Helpful Score: 6
I definitely laughed out loud a few times-- but I also kept getting pulled out of the story because of Bobby Tom and his super-alpha alpha maleness. Like, sometimes an alpha male hero makes me roll my eyes, but the Bobby Tom character kind of pushed me into complete disdain. And Gracie Snow, as his foil, was almost too innocent, too naive, and too damn pushover-y.
I read the whole book, and overall I enjoyed it, but its not a keeper.
I read the whole book, and overall I enjoyed it, but its not a keeper.
Helpful Score: 4
This is a cute, light and fast read. Very typical of all Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books. I enjoy that she takes secondary characters from one book and makes them the main character in another. This book featured Bobby Tom Denton from It Had To Be You.
Helpful Score: 3
While I don't normally enjoy romance novels, this book was a thoroughly enjoyable before bed read. It gets a little frustrating toward the end, but, like all good books, has a happy ending.
This is probably the lowest I have rated a book. This story didn't work for me. BT was hard to like and I had a hard time picturing Gracie as the heroine. The secondary romance was a little distracting. However, it was a cute story as a whole, It just didn't work for me, Especially the ending. This was my first SEP book and I hope the others are better. It did make me laugh a few times, the ice cream scene was hillarious. All in all, I wouldn't not reccommend it, but I wouldn't pay overnight shipping to get it. On to Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn.
Helpful Score: 2
ANOTHER EXTRAORDINARY TALE FROM S.E.P. WITH HUMOR, ROMANCE & FUN!!
Helpful Score: 2
Part of a series about a football team and its owners and players. I enjoyed this because it was full of surprises and independent, strong women.
Helpful Score: 2
This was a good read for me. I could really feel for the main character Gracie snow. But in the end she got what she wanted by being true to herself.
Helpful Score: 2
I can not say enough about this book. It is hilarious for one thing. I mean laugh out loud funny. It is sweet and romantic and very different from so many romance novels I have read. This Author is quickly becoming my favorite. After reading this book, I DID, A FIRST FOR ME, I flipped it right back to page one and begun reading it again. This story was soo good and I felt so involved I was not ready to let them go..... PLEASE READ THIS ONE AND ENJOY!!!!!!!
Helpful Score: 2
Another wonderful books from S E Phillips, part of the Somerville sisters series. Here we meet the ugly duckling, i.e., "nondescript" Gracie Snow and hunky Texan ex-jock Bobby Tom Denton. Lots of fun, great supporting characters.
Helpful Score: 1
Grade: A
Heaven, Texas is book two in Ms. Phillip's Chicago Stars series. It is a modern fairy tale type story. Gracie Snow, as she puts it, is a âhomelyâ woman who grew up in a nursing home. As a kid growing up she always felt like the butt of others' jokes. She has recently been given a chance to prove herself with a movie company and was given the difficult task of getting Bobby Tom Denton down to Texas to film a movie. Bobby Tom is a former pro football player who had to retire because of a knee injury. At 33 years old he feels lost because football has always been his life. What is he to do now? This movie he is supposed to star in doesn't seem to appeal to him as much as he had hoped.
Oh my goodness, I just loved this story. I loved everything about it, from Bobby Tom and Gracie to all the town people of Telarosa and their annoying behaviors. I loved the silly antics that were constantly happening between Bobby Tom and Gracie. The opening scene is a classic when Gracie is mistaken for a stripper when she first meets Bobby Tom. I just loved the cleverness of the characters. Bobby Tom had finally met his match in Gracie.
There were so many wonderful moments in this story. It was sweet and poignant and at certain times I thought Bobby Tom would rip my heart out because it took him so damn long to realize that he loved Gracie and then when he does, Gracie mistakenly rips his heart out by standing up to him. Oh god. It was just so moving to watch Bobby Tom's cool façade falter in front of the whole town of Telarosa. I just didn't want this book to end. Ms. Phillips is a consummate entertainer. I laughed. I cried. I couldn't have asked for more.
Heaven, Texas is book two in Ms. Phillip's Chicago Stars series. It is a modern fairy tale type story. Gracie Snow, as she puts it, is a âhomelyâ woman who grew up in a nursing home. As a kid growing up she always felt like the butt of others' jokes. She has recently been given a chance to prove herself with a movie company and was given the difficult task of getting Bobby Tom Denton down to Texas to film a movie. Bobby Tom is a former pro football player who had to retire because of a knee injury. At 33 years old he feels lost because football has always been his life. What is he to do now? This movie he is supposed to star in doesn't seem to appeal to him as much as he had hoped.
Oh my goodness, I just loved this story. I loved everything about it, from Bobby Tom and Gracie to all the town people of Telarosa and their annoying behaviors. I loved the silly antics that were constantly happening between Bobby Tom and Gracie. The opening scene is a classic when Gracie is mistaken for a stripper when she first meets Bobby Tom. I just loved the cleverness of the characters. Bobby Tom had finally met his match in Gracie.
There were so many wonderful moments in this story. It was sweet and poignant and at certain times I thought Bobby Tom would rip my heart out because it took him so damn long to realize that he loved Gracie and then when he does, Gracie mistakenly rips his heart out by standing up to him. Oh god. It was just so moving to watch Bobby Tom's cool façade falter in front of the whole town of Telarosa. I just didn't want this book to end. Ms. Phillips is a consummate entertainer. I laughed. I cried. I couldn't have asked for more.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite authors and this book didn't disappoint. Likable characters and a fun storyline.
Was a true Susan Elizabeth Phillips! Was entertaining and a lovely read.
Helpful Score: 1
This and Blue Eyed Devil were such great books. Its nice to read a romance novel with soul and a great story.
Helpful Score: 1
Gracie Snow has a new job. The 30-year-old smalltown girl was hired to escort former football player Bobby Tom Denton to Texas to begin shooting his first motion picture. But this job may be more than she can handle. Bobby Tom has no plans to cooperate with Gracie. He isn't interested in making movies. He's depressed about an injury ending his career and doesn't know what he wants to do with the rest of his life. The trip to Texas takes several days with Bobby Tom stopping to visit various people along the way. He tries to dump Gracie along the way, but she is always one step ahead.
Gracie is smart and sassy. The no-nonsense woman has been told all of her life that she is homely. A makeover gives her the confidence to handle Bobby Tom and his antics. Bobby Tom uses his charm and good looks to get his way throughout the book. There is always a crowd of women trying to get a marriage proposal from him. Bobby Tom tells them they must pass his football quiz before he can marry them.
This is the second book in the Chicago Stars series and one of my favorite SEP books! Some of the scenes between Gracie and Bobby Tom are hilarious. The secondary characters are fun. There is even a secondary romance which held my interest. I read this book 10 years ago and loved it. I listened to the audiobook this time around and it was just as good. My rating: 5 Stars.
Gracie is smart and sassy. The no-nonsense woman has been told all of her life that she is homely. A makeover gives her the confidence to handle Bobby Tom and his antics. Bobby Tom uses his charm and good looks to get his way throughout the book. There is always a crowd of women trying to get a marriage proposal from him. Bobby Tom tells them they must pass his football quiz before he can marry them.
This is the second book in the Chicago Stars series and one of my favorite SEP books! Some of the scenes between Gracie and Bobby Tom are hilarious. The secondary characters are fun. There is even a secondary romance which held my interest. I read this book 10 years ago and loved it. I listened to the audiobook this time around and it was just as good. My rating: 5 Stars.
Helpful Score: 1
Ex football player Bobby Tom Denton's athletic career is over, and his movie career is just starting too bad he isn't interested in starting it. Gracie Snow needs to get the playboy Bobby Tom to the movie set or lose her job. A good steamy romance with a Texas flair
Gracie Snow is supposed to escort ex-football star Bobby Tom Denton to the set of the movie that he is very very late to film. Bobby Tom is bound and determined to drag his feet and take his time getting there, but he didn't count on a tenacious wallflower like Gracie. She will do whatever she needs to do to get his gorgeous butt there and save her job. And she will fall in love with her charge along the way....
There are so many things about this book I loved, I just don't know where to start. It's a little odd I loved it so much. What kind of name is Bobby Tom? What is WITH his fashion sense?? Yuck! Why does Gracie need to be plain to start?? And yet, I loved Bobby Tom so much I graciously overlooked his atrocious name and flashy apparel because how could you NOT love him? He's just so outrageous in the most adorable way. And Gracie! Poor dear! You really feel for her. She feels so boring and plain, but with the help of a makeover she starts to feel pretty for the first time ever! This book just had so much heart and emotion and it was just plain old fashioned FUN!! And I just adored the secondary romance between his mom and the town "bad guy". It was almost sweeter than the romance between Bobby Tom and Gracie. But not quite. I could just go on and on, but I'll stop now. Clearly I am keeping this one
There are so many things about this book I loved, I just don't know where to start. It's a little odd I loved it so much. What kind of name is Bobby Tom? What is WITH his fashion sense?? Yuck! Why does Gracie need to be plain to start?? And yet, I loved Bobby Tom so much I graciously overlooked his atrocious name and flashy apparel because how could you NOT love him? He's just so outrageous in the most adorable way. And Gracie! Poor dear! You really feel for her. She feels so boring and plain, but with the help of a makeover she starts to feel pretty for the first time ever! This book just had so much heart and emotion and it was just plain old fashioned FUN!! And I just adored the secondary romance between his mom and the town "bad guy". It was almost sweeter than the romance between Bobby Tom and Gracie. But not quite. I could just go on and on, but I'll stop now. Clearly I am keeping this one
GREAT BOOK! ALL OF THE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES (7 ALTOGETHER) ARE MUST READS!!!
This book had potential but it fell flat on it's face, multiple times. Obviously the story is supposed to be a romance, but the love was completely one sided. On the other side there was sex, until the very last second, which is pitiful in my opinion. I've read reviews about the 'grovel' scene in this book and I can't say I agree with many of them. The hero is a jerk who from second one decides to play games with the heroin, constantly puts her down (though most of the putting down is in his head), and embarrasses her in public. And the heroin is hardly better, she falls in love with a man she knows is a womanizer, she knows he has a penchant for manipulating women, she lets him walk all over her and then she takes him back when he doesn't deserve it. I'm just not so sure why so many people liked this book.
I really enjoyed this story. I like the Chicago Stars series as a whole, but particularly enjoyed this one. Good character development and good spunk!
Good book. Right on about Texas. Fun read.
I did not really enjoy this book.
I'm biased. I love SEP. This is one of her "football" novels, only Bobby Tom has been forced into retirement by an injury. He and Gracie both have ego problems. His is overdeveloped and hers is non existent.
This was my first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Laughed and cried --- highly recommend.
A fun book. Don't miss it.
Great read. LOL funny.
f.unny, fast paced writing at phillips best.
This is an excellent series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips --I wish she did more of this type.
Part of the Chicago Stars series.
i love this author! her books make me laugh and cry.
Joanne K. (Jerseygirl-exit30) reviewed Heaven, Texas (Chicago Stars, Bk 2) on + 79 more book reviews
Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my guilty pleasure. I've read all the later books and it was great to read this earlier book. The later books mention Bobby Tom Denton but it was great to finally read this one and meet him!
One in a series and a fun read.
A small town hero becomes a pro football player and favorite volunteer sponser to his hometown. Everything can be bought for a price until he looses his career and has to face the uncertain work of past football star. An unlightly assistant becomes his reality check and forces him to face his fears.
Another sure-fire winner by Susan Elizabeth Phillips! I must say I had my doubts aobut this one - I didn't think there was any way I could get excited about a hero named "Bobby Tom" who wears a cowboy hat, but I shouldn't have worried. As always, SEP has managed to create a great story, unique characters, laugh-out-loud dialogue and sexy love scenes. Bobby Tom is a football star forced into retriement by a career-ending injury, and beneath lots of good ol' boy charm, he's not too happy about it. Not knowing what to do with his life, he agrees to star in a movie. The producers are justifiably concerned about this infamous playboy's reliability, so they hire a babysitter - the none too tempting Gracie Snow. The resulting relationship is just great.
SEP succeeds at doing a lot of things in this book that usually turn me off in a romance novel. First, I don't like unattractive heroines that either miraculously become beautiful, but Gracie's transformation into a cute, perky and kind of sexy leading character works. Second, as a former Texan I usually can't stand the loud, folksy stereotype that Bobby Tom initially appears to be. However, SEP managed to make it work without being silly and does a good job portraying smalltown Texas. I still refuse to picture Bobby Tom wearing a great big cowboy hat, but if it works for you... Third, there is a secondary romance between two older characters, and I usually find that distracts from the main plot. Here it's so well done and flows so seamlessly into the main storyline that I was glad to see it. There are few authors who never fail to deliver, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips certainly falls into that category!
AMAZON.COM READER'S REVIEW
SEP succeeds at doing a lot of things in this book that usually turn me off in a romance novel. First, I don't like unattractive heroines that either miraculously become beautiful, but Gracie's transformation into a cute, perky and kind of sexy leading character works. Second, as a former Texan I usually can't stand the loud, folksy stereotype that Bobby Tom initially appears to be. However, SEP managed to make it work without being silly and does a good job portraying smalltown Texas. I still refuse to picture Bobby Tom wearing a great big cowboy hat, but if it works for you... Third, there is a secondary romance between two older characters, and I usually find that distracts from the main plot. Here it's so well done and flows so seamlessly into the main storyline that I was glad to see it. There are few authors who never fail to deliver, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips certainly falls into that category!
AMAZON.COM READER'S REVIEW
Come heck or high water, Gracie Snow is determined to track down the legendary ex-jock Bobby Tom Denton and drag him back home to Heaven, Texas, to begin shooting his first motion picture. But taming an egotistical cowboy in a '57 T-Bird might be more than this prim Ohio wallflower can handle.
from back cover
Come heck or high water, Gracie Snow is determined to drag the legendary ex-jock, Bobby Tom Denton, back home to Heaven, Texas to begin shooting his first motion picture. Despite his dazzling good looks and killer charm, Bobby Tom has reservations about being a moview star--and no plans to cooperate with a prim and bossy Ohio wallflower whom he can't get off his mind or out of his life.
Instead, the hellraising playboy decides to make her over from plain Jane to Texas wildcat.
But nothing is more dangerous than a wildcat with an angel's heart in a town too small for a bad boy to hide. And all hell breaks loose when two unforgettable people discover love, laughter, passion--and a match that can only be made in heaven.
Part of the Chigaco Stars--Bonner Brother's Books series
Come heck or high water, Gracie Snow is determined to drag the legendary ex-jock, Bobby Tom Denton, back home to Heaven, Texas to begin shooting his first motion picture. Despite his dazzling good looks and killer charm, Bobby Tom has reservations about being a moview star--and no plans to cooperate with a prim and bossy Ohio wallflower whom he can't get off his mind or out of his life.
Instead, the hellraising playboy decides to make her over from plain Jane to Texas wildcat.
But nothing is more dangerous than a wildcat with an angel's heart in a town too small for a bad boy to hide. And all hell breaks loose when two unforgettable people discover love, laughter, passion--and a match that can only be made in heaven.
Part of the Chigaco Stars--Bonner Brother's Books series
Come heck or high water, Gracie Snow is determined to track down the legendary ex-jock Bobby Tom Denton and drag him back home to Heaven, Texas, to begin shooting his first motion picture. But taming an egotistical cowboy in a '57 T-Bird might be more than this prim Ohio wallflower can handle.
Despite his dazzling good looks and killer charm, Bobby Tom has reservations about being a movie star...and no plans to cooperate with the bossy little virgin whom he can't get off his mind or out of his life. Instead, the hellraising playboy decides to make her over from plain Jane to Texas wildcat.
But nothing's more dangerous than a wildcat with an angel's heart in a town too small for a bad boy to hide. And all hell breaks loose when two unforgettable people discover love, laughter, passion..and a match that can be made only in Heaven.
Despite his dazzling good looks and killer charm, Bobby Tom has reservations about being a movie star...and no plans to cooperate with the bossy little virgin whom he can't get off his mind or out of his life. Instead, the hellraising playboy decides to make her over from plain Jane to Texas wildcat.
But nothing's more dangerous than a wildcat with an angel's heart in a town too small for a bad boy to hide. And all hell breaks loose when two unforgettable people discover love, laughter, passion..and a match that can be made only in Heaven.
come heck or high water, gracie snow is determined to track down the legendary ex jock bobby tome denton and drag him back home to heaven, tx, to begin shooting his first motion picture. but taming an egotistical cowboy in a '57 t'bird might be more than this prim Ohio wallflower can handle.
despite his dazzling good looks and killer charm, bobby tom has reservations about being a movie star--and no plans to cooperate with the bossy little virgin whom he can't get off his mind or out of his life. instead, this hellraising playboy decides to make her life over from plain jane to texas wildcat
despite his dazzling good looks and killer charm, bobby tom has reservations about being a movie star--and no plans to cooperate with the bossy little virgin whom he can't get off his mind or out of his life. instead, this hellraising playboy decides to make her life over from plain jane to texas wildcat
[from the back cover] The Angel and the Hellraiser
Come heck or high water, prim Ohio wallflower, Gracie Snow is deterrmined to track down the legendary ex-jock Bobby Tom Denton and drag him back home to Heaven, Texas to begin shooting his first motion picture. Bobby Tom creates a Texas wildcat--can he tame her?
Come heck or high water, prim Ohio wallflower, Gracie Snow is deterrmined to track down the legendary ex-jock Bobby Tom Denton and drag him back home to Heaven, Texas to begin shooting his first motion picture. Bobby Tom creates a Texas wildcat--can he tame her?
The book I have has a different cover...same name, same author and the ISBN is correct.
