Review: Managed by Kristen Callihan

Managed by Kristen Callihan
Series: VIP #2
Published by Plain Jane Books on November 14, 2016
Pages: 349
Genres: Romance


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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…

I just finished Managed and I swear I want to start over and read it again. It exceeded my expectations on every level. With a clever story, witty dialog, and winsome characters, I had a perma-smile on my face the entire time I was reading. I have the stretch marks on my cheeks as proof.

This is a fresh perspective on the rock star romance trope. You do have your typical wildly popular rock band; however, the focus is on their uptight manager instead of the band members.

Oh how I loved Gabriel “Sunshine” “Scottie” Scott from his first steely glare. The Brit radiates power, and his intimidating aura is quite effective in scaring away strangers, business associates, and friends alike. Little does he know that a certain bubbly airplane seatmate is immune to his frosty attitude. Sophie “Chatty Girl” Darling is Gabriel’s opposite: carefree and extremely sociable. It’s a match made in fictional romance heaven.

Delayed gratification, folks. Look it up. It’s a beautiful thing, and this book is a case study in it. Kristen Callihan masterfully constructs an unlikely friendship between Sophie and Gabriel, then takes that bond and builds layer upon layer of intense attraction between them, which they both try to suppress. The anticipation just about killed me, but it hurt so good.

Everything about this couple appealed to me, from their constant witty bickering to their mutual nurturing. Sophie is extremely intuitive. She reads prickly Gabriel in a way that nobody else can. Their relationship is pure fun from beginning to end.

When I read the blurb, I had visions of Gabriel’s “proposal” being of a sexual nature. I won’t spoil anything, but I will say it’s not at all what I was expecting. I love being surprised.

I’m giving a virtual big bear hug to each man in the band and every person on their management team. Their loyalty and camaraderie are amazing. Managed is the second standalone in the VIP series about the band, and my favorite book so far. It is the whole package: funny, charming, touching, and steamy. It needs to come with a book hangover warning.

Recommended for fans of:
Rock stars
Tour buses
Socially constipated heroes

Purchase Managed

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