Sunday, September 26, 2010

Review - This Heart of Mine



Title: This Heart of Mine
Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Publishing Date: 2001
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: B-
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I purchased a used copy at a book store specializing in trades.

This Heart of Mine is part of Susan Elizabeth Phillip's Chicago Stars series. Molly Somerville is the younger half sister to Phoebe Calebow the owner of the Chicago Stars football team. Molly has had a long time crush on the quarterback Kevin Tucker, yet he has no idea she exists. To most people Molly outwardly seems like a woman who is sensible and kind and conservative. But actually Molly has these periods when a little chaos and impulsive behavior leads her into trouble. One such period occurs when Molly finds Kevin Tucker at the Calebow’s vacation home unexpectedly. Molly's behavior leads to some very dire consequences which eventually lead Molly and Kevin unning a camp for vacationers, which is where Kev and Molly learn about each other and fall in love.

This Heart of Mine out of the books I have read by SEP has to be my least favorite. It's a testament to SEP's writing that I gave this book a B- rating as the writing is really good, but Molly was a really hard character to like. I was absolutely appalled at her behavior towards Kevin at the beginning of the book. For those of you who have already read this book know what I am referring too, for those of you who haven't I will be vague because I don't want any spoilers in this review. (You can always email me if you want details. I'll be happy to divulge those to you personally.)

Despite Molly's despicable behavior, if you can move past it the rest of the book is actually quite entertaining and a love story finally unfolds. I liked that Kevin eventually unwraps this quirky spontaneous side to Molly and loves her that much more for it. There is also a secondary romance between Kev's Mom and a reclusive artist at the camp. SEP just makes all these quirky characters come to life and they are a treat to read about. If you can get past Molly's cringe-worthy behavior in the beginning then you'll probably be able to enjoy the book.

7 comments:

nath said...

Hmmm, I vaguely remembered borrowing this book from the library and just not finishing it. It was very meh, especially for someone who just started this series out of no where.

Leslie said...

I'm pretty sure this is the first SEP book I read and one of my least favorites, except for her historical.

Molly wasn't the most likable heroine - I found her annoying. But like you said, SEP's writing is still worth a read.

~ames~ said...

I read Phoebe's book, but haven't picked up the rest of the series.

Which book is your favorite?

Hilcia said...

Oh see, I really enjoyed this book. I thought this was an excellent story by SEP precisely because of the way she goes on to develop the characters & story after what happens at the beginning of the book. I agree, definitely a testament to her writing skills. :)

Mollie said...

Guh I HATED Molly. TSTL to the nith degree.

Jill D. said...

Nath - OMG This is a terrible book to start reading for the Chicago series. Have you liked other SEP books?

Leslie - Man, it's lucky that it didn't put you off SEP forever, LOL. If it had been me, I might not have read her again!

Ames - I think Heaven Texas is my favorite. Be warned though, Bobby Tom is a hero you can either love or hate. I know a lot of people who hated him.

Hilcia - You have a great point. The characters are well developed. Also for me to have such a strong reaction to a heroine means the author is doing her job as a writer, which is engaging me. To bad it was just that my reaction was a negative one :)

Mollie - LOL, too bad you share the same name.

nath said...

LOL, Jill, the names aren't spelled the same way, so I guess it doesn't count :P

I've tried several other books by SEP, but meh. Not my style or something. Can't get into them.