Natural Born Charmer (Chicago Stars, 7)

Dean Robillard is at a crossroads in his life, having just realized that he won't be playing football forever he is driving around aimlessly trying to figure out what his life is really about. However, Dean isn't much for introspection or enjoying long stretches with only himself for company, so when he drives by a curious looking, yet headless beaver, Dean finds himself stopping just for the entertainment value alone. What he finds is one angry woman bent on revenge, with a little murder thrown in just to drive the point home, so of course Dean offers to drive her to her destination, after all - this is exactly what he was looking for, a distraction from himself. But the more time Dean spends around Blue, the more he realizes he enjoys her company, completely aside from the sexual tension between them. Also, as they arrive at Dean's new farmhouse, Blue serves as the perfect buffer between Dean and the collection of family members that start showing up on his doorstep asking for things he can't give them. But what will Dean do when Blue starts meddling in his family matters? Will he realize, before Blue moves on to her next adventure, that she means more to him than a mere distraction? Blue Bailey isn't having one of her best days as she walks down a side road in the middle of nowhere trapped inside a stinky beaver costume. But when the hunky Dean Robillard pulls over to offer her a ride - Blue just knows that fate is just having a great laugh at her expense. But, finding herself stranded, penniless and terrified Blue willingly, yet warily, accepts Dean's offer for a ride. What Blue didn't count on was finding the man so attractive, yet charming as he laughs at himself and the world around him. Yet as Dean contrives more excuses for Blue to stick around, Blue finds herself going along because she just can't make herself walk away from Dean just yet. However, it's just a matter of time since anyone Blue has ever cared about always ends up walking away from her, so she has turned walking away first into an art form. Will these two be able to get past their own insecurities and emotional vulnerabilities to find a way to be together? Natural Born Charmer is a wonderful story that will remind many why they are die-hard fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and it will definitely serve to bring many new one fans into the fold. As a reader, you can always expect Susan Elizabeth Phillips' characters to be memorable, but in this book, not only are Blue and Dean fantastic entertainment, the cast of secondary characters are just as interesting and compelling in their own right. From Dean's secret father to his reformed mother and, not least, his brave, yet vulnerable half-sister, Dean has his hands full, but their stories only serve to enrich Dean, rather than detract from his story or developing romance with Blue. Not to be outdone, Blue has her own problematic family history that has lead to her wandering lifestyle and reluctance to settle down anywhere. But when the town eccentric and Dean work to keep Blue around, she gives in, never imagining she will end up doing what she has avoided her entire life - growing roots and creating a motley family of her own choosing. It must be noted that this novel does use several plot devices we've seen in some of Susan Elizabeth Phillips previous books, but in the end Dean and Blue will charm the pants off of you while they set them on fire with their lava hot passion making you forget the entire world around you! All in all, Natural Born Charmer is a lava hot read packed full of emotion, action and witty banter that will have you laughing out loud while pulling you into each characters emotional journey - don't miss Natural Born Charmer or you will regret it! Sabella Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I was having a bad day...heck a bad week...so I thought I'd just stop and read for a while. Within just a few pages my whole day brightened. NEVER have I laughed so hard when reading! The little woman wearing the headless beaver suit and the VERY bad attitude had me in tears of laughter. Even now when I think of her struggles with that beaver tail, I just have to grin. The writing in this book is excellent, with characters that will make you laugh and also tug at your heart. I got this book free on kindle unlimited, but just couldn't return it so I went back and bought it! And, now I am reading my way through the series.

I am afraid I have become a Natural Born SEP fan (Sep=Susan Elizabeth Phillips of course) and therefore have succumbed to reading the entire Chicago Stars Series, including Natural Born Charmer. Although I find the first few chapters in these books to quite often be over the top (this one included), I nonetheless like the way they draw you in, and get you rooting for the characters. I also like the development of the characters over several books and the re-entry of characters you have come to know intimately in previous books in the series. What was refreshing about this book, was the parent-child relationships explored on different levels and the way forgiveness doesn't come easy but must be earned. I enjoyed the (in)famous character of Blue's mom, though we never meet her directly and the strange dichotomy her character creates. The lead love story was interesting and frustrating all at once. I liked Blue's intelligent and sarcastic sparring and her apparent casting off of societal norms. She is an unexpected feminist hero packed into a tiny, anti-conformist package. She is also honest and perceptive. I was hoping that Blue (possible spoiler, so stop now if you don't want to know) would break new ground in this genre by being honest about her feelings for Dean once she realized them herself--something that women learn over and over again from romance novels not to do. Why couldn't feminist Blue tell that sexy Dean that she loved him? But then SEP helped me understand; due to her past, Blue couldn't get a handle on the concept of love and commitment herself--so how could she tell it like it was to the man of her dreams? Although you can read these books out of order, it is fun to go along for the ride and see the characters develop through this whole romantic NFL world Phillips has created. Enjoyable read.

Amazing! Funny! Perfect! I loved this book so much I didn't want it to end. 5 stars plus. Susan Elizabeth Phillips could write my dreams any night. Two people worlds apart but with so many similarities they may just fit. Blue Bailey is down on her luck when super rich hotshot Dean Robillard drives into her life. She has no home, no money and no idea what to do next. Dean is on a break and trying to avoid his life while he gets his head together. They become each other's distraction. I'm in love with this book it was everything you would expect and so much more.

Hilarious, touching and thought-provoking. One of the most enjoyable books I have read - I was laughing so often while reading this book.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips begibt sich abermals unter die American Football Spieler und landet wieder einen Hit! Sie ist hier nicht origineller geworden und bedient sich teilweise bereits bekannter Muster: Mädchen ohne Geld und erfolgreicher Hunk, der seine persönliche Vergangenheit - wieder einmal die Beziehung zu seiner Mutter - noch aufzuarbeiten hat. Dennoch ließ mich allein der Einstieg - Blue im Biberkostüm - dauernd Schmunzeln. Sassy Blue und genauso wenig mundfauler Dean: wieder eine Kombination, die witzige Dialoge bringt und an alte Scrueball Comedies in modernem Ambiente erinnert. Neuerlich eine jener Geschichten von S.E.Phillips, bei der man nicht aufhören kann und wünscht, die Geschichte ginge endlos weiter.....

Humor is always present in her books but sometimes pathos and humility come on board too. I love Susan Elizabeth Phillip's books!

I have to say this book makes me feel ambiguous. It's definitely funny, has interesting characters and settings, and it follows a crazy storyline that I loved. On the other hand, I felt like it dragged on forever. All the second-guessing of the heroine had me going crazy and I almost put it down a couple of times. I understand the psychology that the writer tried to build, still, it was almost insufferable. If you like emotionally damaged heroines who cannot welcome happiness into their lives, talk like normal adults and instead live in constant emotional turmoil, this is the book for you!