✯BLOG TOUR:✯ Managed by Kristen Callihan {EXCERPT + REVIEW}

Managed by Kristen Callihan

Release Date: November 14th 2016

Series: VIP #2

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

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…

Purchase: Amazon, iBooks, B&N, KOBO, Paperback

My Review:

Not having read any other books by the author before, I was really impressed with Managed, that completely had me reading nonstop until the very end. From the witty characters to the blossoming romance, Callihan did a fantastic job with the story that will definitely leave you wanting for more.

At the beginning of the story we get to meet Sophie, an accomplished journalist/media guru whose talent led her straight into trouble when he ex decided to take advantage of her. Now wanting to start over, she applies for a job that she doesn't even know very well, only that it will take her to the other side of the world, far away from her old life. Yet, little did she know that her life was about to change forever the minute she boarded her flight. On the other hand there is Gabriel “Scottie” Scott, not only is he incredibly good-looking, but he is also manager of one of the biggest rock band in the world. He is ruthless, and knows exactly what he wants. Yet having everything is not enough, his past is one that he has worked so hard to change and move away from, but being haunted by it is what makes him keep everyone at arm's length. When he met Sophie by pure mistake he knows that he is not going to see her again, but fate had other plans and now she is working for him, which completely complicates things especially when he is starting to develop feelings for her. 

I really enjoyed reading how Scottie and Sophie met, it was hilarious and well played out between the characters. It's from the very beginning that we can see just how strong their chemistry is, and it keeps growing as the story progressed. Both of the characters have pasts that they're trying to move away from, but it's fate that ultimately brings them together in the end. Now as they're traveling with the band, they are constantly at close proximity to each other. But when Gabriel asks her to stay with him, she can't resist his proposal, but that alone could leave her in danger of falling in love with him, and that could only end up badly for the both of them. With so much chemistry between the characters, it was nice to read more about the characters around them, the band members brought a whole new level of wittiness and fun to the story. Overall, if you're looking for the perfect romance book filled with lots of amazing characters, then I would highly suggest reading this book. I will definitely be reading more from the author in the future. :)

***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.***

My Rating: 

{EXCERPT}

In all this time, I had yet to see Gabriel without a shirt. He hides his body like a pious Victorian, never letting me see anything other than him fully dressed and polished. Now I know why. Had he let me get a glimpse, I might never have been able to form a coherent thought around him.

This man’s chest is a work of art. It’s every fantasy I’ve had about a man’s body made real. I don’t even know how that’s possible, but I’m not about to complain. God, he looks touchable. Olive skin, tight little brownish nipples, a smattering of dark chest hair over the most incredibly honed—

“You’re staring.” His tone is dry.

“Yes, I am.” I drag my eyes up and find his expression bemused.

A thick brow lifts. I try to mimic the look and fail when both of my brows lift as one. His lips twitch in amusement.

He shifts his weight, causing his abs to clench. Good Lord. He’s not some overdeveloped gym worshiper, just solid and strong, that perfect balance between defined musculature and healthy male—

“You’re still staring, Sophie.”

“You think it’s easy looking away from all this splendor?” I ask his belly button, licking my lips when he huffs out a laugh and just a little bit more of his lower abs are revealed, slanting toward the thick bulge of his cock, which is lamentably hidden behind his slacks.

“You’re impossible,” he mutters, though there is humor in his voice. He strolls farther into the room and then practically kills me when he sits in one of the low-slung armchairs. That body, sprawled out on display, those thick, long thighs braced as if to take me in his lap—it’s too much.

I want to straddle him and lick my way from the hollow of his throat to the tip of his cock.

He eyes me as if he knows what I’m thinking, and the air thickens. So many things we left unsaid. I’m remembering his lips now, surprisingly soft, but strong with purpose.

From the way his lids lower, I wonder if he’s remembering things as well. But he doesn’t move. Tension glides over his body and snakes around the room. I feel it in my throat and down my spine. We’re closing up again, retreating.

Slowly, I toe off my shoes and set my gear down, never breaking eye contact. “I was being completely honest,” I tell him. “I see you like this and I want to stare forever.”

He snorts, shaking his head even as he rests his temple on his knuckles. “What do you mean ‘like this’?”

“Undone.”

He tenses. It does lovely things to that chest. I focus on his face, mainly to maintain some semblance of decorum.

“You think this is me undone?” he asks quietly.

“It’s a start.” I reach for my camera bag. “Will you let me photograph you?”

There is safety to be found with the camera between us. A way for both of us to hide until we’re comfortable around each other again.

“You’re serious?”

“You sound surprised.” Holding my camera, I sit in the sofa opposite him. “Don’t tell me no one has asked to take your picture before.”

“They’ve asked. I never saw the point.” He shrugs. “I’m not the story.”

You’re my story. You always were.

“This is just for me,” I say instead. “No one else.”

His shrewd gaze pins me. “Why do you want this?”

So I can have a bit of you forever. “Pictures capture moments in time. I want this one—when you finally let me see a sliver of the man behind the clothes.”

His nostrils flare on an indrawn breath, and he slowly lets it out. When he speaks, his voice is a rasp. “Take the pictures.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal , best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

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