Managed (VIP Book 2)

This is probably my favorite book of the series and I absolutely LOVE this series, so that’s really saying something. These characters are so thoroughly real that they practically leap off the page. You just couldn’t be more invested in them. (Especially if you read the first book!) Gabriel is probably my favorite book boyfriend of all time and Sophie is just THE BEST! Love how they appear to be opposites but have so much more in common than you’d think, each of them masking their true selves in a way. This is real, heartfelt and HOT—pretty much the definition of ROMANCE! Love, love it!

Overall Opinion: I feel like this deja vu for me in regards to how I felt about the first book, Idol. I LOVED the first part of this book! I loved the witty banter, the chemistry, the grumpy hot H and the awkward funny h! I was on my way to having a 5 star read!Then, sadly, it fizzed out. I got antsy about waiting for them to actually get together. While I loved their friendship and their banter, I just wanted them to get it on ;)! It took until 73% for them to kiss for the first time!!!! I am definitely not a fan of instalove. I need to feel their connection before the "L" word starts being thrown around (even in inner dialogue). BUT I also am not a fan when the "slow burn" is too slow! I need a good balance, and unfortunately because I didn't feel like this was properly balanced it lost me. I don't need them to get frisky right off the bat in a book for me to like it, but I just didn't understand why they weren't giving in to their feelings here. It became frustrating to me, and I started to feel the itch to skim. I didn't! I stayed with it, but I really was ready for them to start up an actual relationship.I also was extremely frustrated with the "drama" that was thrown in at around the 85ish% mark. It felt like drama for the sake of drama, and it honestly just made me upset with the h. I know that the H was the one that we probably are supposed to feel "messed up" (because he is the one that made the big effort to make-up), but the h was bordering on that tstl line for me with her behavior. I loved her otherwise! I was just really bummed with how she reacted and didn't fully trust the H and the relationship they had to be honest. I know that I am usually harder on the hs than I am on the Hs, so that might just be the case here.I also wanted more! I wanted to see their HEA!! I wanted a farther jump ahead epilogue to see them with a family and settled down like Sophie had said was all she really wanted in life. While the epilogue was cute, it just didn't leave me with that feeling of fulfillment.**See Goodreads.com/NMmomof4 for my full review with spoilers**Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Sophie and Gabriel's story. They meet on a international flight when they are seated together in first class. They quickly engage in some fun banter and have an instant attraction, but they eventually figure out that Sophie is on her way to interview for a job with the band Gabriel manages. They end up working together and forming an strong friendship where both of them help each other out, and much to everyone's surprise Gabriel lets Sophie in to see the real him. They spend more time together, and the line between friends becomes really blurred and they fall in love. There are some laugh out loud moments, some sexy times, some sweet moments, and a little drama...but they do get a HFN ending.POV: This alternated between Sophie and Gabriel's POV.Overall Pace of Story: Great for the first half, but then I struggled with it. It is my biggest complaint tbh. I never skimmed though.Instalove: No, but instalust and instant connection.H rating: 5 stars. Gabriel. I loved him! I loved how protective and loyal he was to those he loved. I loved how he was with Sophie, and his inner dork.h rating: 3.5 stars. Sophie. I loved her until she decided to keep something from the H close to the end.Sadness level: Low. Never needed any tissues.Push/Pull: YesHeat level: Moderate. They take a long time to get there, but once they do they have good chemistry and scenes.Descriptive sex: YesOW/OM drama: Yes, but mildSex scene with OW or OM: NoCheating: NoSeparation: Not reallyClosure: This had ok closure with a jump ahead epilogue. I would call it a HFN ending, but others might be fine with calling it a HEA. Being the greedy girl I am, I wanted more!How I got it: I paid the $3.99 on Amazon for it.

4.5 StarsGabriel Scott is the highly skilled manager of one of the hottest rock bands in the world, Kill John. Known for his rigid and uptight personality, he meets the only woman in the world who can disarm him by simply being her...Sophie Darling is a sought after social media photographer on her way to interview for an exciting new opportunity, when she meets the gorgeous and equally tense, Gabriel. From bonding on their bumpy flight, to genuinely enjoying each others company, they are both none too happy find out they will soon be working together... extremely closely together...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Managed was a super sexy, slow burn, romantic reading, pleasure! Sophie and Gabriel's connection was so uniquely THEM. Fresh, fun and always witty, I loved each and every encounter between them! Following the sometimes insane world of the rock band, Kill John, Sophie and Gabriels relationship will face many obstacles, and might just open their eyes to a world of acceptance they've never found before...When Sophie is upgraded to first class on her flight to a job interview, her seat mate is anything but a joy to be around. So, she decides to mess with him, to try to get his icy demeanor to crack, just a little. But she will soon discover just what kind of thoughtful and dedicated man Gabriel really is... and just how risky he could be for her heart.Gabriel loathes flying, and yet, during their travels, Sophie somehow finds a way to not only get him to forget they're in an airplane, but to work her way beneath his closed off, chilly façade. Gabriel quickly realizes just how much he needs Sophie in his life, and that while he has never wanted to open up to anyone, Sophie is a breath of fresh air who makes him want to be a different man.This was such a great read! Sophie and Gabriel first bond over mutual comfort, and all kinds of cuddling ensues, but when they finally get to the sex, it is HOT, HOT, HOT. I loved the vulnerabilities that they show to each other and how their relationship progresses, as do other aspects of Gabriel's life in which he has been showing his friendship by "managing" instead of inviting in.Managed was another fantastic addition to the absorbing and entertaining VIP series! I voluntarily purchased my copy of this book and have provided my honest and unbiased review.

This is the second book in a connected series. Each book can be read on it’s own and enjoyed, but it’s better if you read the books in order.This book is about the very controlled and uptight Brit, Gabriel ‘Scottie’ Scott. He’s the manager of one of the biggest rock bands in the world and he’s got them there by always knowing what’s going on and being in control of it. He’s the same age as his band but you would never know it from his Saville Row suits and refined speech. He met the band when they were all at a fancy Public school together. He got a scholarship that got him away from his abusive and alcoholic father, after the death of his mother. He learnt how to speak and dress from his friends and their parents and the methods worked.Sophie Darling is a photographer and social media specialist who has made a mistake in the past of trusting someone she shouldn’t and causing harm to the band, before even meeting them. When she gets on a plane for an interview she doesn’t know she’s going to interview for Scottie’s band and Scottie doesn’t know that Brenna has invited her for interview. These two strangers find themselves sat next to each other on a plane, in first class. After a memorable flight they discover that they may be working together and Scottie changes to his usual uptight demeanour and his ‘Chatty Girl’ companion realises that she maybe shouldn’t have been so chatty.I love the way these two are introduced as it is probably one of the only ways anyone could get under Scottie’s skin, when he’s at his most vulnerable on a plane. Sophie is his almost direct opposite in personality. She’s effusive, finds joy in life and is excited about what each new adventure can bring. She has no great plans except to have a good time, whereas with Scottie everything is about looking after those he cares about, looking to the future to make sure everything is as it should be.They have their ups and downs, which is to be expected with such different personalities, but I really enjoyed the ride as they learnt how to communicate with each other. The characters were really well developed and believable. I loved how their histories and personalities were unveiled and it was great seeing the real Scottie after seeing him in the first book of this series at his buttoned up best.This is an entertaining book, that’s not too angsty, though there a few wobbly moments, that leaves you smiling at the end. It’s great escapist fiction.

I've been dying to read this series for so long and after devouring Idol recently I couldn't wait to jump into Managed and get the story of Band Manager Scottie!Gabriel "scottie" Scott is living a never ending hustle and bustle life being the manager of rock band Kill John.. we find out bear minimum about Scottie in story 1 Idol so I was intrigued to find out more about this stiff serious Brit and samn he didn't disappoint one bit!Boarding a flight is his worst nightmare but when he has to sit beside chatty open friendly Sophie Darling his life begins to change... but is it for the better or worse??Love the banter between these guys... the way that Scottie slowly but surely starts to let someone in... the way they are together is just beautiful.There is so many emotions that you go through while reading this epic journey of sadness.. happiness and drama!Loved this from start to finish.Roll on book 3 next!

I think I'm in love.What a man Gabriel is. I wish I could find the words to describe how much I fell for this character. I was fascinated and intrigued when we met him in Idol, and he only ever got better and better.Prickly, reserved, wounded, vulnerable, beautiful, clever, talented, strong, flawed.. speaks several languages. Kill me now.Aside from how utterly delicious Scottie was in this book, the story also delivered on all fronts. I didn't want it to end.We got more of the band, Libby and Brenna which I can't seem to get enough of, the dynamics in this group are just wonderful. The banter, the love, the loyalty between friends and family. It's perfectly written and completely believable and I just want to get lost in this world that Kristen has created.Her writing is intelligent and captivating. The story flows, never falters, and she keeps you hooked with incredible characters, snappy dialogue, wonderful imagery, humour, angst and a liberal dusting of hotness.Love, love, love this book!

Gabriel Scott… I LOVE YOU!!!!Managed is definitely my favourite book by K.Callihan- it has all the ingredients to make the story perfect and even more .It's romantic, lively, sexy and real. In a nutshell, It’s FREAKING AMAZING! I devoured it and I am craving for more.Like in Idol, the characters in Managed are ones I find easy to read and care about. I adore Gabriel and his inner battle about what he should do about Sophie. They are an up and down roller coaster of emotions. To the world, Gabriel is possibly the most imperfect perfect man- He is a secretive man and it takes a bit before we get answers about him I really loved Gabriel's big flaws...it just made him that more endearing .You want him to be happy and he is so undeniably hot and charismatic - It is nearly impossible to not fall in love with him.“If I can see you, know that you’re all right, I can breathe a little easier, feel a little human.”There is a lot of drama naturally. A lot comes from Gabriel not divulging any personal information and just expecting Sophie to trust him anyway. He is a force. He enters a room and sucks all of the air out of it.“You show up and everyone scatters like cockroaches to the light.”He's used to getting what he wants and everybody fears him apart from the bubbly “ chatty girl” who turned his world upside down and cracked his armour.Gabriel wants Sophie and Sophie wants Gabriel but they start out as friends teasing each other until Sophie is willing to just enjoy what “Sunshine” is willing to give her- and as a reader you melt on the spot!!“ I will always be yours, whether I touch you or not”The secondary characters that we met in Idol were there supporting each other and made this story even more endearing.If you are looking for a story with a cocky, romantic sexy as hell alpha and with a strong, funny and witty heroine, Managed is for you- It will blow your mind.Five stars*****+

I thought Idol was good but Managed blew it right out of the park. I could not stop reading, I started it late last night and stayed up till 3am before deciding I should probably just get some sleep and read the last 25% this morning. Which I did.Sophie and Gabriel were amazing together and I loved the build up of tension throughout the book. The grump/sunshine dynamic is a favourite of mine to read in romance and Kristen Callihan did it so well with Sophie and Gabriel. I am not a fan of the word banter but their banter was witty and angsty and teasing and I loved reading about all of their interactions.