Books On Board
series Reading Order

Chicago Stars Books in Order

10 Books
1994 – 2024 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start with the Chicago Stars Series

While author Susan Elizabeth Phillips (often lovingly called SEP by her readers) explicitly designs each novel as a standalone romance that can be enjoyed in any order, the best way to read the series is in publication order. Starting from the beginning allows you to experience the natural evolution of the Chicago Stars football franchise, watch characters grow up, and fully appreciate the delight of recurring character cameos.

For the ultimate introduction to this world, start with It Had to Be You (1994). This groundbreaking novel not only kicked off the series but is widely credited with helping establish the modern sports romance genre. It introduces Phoebe Somerville, who inherits the Chicago Stars, and her fiery clash with head coach Dan Calebow.

Chicago Stars Books in Publication Order

Reading the books as they were published is the most rewarding path for fans who want to catch every reference and family connection. Here is the complete order:

  1. It Had to Be You (1994) – Phoebe Somerville inheriting the Stars and clashing with head coach Dan Calebow.
  2. Heaven, Texas (1995) – Retired Stars quarterback Bobby Tom Denton returning home to Texas.
  3. Nobody's Baby But Mine (1997) – Physicist Jane Darlington and Stars quarterback Cal Bonner.
  4. Dream a Little Dream (1998) – Rachel Stone and Gabe Bonner (Cal Bonner's brother).
  5. This Heart of Mine (2001) – Children's book creator Molly Somerville (Phoebe's sister) and Stars quarterback Kevin Tucker.
  6. Match Me If You Can (2005) – Matchmaker Annabelle Granger and high-flying sports agent Heath Champion.
  7. Natural Born Charmer (2007) – Itinerant portrait painter Blue Bailey and Stars quarterback Dean Robillard.
  8. First Star I See Tonight (2016) – Detective Piper Dove and retired Stars quarterback Cooper Graham.
  9. When Stars Collide (2021) – Opera singer Olivia Shore and Stars quarterback Thaddeus Walker.
  10. Simply the Best (2024) – Chocolatier Rory Garrett and sports agent Brett Rivers.
  11. And the Crowd Went Wild (2026) – Former starlet Dancy Flynn and Stars quarterback Clint Garrett.

Chronological Notes and the Wynette, Texas Crossover

The timeline of the Chicago Stars series moves forward chronologically, matching the publication order. However, readers should note that the series is set in a shared universe with Phillips' other popular series, Wynette, Texas. If you want to experience the complete shared universe, there are several crossover points to keep in mind:

  • The Texas Bridge: Heaven, Texas (Chicago Stars #2) takes place in the town of Heaven, which is closely linked to the community of Wynette, bridging the two series settings.
  • The Beaudine & Bonner Connection: The Wynette series features characters who interact with the sports agents and athletes of the Chicago Stars. For example, Call Me Irresistible (Wynette #6) and The Great Escape (Wynette #7) feature characters who run in the same elite social circles as the Stars players.
  • The Garrett Sibling Duology: Simply the Best (2024) introduces Clint Garrett as the famous quarterback half-brother of the heroine, Rory. Clint's own story is then fully explored in the subsequent book, And the Crowd Went Wild (2026), making those two books closely paired.

Frequently Asked

QDo I have to read the Chicago Stars books in order?

No. Susan Elizabeth Phillips has designed every book in the series to be read as a standalone. However, reading them in publication order is highly recommended to appreciate character cameos and family relationships.

QWhich book is the best starting point for a new reader?

The best place to start is It Had to Be You (1994), which introduces the Chicago Stars franchise and establishes the core setting and humor of the series.

QHow does the Chicago Stars series connect to the Wynette, Texas books?

Both series exist in the same shared universe. Characters from Wynette often cross paths with Chicago Stars players and agents, and Heaven, Texas acts as a geographical and thematic bridge between the two settings.

QWhat is the most recent book in the Chicago Stars series?

The most recent release is And the Crowd Went Wild, which was published on February 10, 2026, and features quarterback Clint Garrett.

QAre there any co-authored books in the series?

No. All books in the Chicago Stars series are written solely by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.