Managed (VIP Book 2)

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.

Four and a half rock stars!This had absolutely everything my little heart could wish for. Sarcasm, double-entendres, humour, a sassy heroine and an aloof hero. They travel the world with a rock band. Nuff said.Sophie is a social media liaison consultant and travelling to London for a job interview. Somehow she has been bumped from cattle class (sorry, economy) to first class where she is sat next to <u>the</u> most beautiful man on the planet. Unfortunately, it appears that he didn't get the personality to match and starts creating a fuss because he paid for two first class seats. Now when I read the first few chapters of this book at the end of the first book in the series [book:Idol|29541818], I carped about how this just wouldn't be possible - they would have told Sophie that the flight was full rather than give a first class seat that had been paid for (and they cost in the $000's) to someone from economy who paid a couple of hundred dollars for a seat. Well Kristen Callihan explains it beautifully.The beautiful man is Gabriel "Scottie" Scott and he is the manager of probably the biggest rock band in the world, Kill John. Since he was such an ass and made such a fuss, Sophie decides to have some fun at his expense. But it seems as though the uptight guy in a suit actually has a sense of humour under his cashmere vest-top and in a weird way they hit it off. Until Sophie explains why she is travelling to London and the guy reveals that he is Gabriel Scott and they could very easily be working together.I don't want to reveal anything more of the plot, suffice it to say there are rock star shenanigans, tour buses, opulence and cuddles.And Kristen Callihan nails the Britishisms, well-played it's hard to get it right but she does it. Just two things. First, Pret a Manger doesn't sell egg salad and rocket (arugula) sandwiches in the UK, that's an American sandwich filling (and yes I checked because I get my lunch sandwich there every day). Second, my fully paid for copy from Amazon had lots (between 10 and 20) of silly typos in it: "he" instead of "the", the occasional misspelling etc. I found that surprising, I'm used to it in ARCs but not in a published book.Other than that? Perfection. I loved every second of reading it. Kristen Callihan can do no wrong in my eyes.