Review: Managed by Kristen Callihan

Series: VIP Book #2

Format: Ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: NLA Digital

Synopsis from Goodreads

It started off as a battle of wits. Me: the ordinary girl with a big mouth against Him: the sexy bastard with a big...ego.

I thought I’d hit the jackpot when I was upgraded to first class on my flight to London.

That is until HE sat next to me. Gabriel Scott: handsome as sin, cold as ice. Nothing and no one gets to him. Ever. He’s a legend in his own right, the manager of the biggest rock band in the world, and an arrogant ass who looks down his nose at me.

I thought I’d give him hell for one, long flight. I didn’t expect to like him. I didn’t expect to want him. But the biggest surprise? He wants me too. Only in a way I didn’t see coming.

If I accept his proposal, I leave myself open to falling for the one man I can’t manage. But I’m tempted to say yes. Because the real man beneath those perfect suits and that cool façade just might be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And I just might be the only one who can melt the ice around his heart.

Let the battle begin…

 

Review

This was kind of a surprise. I liked it more than I initially thought I would.

Sophie was surprisingly likeable. She's so outgoing and chatty. These characters can come across annoying, but she wasn't. Gabriel was much more likeable than I expected. He was so reserved in this first book, but here you get behind that facade. Authors don't always make that choice and keep the guy distant which disappoints me. But Ms. Callihan went all in.

The romance was pretty angsty. The simmering tension between these two is spectacularly written. It kept me engaged and turning the page. And I liked that they didn't have sex right away. No slut shaming here, but it was a nice change from other books I've been reading lately.

 

There are so many other people I want books about in this series. The next one doesn't have a synopsis or a release date. I just want to know!!!

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Idol by Kristen Callihan

Series: VIP Book #1

Format:Ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Plain Jane

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

 Libby

I found Killian drunk and sprawled out on my lawn like some lost prince. With the face of a god and the arrogance to match, the pest won’t leave. Sexy, charming, and just a little bit dirty, he’s slowly wearing me down, making me crave more.

He could be mine if I dare to claim him. Problem is, the world thinks he’s theirs. How do you keep an idol when everyone is intent on taking him away?

Killian

As lead singer for the biggest rock band in the world, I lived a life of dreams. It all fell apart with one fateful decision. Now everything is in shambles.

Until Liberty. She’s grouchy, a recluse—and kind of cute. Scratch that. When I get my hands on her, she is scorching hot and more addictive than all the fans who’ve screamed my name.

The world is clamoring for me to get back on stage, but I’m not willing to leave her. I’ve got to find a way to coax the hermit from her shell and keep her with me. Because, with Libby, everything has changed. Everything

Review

 

Generally, I'm not a fan of rockstar stories. I'm not even sure why. But I decided to give this a try because I've enjoyed other Kristen Callihan books. And I was pretty pleased.

 

 Libby was a nice play on the typical shy new adult heroine. She's an introvert, but that doesn't mean she hates people or can't have a potty mouth. And Killian is a lot like an alpha male, but not too over-the-top. he has a lot of sweet moments with Libby and his friends.

 

The romance was very sexual, but not rushed. These characters actually talked to each other and learned each other's personalities. I could've used less sex, but that's more of a personal preferance. 

 

Ms. Callihan  did address some sex-shaming and double standards when it comes to sexuality. I've been reading more of this which I appreciate. However, the "fighting back" was often biting toward other women. I don't hold it against her too much because this is a tough situation to deal with.

 

There were a bunch of great side characters in this book. I'm definitely interested in the whole band, Brenna, and Scottie. I don't know if they'll all get stories, but I hope they do. I've already borrowed the second one from the library.

 

Thanks for reading!

Holly

 

 

Top 10 Tuesday: College-Set Books

I've been out of college for five years but it is still one of my favorite settings. College wasn't the best-time of my life (or worst) but I'm still drawn to it for some reason. I do think part of it is that I really New Adult-especially good New Adult.
Top 10 Tuesday was created by the Broke and the Bookish. You can find more information here

 

I did put series together because otherwise this would be a list of all Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. While that would be accurate it isn't very informative.

Like all of my lists these are in more particular order.

1) The Ivy Years Series by Sarina Bowen
2) Off-Campus Series by Elle Kennedy
3) Addicted to You by Krista and Becca Ritchie
4) Wait for You/Trust in Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout
5) Game On Series by Kristen Callihan
6) Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
7) Easy by Tammara Webber
8) Bowler University Series by Megan Erickson

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan

Series: Game On Book #3

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

A beard-related dare and one hot-as-hell kiss changes everything.

NFL center Ethan Dexter’s focus has always been on playing football and little else. Except when it comes to one particular woman. The lovely Fiona Mackenzie might not care about his fame, but she’s also never looked at him as anything more than one of her brother-in-law’s best friend. That ends now.

Fi doesn’t know what to make of Dex. The bearded, tattooed, mountain of man-muscle looks more like a biker than a football player. Rumor has it he’s a virgin, but she finds that hard to believe. Because from the moment he decides to turn his quiet intensity on her she’s left weak at the knees and aching to see his famous control fully unleashed.

Dex is looking for a forever girl, but they live vastly different lives in separate cities. Fi ought to guard her heart and walk away. But Dex has upped his game and is using all his considerable charm to convince Fi he's her forever man.

 

Review

I was so happy to come back from vacation and see that this book was out. Kristen Callihan writes great characters and I’m glad Dex got his own story. This isn’t my favorite in the series-that’s still the first one-but it was still a solid story. And I love a good virgin hero.

Dex was a great hero. He is gentle and kind, but full of surprises. And he’s incredibly passionate beneath his calm facade. I would consider him a beta hero, because he doesn’t have that crazy need to rage that you often see in alphas and athlete heroes. There are a lot of tattooed guys in books, but bearded not so much. I’m not really into facial hair, but Ms. Callihan made me more open-minded. And I’m so happy the cover actually reflects Dex. Oh, and him with baby Leo: amazing.

Then, there’s Fiona. I don’t like her as much as Dex, but I don’t have any major complaints. She is very confident in her body, but has some insecurities. Her personal journey and dealing with people who view her as flighty was interesting.

These two have some good chemistry. There was a little unrequited love on Dex’s side, but it wasn’t over the top and didn’t bother me. You can tell how much they both care about each other even when they are pushing the other away. I would’ve liked more of their families especially Dex, because I like when the two main characters aren’t only focused on each other. But this one didn’t bother me quite as much as others.

I’m guessing there won’t be more in this series, but I definitely plan on reading more Kristen Callihan as she writes. And if you like kind of angsty New Adult/Contemporary Romance I would suggest checking out this whole series.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan

Series: Game On #2

Format: Ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: New Adult, Sports, Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Gray doesn’t make friends with women. He has sex with them. Until Ivy.

The last thing star tight-end Gray Grayson wants to do is drive his agent’s daughter’s bubblegum pink car. But he needs the wheels and she’s studying abroad. Something he explains when she sends him an irate text to let him know exactly how much pain she’ll put him in if he crashes her beloved ride. Before he knows it, Ivy Mackenzie has become his best texting bud. But then Ivy comes home and everything goes haywire. Because the only thing Gray can think of is being with Ivy.

Ivy doesn’t have sex with friends. Especially not with a certain football player. No matter how hot he makes her…

Gray drives Ivy crazy. He’s irreverent, sex on a stick, and completely off limits. Because, Ivy has one golden rule: never get involved with one of her father’s clients. A rule that’s proving harder to keep now that Gray is doing his best to seduce her. Her best friend is fast becoming the most irresistible guy she’s ever met.

Which means Gray is going to have to use all his skills to get himself out of the friend zone and into Ivy’s heart. Game on

Review

Another great New Adult read for me. I like this one a little bit less than the first one. And Ms. Callihan is definitely on my list of authors to keep an eye on.

I do like Gray and Ivy. Gray was very well developed and I loved when he would talk math and science. It feels very natural which is harder to do then you might think. Ivy is likeable, but I didn’t connect to her as much as Gray.

They are a great couple. I love their relationship and seeing it grow from friendship to romance. I’ve said I like texts in books and they were here and were done well. One of my favorite thing about them was the nicknames. I actually don’t like endearments in fiction or real life because they often feel forced. But their’s felt natural.

My main issue is how focused Ivy and Gray are on each other. There is a delicate balance the author has to find and I often wished they would take a step back. I just wanted to see more of their other relationships especially for Ivy.

This series is a great New Adult one with a football storyline. If that sounds interesting to you I recommend them.

Thanks for reading!

Review: The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan

Series: Game On #1

Format: Ebook

Rating: 4.5 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: New Adult, Sports, Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone, and above all… No falling in love.

Anna Jones just wants to finish college and figure out her life. Falling for star quarterback Drew Baylor is certainly not on her to do list. Confident and charming, he lives in the limelight and is way too gorgeous for his own good. If only she could ignore his heated stares and stop thinking about doing hot and dirty things with him. Easy right?

Too bad he’s committed to making her break every rule…

Football has been good to Drew. It’s given him recognition, two National Championships, and the Heisman. But what he really craves is sexy yet prickly Anna Jones. Her cutting humor and blatant disregard for his fame turns him on like nothing else. But there’s one problem: she's shut him down. Completely.

That is until a chance encounter leads to the hottest sex of their lives, along with the possibility of something great. Unfortunately, Anna wants it to remain a hook up. Now it’s up to Drew to tempt her with more: more sex, more satisfaction, more time with him. Until she’s truly hooked. It's a good thing Drew knows all about winning.

All’s fair in love and football…Game on.

 

Review

After two kind of disappointing new adult books this gave me exactly what I wanted. The only thing that could make it better—hockey. It did remind me of Sarina Bowen.

I totally love Anna and Drew. They have issues (obviously) but they are great people. I really like them as individuals and as a couple. I think Anna especially has some very real hang ups. I’m sure some people would find her running away annoying but it didn’t bother me.

The writing worked for me. This is the hardest thing to put into words in any review I write. It’s emotional, but not overly-dramatic which I like. And the two POVs were distinct. I wish there was a little more Drew especially in the middle of the story.

Like I said before, I like Anna and Drew as a couple. They have great chemistry and I was very invested in them. I especially liked how Ms. Callihan approached the realities of being in a relationship. It’s not easy and requires work and pain can be a part of that. I always like books that spend more time exploring that aspect of a romance.

I recommend this book and plan to read more Kristen Callihan. I’ll probably pick up the next book in this series in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for reading!