strikes a good balance by presenting classic SEP characters in her signature formula, while also incorporating relevant topics that acknowledge the genre's evolution. The inclusion of a current event story on international slavery, which is making headlines, demonstrates her awareness of ongoing discussions in the genre, even if these topics are also being explored by other authors who don't quite measure up to SEP's skills and talent.
I've experienced most of SEP's books in both written and audio formats, and I've found that the audio versions are more enjoyable. One of the reasons for this is my appreciation for the narrator, Anna Fields. Unfortunately, after her unexpected passing, SEP struggled to find a narrator who could do justice to her books. While Nicole Pool in this audiobook comes closer to capturing the essence, Fields is simply irreplaceable.
The audiobook narrator didn't quite hit the mark.
I'm a big fan of this author and always enjoy her writing. Compared to her other books, this one had more of a mystery vibe. The main character is a private investigator and by the end of the story, all the mysteries are unraveled. I initially read the Kindle version and recently gave the audiobook a listen, and I still found it good.
One small gripe I have is that the story follows the typical romance trope of a major separation between the characters. However, I wasn't a fan of the reason for the separation. Spoiler alert: The heroine breaks up with the hero because she's afraid he'll break her heart in the future. But in doing so, she hurts herself in the present. I wasn't fond of that rationale.
Now, let's talk about the audiobook narrator, Nicole Poole. She did a great job with the female voices and overall narration. However, I wasn't a fan of the voice she used for the hero, Cooper. When she tried to deepen her voice, it lacked emotional depth and didn't come across as masculine or sexy. Instead, Cooper sounded more like a brother or a friend - a bit dorky, and definitely not like a lover.
Some additional details about the book: It's written in the third person narrative mode and has a Kindle count length of 5,231. The swearing language is strong but sparingly used, and the sexual language is mild or non-existent. There are about five sex scenes in total. The story is set in present-day Chicago, Illinois, and was copyrighted in 2016. It falls under the genres of contemporary romance and mystery.
This book is seriously amazing, I can't even express how much I loved it. I've been a huge fan of this author for ages, and let me tell you, she knows how to spin a tale. The characters in this book are so unbelievably authentic that they'll stick with you long after you finish reading. Trust me, you need to read this. It's that good!
The narrator did a great job, although she lacked the same rhythm and delivery as Anna Fields. I really miss Anna's presence, and it's going to be tough for anyone to live up to her. However, overall, I think this narrator did a decent job. It was easy to distinguish between characters. Occasionally, I was a bit distracted by the way she pronounced certain words, maybe adding an extra syllable or simply not capturing the essence of Anna Fields.
The plot revolves around a woman who was raised by her father to be more like a boy, making her tough and rugged. She works as a bodyguard, engaging in physical activities like workouts and sparring. She was taught to suppress her emotions and avoid expressing typical feminine feelings. It might have been a bit exaggerated, but the author successfully maintained the strength of her character throughout the story.
Now, a spoiler alert (or maybe not, so it won't spoil the story). I came across a few reviews mentioning that Piper became weak and Cooper became violent towards her. However, I disagree. He did spank her, and she implied that she could have moved if she wanted to. Maybe the narrator overdid the sound effect for the spanking. Let me be clear, Piper wasn't seriously injured or bruised. I don't mean to downplay the seriousness of abuse, and I was apprehensive reading about it between the main characters. But considering their physical relationship, this scene was consistent with their personalities.
The story follows the same humorous and zany style as SEP's previous Stars books. It's an enjoyable read with entertaining supporting characters.
I really enjoyed the humorous conversations and entertaining situations in 'First Star I See Tonight: A Novel', especially when I recalled the beaver costume scene from 'Natural Born Charmer'. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is definitely one of my favorite romance authors due to her great character development. While I think four stars is a generous rating for this book, I believe it may be influenced more by my fondness for Phillips' work rather than the overall quality of this particular story. There are moments in the book that capture the essence of Phillips' writing style, but I have to admit that it felt somewhat diluted.
This story lacks the special techniques that make Phillips stand out, like her clever use of well-timed pauses to enhance witty exchanges and allowing characters to express themselves through their reactions rather than relying on explanations. Nonetheless, 'First Star' is an enjoyable read and definitely surpasses many other romance novels that are churned out by mainstream publishers. The narrator is above average, but lacks the magical touch of Anna Fields.
All in all, I would still recommend adding 'First Star I See Tonight: A Novel' to your Susan Elizabeth Phillips collection, but it's important to keep your expectations in check.
I totally agree with the other reviewers who were distracted by how Phoebe's last name was mispronounced. If it's been pronounced as KALE-Bo in the previous seven audiobooks, it shouldn't suddenly change to Cal-uh-BAU in Book 8! Even if it was always meant to be Cal-uh-BAU, it's too late now. Us passionate Stars fans crave consistency. A professional narrator should have taken the time to review the previous books and consult with the author. Besides that, the narration was just okay.
As for the story itself, it felt like SEP didn't even write this book. The characters were unlikable, the snark was mostly missing, the appearances of beloved past characters were brief and unremarkable, it had very little to do with football, and when did Gracie Snow Denton become the headmistress of an English boarding school? That's a different character from a different series. This is a big mistake. Cue the ghostwriter. While I often listen to the first seven Stars books again, this won't be one I revisit. It's so disappointing.
I am incredibly disappointed with the direction that SEP seems to be taking in 'First Star I See Tonight: A Novel.' It appears that she has joined the ranks of female writers who promote sexual violence as something romantic and erotic, which is disheartening to say the least. This particular cult believes that women secretly desire to be mistreated, assaulted, and abused instead of being loved, respected, and cherished by their partners.
At the start of the book, the protagonist, PI Piper, was portrayed as a strong and confident woman with expertise in self-defense. However, there is a sudden and jarring shift in her character when she allows retired football player Cooper to physically harm her in a fit of anger. Equally as bizarre, Cooper transforms into a sadistic and cruel individual who finds pleasure in causing pain to Piper. This is not my idea of something sexy or romantic at all!
In SEP's previous novels, she has created a wide range of captivating and entertaining female characters who would never consent to being mistreated, degraded, or humiliated. Similarly, her male characters have always shown love and admiration for their partners, girlfriends, and female friends. I find it appalling that domestic abuse and sexual assault are being glamorized in this book, especially coming from a talented writer who should be ashamed of betraying her own gender.
I absolutely loved 'First Star I See Tonight: A Novel' by SEP, just like all her other books. The narrator wasn't Anna Fields, but was still quite close to her style. However, when it came to voicing Phoebe Calebow, things went downhill. Seriously, who in their right mind would mispronounce that name and turn it into three syllables? It was painful to listen to, and it was clear that the new narrator hadn't bothered to listen to any of the other Chicago Stars books. It's frustrating when someone doesn't put in the effort. The correct pronunciation is K long A, B long O, which makes it two syllables. Please, find another narrator like Anna Fields. We miss her talent.
Waiting for this book was totally worth it; I was completely hooked by the characters and managed to devour the whole story in a single day. The selection of the narrator couldn't have been more spot-on. I haven't been this blown away by a reading since Anna Fields. Many thanks to M's Phillips for delivering yet another fantastic tale and for picking such an outstanding narrator.
I absolutely adored this book, like seriously, I adored it so much! Get ready to laugh, snort, get a little teary-eyed, and just completely fall head over heels for the characters! Susan Elizabeth Phillips is simply a genius!
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