Book Reviews: Idol, Managed (the VIP Series) by Kristen Callihan

Idol by Kristen Callihan

Apparently 2023 is my year for rockstar romance because I can’t get enough of them. Objectively these are not amazing books but solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for their addictive quality. I finished Idol in a day.

 

It’s the story of the lead singer of a rockband who finds himself drunk in the lawn of a recluse in North Carolina. He’s escaping his life and she is too in a manner of speaking. They form a connection and embark on a relationship (this is wide open door) and have to deal with the realities of their lives. Excellent side characters that all have main character syndrome in subsequent books.

 

If you’re looking for brain candy, you don’t have to look any further.

Overall grade: 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Managed by Kristen Callihan

This is book 2 in the VIP Series, and just inject this whole series directly into my veins. Managed follows the band’s manager, Scottie, the handsome, organized, most in-control person in the crew. He finds himself sitting next to Sophie Darling on his trans-Atlantic flight. Unbeknownst to him, Sophie is about to join the crew and now she’s off limits. Except, is she really?

I call these books Hot Cheetos - nutritionally deficient, highly addictive, and this is a whole serving!

Overall grade: 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

FALL by Kristen Callihan

Fall is book 3 in the VIP stories, and this time Jax is the central character. In Book 1, Jax has just attempted suicide and he continues to struggle with depression in this book. He meets Stella Grey who moves into the building one night right before a New York snowstorm, and sparks fly.

The thing I love about reading a series is seeing the author spread their wings and grow as the series continues. Fall is that example, and I can no longer call this series Hot Cheetos. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still very hot, but full of tenderness and empathy.

Overall grade:5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Book Review: Blush by Jamie Brenner

Blush by Jamie Brenner

Blush tells the story of 3 generations of women trying to save their family winery while rediscovering themselves and each other via their romance book club! Read this if you love expansive family sagas and/or have ever dreamed of owning a vineyard. The pacing is perfect - not fast, but not so slow as to be boring.

Grab a glass of wine and curl up with this book!

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: Dirty Air Series

The Dirty Air Series by Lauren Asher is set in the world of Formula 1 Racing. If you’ve watched Drive to Survive on Netflix and are interested in some very light and sexy books, this is the series for you. As of this writing, the whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited

Book 1: Throttled

Book 2: Collided

Book 2 is a friends to lovers between Sophie Mitchell, daughter of the Bandini boss and Liam, driver for McCoy, both of whom we met in the first book. Liam has commitment issues. It starts off as just friends, then friends with benefits, and of course, feelings get caught.

I didn’t like this one as much as Throttled.

OVERALL GRADE: 3 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Georgie returns to her coastal hometown from L.A. when she loses her job as a personal assistant. Her plan is to help her best friend Bel as she gives birth, and use the time to figure out her life. She finds a “friendfic” diary that she wrote as a teenager, and decides to live out all the teenage dreams she didn’t get to do the first time around. For romance reasons, she finds herself with an unexpected roommate, Levi Fanning, and his adorable rescue dog.

This book is like a warm hug - so sweet and lovely and full of heart, but don’t worry, it’s got PLENTY of steam. It’s the perfect beach read. You’re going to have all the summer vibes. Prepare to have your heart swell with delight.

Overall grade: I already know this is going to make my shortlist of best books in 2023, so naturally ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️