Monday, December 15, 2008

Review - Heaven, Texas



Title: Heaven, Texas
Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Publishing Date: 1995
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: A
Sensuality: Hot

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 “homely” 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.

Here is what others had to say:

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7 comments:

Rowena said...

Oh I love this book! Bobby Tom was a fantastic hero (even though he was mighty frustrating) and Gracie was a great heroine for him. I was exactly like you the first time I read this book, I never wanted it to end.

KT Grant said...

This is my favorite SEP book. When Bobby gets on his knees and grovels, I wanted to stand up and cheer because he was such an ass who finally got what was coming to him.

Jill D. said...

Rowena, SEP is really great! I can't believe I waited so long to start reading her. I can't wait to dive into her back list.

Katie, Yes, this book would not have worked for me as well without Bobby Tom having to work hard to win Gracie back. I love that he lost absolute control and that his world fell down around him. That is what I want, for the hero to be knocked on his ass :)

Lori said...

Oh yes - this one was fabulous!

Mollie said...

I enjoyed this one too!

nath said...

Hmmm, I think I'm going to have to give this one a try :D

Jill D. said...

Nath, Do give it a try. It is really good. At least I thought so :)